Characters and creators: female representation in comics

In an industry characterised by predominantly male creators and readers, the portrayal of female characters within comics and graphic novels raises important questions of representation, sexism, and the wide-ranging impact of stereotypes in media. This thesis provides an overview of the history of women in the comics and graphic novel industry, alongside a review of a selection of female protagonists. In addition to the research component, these findings will inform the design of a female protagonist for a graphic novel, in a narrative that explores and navigates the pervasive stereotypes associated with female comic book characters.