Gift Guide: Lesbian Superheroes (And Other Comic Stuff for Queer Lady-Types)

2014 has been a pretty good year for female comic book fans and women in comics. There are a bunch of new female-led titles, some female superhero movies were finally announced, there are some super great women writing and illustrating comics and it looks like the pushback against the whole “fake gamer girls” thing is finally winning. It’s also been a pretty good year for queer women. Same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination ordinances are spreading across the nation, we got a second season of Orange is the New Black, Ellen Page came out. So let’s celebrate by buying a bunch of cool lesbian superhero memorabilia and other comic stuff for Queer Lady-Types!


Graphic Novels

Of course, any list of gifts for a Lesbian Superhero is going to start off with a bunch of comic books. That is, after all, where we’re getting all of this from. If you’re looking for comics that actually include queer lady superheroes, the most classic choices are, in my opinion, Renee Montoya, Batwoman and Runaways.

lesbiangraphicnovels

If you ask me, Renee was at her absolute best in the Gotham Central series, and this first collection is tells the story of her being outed and addresses the fact that she’s a lesbian for the first time. It’s a super classic detective story that sort of about Batman, but not really. You should also make sure to check out Renee’s one-time girlfriend, Batwoman, whose latest trade paperback includes an adventure that’s tied into her current girlfriend Maggie Sawyer’s past. Finally, Runaways issues 1-18 have been collected in Runaways The Complete Collection Vol. 1. This brilliant young adult (but perfect for older readers too) comic features the queer teen hero Karonlina Dean and her betrothed, the shapeshifting, genderqueer Xavin and is a must-have for any comics lover.

Gotham Central, Book 1: In the Line of Duty

Runaways: The Complete Collection Volume 1

Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs (The New 52)

newlesbiangraphicnovels

However, for more modern takes on ass-kicking queer ladies, I would suggest taking a look at Miss America Chavez in Young Avengers (which features a ton of other queer characters), which has completed its run, so it’s easy to ask for all of it for the holidays; Betty, the drug, fighting, sex and candy loving halfling from the punk rock fantasy series Rat Queens; Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy who are like, totally gay for each other in the Harley Quinn series; Feral from the absolutely wonderful book based-based-on-a-webcomic Strong Female Protagonist; and about 60% of the main cast of the just plain stunning British-teenagers-as-reincarnated-gods tale The Wicked + The Divine.

Young Avengers

Rat Queens Volume 1: Sass & Sorcery

Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot in the City

Strong Female Protagonist Book One

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 1

feministgraphicnovels

There are also a bunch of great comics starring women that have great feminist messages, but are a little light on the actual queer lady content. But I think you should still check them out. With the recent announcement of a Captain Marvel movie, it only makes sense to ask for her latest run. Also from Marvel comes Ms. Marvel which is about an awesome Pakistani-American Muslim teenager figuring out how to be a superhero for the first time. And if you want to check out just a top-notch beautiful, funny, exciting, and just perfect comic with a ton of great female characters across one of the most creative space settings you’ll ever see, you’ve absolutely got to check out Saga. Also, if you’re looking for a gift for a young girl in your life, from DC Comics comes My First Book of Girl Power, which looks to inspire girls everywhere to reach their full superhero potential.

Captain Marvel Volume 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More

Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal

Saga Deluxe Edition Volume 1

My First Book of Girl Power


Preorders

Patience is pretty much a superpower, right? Unfortunately, some of the best comics aren’t coming out for a few more months after the holidays. But that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for them right now. You deserve it.

preorders

Of course, we gotta put Lumberjanes, which has its first trade paperback coming out in April, on here. Honestly, if I were to suggest one comics-based present for any young person in your life that you’d like to recruit into the world of geekery, Lumberjanes would be it. Also in May, from Noelle Stevenson, one of the writers of Lumberjanes comes the book of Nimona, her terrific webcomic that recently ended its online run.

Lumberjanes Vol. 1

Nimona


Costumes

Being a Lesbian Superhero isn’t just about reading. It’s also about dressing the part. There are few things more satisfying than annoying an entitled male nerd who thinks he’s a better fan than you by proudly wearing a shirt featuring some of your favorite characters.

costumes

There are a ton of cool Wonder Woman and other DC heroine shirts, including this cool Girl Power one. There’s even a great Wonder Woman apron so you can cook like a real Amazon (that’s a saying, right?). And you can never go wrong with Loki being at his most evil, shouting “I do what I want, Thor!” on a t-shirt.

Get In On The Action Tee

DC Comics Super Heroines T-Shirt

Wonder Woman Shirt

Girl Power T-Shirt

Supper Hero Apron

I Do What I Want Loki Shirt

costumes_supladies

Spiderman ‘Sup Ladies Tee

Even though it’s supposed to be a shirt for men, I think a lot of Autostraddle readers would totally rock this Spider-Man “Sup Ladies” shirt. Speaking of that, why don’t women ever play Spider-Man? I mean, he’s basically the comic book version of Peter Pan, right? How amazing would that be, a cute lady with an alternative lifestyle haircut playing Peter Parker in the next Spider-Man movie!?! Let’s get this done, Hollywood.

Spiderman ‘Sup Ladies Tee


Toys and Decor

You also need to make sure your Batcave/Fortress of Solitude/X-Mansion/Baxter Building is full of awesome toys and decorations.

toys

These Funko figurines are super fun. They’re cute and adorable, but still totally badass. Who doesn’t want a little Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Michonne or Gamora sitting on their desk?

Heroes: Harley Quinn Action Figure

Wonder Woman POP Heroes

Television Walking Dead: Michonne Vinyl Figure

Guardians of The Galaxy – Gamora Vinyl Bobble-Head Figure

toys_batwomanstatue

DC Collectibles Comics Cover Girls: Batwoman Statue

For a more realistic (at least by comic book standards) statuette, how about this Batwoman one? This is nine and a half inches of total badass lesbian crimefighter. Plus, it comes with the bonus of being able to brag that you’ve got Kate Kane hanging out in your bedroom.

Batwoman Statue

posters

Posters are also a fun way to subtly (or not so subtly) let any houseguests know that you’re a not just queer, you’re also a big nerd. If you want a cool lady-superhero poster, there are plenty of good options. So, whether you’re into Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman or a Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy or Wonder Woman poster from DC’s Bombshell’s series we’ve got what you’re looking for.

Wonder Woman Art Print

Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman Poster

Harley Quinn Art Print

Poison Ivy Art Print

decor_batwomanposter

Bat-Woman Foreign Poster

There’s also this really amazingly weird Spanish Batwoman poster. I have no idea what it’s for, but it definitely makes a really bold statement about who you are and what you’re into.

Bat-Woman Poster


Movies/TV

As I think we all know, there aren’t really that many superhero movies starring women. Although there are several coming in the next few years (Wonder Woman, Painkiller Jane, Captain Marvel, Amazing Spider-Man Spinoff) finding current movies that are actual quality is pretty hard.

movies

Still, there are a few. This excellent animated Wonder Woman movie was written by Gail Simone and features the voice talents of Keri Russel (as Wonder Woman) and Rosario Dawson (as Artemis). Also, I think we all remember where we were the first time we saw Michelle Pfeiffer‘s Catwoman in Batman Returns. Finally, the recent X-Men: Days of Future Past features the character Mystique, who in the comics is queer, and stars the adorably kickass real-life queer superhero Ellen Page.

Wonder Woman

Batman Returns

X-Men: Days of Future Past

movies_wonderwomantv

Wonder Woman: The Complete Collection

Of course, you could always tide yourself over with the classic Wonder Woman TV Show Box Set. Watch Lynda Carter kick some serious butt and spread the messages of feminism, misandry and spinning in circles in all three seasons of the show.

Wonder Woman: The Complete Collection


Hopefully this time next year there will be even more comics and merch for and about queer ladies, and just ladies in general. But for now, if you want to check out even more awesome comics about and for queer lady-types, you can always check out the weekly Drawn to Comics column.

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Mey

Mey Rude is a fat, trans, Latina lesbian living in LA. She's a writer, journalist, and a trans consultant and sensitivity reader. You can follow her on twitter, or go to her website if you want to hire her.

Mey has written 572 articles for us.

20 Comments

    • This article has provided me with information I desperately needed to know. THANKS, MEY.

      You filled a hole in my life I didn’t know I had.

  1. That Spanish-language Batwoman poster is amazing, as is the Wonder Woman one. And I want to read so many books. Darn it, this list makes me want all the things. Great job putting it together!

  2. This is awesome!

    I do wish there was a list of ways to directly support indie queer and trans comic artists or webcartoonists! Like Patreons or links to their specific stores! Maybe in a later round-up?

  3. My kid has the three-season WW collection, and all three generations of my household enjoy watching it together. I guess the Supper Hero Apron (didja see what they did there?) will be her next acquisition.

  4. Can I have everything on this list?

    Also a girl playing Peter Parker would probably end up with me falling for someone I can’t have because they aren’t real… again.

  5. Oh wow this is all amazing

    Also is there a link for the “She can do it” Wonder Woman poster pictured, by any chance?

  6. I’m just going to email a link to this post to my family with the subject: My Christmas list.

    So amazing as ever Mey.

  7. Sooo excited about this list. I need to preorder Nimona like yesterday.

    I have the DC Bombshells Wonder Woman in button form, courtesy of my local comic shop and my lovely girlfriend. I think I’ll have to get her Runaways as a thank-you/Christmas present.

  8. this is literally the best. i want all of these things gah. also i almost wish you hadn’t reminded me that the young avengers omnibus is coming out so soon (and on the first day of hanukah too, wouldya look at that) but also that’s a lie and i’m so happy you did.

    one thing: SPOILERS for Saga (sort of, not plot spoilers really though) in i think the last issue Izabel (the adorable pink ghost girl) mentioned her ex-girlfriend, so it at least has some (dialogue about? lol) queer lady content.

  9. Solid list, as usual Mey : ) Just one question: where is the inimitable She-Hulk, Jennifer Walters, Attorney Extraordinaire?

Comments are closed.