Women’s History month is time for our society to reflect on the accomplishments of women. To celebrate, TidalWave Productions announces the re-release of its famous Female Force line of comic books and graphic novels. These books feature innovative stories showcasing the lives of the famous and infamous with a tight focus on the women who shape modern history and culture.
The Female Force imprint features prominent and influential authors, business executives, entertainers, journalists, politicians, and activists. The biographical comic series has drawn a firestorm of media attention, including features on The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, and in People magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and thousands of blogs and other media outlets such as Politico.
Over sixty Female Force titles are available worldwide in both print and digital formats. They feature personalities such as Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Cher, Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, J.K. Rowling, Ellen DeGeneres, Sheryl Sandberg, Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinem, and others.
Darren G. Davis, publisher and creative force behind TidalWave, saw the trend toward attracting diverse readers to comics well before the current trend. In 2008, TidalWave’s first foray into nonfiction told the backstories of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, delving into a corner of the sequential art and storytelling market that was largely untapped.
“It’s important that readers see themselves in the characters,” said Davis, a self-proclaimed recalcitrant reader who believes in the power of comic books to engage readers. “For too long, the comic book business was focused on the male power fantasy.”
Davis, whose office is decorated with Batgirl figurines, statues, and original art which shares space with his own creations, the 10th Muse and Isis, has long sought to create books for female readers. TidalWave Studios burst on the comic scene in August of 2000 with the debut of 10th Muse. Ranked by Wizard magazine, a former industry-leading news magazine, as one of the highest debuts from an independent producer, the book quickly found a wide audience.
“Female readers are hungry for representation,” said Davis.
Unlike the standard “floppy” format used by most comic book publishers, these new editions will present some of TidalWave’s bestsellers in a square-bound format with cardstock covers and vibrant, crisp colors. TidalWave formed a recent partnership with Ingram to print high-quality books on demand while assisting with eBook distribution and more. Ingram works across the full publishing spectrum, providing assistance to some of the largest names in the business to local indie authors.
Educators will find TidalWave’s robust catalog of graphic and literary novels now fully accessible, providing teachable moments for their students. Libraries can order books designed to educate and entertain communities, while comic book stores can capitalize on the focus of the lives of famous – and infamous – while adding credibility to the graphic form by sharing true stories that shape our lives.