Invisible Presence: The Representation of Women in French-Language Comics

This book explores the representation of female characters in French comics from their first appearance in 1905, focusing on female characters, both primary and secondary, in the francophone comic or bande dessinée, and the work of female bande dessinée creators more generally. It is the first book to study this representation, and is written in English, appealing to an Anglo-American market.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2022
Publisher: Intellect Books

This comprehensive book delves into the portrayal of female characters in French comics, spanning from their initial appearance in 1905. It is organized into three sections, each exploring different aspects of their representation. The first section examines the portrayal of women as main characters created by men, the second explores the roles of secondary characters created by men, and the third focuses on characters created by women. The book specifically examines female characters in the francophone comic or bande dessinée, as well as the contributions of female bande dessinée creators more broadly.

Until now, these characters and creators have received relatively limited scholarly attention, which this new book aims to rectify. By employing feminist scholarship, particularly from renowned film and literary theorists, the book explores the challenges of drawing women within a phallocentric, male-dominated paradigm. It also examines how the medium of bande dessinée, with its unique form and history, has shaped dominant representations of women.

This is the first book dedicated to studying the representation of women in the French-language drawn strip. While there have been works that examine women in Franco-Belgian comics or the drawn representation of women by men, this book offers a unique perspective on the topic. Its focus on the French-language comics market, coupled with the cultural and gender studies approach employed, makes it of interest to both general discussions of French-language comics and those focused on women's comics, particularly those produced by women.

Due to its English language and the popularity of comic art in Britain and the United States, this book will primarily appeal to an Anglo-American audience. However, the cultural and gender studies approach employed ensures that the text will also be of interest to a Franco-Belgian audience, as it offers a fresh perspective on a art-form that is also widely appreciated in those regions.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable addition to the field of comics studies, providing a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the representation of female characters in French comics. Its focus on an art-form that inspires a lot of public interest makes it accessible to a wide audience, and its cultural and gender studies approach ensures that it will be of interest to scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Dimension: 244 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789386813
Edition number: New ed