Womanthology: Heroic

This massive anthology, with more than 150 women creators, has so far been better known for its funding and—raising over $100,000 on Kickstarter—than for its content. That should change now that the book is here. There’s a wide variety of talented work on display, showing how many diverse styles and subjects can make for great comics. The different portraits and definitions of heroism encompass everything from caped fliers to historical allusions to quiet bravery. The tips scattered across the bottom of various pages on how to be a comics professional are helpful but seem to have wandered in from some other book. The editors have attempted to create an all-in-one book, showing what women can do in comics, with historical profiles and interviews with current creators. Although most would agree that women have already proven their place in the comics medium, the book does suggest an instant time capsule, a volume to look back at in five or 10 years and see art from who they were when. The reader is left wanting a lot more from the contributors than these short pieces, and that was undoubtedly the goal. (Mar.)