Do Women of a Certain Age Read Comics?

Meet Hot Flash Woman

Hot Flash Woman was a super hero I created for my comic character, Kim, who has a career as a writer. I had a grand time designing her costume with her fishnet stockings and over-the-knee spike boots. (the explanation for the clothing choices is explained in the comics below) While telling my (then teenaged) son about Hot Flash Woman and laughing at my own genius, he rolled his eyes and said, “MOM…women your age don’t read comics.”

Ignoring the fact that his lifestyle since birth has been underwritten by my women-featured comic strip, he went on his way and I did what I often do: use influences from my life as fodder for my strip.

Typically, I write each week of my Between Friends strip surrounding a theme. Within the week there is sometimes a strip that is not particularly strong but is necessary as a link to move the narrative along. The strip above is one such example. It’s not especially clever but I needed it to launch the topic of my Hot Flash Woman week. I think I probably could have come up with a better punchline than having Kim break the fourth wall to speak directly to readers but deadlines being what they are, I went with it.

Well, the next day my mail blew up.  Here’s a small sampling…

Thank you so much for Hot Flash Woman. It’s time someone gave us a little power!

Your strip makes me laugh out loud. Please continue this story line. Hot Flash Woman is real!!!!! And she lives and breathes in Brampton, Ontario!

Bring on Hot Flash Woman we need a new super hero that is not wonder, mutant or an  amazon.

I’ll tell you what she’s going to DO…her superpower, I mean. She’s going to delegate. You know. “You do this!” and “You do that!”…as if that isn’t a big job too, eh? But feel free to use it, if you like. No charge from me. A faithful reader in Montreal.

Absofrickenloutly!

I LOVE READING COMICS! AND I’M 43!

…we do love comics! Well, at least this 60 year old does! Especially yours!

Very right! I’m a few years shy of 50, and not into hot flashes *just* yet, but I have loved comics ever since I was a kid – when my dad and I would read the Sunday funnies together every week. Comics are still my favourite part of the newspaper. Bring on “Hot Flash Woman” – we will love her!

Hmm. Apparently, women of a certain age DO read comics. Editors, take note.

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