On Saturday the Glasgow Feminist Network had a social event where we swapped clothes, ate cakes and watched Persepolis. We were also invited to do a reading from something that meant something to us as women. I immediately decided I wanted to do a reading from a graphic novel, as that’s what I mainly read these days. And Peter Bagge’s ‘The Bradleys’, specifically Babs Bradley’s diary, was the first thing that sprung to mind. Why?

First of all, yes Peter Bagge is a man. Why didn’t I choose to introduce my friends to a female artist? Well, I really think that Bagge creates some of the most genuine, realistic and funny female characters I’ve ever came across, and that’s something to be recognised. The 15 year old Babs Bradley was one of the first male-created female characters I came across in adult comics that was in no way sexualised or patronised.

Babs’ diary is funny and sad at the same time. I think there’s something in there that anyone who’s ever been a teenage girl can relate to, whether it’s dealing with mean brothers, tv drama or the heartbreaking moment you realise your crush is just another asshole like the rest of them.