13. A collection of short stories: Comics for Choice: Illustrated Abortion Stories, History, and Politics, 2nd Edition edited by Hazel Newlevant, Whit Taylor, and Ø.K. Fox

List Progress: 1/30

As America is getting ready to usher in an hateful oligarch, it is a good time to remember what is at risk when fascists are running the show. Comics for Choice is a collection of comics about abortion that was first compiled and published in 2017, but the second edition was released in March 2023, after the fall of Roe vs. Wade and when many states had already put serious bans and restrictions on abortion into effect. Reproductive health and bodily autonomy are under attack in the United States, and there is real value in people sharing their personal stories about abortion, health care, and how the political landscape has impacted those things. Reading the collection as a solid unit, the stories can become a bit repetitive, but they all have value and the fact that there are many very similar stories is as much a sign of the scale of the issue as anything else.

To be fair, Comics for Choice tackles the topic of abortion from many different angles. Most of the stories are people telling the stories of their own abortions, but some are from healthcare professionals, some are taking a historical approach, and some are speaking with people who were not able to access abortions and had to carry their babies to term. A couple of the most impactful stories are from people interviewing their own mothers. Being an anthology with many authors and artists, the art styles and qualities are quite variable, but most are evocative and emotional enough for the stories being told.

One hopes that this collection could begin to change the mind of a anti-abortion individual, but with a topic as hopelessly politicized as abortion, there’s only so much people are willing to move. Perhaps the bigger gift of Comics for Choice is making people who have had or needed abortions feel less alone. Abortion is normal, safe, and should be available for all those who need or want it, and if that is something you need to be convinced of, hopefully these collected stories can explain some of what you need to know.

Would I Recommend It: Yes.