Synopsis
In a dystopian near future, women who are deemed “non-compliant”—whether for being too loud, too old, too fat, too brown, or, in some cases, for committing murder—are sent to the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost, an off-planet detention center known colloquially as Bitch Planet. One woman, Kamau Kogo, arrives on Bitch Planet in search of her sister, but to find her, she’ll have to play the administration’s games.
Notes on This Title
The bulk of the series is illustrated by Valentine De Landro, with special character-centric issues illustrated by Robert Wilson IV and Taki Soma. Volume 1 has minor queer female characters and references a supporting black trans woman character who first appears in the second volume. Single issues contain guest essays on feminist themes that are not included in the trade paperback collections.
Awards
2015 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Award Winner — Favorite Indie Book
2015 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards Shortlist — Favorite Overall Comic
2016 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Award Winner — Favorite Indie Book
2016 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Award Winner — Favorite Single Issue (Bitch Planet #8)
2016 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Award Winner — Favorite Overall Comic
2016 British Fantasy Award — Comic/Graphic Novel
2016 Eisner Nominee for Best New Series
2018 Hugo Award Nominee for Best Graphic Story (Volume 2)
2015 Virginia Library Association Graphic Novel Diversity Award
Reviews
Starred Review: “This adult drama offers heavy plot traction as well as food for thought, with twisting plot, superb characterizations, and excellent writing. Fans of Orange Is the New Black will enjoy this edgier, futuristic approach.” (Source: Library Journal, vol 141, issue 01, p80)
“Though this sounds like it could get exploitative, DeConnick and De Landro never miss an opportunity to shine a light on sexism, revealing tender backstories for the characters and showcasing the ugly language of the men in power. De Landro expertly uses color to heighten the mood—noxious greens and yellows subtly highlight moments of sexist rhetoric, while the prisoners are rendered in warmer, more realistic tones. Hard-hitting and funny, this smart, thought-provoking comic pulls no punches.” (Source: Booklist, vol 112, number 8, p38)
“DeConnick pulls no punches, crafting a relentless narrative that is hauntingly reminiscent of the misogyny facing women around the globe today; De Landro expertly supplies gritty inks, in-your-face colors, and a host of diverse character designs that underscore the book’s intersectional feminist message. The result is a must-read unlike anything else being published in comics.” (Source: Publishers Weekly, vol 262, issue 22)
Interviews
Book Riot: “Kelly Sue DeConnick: Smashing the Patriarchy and Reaching New Audiences”