Good Girls

Carol Lay’s Good Girls (1987–1991, Fantagraphics) was a sharp, stylish five-issue series following the misadventures of Irene Van de Kamp and Monica Saunders, two women navigating a world of crime, bad decisions, and deadpan humor. Written and drawn entirely by Lay, the book stands as a distinctive artifact of the late-80s alternative comics scene, blending a breezy, cartoonish line with a wry, noir-tinged sensibility. It matters for showcasing Lay’s singular voice as both writer and artist, and for its refreshingly offbeat take on female-led storytelling long before that became a mainstream concern.