Female cartoonists celebrate beauty in latest Dirty Diamonds

Newest issue of comic anthology examines, challenges traditional definitions

A preview of the cover of Dirty Diamonds Issue #6.
Carolyn Nowak/Dirty Diamonds

Local cartoonists Claire Folkman and Kelly Phillips are the co-creators of Dirty Diamonds, an all-girl comic anthology they've helmed since 2011. The best friends (since seventh grade, in fact) have created a well-loved outlet for female comic artists with each issue, attracting international contributors and fans. 

Their next issue, the sixth in the series, is bigger and better than ever. It's theme is "beauty," and the resulting comics challenge and celebrate the true meaning of the word. It also features a new cover by Carolyn Nowak. 

As the editors describe it, "From feelings about bodies and hair to surgery scars and extra nipples, to gut bacteria and gargoyles, this book is bursting with incredible comics by amazing women."

Sounds great, right? Well, they need to fulfill their Kickstarter goal of $15,000 by Friday, June 26 to make it happen.

Related Read: Local women draw themselves into Philly's comics scene

If they meet their goal, they'll be able to publish the anthology and pay their contributors. If they surpass their goal, they'll give their contributors some extra dough and work toward publishing an omnibus of previous Dirty Diamond issues. 

The pledge rewards include everything from copies of the sixth issue (obviously) to can koozies, postcards, book plates and artwork. It's pretty much a comic fan's dream if we say so ourselves. Get moving!