Step Aside, Pops

Step Aside, Pops is a collection of comic strips by Canadian cartoonist Kate Beaton. The book features Beaton's signature mix of historical figures, literary characters, and original creations rendered in a loose, expressive style. The comics range from single-panel jokes to multi-page narratives, touching on subjects from ancient mythology to 19th century literature to modern pop culture. Beaton draws from source material including the lives of historical figures like Ada Lovelace and Ida B. Wells, classic novels, and autobiographical experiences. The collection uses humor and irreverence to examine power structures, gender roles, and social conventions across different time periods. Through her reinterpretation of historical and fictional characters, Beaton creates commentary about contemporary issues while maintaining historical context.

Readers call this collection of history-themed comics clever, irreverent, and educational while maintaining Beaton's signature humor from her "Hark! A Vagrant" webcomic series. Readers appreciate: - The mix of historical facts with modern sensibilities - Strong feminist themes and commentary - Clean, expressive art style - Accessible humor even for those unfamiliar with historical references Common criticisms: - Some jokes require deep historical knowledge to fully appreciate - A few readers found certain strips less polished than others - Collection feels shorter than expected Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (230+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect balance of smart and silly" - Goodreads reviewer "Made me laugh out loud on public transit" - Amazon reviewer "Got me interested in historical figures I'd never heard of" - LibraryThing reviewer "Some strips feel like inside jokes for history majors" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 Kate Beaton's webcomic "Hark! A Vagrant," which formed the basis for this book, attracted around 500,000 unique visitors monthly at its peak 🔸 The book's title comes from a comic strip about a velocipedestrienne (female cyclist) in Victorian times, highlighting the early connection between bicycles and women's liberation 🔸 Before becoming a full-time cartoonist, Beaton worked in the Alberta oil sands to pay off her student loans, an experience that later influenced her memoir "Ducks" 🔸 The comics in "Step Aside, Pops" blend historical accuracy with modern sensibilities and slang, making complex historical figures and events accessible to contemporary readers 🔸 The collection includes reimagined interpretations of classic literature, from the Brontë sisters to "Nancy Drew," often subverting traditional narratives with feminist perspectives