Barbara Slate

Barbara Slate (born May 9, 1947) is an American cartoonist and graphic novelist who stands out as one of the few women to have written and drawn for both DC and Marvel Comics. She first gained attention in 1986 by creating *Angel Love* for DC, a mature series for teenage readers that *The New York Times* praised for its "narrative of passion, gun violence, and female assertiveness." Slate’s career has been remarkably versatile, with her most prolific work appearing in licensed titles for Marvel and Archie Comics—she is especially known for her runs on *Barbie*, *Disney's Beauty and the Beast*, and multiple *Betty and Veronica* digests. Her art style is clean, expressive, and distinctly contemporary, often blending soap-opera drama with a sharp, modern sensibility. In 2010, she authored *You Can Do a Graphic Novel*, a textbook that distilled her storytelling expertise for aspiring creators. Slate’s later years have seen her continue to contribute to comics and graphic novels, cementing her legacy as a pioneering female voice in an industry long dominated by men. Her work has been recognized with major industry honors, including an Eisner Award nomination.