Princess Adrienne Ashe
Does not believe in waiting around to be saved.
Princeless: Save Yourself
This is what a princess looks like
Princess Angoisse Ashe.
You can meet her this summer in “Princeless: Tales of the Family Ashe”
…but that doesn’t mean she has to be happy about it.
Catch up on Princeless on Comixology
This is what a princess looks like.
Princess Angelica, the most beautiful girl in the kingdom.
And Adrienne’s older sister.
Coming to Princeless this Spring!
Rebloggable by Request
hey ive been wondering why dont you draw the princess with naturally curly hair? if there is some explanation id love to know but if its your preference then thats fine too
AnonymousHey Anonymous,
Great question, as this is actually something I’ve thought alot about with the book. If you notice the flashback scenes of Adrienne as a little girl, she does have naturally curly hair. In fact, in the short story “The Thing in the Dungeon” she’s kinda sporting a tiny afro.
Here’s the thing: you’re actually getting ahead of me. In the original concept for the series, Adrienne was running around with a full blown out afro and I’ll admit, it was awesome. However, at the point that we meet Adrienne in the story, she’s spent years doing what she’s been told is correct and desirable and having her life dictated to her. The story of Princeless is largely one of a girl(s) learning that she doesn’t have to be something else to be awesome. She can be awesome being exactly what she is.
Now, I realize I’m going a bit down a rabbit hole here which is dangerous for me as a (white) guy to go down, but over the last few years I have had the immense pleasure of experiencing my wife (who is black) go through a similar journey herself. When we met, her hair was permed straight, always brittle, and she hated it. But that’s the way her mom and all of her family have always done it (not that there’s anything wrong with it by necessity, her mom would NEVER change the way she takes care of her hair). However, Alicia was not happy with it and decided to go through the big chop.
My wife went through several different natural hair styles and is currently sporting shoulder length natural locs. This is one of the first times I’ve ever seen her really happy about her hair. Every once in a while, she’ll come stretch one of her locs out to show me how long it is with a big smile plastered across her face.
My wife is awesome and has always had beautiful hair, she just didn’t always know it. I’m not going to tell you too much about Adrienne’s journey, but I will tell you that Princeless is as much about feeling comfortable in your own skin (and hair) as it is about rescuing yourself.
So, if the lack of natural hair in the books bothers you, I absolutely understand, but stick with it. It is something that will be addressed!
Thanks again for the question.
NOTE/DISCLAIMER: This answer does not constitute shade, shame, or advice on or to anyone that chooses to wear their hair in any way (natural or chemically altered). I have zero experience personally managing hair that is naturally curly or kinky and would never presume to give a black woman advice on what she ought or ought not do to her hair. I am a straight white male and aware that as such my opinion should and probably will hold zero weight when determining what you do with your hair. My hair is irritatingly straight to the point that it sticks straight up from my head until it is nearly shoulder length. As such, I choose to keep my hair very short. Just do you and know that you are awesome. That’s all I’m saying.
A brand new review of Princeless Volume 1: Save Yourself has hit the web and it is a very complimentary one. Alyson Beecher is an expert in kids lit and education and sings high praises of Princeless!
Here’s an excerpt:
“This graphic novel basically is a parody of the typical fairy tale and princess stories. Instead of the fair maiden in need of rescuing, Adrienne is smart, quick thinking, and just snarky enough to be funny but not annoying. Additionally, Adrienne is not a fair-haired maiden. For those young girls out there looking for a smart, strong heroine of color, then Princeless is a story for you.”
So, with the now infamous pages of issue 1 making their rounds again, I thought I would share a great tie-in and the intro of a new character from Book 2 Issue 1.
Check out the look on Sparky’s face here. Poor Roderick, things are looking bleak.
My pages for Princeless are officially done!
It’s gonna be badass.
Beautiful stuff from Isabelle for her short story in the collection featuring Adrienne’s sister, Princess Angoisse and Sir Raphael the Handsome. If you are not looking up her tumblr right now, there’s clearly something wrong with your eyes because this panel is gorgeous (and I’m happy to report, there’s a lot more like it coming)/
Follower Drive Giveaway!
Okay people, here’s the deal. I need your help to get the word out there about Princeless to the world. So, I’m offering an incentive:
Between now (Midnight Sept 30th) and Midnight October 14th (that’s when the day starts not when it ends) I am running a follower drive. The rules are simple:
1) Get someone to follow the Princeless tumblr (princelesscomic.tumblr.com)
2) Have then send me a message through my “ask” button telling me who sent them (have them use your account name, I don’t know all of your real names…yet)
3) At the deadline I will count up.
Whoever has the most gets a full set of the first four (4) Princeless comics signed by Writer/Creator Jeremy Whitley and a full set of three (3) signed limited-edition prints based on the series.
Additionally, everyone that gets over twenty new followers to follow the tumblr will get a signed set of the three prints!
At the end of the contest, I’ll contact the winners and get addresses to send the goods. Note: the count will be done after the last day, only followers still following at that point will win!
FREE PRINCELESS COMIC
Now that I have your attention, this is a repost for all of you who don’t read a post unless it has a picture attached to let you know that Bleeding Cool currently has the entire first issue of Princeless up for you to read for free!
It’s right here: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/04/20/free-eisner-nominated-princeless/
All we ask is that you reblog, retweet, repost, and otherwise pass it on. If you enjoy the book, you can pick up the first collection in only a few short weeks. And, of course, if you’re eligible vote at http://www.eisnervote.com
I’d been vaguely interested in Princeless since I first saw it was a thing, but this is the first chance I’ve gotten to read it.
SOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
Thanks so much to everyone who has reblogged so far! The response has been fantastic. If you haven’t reblogged it yet, please do. If you have, pass it on through any other means. Post it on your facebook, post it on twitter, link it on your blog, just email the link to people you think might enjoy it. If this book is going to compete in rewards and sales, more people need to see it. We believe in Princess Adrienne. Do you?
So Eisner voting closed out tonight, which means it’s all done but the waiting…for the next month and a half. I’ll have plenty to keep me busy. Speaking of which, anybody who hasn’t can keep busy checking out the first issue on Bleeding Cool, check the link above.
http://aspeedingbullet.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/review-princeless-1/
One of the first unsolicited reviews I found of Princeless on the net from the wonder known as Memlu! A Speeding Bullet talks about Princless issue 1 and how it is absolutely recommended for everyone, from teens to adults to kids. Check it out, it’s a really glowing review!
