As we move into an era in which women are finally beginning to lead their own comic book movies more frequently, there can be no better time to examine the curious gem that is Barbarella. Seen today as a somewhat kitschy cult movie, in its time, Barbarella: Queen Of The Galaxy was something very different indeed.

To truly appreciate 1968’s Barbarella, we must first look at its context. It is based upon the French comic book of the same name, written by Jean-Claude Forest, which was published from 1962 to 1964. It centres on the titular heroine, who travels through space, having futuristic adventures. But, timing is everything, and Barbarella is a fascinating example of the way in which comic books are reflections of the era in which they were created.

If Wonder Wom...

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