Letter from the Editors

Happy birthday to us! This issue marks a full year of publishing for Shameless. We’ll only have the chance to celebrate our very first birthday once, and we’re glad you’re coming along for the ride.

In this issue, we meet five women who are shaking up the comics industry. From Montreal’s Leanne Franson, who publishes her indie comic (Liliane, Bi-Dyke) online, to Vancouver’s Pia Guerra, who draws Y-The Last Man for DC Comics, these women are creating weird and wonderful worlds. Meet our comic heroines on page 18.

Ever wonder what it would be like to zip around town on a skateboard with a tough-as-nails girl gang? Join writer Anna Leventhal as she takes a spin with Montreal skate crew Skirtboarders (page 24).

On page 28, writer S. Tracy Jennissen takes us to northern Manitoba to meet the students of Frontier Collegiate Institute, a school and home for 200 students who come from communities so small they don’t have high schools.

This issue also marks the introduction of a brand new section. And In This Corner... (page 11) is a new guest column where writers sound off on topics that make them mad, glad and everything in between. Zoe Whittall kicks off the column with her powerful Hot Fat Girl Manifesto. We encourage you to cut it out, turn it into posters and stickers, and spread the word.

As usual, we’ve found inspiration for this issue in our wonderful editorial collective — the smart, sassy ladies who give us insight into their lives and help us develop the magazine. You’ll see some current and former collective members pictured on this page. We’re pleased to note that many have taken on other roles with the magazine, like our birthday party planner Katie Mayerson, photographer Amanda Rataj (page 40), writer Maddie Lee (page 31) and reviewers Erin Hamayda, Allison Martell, Suzanne Sutherland and Kaley Kennedy (page 41). Thanks for being so cool, girls. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Remember, you can help us, too. The best way to support Shameless is to order a subscription ($12 for one year — what a deal!) and then drop us a note to let us know what you think of the magazine (letters@shamelessmag.com). We’ve got lots more in store and are looking forward to many birthdays to come.

Yours shamelessly,