This weekend two highly anticipated blockbuster films premiered on screen and on the surface they couldn’t be more different. Oppenheimer is a gritty, intense film by Christopher Nolan which follows the lead scientist and his team as they race to create the first atomic bomb. Barbie is a punchy comedy directed by Greta Gerwig that brings the iconic character to live action. The internet is alight with opinions about which deserves to be seen first, and we’ve got some reading recommendations based on which one you’d choose!
If you choose to see Oppenheimer, then check out the Manhattan Projects. This comic achieved critical acclaim and the premise is about an alternate timeline in which the research and development undertaken during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons resulted in many other projects of various science fiction applications. Such results include time travel, communication with extraterrestrials, and even space dogs! Oppenheimer has an evil twin brother in this timeline, and while he shares his brother’s brilliance, he lacks his humanity.
If you choose to see Barbie, then check out Snotgirl. Snotgirl follows a beautiful, chic fashion influencer named Lottie as she navigates maintaining her perfect online persona while her real life falls into pieces. It has bright poppy art that readers will love, and gives a good slant on how public appearances can mask private reality.
If you want to see both films, then there’s a classic comic that might suit you. Titular character Tank Girl is prone to random acts of sex and violence, hair dyeing, spitting, and general chaos. It’s a mashup of wacky war stories that is likely the closest thing you’ll come to a mix between pop culture glam and gritty conflicts. The most recent storyline Tank Girl: King Tank Girl, was released in 2022, but the character originated back in the 80’s, so you’ll also have plenty of material to work your way through.
