Amethyst (New 52 series)

Amethyst

American teenager Amy Winston's life is suddenly turned upside down one day when her mother reveals that she is a queen from another, more magical world, and that Amy is a powerful magical princess. Amy must learn to use her new powers to save Gemworld from her scheming aunt and other ambitious royals with the help of the House of Topaz and the House of Diamond, among others.

Appeal: Magical girl, fantasy, political intrigue, friendship, good female characters, high school plus.

Art: Beautiful, colorful, fantastical, and detailed. Conveys a sense of realism even when depicting magic.

Text: Expository, sarcastic (on Amy's part)

Other: The series was cancelled after 8 issues. Amethyst was animated as a series of shorts in 2013.

Marx, Christy. Lopresti, Aaron. Sword of Sorcery Vol. 1: Amethyst (The New 52). New York : DC Comics, 2013. Print.

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1980s maxi-series)

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld

American teenager Amy Winston discovers that she is a long lost princess from a magical land and that when she travels there, she becomes a grown woman. She must join her fellow royals, including Princess Emerald, Lady Turquoise, and Prince Garnet, to defeat Dark Opal and save Gemworld from his evil reign.

Appeal: Magical girl, fantasy, good female characters, all ages.

Art: The only available reprint is in black and white. The original art was colorful, calligraphic, and flowing. 

Text: Dramatic, fantastical

Other: The series was published first as a 12-issue maxiseries, then as an annual, an ongoing series, and again as a four-issue series. Amethyst appeared sporadically between 1986 and being rebooted in 2012. Amethyst was animated as a series of shorts in 2013.

Showcase Presents Amethyst, Princess Of Gemworld 1. New Yokrk : DC Comics, c2012. Print.

Heavenly Nostrils by Dana Simpson

Heavenly Nostrils

A strip about a girl named Phoebe and her best friend, a unicorn named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. One day Phoebe is skipping rocks in the woods behind her house and she hits a unicorn by mistake. Phoebe's rock saved Marigold from staring forever at her own captivating reflection and in return, Marigold grants Phoebe one wish. Phoebe wishes for Marigold to become her best friend. Marigold is a magical, self-absorbed unicorn, and Phoebe is an imaginative and enthusiastic nine-year-old. Together they learn how to be friends in a world filled with candy-barfing dragons, goblins, video game-obsessed parents, and fourth-grade frenemies. Heavenly Nostrils is available online at gocomics.com.

Appeal: Magic, fantasy, sarcastic humor, unicorns, all ages.

Art: Flowing, modern

Text: Conversational, fantastical

Other: Dana Simpson also drew a webcomic called Ozy and Millie, populated by talking animals, with similar themes of elementary school philosophy and adventure. Ozy and Millie ran from 1998 to 2008, and is available online.

Simpson, Dana. "Heavenly Nostrils." gocomics.com. Universal Uclick, n. d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.