By Ryan J. Prado

Allegory is a powerful tool from which no superhero can hide. Behind every comic book lies an author whose personal limitations take on the form of super human alter egos. Think of the Incredible Hulk, caught in everlasting tandem between remaining calm, or transforming into a mass of monster green rage; or Superman, whose talents have the capacity to save an entire planet if not for that one speck of Kryptonite looming somewhere everyday; or Spider Man, whose youthful self-obsessions and loneliness manifest a double-life of crime fighting.

And while the passing of the “golden age” of comic books is open for debate, the animated strip is by no means a dead horse.

Consider the career of Abby Denson. Her newest graphic novel, Dolltopia (Green Candy Press, $15), explores powerful social issues via largely black-and-white—and splashes of pink—children’s doll characters who are afforded the opportunity to break free of the manufactured box and think for themselves, rather than conform to a predetermined doll existence. The book addresses gender roles, feminism, status quo rebellion and self-expression in a remarkably veiled package.

The story follows Kitty, a ballerina doll assembled in the ominous “Doll Factory.” Kitty arrives in a suburban household to be utilized in typical little-girl domestic scenarios, paired with the ubiquitous, doting male partner, while made to dwell in “The Fantasy Home.” Kitty splits to explore the fruits of free will and runs into Army Jim, a soldier doll gone AWOL to find Dolltopia—a magical sanctuary where dolls migrate to be themselves without fear of reprimand. While there, dolls are encouraged to undergo “plastic” surgery to augment their facial expressions, fit bendable appendages and alter their wardrobes. The sassy metaphor isn’t hard to latch onto, but it’s a powerful message that Denson believes is suited to readers of all ages.

“I think everybody can read it and get what they want out of it,” explains Denson. “As a younger person, I read stuff that was probably considered to be for older people, and I think it’s all relative as to how mature kids are.”

Denson—whose comic book credits also include stories for The Amazing Spider-Man Family, Powerpuff Girls, and Josie and the Pussycats—also works from the religious constraints brought upon by the Christian view that humans are made in God’s image, and the struggles to remain pure in a society that more often than not considers rebellion a form of blasphemy.

“I thought that the dolls having their own agendas and wanting to break out of those roles was interesting because it’s a conflict for them,” says Denson. “Dolls are created in the image of people, and they love people and want to be like them, but also are resentful and want to get away from them. I think people feel that way toward authority figures, whether it’s God, school, or parents.”

Dolltopia began as a one-page comic strip, but soon evolved into a series of mini-comics. Denson’s new book comes on the heels of the successful graphic novel Tough Love: High School Confidential, in which her love of Japanese manga (most notably Rumiko Takahashi) mixed with the tale of a shy boy coming out in a suburban high school. Dolltopia takes the next logical step, broadening the idea of individuality.

“In a way, people’s aspirations are wrapped up in what the dolls are,” Denson continues. “As children, you want to grow up to be the soldier or the fireman, or all these iconic gender roles.”

Interestingly, this year marks the 50th birthday of the Barbie doll, an event that Denson swears was not a grand marketing scheme, even though it couldn’t have come at a more ironic time for the cartoonist.

“I don’t hate Barbies or anything like that,” says Denson. “But I think the more often people see different points of view, the better off everybody is.”

Denson’s book tour in support of Dolltopia lands in Portland on November 4 at In Other Words (8B NE Killingsworth St.), and November 5 at Floating World Comics (20 NW Fifth Ave.). She’ll be supplying regional cupcakes as part of a tie-in with her City Sweet Tooth dessert blog and is also promoting a doll makeover contest. Bring in your best made-over doll and win yourself a copy of Dolltopia.

“I’m intending to take pictures of the people and their dolls for the blog [www.abbycomix.com],” says Denson. “So far I haven’t seen a whole lot of entries, so if you bring in a doll, you’ll probably get a copy.”

For more information on Abby Denson and Dolltopia, visit www.abbycomix.com or www.citysweettooth.com.