Black Belt Woman

Black Belt Woman was a magazine dedicated to women in martial arts and self-defense. The first issue was released in September 1975. The cover featured a drawing of Olive Oyl in a martial arts robe and black belt, designed by New Civilization, Ink. The magazine’s logo was the title in black sans-serif type (see image below). Regular features included martial arts philosophy, self-defense situations, self-defense philosophy, training aids for students, developing martial arts for women, and running a women’s martial arts school. The first few issues had hand-drawn cover designs, but later issues incorporated black-and-white photography accompanied with the logo.

The magazine layouts were fairly simple, occasionally featuring hand-drawn illustrations. They also incorporated black outlines around text for emphasis and layout purposes (see image below). The magazine aimed to empower women to practice self-defense and martial arts, a field largely dominated by men. Content included poems, tutorials, letters, and articles centered around the experiences of being a woman in martial arts. The magazine was filled with incredibly useful information, including spreads on topics such as “Blocking a Knife Attack.” Another page explained “How to Make a Striking Brick” through simple drawings (see image). Later issues combined drawings and photography in spreads for tutorials.

By the third issue, the magazine had developed a clear hierarchy, consistent headers, and structured columns for better readability but the editors frequently used previous layout methods making issues inconsistent. Simple doodles became more frequent, making the magazine visually engaging. A recurring feature was Olive Oyl, she was one of the first recognized female cartoon characters who did not conform to traditional gender stereotypes (see images below). These cartoons often focused on themes of boundary-setting, alertness, and confidence. Olive Oyl’s presence added a humorous yet meaningful touch to the magazine, reinforcing its empowering message reminding women to stand their ground and protect themselves.