In today's episode, we interview authors Ada Hoffmann (The Outside, The Fallen) and R.B. Lemberg (The Four Profound Weaves, Birdverse). We talk about their fiction and get deep into neurodiversity and queer and trans representation in speculative fiction, discussing internality, pacing, trauma, and who gets to tell their own stories--and how.Learn more about Ada Hoffmann on Twitter: @xasymptoteOr at: Ada-Hoffmann.com or AdaHoffmann.substack.comLearn more about R.B. Lemberg on Twitter: @RB_Lemberg On Instagram: @RBLemberg Or at: rblemberg.net  or patreon.com/rblembergAnd, check out 25 Essential Notes on Craft from Matthew Salesses an article referenced by Ada Hoffmann in this episode.

Bitches on Comics

Episode 111: The scope of noticing featuring Ada Hoffmann and R.B. Lemberg

In today's interview, we talk to return guest Danny Lore about everything they've been up to since last we spoke. They've just been writing Captain America and John Constantine and Wonder Woman and Zatanna and Transformers. No big. Danny's also been busy cooking up an original werewolf and supernatural comic Lunar Room. In this great conversation, we get into why some characters have to be reclaimed, what it means to see people as both good and evil, and so much more.Find Danny on Twitter at:  @weredawgzLearn more about Danny at: https://dannylore.com/And make sure to check out Danny's last appearance on the pod: Episode 45

Episode 110: A scale of messy to evil featuring Danny Lore

Today's interview is with Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars, The Echo Wife, and much more. Sarah joins us to talk about their new comic Eat The Rich, out now. We get into why horror is so relatable, the lures and lies of wealth, how cannibalism and capitalism have more in common than a handful of letters, and what queer creators owe our audiences (hint: it's  not perfection).Find Sarah Gailey on Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr: @gaileyfrey (link goes to Twitter)Learn more about them (and pick up Eat the Rich and all Sarah's work) via their website: https://sarahgailey.com/

Episode 109: Cannibalism and capitalism feat. Sarah Gailey

In today's episode, we answer a listener question about Mojo, what his whole deal is, and any other villains that are similar to him in comics. We get into why Mojo is so formidable to the X-Men, what his fatness communicates, and what he parallels in our own society. We raise more questions than answers in this one, so buckle up!Our Comic of the Week is Drainers by Alex Steacy. Pick it up at: https://www.cloudscapecomics.com/product/drainers/"Such a great, subtle critique of wealth and capitalism" – S.E."This comic is surprisingly cute for being one of the grossest premises I’ve ever heard." – Sara

Episode 108: There is no other Mojo

In today's episode, we talk to Preeti Chhibber, author, critic, and speaker about her new Zatanna comic, her deep love of Peter Parker, her wild experience writing an MCU tie-in (Peter and Ned's Ultimate Travel Journal), and her love/hate/hate/love relationship with Supernatural. We also discuss craft topics like the importance of writing to your audience, how pacing impacts stories, and tips for being a writer working with an artist.Find Preeti on all your favorite social media platforms at: @runwithskizzers (this links to Twitter)Learn more about Preeti at: https://www.preetichhibber.com/

Can I make it gay? Let's do it. featuring Preeti Chhibber

In today's episode, we answer a listener question about Secret Wars and the sudden appearance of Leah of Hel. We discuss the history of Secret Wars, Leah and Magik's queer love, and the highs and lows of characters who are only queer in alternate universes. We also recommend our favorite Secret Wars/Battleworld comics from Last Days of Ms. Marvel to Weird World to Ghost Racers.Our Comic of the Week is: Godzilla in Hell art and writing by various, include James Stokoe, Bob Eggleton, Ulises Farinas, Erick Freitas, Buster Moody, Brandon Seifert, Ibrahim Moustafa, and Dave Watcher.Every artist is doing top of their career stuff. – Sara**metal guitar riff** – S.E.

Episode 106: The most epic return two queer women could make

Today's episode is all about Wynonna Earp: the TV series, the comic, the woman, the fandom. We talk about the power of the queer representation on the series, why somebody should make bank by bringing it back, and the exceptional exploration of trauma, healing, relapse, recovery, and hope. We love Wynonna Earp.And don't miss our FREE bonus Patreon episode about Wynonna Earp from back before Season 4 was released: https://www.patreon.com/posts/we-love-wynnona-47538451Our Comic of the Week is: The Paradox of Getting Better by Raven Lyn"This comic rules." - Sara"So beautiful and so strange." – S.E.Pick it up and support Raven Lyn at: https://ravenclemens.gumroad.com/#bmWSe

Episode 105: Wayhaught f*cks and I appreciate that

In this week's episode, we answer a listener question about The Nevers, how we grapple with works by problematic creators especially when we love them, and what witchy and supernatural TV, film, comics, and books we would recommend instead. We talk about the allegations against some creators amd how we live with the impacts of their foundational works.Our Comic of the Week is Grip: The Strange World of Men by Gilbert Hernandez.“This is the best, weirdest comic I’ve ever read.” – Sara“The comic holds up a mirror to society—a weird, funhouse mirror, but it’s still a mirror.” – S.E.Trigger Warnings: discussions of allegations against Joss Whedon, Warren Ellis, and others throughout, discussions of abuse and transphobia throughout

Episode 104: Buffy is foundational

In this week's episode, we answer a listener question about WandaVision, what the adaptation gets right and where it fails, and what comics we'd love to see adapted or not. We get into the erasure of Wanda's Jewish and Romani identities and so much more. We also discuss some of our favorite comics that could be adapted for the screen, from Monstress to Infidel, and the few we find wholly unadaptable.Make sure to read Jessica Reidy's article "As a Romani witch, I can't stand WandaVision".Our Comic of the Week is: LaGuardia written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford, colors by James Devlin, letters by Sal Cipriano. "Some of the best meditations on what makes a life worth saving." - S.E. Fleenor"The art is absolutely gorgeous. " - Sara Century  

Episode 103: Wanda is the eternal outsider

In today's episode, we have a double dose of Deadpool! First, we talk about what we love about the Merc with the Mouth with Monika Estrella Negra. We get into the highs and lows of our favorite tragic clown, from his pansexuality to his chaotic energy. Monika walks us through the horror elements of Deadpool, Sara talks Deadpool's exes, and S.E. discusses why reading Deadpool just makes us feel better.Next, we explore Deadpool (2008) #1-3, written by Daniel Way, Pencils by Paco Medina, Inks by Juan Vlasco, Colors by Marte Gracia, and letters by Cory Petit. This special segment is a tie-in with Shelfdust's Secret Invasion extravaganza--which has definitely not being taken over by Skrulls, ok? And, check out S.E.'s Shelfdust Presents interview with Matt Lune (Matt sure sounds a lot like Sara in this interview...)Check out Monika's article of best Deadpool comics, as well as Sara's article about his very strange love life and S.E.'s about his pansexuality.And don't miss our in-depth discussions of Deadpool (and Captain Marvel) over on Patreon:Part 1 (free for all)Part 2Part 3Join us for as little as $2/month to get access to these episodes and so many more!

Episode 102: Deadpool is entertaining, problematic, charming, chaotic featuring Monika Estrella Negra

In today's episode, we talk to Riley Silverman, actor, writer, uber nerd, and self-described "chaotic femme," about her deep love of Doctor Who, Star Wars, and RPGs. We also discuss trans, nonbinary, and queer representation in nerdom and why Darth Vader comics rule. From Ahsoka Tano to Lula Talisola, we talk about the characters we love!Follow Riley on Twitter at: @rileyjsilvermanFollow Riley on Instagram at: @rileysilvermanCheck out Ripley Improv's new show at: https://ripleyimprov.com/slayRead Sara's roundup of Darth Vader comics at: https://www.comicbookherald.com/the-best-darth-vader-comics/

Episode 101: I love Star Wars featuring Riley Silverman

In our 100th freaking episode, we talk Jane Foster Thor and what makes her so worthy, discussing her history in the comics, why the Aaron/Dauterman run is so iconic, and why she makes us weep.Our Comic of the Week is: Dazzler (1981), Issues #1-4, script by Tom DeFalco, pencils by John Romita Jr., inks by Alfredo Alcala, colors by Glynis Wein, Letters by Joe Rosen.Read more about Jane Foster Thor in the following issues: Might Thor, Issues #1-23 and #700-706 (2015) written by Jason Aaron with art by Russell Dauterman.What a way to celebrate 100 episodes of your favorite bitches talking comics! We love you!

Episode 100: She is so worthy

In our pride month extravaganza grand finale, we interview Vita Ayala about their body of comics work from The Wilds to Livewire to The New Mutants, why imperfect queer and Brown characters matter to them, and why superheroes still matter. We get into the role of nostalgia in how stories are made, why characters need to grapple with the consequences of their actions, and so much more!The incredible Stephanie Williams also joins us for this awesome conversation!Follow Vita Ayala on Twitter at: @definitelyvitaFollow Stephanie Williams on Twitter at: @steph-I-Will 

Episode 99: Centered on queer, Brown people featuring Vita Ayala

In today's episode, our eighth Pride Month Extravaganza interview, we talk to Trung Le Nguyen about his graphic novel The Magic Fish, the importance of clothing and fashion to graphic narratives, and the connection between fairy tales and queerness. We get into the challenges of being both the artist and writer of your own story, the limits of language, his Star Spinner Tarot Deck, and more!Don't miss this delightful conversation!Learn more about Trung at his website: http://www.trungles.com/Follow Trung on Twitter at: @trunglesFollow Trung on Instagram at: @trungles  

Episode 98: A lot of big queer feelings featuring Trung Le Nguyen

In today's episode, our sixth Pride month extravaganza interview, we interview Sophie Campbell about her incredible body of comics work including Wet Moon, Glory, and JEM, the pressure on queer and trans creators to make perfect representation, and having a good time with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.Follow Sophie on Twitter at: @mooncalfe1Follow Sophie on Instagram at: @mooncalfe23

Episode 97: So many queer characters featuring Sophie Campbell

Bitches on Comics, a podcast where SE Fleenor and Sara Century answer your comics questions.