Comics Closet

Betty and Alex are back to chat about their most recent con visit: Small Press Expo! Books, buds, and Bethesda--let's rock.SPX (Sep 2026) Media & People Mentioned:Biggest Starstruck MomentTradd MooreDoctor Strange: Fall Sunrise by Tradd Moore When I Am Alone by Tradd Moore and “Katie” (Creepshow Vol. 4 #5, Image Comics)Silver Surfer: Black by Donny Cates and Tradd MooreLisa Hanawalt BoJack Horseman (TV Series)Tuca & Bertie (TV Series)Coyote Doggirl by Lisa HanawaltI Can’t Stop Thinking About Horses and Sex by Lisa Hanawalt (available October 20th)Julia WertzKate BeatonSarah GliddenDemetri Martin (comedian)Biggest SurpriseBen PassmoreNegativity Interlude #1Testament by J. Marshall SmithThe Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief by Carol TylerCamraderieWhisper of the Heart (Studio Ghibli film)Witch Hat Atelier (anime)Best PurchasesTarot Set by A ee miKatamari Damacy (Video Game Franchise)Pokey by Grayson BearNancy by Caroline CashErnie BushmillerHazel #1 & 2 by Lucy Kagan and Cottonbook PressKnapsack Magazine Vol. 1: Cassette by Lucky Pocket PressKnapsack Magazine Vol. 2: Butter by Lucky Pocket PressSara HagstromSteph BulanteApril MaligInspirational/Motivating MomentsChick tracts by Jack Chick and Chick PublicationsCarol TylerLee LaiMichael DeForgeBest Overall MomentHazel NewlevantMar JuliaSunmiDan NottMili St. JohnJared SarnieThe Machine is Broken by Jared SarnieSanika PhawdeWedding Juice and Other Melodramas by Sanika PhawdeAnd Up, They Sprung by Mili St. JohnGarden of Spheres by Linnea SterteDaryl SeitchikRobin HaAlmost American Girl by Robin HaThe Fox Maidens by Robin HaCook Korean! By Robin HaInstant Noodles and Beyond by Robin HaBen PassmoreBlack Arms to Hold You Up by Ben PassmoreGemma CorrellNicole GouxDave BakerHalloween Boy Vol. 1 by Dave BakerHonorable MentionsThe Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin HobbWhat We’re ReadingThe Secret History by Donna TarttMilk White Steed by Michael D. KennedyThe Golden Compass by Philip PullmanI Can’t Stop Thinking About Horses and Sex by Lisa Hanawalt (available October 20th)Moomin (Book 1) by Tove JanssonThe Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin HobbRocketship-Grawlix SandwichHalloweentown (film)Hocus Pocus (film)A Tribute to JenniferRelish by Lucy KnisleyJudy Blume

Betty and Alex dig into all things Summer Reading--best genres, reading challenges, and their own seasonal reading philosophies. Plus, of course, lots of book recs. Media Mentioned:Summer Reading MemoriesHarry Potter series by She Who Must Not Be NamedLife of Pi by Yann MartelWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëTwilight series by Stephenie MeyerThe Magicians trilogy by Lev GrossmanFavorite Summer ReadsAll Princesses Die Before Dawn by Quentin ZuttionThe Neapolitan Quartet by Elena FerranteWhat Makes a Great Summer Comic Read?Maison Ikkoku by Rumiko TakahashiHirayasumi by Keigo ShinzoRare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe AndradeThis One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian TamakiThe Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. TolkienThe Hobbit by J. R. R. TolkienDracula by Bram StokerCat Companions: Maruru and Hachi by Yuri SonodaJohn Grisham booksWise Blood by Flannery O’ConnorBeloved by Toni MorrisonHarrow County by Cullen Bunn and Tyler CrookMedalist by TsurumaikadaDogsred by Satoru NodaNancy for All Seasons by Ernie BushmillerThe Apothecary Diaries by Hyūganatsu, Itsuki Nanao, and NekokurageThe Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides Beach ReadsBeach Read by Emily HenryMoomin series by Tove JanssonLore Olympus by Rachel SmytheEverything in Color by Stephanie StalveyAbsolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination by Scott Snyder and Nick DragottaLove Bullet by ineeNeighborhood Story by Ai YazawaFlash Point by Imai ArataFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko KuiBL Metamorphosis by Kaori TsurutaniSummer Reading ChallengesJersey ShoreHoly Lacrimony by Michael DeForgeAll the Cameras in My Room by Michael DeForgeLove Bullet by ineeCat Companions: Maruru and Hachi Vol. 6 by Yuri SonodaAbsolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis EvelyLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottIdentical by Leah Hayes (avail. September 15)Birdseye Bristoe by Dan ZettwochNancy Wears Hats by Ernie BushmillerMasks by Margaret Rae, Brian Nathanson, and Beck KubrickPastimes by Pascal GirardWitch Hat Atelier by Kamome ShirahamaWhat We’re ReadingLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottNancy Wears Hats by Ernie BushmillerCharity and Sylvia by Tillie WaldenThe Odyssey by Homer (Emily Wilson translation)The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Homer and Gareth HindsThe Apothecary Diaries by Hyūganatsu, Itsuki Nanao, and NekokurageAnd the Strange and Funky Happenings One Day by Natsujikei MiyazakiStages of Rot by Linnea SterteSuperman vs. Meshi by Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai KitagoLove Bullet by ineeThe Sandwich and Next TimeMrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Forgive us for the hiatus! We're back, better than ever, and chatting about our recent trip to the Toronto Comics Arts Festival. New books, new friends, and a new city, all in one visit--how lucky are we?!Media MentionedExpectationsToronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF)St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE)J. Marshall Smith (aka Jonathan)Sarah BecanMeggie RammKat SchneiderSomeday Perfect by Kat SchneiderBiggest Starstruck MomentAll the Cameras in My Room by Michael DeForgeLee LaiTillie WaldenCharity and Sylvia by Tillie WaldenAdam de SouzaBiggest SurprisePascal GirardPastimes by Pascal GirardRebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor by Pascal GirardGlacier Bay BooksCookie PunoBiggest ObstacleThe Lack Of: Jeff Lemire, Ben Clanton, PEOW2Best PurchaseFlash Point by Imai ArataThe New Girl by Cassandra CalinBug Scouts by Mike Lowery (Betty accidentally said Bug Boys- also a great series by Laura Knetzger!)Batcat by Meggie RammPace of Play by Vincent LauMost Invigorating/Inspiring MomentCannon by Lee LaiCharity and Sylvia by Tillie WaldenStone Fruit by Lee LaiAnd the Strange and Funky Happenings One Day by Natsujikei MiyazakiAkari by Marco KohinataBest Overall MomentTwilightJ. Marshall SmithPeggy, Francine, and Tom of Drawn & QuarterlySomeday Perfect by Kat SchneiderAdditional ShoutoutsThe New Girl by Cassandra CalinThe Confessional by Paige HenderLindsey Cheng Dates a White Boy!!! by Asia MillerAmi Moon and the Galactic Peacekeepers by Frances LeeThe Gulf by Adam DeSouzaBelle of the Ball by Mari CostaAvery and the Fairy Circle by Rowan KingsburyThe Woodchipper by Joe OllmannMeggie RammSarah BecanLiz from Street Noise BooksGina from Avery Hill PublishingAlexander from Fieldmouse PressFaith Erin HicksThe FutureZach from Bulgilhan PressWhat We’re ReadingButter by Asako YuzukiKitchen Confidential by Anthony BourdainAbsolute Green Arrow #1 by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael AlbuquerqueNot Ready for Real Life by Ding Pao-YenThe Odyssey by Homer (2017 Emily Wilson translation)The Odyssey (2026 film)Pastimes by Pascal GirardCharity and Sylvia by Tillie WaldenThe SandwichComics UniversitySteenzLou Beishir

This episode, Betty and Alex chat about zines, from their history to making them, with a few recs along the way. Next time: Absolutes #2! Media Mentioned:Listener FeedbackThe Machine is Broken by Jared Sarnie (avail. May 26th)Introduction to ZinesStolen Sharpie Revolution: a DIY Resource for Zines and Zine Culture by Alex WrekkMake a Zine!: Start Your Own Underground Publishing Revolution by Joe BielBetty’s Books Community Zine Vol. 5: Dig In! (avail. May 2nd)Common Sense by Thomas PaineHistory of ZinesFire!! A Quarterly Devoted to the Younger Negro Artistshttps://www.blackmodernism.com/mags.htmlThe Comet by the Science Correspondence ClubVice Versa by Lisa BenONE Magazine by One, Inc.Forgotten Pages: Black Literary Magazines in the 1920s by Abby Ann Arthur Johnson and Ronald M. JohnsonScience Fiction Fandom by Joseph L. Sanders“The Reign of the Superman” from Science Fiction: The Advance Guard of Future Civilization #3 by Jerry Siegel and Joe ShusterAction Comics #1Personal Experience with Zines“Dada Little Magazines – A Precursor to Zines” by Robyn Chapman for The Schulz Library BlogA Pocket Guide to Natal Astrology: Birth Chart Basics by Maia SkyNontoxic Housecleaning by Raleigh BriggsHow to Organize Inclusive Events and Conferences by Dr. Alex D. KetchumRecharge, Process, Connect: An After-Abortion Care Guide by Ashley Hartman AnnisIs it Hot in Here? An Introduction to Perimenopause by Ashley Hartman AnnisAdditional zines by Ashley Hartman AnnisRec Room: Recipes and Memories by Sara HagstromLatin Cherokee: A Delicious Walking Tour by Cleonique HilsacaMini Sketchbook Companion by Cleonique HilsacaSurvivor (TV Series)The BBs Zine SectionAlbo! By Kruttika SusarlaDan ZettwochShreyas R. KrishnanSophia Malone and Melon PressHow to Report ICE and Help Keep Our Neighbors Safe: St. Louis Metro Area Edition by Megan PiontkowskiAlain McAlisterWhat We’re ReadingBreasts and Eggs by Meiko KawakamiAbsolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination by Scott Snyder and Nick DragottaAll the Cameras in My Room by Michael DeForgeFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa AbeStar Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey BrownChi’s Sweet France by Konami Kanata and Catherine BouvierA Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le GuinNext EpisodeAbsolute Flash Vol. 1: Of Two Worlds by Jeff Lemire and Nick RoblesAbsolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: Martian Vision by Deniz Camp and Javier RodríguezAbsolute Green Lantern Vol. 1: Without Fear by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay

This episode, Betty and Alex discuss their most anticipated releases dropping in the Spring and early Summer. Next time: Zines!Media Mentioned:Listener SubmissionsSomeday Perfect by Kat Schneider (available April 21)Martyr Loser King by Saul Williams and Morgan Sorne (available April 28)Mary Pain by Lola Lorente (English version available May 12)Upcoming BooksThe Court Charade by Flore Vesco and Kerascoët (available March 31)Charity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden (available June 16)Batman: Dark Patterns by Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman (available March 31)Cocoon by Machiko Kyō (available June 16)Closing Act by Chris W. Kim (available April 28)Lovers of the Empire by Yudori (available June 23)Honorable MentionsOur Sunny Days Vol. 1 by Jeong SeokchanThe Vanishing Man by J. Marshall Smith and Katherine Lam (available soon)Punk’n Heads by Dave Baker and Nicole Goux (available April 7)Fish and Water by Gengoroh Tagame (available June 23)Magica by Yuzuko HoshimiDelay: A Comics Anthology edited by Charis Loke and Paolo Chikiamco (available April 28)I’m No Angel Vol. 1 by Ai Yazawa (available June 2)Ongoing SeriesCat Companions Maruru and Hachi Vol. 6 by Yuri Sonoda (available April 28)Let’s Make Cocktails! By Sarah Becan (available April 7)Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 14 by Kamome ShirahamaHirayasumi Vol. 9 by Keigo Shinso (available May 19)Other Books MentionedBeauty by Hubert and KerascoëtBeautiful Darkness by Fabien Vehlmann and KerascoëtWashington’s Gay General by Josh Trujillo and Levi HastingsDo Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me by Mimi PondAbsolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanThe New York Trilogy by Paul AusterRaging Clouds by YudoriForest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker and Nicole GouxMy Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh TagameWitch Hat Atelier by Kamome ShirahamaLet’s Make Ramen! By Hugh Amano and Sarah BecanLet’s Make Bread! By Ken Forkish and Sarah BecanLet’s Make Dumplings! By Hugh Amano and Sarah BecanWhat We’re ReadingMrs Dalloway by Virginia WoolfWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëWuthering Heights (2026 film)To the Lighthouse by Virginia WoolfBatman and Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris SamneeBlack Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben PassmoreFanfiction (unspecified)Rocketship-Grawlicks SandwichARIRANG by BTS