Quarantined Comics

In memory of the recently passed Marjane Satrapi (1969-2026), re-airring our chat about Persepolis from July 2024) Rest In Peace/Power.

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/04/nx-s1-5846531/marjane-satrapi-obituary

“The normalization of things being taken away. You see all the things going on in Tehran in 1979 — you see them here as well, which makes it a sad, scary, and timeless tale.”

PERSEPOLIS, by Marjane Satrapi is an award winning, now banned graphic autobiography from the early 2000s about a young girl growing up in Iran, and becoming a woman overseas, returning home, and dealing with everything in between.Originally published in French, Persepolis has sold millions of copies worldwide, and Satrapi also produced an award-winning film of the same name. In Persepolis, we meet young Marjane “Marji” Satrapi growing up in Tehran just before and during the Iranian Revolution of 1979, as well as thru the start of the Iran + Iraq War in the 1980s. Her parents are secular, upper-middle class activists, who worry for their precocious daughter's safety in the increasingly conservative and dangerous Iran, so send her off to Austria to become a teenager. Her teen years are fraught with all the drama you can expect from such an experience, but Marji - now becoming a young woman - always maintains the experience of an outsider looking in - with her feet in both worlds. Marji eventually returns to Iran to find that not only has her mother country changed, but she as well. This book was a surprise and illuminating for us in many ways, making us question - what would WE do in such a situation? 

This conversation is originally from Quarantined Comics, where Raman + friends read comics that are so much more than just superheroes. PERSEPOLIS is a very Modern Minorities appropriate work, especially for the times we’re living in, which you’ll get to here us reflect on. Longtime friend of THAT pod Joshua joins from his most excellent podcast RABBIT FIGHTERS, where they pretty much do the same thing, but about movies and music.

“We need some sort of framework to say what is okay and what is not okay — and we need to revisit this when the technology changes..”

The more we read, the clearer it gets — it’s just another AI-pocalypse in the making. First its replacing the means of production, then its hallucinations no one can explain. People keep saying we’ll get it under control… but we all know how that story ends. Inevitably the giant machines show up, humanity freaks out, and Judgment Day arrives — right on schedule.

But what about what comes after? The silence, the guilt, the unfinished reparations. That’s the world of DESCENDER, Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s haunting watercolor sci-fi graphic novel epic about creation, empathy, and fear — and its sequel ASCENDER, where the age of machines gives way to something older, stranger, and far more magical. Longtime FrieMMds of the Pod Paresh and Jieun — two bastions of humanity (and comics nerdery) — rejoin to unpack this meditation on the robot apocalypse and magical redemption of love, loss, and what it really means to be human. Also we solve the current AI problem. You’re welcome.

LEARN MORE

DESCENDER goodreads.com/series/150905-descender

ASCENDER: goodreads.com/series/258771-ascender

variety.com/2020/tv/news/descender-ascender-jeff-lemire-dustin-nguyen-nbcuniversal-1234635716/

DE

“Translation — it's listening and understanding. It's trying to understand each other, trying to find some common ground, but understanding that there is a gap and that's okay, because we're all different.”

There’s this really good book about a kid in England who gets into an elite school to learn the magic that can literally change the world. There’s friendship, betrayal, enchanted objects, and the fate of the world hanging in the balance. But we’re not talking about Hogwarts - this is Oxford.

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang — might just be the most important story you’ll read this year. It’s what happens when a coming-of-age fantasy grows up — when instead of asking who gets to wield magic, it asks who built it, who profits from it, and who gets burned by it. By page 100, you'll start to hear the opening lines of Rage Against the Machine. It’s Harry Potter meets Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and so much more. Joining is longtime FrieMMd of the pod, and comic-book partner-in-crime Paresh Jha.

LEARN MORE:

• BABEL (RF Kuang): goodreads.com/book/show/57945316-babel
• ARTICLE (New Yorker): The Otherworldly Ambitions of R. F. Kuang - newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/25/the-otherworldly-ambitions-of-r-f-kuang

MENTIONS

• SHOW: Andor (2022-25) - imdb.com/title/tt9253284/
• POD: Empire S1 British East India Co) - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/empire/id1639561921
• POD: Revolutions S12 (Martian Revolution) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revolutions/id703889772
• INTERVIEW: Jon Stewart, Tony Gilroy (Andor), Mike Duncan (Revolutions Pod) - youtube.com/watch?v=SUUw-UfK64Q
• CHAR: Jason Todd (Robin 2) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Todd
• CHAR: Dick Grayson (Robin 1) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Grayson
• AUTHOR: Ta-Nehisi Coates - ta-nehisicoates.com/
• INTERVIEW: Ezra Klein + Ta Nahesi Coats - youtube.com/watch?v=UaeoDlLNnok
• COMIC: Saga (2012 - ongoing) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(comics)
• FILM: The Devil’s Advocate (1997) - imdb.com/title/tt0118971/
• FILM: Fight Club (1999) - imdb.com/title/tt0137523/
• FILM: Star Trek V (1989): “I need my pain!” - youtube.com/watch?v=9ABLYnvpAso
• FILM: Equilibrium (2002):.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/

 ​“What's funny is, people are talking about these movies being woke, but it's literally just what superheroes are supposed to be about — kindness, empathy, and protecting people that can't be protected. ”

“These are times where we are told that you can't afford to look out for more than yourself — And to stand amidst that — to care about somebody even if it doesn't have some immediate benefit to me? Yeah, that's punk rock.”

In a world spinning faster than a speeding bullet — where doomscrolls rain like cosmic rays, truth is stretched, accountability is turning invisible, everything is on fire, and our foundation is becoming rocky — maybe what we need isn’t just another (super)hero — but a reminder of what everyday, real heroism looks like.

This week we're talking about SUPERMAN + THE FANTASTIC FOUR - not one, but two summer movies appropriate for the time we're living in. At first glance, it might feel like another studio cash grab — but these movies arrived right on time, reminding us of the power of hope, kindness, and the audacity to care in a world that tells us not to. “It’s clobberin’ time!” is more than just a tagline; it’s a call to stand together and fight the good fight, together.

So we gathered a couple of our favorite superhero sons of Cincinnati — Stefan K. James and Karl Preissner — longtime friends, early podcast guests (#11 + #12). Karl Preissner a longtime friend, allyship expert, and person who dances like no one is watching. And Stefan James is arguably my favorite Jamaican- Chinese- midwestern- Floridian father and business dude to nerd out on all things fiction and non-fiction. Both are gents who i don’t spend enough time talking to. They both joined to talk through their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties of the moment we’re in, and reflect on how these films can show us a better way forward. After all punk rock, and rebellions, are built on hope.

MENTIONS

EGOT:.wikipedia.org/wiki/EGOT

COMIC: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (Ryan North, Erica Henderson) goodreads.com/book/show/23732096-the-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-vol-1

FILM: Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow):.imdb.com/title/tt1790885

FILM: A Hidden Life (Terence Malik) -.imdb.com/title/tt5827916

SHOW: Andor (Tony Gilroy, Disney+):.imdb.com/title/tt9253284

COMIC: Invincible (Robert Kirkman) -.goodreads.com/series/66423-invincible

BOOK: The Ministry for the Future (Kim Stanley Robinson) -.goodreads.com/book/show/50998056-the-ministry-for-the-future

KIDS BOOK: Why? (Adam Rex, Claire Keane) - .goodreads.com/book/show/42453554-why

PERSON: Zohran Mamdani - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani

SHOW: Young Justice (HBO Max):.imdb.com/title/tt1641384

Merry ComiXmas! Week 10: KINGDOM COME

"In a darkened future, ideals collide,

Superman’s hope meets Batman’s dark pride.

With legacy at stake, they clash in the night,

Old heroes struggle, wrongs turned to right—

In Kingdom Come, by Waid and Ross, they confide." "

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights) KINGDOM COME - by Mark Waid and Alex Ross - is the perfect comic for the person who thinks the world is about to end.

Kingdom Come was a seminal (Wait, was it seminal? ... Yes. It was) graphic novel when it came out in the 90s. Nearly 20 years later, does the end of the DC Universe hold up? ALSO - this was our first ever Quarantined Comics episode from way back when in May of 2020. So how does THIS classic episode hold up?!?

...and from our family to yours, happy holidays =)

Merry ComiXmas! Week 9: THE FLINTSTONES

"In Bedrock’s world, where stones are the trend,

Fred and Barney, with laughter, defend.

Mark Russell’s wit on capitalism bites,

As they juggle brontosaurus burgers and fights—

Who knew cavemen could critique our spend?"

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights) THE FLINTSTONES, by Mark Russell and Steve Pugh. is the perfect comic for the person who just needs a good life about the excesses of our consumerist society

Let's ride with the family down the street, and meet the Flintstones - 2016's not-so-thinly-veiled commentary on our modern capitalist society. Written by the always subversive Mark Russel, and illustrated by Steve Pugh, many said this was the best comic of 2016. All the familiar beats are there, Fred, Wilma, Barney, Wilma - even Pebbles, Bam-Bam, and the invisible hand that his Gerald. Let's make Bedrock Great Again, we'll have a gay old, we'll have a gay old time.

Merry ComiXmas! Week 8: MARVELS

"Through Phil Sheldon’s eyes, the heroes rise,

In Alex Ross’s art, their strength amplifies.

From awe to doubt, his views shift and sway,

Finding the heart in the masks they display—

In Marvels, he learns there’s more to the prize."

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights) MARVELS , by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. is the perfect comic for the person who is a little too nostalgic.

This week we're reading MARVELS, the 1994 mini series by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. MARVELS retells he origins of the Marvel Universe from a decidedly... pedestrian point of view. Over 4 volumes, we traverse New York City through the decades, from the eve of World War 2 and the first appearance of larger than life heroes, to the 60s and 70s when superheroes were a part of mainstream pop culture.

Guiding us on our journey is Phil Sheldon, a photojournalist obsessed with these "Marvels" ...as he calls them. Some of the biggest moments in Marvel comics history is shown from the perspective of a bystander who finds himself - and the rest of his fellow New Yorkers - at the center of a changing world. Through is eyes - and camera lens - we see how the everyday people of the world interpret - and react - to colorful costumed heroes and their larger than life adventures.

Marvels was written by Kurt Busiek - a writer who has gone on to tell many "unique perspective" stories of the super genrr...like Astro City. But beyond a great story, what really put this book on the map when it came out in the 90s was the photorealistic painted artwork of a young Alex Ross. His style was like nothing any of us comic book readers had seen before, so the book really left its mark, and made Ross a comics superstar, making a career painting realistic depictions of pop cultures animated heros.

Immediately after Marvels, Ross would go on to paint Kingdom Come, which we actually discussed on the FIRST episode of this podcast. While Kingdom Come tells a dark tale about the end of the DC Universe, Marvels literally paints an optimistic tale about the beginnings of the Marvel Universe. It was truly one of the most unique comics created in a crowded mainstream field that many thought had nothing new to offer. And it was recently evenly adapted...into an audio drama podcast.

And speaking of audiodrama...while we wait on Ryan to seduce Kim Jong Uns' kid sister so he can get the missle launch codes to launch himself back to America...joining us is longtime "industry" friend to both Ryan and I, Jon Kriner.

Merry ComiXmas Week 7: THE SECRET TO SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH

"In search of strength, I train and flex,

While dodging yoga mats and life's complex.

With weights and wisdom, I struggle and play,

Finding power in running from snacks every day—

In The Secret to Superhuman Strength, Bechdel’s life perplex!

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights) THE SECRET TO SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH , by Alison Bechdel is the perfect comic for the person who's way too serious about exercise.

This year, we resolve to exercise more so we can outrun our greasy, sodium-packed diets. Fortunately, we've got Alison Bechdel's guidance with her 2021 graphic memoir (Which you probably saw on everyone's best-of lists) "The Secret to Superhuman Strength."

"The Secret to Superhuman Strength" though is more than just Bechdel's "exercise book." It's a book about how we live our lives and how we relate to our bodies — and how those relationships change from year to year, and especially decade to decade. And it's the perfect book to get ready for a new year, and a new you...

Merry ComiXmas Week 6: USAGI YOJIMBO

"In a land of honor, a brave samurai,

A bunny named Usagi, quick on the sly.

With sword in paw, he’s ready for fun,

Battling through mischief, no murder on the run—

Just a friendly hero, making foes sigh!"

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights)

USAGI YOJIMBO by Stan Sakai is perfect for the friend who just needs to read a happy ambiguously moral tale about a cartoon bunny samurai.

Miyamoto Usagi is not a bunny who delivers eggs. He is a bunny who delivers justice across the wilds of Edo-era Japan. In this episode, which also features recurring guest Penn Genthner, we'll get into the poetry of Stan Sakai's writing and why, despite an insanely high body count, Usagi Yojimbo is an epic for nearly everyone.

Stan Sakai's epic tale of the samurai Miyamoto Usagi was first published in 1984 and is ongoing today. We'll review a fraction of it, specifically the run from 1997, when Dark Horse took over as publisher from Fantagraphics, to 2003.

Merry ComiXmas Week 5: SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW

"Amidst a cosmic quest for justice and grace,

Supergirl and Ruthie ride on a space horse through space.

With a planet destroyed and vengeance in tow,

They confront dark foes, letting courage glow—

Through battles and trials, new lessons embrace!"

This holiday season, we're airing our 10 COMICS OF XMAS - an excuse to recommend and replay some our fav books that make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones (or great reading to comfort your dark and lonely nights)

SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW , by Tom King & Bilquis Evely is the perfect comic for the your friend who's a Swiftie, bc boss ladies rule

SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW is a 2021 limited series from DC's Black Label - which is basically DCs new mature / Elseworld's imprint. Most just assume that Kara Zor El is simply Superman's girly cousin - which is probably how she was created years ago. But in this cosmic adventure, she is anything but. Yes there is girl power, but as we tag along for a girls trip for justice - basically True Grit in space - we are brought to face the best and worst humanity has to offer. There's a rocket ship, a space bus depot, space drugs. a space dragon, space pirates...and space racism! And let's not forget Supergirl's super dog Krypto and Super horse Comet. And the story's true protagonist, Ruthye, a young lass from a rural backwater planet whose on an Eniga Montoya styled revenge quest, where she enlists a reluctant Supergirl after Krypto gets shot with an arrow by Krem, the murderous villain who killed Ruthye's poor yet noble father. On their journey we see the best and worst we have to offer on full sci-fi display. With moral quandaries that are often hopeless - which hurt a bit more given the times we are in - along with good humor, beautiful art, and a lovely script, you can't help but find something to love about this book. Well, except Ryan...