Transcending Comics

Today on Transcending Comics, we're taking a look at the incredible slice of life fashion manga, Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku! Joining us for this discussion is returning guest Charlotte Fierro, and first time guest Zack, both known for their work on wonderful comic book podcasts like Extra Issues and My Marvelous Year!

Boys Run the Riot follows a closeted transgender high school boy named Ryo Watari and his struggles in a school setting that does not accept his gender. His interest in men's street fashion leads him to befriend Jin Sato, a cisgender bad boy with impeccable fashion who is also an outcast. After Ryo confides in Jin about his gender dysphoria, they decide together to launch their own fashion brand, which they name "Boys Run the Riot".

As the series progresses, we see the challenges they face in establishing and growing their brand, including the dismissal of professionals in the field, and publicity going terribly wrong. Their efforts ultimately embolden our protagonists to live openly as their authentic selves, find their creative voice, and pursue what they love regardless of the outcome.

Our guests, Zack and Charlotte, share insights on trans representation in manga and its cultural significance. We discuss the series' themes of self-expression, the role of fashion, and the importance of authentic storytelling. Plus, we recommend other queer and trans-focused manga for further exploration.

Today on Transcending Comics, we're joined by sci-fi writer, Iowa House Representative, and all-around awesome human being, Aime Wichtendahl! We're discussing our short comic, "The Most Precious Resource," which is featured in the latest Lifeline Comics anthology, Bi-Visibility: Bi Bi Bi. 

Aime and I also get into her experience as Iowa's first trans elected official, and the hardships of representing the community in the first state to remove civil rights protections for trans people. Things aren't all doom and gloom though, Aime lays out a path forward for those in red states facing civil rights setbacks. We also explore Aime's history as a sci-fi novelist, and discuss how best to prepare for Godzilla attacks and other (more likely) disaster situations.

Check out Aime and I's previous interview over a "Hot-Ones" challenge of our own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3c90T3Xg8

Find us on:

Our intro song is "A Little Soul" and our outro is "You've Been Starring" both by Carlsin. Check out more of his music at Carlsin.com

Today on Transcending Comics, we're interviewing the creator of an incredible comic that shares a trans experience we've never seen depicted elsewhere. Hyde Goltz’s "Bigenital Revolution: My (Very) Graphic Guide to Nonbinary Gender-Affirming Phalloplasty" is a graphic novel memoir (featuring art by Jey Pawlik) that asks the reader to reconsider the boundaries of biology, identity, and possibility. Hyde’s journey as one of the first recipients of a bigenital gender reconstructive surgery not only challenges assumptions, but also offers hope for those feeling unseen and unheard.

In this episode, Hyde discusses the impact of sharing their personal experience through comics. We walk through how a 2-year creative process became a love letter to the trans community, a tool for visibility, and a beacon of self-acceptance.  Hyde shares stories from conventions, reactions from readers, and the surprising ways this comic has already begun to inspire change, one life at a time. Their message is clear: recognizing our own stories as sacred ideas is the first step toward true healing and liberation.

This episode is perfect for trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and neuro-diverse individuals seeking stories that truly reflect their realities, creators looking to push boundaries, and allies eager to understand the vast spectrum of gender identity. 

For those that enjoy the more esoteric discussions of previous episodes, Hyde also shares their insights on magick, memory, and the power of storytelling to shape our realities.

You can read more about Sparkle's story here: https://sparkles-story.com/

Today on Transcending Comics, we're joined by the legendary Grant Morrison as we return to our Invisible Community College Book Club series of episodes. Our conversation explores Morrison's experiences with The Invisibles, their approach to writing trans characters in the 80s and 90s, and the ways they've incorporated magick into their writing. For those our there that haven't read The Invisibles, there's plenty to enjoy here as the series is only a springboard for a discussion that takes us into the world of Morrison's creative process, and an opportunity to hear their views on life, consciousness, and the nature of reality.

Be sure to check out Grant's latest work on their newsletter, Xanaduum, at https://grantmorrison.substack.com/

Special thanks to Lisa Cralwey and the folks at the Imperius Rex YouTube channel for allowing us to use their theme song, "Become Invisible," as today's outro.

Our intro song is "A Little Soul" by Carlsin, check out more of his music on https://www.carlsin.com/.

Find us on:

We’re mixing things up this week on Transcending Comics, in one of our annual solo-episodes. I’ll be discussing reflections on V for Vendetta (the graphic novel and the film) alongside other dystopian media, and what these mean to me as a trans creator in a state increasingly hostile to trans folk.

If you enjoyed our episode, “It’s Morphin Time,” then this one’s for you! We’re once again mixing music and spoken word, this time we even have a few original pieces from some incredibly talented musicians who contributed their work for this episode!

For those interested in seeing the film “I Am My Own Woman” that I mentioned in this episode, here’s a link where you can watch it for free (legally) online: https://rarefilmm.com/2022/03/ich-bin-meine-eigene-frau-1992/

If you would like to support the artists featured in this episode, here’s a few links to where you can find them online:

Amdrag (Guitar Backtracks):

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amdrag

Spotify:   https://open.spotify.com/artist/76S4ZY9sup5zteAMpEBMp6?si=m-u15YgNRgG_4TJMeQO2jQ  

A Small Bird:

Personal Site: https://www.asmallbird.com/

Bandcamp: https://asmallbird.bandcamp.com/track/posh-polish 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oogY16zvQ1pSEVhaGQsle?si=KLn2en8jRf6FyBfmVwUQ_w 

Ancient Summer:

Bandcamp: https://ancientsummer.bandcamp.com/album/vision-in-the-void 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7p0LIoi2tmjGvtBJvARGG8?si=6qPDvY4-QVyotEiwK5X2NQ 

This week on Transcending Comics, we're chatting with Algy from Lifeline Comics about his debut full-length comic, Ozma: The Trans Witch of Oz, now live on Kickstarter (last day to back: September 18).

We talk about magic-as-HRT, Ozma’s role in trans-fiction, tasteful NSFW storytelling, the Ever Afterverse, Oz adaptations from to Wicked and Return to Oz, and the leap from editing to writing. If you love queer retellings and lush fantasy with heart, you’ll want to check this out!

Be sure to check out the first seven preview pages on the Kickstarter and back the book before September 18th! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comicuno/ozma

Find us on:

Our intro song is "A Little Soul" and our outro is "You've Been Starring" both by Carlsin. Check out more of his music at Carlsin.com

This week on Transcending Comics, we welcome back Joe Corallo (King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, The Never Ending Party) and introduce the artistic talents of Chase Bluestone (Young Men in Love: New Romance, Sharp Wit & The Company of Women), to discuss their latest comic project currently live on Kickstarter, Sink to the Top! We'll also be getting into all of their creative inspirations from 70s horror comics, to classic Doctor who, to trashy 80s cartoons!

The campaign for Sink to the Top is still live for another week, so be sure to back the book today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bluecoralcomics/sink-to-the-top

Find us on:

Our intro song is "A Little Soul" and our outro is "You've Been Starring" both by Carlsin! You can check out more of their music on https://www.carlsin.com/ 

This week on Transcending Comics, we're exploring trans themes in some of our favorite manga. We're joined by Des Fox, the mind and voice behind the incredible YouTube channel, Amdrag! Together, we'll journeying into the world of manga to discuss its portrayal of trans and non-binary identities, both spiritually and culturally.

First up is the series "Welcome Back, Alice" by Shuzo Oshimi, exploring the complexities of gender identity through the lens of a deeply psychological coming of age romance. We'll be getting into how these stories become a medium for trans exploration and spiritual understanding.

We'll also be discussing "Goodbye, Eri" by Chainsaw Man's Tatsuki Fujimoto, which explores intricate web of creation, memory, and the emotional landscape of storytelling, as well as Tomi's deep personal connection to the story. 

Be sure to check out Des' work on YouTube for the ultimate combination of anime AMVs and spiritual exploration!

In this episode of Transcending Comics we dive deep into the vibrant world of "Aces and Aros," an incredible asexual and aromantic comic book anthology!

We welcome back the brilliant minds behind Lifeline Comics, Kat Calamia and Phil Falco, to chat about their journey, the success of their Kickstarter campaigns, and the amazing stories featured in this anthology.

Find out what inspired the personal narratives at the heart of "Aces and Aros" and how the team brought together a mix of veteran names, new voices, and powerful stories that resonate with so many. Plus, Kat and Phil share insights into their creative process, their upcoming projects, and the importance of representation in the comic book industry!

P.S. Our host actually has a story of theirs featured in this anthology, so be sure to back it on Kickstarter today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comicuno/aces-and-aros-an-asexual-and-aromantic-comic-book-anthology

Hey folks, it's been a minute since my last episode, and I wanted to share a few updates. I've been dealing with a flooded studio, the difficulties of starting a business as a convention vendor, and then there's the recently elected existential threat facing the trans community...

I have a few thoughts I'd like to share, and I want to set expectations regarding the status of both my shows and our release schedule going forward. This episode isn't all doom and gloom though. I'm a firm believer that our reality is constructed by the stories we tell ourselves and each other. So in a situation like this, I think it's time we tell a better one. I'm just one trans gal with a couple podcasts, but the one thing I can give to you all is a story. A story about how we face these next 4 years together, and come out stronger regardless of what's thrown at us.

Be safe out there friends, and thank you for listening.

Our intro song, "Push" and our outro, "Fine," are both by the incredibly talented Rockstar & Elise, you can check out both songs on their EP "The Future" on BandCamp and other platforms: https://rockstarelise.bandcamp.com/album/the-future-ep