Comics Closet

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 Mentioned Expectations Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE) J. Marshall Smith (aka Jonathan) Sarah Becan Meggie Ramm Kat Schneider Someday Perfe...

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 Feedback The Machine is Broken by Jared Sarnie (avail. May 26th) Introduction to Zines Stolen Sharpie Revolution: a DIY Resource for Zines and Zine Culture by Alex Wrekk Make a Zine!: Start Your Own Underground Publishing Revolution by...

This episode, Betty and Alex discuss their most anticipated releases dropping in the Spring and early Summer. Next time: Zines! Media Mentioned: Listener Submissions Someday 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 Books The Court Charade by Flore Vesc...

This month, Betty and Alex discuss the first three installments in DC's smash-hit Absolute series: Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman! Our dynamic duo will be covering the subsequent three releases in a later episode. Next time: Spring Hype! Media Mentioned: Introduction Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Tho...

Betty and Alex dig into their faves of 2025, and their reading resolutions for 2026! Media Mentioned: Tracking Storygraph Reading List Non-Comics The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkein  Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Cutest of the Year Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi by Yuri Sonoda Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Kanata  Cat &...

Betty and Alex dig into their anticipated releases coming out this Fall! Some have dropped already, and some are yet to come, but either way, our girls can't wait to read them. Intro & outro music by Cullen Curth. Media Mentioned: THE CORUS WAVE by Karenza Sparks  FLIP by Ngozi Ukazu ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE by Trung Le Nguyen DO ADMIT: THE MITFORD SISTERS AND ME by Mimi Pond BLACK ARM...

Betty and Alex sit down to chat about SPORTS MANGA!! From their own history with sports, to what really defines the genre of "sports manga," to their faves, B&A get into it all. Intro & outro music by Cullen Curth. Media Mentioned: MEDALIST by Tsurumaikada SLAM DUNK Takehiko Inoue REAL Takehiko Inoue HAIKYU!! By Haruichi Furudate BLUE LOCK by Muneyuki Kaneshiro SHORT GAME by Mitsuru Adachi...

Betty and Alex talk BOOK CLUBS! From the store's iconic Graphic Novel Book Club, to celebrity book clubs, to past personal book clubs, our ladies cover it all. Intro & outro music by Cullen Curth. Media Mentioned: THE MYTHMAKERS by John Hendrix THE GULF by Adam de Souza ROAMING by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki ALISON by Lizzy Stewart SELF-ESTEEM AND THE END OF THE WORD by Luke Healy WITCH HAT AT...

Betty and Alex take a spin through some of their favorite children's picture books that are great for grownups and kids alike! HEADS UP : After the main topic, Betty and Alex discuss a book during the "currently reading" segment that is not suitable for children. The rest of the episode is A-Okay! Intro & outro music by Cullen Curth. Media Mentioned: KITTYBUNKPORT by Scott Rothman & Zachar...

Betty and Alex dig into their first batch of listener emails! Hit us up with any comments, questions, or recommendations at comicscloset24@gmail.com to be featured in our next mailbag episode! Intro & outro music by Cullen Curth. Media mentioned: STAR WARS STAR WARS REBELS STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ANDOR THE MANDALORIAN SKELETON CREW Seventeen (K-Pop group) Basically any movie Bucky Barnes was...

This time, Alex and Betty dig into works by one specific creator: legendary mangaka Rumiko Takahashi! Her works span decades and genres, and she's become somewhat of a cult classic at Betty's Books. So get ready to dig into the Takahashi universe with us! NOTE: This episode was recorded in February, so apologies for outdated weather & event references... Don't forget to fulfill all...

Was this episode recorded in February--two months ago? Well, yes. But, better late than never, Alex and Betty chat about their most anticipated Spring releases, their current reads, and--of course--the Rocketship Grawlix Sandwich. Media Mentioned: SEA LEGS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL by Niki Smith and Jules Bakes BATCAT: COOKING CONTEST by Meggie Ramm CASSI AND THE HOUSE OF MEMORIES by Dean Stuart DETECTIVE...

Heads up! This episode contains some explicit content not suitable for younger listeners. Happy Valentine's Day, listeners!! What better way to celebrate than with a bloody lineup of vampire comics? Alex & Betty dig into an array of graphic novels featuring blood suckers of all types, perfectly suited for this romantic holiday. <3 Media Mentioned: DRACULA by Bram Stoker (duh) #DRCL: MID...

Alex and Betty chat about their most anticipated Spring releases, their current reads, and--of course--the Rocketship Grawlix Sandwich. Media Mentioned: GILT FRAME by Matt Kindt AND Margie Kraft Kindt SHORT GAME: MITSURU ADACHI'S BASEBALL SHORT STORY COLLECTION by Mitsuri Adachi THE NOVEL LIFE OF JANE AUSTEN by Janine Barchas & Isabel Greenberg THE CONFESSIONAL by Paige Hender HOLY LACRIMO...

Betty and Alex go over their favorites of the year, lessons learned (comics-wise, that is), and reading resolutions for 2025! Inspired to pick up one of the titles mentioned in the pod? Head over http://bettysbooksstl.com. Media mentioned: Apps: Storygraph and Reading List CAT COMPANIONS: MARURU & HACHI by Yuri Sonoda LET’S EAT TOGETHER AKI & HARU by Makoto Taji BATCAT #1 and #2 by Meggie...

Alex and Betty chow down on the wild and wonderful world of food comics! With a special focus on only books with recipes, our duo dig into some of the yummiest graphic books out there. Want a copy of one of these delicious comics for yourself? Head over http://bettysbooksstl.com. Media mentioned: Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichel Cook Like Your Ancestors by Mariah-Rose Marie How to Make Bread (&a...

Betty and Alex chat about the upcoming St. Louis Indie Comics Expo (SLICE), reflect on three years of bookselling, and discuss a few comics along the way. Check out http://bettysbooksstl.com to get yourself some comics and support local while doing so. :) Media Mentioned: PAST TENSE: FINDING MYSELF IN THERAPY by Sacha Mardou SQUIRE by Nadia Shammas WASH DAY DIARIES by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith...

Alex and Betty chat about their most anticipated Fall releases, their current reads, and--of course--the Rocketship Grawlix Sandwich. Click ⁠here⁠ to get yourself some comics and support local while doing so. :) Media Mentioned: MYTHMAKERS: The Remarkable Friendship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix (Abrams) SIDE QUEST: A Visual History of Roleplaying Games, written by Samuel Sattin...

Alex and Betty kick off Comics Closet with a rundown of three incredible manga that all have one thing in common: locations as motifs, or dare we say, even characters! They also shout out some honorable mention manga they love before introducing the Rocketship Grawlix Sandwich. Curious? You'll just have to listen! Click here to check out all the manga listed in this month's episode.