Comics Closet

Betty's Books
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Comics Closet is a book discussion podcast focused solely on graphic lit! Betty Bayer and Alex Arata of the STL-based shop Betty's Books bring you discussions, reviews, and more--all about comics, graphic novels, and manga.

  1. 2D AGO

    17 - Spring Hype!

    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 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 Mentions Our Sunny Days Vol. 1 by Jeong Seokchan The 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 Hoshimi Delay: 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 Series Cat 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 Shirahama Hirayasumi Vol. 9 by Keigo Shinso (available May 19) Other Books Mentioned Beauty by Hubert and Kerascoët Beautiful Darkness by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët Washington’s Gay General by Josh Trujillo and Levi Hastings Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me by Mimi Pond Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster Raging Clouds by Yudori Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker and Nicole Goux My Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh Tagame Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama Let’s Make Ramen! By Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan Let’s Make Bread! By Ken Forkish and Sarah Becan Let’s Make Dumplings! By Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan What We’re Reading Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights (2026 film) To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Batman and Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben Passmore Fanfiction (unspecified) Rocketship-Grawlicks Sandwich ARIRANG by BTS

    1h 18m

  2. MAR 3

    16 - Awesome Absolutes Part 1: The Trinity

    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 DragottaAbsolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanAbsolute Superman Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton by Jason Aaron and Rafa SandovalBackgrounds with DC Justice League (TV Series)Justice League UnlimitedTeen Titans (TV Series)Young Justice (TV Series)The Dark Knight trilogy (films)Nightwing: Leaping Into the Light by Tom Taylor and Bruno RedondoBatman: Year One by Frank Miller and David MazzucchelliYoung Justice (1998 comic book run)Batman & Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris SamneeBatman: Under the Hood by Judd Winick and Doug MahnkeSuper Friends (TV Series)Superman for All Seasons by Jeff Loeb and Tim SaleAbout the AU DC All-In Special by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, and Daniel SampereAbsolute 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 LindsaySuperman (2025 Film)Favorites Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanAbsolute Superman Vol. 2: Last Dust of Krypton by Jason Aaron and Rafa SandovalUpcoming AU Absolute Green Arrow by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque (TBR)Absolute Catwoman by Scott Snyder, Che Grayson, and Bengal (TBR)Currently Reading Ginseng Roots by Craig ThompsonFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe (editor’s note: it’s pronounced FREE-ren :) )Wuthering Heights by Emily BrontëYoung Justice (1998 comic book run)Beloved by Toni MorrisonThe Sandwich Mrs Dalloway by Virginia WoolfNatalie Andrewson’s risograph printsTestament by J. Marshall SmithValentine’s Zine by Betty Bayer :)

    1h 6m

  3. FEB 3

    15 - Reflections and Resolutions

    Betty and Alex dig into their faves of 2025, and their reading resolutions for 2026! Media Mentioned: Tracking StorygraphReading ListNon-Comics The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkein Mistborn by Brandon SandersonElena Ferrante’s Neapolitan QuartetWolf Hall by Hilary MantelCutest of the Year Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi by Yuri SonodaChi’s Sweet Home by Konami Kanata Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie YiFavorite Indie/Small Press Title Testament by J. Marshall SmithPushing Buttons! A Futuristic Workplace Kerfuffle by Ursula BlixFavorite Kids Comic Miss Cat series by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joëlle Jolivet Magda, Intergalactic Chef Volume 1: The Big Tournament by Nicolas Wouters and Mathilde van GheluweCreaky Acres by Calista Brill and Nilah MagruderFavorite Book Club Read Cannon by Lee LaiStone Fruit by Lee LaiUzumaki by Junji ItoFavorite YA Book Flip by Ngozi UkazuAll Princesses Die Before Dawn by Quentin ZuttionFavorite New Manga Series Medalist by TsurumaikadaWitch Hat Atelier by Kamome ShirahamaPing Pong by Taiyo MatsumotoMy Love Mix-Up! by Wataru Hinekure and ArukoHirayasumi by Keigo ShinzoMaison Ikkoku by Rumiko TakahashiFavorite Marvel/DC and Trade Comics Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa SandovalAbsolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick DragottaAbsolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanAbsolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp and Javier RodríguezAbsolute Green Lantern by Al Ewing and Jahnoy LindsayAbsolute Flash by Jeff Lemire and Nick RoblesMinor Arcana by Jeff LemireRobin & Batman: Jason Todd by Jeff Lemire and Dustin NguyenFavorite Overall The Corus Wave by Karenza SparksDo Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me by Mimi Pond Biggest Surprise Raging Clouds by YudoriYear-End Lists Peow Studio PublishingGosh! ComicsFarewell, Daisy: Jun Mayuzuki Story Collection by Jun MayuzukiFeeding Ghosts by Tessa HullsMaus by Art SpiegelmanWish We’d Read Feeding Ghosts by Tessa HullsBlack Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben PassmoreThe One and Future Riot by Joe SaccoPalestine by Joe SaccoSafe Area Goražde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995 by Joe SaccoGinseng Roots by Craig ThompsonStop!! Hibari-kun! by Hisashi EguchiMore Weight: A Salem Story by Ben WickeyDrome by Jesse LonerganCurrently Reading Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me by Mimi Pond Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanNeighborhood Story #4 by Ai YazawaTestament by J. Marshall SmithWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëThe Will of the Many by James IslingtonRocket Ship-Grawlix Sandwich Moomin by Tove JanssonThe Lord of the Rings film seriesNext Time: DC’s Absolute series

    1h 39m

  4. 11/06/2025

    14 - Fall Hype

    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 UkazuANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE by Trung Le NguyenDO ADMIT: THE MITFORD SISTERS AND ME by Mimi PondBLACK ARMS TO HOLD YOU UP: A HISTORY OF BLACK RESISTANCE by Ben PassmoreWITCHCRAFT by Sole OteroLOVE BULLET, VOL. 1 by ineeSMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES by Anaïs FlognyROBIN & BATMAN: JASON TODD by Jeff Lemire & Dustin NguyenART OF WITCH HAT ATELIER by Kamome ShirahamaART OF RUMIKO TAKAHASHI: COLORS 1978-2024 by Rumiko TakahashiABSOLUTE FLASH: VOL. 1 by Jeff Lemire; art by Nick RoblesABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER VOL. 1: MARTIAN VISION by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN VOL. 1: WITHOUT FEAR by Al Ewing & Jahnoy LindsayABSOLUTE SUPERMAN VOL. 1: LAST DUST OF KRYPTONABSOLUTE BATMAN VOL. 1: THE ZOOABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN VOL. 1: THE LAST AMAZON DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY THEORY VOL. 1 by Mayo TsurukameWET SAND VOL. 2 by DoyakFAIRY CAT VOL. 2 by Hisa TakanoCAT COMPANIONS VOL. 5 by Yuri SonodaMORE WEIGHT: A SALEM STORY by Ben WickeyPHYSICS FOR CATS by Tom Gauld

    1h 9m

  5. 08/30/2025

    13 - Sports Spree!

    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 THE CLIMBER by Jirō Nitta & Shin-ichi Sakamoto THE PRINCE OF TENNIS by Takeshi Konomi PING PONG by Taiyou Matsumoto SAYONARA FOOTBALL by Naoshi Arakawa BLUE BOX by Kouji Miura THOSE WHO LEAVE AND THOSE WHO STAY by Elena Ferrante CAT COMPANIONS MARURU AND HACHI by Yuri Sonoda THE TWO TOWERS by J.R.R. Tolkien

    1h 12m

  6. 07/30/2025

    12 - Book Club Bonanza!

    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 ATELIER by Kamome Shirahama  SUPERMAN RED SON by Mark Miller & Dave Johnson THE NIGHT EATERS by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda LAND OF MIRRORS by Maria Medem Local author Matt Kindt Radiator Comics PAST TENSE by Sacha Mardou PERSEPHONE by Loic Locatelli-kournwsky PING PONG by Taiyo Matsumoto BATMAN: EGO by Darwyn Cooke DUCKS by Kate Beaton THE MAGIC FISH by Trung Le Nguyen  BOAT LIFE by Tsuge Tadao REAL by Takehiko Inoue SLAM DUNK by Takehiko Inoue HARDCORE HAPPINESS by Reid Chancellor

    1h 7m

  7. 06/28/2025

    11 - Picture Books for Grownups!

    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 & Zachariah OHora PINK BLUE AND YOU by Elise Gravel BESSIE THE MOTORCYCLE QUEEN by Charles R. Smith Jr. & Charlot Kristensen WE ARE THE WATER PROTECTORS by Carole Lindstrom & Michaela Goade HOTDOG by Doug Salati MR. WUFFLES by David Wiesner MADELINE by Ludwig Bemelmans Author Sandra Boynton POLAR BEAR’S UNDERWEAR by Tupera Tupera INVISIBLE THINGS by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller EVERYONE’S AWAKE by Colin Meloy and Shawn Harris A SUNDAE WITH EVERYTHING ON IT by Kyle Scheele & Andy J. Pizza I CAN BE ANYTHING by Shinsuke Yoshitake  I CAN OPEN IT FOR YOU by Shinsuke Yoshitake  COMET AND STAR by Lee Juck OCTAVIO AND HIS GLASSES Marc González Rossell URSULA UPSIDE DOWN by Corey Tabor IF YOU RUN OUT OF WORDS by Felicita Sala TO SEE AN OWL by Matthew Cordell  BODIES ARE COOL by Tyler Feder  PING PONG Vol. 1-2 by Taiyo Matsumoto FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING by J.R.R. Tolkien MISTBORN: THE WELL OF ASCENSION by Brandon Sanderson WALKING ON WATER by Jang Mokdan

    1h 12m

  8. 05/17/2025

    10 - Mailbag!

    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 WARSSTAR WARS REBELSSTAR WARS: THE CLONE WARSANDORTHE MANDALORIANSKELETON CREWSeventeen (K-Pop group)Basically any movie Bucky Barnes was inJunji Ito Go Piss Girl! (meme)DOCTOR WHOJ. Marshall Smith SEASON OF THE ROSES by Chloé WaryMINOR ARCANA by Jeff Lemire#DRCL by Shin-ichi SakamotoMY LOVE MIX-UP by Wataru Hinekure & ArukoCAT COMPANIONS MARURU AND HACHI by Yuri SonodaSteenzFUN HOME by Alison BechdelLOVE LANGUAGES by James AlbonHOT DOG by Doug SalatiWOE: A HOUSECAT’S STORY OF DESPAIR by Lucy Knisley SEA LEGS by Jules Bakes & Niki SmithTHE MYTHMAKERS by John Hendrix (Now Eisner-nominated!!!)PAST TENSE by Sacha MardouWITCHES OF BROOKLYN by Sophie EscabasseFOREST HILLS BOOTLEG SOCIETY by Dave Baker & Nicole GouxBROWNSTONE by Samuel Teer & Mar JuliaTaiyō MatsumotoSUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW: by Tom King & Bilquis EvelyHELEN OF WYNDHORN by Tom King & Bilquis EvelyWITCH HAT ATELIER by Kamome ShirahamaDOCTOR STRANGE: FALL SUNRISE by Tradd MooreTHE ACCURSED VAMPIRE by Madeline McGraneShawn Harris BLANKETS by Craig ThompsonGINSENG ROOTS by Craig ThompsonDan Zettwoch Matthew CordellTHE MAGIC FISH by Trung Le NguyenMichael DeForgeMariko & Jillian TamakiPaige HenderJeff LemireFiona StaplesKate BeatonDarwin CookeBrian Lee O’MalleyDrawn & QuarterlySilver SprocketTHE HOBBIT by J.R.R. TolkienWHEN TO PICK A POMEGRANATE by Yasmeen AbedifardPERSEPHONE by Loïc Locatelli-KournwskyGIVEN by Natsuki KizuMISTBORN by Brandon Sanderson

    1h 11m
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Comics Closet is a book discussion podcast focused solely on graphic lit! Betty Bayer and Alex Arata of the STL-based shop Betty's Books bring you discussions, reviews, and more--all about comics, graphic novels, and manga.

Information

  • Creator
    Betty's Books
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Betty's Books
  • Show Website
    Comics Closet