Transcending Comics

Today on Transcending Comics, we're joined by industry vet and legendary comic artist, Margeaux Pepoy! Margeaux's been working in comics for 36 years, and has worked on almost every beloved property in that time, including a 17 year run on The Simpsons comics!

Margeaux shares her journey of coming out as trans earlier this year, her experiences in the comics industry, and her creative process working on iconic properties like Sonic the Hedgehog, Archie, Batman, and Godzilla.

Be sure to follow Margeaux's work, and support the recent collected edition of her creator owned series, Simone & Ajax!

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.
You can back the comic until the end of June on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comicuno/bi-visibility-3

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:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomitrembath.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendingcomics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TranscendingComics
Twitter: @TranscendComics https://twitter.com/TranscendComics
Email: transcendingcomics@gmail.com

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/
IRL Angel Dusts Button Club: https://ko-fi.com/s/7ed398d102

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.
Check out more of their work at:
https://lisacrawley.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/imperiusrex

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

Find us on:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomitrembath.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendingcomics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TranscendingComics
Twitter: @TranscendComics https://twitter.com/TranscendComics
Email: transcendingcomics@gmail.com

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

Be sure to read more of Elizabeth Sandifer’s work at: https://www.eruditorumpress.com/

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:
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomitrembath.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendingcomics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TranscendingComics
Twitter: @TranscendComics https://twitter.com/TranscendComics
Email: transcendingcomics@gmail.com

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:
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomitrembath.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TranscendingComics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendingcomics
Twitter: @TranscendComics https://twitter.com/TranscendComics
Email: transcendingcomics@gmail.com

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!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y_HBzW8B9c

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.

Music Credits for Today's Episode:

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
Their Website: https://rockstarelise.com/

The song used during out story is "Survive" by Lane 8 feat. Channy Leaneagh (Sultan + Shepard Remix): https://youtu.be/HbR6yWxjS8g?si=J2rlqXEgKBBQSH4G

Welcome back to Transcending Comics! Today, we're revisiting the world of The Invisibles by Grant Morrison. Rather than another book club episode, we'll instead be exploring how the series has impacted real world practices of chaos magick.

Joining us for this discussion is none other than Arden Lee, an expert in chaos magic and the sole spiritual apprentice of Grant Morrison. Arden is an artist of many talents, as the frontwoman of Arden and the Wolves, the writer of an upcoming book, and the founder of The Repatterning Project. She's here to share her unique perspective on how The Invisibles has influenced real-world practices of chaos magick, especially with the introduction of the concept of the hyper sigil.

We had an incredible chat about how fiction can become reality, the magic of storytelling, and intriguing journeys of self-discovery!

Special thanks to Keegan Thoranin (@steadfastpetrel) for providing editing assistance while our studio was flooded!

In celebration of winning "Episode of the Year" and "Best Production" at the Iowa Podcast Awards, we're re-releasing one of the most unique and psychedelic podcasts we've ever made, It's Morphin' Time! This was Tomi's coming-out episode that was originally published on the Giant Sized Violence feed back in February of 2023, which we're excited to share in both podcast feeds!

The updated version of the episode includes a new intro and outro, and some exciting updates about recent and upcoming projects that we'd love our listeners to get involved with!

Original Description:

In this deeply personal episode, we'll be covering highlights of the last year, commemorating the heroes we lost, and walk through Tomi's experience of finding their voice through heroes like the Power Rangers. Along the way, they recount their story of their own psychedelic experience that led to a life-changing realization. For the first time in our show's history, we also incorporate music to accompany the story! Join us for a journey through loss, transformation, and self-discovery. It's Morphin' Time!

Music Used:

You’re an Ace Kid

By DEMONDICE

you're an ace, kid- DEMONDICE

Enchantment

By Nora En Pure
Nora En Pure - Enchantment

The Greatest Pac-Man Victory in History

By Aesop Rock

The Greatest Pac-Man Victory In History

The Starting Line

By Neil Cicierega

Neil Cicierega - The Starting Line

Clouds

By Sunny and Gabe

https://youtu.be/Dlv4Uh3zxw8?si=eBZlXelX78HJMeoW

Welcome to the Internet

By Bo Burnham (aixva remix)

Bo Burnham - Welcome to the Internet (aixva remix)

All Eyes on Me (OriginTori remix)

By Bo Burnham

https://on.soundcloud.com/neWVC3kBXD5Jz34K6

Space Monkey Mafia

By Neil Cicierega

Neil Cicierega - Space Monkey Mafia

Still Here

By Girl Talk

Here's the Thing

AhHa

By Nate Ruess

https://youtu.be/daaQkKU7AGw?si=ooYWa7s_QXPaOAWw

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Original Theme)
By Ron Wasserman

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Full Theme Song

Megazord (feat. ProbCause & Chrishira Perrier)

By GRiZ

MEGAZORD - GRiZ (feat. ProbCause & Chrishira Perrier) (Official Visualizer)

Legend of the Power Saurus

By Victorius

Legend of the Power Saurus

We Need a Hero (Piano Version)
By Ron Wasserman

Ron Wasserman - We Need a Hero (Piano Version)

Bluish

By Animal Collective

Animal Collective - Bluish (Official Video)

Survive

By Lane 8 (feat. Channy Leaneagh)

Lane 8 - Survive feat. Channy Leaneagh

Gratitude

By Above & Beyond

Oliver Smith Remix: Above & Beyond and anamē feat. Marty Longstaff - Gratitude (Oliver Smith Remix)

Split Bootleg Remix: Above & Beyond and Gardenstate feat Marty Longstaff - Gratitude (SPLIT Bootleg)

OriginTori Remix: https://on.soundcloud.com/WkPXkDoyuGKGe6kZ8

Komm: Süsser Tod

By Shiro Sagisu, Arianne, Hideaki Anno, lyrics removed by Yordle

Komm, süsser Tod (M-10 Director's Edit Version) - Instrumental [Removed Vocals]

Transcending Comics had our first ever live show at Flame Con 2024! We were lucky enough to be joined by some incredible panelists, including Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), Kim Wang (Of Thunder & Lightning), Ben Kahn (Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend, Renegade Rule), and Daniel Falco (Transphoria)!
We absolutely loved the input from each of our panelists, and the audience had some great questions for the creators. We also want to give a special shoutout to our friend Sadie for capturing and editing the footage of this event, she even managed to good audio of the audience questions, which we couldn't have managed without her! Stay tuned for more from our trip to Flame Con!

Music:
Intro: A Little Soul by Carlsin

Outro: You've Been Starrin by Carlsin

Check out more of his music on Carlsin.com

This week, Eri and Tomi dive headfirst into the vat of comedy chemicals that is The People's Joker! We discuss everything we love about Vera Drew's incredible indie film, and how it changes our viewpoints on what we expect to see from trans representation in comic book films going forward.

You can buy The People's Joker on DVD, Blu-ray, and VHS from DiabolikDVD or Amazon today!

Don't forget to support our own first comic, When We Transform, currently live on Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tomitrembath/when-we-transform

In this episode, we dive deep into DC’s newest YA graphic novel, Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story, written by none other than Nicole Maines, the actress who brought Dreamer to life on the Supergirl TV show! We chat about Dreamer's journey from the small screen to the colorful pages of her very own comic, and how Maines continues to impress us with her storytelling prowess.

We also explore the exciting world of queer and trans representation in comics, from Dreamer's groundbreaking presence in the DC universe to her interactions with other beloved characters like Galaxy, the Prettiest Star. Plus, we share our thoughts on potential future crossovers and dream (pun intended) up some epic team-ups we'd love to see.

For those looking to avoid spoilers, our plot summary section begins at 6:54 and ends at 10:58.

So, whether you're a seasoned comic book reader or new to the world of superheroes, grab your cape and join us as we continue transcending boundaries and celebrating the vibrant world of trans, non-binary, and genderqueer representation in comics. 🎨💖

Also don't forget to check out our own first comic, When We Transform, live now on Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tomitrembath/when-we-transform

Big news and big changes incoming!

My first comic, When We Transform, launches on Kickstarter this Thursday, August 1st! Sign up to get notified at launch by going to WhenWeTransform.com or by visiting our pre-launch page on Kickstarter! If you're a fan of the comics we cover on either of our podcasts, you're going to love this book!

We're also bringing the show to FlameCon in New York City on August 17th! Come see the live panel for "Transcending Comics: A Trans & Non-Binary Comic Creators Q&A" featuring panelists like Maia Kobabe, Jay Edidin, Kim Wang, Dan Falco, and Ben Kahn!

Also, be on the lookout for our upcoming Patreon for Keymaster Collective, our parent company encompassing Transcending Comics, When We Transform, Giant Sized Violence, and our other ongoing creative projects and collaborations!

This is a cross-post of this week's episode of Giant Sized Violence.

This week, we're joined by writer and tabletop game designer Sarah Kennedy to talk about one of our favorite comics, Kaijumax by Zander Cannon! Kaijumax is a highly acclaimed kaiju-prison drama comic, unlike anything we've seen before. It's chock full of fun Tokusatsu references, and plays with the tropes of both prison dramas and monster movies in ways we never would have imagined!

Our guest, Sarah Kennedy, has worked on over 70 tabletop games, including Sentai & Sensibility, RPGs for Power Rangers, GI Joe, and Star Trek, as well as Werewolf the Apocalypse. She also has a Tokusatsu inspired comic of her own that she's working on that we can't wait to see come to life!

On this week's episode, we're remembering one of the most important figures in the history of trans comics, Rachel Pollack. Rachel was the first openly trans writer working in mainstream comics, and the creator of Coagula from the Doom Patrol. She was also a major figure in the realms of Tarot and spiritualism, on top of being an award winning science fiction writer.

Joining us today to discuss Rachel's work is her friend and collaborator, Joe Corallo. Joe also contributed an original story to last month's DC Pride: A Celebration of Rachel Pollack, in which he brought DC's first trans superhero back into ongoing continuity.

We also want to dedicate this episode to Liara Kaylee Tsai, an incredible DJ who was kind enough to let us feature her music in the second episode of our show. She was a pillar of our local trans communities, and we miss her dearly. This week's opening song is her untitled sample from 15 Mar 21, and our outro is her song Tesselation Matrix. You can listen to more of her music on soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/vutall

Today, we're chatting with the brilliant minds behind Transphoria, an incredible trans & non-binary comic book anthology from Lifeline Comics.

Tomi is joined by Lifeline Comics founders Kat Calamia and Phil Falco, plus writer and lead-editor Daniel Falco, as well as returning guest Ben Kahn! They're here to share insights on the successful Kickstarter campaign that hit its $26,000 goal in just 25 hours, and the 19 inspiring stories that make up this anthology.

Our discussion ranges from the origins of Transphoria to the unique challenges and joys of curating such a diverse collection, and what aspiring creators can do to create appealing story-pitches to submit to future comic anthologies.

Don't forget to check out the ongoing Kickstarter campaign for Transphoria and support these incredible creators before June 27th!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/comicuno/transphoria