Author: Lulu

18 – Reduce, Reuse, Reanimate

Episode 18 is out! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

It’s time to dive into all things undead! In this episode, we’re discussing two fantasy books about necromancers: Sabriel by Garth Nix and The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. Is raising the dead an inherently evil kind of magic? What does it mean to have power over life and death? Plus: cat demons, descents into villainy, and the importance of a good, old-fashioned fantasy novel roadtrip.

Other media mentioned:

  • Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
  • A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
  • A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
  • Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
  • Lirael by Garth Nix
  • As You Like It by William Shakespeare
  • Terciel and Elinor by Garth Nix
  • Tamora Pierce’s books
  • Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Content warnings: discussions of death and Islamophobic stereotypes in fiction.

17 – Sourdough, Cinnamon Rolls, and Sorcery

Episode 17 is out! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

What do vampires, wizards, and baked goods have in common? They’re all featured in this week’s episode, of course! Today we’re discussing A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher and Sunshine by Robin McKinley, two fantasy novels starring heroines who call the kitchen home. Some topics covered include the integration of magic and baking in both books, the surprising ways they resonate with our current world, and the practical uses of magical baked goods in warfare. 

Other media mentioned

  • The Addams Family (1991)
  • A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark
  • The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino
  • Our Last Echoes by Kate Alice Marshall
  • A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
  • Hellblazer comics
  • X-Men comics
  • The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
  • Beauty by Robin McKinley
  • The Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce

Content warnings: Discussions of murder, kidnapping, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

16 – I Was a Teenage Agony Aunt

Episode 16 has dropped. As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, Pie and Lulu leave the realm of fantasy and science fiction for new territory. Turning our attention to two young adult coming-of-age stories, we discuss Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales and Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen, two contemporary novels where the protagonist runs an advice column–yet is a bit of a disaster in their personal life. Topics include the exploration of LGBTQ+ identities in both novels, the difficulty of writing authentic teenagers, and the appeal of stories where the protagonist can seemingly fix any problems except their own.

Other media mentioned:

  • How to be Ace: a Memoir of Growing Up Asexual by Rebecca Burgess
  • Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
  • The Vast of Night (2019)
  • Moon Knight by Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood
  • Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn
  • Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
  • Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast
  • High School Musical
  • Loveless by Alice Oseman
  • The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Content warnings: discussions of homophobia, biphobia, stalking, blackmail, underage drinking, and drug use.

15 – Into the Batmanverse

Episode 15 has dropped! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, Pie and Lulu cross into an entirely new territory: the Batman mythos! We discuss the iconic DC Comics storyline Under the Red Hood and its animated movie adaptation, both about Jason Todd, a former Robin turned antagonist. Topics include our (lack of) prior knowledge about Batman comics, a haphazard rundown of the history of the Robin sidekicks, moral codes in superhero comics, and being unexpectedly sad about Batman and his adopted children.

Other Media Mentioned:

  • Prospect (2018)
  • The Mandalorian
  • A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
  • Gotham Academy by Brendan Fletcher and Becky Cloonan
  • Wild and Crooked by Leah Thomas
  • Silk and Steel: A Queer Speculative Adventure Anthology edited by Janine A Southard
  • Classic New Mutants by Chris Claremont
  • New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Perez
  • Midnighter by Steve Orlando
  • Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
  • Joker (2019)
  • The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
  • Wayne Family Adventures
  • The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
  • A Death in the Family by Jim Starlin
  • Batman: Hush by Jeff Loeb
  • Birds of Prey (2020)
  • CW’s Arrow
  • Geek History Lesson podcast
  • Boaty McBoatface
  • Red Hood: The Lost Days by Judd Winick
  • Supernatural
  • Titans (2018)
  • Batman by Grant Morrison
  • Red Hood and the Outlaws by Scott Lobdell

Content warnings: mentions of murder and violence, death of a child, gun violence, drugs, and Nazis.

14 – Be Gay, Fight Crime

Episode 14 is out! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, Pie and Lulu discuss the 2021 Marvel and DC Pride anthologies, which feature a variety of short comics about LGBT+ superheroes. Topics include the appearances of some of our favorite queer superheroes (hint: there’s a lot of X-Men), new and interesting characters we discovered thanks to these anthologies, and the state of LGBT+ representation in superhero comics in general.

Other Media Mentioned:

Content Warnings:

Discussions of homophobia, biphobia, murder, a past abusive relationship, racism in comics, and sexual harassment by a comic book writer.

13 – I’d Rather Be Watching Sanctuary Moon

Episode thirteen is out! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, we’re discussing the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Focusing on the first of four science fiction novellas about a grumpy artificial intelligence and the humans it reluctantly comes to care about, we discuss the novellas’ portrayal of free will, dehumanization under capitalism, and the importance of escapist media, all while marveling at how relatable a robot with a body count in the double digits can be. 

Other media mentioned:

  • Jade City by Fonda Lee
  • Star Eater by Kerstin Hall
  • DC Bombshells by Marguerite Bennett
  • Midnighter and Apollo by Steve Orlando
  • Classic X-Men comics by Chris Claremont
  • Becoming a Man: the Story of a Transition by P Carl
  • The Raksura Chronicles by Martha Wells
  • The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells

Content warnings: mentions of mass murder, violence, and kidnapping

12 – The Chosen and the Bi-eautiful

Episode twelve is out! As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, Pie and Lulu discuss Nghi Vo’s novel The Chosen and the Beautiful, a history fantasy retelling of The Great Gatsby starring Jordan Baker. Topics include the way Vo integrates magic into the classic novel, Jordan’s adaptational identity as a bisexual Vietnamese woman, and an overabundance of enthusiasm for the idea of demonic bargains. 

Content warnings: discussions of racism and a murder-suicide

Other media mentioned:

  • Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont
  • Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
  • The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan
  • Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales
  • Teen Titans: Raven and Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo
  • The Great Gatsby (2013) directed by Baz Luhrmann 
  • The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
  • Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
  • The History of Papercutting and the Magic of The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo on Tor.com
  • Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore (coming fall 2022)

11 – Two Gangs, Both Alike In Dignity

Episode 11 is out!

This week, Pie and Lulu travel to gang-ruled 1920s Shanghai to discuss These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, a historical fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Topics include the novel’s dramatic romance, the atmospheric historical setting, and how Gong puts her own spin on the classic tale of love and rivalry.

As always, you can listen on Podbean, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Podcasts, and more.

Other media mentioned:

  • In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
  • The Wicked and the Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
  • The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
  • The Books of Ambha by Tasha Suri
  • Batman: Under the Red Hood by Judd Winnick
  • Suicide Squad: Bad Blood by Tom Taylor
  • Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
  • The Green Knight (2021) directed by David Lowery
  • Romeo + Juliet (1996) directed by Baz Lurhmann
  • Romeo & Juliet (2013) directed by Carlo Carlei
  • Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

Content warnings: discussions historical colonialism and imperialism, medical horror, plagues/pandemics, self harm/suicide, and gang warfare

10 – X-Men X-Travaganza

Episode ten is out! As always, episodes are available to listen on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

This week, Pie and Lulu explore their most literary and intellectual pastime during the pandemic: reading a lot of X-Men comics. Covering comics from the eighties to the present day, topics include favorite characters, underrated comic runs, and thoughts on the unusual current status quo of the X-Men. Oh, and also cosmic tragedies, coming out stories, and karaoke–you know, all the usual staples of superhero comics.

Comics discussed in-depth:

  • Astonishing X-Men (2012-2013) by Marjorie Liu
  • All-New Wolverine by Tom Taylor
  • House of X/Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman
  • Rictor and Shatterstar’s publication history
  • Rogue and Gambit’s publication history
  • Generation X by Christina Strain
  • The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont
  • Iceman by Sina Grace
  • Hellions by Zeb Wells

Other comics and media mentioned:

  • Heathen by Natasha Alterici
  • Uncomfortable Labels: My Life as a Gay Austistic Trans Woman by Laura Kate Dale
  • These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy
  • The Wolf and the Woodsman Ava Reid
  • House of M by Brian Michael Bendis
  • X-Force by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost
  • X-Men: Season One by Dennis Hopeless
  • All-New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis
  • Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade by Allan Heinburg
  • New Mutants (1983) by Chris Claremont
  • X-23: Innocence Lost by Craig Kyle
  • X-23 by Marjorie Liu
  • The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
  • New X-Men by Grant Morrison
  • X-Factor Investigations by Peter David
  • Rogue and Gambit: Ring of Fire by Kelly Thompson
  • X-Men Gold by Marc Guggenheim
  • Mr. and Mrs. X by Kelly Thompson
  • Excalibur by Tini Howard
  • Days of Future Past by Chris Claremont
  • X of Swords by Jonathan Hickman and various others

Content warnings: Discussions of the Holocaust, racism in comics, (fictional) human experimentation, and homophobia

09 – The Gothic Vibes Are Strong With This One

Our ninth episode is out!

This week, it’s all about gothic vibes! Pie and Lulu take a look at two gothic-inspired novels: Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. We discuss the spooky atmospheres and isolated manor settings that both of the books share, as well as our love for the female protagonists. Also, why are we both afraid of mushrooms now? Listen to find out why!

As always, you can listen to this episode on Podbean, Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, iTunes, and Google podcasts.

Other media mentioned:

  • Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars by Kai Cheng Thom
  • X-Men: From the Ashes by Chris Claremont
  • The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
  • Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
  • Made You Look (2020) dir. Barry Avrich
  • A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
  • Fullmetal Alchemist
  • The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Content warnings: discussions of eugenics, incest, racism, cannibalism, abuse, medical horror, gun violence, murder, and suicide