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Episodes
Separated by distance–but united by nerdiness–twin sisters discuss everything from mythology to blockbusters.
Episodes
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
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.
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Monday Oct 04, 2021
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:
- Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson
- 08 - An Anthropological Study of Cohabitating Vampires
- Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
- I, Claudia by Mary McCoy
- Sabriel by Garth Nix
- Suicide Squad: Bad Blood by Tom Taylor
- The Vast of Night (2019)
- Angela: Asgard’s Assassin by Kieron Gillen and Marguerite Bennett
- Midnighter by Steve Orlando
- Empyre by Al Ewing and Dan Slott
- Runaways (2003) by Brian K. Vaughn and Runaways (2017) by Rainbow Rowell
- Immortal Hulk by Al Ewing
- Academy X by Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis
- X-Factor (2020-2021) by Leah Williams
- Young Avengers (2005) by Allan Heinberg and Young Avengers (2013) by Kieron Gillen
- New Mutants (1983) by Chris Claremont
- Dawn of X comics
- 10 - X-Men X-Travaganza
- New Mutants (2019) by Vita Ayala
- Batwoman by Marguerite Bennett
- DC Bombshells by Marguerite Bennett
- DC Future State comics
- CW Supergirl
- CW Legends of Tomorrow
- Doom Patrol (TV show)
- Bitches on Comics episode 100 - Centering on queer Brown people featuring Vita Ayala
- Beyond the Metaphor: Marvel’s Long Forgotten Trans Mutant by Dani Kinney for Women Write About Comics
- X-Factor’s Final Issue Was an Ugly Low Point for Marvel’s Queer Representation by Charles Pulliam-Moore for Gizmodo
Content Warnings:
Discussions of homophobia, biphobia, murder, a past abusive relationship, racism in comics, and sexual harassment by a comic book writer.
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website, neverthetwinsshallmeet.com
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Monday Sep 20, 2021
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
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website, neverthetwinsshallmeet.com
Monday Sep 06, 2021
Monday Sep 06, 2021
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)
You can learn more about Never The Twins Shall Meet at our website, neverthetwinsshallmeet.com
Monday Aug 23, 2021
Monday Aug 23, 2021
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.
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
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.
Monday Aug 09, 2021
Monday Aug 09, 2021
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
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.
Monday Jul 26, 2021
Monday Jul 26, 2021
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!
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
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.
Monday Jul 12, 2021
Monday Jul 12, 2021
This week, Pie and Lulu take a dive into two very different takes on vampires: the 2014 comedy-mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows and S.T. Gibson’s gothic novella A Dowry of Blood. We discuss comedic versus traditional interpretations of vampires, immortal roommate drama, and how human the heart of vampire stories can really be.
Other media mentioned:
- The Deep by Rivers Solomon
- How Long ‘til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
- The Dig (2021)
- What We Do in the Shadows (TV show)
Content warnings: discussions of an abusive relationship and all the death/blood-drinking/murder that vampires entail.
Monday Jun 28, 2021
Monday Jun 28, 2021
This week, Pie and Lulu dive into two fantasy novels featuring dead gods: Deeplight by Frances Hardinge and Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. We discuss world-building, portrayals of fantasy religions, and how these books use the concept of dead divinities to explore the power of belief and storytelling.
Other Media Mentioned:
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
- The Queen’s Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner
- The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
- The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini
- Daredevil (Marvel comics)
Content warnings:
Discussions of murder, body horror, ableism, emotionally manipulative relationships, drowning, PTSD, slavery, genocide, infanticide, and rape.
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
In a somewhat chaotic sixth episode, Pie and Lulu revisit their superhero comic nerd roots by rereading Young Avengers. A teenage superhero team originally created in 2005 by Allan Heinburg and Jim Cheung, members of the Young Avengers have gone on to become popular throughout the Marvel universe, starring in team books, solo stories, and epic comic crossovers. Starting back at the first run and reading all the way up to recent months, we discuss one of the most bonkers family trees at Marvel, LGBTQ+ representation in superhero comics, and the difficulties of life as a superpowered teen crimefighter, as well critiquing what has or hasn’t held up in the years since we first discovered these comics.
Content warnings: discussions of drug addiction, sexual assault, antiblack racism, human experimentation, depression, and suicidal ideation.
You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.
Comics discussed in-depth:
Young Avengers (2005) by Allan Heinburg and Jim Cheung
Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade by Allan Heinburg and Jim Cheung
Young Avengers (2013) by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
Empyre by Al Ewing & various others
Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling by Chip Zdarsky and Anthony Oliveira
King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling by Tini Howard (correction: with art by Luciano Vecchio)
Other comics & media mentioned
I Hope You’re Listening by Tom Ryan
All-New Wolverine by by Tom Taylor
House of M by Brian Michael Bendis
Runaways by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphona
X-Factor Investigations by Peter David
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction
Vengeance by Joe Casey
Marvel Boy by Grant Morrison
New X-Men: Academy X by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir
The Wicked and the Divine by Kieron Gillen
America by Gabby Rivera
America Chavez: Made in the USA by Kalinda Vázquez
Guardians of the Galaxy by Al Ewing
X-Factor by Leah Williams
Marvel Voices: Pride anthology (upcoming)
Hawkeye by Kelly Thompson
West Coast Avengers by Kelly Thompson