Women In Comics Month: Interview with Kate Leth

In honor of Women in Comics this March, PREVIEWSworldtalks with writer Kate Leth!

PREVIEWSworld: Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are you currently working on?

Kate Leth: I'm a writer and illustrator. I'm currently working on writing Bravest Warriors for BOOM! and Edward Scissorhands for IDW. I'm about to start on the next Adventure Time graphic novel and have a few original titles in the work. I also do webcomics under the name Kate or Die!

PREVIEWSworld: How long have you been working with sequential art? What titles, companies, and creators have you worked with over your time in comics?

Kate Leth: I've been writing for other artists for 2-3 years and making my own comics for about four, so I'm still pretty new. I've worked on Bravest Warriors (with Ian McGinty), Adventure Time (with Zachary Sterling), Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring (with Jake Myler), Edward Scissorhands (with Drew Rausch), Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (with Troy Little), and more.

PREVIEWSworld: Did you have a mentor or hero in the industry that inspired you to pursue a career in  comics?

Kate Leth: I was a really big fan of Kate Beaton's work. I loved webcomics like Dinosaur Comics and XKCD, and when I found her stuff, it really made me feel like I could give making comics a try. She's still a huge inspiration to me.

PREVIEWSworld: In your opinion, how has the comic book industry evolved in terms of gender?

Kate Leth: It's hard for me to say, because I'm only a few years in. I run a group called The Valkyries, for women who work in comic shops, as that's how I got my start. That group and others like it give me a lot of hope—these networks for women are amazing resources for meeting people and creating projects. Things can always get better, and sexism will persist in its way, but I think we're moving in the right direction. I hope!

PREVIEWSworld: What stereotypes do you see surrounding women in comics? How could people of all genders go about breaking those stereotypes?

Kate Leth: I think sometimes there's that idea of the “fake geek girl”—a woman who's interested in nerd culture but somehow doesn't know enough to be welcome—and that's pretty toxic. That gatekeeper mentality just keeps away new and potential fans, which this industry always needs!

PREVIEWSworld: How do you want to see women represented in comic books 10 years from now?

Kate Leth: With more diversity, which comes from hiring and supporting diverse creators. I want to see stories about people of color, LGBTQ persons, different and realistic bodies, superheroes outside the gender binary. I want to read more mainstream comics featuring women over 40. I want women to be represented with as much depth and nuance as men, but I also want men to be able to express femininity or gentleness without being seen as weak. There's so much of this in indie and webcomics, but I'd love to see (more of) it elsewhere. It's a tall order. I'm greedy!

PREVIEWSworld: If you could give advice to any aspiring editors, executives, writers, or artists, what would you tell them?

Kate Leth: I'd never be so bold as to give advice to an editor, ahah! To anyone, I mean, I'd say make the books you want to read. Think of a story or character you wish you'd had to relate to when you were young and make it. Figure out what's not being done and do that with all your heart. That's where the best work comes from.

PREVIEWSworld: And lastly, are there any up-and-coming women creators who you would recommend readers check out?

Kate Leth: Oh lordy, there are so many, so I'll spotlight some of my newest finds: Mildred Louis, whose webcomic Agents of the Realm is a current favorite (magical girls who aren't white!). I also love Paulina and Savannah Ganucheau (sisters!), Kendra Wells, Bridget Underwood, Erin Hunting, Veronica Fish, Margaux Saltel, Tula Lotay, and Marguerite Sauvage.

Check out more Women In Comics Month interviews in our special section on PREVIEWSworld!