Graphic Novels for Beginners (Start Here) with Sophia Glock

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Graphic novels aren’t just for kids—and this episode completely changed how I think about them.

In this conversation, I sit down with cartoonist Sophia Glock to talk about her haunting and emotional graphic novel Before We Wake. We dive into how comics can explore big themes like grief in a way that feels accessible, immersive, and deeply personal—and why adults should absolutely be reading graphic novels.

We also talk about nostalgia (hello early 2000s 👀), the creative process behind blending art and storytelling, and where to start if you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before.

📚 Books Mentioned

Before We Wake by Sophia Glock — Buy on Amazon | YA Graphic Novel | Grief, paranormal, friendship

Maus by Art Spiegelman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Graphic Novel | Holocaust, memoir

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Iran, coming-of-age

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel — Buy on Amazon | Literary Graphic Memoir | Family, identity

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki — Buy on Amazon | YA/Adult Graphic Novel | Coming-of-age

Spinning by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Identity, adolescence

Charity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Novel | Historical

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Intro + meeting Sophia Glock

[01:00] Why graphic novels are underrated for adults

[02:00] Writing about grief in Before We Wake

[04:00] Sophia’s creative process (writing vs drawing)

[05:30] Plot overview + lucid dreaming concept

[07:00] Setting the book in early 2000s nostalgia

[09:30] Nostalgia, pop culture, and generational memory

[12:30] Where to start with graphic novels

[15:00] YA vs adult tone in storytelling

[16:00] Where to find Sophia online

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