We talk with Raquel Breternitz about her love for comics. Raquel has a particular interest in indie comics and autobiographical work, appreciating how they can tell unique and often painful stories. She recounts her personal history with comics, starting with reading them as a child, and rediscovering her passion for them during college through works that profoundly impacted her life. She reflects on how comics blend the literary and visual arts, creating a unique medium that matches the complexity of human communication. The conversation touches on the comics community's openness and supportiveness, Raquel's evolving taste in comics, and her current reading list.

Guest Bio

Raquel Rubio Breternitz (she/they) is an award-winning designer with a unique bent for research-driven work built with craft and polish. She is dedicated to inclusion, accessibility, and keeping tech human (and human-focused).

With a diverse background in purpose-driven work across product design and brand, Raquel has served as Design Director for Senator Elizabeth Warren and has contributed to organizations including the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Shopify, the New York Times, Pivotal Labs, and IBM. Currently, they are a founding lead designer at GoodDay software.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Raquel is a writer, public speaker, panel moderator, and sketchnoter. In their free time, they draw comics, tear through fiction novels, play rhythm guitar, and take waaay too many photos of their cat.

Links

Raquel on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/RaquelDesigns/

Raquel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelbreternitz/

Alison Bechdel and Fun Home: https://dykestowatchoutfor.com/fun-home-2/

Black Hole: https://50wattsbooks.com/products/black-hole-pantheon-graphic-library

Ghost World: https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/ghost-world-softback

Adrian Tomine: http://adrian-tomine.com/Booksandcomics.html

Lenore Yerkes: https://lenorayerkes.com/about

Jillian Tamaki: https://www.jilliantamaki.com/books;

Mariko Tamaki: http://marikotamaki.blogspot.com

Squire: https://sara-alfa.com/books/squire/

- and writer Nadia Shammas: https://www.nadiashammas.com/comics

Eden ii, K. Wroten: https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/eden-ii

Tillie Walden: https://www.tilliewalden.com/books

Credits

Cover design by Raquel Breternitz herself!