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    <title>NPR: comic books</title>
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    <description>comic books</description>
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      <title>NPR: comic books</title>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/tags/134740356/comic-books</link>
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    <item>
      <title>A bug that jets pee? These comics illustrate nature&apos;s real-life superpowers</title>
      <description>Did you know there&apos;s an insect that can fling its pee 40 times &lt;em&gt;faster&lt;/em&gt; than a cheetah accelerates? We did — thanks to a comic from the &lt;a href=&quot;https://bhamla.gatech.edu/&quot;&gt;Bhamla Lab&lt;/a&gt; at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Since 2020, principal investigator Saad Bhamla has been leading the charge to make science more accessible by publishing comics alongside every paper his lab publishes. Today, he introduces &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.npr.org/people/767284140/emily-kwong&quot;&gt;Emily&lt;/a&gt; to two of the most popular characters — Sheriff Sharpshooter and Captain Cicada — and shares why a comic about butt-flicking insects is a valuable way to take science beyond the lab. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;em&gt;Want to hear more about nature&apos;s superpowers? Send us an email at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;mailto:shortwave@npr.org&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;shortwave@npr.org&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://plus.npr.org/shortwave&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;plus.npr.org/shortwave&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 03:00:59 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2025/04/14/1244690932/comic-book-bugs-superpower-cicada-pee</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2025/04/14/1244690932/comic-book-bugs-superpower-cicada-pee</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/11/4.14.25-ep-1-_wide-5d5576ba91d7be1932e616fc01f6e1fac116296d.jpg' alt='This panel is from the "Slingshot Spiders" comic that describes the manuscript "Ultrafast launch of slingshot spiders using conical silk webs", published in the journal <em><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60ef472cab12c51e777931f3/t/618a8e8672a5c33f7cc812ed/1636470407292/Alexander+and+Bhamla_Slingshot+Current+Biology.pdf">Current Biology</a>.</em>'/><p>Did you know there's an insect that can fling its pee 40 times <em>faster</em> than a cheetah accelerates? We did — thanks to a comic from the <a href="https://bhamla.gatech.edu/">Bhamla Lab</a> at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Since 2020, principal investigator Saad Bhamla has been leading the charge to make science more accessible by publishing comics alongside every paper his lab publishes. Today, he introduces <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/767284140/emily-kwong">Emily</a> to two of the most popular characters — Sheriff Sharpshooter and Captain Cicada — and shares why a comic about butt-flicking insects is a valuable way to take science beyond the lab. <br><br><em>Want to hear more about nature's superpowers? Send us an email at </em><a href="mailto:shortwave@npr.org"><em>shortwave@npr.org</em></a><em>. <br><br>Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/shortwave"><em>plus.npr.org/shortwave</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>(Image credit: Lindsey Leigh)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1244690932' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Emily Kwong</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia to launch a popular arts caucus at Comic-Con</title>
      <description>&quot;When nerds get together, we can do a lot of good things,&quot; says U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia who&apos;s assembling a Congressional caucus on popular arts like gaming, video and movies.</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:01:48 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189186767/rep-robert-garcia-to-launch-bipartisan-popular-arts-caucus</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189186767/rep-robert-garcia-to-launch-bipartisan-popular-arts-caucus</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/07/23/gettyimages-819955918-6a53aa462f502a07d777aed993c2db445551f847.jpg' alt='SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplay characters dressed as Spiderman, pose for pictures along 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter during Comic Con International in San Diego, California.'/><p>"When nerds get together, we can do a lot of good things," says U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia who's assembling a Congressional caucus on popular arts like gaming, video and movies.</p><p>(Image credit: Sandy Huffaker)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1189186767' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>A Martínez</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A kid&apos;s guide to climate change (plus a printable comic)</title>
      <description>Learning about climate change? Here&apos;s a comic for kids about what it is and how it&apos;s affecting the planet — as explained by kids who are experiencing it. And find out how to print this comic at home!</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:43 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2023/01/17/1144849154/climate-change-kids-guide</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2023/01/17/1144849154/climate-change-kids-guide</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/01/13/cck-promo-2-95b843406eb76bc88216803a7f76441729527b72.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>Learning about climate change? Here's a comic for kids about what it is and how it's affecting the planet — as explained by kids who are experiencing it. And find out how to print this comic at home!</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1144849154' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Lauren Sommer</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mexican American superhero saves Ukrainian civilians in comic book issue</title>
      <description>Fed up with Mexico&apos;s non-interventionist policy after Russia invaded Ukraine, Héctor Rodríguez sends his Mexican American superhero to Mariupol in the latest issue of the series.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2022 05:11:34 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2022/04/06/1091199402/for-a-special-issue-the-comic-book-series-el-peso-hero-travels-to-ukraine</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2022/04/06/1091199402/for-a-special-issue-the-comic-book-series-el-peso-hero-travels-to-ukraine</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/04/06/ephucrania-cover_custom-1067d3b2eab6b6c7d4a1a5065157668adaf1d98a.jpg' alt='El Peso Hero saves civilians in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol in a special edition of Héctor Rodríguez's self-published comic book series. The 18-page issue is free, with text in English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian.'/><p>Fed up with Mexico's non-interventionist policy after Russia invaded Ukraine, Héctor Rodríguez sends his Mexican American superhero to Mariupol in the latest issue of the series.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1091199402' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Olivia Hampton</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Censored Sex Scene In &apos;Harley Quinn&apos; Sparks Debate On Depictions Of Female Pleasure</title>
      <description>Creators of the HBO Max series &lt;em&gt;Harley Quinn&lt;/em&gt; said executives blocked a scene where Batman performs oral sex on Catwoman, sparking a social media conversation about censorship of female pleasure.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:38:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2021/06/21/1008857092/dc-blocked-a-scene-in-harley-quinn-setting-off-a-debate-about-sexism-in-comics</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2021/06/21/1008857092/dc-blocked-a-scene-in-harley-quinn-setting-off-a-debate-about-sexism-in-comics</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2021/06/22/harley-quinn-86b8783c5dea0d6ebe992a1aecaa8a8ce50709f1.png' alt='As comic book culture and the superhero genre have gone mainstream, changing audiences are now challenging the companies who own their beloved characters over issues like sex positivity.'/><p>Creators of the HBO Max series <em>Harley Quinn</em> said executives blocked a scene where Batman performs oral sex on Catwoman, sparking a social media conversation about censorship of female pleasure.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1008857092' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Glen Weldon</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Lifetime Of Finding Peace, Purpose And Voice In The Pages Of Comics</title>
      <description>Stephanie Williams discovered comics young, drawn early to &lt;em&gt;X-Men&lt;/em&gt;, which she saw as an allegory for the persecution of black Americans. An adult now, she co-hosts a podcast about black superheroines.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2017 04:57:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/562895773/a-lifetime-of-finding-peace-purpose-and-voice-in-the-pages-of-comics</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/562895773/a-lifetime-of-finding-peace-purpose-and-voice-in-the-pages-of-comics</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2017/11/12/paigevickers-comicbookfan_custom-5281f29f4406f7786867d49e8abad9fe9a841975.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>Stephanie Williams discovered comics young, drawn early to <em>X-Men</em>, which she saw as an allegory for the persecution of black Americans. An adult now, she co-hosts a podcast about black superheroines.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=562895773' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Dave Blanchard</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Is Wonder Woman Suited To Be A U.N. Ambassador?</title>
      <description>This Friday the U.N. holds a star-studded ceremony to appoint Wonder Woman its honorary ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls. Many women&apos;s rights advocates are in an uproar.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:58:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/10/20/498569053/is-wonder-woman-suited-to-be-a-u-n-ambassador</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/10/20/498569053/is-wonder-woman-suited-to-be-a-u-n-ambassador</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2016/10/20/gettyimages-578139388_wide-87bcb38329d6f47a5a64ed8f5873f963f7d0596d.jpg' alt='A Wonder Woman display at Comic-Con International 2016 shows the evolution of her incredible shrinking costume.'/><p>This Friday the U.N. holds a star-studded ceremony to appoint Wonder Woman its honorary ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls. Many women's rights advocates are in an uproar.</p><p>(Image credit: Matt Cowan)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=498569053' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Nurith Aizenman</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Move Over, Comic Book Guy: Philly Comics Store Prizes Diversity In Its Heroes</title>
      <description>At Amalgam Comics &amp; Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, owner Ariell Johnson says diversity isn&apos;t just an afterthought. She tells NPR&apos;s Michel Martin that new faces keep the heroics interesting.</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 17:20:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/2016/01/24/464019945/move-over-comic-book-guy-philly-comics-store-prizes-diversity-in-its-heroes</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/2016/01/24/464019945/move-over-comic-book-guy-philly-comics-store-prizes-diversity-in-its-heroes</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2016/01/22/jasmin-carroll_wide-151cd0ee8c5be478d70e4b5c1e8666b809d840b7.jpg' alt='Ariell Johnson has combined her love of comic books with a place where people can socialize in her new business, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse.'/><p>At Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, owner Ariell Johnson says diversity isn't just an afterthought. She tells NPR's Michel Martin that new faces keep the heroics interesting.</p><p>(Image credit: Jasmin Carroll)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=464019945' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>NPR Staff</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guzzling 9,000 Years Of History With &apos;The Comic Book Story Of Beer&apos;</title>
      <description>A new illustrated history explores beer&apos;s journey from the cradle of agriculture, to the rise and fall of Ancient Rome, to the modern-day craft beer heyday.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2015 16:51:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/08/17/432297444/guzzling-9-000-years-of-history-with-the-comic-book-story-of-beer</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/08/17/432297444/guzzling-9-000-years-of-history-with-the-comic-book-story-of-beer</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2015/08/17/035promo_custom-a7a20907f843f1edfed689624178e8720abbc231.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>A new illustrated history explores beer's journey from the cradle of agriculture, to the rise and fall of Ancient Rome, to the modern-day craft beer heyday.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=432297444' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Alastair Bland</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>India&apos;s New Comic Book Hero Fights Rape, Rides On The Back Of A Tiger</title>
      <description>Her name is Priya and she is the star of a new graphic novel in India. After she is gang-raped, her family and neighbors shun her — but then a Hindu goddess grants her special powers.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:33:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/12/16/371209381/indias-new-comic-book-hero-fights-rape-rides-on-the-back-of-a-tiger</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/12/16/371209381/indias-new-comic-book-hero-fights-rape-rides-on-the-back-of-a-tiger</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/12/16/priya_no_shadow_custom-dbae25765288f3cd618d8f3cf3eb4c5079f6f7cb.jpg' alt='The comic book superhero Priya survived a rape and now fights violence against women.'/><p>Her name is Priya and she is the star of a new graphic novel in India. After she is gang-raped, her family and neighbors shun her — but then a Hindu goddess grants her special powers.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=371209381' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Rhitu Chatterjee</dc:creator>
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