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Comadres y Comics began as an idea when, as a comic retailer, Kristen was asked by a customer to recommend comic books with Latinx characters and discovered that she was hard pressed to find more than a handful that were known to mainstream story lines. She found a few websites with information but nothing that recommended any Indie titles as well. With a problem to solve, she approached Sara and Jen with the vague idea of starting a podcast that brought Latinx creators and content to readers.
Additionally, all three felt strongly that it was important to include the presence of women in the industry as well. Over a pitcher of beer, they streamlined the idea into Comadres y Comics a podcast dedicated to highlighting women and the Latinx presence in the comic book industry as creators, characters and fans.
Sara Bazan
Sara Bazan resides in Compton and was enamored with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and the Sandman Universe from its inception. She loves Indie comics and attending small, local conventions that highlight lesser known creators from marginalized communities. She also has a place in her heart for superhero comics featuring Batman and the X-Men. Before Comadres y Comics, Sara co- hosted three comic related podcasts but never quite got them off the ground. She is blessed to be a part of the Comadres y Comics Podcast that fits so perfectly with her personal experience with comics and that is comprised of what she declares to be her “dream team” of co-hosts.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is a Comparative Literature major from South Central Los Angeles with a life-long love for comic books and manga. She has worked in comic book retail since 2014, both at Hi De Ho Comics and Geoffrey’s Comics, and prides herself in being the “salty” side of the Comadres y Comics podcast. Jennifer is a Queer Latina whose love for comics originated from a High School teacher who provided them for students. Her journey has led her to strive to provide access to comics for others in similar ways. She is currently obsessed with Overwatch, Dungeons & Dragons, space, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Comics and dragons. She can be found confronting anyone who says, “Girls don’t read comics” with “Fight Me!!”.
Kristen Parraz
Kristen Parraz co-owns and manages Hi De Ho Comics, the longest still running comic book shop in Los Angeles County, located in Santa Monica. Before managing Hi De Ho Comics, Kristen worked with gang involved girls within the juvenile justice system. She has 20 plus years of experience working in the non-profit sector with a variety of diverse communities, her passion being gender specific work. Presently, she works to integrate the experience and passion she’s built over the years into comic retailing by making diversity a priority at Hi De Ho and working to provide access to the comic book industry to marginalized groups and communities. Kristen has a love for horror comics with some of her favorites being Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Walking Dead and Harrow County.
Sara Bazan
Sara Bazan resides in Compton and was enamored with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and the Sandman Universe from its inception. She loves Indie comics and attending small, local conventions that highlight lesser known creators from marginalized communities. She also has a place in her heart for superhero comics featuring Batman and the X-Men. Before Comadres y Comics, Sara co- hosted three comic related podcasts but never quite got them off the ground. She is blessed to be a part of the Comadres y Comics Podcast that fits so perfectly with her personal experience with comics and that is comprised of what she declares to be her “dream team” of co-hosts.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is a Comparative Literature major from South Central Los Angeles with a life-long love for comic books and manga. She has worked in comic book retail since 2014, both at Hi De Ho Comics and Geoffrey’s Comics, and prides herself in being the “salty” side of the Comadres y Comics podcast. Jennifer is a Queer Latina whose love for comics originated from a High School teacher who provided them for students. Her journey has led her to strive to provide access to comics for others in similar ways. She is currently obsessed with Overwatch, Dungeons & Dragons, space, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Comics and dragons. She can be found confronting anyone who says, “Girls don’t read comics” with “Fight Me!!”.
Kristen Parraz
Kristen Parraz co-owns and manages Hi De Ho Comics, the longest still running comic book shop in Los Angeles County, located in Santa Monica. Before managing Hi De Ho Comics, Kristen worked with gang involved girls within the juvenile justice system. She has 20 plus years of experience working in the non-profit sector with a variety of diverse communities, her passion being gender specific work. Presently, she works to integrate the experience and passion she’s built over the years into comic retailing by making diversity a priority at Hi De Ho and working to provide access to the comic book industry to marginalized groups and communities. Kristen has a love for horror comics with some of her favorites being Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Walking Dead and Harrow County.
