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An open conversation about gender identity is crucial to normalizing this topic. Artists like Riri, the creator of the insightful and often emotional series Alienby Comics, showcase an honest portrayal of the transformation process and the range of feelings that come with it—both the joys and challenges.

You might find this series very relatable. Even if this topic doesn’t directly concern you, you might be interested in learning about the struggles some of your friends or family members are going through and how to empathize with or possibly help them. These comics are a great source of knowledge.

More info: Instagram | patreon.com | tumblr.com | reddit.com | ko-fi.com

#1

Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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SheamusFanFrom1987
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4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kid, you ain't just gonna be pretty, you are gonna be a beautiful individual. You have seen the future and it looks beautiful, even you know it deep within you.

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We reached out to Riri to ask some questions regarding their comic series. Firstly, the artist gave us some insight into themes and motifs recurring in their work: “The underlying themes of my comics are the joys of being transgender despite hardships. There’s always an element of transformation in my work: of bodies, of beliefs, of feelings, of treatment by others. These big life changes can be jarring and uncertain, but I focus on the brighter side and the good and funny things that can happen with these changes. Trans people like me need joy right now!”

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    #2

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    #3

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Bill Swallow
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good for you! Being comfortable in your own authentic skin is a blessing that some people sadly do not have.

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    The creator of the ‘Alienby Comics’ shared how they come up with ideas for new strips: “A lot of ideas for my comics come from real life experience, albeit with a bit of fantastical [flair] to capture the big feelings of experiences. Other ideas come from re-telling stories of well-known characters through a queer lens, often making existing subtext the literal text.”

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    #4

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    BTDubs
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think a character has to explicitly say that they are trans/NB/queer etc, and if trans people find comfort in Gwen being trans, whats wrong with that?

    Rayne OfSalt
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As cool as it would be, Spider-Gwen ain't trans, she's afab. Tbh, I don't know if any mainline marvel heroes are. DC has a few though, like Dreamer and Galaxy.

    farbenzirkel
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why should Spider-Gwen be trans? Maybe Alienby is just a big Spider-Gwen fan? Or she can identify well with Gwen's dual identities and struggles?

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    Riri shared that most of their comics are semi-autobiographical, featuring themselves and their real-life loved ones as characters. However: “Other characters are parodies of recognizable pop culture characters, like superheroes or video game characters.”

    #6

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Rayne OfSalt
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I used to wear a big thick beard to cover most of my face cos I could never work out why it seemed wrong and not mine.

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    Lastly, the artist shared with us what they believe makes humor an effective medium for storytelling: “I believe positive feelings carry more weight and can be more memorable and persuasive than negative ones. People are more likely to want to engage with things that brighten their day and lighten their load. Funny and heartwarming stories are effective at relieving some of life’s tension.”

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    #8

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Andrew Clapperton
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is brilliant. They should have made one of the versions of the game like this.

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    #10

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    QueenKittyCat
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Poor Vixen, she's so sad. Until she's finally free. Free to be herself.

    #11

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Bill Swallow
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    IDIC - "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations". The Vulcans have it right. And reading Science Fiction from a very early age, and making friends with plethoras of unfamiliar aliens, does wonders for developing tolerance.

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    #16

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Sky Render
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's pretty obvious on rewatching the 1980s Little Mermaid that Ariel never really cared about Eric. She just wanted to be human!

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    #17

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Marianne
    Community Member
    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a shame that churches preach things like that. I personally believe that every person is a beloved child of God. He made us unique and we are his creation. Being queer is not a joice. It is a part of a person's self and God meant them to be like that.

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    #18

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That dress is so pretty even in the drawing!! I can’t draw clothes but especially skirts/ruffles, I’m so jealous.

    #19

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    #20

    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    Jess Smith
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok actually always eating the same thing can be a sign of something called ARFID, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It's separate from autism. (incidentally, I originally spelled 'separate' as 'seperate' - I forget exactly what just that it was misspelled - which was 'corrected' to 'desperate'.)

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    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    TheElderNom
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can definitely see why it would be a hard step to take for some, I feel that one might feel pushed into surgery and hormones despite it not being needed by the individual, though at the same time it is great that it is an option for those who do want it.

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    #25

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    Crazy Cookie
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As fun as these are, I find it odd to change the backstories of pre-existing characters.

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    Celebrating Identity And Humor: Riri's Journey Through Alienby Comics

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    #30

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    Zedrapazia
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    4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If someone struggles with that, I recommend permanent laser hair removal

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