Anina Bennett
LightNews LightNews
bigredhair.bsky.social
Anina Bennett
@bigredhair.bsky.social
810 followers 72 following 7 posts
they/them ✍️ Author of Boilerplate, Frank Reade, & Heartbreakers w/@paulguinan; recovering comic book editor; superhero; nerd. 🌈
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Anina Bennett
helioscopepdx.bsky.social
Just in time for @rosecitycc.bsky.social, Ben Coleman @ohcoleman.bsky.social and the good folks at Portland Monthly Magazine have an article about our shared comics studio Helioscope in the latest issue. www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-cul...
#pdxcomics #rccc
Comics and Community at Portland's Helioscope Studio
As with many Pacific Northwest endeavors, the creative coworking setup began in a café.
www.pdxmonthly.com
September 10, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
ripleylacross.bsky.social
TOMORROW! Dozens of micro-paintings from my backpacking trips over the years will become available for purchase. Prices will range from $20 to $30, shipping included!

Patrons will first pick and 20% off, opening to the public on 9/21. #art

Some of the paintings in question can be found here:
Timberline Trail 2025 - Seventh Time | Ripley LaCross
Hey gang! I just got back the other day from yet another trip on the Timberline Trail. Every fall I head out to Mount Hood and spend three t
www.patreon.com
September 7, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
opb.org
Meet six Eisner winners from Oregon — five comic book artists and one comics retailer — who took home awards last Friday evening during a ceremony at San Diego Comic Con.
Six Oregonians win Eisner Awards at Comic Con
Learn more about Portland's comic artist community in Oregon Art Beat's upcoming comics special.
www.opb.org
July 30, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
ohjoysextoy.bsky.social
Happy 13th Birthday to Oh Joy Sex Toy!

Join our Patreon Pledge Drive this month for BONUS COMICS and to keep the site going for one more year!
www.patreon.com/OhJoySexToy
Erika draws with a bouncy, cartoony style and uses a color palette of warm yellows, oranges, and reddy-pinks. "Ahh, summer again!" Exclaims Erika, a white cis middle-age woman in beach attire, which is appropriate since she and her crew are walking on a sandy beach. Ahead of her walks Ziggy, a trans man in his 40s with a heavily tattooed arm, gauged ears, and a septum piercing. He wears big round glasses, a Pokemon trainer's baseball hat, swim trunks and a tank top while toting in more beach supplies under his arms. He adds, "That means sunshine, BBQs, and celebrating-" "Oh Joy Sex Toy's 13th Birthday!" reads the text on a giant beach umbrella that Matt stakes into the sand. He is a devastatingly handsome white cis British man with salt and pepper hair who has just crossed the threshold into his 40s. He wears square-ish glasses, a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. "We invite you all to chip in to our annual Pledge Drive and support the site this month!" Matt continues. "For the price of a fancy coffee-" "(or tea)" Erika interrupts. "(or kombucha!)" Adds Ziggy. "-you keep the site going AND get access to a bunch of BONUS COMICS that we've been cooking up this last few months.*" Finishes Matt with an iced coffee in his hands while Erika and Ziggy rest under the umbrella, each holding up their own iced tea and kombucha. Caption: *In addition to all the previous years' extra stories if you haven't read them yet. The scene shifts from the beach to show samples of the bonus comics, under a ribbon banner labeled "Preview" Caption: Ripley LaCross travels through a backpacking retrospective. Hien Pham tackles Hourly Comic Day. Jey Pawlik explores what sketchbooks mean to them. Surfing in on a wave of comic pages, Matt says, "Last year, we had to consider closing... but with our successful Pledge Drive, instead you all helped us raise our rates to commission 27 new and returning guest artists to publish 52 comics for the site, which now has... gosh, 680 comics, all available for free to the folks who need them."
June 2, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
leiladelduca.bsky.social
Introducing my next comic, SERPENTINE! It’s a YA science fantasy adventure and it’s funding NOW on Kickstarter. Check it out! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lei...
SERPENTINE: A Story From Afar
A 48-page comic book about astral projection, adventure, and responsibility
www.kickstarter.com
April 5, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
helioscopepdx.bsky.social
Helioscope is happy to announce that we've relaunched our mentorship program. Our newest mentees are Claire Scott @jcscottart.bsky.social and Emilie Kelly @viewfindercomics.bsky.social. www.helioscopepdx.com/blog/2026/1/...
Helioscope Announces New Mentorship Program — Helioscope
For Immediate Release Helioscope Announces New Mentorship Program The interdisciplinary program pairs the next generation of comics talent with experienced industry veterans
www.helioscopepdx.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
spryfox.bsky.social
✍️ our newest developer blog comes from Justin, one of our Art Leads at Spry Fox.

Justin sat down to walk us through the inspirations & thoughts that went into concepting the visuals for the Shrineworks in Spirit Crossing.

let's have a read!
→ spryfox.com/2025/10/07/developer-blog-shrineworks/
A digital illustration showcasing concept art for "Shrineworks", living stone structures in the world of Spirit Crossing (a game being developed by Spry Fox.) The structures are beige-grey and covered with moss. An assortment of tubes is sticking out of them in a life-like manner.
October 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
helioscopepdx.bsky.social
And here's Lucy Bellwood with some INCREDIBLY useful advice for comics writers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXO1... @lubellwoo.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
spryfox.bsky.social
Wondrous details can be found lurking wistfully in the skies of Spirit Crossing... and sometimes those details are *really* happy to see you!

#playspiritcrossing #netflixgames #mobilemmo #mobilegames #cozygames
September 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
paulguinan.bsky.social
This video includes my dog Ripley, whom @scottmccloud.bsky.social called a “saint.”
#HumbleBrag
August 28, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
arthurwyatt.bsky.social
A great list, mainly because a top 10 SF movies of the 70s list is going to do double duty as best ever SF movie list and have a shot at being a decent “best movies of the 70s” list.
August 28, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
jeffparker.bsky.social
Watching this excellence again, Fraction and Lieber discuss making the magic happen with Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. The hidden powerhouse here is @matthewbogart.bsky.social, who is phenomenal at editing and producing this piece.
Fraction & Lieber Talk Jimmy Olsen
YouTube video by Helioscope PDX
youtu.be
August 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
paultobin.bsky.social
We're closing in on the end of our ride! Our MESSENGER Kickstarter ride, I mean, a project with me, @rays666hell.bsky.social, and @rocketshipofficial.bsky.social! THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR YOU ON THIS BICYCLE! We might have to get one of those banana seats, though.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/roc...
Messenger Volume 2
Volume 2 of the hit webtoon series by 3x Eisner winner Paul Tobin and artist Ray Nadine!
www.kickstarter.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
amandawtwong.bsky.social
I have these prints decorating my apartment and people always ask about them, by the way did you know that because of these prints that WES ANDERSON asked Bill to work on Isle of Dogs because it's true anyway you too can own something that is good enough for WES ANDERSON
mudron.bsky.social Bill Mudron @mudron.bsky.social · Jul 22
It's getting to be that rent-y time of the month, so this is your reminder that I've got a bevy of fun pop culture prints available for shipping all around the world (along with a new-ish Boy and the Heron Miyazaki/Ghibli print): mudron.bigcartel.com
July 23, 2025 at 12:19 AM
bigredhair.bsky.social
My secret is out—I’m a character in an MMOG! I’ve never played one before, and I’m in love with #SpiritCrossing by @spryfox.bsky.social. I’d love to see some IRL friends in this game. It has drop-dead gorgeous art, great writing, questing & building galore, & fun community. 💖 Come explore with us!
spryfox.bsky.social Spry Fox @spryfox.bsky.social · Jul 21
Whether it's fishing side by side with a friend among the clouds or playing music for a friendly cafe stranger, players are capturing magical moments in Spirit Crossing.

Start your cozy adventure today:
⛅ playspiritcrossing.com

.. then share your own moments with us!
🐻 discord.gg/JvPPmxHHDf
A screenshot from the game "Spirit Crossing" by the studio "Spry Fox" under "Netflix Games." The screenshot shows two players standing side by side as they cast fishing poles into the clouds. Both players have short, bright pink hair and the player to the right is wearing a fox backpack. A screenshot from the game "Spirit Crossing" by the studio "Spry Fox" under "Netflix Games." A player in the foreground is standing on a stage lit by string lights in a dim cafe environment. The ambience is warm and cozy with multiple kinds of lights as well as tables & chairs. The foreground player is playing music in front of a microphone while a stranger sits watching them from a table.
July 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
erikamoen.bsky.social
For my free patrons: How my teen friends and I started making photo copied black and white minicomics, going to conventions, meeting our heroes, and eventually got For Reals published: www.patreon.com/posts/122891...
Photo of the Pants Press table at San Diego Comic Con 2003, L-R: Bill Mudron, Vera Brosgol, Clio Chiang, Jen Wang, Erika Moen, Karen (don't know last name), and Dylan Meconis.
February 26, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
smeagol92055.bsky.social
This is WILD.

In case you can't make it out, Musk's kid is saying "You're not the president and you need to go away."

I WONDER WHERE HE COULD HAVE GOTTEN THAT IDEA FROM.
February 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
jessicavalenti.bsky.social
The Trump administration is scrubbing the CDC’s website of documents on reproductive rights issues, sexual health, intimate partner violence, and more.

I'm trying to save them.

You can find the deleted docs at CDCGuidelines.com - I'll be adding more over the weekend.
Download CDC Guidelines Removed By The Trump Admin
The Trump administration is scrubbing the CDC’s website of documents on reproductive rights issues, sexual health, intimate partner violence, and more.
CDCGuidelines.com
February 1, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
paulguinan.bsky.social
That time myself and @bigredhair.bsky.social played Spock’s parents in the theatrical production, TREK IN THE PARK.
CBS did a piece about it, which is still on YouTube. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KI5...
"Trek in the Park" on CBS Morning Show (2012)
YouTube video by Craig Pratt
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:17 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
paulguinan.bsky.social
15 years ago, as part of @bigredhair.bsky.social & my book release of our history of the robot BOILERPLATE, we did a standing room only reading & signing at Powell’s Books.
You shoulda heard Anina’s impression of Mark Twain!
Check it out: timetunnel.bigredhair.com/boilerplate/signing/powells.html
Paul Guinan & Anina Bennett perform scenes from their book, BOILERPLATE.
December 13, 2024 at 1:31 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
danschkade.bsky.social
DAVID LYNCH'S SUPERBOY

1/10
January 17, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
ohjoysextoy.bsky.social
It's time to start stockpiling gifts for the upcoming holidays! Wanna get your sweetie something sexy but don't know where to start? DON'T WORRY, WE GOT YOU. Renowned feminist sex toy shop Early to Bed has helped us compile a list of this year's best sex toys.
www.ohjoysextoy.com/best-of-24-w...
"This cartoony comic is colored with pinks, teals, black, and white. All the characters and objects exist against a white or teal background. Erika and Matt are the founders of Oh Joy Sex Toy so they open and close this comic. They are both white, cisgender, and in their late 30s/early 40s. ""Honk!"" Matt honks through a little party trumpet, addressing the reader. ""another year is just around the corner!"" ""Dang!"" Adds Erika with a jaunty gesture. ""That means it's time for a brand new-"" Title: Best Sex Toys ...of the year. With Early to Bed (.com, 5138 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL) ""Erika and I haven't been reviewing toys for a while now-"" Begins Matt. ""Bein' in yer 40s is no joke!"" Erika interjects. Undeterred, Matt continues, ""-so it's with a huge amount of thanks that the Early to Bed team were game to help us out."" A selection of different people are depicted next to their names. Regina (they/she) A feminine person with elegantly coifed long black hair and a light pink skin tone. Jack (he/him) A middle-age masculine person with a white skin tone, glasses, and beard shadow. Ester (she/they) A feminine person with shoulder-length light pink hair, white skin tone, and a few moles on her face. Searah (she/her) The owner and founder of Early to Bed, Searah has shoulder-length pink hair pulled into low pigtails and a white skin tone. Toni (They/them) An androgynous person with a small puff of tight curly black hair, glasses, piercings in their nose and ear lobes, and a purple-y skin tone. Narration: Together we've collected a bunch of neato toys for you to peruse! All tried-and-trues!"
November 26, 2024 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
ohjoysextoy.bsky.social
Please have a look around our archives of over 600 comics!

All Comics: www.ohjoysextoy.com/category/comic
Sex Education: www.ohjoysextoy.com/category/com...
Reviews: www.ohjoysextoy.com/category/com...
Non-fiction: www.ohjoysextoy.com/category/com...
SMUT: www.ohjoysextoy.com/category/com...
Screencap of part of Oh Joy Sex Toy's comics archive, featuring preview images to 16 comics by Hien Pham & Ziggy, Simon Shadows, Ripley LaCross, Senna Church, Stefanie B, Robogart, Mads G, and Alex Assan. (Some creators have multiple comics up)
November 15, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
kaneicaruslynch.bsky.social
This fall, I'm have with a new weekly online comics class for adults— MAKE YOUR DANG COMIC! (Cartooning Fundamentals).
www.crucialcomix.com/.../comics-w...
Shay Mirk and I wanted to make a fun, affordable class for both total newbs AND experienced folks who could use the structure to Get Stuff Done.
Flyer with a smiling cartoonist for Make Your Dang Comic! (Cartooning Fundamentals) Text reads: This eight-week-long beginner-friendly class will kickstart your creativity and put you on track to create a finished comic you'll be proud of. We'll go through the steps of developing a comics idea, writing a script, working through thumbnail drafts, and drawing the final version, with an emphasis on story, structure, and building skills to eliminate road blocks in the cartooning process. Taught by Kane Lynch! • Tuesdays, 6pm-8pm PST (9-11pm EST) • October 15th - December 3rd • Sliding scale cost • All online
September 23, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Anina Bennett
majoraz.bsky.social
I've gone ahead and made Mesoamerican artist and Mesoamerican researcher Lists and Starter packs (I'm not sure why both exist separately?) like I have on twitter:

Artist:
SP: go.bsky.app/8H4ioGJ
List: bsky.app/profile/did:...

Researcher:
SP: bsky.app/starter-pack...
List: bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 12, 2024 at 11:31 PM