Katrina Jade "Kate" Leth[1][2] (born 1988) is a Canadian comic book creator, known for works such as Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!.

Kate Leth
BornKatrina Jade Leth
(1988-09-29) September 29, 1988 (age 36)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Area(s)Writer
Notable works
Adventure Time: Seeing Red
Bravest Warriors
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!
kateleth.com

Career

edit

Leth was born in Ottawa and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia,[3] and attended NSCAD University, studying photography. They dropped out before achieving their degree.

Comics

edit

Leth worked at the Strange Adventures comic shop in Halifax, where they developed an interest in comics,[4] and created promotional art for the shop.[5] In 2010, they created their webcomic Kate or Die for their blog.[3] Kate or Die eventually became a bi-weekly column on Comics Alliance.[6] They cited fellow Nova Scotia writer Kate Beaton as an influence, "...this person who was putting all this stuff out there, and no real formal art school training, but was doing really well with her work." Leth also contributed to the webcomics Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys and The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, and the anthology, Womanthologoy: Heroic.[5][7][8] They later contributed to the Smut Peddler anthology in 2012.[9][10]

Leth's Adventure Time fan art on their Tumblr page attracted the attention of BOOM! Studios, publishers of the comic based on the television show. They were hired to do covers, a short story, and a graphic novel, Adventure Time: Seeing Red,[5][11] which entered The New York Times Best Seller list in April 2014.[12] They also were a co-writer and co-artist for issue 3 of Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake,[13][14] Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets,[15] and Adventure Time: The Four Castles.[16]

In 2013, Leth organized The Valkyries,[17] a group of women who work in comics retail.[18] In 2017, Leth described the group as "great for creating a community" and equivalent to a union.[19] The group was disbanded in 2018, largely related to accusations that the group failed to adequately represent the concerns of women of color.[20]

In 2014, Leth wrote for Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring,[21] and Edward Scissorhands[22] In 2015, Leth worked with Joe Quinones to pitch Batman ’89 as a comic series, but DC Comics rejected it.[23]

In 2015, Leth wrote another comic for Boom!, Power Up,[24][19] and wrote six issues of Vampirella for Dynamite Entertainment.[25][19] Leth was co-host for Less Than Live with Kate or Die, a bi-weekly comics podcast which last aired in 2016.[3] Leth collaborated with the podcast Welcome to Night Vale and wrote stories for the Lumberjanes comic for Boom!.[3] In 2018, Lumberjanes, the comic to which Leth contributed along with 5 other creators, was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.[26] They also worked on Transformers: Galaxies, an anthology comic book series by IDW Publishing which is a spin-off to 2019's Transformers comic book, which began on September 25, 2019 and concluded on December 30, 2020.[27]

For Marvel they contributed to Secret Wars, Too, a comedic anthology, and Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!,[28][29] for 17 issues. In 2016, Leth wrote for the graphic novel, School Spirit.[30] From October 2016 to February 2017, they contributed to issues 1-5 of Spell on Wheels, co-writing with Megan Levens.[19]

Leth was also the cover artist for various webcomics. This included Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens #5 in 2012,[31] The Midas Flesh #3 in 2013,[32] Littlest Pet Shop #2[16] and Lumberjanes #1 in 2014,[33] and Swords of Sorrow.[34] Additionally, they were a variant cover artist of Sex Criminals #12.[35]

In 2020, Leth announced they had signed a deal with Simon and Schuster to produce a graphic novel entitled Mall Goth, released in September 2023.[36][37]

Animation

edit

Leth wrote for the 2018 Bravest Warriors episode "Chained to Your Side".[16][36] The same year, the three episodes of Polly Pocket, two episodes of Craig of the Creek, the Littlest Pet Shop: A World of Our Own episode "The Purr-fect Storm", the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic episode "Mystery Voice" and 17 episodes of Transformers: Cyberverse they had written were released.[16][36][38] Additionally, from 2018 to 2019, the five episodes of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls were released.[36] They had previously contributed to Bravest Warriors comics in 2012 and two graphic novels of Mysticons in 2018 and 2019.[16][39][40]

In 2021, the series High Guardian Spice was released on Crunchyroll. Leth co-wrote four episodes for the seasons, and two other episodes individually.[38] Leth also appeared in the 2014 documentary She Makes Comics and in the 2016 episode "Paper Plate Pictionary" of Super Fun Awesome Party Game Time. From 2016 to 2017, they voiced Sira the Unbidden in the series Vast.[41]

Personal life

edit

Leth lived in Burbank, California from January 2016 until September 2020, when they moved back to Halifax, Nova Scotia.[42][43] While in college, Leth and their colleague Vincenzo Ravina created a website dedicated to their hatred of the Crocs shoes. They are openly bisexual[44] and non-binary,[45] using they/them pronouns[16] and undergoing top surgery in April 2022. They have also described themself as queer and genderfluid.[16]

In September 2019, Leth announced their engagement to longtime partner Cohen Edenfield,[46] but revealed in July 2022 that the couple had "parted ways" and "remain best friends".[citation needed]

Bibliography

edit
  • The Strange Talent of Luther Strode (2011)
  • Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys (2011)
  • Womanthologoy: Heroic (2011)
  • Bravest Warriors (2012) – writer for issues #21-36 art by Ian McGinty
  • Smut Peddler (2012)
  • Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake (2013) – co-writer and co-artist for issue #3
  • Adventure Time: Seeing Red (2014) – writer
  • Adventure Time: Bitter Sweets (2014)– writer
  • Adventure Time: The Four Castles (2016) – writer
  • Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring (2014)
  • Edward Scissorhands (2014) – writer
  • Power Up (2015)
  • School Spirit (2016)
  • Mall Goth (2023)

Dark Horse Comics

edit
  • Spell on Wheels #1–5 (with Megan Levens, October 2016–February 2017)
  • Mysticons: Volume 1 (September 21, 2018)
  • Mysticons: Volume 2 (March 2019)

Marvel Comics

edit

Dynamite Comics

edit
  • Vampirella #1–6 (with Eman Casallos, March 2016–August 2016)

The Teenager Corporation

edit
  • Mr Boop Vol II (August 2020)
    • Guest Strip: Commitment

Covers

edit
  • Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens #5 (cover artist) (2012)
  • The Midas Flesh #3 (cover artist) (2013)
  • Littlest Pet Shop #2 (cover artist) (2014)
  • Lumberjanes #1 (cover artist) (2014)
  • Sex Criminals #12 (variant cover artist)
  • Swords of Sorrow (cover artist) (2015)

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Title Year Credited as Role Notes
Writer Executive Producer Animation/Art
department
Other
She Makes Comics 2014 No No No Yes As herself Original art in this documentary.
Super Fun Awesome Party Game Time 2016 No No No Yes As herself Appeared in the episode "Paper Plate Pictionary"

Television

edit
Title Year Credited as Role Notes
Writer Executive Producer Director Animation/Art
department
Vast 2016-2017 No No No No Sira the Unbidden
Bravest Warriors 2018 Yes No No No Writer for the episode "Chained to Your Side"
Polly Pocket 2018 Yes No No No Writer of three episodes[a]
Craig of the Creek 2018 Yes No No No Story writer for two episodes[b]
Littlest Pet Shop: A World of Our Own 2018 Yes No No No Writer of the episode "The Purr-fect Storm"
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 2018 Yes No No No Writer for the episode "Mystery Voice"
Transformers: Cyberverse 2018 Yes No No No Staff writer on 17 episodes.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls 2018-2019 Yes No No No Writer for five episodes[c]
High Guardian Spice 2021 Yes No No No Co-wrote four episodes[d] and wrote two episodes individually[e]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Specifically "Area Fifty None", "Halloween Queen" and "Princess Predicament"
  2. ^ The episodes are "The Invitation" and "The Curse"
  3. ^ "Costume Conundrum", "Wake-Up!", "The Last Day of School", "Blue Crushed", and "Lost and Found"
  4. ^ Specifically "Journey to Lyngarth", "Disorientation Day", "Crushing Obstacles", and "Festival of Fall" (Part 1)
  5. ^ These episodes are "Transformations", and "Past Present"

References

edit
  1. ^ Leth, Kate [@kateleth] (January 22, 2020). "I'm not taking Cohen's last name when we get married bc I worked too hard to make mine immortal but damn if Katrina Edenfield doesn't sound like an entire princess" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 23, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Leth, Kate [@kateleth] (January 22, 2020). "Did you know my middle name is Jade" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 23, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b c d Leth, Kate. "About". Kate or Die. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "Three under 30 Haligonians to watch in 2015". Metro Halifax. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Graphic novelist hooked on comics". The Chronicle Herald. April 14, 2014. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Leth, Kate. "Kate or Die". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Remington J. Osborne and Jamie Brewer (February 12, 2012). "Episode 189 with Kate Leth". WMD Radio (Podcast). Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "Womanthology: Heroic". IDW Publishing. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Rockcastle, Mary (8 May 2014). "Raunchy Mermaids, Lesbian Pirates, and Hand Drawn Comics: Welcome to the World of Lady Tailored Smut". Bust.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Morris, Steve (September 10, 2013). "Submissions Are Open for Erotica Anthology 'Smut Peddler 2014'". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 3: Seeing Red. Simon & Schuster. 11 March 2014. ISBN 9781608863563. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  12. ^ "Paperback Graphic Books". New York Times. April 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  13. ^ "Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake #3 (of 6)". ComiXology. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  14. ^ Morris, Steve (March 29, 2013). "24 Hours of Women Cartoonists: Kate Leth". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021.
  15. ^ Leth, Kate; Ward, Pendleton (11 November 2014). Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781608864300. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "About". Kate Leth's official website. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  17. ^ "Beware the Valkyries". Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  18. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (October 28, 2014). "The Valkyries: secret warrior women of comics shops". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d Nugent, Edie (October 28, 2017). "NYCC '17 INTERVIEW: Kate Leth talks witches, magics, and queer representation in SPELL ON WHEELS". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  20. ^ McMillan, Graeme (6 September 2018). "Comic Book Retailer Advocacy Group The Valkyries Closes Its Doors". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  21. ^ Leth, Kate (18 August 2015). Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring. Archaia. ISBN 9781608866946. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Keily, Karl (July 24, 2014). "IDW Brings the Burton for Kate Leth's "Edward Scissorhands"". CBR. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  23. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (March 11, 2016). "Kibbles 'n' Bits 3/11/16: Batman '89 and Secrets of Comics coloring revealed". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  24. ^ Dietsch, TJ (May 5, 2015). "Leth & Cummings Discuss Giving Boom! an All-Ages 'Power Up'". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  25. ^ Gerding, Stephen (5 October 2015). "NYCC: Simone, Scott Revamp Red Sonja, Vampirella & Dejah Thoris for Dynamite". CBR. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Gates, Brendan (March 28, 2018). "29th Annual Media Awards Outstanding Comic Book Nominees". GLAAD. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021.
  27. ^ Terror, Jude (July 18, 2019). "Kate Leth, Sam Maggs, More Creators Revealed for Transformers: Galaxies". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  28. ^ Richards, Dave (October 2, 2015). "Leth & Williams Get Their Claws Into "Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat!"". CBR. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  29. ^ Jones, Alexander (December 24, 2015). "The All-New, All-Different Marvel Rundown Week Twelve: Patsy Walker Steals the Show". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  30. ^ "School Spirit". Rosy Press. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  31. ^ "Ahoy, holiday shoppers and collectors of fine..." Kate or Die!. Tumblr. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021.
  32. ^ "Kate Leth joins the Bravest Warriors". The Pullbox. April 19, 2014. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  33. ^ Leth, Kate (July 3, 2014). "Mirror, mirror". Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  34. ^ Wickline, Dan (April 2, 2015). "Kate Leth Does Retailer Exclusive Swords Of Sorrow Cover For Beware The Valkyries". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  35. ^ Lu, Alexander (August 19, 2015). "Sex Crims #12 Delayed, but Chip Zdarsky Might Have a Morrisonian Tryst with Howard the Duck". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d Johnston, Rich (May 31, 2020). "Kate Leth's First Graphic Novel, Mall Goth, from Simon & Schuster". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  37. ^ Leth, Kate (26 September 2023). Mall Goth. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5344-7694-3. Retrieved December 7, 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  38. ^ a b Hermann, Burkely (October 30, 2021). "Spicing It Up: "High Guardian Spice" is A Cute and Magical Coming-of-Age Story". The Geekiary. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  39. ^ "Mysticons Volume 2". Blackwell's. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  40. ^ "Mysticons". Blackwell's. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  41. ^ Wickline, Dan (November 20, 2016). "Jackson Lanzing Leads New Sci-Fi RPG Series, Vast". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  42. ^ Leth, Kate. "I live in Burbank now. We're celebrating by going to buy pet food and furniture but if anything's happening later, or this week, or ever, LET ME KNOW". Kate Jade. Facebook. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  43. ^ O'Kane, Josh (13 November 2020). "The urban Atlantic advantage: Work-from-home era offers Halifax more people and more wealth, but at a price". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021. Kate Leth is a Haligonian artist who recently returned from Los Angeles...Finding an apartment in Halifax this fall was a very different experience for Kate Leth than when she last lived there five years earlier...The writer, illustrator and cartoonist Kate Leth returned to Halifax in September after five years in Los Angeles
  44. ^ Ellis, Grace (March 6, 2012). "Kate Leth Draws Comics, Knows What We Want: The Autostraddle Interview". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  45. ^ Leth, Kate [@kateleth] (June 25, 2020). "Idk if this even matters but since I've come out as nonbinary sometimes people default to using "they" for me and... I'm fine with it! I don't require it but I'm happy being a she/they I think 🤷🏼‍♀️" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Leth, Kate [@kateleth] (September 9, 2019). "I keep trying to come up with perfect pithy captions but I guess we're ENGAGED????????? Haha hi!!!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
edit