This controversial comic series about terrorism and identity politics predicts a dystopia that not everyone is willing to agree with. We look at the angry arguments from both Howard Chaykin and his detractors about whether this is artistic expression or just shock value. And… we ask what no one else seems to address. Does Chaykin’s story successfully meet its intended goal?

Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store:

• The Divided States of Hysteria
• Black Kiss
• American Flagg
• The Homeland Directive
• Dead Babies
• Mr. A

Additional Resources:

• The Divided States of Hysteria controversy, and what it means for trans characters in comics
• “Conversation” Sparked By Second Print Of ‘Divided States Of Hysteria’
• Transmyscira: Why I’m Boycotting Image Comics
• On Free Speech, Censorship, And Howard Chaykin’s Divided States Of Hysteria
• Howard Chaykin Responds To Controversy
• Image Comics & Chaykin respond to sensitivity feedback, pull THE DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA cover
• HOWARD CHAYKIN RESPONDS
• INTERVIEW: Howard Chaykin on ‘Divided States of Hysteria’ controversy
• There Is Absolutely No Excuse for Image Comics’ Divided States of Hysteria Hate Crime Cover
• Let’s All Calm Down Over Howard Chaykin’s ‘Divided States’ Cover Art Swap

Check out this episode!