(Note: This episode was originally released under the old podcast title "This is the End: Pop Culture & Collapse." As of July 2025 the show is now titled, "Strange Days, Here We Come: Pop Culture, Dystopia & Collapse.")

We're joined by Dr. Shelly Clevenger, professor of criminology and victim studies, and chair of the Department of Victim Studies at Sam Houston State University, to discuss BITCH PLANET, the feminist dystopian comic book by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine DeLandro, published by Image Comics. Dr. Clevenger, who is also a gender scholar, discusses crime and criminal justice through the lens of gender and gender identity and answers the question of what all of it has to do with the idea of "collapse." Among the topics covered include Roe vs. Wade, the Texas ban of abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial, a shocking historical government program to arrest and imprison women suspected of having STDs without due process, and many other issues affecting women - especially working class women, women of color, queer women, and trans women - in an age of increasing dystopia.

***NO SPOILERS for Bitch Planet***

LINKS

• Dr. Shelly Clevenger faculty page

https://www.shsu.edu/~icc_www/_inc/dir.php?mode=view&item=467

• Department of Victim Studies page at Sam Houston State University

http://catalog.shsu.edu/graduate-and-professional/college-departments/criminal-justice/victim-studies/

• Dr. Shelly Clevenger on Twitter

https://twitter.com/drclevenger

Gendering Criminology by Shelly Clevenger and Jordana N. Navarro

https://amzn.to/3Qpi3y8

Bitch Planet, Vol. 1 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine DeLandro

https://amzn.to/3QoXlyr

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