In this episode, I interview Dr. Andrea Letamendi (@ArkhamAsylumDoc), a licensed clinical psychologist who expresses her creativity by merging her professional knowledge with a love of comics and all things geek. She hosts podcasts, runs panels at conventions, and has even become a character in the DC comics universe.
Drea gained notoriety when she began Under the Mask, a blog about the psychology of superheroes. That visibility led to a profile in The Atlantic, appearances on CNN and other networks, a TEDx talk, documentary appearances, and the opportunity to consult with comic writers such as Gail Simone. Today, Drea co-hosts The Arkham Sessions, a podcast where she looks at the psychology behind episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. She also co-hosts Lattes With Leia, another podcast about Star Wars, as well as regularly speaks on panels at San Diego Comic-Con and other conventions. (She’s also a huge cosplayer.)
Drea is one of a handful of real people who have been immortalized in a major comic universe, having been portrayed as a therapist to Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl);
If you’re a comics geek or academic, make sure you check this one out!
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During our chat, we discuss;
- How Drea became interested in psychological science and began tying her education to her passion for comics.
- How she launched her blog, Under the Mask, about the psychology of Batman.
- The evolution of studying character development in comics, to becoming well-known in the comics industry and eventually consulting with comics writers.
- Why she chose Batman for her writing and podcast, The Arkham Sessions.
- Why Drea didn’t necessarily consider herself a creative child but now realizes she was.
- How she learned to reconcile her creativity and love of comics with her analytical mind.
- How she became canon in the DC comics universe thanks to Gail Simone.
- Why she feels so passionately about helping others tell great comic stories with an understanding of mental stigma.
- The importance of being our authentic selves, and why her passions fulfill that need.
- How Drea balances her professional career with her speaking engagements, podcasting, writing, and other passions.
- The importance of aligning her professional values with her passions.
- An important lesson she learned about re-evaluating her own creativity.
- How a mental hiccup during Drea’s TedX talk taught her that failures shouldn’t be seen as failures.
In addition to her blogs and podcasts, you can find Drea on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media.