LST FAVES: Kicking Ass While Pregnant

In this special episode of The Longest Shortest Time, host Hilary Frank explores the real-life inspiration behind the new Marvel Spider-Woman comic series, which features a pregnant superheroine named Jessica Drew. The story is co-created by writer Dennis Hopeless and his wife, Jessie Hopeless, a tattoo artist and mother of twin boys. Dennis reveals how their own journey into parenthood—marked by the shock of learning they were expecting twins, the emotional and physical challenges of pregnancy, and the reality of a high-risk C-section—directly informed the authentic portrayal of motherhood in the comic. The episode delves into the emotional weight of becoming a parent, the societal pressure to 'get it right,' and the quiet heroism of everyday parenting, from tandem breastfeeding to surviving travel disasters with sick toddlers. The couple shares how they’ve redefined partnership and responsibility, with Dennis emphasizing that Jessie’s strength as a mother and provider is often invisible to her, even as he sees it clearly. The comic’s realistic depiction of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life has resonated widely, even with traditional comic fans who expected a more fantastical take. The episode closes with a call to listeners to share their own 'parenting superpower' wishes, celebrating the messy, beautiful truth of early parenthood.