About Betty’s Books

As a kid, Betty dreamed of working at a bookstore, and owning her own business. As a young adult, Betty wished she could find an indie bookstore that covered the wide range of comics out there AND was welcoming to all ages and sorts of folks. In her mid-thirties, she's delighted that these dreams have become a reality and is working really hard to keep it that way! Some of her favorite comics include Ducks by Kate Beaton, Maison Ikkoku by Rumiko Takahashi, and The Property by Rutu Modan. Her favorite binge read of last summer was The Wicked and the Divine written by Kieron Gillen, art by Jamie McKelvie.

Betty is also a mom! One of the best parts of her day is reading with her two kiddos. Some of her kids' favorite comics are Catstronauts by Drew Brockington and the Norma and Belly books by Mika Song. Betty truly believes there's a comic out there for everyone -- yes, even adults and "good readers" -- and comics are "real books" with value textually and visually. She is happy to help anyone find their match.

Alex joined Betty in opening Betty's Books while getting her Master's in American Culture Studies, and plans on sticking around for a loooong time. Her love of comic books started with Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, but Pretty Deadly by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios is the most beautiful she’s ever read. She enjoys reading comics targeted at any age group (Snapdragon by Kat Leyh may be for ages 8-12 but it's one of her all-time faves!) and she'll recommend Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama to anyone who will listen. Alex hopes that through being a part of the BB team she can help spread her love of comics far and wide, especially to the more hesitant folks out there (yes, comics are "real books.")! The comics medium is incredibly diverse literarily, and Alex truly believes there's a comic out there for everyone, if they're willing to try!

Alain is a nonbinary artist and illustrator, with a passion for graphic novels, comics, fiber arts, and community work. They are currently attending Webster University and will graduate with a BFA after one final semester. Their love of comics started with family collections of Calvin and Hobbes and Garfield, and it was grown by spending hours in the St. Louis County Library reading any manga they could get their hands on. Sailor Moon and Legend of Zelda really pulled them into art, creating a language of sparkles, nature, swords, and warm tones. When not adventuring around, Alain can be found at home, chilling with their cat Bagel and crocheting while watching something (video essays on YouTube, probably). They love all books, drifting from children's books and middle grade graphic novels such as Witch Boy, to memoirs like The Fire Never Goes Out and fantasy YA. Some of their favorite artists include Tillie Walden, Lynda Barry, Moebius, N.D. Stevenson, and Molly Ostertag.

Emma has been a lover of Betty’s Books for years before joining the team. Growing up, she was convinced she was a bad reader, until she discovered her love for graphic literature. Sisters was her introduction to graphic novels, and she hasn't stopped reading since! She’s a sucker for fantasy, romance, coming-of-age stories, and anything with a cute animal on the cover. Her favorites include A Frog in the Fall, Diana: My Graphic Obsession, The Deep Dark, and A Man and His Cat.

When she isn’t at Betty’s, you can find her with friends watching movies, making crafts, or playing with her cat, Poppy. She is currently studying psychology and art, with hopes of becoming an art therapist after college. She can’t wait to recommend an assortment of comics to her future clients and anyone who will listen!

Elena is a full-time illustrator, part-time bookseller, and lifelong Certified Nerd. Comics have been a part of her life ever since she was tall enough to read the Baby Blues comic strips hung on her fridge, and her passion for the medium continues to grow by the day. Throughout her childhood, she made sure every family birthday card contained original gag comics, and in between her work on children’s picture books, she still loves creating overdramatized diary comics and fanart of pretty anime girls. You can find some of her art on the shelves at Betty’s Books, located in Daniel Davis’s Gus’s Tails! She’s also a graduate of Wash U, with a degree in illustration and a minor in overthinking everything. A few of her favorite comics are: Asterios Polyp, Haikyu!!, Infidel, and Calvin and Hobbes.

Elena was sucked into the Betty’s Books black hole (it’s a very pleasant black hole, I promise) through their monthly Graphic Novel Book Club, and is overjoyed to be a part of this cosmic anomaly. She spends her free time playing Nintendo games, watching competitive Pokemon tournaments, and looking at dogs on the Internet. If you have a dog, please show her pictures- it will make her day.

Vivi is a sci-fi enthusiast, quilter, origamist, writing consultant, and full time reader! Their particular love of manga began at the age of ten with Fruits Basket and the Warrior Cats comics and became fully solidified by Fullmetal Alchemist (they still consider FMA to be one of the best stories, ever, of all time). While working towards their English MA at SLU (which they completed in spring of 2024 with a focus in queer isolation!), manga helped to keep them sane by reminding them that reading is, in fact, fun. They have much appreciation in particular for the supportive efforts of Blue Period, Sketchy, To Strip the Flesh, and Dangerous Convenience Store!

When not reading comics, Vivi enjoys devouring any and every work by Ursula K. Le Guin, walking their beloved dog Bonnie, rewatching the OG Star Trek (they just love the premise!), playing Pokémon Go, and spending way too much money each week on scroll comics. Vivi is so excited to be a part of the Betty’s Books team, and always welcomes a fun, enthusiastic yap session with friends and strangers alike!