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jcb8mn.bsky.social
Jen Bateman
@jcb8mn.bsky.social
520 followers 60 following 59 posts
Artist, Illustrator, Photographer, Writer, and Speaker
MNCBA President and Creative Director
NO🚫AI

Saint Paul, MN

🌎 Web: https://jcb8MN.com/
🤝 Support: https://Patreon.com/jcb8MN
✉ Subscribe: https://jcb8mn.substack.com/
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jcb8mn.bsky.social
Jen Bateman @jcb8mn.bsky.social · Feb 26
Gonna start using the royal "we" to refer to myself for the people struggling with singular they/them pronouns.
jcb8mn.bsky.social
When I was having my big existential crisis and grappling with mortality in my early 30s, I wished I could live long enough to find out the "end" of humanity's story. Not gonna lie, the present day is some real Monkey's Paw shit. #SorryAboutThat
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Jen Bateman
mncbaorg.bsky.social
⚡ ANNOUNCING ⚡

MNCBA SpringCon 2026
Saturday 6 June

MNCBA FallCon 2026
Saturday 10 October
Sunday 11 October

Don't forget to subscribe to the MNCBA Newsletter!
📬 subscribepage.io/mncbaorg

Artwork:
Pencils/Inks by The Art of CK
Colour by Jen Bateman @jcb8mn.bsky.social
vintage comic book-styled MNCBA SpringCon/FallCon 2026 flyer poster featuring Shortbox the Squirrel artwork by The Art of CK
October 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Awe, thank y'all! I appreciate you! 💕
mncomicpros.bsky.social MN Comic Pros @mncomicpros.bsky.social · Oct 14
Fallcon 2025 was an amazing time again this year and many many MANY thanks to the @mncbaorg.bsky.social and its volunteers and president @jcb8mn.bsky.social for all of their hardwork! 👏👏👏❤️
October 14, 2025 at 8:25 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
What a treat it has been to spend time with @shannonwheeler.bsky.social this weekend at @mncbaorg.bsky.social. I've known him since back in ye olde LiveJournal days when I first started making webcomics.
Photo of Shannon Wheeler and Jen Bateman at MNCBA FallCon 2025 Photo of Shannon Wheeler and Jen Bateman at MNCBA FallCon 2025
October 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"

No. 0022: The Dragon Tattoo

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#Philosophy #BeingGood #Goodness #HumanNature #Acceptance #AutismAcceptance #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0022: The Dragon Tattoo by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
September 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0021: Sanctuary

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#Friends #Friendship #HealthyRelationships #GrowingUp #Acceptance #AutismAcceptance #BeingHuman #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0021: Sanctuary by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
September 1, 2025 at 10:42 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Just in time for the one-year anniversary of launching "Behind the 8-Ball," listen to me chat with Kurt Sasso of "Two Geeks Talking" about my comics, my work for the MNCBA, and my personal thoughts about the long-term consequences of generative-AI.
kurtsasso.bsky.social Kurt Sasso @kurtsasso.bsky.social · Aug 29
@jcb8mn.bsky.social returns as we discuss the ongoing Comics Trilogy: Behind The 8-Ball. As well as an amazing Spring and Fall Con for @mncbaorg.bsky.social and what it takes to run that con and constantly fighting the AI Slop that threatens & invades life. Today 11AM ET!

youtu.be/TU_-1nMvwYE
From Mid-life Crisis to Convention President: Jen Bateman’s 'Behind the 8-Ball' Comics and MNCBA
YouTube video by Two Geeks Talking
youtu.be
August 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
This feels important to re-share right now. 💔 Please don't let fear and pain become an excuse to abandon your humanity.
August 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
These comics are set in the late 1990s; we have very different lives now and I have other people in my life that fill this role.

I can tell you that Jason was shown the rough drafts of his pages and gave them his blessing, however. ☺️
pookey.bsky.social pookey.bsky.social @pookey.bsky.social · Aug 20
I hope Jason is still with you in your life. My fiancé was that person for me and I’m glad to have them everyday.
August 20, 2025 at 1:07 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0020: Jason

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#Friends #Friendship #HealthyRelationships #GrowingUp #Acceptance #AutismAcceptance #BeingHuman #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0020: Jason by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
August 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
got a podcast? let's talk. hmu via the contact form on my website.
Jen Bateman wearing a tie-dyed MNCBA T-shirt and headphones while sitting in front of a suspension-arm mounted microphone.
August 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Still getting used to being on camera again.
mncbaorg.bsky.social Minnesota Comic Book Association @mncbaorg.bsky.social · Jul 21
The first of our MNCBA SpringCon 2025 panels is up on our YouTube channel! 🎙 Join MNCBA President Jen Bateman for "Behind the Panels" along with MNCBA Secretary and Panel Moderator Eric Childs. #MNCBA #MCBA #MNStateFairgrounds #SaintPaulMN #Minneapolis #TwinCities

youtu.be/_7RtT4Zee80?...
MNCBA SpringCon 2025 Panel "Behind the Panels" with Jen Bateman
YouTube video by Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA)
youtu.be
July 21, 2025 at 2:01 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
We also talk a bit about my comics and @mncbaorg.bsky.social!
July 8, 2025 at 12:22 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0019: It Could Have Been Worse

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

BONUS VIDEO: youtu.be/2tCEJ8hypTM

#AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutisticMasking #SelfAcceptance #AuthenticityMatters #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0019: It Could Have Been Worse by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
June 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Give yourself time. ❤️‍🩹
pookey.bsky.social pookey.bsky.social @pookey.bsky.social · May 14
I am literally crying over this very subject right now. The autism masking alongside PTSD has been a very brutal combo. Where masking was the difference between being left alone or getting the shot beat out of me. I’m still finding out who I am but thank you for this comic!
May 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0018: The Day I Began to Live

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutisticMasking #SelfAcceptance #AuthenticityMatters #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0018: The Day I Began to Live by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
May 14, 2025 at 1:47 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Absolutely thrilled to announce that I am a 2024 NCS Divisional Finalist in the "Online Comic - Short Form" category for the 79th Annual Reuben Awards! 🎱 Thank you to all my "Behind the 8-Ball" readers!

nationalcartoonists.com/2024-divisio...

#NCS #ReubenAwards #BehindThe8Ball
May 7, 2025 at 9:23 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0017: Intermittent Reinforcement

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#IntermittentReinforcement #AbuseTactics #GaslightingAwareness #AutismAcceptance #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0017: Intermittent Reinforcement by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
May 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0016: My Father's Child

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#AbuseAwareness #PsychologicalAbuse #GenerationalTrauma #CycleBreaker #StopTheCycle #noAI
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0016: My Father's Child by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
March 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
hey hey hey I'm 45 today 🔥
#HappyBirthdayToMe
Photo of a gremlin wearing a black overcoat, with CMYK-plaid scarf and rose-tinted glasses, in front of a "Thin Ice" sign.
February 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"I feel a little less alone" -- this is one of the reason I do it. Thank you!
jaaaaaybird.bsky.social Jay 🐦‍⬛ @jaaaaaybird.bsky.social · Feb 4
Going to be watching this one like an absolute hawk. Thank you for your vulnerability that has allowed for such recognition in me of the things I've experienced. I feel a little less alone when ever someone like us makes art like this.
February 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
Thank you, I appreciate you! 🤗
elisthemenace.bsky.social Elis @elisthemenace.bsky.social · Feb 2
This got recommended to me by the algorithm and I had to read all of the finished pages. I really relate to this. This is an awesome comic and I love the artstyle aswell
February 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
A big THANK YOU to new READER+ patron in January, Burley! 🙏 www.patreon.com/c/jcb8MN

#Patreon #PatreonArtists #SupportHumanArt #SupportHumanArtists #IndieComics #Webcomics #NoAI
Get more from Jen Bateman on Patreon
creating Art, Comics, Writing, and Videos
www.patreon.com
February 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
This is so wonderful to hear, thank you! 💌
artistjwcc.bsky.social JWCC - Artist @artistjwcc.bsky.social · Jan 30
This is your first comic I've seen and it spoke to me. You have a new fan because you made me feel not alone. Ty for making your art. It helps. <3
January 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
jcb8mn.bsky.social
"Behind the 8-Ball"
No. 0015: Fishbowl

Permalink: jcb8mn.com/comics/2025/...

#AbuseAwareness #CoerciveControl #NarcissisticAbuse #PsychologicalAbuse #StopTheCycle
Behind the 8-Ball No. 0015: Fishbowl by Jen Bateman (Comic Page)
January 29, 2025 at 12:49 AM