Molly Ostertag

Molly Knox Ostertag (born October 28, 1991) is an American cartoonist and writer, known for her webcomic Strong Female Protagonist, her middle grade[3] graphic novel series (The Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch, and The Midwinter Witch), and for her work on the series Tales of the Night Watchman.

Molly Ostertag
Ostertag in 2019
Born
Molly Knox Ostertag

(1991-10-28) October 28, 1991[1][2]
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2019)​
Websitewww.mollyostertag.com

Early life and education

Ostertag grew up in upstate New York.[4][5][6] She attended Bard College and studied illustration and cartooning at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City,[4] where she graduated in 2014.[7] She moved from upstate New York to Los Angeles in 2016.[8]

Career

Comics

As a comics artist, Ostertag has been drawing the superhero webcomic Strong Female Protagonist written by Brennan Lee Mulligan since 2012, and created the art for the fantasy comic Shattered Warrior written by Sharon Shinn (2017). Her first published work came in 2013 and 2014 when she drew two issues of Tales of the Night Watchman for So What? Press, "The Night Collector" (2013) and "It Came from the Gowanus Canal" (2014). The latter remains one of the series' best-selling issues.[9][10]

In 2017, Graphix published The Witch Boy, the first graphic novel written and drawn by Ostertag. It is the coming-of-age story of a young boy, Aster, who is intent on becoming a witch in a community where boys are expected to become shapeshifters.[4] Fox Animation acquired the film rights in May 2017,[7] and a sequel, The Hidden Witch, was published in 2018.[11] The third book in the series, The Midwinter Witch, was published in November 2019.[12] The Witch Boy was later described by Daniel Toy of CNN's Underscored as an "emotional, magical story [that] will grab young readers’ attention" which teaches readers the "importance of acceptance and love"[13] while reviewers said that the story of Aster, which begins in the first book, is "parable for gender conformity."[14][15] Additionally, Aster's tomboy friend,[16][17] Charlotte "Charlie," who has two dads, is described as not conforming to gender norms, even by the book's publisher, Scholastic.[18][19] Other works of Ostertag's include the erotic comic Alleycat[20] and the comic How the Best Hunter in the Village Met Her Death, for which she received the 2018 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Story.[21]

Paste described Ostertag's character design as "deft and varied, with a thick, dark line that resembles that of Faith Erin Hicks", noting that she "mostly uses her figures' eyes and their body language to convey emotions."[22] A profile by SVA described her work as "consistently featur[ing] diverse casts of characters—multiracial, of differing gender expressions, sexual orientations, and abilities—whose adventures intertwine social justice and superheroes, peer pressure and magical powers", and noted that her "presiding interest lies in queer content in young adult work".[23] Additionally, Erica Friedman of Yuricon, a long time fan of Ostertag, praised her work, How the Best Hunter in the Village Met Her Death, calling it a tale that will resonate with those "who have come through their own dark forests and transformed into their true selves."[24]

In 2021, an Ostertag graphic novel, The Girl From The Sea, will be published. She described it as "teen summer romance graphic novel" set in Nova Scotia, focused on the story of a 15-year-old Korean Canadian girl named Morgan falling in love with a selkie named Keltie.[25][lower-alpha 1] She noted that it is somewhat based on her experience spending summers at Wilneff Island in Nova Scotia as a kid and called the book her "first serious foray" into the romance genre.

Animation

In animation, Ostertag has been working since 2014 as a designer for Star vs. the Forces of Evil and as a writer for The Owl House and ThunderCats Roar.[4][23] In October 2020, she called on Amazon to let her make an animation "centered around Hobbit children in The Shire."[26]

Other writings

From July to September 2020, Ostertag published a Lord of the Rings fanfiction titled "In All the Ways There Were" which shipped Frodo Baggins and Samwise "Sam" Gamgee together, a story which became relatively popular.[26][27] She called the fan fiction an extension of her "Lord of the Rings obsession," even creating an alternate Twitter account on the subject, with the handle @hobbitgay, and stated she is also writing a romantic fan fiction "retelling the entire series from Sam Gamgee’s point of view."[25] Furthermore, she stated that she saw Lord of the Rings as a romance and argued that she rarely sees exploration of "romance as transformative," portrayed, in fiction, with authenticity. Additionally, in 2019, Ostertag created a fan comic depicting a post-credits scene of The Return of the King.[28]

Personal life

Ostertag married fellow cartoonist Noelle Stevenson in September 2019.[29]

Bibliography

Graphic novel series
  • The Witch Boy (w/a, Graphix, 2017)
  • The Hidden Witch (w/a, Graphix, 2018)
  • The Midwinter Witch (w/a, Graphix, 2019)

Other graphic novels
  • Tales of the Night Watchman (2011–Present)
    • "It Came from the Gowanus Canal & It Came from the Gowanus Canal...Again!" (a in The Monster Movie Trilogy and Sequels, 2013)
    • "The Night Collector & Sanctuary" (a in The Monster Movie Trilogy and Sequels, 2014)
  • Shattered Warrior (w with Sharon Shinn, Macmillan, 2017)
  • The Girl from the Sea (w/a, Graphix, 2021) [Upcoming]

Webcomics
  • Alleycat (w/a, 2017)
  • How the Best Hunter in the Village Met Her Death (w/a, 2018)
  • Strong Female Protagonist (a with Brennan Lee Mulligan, 2012–2018)

Filmography

Film
Title Year Credited as Role Notes
Writer Executive Producer Animation/Art
department		 Other
She Makes Comics 2014 No No No Yes As herself Original art in this documentary.
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2 2014 No No No Yes N/A Junior designer.
Water Dogs 2014 No No No Yes N/A Concept art.
Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously 2016 No No No Yes N/A Original art in this documentary.

Television
Title Year Credited as Role Notes
Writer Executive Producer Director Animation/Art
department
Star vs. the Forces of Evil 2016-19 No No No Yes N/A Prop design on 30 episodes[lower-alpha 2] and prop designer on 4 episodes[lower-alpha 3]
Critical Role 2017 No No No No Wendy Darling Appeared in the episode "Once Upon a Fairytale Cruise".
Adventuring Academy 2019 No No No No As herself Appeared in the episode "Finishing a Campaign (with Molly Ostertag)".
The Owl House 2020 Yes No No No N/A Staff writer on 19 episodes,[lower-alpha 4] story writer on 7 episodes,[lower-alpha 5] and writer on 2 episodes.[lower-alpha 6]
ThunderCats Roar 2020 No No Yes No N/A Teleplay for 3 episodes.[lower-alpha 7]

Notes
  1. In a tweet on December 10, 2020, Ostertag said that Morgan is Korean Canadian while Keltie is "white with a summer tan."
  2. These 30 episodes were "Princess Quasar Caterpillar and the Magic Bell/Ghost of Butterfly Castle," "Curse of the Blood Moon," "Out of Business/Kelly's World," "The Ponyhead Show!/Surviving the Spiderbites," "Yada Yada Berries/Down by the River," "Ransomgram/Lake House Fever," "Moon Remembers/Swim Suit," "Escape from the Pie Folk," "Butterfly Follies," "Conquer," "Divide," "Bam Ui Pati!/Tough Love," "Skooled!/Booth Buddies," "Is Another Mystery/Marco Jr.," "Butterfly Trap/Ludo, Where Art Thou?," "The Bogbeast of Boggabah/Total Eclipsa the Moon," "Monster Bash," "Night Life/Deep Dive," "Death Peck/Ponymonium," "Sweet Dreams/Lava Lake Beach," "Princess Turdina/Starfari," "Lint Catcher/Trial by Squire," "Demoncism/Sophomore Slump," "Club Snubbed/Stranger Danger," "Scent of a Hoodie/Rest in Pudding," "Battle for Mewni: Toffee," "Battle for Mewni: Puddle Defender/Battle for Mewni: King Ludo," "Battle for Mewni: Book Be Gone/Battle for Mewni: Marco and the King," "Battle for Mewni: Return to Mewni/Battle for Mewni: Moon the Undaunted," and "Hungry Larry/Spider with a Top Hat."
  3. Specifically "Stump Day/Holiday Spellcial," "Starcrushed," "Face the Music," and "Bon Bon the Birthday Clown."
  4. These were "Young Blood, Old Souls," "Agony of a Witch," "Wing It Like Witches," "Enchanting Grom Fright," "Understanding Willow," "Really Small Problems," "The First Day," "Sense and Insensitivity," "Adventures in the Elements," "Escape of the Palisman," "Something Ventured, Someone Framed," "Once Upon a Swap," "Lost in Language," "Hooty's Moving Hassle," "Covention," "The Intruder," "I Was a Teenage Abomination," "Witches Before Wizards," "A Lying Witch and a Warden."
  5. These were Young Blood, Old Souls, "Agony of a Witch," "Wing It Like Witches," "Enchanting Grom Fright," "Understanding Willow," "Really Small Problems," and "Once Upon a Swap."
  6. These two episodes were "Wing It Like Witches" and "Enchanting Grom Fright"
  7. Specifically "Prince Starling's Quest," "Berserkers", and "Warrior Maiden Invasion"

References
  1. Ostertag, Molly Knox [@MollyOstertag] (October 28, 2019). "somehow trapped all the birthday balloons at the top of my page...I'm 28!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
  2. Stevenson, Noelle [@Gingerhazing] (October 28, 2019). "It's my wife's birthday, have you heard?" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 29, 2019 – via Twitter.
  3. "Molly Ostertag Books, Author Biography, and Reading Level". Scholastic. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  4. Burnett, Matia (December 15, 2017). "Fall 2017 Flying Starts: Molly Ostertag". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  5. "Molly Knox Ostertag". Literary Arts. 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  6. Linnan, Jen (2020). "Molly Knox Ostertag". Linnan Literary Management LLC. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020. This is her official bio on the company of the agent, Jen Linnan, representing her.
  7. Kit, Borys (May 31, 2017). "Fox Animation Picks Up 'Witch Boy' Graphic Novel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  8. Boode-Petersen, Trine (December 15, 2017). "Where Are They Now: Molly Ostertag". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  9. Arrant, Chris (September 12, 2013). "Barista by day, blogger by night ... paranormal P.I. by late night?". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  10. Salvatore, Brian (March 17, 2014). "What is Lurking in Brooklyn? Find out in "Tales of the Night Watchman Presents: It Came from the Gowanus Canal" #4 [Preview]". Multiversity Comics. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  11. Fabbri, Megan (October 1, 2018). "Interview: Discussing Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch new release, & more with Molly Knox Ostertag". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  12. "The Midwinter Witch". Kirkus Review. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  13. Toy, Daniel (September 11, 2020). "The best graphic novels for readers of all ages, from kids to adults". CNN. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  14. "The Witch Boy [Review]". Kirkus Reviews. August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2020. Ostertag’s story is straightforward, acting as a parable for gender conformity that’s pitched just right to middle-grade audiences.
  15. Brown, Hillary; Rosberg, Caitlin; Foxe, Steve; Stewart, C.K. (October 28, 2020). "The 20 Best Kids Comics of 2018". Paste. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020. In this second book, Aster is facing...the gender dynamic he’s been struggling against
  16. Labrise, Megan (November 2, 2017). "Molly Knox Ostertag". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  17. Ostertag, Molly (October 30, 2017). "Halloween Q&A: Molly Ostertag on 'The Witch Boy'". SmashPages (Online). Interviewed by Alex Dueben. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  18. Stepaniuk, Casey (October 28, 2020). "Eight Trans-Inclusive Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020. With the help and encouragement from Charlie, a girl from outside his community who also doesn’t conform to gender norms, Aster becomes brave enough to try practising his magical skills.
  19. "The Witch Boy". Scholastic. 2020. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  20. Rude, Mey (September 26, 2017). "Drawn to Comics: Molly Ostertag's Smut Comic "Alleycat" Will Tickle Your Furry Bone". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  21. Leblanc, Philippe (September 21, 2018). "Rounding up the 2018 Ignatz Award Winners and SPX Controversies". ComicsBeat. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  22. Brown, Hillary (May 24, 2017). "Sharon Shinn & Molly Knox Ostertag's Shattered Warrior is a Manifesto on the Strength of Vulnerability". Paste. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  23. Drew, Emma (August 14, 2018). "SVA Alum Molly Ostertag Celebrates The Queer Geekdom Of Flame Con". School of Visual Arts. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  24. Friedman, Erica (May 23, 2018). "Western Comix: How the Best Hunter in the Village Met Her Death". Okazu. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  25. Ostertag, Molly (August 26, 2020). "COVER REVEAL: Molly Knox Ostertag's new graphic novel, THE GIRL FROM THE SEA". Comics Beat (Online). Interviewed by Avery Kaplan. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  26. Sowa, Alexander (October 21, 2020). "Lord of the Rings: We REALLY Need a Hobbits Animated Series". CBR. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  27. Ostertag, Molly (September 28, 2020). "In All the Ways There Were". Archive of Our Own. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  28. Stubby the Rocket (September 12, 2019). "This Lord of the Rings Fan-Comic by Molly Ostertag is the Perfect Post-Credits Scene". Tor.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  29. Ostertag, Molly [@MollyOstertag] (September 21, 2019). "Thank you @mynameiskeely for officiating our wedding and surprising us with a mini D&D session, truly it was perfect" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2020 – via Twitter. |date= mismatches calculated date from |number= by two or more days (help)
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