Harry Potter and the Problematic Author

by Maia Kobabe

A Harry Potter fan comic, created in response to the "Magic in North America" stories, JKR's transphobic tweets and The Witch Trials of JK Rowling. This zine isn't an attack on the books, it is a critique and a meditation on loving flawed media. This zine was originally written in July 2019, then updated in 2023. The whole story can also be read for free online at the author's website.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, LGBT, Harry Potter, Queer, Short Stories

32 pages, stapled zine

First published July 1, 2019

About the author

Maia Kobabe is a nonbinary, queer, trans author, a voracious reader, a kpop fan, and a daydreamer. You can learn an astonishing number of intimate details about em in GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR and in eir short comics and writing published by The New Yorker, The Nib, NPR, Time Magazine, The Washington Post and in many print anthologies. GENDER QUEER won a Stonewall Honor and an Alex Award from the American Library Association in 2020. It was also the number one most challenged book in the United States in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Maia's second book is BREATHE: JOURNEYS TO HEALTHY BINDING written with Dr Sarah Peitzmeier (Dutton, 2024). Eir next book is OPTING OUT, a middle grade graphic novel with Lucky Srikumar (Scholastic Graphix, 2026).

redgoldsparks on instagram
patreon.com/maiakobabe
redgoldsparks.tumblr.com
resources for fighting book bans

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone (speak up) keeps adding my zines to Goodreads... so I guess I should review them! This work seeks to reconcile my feelings for the Harry Potter series with my frustration over some of JK Rowling's recent actions and the direction of the continuing cannon. The three main focuses are the "Magic in North America" stories from Pottermore, JKR's liking of several transphobic tweets on twitter and the valuable life lessons I learned from the series. This zine isn't an attack on the books, it is a critique, and a meditation on loving flawed media. This zine was written in July 2019, and then updated in 2023. You can read this zine for free on my tumblr, patreon or instagram, or buy a physical copy or PDF copy on etsy.

[TAP · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary critique of Rowling and her opinions (if a little dated, because she became much more vocally anti-trans after this zine was published), while arguing that there is nothing wrong with loving her work.

It is possible to critique and love at the same time. Growth is produced under these conditions.

Rowling was once a hero. Now she is a lesson.

[elena brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn’t have said it better! there is no need to hate the Harry Potter franchise because one terf misuses her platform. we all know that JKR is horrid and there is such a large cognitive dissonance for her to have written a book about acceptance and still act the way she does. i will always love Harry Potter, and i will more than happily learn from JKR’s mistakes. trans lives will always matter and their experiences are unique and valid.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY IS JK ROWLING LIKE THIS. "My experience was shaped by being a woman"?? Yeah, Joanne, so was a trans woman's experience, it was just a way different and no less valid and no less female experience than yours?????? Anyway, I'm mad and I feel like I don't even remember what it's like to be anything other than mad and I'm going to go eat a cookie and also I give this a billion stars.

[Jassmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on a whim, because I really loved Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, so when this little piece appeared in my GR feed I couldn't resist!
This zine came out before JKR came out as a TERF so don't expect that to be the biggest part of this even though it gets addressed, especially toward the end. No, this little comics simply shows that JKR was problematic author long before this happened even if the previous scandals didn't blow up into these proportions. This isn't really about JKR though, it is about how we the readers can relate to the problematic authors of our beloved books. A question I am asking myself a lot in the last couple of year, so I loved reading this. However I did read this half a year ago, so I am afraid that no deeper thoughts are happening. Go read it for yourself! It's short and free!



You can read it for free here: https://redgoldsparkspress.com/projec...
One of the article it references: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/...

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid who grew up in a boarding school, it was very easy for me to get sucked into the world and pretend she was in Hogwarts. In fact, it was my coping mechanism. But as I grew up, I got to hear and read many criticisms against it, many call outs of plagiarism, and most importantly JKR's own transphobic tweets and the infamous article and I decided I was over her. But how was I supposed to let go of this world? I still listen to the audio books (specifically the third book because it deals with dementors and I get to say Expecto Patronum) and I read my favourite chapters every once in a while.

Maia Kobabe has discussed this very same question of mine and I couldn't agree more. I am weaning myself from this obsession. But I may go back to certain portions of the book.

To quote Maia Kobabe, Harry Potter taught me that the revolution must be diverse, and intersectional; The weapon we have is love. ❤️

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

A portion of this zine discusses "Magic in North America" stories from Pottermore. I never read them so I can't comment.

There is a line about being mad Johnny Depp was cast in Fantastic Beasts (I loathe those movies). I don't know why this is something to get bent out of shape about, seems like a petty complaint.

Another portion discusses Rowling liking tweets to articles with lines that are objectionable to Kobabe. It is weird to me that people who claim to be against fascism are the same people who cannot fathom that other people have opinions different from their own.

Kobabe categorizes HP books as sacred texts...this is slightly disturbing to me. I have HP tattoos for goodness sake, but HP isn't my entire identity...maybe this explains why Rowling having an opposing viewpoint is such a big deal for this author?

[Patty꧁꧂ Wilby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate JKR's mean tweets, but I don't like this book's suggestion that she should be separated and excluded from her books as if her fans have somehow claimed them beyond her power. Harry Potter will always be JKR's and you can't sever the two. You can dislike her as a person, but you can't forget her as the author or pretend she doesn't exist.

[Mark Robison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short zine that you can read here: https://redgoldsparkspress.com/projec...

I was interested in how one of the most well-known nonbinary authors — who created the much-banned "Gender Queer: A Memoir" — felt about J.K. Rowling, given Kobabe's love of the Harry Potter series.

It's a tight, quick read. One of Kobabe's critiques regards Rowling's cultural appropriation of Native American beliefs that flatten the richness of their many and varied cultures while misunderstanding them, too. Another critique looks at Rowling's comments about trans women being a danger to society rather than them being far more likely to be the subjects of violence. The bulk of the book, though, concerns the author's love of Harry Potter and the books' influence on Kobabe's own life.

This wasn't supposed to be a deep analysis of the subject, but a quickie fundraiser. It's solid on that level. One thing I'll have to spend more time pondering is the treatment of the Harry Potter books as "sacred texts."

My ratings of other Kobabe works:

* 4 stars: Gender Queer: A Memoir
* 4 stars: The Nonbinary Bunny

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp. This bite-sized comic reflection on what the Harry Potter books can still mean to us even after their creator has decided to double down on her hurtful anti-trans statement, leaving all of her readers to wonder if they made a mistake in loving her stories all these many, many years, is sadly all too relevant right now. Should we get rid of all our HP books, try to forget how they changed us? The short answer is no, her statements shouldn't take away a world and characters that have meant so many different, life-changing things to all of us. The longer answer is one that we're all going to work through in different ways including this lovely short comic memoir of the artist's discovery of the Harry Potter books and how they found comfort and community from them, even inspiration like so many of us. And do we now tear away that part of ourselves now that it's clear the author doesn't care about the pain her words inflict? No, Kobabe says, you can keep what you love because the books are now in our hearts and are part of our stories. We're allowed to love what we love and keep ourselves whole, while throwing the hate and irrelevant blather out with the trash.

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

fuck transphobes fuck terfs fuck jkr

harry potter was my entire childhood - i read the series for the first time by myself when i was 6 or 7 and so don’t ever remember not knowing what happened in the series. it’s always sad when the magic of your childhood disappears. i now haven’t read or watched harry potter for years (?? i don’t remember when last). i don’t know if i will again. part of that is just growing up, i think, but jkr and her transphobia, as well as harms to other marginalised communities, has definitely greatly impacted my feelings about the franchise also. i’m sad i no longer have those same nostalgic and sentimental feelings towards the series, but not as sad as i am about all the harm jkr and others like her have cause, and continue to cause, so many.

read the 2019 version of this yesterday and was a bit disappointed - luckily realised it had been updated last year and glad to see maia’s thoughts have evolved. this little zine doesn’t really share anything new (though i didn’t realise the fantastic beasts series had been cancelled and was only vaguely aware of the issues with indigenous representation) but was a good overview of the issue i thought and well-written, with great sources and quotes included. would have liked a bit more on how jkr is problematic beyond transphobia, but i’m glad some of this was included (though not really in regards to the original books)

also appreciated the recognition of what harry potter did teach em - and the value of the podcasts analysing the texts - if not because i always love reminders of how valuable reading fiction can be (but again, doesn’t unfortunately e didn’t really acknowledge the issues with the texts themselves)

anyway, this is just a short little zine - its not going to be anything groundbreaking - but a great summary of thoughts for anyone who still loves harry potter and can’t bring themselves to give up their childhood love and/or isn’t aware of the problems with jkr etc.

can be read free online here: https://redgoldsparkspress.com/projec...
this article maia references i found v interesting in particular: https://ojs.latrobe.edu.au/ojs/index....

(also makes me think about the standards i set for other celebrities - especially taylor!!)

[Marideth Bridges · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven’t actually read this book, but it sounds ridiculous. The visceral hatred people have for JK Rowling on Reddit makes me LESS, not more accepting of transgender people, because it makes them seem just as intolerant and close-minded as the people they’re criticizing. Anyways, JK Rowling is allowed to have her opinion that gender is dichotomous. And people (not just public figures) tend to say crazy things on Twitter, anyways. (Not that I use Twitter anymore, but that’s the way it’s always been).

Please, JK Rowling is no Ann Coulter, and people shouldn’t treat her like she made an entire career out of pissing people off like Ann does. Plenty of famous writers (both living and deceased) have said much more bigoted things about different groups of people and they don’t get as much hatred directed towards them than JK Rowling. I honestly don’t understand why people in the Anglosphere have made transgender issues their personal hill to die on, as if climate change, the economy, and health care weren’t important. (I have nothing against adults changing their gender, but I feel torn about whether or not minors should and transgender athletes, as well).

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given recent events, I came across this short zine and curiosity won.

Maia is the author of the graphic memoir Gender Queer and here e gives eir opinion on JKR's problematic (mainly transphobic, but also fatphobic, culturally appropriating, white feminist, etc.) views and how it affects em as a Harry Potter fan and non-binary person.

Read from Maia Kobabe's tumblr.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short comic zine, Gender Queer graphic novelist Maia Kobabe explores her love or Harry Potter and how it relates to some of JK Rowling's problematic behavior re: trans people and more.

You can read this short non-fiction graphic novel here:
https://redgoldsparks.tumblr.com/post...

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting comic. It's only a couple panels long so doesn't have a lot of time to delve deeply into the subject, but it does recommend some great podcasts!

[Sarah Van Kuiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

HP FANS: This is an important, quick read! It perfectly summed up some of my struggles with LOVING Harry Potter but demanding better from Rowling. Plus, it gave me some podcast recs. It will take you 5-10 minutes to read. Do it.

[Anna Bunce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend to all those who love Harry Potter

[kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

i dont really follow pop culture and had a really limited understanding of this issue, and this really expounded on jkr's transphobia in a holistic way

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short graphic novel (is that the right term, as this is not a novel) about how it is okay to love something, yet be critical of it at the same time. The artwork was lovely and there were many quotable lines. Perhaps my favorite is the very last one, "The weapon we have is love."

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful look at finding out a book you love was written by a problematic author. Includes references for further research. I was familiar with some of the problems, but not all of them, and appreciated the chance to learn.

[Clay Sterner · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES YES YES what a fab zine. I love Maia Kobabe so much!!!!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread in 2023 with the added epilogue. Truly an exceptional piece of reflective art, regardless of whether you were into the HP book or not, on any level.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Let's also cancel Lovecraft, Conan and Tolkien. Be serious for a minute, authors are products of thei time. On the other hand, she gives more to charity than anyone who ever criticized her.

[Cynthia Parkhill]

I applied this zine toward Prompt #7 on Book Riot's 2025 Read Harder Challenge: Read a book about a piece of media you love. I appreciate Kobabe's compassionate view of Joanne Rowling: stating that "Despite [Rowling's] wealth and privilege," she feels unsafe and "moves through the world with the mindset of a victim."

Rowling is "afraid that allowing trans women into women's spaces invites the possibility of male predators entering those spaces."

But because of Rowling's status as a multi-bestselling author, she enjoys a tremendous platform and influence. Rowling has used that platform and influence to essentially engage in bullying. In one recent tweet, Rowling encouraged members of the public to take pictures of people in women's restrooms.

Rowling also recently posted a tweet mocking asexual people.

I could relate to Kobabe removing a Hogwarts patch that e had sewn to eir bookbag "over a decade ago." Several years ago, I crocheted a Hogwarts cardigan and I completed the cardigan by sewing on a Hogwarts patch. But since then, I removed the patch and replaced it with a rectangle of fabric. (I needed to add SOMETHING to offset the bands of color I'd added to the sleeves, red and gold for House Gryffindor.)

I just can't relate in the same way to the world of Rowling's creation.

As a non-binary individual, I feel less safe inhabiting women's bathrooms, even though these bathrooms correspond to the sex I was assigned at birth. With Rowling's social stamp of approval on policing women's bathrooms, it isn't enough to be biologically female. Our gender presentation has to match society's view of a "woman."

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read Harry Potter, just seen some of the movies on TV, so I’m not really a J.K. Rawling fan. I haven’t read anything of hers excepts some tweets, and comments in interviews. I did like those movies though. But anyway, I do get this situation where one loves the work, but the author not so much. I have been fan of more then one problematic author. It is a struggle. How does one reconcile the love for a fictional character, and a world that has taken up part of ones brain, with the fact that the author is a person one dislikes, has views one dislikes, stands for things one dislikes.

That is what this short zine, written and published in 2019, updated in 2023, is about. The author, Maia Kobabe, talks in eir Gender Queer about how Harry Potter finally turned eir into a reader. Then Rowling turns out to be this loud, transphobic person. Her transphobia seems to be getting worse every year, if anything. Kobabe deals with this here in an interesting manner. Eir essay explores this with reference to theoretic discussion about it, and without any needless drama. A good zine about this problem.

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very informative, I knew a lot of the major controversies of JK Rowling, but some was new information, like Rowling misusing and appropriating indigenous cultures to shape America's version of Hogwarts in her short stories to pave way to the Fantastical Beast movies. Which critics loudly point out and Rowling never acknowledge, let alone apologize.

Of course, Kobabe highly criticized Rowling stance on LGBTQ+. specifically her hatred comments on trans rights. Before her outright stance, Rowling first liked numerous transphobic comments, which her publicist bend over backwards claiming they were accidental (c'mon), but Jk Rowling made her stance very clear. Which was disheartening, because so many people, myself included, view Harry Potter with queer lens. In 2020, Jk rowling really showed her ass by posting her transphobic essay

I like how Kobabe highly acknowledge and criticized the author, but also recognizing the impact it had to young readers. Overall, It was a good zine/comic. It touches on alot of problematic stuff that people often overlooking when talking about jk rowling OTHER problematic behaviors.

[Sophie Edina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic contains a couple of nicely illustrated, very well summarized pages about the problematic aspects of jk rowlings behaviour not only but also towards trans women. it contains essential information for people that haven't been aware of how this author is now viewed very problematic. it also names further literature, articels and podcasts that practise a critical analysis of work and creator while, just as this informational comic does, stating the harry potter books as an emotionally valuable and cultural relevant piece of media, that has, beyond the discrimination of the author, sparked community and respect.

[AquaMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read online.

Exceptionally insightful and written by a longtime HP fan. Provides honest and well-researched critiques and, yes, even praise for the material. Advocates fans to question and critique, all the while encouraging them to separate the art from the artist (or the author from the story), which is something that I, as a librarian, have often told patrons. Lets fans know it's OK to still love a story even if the author is a problem.

A worthwhile read!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I understand the emotions that that drove the author in creating this, it is sad to see such obsession, hurt and anger over someone far away, who probably has their own trauma shape their opinions and actions.

Whatever anyone thinks of those is their own prerogative, but I neither understand nor appreciate the drama… it only causes further pain.🤷‍♀️

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It turns out there are a lot of problematic authors out there, and I think everyone needs to find their own way to deal with that. This short comic explores a trans person's relationship to Harry Potter and gives an example of what it looks like to deal with the betrayal, loss, and understanding that come with a bit of thought.