Comics Alternative

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:03:07 - Setup 00:04:47 - Hasib and the Queen of Serpents: A Tale of a Thousand and One Nights 00:33:52 - Moon Face 01:14:41 - Wrap up 01:15:34 - Contact us On the July episode of the Euro Comics series -- actually being released in early August -- Pascal and Derek discuss two beautiful texts. They begin with David B.'s Hasib and the Queen of Serpents: A Tale of a Thousand and One Nights (NBM Publishing), an incredible adaptation of one of the tales in the classic work. The guys point out the attention-gragging handling of Scheherazade "Queen of Serpents" story, but what stands out in this text is David B.'s illustrations, colors, and design. The creator is able both to translate the story into comics with much fidelity and to give the tale his own spin that is recognizable to any fan of David B.'s work (Epileptic is a case in point). Next, Derek and Pascal jump into Alejandro Jodorowsky and Francois Boucq's Moon Face(Humanoids). This isn't the first time

Michael and Derek are back at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, in Charlotte, NC, for the first of their planned August on-location episodes. And as the Two Guys have been doing with their new format, Michael highlights recent mainstream publications and Derek focuses on more indie or non-DC and Marvel titles. Michael starts the ball rolling by discussing the recent work of Ta-Nehisi Coates, specifically his current writing on Captain America (Marvel Comics). He specifically focuses on the politics embedded in the narratives -- and not only with Cap, but in his Black Pantherwork, as well -- and how Coates is learning the form and growing as a comic-book writer. Derek discusses three recent #1 issues, including Rob Guillory's Farmhand and John Layman and Nick Pitarra's Leviathan(both from Image Comics), as well as She Could Fly, written by Christopher Cantrell and with art by Martin Morazzo (Dark Horse Comics). He links the comedy, and the outrageousness, of Guillory's and Layman's new titles, because the two made t

Time Codes: 00:24 - Introduction 02:16 - Setup of interview 04:20 - Interview with Jules Feiffer 58:54 - Wrap up 59:26 - Contact us In 2014 Jules Feiffer published Kill My Mother (Liveright Publishing), a noir crime narrative set in 1933 -- and then later moving forward into 1943 -- involving not only hard-boiled characters, but also their exploits within the entertainment industry. Feiffer followed that up in 2016 with Cousin Joseph, the second book in what was now projected as a trilogy. That graphic novel is, in many ways, a prequel to the earlier book. Taking place in 1931, readers are introduced to police detective Sam Hannigan, a figure who looms largely over Feiffer’s recent run. His spirit is likewise prevalent in the new graphic novel, The Ghost Script. With this book, Feiffer wraps up his series, which he has called an “accidental noir trilogy.” In this interview, Derek talks with Feiffer about the “accidental” nature of his writing and how the idea for a trilogy came into play. They al

Time Codes: 00:00:50 - Introduction 00:03:32 - It's our 6th birthday! 00:09:03 - The Seeds#1 00:36:02 - Euthanauts#1 00:54:51 - The New World#1 01:09:38 - Unnatural#1 01:24:00 - Bone Parish#1 01:40:02 - Wrap up 01:41:15 - Contact us This is a special episode of The Comics Alternative, as it's the guys' sixth anniversary! The podcast began on August 1, 2012, and Paul and Derek discuss some of the things they've done over the past six years, the number of episodes they've published, the amount of interviews they've conducted, etc. It's a celebratory time, and the Two Guys hope that listeners will join in on the celebration and chime in with some of their favorite moments from The Comics Alternative's past. After a brief discussion of the podcast's anniversary, Paul and Derek then leap into the episode's core, a discussion of five recent #1 titles. They begin with Ann Nocenti and David Aja's The Seeds, the latest in Dark Horse Comics' Berger Books imprint. The guys are fascinated by this fi

Time Codes: 00:00:28 - Introduction 00:02:26 - Why we do the manga series 00:05:31 - My Solo Exchange Diary, Vol. 1 00:39:50 - Grand Blue Dreaming, Vol. 1 01:09:24 - Wrap up 01:10:28 - Contact us Radically Different For July, Shea and Derek discuss two works of manga that are radically different, one from the other. They begin with Nagata Kabi's My Solo Exchange Diary, Vol. 1 (Seven Seas Entertainment). This is the follow-up to her previous autobiographical work My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, a text the guys discussed last year. Whereas the earlier work was more targeted to a particular experience, the first volume of Kabi's Solo Exchange Diary is broader in scope and chronicles a variety her life phenomena. Both Shea and Derek are fascinated by this project, especially given the diary's structure and the creator's conversations with herself. Next, the Two Guys check out the first volume of Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka's Grand Blue Dreaming (Kodansha Comics). The premise of this s

Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:03:13 - Almost four years! 00:07:22 - Daisy Blackwood: Pilot for Hire 00:22:44 - Moby Dick: Back from the Deep 00:40:32 - Hana and the Firebird 00:59:41 - Wrap up 01:01:05 - Contact us For the July webcomics episode, Sean and Derek discuss three unique titles. They begin with Ryan Howe's Daisy Blackwood: Pilot for Hire. This is a series of short stories featuring an Indiana Jones-like figure whose job as a pilot introduces her to a variety of adventures. And many of these adventures involve supernatural elements. Next, the Two Guys look at a relatively new title, Moby Dick: Back from the Deep. This webcomic, written by Matt Schorr and with art by Joe Bilicic, is reminiscent not only of Herman Melville's classic, but also Spielberg's classic, Jaws. Finally, Sean and Derek wrap up with a recently completed webcomic, Katya Granger's Hana and the Firebird. This is a fantastical narrative about a community of individuals with special powers, and one resident

Time Codes: 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:03:10 - 2018 Eisner Award winners 00:10:38 - Nobrow 10: Studio Dreams 00:29:19 - Love and Rockets, Vol. 4 #5 00:54:56 - Last Mountain#4 and #5 01:14:34 - Wrap up 01:15:42 - Contact us This week Paul and Derek discuss three unique titles that help define our understanding of what comics can be. They begin with a visual anthology that is, arguably, not a comic at all. Nobrow 10:Studio Dreams(Nobrow Press) is a series of 70 gorgeous illustrations by a variety of artists -- all of whom have contributed to Nobrow publications in the past -- that reveal their ideal studio space. The styles in this volume vary widely, but each illustration is a luxurious work that invites visual lingering. After that the Two Guys turn to one of their favorites, the Hernandez brothers. The latest issue of Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics) is notable in that it wraps up Jaime's ongoing storyline, "Is This How You See Me?" This narrative began back in the New Storiesvolumes, and

Time Codes: 00:00:34 - Introduction 00:02:44 - Setup of interview 00:04:38 - Interview with Carol Tyler 01:36:12 - Wrap up 01:38:15 - Contact us On this interview episode, Gene and Derek are excited to have Carol Tyler back on the podcast. Her new book Fab4 Maniahas recently been released from Fantagraphics. It's Carol's memoir about her time growing up as a Beatles fan, covering the early years of the mop tops and especially The Beatle's presence in America. As Carol reveals, she was a devotee from the very beginning, watching the group's legendary appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, their initial tour around the United States immediately after, the media and merchandising circus surrounding it, and the almost never-ending radio presence of four lads. And everything in the book leads up to the crescendo of The Beatles' appearance at Comiskey Park on August 20, 1965, a concert that Carol excitedly attended. Fab4 Maniaalso covers the many excitements and challenges Carol faced

Time Codes: 00:00:23 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Setup of interview 00:04:02 - Interview with Nate Powell 01:19:33 - Wrap up 01:22:26 - Contact us Paul and Derek are pleased to have Nate Powell back on the show. This time they talk with him about his new book Come Again, just released from Top Shelf Productions. They discuss the genesis of this project, the significance of the story's setting, the unsteady balance between needs for personal isolation and the importance of community, and the narrative's forays into the fantastic. Yet they also talk about several of Nate's other works, including March, Swallow Me Whole, Any Empire, and Sounds of Your Name. But what comes out over the entire course of the conversation is the kind of fun these three guys have talking together. Can't you just hear it?

Michael and Derek are back at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find for the first of two July on-location episodes. They visit the shop on Independence Day, and they use the occasion to discuss current trends and titles in the comics industry. Mike explores recent manifestations of The Avengersand Justice League, focusing on Marvel and DC through what he calls the "classic Coke" approach. His discussion takes him across the writings of Jason Aaron and Scott Snyder, and then circling back to Tom King's current work on Batmanand the recent marriage event. Looking at the non-mainstream side of comics, Derek talks about his reaction to the first two issues of Evan Dorkin and Veronica Fish's Blackwoodand the initial offering of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, part of Titan Comics' Hard Case Crime series. He also brings up Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boysand the recent announcement of new Perfect Editions from VIZ Media. And, it being July 4th, the Two Guys also discuss comics, politics, and the current state of the country. 

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:18 - Setup of interview 00:03:49 - Interview with Julian Hanshaw 01:04:39 - Wrap up 01:05:08 - Contact us Many U.S. readers were introduced to Julian Hanshaw through his book Tim Ginger, released in 2015 from Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing. It’s the story of man in his later years coming to terms with the decisions he’s made, including his choice to remain childless. As Julian discusses in this interview, the text was largely autobiographical in nature. And the same can said of his new book, Cloud Hotel. The story was inspired by a UFO encounter he had as a young boy and the psychological affect such an experience had on him afterwards. As Julian discloses during his conversation with Derek, Cloud Hotelis the second of what will be a trilogy of autobiographical works, beginning with Tim Ginger. But they also discuss some of his earlier works that may not be familiar to American readers, such as The Art of Phoand I’m Never Coming Back.

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:25 - Setup of interview 00:04:11 - Interview with Luke Healy 01:04:50 - Wrap up 01:05:30 - Contact us Luke Healy was first on The Comics Alternative at Small Press Expo in 2016, where he briefly spoke with Derek about his provocative self-published minicomic The Unofficial Cuckoo’s Nest Study Companion, which was nominated that year for an Ignatz Award. A couple of months later Luke came back on the show, this time for a long and more in-depth interview about his new book at the time, How to Survive in the North, released from Nobrow Press. And now, Luke comes back on podcast to discuss his most recent work. His brand-new book revisits some of his older writings and places them within an entirely new context. Permanent Press has just been released from Avery Hill Publishing, and it’s a mock autobiographical text that explores the world of independent comics creators and the relationship between a cartoonist and his ego. What’s more, the new book incorpora

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:32 - Back on schedule! 00:04:24 - Claudine 00:40:45 - Tokyo Tarareba Girls, Vol. 1 01:13:49 - Wrap up 01:15:01 - Contact us This is the June manga episode, and unlike Shea and Derek had been doing the past couple of shows, this month's manga episode actually comes out on the appropriate month...on time! And on the June show, the Two Guys discuss Riyoko Ikeda's Claudine(Seven Seas Entertainment), a shōjo narrative set in historical France. The titular figure is a trans man, feeling trapped inside of his female body. Claudine's journey takes him through several relationships, a lot of disappointments, and frustrations on not being understood. Next, Shea and Derek discuss the first volume of Akiko Higashimura's new series, Tokyo Tarareba Girls(Kodansha Comics). While the style of this josei series is similar to Princess Jellyfish, the focus is more mature -- and even more comedic -- than that of her previous series. The guys discuss both the comedy and the

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:37 - Setup 00:04:06 - A Strange and Beautiful Sound 00:39:45 - Inside Moebius, Part 2 01:19:19 - Wrap up 01:21:02 - Contact us On this month's Euro Comics episode, Pascal and Derek discuss two recent French-language translations. They begin with Zep's A Strange and Beautiful Sound, the second of his books released through IDW Publishing. This is a story of a Carthusian monk who, because of a dead relative's last will and testament, reenters the everyday world after 26 years of seclusion. The art and colors of this narrative are quite striking, and while the subject matter is significantly different from his previous A Story of Men, both Pascal and Derek find a common style between these two texts. Next, they check out the latest work in Dark Horse's Moebius Library, Inside Moebius, Part 2. The guys begin by contextualizing the first part of this improvisational journal, released earlier this year, and then go into detail about Part 2. This second book

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:30 - Media attention! 00:05:16 - XTC69 00:27:16 - Soft X-Ray/Mindhunters 00:48:16 - A Western World 01:07:00 - The Ideal Copy 01:16:21 - Winter's Cosmos 01:30:43 - Somnambulance 01:51:28 - Wrap up 01:54:48 - Contact us The Two Guys with PhDs are back with another publisher spotlight, this one focusing on the spring releases from Koyama Press. (In fact, this is the third spotlight on Koyama, with the guys having previously discusses their seasonal releases in April 2015and May 2017.) All of these books debuted at TCAF last month, and Paul and Derek indulge in exciting discussions of these six new releases. They begin with Jessica Campbell's XTC69, a wild science fiction narrative about gender relations and female empowerment. It serves as a great companion piece to her earlier Koyama book, Hot or Not: 20th-Century Male Artists. After that they discuss the largely wordless text, Soft X-Ray/Mindhunters. As with his previous work, Mighty Star and t

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:23 - Setup of interview 00:04:03 - Interview with Sean Karemaker 01:04:51 - Wrap up 01:05:23 - Contact us Sean Karemaker’s comics are a different kind of reading experience. He illustrates in a highly detailed textured style, and his stories flow in a dreamlike manner, free from the constrictions of sequential paneling. In fact, he creates many of his comics in a scroll-like manner, writing out his narratives across a broad horizontal field, and then later deciding how to break up his illustrations across pages. The result, as we find in his latest book Feast of Fields (Conundrum Press), is story whose unveiling reflects the process of memory, a sort of streaming of experience with a zig-zagging quality between past and present.  In this interview with Sean, Derek talks with his guest about this style of cartooning and especially the genesis of his latest book. It’s largely the story of his mother during her time in a Danish orphanage, but Sean contextual

It's another on-location recording at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find in Charlotte, NC. But with this episode the podcast is doing something different. The on-location show will be going up twice monthly -- schedules permitting -- and joining Derek on these Heroes shows will be Michael Kobre, another guy with a PhD talking about comics. On their on-location shows, Mike and Derek will discuss very recent comics, those being released in the week or two before the recording, that have caught their attention. Mike will primarily focus on the DC and Marvel mainstream titles, while Derek will concentrate on non-mainstream, or alternative and indie, comics. And, of course, they will invite customers and employees of the shop to join in on the conversation. On this episode, Mike discusses the work of Tom King, including the recent deluxe edition of The Sheriff of Babylon, his work on Marvel's Vision, and his run on Batman. Derek comments on recent issues from Image Comics -- specifically Farel Dalrymple's Proxima Centaur

Time Codes: 00:24 - Introduction 02:16 - Setup of interview 03:40 - Interview with Erin Nations 51:50 - Wrap up 52:14 - Contact us In December of 2016, Top Shelf Productions published the first issue of Erin Nations’s Gumballs, the one of four issuesthat would be released over the course of the following year. This quarterly ran as a one-personal anthology, a collection of stories and observations, many of which were autobiographical in nature. Gumballsstood out among its peers in that it recalled the kind of comic books we used to get from other alternative creators such as Seth, Daniel Clowes, and Chris Ware. Now those creators have turned to the “graphic novel” or book form, and it’s a rarity that we get a comic book like this, making Gumballsstand out as a title of note. Now those four issues have been collected as a trade, one that has just been made available in the direct market and next week will be out for wider release.  In this interview, Derek talks with Erin Nations about the genesis

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:17 - Panel context 00:04:01 - "How to Read Nancy" panel 01:04:50 - Wrap up 01:05:19 - Contact us "Draw, you varmint" This past weekend was HeroesCon 2018, and while there Derek was a part of two different scholarly panels. One was about the relationship between print and digital comics texts, “Between Pen and Pixel,” a recording of which was released earlier this week. The second was a panel based on the book by Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden, How to Read Nancy: The Elements of Comics in Three Easy Panels. Andy Mansell, who oversees the programming every year at HeroesCon, wanted to pull together a panel of scholars to discuss the significance of How to Read Nancy and its potential place in the classroom and in scholarship. In addition, he wanted the panelists to discuss other important books about comics, comics history, and formal aspects of the medium. Other panelists included the former cohost of The Comics Alternative, Andy Kunka, Craig Fischer, Jenn

Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:03:07 - Listener mail! 00:05:44 - Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Amazing Adventuresand Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding Thrills 01:10:37 - Wrap up 01:11:16 - Contact us This week, Pascal (of the Euro Comics series) joins Derek on the weekly review show to discuss the two omnibi collections of The Escapist from Dark Horse Books. They look at both Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Amazing Adventures (which was released this past February) as well as the latest collection, Michael Chabon's The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding Thrills, published in wide release this week. The two guys discuss the faux history that Chabon and a variety of writers and artists have created, wedging this narrative into our recognizable comic-book history. They're not able to discuss all of the selections in these two collections -- between both volumes, there are almost 50 Escapist stories, some never before published -- but they focus on many of the pieces that stand out to them.