Comics Alternative

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:27 - Aaron Kashtan provides context 00:07:11 - "Between Pen and Pixel" panel 01:08:58 - Wrap up 01:09:55 - Contact us This past weekend at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC, Derek was on a panel based on a recent book by Aaron Kashtan, Between Pen and Pixel: Comics, Materiality, and the Book of the Future (Ohio State University Press). Aaron pulled together several comics scholars -- in addition to Derek, his former cohost, Andy Kunka, and Craig Fischer -- along with Matt Kindt, whose work Aaron sites extensively in his book. This episode is a recording of that panel, which explored what comics can tell us about the future of the printed word (as well as the digital text), the book industry, and comics as an art object. Stay tuned over the next week for more HeroesCon episodes!  

Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:10 - Setup of episode 00:03:16 - Rich Tommaso 00:13:31 - Steve Conley 00:18:55 - Milton Lawson 00:27:11 - Naomi Franquiz 00:31:53 - Dave Chisholm 00:41:45 - James F. Wrightand Jackie Crofts 00:49:57 - Scott Wegener 00:58:57 - Natalie Andrewson 01:09:08 - Michael Eury 01:17:05 - Wrap up 01:17:43 - Contact us This past weekend was HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC. It was a great convention, organized by the folks at Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find. And as Derek likes to do every year, this past weekend he walked around Artists Alley talking with various creators about what they’re doing, what they’ve recently published, and what they may have in the works. The result is a series of short interviews with various creators, some of whom have been on The Comics Alternativebefore, others that Derek met for the very first time.  In this episode are brief conversations with, in order, Rich Tommaso, Steve Conley, Milton Lawson, Naomi Franquiz, Dave Chisholm, J

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:05:33 - Adamant 00:35:54 - Scurry 01:00:58 - The Phoenix Requiem 01:26:04 - Wrap up 01:26:55 - Contact us This month Sean and Derek look at three very different webcomics. They begin with Mike Exner III, Ian Waryanto, et al.'s Adamant, a superhero narrative that spins the genre in fascinating, and parodic, ways. After that they turn to a beautifully rendered tale, Mac Smith's Scurry. While the story is solid, the guys point out that the art is this webcomic's biggest draw. Finally, they discuss the already-completed webcomic, Sarah Ellerton's The Phoenix Requiem. This is a Victorian-inspired supernatural narrative of love and mystery that, as both Sean and Derek point out, is quite substantive.

Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:26 - Setup of interview 00:03:56 - Interview with Max de Radiguès 01:01:11 - Wrap up 01:01:47 - Contact us Arthur Fellig, better known as Weegee, was a street photographer for New York's popular press during the 1930s and 1940s. He worked primarily in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and he developed a signature style that captured a gritty, unflinching view of urban life. What’s more, he was, famous, or rather infamous, for adjusting his tableau, in particular the position of dead bodies at crime scenes, in order to capture an image that was to his liking. Max de Radiguès, along with his co-creator Wauter Mannaert, has decided to take on this historical figure as the subject matter of his latest book, Weegee: Serial Photographer. In this interview, Derek talks with Max about his fascination over Weegee, the origins of this project, and the challenges of writing such a condensed graphic biography.  But we also cover Max’s previous work, Moose, and what we mig

Paul and Derek are back with another look at the latest Previews catalog. And for the month of June, they find a variety of fascinating title...and several of which they even resist mention on mic, in the interests of keeping the show containable and relatively short. Among the many publishers and titles that they focus on are: Image Comics - Leviathan #1, Perdy, Vol. 1, Crowded#1, Hey Kids! Comics!#1, and Lil' Donnie, Vol. 1 Dark Horse Comics - The Seeds#1, Black Hammer Library Edition, Vol. 1, Inside Moebius, Part 3, The Complete Angel Catbird, The EC Archives: The Haunt of Fear, Vol. 5, Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch, Conspiracy of Ravens, and Mob Psycho 100, Vol. 1 DC Comics/Vertigo - The Sandman Universe#1, Pearl#1, Scarlet#1, and The United States of Murder Inc., Vol. 1: Truth IDW Publishing - House Amok#1, Femme Magnifique: 50 Magnificent Women Who Changed the World, James Brown: Black and Proud, and Girl Town BOOM! Studios - Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compassand Black Badge#1 Abram

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:55 - Setup of interview 00:04:07 - Interview with Dean Haspiel 01:09:43 - Wrap up 01:11:07 - Contact us Welcome to New Brooklyn Gene and Derek are happy to have Dean Haspiel on The Comics Alternativeto discuss his new book from Image Comics, The Red Hook, Vol. 1: New Brooklyn. This is the first in a planned trilogy introducing readers to his universe of New Brooklyn. The Red Hook is a reluctant hero. Once a super-thief, his unlikely encounter with the legendary superhero, The Green Point, bequeathes unto him The Omni-Fist of Altruism. This transform him into a hero, where he cannot resist helping others in distress, despite his better judgment. In this role, The Red Hook becomes a major player in New Brooklyn, a borough whose heart had been broken by commerce and real estate speculation, and, as a result, secedes from New York, and America. Sound unlikely? Well, listen to Dean as he explains the premise and his plans for future New Brooklyn narratives. Th

Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:02:47 - Broken promises 00:04:09 - Dead Dead Demon's De De De De Destruction, Vol. 1 01:01:16 - The Troublemakers 01:58:46 - Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 1 02:20:52 - Wrap up 02:22:11 - Contact us Fully Loaded On the last episodein The Comics Alternative's monthly manga series -- a show that was supposed to be the May episode, but was actually a late April show -- Shea and Derek promised that they would provide an additional manga episode at the very end of May, and that thatshow would be the realMay show. As reality unfolded, the two guys had problems in coordinating their schedules and being available at the same time. And as a result, you get this episode. But it's an extra-long episode, one that includes discussions of not two but three recent manga releases. They begin with the first volume in a the latest series from one of their favorites, Inio Asano. Dead Dead Demon's De De De De Destruction (VIZ Media) is an unusual work that, in many

Time Codes: 00:00:23 - Introduction 00:02:22 - Setup of interview 00:03:31 - Interview with Karl Stevens 01:03:39 - Wrap up 01:04:05 - Contact us A Pope Cat and A Floating Gandhi Head Derek first talked to Karl Stevensin February of last year, and during that discussion he had mentioned that he was working on a new project for Retrofit/Big Planet called The Winner, and now we have the book out, being released on May 23. The two discuss Karl's new work, its very autobiographical quality -- no masking any identities here -- and it’s curious structure and fantastical interludes. But they also talk about Karls others works, as well, including the Xeric Award-winning Guilty(2004), his series of books that followed, all published by Alternative Comics -- Whatever(2008), The Lodger(2010), and Failure (2013)-- as well as his Pennystrips that ran in the Village Voicebetween November 2016 and March 2017. Karl is wonderful guy to interview, as you’ll hear from the conversation.

Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:03:26 - Updates 00:7:14 - Sabrina 00:59:00 - The Unsound 01:25:22 - The Last Siege#1 01:43:32 - Wrap up 01:44:57 - Contact us "We're not about the cool factor. We're about the cool analysis" On this episode podcast, Paul and Derek discuss Nick Drnaso's Sabrinba, Cullen Bunn and Jack T. Cole's The Unsound, and Landry Q. Walker and Justin Greenwood The Last Siege#1. Their conversation his great! Although be warned, there may a couple of spoilers on this show...or least semi-spoilers.

Time Codes: 00:00:31 - Introduction 00:03:19 - Setup of the discussion 00:05:04 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Early Readers category  00:51:47 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Kids category 01:31:45 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Teens category 02:20:32 - Wrap up 02:26:03 - Contact us On this episode of the Comics Alternative Young Readers Show, Gwen and Paul detail the three categories of the Eisner Awards that focus on children and teens: Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8) Adele in Sand Land, by Claude Ponti, translated by Skeeter Grant and Françoise Mouly (Toon Books) Arthur and the Golden Rope, by Joe Todd-Stanton (Flying Eye/Nobrow) Egg, by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books) Good Night, Planet, by Liniers (Toon Books) Little Tails in the Savannah, by Frederic Brrémaud and Federico Bertolucci, translated by Mike Kennedy (Lion Forge/Magnetic) Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12) Bolivar, by Sean Rubin (Archaia) Home Time (Book One): Un

On the current Kickstarter episode, Derek talks with comics legend Denis Kitchen about Madness in Crowds: The Teeming Mind of Harrison Cady, the latest campaign from Beehive Books, in association with Denis. Madness in Crowdswill be a large-format hardcover art book -- a towering 10" x 14" and with 176+ pages-- collecting the works of the definitive early 20th-century illustrator and cartoonist Harrison Cady (1877–1970). So, who was Harrison Cady? As Denis and company describes the artist: Over the course of a 70 year professional career, he created countless overflowing worlds, bustling with life and energy and detail and chaos. His illustrations were generous, abundant, warm and humane. There was never another artist like him. He specialized in frenzied crowd scenes, in which each tiny character came armed with their own distinct personality and a sense of humor that projected off the page. He especially loved animals and insects, spawning and exploring vast eco-systems of creeping crawlers with human a

Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:02:52 - Pascal reports back from TCAF! 00:09:10 - Lovecraft: The Myth of Cthulhu  00:41:51 - Algeria Is Beautiful Like America 01:20:20 - Die Laughing 01:51:28 - Wrap up 01:52:19 - Contact us For the May Euro Comics episode, Pascal and Derek discuss three very different works in translation...but all of which are primarily in black-and-white. They begin with Esteban Maroto's Lovecraft: The Myth of Cthulhu (IDW Publishing), an adaptation of three of H. P. Lovecraft's short stories: "The Nameless City," "The Festival," and "The Call of Cthulhu." All three are part of the writer's Cthulhu mythos, and the guys comment on Maroto's illustrative style and how it reflects that found in 1970s Warren publications, to which Maroto actually contributed (although not these stories). Next, they discuss Olivia Burton and Mahi Grand's Algeria Is Beautiful Like America (Lion Forge). This is a memoir of Burton's journey to Algeria, particularly Algiers and the Aurès Moun

Time Codes: 00:24 - Introduction 02:19 - Setup of interview 04:13 - Interview with Peter Normanton 55:17 - Wrap up 55:53 - Contact us On past episodes of The Comics Alternative, the Two Guys have discussed comics fandom and zine culture quite often, although usually the context surrounds American fan activity. But as Derek points out in his conversation with Peter Normanton, he has little knowledge of fanzines outside of the states, particularly within the United Kingdom. That’s why Peter’s latest book, It Crept from the Tomb, was such an enlightening read. Normanton was the publisher and editor of the UK horror zine, From the Tomb, which began in 2000 and ran for over 20-some issues. Several years ago, he was approached by Roy Thomas about the possibility editing a collection from the pages of his horror zine, and the result was The Best of From the Tomb, which came out from TwoMorrows Publishing in 2012. And then more recently, John Morrow asked Peter about a second “best of” collection surround

Time Codes: 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:02:57 - Listener mail! 00:10:23 - James Joyce: Portrait of a Dubliner - A Graphic Biography 00:41:38 - NOW#3 01:13:43 - A discussion of the 2018 Eisner Award nominations 02:00:49 - Wrap up 02:01:55 - Contact us This week Paul and Derek review two recent releases, and they also take the time to discuss this year's Eisner Award nominations. They start off with Alfonso Zapico's James Joyce: Portrait of a Dubliner - A Graphic Biography (Arcade Publishing). Originally published in Spanish, this is a look at the life of the famous Irish modernist, covering not only his accomplishments as a writer, but his family and personal relations, as well. As the guys discuss, Zapico's text provides a general outline of the major events and relationships in Joyce's life, but as with most comics-based biographies, the interiority of the subject is limited. At the same time, this is a well-paced and even detailed look at the author of Dubliners and Ulysses, with Zapico pres

For this week's Kickstarter show, Derek talks Rickman about his current campaign Sock: The Comic Book. It's the (largely) wordless story of an unlikely hero displaced from his companion in the laundromat, and going at it on his own as a crimefighter. Sockwill be a 32-page black-and-white comic book, one that will be appropriate for all ages. Rickman describes the origins of Sockthis way: The idea came to me during the 1999 San Diego Comic Con while at the pool with friends after a day at the show. The conversation turned toward the weirdest comic characters we knew. Flaming Carrot, The Tick, Ed the Happy Clown, Reid Fleming: World's Toughest Milkman, Sam and Max: Freelance Police, were all tossed about. The question was asked: what would be the wackiest thing to make into a comic? As my feet dangled in the water I glanced toward my shoes and saw my socks. I reached for my sketchbook (always next to me) and "SOCK" was born. Offbeat, wacky, wordless, all-ages, lost laundry...what's not to like? Be sure to

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:49 - Setup of interview 00:04:18 - Interview with Alison McCreesh 01:04:09 - Wrap up 01:04:44 - Contact us Readers of Alison McCreesh’s 2015 work, Ramshackle: A Yellowknife Story, know about the draw northern climates has on her and the love she has for pioneer-like exploration. In her new book, Norths: Two Suitcases and a Stroller around the Circumpolar World, released last month from Conundrum Press, Alison ramps up those affections. It’s an account of her six-month trip to circumpolar regions and her time in four art residencies in Finland, Russia, Greenland, and Iceland, all above the 60thParallel. Traveling with her partner Patrice and her son Riel, Alison kept a diary of her experiences in the form of postcards that she sent off almost daily to friends and supporters who had agreed to back her project. The result is a unique travelogue, in sequential postcard form, of her exploration of northern climates, her experiences at the various residencies,

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:49 - Setup of interview 00:03:58 - Interview with Kriota Willberg 01:15:16 - Wrap up 01:16:21 - Contact us The Two Guys talk with a lot of comics creators about their craft, their ideas, and their passions. But they never really talk with them about their health. On this interview episode, Gene and Derek have as their guest an artist who is all about health and well-being. Kriota Willberg, whose new book Draw Stronger: Self-Care For Cartoonists and Other Visual Artists(Uncivilized Books) was released last month, discusses her experiences in health care, her years as a massage therapist, and how it all informs her creative trajectory. Draw Strongeris a text targeted to visual artists who work within fine and detailed contexts, and it provides helpful means to avoid pain and address the kind of physical practices that will best nurture creativity. The book is divided into three sections, revealing the basics of creative self-care, exercises that target a va

Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:03:16 - Listener mail! 00:06:17 - The New World: Comics from Mauretania 00:48:32 - Young Frances 01:20:52 - A Walk through Hell#1 01:39:53 - Wrap up 01:40:52 - Contact us On this episode of the podcast, Paul and Derek look at three new releases that, while all compelling readings, are vastly different in style and narrative approach. They begin with Chris Reynold's The New World: Comics fromMauretania, recently released from Gallery 13. This is a collection of Reynold's Mauretania comics published beginning in the 1980s. This volume was designed by Seth, and he also provided a brief and insightful note at the end of the text. Neither Paul nor Derek had encountered any of the Mauretania stories before, and they're sorry that they hadn't read Reynolds any sooner. The narratives are dreamlike and random in their coherency, and while making any sense of their meaning and action can be an exercise in frustration, they are strangely some of the most compelling

Time Codes: 00:24 - Introduction 03:18 - Setup of interview 05:37 - Interview with Michael Kupperman 56:33 - Wrap up 58:16 - Contact us On this interview episode, Gene and Derek are happy to have Michael Kupperman on the show to discuss his new book All the Answers, just out from Simon and Shuster's  Gallery 13 imprint. Long-time fans of Kupperman will find a significant tonal shift from his earlier works such as Tales Designed to Thrizzle or Snake 'n' Bacon's Cartoon Cabaret. This new book is an emotional and probing look at his father, Joel Kupperman, and his time as one of the famous Quiz Kids of the 1940s and 1950s. Throughout this memoir, Kupperman investigate his father's history and attempts to understand how his time in the celebrity spotlight marked his life forever after...and at the same time, helped to determine his father's future behavior and his family's emotional trajectory. In this way, All the Answersserves not only as a way to understand his father, but as a means to grapple wi

Time Codes: 00:00:28 - Introduction 00:02:52 - Sean recovers! 00:05:19 - Eisner Awards nominees overview 00:23:15 - Awaiting a Wave 00:32:35 - Dispatch from a Sanctuary City 00:45:04 - Welcome to the New World 01:03:09 - The Tea Dragon Society 01:18:41 - Brothers Bond 01:39:18 - Wrap up 01:43:44 - Contact us After a month's hiatus -- and due to an accident that Sean suffered (although he's recovering now!) -- the Two Guys are back with their latest webcomics episode. And since it's Eisner Awards season, Sean and Derek decided to discuss the nominees for this year's Best Webcomic category. As listeners may remember, last year the guys were quite critical of the Eisner Awards judges. While they finally took the long-overdue step in separating webcomics from digital comics, they nonetheless seemed to have no clear understanding of what defined a webcomic. They included webcomics in the Best Digital Comic category, and digital comics in the Best Webcomic category. This year, the judges seeme