Comics Alternative

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:21 - Listener mail! 00:04:28 - Comments on the 2017 Eisner Award nominations 00:09:26 - Scumbag Loser 00:52:10 - Sweetness and Lightning 01:21:25 - Wrap up 01:22:14 - Contact us For the month of May, Shea and Derek discuss two works of manga that, while not necessarily diametrically opposed, are tonally opposite from one another. The first title is Mikoto Yamaguti's Scumbag Loser (Yen Press). What begins as a story about a teenage outsider with a unique smelling ability quickly turns into a horror story involving mysterious non-human forces. As the guys discuss, there are few characters in this book worthy of sympathy, but it is this lack of empathic closeness that makes this an affecting narrative. However, the guys aren't without their reservations, as Shea points out in his take on Yamaguti's patriarchal approach to his subject matter. Derek agrees, but he also sees the text's larger themes -- e.g., the unrealistic demands on youth conformity -- savin

Time Codes: 01:22 - Introduction 03:19 - Setup of the episode 04:00 - Volcano Trash 23:10 - Real Friends 48:57 – Wrap up 50:00 – Contact us For the May Young Readers show, Paul and Gwen discuss two highly anticipated graphic novels: Ben Sears’s Volcano Trash (Koyama Press) and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham’s Real Friends (First Second). While one text is an action adventure science fiction fantasy and the other is a memoir, both books touch upon the importance that relationships play in young people’s lives. To being the show, Paul introduces Volcano Trash, the sequel to Ben Sears’s acclaimed 2016 graphic novel Night Air, the first in a series that takes place in what Sears terms “the Double+” universe. Both texts feature the exploits of a young man called Plus Man, his faithful sidekick, the robot Hank, as they engage in capers and navigate a world in which adults very often have nefarious agendas. Paul explains that even though the majority of secondary characters in Volcano Trash are male, the

Time Codes: 00:01:23 - Introduction 00:05:11 - Welcome new Patreon supporters! 00:08:34 - Boundless 00:44:55 - User 01:16:41 - Wrap up 01:17:43 - Contact us This week on the review show Paul joins Derek in discussing two new recent releases. They begin with Jillian Tamaki's Boundless, published by Drawn and Quarterly. This is a collection of nine short stories, most of which have been previously published in Frontier, Nobrow, and Hazlitt.net. The guys begin by discussing how Tamaki structures the contents, along with including new pieces, in order to give the collection visual and thematic coherency. Unlike her longer narratives Skim and This One Summer, both with her cousin Mariko, Tamaki tends to use the shorter storytelling forms to create pieces that are slightly askew and bend the reality that we know. Next, Paul and Derek turn to Devin Grayson, John Bolton, and Sean Phillips's User (Image Comics). This was originally published as a three-issue prestige-format miniseries through Vertigo Com

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:31 - Setup of interview 00:03:48 - Interview with Dave Chisholm 01:03:55 - Wrap up 01:05:04- Contact us   On this interview episode, Derek talks with Dave Chisholm, whose new book Instrumental comes out soon from Z2 Comics. This is the story of a musician who comes upon a trumpet with unique powers, allowing him to transform the lives around him, including those of his fellow bandmates. Dave's background -- a professional trumpet player, songwriter, composer, bandleader, and educator -- becomes the wellspring from which he pulls his narrative, so much of his conversation with Derek is devoted to the power of music and its translation into visual form. The graphic novel also comes with a soundtrack, seven songs composed and performed by Dave. Over the course of the interview the two discuss the genesis of this project, the fantastical nature of the story, the unique links between audio and visual representations, and Dave's work as an artist on this and oth

On this special episode of The Comics Alternative, Gwen and Derek moderate a roundtable discussion on comics for children and young adults. Joining them in the conversation are Karly Marie Grice and Joe Sutliff Sanders, both contributors to the brand new book coedited by Gwen, Graphic Novels for Children and Young Adults: A Collection of Essays (University Press of Mississippi). Over the course of the roundtable, both Joe and Karly present the research they conducted for the collection -- the aesthetics of children's digital comics and contesting narratives in Gene Luen Yang's Boxers & Saints, respectively -- but the core of the discussion centers on the current state of children's and adolescent comics, the scholarship surrounding it, questions of demographics, and the pedagogical challenges facing educators when framing the medium. Gwen's coeditor, Michelle Ann Abate, had planned on joining the roundtable discussion, but due to technical difficulties she was unable to do so.

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:17 - Listener tweets! 00:08:18 - Interview with Annie Koyama 00:31:51 - You & a Bike & a Road 00:50:09 - Sunburning 01:07:19 - Crawl Space 01:24:45 - Condo Heartbreak Disco 01:38:05 - Volcano Trash 01:50:13 - So Pretty/Very Rotten 02:03:14 - Wrap up 02:04:18 - Contact us For this week's review episode the Two Guys with PhDs turn a critical spotlight on Koyama Press and its spring 2017 releases. They devoted an entire episode to Koyama a couple of years ago, but this season there are just so many great titles coming out from the press that the guys wanted to look at all of their releases and not just two or three scheduled across several weeks. First, though, they share a brief conversation with the press' founder and publisher, Annie Koyama, who provides an overview and history of the Canadian publishing house. Then the guys start discussing the new releases, beginning with Eleanor Davis's You & a Bike & a Road, a diary comic of her time biking

Time Codes: 00:26 - Introduction 02:14 - Setup of interview 04:04 - Interview with Sharon Shinn and Molly Knox Ostertag 57:52 - Wrap up 59:37 - Contact us On this interview episode Gwen and Derek talk with Sharon Shinn and Molly Knox Ostertag. Their new book Shattered Warrior comes out this week from First Second, and they discuss their experiences in developing the project and their process of collaboration. This is Sharon's first graphic novel -- she's the author of over 25 prose novels -- so she shares her journey of discover while working in a different medium. And while Molly is primarily known for her successful webcomic Strong Female Protagonist (co-created with Brennan Lee Mulligan), this is her first time in working on a longer, sustained narrative for print. Gwen and Derek talk with their guests about the genesis of this story, the excitement of world creation, and their thoughts on intended reading audiences.

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:03:08 - Comments on the Eisner Award nominations 00:08:31 - Flight of the Raven 00:42:47 - The Reprieve 01:06:13 - Wrap up 01:07:15 - Contact us Edward and Derek are back with the latest Euro Comics episode. This month, they focus on recent translations of the work of Jean-Pierre Gibrat, Flight of the Raven (IDW/EuroComics) and both volumes of The Reprieve (Europe Comics). Edward is very familiar with Gibrat's work, as he was the translator of The Reprieve, and so he provides his insights within that context. Throughout their discussion of these narratives, the guys highlight what they see as the thematic links between the two, all of which springs from the books' settings: WW II France during German occupation. Indeed, the two stories are companion pieces with the character Cécile appearing in both. The Reprieve takes place before the Normandy invasion with Julien Sarlat, escaping from mandatory German labor, hiding out in his small hometown with the help o

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:30 - Setup of interview 00:04:47 - Interview with Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt 01:10:00 - Wrap up 01:11:29 - Contact us For this interview episode, the Two Guys with PhDs talk with Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, the creators behind The Damned, from Oni Press. This is a series with some history, beginning back in 2006 with the five-issues run, "Three Days Dead," and then the three-issue miniseries from 2008, "Prodigal Sons." Soon after that, Cullen and Brian began The Sixth Gun, but now that that long-running series is behind them, they decided to revisit and revitalize their first creative project together. Over the course of their conversation, Cullen and Brian talk about their efforts to reprint the original comics in color -- and with the help of the new series' colorist, Bill Crabtree -- the impetus behind the new on-going series, their work together on The Sixth Gun, and their process of collaboration on The Damned. Andy and Derek also ask them about some

Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:30 - Setup of the episode 00:05:44 - The Stone Heart 00:32:12 - “Required Reading: 50 of the Best Kids Comics” 00:49:44 - Introducing Graphic Novels for Children and Young Adults: A Collect of Critical Essays 01:03:39 - Wrap up 01:03:58 - Contact us In this episode of The Comics Alternative's Young Readers series, Gwen and Paul discuss the second volume in Faith Erin Hicks’s Nameless City trilogy, The Stone Heart (First Second), as well as Paste Magazine’s “Required Reading: 50 of the Best Kids Comics” list. Paul also conducts a “mini-interview” with Gwen about the release of Graphic Novels for Children and Young Adults, a volume she co-edited with Michelle Ann Abate for the University Press of Mississippi. The show begins with a review of the second volume in Faith Erin Hicks’s Nameless City trilogy, The Stone Heart. They praise the sequel’s strong plot and attention to perils of colonization and cultural erasure, and they consider the way that a numb

Time Codes: 00:00:31 - Introduction 00:02:39 - Announcement of the 2017 Eisner Award nominees 00:08:13 - Last weekend's Free Comic Book Day 00:18:45 - Herman by Trade 00:41:43 - Rise of the Dungeon Master 01:09:03 - Eternal Empire #1 01:27:04 - Wrap up 01:27:56 - Contact us   This week Andy and Derek look at three new titles, each one visiting the fantastic in one form or another. Before they jump into the reviews, however, they discuss some of the big comics news from the past week: the announcement of the 2017 Eisner Award nominations and Free Comic Book Day. The guys don't go into too much detail about the Eisner nominees because they plan on devoting an upcoming episode to that topic. However, they do briefly mention the curious situation surrounding the nomination of the Love Is Love collection in the Best Anthology category. They have much more to say about last Saturday's Free Comic Book Day. Both guys share some of their experiences at their local shops and the free comics they got th

Time Codes: 00:00:28 - Introduction 00:03:03 - Eisner Award nominees announced 00:10:04 - Isle of Elsi 00:47:30 - Late Bloomer 01:09:44 - Carriers 01:31:32 - Wrap up 01:32:31 - Contact us Sean and Derek are back with your monthly dose of webcomics analysis. Before they jump into their reviews, however, they spending a little time discussing the recent announcement of this year's nominees for the Eisner Awards. The guys will devote next month's episode to the actual webcomics nominated, so they don't go into much detail this time, but they do mention the big news that the judges have tried to distinguish "webcomics" from "digital comics"...albeit rather ineptly. Tune in next month for more in-depth discussion on this matter! But for May, Sean and Derek already have plenty to consider. They begin with Alec Longstreth's Isle of Elsi, an all-age fantasy with a penchant for word play. Both of the guys are bowled away by this webcomic, one of the most impressive that they've discussed on the show. N

For Free Comic Book Day 2017, Derek visits his local shop, Valhalla Games and Comics in Plano, TX to talk with customers and shop employees about the various FCBD offerings this year. Joining him on this episode are Sabrina, the shop manager, as well as one of her associates, Stephanie. But also joining in on the conversation is a first-timer to the podcast, Naheem, who just happens to be from Derek's hometown, Charlotte, NC.

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:40 - Setup of interview 00:06:49 - Interview with Jeff Lemire 01:33:07 - Wrap up 01:34:37 - Contact us On this interview episode Derek and Andy are excited to have Jeff Lemire as their guest. His new graphic novel, Roughneck, has just been released by Simon & Schuster's Gallery 13 imprint, and he has a new ongoing series through Image Comics, Royal City. The guys talk with Jeff about those works, particularly their place within Lemire's growing body of writing, but they also ask him about his other current ongoing series, such as Descender (with Dustin Nguyen on art), Black Hammer (along with Dean Ormston), and the miniseries A.D.: After Death (written by Scott Snyder). A lot of ground is covered in this interview, including revelations on the early origins of Roughneck, the long-range plans for Royal City, the themes and characters that seem to be woven throughout Jeff's oeuvre, the curious links between Descender and Adam Strange, and Jeff's thoughts on "

It's time for another look at the current Previews catalog, so this week Andy and Derek check out all of the interesting solicitations for May. First, though, they briefly discuss their plans (or lack thereof) for Free Comic Book Day this coming weekend, and then they share some listener mail. After that, they begin their deep dive into the May Previews..and it's a good long dive this month. Among the many upcoming titles they highlight are: Dark Horse Comics - Moebius Library: The Art of Edena, The End League: Library Edition, Mister X: The Modern Age, and Lifeformed: Cleo Makes Contact DC/Vertigo - Swamp Thing: Bronze Age Omnibus and The American Way: Those Above and Those Below #1 IDW Publishing/Top Shelf - Saucer Country, Time and Vine #1, Space Bat and the Fugitives: Tacos at the End of the World, Jungle Girls, The Story of Men, Behind You: One-Shot Horror Stories, Jérôme K. Jérôme Blôche, Vol. 1: The Shadow Killer, and Sax Rohmer’s Dope Image Comics - Moonstruck #1, Generation Gone #1, By Chance

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:35 - Setup of interview 00:04:57 - Interview with Matt Kindt 01:33:07 - Wrap up 01:34:37 - Contact us Andy and Derek welcome Matt Kindt to the podcast to discuss Grass Kings, published through BOOM! Studios, his two current ongoing series from Dark Horse Comics, Dept. H and Ether, and his voluminous work for Valiant Comics. The guys have been wanting to get Matt on the show for years, so this interview is a long time in coming. And the conversation is quite substantive. Among other topics, they discuss the geneses of these recent series; Matt's strategies for juggling multiple storylines at once; his collaborations with Tyler Jenkins (on Grass Kings), David Rubín (Ether), and Brian Hurtt (Poppy! and the Lost Lagoon); the many titles he has written for Valiant Comics; his love of genre storytelling; the unique way he "signs" certain books at cons; and his creative direction after the groundbreaking Mind MGMT. This has to be one of the most prolific creators

Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:03:19 - Listener mail! 00:09:41 - Happiness 00:48:25 - My Brother's Husband 01:15:40 - Wrap up 01:16:43 - Contact us On the April manga episode, Shea and Derek discuss two very different series. They begin with Shuzo Oshimi's Happiness, the fourth volume of which has just been released by Kodansha Comics. This is a vampiric narrative that takes place in the suburbs and centers on the relationships among high school students. But don't make the mistake of thinking that this is Twilight-tinged fantasy. Oshimi's characterization is sophisticated and, in places, unpredictable, and his art style captures the interiority of his key marginalized figures. Of particular interest is Yuuki, a bully who befriends the narrative's protagonist, Okazaki, and how both characters handle their newfound vampirism once each has turned. The guys appreciate where this story is going, and Shea, in particular, is impatient in having to wait for the next few volumes. Next, Derek and

Time Codes: 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:02:42 - We'll be at HeroesCon! 00:05:09 - Star Hawks, Vol. 1: 1977-1978 00:41:32 - Street Angel: After School Kung Fu Special 00:54:09 - Godshaper #1 01:07:23 - Wrap up 01:08:18 - Contact us On this week's episode Andy and Derek check out the old and the new. They begin with Star Hawks, Vol. 1: 1977-1978, a new collection of Gil Kane and Ron Goulart's classic newspaper strip. As the guys discuss, this isn't the first time that Star Hawks has been collected, but this new release from IDW's Library of American Comics imprint is probably one of the best. Next, they turn to Street Angel: After School Kung Fu Special (Image Comics). This is more of the Street Angel fun you've come to expect from Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca. Fans of action comics, especially the old 1970s style martial arts type, will appreciate this one-shot. Finally, the Two Guys wrap up with Simon Spurrier and Jonas Goonface's Godshaper #1 (BOOM! Studios). As with other Spurrier creations, the

Time Codes: 00:25 - Introduction 02:31 - Setup of interview 03:32 - Interview with James Albon 57:35 - Wrap up 58:31 - Contact us On this interview episode Derek has the pleasure of talking with James Albon, whose new book Her Bark and Her Bite comes out this week from Top Shelf Productions. James is British artist whose illustrations have appeared in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, the New Statesman, The Diplomat, The Financial Times, and various publications from the Folio Society. Her Bark and Her Bite is his first graphic novel, and much of the conversation is devoted to this fact and how his work as a professional illustrator informs his graphic storytelling. The book can be described as a romantic comedy, where its protagonist artist figure, Rebecca, moves to the big city and meets Victor, a gregarious and flamboyant socialite with whom she quickly becomes smitten. Complications arise when Victor receives a young dog as a gift, and the canine becomes an unwitting rival to Rebecc

Time Codes: 00:00:30 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Tell them the Two Guys with PhDs sent you! 00:03:38 - What Parsifal Saw 00:21:34 - Love and Rockets #2 00:48:15 - Redneck #1 00:59:11 - Wrap up 01:00:02 - Contact us This week the Two Guys give you a double shot of recent Fantagraphics books. They start off with a discussion of Ron Regé Jr.'s What Parsifal Saw, his followup to 2012's The Cartoon Utopia (the paperback edition of which has also just been released by Fantagraphics). This is the first time that Andy and Derek have covered one of Regé's books on The Comics Alternative -- they've discussed his comics before, but only as part of an anthology -- and they point out how his art requires a different way of reading. After that, they look at the latest issue of Love and Rockets. The guys never miss an opportunity to discuss what the Hernandez brothers are up to, and in this second issue of the new series they see how both Gilbert and Jaime are continuing the storylines they began in the last co