Episode 307: A Publisher Spotlight on Glom Press

Time Codes:  00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:38 - Now#5  01:02:20 - Criminal #1  01:20:01 - Scratcher #1-3  01:33:04 - Wrap up 01:34:32 - Contact us    On this episode of the podcast Sterg and Derek look at three exciting titles. They begin with Now#5, the latest in Fantagraphics' outstanding comics anthology series. As the guys point out, they're dedicated to discussing every issue of Nowthat is released, and this one is chock-full of comicy goodness. Although all of the contributions in this issue are intriguing, some of the most notable that the guys discuss are those by Eroyn Franklin, Walker Tate, DRT, Ana Galvañ, DW, Maggie Umber, and especially Walt Holcombe. And although Derek and Sterg spend the vast majority of their time discussing this anthology -- there's a lot to take in -- they also look at two other titles. One of those is most recent incarnation of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips's Criminal(Image Comics). In the new series' first issue, the protagonist is one familiar to Criminal enthusiasts, Teeg Lawless. But there are other manifestations of Brubaker and Phillips' world that are imbedded within. After that they look at the first three issues of Scratcher, John Wald and Juan Romera's self-published horror title that takes place at a tattoo parlor. This is actually a work that its writer alerted the guys to, and they're glad that he did.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:32 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:38 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Now-5-New-Comics-Anthology/dp/1683961692/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=2cea3c629182dbc857f2cf3bdc465917&amp;creativeASIN=1683961692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Now#5</a> </li> <li>01:02:20 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47635245&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Criminal #1</a> </li> <li>01:20:01 - <a href="http://www.arbutusfilms.com/scratcher/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scratcher #1-3</a> </li> <li>01:33:04 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:34:32 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21933" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this episode of the podcast Sterg and Derek look at three exciting titles. They begin with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Now-5-New-Comics-Anthology/dp/1683961692/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=2cea3c629182dbc857f2cf3bdc465917&amp;creativeASIN=1683961692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Now#5</a>, the latest in Fantagraphics' outstanding comics anthology series. As the guys point out, they're dedicated to discussing every issue of Nowthat is released, and this one is chock-full of comicy goodness. Although all of the contributions in this issue are intriguing, some of the most notable that the guys discuss are those by Eroyn Franklin, Walker Tate, DRT, Ana Galvañ, DW, Maggie Umber, and especially Walt Holcombe. And although Derek and Sterg spend the vast majority of their time discussing this anthology -- there's a lot to take in -- they also look at two other titles. One of those is most recent incarnation of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47635245&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Criminal</a>(Image Comics). In the new series' first issue, the protagonist is one familiar to Criminal enthusiasts, Teeg Lawless. But there are other manifestations of Brubaker and Phillips' world that are imbedded within. After that they look at the first three issues of <a href="http://www.arbutusfilms.com/scratcher/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scratcher</a>, John Wald and Juan Romera's self-published horror title that takes place at a tattoo parlor. This is actually a work that its writer alerted the guys to, and they're glad that he did.

Episode 306: Reviews of Now #5, Criminal #1, and Scratcher #1-3

Time Codes:  00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:07 - Listener correspondence! 00:09:07 - The Unknown Anti-War Comics  00:53:57 - Love and Rockets IV#6  01:29:53 - LaGuardia #1 &amp; #2  01:55:39 - Wrap up 01:57:53 - Contact us    On this episode, Sterg and Derek discuss three recent titles that run the gamut from sci-fi to political to slice-of-life (or what the Two Guys prefer to call  verite dessinée). They begin with the latest collection from Craig Yoe, The Unknown Anti-War Comics(IDW Publications/Yoe Books). This is a volume devoted to classic Charlton Comics stories from the 1950s and 1960s -- most probably written by Joe Gill -- that have a peaceful message to deliver. One of the highlights of this collection is the art of Steve Ditko. After that, the guys jump into the latest issue of Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics Books). Both Derek and Sterg highlight what they particularly like about this specific issue, but they also speculate on the current career trajectories of Gilbert and Jaime and even on what they see as some of the "excesses" of each brother. Finally, the guys wrap up with a discussion of the first two issues of Nnedi Okorafor and Tana Ford's LaGuardia(Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books). In fact, this is an appropriate title to bookend the episode, along with Charlton anti-war stories. Both Sterg and Derek are intrigued by the premise of this limited series, but at the same time they feel that there's something missing from the first two issues, which is half of the four-issue run. Is the narrative too decompressed? Lacking enough exposition? Regardless, both guys want to read on and see where Okorafor and Tana end with their timely story.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:32 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:07 - Listener correspondence!</li> <li>00:09:07 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-War-Comics-Steve-Ditko/dp/1684051789/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=90d615c1b48d0a0f5f18bcf3c505e107&amp;creativeASIN=1684051789" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unknown Anti-War Comics</a> </li> <li>00:53:57 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=41331005&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love and Rockets IV#6</a> </li> <li>01:29:53 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47507988&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LaGuardia #1 &amp; #2</a> </li> <li>01:55:39 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:57:53 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/ca305-banner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this episode, Sterg and Derek discuss three recent titles that run the gamut from sci-fi to political to slice-of-life (or what the Two Guys prefer to call  verite dessinée). They begin with the latest collection from Craig Yoe, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-War-Comics-Steve-Ditko/dp/1684051789/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=90d615c1b48d0a0f5f18bcf3c505e107&amp;creativeASIN=1684051789" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unknown Anti-War Comics</a>(IDW Publications/Yoe Books). This is a volume devoted to classic Charlton Comics stories from the 1950s and 1960s -- most probably written by Joe Gill -- that have a peaceful message to deliver. One of the highlights of this collection is the art of Steve Ditko. After that, the guys jump into the latest issue of <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=41331005&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love and Rockets</a> (Fantagraphics Books). Both Derek and Sterg highlight what they particularly like about this specific issue, but they also speculate on the current career trajectories of Gilbert and Jaime and even on what they see as some of the "excesses" of each brother. Finally, the guys wrap up with a discussion of the first two issues of Nnedi Okorafor and Tana Ford's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47507988&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LaGuardia</a>(Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books). In fact, this is an appropriate title to bookend the episode, along with Charlton anti-war stories. Both Sterg and Derek are intrigued by the premise of this limited series, but at the same time they feel that there's something missing from the first two issues, which is half of the four-issue run. Is the narrative too decompressed? Lacking enough exposition? Regardless, both guys want to read on and see where Okorafor and Tana end with their timely story.

Episode 305: Reviews of The Unknown Anti-War Comics, Love and Rockets IV #6, and LaGuardia #1 & #2

Keith Dallas

Jason Sacks

Time Codes:  00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:20 - Setup of interview 00:03:54 - Interview with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks  01:22:12 - Wrap up 01:22:52 - Contact us    On this, the second show in The Comics Alternative's new Critical Takes series, Derek has back on the podcast Keith Dallas, coauthor of the new book, American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s. Listeners might remember that he talked with Keith, along with John Wells, back last summer when their Comic Book Implosion was released by TwoMorrows Publishing. In fact, that was the very first Critical Takes episode. This time around, Keith is joined by Jason Sacks, another comics scholar and historian who has worked on other texts within the American Comic Book Chroniclesseries. The two have just released their volume on the 1990s, a curious and tumultuous time in American comics history. As you’ll hear in conversation, Jason and Keith discuss in detail their first-hand experiences during this decade, the process of researching for this project, the various stereotypes that they had to overcome when encapsulating the decade, and what each of them sees as key defining moments for comics during the 1990s. They also talk about the genesis of the American Comic Book Chroniclesseries and what we might expect with future volumes.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:25 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:20 - Setup of interview</li> <li>00:03:54 - Interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/keith_dallas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keith Dallas</a> and <a href="http://comicsbulletin.com/author/jsacks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jason Sacks</a> </li> <li>01:22:12 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:22:52 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21902" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this, the second show in The Comics Alternative's new Critical Takes series, Derek has back on the podcast Keith Dallas, coauthor of the new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1605490849/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1605490849&amp;linkId=120df64af59f97b383666e6028f09ae3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s</a>. Listeners might remember that he talked with Keith, along with John Wells, back last summer when their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1605490857/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1605490857&amp;linkId=040b5fb186f0bcbff4921ef6283b1fc9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Comic Book Implosion</a> was released by TwoMorrows Publishing. In fact, that was the very first Critical Takes episode. This time around, Keith is joined by Jason Sacks, another comics scholar and historian who has worked on other texts within the American Comic Book Chroniclesseries. The two have just released their volume on the 1990s, a curious and tumultuous time in American comics history. As you’ll hear in conversation, Jason and Keith discuss in detail their first-hand experiences during this decade, the process of researching for this project, the various stereotypes that they had to overcome when encapsulating the decade, and what each of them sees as key defining moments for comics during the 1990s. They also talk about the genesis of the American Comic Book Chroniclesseries and what we might expect with future volumes.

Critical Takes: A Conversation with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks

It's the first episode of the new year, and for the January Previewsshow the Two Guys decide to try something different: invite a third person to join them in discussing the current Previewscatalog. This week Sterg and Derek are joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen who works with community outreach at PREVIEWSworld. And given Troy's association with Diamond Distributors and the ins and outs of their monthly catalog, he's able to provide insights and additional commentary that results in an extra special discussion. And as you might expect, the addition of a third conversant makes this episode longer than usual...as if the guys' monthly Previews shows weren't long enough. Among the many publishers and titles that Troy, Sterg, and Derek highlight are:  Image Comics - Little Bird#1, Assassin Nation#1, and Black Magick: The First Book of Shadows  Dark Horse Comics - Invisible Kingdom#1, Black Hammer '45: From the World of Black Hammer#1, Astro Hustle#1, Bad Luck Chuck #1, Moonshadow: The Definitive Edition, and Emanon Vol. 1: Memories of Emanon  DC Comics/Vertigo - Dial H for Hero #1, Second Coming #1, and Detective Comics#1000 IDW Publishing - Impossible, Inc., Enola Holmes: The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, Violette around the World Vol 2: A New World Symphony!, and Highwayman  BOOM! Studios - Firefly: Bad Company#1, Ronin Island#1, The Grand Abyss Hotel, Black Badge Vol. 1, and Midas  Abrams ComicArts - A Fire Storyand Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead  Abstract Studios -Strangers in Paradise XXV Vol. 2: Hide and Seek  AdHouse - The Freak  Aftershock Comics - Dark Red #1 and Out of the Blue Vol. 1  Albatross Funnybooks - The Goon#1 Archie Comics - Sabrina the Teenage Witch#1 Avery Hill Publishing - Ismyre  Candlewick Press - The Iliad  Cave Pictures Publishing - The Blessed Machine#1 Dead Reckoning - The Night Witches  Drawn and Quarterly - Clyde Fans Box Set Slipcase Edition, Palimpsest, and Kitaro Vol. 6: Kitaro's Yokai Battles  Fantagraphics Books - 3D Sweeties, James Warren, Empire of Monsters: The Man behind Creepy, Vampirella, and Famous Monsters, Is This How You See Me?, and Alienation  First Second - The Breakawaysand Kiss Number 8  It's Alive - D-Day: From the Pages of Combat  Lion Forge - Stiletto No. 1: Officer Down, Haphaven, and Gang of Fools  NBM - The Rolling Stones in Comics  Papercutz - The Only Living Boy Omnibusand The Only Living Girl Vol. 1: The Island at the Edge of Infinity  Pegasus - Goya: The Terrible Sublime  Quirk Books - Giraffes on Horseback Salad  Rebellion/2000AD - Fran of the Floods  SelfMadeHero - Blossoms in Autumn, Guantanamo Kid: The True Story of Mohammed El-Gharani, and Lomax: Collectors of Folk Songs  Silver Sprocket - Magical Beatdown#1 Titan Comics - Life Is Strange Vol. 1  University Press of Mississippi - The Comics of Rutu Modan  Vault Comics - Queen of Bad Dreams#1 Dempa Books - Super-Dimensional Love Gun  Kodansha Comics - Gleipnir Vol. 1and Love in Focus Vol. 1   A BIG THANKS to Troy-Jeffrey Allen for his contributions to this episode!  Be sure to keep up with the good people at PREVIEWSworld, and check out Troy on PREVIEWSworld's weekly YouTube show!

It's the first episode of the new year, and for the January Previewsshow the Two Guys decide to try something different: invite a third person to join them in discussing the current Previewscatalog. This week Sterg and Derek are joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen who works with community outreach at PREVIEWSworld. And given Troy's association with Diamond Distributors and the ins and outs of their monthly catalog, he's able to provide insights and additional commentary that results in an extra special discussion. And as you might expect, the addition of a third conversant makes this episode longer than usual...as if the guys' monthly Previews shows weren't long enough. Among the many publishers and titles that Troy, Sterg, and Derek highlight are: <ul> <li>Image Comics - Little Bird#1, Assassin Nation#1, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534306811/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1534306811&amp;linkId=517bbc13f6014af506b61d629c684b21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Magick: The First Book of Shadows</a> </li> <li>Dark Horse Comics - Invisible Kingdom#1, Black Hammer '45: From the World of Black Hammer#1, Astro Hustle#1, Bad Luck Chuck #1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/150670946X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=150670946X&amp;linkId=b81aecfce101b03d18b7da73a0034f5c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moonshadow: The Definitive Edition</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emanon-1-Kenji-Tsurata/dp/1506709818/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=4388f0b75bbb615fe67a6e2dc2bb6e79&amp;creativeASIN=1506709818" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emanon Vol. 1: Memories of Emanon</a> </li> <li>DC Comics/Vertigo - Dial H for Hero #1, Second Coming #1, and Detective Comics#1000</li> <li>IDW Publishing - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054354/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054354&amp;linkId=54fdc28a71215420d6d78fc4475ffc15" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Impossible, Inc.</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054729/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054729&amp;linkId=d3214371e2227c357f58347d2dd0398c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enola Holmes: The Case of the Left-Handed Lady</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054311/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054311&amp;linkId=b2c25e5e49c6abb9d59514a98245daa9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Violette around the World Vol 2: A New World Symphony!</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Highwayman-Koren-Shadmi/dp/1603094415/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e9aa0ade0a4fa53ae3486bf842db65e8&amp;creativeASIN=1603094415" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Highwayman</a> </li> <li>BOOM! Studios - Firefly: Bad Company#1, Ronin Island#1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684154103/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684154103&amp;linkId=2a343dfb15eb40cb23b3842a4a087c44" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Grand Abyss Hotel</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684153530/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684153530&amp;linkId=641058dde3240b07526a47650d32b367" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Badge Vol. 1</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/168415359X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=168415359X&amp;linkId=d11c8cd390f186357101691f45973ddc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Midas</a> </li> <li>Abrams ComicArts - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419735853/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1419735853&amp;linkId=4e3261960aa3087107c7697c0dbae1ef" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Fire Story</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nobodys-Fool-Times-Schlitzie-Pinhead/dp/1419735012/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e32d8220dff7f95e1fe8342c92bbb42c&amp;creativeASIN=1419735012" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead</a> </li> <li>Abstract Studios -Strangers in Paradise XXV Vol. 2: Hide and Seek </li> <li>AdHouse - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935233505/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1935233505&amp;linkId=6c17b772cc399ab0f21e4b88d00f920e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Freak</a> </li> <li>Aftershock Comics - Dark Red #1 and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1949028135/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1949028135&amp;linkId=174c84d1ee398c0ada246b31d35fb120" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Out of the Blue Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>Albatross Funnybooks - The Goon#1</li> <li>Archie Comics - Sabrina the Teenage Witch#1</li> <li>Avery Hill Publishing - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/191039534X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=191039534X&amp;linkId=c2cc131a0bc22b9e4a1bd8dfa8734cf4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ismyre</a> </li> <li>Candlewick Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763696633/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0763696633&amp;linkId=569e25e16b7a8a7f856cd8d5757bf22f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Iliad</a> </li> <li>Cave Pictures Publishing - The Blessed Machine#1</li> <li>Dead Reckoning - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1682473902/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1682473902&amp;linkId=f8dab253f685b765caf8a3d1d00c9dd3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Night Witches</a> </li> <li>Drawn and Quarterly - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clyde-Fans-Seth/dp/1770463577/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=859d43ef3e38bf21da986b7ba039cda3&amp;creativeASIN=1770463577" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clyde Fans Box Set Slipcase Edition</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770463305/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770463305&amp;linkId=8e3f48c35990846980b06ddb8a5946cb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Palimpsest</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770463194/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770463194&amp;linkId=03991678d0ecc6c7e68d79058a3bd887" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro Vol. 6: Kitaro's Yokai Battles</a> </li> <li>Fantagraphics Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961803/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961803&amp;linkId=f4bbcc0439618a4aa728b83747c87a41" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3D Sweeties</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961471/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961471&amp;linkId=b564c1f5c828675dbee9de4e1aae557c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Warren, Empire of Monsters: The Man behind Creepy, Vampirella, and Famous Monsters</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-How-You-See-Me/dp/168396182X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=11e858c0548169bea53da9b7d71ee476&amp;creativeASIN=168396182X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Is This How You See Me?</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961897/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961897&amp;linkId=4c7de8714332f4218c66cd9b988dbbd2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alienation</a> </li> <li>First Second - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626723575/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626723575&amp;linkId=10efc2c1f5e90f3242d154af950df6b3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Breakaways</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159643709X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=159643709X&amp;linkId=6aa912604bfddea9a11c0d8bbba20b03" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kiss Number 8</a> </li> <li>It's Alive - D-Day: From the Pages of Combat </li> <li>Lion Forge - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1549304828/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1549304828&amp;linkId=6994c72e4b9f18c1d594a6a68dcb35cb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stiletto No. 1: Officer Down</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1549304119/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1549304119&amp;linkId=342ad34605a7789983e40ef46b6b20c9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haphaven</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/194130253X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=194130253X&amp;linkId=3f6f86ee69b8ca93fd0c9e12aeeab74e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gang of Fools</a> </li> <li>NBM - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1681121980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1681121980&amp;linkId=2f274be1bc1c492a9a6aa0c093150b4e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rolling Stones in Comics</a> </li> <li>Papercutz - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1545801274/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1545801274&amp;linkId=e683d0ae84d7f453c9a2c10ee0b65b79" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Only Living Boy Omnibus</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1545802033/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1545802033&amp;linkId=9c1b513a1119f2eac8c993069b35a8e7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Only Living Girl Vol. 1: The Island at the Edge of Infinity</a> </li> <li>Pegasus - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1643130161/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1643130161&amp;linkId=704fcfbd62aa17f7a49a2ed59f823aa1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goya: The Terrible Sublime</a> </li> <li>Quirk Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Giraffes-Horseback-Salad-Salvador-Strangest/dp/159474923X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=3c8b51f34d59d8d6a223f2251c9fe795&amp;creativeASIN=159474923X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Giraffes on Horseback Salad</a> </li> <li>Rebellion/2000AD - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1781086729/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1781086729&amp;linkId=e4c0d7262732ea34cb2a7ef4a66e7d61" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fran of the Floods</a> </li> <li>SelfMadeHero - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593621/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593621&amp;linkId=dd131e516632dfe395cb33af0880b086" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blossoms in Autumn</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593664/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593664&amp;linkId=0bf2b23dcb8feeb9949b99e0e7799d02" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guantanamo Kid: The True Story of Mohammed El-Gharani</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593613/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593613&amp;linkId=85318b125bfde7b87fff721373e92b97" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lomax: Collectors of Folk Songs</a> </li> <li>Silver Sprocket - Magical Beatdown#1</li> <li>Titan Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L7YKBPM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07L7YKBPM&amp;linkId=ddca39e9efcd579b395a646dd46e5b0d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life Is Strange Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>University Press of Mississippi - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1496821823/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1496821823&amp;linkId=27a6db9ec69ef265f391f8391755407f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Comics of Rutu Modan</a> </li> <li>Vault Comics - Queen of Bad Dreams#1</li> <li>Dempa Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1634420632/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1634420632&amp;linkId=fd224ea6a0144c219c1ab10a419b02f5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super-Dimensional Love Gun</a> </li> <li>Kodansha Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1632367637/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1632367637&amp;linkId=eeecfd03d322026958099853c2bdfb51" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gleipnir Vol. 1</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1632367688/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1632367688&amp;linkId=9c8deb2693ca99d72ada1e3e27f33135" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love in Focus Vol. 1</a> </li> </ul> A BIG THANKS to Troy-Jeffrey Allen for his contributions to this episode! <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21874" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Be sure to keep up with the good people at <a href="http://previewsworld.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PREVIEWSworld</a>, and check out Troy on PREVIEWSworld's <a href="http://youtube.com/PREVIEWsworld" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">weekly YouTube show</a>!

Episode 304: The January Previews Catalog

Craig Yoe

Time Codes:  00:00:29 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Setup of interview 00:07:14 - Interview with Craig Yoe  02:16:37 - Wrap up 02:18:05 - Contact us    It's a new year, so that must mean that it's time for the annual Happy New Yoe show! On this, The Comics Alternative's very first episode of 2019, Derek talks with Craig Yoe about what he's been up to lately. They spend much of the time talking about the year in review for Yoe Books. And it was a busy one for Craig and his companion/colleague, Clizia Gussoni, who oversaw the publication of such titles as Limbo Lounge, Reefer Madness, We Spoke Out: Comic Books and the Holocaust, Lou Cameron’s Unsleeping Dead, Super Patriotic Heroes, The Best of Don Winslow of the Navy, Super Weird Heroes: Preposterous but True!, and new collections of their Weird Loveand Haunted Horrorcomics. Craig also reveals some of the titles we can look forward to in the new year, such as The Unknown Anti-War Comics, Jungle Girls, Swamp Monsters, Clyde, Life on the Moon, and Matchless Beauties: The Art of Pin-up Matchbook Covers. Along the way, the two discuss Yoe Books' recent efforts to publish original graphic novels -- such as Limbo Loungeand Life on the Moon-- the glories of HeroesCon, the future for Craig's various comic-book series, which books caught the most fire in 2018, and plans for Yoe Books to branch out and cover more popular culture topics in addition to comics and comics history. And of course, there are the laughter and wry humor that Craig always brings to every interview he gives to podcast. And this marks the 11th occasion that Craig has been interviewed on The Comics Alternative!    And Craig is also an artist! Design that Craig Yoe created specifically for The Comics Alternative!

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:29 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:38 - Setup of interview</li> <li>00:07:14 - Interview with <a href="http://yoebooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Craig Yoe</a> </li> <li>02:16:37 - Wrap up</li> <li>02:18:05 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/yoe2019-banner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> It's a new year, so that must mean that it's time for the annual Happy New Yoe show! On this, The Comics Alternative's very first episode of 2019, Derek talks with Craig Yoe about what he's been up to lately. They spend much of the time talking about the year in review for Yoe Books. And it was a busy one for Craig and his companion/colleague, Clizia Gussoni, who oversaw the publication of such titles as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631409840/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1631409840&amp;linkId=e5083bcc66e1aad15892bfd424b0fa8c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Limbo Lounge</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506702279/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506702279&amp;linkId=891345c73e1e9dc2ffa4191d08a87809" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reefer Madness</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/We-Spoke-Out-Comic-Holocaust/dp/1631408887/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=3c84bcf67ab00a9d42fdc33518c36e51&amp;creativeASIN=1631408887" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">We Spoke Out: Comic Books and the Holocaust</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Camerons-Unsleeping-Chilling-Archives-Horror/dp/163140931X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e4f77ac5ae2ae8fa221c2ca20cf7fe8b&amp;creativeASIN=163140931X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lou Cameron’s Unsleeping Dead</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Super-Patriotic-Heroes-Will-Eisner/dp/1684051797/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=95bb3e0e0e9d0728faa1018734dc8bf9&amp;creativeASIN=1684051797" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Patriotic Heroes</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-Don-Winslow-Navy-Collection/dp/1682473236/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e32828d8427deea05d95df571b6c2214&amp;creativeASIN=1682473236" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best of Don Winslow of the Navy</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Super-Weird-Heroes-Preposterous-True/dp/1631408585/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=33574d1211134acc8981241dfc195d3a&amp;creativeASIN=1631408585" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Weird Heroes: Preposterous but True!</a>, and new collections of their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684050200/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684050200&amp;linkId=720c5da218c2bf15a79cacbda60329a5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weird Love</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631409832/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1631409832&amp;linkId=577a0377116f973542c68311eb6c6a5f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haunted Horror</a>comics. Craig also reveals some of the titles we can look forward to in the new year, such as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684051789/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684051789&amp;linkId=aaacb4ce229e62eeb7ca93e89bfabf7f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unknown Anti-War Comics</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631409158/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1631409158&amp;linkId=5f3ebd7e668825b9a3330aed77ed763f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jungle Girls</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054532/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054532&amp;linkId=62f8b7db0b8ba320089c02c795d94c54" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swamp Monsters</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054478/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054478&amp;linkId=4e513854da2f0f3d185c2f1c5561708b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clyde</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054567/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054567&amp;linkId=8ed7e2f3f2501a471590690cc70459d0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life on the Moon</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684054583/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684054583&amp;linkId=972f8ec461e31416e533c15342fe5e17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matchless Beauties: The Art of Pin-up Matchbook Covers</a>. Along the way, the two discuss Yoe Books' recent efforts to publish original graphic novels -- such as Limbo Loungeand Life on the Moon-- the glories of HeroesCon, the future for Craig's various comic-book series, which books caught the most fire in 2018, and plans for Yoe Books to branch out and cover more popular culture topics in addition to comics and comics history. And of course, there are the laughter and wry humor that Craig always brings to every interview he gives to podcast. And this marks the 11th occasion that Craig has been interviewed on The Comics Alternative! <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/superweird2-interior/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> And Craig is also an artist! <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/yoe2019-1400/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Design that Craig Yoe created specifically for The Comics Alternative!

Comics Alternative Interviews: Happy New Yoe with Craig Yoe!

Junji Ito

Time Codes:  00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:42 - Manga plans for the new year 00:08:52 - Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection  00:54:47 - Dementia 21  01:37:25 - Wrap up 01:39:20 - Contact us     On this manga episode, their last of 2018, Shea and Derek look at two recent works of manga that are actually quite similar in a number of ways. They begin with Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection(VIZ Media). This isn't the first time, by far, that the guys have discussed Junji Ito's horror work, and whereas they've been less impressed with some of his more recent translations, they are more enthusiastic about this current collection. The standout story is Ito's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic romance, which takes up almost half of the text. But the other stories in this collection, specifically the Oshikiri cycle ones, are gripping, as well. After that the Two Guys check out a wild example of manga, Shintaro Kago's Dementia 21 (Fantagraphics). While both Derek and Shea had heard of Kago, until now they really hadn't read any of his works. This book, the first in a two-volume series from the publisher, is a collection of 17 stories that surround the escapades of Yukie Sakai, a young home healthcare aide. Her assignments to a variety of elderly patients all turn out surreal, taking her into mind-blowing adventures that are hilarious as they are nonsensical (and even metafictional, in some cases). Kago's manga has been described as ero guro nansensu, although in this collection there is more nansensu than there is ero guro. (For the latter, listeners are referred to another translated collection of Kago's, Super-Dimensional Love Gun, from Fakku Books.)

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:27 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:42 - Manga plans for the new year</li> <li>00:08:52 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974703762/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974703762&amp;linkId=98a1673d23d92819c7e872271c7525c8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection</a> </li> <li>00:54:47 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dementia-21-Shintaro-Kago/dp/1683961064/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=d49c0e0f46bbe5768414d9e8479033cc&amp;creativeASIN=1683961064" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dementia 21</a> </li> <li>01:37:25 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:39:20 - Contact us </li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21842" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this manga episode, their last of 2018, Shea and Derek look at two recent works of manga that are actually quite similar in a number of ways. They begin with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974703762/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974703762&amp;linkId=98a1673d23d92819c7e872271c7525c8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection</a>(VIZ Media). This isn't the first time, by far, that the guys have discussed Junji Ito's horror work, and whereas they've been less impressed with some of his more recent translations, they are more enthusiastic about this current collection. The standout story is Ito's adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic romance, which takes up almost half of the text. But the other stories in this collection, specifically the Oshikiri cycle ones, are gripping, as well. After that the Two Guys check out a wild example of manga, Shintaro Kago's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dementia-21-Shintaro-Kago/dp/1683961064/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=d49c0e0f46bbe5768414d9e8479033cc&amp;creativeASIN=1683961064" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dementia 21</a> (Fantagraphics). While both Derek and Shea had heard of Kago, until now they really hadn't read any of his works. This book, the first in a two-volume series from the publisher, is a collection of 17 stories that surround the escapades of Yukie Sakai, a young home healthcare aide. Her assignments to a variety of elderly patients all turn out surreal, taking her into mind-blowing adventures that are hilarious as they are nonsensical (and even metafictional, in some cases). Kago's manga has been described as ero guro nansensu, although in this collection there is more nansensu than there is ero guro. (For the latter, listeners are referred to another translated collection of Kago's, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Super-Dimensional-Love-Gun-Shintaro-Kago/dp/1634420632/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=27959dd46bbc057e1d7af778a9ff6291&amp;creativeASIN=1634420632" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super-Dimensional Love Gun</a>, from Fakku Books.)

Manga: Reviews of Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection and Dementia 21

Time Codes:  00:00:24 – Introduction 00:03:11 – Getting caught up! 00:04:05 – McCay  00:34:54 – Bear’s Tooth  01:10:58 – Wrap up 01:12:04 – Contact us    For their December Euro Comics show, Pascal and Derek discuss two recent French titles in translation. They begin with Thierry Smolderen and Jean-Philippe Bramanti's McCay (Titan Comics), a surreal narrative surrounding the life of comics legend Windsor McCay. But this work is not a biography. Smolderen takes historical moments in McCay's life and from those weaves a fantastical tale that includes noir intrigue, metafictional elements, and the fourth dimension. After that the guys turn to the three volumes of Yann and Alain Henriet's Bear's Tooth (Cinebook).  Each of the three works -- Max, Hanna, and Werner-- is based on one of the three protagonists in this World War II tale. As Pascal reveals, Yann and Henriet's follow up to this series (not yet translated) continues the storyline, but with strange alternate history twist.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:24 – Introduction</li> <li>00:03:11 – Getting caught up!</li> <li>00:04:05 – <a href="https://www.amazon.com/McCay-Thierry-Smolderen/dp/1785868853/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=32ff4cc5f02fda8dde35ca0b270ac1e4&amp;creativeASIN=1785868853" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McCay</a> </li> <li>00:34:54 – <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Max-Bears-Tooth-1-Yann/dp/1849183325/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e969d319e7366b0f96366c3dae5c1755&amp;creativeASIN=1849183325" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bear’s Tooth</a> </li> <li>01:10:58 – Wrap up</li> <li>01:12:04 – Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21829" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> For their December Euro Comics show, Pascal and Derek discuss two recent French titles in translation. They begin with Thierry Smolderen and Jean-Philippe Bramanti's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/McCay-Thierry-Smolderen/dp/1785868853/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=32ff4cc5f02fda8dde35ca0b270ac1e4&amp;creativeASIN=1785868853" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McCay</a> (Titan Comics), a surreal narrative surrounding the life of comics legend Windsor McCay. But this work is not a biography. Smolderen takes historical moments in McCay's life and from those weaves a fantastical tale that includes noir intrigue, metafictional elements, and the fourth dimension. After that the guys turn to the three volumes of Yann and Alain Henriet's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Max-Bears-Tooth-1-Yann/dp/1849183325/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e969d319e7366b0f96366c3dae5c1755&amp;creativeASIN=1849183325" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bear's Tooth</a> (Cinebook).  Each of the three works -- Max, Hanna, and Werner-- is based on one of the three protagonists in this World War II tale. As Pascal reveals, Yann and Henriet's follow up to this series (not yet translated) continues the storyline, but with strange alternate history twist.

Euro Comics: Reviews of McCay and Bear's Tooth

Time Codes:  00:01:18 – Introduction 00:04:22 – It’s the holiday season! 00:06:25 – Snow Daze  00:29:20 – Snow by Night  00:58:06 – Overwatch: Reflections  01:19:11 – Wrap up 01:21:14 – Contact us    On this webcomics episode, the last of 2018, Sean and Derek get into the holiday spirit. They discuss three titles that concern Christmas or the winter season (i.e., has the word "snow" in the title). They begin with Leonardo Faierman and Marcus Kwame Anderson's Snow Daze, a narrative about a group of enterprising teenagers in Queens, NY, who create a business shoveling snow, all the while dealing with the challenges of urban life, especially as it concerns matters of race. After that the guys look at another snow-related webcomic, Snow by Night, written by Eric Menge and with primary art by Julie A. Wright and Brittany Michel. This is a fantasy inspired by French colonial culture in North America, and largely revolves around a manitou, a nature spirit of the wilderness, who quests to find her "heart." Finally, Derek and Sean turn to a quite different webcomic, one created by the Blizzard Entertainment corporation to supplement one of their popular video games. Michael Chu and Miki Montlló's Overwatch: Reflectionsis a Christmas story involving the character Tracer as she attempts to find a last-minute gift and (predictably enough) learns the true meaning of the season.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:01:18 – Introduction</li> <li>00:04:22 – It’s the holiday season!</li> <li>00:06:25 – <a href="http://www.snowdazecomic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snow Daze</a> </li> <li>00:29:20 – <a href="http://www.snowbynight.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snow by Night</a> </li> <li>00:58:06 – <a href="https://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-us/tracer-reflections" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Overwatch: Reflections</a> </li> <li>01:19:11 – Wrap up</li> <li>01:21:14 – Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21792" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this webcomics episode, the last of 2018, Sean and Derek get into the holiday spirit. They discuss three titles that concern Christmas or the winter season (i.e., has the word "snow" in the title). They begin with Leonardo Faierman and Marcus Kwame Anderson's <a href="http://www.snowdazecomic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snow Daze</a>, a narrative about a group of enterprising teenagers in Queens, NY, who create a business shoveling snow, all the while dealing with the challenges of urban life, especially as it concerns matters of race. After that the guys look at another snow-related webcomic, <a href="http://www.snowbynight.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snow by Night</a>, written by Eric Menge and with primary art by Julie A. Wright and Brittany Michel. This is a fantasy inspired by French colonial culture in North America, and largely revolves around a manitou, a nature spirit of the wilderness, who quests to find her "heart." Finally, Derek and Sean turn to a quite different webcomic, one created by the Blizzard Entertainment corporation to supplement one of their popular video games. Michael Chu and Miki Montlló's <a href="https://comic.playoverwatch.com/en-us/tracer-reflections" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Overwatch: Reflections</a>is a Christmas story involving the character Tracer as she attempts to find a last-minute gift and (predictably enough) learns the true meaning of the season.

Webcomics: Reviews of Snow Daze, Snow by Night, and Overwatch: Reflections

Mike and Derek are back at Heroes Aren't Hard to Findin Charlotte, NC, for their December show. It's been a couple of months since their last visit to the shop -- this past fall was difficult for everyone -- but the guys are excited to sit down among customers and talk comics. And this being the end of 2018, they thought they'd discuss the year in review, the highlights, the news, and the notable titles that defined 2018. Among other topics, they cover the unfortunate passing of several comics legends over the past year, including Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, and Marie Severin. (They mistakenly bring up Bernie Wrightson, as well, although he died last year.) They also spend time talking about 2018 being the year that the imprints  Black Crownand Berger Booksreally took off, the 1000th issue of Action Comics, the impact of Tom Kingthis year, Grant Morrison's new work on Green Lantern, and the past year in terms of the Marvel cinematic (and Netflix) universe. While Mike is free to share some of his favorite titles from the past twelve months, Derek is a little reticent because he doesn't want to give away what he'll discuss on next week's year-end episode where he and Stergios reveal what each considers their favorites of 2018. Stay turned for that!  And remember, The Comics Alternative's on-location series is part of the Queen City Podcast Network. Check out the other great shows that make up this audio community!

Mike and Derek are back at <a href="http://www.heroesonline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heroes Aren't Hard to Find</a>in Charlotte, NC, for their December show. It's been a couple of months since their last visit to the shop -- this past fall was difficult for everyone -- but the guys are excited to sit down among customers and talk comics. And this being the end of 2018, they thought they'd discuss the year in review, the highlights, the news, and the notable titles that defined 2018. Among other topics, they cover the unfortunate passing of several comics legends over the past year, including Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, and Marie Severin. (They mistakenly bring up Bernie Wrightson, as well, although he died last year.) They also spend time talking about 2018 being the year that the imprints <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684052718/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684052718&amp;linkId=e9f5ea09e3f5fb2f3bf0eb098c71634c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Black Crown</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/150670669X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=150670669X&amp;linkId=ab7d679cae839c68bc229451fe03055e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Berger Books</a>really took off, the 1000th issue of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Action-Comics-Years-Superman-Deluxe/dp/1401278876/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=69eb016e299d44db8bc852f7a519dcd9&amp;creativeASIN=1401278876" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Action Comics</a>, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mister-Miracle-Tom-King/dp/1401283543/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=615f052b44830c02c9c7ccb586abf9fd&amp;creativeASIN=1401283543" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">impact of Tom King</a>this year, Grant Morrison's new work on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401291392/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1401291392&amp;linkId=1b29ea7d928fdf1400c3390fb8aab739" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green Lantern</a>, and the past year in terms of the Marvel cinematic (and Netflix) universe. While Mike is free to share some of his favorite titles from the past twelve months, Derek is a little reticent because he doesn't want to give away what he'll discuss on next week's year-end episode where he and Stergios reveal what each considers their favorites of 2018. Stay turned for that! <a href="https://www.queencitypodcastnetwork.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> And remember, The Comics Alternative's on-location series is part of the <a href="https://www.queencitypodcastnetwork.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queen City Podcast Network</a>. Check out the other great shows that make up this audio community!

On Location: The December Visit to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find

A weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

I am glad to hear information and analysis of comics that aren&#39;t superheroes.  I agree with the 2Guys + others assessment that the alternative comics get less attention than their superhero counterparts.  I love that the Comics Alternative fills that niche.  I always try to keep up with all of the wonderful content they provide.  You can choose to only listen to the regular episodes, the special interest episodes, or do what I do and listen to everything!  I cannot recommend this podcast highly enough!

Great, interesting comics podcast

This is perhaps the most insightful comics-related podcasts out there. Fanboy/girl podcasts with “geek this” or “nerd that” are a dime a dozen, and those almost always focus on superheroes and mainstream comics ad infinitum. The hosts of this podcast make an effort to discuss small press and indie comics, regardless of style and genre. I’ve discovered so many great titles by listening to these guys. Their insightful, democratic, and humorous analysis should be a model for other podcasters. They’re the Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert of comics talk!

Smart Talk about Comics

The Comics Alternative

Time Codes:  00:00:30 - Introduction 00:02:45 - Being away 00:04:40 - DC Comics before Superman  00:44:12 - My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies  01:14:21 - Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1  01:29:48 - Wrap up 01:30:43 - Contact us    This week Sterg and Derek check out three intriguing, yet very different, titles. They begin with Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson's DC Comics before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's Pulp Comics(Hermes Press). This is a collection of comics written or inspired by the writing of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and an overview of the pre-Superman history of the publisher. After that they look at Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips's My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies(Image Comics), the latest noir narrative in their Criminal series. And then the guys wrap up with Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1, Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's return to their Umbrella Academyworld.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:30 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:45 - Being away</li> <li>00:04:40 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DC-Comics-Before-Superman-Wheeler-Nicholsons/dp/1613451644/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=76c952071ba1fbb5b66971cfc1c49279&amp;creativeASIN=1613451644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DC Comics before Superman</a> </li> <li>00:44:12 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Have-Always-Been-Junkies/dp/1534308466/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e29551c597dbbf655f3f8faca0365c23&amp;creativeASIN=1534308466" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies</a> </li> <li>01:14:21 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47002425&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1</a> </li> <li>01:29:48 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:30:43 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21452" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> This week Sterg and Derek check out three intriguing, yet very different, titles. They begin with Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DC-Comics-Before-Superman-Wheeler-Nicholsons/dp/1613451644/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=76c952071ba1fbb5b66971cfc1c49279&amp;creativeASIN=1613451644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DC Comics before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's Pulp Comics</a>(Hermes Press). This is a collection of comics written or inspired by the writing of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and an overview of the pre-Superman history of the publisher. After that they look at Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Have-Always-Been-Junkies/dp/1534308466/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e29551c597dbbf655f3f8faca0365c23&amp;creativeASIN=1534308466" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies</a>(Image Comics), the latest noir narrative in their Criminal series. And then the guys wrap up with <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=47002425&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1</a>, Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's return to their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Umbrella-Academy-Vol-1/dp/1593079788/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=9b4de8de09bcd21489e1bce792d9b889&amp;creativeASIN=1593079788" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Umbrella Academy</a>world.

Episode 297: Reviews of DC Comics before Superman, My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, and Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1

Time Codes:  00:00:28 - Introduction 00:02:47 - Catching up 00:05:57 - My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness  00:50:05 - Golden Kamuy, Vol. 1  01:22:31 - Wrap up 01:23:25 - Contact us     It's the end of the month, so that must mean that it's time for Shea and Derek to discuss their latest manga recommendations. They begin with Kabi Nagata's My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness (Seven Seas Entertainment), a deeply personal autobiographical work whose title is perhaps more provocative than it is revealing. In fact, the guys spend a good bit of time talking about the underlying impulses embedded in the text and how sexual preferences take a backseat to the deeper longings that Nagata reveals. This is a manga all about self-discovery, a diary-like account of the author's attempts to understand herself within the context of her culture and her yearning for what she calls “next level communication.” As Derek and Shea highlight, this is in some ways an example yuri manga, but at the same time such a designation doesn't do the text justice. Next, they look at the first volume of Satoru Noda's Golden Kamuy (VIZ Media). This is a more realistically based narrative that takes place in the wake of the Russo-Japanese War. The protagonist, Saichi Sugimoto, gained a reputation during the war as an almost invulnerable hero, but he lives his post-war years unsuccessfully prospecting for gold in the Hokkaido region. There he befriends a young Ainu woman, Asirpa, and together they begin hunting down a legendary hidden treasure with a violent pedigree. Both Shea and Derek appreciate the story's realism and historical context -- in many ways, this is a didactic text -- but they're not yet sure of how Noda will handle the indigenous Ainu culture. That being said, they're both definitely on board for future volumes.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:28 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:47 - Catching up</li> <li>00:05:57 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lesbian-Experience-Loneliness-Kabi-Nagata/dp/1626926034/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=2311458d9f2fca0b9ed61dcacb19f5ef&amp;creativeASIN=1626926034" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness</a> </li> <li>00:50:05 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Kamuy-Vol-Satoru-Noda/dp/1421594889/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=683ff0b3716672ee3bdd2c534fef20f9&amp;creativeASIN=1421594889" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Kamuy, Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>01:22:31 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:23:25 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=18266" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> It's the end of the month, so that must mean that it's time for Shea and Derek to discuss their latest manga recommendations. They begin with Kabi Nagata's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lesbian-Experience-Loneliness-Kabi-Nagata/dp/1626926034/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=2311458d9f2fca0b9ed61dcacb19f5ef&amp;creativeASIN=1626926034" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness</a> (Seven Seas Entertainment), a deeply personal autobiographical work whose title is perhaps more provocative than it is revealing. In fact, the guys spend a good bit of time talking about the underlying impulses embedded in the text and how sexual preferences take a backseat to the deeper longings that Nagata reveals. This is a manga all about self-discovery, a diary-like account of the author's attempts to understand herself within the context of her culture and her yearning for what she calls “next level communication.” As Derek and Shea highlight, this is in some ways an example yuri manga, but at the same time such a designation doesn't do the text justice. Next, they look at the first volume of Satoru Noda's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Kamuy-Vol-Satoru-Noda/dp/1421594889/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=683ff0b3716672ee3bdd2c534fef20f9&amp;creativeASIN=1421594889" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Kamuy</a> (VIZ Media). This is a more realistically based narrative that takes place in the wake of the Russo-Japanese War. The protagonist, Saichi Sugimoto, gained a reputation during the war as an almost invulnerable hero, but he lives his post-war years unsuccessfully prospecting for gold in the Hokkaido region. There he befriends a young Ainu woman, Asirpa, and together they begin hunting down a legendary hidden treasure with a violent pedigree. Both Shea and Derek appreciate the story's realism and historical context -- in many ways, this is a didactic text -- but they're not yet sure of how Noda will handle the indigenous Ainu culture. That being said, they're both definitely on board for future volumes.

Manga: Reviews of My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness and Golden Kamuy

Karen Berger

Time Codes:  00:00:24 - Introduction 00:03:01 - Setup of interview 00:04:46 - Interview with Karen Berger  01:15:04 - Wrap up 01:17:14 - Contact us    Paul and Derek are excited to have Karen Berger on The Comics Alternative. The first release from her new Dark Horse Comics imprint, Berger Books, occurs next week, and the guys talk with Karen on the cusp of this event. The Two Guys ask their guest about the genesis of Berger Books as well as her efforts in launching new titles -- such as Hungry Ghosts, Incognegro: Rennaisance, Mata Hari, and The Seeds -- and securing impressive talent. But they also talk with Karen about her time working at DC Comics and establishing the industry-defining Vertigo brand. This is a fun and informative interview, and Karen Berger is one of the most engaging and pleasant guests the Two Guys have ever had on the podcast.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:24 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:01 - Setup of interview</li> <li>00:04:46 - Interview with <a href="https://www.darkhorse.com/Search/Berger" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Karen Berger</a> </li> <li>01:15:04 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:17:14 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=19415" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Paul and Derek are excited to have Karen Berger on The Comics Alternative. The first release from her new Dark Horse Comics imprint, Berger Books, occurs next week, and the guys talk with Karen on the cusp of this event. The Two Guys ask their guest about the genesis of Berger Books as well as her efforts in launching new titles -- such as <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=45253920&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hungry Ghosts</a>, <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=45439764&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Incognegro: Rennaisance</a>, <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=45439804&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mata Hari</a>, and The Seeds -- and securing impressive talent. But they also talk with Karen about her time working at DC Comics and establishing the industry-defining Vertigo brand. This is a fun and informative interview, and Karen Berger is one of the most engaging and pleasant guests the Two Guys have ever had on the podcast.

Comics Alternative Interviews: Karen Berger

Gene and Derek are back for another look at the current month's Previews catalog. This one may not be as long an episode as last month's Previewshow -- which clocked in at just under three hours -- but it's nonetheless hefty. (Well...actually, it is almost as long as the March show.) They begin this week by discussing the new changes appearing in Previewsbeginning in April. They point out the additions of BOOM! Studios and Dynamite Entertainment in the premiere publishers section, prominently displayed in the front of the catalog; the reorganizations of solicits in a new manga section; the shake-up of what had been the book section; the flip arrangement with the toy and merchandise sections; and next month's departure of DC Comics' solicitations into their own supplemental catalog. After that, and several cynical comments (primarily from Derek), they get into the nitty gritty of the April Previewscatalog, highlighting a variety of titles from such publishers as:  Dark Horse Comics - Sword Daughter#1, Likely Stories, Gantz Omnibus Vol. 1, Hercules: Adventures of the Man-God, and EC Archives: War Against Crime Vol. 1  DC Comics/Vertigo - Plastic Man#1 and American Vampire Omnibus Vol. 1  IDW Publishing/Top Shelf - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest#1, Look Back and Laugh, Comic Book History of Comics: Comics for All, The Unknown Anti-War Comics, and Burmese Moon  Image Comics - The Magic Order #1, The Weatherman#1, Proxima Centuri#1, Shanghai Red#1, and The Red Hook Vol. 1  Dynamite Entertainment - Nancy Drew#1 BOOM! Studios - By Night#1, Planet of the Apes Visionaries: Rod Serling, and Sanpaku  Arcade Publishing - Broken Glory: The Final Years of Robert F. Kennedy  Archie Comics - Cosmo: The Complete Merry Martian  Bongo Comics/United Plankton Pictures - Spongebob Comics Annual Giant Swimtacular#6 Conundrum Press - The Curse of Charley Buttersand Feast of Fields  Drawn and Quarterly - A Bubble, Shit Is Real, and The Strange  Fantagraphics Books - Poochytown, Dumb, Death Stand and Other Stories, Fab 4 Mania, and Dull Margaret  First Second - Science Comics: Rockets  Humanoids - Luisa: Now and Thenand Moon Face Deluxe  Knopf Books for Young Readers - Rickety Stitch and Gelatinous Goo, Vol. 2: The Middle-Route Run  Lion Forge - Mae Vol. 1, Mae Vol. 2#1, and Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine  NBM - A Tale of a Thousand and One Nights: Hasib and the Queen of Serpents  Nobrow - Nobrow Vol. 10: Studio Dreams  Oni Press - Shadow Roads#1 Rebellion/2000Ad - Jinty Vol. 1: The Land of No Tears and The Future Zoo  Secret Acres - Entropy  SelfMadeHero - Apollo  Silver Sprocket - Catboy  Titan Comics - Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer #1 and Tyler Cross: Black Rock  Twomorrows Publishing - Comic Book Implosion  Z2 Comics - The Sweetness  Kodansha Comics - Tokyo Tarareba Girls Vol. 1and Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku  Seven Seas Entertainment - Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection  

Gene and Derek are back for another look at the current month's Previews catalog. This one may not be as long an episode as <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/episode-271-the-march-previews-catalog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last month's Previewshow</a> -- which clocked in at just under three hours -- but it's nonetheless hefty. (Well...actually, it is almost as long as the March show.) They begin this week by discussing the new changes appearing in Previewsbeginning in April. They point out the additions of BOOM! Studios and Dynamite Entertainment in the premiere publishers section, prominently displayed in the front of the catalog; the reorganizations of solicits in a new manga section; the shake-up of what had been the book section; the flip arrangement with the toy and merchandise sections; and next month's departure of DC Comics' solicitations into their own supplemental catalog. After that, and several cynical comments (primarily from Derek), they get into the nitty gritty of the April Previewscatalog, highlighting a variety of titles from such publishers as: <ul> <li>Dark Horse Comics - Sword Daughter#1, Likely Stories, Gantz Omnibus Vol. 1, Hercules: Adventures of the Man-God, and EC Archives: War Against Crime Vol. 1 </li> <li>DC Comics/Vertigo - Plastic Man#1 and American Vampire Omnibus Vol. 1 </li> <li>IDW Publishing/Top Shelf - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest#1, Look Back and Laugh, Comic Book History of Comics: Comics for All, The Unknown Anti-War Comics, and Burmese Moon </li> <li>Image Comics - The Magic Order #1, The Weatherman#1, Proxima Centuri#1, Shanghai Red#1, and The Red Hook Vol. 1 </li> <li>Dynamite Entertainment - Nancy Drew#1</li> <li>BOOM! Studios - By Night#1, Planet of the Apes Visionaries: Rod Serling, and Sanpaku </li> <li>Arcade Publishing - Broken Glory: The Final Years of Robert F. Kennedy </li> <li>Archie Comics - Cosmo: The Complete Merry Martian </li> <li>Bongo Comics/United Plankton Pictures - Spongebob Comics Annual Giant Swimtacular#6</li> <li>Conundrum Press - The Curse of Charley Buttersand Feast of Fields </li> <li>Drawn and Quarterly - A Bubble, Shit Is Real, and The Strange </li> <li>Fantagraphics Books - Poochytown, Dumb, Death Stand and Other Stories, Fab 4 Mania, and Dull Margaret </li> <li>First Second - Science Comics: Rockets </li> <li>Humanoids - Luisa: Now and Thenand Moon Face Deluxe </li> <li>Knopf Books for Young Readers - Rickety Stitch and Gelatinous Goo, Vol. 2: The Middle-Route Run </li> <li>Lion Forge - Mae Vol. 1, Mae Vol. 2#1, and Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine </li> <li>NBM - A Tale of a Thousand and One Nights: Hasib and the Queen of Serpents </li> <li>Nobrow - Nobrow Vol. 10: Studio Dreams </li> <li>Oni Press - Shadow Roads#1</li> <li>Rebellion/2000Ad - Jinty Vol. 1: The Land of No Tears and The Future Zoo </li> <li>Secret Acres - Entropy </li> <li>SelfMadeHero - Apollo </li> <li>Silver Sprocket - Catboy </li> <li>Titan Comics - Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer #1 and Tyler Cross: Black Rock </li> <li>Twomorrows Publishing - Comic Book Implosion </li> <li>Z2 Comics - The Sweetness </li> <li>Kodansha Comics - Tokyo Tarareba Girls Vol. 1and Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku </li> <li>Seven Seas Entertainment - Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection </li> </ul>

Episode 275: The April Previews Catalog

It's that time again! It's the beginning of the month, and the latest issue of the Previews catalog is out. And as they always do, the Two Guys meticulously go through the latest solicits, highlighting a variety of upcoming titles in Previewsthat they're interested in or they think is worth considering. Among the many publishers and titles that they focus on in the August catalog include:  Image Comics - Blackbird#1, Dead Rabbit#1, Exorsisters#1, Juke Joint#1, Wytches: Bad Egg Halloween Special, Norroway Book 1: The Black Bull of Norroway, Men of Wrath, and Royalboiler: Brandon Graham's Drawn Out Collection  Dark Horse Comics - Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion#1, Black Hammer: Age of Doom#8, and EC Archives: Vault of Horror Vol. 5  DC Comics/Vertigo - Cursed Comics Cavalcade#1, The Books of Magic#1, Lucifer#1, Hex Wives#1, and Vertigo: A Celebration of 25 Years  IDW Publishing - Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle#1-#5, The Highest House, Mattéo Book One: 1914-1915, The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories, Lodger#1, and Supers, Book One  Dynamite Entertainment - The Lone Ranger#1, James Bond: The Body, and The Spirit: Corpse-Makers  BOOM! Studios - Adventure Time Season 11#1, Sparrowhawk#1, Hex Vet: Witches in Training, I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation, and The Sons of El Topo Vol 1: Cain  Abrams Comicarts - Run: Book One  Adhouse - Live/Work#2 Aftershock Comics - Dead Kings#1, The Last Space Race#1, and Lollipop Kids#1 Ah Comics - Mark Twain's Niagara Book  Ahoy Comics - Captain Ginger#1 and Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror#1 Animal Media Group - Queen of Kenosha  Black Mask Studios - Sex Death Revolution#1 Candlewick Press - Lost Soul, Be at Peace  Conundrum Press - Flem  Fantagraphics Books - Kramer's Ergot 10, Love and Rockets Vol. IV#6, Fante Bukowski Three: A Perfect Failure, and The Crumb Compendium  First Second - Last Pick Vol. 1, Science Comics: The Brain, On a Sunbeam, Secret Coders Vol. 6: Monsters and Modules, The Unsinkable Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon, and The Zita the Spacegirl Trilogy Box Set  Gallery 13 - To Build a Fire  Graphix - The Hidden Witch  Harper Collins Publishers - To Kill a Mockingbird  Humanoids - My New York Marathonand Superman Isn't Jewish (But I Am Kinda)  Iron Circus Comics - The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories  Learner Publishing Group - Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper  Lion Forge - Petit, Quantum Mechanics, and Timothy Top  NBM - Of Blood and Dust  New York Review Comics - Piero  Oni Press - Merry Men  Pantheon Books - Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation  Pegasus - The First Man: The Graphic Novel  Quirk Books - The League of Regrettable Sidekicks  Renegade Arts Entertainment - Frank  Scribner - Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home  SelfMadeHero - Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol, H.P. Lovecraft: Four Classic Horror Stories, and Wolf  Silver Sprocket - Snowbirdand You Can Try Again  Souring Penguin Press - Daisy Blackwood: Pilot for Hire, Vol. 1  Triangle Square - Zenobia  VIZ Media - Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection, Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Vol. 3, and Ao Haru Ride Vol. 1  Yen Press - Crush  Kodansha Comics - Battle Angel Alita: Holy Nights and Other Stories  Seven Seas Entertainment - Wonderland Vol. 1  Vertical Comics - Pop Team Epic Vol. 1  

It's that time again! It's the beginning of the month, and the latest issue of the Previews catalog is out. And as they always do, the Two Guys meticulously go through the latest solicits, highlighting a variety of upcoming titles in Previewsthat they're interested in or they think is worth considering. Among the many publishers and titles that they focus on in the August catalog include: <ul> <li>Image Comics - Blackbird#1, Dead Rabbit#1, Exorsisters#1, Juke Joint#1, Wytches: Bad Egg Halloween Special, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norroway-Book-Black-Bull/dp/1534308555/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=0f913f3e236f2772be8872823bece48d&amp;creativeASIN=1534308555" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Norroway Book 1: The Black Bull of Norroway</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534308598/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1534308598&amp;linkId=d50ba66879ca6112df18290b8ff2533c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Men of Wrath</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534308539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1534308539&amp;linkId=588ad663014f15d1d30cc476ff8c1bef" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Royalboiler: Brandon Graham's Drawn Out Collection</a> </li> <li>Dark Horse Comics - Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion#1, Black Hammer: Age of Doom#8, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506706517/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506706517&amp;linkId=3caa18b18c10b92b297258119b1c098b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EC Archives: Vault of Horror Vol. 5</a> </li> <li>DC Comics/Vertigo - Cursed Comics Cavalcade#1, The Books of Magic#1, Lucifer#1, Hex Wives#1, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401282016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1401282016&amp;linkId=c8a5fc14af10e9265a720dc6cda68da0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vertigo: A Celebration of 25 Years</a> </li> <li>IDW Publishing - Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle#1-#5, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684053544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684053544&amp;linkId=3b9146aa5cddb9e5d4b75fbd606ba1b1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Highest House</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684053811/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684053811&amp;linkId=a7a8666e394153e86ec6fa61efca8e2c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mattéo Book One: 1914-1915</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600107737/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1600107737&amp;linkId=699f499e6bc392f4cf597f9e744d3727" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories</a>, Lodger#1, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603094393/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1603094393&amp;linkId=70b580b0ca1036359b79009ce6ca472e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Supers, Book One</a> </li> <li>Dynamite Entertainment - The Lone Ranger#1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1524107565/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1524107565&amp;linkId=0e79f1c564eab397a4882508555278e0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Bond: The Body</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Will-Eisners-Spirit-Francesco-Francavilla/dp/1524104817/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=3bc9b2378c7c594af7f04d26609c778b&amp;creativeASIN=1524104817" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Spirit: Corpse-Makers</a> </li> <li>BOOM! Studios - Adventure Time Season 11#1, Sparrowhawk#1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684152887/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684152887&amp;linkId=77fdd421b4818c700977cdcffdc3decf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hex Vet: Witches in Training</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684152917/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684152917&amp;linkId=df7b174bcc088b67e8c351f2d4080caf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684152895/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684152895&amp;linkId=6d47cfd66c3c03db4d6597dfe0c6906d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sons of El Topo Vol 1: Cain</a> </li> <li>Abrams Comicarts - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JZ1C2K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B079JZ1C2K&amp;linkId=2fe9dc6fb053183dd1ea04eeb858cbbb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Run: Book One</a> </li> <li>Adhouse - Live/Work#2</li> <li>Aftershock Comics - Dead Kings#1, The Last Space Race#1, and Lollipop Kids#1</li> <li>Ah Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0987715275/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0987715275&amp;linkId=f77bfa77bb49f142e22c333866124fa9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark Twain's Niagara Book</a> </li> <li>Ahoy Comics - Captain Ginger#1 and Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror#1</li> <li>Animal Media Group - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997431520/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0997431520&amp;linkId=04b935386871f84f5ae965cf695db83d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queen of Kenosha</a> </li> <li>Black Mask Studios - Sex Death Revolution#1</li> <li>Candlewick Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763694193/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0763694193&amp;linkId=67c7a421b67dcce1acaf7da12c1635cd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lost Soul, Be at Peace</a> </li> <li>Conundrum Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1772620289/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1772620289&amp;linkId=37f09fe61b5e8d1509947331ba57cbbc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flem</a> </li> <li>Fantagraphics Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kramers-Ergot-10-Robert-Crumb/dp/1683960890/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=2f8d6a4e22b57982ad6c0b999aca083c&amp;creativeASIN=1683960890" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kramer's Ergot 10</a>, Love and Rockets Vol. IV#6, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961315/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961315&amp;linkId=505533a3e6d6eb851ba0b8bea42d5d1b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fante Bukowski Three: A Perfect Failure</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1606995014/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1606995014&amp;linkId=1d9d62790e498a6c90dc496503fa3a9e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Crumb Compendium</a> </li> <li>First Second - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626728909/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626728909&amp;linkId=d91c99e8a33024f5cec2ffdb7d89812e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Last Pick Vol. 1</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Science-Comics-Ultimate-Thinking-Machine/dp/1626728011/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=d47cf9bc5f5dba59af0287860bb54d6a&amp;creativeASIN=1626728011" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Science Comics: The Brain</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250178134/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1250178134&amp;linkId=9cf3505434f93c9f8238791d2c5e0996" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On a Sunbeam</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626726108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626726108&amp;linkId=18346ab6c732d2c7cea8ba66bfe32eb9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Secret Coders Vol. 6: Monsters and Modules</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596435054/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1596435054&amp;linkId=eb753505d1847ab178828b0ef8ab0bae" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unsinkable Walker Bean and the Knights of the Waxing Moon</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250180333/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1250180333&amp;linkId=a94c92957bd8d1aea0a48d6ff5c048b4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Zita the Spacegirl Trilogy Box Set</a> </li> <li>Gallery 13 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1982100826/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1982100826&amp;linkId=c48197f8aff684b26336a47a8986cfe7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">To Build a Fire</a> </li> <li>Graphix - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1338253751/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1338253751&amp;linkId=110d8dec4156c51311f9648c93e6bbbf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hidden Witch</a> </li> <li>Harper Collins Publishers - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062798189/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0062798189&amp;linkId=76f8e50e27d9bd3490498bc725fc3a7d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">To Kill a Mockingbird</a> </li> <li>Humanoids - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594657548/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1594657548&amp;linkId=b8e9b74a6d783ea6e7d4f87ea0d5336b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My New York Marathon</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FL1ZZTP/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07FL1ZZTP&amp;linkId=bab094d2444659e8a389363680748ea8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Superman Isn't Jewish (But I Am Kinda)</a> </li> <li>Iron Circus Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1945820241/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1945820241&amp;linkId=3af98c6bbe1c5cf93e30fdc30974849d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories</a> </li> <li>Learner Publishing Group - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1541526430/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1541526430&amp;linkId=f1f4cefaa5b61fd4c217263c7d8cda33" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper</a> </li> <li>Lion Forge - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1942367775/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1942367775&amp;linkId=3f19dbcc2e5d50f6b60c7f80a0614af3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Petit</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1941302661/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1941302661&amp;linkId=3b17dd0317ea55e2ca8a324017a944d3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quantum Mechanics</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1942367872/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1942367872&amp;linkId=c89b62cbf9b39d33eae493fcf852291c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Timothy Top</a> </li> <li>NBM - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1681121832/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1681121832&amp;linkId=c7d352f046a5e88f383d2a1c8dbf5680" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Of Blood and Dust</a> </li> <li>New York Review Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piero-Edmond-Baudoin/dp/1681372967/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=5441d115bc3a5fd447e01a8f3d82fceb&amp;creativeASIN=1681372967" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Piero</a> </li> <li>Oni Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620105470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1620105470&amp;linkId=1efcfa5670cceac4d749b4cff70c8f52" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merry Men</a> </li> <li>Pantheon Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101871792/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1101871792&amp;linkId=90003f1381a705af00f7c57443a49f18" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation</a> </li> <li>Pegasus - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Man-Graphic-Novel/dp/1681778637/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f4956b06547db32bca90197bc1ea8b30&amp;creativeASIN=1681778637" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The First Man: The Graphic Novel</a> </li> <li>Quirk Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683690761/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683690761&amp;linkId=cfef73cab10b4cd23069f9037743bf5c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The League of Regrettable Sidekicks</a> </li> <li>Renegade Arts Entertainment - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DX9B139/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07DX9B139&amp;linkId=724ecd18154f2cd6519d65a6527e5e71" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frank</a> </li> <li>Scribner - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476796629/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1476796629&amp;linkId=91e2ea2b4ad791d8523735cee8bc5952" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home</a> </li> <li>SelfMadeHero - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593583/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593583&amp;linkId=fbae9dfbee020baf5aaefac091693b9c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593567/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593567&amp;linkId=dfe966dc035fff507a26f384704cb7fe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.P. Lovecraft: Four Classic Horror Stories</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910593540/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910593540&amp;linkId=d834450778fda568f3f82482a410084e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wolf</a> </li> <li>Silver Sprocket - Snowbirdand You Can Try Again </li> <li>Souring Penguin Press - Daisy Blackwood: Pilot for Hire, Vol. 1 </li> <li>Triangle Square - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1609808738/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1609808738&amp;linkId=11e154321a12d539126d331a5d6f50f3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zenobia</a> </li> <li>VIZ Media - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974703762/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974703762&amp;linkId=f28f3b0a5f20996a67462e877f3e560a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974703185/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974703185&amp;linkId=e10b4ed0b7b5cd15b575f2dac3bf878c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421599589/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1421599589&amp;linkId=0f71e8e5b6e68b5ae427d2379e7a527a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Vol. 3</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974702650/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974702650&amp;linkId=f7f677a8d78002ee2d4e2f6be9f2ba34" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ao Haru Ride Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>Yen Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1975380959/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1975380959&amp;linkId=34d42c913f09e1d50688883a8fb82aea" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crush</a> </li> <li>Kodansha Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1632367106/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1632367106&amp;linkId=eb64418ecf40bafdcf07ef71350e642e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Battle Angel Alita: Holy Nights and Other Stories</a> </li> <li>Seven Seas Entertainment - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626929084/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626929084&amp;linkId=c6de425f2fb6cefe64dd649893bdc560" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wonderland Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>Vertical Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1947194194/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1947194194&amp;linkId=b60c17700445584e885ea29117fcca9c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pop Team Epic Vol. 1</a> </li> </ul>

Episode 289: The August Previews Catalog

Summer Pierre

Time Codes:  00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:37 - Setup of interview 00:04:33 - Interview with Summer Pierre  01:19:14 - Wrap up 01:20:13 - Contact us    The Two Guys were first introduced to the work of Summer Pierre during June of 2017. At the time, they were wanting to do a special episode of The Comics Alternative devoted to self-published creators, and John Porcellino recommended to Derek that they check out the work of Summer Pierre. At the time her minicomic Paper Pencil Life was at its fourth issue, and so they went to her website to get the full run of the title up to that point. They were impressed by her art and storytelling, and since then, Derek has made it a point of following Summer's work. She had told him last year in an email that she planned to have a new graphic memoir coming out from Retrofit in 2018, and at this week’s Small Press Expo that book will officially debut. All the Sad Songs is a moving account of the role of music in Summer’s life, from the creation of mix tapes to her performances as a musician, and how that music is linked to key moments with her various relationships and her growth as an artist. In many ways this book is a work of remembrance, but it’s not soaked in the kind of nostalgia that would come across as sentimental. On the contrary, Summer takes a hard look at herself during those times in her life, bearing herself in ways that, at times, may be a bit uncomfortable. But her story is authentic and speaks from the heart. In this interview, Derek talks with Summer about the genesis of this project, her experiences writing in long-form narrative, the role that music has played in her life, and the potential pitfalls in writing about her past in such an open and honest way. This is an interview that's been a long time in coming, but it was definitely worth the wait.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:24 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:37 - Setup of interview</li> <li>00:04:33 - Interview with <a href="http://summerpierre.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Summer Pierre</a> </li> <li>01:19:14 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:20:13 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21207" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> The Two Guys were first introduced to the work of Summer Pierre during June of 2017. At the time, they were wanting to do a special episode of The Comics Alternative devoted to self-published creators, and John Porcellino recommended to Derek that they check out the work of Summer Pierre. At the time her minicomic <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/summerpierre" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paper Pencil Life</a> was at its fourth issue, and so they went <a href="http://summerpierre.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">to her website</a> to get the full run of the title up to that point. They were impressed by her art and storytelling, and since then, Derek has made it a point of following Summer's work. She had told him last year in an email that she planned to have a new graphic memoir coming out from Retrofit in 2018, and at this week’s Small Press Expo that book will officially debut. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Sad-Songs-Summer-Pierre/dp/1940398762/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=7cdaf7b1a4481efef38b9700672be37b&amp;creativeASIN=1940398762" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All the Sad Songs</a> is a moving account of the role of music in Summer’s life, from the creation of mix tapes to her performances as a musician, and how that music is linked to key moments with her various relationships and her growth as an artist. In many ways this book is a work of remembrance, but it’s not soaked in the kind of nostalgia that would come across as sentimental. On the contrary, Summer takes a hard look at herself during those times in her life, bearing herself in ways that, at times, may be a bit uncomfortable. But her story is authentic and speaks from the heart. In this interview, Derek talks with Summer about the genesis of this project, her experiences writing in long-form narrative, the role that music has played in her life, and the potential pitfalls in writing about her past in such an open and honest way. This is an interview that's been a long time in coming, but it was definitely worth the wait.

Comics Alternative Interviews: Summer Pierre

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 is much more metafiction and self-referential than Part 1, but like the first installment, it includes multiple representations of the author himself, along with encounters with his most notable creations, Arzach, Major Grubert and Malvina, Stel and Atan, and of course Lieutenant Blueberry. The text is free-flowing and surreal, but this is what makes Moebius's self-investigation so notable. Both guys eagerly await the third and final part of Inside Moebiuslater this fall.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:27 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:37 - Setup</li> <li>00:04:06 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Beautiful-Sound-Zep/dp/1684051622/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=a4239bd7ed84e93f507fbadead1a0f0c&amp;creativeASIN=1684051622" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Strange and Beautiful Sound</a> </li> <li>00:39:45 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moebius-Library-Inside-Part/dp/1506704964/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=bbf2581628027d89dfe391fb19cbc961&amp;creativeASIN=1506704964" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inside Moebius, Part 2</a> </li> <li>01:19:19 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:21:02 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20814" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On this month's Euro Comics episode, Pascal and Derek discuss two recent French-language translations. They begin with Zep's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Beautiful-Sound-Zep/dp/1684051622/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=a4239bd7ed84e93f507fbadead1a0f0c&amp;creativeASIN=1684051622" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Strange and Beautiful Sound</a>, 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 href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631409611/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1631409611&amp;linkId=b2cefba92c46fee37bda70e0a2dafe60" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Story of Men</a>, 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, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moebius-Library-Inside-Part/dp/1506704964/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=bbf2581628027d89dfe391fb19cbc961&amp;creativeASIN=1506704964" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inside Moebius, Part 2</a>. The guys begin by contextualizing the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506703208/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506703208&amp;linkId=b6af92501bc0d23f642b470a1c86578f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">first part of this improvisational journal</a>, released earlier this year, and then go into detail about Part 2. This second book is much more metafiction and self-referential than Part 1, but like the first installment, it includes multiple representations of the author himself, along with encounters with his most notable creations, Arzach, Major Grubert and Malvina, Stel and Atan, and of course Lieutenant Blueberry. The text is free-flowing and surreal, but this is what makes Moebius's self-investigation so notable. Both guys eagerly await the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506706045/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506706045&amp;linkId=b4bdd975acbe66d041168837aa4a4e52" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">third and final part of Inside Moebius</a>later this fall.

Euro Comics: Reviews of A Strange and Beautiful Sound and Inside Moebius, Part 2

Noah Van Sciver

Time Codes:  00:01:15 - Introduction 00:03:32 - Setup of interview 00:04:53 - Interview with Noah Van Sciver  01:15:14 - Wrap up 01:16:39 - Contact us    The Two Guys with PhDs are very happy to have back on the podcast Noah Van Sciver. He was first on the show back in March 2015, and a lot of things have changed with him since the guys last talked with Noah (and not just his growing of a mustache). Most significantly, his output has been through the roof! One of the things Sterg and Derek discuss with their guest is the sheer volume of his comics creation. Over the past six months alone he has released four different titles, and from a variety of publishers: Constant Companion (Fantagraphics), Blammo #10(Kilgore Books and comics), One Dirty Tree(Uncivilized Books), and Fante Bukowski 3: A Perfect Failure(Fantagraphics). The guys talk with Noah about his work habits, his penchant for working with different publishers, his ability to juggle different projects at the same time, and his current work and what we can expect from him in the future. And of course, there is a lot of laughter in this episode. Noah is a humorous, and at time quite satirical, writer, yet the humor is often mixed with pathos, as we see not only his autobiographical comics, but most notably in his recent Fante Bukowski. This was a fun interview...and even more fun was had after they turned off the microphones and the guys hung out on Skype to talk about even more matters. Too bad that wasn't captured for the show, but this new interview with Noah Van Sciver is definitely a highlight of Stergios and Derek's year.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:01:15 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:32 - Setup of interview</li> <li>00:04:53 - Interview with <a href="https://nvansciver.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Noah Van Sciver</a> </li> <li>01:15:14 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:16:39 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21686" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> The Two Guys with PhDs are very happy to have back on the podcast Noah Van Sciver. He was first on the show <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/interviews-van-sciver/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">back in March 2015</a>, and a lot of things have changed with him since the guys last talked with Noah (and not just his growing of a mustache). Most significantly, his output has been through the roof! One of the things Sterg and Derek discuss with their guest is the sheer volume of his comics creation. Over the past six months alone he has released four different titles, and from a variety of publishers: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Constant-Companion-Noah-Van-Sciver/dp/1683961560/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=a9632663886c6152c85c68af91585720&amp;creativeASIN=1683961560" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Constant Companion</a> (Fantagraphics), <a href="http://www.kilgorebooks.com/shop/blammo-10-noah-van-sciver" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blammo #10</a>(Kilgore Books and comics), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Dirty-Tree-Noah-Sciver/dp/1941250270/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f0fd67c573d94c88b167fe522d4377d2&amp;creativeASIN=1941250270" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One Dirty Tree</a>(Uncivilized Books), and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fante-Bukowski-Three-Perfect-Failure/dp/1683961315/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=5015cdeb4694ec08a1a1cc61179e30b2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961315" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fante Bukowski 3: A Perfect Failure</a>(Fantagraphics). The guys talk with Noah about his work habits, his penchant for working with different publishers, his ability to juggle different projects at the same time, and his current work and what we can expect from him in the future. And of course, there is a lot of laughter in this episode. Noah is a humorous, and at time quite satirical, writer, yet the humor is often mixed with pathos, as we see not only his autobiographical comics, but most notably in his recent Fante Bukowski. This was a fun interview...and even more fun was had after they turned off the microphones and the guys hung out on Skype to talk about even more matters. Too bad that wasn't captured for the show, but this new interview with Noah Van Sciver is definitely a highlight of Stergios and Derek's year.

Comics Alternative Interviews: Back with Noah Van Sciver

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, James F. Wrightand Jackie Crofts, Scott Wegener, Natalie Andrewson, and Michael Eury. Stay tuned over the next week for moreHeroesCon episodes!

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:25 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:10 - Setup of episode</li> <li>00:03:16 - <a href="https://imagecomics.com/creators/view/rich-tommaso" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rich Tommaso</a> </li> <li>00:13:31 - <a href="https://steveconley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Conley</a> </li> <li>00:18:55 - <a href="http://miltonlawson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Milton Lawson</a> </li> <li>00:27:11 - <a href="http://www.naomifranq.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Naomi Franquiz</a> </li> <li>00:31:53 - <a href="https://www.davechisholmmusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Chisholm</a> </li> <li>00:41:45 - <a href="http://www.jamesfwrites.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James F. Wright</a>and <a href="http://jackiecrofts.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jackie Crofts</a> </li> <li>00:49:57 - <a href="http://swegener.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Wegener</a> </li> <li>00:58:57 - <a href="http://natalie-andrewson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Natalie Andrewson</a> </li> <li>01:09:08 - <a href="http://twomorrows.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Eury</a> </li> <li>01:17:05 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:17:43 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/on-location-heroescon2015-2/heroesconinterviews/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> This past weekend was HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC. It was a great convention, organized by the folks at <a href="http://www.heroesonline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find</a>. 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, <a href="https://imagecomics.com/creators/view/rich-tommaso" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rich Tommaso</a>, <a href="https://steveconley.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Conley</a>, <a href="http://miltonlawson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Milton Lawson</a>, <a href="http://www.naomifranq.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Naomi Franquiz</a>, <a href="https://www.davechisholmmusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Chisholm</a>, <a href="http://www.jamesfwrites.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James F. Wright</a>and <a href="http://jackiecrofts.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jackie Crofts</a>, <a href="http://swegener.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Wegener</a>, <a href="http://natalie-andrewson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Natalie Andrewson</a>, and <a href="http://twomorrows.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Eury</a>. Stay tuned over the next week for moreHeroesCon episodes!

On Location: Talking with Creators at HeroesCon 2018

Time Codes:  00:01:23 - Introduction 00:03:26 - Live streaming again...and some context 00:06:25 - The Best American Comics 2018  01:39:33 - Wrap up 01:41:03 - Contact us    As they always do, the Two Guys with PhDs use their penultimate show of the year to discuss the current volume of The Best American Comics. this year guest edited by Phoebe Gloeckner. Earlier in the week they released their interview with Bill Kartalopoulos, the series editor, about the 2018 collection, and in that conversation they talked about the process of pulling the anthology together and Bill's experiences working with Gloeckner. But on this episode, Sterg and Derek discuss the actual content of volume. Among other topics, they highlight the "best of" contributions from creators they were already familiar with -- e.g., Gabrielle Bell, Geof Darrow, Guy Delisle, Jaime Hernandez, Jesse Jacobs, Joe Ollman, Gary Panter, Keiler Roberts, and Ariel Schrag -- and also talk excitedly about artists they hadn't yet discovered, including Margot Ferrick, Julia Jacquette, Julian Glander, Chloë Perkis, and Lale Westvind. In all, it's another great of Best American Comics! Go to The Comics Alternative's YouTube channelif you want to see the recording of the guys' live-streaming broadcast of this show!

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:01:23 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:26 - Live streaming again...and some context</li> <li>00:06:25 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Comics-2018-%C2%AE/dp/1328464601/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=b51e6f89daa5f18390164710e6e4710c&amp;creativeASIN=1328464601" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best American Comics 2018</a> </li> <li>01:39:33 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:41:03 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21750" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> As they always do, the Two Guys with PhDs use their penultimate show of the year to discuss the current volume of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Comics-2018-%C2%AE/dp/1328464601/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=b51e6f89daa5f18390164710e6e4710c&amp;creativeASIN=1328464601" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best American Comics</a>. this year guest edited by Phoebe Gloeckner. Earlier in the week they released their <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/comics-alternative-interviews-back-again-with-bill-kartalopoulous/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">interview with Bill Kartalopoulos</a>, the series editor, about the 2018 collection, and in that conversation they talked about the process of pulling the anthology together and Bill's experiences working with Gloeckner. But on this episode, Sterg and Derek discuss the actual content of volume. Among other topics, they highlight the "best of" contributions from creators they were already familiar with -- e.g., Gabrielle Bell, Geof Darrow, Guy Delisle, Jaime Hernandez, Jesse Jacobs, Joe Ollman, Gary Panter, Keiler Roberts, and Ariel Schrag -- and also talk excitedly about artists they hadn't yet discovered, including Margot Ferrick, Julia Jacquette, Julian Glander, Chloë Perkis, and Lale Westvind. In all, it's another great of Best American Comics! Go to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_BzHWbzatve22HdxrPOZA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Comics Alternative's YouTube channel</a>if you want to see the recording of the guys' <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAKpkQlE2w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">live-streaming broadcast of this show</a>!

Episode 302: A Review of The Best American Comics 2018

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 the Castle of Cancatervater, A. Degen challenges the boundaries of storytelling, and Paul and Derek have fun attempting to decipher the text. And it says something that, compared with the work of A. Degen, Michael DeForge's latest book A Western World is understandable and more "traditional." This is a collection of various DeForge stories, some of them previously published in his Loseseries, and it would serve as a great introduction to the creator's style. Next, they focus on the latest installment of Ben Sears's Double+ world, The Ideal Copy. Following 2016's Night Air and last year's Volcano Trash, this book has Plus Man and Hank out of work as treasure hunters and having to take temporary jobs as caterers...and while doing so inadvertently discovering adventure. Perhaps the most abstract and narratively challenging work of the bunch, Michael Comeau's Winter's Cosmos, is a curious mix of media, photography and illustration. Its the offbeat story of two space travelers on a mission, each with varying degrees of seriousness and dedication. Paul and Derek wrap up their Koyama Press spotlight with a discussion of Fiona Smyth's Somnambulance. This is the longest text of the bunch, and it's a fascinating retrospective of Smyth's comics from the 1980s to present day. For those unfamiliar with this creator's comics, Somnambulanceis the perfect overview.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:26 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:30 - Media attention!</li> <li>00:05:16 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/XTC69-Jessica-Campbell/dp/1927668573/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f4f1b66974e3bffaf1a78642d196b711&amp;creativeASIN=1927668573" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">XTC69</a> </li> <li>00:27:16 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soft-X-Ray-Mindhunters-Degen/dp/1927668530/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=588b196b3d2f68b4e582ef85f308636c&amp;creativeASIN=1927668530" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soft X-Ray/Mindhunters</a> </li> <li>00:48:16 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Western-World-Michael-DeForge/dp/1927668484/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=07dbd9ef280bb3a3935981454842d9c1&amp;creativeASIN=1927668484" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Western World</a> </li> <li>01:07:00 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Copy-Double-Ben-Sears/dp/1927668565/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=962316f6c48173ff672ea3cbe818dc11&amp;creativeASIN=1927668565" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ideal Copy</a> </li> <li>01:16:21 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668557/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668557&amp;linkId=53b2ac49aace22b971e352bb5adf50b2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Winter's Cosmos</a> </li> <li>01:30:43 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Somnambulance-Fiona-Smyth/dp/1927668549/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f6762b17f2a9f73d5d3d0182706f3ac3&amp;creativeASIN=1927668549" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Somnambulance</a> </li> <li>01:51:28 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:54:48 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20798" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> 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 <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/episode-133/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">April 2015</a>and <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/episode-240-a-publisher-spotlight-on-koyama-press/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">May 2017</a>.) 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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/XTC69-Jessica-Campbell/dp/1927668573/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f4f1b66974e3bffaf1a78642d196b711&amp;creativeASIN=1927668573" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">XTC69</a>, a wild science fiction narrative about gender relations and female empowerment. It serves as a great companion piece to her earlier Koyama book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668336/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668336&amp;linkId=2b8c4f96d112404258defd0bab56ef01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot or Not: 20th-Century Male Artists</a>. After that they discuss the largely wordless text, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soft-X-Ray-Mindhunters-Degen/dp/1927668530/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=588b196b3d2f68b4e582ef85f308636c&amp;creativeASIN=1927668530" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soft X-Ray/Mindhunters</a>. As with his previous work, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668166/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668166&amp;linkId=9cb76059f50cbe561f81db7650774392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mighty Star and the Castle of Cancatervater</a>, A. Degen challenges the boundaries of storytelling, and Paul and Derek have fun attempting to decipher the text. And it says something that, compared with the work of A. Degen, Michael DeForge's latest book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Western-World-Michael-DeForge/dp/1927668484/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=07dbd9ef280bb3a3935981454842d9c1&amp;creativeASIN=1927668484" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Western World</a> is understandable and more "traditional." This is a collection of various DeForge stories, some of them previously published in his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668077/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668077&amp;linkId=57b0605ecae638b7e24ee1012d22e068" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lose</a>series, and it would serve as a great introduction to the creator's style. Next, they focus on the latest installment of Ben Sears's Double+ world, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Copy-Double-Ben-Sears/dp/1927668565/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=962316f6c48173ff672ea3cbe818dc11&amp;creativeASIN=1927668565" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ideal Copy</a>. Following 2016's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668298/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668298&amp;linkId=9f9851079b06fd442080c03cb3a420d8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Night Air</a> and last year's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668425/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668425&amp;linkId=4414a46531900eb1fe625f33a0e928c0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Volcano Trash</a>, this book has Plus Man and Hank out of work as treasure hunters and having to take temporary jobs as caterers...and while doing so inadvertently discovering adventure. Perhaps the most abstract and narratively challenging work of the bunch, Michael Comeau's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1927668557/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1927668557&amp;linkId=53b2ac49aace22b971e352bb5adf50b2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Winter's Cosmos</a>, is a curious mix of media, photography and illustration. Its the offbeat story of two space travelers on a mission, each with varying degrees of seriousness and dedication. Paul and Derek wrap up their Koyama Press spotlight with a discussion of Fiona Smyth's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Somnambulance-Fiona-Smyth/dp/1927668549/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=f6762b17f2a9f73d5d3d0182706f3ac3&amp;creativeASIN=1927668549" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Somnambulance</a>. This is the longest text of the bunch, and it's a fascinating retrospective of Smyth's comics from the 1980s to present day. For those unfamiliar with this creator's comics, Somnambulanceis the perfect overview.

Episode 285: Another Publisher Spotlight on Koyama Press

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 Mountains, to visit the land of her mother and grandparents. In many ways, this is a narrative all about identity, in that the author attempts to understand the land of her forebears in order to better understand herself. This is a striking autobiographical work, but as the Two Guys point out, it's unusual that a memoir such as this is written and illustrated by different creators. The guys wrap up this month's episode by visiting a book that is close to Pascal's heart, André Franquin's Die Laughing(Fantagraphics Books). This is a collection of Franquin's Idées noires strips, which are strikingly different from his earlier work in Spirouor his Gastonand Marsupilamicomics. As Derek and Pascal point out, these are more serious and foreboding pieces that reflect a dark peri0d in Franquin's life. And while many of these strips are politically poignant, they are nonetheless timeless and are just as fresh today as when they were first created during the 1970s and 1980s.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:29 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:52 - Pascal reports back from TCAF!</li> <li>00:09:10 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lovecraft-Myth-Cthulhu-Esteban-Maroto/dp/1684051258/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=6c2c5bf39992367687fe0affa3138b9a&amp;creativeASIN=1684051258" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lovecraft: The Myth of Cthulhu</a> </li> <li>00:41:51 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Algeria-Beautiful-America-Olivia-Burton/dp/1941302564/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=4da76e47e6fa9925d02f3d16fdc488ac&amp;creativeASIN=1941302564" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Algeria Is Beautiful Like America</a> </li> <li>01:20:20 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Die-Laughing-Franquin/dp/1683960912/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=9aa732e19a26bf9c13cc39bc15a6000e&amp;creativeASIN=1683960912" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Die Laughing</a> </li> <li>01:51:28 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:52:19 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20569" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> 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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lovecraft-Myth-Cthulhu-Esteban-Maroto/dp/1684051258/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=6c2c5bf39992367687fe0affa3138b9a&amp;creativeASIN=1684051258" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lovecraft: The Myth of Cthulhu</a> (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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Algeria-Beautiful-America-Olivia-Burton/dp/1941302564/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=4da76e47e6fa9925d02f3d16fdc488ac&amp;creativeASIN=1941302564" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Algeria Is Beautiful Like America</a> (Lion Forge). This is a memoir of Burton's journey to Algeria, particularly Algiers and the Aurès Mountains, to visit the land of her mother and grandparents. In many ways, this is a narrative all about identity, in that the author attempts to understand the land of her forebears in order to better understand herself. This is a striking autobiographical work, but as the Two Guys point out, it's unusual that a memoir such as this is written and illustrated by different creators. The guys wrap up this month's episode by visiting a book that is close to Pascal's heart, André Franquin's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Die-Laughing-Franquin/dp/1683960912/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=9aa732e19a26bf9c13cc39bc15a6000e&amp;creativeASIN=1683960912" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Die Laughing</a>(Fantagraphics Books). This is a collection of Franquin's Idées noires strips, which are strikingly different from his earlier work in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849183627/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1849183627&amp;linkId=d5746ddd478b58da9f23d85b97e92a5a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spirou</a>or his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Goof-Gomer-Franquin/dp/1849183589/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=50086702e1eed94a2cf814bed554ae86&amp;creativeASIN=1849183589" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gaston</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849183635/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1849183635&amp;linkId=08a2b0c82b2eb70a7c49c6864c44225d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Marsupilami</a>comics. As Derek and Pascal point out, these are more serious and foreboding pieces that reflect a dark peri0d in Franquin's life. And while many of these strips are politically poignant, they are nonetheless timeless and are just as fresh today as when they were first created during the 1970s and 1980s.

Euro Comics: Reviews of Lovecraft: The Myth of Cthulhu, Algeria Is Beautiful Like America, and Die Laughing

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): Under the River, by Campbell Whyte (Top Shelf)  Nightlights, by Lorena Alvarez (Nobrow)  The Tea Dragon Society, by Katie O’Neill (Oni)  Wallace the Brave, by Will Henry (Andrews McMeel)   Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)   The Dam Keeper, by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi (First Second/Tonko House)  Jane, by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)  Louis Undercover, by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault, translated by Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou (Groundwood Books/House of Anansi)  Monstress, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Image)  Spinning, by Tillie Walden (First Second)  In addition to reviewing each nominated text, the duo refers listeners to The Comics Alternativearchives for the shows that reference these nominees: Good Night, Planet by Liniers; Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez; The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi; and Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda. Paul and Gwen use this episode to launch a general discussion of age designations and categorization of children’s and YA comics, and they reference the art of Bolivian painter and lithographer Graciela Rodo Boulanger, whose depiction of children resembles that found in Campbell Whyte’s Home Time. So, won’t you pour yourself a chilly beverage, kick back, and give a listen to the two PhDs -- more on Paul’s recent doctoral graduation from University of California-Berkeley will appear in the June podcast -- for a rundown of this year’s Eisner nominees.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:31 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:19 - Setup of the discussion</li> <li>00:05:04 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Early Readers category </li> <li>00:51:47 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Kids category</li> <li>01:31:45 - Nominees in the Best Publication for Teens category</li> <li>02:20:32 - Wrap up</li> <li>02:26:03 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> 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: <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20594" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8) <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1943145164/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1943145164&amp;linkId=ba6f6eae81fc72a45fa1756bba121887" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adele in Sand Land</a>, by Claude Ponti, translated by Skeeter Grant and Françoise Mouly (Toon Books)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1911171038/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1911171038&amp;linkId=0074d65c1f2db315f6878b5d21849bcc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arthur and the Golden Rope</a>, by Joe Todd-Stanton (Flying Eye/Nobrow)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Egg-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0062408720/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=b49956b5f670642fd8659e8c74d7d64f&amp;creativeASIN=0062408720" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Egg</a>, by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1943145202/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1943145202&amp;linkId=f86fa976ae13810a51fe15304dc8b73a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Good Night, Planet</a>, by Liniers (Toon Books)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Tails-Savannah-Frederic-Brremaud/dp/1942367384/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=72a791c287b1a748c48c8db13019c063&amp;creativeASIN=1942367384" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Little Tails in the Savannah</a>, by Frederic Brrémaud and Federico Bertolucci, translated by Mike Kennedy (Lion Forge/Magnetic)</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20595" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12) <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bolivar-Sean-Rubin/dp/1684150698/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=e8701bea89bf3c29410a4123a0355b97&amp;creativeASIN=1684150698" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bolivar</a>, by Sean Rubin (Archaia)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Home-Time-Book-Campbell-Whyte/dp/1603094121/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=b11cbd9e72a0bead2f302d75c01a6630&amp;creativeASIN=1603094121" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Home Time (Book One): Under the River</a>, by Campbell Whyte (Top Shelf)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910620130/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1910620130&amp;linkId=da9ee7614b115ff7f6140e6a6894dac9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nightlights</a>, by Lorena Alvarez (Nobrow)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620104415/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1620104415&amp;linkId=e802a1c67e459b36f13875732b0592c6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Tea Dragon Society</a>, by Katie O’Neill (Oni)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1449489982/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1449489982&amp;linkId=781ef736d07e8a8d3dcf47321386a3d5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wallace the Brave</a>, by Will Henry (Andrews McMeel)</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20596" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17) <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626724261/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626724261&amp;linkId=61efab99cc37a7a2b870c38b53df1eda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Dam Keeper</a>, by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi (First Second/Tonko House)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Aline-McKenna/dp/1608869814/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=822eab825321bc0e04f2bfa84bb2387e&amp;creativeASIN=1608869814" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane</a>, by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554988594/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1554988594&amp;linkId=4279799781bfbd49467f1db665c016f3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Louis Undercover</a>, by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault, translated by Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou (Groundwood Books/House of Anansi)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1632157098/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1632157098&amp;linkId=41a3bf0ad6e7e4a6e7e02f1b9b945986" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monstress</a>, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Image)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626729409/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626729409&amp;linkId=e35e817dc48fdde1804bc7cbbe75b3f8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spinning</a>, by Tillie Walden (First Second)</li> </ul> In addition to reviewing each nominated text, the duo refers listeners to The Comics Alternativearchives for the shows that reference these nominees: <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/young-readers-reviews-of-good-night-planet-the-dam-keeper-and-misfit-city-as-well-as-a-look-back-at-2017/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Good Night, Planet</a> by Liniers; <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/young-readers-reviews-of-nightlights-and-the-best-we-could-do/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nightlights</a> by Lorena Alvarez; <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/young-readers-reviews-of-good-night-planet-the-dam-keeper-and-misfit-city-as-well-as-a-look-back-at-2017/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Dam Keeper</a> by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi; and <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/episode-162-reviews-six-recent-1-issues/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monstress</a> by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda. Paul and Gwen use this episode to launch a general discussion of age designations and categorization of children’s and YA comics, and they reference the art of Bolivian painter and lithographer Graciela Rodo Boulanger, whose depiction of children resembles that found in Campbell Whyte’s Home Time. So, won’t you pour yourself a chilly beverage, kick back, and give a listen to the two PhDs -- more on Paul’s recent doctoral graduation from University of California-Berkeley will appear in the June podcast -- for a rundown of this year’s Eisner nominees.

Young Readers: A Discussion of the Nominees for the 2018 Eisner Awards for the Early Readers, Kids, and Teens Categories

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 Abrams ComicArts - Undocumented: A Worker's Fight  Adhouse - Viewotron#1  Aftershock Comics - Hot Lunch Special#1 Albatross Funnybooks - Hillbilly: Red-Eyed Witchery from Beyond#1 Dial Books - Monster Mayhem  Drawn and Quarterly - Berlin: The Complete Edition, Bad Friends, and Woman World  Fantagraphics Books - Dementia 21, Roly Poly, Penguins, Three Sisters: The Love and Rockets Library, Vol. 14, Tongues#1, and The Fang, Vol. 1  First Second - Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules, Idle Days, and Science Comics: Trees  Humanoids - Victor and Clint  Lerner Publications Group - Life on Earth, Vol. 1: Losing the Girl  Lion Forge - Sheetsand Love Letters to Jane's World  Metropolitan Books - The Arab of the Future, Vol. 3: 1985-1987  Oni Press - Aquicorn Coveand Banana Sunday  Silver Sprocket - Be Your Own Backing Band  Titan Comics - The Prague Coupand Emma G. Wildford  VIZ Media - That Blue Sky Feeling, Vol. 1  

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: <ul> <li>Image Comics - Leviathan #1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534308474/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1534308474&amp;linkId=7527254e4ffe52623f5aedffe5df125e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdy, Vol. 1</a>, Crowded#1, Hey Kids! Comics!#1, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1534309772/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1534309772&amp;linkId=8356df18b7666d84f535c6b6dcabbd4d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lil' Donnie, Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>Dark Horse Comics - The Seeds#1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506710735/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506710735&amp;linkId=dff57a5cab0bf288ac4c68edf8f7666c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Hammer Library Edition, Vol. 1</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506706045/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506706045&amp;linkId=4ba3fad56004f868835a6ad120c78c23" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inside Moebius, Part 3</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506704565/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506704565&amp;linkId=fc1b49f2d030f1937d8c8222960b5bc7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Complete Angel Catbird</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506706509/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506706509&amp;linkId=024841bbbd7e8799ad6ae54bac5d3717" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The EC Archives: The Haunt of Fear, Vol. 5</a>, Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506708838/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506708838&amp;linkId=82c4d1afbd7a95f231313aea7d0f7ca3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Conspiracy of Ravens</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1506709877/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1506709877&amp;linkId=dda9a2ef1374ecdcf8b7232a3a18de91" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mob Psycho 100, Vol. 1</a> </li> <li>DC Comics/Vertigo - The Sandman Universe#1, Pearl#1, Scarlet#1, and The United States of Murder Inc., Vol. 1: Truth </li> <li>IDW Publishing - House Amok#1, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/168405320X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=168405320X&amp;linkId=82807b7be845c777a67048a208120caa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Femme Magnifique: 50 Magnificent Women Who Changed the World</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684053382/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684053382&amp;linkId=a2acddf8b673c0bfd8c4ec83be4842fd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Brown: Black and Proud</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603094385/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1603094385&amp;linkId=e0c7229d707c24e7f8fe5cba94ce2b4d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Girl Town</a> </li> <li>BOOM! Studios - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684152526/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1684152526&amp;linkId=486a996a616e2defe6a76cad988a435b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass</a>and Black Badge#1</li> <li>Abrams ComicArts - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419728547/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1419728547&amp;linkId=936ae8823709d8808a5d831abebcaabe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Undocumented: A Worker's Fight</a> </li> <li>Adhouse - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935233467/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1935233467&amp;linkId=1d7709dbc4d11ccdef3bcd41c272adaa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Viewotron#1</a> </li> <li>Aftershock Comics - Hot Lunch Special#1</li> <li>Albatross Funnybooks - Hillbilly: Red-Eyed Witchery from Beyond#1</li> <li>Dial Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735231249/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=0735231249&amp;linkId=69bfe4fa8cfcd81b3270735a9595ab77" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monster Mayhem</a> </li> <li>Drawn and Quarterly - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770463267/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770463267&amp;linkId=d0272a849373ec66c5823aca81caf1b2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Berlin: The Complete Edition</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770463291/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770463291&amp;linkId=ba7fcaafe0cc77837f1e926824f036d5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bad Friends</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770463356/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770463356&amp;linkId=eec834165c2b2a9c58dab0199d37be55" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woman World</a> </li> <li>Fantagraphics Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961064/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961064&amp;linkId=d0f57dc591f7c9839a99966ea93a3a54" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dementia 21</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961293/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961293&amp;linkId=017404cfcd99cd81545c165102d8d2d6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roly Poly</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1683961285/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1683961285&amp;linkId=09cb6d7c1d05b2e8211a5cefce11cc79" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Penguins</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078879NTC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B078879NTC&amp;linkId=549b315943e0c9507713d7ad34547e79" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Sisters: The Love and Rockets Library, Vol. 14</a>, Tongues#1, and The Fang, Vol. 1 </li> <li>First Second - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626728046/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1626728046&amp;linkId=b981871220a043493df8550132d34688" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162672458X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=162672458X&amp;linkId=d4f2f47cfde88622e47847c8de99735d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Idle Days</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250143101/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1250143101&amp;linkId=e88d563c8baa58936b047005664b2d44" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Science Comics: Trees</a> </li> <li>Humanoids - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594657971/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1594657971&amp;linkId=51c17d3711992469d13ed2791268ee1f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victor and Clint</a> </li> <li>Lerner Publications Group - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1541510445/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1541510445&amp;linkId=355d3e2e1d05e45895f87ddbbc1d0b4e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life on Earth, Vol. 1: Losing the Girl</a> </li> <li>Lion Forge - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/194130267X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=194130267X&amp;linkId=da87e7d4d4b7fe53a3e8a28bd1ac77aa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheets</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1549302752/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1549302752&amp;linkId=1f4bbe94d01cc848b6316297e043ac36" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love Letters to Jane's World</a> </li> <li>Metropolitan Books - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1473638283/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1473638283&amp;linkId=bb86b80fb2407e7a4d73996a141af733" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Arab of the Future, Vol. 3: 1985-1987</a> </li> <li>Oni Press - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620105292/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1620105292&amp;linkId=32b5cf58c38ee6a8fac6c22ff69db0c2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aquicorn Cove</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620105411/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1620105411&amp;linkId=5edfd8b8ab27bd7d3dba2233d33c093c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Banana Sunday</a> </li> <li>Silver Sprocket - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1945509066/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1945509066&amp;linkId=acb87920c3e1dd7f0ed92a207ec1b029" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Be Your Own Backing Band</a> </li> <li>Titan Comics - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/178586887X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=178586887X&amp;linkId=67be9070034305ad7340d51fdc3f6bd0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Prague Coup</a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1785869280/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1785869280&amp;linkId=f9732d8a4ca7181bee258e9026973b6e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emma G. Wildford</a> </li> <li>VIZ Media - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1974701603/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1974701603&amp;linkId=b9e833c321e4d2394417b436ecefdce4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">That Blue Sky Feeling, Vol. 1</a> </li> </ul>

Episode 283: The June Previews Catalog

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 comics the guys have read this year. Next, the Two Guys turn to a creator whom they've read and loved before, but not by his current name. Both Paul and Derek are big fans of the series Pope Hats, authored by Ethan Rilly, an anagram of Hartley Lin. In Young Frances (AdHouse Books), Lin is now using his real name and collects issues #2, #3, and #5 of his defining series. The text presents the story of Frances Scarland, a young legal clerk whose efficiency and competency are admired by those around her, but who nonetheless wonders if she's just drifting through life without purpose. Her best friend, Vickie, is impulse and more scattered, yet talented enough to find a lead role acting in a hit television crime drama. This is yet another example of "verite dessinée" storytelling, a favorite of Derek's and Paul's. The guys conclude this episode by looking at the first issue of Garth Ennis and Goran Sudžuka's A Walk through Hell (AfterShock Comics). A mix of horror and crime, this first issue establishes the premise of the series but does so in a way that poses a variety of questions. In fact, both Paul and Derek feel as if this first issue ended almost too quickly -- a sense that they've gotten with other AfterShock first issues -- although there is enough in this inaugural installment to have them wanting to come back to the series. In this first issue, Special Agents Shaw and McGregor work a recent race-related killing while at the same time investigating the disappearance of two fellow officers. What they stumble onto, and we never get a sense of what that is, is apparently something so horrific that even the most hardened law enforcers are unable to live with what they saw.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:29 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:16 - Listener mail!</li> <li>00:06:17 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-World-Comics-Mauretania/dp/168137238X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=520f8e0977748c5db6b57d88a20c35b3&amp;creativeASIN=168137238X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New World: Comics from Mauretania</a> </li> <li>00:48:32 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Young-Frances-Hartley-Lin/dp/1935233424/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=a3347458debfcd69bb28cb747d4b9dfa&amp;creativeASIN=1935233424" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Young Frances</a> </li> <li>01:20:52 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46024573&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Walk through Hell#1</a> </li> <li>01:39:53 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:40:52 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20486" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> 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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-World-Comics-Mauretania/dp/168137238X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=520f8e0977748c5db6b57d88a20c35b3&amp;creativeASIN=168137238X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New World: Comics from</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-World-Comics-Mauretania/dp/168137238X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=520f8e0977748c5db6b57d88a20c35b3&amp;creativeASIN=168137238X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mauretania</a>, 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 comics the guys have read this year. Next, the Two Guys turn to a creator whom they've read and loved before, but not by his current name. Both Paul and Derek are big fans of the series <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935233408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1935233408&amp;linkId=8943b9a50421e7293d03e8678d554aa4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pope Hats</a>, authored by Ethan Rilly, an anagram of Hartley Lin. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Young-Frances-Hartley-Lin/dp/1935233424/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=a3347458debfcd69bb28cb747d4b9dfa&amp;creativeASIN=1935233424" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Young Frances</a> (AdHouse Books), Lin is now using his real name and collects issues #2, #3, and #5 of his defining series. The text presents the story of Frances Scarland, a young legal clerk whose efficiency and competency are admired by those around her, but who nonetheless wonders if she's just drifting through life without purpose. Her best friend, Vickie, is impulse and more scattered, yet talented enough to find a lead role acting in a hit television crime drama. This is yet another example of "verite dessinée" storytelling, a favorite of Derek's and Paul's. The guys conclude this episode by looking at the first issue of Garth Ennis and Goran Sudžuka's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46024573&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Walk through Hell</a> (AfterShock Comics). A mix of horror and crime, this first issue establishes the premise of the series but does so in a way that poses a variety of questions. In fact, both Paul and Derek feel as if this first issue ended almost too quickly -- a sense that they've gotten with other AfterShock first issues -- although there is enough in this inaugural installment to have them wanting to come back to the series. In this first issue, Special Agents Shaw and McGregor work a recent race-related killing while at the same time investigating the disappearance of two fellow officers. What they stumble onto, and we never get a sense of what that is, is apparently something so horrific that even the most hardened law enforcers are unable to live with what they saw.

Episode 280: Reviews of The New World: Comics from Mauretania, Young Frances, and A Walk through Hell #1

Time Codes:  00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:34 - Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1  00:42:39 - Slum Wolf  01:14:09 - Wrap up 01:15:17 - Contact us    This month Shea and Derek discuss two great works that bring back some older, or classic, manga. They begin with Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1 (Seven Seas Entertainment), a series that originally ran between 1977 and 1979. Captain Harlockis a classic science fiction work, and with a space pirate protagonist who can be seen as a romantic hero. The Two Guys discuss the figure of Harlock as a curious mixture, while at the same time trying to ferret out the his philosophy. In many ways, they see this manga anchored in its time, both aesthetically and politically. But this work definitely isn't limited to it's time and can be appreciated today. Next they turn to Slum Wolf, another translated collection from Tadao Tsuge (New York Review Comics). An earlier collection of Tsuge's work, Trash Market, was released in 2015 by Drawn and Quarterly (which the guys reviewed on their June 2015 episode). Slum Wolfis a collection of nine stories originally published between 1969 and 1978 in various publications such as Garo and Yagyō. It also includes an essay by Tsuge, as well as a outstanding contextual essay by Ryan Holmberg, who also edited and translated the collection. The guys discuss all the stories, to greater or lesser degrees of depth, but they spend most of their time talking about the linking features that bind most of the narratives. As both Derek and Shea point out, this is one of the manga highlights of the year, so far.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:27 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:34 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Harlock-Classic-Collection-Vol/dp/1626927707/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=6ea80b0f99265b84792fec7870129857&amp;creativeASIN=1626927707" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1</a> </li> <li>00:42:39 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Slum-Wolf-Tadao-Tsuge/dp/168137174X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=634ae0ea1a4628b169613b9234554ca6&amp;creativeASIN=168137174X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slum Wolf</a> </li> <li>01:14:09 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:15:17 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=21049" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> This month Shea and Derek discuss two great works that bring back some older, or classic, manga. They begin with Leiji Matsumoto's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Harlock-Classic-Collection-Vol/dp/1626927707/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=6ea80b0f99265b84792fec7870129857&amp;creativeASIN=1626927707" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1</a> (Seven Seas Entertainment), a series that originally ran between 1977 and 1979. Captain Harlockis a classic science fiction work, and with a space pirate protagonist who can be seen as a romantic hero. The Two Guys discuss the figure of Harlock as a curious mixture, while at the same time trying to ferret out the his philosophy. In many ways, they see this manga anchored in its time, both aesthetically and politically. But this work definitely isn't limited to it's time and can be appreciated today. Next they turn to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Slum-Wolf-Tadao-Tsuge/dp/168137174X/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=634ae0ea1a4628b169613b9234554ca6&amp;creativeASIN=168137174X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slum Wolf</a>, another translated collection from Tadao Tsuge (New York Review Comics). An earlier collection of Tsuge's work, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trash-Market-Tadao-Tsuge/dp/1770461744/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=9b5434e29124cfaaf104bbb72375b12b&amp;creativeASIN=1770461744" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trash Market</a>, was released in 2015 by Drawn and Quarterly (which the guys reviewed on <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/manga3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">their June 2015 episode</a>). Slum Wolfis a collection of nine stories originally published between 1969 and 1978 in various publications such as Garo and Yagyō. It also includes an essay by Tsuge, as well as a outstanding contextual essay by Ryan Holmberg, who also edited and translated the collection. The guys discuss all the stories, to greater or lesser degrees of depth, but they spend most of their time talking about the linking features that bind most of the narratives. As both Derek and Shea point out, this is one of the manga highlights of the year, so far.

Manga: Reviews of Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1 and Slum Wolf

Time Codes:  00:00:30 - Introduction 00:02:52 - Listener mail! 00:08:31 - Drawn and Quarterly's Kitaro series 01:00:00 - Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics  01:22:54 - Wrap up 01:24:24 - Contact us    On the January manga episode, Shea and Derek discuss the first five volumes in Drawn and Quarterly's Kitaro series, created by Shigeru Mizuki. This includes The Birth of Kitaro, Kitaro Meets Nurarihyon, Kitaro and the Great Tanuki War, Kitaro's Strange Adventures, and the most recent Kitaro the Vampire Slayer. Both guys love this character, and they have a good time highlighting the usual, and at times wacky, characters that populate Mizuki's yokai narratives. Hair that shoots out projectiles? Walking eyeballs? Farts that destroy? Poisonous pee? Yep...this is the world of Kitaro. After that, Shea and Derek take a completely different turn with Paul Gravett's Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics (Thames and Hudson). This is a visually infused overview of manga from across Asia, not just that in Japan. Gravett's encyclopedic knowledge of Asian comics is unparalleled. And although Shea would have wanted a more critical text, the book's graphic-centric approach serves as a indispensable introduction to the medium.

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:30 - Introduction</li> <li>00:02:52 - Listener mail!</li> <li>00:08:31 - Drawn and Quarterly's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Kitaro-Shigeru-Mizuki/dp/1770462287/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=95cec6f74a0ab0a5664a3e4fb9ed0020&amp;creativeASIN=1770462287" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro</a> series</li> <li>01:00:00 - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mangasia-Definitive-Guide-Asian-Comics/dp/0500292434/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=25d74fe72a4ac34fbcfa975dcbeedfdc&amp;creativeASIN=0500292434" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics</a> </li> <li>01:22:54 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:24:24 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=19472" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> On the January manga episode, Shea and Derek discuss the first five volumes in Drawn and Quarterly's Kitaro series, created by Shigeru Mizuki. This includes <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Kitaro-Shigeru-Mizuki/dp/1770462287/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=95cec6f74a0ab0a5664a3e4fb9ed0020&amp;creativeASIN=1770462287" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Birth of Kitaro</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kitaro-Meets-Nurarihyon-Shigeru-Mizuki/dp/1770462368/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=fefd102bbc269154d4d686d5ac6df5fc&amp;creativeASIN=1770462368" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro Meets Nurarihyon</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kitaro-Great-Tanuki-Shigeru-Mizuki/dp/1770462597/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=8f377a47125047023f7e602f538144b1&amp;creativeASIN=1770462597" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro and the Great Tanuki War</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1770462864/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=1770462864&amp;linkId=526f46451a4e73e92770f0caf48c5099" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro's Strange Adventures</a>, and the most recent <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kitaro-Vampire-Slayer-Shigeru-Mizuki/dp/1770463011/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=718db825c9cc4c3815c1fb745fc9aa3c&amp;creativeASIN=1770463011" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitaro the Vampire Slayer</a>. Both guys love this character, and they have a good time highlighting the usual, and at times wacky, characters that populate Mizuki's yokai narratives. Hair that shoots out projectiles? Walking eyeballs? Farts that destroy? Poisonous pee? Yep...this is the world of Kitaro. After that, Shea and Derek take a completely different turn with Paul Gravett's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mangasia-Definitive-Guide-Asian-Comics/dp/0500292434/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=25d74fe72a4ac34fbcfa975dcbeedfdc&amp;creativeASIN=0500292434" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics</a> (Thames and Hudson). This is a visually infused overview of manga from across Asia, not just that in Japan. Gravett's encyclopedic knowledge of Asian comics is unparalleled. And although Shea would have wanted a more critical text, the book's graphic-centric approach serves as a indispensable introduction to the medium.

Manga: Reviews of Five Kitaro Volumes and Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics

For years The Comics Alternative has held a monthly on-location episode where one or two cohosts go into -- physically or virtually -- one of their local comics shops and talk with customers and employees about the comics that their reading, what they're excited about and looking forward to, and what grumblings they may have in terms of comics culture. The last such episode was published last August, right before Derek moved to Charlotte, NC...and as things would turn out, in the final days of Valhalla Games and Comics. But now that Derek has settled in his new environs, he heads over to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, his new local shop in Charlotte (at 417 Pecan Avenue), to begin once again the monthly series. So January's show kicks things off, with Derek introducing customers and shop employees to the podcast and beginning what, we hope, will be a fun and informative monthly visit. Snowy weather hit Charlotte this week, so the ice and cold cut down on traffic in the shop over the past couple of days. But several did come in and take the time to talk on show, sharing what titles they're currently reading and what they're finding exciting, and frustrating, in comics and comics-related media. For example, Isaiah, coming in for his weekly comics, shares his thoughts on recent DC Rebirth storylines and the shenanigans he sees going on at Marvel. Shop employees, Karla and Eli, talk about the some of the comics that are currently or soon-to-be adapted for television -- and Eli is particularly interested in the upcoming series based on Rick Remender's Deadly Class. And shop owner Shelton Drum comes on to discuss their recent move to a new location, next week's Charlotte Mini-Con (taking place on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Gary Cole Center), and when we can expect to hear announcements about this summer's HeroesCon. A big THANK YOU to Karla and Shelton for helping to make this on-location show happen. And if you're in the Charlotte area, be sure to come by the shop on Wednesday, February 21, for next month's on-location recording!

For years The Comics Alternative has held a monthly on-location episode where one or two cohosts go into -- physically or virtually -- one of their local comics shops and talk with customers and employees about the comics that their reading, what they're excited about and looking forward to, and what grumblings they may have in terms of comics culture. The last such episode was published last August, right before Derek moved to Charlotte, NC...and as things would turn out, in the final days of Valhalla Games and Comics. But now that Derek has settled in his new environs, he heads over to <a href="http://www.heroesonline.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heroes Aren't Hard to Find</a>, his new local shop in Charlotte (at 417 Pecan Avenue), to begin once again the monthly series. So January's show kicks things off, with Derek introducing customers and shop employees to the podcast and beginning what, we hope, will be a fun and informative monthly visit. Snowy weather hit Charlotte this week, so the ice and cold cut down on traffic in the shop over the past couple of days. But several did come in and take the time to talk on show, sharing what titles they're currently reading and what they're finding exciting, and frustrating, in comics and comics-related media. For example, Isaiah, coming in for his weekly comics, shares his thoughts on recent DC Rebirth storylines and the shenanigans he sees going on at Marvel. Shop employees, Karla and Eli, talk about the some of the comics that are currently or soon-to-be adapted for television -- and Eli is particularly interested in the upcoming series based on Rick Remender's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Class-Deluxe-Noise/dp/1632156644/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=comicsaltern-20&amp;linkCode=w00&amp;linkId=9106b7c5b2d85607fba1709efbb66d66&amp;creativeASIN=1632156644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deadly Class</a>. And shop owner Shelton Drum comes on to discuss their recent move to a new location, next week's <a href="http://www.heroesonline.com/blog/2018/01/10/charlotte-minicon-january-27-2018-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlotte Mini-Con</a> (taking place on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Gary Cole Center), and when we can expect to hear announcements about this summer's HeroesCon. A big THANK YOU to Karla and Shelton for helping to make this on-location show happen. And if you're in the Charlotte area, be sure to come by the shop on Wednesday, February 21, for next month's on-location recording!

On Location: Starting off the New Year at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find

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 first issue, not only with Nocenti's multi-layered storytelling, but also with Aja's signature art and design. They then look at the first issue of Tini Howard and Nick Robles's Euthanauts, part of IDW Publishing's Black Crown imprint. While they're intrigued by the series' premise, they're not entirely sure if this is a successful #1 issue. There are confusing moments and, arguably, too many unanswered questions that dampen any desire to read on before the trade. After that, Paul and Derek discuss two recent #1 titles from Image Comics. First, they look at Aleš Kot and Tradd Moore's The New World, an intriguing futuristic narrative that juggles contemporary socio-political concerns along with a Romeo and Juliet-inspired storyline. They also review the first issue of Mirka Andolfo's Unnatural, an erotic -- but tasteful -- anthropomorphic tale that was originally published in Italian and now is available as a limited series. Finally, the guys wrap up with the first issue of Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf's Bone Parish (BOOM! Studios). This appears to be a horror title -- after all, that's primarily what Bunn is known for -- but as Paul and Derek point out, this first issue reads more as a crime mystery than it does horror. It's an interesting premise, one that the guys are curious to see unfold. So enjoy this week's episode, and celebrate The Comics Alternative's sixth anniversary!

Time Codes: <ul> <li>00:00:50 - Introduction</li> <li>00:03:32 - It's our 6th birthday!</li> <li>00:09:03 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46634392&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Seeds#1</a> </li> <li>00:36:02 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46377928&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Euthanauts#1</a> </li> <li>00:54:51 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46371743&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New World#1</a> </li> <li>01:09:38 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46371215&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unnatural#1</a> </li> <li>01:24:00 - <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46382085&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bone Parish#1</a> </li> <li>01:40:02 - Wrap up</li> <li>01:41:15 - Contact us</li> </ul> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/review-relish-saga/blkfade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/?attachment_id=20958" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> This is a special episode of The Comics Alternative, as it's the guys' sixth anniversary! The podcast <a href="http://comicsalternative.com/comics-alternative-podcast-episode-1-an-alternative-comics-manifesto/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">began on August 1, 2012</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46634392&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Seeds</a>, the latest in Dark Horse Comics' Berger Books imprint. The guys are fascinated by this first issue, not only with Nocenti's multi-layered storytelling, but also with Aja's signature art and design. They then look at the first issue of Tini Howard and Nick Robles's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46377928&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Euthanauts</a>, part of IDW Publishing's Black Crown imprint. While they're intrigued by the series' premise, they're not entirely sure if this is a successful #1 issue. There are confusing moments and, arguably, too many unanswered questions that dampen any desire to read on before the trade. After that, Paul and Derek discuss two recent #1 titles from Image Comics. First, they look at Aleš Kot and Tradd Moore's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46371743&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New World</a>, an intriguing futuristic narrative that juggles contemporary socio-political concerns along with a Romeo and Juliet-inspired storyline. They also review the first issue of Mirka Andolfo's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46371215&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unnatural</a>, an erotic -- but tasteful -- anthropomorphic tale that was originally published in Italian and now is available as a limited series. Finally, the guys wrap up with the first issue of Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf's <a href="http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=46382085&amp;AffID=955035P01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bone Parish</a> (BOOM! Studios). This appears to be a horror title -- after all, that's primarily what Bunn is known for -- but as Paul and Derek point out, this first issue reads more as a crime mystery than it does horror. It's an interesting premise, one that the guys are curious to see unfold. So enjoy this week's episode, and celebrate The Comics Alternative's sixth anniversary!

Episode 288: Reviews of Five Recent #1 Issues

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