The Comics Alternative

Two guys with PhDs talk about comics.

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgu6VSa7gvQ)

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Episode 307: A Publisher Spotlight on Glom Press

Episode 307: A Publisher Spotlight on Glom Press

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  Glomming

  This week Sterg and Derek focus their critical spotlight on the 2018 publications from Glom Press. This is a little-known…

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Episode 307: A Publisher Spotlight on Glom Press

Check out this episode!

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLw5ihxXccc)

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

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

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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

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

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.

Check out this episode!

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvm-SVmcy40)

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

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 & #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.

  Check out this episode!

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

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

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/8191619/height/90/width/550/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/” height=”90″ width=”550″]

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

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kigsYgclm1E)

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Critical Takes: A Conversation with Keith Dallas and 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.

Check out this episode!

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Critical Takes: A Conversation with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks

Critical Takes: A Conversation with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks

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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…

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YDlK7hUzW4)

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Episode 304: The January Previews Catalog

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, Palimsest, 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!

    Check out this episode!

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Episode 304: The January Previews Catalog

Episode 304: The January Previews Catalog

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A New Year, a New Approach

It’s the first episode of the new year, and for the January Previewsshow the Two Guys decide to try something…

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Comics Alternative Interviews: Happy New Yoe with Craig Yoe!

Comics Alternative Interviews: Happy New Yoe with Craig Yoe!

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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

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Comics Alternative Interviews: Happy New Yoe with 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!

  Check out this episode!