The TradeWaiters

It's like a book club, but for comics. Also it's a podcast? Join Jonathon Dalton, Jeff Ellis, and Jam for discussions of graphic novels, manga, trade paperbacks, comic strip collections, and anything else that's out in trade. You can show your support on Ko-fi here

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On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk about zines! Zines are back. They never left. We talk about their history, their future, and the many roles they can play in your life.

Mentioned in this episode: A History of Zines on Book Riot by River H. Kero Positive Affirmations by John Martz The Comet by the Science Correspondence Club Vice Versa by Edyth Eyde 404 Ice Zine from 404 Media This Is What Democracy Looks Like from The Center for Cartoon Studies Explain it with a Comic Zine, Moss Is Boss, This Is Me in Paradise, Go Veg, and Comeback Tour by Jam Community Building by Jeff Ellisand A Mad Tea-Party and Do You Want to Revolutionize the World? by J Dalton

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on Flip by Ngozi Ukazu.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

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With the recent passing of Marjane Satrapi, we are reposting this episode from 2018 that we recorded with Kathlees Gros and Jess Pollard about The Complete Persepolis. Marjane shared several stories with the world in a few different media during her life, but Persepolis in particular is a seminal work in the medium of comics. This memoir of her life growing up in Iran and then Europe is more important than ever, and it will outlive all of us. Let it never be forgotten.

Also mentioned in this episode: Embroideries, Chicken with Plums, Monsters Are Afraid of the Moon, and The Sigh, also by Marjane Satrapi, and The Voices, directed by her. Maus by Art Spiegelman Ice Haven by Daniel Clowes Brave by Svetlana Chmakova Dark Angels of Darkness by Al Gofa Patrik the Vampire by Bree Paulsen and ASMR cooking videos.

Find us at:

Jam J Dalton Jeff Ellis Kathleen Gros and Jess Pollard

Music by Sleuth.

We’ve got new episodes in the works, so look for that soon.

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We’re back with the weighty graphic novel Hello Sunshine by Keezy Young, a book that weaves together one person’s mental health crisis with supernatural horror in a way that is simultaneously smart, original, and respectful. This book is a lot more than just “Scooby-Doo, but serious.” Be prepared for spoilers (go read the book first), and stay tuned for some character-revealing moments.

Also mentioned in this episode: Sunflowers and Taproot: A Story About a Gardener and a Ghost also by Keezy Young Robots, Pine Trees, and Broken Hearts edited by Cloudscape Comics Archie Comics by various Show-ha Shoten! by Akinari Asakura and Takeshi Obata Don’t Read This by I Drink Mercury and Suzume directed by Makoto Shinkai

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Tumblr, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

Our next episode will be on Flip by Ngozi Ukazu.

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The TradeWaiters return with an old friend, Jess Pollard, as she gets us to read the first two seasons of the Webtoon Everything Is Fine by Mike Birchall. This comic might seem cute and simple, but don’t let the “Hello Kitty” faces fool you. This is a story about existential dread, paranoia, and the death of optimism. We’ll also talk about what makes a comic a comic, and where the lines get blurry between the panels (or when your panel is a phone screen frame).

Also mentioned in this episode: Reinventing Comics by Scott McCloud The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick The Twilight Zone created by Rod Serling Squid Games by Hwang Dong-hyuk Battle Royale by Koushun Takami The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Shonen Jump Human Queen by Pakorn P Space Boy by Stephen McCranie Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski Assorted Crisis Events by Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadzki and Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: Jess Pollard J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Tumblr, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

Our next episode will be on Hello Sunshine by Keezy Young.

I apologize for the poor quality of the images. Do you know how hard it is to get screenshots of this comic that will function outside of a scrolling format.

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It’s a (winter) summer crossover spectacular! For this episode Jeff and JD were joined by Jack and Diane of the Panel Pals podcast to read Minus by Ryan Armand and Sweet Poolside by Oshimi Shuuzou. And then you can continue the crossover over on the Panel Pals podcast for part 2 later this week! Join us as we talk about lost and hard-to-find comics, the early 2000s webcomic scene, and why on Earth Diane made us all read this manga.

Also mentioned in this episode: Blood on the Tracks, Flowers of Evil, Happiness, Welcome Back Alice, Devil’s Ecstasy, and Avant Garde Yumiko, all by Oshimi Shuuzou. Kill Your Boyfriend by Grant Morrison and Phillip Bond Zero Girl by Sam Keith Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Peanuts by Charles Shulz The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling Gunshow by K.C. Green Little Nemo in Slumberland by Windsor McKay Yotsuba&! by Kiyohiko Azuma Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery directed by Rian Johnson Baki the Grappler by Keisuke Itagaki and Batman: the Black Casebook by various

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jeff Ellis

For part two of the Tradewaiters VS Panel Pals crossover, we will be looking at Omega the Unknown by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple, and Batman/The Spirit by Jeff Loeb and Darwyn Cooke

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

Come with us to the future of the past as we read Kingdom Come, written by superhero powerhouse Mark Waid and painstakingly painted by Alex Ross. This dark vision of the future of DC superheroes might be a commentary on the grim-dark comics of the 1990s, or it might be an excuse to get all of Mark Waid’s favourite characters in a room with Alex Ross’ dad. Either way, the art (in this fully auditory podcast) is amazing.

Also mentioned in this episode: Marvels, Fantastic Four, Uncle Sam, and Batman: War on Crime, all drawn by Alex Ross Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons Twilight of the Superheroes also by Alan Moore Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas Skinnamarink by Sharon, Lois, and Bram Heritage Minutes Spider-Man 2 directed by Sam Raimi Unbreakable directed by M Night Shyamalan Batman directed by Tim Burton Superman directed by James Gunn The Running Man directed by Edgar Wright and The East Van Panto produced by Theatre Replacement and The Cultch

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk about how to make friends in comics. Maybe the real comics were the friends we made along the way.

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

This week we read Home by the Rotting Sea by Finnish cartoonist Otava Heikkilä, a short but emotional journey to another world where the Arctic is melting and gender is what you make of it. We’ll talk about anthropology, allegory, and Otava’s unique page compositions. We’ll also talk about the censorship situation with Itch.io and payment processors, which does nothing to convince JD to choose digital comics over print.

Also mentioned in this episode: Letters for Lucardo and The Shattered Spear also by Otava Hekkilä Shortbox Comics Fair Ten Earth-Shattering Blows by Tommaso Devitofrancesco Human Queen by Pakorn Patarawutiporn and Never Post by Mike Rugnetta

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next book will be Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

This week Jam, Jeff, and JD went back in time to read The Rose of Versailles Vol. 1 by Riyoko Ikeda, one of the foundational works of all shoujo comics. Get into your Versailles mindset (Versaind-set) for some gorgeous dresses, elegant balls, murder, and class warfare. Listen in so as to put this work in its proper historical context, and to avoid a case of “Paris syndrome.”

Also mentioned in this episode: The Guterberg Parenthesis: The Age of Print and Its Lessons for the Age of the Internet by Jeff Jarvis Trigun by Yashuhiro Nightow Bezerk by Kintaro Miura Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi Revolutionary Girl Utena created by Be-Papas Princess Jellyfish and Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artists’ Journey by Akiko Higashimura Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery K-Pop Demon Hunters directed by Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang Mary Poppins directed by Robert Stevenson The Princess Diaries directed by Garry Marshall My Neighbor Totoro directed by Hayao Miyazaki Behind the Bastards by Robert Evans Azumanga Daioh by Kiyohiko Azuma Shortbox Comics Fair and Old Souls by Jackarais

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on Home by the Rotting Sea by Otava Heikkila.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk about manga. What’s it like to read manga for the first time? What was it like for manga to be widely available in North America for the first time? And what have been the lasting impacts on both readers and creators alike of manga’s English-language successes?

Also mentioned in this episode: Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi Dragonball Z by Akira Toriyama Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley Sonic the Hedgehog by various Johnny the Homicidal Maniac by Jhonen Vasquez Oh! My Goddess by Kosuke Fujishima Pokemon Adventures by Hidenori Kusata and Mato The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons Maus by Art Spiegelman The Far Side by Gary Larsen Gen 13 and Dirty Pair drawn by Adam WarrenCLAMP Battle Chasers by Joe Madureira Blue Monday by Chynna Clugston Flores and Old Souls by Jackarais, on Kickstarter now.

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on the first big volume of The Rose of Versailles by Ryoko Ikeda.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

Today’s book is weighty. We read Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls. This book follows the lives of Tessa’s grandmother, mother, and herself through some of the most difficult periods of Chinese history in the first half of the twentieth century, as well as the mental illness and generational trauma that has bound them together ever since. It’s not all doom and gloom as we also talk about visual metaphors and page composition, but come prepared.

Also mentioned in this episode: Fun Home and Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel To Live directed by Zhang Yimou A Concise History of China by Jian Bozan, Shao Xunzheng, and Hu Hua What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo and Be Yourself! Oh, Not Like That by Emilia Strilchuck

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be a mini episode about reading manga.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

In today’s episode we discuss Blurry by Dash Shaw, a nesting onion of vignettes of the lives of people facing indecision. Follow along as we fight our way through the fog and find out how they’re all connected. Take a delicious detour with us as we pick apart the mechanics of how this comic is built, from its 4/4 beat of the page layouts to the sparse but grounded character designs.

Also mentioned in this episode: Bottomless Belly Button and Cryptozoo also by Dash Shaw The Good Place created by Michael Shur The Life of Chuck directed by Mike Flanagan Botanica Drama by Thom and Runaway to the Stars by Jay Eaton

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be about Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

The Minicomic Awards are back, and we’re here to celebrate them! For this episode, Jam, Jeff, and JD read as many of the winning comics as we could get our hands on, and some of the nominees as well.

Here are the winners: Ratgirl by STC09 Scoot by Cam McCafferty The Pool by Leda Zawacki Diaphanoids by Anna Bow and Hagai Palevsky The Ballad of Black Cassandra Olivia Stephens Wisteria House by Daniela Vicoso and Alas by Sajan Rai

Here are the nominated books that we also read: Be Safe by Christine LeSantos Queen Caterpillar by Virus Visal Omega Trillionaire by Nick Winn Scarlit Geyre by Jon Cairns Girl Stuff 1.11 by Yaster Goodman Agents Gorgeous by Gang Fight

Also mentioned in this episode: TCAF MCAF Halfsoul by Scarlet Wings Kaili Po Pow Press The Jellyfish by Boum Smile by Raina Telgemeier I Hear the Sunspot by Yuki Fumino Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls Outbreak Diaries by Jason Turner Teach English in Japan by Jeff Ellis and J Dalton Phobos and Deimos by J Dalton Love in the Time of Covid by Jeff Ellis True Grit Texture Supply Metropolis directed by Fritz Lang Cartoonist Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud 2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind by Hayao Miyazaki Guardians of the Cube by Patrick Fillion Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki and I Learned Love from Shoujo Manga by Rhael McGregor

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on Blurry by Dash Shaw.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk in-depth about our experiences seeking balance between making comics, having a day job, and getting a life. If you’re an artist here’s your chance to learn from our mistakes and match your priorities to your lifestyle.

Also mentioned in this episode: Garfield by Jim Davis For Better Or For Worse by Lynn Johnston Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Moby Dick by Herman Melville and Nib and Ink Festival 2025

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on some of the comics from the Minicomics Awards 2025.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

For this episode our panel read Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada. This book follows Hyun Sook’s adventures as a young revolutionary during South Korea’s Fifth Republic dictatorship. Because irony is dead, this book has in turn faced book bans of its own. Join us as we talk about the freedom to read, the importance of being able to imagine a different world, that a police state will inevitably do police state things, and how much we love the bus.

Also mentioned in this episode: No Rules Tonight also by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada Occulted by Amy Rose, Ryan Estrada, and Jeongmin Lee Student Ambassador, Aki Alliance, Broken Telephone, The Kind, and Big Data, also by Ryan Estrada in various capacities Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell 24 created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran The End of History and the Last Man by Francis Fukuyama I Hear the Sunspot by Yuki Fumino Providence and Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie Precious Metal and Little Bird by Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram Authors Against Banned Books and The American Library Association

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be a minisode on comics / life / balance.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

We’re going back to 1987 to read Kraven’s Last Hunt by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, which collects issues from The Amazing Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man. This is a classic capes and tights story about how some men will fight a decade-long battle to best Spider-Man in hand-to-hand combat rather than go to therapy. Several content warnings apply to this journey through Peter Parker’s emo phase, but you don’t need to be steeped in nostalgia to appreciate the trip.

Also mentioned in this episode: Captain America and The Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the Hunter also by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck The Infinity Gauntlet by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto Thunderbolts by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley Flowers and Ink by Tai Manzano Laika’s Comet by Willow Woods Indiginerds: Tales from Modern Indigenous Life edited by Alina Pete @cherryblossommadness on Instagram Babylon 5 created by J.M. Strazinsky and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by some people probably

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.

[tradewaiters]

It’s time for another Gutter-Take. Webcomics are harder to find than ever. Or is it the opposite? Where do you find your webcomics, and how do you get readers to find yours? Jeff, Jam, and JD have questions and also answers.

Also mentioned in this episode: Sluggy Freelance by Pete Abrams Space Boy by Stephen McCranie Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe My Giant Nerd Boyfriend by Fishball Shonen Jump Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques Peanuts by Charles Shulz Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Haus of Decline Sarah Scribbles by Sarah Andersen The Webcomic TravelogueVG Cats! by Scott RamsoomairScott McCloud Comic FuryTumblrIch.io A Mini Guide to RSS Feeds by Jey PawlickFeedly Whomp! by Ronnie Whomp Runaway to the Stars by Jay Eatonand What Happens Next by Max Graves

Music by Sleuth

You can find us at: J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis

Our next episode will be on The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

You can also follow the TradeWaiters on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Ko-Fi.