Today I'm recapping and saying thanks for an INCREDIBLE year.

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I recently got the chance to speak with All-Star writer Geoff Johns, and the only thing harder than keeping my composure in the conversation is trying to summarize it for the show notes. It's probably best you just listen.

About Geoff Johns:

Geoff Johns is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer, film and television producer, showrunner, and entrepreneur known for re-imagining superheroes and other iconic mythologies, past and present. Johns is best known for his work on properties such as Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash, Superman, Batman, Justice Society of America, and most recently, the creator-owned hit series GEIGER, currently being adapted for television at Paramount.

Since the beginning of his creative career, Johns’ hallmark has been writing heroic and inclusive characters, including teenage hero Courtney Whitmore aka Stargirl, inspired by his real-life late sister; the Shazam Family, which he re-imagined into a diverse modern family of today; and the first Arab-American Green Lantern, Simon Baz, as well as the explosive multi-colored Lantern mythology that defined his decade-long bestselling Green Lantern run, among many, many others.

Johns’ most recognized work in television is the critically acclaimed “Stargirl” series which he created and ran. Some of his film credits include “Wonder Woman” (executive producer), “Wonder Woman 1984” (also co-writer), “Aquaman” (also story) and “Shazam!” (executive producer), based on his graphic novel with longtime collaborator and modern legendary artist, Gary Frank.

In 2023, Johns co-founded GHOST MACHINE, the first-of-its-kind creator-owned company. This groundbreaking collective includes some of the industry’s most legendary writers and artists, disrupting the old industry model by giving ownership to its creators, and paving the way for them to retain creative control and financial participation.

Born in Detroit to a Lebanese father, Johns was honored with his own permanent section at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

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After being plucked from the world of animation writing, Jeremy Adams has taken comics by storm! After several amazing yet underrated runs on The Flash, Green Lantern, and now Flash Gordon at Mad Cave Studios; he's set to level up even more with a brand new ongoing Aquaman series for DC Comics in January! The world is his oyster, and we are the pearls. Or are the residual checks pearls? Why is "the world is your Oyster" even a saying? Anyway, check out this interview. I know you'll love it.

Follow All Things Jeremy Adams at https://www.spacekicker.com/

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Today I'm joined by Peter Tomasi, Peter Snejberg and Francis Manapul as we celebrate the rollout of the Family Odysseys universe from Ghost Machine! The Rocketfellers #1 and Hornsby & Halo #1 are both out in comic shops everywhere right now! 

This episode is brought to you by GlobalComix. Get 30% off an annual Gold Pass at http://comicsaredope.com/global

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No one in comics has a career quite like Denys Cowan's. From studying at the feet of Neal Adams, to breaking out with his legendary run on The Question, and co-creating an entire universe of diverse superheroes with Milestone Media. Finally, all these achievements and more are being celebrated in a first of its kind art book, live on Kickstarter now. 

Today, I'm joined by the legend himself, along with author Michael Stradford as they talk about putting this enormous project together.

Back the Campaign at http://comicsaredope.com/denyscowanart

About Denys Cowan:

Denys Cowan is an accomplished and celebrated comic and animation creator and illustrator. Founder of Milestone Media, which sold over 10 million copies of ground breaking comic books, Cowan has numerous credits to his name, including: Black Racer, Deathstroke, Black Lightning & Hong Kong Phooey, Batman: Lovers & Madmen, Blind Justice, Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers, The Question, Hardware, and Static.

Static became one of the most beloved characters in the Milestone Universe, spawning a hugely successful animated series, Static Shock. During its run, the series was the only animated show not produced by Nickelodeon to dominate ratings. Denys directed and produced the series, which was nominated for an Emmy.

As Senior Vice President of Animation at BET, Cowan was responsible for the creation, development and production of animated programming for the network. This included the development and production of the Black Panther animated series. Prior to his time at BET, Denys was instrumental in developing and Producing the first season of the prime time animated series, The Boondocks. Serving as Senior Vice President of Motown Animation and Filmworks, he created and developed a number of shows with Fox, ABC, Disney and Nickelodeon. Cowan also co-created the character of Henri Ducard, as played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.

Cowan drew the cover art of the GZA/Genius of the Wu-Tang Clan’s platinum selling hip-hop album Liquid Swords. Denys illustrated the successful run of You Can’t Handle the Truth, a monthly full-page comic strip for Ebony magazine. More recently, Denys Cowan illustrated the Django Unchained graphic novel, which was inspired by the Oscar-winning film by Quentin Tarantino. Denys also created illustrated posters for Marvel’s Black Panther and John Wick 2.

Among comic book readers and collaborators, Denys Cowan is the stuff of legend. Denys Cowan comic books have gone on to sell millions. Cowan remains a prolific creator, illustrator, and producer. He is the recipient of the Humanitas Award, and he has been nominated for a number Eisner awards throughout his illustrious career. Denys is also featured in Robert Kirkman’s “Secret History of Comics” in the episode titled “The Color of Comics” focusing on the history of Milestone Media.

About Michael Stradford:

Michael Stradford is a seasoned entertainment executive with a career spanning radio, music, and film. Starting as a radio announcer in the Midwest, he later programmed top stations like KKBT in Los Angeles. Stradford worked as a senior executive at Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records and later led Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s DVD Special Features department and original programming for Crackle.com. After producing award-winning content for Warner Bros. Pictures, he founded Gizmoe Press in 2023, channeling his lifelong passion for comic books into the successful crowdfunding of the graphic novel ‘Fargo: Hell on Wheels,’ set for release in 2024.

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The last time I had Joe Illidge on the show, I couldn't believe the secret he kept from us. He's writing The Shadow Cabinet! But now, just a week ahead of release, Joe is free to tell all. Well, all he can tell us without spoiling the first issue. Listen to hear why EVERY MOMENT MATTERED, and just what this new series means for the Dakota Universe.

Back Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan on Kickstarter here.

About Joseph P. Illidge:

Joseph started his editorial career at Milestone Media, Inc., the influential comic book publisher profiled in the MAX documentary “Milestone Generations”

His groundbreaking editorial runs on the Batman line of comic books for DC Comics and Lion Forge’s “Catalyst Prime” superhero imprint featured in The Hollywood Reporter  reflect Joseph’s expertise in curating inclusive hero fiction.

Profiled as one of the “Best Editors” in comics, Joseph was featured in the History Channel documentary series, “Superheroes Decoded”, discussing popular heroes from Superman to The Black Panther.

Joseph is a member of the Board of Directors for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the recipient of a Citation from the New York State Assembly for exemplary community service through career achievement.

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Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by artist Asia Simone! We talk about being inspired by animation, what she hopes to leave readers feeling from her work, and how she's balancing being a teacher with her pursuit of a career as an artist.

About Asia: 

Asia Simone received her BFA in Illustration and minor in creative writing from the University of the Arts. She’s a digital artist whose love for animation and comics/manga can be seen in her work, including her newest graphic novel release, Marvel’s Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur: Wreck And Roll. 

Asia's goal is always to draw whimsically expressive characters and create stories and worlds that feel magical, whether contemporary or not. Her love for character acting can be seen in her co-illustrated middle-grade book, Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz. She uses vibrant colors, shapes, and light to express fantasy in reality and to showcase positive representations of underrepresented people and stories. 

With two books under her name, Asia continues to develop her sense of storytelling with personal comics and characters she continues to create. Keep up with her latest on IG: @asia_simone405 or Twitter: asiasimone405

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Badr Milligan from The Short Box: A Comic Book Talk Show is one of my favorite interviewers. And like a true interviewer, he took over this episode midway through. Listen to find out:

• Why Badr is so passionate about Podcasting
• How Badr got into comics
• How my love for underground rap led directly to this comics gig
• How we singlehandedly fixed Comic Book Marketing

Also, I promise to never mention my grandmother's house comic origin again after this episode. I'm retiring the story! lol

About The Short Box:

The Short Box is the best way to get your weekly dose of comic shop vibes without ever leaving the house! Join The Short Box every Wednesday, for news, reviews, and interviews about comic books and comic culture, and hear exclusive chats with the top comic creators in the world. Hosted by Badr Milligan, and friends.

Join the Short Box Nation on Patreon.com/theshortbox to listen to bonus episodes and get other exclusive benefits!

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Today, I'm joined by not one, but TWO awesome guests! Amanda Deibert & Cat Staggs have worked together many times (despite my rookie question to start the episode), and they're teaming up once again on The Powerpuff Girls Halloween Special #1, out 10/23 from Dynamite Entertainment.

I ask the pair what it's like being coworkers in the same house, how they each navigate separate careers in comics, and what we can expect from their Powerpuff Girls story.

About Amanda Deibert:

Amanda Deibert is a New York Times bestselling comic book and television writer. Her comic book writing includes DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science, DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies, Teen Titans Go!, Wonder Woman '77, Batman and Harley Quinn, Flash Facts, DC's The Doomed and the Damned, Wonderful Women of History, Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman, and Love is Love (New York Times #1 Bestseller) for DC Comics, stories in John Carpenter's Tales for A Halloween Night volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 for Storm King Comics, and more. She is currently writing for the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe for Netflix. Other TV credits include work for CBS, SyFy, OWN, PIVOT, HULU, and four years as writer for former Vice President Al Gore's international climate broadcast, 24 Hours of Reality.

About Cat Staggs:

Cat is an artist best known for her work on the New York Times Bestselling title Smallville Season 11 from DC Comics and Crosswind with Gail Simone for Image Comics. Currently working on John Carpenter’s Tales of Halloween Night Vol. 6 with Amanda Deibert and Frank Tieri (Storm King Comics). Recently she completed Joker/Harley Criminal Sanity-Secret Files #1 with Kami Garcia(DC Titles). She has also worked on popular titles like Death of Superman with Louise Simonson(DC Comics), Adventures of Supergirl (DC Comics), Wonder Woman ‘77 (DC Comics), X-Files and Orphan Black (IDW), Sensation Comics featuring Wonder Woman (DC), The Vampire Diaries (DC), Phantom Lady and Doll Man (DC), Star Trek (IDW), Tales For A Halloween Night Vol. 1-5 (Storm King), and over ten years in the Star Wars universe with Lucasfilm. In 2017 a one of a kind original Wonder Woman piece was inducted to the Library of Congress by Lynda Carter along with Wonder Woman '77 Vol 1. 

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Today, I'm delighted to speak with artist Anna Morozova! You may recognize her work from 2000AD and Judge Dredd comics, but she recently made her American comics debut with Barbarella #1 from Dynamite Entertainment! Check out this interview to hear how Anna left behind the prospect of a lucrative tech career to follow her passion instead, the types of comics she loves to read, and what she hopes to acheive with Blake Northcott on Barbarella. 

About Anna:

Anna Morozova is a comics artist and illustrator currently working for 2000 AD and the Treasury of British Comics in the UK plus Glarien in the US. Her published work includes Future Shocks, Terror Tales, Tales from the Black Museum, Judge Anderson, Viva Forever, Lowborn High and Rocky of the Rovers for Rebellion, plus the creator owned Star-Nav written by Alan Hebden and published in the Pandora comic anthology.

She has previously worked for Comichaus, DC Thomson Heritage Comics, ODEON Luxe/Engine Mischief PR, Panini, University of Dundee and the Scottish Government.

She holds an MDes in Comics and Graphic Novels and a BSc in Digital Interaction Design, both from the University of Dundee.

For more from Anna, visit http://annamorozova.uk

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