Inkstuds

Ninja Turtles co-creator and Heavy Metal bigwig joined me to discuss a range of different comics topics. He has recently returned to drawing the green guys that made him famous and is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Heavy Metal publishing in the North American market. I was a huge Ninja Turtle fan as a kid and lately, I have been reading a lot of Heavy Metal editions of translated European work. I thank anyone that is able to publish Druillet in the North American market!

Ryan Sands is one of the most progressive indy comics publisher’s going right now. In his anthology, the Thickness, co-edited with Michael Deforge, they have brought together some of the most vital cartoonists and some of their most personal and forward thinking work, all in the pages of a porn comic. The 3rd issue will be debuting this week, and will be well worth checking out.

I am always happy to talk comics with Ryan and appreciative of him to take the time to chat with me during his busy printing schedule.

Baby’s In Black creator, Arne Bellstorf joined me to discuss his latest and longest work, looking at the relationship between Astrid Kirchherr and Stuart Sutcliffe. It is really beautifully put together book.

It’s time for another roundtable, and that means 2 hours of studs. I was joined by a heavy weight crew of comics critics. To be honest, that there were points in this conversation where I lost track of where I was, because I was so into the others and what they had to say.

This time I was joined by Tom Spurgeon, Paul Gravett and the always scrappy, Joe McCulloch.

Each guest chooses 2 titles and we all read them and discuss the work together.

Shark King – R Kikuo Johnson

Are You My Mother – Alison Bechdel

My Friend Dahmer – Derf

Cruisin’ With the Hound – Spain Rodriguez

Monsieur Lambert – Jean Jacques Sempé

Nelson Anthology – ed. Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix

Toronto illustrator and cartoonists, Maurice Vellekoop joined me to talk about his new book from Koyama Press, Gloria Badcock. It’s a filthy good time to be had. Maurice’s work is very lush and beautiful.

Sammy the Mouse cartoonist/publisher/printer, Zak Sally joined me for a comics talk that goes into some interesting directions. We cover his latest book, as well as variety of funny book topics.

Jesse McManus is doing some fantastic work that is exciting, dynamic and full of so much energy. His latest work is the Spider Monkey collaboration with Austin English and Violence Valley from Floating World Comics.

Leela Corman came on the Inkstuds to chat about her new book, Unterzakhn.

Professor and editor of a multitude of comics releases, Paul Buhle came on the show to discuss a handful of his most recent work, including the Yiddishkeit anthology as well a plethora of other like the very recent Port Huron Statement with Gary Dumm.

Evan Dorkin is one of the under appreciated thinkers/writers in comics. He has a unique take on the form and speaks quite passionately about it. It was great to catch up with Evan in an attempt to talk about his latest Milk and Cheese collection, in a conversation that quickly sidestepped in a million directions. This is Evan’s third time on the Inkstuds, and he is always welcome back.