Moarhammer

On this week’s Comic History Mysteries, a heartfelt tribute to Stephen Hawking, a discussion on what makes a villain and how some can be lovable in spite of their horrible deeds, Moby Dick, of course Batman makes an appearance and eventually the boys get around to discussing how you can use your local library as a Comic Shop of sorts! Enjoy the madness!

 

 

For more history fun with the Ramblin Phoenix’s check out his history blog: www.historicalperceptions.com

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Our Comic of the Week is Supernal Event by Creative Zenith!

 

You can get your copy here: https://www.comixcentral.com/product/supernal-event/

On this week's Comic History Mysteries, the boys are arguing about what defines Indie in all its genres, comics, film, music, and... continents?

https://www.comixcentral.com/defining-indie/

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For more history fun with the Ramblin Phoenix’s check out his history blog: www.historicalperceptions.com

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This week's comic of the week sneak peek is the HANS! 

Get it now! https://www.comixcentral.com/product/the-hans/

Wanna learn how to climb the ladder using the power of art and relationships? Wanna know how to have a really cool job and maintain your indie core? Wanna learn how to use risk effectively? Wanna know how baby steps can take you from unknown artisan to VFX team member a’ la Marvel’s Black Panther film? We’ve got you covered on this week’s episode with the lighthearted honesty of special effects king Todd Sheridan Perry?

His passion for art and computers started early when his dad brought home the first mac back in 1984. This was the first time Todd realized he could mold his passion for art and technology into a remarkable yellow brick road of digital storytelling that would eventually lead him right to the wizards at Marvel Studios. His ability to reconcile a deep understanding of people with conscious risk may seem magical coincidence, but I get the feeling Todd and I share in a belief that dreams tend to find their way to people who leap off the edge of a professional cliff just above and beyond the winds of true purpose- especial if those cliffs overlook Hollywood, California. It’s easy to find common ground with someone whose original inspiration for the industry came from a mutual obsession with a certain 1977 space opera that needs no introduction.

While Star Wars may have been the beginning, Todd has seen the inner workings of this industry change and grow over the years. We talk about the value that comes from going with your gut and forming partnerships with people who think differently. We talk about the cost of going your own way, whether it’s writing comics or making a film. We talk about the challenges of working under the pressures of time and team management. Most importantly, we talk about how important it is to maintain true artistry in the face of an industry giant- The reason why keeping your hand in indie is not only valuable for the creative process/perspective but for the heart and soul of an artist. If you love indie and yet still find room in your heart for the big two then this interview is a can’t miss. Being dedicated and driven has its place. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is walk away from what you know and give a new hope to that mysterious horizon

 

Don’t forget to check out the links below for information on Todd Sheridan Perry

 

Todd IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675332/

Twitter: @TeaspoonVFX

Website: http://www.teaspoonvfx.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaspoonVFX/

Instagram: @teaspoonvfx

 

 

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This episode the Ramblin Phoenix, The Voice and The Janitor discuss myths and folklore as influences on comics and media.

Show Notes:

To begin Ramblin wants to first discuss the elephant in the room when discussing myth and comics, which is Neil Gaiman, who work is so steeped and influenced by myth it is nearly a genre unto itself.

Dragon Ball is brought of as an example of a story that was inspired by the Chinese myth “Journey to the West.”...it devolves for a bit there… in which they hit upon the comic Lucifer, Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle, Wreck it Ralph, and the Netflix show Castlevania.

The discussion moves onto trickster figures in myth. Beginning with the Hawaiian demigod Maui. Loki is perhaps the most famous of the trickster figures. Ramblin goes on to explain how the Marvel Universe actually changed many of the aspects and connections found in Norse mythology. That leads to a discussion of some real Norse myths, followed by a comparison between Thor and Hercules.This evolves into a discussion about the history of theater, and the conception of the idea of “The Age of Heros.”

Ramblin also wants to cut Hades some slack as he seems to be made out to be the Greek version of the devil when he actually did his job while Zeus could not keep it in his pants.

The group next brings up how comics often will take inspiration or use characters from different myths as part of their story arcs.

The group moves on from ancient myth to a more modern myth: Cthulhu. There is a fascination with playing the idea of ripping away the veil of reality.Next, the topic of different versions of the same story is discussed. Ramblin feels that it is not helpful to try to find A “definitive” version but enjoy what different versions are trying to say with these same characters.

The Janitor being up the thought that that is something that indie comics do all the time which is taking these myths and retaining them in brand new ways to tell a new story.

In the end, myths make interesting stories and continue to inspire new stories in many different mediums but especially in comics.

https://www.comixcentral.com/comic-history-mysteries-4/

For more history fun with the Ramblin Phoenix’s check out his history blog: www.historicalperceptions.com

Wanna learn how to do a million things at once? Wanna fall in love with your craft every single day? Wanna learn how find the good in every practice? Wanna learn how to never have a bad day? Look no further than the B-12 sunshine rocketship that is Spencer Scott Holmes, the man who does everything.

Like many kings and queens of nerd life, Spencer's love of creativity began in an introductory class to audio/video work way back in elementary school. Spencer also fell in love with music and began playing in bands in high school. His love of film never waned, and he eventually turned all that love into a passion for script writing, filmmaking, animation and even podcasting. Take all that creativity, add an unparalleled zest for life and an unstoppable, infectious nerd joy and you’ve got the creative genesis genius machine kind enough to do this episode of Adventures in Interviewing with us. He manages to work out, eat pizza and enjoy retro gaming in his “spare time”- as if he had any. He’s managed to write 4 issues of his debut comic Pizza Boyz in a year, he works out as a hobby, and somehow manages to maintain an awesome relationship at the same time. What’s your excuse? Yeah, I thought so….

Spencer and I had a tremendous conversation regarding the nature of complaining. More importantly, we talked about why complaining is a bunch of BS. All the technology, all the information, all the connective possibility, and yet many creatives are still unhappy. They find ways to make excuses instead of progress. For Spencer, that just doesn’t compute. He does odd jobs to get buy while focusing on the projects that give him meaning. As long as he manages to exercise in the morning, he’s able to devote the majority of his energy towards the projects that he values most- mainly creating comics. He talks about the difference between a hobby, a job and career and the importance of that divide. Make no mistake, if you wanna learn how to multitask without being overwhelmed; If you wanna learn how to focus, and refocus multiple times a day; If you wanna redefine your life around not what you make, but rather, how you make it then put your nerd boots on. This dude is gonna kick your creative juice into a brand new atmosphere.

https://www.comixcentral.com/spencer-scott-holmes/

 

Don’t forget to check out the links below for information on Spencer Scott Holmes

Creative Website: www.oldmanorgange.com

Pizza Boyz on CXC: https://www.comixcentral.com/?s=pizza+boyz

Twitter: @SpencerSHolmes

On today's show, The Voice and the Ramblin Phoenix are joined by...a guy that just works here.

 

Today's discussion covers how the consumption of comics and other media has changed in the last 20 years.

The Phoenix was recently playing his new Nintendo Switch and realized how many indie games are thriving on the Switch, and these game were initially meant to be played on the PC, but are finding a new life on the hybrid console.

 He goes on to talk about how he primarily consumes comics digitally, even though that is not how comics were conceived to be enjoyed.

 

On the flip side to the new ways of consuming media, there is also a pushback in which older and previously thought defunct ways of consuming media are having a resurgence. For example, even though digital books had a major part in the fall of the big box store, mom and pop bookstores are the most popular they have been for a long time.

 

The guy who works here, who is a musician, relates his experience of still purchasing physical CDs in a world of digital downloads.

 

The discussions evolve to discuss how physical comics printing has changed and the resurgence of value. There is a tension between purity of product (i.e a vinyl) vs lower quality but a higher density of a product (i.e. 1000 songs on an iPod).

 

Manga is brought up as an example of an industry which the change of format (physical to digital) has made the art more popular but because the content is being shared for free the industry is struggling.

 

The shifts to how iTunes, and later streaming services, changed music industry for better and for worse.

 

There has been a reaction of these new way of consumption with a new popularity of an older style of consumption be it vinyl, hardcover books, or physical comics.

 

These new formats, like the rise in audiobooks, have also allowed people to find more of the things they might like more easily.

 

Somehow, the discussion goes onto an extended discussion topic of fan fiction.

 

Next up is a discussion about how a new patronage model is appearing and is positivity effect on these industries.  In addition, there is a whole new level of personal interaction between artists and consumers.

 

Ramblin Phoenix then brings up some real history and discusses how people in history reacted to changes in how books were consumed. He then quotes a 16th-century academic who was dubious about how engaging with books would change when they were printed instead of handwritten.

 

They conclude with final thoughts that this is a new interconnected time of opportunity for artists and how artists might be surprised in the was a consumer chooses to engage with their art.

This week's sneak peek comic of the week is BOB: NON-UNION PSYCHIC #2 THE UNION STRIKES! Available on ComixCentral.com

Wanna know how to navigate comic distribution? Wanna know how to juggle multiple creative plates at once? Wanna learn how to create and survive a dedicated con schedule? Look no further than the one-woman-show powerhouse behind Emerald Comics Distribution- Anne G. Bean.

Anne has only been in distribution game since the tail end of 2016, and she’s already a force to be reckoned with in the world of comics. She got to press up the wazzoooo early on starting with Seattle Vanguard. This was simply the beginnings of a rustling wind bound to be a hurricane. Anne might call it luck. I don’t disagree with luck playing a role, but I’ll never believe luck is completely responsible for any outcome in business. The press and following that has steadily grown in such a short time follow Anne because of her dedication to the profession and her clients.

Her solid understanding of comic distribution and how its morphed/shifted since the 90’s has given her more than a leg up in not just the indie comic industry but graphic storytelling as a whole. Her client care goes beyond personal introductions at cons and showing at random comic shops in and around Oregon. Her research and dedication have lead to a blueprint of distribution. She understands the necessity of its service, the path to take for success, and where the cracks have formed along the way. There’s no doubt that the future of Emerald Comics Distro is a bright one and The Comixcentral Podcast is thrilled to be a megaphone for people like Anne whose tireless heart is making comic distribution a respectable institution once again, chipping away at Diamond one comic shop at a time.

https://www.comixcentral.com/anne-bean-emerald-distro/

 

Don’t forget to check out the links below for information on Emerald Comics Distro, Anne’s upcoming panel and distribution in general.

 

Website: www.emeraldcomicsdistro.com

Twitter: @EmeraldDistro

Instagram: Emeraldcomicsdistro

Link to Anne’s ECCC panel on distribution coming up: https://www.emeraldcitycomiccon.com/en/Sessions/53106/Rebuilding-the-Comics-Business-from-the-Bottom-Up

Some comics distribution history for context: http://www.delusionalhonesty.com/2011/06/brief-history-of-comics-distribution.html