Radio Free Krypton

Like a lot of comic creators we interview, Caryma Sa'd has a side gig. But in a first for our show, that side-gig is being a lawyer. Hosts Jacob and Justin speak to Sa'd about her editorial cartoons, criticizing the policies and actions of provincial and municipal politicians (sometimes in tutus), and how she parses the often-depressing media landscape.

This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM . Produced by Jacob Dubé.

host Jacob Dubé speaks with comic creator Jason Lutes about Berlin, a huge 800-page epic telling the stories of the citizens of the German capital between the two World Wars. They talk about the 22-year creation of the book and the everyday stories of those experiencing the rise of fascism in their neighbourhoods. Also, RPGs.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Mitchell Thompson.

Justin speaks to Timmins author Davis Dewsbury, founder of Great North Comics and the co-creator of Auric, a Northern Ontario superhero whose newest story comes out soon.

Auric is a man blessed with the power to turn into a beast after a Northern Goddess rewards his bravery. The new book features seven artists and is told without dialogue. Unlike the other issues in the series, it's a survival story as opposed to a superhero one.

Davis tells Justin about the challenge of working on a book with so many artists, and about why he feels like he's representing Northern Ontario whenever he makes comics.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

Friend of the show Christine Chua joins Justin and Jacob for a rousing chat about the future of Marvel movies and TV.

Does the wonderfully weird WandaVision signal a shift? If movie continuity gets complicated like its source material, will it still be accessible? How is Christine surviving without movies and comic conventions?

This woman needs to cosplay!

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

Blast from the past! Former co-host Mitchell Thompson returns for an interview with neuroscientist Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, responsible for the discovery of the "Jennifer Aniston neuron", a concept that examines how memories are formed, stored, and connected in our minds. Mitchell and Rodrigo discuss how these ideas can come to form in sci-fi epics like Blade Runner, Robocop, and Planet of the Apes.

Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Mitchell Thompson.

When Howard Wong was bedridden with germs from his kid's daycare, an utterance from his friend Josh Stafford inspired the two to make a horror comic about flesh-eating children. They tell Justin and Jacob how writing the book tested their comfort levels, and its eerie similarities to the pandemic.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

The comic industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with independent creators feeling it the most. But throughout the year, we've heard inspiring stories from many creators who are trying to make it work despite it all. In this episode, we revisit our interview with Eric Kostiuk Williams on writing comics about COVID loneliness, and our talk with Sylvia Nickerson about gentrification and art in Hamilton.

This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Translating comics is an immersive, sensory and sometimes musical experience — at least the way Helge Dascher and Robin Lang do it. The two tell Jacob and Justin how they worked together to translate Quebec author Sophie Bédard's book "Lonely Boys" from French to English. They also share some trade secrets.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

Radio Free Krypton wishes you a safe and healthy holiday season!

Hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Canadian comic creator Dakota McFazdean about his new collection of short stories, To Know You're Alive, that features some new and old stories of his. We talk about writing about the weirdness of childhood, and the new perspectives of parenting.

Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Pandemic, racism, mental illness, polarization — another day in 2020 and a new album for Toronto rapper More or Les. He tells RFK the stories behind the songs in his 15th album, "Human Condition," about writing rhymes to suit our time, and the challenges of sharing one's feelings.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station in its annual fund drive by going to store.cjru.ca!

This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.