Radio Free Krypton

You know the scene in the superhero movie where the hero is inspired to do good by reading another comic book? What happens when that occurs in real life?

This week, Justin speaks to author Peter Nowak about his new book, The Rise of Real-Life Superheroes and the Fall of Everything Else, about the deep and sometimes complicated world of real-world caped crusaders.

Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé. Stay tuned for the CJRU fund drive, starting Nov. 13!

Jacob and Justin follow up on a 2017 interview and talk to Safiyya Hosein, a comics writer and researcher who studied the significance of Muslim superheroes in comics. Following the news that a Canadian was cast to play Ms. Marvel in an upcoming TV show, they discuss how Muslim participants in Safiyya's study feel about the representation of Muslim superheroes including Ms. Marvel and X-Men's Dust.

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

We're taking it back to 2017, where Jacob goes solo and speaks with Neil Gibson, the author of Twisted Dark, a huge, thrilling, and incredibly organized series of connected stories. We talk about the books, comic TV shows, and some tips on good comic storytelling.

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

For this year's CJRU fund drive, we partnered with the station's gaming show, Built to Play, to bring you "Crisis of Toxic Nerds," a two-part documentary investigating where the toxicity in geek culture comes from, and what we can do about it. Listen to their part, all about video games, here.

In this part, RFK hosts Justin and Jacob try to make sense of an old beast with a new face: Comicsgate. They speak to comics writer and editor Stephanie Cooke, rapper More or Les, professor Benjamin Woo and writer and PhD candidate Safiyya Hosein about how toxicity develops and the importance of diverse representations in comics.

Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Written and reported by Justin Chandler and Jacob Dubé. Produced by Jacob Dubé, Justin Chandler and Mitchell Thompson.

Especially in a time where going outside and meeting strangers might not be the best plan, listen in as Jacob speaks to Matt McGrath, creator of the upcoming comic ID-10T Error, about the challenges of funding a comic through Kickstarter, and getting noticed in the comics world without going to conventions.

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

Cartoonist Howard Chackowicz tells Justin about his new book on cruelty, "Nothing to See Here," and about his time on WireTap, the fan-favourite CBC Radio show that's back on air this summer.

Howard digs into his passion for creator-owned comics and the Montreal indie scene of the '90s, then waxes poetic about his love of superheroes.

They also talk about a dirty Aquaman joke.

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

In the mid '60s, with Batman big on TV, legendary radio man Dick Orkin brought Chickenman to air. The audio comedy gained a loyal following and still plays on the radio. Now, Orkin's daughter Lisa is re-releasing the series on streaming platforms.

Justin and Jacob talk to the Los Angeles creator about the program, its revival, what it was like working with her dad, and lessons for radio she's still using today.

RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. You can support the station on Patreon here.

Derek Jessome and Jeff Knott, two animators turned comic creators from Dartmouth, N.S., tell Justin about Grandway Comics, their line of Silver Age inspired titles.

With the second issue of "Space Cowboy and the Triumphanteers" out now, Derek and Jeff share why they loved the era of comics when heroes were good, bad guys were bad and books were more geared toward children.

They talk about why they've clear of camp and about their efforts to tell detailed, complex stories to readers of all ages.

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

For the coveted 150th episode of RFK, hosts Justin and Jacob talk to Dave Howlett, manager of the Strange Adventures comics shop in Halifax, and creator of the new comic series The Makers. We talk about running a comics store during a pandemic, and creating a tribute to the buff, edgy, but exciting era of '90s comics.

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

American author J.B. Lion's upcoming Seventh Spark series spins a fantasy yarn about good, evil and humanity's flaws. He tells host Jacob Dubé about his unique multimedia approach to storytelling.

J.B. also shares how events like the police killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against anti-Black racism inform his work.

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