The Comic Source Podcast

Jace chats with Jimmy Palmiottis and Patric Reynolds about the upcoming series Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger Spawn. The guys chat about how they were recruited for the project and how excited they were from the start. Also, we get some clues about the plan for the Gunslinger Spawn series in terms of tone and pacing. There is also lots of talk about Patric's art and how he is approaching the project visually. Look for the first issue December 18th in comic shops everywhere.

Jace welcomes author Alex Segura back to the show to chat about Alter Ego. His latest novel, which he describes as a spiritual successor to Secret Identity, is a thriller set in the modern world of comics. Some familiar characters from Secret Identity are mentioned or even show up in some cases, but this is a standalone story. It's also notable that the commentary and viewpoints of the characters very accurately reflect the attitudes many creators have about the comic industry in real life. This authenticity, which was also present in Secret Identity and done equally as well. provides such a rich backdrop for the characters in the book and helps explain their motivations. Any long time comic reader will get a kick out of seeing some legendary creators and seminal comic book works being referenced. Check out the Amazon description of the book below and join us for the chat with Alex.

Annie Bustamante is a cultural force like none other: an acclaimed filmmaker, an author, a comic book artist known for one of the all time best superhero comics in recent memory. But she's never been able to tackle her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. Only known to the most die-hard comics fans and long out of print, the rights were never available―until now. But Annie is skeptical of who is making the offer: Bert Carlyle's father started Triumph Comics, and has long claimed ownership of the Lynx. When she starts getting anonymous messages urging her not to trust anyone, Annie's inner alarms go off. Even worse? Carlyle wants to pair her with a disgraced filmmaker for a desperate media play. Annie, who has been called a genius, a sell-out, a visionary, a hack, and everything else under the sun, is sick of the money grab. For the first time since she started reading a tattered copy of The Legendary Lynx #1 as a kid, she feels a pure, creative spark. The chance to tell a story her way. She's not about to let that go. Even if it means uncovering the dark truth about the character she loves.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of November 20, 2024. Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter reaches a new high in terms of story as the penultiamte issue drops. Catwoman is on the prowl internationally, but she has many enemies looking for her, how will she survive. In the pages of Titans, the Clock King has leveled up, but it may take a team up for him to best the heroes. Wonder Woman spends time bonding with her newborn daughter as the rest of the Wonder girls take the fight to the Sovereign in an unexpected way. Meanwhile, on the JLU Watchtower, Rene Montoya is coming to terms with her new role as head of security when a hero is brutally murdered. It will be up to Rene to solve the case. Plus tons more DC titles from the latest week of the All in era.

Jace and Rocky chat about some of their favorite independent titles for the week of November 20, 2024. We get the debut of the family-centric, fast-paced and incredibly fun Rocketfellers from Ghost Machine. Also from Ghost Machine this week, the latest issue shows that although Teriq Geiger may be the most mutated survivor of the Unknown War, he may also be the most human in many ways. Speaking of being human, The Power Fantasy has an incredbile issue showcase just how tragically human, and thus flawed, the superpowered beings are in this story. Department of Truth also explores the idea of being human, but from the perspective of the expecations we can all put on one another and how harmful that can be. Ice Cream explored the world and the inherrent horrors we are responsible for that we are sometimes to blinded to see, or perhaps it is because these horrors have become ubiquitous. Standstill continues to pump out the action, but the latest issue takes some time to develop character as well when we get some clues as to why Ryker may be on his rampage. Join us to learn all bout these titles and more.

Jace is joined by writer/colorist Lee Loughridge and artist Andrew Robinson to chat about Standstill. An action-packed story with a main character who may or may not be a complete psychopath. Ryker has the ability to manipulate time and the question he is asking is, "If you could stop time, what WOULDN'T you do?". For Ryker that answer may be, not much as he tears through many people on his quest. The question we have to ask as readers, is what he is on a quest for. With issue #4 we may be starting to get some clues to answer that question. Meanwhile, the scientist who created the tech are searching for a way to stop Ryker. When you add in incredible cinematic work from Andrew Robinson, you have an incredible book visually that hits very hard from a pacing and narrative standpoint. Speaking of visuals, the book is almost exclusive laid out with double page spreads which only amplifies that widescreen feel of the action. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!

Jace is joined by writer Thomas Krajewski to chat about his current series for Marvel, Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay. Thomas tells us about the origins of the project and the challenges of making a zombie story all age appropriate. The story itself features Groot and Hulk, two classic Marvel characters who are a bit of an odd couplewhen they team up to try and stop a zombie apocalypse. There's plenty of heart-felt moments and some relatable emotional beats as well, but the fun shines through on every page.

Jace welcomes veteran cartoonist Bob Fingerman to the show. Bob is an internationally published and critically acclaimed cartoonist whose work has been in everything from Mad Magazine to Heavy Metal to Marvel Comics to DC Comics and so much more. He joins the show to discuss his originally graphic novel, Printopia. Set in the very New York City neighborhood Bob himseld used to live in, it is an eclectic collections of stories about various creators striving to put out their work on the printed page. The passion they have for their evdeavors has them frequented a local printshop where we are introduced to this zany cast of characters. Darla, a creative in her own right, works at the shop and provides us with a look into the world of these creative souls with sarcasm and wit worthy of the best satirical wit. Add in Bob's gorgeuos linework and a limited color palette that brings each vignette to life in veisceral fashion and you have a book that is both timeless and relevant. Join us to learn more from Bob himself.

Jace welcomes writer Maytal Zchut to the show to discuss Ghost Machine and her debut comic, It Happened On Hyde Street: Devour. Maytal talks about the reception for Devour and her reaction when she found oiut the first printing had sold out. She also discuss the creative environment at Ghost Machine and how the entire Ghost Machine family is fostering and environment that inspires everyone to do their best work. The conversation then pivots to the story of Devour itself, which deals with themes of self-doubt, body image, and most of all, the inner demons we all battle at teimes. It is an incredibly relatable story especially in terms of how the persasive self-doubt can be inadvertanely passed down through generations.

Jace welcomes writers Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski to the show. The co-creators and co-writers of Primer, they share their thoughts on authenticity in story. They talk about the importance of engaging young readers and their care when wrting about things that msy be challenging for young readers, like adoption. Also the gang chats about the incredible art of Gretel Lusky and what she brings to the project.

Jace chats with wrtier Ram V about his upcoming title for DC Comics, The New Gods. In the aftermath of the seeming death of Darkseid is it time for the New Gods to be replaced and usher in a new generation of Gods? Will Highfather allow this generation of gods to be swept aside? Has the first of a new generation of gods already been born on earth? So many questions are raised on the first issue of the epic story from Ram V. Following on the heels of the DC All In Special, Ram teases is that the New Gods title will be the place to find the answers, plus this story will explain how the Absolute Universe connects to the main universe ... eventually. In the meantime, expect a ton of action, plenty of family drama, as brother vs brother is teased in this first issue with Scott Free and Orion, seemingly destined to be on opposing sides as the action ramps up. When you add in the incredible interiors Evan Cagle is doing and you have, what feels like, a sure-fire hit.