The Comics Alternative

Time Codes:

• 00:25 - Introduction
• 02:19 - Setup of interview
• 03:38 - Interview with Hazel Newlevant

Hazel Newlevant is an artist and editor, known for their graphic novella Sugar Town, which they call “a queer poly rom-com,” as well as Tender-Hearted, winner of the 2017 Ignatz Award for outstanding minicomic. In 2016 the Two Guys discussed Hazel’s edited collection, Chainmail Bikini, an anthology of comics by and about women games released in 2016, and for which Hazel served as editor. Earlier this year they have had two other collections where they served as co-editor: Puerto Rico Strong, released in March by Lion Forge, and Comics for Choice: Illustrated Abortion Stories, History, and Politics, an anthology of comics about abortion and reproductive rights published by Alternative Comics. During this interview, Derek talks with Hazel primarily about Comics for Choice, but they also discuss some of their other work as well, including their many efforts as an editor within the comics industry.

Time Codes:

• 00:00:25 - Introduction
• 00:02:49 - Setup of interview
• 00:03:58 - Interview with Mairghread Scottand Robin Robinson

First Second has recently published The City on the Other Side, a historically based fantasy written by Mairghread Scott and with art by Robin Robinson. Gwen and Derek talk with the creators about their new book, the genesis behind the concept, and their decision to base their narrative in San Francisco. This is a compelling story that should have wide appeal, and not only with younger readers. Over the course of the conversation, Mairghread and Robin share their experiences researching various cultures' folklore (upon which many of the figures are based), the importance of character design, their methods of collaboration, and the significance of maps.

Time Codes:

• 00:00:32 - Introduction
• 00:03:09 - A few words (and a gripe) about the 2018 Eisner Award nominations
• 00:11:02 - Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus

This week Paul and Derek focus on three titles that are strikingly different in nature. They begin with Maximilian Uriarte's Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus: The World's Most Popular Military Comic Strip(Little Brown and Company). This is a hardbound volume of the entries included on Uriarte's webcomic, and it collects strips published between January 2010 and December 2016, most of what you'll find on the site. Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus also include the strips published in the Marine Corps Times. Although the guys know next to nothing about military (specifically Marine) life, they approach this text on its own terms and with a full awareness of its intended audience.

Next, they look at Rick Remender and Bengal's Death or Glory #1(Image Comics). Both of the guys marvel over Bengal's art, pointing out that the visuals are what largely drive the narrative in this first issue. But both are also fans of Remender's work, and as Paul points out, this new title bears many of his stylistic stamps. This is a title that has a lot of promise, and it's yet another Remender series for the guys to keep up with.

Finally, Paul and Derek discuss something never before covered on The Comics Alternative: a title from Black Mask Studios. The first issue in Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith 3's Black [AF]: Widows and Orphanshas recently been released, and the guys speculate on this ancillary tale in the Blackstoryworld. Although Paul is familiar with this universe, this is Derek's first foray into Black. As the guys discuss, this is an action-packed first issue, although at times a bit chaotic. Some of this confusion, in fact, may be due to the visuals. Nonetheless, it's a title worth checking out.

Time Codes:

• 00:00:27 - Introduction
• 00:02:28 - Setup of interview
• 00:03:51 - Interview with Neal Adams, Rafael Medoff, and Craig Yoe

On this interview episode, Derek talks with Neal Adams, Rafael Medoff, and Craig Yoe about their new book We Spoke Out: Comic Books and the Holocaust(Yoe Books/IDW Publishing). All three of these guests have been on the podcast before. Derek briefly interviewed Neal Adams at a couple of different cons, releasing those conversations as part of our on-location convention shows. Rafael Medoff was part of the special roundtable on politics and comicsthat was releases on election eve 2016. And of course, as listeners of the podcast well know, Craig Yoe has been on the show so many timesthat it's easy to lose count. What makes this such a notable episode is that all three of these guys come together at the same time to talk about their new book. Each comes with his own set of experiences with this collection, but what comes across so clearly in the interview is how Neal, Rafael, and Craig easily play off of one another and become a compelling creative team. In fact, Derek talked with them right before they headed over to the American Jewish Historical Society in New York for the book’s official launch.

Time Codes:

• 00:00:31 - Introduction
• 00:03:21 - Setup of the discussion
• 00:04:00 - The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America 

In this episode of the Comics Alternative Young Readers Show, Gwen and Paul review two new releases, both of which have a connection to folklore and fairy tales: Jaime Hernandez’s The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America from Toon Graphics, and Amélie Fléchais and Jonathan Garnier’s The Lost Path from Lion Forge Comics’ children’s imprint, Cub House. Additionally, Paul and Gwen discuss Brian Hibb’s “Tilting at Windmills #268: Looking at BookScan 2017,” an overview of comics sales that demonstrates that the children’s and YA market continues to grow and that young people are getting comics in a variety of venues, from direct distribution at comics shops to major booksellers to Comixology.

In Part I of the show, Paul and Gwen embark on a detailed discussion of The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America, a text that includes three short tales, “The Dragon Slayer” and “Tup and the Ants,” both written and drawn by Jaime Hernandez, and “Martina Martínez and Pérez the Mouse,” a collaboration between children’s author Alma Flor Ada and Hernandez. The text begins with a short essay, “Imagination and Tradition,” by noted author F. Isabel Campoy that helps to contextualize the various fairy tales, or “cuentos” that have emerged from the diverse oral and literary traditions, which Campoy terms “a unique blend of Old World and New, spanning a continent across many geographic boundaries and cultures.” Campoy mentions specifically the Catholic, Jewish, Arab, and Moorish influences upon the Spanish, whose tales then encountered those of indigenous peoples from “the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and other Native American cultures.” At the end of the text, Campoy and Ada provide context for the three folktales, as well as a bibliography, and information on the authors. The editors at Toon Graphic have released a paperback Spanish language edition of the text, La Matadragones: Cuentos de Lationoamérica,” and Paul mentions the value of these books in dual language classrooms.

Gwen and Paul then consider the way that The Dragon Slayer fits into Jaime Hernandez’s long and storied career, and they mention both the humor inherent in the stories and the way that Hernandez’s characteristic clear line style conveys characters’ feelings and reactions. The fact that all three tales feature strong women is something that Paul highlights, noting that these tales provide a much-needed emphasis on girls and women who stand up for themselves and serve as problem solvers.

Next, the duo talks about Amélie Fléchais and Jonathan Garnier’s The Lost Path, a vibrant adventure story that includes references to classic fairy tales, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, and Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Gwen notes the text’s similarity to other contemporary comics in which young people pass through to a magical land where conflict is brewing – she mentions specifically Mairghread Scott and Robin Robinson’s recently released The City on the Other Side (First Second) as an example, while Paul praises the text’s style, from the gorgeous water color page-length spreads to the black and white sketches, which are rich in detail and artistry.

The show concludes with Paul and Gwen discussing the rise in hybrid comics, as well as implications that they have drawn from reading Brian Hibb’s latest report on comics sales.

This weekend Derek talks with Tom Manning about his Kickstarter campaign Eric: A Graphic Novel. This is a substantive graphic novel about a fictional musician with a wild and memorable life.

Eric, once a popular Los Angeles musician in the ’60s and ’70s, is now is a drug-addled relic grappling with his irrelevance. But, after he snaps on live TV while promoting his greatest hits album, Eric finds himself in the center of what may be a terrifying conspiracy spanning multiple realities.

Tom Manning describes his project as TheBig Lebowski meets Jacob’s Ladder. Ericis a graphic novel about Americana, and the horrific implications found just beneath its pop and artifice. Be sure to back Eric: A Graphic Novel!

It's the April on-location visit to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find in Charlotte, NC. As he usually does, Derek is at the shop talking with customers about comics-related matters. But his time at Heroes also corresponds with the visit of Queens University Prof. Michael Kobre’s class, "Secret Identities, Diversity, and Popular Culture."

Paul and Derek discuss Anna Haifisch's Von Spatz, Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett's Skyward #1, and Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse's Resident Alien: An Alien in New York #1.

Time Codes:

• 00:26 - Introduction
• 03:02 - Setup of interview
• 05:10 - Interview with Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden

Gene and Derek are happy to have on the podcast Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden. Their book How to Read Nancy: The Elements of Comics in Three Easy Panelswas released last fall from Fantagraphics Books. The authors are back on the circuit discussing their close reading of Ernie Bushmiller, but they took time to talk with the Two Guys about their landmark work. Over the course of the conversation, Mark and Paul reveal their history reading the Nancystrip, their original "How to Read Nancy" essayand the book that grew from there, the educational function of their detailed analysis, the work -- research, technological, and otherwise -- that went into this project, and, of course, there's the August 8, 1959 comic strip itself that comes under such meticulous scrutiny. Over the course of 44 steps, Paul and Mark pick apart this Nancystrip with painstaking detail. But How to Read Nancyalso includes a thorough biography overview of Ernie Bushmiller, multiple appendixes that provide abundant cultural and aesthetic context, and a "Do It Yourself" section where readers can apply the analytical skills they learn from the text. This is a must-read for every student of comics, creators and critics alike.

A big THANK YOU to Craig Yoe, who actually planted the idea for this interview and became its chief encourager!

Time Codes:

• 00:00:31 - Introduction
• 00:02:52 - Catching up with Paul, AKA, "Dissertation Boy"
• 00:04:24 - More listener mail!
• 00:15:50 - Milk Wars

Paul is back on the podcast, fresh from working on his dissertation. On this episode, he updates Derek on his dissertating progress, and then the Two Guys plunge into the show proper. They begin by looking at the five issues that make up the DC Universe/Young Animal crossover Milk Wars(DC Comics). Both Paul and Derek share their experiences reading JLA/Doom Patrol Special#1, Mother Panic/Batman Special#1, Shade, the Changing Girl/Wonder Woman Special#1, Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye/Swamp Thing Special#1, and Doom Patrol/JLA Special#1. A significant difference between the guys' appreciation of the Milk Warcrossover is linked to each of their post reading history with both the Young Animal titles and DC's current superhero happenings.

After that, they celebrate the recent work of Terry Moore. The Two Guys discus in detail Motor Girl Omnibus, released just last month from Moore's Abstract Studios. This is a limited series that originally came out in 2017, but both Derek and Paul wanted to revisit the title now that the entire run is available in one volume. From there, they jump into the first two issues of Moore's latest efforts, Strangers in Paradise XXV. Both are excited to be back in the world of Katchoo and Francine, and even more compelling is the fact that Moore is crossing over his narrative worlds. There are elements of both Rachel Risingand Echoin this new SiP. And while those familiar with Moore's previous comics will bring an enhanced appreciation to the latest series, first-time readers of Moore will nonetheless get a lot out of Strangers in Paradise XXVwithout feeling lost. Both Paul and Derek love the work of Terry Moore, and their discussion of these new releases demonstrate this fact.