My guest this week is an up-and-comic cartoonist and writer named Tanner T. Ogle. The Easthampton resident has just released two new comics that don’t featured a superhero, but instead a mediocre attorney who is the epitome of Murphy’s Law – “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

Working in the medium since 2018, he has been featured in two anthology books, and now has completed two solo volumes featured his unlikely hero, Murph: “Murph starring in Blunderdog” and "Giant Sized Murph.”

Murph involves the hapless attorney narrowly avoiding the machinations of a crooked prison warden. I found the books to be different and fun. In this age of superheroics they are refreshing.

Tanner and I talk about the creative process and the challenges creatives have in getting their work to the public.

Tanner will be appearing at the Springfield Comic Con at the MassMutual Center July 13-14.

To buy his books go to www.lesserknowncomcis.com.

Perhaps the best known "lost" film of the past 30 years, the 1994 version of the venerable comic book "The Fantastic Four," is currently the subject of a Change.org petition effort to finally and legitimately release the film. Marty Langford, the director of the acclaimed "Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four," talks with G. Michael Dobbs about the film and the new effort to make it available to all fans of the comic book series. Also, Mike gives unsolicited advice to candidates running for local seats this summer and his tip of the week. 

Art historian and former teacher David Barsalou of Chicopee, MA, is now featured in the new documentary, “Wham! Blam! Roy Lichtenstein and the Art of Appropriation,” by director Jim Hussy. Dave started his reserach years ago that Licentenstein, whose work now fetches milltions of dollars in auction, was ripping off images created by comic book artists. Dave talks to me about his long journey.  Also in this episode I rant about Massachusetts Gov. Healey and her recent trip to Rome and offers the first weekly tip. 

A social media post containing a phone conversation between Springfield School Superintendent Dan Warwick and Lead Chief Schools Officer Kimberly Wells defamed family members of School Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor. The call comes days after a tumultuous selection process for Warwick's replacement as he is retiring at the end of June. Mike Dopbbs takes a look at what is known at this point and what questions still go unanswered. 

This episode starts a new podcast dedicated to news and opinion from Western Massachusetts by veteran journalist G. Michael Dobbs. In the first episode the mayor of Holyoke, MA, Joshua Garcia, discusses the challenges and recent successes in the nation's oldest planned industrial city. Also Mike shares his weekly rant.