In the comics medium's ongoing quest for respectability, the 21st century has seen a proliferation of so-called literary comics: buttoned up, digestible, "realistic" -- comic strips cosplaying as New Yorker stories. 

Today's guest, Tana Oshima, explodes any ideas a reader might have about what a literary comic can or should look like. By day, Tana is an accomplished Japanese-to-Spanish literary translator, whose credits include books by Yu Miri, Hiroko Oyamada, Yuko Tsushima, and Nobel-prize winner Yasunari Kawabata. By night, she has produced (in English) a slew of playful, inventive comic books, a form that she considers her playground.

Join us as we discuss drawing vs. writing, the joys of bullshit literature, the mouths of Francis Bacon, our liberation from perfectionism, and much else. Hear me mangle some fairly simple Spanish phrases, and even read a few passages from Tana's work!

Links:

Tana's shop

Tana's instagram

Interviews with Francis Bacon

Today I Wrote Nothing by Daniil Kharms

Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan

Miami Review of Comics instagram

Drew's instagram

Drew's (free) patreon

Jason Butler's website

Jason Butler's instagram

On the show's third episode, Jesse McManus joins the Miami Review of Comics to talk about his ongoing romance with The Two Kinds of Cartooning: yes, comics and animation. Join us as we explore Nicktoons and Robert Breer, onion cutting and Muybridging, impossible books, comic strip physics, working out one's own scam, and much more!

You can email the show at [email protected]

Thanks as always to our amazing producer Jason Butler!

Links:

Jesse's website

Jesse's instagram

Bouy Boy (Jesse's student film)

Nil's Pottery Lifechild (Jesse's student film)

A Man and His Dog Out for Air (Robert Breer film)

Miami Review of Comics instagram

Drew's instagram

Drew's (free) patreon

Jason Butler's website

Jason Butler's instagram

For decades, autobio has remained one of the most beloved and debated genres within indie comics. In our second episode, we explore the form with two of its greatest contemporary practitioners, Josh Bayer and MS Harkness. Viewing their newest books side by side — Josh’s Unended and M.S.’s Time Under Tension — beautifully illuminates the variety and potential of autobio cartooning TODAY. (Both books are also nominated for Ignatz awards in this year’s graphic novel category!)

We talk about long-form vs. short form, getting your cookies and flowers, having a particularly stupid time in your life, shit-talkin', and more! Plus: the emptying of the inaugural mailbag. 

Special thanks to the amazing Jason Butler for producing this episode!

Links:

Josh Bayer

MS Harkness

Jason Butler

Drew on Instagram

Drew on Patreon

In recent years, Instagram has emerged as a crucial platform for indie cartoonists to find their voices and build audiences. At the same time, Instagram is horrible and we all hate it.

In this inaugural episode, we dive deep into the world of Instagram comics with two of the most engaging voices in the indie comics community: Alex Graham and Cedar Van Tassel. Alex's "Dog Biscuits" and Cedar's "Appleguy" are shining examples of how complex, intelligent, and highly entertaining stories can thrive within Instagram's rigid confines and sometimes-toxic ecosystem.

Join us as we explore:

• The journey of bringing their work to Instagram!

Special thanks to the amazing Jason Butler for producing this episode!

Links:

Alex Graham's website 

Alex Graham on Instagram

Cedar Van Tassel's "Appleguy" on Instagram

God's Sod House by Cedar Van Tassel

Jason Butler's Website

Jason Butler's Instagram

Drew Lerman on Instagram

Drew Lerman's Patreon