True North Country Comics Podcasts

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Amy Grachow and Keith Grachow about their new graphic novel Summer on the Swing.

Amy Grachow is an accomplished author known for her captivating children’s adventure book series Up-In-The-Sky. With a lifelong passion for writing poetry and short stories, Amy has been recognized through numerous awards, including winning a family trip to the Bahamas for her short story in Redbook magazine. Collaborating with her son, Keith, who is the illustrator, Amy creates enchanting stories that transport readers to imaginative worlds. Her empathetic nature and immense creativity shine through her work, drawing readers of all ages into her storytelling.

Keith Grachow is a comic book author-illustrator, graphic designer, and instructor who teaches workshops on illustration. Keith has written for SCI by AH Comics, co-written a story in Cauldron, authored his own comics (Yost the Golem, Bounty Hunter Kai) and co-created many comic books and anthology stories (Strange Case with Mark Bertolini for Scout Comics, Checkmate Blues with Robert Iveniuk and Reponaut with Howard Wong ) and children’s books with his mother Amy (Up-In-The-Sky series). He has also worked in animation, as a digital ink-and-paint artist for the Disney movies ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and ‘Princess and the Frog’, and designed toy packages for products like Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon and the Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Currently, Keith has co-authored and illustrated the graphic novel Summer on The Swing, with his mother Amy Grachow,

Summer on the Swing is a “148 page graphic novel with prose and spot illustrations in full colour for ages 13 plus. During the summer of 1965, in a bungalow colony in the Catskills of upstate New York, a young Jewish teen named Leslie, finds herself in the real life stories of friends and family. Through their books and journal entries, she gains the confidence to solve a crime and help a family. Only to have it all fall apart.”

You can discover more about Amy Grachow at AmyGrachow.com

You can discover more about Keith Grachow at at KGrachow.com and on Instagram at @keith_grachow

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Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode I chat with Von Allen about the latest update for his Wolf’s Head comic book series and more.

Von Allan is a comic book creator from Ottawa, Ontario who previously ran an independent book store. His works include Stargazer and The Road To God Knows graphic novels, plus a variety of comic book short stories. His previous podcast interview centred on his hardcover book Laughter, and Loss: A Comics Collection. Now, Von has returned to offer an update about his ongoing comic book series Wolf’s Head.

The central figure in Wolf’s Head is Lauren Greene — a young woman who has quit her job as a police officer in Metro Detroit after becoming frustrated with growing police violence. After a series of adventures, Lauren has returned to Detroit in defeat. Broke, homeless, and back behind the counter at the Three-Eyes Bar, she’s living the life she thought she’d left behind. Worse, the young artificial intelligence (AI) she risked everything to protect has been recaptured by ARPC’s ruthless leader and henchman. In this story loyalty is tested, old demons resurface, and bonds between friends become the only thing standing between salvation and catastrophe.

You can discover more about Von Allan online at VonAllan.com

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Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Arizona O’Neill about her debut graphic novel Opioids & Organs published by Drawn & Quarterly.

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Arizona O’Neill is an author and illustrator. Her illustration work has appeared in Nelly Arcan’s L’enfant dans le miroir and her mother Heather O’Neill’s Valentine in Montreal. Her comics have appeared in Hazlitt, Exclaim!, Canadian Geographic, and the Montreal Gazette. She has created animated videos for many outlets, including CBC. A regular contributor to Radio-Canada’s Il restera toujours la culture, she is one half of the Bookstagram page @ONeillReads. Opioids & Organs is her first graphic novel.

Opioids & Organs is “a heartwrenching memoir of a daughter losing her father and a scathing indictment of the medical industry. Arizona grieves at the hospital bed of her father, a man she hardly knew, brain dead after a fentanyl overdose. Doctors encourage her to act quickly to recast him as a hero by way of organ donations. Distraught, Arizona makes a decision that will haunt her for the rest of her life. As she struggles to come to terms with her father’s death and her role as next of kin in making his life’s last decision, she uncovers inconvenient truths about the organ industry’s own codependence on the opioid crisis.”

You can discover more about Arizona O’Neill online at ArizonaOneill.com and on Instagram at @arizonaoneill

Discover more about Opioids & Organs at Drawn & Quarterly

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Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Camille Perron-Cormier about her new YA graphic novel The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches published by Second Story Press.

Camille Perron-Cormier is based in the Greater Moncton Area in New Brunswick. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Design degree with a concentration in comic books at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) in 2018. Since graduating, she has returned to New Brunswick, where she creates comics, illustrations, graphic recordings, graphic design, and leads art workshops. She has illustrated several children’s books with Éditions Bouton d’or Acadie, a francophone publisher based in New Brunswick. With them, she also launched her first graphic novel series, Crapaud et Romarin, translated into English by Second Story Press as The Willbrook Witches series. The first volume was awarded the Découverte de l’année (Discovery of the Year) award at Les Éloizes in 2024.

The story of The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches goes like this: “Andrea is nervous to start university in the small town of Willbrook. Introverted and shy, she’s living away from home for the first time and finding it hard to fit in. When Andrea meets Elaine and Sybil, they quickly welcome her to their group. Andrea might have finally found her people, but they have a huge secret…they’re witches—and they think Andrea is too. As Elaine and Sybil teach her how to harness her powers, she finally starts to feel like she belongs. But the girls learn there’s another witch on campus, and this one might not have good intentions. Soon, Andrea learns that the world of magic is much bigger than she imagined.”

Discover more about Camille Perron-Cormier at CamilleIllustration.com and on Instagram at @Camille.perroncormier

Discover more about The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches at SecondStoryPress.ca

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Please subscribe to and like this podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube Podcasts.

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True North Country Comics Podcast is Copyright True North Country Comics. Copyright 2026

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The post Camille Perron-Cormier introduces her witchy YA graphic novel appeared first on True North Country Comics.

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Koby Barhad about the new graphic novel Joyless available on Kickstarter.

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Koby Barhad is a designer, researcher, and educator. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, UK, co-founder of the Radical Norms research lab at OCAD University, Toronto, Canada. His work has been exhibited and published internationally: The Victoria and Albert Museum, UK; Science Gallery, Dublin; Z33 – House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture, Belgium; Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts, Switzerland; Artforum, Wired magazine, Fast Company, Dezeen and others. His latest project is his first graphic novel entitled Joyless.

Inspired by real world patents in Artificial Emotional Intelligence, Joyless is a “debut collection of surreal graphic vignettes that unfolds in a future where feelings are optimized for satisfaction, leaving nothing to be desired. Every chapter offers an intimate glimpse into someone’s or something’s daily routine, where the legal and technical language of a written patent becomes a lived reality – a ‘real’ human story, an algorithmic problem, a visceral tension. It is not an attempt to translate professional vocabulary, or follow a traditional hero journey, but a curious speculation on the type of inner life, inventors and corporations believe is worth living (a hidden gaze that follows readers everywhere through the book). Which feelings matter in their eyes? Is there a spectrum? What is the value of feelings?”

You can discover more about Koby Barhad online at KobyBarhad.com and on Instagram at @kobybarhadwork

You can discover Joyless at JoylessFutures.com

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Please subscribe to and like this podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube Podcasts.

Please send your feedback to [email protected]

True North Country Comics Podcast is Copyright True North Country Comics. Copyright 2026

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The post Koby Barhad offers surreal graphic novel ‘Joyless’ appeared first on True North Country Comics.

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Jarett Sitter about the new young reader’s graphic novel Ready, Cassette, Go! published by Annick Press.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Jarett Sitter is an award-winning illustrator, animator, and artist with extensive experience creating artwork for the music industry, and magazines such as The Believer. Jarett graduated with a BFA in New Media from the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Growing up inspired by skateboarding graphics, music, album covers, and Saturday morning cartoons, Jarett’s art plays with these nostalgic elements to bring forward peculiar worlds. Jarett’s debut graphic novel, promoted by CBC Books for student’s return to school, is entitled Ready, Cassette, Go!

Ready, Cassette, Go! takes place in “Cassette City — the coolest place to hang out: at the arcade or the skate park, at the monster movie marathon, or snagging your favourite band’s newest album at the music store. On cassette tape, of course! When a wisecracking raccoon, an easygoing mushroom, and a robot with big feelings recruit the standoffish new girl Melody Li to help them win the Rock Your Socks battle of the bands, Melody might just discover that these misfit musicians are the friends she really needs. After all, life is better when you band together!”

You can discover more about Jarett Sitter online at JarettS.com and on Instagram at @jarettsitter

You can discover more about Ready, Cassette, Go! at AnnickPress.com

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Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Joe Beller and Cam J.J. Taylor about their new graphic novel Foxborough published by Renegade Arts Entertainment.

Joe Beller is a Calgary-based lawyer, writer, and cat-dad originally from Edmonton, Alberta. Growing up, Joe’s favourite places were his local library, bookstore, and Blockbuster video, forging a lifelong love for storytelling. His first publication Foxborough was made in partnership with his longtime friend and collaborator, artist Cam J.J. Taylor

Based in Edmonton Alberta, Cam J.J. Taylor is a Métis self taught artist on the fantasy series Foxborough driven by a sincere passion for history, storytelling and worldbuilding. Being immersed in manga, comics and film at a young age cemented a drive to create – paving a lifelong path of concept art leading to TTRPGs, indie games, comics and local conventions. They aim to inspire and embolden new generations to pursue their own creative dreams and desires.

Foxborough is the story of ‘an exiled elven princess joins a party of adventurers who are determined to overthrow the ruthless regime, and help her reclaim her birthright. Samira Tramar is the only living member of the Elven royal family, surviving the bloody coup that threw her homeland into chaos 10 years ago. Despite her attempts to stay hidden, she is discovered by loyal supporters still fighting against the tyrants. After much convincing, Samira is persuaded to join them as they seek to return her to the throne. The group choose a dilapidated inn named ‘The Foxborough’ to be their base of operations, and they slowly rebuild it as their plans evolve. As they prepare to attack the regime, the adventurers gather allies, and Samira begins to learn how to rule, and more importantly why. But, the party of heroes is unaware that their enemy has grown more powerful, through the use of an ancient, dark magic.’

Discover more about Cameron J.J. Taylor on Instagram at @drive.by.uppercut

Discover more about Foxborough at RenegadeArtsEntertainment.com

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Please subscribe to and like this podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube Podcasts.

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True North Country Comics Podcast is Copyright True North Country Comics. Copyright 2026

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The post Joe Beller and Cam J.J. Taylor deliver ‘Foxborough’ appeared first on True North Country Comics.

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Howard Wong about his new comic book Dying Samurai published by Markosia Enterprises.

Howard Wong is based in Toronto, Ontario with an illustrious career in comic books, graphics novels and other entertainment related outlets. Howard has worked with industry leaders such as Bandai Namco, Bungie Inc., Marvel Comics, National Geographic, and Threezero. Currently, he’s working on several exciting projects, including client work in animation, comics and new media development, as well as developing creator-owned IPs including a YA graphic novel, horror series and an interactive narrative experience. With artist Robin Ng, his newest comic book is entitled Dying Samurai.

Dying Samurai is the story of: “A lone samurai, zombies, and a hundred outlaws to kill! During feudal Japan’s first zombie onslaught, a samurai’s village and family are taken by ruthless outlaws as his fate is sealed by a single savage bite. To save his loved ones, he must embrace his terrifying undead powers before succumbing to the ravenous hunger and become another mindless monster in the rampaging zombie horde.”

You can discover more about Howard Wong on Linktree at@TheRealHowardWong and on Instagram at @TheRealHowardWong

Discover more about Dying Samurai on the Markosia website.

Listen to a previous chat with Howard Wong here

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True North Country Comics Podcast is Copyright True North Country Comics. Copyright 2026

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The post Howard Wong discusses ‘Dying Samurai’ and more appeared first on True North Country Comics.

Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with David Stephens about his efforts to create a compendium of Captain Newfoundland comic books.

Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, for over 10 years David Stephens has been an integral staff member at Timemasters Inc. — a comic book store located in St. John’s offering comics, games, and collectibles with a friendly community vibe. In addition to his store duties, David has taken on an almost Herculean task of assembling a compendium book, with the assistance of local broadcaster and content owner NTV, by gathering the various art and comic book pages of the province’s most popular superhero Captain Newfoundland.

Captain Newfoundland is described as “ancient alien astronaut, one of the last remnants of a colony of a ‘godlike’ race that occupied the lost city of Atlantis in prehistoric time and claimed responsibility for such feats as the moai on Easter Island and theGreat Pyramids of Giza…..Captain Newfoundland preaches that there are leaders, currently imprisoned by world society, who, through New Age spiritualism, can break free, harness supernatural powers and lead society toward world peace”.

You can discover more about Timemasters Inc. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TimemastersInc/

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True North Country Comics Podcast is Copyright True North Country Comics. Copyright 2026

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Welcome to the True North Country Comics Podcast — originating in Canada and celebrating comic book and graphic novel creators and supporters.

On this episode, I chat with Donald Calabrese about his new graphic novel Coady published by Conundrum Press.

Donald Calabrese is a cartoonist, musician, academic and labour activist from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. His work has appeared in Nova Graphica (Conundrum Press, 2020), The Dalhousie Review, Broken Pencil and Word Hoard. In his work, Donald thinks about identity and history, interiority and pain. The graphic mytho-biography Coady is Donald’s first full-length graphic novel.

Coady explores the life of Moses Coady a Roman Catholic Priest born in Margaree, Nova Scotia who famously inspired and led The Antigonish Movement: the co-operative education / economic movement that spread internationally during the mid-twentieth century. The graphic novel reveals the personal triumphs and misgivings alongside a contemporary historian’s attempt to reconcile the spirit of Twentieth Century revolutionary economics with the vanishing political resistance of post-industrial Atlantic Canada. Donald uses archival material and the Coady papers to focus on private misgivings and personal struggles in addition to his contributions to the co-operative movement and social justice. It is also a metahistory that asks questions about how we mythologize our past and form our cultural identities.

You can discover more about Donald Calabrese on Instagram at @donaldhcalabrese

Discover more about Coady at Conundrum Press

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