Creator Talks Podcast: Recent Episodes
Christopher Calloway
Creator Talks proudly presents the husband and wife team of writer Paul Tobin and artist Colleen Coover. Together they created the costumed teen cat burglar Bandette.
Bandette began as a digital publication in 2012 on Comixology through Monkeybrain Comics. It was nominated for four Eisner’s Awards in 2013.
Not long after, Dark Horse Comics collected the single issues into soft and hard cover editions.
The next Bandette hard cover collection will be released by Dark Horse Comics on July 7th 2021 is Volume 4: The Six Finger Secret.
I discuss with Colleen how she illustrates Bandette and the reason for her bold primary color choices.
It would not be Creator Talks if I did not get personal with my guests so I ask the happy couple how they met. Did Cupid’s arrow strike and was it love at first sight?
Paul and Colleen once managed a comic book store in Iowa. Paul shares how he managed to build his comic book collection while he worked there as an employee and how comic shops have changed since the 1980s.
He is also an avid comic art collector. Paul talks about some of his favorite pieces of art and why he considers himself lucky to have them. What is it about these artists’ work that appeals to Paul? Which ones tuned him off as a youth but now from whom he has great admiration. His answers may surprise you.
How has collecting art become an education itself for Paul and Colleen as creators?
Paul and Colleen made several trips to France, which is the setting of Bandette’s adventures. They share some of their special memories of France and later their decision to move from Iowa to Portland, Oregon for the sake of their careers.
In closing I ask Paul and Colleen my Final Nine Questions including what they like to do for recreation, beverage of choice, pet peeve, missed opportunities and when they took a risk.
Fini
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Transition Music -
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More about Bandette: The Six Finger Secret
About Paul Tobin
About Colleen Coover
Samuel George London is a comic book writer and podcast host based in the U.K.
We discuss why he developed his relatively recent interest in comic books and how he conceived and launched his popular Victorian space adventure series Milford Greene.
The focus of our conversation though will be his latest work being published through Action Lab Comics, The S-Factor.
It is a four-part series launching in June about an under-appreciated super hero sidekick, Greyfox, who decides to re-brand him self through a new reality TV series for super heroes called The S-Factor. Twelve super heroine contestants must fight for his affection.
Samuel shares which show inspired The S-Factor as well as his own personal experience taking part in a reality TV show.
His insight into the machinations and manipulations by associate producers to heighten emotions and tensions among contestants was fertile ground for the development of The S-Factor.
Samuel also goes behind the scenes of the making of The S-Factor: the good fortune that lead to the book deal with Action Lab Comics and the artist of the series Chris Panda. Samuel reveals the series rags to riches story and why he selected Chris to illustrate it.
Samuel is also the host of Comics for the Apocalypse. We talk about his imaginative interview podcast, one which ye old host has even made an appearance. Don’t let that stop you though; it is well worth you time to give his podcast a listen.
As we conclude our discussion I ask Samuel my Final Nine Questions, which include when he took a risk, his island book, recommended reading for comic book newbies and all about that missed opportunity.
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Music Sample: "Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)" by The Cheeky Girls
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More about The S-Factor
Listen to Comics for the Apocalypse
About Samuel George London
Ibrahim Mustafa joins Creator Talks to discuss his latest graphic novel Count being published through Humanoids.
This sci-fi revenge story is based on the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
The original is not the swashbuckling tale those who have not read it may think it is.
Why did Ibrahim decide to make this story the foundation for his graphic novel?
Why does the coloring and lettering fit so well with Ibrahim’s art style?
And why is this graphic novel more satisfying for Ibrahim than a comic series or fill-in issue he has drawn?
Growing up Ibrahim’s favorite superhero was Superman, and he talks about how seeing Alex Ross’ Man of Steel influenced his own art style.
Ibrahim reveals his favorite to comic art tutorial books, and why he has decided not to launch a how-to YouTube Channel.
We also talk about his work on James Bond: Origin and Solstice for Dynamite comics, and why he thinks Timothy Dalton is the best James Bond.
Why does Ibrahim think Dalton’s James Bond was initially unjustly maligned by audiences but grew to be more appreciated as Agent 007.
We touch upon his 2017 Eisner Nominated digital comic Jaeger, the story of a World War II allied spy bent on revenge against his Nazi captors. The book is only available in print from Ibrahim’s website.
Ibrahim is also the Art Director for Colorcubic, consulting on job ranging from art designs to video games. What has been his greatest challenge working as Art Director?
I conclude our interview with my Final 9 Questions, in which we learn about his hobby of making amazing custom action figures, his favorite once-in-a-lifetime birthday experience, and one of his pet peeves that involves smartphones.
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Audio Clip - "Mustapha" by Queen from the album "Jazz"
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Purchase the graphic novel Count
More about Ibrahim Mustafa
This episode is being released on Memorial Day. In honor all service men and women who gave their lives in defense of their country, I am very pleased to welcome my special guest writer Garth Ennis.
Garth Ennis’ body of work includes Judge Dredd stories for 2000 AD, The Punisher and Hitman. His comic book series Preacher and The Boys were both adapted for television.
He has been an avid reader of military comics and history since a young age. He has written several war-based comics including Battlefields, Johnny Red, War Stories, and Dreaming Eagles.
His latest collection now available is The Tankies. The book is published through Dead Reckoning which is an imprint of The Navel Institute Press.
The Tankies is the story of British armored forces that fought during World War II and Koren War. The connection among the three stories contained within this graphic novel is the British tank crews lead by Corporal Stiles.
Many of the sequences in the book were taken from actual historical events.
I ask Garth why both the British and American tanks were at a disadvantage against the German King Tiger Tanks.
Why were tanks crews prohibited from clearing out tanks that fell in battle?
I discuss with Garth his favorite Battle comics he grew up reading and as a professional getting the chance to work with one of his favorite artists, Carlos Ezquerra. The co-creator of Judge Dread and Strontium Dog, Carlos also penciled the gritty art for The Tankies.
Carols Ezquerra died in 2018. Garth shares his memories of Carols and the special contribution his art style made to The Tankies.
I conclude my interview asking Garth my Final 9 Questions including about that missed opportunity and the time he took a risk.
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About The Tankies
There is much banter and merriment when Eric Grissom joins Creator Talks!
Eric is a comic book author and co-host of The Old Doctor Who Show podcast.
Eric has a new middle grade graphic novel titled Goblin coming soon through Dark Horse Comics. The art is by Will Perkins who also collaborated on Eric's Gregory Suicide.
Goblin will be available through comic shops May 26 and June 8th wherever fine books are sold.
How did Valiant editor and former guest Heather Antos help Eric with his story pitch?
And when did The Wonder Twins Paige and Claire Connelly, also former guests of this show, work with Eric?
Eric relates the story of finding the person whose work inspired his fantasy writing and why that discovery meant so much to him.
He has also developed companion game for the book The Realm of Goblin: Beware the Dark Sisterhood.
This is Eric first time ever attempting to create a game.
How did he make sure the game would meet the high standard of frequent gamers?
Eric resides in Red Bank, New Jersey, which coincidently is also the location of The Secret Stash seen in AMCs The Comic Book Men.
Eric shares his thoughts about the cast and ye old host describes his appearance on the show (-eh hem Home Town Heroes, Season 5 Episode 13 now available through Amazon Prime :)
I discuss with Eric his podcast The Old Doctor Who Show and we share our thoughts on our favorite classic Doctor Who episodes.
To wrap up our interview I ask Eric the Final 9 Questions I ask my guests, including when Eric took a risk. Warning: this is hilarious! Don't drink milk while listening or it will shoot out of your nose!
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About the Author
To order Goblin
Listen to The Old Doctor Who Show on Apple Podcasts
Creator Talks proudly presents: Alan Cowsill who worked as both a writer and editor for Marvel U.K. / Panini and Eagle Moss publishing.
We begin our discussion with how Alan started in the business as a young comic book dealer.
What did valuable experience did he gain dealing in comics? What were some of his most profitable acquisitions?
Would he become a comic retailer in current state of today's market?
The breaking news, however, is Alan's latest work The Martial Way: Marvel's Mightiest Martial Artists.
In this hardcover book chock full of art from the comic books, discover the fighting styles, training techniques, and secret disciplines of Marvel Comics' mighty martial artists. The book is slated for release on May 4, 2021.
How did Alan decide which iconic art work included in the book and how did he make every effort to ensure the content was up to date with current Marvel continuity?
Alan also wrote a handy reference guide DC Comics Year by Year.
What is the underlying benefit of this book for the new or lapsed DC comic reader?
We also talk about Alan's writing of the Spider-Man strip included in Spider-Man Adventures magazine.
Why did Alan offer to write the script and why was the strip needed for the book in the first place?
Alan is a podcast host and I ask about the status of his show The Last Geek in Space and discuss some of his previous guests.
We discuss the martial arts since Alan is a practitioner. We both share experience about the art of fighting without fighting, martial arts philosophy and health benefits.
As we conclude our interview, I ask Alan my Final 9 Questions including his guilty pleasure, a missed opportunity and when he took a risk.
Audio Clip: "Kung Fu Fighting" (1974) - Carl Douglas
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About the Guest
More about The Way of the Warrior
More about DC Year By Year
The Last Geek in Space Podcast
Christopher welcomes returning guest Pornsak Pichetshote, the award-winning author of the Infidel (Image Comics).
Pornsak's sophomore comic effort The Good Asian is a nine-part series being published through Image Comics.
The creative team consists of Alexander Tefenkgi on interior art, color by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Jeff Powell. The first issue goes on sale May 5th.
The Good Asian is an noir mystery set in 1936 Chinatown featuring Edison Hark a Chinese-American detective from Hawaii and the first generation of Chinese Americans to come of age under an immigration ban.
We discuss the real life influence behind the character Edison Hark, Hawaiian Detective Chang Apana who influenced the silver screen portrayal of Charlie Chan.
Today, Charlie Chan movies are considered racist because of its use of Asians sterotypes. I ask Pornsake about the current cancel culture and its impact on books and movies.
Should Charlie Chan movies, or any racist material, be erased from history?
Pornsake has taken great care to get the historical details of the period correct working with historical consultant Grant Din.
We discuss the historical background of the story including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, processing of Chinese immigrants through San Francisco's Angel Island and the formation of Paper Sons.
As we conclude our interview, I ask Pornsake about his guilty pleasure, a missed opportunity and when he took a risk.
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About the Author
More about The Good Asian
Returning guest Laszlo Tamasfi discusses his new book, an English translation of the screenplay of and related articles about Dracula's Death.
It is the first motion picture to feature the character Dracula. This Hungarian silent film made in 1921 does not adhere to Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. It was an original story about a young woman, who encounters the famous vampire during her stay at a mental asylum.
The film is long lost but a prose adaptation was published in 1924 that Laszlo has translated.
Learn how national record keeping rules made it possible for the script to survive, and how Laszlo undertook his research and translation of the book.
The book is published through Strangers From Nowhere and contains new illustrations by Jozsef Svab.
I discuss with Lazlo the reason why he decide to self-publish Dracula's Death though his own imprint rather than secure a publisher to do all of the heavy lifting involved in book's editing, printing, distribution, and promotion.
What are the benefits of working through a publisher, and what compromises must be made for a book to be printed?
How hard should a book's creator push back against changes required by the publisher?
We discuss these questions and more.
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About the author
To obtain a copy of Dracula's Death
KickStarter Corner - Past Guest's New Projects!
The Milford Green Saga - Samuel George London
ThoughtScape Comics Anthology - Matt Mair Lowery
----more----March is Women’s History Month and there is no better time to welcome my three guests Lauren Burke, Hanna K. Chapman and Kaley Bales, the creative team behind Why She Wrote.
Their book examines 18 of the greatest women authors of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Some are familiar favorites; others have undeservedly fallen into obscurity. Their hardcover book is being published by Chronicle Books and will available on April 20th.
Chapters written by Lauren Burke and Hanna K. Chapman include an introduction to author, fun facts, a bibliography of selected works and a comic followed by the artist Kaley Bales.
Why She Wrote will explore:
Why did Jane Austin struggle to write for the first five years before her first novel was ever published?
How did Edith Maude Eaton’s writing change the narrative around Chinese immigrant workers in North American?
Why did the Brontë sisters choose to write under male pen names, and Anne Lister write her personal diaries in code?
Also, we will learn the origin of Lauren and Hanna first meeting, how it led developing their podcast Bonnets at Dawn and ultimately their book Why She Wrote.
We will also learn about Lauren’s other recent work It’s Her Story: Rosa Parks, Hanna’s Comic Book Slumber Party anthology and Kaley’s illustrations and prints.
I close out our interview asking my 9 Questions which include: their pet peeves, missed opportunities and when each took a risk.
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More about and how to order Why She Wrote
Bonnets At Dawn Podcast
Kaley Bales' Store
Ezekiel “Zeke” King is back for another Midnight Mystery!
Returning guest Bernie Gonzalez is the creator, writer and artist of his horror noir comic Midnight Mystery.
Originally published through Alterna Comics, Bernie has gripped the reins and is now handling Midnight Mystery's printing and distribution.
Bernie explains why he stepped away from Alterna, took a break from making comics and felt it was the right time for Zeke's return.
His previously published Midnight Mystery comics are re-mastered and collected in 8" x 10 1/2" trade paperbacks and expanded with additional material.
By day, Bernie works in marketing. Although he is passionate about making comics, he finds self-promotion more of a chore.
As we discuss why this is the case, Bernie also shares his thoughts on what it takes to makes a great comic, and even a great podcast.
Discover how Bernie uses social media to share with followers what interest him, and how helps with soft promotion of Midnight Mystery.
We share thoughts on our favorite classic horror TV series Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Dark Shadows and more.
Warning: be sure to have a box of tissues near by before listening. We tell painful stories of culling our physical media collections, upgrading DVDs, and the uniqueness of those old VHS tapes used to record broadcast television shows.
What forgotten treasures might be found on these analogue recordings not available on retail DVDs and Blu-ray disks?
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Order Midnight Mystery from Bernie Gonzalez
Gregg Schigiel began his professional career in 1997 working as an assistant editor for Marvel Comics, was character artist for Nickelodeon in 2000, and from 2010-2018 was a regular contributor to SpongeBob Comics. One would think with such an impressive resume and experience, people would know how to pronounce his name. But no.
We begin our discussion with an easy way to remember the correct pronunciation of Schigiel.
With the formalities out of the way, things get personal. I recall with Gregg the circumstances under which we first met, and the impact his work has had on my two boys.
Why are kids, and adults, attracted to Gregg's comics? How does he do it?
In part, it's because Gregg never forgot what it was like to be a kid.
But there are things we do forget, and we recount some of the memories that come flooding back when we re-discover books that we read many, many years ago as kids.
Turning our attention to Gregg's books, we talk about his coloring books Zooperhero Universe and Uniquecorns.
Why does Gregg make coloring books now?
We also discuss his latest graphic novels Pix: One Weird Weekend and Pix: Too Super For School.
How is Pix like Spider-Man crossed with fairy princess? Why would Gregg create such a character since, as we learn, he not a big fan of "hard" fantasy? And what does Gregg eschew had fantasy.
In addition to comic shops and bookstores, Gregg explains why libraries are such an important brick and mortar location to reach, and teach, kids about making art and sharing his work.
Gregg also has a podcast all about Tom Cruise movies titled Crusin' Together. We share about some of our favorite, and not so favorite, Tom Cruise films.
Did you know that Gregg's art is also wearable? He has a creative tee-shirt line celebrating the films and many characters of an American treasure, Tom Hanks.
I close our interview with Gregg answering the fun questions I ask all my guest including the toughest of them all for Gregg, what would be his one his island book.
Only one book, and Tom Hank's is not on the island as a source of entertainment. "Wilson!!!"
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Gregg Schigiel's comics & coloring books
Gregg Schigiel's Hanks A Lot Tees
Gregg's Podcast Crusin' Together
Laurence Luckinbill is an actor, playwright and director best know for his one-man plays in which he portrayed President Theodore Roosevelt, Clarence Darrow, Ernest Hemingway and President Lyndon Johnson.
Laurence is best known by science fiction fans as Spock's half-brother Sybok in the motion picture Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989).
Laurence's first graphic novel Teddy is based on his one-man play Teddy Tonight! The graphic novel adaptation was illustrated by artist Eryck Tait and published by Dead Reckoning.
We learn the story of Theodore Roosevelt's life and why Laurence decided to set his play Teddy Tonight! during a speech T.R. had to deliver in July 1918.
What event did he just learn about the changed the course of his speech?
I ask Laurence how he kept his live performances night after night fresh and if he ever needed to adjust a portrayal based on audience feedback.
Of course we talk about Star Trek V, why Laurence was offered the part, and what he told the director William Shatner about how he wanted to play the part of Sybok.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, we discuss how Laurence keeps fit and healthy at 86 years of age and how to have a happy marriage!
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Link to video of performances by Laurence Luckinbill
Link to buy Teddy the graphic novel
Sal Abbinanti, a favorite guest of comic book podcasts, makes his Creator Talks debut.
Sal is the art representative for master comic book artists Alex Ross and Bill Sienkiewicz. Sal is the creator of the comic series Atomika (2005) which was self-published through his imprint Mercury Comics.
We discuss Sal's first Kickstarter The Hostage, a story that draws from his experience in Rio de Janeiro and the religious culture of the city.
How did that experience change his life...forever?
We also talk about Sal's first published Marvel work that was released the same month as his first Kickstarter.
Sal contributed the art for "I Am a Revoltin' Development", written by Alex Ross and published in Marvel #4.
Sal grew up reading Marvel Comics and is a huge fan of Jack Kirby and John Buscema's art.
What did Jack Kirby say about comics that inspired Sal to try to break into the business?
Why did Marvel Comics' editors repeatedly reject Sal's art portfolio in the 90's?
We also talk about life in cold, windy Chicago and warm, sunny Las Vegas.
When I Kick Back with The Creator, Sal answers such questions as: his favorite island book, posters he had on his bedroom wall as a pre-teen and his guilty pleasure. Plus how to avoid marital arguments... and extend your life!
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Link to The Hostage Kickstarter which ends February 25, 2021
In honor of Black History Month, Creator Talks is joined by Ken Quattro, long-time comic book reader, collector and writer of history.
Ken discusses his recent published work Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books.
Researched over two decades using original source materials, including official documents, contemporaneous newspaper articles and comics, Ken examines the lives of black men who worked in comic art shops during the Golden Age of Comics.
Ken writes in his book:
"One thing they shared was for too long they lingered, out of mine and out of sight of their light-skinned peers, evading the scrutiny of historians and the eyes that looked past them, to everyone who saw only their skin color and then saw nothing more. Without body or substance. As if they were invisible."
We learn how some of these artists denied their heritage, while others embraced it. Most led two professional lives, one working in comics and the other outside of the medium.
After discussing his book, we turn to the subject of his life long passion, comic books. We cover:
The dawn of the Marvel Age of Comics in 1961, and Ken was there.
What is the difference between writing and story telling?
What issue explains the greatness of comics in just five pages?
Why are we both vehemently opposed to "slabbing" comics?
Why has there never been a highly successful Fantastic Four movie? Ken has the answer, and it lies in embracing the FF's Silver Age roots.
All this and more packed into this 45-minute interview, commercial free!
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Now available Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artist of Comic Books
Ken Quattro's companion Invisible Men Blog
Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals, Daredevil) and Jason Loo (The Pitiful Human Lizard) spend time with Creator Talks to talk about their Comixology original Afterlift, available for the first time in print in books stores February 2nd and in comic shops through Dark Horse Comics on February 3rd, 2021.
The Eisner and Shuster Award winning comic is about Janice Chen who works for the ride sharing app CABIT. She picks up a man who insists she stop for a young woman on the way to his final destination. Janice learns he is a demon named Dumu who wants a ride to The Midway, the first step in the afterlife, to cross the River Styx into Hell.
The print edition is loaded with Chip's commentary and Jason's design sketches.
Chip and Jason talk about their first impression of each other and working on Afterlift.
We also discuss why some people who read comics digitally double dip for the print copy.
Chip know why, because he does too.
Will this be the future of comics, from digital edition to print trade?
I also ask Chip and Jason their thoughts on what lies beyond this life. Is it anything like Afterlift ?
When I ask my guests nine fun questions, I discover what is their favorite birthday, beverage, island book and guilty pleasure!
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About Afterlift
Joining Creator Talks is Brandon Montclaire who has written a graphic novel anthology with Frank Marraffino titled Ludwig van Beethoven - The Final Symphony (Z2 Comics). It features dozens of artists and sports a cover by David Mack.
2020 was the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven. We discuss Beethoven's influence on pop culture and cite a few examples from the 20th century. Brandon also explains the development of the graphic novel, how he and Frank split writing duties and some of the artists on the book.
We talk about how early performances of Beethoven's music changed how the public approached listening to classical music, and we digress about our own experience listening to and collecting vinyl records.
Brandon discusses his previous work for Marvel Comics writing Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the end of the series and it's continued growth through trade paperbacks and a cartoon in production for Disney.
We conclude our discussion with the 9 Questions I ask my guests including "the one that got away" and the time Brandon took a risk buying a comic shop.
Audio Clips:
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Bagatelle No. 25 "Fur Elise"
A Clock Work Orange - Beethoven's 9th Symphony
Soylent Green - “Pastoral” from Beethoven's Symphony No. 6
A Fifth of Beethoven - Walter Murphy
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Celebrate the New Year with this special bonus interview!
The last interview with writer Zack Kaplan was on my 12th episode. Zack returns to Creator Talks to kick off 2021 by discussing his latest trade paperback Join The Future (Aftershock Comics).
It is a Sci-Fi Western about ultra-modern megacities rewarding millions of their citizens with a completely funded life, with every need met, from food to housing and healthcare, in order to compete in an economic power struggle in which population is key.
We talk about Join The Future and the artists Zack has collaborated with on all his comic book series.
Zack's prior work Eclipse (Top Cow 2016), Port of Earth (Top Cow 2018) and The Lost City Explorers (Aftershock 2018) have been optioned for TV series development.
I ask Zack, are comics getting optioned for television really that common?
As I learned in our first interview Zack loves to play poker.
How much of Poker's strategy is based on psychology, i.e., reading the other person?
In Zack's opinion, has any book or film portrayed a realistic game of Poker ?
How would Zack re-write a script for game of Poker for a James Bond film?
Zack also answers nine fun questions I ask including:
What's his beef?
What is his guilty pleasure?
When did he take a risk?
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More about Join The Future
Tony Isabella began working for Marvel Comics on October 31, 1972. He shares his thoughts about working at Marvel and about some of the people he worked alongside.
What was it like working for editors Roy Thomas, Stan Lee and Len Wein?
Among the Marvel Comics we discuss that Tony wrote are Ghost Rider, The Champions, Luke Cage, Power Man and Black Goliath.
Learn why one of his characters in Ghost Rider was changed at the end of story.
Tony also wrote for DC and shares his thoughts about working for the publisher over the years.
Tony pitched Black Lightning to DC when asked to write for another character.
Why did DC prefer his idea for Black Lightning rather than the other pitch?
Why did Tony initially leave the series in 1978 and what were his ultimate plans for the series villain during its 1995 revival?
Tony explains why he has a problem with the way Black Lightning has been portrayed in other DC magazines and why his 2018 six-part story Cold Dead Hands is true to the character's core values.
We also discuss the future of single-issue comics, Super Hero movies, Tony's Blog and series of books he plans to write about cheesy monster movies!
All of this in this jam-packed interview plus my Kicking Back With the Creator questions.
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Read more from Tony at tonyisabella.blogspot.com
My guest Birdie Willis is a queer, non-binary comic book writer. Birdie's latest work is Seen: Rachel Carson scheduled for release through Boom! Studios March 2021 .
Rachel Carson was a Marine Biologist who fought against the environmental crisis which ultimately lead to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
One of her biggest contributions was alerting the world about the environmental impact of fertilizers and pesticides.
One of her most popular books published in 1962 on the subject was Silent Spring.
Seen: Rachel Carson is the 2nd in a series of graphic novels spotlighting true stories of ground breakers who changed our world for the better.
We talk about writing Seen: Rachel Carson and the book's illustrator Rii Abergo.
Birdie also provides answers to difficult questions we face today including:
How we can become more aware of those who are marginalized and subsets of society?
What do we say to those who hold onto the past and believe their way of life is threatened by the marginalized?
How can we learn to better understand and respect each other?
We also discuss Birdie's other work Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies (BOOM!) and next project Of Her Own Design (Mad Cave Studios) with Jess Taylor and Stephanie Palladino.
All this plus the fun questions when we Kick Back With The Creator!
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More about Birdie Willis
More about Seen: Rachel Carson
Élodie Durand is a French cartoonist who has written and illustrated several children's books including Les grandes années.
Élodie's published her black and white graphic novel Parenthesis in 2011. It is the story of Julie, barely out of her teens, when she develops a brain tumor that leads to seizures, memory gaps and a loss of self.
The opening of parenthesis that may never close interrupts the sentence of her normal life.
Parenthesis is actually a memoir based on Élodie's real life experience of her own brain tumor.
It was her debut title and was awarded the Revelation Prize of the Angoulême International Comics Festival.
Parenthesis is schedule for release for the first time in English through Top Shelf/IDW publishing January 12th, 2021.
Élodie Durand resides in Marseille, France and joins me for this interview with her friend and translator Lena.
Learn from the source what Élodie's experience was like, how she managed to close the parenthesis and the advice she has for others suffering from a sense of loss.
Before we conclude our interview I Kick Back With the Creator and ask Élodie about her favorite birthday, her beverage of choice, life in Marseille and her next project.
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More about Élodie Durand
More about Parenthesis
My guest Zack Keller is the writer of Cuphead Volume 1: Comic Capers and Curios released July 2020 and Cuphead Volume 2: Cartoon Chronicles and Calamities coming in February 2021 (Dark Horse Comics).
Based on the wildly popular and very challenging video game, Cuphead is illustrated in the rubber hose style of animation used in cartoons of the 1930s produced by Fleischer Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Shawn Dickinson illustrates both books and the second volume introduces a new character Miss Chalice.
In addition to discussing the new adventures of Cuphead, Zack talks about his early work writing adventure video games for the Tell-Tale Series and his multi-award winning YouTube animated series that he co-created with Ed Skidder titled Dick Figures.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, learn how Zack has been spending his off time fishing, baking bread, brewing beer, about the wonderful caffeinated drink he discovered during a trip to Japan and the what comic work he has planned for 2021.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" from LoopsLab
Creator Talks logo by The Design Punk
Audio Clips:
Dick Figures episode #25 Planet A$$Hole
Theme music from Cuphead Announcement Trailer for Xbox
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More about Zack Keller
More about Cuphead and Mugman
I bid you… welcome... to Creator Talks 2020 Halloween Special!
My special guest is Kerry Gammill, perhaps best known for his illustration of Power Man and Iron Fist and Superman comics in the 1980s and 1990s.
We start our conversion discussing the comic legends’ work he admired as a youth and the conversations he later had as an adult with Jack Kirby and John Buscema.
Kerry reveals why he decided it was time to move on from comics and work as a special effects concept designer and storyboard artist for television and film.
Learn which television project was Kerry’s favorite and why.
Kerry is also a big fan of classic Universal Horror movies.
Growing up in Texas in the 1950s he would catch them on television and Saturday evenings watch his favorite local horror show Nightmare Theater hosted by Bill Camfield as Gorgon.
We discuss why Kerry thought Gorgon was the one of best horror show hosts ever.
Did you know Kerry has written and illustrated several horror works since leaving the world of monthly comics?
Learn about his book with J. David Spurlock The Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos and why Basil did not want one of his illustrations included in the book.
Kerry also took a stab his own comic series in the spirit of the now classic Creepy and Eerie black and white horror magazines titled Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave, which ran four issues and is available on Comixology.
His latest work is Bram Stoker’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi, which he served as art director and is illustrated by El Garing.
Find out Kerry’s role as art director on Dracula then Kick Back With the Creator as I ask Kerry’s the fun questions I ask all my guests plus a few other surprises.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" from LoopsLab
Creator Talks logo by The Design Punk
Audio Clips:
Dracula (1931)
Nightmare Theater (Late 1950s)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
The Three Stooges Idle Roomers (1944)
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About Bram Stoker’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi
About Kerry Gammill
Dave Baker is a writer living in Los Angels and co-creator of Action Hospital, F*ck Off Squad and contributed one of the stories contained in Star Trek: Waypoint (IDW).
Dave is a big fan of the Star Trek franchise and is the writer of the forthcoming mini-series in November Star Trek Voyager: Seven's Reckoning (IDW).
This is the first Star Trek Voyager series in nearly 10 years and set within Voyager continuity. Dave's co-collaborator is artist Angel Hernandez (Star Trek: Picard Countdown and Star Trek /Green Lantern).
Dave discusses the critical role of his co-collaborators on the titles he writes and his issue with some journalists and publishers placing the all emphasis on the writer of a title.
We discuss some of Dave's favorite comics, including Jack Kirby's Captain Victory. Learn why of all Kirby's creations, Jack's later work from the mid-80 and early 90s are Dave's favorite.
Dave also explains his theory why bad movies are so popular, and it not because people particularly like bad movies.
When we get into the mini-series Seven's Reckoning, Dave tells us why Seven of Nine was first introduced into the Voyager television series, what her place is in his comic mini-series and the new alien race Dave created for it.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, Dave reveals which Star Trek movie was his favorite growing up, and it wasn't The Wrath of Khan! What was it about his pick that had him so obsessed with it?
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" from LoopsLab
Creator Talks logo by The Design Punk
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More about Dave Baker's comics
More about Star Trek Discovery Seven's Reckoning
Steve Ditko was a legendary artist and storyteller who co-created such characters as Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, The Question and The Creeper.
Join me for this special interview with David Currie, author of the upcoming book published through Hermes Press Ditko Shrugged: The Uncompromising Life of The Artist Behind Spider-Man and The Rise of Marvel Comics.
It is the first in depth biography of comics-legend Steve Ditko, in his own words, taken from many years of correspondence with author and endorsed by the Ditko family.
In his book, David Currie tells the stories of Steve Ditko’s contemporaries, from Jack Kirby to Wally Wood, and the struggles they all faced working in the comic industry.
David describes some of the topics he discussed with Steve Ditko in their correspondence as well as some of Ditko’s well-known, and not so well-known, comic work.
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More about Ditko Shrugged: The Uncompromising Life of The Artist
My guest Leah Moore is the daughter of Alan Moore who is known for such titles as V for Vendetta, The Killing Joke, Swamp Thing and From Hell.
Leah has written comic series with her husband John Reppion including The Trial of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes-The Liverpool Demon (Dynamite Entertainment).
Leah is writing the graphic novel Morrison Hotel, a celebration of The Doors album by the same name. The book is due for released in October. The anthology is written in collaboration with the surviving members of The Doors Robby Krieger and John Densmore.
Artists from around the world including Colleen Doran, Marguerite Sauvage and more are illustrating the book.
Leah describes her reaction as a teenager in the early 90s listening to The Doors music she discovered among her parent’s vinyl record collection.
Co-founding member of The Doors Ray Manzarek once said, “Jim Morrison wasn’t a showman, he was a shaman.”
Leah Moore describes what made Jim Morrison and The Doors distinct among rock bands of the 1960s and how they were at the forefront the decade’s a social and cultural revolution.
We also talk about how the album Morrison Hotel was a departure from their previous album The Soft Parade.
Morrison Hotel was a return to their earlier roots as a blues rock band playing at clubs such as The Whiskey a Go-Go.
Leah explains how the Morrison Hotel GN is a concerted effort to go beyond simply translating each track into its own short story. Stories include will also provide historical context for the songs included on Morrison Hotel.
As we conclude our interview I Kick Back with The Creator and ask Leah about her favorite birthday, beverage of choice and if she could, the one question she would ask Jim Morrison.
The Doors Song Clips:
“People Are Strange”- Strange Days
“Wishful Sinful” – The Soft Parade
“You Make Me Real” – Morrison Hotel
“Peace Frog” – Morrison Hotel
“Roadhouse Blues” – Morrison Hotel
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" from LoopsLab
Creator Talks logo by The Design Punk
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About Leah Moore
About the Morrison Hotel GN
In less than 60 days the United States 2020 Election will take place and there could be no better time to present my next two guests.
Cynthia and Sanford Levinson are the authors of Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and The Flaws That Affect Us Today.
Their book will be as part of a line of civics graphic novels from the acclaimed publisher First Second.
Alley Shwed illustrated the 228-page graphic novel edition of Fault Lines on sale September 22nd.
Cynthia and Sanford explain how despite the Framers of the Constitution's best intentions, there are faults in the Constitution that still impact and impede our political process today.
Among the issues we discuss are the Electoral College system, the disproportionate representation between small and large states and a lack of representation of states' population diversity within the Senate.
With the current back the drop of the Black Lives Matter movement, I am very fortunate to have Cynthia also discuss two of her other books We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March and The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks.
Cynthia explains what compelled her to write these two books and how children made a difference in Black America's fight for equality and civil rights in the 1960s.
On a lighter note when I Kick Back With the Creator, I learn Cynthia and Sanford's island book and their beverage of choice. Pay attention, there are some great drink recipes I know I'm going to try!
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About Fault Lines In The Constitution
About Cynthia Levinson
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
September starts out strong for Creator Talks with another bonus podcast for the Labor Day Holiday.
Award-winning Australian writer/artist Chris Gooch joins me to discuss the making of his graphic novel Under-Earth through Top Shelf/IDW on sale October 2020. This is the second of two graphic novels Certified Cool by Diamond Previews I teased on previous shows.
Diamond Preview's description of Under-Earth reads:
"The inmates of an expansive underground prison struggle to build meaningful lives in a broken system, in the most ambitious graphic novel to date from rising indie star Chris Gooch...Equal parts sincerity an violence, Under-Earth explores humanity's inextinguishable drive to find meaning, connection, and even family-and how fragile such constructions can be"
Chris' other notable and award-winning work includes Bottled and Deep Breaths. I discuss these works with Chris as well, and how he works on multiple projects in different stages of development, simultaneously, to keep his work fresh as he grinds through the finishing details.
We also talk about whom Chris considers his mentors, learning to work digitally and the movie that changed the way he thinks.
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About Under-Earth
More about Chris Gooch
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
Sean Chen (artist of X-O, Iron Man, Wolverine and Batman Beyond) joins Creator Talks to discuss the September 1st only 24-hour digital drop of Wingman: Compendium of an Artist's First Writing Experience.
The book was inspired by the 1957 classic Swedish art film The Seventh Seal directed by Ingmar Bergman.
The digital version of Sean's book is available free and in it's entirety on Nextchapter's Instagram @NextChapterPost. The physical copy will not only contain the story but also a page-by-page look at Sean's creative process.
Why did Sean decide to post the story on Instagram and partner with NextChapter for the physical edition rather than a launching a Kickstarter campaign?
Don't worry if you are listening to our interview too late to get a physical copy. There is still a plenty of discussion of Sean's career, from Valiant to Marvel, and the lessons he has learned about making comics.
We talk about the first time I meet Sean during the Delaware Valley CBRI One Day Tour that was held Saturday February 27, 1993. He was promoting his first comic work for Valiant Rai and The Future Force.
How did Sean get his first break working for Valiant Comics?
Sean learned a great deal at Valiant and tells how his art developed under the guidance of Art Director Barry-Windsor Smith and Editor-In-Chief Bob Layton.
When Sean made the jump to Marvel Comics 1998 to illustrate Iron Man for the launch of Marvel's Heroes Return, he had the opportunity to work with writer Kurt Busiek. Sean explains how writer/artist collaborations back then were different than how they are commonly done today.
Kick Back With the Creator to learn how Sean likes to relax, his island book and the oddest job he ever had.
Plus: Sean reveals what he considers his missed opportunities that comic artists should take heed.
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Learn about NextChaptersPosts one-day sale!
Sean Chen's Instagram
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
Koren Shadmi is an award winning writer/artist who has provided cover illustrations for Newsweek, LA Weekly, The Village Voice and other magazines.
He studied and now teaches at the Visual School of Arts in New York City.
As a teacher, Is Koren able to tell which of his students have the best chance of making a living as an artist? What skills do they need to develop to survive in the business world?
Koren has two graphic novels being released.
The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and The Birth of Television published by Humanoids. This 168 page black and white graphic novel will be available again in print this October.
Koren talks about the life of Rod Serling, the successes he achieved in television and the struggles he faced.
What makes the The Twilight Zone a timeless classic?
Koren's other work coming this October is Bionic, a full color 192-page graphic novel being published by Top Shelf / IDW.
Bionic is a near future coming-of-age story for the digital generation. Victor is geek and wants to win the love of the gorgeous Patricia – but she returns from a horrible accident with new robotic parts-and both their lives are changed, forever!
As our discussion comes to close, I Kick Back with the Creator to ask Koren about his favorite birthday, beverage of choice, that missed opportunity and more.
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About Koren Shadmi
About The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and The Birth of Television
About Bionic
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
Vali Chandrasekaran is a producer and comedy writer living in Los Angeles. His first work for NBC was writing television scripts for My Name is Earl.
Two other programs he wrote for were 30 Rock and Modern Family, both Emmy nominated multiple times for Best Comedy Series.
I discuss with Vali how he landed his first television work and how breaking into screen writing can be very competitive.
Vali spent some time in front of the camera on an episode of the The Office.
We go behind the scenes to learn how he landed the role and what the experience was like working with cast.
He has written his own comic, Genius Animals, which is available for free and in it’s entirety online at genuisanimals.net
Genius Animals is a comedic mystery about that situation where you think your relationship is going well, then one day your significant other disappears. When you try to figure out what happened, you can’t tell if you have been ghosted or have to save all of humanity.
Why did Vali decide to go from Hollywood scriptwriter to comic book writer?
What is his connect to the web comic’s artist Jun-Pierre Shiozawa?
What is the difference between writing for 30Rock characters and comics?
How is making a graphic novel both exactly like and very different from running a TV show?
All this plus a discussion on television shows screened before a live studio audience and the use of laugh tracks in a comedy series.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
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Link to the web comics Genius Animals
I continue to explore the Batman Family corner of the DC Universe with veteran writer / artist Dan Jurgens.
Among Dan's vast body of work is the 1992 classic Death of Superman, his run on Thor, Captain America and The Sensational Spider-Man. Dan is also the creator of the classic characters Doomsday and Booster Gold.
I check in with Dan to see how he is faring during the coronavirus pandemic and how he managed to safely connect with local fans at a Minnesota comic shop during a recent signing event.
Dan is working with former collaborator Sean Chen, one of the current artists on Batman Beyond. I asked Sean in advance to comment on working with Dan and shared his feedback.
Both creators have in common working for Valiant Comics during the 1990s. Dan reflects on a few highlights while writing Solar Man of the Atom.
Dan explains why every comic he writes still contains enough exposition to make the issue accessible to new readers.
We talk about comic book anniversaries and how they have lost some of their luster with the increasing frequency of these milestone issues. Dan explains what is key for him to make an issue worthy of containing extra pages that demand a higher price tag.
Dick Grayson returns as the titular hero in Nightwing this fall with issue #75.
Dick lost his memory from a gunshot to the head by KGBeast back in Batman #55 and his struggle continued beginning with Nightwing #50. Dan took over the reigns writing Nightwing with issue #59. He explains his approach to keeping the series a Nightwing comic book until the return of Dick Grayson as Nightwing.
Both Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond and Dick Grayson in Nightwing suffered from memory loss. Is there a connection between the two?
I ask Dan's his thoughts on Superman not being consider for another solo film, Henry Cavill in the title role and the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Zak Snyder Cut.
The final chapter of the Death of Superman was illustrated entirely with single panel pages. What ever happened to the original art from Superman #75?
When I Kick Back With the Creator, I ask Dan about his favorite birthday which digresses into a discussion of 8-track tapes. For his island book Dan picks an ideal comic omnibus.
All this and more is in this installment of Creator Talks.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
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More about Dan Jurgens
Wake the kids and phone the neighbors!
DC artist Jason Fabok joins Creator Talks to discuss Batman: Three Jokers. Years in the making and delayed two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, issue #1 of this DC Black Label mini-series arrives on August 25th 2020.
Jason worked on titles Superman/Batman, Batman, Batman Eternal, Dark Knight, Detective Comics and Justice League. He won the 2019 Eisner Award for Best Short Story with Swap Thing Winter Special: The Talking of the Saints.
Why did Jason decided make a living illustrating comics after going to bible school for one year and how did this choice make his faith even stronger?
How did David Finch help Jason break into DC comics?
Jason's run with Geoff Johns on Justice League Darksied Wars ended with issue #50. Learn why they agreed their next story together had to be Batman: Three Jokers.
We also find out how The Killing Joke influences the layout and tone of Batman Three Jokers and why Jason insisted he illustrate all the variant covers for the three part series.
Jason also discusses working again with his collaborators from Justice League writer Geoff Johns and colorist Brad Anderson.
I close the interview Kicking Back With the Creator to discover Jason's island book, beverage of choice, action figure accessory and the Batman run that inspired him to be a profession comic book artist.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
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More about Jason Fabok
More about Batman: Three Jokers
Thou demanded more and ye shall have it!
Stuart Moore joins me to continue exploring the world of AHOY Comics. We focus on two titles he is writing: Bronze Age Boogie (art Alberto Ponticelli) and Captain Ginger (art by June Brigman).
Stuart explains the challenges of building creative teams and keeping things running smoothly.
How did one whimsical illustration of cats by June Brigman ignite a creative spark that lead her joining forces with Stuart to tell the story of Captain Ginger?
Stuart is suspicious of nostalgia and explains why Bronze Age Boogie is not just a nostalgic trip. But there are some delightful 1970s references. We discuss a few of them, Chris busts out a few of his old 45s (singles records, that is :) and we share our memories of the 1970s.
Next we turn to the Bronze Age of comics. We have a pretty good idea when it ended, but what marked the beginning of the Bronze Age of comics? Stuart and I share our thoughts on the subject.
We discuss some comics from the 1970s including one Stuart was particularly fond of Marvel Previews #4. Why was that one so special?
We also talk about Stuart's experience of working with one of the best editors ever, Archie Goodwin.
In closing I Kick Back With The Creator and ask Stuart his island book, about one comic project that got away and Bronze Age technology he misses most.
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
Interview Closing Song: "Everyone's a Winner" by Hot Chocolate
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About Bronze Age Boogie
About Captain Ginger
Extra! Extra! A bonus episode to kick off the holiday weekend, because we could all use a little fun during this difficult time.
Terry Dodson, artist known for his artwork on X-Men, Spider-Man, Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman joins Creator Talks.
Terry discusses his creator own series Adventureman (Image Comics) written by Matt Fraction and his work on the mini-series X-Men/ Fantastic Four (Marvel) written by Chip Zdarsky.
We dig into the genesis of each series. Why did the first issue of Adventureman need to be super-sized? And will the fall out from the events of the X-Men/Fantastic Four mini-series matter in the grand scheme of Marvel universe?
Rachel Dodson, Terry's wife, inks both series and most of Terry's other comic work. We discuss the joys of working from home with our spouses and the secret to making it work.
Terry pulls double duty by penciling and coloring Adventureman. Why did he decide to take the series palette into his own hands?
Terry was a co-founding member Mercury Studios (now Helioscope Studious) and he explains how it remains an invaluable resource for him.
With no convention appearances planned this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, how is Terry still able to connect with fans?
We share our thoughts and concerns about comic book shops surviving the double whammy of the Coronavirus pandemic and DC's split from Diamond. Is the end of comics nigh (again)?
I close the interview by Kicking Back with the Creator when Terry answers the question: What was his comic career high, low and adventure!
Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab
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The Official Terry Dodson Page
About Adventureman (Image)
About X-Men/Fantastic Four (Marvel)
Tom Peyer, Editor-in-Chief of Ahoy Comics, joins Creator Talks.
We begin highlighting some of Tom's past work admired by Ye Podcast Host, including Hourman, Marvel Team-Up, and Magnus Robot Fighter. I ask Tom about working with Mark Waid, his co-writer on Captain Kid (Aftershock).
Learn the reason for founding AHOY Comics in 2018 and some of the titles published in the past, present and future.
Comics spotlighted in our interview include Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror, High Heaven, The Wrong Earth and Captain Ginger. Taking a deeper dive into High Heaven, we sink our teeth into the subject of L-Meat.
What is the common thread that runs throughout all Ahoy publications?
Why are the series written as seasons?
What does the future hold for publishing AHOY Comics post-pandemic?
How will the comics industry be changed, forever, post-pandemic?
During the signature feature of the podcast Kicking Back With the Creator, I ask Tom what was the one project that got away and what book changed the way he thinks.
After the interview, get out your calendar and follow along as I cover the Summer 2020 release schedule for AHOY Comics!
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About Tom Peyer and AHOY Comics
Adam Wallenta is the co-creator of Punk Taco, the 2019 Ringo Award winner for Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel. His co-writer is son Makana who was just five years-old when the book was written.
Who is Punk Taco?
"... a lovable, sentient, alien-taco, who rocks out across the galaxy with his band of misfits whom he calls family. Together they spread peace and love through the power of their music, help those in need and battle bullies and evil tyrants wherever they may be.
Written by Adam Wallenta and his 5-year-old son, Makana, Punk Taco is a brand new all-ages sci-fi, humor, adventure, graphic novel series meant to encourage kids to read, laugh and love. Punk Taco is appropriate for libraries, schools and great for kids to read with their parents" - Comixology.
Adam is busy at work on volume two and three of Punk Taco. What were some of the difficulties he faced distributing volume one before winning the Ringo Award and what challenges did he encounter during the Covid-19 pandemic during the temporary closure of Diamond Distributors?
I discuss with Adam his study of art in the 1990s and his subsequent internship at Marvel Comics working as an assistant editor. We also talk about the importance of communication and follow-up with creators, his love of original art and hip-hop music.
Adam wrote a mini-series about a ground-breaking hip-hop group that he would open for at concerts. Why did Adam turn down Marvel's offer to publish the series?
Learn about these subjects and more as I conclude our interview with the podcast's signature segment Kicking Back With The Creator.
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More about Adam Wallenta and Punk Taco
Brent Schoonover (artist on Batman '66, The Phantom) visits with Creator Talks to discuss his new comic book project coming in June titled Devil's Highway.
This five-part comic series is written by Benjamin Percy (Green Arrow, Nightwing) and colored by Nick Filardi.
It's being published by AWA Studios, a new business venture captained by former Vice President of Marvel Bill James and former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Axel Alanso.
Why did the did they decide to launch a new comic book publishing company?
What makes AWA Studios different from other publishers, and why have they decides to release Devil's Highway digitally first then print later?
Other comic book publishers have been reluctant to release their titles digitally in advance since the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the closing of non-essential businesses including our beloved comic book shops.
How did Axel's editorial experience influence Devil's Highway and how did Brent's suggested changes to the script add to the first issue's stunning cliff-hanger? (Not to worry - no spoilers revealed during the interview).
I discuss with Brent some of his other work outside of mainstream comics including a movie house festival poster, a rock legend's concert tour poster, and connecting covers for a television-based comic series.
During the Kicking Back With The Creator segment, Brent reveals his favorite form of recreation, beverage of choice and the ones that got away...the comic projects that almost happened.
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More about Brent Schoonover
More about Devil's Highway and AWA Studios
Not going anywhere this three-day weekend? Let's visit Spain for this special edition of Creator Talks to meet artist Benito Gallego.
Benito studied art at Faculty of Fine Arts in Spain and is a huge fan of legendary Silver Age and Bronze Age artist John Buscema (The Avengers, Silver Surfer, Savage Sword Conan, Tarzan).
Having a style which harkens back the powerful style of John Buscema, Benito has illustrated comics and strips scripted by the great Roy Thomas including the World War II super-hero team Anthem and The New Tales of Tarzan.
Benito also illustrated the entire run of the Bronze Age flavored super-hero comic Apama, The Undiscovered Animal. This multi-talented artist who also has colored and lettered his own work has made many contribution to horror tales in The Creeps! written by Don Glut, including one of Benito's personal favorites Maciste Against Dracula!
The work that Benito is most proud of is The Life of Bob Marley, which he drew, colored and lettered.
We learn from Benito what is the fate of the Anthem series, hints about new projects in the works, and the one project that got away!
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About Benito Gallego
Heroic Publishing fund raiser for Anthem #6
More about The New Adventures of Tarzan
Heather Antos was recently promoted to Senior Editor at Valiant Comics and joins Creator Talks for this interview.
Once Heather discovered editing comics was what she wanted to do as career, she felt it was too late to break into the business.
How did she overcome the odds to land a job at Marvel?
How does she harness Twitter as a force for good? And what the heck does that mean?
We discussed some of the things an editor looks for in telling a story through comics books and gives an example of the perfect application of these techniques that blend script and sequential art.
Among Heather's editorial duties are overseeing the relaunched Shadowman and X-O Manowar series.
We take a deep dive into the creative team on each series and their new direction.
Heather has worked for Image and Marvel as well. What new found freedom does she have at Valiant as an editor?
We conclude by Kicking Back With the Creator as I ask Heather all my fun question including about the one that got away. Hear it here first, the one comic from Marvel that almost happened. Have a box of tissues near, this one is going to break your heart.
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Heather Antos on Everything You Need to Know About Editing
Valiant Entertainment
Chris Condon is the author of That Texas Blood (Image Comics) due out June 24th and is my guest on this installment of Creator Talks.
This neo-noir crime comic book series opens with 70 year-old Texas Sheriff Joe Bob Coates and the search for a casserole dish.
Chris Condon explains what makes his comic book a neo-noir crime story and how it has changed throughout its development from film to comic.
I learn from Chris why Ambrose County, Texas is the perfect setting for the story, from it's unique culture to its haunting landscape.
He also shares the experience of growing up in the small town of Metuchen, NJ including: who were some of the famous people that lived there and its food scene.
Chris had a different childhood from the other kids in his neighborhood. His parents raised him on 1950s television and movies which had a significant impact on his writing style.
Another major influence on Chris' writing was the unique educational experience he received working for director Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling).
Chris explains what made that opportunity one of the best decisions he made on his path to becoming a professional writer.
Jacob Phillips (son of artist Sean Phillips) is the artist on this new series. Jacob was the colorist of Ed Brubaker's most recent Criminal series.
That Texas Blood is Jacob's first solo work. Chris talks about how he joined forces with Jacob and what he brings to the series.
In closing I Kick Back With The Creator to learn more about Chris and his other interests and experiences both inside and outside of comics.
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More about That Texas Blood
My guest Veilbor Stanjavic, aka Well-Bee for Marvel's X written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger.
Well-Bee grew up in Serbia during the 1990s and he shares how difficult it was during that period of the country's history. We discuss how he managed to get into comic despite their sporadic distribution during the war years, talk about his father's Western comic book collection, and going to school to study art.
Well-Bee was not always encouraged to pursue his dream to be a comic book artist and we find out why.
What comics did Well-Bee enjoy reading?
How was he introduced to the Earth X comic books and how did he brake into comics professionally?
I close the interview Kicking Back With The Creator and ask Well-Bee the fun questions I ask all my guests.
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More About Well-Bee
Let's get away from all the Covid-19 talk and go back to happier days for my fun interview with artist Bob Q.
This one is sure to lift your spirit!
Bob is currently working on Captain America (Marvel Comics) and Red Sonja (Dynamite Entertainment). Besides that he is the got-to-guy when publishers need to get the art on a comic book done and done right.
Bob has also illustrated other series including Lone Ranger: The Devil's Rope, James Bond Origin, and Green Hornet 66 Meets The Spirit for Dynamite Entertainment.
We talk about a cool museums we have visited, how L.A. has changed since Bob moved there many years ago and the comic conventions we had planned to visit this spring which are now being rescheduled.
I discuss with Bob some of his other projects, including his creator-owned work and the art he designed for a unique brand of coffee.
We also talk about two other projects Bob's Drawing Challenge on YouTube and as a helping hand behind-the-scenes for Ms. Q's podcast Boos and Brews.
I wrap up Kicking Back With the Creator and ask Bob the fun questions I ask all my guests. Enjoy!
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More about Bob Q
Sam Johnson is back to tell us how to get on board the Geek-Girl Kickstarter running through March 31st 2020for issues 6 & 7.
Wait, there's more. A plethora of special variant covers, a trade collection of previous issues and digital editions offered as well.
And you don't even have to leave you house to get 'em!
Geek-Girl has been part of the independent comic super-hero landscape for over 10 years.
What is the secret to Sam's success?
Hint: there is no substitute for planning, promotion and hard work.
Just for fun we also talk about Brexit, the woes of technology and some of the mainstream comics Sam is currently reading.
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About the Kickstarter Tights n' Capes
J.M. DeMatteis joins Creator Talks to tease us about his upcoming Star Trek one-shot Hell's Mirror available March 18th through IDW.
We learn about working series artist Matthew Dow Smith and what else may be on the horizon for these two creators.
J.M. shares his throughs about the Original Star Trek Series and seeing the great William Shatner perform at a Star Trek convention.
Also discussed is J.M.'s CW Seed animated story Deathstroke "Knights and Dragons" and his upcoming animated adaptation of Superman: Red Son.
Get J.M.'s thoughts on writing characters with whom he was not initially familiar and how that challenge further developed his writing skills.
J.M. talks about the character with whom he is most familiar, Spider-Man, and which story he wrote was his favorite. Hint: it was not Kraven's Last Hunt, this story is not available as a trade. Want it to be? We tell how fans can help make that happen!
Christopher also talks about one his favorite Captain America stories featuring Deathlok. J.M. explains how Mark Gruenwald had a hand in making that run happen.
Finally I Kick Back With The Creator for all of my fun questions to learn more about J.M.
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More About Hell's Mirror
Nicola Cuti had a creative carrier that spanned over 50 years.
He wrote hundreds of horror stories for Warren Magazines Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella.
Nick was also the co-creator of E-Man published through Charlton Comics. In addition, he was created Moon Child, Starflake, and Captain Cosmos.
Nicolas Cuti left our world on Friday, February 21st 2020, after a battle with cancer.
This interview with Creator Talks took place on the evening of Friday, January 17th and Sunday morning, January 19th 2020.
During our interview, I learned how Nick first became a storyteller out of necessity as a young boy.
Nick shares how he made his first break into comics with the story Grub and favorite horrors stories he wrote for Warren Publishing.
What was it like working at Charlton Comics in the early 1970s and how did the development of E-Man come about with co-creator Joe Staton?
We also talk about his cult sci-fi classic Spanner's Galaxy illustrated by Tom Mandrake.
Nick recalls many of the people he has the pleasure to work with including Louise Simonson, Russ Heath, Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, Tom Mandrake and Joe Staton.
Did you know Nick was an animation background designer for several major studios? He reflect upon that period of his career.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, Nick answers the questions I like to ask all my guests, including how Nick would want to be remembered.
Nick will have stories published in future issues of The Creeps and Warrant's new magazine Carmilla coming in November 2020.
Given the prolific story teller that Nick was, I hope there will be new stories of his published for years to come.
Closing music is from Captain Cosmos.
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More about science fiction writer Nicola Cuti
My guest is none other than Evan "Doc" Shaner.
Doc was the artist on issues of Adventures of Superman, Doom Patrol, Future Quest and The Terrifics. Before he became exclusive to DC, Doc also drew Flash Gordon and Kings Watch for Dynamite Entertainment,
Does Doc like being an exclusive artist for DC? Does he find it limiting?
We talk about one dream project he would love to do for DC and a dream cross-over with another publisher.
Doc has worked with several very talented colorist over the years. Why did he decide to color the twelve-part series Strange Adventures himself? He talks about working on the book with writer Tom King, artist Mitch Gerads and how he and Mitch's art will work together to tell the story.
We also talk about his favorite newspaper comic strips growing up and what he reads today.
Why did Doc decide to switch his career path from playing trumpet to becoming an artist? And how did he get the nick name "Doc"?
When I Kick Back With The Creator I learn what would be Doc's action figure accessory (it's not a pencil!), his beverage of choice and what he knows now he wished he knew when he was younger.
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More about Strange Adventures#1 on sale March 4th 2020
More about Evan "Doc" Shaner
Matt Mair Lowery returns to Creator Talks to let us in on what is happening with Lifeformed published though Dark Horse Comics.
We learn about on the online short story Party Crasher and the second volume of Lifeformed: Hearts and Minds released September 2019.
What's new? Matt worked with two new collaborators on the short stories Adorable Orphans and Drones. Both of these, as well as Party Crasher, will be available at Emerald City Comic Con 2020 art Matt's table. If you are going to the con, stop by Matt's table say hi and get these limited editions!
How does original Twilight Zone influence Matt's writing? We discuss the impact of this classic sci-fi series and why it is still relevant today.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, Matt answers a few of my latest fun questions, plus find which moment was a turning point in his life.
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More about Matt Mair Lowery
More about Lifeformed Hearts and Minds
Todd Nauck is feverishly working away on a new Gwen Stacy series and he joins Creator Talks to give us an update. The series is the origin of Gwen Stacy, before she met Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #31.
Gwen Stacey is written by Christos Gage with interior art by Todd and covers by Adam Hughes. Issue #1 goes on sale February 12, 2020.
Will Spider-Man, his friends and foes appear in the series? Find out here!
If Todd were to make a comic book of his origin story, what would he include?
Todd and I discuss how he creates his comic art, his home studio and his YouTube channel.
We also talk about the reading, caring and feeding of our comics and collecting original art.
What special page of original comic art does Todd cherish?
When I Kick Back With The Creator I ask Todd what he likes for recreation, his favorite birthday, beverage of choice, and what advice he would give to young Todd Nauck. And what moment was a major turning point in his life?
All this is much more on this episode of Creator Talks.
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More about Gwen Stacy #1
Todd Nauck Art Videos
Dave Chisholm earned a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music, a professional trumpet player and the writer/artist of Canopus being published through Scout Comics. The first issue of this four-part series is on sale February 12, 2020.
Canopus about an amnesiac astronaut,Helen Sterling, who wakes up 3,000 light years from earth with a vague memory of an extinction level urgency to return to earth. Trying to return by collecting materials on the planet to repair her ship she encounters her memories in the form of monsters.
The comic has received praise from J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea Where We Live)
How did Dave connect with J.H.?
Why did Dave decide to start making his own comics?
What book did he read that changed the way he thinks?
What moment was a turning point in his life?
And we Kick Back with the Creator to learn even more about Dave.
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About Dave Chisholm
About Canopus
Join host Christopher Calloway and artist Emily Pearson for the Creator Talks last podcast of 2019!
Emily's first professional comic art assignments had her join forces with writer Vita Ayala on The Wilds and Pat Shad on Snap Flash Hustle (Black Mask Studios).
Emily also contributed covers to Going to the Chapel (Action Labs) written by David Pepose.
We discuss her next big project coming in 2020, Bonding, written Matthew Erman. Bonding is part of Vault Comics new MYRIAD line which consists of middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) graphic novels.
Emily contributed to two Kickstarters, which addressed physical and mental illness: Corpus and Everything is Going Wrong: Comics on Punk and Mental Illness.
Why were these projects special to Emily?
We talk about breaking comfort zones at comic cons and what are some of the ones coming up on the West Coast next year.
All this plus: The real reason Christopher watched The Munsters as a kid, Going to California, Kicking Back With The Creator and Baby New Year makes an unscheduled cameo!
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More about Emily Pearson
Danny Fingeroth joins Creator Talks to discuss his latest book A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee.
Danny was the group editor for Spider-Man comics in the 1980s, wrote Deadly Foes of Spider-Man, Lethal Foes of Spider-Man, Dazzler, Venom: Deathtrap - The Vault and the entire 50 issue run of Darkhawk in the 1990s.
We discuss how Danny began working at Marvel for Larry Lieber, his mentor and the brother of Stan Lee. Danny also was the reprint editor for Marvel Comics and explains what the challenge was working with reprints.
What was the first Marvel Comic Danny read, and how do barber shops connect with his comic reading?
What is the challenge to writing a good Spider-Man story?
When we talk about A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee, we discuss how Danny addressed co-creator credit, how Lee collaborated with Steve Ditko, and how Stan Lee's own life was reflected in the cast of Spider-Man comics.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, among the questions I ask Danny are what would be his island book, his beverage of choice, how Danny wants to be remembered and who was Stan Lee to him.
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To order A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee
More about Danny Fingeroth
Don Glut is a prolific writer and director. In the 1970s Don wrote stories for Warren's Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella, as well as Marvel Comics Captain America, The Invaders and Kull The Destroyer, just to name a few! Currently Don is working on making another horror motion picture and is currently writing a plethora of horror tales for Warrants black and white horror magazine The Creeps.
Don is "killing it" with his horror stories in The Creeps and is fortunate to be collaborating with some amazingly talented artists who capture the spirit of the old Creepy and Eerie black and white mags.
Don's latest film Tales of Frankenstein was recently released in October on Blu-Ray. We talk about the making of this mid-budget horror film to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Don included some classic horror actors the movie and this four-part horror anthology is not to be missed by fans of Frankenstein.
I sat down with Don in person while visiting Las Vegas to discuss how he first discover Frankenstein and the influence Universal and Hammer horror films had on him as a youth. We also talk about how he started writing for Warren Publishing, working with Michael Nesmith of The Monkees on his Penny Arkade album, writing for Gold Key and Marvel Comics.
Plus I Kick Back With The Creator and ask Don the show's signature fun questions to learn more about him.
It's a Giant-Sized thriller podcast not to be missed!
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Tales of Frankenstein Blu-Ray on Amazon
More about Don Glut's work
Happy Thanksgiving! This podcast drops a day early to thank my loyal listeners.
My special guest is Stephanie Phillips writer of The Devil Within (Black Mask Studios) and Descendent (Aftershock). She is launching a five part series beginning December 4th The Butcher of Paris (Dark Horse Comics). It features art by prior Creator Talks guest Dean Kotz (Warlords of Mars Attacks).
The Butcher of Paris is a true crime story set during World War Two in Nazi occupied Paris. Marcel Petiot committed a series of murders in the City of Lights, and Detective Georges-Victor Massu and his son Bernard are on the case to find Petiot before the Nazis.
Stephanie explains why she undertook months of historical research, and decided it was time to start writing the story. She explains why she needed to interview family members to help craft this tale of mystery and murder. Of course we had to talk about the talented creative team working on the series and why they were right for the job,.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, learn what grinds Stephanie's gears, how she measures success and what can be done to make comics better.
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About The Butcher of Paris #1
About writer Stephanie Phillips
Alan Davis is well know among comic book aficionado's as a writer and artist who has worked on nearly every major super-hero character in his decades spanning career. Some of Alan's best work as a writer and/or artist includes Captain Britain, Batman and The Outsiders, Avengers: Prime, Fantastic Four: The End, Excalibur, and X-Men.
Alan is writing the brand-new four-part Avengers/Defenders cross-over titled Tarot. He's is collaborating with long-time friend and French artist Paul Renaud.
What was the genesis of Tarot? How does Alan approach team books so that he has voice of the characters right and gives each their moment in the spotlight?
How did the old black and white comic strips Alan clipped and saved influence his artistic style? Which ones should comic lovers and artist take note?
Did How To Draw Comic The Marvel Way lead to his first professional comic work? What changes to making comics since Alan first began working in the industry does he find most challenging?
When I Kick Back With The Creator, learn what was for Alan "the one that got away" Warning comic book collectors, keep a box of tissues near by, this one is going to break your heart.
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More about Alan and Paul's book Tarot
More about Motion Smoothing
Writer Meredith Finch, best known for work her on Wonder Woman, Rose, and Xena catches up with Creator Talks to enlighten us about her Kickstarter for The Book of Ruth. The classic biblical story is refreshed for a more contemporary audiences set in Texas during The Great Depression.
Kickstarter has designated it as a “Project We Love”.
Nevada local and graduate of SCAD Colin Dyer provides the art for this beautifully illustrated black and white graphic novel. And there are also several additional cover options to choose from contributed by comic pros such as Jason Fabok, David Finch, Billy Tucci and Lee Weeks.
Why did Meredith decide to have her book crowd funded rather than published through Cave Pictures, which published her last mini-series The Light Princess?
Meredith also discusses writing her other series now on sale The Age of Conan: Valeria mini-series for Marvel Comics.
Valeria first appeared in Robert E. Howard’s final serialized Conan story Red Nails published posthumously in Weird Tales July through October of 1936.
What does Valeria’s share in common with Meredith’s other characters she has written?
How does Meredith's approach add more nuance to Valeria's character and reveal the reason behind her expertise with the sword?
As I bring the interview to a close, Kick Back With The Creator as ask Meredith what grinds her gears, does she have regrets about “the one that got away” and what does she wish she knew when she was younger that she knows now?
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About the Book of Ruth Kickstarter
About the Age of Conan: Valeria
Happy Halloween! Phil Hester returns to talk about his collaboration with Jeff Lemire on Family Tree through Image Comics. What is it like collaborating with Jeff? What has a comics veteran like Phil learned from Jeff about story telling and pacing?
We share memories of buying packs of comics at large retail outlets, coverless comics and the best hope for comics to continue entertaining and captivating young readers' imaginations.
Phil and I also catch up on the fate of his cancelled Blood Blister series (Aftershock), his contribution to DC's Secrets of Sinister House #1 2019 Halloween Special and, finally, the release of The Wrench Omnibus published through Omaha Bound.
We continue our Kicking Back With The Creator questions covering what really grinds Phils gears about some people working in the comics industry, his own regret and proudest accomplishment working in comics.
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To order The Wretch Omnibus
More about Family Tree (Image Comics)
If you have ever picked up recent copy of Detective Comics, followed Green Lantern or DC's Futures End, then you have cast your eyes upon the stunning inks of Mark Irwin.
A graduate of The Kubert School, Mark has worked as Art Director for Heavy Metal Magazine, Customer Services Manager for Wildstorm Comics, and Art Director for Upper Deck. Currently Mark is a freelance inker and Senior Editor for Insight Comics.
Mark shares his recollections about growing up reading underground comix and coverless comics he received as gifts. He recalls his years at The Kubert School, how he landed his first paying job while still in school, and ending up as Heavy Metal Magazine's Art Director upon graduating.
Throughout his career, Mark has picked up a great deal of experience and knowledge about being an editor and art director. Now Executive Editor of Insight Comics, Mark talks about some of the most successful titles they have published and what is planned for 2020.
Mark is also a huge fan of the rock band Rush. He explains their connection to one of Insight Comics graphic novels.
When I Kick Back With The Creator, we learn how surfing became Mark's favorite way to rest and relax, what is his island book, beverage of choice and how he measures success.
Closing Music: Red Barchetta Rush
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Follow Mark Irwin on Twitter
About Insight Comics
Tom Scioli shares his knowledge and deep appreciation of Marvel's First Family the Fantastic Four. Tom reveals his plans for the two-part Fantastic Four Grand Design.
We discuss Tom's first work on the FF contributing to Erik Larsen's Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comic Magazine!
Tom also explains why Publisher of Image Comics Jim Valentino paired him Joe Casey for his homage to Jack Kirby Godland.
What Thing piqued Tom's interest in the Fantastic Four? Which FF story was his favorite and which does he believe is the most underrated?
If Tom could created his own Fantastic Four villain...would he?
Listen in amazement as Tom recalls some of his favorite Fantastic Four What If? stories and lobs some cool ideas for future FF stories!
When we Kick Back With The Creator I ask Tom, if it were possible, what would he ask Stan Lee and Jack Kirby about the Fantastic Four?
And how would Tom like Marvel to handle a Fantastic Four Lee and Kirby story reprinted in the collected Treasury edition of Fantastic Four Grand Design?
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About Tom Scioli
About Fantastic Four Grand Design
Jeff Parker joins Creator Talks to discuss the conclusion of his 12 issue series James Bond Origin published through Dynamite Entertainment.
What boundaries did Jeff set for writing Bond’s origin and how did he build on references made in the Ian Fleming novels? How did he avoid the trap of writing a story that simply paid “fan service” and who are Jeff's favorite actors who portrayed 007?
Next, we dig into Jeff’s latest series John Carter Warlord Of Mars Attacks, also published throughDynamite Entertainment. How did Jeff and series artist Dean Kotz develop the look of John Carter, and how did Jeff decide to explain the process of Carter’s teleportations to Mars? We also talk about the Disney movie John Carter (2012) and what would have made it a commercial success.
Of course we had to talk about the Batman ‘66 series Jeff wrote! We discuss some of the issues around licensing character likenesses, going beyond villains who appeared in the television series, and how difficult it was produce those DC2 digital issues!
Kicking Back With The Creator, I find out what was Jeff’s favorite birthday, beverage of choice, island book, and about his experience while in Las Vegas. We’re talking the Fremont Street Experience and tacos folks! Wahoo!
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Learn more about Jeff Parker
About Warlord of Mars Attacks
Super-Heroes have become modern mythology.
What are some of the enduring myths of ancient cultures and why do they still connect with modern audiences?
My guests Caleb Palmquist and Greg Anderson Elysee answer these questions and in a new anthology now on Kickstarter Modern Mythology: A Hero’s Journey
This all-new 160+ pages of soft cover book features 17 stories by 29 talented creators, plus pinups by additional independent comic book artists. It is also packed with facts about the myths in the book including information about the cultures, histories, and storytelling traditions from which they come.
Greg is the writer of the 14-page story Is'nana the Were-Spider with art by David Brame.
He talks about growing up reading Black and Africa-American superhero comics. What did those writers get right and what did they get wrong?
Greg provides some background on Is’nana and the other books he has written about this hero.
When I Kick Back With The Creator the spotlight is on Greg as we learn how he likes to rest and relax, beverage of choice, island book and more.
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Learn More about the Kickstarter
Surprise! A fresh new Creator Talks an interview conducted in person at Big Dog’s Brewing Company with Derek Hunter (Disney animation designer for Duck Tales) and Jason Young (architect of I Hate Fairy Land), creators of Pretty Violent (Image Comics).
Derek and Jason were in Las Vegas for a signing August 24th2019 at the Maximum Comics at the Centennial Hills location.
Before heading off to the signing, we talked about creating Pretty Violent and what has been the fan reaction.
Also I discuss their other work, Derek and Jason's Pirate Club and Derek's early autobiography Derek Hunter is a F___!
Jason talks about his involved in I Hate Fairy Land with Scottie Young.
Plus: what lessons did they find out about making comics the hard way, and what did they learn that from someone that was invaluable advice. We still have time for Kicking Back With The Creator Questions.
Note: Due to technical issues the external microphones we used failed to pick up our voices, however the built in recorder's microphone did. There is a good bit of background buzz and chatter, more than I would like, but with added audio enhancement the conversation is now audible.
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About Pretty Violent (Image Comics)
About Derek Hunter writer/artist
About Jason Young writer
Writer John Ward is Creator Talks guest this week. John is the writer of Offbeats and Ultrabot Go! Go! Go! created by Tom Sacchi (interview #169).
John has a four-part horror mini-series with art by Juan Romera and lettering by Eric Grissom. The first issue will be published September 4th through Antarctic Press. What's it about?
Vegas tattoo artist Dee discovers her clients are becoming possessed by the tattoos she gave them. Her life is thrown into turmoil when she realizes her best friend Sarah has turned into a monstrous killer, seemingly controlled by her new tattoo. A guilty Dee sets out to save Sarah, but soon finds herself out of her depth as she faces off against forces she can barely comprehend. - Diamond Previews
Did you know John has a Ph. D. in physics and his thesis dealt with String Theory? Taking the show to a whole new level, John breaks down String Theory for us in layman's terms.
He also explains what is a spec script, why he writes them and what are his favorite shows are to base them on and why.
We dig into to the themes found within Scratcher and what it is like working with Juan and Eric on the book.
And during the Kicking Back With the Creator segment we discuss John's oddest job, his favorite beverage (and one of mine) and not just his island book but his island movies.
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More about John's mini-series Scratcher
About John Ward
John's writers podcast 49 Degrees North
Creator Talks podcast host Christopher Calloway sits down with artist J.K. Woodward at his Rio Hotel & Casino suite during the Star Trek Vegas 2019 convention.
J.K. discusses working on the upcoming Star Trek Voyager one-shot "Mirrors and Smoke" being published in October through IDW.
The book kick-offs a series of monthly Star Trek Mirror Universe comics. Christopher also explores three of J.K.'s favorite subjects: the Star Trek series, Doctor Who and legendary composer/performer David Bowie!
Plus when Christopher asks his Kicking Back With The Creator questions, we learn which was J.K.'s favorite birthday. Also, Christopher asks J.K. to reflect upon his life and career. Does he have any regrets ? J.K.'s answer may surprise you!
To experience the video of this interview which includes J.K.'s illustrations and images of the topics and people we discuss, please the Creator Talks YouTube channel here http://bit.ly/2OSffOg
Like what you hear on Creator Talks?
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More about J.K. Woodward and his art
Carlos Giffoni is a musician and game producer whose first creator-owned comic Strayed (Dark Horse) hits comic shops on August 21st 2019.
The artist on the series is Juan Doe (Descendent, Dark Ark) a veteran in the comic book industry.
What is Strayed all about? The Diamond solicit reads:
In the far future, a military-industrial complex reigns over all humanity and actively destroys distant alien worlds. The galaxy's only hope can be found through an unlikely pair: an astral-projecting cat named Lou and his loving owner Kiara. Trading nine lives for the well being of billions, their revolt is a battle for love, friendship, compassion, and the soul of humanity.
Carlos tells us about a decommissioned government project that sparked his idea of a sci-fi story that features an astral-projecting cat. It doesn’t hurt that he owns a couple of cats too.
Juan talks about the joy of collaborating on Strayed with Carlos. Also, Juan tells us about the unusual path he took to illustrating comics and why he chose the pen name is Juan Doe.
We open our conversation talking about the California earthquake in July that impacted both Carlos and me. Since Carlos lives in California, earthquakes are not usual for him. Even Juan has experienced his share. How do they cope?
Plus, when I Kick Back With the Creators and ask my fun questions which includes what was their oddest job.
Juan surprises us again with a job neither of would have ever guessed!
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More writer & composer Carlos Giffoni
More about artist Juan Doe
About the comic book Strayed
Liana Kangas is the artist of She Said Destroy (Vault Comics) and Devil’s Dye (Black Mask)
Before Liana packed her bags for SDCC, we had a chance to catch up since we last chat. I asked about her invigorating experience at Heroes Con 2019 and her recent book tour. Always on the go, Liana has also moved many times over the years. I ask why that is and what she loves about Memphis, the place she now calls home. One of her first jobs was working in a comic book shop in Florida. I find out what it was like working there, about some the creators she met and what the cliental were like. We dive into her latest work which just wrapped up, Devil’s Dye (Black Mask) and one reaching its midpoint, She Said Destroy (Vault Comics). How has Liana's artistic style evolved as her work load has steadily increased? In my Kicking Backing With the Creator segment, I ask one of my questions that Liana just so happens to ask everyone she meets! Plus we digress about what to do with all the comic books and original art we have accumulated over the years.
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More about Liana Kangas
More about She Said Destroy
Special Edition! TwoMorrows Publishing has launched a KickStarter to make a second printing of American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1980s.
John Morrow joins Creator Talk's for a Creator Corner feature to explain why the publisher decided to take the Kickstarter route for a second printing of the sold out 1980s volume of the world's greatest comic book history encyclopedia.
The 1980s volume covers comics published year by year placing within historical context and does extensive research to include the stories behind the making of the comics.
Other volumes of American Comic Book Chronicles , which cover the 1940s through the 1990s, are available only at certain Kickstarter pledge levels, while supplies last.
The campaign was fully funded in just the first two days and top tier pledge levels have already sold out!
My advice if you are interested in pledging? Act fast.
Ever wonder which era of comics is John Morrows' favorite? And why? Since this is Creator Talks, I ask!
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About American Comic Book Chronicles Kickstarter
As flooring contractors work just outside of Christopher’s studio, writer Jeremy Lambert joins to Creator Talks to discuss Doom Patrol (DC). The first issue of the series Weight of the World was released July 3rd.
So if the series is returning, why a new number#1? Jeremy explains the reason for resetting the numbering and the incredible artist working on the series.
He also talks about the success of the DC streaming series, and how it impacted the release of the new comic series.
Also, he explains how he and co-writer Gerard Way met, how they collaborate “old school” style and the time he met the most influential writer of the modern age Doom Patrol.
We also discuss Jeremy’s very early Halloween preparation, some of his coolest decorations and the horror movies we’ve enjoyed watching since our last discussion.
Plus: Kick Back With The Creator to learn how Jeremy’s favorite birthday changed his life, the oddest job he ever had, and much more!
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More about Doom Patrol #1 Weight of The Worlds
On this bonus edition of Creator Talks, Cameron DeOrdio joins the show to talk about his latest series Charlie’s Angels vs. The Bionic Woman published through Dynamite Entertainment. In preparation to write his four-part series which launched July 3rd, Cameron re-watched the TV series, reboot of the Bionic Woman and the Charlie’s Angels movie (whew!) Which version did he prefer? Which were episodes are his favorites? What does he think was the charm of the original 1970s-80s series? And why did he decide to set this new mini-series in 1983? Cameron began his professional comic career co-writing Jose and The Pussycats with Marguerite Bennett for Archie Comics. How did he land that gig? We find out during our interview. We also discuss his favorite sci-fi and horror stories and why they are his two favorite genera. Plus: Kick Back With The Creator to find out Cameron’s favorite birthday, beverage of choice, island book and much more! Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes More about Charlie’s Angel’s vs. The Bionic Woman
Karl Kesel discusses just some of the indelible marks he has made upon the comic book industry throughout his long and illustrious career.
Along with his collaborator Tom Grummet, Karl created Kon-El Superboy, wrote a land mark issue of the Fantastic Four inspired by a Jack Kirby drawing of The Thing and returned Daredevil to being a swashbuckling hero!
How did it all begin for Karl? Why did he decide to become an inker and who his favorite inker of all time?
What were the first comics he read and which artist does he admire for the impact he made on himself and the entire comic industry in the early 1970?
But that’s not all! We talk about the success of his Section Zero Kickstarters with Tom Grummet and his latest project with David Hahn (Six Million Dollar Man, Batman 66) titled Impossible Jones.
And in the Kicking Back With The Creator segment, I discover Karl’s favorite way to rest and relax, his specialty dish and about the dinner parties hosted for comic book living legends.
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Karl Kesel & David Hahn's Impossible Jones Kickstarter
Dean Kotz is an artist living in Brooklyn working on a five-part series written by Jeff Parker Warlord of Mars Attacks!!
Issue #1 of this Dynamite Entertainment mini-series goes on sale June 19th.
Dean is big fan Edgar Rice Burroughs work and is excited to share what it is like working on this action-packed cross-over between John Cater Warlord of Mars and Mars Attacks!
We begin by discussing Dean’s art education and first paid comic book work.
Why are horror and crime-noir his favorite genera? What comics, books and movies influenced his tastes?
We learn more about his previous gaming work for Dungeons and Dragons. Is Dean into D&D?
Dean also provides a few hints about the other series he is working being published by Dark Horse Comics and Alterna Comics.
In the Kicking Back With The Creator Segment, I ask Dean what was his favorite birthday, his oddest job and what character series would he like to draw.
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More about Warlords of Mars Attacks!!
More about Dean Kotz
More about this episode’s sponsor The Comic Book Shop!
Two returning guests talk about their action adventure heroes that have grace and guts!
First, Ron Randall talks about his third Kickstarter, a graphic novel about Mercy St. Claire entitled Trekker: Battlefields.
Ron is well known for his work on DC’s Sgt. Rock, Future Quest, Astro City, and many other characters for publishers over the course of his distinguished career.
Did you know he also illustrated Doom Patrol in the late 1990s?
I get Ron’s reaction to the new Doom Patrol series and we discuss movie spoilers.
Please note we do not discuss any blockbuster super hero movie spoilers. (I’m looking at you Avengers End Game!)
Instead, we marvel at how we managed to avoid Avengers End Game spoilers and how it is essential for a script unfold on the screen as the writers intended, rather than through spoilers!
My second guest Sam Johnson is a huge fan of Doom Patrol.
Sam explains why he hasn’t see the first season yet, and gives his impression based on the trailers.
Sam has launched his next Kickstarter for Geek-Girl.
This campaign is for the Crime War Trade Paperback and issue #5 of the ongoing Geek-Girl series.
Sam is so dedicated to the success of Geek-Girl he has taken off work to focus 100% on managing his Kickstarter campaign!
Finally, I ask both guests which defunct technology they miss the most.
Interview Segments:
Ron Randall / Trekker 02:00-28:07
Sam Johnson / Geek-Girl 28:08-51:41
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Ron Randall’s Trekker
Sam Johnson’s Geek-Girl
This episode’s sponsor The Comic Book Shop!
Returning is writer and playwright Sean Lewis who was last on episode #127 talking about his series Coyotes (Image Comics).
Sean provides the details behind the ending of that series with issue #8 and looks forward with his new series Thumbs on sale June 5th.
Making his debut on Creator Talks is artist Hayden Sherman (Cold War, Mary Shelley Monster Hunter / Aftershock).
Hayden collaborated with Sean on their series The Few (Image Comics) and team-up again for Thumbs.
What is the story of Thumbs?
“Imagine someone like Mark Zuckerberg created his own army of tech-obsessed teens and directed them to take on the government. What would the fallout be?"
Charley “Thumbs” Fellows is a member of just such an army. Poor and raised by the influential MOM™ app, he finds himself in the center of a war.
How does Hayden use color to show the proliferation of technology?
We talk about technology and ask the question, are we giving up too much info by using social media, for too little in return?
What is the real product of social media?
Are we at risk of further isolation and de-humanization through VR?
All this plus I ask what my guest think is the greatest invention of the 21st century.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Thumbs
More about Sean Lewis
More about Hayden Sherman
More about this episode’s sponsor The Comic Book Shop!
Writer Caitlin Major and artist Kelly Bastow are the duo behind Manfried Saves The Day, a graphic novel published through Quirk Books.
“Come visit a world where human felines keep cute little humans as pampered pets…and the most spoiled of them all is irascible Manfried the Man.
Can a pet man who spends most of his time eating and sleeping take first prize at the Manflower Man Show? If not, the local shelter for stray men will be forced to shut down forever!”
Caitlin Major is a writer based in Toronto. Her web comics include Home Sick, Peach Plum Pear, Yer a Witch Milly, and The Spirit and the Spider.
Caitlin’s full-time job is as an animation compositor for Skyship Entertainment. Why is her work so critical to the animation process?
Kelly Bastow is an artist also based in Toronto whose work includes The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy, Lumberjanes, and Adventure Time and Capture Creatures.
Both were housemates. What does Caitlin think of Kelly as a housemate, and vise versa?
We’re talking cats too!
What do they think is the best cat toy and how can one make a cat happy? What gift did Caitlin’s cat bring into her house?
All this and lots more fun in the Kicking Back With The Creator Segment.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Caitlin Major
Caitlin’s Podcast: Shitty Wizard
More about Manfried Save The Day
More about this episode’s sponsor The Comic Book Shop!
Writer Adam Glass (The Normals & Rough Riders) returns along with co-writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs (Criminal Minds, Peaked in High School) to talk Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter.
The story asks what if the Frankenstein Monster was real?
According to the Diamond Previews solicitation:
“…With the recent discovery of Mary Shelley's secret memoir, the truth is finally revealed: Mary Shelley didn't just write Frankenstein, she lived it.”
Hayden Sherman, artist of Cold War, The Few, and Wasted Space illustrates the series.
The first issue was release April 17; the 2nd issue issue will be available May 22nd.
Olivia researched Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s background.
Did you know she is considered the founder of modern horror and was a feminist pioneer?
Olivia shares fascinating facts about Mary Shelley’s life and her relationship with her husband Percy Bysshe Shelly. Find out:
Who was accompanied Mary Shelley to Geneva, Switzerland during the summer of 1816 where the idea for her novel Frankenstein came to life?
Why were her traveling companions considered scandalous throughout Europe?
Why is Mary the sole reason Percy’s work survives today?
Why does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein still resonate with audiences today?
Could a Frankenstein movie strike terror into 21st century audiences?
In the Kicking Back With The Creator segment, Adam and Olivia answer more of my fun question including which horror movie kept them up at night when they were children? And, if they had the chance, what is the one question each would ask Mary Shelley?
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Adam Glass
More about Olivia Cuartero-Briggs
More about Mary Shelly: Monster Hunter
More about this episode’s sponsor The Comic Book Shop!
He’s back! Rags Morales returns to Valiant Comics to pencil and ink Bloodshot: Rising Sprit and he’s going to tell us all about it, unfiltered!
Join Rags and I with a glass of merlot and learn about the classes he took at the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Art.
What did he find so valuable about Joe Kubert’s method? Who were his contemporaries taking classes?
Hop in the way back machine with us for a peak between the pages of the early days at Valiant during the 1990s.
Which giants of the comics industry did Rags meet while at Valiant?
How successful was Rag’s run on Geomancer?
What was does Rag’s think was the “event” that triggered the comic publisher and comic shop implosion of the mid-1990s?
How does Rags manage riding out downturns in comic book market place?
What is his most requested commission at comic conventions and which was the oddest! (Note: Put on your ear buds listeners, this episode is rated E for Explicit!)
All this plus when I Kickback With The Creator, Rags answers all my fun questions and provides the best answer to date for his action figure accessory!
And for all ages, Dawn Griffin returns for a Creator Corner segment on location at The Comic Book Shop! May 4th Free Comic Book Day, talking about her upcoming Kickstarter Ida Finds Her Voice. Parents, you need this book!
Interview Segments:
Rags Morales: 02:01 - 52:17
Dawn Griffin: 52:18 – 1:07
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Rags Morales
Click after May 13th: more about Dawn Griffin’s Kickstarter Ida Finds Her Voice
This episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop!, where comics as for everyone, just be nice.
My guest is comic book producer and Brooklyn native Tom Sacchi, the mind behind the crime-noir Offbeats and the 1960s manga-style Ultrabot Go Go Go! Both comics are published through Antarctic Press.
Tom begins by sharing his memory of the 1960s television cartoon series that introduced him to the world of comics. He also shares his memory of discovering a store, before the days of direct market distribution, which sold new and back issue comics and magazines.
He eventually drifted away from superhero comics and explains why the independent boom of the 1980s and Marvel’s Epic line rekindled his interest in comics.
Why did he want to make comics and what podcast and television series inspired Tom to become a producer of comic books?
Just what are Belgian style comics and how did they influence Tom’s Offbeats? Who is the creative team on the series and why were they the best match for this Belgian-style comic?
Which of these creators also helped make the one-shot Ultrabot Go Go Go! ?
Tom explains why the art style of 1960s Japanese comics appeal to him and what they do that is so different from most comics that fits Tom penchant for quick paced story-telling.
In the Kicking Back With The Creator Segment, we learn what would be Tom’s island book and who is the creator he would most like to meet. Both you have probably not heard of before this interview. Learn why the both book and creator earned Tom’s praise.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
More about Tom Sacchi
About Offbeats
About Ultrabot Go Go Go!
This episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop! where comics as for everyone, just be nice!
Andrea Mutti, artist of Rebels (Dark Horse) and Port of Earth (Image) returns this week for an interview about living in Italy, what fuels his creative process and a new graphic novel he is illustrating written by Robert Venditti (Green Lantern) and Kevin Maurer (No Easy Day: The First Hand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden) titled Six Days: The Incredible True Story of D-Day’s Lost Chapter (DC Vertigo).
The Diamond Preview solicitation for Six Days reads:
“D-Day. One hundred eighty two members of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division parachute into the French countryside-a full 18 miles southeast of their intended target.
This original graphic novel from DC Vertigo is the true story of an obscure World War II battle that took place in the small village of Graignes, France, for six days and the men who survived to tell the tale.”
Andrea explains why, although he loved living in Italy, he enjoys the artistic freedom he has found and collaborative nature of making comics in the United States.
How does Andrea add a sense of authenticity when illustrating war comics such as Rebels and Six Days?
How does he attend to the details and sense of realism? And how does he add an a identity to each solider he draws?
How does he manage collaborating with two writers, does it get confusing?
Andrea also takes a swing at my fun questions in my Kicking Back With The Creator Segment.
What is his favorite region to visit and really experience in the United States?
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Andrea Mutti
More about the DC Vertigo title Six Days on sale May 8th 2019
This episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop! where comics are for everyone, just be nice.
Creator Talks welcomes from America’s heartland prolific artist Greg Paprocki. He comes to highly recommend by my 2 year-old. How is that, you say?
Greg has partnered with Gibbs Smith and their BabyLit division to publish his historically themed ABC books. We discovered his wonderful work at our local library and want to share with all of our listens that are young or young at heart.
Greg’s simplified retro-style art style harkens back to the advertisements of the 1940 through the early1960s.
His BabyLit books include A is for Atom, G is for Go-Go, V is for Vittles, and E is for Easter.
Greg is also taken the reins as artist on the popular children’s book Curious George.
The first step on Greg’s journey as an artist began with an ad he found in a comic book.
With experience working as an art director, why did Greg decide to become a freelancer?
I learn about Greg’s career path and how he prepared to make it on his own.
Greg also talks about the commercial art he produced for Mattel’s Barbie, a Cheech and Chong beer label, and many more.
We talk comics, how Greg manages keep balance in his life and why it is important to trust his gut.
All this, plus Greg answers my fun question in the Kicking Back with The Creator segment.
In Creator Corner this week I have a brief interview with artist Andrea Mutti (Rebels, Star Wars, Batman Eternal) who tells us about the next arc of sci-fi thriller Port of Earth (Image Comics) written by Zack Kaplan (Eclipse). Its next arc of begins with issue #9 on sale April 17th.
Andrea will be back next week for a full interview discussing his upcoming work for DC Vertigo Six Days: The Incredible True Story of D-Day’s Lost Chapter.
Interview Segments:
Greg Paprocki 02:01-44:30
Andrea Mutti 44:31-59:30
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
About Greg Paprocki
About Andrea Mutti
This episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
This week we're talking steam punk!
Undaunted by con crud and travel fatigue is writer Stephanie Cannon (It Came Out on a Wednesday - Alterna Comics) and writer/musician Matt Knowles.
Together they are Insymmetry Creations (#INSYM). I find out why they decided it was critical to create the company.
First, I catch up with Steph about her half marathon run, then turn my attention to their recent experiences at the 2019 Seattle Emerald City Comics Con!
Who were some of the creators they met on the floor?
What is the demographic of their steampunk fandom?
Did they have proper foot wear!?
Stephanie and Matt have combined their creative talents to craft Tales of Nocturnia, a medieval fantasy adventure in which a kingdom lies in shambles. The throne sits empty. Can the survivors re-assemble to fend off an impending attack from the forces of darkness?
Matt and Stephanie join me to talk about the Kickstarter for Tales of Nocturnia #1. The campaign is to fund the first issue of this three-part mini-series. Lending his talent to illustrate the book is artist Javi Laparra (Boot Hill - Finalist of the Ghost City Comic Competition).
Matt explains the set up for Tales of Nocturnia and how it grew out of a sequence Javi drew in Heirs of Isildur #6.
Why did Matt leave his heavy metal band?
How do Matt's new heavy metal compositions tie into Heirs of Isildur?
What artistic nuances does Javi add to that series?
What are Steph's big plans for her two-page Hexed story in 2020?
We close by Kicking Back With The Creator where I ask my guests fun questions to learn more about them, including the hazards of officiating soccer and what is the best heavy metal band, ever!
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Stephanie Cannon
More about Tales of Isildur
About the Tales of Nocturnia Kickstarter
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
Julius Otha is an artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil who began his comic career as a colorist on Grime Fairly Tales (Zenescope) and Serenity (Dark Horse Comics).
His first work on interior art was Sherlock Holmes: The Vanishing Man (Dynamite Entertainment), and now he is the artist of Bettie Page and the upcoming Bettie Page: Unbound.
Julius joins Creator Talks to discuss why he wanted to change from colorist to a penciler/inker.
How did Julius land his first assignment Sherlock Holmes with Dynamite Entertainment?
What suggestions did he make to the writers of the mini-series that changed the look of Holmes and Watson? And how does Julius collaborate with David Avallone, writer of Bettie Page?
All this plus in the Kicking Back With The Creator segment in which we learn what is Julius' favorite action/adventure film of all time. Hint: It would be the perfect film as a stand alone and not part of a trilogy!
This episode also debuts a new feature, Creator Corner, a short interview with returning guest Rafael Lourerio artist of The Mall (Scout Comics) written by James Haick III.
Rafael is accompanied by writers Don Handfield and Joshua Malkin to talk about their Kickstarter Unikorn, a family-friendly graphic novel with the message that with a little love, faith and hope, we never have to let go of the ones we've lost.
Interview Chapters
Julius Ohta:
02:00-48:47
Rafael Lourerio, Don Handfield & Joshua Malkin:
48:48-1:13:19
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about Julius Otha
About Bettie Page Unbound
About the Kickstarter Unikorn
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
Know, Oh Prince that in the waning days of winter hither came to Creator Talks Mahmud Anjum Asrar, artist on Conan The Barbarian!
Mahmud is also the co-creator along with Jay Faerber of the series Dynamo 5.
Mahmud grew up in Turkey and we begin our conversation with what it was like going to school there.
We also discuss art school and how studying animation and sculpting helps with his comic art today.
Mahmud tells us his favorite Conan artist and how that person influences his approach to drawing Conan for Marvel Comics.
Mahmud tells the story of when he was offered the Conan art job and what it is like working with writer Jason Aaron and colorist Matthew Wilson.
What is Mahmud’s future plan for his own creations? It’s not a sword and sorcery tale!
How does he manage to get anything done at home, and who is his greatest supporter and greatest critic?
Discover the answer to these questions and more in my Kicking Back With The Creator segment.
At the close of this interview, I announce a new feature of the podcast making its debut next week!
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
More about The Creator
About Conan The Barbarian
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
My guest on today’s show undertook the enormous task of writing a graphic novel version of the strangest movie never made.
Writer Josh Frank presents the all signing, all talking Giraffes on Horseback Salad, a graphic novel published by Quirk Books, which is based on the undeveloped screenplay by Salvador Dali for The Marx Brothers.
It is the fantastical tale of a businessman named Jimmy who finds himself drawn to the mysterious Surrealistic Woman, a figure whose very presence can transform reality. With the help of The Marx Brothers, Jimmy tries to join her strange world, but the forces of normalcy seek to end their romance.
The book is a must-read for fans of Salvador Dali or The Marx Brothers or both.
The author Josh Frank is a life-long fan of The Marx Brothers and did extensive research for the book, including having Dali’s hand written script and film treatment translated.
Where additional Marx Brothers gags were needed to complete Dali’s unfinished script, Josh enlisted the talent of Tim Heidecker of the Tim and Eric Show.
Spanish artist Manuela Pertega provided the surrealistic illustrations for the graphic novel.
Josh discusses how he became interested in little unknown pop culture history, which ultimately led to his crowning achievement to date, Giraffes on Horseback Salad.
How have The Marx Brothers comic genius and sense of anarchy influenced later comedy filmmakers?
How did Harpo Marx and Salvador Dali strike a friendship?
Where was Salvador Dali in his life at the time he and Harpo made the film pitch to MGM?
And how did Dali’s current outlook influence the obstacles Jimmy was so desperate to over come in the screenplay?
How does Josh’s day, or rather night job, dovetail with his passion for classic films?
Which of The Marx Brothers’ films is Josh’s personal favorite, and which is the most underrated? And how the heck does Zeppo figure into all of it?
All this and more in my Kicking Back With The Creator segment!
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
More about The Creator
About the book Giraffes on Horseback Salad
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
Fans of crime noir will especially enjoy today’s guest, storyteller Palle Schmidt from Copenhagen, Denmark.
We begin our conversation discussing Palle’s favorite noir film recommendations and the must see experimental hippie village of Christiania.
You may know Palle’s work as an artist on the Chris Miskiewicz penned comic series Thomas Alsop published by Boom! Studios in 2014.
Palle tells how he first met Chris at the MOCCA Arts Festival and eventually partnered with him on Thomas Alsop.
His latest comic Stiletto No.1 Officer Down is a spin-off of his previous work The Devil’s Concubine.
Palle provides the basic plot and character profiles of Detectives Alphonse and Maynard. He also explains how he created the illustrations and how the look of Stiletto No. 1 Officer Down differs from The Devil’s Concubine.
Palle is also a podcast host and I ask about his a ten-part series Comics for Beginners which he developed to assist comic creators through the process of making comics.
He also has a second ongoing podcast Plotcast in which he has conversations with local writers about writing.
Also during our conversation Palle discuss the benefits he found of working in a studio with other creators and later working from home.
In the Kicking Back With The Creator segment, we find out what Palle considers the best film noir ever made, the posters he had on his bedroom wall and the oddest job he ever had.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes
About Palle Schmidt
About the Comics for Beginners podcast
About Stiletto No. 1 Officer Down
This episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop
As we take up our path in life, we meet people along the way that turn out to be our teachers and mentors.
My guest Rob Jones has been taught by and mentored by some of comic's greats.
Rob learned from Brian Stelfreeze how to color and interned with Dick Giordano.
Rob has work on comic books, children’s books, books covers and the occasional newspaper strip. He is also is the 2018 Image winning campaign for the Library Foundation of Sarasota County.
Today Rob and I talk about his mentors, how he got involved in children’s books including one he is working on now based on his dog, titled Rambo To The Rescue.
He currently has a Kickstarter running until April 3rd for the second issue of his three part series Highspot.
It is the story of stunt performer Kate Carter who loves adventure and archaeology. In issue #2 Kate and the gang are on their way to find the remains of Alexander the Great.
Why does Rob reference Theodore Roosevelt as a heroic model in the series, and why did he decide to make Alexander The Great the focus of Kate’s mission?
We also talk about his other comic book collaborations on Strong Will and Mine. Plus Rob discusses how other creators who paid it forward inspired him to do the same.
We close our discussion Kicking Back with the Creator to learn more about Rob.
Special Offer for Creator Talks Listeners:
If you back Rob’s Kickstarter and get a physical reward he will do a free 6 x 9 head/bust sketch of any character you would like if you mention the interview. A 6 x 9 sketch backer reward is $40 but you will get one for free even if you get the $5, $10 or $15 book options. If do order any of the sketch options you get 2 sketches
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
More about The Creator
About the Highspot #2 Kickstarter
The anthology Mine
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
Creator Talks spotlights writers and artists working in comic books and other mediums. On today’s show I have just such a guest who produces illustrations for comics and books.
Rachel Perciphone Kilbury creates fantasy/sci-fi illustrations and cover art portraying strong, diverse characters within fantastical and colorful worlds.
I met Rachel at the New Jersey Comic Expo, and you can hear her first interview with me from the con floor on episode #5 of Creator Talks.
Rachel earned a BFA from Moore College of Art and Design and currently works for comic book publisher.
Among her credits are coloring “Phantom Flight” in the It Was Metal Anthology OGN, written by Josh Swartz and Jeremiah Jay with art by Bob Hall (The Avengers, Shadowman).
Her other work includes “Twisted Endings-Snow White” for Infected by Art Volume 6, the cover for Knightmares by G.A. Finocchiaro and a chapter in the upcoming Cosmic Love a Red Stylo comic anthology inspired by Florence + The Machine.
We talk about how the idea for Cosmic Love came to her, and how she feels about doing commissions at comic cons.
Do you like set goals each year? Do you find it difficult to reach them?
We talk about how Rachel set her goals for 2019, how she tracks them, and makes it manageable to obtain them when life gets in the way.
And when I Kick Back With The Creator, we talk flaming spatulas and salt lines!
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about The Creator:
https://www.rachelperciphone.com/
More About Cosmic Love:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/RedStyloMedia/cosmic-love-inspired-by-the-music-of-florence-the?ref=card
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
One of the greatest action shows of the 1970s was The Six Million Dollar Man.
Dynamite Entertainment is releasing a new comic series this March written by Christopher Hasting with art by David Hahn.
David is my guest on this show and we talk about The Six Million Dollar Man comic and 1970s!
Among David’s art credits are Batman ‘66 Meets The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Batman ‘66 and Wonder Woman ’77, Bite Club, Fables, and Lucifer.
Was David a big fan of the Batman television series in the 1960s? We find out!
We talk about Impossible Jones, a grim and gritty plastic-man style super-hero co-created by Karl Kesel and David Hahn coming as a Kickstarter this spring.
David is also currently working on a web comic with writer Paul Guinan (Boilerplate: History’s Mechanical Marvel) titled Aztec Empire.
Aztec Empire is Paul’s graphic novel series, which recounts the fall of the mightiest empire of the America’s only three years after the Spanish arrived in Mexico during the 16-century.
As a freelance artist, what keeps David awake at night?
What does David love about story telling that keeps him sticking with it?
David was one of the co-founders of Helioscope Studios (formerly Periscope) and tells the story of when a former guest on Creator Talks popped by the studio in Portland!
Does David miss being in the studio? And who would win in a fight, a Shaolin Monk or a Cave Man?
In my Kicking Back With The Creator segment, I ask David what obsolete 1970s technology he misses the most, and in his opinion what was the best movie of the1970s.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about David Hahn:
http://davidhahnart.com/
About The Six Million Dollar Man comic:
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513027766401011
About the Aztec Empire series:
https://www.bigredhair.com/books/aztec-empire/about/
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
Last week Ethan Nicolle, the artist on Appalachian Apocalypse! (Cave Pictures) was my guest.
This episode the writer of the series Billy Tucci is in the spotlight.
How is Billy’s zombie story different in terms of the plague’s origin and how faith is connected to the means to fight it? Who is the stories hero and how does his faith play a role?
We talk no only about it but also, mostly notably Sgt. Rock The Lost Battalion (DC) for which Billy was bestowed a special ambassadorship.
We will reflect upon his creator-owned property Shi that celebrates 25 years. Her next story is coming this spring through a Kickstarter Billy will launch for Return of The Warrior.
You can get a taste of Shi: Return of The Warrior by pledging for the exclusive ash can only available through Billy’s current Kickstarter Zombie Sama, running now until March 1st. The project has already met its initial funding and 1st stretch level goals!
In Kicking Back With The Creator, Billy answers my questions and we find out how close last week’s guest Ethan Nicolle was to guessing what Billy would answer.
Time Marks:
Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion 02:12 - 09:53
Appalachian Apocalypse! 14:10 - 22:30
Zombie Sama 22:-31 - 29:07
Shi: Return of The Warrior 29:08 - 34:24
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about The Creator:
http://www.crusadefinearts.com/index.php/
About Appalachian Apocalypse!:
https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JAN191784
About the Kickstarter:
Zombie Sama
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1891522321/billy-tuccis-zombie-sama-graphic-novel-with-john-b
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
You may have heard of the animated series Ax Cop, which ran for two seasons between Fox and FXX. Today’s guest Ethan Nicolle, who conceived of the comic playing with its co-creator Ethan’s little brother Malachi.
I discuss with Ethan how Ax Cop went viral on the Internet, and lead to its Dark Horse comic book and animated television series.
What is the connection between Ax Cop and Ethan’s first web comic, Bearmageddon?
And how did Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat and Ethan's own analysis of films including, Shaun of the Dead, help him to refine the story structure of Bearmageddon?
Ethan is currently illustrating Appalachian Apocalypse! written by Shi creator Billy Tucci and published through Cave Pictures.
Billy was not available to be on the show with Ethan to discuss Appalachian Apocalypse! During the Kicking Back With The Creator segment, Ethan takes his best guest at what Billy does for R&R, his favorite birthday, what posters were in his room during middle school, his island book, beverage of choice, and action figure accessory.
We also find out Ethan's answers these questions plus: the oddest job he ever had and, in his humble opinion, the best film ever made.
Time Marks:
Bearmageddon 4:40-14:45 Ax Cop 4:46-22:52 Appalachian Apocalypse 22:53-25:57
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about The Creator: https://www.ethannicolle.com/
About the book: https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/DEC181765
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
Meredith Finch, writer of Wonder Woman (DC), Rose (Image Comics) and Xena (Dynamite Entertainment) returns to talk about her upcoming mini-series The Light Princess published through Cave Pictures Publishing.
George McDonald wrote the story of The Light Princess in 1864. McDonald was a Scottish minister and today is considered the godfather of fantasy.
How does Meredith plan to address the themes of love, sacrifice and redemption found his the story?
The art team on the five-part series is Renae DeLiz and Ray Dillon; the same team that illustrated The Legend of Wonder Woman. We talk about the incredible hand lettering using throughout the series
How has Meredith’s approach to writing evolved and matures since she produced her first work published through Zenescope?
Why did she decide to write a blog about her Christian faith experience? How is it connected to the comic books that she writes?
When I Kick Back with The Creator, Meredith and I take a deeper dive into my fun questions I ask all my guests.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about Meredith Finch’s Spiritual Blog:
https://finchmeredith1.com/
About The Light Princess:
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/DEC181766
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
On this episode my guests are Publisher Mark Rogers and President Mandi Hart of Cave Pictures Publishing.
Mark Rogers has produced graphic novels, young adult fiction, computer games, concerts, documentaries and films. He has worked with artists such as Michael W. Smith, Bono and The Fray. Mark has also worked with entertainment companies that include Walden Media, Disney and Roadside Attractions.
Mandi Hart is an attorney and filmmaker with a passion for story telling. She holds a JD from George Mason University Law School and an MFA in Film Production and Direction from UNC-Greensboro.
Why did they decide to take the plunge into the choppy waters of comic book publishing?
Mark and Mandi will discuss the mission of Cave Publishing and the comics they have planned for this year into the next decade.
What does it take to be a Cave Pictures comic? Why did they use the story of Plato’s Cave to explain their publishing philosophy?
Do they have future trades planned?
How about other media outlets?
What is their five-year plan?
Coming up this month on future interviews I’ll take a deeper dive into some of comics we discuss with the creative teams.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about Cave Pictures Publishing https://cavepicturespublishing.com/
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
Freelance writer Caleb Palmquist returns to talk about his next science fiction comic book A Small Favor: Welcome To Earth World.
His first publication, A Small Favor Volume 1 was successfully funded as Kickstarter project back in 2017and it raised over $3,400.
The follow up Welcome to Earth World is a 20 page one-shot, the perfect jumping on point to introduce new readers to James and his A.I. companion Liz.
We had our conversation prior to launching the books Kickstarter, and already the project is over 70% funded with 20 days to go as of the release of this podcast.
Since we last spoke, I ask Caleb how his day job as a middle teacher is faring.
What did Caleb learn about his first comic book that changed his approach to the next release?
Why did he reduce the number of rewards for backers?
Caleb shares a bit of trivia about Orson Wells and we talk about his favorite movies and island book.
We also talk about a technology that is quickly becoming outdated, and why Caleb cannot stop buying more of these products!
A special note about today’s episode, it’s being release on Caleb’s birthday. So please wish him a happy birthday (on Twitter its @smallfavorcomic) and share his interview with a friend who likes comics and sci-fi!
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
More about the author:
http://calebpalmquist.com/
About the Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/918197022/a-small-favor-welcome-to-earth-world
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
The United States is a nation sharply divided by political ideology. Left versus right, liberal versus conservative. We have even formed geographic boundaries around the dominant political position of a region. In daily parlance we speak of blue big cites and red rural areas.
My guest today is comic book writer and artist Tim Seeley. Having lived in both urban and rural areas, Tim has experienced first hand the frustration and political division between demographically divided denizens.
Tim focuses his creative energy on exploring this division through his upcoming comic book Dark Red published by Aftershock Comics.
It is the story of Charles “Chip” Ipswich. He has a dead-end job in a rural area in the middle of the country with no prospects — until a very special woman comes to town. This twist: Chip is a vampire.
We begin by discussing the state of the comic book industry. Next Tim shares his thoughts on the rural / urban political divide and how it influenced Dark Red.
I conclude my interview with Tim by “Kicking Back with the Creator”: how Tim relaxes, his choice of island book and the oddest job he ever had that allowed him to develop one of his comics.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
More about Tim Seeley:
https://www.timseeleycreative.com/
About Dark Red:
https://previewsworld.com/Article/222384-AfterShocks-Dark-Red-Explores-A-Vampire-In-Rural-America
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
George Thoroughgood, Valeria Bertinelli and Aubrey Plaza are three of Delaware’s own who work in the arts.
Being added to that list beginning in March is writer Lela Gwenn. She is publishing her first book though Dark Horse Comics titled Bad Luck Chuck.
It is the story of Charlene who was born with the ability to create bad luck for people and decides to monetize that ability. This is when her luck turns takes a turn for the worse.
Lela describes the book as a “slapstick noir”, a mix of comedy and drama.
The title is being released March 27th with a final order cut off of March 4th.
The amazing creative roster on the mini-series includes Matthew Dow Smith on art, Kelly Fitzpatrick on colors and Frank Cvetkovic on letters.
How did Lela’s story evolve from just a few pages into a four issues series?
Lela explains how networking at comic cons ultimately led to a publishing deal for Bad Luck Chuck.
Lela also discusses a few important causes that provide support to those suffering from physical and emotional pain.
She has dealt with one issue in particular that affects over 200,000 women in the U.S. every year. She shares her own struggle with this condition during our interview.
In our fun questions segment, Lela talks about traveling to Jamaica, the oddest job she ever had, and running long distance races back in the day.
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
More about Lela Gwenn:
http://www.lelagwenn.com/
About Bad Luck Chuck:
https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3004-112/Bad-Luck-Chuck-1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
The best stories ever written, what we consider the classics, are fertile ground for reimagining by contemporary authors that speak to new audiences.
My guests today are Gary Whitta and Darick Robertson, writer and artist respectively of Oliver, a 12-part series debuting on January 23 published through Image Comics.
The story is new take on the Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver.
In this version, an orphan fights to liberate a post-apocalyptic war-ravaged England while searching for the truth about his own mysterious origins.
Gary Whitta is an award-winning screen writer his work includes co-writing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story , work The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington as well as written for the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
His long time friend and artistic collaborator Darick Robertson is known his work on the award winning Transmetropolitan, The Boys and Happy.
Their series Oliver has been 15 years in the making.
Why was the comic in development so long?
Who introduced steam punk elements into the story and why?
How did they manage make each of clone war veterans that appear in Oliver distinct?
Why did Darick find it necessary to travel to England in preparation for this science fiction story?
And while discussing my fun questions with Gary and Darick, we learn about odd soaps on the market and which technology now considered “obsolete” Gary and Darick miss the most.
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
About Oliver: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/oliver-1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Whether you are comic book reader, a fan of classic rock or both, my guest today is both the writer of a new comic book and professional in the music business.
Jeff Rougvie is the author of the revenge fantasy, Gunning For Hits being released through Image Comics January 9th, the day after David Bowie’s birthday.
Why is its proximity to David Bowie birthday significant?
Well, Jeff Rougvie worked at Rykodisc as their A&R and Special Projects employee. His first task was to obtain the rights to David Bowie’s 1969-1980 catalogue of music. He produced the Grammy Award winning Sound + Vision box set and the remaining Bowie disc re-releases, which for the first time included bonus tracks, through Rykodisc.
Jeff was fortunate to spent time with David Bowie in person. It was his experiences with Bowie and his knowledge of the music business that inspired him to write Gunning for Hits.
What did Jeff learn about David Bowie that surprised him?
Even though they are not considered “cool” among music listeners today, why does Jeff think their will be a CD revival in the future like the vinyl lp one today?
Why do bands re-record their most popular songs? Are they just double dipping?
What are Jeff thoughts the resurrection of deceased musical artists as holograms for live concert performances?
We also discuss the artist of Gunning For Hits, Moritat and the excellent sequence in the first issue that explains record contracts
Among the fun questions I ask my guest, we discuss our shared memory of the Salem Witch Museum.
David Bowie track samples include:
Loving the Alien
Time Will Crawl (MM remix)
Space Oddity (Demo)
Sound and Vision (1991 Remixed Version)
This episode is sponsored The Comic Book Shop, where comics as for everyone
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
More about Jeff Rougvie:
http://www.jeffrougvie.com/biography/
About Gunning For Hits:
gunningforhits.com.
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/gunning-for-hits-1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
For my final podcast of 2018, I have very special episode; think of it as on more Christmas present from me to unwrap under the tree!
After an epic forty-year run, ElfQuest reached its conclusion this year with The Final Quest.
On this episode the creators of ElfQuest Richard and Wendy Pini join me.
Richard was a Marvel Zombie back in the in 1960s and we talk about how he met Wendy through a Marvel comic.
What ever happened to the first stories Wendy ever made as a child?
Wendy talks about her first published comic work. How did she land the job?
Wendy reflects on her television appearance on the Mike Douglas Show in 1977 and also what happened off camera.
Richard explains why he left his job at IBM to focus on ElfQuest and why it was necessary to found WaRP Graphics.
What important advice do Richard and Wendy give to artists about their portfolio reviews?
And what lies ahead for Richard, Wendy, and ElfQuest in 2019?
I conclude with the fun questions I ask my guests, and Richard and Wendy handled them with both humor and aplomb!
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware:
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com
Wendy and Richard’s Website where you can read ElfQuest:
http://elfquest.com
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Last week I spoke with two comic book professionals, writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks about their Kickstarter Harken’s Raiders. If you haven’t heard it, you might want to very soon, their Kickstarter ends Friday, December 21st.
In this installment, I speak with writer Nandor Fox Shaffer who is launching his second Kickstarter, Lifeline. It will be a 96-page graphic novel. The campaign ends on the first day of the New Year 2019.
Lifeline is a celebration of indie creator collaboration. Seven artists from around the world will each provide a chapter of art for Nandor’s story of Lewis Wakefield’s life.
Each chapter takes place during a different decade of Lewis’ life as told through the eyes of his father, wife, best friend, daughter, a stranger, and his grandson.
In the end, Lewis will ask himself one of life’s most important questions “Was my it worth living?”
Why did Nandor decide to postpone his college education to work on writing comics? What are his future plans?
How did Doctor Who inspire Nandor to become a comic book writer? We talk about Nandor’s favorite two iconic science fictions series, Star Wars and Doctor Who.
Nandor makes a case for why he prefers the prequels to the original trilogy and current Star Wars movies!
What comic book writer is Nandor a huge fan and why?
We dig into his artistic collaborators on Lifeline and talk about his previous Kickstarter Seasons. Nandor also shares how to you can read Volume 1: Spring and when we can expect Volume 2: Summer.
We run down the fun questions I ask all my guests, and talk about technology that we both love that is obsolete and how Nandor’s preference for it lead him to acquiring, purely by chance, one of his most treasured collectables!
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, Delaware
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com
Kickstarter for Lifeline
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/306932693/lifeline-a-graphic-novel?ref=user_menu
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
The idea for Harken's Raiders, a story set during World War Two, was the brainchild of army veteran Allen Cordrey.
Allen enlisted the services of two comic book veterans: Ron Marz to script the story and Darryl Banks to illustrate it. Harken's Raider's will be a 9" x 13" 64-page hard cover original graphic novel published by Ominous Press. The publication of the OGN is being crowd funded through a Kickstarter campaign that ends December 21st.
In addition to the book, Darryl talks about the Kickstarter reward Black Book: The Art of Darryl Banks, the fifth in a series of artist books by Ominous Press. (17:07-19:19)
Ron provides an update on volume two of Beasts of the Black Hand Volume 2, a hard cover OGN that will be in the same format as Harkin's Raiders.
Beast of the Black Hand Volume 1 published this year, is available as reward bundled with Harkin's Raiders. (19:19-21:10)
Ron Marz also discusses writing Turok coming January 2019 through Dynamite Entertainment. (23:26-27:20)
Ron read mainly war stories when he first reading comics rather super-heroes. Why?
What did Ron learn about World War Two from his father?
How will Harken's Raiders connect with a 21st century audience?
Is the creative team of the Kyle Rainer Green Lantern less concerned about getting details of the weapons and uniforms used during World War Two accurate?
Darryl discusses developing the look of the members of Harken's Raiders, and heeds the advice given to him by Terry Austin.
During my fun questions segment we talk about beverages of choice, outdated technology we miss and the connection between Star Wars and Ron's favorite birthday. Or was it his favorite?
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com
Harken’s Raider’s Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1012967410/ron-marz-darryl-banks-team-for-ww2-harkens-raiders?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=Ron%20Marz
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
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Is there an artist in your family? Is there more than one? What do you think the odds are of that?
Claire and Paige Connelly are sisters, twin sisters in fact. Although both have share a passion for art and followed the same academic path, each developed a unique style of art of their own.
Claire Connelly illustrates comic books, video games and storyboards. She has written, drawn and published Black Eyes and Down With the Ship among other comics.
Claire has collaborated with writer Eric Grissom on Animals and Erica Schultz (Erica credits include Dynamite Entertainment’s Charmed, Swords of Sorrow, Xena: Warrior Princess) on The Unauthorized Biography of Winston Churchill and Cheese: A Love Story.
Claire is a video game aficionado and has a penchant for old video games.
Paige Connelly is an illustrator who specializes in graphite drawings, digital illustrations and character designs.
Paige’s credits include contributions to the RPG game magazine Wayfinder and in the gallery of Dungeon and Dragon’s Against the Slave Lord book reprint. In addition, each year she publishes her sketchbook Songs of Fablewood.
What was art school like for them and how did it prepare them for life?
Without a large publisher gig, how do they promote their work? And how do they use social media?
How do they measure the success of their work?
What is one series they just started reading and highly recommend? Hint: it that just wrapped up after 40 years and was featured on NPR!
What comic project is Claire planning with Eric Schultz for 2019 involving lobsters? And why did Claire begin working with graphite?
Plus: Claire ands Paige answer the fun questions ask including a few new ones they had lots of fun answering.
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com
Paige Connelly’s website
http://paigeconnellyillustration.com
Claire Connelly’s website
https://www.claireconnellycomics.com
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Writer Mat Groom lives Australia; artist Eduardo Ferigato lives in Brazil. What these two creators share in common is their work on Self/Made, a sci-fi comic being published through Image on December 5th. This is Mat Groom’s first solo comic writing credit and the first comic series writer Kyle Higgins has edited. Kyle was the writer of The New 52 Nightwing series for DC and of his creator-owned series C.O.W.L. and Hadrian’s Wall. One thing Self/Made’s creators share in common is a passion for hiking. I discuss with Mat and Eduardo places they enjoy and recommend. We also discuss Mat first writing credit in a Power Rangers comic and his podcast on the team called Ranger Danger. Eduardo reflects on how his comic book art has evolved since The Last Phantom for Dynamite Entertainment in 2011 and working on Self/Made with colorist Marcelo Costa. What advice did the experienced letter Troy Peteri provide Mat? Mat also talks about the contributions by logo designer Olivia King and production designer and podcast partner Michael Busuttil. Why makes Mat and Eduardo collaboration seem so effortless? What is their secret to staying on time with the production of the series? Hint: it has something to do with spreadsheets! What is the story behind the special cover for issue #1 that benefits charity? And what is the special contest for Self /Made readers? Finally, Mat and Eduardo answer the fun questions I ask all my guests so we get to know more about them.
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/ About Self/Made on sale 12/05/2018 https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/self-made-1 Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans have joined forces to created a dark fantasy about a group of adults in their 40s who must face a horror they barely survived as teen role game players in 1991.
Today on the show writer Kieron Gillen (Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Stephanie Hans (Journey Into Mystery) deconstruct their experience with RPGs and explain why this story is not just a trip down memory lane.
Why does Kieron begin his tale in 1991? What was so pivotal about that year?
RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons are still thriving in a world filled with elaborate interactive video games and personal device gaming apps. What is the reason for RPGs success among new and long-time players? Kieron and Stephanie share their thoughts.
If Kieron created a soundtrack for DIE, how would he go about doing it?
And what is the band I’m not familiar with, but am now, thanks to Kieron and Stephanie’s mutual love for this metal sensation from Japan?
Kieron also talks about his writing Star Wars for Marvel Comics and what we can expect from his take on Peter Cannon from Dynamite Entertainment coming early next year.
Both guests answer my fun questions, including Stephanie’s beverage of choice that leaves her free of hangovers the next day and how she is taking control of her birthday celebration this year!
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware, who is having Black Friday Weekend Sale 11/23-11/25
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
About DIE on sale 12/05
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/die-1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Almost 10 years ago, guitarist Josh Schwartz and drummer Chris Haren formed the Washington D.C. area based metal band A Sound Of Thunder. Nina Osegueda soon followed as the bands powerful vocalist. After few change in the bass position, Jesse Keen completed the current line up, bringing his talent on the keyboards as well.
The recording and pressing of their albums were funded through successful Kickstarter campaigns, each more financially successful than the last.
The band has a strong connection with comics, having produced soundtracks for two Valiant comic books, Tales From the Deadside featuring Shadowman and Doctor Mirage: Second Lives.
This year A Sound of Thunder released It Was Metal, a comic anthology with stories based on the tracks on the album of the same name. The book contains the songs lyrics and 10 stories to accompany each track.
In addition to band members Josh Schwartz and Nina Osegueda receiving story credits, other contributors include Shadowman artists Bob Hall and Roberto de la Torre, Rafer Roberts, Ben Templesmith, Barry Kitson and Mostafa Moussa.
Josh and Chris join me to talk about the formation of the band and touring in Catalonia, Spain and their cover version of the regions national anthem, Els Segadors that they performed at the Barcelona Olympics opening ceremony.
How do Josh and Chris define heavy metal music? What sub-genera of hard rock and heavy metal influence their sound?
What is in the works for their 10th anniversary as a band, and will we see another comic from them?
Josh and Chris also take a crack at the fun questions I ask all my guests.
To close out the show, I take a few moments to remember one of the greatest writers and personalities in comicdom, Stan Lee.
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, Delaware
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com
About A Sound of Thunder
https://www.asoundofthunderband.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Ed Laroche began working in comics in the mid-1990s for Malibu Comics. After publishing creator-owned work for years, he has written and illustrated The Warning, his first monthly comic published through Image this November.
In our interview, we begin with Ed’s reflecting on the spark that ignited his creativity and his early years developing as artist.
Ed shares his experience working in comics during the mid-90s and the seismic shifts that were taking place in comic book art at the time.
What was Ed’s reason for leaving animation and jumping into live action storyboard work? How is working in each field different?
What important advice did Joe Casey share about storytelling through art early in Ed’s career?
What was the biggest hurdle Ed had trouble clearing when promoting his creator-owned work?
What advantage did Ed discover having his book published through Image Comics versus self-publishing in today’s market?
It is not enough just to submit work to a publisher and hope to get noticed. What does one need to do to stand out from thousands of submissions?
We talk about Ed’s latest work The Warning, the influence of the film Alien, and the connection between Star Trek and of The Warning’s special combat bridge motto “Die With Honor”.
Getting to know more about Ed, we talk about a cherished birthday memory, his desert island book, beverage of choice and much more!
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware, who is having Black Friday Weekend Sale 11/23-11/25
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
About The Warning on sale November 28th:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/the-warning-1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Sanford Greene, the artist of Marvel Comics’ Power Man and Iron Fist series written by David F. Walker, is this week’s guest on Creator Talks.
Sanford and Chuck Brown won the 2018 Ringo Award for Best Web Comic for their creator owned comic series 1000, published through Webtoons.
Sanford has teamed up with David F. Walker and Chuck Brown for their latest series Bitter Root published through Image Comics. The series is about a team of monster hunters during the Renaissance of Harlem in 1924.
Sanford discusses growing up in the South and the comics book heroes that inspired him including The Black Panther and Power Man.
What motivates Sanford as an artist?
What were the challenges he encountered while working as an animation artist?
What did the creative team see and experience that made them decide to tell the story Bitter Root?
Who are the story’s key players and what motivates them?
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
About Bitter Root #1 on Sales November 14th
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/bitter-root-1
About 1000 on Webtoons
https://www.webtoons.com/en/action/one-thousand/list?title_no=1217&page=1
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
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Philadelphia based director and playwright Dave Ebersole is the creator and writer of Dash, a noir detective story set in 1940 Los Angeles.
Dash is a comic cocktail that’s one part Maltese Falcon, one part The Mummy, with twist: Dash Malone is an openly gay private detective.
After a three-year hiatus, Dash returns with issue #5.
How did Dave get the book back on schedule, and who has been added to the art team to carry on the series?
What are Dave’s plans for the series beyond issue six, the finale of The Mysterious Zita Makara arc?
We talk a lot about classic films this episode, including Dave’s favorite Rebel Without a Cause, starring the legendary James Dean.
Why does Dave prefer to watch it alone?
Also in this Special Halloween Episode, we talk about our favorite Universal and Hammer Horror Mummy films.
In which format do we prefer to watch another horror classic, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, on DVD or Blu-Ray? Why?
We also talk about crime noir films of the 40s and 50s. How do we define crime noir? Which are our favorite films? Will we ever figure out what the heck is going on in The Big Sleep?
We wrap up our conversation with the fun questions I ask all my guests!
This is episode is sponsored by The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington Delaware, who is having a Halloween Comic Fest and Spookabration 10/27 & 10/28!
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/halloween-comic-fest-sale-weekend/
About Dash #5:
https://northwestpress.com/shop/dash-5/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Joining me again are Mina Elwell and Alan Christopher Medina along with Starburns Industries editor Trevor Richardson to discuss their new comic Hellicious.
Starburns Industries is the new publishing division of the company that created Rick and Morty.
What is Hellicious? It’s about Cherry; the devil’s prankster granddaughter is just trying to have fun and make new friends. Her playmates end up digested and destroyed! Cherry thinks she has found the perfect playmate in rock star and Goth icon Briggy Bundy. The problem is Briggy is not dead, yet!
The Hellicious trade paperback was just released 10/10/18. Why was it release so son as a smaller trade collecting just the first three issues? There is a method to their madness.
Since it is Trevor’s first time on the show he gets to answer my fun questions!
What does he think of the new Spider-Man video game?
Why did he do that made his high school rewrite the student handbook EVERY YEAR. If there is a loophole, Trevor will find it! He fought the law, and he won!
We talk moms, Marx Brothers, man-bags and more!
About Starburns Industries https://www.starburnsindustries.com/ About Hellicious #4 Coming November 21st:
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP181980
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Sam Johnson is back to talk about his latest Kickstarter Geek-Girl: Crime War.
Issues 1 through 3 are complete and work on issue four has begun. How can YOU be a part of issue four? Listen and find out!
Sam explains the new rewards, including digital editions, limited signed editions and a brand new virgin painted cover by Erich “Don’t Call Me Cartman” Hartmann.
Sam has made it possible for backers to get the whole series or start with the Crime War arc.
Afterward, we talk about other comics we like too!
Sam sets the record straight for Christopher on the fate of Doom Patrol, plus we talk about comics we are excited about reading including Al Ewing’s Immortal Hulk and upcoming The Defenders one-shots.
Our discussion then turns to the Netflix and Daredevil Season 3 and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, both out in October.
Continuing on horror, Christopher shares with Sam his thought about a film he recently watched late one night by one of horror’s greatest actors, Lon Chaney, in the silent film The Unknown (1927). It was all kinds of messed up!
On a lighter note, we share our mutual appreciation for Ricky Gervais Extras, which may just inspire Sam to live stream his idea for a Halloween costume to cap off the Geek-Girl: Crime War Kickstarter finale on Halloween.
Do I sense a new stretch goal in the making?
To Access the Geek-Girl: Crime War Kickstarter Page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-crime-war
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
For decades, when most people thought of comics, 22-page superhero adventures for children came to mind.
Today, greater diversity of theme and format are expanding comic readership.
Recorded on Sunday, September 30th at the 2018 Baltimore Comic, show host Christopher Calloway moderated a panel of comic book professionals that included Laura Lee Gulledge (Page By Paige; Will and Whit), Steve Conley (The Middle Age) and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes; Time and Vine; Warning Label) and new comer ten year-old Bryce Bullock and his father Demitrius (Daddy Long Legs and The Inchworm).
This group of professional creators shared how they are breaking the comic book status quo with new formats, themes, and approaches to storytelling.
Who are these new readers?
What messages do comics with new formats and themes contain that reach and inspire a new generation of readers?
How are creators reaching new readers with their messages?
Plus, Christopher shares his thoughts on his one-day whirlwind tour of Baltimore Comic Con.
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
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To learn more about the panelists and their work:
Steve Conley Thom Zahler Laura Lee Gulledge Bryce and Demitrius Bullock
We’re talking sharks, metal music and a plethora of pies!
Co-creators Kevin Cuffe and Bob Frantz join me along with artist Walt Ostile to present Metal Shark Bro!
How did Kevin and Bob cook up the idea of an anthropomorphic shark that is hell bent on killing sell-you-soul contact breakers on behalf of Satan’s nephew, Beelzebra?
How is AC/DC connected to Metal Shark Bro’s origin?
We have a lot more to sink your teeth into this installment of Creator Talks.
What tips does Kevin offer single parents?
Just what is Pie-fest for the Frantz family?
What is the best heavy metal band according to each of my guests?
I share my experience of going to my first metal concert featuring Stone Sour and Ozzy Osbourne.
What is Kevin’s connection with an Ozzy band member?
What was it like when Kevin met Jason Newsted, former bass player of Ozzy’s Band and Metallica?
Bob expounds on the powerful and lasting effect of Led Zeppelin.
Plus: more fun questions for all my guests. Bonus: Bob ad-libs a theme song for the segment!
Metal Shark Bro Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/637571649/metalshark-bro
Word Bros Podcast Website
http://thewordbros.com
Walt Ostlie’s Website
http://walterostlie.storenvy.com
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Special early release of this week's podcast! New York Times Best Selling Author Chelsea Cain returns to comics with her latest work Man-Eaters (Image Comics). We open with a discussion about the personalty of cats and the perks of having a feline pet. Revisiting her childhood, Chelsea explains how she earned the moniker "the dead pet whisperer". Next, Chelsea talks about The Green River Killer and how her fascination with the case led her to write the novel Heartsick featuring serial killer Gretchen Lowell. How did Chelsea get into reading comics and ultimately write the Eisner nominated mini-series Mockingbird for Marvel Comics? We discuss Chelsea's return to comics after her hiatus with the entire Mockingbird creative team for Man-Eaters: artist Kate Niemczyk, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg and letterer Joe Caramagna. What makes Man-Eaters different from other horror comics and how does Kate’s art add a hint of humor and a flourish of fun to the series? We also talk about Chelsea and writer/husband Marc Mohanto plans for the next arc of The Vision, which since our initial interview was abruptly cancelled by Marvel Comics. In our fun questions segment, Chelsea talks about her favorite birthday as a child and her brush with one of the biggest celebrities in show biz! What is the cause that Chelsea supports that in some way ties into the subject of Man-Eaters? But wait, there is more! After answering my fun questions, I followed up with Chelsea shortly after the announcement of The Vision's cancellation to get her thoughts on the subject. (46:53:-58:30)
About Man-Eaters https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/man-eaters-1 Chelsea Cain’s Website https://chelseacain.com/ Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Writer Ken Kristensen is an Academy Nicholl award-winning writer. His best know work includes writing episodes of Marvel ‘s Netflix series The Punisher and SyFy network's Happy! As a graduate student, Ken worked as location manager for Warner Brothers' Superman Returns (2006) and shares how he overcame roadblocks to get certain shots critical for filming. Ken is the writer of Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth (Image) and joins me to discuss his latest work the apocalyptic sci-fi tale Obliv18n (Scout Comics).
What advice does Ken offer to those seeking a career as a screenwriter or comic book author? Who developed the logo for Obliv18n? Ken shares his happiest birthday memory, the earliest of any guest ever on the show! What poster did Ken have on his bedroom wall growing up that had his mom concerned? What is Ken’s go to drink that has a celebrity tie-in? And Ken answers that burning question: just how many keys are there on a piano? To Order a copy of Obilv18n #1 http://www.scoutcomics.com/store/obliv18n-1-regular-cover Ken Kristensen’s Website http://kenkristensen.com/ Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes http://apple.co/2Cq9ygK
Writer Lazlo Tamafsi ascends the steps of The Observatory to present a horror tale in the style of The Twilight Zone and H.P. Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulu.
Lazlo has won also multiple awards for his movie scripts that we also touch upon. Which was his favorite?
For The Observatory, Lazlo collects his one-page flash web comics within framing story that takes place – in the Observatory!
Just what are flash web comics?
Ever get a comic book or graphic novel with a prose story in the back? Did you skip it?
The Observatory contains a Lovecraftian-style prose tale based an actual event reported in Florida during the late 1800s!
We discuss a fun question that goes to the dogs, we talk about drinking light beers in warmer climates and we nerd out on our mutual love for David Bowie and Nail Inch Nails!
And what is a topic outside of comics that is very important to Lazlo? And why is he so optimistic about our world for future generations?
Post Credit Closing Song: Untitled No.1 – David Bowie
Caliber Presents Volume: The Observatory
https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP181679
Lazlo’s Website
http://www.laszlotamasfi.com/
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It’s a Back To School podcast special this Labor Day! Skottie Young and Aaron Conley launch Bully Wars published through Image Comics on September 5th.
Spencer’s is off to his first day at Rottenville High. It’s old nemesis Rufus’ first day too, but he goes from middle school bully to being bullied!
Skottie and Aaron talk about the comic’s key players and the contributions made by the entire creative team.
Why did it take several years from concept to the book’s release?
Were Skottie and Aaron bullied in school?
How are kids different in middle school compared to high school in terms of their acceptance of “nerds” and “geeks” ?
Which comic book character is a bully? The answer my surprise you!
And which of my guests had a surprise birthday party and which talks about his huge vinyl collection?
Bully Wars
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/bully-wars-1
Skottie Young’s Website
http://skottieyoung.com/
Aaron Conley’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/aaronconley77/?hl=en
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Chris Flick, creator of the web comic strip Capes & Babes and member of the Web Comic Alliance podcast, joins the show to wrap up the summer of 2018!
We discuss the moment Chris decided to “get serious” about becoming an artist for a living and how to brand oneself as a creator.
We also talk about his web comic Capes & Babes and why it has a werewolf that hangs out at a strip mall comic shop.
How has Chris collected his Capes & Babes strips for comic conventions so that it is suitable for different target audiences?
Chris attends a lot of comic shows along the East Coast and has learned a thing or two about proper show preparation.
What are some of the dos and don’ts about tabling at comic convention and what is the most common mistake made?
To close out the show: how I spent my summer beach vacation, particularly the comics I bought and read during the trip.
Chris Flicks’ Website
http://www.capesnbabes.com/
The Web Alliance Podcast
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/webcomic-alliance-podcast-feed/id398347050?mt=2
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Ed Piskor has a Grand Design for Marvel’s X-Men: presenting their history from issue #1 through Chris Claremont’s classic run of the X-Men.
Ed seamlessly weaves in later retcons throughout his comics and collects each two-issue run of his trilogy in a Treasury-Sized edition.
Why does Ed hate the Marvel reprints of Jack Kirby’s X-Men work, yet reprinted X-Men #1 in the first Grand Design Treasury Edition?
How did he break into comics working with the great Harvey Pekar (American Splendor)?
Ed is also a big fan of hip-hop music and wrote about its history between 1975-1983 in Hip Hop Family Tree. It was his first attempt at presenting his work in a Treasury-Sized Edition.
Plus, the fun questions I ask guests to learn more about them, and we learn what was the best birthday Ed ever had!
X-Men Grand Design: Second Genesis
https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAY180820
Hip Hop Family Tree
http://www.fantagraphics.com/series/hiphopfamilytree/
More about Ed Piskor:
http://www.edpiskor.com/
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Writer Cullen Bunn and artist Mark Torres join the show to talk about their new horror collaboration through Image Comics, Cold Spots.
The psychological terror is about Dan Kerr’s search for his missing estranged wife and the daughter and the supernatural terrors he faces along the way!
BE AMAZED at the of list Cullen’s output of comic work!
MARVEL as we talk about the MUSIC Mark both composed and played for Cold Spots
SHIVER IN FEAR as each creator describes his encounter with spirits from the beyond the grave!
Plus: Cullen answers I ask all my all my guest we didn’t get to last time and listen to Mark tackle them all!
Bonus! I discuss with Webtoons Head Editor David Lee about the details of the Discover Creator Contest. Listen for details!
Writer Cullen Bunn Interview
2:00 -22:39
Webtoon's Head Editor David Lee Interview
22:40-34:47
Artist Mark Torres Interview
34:58- 1:01
Cold Spots (Image Comics):
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/cold-spots-1-of-5
Cullen Bunn & Dennis Hopeless YouTube Show Missouri Swagger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6SyKusiw_Y
Webtoons’ Discover Creator Contest:
https://www.webtoons.com/en/notice/detail?noticeNo=750
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Are you a fan of the Kolchak: Night Stalker TV series? Like to curl up with a good noir story? Appreciate an artistic style of Victor Santos or the legendary Darwyn Cooke?
Then you will want to get on the ground floor of writer/artist Bernie Gonzalez’s supernatural suspense mini-series Midnight Mystery to be published in October through Alterna Comic in October.
Bernie even created an old-time style radio program that can be heard on his podcast Fan2Fan.
What was it about Marvel’s Infinite Gauntlet #1 that really turned Bernie on to comics?
How did Darwyn Cooke and Alex Toth inspire Bernie’s art style and approach to making comics?
Is a work by one of these great illustrators Bernie’s island book?
Listen and learn, my friends!
Bernie’s Midnight Mystery Website:
https://www.mysterycomic.com/
Bernie’s Fan2Fan Podcast:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fan2fan-podcast-conversation-between-fans-about-movies/id1103922493?mt=2
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Theatre Artistic Director and comic book author Sean Lewis discusses the return of Coyotes (Image Comics) with issue #5 on August 15th.
How did the story of the Trail of Tears, The Blond of Juarez and becoming a parent lead to Sean writing the series?
Which filmmakers whose style is woven into the action sequences of the story?
Caitlyn Yarsky illustrates the series. Does Sean think her art has evolved since the books launched last year? How so?
We also discuss Sean’s other comics, Betrothed and Clankillers.
What other comic books does Sean have in the works with former The Few collaborator Hayden Sherman?
To learn more about Coyotes:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/coyotes-vol.-1-tp
Sean Lewis’ website:
http://seanchristopherlewis.com/
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Writer and cartoonist Evan Dorkin, the creator of Milk and Cheese, Dork, Beasts of Burden and Blackwood, joins the show!
As a youth Evan preferred Marvel comics, any comics, to DC and explains why. (DC fans take heart; later Evan was a fan of DC and even did some work for the publisher.
How did Evan shift from humor to horror comics? Evan always went with the flow, and talks about regretting not having a plan and “brand” for himself in his first few decades in comics.
Now, Evan is focused on writing horror comics and talks about his latest projects through Dark Horse.
Evan tells how he met his wife, creator Sarah Dyer, their first date, and how it ended that evening buying a lava lamp.
Why Dark Horse never “bit” at Evan’s pitch for a super-hero comic (your host got the joke, yes, Evan went there ;-)
Plus Evan is stumped, only momentarily, by one of the fun questions I ask my guests!
To learn more about Beasts of Burden:
https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3001-262/Beasts-of-Burden-Wise-Dogs-and-Eldritch-Men-1
Evan Dorkin’s other work
http://houseoffunstudio.com/
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My guest Dillon Gilbertson is the writer and co-creator of horror comic books.
Dillon has Type-1 diabetes and has created a horror comic, Sweet Heart, in which the deadly monsters within are exaggerated avatars of Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes.
Dillon has also contributed a short story to the Alterna annual anthology series, IF, titled The Cellar Calls My Name.
We discuss Dillon’s favorite writer H.G. Wells and the comics and movies based on The Time Machine, our mutual admiration of Scooby-Do and much more!
To learn more about the Sweet Heart Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/976839933/sweet-heart-2?ref=user_menu
Sweet Heart Issue 1 Preview:
https://www.dillondoescomics.com/sweet-heart
Altera’s Anthology series IF:
https://www.alternacomics.com/ifanthology
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Writer Andrew Maxwell shares the success of his past two Kickstarter series: Rum Row, a Prohibition Era themed aerial crime adventure; the other Aldous Spark, Meddler in History and Other Unsavory Tales.
Plus, Andrew announces a new Kickstarter for a very different series the Bawdy Tales of Lazlo Cale. It is about what happens when an art dealer is tasked to find a gangster’s stolen painting in a city of interdimensional time travel.
We talk about the benefits of promoting project through Kickstarter for both newbies to the biz and veteran creators, and later get into the pleasures of being surrounded by craft beer breweries! Cheers!
The Bawdy Tales of Lazlo Cale Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/382592035/the-bawdy-tales-of-lazlo-cale?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=Lazlo%20
To check out and purchase Rum Row and Aldous Spark visit:
https://www.grenadefight.net/
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Tired of crossovers interrupting your favorite title and fill-in issues that "don’t matter"?
So is writer Al Ewing. He explains why neither of these will happen as long he is the writer of The Immortal Hulk!
We begin talking about Al’s first encounter with the Hulk in comics, and how his take on the character harkens back to key character elements contained in the very issue of the Hulk (1962) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Al explains why his The Immortal Hulk is a horror comic, the reason for Immortal the title, and a sneak peak at what lies ahead for The Hulk.
The Immortal Hulk #1 digital edition https://comicstore.marvel.com/Immortal-Hulk-2018-1/digital-comic/48246
Al Ewing’s Tumblr “Whay Is Happening??? Arrgh” featureing classic Hulk comic book panels:
https://alewing.tumblr.com
Youth LGBTQ Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline mentioned during the show
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
1-866-488-7386
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Please welcome to the show writer and clinical psychologist Heather Berberet, Psy. D. We discuss her science fiction book in progress Separation.
We also talk abour Heather's series of articles on her website Doctor Who On The Couch, which analyzes Doctor Who episodes from a psychological perspective.
Plus learn:
For which much loved science fiction television series did Heather write an a book contribution?
What support and gudeince does Heather employ to hone her fiction writing skills?
How did Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman put Heather on the path to practicing clinical psychology?
Which concert tour did Christopher and Heather both see in 1986?
Plus we learn more about Heather through the fun questions I ask all my guests!
Heather Berberet’s Clinical and Counseling Practice
https://dr-berberet.com/
Doctor Who on The Couch:
https://doctorwhoonthecouch.com/
Books mentioned on the show:
Doctor Who 7th Doctor: Operation Volcano
https://titan-comics.com/c/1247-doctor-who-the-seventh-doctor-operation-volcano/
Star Trek: TNG / Doctor Who: Assimialtion
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Generation-Doctor-Assimilation/dp/1613774036
Star Trek: TNG Mirror Broken
https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/star-trek-tng-mirror-broken/
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Writer Rob Williams reintroduces The Green Lama, The Death-Defying Devil, The Spirit of America and more Golden Age Heroes through Dynamite Entertainment’s Project Superpowers #0 coming to a comic shop near you this 4th of July!
I ask Rob how the ten cent zero issue will help introduce new readers to the characters before issue #1 hits stores in August.
How does Rob plan to allow each team member of Codename: Project Superpowers enough room for development in the series?
I also discuss with Rob the Young Ages graphic novel he is writing that will mark the return of Football hero Roy Of The Rovers.
Plus: fun questions for Rob, it just wouldn’t be Creator Talks without ‘em!
Rob Williams Website:
http://www.robwilliamscomics.co.uk/
More about Project Superpowers:
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513026872301011
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From Heroes Con June 16, 2018 in Charlotte, NC my interview with Laura Lee Gullege, Eisner nominated author of Page by Paige, Wil and Whit, and Sketchbook Dares.
We discuss her work and panel from Friday evening at the con addressing the need to increase diversity in education to match the increased diversity in comics and their creators.
Plus: fun questions I ask all my guests!
Laura Lee’s website:
http://www.whoislauralee.com/
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I’m back from Heroes Con held last weekend June 15-17, 2018 in Charlotte, NC!
The episode opens with my reflections about the con and guests met. I take stock of the Bronze and Silver Age Marvel and DC comics I plucked from the back issues bins, then move to my four interviews from the convention floor.
Christine Brunson (20:40-36:00)
http://www.christinebrunson.com/
Colorist of Amazing Age (Alterna Comics)
Writer/colorist of Bitter Sweet Sentinels
Transition Music: Colors by Beck
Michel Fiffe (36:38-48:11)
http://michelfiffe.com/
Writer and artist of creator owned series Copra and of three-issue summer event Bloodstrike Brutalists (Image)
Transition Music: Money For Nothing- Dire Straits
Marie Enger (40:48-1:02:18)
http://www.so-engery.com/
Writer and artist of creator owned series FHTAGN & LOATHING and the colorist/letter of Regression (Image)
Transition Music: Rats by Ghost
Kevin Glover (1:03:04-1:20:35)
http://www.fracturedscarytales.com/
Publisher and writer of Lady Frankenstein and The Mummy’s Brain and Supered-Up Monster Kids
Transition Music: Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
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U.K. writer and artist Rachael Smith joins me to talk about her entry into comics and work on a back up story for The 10th Doctor: Year Two titled A Rose By Any Other Name.
Rachael also discusses the free 16 page mini comic she wrote and weas illustrated by Jacob Smith titled Jack & Lucy about two troubled teens that help each other figure out their problems.
We dig into her autobiographical comic strip collection titled Wired Up Wrong, which Rachael wrote to better understand how she deals with anxiety and depression.
Rachael talks about her contribution to the website Emphasize This, a platform for margined voices in the comics medium.
She has a new project in the works, Isabella and Blodwen. It's about growing up, fitting in and a witch from a bottle determined to wreak havoc!
We close out Creator Talks with Rachael answering fun questions I asked my guests to learn more about them.
To learn more about Rachael’s latest project Isabella and Blodwen visit https://unbound.com/books/isabella-and-blodwen/
To order Rachael’s other publications House Party, Artificial Flowers, Jack & Lucy and Wired Up Wrong visit https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlimsyKitten
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Joining me is my youngest guest to date. Nine-year old Bryce Bullock is the creator, writer and artist of Daddy Long-Legs and The Inch Worm, the father and son super-hero duo comic published through Pancake Images.
Bryce, his father Demitrius and mother Michelle discuss the origin of the heroes and how each member of the family supported Bryce in the making the comic.
What is Bryce’s future plans for the comic and as a comic book creator?
What advice does his give to young artists and their parents?
Plus: Bryce answers the fun questions I ask all my guests!
Daddy Long Legs and The Inch Worm
https://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Long-Inchworm-Bryce-Bullock/dp/1983489956
Motion Illustrationz
https://www.motionillustrationz.com/
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Surprise! Another bonus episode this week, with six creator interviews!
The Where We Live- A Benefit for the Survivors in Las Vegas anthology book signing tour made a stop at my local comic shop, The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday, June 2nd, and you-are-there!
I interviewed all six of the anthology’s contributors who appeared for the signing.
I ask two questions of each contributor: How did you come up with your contribution for the anthology, and what should be done to help stem the tide of mass shootings?
Erica Schultz (3:45-11:12)
Daddy’s Little Girl (p. 233)
Matthew Dow Smith (11:13-15:43)
Autopsy (p. 205)
Monsters (p.271)
Greg Pak (15:44-25:37)
What Can Be Done (p187)
Liana Kangas (25:30-28:08)
Daddy’s Little Girl (p 233)
Justin Jordan (28:09-34:50)
Everything After (p.54)
Monica Gallagher (34:51-39:10)
Contacts (p 116)
Where We Live Anthology
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/where-we-live
The Comic Book Shop
http://www.thecomicbookshop.com/
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Writer Christopher Sebela returns to the show along with artist Joshua Hixson to discuss their collaboration Shanghai Red being published by Image Comics June 20th.
The practice of Shanghaiing men in to serve as crew on 19th century sailing vessels is the genesis of the story.
Christopher begins by explaining the use of the Shanghai tunnels in Portland, Oregon during the 19th century to help us separate its fact from fiction. We also learn about the comics protagonist, Shanghai Red, her dual identity and the basis for her thirst for vengeance!
Joshua and Christopher explain why getting Shanghai Red published took several years.
I also check in with Christopher on his other project Cold War through Aftershock and get the scoop straight from Joshua on his independent work The Black Woods with writer Joe Ciano.
And, it wouldn't be a Creator Talks interview if Joshusa didn't get a crack at the fun questions I ask all my guests!
Shanghai Red:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/shanghai-red-1
Christopher Sebela
http://www.christophersebela.com/
To order Joshua Hixson's The Black Wood's and see his art:
http://www.joshhixson.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
It’s a bonus podcast this week with not one, not two, but three guests!
Enrica Jang (House of Montresor), Alex Cormack (work published by Image, IDW & ComixTribe) and Mark Mullaney (Ninja Bear) join me to talk about there Kickstarter for issues #2 & #3 of Crossing, a six-issue paranormal series. What's it all about?
"An annoying goth princess haunts the rookie train conductor who ran her over. Paranormal couples counseling, anyone?"
Enrica is also the Editor-in-Chief of Red Stylo Media, an independent publishing company founded in 2008.
Her co-creators, Alex and Mark worked with Enrica on the Poe Twisted Anthology and the synergy the team creates during our interview is palpabile.
Besides talking about Crossing, the Kickstarter rewards, and the book’s bright future, we go a bit “off the rails” with fun questions I ask all my guests.
Crossing Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/RedStyloMedia/crossing-2-and-3-new-issues-in-this-paranormal-ser?ref=user_menu
Red Stylo:
http://redstylo.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
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Writer James Haick (Solar Flare) and artist Rafael Lourerio join Creator Talks to discuss the success of Scout Comics’ Free Comic Book Day offering The Mall #0 and talk about issue #1 coming this July.
We also learn about another book James is writing, Long Live Pro Wrestling! (Previews Code 181964) a new “binge” series from Scout Comics.
Plus we get an update on Season Three of Solar Flare returning soon.
I ask artist of The Mall Rafael Lourerio about living in San Palo and where are the places to go. We also talk about working in his studio and his other comic work.
We learn what would we be their desert island book, beverage of choice and more! Plus: bonus chat after the show credits this week J
Previews Order code for The Mall #1 May 181968
https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAY181968
Read The Mall #0 here:
http://www.scoutcomics.com/store/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
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Do you like crime noir in the vein of Ed Brubaker, Frank Miller and Jason Aaron?
Writer Michael Gordon joins me to discuss his Kickstarter for Red Winter #1, his new crime noir four part mini series set in Russia.
We also talk about his other highly successful series Transdimentional, now off to the printer after wrapping up another successful Kickstarter to fund issue #3 of that four part series.
What is it like living in Moira a, Ireland and what are the best things to do in Belfast?
How did Michael land a job writing a comic based on a U.K. television series written by Stan Lee?
What would be his accessory if an action figure were made of him?
Who was the best actor to portray Batman on the silver screen and why?
These questions and more are answered on this episode of Creator Talks.
Kickstarter for Red Winter #1 here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1420352081/red-winter-1-a-crime-noir-comic-book-tale?ref=user_menu
Read Free Issues 1 & 2 of Transdimentional on Webtoons here:
https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/transdimensional/list?title_no=153804
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At last, presenting my interview with writer Mike Baron!
Mike is the creator of The Badger and co-creator of Nexus. Mike also wrote stories for Marvel's Punisher and DC’s Batman, The Flash and Deadman.
I begin my conversation with Mike about a 1973 article he wrote for Creem magazine in which he visited the Marvel office.
I ask Mike about his time writing for Valiant comics and stepping into the shoes of Barry Windsor Smith when he took over writing Archer and Armstrong.
Did you know Mike has several novels comics out this year?
What are Mike's thoughts on Steve Rude?
What is the status of the Nexus comic? '
We talk about the future of print comics, Mike's thoughts on a "post literate society", and hit the fun questions I ask all my guests
Mike Baron’s Website and Blog
http://www.bloodyredbaron.net
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The first four issues of Paradiso have wrapped and the trade collection is coming 5/16/18 through Image Comics.
Writer Ram V and Dev are here to tell me why, if you haven’t read the series yet, the trade will make jumping on at the second arc more enjoyable.
Dev talks about the stylistic changes made to his art that really distinguishes the next story arc from the first.
I also discuss what else Dev is writing and he drops a few hints about a projects he is working on in a new genera for him.
Plus we have lots fun when I ask more of the questions I ask all my guests!
About the trade Paradiso Vol. 1 Essential Singularity :
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/paradiso-vol.-1-essential-singularity-tp
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Sam Johnson returns to discuss the next arc of Geek-Girl and the free digital edition available on Free Comic Book May 5th2018!
For newbies Sam explains who Geek-Girl is and for current readers what is in store for Ruby in the next arc of the series.
We also talk about Free Comic Book Day and some of the books we are interested in getting.
I ask Sam the eight questions I ask all my guests, so we get a chance to digress about Marvel’s Secret Wars II and… karaoke?
At the end of the show I discuss my special assignment last week, a family vacation in Las Vegas and Death Valley, and how it tied into comics!
Geek-Girl website:
http://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics
Geek-Girl Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/527138087301831/
Facebook Free Comic Book Day:
https://www.facebook.com/events/408760102881468/
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https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and New York Times best selling author Ace Atkins along with artist Macro Finnegan are my guests this week discussing their crime and mystery original graphic novel Crossroad Blues: A Nick Travers Mystery.
What is the connection between the Mississippi crossroads and blues musician Robert Johnson?
What did Ace Atkins learn as a newspaper journalist about writing?
What rare books did Ace like to read and collect as a teenager?
What iconic Silver Age artist did Marco Finnegan write for his a college report?
Did Marco meet the King himself, Elvis Presley?
We talk about Elvis and his connection to early blues music, how Ian Fleming’s books influenced Ace as a writer, his reason for writing Robert B. Parker Spencer novels, plus Ace answers the fun questions I ask all my guests!
About the book:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/crossroad-blues-a-nick-travers-graphic-novel-ogn
About the author:
http://www.aceatkins.com/
About the artist
https://twitter.com/marco949?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
To kick off the start of your week, my guest is author B.J. Medelson.
B.J. is the author of Social Media Is Bullshit (St. Martin’s Press) and End of Privacy (Curious Reads). Listeners will find out how to get a free digital copy of End of Privacy during the interview.
We discuss a few of the highlights in each of his books, plus his comic book now avaiable on Comixology, Vengeance: Nevada.
We also talk about his favorite comedian, George Carlin, and B.J.'s stint as a mall Santa!
About the author:
https://bjmendelson.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Making his debut as a comic book writer, Pornsak Pichetshote (former editor of Swamp Thing) and artist Aaron Campbell (The Shadow, Green Hornet Year One, Dark Shadows & Uncanny/Dynamite Entertainment) are on the show to talk about their new comic Infidel (Image Comics).
Infidel is a classic haunted house story updated for the 21st century, involving a building haunted by being which feeds off xenophobia.
First, Pornsak and Aaron talk about how there arrived where they not just in their careers, but also geographically. Next, we talk about the how the creative team was formed.
How did the team manage to enlist Jose Villarrubia as both colorist and as the book’s editor?
What stunning design contribution did letter Jeff Powell make on the book?
How did Jose joining the project reignite Aaron’s passion for working on comics?
Plus: we take a deep dive down the old rabbit hole with fun question I ask all my guests!
About Infidel:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/infidel-1-of-5
Pornsak Pichetshote on Twitter:
@real_pornsak
Aaron Campbell on Twitter:
@olmancampbell
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
This special edition of the podcast is an interview with J.H. Williams and Wendy Wright-Williams discussing the benefit anthology comic book “Where We Live” available through Image Comics on May 30th.
On October 1st 2017, a gunman firing from a window of Mandalay Bay killed 58 people and injured over 500 attending the Route 91 Harvest County Music Festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
In response to his horrible tragedy in their home town of Las Vegas, the Williams organized both well-known and local comic writers and artists to produce a 300+ page anthology comic to support the survivors and start a civil dialogue about the need for more effective gun control.
All proceedes from the book will benefit the survivors of the shooting and their families.
The book will contain over 70 short stories based on eyewitness reports of the shooting and contributing creators' own experiences with guns.
Final order cut off (FOC) to order the comic book through your local comic shop is Monday, April 16, 2018. Ask your retailer to ordering it using Diamond code MAR180600.
For more details about the book Where We Live:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/where-we-live
For More Information about artist J.H. Williams:
http://www.jhwilliams3.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Ignatz Award Winning Cartoonist Brian “Box” Brown joins me on this epsode to talk about the great Andy Kaufman and Brian’s latest book “Is This Guy for Real: The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman”.
Brian and reminisce about some of Andy’s classic comedy performances.
We also talk about the focus of Brian’s book Andy Kaufman’s wrestling years plus the research that went into putting the story together.
And I try out some new fun rest and relaxation questions out with Brian!
About Brian Brown:
http://boxbrown.com/
Follow on Twitter: @boxbrown
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Two guests join me this week: writer Steve Orlando (DC’s Super-Girl, JLA, Midnighter) and artist Garry Brown (The Massive and Black Road /Dark Horse).
They are collaborating on their creator-owned series Crude published by Skybound / Image Comics.
First I discuss their educational background: Steve studied Russian and Creative Writing in while in college. Garry studied at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.
Who was Garry’s classmate who also appeared on Creator Talks?
What did Steve learn about spirits working for a liquor distributor? We get a few tips on how to select the best ones.
Who gave gave Steve helpful feedback to help him develop his writing skills?
Why does Steve consider Crude a true collaboration with Garry?
About the book:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/crude-1
About Steve Orlando:
http://www.thesteveorlando.com/
Twitter: @thesteveorlando
Garry Brown:
Twitter: @GarryBoom
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Stephanie Cannon was a finalist in 2017 Ghost City Comic Competition for her one page story Boot Hill and joins me for this week's show.
She also recently announced she contributed Hexed for the upcoming horror Anthology published through Alterna Comics It Came Out On A Wednesday.
We begin by telling war stories about running and Stephanie talks about the recent Half Marathon she completed.
On comics, we talk about Stephanie's short story for the successfully funded Kickstarter Corpus: A Comic Anthology of Body Aliments.
We also talk about he other work in progress, the post apocalyptic western graphic novel Bandera with artist David Mims (Scrimshaw/ Alterna Comics) plus another project to be named with artist Francesco Laqunita (Croaked / Alterna Comics).
We talk about rest and relaxation, and a movie that made us both cry. Can you guess which one? Guess again!
About writer Stephanie Cannon:
Her Website: https://www.stephaniecannoncomics.com/
Twitter: @SCannonComics
Instrgram: @comicwritersteph
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
It's 100th episode of Creator Talks!
Returning for this celebration is my guest from episode #4 Peter Milligan!
First, I get an update from Peter on how his German lessons are progressing and on the life drawing class by Jason Atomic he attended which included a lecture by an Egyptologist.
Speaking of Egypt, will we see another arc of the The Mummy (Titan) from Peter?
How about more of Rome's Antonius Axia, the ancient world's first detective from the series Britannia (Valiant)?
Moving on, I discuss Peter’s current work including The Prisoner (Titan), Kid Lobotomy (Black Crown /IDW), and Legion (Marvel).
What is Peter’s reaction to the Legion television series on FX?
How does the art style used his mini-series Legion help the reader connect with the bizarre landscape of David Haller's mind?
How does the art help a story with the surreal characters and places in The Prisoner?
What does it mean to describe something as Kafkaesque?
Peter talks about his favorite work by Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis.
Peter also has an unfliching response for his choice of deserted island book, plus answers all my other Rest and Relation questions!
Follow Peter Milligan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/1petermilligan?lang=en
About The Prisoner (Titan Comics): https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB181798
About Legion (Marvel) https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/NOV170928
About Kid Lobotomy (Black Crown / IDW) https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG170373
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks- podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Welcome back Ron Randall to this special bonus episode of Creator Talks!
Ron is publishing the next chapter of Mercy St. Clair’s Trekker through Kickstarter. It’s a complete graphic novel called CHAPLETOWN and also includes the noir-style Trekker story The Volstock Payoff that began in the pages of Dark Horse Presents final issue.
Ron had just return from the 2018 Emerald City Comic so we discuss his experience and fan reception to his Kickstarter.
We also discuss the work Ron undertook to launch his first Kickstarter and future plans for publishing more Trekker in print.
This episode I also get to chance to learn a bit more about Ron as I ask him my questions about rest and relaxation!
The Chapeltown Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1896818977/trekker-chapeltown-graphic-novel?ref=user_menu
About Ron Randall
http://ronrandall.com/
https://twitter.com/@ron_randall
https://www.facebook.com/TrekkerComic/
About Trekker
https://www.facebook.com/TrekkerComic/
Ron's Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/trekker
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Jordan Hart who is the creator and writer of Doppelganger published by Alterna Comics my guest this week.
There is plenty of talk about comics, especially comic books printed on good ol’ newsprint and why we love them so much.
What recent acquisition did Jordan need to add to his collection of comics?
Besides talking about Jordan’s four-part comic Doppelganger, we also talk about Jordan’s brush with greatness with Stan Lee and George RR Martin.
We also cover Jordan’s admiration for 80 Hair Metal and some of his favorite bands.
About the book:
https://www.alternacomics.com/product-page/doppelganger-1-of-4
About the writer:
http://www.jordanohart.com/Doppelganger
About the artist:
https://emmanuelxerxjavier.deviantart.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Johnnie Christmas is the writer and artist of the graphic novel Firebug published through Image Comics.
I talk with Johnnie about his early web comic and collaborations with Ed Brisson who currently write Iron Fist and Old Man Logan for Marvel Comics
Johnny also talks about his work on Angel Catbird with writer Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale.
What obstacles did Johnnie face during his comic book career and how did he overcome them?
How did Firebug become a graphic novel?
About the book:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/firebug-tp
Johnnie Christmas Tour Dates:
http://johnniechristmas.com/events/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
David Leach is an editor at Titan Comics and joins me to talk about his experience writing, drawing, inking, coloring and lettering comics strips, comic books and animation. (WHEW!)
After David catches his breath, we explore the history of Joe Simon & Jack Kirby’s Fighting American and it’s return through Titan Comics.
Is the series a reboot?
What other Titan series of classic properties is David editing?
With all this work, how does David choose to relax?
Plus: What are David’s most prized books?
About Fighting American (Titan Comics)
https://www.comixology.com/Fighting-American-1-The-Ties-That-Bind/digital-comic/620051?ref=Y29taWMvdmlldy9kZXNrdG9wL3NsaWRlckxpc3Qvc2VyaWVz
David’s Movie Review Blog
http://seeingfilmssoyoudonthavetoo.blogspot.com/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
The high anticipated Black Panther movie made its debut last weekend!
I will say a few brief words about my impression of movie near the end of this episode. No spoilers!
This week’s bonus podcast shines the spotlight on the creator currently writing for Marvel Comics!
Evan Narcisse chronicles the early years of T’Challa, King of Wakanda, in Rise of the Black Panther. It is his first comic book writing credit!
Evan has an impressive number of writing credits among them Time, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post and i09.
A long time comic book nerd, Black Panther was always among Evan’s favorite comic book heroes.
What was the first comic book he read in a barber shop that left a lasting impression on him?
How did he go from being a comic book critic to writing one?
What was it about the final issue of the 1980s Power Man and Iron Fist series that made it an emotional experience for him?
Which Black Panther writer and artist teams influenced the themes and characters touched upon in the Rise of the Black Panther mini-series?
Plus rest and relaxation questions!
About the book:
http://marvel.com/comics/series/23865/rise_of_the_black_panther_2018
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Making his podcast World Premiere is Chris Mooneyham!
Chris is the artist on Planet of the Apes: Ursus being published by Boom! Studios.
He is a big POTA fan and we discuss POTA in film and television over the years.
Which POTA movie was his first, and which made the biggest impression?
What challenges did Chris meet trying to draw the likeness of Charlton Heston for POTA: Ursus?
We also discuss Chris’ time at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Design.
Chris talks about the demands of the school and his follow classmate Garry Brown (The Massive Dark Horse; Iron Patriot Marvel; Five Ghosts #6 Image).
What feedback did Joe Kubert give Chris about his art?
Chris provides an update on when he and writer Frank Barbiere might return to the series Five Ghosts!
Will Chris take a crack at writing a comic book some day?
Answers to these questions and more lie just ahead on this week’s podcast!
About the book: http://www.boom-studios.com/2017/10/13/follow- the-rise- of-a- villain-in- planet-of- the- apes-ursus/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks- podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
February continues with great interviews!
This week is Christian Carnouche, creator and writer of the upcoming Kickstarter The Resurrected coming in late February. The first two issues of the mini-series are complete.
We talk about the extensive research Christian undertook about the Aboriginal people, the assembly of the creative team, his editor and former guest Erica Schultz and how to properly promote a comic book!
We round out the show with rest and relaxation questions plus we talk about Christian’s Star Wars action –figure collection!
About the book:
http://carnoucheproductions.com/index.php/tag/the-resurrected/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
February is going to be a great month of interviews!
I begin with Cynthia Von Buhler, writer and artist on Minky Woodcock The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini.
Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime are the publishers of the fiction mini-series.
Cynthia talks about Harry Houdini's mission to debunk crooked piritualists and the circumstance surrounding Houdini's death.
Cynthia had to undertake some of her own investigative work. We find out why and how, which is a fascinating topic in itself.
Plus: Cynthia's immersive theater productions, multi-media artwork, television appearances and most importantly her care for all creatures great and small.
About the book:
https://titan-comics.com/c/1034-minky-woodcock/
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Back in early December I spoke with Patrick Trahey, the creator and author of The XII: The Father being published by Alterna Comics.
Patrick and I discuss the origin of the comic as a graphic novel though a Kickstarter campaign.
What makes this post-apocalyptic tale unique from others?
What sage advice does Patrick give to writers who want to break into the comic book business?
Plus we talk about Patrick’s love for sci-fi series The Expanse, Queens of the Stone Age and Anthony Bourdain!
About the book:
The XII #1 goes on sale 02/21/18 for $1.50 through Alterna Comics
https://www.alternacomics.com/product-page/the-xii-1-of-5
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
It's an early release of Creator Talks this week!
My guest is writer and musician David Lucarelli to talk about his latest work Tinseltown being published by Alterna Comics.
Tinseltown will be on newsprint for just $1.50 per issue! FOC is 01/18/18 for issue #1 being released in March 2018.
Hey Vampire lore lovers, we also discuss David’s other work The Children’s Vampire Hunting Brigade.
The origin of CVHB is based on an event that occurred in Scotland in 1954.
We talk about David's 80s-style hard rock band Dame Fortune and why he thinks KISS is the most influential band of the 1970s and beyond!
All this and much, much more on this jam-packed episode of Creator Talks!
About the books including preview art:
Tinseltown
https://www.alternacomics.com/product-page/tinseltown-1-of-5
The Children’s Vampire Hunting Brigade
http://www.cvhb.net
Music of the band Dame Fortune:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hollywood-feat-kevin-valentine-single/id691513093
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
I scream, you scream, we all scream when the Ice Cream Man cometh!
Writer W. Max Prince and artist Martin Marrazzo join Christopher to talk about their latest work, a horror series guided by a mysterious Ice Cream Man!
Who is he?
What is he?
What is the concept behind Ice Cream Man from Image Comics, and how did classic shows like The Twilight Zone and Outer Limits influence Will to write a horror story in the style of Ice Cream Man?
We get a chance to learn about the environs of the creators, Brooklyn for Will and Buenos Aires for Martin.
How did Will and Martin develop their creative skills and what techniques do they current use to keep them razor sharp?
What phobias do the creators have?
All this and more on this episode of Creator Talks!
About the book:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/ice-cream-man-1
About the writer:
https://www.wmaxwellprince.com
About the artist:
http://www.martinmorazzo.com
Please take a moment to rate Creator Talks on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
Happy New Year!
Season Two of Creator Talks leads off with two new guests: writer Matt Mair Lowery and artist Cassie Anderson who talk about their graphic novel published through Dark Horse Comics Lifeformed.
Matt and Cassie also share their experiences from their November promotional tour of local comic shops and Barnes and Noble.
How did a local comic shop lead to a them pitching their book to Dark Horse Comics?
Why are brick and motar book stores and libraries still an important part of local communities?
Matt and Cassie discuss their visits to local Middle Schools and High Schools to discuss creating comics.
What are the 22 comic book panels that always work, and who came up with them?
Get the book Lifeformed:
https://www.amazon.com/Lifeformed-Contact-Matt-Mair-Lowery/dp/1506701779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514739566&sr=8-1&keywords=Lifeformed+Dark+Horse
Support Cassie's Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cassiejanderson
Review Creator Talks on iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-talks-podcast/id1180823120?mt=2
For the final interview of 2017 former guest Mina Elwell returns and for the first time A.C. Medina teases us with a special project both are working on for 2018 under a brand new publisher!
Plus, A.C. talks about two comics of his through Scout Comnics in 2018, Welcome to Paradise in March and Monarchs in September.
But that’s not all; we digress on a plethora of topics, which include not only comic books, but also
Dog Talk!
Mina on the care and feeding of Betta Fish!
Why does A.C. love the television show Peaky Blinders?
What makes someone a good leader?
And finally, my rest and relaxation questions for A.C.
About the show:
www.creatortalks.com
Chris Sebela joins me to talk about his latest work Cold War being published through Aftershock.
We also discuss his other work Kiss/Vampirella coming out as a trade in February and Agent 47 Birth of the Hitman, both for Dynamite Entertainment.
Plus: Chris’ early freelance work outside of comics, how he comes up with the playlists for his comics, and the wonderful world of coffee shops as a place to work!
About Chris Sebela
http://www.christophersebela.com
About the podcast
www.creatortalks.com
This week I have a bonus podcast, an early Christmas present for my listeners!
Writer Justin M.Ryan joins me to talk about his four-part sci-fi thriller Trespasser.
The fourth and final issue is out December 20th and is being published in color by Alterna Comics on newsprint for only $1.50!
Justin talks about his early years growing up with his brother creating their own comic books and stop motion videos.
Why does Justin think the M. Knight Shyamalan's movie Signs missed the mark in places and how did the film motivate Justin to write Trespasser?
Justin also talk about how he successfully expanded what was initially a single issue story in to a four-parter, and the amazing creative team behind the mini-series.
All this and more on this week's bonus podcast.
The comic Trespasser
https://www.alternacomics.com/trespasser
The podcast
www.creatortalks.com
Eisner and Ringo Award nominee Steve Conely is the creator of the online comic strip The Middle Age, the humorous tale of Sir Quimp and his snarky-talking sword.
Steve has made several contributions to web comics, including being a driving force behind having the "Best Web Comic" category added to the ballot of the Ignatz and Harvey Awards.
We discuss Steve’s process for creating The Middle Age art and formatting his comic for multiple platforms and plus some of our favorite web comics.
How did newspaper strips influce Steve as an artist?
Why did he decide to create a middle-aged knight as the hero?
The answers to these question and more in this week's creator interview.
Steve Conely's The Middle Age
http://steveconley.com/the-middle-age/
Creator Talks website
www.creatortalks.com
Artist Tom Mandrake talks about the influence of comic books during his youth, being a student and teacher at The Kubert School of Art and his best know work for DC comics, The Spectre.
Tom's latest work with Dan Abnett, Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, is published by Titan Comics/Hammer Horror.
How is the Captain Kronos comic today different from the 1974 film and comic adaptations of 1970s published in The House Horror magazine?
What are Tom's thoughts on working with pencil and ink versus digitally creating art ?
How can a colorist enhance or detract from the black and white line art in a comic book? Is the role of an inker in comics becoming obsolete?
And what does Tom have planned for the future? All this and much more on Creator Talks!
Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter comic
https://titan-comics.com/c/1092-captain-kronos/
More about Tom Mandrake
http://www.tommandrake.com
The Podcast
www.creatortalks.com
It has been one year since Creator Talks launched!
To celebrate the show’s anniversary, I span the globe! (o.k... through Skype) from London to Bangalore to bring together my guests Ram V and Devmalya Pramanik, the two creators of their upcoming comic book Paradiso being published by Image Comics on December 6th.
What does each like about the cities they call home?
How does science fiction and horror blend in their comic Paradiso?
And why is it so hard to find a Guinness in India??
We talk about all this, plus their love of dogs & cats.
Chickens, eh, not so much.
About their comic Paradiso
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/paradiso-1
About Ram V
https://www.ram-v.com/
About the podcast
www.creatortalks.com
Joel Rose co-wrote Get Jiro! and Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi with Antony Bourdain. The two are back together with a new anthology coming out January 31st, Hungry Ghosts being published through the Berger Books imprint of Dark Horse Comics.
Joel talks about his first encounter with Antony Bourdain when Tony tried to publish his first comic book. Joel also reminisces about his early years in New York City as a waiter, establishing his own publishing company Between C&D, and working at Vertigo Comics. He also has some observations about writing with some advice for new writers.
About Hungry Ghosts
https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3000-822/Hungry-Ghosts-1
About Joel Rose
http://www.joelrosebooks.com
About the podcast
www.creatortalks.com
Artist Matthew Dow Smith (X-Files, Doctor Who and Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel) represents the creative team behind the Kickstarter “Beasts of the Black Hand.”
Conceived/plotted by sculptor Paul Harding and written by Ron Marz, this 64 page over-size hard cover grpahic novel is set during the closing days of World War One and features historical figures Rasputin “The Mad Monk”, MI-6 Agent Oswald Rayner and… Monsters?!
We also get an update on the creator owned project Matt writes and draws: The October Girl
With my guest Matt, of course, we talk about one of our favorite classic sci-fi shows, Doctor Who!
Plus how Matt draws comics using digital tools, working with colorists and letters, and a whole lot more! Join us for this fun conversation!
Link to Beasts of the Black Hand Kickstarter (ends 11/30/17)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/11399829/beasts-of-the-black-hand-graphic-novel?ref=user_menu
Creator Talks Podcast
www.creatortalks.com
My guests Sarah & David Trustman are the authors of The Memory Arts (Secundi Millennii) Fundamentals Boosk A and B. David is also illustrated and co-authored with Dean Haspiel the web comic Godslap, now available in trade paperback. We talk about life on Sarah & David's berry farm, the history of mnemonics and how their book can help expand your memory. All this and more on this episode of Creator Talks!
About David Trustman
http://www.davidtrustmancreations.com
Sarah & David's Book The Memory Arts
http://www.davidtrustmancreations.com/the-memory-arts
Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Phil Hester talks about his introduction to comic books and the one that put him on the path to being a comic book writer and artist.
He reflects on his past health issues, how they impacted his comic book production and how he finally overcame those limitations.
Phil recalls his creator-owned work The Wretch and the upcoming graphic novel collecting the orginal comics plus new material.
Finally, we get a status report on Shipwreck, Blood Blister published by Aftershock and his upcoming three-part Birdman story for DC's Future Quest Presents with artist Steve Rude.
Phil's Blood Blister
http://aftershockcomics.com/blood-blister/
The Upcoming Wretch Collection
http://www.omahabound.com/wretch.html
Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Bonus episode this week: award winning author & broadcaster Kim Newman joins the show from London. We talk about his Anno Dracula series of books, the Anno Dracula: 1895 Seven Days in Mayhem trade collection out this week through Titan Comics, his other recent work and what he might write in the future. We talk about famous film vampires. Who was the best? All this and how you can be entered to win two weekend passes to the New Jersey Comic Expo held on November 18th snd 19th in Edison, NJ.
The Kim Newman Website
https://johnnyalucard.com
The New Jersey Comic Expo
http://newjerseycomicexpo.com
Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Dean joined the show from his Brooklyn Studios late one evening while feverishly inking pages for War Cry, his sequel to The Red Hook.
We also talk about his play Harakiri Kane, coming to The Brick Theater in late October.
Dean shares his physically painful experience at The New York Comic Con and suggests a new model for large cons to alleviate the crushing crowds.
We talk about the format of comic sand their sky-rocketing price tag: could digital distribution be the ultimate fate of new comics?
What would happen to lcoal comic shops?
All this, talk about Dean's hero Jack Kibry, and my R&R questions!
About the creator Dean Haspiel
http://www.deanhaspiel.com
About Line Webtoons
http://www.webtoons.com/en/
The Play: Harakiri Kane (aka Die! Die, Again!)
http://www.bricktheater.com
The podcast
www.CreatorTalks.com
Emmy nominated and WGA award-winning writer Jeffrey Loveness joins the show to talk about his new comic being published by Boom! Studios in December: Judas. I talk to Jeff about his comdey writting and acting work. We also talk about the phenomial art of Jakub Rebelka on the book Judas and much more! Sit back and enjoy this fun interview!
About the book
https://www.boom-studios.com/category/series/judas/
About Jeff Loveless
http://www.jeffloveness.com
About the podcast
www.CreatorTalks.com
Miles Gunter is the creator & writer of Dark Fang being published by Image Comics in November. It's the story of a vampire named Valla that leaves the darknes of the ocean deep due to an oil spill. We talk about the book and the actual damage being done to the ocean and mother Earth through improper disposal of our waste and pollution. Plus, we discuss Miles' favorite way to relax next to video games: yoga & mediation! Listen now, and may you be well!
About Dark Fang
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/dark-fang-1
About the podcast
www.CreatorTalks.com
You might know Ben Templesmith as the co-creator and artist of the horror comic book 30 Days of Night which was made into a major motion picture. Yet near and dear to his heart is Wormwood the Gentleman Corpse, and he is back this week in a new series Mr. Wormwood Goes to Washington, written and illiustrated by Ben Templesmith. It is a three-part series being published through IDW. Ben and I also discussion his experience at the New York City Comic Con, his Patreon and projections that will be popping up in the near future.
Mr Wormwood Goes to Washington
https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/wormwood-gentleman-corpse-mr-wormwood-goes-to-washington-1/
Ben Templesnith's eStore
http://www.78squid.ink
Ben Tempesmith's Patreon Page
https://www.patreon.com/templesmith/posts
Creator Talks Podcast
www.CreatorTalks.com
My guest Wes Locher is a freelance writer and the author of Unit 44 published by Alterna Comics. We discuss growing up in a home where journalism and teaching influenced his decision to be a writer, how Unit 44 came to be and his other work.
About Wes Locher
https://westonlocher.wordpress.com
About Unit 44
https://www.comixology.com/Unit-44/comics-series/42720
Creator Talks Podcast
www.CreatorTalks.com
From Baltimore Comic 2017 on Saturday, September 23rd it's the Women Creators on the Evolving Comic Book Industry panel moderated by your host with panelists Meredith Finch (Wonder Women/DC Comics & Rose/Image Comics), Mina Elwell (Infernoct/Scout Comics), Erica Schultz (Charmed/Dynamite & M3) & Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred web comic & graphic designer). Hear this enlightening and lively discussion with lots of audience participation.
Christopher recalls his experience at Baltimore Comic Con 2017: who he met, panels attended, comcs bought and ale drank! But, since this is Creator Talks, there is an interview with Mark Waid from the con on his return to Captain American and his future plans for The Avengers. The episode wraps up with writers Justin Jordon & Nicki Ryan talking about their new title The Family Trade being published by Image Comics in October. And cats. We talk about cats.
Todd takes a break from moving into his new home to talk about the unpcoming 2017 Baltimore Comic Con and the Tellos Tribute panel. Todd provides some insight into the creation of the Tellos series, the reasion for the limited print run of the Tellos Tribute books volumes 1 & 2 and fond memories of Mike Wierino. Plus: how to avoid con crud!
Tellos Tribute Book
https://mikewieringotellostribute.com
Baltimore Comic Con Ringo Awards
http://ringoawards.com
Creator Talks website
www.creatortalks.com
Hey kids, it's comics with Dawn Griffin! Christopher talks with Dawn about her upcoming appearance at the 2017 Baltimore Comic Con "Kids Love Comic Pavillion", her Alient Art panel and Women Creators on the Evolving Comic Industry panels.
Dawn discusses the lessons she learned on the way to becoming a graphic designer, the ten year run of her web comic Zorphbert & Fred and the childrens' books she has illustrated. We also get a bit of buzz about her next project!
Dawn's Website:
http://dawngriffinstudios.com
Creator Talks Website
www.creatortalks.com
Dawn's 2017 Baltimore Comic Con Panel Appearnaces:
Alien Art with Dawn Griffin
Friday 5:00-6:00
Room 347-348
The Kids Love Comics Workshop Area will be transformed into an alien factory when cartoonist Dawn Griffin shows you easy ways to draw wacky aliens.
Women Creators Discuss the Evolving Comic Book Industry
Saturday 2:45-3:45
Room 347-348
Moderated by Creator Talks podcast host Christopher Calloway, panelists include: Meredith Finch (creator/writer of Rose/Image Comics), Dawn Griffin (creator of web comic Zorphbert & Fred), Alitha Martinez (artist for Iron Man, X-Men/Marvel Comics) and Erica Shultz (writer of Charmed/Dynamite Entertainment).
Editor-In-Chief of Skybound Entertainment Sean Mackiewicz talks about his new comic book Gasolina published through Image Comics. Sean talks about the road to becoming EIC for Skybound, from training to be a playwright, to working at Harliquin Publishing and DC comics. Sean also talks about the contributions of artist Niko Walter and colorist Matt Lopes to Gasoline. All this plus what Sean likes to do for Rest and relaxation!
About Gasolina:
https://imagecomics.com/content/view/sneak-a-peek-at-image-skybounds-new-series-gasolina
You can read my written interview with artist Niko Walter in my website Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Jeremy Haun (co-creator and artist) and Seth M. Peck (co-creator and writer) talk about their new series published through Image Comics The Relm! Plus: Seth talks about producing the promotional music video for the first issue featuring the band Me Like Bees, who will also provide a song to accompany each of the first five issues! There EP will be coming to iTunes. Seth and Jeremy both talk about the uniqueness of their home towns and what music they like. All this and much more on this episode!
About The Relm comic book
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/the-realm-1
The Music Video:
http://www.realmcomic.com
Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Creator Talks welcomes Dan Panosian to the show! Dan discusses with Christopher his series Slots (Image Comics) coming October 4th. First, there is plenty of talk about Dan's love mixed matrial artist and some of his experiences. Listen to what it was like for Dan learn about art from the great Neal Adams while at Continuty Studios, his entry into Marvel Comics through Walt Simonson and the early days at Extreme Studios! Dan and Christopher also talk about one of their favorite places, Las Vegas, the setting for the series Slots. All this and what Dan like to do for rest and relation, his island book and beverage of choice.
Matthew David Smith joins the show for this Labor Day Special, taking us back to the more carefree days of our childhood through his new series Amazing Age, published through Alterna Comics. Selling out at comics shop and newsstands everywhere, it's part of the Alterna line up of comics that are just $1.50 and printed on good old newssprint! Kick back and enjoy this fun conversation with David!
More info on the Amazing Age series:
https://www.alternacomics.com/amazingage
David's convention schedule & facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/mdsmithcomics
Creator Talks website:
www.creatortalks.com
Jim Zub is back and we talk about the second arc of Glitterbomb: The Fame Game coming September 20th published by Image Comics. We also discuss Jim's appearance at Gen Con 50, cartoons, his other work coming up and the influence of Jack Kirby on comics, film and creators today!
Writer Mina Elwell, artist Eli Powell and colorist Tristan Elwell are all here to talk about the Lovecraftian style horror comic InferNoct coming this October from Scout Comics. We have lots of fun talking about Mina's early years and discussing everyones connection to the School of Visual Arts!
InferNoct Comic
http://www.scoutcomics.com/infernoct/
InferNoct Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/InferNoct/
Eli Powell's Art
http://bleakworldcomics.com
Tristan Elwell's Art
http://www.tristanelwell.com
Creator Talks Website
www.creatortalks.com
Creator Talks Social Media
@creatortalkspod
Declan Shalvey talks about writing his OGN Savage Town coming September 20th through Image Comics. But first we talk about the solar eclipse this past week, the World War II watch towers built along the Delaware shore and craft brews. Delcan discusses the Irish film renaissance of the 1990s and today's Irish comic creator boom! We also talk about his and Jordie Bellaire's creator interships through Red Cube Studio, the reason for his #ArtCred posts on social media and the King Jack Kirby!
Savage Town OBN full creator credits & info:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/savage-town-ogn
Creator Talks wesite:
www.creatortalks.com
Writer Jeremy Lambert and artist Chris Fenoglio join the show to discuss their upcoming arc on Goosebumps: Monsters at Midnight being published by IDW this October. But wait, there more, much more!
I speak with Jeremy about working as a casting agent, the recently wrapped 2nd annual charity stream and his early preparations for Halloween! Chris and I talk about the band Green Day, Star Trek and teaching art classes online.
Goosebumps: Monsters at Midnight
http://www.idwpublishing.com/category/goosebumps/
FreeArts.Org
http://www.freearts.org
Creator Talks
www.creatortalks.com
Marcel Dupree joins the show to talk about his publishing company Evolutzione, his comic books Delilsh Blast, Armor and his latest Kickstarter Project Piece of Me (POM) the superhero celebrity comic. POM will be part of the Powerverse!
POM Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/powerverse/pom-piece-of-me-superhero-celebrity-magazine?ref=nav_search
Evoluzione Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/evoluzionepublishing/
www.creatortalks.com
Social Media @creatortalks.com
Newsprint is not dead! Found & publsher of Alterna Comics Peter Simeti talks about the rebirth of newsprint comics, newsstand distribution and the new low, low price of comics! Bet you can't buy just one! We also talk about what radical changes the comic industry needs to stop the bleeding and increase the reading. Plus an upcoming on the film adaptation of The Chair.
Alterna Comics Website
https://www.alternacomics.com
Creator Talks Website
www.creatortalks.com
Soical Media
@creatortalkspod
Writer Ales Kot and artist Andre Lima Araujo both join the show to talk about their lastest series, Generation Gone (Image Comics).
Andre joins the show first, followed by my discussion with Ales. We dig into the series plus a whole lot more. Why should Portugual be on my must see travel list? How does the series address the challenges Millennials face in today's world? Plus: what my guests like to do for rest and relaxation, their island book and beverage of choice!
Generation Gone (Image Comics)
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/generation-gone-1
Ales Kot
http://www.aleskot.net
Andre Lima Araujo
http://andrelimaaraujo.tumblr.com
Creator Talks Podcast
www.creatortalks.com
Social Media
@creatortalkspod
John Sims and Lee Milewski join the show to talk about their Kickstarter for for the first of a three-part space sci-fi thiller comic book called Decension.
We talk about the creators and the comic for the first half-hour, then have fun talking about comic books, drinks and classic sci-fi movies!
Less than week to go before the campaign ends, so act fast, check out it out and please back it if you can!
Kickstarter link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/301156870/descension-1?ref=nav_search
Creator Talks website:
www.creatortalks.com
Social Media
@creatortalkspod
Colorist extraordinaire Joride Bellaire joins the show to discuss her new book Redlands! She is the creator, writer & colorist on the series published by Image Comics. Vanesa R. del Ray is the artist on the book. Jordie talks about Ireland, philosophy and much, much more!
To learn more about Redlands go here
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/redlands-1
Creator Talks website
www.creatortalks.com
Creator Talks Social Media
@creatortalkspod
Hey gang! Creator and writer Daniel Kalban returns to the pod to discuss his latest Kickstarter campaign for American Dreams. It's a double Kickstarter which includes the title "They Call Him Marvelous" by Jamaal Simposon. Both are part of Vince White's Powerverse.
See the Kickstarter and promo video here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vincewhite/american-dreams-marvelous-dual-kickstarter?ref=nav_search
Creator Talks Website
www.creatortalks.com
Creator Talks Social Media
@creatortalkspod
Jay Faeber discusses the recent Amelia Earhart documentary on The History Channel, her place in his new fantasy & adventure comic book Elsewhere published by Image Comics and writing for the CBS series Zoo.
Sam Johnson returns to the show to discuss his Geek-Girl trade paperback collection Lightning Strikes! available for pre-order order through KickStarter. Sam and I also discuss Captain Amercia/Secret Empire, who we would nominate for 2016 Ringo Awards, plus the selection of a new Doctor!
Geek-Girl Kickstarter link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-vol1-lightning-strikes-pre-orders?ref=user_menu
Ringo Awards link:
http://ringoawards.com
Podcast link
www.creatortalks.com
Becky Cloonan joins Creator Talks and chats about the remastered and color edition of By Chance or Providence being released on July 26th through Image Comics. First, I get Becky's perspect on Game of Thones which returned to HBO for Season 7 on 7/116/17. What makes it so darn good? Plus we talk about our favorite werewolf and vampire movies!
For more information on By Chance or Providence visit Image Comics:
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/by-chance-or-providence-tp
Becky Cloonan's website:
http://www.beckycloonan.net/
Creator Talks Website:
http://www.creatortalks.com/
Grace Ellis & Shae Beagle discuss the debut of the comic book Moonstruck. We talk about the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, Coffee and lots more! https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/moonstruck-1 http://www.creatortalks.com
Writer Duane Swierczynski talks about the trade collection of The Black Hood: The Bullets Kiss, his non-fiction and crime fiction work and his home town of Philadelphia. https://darkcirclecomics.com http://www.creatortalks.com
Writer Tyler Carpenter talks about his comic book Demons published by Insane Comics. He also talks about his experience at the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con and his secret for getting people to stop by his table in Artist's Alley! Demons available at Insane Comics http://www.insanecomics.com/the-insane-comics--store.html#!/Demons-5-issues/c/20667004/offset=0&sort=nameAsc Creator Talks website: www.creatortalks.com
Caleb Palmquist & John Grimes talk about their Kickstarter A Small Favor, the anthology style sci-fi project. What makes it so special? Plus: tips for writers on selecting an artist for their indie comic book, craft brew beer ratings and coffee, brew or buy? Kickstarter link to A Small Favor Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/918197022/a-small-favor-an-epic-sci-fi-comic Link to Caleb's article: 10 Rules For Hiring Indie Comic Artists: https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/06/24/10-rules-for-hiring-indie-comics-artists/ Creator Talks Homepage Podcast Playlist link: http://www.creatortalks.com
Insane Comics Spotlight on Mike Heitkemper, creator and writer of Freedom Fighter! We talk about the book's long road to publication & how it finally found a home at Insane Comics. We also discuss Mike's home renovation work, life on a farm, camping and the nectar of the gods that is sweet tea!
While signing comics for an endless line of fans at Heroes Con 2017, Jim Shooter talked about working with writers and artists while Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics and Valiant Entertainment. And what's this? Jim has something in the works with Image Comics!
This episode contains recollections & reflections on the 35th Heroes Comic Con in Charlotte, North Caroline. Plus con floor interviews with Zack Kaplan (Eclipse), Amy Chu (KISS, Red Sonja), Eli Powell (Yakuza Demons) & Francesco Francavilla (The Black Beetle, Afterlife with Archie)
Writer Adam Glass, writer/artist Dennis Calero and Editor-In-Chief of Aftershock Comics Mike Marts joins the show to talk about The Normals, issue 2 one sale 06/21. It wouldn't be Creator Talks without a dash of Dr. Who talks plus my rest and relaxation questions.
The Insane Comics Spotlight this week shines on writer Kelly Bender. Not only is there talk about his Insane Comics & Top Cow published work, but we also discuss living in Singapore, how to effectively use social media for promoting one's comic work, and cooking!
It's a Bitch Planet Triple Feature with a trio of the of books contributors on the show: Cheryl Lynn Eaton writer of Windows, Conley Lyons writer of The Invisible Woman & Joanna Estep artist on Without and Within. We talk about the reasons for the lack of representation of women creators at comic cons, dealing with social media problems, thoughts on the Wonder Woman movie & more!
Spotlight on Insane Comics: writer Frank Martin talks about his anthology series Modern Testament, his upcoming work plus we digress about Weird Al!
It's a Giant-Sized episode! Frank Barbiere talks Violent Love , Five Ghosts (Image), Revisionist(Aftershock) & Martin Manhunter Meets Marvin the Martian(DC). Following my interview with Frank, Victor Santos makes his English speaking podcast debut to talk about the influence of Bruce Time his work helped Victor develop his artistic skill, Violent Love (Image), Rashomon: A Commissioner Heigo Kobayashi Case (Dark Horse) & what he has in the works for 2018. And of course, what the creators like to do for fun when are kicking back.
Write and film maker David Avallone talks about his upcoming comic mini-series Bettie Page for Dynamite Entertainment. David also shares his thoughts classics films including King Kong, Them!, Alien, Superman, Psycho & James Bond,
Steven Pennella talks about Faith Fallon, the 12 issue series published by Insane Comics, plus his years at the Kubert School of Art and his journey to becoming a comic book writer/artist.
Ryan K. Lindsey is the creator and writer of Beautiful Canvas published by Black Mask Studios, We talk about the book, his work and tons of other stuff. It's a digression bonanza!
Gary McClendon is the creator & writer of Chess-Masters published by Insane Comics. Gary is also big fan of the musical group The Temptations and we discuss his brush with greatness. http://www.insanecomics.com
The gang is all here! Cullen Bunn, Danny Luckert, and Marie Enger chat about their upcoming horror comic Regression published by Image Comics, plus triple the banter!!
Guest Hope Nicholson talks about her latest book The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen published through Quirk Books and we talk about her company Bedside Press. Bonus! An interview with Ramona Fradon.
Author Antony Johnston joins Creator Talks to discuss the upcoming softcover release of The Coldest City. The graphic novel had been made into a major motion picture Atomic Blond coming in July 2017.
Sam Johnson is the creator and author of Geek-Girl. The first arc of the series just wrapped up. Sam talks about Geek-Girl, Star Wars movies, Guardians of The Galaxy, Captain America, Secret Empire 0, Marvel Netflix series and more!
James Pruett is publisher of Scout Comics and writer of the upcoming series Mindbender. Listen to James tell the tale of Mindbender's long road to be published and what lies ahead for Scout Comics.
Artist J.K. Woodward discusses his latest work TNG: The Mirror Broken coming out Free Comic Book Day and continuing as a mini-series from IDW. We talk about his painting, other comic book work and share our love for rock legend David Bowie. http://jkwoodwardart.blogspot.com http://www.idwpublishing.com/product/star-trek-tng-mirror-broken-1/
Jim Rugg talks Street Angel: After School Kung Fu Special published by Image Comics. We also talk about his graphic design work, teaching and other comic work.
Executive Co-Producer Chris King talks about production of the BAFTA award winning series Penny Dreadful and his continuation of the series as writer of the comic book Penny Dreadful: The Awakening published by Titan Comics.
Meredith Finch, who has written Wonder Woman for DC Comics, is my guest this week to talk about her upcoming creator owned series Rose published by Image Comics.
Jason Latour and Ivan Brandon talk about Black Cloud published by Image Comics on sale 04/05.
Ed Brisson hits a triple play writing Bullseye, Iron Fist and Old Man Logan for Marvel Comics. Ed talks about his upcoming plans as writer of Iron Fist and Old Man Logan series. Also we discuss our non-spoiler thoughts about the Fox film Logan.
Writer, publisher & editor Weldon Burge talks about his publishing company Smart Rhino and his latest Indiegogo horror anthology project Zippered Flesh 3: Yet More Tales of Body Enhancements Gone Bad. Zippered Flesh3 Link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/zippered-flesh-3-more-body-enhancements-gone-bad-horror#/ Smart Rhino Publication's link: http://www.smartrhino.com Weldon's website link: http://www.weldonburge.com
Andy Mangels talks about his work on the smash hit Dynamite Comic Book Wonder Woman '77 Meets The Bionic Woman . Plus, Andy sings!
Guest Fred Van Lente discusses his upcoming work for Valiant Comics Immortal Brothers: Tale of The Green Knight and Deadpool Versus Punisher for Marvel Comics. Also discussed are Fred's creator owned comics and new novels.
It's double feature this episode featuring the creative team of Cannibal published by Image Comics. First up is the New York Times best selling writer Brian Buccellato followed by a conversation with the artist Matias Bergara.
Writer Jim Zub discusses his upcoming trade release of Glitter Bomb Volume 1: Red Carpet & Wayward Volume 4 both published by Image Comics. We also talk about writing Samurai Jack for IDW, trips to Japan and more!
Creator and writer Daniel Brodie joins the show to talk about his Kickstarter for Morgan's Organs #2.
Ride along with Chynna Clugston Flores on this special Valentine's Day podcast! We talk about her newly remastered Scooter Girl trade paperback published through Image Comics. We also talk about her first love Blue Monday & the 90s San Diego mod-scene !
Things heat up when writer Zack Kaplan joins Creator Talks to discuss the release of Eclipse Volume 1, the hit mystery science-fiction series published by Top Cow/Image Comics.
Ron Randall talks about his days at The Kubert School, working in comics during the 1980s & the return of his creator owned character Mercy St. Clair in Trekker: Rites of Passage
Eric Schultz, writer of the upcoming series Charmed for Dynamite Entertainment, talks about the book and other published work including her creator owned series M3.
Gabriel Hardman on his upcoming one-shot The Belfry, ongoing series Invisible Republic and Kinski all published by Image Comics.
Kaare Andrews writer & artist of Renato Jones: The One Percent Season 1 (Image Comics), Iron Fist:The Living Weapon (Marvel)& contributor to Love Is Love (IDW).
Its east meets west as Christopher is joined by the End Game writing team of Daniel Kalban and Andrew Hines! The duo talks about the development of their new super-hero mini-series and GoFundMe project.
Interview with novelist, screen writer and comic writer Paul Cornell. Christopher talks with Paul about writing his Doctor Who series for Titan Comics,Vampirella for Dynamite Entertainment and his latest novel.
The Best of 2016 wraps up with writer Peter Milligan (Britannia & The Mummy) followed by artist & illustrator Rachel Perciphone at the New Jersey Comic Expo.
The Best of 2016 continues as Christopher interviews Nexus co-creator Steve Rude! Next up, Kat Calamia of Comic Uno is interviewed on location at the 2016 New Jersey Comic Expo.
Episode 2 - The Best of 2016 continues with comic book writer and artist interviews hand picked from the archives! In this episode Jamal Igle on the series Black for Black Mask comics & artist Kurt Brugel on Gardner F. Fox and the rebirth of Crom.
Episode 1 - The Best of 2016 comic book writer and artist interviews, hand picked from the archives. Enjoy listening to Neal Adams, Peter David and Bob Layton at the New Jersey Comic Expo 2016.