Interviews with writers & artists who create comic books and graphic novels
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 21, 2018
Wednesday Nov 21, 2018
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
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Thursday Nov 15, 2018
Thursday Nov 15, 2018
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/
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Thursday Nov 08, 2018
Thursday Nov 08, 2018
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
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Thursday Nov 01, 2018
Thursday Nov 01, 2018
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
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Thursday Oct 25, 2018
Thursday Oct 25, 2018
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/
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Thursday Oct 18, 2018
Thursday Oct 18, 2018
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 Hellicious #4 Coming November 21st:
https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP181980
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Thursday Oct 11, 2018
Thursday Oct 11, 2018
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
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Thursday Oct 04, 2018
Thursday Oct 04, 2018
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.
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Thursday Sep 27, 2018
Thursday Sep 27, 2018
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
Walt Ostlie’s Website
http://walterostlie.storenvy.com
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Tuesday Sep 18, 2018
Tuesday Sep 18, 2018