Time for another #indiecomicreview! One of our fans/listeners/watchers was rather tenacious in getting us to review his new comic (Oct. '23) - Blowtorch Bad Roads from Page1 Comics! Thank you for being persistent! Blowtorch Bad Road's first issue is a great entry into a gritty, John Wick-esque type of comic! This black-and-white issue has some really great artistry and the b/w nature really fits with this story. The cover is truly well done and an eye-catcher! We won't give much away here -- jus...
Feb 02, 2024•10 min•Ep. 75
We had the awesome opportunity to visit with and interview Chiral Comic's creator Kang Jing (KJ) and co-writer/editor Api Ngo @ThatChineseHistoryGuy (on YouTube) all the way from Singapore! Interviewing at the same time - but technically on different days - was similar to time-travel -- or something else conceptually trippy. We had a blast learning about wuxia (which literally means "martial arts and chivalry," is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient...
Jan 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 74
We had the incredible opportunity to interview #indiecomic creator, Laurie Calcaterra, creator of Path of the Pale Rider, late last year and while this interview is a bit longer than most, it's well worth it! Path of the Pale Rider was truly delightful to get into and we cannot recommend this series enough! We were lucky enough to read issues 1-3, and this comic has extremely high potential for a BIG future in our humble opinion. This fresh take on the "zombie apocalypse" genre is an emotional a...
Jan 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 73
Psycho List is a great comic that expertly blends a very real-world issue (dv) with comic book style to take the reader on an intriguing journey. For several reasons, the Squares recommend this issue! This was a review of issue #1 and 6 are showing available on Global Comix from Blackbox Comics. Description: (W) Kevin Grevioux (A/CA) Jonathan Lau After a former FBI agent becomes a therapist, he has a hard time staying out of his patients' lives, taking on their problems as his own. FBI calls him...
Jan 10, 2024•13 min•Ep. 72
The Squares reviewed listener/follower submission "Incision" recently and this was a winner for all of us! Creator Jay Red. Published by Lesser Known Comics. Check out the kickstarter that is happening this month (Jan. 2024)! ➡️ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jayred/incision-1-a-razor-sharp-90s-homage-comic?ref=clipboard-prelaunch Listen to the full pod on your favorite podcasting platform or watch it here! Synopsis: Over twenty years ago, the world was changed forever by an inter-dimensio...
Jan 04, 2024•13 min•Ep. 71
The Squares reviewed Universum 1:1 Execution recently and this was a real hit with some and a miss for others. One thing we all agreed on is that the artwork is incredible for this comic! Listen on your favorite podcasting platform or watch it right here! Find out how The Office, LOTR, Hercules, and Star Wars end up in the same conversation! Description: The adventure begins! Two girls on vacation in another world become involved in a full-blown world war against gods. 🚨 See all Comic Book Squa...
Dec 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 70
In this episode, the Squares review Cold Sky from Black Relic Comics. This comic contains 3 separate stories that take place in the universe Black Relic Comics is creating. Each was quite different. Check out this review where movies like The Fifth Element, Alien/Aliens, and Jaws get mentioned! Cold Sky is a sci-fi space opera set thousands of years into our future. Humankind has stretched out into the stars, leaving Earth far behind, but now as resources get scarce, the peace that has held for ...
Dec 13, 2023•13 min•Ep. 69
The Squares review Exciting Comics from @antarcticpress ! This comic was packed with new characters and the different ways they tie into this new universe that writer, Bradley Golden, is creating. Check it out and let us know which character was most intriguing to you! Find it on @GlobalComix ⬅️ Bradley Golden - Writer David Doub - Writer David Furr - Writer John E. Crowther - Writer Salvatore Cuffari - Artist 🚨 See all Comic Book Squares links here: https://linktr.ee/comicbooksquares....
Dec 05, 2023•16 min•Ep. 68
We had the pleasure of reviewing Hunt. Kill. Repeat. from @madcavestudios and Mark London recently. This comic was truly well done. We were all caught up in this story that delves into a time when the Greek Gods have come to the land of man to wreak havoc and teach the technology-loving humans a lesson about who to worship. While the story doesn't fit neatly into a better-known Greek myth, the creators did a fantastic job of weaving in traditional Greek mythology beats with their unique take on ...
Nov 29, 2023•19 min•Ep. 67
We enjoyed it so much the first time -- we invited the "Devil" back to the pod! The "Devil" we say?! Well, an argument could be made. We're speaking with Paul "Haydes" Hayden in this episode! Haydes is the founder of indie comics publisher ASAP Imagination. This time we spoke with Haydes about his many projects and events, along with their creator-owned offshoot The NE1 World. Check out all of ASAP Imagination's comics at https://asapimagination.com. And see the comics of The NE1 World at https:...
Nov 15, 2023•33 min•Ep. 66
In this episode, the Squares are reviewing Fallen #1 of a 4 part series. Fallen's dark artistry evokes some classic 80's and 90's nostalgia for some of us, along with some more modern movie call-backs (Hello Constantine and Seven!!). Join us for a bit of mystery and muuuurrrrdeeeeerrrrr in Fallen! Description: Zander Knight's nightmares are about to become real. He is a down-on-his-luck blue collar worker, living in Queen City where dead bodies are starting to pile up. Detective Gunnerson and De...
Nov 08, 2023•16 min•Ep. 65
In this review, the Squares discuss Plague Seeker! An issue "0" comic from Bad Egg Publishing. It's a surprising issue with stunning artwork that leaves us wanting to know more! Description: In the far future, civilization has been destroyed by an event only known as The Calamity. Humanity lives in terror, ruled over by monstrous creatures called the Great Plagues. Ben Templesmith: Cover Artist Charlie White: Writer Dave Sharpe: Letterer Jackson Clarke: Writer John Bivens: Cover Artist Robert Me...
Nov 02, 2023•16 min•Ep. 64
This review episode is about Deathrage. Not our own -- that of Mark Freeman, "Spartan Captain America Deadpool," if you will. We had quite a bit to discuss about this comic. From lettering to the impressive illustrations to a mixed-in origin story that really ties all together for a compelling story leaving readers wanting more! With 6 issues already available on @GlobalComix, we HiGhLy recommend giving it a read and come back here to let us know what you think! Description: In the year 1985, Ma...
Oct 18, 2023•18 min•Ep. 63
What if Jo(h)n Wick happened a bit differently, and was spelled a bit differently? What if his companion was who was spared and was an assassin? The biggest question of all, though... what if his companion was a dog named Flint with a thirst for revenge? In this episode, the gang is all together to review Good Boy, written by Garrett Gunn and Christina Blanch, art and colors by Kit Wallis, lettering and design by Dave Lentz, and published by Source Point Press. We'll get straight to the point, t...
Oct 10, 2023•18 min•Ep. 62
We had the immense joy of interviewing Laurie Cunningham recently. Editor-in-Chief and a writer at ASAP IMAGINATION , L. A. Cunningham released her debut book, Points of Villainy/Points of Virtue , with co-author, P. A. Hayden in November 2020. In 2021, her second publication came out as a part of ASAP IMAGINATION’s first charity anthology, Perspectives , which included her short story, Just a Second. In 2022, L. A. Cunningham released her debut comic book series, Sister Grim , followed by the s...
Oct 04, 2023•31 min•Ep. 61
Episode 60 (no, we have not been numbering these but this is where we're at!) is packed with UPDATES!! New host (welcome Karie), update on the contest, restructuring the comic reviews, a host on hiatus, and MORE! ➡️ Please don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! And you can also find us on your favorite podcast apps! 🚨 See all Comic Book Squares links here: https://linktr.ee/comicbooksquares.
Sep 26, 2023•21 min•Ep. 60
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tyler Chin-Tanner, comic creator and Co-Publisher at A Wave Blue World (AWBW). From his early careers in teaching and humanitarian aid work, Tyler Chin-Tanner took the leap into his lifelong passion for comics, attending The Kubert School from 2003 to 2006 and co-founding AWBW with his wife Wendy in 2005. Publishing through AWBW, Tyler writes graphic novels including the New York Times featured American Terrorist and edits anthologies such as the New ...
Sep 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 59
In this week's episode, the Comic Book Squares are talking to comic book shop owner Ken Brown! Ken is the owner of Drawn to Comics, a comic shop in Glendale, Arizona. We chat with Ken about not only how he got into the comics industry and why he's still doing it after all these years, but also about how indie comics creators and publishers can get into stores like his. You can learn more about Drawn to Comics - and if you're a creator, maybe reach out to Ken about getting your comics in his shop...
Jul 28, 2023•43 min•Ep. 58
In this week's episode, the Comic Book Squares have writer Richard Fairgray on the show! Richard is a writer and artist of children's books, but most recently he's been diving into more mature-themed comics with books such as "Haunted Hill" and "Octopus: A Memoir of Flailing." Currently, he's about to run a new Kickstarter campaign for his "most ambitious project on the platform yet," "The Ex-Wives of Frankenstein." You can learn more here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blastosaurus/the-e...
Jul 21, 2023•51 min
In today's episode, we're talking to comic book creator Travis Gibb!Travis has worked on popular indie comic series such "Coins of Judas," "Voodoo Nations," "Broke Down and Four Dead Bodies," Cthulu Invades Oz," and more! Keep up with Travis and Orange Cone Productions at https://substack.com/@travisgibb. Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And you can also find us on your favorite podcast apps! See all Comic Book Squares links here: https://linktr.ee/comicbooksquares. Also, please consid...
Jul 15, 2023•45 min•Ep. 57
The Squares recently recorded four comic book creator interviews live at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023! In this final episode from the convention, we're talking to Eisner-winning comic book illustrator Georges Jeanty! Comics fans will recognize his name on comics such as The Mandalorian, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more! He's also worked on the ‘Firefly/Serenity’ comics, plus critically acclaimed works like ‘Shadow Doctor’ written by Peter Calloway and ‘The American Way’ written by John Ridley. You ...
Jul 07, 2023•26 min•Ep. 56
The Squares recently recorded four comic book creator interviews live at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023! In this third episode from the convention, we're talking to comic book creator Dan Panosian! Comics fans will recognize his name on such recent titles as "Black Tape" from AWA Studios and "Alice Ever After" from Boom! Studios. He's worked for years in the industry, doing art for such Marvel Comics titles as Iron Man, Wolverine, and Alpha Flight, as well as for Image Comics titles like Spawn, Cyber F...
Jun 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 55
The Squares recently recorded four comic book creator interviews live at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023! In this second episode from the con, we're talking to comic book creator Shawn Demumbrum! Shawn's Spazdog Press has created a variety of music-inspired comic anthologies based on songs by bands such as The Smiths, The Pixies and Nine Inch Nails. We talk about those projects as well as how he ended up setting a world record (officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records) in comics! To l...
Jun 23, 2023•34 min•Ep. 54
The Squares recently recorded four comic book creator interviews live at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023! In this episode, we're talking to comic book artist Hailey Renee Brown! Hailey has done art for comic book publishers such as Dark Horse, Source Point Press, Dynamite, and Time Bomb Comics. They're also both a biologist and Kubert School grad, so their artistic abilities cover everything from sequential art to illustrations for scientific publications. That's not something you see everyday! To learn...
Jun 09, 2023•21 min•Ep. 53
Glamour. Glitz. Assassins! Our next guests have brought all that and more to the comics scene with their new series from Scout Comics, "Death Drop: Drag Assassin"! Squares Ben and Shane talk to comic book artist Alex Moore and comic book writer David Hazan about "Death Drop" as well as mixing crime noir with drag aesthetics, whether or not publishers are moving away from continuing series in favor of trade paperbacks/graphic novels, and Alex accidentally happening upon an "Eyes Wide Shut" style ...
May 26, 2023•38 min•Ep. 52
The effects of many chronic diseases are often unseen, so what if there was a superhero who was invulnerable to physical harm but had to fight to stay alive because of his own body? That's the premise of the comic book miniseries "Ripple Effects," and we're excited to talk to the series creator and writer Jordan Hart! We talk to Jordan about this series, his own battle with the incurable blood-clotting disease thrombophilia, having to choose what to trim out of lengthy scripts, and much more. He...
May 19, 2023•36 min•Ep. 51
Secure the perimeter ... Nem is on the show! This week, Ben and Mike chat with comic book writer and novelist David "Nem" Howard! We talk to Nem about his @ASAPIMAGINATION series "O.P.S.E.C." as well as about horror movies, how the movie "1408" made Nem fear the Carpenters, and how his overcoming adversity led him to living his dream. We cover a lot! Here is the official description for "O.P.S.E.C.":" Four people have disappeared near the town of Ryneshard and now two OPSEC agents have gone miss...
May 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 50
Ever wished someone would combine the movies "Se7en" and "Elysium"? Well our next guests managed to take the concept and dial it up to 11! Writer Sarah Gailey and artist Liana Kangas join us to talk about their Boom! Studios comic book series "Know Your Station." Sarah has written comics such as "Eat the Rich," "Steven Universe," and "The Vampire Slayer." Liana has done artwork for comics such as "Star Wars Adventures," "Where We Live," and "Archie Comics’s Return of Chilling Adventures in Sorce...
May 05, 2023•33 min
We're excited bring back a very special guest, comic book writer and artist Steve Mannion! We talk to Steve about his new book that features his longtime heroines origin story "Fearless Dawn: The Bomb," as well as about what he's been up to since we talked to him last year, his upcoming appearances and more! Here's the official description for "Fearless Dawn: The Bomb": "The long-awaited origin story of Fearless Dawn is finally told! This is a great jumping on point for any comic book fans who a...
Apr 28, 2023•38 min•Ep. 49
The Squares are headed to the Great White North for this next episode! We're interviewing comic book creator Nicholas Friesen about his multimedia project "Olivia Sea"! With this project, Nicholas is mixing music, animation, and comics to create an immersive storytelling experience. We talk to Nicholas about "Olivia Sea" as well cassette tapes, the Simpsons, Kim Deal, Amazing Spider-Man, and creating an animated band. We even get into marketing comics and what it's like attending comic conventio...
Apr 21, 2023•42 min•Ep. 48
