Time Codes: 00:00:31 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Getting ready for Halloween 00:06:29 - Scratches #2 00:49:27 - Now #4 01:22:19 - Dick Tracy: Dead or Alive #1 01:36:12 - Wrap up 01:37:27 - Contact us On this episode Sterg and Derek check out two new anthologies, as well as a recent incarnation of Dick Tracy. They begin with Scratches #2 , a comics and art anthology curated by Joost Swarte (and distributed in the Americas by Conundrum Press). They actually spend the majority of the episode discussi...
Oct 10, 2018•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 296
Time Codes: 00:00:28 - Introduction 00:02:35 - September in October 00:04:17 - Vérité #1 00:49:17 - Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection 01:23:32 - Wrap up 01:24:34 - Contact us Shea and Derek are back for their September manga episode. (Yeah, yeah. We know it's the beginning of October, but the guys were a little late getting last month's show recorded.) This time they discuss two intriguing titles, each quite different one from the other. They begin with the inaugural issue of Vérité , a new an...
Oct 09, 2018•1 hr 28 min
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:22 - Setup of interview 00:03:58 - Interview with Howard Shapiro 01:06:33 - Wrap up 01:07:06 - Contact us A common theme in Howard Shapiro’s stories is the significance of music. His first graphic novel, The Sterotypical Freaks , revolved around competing high school bands and how that competition and their dedication to the music defined each member’s life. In his latest book, Queen of Kenosha (Animal Media Group), music once again takes center narrativ...
Oct 05, 2018•1 hr 10 min
It's the first of the month, so it's time to look at the latest Previews catalog! What's more, this is Sterg's very first Previews show, and Derek honors this occasion with much fanfare. As listeners have come to expect from the monthly Previews shows, this episode goes long. In fact, it goes extra long , and in many ways this becomes a trial by fire for Sterg as a new cohost. But he rises to the occasion, providing solid and tireless recommendations of upcoming titles. For October, the Two Guys...
Oct 03, 2018•3 hr 1 min•Ep. 295
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:12 - Panel context, with Glynnis Fawkes 00:14:02 - "The Practice of Diary Comics" panel 01:09:40 - Wrap up 01:10:50 - Contact us The middle of last month, September 15-16, saw the Small Press Expo held in North Bethesda, MD. At the event, Derek moderated a panel on that Sunday afternoon entitled "The Practice of Diary Comics." Participating in the discussion were Glynnis Fawkes , Summer Pierre , Kevin Budnik , and Dustin Harbin . This episode of the podc...
Oct 02, 2018•1 hr 15 min
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:15 - September? 00:05:24 - E.T. Girl 00:30:42 - Bicycle Boy 00:59:23 - Broken Telephone 01:23:16 - Wrap up 01:25:02 - Contact us On the September webcomics show, Sean and Derek look at three intriguing titles. They begin with E.T. Girl , written and illustrated by theplanetsdreamer (and whose real name is Kimberly Kotschi). This is a relatively new webcomic, a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, and plays upon the alien abduction convention. After that they check...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 29 min
In celebration of International Podcast Day 2018, Derek invites a variety of other comics podcasters to discuss their experiences in the medium. Joining him are Gina Gagliano, from Graphic Novel TK ; Greg Matiasevich, from Robots from Tomorrow ; Jay Loving, from The Best of the Rest ; and Gwen Tarbox, from The Comics Alternative for Young Readers . Find out more about International Podcast Day and how you can help promote podcasting worldwide. And be sure to share your thoughts on social media u...
Sep 30, 2018•1 hr 38 min
Michael and Derek are back at their local shop, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, to discuss recent mainstream and indie titles that have captured their attention. Mike starts the ball rolling by focusing on recent expressions of a couple of second-tier characters, Doctor Strange and Hawkman , as handled by Mark Waid and Robert Venditti, respectively. He then takes the conversation into a more "adult" direction with the first issue in Batman: Damned , part of DC's new Black Label imprint. This title i...
Sep 28, 2018•1 hr 5 min
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:20 - Setup of interview 00:04:01 - Interview with Tillie Walden 01:15:35 - Wrap up 01:17:30 - Contact us Sterg and Derek are happy to have Tillie Walden back on the podcast. (She was originally on The Comics Alternative in June 2015 , her very first podcast interview!) Her latest book, On a Sunbeam , will be released next week from First Second. This narrative actually began as a webcomic -- one that was nominated for an Eisner Award last year, and one t...
Sep 27, 2018•1 hr 20 min
Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:02:30 - Hitting a milestone 00:04:20 - Coyote Doggirl 00:40:29 - Baseline Blvd. 01:12:18 - Cemetery Beach #1 01:26:03 - Wrap up 01:27:22 - Contact us This week Sterg and Derek discuss three fascinating and genre-spanning titles. They begin with Lisa Hanawalt's Coyote Doggirl (Drawn and Quarterly). As the guys point out, this is a humor-infused story that engages with the western genre. Both Derek and Sterg mention that while they appreciate Hanawalt's off-b...
Sep 26, 2018•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 294
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:26 - Setup of interview 00:04:50 - Interview with Jason Lutes 01:20:31 - Wrap up 01:21:13 - Contact us Jason Lutes began his Berlin series in the spring of 1996, with plans to publish his ambitious project over a 24-issue run. Over the years, he pared down the number of issues to 22, and the last of those was released in March of this year. Earlier this month, Drawn and Quarterly released a complete single-volume edition of Berlin , clocking in at over 5...
Sep 24, 2018•1 hr 24 min
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:22 - Setup of interview 00:04:01 - Interview with Youssef Daoudi 01:52:10 - Wrap up 01:52:47 - Contact us Youssef Daoudi is a French creator whose previous albums include La Trilogie Noire , published by Casterman, and several works released by Glénat, including Mayday , Ring , and Tripoli . Unfortunately, these books aren’t yet available in English, but you can discover the art and storytelling of Daoudi through his brand new book from First Second, Mon...
Sep 21, 2018•56 min
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:27 - Set up of episode 00:03:45 - Interview with Jennifer Hayden 00:18:17 - Interview with Fernando De Peña , Rodrigo Vargas , and Coni Yovaniniz 00:29:04 - Interview with Ellen Forney 00:52:01 - Interview with Miss Lasko-Gross 01:00:47 - Interview with Michael DeForge 01:22:26 - Interview with Evan Dahm 01:30:22 - Interview with Ben Costa and James Parks 01:38:13 - Interview with Ivy Atoms 01:44:33 - Interview with M.S. Harkness 01:52:30 - Interview wit...
Sep 20, 2018•2 hr 17 min
Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:02:43 - Introducing Stergios Botzakis 00:06:41 - A Contract with God: Curator's Collection 00:55:55 - Egg Cream #1 01:19:04 - Hey Kids! Comics! #1 and #2 01:38:48 - Wrap up 01:40:25 - Contact us This week The Comics Alternative gets a new cohost: Stergios Botzakis! And on his maiden voyage, Sterg becomes an integral part in discussions of three unique titles. He and Derek begin with A Contract with God: Curator's Collection (Dark Horse Books-Kitchen Sink Bo...
Sep 19, 2018•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 293
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:29 - Set up of episode 00:04:13 - Interview with Mike Freiheit 00:12:16 - Interview with Madeline McGrane 00:15:51 - Interview with Kelly Phillips and Claire Folkman 00:22:37 - Interview with Karl Christian Krumpholz 00:28:28 - Interview with Max de Radiguès 00:44:12 - Interview with Ryan Holmberg 00:59:14 - Interview with Scott Roberts 01:07:02 - Interview with Nathan Gelgud 01:16:30 - Interview with M. Dean 01:34:08 - Interview with Emi Gennis 01:41:58...
Sep 18, 2018•2 hr 11 min
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:37 - Setup of interview 00:04:33 - Interview with Summer Pierre 01:19:14 - Wrap up 01:20:13 - Contact us The Two Guys were first introduced to the work of Summer Pierre during June of 2017. At the time, they were wanting to do a special episode of The Comics Alternative devoted to self-published creators, and John Porcellino recommended to Derek that they check out the work of Summer Pierre. At the time her minicomic Paper Pencil Life was at its fourth i...
Sep 13, 2018•1 hr 23 min
It's that time again, the occasion when Gwen and Derek meticulously go through the latest Previews catalog and highlight a variety of upcoming comics they find of note. For the month of September, they discuss a variety of publishers and titles such as: Image Comics - Bitter Root #1, Outer Darkness #1, The Terrible Elizabeth Dumn against the Devil in Suits , Midwest #1, 24 Panels , and Street Angel vs Ninjatech Dark Horse Comics - The Problem of Susan and Other Stories , Lightstep #1, and Wander...
Sep 12, 2018•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 292
Time Codes: 00:00:23 - Introduction 00:02:29 - Setup of interview 00:04:11 - Interview with Tim Bird 01:00:17 - Wrap up 01:00:53 - Contact us The Great North Wood , which was just released through Avery Hill Publishing, is Tim Bird’s longest work to date. It’s the story of -- or perhaps a better way of putting would be that it’s a history or a meditation on -- an area in South London known for its wooded past. This includes areas such as Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Honor Oak, and Sydenham Hill Woods. I...
Sep 11, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:24 - Setup of interview 00:04:41 - Interview with Keiler Roberts 01:04:06 - Wrap up 01:04:48 - Contact us In 2009 Keiler Roberts began putting out a series of self-published minicomics that she titled Powered Milk . These were brief stories and scenarios where she represented the experiences she had as a mother, wife, and friend. Many of the situations were observational in nature -- for example, some of her Powered Milk comics were one-panel expressions...
Sep 10, 2018•1 hr 8 min
It's time for another on-location episode recorded at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find in Charlotte, NC. In this first of two planned September visits, Michael and Derek talk with customers -- Zyg, Brian, and Alonzo -- and discuss some recent releases that strike their attention. Focusing on the mainstream, Michael highlights Fantastic Four #1. He discusses Marvel's former flagship title's return, and he goes on to speculate on the significance of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's creation...not only with the...
Sep 07, 2018•1 hr 15 min
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:03 - Fare-thee-well to Paul! 00:05:51 - The Cardboard Kingdom 00:28:41 - All Summer Long 00:44:11 - Be Prepared 01:06:46 - Wrap up 01:08:09 - Contact us On this episode of the Comics Alternative’s Young Readers show, Gwen and Derek discuss summer 2018 new releases, all geared to middle-grade readers. The first text, edited and illustrated by Chad Sell, is The Cardboard Kingdom , released by Random House Graphic. Readers learn about the lives and dreams o...
Sep 06, 2018•1 hr 11 min
Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:17 - Catching up with Gwen 00:03:32 - Spotlight on Peow Studio releases 01:09:53 - Wrap up 01:11:33 - Contact us This week Gwen and Derek focus their critical spotlight on recent releases from Peow Studio , a Swedish publisher of minicomics and longer narratives. As they point out, much of what is coming out from Peow is very creator-centered, personal, and even experimental in nature. This is a publisher that, while not well-known my many readers, deser...
Sep 05, 2018•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 291
Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:25 - Setup of interview 00:03:54 - Interview with Christopher Sebela , Ro Stein , and Ted Brandt 01:06:23 - Wrap up 01:06:59 - Contact us In Crowded (Image Comics), the protagonist Charlie Ellison finds herself the victim of a crowdfunded assassination. That’s right, a crowdfunded assassination. Charlie lives a quiet, normal life, going about her daily routine as anyone would. But she soon finds herself under fire, hunted by all of Los Angeles with her p...
Sep 04, 2018•1 hr 10 min
Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:03:24 - Congratulations to Christina Merkler! 00:04:48 - Kochab 00:28:10 - Alchemilla 00:58:38 - Zap! 01:23:20 - Wrap up 01:24:28 - Contact us On the August episode 0f the webcomics -- granted, a little late -- Sean and Derek check out three titles where the art is incredible. They begin with Kochab , a YA fantasy about two young women, one a fire spirit, and their explorations of surroundings and self. After that they check out a most curious webcomic, Sar...
Sep 03, 2018•1 hr 28 min
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:56 - Comments on translated plentitude 00:06:21 - Luisa, Now and Then 00:42:44 - Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine 01:02:45 - Wrap up 01:03:41 - Contact us For their August show, Pascal and Derek look at two works whose creators may be largely unknown here in the states. They begin with Carole Maurel's Luisa, Now and Then , one of the first books published as part of Humanoids' new Life Drawn imprint. As the guys point out, this is a time-travel narr...
Aug 31, 2018•1 hr 7 min
Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:34 - Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1 00:42:39 - Slum Wolf 01:14:09 - Wrap up 01:15:17 - Contact us This month Shea and Derek discuss two great works that bring back some older, or classic, manga. They begin with Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock: The Classic Collection, Vol 1 (Seven Seas Entertainment), a series that originally ran between 1977 and 1979. Captain Harlock is a classic science fiction work, and with a space pirate protagonist...
Aug 30, 2018•1 hr 18 min
Time Codes: 00:00:26 - Introduction 00:02:36 - Setting a James Bond context 00:04:59 - A discussion of the James Bond comics published by Dynamite Entertainment 00:59:59 - Wrap up 01:01:43 - Contact us This week's episode of The Comics Alternative is special. Gwen and Derek devote their entire show to the the James Bond comics that have been coming out from Dynamite Entertainment for the past few years. They begin the show by sharing some of their own experiences with the James Bond franchise an...
Aug 29, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 290
Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:34 - Setup of interview 00:04:37 - Interview with Sean Lewis and Caitlin Yarsky 01:03:03 - Wrap up 01:03:44 - Contact us In November of last year readers saw the first issue of what was a brand-new series from Image Comics, Coyotes . It was the latest creation from writer Sean Lewis, who had authored other Image series including The Few and Saints , as well as writing recent titles for Aftershock such as Betrothed and Clankillers . For Coyotes , Sean cho...
Aug 10, 2018•1 hr 7 min
It's that time again! It's the beginning of the month, and the latest issue of the Previews catalog is out. And as they always do, the Two Guys meticulously go through the latest solicits, highlighting a variety of upcoming titles in Previews that they're interested in or they think is worth considering. Among the many publishers and titles that they focus on in the August catalog include: Image Comics - Blackbird #1, Dead Rabbit #1, Exorsisters #1, Juke Joint #1, Wytches: Bad Egg Halloween Spec...
Aug 08, 2018•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 289
Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:11 - Introduction of new Critical Takes series, and setup of interview 00:05:00 - Interview with Keith Dallas and John Wells 01:12:11 - Wrap up 01:12:47 - Contact us With this episode the Two Guys are starting a brand-new series on The Comics Alternative , one they’re calling "Critical Takes." This will be an occasion series devoted to critical and scholarly works about comics. In the past, whenever they've talked with a comics scholar or historian on th...
Aug 07, 2018•1 hr 16 min
