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DECOMPRESSED — Arts
DECOMPRESSED

Comics Craft Podcast, hosted by Kieron Gillen, interviewing creators about the details of their work.

Copyright: © Kieron Gillen

Latest Episodes:

DECOMPRESSED v3 012: CHIP ZDARSKY ON PUBLIC DOMAIN Mar 15, 2023

This time we're joined by Chip Zdarsky to talk about Public Domain, kinda.

DECOMPRESSED v3 011: WES CRAIG ON KAYA #1 Oct 05, 2022

We talk to Wes Craig about Kaya #1, his excellent new fantasy series from Image comics.

As always, spoilers for the issue in question.

The theme music is Los Campesino's We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 010: DECLAN SHAVLEY ON OLD DOG #1 Sep 28, 2022

We talk to Declan Shavley about Old Dog #1, eventually. We are very old, and have known each other for a long time, so it takes us a while to get our knees warmed up.

As always, spoilers for the issue in question.

The theme music is Los Campesino's We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 009: LEAH WILLIAMS ON X-TERMINATORS #1 Sep 21, 2022

We talk to Leah Williams about X-Terminators #1 and somehow manage to take it all too seriously despite being full on.

As always, spoilers for the issue in question. The theme music is Los Campesino's We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 008: TOM HUMBERSTONE ON SUZANNE Sep 01, 2022

This time we're joined by Tom Humberstone to talk about Suzanne, his graphic novel about the life of Suzanne Lenglen, the Jazz Age Tennis Legend.

Suzanne is published from Avery Hill and available from all good comic shops.

DECOMPRESSED v3 007: GERRY DUGGAN ON X-MEN #12 Jun 23, 2022

The first year of the X-men book that's so X-men-y they called it X-men is over. How's that gone? How do you land it? Here's Gerry Duggan to talk to us about X-men #12.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 006: SI SPURRIER ON LEGION OF X #1 May 25, 2022

And BAMF! Here cometh a Si Spurrier, to talk to us about Legion of X #1.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 005: VITA AYALA ON NEW MUTANTS X #25 May 18, 2022

Thanks to the shipping schedule and production chains allowing it, our Destiny of X series continues with Vita Ayala joining us to talk about the creative challenges of New Mutants #25.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 004: TINI HOWARD ON KNIGHTS OF X #1 Apr 27, 2022

Our Destiny of X series continues with Tini Howard, sitting down and telling us all about Knights of X, with words, and maybe hand gestures, you can't tell, this is a podcast.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 003: BENJAMIN PERCY ON THE X LIVES AND DEATHS OF WOLVERINE Apr 20, 2022

Our Destiny of X series continues with Benjamin Percy, speaking about The X Lives And Deaths of Wolverine. I could probably break this template a bit, but I'm trying to do this as low upkeep as I can, but I'm still typing this? Why are you typing? Just stop, Kieron, just stop.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 002: AL EWING ON X-MEN RED#1 Apr 13, 2022

Our Destiny of X series continues with Al Ewing, speaking about X-men Red.

Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v3 001: STEVE ORLANDO ON MARAUDERS #1 Apr 06, 2022

Decompressed returns with plans to speak to the creators being Destiny of X. First up - Steve Orlando, talking about relaunching Marauders. Theme tune is Los Campesinos' We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

DECOMPRESSED v2 004: CHIP ZDARSKY Nov 16, 2017

Chip Zdarsky writes, draws and is very funny on the internet. We talk to him.

Here's my Master Seminar page for you to nose at.

Here's Steve Walsh's PROCESS.

DECOMPRESSED v2 003: BRIAN SCHIRMER AND DANI COLMAN Nov 03, 2016

Brian Schirmer and Dani Colman are comic writers and teachers. We talk to them.

DECOMPRESSED v2 002: JONATHAN HICKMAN Sep 29, 2016

Jonathan Hickman writes, draws and designs. We talk to him.

DECOMPRESSED V2 001 Sep 04, 2016

Don't call it a comeback.

Al Ewing talks to Kieron about everything, but mainly Minecraft.

DECOMPRESSED 027: BECKY CLOONAN ON BY CHANCE OR PROVIDENCE Mar 09, 2014

In this very special podcast, I’m joined by Eisner-award winner Becky Cloonan.

Becky’s career dances between what we could term the mainstream and what we could term the alternative, never resting, never finding a home, but never once seeming uncomfortable. I’ve loved her since the Jennie Zero graphic novel with Brian Wood, and never done anything to make me feel otherwise about her work. Today, we’re talking about her self-published trilology of short comics – Wolves, The Mire and Demeter, which are being collected into an expanded hardback under the name By Chance Or Providence.

However, I do warn you, This really is a very special podcast in a very real and not particularly complimentary way. The skype recording went amazingly haywire, randomly double-tracking Becky and losing me for ten minutes at a time, before returning to normal. I’ve actually done a massive editing job, re-interjecting questions and similar. It just about hangs together.

Just about.

You can get the shownotes over at my blog.

DECOMPRESSED 026: ANTONY JOHNSTON ON THE FUSE #1 Feb 18, 2014

This time I'm joined by Antony Johnston. Antony previously appeared in Decompressed 15, talking about THE COLDEST CITY. But that was in front of an audience at Game City, so we were on our best behaviour. This time we're mumbling on Skype, as is a comic creators preferred form of communication. Except passive-aggression, obv. Anyway! Antony's career as a writer is divided between his work in Games and Comic. In comics, until recently his signature work was the post-apocalyptic series WASTELAND. That may be changing, as he's recently launched two new series via Image. The first, UMBRAL is an excellent Dark Fantasy book. The second, and the subject of today's discussion is, THE FUSE, his book with Justin Greenwood, Shari Chankamma and Ed Brisson.

The Fuse is available to buy in your local comic shop, as well as digitally through comixology and direct from Image.

The show notes and study aids can be found over here.

DECOMPRESSED 025: THE YOUNG AVENGER AFTERPARTY PANEL Feb 02, 2014

At this year’s always excellent Thought Bubble, an odd opportunity presented itself. Our final issues of Young Avengers were what’s oft referred to as “Jam Issues.” In other words, multiple artists telling a single story. By an odd quirk of fate, all the artists and most of the colourists were going to the same con. In other words, we could totally do a panel together about the experience.

And lo! There was a people’s revolutionary meeting gathering.

There was one problem. The issues in question weren’t out yet, and we were incredibly sensitive over spoiling stuff. So as well as swearing everyone to secrecy, we were pretty obtuse in terms of what we did talk about. This makes this a quite hard one to follow without looking at the slides you’ll find below. You’ll see they were – er – often edited. If you have read the issue, it’ll probably be easier to flick through each artist’s section when they talk. If you don’t own it, it’s available digitally.

There’s another problem. This is recorded by my microphone in the middle of the room, and the sound is crapper than usual. I’m really not joking.

Show Notes Available Here.

DECOMPRESSED 024: AN AUDIENCE WITH ED BRUBAKER AND SEAN PHILLIPS Oct 26, 2013

Recently, I was asked by the great GOSH comics whether I'd be interested in hosting an audience with Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips about their work together. As if I was going to turn that down, eh? And they let me record it to play to you lot.

We cover everything from their earliest work together, to the hardest scenes in the latest issue, from working with colourists, who really is a tracer, taste, storytelling choices in the Image age versus the grids, adding or removing panels, teasing and more.

Show notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 023: DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL COMICS EXPO "COMICS ARE FOR EVERYONE" PANEL Oct 17, 2013

Decompressed is a sporadic podcast about comics craft. Rather than our usual format, this is a recording from the Dublin Internation Comics Expo. All the paneling was excellent, but we got special permission to run this one, as we were all buzzing about it. Go follow DICE on twitter to get updates about when the rest go live (and follow them on facebook too). It’s the Comics Are For Everyone panel, which is basically us discussing diversity. Who is talking? Jordie Bellaire, Becky Cloonan, Paul Cornell,Emma Vieceli, yours truly and Declan Shavley.

The topic is enormous. We race to include as much as we can, and fail badly. Ideas come rushing out. People put positions forward that by the chat after the panel they’ve changed their minds about. It’s fluid, but fluid like lava. As I was on this panel, I moved between from red hot anger to complete and utter love for everyone who’s ever lived.

Listen!

DECOMPRESSED 022: ALEX DE CAMPI ON GRINDHOUSE: DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT #1 Oct 06, 2013

Decompressed is a sporadic podcast about comics craft. This time we're talking to Alex De Campi about writing Grindhouse: Doors Open At Midnight #1 (aka Bee Vixens from Mars). What talk about subjects like 60s-70s cinema, exhaustion, page turns, sex, lettering, poetry, boobs as part of a character design, sex with cats, my existential crisis, awesomely tacky posters, misnumbering pages the Splash-and-reaction and more.

Want to read the whole issue? It's available to buy on your local comic shop, or digitally.

You'll find the show notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 021: AL EWING ON MIGHTY AVENGERS #1 Sep 25, 2013

Decompressed is a sporadic podcast about comics craft. This time we’re talking to Al Ewing about his writing on the recent Mighty Avengers #1. Our topics include the problems of writing in a crossover, the marvel method, lettering as dubbing, diversity, class, fair pay for a days’ job, the A-list vs the C-list and lots of ums as we try to avoid fucking up.

Want to read teh whole thing? It’s available to buy on your local comic shop, or via Comixology here.

You can find the study aids here.

DECOMPRESSED 020: ANKA, DOYLE AND MCKELVIE ON COSTUME DESIGN Aug 30, 2013

Decompressed is a sporadic podcast about comics craft. This time I’m talking to Kris Anka, Ming Doyle and Jamie McKelvie to talk about the art of character design. It’s a visual medium, so this stuff is absolutely paramount. Ming’s designs are central to her wonderful MARA with Brian Wood, Kirs’ designs are all over X-Force and McKelvie has (damn him) has sent more cosplayers rushing to their sewing machines than any artist working today. We cover the whole topic, in terms of how they specifically approach the choice, their favourite designs, the question of plausibility, specific costume designers, Emma Frost’s clothes pyre, my inability to say “Segue”, the horrific idea of how I’d redesign Batman and on and on and on. Join us! It’s not rubbish.

You can find the show-notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 019: BETTIE BREITWEISER AND MATT WILSON ON COMICS COLOUR May 17, 2013

Decompressed returns, with a difference. This time we’re talking to Bettie Breitweiser and Matt Wilson, two of my favourite colourists about their work, primarily related to FATALE 14 and WONDER WOMAN 20. If there’s any one part of collaborative comics’ creative engine that is underdiscussed and misunderstood, it’s colouring. It’s always been important, and in the last decade, it’s only become more so.

You'll find Show Notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 018: JASON LATOUR ON WINTER SOLDIER 15 Feb 17, 2013

This decompressed we talk to artist/writer Jason Latour about the process of starting his first ongoing run for Marvel, on WINTER SOLDIER 15.

Is that a worryingly prosaic and sensible intro for Decompressed? Don't worry. It was recorded in a busy cafe in November, the day after a con, and features our minds wandering over such stuff as ads in Breaking Bad, UP-as-serial-killer, the Dukes of Hazard as founding influence, love of old white dudes AND we have a guest appearance from Ivan Brandon, snoozing. This isn't a podcast. This is a defining cultural moment for a generation.

Actually, it's a podcast.

You can find our study aids over here.

DECOMPRESSED 017: SAM HUMPHRIES ON UNCANNY X-FORCE #1 AND SACRIFICE #4 Jan 23, 2013

This Decompressed is like turning up to a gunfight and discovering the dude's got two guns and you have to (er) dodge both bullets? I was originally going to do a sex metaphor, and thought better of it. Extrapolate for yourself. ANYWAY! Writer Sam Humphries has two comics this week, and I thought a compare and contrast could be interesting.

UNCANNY X-FORCE #1 with Ron Garney is a relaunch as part of the Marvel NOW initiative. SACRIFICE #4 with Dalton Rose isn't just creator owned - but actually self-published, moving towards its conclusion. How do the two experiences work? There's got to be something to talk about there. And lo and behold, there was.

You can buy both from your local comic shop, or online at digital comic shops (Here's X-Force's comixology page and here's Sam's page to point at all the places you can buy Sacrifice, online and off).

And you can find all the show-notes over here.

DECOMPRESSED 16: AL EWING ON JENNIFER BLOOD 17 Jan 10, 2013

Er... we're back? I always said it was going to be irregular. But the podcast constipation is over and... this metaphor is going to no place that's good. Let's stop.

I recorded this back at New York Comic Con, where I talked to Al Ewing about the revenge-thriller villain-protagonist creature that is Jennifer Blood 17. We pick apart its double-page-splash structure, Splash ends, whether Splash-ends is a porn term, physical size's relation to dramatic size, ethics, the king of the New York piss porn circuit, sound in dialogue to create momentum in sex scenes and - oh my! - this is really all about sex and craft. And death. Really, it's primarily how great Kewber Baal is.

You can buy JENNIFER BLOOD from your local comic-shop or digitally from Comixology.

And you can find the show notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 015: ANTONY JOHNSTON ON THE COLDEST CITY Dec 06, 2012

Something a little different this week. A podcast rather than not a podcast! No, really. It is actually different, as it was recorded in front of a live audience in Nottingham Game City back in (er) the past. October. Man! Doesn't time fly when you're incredibly busy (or rather, moderately busy and lazy). Anyway! This time I talk to Antony Johnston about his collaboration with Sam Hart, THE COLDEST CITY. This spy thriller set at the very last days of the Cold War is also the first complete OGN we've covered, meaning we wander over the whole thing. The audience also altered the dynamic, as sitting in front of a crowd, on expensive chairs in a spotlight does has a way of making you want to go all serious. So less nob gags than normal.

And you'll find all the show notes here.

DECOMPRESSED 014: STEVEN SANDERS ON WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 20 Nov 24, 2012

Hullo! This week on Decompressed I'm joined by Steven Sanders. He's different. He's a drawing man. For the first time, we're talking about the drawing! Specifically, about how he approached Jason Aaron's script for WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 20. We talk about paneling, character design, how to make hand cannons more awesome, integrating bits of manga he loves into American superhero comics, comedy and more.

And the study aids can be found over here!

DECOMPRESSED 013: RICK REMENDER ON UNCANNY AVENGERS #1 Nov 10, 2012

We're back. Sorry for the delay. Basically, most of October was constant travel and disruption, so I couldn't find time to get this done. But I did record three podcasts, and plan to do some more at THOUGHT BUBBLE next weekend. Hey! I always said that it would be irregular.

But this is a good one to come back on.

I'm joined by Rick Remender to talk about UNCANNY AVENGERS, the biggest selling superhero comic of the year so far. We talk about an idle idea growing into an enormous book, the question of choosing the level of transgression in imagery, the choice of craft and emotion, of talking through your stories, of compression and everything else.

Shownotes can be found here!

DECOMPRESSED 012: THE WRITER'S PANEL, D.I.C.E. CON DUBLIN Oct 07, 2012

Because I've been travelling, there hasn't been much of a chance to record with someone. So I recorded a panel at DUBLIN. Here it is. It's a writers panel with Matt Fraction, Kelly-Sue Deconnick, Si Spurrier, Rob Williams, Andy Diggle, Jeff Parker and me. Hurrah!

Shownotes can be found here.

DECOMPRESSED 011: SI SPURRIER ON CROSSED: WISH YOU WERE HERE Sep 28, 2012

I'm joined by Si Suprrier to talk about CROSSED: WISH YOU WERE HERE. Because it's a webcomic makes it a somewhat unusual one, in that you can literally follow this link and read the whole thing. In fact, I'd recommend you do so, as it's genuinely great horror material, written with an underlying intelligence and humanity. I'd also recommend the trade collection, which puts it all in a nice book. You can get it from your local comic shop, and in a couple of weeks on Amazon.

And Study Aids are here! Go look.

DECOMPRESSED 010: DAVID HINE AND SHAKY KANE ON BULLETPROOF COFFIN: DISINTERRED #4 ("84") Sep 20, 2012

I'm joined by David Hine and Shaky Kane to talk about the cut-up Burroughsian excess and glory of 84, the fourth issue of their Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterred. Once again, it's a stand alone issue, so can be consumed alone if you can find a copy (it's available digitally), but I'd recommend you hunt down the trade. It's just out so your local shop will have it, but it's available from all the usual online retailers.

You can find the show notes here.

Honest, you really can. Just click the link. Trust me. I am very trustworthy.

DECOMPRESSED 009: PAUL CORNELL AND JIMMY BROXTON ON SAUCER COUNTRY #6 Sep 14, 2012

This week I'm joined by Paul Cornell and Jimmy Broxton to talk about issue 6 of SAUCER COUNTRY, a stand alone issue which applies a lecture-type structure to its themes of the UFO in the modern world. We talk about research, structure, experimentation, subjectivity in visual elements, colouring your own work, interpretation, the power of bleed and lots more. You can buy it from your local comic shop, or online for future-eye-reading.

Your study aids can be found here.

DECOMPRESSED 008: NICK SPENCER ON MORNING GLORIES #21 Sep 06, 2012

We're joined by Nick Spencer to talk about Morning Glories #21. Topics include lots of things to do with Morning Glories #21 and some stuff that's not to do with Morning Glories #21. Yes.

Show notes and visual aids can be found here.

DECOMPRESSED 007: ADAM CADWELL ON BLOOD BLOKES #2 Aug 30, 2012

Kieron is joined by Adam Cadwell to talk about the second issue of his Vampire Slacker comic Blood Blokes. Why is Kieron talking about himself in the third person? Kieron doesn't know. He doesn't know at all.

The show notes and assorted visual aids can be found over here.

DECOMPRESSED 006: MARK WAID AND MATT FRACTION ON THE MARVEL METHOD Aug 22, 2012

Instead of a specific issue, we're talking to Mark Waid and Matt Fraction about the pros and cons of working in the Marvel Method method of scripting. Which is... oh, we'll explain it all. It does make sense. I promise you. I only very rarely lie to you.

Study aid and script malarkies here. Particularly extensive this week.

DECOMPRESSED 005: JAMES ASMUS AND GAMBIT #1 Aug 10, 2012

And Decompressed returns in its particularly regular brand of irregularity to talk to James Asmus about Gambit #1. Hurrah for talking. Without it, this podcast would not be possible. Or rather, it would be possible, but it'd be a lot quieter.

Visual aids for the show are here.

DECOMPRESSED 004: Matt Fraction, David Aja and HAWKEYE #1 Aug 03, 2012

Decompressed goes international with our fourth podcast. I'm joined by David Aja and Matt Fraction to talk about their just-released pulp-infused take on that most human of avengers. Topics include Accents, who the use of "bro" is tributed and sadness over dogs.

Visual aids for the podcast can be found here.

DECOMPRESSED 003: TIM SEELEY AND MIKE NORTON ON REVIVAL #1 Jul 26, 2012

To celebrate the day we recorded the podcast we chatted to Tim Seeley and Mike Norton about their recently released Rural Noir REVIVAL. The discussion primarily takes the form of words, but there's some experimentation from Kieron with grunting and hand-waving. The latter proves ineffective.

Show notes can be found here.

DECOMPRESSED 002: KELLY-SUE DECONNICK/CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 Jul 19, 2012

And DECOMPRESSED talks to Kelly-Sue Deconnick about the first issue of Captain Marvel and our own exciting, more emotional issues.

Show notes including visual aids are here.

DECOMPRESSED 001: JASON AARON/WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 13 Jul 12, 2012

The pilot of DECOMPRESSED, the comics craft podcast which asks what on earth were you trying to do with that panel? Jason Aaron forgives our teething shonkiness to discuss his creative choices in WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN 13.

Show notes and visual aids can be found here.

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