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Webcomics: Reviews of Hubris!, Hobo Lobo of Hamelin, and Runners Nov 14, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:00:27 - Introduction
00:02:50 - Catching up
00:05:38 - Hubris!
00:31:05 - Hobo Lobo of Hamelin
00:56:35 - Checking in with Jim McClain and Paul Schultz
01:08:07 - Runners
01:29:15 - Wrap up
01:30:12 - Contact us

On the November webcomics episode, Sean and Derek discuss three vastly different titles. They begin with Greg Cravens's Hubris!, a strip that's been going on since 2010 and revolves around the exploits of a small outdoors business owner. This can best be described as a gag strip, reminiscent of the kind of comics you would read in the newspaper (which makes sense, given Cravens's long history in newspaper comics). The guys point out that this is the first time that they've discussed a gag strip like this on their webcomics series, and perhaps it was a long time in coming.

Next, the Two Guys turn to a much more experimental webcomics, Stevan Živadinović's Hobo Lobo of Hamelin. As the title suggests, the story alludes to the legendary German tale of a piper hired by a small town to take care of its rat infestation. What makes Živadinović's version so striking is its complex presentation, with multi-layered visuals that provide three-dimensional depth and perspective. On top of that, the webcomic is structured as a strip to scroll through, not multiple pages to click through, and it includes both animation and sound. Unfortunately, the webcomic hasn't been updated since July 2014, but the ambition and impressiveness of Hobo Lobo of Hamelin take a little bit of the sting out of the long wait.

And after a brief check-in with Jim McClain and Paul Schultz, the guys discuss this month's already completed webcomic, Sean Wang's Runners. This richly textured science fiction narrative ran from 2009 to 2011. The series is made up of only two volumes, but the story is written in such a way that the installments could continue for much longer, should Wang decide to return to the property. As much as Sean and Derek enjoy this title, they're saddened by the fact that there is no more of Runners on the horizon. Nevertheless, what there is is definitely worth reading.

Young Readers: A Publisher Spotlight on First Second Books Nov 11, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:25 - Introduction
02:50 - Context for the First Second spotlight
05:56 - Brief mention of Mighty Jack
06:56 - Varmints
11:46 - Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands
27:52 - Bera the One-Headed Troll
39:18 - The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo
55:44 - Wrap up
57:03 - Contact us

Gwen and Andy are back with something different for the Young Readers edition of The Comics Alternative: their very first publisher spotlight on First Second Books. The Two People with PhDs have looked at many First Second books in the past, but this time they’re looking at the publisher’s fall selections. (Since they covered Ben Hatke’s Mighty Jack in their August show, Gwen and Andy give it just a brief mention here, but you should definitely check it out!) They begin with Andy Hirsch’s Varmints, a wild adventure set in the Old West with sister and brother Opie and Ned, searching for the man who shot their ma. If you like Western stories filled with action, action, and more action, this is the book for you. (And don't miss the Comics Alternative interview with Andy Hirsch!)

Next, they turn to Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands by Robert Christie and Deborah Lang, an exploration adventure with the crew of the H.M.S. Gwaniimander under the command of Captain Quenterindy Quirk. Quirk’s voyage quickly meets with a near disaster as his crew discovers a land of deadly giants, a valley of weird creatures, and a sorceress who may or may not have the crew’s best interests in mind. Christie and Lang’s characters may look like something out of a Jim Henson production, but the world they’ve created is unique and compelling.

Eric Orchard’s Bera the One-Headed Troll is yet a different type of quest story, this one featuring the titular troll and her owl companion Winslowe as they discover an abandoned human baby on their pumpkin patch island. Everyone seems to want the child for their own nefarious purposes, but Bera is determined to keep the baby safe from mermaids, witches, and a creature called Cloote, the former head witch of the Troll King. Orchard’s wonderfully bizarre illustrations combine with masterful storytelling that’s filled with humor and depth.

Finally, the Two People with PhDs look at The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by Drew Weing, the story of a young girl who’s a “monster mediator,” someone who patrols the streets of Echo City for trolls, ogres, and ghosts. And they’re all afraid of her! (Note: Sean and Derek discussed the online version of this series in the June webcomics episode.)Andy and Gwen both agree that Margo Maloo is a spectacular story, but it’s so much more. It’s also a book that works on multiple levels touching on the fears, prejudices, and anxieties of us all. First Second is a treasure trove of great books and Gwen and Andy hope that you’ll want to read them all!

Episode 213: Reviews of Recent Crime Comics, Part 1 Nov 09, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:00:26 - Introduction
00:02:19 - Update on new Patreon campaign, and new Podcast Patron
00:05:58 - Setup of recent crime comics episode
00:07:15 - Carver: A Paris Story
00:29:33 - Angel City #1
00:43:22 - Moonshine #1
00:59:45 - Triggerman #1
01:10:55 - Peepland #1
01:20:36 - Black Dahlia
01:28:23 - The Fix, Vol. 1
01:46:59 - Wrap up
01:48:21 - Contact us

There has been an abundance of crime comics published over the past several months -- see, for example, the Two Guys' earlier discussions of Weird Detective, Control, Kill or Be Killed,Cousin Joseph, Black Monday Murders,and Sombra -- but recently this number has been almost dizzying. In the first of a two-episode series devoted to current crime comics, Andy and Derek discuss six titles that take the genre into curious directions. They range from the historical (Rick Geary's Black Dahlia), to the formula-bending (Chris Hunt's Carver: A Paris Story and Janet Harvey and Megan Levens's Angel City), to the genre-blending (Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's Moonshine), to the comedic (Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber's The Fix), to the truly hardboiled (Walter Hill, Matz, and Jef's Triggerman as well as Christa Faust, Gary Philips, and Andrea Cameron's Peepland). There is a lot of crime/detective/noir/procedural goodness packed into this show, and the same is in store for the next week's episode, the second in the series.

The incidental music in this episode is from classic crime TV shows, and you can find these theme songs in Television's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, Television's Greatest Hits, Vol. 3, Television's Greatest Hits Vol. 4, and Television's Greatest Hits, Vol. 6. Check out the fun!

Comics Alternative Interviews: Howard Shapiro Nov 08, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:24 - Introduction
02:21 - Setup of interview
04:03 - Interview with Howard Shapiro
53:00 - Wrap up
54:05 - Contact us

On this interview show, Gwen and Derek have the pleasure of talking with Howard Shapiro. The latest book in his Forever Friends Series, Hockey Karma, was just released last week from the Animal Media Group. The two talk with their guest about the series as a whole -- including the two previous graphic novels The Stereotypical Freaks (2013) and The Hockey Saint (2014) -- but specifically focus on the most recent work. Howard discusses the role that music plays in his books, which in many ways goes hand-in-hand with the premise of most of this narratives: hockey. He explains that while Hockey Karma (and The Hockey Saint) is centered on the sport, its themes transcend the ice rink. The Forever Friends Series is all about the struggles of growing up and finding your place, appropriate reading for young readers who will empathize with the books' protagonists.

Comics Alternative Special: A Roundtable Discussion on Political Comics Nov 07, 2016

Show notes

Just in time for the U.S. elections, Gene and Derek hold a roundtable discussion on political and propaganda comics. Joining them in the conversation are Richard Graham, author of Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s (Abrams ComicArts); Rafael Medoff, co-author (along with Craig Yoe) of Cartoonists against the Holocaust (Clizia Inc.); Kent Worcester, editor of Silent Agitators: Cartoon Art from the Pages of New Politics (New Politics Associates); and Fredrik Strömberg, the writer of Comic Art Propaganda: A Graphic History (St. Martin’s Griffin). The guys talk with their guests about the significance of political cartooning and what drew each of them into this particular avenue of scholarship. Most of their conversation concerns the history of the genre (at least in the United States) as well as the process behind the research. At the same time, they also focus on the current political moment and how, as several of the participants feel, most contemporary political cartoonists haven't really met the challenge. The participants also share their thoughts on the impact of digital technology on the art form. In a heated political season signified by polemics and propaganda, it's reassuring that you can turn to a Comics Alternative special episode providing you with the soothing comfort of...well, polemics and propaganda.

Learn more about this episode's guests and their scholarship:

Richard Graham, Kent Worcester, Fredrik Strömberg, and Rafael Medoff (with Craig Yoe)

Episode 212: The November Previews Catalog Nov 02, 2016

Show notes

Where did October go?! You mean the month is over, and it's already time to look at the November Previews catalog?

YES!

And as usual the Two Guys with PhDs rise to the occasion, looking through the most interesting solicitations and making the kind of astute observations as only they can do. For example, Andy and Derek notice an unusually large number of Spanish comics making their way into this month's listings. Is this a mere coincidence? Or might this be the kind of ethnic migratory crisis spouted by the likes of Donald J. Trump? Resisting any tendency to go batshit orange, the guys stick to the matter at hand, calmly and methodically going through the November Previews catalog and highlighting upcoming titles from publishers such as

Dark Horse Comics - Black Hammer Giant-Sized Annual, Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration, 1917-2017, and Reefer Madness
DC/Vertigo - Kamandi Challenge #1 and Kid Eternity, Book One
IDW Publishing/Top Shelf - Box Office Poison: Color Comics #1, Flight of the Raven, and Behaving Madly: Zany, Loco, Cockeyed, Rip-Off Satire Magazines
Image Comics - Curse Words #1, The Few #1, God Country #1, and Loose Ends #1
Aardvark Vanaheim - Cerebus in Hell #1
Abrams ComicArts - Octavia Butler's Kindred: A Graphic Novel
Aftershock - Blood Blister #1 and Animosity: The Rise
Big Planet/Retrofit Comics - Libby's Dad
BOOM! Studios - Ladycastle #1
Dynamite Entertainment - James Bond: Felix Leiter #1 , The Spirit: The Corpse-Makers #1, and Masters of Spanish Comic Book Art
Drawn and Quarterly - The Abominable Mr. Seabrook
Fantagraphics Books - Psychodrama Illustrated #1, Zonzo, Starseeds, Farmer Ned's Comics Barn, and The Artist
Kodansha Comics - The Ghost in the Shell, Deluxe Edition
Microcosm Publishing - Six Days in Cincinnati
NBM - The Lighthouse
Oni Press - The Damned, Vol. 1: Three Days Dead
PS Artbooks - Pre-Code Classics: Lars of Mars/Crusaders from Mars/Eerie Adventures
Titan Comics - (Re)Assignment #1
Vertical Comics - Junji Ito's Dissolving Classroom
University Press of Mississippi - Chris Ware: Conversations

Special Announcement: An Enhanced Patreon Campaign! Nov 01, 2016

Show notes

The Two Guys with PhDs Talking about Comics are happy to announce their revamped and vitamin-packed Patreon campaign! They now offer seven different reward levels that include such goodies as signature Comics Alternative bookmarks, graphic novel giveaways, and cool-looking Comics Alternative t-shirts. This new campaign is a step up for both current patrons and future supporters-to-be. Check out the new video below to learn more, and go to the Two Guys' Patreon page to sign up, support, and get in on the fun!

On Location: At Valhalla Games and Comics for Halloween ComicFest 2016 Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

Derek is back at his local comic shop, Valhalla Games and Comics in Plano, TX, for the October on-location episode. But it is also Halloween ComicFest 2016, adding even more flavor into mix. He is joined by customers of the shop, some of them in costume, to discuss horror comics, Halloween specials, as well as scary movies and games. They spend much of their time discussing the many free comic-book offerings for this year's Halloween ComicFest. Derek is particularly interested in the special horror manga issues, such as VIZ Media's Tomie and Drawn and Quarterly's Shigeru Mizuki's Kitaro: Strange Fun for Everyone. But there are many other titles that the gang discusses, ranging from holiday-appropriate (e.g., Comix Tribe's Mummy's Always Right, American Mythology's The Three Stooges Halloween Hullabaloo, and the BoooOOOoooM! Box Halloween Haunt 2016) to Halloween-free, such as several offerings from DC and Marvel.

Manga: Reviews of Various Horror Manga Oct 28, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:00:58 - Introduction
00:03:22 - Set up of episode
00:07:25 - Hell Baby
00:33:27 - Fragments of Horror
01:08:53 - Lychee Light Club
01:31:52 - Portus
01:48:16 - Black Museum: The Ghost and the Lady, Book 1
02:07:46 - Neo Parasyte F
02:25:55 - Wrap up
02:27:23 - Contact us

In celebration of the Halloween season, Shea and Derek devote October's episode to a discussion of horror manga. This month they look at six -- count them, six! -- books, all of which embody the eerie holiday spirit in some way. That makes this a extra-long episode, clocking in at over two and a half hours, the longest manga show the Two Guys have ever produced. They begin with a classic example of horror manga, Hideshi Hino's Hell Baby (Blast Books), and then move on to the medium's most notable practitioner of the genre, Junji Ito and his 2014 collection Fragments of Horror (VIZ Media). They then turn up the creep factor with Usamaru Furuya's Lychee Light Club (Vertical Comics) and Jun Abe's Portus (VIZ Media). Finally, the guys conclude with two brand new titles from Kodansha Comics, Kazuhiro Fujita's The Black Museum: The Ghost and the Lady, Book 1 and the shojo anthology Neo Parasyte F. The latter is a fifteen-story celebration of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s classic Parasyte series, which ran from 1988 to 1995. In their extensive discussions, Shea and Derek visit such topics as the juxtaposition of cute and gross, why the grotesque may become a writing crutch, the many uses of gender ambiguity, if video games are inherently spooky, and how Florence Nightingale can be quite sexy. That's right, folks, it's all here!

Episode 211: Halloween Comics 2016 Oct 26, 2016

Show notes

Time Codes:

00:00:34 - Introduction
00:02:34 - Andy's report on Cartoons Crossroads Columbus
00:15:08 - Setup of this year's Halloween episode
00:17:24 - All-age Halloween anthologies
00:43:38 - Betty Boop #1 and Spell on Wheels #1
00:59:47 - The Lost Boys #1 and American Vampire Anthology #2
01:19:48 - The Double Life of Miranda Turner and Nix Comics Quarterly #9
01:34:22 - Wrap up
01:35:55 - Contact us

It's the Wednesday before Halloween, so it's time once again for the Two Guys with PhDs to look at this season's spooky, horror-filled offerings. This year, Andy and Derek discuss 10 individual titles, some of which were specifically published for Halloween 2016 and others with particular themes and release dates that nicely coincide with the holiday. They begin with four all-age anthology titles and then move on to works that, while not specifically intended as Halloween specials, capture the spirit of the season in one form or another. In total, they discuss:

The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror #22, by Matt Groenig and others (Bongo Comics)
Spongebob Comics #61, edited by Chris Duffy (United Plankton Pictures)
Adventure Time Spooktacular 2016, by Pendleton Ward and others (KaBoom!)
Disney's Giant Halloween Hex, by various (IDW Publishing)
Betty Boop #1, by Roger Langridge and Gisèle Lagacé (Dynamite Entertainment)
Spell on Wheels #1, by Kate Leth and Megan Levens (Dark Horse Comics)
The Lost Boys #1, by Tim Seeley and Scott Godlewski (DC/Vertigo)
American Vampire Anthology #2, by Scott Snyder and others (DC/Vertigo)
The Double Life of Miranda Turner, by Jamie S. Smith and George Kambadais (Image Comics)
Nix Comics Quarterly #9, by Ken Eppstein and others (Nix Comics)

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