The Comics Alternative

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Episode 17 - Andy and Derek’s 2012 Year in Review Dec 26, 2012

Show notes

This week Andy and Derek conclude their two-part holiday and end-of-the-year series, this time sharing what they consider to be some of their favorite comics of the year. Each has narrowed down his list to 10 comics series, trades, collections, and graphic novels, and in many ways it was difficult to limit the number to just 10. As a result, the Two Guys are including in the show notes some of the Honorable Mentioned titles that could have also made it onto their best-of lists. Also in this week’s podcast episode, Andy and Derek briefly discuss some of the comic-book series that ended in 2012, and that they’re sorry to see go, as well as some of their notable disappointments for the year.

Episode 16 - Review of Best American Comics 2012 and Christmas Classics Dec 19, 2012

Show notes

This week Andy and Derek present the first of two special year-end, holiday season, best of episodes of The Comics Alternative. In this week’s show, the Two Guys with PhDs discuss two comics anthologies, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s The Best American Comics 2012, edited by Françoise Mouly, and Eureka Production’s 19th volume in their Graphic Classics series, Christmas Classics. They begin with Mouly’s collection and, while appreciating the comics included in this year's volume, speculate on the selection process and wonder about the kind of democratic inclusion that a series with “Best American Comics” in its title necessitates. The Two Guys then turn their attention to the holidays and discuss the various selections found in Christmas Classics. They point out that much like this year’s Graphic Classics holiday volume, Halloween Classics, the Christmas one delivers clever and well-crafted versions of classic literature that are sure to please both comics fans and literary aficionados.

Episode 15 - The December Previews Catalog Dec 12, 2012

Show notes

The Two Guys with PhDs Look at the December Previews CatalogIn this week’s episode, The Two Guys with PhDs rummage through the December issue of Previews, and fun and mayhem ensue! Derek and Andy highlight upcoming comics from Dark Horse, DC, IDW, Image, Marvel, Archaia, Bongo, Fantagraphics, :01 First Second, Pantheon Books, and others. Some of the comics and graphic novels discussed include Dark Horse Presents, The Answer!, Before Watchman: Dollar Bill, Mind MGMT, Marshall Law: Deluxe Edition, Snapshot, Son of Merlin, Road to Oz, World War 3 Illustrated, The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun, The Daniel Clowes Reader, Ben Katchor’s Hand-Drying in America, and many others.

Episode 14 - A Review of The Lovecraft Anthology and Recent Image #1s Dec 05, 2012

Show notes

In this episode, the Two Guys with PhDs who talk about comics turn their attention to the two Lovecraft Anthology volumes, discussing not only the merits of the various adapted Lovecraft stories, but the very act of comics adaptation. Along with this, Andy and Derek emphasize the medium itself and how comics artists use the image to carry the tone and whatever message there may be. Then the Two Guys with PhDs turn their attention to several recent #1 issues from Image Comics, including Bedlam, Clone, Comeback, Nowhere Men, Great Pacific, and Blackacre. It becomes a comics smorgasbord, as Andy and Derek discuss the pros and cons, the strengths and weaknesses, the sacredness and profanity, the best of times and the worst of times, the yin and yang, of Image’s recent new offerings.

Episode 13 - An Interview with Tim Seeley Nov 28, 2012

Show notes

In this episode, Derek and Andy talk to Tim Seeley about his new hit Image series with artist Mike Norton, Revival, and the new Dark Horse vampire miniseries, Ex Sanguine, with co-writer Josh Emmons. They also talk about horror, the comics business, rural Wisconsin, life in a small town, fish fries, and a host of other topics. In addition, Andy tells the story of a baller experience he and Tim had in Myrtle Beach, SC, which involved a burlesque dancer in a cat costume, a whip, and the destruction of a priceless work of art!

Episode 12 - The October Previews Catalog Oct 11, 2012

Show notes

In this episode, Derek and Andy go through the October issue of Previews so you don't have to! They talk about upcoming books from Boom!, Dark Horse, DC, IDW, Image, Fantagraphics, Oni, Red 5, and others. Books discussed include Planet of the Apes, Hellboy in Hell, House of Fun, Rotten Apple, Django Unchained, Global Frequency, House of Secrets, Sweet Tooth, Change, Revival, Fatale, Think Tank, Love and Rockets, Atomic Robo, and many others.

Episode 11 - A Review of Witch Doctor and Atomic Robo Oct 03, 2012

Show notes

In this episode of The Comics Alternative, the Two Guys with PhDs review Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner's Witch Doctor, Volume 1: Under the Knife and the ongoing series Atomic Robo, by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener. Andy and Derek bring their refined critical skills and jocular insights to these two texts, once again demonstrating how hip and intelligent comics can be. They also talk about other stuff.

Episode 10 - An Interview with Philip Gelatt and Tyler Crook Sep 27, 2012

Show notes

In this episode, the Two Guys with PhDs talk to Philip Gelatt and Tyler Crook, the creators behind the Oni graphic novel Petrograd. We also talk to Tyler about his work on The Sixth Gun and B.P.R.D. Along the way, Philip drops some stunning historical facts, Tyler is congratulated on winning the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award at this year's Eisner Awards, and everyone also talks a lot about movies, with a particularly controversial defense of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. In addition, the Coen Brothers are mentioned, in all of their psychotic and violent glory.

Episode 9 - A Roundtable Discussion on Comics Studies and Fandom Sep 20, 2012

Show notes

On this episode of The Comics Alternative, the Two Guys with PhDs who talk about comics are talking with two other PhDs who like to talk about comics in their first-ever roundtable discussion for the podcast. Tof Elkund and Matthew Pustz join Andy and Derek to discuss the curious intersection of comics scholarship and comics fandom. The four guys begin by referencing Matthew's 1999 book on this very topic, Comic Book Culture: Fanboys and True Believers, and from there venture out onto other fruitful avenues of discussion. What follows is a lively back-and-forth on such issues as the relationship between fans and scholars, the tensions that (at times) result from the intersection of these two groups, the traditionally marginal status of comics in academia, the place of fan-based activities (such as conventions, podcasts, and blogs) in scholarly studies, the differences in purpose and audience assumptions within both communities, and how academics could greatly benefit from fan-generated endeavors.

Episode 8 - The September Previews Catalog Sep 12, 2012

Show notes

This week Andy and Derek take a close look at the solicits in the September Previews catalog. There are a lot of great comics coming over the horizon, and the Two Guys with PhDs highlight those titles that strike their fancies. In the midst of their discussion, they bring up Bronies, engage in George Takei imitations, berate the editors at Previews, and ponder the ramifications of the word "wad."

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