#324 The Dapper Men Have No Clothes

Return of the Dapper MenReturn of the Dapper Men, by Jim McCann and Janet Lee, is a great-looking book, all cloth binding and gold foil. It has an unusual feel for a comic, being a work of decoupage. And the story… um… iFanboy book of the month, you say? Eisner Award winner, you say? Um… Tim and Brandon just ain’t seeing it. Why is it so lauded?

Also, Tim is joined by Mulele and Paul to critique a small stack of mini-comics, sent in by our friend Dale Wilson:

Critiquing Comics #025: “Ugli Studios Presents” #1

Ugli Studios Presents” #1 gives us two stories: One about a cat (well, much more than a cat) who supports her “consort”, The Necromancer, in battle — “and my God, that artwork is epic!” — followed by a science fiction story with a twist ending. Tim and Mulele critique.

#322 Harvey Pekar’s “Cleveland”

Harvey Pekar's ClevelandHarvey Pekar’s latest (posthumously published, but perhaps not his final work) is “Cleveland”, telling the story of Pekar’s hometown and his place in it. While perhaps lacking in some of Pekar’s strong points, it’s nonetheless a compelling read. Joseph Remnant’s art is by and large a great take on Pekar’s vision. Tim and Kumar discuss.

Comics Reporter interview with Joseph Remnant

#321 Exhibition and Inspiration: Katsuhiro Ootomo

A retrospective exhibit of the art of Katsuhiro Ootomo was recently held in Tokyo. Ootomo‘s work Akira is what inspired Mulele to come to Japan and learn to draw manga, so the exhibit was a chance to soak up inspiration and reflect on his current state of affairs. Patrik W, also an Ootomo fan from way back, attended and enjoyed. For Tim, not an Ootomo reader, it was a chance to see what he’s been missing. Discussion ensues.

#320 The Nine Lives of “Elbis”

Over the years, Mulele has mentioned his Elbis project several times on the show. Created for Illustration Friday, developed for (but rejected by) Kodansha, the spiritual kittycat’s story has found a home on paper thanks to DWAP Productions. This week, Mulele explains how the project started and developed, and where he’s headed from here.

Buy “Elbis”

Then, we catch up with DWAP‘s Dale Wilson, about how he picked up Elbis, as well as his new site BuyIndieComics.com, and the state of indie comics in the States.

Critiquing Comics #024: “Dreamkeepers”

Dreamkeepers is an epic teen-furry-fantasy-adventure comic, clearly influenced by anime and/or Disney. Those are both its strong and weak points. Tim and Mulele examine examine volume 1 (and a bit of volume 2) of this tale by David Lillie, Liz Thomas, and David Higgenbotham, and ask the question: how does one differentiate between unwarranted publisher meddling with one’s project, and useful advice that should be heeded? (Available on Graphicly, but the first volume can be read online for free!)

#319 “The Maxx”

Even amidst the anything-goes craziness of the early Image years, Sam Kieth’s The Maxx was an outlier. While it included some superhero tropes, it wasn’t really a superhero book, nor was it like much of anything else on the market, then or now. While it definitely has its weaknesses, Kumar and Dana confirm this week that it was absolutely mind-blowing…and emotionally affecting.

#056 “Fables” v. 1 & “1001 Nights of Snowfall”

fablesFLASHBACK! Tim and Brandon discuss “Fables” vol 1 and the Fables graphic novel “1001 Nights of Snowfall”, along with a detour into ’90s Marvel! (Originally published January 1, 2007)

Critiquing Comics #023: “A Little World Made Cunningly”

A Little World Made CunninglyIf you’re looking for something new and different in comics, this week’s critiqued book definitely delivers: Scott D. Finch‘s “A Little World Made Cunningly” explores the author’s “fascination” with Gnosticism. Now, if we only understood it… Tim and Mulele discuss.

This book is available on Graphicly.com!

#199 Little Nemo

FLASHBACK! Repeatedly collected and published since it went into the public domain, Winsor McCay’s Little Nemo is perhaps the most celebrated comic strip of the early 20th century. Peter Maresca, whose Sunday Press republished all the Nemo strips at their original size a few years back, talks with Tim about what’s good and bad about the strip, and the influence it still has on modern comics. (Originally published September 28, 2009)