Critiquing Comics #168: David Dye interview

In our December 25 episode, we reviewed two more comics from David Dye. While we’ve generally been very positive about his work, there was one bit that Mulele called “Racist AF” and Tim was also uncomfortable with (see below). David’s email in response to the episode made clear to us that the intent wasn’t racist… but then, what was it?

To find out, we invited David on our show, and he joins us from his home in Australia to discuss where his portrayal of space-terrorists went sideways, and to talk about his comics career so far.

Critiquing Comics #167: Amazing Tales 2 & 3

Amazing Tales #2

David Dye’s first issue of Amazing Tales caught our eyes a couple of months ago, so David sent along the next two issues. While they’re artistically good, an aspect of one story made us very uncomfortable…

Also, Tim has a question about the course of Mulele’s comics career, and Mulele has some thoughts about the Watchmen TV show.

Critiquing Comics #166: Jorge Munoz and Illustrating Batman

Quin Reyes and Hao Delivery

Jorge Munoz has been a favorite of ours for a while. Recently he sent in several recent works (Longdog, Quin Reyes and Hao Delivery, a sketchbook, Yon Kuma, Sea), and this episode we sit down and take a look at them.

Also, Mulele recounts his visit to a New York exhibit called Illustrating Batman. (switch to grid view to browse)

Critiquing Comics #165: “Purgatory Pub” and “Amazing Tales”

Purgatory Pub and Amazing Tales

Critiquing Comics returns to discuss the following comics:

  • Gabriel Dunston’s Purgatory Pub presents an angel and a devil having a philosophical discussion. Tim and Mulele have very different levels of tolerance for that concept, and yet come to the same conclusion about this story.
  • David Dye’s Amazing Tales gives us “stories of an Australian nature,” as the cover warns (his word, not ours!). While we might not understand every word of this, we’d sure like to see more of the art.

Critiquing Comics #164: “Collapse” and “Evil Witch Allie”

Collapse and Evil Witch Allie

In this episode, Tim and Mulele critique:

  • Collapse v 1: “Isolation,” in which a group of people emerge from an underground bunker 19 years after an apocalyptic war. By RP Foster, Russ Pirozek, Pablo Lordi, Jake Isenberg, and Eduardo Camacho.
    Buy issues of Collapse
  • Evil Witch Allie v 2: We revisit this series about a little girl who, apparently, really is a witch, and find that creator Kristin Tipping has upped her game since we read v 1 a couple of years ago.
    Evil Witch Allie site

Plus, when it comes to Spider-Man in the MCU, we just… have to… let go. And, an update on Mulele’s comics career.

Critiquing Comics #163: “Read More Comix” and “Antfarm”

Read More Comix - Antfarm

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Read More Comix, by Robb Mirsky, James Spencer, and David Craig, a series featuring hilarious, weird, and sometimes disturbing comics, long and short
  • Antfarm, story and art by Alberto Melendez, working on a concept created by his late brother Tony “War” Melendez. Anthropomorphized ants in battle gear for a start, but who are these characters?

Plus, a recent comic from Marvel that’s of interest to budding writers; a letter from a creator whose work we recently critiqued; and more Spidey/Sony/Marvel talk.

Critiquing Comics #162: “Monster Mashup”

Monster Mashup

Monster Mashup is a comics anthology in which public-domain characters meet classic monsters. Tim and Mulele review.

Also, a look at the announced (and rumored) content to come from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Critiquing Comics #161: “Dog vs. Ultra-Dog” and “Chad in Amsterdam #3”

Dog vs Ultra-Dog + Chad in Amsterdam #3

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Dog vs. Ultra-Dog, by Troy Wilson and Clayton Hanmer. Where does it come down on the children’s book – children’s comic continuum?
  • Chad in Amsterdam #3 by Chad Bilyeu. The latest issue from one of our favorites.

Plus, some creepy movie CGI in “cute” films.

Critiquing Comics #160: “Shika-Machi Journals” & “Garage Band”

Shika-machi Journals and Garage Band

In this episode, we discuss:

  • The Shika-Machi Journals, by Victor Edison. The start of his comics history of the Japanese town where he lives starts out with Japanese creation myth. What do we think of his retelling of these stories?
  • Garage Band, by Jason D and Celia Tian. The beautifully-drawn story of three …unlikeable teenagers.

Plus: Of course we have to publicize our comics, podcasts, and so on, and our crowdfunding for them. But when does all-out self-promotion become off-putting?

Critiquing Comics #159: “A Book for Sad Pets” and “Spencer and Locke 2”

A Book for Sad Pets - Spencer and Locke 2

In this episode, Tim and Mulele discuss:

  • A Book for Sad Pets, by Kristin Tipping. Is it a comic? Is it for kids, or would it go over their heads? Is it cute, or dark?
  • Spencer and Locke 2, by David Pepose and Jorge Santiago, Jr. The noir version of Calvin and Hobbes is back, but does this version take the joke too far?