Category: Making comics

#436 Jess Fink

Jess FinkIt’s one thing to have sex with a robot. What if you actually started having feelings for your A.I. S.O.? What if you started preferring the robot to your actual human partner? That’s the situation in Jess Fink‘s sexual, but also romantic and even moving, graphic novel Chester 5000 xyv. Jess discusses the book with Tim in this episode, as well as her sci-fi autobiographical story We Can Fix It, getting a book-jacket blurb from Alan Moore, making comics for kids, and more.

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#435 Stef Marcinkowski and “Sarah Zero”

Sarah Zero

Stef Marcinkowski’s Sarah Zero is an over-the-top, Web-browser-shaped comic that he developed by trying to mash up advertising, marketing, comics, and film. The comic is heavy on interpersonal relationships and Internet culture.

This week Stef tells Tim about his process, getting the comic right when life keeps getting in the way, struggles with self-promotion, and more.

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#434 Nao Yazawa

Nao Yazawa/Wedding Peach

Is there “work for hire” in Japanese comics? Yes and no. Nao Yazawa was hired as the artist for Wedding Peach, a manga published in Shogakukan’s Ciao magazine from 1994 to 1996. However, as is typical in Japan, she and writer Sukehiro Tomita co-own the copyright.

In this episode, she explains the details of this arrangement to Tim, along with much more on the development and business of the strip, sexy costumes, why manga creators are left out of the management of the anime adaptation, teaching at a manga school, and more.

Nao’s Web comic Go Go Nao-P!

Nao’s 2002 Wedding Peach site

See more photos after the jump…

Continue reading #434 Nao Yazawa

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#432 A Cat Named John Martz

Cat Named TimAt the International Comics Festival in November, Tim picked up A Cat Named Tim and Other Stories by John Martz. It’s a whimsical book aimed at kids that plays with several devices that only work in comics. It’s also another example of the convergence of comics and children’s picture books that we noted on this podcast years back with Mo Willems.

This week Tim talks with John about this convergence, as well as the challenges of making material aimed at kids, inspiration from Jacques Tati and Charles Addams, storyboarding, Destination X, and, oh yeah, Popeye loops!

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Critiquing Comics #068: “Bang Bang Lucita” and “Snake”

lucitasnakeNimProd.com has sent us the first issues of two Western books, “Bang Bang Lucita” and “Snake”. Both are fairly heavy on fan service for 21st-century straight guys, anachronisms be damned, with lots of skin showing on the shapely titular (pun intended) heroines. Both ladies are drawn with care, but what’s getting short shrift here? Tim and Mulele saddle up and go take a look-see.

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#431 Mark Egan mans the “Back Office”

Back officeWhat happens when the computer that routes calls in a call center takes on a mind of its own? That’s the setup for the first story arc of Back Office, a Web comic by Mark Egan now available as a book. This week Tim asks him about his inspiration, his adopted home of Norway, and more.
Our critique of Back Office from 2013

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Critiquing Comics #067: Headshrinker’s Press Presents

Headshrinker's Press PresentsTim and Mulele look at Headshrinker’s Press Presents #1, an anthology book with stories of various genres, stories to amaze and confound. Especially confound.

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#430 Bill Kartalopoulos & the Best American Comics

Best American ComicsHow does one (or two) go about selecting the best American comics from any 12-month period? Especially a challenge when many are by independent creators who aren’t used to submitting their work to publications like The Best American Comics. This week Tim talks with series editor Bill Kartalopoulos about the selection process, working with the 2014 guest editor Scott McCloud, the changing American perception of comics, and much more.

“Why Comics Are More Important than Ever” by Bill Kartalopoulos (Huffington Post, 10/28/14)

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#429 Convention Talk with Irene

Tim, Mulele, and IreneIrene of Studio Revolver stopped through Tokyo recently! In this episode, she chats with Tim and Mulele about displaying  work at conventions, and how conventions are changing.

We also visit Tokyo’s massive Comiket event (imagine a San Diego-sized con that’s entirely Artist’s Alley!) and give our impressions.

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#236 Weird Crime Theater: Setting up a Web comic site

FLASHBACK! Tim takes a week off (mostly) while Kumar and Mulele take over! They’ve been hard at work making, publishing, and promoting their Web comic, Weird Crime Theater. What all does that entail? Glad you asked! The guys fill us in.

Also: Farewell to Al Williamson.

Originally published July 5, 2010

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