Critiquing Comics #069: Weird Crime Theater

wct_for_ccpYou’ve heard Weird Crime Theater, the comic by our own Mulele and Kumar, mentioned a million times on Deconstructing Comics, dating back to the early shows nearly a decade ago (when the comic was known as “Rack ’em Smack ’em”!). But that’s all been discussions of collaboration and business; what’s actually IN the comic?

In this episode, Tim and Dana (together on Skype for the first time!) attempt objectivity and do their best to give their friends’ comic an honest critique!

Buy Weird Crime Theater!

#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

#433 Transformers!

TransformersThis week a look into the world of toy-based comics! Kumar and his brother Ilango discuss two recent IDW Transformers books, More Than Meets the Eye volume 1, and Transformers vs. G.I. Joe.

Music (from the 1986 film The Transformers (The Movie)):

  • “The Transformers (Theme)” by Lion
  • “The Death of Optimus Prime” by Vince DiCola

The quote that Kumar was trying to find: Continue reading #433 Transformers!

#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!

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.

#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

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.

#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)

#130 “Scott Pilgrim” and “Paul Has a Summer Job”

FLASHBACK!  Tim and Brandon review of two Canadian coming-of-age comics: The first three volumes of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s “Scott Pilgrim” series, and “Paul Has a Summer Job” by Michel Rabagliati.

Listen carefully, because later this month, Tim and Cassey will discuss the entire series, and Tim’s take on it has changed…

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Originally published June 2, 2008