#438 John Layman gives us something to Chew on

PoyoAs John Layman and Rob Guillory’s Chew passes the 3/4 point, major characters (including badass galline fan favorites) get maimed and even killed — yet the story somehow retains a lighthearted tone! This week, John Layman (who’s also writing Cyclops for Marvel) talks with Tim about nonsequential storytelling, the one thing Rob Guillory can’t draw, Tiger Beat posters of Robert Kirkman, and much more.

#437 “Real” is a slam dunk

real_coverSports have rarely been subject matter for comics in the US; perhaps comics’ inherent static-ness has seemed antithetical to an activity with so much movement. But Japan has seen comics about various sports, and some of them have been quite popular, even iconic.

Takehiko Inoue’s Real is not only about basketball, but about physical handicaps, relationships, and more. Kumar and Ilango find a whole lot to like about it — including the satisfying ways in which it translates sports action to the comics page.

#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.

#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.