#358 Carl Barks, “The Good Duck Artist”

Lost in the Andes

From 1942 to 1966, many of the Donald Duck comic books published by Dell Comics were written and drawn by Carl Barks. Like most comic book creators at the time, his name was unknown; the Duck comics were all credited to Walt Disney. Fans only knew that his work was by the GOOD duck artist. Barks created Scrooge McDuck and many of the other duck characters that are taken for granted as part of Disney canon today.

What made Barks the standout Duck artist? Were they meant to be satirical, or simply enjoyable stories? Tim, Kumar, and Tom Spurgeon discuss Barks’ work, particularly the Fantagraphics volume Lost in the Andes. (Originally published June 3, 2013.)

Comics Journal review of Lost in the Andes

Brought to you by:

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

#851 Jack Kirby’s “Cap and Falcon” 212-213: “I love you, baby!”

Captain America and the Falcon #212 concludes the Arnim Zola/Red Skull storyline in somewhat perfunctory fashion, and gives a living castle with big teeth much less P.R. than it deserved! In #213 we meet the strange and underutilized assassin the Night Flyer! (Underwhelming name? Must’ve been named by Jack Kirby!) Tim and Emmet discuss both issues in this episode.

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Critiquing Comics #245: “Joe Mallard” 4-6 and “Dream Machine”

Joe Mallard - Dream Machine

Joe Mallard, a favorite of Tim and Jason’s from a year ago, is back! Creator Asante Amani has sent us issues 4-6 of this crime series. Did it go over with us as well as the first two issues did?

Ky Lawrence has created a trippy graphic novel about survivor’s guilt. In Dream Machine, our protagonist dreams he can sacrifice himself to bring his cancer victim twin back to life. Tim and Adam critique.

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

#850 “Fantastic Four: First Steps” (2025): Did it live up to the hype?

FF First Steps

We’ve been building up to it for months with our reviews of previous Fantastic Four movies. Now it’s here, the FF’s debut in the MCU, Fantastic Four: First Steps. How well did it scratch that FF itch? Kumar and Jordan once again join Tim to review the film, and discuss how it stacks up against the others (including the unreleased 1994 version).

One idea about what “Subzero Intel” might mean

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

#849 “Almost Sunset”: Wahab Algarmi on growing up Muslim in America

Almost Sunset

This week, Koom interviews Wahab Algarmi, author of Almost Sunset, a graphic novel about a Muslim American boy’s search for balance between his family traditions and the demands of life in Middle School. Koom and Wahab discuss their international family backgrounds as well as the merits or demerits of 1990s Image comics!

Almost Sunset on Amazon

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

#848 “More Weight”: Ben Wickey talks Salem witch trials

More Weight

Ben Wickey has created a graphic novel, More Weight: A Salem Story, that gives us a very deep dive into the Salem witch trials: why they happened, who was to blame, and how the city has dealt with their legacy. This week Koom gets the scoop on what inspired Ben, why his art style seems to vary depending on what point in the past he’s writing about, and more.

More Weight: A Salem Story on Amazon.com

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

“Spider-Man 3” (2007)

Spider-Man 3

The film is bloated, it’s busy, it showcases numerous failures at human communication, and doesn’t hit some points it needs to. And yet, Spider-Man 3 screenwriter Alvin Sargent managed to weave together the many plotlines thrust on him to make a script with a message – although not necessarily the one director Sam Raimi had in mind. Tim and Mulele examine Raimi’s final Spider-Man film. (Originally published on Patreon May 23, 2020.)

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

“Spider-Man 2” (2004)

Spider-man 2
To this day, Spider-man 2 is considered one of the best superhero movies. How does it stand up to Tim’s first viewing, after watching all the MCU movies that came after? What does Mulele notice about the look of the film that’s a little annoying? How is Spider-fan Tim feeling about the portrayal of Peter Parker in these movies? These points and more! (Originally published on Patreon April 25, 2020.)

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

“Spider-Man” (2002)

Spider-man 1

Tim and Mulele begin reviewing the Sony (pre-MCU) Spider-man movies with a look at 2002’s Spider-man, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire. After watching all the MCU movies, how does this film feel different? How was it affected by 9/11? And more. (Originally published on Patreon April 11, 2020)

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Critiquing Comics #244: “God Summoner” and “The Keluarga Cable Ship Company”

God Summoner - The Keluarga Cable Ship Company

This week, a look at two great new comics submitted by their creators:

God Summoner, by Dio Zogaris and Manos Laouvardos, is a story in the fantasy genre. Tim and Jason thought “Meh” until they actually read it! This is a well-written story with beautiful black and white art.

The Keluarga Cable Ship Company, by Mereida Fajardo, gives us a father and son with communication problems, and a ship that lays down undersea cable through which, well, communication flows. Or doesn’t flow. But what makes the book stand out is its very unusual format that shows great thought and planning on the author’s part. Tim and Adam critique.

LD Comics Fair

Brought to you by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More