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

FLASHBACK! With the Scott Pilgrim movie coming soon, we re-present Tim and Brandon’s review of two Canadian coming-of-age comics: “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life” by Bryan Lee O’Malley, and “Paul Has a Summer Job” by Michel Rabagliati (originally presented June 2, 2008)!

#240 Kill “Shakespeare”

Approached by one of its co-authors, Tim, Mulele, and Kumar take him up on his suggestion to review “Kill Shakespeare” from IDW. However, we didn’t promise to like it.

Harvey Pekar, author of “American Splendor,” died recently at age 70. A remembrance of some of his work.

San Diego Comic-Con is over for another year. What are some things that we WISH would have been announced there?

#238 Laika

In 1957, the Russians were winning the space race. After the successful launch of Sputnik, the Russian space program was under pressure to further embarrass the U.S. by launching a living thing — a dog — into orbit. This is the story of Laika, who made a historical splash big enough to get a vague mention in Peanuts. Nick Abadzis’ graphic novel on the topic reaches even higher thematically, and delivers. Tim and Brandon review.

#237 Web comics from our listeners!

At last the time has come! As we promised a few weeks back, this week Tim, Kumar, and Mulele critique comics by listeners:

#235 Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 finally opened here in Japan a month after it did in the States. Having just gotten around to watching the first Iron Man movie at home (hey! He’s been busy!), Tim joins Mulele for a theater viewing of IM2.

Also, an early ’70s issue of The Invincible Iron Man drawn by Herb Trimpe, with an impressive turnaround time.

#234 Race Issues in Comics

Comics have come a long way since Milton Caniff could put a hideous Chinese stereotype in a family newspaper, or create a racist World War II guide to telling “Japs” from Chinese people — right? Well… but what about those papers today that only want one “black strip”Candorville or Curtis, but not both? The top ranks of Marvel & DC heroes are overwhelmingly white — and, thanks to “regressive storytelling” at DC, they’re becoming more so. Black heroes, Hispanic heroes, seldom have their own titles. And, oh by the way — how about some characters with roots in India? Please? Tim, Kumar, and Mulele discuss the past history of racism — intentional and not — in American comics, and the present-day reality of most comics’ racial non-diversity. Also: Why Canadian-citizen Kumar never cared about Alpha Flight!

Links, links, and more links:

#141 “Dr. Slump” and “Cromartie High School”

Dr. SlumpFLASHBACK! In our August 18, 2008 episode, Tim and Kumar discuss gag manga! We cover two hilarious Japanese comics series, “Dr. Slump” by Akira Toriyama, and “Cromartie High School” by Eiji Nonaka.

#232 “Hanna is Not a Boy’s Name” and “reMIND”

Hanna is Not a Boy's Name reMIND

Since critiquing comics is what we do, Tim goes in search of struggling Web comics creators who need some pointers. Instead, he ends up with two awesome comics! Hanna is not a Boy’s Name is a comedy with horror elements, lively art, and mucho f-bombs; reMIND is a beautifully rendered work about a cat, a babe, and a mysterious lizard-man. Tim and Mulele review.

#231 Comics Translation

Thinking of looking for work as a comics translator? What issues are you likely to face in doing the work? Our very own Kumar, translator of dozens of Japanese comics for Dark Horse, talks to Tim about translating puns, accents, sound effects, song lyrics, and more.

Plus: Farewell to Frank Frazetta.

#105 Comics & Movies: What Scott McCloud won’t tell you!

FLASHBACK! While we take a week off, enjoy this vintage episode from December 10, 2007!

How comics & movies have influenced each other: what Scott McCloud won’t tell you! Also, digital inking, The Spirit, and All Star Superman! Mulele, Patrick G., Tim, and Tim’s brother Paul discuss.