#173 Diamond and the U.S. Comics Market

3/30/09 Diamond and the U.S. Comics Market

Is the hysteria over Diamond’s sales $1000 sales threshold increase founded? Tim talks to two publishers, a retailer, and a Diamond VP and finds that, while the seas are not always smooth sailing, the ship that is the U.S. comics market does not seem to have too many leaks.

FEATURING:

#172 Marvel Geekout — Dark Reign edition

3/23/09 Marvel Geekout — Dark Reign edition

Iron Patriot“Only want 2 see u laughing in the Dark Reign…” Patrik and Tim compare notes on the new Dark Reign status quo, including some of the funnier moments so far.

#171 “Blacksad” and the Fibonacci numbers

3/16/09 “Blacksad” and the Fibonacci numbers

Blacksad What are the Fibonacci numbers, and how do they relate to European comic “Blacksad”? Mulele explains it to Tim. Also: the latest on Mulele’s quest to publish a comic in Japan; and what lessons does Tim’s (non-comics) publishing experience have for any creator looking for a publisher?

#170 “Japanamerica”

3/9/09 Japanamerica

JapanamericaTim in Tokyo is joined by Lunar Boy creator Jarrett Williams in Savannah, Georgia, to review Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.!

#167 “City of Glass”: Adapting a Novel to Comics

2/16/09 City of Glass

City of GlassPaul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli’s comics version of City of Glass, a 1985 novel by Paul Auster, is an amazing adaptation of an unfilmable novel. Tim and Kumar assess the herculean task of adapting it, in probably the only medium capable of doing so: comics!

#166 The Martian Confederacy

Martian ConfederacyLast year, writer Jason McNamara and artist Paige Braddock both appeared on the podcast. At last, Kumar and Tim have gotten ahold of their collaboration, “The Martian Confederacy,” and they’re here to give their unbiased opinions. PLUS: Win a copy of The Martian Confederacy, provided by ComicsNOW! Tim explains how to enter the drawing.

#165 Mo Willems’ Dirty Little Secret

2/2/09 Mo Willems’ Dirty Little Secret

PigeonChildren’s book writer Mo Willems has been found out: he’s actually a comics creator! He talks to Tim about the state of American comics for kids, the effect of his animation background on his approach to creating books, and… just why does that pigeon want to drive a bus, anyway?!

#164 The Future of B.C.

1/26/09 The Future of B.C.

B.C.In 2007, B.C. creator Johnny Hart passed on, and his grandson Mason Mastroianni (with the help of other family members and friends) picked up the torch. What’s it like to work on a “legacy strip”? Is there a future in the funny pages anymore, anyway?