Chris Stevens, a comics writer and editor who has co-edited two volumes of the anthology series Once Upon a Time Machine (the second volume is newly released) talks with Koom about Frank Miller’s work, Chris’ time with Philadelphia indy publisher Locust Moon, income inequality among comics creators, and of course, some of the stories he’s edited for the anthologies.
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Last time we looked at the first of five comics concepts on Irrational Comics’ “PITCH” page. This time, we get some answers about exactly how these 12-page teasers came to be, and critique two more of them: “Good or Dead” (about a zombie apocalypse in Singapore) by Louis Png, and “Solus” (about a monster on a rampage in a spacecraft) by Dan Amariles.
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Three years ago we discussed Demon Archives, by Daniel Sharp and Sebastian Piriz. Recently, Daniel invited Tim and Mulele to take another look, as many more pages have come out since then. We did, and found that the comic has gone in some unexpected directions. Perhaps too many directions?
Also, we read a bit of listener mail, and mark the passing of Bunnies in Space creator and past critiquee Nick Dupree — someone we wish we’d met.
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The comedy/sci-fi web comic Power Nap takes place in a future where people take drugs to stay awake, and falling asleep isn’t socially acceptable. So what happens if you’re allergic to the drug? This week, Tim talks to writer Maritza Campos and artist Bachan about the comic, as well as the state of comics in their native Mexico, how the comics industry is likely to change, and more.
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An alien and his human are traveling through space. What does the alien do when his boss strongly suggests he should ditch the idiot human? Tim and Mulele discuss Joey Cruz and Michelle Nguyen’s Reckstar, as well as some realizations Mulele made about podcasts and comics. Oh, and, of course, Star Wars.
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On a world with two suns, a young couple leave their city in a bubble and go to live in a small rural community. Is it the freedom they’ve been looking for? That’s the premise of Sophie Goldstein’s graphic novel “The Oven”. This week Sophie talks with Tim about “The Oven”, readers who have varying interpretations of her work, her warning for budding comics creators, and more.
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What 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
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Just because a story is full of tropes doesn’t mean it’s bad. Consider Demon Archives, by Daniel Sharp and Sebastian Piriz. Postapocalyptic future? Check. Members of a troop being picked off one by one, by an unknown enemy? Check. A.I. who may or may not be on the heroes’ side? Check.
And yet, much of it moves along quite nicely, including an exciting battle scene. Still, certain questions remain to be answered. Tim and Mulele weigh the pluses and minuses.
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