Radio Free Krypton

Here we are, friends, the end. As Krypton explodes, we say our farewells to old co-hosts, esteemed guests, and good friends. Originally broadcast by CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé and Justin Chandler.

Montreal's François Vigneault is the author of "Titan," a sci-fi epic about a strike that deals with themes of poverty, exploitation and solidarity. He's also the artist on the very different sci-fi comic "Orcs in Space."  François tells Justin and Jacob about the inspiration for "Titan," the colour and flavour he added to the world, and the correct way to pronounce "Montreal."  Stay tuned at the end for a special announcement.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

This week, hosts Justin and Jacob talk to Ramón Perez, an award-winning comic creator and the managing director of the Royal Academy of Illustration and Design, or RAID, a Toronto-based artist collective and one of the pillars of the city's comics community. We talk about making comics in a collaborative space, RAID's upcoming books, and what it's like having a life-sized Boba Fett statue as a roommate. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

Toronto comics creator Jason Loo is back on RFK to tell Justin and Jacob all about his comics glow-up. Since the last time he was on, Jason's greatly expanded his comics repetoire, working on the Eisner-award-winning "Afterlift,"  the new book "The All-Nighter," and more. He tells RFK how his glow-up started, what he values when creating characters and settings, and about working with a good editor/friend.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

This week, hosts Jacob and Justin discuss The Adventures of Sgoobidoo, a new book from Quebec's Pow Pow Press and a funny take on old Archie digests and detective stories. With the help of some insight from the author, Cathon (who isn't on the show but has graciously remotely answered our questions), we discuss absurdity, old Archie comics advertisements, and the importance of setting in storytelling. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

This week we dip into the RFK archives and replay our 2019 interview with Gord Hill, activist and author of "Antifa: The Comic Book," and "The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book," which was recently updated and republished.   Hill, a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw nation, joined the show from the west coast, telling Justin and then-co-host Mitchell about  researching and retelling histories. They also discussed the use of comic art by activists and the power of Jack Kirby panels. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was originally produced by Mitchell Thompson, with updates by Justin Chandler. 

In this throwback from 2018, hosts Justin and Jacob interview two creators from the "Shout Out" comics anthology. The editor, Andrew Wheeler, and one of the writers, Anthony Oliveira, discuss queer representation in genre fiction, why it matters and why it's so damn hard to get a queer character in a mainstream comic. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

In this episode from 2018, Toronto rapper More or Les tells RFK why he loves the comic "Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon" — the book that inspired the new Disney+ show.  Listen for insight on the private life of the arrow-slinging superhero, and how to make a lower-stakes story work.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was originally produced by Jacob Dubé. The rebroadcast was produced by Justin Chandler. 

2021 marked another year of RFK at home, but hosts Justin and Jacob take a look back at their favourite moments, comics, and episodes of the year. We talk about Trese, Dying for Attention, and how we're not making any predictions for 2022. Thanks to all our listeners and supporters for hanging with us for another year!Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Montreal artist Stanley Wany wrote the stories that make up his new book, Helem, while in a hallucinatory state due to insomnia.  The mostly wordless, panel-less narrative is full of symbols and haunting collages.Stanley tells Justin and Jacob what it was like to create a comic from his subconscious, and about crafting a narrative that's wide open to interpretation. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. To those of you celebrating: Merry Christmas! And to all: Stay safe this holiday season. 

This week, hosts Justin and Jacob speak to Erika Chung, a PhD candidate at X University and York University conducting a study on racialized women and their experiences in comic book fandoms. We talk about her research, harassment and gatekeeping in the community, and why some choose not to join it at all.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

The CJRU fall fund drive is on! From Nov. 14 to 20, RFK's host station, CJRU 1280AM, is raising funds to develop and implement a mentorship program. Justin and Jacob discuss the initiative and talk about the impact of community radio. They also reminisce about the magic of the radio station and play parts of two raucous episodes: their first live show in 2016, featuring superhero dating ideas for Justin, and RFK's D&D extravaganza starring two Toronto comics creators.  Learn more about the campaign and donate to receive rockin' rewards at: https://store.cjru.ca/RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

From Nov. 14 to 20, CJRU 1280AM is raising funds to develop and implement the Your Story Here mentorship program that will launch in the Spring of 2022. Justin and Jacob will have more to tell you on Thursday, but here's what you need to know for now.Learn more at: https://store.cjru.ca/

The younger generations have grown up in a world where smartphones and the internet have always existed, but how has that affected us? This week, hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Brigitte Archambault, a multi-disciplinary artist and creator of the new comic The Shiatsung Project, about a woman trapped in a strange compound, with only a mysterious artificial intelligence named Shiatsung to take care of her. We talk about the prominence of AI, portraying sexuality in comics, and how she independently created the book in a break between her other works.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Halifax cartoonist Susan MacLeod tells Justin and Jacob about her comic book memoir, "Dying for Attention," which details the nine years she spent guiding her mother through the long-term care system. High rates of death in Canadian long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic led to renewed attention on systemic issues within these institutions. Susan's book covers these issues alongside themes of communication, honesty and navigating familial relationships. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

It's October, so we're getting spooky again. This week, hosts Justin and Jacob talk to friend of the show Allison O'Toole and comic creators Tess Eneli Reid and Joy San about Shades of Fear, a new horror anthology now up on Kickstarter co-edited by Allison and  Ashanti Fortson. We talk about the anthology, how to use colour in a horror story, and why comics might be one of the best mediums for horror. Listen, if you dare. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Justin and Jacob talk to Becka — a Kitchener, Ont., comic creator crowd-funding the re-release of her body horror webcomic — about writing suspsense, drawing inspiration from cosplay and wearing comfortable shoes.  Becka's book "Gehenna: Death Valley," tells the story of a group of young people who enter a mysterious cave and find some terrible things waiting for them.Radio Free Krypton airs first on CJRU 180 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

In November 2019, Winnipeg cartoonist Kaj Hasselriis joined Justin and Jacob to discuss "Politikids,"  his kid-friendly comic about four of Canada's then-federal-party leaders.  While two of those leaders have changed, Canadians are headed to the polls Sept. 20 meaning it's once again time to think about politics and make it accessible and interesting to people of all ages. In this re-broadcast of our 2019 intereview with Kaj, we ask: How should one talk to children about politics and do they even care?RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was originally produced by Mitchell Thompson with updates from Justin Chandler. 

If you were creating whole new forms of life, where would you begin? On RFK today, hosts Justin and Jacob ask that question to Megan Huang and Stephanie Cooke, whose recently crowd-funded comic, Life: Beauty, Wonder,  Danger is coming out through Toronto Comix Press. We talk about building vibrant creatures and worlds and the struggles (and advantages) of writing a silent comic.This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé. 

The world is still on fire, and scientists tell us there's less and less time to take action to stop the worst effects. So for this week, we're bringing back our 2019 interview with artist and writer Sherwin Tija, author of "Plummet". Tija channeled a sense of hopelessness when making "Plummet," a new comic in which a woman wakes up to find herself falling, with no end in sight.   Sherwin tells Jacob about the emotions behind the story, which was inspired in part by the September 11 attacks. They also discuss the technical work that went into drawing a book where everything is falling.   This interview was recorded in November 2019. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. 

Karl Kerschl of Montreal tells Justin and Jacob about Lethal Comics, the new publisher he's starting with Andy Belanger and Cary Nord. He also shares how he uses a subscription service and Discord server to connect with fans, and why he thinks creators should learn the business and production side of comics. Karl's works include the Eisner-winning "Abominable Charles Christopher," Eisner-nominated " ISOLA," "Gotham Academy" and his newest indie title: "Death Transit Tanager."RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

Hosts Justin and Jacob catch up with returning guest and show-favourite Shawn Daley, author of The Bridgebuilder's Creed and TerraQuill, to talk about his chiptunes albums, how they relate to his comics, and how he almost didn't finish The Bridgebuilder's Creed at all.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé. Special thanks to Matthew Sauder.

RFK assembles a glorious panel of Filipino nerds, Christine Chua, Ally Enrile and John Mendoza, to discuss 'Trese' — the Filipino comic/new Netflix anime that merges noir storytelling with Filipino folklore. The panel discusses what makes the show culturally unique, and how the folklore they see on screen has affected their own lives and families. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.  

This week, hosts Justin and Jacob interview Dax Gordine. He's a Niagara cartoonist and concept artist who makes the webcomic Forest Folk. Working with Toronto's RAID comic artists collective, he's crowdfunded a print edition of 105 strips of the comic. Dax tells us about Forest Folk, which he describes as Looney Tunes meets Calvin and Hobbes, and about being on RAID's first crowdfunding campaign. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

This episode originally aired in November 2019.  You can find the article we mentioned about passing down Indigenous languages linked here. When it comes to comics, language matters — especially in the case of Dakwäkãda Warriors. Vancouver's Cole Pauls joins Justin to discuss how his Indigenous futurist comic keeps the Southern Tutchone language alive.Much of Dakwäkãda Warriors is written in Southern Tutchone, which Pauls learned growing up in Haines Junction, Yukon. The comic, which was recently published in a collection, tells the story of two Indigenous heroes battling a cyborg Sasquatch and an evil pioneer.Cole tells Justin about his goals for the comic, his self-publishing process and the stellar party his community threw when the book came out.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

All the way back in 1941, the first comic book ever published in Canada was released. To commemorate the occasion, Sequential Magazine has dedicated their entire latest issue to the achievement. Hosts Justin and Jacob talk to Editor-in-Chief Brendan Montgomery and comics historian Ivan Kocmarek about how it started, and where we went from there.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Fell Hound, winner of the 2020 Sequential Magazine Award for Best Comic Book, joins Justin and Jacob to talk about her winning title: Commander Rao. She unpacks the kinetic revenge tale and shares how she worked with a letterer to make the book even more dynamic.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

Hosts Jacob and Justin talk to comic creator Luke Humphris, author of Drunk Days, a personal graphic novel detailing his struggles, and recovery from, alcoholism. We talk about writing as a way to process your feelings, toxic masculinity, and fighting a kaiju version of Ross Geller.CW: This episode deals with discussions of addiction and alcoholism.This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Canadian academic Jordan Peterson tweeted his surprise this week after finding a reference to his work in a new Captain America comic. Jacob and Justin discuss Cap's role as a canvas to portray and critique American ideals, from his time battling Richard Nixon, to his elseworld's appearance fighting against American soldiers in Vietnam. They also discuss The Falcon and the Winter Soldier show and replay part of a 2017 episode about the Captain America Secret Empire story. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. *For reference, this is the Polygon article discussed in the show. And for more information about Peterson, see Canadaland’s helpful guide. 

Like a lot of comic creators we interview, Caryma Sa'd has a side gig. But in a first for our show, that side-gig is being a lawyer. Hosts Jacob and Justin speak to Sa'd about her editorial cartoons, criticizing the policies and actions of provincial and municipal politicians (sometimes in tutus), and how she parses the often-depressing media landscape.This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM . Produced by Jacob Dubé. 

host Jacob Dubé speaks with comic creator Jason Lutes about Berlin, a huge 800-page epic telling the stories of the citizens of the German capital between the two World Wars. They talk about the 22-year creation of the book and the everyday stories of those experiencing the rise of fascism in their neighbourhoods. Also, RPGs.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Mitchell Thompson.

Justin speaks to Timmins author Davis Dewsbury, founder of Great North Comics and the co-creator of Auric, a Northern Ontario superhero whose newest story comes out soon. Auric is a man blessed with the power to turn into a beast after a Northern Goddess rewards his bravery. The new book features seven artists and is told without dialogue. Unlike the other issues in the series, it's a survival story as opposed to a superhero one. Davis tells Justin about the challenge of working on a book with so many artists, and about why he feels like he's representing Northern Ontario whenever he makes comics. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

Friend of the show Christine Chua joins Justin and Jacob for a rousing chat about the future of Marvel movies and TV. Does the wonderfully weird WandaVision signal a shift? If movie continuity gets complicated like its source material, will it still be accessible? How is Christine surviving without movies and comic conventions? This woman needs to cosplay! RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. 

Blast from the past! Former co-host Mitchell Thompson returns for an interview with neuroscientist Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, responsible for the discovery of the  "Jennifer Aniston neuron", a concept that examines how memories are formed, stored, and connected in our minds. Mitchell and Rodrigo discuss how these ideas can come to form in sci-fi epics like Blade Runner, Robocop, and Planet of the Apes. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Mitchell Thompson.

When Howard Wong was bedridden with germs from his kid's daycare, an utterance from his friend Josh Stafford inspired the two to make a horror comic about flesh-eating children. They tell Justin and Jacob how writing the book tested their comfort levels, and its eerie similarities to the pandemic. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

The comic industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with independent creators feeling it the most. But throughout the year, we've heard inspiring stories from many creators who are trying to make it work despite it all. In this episode, we revisit our interview with Eric Kostiuk Williams on writing comics about COVID loneliness, and our talk with Sylvia Nickerson about gentrification and art in Hamilton.This episode was originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Translating comics is an immersive, sensory and sometimes musical experience — at least the way Helge Dascher and Robin Lang do it.  The two tell Jacob and Justin how they worked together to translate Quebec author Sophie Bédard's book "Lonely Boys" from French to English. They also share some trade secrets.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. Radio Free Krypton wishes you a safe and healthy holiday season! 

Hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Canadian comic creator Dakota McFazdean about his new collection of short stories, To Know You're Alive, that features some new and old stories of his. We talk about writing about the weirdness of childhood, and the new perspectives of parenting.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Pandemic, racism, mental illness, polarization — another day in 2020 and a new album for Toronto rapper More or Les.  He tells RFK the stories behind the songs in his 15th album, "Human Condition," about writing rhymes to suit our time, and the challenges of sharing one's feelings. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station in its annual fund drive by going to store.cjru.ca! This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

You know the scene in the superhero movie where the hero is inspired to do good by reading another comic book? What happens when that occurs in real life? This week, Justin speaks to author Peter Nowak about his new book, The Rise of Real-Life Superheroes and the Fall of Everything Else, about the deep and sometimes complicated world of real-world caped crusaders. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé. Stay tuned for the CJRU fund drive, starting Nov. 13! 

Jacob and Justin follow up on a 2017 interview and talk to Safiyya Hosein, a comics writer and researcher who studied the significance of Muslim superheroes in comics. Following the news that a Canadian was cast to play Ms. Marvel in an upcoming TV show, they discuss how Muslim participants in Safiyya's study feel about the representation of Muslim superheroes including Ms. Marvel and X-Men's Dust.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

We're taking it back to 2017, where Jacob goes solo and speaks with Neil Gibson, the author of Twisted Dark, a huge, thrilling, and incredibly organized series of connected stories. We talk about the books, comic TV shows, and some tips on good comic storytelling.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

For this year's CJRU fund drive, we partnered with the station's gaming show, Built to Play, to bring you "Crisis of Toxic Nerds," a two-part documentary investigating where the toxicity in geek culture comes from, and what we can do about it. Listen to their part, all about video games, here.In this part, RFK hosts Justin and Jacob try to make sense of an old beast with a new face: Comicsgate. They speak to comics writer and editor Stephanie Cooke, rapper More or Les, professor Benjamin Woo and writer and PhD candidate Safiyya Hosein about how toxicity develops and the importance of diverse representations in comics.Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Written and reported by Justin Chandler and Jacob Dubé. Produced by Jacob Dubé, Justin Chandler and Mitchell Thompson. 

Especially in a time where going outside and meeting strangers might not be the best plan, listen in as Jacob speaks to Matt McGrath, creator of the upcoming comic ID-10T Error, about the challenges of funding a comic through Kickstarter, and getting noticed in the comics world without going to conventions. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Cartoonist Howard Chackowicz tells Justin about his new book on cruelty, "Nothing to See Here," and about his time on WireTap, the fan-favourite CBC Radio show that's back on air this summer. Howard digs into his passion for creator-owned comics and the Montreal indie scene of the '90s, then waxes poetic about his love of superheroes. They also talk about a dirty Aquaman joke.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

In the mid '60s, with Batman big on TV, legendary radio man Dick Orkin brought Chickenman to air. The audio comedy gained a loyal following and still plays on the radio. Now, Orkin's daughter Lisa is re-releasing the series on streaming platforms. Justin and Jacob talk to the Los Angeles creator about the program, its revival,  what it was like working with her dad, and lessons for radio she's still using today. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. You can support the station on Patreon here. 

Derek Jessome and Jeff Knott, two animators turned comic creators from Dartmouth, N.S., tell Justin about Grandway Comics, their line of Silver Age inspired titles. With the second issue of "Space Cowboy and the Triumphanteers" out now, Derek and Jeff share why they loved the era of comics when heroes were good, bad guys were bad and books were more geared toward children. They talk about why they've clear of camp and about their efforts to tell detailed, complex stories to readers of all ages. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

For the coveted 150th episode of RFK, hosts Justin and Jacob talk to Dave Howlett, manager of the Strange Adventures comics shop in Halifax, and creator of the new comic series The Makers. We talk about running a comics store during a pandemic, and creating a tribute to the buff, edgy, but exciting era of '90s comics.RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

American author J.B. Lion's upcoming Seventh Spark series spins a fantasy yarn about good, evil and humanity's flaws. He tells host Jacob Dubé about his unique multimedia approach to storytelling. J.B. also shares how events like the police killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against anti-Black racism inform his work. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

Hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Francis Desharnais, author of a graphic novel recollecting the story of Guyenne, a small Quebec town that operates entirely as a collective, where every villager shares what they have with the rest, which gave the village the nickname 'Little Russia'. Desharnais talks about speaking to family members who lived in the village, how to properly retell their stories and what he's learned from the experience.RFK is broadcast first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

Canadian-born cartoonist and animator Graham Annable tells Justin and Jacob about the book he would have released at TCAF, and what he's learned throughout his varied career. Graham's latest work is the third in his Peter and Ernesto early reader series called Sloths in the Night. He's also the Oscar-nominated co-director of The Boxtrolls movie and has a long history in animation, with stints at LucasArts and Telltale. He's even done Spongebob comics.This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Please support our show and the station on Patreon.