The Graphic Histories Podcast

We return with a true pioneer in the representation of women in comics innovating several genres within the formerly male dominated industry. Barbara Slate is a trailblazer for women in comics. She's a sought-after speaker, teacher, and author of You Can Do a Graphic Novel, endorsed by Stan Lee and widely used in classrooms. Her first character, Ms. Liz, appeared on greeting cards, in Cosmopolitan, and on NBC's Today Show. She created Angel Love for DC, Yuppies from Hell and Sweet XVI for Marvel, and adapted Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, and Barbie. She also wrote over 100 Betty and Veronica stories. Her 2012 graphic novel, Getting Married and Other Mistakes, explored modern relationships. Her work has been exhibited widely and featured in The New York Times and A Century of Women Cartoonists. Barbara discusses making Betty and Veronica about the characters and not Archie, the blow-back from featuring real word issues in Angel Love and how she inadvertently changed the greeting card industry with Ms. Liz!Support the show

As a big fan of Grant Morrison and his book Aztec, our host was overjoyed to talk with the co creator of that character! N. Steven Harris, a two-time Eisner nominee and four-time Glyph Award winner, is known for Watson and Holmes (New Paradigm Studios) and co-creating Ajala: A Series of Adventures with Robert Garrett. With a career spanning over 20 years, he co-created Aztek: The Ultimate Man with Grant Morrison and Mark Millar for DC Comics. His credits include Batman: Officer Down, The Huntress, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Generation X, X-Force, and Deadpool Annual '98. Recently, he has worked on Voltron, New Money, Solarman, and DC/Wildstorm's Michael Cray. His artwork has been showcased in galleries across the U.S. and Japan. Steven discusses comic art being in galleries, working with industry titans and designing Aztec: The Ultimate Man!Support the show

André (At least his zoom) heads to Denmark to chat with an amazing creator who helped to build many innovative and compelling books in an era of shifting and more adult themes in the industry.Peter Snejbjerg is a Danish comic book artist. In his long and varied career, Snejbjerg established himself as a prolific artist for DC Comics' Vertigo imprint working with bestselling writers such as Neil Gaiman and Garth Ennis, before moving on to DC Universe titles like Starman and JSA, and horror titles including the Hellboy-spinoff, BPRD for Dark Horse. Together with Peter J. Tomasi, he created the supernatural war story The Light Brigade. Snejbjerg has also illustrated a number of children's books showcasing his trademark blend of dark humor and horror. Peter and André talk about the comedic genius of Will Eisner, Danish films and how DC came calling to the rest of Europe after they plundered the artistic pool of the United Kingdom.Support the show

André chats with a unique voice bringing her love of horror to the comics medium and mixing it with inspiration from an interesting life across several careers!Helen Mullane began her career in film distribution, managing the release of major films for the likes of Studio Canal and EOne. Later she produced the feature documentary FUTURESHOCK! THE STORY OF 2000AD and various shorts such as the multi-award-winning NASTY. Helen currently resides in Ireland after relocating from northern Sweden where she lived with 80 huskies, balancing her time between writing and dog mushing.Helen discusses folk horror and how it's built into the English tradition. Finding an existential joy in nature while dog sledding and how she disdains the term "elevated" when it comes to the scary movie genre!Support the show

A couple creating comics together drop in to discuss sharing their personal stories with the world in their web comic "Background Noise"John Hazard and Lisa Burdige had been discussing a collaboration on a comic project for years. They explored various complex story ideas, but none managed to hold their interest. One day, John created a simple two-panel comic and posted it on Facebook, where it received significant attention. Encouraged by the response, he created another comic the following day, with Lisa refining the text. By the third day, they were developing the comic together. The rest is history. John and Lisa discuss their individual careers, the nature of collaborating with a partner, the vulnerability of displaying their life together in comics and how their neighbors cats became a part of the  strip!Support the show

Another amazing conversation this time with a creative voice that worked to create real change in the comics industry.Barbara Randall Kesel is a comic book writer and editor with work for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image, and CrossGen. At Dark Horse, she helped create the Golden City setting. She entered comics by writing a critique on female character portrayals to editor Dick Giordano. A vocal opponent of sexism in the industry, she is known for strong female characters, including Grace from Comics' Greatest World. She was a Harvey Award nominee in 1995 and 1996, winning for Hellboy: The Wolves of St. August.Barbara discusses how writing a 10 page letter to DC comics secured her a job, finding the right fit in the companies she worked for and how approaching angry fans with kindness may be a better approach. Support the show

André always enjoys his conversations but this episode may be one of the funnest our host has had yet!Dan McDaid debuted in Doctor Who Magazine with The First, a story featuring the Doctor and Ernest Shackleton. He reached the final three in Comic Book Idol (2007) and later co-created Jersey Gods for Image Comics. While Doctor Who was off-air, he wrote the 10th Doctor's adventures, later collected in The Crimson Hand, introducing companion Majenta Pryce. He has worked with IDW, DC Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Oni Press, and Panini Comics. For DC Comics, he recently illustrated Shazam! He also collaborated with cult writer Irvine Welsh on IDP:2043 and Dead Men's Trousers. Dan talks about finding American comics in the U.K. Why Scotland is the mecca for comics in Europe and how reading an early Superman story where The Man of Steel encountered God chilled him to his catholic bones. Support the show

Our next guest is someone who has had a very similar life path to that of our host!Jason Strutz is the artist behind multiple comics such as The House of Montresor graphic novel from Action Lab Entertainment, The Deadly Ten series from Full Moon Comix, and the Good Fight Anthology. He is an illustrator of Role Playing Game ™ monsters and heroes for companies like 2CGaming, Checkmate Studios, and more. He works in graphic design for various companies and most recently created the unique medieval, family drama, horror web comic The Returned!Jason talks working for Full moon Entertainment, how his real life influenced his new work and working in the commercial sign industry. A topic André knows all too well!Support the show

Part 2 of our scintillating conversation with Mark OakleyMark Oakley, born in Montreal in 1970, has lived in cities all over eastern Canada and currently calls Nova Scotia, home. Oakley's early background was in commercial animation, and he is today best known for his work on the independently published all-ages comic book fantasy adventure series Thieves & Kings, which he spent more than 10 years creating and publishing from his home studio. Mark and André talk about the secret world hidden in Toronto's streets, the need to bring optimism to some forms of art and why André needs more Wendigo movies!Support the show

Another great conversation featuring a unique creative voice in comics and one that can be found right here in our hosts home province! Such a fantastic chat that you'll get 2 parts of it!Mark Oakley, born in Montreal in 1970, has lived in cities all over eastern Canada and currently calls Nova Scotia, home.  Oakley's early background was in commercial animation, and he is today best known for his work on the independently published all-ages comic book fantasy adventure series Thieves & Kings, which he spent more than 10 years creating and publishing from his home studio. Mark and André talk about Coyotes, Art touching you in such a profound way that it causes a physical reaction and needing to know how things work down to the nuts and bolts! Part 1 of an extended 2 part talk!Support the show

André finds a fellow Gremlins fan in his next guest a creator who developed his own studio from the ground up!Compton, California native Ray-Anthony Height is a veteran comic book artist, character designer, and founder of Studio Skye-Tiger. He's also the creator of the comic “Midnight Tiger” and has worked at Marvel Comics on titles such as “Amazing Spider-Man,” “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra,” and “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur,” storyboards for “Guardians Of The Galaxy The Animated Series,” and worked with Hasbro designing toys for properties like G.I. Joe and Spider-Man.Ray talks about the California fires, how companies sometimes exploit the passions of their artists, the importance of creator-owned work and teaching fine art while studying it at the same time!Support the show

André continues the momentum of great conversations in 2025 with a guest whose writing is deeply inspired by many of the independent comics that shaped the young minds of those looking for something dark and different from their funny books.Z.M.Thomas is a Native American comic book writer and creator from Prior Lake, Minnesota. He created Trepidation Comics in the summer of 2004 and has worked on several graphic novels including, Abe the Aborted Fetus, The Bible 2, Joseph Smith in Space, Echoes of Dawn, the 11th Hour, and Dead Reckoning.Z.M. discusses wrestlers from Minnesota, discovering the work of Jhonen Vasquez, having Bibles thrown at him at conventions and how his also famous wife and his Venn diagrams overlap in the perfect way! Support the show

We explode into 2025 by kicking off Season 6 with yet another great conversation!Meghan Hetrick is a highly skilled comic book artist and illustrator, recognized for her impressive work across the comic book industry. She has contributed both interior art and cover art to numerous well-known titles, earning her a reputation for versatility and creativity. Some of Meghan's most notable work includes projects for DC Comics, such as Wonder Woman and Red Thorn, where her ability to bring characters and stories to life has garnered widespread acclaim. Beyond her work with DC, she has also created cover art for major publishers like Marvel and Image Comics.Meghan discusses a difficult upbringing, what fandom is the most nasty, offering a tutorial on how to draw realistic boobs and why The Black Cat is a subject she avoids drawing.Support the show

André sits down with a super talented Marvel artist whose building his own Red Black and White Marvel Universe on Instagram!Devmalya Pramanik is a celebrated comic book artist known for his stunning visuals and storytelling. His work on Dune: House Atreides for BOOM! Studios brought the epic world of Arrakis to life, earning praise for its intricate detail and emotional depth. He currently contributes to Marvel Comics, showcasing his dynamic style on Spirits of Vengeance, Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu, Alien, Savage Wolverine and The Crypt of Shadows.Devmalya discusses finding comics in India, why Miguel O'Hara is one of the most interesting superheroes ever, working on Dune for Boom Comics and how inadvertently his career is following the same path as Oscar Isaac.Support the show

André chats with a fellow Canadian east coaster from a provinces or two north known as "The Godfather of Newfoundland Comics".  Wallace Ryan, an artist and lifelong fan of all things comic-centric, has been at the heart of local comic culture since the mid-1980s, with a passion for larger-than-life characters and compelling stories that leap off the page dating back even further. His journey took him to the Ontario College of Art and Design, where the self-described “art-punk” honed his craft through stints in Toronto and New York City before returning to his roots in Newfoundland. Over the years, Ryan has worked on projects like the collaborative graphic novel Nobody is in Control, his personal passion project The Narrow Way, and Pure Comix, a homegrown celebration of graphic literature launched in 2019. Wallace talks about his time pitching his work to Archie Goodwin at Marvel Comics, attending art school with some other Canadian comics greats, finding inspiration from Harvey Pekar and living in the a house older than Canada!Support the show

Another member of the Raid Studios in Toronto pops by to chat about his career in comic art! Marcus To is a Canadian comic book artist known for his work on Red Robin, Huntress, and Soulfire. Currently, he illustrates Marvel's Excalibur series. In 2013, he worked on the North American adaptation of Cyborg 009. To also contributed to Grant Morrison's The Multiversity: Guidebook in 2015, showcasing his talent for dynamic storytelling and intricate artwork. Marcus discusses having protection by editors, getting his start with Aspen comics, working with Michael Turner and getting to draw on Grant Morrison's Multiversity by working over Christmas!Support the show

A forgotten part of Marvel history resurfaces in a new book focusing on Marvels foray into the humor magazine market and we talk to it's creators! Yes, Marvel's Crazy Magazine is back with an historical and hysterical volume that features over two dozen interviews with the magazine's creators, plus a background history, issue highlights and index compiled our guests Mark Arnold (“If You're Cracked, You're Happy, Volume Won and Too,” and “Unconditionally MAD, Part 1 and B”) and Mark Slade (“The Marvelous Bronze Age: Conversations with Marvel Comics Creators of the ‘70s and ‘80s”). The Marks discuss coming together on this unique project, their love for humor magazines, getting some of their amazing interviews and how marijuana made for some of the most unique Dr. Strange stories to see the printed page!Support the show

André braves a late night recording session to chat with an impressive artist and creator whose love for some of the entertainment he consumed as a youth rivals our hosts!Chris Fenoglio is an artist, colorist, designer, and teacher currently living in California's San Francisco Bay Area. He's worked on super fun comics like Star Wars, Goosebumps, X-Files: Origins, Hello Neighbor and Star Trek: Lower Decks. With a distinct and fun style Chris brings a unique method to storytelling that elevates the often fun and enjoyable nature of the books he works on!Chris and André chat about the dark nature of the Archie TMNT Comics, the difficulty of working on certain books connected to franchises , why The Muppets should just be "The Muppets" and the nature of illustration compared to other art forms.Support the show

We head across the pond to Madrid to speak with a unique comic artist doing some amazing work.After graduating in Fine Arts and testing the waters of animation and video games, Inaki Miranda made his debut in comics in 2003, illustrating UK's cultural icon Judge Dredd for 2000AD. He got his DC Comics break as a guest artist in Vertigo's multiple award winning series Fables. That lead to Fables spin-off Fairest and the co-creation of Coffin Hill. This was followed by his work in the DCU with Catwoman, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Ragman and Old Lady Harley.Inaki discusses never feeling like he had a home with frequent childhood moves, discovering superheroes in comics, sending countless portfolios to the big 2 and developing a love of writing with his brother.Support the show

A living legend of comics pops by to talk to our host about his storied career in the comic book industry!J.M. DeMatteis is an American comic book and television writer, celebrated for his work with both DC and Marvel since the late 1970s. Known for acclaimed stories like Kraven's Last Hunt and the graphic novel Moonshadow, he began with titles such as Weird War Tales and House of Mystery. His television work includes writing for Superboy, Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Teen Titans Go!. Recently, he contributed to animated films like Batman vs. Robin and Batman: Bad Blood, as well as the Scooby Apocalypse comic. In 2023, DeMatteis launched The Demultiverse on Kickstarter, introducing a new lineup of characters and stories. J.M. discusses his early music criticism, Creating Moonshadow, how aspects of his personality at a troubled time created Kraven's Last hunt and the alchemy of collaboration!Support the show

An inker with an impressive body of work across both Marvel and DC provides a candid discussion on the inner workings of the big companies in the comic industry.Mark McKenna is a industry veteran with over six hundred credited works to his name. In the span of twenty nine years, he has worked for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, inking on flagship title series such as Justice League, Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man, The Punisher, Iron Man, Doom Patrol, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. André and Mark talk about correcting art, the differences between the environments at DC and Marvel, signing hundreds of books at a convention and being a part of the 90's comics boom!Support the show

Another homegrown Canadian making great comics stops by to chat!Steve Bynoe has a wide body of work which includes drawing and design work for comic books and toys. He owns Boeboe Creative, which currently publishes Comix Asylum Magazine, Chronokari Alpha: Time is Relative, and Edge: East Wind in Paradise. In addition to self-publishing, Steve is the editorial director and a writer for Comix Asylum Magazine. Based in Toronto, Steve is a teacher and is working on a collection of his book Atrium.Steve chats about getting started in the studio art system, comparison being the thief of joy, early Marvel movies and surprise horror in conventional fiction.Support the show

André speaks with a creator who contributed to some of his favorite stories as a youth.Stefan Petrucha, born in the Bronx, grew up moving between the city and suburbs, fueling his love for escapism. A lifelong fan of comics, sci-fi, and horror, he developed a passion for all types of literature in high school and college. He started creating his own stories at age ten, spanning novels, comics, and video production. Though he's worked in various writing fields, fiction has always been his true passion, and he's been fortunate to make a living from it for many years. Some of his more notable works include writing X-Files comics for Topps and the Timetripper book series.Stefan talks about not diminishing someones love for fiction of any type, getting fired from X-Files comics, classic literature and working in young adult fiction.Support the show

André catches up with a creator who has collaborated with some huge names and is now making a name for himself with some beautiful books all his own!Johnnie Christmas is a #1 New York Times Bestselling graphic novelist. Writer of the Image Comics sci-fi series TARTARUS and CREMA, a haunted romance published by Comixology Originals. His book FIREBUG, received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and earned him a Joe Shuster Outstanding Cartoonist nomination. He's perhaps best known for co-creating the series ANGEL CATBIRD with celebrated writer Margaret Atwood and adapting William Gibson's lost screenplay for ALIEN 3 into a critically acclaimed graphic novel of the same name.Johnnie discusses Art School, the perceived divide between fine art and comic art, working with industry titans and having his art speak to the human condition no matter what age you are! Support the show

We get Halloweeny with the creator of a new comedic horror themed comics coming your way via kickstarter!Mark Maia is a BAFTA winner with a passion for all things gaming. On his YouTube channel, Board Game Coffee, he dives into the world of board games. Now, he's trying his hand at a comic book called So-Called Living. While he leaves the drawing to others, the storytelling is unmistakably his. It's Mark's next big adventure, and it promises to be exciting. Mark discusses his career in video games,  discovering comics then rediscovering them when he found the right one and the potential threat of bunnies once they unionize.Support the show

Within our next episode is a conversation about DIY culture and comics with a  creator who is a prime example of it!Jeremy Massie is a cartoonist from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. His graphic novels include The Deadbeat and All My Ghosts. He also illustrated the all-ages comic book series Amazing Age with writer Matthew David Smith. His new  book is a deeply personal story based on his childhood called Holler. André and Jeremy talk discovering a world beyond superhero comics, finding punk music in Virginia and telling your own story while trying not to offend the other involved.Support the show

A man who was an integral part of many young Canadians childhoods joins our host for another fantastic chat!Phil Guerrero, also known as PJ Phil or PJ "Fresh" Phil, is a former YTV PJ who began his career after being recommended by a friend for an audition. Although he didn't land the role he first tried for, he joined YTV as a reporter, and later became a popular host of The Zone, co-hosting with puppet characters like the Grogs and Snit. After nearly a decade with the channel, he left during a rebranding phase in 2000. Following his time on television, Phil pursued a career in music, the fashion industry, and professional wrestling.Phil discusses constantly yearning for more while on YTV, continually reinventing himself and entering the wacky world of professional wrestling in his 50's! Support the show

Our host has a chat with a delightful creator who brings a unique voice to the comics medium through a combination of family history and creation myth. Snake is a poet, spoken word artist, comic creator, who graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media, at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He has worked in and out of the film and TV industry for the last ten years, as a script reader, prop man and PA. Now he writes comics and letters them.André and Snake chat about bringing fiction to fact when giving his grandparents a voice in his book, a love of the work of Warren Ellis and reading scripts for the British film industry.  Our guest also brings a novel approach when recanting his life with comics.Support the show

The name of the game is "ambition" and "drive" in this conversation with a prolific designer and illustrator who has had his hand in many different industries.Guy Dorian Sr. has been a professional illustrator for over 25 years, working with major mainstream companies on a wide range of projects. His recent work includes contributions to titles like ROM Dire Wraiths, Hyperbreed, and John Carpenter's Tales for a Halloween Night. Starting his career at Marvel Comics with "The New Warriors," Guy went on to work on various Marvel projects, including co-creating the character "SCORCH," featured in the TV series "Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." He has also contributed to trading card sets for Marvel and DC, created posters for movies like "X-Men: Apocalypse," and designed toys for various franchises. Additionally, Guy has worked on independent projects, co-created stories, and developed characters for different media. His diverse portfolio includes work in comics, toy design, and advertising, making him a fan favorite at conventions.André and Guy discuss professional wrestling, Rom Spaceknight, returning to comics after a lengthy career in toys and working with Larry Hama on their new book Mounties vs Werewolves!Support the show

André finds a comic creator with a unique talent to go along with his unique name (at least for North America)Eraklis Petmezas, a Savannah College of Art & Design graduate with a BFA in Illustration, has created art for numerous musical acts, editorial illustrations, and window displays for Borders Books and Music. He has worked on storyboards for Rich Barrett Designs, illustrated "The Tell-Tale Heart" for Adam Smith Academy, and has been published by Image Comics, Arcana, and Asylum Press. A storyteller at heart, he is currently working on new comics. In 2006, he joined 803 Studios and founded SketchCharlotte, a growing community of local artists. He also conducts a Comics Camp for the Charlotte Library.André and Eraklis discuss people trying to anglicize his name, having a historic lineage in Greek history and how a need for a Jewish centered Halloween story resulted in his book Rabbi Werewolf!Support the show

André growing up always had a deep appreciation for the Mini Marvel features in the Marvel Bullpen section of Marvel Comics. Now he gets to talk to the man who made it possible!Chris Giarrusso started his writing and art career as a child by replacing the text and drawings in newspaper comic strips with his own. Realizing he could skip the whiteout, he began using blank paper instead. In 1999, he created the popular Mini Marvels for Marvel Comics, writing and illustrating numerous strips and stories. He also introduced the fan-favorite character Elephant Steve and illustrated The Amazing Adventures of Nate Banks series for Scholastic. Today, Giarrusso is best known for his graphic novel series G-Man, about a young superhero with a magic cape loved by all ages. Chris talks about selling original art vs commissions, getting his start at Marvel and the evolution of his beloved all ages book G-Man!Support the show

The man responsible for a big part of André and many other people's childhoods is our next guest. The creator of legendary Disney property Darkwing Duck!Tad Stones is an American animator, screenwriter, producer, director, and storyboard artist who is best known for his work for The Walt Disney Company, where he worked from 1974 to 2003. His most notable credits for Disney include creating, writing, and producing the animated series Darkwing Duck, as well as producing Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Aladdin, and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. Tad lets us in on how Darkwing Duck evolved from a James Bond parody, the impressive work done of the Aladdin sequel films, working on Hellboy and why it's important to let a revival series spread their wings and be unique from their original premises!Support the Show.

The Graphic Histories Podcast celebrates 100 episodes with an episode that represents what this show is all about a great conversation with a fun creative personality!Jerry Carita has more than 20 years of production experience, serving as Showrunner, Director, Writer, and/or producer on both scripted and unscripted projects. He has produced content for Netflix, Disney+, Discovery+, AMC, History Channel, ABC, MTV, VH1, National Geographic, and Animal Planet among others. He is now entering the world of comics with The Grizzly Crew and Cicada Samurai!André and Jerry discuss his work on Comic Book Men, his connection to Kevin Smith, using a parenting based fear to create a comic book concept and the lost art of the movie poster!Support the Show.

André talks with a creator using a truly unique method to craft his comics!After more than 20 years of creating characters, and writing stories, Christopher Michael is the creator of CRIT, and the universe they live in. When he decided to create CRIT, he used a resource that he knew well: Dungeons and Dragons. What is a cool and different way to write a story? Organically through the actions of players. But the problem was that there were no source books with material he wanted to use, so he took the rules and created his own game to master. Chris records the game sessions, and turns the story into the comic you readChris entering the music industry, the passion of fandom and finding a way to let go of the anger from a traumatic childhood.Support the Show.

André takes you "inside baseball" and pulls back the curtain behind interview shows to chat with a man who also hosts a program with a similar format.Jeff Haas is a public relations manager and the host of Traversing the Stars an entertainment-based podcast that interviews the biggest stars in film, television, comics, literature, and music! Many of his past guests are legends in their respective industries and Jeff gives them an amazing platform to share their stories.Jeff and André discuss the pitfalls or organizing guests, Jeff's former career working with primates  and what it's like when a talk doesn't really "gel" like you had hoped.Support the Show.

André chats with an absolute legend in comics!Paul Levitz is an American comic book writer, editor and executive. The president of DC Comics from 2002–2009, he has worked for the company for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles. Along with publisher Jenette Kahn and managing editor Dick Giordano, Levitz was responsible for hiring many of the writers and artists, who contributed to the 1980s revitalization of the company's line of comic book heroes!Paul discusses his time in the comic industry, his appreciation for the classic characters and his work with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.Support the Show.

Sometimes our guest chats with a creative type who is so passionate it almost supercharges those listening to get out there and get creative!Justin Coke is the writer of several independent novels and now has a new book available for crowdfunding. SWAT features a squad of broken-down outcasts, weirdos, and wizards battle to enforce the Grand Bargain— the agreement in which the Monsters of the world have agreed to hunting quotas in exchange for safety from wizards like Larry Slaughter, who are always ready to hand out the punishment for breaking the Grand Bargain— summary execution.Justin talks his faith in his new work, the differences between the independent book and comic markets as well as the horrors lurking under the sea!Support the Show.

André's fascination with comic store owners continues when he catches up with the owner of yet another one...Giant Robot Comics in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia!Owner Darryl Wall has worked in comic stores before and decided Dartmouth needed a new one going through the task of creating it from the ground up!A haven for toy, comic and board game collectibles it continues to be an institution in it's community!Darryl talks about finding nerdom through Toys, Saturday morning cartoons and the shifting trends in comic sales as he's seen them first hand for over a decade!Support the Show.

In this episode André speaks with not one...not two...but three guests at once! A first for this program but a fun chat none the less. Karla Nappi,  Juaquin Mobley and Helen Maimaris all pop in to discuss their involvement with the "Unseen" issue of F(r)iction #21!  This issue of F(r)iction explores the stories that are hiding (or have been hidden) in the shadows. These pages burst with genre-soaked tales of ghosts, real-life imaginary friends, and old-fashioned invisibility guns.  But you haven't seen the half of it! Unseen also investigates what it's like to live on (or be forced onto) the margins of society, to be someone who the culture might rather ignore.Each guest brings a unique perspective of their lives, experiences and what they brought to the table to this unique collection!F(r)iction's website: https://frictionlit.org/The store link to buy the issues themselves: https://frictionlit.org/shop/Support the Show.

André chats with another of the mega talented Toronto pool of artists and has a fantastic time doing so. Shawn Daley is a Ringo Award-nominated cartoonist and chiptunist from Toronto. Studying audio production and working a number of years in the recording industry, he began to focus on telling stories through comics in 2015 with his debut, TerraQuill Collected. His other published works include Samurai Grandpa and The Bridgebuilder's Creed. Shawn talks about finding comics on the unlikeliest of book shelves, nostalgia series reboots with the importance of their more serious approach and how he found a way to navigate life through the underground punk scene.Support the Show.

The underappreciated art of Inking takes the format in our newest episode with a fantastic example of it's art form!Anthony Fowler Jr. is a professional comic book inker and illustrator currently working for DC Comics. Most recently, he was an inker on DC Power 2024 #1 and Dawn of DC: Cyborg #4 for DC Comics. Previous clients also include BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, T-Pub Comics, Marvel Entertainment, Universal Studios, and Gazillion Entertainment. Anthony is a passionate advocate for inking as a unique and important discipline in comic book art. In 2020, he was nominated for an Inkwell Award for his work on Firefly for BOOM! Studios.Anthony and André discuss the dark nature of Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, discovering an art community at a local drink and comic event and how intuition is a huge part of the inking game!Support the Show.

Horror is on the agenda for our newest episode with a writer and editor keeping it weird in the best way possible.James Aquilone is an editor, author, and publisher, nominated for both the Bram Stoker and Rondo Hatton awards. He's known for his anthologies like Classic Monsters Unleashed, Shakespeare Unleashed, and the Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary graphic novel. He also writes the Dead Jack, Zombie Detective series. His short stories have been featured in Weird Tales magazine, Nature: Futures, and The Best of Galaxy's Edge.James talks about getting inspiration to be a writer from Sylvester Stallone, why more people should know about H.H. Holmes when it comes to serial killers and the legacy of Kolchak the Night Stalker!Support the Show.

André speaks with a man who got to live his passion a little later in his career and jumped in head first creating some truly unique projects!Keith Grachow is a professional illustrator who has created comics, graphic novels, and chapter books for kids. With 25 years of experience as a graphic artist, he's worked in the toy industry as an in-house designer for popular toy lines like Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon and Sabrina the Teenage Witch!Keith chats about working in the toy industry, the cool factor of The Gollum as a classic monster and having a collector's mentality!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.This weeks guest is a man responsible for some of the absolute best comic to film adaptions around!Ernie Altbacker, is a screenwriter with credits on TV shows like Static Shock, Ben 10, Spider-Man, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Mucha Lucha, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series. He earned an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, he's the author of a six-book children's series called Shark Wars, published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin and currently writes many of the DC animated films bringing some of the most faithful versions of those stories to screen!Ernie discusses trying to avoid a future in a machine shop, working on Spider-Man TAS and ruining people's childhoods with alterations on film adaptions!Support the Show.

We dive deep into the nostalgia well for a titanic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Talk with the current artist for their Saturday Morning Adventures Comic series! Sarah Myer is a comic artist and illustrator hailing from a ten-acre farm in White Hall, Maryland. An old-school cosplayer and anime fan, Sarah has attended anime/comic conventions as a fan and artist alley participant since 1999 and has constructed and worn more than fifty costumes. When they aren't drawing, writing, or cosplaying, Sarah enjoys cooking, weight training, and spending time with their mackerel tabby, Loki. Sarah graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with BFA and MFA degrees in sequential art and taught foundation studies classes at the college for three years. In 2019, First Second published Maker Comics: Create a Costume!, Sarah's first graphic novel. Their graphic memoir Monstrous was released in 2023. Sarah and André talk the much darker TMNT Archie comics, finding representation  wherever you can, using a graphic novel to cope with childhood issues and finding a community and the cosplay world!Support the Show.

Our next guest has a truly unique life experience that has given them a distinct creative voice when it comes to their writing!Jennifer Lee Rossman's writing delves into weird yet hopeful realms of sci-fi and fantasy, spotlighting LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters with a sprinkle of Jurassic Park references. They strive to create inclusive stories where readers of any background feel welcome. When not immersed in writing, they're the ultimate nerd, capable of reciting the periodic table backwards and passionately discussing dinosaurs.André and Jenn discuss normalizing the disabled in fiction. How Don MacLean incidentally inspired her first novel and why Doctor Who made André cry.Support the Show.

This episode features a comic creator whose career has spanned decades in the comic industry and enhanced many beloved titles!Jim Calafiore's comic journey began in Calibre comics before shifting to Valiant, refining his skills. He rose to prominence with DC's "Aquaman" series with peter David and was praised for his dynamic artwork. His versatility shone in Marvel's "Exiles," showcasing an impressive range of character designs. Venturing into writing, he penned several books including 2 issues of "Exiles" which he also illustrated solidifying his status as a creative force that now is focused on his new creator owned work!Jim talks about being a consummate freelancer, creating fan favorite character Nocturne, working with Peter David and knowing a little about a lot when it comes to the religious nature of his new book. Support the Show.

Our newest episode features an artist with a truly unique style.Isabel Burke is a comic artist and illustrator hailing from Texas, whose passion for storytelling through art ignited at an early age, Burke has been freelancing since 2021, catering to a diverse array of clients primarily within the publishing, editorial, and RPG sectors. While her portfolio often delves into historical and fantasy realms, she embraces opportunities to explore new creative territories beyond her comfort zone. André and Isabel discuss Young Adult Fiction, Guillermo Del Toro and celebrating the stories you love by bringing more of them to the world!Support the Show.

In our newest episode we chat with a loud and proud letterer and comic creator!Andrew Thomas, a native of Mississauga, discovered his passion for drawing early on, filling every scrap of paper with sketches. After high school, he pursued Video Game Design but found his calling as a Graphic Designer, contributing to an iOS game, "BubbleStarz." In 2013, he made his comic convention debut, sparking his interest in comics. Teaming up with writer Tristan Nall in 2014, they published "PostHuman," launching Andrew's comic career. In 2015, he collaborated with Davis Dewsbury on "Auric of Great White North," a superhero series set in Ontario. By 2016, Andrew joined Chapterhouse Publishing as their in-house lettering department and cover artist, establishing himself in the comic industry.Andrew talks about the art and skill involved in lettering, finding joy in his creator owned series and the interesting way he began working with Kevin Smith!Support the Show.

Another great conversation with yet another of Toronto's talented comic creatorsBecka Kinzie is an accomplished cartoonist and freelance artist hailing from Ontario, Canada, where her vibrant creativity thrives. Her journey in the art world began with color flatting for numerous comic book artists, a role that allowed her to refine her skills and immerse herself in the dynamic realm of sequential art. However, it was in her spare moments that Becka truly flourished, channeling her passion into crafting her own unique comics and artwork. These personal projects became a canvas for her imagination, showcasing her distinctive style and storytelling prowess. As she honed her craft, Becka's talent garnered recognition, earning her a Joe Shuster Award!Becka discusses winning the Gene Day Award, discovering horror movies and combining that love into the unique and darkly imaginative Gehenna: Death Valley!Support the show

A comics legend pops in to discuss his storied career.Since the early 1980s, Stephen Grant has been a prominent figure in the comic book industry, gaining recognition for his work with Marvel Comics. Notable contributions include revitalizing characters like the Punisher and writing for titles such as Avengers, The Hulk, and The Defenders. Grant's creator-owned character, Whisper, debuted at Capital Comics in the 1980s, leading to her own ongoing series after being featured in First Adventures. He also wrote for titles like American Flagg! and Classics Illustrated during this time. At Dark Horse, Grant contributed to Comics' Greatest World, notably the series X. Transitioning to IDW Publishing, he worked on original comics featuring CSI characters and revisited Whisper in a one-shot for Boom! Studios. Additionally, Grant has penned novels for young adults under the pseudonym Frank W. Dixon and wrote the column "Permanent Damage" for Comic Book Resources since 2009.Steven talks about working on Hardy Boys books, having his script turned into a movie and how Moon Knight's alter egos got their names!Support the show