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Latest episodes from The TradeWaiters

eps. 118: Gutter-Takes: On Comics-Work-Life Balance

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 38:51


On today's Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk in-depth about our experiences seeking balance between making comics, having a day job, and getting a life. If you're an artist here's your chance to learn from our mistakes and match your priorities to your lifestyle. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on some of the comics from the Minicomics Awards 2025.

eps. 117: "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, & Ryan Estrada

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 64:46


For this episode our panel read "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada. This book follows Hyun Sook's adventures as a young revolutionary during South Korea's Fifth Republic dictatorship. Because irony is dead, this book has in turn faced book bans of its own. Join us as we talk about the freedom to read, the importance of being able to imagine a different world, that a police state will inevitably do police state things, and how much we love the bus. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be a minisode on comics / life / balance.

eps. 116: "The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 56:13


We're going back to 1987 to read "Kraven's Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, which collects issues from The Amazing Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man. This is a classic capes and tights story about how some men will fight a decade-long battle to best Spider-Man in hand-to-hand combat rather than go to therapy. Several content warnings apply to this journey through Peter Parker's emo phase, but you don't need to be steeped in nostalgia to appreciate the trip. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada.

eps. 115: Gutter-Takes: On Finding Webcomics

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 32:58


It's time for another Gutter-Take. Webcomics are harder to find than ever. Or is it the opposite? Where do you find your webcomics, and how do you get readers to find yours? Jeff, Jam, and JD have questions and also answers. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

eps. 114: "Our Dreams at Dusk" Vol. 3&4 by Yuhki Kamatani

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 69:26


Our panellists are back with volumes 3 and 4 of "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani. This time we get to talk about all the characters in depth, including matters of life, death, marriage, and friendship. We finish off the series knowing a lot more about the characters, but not everything! We also talk about the founding of Cloudscape, and the difference between understanding and acceptance. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

eps. 113: "Our Dreams at Dusk" Vol. 1&2 by Yuhki Kamatani

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 69:22


This week Jam, Jeff, and JD read the first two volumes of "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani. As Jeff says in the episode, this is a deep dive into queer culture in Japan that celebrates the importance of community and third spaces. Join us as we visit the town of Onomichi, with its cats and old houses, its queer drop-in centre and its many photogenic bridges. This is a different kind of manga, and a unique story in comics. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on volumes 3 and 4 of this series.

eps. 112: Gutter-Takes: On Distribution

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 41:36


We're doing something different for this episode. In between our regular panels on great graphic novels lies the gutter (get it?). And in the gutter this week, Diamond Distributors, who once held a monopoly on delivering comic books to readers, just filed for bankruptcy. What does this mean for comics? What even is “distribution?” Jeff, Jam, and JD are here to let you know, in our first mini episode on topics behind the scenes in comics. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani.

eps. 111: "O Human Star" Vol. 2&3 by Blue Delliquanti

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 59:20


We're back to read volumes 2 and 3 of "O Human Star" by Blue Delliquanti. This time we get into the trans text and subtext of the series, how metaphor and text support each other, and break down the main characters to see what makes them tick. We've got an alternate political universe, a true AI singularity, disability representation, a long-expected Astroboy moment, and some unexpected difficulties with pho to get through. Let's go! Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani.

music ai dusk sleuths astro boy our dreams blue delliquanti yuhki kamatani o human star
eps. 110: "O Human Star" Vol. 1 by Blue Delliquanti

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 65:45


This episode is on the first volume of "O Human Star" by Blue Delliquanti. Read the webcomic and then listen to our thoughts on planning a webcomic, the best uses of science fiction, and the unique advantage that a limited colour palette has for comics. Fair warning we spend like half of this episode griping with where the conversation on AI has gone since this book was finished, but I promise this book and this episode will make it worthwhile. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on volumes 2 and 3.

music ai sleuths blue delliquanti o human star
eps. 109: "As the Crow Flies" by Mel Gillman

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 74:53


For this episode on "As the Crow Flies," by Mel Gillman, Jam, Jeff, and JD are joined by Ryan Estrada. We talk about one of Ryan's favourite banned books. Is this a thoughtful story of alienation, doubt, microaggressions, and faith? Or is it, as one book banner summed it up, just “gender chaos?” We'll talk about the power of traditional media (by which I mean pencil crayons), libraries, and how not to be uncomfortable in nature. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "O Human Star" by Blue Delliquanti.

eps. 108: "Thunderbolts" Vol. 1 by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley, Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 74:40


This week we return to "Thunderbolts Volume 1: Justice, Like Lightning," by Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley, Sal Buscema, Peter David, Mike Deodato Jr., Steve Epting, and others. We look deeper into the main cast of the series, and propose a wish list of changes (thirty years too late). We'll see henchmen doing hench things, learn about incels and doxxing before those terms existed, talk about mall gothery, and discuss the importance of metaphors for six year olds. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "As the Crow Flies" by Mel Gillman

eps. 107: "Thunderbolts Vol. 1: Justice, Like Lightning: by Kurt Busiek & Mark Bagley

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 68:31


This is the first part of a two-parter on "Thunderbolts Volume 1: Justice, Like Lightning," by such people as Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley, Sal Buscema, Peter David, Mike Deodato Jr., and Steve Epting. We brave the Marvel Universe in the mid 90s to ask important questions like, what happens when a gang of super-villains switches sides? Are nazis real? What happens when the biggest comics publisher goes bankrupt? And, what's the deal with the “Marvel Method?” Buckle up, true believers! Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will continue the discussion on "Thunderbolts."

eps. 106: "The Jellyfish: by Boum

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 57:46


This week Jam, Jeff, and JD read "The Jellyfish" by Boum. This BD fresh out of Montreal publisher Pow Pow follows Odette, a character whose vision is being increasingly obscured by a swarm of jellyfish. It's a story with a lot of depth and heart, and some great cartooning. We'll talk about the book, and about the bridge Pow Pow seems to be working to build between the Francophone and Anglo comics scenes. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Thunderbolts Epic Collection: Justice, Like Lightning" by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley

eps. 105: "My Aunt Is a Monster" by Reimena Yee

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 59:47


For this week's episode we read "My Aunt Is a Monster" by Reimena Yee, whose unique and thoughtful approach to cartooning gave us lots to talk about, from panel transitions to world-building to colouring. This is a unique book and a welcome addition to the YA graphic novel canon. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "The Jellyfish" by Boum

eps. 104: "Roaming" by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 66:55


Join Jam, Jeff, and JD for another episode of the TradeWaiters. This time we read "Roaming" by Canadian paragons of cartooning Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki. It's a story of three young women visiting New York and discovering themselves, and in true Tamaki fashion, pushes the medium of comics to its limits. We'll discuss our own adventures, the genre of comics that I GUESS we're officially calling “mumble-core” now, and also the “Darryl Ayo method” of how the comics industry should work. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "My Aunt Is a Monster" by Reimena Yee

eps. 103: The Cartoonist Co-op 2024 Mini-Comic Awards

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 79:26


For today's episode we look at the winners of the Cartoonist Co-op 2024 Mini-Comic Awards: "Fancies" by Alex Cara, "Marrow A.K.A. Rodney's Law" by Sloane Hong, "Crossed Signals" by Narrenstrich, "Bottom's Up!" by Barbara Benas, and "The Bird Daughters" by Madeline McGrane. We'll talk about the unique magic of minicomics, turning dreams into comics, and how to choose which bird hybrid assassins you want as your overlords. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Roaming" by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

eps. 102: "Nancy" by Olivia Jaimes

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 62:59


The TradeWaiters are back and ready to join the Nancy Renaissance! We read the first print collection of "Nancy" by Olivia Jaimes, and weigh in on the new artist who has taken over an ancient but venerated comic strip. Spoiler: Olivia Jaimes is lit, and you're wrong if you think otherwise. We discuss the fraught circumstances of rebooting legacy newspaper comics, and have a lot to say about what makes "Nancy" #relatable. Music by Sleuth

eps. 101: Comics Reinvented: The Next 100 Years

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 66:50


After much delay, we can finally bring you episode 101 of the TradeWaiters. This time we're putting ourselves on the spot, and talking about our hopes and fears for the present and future state of comics. This is a continuation of our discussion from last episode on Scott McCloud's "Reinventing Comics," and we are once again joined by Kathleen Gros. Our topics of discussion will include AI comics, fragmentation and discoverability, Webtoon convergence, the YA and New Adult audience, creators' rights, libraries, bespoke comics, and experimentation. The future of comics, like its past, promises to have its highs and its lows. Music by Sleuth.

eps. 100: "Reinventing Comics" by Scott McCloud

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 68:01


It's episode 100! Special guest Kathleen Gros rejoins the TradeWaiters to help us celebrate our anniversary, and we read Scott McCloud's "Reinventing Comics." This book made bold predictions of what the future of comics could be. More than twenty years later, we revisit Scott's ideas to see where they've been prescient, where they've changed the landscape of comics, and where they've proven incomplete. We'll talk about creators' rights, the birth and death of the independent webcomic, the return of the middlemen, and whether or not we can declare the Great American (and Great Canadian) Graphic Novel. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be continue the discussion on the future of comics!

eps. 99: "Dragman" by Steven Appleby

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 52:44


For this episode our intrepid TradeWaiters read "Dragman" by Steven Appleby. This hefty graphic novel cloaks a story about gender identity, predatory capitalism, and being true to yourself in a brightly-coloured superhero costume and sends it out to patrol the streets of London. Join us and listen in as we go TRANSatlantic. Music by Sleuth Our next book will be "Reinventing Comics" by Scott McCloud.

eps. 98: "Witch Hat Atelier" Vol. 1&2 by Kamome Shirahama

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 51:16


Today the Tradewaiters got lost in a fantasy manga with the first two volumes of "Witch Hat Atelier" by Kamome Shirahama. We'll break down what's great about this comic, a few things that are maybe not as great, but mostly have a good time reading a book about kids who learn magic, and the magic makes sense. Music by Sleuth. Our next book will be "Dragman" by Steven Appleby.

eps. 97: "Barefoot Gen" vol. 1&2 by Keiji Nakazawa

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2023 66:50


For this episode we read the first two volumes of "Barefoot Gen," Keiji Nakazawa's semi-autobiographical account of surviving the bombing of Hiroshima when he was six years old. "Barefoot Gen" is the best book about the worst thing. Be prepared for it to be super traumatic, but no other book is doing what this one does. Music by Sleuth For a complete change of pace, our next book will be the first two volumes of "Witch Hat Atelier" by Kamome Shirahama.

eps. 96: "All-Star Superman" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 65:00


The TradeWaiters return like the rising sun to bring you "All-Star Superman" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. This limited series turned trade paperback takes us deeper into DC lore than we've ever gone before, and we bring you back tales of the unimaginable, opining on pacing, and the magic of character body language. If you ever wanted to know the secret formula for a really good Superman story, or to uncover what superheroes and Pokemon have in common, look no further. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on "Barefoot Gen" volumes 1 and 2 by Keiji Nakazawa.

eps. 95: "Mad Love" by Paul Dini & Bruce Timm

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 77:22


"Sparks" artist Nina Matsumoto joins our panelists to talk about "The Batman Adventures: Mad Love" by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. This was the first appearance of Harley Quinn in a comic and the origin story of one of DC's most iconic characters today. We talk about the behind the scenes story of Harley Quinn's creation, the mainstream comics debut of two of superherodom's most influential creators, and what goes into making a really good Batman story. Music by Sleuth On our next episode will be on "All-Star Superman" by Greg Morrison and Frank Quitely

eps. 94: "Descending Stories" Vol. 1&2 by Haruko Kumota

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 70:52


Are you ready for a tale of tragedy and unrequited love (probably)? Come, sit down, and gather round as we read "Descending Stories" by Haruko Kumota. This series is “manga on hard-mode,” and is our first introduction to the Japanese art of rakugo, or “falling stories.” Join us as we struggle to grasp the key ideas of an art form none of us have any prior connection to, untangle some (possible) triangles, and discuss the life and death of art forms generally. Music by Sleuth On our next episode we will be joined by Nina Matsumoto to read "Mad Love" by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm.

eps. 93: "Space Boy" Vol. 1&2 by Stephen McCranie

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2023 64:55


This week we read "Space Boy" by Stephen McCranie. Discussion (and spoilers) for the episode will cover either volumes 1 and 2 of the tankobon-sized graphic novels, or up to episode 32 of the Webtoon. We'll spend half of the episode talking about the Webtoon format, and then get into this soft scifi story about a girl from space (also there is a boy). We'll talk about netgear, high school, and also learn that the antithesis of “manic pixie dream-girl” is in fact “moody emo dream-boy.” Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will cover volumes 1&2 of "Descending Stories" by Haruko Kumota.

eps. 92: "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist" by Adrian Tomine

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 66:50


This week we read "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist" by Adrian Tomine, diving deep into the most negative parts of one cartoonist's psyche. We talk about the important place of “sad old man” comics in comics history, mumblecore, lonely book signings, and how cilantro salad is cringe (but only metaphorically). Also how important format is to the storytelling in this book. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will cover volumes 1&2 of "Space Boy" by Stephen McCranie.

eps. 91: "Ducks" Part 2 by Kate Beaton

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 58:58


Jam, Jeff, and JD return to Alberta for the rest of Kate Beaton's "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands." We still have lots to talk about as Kate survives her own journey of being metaphorically trapped in a tailings pond. We'll talk about resource extraction, Canadian history, late capitalism, misogyny, and (be warned) sexual assault. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will cover "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist" by Adrian Tomine.

eps. 90: "Ducks" by Kate Beaton

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 63:20


Today's episode takes Jam, Jeff, and JD to northern Alberta with Kate Beaton's "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands." Kate is better known for her comics making jokes about history, but "Ducks" IS history. This first-hand account of the time Kate spent working in, and surviving, the oil industry will likely be a primary source for readers for years to come. This is not an easy story, so be ready for it to go to some dark places. Although we've saved the conversation about sexual assault for the follow-up episode. Music by Sleuth.

eps. 89: "Mare Internum" by Der-Shing Helmer

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2022 69:01


This week Jam, Jeff, and JD read and talk about "Mare Internum" by Der-Shing Helmer. This is a character-driven sci-fi webcomic turned graphic novel that goes to some dark places in the belly of Mars. We'll talk about dying climates, extraterrestrials, and our panelists' complete lack of pioneer spirit. Be aware that this book travels deep into depression and a bunch of other content warnings. #abillionyeardepressiveepisode #justMarsthings Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will cover "Ducks" by Kate Beaton.

eps. 88: Return to Planet Con

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 94:56


This year our panelists returned to their first convention in a very long time, VanCAF 2022, and walked away with some books worth sharing. We discuss "Prince of Cats" by Ronald Wimberly, "Mmm Syrup" and "Prayer of the Ninth House" by Tajliya Jamal, "Swim Team" by Johnnie Christmas, "Science Ghost" by Christian Haruki Lett, "You Can't Get There from Here" by Shannon Kao, "Where Have You Been?" by Ivana Filipovich, "Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong" by Prudence Shen and Faith Erin Hicks, "The Year 50 Project" by Jason Turner, and "Our Little Secret" by Emily Carrington. We also get into the past and future of comics conventions and comics infrastructure, cosplay, -bounding, and Comics Prom. There's a lot to talk about! Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Mare Internum" by Dershing Helmer

eps. 87: "Youtsuba&!" Vol. 1&2 by Kiyohiko Azuma

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 61:51


This week Jam, Jeff, and JD read "Yotsuba&!" by Kiyohiko Azuma, for a breath of fresh air and a story with the lowest stakes imaginable. We get into reliving childhood, the importance of a good translator, top tier comedic pacing, and ask who this comic is actually supposed to be for (Is it us? Is it made for us three?) We're not going to ignore some of the gross ecchi, but we'll also have a hard time not just laughing all the way through the episode. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on VanCAF 2022.

music jd jam sleuths yotsuba kiyohiko azuma vancaf
eps. 86: "The Golden Age" Vol. 2 by Roxanne Moreil & Cyril Pedrosa

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 58:20


The TradeWaiters return with part two of "The Golden Age" by Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa. Hannah Myers rejoins us after our long absence, and we check in on how Tilda is doing in her war to reclaim the throne of Antrevers. It turns out, she's not doing great! Join us as we talk about what's in the magic box, what's in a revolution, and the importance of both good government and good panel composition. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on volumes one and two of "Yotsuba&!" by Kiyohiko Azuma.

eps. 85: "Hawkeye" Part 2 by Matt Fraction, David Aja, & Annie Wu

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2022 72:34


This is part two of "Hawkeye" by Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Annie Wu, which is included in the trade paperbacks "Hawkeye: LA Woman" and "Hawkeye: Rio Bravo," or else the second half of "Hawkeye: The Saga of Barton and Bishop." It's also by Matt Hollingsworth, Javier Pulido, Francesco Francavilla, and Chris Eliopoulis. We finally get a chance to go deeper into the story of the two Hawkeyes, as Kate moves to LA to hang out with Columbo and Clint goes from futzing around to finding out. We'll also talk about strategies for writing tricky content and the complications of writing legacy characters. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on volume two of "Golden Age" by Roxanne Moreil and Cydril Pedrosa.

eps. 84: "Hawkeye" Part 1 by Matt Fraction and David Aja

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 66:54


This episode covers "Hawkeye" by Matt Fraction and David Aja. It's part one of two, and is equivalent to either the trade paperbacks "Hawkeye: My Life Is a Weapon" and "Hawkeye: Little Hits," or else the first half of "Hawkeye: The Saga of Barton and Bishop." It's also by Matt Hollingsworth, Javier Pulido, Francesco Francavilla, Steve Lieber, Alan Davis, and Jesse Hamm. Confused yet? So are we. Honestly JD, Jeff, and Jam are going to spend the first half of this episode airing our grievances about the completely opaque way that Marvel collects its trades. But eventually we get to talk about this really interesting book, how it does a lot of interesting things with the superhero genre and with these characters in particular, and how even in the golden age of graphic novels, there are “mainstream” trades worth waiting for. Also, apologies to Francesco Francavilla and Javier Pulido, we had you completely mixed up for like… most of this episode. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on the second half of "Hawkeye: The Saga of Barton and Bishop," or the trades "Hawkeye: L.A. Woman" and "Hawkeye: Rio Bravo," by Matt Fraction and David Aja.

eps. 83: "Stargazing" by Jen Wang

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 60:04


For today's episode Jeff, Jam, and JD are joined by cartoonist Miriam Libicki and her daughter Mered for a discussion about "Stargazing" by Jen Wang. This slice-of-life story about two girls dealing with life issues big and small gives us lots to talk about, and according to Mered, should be required reading for 99% of the population. So go find a copy and then listen in. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Hawkeye: The Saga of Barton and Bishop" by Matt Fraction and David Aja.

eps. 82: "Death Note" vol. 3&4 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 61:08


It's finally time for the third and fourth volumes of "Death Note" by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata! We finally get to see Light and L become the best of fake friends, and we get to meet Misa, the third pillar of our triumvirate of sociopathic twenty-year-olds. Join Jam, JD, and Jeff as we also discuss social masking, “yes, and” writing, and how much worse having a death note would be once Facebook exists. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on Stargazing by Jen Wang.

eps. 81: "Paying the Land" by Joe Sacco

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 59:42


For today's episode we read "Paying the Land," comics journalist Joe Sacco's book about the Dene people, resource extraction in the Northwest Territories, the legacy of Canadian colonialism, and residential schools. It's a big book with a lot to say on some weighty issues, but we also find time to discuss journalism as an institution, the convenient “boringness” of Canadian history, and even cottage core. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Death Note" volumes 3 & 4 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

eps. 80: "The Golden Age" Vol. 1 by Roxanne Moreil & Cyril Pedrosa

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 55:25


The TradeWaiters are joined by Hannah Myers to read volume one of "The Golden Age" by Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa. This medieval adventure from France isn't all that it seems. We talk about colour, innovating ways to show motion through time, our favourite absent meals, and why you should support your local peasant revolt. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Paying the Land" by Joe Sacco.

eps. 79: "The Magic Fish" by Trung Le Nguyen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 50:22


For today's episode Jam, Jeff, and JD read "The Magic Fish" by Trung Le Nguyen, a story about love, growing up, immigration, and identity framed by three fairy tales. This is a work with a lot of depth and a lot of heart, and we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we have. Along the way we'll also discuss cats, telling stories through colour, and being LGBTQ in school. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on The Golden Age by Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa.

eps. 78: "Death Note" Vol. 1 & 2 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 62:29


It's time to jump back to the early 2000s. We read the first two volumes of Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's "Death Note" and can let you in on the gritty details. Listen in and you can also hear about Sherlock Holmes' descendants, the importance of having the right stationary, and the indelicate details of the Japanese legal system. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "The Magic Fish" by Trung Le Nguyen.

Eps. 77: "Sex Criminals" Vol. 1&2 by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 50:54


Wizz! Bang! Pow! This comic is definitely not for kids. No seriously, skip this episode if you do not want “adult” content. This is "Sex Criminals" by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, the comic that asks the question, what would you do if could stop time when you orgasm? What would make you want to rob a bank? What would you do if the sex police caught on to your naked shenanigans? You know, the really important stuff. Also what's going on with male gynecologists. Don't worry, we promise not to get too TMI, even though this time we're definitely NSFW. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Death Note" Vol. 1 & 2 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

eps. 76: "Through the Woods" by Emily Carroll

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 52:25


Special guest Kathleen Jacques joins Jeff, Jam, and JD for a spooky read-through of Emily Carroll's breakout short story collection "Through the Woods." Emily is a master of the medium, and her book sparks conversations about how to do horror in the comics medium, web versus print comics, fairy tales, picture books, and more. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Sex Criminals" Vol. 1 & 2 by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky.

eps. 75: "Meal" by Blue Delliquanti with Soleil Ho

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 49:39


The TradeWaiters are back from another (probably pandemic-related) hiatus. For this episode, Jam, Jeff, and JD read "Meal" by Blue Delliquanti with Soleil Ho. Have you ever eaten a bug? Like, on purpose? Would you like to? "Meal" is more than just a great case for entomophagy (i.e. bug eating), cuisine with deep cultural roots in many parts of the world. It's also a great story. It might even be the beginning of a new tradition of food manga made in North America. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Through the Woods" by Emily Carroll.

eps. 74: "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North, & Albert Monteys

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 58:36


This week, or maybe six weeks ago, we read the "Slaughterhouse-Five" graphic novel adaptation by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North, and Albert Monteys. This may be the perfect book to read during a pandemic when time seems unstuck. But never mind the sales-pitch, because if you listen to this episode you’ve always listened to this episode. Detours include the firebombing of Dresden, what a Trafalmadorian comic looks like, and being unstuck in the history of manga. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on "Meal" by Blue Delliquanti and Soleil Ho.

eps. 73: "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" by Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 52:18


It’s been too long since we last read a book by Mariko Tamaki, so join Jeff, Jam, and JD for "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. It’s a high school drama about the multiple endings of a romance, as well as friendship, queerness, and life in general. You won’t be disappointed (except in Laura Dean). Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on "Slaughterhouse Five: Or the Children’s Crusade" by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North, and Albert Monteys.

eps. 72: "Saga" Volumes 2 & 3 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 58:52


In today’s episode Jeff, Jam, and Jon jump back into the epic world of Landfall and Reef with "Saga" volumes 2 & 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. We go looking for themes, talk about writers writing writers, and learn more about the many characters the story boasts. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell.

eps. 71: "Saga" Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2021 54:50


The wait is over! TradeWaiters Jon, Jeff, and Jam are back with a two-parter on "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Stapes. This episode will cover Volume 1 (which is the first six chapters). Listen in as we revisit a tale as old as time, about a horned prisoner of war from a planet of magic and a winged soldier from a vast space empire falling in love over a trashy romance novel. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will cover volumes 2 and 3 of "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

eps. 70: "Drifting Dragons" Vol. 1&2 by Taku Kuwabara

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2020 53:46


We recorded this episode only a few months ago, and yet anything before quarantine began feels like a lifetime ago. Anyways, this is "Drifting Dragons" volumes 1 and 2 by Taku Kuwabara. Faith Erin Hicks joins us again for a deep dive into a manga about hunting, killing, and eating dragons. We also get lost on detours about analogy, cartoonist envy, and what it means to be famous in comics. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on volume 1 of "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.

eps. 69: Reading Deeply

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 69:21


VanCAF 2020 was held online, due to the world being in its current state, and so the TradeWaiters panel we pitched them became an online event as well. I present to you "Reading Deeply," on how to get the most out of your comics reading experience. The audio quality on this one isn't great, sorry. Some of us (me) didn't think to get high quality microphones before a pandemic made new cameras and mics impossible to acquire. Our primary examples for this episode are: "Scott Pilgrim" and "Seconds" both by Bryan Lee O'Malley "V for Vendetta" by Alan Moore and David Lloyd "Berlin" by Jason Lutes "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" by Hayao Miyazaki and "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be the one we recorded with Faith Erin Hicks on the first two volumes of "Drifting Dragons" by Taku Kuwabara.

eps. 68: "Delicious in Dungeon" Vol. 1&2 by Ryoko Kui

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 57:26


Have you ever wondered how to eat a suit of armour? Special guest Faith Erin Hicks joins Jam, Jeff, and Jon to find out as we read the first two volumes of "Delicious in Dungeon" by Ryoko Kui. This cross-genre comedy adventure about eating all the monsters in a fantasy campaign dungeon will give you answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. Music by Sleuth. Faith will join us again for our next episode, on the first two volumes of "Drifting Dragons" by Taku Kuwabara.

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