A series of podcasts aiming to provide insight into the world of making comics and how it all happens behind the scenes.
Chatted with printer, artist, co founder of electric soup and SCAAM as well as creator of the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio, Tommy Sommerville. Discussing the creation of Electric Soup with Dave Alexander, hiring a talented but unknown Frank Quietly . Tommy described his experience of working in underground comics in 1980’s. It was a genuine was a genuine honour and privilege to sit and talk with such a talented and lovely guy. Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you, a Glasgow institution, Tommy Sommerville. Enjoy
Sat with writer and illustrator Stephen White. Discussing his long and varied time working in the industry, Stephen began by telling me how working for the council in 1980’s gave him his first job as a designer and illustrator. Having read the Broons, Oor willie and TinTin growing up, as well as always drawing and producing his own comics such as his anthology Milk. It was a genuine pleasure to get the opportunity to meet and talk with such as talented and brilliant storyteller. I hope you enjoy.
Sat with writer and colourist David Cooper. Discussing how his love of comics began from an early age. David went onto to tell me about his experience working on titles such as Alex Automatic, Dungeon Fun and most recently The Edge OFF with Iain Laurie and Fraser Campbell and Colin Bell. Great to meet and talk too such a talented and lovely guy. I hope you enjoy.
Go the opportunity to sit and talk with illustrator Terry Anderson. Beginning by telling me how his talent from an early age led him to be working as an illustrator for the Glasgow Herald. Terry went on to discuss the positives and challenges he encountered whilst study at the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning, Evidently passionate about politics and the important role that both cartooning and cartoonist have in todays world. It was a real pleasure to get to the chance to talk with such a interesting and talented guy I hope you enjoy.
Met with writer and artist of titles such as Billy Me and You as well as Inking Women, Nicola Streeten. Nicola began by telling me how producing her own stories in the 1990's, began her journey in to making graphic novels. Discussing the challenges of creating work which has been influenced by her own life. As well as talking about the importance of recognising the role of women in cartooning and comics. It was a genuine pleasure to sit and talk to Nicola. I hope you enjoy.
Sat with artist and colourist of titles such as Surgeon X, Vampires are everywhere and Vietnam Zombie Holocaust, Jim Devlin. Discussing how his love for comics began at an early age reading the Dandy and the Beano as well as imports such as The Hulk and Spiderman. Jim went on to tell me how his early passions for drawing led him to pursue a career working in the industry. Highlighting the challenges of working as a freelancer and the difficulties in making a career. It was a genuine pleasure speaking to such a talented guy. I hope you enjoy.
Sat with writer and artist of Khaki Shorts and Colin's Godson, Adam Smith. Telling me how his love for reading and making comics began at an early. As well as way in which music and writers such as Jozia Rhien hart have influenced his storytelling and art work. Adam gave a great account of making comics in Glasgow. A genuine pleasure to get the opportunity to meet and talk to such a brilliant guy. I hope you enjoy.
Chatted with writer and artist of titles such as Standing Stones and his beautiful on going series Left, Steven Ingram. Telling me how reading comics from an early age led to him creating his own work. Steven gave insight into his writing process and discussed the importance of pacing his stories. Brilliant guy to meet and talk to, I hope you enjoy listening.
Spoke to illustrator and comic artist of titles such as Chimerical, Stinger and Alekhines Gun, Catriona Laird. Developing a passion for MANGA, catriona spoke of the way Japanese art and storytelling telling has influenced her work over the years. Evidently in love with comics and making them, it was a genuine pleasure to meet and talk to such a talented artist. I hope you enjoy
Met writer of titles such as Death Sentence, X men Gold, and the soon to be released Hollow Monsters, Monty Nero. Monty spoke of how his time as a freelancer eventually led him to produce the successful Death Sentence series with artist Mike Dowling. As well as give insight into the challenges he's faced in undertaking Hollow Monsters. Brilliant to meet and talk too. I hope you enjoy.
Got the opportunity to sit with artist and writer of titles such as Megaskank Mansion, King Evil and McReptile, Curt Sibling. Discussing his introduction into comics and his desire to illustrate. Curt spoke of the influences that have inspired his work as well as the way the internet has shaped and developed what he draws. Fascinating to talk to and an honor to meet. I hope you enjoy.
Sat and chatted with the fantastic and talented Dave Cook. writer of titles such as the post apocalyptic saga BUST, the dark souls inspired Vesells and soon to be released cyberpunk comics series Killtopia co produced with Craig Paton. Brilliant guy to sit and talk to. I hope you enjoy listening.
Chatted with writer and illustrator who began by telling me about how his early love for comics led him to make his first strips as a young boy with his brother. Discussing his time working in Hope Street studios in the early 2000’s as well the Influences that John Byrne, Alan Davis and David Lynch have had on his work. Iain gave great insight into his process for producing his unique and brilliant style. I hope you enjoy.
Had the opportunity to sit and talk with illustrator and colorist Dominic Reagan. Discussing how his love for making comics led him to pursue a career first working as an illustrator on Trident and then A1. Dom gave insight into working with other collaborators as well as his process for writing and designing his own stunning work Sealord AKWA and the soon to be reprinted People Protector AKAY. Currently working on Bad Company for 2000 AD and the Aquaria back up in Savage Dragon. It was a honor to sit and listen to such a talented and brilliant artist. I hope you enjoy.
Sat with artist and illustrator of works such as Black Maria and School of the Damned David Braysher. One of the original founders of Black Hearted Press, David spoke about his experiences making independent comics as well as his process for drawing. Lovely guy to meet and talk too, I hope you enjoy.
Sat with illustrator and colourist, Jess Milton. Having worked on titles such as The girl who gave zero fucks with Amy Kean as well as writing and colouring her ongoing series The Flying Ship. Not only incredibly skilled at turning other peoples prose into brilliant illustrations. Jess also discussed how her own life has been used to influence more personal work. Clearly very gifted and accomplished both as a writer and illustrator. It was a pleasure to sit and talk with such a talented person. I hope you enjoy.
Had the chance to meet and chat to artist Will Pickering. Having a long love for comics from an early age, Will begun by telling me about how producing his own comics led eventually led him work on titles such as Good Cop Bad Cop, Wolf Country and the brilliant Savant. As well as produce the award winning Burke and Hare with Martin Conaghan. Incredibly talented as well as being a lovely guy to meet and hear talk about his work. I hope you enjoy listening.
Spoke to comic creator, animator and director of the MSc programme in animation and VFX and MDes comics and graphic novels, Phillip Vaughan. Phil began by telling me about how his time in the games industry led to a fortuitous meeting with comic hero Cam Kennedy. Eventually making the transition from developing stories in games to teaching students the art of storytelling in comics. Phil spoke of how lessoned learned from working in animation have been intrinsic in helping the next generation of comic creators succeed. Evidently passionate and in love for all things comics, it was a pleasure sitting and talking with Phil. Enjoy listening.
Got the chance to sit and talk with colourist Fin Cramb. Having worked on titles such as Mono, Savant, and a graphic novel version of Peter Pan with Stephen White. Fin provided a great insight into the process and skill of being a colourist. As well as discussing his most recent work on the brilliant White Ash. It was a pleasure to meet and hear from such a talented and lovely guy. I hope you enjoy.
Sat down with writer and letterer Colin Bell. Co producer of Dungeon Fun and letterer on titles such as Godshaper, Arcadia, And Emily was Gone. Colin discussed how his love for comics led him on the path to creating and working in the industry. Talking to me about the process of lettering and the usually unrecognized but important contribution it has in making stories flow. It was great to meet and hear Colin talk about his work. I hope you enjoy
Had the opportunity to sit and talk with illustrator Tom Foster. Tom begun by telling me about his inception into working as an artist and the early days of developing his style. Discussing repeated attempts at trying to establish himself, Tom spoke of the moments leading up to and finally getting his first break working as an illustrator for 2000AD. Evidently very talented in the work he produces. It was great to meet and hear about Tom and his work. I hope you enjoy.
Got a chance to sit with founder and writer of Cult Empire comics , George Lennox. George spoke about how his initial involvement in the industry as a trader of back issues led to creating his own publishing company who have relased titles such as Vampires Everywhere and most recently Vietnam Zombie Holocaust. Passionate about telling stories and creating comics. It was a pleasure chatting to George. I hope you enjoy.
Had the privilege of meeting and speaking to John and Sandra of Methaphrog. Creators of titles such as the highly acclaimed Louis series, The Red Shoes and most recently the Little Mermaid. John and Sandra spoke about their process for developing and producing their work and the varied themes and influences that shape their storytelling. It was great to meet and talk to them. I hope you enjoy
Spoke to the creator of 'Rollerskates and Breakfast Dates' and 'Bi the Way', MJ Wallace. MJ spoke about her love for comics which led her to write and illustrate her weekly strip as well as producing several graphic novels. Autobiographical in nature, MJ spoke about using her own life as the inspiration for her work. Really interesting chat and lovely to have met her. I hope you enjoy!
I had the absolute pleasure to sit down with writer and illustrator Alex Ronald. Alex spoke about how he got started working in comics, his transition from illustrating to 3d modeling and then, using those skills, returning to work on comics such as Dr Who and 2000ad amongst others. It was great to meet and chat to such a talented guy. I hope you enjoy listening.
Was able to sit down with writer, illustrator, and inker Rob Miller. With several decades' worth of experience, Rob's work is full of rich social commentary and provides brilliant voices that give insight into peoples lives through books such as BRAW, Life in the Buckfast Lane and Big Moff. Not only discussing his own work, Rob also spoke about his time working on Jupiter's Legacy. A brilliant guy to speak to, I hope you enjoy listening.
Co-founder of BHP comics and organiser of Glasgow Comic Con, Sha Nazir has spent the last few years publishing and using education as a means for getting people involved in comics. Discussing how he first set up comic events in Glasgow, the challenges of getting recognised by the mainstream as well as his plans for the future. Sha has a lot to say about working in the industry. Enjoy!
Spent some time with colourist and founder of Hope Street studios, Jamie Grant. Jamie and I got to chat about how he got into comics and his time working for 2000 AD. We also spoke about how he set up Hope Street studios, the difficulty of creating comics as well as working on titles such as WE3 and All Star Superman. I had a really interesting time talking with Jamie, I hope you enjoy listening.
Recently got the chance to speak to writer Fraser Campbell and we chatted about his work in comics on projects such as Sleeping Dogs and most recently Alex Automatic, which has been getting deserved plaudits. Fraser also provided great insight into how he writes comics, the importance of collaboration as well as using kick starter to turn ideas into finished products. Great guy and really interesting writer, I hope you enjoy listening.
Most well-known in comics for creating, and still producing Ganjaman, Jim Stewart has been writing and producing comics for several decades. Full of interesting stories and anecdotes about getting started in the industry, the people he has met along the way as well and his collaborations here in the UK and overseas on titles such as Northern Lights. It was a absolute honour and joy getting the time to sit with Jim and hear about how he works. I hope you enjoy listening
Got the chance to sit and talk with the writer of such books as Hot Trash, Roachwell and Metrodome, Craig Collins. Craig spoke to me about his process for writing, using the Popov method for creating stories, as well as his collaborations with artists such as Iain Laurie. Really nice guy to chat with and really interesting to hear about his time producing comics. I hope you enjoy listening.
Had the opportunity to sit down with John Lees, writer of And Then Emily Was Gone, Oxymoron: The Loveliest Nightmare, Quilte and most recently, Sink. John I had a great chat about working in comics, how he got started, his writing process as well his collaborations, both here in the UK and the US. Clearly in love with telling stories, it was great to sit with John and talk about his experiences. Really enjoyed chatting with him and I hope you enjoy listening.
Got the opportunity to sit down with writer, artist, and comics institution, Dave Alexander. One of the founders of Electric Soup, and creator of such delights as the McBam Brothers, Dave has spent decades making beautiful, funny comics that provide great social commentary and inspire warmth for his characters. Dave spoke about how he got into working in comics and the early difficult years of financing and producing comics. I also got to hear Dave telling great stories about working on Northern Lights, Wasted and getting a bank loan to produce a McBam series. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you, Dave Alexander. Enjoy.
Recently caught up with Garry Mac, writer, artist and publisher at Unthank Comics. Garry and I had a really interesting chat about how he got started working in comics, the difficulties of producing his own work as well as the benefits of kick starter amongst other things. Garry’s new book Tomorrow is recently out, and It’s a beautiful story of needing to, and wanting to be loved and Garry’s art work is superb, I recommend you grab a copy. Really enjoyed meeting and chatting with him, I hope you enjoy listening.
I was fortunate enough to sit down with writer, letterer, founder of vital publishing and all round lover of telling stories, John Farman. I got the chance to hear how John came up with and wrote work such as Royal Descent, Spies and his ongoing horror series The School of the Damned. John shared loads of great insight into his writing process and what it's like running his own publishing company. Great guy and a great chat, I hope you enjoy listening.