Podcasts about Small Press Expo

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this final SPX episode, Jimmy sits down with Deb JJ Lee to discuss some recent work including DEATH FIDDLES AND WE DANCE, THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW, having a mural up in NYC and more. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, Briana Loewinsohn chats about her book RAISED BY GHOSTS, using all the notes/diary entries she kept since school days in the book, wanting to be seen and more. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, Jimmy is joined by his pal Jonathan Baylis. They talk about his comic series So Buttons including the recent Eisner nominated issue #14, how he finds artists, telling personal stories so well and more. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, Juniper Kim joins Jimmy to discuss her Fulbright scholarship that took her to South Korea for 10 months last year, the art book she made from her drawings/notes, Korean traditions and more. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, you'll hear him talk with Natalie Norris who discusses a few of her mini-comics, the status of Dear Mini 2, finding happiness while still suffering from trauma and more. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, you'll hear his chats with Kit Anderson and Stepanka Jislova. Kit talks about her new book SECOND SHIFT, fave sci-fi, the dangers of AI & more. Stepanka discusses her book HEARTCORE, figuring out ways to not repeat mistakes in relationships, graphic medicine, etc.  ATTENTION: Our current host, Typepad, is shutting down and has given subscribers until September 30th. So we are moving to Squarespace. Producer Joe is working hard on it and the sleek and streamlined site will be ready before the deadline. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, you'll hear him talk with Nicole Goux about her new graphic novel THIS PLACE KILLS ME, working with Mariko Tamaki, art technique & more.  ATTENTION: Our current host, Typepad, is shutting down and has given subscribers until September 30th. So we are moving to Squarespace. Producer Joe is working hard on it and the sleek and streamlined site will be ready before the deadline. 

Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, you'll hear his super fun talk with sibling cartoonists Maria & Peter Hoey. They talk about their latest and 10th edition of their Coin-Op series called Wet Cement. It currently smashed their Kickstarter goal on its first day so go jump at supporting them to secure your copy. They also chat about music, the significance of 2 of their original characters, how they work together and more.  ATTENTION: Our current host, Typepad, is shutting down and has given subscribers until September 30th. So we are moving to Squarespace. Producer Joe is working hard on it and the sleek and streamlined site will be ready before the deadline. 

Comic News Insider: Episode 1648 is now available for free download! Click on the link or follow on Spotify/subscribe on iTunes! Jimmy went to Small Press Expo (SPX) the weekend of September 13th/14th in Bethesda, MD. He got 10 interviews overall with Ngozi Ukazu, Nicole Goux, Maria & Peter Hoey, Jonathan Baylis, Deb JJ Lee, Stepanka Jislova, Briana Loewinsohn, Natalie Norris, Kit Anderson and Juniper Kim. In this episode, you'll hear his delightful talk with Ngozi Ukazu about her new book FLIP, love of Blue Beetle, stand-up comedy & more! Jimmy also gives his overall recap of the convention with regards to organization, attendance, exhibitors, etc.  ATTENTION: Our current host, Typepad, is shutting down and has given subscribers until September 30th. So we are moving to Squarespace. Producer Joe is working hard on it and the sleek and streamlined site will be ready before the deadline. 

Executive Director of Small Press Expo (SPX), Warren Bernard, returns to The Truth In This Art podcast.Bernard shares insights into how planning, innovation, and community shape the road to SPX 2025. He reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities ahead, discussing how the evolving comics landscape and creative partnerships are driving the festival's next chapter. Bernard's work blends organizing, relationship-building, and artist support, bridging creators and audiences as SPX gears up for its milestone year.Bernard discusses fresh approaches to programming, strategic outreach to new artists and organizations, and the dynamic energy behind SPX's continued relevance. He talks about strengthening connections with fans and collaborators, using trust and authentic engagement to keep the festival vibrant and resilient. Bernard offers a behind-the-scenes look at how SPX adapts to shifts in the comics world and prepares to celebrate independent voices in 2025.Bernard explores the importance of balancing tradition and innovation, supporting sustainable creative growth, and building spaces where artists thrive. For him, SPX 2025 represents both celebration and creative challenge, powered by local community, long-term partnerships, and a shared love for comics.Topics Covered:The vision and planning behind SPX 2025New challenges and opportunities in organizing creative eventsStrategic outreach to artists, fans, and organizationsBuilding trust, collaboration, and authentic communityEvolving programming to highlight diverse creative voicesNavigating shifts in the comics and arts landscapeSustaining growth, resilience, and connection for SPX's futureReady for the next chapter of SPX? Follow @spxcomics on Instagram or visit www.smallpressexpo.com to discover the latest updates, artist news, and future events. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Jimmy is off to Small Press Expo (SPX) this weekend in Bethesda, MD. As usual, he has several interviews lined up and will tell you all about them! In an extended Top 3, he also does some mini-reviews of many graphic novels/comics/zines he read to prep for those interviews.  Jimmy also gives a brief bit about the current CNI website woes. Our current host, Typepad, is shutting down and has given subscribers 30 days. So we are moving to Squarespace. More details in the episode. As always, thanks for listening! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening! 

This episode was recorded on the DC Metro, where where I bumped into cartoonist Claire Deely following the 2024 Small Press Expo. She's the creator of Can You Dig the Adventures of Rich & Sam, a self-published comic that you can get on Gumroad.BUY!Can You Dig the Adventures of Rich & SamFOLLOW!Claire Deely (Writer & artist, Can You Dig the Adventures of Rich & Sam) Instagram: @mintynjeb/Web: clairedeely.comBuy This Comic! Substack: Buy This Comic!Twitter:@buythiscomicInstagram:@buythiscomicFacebook:@buythiscomicWeb:buythiscomic.netJason Mojica (Host, Buy This Comic!)Substack: Jason MojicaTwitter: @elmodernistoInstagram: @jasonmojicacomicsMusic: “You Are A Monster” by Monroeville Music Center, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit buythiscomic.substack.com

This episode was recorded on the floor of the 2024 Small Press Expo where I had the pleasure of sharing a table with Gideon Kendall, co-author and artist of Wait…It Gets Worse, which is now available as big, beautiful hardcover omnibus with brand new stories from Cosmic Lion. We talk not only about the new book, but about the joys of tabling at comic conventions.[To view an image gallery of pages from Wait...It Gets Worse, visit https://buythiscomic.substack.com ]BUY!Wait… It Gets Worse - Hardcover OmnibusFOLLOW!Gideon Kendall (Co-author & artist, Wait… It Gets Worse) Instagram: @gideonkendallTwitter: @gideonkendall Web: gideonkendall.comBuy This Comic! Substack: Buy This Comic!Twitter:@buythiscomicInstagram:@buythiscomicFacebook:@buythiscomicWeb:buythiscomic.netJason Mojica (Host, Buy This Comic!) Substack: Jason MojicaTwitter: @elmodernistoInstagram: @jasonmojicacomicsIn New York City? Visit HEY KIDS COMICS!Music: “You Are A Monster” by Monroeville Music Center, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit buythiscomic.substack.com

Full episode at patreon.com/thicklinespod. Sally and daughter hit the aisles of The Small Press Expo in Bethesda, MD on September 14 & 15 to ask creators, publishers, and retailers which formative reading experiences pushed them further into comics. Guests include: Avi Ehrlich (Silver Sprocket) B. Erin Cole Dash Shaw Drew Weing Ellen Marcus Em Jon-Michael Frank Ina Parsons Jason Leivian (Floating World Comics) Joe Sikoryak Jonathan Baylis Mattie Lubchansky Natalie Andrewson Peggy Burns (Drawn and Quarterly) Ryan Holmberg Tigrspoon Ursakursa Walter Scott Thank you to our Patreon subscribers for making this episode possible! Follow us on Instagram @thicklinespod.

In this episode, host Rob Lee interviews freelance illustrator Kevin Jay Stanton, creator of the Botanica tarot deck. They discuss Kevin's inspiration behind combining botanical art with mysticism, the importance of community support, and the joy of sharing the creative process. Tune in to learn more about Kevin's journey and his passion for plants, symbolism, and mythology.Episode Highlights: Introduction to Kevin Jay Stanton and his focus on botanical art.

Show Notes 0:00: Helen went to Small Press Expo and had a good time. Justin talked about the Lycoris Recoil BD release and finishing Part 4 of Bookworm. Needless to say, [Redacted] became a popular word for Justin! 12:34: Tokyo Laboratory in JP will be shutting down in November, which is getting lots of people […] The post TheOASG Podcast Episode 180: Getting Irish Wristwatchy About It appeared first on TheOASG.

Jimmy went to SPX in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over this month and into next. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, Jimmy talks to Mylo Choy. They talk about Mylo's graphic novel MIDDLE DISTANCE: A GRAPHIC MEMOIR. They chat about the importance of running in their life, what it was like to create their first graphic novel, finding humor in serious moments, their work as a musician and more. Come back for interviews with Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over this month and into next. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, Jimmy talks to M.S. Harness. They discuss her recent work TIME UNDER TENSION, artist struggles, dabbling in sex work and dealing weed, the joys of working out, beanie baby Titanic and more. Come back for interviews with Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over this month and into next. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, Jimmy talks to old pal and con buddy Monica Gallagher. They chat about the return of Ass Room...uh...Assassin Roommate, Bonnie N. Collide, cryptids, spies, etc. Generally just catching up and making one another laugh as they usually do. Come back for interviews with M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over this month and into next. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, Jimmy talks to German cartoonist Reinhard Kleist. They spoke about his latest work STARMAN: BOWIE'S STARDUST YEARS, why he decided to do a book on Bowie, some quirky and outrageous Bowie facts he discovered, what to expect in part 2, doing art with a live band and more. Come back for interviews Monica Gallagher, M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over this month and into next. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, Jimmy talks to Colleen Madden. They talk about her super cute and funny first graphic novel SHELLEY FRANKENSTEIN!:COWPIGGY. It's the first in what Jimmy thinks will be a very successful series. They also chat about being actors, the improv scene in Chicago, Young Frankenstein, working with Mariah Carey on a children's Christmas book and more. Come back for interviews from Reinhard Kleist, Monica Gallagher, M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Stay tuned for more SPX interviews coming! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!  

Hi, everybody. George tells Rich all about his adventures at Small Press Expo (SPX) 2023 and his fun finds at a used book store. Make sure to follow us @MeanwhileATP on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter to see his posts about all the books he bought and the creators behind them. Our friend Susan Quilty's new novel is out now. It is the third and final book in her Psychic Traveler Society series. Book Three is entitled Elders And Aliens. Visit her website at https://susanquilty.com to purchase her books and you can always listen to her podcast Freely Written: Short Stories From A Simple Prompt. Planning a fall road trip? Don't forget about the Spider-Man In Pop Culture Conference being held Friday, September 29 - Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio in the Palister Conference Room (1st Floor) at the Jerome Library. Go to https://www.bgsu.edu/library/spideycon.html?short=spideycon for more details on this FREE event. Thank you for listening. Connect with Meanwhile At The Podcast on social media. Don't forget to #livetweet (we're still calling it that)! Share the show, subscribe so you don't miss an episode, and rate us on your podcast apps. Those much coveted five stars are always appreciated. Stay safe out there. https://twitter.com/@MeanwhileATP https://www.instagram.com/meanwhileatp http://www.meanwhileatthepodcast.libsyn.com  https://www.facebook.com/meanwhileatthepodcast NOW ON SPOUTIBLE @MeanwhileATP Rodney (AKA Art Nerrd): https://twitter.com/@artnerrd https://www.instagram.com/theartnerrd https://www.facebook.com/artnerrd https://shop.spreadshirt.com/artnerrd Kristin: https://www.facebook.com/kristingollhofer https://www.instagram.com/kristingollhofer Rich: NOW ON SPOUTIBLE @doctorstaypuft https://twitter.com/@doctorstaypuft

OK Fox and Eric Kostiuk Willams  return with a recap of festival season. We have criticisms and praises for Flamecon in NYC, Queer Trans Zine Fest in Providence, and Small Press Expo in Bethesda. We also discuss All Dolled Up, an event Eric did the poster for and OK attended in an act of rebellion against attempts … Continue reading "188 – Fagcon w/ Eric Kostiuk Willams"

Jimmy went to SPX over the weekend in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over the next few weeks. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, you'll hear from the rising star Juniper Kim. Jimmy and Juniper talked about the social history of Halloween, a dream zine, bookbinding, an upcoming graphic novel called NEW KOREATOWN, what she'll be doing next year when she moves to Seoul, South Korea for almost a year and more. Come back for interviews Natalie Norris, Daria Tessler, Nicole Goux, Gabrielle Ng, Colleen Madden, Reinhard Kleist, Monica Gallagher, M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Stay tuned for more SPX interviews coming! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX over the weekend in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over the next few weeks. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, you'll hear the wonderful and brilliant MariNaomi. Jimmy and Mari talked about their recent work I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME, the new edition of TURNING JAPANESE, other autobio work, working in a hostess bar, losing friends, ghosting, and more. Come back for interviews from Juniper Kim, Natalie Norris, Daria Tessler, Nicole Goux, Gabrielle Ng, Colleen Madden, Reinhard Kleist, Monica Gallagher, M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Stay tuned for more SPX interviews coming! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX over the weekend in Bethesda, MD. He got 14 interviews which you'll be able to hear over the next few weeks. He gives his recap of the show and thoughts overall. A truly great showcase of small press and independent creators. In this episode, you'll hear the fantastically talented Shing Yin Khor. We talked about their amazing award winning graphic novel THE LEGEND OF AUNTIE PO, Route 66, marionettes, gaming, their strange beast tarot deck, cooking, food and more. Come back for interviews from MariNaomi, Juniper Kim, Natalie Norris, Daria Tessler, Nicole Goux, Gabrielle Ng, Colleen Madden, Reinhard Kleist, Monica Gallagher, M.S. Harkness, Mylo Choy, Ana Penyas, and Miss Lasko-Gross. Stay tuned for more SPX interviews coming! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy is heading to Small Press Expo (SPX) this weekend and gives a quick preview. He's already set up a load of interviews with the likes of MariNaomi, Colleen Madden, Monica Gallagher, Ana Penyas, Miss Lasko-Gross, M.S. Harkness, Natalie Norris, Mylo Choy, Reinhard Kleist, Daria Tessler, Nicole Goux, Shin Ying Khor, Juniper Kim and more. He also recommends a bunch of amazing graphic novels from some of those interviewees! Definitely check out their works. If you're at SPX, say hi to Jimmy. Look for the smartly dressed Filipino man with a mohawk. :) We'll be releasing all of the interviews over the next few weeks in interview specials.   Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Warren Bernard is a prominent figure in the world of comics as the Executive Director of the Small Press Expo (SPX), an acclaimed independent sequential art festival. He's an accomplished comics-focused writer and historian, co-authoring the Eisner Award-nominated book "Drawing Power." With extensive expertise, he has extensively researched and written about the pivotal 1950s Juvenile Delinquency / Senate Comic Book Hearings. Warren is a valued contributor to over a dozen books, frequently sharing materials from his own expansive collection. His insightful lectures have been hosted by esteemed institutions including the Library of Congress and The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). Warren resides in Bethesda, Maryland, where his passion for comics thrives.During this engaging discussion, Warren Bernard shares: His journey from being a passionate comics enthusiast to his current role as the Executive Director of the Small Press Expo (SPX) and curator of the SPX Collection at the Library of Congress. The evolution of the SPX Collection since its inception and the meticulous process of accumulating over 10,000 works, preserving the legacy of indie comics. How his role at SPX has increased his visibility, opening up opportunities for podcasts and interviews, and how this unique perspective has affected his approach to discussing comics and sharing his expertise. Tune in to this episode to uncover the remarkable impact of the Small Press Expo, delve into the fascinating world of comics, and gain valuable insights from Warren Bernard's journey as a curator, author, and historian. 

This week we're talking about our experiences and all the fun we had at the Small Press Expo that was held in Bethesda, Maryland recently! A simple show, but we're tired. and working on more comics. Getting back to regular show schedule shortly! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jimmy went to SPX (Small Press Expo) over the weekend and got 15 interviews with almost 5 hrs of coverage. In this final SPX interview special, you'll hear me chat w/ Grace Desmarais and Ned Kane. Jimmy talks to Grace about her comic SONG FOR MEDUSA, a great retelling of the myth. They also chat her love of magical worlds and mythology, cryptids, romances and more. Such fun! Jimmy talked to Ned about his first comic project, PATRONS AND PASSERBYS OF THE IVY CROWN TAVERN, a collection of stories/characters that he's been working on since he was young. Great to catch up! Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Jimmy went to SPX (Small Press Expo) over the weekend and got 15 interviews with almost 5 hrs of coverage. In this episode, Jimmy sat down with the brilliant cartoonist Ho Che Anderson. They talked about his upcoming sequel GODHEAD 2, the film adaptation of his novella, why he pulled a pitch for a major comics company, old school comics, current TV/film faves and so much more. Always such a fun and laid back hang that may go long but seems like it was too short. Jimmy looks forward to the next time they can hang out and it will include some good whiskey. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Part of the Hard Noc Media network! https://thenerdsofcolor.org/support-the-nerds-of-color/blm/ We report in with our homework for our Yacht Rock project, and Jamie recounts his Small Press Expo food adventures! Hit us up at info@fuckindoitcast.com

Jimmy is heading off to the Small Press Expo (SPX) this weekend in Bethesda, MD. He hasn't been in years and is very much looking forward to this show. As usual, he's got interviews lined up and is anxious to meet a ton of awesomely talented creators. In this episode, he mentions whom he's got lined up to chat with and others that he has his eye on. He also briefly goes over the programming and Ignatz award nominees and practically purchases some of their work while recording. Fun times to come so come back next week to hear all about it. Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listening!

Full episode at patreon.com/thicklinespod. By listener request, Katie and Sally discuss various “Herbie” comics (1964-67), written by Shane O'Shea (aka Richard E. Hughes) and drawn by Ogden Whitney. Topics discussed include The Death Ray, comics ads, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Kupperman, Goofy Grape, Toru Fukuda, the Comics Code, The Fuccons, David McCallum, and more. Catch Sally at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, MD on September 17 and 18: smallpressexpo.com. Follow Thick Lines on Instagram @thicklinespod.

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:12 - Panel context, with Glynnis Fawkes 00:14:02 - "The Practice of Diary Comics" panel 01:09:40 - Wrap up 01:10:50 - Contact us The middle of last month, September 15-16, saw the Small Press Expo held in North Bethesda, MD. At the event, Derek moderated a panel on that Sunday afternoon entitled "The Practice of Diary Comics." Participating in the discussion were Glynnis Fawkes, Summer Pierre, Kevin Budnik, and Dustin Harbin. This episode of the podcast presents an audio recording of that event, and joining Derek in setting up the context is Glynnis Fawkes. She, Derek, and Summer Pierre were the ones who organized the panel, decided on its topic focus, and reached out to the other contributors about joining in. In setting up the panel recording, Glynnis and Derek discuss their initial plans for the session, some of the concerns they had in coming up with a focus, and how the topic evolved. Then they get to the recording of the event. The sound quality of the audio is "rough" at times -- the gain on some of the microphones sounds as if it was turned up a bit too high -- but that's something that the participants had no way of controlling. Nonetheless, everything is legible, and you can certainly make out clearly what everyone says...as well as Dustin's singing and consuming of donuts. A big thanks to Rob Clough for working with us on this panel and for overseeing the programming at this year's SPX! Participants from the left: Dustin Harbin, Summer Pierre, Kevin Budnik, Glynnis Fawkes, and Derek Royal  

Michael and Derek are back at their local shop, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, to discuss recent mainstream and indie titles that have captured their attention. Mike starts the ball rolling by focusing on recent expressions of a couple of second-tier characters, Doctor Strangeand Hawkman, as handled by Mark Waid and Robert Venditti, respectively. He then takes the conversation into a more "adult" direction with the first issue in Batman: Damned, part of DC's new Black Label imprint. This title is notable for a couple of reasons. First, it's now difficult to find, and as such, both fans and retailers are selling copies for a hefty price. But even more significant is the fact that in this first issue, readers get to see Batman naked. That's right, Wayne's wang. Batman's junk. The recent titles that Derek brings up are much tamer in nature. He begins with Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins's Black Badge (BOOM! Studio), the second issue of which will be released next week. This is a promising new limited series that has all of the secretive, undercover, and espionage-y markings of a Kindt narrative. However, Derek isn't as excited about the new Image series, Man-Eaters, written by Chelsea Cain and art by Kate Niemczyk. While he admires the message that seems to be embedded in the story, the first issue is rather sketchy in laying any satisfying narrative groundwork. But Derek more enamored by the minicomic Common Blessings and Common Curses, written by Maritsa Patrinos and nominated this year for an Ignatz Award in the Outstanding Minicomic category. It was a wonderful find at this year's Small Press Expo. Remember that The Comics Alternative's on-location series is now part of the Queen City Podcast Network! Check out the great podcast series that give life to Charlotte!

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:27 - Set up of episode 00:03:45 - Interview with Jennifer Hayden 00:18:17 - Interview with Fernando De Peña, Rodrigo Vargas, and Coni Yovaniniz 00:29:04 - Interview with Ellen Forney 00:52:01 - Interview with Miss Lasko-Gross 01:00:47 - Interview with Michael DeForge 01:22:26 - Interview with Evan Dahm 01:30:22 - Interview with Ben Costa and James Parks 01:38:13 - Interview with Ivy Atoms 01:44:33 - Interview with M.S. Harkness 01:52:30 - Interview with Maritsa Patrinos 02:02:36 - Interview with Maransa Harmon and Eric Taylor 02:13:21 - Wrap up 02:13:59 - Contact us More Good Smallness Last weekend Derek attended the Small Press Expo, which is held every September in North Bethesda, MD. At the event, he talked with a variety of artists who tabled there. This is the second of two on-location shows featuring these brief interviews, the first being released earlier this week. These short conversations range from around 6 minutes to 23 minutes in length, and while most were recorded on the floor of the convention, some were conducted outside on the hotel's patio. The creators Derek talked with on this episode include Jennifer Hayden; Fernando De Peña, Rodrigo Vargas, and Coni Yovaniniz; Ellen Forney; Miss Lasko-Gross; Michael DeForge; Evan Dahm; Ben Costa and James Parks; Ivy Atoms; M.S.  Harkness; Maritsa Patrinos; and Maransa Harmon and Eric Taylor.  

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:29 - Set up of episode 00:04:13 - Interview with Mike Freiheit 00:12:16 - Interview with Madeline McGrane 00:15:51 - Interview with Kelly Phillips and Claire Folkman 00:22:37 - Interview with Karl Christian Krumpholz 00:28:28 - Interview with Max de Radiguès 00:44:12 - Interview with Ryan Holmberg 00:59:14 - Interview with Scott Roberts 01:07:02 - Interview with Nathan Gelgud 01:16:30 - Interview with M. Dean 01:34:08 - Interview with Emi Gennis 01:41:58 - Interview with Alex Nall 01:49:24 - Interview with Ash Thomasand Sara Guzman 01:56:07 - Interview with Ellen Lindner 02:06:53 - Wrap up 02:07:43 - Contact us This past weekend, Derek attended Small Press Expo in North Bethesda, MD. While there, he interviewed a variety of creators, some of whom he didn't even know, about their recent releases and their upcoming projects. In this, the first of two on-location shows recorded at SPX, Derek talks with 15 different creators, with each brief interview lasting anywhere from 4 to about 17 minutes. Among the writers/artists/editors Derek talks with are Mike Freiheit, Madeline McGrane, Kelly Phillips and Claire Folkman, Karl Christian Krumpholz, Max de Radiguès, Ryan Holmberg, Scott Roberts, Nathan Gelgud, M. Dean, Emi Gennis, Alex Nall, Ash Thomas and Sara Guzman, and Ellen Lindner.  

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:37 - Setup of interview 00:04:33 - Interview with Summer Pierre 01:19:14 - Wrap up 01:20:13 - Contact us The Two Guys were first introduced to the work of Summer Pierre during June of 2017. At the time, they were wanting to do a special episode of The Comics Alternative devoted to self-published creators, and John Porcellino recommended to Derek that they check out the work of Summer Pierre. At the time her minicomic Paper Pencil Life was at its fourth issue, and so they went to her website to get the full run of the title up to that point. They were impressed by her art and storytelling, and since then, Derek has made it a point of following Summer's work. She had told him last year in an email that she planned to have a new graphic memoir coming out from Retrofit in 2018, and at this week's Small Press Expo that book will officially debut. All the Sad Songs is a moving account of the role of music in Summer's life, from the creation of mix tapes to her performances as a musician, and how that music is linked to key moments with her various relationships and her growth as an artist. In many ways this book is a work of remembrance, but it's not soaked in the kind of nostalgia that would come across as sentimental. On the contrary, Summer takes a hard look at herself during those times in her life, bearing herself in ways that, at times, may be a bit uncomfortable. But her story is authentic and speaks from the heart. In this interview, Derek talks with Summer about the genesis of this project, her experiences writing in long-form narrative, the role that music has played in her life, and the potential pitfalls in writing about her past in such an open and honest way. This is an interview that's been a long time in coming, but it was definitely worth the wait.

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:24 - Setup of interview 00:04:41 - Interview with Keiler Roberts 01:04:06 - Wrap up 01:04:48 - Contact us In 2009 Keiler Roberts began putting out a series of self-published minicomics that she titled Powered Milk. These were brief stories and scenarios where she represented the experiences she had as a mother, wife, and friend. Many of the situations were observational in nature -- for example, some of her Powered Milkcomics were one-panel expressions of something off-beat and telling that her daughter, Xia, had said -- but occasionally she would illustrate longer narratives that concerned her life as a mother. She has gathered these earlier minicomics in collections such as Powered Milk: Collected Stories and Miseryland. Last year, however, Keiler began turning to book-length format and publishing her Powered Milkstories, what she continues to call her work, through Koyama Press. In fact, Sunburning was one of the texts discussed last year during the publisher spotlight on Koyama Press' spring 2017 releases. And this week we'll see the release of Keiler's next book, Chlorine Gardens. It's a work that's certainly in the Powered Milkspirit, but this book is notable in that Keiler engages more in long-form storytelling than she does in her previous comics. What's more, and as Derek discusses with her, Keiler brings a structure to the various stories and observations that is more apparent than in the past. In this interview, Derek talks with Keiler about the evolution of her comics-writing, the role of journaling or diary illustration in her work, the process she undergoes in creating her stories, and the power -- as well as the limitations -- of exposing herself and her loved ones as subject matters for her narratives. Keiler has been on the podcast before, albeit briefly, during the 2016 Small Press Expo, an event at which she won an Ignatz Award for Best Outstanding Series, but this is a special occasion in that Keiler gets to discuss her work in a longer, more sustained manner.  

Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:25 - Setup of interview 00:04:11 - Interview with Luke Healy 01:04:50 - Wrap up 01:05:30 - Contact us Luke Healy was first on The Comics Alternative at Small Press Expo in 2016, where he briefly spoke with Derek about his provocative self-published minicomic The Unofficial Cuckoo's Nest Study Companion, which was nominated that year for an Ignatz Award. A couple of months later Luke came back on the show, this time for a long and more in-depth interview about his new book at the time, How to Survive in the North, released from Nobrow Press. And now, Luke comes back on podcast to discuss his most recent work. His brand-new book revisits some of his older writings and places them within an entirely new context. Permanent Press has just been released from Avery Hill Publishing, and it's a mock autobiographical text that explores the world of independent comics creators and the relationship between a cartoonist and his ego. What's more, the new book incorporates the previously self-published The Unofficial Cuckoo's Nest Study Companion, but it does so in a way that brings a fresh perspective to the story and even underscores its experimental nature. In this interview, Derek talks with Luke Healy about the origins of Permanent Press, its highly satirical tone, and the process of looking inside of himself and pulling out a narrative that is not entirely autobiographical, but at the same time, not purely fiction. As you'll hear, Luke is certainly one of the medium's most meditative creators.

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:28 - Setting up Kilgore Books and Comics 00:05:28 - Conversation with Dan Stafford 00:22:04 - Cosmic Be-ing #2 00:28:45 - The Fifth Window 00:35:24 - A Horse, a Crow, and a Hippo Walk into a Bar 00:45:53 - Powermac 00:55:16 - Paid for It 01:01:56 - The Plunge: A True Story 01:12:21 - What Happened 01:18:23 - Scorched Earth 01:25:44 - Blammo #9 01:54:57 - Wrap up 01:56:02 - Contact us On this episode, their final publisher spotlight of the year, Andy and Derek discuss the 2016 releases from Kilgore Books and Comics. They discuss nine titles, in all: four from the publisher's spring catalog, four from the fall releases, and an in-between book that conceptually lives up to its interstitial positioning. The guys begin their spotlight with a brief interview Derek conducted with Dan Stafford at this year's Small Press Expo. He introduces Kilgore to listeners, reveals its history and mission, and sets the contexts for the various 2016 releases. After that, the Two Guys with PhDs begin looking at the four titles from the spring, Alex Graham's Cosmic Be-ing #2, Amara Leipzig's The Fifth Window, Lauren Barnett's A Horse, a Crow, and a Hippo Walk into a Bar, and Box Brown's Powerman. They're intrigued by the more abstract constructions of the former, and they contrast this with the humor and sheer fun found Barnett's and Brown's comics. And given recent political events, the satiric Powerman becomes disturbingly prescient. And on the topic of satire...Andy and Derek next check out the latest work from one of their favorites, Joe Matt. Paid for It is a send-up of Chester Brown's Paying for It. In it, Matt (writing under the name "Chesty Matt") basically takes panels from Brown's original texts, inverts their sequence, and tweaks the story so that it's the protagonist who becomes the prostitute and the women who are the johns...or janes. It's not often that we see anything new from Matt, so Paid for It is definitely an event worth noting. The last part of the episode is devoted to Kilgore's fall releases: Emi Gennis's The Plunge: A True Story, Simon Moreton's What Happened, Tom Van Deusen's Scorched Earth, and Noah Van Sciver's Blammo #9. The first is an historical account of the first woman to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, and a reminder of the gender biases we continue to live under. Moreton's is an introspective examination of childhood experiences, while Van Deusen's is an no-holds-barred exposé of a dysfunctional individual, reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen and Curb Your Enthusiasm. But the guys save their most vocal praise for the latest issue of Blammo. They've discussed Van Sciver's series on the podcast before, but this latest installment is a truly outstanding issue that stands above in its predecessors.  

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:10 - Set up of episode 00:03:31 - Interview with Theora Kvitka 00:07:264 - Interview with Sophie Goldstein 00:16:21 - Interview with Melanie Gillman 00:23:14 - Interview with Carolyn Nowak 00:28:28 - Interview with Zack Soto 00:37:11 - Interview with Jarod Roselló 00:42:58 - Interview with Kevin Budnik 00:50:57 - Interview with Andrea Tsurumi 01:01:21 - Interview with Julia Gfrörer 01:09:11 - Interview with Joshua W. Cotter 01:16:08 - Wrap up 01:16:57 - Contact us In this final episode of the on-location interviews conducted at Small Press Expo last weekend, Derek talks with Theora Kvitka, Sophie Goldstein, Melanie Gillman, Carolyn Nowak, Zack Soto, Jarod Roselló, Kevin Budnik, Andrea Tsurumi, Julia Gfrörer, and Joshua W. Cotter. Much thanks to everyone who was a part of these SPX episodes, the creators as well as the publishers, and who made all of these recordings possible!

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:25 - Set up of episode 00:03:36 - Interview with Jessica Campbell 00:18:04 - Interview with Molly Ostertag 00:23:19 - Interview with Pranas T. Naujokaitis 00:33:59 - Interview with Luke Healy 00:41:54 - Interview with Kel McDonald 00:47:51 - Interview with Dakota McFadzean 00:55:23 - Interview with C. Spike Trotman 01:02:21 - Interview with Cheese Hasselberger 01:06:21 - Interview with Keiler Roberts 01:12:54 - Wrap up 01:13:38 - Contact us In this second in a three-episode series of on-location interviews conducted at Small Press Expo this past weekend, Derek talks with Jessica Campbell, Molly Ostertag, Pranas Naujokaitis, Luke Healy, Kel McDonald, Dakota McFadzean, C. Spike Trotman, Cheese Hasselburger, and Keiler Roberts.

Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:12 - Set up of episode 00:03:54 - Interview with John Martz 00:17:55 - Interview with Jay Hosler 00:24:38 - Interview with Blue Delliquanti 00:34:13 - Interview with Ulises Fariñas and Storme Smith 00:36:13 - Interview with Ted Stearn 00:59:16 - Interview with Emma Glaze 01:01:07 - Interview with Daryl Seitchik 01:13:08 - Interview with Sean O'Neill 01:16:29 - Wrap up 01:17:10 - Contact us This past weekend, Andy W. and Derek attended Small Press Expo in North Bethesda, MD. While there, the Two Guys interviewed a variety of creators about their recent releases and their upcoming projects. In all, Derek and Andy were able to conduct 27 different interviews, each of which lasted from anywhere between 2 minutes to over 20 minutes. The guys have now edited these conversations and are presenting them in a series of three on-location interview episodes conducted at SPX. In this first installment, Derek and Andy talk with John Martz, Jay Hosler, Blue Delliquanti, Ulises Fariñas, Storm Smith, Ted Stearn, Emma Glaze, Daryl Seitchik, and Sean O'Neill.

Last weekend was the Small Press Expo held in Bethesda, MD, and a big part of that event was the recognition of the 2016 Ignatz Award nominees. So for this week's episode, Gwen and Derek discuss the many and diverse titles populating that list, looking for trends and making observations about this year's selections. The nominees in all nine categories, announced last month, were chosen by a five-member jury, and then attendees voted on their favorites during the first day of the event. Gwen starts things going by asking Derek about his experiences at SPX, and then the two plunge into the heart of the discussion. They do not run down the entire list of nominees in an organized manner, beginning with one category and then moving on to the next, but their exchange is more free-flowing and associational, taking up titles as they come up in the conversation. In this way, Gwen and Derek are able to cover about all of the nominees and draw insightful connections among many of the texts. They notice, for example, that many of the winners seem to skew younger, and that, at times, complex and longer-form storytelling doesn't get the same kind of attention as episodic or one-off narratives. They also comment on the fact that established names within the medium, such as Daniel Clowes, Adrian Tomine, Trina Robbins, and Kim Deitch, were completely shut out in the final selection. However, Gwen and Derek do not so much emphasize the actual winners of the nine categories -- although they do discuss these -- as they do the broader sweep of each category's population and what that might say about the current state of small press and indie comics.

Last week at Small Press Expo, Derek had the opportunity to sit down with Carol Tyler for a one-on-one interview. Her book from last year, Soldier's Heart: The Campaign to Understand My WWII Veteran Father: A Daughter's Memoir (Fantagraphics) was up for a 2016 Ignatz Award in the "Outstanding Graphic Novel" category. Derek talked with Carol about the book's nomination and about the impact her memoir has had on her own life since its publication. They spend a good deal of time talking about the current state of veteran's affairs, the debilitating effects of PTSD, and how Soldier's Heart both has and hasn't resonated within the veteran's community. Carol also discusses the current projects she has underway, including a follow up (sort of) to her father's story and a project documenting the days leading up to her attending The Beatles concert at Comiskey Park in August 1965. As she tells Derek, in that work she'll be channelling her inner 13-year-old-girl self. This is a moving and, at times, a deeply personal interview, one that reflects the sheer impact of Carol Tyler's writing.

While at the Small Press Expo in September, Derek had the pleasure of meeting Meags Fitzgerald, whose new book, Long Red Hair: A Graphic Memoir, had just been released from Conundrum Press. At the time he spoke with her briefly for the podcast, but now Meags returns for a more in-depth discussion. They begin with an overview of her new book and the significance of its title. Long Red Hair is an artist's story of growing up, finding your place, and defining yourself by the differences that you come to embrace. Highlighting important moments between 1992 and 2015, Meags traces the trajectory of a life in process. It is time when sleepovers, witchcraft, Dungeons and Dragons, gender questions, vegetarianism, and movies like Beetlejuice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have deep meaning for  her. Behind it all is a supportive family that allows Meags the freedom to discover who she might want to be. And part of her identity is linked to photobooths, the subject of her previous book that came out last year. Meags also talks with Derek about her work on Photobooth: A Biography (Conundrum Press) and what this almost archaic process -- even art form -- has come to mean to her. In particular, they discuss the significance of this phenomenon, a source of selfies and "social networking" before the advent of the Internet, social networking sites, and the proliferation of smart phones. Along the way, Derek and Meags also discuss her work in graphic design and her passion for improv comedy and live storytelling.

On this episode, Derek is happy to have as his guest Sophie Goldstein. Her latest book, House of Women, Part II, came out in September, and her other book from this year, The Oven, was just listed by Publisher Weekly as one of the five best comics of the year. Indeed, 2015 has been fruitful time for the young red-headed creator. Regular listeners of the podcast will know that this isn't the first time that Sophie has been on the show. She spoke with Derek twice before at two different events, while at HeroesCon back in June and more recently at the Small Press Expo. This time, however, there isn't the hubbub and distractions of the crowd, and the two have a more focused and leisurely conversation. Derek asks Sophie about all of the attention that her work has been getting -- in addition to the Publishers Weekly selection, she's won three Ignatz Awards over the past two years, and her story "The Good Wife" was included in Best American Comics 2013 -- and if this recognition has brought any new challenges. She shares how her work has evolved since graduating from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2013 and the opportunities available for independent, free-lancing artists. But most of the conversation is devoted to Sophie's actual work, including The Oven (published by AdHouse), her recent contribution to Chris Duffy's Fable Comics (First Second), the webcomic Darwin Carmichael Is Going to Hell (coauthored with Jenn Jordan), and the first two volumes of her self-published longer narrative, House of Women. Indeed, Derek asks Sophie not only about the composition of the latter, but also about her hand-crafted books as art objects. They also discuss her contributions to a variety of anthologies and collections, including The Pitchfork Review, Maple Key Comics, Irene, Symbolia, The Nib, Dog City, and Sleep of Reason. Find out more about Sophie's work by visiting her website, Red Ink Radio!

And here it is, the third (and final) of the three on-location shows of interviews Derek and Andy W. conducted while at last weekend's Small Press Expo. At the event, the Two Guys spoke with a number of creators attending SPX, interviewing each for anywhere from 5 to around 20 minutes. In some cases, the guys are quite familiar with the artist's works (and may even have reviewed their comics on past episodes). At other times, Andy or Derek may not know the work of the creator, but use the interview opportunity to learn more about the artist. In this episode, you will hear conversations with Amy Godfrey & Patrick Holt, Will Dinski, R. Sikoryak, Jay Hosler, Nick Bertozzi, Jason Little, Simon Rinehardt, and Mickey Zacchilli. The exhibition hall of SPX 2015 was packed, and, as a result, the din of the crowd was at times difficult to talk over. But the Two Guys addressed the sound challenges as best they could. Sometimes they talked with the creators at their tables, and at other times -- such as the interviews with R. Sikoryak, Nick Bertozzi, and Jason Little -- they were able to find a space away from the exhibition floor where the sound was less chaotic. The first two segments of the guys' on-location interview shows from SPX went up on Thursday and on Friday. And be sure to check out Derek's much longer conversation with Bill Griffith that was released separately.