Michael Deforge

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Inkstuds

In the process of restarting the podcast, I wanted to do interviews were I reconnected with guests that I haven’t spoken with in quite some time. I am sure it has been more than 10 years since the last time that I had interviewed Michael Deforge. Over those years, his work has continued to excite. His comics are never static, they are constantly forming and shaping, telling stories in a way that challenges the reader to take time to see the play between his language and art. Michael’s creative voice is beautifully singular and always refreshing.

His latest work from Drawn and Quarterly, All the Cameras in My Room, is anthology of short stories that feel very present and vital. He is actively navigating, organizing and participating in his world. This work feels very informed by current experiences but in way that makes it timeless. These struggles aren’t new, but they are universal. I took a lot from this book and really spent some time soaking it in after.

This Inkstuds episode is sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Anand

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Inkstuds

Welcome to a new year of Inkstuds. This episode is the first of a year of episodes that are supported by funding by the Canada Council for the Arts. With this funding, I am able to pay every guest for taking the time to chat with me about their work. I have also brought on a couple of folks that are able to provide me with guidance in terms of curatorial choices. With their support, I hope to be exposed to newer cartoonists that are making exciting and forward thinking work. Every guest on the show is very specifically chosen. I will be focusing the podcasts over the year on direct conversations with artists. The show will also have a selection of specially selected guest hosts that will be paid for their participation.

I chose Anand as the first guest during this incarnation of Inkstuds because of how strongly I feel about his work. Zoo is one of my most favorite contemporary comics. His work is smart, funny and imaginative. For such a small body of work, Anand’s comics have landed squarely on my immediate read stack. There is a collection of the first 3 issues, as well as issues 4 and 5, which you from Bubbles and better comic stores.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment

Robert Pasternak

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Inkstuds

I was visiting Winnipeg in the fall last year to visit different Winnipeg based underground artists. Since I had a little bit of flexible time, I also did a couple of interviews in the off chance I got around to posting interviews again. This is the second of those interviews, the first being the previously posted Nick Burns interview. Robert Pasternak was a name that came up quite a lot in conversations with different artists in Winnipeg. His work is quite imaginative and exists in different facets of his lived experience. His home has 2 rooms on the floor that are dedicated to art making. One one side of the attic is his painting studio, a wide open room with a large canvas and some finished pieces a long the wall. When we go to the other side of his attic, we see his comics studio. This is a crammed space devoted to creating objects that are both fueled by novelty and being explored as ways do demonstrate his present. he creates these small meticulous formal/experimental comics that come rolled up like a candy cigarette in a pack of popeye style package. His work is focused and playful, showing a certain level of restlessness. He’s similar to Seth in that way that he needs to explore these other parts of himself and his memory to create work that infuses all these pieces. I am really glad I took the time to visit Robert and get to see his work and how he works. Winnipeg is a really unique spot for artists. There is still a lower cost of living, which means folks are able to spend more time on their work and less time hustling to find a living. Because of the extreme winter, folks are forced to stay indoors for half the year. There is no option but creation or madness. And sometimes the two dovetail quite nicely.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment

Nicholas Burns

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Inkstuds

I have been doing a lot of research into the history of Canadian comics, focusing on work from the late 1960’s to the early 1990’s. My research took me on a trip to Winnipeg, where I got a chance to visit different cartoonists and chat about their work. Winnipeg is an interesting town since the cost of housing is still quite minimal, especially compared to where I live in Vancouver. This means that artists have been able to focus on flourish. Nicholas was the first cartoonist I saw during my visit, giving me a good run down of the city and comics community. I had been in touch with Nicholas for a while, getting back ground info on some of the work I am researching. He’s a really passionate creator with a love for his community and the people he has gotten know. It had been a while since I had sat down for a wide ranging conversation like this, so I appreciate him taking the time to chat with me.

Nicholas Burns’ work is most recognized for Super Shamou, a character crated by Inuk tv producers, Barney Pattunguyak and Peter Tapati. Burns’ wrote and drew the singular issue which also had translations in Inuktitut. He also created on Arctic Comics which was published for Expo 86 here in Vancouver and can be found pretty widely in regular comic stores. There is also a more recent Arctic Comics anthology of work by different creators.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment

Aisha Franz

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Inkstuds

German cartoonist, Aisha Franz joined me to talk about her latest comics work, Shit is Real, out from Drawn and Quarterly. She is also one of the people behind the fantastic Clubhouse anthology, beautifully printed by Colorama. The latest issue, lucky number 13 is out now and looks amazing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment

Eric Kostiuk Williams

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Inkstuds

A very delayed inkstuds. Apologies to everyone! here is an interview with the Great Eric Kostiuk Williams. His latest work is Our Wretched Town Hall from Retrofit. I love love love Eric’s work. It’s political, funny and beautifully drawn. He is able to work out some really complicated topics while also keeping things strangely stunning and outrageous. Eric also has Condo Heart Break Disco from Koyama Press.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment

DRINKSTUDS

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Inkstuds

Sometimes life is hard and you try to find things that get you through. Energy drinks seem to be that thing for me. I love comics. Dearly. But they are hard. It’s hard to keep up and understand what’s going on.

A nice can of monster can be the only thing that gets me up and out the door in the morning. I’ve been thinking really hard about who i am and my place in the world, and i think it’s important to try and do for energy drinks, what i have been doing for Inkstuds for the past 14 years. Expect deep talk on life and the challenges it brings. I am joined by my friend Simon, who has similarly found joy in energy drinks. Taking him to the next level during his immigration to America. Using these powerful brews to better understand the American zeitgeist.


Please enjoy, the first episode of DRINKSTUDS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Drinkstuds, Interview | Leave a comment

Liam Sharp

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Inkstuds

I was able to meet up in person with Liam Sharp while he is Vancouver for a local comics show. I have always been really into his work and fascinated by his approach. He’s currently the artist on Green Lantern with writer Grant Morrison. His most recent work includes Brave and the Bold Wonder Woman/Batman which he wrote, and the Wonder Woman work with writer Greg Rucka.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | 1 Comment

Karl Stevens

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Inkstuds

Karl Stevens joined me to talk about his painting and comics work. His latest book, The Winner from Retrofit/Big Planet, is a great move forward in his work and shows some amazing growth and introspection. I am really excited by his work and where he is taking it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | 1 Comment

Joe Kessler

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Inkstuds

Breakdown Press Co-Founder, Designer and Cartoonist, Joe Kessler joined me to talk about his new collection, Windowpane and shine a light on a bit of the history of Breakdown Press. Breakdown is one of the most interesting publishers in the UK right now, putting out some top notch forward thinking comics. I am a huge fan of all they do and Joe’s comics are pretty great too.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in Interview | Leave a comment