An inkstuds that has been a long time coming, me and Paul Pope talk about comics, art and more. His new book is Battling Boy from First Second. Paul’s other work includes the important indie comic THB, as well as 100%, Heavy Liquid and Batman Year 100 from DC, and books like One Trick Rip Off and PulpHope. I didn’t get music from Paul in time for posting, so I book-ended the interview with a couple of tracks from the soundtrack to El Topo. It felt appropriate.
Jeet Heer joined me to chat about his new book, In Love With Art, a biography of Raw publisher, Toon Books founder and New Yorker Art Editor, Françoise Mouly. Jeet’s an excellent writer and this book is well worth checking out. He also has a new book out edited with Charles Hatfield and Kent Worcester, The Superhero Reader
Cartoonist Jess Johnson, joined me talk about their comic work ranging from recent work, Sad Brat, Bad Star and Auto da Fe that cover their time identified as a transgender woman. Previously, Jess had published Nurture the Devil through Fantagraphics in the 90s and plethora of work in various anthologies and mini-comics under the name Jeff Johnson.
Vancouver cartoonist Tony Cliff joined me to talk about his new book from First Second Books, Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant. My apologies for horribly misspronouncing the title. Tony is too polite, and I am too much of a jerk.
Friend of the inkstuds, Jen Vaughn traveled up to Vancouver for a live appearance on the show. You can find Jen’s work in Cartozia, which is currently seeking funding on kickstarter. Jen’s latest solo work is Avery Fatbottom: Renaissance Fair Detective available on comixology.
This episode was cohosted by Brandon Graham.
Furry Trap cartoonist, Josh Simmons returns to the inkstuds for another chat at my kitchen table. On top of his fantagraphics work, he also has Habit published recently by Oily comics and some videos that he has been doing, including the most recent, Utz.
Special thanks to Robin Bougie for joining us. Always happy to have him join me for anything.
Canadian TV writer and producer Ted Mann, joined me to talk about his time making comics, working for National Lampoon and more. We also discuss his film work and how that all connects together. You can read Ted’s first comic here on my sister site, the Canadian Comics Archive. Thanks to Ted to taking the time to chat with me. Also to good friend, Claire Gibson for joining me to talk to Ted.
You can watch Ted’s work in Deadwood, O.C. and Stiggs, NYPD Blue, John From Cincinatti, Hatfields and McCoys and much more.
Jeff Smith returns to the inkstuds to talk about his latest book, the full collection of his series, RASL. Jeff will be appearing at the excellent sounding festival at the Billy Ireland Museum in November. Jeff also edited the lastest installment of the Best American Comics.
This past weekend, my old buddy, Brandon Graham had a signing in Seattle. We decided to make a weekend out of it and travel down for a Bro-Road trip. Within the first minutes of getting into the, Brandon was already leading a discussion into which “mythical creature would you have sex with”. Manticore’s were getting a lot of coverage. We were joined by good friend Shannon and Brandon’s Prophet Partner, Simon Roy. A lot of the future of Prophet was discussed, but all I remember is the Manticore.
We stopped in Burlington for some amazing Mexican food. Brandon and Simon both got the wet burrito. 
I bet you haven’t seen Brandon in a hat?
We checked the boys into a hotel downtown. The hotel staff really screwed up and gave us the key to the wrong room. We went into a room on the 34th floor, which turned out to be the honeymoon suite. It took us a couple of minutes to figure out was the wrong room, when realized the the women’s underwear on the floor was probably not Joe Keatinge’s who had already checked in. When we went downstairs to get the proper key, there was a very nice looking couple going up to the 34th floor, carrying their subway sandwiches. It was awkward. Also, if it’s your honeymoon, you can do better than subway.
We made it down the White Horse Tavern to the fine company of Joe Keatinge and Justin Moritat Norman. Justin is currently in trouble with me.
But that’s ok, Joe got his hands on Justin
This is the first in a series of Jen challenging cartoonists. I think the losers have to clean the fantagraphics bathroom. 
But really, Joe is the winner. 
He gets to keep Brandon. 
I think that Eric Stephenson also joined but I couldn’t get anything on the record.
I know you are all jealous of my companion that night. Sorry ladies, that boy is mine. 
Jen Vaughn played host to all of us for a lovely bbq on her amazing rooftop. 
It was nice to see Brandon and Josh Simmons talking about their favorite kids comics.
Later, Brandon regaled Josh and Gary Groth with stories about his favorite eros titles. 
It was a great turnout at the fantagraphics signing with lots of friends, new and old coming to see Brandon. 
Even the extremely talented Stefano Gaudiano popped by and we had a great chat about Breccia and Mattotti. Stefano is an extremely talented inker who has an amazing perceptive on his own work and the work that he interacts with. I really need to interview him. 
Seattle buddies Corey Lewis, Mare Odomo and Jacob Ferguson popped by the signing and sat in the middle of room drawing in their sketchbooks. Comics wait for no man. 
Here’s my wonderful host, Jen, with Marc Palm and John Kantz. 
and Brandon’s delightful sister was there to make sure all my photos were perfect. 
Oh Corey!
Stefano and Mike Baehr. It was good to see Mike. I really like him.
Brandon really loved the fanart he got. 
More Fantagraphics representing with Jacq Cohen. For a publisher that had nothing to do with Walrus, they were really supportive with the event, hosting at their store and being generally great folks. Jason T Miles was there as well, and he is a guy I can talk comics with for hours on end. 
Jen, leave Simon alone! Also, Simon, sweet Anders Nilsen t-shirt!
We all went to a diner around the corner with 22 fellow nerd piled in. I was amazed by the great service. I also got to sit and chat with Matthew Southworth and his charming lady. very nice people. 
Anna Pederson was there with her sweet King City tattoo. She’s pretty great. I got to hang out with her in New York last year at the Brooklyn Comics event. 
Jen’s cat, Doctor Butler is now my friend. He snuck under the blanket to hangout.
Who put’s a cherry in a cola as garnish?????
Jen and her swell fellow, Ryan this morning over breakfast. We ate good. This restaurant had a drink called a beer-mosa. It was Pabst with some orange juice. It sounded terrible. 
Sorry for the veggie and vegan readers. but damn I was hungry. 
We eventually met up with Joe, Simon, Shannon and Eric. They seem to really be enjoying their Dicks burgers. I got milkshake on Eric when throwing it out. Sorry Eric. He still wouldnt give me any comments for me to report. 
I made the mistake of letting Justin use the camera. 
And here is why you read Prophet. It’s all for the cheese. 
Shannon O’Leary and Joan Reilly joined me to chat about their anthology, The Big Feminist But. It’s an excellent collection of wide ranging cartoonists on difference facets of modern feminism.
The Big Feminist But with Joan Reilly and Shannon O'Leary [ 57:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
