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A Weekly* Podcast with @andreashock & @aaronmeyers talking about the bigger issues in life using comics as the starting point.
Episodes
Saturday Dec 28, 2013
Saturday Dec 28, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
We’re taking a look back at 2013 our own way, introspectively. Plus your Nerd Confessions (major comics moments from the past year).
On The Couch this week: Eisner-award winning writer and artist team Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover.
Show Notes:
This week, we present our Introspective Year in Review, a special segment where we're only considering what the year's comics mean to us. You know, feelings. It's not about rankings, or lists of best of anything. It's about the moments throughout the year that really impacted us individually as readers. Aaron and Andrea each picked a couple themes and the specific comics in 2013 that made them think about...stuff. It was an intensely personal exercise, but we promise not to get too heavy. Plus, everyone's been drinking. It's gonna be fine.
Andrea - Mortality 15:25
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
Aaron - Lineage 25:37
Andrea - Gender Roles in Comics 33:10
Aaron - Complexity of Universe 44:15
The Couch - Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover 56:15
Colleen and Paul are the creators of the Eisner-award winning Bandette, published digitally by MonkeyBrain Comics and in hardcover by Dark Horse. Colleen is an illustrator and a member of Periscope Studio, and before Bandette she was probably best known for her erotic comic Small Favors published by Eros Comix. Paul, also a member of Periscope, has written comics for Dark Horse, including Colder and Plants vs. Zombies, Dynamite, DC and Marvel. His most recent novel, the highly acclaimed Prepare to Die is now available in trade paperback. Colleen and Paul also collaborated on the graphic novel Gingerbread Girl, and have worked on stories together for Marvel Comics as well. Their upcoming Adventure Time arc "Flip Side", published by BOOM! Studios, begins in early 2014.
Paul and Colleen recommend the following comics and graphic novels:
Friday Dec 20, 2013
Friday Dec 20, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
Three comics from December 18, 2013. Plus your Nerd Confessions about endings (character deaths and series finales) and Aaron's Inner Child. Probably.
On The Couch this week: writer Simon Oliver.
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is the final countdown, escaping into the dark, fading to black, leaving on a jet plane, going out in a blaze of glory. You get the idea. It's the end. We're saying goodbye to three comics - two minis and an epic series - that are concluding this week. No crying, just drinking. Well, for Aaron anyway. #slurredcast
Hit #4 18:56
Pulp? Noir? Pulp Noir?
In which Andrea admits she's not entirely clear on the differences.
Buzzkill #4 29:50
Two truths: Recovering addicts never stop being in recovery. And sometimes heroes lie.
In which Aaron admits he's not entirely clear on subtlety.
Locke & Key: Alpha #2 38:50
With an impassioned plea, your faithful co-hosts urge you to skip this segment until you've read the complete series.
In which Andrea and Aaron admit they really love this book.
The Couch - Simon Oliver 47:00
Simon is currently writing Vertigo’s ongoing FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics with artist Robbi Rodriguez. He is the writer of The Exterminators, also published by Vertigo from 2006 to 2008. And he really doesn't like the movie Love Actually.
This weeks Outro is Metric - Artificial Nocturne
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Thursday Dec 12, 2013
Thursday Dec 12, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
Three comics from December 11, 2013. Plus your Nerd Confessions (featuring your #dealbreaker comics) and Aaron's Inner Child Andrea's Grief Counseling Revenge*. Watch out, Aaron. Schadenfreude is awesome.
On The Couch this week: artist Steve Lieber.
* Rover Red Charlie #1 10:58
Sorry, Aaron. (Not sorry, Aaron.)
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is toxic relationships. We've all had them, the kind of relationship where a little piece of you dies inside every day it continues. Some of us may even be in one currently. It’s not always romantic, mind you. You could have a toxic friend or co-worker or podcast co-host. The problem usually is that it's a lot easier to get over the poison after you've gotten it out of your system, but the path to recovery itself is never fun.
Superman/Wonder Woman #3 18:30
"Hey baby, you're super hot..." Yeah, I got nothing. This one is just as bananas as it sounds.
Coffin Hill #3 27:50
"Hey baby, you sure do put the toxic in intoxicating. Let's go whip up some black magic together." Seriously. And then they have sex.
Alex & Ada #2 36:20
"Hey baby. You're so incredible it's inhuman." Get it? Because she's an android.
The Couch - Steve Lieber 45:35
Steve Lieber is an artist and a founding member of Periscope Studio, the largest studio of freelance comic book illustrators and storybook artists in North America. He is currently drawing Superior Foes of Spider-Man for Marvel Comics, and was nominated for an Eisner for his limited series Whiteout, written by Greg Rucka, the sequel to which won an Eisner for Best Limited Series in 2000. Periscope Studio has launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the upcoming art book publications entitled Maiden Voyage.
This weeks Intro Is The Mountain Goats - No Children
This weeks Outro Is Britney Spears - Toxic
Friday Dec 06, 2013
Friday Dec 06, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
Three comics from December 4, 2013. Plus your very own Nerd Confessions featuring your favorite female comics characters. And as always Aaron's (Irreverent) Inner Child.
On The Couch this week: writer Alex de Campi.
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is money, power, women. Or is it money, power, women? We're a little unclear as to which comes first in the order of acquisition, but everyone agrees that all three are desirable, right? And potentially deadly.
Six Gun Gorilla #6 14:00
Power.
Quantum and Woody #6 24:30
Money.
Velvet #2 35:00
Women.
The Couch - Alex de Campi 44:50
Alex de Campi is a writer and director, known best for her Eisner-nominated series Smoke and the 2011 followup Ashes. She is currently writing Grindhouse for Dark Horse and her comic Valentine is now published digitally on every Wednesday on Thrillbent.com.
Intro Is: Jessie Jay Do It Like A Dude
www.youtube.com/embed/pOf3kYtwASo
Outro is: Polly Perkins Coochi Coo
http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Polly%20Perkins%20Coochy%20Coo
Friday Nov 29, 2013
Friday Nov 29, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. We took Thursday off. Hope you did, too.
Two comics from November 27, 2013. Plus Nerd Confessions (Starring all of you! Giving thanks! So much love!) and another special edition of Grief Counseling. You're welcome.
On The Couch this week: writers Adam P. Knave and D.J. Kirkbride.
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is the only thing it could be. It's time to get thankful about comics, kids. Andrea and Aaron each picked a book from this week to talk about what they love about the medium and its impact on their lives. Andrea is thankful for Hawkeye and Aaron is thankful for The Maxx. He is also thankful for Grief Counseling, and admit it - so are you.
Hawkeye #14 20:05
Andrea chose Hawkguy to give thanks for not only because of her deep love of all things Clint Barton, but also because this series has evolved into something more, something that looks at how we remake ourselves into what we've always been capable of being...hopefully while still staying in continuity.
The Maxx Maximized #1 31:17
Aaron picked The Maxx because as an awkward teenager it was one of his favorites, actually changing his perception of all comics. How does he feel about the remastered series as an awkward adult?
Grief Counseling - The Walking Dead Vol. 10: What We Become #55-60 39:17
Give thanks: Andrea read another volume of The Walking Dead. Just don't get used to it. And Andrea? Don't get complacent.
The Couch - Adam P. Knave and D.J. Kirkbride 51:40
Adam P. Knave and D.J. Kirkbride are Eisner-award winning editors (for Image Comics' PopGun) and the writers behind Amelia Cole, published digitally by Monkeybrain Comics and in trade by IDW, and the new mini-series Never Ending, published by Dark Horse Comics.
Adam is also the co-writer of Artful Daggers, and a considerable music fiend. He chose the intro and outro for this week's theme, being thankful.
This weeks Intro Is Flogging Molly -If I Ever Leave This World Alive:
www.youtube.com/embed/1AOp9c5DRzc
This weeks Outro Is Cowboy Bebop -Gotta Knock a Little Harder:
Friday Nov 22, 2013
Friday Nov 22, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews, Just Analysis.
Three comics from November 20, 2013. Plus your Nerd Confessions (sharing some of your favorite villains) and Aaron's Inner Child.
On The Couch this week: illustrator and letterer extraordinaire Clayton Cowles.
Animal Man #25 19:00
From the sick facade of Hollywood to the far depths of The Red, Buddy Baker's world is under attack from all sides.
Avengers AI #6 29:10
Hank Pym: A Boy And His Bots. Or, what may possibly be the most heartfelt look at the self-loathing compulsion of mental illness in the Marvel universe.
Zero #3 37:05
Edward Zero is a highly trained agent, a spy and killer of the utmost efficiency. His sentimentality may prove to be his downfall, or it may lead him to the bottom of the increasingly complex conspiracy he's stepped into.
The Couch - Clayton Cowles 46:35
Everyone listening has read a comic that Clayton Cowles has worked on; in fact, you probably have several in your stack this week alone, including two of the three above. Clayton is currently lettering Pretty Deadly, Zero and Three for Image Comics and Fantastic Four, Young Avengers, Uncanny Avengers and the upcoming Black Widow and Loki solo books for Marvel, among others. He's also a huge music geek, and shared some of his favorites with us:
Blur (self titled)
Cocteau Twins: Blue Bell Knoll
Frankie Rose
Battlestar Galactica soundtrack
The Adventures of Pete & Pete soundtrack
Massive Attack: Mezzanine
Clayton also chose the intro and outro music for this week's show. He was given the theme, keep your enemies close, and the titles we'd be discussing. He picked the following two songs:
This weeks Intro Is Pale Saints: You Tear the World In Two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nykGFYv9rnk
This weeks Outro Is The Like: Narcissis In A Red Dress:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XagKxbz2Zw&feature=player_embedded
Friday Nov 15, 2013
Friday Nov 15, 2013
On The Couch this week: artist and writer Howard Chaykin.
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is adolescents in turmoil. Young protagonists in traditionally adult situations can make for some interesting conflict. And so can familiar characters made accessible for younger readers.
Li'l Gotham #8 11:55
In the "stages of all-ages", these approachable stories and pretty pictures are the Aesop's Fables of the DC Universe.
Rocket Girl #2 20:05
Man, teenagers can be so hot-headed and impulsive, especially with a rocket strapped to their backs.
Bandette Vol 1: Presto! 25:30
This Eisner-award winning tale of a teenage bandit is the darling of the industry, but why? Bandette has us all wrapped around her little finger, and we love everything about it.
The Couch - Howard Chaykin 34:50
A living legend, Howard has been a celebrated artist and writer in comics for the past forty years. He is currently drawing Satellite Sam with writer Matt Fraction and writing and drawing Buck Rogers for Hermes Press. He’s drawn and written countless books for both Marvel and DC, but was also one of the first to publish commercially successful creator-owned work like his American Flagg! Howard is known for his controversial and boundary-pushing series Black Kiss published by Vortex Comics in 1988 and the follow up sequel put out by Image Comics last year.
Friday Nov 08, 2013
Friday Nov 08, 2013
On The Couch this week: artist and writer Becky Cloonan.
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is what happens when we die. Make no bones about it, mortality sucks. No matter where, or when, you are.
Ghosted #5 14:45
Mansion, check. Possession, check. Occult artifacts, check. Gateway to hell, check. Yeah, this is a pretty traditional haunting, starring a con man with a slightly different plan about how to spend the rest of his second chance at life.
Ten Grand #5 22:09
It's love story, okay? But he wasn't a very nice man and she's dead, and these things never really work out anyway, do they?
Trillium #4 29:28
The end of everything. Well, not everything. Just humanity. But we're selfish like that.
The Couch - Becky Cloonan 37:50
Becky is known for her self-published work, like The Mire, for which she took home an Eisner this year for Best Single Issue or One-Shot, as well as Wolves and Demeter, all of which are available via Comixology. She’s also worked on well-known titles for Vertigo, Dark Horse, Image and Marvel, and was the first woman to draw DC’s main Batman title last year. She’s currently drawing The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys, which we talked about back in Episode 4.
Thursday Oct 31, 2013
Thursday Oct 31, 2013
Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.
Happy Halloween, everyone.
Two books from October 30, 2013. Plus Nerd Confessions, Aaron's Inner Child and a special edition of Grief Counseling. You know, for kids.
And on The Couch this week: writer Christopher Sebela.
Show Notes:
The theme of the show is...well, sorta scary Halloweeny stuff, sorta Aaron getting to talk about Infinity again. But Andrea read more of The Walking Dead, so that's sorta thematic, right? And definitely both of your sorta dedicated hosts had been drinking before the show, so it's super festive up in these parts. Sorta.
Five Ghosts #6 15:00
Fabian Gray is a bit like Indiana Jones meets Doctor Strange, with a haunting for every different type of literary nerd out there.
Infinity #5 23:17
Why is this event so damn great? If you have a spare five hours, Aaron will gladly tell you.
You're welcome.
Grief Counseling - The Walking Dead Vol. 9 #49-54 33:10
Before you go attacking Aaron, this was Andrea's idea. It's fiiiiiine. She had a month off, and this volume wasn't as traumatic as the previous one. There's no crying, just yelling at Aaron as per usual.
The Couch - Christopher Sebela 44:17
Chris writes High Crimes, published by MonkeyBrain Comics (and which we talked about back in Episode 2), and the upcoming Alien Vs Predator from Dark Horse Comics. He’s the co-writer of Ghost, also from Dark Horse, and has co-written Captain Marvel and Fantastic Four from Marvel. His first book, Screamland, was published by Image Comics and he’s also a contributor to Rachel Deering’s upcoming In the Dark anthology published by IDW. He's got solid horror cred.
Friday Oct 25, 2013
Friday Oct 25, 2013
Two comics from October 23, 2013. Plus your Nerd Confessions and Aaron's Inner Child.
On The Couch this week: writer and artist Terry Moore. (Squeeee.)
Show Notes:
Theme of the show is life in the big city.
The rat race pace of the urban sprawl got you down? Perhaps you should try something more ...unconventional to belay your boredom. Like dressing up in costume. Or sex. Or both together if you’re into that.
Daredevil #32 14:!2
The Man Without Fear leaves the comfort of the riot-torn big city for the unknown wilds of backwoods Kentucky. That's enough to scare anyone.
Sex Criminals #2 26:35
This is a lovely new comic that you should be reading...or, alternatively you can listen to Aaron and Andrea discuss their sexual awakenings. No, not together. Gross.
(Editor's note: The io9 article Andrea referenced on synesthesia, "What Color Is An Orgasm?" can be found here.)
The Couch - Terry Moore 39:43
In addition to stints on several notable titles at Marvel and DC, Terry is known for his three self-published series Strangers In Paradise, Echo and the currently running Rachel Rising. (We talked about Rachel Rising and gender roles back in Episode 8, by the way.) This special extended interview was recorded October 20, 2013.
During the interview, Terry mentioned a few comics and creators:
Sanctuary (drawn by Ikegami)
Osamu Tezuka
Jack Kirby
Matt Baker
Blacksad
Thanks, Terry. And thanks, listeners. You're really upping the bar with the nerd stories/confessions, so keep it up. Contact information is to your right as usual, and drop us a line if there is a particular creator you're interested in hearing on the show. We'll be back next week with a special surprise...