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Zach speaks to comics retail fixture Buddy Saunders about how he went from the early days of comics mail order to online comics behemoth – and all the direct market stores he ran in the meantime.
Doucet and Valium, Angoulême and Marseille
The artist Marc Tessier presents a massive photo record of recent exhibitions in Angoulême and Marseille dedicated to Julie Doucet and the late Henriette Valium.
“I Prefer To Explore The Contradictions, The Nuances”: A Conversation with Valencian artist Ana Penyas
Scholar Esther Claudio-Moreno sits down with the artist behind We’re All Just Fine for a discussion of art, language, politics & generational attitudes in Spanish history.
European Journal 2023, Part 2: Paris and Angoulême
Bill Kartalopoulos is back with the second and final part of his 2023 European travelogue, including stops at bookstores and exhibitions in Paris, and the festival at Angoulême!
Comics Brut-al
In 2021, Paul Karasik introduced the world to the ultraviolent 1940s homemade comics of child artist James Kugler. Now, on the occasion of those comics receiving a scholarly presentation from the University Press of Mississippi, Karasik reflects further on war and cartooning.
Dialogue Balloons: Lucy Knisley
Jason and cartoonist Lucy Knisley talk about shared pencil obsessions, parenting nuances, and comics for children.
At Image, Comic Book Workers United Takes Another Step in a Long Union Walk
A report on the ratification of the first union contract for employees of Image Comics: a historic moment in the labor history of comic books in the United States.
All Over Bar The Shouting – This Week’s Links
When I look at news, I just want to shout! Oh no, the wolves.
Comics at the Oscars: Ivalu
Who says comic book movies get ignored at the Academy Awards? A comparison between the Oscar-nominated short film Ivalu and its comic original.
The Tradition of Training Images in Manga
In this essay from 2012, Natsume Fusanosuke examines images of the body across 70 years of manga history – with a special emphasis on how the body (and the spirit) is transformed through physical training.
Incel Supernova: From a Single Comic Strip to the End of the Universe with Scott Adams
In this expansive essay from 2020, Abhay Khosla explores the story of, the glory of, the creator of Dilbert.
That’s Why They Call It Money – This Week’s Links
I, for one, am old enough to recall the Leisure Town parody of Dilbert…
Past Perfect
Act I So I guess what it comes down to is that I’ve underrated Jim Rugg for a significant amount of time. When I trip merrily down the primrose path of memory I’m struck by how I’ve enjoyed the products of his career, for the most part. And also by how little I’ve rated him… Read more »
Atomic City Comics
Retail Therapy returns to Pennsylvania to take a look at a different perspective on selling comics in Philadelphia, as Zach sits down with Michael Yates of Atomic City Comics.
“The Entire Point Of Being In Comics Is To Be Here For A Long Time”: An Interview with Reimena Yee
Reimena Yee’s extensive comics-making career encompasses adult comics, kids’ comics, serialized webcomics, print comics and illustration. The winner of the 2022 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Artist, Yee’s webcomic Alexander, the Servant & the Water of Life has also been featured in an exhibition at the British Library. My Aunt Is a Monster, Yee’s latest graphic… Read more »
I’ll Smash Another Cup – This Week’s Links
The view up here is stunning… I can see all the news…
European Journal 2023, Part 1: Bologna
What’s it like being an awards judge at a major international festival? Bill Kartalopoulos takes you inside the Bologna Children’s Book Fair as far as decency will allow in this inaugural chapter of his European Journal 2023.
Short Run Comix & Arts Festival 2022: A Look Back
Chris Diaz takes TCJ on a massive look back at Seattle’s Short Run Festival, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary (and its first edition following COVID-related postponements). Comics, the people that make them, and the events that happen when those things come together!
“You’ve Got to Constantly Reinvent Yourself”: Dan DiDio Is On a Mission to Save Comics From Itself
One of the most well-known figures in corporate-owned superhero comics returns to the direct market, single issues, and Frank Miller. We catch up with Dan DiDio about what’s different this time.
I Was Borne Upon The Tide – This Week’s Links
Jostled through the plastic tunnel of another week, but look at what’s at the end.
Galactic Quest
Zach heads down South for this installment of Retail Therapy to check in with Kyle Puttkammer, who has been surviving and thriving with two Galactic Quest direct market comic book stores for decades. Optimism? He’s got some!
Searching for Michael Dougan
John Kelly presents a detailed account of the life and career of a beloved figure of 1980s & 1990s Seattle alternative comics: Michael Dougan, who died last month in Japan. With special tributes from eight collogues from the days of the Seattle scene.
“I Love The Community Of Queer Comics”: The No Straight Lines Interview, with Justin Hall and Vivian Kleiman
A documentary on queer comics, inspired by 2012’s award-winning anthology of the same name, No Straight Lines is available on PBS now. Alex Dueben speaks with the film’s director/producer Vivian Kleiman and cartoonist/editor/producer Justin Hall about the book’s journey to film.
