Douglas Knight of Cross Eye Comics dives into his soon-to-be released series

I love a good comic, as you all know, so this episode is one I am very happy to share. Douglas Knight, founder of Cross Eye Comics, joins me to talk about his new series, CHIASM (kai-ahz-em). It's the story of his life.....sort of. He talks all about the main character Desmond Phillips, who undergoes an operation to implant an alien molecule in his optic chiasm to combat and eliminate the cancer in his head. It's got a strong real-life connection and Doug and I look at how it influenced the story.

There's currently a Kickstarter going for the series and it runs until Aug. 28. The cool thing is that it's already well past the goal (you should support it anyway!) and Doug talks about what it means to have such support from the fans and readers.

We also look at how Doug got his start in comics and the different titles that inspired him along the way. He talks about working as a comic artist while being legally blind and how he's developed his very cool and unique style.

Rich Woodall talks the state of indie comics and epic horror tales

It was last November at the Rhode Island Comic-Con that I met comic writer and artist Rich Woodall. After a little schedule tag, we got the chance to talk all things comics. Rich's resume in the field is lengthy, and includes working on major titles such as Savage Dragon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well as his many indie creations.

In this episode, Rich and I talk about his work as co-publisher of Black Caravan. An imprint of Scout Comics, Black Caravan publishes horror and sci-fi comics, and we look at the various titles they have out and what is planned for the near future. Rich shares his origins in the comics industry, how he met the folks that gave him his start and the many amazing people he's worked with over the years.

Jason Loo shares the origins of “The All-Nighter,” winning awards, and working with Marvel

I'm very excited to welcome back comic artist and creator Jason Loo to look at the ComiXology Originals series “The All-Nighter.” The series is now complete and will be available in print on March 16.

Main character Alex is bored—flipping burgers for strangers all night is no way for a vampire to live. But he and his fellow vampires Joy, Cynthia, and Ian have agreed to blend into human society. Inspired by superhero movies, one of few passions in his un-life, Alex decides to don a cape and start fighting bad guys. But his decision will have bigger consequences than he realizes—for himself and for everyone he wants to protect.

Jason and I talk about the origin of the series and working with co-creator Chip Zdarsky, with whom Jason worked with for “Afterlift,” another ComiXology Originals title. That project went on to win the Eisner Award, and Jason shares the experience at winning one of the biggest awards in the comics industry.

Marvel is one of the many companies that Jason has worked with, and he talks about getting to do the art for some of his favorite titles. His life is a busy one, with a day job on top of his comics projects and gives some insight into how to balance such a busy schedule.

Christopher Sebela shares character designs and worldbuilding for “.Self” comic

BONUS TRACK-Sal Abbinanti releases his cult classic Atomika: God is Red” in omnibus format

It's a dual-comic episode! First up is four-time Eisner-nominated writer, designer, and publisher Christopher Sebela to talk about his newest series, “.Self,” which you can only find on comiXology Originals.

In .Self, Natalie Winters seems to have a perfect life. But when her Postscript account is hacked, Natalie’s backup files are torrented online and people begin making bootleg copies of her. We talk about Natalie's role, the perception of a perfect life and why she's so determined to get it back. Chris also talks about the character-building process and the different personalities he's created in the many titles he's worked on.

Chris also has a Kickstarter for a new title, “Foulbrood” which has him working once again with artist Claire Roe and we talk about the real-life news story that served as inspiration for a series that explores bees, crime and the intersection of bees and crime.

 After that, I welcome back Artist Sal Abbinanti to talk about the upcoming release of the omnibus edition of his classic title “Atomika: God is Red.” He also has a Kickstarter going that runs until Dec. 2. It's already well past its $25,000 goal and we talk about that and the vast list of artists that are contributing to this new edition.

Sal dives into the history of the title and all the challenges he faced when trying to get it published. We talk about the story and the research that went into building it.

How sweet is to be back at Rhode Island Comic-Con!

Well, the title says it all! On Nov. 5 and 6 I had the chance to reunite with the convention community at one of my favorite events—Rhode Island Comic-Con. I checked out the amazing cosplays, met cool creatives and bought some great merch over the weekend. And of course, many interviews were done.

To start, I met up with Author Coral Isabella Aurora to learn about her new book and the messages about bullying and treating others fairly.

Next, the writers from the comic Starside catch me up on a series I got into two years ago and give a few hints about the story's future.

Cosplayer Stevie Oaks shares his dead-on impersonation of Peter Griffin and what it's been like being at a convention for the first time as one of the guests.

On the convention's second day, I chatted with Wayward Raven founder Mark Frankel about the diverse stories they publish, a special request for submissions, and why in their comics, dead is dead.

Bringing this episode to a close is Khepera Cosplay, who shares how it feels to be back after two years and the various villains she's cosplayed as.

Barry Windsor-Smith’s graphic novel MONSTERS is on sale from Fantagraphics

Over three decades in the making, the graphic novel MONSTERS by legendary comics artist Barry Windsor-Smith is a 360-page tour de force of visual storytelling. Best known for drawing the Conan series of the ’70s and creating several independent comic series of the ’90s — including Young Gods and The Paradox-Man — Windsor-Smith is now releasing his first major work since The Freebooters (2005).

Set in a timeline spanning the 1940s to the ’60s, Monsters centers around young Bobby Bailey, a naïve, emotionally fraught young man with a tragic destiny. The day he walks into a US military recruitment office, little does he know that he will become the subject of a top secret, experimental genetics program with loathsome Nazi origins. Thus kicks off a dizzying chain of cascading events that spin out of everyone’s control as friends, foes, and others are swept into his orbit and must grapple with the earth-shattering ramifications of what this unholy experiment has wrought. As the titular monsters of the title multiply, becoming real and metaphorical, literal and ironic, the story reaches its emotional and moral reckoning.

“After putting so much time and investing so much creative energy in this project,” says Windsor-Smith, “I’m pleased that it’s finally being published.”

“I’ve known Barry for over 50 years now, so publishing his biggest and most artistically mature work to date is a personal and professional milestone for me,” said Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth. “I’m grateful that he’s entrusted this important work to us.”

Monsters’ vast narrative canvas is part familial drama, part espionage thriller, part metaphysical journey — in sum, an intimate portrait of individuals and an epic political odyssey spanning two generations of American history. Trauma, fate, conscience, and redemption are a few of the themes that intersect in Windsor-Smith’s Monsters. Rendered in Windsor-Smith’s impeccable pen-and-ink technique, this graphic novel is surely one of the most intense and gripping works of visual storytelling ever drawn.

Here’s what people are saying about MONSTERS:

“Barry Windsor-Smith has for over three decades been working on Monsters. Almost twenty years ago I read an unfinished version and was shocked and astonished at the power and delicacy of the storytelling, by the honesty of the family relationships, by the feeling that this was being created by someone willing to reveal too much and go too deep in order to tell the story he had to tell. That it is completed and that it will be released to the world is something that's genuinely exciting for any of us who care about comics, or stories, or the place where art and imagination meet.”― Neil Gaiman, New York Times bestselling author

“Any time Barry Windsor-Smith decides to put pen to paper, it's worth paying attention, but the publication of Monsters feels especially momentous even when you consider his illustrious career. ... Barry Windsor-Smith remains a master of the form, and Monsters is proof.”― Syfy Wire

“This exquisitely illustrated epic bursts with emotion, insight, and empathy. Five decades into his already influential career, Windsor-Smith has created his magnum opus.”― Library Journal (starred review)

“Consummate craftsman Barry Windsor-Smith presents an epic tale of love, horror, revenge, and redemption in his outstanding graphic novel. ...Years in the making, Monsters is a graphic narrative masterpiece and a haunting examination of the lingering effects of evil.”― Foreword Magazine (starred review)

“The illustrations are in black and white and finely detailed, with shadows enhancing an ominous tone, and readers of political and supernatural thrillers, sf, and historical fiction with a vein of forbidden love will all enjoy this book.”― Booklist

“Deeply disturbing and frequently beautiful.”― Publishers Weekly

For more info, follow: 

Fantagraphics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Stone Star's second season brings the comic to new heights in art and story

It was a year and a half ago when I talked with writer Jim Zub about the ComiXology Originals series Stone Star. A month ago, the second season began and Jim and artist Max Dunbar join me to talk about what we can expect from the story and the many characters.

Jim provides insight into some of the major plot points of Season 1 and how they'll factor into the new season. He also talks about what it means to have a creator-owned series and the directions the team has been able to go with it.

Max and I talk about the unique art of Stone Star, which features some amazing creature designs and landscapes. Max dives into the process behind his work, and some of the more fun aliens he got to make.

Of course, comic-cons have been among the many casualties of 2020, and Max, Jim, and I share some stories from past cons and offer some tips for up and coming artists who want to take advantage of the networking opportunity that these events provide.

Big thanks goes out to Superfan Promotions for arranging the interview. And if you're not already doing so, subscribe to ComiXology Originals for $5.99 a month to get access to thousands of digital comics from companies such as Marvel, DC, Image, Boom Studios, and much, much more.