Press enter after choosing selection
Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 51 – Mini-Comics Day

by dubaym

It’s an hour of talk about the wonderful and unique format known as mini-comics, as I’m joined by Dave Carter of the University of Michigan Art, Architecutre & Engineering Library, and U-M student Meggie Ramm for a wrap-up of Mini-Comics Day 2012! Together we discuss why the mini-comics format is a great entry point for beginners as well as why it serves as a great means for professional artists to play. We share some of our experiences at Mini-Comics Day and some of the work completed there, and close with a bunch of great mini-comics recommendations.

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and Book Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG51HQ.mp4 323.4 MB
CAG51AUDIO.mp3 64 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 50 – A Tale of Two Cities (Audio Only)

by dubaym

For the sort-of anniversary show, I was lucky enough to be joined the old roundtable (plus one) for a follow-up discussion to CAG 48! Together we start out with some talk covering Tony’s experience at Angoulême, but at around the 26-minute mark we dive into a meaty and layered revisiting of the topic of “Comics for Girls.” Listen along as we discover that the subject seems to be inextricably wound into issues endemic to the North American comics history and the great divides between the direct market, web, and trade publishing industries. Ultimately we conclude “it’s complicated,” but it’s a fun and stimulating conversation along the way!

Links mentioned in this episode:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG50AUDIO.mp3 43.3 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 49 – Fear and Courage

by dubaym

This time I’m joined by cartoonist and children’s book illustrator Dan Santat for a discussion on the fear of failure most of us artists face at various times during our careers. Does the fear of failure drive us to do better? Does it prevent us from enjoying where we are? Or worse yet, can it drive us away from even being creative? Can we ever be “ready for success,” and if so, what does that mean?

We address all of these questions as Dan shares experiences in art school, the video game industry, animation, children’s book illustration, and comics. The big takeaway? There’s no escape from the fear of failure, but we can find the courage to face it!

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and Book Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG49HQ.mp4 352.4 MB
CAG49AUDIO.mp3 69.7 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 48 – Writing for Girls

by dubaym

Is writing adventure fiction for girls really all that different than writing for other audiences? If so, can such a story be characterized? Tough questions, so this time I went to the best sources for answers! We’re joined by Dan Mishkin, co-creator of the legendary comics series Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil (and co-organizer of the upcoming Kids Read Comics celebration at AADL), and Brianne Drouhard, animator, character designer, and storyboard artist whose credits include Teen Titans, Transformers: Animated, Batman: Brave and the Bold and the new DC Nation shorts. Along with Paul Storrie we try to get to the bottom of what differences, if any, can be found in storytelling created specifically for girls.

We’re joined later by Eli Neiburger of the Ann Arbor District Library for another round of book recommendations!

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and Book Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG48HQ.mp4 388.5 MB
CAG48AUDIO.mp3 77.1 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 47 – The Voice

by dubaym

We’re joined by a very special guest on this episode to help us find a new angle to come at the topic of writing characters! Neil Kaplan (Digimon, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Power Rangers) joins us for a discussion on writing characters from the standpoint of a voice actor. How do you find that unique turn of phrase or affectation to make a character’s inner life show? What considerations might a cartoonist keep in mind when building a character from the ground up?

It’s a fun and lively discussion with Neil and Paul Storrie, followed by some more comics recommendations with Sharon Iverson of the Ann Arbor District Library. Sharon also drops the news about the new comics website at AADL, where you can subscribe to the video episodes of this show!

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and Book Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG47HQ.mp4 321.4 MB
CAG47AUDIO.mp3 63.7 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 46 – Manga Studio

by andrewjmac

This episode is packed to the gills as I’m joined by a full house of great people who are all eager to talk about comics!

First up is a discussion on drawing digitally in Manga Studio with Stephen McCranie, who leads a demonstration of how he draws his comics in the program while Paul Storrie and I watch and comment with baited breath.

We’re then joined by Sharon Iverson of the Ann Arbor District Library and David Carter of the University of Michigan Art, Architecture, and Engineering Library for some great book recommendations and some talk on Mini-Comics Day in Ann Arbor, March 10.

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and Book Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG46HQ.mp4 373.5 MB
CAG46AUDIO.mp3 58.2 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 45 – Balancing Act

by andrewjmac

Making comics is a time-consuming and challenging endeavor, especially when you try to balance your personal life, paying gigs, and passion projects. I’m joined by Skottie Young and Katie Cook for a discussion on the lifestyle of a working cartoonist and strategies to stay on top of one’s career, finding time for personal projects, all while still being present for friends and family.

We’re joined at the end by Eli Neiburger of the Ann Arbor District Library for some final thoughts and book recommendations.

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics and book recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG45HQ.mp4 321.8 MB
CAG45AUDIO.mp3 50.6 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 44 – Great Comics

by andrewjmac

We’re back with a new “season” of Comics Are Great! recorded live out of the Ann Arbor District Library Netcast Studio! And to kick it off, we’re starting with a discussion of the wild and varied landscape of comics by talking about some of our favorite books. Whatever your tastes, there’s a comic out there just waiting for you to fall in love with it.

I’m joined by Stephanie Mannheim, Gale Williams, and Eli Neiburger, who share some of their favorite comics and use music and movie metaphors to explain who these comics are made for.

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Comics Recommendations:

Webcomic Recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG44HQ.mp4 282.5 MB
CAG44AUDIO.mp3 44.5 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 43 – Let’s Fight!

by dubaym

It’s a special unscheduled Comics Are Great! discussion with Ryan Estrada, who just happened to be in town during the winter break. He sat down with me for a talk on the various kinds of drama that pop up in comics circles and together we explore why it is that we’re sometimes so eager to pick a fight online. Is there a time and place for arguing with peers or readers, or is it an opportunity to turn them into a superfan?

We also talk about the benefits of taking risks (both creatively and in our daily lives), using Ryan’s adventure travels and his “Not My Thing” challenge he takes on from time to time.

Links mentioned this episode:

Upcoming events:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG43AUDIO.mp3 30.8 MB

Graphic for events post

Blog Post

Comics Are Great! 42 – My Life in France

by andrewjmac

As we close out the 2011 season of shows, I’m thrilled to have Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier on to talk about their recent experience at the Quai des Bulles Saint Malo Comics Festival. While watching some video and slideshows from their trip, Raina shares her reflections on how tabling at a French comics festival differs from ones in the United States, and Dave shares his observations about how the festival felt different for the person walking the aisles.

We close with an appearance by Sharon Iverson of the Ann Arbor District Library, who shares some more great book recommendations!

Links mentioned in this episode (thanks to Eric Klooster for collecting them!):

Upcoming events:

This week’s book recommendations:

To download the episode right-click link below and save link as...

Attachment Size
CAG68HQ.mp4 295.3 MB
CAG68AUDIO.mp3 29.2 MB

Subscribe to CAG Podcasts