The Comic Spot

More episodes online at iTunes - the archive builds.

2009-11-02T22:45:00.003+11:00

Subsrcibe to thecomicspot on iTunes, listen on the embedded player to the right or you can download eps from thecomicspot.podomatic.com

TheComicSpot 200904 - Comics in literary journals. mar 09

he March 09 edition of TheComicSpot goes all capital 'L' literature! John Retallick and Jo Waite talk to the editors of literary journals Going Down Swinging and Meanjin about what it takes to includes comics in the world of literary journals. Are the journals ready to edit comics properly, what sort of content are they and their readers looking for and what barriers are there to publication? Lisa Greenaway from Going Down Swinging and Sophie Cunningham from Meanjin join in the discussion.

You should also check out Torpedo and The Lifted Brow as they accept submissions too.

TheComicSpot 200905 - Comics at the Jewish Museum, comics on billboards. Apr 09

TheComicSpot crew speaks to Superheroes and Schlemiels curator Jessica Rynderman about this wonderful exibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia. S+S explores the role of Jews in comics history and highlights some Jewish Australian creators too. We also speak to Rebecca Umlauf of Strip Billboard about her project that takes local comic artist's work and puts it on a billboard for the next year. Oh Yeah - good times!

It's a Rebecca filled hour of comics goodness.

Apologies for the hiss in the first 15 mins of the show - i did all i could to minimise it and it gets better the longer you listen.

iTunes and new eps up.

2009-10-25T21:32:00.003+11:00

You can now subscribe to TheComicSpot on iTunes. Search for TheComicSpot in the itunes store and then subscribe to the podcast. Simple!

And to celebrate...

I've posted two more eps!

The Tango8 Marathon - Bernard Caleo and myself sat in a 3CR studio for over two hours just having fun and calling as many contributors to Tango8 - Love and Food as we could in that time. It was one of the most fun times i had in a radio studio in a while. Listen as we test the phones, the studio panel and each others sanity in this marathon special.

This is a special web only edition of thecomicspot so do spread the word.

TheComicSpot Feb 09 - The dynamic duo of Pat grant and Micheal Fikaris joined us at the 3CR studios for a great episode in feb. Pat talks surf comics and we try to get behind the comic enigma that is Micheal Fikaris. Do we succeed? only way to find out is to listen.

Listen to the right on the embedded player

or download from thecomicspot.podomatic.com

or go to itunes and subscribe!

Enjoy.

Thanks to James Fosdike and Zuda people.

2009-08-29T13:47:00.002+10:00

Last week's show has been given a bit of a boost by interviewee James Fosdike and his relationship with Zuda Comics in the state. Big cheers to James and any new listeners to the program from over the oceans.

J

Podcasting at 3CR

2009-08-29T12:42:00.003+10:00

Though I've fallen behind at posting here you can still listen to the program podcasting at 3cr.org.au/podcasts for the week or two following each broadcast.

I have the archives of the shows for this year that i will post shortly. That should bring everything up to date and we can get the ball rollong again.

Cheers

John

Sexy Men of Aust Comics Financial Year Calendar LAUNCH!

2009-04-21T22:53:00.004+10:00

How's that for a headline?

As organised by David Blumenstein. Come along and spread the word.

Celebrating the funny in the art of comics.

In week four of Comic Book Funny: the unexpected launch of

THE SEXY MEN OF AUSTRALIAN COMICS 2009-2010 FINANCIAL YEAR CALENDAR!

Featuring (and this is a provisional listing, friends) portraits of the following sexy comics men by the following sexy comics women:
Pat Grant drawn by Nicki Greenberg
Greg Gates drawn by Carol Wood
Patrick Alexander drawn by Rebecca Clements
Bernard Caleo drawn by Kirrily Schell
David Blumenstein drawn by Sarah Howell
Neale Blanden drawn by Jo Waite
Gerard Ashworth drawn by Susan Butcher
Leigh Rigozzi drawn by Nicola Hardy
Chris Downes drawn by Tricky Walsh
...and three months to be revealed LATER!

Your host is the dashing Bernard Caleo.

Date: 25 April 2009
Time: 17:00 - 18:15
Location: Bella Union bar, Trades Hall
Street: Corner Lygon and Victoria St
Town/City: Melbourne, Australia

Two more episodes to listen to!

2009-04-20T23:15:00.002+10:00

I've posted two more episodes of the show to listen to. You can listen on the player embedded in the blog. (look to the right -->) Or you can go here to download them.

The two posted are...

TheComicSpot Oct 08 - Pat Grant, Edward j Grug III, Jessica McLeod

In this show Bernard, Jo and I are joined by Pat Grant in the studio to talk about his upcoming show at Brunswick Bound and about his comic background, and via the telephony network I speak to Jess and Grug from Perth. The first couple of Perth comics talk about their works and being picked up vis the web by international publishers. The Bern, Jo and I do some R+R (read and recommended). We mention Word Balloons 8 by Phil Bentley, Something Wierd Quarterly 4 from the sadly defunct Local Act Comics, Guh!3 by Jase Harper, Hollow Fields by Madeleine Rosca and Jo talks about painting skulls!

TheComicSpot 200901 - Best of 2008, What's up 2009?

We sat down in the studio and i posed the following questions. In 2008 what was your favourite 1) Australain Comic Creator, 2) Comic Published in Aust, 3)Aust Comic Published Overseas, 4) Self Published Work, 5)Discovery of 2008. We also looked at what happened in and around town in 08 and what was up for 09. Here's to another great year.

TheComicSpot March 09 - Aust Comics in Literary Journals

2009-03-25T22:32:00.003+11:00

Join Jo Waite and myself (John Retallick) on tomorrows program as we think a little deeper about a trend we've noted at TheComicSpot. That's the growing trend of Australian comics in literary journals.

We'll be speaking to Sophie Cunningham, the editor of venerable journal Meanjin and to the co-editor of Going Down Swinging Lisa Greenaway.

Listen live in Melbourne at 5pm on 855am 3CR or streaming live to everywhere in the world with an interwebs from 3CR.org.au.

Looking forward to it.

Cheers

Two more epsodes to listen to!

2009-02-11T12:18:00.002+11:00

I've now posted the September and October 08 episodes of the show online.

Listen to them on the embedded player or go to thecomicspot.podomatic.com to download them.

Sept 08 - Eddie Campbell Interview

Bernard Caleo joined me in the studio for a live interview with comic creating legend Eddie Campbell. We had a ball doing the interview. Eddie was gracious with his time and handled us well. Thanks Eddie. He didn't have to deal with us after the show when we gabbled on like teenagers in excitement as we'd just spoken to our favourite Aust based creator. But after the 40ish minute interview with Eddie we still managed to fit in a Tango Anthology update, a review of J Marc Schmidt's 'Eating Steve' and we also had a chat about the Ugly Drunk and Stupid exhibition that was held during the Melbourne Fringe Festival

Oct 08 - Tasmanian Special

I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend in Hobart in October and decided to get to know some of the creators down there. I met some great people and managed to interview Christopher Downes (sirwdchosen.blogspot.com)about his 'Diary of a work in progress' and Matt Coyle (mattcolye.net) about his work in general and his book 'Worry Doll'. After these prerecorded interviews i spoke live to Sarah Howell (barleyhush.blogspot.com) about creating comics community in Tasmania and how moving to Melbourne has impacted on her own art.

Happy Listening!

Aug 08 Episode up online.

2009-02-10T10:40:00.004+11:00

I'm finally beginning to post more audio online. There were quite a few problems with this audio file and it need some tweaking. I've had to chop and change it from how it went to air but it's all here. As a bonus i've included a few other bits i had on file.

See the episode description.

"In this episode i'm joined in the studio by Jo Waite who tells us about her Tasmanian adventures and in prerecord mode with Bernard Caleo we discuss Bobby Ns new comic Digested. I wrap up the coverage of DoujiCon with interviews with Bobby N (bluetoaster.com), Paul Bedford (the-list.com.au)and Amber Carvan (comicrehab.wordpress.com). There was quite a bit of messing around with this audio file so as a bonus feature i've included some unaired audio i recorded as a back up but for one reason or another never went to air. There's an interview with Trev Wood and Jen Breach about their work Sawbones (sawbonesonline.com), and a couple of discussion Bernard Caleo and i had around Tango and Eddie Campbells new work."

Go to http://www.thecomicspot.podomatic.com/ to download the audio or listen to it streaming from the player in the side bar.

*****************************************

I also heartily recommend you support the Bushfire appeal. Around 200 people have lost their lives, thousands of people are homeless, countless numbers of farm and wild animals have also been decimated in this tragedy. This will take many years to recover from.

I was touched by the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 and though nothing like the extant of these ones i have the deepest sympathy for all their plights.

Give as much as you are able. http://www.redcross.org.au/

Listen for the 08 wrap up. Thurs 29th at 5pm

2009-01-28T18:05:00.003+11:00

Join Bernard Caleo, Jo Waite and myself on air 855am 3cr at 5m to hear what we thought of 2008 in and around comics in Melbourne.

What we read and like, people we discovered, events we attended, things we're looking forward to in 2009.

Drop me a line if you want to contribute. Answer these questions

1. Fav Aust creator published in Aust?

2. Fav Aust creator published internationally?

3. Fav self published work by Aust creator?

4. Fav Aust creator discovered in 2008?

5. Looking forward to in 2009?

Send your answers to thecomicspot@hotmail.com

And as to the lack of blog posts this month? I've been working on a circus at my day job and it's been pretty busy.

I have this stack of books to read through and blog on over the next month.

Stay tuned see what i think of this pile of goodness!

Interviewed again!

2009-01-07T23:32:00.002+11:00

I've been interviewed by the wonderful Jane at 3CR who is producing and presenting "Arts Geek" in the DIY Arts timeslot for the next few weeks.

We spoke about using the internet as community building device for comickers and for those like me who comment and thrive on the creation of comics. It was great to be on the other end of the mic and to wax lyrical about how comickers and myself use geeky techy stuff to build communies around what we do.

Listen Thurs 8th Jan at 5pm on 3CR on 855am in Melbourne or streaming here.

I had fun and i hope i wasn't too difficult an interviewee to shut up!

Thanks Jane

Profiled!

2008-12-25T19:44:00.002+11:00

I was lucky enough to be approached and profiled by Perry Middlemass for his wonderful Matilda Litblog.

He asked a bunch of litbloggers a series of questions and i suggest you check out their answers and their blogs respectively. It's good to read books without pictures occasionally.

Check it out and see how i and other Aust litbloggers answer how they would eat an elephant!

Tally ho!!

Review : Lonely Monsters by Matt Dunn

2008-12-16T22:26:00.002+11:00

ZOMBIES in Brunswick! What more do you need to know about this comic to buy it? That’s a pretty good hook right there. Over 100 pages of zombie action with a bonus section of art, a peek at book2 and a bonus short story. I bought the whole package that included a signed print and a CD soundtrack. More on that in another post. Or you could do worse than getting the book alone.

Lonely Monsters is set in a world 12 months after a Zombie outbreak has occurred in Australia and threatens to spread to the rest of the world. A zombie has swum across the Tasman to New Zealand, there are rumours of outbreaks in Indonesia and a global conference on the outbreak is debating whether the best solution to the problem is to nuke Australia whether or not there are survivors. That’s the big picture.

Within this premise we focus on the personal stories of survivors who have managed through grief, horror and terror to last twelve months totally oblivious to their possible fate. Some have barely been able survive on their own. Most have formed small gangs to survive, some organised along paramilitary lines. One has donned a gasmask and spends his days on the streets of Brunswick slaying the walking dead with a hammer, including people he used to go to school with. (And who hasn’t dreamed of that!)

Matt Dunn fills his book with grainy black and white art strongly influenced by stencil street art. The grittiness of the art, the angular framing of events and faces sits perfectly with the tone of the story. I do wonder if the original art may have been created for colour as some of the more subtle tones within the art seem a little overwhelmed in the black and white printing. That being said the art is gritty, focussed, professional and finds it strength in telling the story Matt has chosen to tell.

This is a very strong book with story, art, production values and value for money all coming together in a strong package. Published under the auspices 696 Publishing which I assume is based out of 696 Gallery at 696 Sydney Rd Brunswick in Melbourne. I’m very much looking forward to part two, due in 2009. Well done Mr Dunn.

Get it here.

And a reminder that the latest Tango Anthology published by TheComicSpot co-host Bernard Caleo's Cardigan Comics is on sale now in all good books stores in Melbourne or available online here. The preview copy i've seen looks great and i can't wait to get my hands on it.

Cheers

Jul 08 ep posted - DoujiCon Report

2008-12-02T19:06:00.004+11:00

This episode finds me reporting from DoujiCon3 which was held at Trades Hall in July. The small press expo was full of creators pitching their wares. It was a pleasure speaking to them all. This episode features interviews with Jason Franks of Blackglass Press(http://www.blackglasspress.com/), Wen Huang with her book Sweet(http://www.spaemakesart.com/), Tanya Nicholls and her Baby Books(http://www.stormpublishing.net/), Ive Sorocuk's wonderful work(http://www.superteamnonstop.com), the Modern Gentlemen from Modern Gentlemen horror comic (http://www.pleasant-productions.com/), kiwi Matt Emery with his Let's Kill White People available at comic and other outlets around the place, and finally Dave Cunning from the now sadly discontinued LocalAct Comics - though great to hear Dave is still creating.

A packed show.

Listen on the player or go the http://www.thecomicspot.podomatic.com/

Later this week i'll be posting the Eddie Campbell interview from September.

Tally Ho!!

New episode at Podomatic - June 2008 Queenie Chan.

2008-12-01T22:36:00.006+11:00

Go along to podomatic to download the June 2008 edition of TheComicSpot.

Bernard and I were joined in the studio by Manga artist Queenie Chan. We talked about her comic history, her Manga series 'The Dreaming' and working with mega best selling author Dean Koontz on her latest book 'In Odd We Trust'.

You can listen from the player to the right..... over there -->>

or go here to

I'll be posting two or three more episodes this week.

I'm also drawing some comics!! for the Art-a-thon.

If i'm brave i may share them.

Toodles.

DIY ARTS Fundraiser. ART-A-THON Come join the fun!

2008-11-28T00:00:00.002+11:00

TheComicSpot is part of the DIY Arts program on 3cr and we are having a fundraiser!! And you can be a part of it!!!

You can sponsor me - I'm aiming to produce 4 four comics pages in the week from 1st-7th Dec. Make your pledge (per page or for the effort), its easy, just send me an email or leave a comment and i'll follow it up.

Or read the following and have a go yourself. All works can be shown at Forepaw Gallery on 14th Dec. YAY!!!!

How much art can you make in one week to raise money for Community Radio?

December 1st - 7th

Make art for one week and get your peeps to sponsor you to raise money for community radio.
Be part of the DIY Art Show’s Art–a–thon 2008Dare your friends to make as much art as they can during the week of December 1st - 7th.Register! Sponsor! Create! Celebrate!

Download the ART-A-THON info and get started!!!

Register!
Email your name, address and phone number to The Diy Arts Show and let us know what kind of art you might make.This is just so we have an idea how many people are involved, what kind of stuff to expect and so we can contact you to contribute something to the final night celebration at Forepaw.

Recruit!
Get your peeps to sponsor you: by the hour, day, minute or artwork etc…or they can also choose to sponsor you with a single payment, just fill in the sponsor form.

Create!
During the week of December 1 - 7th make as much art as you can, keep track of the hours, days, artworks etc (whatever it is you are being sponsored for!)

Collect!
Contact your peeps and collect your cash.-You can pay online to 3CR using the Art-a-thon PayPal link at www.3cr.org.au/diyarts.

You can bring your money and completed sponsor form in person to 3CR at 21 Smith Street Collingwood Monday to Friday from 10 – 6 or to the final party at Forepaw on December 14.

Or you can mail your form along with a cheque or money order made out to 3CR Community Radio to :DIY Art-a-thon, c/o 3CR Community Radio,PO Box 1277, Collingwood VIC 3066.

Celebrate!
On Sunday December 14 we will have a great big party in the afternoon at Forepaw to celebrate. Bring along some of your artworks as we will be showcasing the amazing stuff that everyone has made for the Art-a-Thon.

Forepaw is 275 High St Northcote.

There will facilities to exhibit audio and digital video pieces as well as 3 dimensional works.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the Art-a-thon or the after party.

TheComicSpot for Nov 08 - Tassie special

2008-11-26T12:35:00.000+11:00

Tune into TheComicSpot this Thursday 27 Nov at 5pm for a special on Tasmanian comickers.

I will be speaking to illustrator, web diarist and graphic novelist in the making Christopher Downes about his work. I will also be speaking to Matt Coyle about his disturbingly beautiful book Worry Doll.

There will also be another special mystery guest TBC.

If you have any what’s on or news you want me to share email me thecomicspot@hotmail.com and I’ll try to fit as much in as I can.

Cheers

John

ps- DIY Arts and TheComicSpot are haveing an Art-a-thon to raise funds for the program. We have a fundrasing target each year to help keep the station on air. Where 2/3 of the way there and want to make it with the Art-a-thon. More details to follow.

Tales of Hobartian Comics

2008-11-15T12:13:00.014+11:00

I was recently in Hobart for a few days to chillax for a bit after a pretty warped time in my life recently. It worked, I can now consider myself chilled and relaxed. A good part of the reason it worked was some great comic related people I met, spoke to, interviewed and whose works I purchased. I also wandered around town checking out galleries, second-hand book and clothes stores, going to the movies and sitting in a very nice Jazz bar on Saturday night. And with a G&T too many, a lovely evening/early morning stroll back to the B&B I had an extremely relaxing and peaceful sleep Saturday night.

A nice town, with some interesting purchases to be had.

I managed to get in contact with and speak to a few comic related people. My thanks to Sarah Howell for some contacts and to Anthony of Pocket Space in Criterion St for being available to chat as well. I recorded interviews with Chris Downes and Matt Coyle which you will be hearing in the next episode of TheComicSpot airing in Melbourne on 855am 3CR and streaming at 3CR.org.au on Thursday 27th at 5pm.

Here’s a brief overview of the purchases and later i'll post a few pics of some steet art I encountered in the lovely Hobart.

First of all i met up with and spoke to Chris Downes, a Tenneseean now living in Hobart for many years.

I found his work through the monsterfeed blog you can all subscribe to from comicslifestyle.com. Chris is an illustrator and is working on a graphic novel. To warm himself up he began a webcomic diary titled – Diary of a work in progress.

He showed me these two works in progress - you can hear him talk about them more on the show.

We met in a cafe where he had been commisioned to do the first of hopefully many murals for. Check out his webdiary and let him know you want to see it published. I know i do.

One place everyone told me about was Pocket Space. It was lovely to meet the proprietor Anthony and have chat.

I stole this photo from from another blog as i forgot to take one whilst there. Forgive me internet gods.

Whilst at Pocket Space i picked up some more Hobartian goodness.

A three comic pack in the Dog Man series - Tricky Walsh I don't have a lot of info on this one except that i quite like the art and the packaging. The story involves the death of a character and then her drole afterlife as a beauricrat in one of the outer circles of hell. A couple of points where the dialogue layout didn't flow the best but i'd definately pick up more issues if i came across them. It's pretty assured.

Worry Doll – Matt Coyle. A beautifully rendered work. Very dark and wonderful. Some of Matt's work can be seen at his website and the detail and photorealism has to seen to be believed. You can hear Matt talking about his stuff on this month's show.

Girl Mountain Micah Maolomuire - Simon James. I've got a couple of minis by Simon that i picked up at Sticky or Polysester and a couple of those stories feature in this compilation of his longer form work entitled Girl Mountain. This is collection of issues 1 +2 of GM as well as some extras. The story where a guy accidently shits in the shower is quietly horrific. A nice little package and i hope to find more of his work down the line.

Space Between Your Eyes - two zines i picked up at a music store. No idea who did them. Pretty juvenile but i liked their sense of indignent fun.

The other place to get literary comics in Hobart is the Ellison Hawker Bookshop. I picked up...

Kafka - Robert Crumb and David Zane Mairowitz. A brilliant beginners guide to Kafka and his works by a great cartoonist adapting slabs of his life and some of Kafka's short stories. Though there were a couple of typos in the text sections that were a little jarring. You'd think a proof reader might have picked them up.

I Killed Adolf Hitler - the brilliant JASON. I just love everything this Norwegian does. Apparently he's the main interview in the new Comics Journal. Looking forward to reading that.

And then upstairs from Ellison Hawker there is a place called Area 52. This is Hobart's tights and flights central. It was here that i picked up...

Hollow Fields Vol 2 - Madeleine Rosca. I just missed out on a gallery show that Madeleine was in. (see last entry for a review of Vol1 and a link to Madeleine speaking about her art) I'm hoping to talk to her for the next show so we can have an all Tassie edition of TheComicSpot.

Then i hit the secondhand bookstores. I managed to do quite well. I left a few gems on a few shelves that i already had or decided to leave for others including some Love and Rockets, Eddie Campbell, Adrian Tomine, Dan Clowes and Chris Ware. But i think i did well picking up these.

Soundtrack - Jessica Abel . I read La Perdida a while back and loved it. Looking forward to reading this collection of her earlier works.

Like a River - Pierre Wazem. I have no idea about this book or the artist but i liked that art and production enough to give it a go.

When The Wind Blows - Raymond Briggs. I knew Raymond Briggs by reputation and this tale of Britishness in the face of armageddon is a great if somewhat bleak in turns tale whilst at the same time being darkly humourous stuff. Get yourself some Briggs.

The Press - Papas. My favourite find of the whole trip and the first book i picked up. More of an illustrated book than a comic, The Press (1964) is a gem. A strikingly illustrated view of the way the newspaper world used to be. Papas' caricatures of the staff of the newspaper and the world of the presses is sublime. I shake my head in awe of the lovely lines i found inside the covers. A snapshot of a lost world that has instantly become a treasured book and opened me up to new world of illustrated books and cartoonists from that era.

All in all i thought i got a pretty good haul.

Thanks Hobart.

Rambling Review – Hollow Fields Vol. 1

2008-11-04T22:36:00.002+11:00

Story and Art by Madeleine Rosca.

I haven’t read a lot of manga. I’ve not been very enamoured at the aesthetic in general and have found it difficult to connect with the characters and stories of the ones that I have come across. But, all this being said, I have and am making a concerted effort to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of eastern influenced comics.

I began in earnest after a brilliant and mind expanding Osama Tezuka exhibition came to the NGV in Melbourne about two years ago. To see the depth and breadth of just a fraction of his work was very special. There is nothing quite like seeing the original art of a great cartoonist to gain a greater appreciation of their skill and talent. Tezuka’s art had just this effect on me. In particular I found pages from his unfinished Beethoven biography profoundly beautiful and exciting. The way he depicted music on the page made it a visceral experience. As far as I know this has never been in print in English. If you know different then please let me know so I can get hold of it.

But I digress.

The exhibition motivated me to go out and buy some of Tezukas more mature works. I began with reading the 8 volume Buddha. A lovely work depicting the entire life of the Buddha. Monumental stuff, but also full of mangaesque quirks, humour, asides, in jokes and a story that went from rollicking to somber at the drop of a hat. It helped me develop my way of reading eastern comics. It’s through this prism that I find myself starting my manga journey.

From there I read some OzTaku anthologies of seriealised and short manga by Australian creators before reading my first series in the shape of Queenie Chan’s ‘The Dreaming’. The Dreaming is set in a boarding house in the Australian bush where a set of twins find themselves in a situation populated by ghosts, demons, suppressed secrets and horrific dreams. Queenie was a guest on the June 08 ComicSpot (which I’m hoping to post in a week or two)and she gave us a window into the manga world from a creators point of view. Another step toward my understanding of this hitherto undiscovered country.

Don’t worry – I’m getting to Hollow Fields.

So now – October 2008 - I pick up a copy of Hollow Fields after hearing that it has won a Japanese Manga Award and is created by a Tasmanian! Is there a better way to combine an interest in manga and a passion for Australian Manga? I think not.

Hollow Fields is the story of a young spunky girl called Lucy Snow. She accidently finds herself a student at boarding school for the offspring of mad scientists and evil doers. The major plot point hammered home in the volume is that ‘detention’ (where the worst student of the week is sent) is a place of no return. Once sent – no one ever returns. This leads to Lucy scheming all manner of escape plans and ways to complete near impossible homework assignments. The school is run by a cabal of suitably menacing robot lecturers, a seemingly evil headmistress, a patchwork monster enforcer by the name of Mr Stinch and within this first chapter Lucy’s class is populated by friends and foes that I’m sure are further developed subsequent volumes.

I had fun reading this tale. It’s fast moving and a good adventure story. The art is dymanic and full of energy. The world Rosca has created is well populated and diverse. She seems to have created many avenues to explore. Whether that be through Lucy, her classmates, the schools staff or the building of the school itself. The school, the ‘Hollow Fields’ of the title is solidly realised and worthy of exploration in it’s own right. A sort of steam punk influenced environment of permanently turning clockwork cogs and complicated architecture that demands a map and good secret passage or two to be the core of at least a few of Lucy’s adventures.

There is a second volume and according to Madeleine’s blog a third just completed. I’m more than happy to say that I’m along for the ride. This is quality stortelling – and whilst I’m sure I’m not the core audience for this book – I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Check out Madeleine’s blog and I also found this great video featuring Madeleine talking about her art, her process and the book’s development. It looks like it was taken at a gallery showing of her art. Sweet!

I’m off to Tassie for a few days myself this week so I’m hoping the next episode of TheComicSpot (November 27) will feature some interviews with Tassie creators and comickers. You’ll know more as it comes to hand. Hopefully Madeleine will be amongst them.

Cheers for now.

John

TheComicSpot - Oct 08 - Pat Grant, Edward J Grug III & Jessica McLeod

2008-10-27T23:21:00.003+11:00

This month's show (airing this Thursday at 5pm) will be packed.

Pat grant will be in the studio to discuss his works with myself and co-hosts Jo and Bernard. I speak to Jessica and Grug (the first couple of Perth comics) about some of their works and news.

We'll also have some R+R reviews and a 'what's on in Melbourne' comics and related events for the next month.

If you have anything to plug for the next month then drop me a line. thecomicspot@hotmail.com

Cheers

Hawthorn Town Hall Zine Fair

2008-10-26T17:27:00.008+11:00

I scootered along to the Hawthorn Town Hall for the "YEAH Write Zine Fair" featuring zinesters and comickers with the view to pop in for an hour or so, see what was there, maybe grab a couple of things and pop home.

I stayed for four hours!

It was lovely to see some regular faces and chat good ol' comics and ziney talk. I ended up wearing a fez and selling comics at Jo & Bernard's table whilst they sketched and tottled around the hall.

It was good to see Bobby, Jason, Ive, Phil and Greg all there and mostly selling their wares too. It was also good to see people i'd never seen before and to have a blast from the past in the shape of Avrim Wolf. Avrim was a 12 year old or so when i worked with him in my student radio days a decade ago. He was keen as mustard with a mic in front of him and had the chutzpah to go on with it. He's now a film student and looking the fine young man. Good luck to him on his journeys.

As always when i attend things where there are comics for sale i can't leave empty handed.

Word Balloons 8! Philip Bentley's wonderful fanzine came in straight from the printers. Featuring an in depth interview with Jason Badower(aussie boy made good and now working in the states) and more recollections of Phil's time running Minotaur in the early days. Look out for them in stores or contact Philip direct.

Caleo and Tolley's third issue of The False Impressionists. For some reason i hadn't grabbed a copy of this in the past. Romps through the Australian bush with mythical and legendary figures. A modern dreaming. Go get it here.

Saladventures 1. A series of gag strips involving vegetable puns and very cute little dawings and touched up phots of fruit and vegies. First time i'd seen anything from Cally Jetson. She tells me she only been doing comics and zines for a year. She also had some jewellery for sale.

I also grabbed 'The Girl With No Nose' & 'The Really Smelly Boy' flip comic from Cally.

A romance made in stinky heaven! A very cute little flip comic where the stories of the two charaters meet in the middle. The book can be read from either end. Nice! and Cute! More found here.

The 2nd issue of the horror anthology KAGEMONO with all stories written by Jason Franks from Black Glass Press. Cover by Bobby N. Jason continues his strong line of comics with this latest offering.

A very handy map with resources to all your self publishing and zine making needs in the CBD. Put out by the City Library.

Two minis from Jo Waite. Featuring her character One Sock the love-sick devil. Semi-autobio? or just an artiste with a real sense of loves often winding journey? You decide! Get more of Jo's stuff by writing to PO Box 18, Carlton Sth, Vic, 3053.

That's it for now.

Summer Series 2007

2008-10-19T15:16:00.004+11:00

You can now listen to all 6 episodes of the original 2007/08 Summer Series of TheComicSpot as aired on 3CR last summer.

Listen from the sidebar or you can download the episodes at Podomatic

Feedback much appreciated.

For those who came in late...

I had been doing a regular comics talk and review segment on the DIY Arts program on Thursdays at 3CR throughout 2007 and wanted more time to talk about comics. I pitched for the six episode over the summer which seemed to work well for all involved.

This then developed onto a regular monthly program on the DIY Arts timeslot. So on the last Thursday of every month you can listen live at 3cr.org.au or tune in if you're in Melbourne on 855am 3CR.

5 - 6pm last thurs of every month.

TheComicSpot.

Cheers

J

A Fresh Start

2008-10-19T12:27:00.008+11:00

The Comic Spot blog is being reimagined.

I've taken down the old posts and will now be posting to a regular weekly schedule. You heard it here first!

Each post will either be a review, an opinion piece on Australian comics, a heads up for what's on in comics in Melbourne, a preview of an upcoming episode on 3CR or a post directing you to download the latest episodes from podOmatic.

I think podOmatic seems like a good place to post the episodes done so far and i am in the process of uploading all the shows i have on my old and groaning PC to the site. There are five posted there now for you to listen to. Go there now.

Enjoy and send an email to thecomicspot@hotmail.com with any feedback.

To listen to the original 2007/08 summer series and the 2008 monthly programs visit this blog regularly or subscribe to the feed.

Cheers for now.

John