Inkstuds

George Metzger is one of Vancouver†s best kept secret. He hasn†t been making new comix in a number of years, but his underground comic work is noted for its highly imaginative scifi elements. His series of note include Moondog, Truckin†and Mu: The Land That Never Was. I would suggest hunting down anything by him if you can.

Jason Lutes joined us for an extended discussion about his Berlin series from D&Q , teaching at the CCS and the power of a twenty sided die. Jason has some really great things to say about comix and strong passion for them.

This week, I chat with local Vancouver painter, Mark Atomos Pilon . Mark has a show opening on Friday February 6th in Chicago at Rotogui , featuring a highly ambitious project of 101 paintings. Mark is a fixture of the Vancouver art scene, and his illustrations can be found each week in the Georgia Straight .

Austin English is the young man behind Windy Corner Magazine . It is a fascinating little anthology/magazine of varied comix interest. He also has his solo book, Christina and Charles from Sparkplug Comics . You can also find Austin here , doing his own interviews with various talented cartoonists. I am hopeful that Austin will be joining the Inkstuds family with some audio interviews with some of...

Jacob Covey and I sat down to chew the fat about his latest project, Beasts 2. We discuss some other aspects of his work at Fantagraphics and his awkward unruly love of the TMNT. If you are in San Francisco, make sure to check out the Beasts art show at Giant Robot .

Today i was joined by three stellar comics critics to discuss some of what 2008 had to offer. Tom Spurgeon , Paul Gravett and Douglas Wolk all had some great stuff to say about a fine selection of books.

Robert Goodin†s comics are a fun rare gem. He has been featured in such great books like Mome and Mcsweeny†s as well as a nice selection of self published goodies . His latest release is The Man Who Loved Breasts from Top Shelf is on my own personal list of comix I enjoyed in 08.

Matt Forsythe†s Ojingogo is a fun surreal journey through an imagination influenced by the surroundings of a foreign land. This interview was conducted in my living room, while Matt was in Vancouver for a signing. I think its my favorite place to do interviews.

Rutu Moda n is one of the most exciting creators putting work out right now. Her book Exit Wounds got a lot of people hyped for a good reason. Be sure to check out her New York Time s strip as well.

Ivan Brunetti joined the Inkstuds for a chat about his latest collection from Yale Press, An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons and True Stories . It is one of those must own anthologies that features a lot of interesting important works that you may not find elsewhere. Ivan is also in the new Kramers Ergot book. On top of that, you should check out his Las Vegas strip .

Mariko Tamaki has somehow swept the comix world off its feet with the collaboration she did with her cousin, Jillian Tamaki – Skim. Together, they have received heaps of praise for their book and it is all well deserved. As a bonus to this interview, we are joined by her other collaborator, Steve Rolston . Emiko Superstar is their book and its a great, fun read.

Here it is, the man behind the book. Sammy Harkham has steered Kramers Ergot from its small press roots into the premier publication in alternative comix. The latest book is a testament to some of the greatest talents in comix and to what they can do with medium. We don†t just stick to discussing Kramers, we also talk about comix he grew up with and his own work as a cartoonist. Check out Sammy...

Diamanda Galas will be performing in Vancouver on Saturday November 29 at St. Andrew†s-Wesley United Church (Burrard Street at Nelson). I was able to talk to Diamanda about her latest album and what we can expect to see. The preformance will be called, Let†s Not Chat About Despair and is a part of events being held in Vancouver as a part of World Aids Day.

Frank Santoro was kind enough to return to the Inkstuds for another chat about his comix and other people†s comix. Frankand I had a pretty fun chat and I think he has some great points for people to clue into. Frank is a part of the new Kramers Ergot 7 from Buenaventura Press.

John Pham is one of the new kids on the Fantagraphics scene. His new ongoing series Sublife has really blown me away. It seems to be starting onto something big. John is also in the new Kramers Ergot 7 with a full page story that ties in nicely to his other work.

I chatted with Matthew Thurber , as a part of my ongoing focus on some of the folks in the new Kramers Ergot collection. He has a number of other fine works out from Picture Box , including his ongoing series 1-800-Mice .

Mia Kirshner joined me to discuss the I Live Here project that she took part in. It is an incredible collection of mixed media and comics in a great looking package. The collection is made up of four books that focus on different locals around the world. It is one of the more honestly heart breaking comics i have read in a while and well worth checking out, just for the Joe Sacco and Pheobe Gloeck...

Josh Simmons joins me for a quick chat about his piece in the new Kramers Ergot book . Josh will be a part of the signing at the Family Store in Los Angeles. If you are in LA, check it out, there is a wicked awesome group of cartoonists that will be there.

Jesse Reklaw is Vet of the mini-comics world. Dark Horse just released a collection of the last 5 years of his weekly dream strip, Slow Wave called The Night of Your Life . I have also been enjoying his daily diary strips that have been accompanying his book tour.

Anders Nilsen joins me for a discussion of his latest work, in the first of many interviews of creators in the new Kramers Ergot 7 anthology. In addition to the Kramers story, he also has a new issue of Big Questions and another Monologues coming out in the new year from Fantagraphics . As I have said before, he is one of my favorite cartoonists working right now, and his latest stuff just confirm...

Paul Gravett is one of those folks that doesn†t make comics, but knows a hell of a lot more about them than the rest of us. He has been involved in the fine world of comics for over 25 years. His work has ranged from publishing one of my favoritist comics, to producing some fine books about comics. His latest are the Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics and The Leather Nun and Other Incredibly Stra...

Shaun Tan was in Vancouver recently, and we were able to track him down for a fantastic talk about his work. His most recent book, The Arrival, has garnered heeps of well deserved praise and is only a sample of his large volume of goodness.

Mark Evanier is the noted Scholar of all that is Jack Kirby. Mark put together a fabulous art book celebrating the work of Jack “The King” Kirby. Kirby is probably one of the most influential folks in comics, whose work has recently been enjoyed a resurgence in availability and retrospection.

Rick Veitch has been around the comix world for going on 30 years, and show†s no slowdown in putting out great work. His most recent series is Army@Love from Vertigo is a satire filled romp through the world of modern warfare.

Tim Lane is the fantastic feller behind Abandoned Cars from Fantagraphics. It is fantastic look into a corner of cultural American history. It†s a really dark personal book that reads like the classic American novel.