Random Acts of Comics

Long before either of us got into the industry, Kevin and I worked at a small grocery store in Stephens Iowa. We were just teenagers at the time and he worked mostly produce while I handled the cookies/crackers/cereal isle. One day we decided to build a box fort out of the huge boxes of paper towels and toilet paper in the back room and convinced this other kid who worked with us, Shelby, that it...

I'm not gonna lie; Alisa Kwitney came into the studio and all but wrecked the place. I didn't know her. You know how Doug's been trying to get me to interview more people who AREN'T my friends. Well, Alisa's one of them. Doug knew her and set this up. But in she comes and, you know how when kids are at that certain age and they just have to touch everything? "What is this?," "What does this do?,"...

This week's guest is comics darling Mark Russell , a writer whose inventive revisions of classic characters —  Snagglepuss, The Flintstones, Superman: Space Age, Batman; Dark Age — could be called ingenious. But is that what Doug wanted to talk with him about…? No. These guys are both a couple of deep cineastes and it was all I could do to get them to stop talking about movies. Jeez.

Gene Ha — I don't like to give away too much in these  show notes , but you're gonna love hearing from Gene Ha. Not only is he a fantastic artist, he is a considerate and insightful storyteller and he makes some damn fine points on this episode that will definitely make you think. 

In this, our debut episode of RAOC Book Club, Todd is joined by our pal, John Pasquini. Together they examine the first two issues of Batman & Robin Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.

To launch this, The Summer of Random Acts of Comics, we wanted to kick things off with a guest whose joyful and vibrant artwork would set the tone for another exciting season! But then we doubled-down cause she brought her husband. Ladies and Gentlemen— here are the fantastic Amanda Conner and her Secret Service  escort Jimmy Palmiotti!   The iconic movie poster for Rock 'N' Roll High School (1979...

  episode one drops on june eighth 

Random Acts Of Comics Season 3 : The Summer Of Random Acts Of Comics officially returns starting Monday June 8th! 

Seasons Greetings from Walt and  Todd!     Here's our audio  Christmas  card to you, Dear Listener. A heartfelt gift of comics and laughter as Walt Curly and  Todd  reminisce about a trio of their favorite  Christmas -themed stories from years gone by. God bless us, Everyone. And to all, a good night. 

What you need to remember is that all this was happening in the mid-to-late nineties. This was pre-internet, pre-email. The bunch of us were communicating via faxes, Fed Ex, and phone calls, neither of which were very secure. And when editor Bob Budiansky discovered that DC had somehow intercepted a series of vital X-Men communiques down the hall, he insisted we develop a multilayered code to talk...

Spider-Man Clone Caucus pt 1 Many have written of what went on in those meetings, of the hushed plans formulated behind those closed conference room doors. Speculation, all of it. A patchwork legend sewn from snippets of overheard conversations, misinterpreted mutterings, and muted tirades heard through thick skyscraper walls. But never from the writers who were actually there, doing the work, ble...

Walter Simonson , Part 2 — The second in a series. The master storyteller is back in the studio to give us the incredible behind-the-scenes story of the creation of the original ALIEN graphic novel and how he was able to draw it without having seen the movie. Also, the Sinking of the Bismarck.    *This episode features a moment from " Sway" by The Rolling Stones  Become a citizen of Random Nation!...

Mark Chiarello—"Mark swung his chair around to face me as I entered the room, a look of wild concern on his face. I had Johnny, the Rousseau kid with me, we were looking for lunch. 'Hey, Man!' Mark said, 'Where did my podcast go? I've listened to every episode now three times!' And that's the only reason we brought the podcast back. For Mark."        

John Burgin -- I once told John that he looked a bit like Sir Alec Guinness and I think I hurt his feelings 'cause all he knew was old Obi-Wan Kenobi Alec Guinness but I was talking about young Alec Guinness from, like, the 50s when he was in all those hilarious Ealing movies that Nick Cardy made me watch. Take a look. I'm not wrong. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Pal.   Become A Citizen Of Ra...

The first time I met  Cully  was when he came to play volleyball with our old Woodstock volleyball gang. He was new and just visiting, so we took it easy on him. But in truth he was crap. I truly believe though, that if he had lived closer, he could have been one of the great ones. Maybe even go professional. But he code to stick with art instead. So we'll never know.   Become A Citizen Of  Random...

Ahoy, Gang!    Here is a free taste of one of our premiere shows on our Patreon called, "Does This Come In Chromium with host, Matt Anderson!      On this episode Matt and special guest co-host Matthew Dow Smith (writer/artist THE OCTOBER GIRL) turn out the lights to find out if the story contained within the pages of 1993's THE SPECTRE #13 shines brighter than its glow-in-the-dark cover.   How is...

Scott Weinstein— Scott Weinstein is the writer/creator of the comic book series, After School Agent, and author of the young adult Team of Steve's novels. He is also a producer on a rather popular late night television program. He is a very good driver. I am not.    Become A Citizen Of Random Nation!  https://www.patreon.com/c/randomactsofcomicspodcast

Ahoy, Gang!   Here is a leaked episode of our exclusive RAOC Bookclub series available on our Patreon. Todd is joined by John Pasquini, as they embark on a deep dive of Batman & Robin : Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.   

Darryl Banks—There's a difference between a firm handshake and a hard handshake. One is a gesture of acknowledgement and respect. The other is a cowardly attempt to assert some measure of dominance. Bullies do this. Darryl Banks' handshake is a furtive invitation to a journey of enlightenment and peace. But…will you accept…?   Become a citizen of Random Nation!    https://www.patreon.com/randomact...

Ahoy, Trick or Treaters!    We have another bonus episode! This time, Todd sits down with his pal Matt Wieringo to talk horror comics over candy and iced tea!    Click here to become a citizen of RANDOM NATION. It's like Rhythm Nation but different!    Have a happy and safe Halloween! 

A few things happen in this episode. First, Doug talks about a few things he witnessed during his first Baltimore Comic Con. Secondly, Todd gives Doug permission to not hold back about the things he saw during his first Baltimore Comic Con. See if you can tell which happened first.    *includes a moment of Randy Newman's "Baltimore"  *Correction. The comic Doug is talking about is " Mermaids Guide...

Matt Anderson — I didn't know Matt; he's a friend of Doug's and Doug kept saying, "Ya gotta have Matt on! Ya gotta talk to Matt!" And I'll say it here; Doug was right. I did have to talk with Matt. About Doug. I get it now. Also, Matt wrote the cool comic White Picket Fences about flying saucers landing in 1950s America.    Join Our Patreon Gang!  https://www.patreon.com/c/randomactsofcomicspodcas...

Dan Jurgens — When I was s kid I was very shy and had a crush on a girl I could never ever talk to. I also read The Warlord comic by Mike Grell and would fantasize about being it's hero, Travis Morgan, trapped in the inner-Earth world of Skartaris and rescuing that cute girl with nothing but my sword and my bravery. This really has nothing to do with Dan Jurgens except, years later, Dan took over...

Jim Starlin popped by the studio to talk to Todd about his kickstarter campaign for Dreadstar Vs. Dreadstar.    Links :  Jim Starlin's Kickstarter Become A Citizen Of Random Nation! 

Thom Zahler —Thom Zahler is the guy you want at your back when you're deep in the DMZ and you can hear Charlie all around you. He keeps it tight and dry and that's what you want when the Nam tries to punch your ticket. Thom is also a talented writer/artist with a considerable collection of graphic novels you should check out.    Join our Patreon Gang!  https://www.patreon.com/randomactsofcomicspod...