The TradeWaiters – Cloudscape Comics

This episode was inspired by the essay Evan Dahm included at the end of his book 3rd Voice: 1st Passage, which is what our next episode will be about. His essay got us thinking about the material conditions of cartooning, how we got here, and how to keep making comics when all our infrastructure seems […]

And now, the thrilling continuation of Marvel Knights Daredevil numbers 38 to 50 by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Manuel Gutierrez, Terry and Rachel Dodson, and Matt Hollingsworth. We have lots more to say about Daredevil; but also owl physiology, classical Chinese philosophers, the American legal system, and how to read comics when you’re blind. […]

In Hell’s Kitchen there stalks a devil. And that devil is Marvel Comics’ trade paperback numbering system. No. For this episode we read issues 26 to 37 of Marvel Knights Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Come with us and spend some time with the comics that set the tone for modern Marvel […]

The Tradewaiters return with a new book to read. Flip by Ngozi Ukazu is a new twist on a “Freaky Friday” storyline. Chi-Chi and Flip switch bodies, and must experience race, gender, class, and their own mental health and personal hang-ups while living in each other’s shoes. We’ll talk about the ethics of body-swapping, the […]

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk about zines! Zines are back. They never left. We talk about their history, their future, and the many roles they can play in your life. Mentioned in this episode:A History of Zines on Book Riot by River H. KeroPositive Affirmations by John MartzThe Comet by the Science […]

With the recent passing of Marjane Satrapi, we are reposting this episode from 2018 that we recorded with Kathlees Gros and Jess Pollard about The Complete Persepolis. Marjane shared several stories with the world in a few different media during her life, but Persepolis in particular is a seminal work in the medium of comics. […]

We’re back with the weighty graphic novel Hello Sunshine by Keezy Young, a book that weaves together one person’s mental health crisis with supernatural horror in a way that is simultaneously smart, original, and respectful. This book is a lot more than just “Scooby-Doo, but serious.” Be prepared for spoilers (go read the book first), […]

The TradeWaiters return with an old friend, Jess Pollard, as she gets us to read the first two seasons of the Webtoon Everything Is Fine by Mike Birchall. This comic might seem cute and simple, but don’t let the “Hello Kitty” faces fool you. This is a story about existential dread, paranoia, and the death […]

It’s a (winter) summer crossover spectacular! For this episode Jeff and JD were joined by Jack and Diane of the Panel Pals podcast to read Minus by Ryan Armand and Sweet Poolside by Oshimi Shuuzou. And then you can continue the crossover over on the Panel Pals podcast for part 2 later this week! Join […]

Come with us to the future of the past as we read Kingdom Come, written by superhero powerhouse Mark Waid and painstakingly painted by Alex Ross. This dark vision of the future of DC superheroes might be a commentary on the grim-dark comics of the 1990s, or it might be an excuse to get all […]

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk about how to make friends in comics. Maybe the real comics were the friends we made along the way. Music by Sleuth You can find us at:J Dalton Jam Jeff Ellis Our next episode will be on Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. You can […]

This week we read Home by the Rotting Sea by Finnish cartoonist Otava Heikkilä, a short but emotional journey to another world where the Arctic is melting and gender is what you make of it. We’ll talk about anthropology, allegory, and Otava’s unique page compositions. We’ll also talk about the censorship situation with Itch.io and […]

This week Jam, Jeff, and JD went back in time to read The Rose of Versailles Vol. 1 by Riyoko Ikeda, one of the foundational works of all shoujo comics. Get into your Versailles mindset (Versaind-set) for some gorgeous dresses, elegant balls, murder, and class warfare. Listen in so as to put this work in […]