We follow up with Matt Anderson, co-creator of the fantastic “White Picket Fences” mini from Ape. We learn whether his expectations were met when the title was released, what’s in store for he and “White Picket Fences” in the future, and how an independent book should be marketed.
This is a rare chance to follow the paths of a creator and a new title from the very beginning, and STUN! is thrilled to offer the play-by-play.
THIS WEEK:
Because “STUN” needed “more cowbell”…
Consider “STUN” humbled and awed by the fact that Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult wanted to be part of the show.
For 35 years, Blue Oyster Cult has occupied a unique and exclusive position in rock history; that of being a smart and literate hard rock band whose transparent love of science fiction and the paranormal helped define their sound and image. And speaking of image, the “Kronos” hook-and-cross symbol has just gotta be one of rock’s coolest icons ever. “STUN” spent most of its junior high and high school years scribbling it onto notebooks and carving it into wooden desktops.
Of course, Blue Oyster Cult secured their place in history by writing one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time (”Don’t Fear the Reaper,” natch). Going beyond “Reaper,” there are the riffs…those fist-pumping guitar sounds that provide the backbone to B.O.C. standards like “E.T.I.,” “Godzilla,” and “Cities on Flame.” “STUN” is equally excited by Blue Oyster Cult songs whose lyrics tell stories with great, thought-provoking images. See “Veteran of the Psychic Wars,” “Astronomy,” and “Transmaniacon M.C.” for further study.
Blue Oyster Cult will be all over the U.S. this summer. If you happen to be in range of the “STUN” studios in the Chicago area, B.O.C. will be at the Naperville Ribfest on 7/1 and doing a handful of dates in Wisconsin (including Summerfest).
Bloom talked with “STUN” about the band’s longevity, science fiction, Doctor Strange, current reads, and that “SNL” sketch that brought the band to the top of the 21st century pop culture buzz phrase elite.
Also this week: Executive Producer Patrick Brower, General Manager of Graham Crackers Comics in Chicago’s Loop, gives a retail update. Is “Countdown” selling like “52?” Are people excited about the post-”Civil War” Marvel Universe? Booster Gold? World War Hulk?
Thanks for listening!
Feedback:
stunpodcast@yahoo.com
For several weeks back in March, I was unable to post anything new to this site because my MP3 host, Odeo, stopped working. Just for fun, I checked Odeo today and found that it again is accepting new podcasts. While STUN has continued on in its new web home (http://stun.mypodcast.com), things here have come to a complete halt. HOWEVER…Because people still click over here, I’m going to try and update this site with all the stuff that’s happened on STUN since March. It may take some time to bring this site back up to speed, but it will happen. In the meantime, please go to either:
http://stunpodcast.com
http://stun.mypodcast.com
Thanks!
JVO
THIS WEEK:
“Wasteland” is one of those books you might’ve seen, but chose to pass up in favor of another overblown, commerce over art, weekly or monthly superhero title. Next time you visit your local comic book shop, “STUN!” urges you to reconsider.
The post-apocalyptic (or post-”Big Wet,” if you prefer) title presents a tense, broadly-conceived, and darkly-imagined America. Writer Antony Johnston has come up with some big ideas, and Illinois artist Chris Mitten has provided indelible images to back them up.
This week on the show, “STUN!” talks with Mitten about “Wasteland,” his technique, and the not-so-subtle music fandom behind “Wasteland.”
For those new to the title, Oni Press has the first issue available for free download:
http://www.onipress.com/thebigwet/downloads/freeissue1.php
Also: Jaime Black with another “One Shot Review!”
Jim McLauchlin, President of the Hero Initiative, checks in to talk about what the organization does, who it helps, and how you can help. Try not to tear up as he shares the stories of two creators who’ve benefitted from Hero’s work.
To donate or learn more:
http://www.heroinitiative.org
For one of my first comic creator interviews, I went straight to the A-List by inviting Alex Ross into the studio.
I don’t like to be reminded how I acted seven days ago, so having to listen to an interview I did seven years ago almost made me cough blood. Ignoring that, I do realize that this very rarely-heard conversation is a nice archival piece featuring one of the industry’s most respected artists.
Also on the show: Correspondent Jaime Black with another “One Shot Review.” This week he reviews one of the higher-profile books from Free Comic Book Day.
THIS WEEK:
James VanOsdol and Executive Producer Patrick Brower review “Spider-Man 3,” the first big blockbuster of 2007.
Is it worth the money? Does it hold up to the franchise? Does Venom’s appearance live up to fanboy expectations?
Well…no.
James and Patrick hated it. Find out why in this unedited, live-to-internet, Friday morning quarterback, review.
THIS WEEK:
Cecil Castellucci, the well-known author and writer of “The P.L.A.I.N. Janes,” checks in on the phone to talk about the new MINX release, playing in a band, transitioning from prose to graphic novels, and lots more.
“The P.L.A.I.N. Janes” is only a couple weeks away from arriving on shelves and is a must-read. Get ahead of the curve here!
THIS WEEK:
If there is such a thing as a sequential art scholar, Scott McCloud is more than worthy of the title. The man who made the art of comic storytelling engaging, entertaining, and academic in books like “Understanding Comics” and the recent “Making Comics” checked in from his marathon 50-state book tour. McCloud continues to cross the states like a Presidential candidate, shaking hands and kissing babies along the way. Don’t miss him–for updates, go to http://www.scottmccloud.com!
THIS WEEK:
Creator Kaare Andrews talks about the just-concluded “Spider-Man: Reign,” his career, and your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Production note: The interview was recorded during the last week of March. When Kaare says that the “Reign” TPB is coming out in April, it’s not that he’s calendar-illiterate; it’s that the host of “Stun” is slow-to-publish.
Also on the show, Jaime Black with another “One Shot Review.” This week: Oni Press’s “Local.”
This week on “STUN”:
ERIC WIGHT
Wight’s the talented artist whose work most famously served as the comic art for “The O.C.” His recent TOKYOPOP release, “My Dead Girlfriend,” is a must-read graphic novel for anyone who had an awkward time in high school, is an incurable romantic, or who likes death and monsters. “My Dead Girlfriend” was originally pitched by Wight to Cartoon Network–their loss is the comic industry’s gain.
Wight also did the art for one of the breakout stories from the superb “Action Comics Annual” #10–the Mon-El story.
Find out more about him, and jump on his speeding bandwagon now!
Production note:
Skype, my VOIP by default, was extra cantankerous during the recording of this session. If Eric sounds extra digital and choppy, it’s not his fault. I did my best in “post” to clean up the interview. Another example of why podcasts are free…
Know your Shonen from your Shojo, your Sailor Moon from your Dragon Head. Joining James VanOsdol this week is Josh Pool, Marketing Manager for Tokyopop. Tokyopop is the leading purveyor of authentic and original manga, boasting a catalog of titles that in itself is a “manga 101” primer.
If the world of manga has eluded you up until this point, listen to STUN and catch up on the most significant and influential genre to hit comics in the past 20 years!
I wear my fandom on my sleeve this week as I interview Steve Rude, a guy whose work reminds most of us why we fell in love with comic books in the first place.
The comic business being what it is, Steve decided to take control of his future with the launch of Rude Dude Productions. Over the course of a near-30 minute chat, Rude talks about the industry, Rude Dude, his beloved creations Nexus and the Moth, and Vincent Furnier.
This week’s guest is Scott Licina, Executive Editor of the soon-to-launch Fangoria Comics. Licnia chats about what to expect in the initial rollout, and previews the (specific to the Chicago area) Fangoria Weekend of Horror Convention. Also on the show: Executive Producer Patrick Brower from Graham Crackers Comics looks at back issue prices for various horror titles, and correspondent Jaime Black delivers another “One Shot Review.”
From page 129 of the February 1-7 2007 issue of Time Out Chicago:
”If you’ve grown up in Chicago listening to the radio, the name James VanOsdol should ring a bell. The local radio vet hosts overnights at Q101, but also runs a side project with this weekly comics podcast (as in the illustrated kind, not stand-up)…”
Thanks to Time Out and Claire Zulkey for the mention!
New Teen Titans. Crisis on Infinite Earths. Nightwing. Nova. Marv Wolfman is an award-winning writer whose fingerprints remain all over the “big two” universes. These days, he’s writing the monthly adventures of Nightwing, a fan-pleasing return to a character he helped create. Marv checked in over the phone to talk about Nightwing, “The Judas Contract” DVD, and other pertinent stuff.
Also on the show, a visit with Executive Producer Patrick Brower in his day job as General Manager of Graham Crackers Comics in Chicago’s Loop. Patrick runs down current back issue values of key Wolfman books.
He took D.C. to a “New Frontier” and currently acts as monthly caretaker of Will Eisner’s legendary creation “The Spirit” for D.C. Darwyn Cooke is a fantastic creator with a strong grounding in the past and unique spin on the present. He checked in over the phone to talk about the Spirit, the “New Frontier,” and comics in general.
Also: JVO hassles Graham Crackers Comics in Chicago and Jaime Black delivers another “One Shot Review.”
It took me a while to move all my files from iTunes over to this site, but with this post I can finally say that I’m through.
The very first “STUN” podcast was kind of a “trial run.” I’d been wanting to do a comics podcast for a long time, so I thought I’d test the waters with a local Chicago comics luminary–Josh Blaylock, Publisher/President/Ruler of Devil’s Due. At the very least, I thought it would be something cool for people to listen to. At the most, a launching pad for something more focused and ongoing. I’m thrilled to say the latter was the case.
The podcast didn’t have a name at the point–it was just “the podcast.” That changed two weeks later when Ed Brubaker was my second official guest.
Here it is, warts and all, from 10/6/06–the first episode of “STUN!” featuring Josh Blaylock!
John Jackson Miller, the sage-like Jedi mind behind “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (Dark Horse), checks in over the phone to discuss Star Wars, comics cataloging, Iron Man’s place in the world, and fandom. Also: correspondent Jaime Black with another “One-Shot Review.”
CHANGES have been made to the iTunes download of STUN! Please read post below or in right side navigation.
The artist for Vertigo’s superb “Jack of Fables” joined JVO in the studio to talk about everything from the failed comics companies he worked for in the ’90s through the Fables universe. Akins is a lively, fun, and intelligent guest–great listening for even the non-comics fan! The podcast will be available for download in the iTunes Music Store on 1/8/07 (search “STUN” or “JVO”). Listen to it now! Note: It’s just been brought to my attention that the player for this podcast (and apparently only for this one) has been acting goofy. If you don’t immediately see the player, click the “STUN” masthead and it’ll appear. Technology. Bah.
T.J., the bass guitarist from nationally-touring Victory Records band Spitalfield, joined me in the studio to talk about “Walking Dead,” being a letterhack, his band, ’90s-era Image Comics, and “Civil War.” T.J. earns the dubious distinction of being the first non-comics person to be interviewed for “STUN!,” and the first of what I plan to be many musicians on the show.
Also, Executive Producer/Graham Crackers Comics General Manager Patrick Brower gives a preview of what to expect on the racks in 2007.
This will be available for download in the iTunes Music Store Christmas week, but you can stream it here now!
Timothy Truman talks about Conan, the Grateful Dead, Grimjack, and a deep love for pulp fiction–specifically Robert E. Howard. Also: correspondent Jaime Black offers up a “One-Shot Review” of the new Kevin Smith TPB. The podcast will be available for download next week in the iTunes Music Store, but you can stream it here now!
Here’s the edited Ed Brubaker interview from the second edition of “Stun,” which ran the week of 10/20/06. Note that the original version of the show was much longer, including an in-depth retail report from Executive Producer Patrick Brower of Graham Crackers Comics. For the complete show, head on over to iTunes, where you can download the entire thing. For ease of posting (the complete show clocked in around 60 minutes), I’ve only included the interview with Ed Brubaker here.
Now that “Iron Fist” is officially out, I wish I could go back in time and say, “Dude, your Iron Fist freaking rules.” Ah, but I can’t…
“STUN!” Executive Producer Patrick Brower, who knows a thing or two about the retail side of comics, joined me in the studio to offer up some holiday season gift-giving ideas. The show will be available for download in iTunes on Monday, but you can listen to it here now:
Keep an eye on this space for guest/show updates!
Tim Seeley stopped by the studio for an interview about “Hack/Slash,” Jesus, “How to Be a Comic Book Artist,” and nice guys finishing first. I also explain to Executive Producer Patrick Brower the reason why legendary artist Neal Adams will never be a guest on the show.
You can download the podcast from iTunes next week–listen to it now!
The gregarious and entertaining Sal Abbinanti joined me in the studio to talk about the pros and cons of self-publishing, “Atomika: God is Red,” and why Luke Cage is Marvel’s coolest property.
Now available for listening on this site–the Jimmy Palmiotti podcast from 11/13!
Palmiotti talks about Jonah Hex, Heroes for Hire, Terra, and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, as well as a few industry things that make him cranky.
Also on the show: Executive Producer Patrick Brower from Graham Crackers Comics in Chicago gives a retail update.
Here’s a way early listen of next week’s podcast with Skottie Young (New Warriors, Legend of the Spider-Clan, Venom, Human Torch). It’ll be downloadable in iTunes next week…
This week on “Stun”
Best-selling author and “Justice League of America” scribe Brad Meltzer checks in via phone for the Thanksgiving week edition. Also: Jaime Black with a 60-second “One Shot Review.” To download the podcast and own it forever, head on over to the iTunes Music Store.
