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

Though Batman’s been around for almost 70 years, the list of artists who helped define him is shockingly small: Neal Adams. Jim Aparo. Marshall Rogers. Add to the list one Norm Breyfogle, whose work on Detective, Batman, and Shadow of the Bat stands as some of the best Batman storytelling of the past 25 years (with extra-special credit given to Breyfogle’s frequent partner, writer Alan Grant).

Breyfogle’s broad list of credits also includes “Prime” for the Malibu Ultraverse and the criminally underrated “Hellcat” mini for Marvel. STUN! is a huge fan of Norm’s and remains perplexed as to why the “big two” aren’t stumbling over themselves to give him work. STUN! has a fantasy of Norm Breyfogle doing more Batman work with Alan Grant and “Shadowpact” with Bill Willingham for D.C. and “Doctor Strange” with Brian K. Vaughan over at Marvel. One can dream.

Breyfogle talks this week about Batman, working with Alan Grant, and the sad reality of work drying up for him at the onset of the 21st century. Go to Norm’s website to learn more (and buy some of his art while you’re there, too)!:
http://www.normbreyfogle.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!