• GutterTalk

    108: Patrick Yurick & Adam Greenfield (ComicFuel 6) – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    It’s time to dust off the microphones, plug in the earbuds, and see if the equipment still works. Yes, both Gutter Talk and Comic Fuel podcasts return, and in mashup fashion. In this episode, Adam Greenfield, host of Making Comics Gutter Talk, sits down with Patrick Yurick, host of Comic Fuel, to answer some questions that have sat around much longer than they deserved. All they wanted was a little attention. That’s all. Well, now they get it.

    Because there are many questions to get to, not all of them will be answered in this episode. But if you are one of the ones that sent in a question and didn’t hear yours in the next hour and twenty or so minutes, have no fear. Adam and Patrick are planning on sitting down and recording another episode and, if needed, will record yet another until all questions are answered. It is the least we in the podcast department here at Making Comics can do.

    In this episode you’ll also hear Adam provide a little reasoning behind why it’s almost April and this is the first episode of 2018, as well as Patrick talking about future plans with the Making Comics site. Oh, and “The Man from Kurosawa,” which… well, just listen. It’s better that way.

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  • GutterTalk

    107: Dean Haspiel #2 (Part 2) – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    If you’re reading this but haven’t yet listened to the first half of the conversation between Adam Greenfield and Dean Haspiel, well, what you’re about to listen to probably won’t make sense. Therefore we highly suggest going here and listening to that first. Trust us, this episode will make more sense if you listen to the previous half first. If you’re one of those weirdos that reads the last chapter or page of a book before you read everything else, well, do your thing but we don’t trust you. Just sayin’.

    If you’ve listened to the first half and are ready to go, enjoy. Again, if you’re a weirdo and haven’t listened to the first half yet, you’ve been warned.

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  • GutterTalk

    107: Dean Haspiel #2 (Part 1) – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    When Adam and Dean Haspiel first recorded a Gutter Talk episode, it was September of 2015. In those two years, plenty has happened for both. However, that’s still not the reason why, just as with the first time they spoke, this episode is also two hours long. In fact, it’s so long it had to be separated into two parts. You can find Part 2 here. As for the reasons why their talk went over two hours, well, the reasons vary widely. There’s what Baltimore Comic Con does right but what New York Comic Con does wrong. There’s the positives and negatives of being an artist in the digital world we find ourselves in. There’s also talk of fan entitlement when it comes to comics versus perhaps having a reason for their gripes. And all that’s only part of what Adam and Dean discussed.

    Again, this is the first half of the two hour conversation. The second half should already be in your podcast feed, or you can find it here in this separate post. No, we’re not trying to confuse you. Keep you on your toes, maybe. But not confuse you. Definitely not confuse you. In this case it may just be an unfortunate side effect, and for that we apologize. However, we won’t try to stop you if you want to head over to our Patreon page and help us figure out a way to make this not happen again.

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    106: Jessica Abel – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    Chaos. What is it good for? Absolutely nothin’.

    Well, now that we successfully planted that ear worm, today’s Making Comics Gutter Talk episode with Jessica Abel deals a lot with chaos and the things creative folk like us can do to not only minimize the chaos but (*GULP*) even get things accomplished, too. You know, like that comic you’ve been sitting on and tinkering away at here and there for the last seven years. Or one of the many short-lived attempts at something cool that you think you’ll eventually get back to… even though deep down you know you won’t. Okay, you get the picture. Point is, this podcast and Jessica’s latest book, Growing Gills, can help.

    We also take a brief look back at how Jessica became the teacher and artist she is. And if you ask her, which Adam did, if she considers herself an artist or a teacher, she’ll straight up tell you…. Wait, did you really think we’d just tell you what she said? Well, it was worth a shot. Take a listen to the podcast and find out.

    Also subscribe on iTunes or whatever podcast app you use. Be sure to rate us, give us a review, or even bake us some cookies. We wouldn’t turn away cookies. But most of all, it’s the rating and review we’re after.

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    105: Lucy Bellwood #2 – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    In hopes of kickstarting some energy into the Making Comics Gutter Talk podcast, it was decided that a return to old guests will help. So this is the first episode in a new Gutter Talk venture, an alumni “Where Are They Now” series. In this first episode, Adam is re-joined by the amazing Lucy Bellwood, an artist, a writer, and even a sailor, based out of Portland, OR.

    The last time Adam and Lucy spoke was way, way back in January of 2015, nearly two and a half years prior to this talk, and at the time, Lucy was just starting to toss around the idea of doing a Kickstarter project for a Baggywrinkles book. Well, since that time, not only did she start and fund that project, she’s just finishing up yet another Kickstarter project that was also funded, and this time in about 24 hours. Yes, that sound was your jaw hitting the floor. We’ll wait for you to pick it up….

    Listen in as Adam and Lucy discuss her pride and joy and struggles and fears with not just her current endeavor, the 100 Demon Dialogues, but also with being an artist on an overall level. From self-care to the financial burdens and planning as a freelance and independent artist, all of it is in play.

    Also be sure to subscribe on iTunes and give us a rating and review if you haven’t already.

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    103: Stephen Bissette – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    We may have said this before and if so, we feel it is definitely worth repeating. Wow, it is so darn educational and amazing to speak with someone who has been in the comics industry for so darn long. This is why every Halloween, Adam looks forward to speaking with one of his favorite Making Comics Gutter Talk guests, Stephen Bissette. For the third year in a row, Stephen dispels humor, knowledge, and all around good times.

    When Stephen talks about the history of comics, he’s not just talking about what has happened in the past. That side of the timeline has been well-documented and will forever be. In this episode Stephen does talk about the past but he also is sure to talk about the history of comics as both the present and the future. This also includes when he is teaching young, impressionable minds at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, VT. And yet when his students challenge him on a topic, Stephen becomes the student in order to return to being a more effective teacher. In the example he gave, a student challenged him on Native American comics and culture. This caused Stephen to do his own homework, a great example that no matter who we speak with, we can never stop learning.

    To open the Gutter Talk episode, just as we have done in previous Halloween episodes, we have a reading of an Edgar Allen Poe story. This year’s story was “The Cask of Amontillado” and was read by a horror master in his own right, Vincent Price. Boy, Poe sure does like burying things in his stories, huh?

    Happy Halloween!

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  • GutterTalk

    102: Bizhan Khodabandeh & James Moffitt – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    The world these days is far from easy to understand. Sometimes there’s an answer and sometimes there isn’t. And sometimes, it takes all we have to find a way to even try to comprehend everything. But perhaps that’s where art comes into play. Maybe, just maybe, our sight becomes a little clearer when we break it down into more of an expression than trying to fit a round understanding in a square hole. In the case of The Little Red Fish by Bizhan Khodabandeh and James Moffit, a simple, yet powerful story is told and it’s all inspired by the Iranian revolution in 1979. Nah, that’s not complicated to explain.

    In this Making Comics Gutter Talk episode, Adam is joined by Bizhan and James to discuss how this story came about and what makes this story have such an impact. There’s also something to be said about the use of animals as the characters, a la Animal Farm by George Orwell, which is another side of the story Adam and his guests dive into. Following this discussion, Adam and Bizhan are left to their own devices as they discuss another project Bizhan was a part of. It involves violence between civilians and police, and soon the conversation turns to a more personal experience for both Adam and Bizhan. In the end, both host and guest ensure the audience they are far from experts on the subject and only drives home the point that there simply is no easy or right answer to the burning, violent questions we face as humans today. But at least there’s comics!

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    101: Patrick Yurick & Rachel Beck (ComicFuel 5) – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”  – Alan Watts

    As we walk out into the world we are entering a story. This story defines us and the way that we interact with our beliefs, actions, society, etc. As much as we are always entering into the story that others have defined for us, we are also given the gift of writing our own story in every action we take. This month I sat down with Rachel Beck, founder of Storyforge Productions, and we discussed the nuances of story telling. We looked at our society and how we are working to rectify our long history with marginalizing females – specifically in the comic industry. We also looked at the basic construction of worlds and characters and how those construction create compelling reasons that keep us reading.

    Reflecting on the talk I am reminded that complications are what keep us interested in the world around us. As comic artists we create fiction where our character confront and battle those contradictions. Theoretically that gives us the inspiration to fight our own demons. That’s what the #ComicFuel show is all about right? For us to join together to turn away from just consuming art and to bring us into the battle – the battle to create art.

    So get out your pens and papers. Sit down. Join us as Rachel and I provide the fuel you are going to need for the coming battle.

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  • GutterTalk

    100: Cristian Roux – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    One of the great things about attending comic conventions of all sizes is meeting people from all over. Because of its sheer size and international draw, it’s actually pretty hard to not meet someone new from far off places while at San Diego Comic Con. At least far off from where you are. If you want to get all Inception on the topic, you are far off to those people you find far off. But we digress.

    In this Making Comics Gutter Talk episode, Adam is joined by Australian artist and creator Cristian Roux, whom he met while peddling a book of poetry at easily one of the largest comic conventions in the world. Cristian was drawn to the table by the amazing work of Ted Washington and began conversations with both Ted and Adam, both of which were equally impressed with Cristian’s work. By the time Cristian left the table, Ted pretty much made up his mind that he was taking Puna Press to Australia for their comic and zine conventions and Adam made up his mind to ensure Cristian was added to the long list of stellar guests on the Gutter Talk podcast.

    We also would be remiss in pointing out this episode is our 100th episode. From the bottom of our ink-filled hearts, we want to thank not only the talented guests we’ve had on the podcast and panels over the last two-plus years but we also want to thank you, the listener. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or this is your very first Gutter Talk episode, thank you for being a part of this creative endeavor. We do this for you. The website, the podcast, the Daily Challenge, all of it. A world without art and the knowledge it takes to create art is not a world any of the Making Comics Worldwide staff wants to be a part of. This is why educating the masses is so darn important to us. Thank you for being a part of our world.

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    98: Gerhard Ka’aihue – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast

    Always remember: You are unique… just like everyone else. Ok, but seriously. There really is something to be said about originality, and Adam and his terrific guest, Gerhard Ka’aihue, have a lot to say about being original in this Making Comics Gutter Talk episode. Sure, fan art is great, and even better when its purpose is to help you, the artist, hone in on your skills and voice. Still, should that be marketed as your own? Is it your intellectual property to do what you wish with it? To Gerhard, it can be a very fine line to walk.

    Yet when it comes to Gerhard’s work, it’s all original, all the time. From his recent comic “Stella Noir” to his graphic illustrations that are eye-popping and brilliantly composed, Gerhard walks his own line between stunning art and simply being productive for productive sake. And isn’t that what being an artist is about? The ABC of art? Yes, always be creating. Sure, he may have a day job and family responsibilities but Gerhard is quite satisfied with that arrangement. In fact, it’s what he wants. His job as a marketing director still taps into that creative part of the brain so the juices are constantly on flow.

    And while you’re listening to this stellar Gutter Talk episode, feel free to take a break from your own work and head over to our Patreon page and support us. But not if you’re driving. Please, if you are behind the wheel at the moment, keep your eyes on the road. Heck, if you’re driving, why are you even reading this?!

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