Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Panel Borders: The danger of Romance
November 27, 2011 — 2 Comments
Panel Borders:
The danger of Romance
Partially broadcast 27/11/11 on Resonance FM
covers of Young Romance #12 (Aug 1949, art by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Bill Draut) / First Romance #17 (Sep 1952, artist unknown), pages from The Story of Lee by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada / Yakuza Moon by Shoko Tendo, Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa
Concluding our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer and manga translator Sean Michael Wilson and lecturer and author Ian Rakoff about romance comics. Sean is the editor of AX vol.1: A collection of Alternative Manga and author of The Story of Lee and adaptor of Yakuza Moon, two manga novels with varying degrees of biography about the fortunes of young women encountering different cultures across Asia.
Ian is about to give his latest lecture about comics (30/11) at the Victoria and Albert museum, and this month is discussing the subject of romance comics, with a focus on how they were an antidote to McCarthyism in 1950s America.
For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: Info about Ian Rakoff‘s talk on Romance Comics on his blog
Event listing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s website
Alex’s previous interviews with Ian about Social Realism, Westerns and cultural stereotypes in comics
Sean Michael Wilson‘s blog, including info on the books discussed in this interview
Read various manga by Wilson at www.webcomicsnation.com including an earlier adaptation of The Story of Lee illustrated by Yishan Li
Interview with Wilson at www.scotsman.com
Today’s show: The danger of Romance
November 27, 2011
Tonight on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: The danger of Romance
covers of Young Romance #12 (Aug 1949, art by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon and Bill Draut) / First Romance #17 (Sep 1952, artist unknown), pages from The Story of Lee by Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada / Yakuza Moon by Shoko Tendo, Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa
Concluding our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to writer and manga translator Sean Michael Wilson and lecturer and author Ian Rakoff about romance comics. Sean is the editor of AX vol.1: A collection of Alternative Manga and author of The Story of Lee and adaptor of Yakuza Moon, two manga novels with varying degrees of biography about the fortunes of young women encountering different cultures across Asia.
Ian is about to give his latest lecture about comics (30/11) at the Victoria and Albert museum, and this month is discussing the subject of romance comics, with a focus on how they were an antidote to McCarthyism in 1950s America.
8pm, Sunday 27th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Info about Ian Rakoff‘s talk on Romance Comics on his blog
Event listing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s website
Alex’s previous interviews with Ian about Social Realism, Westerns and cultural stereotypes in comics
Sean Michael Wilson‘s blog, including info on the books discussed in this interview
Read various manga by Wilson at www.webcomicsnation.com including an earlier adaptation of The Story of Lee illustrated by Yishan Li
Interview with Wilson at www.scotsman.com
Recommended events:
Julien Neel interview
Paul Gravett will be interviewing the truly brilliant French cartoonist Julien Neel and translator Ros Schwartz.
Where: Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place SW7 2DT
When: November 27, 2011 – From 3pm
More info at: www.comicafestival.com
Blame it on Romance: What Frightened Senator Joe McCarthy
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join Ian Rakoff, screenwriter, editor and author, to look at the significance of politics and gender in relation to popular romance comic books.
Romance comic books selling over 30 million monthly issues and featuring influential heroines dominated the market from 1949 to 1954. At the same time, real women continued to experience gender discrimination and disempowerment. Ian Rakoff draws new connections between the content of romance comic books and 1950s anti-communist McCarthy witch-hunts.
Wed 30 November 2011, 1pm, Victoria and Albert Museum, Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2RL
More info: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson
Panel Borders: Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder
November 20, 2011 — 4 Comments
Panel Borders:
Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder
Partially broadcast 20/11/11 on Resonance FM
Images from Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman and Miguelanxo Prado
Continuing our month of shows about genre, it’s a science fiction double feature as Alex Fitch chats to author Neil Gaiman about examples of SF in his work such as Doctor Who, American Gods, Babylon 5 and Sandman: Endless Nights. Plus, in an extract from a talk at the British Library, Neil discusses his experiences of the genre around the world from China to Tasmania.
For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Listen to the the 75 min panel discussion with Neil Gaiman, Peter F. Hamilton, Rachel Armstrong, Kari Sperring and (chair) Farah Mendlesohn
Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog
Neil Gaiman’s journal
Art by Miguelanxo Prado
Recommended events:
Laydeez do comics – Internation Comica special
The monthly meeting Laydeez Do Comics links up again with Comica Festival to present special guests from Canada, the USA and Germany. Sarah Leavitt launches Tangles, her graphic memoir of her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease, published by Jonathan Cape. MK Czerwiec, aka ‘Comic Nurse’, presents her unique medical comics and cartoons from a nurse’s perspective. German guests Mawil and Uli Oesterle discuss their careers and latest albums translated into English courtesy of Blank Slate.
Tickets: £1.50
Where: The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage St, London E1 5LJ
When: Monday, November 21, 2011 – 6.30pm to 9.30pm
History and Future of Superheroes Comica talk
Secret Origins are exposed and Secret Identities are unmasked in Paul Gravett’s illustrated overview of how the superhero genre was born and has evolved, and where it is heading next. By the co-author and editor of 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die.
Tickets: Admission free
Where: Islington Central Library, Fieldway Cresent N5
When: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 – From 7pm
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
Today’s show: Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder
November 20, 2011
Tonight on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: Neil Gaiman – Worlds of Wonder
Images from Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman and Miguelanxo Prado
Continuing our month of shows about genre, Alex Fitch chats to author Neil Gaiman about examples of Science Fiction in his work such as Doctor Who, American Gods, Babylon 5 and Sandman: Endless Nights. Plus, in an extract from a talk at the British Library, Neil discusses his experiences of the genre around the world from China to Tasmania.
8pm, Sunday 20th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog
Neil Gaiman’s journal
Art by Miguelanxo Prado
Listen to Alex’s interviews with Neil about science fiction conventions and Stardust
Recommended events:
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
Thought Bubble comics festival
This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, tables, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.
Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.
Other guests include Doug Braithwaite, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Adam Hughes, Jeff Lemire, Posy Simmonds, Peter Milligan, D’israeli, The Etherington Brothers and many more. More info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com
Reality Check: Worlds of Wonder at the British Library
November 18, 2011 — 2 Comments
Reality Check:
Worlds of Wonder at the British Library
Farah Mendlesohn, Neil Gaiman, Rachel Armstrong, Peter F. Hamilton, and Kari Sperring at The British Library. Photo by Marjorie Taylor
In a panel discussion entitled “Worlds of Wonder?”, recorded at the British Library as part of their events season to support the exhibition ‘Out of this World’, authors Neil Gaiman and Peter F. Hamilton, scientist Rachel Armstrong and critics Kari Sperring and Farah Mendlesohn (chair) discuss the current state of science fiction around the world and its relationship with the latest advances in science fact.
(This show replaces November’s episode of Book List on Resonance FM as the slot was overbooked)
For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com
Links: Original listing for the event on The British Library website
Write up of the event on the Margo’s Musings blog
Panel Borders: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes
November 13, 2011 — 2 Comments
Panel Borders:
The Last Ride of the Western Heroes
Partially broadcast 13/11/11 on Resonance FM
The Kents and Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes by John Ostrander / West - Justice and The Confederate Dead by Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable
Continuing our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to creators of small press and mainstream cowboy comics. Alex talks to veteran comics writer John Ostrander about his classic serialised graphic novel The Kents featuring the history of Superman’s great grandparents in 19th century Kansas and their encounters with the Luthers of the time, which is being re-released in three ’100 page giants’ this winter. Alex and John also talk about Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes, Grimjack and his unrealized Doctor Who audio western.
Also in an interview recorded at this year’s Bristol Small Press Expo, Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton talk about their ongoing comic West, which has recently included horror tropes and guest artists plus their future plans for the title and its graphic novel collections.
For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton‘s website – www.angrycandy.co.uk
Review of West: Justice on The Forbidden Planet International blog
John Ostrander‘s message pages at www.comicscommunity.com
Preview of The Kents at dccomics.com
Recommended events:
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.
November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
Thought Bubble comics festival
This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. From Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th there is also a three day academic conference called Comics Forum.
On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.
Panel Borders events:
Saturday 19th, 1pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a Q and A on stage with Tim Sale (Heroes, Batman: The Long Halloween, Spiderman: Blue) about his work.
Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.
(more…)
Today’s show: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes
November 13, 2011
Tonight on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes
The Kents and Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes by John Ostrander / West - Justice and The Confederate Dead by Andrew Cheverton and Tim Keable
Continuing our month of shows about genre in comics, Alex Fitch talks to creators of small press and mainstream cowboy comics. Alex talks to veteran comics writer John Ostrander about his classic serialised graphic novel The Kents featuring the history of Superman’s great grandparents in 19th century Kansas and their encounters with the Luthers of the time, which is being re-released in three ’100 page giants’ this winter. Alex and John also talk about Blaze of Glory: The Last Ride of the Western Heroes, Grimjack and his unrealized Doctor Who audio western.
Also in an interview recorded at this year’s Bristol Small Press Expo, Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton talk about their ongoing comic West, which has recently included horror tropes and guest artists plus their future plans for the title and its graphic novel collections.
(This is the 300th radio show that Alex Fitch has made for Resonance FM!)
8pm, Sunday 13th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Tim Keable and Andrew Cheverton‘s website – www.angrycandy.co.uk
Review of West: Justice on The Forbidden Planet International blog
John Ostrander‘s message pages at www.comicscommunity.com
Preview of The Kents at dccomics.com
Recommended events:
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.
November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
Thought Bubble comics festival
This year’s week long Thought Bubble festival, part of the Leeds International Film Festival, starts on 14th November 2011, with comic related screenings each day. From Wednesday 16th – Friday 18th there is also a three day academic conference called Comics Forum.
On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, there is a traditional comics convention at the Royal Armouries with additional talks, activities and workshops at Saviles Hall.
Panel Borders events:
Saturday 19th, 1pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a Q & A on stage with Tim Sale (Heroes, Batman: The Long Halloween, Spiderman: Blue) about his work.
Sunday 20th, 2pm, Alex Fitch will be hosting a panel about the Image Comics Sci-Fi Noir Elephantmen with writer Richard Starkings and artist Boo Cook.
Other guests include Doug Braithwaite, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Adam Hughes, Jeff Lemire, Posy Simmonds, Peter Milligan, D’israeli, The Etherington Brothers and many more. More info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com
Panel Borders: Hemlock and Skullkickers – Gendering Fantasy
November 6, 2011 — 1 Comment
Panel Borders:
Hemlock and Skullkickers – Gendering Fantasy
Partially broadcast 06/11/11 on Resonance FM
Skullkickers by Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang / Makeshift Miracle by Zubkavich + three pages from chapter one of Hemlock by Josceline Fenton
Starting a month of shows about genre in comic books, Alex Fitch talks to the writers of two very different fantasy comics which show the wide range of approaches to the genre. At a signing in Orbital Comics, recorded in February, Alex talks to Jim Zubkavich about his popular Image Comics title Skullkickers, his web strip Makeshift Miracle and his work on Udon Studios’ Street Fighter comic, then in an interview recorded at last weekend’s MCM Expo, Josceline Fenton discusses her small press comic Hemlock. Both creators discuss the appearance of their comics online, the importance of well designed packaging for the collected editions and their other projects.
For more info and a variety of formats you can stream or listen to this podcast in, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: Jim Zubkavich on livejournal and blogspot
Info about Jim Zubkavich at Udon Entertainment’s website
Josceline Fenton pages on tumblr
Hemlock website, including the first page of the saga
Recommended events:
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 9: Comics Gosh!p – the new monthly meeting for graphic novel fans, run by Mark Hayock & Mike Medaglia, this month discussing Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One and Joceline Fenton’s Hemlock.
November 11: Frederik Peeters (Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story) signing/talk/Q&A. His new book Sandcastle is out through SelfMadeHero.
November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.
November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
(more…)
Today’s show: Hemlock and Skullkickers – Gendering Fantasy
November 6, 2011
Tonight on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: Gendering Fantasy
Skullkickers by Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang / Makeshift Miracle by Zubkavich + three pages from chapter one of Hemlock by Josceline Fenton
Starting a month of shows about genre in comic books, Alex Fitch talks to the writers of two very different fantasy comics which show the wide range of approaches to the genre. At a signing in Orbital Comics, recorded in February, Alex talks to Jim Zubkavich about his popular Image Comics title Skullkickers, his web strip Makeshift Miracle and his work on Udon Studios’ Street Fighter comic, then in an interview recorded at last weekend’s MCM Expo, Josceline Fenton discusses her small press comic Hemlock. Both creators discuss the appearance of their comics online, the importance of well designed packaging for the collected editions and their other projects.
8pm, Sunday 6th November, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Jim Zubkavich on livejournal and blogspot
Info about Jim Zubkavich at Udon Entertainment’s website
Josceline Fenton pages on tumblr
Hemlock website, including the first page of the saga
Recommended events:
Events at Gosh! Comics
November 9: Comics Gosh!p – the new monthly meeting for graphic novel fans, run by Mark Hayock & Mike Medaglia, this month discussing Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One and Joceline Fenton’s Hemlock.
November 11: Frederik Peeters (Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story) signing/talk/Q&A. His new book Sandcastle is out through SelfMadeHero.
November 14: A Comica Conversation with Richard McGuire (Raw, The New Yorker, Liquid Liquid) and Steven Appleby, plus a projection of McGuire’s animated films.
November 18: German creators Uli Oesterle and Mawil signing copies of their newly translated books from Blank Slate + Q & A with Alex Fitch (Resonance FM).
November 25: Nelson launch party, signing and art show. Exclusive Gosh! Bookplate Edition by Frank Quitely available on the night!
November 26: Luke Pearson signing copies of his new Hilda book from Nobrow + art show (all pieces are up and on sale now)
Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR
Comica Events
The spectacular Great Hall at the Bishopsgate Institute is the new venue for Comica Comiket, the Comica Festival’s 6th one-day comics and art fair – bigger and better than ever, offering the best of British creators, publishers, small presses, graphic artists and suppliers under one roof. Throughout the day, top artists will be taking part on stage in the Comica Drawing Parade, with their live artworks and demos projected on a giant screen.
Artists include: Roger Langridge, Luke Pearson, Warren Pleece, James Jarvis, Savage Pencil, Eyeball, Frederik Peeters and Brecht Evens
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – 11am to 6pm
Warren Ellis screening + Q & A
The cult writer Warren Ellis makes a rare public appearance at the Bishopsgate Institute and is interviewed by Lenny Henry, before the UK premiere screening of Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts, the revealing documentary about Ellis, directed by Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods).
Tickets: £8 (plus 80p booking fee) available from WeGotTickets.com
Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London
Saturday, November 12, 2011 – From 7pm
