Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Panel Borders: Dramatising the Real
December 6, 2020
Excerpts from Scene and Heard by David Ziggy Greene, and The Red Virgin / Sally Heathcote by Mary and Bryan Talbot
Dramatising the Real: In a pair of interviews looking at comic creators who dramatise real life events, Alex Fitch talks to Bryan and Mary Talbot about their graphic novels Sally Heathcote: Suffragette and The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia on French revolutionary Louise Michel in a Q and A recorded at Graphic Brighton, and to David Ziggy Greene about his fortnightly strip in Private Eye – Scene and Heard – and editing collections of graphic reportage in Save Our Souls, recorded at Cartoon County.
Originally broadcast 2nd December 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Toys and Games
March 6, 2018
Tomorrow at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Toys and Games
Art from Lego Star Wars / Part Robot / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Bob Molesworth / Comic Turns / Macbeth by Karen Rubins
In a pair of interviews looking at the connections between toys, games and comics, Alex Fitch talks to artists Karen Rubins and Bob Molesworth about their work. Karen discusses her new comic art card game, Comic Turns, which allows the player to create their own sequential art stories, and her strip Tales to Give You the Shivers in The Phoenix.
In an interview recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton, Bob Molesworth talks about drawing popular kids franchises such as Scooby Doo and Lego Star Wars, small press titles such as Dino Corps, and creating a cyberpunk adult colouring book called Part Robot.
5.30pm Wednesday 7th March 2018, repeated 7am Tuesday 13th March, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com / Resonance Replay stream on mixcloud.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com (more…)
Today’s show: Political comics
October 4, 2016
Today at 5.30pm on Resonance FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Political comics
Covers of Fight the Power and Slumdroid #2 by Ben Dickson / promotional poster for Falling Sky / Covers of Guide to Life by Steven Appleby and If… The Graphic Novel by Steve Bell
In a pair of Q and As recorded live in front of an audience, Alex Fitch interviews a trio of artists who have dealt with politics in their work. At the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Alex discusses newspaper cartoons and strips such as If… and Loomus with The Guardian’s Steve Bell and Steven Appleby while they draw new installments of their work. Also, at Cartoon County in Brighton, Ben Dickson talks about his satirical sci-fi comics Slumdroid and Falling Sky and his contributions to political anthologies Fight the Power and Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption.
5.30pm Wednesday 5th October, repeated 6am Sunday 9th October 2016, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Ben Dickson’s website and page at Scar Comics
Info about Fight the Power at New Internationalist
Alex’s interview with Lightspeed Champion and Laura Ford about Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption
Steve Bell’s website
Steven Appleby’s website
Panel Borders: The Arab of the Future
May 2, 2016
Cover and interior of The Arab of the Future and poster for Jacky in the Kingdom of Women by Riad Sattouf
The Arab of the Future: Alex Fitch talks to Charlie Hebdo alumnus Riad Sattouf about the first volume of his autobiographical strips about growing up in France, and the Middle East published as The Arab of the Future by Two Roads Books. Alex and Riad explore how the book relates to the latter’s experiences as a film-maker on such movies as Jacky in the Kingdom of Women plus his interest in Victorian serialised entertainment by Dickens, and children’s adventure comics by Hergé.
(Panel Borders continues on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 8pm, repeated the following day at 9am. Originally broadcast as the second half of a Clear Spot on Resonance 104.4 FM, 12th April 2016)
For more info and a variety of formats to stream or download this podcast, please visit archive.org (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Children of the Future
April 11, 2016
Tomorrow at 8pm on Resonance FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Children of the Future
Cover and interior art from Space Dumplings by Craig Thompson, and The Arab of the Future by Riad Sattouf
Alex Fitch talks to two cartoonists whose comics feature young protagonists and offer hope for the future. Eisner Award winning artist Craig Thompson discusses his first full colour graphic novel Space Dumplings, an uproarious depiction of adventure and galactic travel published by Faber, in which the daughter of an interstellar salvage man goes on a trip of her own meeting aliens, giant robots and space whales.
Also, Charlie Hebdo alumnus Riad Sattouf describes the first volume of his autobiographical strips about growing up in France, and the Middle East published as The Arab of the Future by Two Roads Books. Alex and Riad explore how the book relates to the latter’s experiences as a film-maker and his interest in Victorian serialised entertainment by Dickens and Hergé.
8pm Tuesday 12th April, repeated 9am Wednesday 13th April 2016, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com (Panel Borders continues on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 8pm, repeated the following day at 9am.) (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Wagner and Gibbons
August 19, 2015
Tomorrow at 11.30am on Resonance FM, Panel Borders: Wagner and Gibbons
Rogue Trooper and Dan Dare drawn by Dave Gibbons, A History of Violence, Judge Dredd and The Bogie Man written by John Wagner
Continuing a month of shows about ‘The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic’, Alex Fitch talks to another writer and artist about their work in and after 2000AD. In an extract from a Q and A recorded on stage at The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Alex Fitch talks to artist Dave Gibbons about his early years, drawing such strips as a reimagined Dan Dare for a 1980s audience. Also, Alex talks to writer John Wagner about scripting Judge Dredd on and off since 1977 and other projects that have been adapted to the screen such as A History of Violence (recorded at London Super Comic Con).
11.30am Thursday 20th August, repeated 7am Saturday 22nd August 2015, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Watchmen wikia page on Dave Gibbons
Info about the forthcoming reprint of Dan Dare as featured in 2000AD
Comics DataBase page on John Wagner
Info about the Judge Dredd Mega Collection from Hachette
2000AD online website
Article on The Lakes International Comic Art Festival
Panel Borders: Bruce Mutard – from The Bunker to The Sacrifice
July 23, 2015
— 1 Comment
Interior art and cover from The Sacrifice, interior art from Alice in Nomansland and The Bunker by Bruce Mutard, cover and interior strip from Art is a Lie by Carol Wood and Susan Butcher
Bruce Mutard – from The Bunker to The Sacrifice: Continuing a month of shows about Australasian comics, Alex Fitch talks to Melbourne cartoonist Bruce Mutard about his career so far, from his first graphic novel The Bunker to experimental comics such as Alice in Nomansland, and working on a sequel to his World War II graphic novel The Sacrifice. Mutard also discusses titles published by his fledgling imprint Fabilaux, the varied influences on his style from ligne claire to Crumb, and his experience of doing an MA course in comics. Originally broadcast 23rd July 2015 on Resonance 104.4 FM.
For more info and a variety of formats to stream or download this podcast, please visit archive.org
Links: Bruce Mutard’s website
Info about the crowd funding campaign for Art is a Lie by Carol Wood and Susan Butcher published by Mutard (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Bruce Mutard – from The Bunker to The Sacrifice
July 22, 2015
Tomorrow at 11am on Resonance FM, Panel Borders: Bruce Mutard – from The Bunker to The Sacrifice
Interior art and cover from The Sacrifice, interior art from Alice in Nomansland and The Bunker by Bruce Mutard, cover and interior strip from Art is a Lie by Carol Wood and Susan Butcher
Continuing a month of shows about Australasian comics, Alex Fitch talks to Melbourne cartoonist Bruce Mutard about his career so far, from his first graphic novel The Bunker to experimental comics such as Alice in Nomansland, and working on a sequel to his World War II graphic novel The Sacrifice. Mutard also discusses titles published by his fledgling imprint Fabilaux, the varied influences on his style from ligne claire to Crumb, and his experience of doing an MA course in comics.
11am Thursday 23rd July, repeated 7am Saturday 25th July 2015, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Bruce Mutard’s website
Info about the crowd funding campaign for Art is a Lie by Carol Wood and Susan Butcher published by Mutard
Publisher’s website page on The Sacrifice
Panel Borders: Vehlmann and Gazzotti
November 30, 2014
— 1 Comment
Cover, interior art and serialised cover of Alone (Seuls) / covers of Green Manor and Beautiful Darkness written by Fabien Vehlmann / cover of Soda drawn by Bruno Gazzotti
Vehlmann and Gazzotti: Concluding a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and media in their art, Alex Fitch talks to writer Fabien Vehlmann and artist Bruno Gazzotti about their graphic album series Alone (Seuls), published by Cinebook. The creators discuss how their serial – about children who wake up in a world without adults – was inspired by classic American dystopia fiction, Vehlmann’s interest in 19th century thrillers which influenced his comic Green Manor, and Gazzotti’s experience on the policier series Soda. Recorded in front of an audience at the South Ken Kids Festival, Institut Français, November 2014. (Originally broadcast 27th November 2014 on Resonance 104.4 FM, London)
For more info and a variety of different formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Vehlmann and Gazzotti
November 26, 2014
Tomorrow at 11am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Vehlmann and Gazzotti
Cover, interior art and serialised cover of Alone (Seuls) / covers of Green Manor and Beautiful Darkness written by Fabien Vehlmann / cover of Soda drawn by Bruno Gazzotti
Concluding a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and media in their art, Alex Fitch talks to writer Fabien Vehlmann and artist Bruno Gazzotti about their graphic album series Alone (Seuls), published by Cinebook. The creators discuss how their serial – about children who wake up in a world without adults – was inspired by classic American dystopia fiction, Vehlmann’s interest in 19th century thrillers which influenced his comic Green Manor, and Gazzotti’s experience on the policier series Soda. (Recorded in front of an audience at the South Ken Kids Festival, Institut Français, November 2014).
11am Thursday 27th November, repeated 7am Saturday 29th November 2014, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Info about the original event at the South Ken Kids Festival
Info about Alone on CineBook’s website
Read back issues of Spirou et Fantasio featuring Fabien Vehlmann at izneo.com
Info about Bruno Gazzotti and Fabien Vehlmann on lambiek.net
Panel Borders: …there is Joost Swarte
November 12, 2014
— 1 Comment
Covers and comic strips by Joost Swarte
…there is Joost Swarte: Starting a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and mediums in their work, Alex Fitch talks to acclaimed Dutch cartoonist and graphic designer Joost Swarte about his career so far. Fitch and Swarte discuss the latter’s covers for The New Yorker and RAW magazine (also reprinted as the front of the Tate coffee table book Comics Art), the Fantagraphics collection of his strip work “Is that all there is?” and the artist’s work in designing children’s books, theatrical architecture and stained glass windows.
(Recorded in front of an audience at The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, October 2014, originally broadcast 6th November 2014 on Resonance 104.4 FM)
For more info and a variety of different formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org
Tomorrow’s show: …there is Joost Swarte
November 5, 2014
Tomorrow at 11am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: …there is Joost Swarte
Covers and comic strips by Joost Swarte
Starting a month of shows about the work of comic book creators who mix together different cultures and mediums in their work, Alex Fitch talks to acclaimed Dutch cartoonist and graphic designer Joost Swarte about his career so far. Fitch and Swarte discuss the latter’s covers for The New Yorker and RAW magazine (also reprinted as the front of the Tate coffee table book Comics Art), the Fantagraphics collection of his strip work “Is that all there is?” and the artist’s work in designing children’s books, theatrical architecture and stained glass windows.
(Recorded in front of an audience at The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, October 2014)
11am Thursday 6th November, repeated 7am Saturday 8th November 2014, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Joost’s website
More info about Fantagraphics’ collection Is that all there is?
Page about the event on the LICAF website
Reality Check: The Scarifyers
January 30, 2013
— 2 Comments
Promo material for The Thirteen Hallows, David Warner and Terry Molloy, cover of The Scarifyers comic no.1
The Scarifyers: As we enter Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary year, Reality Check investigates a radio drama series tangentally connected to the franchise. The Scarifyers is a horror / black comedy series, with new installments broadcast each year on BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly BBC 7) and released on CD and concern the adventures of an elderly horror writer and his retired police sidekick as they investigate supernatural crimes and occurances in 1950s Britain. Alex Fitch talks to series writer and producer Simon Barnard and CD cover artist Garen Ewing about the genre crossing narrative (more…)
Today’s show: The Scarifyers
January 25, 2013
Tonight at 5pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, I’m ready for my close-up – The Scarifyers
Promo material for The Thirteen Hallows, David Warner and Terry Molloy, cover of The Scarifyers comic no.1
As we enter Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary year, I’m ready for my close-up investigates a radio drama series tangentally connected to the franchise. The Scarifyers is a horror / black comedy series, with new installments broadcast each year on BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly BBC 7) and released on CD and concern the adventures of an elderly horror writer and his retired police sidekick as they investigate supernatural crimes and occurances in 1950s Britain. The cast includes Terry Molloy (Doctor Who‘s Davros), Nicholas Courtney (Doctor Who‘s Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) and David Warner (Time Bandits et al.) with supporting cast including actors famous for roles in Doctor Who and other Sci-Fi dramas such as Gabriel Woolf, Philip Madoc, Gareth David-Lloyd and Brian Blessed. Alex Fitch talks to series writer and producer Simon Barnard and CD cover artist Garen Ewing about the genre crossing narrative, their love of old SF and horror and the use of iconic actors in new serialised roles.
5pm, Friday 25th January 2013, repeated at 4.30pm, Tuesday 29th January, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) (more…)
Reality Check: Modern childrens comics
April 5, 2012
— 1 Comment
The Mythical 9th Division by Alex Milway, Robot City adventures by Paul Collicutt, Doctor Who Adventures by Eddie Robson
Modern children’s comics: In a panel discussion recorded at last year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival, CBBC presenter Chris Johnson talks to Paul Collicutt (Robot City adventures), Alex Milway (The Mythical 9th Division) and Eddie Robson (Doctor Who adventures) about creating Science-Fiction and Fantasy comics for kids and having interested children in the format, how to keep their love of comics going.
Listen to Alex Fitch’s interviews with Alex Milway and Paul Collicutt
(more…)
Panel Borders: Cancer Comics
June 16, 2011
— 4 Comments
Panel Borders:
Cancer Comics
Partially broadcast 16th June 2011 on Resonance 104.4 FM
Covers of Seeds by Ross Mackintosh, Drawing the line and Drawing the line again curated by Suley Fattah and Kasra Ghanbari
Continuing our month of shows about medical comics, we have two recordings of creators’ very different approaches to tackling the issue of cancer in sequential art. In another presentation from last year’s Graphic Medicine conference, Suley Fattah talks about his anthologies Drawing the line and Drawing the line again, which collect a selection of new comics about the subject of cancer to raise money for related charities. Also, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Ross Mackintosh about his moving autobiographical book Seeds which depicts his father’s battle with the disease.
For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: For more information about Ross Mackintosh’ Seeds, www.seedscomic.blogspot.com
For more info about Drawing the line and Drawing the line again, www.benefitcomic.com
Listen to Brian Fies talk about his work
Info about the 2011 Graphic Medicine conference, 9-11 June 2011, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago
(more…)
Panel Borders: Mom’s Cancer
June 2, 2011
— 4 Comments
Panel Borders:
Mom’s Cancer
Partially broadcast 2nd June 2011 on Resonance 104.4 FM
Excerpt from Moms Cancer by and (c) Brian Fies
Starting a month of shows about medical comics, Panel Borders is proud to present a talk given by cartoonist Brian Fies about his web comic / graphic novel Mom’s Cancer, recorded at last year’s Graphic Medicine conference in London. Brian talks about the history of the comic, his experiences of working on a strip with such emotive content and his thoughts regarding the comics medium as a whole as a method for helping people deal with medical and life threatening situations.
For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: Official Mom’s Cancer website
Graphic Medicine website including info on the 2010 conference
Read Brian Fies’ blog posts about his trip to London and Graphic Medicine 2011
Listen to Philippa Perry talk about her therapy graphic novel Couch Fiction
Listen to Alex Fitch interview Darryl Cunningham about Psychiatric Tales and his other work
Info about the 2011 Graphic Medicine conference, 9-11 June 2011, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago
Today’s show: Mom’s Cancer
June 2, 2011
Today on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: Mom’s Cancer
Excerpt from Moms Cancer by and (c) Brian Fies
Starting a month of shows about medical comics, Panel Borders is proud to present a talk given by cartoonist Brian Fies about his web comic / graphic novel Mom’s Cancer, recorded at last year’s Graphic Medicine conference in London. Brian talks about the history of the comic, his experiences of working on a strip with such emotive content and his thoughts regarding the comics medium as a whole as a method for helping people deal with medical and life threatening situations.
5pm, Thursday 02/06/11, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Official Mom’s Cancer website
Graphic Medicine website
including info on the 2010 conference
Read Brian Fies’ blog posts about his trip to London and Graphic Medicine 2011
Listen to Philippa Perry talk about her therapy graphic novel Couch Fiction
Listen to Alex Fitch interview Darryl Cunningham about Psychiatric Tales and his other work
Info about the 2011 Graphic Medicine conference, 9-11 June 2011, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago
Panel Borders: Spandex!
November 25, 2010
Panel Borders:
Spandex!
Originally broadcast 25th November 2010 on Resonance 104.4 FM
Spandex group shot by Martin Eden
Continuing our month of shows looking at unusual depictions of superheroes, in an interview recorded at the Thought Bubble festival in Leeds, Alex Fitch talks to writer / artist Martin Eden about his small press comics The O Men and Spandex, the latter featuring the world’s only all gay superhero team. Alex and Martin talk about distribution of small press comics, his experiences with the media’s interest in his new comic when it launched last year and representations of gay characters in sequential art.
This show was recorded live at Thought Bubble, Leeds
For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org
Links: Martin’s blog – spandexcomic.wordpress.com
The O Men website and blog
Listen to Alex’s interview with Tommy Roddy about his gay themed Superhero comic Pride High
Recommended events:
Alternative Press Fair: Sunday 28th November 2010
Comix, zines, self published art books, poetry workshop, illustration photo booth and over 100 titles from the world of small press. A chance for newcomers to sell their work on a communal table and for those interested to find out what the scene has to offer. Alternative Press will also be announcing details of next year’s Alternative Press Festival.
St. Aloysius’ Social Centre (Corner of Eversholt Street and Phoenix Road) London NW1 1TA Nearest Tube: Euston
Sunday 28th November 2010, 12pm to 6pm
ALSO: There are some flyer designs up on the comicsandzines blog. We want you to recreate the flyers in your own style!
More info: comicsandzines.wordpress.com
Demons screening
Prior to its DVD re-release from Arrow Video, Midnight Movies presents a special screening of Dario Argento’s classic gory 80s horror Demons on Friday 26 November 2010 at Curzon Soho. One fateful night in a Berlin cinema, art imitates life as one by one the audience are possessed by blood-hungry, puss-filled demons. More details on Curzon Cinemas’ website.
Erika Moen – Signing and Exhibition
Erika Moen (Dar Comics) will be in London for the opening of her show at Orbital Comics! Come see herpaintings in real life and maybe get a book signed or something!
Orbital Comics, 8 Gt Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA, United Kingdom
Thursday, 30 December 2010 17:00
Comica, London week four
Paul Gravett: From Escape To Now
Paul Gravett gives an illustrated talk about his lifelong passion for comics, from the 80s Escape Magazine to now.
The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1
Monday, 29 November – 6.30pm to 9.30pm
(more…)
Today’s show: Spandex!
November 25, 2010
— 1 Comment
Today on Resonance FM…
Panel Borders: Spandex!
Spandex group shot by Martin Eden
Continuing our month of shows looking at unusual depictions of superheroes, in an interview recorded at the Thought Bubble festival in Leeds, Alex Fitch talks to writer / artist Martin Eden about his small press comics The O Men and Spandex, the latter featuring the world’s only all gay superhero team. Alex and Martin talk about distribution of small press comics, his experiences with the media’s interest in his new comic when it launched last year and representations of gay characters in sequential art.
This show was recorded live at Thought Bubble, Leeds
5pm, 25/11/10, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast here after transmission
Links: Martin’s blog – spandexcomic.wordpress.com
The O Men website and blog
Listen to Alex’s interview with Tommy Roddy about his gay themed Superhero comic Pride High
Recommended events:
Alternative Press Fair: Sunday 28th November 2010
Comix, zines, self published art books, poetry workshop, illustration photo booth and over 100 titles from the world of small press. A chance for newcomers to sell their work on a communal table and for those interested to find out what the scene has to offer. Alternative Press will also be announcing details of next year’s Alternative Press Festival.
St. Aloysius’ Social Centre (Corner of Eversholt Street and Phoenix Road) London NW1 1TA Nearest Tube: Euston
Sunday 28th November 2010, 12pm to 6pm
ALSO: There are some flyer designs up on the comicsandzines blog. We want you to recreate the flyers in your own style!
More info: comicsandzines.wordpress.com
Demons screening
Prior to its DVD re-release from Arrow Video, Midnight Movies presents a special screening of Dario Argento’s classic gory 80s horror Demons on Friday 26 November 2010 at Curzon Soho. One fateful night in a Berlin cinema, art imitates life as one by one the audience are possessed by blood-hungry, puss-filled demons. More details on Curzon Cinemas’ website.
Comica, London week four
Sarah Ardizzone & Ros Schwartz: The Little Prince
A dialogue between two translators looking back at the biggest selling French language book.
Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, London
Thursday, 25 November – 7.30pm
Paul Gravett: From Escape To Now
Paul Gravett gives an illustrated talk about his lifelong passion for comics, from the 80s Escape Magazine to now.
The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, London E1
Monday, 29 November – 6.30pm to 9.30pm
(more…)
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