Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Next week’s show: Fantastical Visions
April 29, 2021
On Wednesday May 5th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Fantastical Visions
Art from Coma by Zara Slattery / Captain America by Declan Shalvey / Avengers by Staz Johnson
In an episode celebrating great comic book art, Alex Fitch talks to three artists who bring wonderous visions to the page. In a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton, Zara Slattery discusses her graphic novel Coma which depicts her experiences of extreme medical intervention as a journey through a fantastical dreamscape. Plus, in a ‘live draw’ session recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Declan Shalvey and Staz Johnson discuss their influences and inspirations for working on such titles as Injection and 2000AD.
5.30pm, Wednesday 5th May 2021, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 7th May, 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
Links: More info about Coma published by Myriad Editions
Zara Slattery’s website
Wikipedia pages on Declan Shalvey and Staz Johnson
Staz Johnson’s blog
Declan Shalvey’s tumblr
Listen to Alex and Zara discuss classic video games in a show about the Vectrex games console
More info about support for survivors of Necrotising Fasciitis
Tomorrow’s show: Defensive Animals
April 6, 2021
On Wednesday April 7th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Defensive Animals
Images from Tummy Bugs by Leomi Sadler / Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai
In the second of two programmes looking at anthropomorphic comics, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of comic creators about their titles featuring combative animal characters. Leomi Sadler discusses her strips about insects, gargoyles, bacteria and other creatures battling against adversity, featured in a new collection – Tummy Bugs – published by Breakdown Press.
Also, in an interview recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, veteran cartoonist Stan Sakai chats about his long running comic Usagi Yojimbo which chronicles the adventures of a samurai rabbit…
5.30pm, Wednesday 7th April 2021, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 9th April, 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
Links: More info about Tummy Bugs on Breakdown Press’ website
Interview with Leomi Sadler on the Creative Review website
Stan Sakai’s website
Usagi Yojimbo website
More interviews with creators of anthropomorphic comics
This Week’s show: Melancholic Animals
February 28, 2021
On Wednesday March 3rd at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Melancholic Animals
Art from I Killed Adolf Hitler and Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason / Haway Man, Klaus by Richard Short
Alex Fitch talks to a pair of creators of anthropomorphic comics whose work features stories of animals in melancholic situations. Richard Short discusses the various publications featuring his popular feline character, including the latest graphic novel Haway Man, Klaus, published by Breakdown Press. Also, in an interview recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Alex chats to Norwegian cartoonist Jason about his work, including such genre titles as such as I Killed Adolf Hitler and Werewolves of Montpellier.
5.30pm, Wednesday 3rd March 2021, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 5th 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
Links: More info about Haway Man, Klaus on Breakdown Press’ website
Interview with Richard Short on The Comics Journal website
Info about books by Jason on Fantagraphics’ website
Jason’s biography on Sundero Gallery site
More interviews with creators of anthropomorphic comics
Next week’s show: Retro Anthologies
January 27, 2021
On Wednesday February 3rd at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Retro Anthologies
Covers of Blazer and The Mighty One written by Steve MacManus / Interior art by Julie Hollings from Beryl the Bitch and Dire Streets / Covers of Hot Jazz by Hunt Emerson and Outrageous Tales from the Old Testament by Emerson, Hollings and friends
In a pair of interviews, Alex Fitch talks to comic book editor Steve MacManus about his new retro comic book anthology Blazer, plus his tenure on 2000AD and other classic titles, and to Julie Hollings and Hunt Emerson about their work on music themed comics such as Revolver and Hot Jazz, plus anthology Outrageous Tales from the Old Testament including work by both, in a Q and A recorded at the 2018 Graphic Brighton conference at the University of Sussex.
If you enjoy Panel Borders, please consider donating some money towards the running costs of Resonance FM, during February – more info at https://www.resonancefm.com/donate
5.30pm, Wednesday 3rd February 2021, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 5th February, 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
Links: Blazer Kickstarter campaign
Steve MacManus’ twitter page
Julie Hollings’ page on British Comics database and Lambiek
Hunt Emerson’s website and page on Lambiek (more…)
This week’s show: Dramatising the Real
November 30, 2020
On Wednesday December 2nd at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Dramatising the Real
Excerpts from Scene and Heard by David Ziggy Greene, and The Red Virgin / Sally Heathcote by Mary and Bryan Talbot
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.
5.30pm, Wednesday 2nd December 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 4th December, 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
Links: Review of the first Scene and Heard collection on Broken Frontier
David Ziggy Green’s online shop
Graphic novels page on Mary Talbot’s website
Bryan Talbot’s website
This Week’s Show: Eclectic Horrors
November 2, 2020
On Wednesday November 4th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Eclectic Horrors
Art from Urotsokidoji by Toshio Maeda / Project Immortality by Coco Kirkland / Sticky Monsters by John Kenn Mortensen
In a belated Halloween special, Alex Fitch talks to three creators of very different horror themed comics. In a pair of interviews recorded at Copenhagen Comics Festival 2019, legendary creator Toshio Maeda explores his grotesque erotic manga Urotsokidoji: Legend of the Overfiend, and John Kenn Mortensen discusses his Edward Gorey inspired sketches of nightmares on post-it notes: Sticky Monsters. Also in a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Coco Kirkland chats about his cartoon inspired zombie / ghost graphic novel Project: Immortality.
5.30pm, Wednesday 4th November 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 6th November, 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
Links: John Kenn Mortensen’s blog and Instagram site
Pages on Project Immortality on publisher Markosia’s website and Drivethru Comics
Toshio Maeda’s website and profile on Anime News Network
This Week’s show: Vectrexians
October 24, 2020
On Thursday October 29th at 8.00pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Clear Spot: Vectrexians
Onscreen Vectrex graphics for “Galaxy Wars / Space Launcher” and “Every Day is Halloween” and Glowing Pumpcart Cassette by Binary Star Software + Box cover for “Vextrexians” and graphics with overlay for “Vector Patrol” by Tutsoft, Zara plays Vectrex
In a Clear Spot looking at the continuing good fortunes of the Vectrex games console, an arcade style machine distributed in the UK by Milton Bradley in 1983, Alex Fitch talks to programmers Chris Malcolm and Kristof Tuts about their new games for the console, and to graphic novelist Zara Slattery about her experiences of playing the Vectrex and teenage years in arcades.
8pm, Thursday 29th October 2020, repeat broadcast 10am, Friday 30th October, 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
Links: Kristof Tuts’ website
Chris Malcolm’s website and ebay page
Zara Slattery’s website
Vectrex fandom website including page on International Play Your Vectrex Day
Vectrex ProGaming Boards pages on International Play Your Vectrex Day and the week long competition – ‘Vector War X’ (31st Oct – Nov 7th) (more…)
Next week’s show: Ladies of the Lakes
October 2, 2020
On Wednesday October 7th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Ladies of the Lakes
Interior and cover of Sonic the Comic, and interior art from Care Bears, edited by Deborah Tate / covers of This One Summer, Skim and She-Hulk vol. 2, written by Mariko Tamaki
In the first episode of a new series of the monthly radio show about graphic novels and sequential art, Alex Fitch talks to two female creators working in the comic book industry, in Q and As recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Deborah Tate discusses her role as editor on the much loved Marvel UK titles for children – Sonic the Comic and Care Bears – working with artist Mick McMahon and writer Mark Miller, and her inititatives to bring eco-friendly messages to both content of the titles, and their physical production. Writer Mariko Tamaki talks about working on independent graphic novels with her cousin Jillian, including Skim and This One Summer, and writing superhero titles such as She-Hulk and Wonder Woman.
This year’s online version of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival – LICAF LIVE – takes place from 9th-11th October at www.comicartfestival.com
5.30pm, Wednesday 7th October 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am, Friday 9th October, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com (more…)
This week’s show: Uncanny Landscapes
August 31, 2020
On Wednesday September 2nd at 5.00pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Uncanny Landscapes
Excerpt from Mauretania by Chris Reynolds / Vicious Creatures by Sarah Gordon / Unflattening by Nick Sousanis
In the 90 min Panel Borders Autumn Special, Alex Fitch talks to three comic creators whose work explores uncanny locations. In a pair of Q and As recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton, Chris Reynolds discusses the retro-futuristic aesthetic of his Mauretania Comics, set in post-industrial landscapes, and Sarah Gordon chats about the evocative folk horror and folktales inhabiting her collection Vicious Creatures.
Also, Alex interviews lecturer and graphic novelist Nick Sousanis about his book Unflattening which uses Edwin Abbott Abbott’s Flatland as a jumping off point for an examination of human communication.
5pm, Wednesday 2nd September 2020, repeat broadcast 3am, Friday 5th August, 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…)
Next week’s show: Learning with Comics
August 2, 2020
On Wednesday August 5th at 5.00pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Learning with Comics
Covers of books by Sally Kindberg and Alex Frith / Rewilding Sussex comic by Chris Sandom and Daniel Locke / Darryl Cunningham and Robin Ince discuss Billionaires
In the Panel Borders 90 minute Summer Special, Alex Fitch talks to illustrator Sally Kindberg, ecologist Chris Sandom, children’s writer Alex Frith, graphic novelist Daniel Locke and astrophysicist Kathy Romer about using comics for educational purposes in a panel discussion recorded at the British Science Festival. Also, guest presenter Robin Ince talks to cartoonist Darryl Cunningham about his latest work of graphic journalism Billionaires: The Lives of the Rich and Powerful, in a Q and A recorded at the Myriad Salon, Brighton.
5pm, Wednesday 5th August 2020, repeat broadcast 3am, Friday 7th August, 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
Links: Info about the British Science Festival panel discussion on Sally Kindberg’s blog
Info about the Myriad Literary Salon with Ince and Cunningham (more…)
This week’s show: Architecture and Comics
July 13, 2020
On Wednesday July 15th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Architecture Culture: Architecture and Comics
Cover of The Voice of the Hall / Sean Azzopardi drawing on Waterstones Crouch End Window (photo by Kate Lennard) / Enrique Bordes at TORCH / Cover of Cómic, arquitectura narrativa
In the last of the current series of the monthly show about culture and the built environment, a pair of writers investigate the depiction of architecture in sequential art. Alex Fitch talks to Sean Azzaopardi about his graphic novel The Voice of the Hall which depicts the history of Hornsey Town Hall, from its conception as a public building to the present day. Also, Enrique Bordes Cabrera discusses his book Cómic, arquitectura narrativa, which investigates the many depictions of architecture in comics and graphic novels throughout the 20th Century in a talk compèred by Enrique Del Rey Cabero. Recorded at Waterstones, Crouch End, and TORCH, Oxford.
5.30pm, Wednesday 15th July 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am Friday 17th July, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com (more…)
This week’s show: Pride in Comics
June 29, 2020
On Wednesday, July 1st 2020 at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Pride in Comics
Details from the UK and US covers of The Times I Knew I Was Gay and excerpt from The Ghosts In My House by Eleanor Crewes / Covers of Queer: A Graphic History and Gender: A Graphic Guide by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele plus interior art
In this month’s show, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of zine creators turned graphic novelists about their work on gender and sexuality. Eleanor Crewes discusses her forthcoming book The Times I Knew I Was Gay an autobiographical title which dramatised her experiences of coming out, and Dr. Meg-John Barker explores writing their non-fiction books Queer: A Graphic History and Gender: A Graphic Guide, which have revitalised Icon Books’ Introducing… series in a larger format, with a greater amount of sequential art. Recorded at Brighton Illustration Fair and Cartoon County, Hove.
5.30pm Wednesday July 1st 2020, repeated 2.30am Friday 3rd July, 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…)
This week’s show: Female Flâneurs
June 15, 2020
On Wednesday June 17th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Architecture Culture: Female Flâneurs
Pages from Walking Distance by Lizzy Stewart / Excerpts from Wakefield Walkbooks and RCA installation by Peony Gent
In the monthly show about culture and the built environment, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of artists whose work is influenced by their experience of exploring the urban landscape. Lizzy Stewart discusses her book Walking Distance, an illustrated essay on the experience of being a woman out walking, merging the personal and the political aspects of this activity, and Peony Gent explores her Wakefield Walkbooks – a couple of ‘maps’ of the town which mix her observational drawings and poetry, commissioned by Yorkshire Sculpture International’s Index Festival. Recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton, and Design Star Residential Event, Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
5.30pm, Wednesday 17th June 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am Friday 19th June, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com (more…)
This week’s show: Euro Noir
June 1, 2020
On Wednesday, June 3rd 2020 at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Euro Noir – Igort and Jordi Bernet
Pages from Torpedo and Jonah Hex by Jordi Bernet / Stills from the film adaptation of 5 is the Perfect Number by Igort and page from the original graphic novel
In this month’s show, Alex Fitch talks to a pair of veteren European artists who specialise in comics influenced by Film Noir. Alex chats to Igort about directing the film adaptation of of his classic graphic novel 5 is the Perfect Number, and how it differs from and homages the original comic. Also, in a Q and A translated by Miguel A. Domínguez, Jordi Bernet dicusses his drawing process on the 1930s gangster saga Torpedo and American Western drama Jonah Hex. Recorded at the Institut Français, London and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
5.30pm Wednesday June 3rd 2020, repeated 2.30am Friday 5th June, 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
Links: Info about the screening of 5 is the Perfect Number at the Institut Français, as part of the Made in Italy festival
Info about the Q and A with Bernet at LICAF (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Visions of the Past and Future
May 19, 2020
On Wednesday May 20th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Architecture Culture: Visions of the Past and Future
Images from BinToGather project by Erect Architecture / Drawing of Tradescant tomb / Painting of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens / examples of Closer Than We Think by Arthur Radeburgh
In the monthly show about culture and the built environment, architect Susanne Tutsch (Erect Architecture) discusses green and inclusive designs influenced by the work of John Tradescant and the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, and using the language of comics to communicate designs for a communal recycling project in a lecture recorded at the University of Brighton.
Also, Alex Fitch talks to documentary film-maker Brett Ryan Bonowicz about his film on the work of cartoonist Arthur Radebaugh who designed visions of the future in his 1950s newspaper strip Closer Than We Think, which influenced visual futurists such as Syd Mead, recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON 18. (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Companion Chronicles
May 7, 2020
On Friday, May 8th 2020 at 8pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Clear Spot: Companion Chronicles
Covers of ATA Girl + Doctor Who audio drams featuring Louise Jameson / Doctor Who and Susan’s War featuring Carole Ann Ford
In an hour long look at the return of classic Doctor Who companions in new audio dramas on radio and download, Alex Fitch chats to actresses Carole Ann Ford and Louise Jameson. Jameson talks about reprising the role of Tom Baker’s companion Leela, and appearing in audio dramas Survivors, The Omega Factor and WII saga ATA Girl, which she also writes for and co-created. Ford discusses playing the Doctor’s granddaughter in stories that range from monologues to full cast adventures, which revive the William Hartnell era of the programme, and also depict an adult version of the character taking part in The Time War alongside Paul McGann.
8pm Friday 8th May 2020, repeat 10am Monday 11th May, 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…)
Tomorrow’s show: Epic Crowdfunding
May 5, 2020
On Wednesday, May 6th 2020 at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Epic Crowdfunding – Jim Starlin and Ahmed Alameen
Cover and interior art from The Epics of Enkidu and Dreadstar Returns
In this month’s show, two international graphic novelists discuss their crowdfunding campaigns for sequels to epic narratives. Ahmed Alameen talks about his comic The Epics of Enkidu, a sequel to the Mesopotamian legend of Gilgamesh reimaged with an autistic hero and set in the modern day, and creating motion comic Team Genesis. Also, veteran creator Jim Starlin explores The Return of Dreadstar, a new graphic novel follow-up to his classic 1980s comic; Jim also discusses working on The Death of Captain Marvel and titles featuring his beioved character Thanos.
5.30pm Wednesday May 6th 2020, repeated 2.30am Friday 8th May, 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…)
This week’s show: Charles Dickens and EcoCities
April 13, 2020
On Wednesday April 15th at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Architecture Culture: Charles Dickens and EcoCities
Poster of and image included in Childhood in Dickensian London exhibition / Cover and interior art from smartcities, resilient landscapes + ecowarriors by C.J. Lim and Ed Liu, C.J. Lim lecturing at University of Brighton
Alex Fitch talks to architects, curators and practitioners who promote architecture in wider culture. This month: exhibition designer Rebecca Simpson discusses the creation of ‘Childhood in Dickensian London’ at Senate House Library, the process of chosing images for display and collaborating with curators.
Also, architect C.J. Lim talks about his visual explorations of EcoCities and other futuristic concerns in a variety of illustrated books, which incorporate comic strips, diagrams and models, including such titles as smartcities, resilient landscapes + ecowarriors, and his Realms of Impossibility trilogy.
5.30pm, Wednesday 15th April 2020, repeat broadcast 2.30am Friday 17th April, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com (more…)
Today’s show: Pop Culture – Alice, Honor and 2000AD
April 10, 2020
Today at 8pm on Resonance FM, Electric Sheep Film Show: Pop Culture
Poster for Alice in Wonderland at the British Library, publicity still for The Avengers with Patrick MacNee and Honor Blackman, poster for Future Shock
In a repeat of the December 2015 episode of the Electric Sheep Film Show, ESM editor in chief Virginie Sélavy and assistant editor Alex Fitch explore film and pop culture.
To commemorate the recent passing of a great British actress, in an interview recorded at the London Film Museum, Alex talks to legendary British actress Honor Blackman about Goldfinger, Doctor Who and the cult 1960s TV series The Avengers, plus producer Sean Hogan discusses Future Shock: The Story of 2000AD, a documentary that charts the development of the seminal British comic.
Also, Virginie chats to curator Helen Melody about the 2015 Alice in Wonderland exhibition at the British Library, and the varying adapations of Alice on screen over the years.
8pm Friday 10th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast (more…)
This week’s show: Myriad Authors – Hannah Eaton and Sabba Khan
March 30, 2020
On Wednesday, April 1st at 5.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB, Panel Borders: Myriad Authors – Hannah Eaton and Sabba Khan
Hannah Eaton and Sabba Khan present their work at Cartoon County / LDComics
In this month’s show, two female artists discuss their forthcoming graphic novels about exclusion and inclusion, inspired by history and untold family traumas. In a Q and A hosted by Alex Fitch and recorded at Cartoon County, Hannah Eaton discusses the folk horror and factual influences on her forthcoming graphic novel Blackwood, and in a presentation recorded at an LDComics event at the Cartoon Museum, Sabba Khan relates how her culture, family history and background as an architect are combined in her forthcoming book Pluralism. Both creators were shortlisted for the First Graphic Novel Competition run by Myriad Editions, and will see their books published by the company over the next year.
5.30pm Wednesday Aptil 1st 2020, repeated 2.30am Friday 3rd April, 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…)
