Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Panel Borders (Episode 500): Discerning The Past
June 3, 2021
Mike Lake, Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press), Will Eisner, Nick Landau (Titan Books) and Stan Nicholls (FP manager), June 1980 (photo by Richard Bruton) / Contributors to The Inking Woman including Streeten (in purple) and Tate (in red, photo by Jakki Brown)
Discerning The Past: In the 500th episode of Panel Borders, Alex Fitch takes a nostalgic look back at important moments in the history of comics. Alex discusses anthology title The Inking Woman with two of its editors – Dr. Nicola Streeten and Cath Tate – and how they compiled the book’s survey of 250 years of female cartoonists. Also, co-founder of the Forbidden Planet chain of shops – Mike Lake – talks about his involvement in the birth of the British ‘direct market’ in the UK which inaugurated organised distribution of American comics in the UK in the 1970s.
Originally broadcast 2nd June 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Links: More info about The Inking Woman published by Myriad Editions and profile of Cath Tate
Mike Lake’s website
Nicola Streeten’s website (more…)
Panel Borders: Fantastical Visions
May 5, 2021
Art from Coma by Zara Slattery / Captain America by Declan Shalvey / Avengers by Staz Johnson
Fantastical Visions: 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.
Originally broadcast 5th May 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
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
Panel Borders: Defensive Animals
April 7, 2021
— 2 Comments
Images from Tummy Bugs by Leomi Sadler / Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai
Defensive Animals: 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…
Originally broadcast 7th April 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
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 including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman
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…)
Panel Borders: Eclectic Horrors
November 4, 2020
— 1 Comment
Art from Urotsokidoji by Toshio Maeda / Project Immortality by Coco Kirkland / Sticky Monsters by John Kenn Mortensen
Eclectic Horrors: 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.
Originally broadcast 4th November 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Uncanny Landscapes
September 3, 2020
Excerpt from Mauretania by Chris Reynolds / Vicious Creatures by Sarah Gordon / Unflattening by Nick Sousanis
Uncanny Landscapes: In the 2 hour 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.
Originally broadcast 2nd September 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Pride in Comics
July 1, 2020
— 4 Comments
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
Pride in Comics: 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.
Originally broadcast 1st July 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Architecture Culture: Female Flâneurs
June 17, 2020
— 1 Comment
Pages from Walking Distance by Lizzy Stewart / Excerpts from Wakefield Walkbooks and RCA installation by Peony Gent
Female Flâneurs: 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.
Partially broadcast Wednesday 20th May 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Myriad Authors – Hannah Eaton and Sabba Khan
April 2, 2020
— 2 Comments
Hannah Eaton and Sabba Khan present their work at Cartoon County / LDComics
Myriad Authors: 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.
Partially broadcast 1st April 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
Architecture Culture: Double Vision
February 20, 2020
Sill and poster from Impossible Monsters / double page spread from Square Eyes
Double Vision: In this episode of Resonance’s monthly show on how Architecture and the built environment is represented in Culture, Alex Fitch talks to the creators of two works of fiction involving double vision. Graphic Novelists Anna Mill and Luke Jones discuss their book Square Eyes which depicts a dystopian future where the inhabitants of a city wear augmented reality glasses to see a more idealised version of their environment. Also, director Nathan Catucci explores the uncanny New York landscape of his thriller Impossible Monsters as a psychology professor’s research into sleep disorders leads to deadly results. Interviews recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton and Cine Excess 13, Birmingham City University.
Square Eyes is available now from Jonathan Cape; Impossible Monsters is currently sceeening in US cinemas, with its UK Vimeo / VOD release on March 3rd. (more…)
Panel Borders: Formative Experiences
December 4, 2019
— 1 Comment
Cover of How Comics Work by Gibbons and Pilcher / Posy Simmonds in conversation with Julia Round / cover of Back, Sack & Crack (& Brain) by Robert Wells
Formative Experiences: In a pair of Q and As recorded at The Cartoon Museum as part of a day raising awareness of the need to preserve comic book archives, from the collections of Peter Hansen and others for the nation, Posy Simmonds and Dave Gibbons talk to academics Julia Round and Philip Vaughan about the first titles they remember reading and enjoying.
Also, Robert Wells discusses his book Back, Sack & Crack (& Brain): A Rather Graphic Novel About Living With Embarrassing Health Problems, and history of self-publishing small press comics, in discussion with Alex Fitch at Cartoon County, Brighton.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 4th December 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: European Comics
October 4, 2019
FOI diary comic by Myf Tristram / cover and interior art from Last Words by Siiri Viljakka and Lauri Tuomi-Nikula / web comic by Boulet / sketchbook page by Mattias Adolfsson
European Comics: In the first of a new series of Panel Borders, we have British, Finnish, French and Swedish comic creators talking about their work. Alex Fitch talks to artists Boulet and Mattias Adolfsson about their drawing techniques and styles in an interview recorded at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, and guest presenter and cartoonist Myfanwy Tristram discusses the Freedom of Information graphic novel – Last Words – with its creators Siiri Viljakka and Lauri Tuomi-Nikula in a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 2nd October 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: Comic Collaborators
September 9, 2019
Interior art from Bizarre Romance / Guantanamo Kid / The Bad, Bad Place
Comic Collaborators: In the second of two special 90 min episodes, this month’s programme looks at pairs of creators who collaborate together. Alex Fitch talks to Audrey Niffenegger and Eddie Campbell about their illustrated short story collection Bizarre Romance.
Also, David Hine and Mark Stafford discuss their graphic novels The Bad, Bad Place and Lip Hook in a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton, and Jérôme Tubiana and Alexandre Franc explore their bande dessinée biography Guantánamo Kid: The True Story of Mohammed El-Gharani in a discussion recorded at London Book Fair.
Originally broadcast Saturday 7th September 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: Inspired by Autobiography
July 4, 2019
Excerpts from The Book of Sarah by Sarah Lightman and The Lady Doctor by Ian Williams
Inspired by Autobiography In a feature length episode looking at how personal experience can inform the content of graphic novels, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Ian Williams about his books The Bad Doctor and The Lady Doctor which are inspired by his parallel career as a GP, in a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Brighton; guest presenter Philippa Perry discusses The Book of Sarah with its author, artist Sarah Lightman, and how the book’s mix of fine art drawings and diary entries tell a tell of faith, motherhood and upbringing, in an interview recorded at Waterstones, Hampstead.
Partially broadcast Wednesday 3rd July 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: Apollo and other Space Adventures
June 7, 2019
Interior art and cover from Apollo by Fitch, Baker and Collins / Interiors of Tim Ginger and Cloud Hotel by Julian Hanshaw
Apollo and other Space Adventures In a feature length episode looking at depictions of astronauts and close encounters on the comic book page to coincide with the imminent 50th anniversary of the first American Moon Landing, Alex Fitch talks to writers Matt Fitch and Chris Baker about their graphic novel adaptation of Armstrong and Aldrin’s adventures – Apollo – and to graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw regarding his books Tim Ginger and Cloud Hotel about alien encounters in remote locations. Interviews recorded at Portsmouth Comic Con and Cartoon County in front of a live audience.
Partially broadcast Wednesday 5th June 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: The Name’s Bond…
May 4, 2019
Excerpt from Ghost Walk with Me by Trini Howard and Philip Bond / Philip Bond reads Bob Bond / Carl Puttnam, Will Potter and Shelly Bond / Extract from Both Legs Down One Knicker by Bob Bond
The Name’s Bond… In this feature-length podcast, Alex Fitch talks to three members of the same family who are involved with making comics. In an interview recorded at the Portsmouth Comic Con, Shelly and Philip Bond discuss editing and drawing comics published by Vertigo and IDW, their love of Deadline Magazine, and collaborating with Cüd’s Will Potter and Carl Puttnam on stories for Black Crown Quarterly. In a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, Bob Bond talks about his six decades as a sports cartoonist, collected in such anthologies as 1966 and All That! and Both Legs Down One Knicker.
Partially broadcast Wednesday 1st May 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: Inspired By Music
April 5, 2019
— 1 Comment
Various publications by Holly Casio / Covers and interior art from Metroland by Ricky Miller and Julia Scheele
Inspired By Music: In a feature length podcast, Alex Fitch talks to two comic creators whose publications are inspired by music. Zine creator Holly Casio discusses her various Bruce Springsteen inspired titles including Queers on the edge of town in a Q and A recorded at Graphic Brighton 2018, and writer / publisher Ricky Miller talks about Metroland his comic about British pop music and time travel, mainly illustrated by Julia Scheele, and the various titles he’s overseen as co-publisher of Avery Hill, in an interview recorded at Cartoon County.
Originally broadcast Wednesday 3rd April 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: Rachael Ball – Wolf Tales
January 3, 2019
Art from Wolf / Alex Fitch interviews Rachael Ball – photo by Sam Humphrey
Rachael Ball – Wolf Tales: In an interview recorded at Cartoon County, Alex Fitch talks to Rachael Ball about her new book Wolf, published by Self Made Hero. In this graphic novel set in the 1970s, the cartoonist mixes a story from her past with time travel, fantastical beasts and mysterious neighbours rendered in detailed pencil line art that combines charicature, references to children’s illustration and evocative locations from suburbia.
Partially broadcast 2nd January 2019 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London) (more…)
Panel Borders: The Art of 2000AD – Mick McMahon and Boo Cook
October 18, 2018
Line art and covers by Boo Cook and Mick McMahon
The Art of 2000AD: In this episode of Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to a couple of artists who have illustrated ‘The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic’. At Cartoon County, Alex chats to Boo Cook about creating memorable covers for 2000AD and creating a crossover with US comic Elephantmen, plus a cameo by Boo’s frequent collaborator Tom Eglington. At the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Mike McMahon discusses his long tenure on the periodical, drawing Sláine, Judge Dredd, and other characters, plus his involvement with the revival of Tank Girl.
Partially broadcast 1st August 2018, on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Unbound Barking
October 3, 2018
Pages from Barking and sketch of Brighton Palace Pier by Lucy Sullivan
Unbound Barking: In a pair of interviews recorded at Cartoon County, Hove, Alex Fitch looks at the output of new Graphic Novel publisher Unbound. Commissioning Editor Lizzie Kaye talks about the history of the company and how they are trying to create a new way of publishing comics, and artist Lucy Sullivan discusses her crowd funded graphic novel about mental illness: Barking, a dramatic and phantasmagorical look at depression.
Partially broadcast 2nd May 2018 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org
Links: Unbound pages on Barking, and other graphic novels from the publisher
Lucy Sullivan’s website
Cartoon County website and twitter
Panel Borders and other podcasts 
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