Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Panel Borders (Episode 501): Anticipating the Future
July 10, 2021
Images from Full Tilt Boogie and Madi: Once Upon a Time in the Future written by Alex DeCampi / Images from Infinitum: An Afrofuturism Tale and Matty’s Rocket
Anticipating the Future: In the 501st episode of Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to a couple of creators who work on Science-Fiction Comics. In a Q and A recorded at Cartoon County, writer Alex DeCampi discusses her YA serial Full Tilt Boogie serialised in 2000AD and recently collected as a book, and working with director Duncan Jones on adapting his unmade film Madi: Once Upon a Time in the Future as a graphic novel. Also, Alex chats to artist Tim Fielder about his epic graphic novel Infinitum: An Afrofuturism Tale which covers millennia in the life of an immortal who observes the rise and fall of humanity, and his ‘diesel-punk’ comics series Matty’s Rocket.
Originally broadcast 7th July 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
Links: For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
Info about Madi: Once Upon a Time in the Future on publisher Z2 Comics website, and Full Tilt Boogie on 2000AD website
Info about Infinitum: An Afrofuturism Tale on Harper Collins’ website
Tim Fielder’s website, including page on Matty’s Rocket
Alex DeCampi’s website (more…)
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…)
Architecture Culture: From the City to the Suburbs (on film)
June 3, 2021
Posters for I am Ren / Minor Premise / stills from films being shown as part of ‘Return to the city’
From the City to the Suburbs (on film): In advance of the Barbican Cinema’s season ‘Return to the City’, Alex Fitch talks to cinema programmer Alex Davidson about the city-based films they are showing between 8th and 27th June, set in six different urban environments, from five different decades.
Also, in a pair of interviews recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON, Alex talks to director Patricia Ryczko and actress Marta Krol about their film I am Ren (Panacea), which depicts an android / housewife who is sent to a mental institution to find out if she is human or machine, and to film-maker Eric Schultz regarding his movie Minor Premise about a neuroscientist who experiments on himself with dangerous results.
Originally broadcast Tuesday 1st June 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (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: Melancholic Animals
March 4, 2021
Art from I Killed Adolf Hitler and Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason / Haway Man, Klaus by Richard Short
Melancholic Animals: 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.
Originally broadcast 3rd March 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
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
Panel Borders: Retro Anthologies
February 4, 2021
— 1 Comment
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
Retro Anthologies: 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
Originally broadcast 3rd February 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Educating Comics
January 9, 2021
Hannah Berry, Elle Whitcroft, Nick Cannan, Catherine Moran, Charlotte Semlyen, Tania Suryabandara, Judith Biddlestone and Ottilie Hansworth at Graphic Brighton / interior and exterior art from The Curious Case of Leonardo’s Bicycle by Brick
Educating Comics: In a 2 hour Panel Borders Winter Special, comics creators discuss using the medium as an educational resource. Comics academic Elle Whitcroft introduces Ottilie Hansworth and her students Charlotte Semlyen, Catherine Moran, Tania Suryabandara, Judith Biddlestone and Nick Cannan regarding their creation of a strip anthology about The Theatre Royal, Brighton featuring untold tales of orphans, psychic cleaners and Marlene Dietrich! Also, Alex Fitch talks to graphic novelist Brick about his book The Curious Case of Leonardo’s Bicycle, which looks at unreliable Da Vinci research in the 20th Century, and to Comics Laureate Hannah Berry about her activities in the role. Recorded at Graphic Brighton 2019, and University of Brighton Central Media Services.
Originally broadcast 6th January 2021 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org (more…)
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…)
Clear Spot: Vectrexians
October 29, 2020
— 2 Comments
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
Vectrexians: 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.
Partially broadcast 29th October 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM / DAB (London)
For more audio formats to download and stream, please visit archive.org
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…)
Panel Borders: Ladies of the Lakes
October 11, 2020
— 2 Comments
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
Ladies of the Lakes: 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
Originally broadcast 7th October 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: Learning with Comics
August 18, 2020
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
Learning with Comics: 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 hosted by Corinne Pearlman and recorded at the Myriad Salon, Brighton.
Originally broadcast 5th August 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
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
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: Euro Noir – Igort and Jordi Bernet
June 4, 2020
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
Euro Noir: 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 drawing the 1930s gangster saga Torpedo and American Western drama Jonah Hex. Recorded at the Institut Français, London and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
Originally broadcast 3rd June 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
Architecture Culture: Visions of the Past and Future
May 21, 2020
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
Visions of the Past and Future: 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…)
Audio Dramatics: Companion Chronicles – Louise Jameson and Carole Ann Ford
May 8, 2020
Covers of ATA Girl + Doctor Who audio drams featuring Louise Jameson / Doctor Who and Susan’s War featuring Carole Ann Ford
An hour-long seasonal podcast series in which Alex Fitch talks to actors and creators of audio dramas broadcast on radio or released on CD/mp3.
Groundbreaking Podcasts: In this episode, a 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. Originally broadcast 8th May 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
Panel Borders: Epic Crowdfunding – Jim Starlin and Ahmed Alameen
May 8, 2020
— 1 Comment
Cover and interior art from The Epics of Enkidu and Dreadstar Returns
Epic Crowdfunding: 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.
Originally broadcast 6th May 2020 on Resonance 104.4 FM (more…)
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