Creator Talks Podcast

Creator Talks proudly presents the husband and wife team of writer Paul Tobin and artist Colleen Coover.  Together they created the costumed teen cat burglar Bandette.   Bandette began as a digital publication in 2012 on Comixology through Monkeybrain Comics. It was nominated for four Eisner’s Awards in 2013.     Not long after, Dark Horse Comics collected the single issues into soft and hard cover editions.   The next Bandette hard cover collection will be released by Dark Horse Comics on July 7th 2021 is Volume 4: The Six Finger Secret.   I discuss with Colleen how she illustrates Bandette and the reason for her bold primary color choices.   It would not be Creator Talks if I did not get personal with my guests so I ask the happy couple how they met. Did Cupid’s arrow strike and was it love at first sight?   Paul and Colleen once managed a comic book store in Iowa. Paul shares how he managed to build his comic book collection while he worked there as an employee and how comic shops have changed

Samuel George London is a comic book writer and podcast host based in the U.K. We discuss why he developed his relatively recent interest in comic books and how he conceived and launched his popular Victorian space adventure series Milford Greene. The focus of our conversation though will be his latest work being published through Action Lab Comics, The S-Factor. It is a four-part series launching in June about an under-appreciated super hero sidekick, Greyfox, who decides to re-brand him self through a new reality TV series for super heroes called The S-Factor.  Twelve super heroine contestants must fight for his affection. Samuel shares which show inspired The S-Factor as well as his own personal experience taking part in a reality TV show.  His insight into the machinations and manipulations by associate producers to heighten emotions and tensions among contestants was fertile ground for the development of The S-Factor. Samuel also goes behind the scenes of the making of The S-Factor: the good fortun

Ibrahim Mustafa joins Creator Talks to discuss his latest graphic novel Count being published through Humanoids.    This sci-fi revenge story is based on the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.     The original is not the swashbuckling tale those who have not read it may think it is.   Why did Ibrahim decide to make this story the foundation for his graphic novel?    Why does the coloring and lettering fit so well with Ibrahim’s art style?   And why is this graphic novel more satisfying for Ibrahim than a comic series or fill-in issue he has drawn?   Growing up Ibrahim’s favorite superhero was Superman, and he talks about how seeing Alex Ross’ Man of Steel influenced his own art style.   Ibrahim reveals his favorite to comic art tutorial books, and why he has decided not to launch a how-to YouTube Channel.   We also talk about his work on James Bond: Origin and Solstice for Dynamite comics, and why he thinks Timothy Dalton is the best James Bond.   Why does Ibrahim think Dalton’s James

This episode is being released on Memorial Day.  In honor all service men and women who gave their lives in defense of their country, I am very pleased to welcome my special guest writer Garth Ennis. Garth Ennis’ body of work includes Judge Dredd stories for 2000 AD, The Punisher and Hitman.  His comic book series Preacher and The Boys were both adapted for television. He has been an avid reader of military comics and history since a young age. He has written several war-based comics including Battlefields, Johnny Red, War Stories, and Dreaming Eagles. His latest collection now available is The Tankies. The book is published through Dead Reckoning which is an imprint of The Navel Institute Press.   The Tankies is the story of British armored forces that fought during World War II and Koren War.  The connection among the three stories contained within this graphic novel is the British tank crews lead by Corporal Stiles. Many of the sequences in the book were taken from actual historical events. I ask Gar

There is much banter and merriment when Eric Grissom joins Creator Talks! Eric is a comic book author and co-host of The Old Doctor Who Show podcast.   Eric has a new middle grade graphic novel titled Goblin coming soon through Dark Horse Comics. The art is by Will Perkins who also collaborated on Eric's Gregory Suicide.  Goblin will be available through comic shops May 26 and June 8th wherever fine books are sold.   How did Valiant editor and former guest Heather Antos help Eric with his story pitch?   And when did The Wonder Twins Paige and Claire Connelly, also former guests of this show, work with Eric? Eric relates the story of finding the person whose work inspired his fantasy writing and why that discovery meant so much to him.   He has also developed companion game for the book The Realm of Goblin: Beware the Dark Sisterhood. This is Eric first time ever attempting to create a game.   How did he make sure the game would meet the high standard of frequent gamers?   Eric resides in Red Ban

Creator Talks proudly presents: Alan Cowsill who worked as both a writer and editor for Marvel U.K. / Panini and Eagle Moss publishing.   We begin our discussion with how Alan started in the business as a young comic book dealer.  What did valuable experience did he gain dealing in comics? What were some of his most profitable acquisitions? Would he become a comic retailer in current state of today's market? The breaking news, however, is Alan's latest work The Martial Way: Marvel's Mightiest Martial Artists. In this hardcover book chock full of art from the comic books, discover the fighting styles, training techniques, and secret disciplines of Marvel Comics' mighty martial artists.  The book is slated for release on May 4, 2021. How did Alan decide which iconic art work included in the book and how did he make every effort to ensure the content was up to date with current Marvel continuity? Alan also wrote a handy reference guide DC Comics Year by Year. What is the underlying benefit of this book f

Christopher welcomes returning guest Pornsak Pichetshote, the award-winning author of the Infidel (Image Comics).  Pornsak's sophomore comic effort The Good Asian is a nine-part series being published through Image Comics.  The creative team consists of Alexander Tefenkgi on interior art, color by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Jeff Powell.  The first issue goes on sale May 5th.  The Good Asian is an noir mystery set in 1936 Chinatown featuring Edison Hark a Chinese-American detective from Hawaii and the first generation of Chinese Americans to come of age under an immigration ban.  We discuss the real life influence behind the character Edison Hark, Hawaiian Detective Chang Apana who influenced the silver screen portrayal of Charlie Chan. Today, Charlie Chan movies are considered racist because of its use of Asians sterotypes.  I ask Pornsake about the current cancel culture and its impact on books and movies.  Should Charlie Chan movies, or any racist material, be erased from history? Pornsake has t

Returning guest Laszlo Tamasfi discusses his new book, an English translation of the screenplay of and related articles about Dracula's Death. It is the first motion picture to feature the character Dracula. This Hungarian silent film made in 1921 does not adhere to Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. It was an original story about a young woman, who encounters the famous vampire during her stay at a mental asylum.  The film is long lost but a prose adaptation was published in 1924 that Laszlo has translated. Learn how national record keeping rules made it possible for the script to survive, and how Laszlo undertook his research and translation of the book. The book is published through Strangers From Nowhere and contains new illustrations by Jozsef Svab.  I discuss with Lazlo the reason why he decide to self-publish Dracula's Death though his own imprint rather than secure a publisher to do all of the heavy lifting involved in book's editing, printing, distribution, and promotion. What are the benefits of wor

----more----March is Women’s History Month and there is no better time to welcome my three guests Lauren Burke, Hanna K. Chapman and Kaley Bales, the creative team behind Why She Wrote. Their book examines 18 of the greatest women authors of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Some are familiar favorites; others have undeservedly fallen into obscurity. Their hardcover book is being published by Chronicle Books and will available on April 20th. Chapters written by Lauren Burke and Hanna K. Chapman include an introduction to author, fun facts, a bibliography of selected works and a comic followed by the artist Kaley Bales.   Why She Wrote will explore: Why did Jane Austin struggle to write for the first five years before her first novel was ever published? How did Edith Maude Eaton’s writing change the narrative around Chinese immigrant workers in North American? Why did the Brontë sisters choose to write under male pen names, and Anne Lister write her personal diaries in code? Also, we will learn t

Ezekiel “Zeke” King is back for another Midnight Mystery! Returning guest Bernie Gonzalez is the creator, writer and artist of his horror noir comic Midnight Mystery.   Originally published through Alterna Comics, Bernie has gripped the reins and is now handling Midnight Mystery's printing and distribution.  Bernie explains why he stepped away from Alterna, took a break from making comics and felt it was the right time for Zeke's return. His previously published Midnight Mystery comics are re-mastered and collected in 8" x 10 1/2" trade paperbacks and expanded with additional material.  By day, Bernie works in marketing. Although he is passionate about making comics, he finds self-promotion more of a chore.  As we discuss why this is the case, Bernie also shares his thoughts on what it takes to makes a great comic, and even a great podcast.  Discover how Bernie uses social media to share with followers what interest him, and how helps with soft promotion of Midnight Mystery. We share thoughts on our

Gregg Schigiel began his professional career in 1997 working as an assistant editor for Marvel Comics, was character artist for Nickelodeon in 2000, and from 2010-2018 was a regular contributor to SpongeBob Comics.  One would think with such an impressive resume and experience, people would know how to pronounce his name. But no. We begin our discussion with an easy way to remember the correct pronunciation of Schigiel. With the formalities out of the way, things get personal.  I recall with Gregg the circumstances under which we first met, and the impact his work has had on my two boys.   Why are kids, and adults, attracted to Gregg's comics? How does he do it? In part, it's because Gregg never forgot what it was like to be a kid.   But there are things we do forget, and we recount some of the memories that come flooding back when we re-discover books that we read many, many years ago as kids.  Turning our attention to Gregg's books, we talk about his coloring books Zooperhero Universe and Uniquecorns.

Laurence Luckinbill is an actor, playwright and director best know for his one-man plays in which he portrayed President Theodore Roosevelt, Clarence Darrow, Ernest Hemingway and President Lyndon Johnson.  Laurence is best known by science fiction fans as Spock's half-brother Sybok in the motion picture Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). Laurence's first graphic novel Teddy is based on his one-man play Teddy Tonight! The graphic novel adaptation was illustrated by artist Eryck Tait and published by Dead Reckoning.  We learn the story of Theodore Roosevelt's life and why Laurence decided to set his play Teddy Tonight! during a speech T.R. had to deliver in July 1918. What event did he just learn about the changed the course of his speech? I ask Laurence how he kept his live performances night after night fresh and if he ever needed to adjust a portrayal based on audience feedback.  Of course we talk about Star Trek V, why Laurence was offered the part, and what he told the director William Shatner a

Sal Abbinanti, a favorite guest of comic book podcasts, makes his Creator Talks debut. Sal is the art representative for master comic book artists Alex Ross and Bill Sienkiewicz. Sal is the creator of the comic series Atomika (2005) which was self-published through his imprint Mercury Comics.  We discuss Sal's first Kickstarter The Hostage, a story that draws from his experience in Rio de Janeiro and the religious culture of the city. How did that experience change his life...forever? We also talk about Sal's first published Marvel work that was released the same month as his first Kickstarter.   Sal contributed the art for "I Am a Revoltin' Development", written by Alex Ross and published in Marvel #4. Sal grew up reading Marvel Comics and is a huge fan of Jack Kirby and John Buscema's art.   What did Jack Kirby say about comics that inspired Sal to try to break into the business? Why did Marvel Comics' editors repeatedly reject Sal's art portfolio in the 90's?  We also talk about life in cold, wind

In honor of Black History Month, Creator Talks is joined by Ken Quattro, long-time comic book reader, collector and writer of history.   Ken discusses his recent published work Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books.  Researched over two decades using original source materials, including official documents, contemporaneous newspaper articles and comics, Ken examines the lives of black men who worked in comic art shops during the Golden Age of Comics.  Ken writes in his book: "One thing they shared was for too long they lingered, out of mine and out of sight of their light-skinned peers, evading the scrutiny of historians and the eyes that looked past them, to everyone who saw only their skin color and then saw nothing more. Without body or substance. As if they were invisible."  We learn how some of these artists denied their heritage, while others embraced it.  Most led two professional lives, one working in comics and the other outside of the medium. After discussing his book, we

Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals, Daredevil) and Jason Loo (The Pitiful Human Lizard) spend time with Creator Talks to talk about their Comixology original Afterlift, available for the first time in print in books stores  February 2nd and in comic shops through Dark Horse Comics on February 3rd, 2021.  The Eisner and Shuster Award winning comic is about Janice Chen who works for the ride sharing app CABIT.  She picks  up a man who insists she stop for a young woman on the way to his final destination. Janice learns he is a demon named Dumu who wants a ride to The Midway, the first step in the afterlife, to cross the River Styx into Hell.  The print edition is loaded with Chip's commentary and Jason's design sketches.  Chip and Jason talk about their first impression of each other and working on Afterlift. We also discuss why some people who read comics digitally double dip for the print copy. Chip know why, because he does too. Will this be the future of comics, from digital edition to print trade?  I also

Joining Creator Talks is Brandon Montclaire who has written a graphic novel anthology with Frank Marraffino titled Ludwig van Beethoven - The Final Symphony (Z2 Comics). It features dozens of artists and sports a cover by David Mack.  2020 was the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven. We discuss Beethoven's influence on pop culture and cite a few examples from the 20th century.  Brandon also explains the development of the graphic novel, how he and Frank split writing duties and some of the artists on the book. We talk about how early performances of Beethoven's music changed how the public approached listening to classical music, and we digress about our own experience listening to and collecting vinyl records.  Brandon discusses his previous work for Marvel Comics writing Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the end of the series and it's continued growth through trade paperbacks and a cartoon in production for Disney.   We conclude our discussion with the 9 Questions I ask my guests including "the one that

Celebrate the New Year with this special bonus interview! The last interview with writer Zack Kaplan was on my 12th episode. Zack returns to Creator Talks to kick off 2021 by discussing his latest trade paperback Join The Future (Aftershock Comics).  It is a Sci-Fi Western about ultra-modern megacities rewarding millions of their citizens with a completely funded life, with every need met, from food to housing and healthcare, in order to compete in an economic power struggle in which population is key.      We talk about Join The Future and the artists Zack has collaborated with on all his comic book series.   Zack's prior work Eclipse (Top Cow 2016), Port of Earth (Top Cow 2018) and The Lost City Explorers (Aftershock 2018) have been optioned for TV series development. I ask Zack, are comics getting optioned for television really that common? As I learned in our first interview Zack loves to play poker.  How much of Poker's strategy is based on psychology, i.e., reading the other person? In Zack's op

Tony Isabella began working for Marvel Comics on October 31, 1972.  He shares his thoughts about working at Marvel and about some of the people he worked alongside.    What was it like working for editors Roy Thomas, Stan Lee and Len Wein?  Among the Marvel Comics we discuss that Tony wrote are Ghost Rider, The Champions, Luke Cage, Power Man and Black Goliath. Learn why one of his characters in Ghost Rider was changed at the end of story. Tony also wrote for DC and shares his thoughts about working for the publisher over the years. Tony pitched Black Lightning to DC when asked to write for another character.   Why did DC prefer his idea for Black Lightning rather than the other pitch?  Why did Tony initially leave the series in 1978 and what were his ultimate plans for the series villain during its 1995 revival?   Tony explains why he has a problem with the way Black Lightning has been portrayed in other DC magazines and why his 2018 six-part story Cold Dead Hands is true to the character's core valu

My guest Birdie Willis is a queer, non-binary comic book writer. Birdie's latest work is Seen: Rachel Carson scheduled for release through Boom! Studios March 2021 . Rachel Carson was a Marine Biologist who fought against the environmental crisis which ultimately lead to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One of her biggest contributions was alerting the world about the environmental impact of fertilizers and pesticides. One of her most popular books published in 1962 on the subject was Silent Spring.  Seen: Rachel Carson is the 2nd in a series of graphic novels spotlighting true stories of ground breakers who changed our world for the better. We talk about writing Seen: Rachel Carson and the book's illustrator Rii Abergo. Birdie also provides answers to difficult questions we face today including: How we can become more aware of those who are marginalized and subsets of society? What do we say to those who hold onto the past and believe their way of life is threatened by the ma

Élodie Durand is a French cartoonist who has written and illustrated several children's books including Les grandes années. Élodie's published her black and white graphic novel Parenthesis in 2011.  It is the story of Julie, barely out of her teens, when she develops a brain tumor that leads to seizures, memory gaps and a loss of self.   The opening of parenthesis that may never close interrupts the sentence of her normal life. Parenthesis is actually a memoir based on Élodie's real life experience of her own brain tumor.  It was her debut title and was awarded the Revelation Prize of the Angoulême International Comics Festival. Parenthesis is schedule for release for  the first time in English through Top Shelf/IDW publishing January 12th, 2021.   Élodie Durand resides in Marseille, France and joins me for this interview with her friend and translator Lena. Learn from the source what Élodie's experience was like, how she managed to close the parenthesis and the advice she has for others suffering fr