Episode 93: Shawn Daley
André chats with another of the mega talented Toronto pool of artists and has a fantastic time doing so.
Shawn Daley is a Ringo Award-nominated cartoonist and chiptunist from Toronto. Studying audio production and working a number of years in the recording industry, he began to focus on telling stories through comics in 2015 with his debut, TerraQuill Collected. His other published works include Samurai Grandpa and The Bridgebuilder’s Creed.
Shawn talks about finding comics on the unlikeliest of book shelves, nostalgia series reboots with the importance of their more serious approach and how he found a way to navigate life through the underground punk scene.
Episode 92: Anthony Fowler Jr.
The underappreciated art of Inking takes the format in our newest episode with a fantastic example of it's art form!
Anthony Fowler Jr. is a professional comic book inker and illustrator currently working for DC Comics. Most recently, he was an inker on DC Power 2024 #1 and Dawn of DC: Cyborg #4 for DC Comics. Previous clients also include BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, T-Pub Comics, Marvel Entertainment, Universal Studios, and Gazillion Entertainment. Anthony is a passionate advocate for inking as a unique and important discipline in comic book art. In 2020, he was nominated for an Inkwell Award for his work on Firefly for BOOM! Studios.
Anthony and André discuss the dark nature of Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, discovering an art community at a local drink and comic event and how intuition is a huge part of the inking game!
Episode 91: James Aquilone
Horror is on the agenda for our newest episode with a writer and editor keeping it weird in the best way possible.
James Aquilone is an editor, author, and publisher, nominated for both the Bram Stoker and Rondo Hatton awards. He's known for his anthologies like Classic Monsters Unleashed, Shakespeare Unleashed, and the Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary graphic novel. He also writes the Dead Jack, Zombie Detective series. His short stories have been featured in Weird Tales magazine, Nature: Futures, and The Best of Galaxy’s Edge.
James talks about getting inspiration to be a writer from Sylvester Stallone, why more people should know about H.H. Holmes when it comes to serial killers and the legacy of Kolchak the Night Stalker!
Episode 90: Keith Grachow
André speaks with a man who got to live his passion a little later in his career and jumped in head first creating some truly unique projects!
Keith Grachow is a professional illustrator who has created comics, graphic novels, and chapter books for kids. With 25 years of experience as a graphic artist, he's worked in the toy industry as an in-house designer for popular toy lines like Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon and Sabrina the Teenage Witch!
Keith chats about working in the toy industry, the cool factor of The Gollum as a classic monster and having a collector's mentality!
Episode 89: Ernie Altbacker
This weeks guest is a man responsible for some of the absolute best comic to film adaptions around!
Ernie Altbacker, is a screenwriter with credits on TV shows like Static Shock, Ben 10, Spider-Man, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Mucha Lucha, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series. He earned an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, he's the author of a six-book children's series called Shark Wars, published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin and currently writes many of the DC animated films bringing some of the most faithful versions of those stories to screen!
Ernie discusses trying to avoid a future in a machine shop, working on Spider-Man TAS and ruining people's childhoods with alterations on film adaptions!
Episode 88: Sarah Myer
We dive deep into the nostalgia well for a titanic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Talk with the current artist for their Saturday Morning Adventures Comic series!
Sarah Myer is a comic artist and illustrator hailing from a ten-acre farm in White Hall, Maryland. An old-school cosplayer and anime fan, Sarah has attended anime/comic conventions as a fan and artist alley participant since 1999 and has constructed and worn more than fifty costumes. When they aren't drawing, writing, or cosplaying, Sarah enjoys cooking, weight training, and spending time with their mackerel tabby, Loki. Sarah graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with BFA and MFA degrees in sequential art and taught foundation studies classes at the college for three years. In 2019, First Second published Maker Comics: Create a Costume!, Sarah's first graphic novel. Their graphic memoir Monstrous was released in 2023.
Sarah and André talk the much darker TMNT Archie comics, finding representation wherever you can, using a graphic novel to cope with childhood issues and finding a community and the cosplay world!
Episode 87: Jennifer Lee Rossman
Our next guest has a truly unique life experience that has given them a distinct creative voice when it comes to their writing!
Jennifer Lee Rossman's writing delves into weird yet hopeful realms of sci-fi and fantasy, spotlighting LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters with a sprinkle of Jurassic Park references. They strive to create inclusive stories where readers of any background feel welcome. When not immersed in writing, they're the ultimate nerd, capable of reciting the periodic table backwards and passionately discussing dinosaurs.
André and Jenn discuss normalizing the disabled in fiction. How Don MacLean incidentally inspired her first novel and why Doctor Who made André cry.
Episode 86: Jim Calafiore
This episode features a comic creator whose career has spanned decades in the comic industry and enhanced many beloved titles!
Jim Calafiore's comic journey began in Calibre comics before shifting to Valiant, refining his skills. He rose to prominence with DC's "Aquaman" series with peter David and was praised for his dynamic artwork. His versatility shone in Marvel's "Exiles," showcasing an impressive range of character designs. Venturing into writing, he penned several books including 2 issues of "Exiles" which he also illustrated solidifying his status as a creative force that now is focused on his new creator owned work!
Jim talks about being a consummate freelancer, creating fan favorite character Nocturne, working with Peter David and knowing a little about a lot when it comes to the religious nature of his new book.
Episode 85: Isabel Burke
Our newest episode features an artist with a truly unique style.
Isabel Burke is a comic artist and illustrator hailing from Texas, whose passion for storytelling through art ignited at an early age, Burke has been freelancing since 2021, catering to a diverse array of clients primarily within the publishing, editorial, and RPG sectors. While her portfolio often delves into historical and fantasy realms, she embraces opportunities to explore new creative territories beyond her comfort zone.
André and Isabel discuss Young Adult Fiction, Guillermo Del Toro and celebrating the stories you love by bringing more of them to the world!
Episode 84: Andrew Thomas
In our newest episode we chat with a loud and proud letterer and comic creator!
Andrew Thomas, a native of Mississauga, discovered his passion for drawing early on, filling every scrap of paper with sketches. After high school, he pursued Video Game Design but found his calling as a Graphic Designer, contributing to an iOS game, "BubbleStarz." In 2013, he made his comic convention debut, sparking his interest in comics. Teaming up with writer Tristan Nall in 2014, they published "PostHuman," launching Andrew's comic career. In 2015, he collaborated with Davis Dewsbury on "Auric of Great White North," a superhero series set in Ontario. By 2016, Andrew joined Chapterhouse Publishing as their in-house lettering department and cover artist, establishing himself in the comic industry.
Andrew talks about the art and skill involved in lettering, finding joy in his creator owned series and the interesting way he began working with Kevin Smith!