Deconstructing Comics
373 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 28 ratingsA podcast about the craft of comics
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Episodes
LOEE: Fullmetal Alchemist ch. 5
January 06, 2021 13:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBThe Law of Equivalent Exchange: We’ve arrived at the chapter that knocks us from our seats and tells us “This ain’t no ordinary manga!” It’s the shocking Chapter 5: The Alchemist’s Suffering! Mangaverse newsletter: Patrick will become editor Don’t Assume podcast: Tim appears in episode 10 Join us on Patreon! Follow DCP on Twitter! Follow … Continue reading LOEE: Fullmetal Alchemist ch. 5
Critiquing Comics #186: “Holy Diver”
January 02, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIf you’re an American who grew up in a certain era, you may have a story about that time you ended up at a presentation about how “backmasking” was being used in your favorite music to subliminally deliver satanic messages. Artist Rachelle Meyer, whose work we’ve encountered once before in Chad in Amsterdam #4, presents … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #186: “Holy Diver”
Critiquing Comics #106: “Holy Diver”
January 02, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIf you’re an American who grew up in a certain era, you may have a story about that time you ended up at a presentation about how “backmasking” was being used in your favorite music to subliminally deliver satanic messages. Artist Rachelle Meyer, whose work we’ve encountered once before in Chad in Amsterdam #4, presents … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #106: “Holy Diver”
“Marvel’s The Avengers” (2012)
December 30, 2020 13:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBThe time for “setup” is over! At last, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Captain America meet! Tim and Mulele discuss 2012’s “Marvel’s The Avengers.” Join us on Patreon! Follow us on Twitter!
“Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
December 23, 2020 13:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBFilm buff Mulele prods Tim to get caught up on alllll the Marvel movies he’s missed. This time, they watch and discuss the first MCU appearance of Captain America. What changed from the comics, and why? What worked, and what’s hokey?
Critiquing Comics #185: “Wynter”
December 19, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBLiz Wynter isn’t special. She’s exactly like thousands of other people who have lived, with the same DNA, and she thinks in the same ways that they did, so the government can predict her every move. The same is true of everyone else in her world. Wynter #1, by Guy Hasson and Aron Elkes, isn’t … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #185: “Wynter”
Critiquing Comics #105: “Wynter”
December 19, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBLiz Wynter isn’t special. She’s exactly like thousands of other people who have lived, with the same DNA, and she thinks in the same ways that they did, so the government can predict her every move. The same is true of everyone else in her world. Wynter #1, by Guy Hasson and Aron Elkes, isn’t … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #105: “Wynter”
“THOR” (2011)
December 16, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBWhat do you do when you want to talk about the MCU movies, but no one around you has watched them? Bug your friends to watch them! That’s how Mulele finally got Tim to find time to “Catch Up with the MCU”! Having discussed the first two Iron Man films on Deconstructing Comics a decade … Continue reading “THOR” (2011)
LOEE: Fullmetal Alchemist ch. 4
December 09, 2020 13:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBThe Law of Equivalent Exchange: Tim and Patrick discuss Fullmetal Alchemist chapter 4, which features both scary violence and violence for laughs. Why is Ed sleeping at his desk on the splash page? Plus, volume 1 back matter explained!
Critiquing Comics #184: “R.U.N.” volume 2
December 05, 2020 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.5 MBWay back in 2014, Tim and Mulele discussed the first volume of R.u.N. (Remember Ur Nature), a comic in shonen manga style about the sport of parkour. Now, at last, volume two is available, and Tim is joined by a new voice, Ryan Carey of SOLRAD, to discuss the book (by Kariofillis Chris Hatzopoulos, Rafail … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #184: “R.U.N.” volume 2
#681 “The Last Tide” and “Breakwater”
December 02, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBIsekai is a genre, named in Japan, in which a character from our earth is suddenly transported to “another world.” This concept goes back at least to Alice in Wonderland, but these days the “other world” is often the inside of a computer game. Although it’s not explicitly stated (so far), that seems to be … Continue reading #681 “The Last Tide” and “Breakwater”
#680 “Dorohedoro”
November 25, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 66 MBIs it comedy or violent action? Delivering fan service or gross-out scenes? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? Perceptions and expectations are constantly flipping in Q Hayashida’s Dorohedoro. Kumar and Emmet review.
Critiquing Comics #183: “Chad in Amsterdam” #5
November 21, 2020 13:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBChad Bilyue is on a roll! No sooner had he released issue 4 of Chad in Amsterdam than he was releasing issue 5 on its coattails. CIA 5 turns out to be a theme issue, on a bizarre and rather offensive aspect of Dutch culture. It’s about what happens when an entire country convinces itself … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #183: “Chad in Amsterdam” #5
#679 Mark Russell
November 18, 2020 13:00 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MBMark Russell has been one of the standout comics writers of the past five years, in part because he’s possibly the only mainstream comics writer doing satire (or, he would argue, fables). Since he burst on the scene with Prez and The Flintstones, he’s written a number of comics for several publishers that aren’t just … Continue reading #679 Mark Russell
The Law of Equivalent Exchange: “Fullmetal Alchemist” chapter 3
November 11, 2020 13:00 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBTim and Patrick discuss the third chapter of Fullmetal Alchemist, “The Mining Town.” Why are alchemists hated as “the dogs of the military”?
Critiquing Comics #182: “After the Fall” and “Organic But Not Mental”
November 07, 2020 13:00 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBTelling a story without dialogue can be difficult. Telling your story entirely with pictures takes excellent storytelling skills. What are the stakes? What are the characters’ motivations? What, exactly, is going on here?! Tim and Mulele discuss two submitted comics which partially or entirely rely on wordless sequences: After the Fall, by Jacqueline Goldfinger, Keni … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #182: “After the Fall” and “Organic But Not Mental”
#678 Rumiko Takahashi’s first comedy, “Urusei Yatsura”
November 04, 2020 13:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBWe’ve talked about several of Rumiko Takahashi’s manga series over the years, but this time we go back to the beginning with her first big hit, Urusei Yatsura, sometimes known in English as Lum. Tim and Kumar discuss the history of the strip, the gags you wouldn’t get without knowing Japanese, and what’s odd about … Continue reading #678 Rumiko Takahashi’s first comedy, “Urusei Yatsura”
#677 “The Drifting Classroom”
October 28, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBKazuo Umezu’s horror manga series The Drifting Classroom is a taboo-busting series: it was aimed at kids and employs kid logic and exaggeration to a story depicting outrageous violence being done to and by kids. Even if you’re into horror, that description may have you asking: “Is this for me?” In this episode, Kumar and … Continue reading #677 “The Drifting Classroom”
#676 “Ballyskillen”: An augmented reality comic
October 24, 2020 13:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBOver the years there have been some attempts at augmented reality comics — where a smartphone app pointed at a comics page will reveal a bit of animation. One issue with these projects is that they’re labor-intensive, and require several different skill sets to produce. Sam Noir and Andrew Dorland are Kickstarting an augmented reality … Continue reading #676 “Ballyskillen”: An augmented reality comic
Critiquing Comics #181: “Chad in Amsterdam 4”
October 21, 2020 13:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBThe latest installment of our beloved Chad in Amsterdam is here! As always, Chad combines some incisive but casual observational and philosophical discussion with the work of his great artist friends, but this time the focus is less on Amsterdam and more on Chad himself. Where is he from? What makes you “from” a place? … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #181: “Chad in Amsterdam 4”
The Law of Equivalent Exchange: “Fullmetal Alchemist” chapter 2
October 14, 2020 13:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis week we present the second installment in a proposed new podcast series: The Law of Equivalent Exchange, a chapter-by-chapter discussion of the manga Fullmetal Alchemist. Tim and Patrick discuss chapter two of the series; while we remembered it as not having much of an impact on the overall story, the chapters in volume 1 … Continue reading The Law of Equivalent Exchange: “Fullmetal Alchemist” chapter 2
Critiquing Comics #180: “SpiderForest Webcomic Anthology 4”
October 10, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBLast episode, we mentioned how writing a short, tight story can be more challenging than writing a sprawling epic. Right on cue comes Spider Forest Webcomic Anthology 4, an engaging collection of short comics by 17 creators of web comics. Tim and Mulele discuss which are the best (and which are merely good!), and whether … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #180: “SpiderForest Webcomic Anthology 4”
#675 Gaiman’s “Black Orchid” and “The Books of Magic”
October 07, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MBThis time, two books by Neil Gaiman: Black Orchid, with art by Dave McKean, and The Books of Magic, drawn by John Bolton and other artists. The challenge of Black Orchid can be to simply figure out the backstory, and how Gaiman changed it! The Books of Magic‘s Tim Hunter character is Harry Potter before … Continue reading #675 Gaiman’s “Black Orchid” and “The Books of Magic”
Critiquing Comics #179: “The Solar Grid”
October 03, 2020 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBIn a flooded New York City of the future, a corporate whistleblower is in a hurry to skip town. Tim and Mulele wish they understood more about the plot of The Solar Grid issue 1, by Gazeer, but this issue is more concerned with the comic’s world than its plot. So we critique what’s there!
#674 Introducing Zoe Thorogood!
September 30, 2020 13:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBZoe Thorogood is a young British woman whose first graphic novel, The Impending Blindness Of Billie Scott, will be released in October. It’s the story of a young woman who’s just gotten her big break, being asked to paint ten works for a gallery show, when an injury causes her to gradually lose her eyesight. … Continue reading #674 Introducing Zoe Thorogood!
The Law of Equivalent Exchange: “Fullmetal Alchemist” chapter 1
September 23, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBThis week we present the first installment in a proposed new podcast series: The Law of Equivalent Exchange, a chapter-by-chapter discussion of the manga Fullmetal Alchemist. Tim and Patrick discuss what alchemy was in the real world, and the manga’s creator Hiromu Arakawa, then walk through the first chapter of the story. If you’d like … Continue reading The Law of Equivalent Exchange: “Fullmetal Alchemist” chapter 1
Critiquing Comics #178: “Terminal Velocity”
September 19, 2020 13:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBTerminal Velocity is a comic by Barry Corbett in which he reminisces about his life, centering around extreme sports and a family tragedy. While there is an overall story, the book can seem a bit disjointed. Tim and Mulele discuss the pros and cons of the book; then Mulele challenges himself and his friends: Let’s … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #178: “Terminal Velocity”
#673 Kismet, Man of Fate
September 16, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBHe first appeared in 1944, the Algerian super-hero who fought for the World War II Allies: Kismet, Man of Fate! The first known Muslim superhero, he appeared in all four issues of a series called Bomber Comics. Then the series was cancelled and Kismet was forgotten, until 2014 when the character, freshly out of copyright, … Continue reading #673 Kismet, Man of Fate
#672 “Pulp” and Publishing Your Book
September 09, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBThe words “Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips” have essentially become the name of a genre, a certain kind of noir-ish crime story. The latest entry in this “genre”, an original graphic novel called Pulp, is in this vein but also features elements of the western. b joins Tim to review the latest by this renowned … Continue reading #672 “Pulp” and Publishing Your Book
Critiquing Comics #177: “Genius Animals?”
September 05, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBBack in the early days of the podcast, artist Jun-Pierre Shiozawa was one of our first interviewees. He recently resurfaced as artist on a comic written by sitcom writer and producer Vali Chandrasekaran called Genius Animals?, a comedy story about conspiracy theories. In this episode, Tim talks to the two of them about how they … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #177: “Genius Animals?”
#671 Derf’s “Kent State”
September 02, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 72.7 MBFifty years ago, four students died when national guardsman inexplicably opened fire during an anti-war protest at Kent State University. The craziness of 2020 has hindered planned observances of the craziness of 1970, but we do get this: Derf Backderf’s Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio, a moving account of May 1-4, 1970, through the eyes … Continue reading #671 Derf’s “Kent State”
#670 Moore and Burrow’s “Providence”
August 26, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 90.8 MBSeemingly every time a horror comic comes up on our show, it seems to have some kind of connection to H.P. Lovecraft. In this case, it’s Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows‘ Providence, part of the Lovecraftian “Cthulhu Mythos.” Kumar, Emmet, and Dana discuss whether you need to have read Moore’s other Lovecraft-inspired comics (or any … Continue reading #670 Moore and Burrow’s “Providence”
#669 Chad, Live from Amsterdam!
August 19, 2020 13:00 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBChad Bilyeu’s Chad in Amsterdam series has been a favorite of ours on our Critiquing Comics spinoff show. In this episode, Chad talks to Tim about what it’s like living in Amsterdam, how he puts together his comic, and what’s coming up next from him!
Critiquing Comics #176: “Miskatonic High”
August 15, 2020 01:00 - 41 minutes - 38.6 MBThis time our comic is Miskatonic High, by Mike Shea and Ryan Mendoza. The comic features high school students who have creepy adventures. If you’re into H.P. Lovecraft, you’ve probably recognized that this comic is referencing his work. Does the comic do enough to bring the non-Lovecraft-fan onboard?
#668 Baron and McNamara: Writing and Crowdfunding Comics in the “Corona” Era
August 12, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 71.3 MBA couple of past guests return to the show with new material! Mike Baron, best known as writer of the Nexus series, talks about his comedy graphic novel (with artist Todd Mulrooney) Florida Man, and Jason McNamara has reunited with artist Greg Hinkle for a slightly creepy comedy series, Nocturnal Commissions. Both writers share with … Continue reading #668 Baron and McNamara: Writing and Crowdfunding Comics in the “Corona” Era
Critiquing Comics #175: More from David Dye
August 08, 2020 13:00 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBThis time we look at some of the latest work by one of our favorites, David Dye: The forthcoming Bush Fire, and two stories written by Roger Stitson, Tales of the Blue Sage and Cut Down.
#667 Freelancer problems
August 05, 2020 13:00 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBMany of us have dreamed of getting paid to make comics. Except in rare cases, working in American comics means being a freelancer. While a creative career can be rewarding, there are plenty of downsides, too. First, there are the day-to-day problems. Tim talks to Howard Simpson, a freelancer in Los Angeles, about time management, … Continue reading #667 Freelancer problems
#666 “Animal Man”: Grant Morrison Plays God
July 29, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBGrant Morrison‘s DC Comics debut in 1988 was a run on Animal Man. Originally meant to be a four-issue mini, the series became an ongoing, prompting Morrison to turn it into a discussion of spirituality and the nature of reality — which, if you’re a comics character, means that you live your life enclosed in … Continue reading #666 “Animal Man”: Grant Morrison Plays God
#665 Remembering Denny O’Neil
July 22, 2020 13:00 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBThis week we take a look back at the career of Denny O’Neil, the longtime comics writer and editor who passed away June 11. Emmet discusses O’Neil’s legacy with Professor Jonathan W. Gray, author of such books as Civil Rights in the White Literary Imagination, and the founding editor of the Journal of Comics and … Continue reading #665 Remembering Denny O’Neil
Critiquing Comics #174: “Caged Birds”
July 15, 2020 13:00 - 55 minutes - 51.3 MBA couple of years back, we critiqued Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness, written by Ken Mora. This time, Ken is here on the show, talking to Tim about his latest (with artist Gianluca Testaverde), Caged Birds. Then, Tim and Mulele critique the first two issues.
Critiquing Comics #173: “Weasel”
July 08, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBStarting in 1999, Dave Cooper (accompanied at first by Patrick McEown) had a collection of work published by Fantagraphics as a magazine called Weasel. The magazine featured Cooper’s story “Ripple”, later published in one volume. “Ripple” is a disturbing story, masterfully told; we hope Cooper is not lying that it’s “not autobiographical,” but for fiction … Continue reading Critiquing Comics #173: “Weasel”
#664 Matt Baker’s Art of Glamour
July 01, 2020 13:00 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBMatt Baker, one of the earliest African-American comics artists, worked in the 1940s and ’50s mainly on what’s known as “good girl” art. Good girl art went away with the comics code, and unfortunately Baker passed away young in 1959 and never got a chance to shine in the Marvel age. English prof Chris Gavaler … Continue reading #664 Matt Baker’s Art of Glamour
#663 Moon Knight Begins
June 24, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBIt’s been some time since Moon Knight came anywhere close to being considered a top-tier Marvel character in terms of popularity. But in the early ’80s, he was riding high in a popular series by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz. In this episode, Tim and Paul look at the runup to that series, when the … Continue reading #663 Moon Knight Begins
Critiquing Comics #172 “Adventures of God”
June 17, 2020 13:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBAll comedy comics about God are not created equal! Teo and Corey’s Adventures of God is funny at times, but does it measure up to the hilarious, irreverent Holy F*ck? Comparisons aside, does it live up to its potential? Tim and Mulele discuss. Also: Is Deconstructing Comics doing enough to promote diversity in comics?
#662 Warren Ellis’ Three Pieces of ‘Watchmen’
June 10, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBWarren Ellis’ Black Summer, No Hero, and Supergod are three separate stories, but if you put them together you’ve kinda got all the elements of Alan Moore’s Watchmen. But was Ellis really writing these books in response to Marvel’s Civil War? Kumar and newcomer Jordan evaluate all three books.
Critiquing Comics #171 “Mythic Creature Trainer” #1
June 03, 2020 13:00 - 29 minutes - 24.1 MBLast year we discussed Rene Pfitzner‘s comics Sneaky Goblins. Now Rene is back with Mythic Creature Trainer, a new series that he’s currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. In this episode, Tim and Mulele discuss the new comic, and Mulele talks about his other podcast.
#661 Hydra Cap (pt 2)
May 27, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBAs leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain America has been put in charge of the U.S. military and law enforcement (and, seemingly, become president of the U.S.) following an alien invasion. But he then reveals that he’s also the leader of Hydra, and the evil organization quickly takes over the country. In this episode, Tim and guests … Continue reading #661 Hydra Cap (pt 2)
#660 Hydra Cap (pt 1)
May 20, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBThe last two words that anyone expected to see in Captain America’s word balloon were “Hail Hydra,” but sure enough, that’s what happened in Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 in 2016. The outcry Marvel heard back for this move was even bigger than they had anticipated. Of course, it wasn’t a permanent change, but it … Continue reading #660 Hydra Cap (pt 1)
#659 “Locke & Key”
May 13, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBThis week, Kumar and Emmet review Locke and Key, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. There are a lot of murders in it, but is it a horror comic? They also discuss the series’ missteps in dealing with race and sexuality. Plus, in the second half of the show: Have you read this book but … Continue reading #659 “Locke & Key”
#224 Our Notes on “Death Note”
May 06, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBFLASHBACK! A bored, punk-dressing god of death and a genius high school boy are the main characters in Death Note, written by Tsugumi Ohba and drawn by Takeshi Obata. The boy, Light Yagami, receives from the god a notebook with which he can kill people simply by writing their names in it. A plot with … Continue reading #224 Our Notes on “Death Note”