Comics Alternative Interviews: Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden

Time Codes: 00:26 - Introduction 03:02 - Setup of interview 05:10 - Interview with Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden 56:08 - Wrap up 58:29 - Contact us Gene and Derek are happy to have on the podcast Paul Karasik and Mark Newgarden. Their book How to Read Nancy: The Elements of Comics in Three Easy Panelswas released last fall from Fantagraphics Books. The authors are back on the circuit discussing their close reading of Ernie Bushmiller, but they took time to talk with the Two Guys about their landmark work. Over the course of the conversation, Mark and Paul reveal their history reading the Nancystrip, their original "How to Read Nancy" essayand the book that grew from there, the educational function of their detailed analysis, the work -- research, technological, and otherwise -- that went into this project, and, of course, there's the August 8, 1959 comic strip itself that comes under such meticulous scrutiny. Over the course of 44 steps, Paul and Mark pick apart this Nancystrip with painstaking detail. But How to Read Nancyalso includes a thorough biography overview of Ernie Bushmiller, multiple appendixes that provide abundant cultural and aesthetic context, and a "Do It Yourself" section where readers can apply the analytical skills they learn from the text. This is a must-read for every student of comics, creators and critics alike. A big THANK YOU to Craig Yoe, who actually planted the idea for this interview and became its chief encourager!