The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Comics, Collectors, & Connoisseurs: Terry Gant & the Medium of Graphic Narratives"

In this episode, we head to Rogers Park to visit Third Coast Comics, a beloved Chicago storefront nestled on Loyola University’s Lakeshore Campus and a three-time nominee for the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comic Book Retailing” award. We browse the aisles with shop owner Terry Gant—collector, cultural commentator, and die-hard comics evangelist—for a lively exploration of the many facets of the industry.Terry breaks down the terminology—comics, manga, graphic novels, and more—while guiding us through the vibrant terrain of graphic storytelling, a $1.1 billion sector in North America. Third Coast Comics is known for its sharp selection, inclusive spirit, and the owner's unwavering love of the medium.Come for the conversation, find your next read: comics welcome the curious.About the Big Dig ChicagoThe Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”Host & Show InfoHosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle DaleyAbout the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago