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The Comics Alternative

by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

A weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

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Episodes

  1. Episode 307: A Publisher Spotlight on Glom Press

  2. Episode 306: Reviews of Now #5, Criminal #1, and Scratcher #1-3

    Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:38 - Now#5 01:02:20 - Criminal #1 01:20:01 - Scratcher #1-3 01:33:04 - Wrap up 01:34:32 - Contact us On this episode of the podcast Sterg and Derek look at three exciting titles. They begin with Now#5, the latest in Fantagraphics' outstanding comics...

  3. Episode 305: Reviews of The Unknown Anti-War Comics, Love and Rockets IV #6, and LaGuardia #1 & #2

    Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:03:07 - Listener correspondence! 00:09:07 - The Unknown Anti-War Comics 00:53:57 - Love and Rockets IV#6 01:29:53 - LaGuardia #1 & #2 01:55:39 - Wrap up 01:57:53 - Contact us On this episode, Sterg and Derek discuss three recent titles that run the gamut…

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  4. Critical Takes: A Conversation with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks

    Time Codes: 00:00:25 - Introduction 00:02:20 - Setup of interview 00:03:54 - Interview with Keith Dallas and Jason Sacks 01:22:12 - Wrap up 01:22:52 - Contact us On this, the second show in The Comics Alternative's new Critical Takes series, Derek has back on the podcast Keith Dallas, coauthor of...

  5. Episode 304: The January Previews Catalog

    It's the first episode of the new year, and for the January Previewsshow the Two Guys decide to try something different: invite a third person to join them in discussing the current Previewscatalog. This week Sterg and Derek are joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen who works with community outreach at...

  6. Comics Alternative Interviews: Happy New Yoe with Craig Yoe!

    Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Setup of interview 00:07:14 - Interview with Craig Yoe 02:16:37 - Wrap up 02:18:05 - Contact us It's a new year, so that must mean that it's time for the annual Happy New Yoe show! On this, The Comics Alternative's very first episode of 2019, Derek...

  7. Manga: Reviews of Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection and Dementia 21

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:42 - Manga plans for the new year 00:08:52 - Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection 00:54:47 - Dementia 21 01:37:25 - Wrap up 01:39:20 - Contact us On this manga episode, their last of 2018, Shea and Derek look at two recent works of manga that are...

  8. Euro Comics: Reviews of McCay and Bear's Tooth

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 – Introduction 00:03:11 – Getting caught up! 00:04:05 – McCay 00:34:54 – Bear’s Tooth 01:10:58 – Wrap up 01:12:04 – Contact us For their December Euro Comics show, Pascal and Derek discuss two recent French titles in translation. They begin with Thierry Smolderen and...

  9. Episode 303: Our Favorite Comics of 2018

    Time Codes: 00:01:28 - Introduction 00:03:49 - Context, and a few statistics 00:10:41 - Our favorite comics of 2018, part 1 00:40:03 - Our honorable mentions, part 1 00:54:46 - Our favorite comics of 2018, part 2 01:29:23 - Our honorable mentions, part 2 01:47:47 - Our favorite comics of 2018…

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  10. Webcomics: Reviews of Snow Daze, Snow by Night, and Overwatch: Reflections

    Time Codes: 00:01:18 – Introduction 00:04:22 – It’s the holiday season! 00:06:25 – Snow Daze 00:29:20 – Snow by Night 00:58:06 – Overwatch: Reflections 01:19:11 – Wrap up 01:21:14 – Contact us On this webcomics episode, the last of 2018, Sean and Derek get into the holiday spirit. They discuss...

  11. On Location: The December Visit to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find

    Mike and Derek are back at Heroes Aren't Hard to Findin Charlotte, NC, for their December show. It's been a couple of months since their last visit to the shop -- this past fall was difficult for everyone -- but the guys are excited to sit down among customers and talk comics. And this being the...

  12. Comics Alternative Interviews: Talking Again with Jon Morris

    Time Codes: 00:01:17 - Introduction 00:02:59 - Setup of interview 00:05:14 - Interview with Jon Morris 01:15:03 - Wrap up 01:17:05 - Contact us Jon Morris is back, once again, on The Comics Alternative, to share his research and sense of humor. His latest book The League of Regrettable Sidekicks...

  13. Episode 302: A Review of The Best American Comics 2018

    Time Codes: 00:01:23 - Introduction 00:03:26 - Live streaming again...and some context 00:06:25 - The Best American Comics 2018 01:39:33 - Wrap up 01:41:03 - Contact us As they always do, the Two Guys with PhDs use their penultimate show of the year to discuss the current volume of The Best...

  14. Comics Alternative Interviews: Back Again with Bill Kartalopoulous

    Time Codes: 00:01:16 - Introduction 00:03:27 - Setup of interview 00:06:18 - Interview with Bill Kartalopoulos 01:13:04 - Wrap up 01:14:09 - Contact us As the Two Guys like to do every year, they are back talking again with Bill Kartalopoulos about the latest volume of The Best American Comics...

  15. Comics Alternative Interviews: Another Conversation with Tom Hart

    Time Codes: 00:01:21 - Introduction 00:03:12 - Setup of interview 00:04:32 - Interview with Tom Hart 01:32:14 - Wrap up 01:33:38 - Contact us On this interview episode, Sterg and Derek are excited to have Tom Hart back to discuss his new book, The Art of the Graphic Memoir: Tell Your Story…

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  16. Episode 301: Reviews of Che: A Revolutionary Life, The Lodger #1 & #2, and Die #1

    Time Codes: 00:01:32 - Introduction 00:03:42 - Our first-ever live streaming recording 00:07:13 - Thank you to new Patreon backers! 00:09:33 - Che: A Revolutionary Life 00:47:02 - The Lodger #1 & #2 01:11:39 - Die #1 01:34:22 - Wrap up 01:38:05 - Contact us This is a very special episode of The...

  17. Comics Alternative Interviews: Back with Noah Van Sciver

    Time Codes: 00:01:15 - Introduction 00:03:32 - Setup of interview 00:04:53 - Interview with Noah Van Sciver 01:15:14 - Wrap up 01:16:39 - Contact us The Two Guys with PhDs are very happy to have back on the podcast Noah Van Sciver. He was first on the show back in March 2015, and a lot of things...

  18. Euro Comics: Review of Piero and The First Man

    Time Codes: 00:01:23 - Introduction 00:04:25 - Better late than never 00:05:54 - Piero 00:40:32 - The First Man 01:23:26 - Wrap up 01:24:39 - Contact us Pascal and Derek are back with the latest Euro Comics episode...the very late November show. They begin with Edmond Baudoin's Piero(New York...

  19. Manga: Reviews of Sailor Moon Eternal Edition Vols. 1 & 2 and Mob Psycho 100 Vol. 1

    Time Codes: 00:01:26 - Introduction 00:03:27 - Late again 00:05:13 - Sailor Moon Eternal Editions, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 00:46:09 - Mob Psycho 100, Vol. 1 01:14:53 - Wrap up 01:16:01 - Contact us On this episode of The Comics Alternative/s manga series -- the November show, albeit a little late…

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  20. Comics Alternative Interviews: Conor Stechschulte

    Time Codes: 00:01:15 - Introduction 00:03:15 - Setup of interview 00:05:06 - Interview with Conor Stechschulte 01:15:57 - Wrap up 01:17:44 - Contact us On this episode of The Comics Alternative's interview series, the Two Guys have the pleasure of talking with Conor Stechschulte. The third…

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  21. Episode 300: The December Previews Catalog

    It's the first of a new month, and that must mean that the Two Guys with PhDs Talking about Comics will be looking at the latest Previews catalog. This is a rather long episode -- going for almost three hours -- so you get your money's worth! But what makes this show extra special is that it's…

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  22. Webcomics: Reviews of Grass of Parnassus, Lavender Jack, and Take the A Train

    Time Codes: 00:01:22 - Introduction 00:04:08 - Oops, we're late 00:06:08 - Grass of Parnassus 00:36:42 - Lavender Jack 01:04:20 - Take the A Train 01:27:54 - Wrap up 01:29:01 - Contact us On the November webcomics episode -- albeit a little late -- Sean and Derek look at three very different...

  23. Young Readers: Reviews of The Brain: The Ultimate Thinking Machine and Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction

    Time Codes: 00:33 - Introduction 02:55 - The Brain: The Ultimate Thinking Machine 17:31 - Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction 37:06 - Wrap up 38:00 - Contact us On this episode of the Comics Alternative’s Young Readers series, Gwen and Krystal…

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  24. Comics Alternative Interviews: Katriona Chapman

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:14 - Setup of interview 00:03:59 - Interview with Katriona Chapman 01:06:41 - Wrap up 01:07:15 - Contact us Katriona Chapman first came to our attention through her work at Avery Hill Publishing. She works in marketing there, and back in summer of 2015…

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  25. Episode 299: Reviews of Recent Comics about The Beatles

    Time Codes: 00:00:35 - Introduction 00:02:35 - Check out Sterg's blog! 00:04:15 - Lennon: The New York Years 00:30:38 - Yellow Submarine 00:44:19 - The Beatles in Comics 01:10:55 - I Am Young 01:33:01 - Wrap up 01:35:02 - Contact us This is a special episode of The Comics Alternative, in that…

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  26. Comics Alternative Interviews: Liz Prince

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:02 - Setup of interview 00:03:13 - Interview with Liz Prince 01:16:24 - Wrap up 01:18:11 - Contact us On this interview episode, Sterg talks with Liz Prince about her latest books, Look Back and Laugh(Top Shelf Productions) and the colorized Be Your Own...

  27. Episode 298: Our Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Show

    Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Sterg and Derek gather around the ol' podcasting dinner table to share some of the creators, publishers, locales, and and concepts they're thankful for this year . Among the many things they mention are the plentitude of comics today Inio Asano's new series, Dead…

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  28. Episode 297: Reviews of DC Comics before Superman, My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, and Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1

    Time Codes: 00:00:30 - Introduction 00:02:45 - Being away 00:04:40 - DC Comics before Superman 00:44:12 - My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies 01:14:21 - Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 01:29:48 - Wrap up 01:30:43 - Contact us This week Sterg and Derek check out three intriguing, yet very...

  29. Euro Comics: Review of The Arab of the Future, Books 1-3

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:02 - Being away in September 00:05:21 - The Arab of the Future, books 1-3 01:26:07 - Wrap up 01:28:05 - Contact us On this episode of the Euro Comics series, Pascal and Derek look at the first three books of Riad Sattouf's series, The Arab of the Future....

  30. Webcomics: Reviews of The Zombie Hunters, Kim Reaper, and Nothing Is Forgotten

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:39 - Support Poe and the Mysteriadson Kickstarter! 00:06:21 - The Zombie Hunters 00:33:06 - Kim Reaper 00:54:01 - Nothing Is Forgotten 01:12:30 - Wrap up 01:13:58 - Contact us On this, the Two Guys' annual Halloween webcomics episode, Sean and Derek…

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  31. Young Readers: Reviews of 3x4, The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall, and Sheets

    Time Codes: 00:30 - Introduction 02:49 - Introducing Krystal, and a Farewell to Paul 07:24 - 3x4 17:44 - The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall 32:40 -Sheets 42:54 - Wrap up 43:42 - Contact us On this episode of the Comics Alternative’s Young Readers show, Gwen is joined by her…

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  32. Episode 296: Reviews of Scratches #2, Now #4, and Dick Tracy: Dead or Alive #1

    Time Codes: 00:00:31 - Introduction 00:02:38 - Getting ready for Halloween 00:06:29 - Scratches #2 00:49:27 - Now #4 01:22:19 - Dick Tracy: Dead or Alive #1 01:36:12 - Wrap up 01:37:27 - Contact us On this episode Sterg and Derek check out two new anthologies, as well as a recent incarnation of...

  33. Manga: Reviews of Vérité #1 and Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection

    Time Codes: 00:00:28 - Introduction 00:02:35 - September in October 00:04:17 - Vérité #1 00:49:17 - Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection 01:23:32 - Wrap up 01:24:34 - Contact us Shea and Derek are back for their September manga episode. (Yeah, yeah. We know it's the beginning of October, but the...

  34. Comics Alternative Interviews: Back with Howard Shapiro

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:22 - Setup of interview 00:03:58 - Interview with Howard Shapiro 01:06:33 - Wrap up 01:07:06 - Contact us A common theme in Howard Shapiro’s stories is the significance of music. His first graphic novel, The Sterotypical Freaks, revolved around competing...

  35. Episode 295: The October Previews Catalog

    It's the first of the month, so it's time to look at the latest Previews catalog! What's more, this is Sterg's very first Previewsshow, and Derek honors this occasion with much fanfare. As listeners have come to expect from the monthly Previews shows, this episode goes long. In fact, it goes…

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  36. On Location: SPX 2018, "The Practice of Diary Comics" Panel

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:12 - Panel context, with Glynnis Fawkes 00:14:02 - "The Practice of Diary Comics" panel 01:09:40 - Wrap up 01:10:50 - Contact us The middle of last month, September 15-16, saw the Small Press Expo held in North Bethesda, MD. At the event, Derek moderated…

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  37. Webcomics: Reviews of E.T. Girl, Bicycle Boy, and Broken Telephone

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:03:15 - September? 00:05:24 - E.T. Girl 00:30:42 - Bicycle Boy 00:59:23 - Broken Telephone 01:23:16 - Wrap up 01:25:02 - Contact us On the September webcomics show, Sean and Derek look at three intriguing titles. They begin with E.T. Girl, written and...

  38. Comics Alternative Special: A Roundtable Discussion on Comics and Podcasting for International Podcast Day 2018

    In celebration of International Podcast Day 2018, Derek invites a variety of other comics podcasters to discuss their experiences in the medium. Joining him are Gina Gagliano, from Graphic Novel TK; Greg Matiasevich, from Robots from Tomorrow; Jay Loving, from The Best of the Rest; and Gwen…

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  39. On Location: The Second September Visit to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find

    Michael and Derek are back at their local shop, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, to discuss recent mainstream and indie titles that have captured their attention. Mike starts the ball rolling by focusing on recent expressions of a couple of second-tier characters, Doctor Strangeand Hawkman, as handled...

  40. Comics Alternative Interviews: Another Conversation with Tillie Walden

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:20 - Setup of interview 00:04:01 - Interview with Tillie Walden 01:15:35 - Wrap up 01:17:30 - Contact us Sterg and Derek are happy to have Tillie Walden back on the podcast. (She was originally on The ComicsAlternativein June 2015, her very first podcast...

  41. Episode 294: Reviews of Coyote Doggirl, Baseline Blvd., and Cemetery Beach #1

    Time Codes: 00:00:29 - Introduction 00:02:30 - Hitting a milestone 00:04:20 - Coyote Doggirl 00:40:29 - Baseline Blvd. 01:12:18 - Cemetery Beach #1 01:26:03 - Wrap up 01:27:22 - Contact us This week Sterg and Derek discuss three fascinating and genre-spanning titles. They begin with Lisa…

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  42. Comics Alternative Interviews: Jason Lutes

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:26 - Setup of interview 00:04:50 - Interview with Jason Lutes 01:20:31 - Wrap up 01:21:13 - Contact us Jason Lutes began his Berlin series in the spring of 1996, with plans to publish his ambitious project over a 24-issue run. Over the years, he pared…

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  43. Comics Alternative Interviews: Youssef Daoudi

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:22 - Setup of interview 00:04:01 - Interview with Youssef Daoudi 01:52:10 - Wrap up 01:52:47 - Contact us Youssef Daoudi is a French creator whose previous albums include La Trilogie Noire, published by Casterman, and several works released by Glénat,...

  44. On Location: Talking with Creators at SPX 2018, Pt. 2

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:27 - Set up of episode 00:03:45 - Interview with Jennifer Hayden 00:18:17 - Interview with Fernando De Peña, Rodrigo Vargas, and Coni Yovaniniz 00:29:04 - Interview with Ellen Forney 00:52:01 - Interview with Miss Lasko-Gross 01:00:47 - Interview with...

  45. Episode 293: Reviews of A Contract with God: Curator's Collection, Egg Cream #1, and Hey Kids! Comics! #1 and #2

    Time Codes: 00:00:32 - Introduction 00:02:43 - Introducing Stergios Botzakis 00:06:41 - A Contract with God: Curator's Collection 00:55:55 - Egg Cream #1 01:19:04 - Hey Kids! Comics! #1 and #2 01:38:48 - Wrap up 01:40:25 - Contact us This week The Comics Alternativegets a new cohost: Stergios...

  46. On Location: Talking with Creators at SPX 2018, Pt. 1

    Time Codes: 00:00:27 - Introduction 00:02:29 - Set up of episode 00:04:13 - Interview with Mike Freiheit 00:12:16 - Interview with Madeline McGrane 00:15:51 - Interview with Kelly Phillips and Claire Folkman 00:22:37 - Interview with Karl Christian Krumpholz 00:28:28 - Interview with Max de...

  47. Comics Alternative Interviews: Summer Pierre

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:37 - Setup of interview 00:04:33 - Interview with Summer Pierre 01:19:14 - Wrap up 01:20:13 - Contact us The Two Guys were first introduced to the work of Summer Pierre during June of 2017. At the time, they were wanting to do a special episode of The...

  48. Episode 292: The September Previews Catalog

    It's that time again, the occasion when Gwen and Derek meticulously go through the latest Previewscatalog and highlight a variety of upcoming comics they find of note. For the month of September, they discuss a variety of publishers and titles such as: Image Comics - Bitter Root #1, Outer...

  49. Comics Alternative Interviews: Tim Bird

    Time Codes: 00:00:23 - Introduction 00:02:29 - Setup of interview 00:04:11 - Interview with Tim Bird 01:00:17 - Wrap up 01:00:53 - Contact us The Great North Wood, which was just released through Avery Hill Publishing, is Tim Bird’s longest work to date. It’s the story of -- or perhaps a better…

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  50. Comics Alternative Interviews: Keiler Roberts

    Time Codes: 00:00:24 - Introduction 00:02:24 - Setup of interview 00:04:41 - Interview with Keiler Roberts 01:04:06 - Wrap up 01:04:48 - Contact us In 2009 Keiler Roberts began putting out a series of self-published minicomics that she titled Powered Milk. These were brief stories and scenarios...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

A weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

HOSTED BY

Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

Produced by Derek Royal

CATEGORIES

arts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Comics Alternative have?

The Comics Alternative currently has 796 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Comics Alternative about?

A weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current...

How often does The Comics Alternative release new episodes?

The Comics Alternative releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 796 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.

Where can I listen to The Comics Alternative?

You can listen to The Comics Alternative on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Comics Alternative?

The Comics Alternative is created and hosted by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal.
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