Interviews with Marc Guggenheim + Sarah Gailey & Liana Kangas
Plus Comic Book Reviews & Crowdfunded Recommendations
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Last Week on Comic Book Squares …
Indie Comic Reviews
Bro-D Can’t Be Broken
Review by Ben Rojek
Writer, Artist, Colorist, & Letterer: Ben Humeniuk
Publisher: Band of Bards
Humanity just can’t catch a break, but thankfully the nearly invulnerable Bro-D is there to take the punches for us!
Just as the people of Earth have finally come together to join forces and solve the world’s ills, powerful beings claiming to be ancient gods begin attacking to stop humans from uniting. But since it’s the year 2095, we’re able to fight back with genetically-modified humans, including hero Bro-D.
What I loved about this graphic novel is that even though writer, artist, and letterer (what didn’t he do?!) Ben Humeniuk establishes a larger world with myriad possible stories, this one stays contained and tightly packaged without losing any of the excitement and danger. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen to Bro-D and his partner M-Ander in their citywide battle against the demigod Bregghammer, I was continuously shocked and surprised!
Humeniuk’s artwork and lettering was also wonderful. At times it was chaotic with the heat of battle, yet when characters shared more intimate moments, the linework was clear and focused. It was almost cinematic in that way. In fact, if Humeniuk gets a film made of this story, I’ll be going opening night!
Read “Bro-D Can’t Be Broken” now on GlobalComix!
Leave On the Light
Review by Shane Walsh
Writer: Bradley Golden & George Aguilar
Penciler: Alex Sarabia
Inker: Lahkem Amiyr
Colorist: Shannon Smith
Letterer: Hector Negrete
Publisher: Second Sight Publishing
Dark horror with a hard grizzled cop is my jam.
If you like a hard nosed detective story with a gruesome murder and a mysterious killer, then this is the read for you. It’s a fast paced story that leaves you wanting more. The artwork by Alex Sarabia is fantastic, it’s dark and he understands how to use light as well as dark to make each panel stand out. I loved the way he showed rain, it reminded me of Sin City.
The writing by Golden and Aguilar is tense and fast paced. Our lead, Detective Marshall is interesting and adds some interesting twists on the typical grizzled detective. They leave little bread crumbs for us to follow and keep us engaged to learn more about the history of the killer.
I’m hooked and ready for more.
Read “Leave On the Light” now on GlobalComix!
9 Questions with Sarah Gailey & Liana Kangas
(Sarah and Liana are the writer and artist on the hit limited comic book series “Know Your Station” from BOOM! Studios. Check out more of Sarah’s work at sarahgailey.com and Liana’s work at lianakangas.com.)
(Sarah Gaily, left, and Liana Kangas, right. Sarah’s photo courtesy of ©Allan Amato 2019.)
How did you get into working in comics?
SG: I had the great fortune of getting to work with former BOOM! editor Matt Levine as my introduction to the world of comics. My first experience with comics writing was with Matt, who brought me in to work on “Steven Universe.” I wrote a four-issue arc of that IP while developing original concepts with Matt (one of which ended up being “Eat the Rich”). On top of being a really fantastic person, Matt was an incredible editor to work with and such an advocate and mentor to me during that time, and his patience and guidance put me where I am today.
LK: Initially, I was a customer of my favorite shop-- from then it snowballed into helping them at conventions, listing back issues for sale, and eventually working at and helping run a shop in Canada. It was there where I met some of my peers in comics, and eventually made the leap in 2017.
What is your current comic all about?
SG: “Know Your Station” is a limited series about the future the wealthiest people on earth think they deserve -- and the fate they actually deserve. This series is set on a space station that's populated by the 1% and their massive support staff, and it focuses on a series of increasingly grisly murders among the 1%.
LK: Killing! Billionaires! In! Space!
Who is everyone on the creative team?
SG: My superstar co-creator Liana Kangas is also the artist on this series. Honestly, working with them has been one of those pure magic experiences where you can feel the path of your life and career shifting for the better, and I'm so thankful that our editor Elizabeth Brei brought us together for this series. Rebecca Nalty's work on colors has been a masterclass in storytelling and creative collaboration. Cardinal Rae is on letters, and believe me when I say there's no one in the field doing it like Cardinal. We've had covers from some of the greatest artists in the industry, including Liana (of course), Becca Carey, Maria Llovet, Dani, Paulina Ganucheau, Ming Doyle, Jenny Frison, Tula Lotay, and Jenn Woodall.
LK: Myself, Sarah Gailey, Rebecca Nalty, Cardinal Rae, and our editors Elizabeth Brei and Maya Bollinger.
If you were to compare your comic to any two movies/shows/books, what would they be?
SG: I love to pitch this series as “Avenue 5” meets NBC's “Hannibal.”
If you had a playlist to go along with your comic, what 5 songs would be on it?
Fun fact, I made a playlist for every issue! I’ll pick one from each playlist. I need you to know it was incredibly hard to only pick five of these.
The Space Program - A Tribe Called Quest
All I Do Is Work - Kurtis Perrie
Get Innocuous! - LCD Soundsystem
Tunnel Vision - Crack Cloud
Hangout at the Gallows - Father John Misty
Who are your biggest creative inspirations?
SG: Right now? Liana Kangas, Rebecca Nalty, and Cardinal Rae. I could run through a list of other people working in the field whose work I adore -- James Tynion IV, Juan Díaz Canales, Kurt Busiek, Matt Fraction, Dan Slott -- and it's true that reading their work educates me as a writer and inspires me as a reader. But right now, at the moment of this interview, my creative collaborators inspire me every single day.
LK: Lately I’ve been inspired by a lot of package & branding illustrators and designers, but currently in comics, I’ve been re-reading and digging into works of folks like Cliff Chiang, Elsa Charretier, Dani, Conor Boyle, Álvaro Martínez Bueno. Other creators like Drew Struzan, Liam Wong and Simon Stalenhag have been on my rotation of art books as well.
What was the first comic you remember reading?
SG: “ElfQuest.” I remember snagging my mom's “ElfQuest” comics when I was a kid, hiding in the back of her station wagon and reading them while the summer heat cooked my brain. I imprinted on those things like a baby goose imprinting on a Saint Bernard.
LK: This one is a little hard because the first one I can remember that STUCK with me was “Phonogram.” I read a lot of DC Comics and loved all of the Tim Drake and Teen Titans and Infinite Crisis stories, but the dialogue and concept of Phonogram felt so new and innovative to me in my realm of what I thought comics were at the time. It really opened my eyes to indie comics in a way that I love so much even today.
Besides yours, what are some comics you’re currently reading?
SG: I just finished reading the full run of “Revival” (written by Tim Seeley with art by Mike Norton, colors by Mark Englert & Allen Passalaqua & Dee Cunniffe, letters by Crank!, and trade covers by Jenny Frisson), and I enjoyed it quite a lot. I also recently read approximately nine billion Black Cat comics as research for the Black Cat one-shot I got to write for “Marvel Voices: Pride,” which was a funny experience - one the one hand, I was in work mode, reading to develop a story. But at the same time, getting to sit and read all the adventures of this one character felt very much like the way I used to read as a kid - there was a very pure joy in it.
LK: Speaking of “Phonogram,” I just read Wilson & McKelvie’s “Catwoman,” as well as Cliff Chiang’s. I finally picked up and loved the new “Sweet Paprika” by Mirka, and “That Texas Blood” is ranking in my “I can’t wait to see what the next Condon Phillips” book is metaphorical wishlist. Additionally, reading Sarah’s newest book, “Just Like Home,” which gives me full blown thriller heart palpitations in the best way.
Where do you fall on the pineapple on pizza debate?
SG: Firmly in favor. I think that people fundamentally misunderstand the problem with ham & pineapple pizza -- the issue is not the pineapple. Blame instead the ham, which is always a little too sweet, and bizarrely damp. It is a mistake to apply this sweaty lunchmeat to food as exhilarating as pizza. The solution is not to exile the pineapple, but to add more of it, replacing the ham with pepperoni before adding some finely-chopped raw red onion, and fresh basil if there's any to be had. This is one of the most sublime pizzas that exists.
LK: “Aw shit here we go again.” I’m going to vote a “hell no” on this one, but I’ll gladly trade anyone with olives.
Crowdfunded Comics Recommendations
Bastard Children of Route 66: V1
“Smokey and the Bandit” meets “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” meets “I, Robot”!
In the near future, artificial intelligence has replaced all human drivers on the road, leading to safe roadways, but also an underground racing network of rebellious hot rod clubs called Hives.
Sam, Ozone, and their supped-up '66 Mustang named Betsy are the fastest team in the circuit and deftly dodge the oppressive swarms of police drones trying to shut down the racers.
Meanwhile, a mysterious death causes questions for a governor who first pushed through the Safe Roadways Act that eliminated human drivers from the road. As public outcries for loosening restrictions runs counter to record low numbers of traffic accidents and deaths, the governor fights to increase support for her signature bill while street racers run rampant throughout her state.
Bastard Children of Route 66: V1 is over forty pages of hot rod races, political intrigue, family drama, and glorious, high octane mullets.
Back “Bastard Children of Route 66: V1” now on Kickstarter!
Won’t Back Down Anthology
Legendary cartoonist Trina Robbins fearlessly takes on one of the most controversial issues of our time: women's reproductive rights.
In a stunning display of artistic skill and political activism, Robbins brings together a diverse group of talented female and male artists to explore the impact that recent Supreme Court decisions have had on access to safe and legal abortion. The anthology includes contributions from such notable storytellers as Lee Marrs, Janice Chiang, Alison Sampson, and many others.
Back “Won’t Back Down Anthology” on Zoop!
Know Your Station is one of my favorite books of the year, no contest! I really want to interview Sarah and Liana myself, but those are two people I would legitimately fanboi out on too much! Great stuff, and Bro-D was such a fun read!