Show Notes
It’s been really excited to Adam De Souza‘s rapid development as a cartoonist. Over the post 5 years, he has been prolific in sharing deeply personal and thoughtful comics. His first big book is The Gulf, which came out from Tundra Books in 2024. It tells the story of a difficult life transition in a beautifully poignant way that showcases place and experience in a fantastic way. It’s a YA book that doesn’t feel like it’s trying hard to YA, it’s just the way the story fits organically. The past 4 years he has also been putting out his Blind Alley comic strip, a meditative work that captures the messiness of childhood moments of strangeness, learning and finding your own voice. Lastly is the first big book, Mutt, which is an anthology that ties into other work or takes space to try different things that fit into his wider narrative. I think Adam is a terrific cartoonist and am excited for whatever he decides to do. I seem him continuing to take his work in different directions and find how the story beats in comics can be moved and moving.
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Inkstuds #2147 – 720 Sixth St New Westminster, BC V3L 3C5 Canada
More from Inkstuds
Chicago based cartoonist, Ash HG joined me to discuss his graphic novel, East District. I’ve known Ash for a number of years and it’s great to see this book come together. Published by 2d Cloud, East District shows a lot of promise and work that has gone into comic. Ash’s work is steeped in a dark ink that bleeds through and into a dark work that leaves you thinking.
It had been quite some time since I had interviewed Josh Bayer. I have really been enjoying his instagram feed. I find his passion for creating to be quite infectious. Josh’s latest book is Utzy and Dusty: Swan, Swan, Hummingbird, freshly out from Church Ghost. This is a follow up to a previous volume, Utzy and Dusty: Crystal Pool, published by Domino. You don’t need to read one to enjoy the other. It’s a pretty wide ranging conversation that goes in a bunch of different directions.
Dash Shaw joins me to chat about his latest book from New York Review Comics, Like Swimmers. It’s a colourful work that looks at a difficult moment through different perspectives. His previous work Blurry was one of my favourites when it was released and rereading it for the interview was a delight and still just as engaging and pulling me in.
This week, we have Blind Alley cartoonist, Adam de Souza in the hosting chair to talk to a cartoonist that really excites him. I think he made a great choice. Both Adam and Caroline are in top form and it’s great to hear them exchanging ideas.
Raquelle Jac’s debut graphic novel from Fantagraphics is a bit of a force of nature. Bimbo Agitprop is one of the most personally revealing books I have read in quite some time. It’s over 300 pages catharsis that just keeps you moving and pulling you in. I was really struck by this book and Jac’s ability to be so forthcoming about an intense and difficult upbringing. Her comics have an incredibly immediate feeling to them where she is able to bring across so much emotion and heart. One of my favorite books I have read in quite a long while. I think it’s an important work applaud her ability to be so open and just put this all out there.