
Show Notes
Welcome to a special guest-hosted episode of Inkstuds. Our host, bailey macabre (they/them), is an transdisciplinary atrust, writer, and comic artist. They got to sit down with their friend Whess Harman, a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and comic creator. As two artists deeply rooted in comics, community-building, and storytelling, this conversation feels less like a formal interview and more like witnessing a warm conversation between friends.
In this episode, they unpack Whess’s incredible artistic practice, looking at their inspiration, what they’re currently working on, what’s next – and even delve into the state of the art world at the moment. They talk about the beautiful, chaotic reality of DIY spaces, the strategic use of humor and joy in contemporary art, and the creative discipline it takes to simply “keep going” in spite of it all. Whether you are a dedicated comic book fan, a fellow creative, or someone passionate about grassroots resistance through art, this dialogue offers an intimate look at what it means to create space for your people on the page. Press play and join them in the pit!
This podcast is brought to you thanks to support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
If you would like to send comics for me to check out, please mail to. I am always happy to see new work.
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.