
Show Notes
Eric Reynolds has spent his entire adult life at Fantagraphics, starting as an intern and returning to work as an ace reporter, news editor, Hate inker, marketing muckamuck, and even, occasionally, cartoonist. These days his jack-of-all-tradesness has seen him clamber to the broad title of Associate Publisher, and he’s currently editing his third major anthology series for the company. Dirty Stories ran from 1997 to 2002 on the Eros imprint, featuring filth, fannies and fingering. Mome brought the more highbrow side of Fanta’s nature to bookstore audiences and alt-comix readers from 2005 to 2011. NOW is a dense full-colour bundle of new work largely from artists under-represented in the direct market, publishing three times a year in a comic-book format.
The second issue of NOW is out as of this week in comic shops, and substitute ‘stud Kit Brash spoke to him before its release.
NOW can be purchased in print and digital via Fantagraphics. If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please consider supporting Inkstuds on Patreon
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 2dcloud, 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.