The TradeWaiters

We continue our journey through Jason Lutes’ "Berlin: City of Smoke" and "Berlin: City of Light." Now that the series is complete, our panelists have read all the way to the bitter end. There is no other way for the Weimar Republic to end. Join us as we check in on how the characters from the first book have fared as we head towards Hitler’s “demon ex machina.” Music by Sleuth. For our next episode we will be joined by special guest Nina Matsumoto as we read "Uzumaki" by Junji Ito.

Looking for advice on how to survive 2019? "Berlin: City of Stones" by Jason Lutes may or may not be of any help, but it is a standout work of comics-making brilliance. Jeff, Jam, and Jon travel back in time to Jason Lutes’ window on Weimar Germany in 1928 and watch as everything starts to fall apart. This is episode one of a two episode journey through the "Berlin" comics series. Music by Sleuth Our next episode will be on "Berlin: City of Smoke" and "Berlin: City of Light" by Jason Lutes.

It's Twenty-Nine-Zine! The TradeWaiters went to a bunch of Canadian conventions this year and brought back their favourite indie gems to share. In this episode we talk about: "Doors" by the Donut Collective "Giant's Well" by Scott A. Ford "When I Arrived at the Castle" by Emily Carroll "Conseal Don't Feel" by Ciil "Counting Sheep" by Rhael McGregor "Sobek" by James Stokoe "Hey, I Don't Mean to Be Condescending or Anything, But We're Friends, You Don't Need to Be Afraid of Me" by Victor Martins "Lamp Comic" by Gil Goletski "Called Into Being: A Celebration of Frankenstein" edited by Megan Purdy "Ghost Lookers" by Christian Haruki Lett "Recharge!" by Christine "Once Upon a Time" by Chhaya Nara "Aurora Borealice" by Joan Steacy "Meat and Bone" by Kat Verhooven and many more.

There’s soil and gloom in the black death. Jess, Jon, Jeff, and Jam read "Laid Waste" by Julia Gfrorer, a tragedy set during the plague. We talk about the end of the world and what it’s like to live through it (or not). Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be our 2019 TCAF/VanCAF roundtable.

Join us on a road trip (through masculinity). "Come Prima" by Alfred is a story about two estranged brothers dealing with death, war, shame, and their own frailty. Jam, Jeff, and Jess finally get a chance to read some more bande dessinee, and it leads to a whole lot of big discussions. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be "Laid Waste" by Julia Gfrorer.

Is Calvin a reflection on the inner child? This is one of many questions raised as we read "The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book" by Bill Watterson. Calvin and Hobbes are a big part of comics past and present. We reflect on the nostalgia, the history, and the craft of one of the greatest newspaper comics of all times. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Come Prima" by Alfred.

There are two mysteries in this book, and we solve them both. Jam, Jon, and Jeff read "Batwoman: Elegy" by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, and it sparked a lot of good discussion. We talk about reasons to be a superhero, how to write in an extended universe, and the gulf between art and script. Join us as we solve the mystery of who Alice is, and why this book is structured the way it is. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book" by Bill Watterson.

It’s real-talk, 1906-style. For today’s episode, Jam, Jon, Jeff, Jess, and Kaye read "A Bintel Brief: Love and Longing in Old New York" by Liana Finck. This unusual memoir takes the advice column from a hundred-year-old Yiddish newspaper and translates it into comics. It’s a unique window into a bygone age, as well as a personal journey through the author’s heritage. It sparked a lot of conversation amongst our group. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Batwoman: Elegy" by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III.

Archie has continuity now?? For today’s episode, local Archie expert Kathleen Jacques joins us as we read "Archie" Volumes 1 and 2, the reboot written by Mark Waid and drawn by Fiona Staples, Annie Wu, and Veronica Fish. We discover who has never read an Archie comic before, how the reboot reads to long-time fans, what the deal is with the #lipstickincident, and how this version of Archie compares to a certain TV series. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "A Bintel Brief" by Liana Finck.

"Why Art?" by Eleanor Davis is a meditation on what art means for the artist and for society. This surreal story isn’t one that can be easily pinned down, but it is complex and insightful, and Jess, Jam, Jeff, and kgros will spend some time unpacking it with you. Read it, listen in, and decide if you want it on YOUR fantasy football curriculum vitae. Music by Sleuth. Our next episode will be on "Archie" volumes 1 & 2 by Mark Waid, Fiona Staples, and Veronica Fish.