Creator Talks Podcast

Extra! Extra!A bonus episode to kick off the holiday weekend, because we could all use a little fun during this difficult time.

Terry Dodson, artist known for his artwork on X-Men, Spider-Man, Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman joins Creator Talks.

Terry discusses his creator own series Adventureman (Image Comics) written by Matt Fraction and his work on the mini-series X-Men/ Fantastic Four (Marvel) written by Chip Zdarsky.

We dig into the genesis of each series. Why did the first issue of Adventuremanneed to be super-sized? And will the fall out from the events of theX-Men/Fantastic Fourmini-series matter in the grand scheme of Marvel universe?

Rachel Dodson, Terry's wife, inks both series and most of Terry's other comic work. We discuss the joys of working from home with our spouses and the secret to making it work.

Terry pulls double duty by penciling and coloring Adventureman. Why did he decide to take the series palette into his own hands?

Terry was a co-founding memberMercury Studios (now Helioscope Studious) and he explains how it remains an invaluable resource for him.

With no convention appearances planned this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, how is Terry still able to connect with fans?

We share our thoughts and concerns about comic book shops surviving the double whammy of the Coronavirus pandemic and DC's split from Diamond.Is the end of comics nigh (again)?

I close the interview by Kicking Back with the Creator when Terry answers the question: What was his comic career high, low and adventure!

Creator Talks Theme Song: "Jazz Relax" by LoopsLab

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The Official Terry Dodson Page

About Adventureman (Image)

About X-Men/Fantastic Four (Marvel)

Tom Peyer, Editor-in-Chief of Ahoy Comics, joins Creator Talks.

We begin highlighting some of Tom's past work admired by Ye Podcast Host, including Hourman, Marvel Team-Up, and Magnus Robot Fighter.I ask Tom about working with Mark Waid, his co-writer on Captain Kid (Aftershock).

Learn the reason for founding AHOY Comicsin 2018 and some of the titles published in the past, present and future.

Comics spotlighted in our interview include Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror, High Heaven, The Wrong Earth and Captain Ginger. Taking a deeper dive into High Heaven, we sink our teeth into the subject of L-Meat.

What is the common thread that runs throughout all Ahoy publications?

Why are the series written as seasons?

What does the future hold for publishingAHOY Comics post-pandemic?

How will the comics industry be changed, forever, post-pandemic?

During the signature feature of the podcastKicking Back With the Creator, I ask Tom what was the one project that got away and what book changed the way he thinks.

After the interview, get out your calendar and follow along as I cover the Summer 2020 release schedule for AHOY Comics!

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About Tom Peyer andAHOY Comics

Adam Wallenta is the co-creator of Punk Taco, the 2019 Ringo Award winner for Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel. His co-writer is son Makana who was just five years-old when the book was written.

Who is Punk Taco?

"... a lovable, sentient, alien-taco, who rocks out across the galaxy with his band of misfits whom he calls family. Together they spread peace and love through the power of their music, help those in need and battle bullies and evil tyrants wherever they may be.

Written by Adam Wallenta and his 5-year-old son, Makana, Punk Taco is a brand new all-ages sci-fi, humor, adventure, graphic novel series meant to encourage kids to read, laugh and love. Punk Taco is appropriate for libraries, schools and great for kids to read with their parents" - Comixology.

Adam is busy at work on volume two and three of Punk Taco. What were some of the difficulties he faced distributing volume one before winning the Ringo Award and what challenges did he encounter during the Covid-19 pandemic during the temporary closure of Diamond Distributors?

I discuss with Adamhis study of art in the 1990s and his subsequent internship at Marvel Comicsworking as an assistant editor. We also talk about the importance of communication and follow-up with creators, his love of original art and hip-hop music.

Adam wrote a mini-series about a ground-breaking hip-hop group that he would open for at concerts. Why did Adam turn down Marvel's offer to publish the series?

Learn about these subjects and more as I conclude our interview with the podcast's signature segment Kicking Back With The Creator.

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More about Adam Wallenta and Punk Taco

Brent Schoonover(artist onBatman '66, The Phantom) visits with Creator Talks to discuss his new comic book project coming in June titled Devil's Highway.

This five-part comic series is written by Benjamin Percy(Green Arrow, Nightwing) and colored by Nick Filardi.

It's being published by AWA Studios, a new business venture captained by former Vice President of MarvelBill James and former Marvel Editor-In-ChiefAxel Alanso.

Why did the did they decide to launch a new comic book publishing company?

What makes AWA Studios different from other publishers, and why have they decides to release Devil's Highway digitally first then print later?

Other comic book publishers have been reluctant to release their titles digitally in advance since the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the closing of non-essential businesses including our beloved comic book shops.

How did Axel's editorial experience influence Devil's Highwayand how did Brent's suggested changes to the script add to the first issue's stunning cliff-hanger? (Not to worry - no spoilers revealed during the interview).

I discuss with Brent some of his other work outside of mainstream comics including a movie house festival poster, a rock legend's concert tour poster, and connecting covers for a television-based comic series.

During theKicking Back With The Creatorsegment,Brent reveals his favorite form of recreation, beverage of choice and the ones that got away...the comic projects that almost happened.

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More about Brent Schoonover

More about Devil's Highway and AWA Studios

Not going anywhere this three-day weekend? Let's visitSpainfor this special edition of Creator Talks to meet artist Benito Gallego.

Benito studied art at Faculty of Fine Arts in Spain and is a huge fan of legendary Silver Age and Bronze Age artist John Buscema (The Avengers, Silver Surfer, Savage Sword Conan, Tarzan).

Having a style which harkens back the powerful style of John Buscema, Benito has illustrated comics and strips scripted by the great Roy Thomas including the World War II super-hero team Anthem and The New Tales of Tarzan.

Benito also illustrated the entire run of the Bronze Age flavored super-hero comicApama, The Undiscovered Animal. This multi-talented artist who also has colored and lettered his own work has made many contribution to horror tales inThe Creeps! written by Don Glut, including one of Benito's personal favorites Maciste Against Dracula!

The work that Benito is most proud of is The Life of Bob Marley, which he drew, colored and lettered.

We learn from Benito what is the fate of the Anthem series, hints about new projects in the works, and the one project that got away!

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About Benito Gallego

Heroic Publishingfund raiser for Anthem #6

More about The New Adventures of Tarzan

Heather Antos was recently promoted to Senior Editor at Valiant Comics and joins Creator Talks for this interview.

Once Heather discovered editing comics was what she wanted to do as career, she felt it was too late to break into the business.

How did she overcome the odds to land a job at Marvel?

How does she harness Twitter as a force for good? And what the heck does that mean?

We discussed some of the things an editor looks for in telling a story through comics books and gives an example of the perfect application of these techniques that blend script and sequential art.

Among Heather's editorial duties are overseeing the relaunchedShadowman and X-O Manowar series.

We take a deep dive into the creative team on each series and their new direction.

Heather has worked for Image and Marvel as well. What new found freedom does she have at Valiant as an editor?

We conclude by Kicking Back With the Creator as I ask Heather all my fun question including about the one that got away. Hear it here first, the one comic from Marvel that almost happened. Have a box of tissues near, this one is going to break your heart.

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Heather Antos onEverythingYou Need to Know About Editing

Valiant Entertainment

Chris Condon is the author of That Texas Blood (Image Comics) due out June 24th and is my guest on this installment ofCreator Talks.

This neo-noir crime comic book series opens with 70 year-old Texas Sheriff Joe Bob Coates and the search for a casserole dish.

Chris Condon explains what makes his comic book a neo-noir crime story and how it has changed throughout its development from film to comic.

I learn from Chris why Ambrose County, Texas is the perfect setting for the story, from it's unique culture to its haunting landscape.

He also shares the experience of growing up in the small town of Metuchen, NJ including: who were some of the famous people that lived there and its food scene.

Chris had a different childhood from the other kids in his neighborhood. His parents raised him on 1950s television and movies which had a significant impact on his writing style.

Another major influence on Chris' writing was the unique educational experience he received working for director Joe Dante (Gremlins, TheHowling).

Chris explains what made that opportunity one of the best decisions he made on his path to becoming a professional writer.

Jacob Phillips(son of artist Sean Phillips) is the artist on this new series. Jacob was the colorist ofEd Brubaker's most recentCriminal series.

That Texas Bloodis Jacob's first solo work. Chris talks about how he joined forces with Jacob and what he brings to the series.

In closingI Kick Back With The Creator to learn more about Chris and his other interests and experiences both inside and outside of comics.

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More about That Texas Blood

Chris Condon is the author of That Texas Blood (Image Comics) due out June 24th and is my guest on this installment ofCreator Talks.

This neo-noir crime comic book series opens with 70 year-old Texas Sheriff Joe Bob Coates and the search for a casserole dish.

Chris Condon explains what makes his comic book a neo-noir crime story and how it has changed throughout its development from film to comic.

I learn from Chris why Ambrose County, Texas is the perfect setting for the story, from it's unique culture to its haunting landscape.

He also shares the experience of growing up in the small town of Metuchen, NJ including: who were some of the famous people that lived there and its food scene.

Chris had a different childhood from the other kids in his neighborhood. His parents raised him on 1950s television and movies which had a significant impact on his writing style.

Another major influence on Chris' writing was the unique educational experience he received working for director Joe Dante (Gremlins, TheHowling).

Chris explains what made that opportunity one of the best decisions he made on his path to becoming a professional writer.

Jacob Phillips(son of artist Sean Phillips) is the artist on this new series. Jacob was the colorist ofEd Brubaker's most recentCriminal series.

That Texas Bloodis Jacob's first solo work. Chris talks about how he joined forces with Jacob and what he brings to the series.

In closingI Kick Back With The Creator to learn more about Chris and his other interests and experiences both inside and outside of comics.

Please rate and reviewCreator Talks on Apple Podcasts

More about That Texas Blood

My guest Veilbor Stanjavic, akaWell-Bee for Marvel's X written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger.

Well-Bee grew up in Serbia during the 1990s and he shares how difficult it was during that period of the country's history. We discuss how he managed to get into comic despite their sporadic distribution during the war years, talk about his father's Western comic book collection, and going to school to study art.

Well-Bee was not always encouraged to pursue his dream to be a comic book artist and we find out why.

What comics did Well-Bee enjoy reading?

How was he introduced to the Earth X comic books and how did he brake into comics professionally?

I close the interview Kicking Back With The Creator and ask Well-Bee the fun questions I ask all my guests.

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More About Well-Bee

Let's get away from all the Covid-19 talk and go back to happier days for my fun interview with artist Bob Q.

This one is sure to lift your spirit!

Bob is currently working on Captain America (Marvel Comics)andRed Sonja (Dynamite Entertainment). Besides that he is the got-to-guy when publishers need to get the art on a comic book done and done right.

Bob has also illustrated other series including Lone Ranger: The Devil's Rope, James Bond Origin, and Green Hornet 66 Meets The Spiritfor Dynamite Entertainment.

We talk about a cool museums we have visited, how L.A. has changed since Bob moved there many years ago and the comic conventions we had planned to visit this spring which are now being rescheduled.

I discuss with Bob some of his other projects, including his creator-owned work and the art he designed for a unique brand of coffee.

We also talk about two other projects Bob's Drawing Challenge on YouTubeand as a helping hand behind-the-scenes for Ms. Q's podcast Boos and Brews.

I wrap upKicking Back With the Creator and ask Bob the fun questions I ask all my guests. Enjoy!

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More about Bob Q