Arrowsmith, Buckhead, Comics on Substack, and Discipline!
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Back from a winter break, we (eventually) dive into Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco’s return to “Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines” from Image Comics. First we touch bases with “Usagi Yojimbo,” open The Book of Boba Fett, revisit “Shadow Hero,” and then round the corner into the return to Busiek and Pacheco’s storyworld of a fantasy-infused World War I.
We also talk about recent runs of comics we’re reading, like “Action Comics,” “Amazing Spider-Man,” Dash Shaw’s “Discipline” from New York Review Books, and “Buckhead” by Shofo and George Kambadais (Boom!). Let’s dig deep!
Check out the Comics Syllabus Substack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
This week, Paul asks for your input through the survey above. You— YES YOU!— can shape the future of the Comics Syllabus podcast. We want this podcast to meet your interests. Let us know!
Then, Paul walks through samplings of the segments to potentially expand in the future of the podcast, including:
PolyBagged (New Comics in Shops): “Decorum” #8 (Image), “Mazebook” #3 (Dark Horse), “What’s the Furthest Place from Here” #1 (Image).
Infinite Unlimited: on Marvel Unlimited— “Kang” #1, “Way of X” #5, “Trial of Magneto” #1; on DC Universe Infinite— “Icon and Rocket” #5, “Nightwing” #80, and “Wonder Girl” #1.
Sunday Substack Comics Rack: “FISHFLIES” by Jeff Lemire serialized at jefflemire.substack.com
Archival Revival: “Hawkeye” by Matt Fraction, David Aja, Annie Wu— and in issue 7, Steve Lieber and Jesse Hamm. Also Paul’s binds of “Superior Foes of Spider-Man” and “The Fix” by Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber, as well as “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber.
Graphic Novel Review: “Grass of Parnassus” (Adhouse) by Kathryn and Stuart Immonen
Check out the Comics Syllabus Substack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
Comics Syllabus: "Laid-Back Camp" and Other Comics with Cohost Kid
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Cohost Kid joins Paul again to talk about “Laid-Back Camp” by Afro (Yen Press) volumes 1-2. This charmingly low-key manga was an enjoyable read.
But first, dad and kid talk about other recent comics reads for each of them, including the “Wings of Fire” series by Tui T. Sutherland and Mike Holmes (Graphix), the “Frazzled” series by Booki Vivant (HarperCollins), “¡¡Manu!!” by Kelly Fernandez (Graphix), “Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles” by Fermín Solís (Self-Made Hero), and “Welcome to the New World” by Jake Halpern and Michael Sloan (Metropolitan).
And of course, we HAVE to check in with “It’s Jeff!” the Jeff the Landshark Infinity Comic by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru on Marvel Unlimited. Because JEFF!
Check out the Comics Syllabus SubStack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
It's Jeff! the Landshark and other favs with Cohost Kid
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It’s JEFF! Jeff the Landshark. Kelly Thompson’s Marvel Unlimited Infinity Comic with artist team Gurihiru has won our hearts. And by “our,” we mean Comics Syllabus host Paul and his special guest, Cohost Kid! (That’s his daughter.) Today on the Comics Syllabus, we dive deep into the far reaches of Marvel history (2018!!!) to explore the origins of this irresistibly adorable character, his origins in the “West Coast Avengers” and “Deadpool” (also scripted by Thompson). Here’s Thompson’s Substack post detailing Jeff’s origins!
from “It’s Jeff!” Infinity Comic on Marvel Unlimited by Kelly Thompson and Gurihirufrom “West Coast Avengers” 7 (Marvel) by Kelly Thompson, Daniele di Nicuolo, Triona Farrell, & Joe Caramagna
Then, Cohost Kid and the Comics Syllabus talk about some comics that have also won our hearts lately, including “Yotsuba&,” “Wings of Fire,” “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl,” “Ms. Marvel,” and Dad’s weird “Spider-Man” reading. We also chat about “Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3” and the Disney+ “What If?” series.
Check out the Comics Syllabus SubStack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
Comics Syllabus: Ms Marvel Stretched Thin, Unearthed: Jessica Cruz, and BlancaFlor
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On this week’s Comics PLEASE! (for Parents, Librarians, Educators, and Student Enthusiasts!), we look at “Ms. Marvel: Stretched This” (Marvel/Graphix) by Nadia Shammas and Nabi H. Ali, “Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story” (DC) by Lilliam Rivera and Steph C., and “BlancaFlor: The Hero with Secret Powers” (TOON) by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio García Sánchez, three super cool comics for different audiences of younger readers.
Then, in “Polybagged,” Paul talks about new comics he’s picked up recently, including “The Mighty Valkyries,” “Seven Secrets,” “I Am Batman,” “Nightwing,” “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” “The Death of Dr. Strange,” “Black Hammer: Visions,” “Robin,” “Adventureman,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Comics!
Finally, continuing on with Substack’s comics, including Jeff Lemire’s FISHFLIES, James Tynion IV, Michael Avon Oeming, and Aditya Bidikar’s BLUE BOOK, and Chip Zdarsky’s PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Check out the Comics Syllabus SubStack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
On this week’s Comics Syllabus, some examination of “Shang-Chi”… but not the movie, since host Paul is still avoiding theaters. Pandemic! Delta! (For a good take on Marvel’s groundbreaking movie, check out Christopher Chiu-Tabet’s Multiversity review as well as All Over the Internet.) Instead, Paul shares thoughts on the recent Marvel series written by Gene Luen Yang and drawn by Dike Ruan and Philip Tan, including the five issue mini-series “Brothers and Sisters” and the first three issues of the current ongoing.
Then, a brief “Polybagged” with mentions of comics that Paul’s recently been reading, including:
“Jia and the Nian Monster” by Mike Richardson and Megan Huang (Dark Horse)
“Amazing Fantasy” #1-2 by Kaare Andrews (Marvel)
“Always Never” by Jordi Lafebre (Europe Comics)
“Eve” #1-4 by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong (Boom!)
“Superman: Son of Kal-El” #1-2 by Tom Taylor and John Timms with Gabe Eltaeb (DC)
“Mouse Guard: Fall 1152” by David Peterson (Villard, 2008)
Finally, we launch our “Long Read” for the Fall, a re-read of “Y the Last Man” by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. With the show coming in a couple weeks, join us as we read the original run of this series. A reading schedule:
Deluxe Edition v1 and v2: Sep 19, 2021
Deluxe Edition v3 and v4: Oct 3, 2021
Deluxe Edition v5 and v6: Oct 17, 2021
Read with us!
Check out the Comics Syllabus SubStack, and find out how you can support Paul’s work on this podcast, at comicssyllabus.substack.com
2021-08-22 Jeff Lemire and Jock's "Snow Angels"... and LeMORE!
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On this week’s Comics Syllabus, we look into “Snow Angels,” a Comixology Originals series by Jeff Lemire and Jock, now three issues into its second season. “Snow Angels” can be found here free for Comixology Unlimited or Amazon Prime subscribers.
Then, on our “Polybagged” segment about new comics in shops, Paul INADVERTENTLY figures out that he’s completely Lemire-centric this week. Along with “Snow Angels,” we look at:
“Ascender” #18 by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen (Image)
“The Unbelievable Unteens” #1 by Jeff Lemire and Tyler Crook (Dark Horse)
and coming up soon, “Mazebook” #1 (Dark Horse, Sept 8) and “Primordial” #1 with Andrea Sorrentino (Image, Sept 15).
Let’s admire this deft engineer of comics whose heft mirrors our life and years: Jeff Lemire!
Now, you can SHAPE THE FUTURE (of this podcast):
What should Comics Syllabus do for our next “Long Read,” where we make a reading schedule and discuss a longer series for a couple months? Our choices for you to vote on:
“Bone” by Jeff Smith (Cartoon) “Y the Last Man” by Brian K. Vaughan & Pia Guerra (DC/Vertigo) “Secret Coders” by Gene Yang & Mike Holmes (First Second) “Runaways” by Rainbow Rowell & Anka & Genolet (Marvel) VOTE HERE!
…and Paul’s looking for feedback to make Comics Syllabus better! Y’know, it’s one of those Google Form surveys. Respond to as little or as much as you please. Check it out here: https://forms.gle/eMVocv6M8LxTBzgv5
2021-08-15 John Lewis' "Run," "What If," and "Suicide Squad"
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Welcome to the Comics Syllabus, where on this week’s audio-only episode, we talk a bit about the sequel series to the celebrated “March” autobiography of John Lewis, “Run” volume 1, written by Lewis and Andrew Aydin, with art by L. Fury and Nate Powell.
Then, some chatter about the “What If” comics on Marvel Unlimited compared to the MCU show on Disney Plus and the “Suicide Squad” comics on DC Universe Infinite.
2021-08-07 Comics PLEASE Chibi Usagi, Miles Morales, Johnny Constantine, and Fifth Quarter
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On this episode of Comics Syllabus, another installment of Comics PLEASE! (Parents, Librarians, Educators, and Student Enthusiasts). We are hyped about some new graphic novels for kids out this summer as we enter the Fall’s new school year:
“The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel” by Ryan North and Derek Charm (DC Kids)
“Miles Morales: Shock Waves” by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon (Scholastic Graphix/Marvel)
“Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebie Chibis” by Julie and Stan Sakai (IDW)
“Fifth Quarter” by Mike Dawson (First Second)
All four won us over and we talk about the virtues and potential audiences for these four cool new comics. Let’s dig deep!
And for a glimpse of possible upcoming books and topics on the Comics Syllabus, check out Paul’s reading spreadsheet. Get in touch if you have suggestions!
On this episode of Comics PLEASE! (Parents, Librarians, Educators, and Student Enthusiasts), we are hyped about some new graphic novels for kids out this summer as we enter the Fall’s new school year:
“The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel” by Ryan North and Derek Charm (DC Kids)
“Miles Morales: Shock Waves” by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon (Scholastic Graphix/Marvel)
“Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebie Chibis” by Julie and Stan Sakai (IDW)
“Fifth Quarter” by Mike Dawson (First Second)
All four won us over and we talk about the virtues and potential audiences for these four cool new comics. Let’s dig deep!
