Storied Arcs

Send us a Text Message. "I... I want purpose. To contribute. I want to be accepted by society... live in a world I don't have to hide in... make choices without being in constant fear of them destroying me or the ones I care about." Mike and Alex are here to dive deep into the final arc of Alex + Ada (issues #11-15) and they do so by hitting on what they think may be the secret theme of the whole book. Artificial intelligence is used in stories for all manner of metaphors, and the guys have honed in on one they really like for this comic and go deep in exploring it. Then as usual, they talk about the ending; less so about what happens and more so about how Vaughn and Luna got there. Whether you think the final panels are happy or sad (or something in between), the guys break down how satisfying and earned it was (or wasn't; could go either way). We hoped you enjoyed this look into a perhaps lesser-known indie comic. Stay tuned next week for the start of a brand new season of Storied Arcs that will take us away from the prime directive, but one that we're very excited to dive into. See you then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "Technology will always advance. But we need to be careful as we advance that we have humans always at the center of our best interests." Mike and Alex are back to dive into right into Alex + Ada Volume 2 (issues #6-10) from Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna. The guys discuss how much they enjoyed this story arc versus the opening one and what they thought was improved between the two (hint- it has something to do with one of the title characters actually becoming a character). They also dive deeper into the larger theme of AI sentience and how it's exploration in the comic reflects onto our real-life society. The final story arc for Alex + Ada awaits so go read Volume 3 (issues #11-15) wherever you get your comics and join us back here next week for our concluding discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "It's complicated, what makes a person. I think... part of it is experiences- whether you seek them out or they come to you- and your reactions to them." In this new season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex jump back into the world of robots and androids and artificial intelligence as they begin their deep dive into Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna's sci-fi love story, Alex + Ada Volume 1 (issues #1-5) from Image Comics. They discuss what they find different about this specific AI/robot story that sets it aside from some of the other, more well-established takes on the topic, and what landed for them in this opening story arc. They also debate some of things that may have worked less well for them, like the pacing of the story, before taking a look at perhaps the most divisive part of the comic, Luna's artwork (spoiler alert- taste in artwork is totally subjective and completely dependent on the person viewing it; crazy, I know). Thanks for joining us for the start of our discussion of Alex + Ada. The conversation continues next week as we dive into Volume 2 (issues #6-10) so go read it wherever you get your comics and we'll see you then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. For the next season of Stored Arcs, Mike and Alex are jumping back into the world of androids and A.I. as they dive into Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn from Image Comics. The guys talk about what drew them to this book (and why it maybe took a little longer for them to start reading it than some other books) and give a little, lightly spoiled, tease as to what it's all about. Then as usual, they give a rundown of the creative team's other comic credits, hitting some of the other places where you might find Luna and Vaughn's work. We'll be starting off with Alex + Ada Volume 1 (issues #1-5) next week so find it wherever you get your comics (the Complete Collection Deluxe Edition is probably the most readily available) and join us back here again to kick off the discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "He's always got some eminently pragmatic blanket solution for a world that's complex and irrational and... and human." We've come to the end of another season of Storied Arcs, but before we move on, we have to discuss the final part of Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' political-slash-superhero tale, Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 5 (issues 41-50 plus Special #4). Mike and Alex dive deep into what they did and didn't like about the end of the series, and why they thought some parts (the political machinations) may have worked better than others (the origin of Hundred's powers). They also break down the literal final pages of the story and try and parse what they think they mean, if anything. Finally, the guys also speculate some more on what a hypothetical real-time follow-up series could look like, as well as the movie adaptation starring Oscar Isaac that is totally a thing that's still happening. We hope you enjoyed our look into a slightly less renowned, but no less important, work from one of the biggest names in comics currently. Thanks as always for following along and we'll see you here next week to jump into another great comic! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "The 'Great Machine' was nothing but a burdened White paternalist who thought he could swoop down out of the heavens to save the helpless people of the ghetto." We're into the home stretch as this week, Mike and Alex dive right into Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 4 (issues #30-40) by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys work their way through the two major story arcs in this volume and discuss why those arcs worked for them and how they rank those stories in the overall run thus far. Then they take a look at the one-shot, stand alone stories contained in this run of issues and break down why those worked less well for them. Finally, guys close by breaking down the most meta of meta issues, Ex Machina #40. There's just one collection left to discuss in this season of Stories Arcs, so find Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 5 (issues #41-50 plus Special #4) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again next week to close out another great comic! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "If the city gets too comfortable in the belief I'm going to personally fix everything, they'll stop striving to solve problems on their own." In this week's episode, Mike and Alex are here to discuss Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 3 (issues #21-29 plus Special #3) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys dive into how the use of flashbacks is (or isn't) working at this point in the comic and whether their reaction to them as a narrative device is affected by the condensed reading of a collected edition. They also explore the internal tension that exists within the book between telling a political story and telling a superhero story, and how this volume of issues manages to balance that near perfectly. Finally, the guys use the stand-alone issue on Bradbury's backstory as a springboard to have a chat about character development for everyone in the comic not named Mitchell Hundred. We've passed the halfway point in the story with just two deluxe volumes left, so go find Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 4 (issues 30-40) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again next week for our penultimate discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "I don't know when I went from hero to villain in this town, but it sure as s*** happened fast." In this week's episode of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex tackle Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 2 (issues #12-29 plus Specials #1-2) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys jump right into the various storylines presented in this volume and discuss how they do or do not fit with the flow of the comic. They also look at some of the weightier political issues addressed in this volume, with specific focus on the language of the time and the state of society in this county post-9/11 (again, it ages poorly but that seems to be kind of the point). They guys also ask the big question everyone is thinking about- are we sure Mitchell Hundred is even a good mayor? Next week's discussion will focus on Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 3 (issues #21-29 plus Special #3), so go find it wherever you get your comics and we'll see you back here then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "Everyone was scared back then, and when folks are scared, they want to be surrounded by heroes. But real heroes are just a fiction we create. They don't exist outside of comic books." Welcome to the new season of Storied Arcs, where Mike and Alex are diving deep into Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' Ex Machina, originally published by DC Wildstorm. They guys start by discussing first issues and how BKV may be the best first issue writer in comics before going into how the ending of Ex Machina's first issue completely reorients the reader's perception of what kind of story they're reading. They also examine how the comic has aged over the past 20 years, looking at what the perspectives of both the creators and the readers would have been at the time (the immediate aftermath and wake of 9/11) versus what they might be to approach a book like this today. And finally, Alex goes to the mattresses to defend his professional colleagues over a single line in a panel that you the reader/listener probably gave zero second thoughts to. Apologies in advance. The discussion continues next week with Ex Machina Deluxe Edition Volume 2 (issues #12-20 plus the Ex Machina Specials #1 and #2), so find that volume wherever you get your comics and join us back here again! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. For the new season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex strap on their jetpacks and soar into the sky as they get ready to discuss Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris, originally published by DC under the Wildstorm imprint beginning in 2004 before moving over to the Vertigo imprint and then eventually to the Black Label imprint. The guys start off by giving the CliffsNotes of the CliffsNotes about the history of Wildstorm, from its founding as a studio by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi as part of the creation of Image Comics in 1992 to its sale to DC Comics in 1998-1999, and how all of that affects where the book ends up when imprints get shuttered and shifted. Then they give you some background on the creative team behind the book, mainly focusing on artist Tony Harris, inkers Tom Feister and Jim Clark, and colorist JD Mettler (we covered writer Brian K. Vaughan and letterer Jared Fletcher way back in the very first episode of this show while previewing Paper Girls). The guys also give a spoiler-free preview of Ex Machina, including a content warning for some things presented in the comic that were meant to be provocative 20 years ago and remain provocative today, but perhaps for different reasons now. All the more to discuss when we dive deep into the story. There are many ways to find and read Ex Machina (the series is 50 issues plus 4 specials), and we've decided to use the Deluxe Editions as our guide. The issue breakdown is as such: Deluxe Edition Volume 1: issues #1-11 Deluxe Edition Volume 2: issues #12-20, specials #1-2 Deluxe Edition Volume 3: issues #21-29, special #3 Deluxe Edition Volume 4: issues #30-40 Deluxe Edition Volume 5: issues #41-50, special #4 We can't to get into our discussion, so go read Ex Machina Deluxe Edition Volume 1 (issues #1-11) and join us back here next week! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to a very special bonus episode of Storied Arcs! This week, Mike and Alex are ecstatic to bring you a conversation they had with writer Lydia Sherrer, the author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series aka The Lily Singer Adventures! They get into everything here, from how Lydia built and planned her book series from the start to some specific storytelling choices she made in her books (but all done so in a non-spoilery way). We really go deep into the world building and story creation aspects of the series, in ways that we think will be interesting and insightful to fans of all stories. And if you like what you hear, we definitely recommend checking out the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series. You can follow all of Lydia's works at the links below: Lydia's Website: https://www.lydiasherrer.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lydiasherrer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiasherrer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lydiasherrerauthor/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/757417044407402 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15009385.Lydia_Sherrer Website-Formerly-Known-As-Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaSherrer Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. This week, Mike and Alex are pleased to be joined by writer and letterer Erica Schultz, one of the co-creators of Bylines in Blood. They start by covering the origins of Bylines in Blood, how Erica got hooked up with both Van Jensen and Aneke to create this comic, and what the experience was like working with a co-writer in shaping and scripting the story. They then dive a little deeper into the book, exploring its genre-hopping nature and discussing some of the specific storytelling choices and decisions that were made along the way. To close out, they touch on some of Erica’s other comics work, specifically the books she’s written for Marvel and her entry into the extended Spawn Universe with Rat City, before getting several teases of what else she has coming out soon. You can stay up-to-date with everything Erica has going on at her website and by following her on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky. Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. And now for something completely different (that isn't actually that different at all). Back in fall of 2023 at the Cincinnati Comic Expo, Mike got to chatting with writer Lydia Sherrer, author of the Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus series aka The Lily Singer Adventures. While not specifically comic-focused, Lydia has a passion for storytelling and world building, so we decided to have her on the show to discuss all things story creation. That interview will run on May 16th, after we've wrapped up our current season of Storied Arcs, and this episode is just meant to be a primer to the world of Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus. We don't go into any spoilers about the book series in our chat with Lydia (because we'd like for you to go read the books), but we wanted to at least give you an idea of the kinds of stories they are. Storytelling is storytelling, but it with prose or sequential art, and that's what we want to celebrate here. Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "Reality is, there is no truth. Everyone's got their own perspective. No one gets to be the arbiter of that. The only thing you can do is make your own truth." On this episode of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are ready to fight for the truth as they dive deep into Bylines in Blood by Erica Schultz, Van Jensen, and Aneke from AfterShock Comics. They discuss how the comic balances several different genres across the story, and how having co-writers on the book, Erica Schultz and Van Jensen, may have helped that feel seamless in enhancing the reading experience. The guys also talk about how the story does (or perhaps does not) work as specific mystery thriller, and whether or not that really matters in the grand scheme of the comic. Finally, they praise the artwork of Aneke, particularly her use of color throughout the book. We hoped you enjoyed this comic from a publisher you may not have read much from (and, depending on how the chips fall, you may or may not read much more from in the future). But we're not down with this story yet! Next week, we're very pleased to be joined by co-writer Erica Schultz for an exclusive interview. We talk about her career in comics, including all the projects she has on her plate right now and coming in the near future, and get a chance to dive a little deeper into the making of Bylines in Blood. Hope you join us for that next week! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to a new season of Storied Arcs! For this outing, Mike and Alex will be diving into their (and perhaps last, question mark?) series from AfterShock Comics, Bylines in Blood (issues #1-4) by Erica Schultz, Van Jensen, and Aneke. They start by pitching you on why they love this comic, including the way it balances multi-genre storytelling and the dynamic art and color that jumps off the page. Then, they do their best to give a brief overview of AfterShock as a publisher, from their start in 2015 to their current in-limbo state as they work their through bankruptcy proceedings. Finally, the guys get you acquainted with the creative team behind this book by running through the comic work of Erica Schultz, Van Jensen, and Aneke (we covered letterer Cardinal Rae in our intro episode to Eat The Rich and Know Your Station). In the process, Mike discovers a new life goal job achievement. We can't wait to dive deep into this comic, so go read Bylines in Blood (issues #1-4) wherever you get your comics and join just back here next week and be a part of the discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. This week, Mike and Alex are super excited to be joined by Kyle Starks, the writer of their most recent discussion, Assassin Nation, along with so many other great comics. They cover a wide range of topics, including how Kyle got started working in comics (and why that might be Matt Fraction's fault) and how he was able to find his niche in the industry. They also go into why that specific niche (comedy and humor) is so hard to do well in comics these days and how Kyle manages to infuse his books with both. Jumping into Assassin Nation, the guys talk with Kyle about working with Erica Henderson, how this book came along right as both of them were starting to make their names, what the creative process was like for the book, and how the editorial process for it maybe wasn't the smoothest. Finally, we get a some teases as to what projects Kyle has coming down the line soon. You can stay up-to-date with everything Kyle has going on at his website and by joining his Patreon. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky. Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "So, what's the best way to stay safe from a hitman? Hire a bunch of better hitmen." Mike and Alex are here for another season of Storied Arcs, and this week they're discussing Kyle Starks and Erica Henderson's Assassin Nation (issues #1-5) from Image Comics. The guys jump right into things, looking at this story through the lens of the kinds of stories it was clearing influenced by, from the action-comedy movies of the 80s and 90s to more modern tales of hitmen and assassins like John Wick (and there's a lot of John Wick talk, tbh). They talk about the humor laced throughout the comic and how the specific traits of Kyle Starks' writing and Erica Henderson's art mesh together to make the humor work. They guys also touch on how effective the "mystery" of the story is delivered and whether or not that really matters with a book like this when so much of selling point is vibes. These are characters you want to hang out with. Assuming they aren't trying to kill you. We hoped you enjoyed reading and discussing Assassin Nation, and we're very pleased to announce that next week on the feed, we have an exclusive interview with writer Kyle Starks! We covered a vast range of topics and got some behind-the-scenes insight into the making of Assassin Nation. We had a blast chatting with Kyle and can't wait to share it with you! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. For this season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are diving head first into the crazy world of assassins and hitmen with Kyle Starks and Erica Henderson's Assassin Nation from Image Comics. They guys discuss a little about what drew them to this book and then give some background on both Starks and Henderson and the other comic work you might know them from. Then they give a spoiler-free pitch for Assassin Nation and tell you why they think you should pick up this comic (hint- it's funny and absurd and hyper-violent but in a funny and absurd way). Go find Assassin Nation Vol. 1 Number One with a Bullet (issues #1-5) wherever you get you comics. And don't worry; it's titled "Vol. 1" because all Image collections are titled "Vol. 1" even if the story is just one collection, like Assassin Nation. This is also one comic where if you can find the single issues, we actually recommend you read it that way. The single issues have recap/title pages that are not included in the collected trade that are not necessary to the story, but serve as a fun visual gag that enhances the story. Worth checking out in our opinion, if you're able. But either way, single issue or trade, join us back here next week for our discussion of Assassin Nation! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. In this special episode, Mike and Alex were fortunate to chat with cartoonist Justin Madson, the creative force behind Breathers. They discuss Justin's origin in comics, and how and why he began writing and drawing his own stories. Then they dive into Breathers, from its initial conception back in 2007 to its eerie prescience in 2024. Justin talked about how the story and the world of Breathers came together and how he navigated weaving together his various character threads into a cohesive story. He also commented on how it felt/feels to see the real world become more like his story and how that meta-context affects how readers receive it. We touch on his experience working with It's Alive! to publish Breathers, and chat briefly about his YA graphic novel, Tin Man, including his influences and motivations for writing that story. Finally, we get a little tease of things Justin is working on for the future (like Breathers sequel?!?). You can follow Justin's work at his website and purchase his books and prints directly from his shop. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

Send us a Text Message. "Nothing's really all that different, is it? I mean, sure, we don't have to wear our breathers anymore, but we still have our scars. No amount of vaccines is ever gonna change that." Mike and Alex are back in the world of Justin Madson's Breathers with Part 2 of the extra-long discussion. As they being to wrap things up, the guys take a step back and consider all of the meta-textual aspects that come with reading a book like Breathers in a post-2020 world. All the things you specifically think about when you read this book are all the exact same things everyone thinks about when they read this book, and that's kinda crazy. It's unavoidable and universal at this point, and Mike and Alex do the best they can to try and figure what it means for a story to have to carry so much weight that just didn't exist when it was first created. We really hope you enjoyed diving into a truly independent comic, and we hope to cover more books like this in the future. Until then, though, we appreciate your support and can't wait to jump into our next great comic! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs https://linktr.ee/storiedarcsBlueSkyInstagramFacebookThreadsTwitter/Xwww.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!