Storied Arcs

"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!

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!

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!

"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!

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!

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!

"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!

"Show me an idea that's not a little bit dangerous, and I'll show you a bad idea." Welcome to Part 1 of our discussion of Breathers from cartoonist Justin Madson! In the first part of this extra-long deep dive, Mike and Alex start by taking a look at Madson's storytelling approach and style, touching on the short story cycle-ness of the mini-stories presented in the comic and on his distinctive visual style. Then the guys examine the interlocking nature of the small cast of characters at the center of this story and how the way Madson weaves those stories together to create a full realized world in this one small town is the book's real strength. There is a lot more to talk about with this comic, so please join us next week for Part 2 of our discussion of Breathers! 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!

Welcome to another season of Storied Arc! For this installment, Mike and Alex are going about as indie comic as they can get as they get ready to discuss Breathers by Justin Madson. They guys get you familiar with cartoonist Justin Madson, someone they understand is probably not that well known, if at all, by most comic readers, even the most dedicated ones, as well as some of his work, including Carbon and Tin Man. Then they preview Breathers, Madson's story about a dystopian future where a virus in the air is lethal and everyone has to wear masks just to survive. Oh, aid we mention this comic was originally conceived by Madson back in 2006 and was first self-published as a completed work back in 2011? The guys discuss Breathers' circuitous publication history, from self-published to It's Alive! to Dark Horse, and try to convince you as to why you should read a book about the COVID-19 pandemic that isn't at all about the COVID-19 pandemic. We're assuming that the complete edition of Breather published by Dark Horse in October of 2023 is the only way folks will be able to read this comic. It's 9 issues worth of material (about 440 pages), which is a lot to cover in one discussion, and it doesn't have a clear mid-point that could serve as a convenient break. So what we're doing for this book instead is having one long discussion, broken up into two parts. We'll be talking about the book in totality across both weeks of the discussion, so be sure to have read all of Breathers before you start to listen. You can learn more about Justin Madson at his website and purchase his books directly from his shop. Get Breathers there, from local shop, or from the public library and join us back here next week for Part 1 of our 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!

In a special bonus episode, Mike and Alex jump back one season and revisit their discussion of Eat The Rich and Know Your Station because they had the privilege of chatting with the writer and co-creator of those comics, Sarah Gailey! They start as usual with Sarah's introduction to comics and discuss how they made the move from writing prose to writing comics and what the transition was like. Then they dive back into Eat The Rich and Know Your Station, examining some of the reoccurring themes that appear across Sarah's various works and getting some inside baseball details on the creation of each book and collaborating with both Pius Bak and Liana Kangas (who you can listen to talk about working with Sarah and many other things here). Finally, they wrap by talking about Sarah's recent work for Marvel, particularly their Yelena Belova/White Widow miniseries with Alessandro Miraccolo, and how it was formulating a concrete identity for character that historically hasn't really had one while still operating within the defined Marvel Universe. You can stay up-to-date with everything Sarah has going on at their website and by signing up for their newsletter, Stone Soup. You can also follow them on Tumblr, 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!

"And if I learned anything from Damian Lake's betrayal, it's that every move I make from now on has to be two moves. So I'm not just sneaking back to the U.S.; I'm lighting a signal fire." The adventures of Velvet Templeton come to a close in Velvet Volume 2 The Man Who Stole The World (issues #11-15) and Mike and Alex are here to wrap up the series. The guys start by diving deep into the decision by Brubaker and Epting to tie their story so specifically to actual historical events (apparently everyone was at the Watergate Hotel that night) and how choices like do or don't affect their enjoyment of a story. Then they look at some of final espionage story tropes Velvet deploys, like fake deaths and double-double crosses, before lamenting the lack of any further stories in this universe. While we wish there were more Velvet stories out there, we hope you enjoyed diving into this comic with us. We'll be back again soon to kick off another season of Stories Arcs! 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!

"All these weeks on the run, I've just been angry... self-righteous. And it's so stupid... I know... but I'd actually forgotten to be afraid." Mike and Alex are back on the hunt for the most dangerous woman in the world as they jump into Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's Velvet Volume 2 The Secret Lives of Dead Men (issues #6-10). They start by examining Steve Epting's incredible covers and look at how their throwback, pulpy nature is perfect for the series. Then the guys discuss how Velvet's competency and ability as a spy is presented throughout the story, both through the eyes of her pursuers and her own self critique, and how that informs and reinforces the world that Brubaker and Epting are depicting. Lastly, there's some lettering talk (because Alex loves him some lettering talk), as the guys highlight the work Chris Eliopoulos is doing in this arc. The story reaches its thrilling conclusion (question mark?) in the next arc, so go read Velvet Volume 3 The Man Who Stole The World (issues #11-15) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again to dive deep into the finale! 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!

"A group of highly-trained spies and killers. And she'd played each of us... with ease. That was when I realized just how dangerous Velvet Templeton actually was." Welcome to another season of Storied Arcs! Mike and Alex are here to plunge head first into the world of espionage and intrigue as they break down Velvet Volume 1 Before the Living End (issues #1-5) by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting from Image Comics. The guys start by examining how the concept for Velvet fit into the wider pop culture zeitgeist surrounding spy fiction and "reboot" culture in the mid-2010s, and discuss how Brubaker and Epting's clear love and appreciation for the classic spy stories they grew up on shines through in their story. Then they eventually get to talking about the comic, mainly highlighting the incredible colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser and the unique storytelling devices the team employs that only work in sequential art. Alex also bad-mouths baccarat, because it's a silly game that seemingly only exists to be played by shady people in spy stories. No real person plays baccarat. The conversation continues next week with Velvet Volume 2 The Secret Lives of Dead Men (issues #6-10), so pick it up wherever you get your comics and join us back here again for anther deep dive! 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!

For the next season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are once again revisiting the work of one of their favorite creators. This time, it's writer Ed Brubaker as the guys get ready break down Velvet, the noir spy thriller from Image Comics by Brubaker and comics legend Steve Epting. First, they give an intro to the book and tease a little bit about why they wanted to discuss it (and they talk a lot about James Bond, which actually does make sense once you know what Velvet is about). They they put artist Steve Epting in the spotlight (along with letterer Chris Eliopoulos) and take a look at his long and storied career, in particular his work with Ed Brubaker. [Note, we covered Ed Brubaker and colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser back when we discussed Kill Of Be Killed; check it out if you haven't already.] We're starting next week with Velvet Vol. 1: Before The Living End (issues #1-5), so go read it wherever you get you comics and join us back here for 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!

This week, Mike and Alex are pleased to be joined by artist and illustrator Liana Kangas to chat about their work on Know Your Station and all manner of other things! They start with Liana's origins as an artist and learn how they went from selling comics in an LCS to making them. Then they move to Know Your Station, touching on how they got involved in the book in the first place and what the creative process was like working with Sarah Gailey, plus a deeper dive into some specific scenes and moments from the comic. They also touch on their work with writer Scott Bryan Wilson on Trve Kvlt from IDW, which is definitely a book you should pick up and read. And finally, they discuss Liana's contribution to "Meanwhile... A Comic Shop Anthology," a comic put together to celebrate the comic shop experience, and how their short story, Absence Is Unsettling, fits into that prompt. You can find Liana's work, requests for commissions, and upcoming convention appearances on their website, and be sure to follow them on Twitter, Twitch, and Patreon. 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!

"They controlled every aspect of our lived on Earth... and they used that power to make it so being up here, waiting on them hand and foot, was the best future we could reach for. We're not people to them. We're punching bags, scapegoats, and test subjects. We're disposable." Mike and Alex are back and ready to dive right into Boom Studios' Know Your Station (issues #1-5) by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas. Much like their previous week's discussion, they guys once again examine how what the book is about (a murder-mystery aboard a space station) isn't really what the book is about, and break down how Gailey and Kangas use and rely on the reader's existing story preconceptions to help mask their intent and ultimately subvert expectations (and maybe read a little too deeply into the presence of a Hamilton poster in one panel). They also take a look at Know Your Station and Eat The Rich work as a spiritual pairing, two offerings from the same writer, commenting on similar societal themes but approaching them from different angles. Something is killing the rich people. Again. We hope you enjoyed these stories, and thank you as always for listening and reading along with us. Before we move on to our next season, we're extremely excited to welcome Know Your Station artist Liana Kangas onto the show next week for an exclusive interview! We'll be discussing their whole career, from selling comics to creating them, and dive a little deeper into Know Your Station. Join us here next week to hear it all! 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!

"Ever since that first day, I keep trying to be the right kind of girl so you'll approve of me. But I'm not the right kind of girl, am I?" How does the saying go again- when the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich? Seems like a more than appropriate title for Mike and Alex's next discussion, Eat The Rich (issues #1-5) by Sarah Gailey and Pius Bak from Boom Studios. The guys are here to break down the whole story, including how a story about eating rich people isn't actually about the eating of rich people. They dive deep into the larger themes and social commentaries offered by Gailey and Pak, while also praising the entire creative team for both their subversion of narrative expectations and their brilliant story presentation. It feels pretty obvious where this book is heading after the first issue and yet the story remains engaging and gripping throughout. Welcome to Crestfall Bluffs. Hope you survive the experience! This story may be complete but we're not done with the uber-rich just yet. The discussion continues as we turn to Sarah Gailey's follow up comic in this spiritual pairing, Know Your Station with artist Liana Kangas. Go find Know Your Station wherever you get your comics and join us back here next week to dive deep into both stories! 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!

New year, new season of the Storied Arcs podcast! And to kick things off, Mike and Alex will be covering two books by the same writer, the Hugo Award winning and up-and-coming comic star Sarah Gailey- Eat The Rich (with artist Pius Bak) and Know Your Station (with artist Liana Kangas), both published by Boom Studios. The guys talk about what drew them to these books, another set of similarly themed stories that aren't officially a series but are spiritually connected, and also give a spoiler-free tease on what's to come (hint- some horror and a lot of talk about the haves versus the have nots). Then they discuss the creative teams behind both books and take a look at some of the other comic work done by Gailey, Pak, and Kangas. We're excited to jump into these stories, and for you to join us in the discussion, so go out at find Eat The Rich (issues #1-5) by Sarah Gailey and Pius Bak from Boom Studios wherever you get your comics and we'll see you 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!

We've reached the end of another calendar year and once again, Mike and Alex have come up one week short on stories to talk about. But fear not! Earlier this month, Mike, Alex, and great friend of the show Andy took a quick road trip up Interstate 71 to attend GalaxyCon Columbus 2023 and decided that was a perfect opportunity to record a podcast episode. In the car. So with Andy driving, Mike handling the recording, and Alex contributing pretty much nothing, the trio run down their top 5-ish lists of the best comics they read in 2023 (with many cheats and honorable mentions) and discuss what made these books standout and worthy of recognition. A list of all of the comics we mentioned in this episode can be found here. Thank you so much for listening to Storied Arcs! We'll be back next week to kick off a new season diving deep into another great comic! Find a full list of the comics discussed in order on our website: https://www.storiedarcs.com/annual-best-of-2023/ 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!

"-I mean, after everything you have seen, it is so hard to believe there may be a design to the universe? -A design? All I see is chaos and death." We've reached the conclusion of Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen's space epic, and Mike and Alex are here to break it all down as they jump into Ascender Volumes 3 and 4, The Digital Mage and Star Seed (issues #11-18). The guys have a frank discussion of what does and does not work for them in these final volumes and then take a look at the complete Descender/Ascender story as a whole. Endings are hard, as has been said multiple times here, and Mike and Alex dissect what it means when they think a story ends well narratively but might have a flawed process to reach that end. Ultimately, while it may seem like they're down on the book, they've picking at nits and really enjoyed revisiting these books. This wraps up another season of Storied Arcs and effectively wraps up 2023, BUT WAIT! There's still one more week left on the calendar and we have a special episode coming up on the feed- our best of 2023 Annual, recorded live in a car on the highway in the rain. It was a lot fun to talk about some books we don't normally cover on this show so enjoy it and we'll be back to our regularly-schedule deep dives in 2024! 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!