THE AWESOME COMICS PODCAST

This week the three amigos connect from across the world, and get an update on how Baltimore Comic Con 2026 has gone this year. From there the conversation turns to the updates on big cartel stores and big news for webcomic creators. Plus theres also a tasty bit of Vyper chat and some great indie books and creators to check out as always!

Great stuff to check out: Baltimore Comic Con, Cliff Cumber, Matt Strott, Howard Chayken, Jeff Burandt, Gonad the Ballbarian, Jesse Lonergen, Conan, Jack Kirby, James Robinson, It Flows Down fom the Hill,  Norrie, Here/After, R...

Let us tell you about a time of high adventure... and while we're at it, join us as we talk about Conan in comics with the one and only Jim Zub! We talk about the original works of Robert E. Howard and some of his lesser known characters, the amazing legacy of Conan in comics, the Swarzenegger movies and the mindset, stories and legacy of the epic new comics coming out now! Its an interview as epic as the character himself, and alongside that we have some more barbarian chatter, great events and kickstarters to check out and of...

With one of the great animated movies to have a 40th Anniversary 'Apology' tour, we wanted to look at the world of the Transformers in comics! From one of the greatest leaders in comics, the toys, the animated phenomenon to the classic line of comics and the new wave of Energon, its a real geekout in true ACP fashion. Not only that but the creator of 'Truck Mutts' Ian Matthews joins the fun so set your phasers to nostalgia! Plus theres a lil talk about the Zine Zilla Comics and Animation Festival and of course absolutely TONS of great...

From building up a kickstarter following, to tabling at conventions and deciding to go full time - these are just some of the things we spoke about this week when we spoke to Chris Askham (Switchblade Stories). It's a great chat with one of the hardest working artists in the UK comic scene. Check it out and prepare yourself for a whole heap of comics to add to your pull lists too!

Great stuff to check out: Chris Askham, Switchblade Stories, Abominable Glory, Markosia Comics, Nottingham Comic Con, Shockwave, Nemesis, Love and Rockets, Frank Miller, Ronin, Dark...

For every Batman, there is a Robin. For every Captain America, there is a Bucky. For every Paul Daniels, there is a Debbie McGee. Thats right, this week the ACP take a look at the world of sidekicks in comics. Are they any good? If so, who are the best? Are they still relevant? All this and more gets delved into, as well as a whole ton of brilliant indie comics and creators you should be checking out in the week ahead!

Great stuff to check out: Batman and Robin, Giant Robo Hellboy, Inkblot Comics Festival, Tales...

Has the narrative power of a secret identity been lost in modern comics? What happens when you use it in a whodunnit mystery? We ask these questions and more to Thomas Philipson and James Patricks about their fantastic superhero mystery 'The Stranger'. From the concept of a secret identity, to how that figures into their own book and also an alter-ego quiz, this week is jam packed with great comic chat that somehow contains no spoilers but a whole lot of mystery!

Great stuff to check out: The Stranger, Thomas Philipson, James Patricks, Devlin Baker, CoCo Comics...

For those who want to get a lesson in the art of making comics, this episode is the perfect place to start. Our pal Jason McNamara (The Phantom Limb, Past Tense) joins us this week to talk about his career as a teacher of comic creation! From history to writing, collaborating, printing and more are discussed and its a fascinating and essential listen for those who to explore the world of creating comics. Theres also chat about the exciting books Jason has upcoming, as well as our own recommendations of awesome comics and a bit of talk about Comics...

Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy, Enigma) joins the ACP this week and we think you'll agree its long overdue, so we sat down to talk about his art, start in comics, infuences and of course a certain red skinned boy from hell as well. Its a wonderful and fun insight into one of comics truly awesome (and humble) talents, so don't miss it. All that and a big stack of recommendations from the small press to art books you definitely want to get your hands on. Its another belter!

Great stuff to check out: Duncan Fegredo, Hellboy, Hellboy: Giant...

Villains and Death! Lets face it, without them both comics would not be the same, and so the ACP trio get together to discuss memorable comic book deaths and their favourite villains. From classics to those you may not expect, we delve into the joy of a good villain and why we love em. It'll make you head back to your bookcases, long boxes and comic stores to read some great examples of drama and EVIL! Plus there's a great line up of indie books to check out and pre-order now - so what are you waiting for? Listen...

Some comics aren't just comics, they are a study on the nature of aggression, and this week we spend some time focusing on an absolute icon of indie comics - GRENDEL. Not only that, but the brilliant Brennan Wagner joins us for a brilliant talk about working as a comic book colourist and his work Grendel over the years with his father - Matt Wagner! Its a fantastic chat about the colouring process and the work of brilliant creator. All that and some great recommendations and comics chat to boot!

Great stuff to check out: Brennan Wagner...

What makes a good comic book character? What makes them stand out? What comes first; the character or the story? Those are just some of the questions we answer this week as we delve into one of the most enjoyable sides of comic creation. Also there's some birthday chat, some spider-man chat and plenty of great comics and books to check out, including one by one of comics greats!

Great stuff to check out: Spider-Man, Batman, The Punisher, The Fantastic Art of Ron Turner, Comics Assemble, Sha, Pat Mills, Men of the Cloth, Hellbound Media, The Gods...

This we talk about a whole lot of comics, and focus on an anthology that 'Distinctly British' in every way! From putting together different artistic voices, finding a story as you create it, conventions, teaching and more, is another Brit comic to add to your radars. All that and a whole ton of brilliant indie comics recommendations, comics and creators to add to your wishlists. All of that in under two hours? How is that possible? Well, listen and find out!

Great stuff to check out: Distinctly British Comics, Malibu Comics, Close Encounters, Matt Bunce, Comics Assemble...

This week we talk a bit about the work of classic comics artist and writer John Byrne, from xmen to next men and everything in between. Theres also a fun delve into a one and done spider team up book that everyone should pick up from a back issue bin, and Dan marks his return to the show by asking if we would still read comics if they were digital only. All that and a bunch of great comic recommendations, stuff to check out an also shampoo talk!

Great stuff to check out: John Byrne, Spider-Man, Red...

Its a fun one this week as we bring in an honorary amigo Kieran Squires (The Drycleaner) to talk about a raft of fun comic topics. From a big comic mart discussion, to underused heroes that deserve a spotlight to those popular creators that we just don't get, its an absolutely jam packed comics chat that guaranteed to get you jumping online to read comics or just let us know what you think!

Great stuff to check out: Kieran Squires, London Comic Mart, Kellys Comic Fair, Mega City Book Club, Inkblot Festival, Three Planes, Roger Mason, The...

Sometimes you just have to go back to the classics, and there's none more classic than Homers Odyssey! So this week we chat to Neil Roche and Laurence Alison about gods, myths and translating epic journeys to the comics page. From the challenges of adapting ancient text, to the wonderful artwork of Vu Danh its a wonderful discussion about yet more brilliant indie comics and creators. All that and great recommendations, international comic shop chat, local comic fairs and as always... great indie comics talk!

Great stuff to check out: Odysseus: In Defiance of the Gods,Neil...

Another classic creator of indie comics joins us this week as the one and only Billy Tucci, creator of the 'Shi', takes a moment away from the floor of Heroes Con to talk about his work, character and a new omnibus. Its a fun (and funny) chat that will leave you wanting more, as will the great comics recommendations we have and a fun Wizard quiz about what they considered to be the greatest superhero costumes OF ALL TIME in 1997. Its another don't miss dose of indie comics and then some!

Great stuff to check out: Billy...

A classic adventuring rogue returns to the pages of comics this week, as Simon Templar aka 'The Saint' returns. To talk about the character, the pulpy origins and its new modernisation are the Green Archer Comics crew and Simon Russell. From the origins of the character, its Public Domain details and the collaboration from all sides of the creative endeavour, its another fascinating look into the world of indie comics. All that and more great indie comics to check out, you'd be mad to miss it!

Great stuff to check out: The Saint, The Saint Kickstarter, Meet...

Get yourself a cold one and sit back with us as the three amigos as we discuss some hot topics and ask some hard questions, all in the name of loving comics! Expect chat about free pull lists, small press comic values and attributes that could prove dangerous for creators. Its another classic awesome comics talk session and then some!

Great stuff to check out:  Hard Travelling Heroes, Absolute Green Arrow, The Longbow Hunters, The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Jordan Thomas, Super Kaiju Funtime Derby Go, Comics Assemble, Grixly, Nate McDonna, Death Wish, Barrie Tomlinson, Vanyo, T...

This week we travel to a world of giant mechs, complicated person arcs, story twists and epic non stop action. That world is the backdrop of Sokyo X, and we were lucky enough to chat to its creator Cory Tran about the series. We talk action, pacing, narrative, character development, world building and delve into being introspective about the comics you make. Its a conversation not to missed, with lots of recommends along the way, brilliant indie comics and creators to check out and a good chunk of GUYVER TALK!

Great stuff to check out:  Sokyo X, C...

It's an EPIC one this week as the pod trio sit back in the ACP towers and talk about a number of topics, especially the grand topic of 'what are our comfort comics?'. Expect some unexpected picks from that and also some in-depth conversation about some Absolute Green Arrow and the crackdown of NSFW content on Kickstarter and what that means for comic creators. Also there's loads of shout outs, recommendations and of course plenty of awesome comics talk!

Great stuff to check out:  Kickstarter, Absolute Green Arrow, Absolute DC, Marvel, Erik Larsen, Spider-Man, Micronauts, Conan, J...

As an indie and small press show, its only fitting that this week we talk to one of the great of UK underground comics, and all round legend of the scene Hunt Emerson! From his new retrospective collection '50 Years of Big Noses' currently being crowdfunded, to his cartoonist beginnings,  work in adult magazines, Fortean Times, Beano, how long he spends in stationary shops and why he doesn't consider himself to be an artist! As you can read, its another chat not to be missed. Plus there's discussion on disappointing kickstarter comics, the risk of alienating new readers and a...

What makes a comic funny? What should you think about when crafting a humour comic? What on earth would you think if you met a man with a steamroller for a head? Are face huggers friendly? Well those questions and more get answered this week as we are joined once again by friend of the show and creator of 'Steamroller Man' Matthew Schofield. Its another fascinating discussion about our favourite medium, with a whole load more fantastic comics to check out in the week ahead too!

Great stuff to check out: Matthew Schofield, Steamroller Man, HATE!, Peter...

After appearing in the recommendation of last weeks show, 'The Machine is Broken' gets the spotlight even more as its creator Jared Sarnie joins us this week to talk about his work, influences, working with a publisher and the topic of handling a sensitive subject in a different and interesting way. Its a great discussion that will introduce you to another great small press comics voice to watch out for! Plus there's great indie comics recommendations, events and kickstarters to add to your lists and a moment to reflect on the legacy of the late, great Barrie Tomlinson.

Big comic, little comic or webcomic? Whats best for you? Well we talk about that and more this week, and joining us is the creator of 'Republik', Jay Horner. The conversation flies From his own work, reading recommendations and what its like working with our very own Dan Butcher. All that and TONS of comics to check out, thought provoking discussion as well as a question about biscuits? This one has it all!

Great stuff to check out: Jay Horner, On the Mend, Slam Comics, Nigel Kitching, Sonic the Comic, Hellbreaker, Pat Mills, Ian Ashcroft, American Vampire...

This week the three amigos hang out in ACP Towers and talk about buying comics sight unseen because of creators and the new 'hotness' in comics that is Blind Bags! There is a live opening of an issue 1, in depth discussion about comic book PR, fantastic comic book recommendations AND a great interview with Su Haddrell of Lawless Comic Con about this years great upcoming event!

Great stuff to check out: Matt Wagner, Daniel Warren Johnson, Doug Wagner, Daniel Hilyard, Bill Willingham, Garth Ennis, Frank Cho, Mike Grell, Pat Mills, Robert Kirkman,  Daredevil, Bridlington Comic Con, Jonny C...

This week we talk to all round comics entrepreneur and champion of comics Shane Chebsey to talk about his own publishing endeavours, stories and the exciting new indie comic show Comics Assemble! We talk about running comics events, professionalism, getting your books into comic book stores and lots of great and positive comics chat. We also discuss a particular facsimilie comic, some upcoming comic marts and as always loads of indie comics to add to your pull lists!

Great stuff to check out: Shane Chesbey, Scratch Comics, Comics Assemble, Jim Zub, John Wagner, Howard Chaykin, Spearpoint, Cowboys...

This week we had a chance tot talk to Nick Goode about his writing and his brilliant comic 'SUSSEX', about the traumatic experiences of a spy in WWII. Its a wonderful conversation about storytelling, collaboration, historical fiction and adapting your own mental health experiences into fictional worlds. Its also an awesome book more people need to check out so be sure to add that and the other books we talk about onto your read piles. Speaking of comics to read, Tony came back from Vegas with a whole bunch of them so check out his Vegas comic shop report...

In 2026 one of the champions of comics publishing, the mighty Fantagraphics, celebrates 50 years of publishing and who better to talk about the past, present and future with us than Gary Groth himself! From the Comics Journal days to the latest slate  of books dropping this year, to the exciting small press arm of FG known as Fantagraphics Underground, its a great chat about the wonderful world of independent comic books. All that and plenty of wonderful titles to add to your wishlists, pull lists and shopping lists as well. It's another cracker of an episode not to be missed!

This week we're joined by breakout comics creator Jesse Lonergan (Drome) to talk about all things artwork, comics narrative, influences, artistic process and what its like being a ten year overnight success. From the epic and thought provoking nature of his work, to the cool visual language that YOU CAN ONLY DO IN COMICS, its a conversation you don't want to miss. All that and talk of exciting future trips to comic book stores, great indie recommendations, skateboarding culture and great events to put in your diaries. We really do spoil you!

Great stuff to check out...

Step back into the time machine this week as we talk about the glory days of weeklies comics and the IPs that inspired an entire generation of creators. Joining us is Ian Matthews (Razarhawk, Truck Mutts) who has stepped into the world of all ages cartoons with his own book Truck Mutts! From the stories that we'd take control of, to great recommendations of all kinds and a cheeky Viz quiz thanks to some cheapo top trumps!

Great stuff to check out: Ian Matthews, Truck Mutts, Inhumanoids, The Getalong Gang, Visionaries, Scanners, Thundercats, Transformers, GI Joe, Comic...

This week we do something that we've never done before on the ACP. We read, rate and talk in-depth about the latest issue of 2000AD! Does it hook in new readers? Are the stories killer? Is Judge Dredd still a badass? Is it worth checking out? All this and more get discussed, as well as an insight into comic marts, laser pointers, shenanigans and as always tons of great indie comics to check out!

Great stuff to check out: Newport Comic Fair, 2000Ad, Judge Dredd, Zine Tales, Jonny Cannon, Adam Falp, Sussex, Nick Goode, Matt Bunce, Mystic...

This week in the ACP Towers the three pod hosts step up to talk about all things comics like only they can. We talk about the value of online 'how to make comics' courses, decompression storytelling, the return of Vertigo comics and our particular fave superhero artists. All that and great recommendations and the introduction of something called the spicy doctor!

Great stuff to check out: Vertigo, DC, Preacher, Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Savage Dragon, Popeye, Judge Dredd, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Jack Kirby, Smoking Bedroom, Adam Falp, Yo Comic Con, Richard Sheaf, The Getalong Gang, Inkblot Comic...

This week we're talking about the fine art of delving into comic long boxes, finding forgotten gems, flipping books and then chronicling the odd, wild ride of it all - and who better than the creator of 'Grixly', the one and only Nate McDonough! From filling backpacks to using a spare room for stock and also the great journey in his own slice of life comics, its a fascinating discussion into another side of comics not talked about too often. All that and talk of bootleg comics, Transformers, Marvel UK and saucy comics with little to no substance. Thats...

Steve Lafler is a veteran indie and underground comics with a fantastic catalogue of books, and with another two books releasing in 2026 we had a good fortune to chat to him about those, his work process, influences and career from student comic strips to original graphic novels. Its a wonderful look into the world of a cartooning greats. Along with that there's great comic books to check out in the weeks ahead and add to your growing wishlists!

Great stuff to check out: Steve Lafler, Crazy for You, Nikki and Ramona, Paul Theroux, Fantagraphics Books, Aluminum Foil...

This week one of our fave creators Katriona Chapman (Follow Me In, Breakwater) joins us to talk about the creation of her new book 'The Pass', out now from Fantagraphix! From subtle character work, colour and artwork process, working with a bigger publisher and even more. Its a fascinating insight into one of the books of the year, and not only that but even more great indie comic recommendations and a shocking revelation about cream teas that leaves the podcast forever changed!

Great stuff to check out: Katriona Chapman, The Pass, Breakwater, Katzine, Follow Me In, Avery...

What draws you to comics and what would stop you from picking them up? Thats what we at the ACP tackle this week, and joined by the legend behind ACP Recommends, Craig Shields. Its a drive into structure, storytelling, PR and so many more levels of the artwork that we call comics. Theres also talk about whether a particular kind of scene could work in comics, great indie recommendations and another trip to see the Wizard, this time from 1997!

Great stuff to check out: Legacy: ACP Recommends, David Barros, Wizard Magazine, Clear Line, Cartoon County, Clear Run 3...

Capes go under the microscope this week, and what a legacy we talk about, as Gary Seaward joins us to talk about his subversive superhero series 'Legacy: Idols and Bones'. From playing with stereotype to writing stories that have consequences, the conversation goes everywhere... as it should when those involved are lifelong superhero fans. Theres also fantastic comic recommendations, tons of small press comic chatter and a talk about Artist Edition books that both provoke emotion and inspiration.

Great stuff to check out: Legacy: Idols and Bones, Gary Seaward, Secret Identity Comics, Clear Run 3, Art Nine Two...

Buckle up listeners because this week the ACP heads into the wild west that is the comics of Dylan Henty! The chat goes from influences, comedy, artwork processes, publishing and some amazing character names you need to hear to believe! All that and tons of comic book, recommends, a potential book of the year candidate and lots and LOTS of stationary talk. For those who like a pen. We salute you!

Great stuff to check out: Dylan Henty, Modern Living, Little Book of Self Abuse, Squareface, Paul Kortjohn, Lesley Wenlock, Black Ink Comix, Maladaptive Press, Robert Crumb...

The new year is upon us and this week we look at what we would like to see in 2026 in the world of comics. Plus comic making resolutions from the pod hosts, listeners and lots of great comics community folks. Plus there's banter about great indie comic recommendations, expiry dates, hats and more!

Great stuff to check out: Absolute Batman, Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell, Zak Cahill, DUI4, The Cartoon Museum, Keiron Squires, Lawless Comic Con, Film and Television Thoughts and Notes, Ben Wheatley, Ferocious, Mad Cave Comics, Incorporated, Lords on the Piss, Saint Malo, Creative Mussell...

2025 was quite the year wasn't it? What comics, moments and publishers were the highlights of 2025 for the Awesome Comics Podcast? Listen along, find out and join the ACP for what's to come in the new year!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW TO FIND OUT OUR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS! Also check out When We Were Trekkies, Neon Ghost, Wise Acre Comics, The Diary of the Stray Dogs, Harpy, Living the Line Comics, Gunpowder Prophets, Mad Cave Comics, Death Dog #2, Ahoy Comics