THE AWESOME COMICS PODCAST

Episode 560 - Gary Groth talks 50 Years of Fantagraphics!

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!

Great stuff to check out: Fantagraphics, Fantagraphics Underground, The Comics Journal, Sam Keith, Chris Askham, The Conjuring Man Dies, Green Archer Comics, The Perfect Collection: Perfect 10, DRM, D'Orc, Brett Bean, Blambot, Stephen Collins, The Jigsaw Review #2, Chatterbox, Battle Beast #7, Ryan Ottley, Transformers, Firepower, Robert Kirkman

Episode 559 - Breaking the Grid with Jesse Lonergan!

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: Jesse Lonergan, Drome, Hedro, Mans Best, Planet Paradise, We Ride at Night, Planet Paradise, Inkblot Festival, The Earth2 Podcast, Macc Pow!, Yo! Comics, The Perfect Collection, DMR, The Press Guardian, Lawless Con 2026, Skating Wilder, AJ Dungo, Flying Eye, Shokwave #7, Tigress Island, EPHK,

Episode 558 - Can you Weaponise Nostalgia?

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 Assemble 2026, DMR: Before Oblivion, Mystic the Megagician, Monster Bomb Art, Essential, The Perfect Collection, Clear Run 3, Santos Sisters 10, American Nature, Action, Narco, Banana Man, Bootleg Spider Man, Mardi Keen, Drone, Jesse Lonergan

Episode 557 - Is this the Galaxies Greatest 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 the Megagician, Yo! Comics Con, Green Archer Comics, Lemonade, Ash Comics, Ghosted, Skybound, The Punisher, The Lights of Niteroi, Fantagraphics, Champ

Episode 556 - The Three Amigos Decompress Themselves Again!

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 Con, Lawless Comic Con, Dirty Panties, Maybelline Skvortzoff, Its the Friends We Made Along the Way, Under the Floorboards 2, Gunpowder Prophets 5, Mad Cave Comics

Episode 555 - The Extreme Sport of Long Box Diving!

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 right listeners, expect another corker of an episode again!

Great stuff to check out: Nate McDonough, Grixly Comics, Long Boxes, 2001, The Eternals, Copacetic Comics, American Nature, The Santos Sisters, Adam Falp,  Smoking Bedrooms, The Mary Boys: All Stitched Up, Legacy: Idols and Bones, Britformers,  Proper Comics, Blood and Thunder, The Cosplayer that Doomed the Earth, Dan Harris, Adventures of Tintin: Breaking Free, Nerve

Episode 554 - Comics, Drugs and Rock and Roll!

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, Dogboy, Mean Cat, Death Plays a Mean Harmonica, Roger Crumb, Weirdo Magazine, Dave Sim, Cerebus, J R Williams, Mary Fleener, 1956,  Bughouse, Ice Cream Expo, Mission Comics, Permanent Damage, Earth 2 Podcast, Adam Falp, Smoking Bedroom, Mary Boys, Blam and Glam, Britformers, Yo! Comics Con, Legacy: Idols and Bones, Lawless Comic Con 2026, Jay Horner, Republic, Broken Lenses, Richard Starzecki, Catrinas Caravan, Chispa Comics, Junji Ito, Deserter, The Hunger and the Dusk, IDW, Absolute Wonder Woman, Beetlemoses

Episode 553 - Going to The Pass with Katriona Chapman

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 Hill Publishing, Lizzie Stewart, Hate!, Gareth Brookes, Comic Mart, Perrishers, Yo! Comics, Lawless Comic Con, Hawk and Cleaver, Our Monsters, Bent Box Comics, House Proud, Rory Donald, Simon Birks, Blue Fox Comics, The Whisper War, Marc Guggenheim, Comixology, Aquabarian

Episode 552 - Do Comics Turn You On or Off?

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, Art Nine Two, Under the Floorboards Vol.2, Pantheon, For the Record, David Robertson, Fred Egg Comics, The Deviant,James Tynion IV, Joshua Hixon, Ocular Combustion, Minor Arcana, Boom! Comics, Jeff Lemire

Episode 551 - Capes... What Are They Good For?

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, Yo! Comics, The Press Guardian 3, Green Archer Comics, The Boys, Jason Pearsons Body Bags - Artist Edition, 12 Gauge Comics, Crazy For you, Steve Lafler, Paul Therioux, Was That Normal?, Alex Potts,  Predator/TMNT, Zak Cahill, Life Drawing, Jaime Hernadez, It Killed Everyone But Me, Mad Cave Comics