THE AWESOME COMICS PODCAST

Episode 566 - Do I Look Like a Joke to You?

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 Bagg, Four Cartoonists, Never Iron Anything Podcast, Comics Assemble!, Lawless Comic Con, Warbird, Bad Idea Comics, Action: The Sevenpenny Nightmare, Skating Wilder, AJ Dungo, Brandon Dumais, Flying Eye Books, Stillman, Narco, Doug Wagner, Daniel Hilyard, End of Life, Kyle Starks, Vertigo, Steve Pugh

Episode 565 - What do you do when The Machine is Broken?

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.

 

WARNING: This episode contains the topics of Voluntary Euthanasia and Suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Great stuff to check out: The Machine is Broken, Jared Sarnie, Fieldmouse Press, Emily Norris, Dear Mini, Fantagraphics, David Mack, Daredevil, Tales From the City Volume 1, Bridlington Comic Con, South London Zine Fair, The Saint, Mike Grell, Simon Russell, Green Archer Comics, Comics Assemble, Lawless Comic Con, The Guys, The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Barry Tomlinson, Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre, Mad Cave Comics, Mort, The Krater of Tenebrosus, The Hunter, Dakota Alexander, The Punisher Presents: Barracuda

Episode 564 - What Format is best for Comics?

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, Vertigo, The Stranger, James Patricks, Devlin Baker, Hope Town Comic Con, Cursed Earth, Judge Dredd, Mike McMahon, Tales From the City, Dave Cranna, Glass City, Bridlington Comic Con, The Growing Rod, The Guys, Hardline Comics, DMR, Keiron Squires, The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Comics Assemble, Lawless Comic Con, Colder, Dark Horse Comics, The Machine is Broken, Jared Sarnie, Adam Falp, Smoking Bedroom #2

Episode 563 - Going in Blind... and Bagged!

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 Cannon, DMR, Keiron Squires Smile 58, Comics Assemble, Tribute Press, Boo Rudetoons, Big Guns, Gorehaus, Ink Trooper, Edison Neo, Otherkin, Friend of the Devil, Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, G.I.Joe, The Never Iron Anything Podcast

Episode 562 - When is it a good time to Scratch?

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 vs Aliens, John McCrae, Hedrek, David Hitchcock, Damien Edmondson, Claudia Christian, Dark Legacies, Gorehaus, Mary Boys, The Conjureman Dies, The Perfect Collection, Kieron Squires, Dan Charnley, Ablaze Comics, Gung-Ho, Amazing Spider-Man Bootleg, Nate McDonna, Distant Flame, Lane Milburn 

Episode 561 - Storytelling, Spies and Mental Health!

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 as well!

Great stuff to check out: Sussex,Nick Goode, Red Cape Comics, Torpedo Comics, Cosmic Comics, Alternate Reality Comics, The Perfection Collection, DMR, Kieran Squires, Honor and Curse: Eternal, Mad Cave Comics, Globalcomix, Kat Chapman, Cartoon County, Lawless Comic Con 2026, Wesley Griffith, The Jump

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