THE AWESOME COMICS PODCAST

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, Baltimore Comic Con, Electric Chair 4, Cartoon County, Vyper: Red Shadow, Mixam, Zine Zilla, The Goblin Market, Santos Sisters, GregandFake, Floating World Comics, Realm of the Damned, Rebellion Comics, Art92 Comics, Clear Run, The Sisters Three: Gravesmore, David Hitchcock

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 Assemble 2026!

Great stuff to check out: Jason McNamara, The Thief, Comics Assemble 2026, Epicentre Comics, Never Iron Anything, Eamonn Clarke, Mega City Book Club, The Goblin Market, Sha, Zine Zilla, Pat Mills, Mega, Clear Run, Children of the Moon, Ben Dickson, Realm of the Damned, Alec Worley, Bye Parr, Football Picture Story Monthly

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 Robot, Peter Milligan, Mike Mignola, Enigma, Crisis, Heartbreak Hotel, Mike Hadley,  Ian Gibson, Sean Phillips, Green Archer Comics, Kieran Squires, Comics Assemble!, Sha, Zinezilla, Legacy: Idols and Bones, The House of Lowther, AMP Comics, Serious Head Injury Comics, Dylan Henty, Aaargh! It's War, Glass City: Tales of the City, Edison Neo, Ink Trooper, Bronze Star, Mike Baron, Pat Broderick

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 to it now!

Great stuff to check out: GI Joe, Shang Chi, Judge Dredd, Legion of Super Heroes, Mega Misfit Market, The Bard, Men of the Cloth, Hellbound Media, Sha, Pat Mills, Zine Zilla Bristol, Legacy: Idols and Bones,  Commando, Liquid Night, Zack Cahill, Cliff Cumber, Identical, Leah Hayes, Fantagraphix

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, Matt Wagner, Grendel: The Devils Crucible - Sedition,  The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Jordan Thomas, Zinezilla, Sha: Book 2, Pat Mills, Men of the Cloth, Billy Bat, The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television, Degard, Kathy Irving, Centauri Games,

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 and Monsters of Headgrave, Frank Miller: Push the Wall, Retail Park, Underg Planet Atmos: Exordium, Mad Cave Comics, Blood Force

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, Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Hellbound Media, Shar, Pat Mills, Mythos Comics, Vamp, Fantagraphics, The Mess, Noah Van Sciver, Comic Book Punks, Zero Instance, Vamp, M.A.S.K., 

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 Sonja, American Nature #4, Mystic, Matt Bunce, Eamonn Clarke, Mega City Book Club, Zinezilla Arts Fair, Comics Assemble, She, Pat Mills, The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Death Metal Duck, Black Panel Press, Justin Heggs, Cam Hayden, Corpse Knight, Terrobytes, Mad Cave Comics, Ode to Kirahito, Osamu Tezuka

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 Mice, Commando, The Cannibals, Field Mouse Press, Noir City Murders, Green Archer Comics, The Saint, Rebellion, ABC Warriors, Rising Stars, J Michael Straszinski, Rising Stars: Visitations, Vanguard, Dan Butcher, XMen: Elsewhen, Periodical, Durin, Rachael Ball

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 Roche, Laurence Alison, Vu Danh, Psy Comics, Killing Moon, Killing Moon Rises, Warfighter, Warwick Fraser Coombe, Hartwood, Comics Assemble, The Gods and Monsters of Headgrave, Zinezilla, Shar, The Saint Meets the Tiger, See You in Hell, M.A.S.K., Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, Creepy presents Richard Corben