Why ‘80s Comics Are SO MUCH BETTER Than Every Other Era of Comics (Including Today)!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- Steven and Chris gab about the genesis of this podcast, why ‘80s comics represent such a halcyon moment in American comic book history, and the ultimate CRYB! mission: to reckon with the astonishing and still under-appreciated legacy of ‘80s comics. We’re here to shine a light on the many hidden gems from that era and their amazing creators. Join us!
COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.
SHOW NOTES:
1:05 - The “Why?” behind this show
5:02 - Experimentation in mainstream comics in the ‘80s, specifically Jenette Kahn’s extraordinary, game-changing tenure as Publisher of DC Comics
6:44 - Our thoughts on why the ‘80s were such a halcyon period to read American comics and the importance of examining the more obscure titles from that era
9:10 - DC’s much lamented horror anthology, WASTELAND, and other comics that leave a lasting mark on their audiences, regardless of commercial success
10:56 - Paul Chadwick’s CONCRETE from Dark Horse Comics and other once-acclaimed works that somehow slipped between the cracks of our collective memory
12:05 - Marvel, Ron Perelman, HEROES REBORN, and the birth of the modern comics mainstream as IP farm, first and foremost
13:37 - Epic Comics, EPIC ILLUSTRATED, DREADSTAR, ALIEN LEGION, GROO THE WANDERER, AKIRA
16:00 - SKREEMER, VIGILANTE, GRENDEL, and our raison d'être. Also: Chris’ love of big French words and the types of comics that inspired us
17:59 - MR. MONSTER and revisiting the indie comics of our youth to see how well they hold up (spoiler: still dope)
19:43 - The list of comic books we want to cover: SCOUT, HAWKWORLD, AZTEC ACE, BROUGHT TO LIGHT, COYOTE, BWS’ STORYTELLER, WISE SON: THE WHITE WOLF, THE LIGHT & DARKNESS WAR, MARS, AMERICAN FLAGG!, THE SHADOW (Mike Kaluta, Howard Chaykin, Andy Helfer, Bill Sienkiewicz, Marshall Rogers, Baker)
23:10 - The pre-Vertigo era, Vertigo, AMERICAN CENTURY by Chaykin, Tischman, and Laming; BLACK KISS and the transgressive works of Howard Chaykin
28:00 - Tim Vigil and David Quinn’s FAUST: “If you’re not offending somebody with your work, you’re not doing it right.”
29:52 - The difference between mainstream comics then and now - the devolution of American genre comics. IP management versus creative stewardship - the work of Steve Englehart, Cary Bates and Carmine Infantino’s insane TRIAL OF THE FLASH, Ann Nocenti, JRJR, and Al Williamson’s DAREDEVIL. Today, Marvel and DC Comics feel like product; back then, at their best, they were zany expressions of quirky creators who were given actual creative freedom.
33:15 - THE MIGHTY THOR, BETA RAY BILL, and the brilliant Walt Simonson
35:56 - “Do you remember when First was publishing LONE WOLF & CUB?” reflections on the early days of US manga comics translation - MAI THE PSYCHIC GIRL, THE LEGEND OF KAMUI, Eclipse Comics, etc.
37:00 - EPIC ILLUSTRATED and HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE
38:30 - Why we feel the future of this podcast is so bright and a preview of some of the amazing and somewhat obscure comics we’ll be covering
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+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE
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🎙 SHOW NOTES
For the ZERO EPISODE, CRYB!’s debut, Steven and Chris sit down to gab about the genesis of this podcast, how the team was formed, and the COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! mission.
⏱ TIMESTAMPS
1:05 - The “Why?” behind this show
5:02 - Experimentation in mainstream comics in the ‘80s, specifically Jenette Kahn’s extraordinary, game-changing reign as Publisher of DC Comics
6:44 - Our thoughts on why the ‘80s were such a halcyon period to read American comics and the importance of examining the more obscure titles from that era
9:10 - DC’s much lamented horror anthology, WASTELAND, and other comics that leave a lasting mark on their audiences, regardless of commercial success
10:56 - Paul Chadwick’s CONCRETE from Dark Horse Comics and other once-acclaimed works that somehow slipped between the cracks of our collective memory
12:05 - Marvel, Ron Perelman, HEROES REBORN, and the birth of the modern comics mainstream as IP farm, first and foremost
13:37 - Epic Comics, EPIC ILLUSTRATED, DREADSTAR, ALIEN LEGION, GROO THE WANDERER, AKIRA
16:00 - SKREEMER, VIGILANTE, GRENDEL, and our raison d'être. Also: Chris’ love of big French words and the types of comics that inspired us
17:59 - MR. MONSTER and revisiting the indie comics of our youth to see how well they hold up (spoiler: still dope)
19:43 - The list of comic books we want to cover: SCOUT, HAWKWORLD, AZTEC ACE, BROUGHT TO LIGHT, COYOTE, BWS’ STORYTELLER, WISE SON: THE WHITE WOLF, THE LIGHT & DARKNESS WAR, MARS, AMERICAN FLAGG!, THE SHADOW (Mike Kaluta, Howard Chaykin, Andy Helfer, Bill Sienkiewicz, Marshall Rogers, Baker)
23:10 - The pre-Vertigo era, Vertigo, AMERICAN CENTURY by Chaykin, Tischman, and Laming; BLACK KISS and the transgressive works of Howard Chaykin
28:00 - Tim Vigil and David Quinn’s FAUST: “If you’re not offending somebody with your work, you’re not doing it right.”
29:52 - The difference between mainstream comics then and now - the devolution of American genre comics. IP management versus creative stewardship - the work of Steve Englehart, Cary Bates and Carmine Infantino’s insane TRIAL OF THE FLASH, Ann Nocenti, JRJR, and Al Williamson’s DAREDEVIL. Today, Marvel and DC Comics feel like product; back then, at their best, they were zany expressions of quirky creators who were given actual creative freedom.
33:15 - THE MIGHTY THOR, BETA RAY BILL, and the brilliant Walt Simonson
35:56 - “Do you remember when First was publishing LONE WOLF & CUB?” reflections on the early days of US manga comics translation - MAI THE PSYCHIC GIRL, THE LEGEND OF KAMUI, Eclipse Comics, etc.
37:00 - EPIC ILLUSTRATED and HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE
38:30 - Why we feel deeply committed to the cause of this show: remembering and celebrating iconoclastic comics (featuring discussions of the great Tim Truman and his ouevre: GRIMJACK, SCOUT, HAWKWORLD, WILDERNESS). Remembering great old comics and WHY IT MATTERS
43:53 - Our idiosyncratic definition of “The Bronze Age” as it pertains to comics
COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comic books (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.
The '80s were truly a Golden Age. And many writers from this era should get thier flowers.
SO TRUE on both points!! And that’s exactly why our show exists… Thank you for commenting!
- Steven
I agree with what you're saying. I'm 63. Grew up with 100 page giants for 25 cents. You know mostly reprints of Golden Age. Grew out of it to SF and then modern literature. Then 1985? I walked into what was previously a used bookstore, to find it was all comics. So I wouldn't look stupid, I walked around the store to come across the shelf that had the floppies of Mr. X with those striking Dean Motter covers... And the interior art by Los Hermanos Hernandez!!! Came back to pick up Love & Rockets, American Splendor, Weirdo, Lloyd Llewellyn, Neat Stuff, Burden's Flamming Carrot, Scott McCloud's Zot, Larry Marder's Beanworld. Slowly crept into Nexus, Badger, Mr. Monster, and Dark Knight, Watchmen, Sandman... A Renaissance for sure... Don't buy much these days other than the novels that Chris Ware, Clowes, Seth and others provide. ( Apologies to those artist and writers I've failed to mention).
Hello, so glad to hear that our thoughts on ‘80s comics resonated with you! It sounds like we have very similar taste in comic books. We sure were lucky to be around for that ‘80s renaissance.
And yeah, those Dean Motter covers for Mr. X were phenomenal!! Loved his design chops - he’s super underrated - we may talk about his comic book sequel to THE PRISONER tv show someday.
Also: virtually every comic that you mention is either one we’ve already featured on our show or one that we’re planning to spotlight soon. Great minds think alike, haha :) I’m especially excited to discuss BEANWORLD and ZOT! So yeah, please stay tuned. The ‘80s were SUCH a goldmine of brilliant comics, and we’ve got a lot more ground to cover.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! -Steven
i found a couple of issues of Wise Son White Wolf for less than a dollar, posted a picture of them on IG and Ho Che Anderson responded "you paid too much" he's not very proud of that book but i still think it's pretty cool.
Wow, that’s crazy that was Ho Che’s reaction - now we DEFINITELY have to cover that book on our show lol! I actually think the early period of his artwork is incredibly underrated as he was one hell of a visual stylist and did some truly fascinating work that just didn’t get enough attention. He also had a collection of short stories from Fantagraphics out around that time called YOUNG HOODS IN LOVE that I’m surprised no one ever talks about. I always really dug Ho Che’s art style, his voice, and his storytelling chops. I think his work deserves a lot more love… even from him, apparently!
- Steven
He might not be proud because it didn’t explode his career but it had impact on those who read (and loved) it.
- Chris
If I may add some suggestions to your list:
Zot
Jon Sable, Freelance
Dynamo Joe
Whisper
Dalgoda
The American
Robotech
‘Mazing Man
Alien Legion
Ambush Bug
Scout
The Maze Agency
We have an Alien Legion remaster video with page art coming soon!
Whisper & Jon Sable are on our list.
… Zot!?) Scott McCloud’s work is amazing.
Hmmm Robotech, perhaps.
More soon!
- Chris
May I say, you have excellent taste in comics… Literally every book you mentioned is one that we’ve discussed featuring on the show! With any luck, we will get to them all.
I adore Zot! Dynamo Joe is rad - Doug Rice killed the art and character designs on that book! ‘Mazing Man and Ambush Bug were early obsessions of mine as a kid. We have to cover Scout because we love Tim Truman around these parts.
And Dalgoda is friggin’ dog astronauts in space from the publisher of Love & Rockets… Who could possibly not love that comic?!
So many great ‘80s titles… We could do this show for the next 20 years and not run out!
- Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Thank you- and right back at ya! Refreshing to see thoughtful, online comic discussions that don’t revolve around Batman, Spider-Man or X-Men. I mean, does Absolute DC need anymore focus? Lol
🗯 COMICS TRIVIA
Before his own brilliant creation, CONCRETE, debuted as one of the early flagship titles at Dark Horse, Paul Chadwick had a run on a very groovy mutant’s solo title for Marvel.
❓What comic was this?
(Want a hint*? Scroll down a bit…)
(*Hint: It was written by the legendary Archie Goodwin.)
Dazzler!
@@auradjinns Correctamundo! 😁You are the trivia winner for this round! 🎉
- Steven
@@auradjinns You are correct!! 🎉 Thank you for playing!
- Steven
💯
Thanks for the support! Much appreciated.
-Steven