Dreamkeepers is an epic teen-furry-fantasy-adventure comic, clearly influenced by anime and/or Disney. Those are both its strong and weak points. Tim and Mulele examine examine volume 1 (and a bit of volume 2) of this tale by David Lillie, Liz Thomas, and David Higgenbotham, and ask the question: how does one differentiate between unwarranted publisher meddling with one’s project, and useful advice that should be heeded? (Available on Graphicly, but the first volume can be read online for free!)
Critiquing Comics #024: “Dreamkeepers”
Critiquing Comics #026: “Super Haters” and our thoughts about critiquing
Does “giving a critique” mean “stating an opinion”? Or, as some fans of a comic we discussed a few weeks ago imply, does it demand total objectivity? Is that even possible? And, by the way, what’s the difference between a critique and a review? Tim and Mulele discuss these questions before going on to critique Super Haters by Nick Marino and Justique Woolridge.
Critique vs. Review:
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Critiquing Comics #027: “Kuzimu”
This week Tim and Mulele puzzle over “Kuzimu” by Brett Uren.
Critiquing Comics #028: “Stymie”
Our listener submission this time: Stymie, by James Hohenstein.
Critiquing Comics #029: Brian Mitchell’s matchbook-sized comics
Back in April, Tim talked to Brian Mitchell about his matchbook-sized comics. Recently, he sent us some samples, so Tim and Mulele have read through them and are here with their thoughts.
Brian’s site, where you can order his comics
Critiquing Comics #030: The Critiqued Speak!
Tim and Mulele read mail from creators of comics recently critiqued on the show, as well as a couple of listener comments on Deconstructing Comics #328.
Critiquing Comics #031: “Elbis”
As regular listeners well know by now, our own Mulele’s graphic novel “Elbis” came out earlier this year (buy it here, or read online here). We’ve discussed the book’s genesis on several occasions, but not a detailed look of the book’s content. So this episode, Tim and Paul roll up their sleeves and give it a good ol’ fashioned (unbiased?!) critique!
Critiquing Comics #032: “Strange Things”
It’s kinda light The Twilight Zone, set in the ’80s! Tim and Mulele critique Strange Things by Bryan Christopher Moss.
Critiquing Comics #033: “Minimal Comics”
It’s very simply drawn; sometimes the topics are also simple, perhaps too simple. But other times, the simplicity of the art reveals more complex, nuanced takes on the world around us. We take a look at Minimal Comics and other work by Graeme McNee.
Critiquing Comics #034: “Peony Trivet”
Tim and Mulele check out the smooth, sexy Peony Trivet #1, by Ed Greene and Jeff Sims.
Critiquing Comics #035: “Fashionable Nonsense”
Benji Ratliffe sent us his four-year-old unpublished work Fashionable Nonsense for critique. It’s a somewhat supernatural tale with a Scott Pilgrim tone. He wrote the script and hired an artist. While it does indeed have some problems — with clarity of the story, as well as storytelling and inking — why not put it out anyway? Tim and Mulele extol the virtues of putting your work out, even if you’re not 100% satisfied with it.
Critiquing Comics #036: “The Oswald Chronicles”
A lushly-drawn, colorful fantasy tale of a powerful mouse. What could possibly go wrong? Well, our recording software, for one thing! Tim and Mulele brave technical difficulties to critique J.D. Calderon’s The Oswald Chronicles.
Critiquing Comics #037: “Monarch Monkey”
This week, a collection of cut paper comics, each one better than the last. We critique Monarch Monkey and Other Stories, by Brad DeRocher, Dan Mazur, and Hyun Supul.
Critiquing Comics #038: “Bunnies in Space”
This week, the work of Nick Dupree. At New York Comicon, Mulele had hoped to meet Nick but didn’t get the chance. Nonetheless, we took a look at his imaginative, unusual comic Bunnies in Space, and here’s our critique…
Critiquing Comics #039: “With the Earth Above Us”
Two astronauts battle their own ship’s computer. Sound familiar? No, it’s not 2001: A Space Odyssey, it’s Lee Milewski’s”With the Earth Above Us“. Not unlike Kubrick’s movie, this one strikes Tim and Mulele as being a bit hard to follow…
Critiquing Comics #040: “Back Office”
We start the year off right with a critique of Irish creator Mark Egan’s comics statement about call centers, Back Office
Critiquing Comics #041: “Geek Girl”
A sexy, geeky female superhero? The concept has possibilities, but Tim and Mulele find some problems with Sam Johnson’s Geek Girl…
Critiquing Comics #042: “Zombuu”
The two main components of a comic are, of course, story and art. Your comic needs to be on point with both to work. This week’s comic totally brings one, and largely wings the other. We discuss Zombuu by Curtis “Artzuu” Hamilton.
Critiquing Comics #043: “Order”
If you’re into conspiracy-theory comics, “Order” sounds good on paper: a secret society covering up the existence of a gate to Hell near Denver. Unfortunately, Tim and Mulele find the Truthful Comics take on this concept comes up short. Listen and find out why.
Critiquing Comics #044: “Black Mountain Elementary”
Three kids, regarded as troublemakers who’ll never amount to anything, are the stars of Roland Harrison‘s Black Mountain Elementary. Will a zombie apocalypse in the lunchroom allow them to redeem themselves? Tim and Mulele critique.