David Harper Goes Off... Panel on The Corner Box - S3Ep36

David Harper Goes Off... Panel on The Corner Box - S3Ep36

John and David welcome Eisner-nominated comics journalist and podcaster David Harper for an Eisner Awards heat check. Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Assorted Crisis Events, Ghost Pepper, Jerome, Land, and Hirayasumi all get thrown into the ring. David Hedgecock argues for Denis Camp, Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and books that actually make you feel something, even if that feeling is misery. David Harper brings the manga enthusiasm, the awards perspective, and just enough Alaska warmth to keep things from going completely off the rails. Somewhere between Club 52, AI anthology drama, and Batman being “best new comic,” the episode becomes a snapshot of comics having one hell of a year. Captions: “Club 52 is a perfect comic book cool guy club that we’re all in.” — John describing how David Harper accidentally invents DC’s worst nightclub “I have never been more depressed reading a comic book series in my life.” — David on Assorted Crisis Events doing its job too well “After you read an issue, you need to watch a Paddington movie afterwards so you can feel better about life.” — David Harper on Assorted Crisis Events “Absolute Wonder Woman is the best thing that DC is publishing.” — David on Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman’s run “Best new comic: Batman. Technically true, but also feels kind of funny.” — David Harper on Batman landing in Best New Series “The straw that stirs the Absolute drinks are the artists, plain and simple.” — John on Nick Dragotta, Hayden Sherman, and the Absolute line Splash Page: [00:01] – Welcome to Club 52: David Harper joins the show and the Eisner-nominated flexing begins. [03:50] – John Likes Comics Again: John admits the Eisner list actually made him feel plugged back in. [06:22] – Best One-Shot Bloodbath: Absolute Batman Annual, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Ice Cream Man, and Dennis Camp collide. [07:36] – Sadness as Craft: David explains why A Sort of Crisis Events practically forced him to go outside. [10:21] – Absolute Wonder Woman Wins Hearts: Harper and David make the case for DC’s strongest current book. [17:00] – The AI Anthology Mess: Stardust gets pulled into the awards controversy, and the guys break down why the Eisners need clearer rules. [28:18] – Manga Opens the Floodgates: Harper champions Hirayasumi, Land, and Tokyo Alien Bros as essential reads. [33:37] – The Scott Snyder Debate: David argues Absolute Batman may be more about Nick Dragotta than Snyder. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Eisner-nominated comics journalist, SKTCHD founder, and Off Panel host guesting on this episode. Deniz Camp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deniz_Camp) - Writer behind Absolute Martian Manhunter, A Sort of Crisis Events, and The Ultimates, making him one of the episode’s biggest award-season names. Kelly Thompson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Thompson) - Writer of Absolute Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, and Jeff the Land Shark, praised heavily here. Scott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Absolute Batman writer whose nomination sparks one of the sharper debates. Nick Dragotta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Dragotta) - Absolute Batman artist discussed as a major force behind the book’s impact. Hayden Sherman (https://www.haydensherman.com) - Absolute Wonder Woman artist praised for page design, detail, and consistency. Jesse Lonergan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Lonergan) - Jerome creator discussed as a major Best Writer/Artist contender. Junie Ba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Ba) - Creator praised for Monkey Meat, The Fable of Earl King Woods, and a singular comics voice. Van Jensen (https://www.vanjensen.com) - Writer and organizer behind the Stardust anthology discussed during the AI controversy. Jordie Bellaire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordie_Bellaire) - Colorist mentioned during the Eisner craft-category tangent. Part 2 — Topics & Resources: Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/) - The awards list driving the full conversation. SKTCHD (https://sktchd.com) - David Harper’s subscription-based comics journalism site. Off Panel Podcast (https://sktchd.libsyn.com) - Harper’s weekly comics interview podcast. Stardust the Super Wizard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_the_Super_Wizard) - Golden Age character at the center of the anthology discussion. Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology (https://zoop.gg/c/stardust) - The anthology discussed after its Eisner nomination issue. Absolute Batman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Batman) - Major awards contender and lightning rod for writer/artist credit debate. Absolute Wonder Woman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Wonder_Woman) - The book repeatedly praised as one of DC’s best current titles. 2000 AD (https://2000ad.com) - Long-running British comics institution mentioned in the anthology category. Judge Dredd (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd) - 2000 AD icon referenced during the anthology nominations. Akira (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_(manga)) - Manga touchstone mentioned as David talks about where he is in his manga-reading journey.

The Ken Landgraf of it All on The Corner Box - S3Ep35

David & John get into Ken Landgraf, Ghoul Butcher, New York City Outlaws, and the strange thrill of “Outsider Comics” that feel half-feral but wonderfully alive. David maps out his outsider-comics reading list, including Revenger, C.R.O.W.Bar 9, The 7 Guys of Justice, and Amerikarate. John counters with Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders, a 1950s ranch comic reprint that somehow includes Bob Powell, Dick Ayers, a murder puppet, and a Hardee’s franchise ad aimed at half-million-dollar investors. From there, they hit Dave Baker and Alexis Ziritt’s Night Hunters, Comics: The Magazine, the problem with comics sites ignoring smaller publishers, Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day win, and Frank Miller & Geoff Darrow’s Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot. It’s weird-comics archaeology with jokes, grudges, and just enough industry frustration to leave a mark. Captions: “There’s a level of competency combined with the unhingedness.” — John on why Ken Landgraf’s comics hit different “Oh, good, I’m glad we have these so we know not to finance this.” — John on Ghoul Butcher feeling like impossible movie storyboards “The marionette committed the murder.” — John on the sudden left turn in Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders “I’m sitting here with a wad of cash for advertising and marketing, and I can’t spend it with you.” — David on comics media ignoring smaller publishers “Rusty never comes back.” — David on the beautifully weird structure of Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot Splash Page: [01:27] – Birthday Roll Call: John shares a birthday with Moebius, Jamie McKelvie, Steve Wacker, and apparently himself. [01:51] – Kickstarter Number Six: David plugs Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go: Fuji Tengu Flames. [06:59] – Outlaws Go Sideways: New York City Outlaws mutates from street crime into aliens, monsters, and sewer weirdness. [08:46] – The Outsider-Comics Reading List: David lines up Ghoul Butcher, Revenger, Crowbar Nine, Seven Guys of Justice, Night Hunters, and Amerikarate. [15:16] – Zombie Truck Driver Theology: Ghoul Butcher gets weird with apocalypse survival, strip-club angels, and obsessive crosshatching. [20:00] – The B-Bar-B Ambush: John discovers Bobby Benson, Bob Powell, Dick Ayers, and a murder marionette. [27:19] – Hardee’s Wants Investors: A 1990 western reprint somehow advertises hamburger franchises to wealthy entrepreneurs. [43:33] – Comics Media Catch-22: David lays into the frustration of trying to buy ads when comics sites won’t cover smaller books. [49:17] – Marvel Wins Free Comic Book Day: John says Marvel’s FCBD offering wipes the floor with DC’s reprints. [50:55] – Rusty Gets Buried: Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot becomes a gorgeous, strange, uneven monster-smashing artifact. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:  Part 1 — Creators Mentioned Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Artist behind New York City Outlaws and Ghoul Butcher, and the spark for David’s current outsider-comics rabbit hole. Rolo de la Hoya (https://www.instagram.com/rolodelahoya/) - Artist on Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go, praised by David for leveling up across the series. Kurt Busiek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Busiek) - Previous Corner Box guest, mentioned in connection with Death of Power and Kickstarter comics. Dave Baker (https://www.instagram.com/xdavebakerx/) - Writer of Night Hunters and Fuck Off Squad, discussed for his essays and sharp sense of audience. Alexis Ziritt (https://www.aziritt.com/) - Artist of Night Hunters, whose neon-heavy visual style fuels the book’s dystopian punch. Bob Powell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Powell) - Golden Age artist discussed through Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders and Mars Attacks. Dick Ayers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Ayers) - Classic comics artist brought up through Bobby Benson and Captain Savage. Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Writer/artist whose later work becomes part of David’s developing outsider-art theory. Geof Darrow (https://www.facebook.com/geofdarrow/) - Artist of Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Hard Boiled, and Shaolin Cowboy. Todd McFarlane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane) - Mentioned through his argument that comic sales still tilt toward the power of the art. Moebius / Jean Giraud (https://www.moebius.fr/) - Birthday shoutout and one of the giants hanging over the episode’s comics conversation. Jamie McKelvie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_McKelvie) - Birthday shoutout, noted for Phonogram and Young Avengers. Part 2 — Topics & Resources Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go (https://funtimego.com) - David’s Fun Time Go series, with the third book Fuji Tengu Flames launching through Kickstarter. Floating World Comics (https://floatingworldcomics.com/) - Publisher connected to several outsider-comics titles discussed in the episode. Night Hunters (https://floatingworldcomics.com/shop/comic-books/night-hunters-2) - Dave Baker and Alexis Ziritt’s cyberpunk Venezuela comic, discussed as a pandemic-era time capsule. Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Guy_and_Rusty_the_Boy_Robot_(TV_series)) - Frank Miller and Geof Darrow’s strange robot/monster comic that later became an animated series. Shaolin Cowboy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Cowboy) - Geof Darrow’s solo series, praised for its impossible action storytelling and obsessive visual craft. Free Comic Book Day (https://www.freecomicbookday.com/) - John compares Marvel and DC’s FCBD offerings, with Marvel getting the clear win here. PUG Worldwide (https://www.pugworldwide.com/) - John Barber’s publishing home, mentioned during the opening Signa/Kickstarter banter. The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official home base for the show.

Kirt Burdick and His Epic Doujinshi on The Corner Box - S3Ep34

Kirt Burdick returns to talk Death of Power, the upcoming finale of his gloriously unhinged bootleg-superhero epic, and the creator realities of trying to turn Kickstarter momentum into something resembling an actual career. Along the way, the conversation veers hard into outsider comics like New York City Outlaws, Hayden Sherman’s Batman work, Scott Snyder’s hit-or-miss post-Batman output, Frank Miller’s weird sequel era, and whether readers are just done with short miniseries pretending to be ongoing books. Then things get thoughtful, with a real discussion about ambition, wealth, artistic freedom, and why longform storytelling still matters. You know… between all the penis jokes. Captions: “To make a true independent comic, you have to draw a penis.” — Kirt Burdick explaining the sacred laws of indie comics “It’s almost like a mind-altering experience to watch them. So it’s not so much you’re watching a film, you’re imbibing a drug.” — Kirt on Outsider VHS cinema “Scott Snyder’s writing frequently leaves me pretty cold.” — Chase with zero hesitation “The Corner Box is officially canceled!” — David after talking wealth inequality “I’m sure I’m blacklisted from DC.” — Kirt on his future in mainstream superheroes SPLASH PAGE [00:08:09] – Welcome to the Outsider Art Rabbit Hole: David discovers New York City Outlaws and absolutely loses his mind. [00:17:24] – The Scott Snyder Debate: Chase gives a brutally honest take on Snyder outside Batman. [00:19:52] – Are Miniseries Dead?: The gang debates whether readers still want short-form comics. [00:22:47] – Hollywood vs Comics: Chase breaks down how publishers use comics as TV pitch decks. [00:31:56] – Frank Miller’s 9/11 Pivot: David explains why Dark Knight Strikes Again became two different books. [00:42:37] – Death of Power Gets Real: Kirt talks Kickstarter growth and the path toward making comics sustainable. [00:44:31] – The Indie Comics Penis Manifesto: A sentence nobody expected but everybody will remember. [00:51:13] – The Finale Is Coming: Kirt reveals Death of Power ends with a double-sized final Kickstarter. SUPPORT THE CORNER BOX David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website DIVE DEEPER INTO THE BACK ISSUE BIN Kirt Burdick (https://www.instagram.com/kirtburdick/) - Creator of Death of Power and this episode’s featured guest Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Outsider comics creator behind New York City Outlaws Scott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Writer discussed extensively in the Batman/creator-owned debate Hayden Sherman (https://www.instagram.com/cleanlined/) - Artist praised repeatedly for innovative Batman work Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the Batman sequel discussion David Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced via Asterios Polyp Mark Waid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waid) - Praised for current DC superhero storytelling Chris Samnee (https://www.chrissamnee.com/) - Highlighted for Batman and Robin Year One James Tynion IV (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tynion_IV) - Referenced in creator-output discussion Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher)) - Dark Horse founder discussed during publishing talk NOT DEEP ENOUGH? WE'RE JUST LONG BOX UNDER THE TABLE DIVING NOW?! Death of Power (https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/kirtburdick) - Kirt Burdick’s ongoing bootleg-superhero indie saga discussed throughout the episode Absolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Major point of discussion during the Batman segment Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s pick for best current Big Two book Dark Spaces: Dungeon (https://www.idwpublishing.com/) - Scott Snyder crime comic debated by the panel Batman and Robin: Year One (https://www.dc.com/) - Referenced in the Frank Miller/Batman influence conversation Dark Knight Returns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns) - Foundation of the Frank Miller discussion The Dark Knight Strikes Again (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Strikes_Again) - Examined as Miller’s post-9/11 creative pivot Asterios Polyp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterios_Polyp) - Mazzucchelli’s acclaimed graphic novel Dark Horse Comics (https://www.darkhorse.com/) - Discussed heavily in the publishing/business conversation Titan Comics (https://titan-comics.com/) - Current Conan publisher Heroic Signatures (https://www.heroicsignatures.com/) - Conan rights holder David and Chase work with Something Is Killing the Children (https://www.boom-studios.com/series/something-is-killing-the-children/) - Referenced during creator-output discussion Lone Wolf and Cub (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Wolf_and_Cub) - Mentioned in the Dark Horse manga conversation The Warriors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)) - Core comparison for New York City Outlaws Bleeding Skull (https://www.bleedingskull.com/) - Referenced during outsider VHS cinema discussion Cartoonist Kayfabe (https://www.youtube.com/@CartoonistKayfabe) - Mentioned as inspiration in the Death of Power origin story

The Most Charming Failure in Comics on The Corner Box - S3Ep33

This episode, things get spicy fast as Kickstarter loyalty gets tested. David lays out a frustration that hits a nerve: paying more, waiting longer, and watching cheaper versions hit shelves first. From there, the guys pivot into creator mode—John’s secretly drawing comics again, Chase is juggling screenplays, and everyone’s got projects they can’t quite talk about (yet). Frank Miller creeps back into the conversation, setting up what might be a full-on deep dive in a future episode. And just when you think it’s under control… The Fly shows up, lights his ass, and still doesn’t save the day.  Captions “Less yuck more yums, dude. Let’s go.” — Chase pushing back on fake positivity culture “It’s an insult to the audience.” — David on identical Kickstarter books hitting stores cheaper and sooner “He lights his ass… and it still doesn’t work.” — John describing The Fly’s most effective move “She saves the day. Twice. The Fly does nothing.” — John breaking down the most useless superhero ever Splash Page [03:15] – Kickstarter Betrayal: David breaks down the frustration of paying more for less [06:58] – Retail Before Backers: The moment that crosses the line for everyone [10:34] – Barber Returns to the Board: John reveals he’s drawing comics again [13:05] – Moebius High-Wire Act: The chaos and brilliance of making it up as you go [19:42] – Enter The Fly: A superhero who might be completely useless [23:13] – One Page Masterpiece: The most insane splash-page monologue ever written [01:05:18] – The Anti-Spider-Man: Why The Fly might be the most charming failure in comics Support the Corner Box David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the episode’s ongoing reading obsession and future deep dive tease David Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced in discussion of Daredevil and Batman: Year One Moebius / Jean Giraud (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moebius_(comics)) - Cited as inspiration for improvisational storytelling Paul Pope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pope) - Referenced for speed and stylistic experimentation Jonathan Maberry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Maberry) - Writer on recent project David and Chase worked on Paul Pelletier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pelletier) - Artist collaborator on recent miniseries Walt Simonson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Simonson) - Mentioned in Savage Sword of Conan discussion John Buscema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema) - Featured artist in Conan material Robert Loren Fleming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Loren_Fleming) - Writer of the over-the-top Nightmare monologue Marat Mychaels (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marat_Mychaels) - Artist behind Nightmare and Extreme Studios work Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Referenced in Extreme Studios and Archie revival attempts Jerry Siegel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel) - Creator appearing in Archie digest reprints Jack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Identified in early Shield story artwork Wally Wood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Wood) - Featured artist in Archie digest Tom DeFalco (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_DeFalco) - Credited with accidentally inventing his own Greek myth

All the Cool Kids Listen to The Corner Box - S3Ep32

Things gets weird when David decides he’s one of the cool kids now and starts reading the hot books everyone’s chasing. Join David and John as they get into D’orc, Tigress Island, White Sky, and Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre, weighing which books have real legs and which ones are riding the heat wave. There’s a sharp little debate about speculation, blind bags, first printings, and whether indie launches are a better kind of market chase. The guys also detour through One Piece work ethic, public domain Batman schemes, Skottie Young’s artistic family tree, and Lobo jokes that may or may not land. By the end, the Corner Box may have accidentally created a new recurring feature: Wired or Tired. Captions “Yeah, it’s like we’re editors and we know what a deadline means.” — David on never missing a weekly episode “Once Batman hits public domain, it’s anybody’s game.” — David on the weird future of superhero ownership “I’m unquestionably more into new indie number ones than I am maybe [for a] Robert Downey Jr. drawn Iron Man on my Daredevil comic.” — John on hot indie books versus blind-bag gimmicks “Whatever gets good comics, I can live with a lot of the other stuff.” — David on speculation helping readers find strong books “A novel, John, is a comic book but there’s no pictures.” — David explaining a novel with maximum disrespect “It’s just goofy Lobo shit.” — John giving the cleanest possible Lobo review “The title is exactly what it is.” — David on Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre delivering the promised insanity Splash Page [00:00] – Deadline Warriors: David and John kick things off by bragging, accurately, that The Corner Box still hasn’t missed a week. [00:55] – The Oda Machine: One Piece sends the guys into manga production envy and the mystery of how weekly comics even happen. [02:35] – Public Domain Batman Schemes: David lays out his future plan for using Superman and Batman without putting the names on the cover. [06:45] – The Cool Kids Read Comics: David admits the show is getting popular, so naturally he had to start reading the hot books. [08:06] – Speculation With a Pulse: John argues that hot indie number ones are a healthier trend than blind bags and gimmick covers. [11:22] – D’orc Gets Graded: David gives the batch a rock-solid B and calls D’orc a fun, art-forward fantasy comedy still finding its quest. [21:49] – Tigress Island Takes the Crown: John and David both land on Tigress Island as the strongest book of the bunch. [28:58] – Cocaine Hippo Chaos: Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre arrives with cult-movie energy, social commentary, and exactly the level of madness promised. Support the Corner Box David Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego [https://linktr.ee/funtimego]) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com [https://www.pugworldwide.com]) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club [https://www.thecornerbox.club]) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Eiichiro Oda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiichiro_Oda) - Creator of One Piece, brought up as the impossible weekly-comics workhorse. David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Comics journalist behind SKTCHD, mentioned for his thoughts on which comics may still exist 50 years from now. Brett Bean (https://brettbean.substack.com) - Creator of D’orc, discussed for bringing Skottie Young-flavored fantasy comedy energy to Image. Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Artist and writer whose influence becomes a whole side quest in the D’orc discussion. Jorge Corona (h