“The Arrival” by Shaun Tan

“The Arrival” by Shaun Tan

What does it take to tell a wordless story? Today, the panelists explore that question as Jillian guides Matt and Scout through the fantastical immigrant story of The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Together, we muse on the power of reaching out and sharing our stories to bring us closer together, even when we feel worlds apart. (And also, discuss the immutable staying power of a weird little guy.) * (00:00) - “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan * (00:21) - Front Matter * (01:52) - Our experience with The Arrival * (04:17) - Zero words! * (08:35) - The antique photo style * (10:29) - Dark gutters! * (12:13) - SPOILER ZONE * (12:44) - Symmetry * (14:35) - The creature * (15:19) - Not the real world but very real * (18:12) - Kinship with the main character * (19:50) - Moments that stuck with us * (27:16) - The final page * (32:07) - Familiars * (38:02) - Studying this book * (42:51) - Further reading Further Reading * Tan has written and illustrated several other books, with his other most notable being “The Lost Thing” * Tan’s essay on the picture book: https://www.shauntan.net/esssay-picture-books-who-for [https://www.shauntan.net/esssay-picture-books-who-for] * Daytripper [https://bookshop.org/p/books/daytripper-fabio-moon/9778460e49ead5a9?ean=9781401229696&next=t&next=t&affiliate=2186&prhc=PRHEFFDF5A7F1] by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba * Nonfiction graphic novels about the experience of immigrants and refugees are a genre all in their own - there’s a lot out there for you to take your pick from! Here’s a brief list curated by the Chicago Public Library: https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/298488099/1717973901 [https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/298488099/1717973901] A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage [https://theworstgarbage.online/] network. Find us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/insequence.pictures] or Tumblr [https://insequence.tumblr.com/]. This week’s panelists can be found at: Scout [https://bsky.app/profile/humblegoat.bsky.social] Matt [https://matthorton.live/] Jillian [https://plottwists.carrd.co/] Editing this week by AJ Fillari [https://ajfillari.carrd.co/]. Cover art by Scout Wilkinson [https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/]. Intro/Outro music by Boqeh [https://boqeh.bandcamp.com/track/tape].

“It's Lonely At The Centre of The Earth” by Zoe Thorogood

Today the Panelists discuss what makes autobiography good, marvel at the eccentricity of this book's art, and learn the value of good criticism. Never forget to eat your vegetables and pull some weeds. * (00:00) - “It's Lonely At The Centre of The Earth” by Zoe Thorogood * (00:20) - Front Matter * (01:06) - Content Warnings * (01:22) - Zoe Thorogood * (02:41) - Impressions * (08:53) - Structure (or lack of it) * (10:51) - Starting the comic over * (12:01) - Exhilarating Art * (20:33) - Spoiler Zone * (22:03) - Art spoilers * (24:45) - Self-criticism * (27:23) - The monologue makes it better * (32:23) - Sorry you’re relatable, Zoe * (35:52) - The catboy * (40:36) - VRChat * (42:21) - The potato story * (43:41) - Criticism is good * (44:30) - Further reading Further Reading - The impending blindness of Billie Scott, Avery Hill Publishing, 2020 - Creepshow Vol.2 #3 (OF 5), Image Comics [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_Comics], 2023 - Hack Slash [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack/Slash]: Back To School, Image Comics [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_Comics], 2023–2024 - "Harley Quinn and the Seven Sidekicks" in Harley Quinn [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley_Quinn]: Black+White+Redder #4, DC Comics [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics], 2023 - "For James" in Ice Cream Man [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Cream_Man_(comics)] #43, Image Comics [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_Comics], 2025 - Spinning by Tillie Walden A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage [https://theworstgarbage.online/] network. Find us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/insequence.pictures] or Tumblr [https://insequence.tumblr.com/]. This week’s panelists can be found at: Scout [https://bsky.app/profile/humblegoat.bsky.social] Robin [https://bsky.app/profile/robinbombus.bsky.social] Jillian [https://plottwists.carrd.co/] Editing this week by AJ Fillari [https://ajfillari.carrd.co/]. Cover art by Scout Wilkinson [https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/]. Intro/Outro music by Boqeh [https://boqeh.bandcamp.com/track/tape].

"Hirayasumi" by Keigo Shinzo

Today, it's just vibes. Your Panelists discuss Hirayasumi, the sliciest slice-of-life manga to ever exist. This vacation of a read hits on burnout and what it means to be an artist, both favorite topics for the show. But it primarily is the story of Hiroto and his cousin, Natsumi, living in a home left to Hiroto by a woman he called "Granny."  * (00:00) - “Hirayasumi” by Keigo Shinzo * (01:54) - A vibe check * (06:20) - Narration vs using space * (11:05) - There IS conflict between characters * (12:40) - Natsumi stands out * (13:23) - Fashion Corner! * (14:56) - Natsumi & Akari * (15:33) - SPOILER ZONE * (15:50) - Yuri spinoff? * (18:15) - So…Hideki? * (22:26) - Hiroto’s passivity * (26:16) - Tachibana * (29:27) - Is the author a serial killer? * (30:35) - We love Granny * (35:23) - How Granny shapes Hiroto’s life * (39:03) - Art! 🖼️ * (43:23) - Hiroto’s acting * (44:55) - Natsumi becoming a mangaka * (46:42) - Further Reading Further Reading - Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You [https://bookshop.org/p/books/smoking-behind-the-supermarket-with-you-01-jinushi/ad61e4cede5d43dd?ean=9781646092864&next=t] by Jinushi - Skip to Loafer [https://bookshop.org/p/books/skip-and-loafer-vol-1-misaki-takamatsu/69bc98ac7c620c2d?ean=9781648275883&next=t] by Misaki Takamatsu - Tokyo Alien Bros. [https://bookshop.org/p/books/tokyo-alien-bros-vol-1-keigo-shinzo/74614fa62d57dc19?ean=9781974747290&next=t] by Keigo Shinzo - Sakura Quest [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakura_Quest] anime - Yuru Camp/Laid-Back Camp [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laid-Back_Camp]anime A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage [https://theworstgarbage.online/] network. Find us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/insequence.pictures] or Tumblr [https://insequence.tumblr.com/]. This week’s panelists can be found at: Scout [https://bsky.app/profile/humblegoat.bsky.social] Matt [https://matthorton.live/] Robin [https://bsky.app/profile/robinbombus.bsky.social] Jillian [https://plottwists.carrd.co/] Editing this week by AJ Fillari [https://ajfillari.carrd.co/]. Cover art by Scout Wilkinson [https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/]. Intro/Outro music by Boqeh [https://boqeh.bandcamp.com/track/tape].

"Fullmetal Alchemist" Vol. 1-9 by Hiromu Arakawa

Today, Scout pulls her fellow panelists through the gate of truth to discuss volumes 1-9 of Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. In this, the first of three episodes we'll be doing on FMA this year, we share our varied personal histories with the series, become acquainted with the cast and their early adventures, and answer some listener questions. How is a culture shaped by the technology it cultivates? How much of yourself will you sacrifice for the sake of your aspirations? And what is milk REALLY doing for your growth, anyway?! * (00:00) - Fullmetla Alchemist Vol. 1-9 by Hiromu Arakawa * (02:31) - Front Matter * (05:10) - Spoiler-free plot summary * (06:27) - Histories and impressions * (13:21) - Shonen adventure manga * (20:15) - Additional FMA thoughts * (23:39) - A very specific art thing * (25:52) - Arakawa's consistency * (28:41) - Dipping a toe into translation * (31:04) - SPOILER ZONE * (31:07) - Summaries of the volumes * (34:11) - Wild how much stuff is in these volumes * (40:28) - The thing that's been done * (43:05) - The characterization * (46:00) - Where will the ending go? * (48:05) - Things Matt remembered * (49:13) - That Moment. * (52:01) - Robin's Hater Zone * (53:40) - Dude the drawings * (54:47) - How the story deals with disability * (01:01:22) - Rush Valley * (01:05:47) - Winry Rockbell :) (and emotional (AND literal) labor) * (01:10:47) - The gag panels * (01:11:51) - Letting things chill * (01:13:42) - The death that shaped a generation of weebs * (01:16:09) - Izumi and Sig * (01:18:42) - The month on the island * (01:20:41) - Greed and the chimera * (01:26:08) - The Door of Truth * (01:27:30) - Good panels * (01:30:33) - Roy Mustang stonks * (01:31:39) - Bradley * (01:33:06) - Armstrong too good too nice * (01:33:50) - Listener questions! * (01:34:03) - State alchemist names and powers * (01:36:31) - Philosopher's Stone grift * (01:37:49) - How many times does Ed get called liddol * (01:39:05) - Favorite homunculus * (01:41:20) - Running gag? * (01:43:42) - Thank you for questions!!!! * (01:44:00) - Further reading * (01:46:32) - Back Matter Further Reading - A more recent way to read Fullmetal Alchemist is with the 3-in-1 omnibus editions [https://bookshop.org/p/books/fullmetal-alchemist-3-in-1-edition-vol-1-hiromu-arakawa/dd8919a410738977?ean=9781421540184&next=t] - You could read Fullmetal Alchemist on Webtoon [https://www.webtoons.com/en/graphic-novel/fullmetal-alchemist/list?title_no=7862] but maybe don't - Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, the manga-accurate anime - The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime  - Silver Spoon [https://bookshop.org/p/books/silver-spoon-vol-1-hiromu-arakawa/c380bd81d6154937?ean=9780316416191&next=t] by Hiromu Arakawa - Deamons of the Shadow Realm [https://bookshop.org/p/books/daemons-of-the-shadow-realm-01-hiromu-arakawa/2f649e9ce0b51d55?ean=9781646091867&next=t] by Hiromu Arakawa A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage [https://theworstgarbage.online/] network. Find us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/insequence.pictures] or Tumblr [https://insequence.tumblr.com/]. This week’s panelists can be found at: Scout [https://bsky.app/profile/humblegoat.bsky.social] Matt [https://matthorton.live/] Robin [https://bsky.app/profile/robinbombus.bsky.social] Jillian [https://plottwists.carrd.co/] Editing this week by AJ Fillari [https://ajfillari.carrd.co/]. Cover art by Scout Wilkinson [https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/]. Intro/Outro music by Boqeh [https://boqeh.bandcamp.com/track/tape].

"Batman: Wayne Family Adventures" Season 1 by CRC Payne and StarBite

Crime Alley. The Dark Knight. Gotham. Yes, yes. It's all very dour. But not anymore. Now it's VERTICAL, and the whole gang is here! We've got bats and robins pouring out of every window of this mansion, and every single one of 'em has feelings. Batman: Wayne Family Adventures is a slice of life Batfam book that is native to the vertical, scrolling webcomic platform, Webtoon. It's actually possible this is the most read Batman comic, ever. * (00:00) - "Batman: Wayne Family Adventures" Season 1 by CRC Payne * (00:46) - Front Matter * (03:33) - What is Webtoon? * (10:45) - History with the Batfam * (17:35) - Impressions * (20:34) - Print vs. Online * (26:52) - The Look(tm) * (31:35) - SPOILER ZONE * (31:37) - Favorite Batfam members * (39:41) - Callbacks and references * (45:37) - Jason Todd * (50:31) - Duke * (53:28) - Family drama * (56:15) - Silly things * (59:18) - Further Reading * (01:05:27) - Back Matter Further Reading - Our first episode [https://insequence.pictures/episodes/nightwing-vol-1-leaping-into-the-light-by-tom-taylor-and-bruno-redondo] on Nightwing: Leaping Into the Light! - 52 Pickup [https://aftermath.site/52-pickup-podcast-dc-comics/] from Alex Jaffe, Gita Jackson, and Aftermath - DC's 52 [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/52-vol-1-geoff-johns/11968804] (Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, and Greg Rucka) - Gotham Central [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/gotham-central-book-one-in-the-line-of-duty-ed-brubaker/11480576] by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, and Michael Lark - Batwoman: Elegy [https://bookshop.org/p/books/batwoman-elegy-dc-compact-comics-edition-greg-rucka/6d66484202be82a6?ean=9781799501824&next=t] by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III - Greg Rucka's new Batwoman run [https://www.dc.com/comics/batwoman-2026/batwoman-2026-1] - Wiccan: Witches' Road [https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/44249/wiccan_witches_road_2025_present] by Wyatt Kennedy, Andy Pereira, and Lucas Werneck - Super Sons [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/super-sons-vol-1-when-i-grow-up-peter-j-tomasi/11975235] by Peter Tomasi, Jorge Jimenez, and Allison Borges - Batman and Son [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/batman-batman-and-son-grant-morrison/11682564] by Grant Morrison and others - Robin: Son of Batman [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/robin-son-of-batman-vol-1-year-of-blood-patrick-gleason/11761805] by Patrick Gleason - Batgirl [https://www.hoopladigital.com/comic/batgirl-vol-1-silent-knight-kelley-puckett/11683266] by Kelley Puckett, Scott Peterson, Robert Campanella, and Damion Scott - The Teen Titans cartoon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans_(TV_series)] and Batman: The Animated Series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Animated_Series] A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage [https://theworstgarbage.online/] network. Find us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/insequence.pictures] or Tumblr [https://insequence.tumblr.com/]. This week’s panelists can be found at: Matt [https://matthorton.live/] Scout [https://bsky.app/profile/humblegoat.bsky.social] Jillian [https://plottwists.carrd.co/] Editing this week by AJ Fillari [https://ajfillari.carrd.co/]. Cover art by Scout Wilkinson [https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/]. Intro/Outro music by Boqeh [https://boqeh.bandcamp.com/track/tape].