The Comics Alternative

The Comics Alternative is weekly podcast focusing on the world of alternative, independent, and primarily non-superhero comics. (There's nothing wrong with superhero comics. We just want to do something different.) New podcast episodes become available every Wednesday and include reviews of graphic novels and current ongoing series, discussions of upcoming comics, examinations of collected editions, in-depth analyses of a variety of comics texts, and spotlights on various creators and publishers. The Comics Alternative also produces "special feature" programs, such as shows specifically dedicated to creator interviews, webcomics, on-location events, and special non-weekly themes and topics.

Episode 54 - A Creator Spotlight on Dash Shaw

Sep 26, 2013

This week on The Comics Alternative, the Two Guys with PhDs feature another “Creator Spotlight” episode, this one focused on the works of Dash Shaw. Tof Eklund joins Derek in discussing and defining a truly unique presence in comics, an artist whose work has been evolving over the past decade. They begin by looking...

Episode 53.1 - Talking Science Fiction Comics at Collected Comics, Part 2

Sep 20, 2013

It’s time again for the Two Guys with PhDs to head back to Lone Star Comics in Plano, TX, for their monthly on-location show. However, this month it is not Lone Star Comics they are visiting, but Collected Comics. That’s right, Collected bought out the Plano store, so although the Two Guys are at the same physical...

Episode 53 - A Review of Gene Luen Yang’s Boxers and Saints, and Adrian Tomine’s Optic Nerve #13

Sep 18, 2013

This week on The Comics Alternative podcast, Derek is joined by Lan Dong, and the two of them discuss Gene Luen Yang’s new two-volume set, Boxers and Saints (First Second), as well as Adrian Tomine’s Optic Nerve #13 (Drawn and Quarterly). The Two (Guys?) with PhDs begin by briefly discussing the book that Yang is...

Episode 52 - The September Previews Catalog

Sep 11, 2013

It’s that time again to flip through the pages of the Previews catalog, and this week Derek is joined by Bob Bretall of ComicSpectrum to discuss the offerings in the September Previews (Andy couldn’t make it for this episode). Among the many titles they highlight are Clown Fatale, S.H.O.O.T. First, EC Archives:...

Episode 51 - Discussing Rocketeer Comics

Sep 4, 2013

This week on The Comics Alternative the Two Guys with PhDs discuss Rocketeer comics. In fact, it’s an all-Rocketeer episode, from the Dave Stevens material to the most recent manifestation with The Spirit. So come put on your jodhpurs, strap on your jet pack, and get ready to take off as Andy and Derek try their best...