Intro To Deep Cuts & Creator Spotlight: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, Et Al Storied Arcs podcast

59:29

Send us a text In this episode, Mike and Alex introduce their latest themed set of books (see: Death Month from January 2025), only this time, instead of just a month, it's going to stretch all season. They're calling it Social Media Summer and they're focusing on four comics that utilize and comment on society's relationship with technology, specifically social media. And those books are: Hacktivist by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Marcus To from Boom Studios, Unfollow by Rob Williams and Michael Dowling from Vertigo/DC Comics, Thumbs by Sean Lewis and Hayden Sherman from Image Comics, and Mindset by Zack Kaplan and John Pearson from Vault Comics. Then the guys intro the first offering in Social Media Summer, Hacktivist from Boom Studios. Co-creators Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Marcus To were discussed a few weeks back in the intro to Joyride , and here, the rest of the creative team is covered, including actress Alyssa Milano, colorist Ian Herring, and letterer Deron Bennett (and if you haven't heard the interview with artist Marcus To about Joyride, the origins of Hacktivist are mentioned as well). We'll be covering these books in chronological order as they were originally published in order to track the depiction of technology and social media within each story along side society's relationship to them at that time. That's January 2014 to January 2023; a fair amount changed in the world in that time span, and we're excited to examine it through the lens of these four comics. So go find Hacktivist Volume 1 (issues #1-4) wherever you get your comics and join us here next week to kick off Social Media Summer! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Creator Interview: Marcus To 1:08:45

11 days ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Send us a text This week, Mike and Alex are honored to be a joined by artist Marcus To, one of the co-creators of Joyride! They start with an quick overview on Marcus' work on Hacktivist with Alyssa Milano, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly (a comic you may want to consider picking up soon for discussion on this podcast) before diving into Joyride. Marcus lets us in on the origins of Joyride and how sci-fi storytelling, specifically Star Trek, impacted him as a storyteller and creative, as well as how he and the Hivemind workshopped and developed the ideas of the book. They go into the publication history of the comic, going from an initial 4-issue miniseries to an ongoing, and what kind of effect that had on their storytelling choices and the story's ultimate conclusion. Marcus also shares an incredible story about one of his main inspirations for the Earth we see depicted in Joyride and why the themes of art and music and creativity are so central to the narrative. Finally, they examine how the comic feels more relevant now than it might have when it first came out, and how the the overarching themes in it remain as important as ever to consider and keep in mind. Marcus was so generous with his time and we can't wait to see what projects he has coming out next! You can follow Marcus at his website as well as on Instagram , Bluesky , and whatever we're calling Twitter . You can also purchase his original art at The Artist Bullpen . Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Joyride Volume 3 1:06:49

18 days ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Send us a text "Good and bad, humanity can transform anything into something . We express. We create. Even when we're under a dictator. Even when we can't see the stars, we imagine them." In this week's episode, Mike and Alex return to Earth to wrap up their discussion of Joyride from Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Marcus To with deep dive into Volume 3 (issues #9-12). The guys start by looking at how the story wrapped up, both in a narrative sense (which they both generally enjoyed) and a structural sense (which they both felt was a little rushed). They offer up some potential external factors that may have lead the pacing of the final arc to feel off, and acknowledge that those factors are just a reality of the industry. They guys also imagine a version of this story with just a little more runway to reach its conclusion and ponder what just a few additional issues might have added to this comic. And finally, while examining the ultimate message behind the story of Joyride (see the pull quote above), Mike and Alex spend way too much time wondering if the youths today can identify blind song lyrics from The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, N.W.A., and Radiohead. We really hope you enjoyed this look into an early work from some creators who are now mainstays in the industry, and another book that's become relevant again, years after its original publication (and not for the fun reasons). We'll be back next week to kick off the discussion for another great comic (or comics, perhaps)! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Joyride Volume 2 1:07:48

25 days ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Send us a text "The dead are dead-- and their sacrifices kept me alive. They made this place possible. They made me possible. Moments like this... they matter 'cause they end." This week, Mike and Alex throw a planet-wide rave and jump into Joyride Volume 2 (issues #5-8) by Jackson Lanzing, Colin Kelley, and Marcus To. The guys start by discussing the heavy character focus this volume takes, and how that (mostly) pushes the narrative forward. They also praise the art team of Marcus To and colorist Irma Kniivila for their incredible work, from dynamic splash games to creative paneling, and examine how that work enhances the storytelling throughout the book. Finally, they look at this volume's cliffhanger ending and contemplate what this series might have looked like had it run longer versus setting up for a landing in four issues. The discussion wraps up next week with Joyride Volume 3 (issues #9-12) so find it wherever you get your comics and join us again and be a part of the conversation! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

Storied Arcs

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Joyride Volume 1 1:09:49

5 weeks ago1:09:49

1:09:49

Send us a text "Right now, you gotta get it through your propaganda-themed brain that you're not the one giving me the choice. It's 100% the other way around. I'm not going back to a world without stars." Kicking off this season of Stories Arcs, Mike and Alex hijack a spaceship and head out into the unknown as they dive into Joyride Volume 1 (issues #1-4) by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Marcus To from Boom Studios. The guys chat about how the story pacing feels for this first volume, knowing that for at least one issue, this was only meant to be a 4-issue miniseries, and what things (if any) might have been altered as the plan shifted into a longer run. Then they break down the three main characters- Uma, Dewydd, and Catrin- and examine the ways each of them both reinforce and subvert the conventional character architypes they fulfill for this kind of coming-of-age story. Finally, they take a look at the ways in which the fictional totalitarian world of Joyride kinda maybe sorta has more relevance to the real world in 2025 than it did when it was first published in early 2016, and wonder a bit if that contributed at all to the publication of its recent complete collection edition. Probably just a coincidence. The journey into deeper outer space continues next week, so go find Joyride Volume 2 (issues #5-8) wherever you get your comics and join us here for the next discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Intro to Joyride & Creator Spotlight: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Marcus To, and Irma Kniivila 46:18

6 weeks ago46:18

46:18

Send us a text For this season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are heading back into outer space to dive into Boom Studios' Joyride from co-writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly (aka the "Hivemind"), artist Marcus To, and colorist Irma Kniivila. The guys run through the comic book history of the full creative team (including letterer Jim Campbell), along the way noting on how and when each of them first came across the book, and discuss how the creators are far more recognizable names now than they were when the book first came out. Then they talk a little about what drew them to the story and give a spoiler-free tease for the series. It's another version of the kids-on-bikes setup (think Paper Girls or Outpost Zero ), but instead of bikes, the kids here just steal a whole spaceship. This is a really fun, early work from some creators who are now mainstays in the industry, and we're excited to jump in. So go find Joyride Volume 1 (issues #1-4 if you're reading the floppies or have the recently-released complete collection edition) and join us here next week to get into it! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Top 10 Volume 2 1:17:55

7 weeks ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Send us a text “Just look above you. Do you see? That is called the Immense Board of Lights. And there is the Great Black. And, strewn across it, small and surrounded and vulnerable and brave… there is the Great White.” This week, Mike and Alex wrap up their discussion of Top 10 by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon with Volume 2 (issues #8-12) of the initial run. They guys jump right into issue #8, The Overview, and discuss the major themes it presents. They also delve into why the issue so highly regarded and the effect it has over how the entire series is remembered. From there, the move into the remainder of the issues, touching on how the book shifts into a more conventional, everything-is-connected superhero-type story construction and diving into how that meshes with the more procedural storytelling presented into the first volume. The guys wrap things up with some legacy talk about Top 10 and its influence on the cop comic genre going forward. We hoped you enjoyed this look at a critically beloved comic from one of the masters of the craft, and while we aren't covering them on the show here, we definitely recommend checking out the Top 10 sequel and spin-off stories (Smax, The Forty-Niners, Beyond the Furthest Precinct, and Season 2) because what is being a comic reader if not being a completionist. We'll be back next week to kick off a new discussion into another great comic. See you then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Top 10 Volume 1 1:13:48

8 weeks ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Send us a text "Listen, I got a call for you and Slinger. Irma and Li are at Seventh and Macaroni handling some kind of psychokinetic Santa." Welcome to a new season of Storied Arcs, and Mike and Alex are here to dive into Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon's Top 10 Volume 1 (issues #1-7) from America's Best Comics/DC Comics. The guys jump right in, discussing the denseness of Alan Moore's writing and the way he, Ha, and Cannon build their world so it feels both new and recognizable at the same time. They talk about the dissonance the comic creates in the reader's mind, playing off the preconceived notions of both police procedural and superhero stories, and how that dichotomy can be a little confusing at first. They guys also discuss what this book would have been had it be published 15-20 years later (and had Alan Moore not been the writer) and how the bones of Top 10 make it a perfect candidate for the current comic trend of micro-universes. There are, of course, sequels and spin-off (which we won't be covering), but a more modern-thinking approach to the publishing could have really expanded the world. Next week, we're diving into Volume 2 (issues #8-12), which includes one of the more celebrated single-issue stories of recent memory, so go find the remaining issues of Top 10 by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon and join us here again to break it all down! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Intro to Top 10 & Creator Spotlight: Alan Moore, Gene Ha, Zander Cannon, and Todd Klein 1:01:03

9 weeks ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Send us a text For this season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex will be tackling the critically-acclaimed, multi-dimensional police procedural comic Top 10 (issues #1-12 of the original series only) from America's Best Comics (aka Wildstorm aka DC) by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon. They start with some background on America's Best Comics and use that to track the publication history of Top 10 and its subsequent spinoffs and sequels through the years. Then the guys attempt to (briefly) cover the comics history of writer Alan Moore ( he's Alan Moore, folks ), along with the works of artists Gene Ha and Zander Cannon, and letterer Todd Klein. To close, they give a short, spoiler-free synopsis for the book and talk a little bit on why they picked it for the show. For our purposes, we'll just be focusing on the original Top 10 comic from 1999 to 2001 (issues #1-12) and breaking our discussion across two trade collections as they were originally published- issues #1-7 first and then issues #8-12 to close. We understand that the most likely way of reading Top 10 at the moment is either the 2015 single-trade collection published under the Vertigo banner or the 2023 compendium containing all of the Top 10 series, spinoffs, and specials, but the single issues are out there to be discovered as well. However you find it, go read Top 10 Volume 1 (issues #1-7) and join us back here next week to jump right into the discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Creator Interview: Helena Masellis 1:01:45

10 weeks ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Send us a text This week, Mike and Alex have the good fortune to be joined by another incredible member of the Deep Cuts team, all the way from Italy, artist Helena Masellis! Helena starts by describing the comic scene she was exposed to growing up in Brazil, from both the US and Asia, and how that influenced a whole generation of Brazilian artists. They also discuss into the importance of having diverse voices from all different backgrounds contributing to comics and how the widening of the talent-pool net has led to better stories. Then they dig into Deep Cuts issue #2, Helena's issue, and go deep into things- from her process as an artist to working with colorist Igor Monti to all of the Wizard of Oz references peppered throughout the issue. Helena also describes how the scripts she received from Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark gave her the freedom to express the story in the way she felt was best, and explains why, despite having never been to Chicago before, the 1920s jazz era was already perfectly suited for her to draw. We can't thank Helena enough for being so generous with her time (especially with the time difference) and we can't wait to get our hands on the the four(!!!) different books she's working on currently (well, three, I guess, for those of us in the US). You can follow Helena on Instagram and Bluesky , and you keep track of all her work on her Linktree . Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Creator Interview: Joe Clark 1:44:47

11 weeks ago1:44:47

1:44:47

Send us a text In this week's episode, Mike and Alex are elated to be joined by Joe Clark, one of the co-writers/creators of Deep Cuts! Joe starts off by giving his origin story, both in comics and in music, and tells us how the meeting of those two things in high school led him to befriending Kyle Higgins, this co-writer/creator on this project. Then the guys go deep into Deep Cuts, discussing where the idea came from, how Joe got involved, and what the process was like working (and juggling) with six completely different artists. He addresses the delays that occurred during publication and how that had a chain effect on the remaining issues at the time, and touches on how important it was for continuity to have one colorist and one letterer for the entire run. From there, Joe essentially takes us issue by issue, praising the work of the artist each time, and providing fascinating additional historical context and real-world comps for the characters, situation, and environments depicted throughout the series. He also peels back the second, third, and sometimes fourth layers built into every issue, shining a light on some of the hidden and less-obvious things they put to page. Maybe have a notepad at the ready when you listen; Joe names of a ton of jazz musicians from across the eras that you're definitely going to want to remember to check out later. You can follow Joe at his website as well as on Instagram , Bluesky , and whatever we're calling Twitter right now. There are also direct links to his Spotify and Apple Music pages. You can listen to "I'm Just Here For The Music," Gail Geldstein's song from Deep Cuts issue #2, on YouTube . Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Deep Cuts 1:49:40

12 weeks ago1:49:40

1:49:40

Send us a text "Jazz, America's music, was born from a combination of uptown and downtown, of high art and low places. Now, it combines the free, the electronic, the spiritual, the revolutionary, the ancient, the immediate." In this week's discussion, Mike and Alex jump right into Deep Cuts by co-writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark and a stable of brilliant artists from Image Comics. In a break from the usual, the guys (mostly-ish) go through the book issue to issue, touching on the era of jazz each issue covers and highlighting each issue's artist (shout out Danilo Beyruth, Helena Marsellis, Diego Greco, Ramon Perez, Juni Ba, and Toby Cypress). They go deep into the use of color throughout the comic and marvel at colorist Igor Monti's work, bridging themes and ideas across six very different art styles. Finally, the guys look at all the ways this anthology weaves itself into one story and discuss why for this particular book, acknowledging those connections within the structure story was important to the overall meaning of the comic. We hope this comic encourages some of you to take a deeper dive into one or more eras of jazz, as Deeps Cuts, despite the title, can only really scratch the surface. We have another special episode coming your way soon, so stay tuned and we'll see you back here next week! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Intro to Deep Cuts & Creator Spotlight: Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, et al 1:15:08

13 weeks ago1:15:08

1:15:08

Send us a text For this season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex dive into the beautiful chaos that is jazz as they get ready to discuss Deep Cuts from Image Comics by co-writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark along with a litany of incredible artists. A different artist is brought in for each of the 6 double-sized issues of this anthology miniseries: Danilo Beyruth, Helena Masellis, Diego Greco, Ramon Perez, Juni Ba, and Toby Cypress. The guys run through the notable credits of the entire creative team, including colorist Igor Monti and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (who seems like has lettered every book they've covered this year). Finally, they give a quick synopsis of the Deep Cuts and give a little preview as to what drew them to the comic and why it's worthy of discussion. This comics is a story about jazz, which in turn in is, a lot of ways, the story of America in the 20th Century, so go find Deep Cuts (issues #1-6) wherever you get your comics and join us again next week to dive into it! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Creator Interview: Matthew Erman 1:17:54

14 weeks ago1:17:54

1:17:54

Send us a text This week, Mike and Alex are super stoked to be joined by Matthew Erman, one of the co-writers/creators of Golgotha Motor Mountain! Matthew first gives his comic origin story before diving head first into the entire publishing saga (and that might be an understatement) of Golgotha Motor Mountain. He covers where the initial idea for the comic came from and how the creative team eventually came together, then discusses in detail how changes at the publisher level at IDW trickled down and had a major impact on their final product. It's a candid look at an unfortunate reality that's ever too present in the comics industry. Along the way, they praise the incredible work that Robbi Rodriguez, Marissa Louise, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou did throughout the comic, and Matthew touches on how each one brought their absolute best to the project. Matthew was wonderful with his time and candor, and the guys did their best not to get too hyper-local Ohio about things. But at the end, Matthew reveals the one thing in the book that still bothers him, that one is extremely hyper-local Ohio. Sorry, not sorry. You can follow Matthew at his website as well as on Instagram and Bluesky . There are also direct links to his IndieBound shop and Hoopla author page . Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , Twitter/X . Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!…

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Golgotha Motor Mountain 1:27:08

14 weeks ago1:27:08