Inside Graphic Novels

Listen to this podcast to delve into the story of Japanese American's as many went from successful and hardworking members of society to being effectively incarcerated for their race at "Internment camps". Told by the world famous George Takei, Sulu from StarTrek) the story is a brave and significant body of work that helps us face how the evils of politics can lead to persecution on the basis of race. An important book for anyone looking to understand the many faces of America and how history can help us avoid making the same mistakes in the future. 

Exposing Superman as the ultimate immigrant, DC Comics rocks the anti-racist theme with a smash out of the ball park with "Superman Smashes the Klan". Pulling back the curtain on 1930's and 1940's Americana, Gene Luen Yang together with the masterful illustration of team Gurihiru comprised of the Japanese duo - Chifuyu Sasaki (work plan design, pencils, inks) and Naoko Kawano (work plan design, colours, web design), the special brings us a Manga meets the DC Superman franchise set in a time and place that few are familiar with. Joined by "Super" teacher, Michael Gianfrancesco as our first guest ever on the Pod, we dive into this game changing comic for educators and readers. 

Alyssa Milano, actress, activist and now conceiver of graphic novels takes all of us on a ride through a story that spans continents and the world wide web as her tech bro, billionaire duo showoff the power that resides with the few that control the flow of information. Arab Spring meets Silicon Valley in a web of mis/dis information and intrigue cast partially by the world of agencies, spooks and revolutionaries all out to settle scores and fix the world as they see it best fit. 

Apollo, the graphic novel published by Self Made Hero in 2018 provides the full account of the Apollo 11 mission along with the backdrop of the United States in the 1960's. President Nixon and the cast and crew of Apollo 11 do not disappoint the reader as the trio of Fitch, Baker and Collins deliver us an intimate audience with a defining moment for mankind, the first humans to travel to, land on the moon and return safely. 

Muhammad Ali is graphic literature that does justice to the most iconic sportsman of the century. From his humble roots in Louisville, Kentucky to his fights around the world and becoming the first man to win the World Heavyweight Championship 3 times, the graphic novel feels like you are a spectator at the fight. Get ready to hear the bell ring, the punches land and the crowd cheer as you flip through round after round of boxing's lyrical genius. He was the greatest. Originally launched by the Belgian powerhouse, Le Lombard, and now published for the English speaking world by Dark Horse, Muhammad Ali is a must-read for any one who marvelled at the life and times of the boxer.

Max Brooks has masterfully crafted Harlem Hellfighters as a semi-fictional account of World War I's very first black infantry battalion. This episode takes you under the skin of this seminal race related graphic novel to shine a light on the importance of what Black soldiers delivered during the First World War and why in today's world this story matters more than ever. Black Lives Matter! Includes exclusive interviews with both the author and the artist. Catch them now in this pod! 

Largely focused on the life and influences that shaped the life of Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky and his classic bande dessinée The Incal, this first Episode of Inside Graphic Novels is an introduction to the world of the visual medium and the people behind its rise with Farid Haque your host.