The Graphic Histories Podcast

Part 2 of a fantastic conversation with an industry legend is on the menu this week!Diana Schutz is an industry veteran and legendary editor, most famous for her twenty-five-year tenure at Dark Horse Comics, where she rose to the rank of Executive Editor. She is widely credited with shepherding some of the most influential works in the medium, serving as the longtime editor for Frank Miller on Sin City and 300, as well as overseeing Matt Wagner’s Grendel and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo. Beyond her editorial work, Schutz is a respected translator, notably bringing Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido’s Blacksad to English-speaking audiences, and an educator who has taught comics history and theory at the university level. A member of the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame, her career has been defined by her commitment to creator-owned properties and her mentorship of some of the biggest names in the graphic novel world.Diana talks about her relationship with Dave Simm, her many collaborations with a who's who of mythic comic book creators and finding joy in passing on her years of experience through teaching!Send us Fan MailSupport the show

A titanic two parter kicks off this weeks episode!Diana Schutz is an industry veteran and legendary editor, most famous for her twenty-five-year tenure at Dark Horse Comics, where she rose to the rank of Executive Editor. She is widely credited with shepherding some of the most influential works in the medium, serving as the longtime editor for Frank Miller on Sin City and 300, as well as overseeing Matt Wagner’s Grendel and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo. Beyond her editorial work, Schutz is a respected translator, notably bringing Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido’s Blacksad to English-speaking audiences, and an educator who has taught comics history and theory at the university level. A member of the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame, her career has been defined by her commitment to creator-owned properties and her mentorship of some of the biggest names in the graphic novel world.Diana discusses getting involved in translation, an early extremely short stint in Marvel Comics, weeping when seeing the original art for Frank Miller's 300 and a passion for helping artists to own their own work.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

André finds a yet another kindred spirit and fellow pod-caster who has created a fantastic new graphic novel that revels in the punk scene of artistic collaboration.Dave Baker is an Eisner-nominated writer and artist whose work frequently blends genre exploration with postmodern mystery, notably in the critically acclaimed Mary Tyler Moorehawk, a mind-bending graphic novel that functions as both a "gee-whiz" adventure and a document-based detective story. His recent output continues this versatile streak with Punk’n Heads, a punk romance coming of age tale co-created with Nicole Goux, and Halloween Boy, which follows the surreal voyages of a super-scientist explorer and "archaeologist-for-hire." Across these projects and earlier works like Night Hunters and Everyone is Tulip, Baker has established himself as a distinct voice in the independent circuit, known for his dense world-building and commitment to creator-owned storytelling.Dave talks about loving scrappy wannabe artists, what informed his new book, how much he loves fictional surrealism, how all writers are liars and a hilarious chance witnessing of Werner Herzog in public!Send us Fan MailSupport the show

André has a fun chat with an imaginative creator who overlaps with many of our hosts interests!David Avallone is a prolific writer and filmmaker known for his sharp wit and deep roots in pulp and comic history. He has gained widespread acclaim for his work on iconic licensed titles like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Bettie Page, and The Shadow.In the indie scene, David is the co-creator of the acclaimed series Drawing Blood alongside Kevin Eastman. The project offers a meta-fictional look at the comic industry and famously features the internal creation Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls. With a professional background in film production, David brings a unique, cinematic energy to every script, whether he is exploring supernatural noir or hard-boiled detective fiction.David discusses when directors misinterpret the intention of the writer, shifting his film making skills into the world of comics, the beauty of intertwined universes and as a child having his famous pulp writer father tell him fairy tales with a world war 2 bend.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Our host chats with a guest well versed in all our favourite subjects, myth, legend, film and everything in between!Greg Anderson Elysée is an award-winning Haitian-American writer and educator based in Brooklyn who’s making waves by bringing Black mythology and folklore into the spotlight. He’s best known for his hit series Is’nana: The Were-Spider, a dark fantasy that puts a modern twist on West African and Caribbean legends and has racked up multiple Glyph Awards. From the supernatural mystery of The Gentleman to the sci-fi vibes of Marassa, Greg’s work is all about centering diverse voices and making cultural icons as legendary as any Greek myth. When he’s not crafting scripts, he’s a dedicated filmmaking teacher and a vocal champion for independent creators across the industry.Greg discusses finding comics through an unlikely source, going to film school, finding joy in bringing his cultural myths into the spotlight and why we need to fight our approaching robot overlords!Send us Fan MailSupport the show

A journeyman creator and jack of all trades whose build an immersive fictional world pops in to discuss his work!Braxton A. Cosby is an award-winning author, health professional, and the CEO of Cosby Media Productions. A Doctor of Physical Therapy by trade, he has authored over 20 novels and is credited with pioneering the "Sci-Fance" genre, which blends science fiction with romance. His most notable literary work includes the acclaimed Star-Crossed Saga and the superhero series The Cape. Beyond writing, Cosby is a sports nutritionist, actor, and executive producer who develops intellectual properties across film, television, and his comic imprint, Starchild Comics. Based in Georgia, he continues to lead his production company while promoting wellness through non-fiction works like Fat Free for Life.Braxton discusses finding comics, working across various mediums to continue his stories and the vast world he and his co-creators have created. Send us Fan MailSupport the show

A world we have yet to broach in comics comes to the forefront in our newest episode and that's the realm of erotic fantasy!S. Elizabeth Ransdell is a writer who isn't afraid to lean into the shadows, finding her niche in the visceral world of dark horror and provocative erotic fiction. Perhaps best known for her standout contribution to the Pretty Girls Make Graves anthology, she specializes in stories that explore the raw, often blurred lines between desire, terror, and "feminine rage." Whether she’s scripting high-tension comics or crafting atmospheric prose, Elizabeth’s work is defined by its grit and a refusal to flinch at the heavier side of human nature. Driven by themes of justice and power, she creates immersive, boundary-pushing narratives that stay with you long after the final page is turned.Elizabeth discusses leaving Canada at a young age, writing eroticism, finding the deeper themes in horror and how erotic fiction can have real meaning and doesn't need to be disposable.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

A new book about a legend of underground comix facilities a chat between the editor, our host and the man himself!Denis Kitchen is a foundational figure in the American comic book industry, recognized primarily as the founder of Kitchen Sink Press and a staunch advocate for creators' rights. Emerging from the 1960s underground comix movement, Kitchen transitioned from a cartoonist to a visionary publisher, providing a platform for iconic artists like R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, and Will Eisner. His influence extends far beyond mere publishing; he was a pioneer in establishing creator-owned copyrights and founded the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in 1986 to protect the industry against censorship. Today, he remains a vital custodian of comic history through his art agency and his continued work in preserving the legacies of the medium's greatest pioneers.Kim Munson joins in to talk about compiling this book and her long history with her subject. David discusses censorship, working with iconic creators and testifying as an expert witness in a trial between Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane!Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Letting the kid in you thrive and flex their creativity through comics is a focal point for our newest conversation!Keithan Jones is a San Diego, based comic book creator, artist, and entrepreneur who truly lives by the mantra "the kid in you never dies." As the founder of KID Comics, he turned a childhood passion into a professional career, most notably through his flagship sci, fi series, The Power Knights, a project he first conceived when he was just 11 years old. Beyond his own drawing board, Jones is a major advocate for representation and community building in the industry; he founded Black Comix Day, an annual San Diego event that spotlights Black creators and explores themes of Afrofuturism.Keithan discusses shifting his art style in the 90's, keeping the characters he created alive for decades and the best James Bond!Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Cartooning is the name of the game in the newest episode of our show!George Gant is a cartoonist and illustrator who has mastered the art of finding the funny in the everyday chaos. Best known for his hit webcomic Beware of Toddler, George perfectly captures the hilariously exhausting reality of parenting with a style that’s as vibrant as it is relatable. His work has popped up everywhere from The New Yorker to GoComics, proving he has a knack for making people laugh whether he’s tackling family life or satirical social commentary. When he’s not at the drawing board, you can usually find him championing the indie comics scene and geeking out over the latest in digital art.George talks about finding cartooning through Calvin & Hobbes, Using his own life to built his ongoing strip and receiving the Ringo Award during Covid!Send us Fan MailSupport the show