Robots From Tomorrow!

Robots From Tomorrow

A comix podcast coming to you from somewhere in the multiverse. Stay safe and enjoy your funny books.

  1. 4D AGO · BONUS

    Jim Rugg Talks STREET ANGEL (2014)

    (This interview was originally published in an earlier form on July 21, 2014) From the original episode description: We usually follow up a spotlight episode with either a Previews exploration or a free-for-all. But this week is different because Jim Rugg himself stopped by our center-of-the-earth recording studio to drop some truth about Street Angel and his career. Jim is one of the most flat-out creative talents working in comics and design today, and we couldn't be more thrilled to bring you this wide-ranging conversation. His latest book is a re-release of his first published work: Street Angel. It's available from Ad House Books and finer comic shops everywhere. [This episode is a remastered variant of number 104 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 03:06 - Street Angel Returns 04:42 - AdHouse Reprint Plan 09:20 - Design as Object 11:10 - Paper Stock Deep Dive 15:55 - Street Angel's Influences  20:30 - Lettering and Sound Effects 25:57 - From Mini Comics to Slave Labor 34:13 - Pink Upfront, Homage In The Back 39:20 - Fight Scenes and Page Chaos 44:45 - Scaling Line Weight 45:06 - Gallery Viewing Distance 44:45 - Books vs Wall Pieces 47:23 - Why Make Zines? 50:09 - Zines Inform Everything 51:08 - Work Zine Production 52:47 - Silhouette Zine Aftermath 54:52 - Free Online vs Print Costs 56:47 - Funding Big Ideas 57:38 - Copacetic Archive Book 01:02:04 - Jason Karnes Collection 01:04:01 - Finding New Cartoonists 01:08:03 - Internet Shelf Life 01:11:32 - Locust Moon Nemo Design 01:12:41 - Adventure Time House Style 01:18:28 - Outro

    1h 19m
  2. FEB 19

    Kit Anderson on SECOND SHIFT

    Cartoonist Kit Anderson's first graphic novel Second Shift was first mentioned on the back back in episode 817, where Avery Hill co-publisher Ricky Miller talked about working with her and bringing the book to his London-based company. But today's episode dives into the book with the author herself, which is good news for Greg because he read the book multiple times getting ready for this interview and…he has questions. Second Shift was preceded by a number of short stories and mini-comics, including the Ignatz-nominated "Weeds". "Weeds" and that other work has been collected in the anthology Safer Places, also out from Avery Hill.    She has an MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies and has, among other things, also worked as the Production Manager for friend of the show Josh O'Neill's BEEHIVE BOOKS. So suffice it to say that Kit Anderson knows her way around a comic book, and that is definitely on display with Second Shift.  (We're not the only ones who think that – the New York Public Library put Second Shift on their list of  50 Best New Comics for Adults in 2025!) [This episode is number 827 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro 03:52 - Getting Into Comics 07:17 - CSC Days 09:07 - Finding a Home at Avery Hill Publishing 10:48 - Visual Scripting 20:54 - Refining SECOND SHIFT 23:43 - Ambiguity vs. Missing Pieces 30:40 - The ALIEN In The Room 32:39 - Is SECOND SHIFT a Horror Book? 35:07 - The Bradbury Of It All 37:07 - Birdie's Arc 39:08 - Analog vs. Digital 40:53 - Color 43:14 - Building TerraCorps 47:13 - Ranking the ALIEN Films 51:20 - What's Next 52:54 - Outro

    54 min
  3. FEB 5

    Wes Eastin on SHOPPING FOR SUPERMAN

    Today's guest is on the show to pick up a conversation we started last October when he screened his first feature film, SHOPPING FOR SUPERMAN, at Baltimore Comicon. He is a filmmaker - director / writer / editor / showman / dreamer / and many other things. His nearly 20 years in the film business has produced a CV too extensive to list here, so just take my word for it, this man knows his way around getting things out of the ether and on to the screen.  SHOPPING FOR SUPERMAN, a documentary that took almost a decade to see to fruition, is a love letter to the friendly neighborhood comic store and is both a wonderful reminder for some, and instruction to others, at just how important these places have been for getting comics to this point AND in taking comics into the future we all know they can reach.  The film is available to watch on various streaming platforms and on Blu-Ray from shoppingforsuperman.com, and it goes without saying we highly recommend you do so.  The director is Wes Eastin, and this episode has him sitting down with Greg to talk about the film and its subject matter so near and dear to both their hearts: the local comic book store.  [This episode is number 826 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 - Preamble 02:16 - Roles in Film Production  05:26 - The Passion Behind the Project  08:13 - Building the Documentary  13:25 - Interviewing Comic Shop Owners  17:14 - Creating a Comic Book Shop Set  23:03 - Challenges and Changes 25:59 - Future Projects and Reflections  36:12 - Remote Filmmaking and Technological Advances  36:54 - Building a Film on a Budget and Friendships  38:16 - Challenges and Experiences of Remote Interviews  41:07 - Incorporating Historical Elements in the Film  47:22 - The Role of Comic Shops in the Industry  55:16 - Personal Comic Shop Experiences  01:10:43 - Future Projects and Reflections 01:15:00 - Outro

    1h 16m
  4. The Greatest Bronze Age Batman Stories, Part 2

    JAN 22

    The Greatest Bronze Age Batman Stories, Part 2

    Greg and the DC3Cast's very own Vince Ostrowski continue their dive into gem after Caped Crusader gem of the best Batman stories of the Seventies to mid-Eighties! Come for the Archie Goodwin goodness, stay to find out more about the artistic evolution of Walt Simonson, which of the two hosts is coolest on Marshall Rogers, the correct length of the Bat-Ears, what happens when the Bruces of two different comic book universes collide, the one-stop-comicbooking-shop that is Jim Aparo, Joe Staton and the Justice Society, just how hard Dick Giordano is to pronounce, and much more. All that, and the man who stalks the most dangerous game alive in today's episode! [This episode is number 825 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 – Preamble 03:29 – Part 2 Manifesto 10:51 – Goodwin on DETECTIVE COMICS 13:40 – Jim Aparo and The Ears 23:00 – Using Every Tool in the Toolbox 25:20 – A Batman Story vs A Story With Batman In It 32:41 – MANHUNTER and Walt Simonson 48:06 – Englehart & Rogers' DARK DETECTIVE 57:28 – I Now Pronounce You Bat-Mite! 01:00:45 – DEATH STRIKES AT MIDNIGHT AND THREE 01:04:37 – Joe Staton and the Earth-2 Batman/Huntress 01:11:14 – Untold Legends of Byrne and Aparo 01:17:22 – Thompkins, Brennert, Simonson, Giordano 01:27:14 – When Bruces Collide (BATMAN VS THE INCREDIBLE HULK) 01:34:39 – Recap and The DC3Cast 01:43:00 – Outro     AVAILABILITY The specific comics referred to in this episode are: Adventure Comics #461-463 Batman #321 Detective Comics #437-443, 457, 469-476, 478, 482, 500 DC Super-Stars #17 DC Special Series #15 The Untold Legend of Batman #1-3 Batman versus The Incredible Hulk All these are available as individual issues on the DC Universe Infinite service, except for DC Special Series #15 and Batman versus The Incredible Hulk. The two relevant stories from DC Special Series #15 are available in the Batman Arkham: Ra's Al Ghul collection ("I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!") and Tales of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers collection ("Death Strikes at Midnight and Three"), Batman versus The Incredible Hulk is not available online but was reprinted most recently in the 2025 DC Versus Marvel Omnibus.

    1h 45m
  5. JLU: "For The Man Who Has Everything"

    JAN 8

    JLU: "For The Man Who Has Everything"

    Join Greg and Zach Wilkerson, one-third of the DC3Cast, as they delve deep into the Justice League Unlimited episode 'For the Man Who Has Everything,' adapted from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' classic Superman Annual #11. How deep you ask? Well, audio commentary-level deep! The two's discussion topics range from major differences between the episode and the original comic, to continuity within the DCAU, to the story's emotional impact. Was removing Robin for the JLU episode a smart move? What could this story have looked like if it showed up during Justice League, when each story was a 44-minute two-parter instead of a 22-minute bullet train of an animated episode?  Additionally, they take the opportunity to reflect on the DC3Cast's 10-year (and counting) journey, favorite projects, and upcoming plans. **The commentary-only version of this episode can be found here: ** [This episode is number 824 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 Preamble 00:12 Special Guest Introduction 00:32 Catching Up with Zach 02:14 Discussing DC Three Cast 03:33 Reflecting on Podcasting Journey 16:48 Parenthood and Comics 19:52 Justice League Unlimited Commentary 37:44 The Beginning of the End 38:11 Superman's Perfect World Shattered 39:56 Wonder Woman's Role and Adaptation Choices 42:21 Superman's Emotional Climax 43:46 Batman's Best Day and the Black Mercy 44:50 The Final Battle and Conclusion 56:01 Reflections on Adaptation and Comic Comparisons 01:02:10 The DC3Cast and Future Projects

    1h 2m
  6. 11/13/2025

    Stan Sakai Spotlight @ BCC 2025

    In this panel discussion Greg moderated from this year's Baltimore Comicon, renowned cartoonist Stan Sakai discusses his celebrated career, particularly focusing on his iconic creation, Usagi Yojimbo. The conversation covers various aspects of Sakai's journey, from his early inspirations and the development of the character, to his unique storytelling techniques and processes. He also shares anecdotes about his collaborations, his publishing journey, and the importance of maintaining control over his work. Sakai offers insights into his meticulous research trips to Japan and hints at future storylines, while reflecting on his relationships with industry peers. The episode provides a deep dive into the life and work of a creator who has become a legend in the world of comics. [This episode is number 823 in a series.]     CHAPTERS 00:00 Preamble 00:00 Introduction and Panel Setup  01:23 Stan's Early Career and Inspirations 03:38 The Creation of Usagi Yojimbo 06:15 Research and Real-Life Inspirations 10:29 Balancing All-Ages Storytelling 15:31 Crafting Stories and Artistic Process 19:43 Favorite Samurai Movies and Influences 20:31 Supporting Characters and Spin-offs 21:39 Creators and Publishers: A Journey 22:15 Ownership and Control: The Power of Owning a Character 23:19 Editorial Freedom and Marvel Collaborations 24:04 The Long Storyline of Usagi  25:12 The Role of Editors: A Tribute to Diana Schutz 28:35 Color vs. Black and White: Publishing Decisions 30:04 Returning to Dark Horse: Reasons and Relationships 32:45 The Evolution of Publishing Rights 38:03 Favorite Collaborations and Characters 39:50 Future Storylines and Inspirations 41:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    45 min
4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A comix podcast coming to you from somewhere in the multiverse. Stay safe and enjoy your funny books.