Episode 250: Understanding Comics

2026-02-04

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On this milestone episode, we tackle our white whale of show subjects: Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud's fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the comics medium, how it works, and what it can do – told in the comics format! Join us as we ask the burning questions: What ARE comics, anyway? How long has this particular form of communication been around? (Hint: Longer than you think!) How many different ways can it illustrate the passage of time or the concept of movement? What are the six steps of the creative process? How far down a nerd rabbit hole can Curt and Kevin go? (Pretty far!) And will this landmark textbook make the grade and go the head of that comics classroom known as … The Comics Canon?

Join us as we ask the burning questions:

What ARE comics, anyway? How long has this particular form of communication been around? (Hint: Longer than you think!) How many different ways can it illustrate the passage of time or the concept of movement? What are the six steps of the creative process? How far down a nerd rabbit hole can Curt and Kevin go? (Pretty far!)

And will this landmark textbook make the grade and go the head of that comics classroom known as … The Comics Canon?

Also in This Episode!

· You mean this ISN'T what Scott McCloud looks like?

· Ooh, bar graphs!

· Inconsistent bullies are the worst kind of bullies

· Reinventing Comics

· The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s: An Exploration, by Paul Cornell

Join us in two weeks as we mark our 10-year anniversary with "The Gateway Episode" – highlighting comics and graphic novels for newcomers to the comics medium!

Until then:Please consider donating to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise! Rate us on Apple Podcasts! Send us an email! Hit us up on Facebook or Bluesky!

And as always, thanks for listening!

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