We’re back to read volumes 2 and 3 of "O Human Star" by Blue Delliquanti. This time we get into the trans text and subtext of the series, how metaphor and text support each other, and break down the main characters to see what makes them tick. We’ve got an alternate political universe, a true AI singularity, disability representation, a long-expected Astroboy moment, and some unexpected difficulties with pho to get through. Let’s go!
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani.

eps. 111: "O Human Star" Vol. 2&3 by Blue Delliquanti

We’re doing something different for this episode. In between our regular panels on great graphic novels lies the gutter (get it?). And in the gutter this week, Diamond Distributors, who once held a monopoly on delivering comic books to readers, just filed for bankruptcy. What does this mean for comics? What even is “distribution?” Jeff, Jam, and JD are here to let you know, in our first mini episode on topics behind the scenes in comics. 
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani.

eps. 112: Gutter-Takes: On Distribution

This week Jam, Jeff, and JD read the first two volumes of "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani. As Jeff says in the episode, this is a deep dive into queer culture in Japan that celebrates the importance of community and third spaces. Join us as we visit the town of Onomichi, with its cats and old houses, its queer drop-in centre and its many photogenic bridges. This is a different kind of manga, and a unique story in comics.
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on volumes 3 and 4 of this series.

eps. 113: "Our Dreams at Dusk" Vol. 1&2 by Yuhki Kamatani

Our panellists are back with volumes 3 and 4 of "Our Dreams at Dusk" by Yuhki Kamatani. This time we get to talk about all the characters in depth, including matters of life, death, marriage, and friendship. We finish off the series knowing a lot more about the characters, but not everything! We also talk about the founding of Cloudscape, and the difference between understanding and acceptance.
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

eps. 114: "Our Dreams at Dusk" Vol. 3&4 by Yuhki Kamatani

It’s time for another Gutter-Take. Webcomics are harder to find than ever. Or is it the opposite? Where do you find your webcomics, and how do you get readers to find yours? Jeff, Jam, and JD have questions and also answers.
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on "The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck.

eps. 115: Gutter-Takes: On Finding Webcomics

We’re going back to 1987 to read "Kraven’s Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, which collects issues from The Amazing Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man. This is a classic capes and tights story about how some men will fight a decade-long battle to best Spider-Man in hand-to-hand combat rather than go to therapy. Several content warnings apply to this journey through Peter Parker’s emo phase, but you don’t need to be steeped in nostalgia to appreciate the trip.
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada.

eps. 116: "The Amazing Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt" by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck

For this episode our panel read "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and Ryan Estrada. This book follows Hyun Sook's adventures as a young revolutionary during South Korea's Fifth Republic dictatorship. Because irony is dead, this book has in turn faced book bans of its own. Join us as we talk about the freedom to read, the importance of being able to imagine a different world, that a police state will inevitably do police state things, and how much we love the bus.

Music by Sleuth.

Our next episode will be a minisode on comics / life / balance.

eps. 117: "Banned Book Club" by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, & Ryan Estrada

On today’s Gutter-Take, Jam, Jeff, and JD talk in-depth about our experiences seeking balance between making comics, having a day job, and getting a life. If you’re an artist here’s your chance to learn from our mistakes and match your priorities to your lifestyle.
Music by Sleuth.
Our next episode will be on some of the comics from the Minicomics Awards 2025.

eps. 118: Gutter-Takes: On Comics-Work-Life Balance

The Minicomic Awards are back, and we’re here to celebrate them! For this episode, Jam, Jeff, and JD read as many of the winning comics as we could get our hands on, and some of the nominees as well.

Here are the winners:
Ratgirl by STC09
Scoot by Cam McCafferty
The Pool by Leda Zawacki
Diaphanoids by Anna Bow and Hagai Palevsky
The Ballad of Black Cassandra Olivia Stephens
Wisteria House by Daniela Vicoso
and Alas by Sajan Rai

Here are the nominated books that we also read:
Be Safe by Christine LeSantos
Queen Caterpillar by Virus Visal
Omega Trillionaire by Nick Winn
Scarlit Geyre by Jon Cairns
Girl Stuff 1.11 by Yaster Goodman
Agents Gorgeous by Gang Fight

Music by Sleuth.

eps. 119: The Cartoonist Co-Op Minicomic Awards 2025

In today’s episode we discuss "Blurry" by Dash Shaw, a nesting onion of vignettes of the lives of people facing indecision. Follow along as we fight our way through the fog and find out how they’re all connected. Take a delicious detour with us as we pick apart the mechanics of how this comic is built, from its 4/4 beat of the page layouts to the sparse but grounded character designs.

Music by Sleuth.

Our next episode will be about "Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir" by Tessa Hulls.

eps. 119: The Cartoonist Co-Op Minicomic Awards 2025

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