Radio Free Krypton

Jacob and Justin follow up on a 2017 interview and talk to Safiyya Hosein, a comics writer and researcher who studied the significance of Muslim superheroes in comics. Following the news that a Canadian was cast to play Ms. Marvel in an upcoming TV show, they discuss how Muslim participants in Safiyya's study feel about the representation of Muslim superheroes including Ms. Marvel and X-Men's Dust. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

We're taking it back to 2017, where Jacob goes solo and speaks with Neil Gibson, the author of Twisted Dark, a huge, thrilling, and incredibly organized series of connected stories. We talk about the books, comic TV shows, and some tips on good comic storytelling. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

For this year's CJRU fund drive, we partnered with the station's gaming show, Built to Play, to bring you "Crisis of Toxic Nerds," a two-part documentary investigating where the toxicity in geek culture comes from, and what we can do about it. Listen to their part, all about video games, here. In this part, RFK hosts Justin and Jacob try to make sense of an old beast with a new face: Comicsgate. They speak to comics writer and editor Stephanie Cooke, rapper More or Les, professor Benjamin Woo and writer and PhD candidate Safiyya Hosein about how toxicity develops and the importance of diverse representations in comics. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Written and reported by Justin Chandler and Jacob Dubé. Produced by Jacob Dubé, Justin Chandler and Mitchell Thompson.  

Especially in a time where going outside and meeting strangers might not be the best plan, listen in as Jacob speaks to Matt McGrath, creator of the upcoming comic ID-10T Error, about the challenges of funding a comic through Kickstarter, and getting noticed in the comics world without going to conventions.  Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Cartoonist Howard Chackowicz tells Justin about his new book on cruelty, "Nothing to See Here," and about his time on WireTap, the fan-favourite CBC Radio show that's back on air this summer.  Howard digs into his passion for creator-owned comics and the Montreal indie scene of the '90s, then waxes poetic about his love of superheroes.  They also talk about a dirty Aquaman joke.   RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

In the mid '60s, with Batman big on TV, legendary radio man Dick Orkin brought Chickenman to air. The audio comedy gained a loyal following and still plays on the radio. Now, Orkin's daughter Lisa is re-releasing the series on streaming platforms.  Justin and Jacob talk to the Los Angeles creator about the program, its revival,  what it was like working with her dad, and lessons for radio she's still using today.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. You can support the station on Patreon here. 

Derek Jessome and Jeff Knott, two animators turned comic creators from Dartmouth, N.S., tell Justin about Grandway Comics, their line of Silver Age inspired titles.  With the second issue of "Space Cowboy and the Triumphanteers" out now, Derek and Jeff share why they loved the era of comics when heroes were good, bad guys were bad and books were more geared toward children.  They talk about why they've clear of camp and about their efforts to tell detailed, complex stories to readers of all ages.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

For the coveted 150th episode of RFK, hosts Justin and Jacob talk to Dave Howlett, manager of the Strange Adventures comics shop in Halifax, and creator of the new comic series The Makers. We talk about running a comics store during a pandemic, and creating a tribute to the buff, edgy, but exciting era of '90s comics. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

American author J.B. Lion's upcoming Seventh Spark series spins a fantasy yarn about good, evil and humanity's flaws. He tells host Jacob Dubé about his unique multimedia approach to storytelling.  J.B. also shares how events like the police killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against anti-Black racism inform his work.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

Hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Francis Desharnais, author of a graphic novel recollecting the story of Guyenne, a small Quebec town that operates entirely as a collective, where every villager shares what they have with the rest, which gave the village the nickname 'Little Russia'.  Desharnais talks about speaking to family members who lived in the village, how to properly retell their stories and what he's learned from the experience. RFK is broadcast first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

Canadian-born cartoonist and animator Graham Annable tells Justin and Jacob about the book he would have released at TCAF, and what he's learned throughout his varied career.  Graham's latest work is the third in his Peter and Ernesto early reader series called Sloths in the Night. He's also the Oscar-nominated co-director of The Boxtrolls movie and has a long history in animation, with stints at LucasArts and Telltale. He's even done Spongebob comics. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Please support our show and the station on Patreon. 

Hosts Jacob Dubé and Justin Chandler speak with fan-favourite comic creator Andrew MacLean, creator of Head Lopper and Apocalyptigirl, about staying afloat in a shaky comic industry, as well as taking Head Lopper in a more emotional direction in the latest volume. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.  You can support the station and our show on Patreon. 

Sean Jordan — AKA the rapper Wordburglar — tells Jacob and Justin about a comics project he's bringing back and shares how he's staying creative during the pandemic. He also digs into some reading recommendations in case your comics pile is getting a little low.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station and our show on Patreon. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.  Stay safe! 

Making comics is a solitary business. Making comics in the pandemic? Even more so. Toronto cartoonist Eric Kostiuk Williams joins RFK to talk about his new pandemic comics for Now, which have covered quarantine dance parties and lonely walks through Ontario Place. He also shares how a Grant Morrison book club got him a gig designing an album cover for rock band F*cked Up.   Radio Free Krypton airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.  You can support RFK and the station on Patreon. 

Mississauga, Ont. artist Megan Huang tells Justin and Jacob what it's been like for her to navigate the comics world. They discuss her newest project "Jia and the Nian Monster" and her love of crossovers.  Megan also shares what she's been up to since the pandemic threw a wrench into what would have been a month of celebrating new releases.  Radio Free Krypton airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.  You can support RFK and the station on Patreon. 

From a safe social distance, Toronto comic artist Shane Heron tells Justin and Jacob what the cancellation of upcoming comic conventions means for the launch of his newest project: the latest issue of Cauldron Magazine.  March's Toronto Comicon was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and so was May's Toronto Comics Art Festival (TCAF). On top of that, comic stores are closing and Diamond Comic Distributors is no longer shipping books to shops.  All of it is bad news for small-time comic creators and comics retailers.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.  From CBC Arts: Here's where Canadian artists and freelancers can find help during COVID-19 shutdowns And for anyone in need of financial aid: What you need to know about the new COVID-19 benefits program

This week on RFK, hear Halifax artist Alexander Forbes, who—along with Kris Bertin—made the Hobtown Mystery books "The Cursed Hermit" and "The Case of the Missing Men."  Alex tells Justin and Jacob what went into designing the spooky but nostalgic setting of Hobtown. He also digs into how he and Kris take inspiration from every-day weirdness. Radio Free Krypton airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station and the show on Patreon. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.  

Kelvin Nyeusi Mawazo creates the Afrofuturist Black Sun Comics. He tells Justin about making a webcomic, expanding his creative team and writing a background for a fantasy series. This episode aired on July 26, 2018. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Mitchell Thompson.

The RFK Star Wars panel holds court to talk about new storytelling potential now that the Skywalkers have left the building.  As books and TV series explore new corners of the galaxy, comics editor and writer Allison O'Toole (Wayward Kindred) and writer/artist Jason Loo (Afterlift) tell Justin and Jacob what stories they're excited for.  Includes major spoilers for Episode IX and minor spoilers for The Mandalorian. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station and this show on Patreon. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler. 

When artists move to a neighbourhood and open up shops and studios, property prices can increase and force people out. Hamilton writer and artist Sylvia Nickerson's comic "Creation" grapples with the role art plays in gentrification. Sylvia sits down with Justin and Jacob for a self-aware interview exploring her book's unique visual style and the tensions it brings to light. This interview references the Hamilton Spectator's Code Red series of reporting, which can be found here.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Please support the show and station on our Patreon. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.