Radio Free Krypton

Toronto creator Kat Verhoeven joins Jacob to discuss Meat and Bone, her web-comic-turned book in which an ensemble cast deals with problems including body-image issues and eating disorders.  Kat tells Jacob about the process of publishing a web-comic in print and about the personal toll of telling such a sensitive story.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support the station and out show on Patreon. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé.

Sometimes writers don't love what they've written. Sometimes comics get misinterpreted. Sometimes one's feelings on what they wrote change with time.  In clips from two of our favourite shows this year, comic creators Dennis O'Neil and Kelsey Wroten candidly reflect on their work.   Dennis O'Neil is an iconic writer famous for his work on Batman and Green Arrow/Green Lantern in the 1970s. Hear the full interview with him here.  Kelsey Wroten is an editorial cartoonist and writer of the book "Cannonball." Hear the full interview with her here.  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was edited by Mitchell Thompson. The original interviews were produced by Justin Chandler, Jacob Dubé and Mitchell Thompson. 

Montreal-based but Toronto-born artist and writer Sherwin Tija channeled a sense of hopelessness when making "Plummet," a new comic in which a woman wakes up to find herself falling, with no end in sight.  Sherwin tells Jacob about the emotions behind the story, which was inspired in part by the September 11 attacks. They also discuss the technical work that went into drawing a book where everything is falling.  This interview was recorded in November 2019. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. 

When it comes to comics, language matters — especially in the case of Dakwäkãda Warriors. Vancouver's Cole Pauls joins Justin to discuss how his Indigenous futurist comic keeps the Southern Tutchone language alive. Much of Dakwäkãda Warriors is written in Southern Tutchone, which Pauls learned growing up in Haines Junction, Yukon. The comic, which was recently published in a collection, tells the story of two Indigenous heroes battling a cyborg Sasquatch and an evil pioneer. Cole tells Justin about his goals for the comic, his self-publishing process and the stellar party his community threw when the book came out. 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.    

Just when you thought you were done with the Canadian election... Winnipeg cartoonist Kaj Hasselriis joins Justin and Jacob to discuss Politikids, his kid-friendly comic about the childhoods of Canada's four major party leaders: Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May. We ask: How should one talk to children about politics and do they even care? NOTE: Since this recording, Elizabeth May has resigned as leader of the Green Party. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Mitchell Thompson. If you like RFK, please consider supporting us on Patreon.

Producer Leena Minifie curated When Raven Became Spider, an exhibit featuring a fusion of Indigenous art and superhero comics. She talks to Justin and Jacob about transformation—the exhibit's major theme—and about keeping stories alive. When Raven Became Spider will be at the University of Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1C03 until Nov. 30. It was organized by the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina. See video from the exhibit in this APTN report. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. You can support us on Patreon here. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

Was Joker a powerful wake-up call about marginalization and inequality? A dangerous call to would-be violent offenders? A fake-deep art project disguised as more? Maybe it's like the titular character once said he prefers: a backstory that's multiple choice. Justin and Jacob discuss alongside friend of the show Ally Enrile. Spoilers! Please help support campus radio at Ryerson University by pledging to our Patreon. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Jacob Dubé. Related reading based on what we discussed in this episode: ‘Joker’ ending explained: Director Todd Phillips on fan theories and open questions What’s the Panic Over ‘Joker’ Really About? The secret to the Joker’s 50 year transition from trickster to ‘twisted’  

This week, Justin and Jacob jump into a new super hero universe with Gundala—an Indonesian superhero movie from comic company Bumilangit— which played at the Toronto International Film Festival this month. They talk about the film's history, recap a Q&A with the director and examine how the American superhero film model is being adapted in Indonesia. Want to support campus radio? Check out the RFK Patreon. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Mitchell Thompson.

Brampton, Ont. comics creator Ricky Lima joins Justin to discuss love, sex and self-publishing. Ricky's work includes Black Hole Hunters Club, Cauldron, Happily Ever Aftr, Undergrowth and Love me, please. The latter provides an honest, wide-ranging look at topics including unrequited love and masculinity. Related listening: Sam Noir on Cauldron  Shane Heron on Black Hole Hunters Club Like the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon! RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

Last year, we published a four-part documentary series all about Prisoners of Gravity, a sci-fi and comics television show that aired on TVO in the early '90s. We went deep into the show's rise and subsequent fall, but also how, even years later, viewers fondly remember how the show's in-depth discussions about comics shaped their nerdy lives. This week, we've combined all four episodes into a feature-length podcast doc for your listening pleasure. It's out of this world! Originally broadcast and supported by CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Written and reported by Justin Chandler and Mitchell Thompson and produced by Jacob Dubé. Like the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon! 

With their skills in character creation and world building, comic creators are some of the biggest fans of tabletop RPGs. In this episode, we put their skills to the test. Join co-host Jacob as he plays an arcane Dungeons & Dragons game with friends of the show Allison O'Toole and Jason Loo, DM'ed by the wonderful Nathaniel Crouch. Can a grad student, a buff goliath, and a used-car salesman defeat the threats of a magic castle? Roll initiative and find out! Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Justin Chandler and Jacob Dube. Like the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon! 

Hosts Justin and Jacob speak with Michael D'Alimonte, the resident Wonder Woman/X-Men expert and reigning best voice in podcasts, about X-Men Grand Design, a massive anthology book that attempts to summarize the entire mutant franchise. They discuss if it worked, and how it stacks up against the latest anthology series, Spider-Man Life Story. Like the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon!  RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was edited by Mitchell Thompson.

Radio Free Krypton and video game show Built to Play team up to take on the Spidered Man. To honour a commitment made during CJRU's last fund drive, Justin Chandler, Daniel Rosen and Arman Aghbali discuss what makes a great Spidey story and talk about the hero's PS4 adventure. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was recorded in March 2019 and produced by Arman Aghbali. Like the show? Please consider supporting us on Patreon! 

Before he makes comics, Winnipeg author and artist Scott Ford makes rules. Scott build virtual sets and plans ahead by plotting things like page size and panel shape to focus his creativity. He tells hosts Justin Chandler and Jacob Dubé how that process translates into the vivid fantasies he creates in stories such as "Ark Land" and "Boreal." Scott also explains what it was like making a newspaper comic for The Manitoban. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Support the station and this show through our Patreon. This episode was edited by Mitchell Thompson.

Hosts Justin and Jacob interview Kelsey Wroten about her comic "Cannonball," which tells the story of a young author's success and her feelings of inadequacy. Kelsey tells RFK about making editorial art for journalistic publications, the art-school pressures not to sell out, and why it sucks when people assume you write auto-bio. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.

Gord Hill, activist and author of "Antifa: The Comic Book," tells Justin and Mitch about using comic-book fist fights to fight fascism. They also discuss the use of comic art by activists and the power of Jack Kirby panels to 'bash the fasc,' and Gord's process for researching and making complex history comics. RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Mitchell Thompson.

Ep 123: Before Endgame, before The Avengers, before Iron Man, there was 2003's Hulk. The film is all over the place, but its unique cinematography and storytelling has potential for a comics movie future we never had. Hosts Jacob and Justin discuss the movie and how its legacy affected our more streamlined modern comics flicks. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Radio Free Krypton and our host station CJRU 1280 AM are launching Patreon fundraising campaigns in the face of looming cuts to station funding. Justin and Jacob explain. **You can support RFK financially with any amount you choose by pledging here: https://www.patreon.com/RFKonCJRU1280AM ** Promo produced by Justin Chandler. Find more about RFK on our website, where you'll find links to our social-media channels and the podcast platforms we're on. The music used in this promo, 'Small Victory' by Steve Combs, is licensed under an Attribution License.

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival, the city's best independent comic celebration, is upon us once again! In between buying an unholy amount of prints and comic books, our hosts Jacob, Justin and Mitchell covered some panels for you to enjoy. Listen in for discussions on how comics can lend itself to Indigenous storytelling, the challenges of getting The Punisher in a Squirrel Girl comic, and how Toronto's high rent can affect your favourite comic creators. Originally broadcast on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. Produced by Jacob Dubé.

Ep 121: 'Avengers: Endgame' was a cultural phenomenon tying together 11-years worth of movies. To tackle that behemoth, RFK assembles a panel of Avengers featuring friends of the show Christine Chua, Sebastian Yūe and Nathaniel Crouch. THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN THIS SHOW. On the docket: How can we judge 'Endgame' as a movie? What was the best storyline the film resolved? What was the standout moment? Was 'Endgame' a good ending? How would you change it? Where does the MCU go next? RFK airs first on CJRU 1280 AM in Toronto. This episode was produced by Justin Chandler.