Comicscape - April 5, 2006

By: Kurt Amacker
Date: Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Rising quickly in world of small press and self-published comics, the New Radio has begun carving its own space of avant-garde comics-as-literature. The New Radio is the brainchild of Alex Cahill and Jad Ziade. Cahill's first published effort, the one-shot SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR won the coveted Xeric grant for self-publishers. With virtually no dialogue, Cahill conveyed a tale of sadness and loss, elevated by a sense of wonder at the story's end. His newest book, THE LAST ISLAND, has just been released as well. Still forgoing dialogue, it presents an almost whimsical tale of culture clash and invasion. POISON THE CURE, Cahill's first collaborative effort with writer Ziade, will employ dialogue and occurs in a more familiar cyberpunk setting. I interviewed Alex this weekend, and we talked about some of the headier aspects of comics and creative endeavors. Enjoy!

KA: Give us a little background about The New Radio. Obviously, you got the Xeric grant, but take us back to the beginning. It's your show, so tell it like it is.

AC:The New Radio started as New Radio Comics. It was gonna be me and my longtime friend and artist, Marcus Gannuscio. We were on summer break from art school in 2003 in San Diego, which is where we're from, and we were obsessively drawing these terrible comics. The stories were gonna serve as primers for sprawling, earth-shattering ongoing books that of course never happened. Mine was so bad and so densely wordy that it was a partial inspiration to cut the words entirely out of my first book.

Anyway, after our next year of school Marcus lost interest in pursuing comics and a friend of ours from San Diego came up to Portland where were living and took us up on our offer to be a part of our nascent company. I started SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and that friend, Jad Ziade, set up our webpage and got to work on his own projects. All the way through SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and THE LAST ISLAND he's been helping out and writing his big book, which I'm gonna draw. The New Radio is Jad and I. We were asked not to use the name New Radio Comics by the folks at Radio Comix, which turned out to be a blessing, but it's still pretty much what Marcus and I had originally envisioned: having fun doing the stuff we've always wanted to do.

KA: SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and THE LAST ISLAND are both silent, pantomime books. Why do you use that format? What do you prefer about it? Will POISON THE CURE be silent as well?

AC: I used the format for SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and THE LAST ISLAND because I really thought that for what I wanted to do with those stories, words were irrelevant. SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR would have been a drag to make and to read if it was chock-full of all the things that would get said to the poor guy who goes through all that crap. That's what the smiley faces are about. I was also challenging myself not to rely on words and was afraid to get carried away with them again. THE LAST ISLAND had no words because I thought from the start that I was describing a world that words had no place in. That landscape is so imaginary and all the events are so surreal. I thought the descriptive power of words would've made things too real, too realistic, casual and mundane. I also had plans for image-based dialogue originally, but that never happened.

I don't even know if I do necessarily prefer silent books. There are few I've seen that I like. I'm mostly in love with powerful passages of silence in books that have words. I think Jim Woodring's quiet stuff is some of my favorite creative work in any discipline ever, but mostly I don't know if I like silent books. I guess that makes me kind of a jerk. I dunno. POISON THE CURE will be different. It'll have words, and Jad's writing them all.

KA: Poison the Cure obviously has some cyberpunk elements in it, but SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and THE LAST ISLAND weren't really genre works. Do you intend to steer clear of genre material (heroes, sci-fi, horror) and focus on more "literary" subject matter, or do you have no particular intentions? Why?

AC: Dude, in my bones I'm a comic geek. In my BONES. I will probably never make a superhero book -- although there will kinda be a superhero in my next solo bookbut I'm not the kinda indy snob that's trying to say that nothing worthwhile ever gets done in superheroes, sci-fi or horror. I have no particular intentions to stay in any genre, and my roots will probably always show a little. I have ideas and my ideas always write themselves. I won't stand in the way of any of them because they don't fit into a category. Maybe nobody really does that, but it sure does seem like it. I think categories suck. I think categories and creators' gravitation toward the proven trends in mainstream and indy comics freaking kill it for people with fresh ideas. Painfully cute or melodramatic indy comics? Mediocre mainstream brawls? We're overrun by that stuff. I never want to be defined that easily.

KA: While Poison the Cure seems like political science fiction, your first two books touch on more esoteric, philosophical subject matter. THE LAST ISLAND seems to have a political allegory (feel free to disagree), but it's buried pretty deeply. Is POISON THE CURE an effort to be more direct in your intentions -- to get a message across -- or do you see it as just another story, interpretations be damned?

AC: It's definitely an effort to be more direct, but it's not my effort. It's Jad's. He and I have different approaches as writers. I love the esoteric, philosophical stuff, and I love to do it with distance and ambiguity. Jad is more direct. But he's not the type to beat people over the head, and that is what I freaking respect about him. POISON is a political work, but it doesn't treat the reader like a moron. I signed on with him for POISON because I wanna see the book get made.

AC: Do you even see yourself in a position to impart some sort of particular position or idea to comic readers, or do you try to avoid didacticism?

AC: Dude, nothing is worse than some artist trying to tell you what to think, feel or do. I will always prefer to ask and be asked than to tell or be told. How valuable is any art that doesn't provoke further thought?

KA: How deliberate would you say your creative process is? Obviously, SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR and THE LAST ISLAND are a lot more obscure in their intentions than a guy in spandex beating up a mugger. When you create comics, do you craft something in particular that you can explain, or is it more intuitive? Or, do you just smoke a lot of dope and draw what comes to mind?

AC: Nah, I drink espresso and seriously labor over the sequence of every panel like it's the end of the world. It's very deliberate, but I think it'd be fair to say that it's also intuitive. There are elements of my work that I have a clear idea of and I know will translate more or less as I intend. But there are elements of my work that become ambiguous either on accident or on purpose and I'll roll with them as long as I feel as if I'm gaining more than I stand to lose. There's always at least something I can concretely explain, but honestly, that's never the part I'm most excited about.

KA: What inspires you? I don't just mean what comics have you liked over the years, but does music or other art, or even people or whatever play a role in your internal creative experience?

AC: I'm a big fan of most of the 2-D arts. I got my degree in painting, and good painting really inspires me. Marcus ended up being a painter, and seeing his work get serious and deep inspires me. Serious artists in any discipline that don't take themselves too seriously inspire me. Good comics freaking drive me crazy, though. When I discovered Jeff Nicholson's THROUGH THE HABITRAILS or when I read TRICKED by Alex Robinson last year I felt like I was a kid again. I felt like I was just loving comics again as a reader. That feeling inspires me hardcore. But nothing inspires me more than getting a good idea for a comic out of nowhere and sitting down to write things out. That's the best.

KA: THE LAST ISLAND has received some positive press, including from CINESCAPE. Have you seen any returns on this attention in terms of sales or even greater attention? I heard you had a drawing in WIZARD.

AC: Well the book is actually only coming out now. All the press I've gotten so far is an effect of tossing copies of the book all over the place and hoping to get some good reviews and press in advance. So far it's working, but it's hard to tell in comics what's gonna sell books. There is so much apathy and nostalgia. I get people talking to me about the things they see in, and I'm encouraged. And the drawing in WIZARD was a thrill. But I just wanna reach more people. I want people to try The New Radio out. I can't wait to put The New Radio into the book world and into foreign markets. I want us to be in places where audiences are receptive and don't have the powerful and lingering biases about what comics should be. It's been annoying to feel as if we're too indy for the mainstream folks and too mainstream for the indy folks.

KA: Tell us more about POISON THE CURE? How many issues? What format? Say whatever you want.

AC: POISON is probably gonna be four parts that are 75 to 100 pages each. The first part will be out this year. They'll be sized as standard format and they'll probably be published saddle-stitched about eight to ten months apart. The book's dynamite, man. There'll be preview pages available on the site as we go, too, so everyone should keep up.

KA: Anything else you'd like to add? Want to discuss your unrequited love for pie? Want to propose to an old girlfriend? Go nuts.

AC: Yes! I used to run an international Justice League fan club out of my bedroom in high school. I totally miss it sometimes. I have a record that I completely cannot listen to without remembering those days. Dude, I even had Howard Porter doing a cover for our 'zine while he was the regular penciller for Grant Morrison's JLA! We were the real deal. Oh, good times . . . Hey guys, it's Kurt again. I'd like to thank Alex and The New Radio for their time and attention. Thus far, they've got some great stuff out with more on the horizon. Check them out at The New Radio's website. Next week, I interview Alan Moore. Yes, I'm completely serious.

New This Week
By Al Brown and Kurt Amacker

Anyone wanna hear how my Red Sox are doing this season? They're doing awesome, thanks. On with the comics!

DARK HORSE

Archenemies #1 (of 4) $2.99
Al: Jon Stewart and Pat O'Reilly?
Kurt: Did you mean Bill O'Reilly, or am I missing something?

Grendel Signed And Numbered Ltd Edition Print $100.00

Ju On Video Side TP $9.95
Kurt: I'd just like to say that the Ju-On movies are easily some of the scariest f--king horror flicks I've ever seen. I get chills every time somebody makes that clicking-groaning thing the girl does.

Octopus Girl Vol 1 TP (MR) $12.95
Al: Heh. Yeah, if you're gonna name something "Octopus Girl," it damn well better be Mature Reading.
Kurt: Think of the possibilities. Think of all the suction.

Usagi Yojimbo Signed And Numbered Ltd ED Print $100.00

DC COMICS

Aquaman Sword Of Atlantis #41 $2.99
Al: Do you like Conan, but wish it could be more...watery?
Kurt: As I matter of fact, I don't! Imagine that!

Aquaman Sword Of Atlantis 2nd Ptg #40 $2.99

Aquaman Sword Of Atlantis Variant Cover #41 $2.99
Al: And also that it could have a different cover?
Kurt: Sweet! I'm totally not buying this!

Batman And The Monster Men #6 (of 6) (note Price) $3.50
Kurt: Bow down to the mighty Matt Wagner. I've been saving this mini to read in one sitting, so I know what I'm doing this weekend.

Batman Annual Second Printing #25 $4.99
Kurt: Now, even more convoluted! Actually, with Infinite Crisis: Secret Files and Origins, this makes a bit more sense.
Al: I can't tell if you're kidding or not.

Batman Secrets #2 (of 5) $2.99
Batman: Sometimes I dress up like Superman and pretend I have real superpowers.
Superman: Sometimes I go to your parents' grave and cry like I'm Bruce Wayne.

Blood Of The Demon #14 $2.50

Challengers Of The Unknown Stolen Moments Borrowed Time TP $16.99
Al: Ack! Too many words that don't mean anything! Mind...breaking down!
Kurt: That didn't take long.

Cipher Vol 3 $9.99

Detective Comics #818 $2.50

Ex Machina #19 (MR) $2.99

Ex Machina Vol 3 Fact V Fiction TP (MR) $12.99

Exterminators #4 (MR) $2.99
Kurt: Where retired Terminators go to die.

Hard Time Season Two #5 $2.50

Hellblazer Papa Midnite TP (MR) $12.99

Infinite Crisis #6 (of 7) $3.99
Al: More death! The solit reads, "Which events in this continuing epic will lead us to One Year Later?" Um...unless I'm missing something about how time works, they kinda all will, won't they?
Kurt: The first rule of Infinite Crisis is, you do not ask about Infinite Crisis.

Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006 2nd Ptg $5.99
Kurt: I know this is atrociously overpriced, but buy it anyway.
Al: Why, do you get a gift certificate to Olive Garden if you sell ten of them?
Kurt: All the salad and breadsticks I can eat! Oh boy! I hate Olive Garden!

Jonah Hex #6 $2.99

JSA #84 $2.50
Al: Oh, man...have I mentioned that this has been sucking? Well, it has been.
Al's mom: Have I mentioned that I've been...oh, never mind.

JSA 2nd Ptg #83 $2.50

Justice League Unlimited #20 $2.25

Looney Tunes #137 $2.25

Mad Magazine #465 $3.99

OMAC Project Infinite Crisis Special $4.99
Kurt: I know this is infinite milking, but I've been totally looking forward to this one.

Outsiders #35 $2.50

Planetary #25 $2.99
Al: Intergalactic.
Kurt: Universal.

Robin To Kill A Bird TP $14.99
Al: Get it? It's like "To Kill A Mockingbird," the great Harper Lee novel about racial injustice. Except that it's about superheroes instead.
Kurt: There's a Boo Radley joke to be made here, but it's not coming to me.
Al: Probably for the best.

Superman Second Ptg #650 $2.50

Swamp Thing #26 (MR) $2.99

Team Zero #5 (of 6) $2.99

Teen Titans #34 $2.50

Teen Titans Variant Cover #34 $2.50

Thunderbolt Jaxon #3 (of 5) $2.99

Tom Strong Book Five TP $17.99

Winter Men #4 (of 8) (RES) (MR) $2.99
Al: The sequel to Don Henley's "Boys of Summer."
Kurt: Is that like that calendar you order every year, "The Boys of NAMBLA"?

Y The Last Man #44 (MR) $2.99
Kurt: There's been a notable dearth of hot girl-on-girl action in this series. What gives? I buy for the lesbians, damn it!

IMAGE

Ant #5 $2.99

Astro GN $6.99

Battle Pope Color #6 (MR) $3.50

Bomb Queen #3 (of 4) (MR) $3.50

City Of Heroes #12 $2.99

Lions Tigers & Bears Vol 2 CVR A Lawrence #1 (of 4) $2.99

Lions Tigers & Bears Vol 2 CVR B Weiringo #1 (of 4) $2.99
Kurt: Um, yeah. I can't read Welsh. Try again.

PVP #25 $2.99

MARVEL

Annihilation Silver Surfer #1 (of 4) $2.99
Al: I friggin love the Silver Surfer. He's an alien! On a space surfboard! You can't tell me this isn't what comics should be all about.
Kurt: And he's nude, I tell you! NUDE!
Al: Actually, I've just done extensive research on this, and the jury's still out. I can confirm that he's hung like a chipmunk, though.
Kurt: I always thought you'd come out with more fanfare than talking about the Silver Surfer's package, but different strokes, I guess. Just don't wear hot pants around me and sing "It's Raining Men."

Book Of Lost Souls #6 $2.99
Al: Whenever I see this title I feel like Mentok the Mind Taker is standing behind me making spooky noises.
Kurt: Yeah, sorry about that. I'll stop. You're just so damn gullible!

Doc Samson #4 (of 5) $2.99

Essential X-Men Vol 7 TP $16.99

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four Vol 2 Digest TP $6.99

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #14 $2.99

Marvel Team-up #19 $2.99

Marvel Zombies #5 (of 5) $2.99
Al: Aw, man...this is over already? Bummer. As our zombie heroes finally find out if they can eat Galactus's friggin brain, I find out what the most ass-kickinest book of the week is all about.
Kurt: Well, after a lifetime of eating worlds, I'd say the big purple bastard has it coming.

Moon Knight #1 $2.99
Al: Yeah, I'm into it. The Marvel Universe has a dire shortage of superheroes with their own awesome vehicles, so hopefully the Mooncopter will be around. Also, "Fist of Khonshu" is one of those loopy-sounding 70's concepts that I just dig the crap out of. Normal-book writer Charlie Huston is unproven in the comics world, and David Finch's talent is hotly debated, but this is certainly worth a look.
Kurt: Moon Knight? You're serious? How about a Sleepwalker ongoing next? Ah, I'm kidding. Go crazy.
Al: If you don't have a secret weakness for cheesy 70's superheroes, you're dead inside.
Kurt: I have a weakness for cheesy 70's horror comics. And biscuits -- man, do I love biscuits.

Moon Knight Finch Sketch Variant #1 $2.99

New Excalibur #6 $2.99

Punisher #32 (MR) $2.99
Kurt: Garth Ennis continues to plumb the depths of nastiness. I love this series, but the last arc was kind of like sticking your hand in a meat grinder to see how long you can take it. Kind of like listening to Cannibal Corpse.
Al: You listen to Cannibal Corpse?
Kurt: Um, no. I listen to black metal, not death metal. Emperor rules!

Spider-Girl #97 $2.99
Kurt: Did somebody save her yet?

Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 5 Crossover TP $12.99
Al: The pretty-good arc that started all this Zombie nonsense in the first place.

Ultimate Marvel Flip Magazine #11 $3.99

Ultimate Tales Flip Magazine #11 $3.99
Al: What the hell's the difference between these two? What's going on here?
Kurt: You know what's even more fun than worrying about flip magazines? Pitching change at Al's mom! I love watching the old girl chase rolling nickels to get her fix. Try it sometime!

Ultimate X-Men #69 $2.99

Underworld #3 (of 5) $2.99
Kurt: Sadly, this book has a notable lack of Kate Beckinsdale in black PVC. However, it is a pretty decent book about organized crime in the Marvel Universe.
Al: Agreed on all counts. Pretty much everything would be better with Kate Beckinsale in PVC. Or pretty much anything else, too.

X-Men Apocalypse Dracula #3 (of 4) $2.99

X-Men The End Men And X-Men #4 (of 6) $2.99
Al: Because I don't care about this book, I'm gonna just take this opportunity to repeat: eating Galactus's brain. God, that rules.
Kurt: Pitching change at Al's mom. That just never gets old.
Al: Kurt's mom. That just nev...oh. Never mind.

X-Men Unlimited #14 $2.99
Kurt: After that whole House of M and Wanda-going-batsh-t thing, I'd say they're a whole lot more limited.

Young Avengers #11 $2.99
Kurt: So, when does Old Avengers come out? Come on, old people are hilarious!
Captain America: You're not Bucky, your arm is too shiny! Where's my applesauce?
Kurt: Oops! Iron Man crapped his suit again! I'm out of here.

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@cinescape.com.