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Finally, a fangirl has crashed the clubhouse! I’m Erika Peterman, co-founder of Girls-Gone-Geek.com, and the woman behind the high-pitched voice you’ll hear on this lively episode.
Long before I officially met Dwight, Swain and Adrian, a mutual friend suggested I check out the Sidebar podcast. At the time, I was sampling a truckload of comics-related podcasts for education as much as entertainment, and frankly, only a handful held my interest. But when I heard these guys, I was not only impressed by their depth of knowledge but also struck by how much fun they were having. I instantly felt like I knew them, and I was kinda mad that I wasn’t in the room. It was a bit like eavesdropping on the cool kids’ conversation in the cafeteria and desperately wanting to join in.
So when they invited me to be part of the “Run for Your Life” installment during Dragon*Con, I was thrilled — and a little nervous. I mean,these three really know what they're talking about, and I didn't want to come off like a seventh-grader among Ph.D. candidates. However, recording this episode turned out to be one of the highlights of my weekend. It was just as much fun as I'd imagined when I discovered Sidebar a year ago.
Our task was to discuss a series whose run we enjoyed from beginning to end. My pick was Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly's New York Four/NewYork Five miniseries, an absorbing story about a group of young women in their freshman year at NYU. Wood's writing and Kelly's art are so perfect for each other, which makes for a deeply satisfying read. When people ask me for suggestions of good comics, this is always near the top of the list.
The others chose books I never would have considered but am now eager to read. I only knew Micronauts as old-school action figures, but Dwight totally sold it as a complex, exciting series that still holds up. Who knew that a toy could inspire a comic that touches on heavy-duty topics like genetic engineering? Next, Swain put the spotlight on Dave McKean's Cages, a graphic novel with hauntingly beautiful illustrations. The book's themes of creativity and inspiration are very close to home. Finally, Adrian convinced me that I need to get up on some Jack Kirby, immediately. That's a real gap in my education, and Adrian's passionate commentary on Kirby's classic New Gods epic was mighty compelling — as was the eye-popping art.
I hope you enjoy listening to this installment as much as I enjoyed being part of it. And many thanks to my brothers in geek for inviting me to share the Sidebar microphones!
**The New Gods image used here is the one Adrian references in the conversation. It's Jack Kirby's original drawing with Alex Ross' painting on top of it.
Wow, a shout-out to Micronauts? I thought I was the only one who loved that series. heck I even liked The New Voyages despite the depressing ending. I happily have the complete run of that series including X-Men/Micronauts mini. Think I may need to break it out again.
NY Four is a series I've been meaning to get for awhile now. I gather the first series has been collected? Was it reprinted by Vertigo since MINX is gone?
My first listening here brought by Erika's presence. I enjoyed it.
Posted by: David Schmitt | September 16, 2011 at 07:51
Hi, David! The first series has been collected, and the one I bought had the Minx imprint. Check with your LCS. My shop owner pulled it off the shelf when I told him I was interested in NY5, and I definitely recommend reading them in order.
Posted by: Erika Peterman | September 17, 2011 at 11:37
hey you guys. i just wanted to say that your round table episodes are my favorite episodes. all the interviews are awesome, but it's great to hear you guys geek out about comics you love with such enthusiasm.
keep up the good work!
-a
Posted by: andy ristaino | September 20, 2011 at 15:15
I told him I was interested in NY5, and I definitely recommend reading them in order.I was the only one who loved that series.
Posted by: web design London | September 26, 2011 at 22:28