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It's a complete honor to talk to world-renown Canadian cartoonists, Chester Brown, who is one of the cartoonists who inspired both Thien and Rina to start making comics of their own. They talk to him about his new book, Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus (Drawn and Quarterly), about making honest and heartfelt autobiographical comics, and a once-possible Chester Brown Batman comic(?!?) Listen to it! Interview starts at the 22:00 minute mark. It's a great hour and a half talking to one of our comic artist heroes. We also talk about new comics with Josh, brilliant artist Darwyn Cooke, recent comic events such as TCAF and Linework NW and Free Comic Book Day! Enjoy! or Download the MP3 File

After a 2-year "hiatus", the Comix Claptrap gang is BACK! We kick off the season with a great interview with Tim Hensley about his latest comic "Sir Alfred," a humorous homage to Alfred Hitchcock and a stunning example of the publishing prowess of Alvin Buenaventura who passed away shortly before the release of this book. We talk to Tim about his inspirations, his meticulous comics process and working with Alvin. Also Rina, Thien and Josh celebrate the new and exciting comics coming out this year. or Download the MP3 File

In this episode, Thien and Rina talk to amazing cartoonist and illustrator, Eleanor Davis about her new book How to Be Happy. They discuss her illustration process, her history of painstakingly making mini-comics with die-cut covers, the talented cartoonist Drew Weing, and the inner-workings of social media. It was so much fun! Thien also shares his experience being an Ignatz Award judge (?!?) this year and some new comics he discovered through the review process, and Josh Frankel joins in to discuss new comics from Gabrielle Bell, Sam Alden, Ed Piskor and Tom Scioli. Give it a go! It's great! or Download MP3 File

Did you miss us? Well, we missed you! In this episode, Thien and Rina interview Portland cartoonist and children's book illustrator, Aron Nels Steinke. They had a fun time talking about his new book, The Zoo Box that he made with his wife Ariel Cohn, as well as his comic Mr. Wolf, loosely based on his experiences as a grade school teacher. Josh Frankel joins them to talk about new comics from Jason Shiga, Farel Dalrymple, Pascal Girard, Zander Cannon and Josh Shalek. or Download MP3 File

cover art by Ben Catmull The gang has finally gotten off its lazy butt for a new episode of the Comix Claptrap. The theme of this episode is "Getting Old" as we talk about the recent announcement of the 2013 Ignatz Awards nominees. Surprisingly, Thien is a lot mellower this time around. We also talk new comics with our number one buddy, Josh Frankel. Then we round the 1 hour and a half with a fun discussion with Bay Area cartoonist, Ben Catmull, about his new stunning art book, "Ghosts and Ruins" and tales from the ole Bay Area comics scene in the 90s. or Download the MP3 file

It's been too long, and the new year has turned everyone's personalities in the Claptrap studios upside down! Thankfully we have Brit cartoonist, Nick Abadzis' soothing voice to calm us down (and ease the ringing in our ears from Thien's selection of intro music. He edited the podcast this time!) Nick leads us in an engaging and thoughful conversation about his comic strip, Hugo Tate now collected by Blank Slate Books, thoughts on the rise in popularity of British comics in the U.S., his move to NY, TV sitcoms, and his exciting upcoming project that involves Orson Welles! Also new comics with Josh! What a difference a year makes! We've missed you and we're so happy we're together again! P.S. Errata Stigmata - Nick's book was released in May 2012, not 2013, HA! And the new season of the Comix Claptrap is season 6, not season 7, but who cares! Enjoy! or Download the MP3 file

cover art by Dan Zettwoch Thien and Rina were delighted to talk to exciting and innovative cartoonist, printmaking extraordinare and pal, Dan Zettwoch. Dan took time out from watching the Cardinals game to discuss his new book Birdseye Bristoe, his intricate hand-made minicomics, and our favorite -- reality TV programming. We had lots of fun! Also Josh talks new comics like Gabrielle Bell's latest book, July Diary, while Thien and Rina recap their experiences at the ALA and CAKE shows this past June! Celebrate the July 4th fireworks while listening to this great episode! or Download the MP3 file

Thien and Rina are happy to talk to one of their favorite artists, cartoonists, zinesters, Souther Salazar, who talks about his ambitious art and community-inspired traveling project, The Trading Tortoise. If you haven't donated to the project's kickstarter campaign, do it now! His perspective on making art was inspiring to us and I think it will make you go out and start making zines right now too. We also talk to Josh about exciting new comics from Retrofit Comics and crazy stuff from Image Comics. Give it a whirl! or Download the MP3 file

a panel from Tom Hart's Daddy Lightning We begin the new year with a thoughtful interview with Tom Hart, creater of Hutch Owen and founder of the Sequential Artists Workshop (The SAW!), a new comics school in Gainsville, Floria. Tom talks more about the school, the move to Gainsville and his upcoming projects with a new Hutch Owen collection and Daddy Lightning with Retrofit Comics. We also talk to Josh about comics we are looking forward to in 2012. Welcome back everyone! Errata Stigmata: Tom wanted to point out that he mistakenly credited Richard Outcault for creating The Happy Hooligan. The author of The Happy Hooligan is actually Frederick Opper while Outcault is the creator of The Yellow Kid. Thanks, Tom. He's so hard on himself. or Download the MP3 File

Introducing Miss Ellie! drawn by Lauren Weinstein Just in time for your thanksgiving holiday, we bring you an ever so delightful interview with funny and talented, Lauren Weinstein. We talk about the new comics she's been posting on her blog, exciting upcoming projects, the crazy experiences of parenthood and how that all has affected her comics process, storytelling and her sanity! Also Rina gives us the scoop on her time at the Minneapolis Indie Expo and Josh finds a surprise inside the new Love and Rockets: New Stories #4! A great episode to listen to while traveling to your various turkey/tofurkey dinner parties! Gobble! Gobble! or Download MP3 File

cover of "Lose #3" by Michael DeForge In this episode, Thien and Rina have the great pleasure of talking to exciting and extremely talented comic artist Michael DeForge. We talk to him about all of the projects he's busy working on these days, his comic "Lose #3" published by Koyama Press, co-editing smutty comic anthology "Thickness #2" with Ryan Sands, and pigging out in Canada. Also, Thien and Josh talk about their time at the Alternative Press Expo and all the exciting comics they got at the show! This one was fun! So listen! or Download MP3 File

photo by BasicGeometry Rina, Thien and Josh recorded the Comix Claptrap live at the 2011 Alternative Press Expo (APE). Here is a recording of what ensued. As usual, the sound quality is not the best, but why would we do things differently just because it's live, right? Our guests were Mike Dawson (Troop 142), Scott Campbell (Zombie in Love), Levon Jihanian (Danger Country) and Esther Pearl Watson (Unlovable). Listen as we talk about their current and upcoming projects, intersecting art and comics-making, thoughts on the APE show, and the experiences with youth organizations. It was fun so you should listen! or Download MP3 File

Cover art by Chris Cilla Recorded a couple days before SPX, Thien and Rina discuss Rina's experience of being an Ignatz judge and of course all hell breaks loose. We apologize in advance. (Rina has actually recommended that you just skip that part and start the podcast at the 10:00 minute mark where they crank call one of their favorite Chicago cartoonists!) They spend the rest of the podcast with a fun, spirited discussion with cartoonist's cartoonist, Chris Cilla about his Ignatz-nominated book The Heavy Hand, his comics influences and working with publisher and our dear friend Dylan Williams. Also, somewhere in all of this, Josh recommends the latest Jacques Tardi book. or Download MP3 File Also we want to take the time to ask you to donate to the Dylan Williams Scholarship Fund, bid on some wonderful art pieces or buy books from Sparkplug Comic books to help Dylan's family. The links are below. Sparkplug Comic Books online store: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/books/books.html The Divine Invasion - Fundraising auction for Dylan: http://thedivineinvasion.tumblr.com/ IPRC, The Dylan Williams Scholarship Fund: http://www.iprc.org/uncategorized/the-dylan-williams-scholarship-fund

Dylan Williams was a talented comic artist, a passionate publisher and above all else our great dear friend. Dylan passed away this weekend. There are not enough words in the world to say how much we will miss him and his enthusiasm for comics, creativity and life in general. Last year at APE, Thien moderated a panel about the Bay Area comics scene then and now. Dylan, along with Bay Area comic artists Susie Cagle, Ben Catmull, Andrew Farago and Hellen Jo talked about their beginnings and participation in the indie, small comics community. The interview gives just a tiny glimpse at how influential and important Dylan was to comics and the many lives he touched. Dylan would post about the Comix Claptrap on the Sparkplug Comics blog. He lovingly compare us to Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and say that Thien's podcast personality resembled the likes of Henry Rollins, Bill O'Reilly and Alger Hiss. Against his better judgement, he would sometimes actually listen to the show, and say that his favorite parts were when Finn would cry or scream in the background. Dylan, we love you and we thank you for your heart, laughter and generosity. or Download the MP3 File

cover art by Craig Thompson Exclusives! Scoops! HOT HOT HOT cartoonists! We have it all here in this episode of the Comix Claptrap. Excitement abounds as the ever-so talented comic artist Craig Thompson comes out of his work-tank to discuss his forthcoming, highly-anticipated graphic novel Habibi. It's stunning, people! Just stunning! We talk about his 7 years of making this epic novel and how awesome it is being a rock star cartoonist. We also bother another awesome cartoonist while they are stuck in a pretzel , and talk to Josh about, well, no new comics. Listen to this! We are proud and the most professional we have ever been! or Download MP3 File

Kick Ass Annie logo, by Aaron Leighton Season 4 begins, finally! Thien returns from his Level Up! tour with Gene Yang, and Rina takes a break from ridiculous non-comics obsessions to interview thee "Kick Ass" Annie Koyama, publisher of Toronto-based Koyama Press, one of the most exciting publishing houses to start up in recent years. We talk about the experiences that jump-started her career in comics, the artists that she's worked with, and of course Toronto comics gossip and hockey/baseball mania. We also continue our fun segment, the Comix Cranktrap and crank call a "Giant" in the Asian pop culture/lifestyle magazine industry. And yes, we talk to ever so jovial, Josh Frankel about Comic Con, new books from Kate Beaton and Lewis Trondheim and the latest industry news. We've called this one the "Womyn Empowerment" episode! So, RESPECT, sista! or Download MP3 File

cover of Crickets 3, by Sammy Harkham We end our unbelievable 3rd season with an intense conversation with gifted cartoonist and influential editor of the Kramers Ergot anthology series, Sammy Harkham. We discuss his latest comic, Crickets 3, the writing process, some exciting projects in the works, and Rina's favorite, LA cartoonists gossip. Also, the always-delightful, Josh Frankel talks about new comics and new comic stores in Berkeley, while Rina and Thien talk about the excitement of Wondercon. Also, to end the season just right, we added a new segment to the program called the Comix Cranktrap. This is one of our very favorites, we think it'll be yours too. Listen! or Download MP3 File

In this episode, Rina and Thien get the chance to talk to exceptional cartoonist, Eric Haven about glaciers, Race Murdock, rapidographs, killing off respected Bay Area cartoonists and the tv show Mythbusters. Also, our buddy, Josh Frankel gives us a Comic Relief update and talks about a new graphic novel by Jay Hosler. Before that though, Rina ponders whether she has become an Enabler or not. Give it a go! It's fun! or Download MP3 File

cover art by Adrian Tomine We can't think of a better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a lively conversation about love, marriage, parenthood and of course comics with the one and only Adrian Tomine. We discuss his latest book, "Scenes From an Impending Marriage", which humorously documents the dramas and DJs that he and his wife encountered on their way to the altar. Also of course we talk with Josh Frankel, our resident New Comics wizard about new and upcoming comics, as well as his magic-game addiction. So break out the heart-shaped candy and listen in! Love is definitely in the air! or Download MP3 File

a panel from Trans Utopia by Tom Kaczynski In this episode we talk to one of the smartest men in comics, Tom Kaczynski who just came out with a new mini-comic, Trans Utopia. We talk about his comics-making process, as well as his newly-formed comics publishing company Uncivilized Books which has produced books by Gabrielle Bell, Jon Lewis, and Daniel Thomas Wieken. Also we "try" to talk new comics with Josh, and debate about comics laureates and the fine art of critiquing comics. Have a listen, this one was fun! or Download MP3 File