THE AWESOME COMICS PODCAST

From building up a kickstarter following, to tabling at conventions and deciding to go full time - these are just some of the things we spoke about this week when we spoke to Chris Askham (Switchblade Stories). It's a great chat with one of the hardest working artists in the UK comic scene. Check it out and prepare yourself for a whole heap of comics to add to your pull lists too!

Great stuff to check out: Chris Askham, Switchblade Stories, Abominable Glory, Markosia Comics, Nottingham Comic Con, Shockwave, Nemesis, Love and Rockets, Frank Miller, Ronin, Dark System, Earth 2, Mega City Movie Club, Cryptid Hacker Force, Zine Zilla, The Goblin Market, High Viz Comic Con, M.A.S.K., Skybound, The Adventures of Chuck Maxwell, BHP Comics, Brandon Paul, Commando Comics, The Ghurka Files, Unpowered, International Aces, Chris Geary, Buckets of Blood, Warwick Fraser Combe

For every Batman, there is a Robin. For every Captain America, there is a Bucky. For every Paul Daniels, there is a Debbie McGee. Thats right, this week the ACP take a look at the world of sidekicks in comics. Are they any good? If so, who are the best? Are they still relevant? All this and more gets delved into, as well as a whole ton of brilliant indie comics and creators you should be checking out in the week ahead!

Great stuff to check out: Batman and Robin, Giant Robo Hellboy, Inkblot Comics Festival, Tales of Terror, Baltimore Comic Con, Conan, Blat, Mat Greaves, Cryptid Hacker Force, Green Archer Comics, Keiron Squires, ZineZilla, Mikes Comics Bristol, 10 Lost Days, Shane Chebsey, The Coldest Winter, This Year, David Robertson, Fred Egg Comics, Sunset Dawning, Killer Influences, IDW, Joey Esposito, Joe Flanders Comics, Cyberpulp, Vicious Collective, Mad Cave, Dog Tag

Has the narrative power of a secret identity been lost in modern comics? What happens when you use it in a whodunnit mystery? We ask these questions and more to Thomas Philipson and James Patricks about their fantastic superhero mystery 'The Stranger'. From the concept of a secret identity, to how that figures into their own book and also an alter-ego quiz, this week is jam packed with great comic chat that somehow contains no spoilers but a whole lot of mystery!

Great stuff to check out: The Stranger, Thomas Philipson, James Patricks, Devlin Baker, CoCo Comics, Baltimore Comic Con, Electric Chair 4, Cartoon County, Vyper: Red Shadow, Mixam, Zine Zilla, The Goblin Market, Santos Sisters, GregandFake, Floating World Comics, Realm of the Damned, Rebellion Comics, Art92 Comics, Clear Run, The Sisters Three: Gravesmore, David Hitchcock

For those who want to get a lesson in the art of making comics, this episode is the perfect place to start. Our pal Jason McNamara (The Phantom Limb, Past Tense) joins us this week to talk about his career as a teacher of comic creation! From history to writing, collaborating, printing and more are discussed and its a fascinating and essential listen for those who to explore the world of creating comics. Theres also chat about the exciting books Jason has upcoming, as well as our own recommendations of awesome comics and a bit of talk about Comics Assemble 2026!

Great stuff to check out: Jason McNamara, The Thief, Comics Assemble 2026, Epicentre Comics, Never Iron Anything, Eamonn Clarke, Mega City Book Club, The Goblin Market, Sha, Zine Zilla, Pat Mills, Mega, Clear Run, Children of the Moon, Ben Dickson, Realm of the Damned, Alec Worley, Bye Parr, Football Picture Story Monthly

Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy, Enigma) joins the ACP this week and we think you'll agree its long overdue, so we sat down to talk about his art, start in comics, infuences and of course a certain red skinned boy from hell as well. Its a wonderful and fun insight into one of comics truly awesome (and humble) talents, so don't miss it. All that and a big stack of recommendations from the small press to art books you definitely want to get your hands on. Its another belter!

Great stuff to check out: Duncan Fegredo, Hellboy, Hellboy: Giant Robot, Peter Milligan, Mike Mignola, Enigma, Crisis, Heartbreak Hotel, Mike Hadley,  Ian Gibson, Sean Phillips, Green Archer Comics, Kieran Squires, Comics Assemble!, Sha, Zinezilla, Legacy: Idols and Bones, The House of Lowther, AMP Comics, Serious Head Injury Comics, Dylan Henty, Aaargh! It's War, Glass City: Tales of the City, Edison Neo, Ink Trooper, Bronze Star, Mike Baron, Pat Broderick