Webcomics: Reviews of Grass of Parnassus, Lavender Jack, and Take the A Train - a podcast by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

from 2018-12-03T13:39:27

:: ::

Time Codes:

blkfade

On the November webcomics episode -- albeit a little late -- Sean and Derek look at three very different webcomics...especially different when it comes their hosting platforms. They begin with Stuart and Kathryn Immonen's Grass of Parnassus. This is a unique science fiction narrative that is relatively new, starting in September this year, with an intriguing storyline (what there is so far) and incredible art. But what is additionally notable about this webcomic is that it's being hosted on Instagram. This is the first time the guys have discussed an Instagram-based webcomic, and Sean and Derek spend a bit of time discussing the pros and cons of this platform.

After that they focus on Lavender Jack, a webcomic hosted on Webtoon and written and illustrated by Dan Schkade. It's an engaging crime/intrigue webcomic that reminds the guys of both The Scarlet Pimpernel and Batman. A unique combination! It's the story of a wealthy socialite who dons a costume to cover his identity, and then goes about exposing the hidden crimes of prominent, powerful, and corrupt citizens in the city. This is also a relatively new webcomic, starting in June, and although there are already 24 episodes (as of this recording), there are still a number of mysteries that are yet to be answered.

Finally, the Two Guys wrap up with an already completed webcomic, M. Deanand Z. Akhmetova's Take the A Train. This is a relatively short narrative, but what makes it stand out -- in addition to the incredible art -- is that each half of the story is hosted on Dean's and Akhmetova's sites, respectively. This is the first time the guys have discussed a webcomic that was a collaborative endeavor in this manner. The webcomic is based on Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's classic song, and both creators focus on young protagonists in the middle of the 20th century who are fascinated with Ellington and his historic relationship with The Savoy in Harlem.

 

Further episodes of The Comics Alternative

Further podcasts by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

Website of Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal