Webcomics: Reviews of Isle of Elsi, Late Bloomer, and Carriers - a podcast by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

from 2017-05-08T14:22:08

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Time Codes:

  • 00:00:28 - Introduction
  • 00:03:03 - Eisner Award nominees announced
  • 00:10:04 - Isle of Elsi
  • 00:47:30 - Late Bloomer
  • 01:09:44 - Carriers
  • 01:31:32 - Wrap up
  • 01:32:31 - Contact us

Sean and Derek are back with your monthly dose of webcomics analysis. Before they jump into their reviews, however, they spending a little time discussing the recent announcement of this year's nominees for the Eisner Awards. The guys will devote next month's episode to the actual webcomics nominated, so they don't go into much detail this time, but they do mention the big news that the judges have tried to distinguish "webcomics" from "digital comics"...albeit rather ineptly. Tune in next month for more in-depth discussion on this matter!

But for May, Sean and Derek already have plenty to consider. They begin with Alec Longstreth's Isle of Elsi, an all-age fantasy with a penchant for word play. Both of the guys are bowled away by this webcomic, one of the most impressive that they've discussed on the show. Not only are the art and storytelling top-notch, but the design of the website is a big draw, as well. (And while you're at it, check out the Two Guys' 2014 interview with Longstreth.)

Next, they turn to another webcomic from Webtoons, Late Bloomer. Written and drawn by Zealforart (AKA Tiffany Woodall), this is a shōjo-inspired romance about a young woman with a flower bud growing out of her belly, a family condition that can only be overcome with her being "deflowered." Yes, it is quite an unusual premise.

Finally, Derek and Sean wrap up with Lauren R. Weinstein's Carriers. This completed webcomic was originally published in five parts on the Nautilus website, and it received an Ignatz Award nomination in 2015 for the "Outstanding Online Comic" category. It's a sobering look at being a carrier of cystic fibrosis and what means for young couples wanting to start a family.

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