JAVILAND Episode 40: Solo episode with Javier Hernandez, new format, new music!

JAVILAND turns 40! 

To celebrate, we've got a brand-new spiffy opening musical intro (and outro).  This episode is actually a solo episode, the first in the show's history! Just me and a whole lot of "Ah"s and "Um"s. Actually, for the first time ever I took some digital scissors to this episode and snipped and cut and nipped and tucked! Little bit of editing goes a long way.


Basically I used this episode to function both as a look back on how and why I chose to become a self-published cartoonist, and also a 'jumping on point' for new listeners. It's a look back on why I love publishing my own comics, and a look into the future of the show.


What I'll be doing for the upcoming shows will be to have one-on-one discussion with a creator, very similar to the way Episode #39 (Mike Kitchen) was done. I'll have a topic or two to use as starting points, then me and the guest will discuss our personal viewpoints and share our own experiences about it. Basically our content will continue to focus on comic book self-publishing, and also with any and all topics related to the creative process and finding ways to get our ideas out there.


Thanks to Jim Lujan for the help with learning about Garage Band and editing and upping my Tech game! Also thanks to Mark Rudolph and Jerzy Drozd of the Art & Story podcast for sending me the catchy tune that I'm now using as the JAVILAND theme song. 

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to an error on my part, the original, unedited version of episode #40 went out last week. If you downloaded that one, please delete it! The new, edited version, with the musical intro/outro, and a more streamlined version of the podcast, has now been uploaded via Talkshoe. 

If you downloaded the old one via iTunes (Time: 1:05:41, Release date: 9/17/10) , please delete it. To listen to the edited, 'official' version (EPISODE 40- JAVILAND 'Relaunch! 40th Ep Anniversay, new format!') please go to my TalkShoe page and download the episode there. And it's less than 57 minutes long! Also, if you haven't yet, please subscribe to us via iTunes so you can get every episode as they're released. You can subscribe to us from our TalkShoe page or go to your iTunes store, search JAVILAND, and subscribe from there.


Thanks to everyone whose followed the podcast, and to the numerous creative individuals who've called into the show to help me discuss the various topics. I really do enjoy talking with others about these topics, and my goal continues to be to provide some helpful, informative ideas, delivered in a casual, conversational manner.

JAVILAND Episode 39: Self-publishing with Ultraist Studios cartoonist Mike Kitchen

For this JAVILAND we try something a little different. It's a one-on-one discussion with Mike Kitchen, the creator of SPY GUY. Mike publishes his comics through his imprint Ultraist Studios. I first heard of him through his brother, Blair, who creates his owncomic, THE POSSUM, through his own imprint Possum Press. (Over at my blog JAVZILLA, I reviewed the POSSUM three years ago.)

 Mike and I start our discussion talking about the recent address given by writer Mark Waid concerning copyright and downloaded comics. From there we cover a range of topics about spreading one's work across they internet, how to capitalize on the idea of 'giving it away for free', taking full control of one's self-publishing career by literally becoming 'your own media', as well as the reasons to exhibit at comic book conventions.


Mike puts a lot of thought into the whole idea behind being a self-sufficient artist. Creating his stories, and getting those stories into people's hands, is driven by his desire to do things his own way, and working hard in accomplishing his goals.

One of my favorite things the Kitchen Bros. do is compile together some great little films of their various convention appearances. Here's PART 1 of the WONDERCON 2010 video. That's actually where I first got to finally meet Mike and Blair. There's historic footage of me at their tables, followed by Sergio Aragones drawing a picture for Blair.

During the interview Mike mentions briefly about the time he and Blair were flown in from Canada to Hollywood for their appearance in THE SUPERHERO MOVIE. There are some great pics at his blog showing some of the scenes they're in.

One last thing: I mention in the interview that a few years back on another comic book podcast I used to host, Blair Kitchen was one of my guests. Well, I dug around the internet and found that interview. Give it a listen after wards as well: BLAIR KITCHEN inteview.


To listen to Episode 39, use the player located on the right (click on VISIT MY CALL) or just click here to go to JAVILAND page at Talkshoe. And remember to subscribe to JAVILAND for free on iTunes so you can get every episode delivered to your music library!