Digging deep into “Southern Bastards” with DC3Cast and Multiversity Editor Brian Salvatore; Best of 2017 with Multiversity’s Kevin Gregory.
Welcome to the Comics Syllabus podcast, where we read widely and we dig deep. Your host Paul, a literacy researcher and English teacher, introduces curious readers to a range of current and classic comics, and then engages in closer discussion and analysis of particular comics works.
[audio: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/352257443-twoplai-022-southern-bastards-by-aaron-and-latour-w-brian-salvatore-and-best-of-2017-w-kevin-gregory.mp3]Or download the podcast episode here.
On our Multiversity’s Best of 2017 chat ( at 5:00 ), we talk with Multiversity’s Kevin Gregory ( http://www.multiversitycomics.com/author/kgregory/ ), host of the new “Make Mine Multiversity” podcast ( http://www.multiversitycomics.com/tag/make-mine-multiversity/ ) covering Marvel Comics. But today, Kevin’s here to discuss his Best of 2017, in a series of chats the Comics Syllabus is having with Multiversity contributors about their picks for the best comics of the year in various categories. (Pardon some minor sound hiccups in the recording!)
Kevin’s picks:
Best Mini-Series: The Unstoppable Wasp by Whitley, Charretier, et al (Marvel)
Best New Series: Super Sons by Tomasi, Jimenez, et al (DC)
Best Single Issue: Deathstroke #11 (DC) by Priest, Cowan, et al ; Royal City #5 (Image) by Lemire; Black Monday Murders #5 (Image) by Hickman, Coker, et al
Breakout Writer: Joshua Williamson
Best Publisher: Valiant Comics
Our deep dive this week (at 46:01 ) is “Southern Bastards” by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour, volumes 1 (“Here Was a Man”) and 2 (“Gridiron”), collected in the first hardcover, published by Image Comics. We’re excited to be joined by DC3Cast-member, Lead Editor, and dear friend Brian Salvatore to dig deep into this harrowing, poetic, and darkly tragic/comic tale of the South and football. Warning: the discussion calls for us to talk in mildly salty ways, at least saltier than Paul customarily does in front of children. But then again, this is “Southern Bastards.” Images to go with our talk are at the bottom of this page.
We make reference to episodes of the podcasts the Hour Cosmic with the Jasons at http://www.multiversitycomics.com/podcasts/special-announcement-the-hour-cosmic-live-at-emerald-city-comicon/ and Chris Thompson’s Pop Culture Hound with them commentating “Southern Bastards” at http://www.multiversitycomics.com/podcasts/orbital-in-conversation-aaron-and-latour-on-southern-bastards/ so check those out.
Finally, (at 2:21:12 ), we wrap with a quick “Discussion Section,” with a few notes from listeners and a few podcast and comics shout-outs. Some mentions:
The Escapist Comics Podcast conversation with Jacob Semahn, writer of “No. 1 with a Bullet” (Image): https://art19.com/shows/the-escapist-comics-podcast/episodes/57e08862-49ca-4f59-bcde-cb25b38d4ef9
Michigan State University Comics and Graphic Novels Podcast: http://msucomics.libsyn.com/
Cartoon Art Museum in SF is back! https://www.cartoonart.org/
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Thanks for listening!
Images below go with the close reading discussion of “Southern Bastards” by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour (Image Comics), from Hardcover v1.
WARNING SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS BOOK YET DON’T LOOK AT THESE IMAGES! STOP LOOKING! SERIOUSLY, GO READ THE BOOK!
From “Here Was a Man,” HC p.25
From “Here Was a Man,” HC p.60
From “Gridiron,” HC p.174
From “Gridiron,” HC p.192
