ALIA Graphic Podcast

In this month's roundup Iurgi and James take us through the latest news and new titles.01:40 News in Brief:We’re coming to the end of October and that means the spooky season is upon us. Marvel has finally launched their horror tinged Midnight Universe and the early reviews are pretty positive, let’s hope they can keep it up. And for comics fans looking for some horror on the big screen Clayface is out now. Get ready for some body horror!In terms of awards the Harvey Awards were announced at New York Comic Con and the Ignatz Awards celebrating independent cartoonists were also announced. In Australian comics news, this month we have two new graphic novels coming out with Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo’s Children of the Round Table and Sally Rippin and Aki Fukuoka’s second graphic novel in the Billy B Brown’s Secret Mystery Club series.More importantly, the National Library of Australia is hosting some comics related events, so if you're in Canberra, we highly recommend them, but if you’re not in Canberra you also have the opportunity to engage with at least two of the events. 03:44 Recen Reads:James:Sassy by Mandy OrdManta by Jorden Allen-BarrTime’s Needle by Ele JenkinsTroubleshoot by Benji Bajorek with art by Gentle Coda, Hoshi, Steffles, and Johnson BenjaminIurgi:Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring by Patrick HorvathMrs Orwell by Andrea ChalupaThe End of the Arab of the Future by Riad SattoufFive Gears in Reverse: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker and Sean PhillipsThe Credits Roll Into the Sea Vol 1 by John Tarachine14:06 News: Joshua Santospirito’s article published on Overland about comics in literary festivalsAnne Carson wins the Nobel Prize for Literature and we discuss Carson’s adaptation of The Trojan Women published in xxxx with artist xxxxxThe National Library of Australia is hosting three comics centred events from November 13 to November 15The New York Public Library has published a list of the best graphic novels for adults of 2026 which includes Western Australian Campbell Whyte’s Luna Express among many other excellent titles26:02 New Titles:Billie B Brown’s Secret Mystery Club Book 2: Code Breakers by Sally Rippin, Aki Fukuoka (Figment Books)C.O.R.T: Children of the Round Table by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo (Random House US)Requiem for Gaza by Chris Hedges, Joe Sacco (Fantagraphics)The Credits Roll Into the Sea Vol 2 by John Tarachine (Dark Horse Comics)Lore Olympus: Book Eleven by Rachel Smythe (Inklore)Wandering by Jonathan Djob Nkondo (Magnetic Press)39:42 LibraryCon Live is coming up, registration is free and highly recommended. To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

In this month's roundup Iurgi and Luke take us through the latest news and new titles.02:10 September news in brief04:08 Recent reads: Luke (Slam Dunk Vols 1,2,3 by Takehiko Inoue, The Library of Memories by Barbara Perez Marques and Lissy Marlin, Batman and Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee), Iurgi (Starship Godzilla: First Wars by Chris Gooch, Oliver Ono, Neverlanders: Get Lost by Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva, Fullmetal Alchemist Volumes 10, 11, 12 by Hiramu Arakawa)13:01 News:The Many Deaths of Laila Starr is adapted into an operaReimena Yee blog post discussing the Australian comic book community and making the case for more institutional supportThings they are a changin' and the print edition of Weekly Shōnen Jump has declined dramaticallyMarvel's Mignight Universe is comingHometown a new graphic novel by Shaun Tan is out now!The American Manga Awards36:16 New Titles:The Long-Lived King: An Original The Owl House Graphic Novel by by: Dana Terrace, Daun HanW0RLDTR33 Deluxe Hardcover Volume 1 by James Tynion IV, Fernando Blanco, Jordie BellaireEarth to Chris Cleevy by Christof Bogacs, Hannah Krieger, Sammy SavosJourney to the West: The Beginning by Cheng’en Wu, CharA, Jim Zub, Julien ChoyHometown by Shaun Tan (Levine Querido)The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! … And Cartoonists! by Derf BackderfTo stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

In this special podcast Iurgi sits down for a chat with Aaron Billings and Bruce Mutard two of the organisers of MAKE, the Melbourne Alternative Comics Expo, a new independent comics festival coming to Melbourne from October 9 to 11.The festival is free for the Community Day and Market Day and a very affordable $15 for the opening gala Speaking to Pictures event.01:29 Aaron Billings and Bruce Mutard join the podcast03:52 What’s MAKE and what prompted the creation of MAKE06:49 Who's in the MAKE organising committee08:44 What’s the vision for MAKE this year and into the future12:53 Opening Gala: Speaking to Pictures15:54 Community Day: A wide range of panel talks22:27 Market Day: workshops and an exhibition27:25 Shout out to allies and sponsorsFor more information visit the festival's website: https://makecomics.com.au/To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

In this month's roundup Iurgi and Gabby discuss the latest. 02:06 Some of the news in brief including the CBCA winners including a graphic novel as the Best Book of the Year for Younger Readers, John Carpenter's horror graphic novel Cathedral and more.05:22 Recent Reads: Ivy and Bearlock Holmes by Kristyna LittenHeartstopper by Alice OsemanAbsolute Batman Vol 1 & 2 Scott Snyder (a bunch of artists)Anders and the Mountain by Gregory Mackay (Allen & Unwin)09:59 News:Publisher’s Weekly highlights upcoming early reader and elementary graphic novels, showcasing diverse stories and creators for young comics fans and emerging readers.Creators Tasia M.S. and Barbara Perez Marquez discuss their romantasy graphic novel To Dance the Moon and Stars, exploring collaboration, fairy-tale influences, and world-buildingA The Conversation essay examines whether Australia has a defining graphic novel, highlighting Lee Lai’s Cannon and the growing literary recognition of comics.Australian cartoonists warn AI-generated newspaper illustrations threaten creative jobs, highlighting transparency, ethics, and the future of editorial art.Melbourne Alternative Comics Expo (MAKE) is a new festival celebrating comics, graphic novels and storytelling through workshops, panels, performances and creator marketsComic street is Brisbane’s annual indie comics festival, connecting creators and readers through markets, workshops and events celebrating independent comics and graphic storytelling.A graphic biography reexamines Eileen Blair Orwell’s life, highlighting her intellectual influence on George Orwell while exploring history, creativity and political upheaval.In a wide-ranging interview, Maus creator Art Spiegelman reflects on his career, American politics, censorship, and concerns about rising authoritarianism 24:19 New Releases:Pickle on Wheels by Sylvie Kantorovitz Ember and the Grand Metamorphosis by Jason PammentMiddle School Monsters by Robin Easter Home Time: Twelve Days (Collecting Books 1 and 2) by Campbell WhyteThe Nightingales by Emil WilsonLook out for our next podcast episode coming soon with two of the committee members of MAKE, the Melbourne Alternative Comics Expo coming up in October. More info here: https://makecomics.com.au/To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

We are proud to present a special recording of an event from Melbourne Rare Book Week.Georgina Chadderton is an Australian cartoonist. Her work has been featured in outlets including The Nib and Voiceworks magazine. They are a cofounder of Papercuts Comics Festival, an independent annual celebration of graphic novels held in Adelaide. When they’re not drawing, Georgina enjoys eating pizza and playing roller derby. In this event recorded at Melbourne City Libraries, part of Melbourne Rare Book Week, Georgina talks in depth about Oh Brother and the ten year process of making her first graphic novel.00:00 James Baker’s intro for the episode01:14 Georgina introduction and talks about Oh Brother09:14 Georgina discusses the process of making Oh Brother32:45 Questions and answersFor more from Georgina check out her website: https://www.georgerexcomics.comTo stay up to date with Melbourne Rare Book Week: https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/ To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

We are proud to present a special recording of an event from Melbourne Rare Book Week.The comic book form is used as a narrative medium by creators to tackle social, historical and personal histories: protesting about the Vietnam War in Mirranda Burton’s Underground; Napoleon Bonaparte’s Tasmanian imprisonment in Jamie Clennett’s The Diemenois; and growing up with an autistic sibling in Gina Chadderton’s Oh Brother. These creators present illustrated readings from their work, then engage in a discussion about comics and the real world, and how their books have enabled the two to converge and converse.Chaired by Bernard Caleo, this is a recording of a Melbourne Rare Book Week presented in partnership with the Melbourne Athenaeum Library and ALIA Graphic Novels and Comics on Thursday July 30, 2026.00:20 Welcome and acknowledgement of country01:20 Bernard Caleo introduces the night and discusses comics and the real world13:11 Mirranda Burton reads from Underground18:49 Mirranda in conversation with Bernard22:59 Jamie Clennett reads from The Diemenois30:17 Jamie Clennett in conversation with Bernard33:51 Georgina introduces Oh Brother38:50 Georgina reads from Oh Brother43:34 Georgina in conversation with Bernard47:44 Mirranda, Jamie and Georgina in conversation with BernardTo stay up to date with Melbourne Rare Book Week: https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/To stay up to date with the Melbourne Athenaeum Library: https://melbourneathenaeum.org.au/library/To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

In this month’s roundup podcast Iurgi and Luke discuss the latest news, their recent reads and their picks from the new titles out this month.We start with the intro and some news in brief then:08:31 Recent reads18:14 News40:44 New titlesTo stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

The ALIA Graphic group with the support of library staff from all over Australia, who volunteered for the judging panel, recently announced the Notable Australian Graphic Novels of 2025. Three titles for each category (Junior, Young Adult and Adult) that represent the best of the best. Being already halfway through the year, we thought it was worth looking at what’s been published in 2026 so far. Again, all these graphic novels have been created by, at least one key Australian creator (writer or artist), they’re published in a library friendly format (they’re either graphic novels or perfect bound trade paperbacks) and they are widely available through library suppliers.In this episode Iurgi, James and Marissa discuss the titles published in the first half of the year. You can find the full list of titles with the publisher blurbs, ISBN number and more information here: https://graphic.alia.org.au/new-graphic-novels-by-australian-creators-in-2026-first-half/ You can listen to creator chats with some of the creators mentioned in this episode in our archive. Episode 139 Aśka and the Frienship Paradox here.Episode 136 Gregory Mackay and Anders' Adventures here.Episode 135 Wendy Tyrer and The Curator here.Episode 134 Campbell Whyte and Luna Express here.Episode 131 Andrea Innocent and Lamington Left Behind here.Episode 128 Georgina Chadderton and Oh Brother here.Episode 82 Chris Gooch and In Utero here.Episode 76 Mat Groom and Inferno Girl Red here.Episode 58 Jon Sommariva and Neverlanders here.Episode 51 Jessica Walton and Aśka and Stars in Their Eyes here.Episode 40 Alyssa Bermudez and Big Apple Diaries here.You can also find the ALIA Graphic Notable Australian Graphic Novels of 2025 list here: https://graphic.alia.org.au/notables-lists/To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/

In this creator chat James sits down for a conversation with Aśka, the creator behind The Friendship Paradox, out now through Allen & Unwin. The Friendship Paradox is a young adult graphic novel where high school is over and Dash is excited to spend their gap year working for the local science museum, travelling and teaching kids about physics. Maybe they'll even make a friend. People are part of the universe, so the laws of physics should also apply to them, right?Except Dash discovers the workplace is just as challenging as school - relationships are confusing, students don't follow the rules and co-workers aren't what they expect. Then Dash meets Kay. Can opposites really attract? Or will Dash's attempts to use physics to understand their world repel a potential friend?The conversation focuses on science communication, balancing communicating the science with telling the story of Dash, Kay, their adventures and their developing friendship and more. Aśka also gives us a quick update on PCAF and recommends three titles to read:Wake Up Pixoto by Weng PixinSpeaking in Pictures by Neil CohnManta by Jorden Allen-BarrFor more from Aśka check out their website: https://askastorytelling.comTo stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/