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 podcast

03:52 What’s MAKE and what prompted the creation of MAKE

06:49 Who's in the MAKE organising committee

08:44 What’s the vision for MAKE this year and into the future

12:53 Opening Gala: Speaking to Pictures

15:54 Community Day: A wide range of panel talks

22:27 Market Day: workshops and an exhibition

27:25 Shout out to allies and sponsors

For 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Litten
• Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
• Absolute 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-building
• A 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 markets
• Comic 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 Pamment

Middle School Monsters by Robin Easter

Home Time: Twelve Days (Collecting Books 1 and 2) by Campbell Whyte

The Nightingales by Emil Wilson

Look 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 episode

01:14 Georgina introduction and talks about Oh Brother

09:14 Georgina discusses the process of making Oh Brother

32:45 Questions and answers

For more from Georgina check out her website: https://www.georgerexcomics.com

To 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.