We start the year with Jurgi and James trying to catch up with everything that's happened during the summer holidays.

01:42 Jurgi and James breeze through some of the latest news from the world of comics

06:29 James and Jurgi discuss the news that have piqued their interest:

• the recently announced animated series of Lore Olympus
• graphic novel sales were up in 2025 (in the U.S. book market)
• the UK's National Literacy Trust's excellent article about comics and literacy
• the 10 most valuable comics ever sold
• lots of best of 2025 comics lists

17:12 The Comics Arts Awards of Australia shorlist and some of our personal favourites

24:43 James and Jurgi discuss their picks from the new titles out in December and January:

• Labyrinth: Beyond the Goblin City by Delilah S. Dawson, Sas Milledge, Gustavo, Duarte (Boom! Studios)
• Free Planet by Aubrey Sitterson, Jed Dougherty (Image Comics)
• Queen Kodiak by Christopher Greenslate, Riccardo Faccini (Maverick)
• Total THB Vol 1 (of 3) by Paul Pope (Roaring Books Press)
• A Quick and Easy Guide to Healthy Relationships by Mariah-Rose Marie (Oni Press)
• I Am Their Silence by Jordi Lafebre, Montana Kane (Random House)

39:36 James and Jurgi go through some of their recent reads

42:50 Freedom to read, the ALIA Graphic Committee and an expression of interest is out to join the judging panel for the Notable Australian Graphic Novels of 2025 - join us!

47:57 ...and ALIA Graphic was formed six years ago

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/

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For the final episode of 2025 the ALIA Graphic committee gathers to discuss our favourite comics of the year.

Luke talks about Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson, Gachiakuta by Kei Urana and The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn by Tri Vuong.

Sabina talks about Hairy Holes Book 2 by Brenton E McKenna, BS #1 Short Stuff 2020-2025 by Bruce Mutard and Kusama Polka Dot Queen, by Simon Elliot

James talks about I Ate the Whole World to Find You by Rachel Ang, “Dr. Werthless” by Harold Schechter and Eric Powell and The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfrid Lupano and Leonard Chemineau

Iurgi talks about Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narratives by Eleri Harris and Shay Mirk, The Once and Future Riot by Joe Sacco with special mentions for Chickenpox by Remy Lai and Cannon by Lee Lai (regrettably he forgot to mention Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than but he insists he should have mentioned it and was definitely a highlight of his reading for the year)

Mia talks about My Brother's Husband by Gengoroh Tagame and Kickflip by L.D. Lapinski

Gabby talks about Inked by Karen Wasson, Jake A. Minton

There will not be a roundup episode for December. This is it, we're done for the year, but we will be back at the end of January. In the meantime, read comics!

If you like what we’re doing, or if there’s something we could do better, or something we missed, please let us know. We always love feedback. Also, please subscribe and give us a review or five star rating so other people can find us.

To stay up to date and for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles 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.

Shay Mirk and Eleri Harris are award-winning graphic journalists and longtime editors of the critically acclaimed graphic journalism website and publication The Nib. They have recently published Making Nonfiction Comics, an excellent book that combines comics, prose, interviews, infographics and so much more. The book is the perfect field guide to graphic journalism while showcasing valuable skills and practices for creating nonfiction comics.

This is a highly recommended book and the conversation with Eleri and Shay was a delight. We hope you enjoy it.

02:53 Book tour and comics festivals

05:04 The genesis of Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narratives

08:40 Eleri and Shay talk about their love of comics

14:39 Eleri and Shay talk about their love of libraries

19:20 Making Nonfiction Comics is not just a book about making comics, it’s also about journalism, ethics and so much more. They also discuss the appeal of non-fiction comics.

25:07 The ethics of non-fiction comics and graphic journalism

31:14 The process and beauty of collaboration in the making of the book

37:39 On interviews and contributions from other creators for the book

39:00 Sound advice for young creators and new creators

41:57 Eleri and Shay gives us some recommended titles:

Shay’s recommendations:

• Alex Norris Webcomic Name: https://webcomicname.com
• 100 Demons by Linda Barry
• Cannon by Lee Lai

Eleri’s recommendations:

• Our Members Be Unlimited by Sam Wallman
• Underground by Mirranda Burton
• Still Alive by Safdar Ahmed
• Big Beautiful Female Theory by Eloise Grills

Our next podcast episode (and final one for the year) will be a short episode with members of the ALIA Graphic committee talking about their favourite comics, graphic novels and manga of the year.

If you like what we’re doing, or if there’s something we could do better, or something we missed, please let us know. We always love feedback. Also, please subscribe and give us a review or five star rating so other people can find us.

To stay up to date and for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles 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.