On this inaugural episode, Adrian dives into the 1986 Hong Kong classic ‘A Better Tomorrow’ directed by John Woo and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and the inimitable Chow Yun-Fat. We take a look at how the film began the period of ‘heroic bloodshed’ films in modern Hong Kong cinema as well as the influence of American directors Sam Peckinpah and Martin Scorcese on Woo’s directing. In addition, Chow Yun-Fat’s iconic performance is appreciated along with the rest of the excellent cast. Lastly, we discuss the wider impact of A Better Tomorrow’ with two sequels, several remakes, a musical (!) and being name-dropped by rap group Wu-Tang Clan on two albums.
I Found My 1st Comic! | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this quick episode, Adrian details finding the first comic book he ever read: Star Trek #30.
EPISODE 8 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian gets some new background scenery and grabs a handful from the bins: X-Force #4 by Rob Liefeld, The Phantom Stranger #1 by Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell, Richie Rich: Gems #36 by the late Ernie Colon, Wolverine #118 by Leinil Yu and The Red Star (Vol.2) #1 by Christian Gossett, Snakebite Cortez and that guy from the Power Rangers (?!).
Episode 7 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian finds some gems in the bins: the classic Action Comics Annual #1 by Arthur Adams and Dick Giordano, The ‘Nam #3 by Michael Golden and Armando Gil, Prime Annual #1 by the late Norm Breyfogle, Rune #1 by Barry Windsor-Smith and The Call of Duty: The Wagon #4 by Daniel Zezelj!
Episode 6 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian gets a couple of sealed mystery bags of comics from a local discount retailer. He opens one and gets a couple of keepers. But what’s in the other one….?
Episode 5 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian is back in the bins and finds Superman Unchained #1 by Jim Lee, Ultraforce #1 by George Perez, Megalith #3 by unsung Pinoy great Ernesto Infante and Extreme Hero #1; a time capsule of Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Studios from 1993!
ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN ©2020 Inazuma Studios LLC
Jim Lee’s X-Men Trading Cards | BLERD IT OUT
On this episode, Adrian dives into Jim Lee’s Uncanny X-Men trading card set from 1992! Produced by Impel, this set joined the company’s previous Marvel Universe cards at the height of the trading card boom of the early 1990s. It also coincided with Lee’s ascension as one of the brightest stars in comics; hot off the immense success of X-Men #1 (which sold over 8 million copies) and the beginning of Image Comics.
Adrian talks about his introduction to the X-Men cards in middle school, Lee’s fantastic artwork, the coloring process, product packaging and HOLOGRAMS!
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BLERD IT OUT ©2020 Inazuma Studios LLC
Episode 4 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian is joined by his long-time friend Don Thomas. Don picked 5 books for us to discuss: Jupiter’s Circle #6 by Millar and Torres, WildCATS/X-Men: The Modern Age by Robinson and Hughes, Fafhrd & The Grey Mouser by Chaykin and Mignola, Batman Adventures Annual 2 by Dini, Timm and Murakami and Moon Knight #5 by Ellis and Shalvey. AND Don also included a surprise 6th comic that he drew himself! Don’s picks were super-interesting as plenty of laughs and geeking out ensued!
Episode 3 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian takes a look at ‘Batman: Sword of Azrael’ with incredible art by the team supreme of Joe Quesada & Kevin Nowlan! He also snagged the 1992 ’Cable’ mini-series by John Romita, Jr. and Dan Green! And we sprinkle in some early work by Travis Charest and NINJAS!
Doctor Strange 55: The Golden Touch | BLERD IT OUT
On this episode, Adrian takes a look at Doctor Strange #55 by the legendary Michael Golden and Terry Austin from 1982! This single issue is hallowed within the annals of comicdom by fans and professionals alike. It is absolutely influential to the comic book art of the later 1980s and 1990s as reflected in the work of Arthur Adams, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld and countless others.
Episode 2 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
On this episode, Adrian takes a look at ‘Master of Kung Fu’ 33 by Doug Moench & Paul Gulacy, ‘Weird War Tales’ 64 with some of the earliest comics work by a young Frank Miller and a ‘mystery book’ that will surprise you that he found in the cheap bins! You’ll have to watch and find out what it is!
Episode 1 | ESCAPE TO THE QUARTER BIN
In this new weekly series, Adrian scoops gold from the quarter bin of his local comic shop and reviews it here! (APOLOGIES FOR THE SHAKY CAMERA!) On this episode, we take a look at his haul of Marvel’s ‘Heroes For Hope’ from 1985, ‘Shock Rockets’ 1-5 by Busiek & Immonen, ‘Ka-Zar’ 7-10 by Waid & Andy Kubert, ‘Onslaught: Marvel Universe’ and ‘Onslaught: X-Men’ by Waid and Adam Kubert, ‘ROM Spaceknight’ 75 by Mantlo, Ditko, P.Craig Russell and Kevin Nowlan (!), ‘Prime’ by Norm Breyfogle, ‘Avengers’ by John Byrne and John Buscema, 'SeaQuest DSV' 1 (?!) and finally ‘WildCATS/X-Men: The Golden Age’ by the incomparable Travis Charest!
Inazuma Tech - Classic AcuArc Ruler Unboxing and Review
On this episode, host Adrian Johnson gets his hand on a classic Acu-Arc ruler in its original packaging. After seeing one in a tutorial by the late Syd Mead (1933-2019), Adrian determined to get one of his own to try out personally.
Inazuma Tech - Episode 7: Blackwing Unboxing and Review
Host Adrian Johnson unboxes and reviews his new set of Palomino Blackwing pencils. With a legacy of being preferred by artists, musicians and animators for decades, Adrian takes the Blackwing for a spin to see if this legendary pencil lives up to the hype.
Blerd It Out! - The Philippine Comics Review
In this short segment previously exclusive to Patreon subscribers, host Adrian Johnson details ‘The Philippine Comics Review’. - a rare artifact of the ‘Filipino Invasion’ of American comic books in the 1970s.
In 1979, the first (and only) issue of 'The Philippine Comics Review' magazine was published by Tikbalang Publications. The editor, Ros H. Matienzo, touts in his foreword in the frontispiece of the issue: “…we are certain that when the history of Philippine comics in the 70’s is written down, this magazine will be in it, even if only as a footnote.”
It is a shame that the magazine did not proceed past the first issue as it is jam packed with insightful articles on Philippine comics history and creators, an op-ed column by Alex Toth (!), a rare interview with Alex Nino and topped by a portfolio of Nestor Redondo (who also paints the front and back covers).
Inazuma Tech - Episode 6: Inking With A Cotton Swab
On this episode, host Adrian Johnson details how you can use one of the most common household item to help with you comic book inking and illustration -- the cotton swab. Adrian shows how to efficiently fill in large areas of black and work with an actual comic book panel using the swab.
Artist Proof Redux - Jon Bogdanove
On this episode of Artist Proof Redux, we re-present the original Artist Proof podcast episode with new footage and material exclusively for Youtube.
Host Adrian Johnson conducts a conversation with one of his favorite comic book artists, Jon Bogdanove.
Aside from brief runs on Marvel Comics’ X-Factor and Power Pack, Bogdanove is perhaps best known for delivering his dynamic and powerful art with an 80-plus issue run on DC Comics' Superman: Man Of Steel title. Bogdanove and writer Louise Simonson also co-created the character Steel (jon Henry Irons) during the Death & Return of Superman saga in the early 1990s.
Jon expounds upon his earliest influences such as the classic Adventures of Superman television series and the works of legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby. He also gives a behind-the-scenes peek into how the Death & Return of Superman storyline was orchestrated and the inspirations for the character Steel. Lastly, Bogdanove discusses being a ’style chameleon’, his outreach in teaching art to middle-schoolers and his creator-owned comic Strongman.