Wiley Miller of the brilliant “Non Sequitur” joins me to talk about the fact that his comic just turned 20 years old! He’s been in syndication since 1992, and has seen a lot happen since then.  Wiley is never shy to talk about anything controversial, and I have a blast talking about his editorial past, his first foray into syndicated comics with “Fenton” back in 1982, and the state of the industry now.  And we go off on the recent New York Times editorial brouhaha, and I think he has some very interesting points to make about both sides of the issue!  You can check Non Sequitur out here on GoComics.  It’s been one of my top 10 faves for, oh, 20 years!

Also, Jonathan Lemon of “Rabbits Against Magic” checks in with another of his funny and informative “Lemon Lists!”  Did you know a cartoonist probably solved the famous Zodiac Murders?  Well you do now!

Frank Jordan, writer and artist of the always funny and often bleeding-edge envelope pushing “Company Man Comic” and I have a great talk about his strip, how he apparently isn’t aware of what the word “buffer” means, sports, celebrities, politic, race…pretty much a little of everything.   Frank is a great example of how you just need to do the work that makes YOU laugh and to throw caution to the wind.  One of my favorite interviews with one of my favorite comic artists!  Check him out right here!     And, we pretty much got the Superbowl right! Go us!

Oh, the controversy! Brock Heasley, writer and creator of “The Superfogeys” is here with artist extraordinaire Marc LaPierre to talk about the recently ended Chapter 12, where all sorts of character stuff went down!  We also weigh in on the whole Star Wars in 3D thing, so there’s something for every nerd!

Stephan Pastis joins me to talk about his brand spankin’ new app, “Only The Pearls.”  In it, he sets the bar very high for the industry, with 250 of his favorite “Pearls Before Swine” comics, 100 audio commentaries on them, and dozens of very funny videos where he gives us insight into how the process works, how good he is at sinking a basketball in his house, and how he has delusions of grandeur about the coffee shop he works in.  There’s very funny satire, but also a ton of really valuable insight into the process of making a syndicated strip.  The section on his bulletin board alone is stuff every artist should see. He also continues to make fun of my Django Reinhart opening music, so just to shut him up, I make a slight change he suggests.

You can get this amazing app at the iTunes app store.

Also, a new Lemon List from the ever-amazing Jonathan Lemon of “Rabbits Against Magic!”  You learn something every time you hear one of these, and today is no exception!

There’s no scandalous reason that TTF is toddling off into the sunset other than the one that plagues so many valiant ideas and splendid plans…time.  Or, more specifically, the lack thereof.  All those artists listed above are amazing and supportive, but the bottom line was simply that there was no time to really devote to maintaining the community properly. Many attempts were made at blogging, posting, forums, etc…but each of them is deeply immersed in their own site, or for most of them, sites. Anyone who has even thought about taking a shot at creating their own comic strip, comic book, or graphic novel knows that it’s a full time job.  Usually on top of a day job, family, illustration jobs, freelance gigs, and side projects.

I have been lucky enough to hitch my wagon to those stars, and without exaggeration, each of them has been inspirational to me, supportive of the show, and honestly, good friends. I’m in contact with all them in one way or another most every day.  Irma has become such a close friend and webmistress to my web efforts, and the site you see before you is a small part of the 325 things she does for my artistic and personal life.  Lucas and I have lunch quite often and talk shop and our kids, Jonathan Lemon contributes brilliant comedy to my podcasts and is good friend I simply don’t see enough, Brock and I get into great discussions on twitter and email about every subject under the sun, Chip and I have political discussions that I wish actual politicians would emulate…Mike, Barb, Scott, Norm, and David are all artistic inspirations and wonderful people who I converse with all the time.  I wish I had half the artistic skill they all possess in their pinky toes.

In short, there would be no Tall Tale Radio without Mike Witmer’s vision and the support of all those amazing artists. They’re all doing quite well on their own, and it’s so exciting to watch them grow and stretch themselves.  I look forward to getting free copies of all their works as they explode on the scene!

So, Tall Tale Features is dead. Long live Tall Tale Radio.  I have had the opportunity to grow as a podcaster, interviewer and voice artist over these past several years, all because of this show. I have some great plans on the horizon for the show, hopefully some bigger news, and as always, the honor to talk to such great artists, musicians, filmmakers, and people from all walks of life. All of my TTF Brethren will surely continue to appear on the show, and all have carte blanche when it comes to that. I can’t thank them enough for their support and friendship, and know that both will continue for a long, long time.

Onward! And stay tuned!

Let’s start off 2012 with a bang, shall we? None other than the über-talented artist, Tom Richmond joins me on this episode of Tall Tale Radio. Tom works, of course, for MAD Magazine, is an amazing illustrator and caricaturist, and is currently the Lord High Overlord Emperor (or President) of the National Cartoonists Society.

We talk about the new category at the Reuben Awards for “Best Online Comic,” Tom’s trip to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with the brilliant artists of MAD Magazine, and about his new book, “The Mad Art of Caricature” which is quickly becoming an indispensable part of every artist’s library. Get it here!

-Irma Eriksson: Tall Tale Radio Web Goddess.

Brian Crane, writer and artist of the great strip “Pickles” is with me today to talk about his road to syndication, how he goes about his daily business of bringing the funny old people to life, and what it’s like to slowly be creeping on the age of his protagonists! “Pickles” is a constant top-10 favorite around the country and is truly one of those strips that sneaks under your radar. You think it’s going to be a feel-good sappy strip about elderly people, and it turns out to have one of the sharpest edges out there. It’s one of my favorites, and it’s been around 21 years for good reason!

Brian couldn’t be a nicer guy, and it was a great honor to talk to this 2001 NCS Best Comic Strip award winner!

Canadian sculptor and Star Wars fanatic, (oh, and amazing syndicated cartoonist) Jonathan Mahood joins me for a truly enjoyable hour conversation about his work on “Bleeker the Rechargeable Dog” and his long, strange trip to syndication.  Hear how he got some astonishingly brutal advice from an art teacher which luckily, turned out OK!  We also delve into the mysterious world of LEGO building sets and robots! It’s a cartooning geek-fest!

You can check “Bleeker” out among all the fine comics of King Features!