The Australian comics folio website has just been launched and it’s a treasure trove of stories, information, interviews, essays, and so much more on Australian comics, Australian comics creators and the Australian comics community at large.

In this episode we have a chat with two of the key researchers involved in the project.

The Lead Investigator for the project was Elizabeth MacFarlane, who is a writer and Associate Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne where she teaches Graphic Narratives and Critical-Creative Writing Practices.

Gabriel Clark is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Design at the University of Technology Sydney and a creative producer. He was one of the chief investigators in the project.

This conversation is not directly about libraries and comics librarianship, but I think it’s a very valuable conversation about the Australian comics community. We’ve got enormous talent in Australia and I feel like comics by Australian creators often go under the radar. I encourage everyone to visit the Folio website and explore its vast contents.

02:48 The Folio comics project is launched!

08:00 Elizabeth and Gabe’s relationship with comics

18:01 What Elizabeth and Gabe learned about the Australian comics community

27:11 How the Folio: Stories of Australian Comics project came about

33:40 Gabe and Elizabeth discuss the Folio project, how it developed and what it looks like

40:51 The future of the Folio project

44:17 Elizabeth and Gabe talk about their highlights in the making of the Folio

50:49 The relationship of universities and academia with comics

57:09 Elizabeth and Gabe recommend some Australian comics

Folio: Stories of Australian Comics project website here: https://foliocomics.com/

The Librarians Roundtable Interview is here: https://foliocomics.com/interviews/librarians-roundtable-interview

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/

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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/

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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/

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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.

In this mont's roundup Iurgi and Gabby go through some of their recent reads, news and new exciting titles.

02:04 Recent reads:

Gabby:

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris

Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mansinga

Sword of the Champion by Eric Lide

Iurgi:

One Punch Man by One, Yusuke Murata

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor by Mark Waid, Bryan Hitch

Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet by Crystal S. Chan, Julie Choy

10:28 News:

• Alison Bechdel and Tillie Walden in conversation about art, place, and Vermont’s influence on their acclaimed, award-winning graphic memoirs and comics in a rare public conversation.
• Writer Ram V and Mariko Tamaki extended interviews
• SLJ’s Best Books 2025 graphic novels span fantasy, sci-fi, horror, memoir, historical fiction, adventure, and contemporary drama with diverse, standout titles curated by librarians.
• The Comic Book Burnings Project maps and explores post-WWII censorship of comics, documenting dozens of US public book-burnings between 1945-55 and their implications for libraries

24:47 New titles:

Iurgi:

• Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narratives by Eleri Harris, Shay Mirk (Abrams ComicArts)
• The Once and Future Riot by Joe Sacco (Vintage Publishing – Jonathan Cape)
• Reel Politik by Nathan Gelgud (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Winging It by Megan,Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Nutter (Scholastic)
• Diary Of A Nature Nerd by Tiffany Everett (Scholastic)
• Not that they need any promotion but the new Dog Man and Wings of Fire
• 
  

Our next podcast episode should be out soon and it will be a creator chat with Eleri Harris and Shay Mirk

talking about their new book Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narratives.

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.

In the October Roundup, Iurgi and Luke start by talking about the treaty going ahead in Victoria and their love o f horror.

4:40 Luke gives a rundown of what’s happened this month

06:24 Iurgi and Luke discuss their recent reads:

Iurgi:

The Knives by Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips

Godzilla: Skate or Die by Louie Joyce

The Veracity Trap by Chip Kidd, Michael Cho

The Hunger and the Dusk by G Willow Wilson, Chris Wildgoose

Luke:

Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito

Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson

Re reading Harrow Country by Cullen Bunn and artist Tyler Crook

18:16 Iurgi talks about the recent Graphic Narratives Symposium at Melbourne University

22:43 Conversation moves to news:

• The Oatmeal’s comic: A Cartoonist’s Review of AI Art
• Both Marvel and DC speak up against AI and Jim Lee delivers some beautiful words at NYCC
• Humanoids files for bankruptcy in the U.S.
• 75th Anniversary of Peanuts
• ShortBox Comics Fair

41:08 New titles out this month:

Two new titles by Australian creators:

Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative by Eleri Harris, Sarah Shay Mirk (Abrams ComicArts)

The Past Is a Grotesque Animal by Tommi Parrish (Fantagraphics)

Iurgi:

Asterix in Lusitania by Jean-Yves Ferri, René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Didier Conrad (Papercutz)

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House)

Luke:

The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz (Abrams ComicArts)

Adorable Empire By: Laura Terry (Scholastic)

Kamudo, Vol. 1 by Akira Himekawa (VIZ Media)

Astral Panic by Katie Hicks (Flying Eye Books)

My Life in 24 Frames per Second by Rintaro (Abrams ComicArts)

The Space Between The Trees by Norm Konyu (Titan Books)

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.

In the September Roundup podcast (yes, we do realise we're in October already) Mia and Gabby discuss their recent reads, then discuss some of the latest news and their favourite picks from this month's crop of new titles.

02:00 Recent reads: The umbrella academy vol. 1, Hulk teach, Neopets, Inked

07:12 News

12:50 New titles:

• Monster Blood (Goosebumps: The Graphic Novel) by R.L. Stine, Maddi Gonzalez (Scholastic Inc)
• Max A Little Axolotl By Joey Spiotto (Scholastic Inc)
• This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki, Nicole Goux (Abrams Fanfare)
• Assorted Crisis Events by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki (Image Comics)

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/

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In the third episode of the Comics Librarianship series Iurgi sits down with Jane Burns, an experienced lecturer, researcher, published author and public speaker. Jane is a member of the Executive Council of the Library Association of Ireland and has been awarded Fellowship status by the LAI for contributions to the development of the profession and commitment to Continuous Professional Development and Research.

Jane is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Dublin City University exploring the field of Graphic Medicine and she was involved in the 15th annual Graphic Medicine Conference through the Technological University of the Shannon where she works.

In this conversation Jane discusses her relationship with comics, how academia and universities are embracing comics and why graphic medicine is growing in importance.

02:36 Jane discusses her relationship with comics throughout the years

06:52 How the relationship of academia with comics has changed and why

11:14 Jane and Iurgi discuss some of the strengths of comics as texts, their power and their allure

21:20 Jane discusses universities and how they are increasingly engaging more with comics

24:05 Jane discusses her focus on comics, medicine and teaching environments. She also discusses the International Graphic Medicine Conference in Ireland and upcoming creation of the Irish chapter of the Graphic Medicine Collective.

31:05 Jane discusses some of the main takeaways from the graphic medicine conference and what she would like to see into the future

38:48 What school and public libraries can do in the field of graphic medicine

40:29 Jane recommends some graphic medicine titles to read: The Graphic Medicine Manifesto, MK Czerwiec’s Taking Turn and Menopause, Ian William’s The Bad Doctor and Pascal Jousselin’s Mister Invincible.

The Graphic Medicine International Collective: https://www.graphicmedicine.org

The article Jane mentions about libraries and graphic medicine is Graphic Medicine in Academic Health and Science Library Collections you can find it here: https://jmla.pitt.edu/ojs/jmla/article/view/1962

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.