No one is more surprised than we are. Frank Miller, the legendary comics maker behind Daredevil: Born Again, Ronin, Batman: Year One, Sin City, and The Dark Knight Returns, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year, joins us this week to discuss his career as he filtered it through his new memoir/self-help book, Push The Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and The Art of Storytelling.
His latest creation floored us. Broken into sixteen lessons, Push the Wall sees Frank Miller excavate his past to understand his pursuit of storytelling. He attempts to explain his rebellious nature and a need to throw himself against opposing forces, but in the process, reveals the awesome, unbeatable power of change.
He treats the reader as his mentors did, like Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. Push the Wall works not only as motivation for the struggling artist, but also for the struggling human. The aggression and fascination for violence are present, but more importantly, Push the Wall contains a great softness or vulnerability. Frank Miller is not a creator who doubles down on past mistakes; he admits regret and offers encouragement to everyone who must fail to grow.
We’re beyond delighted to have Frank Miller on the podcast. We discuss how “The City” was the first to change him, why The Dark Knight Returns should not be the template for all Batman stories, and whether or not Robocop 2 is an essential ingredient in his vocation.
Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling arrives in bookstores everywhere on July 14th. Make sure you’re following Frank Miller on Instagram and his website.
Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:
Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel
Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics
Watch Matt Fraction in The Stacks
Previously on CBCC: Klaus Janson on Daredevil, The Dark Knight Returns, and More
Jim Rugg's 1986 Zine
Comic Book Film Club: Punisher: War Zone at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 7/12 at 5:00 PM. Co-Sponsored by Four Color Fantasies.
Comic Book Club: The Complete Persepolis at Meanwhile...Coffee in Herndon, Virginia, on 7/5 at 3:30 PM
Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):
Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.
And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.
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Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.
Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.
This Week's Sponsors
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If you are a fan of the legendary artwork of Michael Turner, you need to check out The DC Art of Michael Turner on Kickstarter from Clover Press and Aspen Comics. This oversized deluxe hardcover celebrates Turner’s unforgettable takes on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, The Flash, the Justice League, and more, all packed into a massive 200-plus-page coffee-table art book. And if you back the Kickstarter, you can get exclusive editions and extras you can't find in stores, including slipcases, sketchbook editions, portfolios, and more. Michael Turner’s art defined an era of comics — and this is his definitive collection. Visit Kickstarter and search “The DC Art of Michael Turner” before the campaign ends on July 9th.
Third Eye Comics is opening its biggest store ever: Third Eye 97, a 10,000-square-foot comic, game, and collectibles mega-store inside a former Walmart in Glen Burnie, Maryland, with the doors opening July 25th. Grand opening month goes huge with a Rob Liefeld signing at the new flagship on July 31st, the legend behind Youngblood, Deadpool, and Cable, live and in person. Can't make it to Maryland? The entire Third Eye world ships to your door at thirdeyecomics.com: new releases, back issues, games, and exclusives, sent anywhere with Third Eye Ships. See Third Eye's massive inventory while watching THE STACKS and then order those same books your favorite creators talk about online! Use codeword: STACKSORDIE for 15% off your order!
The Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Va is not only unlike any theater in America; it’s unlike any Alamo Drafthouse. It’s a franchise. In fact, it’s the first Alamo Drafthouse location outside of Texas. On July 5th, their Film Club is celebrating America’s 250th with the 85th Anniversary of the Greatest Movie Ever Made, Citizen Kane! They’ll have an encore screening of Kane on Wednesday, July 8th, too. Film Club is great, but so is their Psycho Cinema series hosted by Faye. On July 14th, they’re screening truly one of the best bad movies of all time, Samurai Cop. Golly, have you even lived until you’ve seen Samurai Cop on the big screen? I think not. Get your tickets today!
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