milestone comics

If today's episode feels like a private chat among friends, that's no accident. I became acquainted with Nikolas Draper-Ivey shortly after he was announced as the series artist for Static: Season One -- the title that kicked off the Milestone Returns line at DC Comics. We've been building a solid rapport ever since, but I could never get him to sit for an interview -- until now.

In this conversation, I ask Nik about his journey so far. He explains his origins as an artist, how he got the attention of Milestone Media's Reginald Hudlin & Denys Cowan, and what it's meant to be trusted with a beloved character like Static for a new generation of readers. 

Static: Shadows of Dakota is now available in hardcover from DC Comics/Milestone Media, and you can purchase it here.

About Nikolas Draper-Ivey:

Nikolas Draper-Ivey is an American illustrator based outside of New York City. Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1991. He grew up in Detroit, where his father first exposed him to Japanese animation with Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira. In his adolescence he discovered Shonen Jump Magazine.  This inspired him to pursue a career as a professional illustrator.  In 2010 he began his first semester at Savannah College Of Art & Design (SCAD) in Georgia as a Sequential Art major with a minor in Illustration. 

His style plays heavily on use of light and shadow and combines afro-futurist elements with hints of fantasy, hip-hop and punk culture and his love cinematography. His two biggest influences are Roger Deakins (Director of cinematography for Blade Runner 2049) and Takeshi Obata, (artist for Hikaru No Go, Death Note, BAKUMAN Platinum End).  In 2014, after moving to New York City, he had the chance to meet with his idols, Editor Koji Yoshida and mangaka Takeshi Obata who praised his early works as a “successful fusion of his Eastern and Western influences”.

Currently, Draper-Ivey is working on his original work Dream Vesper, he firmly believes that his unique Afro-Asian futuristic art style can change the world

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In this episode, Bob, Aaron, John, and Steve are joined by Kristen Gudsnuk to discuss her new graphic novel with Schitt's Creek star Emily Hampshire, Amelia Aierwood - Basic Witch (in stores April 11, 2023)! They discuss The Super Mario Bros. Movie, planning for New York City Comic-Con, playing a zombie on The Walking Dead spinoff, and more!

Books: Saga #63, Love Everlasting #6, Scarlet Witch #4, Poison Ivy #11, Flawed #6, Icon vs. Hardware #2, Junk Rabbit #1, Amazing Spider-Man #23, Batman #134, Danger and Other Unknown Risks OGN

Other Stuff: The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Cocaine Bear, Shazam! Fury of the Gods

The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (www.talkingcomicbooks.com). The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh, Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Aaron Amos, John Burkle, and Chris Ceary, who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Twitter handle is @TalkingComics, and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.

As featured in Roy Thomas’ Alter Ego Magazine, Alex Grand and co-host Jim Thompson interview Professor William H. Foster III, published comic book historian, former Eisner judge and award-winning museum exhibit curator on the evolving roles of African Americans in Comics.  William discusses his early forays into reading comics in the 1960s and 70s, then goes into a fascinating discussion of the portray and involvement of African American characters and creators in comics starting from the Yellow Kid, Krazy Kat, Ebony in Spirit, World's Finest, Sgt Fury, Fantastic Four's Black Panther, Luke Cage, Black Lightning, Black Vulcan, Fast Willie Jackson, Robert Crumb in Zap Comics, Storm of the X-Men, Sabre, Hypno Hustler, Milestone Comics, Trading Cards, Captain America, Thunder and ending into present day comic books.  Originated, Edited & Produced by Alex Grand.  Transcript available in Alter Ego 174.

Images used in artwork ©Their Respective Copyright holders, CBH Podcast ©Comic Book Historians. Thumbnail Artwork ©Comic Book Historians.  Music ©Lost European

As featured in Roy Thomas’ Alter Ego Magazine, Alex Grand and co-host Jim Thompson interview Professor William H. Foster III, published comic book historian, former Eisner judge and award-winning museum exhibit curator on the evolving roles of African Americans in Comics.  William discusses his early forays into reading comics in the 1960s and 70s, then goes into a fascinating discussion of the portray and involvement of African American characters and creators in comics starting from the Yellow Kid, Krazy Kat, Ebony in Spirit, World's Finest, Sgt Fury, Fantastic Four's Black Panther, Luke Cage, Black Lightning, Black Vulcan, Fast Willie Jackson, Robert Crumb in Zap Comics, Storm of the X-Men, Sabre, Hypno Hustler, Milestone Comics, Trading Cards, Captain America, Thunder and ending into present day comic books.  Originated, Edited & Produced by Alex Grand.  Transcript available in Alter Ego 173.

Images used in artwork ©Their Respective Copyright holders, CBH Podcast ©Comic Book Historians. Thumbnail Artwork ©Comic Book Historians.  Music ©Lost European

Get your weekly dose of news, reviews, and more from the AIPT Comics podcast, plus this week Reginald Hudlin joins the show to talk Milestone, Icon vs. Hardware launching next week, and more! 

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!

NEWS

1. DICK TRACY RETURNS (NO, REALLY FOR REALS)
2. ‘Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent’ to crossover into the ‘Injustice’ universe
3. DC Comics introducing nonbinary trans hero Circuit Breaker next week
4. ‘Poison Ivy’ blossoms from 12-issue series to ongoing series
5. 'Hulk Annual' #1 takes a 'found footage' approach this May
6. Marvel celebrates Nick Fury in new anniversary one-shot
7. Carnage fights Miles Morales in ‘Carnage Reigns’ seven-part crossover
8. ‘Wytches’ gets animated Amazon Studios series adaptation
9. IDW sets debonaire jewel thief series ‘Cat Fight’ for May 2023

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Gotham City: Year One (2022) #5 (Tom King, Jorge Fornes)
2. Harrower #1 (Justin Jordan, Brahm Revel)

Nathan:

1. Poison Ivy #9 (G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara)
2. Harrower #1 (Justin Jordan, Brahm Revel)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Nathan - Static: Shadows of Dakota #1 (Vita Ayala, Nikolas Draper-Ivey)

Dave - Daredevil #8 (Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Dave: The Last Barbarians #1 (Brian Haberlin, Geirrod Van Dyke)
2. Nathan: Fantastic Four #4 (Ryan North, Iban Coello)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: Batman: The Adventures Continue, Season III #2 (Daniel Warren Johnson)
2. Nathan: TMNT #137 (Fero Piniche)

Interview: Reginald Hudlin - writer, producer, director, comics writer!

1. Reggie Hudlin, a man who needs no introduction, with some incredible projects recently out, out next week like Icon vs. Hardware, and coming soon like the Milestone 30th anniversary special, thank you so much for being on the AIPT comics podcast! To start, what made now the right time for an Icon Vs. Hardware miniseries?
2. Obviously the very name of the Worlds Collide event has a special meaning to longtime fans of DC and Milestone. No spoilers, but is there any particular reason that title was chosen for this?
3. Hardware and Icon both have had a hard time convincing the world that they’re heroes. Will throwing down with one another worsen that public perception?
4. This book does a great job of catching folks up and also moving things along in an intriguing direction. Would you say this is an ideal starting point for new fans?
5. Whenever I see a writing duo I wonder…did they break up the scripting, or did you do different passes, what was it like working with Leon Chills on this series?
6. Reggie you’re a director, Icon vs. Hardware movie…when?
7. We’re going onto year three of Milestone Returns, where do you see Earth M and this corner of DC Comics three years from now?
8. Milestone 30th Anniversary Special is coming out march 7th, a 96-page Prestige format anthology, can you tell us anything about any stories you’re contributing to this one?
9. Reggie, you’re a renaissance man working in TV, movies, comics…what else are you juggling outside of talking to press like us? Candy Cane Lane Eddie Murphy February independent spirit awards
10. Is there a superhero story that’s been in your back pocket you want to tell someday?

This week on Two Idiots Reading Comics, Static! We also get nostalgic about WB Kidz! Who is ready for the new milestone universe? Find out on this week on Two Idiots Reading Comics!
 
Intro music by Rinne on YouTube (Prod. Rinne).

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Check us out on YouTube at Two Idiots Reading Comics!

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @twoidiotsrc for announcements and to see what books we are reading that month!

We're going to round this season off with a shock to your system! This week we are discussing  Static: Season One (the whole volume this time) with Marci and Ako of The Colored Pages Book Club! We were excited to finish this story arc, and it did not disappoint. Tune in to hear us talk about the reintroduction of Virgil Hawkins, the Dakotaverse, and Milestone Comics.

Monte's theme this season is works by writer Vita Ayala.  Veronica's theme is a character study of Wonder Woman (with curation assistance by @AnneComics on Twitter, cohost of The Comics Collective).

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Check out the inaugural crossover of the Hall of Pods, our new podcast network! We discuss Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness with The Fandom Optimists, Cape Corner, and True Believers: a Comics PoDCast! Find all of our links here.

We recently appeared on Ten Cent Takes to discuss three Star Trek/X-Men crossover properties from the 90's, give it a listen!

Email us at sjwcomicspodcast@gmail.com, or check out our social media at:

https://twitter.com/sjwcomicscast
https://www.instagram.com/sjwcomicscast/

Check out the inaugural crossover of the Hall of Pods, our podcast network! We discuss Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness with The Fandom Optimists, Cape Corner, and True Believers: a Comics PoDCast! Find all of our links here.

To get in touch with us, you can email sjwcomicspodcast@gmail.com, or check out our social media at:

https://twitter.com/sjwcomicscast
https://www.instagram.com/sjwcomicscast/

We can't read ALL the comics, even if we want to. Thus, today we sample just the FIRST issue of Static: Season One, the reboot of the Static Series with writer Vita Ayala.

Next  week will be a bonus episode, in which we discuss Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms with Mike and Jessika from the EXCELLENT podcast Ten Cent Takes! The week after that, we will be reading Captain Marvel (2014) #1-6: Higher, Further, Faster, More. We invite you to read along with us.

Veronica's theme this season is Redemption (for characters we didn't like before). Monte's theme is Femme Fatales.

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Guest Appearances:

Check out the inaugural crossover of the Hall of Pods, our new podcast network! We discuss Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness with The Fandom Optimists, Cape Corner, and True Believers: a Comics PoDCast! Find all of our links here.

Veronica and Melissa appeared together on Super Sideshow to discuss the finale of the Hawkeye TV show,  Melissa appeared alone to discuss WandaVision (twice!), and Veronica hopped on to objectify the men of the MCU. Monte appeared on The Fandom Optimists to discuss the third episode of Moon Knight.

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Email us at sjwcomicspodcast@gmail.com, or check out our social media at:

https://twitter.com/sjwcomicscast
https://www.instagram.com/sjwcomicscast/

Check out the inaugural crossover of the Hall of Pods, our podcast network! We discuss Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness with The Fandom Optimists, Cape Corner, and True Believers: a Comics PoDCast! Find all of our links here.

To get in touch with us, you can email sjwcomicspodcast@gmail.com, or check out our social media at:

https://twitter.com/sjwcomicscast
https://www.instagram.com/sjwcomicscast/

Melissa Megan returns to the podcast to discuss the latest breakthrough in VR technology, mouth haptics! Ever wanted to feel the sensation of having spiders in your mouth? Now you can! The TC crew also talks about dinosaurs, crossovers, Batgirls, Blood Syndicates, Death, and comics!

Books: Wonder Woman #787, Batgirls #6, Captain America: Symbol of Truth #1, Seven Secrets #17, Crossover #13, Naomi Season 2 #3, Justice League vs the Legion of Superheroes #3, Judgment Day: Avengers X-Men Eternals, Cold Iron #1, Eight Billion Genies #1, Grim #1, Jurassic League #1, Spectators #1-15, Tales From Harrow County: Lost Ones #1, Karmen #1-5, Gender Queer: A Memoir, Blood Syndicate #1, Suicide Squad: Get Joker #3

Other Stuff: Batman Unburied - Episodes 3-4 (podcast), The Boys Season 3

The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (www.talkingcomicbooks.com). The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh, Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Aaron Amos, and John Burkle, who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Twitter handle is @TalkingComics, and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.

In this week's episode, comics legend Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio join the panel for an in-depth discussion about their new series from Aftershock Comics, The Heathens. Then, Bronwyn crashes the party to help us review Venom: Let There Be Carnage. We've also got Lightning Rounds, some fun film and television announcements, and Bob's adventure while marching for Women's Rights. Let the carnage commence!

Books: Wonder Woman: Black & Gold #4, Adventureman #5, Inferno #1, Rorschach #1-12, Icon and Rocket Season #1-3, Crossover #8, Justice League #68, The Autumnal (The Complete Series), Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven OGN, DIE #1-20

Interview with Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio starts at the 1:11:00 mark. Enjoy!

Movies: Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (www.talkingcomicbooks.com) The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh, Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Aaron Amos, and John Burkle, who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Twitter handle is @TalkingComics and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.

NOW on SPOTIFY!

LOTS of DC news and comics this week, including reflections on the end of Future State, Generations: Forged #1, and the upcoming Infinite Frontiers relaunch!!! And of course, it simply wouldn’t be a Talking Comics podcast without some discussion of the impending #SnyderCut.

Also, several of our favorite books wrapped up last week (some surprisingly so), including Saladin Ahmed & Minkyu Jung’s Magnificent Ms. Marvel run. 75 issues, y’all!

Comics talked this week: Return of The Valkyries #3, Captain Marvel: Snapshots, Captain Marvel #26, November #4, X-Men #18, Marvel Voices Legacy #1, Write in Blood, Represent #5, Milestone Returns #0, Mighty Morphin #1-4, Power Rangers #1-3, Generations: Forged #1, Infinite Frontier #0, Stray Dogs #1, Nailbiter Returns #10, Something is Killing the Children #15, and The Magnificent Ms. Marvel #18.

The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (www.talkingcomicbooks.com) The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh (JoBlo.com assistant EIC & news editor), Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Jessica Garris-Schaeffer, Aaron Amos, and Sarah Miles who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Twitter handle is @TalkingComics and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.

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An episode of firsts!  On this week's installment, Dave and Dan read a collection of introduction issues; discussing and ranking Giant Size X-Men #1, the first appearance of Cheryl Blossom in Archie's Girls, Betty & Veronica #320 in the story "Dare to Be Bare", Suicide Squad #1-2, and Milestone Comic's Icon #1-3.