Comic writer/artist Jason Yungbluth and I share the same twisted mindset. We originally met back in 2002 for one of my very first ArtVoice print interviews (back when I was freelancing) and hit it off right from the jump. His ongoing comic Deep Fried stands next to Reid Fleming: World’s Toughest Milkman as one of the funniest, most off-the-wall comics I’ve ever read. His art isn’t the weaker end of the bargain either. Going back through his issues to prep for the show, I picked up some strong shades of R. Crumb, a little Bill Wray and his own distinctive style, which is just…fully realized. As co-host Mark McElligott put it, ‘He’s got IT.’ After the interview, Jason moved to Rochester to blaze his own trail and find a larger comic market. This was the first time we’d been in the same room together since ’02. It was more fun than I expected.
Thanks to Jason, Mark and the ever-present producer Richard Wicka for a great episode. I’ve got a soft spot for the comic book industry, and I wish I could land more local talent in the field. Oh and hey, SUBSCRIBE to the show for updates, bonus clips, yada yada. A thumbs up wouldn’t hurt, either.
#BigWordsVideo is doubling down in December, so don’t adjust your monitors.
Tom