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Jack Kirby + Osamu Tezuka = Scott McCloud's Insanely Fun SciFi Comics Book Classic
Manage episode 459188682 series 3489218
Chris and Steven put on their jet-packs and blast into issues one thru 10 of the wondrous sci-fi idea-bomb that is Scott McCloud’s ZOT! (Eclipse Comics, 1984), a slam-bang collision between the widescreen imaginations of Osamu Tezuka and Jack Kirby. Prepare yourself for iconic heroes and villains, heady philosophy, and rich humanism… Much like ZOT! itself, this episode’s got it all and it ought to, folks — it’s almost six freakin’ hours!
COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly YouTube show, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.
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Chapters
1. Jack Kirby + Osamu Tezuka = Scott McCloud's Insanely Fun SciFi Comics Book Classic (00:00:00)
2. Who is Scott McCloud? (00:00:41)
3. Who is Zot? (00:02:47)
4. Is Jenny Weaver the main character? (00:14:42)
5. Classic manga (OSAMU TEZUKA) collides with western comics (JACK KIRBY) (00:18:36)
6. Politics in ZOT! and how the ‘80s specter of nuclear war looms large (00:21:27)
7. Zot’s uniquely human “super power” (00:27:30)
8. More influences on ZOT! (C.C. Beck’s Captain Marvel a.k.a. SHAZAM! and Dick Calkins’ BUCK ROGERS) (00:30:38)
9. The 100 page+ pitch proposal for ZOT! and initial sales numbers (00:33:58)
10. Why haven’t there been more Scott McCloud comics? (00:36:53)
11. Was ZOT! ahead of its time? (00:41:38)
12. The deeper meanings behind each of the villains in ZOT! (00:45:08)
13. McCloud’s introductory essay from the 1st issue (00:54:41)
14. The folks behind Eclipse Comics predict the future (00:58:25)
15. Script Consultant... Kurt Busiek?! (01:00:29)
16. How being “ahead of your time” as an artist can be a hell of a struggle (touching on Philip K. Dick) (01:03:39)
17. The ‘80s comics that had the biggest influence on us as writers: ALIEN LEGION, DREADSTAR, NEXUS, THE QUESTION (01:09:26)
18. McCloud’s terrific (and underrated) writing skills (01:13:06)
19. The influence of Osamu Tezuka (ASTRO BOY) and Herge (TINTIN) on the shifting tones and wild humor of ZOT! (01:47:07)
20. The poignant origin of the villainous Dekko (DR. DOOM meets Elon Musk) (01:59:21)
21. The contribution of Kurt Busiek to the greatness of ZOT! and the idea of “Scenius” (02:15:00)
22. Jenny Weaver again asserts herself as the true lead character (03:02:37)
23. Marv Wolfman writes in with a fan letter! (03:08:39)
24. The tragic fate of Zot’s parents, revealed by 9-Jack-9... or is it a lie? (03:42:06)
25. Vic and Drufus experience a major emotional bonding moment (03:44:11)
26. The shocking sacrifice of Prince Drufus (03:52:47)
27. An insightful fan missive from the letter column (03:59:42)
28. Discussing how/if ZOT! could have been a bigger success (04:05:42)
29. Zot and Jenny find out the truth about Sirius IV;Jenny finds out the truth about Zot (04:20:07)
30. The bizarrely macabre nursery rhyme sung by Zot’s mom about 9-Jack-9 (04:26:35)
31. We learn what happened to Zot’s parents (04:51:10)
32. Zot keeps his promise to his father and lets go of his thirst for vengeance (05:19:04)
33. “Isn’t justice more than just a punch in the mouth?” (05:25:30)
34. McCloud dedicates this story arc to his father (05:31:12)
30 episodes
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