Ari Gross is a comic creator whom Kristian considers deserving of wider recognition. With books like Upkeep and Wardens, Ari is a writer who delves into interesting subject matter and creates characters with heart. Wardens was one of Kristian’s favorite comics of 2024. It’s about a tough as nails Jewish seamstress by the name of Rachel Tussman who gets dragged into a world of mysticism when her place of work is destroyed by a fire. With Wardens, Gross and his artist, Rob Jennex, have created a world that is evocative of the ones that characters like Popeye, Betty Boop, or Tin Tin inhabit. This week Kristian talks with Ari about crafting a comic that is a tribute to his Jewish identity, how Wardens is also a celebration of multiculturalism, and why Jewish creators haven’t always focused on telling stories centered around their own heritage.
Part-Time Fanboy. Full-Time obsession on a Part-Time schedule.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:23 — 145.8MB)
