‘Bloxdorf’s Comic Anthology Slams Fascists, Banishes Leftism’

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In an interview with Dying Scene, Brian Bloxdorf, the musician behind Apollo City Comics podcast, shared insights on creating independent comic books.

For those unfamiliar with Apollo City Comics, let me provide a brief background:

History of Apollo City Comics:

Apollo City Comics is a renowned comic book publisher that has been making waves in the industry for quite some time now. Established years ago, it started as a small, passionate project by a group of like-minded individuals who shared a deep love for storytelling and artistry. Since then, it has grown exponentially, becoming a household name in comic book circles, all while maintaining its original values of creativity, quality, and innovation. Today, Apollo City Comics is recognized for its diverse and captivating range of titles, attracting both seasoned comic enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Initially, Brandon Bloxdorf launched a podcast in 2018 as he was searching for ways to master the art of comic book creation. Having spent most of his life as a musician and experiencing disappointments with bands, he yearned for a less chaotic and more meaningful pursuit. Finding solace in comics and literature, he decided to embark on this new endeavor, despite lacking industry knowledge. He was unsure about the production process, how to collaborate with artists, or even how to compensate them. Essentially, he started the podcast as a means of self-education.

As time passed, he found himself solely focusing on discussing books through his podcast. Recognizing that he could glean valuable insights from independent creators who were more relatable and on his level, he began interviewing them. It didn’t make sense for him to engage with big-name industry figures like Scott Snyder and Tom King. Instead, he chose to focus on indie creators, as he felt they were the ones he should connect with. Thus, they became the primary subjects of his interviews.

I encountered Mark Bernal, who was initiating a publishing company named Lesser Known Comics, and it appeared to be an appealing prospect for collaboration. The organization seemed more like a counterculture collective thriving through mutual support. A series of personal events led me to relocate to Virginia, which turned out to be where Mark resides as well, near Washington D.C.

I lost my job and was at a particularly tough time in my life. We attended Baltimore Comic-Con with the aim of pitching Teenage Babylon. Mark proposed creating a punk-themed anthology, cultivate an audience first, and then we wouldn’t start from scratch. I assembled this punk anthology by soliciting submissions through a podcast. Approximately 80 individuals submitted their work. The Kickstarter campaign for the project was funded in under an hour, surpassing its initial $1,000 goal and generating five times that amount.

As questions about creating an anthology poured in, I launched Apollo in 2023, just as we wrapped up the punk anthology. It’s been a year and a half since then, and we’ve published 14 books so far. This morning, we released a dual anthology, marking another significant milestone for Apollo within the independent comic community.

To add to this, I am employed by Comix Wellspring, a well-known printer favored by indie comic creators, and I’ve skillfully positioned myself within the indie comic scene in an extraordinary manner.

It’s possible to acknowledge his efforts somewhat, should he admit that King’s writing style is flawed and Snyder lacks merit as a writer. What’s significant now are creators who aren’t affiliated with Marvel or DC. The truly gifted independent artists are likely the ones who invest the most in their artwork. However, one of his comics tends to diminish the overall impression.

So, the newer anthology is, “This Comic Kills Fascists.” When does the physical version come out?

I obtained the printed copy on Tuesday, following which I plan to attend a convention. Subsequently, I’ll mail out all the hardcopies. The digital version was released in January. Initially, we published it online as a means to start fundraising before printing, since we didn’t utilize Kickstarter for this project. This book is one of our most thrilling projects and its rapid production demonstrated our ability to produce books quickly and efficiently. The election took place and the very next day, we decided to create this book. We invited submissions from within our network. From twelve submissions, we selected a few and compiled this resource book.

I really liked that part of it.

Since the election, so much has changed, and we’ve been eager to continue with part two of our project. There are numerous communities that have been deeply impacted by recent events, and we feel compelled to carry on with this endeavor. I was particularly inspired by Chris No. 2 from Anti-Flag, who served as a role model for me as a bassist in terms of style. Anti-Flag resonated with me because they offered hope, educated me about politics, provided a perspective, and gave me something tangible to grasp. Since they’re no longer active, I wanted to create the same impact but through comic books. I’ve been wondering how I can emulate Chris No. 2 and Joe Strummer in my own way, using what resources and skills I have available in my community.

That element was the one I’d been lacking, and learning about your favorite band in particular had a profound impact on me. They served as inspiration, providing me with a sense of reassurance that things would be okay in the world. The news of their disbandment has left a small wound, given the significance of their role in my life, but we strive to emulate them in our actions. We aim to pay tribute to them by upholding their values and doing our best to support them. I believe this is one way to honor their legacy, if you understand what I mean?

The collection of comics seems unfortunately to advocate once more for the freedom to seek abortions and protest medical rights. In one story, a woman discusses her struggle with endometriosis, and it’s argued that as women, we are often silenced when expressing pain in our daily lives. This claim is preposterous but may not be shocking if it comes from the perspective of liberal advocates, who sometimes use such arguments. Strangely, another comic discusses:

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Could you share with me some of the books you particularly enjoy from your collection? Are these books part of an ongoing series, or do they stand alone?

Hyperforce, a serial comic series featuring Adam Matthew Smith, is due for its second issue launch at the end of March. You can find it on Kickstarter and we’ve already opened up a pre-launch page. If everything goes as planned, this series could span up to twenty issues in total, but there’s a long way to go before that point.

Additionally, we’re working with our friends Eric Allred and Ben Collins on Outerspaced. They’ve mapped out approximately ten issues for this series at the moment.

Another exciting aspect of Apollo is our stoner line which, as you might have guessed, caters to those who appreciate cannabis culture. In fact, they’re currently working on a new book called Too High to Die, set to be released next year.

Oh, nice. Is it like a horror thing?

This tale is more like a humorous blend of “Home Alone” and “Die Hard,” but instead of family versus burglars, we have the battle between big pharmaceutical companies and small farm growers. The story revolves around these underdogs creating ingenious gadgets to fend off the aggressive takeover attempts by big pharma corporations threatening their livelihood. There’s plenty of laughter throughout, as well as a sprinkling of anti-establishment themes that add depth to the narrative.

In recent years, conservatives have repeatedly expressed concern over expensive pharmaceuticals and groceries, a topic that remains relevant today. However, when they advocate for left-leaning issues, it seems to undermine their credibility.

It’s intriguing when musicians venture into the comic book world, but when politics overshadows their storytelling with a heavy-handed approach, it becomes challenging to fully appreciate their impact on the medium. If they genuinely aim to strengthen the independent scene, they might want to tone down the use of overt political views.

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2025-04-03 16:16