Anne Ishii in Conversation with Ryan Holmberg - Gay Manga, Gengoroh Tagame & Translating Japanese

 Anne Ishii in Conversation with Ryan Holmberg - Gay Manga, Gengoroh Tagame & Translating Japanese

Kevin Cortez (video) and Fantom Headquarters

 Sep 4, 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1cZsmdoYNA

Manga historian, scholar, and translator Ryan Holmberg sits down with musician, artist, and translator Anne Ishii for a conversation about translation! The two discuss Ishii's work translating Gengoroh Tagame's gay erotic manga for American audiences, general workflows, working with mangaka, and translating Japanese. This conversation was recorded at Fantom Comics ( ‪@FantomComicsHQ‬) in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2026, as part of Tagame's latest release, Fish and Water, published by Pantheon Graphic Library. Order Fish and Water by Gengoroh Tagame, translated by Anne Ishii https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo... I'd love to document more of these conversations and help make them accessible to readers everywhere. So, if you dig this video please give it a like, let us know in the comments, and tell us what else you'd like to see.

Sept 22: “Roots Of Madness” Signing With Author Stephanie Williams At Fantom Comics

“Roots Of Madness” Signing With Author Stephanie Williams At Fantom Comics
The Ignition Press and DC Comics writer will be discussing her first creator-owned miniseries at Fantom Comics this September

 

Eisner Award nominated writer Stephanie Williams will be discussing and signing copies of her newest miniseries, Roots Of Madness, at Fantom Comics on September 22nd, 2026 at 6:30pm EST.

For the first time ever, rising star Stephanie Williams (Ignition Press, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Mad Cave Studios) will be sitting down with pop-culture pundit & author Sherin Nicole from RIOTUS (riot-us.com) to discuss her recent creator-owned miniseries, “Roots Of Madness” at Fantom Comics! Williams, who has made a name for herself in recent years with titles such as “Nubia & The Amazons” for DC Comics and “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur: Wreck & Roll” for Marvel Comics, released her fi rst creator-owned miniseries in 2025 to rave reviews.

The horror miniseries, which has been described as “the body horror of The Substance meets the genre period drama of Sinners in a cosmic Lovecraftian tale” (Ignition Press) is directly inspired by the life of Madame C. J. Walker, the world’s fi rst recorded self-made millionaire. Known primarily for her revolutionary work in the realm of cosmetics & hair care for Black women, Walker was also a celebrated philanthropist & social activist that used her status as an entrepreneur to champion causes directly affecting the Black community in America in the 1900s.

After garnering attention on social media for her fan-made comic, “Living Heroes” in 2020 that featured the likes of Marvel’s Storm, She-Hulk, Misty Knight, & Monica Rambeau, Williams was immediately asked to lend her talents to titles at industry titans DC Comics & Marvel Comics respectively. In 2026, Williams made history when she was nominated in the category of Best Writer at this year’s Eisner Awards for her work on “Roots Of Madness”. Williams was the first ever Black woman to be nominated in the category, & only the second ever Black person after the late Dwayne MacDuffie’s nomination in 1995. Williams will write the upcoming Vixen series for DC Comics, giving the iconic hero her fi rst dedicated ongoing solo title since her introduction in 1981.

About Fantom Comics
Established in 2005, Fantom Comics is an open, inclusive comic book store that welcomes all people! If you’re a fan who wants to talk comics, a novice who wants to learn about comics, or are just looking for the right gift for the comic fan in your life, stop by for a visit to chat with our friendly staff at our Dupont Circle location!

Book Launch: A Ghost Arm Made Of Angry Ghosts By Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]

Oliver Mertz; Zack Quaintance

Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (Aug 29 2026): https://archive.org/details/book-launch-a-ghost-arm-made-of-angry-ghosts-by-oliver-mertz-fantom-comics-260829

Instant Noodles & Beyond Book Launch With Robin Ha at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]

Instant Noodles & Beyond Book Launch With Robin Ha at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]

by Robin Ha; Jacob Shapiro

Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (August 30 2026): https://archive.org/details/instant-noodles-beyond-book-launch-with-robin-ha-fantom-comics-260830

Robin Ha at Fantom Comics

Robin Ha is being interviewed by Jacob Shapiro at Fantom Comics about her new cookbook and comic, Instant Noodles and Beyond.

She has been at Fantom Comics for all 4 of her book launches and will be at SPX in 2 weeks.

Signing with Oliver Mertz, author of A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts, at Fantom Comics

It's underway with a good crowd as Oliver is interviewed by Zack Quaintance of the Beat. A dance from the book was performed first but I didn't get any shots of it. 

Zack on left and Oliver on right.

Oliver explains why he wrote a difficult title for the book. 

He had the idea for the power and then the name kept jumping out at him.

Aug 29: Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics

 Book launch: A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts, with music by Guh Face

https://www.facebook.com/events/1513994657079059/ 

Event by Fantom Comics, 6:30 - 8, 8-?

2010 P St NW, Upper Floor, Washington D.C., DC

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

 

writer/colorist Oliver Mertz joins us at fantom for a discussion & signing of his new Oni Press graphic novel A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS, a superpowered murder mystery set in the 1990s DC punk scene then at 8pm our friends in the band GUH FACE play a live set!

“From writer and colorist extraordinaire Oliver Mertz (The Monuments, First Law of Mad Science) and acclaimed artist Alex Diotto (Youth, Indigo Children) comes a weird tale of conspiracy, faded superheroics, and suburban angst in ’90s Washington, D.C.

 

Sixteen-year-old Ari Ackerman just witnessed a murder. Or two. Or maybe he didn’t. He’s not quite sure. What he does know is that he loves the Washington, D.C., punk scene and is trying very hard to process the perpetual impending death (and frequent resurrections) of his cancer-stricken father. Ari’s best friend, Maya Meng, just wants to hang out and go see Jawbox play at the Black Cat. But sadly, an escalating series of unexplained deaths can really ruin a perfectly good day. 

 

For readers who like What’s the Furthest Place from Here?, Love and Rockets, David Lynch, Daniel Clowes, Seinfeld, Agatha Christie, Powers, Fugazi, and Wes Anderson, A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts is sure to evoke all the feelings that come with being an outsider, making sense of the world around you, and finding your place in it.”

 

releases September 1, but you’ll be able to pick up an advance copy at our launch party!

Aug 30: Robin Ha at Fantom Comics

 Instant Noodles & Beyond book launch with Robin Ha

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1513994657079059/

Event by Fantom Comics

2010 P St NW, Upper Floor, Washington D.C., DC

Public  

 

longtime fantom friend Robin Ha returns for the launch of her new graphic novel cookbook INSTANT NOODLES & BEYOND. this is her first cookbook comic since her bestselling Cook Korean!! come through for an artist discussion and signing 

 

“From the award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Cook Korean!, a graphic novel cookbook with more than 90 creative and easy recipes to upgrade your instant noodles into a fresh and satisfying meal.

 

This fun and unique cookbook–meets–graphic novel is a love-letter to instant noodles and their infinite versatility as a starting point for a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal. Filled with Robin Ha’s playful and colorful illustrations and imaginative instant flavor combinations, Instant Noodles and Beyond easily elevates your bowl or cup of noodles with easy-to-follow, detailed, visual recipes that leave no room for cooking confusion, plus amusing anecdotes and comic strip–style essays.

 

Explore the world of instant noodles, from Japanese ramen and Korean ramyeon, to Southeast Asian noodles and Mac & Cheese, plus recipes to make instant noodle besties, like kimchi, pickled radish, chili oil, and a marinated egg. Robin shares her favorite flavor combinations, transforming packets into a kimchi jjigae, carbonara, pozole, shrimp alfredo, mapo tofu, okonomiyaki, a sheetpan dinner, or even a carrot or kale salad—and thinks completely outside the bowl, with instant noodle French fries, rice crispy treats, and even Chex mix.

 

Perfect for a busy or lazy night, beginner or ambitious cooks, and especially lovers of instant noodles, this unique cookbook is sure to become a staple in your kitchen as much as instant noodles are.“

 

Sierra Barnes and Cait McPherson at Fantom Comics (UPDATED)

Jacob Shapiro, Cait McPherson and Sierra Barnes

 

Hans Vogel is Dead book 2 launch collecting the webcomic about a World War 2 Nazi pilot who ends up in a fairytale world.

More photos and audio online.

Anne Ishii and Ryan Holmberg at Fantom Comics talking about Tagame's Fish and Water manga (updated with audio file)

In the above image, they're talking about Anne's previous work translating Tagame especially for a German publisher that folded in 2017.

 

More photos and audio on the Internet Archive 

Audio and photos from Audio and photos from Miles Morales and Me and THE CURSED BODY BY KAWAKATSU TOKUSHIGE

COMICTROPOLIS: Miles Morales and Me - How a D.C. Kid Ended Up Writing Miles
    David Betancourt

Washington, DC: DC Public Library Southwest Neighborhood Library

Photographs and audio online at 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/albums/72177720334228079/

and https://archive.org/details/comictropolis-miles-morales-and-me-how-a-d.-c.-kid-ended-up-writing-miles-morales

 HORROR MANGAKA TALK: THE CURSED BODY BY KAWAKATSU TOKUSHIGE
by Kawakatsu Tokushige and Ryan Holmberg with Emily Yoshimoto

Washington, DC: Fantom Comics.

Photographs and audio online at https://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/albums/72177720334200265 and https://archive.org/details/horror-mangaka-talk-the-cursed-body-by-kawakatsu-tokushige-with-ryan-holmberg

HORROR MANGAKA TALK: THE CURSED BODY BY KAWAKATSU TOKUSHIGE at Fantom Comics (UPDATED)

Interviewed by Ryan Holmberg who did not translate the book but wrote an afterword.

He was very influenced by Garo Magazine.

The two have known each other since university.

More photos can be seen on Flickr and an audio recording and photographs are on the Internet Archive.

Sophia Glock In Conversation With Emily Ettlinger at Fantom Comics 260514

Emily Ettlinger; Sophia Glock

Washington, DC: Fantom Comics May 14 2026

https://archive.org/details/sophia-glock-in-conversation-with-emily-ettlinger-fantom-comics-260514

FCBD at Fantom Comics

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2026!!
also called Comics Giveaway Day

>>SATURDAY, MAY 2nd @ 11am - close

2010 P St NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 241-6498
fantomhq@fantomcomics.com

Snag some special free comics! There are specific titles out for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY - we’re offering 5 comics per person, 1 per title. Show up in cosplay and get 2 extra titles.

Local creator OLIVER MERTZ will be attending to give away preview copies of his comic A GHOST ARM MADE OF ANGRY GHOSTS that’s coming out in September with Oni Press.

Sixteen-year-old Ari Ackerman just witnessed a murder. Or two. Or maybe he didn’t. He’s not quite sure. What he does know is that he loves the Washington, D.C., punk scene and is trying very hard to process the perpetual impending death (and frequent resurrections) of his cancer-stricken father. Ari’s best friend, Maya Meng, just wants to hang out and go see Jawbox play at the Black Cat. But sadly, an escalating series of unexplained deaths can really ruin a perfectly good day.

Preorder a copy on FCBD with Fantom Comics and get $1 off your order

Kimberly Wang being interviewed by Chloe Sofield

Adeline Kon being interviewed by Laura Rovinsky

Laura on left, Adeline on right.

Jesse Lonergan being interviewed by Shawn Martinbrough (UPDATED)

Live at Fantom Comics in DC.

They're covering his early life in Vermont and his attraction to Image and then the small press including Reid Fleming. He says he is self taught. He was first published by NBM.

Here's a true fan who bought his book in to be signed a SECOND time after ordering the signed copy online.

 

 More photos are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCEzEV

Gabriela Epstein being interviewed by Emily Ettlinger at Fantom Comics

 

 The two friends and RISD alumni talked for an hour, took questions, went deep into a 20-year old animated tv series, and laughed a lot. Epstein was previously interviewed here - https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2024/07/meet-visiting-cartoonist-gabriela.html 

 

 More photos are here - https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCDRsx 

 

Epstein reflecting on the new book while the 1st one is in the foreground.