The Indie Spinner Rack podcast has put forth a fine effort of informally tackling the history of mini-comix from their UG beginnings to the newave scene.
Check it out (http://indiespinnerrack.blogspot.com/2008/09/indie-spinner-rack-issue-138.html).
There's some kooky intro nonsense but just past that is the interesting stuff.
Nice! I listen to podcast everyday on my way to work about.
Jason