Comic Industry Insiders

FIND CHRIS POWELL https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahunacp/

Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman Producer: Blake Morgan @blakesbuzz  Research: Anthony Militano Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@pranadm.com

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or caree...

FIND LEE HEIDEL

NBRHCOMICS on all social media platforms

https://neighborhoodcomics.com/

https://leeheidel.com/

Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman

Producer: Blake Morgan @blakesbuzz 

Research: Anthony Militano

Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@pranadm.com

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that ...

FIND DAVID WHEELER

https://www.dlair.net/

https://gamesandcomicsforukraine.org/

Chapters

01:43 David Wheeler: A Journey Through Comic Retailing

06:43 The Evolution of Dragon's Lair Comics

12:15 Franchising: The Path to Expansion

19:35 Evaluating Franchisees and Store Locations

27:00 Metrics for a Healthy Comic Store

32:20 Product Selection and Community Engagement

37:47 Navigating Challenges in the Comic Industry

44:38 The Futu...

FIND JUSTIN JORDAN Instagram: justinjordancomics deathorcomics.substack.com

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Writing and Finishing Comics 14:30 Early Experiences in the Comic Industry 26:48 Building an Audience: The Importance of Exposure 42:01 Navigating Work for Hire vs. Creator-Owned Projects 46:00 The Balance of Spec Work and Paid Projects 54:36 Rebuilding a Career in Comics 01:04:27 Introducing Death or Comics 01:13:24 Bridg...

Follow Atom! Freeman on Twitter: @AtomBangFreeman

Producer: Stephanie Gerk

Research: Anthony Militano

Have something to tell us? Email the show at: info@pranadm.com

Comic Industry Insiders: where our goal is to get to know the people behind the scenes in the comic book industry and uncover the secrets that will help you understand and grow your own business or career in comics. Every episode, join host Atom! Freeman as he sits dow...

Find DUY TANO:

comicscube.com

YouTube: @comicscube

CHAPTERS

03:00 The Evolution of Comic Book Distribution

05:46 Challenges in Comic Sales Data

09:07 The Role of Third-Party Data Aggregation

11:51 Fan Confidence Rating and Its Importance

17:56 Balancing Art and Data in Comics

24:03 Future Implications of Data in the Comic Industry

25:26 Understanding Cultural Impact on Comics

27:54 The Current State of the Comics Industry

32:2...

In this episode of Comic Industry Insiders, host Atom Freeman leads a roundtable discussion with guests Tiffany Babb, Jazzlyn Stone, Dave Witting, and Chip Zdarsky on the evolution of comics journalism, the significance of print media in a digital age, and the challenges faced by digital comics

Find CHIP ZDARSKY:

https://www.zcnmagazine.com/

Find TIFFANY BABB

https://www.tiffanybabb.com/

Find DAVE WITTING

https://www.csnpress...

Surprise! We got our B.R.O.S. in your Comics Industry Insiders as the Data B.R.O.S. (Django Bohren, Jeff Figley, and Brian Garside) talk to their friend and fellow retailer Shannon Merrit of 901 Games.

You'll learn about his amazing Memphis store 901 Comics, as well as the other SEVEN businesses he has a hand in. You'll hear how this former Memphis Police Officer decided to turn in his badge and gun and walk a very different beat.

...

Find CHRIS ARRANT

https://www.thepopverse.com/

CHAPTERS

02:50 Chris Arrant's Background and Early Influences

06:10 The Evolution of Comics Journalism

09:09 Reading Comics: Perspectives and Biases

12:01 The Eisner Awards Experience

15:05 Freelancing and Early Career in Comics

17:58 The Shift in Comics Journalism

20:48 Navigating Bias in Journalism

23:54 Transitioning to Full-Time Comics Journalism

27:00 The Current State of Com...

Find SAL CRIVELLI:

YouTube: @comicpop

Instagram: @comicpopofficial

patreon.com/comicpop

https://www.twitch.tv/comicpop

CHAPTERS

03:03 The Love for Comics

05:57 Generational Influence of Comics

09:01 Sal's Journey into Comics

11:50 Early Inspirations and Failures

14:56 Transition to Film and YouTube

18:03 Creating Content and Building a Channel

21:09 Reflections on Success and Engagement

26:46 The Algorithmic Nature of Engagemen...

Find WAYNE WINSETT:

https://timewarpboulder.com/

Time Warp has been proudly serving the Boulder community for the last 40 years. And on January 1st of 2025 the owner, and all around excellent human, Wayne hung up his cape and cowl and passed the torch to new owners.

Dottie and Kelly Cooke have taken up the mantel of carrying on the legacy of this amazing Comic Shop.

CHAPTERS

01:47 Transitioning from Retailer to Consultant

0...

Find KURT HASSLER

Yen Press: https://yenpress.com/

Twitter: @yenpress 

Instagram: @yenpress 

CHAPTERS

03:08 Transitioning Roles in Publishing

05:51 The Role of a Publisher

09:00 Curation and Market Understanding

11:54 Kurt's Early Career and Experiences

14:58 The Evolution of Graphic Novels

18:01 Challenges in the Book Retail Industry

21:03 The Importance of Discovery in Publishing

23:45 From Buying to Publishing

27:00 The Bir...

Find THE COMICS PALS

https://thecomicspals.com/

YouTube: @thecomicspals

The Comics Pals are a group of pop culture journalists and commentators who cover comic books and related media. 

CHAPTERS

00:00 The State of the Comic Book Industry

06:07 Data Challenges and the Need for Accurate Metrics

12:03 Identifying Pain Points in the Comic Book Market

20:07 The Store's Responsibility in Building Community

24:19 The Fight for Distr...

Find GAMAL HENNESSY

https://www.creativecontractconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: @gamalhennessy/

CHAPTERS

03:16 Meet Gamal Hennessy: The Legal Expert in Comics

10:22 The Evolution of Freelance Creators in Comics

16:06 Navigating the Complexities of Comic Contracts

23:53 The Relevance of Nonfiction in a Changing Industry

29:00 Gamal's Journey: From Law School to Comics Law

35:20 From Law School to Central Park Media

40:02 Transitionin...

Find HEIDI MACDONALD

https://www.comicsbeat.com/

Instagram: @comixace 

Twitter: @Comixace

BSky: @comixace.bsky.social

CHAPTERS

02:18 The State of the Comic Book Industry

05:04 Friends of Lulu: A Movement for Women in Comics

11:59 Expanding Readership in Comics

17:44 The Evolution of Comics Journalism

20:32 Heidi McDonald's Journey in Comics Journalism

31:40 The Evolution of Comic Communities

34:06 Talent Spotting in Comics

36:5...

Find JIMMY PALMIOTTI

https://www.paperfilms.com/

Instagram: @jimmypalmiotti/

Twitter: @jpalmiotti

CHAPTERS

01:50 Jimmy Palmiotti's Career Highlights

06:09 Barbecue and Food Culture in New York

10:01 The Influence of Personal Experiences on Writing

13:54 The Relationship with Amanda Conner

20:13 The Creation of 'The Pro' and Its Impact

23:23 The Impact of Paul and Bob on Comics

24:55 The Evolution of Garth Ennis' Work

25:00 Jimm...

Find CHIP ZDARSKY:

https://www.zdars.co/

https://zdarsky.substack.com/

https://www.zcnmagazine.com/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Canadian Humor

02:58 The State of Comics and the Need for Change

06:02 The Birth of ZCN and Its Evolution

08:59 The Influence of Wizard Magazine

12:03 Personal Stories and Comic Origins

14:59 Family Support and Early Influences

17:58 The Toronto Comic Scene and Community

21:02 The Formation of Raid...

Find DAN DIDIO:

Instagram: @dan.didio2020

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Dan DiDio and the Podcast

06:07 The Animation Model in Comics

11:54 The State of the Comic Industry

17:50 The Transition from Animation to Comics

23:46 The Importance of Passion in the Comic Industry

30:01 Advice for Aspiring Comic Creators

36:07 The Exclusive War Begins

42:22 The Move to Burbank

49:10 Co-Publishing with Jim Lee

56:20 The Boys and Wildstor...

Find DAVID HARPER:

https://sktchd.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/sktchd.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/davidharper.bsky.social 

OFF PANEL podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-panel-a-comics-interview-podcast/id1006337409

Patreon: https://patreon.com/OffPanel

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to David Harper and Comics Journalism

05:57 The Concept of a Comic Book Shop Café

12:00 The Birth of Multiversity Comics

...