Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast

Writers Joshua Williamson and Kelly Sue DeConnick joined me at San Diego Comic Con for a special episode where we talk about why they love comics. Up first, Williamson shares why he loves comics, how his life affects his love, the creator that sealed the deal for him, whether he looks at comics the same as a reader and creator, self-imposed limitations, maintaining his passion for the medium, and more. Then, DeConnick joins to disc...

Artist Andy Kubert joins the show to talk about his life and career in comics and his new series Terminals. Kubert discusses his schedule oriented approach, how he thinks about the job, what he learned from his father Joe, becoming an artist, his time at The Kubert School, figuring out his voice as an artist, the Kubert Triple Threat, his time on X-Men, the origins of Terminal, the project's lead time, the artists on the book, goin...

The Beat's Heidi MacDonald joins the show to talk about Marvel's explosive news and where things are as we head into San Diego Comic Con in an episode that was recorded across two days. MacDonald discusses Steve Wacker taking over as Marvel's Editor in Chief, Marvel's move to Burbank, what it all means, the C.B. Cebulski of it all, comic con plans and expectations, where the direct market is, why Absolute popped, the state of the s...

Writer and artist Frank Miller joins the show to talk about his views on comics and art as well as his new memoir, Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing and the Art of Storytelling. Miller discusses the joy he gets from art and comics, his approach to art, his preferred projects, collaboration, Calvin & Hobbes, the importance of curiosity, Forbidden Planet's arrival, how he views art, the impact of the people in his life, pr...

Writer and actor Iman Vellani joins the show to talk about her life, career, and new Image Comics series Chachu. Vellani discusses the buildup to Chachu, her writing experience, her comic origins, jumping into the middle of comics, her career and comic guides, her path to Ms. Marvel, how Chachu came together, working with Tiny Onion, the appeal of the 1970s, the story's multigenerational side, figuring out scripting, putting the cr...

Writer Ed Brubaker joins the show to talk about his long collaboration with Sean Phillips and the recently released Five Gears in Reverse. Brubaker discusses the status of the Criminal show, the state of TV, why Sean Phillips fits him so well, how they push each other, his favorites from their run, what fuels their new projects, Criminal as a story engine, Five Gears in Reverse's origins, the fusion of their approaches, the develop...

Near Mint Condition's Omar Valdivieso joins the show to talk about the world of comic collections and his YouTube channel that focuses on that larger space. Valdivieso discusses his suits, going full time on Near Mint Condition, his focus on collections, his preferred format, making the case for onis, the origins of Near Mint Condition, balancing his approach, the pressure to create, his idea generation process, the mix on the chan...

Cartoonist Matt Kindt joins the show to talk about his journey to the return of MIND MGMT and the arrival of Fort Psycho. Kindt discusses the energy that drives his comics, having a holistic view, his approach to MIND MGMT: New & Improved, what he's learned from his recent stretch, his time at Valiant, moving Flux House to Oni, the challenges of doing everything yourself, the origins of MIND MGMT's return, the nature of the sto...

Artist Rob Guillory joins the show to talk about his current approach to comics and the upcoming Kickstarter for Ghostbrawler #1: The Bruiser Edition. Guillory discusses Chew adaptation news, the adaptation process, the nature of being a creator, how things have evolved since he started in comics, the different audiences in comics, diversifying his workload, the model he's following, taking on writing, the origins of Ghostbrawler, ...

Writer Che Grayson joins the show to talk about their comic book journey and the soon to debut Absolute Catwoman. Grayson discusses their different brains, Absolute vibes, their love of story, balancing comics and film, finding their way into another medium, their comic origins, learning on the job, the roots of Absolute Catwoman, the development of the character, the type of story that's being told, the nature of the character, Be...

Cartoonist James Stokoe joins the show to talk his career in comics and his approach to art. Stokoe discusses working from a computer, his comic and art origins, his earliest comics, what stood out about the medium, the artists and projects that moved the needle for him, the power of internet forums, the evolution of his art, looking back on his work, the value of original art and commissions, the detail of his pages, his process, ...

Retailer Aaron Trites joins the show to talk about the origins of and year in his San Diego based comic shop, Now or Never Comics. Trites discusses his own fandoms, his path to opening Now or Never, its location, the development of the shop, the year so far in his shop, market trends, what's leading the way, the single issue boom, the spread of new readers, the speculation world, handselling, superstar artists, Marvel's struggles, ...

Writer Mark Waid joins the show to talk about his life and career in comics and the new Zoop campaign designed to fund a hardcover for his series, Empire. Waid discusses how he works, cliffhangers, his approach to new projects, his character-centric nature, focusing on problems, staying active as a writer, whether he's evolved, staying open to change, the comics of today, staying outside the box, the power of comic shops, the curre...

Writer Dave Wielgosz joins the show to talk about his journey from comics editorial to writing comics and his new series at Ignition Press, Showdown. Wielgosz discusses the build up to release, his comic origins, the 2000s in comics, making his way into comics and DC editorial, becoming a master of continuity, the key to being a good editor, relationship management, the origins of Showdown, the market's influence on his work, reven...

Writer Matthew Rosenberg joins the show to talk about his new book, If Destruction Be Our Lot..., and his approach to comics overall. Rosenberg discusses hitting podcast row, The Mets, the origins of If Destruction Be Our Lot..., the medium it ended up in, the complexity of Abraham Lincoln, the book's art team, collaboration, the impact of time and money, its extra sized first issue, the power of character, his promotional efforts,...

Artist Rafael Albuquerque joins the show to talk about his life and career in comics and the upcoming Absolute Green Arrow. Albuquerque discusses traditional vs. digital art, his comic origins, the generations of artists in Brazil, how he figured out art, the impact of influences, the project that changed how he was seen in comics, why Absolute Green Arrow feels like a next step, his original Absolute experience, collaboration, Abs...

Writer Pornsak Pichetshote joins the show to talk about where he is in his career and the upcoming Absolute Green Arrow. Pichetshote discusses his new email newsletter, being vulnerable, how he sees himself in comics, why he hasn't taken on more for hire work before, what differentiated Absolute, when his journey to Absolute Green Arrow started, the personal nature of the book, Rafael Albuquerque's impact, making Green Arrow make s...

Cartoonist Julia Wertz joins the show to talk about her career and her new graphic novel Bury Me Already (It's Nice Down Here). Wertz discusses her upcoming book tour, perceived age, promotional images, when she started making comics, what comics are for her, her comic strip-like approach, her natural art style, comic processes, approaching sensitive subjects, continuity, parenting books, the emotions of Bury Me Already, learning a...

Comics critic Tiffany Babb joins the show to talk about her comics zine, The Comics Staple, and the world of comics journalism. Babb discusses pre-Kickstarter feelings, the joy of creating, her fearless nature, the importance of failure,  why comics needs something like The Comics Staple, the importance of tastemakers, the contributors to the zine, the Staple's audience, what differentiates it, why she enjoys prints so much, t...