Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast

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 about herself through her work, drawing spaces, her book covers, the material she ends up with, putting books in a box, relationships with readers, what keeps her going with comics, tips for autobio creators, and more.

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, the impact of her previous work, the state of comics journalism, what's missing in that space, the Eisner judge experience, her read of the industry, convention panel tips, and more.

Cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks joins the show to talk about her new graphic novel Inbetweens and the evolving role of comic creators. Hicks discusses her (tough) love of horror, operating outside the box, the path to release for Inbetweens, battling boredom, Inbetweens' origins, its evolution, the leads of the book, its timeframe, the gender disparity of animation, changing requirements for cartoonists, the evolution of the internet, The Adventures of Superhero Girl, slowing down, and more.

Writer/letterer Aditya Bidikar joins the show to talk about his first major comics writing project, In Your Skin at Image Comics. Bidikar discusses his feeling about tackling that new project, putting yourself out there, the evolution of In Your Skin, the parasocial side of the project, the importance of character, how the book's artist Som signed up for the book, how that collaboration changed the project, lettering and writing, the behind the scenes work on the book, Tiny Onion's impact, whether he wants to keep writing, his lettering workload, finding the right mix, challenging yourself, and more.

Writer/artist Skottie Young joins the show to talk how his work on Lobo at DC Comics and his views on comics and art. Young discusses the artists that hit him the most, the intersectionality of comics and music, the visual foundation of Lobo, playing with the character's history, the origins and nature of the project, the power of no, the coolness of Marie Javins, doing Lobo at the right time, working for DC, misunderstood parts of Lobo, the world of Stupid Fresh Mess, the power of community, following your passion, discoverability, I Hate Fairyland's longevity, how Stupid Fresh Mess shapes what he does, and more.