Off Panel #135: The Red Chair with Patrick Brower

Off Panel #135: The Red Chair with Patrick Brower

Author: SKTCHD January 15, 2018 Duration: 1:17:33

Comic shop owner Patrick Brower returns to the podcast to talk about 2017 in comic book retail. Brower discusses why the last quarter of the year lagged so badly in his shop, what he thinks triggered the downturn in 2017, the volume of comics being produced, what worked in his shop, the Rickmobile, the impact of in-store events, what didn't work in his shop during the year, society's impact on sales, why pull list customers disappeared in December, his take on what's driving fans away, what's causing Marvel's struggles, the devaluation of artists at Marvel, the dip in graphic novel sales, the impact of comic book culture going mainstream, the lack of impactful marketing in the industry, the shop's plans for 2018, and more.


Each week on Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast, host David Harper of SKTCHD sits down for a conversation that goes deeper than the usual press cycle. This isn't just about promoting the latest project; it's about understanding the people and the processes that shape the comic book industry. You'll hear from writers, artists, editors, and other key figures in a way that reveals the personal journeys, creative struggles, and collaborative triumphs behind the pages we love. The discussions are thoughtful and meandering, often touching on craft, industry shifts, and the simple love of the medium itself. By focusing on the human stories, this podcast builds a more complete picture of comics culture, from the indie scene to the major publishers. It's for anyone who has ever finished a great comic and immediately wondered about the minds that built it. New episodes arrive weekly, offering a consistent and engaging look into this vibrant world. For more, you can find David Harper and SKTCHD across various social platforms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 560

Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Off Panel #516: Spectating with Brian K. Vaughan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:52
Writer Brian K. Vaughan joins the show to talk about his work on comics like Saga and the upcoming Spectators, both of which are at Image Comics. Vaughan discusses the state of the world's impact on his writing, navigati…
Off Panel #514: Slow Horses with Ed Brubaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:19
Writer Ed Brubaker joins the show to talk about Criminal the show and the comic, particularly the latter and its new graphic novel release The Knives. Brubaker discusses showrunning the Criminal show, getting back to his…
Off Panel #513: Off the Grid with Jesse Lonergan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:26
Cartoonist Jesse Lonergan joins the show to talk about his current mix of projects and his just released graphic novel, DROME. Lonergan discusses managing workflow, the roots of DROME, pushing your approach, the book's t…
Off Panel #512: Gold Star with Nicole Goux [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:12
Artist Nicole Goux joins the show to talk about her career and her upcoming graphic novel, This Place Kills Me. Goux discusses the other parts of the job, how far ahead she's working, the importance of mixing it up, draw…
Off Panel #511: The Grapevine with Mariko Tamaki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
Writer Mariko Tamaki joins the show to talk about her career and her upcoming graphic novel, This Place Kills Me. Tamaki discusses what she works to, the value of editors, her own editing at Surely Books, learning from a…
Off Panel #510: Not Funny with Kyle Starks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:07
Writer/artist Kyle Starks joins the show to talk about where he's at these days and his upcoming slate of projects. Starks discusses the merits of San Diego Comic Con, his approach to cons, his past few years, comics mar…
Off Panel #509: Land Mines with Robert Kirkman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:35
Writer Robert Kirkman joins the show to talk about his wild ways in the direct market and work on comics like the upcoming Skinbreaker and Transformers. Kirkman discusses his feelings about San Diego Comic Con, a typical…
Off Panel #508: Playing the Hits with Si Spurrier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:49
Writer Si Spurrier joins the show to talk about his views on comics and his work on comics like The Flash and the upcoming The Voice Said Kill and A Mischief of Magpies. Spurrier discusses his departure from The Flash, h…
Off Panel #507: Micro Celebrity with Chip Zdarsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:50
Writer, artist, and newsletter impresario Chip Zdarsky joins the show to talk about his world (and the wider world) of comics. Zdarsky discusses the notoriety of Zdarsky Comic News, the work that goes into it, its Eisner…