Off Panel #476: Three Themes with Steve Anderson, Heidi MacDonald, and Joshua Williamson

Off Panel #476: Three Themes with Steve Anderson, Heidi MacDonald, and Joshua Williamson

Author: SKTCHD December 2, 2024 Duration: 1:33:02

In a special year end episode of Off Panel, we look at the defining themes of 2024 in comics with the help of retailer Steve Anderson from Third Eye Comics, The Beat's Heidi MacDonald, and writer Joshua Williamson. Up first is Anderson (1:12), who talks about a time of struggle for Marvel in comic shops, the area of effect that can have on other publishers, what seems to be fueling those struggles, his hopes for the future, and more. After that is MacDonald (29:26), who discusses "The Big Lie," which is all about the intersection of comic publishers and media rights, the focus publishers have on media rights these days, the new publishers chasing IP plays, the impact that has on the rest of the industry, and more. And to close is Williamson (1:01:02), who talks a year defined by the phrase "go big or go home," varying examples of that thinking, why that's so important, the importance of big swings, how that affects creators and publishers alike, 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: 100

Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Off Panel #525: Player Characters with Kieron Gillen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:00
Writer Kieron Gillen joins the podcast to talk about his current Image comics The Power Fantasy and Die: Loaded and everything that's going into them. Gillen discusses FOC vs. release, Die's longevity as an idea, staying…
Off Panel #524: Some Quick Math with Erica Henderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:34
Cartoonist Erica Henderson joins the podcast to talk about her past few years and her work on Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes at DC. Henderson discusses her whim based processes, writing Erica vs. drawing Erica, what she…
Off Panel #522: Speaking the Language with Chris Conroy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
DC Executive Editor Chris Conroy, who works on the Absolute, Black Label, and Vertigo lines at the publisher, joins the podcast to talk about the newly returned Vertigo Comics line. Conroy discusses his Vertigo backgroun…
Off Panel #521: Bright and Shiny with Doc Shaner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:33
Artist Doc Shaner joins the podcast to talk about his life and career in comics. Shaner discusses working from home, his schedule, the impact of comic strips, wanting to be a cartoonist, Buddy Cops, showing a different s…
Off Panel #520: The Fantasy Draft with Badr Milligan and Chris Hacker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:43
Podcasters Badr Milligan (The Short Box Podcast) and Chris Hacker (The Oblivion Bar podcast) join the show to talk about the comic podcasting world and our upcoming panel at NYCC before we fantasy draft seven hyperspecif…
Off Panel #519: Doubles Tennis with David Brothers and Nick Dragotta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:55
David Brothers and Nick Dragotta join the show to talk about their collaboration on the upcoming Good Devils: Don't Play Fair with Evil. Brothers and Dragotta discuss the FOC experience, promoting comics, how they met, t…
Off Panel #518: Bankers Hours' with John Allison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:55
Cartoonist John Allison joins the show to talk about where he's at right now in his comics career. Allison discusses finding things for himself, managing freelance living, how he's feeling about comics and the industry,…
Off Panel #517: Hmmm with Ngozi Ukazu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:45
Cartoonist Ngozi Ukazu joins the show to talk about her upcoming graphic novels, Flip from First Second and Orion at DC Comics. Ukazu discusses book tour living, finding time for yourself, figuring out next steps, growin…
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…