Off Panel #501: Why We Love Comics with Kazu Kibuishi, Ryan North, and Lucy Knisley

Off Panel #501: Why We Love Comics with Kazu Kibuishi, Ryan North, and Lucy Knisley

Author: SKTCHD May 26, 2025 Duration: 45:50

In this week's road show episode of Off Panel, cartoonist Kazu Kibuishi, writer Ryan North, and cartoonist Lucy Knisley join the show to talk about why they love comics so much, albeit in individual segments. Up first, Kibuishi discusses the original appeal of comics, what stood out about the medium, comic strips and picture books, his reader self versus creator self, information compression, the excitement of the new, the power of Dog Man, and more. Then, North chats about his own love of comics, his view of the medium as a reader and creator, whether making them has changed his feelings about reading them, what keeps him excited about comics, knowing where the walls are, and more. To close, Knisley discusses her own love of comics, the primal impact of words and pictures, the comics that unlocked the medium for her, multi-generational creator relationships, the low barrier of entry for comics, diversifying what you do, what keeps her excited about comics, 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
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Duration: 1:17:32
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Off Panel #553: Buy and Sell with Aaron Trites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 dev…
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Duration: 1:04:42
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Duration: 1:29:16
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Off Panel #550: Dangerous and Irresponsible with Matthew Rosenberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:36
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 Ou…
Off Panel #549: A Lifetime Process with Rafael Albuquerque [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:22
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Duration: 1:18:30
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Off Panel #547: It's Nice Down Here with Julia Wertz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:51
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…
Off Panel #546: Boom Tube with Tiffany Babb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
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 impor…