Off Panel #541: ComicsPRO LIVE! with Heidi MacDonald and Christina Merkler

Off Panel #541: ComicsPRO LIVE! with Heidi MacDonald and Christina Merkler

Author: SKTCHD March 2, 2026 Duration: 46:34

In an episode recorded in-person at this year's annual conference for the trade organization for comic shops, ComicsPRO, The Beat's Heidi MacDonald and the head of Lunar Distribution and Discount Comic Book Service, Christina Merkler, join the podcast for a vibe check about the event and state of the industry. Up first, MacDonald joins to share her read on the event, how it compares to previous editions, what stood out, and more, before Merkler visits us to talk about how passion is fueling this moment for the direct market, the spread of new readers, blind bag management, building on this moment, creating urgency, Lunar's expansion with Viz Media and Yen Press, what has them hopeful about where comics are headed, 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
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Duration: 1:05:43
Writer Torunn Grønbekk joins the show to talk about her path to comics and her work on comics like Thor and Red Sonja. Grønbekk discusses the greatness of Nic Klein, her natural art lean, the Norway comic scene, how comi…
Off Panel #393: Sunshine & Rainbows with Steve Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Manga journalist Deb Aoki joins the podcast this week to chat about the explosion in manga sales the past few years and what has led to it. Aoki discusses her Emerald City Comic Con experience, making connections for man…
Off Panel #391: Family Video with John Allison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:54
Writer/artist John Allison returns for a conversation about the upcoming The Great British Bump-Off and his larger views on comics right now. Allison discusses the origins of The Great British Bump-Off, its evolution, pa…
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Off Panel #389: Comics Pro with Filip Sablik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:18
BOOM! Studios' President of Publishing & Marketing, Filip Sablik, joins the show to discuss what BOOM! is up to as we head into ComicsPRO's annual meeting. Sablik discusses the ComicsPRO experience, what he's looking for…
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Artist Jamie McKelvie joins the show to discuss his past few years and his work in Batman: One Bad Day - Catwoman. McKelvie discusses his work schedule, taking on more small projects, the challenges of a long run, his fl…
Off Panel #387: In the Vault with Gerry Duggan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:55
Writer Gerry Duggan joins the show to chat about his most recent work, amongst other things. Duggan discusses what his new series The Giant Kokjü does, its origins, how the state of the world has impacted him as a storyt…
Off Panel #386: Different Strokes with Clayton Cowles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:34
Letterer Clayton Cowles joins the show for a conversation about his career and approach to lettering titles like Batman, Immortal X-Men, Daredevil, and more. Cowles discusses managing his expansive workload, where his lo…
Off Panel #385: Kang and Friends with Susana Polo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:05
Polygon's Entertainment Editor Susana Polo returns to the show for a free-flowing chat about the wider world of comics. Polo discusses Polygon's content development process, how much of the focus is on what works, whethe…