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
Off Panel #240: Criterion Edition with Darcy Van Poelgeest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:10
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer and filmmaker Darcy Van Poelgeest joins the show to share the story behind the making of his Image Comics series, Little Bird. Van Poelgeest discusses why he wanted to make a c…
Off Panel #239: It's Comics Town with Patrick Brower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:59
In this week's episode of Off Panel, the co-owner of Chicago's Challengers Comics + Conversation comic shops, Patrick Brower, joins to chat about 2019 in comics retail. Brower discusses their opening of a second shop, wh…
Off Panel #238: Kumbaya with David Hyde [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:50
In this week's episode of Off Panel, comics marketer David Hyde from Superfan Promotions joins the show. Hyde discusses his background with comics, the things that make us love them, what he learned from working in book…
Off Panel #237: Stargazing with Jen Wang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:19
In this week's episode of Off Panel, cartoonist Jen Wang joins the podcast to chat about her career, craft and latest graphic novel, Stargazing. Wang discusses her Twitter handle, what her webcomics experience taught her…
Off Panel #236: Hawkguy with Matthew Rosenberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:46
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer Matthew Rosenberg returns to the show to chat about writing and Hawkeye: Freefall. Rosenberg discusses how things change when you're writing a comic where you know what's comin…
Off Panel #235: Strange Skies with Jeff Loveness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:46
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer Jeff Loveness joins the show to chat about comedy and writing and his BOOM! series Strange Skies Over East Berlin. Loveness discusses his comic origins, how reading comics affe…
Off Panel #234: House of XX with Brandon Burpee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:48
In this week's episode of Off Panel, my pal Brandon Burpee returns to the podcast for a year in review episode. We discuss the year that was, the impact having good X-Men comics has on us as readers, how much we engage w…
Off Panel #233: Marauders' Map with Gerry Duggan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:11
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer Gerry Duggan joins the show for a deep dive discussion about Marauders. Duggan shares his X-Men origin story, what makes Kate Pryde so great, how Marauders came together, the X…
Off Panel #232: Lower 48 with Jonathan Luna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer/artist Jonathan Luna joins the show for a special podcast in Anchorage, Alaska about his new series 20XX. Luna discusses the influence of growing up outside the US, how he star…
Off Panel #231: Terminal Velocity with Mark Waid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:54
In this week's episode of Off Panel, writer Mark Waid joins the podcast for a career-spanning chat examining his writing. Waid discusses how his early jobs editing comics and writing about them affected his storytelling…