Off Panel #552: What's Next with Mark Waid

Off Panel #552: What's Next with Mark Waid

Author: SKTCHD May 18, 2026 Duration: 1:04:42

Writer Mark Waid joins the show to talk about his life and career in comics and the new Zoop campaign designed to fund a hardcover for his series, Empire. Waid discusses how he works, cliffhangers, his approach to new projects, his character-centric nature, focusing on problems, staying active as a writer, whether he's evolved, staying open to change, the comics of today, staying outside the box, the power of comic shops, the current era of DC, the return of Empire, out of print books, the new collection for Empire, Barry Kitson, the story's darkness, art imitating life, tips for creators, 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 #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…
Off Panel #506: Trench Warfare with Heather Antos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:42
IDW's Group Editor, Licensing Heather Antos joins the show to talk about the life of an editor and her work on the Star Trek line. Antos discusses what a typical day is like for her, her varying hats, casting roles on pr…
Off Panel #505: Finding a Balance with Tillie Walden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:24
Cartoonist Tillie Walden the show to talk about the her past few years and her soon-to-complete Clementine trilogy over at Skybound Comet. Walden discusses the disparate audiences for the Clemetine series, atmosphere, go…
Off Panel #503: Fun and Fundamental with Eitan Manhoff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:18
Retailer Eitan Manhoff joins the show to talk about the year in his shop Cape and Cowl Comics and the year in the direct market. Manhoff discusses how his role has changed, how the year has been in his shop, what's drivi…
Off Panel #502: Discovery with Gabriel Bá [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:15
Cartoonist Gabriel Bá joins the show to talk about his career and the upcoming The Umbrella Academy: Plan B. Bá discusses the build up to new releases, the past few years for him, whether that stretch has changed him as…