Comics Experience Make Comics Podcast

In this week's episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and I report on the state of comic conventions in 2023, the loss of an iconic artist for Mad Magazine, the end of the Ike era at Marvel, and what independent comic publishers can learn from his impact on the company.

In this week's episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and I discuss how events like ComicsPro can help comic creators build positive relationships with retailers. We also discuss the challenges of publishing superhero comics both for established companies like Marvel and for independent publishers as well. If you'd like to subscribe to our mailing list or join the Discord, live classes, and expert interviews of Comics Connection, visit us at https://comicsconnection.net/

In this week's episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and I discuss the companies attempting to replace Comixology as the main source for digital comics and what publishers should look for in a digital comics platform. We also talk about the increasing importance of Kickstarter to the independent comics community and the impact a new comics industry liaison will have over the next few years.

In this week's episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and I discuss the digital Comics Options for publishers and creators in the wake of Amazon's recent moves, as well as the questions raised by the financial news coming out of IDW and Skybound.

Today Andy and I discuss the class action lawsuit against AI art, the disappearance of comic book sales charts, and the legal and moral foundations of working in comics as a freelancer.

In our first podcast episode of 2023, Andy and I discuss the pitfalls of making comics from public domain works, the impact of creative marketing on comic book sales, and the fallout that comes from building a comic business based only on movie revenue.

In the last episode of 2022, Andy and I discuss the rise and fall of companies like Mad Cave and AfterShock, the increased competition in comics distribution, the spike in library censorship, and the continuing impact of AI on comics. We also have a special moment of silence at the end of the episode for all the great comic creators we lost.

In our first Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and I discuss the moral, legal, and financial implications of emerging AI technology and what comic creators need to consider to navigate their careers in this evolving world. If you'd like to join Comics Connection, visit us at https://comicsconnection.net/

Gamal Hennessy of Creative Contract Consulting joins Andy and Joey to talk about making comics and contracts. Gamal talks about his legal career including his time at Marvel Comics, things to keep in mind as a creator with contracts including rights, royalties, and revenue.

Andy and Joey talk about NYCC, how to approach editors at cons, how to sell and track your inventory at conventions, and more.

Andy and Joey talk about when ideas aren't that well executed, including how and why can a "good idea" go "wrong," and some ways to try and execute ideas well.

Andy talks about Lunar Distributor's retailer summit, his recent trips to C2E2 and SDCC, and what he's seen and heard around sales for indie comics and smaller publishers.

Andy talks about what publishers and creators should expect from each other. Outreach to retailers, promoting to readers and media, what are the creators responsibilities, what are the publisher responsibilities and more.

Andy talks about his plans for San Diego Comic Con including running panels, in-person meetings and conversations, and being Covid cautious as a creator going to conventions.

Joe Quesada has left his position at Marvel Comics for new creative pursuits. Andy and Joey talk about Quesada's time as Marvel Knights Editor then Editor-in-Chief, and what it means for creators when there are management changes at publishers. 

Andy and Joey talk about George Perez, two comics creators who recently passed. Andy worked on projects that Perez and Adams worked on and shares his experiences, as well as creator rights, kindness to collaborators and readers, legacy, and more.

Andy and Joey talk about panel descriptions, which Andy has come to describe as "panel actions" in his thinking and teaching his courses. Each panel can have one action, stories are active, things are happening, establishing shots can have actions…

Andy and Joey talk about comics being adapted into TV and movies, story arcs, "new number 1!" issues, and how storytellers need to keep in mind what medium they're working in. Even if your comic gets optioned for TV and movies, the goal with your comic is to always make the best comic book you can make.

Fred Van Lente and Steve Ellis join Andy to discuss their upcoming release SILENCERS: THE DEFINITIVE EDITION coming soon from CEX Publishing! But make no mistake, they're doling out career advice for both artists and writers and discussing how the industry has changed over the years!

Andy talks about contract negotiations from both the creator side and publisher side. Since CEX Publishing launched the CEX contract to publish comics has changed based on their experiences. Creators asking questions, talking through concerns, and more.

Comics lettering is an important part of making comics, and writers + artists + editors can help set a letterer up for success with their passes before ever sending pages to a letterer. Workflow, design, and being aware of a letterer's time FTW!

New year, new podcast episode talking about goals and planning for those goals. Andy and Joey talk about how their 2021s have impacted their priorities and planning for 2022, the role work-life-balance plays, and how they're thinking about the new year.

2021 was another year of changes in comics and making comics. Andy talks about publishing, printing, shipping, and more.

Andy and Joey talk about writing comics basics, why people start writing comics, telling a complete story in a few pages, how to think about working with artists, learning about the comics industry and more.

Andy and Joey talk about some of the fundamentals of visual storytelling, the benefits of all creators learning as much as they can about visual storytelling, and talking to your collaborators about intent before you get started on your comics.

Andy and Joey and talk comics coloring basics. Ways to approach the page, coloring notes, creative team planning with your creative team during the planning stages, and more!

Andy and Joey talk about crowdfunded comics planning including budgeting, compensation for collaborators and professionals, "long-term money-making," if one-person/a publisher is financing the project and more!

Andy talks about getting ready for and going to New York City Comic Con during Covid. How he planned, what it was like with less bigger name publishers around, and how the show was for him and creators he talked to.

Writer & artist Gannon Beck (Space Corps) talks about designing pages including using 9 and 16 panel grids, what he's learned from newspaper comic strips and a 4 panel grid. Gannon also talks about upcoming CEX Publishing print release of Space Corps.

Andy and Joey talk about approaches to writing fiction and non-fiction stories, including when a story might not have a "structure", being honest in the telling, and trying to deconstruct story endings.

Andy and Joey talk about writing solicitation copy for retailers and readers and thinking about what audience you're communicating with, and what you want that audience to do. Consistent messaging and tone, what information to give where and when!

Andy and Joey talk about writing solicitation copy for retailers and readers and thinking about what audience you're communicating with, and what you want that audience to do. Consistent messaging and tone, what information to give where and when!

Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Superman, Action Comics, Alien) talks about taking your comics ideas to pitches including his July 31st Comics Experience Master Seminar, how his script writing has evolved over his career, and how he got starting making comics.

Kickstarting your comic with Lewelin Polanco (Astro & Inez: La Novela), Greg Tjsovold (The Lump Sum Saga), and Steve Urena (Zombie Date Night). Three different creators share what they’ve learned making their own comics, and why Kickstarter.

Fred Van Lente (Marvel, Valiant, Archie) joins Andy and Joey to talk about writing for a shared universe. Fred shares his experiences writing for comics publishers including last-minute curveballs, being adaptable, working in a team and more!

Andy Schmidt talks about CEX Publishing, the new publishing imprint from Comics Experience. Andy discusses what led to adding publishing to the CE family, the creator-owned approach, getting comics to retailers and readers and more.

Jim Gibbons (Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics) talks with Joey about longevity, pay in comics, costs to make single and multiple issues, different revenue streams, how to think about “success” in making your comics, and more.

Sean Rinehart joins Joey to talk about lettering comics, including what led him to comics, how to think about how to efficiently and clearly convey lettering information to your letterer, and setting them up for success to set the comic up for success.

Rich Douek (SEA OF SORROWS, ROAD OF BONES, SUPERMAN: RED AND BLUE) talks about writing endings in horror (and other genres) and working with collaborators. Rich talks about page turns, issue endings, and how he works with artists.

Phillip Sevy (Triage, The House, Tomb Raider & more!) joins Andy and Joey to talk about perspective and environments in art. Phillip shares his perspective going from artist to student to portfolio reviews to being a working artist and teacher.

Event comics! Worlds will change! Nothing will ever be the same! You will learn collaboration skills and working towards the best outcome for your story goals! Andy and Joey talk about the skills event comics can help hone, and talk about the upcoming Dan Jurgens The Death of Superman Master Seminar!

Paul Allor (Hollow Heart, G.I. Joe) talks about writing solicitations for your comic, including what stage of the process to write, thinking about solicitations for different issues, and the overall planning in working with a publisher and their marketing.

Andy and Joey talk story basics, what are the ingredients of a story, how we see/hear stories daily, and how to apply storytelling elements to making your comics. Plus an upcoming CE Masterclass reveal!

Andy and Joey talk about how and why they use social media in general and for making comics, including Andy starting a personal Twitter account, thinking about why people might be reading your social media and more.

Andy and Joey share how they try to manage their time making comics and the other hours in the day, including prioritizing, goal making and reviewing goals, making progress, exercise, and more.

Joey and Andy discuss the impact of Covid-19, 9 months in and showing few signs of abating–the impact on the supply chain, retailers and creators.

Andy Schmidt talks about what mediums a story may be best suited for, and his experiences in comics and video games, and working with various clients including movie productions on adapting movies to comics and creating new stories in those universes.

Following up on his early 2020 conversation about how convention cancellations were impacting his year, writer & artist Phillip Sevy gives an update on his 2020 making comics in the time of COVID, including what he’s done with changing project statuses, how he sold hundreds of copies of a comic he created in 2018, and more.

Writer Steve Urena talks about his experience Kickstarting issue #1 of his horror-comedy comic SLOW POKES. Steve talks about what got him started making comics, planning a Kickstarter, and what he learned from crowdfunding. Steve talks about taking Comics Experience classes, working with Comics Experience on creative services as well as printing.

Ryan Browne (Image/IDW) talks about what you can expect when you sign up for his upcoming Comics Experience course on Kickstarting your comic or graphic novel. Ryan talks about his past Kickstarters, what he’s learned, and what to expect from the class.

Paul Allor (GI Joe, TMNT) and Duane France (Veteran Mental Health) join Joey to talk about creating GI Joe #7 and the topic of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Paul discusses the genesis of the story, approaching consultants and thinking about their input and notes, and Duane talks about his role giving feedback on the story and […]