Podcasts about graphic novels

We continue our DC TV Talk with more thoughts, theories, and reactions to Lanterns episode 2, “Trust Fall”! (36:49)

Today's show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. Dave Kellett is back from San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and he brought receipts! After 27 years of exhibiting at the show, Dave just had his best Comic-Con ever — including an absolutely bonkers $6,000 Sunday. But a big gross number doesn't necessarily mean a big payday. Brad and Dave dig into the actual economics of exhibiting at one of the world's biggest conventions: booth fees, sales tax, travel, merchandise, lost studio time, and the advantages Dave has because he lives within driving distance of San Diego. After roughly $19,600 in gross sales, Dave estimates his actual profit at about $11,000. Then, they get into the stuff you can actually use at your next convention: Track your sales throughout the day When sales slow down, get active Use drawing as theater Pay attention to your product mix Think about revenue per square inch Let the market prune your merchandise Your merchandise should say something about the buyer — not about you SPONSORED BY HOGAN'S ALLEY This week's episode is sponsored by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. MORE COMIC-CON ADVICE ON PRO TIPS Dave had another 15–20 Comic-Con topics he wanted to cover, so we're continuing the conversation on ComicLab Pro Tips with a deeper dive into conventions, exhibiting, merchandising, and Dave's approach to making a convention financially worthwhile. To hear those episodes, join us at Patreon.com/ComicLab. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Something for everyone: This episode serves up an array of new novels! Host Sarah Bowen Shea kicks things off with praise for an engaging mystery set in 1950s England, then co-host Ellison Weist gives the lowdown on the final installment of Colson Whitehead's finely crafted Harlem Trilogy. The host duo can't say enough good things about a gorgeous graphic novel that will stay with them for years, leading into a broader convo about some of their favorite graphic novels. Ellison wraps things up with a contemporary novel with a don't-be-misled retro cover. The books discussed:Murder at the Spirit Lounge: Jess KiddCool Machine: Colson WhiteheadThe Nightingales: Emil WilsonEverything That Is Beautiful: Louise NealonFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Register for our Feisty Fit Training Program: https://livefeisty.com/training/running/feistyfitfall/Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes Renee Nault from Vancouver Island to celebrate her YA romance graphic novel Salvage. Set in a future reshaped by climate change, Salvage follows Paulo, a teen who lives on the tidal flats scavenging from drowned cities. When he discovers a suitcase full of designer clothes, he sneaks into the wealthy uplands for "just one night" and unexpectedly falls in love—forcing him to juggle class divides, secrets, and the ticking clock on his double life. Renee shares how living outside Bangkok, Thailand, riding past riverside shacks on stilts, first sparked the idea for this powerful story about inequality, privilege, and the dreams of young artists. She talks about working entirely old-school with pen and paper, how she "thinks in pictures," and why all her characters are, in some way, different parts of herself. Listeners will especially appreciate her honesty about class frustration, artistic ambition, and how those emotions shaped Paulo's anger and passion. Jed and Renee also explore how Salvage can open up rich family conversations about climate change, social media, class, friendship, and making things right when we've hurt someone. In the second half of the show, Jed chats with Gayle Veitenheimer and Jen Weaver, co-authors of The Kingswell Kid Detective Series. They introduce The Mystery of the Missing Falls, a faith-based middle grade mystery featuring cousins, secret maps, Cherokee history, and gentle, accessible conversations about prayer, hearing God, and growing in faith together as a family.

It's a double dose of CGS goodness! We start by giving our in-depth thoughts on the premiere episode of Lanterns! And then we cover Comic Coming Attractions for October 2026, giving our recommendations and observations along the way. (1:27:37)

Cartoonist Fran Sundblad, creator of Tiff & Eve, joins Brad for a wide-ranging conversation about creating character-driven comics, finding an audience on Reddit, and learning when not to chase the algorithm. Fran traces Tiff & Eve from its beginnings in her sketchbook to a comic that regularly reaches thousands of readers. She explains how Tiff and Eve represent two very different impulses — Tiff as the superego and Eve as the id — and shares a terrific character-development exercise: Lock your character in a room and ask what they do next. If you don't know the answer, you probably don't know the character well enough yet. Fran and Brad also talk about finding humor in the characters themselves rather than building every strip around a traditional punchline. That approach has helped Tiff & Eve explore Fran's experiences as a trans woman while remaining first and foremost a funny comic about two friends. In this episode: How Tiff & Eve grew out of Fran's sketchbook Writing two characters as opposing parts of your own personality Fran's “locked room” test for determining whether a character is fully developed Character-driven humor vs. setup/punchline comedy Using comedy to make personal experiences relatable What happens when readers interpret your comics differently than you intended Why Fran refuses to explain a joke Surviving hostile comments, Reddit Cares abuse, and the stranger side of online audiences Why cartoonists should post comics to their Reddit profile, not only to individual subreddits Learning the culture of each subreddit instead of treating Reddit as one giant audience Formatting comics differently for different communities — including designing images so Reddit's mobile crop doesn't hide important information Why fewer clicks usually means more readers The danger of chasing trends, politics, and viral Reddit “meta” events simply for upvotes Why a huge viral hit may produce surprisingly few new followers or Patreon supporters Why effort and artistic complexity don't necessarily translate into social-media success The value of clarity, brevity, and consistency on Reddit Knowing when a topical comic is nevertheless necessary because it's true to the characters Sunday Comix, a webcomic collective and email newsletter designed to help cartoonists reach readers without depending entirely on social-media algorithms Fran's experience offers an especially useful reminder for cartoonists trying to build an audience online: don't confuse attention with audience growth. A trendy comic might earn tens of thousands of upvotes, but the work that builds a lasting readership is the work that gives people a reason to come back for your characters. Find Fran Sundblad and Tiff & Eve: Website: FranSundblad.com Bluesky / Instagram: @TiffAndEveComics Reddit: u/CrazyGnomenclature Sunday Comix: https://sundaycomix.com/ You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Recently I listened to Daniel Wilingham's book, Why Don't Kids Like School?, about how we can use what we know about how the mind works to make school work better for kids. And I found myself nodding along in chapter two as he talked about reading: "Do whatever you can to get kids to read, but it's not enough. People sometimes ask whether graphic novels count, or whether audiobooks do. The answer is an emphatic yes." I couldn't agree with Wilingham more. Sure, I've heard the argument that students need "rigor" at school. The canon. The classics. But I would certainly side with Penny Kittle and repeat the mic-drop line from her book, Book Love: "A book isn't rigorous if students aren't reading it." Sure, we can give kids only Dickens, Austen, and Hawthorne. That's an option. We can say only print-reading is "real" reading. But what will we gain, and what will we lose? It seems pretty obvious to me that while a few more kids might read classics if they're the only option, what will mostly happen is that we'll lose the majority of kids who might have started to love reading in our classrooms, given different starting points. So today I want to share the graphic novels I'll be showcasing in my classroom library this year. I'm really happy with this collection for my high school students, and I hope you'll find some new options for your library as I share mine. Of course, as always, you know your community best. Dig into the research and see the infographic and sources here: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2026/07/the-uncrackable-justification-for-choice-reading.html  Watch Gene Luen Yang's Ted Talk, "Comics Belong in the Classroom" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjvTIP7pV20  Go Further:  Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram.  Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!

It's a rollicking recording for this Comic Talk as we hear about Pants' trip to Terrificon, play Stump the Rios: Crisis Edition which leads us into some All-Star Squadron chat, drop news about Marvel's new compact line of books, go back to August 1986 comic racks, and other Geek Chat including thoughts on Spider-Man: Brand New Day! (1:38:53)

In the mid-1980s, author Emil Wilson's father brought home an ailing coworker to live in their home in small-town Oregon. But when it is eventually revealed that this coworker has HIV, everyone's lives are upended. Wilson has written and illustrated a graphic novel based on this true story, titled The Nightingales. He discusses the novel, and his family's story.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Although we typically focus on the bright side of being independent cartoonists, a listener asks us to address the downside of webcomics. We'll talk about time management, burnout, financial insecurity, and reader interactions. Then we realize that all those drawbacks have one very important thing in common — and it's not what you'd expect! TODAY'S SHOW ComicLab gets someone engaged! The worst parts of being a webcartoonist. Creativity isn't always consistent. Success doesn't eliminate insecurity. The business work never disappears. Webcomics demand interaction. The drawbacks are the flip side of the benefits! Is the direct market disappearing? Grieve the comic-shop dream—and move forward. Getting outside your comfort zone. Comedy can strengthen dramatic storytelling. Beware the shiny object. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Dungeon Crawler Carl crawls to top of July graphic novel sales charts. X-Orcists teams up Magik, Goblin Queen and Juggernaut. Hellboy attends the Devil's funeral.SUBSCRIBE ON RSS, APPLE, SPOTIFY, OR THE APP OF YOUR CHOICE. FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WEPA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is back with another creator-focused conversation, and this one brings history, crime, comics, family legacy, and indie publishing power straight to the table. Al Mega welcomes author and creator C.E. Massari to the show to discuss his upcoming graphic novel THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN, a bold new project set to launch on Kickstarter in September 2026 as a premier title in the relaunch of Source Point Press, before moving toward worldwide release through SPP's distribution channels. Massari, known for work connected to THE SIX SWORDS and KAYFABE VOL. 3, brings a storyteller's eye and a creator-owned spirit to a project that immediately demands attention. With a title like THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN, you already know this is not a quiet little stroll through the funny book aisle. This is a graphic novel built around conflict, history, identity, hate, survival, and the type of personal storytelling that gives comics their emotional punch. In this episode, Al and C.E. dig into the creative journey behind the book, how the project evolved, the responsibility of telling stories connected to real-world hate and historical trauma, and what it means to transform powerful personal and cultural material into sequential art. The conversation also explores the indie comics grind, the Kickstarter process, and the excitement surrounding Source Point Press' renewed focus on creator-owned graphic novels. What makes this episode special is the balance between big comic book energy and real storytelling weight. Yes, there is crime drama. Yes, there is pulp attitude. Yes, there is that cinematic "you better keep reading" hook. But underneath it all is a creator working to tell a story with purpose, edge, and respect for the history behind it. Al also talks with Massari about the lessons learned from previous projects, the creative team behind the graphic novel, and what fans can expect when the Kickstarter campaign launches. For readers who love indie comics, historical fiction, crime stories, creator-owned graphic novels, and books that bring something different to the shelf, THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN is absolutely one to keep on the radar. This is the kind of conversation Comic Crusaders lives for: creators building something from the ground up, stories that take risks, and comics that remind the world the medium can entertain, challenge, inspire, and still hit like a freight train with great page layouts. Make sure to follow C.E. Massari, keep an eye out for THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN on Kickstarter in September 2026, and support the creators pushing comics forward one bold idea at a time. The Crusade never ends and this one is coming with history, heat, and a whole lot of WEPA. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpwZFKNeIBM Support the creator. Follow the campaign. Share the episode. The Crusade never ends! THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN project will launch on Kickstarter in September 2026! https://cemassari.substack.com/ Thank you for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega #ComicCrusaders #CEMassari #TheMafiaVsTheKlan #SourcePointPress #KickstarterComics #IndieComics #GraphicNovel #ComicBooks #CreatorOwnedComics #AlMega

It's a special surprise gathering of friends, family and guests to say Bon Voyage to Bryan as he heads to Sweden for a few months! He's not leaving CGS, we just wanted an excuse to come together for a few hours to celebrate, tell some stories and reunite with old friends. (2:51:27)

This week the boys discuss the graphic novel version of the hit book series Dungeon Crawler Carl. How will the graphic novel stack up against the book and audiobook?

Patreon backers have access to an exclusive ComicLab Churn Rate spreadsheet — it does the math for you! Is your Patreon actually growing—or are new members disguising a retention problem? Brad walks Dave through the process of calculating churn rate and shows how one number can unlock a much clearer understanding of a membership business. They discuss subscriber retention, lifetime value, onboarding, well-timed interventions, and how to determine whether advertising or convention appearances are truly worth the investment. Then, Dave asks whether publishing a children's book page by page on his existing webcomic could finally help him finish it. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 What churn rate means for a Patreon creator Why total membership and revenue can give you an incomplete picture Finding the necessary numbers in Patreon Insights Two methods for calculating churn rate What constitutes a healthy churn rate Why one month of data isn't enough Calculating your average churn rate over time Calculating your retention rate Estimating average subscriber lifetime Calculating average monthly revenue per member Determining the lifetime value of a Patreon backer Why retaining a current member is cheaper than acquiring a new one Using Patreon Autopilot to reduce cancellations Evaluating the quality and value of your Patreon rewards Improving the onboarding experience for new members Welcome messages, digital gifts, and personalized Bonjoro videos Brad's one-week Patreon check-in Helping new backers navigate a complicated archive Using average subscriber lifetime to schedule a retention intervention Brad's 18-month check-in and longtime-backer gift Repackaging older work into valuable digital rewards Rewarding and recognizing your longest-serving supporters Exclusive livestreams, previews, and “inner circle” benefits Calculating an acceptable customer-acquisition cost Evaluating paid advertising with lifetime-value data Tracking whether a comic convention was financially worthwhile Why free webcomics may still be the best customer-acquisition strategy Dave's productivity tip: drawing to Brazilian Carnival music Using a webcomic schedule to force yourself to complete a children's book Why serialized children's-book pages may not satisfy online readers Publishing complete thematic sections instead of individual pages Building a new project into an established comic's schedule The difficulty of building an audience for an independent children's book When a traditional children's-book publisher may be helpful Creative control, editorial notes, and refusing unwanted revisions Breaking publishing rules and trusting your own experience Releasing a finished independent book before seeking wider distribution Why experienced cartoonists may resist redrawing or revising completed work ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Send us Fan MailArtist, illustrator, and art director Emil Wilson is here this week to discuss the beauty of graphic novels, the fickleness of memory, and to pass on wisdom that could help change your perspective to achieve your goals.▬Peruse Emil's website and check out his comics:https://emilwilsonart.com/Check out some of his other illustration work and preorder a copy of The Nightingales:https://emilwilsonart.com/new-page-4-2https://emilwilsonart.com/new-cover-page-2Keep up with Emil's talent on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/emilwilsonart/

Samy Burch's new film, LATE FAME, stars Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee and opens this coming weekend; her big debut, MAY DECEMBER, earned her an Oscar nomination. This singular screenwriter has maybe always been a sicko at heart: she's relating to the one and only Thora Birch in GHOST WORLD, an artsy outsider teen who's trying to make sense of a the world she's constantly scrutinizing -- and being scrutinized by.  Then, Jordan has one quick thing about Statham Month at The Action Desk. Celebrating Statham: 3 Essential FightsCelebrating Statham: 5 Essential Weapons   Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinfeelingseen Feeling Seen is hosted by Jordan Crucchiola and is a production of Maximum Fun. You can watch video editions of our new episodes on our YouTube Channel!Need more Feeling Seen? Keep up with the show on Instagram and Bluesky.

There are only podcasters in this room   The Becks are back to begin their series on Movies You Didn't Know Were Based on Graphic Novels with 2002's Road to Perdition! In this episode, they discuss CW's superheroes, The Green Mile, and of course, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Enjoy!   www.linktr.ee/soonmajorpod   www.ko-fi.com/soonmajorpod   Next episode: Cowboys & Aliens

Send us Fan MailHannah and Laura are covering the middle portion of Turn Coat by Jim Butcher in today's episode, and friends, things get very zany! They also discuss some romance novels that didn't "hit" for them, a beautiful children's book, and Hannah's first foray into Alfred Hitchcock's works.*This episode contains SPOILERS for Turn Coat by Jim Butcher. Spoiler section begins at: 36 min 11 secs. ***CW for the episode: discussions of violence, sex, guns, gore, blood, sexism, vampires, racism, sexism, immigration, climate change, incarceration, death, murderMedia Mentions:Turn Coat by Jim Butcher Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World Shell, by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery There, There by Tommy OrangeSomething Wilder by Christina Lauren Dial M for Murder---Tubi Support the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com YouTube: @owwrpodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

Teen Titans team launches Young Justice graphic novel series. CovrPrice's list of San Diego Comic-Con variants dominated by Absolute Batman and Something is Killing the Children.Hello Kitty sells big.SUBSCRIBE ON RSS, APPLE, SPOTIFY, OR THE APP OF YOUR CHOICE. FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Reactions and commentary to news from this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Topics include Indiana Jones coming to comics, Batman of Two Worlds, the Marvel Masterworks line goes to Clover Press, new titles from Marvel and DC, the Eisners, Transformers the Movie back in theaters and more! (1:16:48)

Send us Fan MailOn this month's episode, Beth, Brittany, and Stephanie discuss how libraries and bookstores support one another by going right to the source--the owner of local Moline bookstore, The Atlas Collective!We want to hear from our listeners! Email us at checked.in@davenportlibrary.comTo find out what books were mentioned in this episode, visit our Checked In LibGuide!Upcoming programs:Adults: QC History Hop – Saturday, August 15th @ 10am | Offisite Tweens/Teens: Teen Silent Reading Party – Saturday, August 15th @ 3pm | Fairmount  Kids: End of Summer Bash – Saturday, August 22nd @ 10am | Vander Veer Helpful links from our discussion:Summer Reading ChallengeThe Atlas Collective BookstoreQCL Book ClubLibrary Links:Calendar of Events - Learn more about the events discussed in this episode and about what is coming up at the Library!Library Catalog - Place holds on all of the books discussed today!Info Cafe: The Library's Reference BlogBeanstack - Sign up to participate in our reading challenges!2026 Online Reading Challenge: Know Your History

Welcome back everyone! Apologies, apologies, and apologies a thousand times over, but the ever-late Novel Spirits gang delivers yet another episode and another Battle of the Genres!!! As promised, this time it's a SciFi battle, where Halo: The Rubicon Protocol by Kelly Gay (Presented by Michael) takes on Autonomous by Analee Lewitz (presented by Jacob). Grab your drinks, your books, gather around, and mind the shenanigans. As always, we are bound to dive deep into lore and analysis for your viewing and/or listening pleasure.   Halo: The Rubicon Protocol - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982147881?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Autonomous - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250174686?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Drink of the night - https://www.bacardi.com/us/en/ 0-0-8 Studios - https://linktr.ee/Zero0Eight   Be sure to like and subscribe. Novel Spirits is brought on by 0-0-8 Studios, and there are many projects on the horizon. Stay tuned for the latest and greatest, our monthly vids, and claim your chance to win some cool merch. Cheers!

The boys have reached the end of their six comic standalone summer event. Tune in to find out what Josh and Trav thought about the experience and what lessons they will take away.

What belongs at the beginning of your book? Brad and Dave discuss whether an anti-AI statement offers creators any meaningful protection, break down the information that belongs on a copyright page, and explore the many ways cartoonists can approach the first page of a story or chapter. The best opening isn't determined by a universal rule—it should establish the right expectations, reflect the story you're telling, and give readers a reason to keep going. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 Do anti-AI statements offer creators legal protection? Why a standard copyright notice may already cover AI training The difference between creating, declaring, and registering a copyright What information belongs on a copyright page Copyright and trademark ownership When to use ™ and when to use ® Print location, printing numbers, and edition information ISBNs and Library of Congress numbers Combining copyright, title, credit, and dedication pages Should a comic begin with a splash page? Does the main character need to appear on page one? Using the opening page to establish tone and make a promise to the reader Why different stories require different kinds of openings Brad's two-page system for beginning a new Evil Inc chapter Creating separate covers for SFW and NSFW editions Using chapter openers as archive markers, promotional art, and production buffers Dave's approach to prologues, chapter openings, and world-building vignettes The difference between the first page and the first chapter ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

The Speakers of Geek react to big changes for Marvel Comics. We announce the third Ignition Press Contest winner. A dip into the CGS Mailbag provides an amazing find. And then we review a number of titles including Turbocharged Teenager, the Last Starfighter, Bad Thoughts with art by Dave Wachter, Foundations from 3W3M, Rocketeer: Infiltrator 1, the latest issues of Barbara Gordon: Breakout, Superboy Prime in Superman, the Ordained from Bad Idea, Bizarro Year None, and much much more including initial thoughts on the remastered Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths Hardcover! (1:51:05)

Send us Fan MailHannah and Laura are covering the first third of Turn Coat by Jim Butcher and are struggling to understand why Harry Dresden is helping out a certain terrible warden. They also chat about the impact of an incredibly popular book, Hannah's journey into The Righteous Gemstones, and a book that Laura is adding to her favorites list.**This episode contains SPOILERS for Turn Coat by Jim Butcher. Spoiler section begins at: 47 min 21 secs. ***CW for the episode: discussions of racism, sexism, politics, climate change, death, violence, blood, gore, immigration, police, sex, drugs *Media Mentions:Turn Coat by Jim Butcher Holler: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance by Denali Sai NalamalapuHeartstopper, Vol. 6 by Alice Oseman Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke The Righteous Gemstones---HBO Max Support the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com YouTube: @owwrpodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

Dive into literary adventures with Have U Read, the Monthly Book Club brought to you by your pals at UP UP & AWAY! Each month we're shining a spotlight on a fantastic Graphic Novel for the ultimate group read and lively discussion. For July we're discussing Marvel Premier Collection Graphic Novel: The Visions by Tom King and Gabriel Hernández Walta (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠order it here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).Find Us Online at the Following Outlets Website :: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upupandawaycomics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube :: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@upupawaycomics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ::  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/upupawa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/uuablueash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram :: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/upupawaycomics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter :: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/upupawaycomics⁠

I love the emotional awareness of this whole series ... a must for every teen especially as they embark on a new chapter heading into final year of school or off to college ... The focus on communication in relationships really rocks! The mental health themes are covered so well .. not preachy or central focus - just an honesty in navigation as part of life ... Heartstopper: Volume SixAlice Osemanhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239320055-heartstopper

The Watership Down Podcast is intended for listeners who are familiar with the plot. There will be spoilers. This episode is scripted, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher.Contributions to upcoming episode:thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com NEW RSS.COM FEED:https://media.rss.com/thewatershipdownpodcast/feed.xmlOTHER LINKS: With thanks to Andrew Stevens:'Understanding Comics: The Hidden Art' by Scott McCloud: https://www.scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/ Bob Cropman's website: https://watershipdownonline.co.uk/ Awards for the graphic novel:https://www.instagram.com/p/C97CumNRDA7/?igsh=dzJvZWtqN2oyOHdz https://www.instagram.com/p/DO5P__NjWTM/?igsh=MWdrb3o2bGs3emJ3cA== CONTACTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA: Email: thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com Social media: YouTube channel:https://youtube.com/@thewatershipdownpodcast?si=YW8NfnuwYuyOWhPVFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/thewatershipdownpodcast The Watership Down Podcast Honeycomb on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thewatershipdownpodcast?igsh=MWtlNjR5MDNrNGZzdw== Threads:https://www.threads.net/@thewatershipdownpodcast Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/watershipdpodcast.bsky.social Past charity appeals: Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website:https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

On this 50th episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, we take a broader look at the field of librarianship with a conversation with former ALA Executive Director Bob Wedegeworth, the first Black person to hold that position, about his memoir, Breaking Barriers: A Librarian's Story of Changing Times. Then Susan sits down with Booklist's Editor, Books for Youth and Graphic Novels, Sarah Hunter, about what she's been reading and loving lately. Here's what we talked about: Breaking Barriers: A Librarian's Story of Changing Times, by Robert Wedgeworth The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! And Cartoonists!, by Derf Backderf. Art by the author Fish and Water, by Gengoroh Tagame. Art by the author. Translated by Anne Ishii Witch's Inheritance, by Paige Hender. Art by the author Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín. Illus. by the author Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín. Art by the author Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson. Illus. by the author The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan, by Victoria Jamieson. Art by the author This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. Illus. by Jillian Tamaki Young Cat, Old Cat, by Jillian Tamaki. Illus. by the author Rebecca, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by Sydney Smith Hark! A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by the author Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by the author. Have You Ever Seen a Ghost?, by Daniel Kwan and Julia Pott. Illus. by Sean Lewis

We cover a number of topics this episode including selecting another Ignition Press Contest winner, tales from our trips to Hershey Comic Con, Comics and Paperbacks Plus, AA Comics and Cards, and the Berks Book Bonanza and comics we purchased along the way. We then give our recommendations for Comic Coming Attractions for September 2026! (1:46:24)

We had the best time chatting with the absolute icon that is THE Barbara Perez Marquez! We can't wait for you all to join us, but first, here's more about Barbara:Barbara Perez Marquez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, now she lives in the USA. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and writes short and long-form fiction. During her career, she has also been an editor, translator, and even a sensitivity reader for several publications and projects. Her work was first featured in a student collection in the 7th grade, which inspired her desire to become a writer. Since then, she's been featured in a number of literary journals, as well as anthologies. You can find her among the creators behind The Cardboard Kingdom, the Eisner-nominated graphic novel series about a neighborhood of kids having amazing adventures with cardboard. Her next graphic novel, The Library of Memories, is out in 2026.Find Barbara: https://www.mustachebabs.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mustachebabs/

Cartoonist and author Dylan Meconis joins Dave Kellett to discuss marketing middle-grade webcomics, working with fans who offer to translate your work, and finding the right balance between control and accessibility. They also share practical advice for cartoonists creating an autobiographical avatar — including how simplification, posture, clothing, line quality, and tone can make a character feel unmistakably like you. Topics include: Marketing and monetizing middle-grade webcomics Reaching young readers through parents, newsletters, libraries, and local events Using print editions, zines, and snail-mail clubs to complement online comics Deciding whether to permit fan translations Maintaining quality control with beta readers and creator-hosted translations Balancing copyright concerns with the desire to reach new audiences Designing a cartoon version of yourself for memoir and autobiographical comics You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Today we are on the cusp of a big week in Comics as SDCC approaches and I was lucky enough to be joined by Amy Chase and Savanna Mayer to talk about the latest in the new IDW Crime Imprint with the murder mystery Fixation. This 42 page 1st issue bring us Taylor Van Owens and her best friend Karrah, Taylor won a contest as a Fan VIP to witness the reunion of her favorite book and series Blood Mountain complete with a reunion of all the past cast members. The Town in Vail where the series takes place isn't all it's cracked up to be. Taylor encounters the characters that she fell in love with only to find out that sometimes its better not to meet your heroes. The Book series got her through a tough time, but the Vail is disguised in jealousy, manipulation, and Murder. Listen as Amy and Savanna gives details in the makings of this first issue Graphic Novel. Final Order Cutoff is August 3rd for preorders and the books releases September 9th.Written by Amy ChaseArtwork by Savanna MayerColors by James FennerLetters and Design by Sandy TanakaEdited by Riley Farmer

A number of interesting graphic novels have been brought to our attention recently — works with laugh-out-loud moments and deeper meanings as well. We review three of them in this episode: Heaven by Katie Skelly is a Fantagraphics book about a haunted strip club. Jason joins Tim to discuss it. Was That Normal? by Alex Potts (Avery Hill) gives us a neurodivergent main character and a vague threat from a crumbling tower. Adam and Tim review it. John of the Night (Avery Hill) is a wild scifi epic by Darryl Cunningham. As Emmet and Tim will discuss, Cunningham normally publishes fact-based comics journalism, such as bios of Ayn Rand and Vladimir Putin, but this time he turns in a really enjoyable work of fiction. Brought to you by: Checkered Past podcast Our supporters on Patreon

Comic Talk! Contest winners! Off the Racks! And more! Longtime listener Bill Beechler joins us for a variety of topics starting off with the first winner announcement of the Ignition Press Comics Contest! From there, we discuss the Heritage Original Art Auction for Iron Man's first appearance, go through the comic racks of July 1986, review the first issues of Deadman, Eye Collector and the Future is ****** and other Geek Chat! (1:44:48)

This week, Brad and Dave talk about the best business model for longform webcomics — and why putting your comic online for free is still the strongest way to build a sustainable career. Also: Kickstarter's late-pledge and pledge-manager tools, the difference between market research and mirror research, and how to keep going when your first posts get nothing but crickets. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Dave's backyard skunk problem may or may not require Super Soakers What's the best business model for longform webcomics? Why fear of theft can stop creators from building an audience Why free-to-read comics remain the best foundation for a comics business “First comes the crowd, then comes the funding” Why readers who enjoy your work online are often first in line to buy the book How delayed access and early-access posts fit into a Patreon strategy Why exclusive side stories can work better than paywalling your main archive Avoiding physical rewards on Patreon and Substack Dave will be at San Diego Comic-Con booth 1228 with free ComicLab pins (use the super-easy mnemonic: 1BAT)  Kickstarter late pledges and Pledge Manager are bringing in real money Why charging shipping closer to fulfillment can be safer Market research vs. mirror research How to estimate Kickstarter shipping more accurately What to do when you start posting online and get “crickets” Why seven posts is not enough time to expect traction Reframing early work as building an archive for future fans Social-media advice for giving readers a reason to engage Why success in comics is a marathon, not a sprint You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

The Watership Down Podcast is intended for listeners who are familiar with the plot. There will be spoilers. This episode is scripted, narrated, recorded and edited by Newell Fisher. Contributions to upcoming episode: thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com NEW RSS.COM FEED: https://media.rss.com/thewatershipdownpodcast/feed.xmlOTHER LINKS: With thanks to Andrew Stevens: 'Understanding Comics: The Hidden Art' by Scott McCloud: https://www.scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/ Bob Cropman's website: https://watershipdownonline.co.uk/ Awards for the graphic novel:https://www.instagram.com/p/C97CumNRDA7/?igsh=dzJvZWtqN2oyOHdz https://www.instagram.com/p/DO5P__NjWTM/?igsh=MWdrb3o2bGs3emJ3cA== CONTACTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA: Email: thewatershipdownpodcast@outlook.com Social media: YouTube channel:https://youtube.com/@thewatershipdownpodcast?si=YW8NfnuwYuyOWhPV Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/thewatershipdownpodcast The Watership Down Podcast Honeycomb on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/468458781496287/?ref=share Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thewatershipdownpodcast?igsh=MWtlNjR5MDNrNGZzdw== Threads:https://www.threads.net/@thewatershipdownpodcast Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/watershipdpodcast.bsky.social Past charity appeals: Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund website:https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

Avengers: Armageddon has arrived! Red Hulk's devastating tear across the globe has begun and it's up to the Avengers to stop him. Listen in to hear our thoughts and reactions to the first issue of Marvel's newest event by Chip Zdarsky, Delio Diaz and Frank Alpizar, Jesus Aburtov, Cory Petit and company. (43:53)

CGS Chats returns with three new interviews: Yasmín Flores Montañez, artist of the We Are Pan graphic novel from Top Shelf; Olivia Stephens of the Darlin' and Her Other Names webcomic; and Travis Hymel, writer/artist of the Start Your Engines Kickstarter. (1:56:40)

Witnessing adaptation is one of our great pleasures. How does one transform an audio medium into a visual one? How will the podcast World Beyond Number, from Brennan Lee Mulligan, Erika Ishii, Aabria Iyengar, and Lou Wilson, expand into The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One, courtesy of comic storytellers Jadzia Axelrod and Sarah Webb? When the chance to ponder the thought arose with some of those involved, we jumped at it. There are only days left ot support Worlds Beyond Wonder: The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One via Kickstarter. As of this writing, it's already reached over $1.8 million. The book is happening and will be published through Skybound Entertainment. Join the party in confidence. We spoke with Brennan Lee Mulligan, Erika Ishii, and Lou Wilson about their love of comics and the delight they've discovered in watching Jadzia Axelrod and Sarah Webb bring their story to this medium. We relish the love evident in their play, found in every Worlds Beyond Number episode. We discuss nerdom not as a monolith, but as an endless pebbly beach. This episode was a fantastic surprise, but not as big a surprise as the email we recently received that threw our lives into turmoil (which is the topic of today's introduction). Friends, we've been through it. Thank goodness for our comic book pals. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Jadzia Axelrod on Justice League Dream Girls Comic Book Film Club: Punisher: War Zone at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 7/12 at 5:00 PM. Co-Sponsored by Four Color Fantasies. Comic Book Club: Spider-Man: Brand New Day at Meanwhile...Coffee in Herndon, Virginia, on 8/2 at 3:30 PM Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors The Future is Calling! 2000 AD is the Galaxy's Greatest Comic, with new issues published every single week! Every 32-page issue of 2000 AD brings you the best in sci-fi and horror, featuring characters like Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, and more. Get a print subscription to 2000 AD and it'll arrive to your mailbox every week - and your first issue is free! Or subscribe digitally, and you can download DRM-free copies of each issue for only $9 a month. That's 128 pages of incredible comics every month for less than $10! Head to 2000AD.com and click on ‘subscribe' now – or download the 2000 AD app and start reading today! The charming town of Orchard has everything you could ever need: walkable streets, friendly residents, and no escape. But why would you want to leave? The world outside is a nuclear wasteland! It's much better to stay in the warm confines of Orchard and ignore the deep secrets it holds. After all, it's a safe place to live. Free on Webtoon, Winston Gambro's A Safe Place to Live is the dystopian horror comic you've been waiting for. It's Severance meets Archie. Support human-made art!. If you are a fan of the legendary artwork of Michael Turner, you need to check out The DC Art of Michael Turner on Kickstarter from Clover Press and Aspen Comics. This oversized deluxe hardcover celebrates Turner's unforgettable takes on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, The Flash, the Justice League, and more, all packed into a massive 200-plus-page coffee-table art book. And if you back the Kickstarter, you can get exclusive editions and extras you can't find in stores, including slipcases, sketchbook editions, portfolios, and more. Michael Turner's art defined an era of comics — and this is his definitive collection. Visit Kickstarter and search “The DC Art of Michael Turner” before the campaign ends on July 9th. Third Eye Comics is opening its biggest store ever: Third Eye 97, a 10,000-square-foot comic, game, and collectibles mega-store inside a former Walmart in Glen Burnie, Maryland, with the doors opening July 25th. Grand opening month goes huge with a Rob Liefeld signing at the new flagship on July 31st, the legend behind Youngblood, Deadpool, and Cable, live and in person. Can't make it to Maryland? The entire Third Eye world ships to your door at thirdeyecomics.com: new releases, back issues, games, and exclusives, sent anywhere with Third Eye Ships. See Third Eye's massive inventory while watching THE STACKS and then order those same books your favorite creators talk about online! Use codeword: STACKSORDIE for 15% off your order! The Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Va is not only unlike any theater in America; it's unlike any Alamo Drafthouse. It's a franchise. In fact, it's the first Alamo Drafthouse location outside of Texas. On July 5th, their Film Club is celebrating America's 250th with the 85th Anniversary of the Greatest Movie Ever Made, Citizen Kane! They'll have an encore screening of Kane on Wednesday, July 8th, too. Film Club is great, but so is their Psycho Cinema series hosted by Faye. On July 14th, they're screening truly one of the best bad movies of all time, Samurai Cop. Golly, have you even lived until you've seen Samurai Cop on the big screen? I think not. Get your tickets today!

For the first time, we're hearing from the former roommate and romantic partner of Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. In a recorded interview, Lance Twiggs said Robinson told him he wished he hadn't done it. Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder and witness tampering.In China, a devastating fire swept through a shoe factory Thursday, killing more than two dozen people. Some workers were seen trying desperately to escape the flames and smoke. CBS News Correspondent Anna Coren shows us what happened.Questions remain unanswered in the mysterious death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells on a 4th of July boat trip. We speak with his parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley and their attorney, Ben Crump.If you are heading to the beach this weekend, there's a nearly invisible threat you need to be aware of: rip currents. They can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore in seconds. CBS News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman is in Los Angeles, where lifeguards demonstrated what to do if you get caught in a rip current.Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland is one of the biggest names in soccer. From his signature Viking look to his goal scoring magic, he's captured the attention of world cup fans. But he doesn't just look like a Viking, he eats like one too. We sent CBS News' Leigh Kiniry to eat like a Viking for a day.This summer marks 25 years since the "Princess Diaries" premiered in theaters. It was based on the popular young adult book series of the same name, by author Meg Cabot. She wrote a dozen novels in that series following princess Mia from awkward teen to royalty. Cabot tells us all about a new spin on the story that started it all "The Princess Diaries: the Graphic Novel."One of the hottest shows out there is the hit YouTube series "Hot Ones." hosted by Sean Evans, it has become one of most successful shows on the platform. Evans puts stars to the test, with fiery wings and even hotter questions. In a rare experience Vladimir Duthiers got to turn the tables on Evans, putting him in the interview hot seat.

Dave Kellett returns from his first-ever college reunion with a full heart — and a renewed appreciation for old friends, running jokes, and the occasional listener washing dishes through the cold open. From there, Brad and Dave dig into one of the trickiest parts of writing comics: how much work should the reader have to do to “get” the punchline? Using Brad's motorcycle-jump-over-a-ravine metaphor, they discuss why wider joke “canyons” can create bigger laughs, why shorter jumps can feel merely “technically funny,” and why the best cartoonists learn how to build strong launching ramps while understanding that every reader brings a different landing ramp. Also in this episode: How to show music in a silent medium, why semi-realistic comics should still embrace comics iconography, a quick San Diego Comic-Con update, Bluesky's expanded image carousel, and why obsessing over analytics can become a form of creative procrastination. Topics covered in this episode include: Writing punchlines that require inference from the reader Brad's “motorcycle jumping a ravine” metaphor for humor Why wider joke gaps can produce bigger laughs The difference between “funny” and “technically funny” Why some jokes land for one reader and miss for another How audience literacy, life experience, and context affect comedy Why “it took me a second” can be a feature, not a bug The danger of making every joke too obvious Why memorable comics often take bigger comedic swings Why being someone's “top three cartoonist” matters more than broad mild approval The difference between newspaper-era comics and webcomics-era audience building Dave's San Diego Comic-Con booth update The free ComicLab pin for listeners at Booth 1228 Bluesky expanding post image limits from 4 images to 10 How the new Bluesky carousel can help sequential artists How to communicate piano music in comics Why floating music notes are not “too cartoony” for semi-realistic comics Using established comics iconography instead of reinventing the wheel Why comics can suggest music but rarely reproduce the experience of music How manga and anime use visual language more freely Using musical notation as a visual “spice,” not the whole dish Why analytics can become creative avoidance Whether it matters how quickly a comic reaches its maximum views Why “magic number” thinking can distract from improving the next comic Why creators should spend less time dusting bookcases and more time making better comics What's better? A simple gag or one that requires the audience to think? UPDATE: Comic-Con International booth 1228 Update: Bluesky update... 10 images per post! Indicating music in a realistic comic How long does it take to achieve maximum views? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Nikki is coming for the top of the ropes, folks! That's right! Cue the entrance music because Nikki Torres is back on this week's episode, and she's brought enough beer, books, and sass for everybody! On this episode, Bob, Steve, and Nikki discuss everything from comic books to bad horror movies, Disney musicals, wrestling, geese, and much more! Comics & Books: Fantastic Four #13, Batgirl #21, Poison Ivy #46, Andre the Giant: Life and Legend, Murder Book: A Graphic Memoir of a True Crime Obsession, Ice Planet Barbarians book series, Wrestle Heist #1-5, The Only Good Indians (novel), Buffalo Hunter Hunter (novel) Other Stuff: Send Help (movie), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961 movie) The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (talkingcomicbooks.wordpress.com). The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh, Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Aaron Amos, John Burkle, and Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh, who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Instagram handle is @TalkingComicsPodcast, and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 27! Our guest this episode is Miles Toriko Burks. He's a California-based cartoonist, writer, and illustrator whose work focuses on heartfelt stories about identity, friendship, queer joy, and emotional vulnerability. His debut print graphic novel Encore! was released June 2, 2026 through HarperAlley. It's the print adaptation of his very popular Webtoon series of the same name.  Encore! is a queer YA rom-com about two former best friends reconnecting during a shared high school theater class, and after they're partnered up, they need to confront the unresolved feelings and emotional distance between them. The story has already drawn comparisons to works like Heartstopper for its warmth, sincerity, and focus on emotional connection. A lifelong artist, Burks first gained a loyal viewership online through fan comics and digital illustration before transitioning into original storytelling on Webtoon. This is where his story Encore! developed a devoted following. His work blends expressive artwork with deeply relatable coming-of-age themes, often centering characters from underrepresented backgrounds and exploring how relationships evolve over time. We love how Miles is focused on creating stories featuring characters who reflect identities and experiences that he rarely saw growing up. He creates diverse stories without focusing on all the representation he includes.  In our conversation we talk about the inspiration for Encore!, how he developed his artistic style, the conversations he hopes he inspires with his work, the impact of social media and Webtoon on feedback, the importance of queer joy, and so much more. To learn more about Miles Toriko Burks, you can visit his website at milestburks.com, follow him on instagram @milestburks, purchase your own copy of Encore!, or see his work on Webtoon. We'll link to these in our show notes.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

Comic Talk, Listener Feedback, Trivia and more! But first, we start with our thoughts on the new Supergirl movie. And then we cover the new M.A.S.K. title from the Energon Universe. From there, topics include new issues of IDW's Twilight Zone, revisiting the Walking Dead comic series, the Vagabond manga, Magic the Gathering, Stump the Geeks trivia, feedback from the listeners and more Geek Chat! (1:58:35)

This week, Brad and Dave discuss one of the easiest traps for independent creators to fall into: Outsourcing important business or creative decisions to reader polls. Audience feedback can be useful, but when creators ask readers to steer decisions about Patreon tiers, Kickstarter rewards, publishing strategy, or creative direction, they often get noisy, contradictory advice that can lead them away from their own best judgment. Topics covered in this episode include: Why readers are experts in consumption, not creation The danger of asking your audience to make business decisions for you Brad's cautionary tale from his early days as a newspaper designer Why negative comments carry more psychological weight than positive ones The difference between listening to readers and asking readers to decide Why feedback should be treated as a compass, not a steering wheel How polling readers can create factions and resentment among backers Why creators should rely first on their own instincts, goals, and judgment The value of seeking advice from trusted peers and experienced professionals Why no single expert — including ComicLab — should be treated as the only authority Dave's hierarchy of advice: Heart and mind first, peers and pros second, passive reader feedback third Erika Moen's thoughtful counterpoint about social-media assistants How a social-media assistant can protect creators from harassment, criticism, and burnout The difference between a social-media assistant as a partner versus a replacement Plans and possibilities for future live ComicLab events Dave's San Diego Comic-Con appearance at Booth 1228, including free ComicLab pins for listeners A listener question about “boomer humor” and whether it should be taken as an insult The difference between old-fashioned joke structure and out-of-touch subject matter Why traditional setup-and-punchline comedy still works How Reddit comments often reflect meme culture more than thoughtful criticism When repeated criticism might be worth filtering for a useful grain of truth Why creators should protect their confidence while staying open to thoughtful feedback You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Part 2 of CGS Reads Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow focusing on issues 5 thru 8 by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, Matheus Lopes, Clayton Cowles and company. Supergirl and Ruthye Marye Knoll's quest comes to an end in their search for Krem of the Yellow Hills. We discuss the finale, our favorite moments, Comet the Super-Horse, the amazing colors of Matheus Lopes, the evergreen nature of the story and more. (1:14:14)

Comic Talk and Comic Coming Attractions for August 2026! And in this month's Previews chat, we're joined by listener Chris Ellis! We announce a new contest from Ignition Press and new comic apps, speculate on the future of the Doctor Who franchise, share our experience with the recent M.A.S.K./ROM blind bags, give Previews recommendations and reunite with longtime CGS Forum member Stephen Reid aka Flint Lockjaw to talk about his Kyla: the Goddess Who Walks the Earth treasury edition Kickstarter! (2:09:50)