Make Comics: Recent Episodes
Comics Experience
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the secret of finding the right people to buy and read your comic beyond the confines of a comic book shop.
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Gamal and Andy offer advice on how to handle criminal, moral, and other negative actions from members of your comic book team.
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Gamal and Andy have a deep discussion about the wide-ranging impact the Diamond bankruptcy will have on publishers, retailers, creators, crowdfunding, and other comic book distribution channels.
In this episode, Andy Schmidt talks about how to learn to be a comic book colorist, how to develop relationships with editors, and how to have a professional career with veteran colorist Chris Sotomayor! Soto’s live and on-demand coloring courses are available on the Comics Experience site.
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Gamal and Andy discuss how to create iconic characters for your comics that can translate into cosplay, film and merchandise.
In this episode, Andy and Gamal discuss the technical and mental tools comic creators can use to build their businesses, improve their craft, and still have time for work, family, and self-care.
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Gamal and Andy discuss the relationship between the business and creative aspects of writing a comic book story arc. We discuss what creators need to consider when deciding how to tell a story and how long the story needs to be.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the growth of the horror genre in comics and what it means for creators interested in following this trend.
The tragic loss of John Cassaday from the world of comics shines a light on two ideas every creator can benefit from: how to be a professional and preparing for an uncertain future.
Not every artist works with every script, no matter how talented they are. In this episode of the Comics Experience podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the creative and stylistic factors that go into finding the best artist for your story.
In this episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Andy and Gamal take a deep dive into the implications of Kaepernick’s AI comic book company and the potential threat of AI to comic creators and publishers in the near future.
In this episode, Andy and Gamal discuss how to manage comic cons as a working professional before, during, and after the event.
In this episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the financial aspect of attending conventions as a professional, including the impact of getting a table, how to reduce costs, and setting up a business for tax deductions.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Experience Podcast, Andy and Gamal look at the disappointing results of films like Furiosa and discuss the parallels within the comic book industry.
In this episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss an AI licensing system that could provide a living wage for creators.
In this episode, Andy and Gamal discuss the role of the colorist. Topics include how to break into the business, how to deal with time pressures, and how to avoid burnout.
In this episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the potential impact of having millions of current readers of kids and YA graphic novels enter into the wider comic book market.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the one person who can improve the quality of your comic and reduce the stress of producing it.
Graphic novel, mini-series, ongoing series, which length is the right choice for your comics? That depends on the creator, the publisher, the retailer, and the reader. Andy and Gamal look at the perspectives of each group and how they factor into the size of your story.
The comic book press regularly discusses the real challenges and issues involved in being a comic book creator or publisher. But it is also true that now is the best time in the history of comics to build a business in this industry.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection podcast, Andy and I talk about the creative and mental impact of negative reactions to your comic and what you can do on a personal and professional level to reduce your inevitable discomfort.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the best and most profitable way to get your comic in the hands of your readers.
Andy and Gamal wrap up 2023 with our thoughts on how censorship, crowdfunding, comic book shops, and digital comics will evolve and impact the comic book industry in 2024.
Andy and Gamal discuss the personal and professional qualities you need to maintain a long career in comic books and we talk about evolving as a creative person over time.
Andy and Gamal discuss the current state of the direct market in light of recent op-ed pieces and offer some advice on what creators, publishers and retailers can and can’t do to improve the situation.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the pitfalls of creator-owned comics and what to look for in your deal to make sure you don’t become another comic book tragedy.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss how comic book creators can thrive with a thousand true fans and the connection between story quality and long-term readers.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the sales charts that are really important to independent comic book publishers and the opportunities for success that can be found outside the comic shop.
In this week’s episode, Andy and Gamal look at the importance of comic book covers from a sales and marketing perspective and offer you some tips on how to approach your cover for comic shops, crowdfunding, and reader appeal.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal recap their experiences at San Diego Comic Con and Terrificon. They also take a hard look at the persistent pitfalls that plague the comic book industry and what you can do to protect yourself from abuse.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the impact of the continued WGA strike on comics, dealing with the trucking slowdown for print comics, and the spotlight created by the newly formed Image union.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the pitfalls of announcing a connected universe of comics and offer some tips on how to manage your time as a comic creator and publisher.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about the major changes happening at IDW, the impact of Marvel’s crowdfunding experiment on other creators, and how to carry yourself as a comic book professional before and after you get a gig.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal talk about what creators and publishers need to think about when printing their comics for crowdfunding and conventions. They also talk about the impact of book bans on comics and the companies that publish them.
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal 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 Gamal discuss how events like ComicsPro can help comic creators build positive relationships with retailers. They 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 […]
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!
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 Tjosvold (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.