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Ananth Hirsh’s and Yuko Ota’s Our Cats are More Famous than Us: A Johhny Wander Collection, is an awe inspiring book. A playful and ruminating collection of autobiographical comics, the…
We were interviewed by Alex Lu at the Comics Beat! Fun talk.
Alex Lu - composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor #score #Nomis #composer #ost #soundtrack #movie Alex Lu is a film composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator. He wrote score music for Nomis / Night Hunter (2018), Seadrift (2019), Navajo Math Circles (2016), A Swingin' Trio (2011), In Pursuit of Silence (2015).
And so we wrap up this edition of our yearly wide-ranging survey of creators from every end of the business on what happened and what’s coming. It’s been a fascinating journey through the thoughts of the comics industry on all levels. Once again, huge thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to respond and comment. We wind things up with a lot more previews including a new book from Emma Rios and a peek at the Birdcage Bottom Books lineup for the year- and lots in-between. You can check out the other parts of the survey here.
Emma Ríos, Cartoonist
2019 Projects: I’m very glad to say that Hwei and I finally finished Mirror. It was quite a tough year for us and I’m extremely proud of how we managed to come over all that and of how we drove this little big story to its well deserved ending. Issue 10 will appear in the solicitations next month and the book will reach stores in April. For all of you who kept waiting to read the conclusion, thank you, really. I can tell you we gave everything we had and we really hope you like it. (Some preview pages below)
On the other hand, Kelly Sue and I have been working on the third arc of Pretty Deadly. It’s set in Early Hollywood and we are bringing some noir and horror to our pages this time. We are also using shadow puppetry as a narrative element which is very interesting and crazy fun for me. The arc is half done and we will bombard you with lots of updates soon.
And now, my secret. If everything goes as planned I’ll spend most of this year working on a new project called Anzuelo, meaning ‘hook’ or ‘lure’. A book about death and preservation, and more than anything about the sea. I’ve been keeping this story in the back of my head for a couple of years already, waiting for a chance to finally focus on it alone. I’m writing and drawing again for this, but unlike I.D., this time it will be all in watercolors and wayyy longer. The whole project is pretty ambitious and, ahem, rather pretentious. I’m scared but also very excited about it.
Fortunately, the mighty David Brothers, whose thinking and writing I truly adore, will help me as editor/therapist and will bear with me through all of this terrifying journey.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? I’m going to say the recent English subscription to Shonen Jump. I believe it’s a pretty generous and smart move, and to me it feels like the biggest change in comics since we started preordering.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Emily Carroll’s new book, When I Arrived at the Castle. The book is published by Koyama Press and will debut at TCAF. Emily is one of my favorite creators, obviously. Her work has been inspiring and frightening me for years. She always takes storytelling to a whole new crazy level almost effortlessly. I’m so jealous!
Also! The latest work by my friend Borja González is going to be released in English this year. The title may change but in Spanish (Reservoir Books) and French (Dargaud) its called The Black Holes and it is a truly fascinating story that I hope to see in every BEST OF THE YEAR list. You’re going to be mindblown.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Maybe reading all Naruto, I guess? Bleach? Having a rather easy access to all those crazy popular and crazy long series from the last decades now drives me crazy. But, to be honest, it doesn’t feel guilty at all.
Who inspired you in 2018? I’ve been very inspired by rewatching Yoshiyuki Tomino’s dystopian anime of the 80s and 90s, recently. Specially anti-war stuff like Gundam, Fang of the Sun Dougram, and so on…
Steve Foxe, Writer & Paste Magazine Editor
2019 Projects: In addition to plenty of Paste goodness, I’ve got two OGNs I can’t talk about just yet, several promising pitches in the works, and my short in BOOM!’s Steven Universe: Fusion Frenzy one- shot will be out in March!
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Honestly? 2018 didn’t feel like it had a defining comic story. Maybe I’d just give the nod to DC announcing umpteen new imprints targeting different markets. We won’t actually see how Zoom, Ink, Black Label, and Wonder Comics work out for a bit, but I applaud the publisher trying to meet readers in different niches. And while it’s not a POSITIVE story, the swift response to Eric Esquivel accusations gave me hope that we are getting better, as an industry, at responding to these sorts of issues.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Similarly, I think the response to Zoom and Ink will be a huge story in 2019–either because it works as well as I hope/suspect it might, or because it does so-so and DC gets cold feet right away. I also expect some BIG BIG things for Marvel’s Merry Mutants, but I’ve already said too much… And while I’m not a movie guy, seeing how Captain Marvel lands and how the MCU pivots out of Endgame will mean a lot for the MCU’s continued success, especially with GotG3 in such a precarious position.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Reading more old comics! It can feel like a never-ending marathon keeping up with weekly releases, but in 2019, I plan to carve out more time to read (and re-read) older books. I did that a bit this year with some old Vertigo runs and loved it, and I plan to do it again next year, as well as start a FULL re-read of Uncanny X-Men and New Mutants, starting with Giant-Size X-Men and going through to the Morrison era.
Who inspired you in 2018? Tini Howard has been a close friend since 2014, and seeing her amazing successes this year (and knowing about some of the ones coming up in 2019!) has definitely inspired me to kick my own butt harder.
Tom Kaczynski, Cartoonist/Uncivilized Books Publisher
2019 Projects: Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson; Now, for the first time in his career, Thompson is working in serial form, in a bimonthly comic book series. Part memoir, part travelogue, part essay—all comic book—Ginseng Roots explores class divide, agriculture, holistic healing, the 300 year long trade relationship between China and North America, childhood labor, and the bond between two brothers.
Cannonball by Kelsey Wroten; Follow the messy life of Caroline Bertram: aspiring writer, queer, art school graduate, near alcoholic, and self proclaimed tortured genius. Wrotens’s debut graphic novel will turn many heads!
Stonebreaker by Peter Wartman; The sequel to Over The Wall by the artist of Avatar the Last Airbender: Imbalance; Four years after saving her brother, Anya continues to explore the endless, twisting streets of the mystical city, Noridun.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The biggest story is the ongoing seismic shift in the comics industry. The slow but sure transition from periodical business to graphic novel business. Comics retailers complain about the continued slides periodical sales from Marvel & DC, but don’t really do the homework on graphic novels, or alternatives that could bring in new audiences. This job is being done admirably by indie book stores and online retailers who are not afraid to experiment and try out new titles.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? The biggest story of 2019 will still be the biggest story of 2018 with the added caveat that we will start seeing more diverse and interesting periodical titles that will move into the space that will be opened up by the continued slide of Marvel & DC.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? The new Criminal series by Brubaker & Phillips, but I don’t feel guilty about it.
Who inspired you in 2018? I’m continually inspired by every independent cartoonist out there who manages to keep creating new and interesting work, year after year. The seas are rough out there, and seeing new and amazing work continue to emerge, is flabbergasting and humbling.
Joan Hilty, Editorial directo
2019 Projects: Showtime at the Apollo (Abrams, Jan), Good Talk (One World, Mar). Pageturner’s thrilled to have helped bring these to life.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The passing of Stan Lee. However one feels about his life and legacy, it’s a milestone for both the past and future of comics.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? For me it’s which companies survive, and thrive in, the remarkable ongoing staffing and distribution shakeups across our whole landscape — and how that affects workplace equality. We’re living in transformational times.
Ayo, cartoonist
2019 Projects: I’m working on more and more Little Garden comics and associated projects. Chiefly, the continuation of my four-panel, one-page strips.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The dissolution of Tumblr for a great many users is undoubtedly the most significant and impactful comics story of 2018. Tumblr performed a crucial function in the visual arts industries, particularly in the comics industries. It was a way for work to spread around as casually and easily as radio works for music. A lot of important careers began in the trenches of tumblr blogs and reblogs. The scaling back of the platform will do considerable damage to industries rooted in visual culture.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? I’d like the biggest comics story in 2019 to be an increased interest in short works; strips, short stories and graphic essays. Long form comics are wonderful but we need to give more space for a multitude of ways to approach sequential art.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? I’ve finally gotten to be old enough that I laugh out loud at the cartoons in The New Yorker. And I accidentally subscribed to the magazine, so bring ’em on!
Who inspired you in 2018? I’ve recently begun reconnecting with the work of Aubrey Beardsley when I was experiencing a bit of an overload of inspirations. Being able to zero in on his illustrations has helped me to focus my ambitions and cut out a lot of the noise in my head.
Josh Bayer, cartoonist
2019 Projects: Working on something called Unfinished (seriously, thats the title.) Heres an advance page
And on seasons 2 and 3 of AllTimeComics with Josh Simmons, Trevor Van Eeden, with guest chapters by Gabrielle Bell, Julia Gfrorer and inks by Simmons, Me and Josh Simmons, Tom Toye, Ben Marra Ken Landgraf and others. I also have a new book due in April from Tinto Press, theres some images here:
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? I really don’t know, theres a lot of destruction everywhere on every level of Society and also a lot of community building in our own little microcosm. I am just trying to stay lost in a haze of work and art and teaching. Sorry, thats not much of an answer.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Someone going down in the worst flameout of Indie Comics history and someone else rising to the highest peaks of industry adulation. While I have been known to see the future through mystic means, I can’t be more specific than that Ive already said too much.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Two way tie: Silently judging people for their desperate need for approval and vocally judging peopler their desperate need for approval.
Who inspired you in 2018? I tend to work in 20 year blocks of inspiration, not yearly. Janelle Hessig and Bobby Madness and Elizabeth Bethea all inspired me to engage with comics hard at the start of the millenium when I discovered them. They are true DIY, as are many other punk publishers and artists; but their work crossed my path at a crucial point that gave me a strong push towards what I wanted to do. And I am still going with them as key influences.
Alex Lu, Managing/New Media Editor of The Beat
2019 Projects: On the journalism side of things, I’m launching some exciting new media ventures for The Beat. And on the comics side of things, I have credits on INFINITE DARK, several upcoming First Second books, and a whole bunch of ~secret projects~ you’ll see on the shelves next year.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Can I cheat and say there’s a three way tie? The death of Stan Lee, clearly, but also the fascinating narrative surrounding Olivia Jaimes’ run of NANCY and the continuing (and currently more rapid) investment of Hollywood money into new comics ventures.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? If there’s a recession, that will likely become the central narrative for anything that happens in comics in 2019. Even if there isn’t, however, I’d still be interested to see what the flow of outside money into comics looks like by the end of the year.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? TEEN ROMANCE COMICS (I FEEL NO GUILT)
Who inspired you in 2018? This is a total cop out, but this year has been crazy for me and I owe a great deal to an enormous network of friends, colleagues, and mentors who have both supported me and given me opportunities that have made 2018 the best year of my professional life. From my Editor-in- Chief Heidi MacDonald to everyone at First Second to my lunch pal/business adviser Brandon Montclare to my frequent creative collaborator and awesome pal Ryan Cady– I owe all of you (and many more whom I didn’t name here) a great deal.
MariNaomi, cartoonist, database administrator
2019 Projects: In addition to maintaining the Cartoonists of Color and Queer Cartoonists databases, I’m gearing up to get the Disabled Cartoonists (TK) database up and running.
On the creative front, I’m coming out with Book Two of my Life on Earth young adult graphic novel trilogy, and finishing up Book Three (for release in 2020).
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Cody Pickrodt suing Whit Taylor and her supporters.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Cody losing his suit, I can only hope.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Finishing up my trilogy and finally getting time off to read some freaking books!
Who inspired you in 2018? Whit Taylor and her supporters. They’re going through a lot right now, stuff that nobody should have to go through, and keeping strong, fighting back. That’s really inspiring to me.
Hibbs, l., with Breanna Thumler
Brian Hibbs, Retailer
2019 Projects: We love and joy these days is hosting the Graphic Novel Clubs — I adore talking to smart and talented folks about exciting new work and the nuts and bolts of craft!
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The increasing weariness (and wariness) that the average Direct Market retailer is feeling about the market leaders: Marvel, DC, and Image. We’re ending 2018 with the lowest confidence in the future of comics that I can ever remember among my peers. And I lived through two crashes! The odd thing is that the numbers aren’t really that bad — but we’re being asked to work harder and harder (and more speculatively) for the same reward. Virtually every comic published now has 2+ covers, and the worst publishers out there are offering five or more for most every title they publish. The system is getting too stressed, sucking almost all of the “joy” out of running a store.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? I keep expecting Barnes & Noble to collapse at any moment. I also expect an increasing number of “I’ve had enough of the industry nonsense” closures in the DM. At what point do these changes coupled with the utter lack of faith most retailers (in both markets) have in the most of the product make it so that AT&T and Disney decide it isn’t worth still publishing the comics? Everyone “in” comics can be working at 150%, and we’re now at the whims of souless multi-national corporations to keep the engines humming.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Despite me putting “breaking news” first in the survey, I actually look forward to Heidi rants a whole lot….. man I miss that period when you, Spurgeon and Dirk Deppey all had daily rants….
Who inspired you in 2018? Honestly, just talking to creators about craft keeps me going: we’re well past a hundred hours of interviews now. Go dig through the video archives at https://www.comixexperience.com/archives
Henry Barajas, Writer, Director of Ops at Top Cow Productions
2019 projects: I’m working on La Voz De M.A.Y.O. and La Loca: Via Con Diablo! Brush up on your spanish, gringos!
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Batman Damned #1 no doubt. It swept every news outlet. Every comic book shop whether they liked it or not, had to talk about the pink, fleshy elephant in the room.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Someone has to create an app that will make ordering comics from your local comic shop easier. It’s the year of Bladerunner for crying out loud!
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Burnouts by Culver, Geoffo, and Dwonch. Stoners killing aliens. It’s mindless fun.
Who inspired you in 2018? Joe Illidge. Joe stuck to his guns, helped make some amazing comics, and raised profiles for some marginalized voices. I don’t know anyone that can lose two editorial gigs in one year, brush his shoulders off, and say “I can’t wait for you to see what’s next.”
Randy Reynaldo, Cartoonist
2019 Project: Rob Hanes Adventures #20 — I’ll be at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con for my 21st appearance, following my receiving the Inkpot Award at the 2018 show!
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Passing of Stan Lee
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Avengers: Endgame — gotta see how it concludes!
Kat Kan, Librarian/Comics Reviewer
2019 Projects: I write the Graphically Speaking column for Voice of Youth Advocates, and the February 2019 issue will mark my 25th anniversary of writing about comics for the library world.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? For libraries: the new Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards created by the Pop Culture Classroom. And the creation of the Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries Round Table as an official part of the American Library Association.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Continuing growth in the use of comics in schools and academia.
Bonus questions:
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Getting back to “normal” after Hurricane Michael devastated most of my city (Panama City, FL) in October.
Who inspired you in 2018? I admire my friends and colleagues in libraries and schools who have worked so hard to gain recognition of comics as a valid form of literature for study and research. I’ve pushed so hard for this since 1983, when I first started working in libraries, and I love seeing so many more people take up the banner over the past several decades.
J.T. Yost, cartoonist/publisher, Birdcage Bottom Books
2019 Projects: We’ll be publishing two new books and at least one minicomic this year. “Blood & Drugs” – a story of fall & redemption by Lance Ward, “Rooftop Stew” collecting lots of uncollected autobiographical and fictional weirdness by Max Clotfelter, and “Future Corpse”, a collection of new short work by Eva Müller (we published her death obsessed “In The Future, We Are Dead” last year). See previews below.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Annie Koyama moving away from comics publishing.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? President Trump implementing a new Comics Code Authority that only censors work critical of the president and his administration.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Probably some dumb tv show or something
Who inspired you in 2018? Avi of Silver Sprocket
The Beat's Annual Creator Survey Part 5: From Emma Rios' new book to "Blood & Drugs" - and an update on Mirror And so we wrap up this edition of our yearly wide-ranging survey of creators from every end of the business on what happened and what's coming.
New technology that turns sign language into speech misses the point.
“The video of a recent invention, gloves that can translate sign language into speech, has been popular on social media; as a Deaf person, I’ve had to watch as it worms its way through the Facebook walls of all of my hearing friends. They tag it with incredible claims: This technology will finally bridge a communication gap. It will revolutionize the lives of Deaf people. It will save us from our lives of suffering and solitude.
For these hearing friends, I only have one question: Why does everything in our society have to cater to you?”
Podcorn Podcast 1/20/16- The DC Marvel Fantasy Draft!
Podcorn Podcast 1/20/16- The DC Marvel Fantasy Draft!
While DC and Marvel comics may be going through some big changes, no one could or would ever deny that they have some of the coolest, most iconic characters in American pop culture. And now it’s time to smash up their universes. Those of you familiar with Fantasy Football will be somewhat familiar with the game Brandon and I play on this week’s episode of Podcorn Podcast. We assume the role of…
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Podcorn Podcast 1/13/16 -- All's Fair in Love and Page Rates
Podcorn Podcast 1/13/16 — All’s Fair in Love and Page Rates
In the media-driven world, there are many voices. In the end, though, money is king. from Final Crisis Recently, the advocacy group Fair Page Rates released the results of their 2015 end-of-year creator survey, which asked work-for-hire creators to anonymously disclose the pay rates they received for work at various publishing houses. While the data is interesting and the intent of the survey…
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And here’s the final part of our annual creator survey. It seems people are really looking forward to Rom if you read all of these. Also, thanks to such a wide ranging cross section of this amazing industry we live and work in for taking to time to share their thoughts with us all. Save your pennies because there are a lot of good comics to buy in 2016. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. and Part 3 here.
David Brothers, branding manager, Image Comics 2016 Projects: :As Branding Manager for Image Comics, I’m working to make imagecomics.com one of the most readable comics sites online, with interviews, deep dives into art, and a weekly podcast, The i Word. I’m also the guy doing the moderation for Image Comics’s panels at conventions, and I edit Lazarus for Michael Lark & Greg Rucka. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The inability of the direct market comics industry—publishers & major press alike—to engage with the diversity conversation on any real level beyond the surface, or worse, as a victory lap. It’s the story-behind-the story, maybe, but in a year full of great writing on the subject from unaffiliated Twitters/tumblrs and the “non-major” comics press, the state of the conversation on the biggest platforms comics have was noticeably and disappointingly lacking. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? The ongoing rise to prominence that creator-owned comics deserve, and with it, the creators, critics, and readers who have been traditionally shut out of our corner of the comics industry for decades being made increasingly welcome. To make sure that happens, we gotta at LEAST engage with diversity outside of controversy or declaring victory. We have to have the difficult, nuanced conversations we’ve been avoiding. Otherwise, why bother? What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? I try not to have guilty pleasures, but I am looking forward to a lot. Comics-wise, I’m looking forward to seeing more work by Inio Asano hit stateside and for Emily “Still Doin’ Comics” Carroll to continue killing it. I like this comic Nutmeg, by Jackie Crofts, James F. Wright, and Josh Eckert. It’s about cooking and and crime. It’s charming and returns in March with #7. I’ve sent along a few preview pages they gave me. It’s a good time. Outside of comics, the Warriors might could repeat this year if they get past the Spurs, the Hawks are still fun to watch, Flu Game Jordan 12s are being retroed in May, Lady Snowblood is coming to blu-ray soon, and Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa are gonna drop a collaborative album. It’ll be a nice year, God willing and the creek don’t rise.
Sean E. Williams, writer, publisher, comickerdigital.com 2016 Projects:We have three new series in production that will debut soon after the new year, bringing the total number of original Comicker Digital creator-owned series to ten, and we’ll be rolling out new features for the Comicker Digital iOS app (and Android version as well). We’re also working on some other exciting projects that we will be announcing soon. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? comiXology being integrated into the Amazon website. It opens up the comics audience even further than comiXology was by itself, and will bring in tons of new readers without local comic book stores who didn’t even know comiXology existed. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? San Diego Comic-Con announcing it’s moving to Las Vegas. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? A new non-trilogy STAR WARS movie.
Gary Tyrrell, journalist What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? More than any time in the past, webcomics have ceased to be a distinct category and have become the talent feeder pool to comics in general. Gene Yang, Ryan North, Erika Henderson, Kate Leth, Christopher Hastings, and many more are writing books for the big two. BOOM! has got Becky Dreistadt & Frank Gibson, Tyson Hesse, and John Allison writing and/or drawing their original properties, and plenty more creators on licensed properties (Munchkin, various Adventure Time series, Bravest Warriors, etc) or new stories (Power Up). Kate Beaton was all over the best-of lists and Noelle Stevenson got nominated for a National Book Award. Raina Telgemeier continues to dominate the bestsellers lists, never having fewer than three books simultaneously on the NYT list, and as many as six! Meredith Gran has a new deal to [re-]print her entire archive with Image; Spike Trotman’s converted her history of Kickstarter success into a full-bore graphic novel publishing house. Danielle Corsetto & Minna Sundberg took the NCS division awards for short-form and long-form online comics, respectively.Over at The AV Club, their comics and graphic novel best-of lists were about 40% webcomics. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Given that the names I mentioned above run about 1.5:1 female:male, I’m going to say Scott McCloud’s prediction that comics will be majority female by 2024 will come true eight years early. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Nothing I can see coming up that I’d feel guilty about enjoying.
Ben Towle, cartoonist, educator 2016 Projects: I wish I knew! I’ve got a couple of potential new projects to work on now that Oyster War is wrapped up. One is an all ages post-apocalyptic fantasy called Chargers and the other is a cooking/music story that takes place in the 1990s. I’ll probably start developing them both in early 2016 and move forward with whichever one starts coming together best. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The all-women sweep of the Ignatz awards (and, to a lesser extent, a really good year for women creators at the Eisners). I think at this point there’s really no denying that comics–both readership and creators–has changed for the better and become much more inclusive. Runner up: Berkeley Breathed relaunches Bloom County. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Dark Horse starts publishing the Moebius Library. Either they republish the work with the original coloring and the big story is that Moebius is *finally* back in print in English in great-looking books… or they recolor it and the story is that yet again someone’s mucked up Moebius. Fingers crossed for the former! What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Incessant baseless online speculation about the new Star Trek series. I will read 100% all of this.
Kieron Gillen, writer 2016 Projects: The Wicked + the Divine, Darth Vader, Mercury Heat, Uber plus the usual things I can’t talk about and (inevitably) things which I’ll make up that are brand sparkling new because I get so bored, Heidi, I get so bored. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? I’m normally pretty good at Industry watching, but this year I honestly haven’t got a clue. All I’ve done is work. The impact of the Star Wars comics, perhaps? It’s certainly the biggest story in my royalty cheques. Culturally, the diversity conversation starting to reap dividends. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? I’ll be able to tell you, as my plan for 2016 is to do less work so I can be on the ball about this stuff. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Doing less work.
Zack Davisson, cartoonist
2016 Projects: Wayward (Image Comics) Kitaro (Drawn & Quarterly) What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The death of Shigeru Mizuki–rarely does a comic book artist’s death explode like that, with coverage in The New York Times, BBC, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, etc … for many, it was the first time they heard the name of this influential Japanese comics genius, although they have certainly seen the legacy of his 60+ year career. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? What matters more, the loud internet voices of the dollars of buyers? People continue to complain about DC and Marvel, but at the same time continue to buy in bulk. Will there be a crowd shift? What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? The return of Rom: Spaceknight! I had to shout a yahoo for that one!
Christian Beranek, cartoonist
2016 Projects: My webcomics Validation, with Kelci Crawford, and Intergalactic Medical Doctor, with Tony DiGerolamo and Dave Windett, will continue. Also planning to finally release Unhappy White Girls. In addition, IΓÇÖm looking for an artist for another project I am very passionate about. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? Diversity. Which has been a great discussion to have and I hope it continues. IΓÇÖm also hoping corporate comics expands their hiring to not only include people of diverse ethnic backgrounds but also those with different life experiences. We desperately need new voices. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Corporate comics releasing more books than ever before. With all of the movies, tv shows, video games etc… there will be a directive for even more product that ties in. We’ll hear Disney and Warner Bros. announce timelines for their movies that take us into the 2030s. All of us will realize it will never ever ever end. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Speculoos Cookie Butter on Saltine crackers. I was introduced to the delicious gingerbread type spread in Belgium by artist Mario Boon and immediately became enamoured by its wonders. And recently my Mom pointed out if you put it in on a Saltine cracker it becomes a next level snack. So I want to consume more of it in 2016 but not too much, however. Moderation!
Alex Lu, journalist 2016 Projects: Editing and writing for The Beat, making Podcorn Podcast, and getting a grasp on that strange land known as post-undergrad adulthood. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? All-New All-Different Marvel’s performance has dominated the conversation over the last few months. From the controversy surrounding its creators to the appropriation present in its Hip Hop Cover variant program, it seemed to be off to a rocky start. The announcement of National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates writing BLACK PANTHER and the continued ascendance of Ms. Marvel have quelled the racial outcry some, only to recenter the conversation on the relaunch’s middling performance, which featured mindblowingly high #1 sales followed by huge dips in #2 shipping orders. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Socially, as we’ve seen from the fast and furious uproars surrounding RED WOLF and AIRBOY #2, representation, both behind the scenes and on the pages, is likely going to continue to be the center of discussion. We ended the year with strong audience and creator backing of the Asian American Iron Fist movement, so it’s quite likely that we’ll be consistently seeing the battle for healthy minority representation expand beyond comics to all comics-based media. Economically, the DC You launches were generally a bust and according to some analysts, All-New All-Different Marvel is slipping. The performance of the Big Two in 2016 is going to be VERY important, as it may signal that relaunches, an industry standard for god knows how long, are no longer effective in bolstering sales or attracting devoted new readers in the long term. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Completing my collection of Absolute Sandman and frothing over Batman Vs. Superman no matter how good or bad it is..
Joan Hilty, editor 2016 Projects: BECOMING ANDY WARHOL (Abrams, fall 2016); LEGEND OF KORRA (Dark Horse, fall 2016); BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (IDW, spring 2016); top secret projects with Blue Man Group, Hill & Wang, and Denis Kitchen. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The long, long, long. long overdue renaissance of comics IP on the small screen.
Jen Sorensen, cartoonist, editor 2016 Projects: I’m still editing the comics section for Fusion, where we’ve been publishing some great nonfiction comics along with political cartoons. I’ve got some cool projects that I’m editing right now that I’m very excited about publishing in the new year. (Link to Graphic Culture: http://fusion.net/GraphicCulture ) What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? Aside from the horrific Charlie Hebdo attacks, the sudden end of The Nib on Medium came as a surprise to many people, as it was extremely popular. I hope we continue to see websites paying creators for their work. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? I think “Bordertown,” for which the cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz is a writer, will be interesting. (I realize that’s not exactly a comic, but maybe it will generate a comic book spinoff!) What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Cheese, as usual. Especially free samples from the grocery store.
Xavier Lancel, journalist, Scarce Magazine 2016 Projects: I am putting the final touches on a special issue of our magazine focused solely on Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. We have two big projects for 2016: – first, releasing our first annual english issue of SCARCE, called SCARCE INTERVIEWS. It will feature the extended interview I did of Ernie Colon, which gave birth to Ernie Colon Unlimited, a website on Ernie I’m managing. – second, releasing the first french annual collection of our first issues, dating back from 1983-1984. Scarce will be 33 years old in 2016, probably one of the longuest running magazine on comics! What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? Marvel actually succeeding in releasing Star Wars products. I was one of those who bet on their failure compared to the wonderful work Dark Horse did. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Soon the day will come when industry leaders will realise that variant covers crazyness, relaunches habits, expensive pricing and double shipping are unattractive to readers. I’m smelling 90’s blindness again. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Watching Twin Peaks season 3.
Eric Peyron, writer 2016 Projects: The Rage Comic Book Series. The first issue will be available in January. It will be written by me, and drawn by Alan Quah and St’phane Degardin. The next ones are set to be drawn by Alex Nascimento, with colors by St’phane Degardin. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? I would like to say Secret Wars or Convergence, but it looks more like businesses restructuring their departments and valorizing their assets than actual stories. These days even my favorite authors are not writing exceptional stories, so I guess I’ll pass on this one. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? The Marvel-DC Crossover Event for the 20 years of Amalgam? Ah, it still might not happenΓǪ┬áThe announcement that the Fantastic Four and the X-Men are returning to Marvel Movies with the same deal as Spider-Man? Mmh, this actually might happen, but probably not in 2016. Let’s say the Superman vs Batman movie, then. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Getting to write and produce the next issues of the Rage Series, at last!
Nick Abadzis, cartoonist 2016 Projects: Doctor Who – new tenth Doctor adventures (Titan Comics) Pigs Might Fly (First Second) Other stuff too secret to talk about yet What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? For me, it was Rachael Ball bringing out her first, long-awaited graphic novel – The Inflatable Woman, a strange and magical work. I was also really happy to see a new book by Dylan Horrocks – Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen. The reinvention and reinvigoration of the Marvel Universe was also pretty nifty. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Preacher by my old friends Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon coming to TV. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? I’ll be importing plenty of Toffee Crisps from the UK to fuel all my US-based work.
Roy Thomas, writer, editor 2016 Projects: A giant book on Stan Lee’s career at Marvel and elsewhere, for the German publisher Taschen 7 issues of my comics-history magazine ALTER EGO continue to work with Stan Lee on the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN newspaper comic strip continue to write at least 3 online strips for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.’s website maybe write a comic book or two, as well as introductions to some hardcover reprint books, etc. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Captain America: Civil War film… if that counts
Yuuko Koyama, cartoonist
2016 Projects: Backnumber collections of my mini-comics. It will be my first publication. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? Inari konkon koi iroha What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? praying collapse of current cabinet
Mike Vosburg, cartoonist 2016 Projects: I will be continuing my work on The Mad Mummy, and doing as much painting and illustration of my own as possible. Also in 2016 I’ll be introducing a weekly comicbook supplement of all my creator owned material. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The inefficiency of the digital distribution network. With all of the amazing creations available of new and unique series, so little of it gets pushed…while the some old stuff from IDW, Marvel and DC continues to dominate. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Some new movie created on a comic series created 50 years ago…. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Watching more old movies and discovering new and exciting art. Yes, I am an old man, but I still have taste.
Christopher Butcher, show runner, retailer 2016 Projects: Currently getting ready for TCAF 2016, being held May 14th and 15th in Toronto Canada. Also just completed a successful first year for our official Festival shop, Page & Panel, and continuing to work at The Beguiling, one of the greatest comic stores in the world. Oh, and I blog occasionally at comics212.net as well, and hope to keep that up. I think I’m editing a book that’s coming out in 2016 too? What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? This is a tough one. The whole year had sort of a low rumble to it, frankly, with very few big ideas able to capture the public’s attention for longer than a news cycle.I do think that the general industry chatter is swinging back towards Marvel and DC’s machinations in the general, to the detriment of a lot of good projects that need (and frankly deserve) that attention more than licensed properties do, but all in all it’s a very business as usual year, I think. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? I honestly have no idea. There are a couple of great publisher anniversaries in 2016, with First Second Books turning 10, and Conundrum Press in Canada turning 20, and I’d really hope that they manage to capture the public’s attention as I think both publishers are putting out some great material, and an anniversary is a great time to look back over that publishing history and highlight successes. I also think new books from Clowes and Ware, are going to duke it out for “book of the year” on a lot of lists, and that’ll be fun. It also looks like a very strong year for new manga, with Inio Asano’s Goodnight PunPun and Girl on the Shore both set to blow people’s minds. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Actually reading has become my biggest guilty pleasure, as so many other aspects of the industry take up my time. I’m looking forward to, as I do every year, sitting down a month after TCAF is done, and just digging into the tote bag full of comics I bought, reading and relaxing for a few days. No better way to spend a weekend, or to get a real overview of what’s happening in comics right now. :)
Kat Kan, librarian
2016 Projects: Creating order lists of graphic novels for some new branch libraries in Atlanta and my usual monthly lists of recommended graphic novels for Brodart’s BIBZ database. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? So many different kinds of comics and creators winning major comics awards – comics for kids, diverse comics and creators – it’s been an amazing thing to see. When creators such as Raina Telgemeier, Gene Luen Yang, Noelle Stevenson, and so many others can win major Eisner Awards, it’s a cool thing to see. Related to this, comics are earning honors in mainstream literature awards as well – El Deafo and This One Summer both won honors in the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz awards for youth literature. Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust (First Second Books) won a Batchelder Honor for best translated work for young people. And Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona was a nominee for the 2015 National Book Award, Young People’s Literature category. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Diversity in comics is growing, and hand in hand with that is the greater acceptance of the comics format in schools. This has been building for a long time; I talked a bit about this at the 2006 NYCC Professional Day. What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2016? Using more comics to teach my students in the school library!
B. Clay Moore, writer 2016 Projects: Aloha, Hawaiian Dick (comic), the Hawaiian Dick television show, a couple of new work-for-hire projects, more creator-owned launches. What was the biggest story in comics in 2015? The increased diversity amongst mainstream creators, and the increased desire of diverse creators to get their voices out there. What will be the biggest story in comics in 2016? Two things: The continued migration of “big name” creators to creator-owned projects, and the exploitation (in a positive sense) of comic book material in other media, with creators taking a more active role in their development.
The Beat Annual Creator Survey Part 4: With a special preview or two And here's the final part of our annual creator survey. It seems people are really looking forward to Rom if you read all of these.
Podcorn Podcast: Best of the Comics Industry 2015
Podcorn Podcast: Best of the Comics Industry 2015
Another year come and gone. 2015 was, by and large, a fantastic year for comics, filled with relaunches, new talent, and obviously, great new books. Join Brandon and Alex as they look back at the year that was and what’s coming up in the future. https://www.buzzsprout.com/16504/340385-the-best-in-comics-of-2015.mp3 1:00 – The show begins! 2:20 – Dinesh Shamdasani, CEO of Valiant Comics, has been…
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