Make Comics

By Comics Experience

Arts Visual Arts

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Make Comics episodes:

03.14.2024
What’s the Secret Weapon for Your Comics?
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.
02.27.2024
How Long Do You Make Your Comics?
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...
02.13.2024
Why 2024 is the Best Time to Be a Comic Book Creator
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...
01.30.2024
Dealing with Criticism, Indifference, and Rejection in Comics
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...
01.09.2024
What is the Best Distribution for Your Comic?
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.
12.20.2023
2024 Predictions for the Comic Book Industry
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.
11.29.2023
What Does It Take to be a Professional Comic Creator?
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.
11.14.2023
The Persistent Death of the Comic Book Industry
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.
09.26.2023
The Most Dangerous Contracts in Comics
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.
09.12.2023
Balancing Creative Quality and Business Goals in Comic Books
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.
08.29.2023
The Real Measure of Comic Book Sales
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.
08.15.2023
Judging a Comic Book by its Cover
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.
08.01.2023
Comic Cons and Conflict
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...
06.06.2023
A Strike, a Slowdown, and a Union Complaint
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...
05.23.2023
On Shared Universes and Time Management
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.
05.23.2023
Changes at IDW, Crowdfunding at Marvel and Professional Presentation
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...
04.25.2023
Printing for Cons and Fighting Book Bans
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...
04.11.2023
Saying Goodbye to Al Jaffee and Ike Perlmutter
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...
03.18.2023
Episode 257: The Benefits of ComicsPro and the Downside of Superhero Comics
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...
02.15.2023
Episode 256: Replacing Comixology and Evolving Kickstarter
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the companies attempting to replace Comixology as the main source for digital comics and what publishers should look for in a digital comics platform. They also talk...
02.01.2023
Episode 255: Digital Comics Without Comixology and Comic Book Company Investment
In this week’s episode of the Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal discuss the digital Comics Options for publishers and creators in the wake of Amazon’s recent moves, as well as the questions raised by the financial news coming out...
01.17.2023
Episode 254: AI Legal Battles, Missing Sales Charts and Freelance Laws
Andy and Gamal discuss the class action lawsuit against AI art, the disappearance of comic book sales charts, and the legal and moral foundations of working in comics as a freelancer.
01.04.2023
Episode 253: Public Domain, Marketing, and Maybe Movie Misery
In our first podcast episode of 2023, Andy and Gamal discuss the pitfalls of making comics from public domain works, the impact of creative marketing on comic book sales, and the fallout that comes from building a comic business based...
12.20.2022
Episode 252: Comics Connection 2022 End of the Year Wrap Up
In the last episode of 2022, Andy and Gamal 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....
12.19.2022
Episode 251: How Does Artificial Intelligence Impact the Comic Book Industry?
In our first Comics Connection Podcast, Andy and Gamal 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...
10.18.2022
250 Comics and Contracts with Gamal Hennessy
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...
10.04.2022
249 NYCC, Common Pitfalls For Creators at Cons
Andy and Joey talk about NYCC, how to approach editors at cons, how to sell and track your inventory at conventions, and more.
09.27.2022
248 When Good Ideas Aren’t That Well Executed
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.
09.05.2022
247 Indie Comics Sales
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.
07.22.2022
246 What Creators and Publishers Should Expect From Each Other
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.
07.04.2022
245 SDCC and Conventions
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.
06.15.2022
244 Joe Quesada, Editorial Management Changes at Publishers
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.
05.18.2022
243 George Perez and Neal Adams
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.
05.03.2022
242 Panel Actions
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…
04.20.2022
241 Storytelling in Comics, TV, and Movies
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...
04.11.2022
240 Fred Van Lente and Steve Ellis SILENCERS: THE DEFINITIVE EDITION
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...
03.22.2022
239 Contract Negotiations
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.
03.12.2022
238 Lettering Passes Workflow
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...
01.11.2022
#236 – Resolutions for 2022, Planning and Goals
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...
01.03.2022
#235 – 2021 in Review
2021 was another year of changes in comics and making comics. Andy talks about publishing, printing, shipping, and more.
12.16.2021
#234 – Writing Comics Basics
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.
12.10.2021
#233 – Visual Storytelling Basics
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.
11.17.2021
#232 – Comics Coloring Basics
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!
11.09.2021
#231 – Budgeting and Payments with Crowdfunded Comics
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!
10.22.2021
#230 – NYCC 2021 and Cons During Covid Takeaways
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...
10.01.2021
#229 – Designing Pages and Grids with Gannon Beck
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...
09.17.2021
#228 – Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories
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.
07.30.2021
#227 – Writing Solicitations for Retailers and Readers
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!
07.15.2021
#226 – From Pitch to First Issue with Phillip Kennedy Johnson
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.
06.29.2021
#225 – Kickstarting Your Comic with Lewelin Polanco, Greg Tjsovold and Steve Urena
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.

What's Make Comics about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Make Comics episodes:

What’s the Secret Weapon for Your Comics?

How Long Do You Make Your Comics?

Why 2024 is the Best Time to Be a Comic Book Creator

Dealing with Criticism, Indifference, and Rejection in Comics

What is the Best Distribution for Your Comic?

2024 Predictions for the Comic Book Industry

What Does It Take to be a Professional Comic Creator?

The Persistent Death of the Comic Book Industry

The Most Dangerous Contracts in Comics

Balancing Creative Quality and Business Goals in Comic Books

The Real Measure of Comic Book Sales

Judging a Comic Book by its Cover

Comic Cons and Conflict

A Strike, a Slowdown, and a Union Complaint

On Shared Universes and Time Management

Changes at IDW, Crowdfunding at Marvel and Professional Presentation

Printing for Cons and Fighting Book Bans

Saying Goodbye to Al Jaffee and Ike Perlmutter

Episode 257: The Benefits of ComicsPro and the Downside of Superhero Comics

Episode 256: Replacing Comixology and Evolving Kickstarter

Episode 255: Digital Comics Without Comixology and Comic Book Company Investment

Episode 254: AI Legal Battles, Missing Sales Charts and Freelance Laws

Episode 253: Public Domain, Marketing, and Maybe Movie Misery

Episode 252: Comics Connection 2022 End of the Year Wrap Up

Episode 251: How Does Artificial Intelligence Impact the Comic Book Industry?

250 Comics and Contracts with Gamal Hennessy

249 NYCC, Common Pitfalls For Creators at Cons

248 When Good Ideas Aren’t That Well Executed

247 Indie Comics Sales

246 What Creators and Publishers Should Expect From Each Other

245 SDCC and Conventions

244 Joe Quesada, Editorial Management Changes at Publishers

243 George Perez and Neal Adams

242 Panel Actions

241 Storytelling in Comics, TV, and Movies

240 Fred Van Lente and Steve Ellis SILENCERS: THE DEFINITIVE EDITION

239 Contract Negotiations

238 Lettering Passes Workflow

#236 – Resolutions for 2022, Planning and Goals

#235 – 2021 in Review

#234 – Writing Comics Basics

#233 – Visual Storytelling Basics

#232 – Comics Coloring Basics

#231 – Budgeting and Payments with Crowdfunded Comics

#230 – NYCC 2021 and Cons During Covid Takeaways

#229 – Designing Pages and Grids with Gannon Beck

#228 – Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories

#227 – Writing Solicitations for Retailers and Readers

#226 – From Pitch to First Issue with Phillip Kennedy Johnson

#225 – Kickstarting Your Comic with Lewelin Polanco, Greg Tjsovold and Steve Urena