Few people have chronicled the modern comics industry as closely—or for as long—as Heidi MacDonald. On this episode, the longtime journalist, editor, and founder and editor-in-chief of The Beat joins the Bandits for a wide-ranging conversation about her career and the ever-changing world of comics. Heidi reflects on launching The Beat in 2004, her earlier work as an editor at Disney and DC/Vertigo, and how comics journalism has evolved alongside the industry itself. The conversation also explores the state of comics today, the challenges facing publishers, retailers, creators, and journalists, and how fandom and the business have transformed over the decades. Along the way, Heidi shares insights gained from a career spent not just reporting on comics, but helping document an extraordinary period of change for the medium. 

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Comic book history is best preserved by the people who were there—and by those determined to capture their stories before they disappear. On this episode, comics historian and longtime collector David Armstrong joins the Bandits to share his extraordinary journey through more than six decades of comics fandom, beginning with attending some of the earliest comic conventions in the 1960s. David discusses meeting legendary figures like Bill Finger and Otto Binder, his efforts to document the history of the medium, and the remarkable series of filmed interviews he conducted with more than 40 pioneering creators from the Platinum, Golden, and Silver Ages, including Will Eisner, Jerry Robinson, Julius Schwartz, Marie Severin, Joe Simon, and many more. Along the way, David shares firsthand stories from comics history and reflects on why preserving the voices and memories of the people who built the industry remains so important for future generations.

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From acclaimed runs as an inker on Green Arrow to historical graphic novels like Union Station and Capote in Kansas, Ande Parks has built a remarkably varied career across more than three decades in comics. On this episode, Ande reflects on his journey from artist to writer, his longtime collaboration with Phil Hester, the craft and often-underappreciated importance of inking, and his move into creator-owned storytelling. He also discusses Ciudad, the graphic novel he developed with the Russo brothers that became Netflix’s blockbuster Extraction franchise, and what continues to excite him about creating comics today.

Issue #3 of Ande’s latest series, Bad Thoughts (Ignition Press) hits comic shops today!

You can follow Ande on his site, andeparks.com, and on Instagram @andeparks.

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Forty years after Crisis on Infinite Earths reshaped DC Comics, its impact can still be felt across superhero storytelling today. On this episode, author and filmmaker Kevin Miller joins the Bandits to discuss his new TwoMorrows book, The Crisis Companion: From Flash of Two Worlds to Infinite Earths and Beyond, an exhaustive exploration of the landmark series and the decades of DC history that led to it. Kevin talks about tracing the evolution of the Multiverse from Flash of Two Worlds and the classic Justice League/Justice Society crossovers through Crisis, conducting new interviews with creators including Marv Wolfman, Paul Levitz, Jerry Ordway, Roy Thomas, Dan Jurgens, and others, and examining the event issue by issue. Along the way, he explores why Crisis became such a defining moment, how it changed the way comics approach continuity, reboots, and event storytelling, and why we’re still talking about its consequences four decades later.

The Crisis Companion is published by TwoMorrows and is arrives in comic shops this week!

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Forty years ago, four martial-arts-trained rodents crashed the comics scene and helped kick off one of the strangest crazes of the 1980s. On this episode, creator Don Chin joins the Bandits to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, the 1986 series that began as a parody of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and quickly took on a life of its own. Don looks back at creating Bruce, Chuck, Clint, and Jackie during the height of the black-and-white comics boom, the unexpected success of the series, and working with artists including Parsonavich and a young Sam Kieth. The conversation also explores the anything-goes world of independent comics in the ’80s, the Hamsters’ enduring cult following, and what it’s like to see this gloriously offbeat creation being celebrated four decades later with new 40th-anniversary collections from Dynamite.

You can follow Don on Instagram @donchin63.

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The world of Lost Fantasy is getting bigger—and a whole lot hotter. On this episode, writer Curt Pires joins the Bandits to dive into Fireborn, the new Image Comics series he co-created with Franklin Jonas and artist Patrick Mulholland. The story follows Aaron Hillburg, a directionless billionaire’s son whose life is upended when a mysterious dragon egg bonds with him, awakening an ancient magical lineage and putting him in the crosshairs of some very dangerous supernatural forces. Curt discusses developing Fireborn as the first major expansion of the Lost Fantasy universe, collaborating with Jonas and Mulholland, blending superhero action with wild fantasy concepts, and his larger ambitions for this rapidly growing world. Along the way, he reflects on the success of Lost Fantasy, his passion for creator-owned comics, and just how big he hopes this universe can become.

Fireborn #4 comes out on August 26, and you can follow Curt on Instagram @curtantoniopires and X @curtpires.

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From Swamp Thing and Wonder Woman: Earth One to Batman Incorporated, Yanick Paquette has brought a lush, distinctive visual style to some of comics’ most iconic characters. On this episode, Yanick joins the Bandits to look back on his career as an artist and storyteller, discussing the influences that shaped his work, his approach to composition and world-building, and the creative process behind some of his most memorable collaborations. He reflects on working with writers like Grant Morrison and Scott Snyder, reimagining legendary characters and their worlds, and how his art and storytelling have evolved over the years. Along the way, Yanick shares insights into the craft of making comics, the importance of collaboration, and what continues to challenge and inspire him as an artist.

You can follow Yanick on all the socials @yankickpaquette and check out his Substack here: yanickpaquette.substack.com.

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Eisner Award-winning comics journalist and podcaster David Harper joins the Dollar Bin Bandits for a wide-ranging conversation about the comics industry, the cultural impact of the medium, and the work behind his acclaimed website, SKTCHD, and long-running podcast, Off Panel. Fresh off his Eisner win for Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism, David discusses his approach to interviewing creators, covering the business and culture of comics, and what he’s learned from years of conversations with an incredible lineup of guests from across the industry. Along the way, we celebrate David’s dedication to the creative world we all love, the impressive body of work he’s built, and his continued drive to be one of the most thoughtful and distinctive voices in comics journalism.

You can read David’s work and subscribe to SKTCHD at sktchd.com, and listen to Off Panel wherever you get your podcasts. Follow David on Bluesky at @davidharper.bsky.social and on Instagram at @slicedfriedgold.

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Some stories ask what happens when evil is unleashed—13 Demons Dead asks what it takes to stop it. On this episode, Adam Tierney joins the Bandits to discuss his supernatural horror book (just released by IDW), exploring the origins of the project, the mythology behind its terrifying demonic forces, and the challenge of crafting suspenseful, character-driven horror in comics. Adam shares insights into building a chilling world filled with mystery and danger, balancing scares with emotional stakes, and bringing his unique vision to life on the page. Along the way, he reflects on his creative journey, the enduring appeal of horror comics, and what readers can expect from the next chapter of 13 Demons Dead.

You can follow Adam on Instagram and X at @adamwritestuff .

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Forty years after Watchmen forever changed the comics landscape, legendary artist and colorist John Higgins joins the Bandits to reflect on his pivotal role in one of the medium's most influential works. On this episode, John discusses the groundbreaking color palette that helped define Watchmen's unmistakable atmosphere, his multiple collaborations with Alan Moore, and how the series continues to inspire creators four decades later. The conversation also explores John's distinguished career beyond Watchmen, his work as both an artist and colorist, the evolution of comic coloring over the years, and the enduring impact that thoughtful visual storytelling can have on generations of readers.

You can follow John on his site, artofjohnhiggins.com, on Instagram @johnhigginsrazorjack, or on Facebook @turmoilcolourstudios.

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