PW Comics World: More To Come

Record $1.21 billion in 2019 comics/graphic novel sales; comics publishers and retailers that snagged PPP loans; offer a preview of Comic-con @ Home; review 'Old Guard', and hype Adrian Tomine and Fall graphic novels.

Calvin Reid talks with Joe Sacco about this new book, ‘Paying the Land,’ on the history of Indigenous People in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the predatory treaties and Canada’s notorious residential schools, and profiling a new generation of First Nation leaders as they face off against oil, fracking, and mining interests over Indigenous control of vast wilderness tracts filled with valuable resources

A week of reckoning in the comics industry, including sexual misconduct charges leveled at Scott Allie at Dark Horse, the resignation of Chris Butcher from TCAF, and the departure of three members of the CBLDF board; plus Steve Geppi returns; Joe Illidge joins Heavy Metal; and The Year Without Comic-Con.

In a Stargazing special episode, Calvin and PW graphic novels reviews editor Meg Lemke discuss ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Cartoonist’ by Adrian Tomine, a satirical graphic memoir; and ‘On Ajayi Crowther Street’ by Elnation John and Àlàbá Ònájìn, a corrosively humorous fictional portrait of middle class urban life in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria.

The end of DC’s 25 year distribution relationship with Diamond Comic Distributors and its impact on retailers; a farewell to acclaimed comics writer and editor Denny O’Neil; new allegations of sexual misconduct in comics; Howard Cruse’s ‘Stuck Rubber Baby’; and updates on the fare of comics conventions.

Calvin Reid talks with retro-afrofuturist comics creator Tim Fielder ('Matty's Rocket' and 'Infinitum') about working during the pandemic, the current political moment, history and, of course, comics

This week on More to Come, the cohosts pay tribute to the memory of George Floyd and recommend MTC episodes and a list of graphic works on the issues of mass incarceration, black comics artists, diversity and political activism; they also survey the 2020 Eisner nominations and lament GamesRadar’s recent absorption of comics news site Newsarama.

This week on More to Come the cohosts react to the restart of Diamond shipments, discuss the streaming universe, HBO Max and the Snyder Cut, mobile device comics, Layoffs at Kickstarter, and offer a salute to Christian Cooper.

Kate talks with acclaimed writer, producer and comics creator Geoff Johns about Stargirl, a teenage DC superhero he created back in the 1990s, who is also the main character of a new live action TV series on the CW/DC Universe that will debut on May 18 on the DC Universe, and on May 19 on The CW.

The cohosts discuss the state of graphic novel publishing in a pandemic with reports on Fantagraphics, Clover Press, and Titan Comics; DC and Marvel's return; Diamond founder Steve Geppi answers distribution questions; and TCAF, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and BookExpo go virtual.

Heidi talks with comics retailer Jen King of Space Cadets Collection Collection in Oak Ridge North, TX about the Insider Art benefit she's coordinated to help women and non-binary comic shop owners, joining the board of the CBLDF, ComicHub, DC, Diamond, and re-opening her store on May 1.

The cohosts look at the heated response to DC’s controversial new distribution initiative; public and industry support for comics retailers and booksellers, the cancellation of the San Diego Comic-Con; new digital comics ventures such as the manga platform Mangamo; and PW’s #BooksAreEssential.

Calvin talks with acclaimed comics artist Gene Luen Yang about ‘Dragon Hoops’, a new graphic work about the men’s varsity basketball team at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School, where he taught for many years, and their run to the California state championship in 2015. Plus, in this month's Star Gazing feature, Meg Lemke talks about Box Brown’s ‘Child Star’ and Leslie Stein’s ‘I Know You Rider.’

The cohosts discuss the rise and fall of Comics Hub's plan to save comics; the latest developments in comics retailing under Coronavirus lockdown; indie comics publishers in the direct market and book sellers; and on a lighter note, the new comics-based Syfy series 'Vagrant Queen'.

An interview with comics editor and creator Andy Schmidt, founder of ComicsExperience, an online school for comics creators, and ONS, a comics printing company for small publishers, about teaching comics creation; teaching online courses in a pandemic; plans to help retailers; the current state of the comics industry and much much more.

The cohosts discuss Diamond Comic Distributors shutting down shipments of new comics due to Covid-19; supporting creators and retailers during the pandemic; Ace Comic Con and GrowTix fight over refunds while fans lose out. Plus the comics retail feature and Heidi interviews James Tynion IV at C2E2 about Punchline.

An interview with Anika Orrock, creator of ‘The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League’, a graphic history of the legendary women’s baseball league that flourished from 1943-1954. Plus a new Star Gazing with graphic novel reviews editor Meg Lemke about Bishakh Som’s debut story collection ‘Apsara Engine’, and Derf Backderf’s ‘Kent State: Four Dead In Ohio’.

Calvin, Heidi and Kate discuss the cancellation or postponement of cons, including Emerald City Comic Con, MoCCA Arts Fest, and WonderCon, due to the spread of the new coronavirus; plus Heidi reports on C2E2, including DC publisher Jim Lee after the departure of Dan DiDio, plus an interview with comics creator and novelist Joe Hill of the 'Locke and Key' and 'Heart Shaped Box' from C2E2.

An interview with Jared Reinmuth, and Améziane, the writer and artist of ‘Big Black: Stand At Attica’, a graphic memoir that tells the personal history of the late Frank “Big Black” Smith, a prisoner-negotiator during the Attica Prison Revolt of 1971, as well as the tragic story of the Attica revolt, one of the bloodiest rebellions in the history of U.S. prisons.

Calvin, Heidi and Kate take an episode to discuss the departure of DC co-publisher Dan DiDio, look at the impact of his 18-year rein at DC, trends in superhero comics over that era, and public and industry reactions to his removal.