Tradecraft Podcast

Shelly Bond joins me to talk about editing, Bowie, Vertigo, The Clash, AND the magic of comics. We also talk about her brilliant, and sorely needed book on editing comics, FILTH & GRAMMAR from Off-Register Press. We also threaten to settle the Oasis/Blur debate once and for all, but wisely get back to talking ’bout comics.

https://www.offregister.press/product-page/filth-grammar-softcover-book

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sxbondimprimatur/

* Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/sxbond.bsky.social

* Website https://www.offregister.press/

Want to support TRADECRAFT an...

Shawn Crystal joins me to talk about his creative life as a comic book artist and illustrator, long-time podcaster with INKPULP, burgeoning path as tattoo artist. We dive into the mental side of the career, and Shawn generously shares his efforts to develop multiple revenue streams to grow his creativity.

Since there’s been a nine-month gap since the original recording, and Shawn is in the middle of his first INKPULP Kickstarter campaign with his craft book, CYAN, it was the perfect time to reconnect and hear an update on how his plans ha...

The madly talented Ryan Sook returns to the podcast to talk about his new limited series, BLACK CANARY, with Tom King, for DC Comics. We shop nearly the entire episode, and trade some of the highs and lows of our careers.

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rsookart/

* Felix Art https://www.felixcomicart.com/artistgalleryroom.asp?artistid=600

Past guest, Andrew Robinson (episode 159) and his family lost their home in the Eaton fire that devastated Altadena, CA. While he and his family are safe, Andrew lost his studio and artwork in...

Paul Azaceta joins me and we talk about everything in this one. Paul shares his thinking and loves when it comes to comics. We talk about his work on OUTCAST, and his forthcoming Image title THE SEASONS, with Rick Remender. He also shares a lot about the yet to be titled limited series Paul wrote and drew!

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paulazaceta/

* Twitter https://x.com/paulazaceta

* Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paul.azaceta/

* Substack https://substack.com/paulazaceta

Want to support TRADECRAFT and...

Welcome to Season 16!

Ignatz nominated, M.S. Harkness joins me to do what she does best, share amazing tales of her life, and talk process. We discuss her nominated graphic novel, Time Under Tension, and her next book, which—if we promise to be good—she'll title, Rogue One.

If you’ve read Time Under Tension, please request an Ignatz Award ballot, from the link below, and cast your vote for her book.

* Website https://www.msharkness.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m.s.harkness/

* Tw...

Settle in for a lively talk with Ben Caldwell as we track his creative journey and process, loves, and un-loves. And yes, we talk about his forthcoming THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS UNIVERSE, CARRIE KELLY, Robin comic with Frank Miller.

This is a fun one, with one of my favorite creators!

* Big Cartel https://bencaldwell.bigcartel.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bencaldwellart/

* Twitter https://twitter.com/bencaldwellart

* Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ben.caldwell.5205

Want to support TRADECRAFT and be awesome...

Elsa Charretier joins me to talk managing the highs and lows of a creative career. Though in the midst her fantastic run on the wonderful LOVE EVERLASTING, she questioned her work in comics. Elsa has since found joy in the work, and—more importantly—her life.

Make sure to follow her on social media and sign up for her newsletter, and be first to her details about her—yet to be announced—project. Enjoy!

* Website https://www.elsacharretier.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elsacharretier/

* Twitter https://twitter...

Daniel Warren Johnson joins me to talk comics, school me in manga, and tie it all back to music, vans, and wrestling. We talk about his recent experience winning a pair of Eisner Awards, and his upcoming series with Riley Rossmo, THE MOON IS FOLLOWING US, out in September.

We geek out on APPLESEED, and Daniel talks about the pitch process DO A POWERBOMB, WONDER WOMAN; DEAD EARTH, BETA RAY BILL, and his current run on TRANSFORMERS. It’s a lot, but he has more in store for his fans soon.

* We...

Greg Rucka joins me to talk writing. We delve into pens, keyboards, comics, movies, and novels. Greg’s works, like Whiteout, The Old Guard, Stumptown, Queen & Country, and the Atticus Kodiak novels range from gritty crime-riddled shadows to far-flung fantastic tales.

* Website https://www.gregrucka.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ruckawriter/

* Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/ruckawriter.bsky.social

Want to support TRADECRAFT and be awesome? Please share the show with people who you feel will benefit from these conversations.

Learn more about the po...

Adriano Di Benedetto joins me to talk about the art of inking, and how he built a career in an increasingly digital world. We fan out over amazing inkers, and praise brushes with a fair number of curses. His work as graced the pages of Daredevil, Wonder Woman, the X-Men, and Batman for Marvel and DC. Meet your new favorite inker.

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adriano.dibenedetto/

* Twitter https://twitter.com/Adr_Ben

* Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/dibenedetto.bsky.social

Want to support TRADECRAFT and...

Marc Guggenheim joins me to share his experience in film, television, and comics. We talk about how exposure to mind-blowing work at an early age set us on a path to make our own. We also chat about his latest’s novel, IN ANY LIFETIME, available for pre-order now. (link below)

Marc is an honest and generous storyteller, with a rich body of writing. This is a great talk, for fans of any one of his amazing projects.

* Pre-Order IN ANY LIFETIME https://a.co/d/0ipc299w

...

Jared Cullum joins me to talk painted comics, plein-air painting, master painters, Xerox-era Disney movies, and the brilliance of Studio Ghibli. We talk about the importance of obsessive focus to develop craft, and his work on KODI and the upcoming KODI 2 from Top Shelf.

If you’re not familiar with Jared’s work, I can’t wait for you to listen to this great conversation and discover his work.

* Website https://jaredcullum.com/

* Patreon https://www.patreon.com/jaredlovestodraw

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jaredcullum

* Twitte...

Matthew K. Manning joins me to tell stories, talk toys, James Jean, Tom Taylor, the desire to push structure and form, the educational benefits of comics, developing a comic pitch, allowing the story to tell itself, and trusting the characters. We cover a lot.

We also touch on some of his 100 books and dozens of comics for DC, Marvel, IDW, Skybound, Abrams,  Scholastic, Disney, DK Publishing, like, Batman/TMNT Adventures, Marvel Action: Avengers, DC Comics: Anatomy of a Metahuman, Batman: The Ultimate Guide, and Spider-Man: A History & Celebration of the Web-Slinger.

* W...

Keith Browning and I wrap up our talk, on how he treated his interest in getting into comics like a job, and how he seeks feedback for his work. Keep an eye out for Keith’s work in Stardust, the Super Wizard anthology, and Fantomah, both coming out this year.

* Big Cartel https://keithbrowning.bigcartel.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keithbrowningart

* Cara https://cara.app/keithbrowning

Want to support TRADECRAFT and be awesome? Consider buying me a coffee, I'll be forever grateful!

* ht...

Keith Browning and I sat down to talk comics, influences, and how this affects our process. We talk about his indie books and his work in Scott Snyder’s Tales from the Cloakroom Vol. 2 as well as the upcoming Stardust the Super Wizard anthology. This conversation went deeper and longer than expected, so here’s part one.

* Big Cartel https://keithbrowning.bigcartel.com/

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keithbrowningart

* Cara https://cara.app/keithbrowning

Want to support TRADECRAFT and be awesome? Consider buying me a coff...

Danny Earls and I dive into the hard work he puts in every day to be a comic book artist and we carry on about the inspirations that drive him. This is an open and unvarnished talk, filled with laughs, from the perspective of a man living a second dream career.

* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dannyearls16/

More Danny Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support. If you like this, or other episodes, why not...

Jonathan Marks Barravecchia joins me to get all painterly about comics. He’s an artist and illustrator using pencil, inks, watercolors, and oils to tell stories. And his latest comic from Image, BEAR PIRATE VIKING QUEEN is a glorious example of his craft.

* Website https://www.jonathanmarksart.com/

More Johnathan Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support. If you like this, or other episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee for $3 to offset the monthly production costs. It...

Rich Douek joins me for a personal talk about following his heart into comics. How he built his initial story ideas of GUTTER MAGIC into an actual comic, and how he unintentionally became known as a horror guy after the sucess of the ROAD OF BONES comic.

* Website http://www.rdouek.com/

More Rich Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support. If you like this, or other episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee for $3 to offset...

Tommy Lee Edwards and me talk about how his childhood love of cars and planes, plus discovering Speed Racer on Detroit television changed his life. We also get into how writing Gatchaman, for Mad Cave, is a dream comic book project.

* Website http://www.tommyleeedwards.com/

More Tommy Lee Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support. If you like this, or other episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee for $3 to offset the monthly production costs. It’s...

André Lima Araújo joins me to talk about how things like film comics, video games, and anime swayed him from a respectable architect's life into the seedy underbelly of comics. We delve into his latest three-volume graphic novel series, PHENOMENA w/Brian Michael Bendis.

* Website https://www.andrelimaaraujo.com

More André Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support. If you like this, or other episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee for $3 to offset the monthly pro...

Pye Parr joins me to talk about a passion for the arts, turned design career, turned comic book artist. How he applies his design sensibilities and process into his comic pages. And how his new Image comics series, PETROL HEAD, came from drawing exactly what he wanted to and attracting the interest of a writer friend.

* Website https://www.pyeparr.com/

* LinkTree https://linktr.ee/pyeparr

More Pye Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a free podcast, I do as a hobby, but would love your support...

Brian Level joined me for “the talk,” but straight-off, we got really into our thoughts and feeling about freelancing, comics, creativity, and [much] deeper subjects.

Brian effortlessly moves between writing and drawing on projects like SAINT JANE OF THE ORCHARD SILK HILLS, CHAINED TO THE GRAVE, THE MANTLE, and THE BROTHERS JAMES. We were so caught up in our talk that we never touched on his latest Kickstarter comic campaign, THE UNSLEEPING EYE. A A 40-page B&W horror comic by Brian and co-creator and KURT BELCHER.

* Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com...

Rico Renzi joins me to talk about the DIY ethic, the magic of Kinkos, and the power of objects. We chat about his coloring philosophy, gel print work, con table set-up, and the amazing-ness (official word) of Brian Stelfreeze and Mark Chiarello. We also talk cooking.

* Website https://www.nolongermint.com/

More Rico Links Below

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and episodes, or paid member at $6/mo, or $60/year to support...

Marc Laming returns to talk about the much anticipated release of EDEN, the graphic novel from Humanoids, written by Christopher Sebela. Marc and I talk Star Wars, music, our love of laying out and the curse of making everything “right” in the art.

* Website https://www.marclaming.com/

* EDEN drops Apr 09, 2024: https://www.humanoids.com/book/1171

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and episodes, or paid member at $6/mo, or $60/year...

Ryan Cody joins me to talk about his comic convention, AZ CAF happening on March, 9th, in Phoenix—and the business of comics. We have a lively talk about freelance career challenges, our love for the medium, and how important relationships with fellow creators are.

* Linktree linktr.ee/ryancody

* AZ CAF Convention Website https://azcomicartfest.com/

* Website https://super75studios.com

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and ep...

Beth Hetland joins me to talk about her new graphic novel Tender, from Fantagraphics. But we get into way more, as we track her theater, maker, and art background to her love of comics and journey into academia. We talk about her shadow life as a book conservator, and gush over the book binding supply company, Talas. It’s a proper geek-out.

* Website https://www.beth-hetland.com/

* Linktree https://linktr.ee/bethhetland

* Pre-Order Tender https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/beth-hetland/products/tender

More Be...

Declan Shalvey returns to talk about the upcoming Thundercats comic from Dynamite, but I distract him to talk about a hundred other things when it comes to making comics and podcasts. Check out the link to Tape Dec on YouTube, below. We also talk about how important Old Dog is to him, and how much fun he had co-writing Time Before Time.

* Website: https://www.declanshalvey.com/

* Tape Dec Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@dshalvey

More Dec links below!

TRADECRAFT is a reader...

Bob FIngerman joins me to talk about his 40 year career as a cartoonist and writer. He’s also here to talk about That’s Some Business You’re In, Bob’s bound retrospective that’s live on Zoop! We really dig into motivations, and professional connections, his books like Minimum Wage, Pariah, and his novels! Listen for the laughs, stay for the purpose.

* Website https://www.bobfingerman.com

* That’s Some Business You’re In on Zoop! https://zoop.gg/c/bobfingerman

More Bob links below!

TRADECRAFT i...

Cullen Bunn joins me to talk about writing comics, prose, and the blessed struggle of shepherding stories. He schools me in the ways of horror and talks about his current project, Copycat available on Zoop! We also dive in to his series like The Damned and The Sixth Gun, plus we talk about his next series, Beyond Mortal for Dark Horse.

* Website https://www.cullenbunn.com/

* Copycat on Zoop! https://zoop.gg/c/copycat

More Cullen links below!

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast...

Ringo & Eisner award-winning writer Chuck Brown joins me to talk about the process of writing, scripting, and collaborating. The joy of period comics, how they intertwine between the tale and reality, and how they can teach and inspire. We also talk about his one year local writing residency, and Chuck encourages creators to look for new ways to work.

Of course we talk about BITTER ROOT, his work with DC, SCAR, and other creator-owned comics like FLAWED.

If you’re going to the Charlotte Mini-Con, in February, go meet the man hi...

Derek Laufman joins me for the 2024 Season 14 Opener to talk making comics as a profitable sideline to a successful creative career. We also talk about early how support and competition sets the stage for realistic expectations. We talk about his books, Ruin World, Bot 9, The Witch of Wickerson, and his current series Crimson Fall.

* Patreon https://www.patreon.com/DerekLaufman

More Derek links below!

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and episodes, or paid member at $6...

Paolo Rivera joins me to do some art sit-ups, metaphorically speaking, of course. We talk about his creative journey, his influences, following new creative opportunities, and making it all work for his family. We get into his time on Spider-Man, Daredevil, and his current run of Action Comics covers. (maybe some GI Joe art) Keep an eye out for his contributions on the Spider-Man, Freshman Year cartoon series for Disney. Go find Palo at the Art Expo Convention in Orlando, January 26–28, 2024.

* Website https://blog.paolorivera.com/

More Paolo links below!

...

Kayla E joins me to talk about her ongoing fine art work and her comic, Precious Rubbish. We discuss the healing power of art and the journey to her wonderful life today. We also talk talk about her upcoming book NOW #13: The New Comics Anthology from Fantagraphics.

This episode discusses complex and unsettling subjects.

Pre-Order NOW #13: The New Comics Anthology

More Kayla links below!

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and episodes, or paid...

Two years ago Eric Canete began his creator owned project, ARC ATHENA, from Iconic Comics. Now he returns to the podcast to talk about working on the first six issues, and the future of the series. We also talk about career strategy, writing, and finding healthy outlets—like podcasting with his friends on INKPULP—to keep the engines running.

Fans of ARC ATHENA will be excited by Eric’s about issues five and six.

* Iconic Comics https://www.iconiccomics.com/arcathena

More links for Eric below!

TRAD...

Jeff Johnson returns to talk about his latest project the Rogue’s Kingdom campaign on Kickstarter. (ends Sun, Nov 12 7:27 PM EST) We dig into the process of becoming your own inker, the beautiful inefficiencies of lettering on art board, and the hard work of following your dream.

* Rogue’s Kingdom https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1536854088/rogues-kingdom-issue-1?ref=clipboard-prelaunch

Lot’s more of Jeff’s links below!

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free subscriber to receive new posts and episodes, or paid...

Brennan Wagner joins me to talk about his latest projects like the Rogue’s Kingdom campaign on Kickstarter, Saint John and the Grendel: Devil by the Deed Master’s Edition [both] from Dark Horse. Brennan teases The Edgewood Massacre, a six-page story he wrote, illustrated, and lettered. We also dig into how he’s worked writing into his creative routine.

* Rogue’s Kingdom https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1536854088/rogues-kingdom-issue-1?ref=clipboard-prelaunch

* Saint John https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3013-946/Saint-John-1

* Grendel: Devil by the Deed Master’s Edition https://www.darkho...

(sorry for the repost, the email didn’t send)

Howard Chaykin joins me to talk about his latest big comic book, FARGO: HELL ON WHEELS. We get into finding a point of view as a writer/artist, never short-changing yourself, supporting your passion as a creator outside comics, and growing beyond superheroes.

FARGO is Howard’s first foray into crowdfunded comics. Set in the plastic period of US history between tail-end of a mythological cowboy era and the deadly mechanization of World War I. A time where steam, steel, and the urge...

Dan Schkade joins me to talk about his latest endeavor as the writer/artist for the FLASH GORDON newspaper strip—which started this week. We talk about the structural and time constraints involved, we also talk about his his writing and line art duties on SAINT JOHN for DARK HORSE COMICS.

* Flash Gordon https://comicskingdom.com/flash-gordon

Saint John https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3013-946/Saint-John-1

MORE LINKS FOR DAN BELOW!

TRADECRAFT is a reader & listener-supported publication & podcast. Please consider becoming a free su...

DUNCAN FEGREDO joins me for a “circuitous” talk that traces through his art career; like KID ETERNITY, ENIGMA, JAY & SILENT BOB, JUDGE DREAD, SPIDER-MAN, TOM STRONG, HELLBOY, and MPH. We dig into our childhood joys (like Star Wars), the origins of visual storytelling, the ongoing struggle with creation, and the work it takes to remain engaged. Lots of pearls dropped here, not to mention a murderers row of creators cited in this one.

Of course we talk about Duncan’s work on HELLBOY and his latest project with MIKE MIGNOLA, GIANT ROBOT HELLBOY. In sto...

MICHAEL CHO joins me and we dive straight into Kirby talk. We gush over our childhood favorite creators and comics. The importance of fine art and telling the story you want in any fashion. The sublime brilliance of Mark Chiarello and his impact on the comic book industry.We trade a lot of music/art analogies to get to the heart of the thing we love about creating. Michael gets personal about his experience as an immigrant and how his artistic nature chaffed against expectations for his future.

Michael shares his upcoming project...