In a special year end episode of Off Panel, we look at the defining themes of 2024 in comics with the help of retailer Steve Anderson from Third Eye Comics, The Beat’s Heidi MacDonald, and writer Joshua Williamson. Up first is Anderson (1:12), who talks about a time of struggle for Marvel in comic shops, the area of effect that can have on other publishers, what seems to be fueling those struggles, his hopes for the future, and more. After that is MacDonald (29:26), who discusses “The Big Lie,” which is all about the idea that comic publishers and media rights, the focus publishers have on those these days, the new publishers chasing IP plays, the impact that has on the rest of the industry, and more. And to close is Williamson (1:01:02), who talks a year defined by the phrase “go big or go home,” varying examples of that thinking, why that’s so important, the importance of big swings, how that affects creators and publishers alike, and more.

You can find Anderson on Third Eye Comics’ varying social presences, MacDonald and Williamson on Bluesky, and their work at Third Eye Comics’ site, The Beat, and G.I. Joe and Superman respectively.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

Big thanks to Deanna Chapman for stepping in to edit this episode. If it sounds better than usual, it’s because of her.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Zoop! Things may be quieting down for the holidays, but not over on Zoop. There’s still time to back Megaton Man from Don Simpson and Fantagraphics, The Awakened from Alex Segura, Michael Moreci and Dean Kotz, Thunder Guardian from Reilly Brown and his son, as well as other live campaigns! More campaigns are coming soon to Zoop from Joe Quesada, Rodney Barnes, Xzibit, & Jonathan Wayshak, and more that are yet to be announced! Zoop would like to thank all the creators who have recently submitted projects, and urge all creators to submit your project to Zoop! Click the “Submit Your Project” link at Zoop.gg, as they are providing services to even more creators than ever before!

Thanks to the show’s other sponsor, Oni Press! 20 years. Seven evil exes. One huge celebration. “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life” was released on August 18th, 2004, and for the 20th anniversary, creator Bryan Lee O’Malley designed some outstanding new merch! Pre-order is now open on the official Scott Pilgrim 20th Anniversary Merchandise line. Celebrate 20 years of the iconic Scott Pilgrim series with a selection of brand-new and classic designs newly remastered by O’Malley himself! Listeners of Off Panel can use the code SKTCHD15 for 15% off their order of exclusive Scott Pilgrim merch at OniPress.com. But hurry, this preorder closes on December 2nd! 

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Whisper, Brian, Chris Robinson, David Byrne, Milton Lawson, David Wilson, Jo, Benjamin Wilkins, Chris Hacker, John NeSmith, Jon Auerbach, Dustin Weaver, Ninja Assassin Love Story Webcomic, Brandon Hayman, Aaden Hamann, Faith Erin Hicks, Ben Wroe, Cameron Brown, Jonathan Breen, Charlie Stickney, Tom Drennen, Jeremy Thomas Burke, Jared Schwab, Scott Dunn, Chip Mosher, Seth Pomeroy, James McEwan, Andrew Leamon, Christina Merkler, Scott Place, Travis Gibb, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Tom Evans, Reid Beaman, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Max Wood, Jeremy Lambert, Brian Hole, Nir Levie, Jason Hussa, Kieron Gillen, Jonathan Kent-Uritam, Henry Johnston, Django Bohren, James Tynion IV, Chris Lankford, Jason Wood, Tom Peachey, Ben Damstedt, Ram V, Nick Walker, Patrick Coyle, Isaac Orin, Klaas Van de Ven, Submet Industries, Jack Mulqueen, Karl Kerschl, Robert Masella, Elsa Charretier, Luc Nakashoji, Dr. Luke, Scott Haselwood, CanadianByProxy, Bradley Roeder, Carl Choi, Brandon De Pillis, Patrick Brower, Declan Shalvey, Dan Gearino, Atom Freeman, Ben Wild, Brian Klein-Q, Liana Kangas, Nick Bennett, Daniel Whitfield, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, Andrew Kurita, Stefan Hull, Phillip Maira, Chris Bachalo, Torunn Grønbekk, FuzBubbles, Christopher Ta, Transmitterdown, Walt’s Comics & Books, Akil Wilson, Alex Dimitropolous, Terry Dodson, Wesley Gift, Shawn Kirkham, Julio Anta, Brett A. Schmidt, Jason Goodmanson, Paul Reinwand, Vita Ayala, Akylle, Phillip Sevy, Al Ewing, David Kelley, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Matthew Taylor, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Nick Hall, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Colin McMahon, Adam Highfill, Fiona Staples, Mark Abnett, Michael Shirley, Tom Barnett, Jim Demonakos, Norbert, Nick Lowe, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You’re all the best.

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Header photo is from Marco Checchetto’s cover to Ultimate Spider-Man #1. Off Panel’s opening theme music is Vulfpeck’s “Outro,” used with permission from the band (and thanks from me for them doing so!), with the rest of the music being an original track by custom music agency Upright T-Rex Music, written and performed specifically for the podcast. A huge thanks to Ross and Cody from Upright T-Rex Music for putting the track together!