Polygon’s Susana Polo joins the show to talk about the upcoming slate of comics adaptations and to highlight things in comics we didn’t get to write about but would like to talk about. Polo discusses fandom, what she reps for, her coverage of comic adaptations, the shift in interest in them, how we’re feeling about comic movies and shows, flaws from the recent stretch, how important this year is for comic movies, what we’re most excited for, how adaptations could connect better with comics, Marvel’s struggles on that front, Vertigo’s theoretical return, DC’s art, Batman’s strange stretch, the return of arc titles, the year of manga, writing and podcasting about comics, how she manages to keep going amidst everything, and more.

You can find Polo on Polygon.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

Big thanks to Deanna Chapman for editing this episode, as per usual.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Zoop! A month into 2025 and the campaigns keep rolling on Zoop! February has launches from the The Pedestrian’s Joey Esposito, superstar artist Adriana Melo, the digest edition of the hit Image comic Skullkickers from Jim Zub and Edwin Huang along with many other live campaigns to support! Zoop is also partnering with AWA Studios to launch Artists For LA, a benefit campaign to raise funds for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Contributors include Bill Seinkeiwiecz, Mike Deodato, Denys Cowan and many more. Original art, signatures, and other items are available, with proceeds going to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund and the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. 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! In June of 1962, two men escaped from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. In March of 2025, you’ll finally see what happened next. Oni Press presents: OUT OF ALCATRAZ! Inspired by one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century, Eisner Award-nominated writer Christopher Cantwell and Eisner Award-nominated illustrator Tyler Crook deliver a heart pounding, breathtaking original limited series that tells the story of what might have happened in the months following America’s most infamous prison break. Launching with a double-sized, 48-page debut, OUT OF ALCATRAZ follows Convicts Frank Morris and Clarence Anglin, who wash ashore in San Francisco after surviving their infamous escape from Alcatraz. As a dogged federal manhunt and chance encounters unfold, everyone involved is about to discover the same blood-stained truth: life on the run is as hellish a prison as Alcatraz itself. Pre-order your copy of OUT OF ALCATRAZ by February 24th!

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast, Scott Carpenter, Gus, MKFreigeist, Saunter, Brian, Chris Robinson, David Byrne, Milton Lawson, Benjamin Wilkins, Chris Hacker, John NeSmith, Jon Auerbach, Dustin Weaver, 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, Bryan, Nir Levie, Jason Hussa, Kieron Gillen, Jonathan Kent-Uritam, Henry Johnston, Dennis Hoffmann, 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, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, Robert Wilson IV, 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.

Have a question for Off Panel? You can reach David by email or Bluesky.

Header photo is from Wes Burt’s poster for Fantastic Four: First Steps. 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!