Writers Joshua Williamson and Kelly Sue DeConnick joined me at San Diego Comic Con for a special episode where we talk about why they love comics. Up first, Williamson shares why he loves comics, how his life affects his love, the creator that sealed the deal for him, whether he looks at comics the same as a reader and creator, self-imposed limitations, maintaining his passion for the medium, and more. Then, DeConnick joins to discuss why she loves comics, the medium’s flexibility, its punk rock nature, reader brain vs. creator brain, experimenting with the medium, backmatter and community, expanding your horizons, and more.

You can find Williamson’s work in Superman, G.I. Joe, and the upcoming Legion of Super-Heroes, and you can find DeConnick’s work in FML and Skate Ali.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or follow it on its LibSyn page. The show is also on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and review Off Panel wherever you choose to listen, but five stars only!

Want to watch a video version of this interview, albeit mostly unedited? This chat with Joshua Williamson and Kelly Sue DeConnick is available on the SKTCHD/Off Panel YouTube (although this episode has no video element)! Go watch it over there, and if you enjoy it, make sure to subscribe to the channel when you do.

You can find Off Panel on Patreon! Support the show on there and you can get early access to each week’s podcast, your name in the outro, the ability to ask guests questions, access to written content, and more.

SKTCHD and Off Panel are now also on Ko-Fi, and if you want to send a tip my way because you’re enjoying the show, feel free!

Thanks to one of the sponsor of this week’s podcast: 2000 AD! The future has arrived! 2000 AD is now available every week in America through Lunar Distribution. Featuring the Ultimate Lawman of the Future, Judge Dredd, every issue of 2000 AD offers 32 pages of intense sci-fi and horror comics. 2000 AD has never been available to read weekly in America before, so if you’ve always wanted to try out The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic — now is your chance! With five stories in each issue, get ready to experience stories like Brink, The Fall of Deadworld, Helium, Silver and Nightmare New York. All you need to do is ask your local comic store to order it for you — and new issues will be available for you to pick up every single week! It’s never been easier to read 2000 AD – so what’re you waiting for, Earthlets?

Thanks to another of the show’s sponsors, Oni Press! Being you never gets old! This September, Oni Press and Archie Comics proudly begin a groundbreaking new chapter for the most joyous comic book icon of all in Archie #1! A new day is dawning in Riverdale as New York Times best-selling writer and Philip K. Dick Award winner Ben H. Winters joins multiple Eisner Award–winning artist Fábio Moon to reintroduce America’s favorite teenager with a 21st-century testament to teenage idealism! For his entire life, 17-year-old Archie Andrews has had it all. Now, experience the warmth and wonder of Riverdale through his eyes as Archie embarks on a whirlwind, all-star adventure through his town’s past, present, and future…And, at the center of it all, lies an enigmatic paradox that only Archie’s pal Jughead Jones can possibly unravel. Your antidote for postmodern malaise is here! Welcome to the all-new Archie #1, coming in September from Oni Press!

Lastly, thanks to the show’s final sponsor in IDW. Looking for your next great read? IDW has something for every fan this August!
Up first is 13 Demons Dead on August 4th, a manga-inspired original graphic novel from Adam Tierney and Saspy, where high school gets a supernatural upgrade. This stylish adventure blends action, humor, and horror into one unforgettable ride. Then on August 12th, say hello to Hello Kitty and Friends: Hello World! #1! From Eisner-winning writer Mariko Tamaki – Join Hello Kitty and all your Sanrio favorites in a series filled with friendship, kindness, and more that’s perfect for readers of every age. Finally, two modern TMNT classics arrive, as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin and The Last Ronin: Lost Years hit shops in affordable softcover editions, making it easier than ever to experience the story that redefined the Turtles for a new generation.
Visit your local comic shop or bookstore, or preorder these titles from IDW Publishing wherever books and comics are sold.

Big thanks to all of my existing patrons, including Trent Deckard, Ben Kahn, Ken Hazlett, Mental Sequential, Cameron Shrader, David Wynne, Alex Antone, Capes and Tights Podcast, Charles Labiner, Chris Doray, Chris O’Halloran, Chris Palmer, Daniel Kowalczyk, Francis Davis, JP Jordan, Luis Filipe Alves, Luke Pfister, Mike Wazowski, Patrick Bramble, Jackson Hoppey, Kevin Church, Kyle Starks, Brian Hans, Hunter Gorinson, Tony Holdsworth, Alejandro Toro, 5Myllyon, W James, Joe Crohn, Zo Thompson, Brian Garside, Rand Hall, Christopher Landvick, Stephen Tramontana, Gavin O., Robert Negrete, Mr. Spriggs, Robert Pettinato, Tim Leong,  Ethan Spanja, Chris Partin, Ninja Assassin Love Story Webcomic, Mark Florio, Epic Broccoli, Kevin Bankston, Rick Yankosky, Chestin Pullard, Bobby Tomio, Croc_Meow, Eric Palicki, Brodie Duncan, Scott Chua, Paul Lai, Gene Queens, Chad Lawrence, James Ferguson, Tiffany Babb, Nerdy Mewzings Podcast, Ian A., Hassan Thalji, Pinoywonder, Toni DeBoer, Nick Friar, James Shields, Michael DiGiovanni, Pete Ficken, Patrick McGlynn, Jose Perez, Ross Binder, Chris Tanforan, Joey Riccio, Ruben Jackson, Alfa, Keith Friedlander, Adriel Moreland, Garrett Lawton, Jaime Espinoza, Ruben Cantu, Detective 27, JJ Mack, Comic Shop Assistant, Rob Guillory, Justin Pearson, Oliver Sava, P. Sanger, Wilson Garrett, Ben O’Grady, Mark Tweedale, Zack Quaintance, Kazu Kibuishi, Tyler Crook, Patrick Horvath, Omega Slice, John Walsh, Brandon Paul, Aaron Bussey, Simon Birch, Austin Pribble, Sion Owen, Megan Marsden, T.S. Luther, Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast, Gus, Saunter, Brian, Chris Robinson, David Byrne, Benjamin Wilkins, Chris Hacker, John NeSmith, Jon Auerbach, Brandon Hayman, Aaden Hamann, Faith Erin Hicks, Ben Wroe, Cameron Brown, Jonathan Breen, Charlie Stickney, Tom Drennen, Jeremy Thomas Burke, Jared Schwab, Scott Dunn, Seth Pomeroy, James McEwan, Andrew Leamon, Christina Merkler, Scott Place, Travis Gibb, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Reid Beaman, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Max Wood, Jeremy Lambert, Bryan Stratton, 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, Scott Haselwood, Bradley Roeder, Carl Choi, Brandon De Pillis, Patrick Brower, Declan Shalvey, Dan Gearino, Atom Freeman, Brian Klein-Q, 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, 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, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You guys are all the best.

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

Header photo is from Hayden Sherman’s cover to Legion of Super-Heroes #1 and David Lopez’s cover to FML #8. Off Panel’s theme music is 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!