As I have probably made abundantly clear since its arrival, I was a bit of a fan of Zdarsky Comic News.

While hyphenate Chip Zdarsky’s (previously) Eisner Award-nominated free monthly comics magazine — which was distributed solely to comic shops throughout its 18 issue run — is now dead and gone, just like my dreams, it lives on in ours hearts — and in the fact that there is a collection of its entire run arriving in comic shops next month. Titled Zdarsky Comic News: Eighteen Months I Can’t Get Back, it collects the entire run and its varying interviews, features, infographics, and beyond into one beautiful tome starring one broken down Chip. I truly cannot wait for it, even though all 18 issues reside directly behind me as I type this.

So, with that glorious release on the horizon, I thought it was time to focus on ZCN for this latest (and greatest?) Chip Chat, as we do a post-mortem on the entire endeavor. How is Chip feeling now that it’s wrapped? Why did he want to make a (not free) collection of this (free) publication? What did he learn from the experience? What were his favorite and least favorite parts? Has anyone ever brought him an Applebee’s menu to sign at a convention? Believe it or not, all that is covered, and we also discuss the latest Sex Criminals news, as the adaptation of the comic now has its leads and director. It’s a very good time with a very good guy.

As per usual, each Chip Chat will publish on the SKTCHD YouTube as a video series (so, you know, #likeandsubscribe), but only SKTCHD subscribers will get access to the transcribed version of each conversation, one that’s been edited for length and clarity. So, if you’re like, “no thank you!” to videos — whether they feature Chip and I or not — then I have good news for you: You can read these interviews if you subscribe to SKTCHD, and only if you subscribe!

But let’s get to this month’s Chip Chat, as the man, the myth, the legend Chip Zdarsky returns to talk about his (unfortunately not Eisner Award-nominated this year) comics magazine Zdarsky Comic News.