In this week’s episode of Off Panel, writer Vita Ayala joins the show to talk about their work. Ayala discusses old video game loves, their gateway characters, the power of spinner racks, the importance of representation, bringing your worldview into your work, The Wilds, Emily Pearson’s art, adding depth to reads, working at Forbidden Planet, how that changed their perspective about comics, DC’s Talent Workshop, doing fill-in work, telling Livewire’s first solo story, working with varying publishers, the con experience, the glory of cats, and more.

You can find Ayala on Twitter.

You can download the show directly here on Libsyn.

Off Panel now has a Patreon! Support the show and earn some rewards by backing the podcast on there.

Thanks to this episode’s sponsor, TKO Studios. TKO is a new comic publisher with current or upcoming comics coming from people like Roxane Gay, Jeff Lemire, Garth Ennis, Gabriel Walta, and many more. They also are taking a different approach to comics, as they binge-release their comics, with each title coming in the format you prefer. Whether that’s single issues in a collector’s box, trade paperback or digital download, TKO has you covered. And even better? You can read each of TKO’s first issues on their site, right now. If you’re a store that’s interested in learning more about stocking TKO’s titles, you can email them at retailers@tkopresents.com.

Thanks to this episode’s other sponsor, SpinnerRack.com. SpinnerRack.com has brought spinner racks back to the world, giving both comic fans and shops the ability to buy high quality, easy to set up spinner racks to house their favorite or most important comics in one wonderful and nostalgic place. Interested in getting one yourself? When you order yours, use the code “OFFPANEL” when you do to save 10%.

Thanks to this episode’s other other sponsor, Impact Theory Comics. Impact Theory Comics is a new, independent publisher, and they’re releasing their first comic…Neon Future. Neon Future is a collaboration with world famous DJ/Producer Steve Aoki, and it’s written by the Eisner award winning writer of Justice, Jim Krueger, with artists Neil Edwards of Fantastic Four fame and Jheremy Raapack delivering the visuals and building the world. Want a first look at the book and Neil and Jheremy’s art? Give Impact Theory a follow on Instagram at @ITcomics.

Thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Keigen Rea, Wesley Gift, Shawn Kirkham, Harry Small, Alister Ross, Julio Anta, Gus, Andrew Scott, Brett A. Schmidt, Jason Goodmanson, Johan Barrander, Paul Reinwand, Connor Farner, Vita Ayala, Jay D’Ici and Matt G. Gagnon, Aditya Bidikar, Tara Ferguson, Dave Slusher, Ciaran Marcantonio, WMQ Comics, Akylle, Greg Lockard, Kokaachi, Phil White, Ben Becker, Shaun Pinello, Kent Heidelman, Phillip Sevy, Al Ewing, Ryan Alcock, Nick Michelin, David Kelley, Robert Wilson IV, Nick Poleto, Eoin McCready, Brenden Fletcher, Gary Moloney, Matthew Groom, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Xavier Files, Maria Schweitzer, Matthew Taylor, Tyler Turner, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Evan Blasor, Brian McCray, Ira James Udaskin, Modern Magic Stories, Nick Hall, Bruno Batista, Bobby Angus, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Steve Anderson, Phil Knall, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Benjamin Schipper, Colin McMahon, Chris Palmer, Maxwell Schmidt, Scott McGovern, Nathan Fairbairn, Cat McKenzie, Nicholas Keslake, Greg Rucka, Adam Highfill, Nicholas Gardner, Andrew Corrigan, Fiona Staples, Chris Morris, Chris O’Hollaran, Mark Abnett, Mike Murphy, Michael Shirley, Tom Barnett, Jim Demonakos, Norbert, Nick Lowe, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You’re all the best.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes or follow the show on its LibSyn page. The show is also on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play Music and IHeartRadio’s app.

Have a question for Off Panel? You can reach David by email and Twitter.

Header image is art from The Wilds, art by Emily Pearson and Marissa Louise. 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!