Off Panel #403: Webtoonin’ with David S. Lee

Webtoon’s VP of Content, David S. Lee, joins the show to chat about the world of Webtoon and its comics. Lee discusses his own comic story, his unexpected background, his recent promotion, how they find creators and comics, working with creators, Canvas vs. Originals, the impact of adaptations, creative vs. business, managing creator concerns, metrics vs. instincts, the power of accessibility, serving underserved audiences, discoverability, managing growth, and more.

You can find Lee’s work on Webtoon.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

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! June launches include Stardust The Super Wizard Anthology, which features an an all-star team of artists and writers like Mike Allred, Francesco Francavilla and Cecil Castellucci, a La Borinquena Volume 1 Hardcover from Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, and more! And there’s still time to support Jason Copland’s indie hit Full Tilt, as well as Jorge Molina’s gorgeous artbook Zurdo, among many other campaigns that are currently live! Head to Zoop’s website to support the live campaigns and sign up for launch alerts for what’s next. Also, Zoop is taking submissions! So creators, reach out at hello@wearezoop.com to learn more!

Also, thanks to the other sponsor of this week’s podcast: Bad Idea! Having just wrapped their magnum opus with Matt Kindt and Lewis LaRosa’s Megalith, what could possibly be next for the guerrilla comic publisher? I’m genuinely asking you. I have absolutely no idea. Something, I’m sure! Keep up with them at their website and on Twitter for all the latest.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Cancel Comics, Scott Place, Travis Gibb, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Kevin Bides, Tom Evans, Natalie Mokry, Reid Beaman, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Max Wood, Jeremy Lambert, Brian, Chris Doray, Nir Levie, Dennis Hoffman, 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, Scott Carpenter, Rentnarb Studios Comics, Capes and Tights Podcast, Klaas Van de Ven, Brian, Submet Industries, Jack Mulqueen, Kyle, 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, Nick Bennett, Daniel Whitfield, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, Andrew Kurita, Matt Mahoney, 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, Ryan Alcock, David Kelley, Nick Poleto, Matthew Groom, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Matthew Taylor, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Nick Hall, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Steve Anderson, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Colin McMahon, Scott McGovern, Nathan Fairbairn, 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 Twitter.

Header photo is from Wayne Family Adventures, art by Starbite, Maria Li, Lan Ma, and Jean Kim. Off Panel’s opening theme music is Vulfpeck’s “Outro,” used with permission from the band (and thanks for 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!