Off Panel #418: Opportunity Costs with Joshua Williamson

Writer Joshua Williamson returns to the podcast to talk about his extensive dance card right now and the current environment for creators in comics. Williamson discusses his current workload, event comics, writing back to back events, non-writing time, his project mix, alternative paths, his current focus, workshopping ideas, the art side of DC, the positioning of superhero titles, Skybound as a fit, Duke’s art team, the Energon Universe, the current direct market environment, the cyclical nature of comics, and more.

You can find Williamson on Twitter and his work in Superman, Dark Ride, Green Arrow, and Batman & Robin as well as the upcoming Duke and Cobra Commander.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

Big 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!

School is back in session, and so are the amazing campaigns running on Zoop! Right now you can support the “We Belong” anthology from Stacked Deck Press, “August: Purgatory – Book 1” from Benjamin Morse, “Porkchop Robot Killer” from Tony Gregori, as well as the latest from Paul Allor and Juan Romera, “Barber Psychic.” Upcoming campaigns include a new Dracula book from the direct lineage of Bram Stoker and crowdfunding for the first time ever, the legendary Howard Chaykin! There’s so much more on the horizon so stay tuned for updates! 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: Omnibus! Omnibus is a modern digital comic book store and reader app carrying your favorite single issues, volumes and omnibuses (all day and date). They’re pay-per-book like your LCS, but digital, so you’re already used to the experience. Their focus is on building an excellent customer shopping and reading experience and using novel discovery features to help fans find their next new favorite book. They feature top-tier content and already have many of the top publishers in comics today. Want to find the right digital comic shop for you? Download Omnibus today on the Apple App Store to do just that.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Jared Schwab, Chip Mosher, Scott Dunn, Allen Ellsworth, Seth Pomeroy, James McEwan, Kenny Meyers, Andrew Leamon, Christina Merkler, Mike Cancel, Scott Place, Travis Gibb, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Tom Evans, Natalie Mokry, Reid Beaman, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Max Wood, Jeremy Lambert, Brian Hole, 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 Duke #1, art by Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire. 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!