Off Panel #428: Three Themes with Katie Pryde, Heidi MacDonald, and Jamal Igle

By David Harper

December 11, 2023

In a special year end episode of Off Panel, we look at the defining themes of 2023 in comics with the help of Books with Pictures’ Katie Pryde, The Beat’s Heidi MacDonald, and writer/artist Jamal Igle. Up first is Pryde (1:10), who talks about this unusual time in comics retail, what started us on this path, the exhaustion in the space, where it’s manifesting itself, the metadata situation, how Books with Pictures is adjusting to it, and more. After that is MacDonald (30:01), who discusses the world of comics marketing, how the current state of social media and comic sites is affecting things, the unseen work of marketing, fitting within the distribution system, its impact, and more (quick note: We recorded the Mark Millar part before the events of last week transpired). And to close is Igle (1:02:15), who talks about the overwhelming fear of the unknown in comics, where and how it manifests, how it impacts things, the path forward, and more.

You can find Pryde on Books with Pictures’ Instagram, MacDonald and Igle on Twitter, and their work at Books with Pictures’ site, The Beat, and in varying comics respectively.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Zoop! It’s the last month of the year, and Zoop is saving its best for last! Zoop is proud to be the home of the first ever Jack Kirby crowdfunding campaign. Stay tuned for the launch of Kirby and Wally Wood’s “Sky Masters of the Space Force – The Complete Sunday Strips.” Also, there’s still time to support the Conan The Barbarian Colossal Edition featuring the art of John Buscema, Gil Kane, Barry Windsor Smith, and other legends! There are more campaigns coming this month from Maui Strong, Oni Press, Cullen Bunn, K. Lynn Smith, Stacked Deck Press, and many more! 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, or try out the new web store and web reader on its website.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Danny Ollie, Charlie Stickney, Tom Drennen, Jeremy Thomas Burke, Jared Schwab, Scott Dunn, Chip Mosher, Allen Ellsworth, Seth Pomeroy, James McEwan, Kenny Meyers, Andrew Leamon, Christina Merkler, 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, 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, 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 of Portland, Oregon’s Books with Pictures. 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!

Notable Replies

mitchell says:

December 11, 2023

I seem to be in the minority in that I love single issues and their periodical nature. I typically don’t have much interest in trades unless there’s no other way to read something that someone in my shop tells me is a must-read. I think floppies are part of what makes comics such a unique medium. Physical books are my jam as well, but storage is an issue of course. This past year I considered buying a tablet to read comics on. This is a big step for me. I still don’t see myself straying from physical single issues anytime soon.

It’s so interesting to hear such different perspectives from the marketing and retail worlds as well as from creators. Everyone on this episode made some great points. It’s interesting to hear them echo the point that has come up time and time again here on SKTCHD; comics aren’t dying, their landscape is just changing. Personally, I have seen very little change in the microcosm that is my shop and own reading habits. I recognize the limitations of my view though as I have only been reading comics regularly for the past two and a half years.

I would be curious to hear other readers’ perspectives on the topics presented on this episode. All I know is that I love comics as much now as I ever have and I don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.
StAdkison says:

December 12, 2023

Not to relitigate twitter beefs here, but I think it supports the points argued on the pod. Katie Pryde mentioned that several macroeconomic indicators have returned to “healthier” levels, but that isn’t being reflected in a return to retail.

One stat that I think might be explanatory here is change in real disposable income. This statistic incorporates things like salary and dividend increases, but also changes in the housing market and other expenses. It also would include any change in welfare policies, like the stimulus checks or the child benefits that recently expired.

When you look at the data, more than half of Americans had less real disposable income in 2021 than 2020, and an even higher percentage had less in 2022 than 2021 (see link below for charts and much more). Even though the macro economy is more normal, average Americans have less free money to spend on non-essentials. The statistics bear out that finances aren’t stress free for many Americans still and in fact might be worse than during the height of the pandemic (again, because of the loss of welfare benefits and the resumption of “normal” expenses)! No wonder sales are down.

open.substack.com

How Has Wealth Changed Under Biden

Developments in household wealth also explain why some are dissatisfied with their finances.
SKTCHD says:

December 26, 2023

mitchell:

I would be curious to hear other readers’ perspectives on the topics presented on this episode. All I know is that I love comics as much now as I ever have and I don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.

Mitch! I did cover this a bit earlier this year in an article, but obviously no look is completely comprehensive. It might interest you nonetheless. I still love comics, obviously, but it does feel like a bit of a valley period to some degree (overall, not qualitatively, or at least not at the peak).

StAdkison:

The statistics bear out that finances aren’t stress free for many Americans still and in fact might be worse than during the height of the pandemic (again, because of the loss of welfare benefits and the resumption of “normal” expenses)! No wonder sales are down.

Yeah, this is the boring reality of the situation. It’s much easier to argue about how weird minutiae and things you don’t like are bringing comics down, but in reality, a lot of it is just mundane realities of the economy, I think.
mitchell says:

December 26, 2023

David, thanks for directing me to that article from May. Well done! It felt like reading the Moneyball of comics. I loved hearing everyone’s takes. More than anything, I am grateful for the community and the community I have at my local shop. It’s so fun to be able to talk about the ins and outs of the medium with others who are passionate.

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I went to France for a vacation. It was like going to a different world for comics.