Writer Ed Brubaker joins the show to talk about his long collaboration with Sean Phillips and the recently released Five Gears in Reverse. Brubaker discusses the status of the Criminal show, the state of TV, why Sean Phillips fits him so well, how they push each other, his favorites from their run, what fuels their new projects, Criminal as a story engine, Five Gears in Reverse’s origins, the fusion of their approaches, the development of its cast, the roots of Unfinished Tales, operating in their own space, how their books have sold of late, and more.

You can find Brubaker’s work in Five Gears in Reverse: A Criminal Book and the upcoming Unfinished Tales, both at Image Comics.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

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Thanks to one of the sponsor of this week’s podcast: 2000 AD! The future has arrived! 2000 AD is now available every week in America through Lunar Distribution. Featuring the Ultimate Lawman of the Future, Judge Dredd, every issue of 2000 AD offers 32 pages of intense sci-fi and horror comics. 2000 AD has never been available to read weekly in America before, so if you’ve always wanted to try out The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic — now is your chance! With five stories in each issue, get ready to experience stories like Brink, The Fall of Deadworld, Helium, Silver and Nightmare New York. All you need to do is ask your local comic store to order it for you — and new issues will be available for you to pick up every single week! It’s never been easier to read 2000 AD – so what’re you waiting for, Earthlets?

Thanks to another of the show’s sponsors, Oni Press! This July, MUTT UP OR SHUT UP as Oni Press unleashes SUPER MEGA MONDO MUTTS #1 – the double-sized, 40-page debut of an all-new team of anthropomorphic anti-heroes with teeth from powerhouse creators Curt Pires and Juan Gedeon. One year ago, a fragment of an interdimensional civilization collided with downtown Los Angeles – creating a no-man’s-land where the laws of physics no longer apply. Convinced that no human being could survive inside, the US government sent in four research animals to explore the technological wonders within. But what came out was four radically transformed dogs with minds and a mission all their own. Now, together, the SUPER MONDO MEGA MUTTS are about to show the world what happens when these canine commandos BITE BACK. Colliding the absurdly awesome action of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES with the R-rated attitude of THE BOYS, fur meets fury this July in SUPER MEGA MONDO MUTTS #1, the next must-read series from Curt Pires, Juan Gedeon, and Oni Press. WOOF WOOF!

Lastly, thanks to the show’s final sponsor in IDW. This July, IDW is bringing the heat with monsters, mutants, and one very dangerous vampire. Kicking things off on July 8th, it’s Operation: Iron Coffin #1. Dracula has been resurrected…and his shot at redemption is fighting alongside the Allies in World War II. His mission? Board a Nazi train carrying a vampire plague before it reaches its destination. It’s nonstop action-horror from Kenny Porter and Tyrell Cannon. Then on July 15th, return to the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin with Training Day. Discover the untold story of Michelangelo’s final lesson as he prepares Casey Marie Jones for the battle that will shape the future of the Turtles. It’s an essential new chapter from the original Last Ronin creative team. Also on July 15th, two legendary worlds collide in Sonic the Hedgehog x Godzilla #1! When Mothra and Mechagodzilla crash into Sonic’s universe, the Blue Blur will need every ounce of speed to stop total destruction in the crossover fans have been waiting for. And on July 29th, witness the beginning of the Kai-Sei Era in The Horror of Godzilla: Origin of Kai-Sei #1. Set in 1954, this terrifying new series explores the first attack of the King of the Monsters in a haunting tale of science, survival, and absolute devastation. Ask your local comic shop to preorder today, because this July, only IDW delivers books this big.

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Have a question for Off Panel? You can reach David by email or Bluesky.

Header photo is from Sean Phillips’ cover for Five Gears in Reverse: A Criminal Book. 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!