PW Comics World: More To Come

Calvin and Heidi talk with Drawn and Quarterly publisher Peggy Burns about the celebrated Canadian literary graphic novel publisher, discussing D&Q’s history; surviving the pandemic; the current state of the comics marketplace; and D&Q’s long and stellar list acclaimed comics authors.

Heidi interviews Axel Alonso, CCO of AWA (Artists Writers and Artisans), the veteran comics editor and creator about AWA and AWA's Resistance shared universe including its new book "E-Ratic: Recharged" by writer / artist Kaare Andrews.

Online outrage at Pink Cat and TCAF; the return of (some) Comic Arts Festivals; San Diego Comic-Con preview; a postmortem on ReedPop’s international growth; job moves by Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada; unionization at Seven Seas; and the graphic novel/comics presence at the U.S. Book Show.

Calvin interviews acclaimed cartoonist Geof Darrow about the release of ‘Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin,’ a new seven-issue series from Dark Horse continuing the saga of the Kung Fu Buddha and his mind-blowing, bleakly hilarious, elegantly violent journey through the ravaged landscape and psyche of America.

Heidi recaps TCAF 2022 and sneaking into the NFT NYC crypto conference; diversity in publishing; tributes to Tim Sale and Mike Pasciullo; updates on DC, PRH/Disney distribution, and Conan the Barbarian; a salute to Linda Sunshine; and the eternal controversy of OEL anime.

Calvin interviews Chris Giliberti, CEO of Zestworld, a new subscription-based digital comics venture, about the company’s vision to create a new comics marketplace for original creator-owned comics, Zestworld’s digital publishing and distribution model, and the new venture’s plans to be a multiservice platform, offering a variety of support services to veteran and emerging artists.

The nominations for this year’s Eisner Awards; an ever-expanding list of comics job moves; sharp growth in manga sales and the rebound of comics and graphic novel retailers; the heroic work of librarians in the face of censorship; and the comics contributions to the PW@150 commemorative issue.

Heidi interviews Mark Doyle, editorial director of the Originals at IDW talks about the upcoming launch of nine new titles - what it's like to start a line from scratch, how to find artists and writers, and more about the secrets of editing comics.

Warren talks about embedding herself in the freshmen senator’s campaign, Salazar’s background and activism, her district and staff, and the process and challenges of creating her first book-length graphic work.

Calvin talks with PW graphic novels reviews editor Meg Lemke about Sabba Kahn’s 'What is Home, Mum?', a moving graphic memoir of her Pakistani family’s life before and after immigration to Britain and James Spooner’s graphic memoir 'The High Desert: Black. Punk Nowhere.', a look back at growing up a teenage Afropunk.

New imprints from Dark Horse, IDW, and S&S/Black Privilege; big sales numbers on Brian’s Hibbs’ annual BookScan report; scrutinize DC’s fate under Warner Bros. Discovery; Joe Casey rejects Marvel's token MCU payment; censorship of a cult-inspired manga; and Heidi’s visit to WonderCon and Calvin at the MoCCA Art Fest.

New comics venture Zestworld snags $9 million in new investment; the return of Angoulême, Bologna, MoCCA, and WonderCon; censorship of Marjane Satrapi’s ‘Persepolis,’ and Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda’s new graphic novel.

Calvin interviews Anelle Miller, executive director of the Society of Illustrators, organizer of the MoCCA Arts Fest (to be held April 2 and 3), about restarting the annual indie comics and graphic novel festival after a two year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.

Julie Doucet’s historic Angoulême Grand Prix win; Comixology's co-founder David Steinberger is leaving the groundbreaking service; Vault Comics’ new investors; DC’s Pride releases and the Milestone talent initiative’s super diverse first class; and media deals involving Kate Beaton, Mark Waid, and Kevin Smith.

Calvin interviews exhibitors at the MoCCA Art Fest, a festival of independent comics and graphic novel publishing, including George Rohac, founder/manager of Organized Havoc; Charles Kochman, editorial director of Abrams ComicArts, Abrams’s graphic novel imprint; cartoonist Sharon de la Cruz (I Am a Wild Seed); and Karen Green, curator for comics and cartoons at Columbia University.

An interview with comics writer, editor, and Heavy Metal executive editor Joe Illidge about his publishing and production company Illuminous; and working with Curtis “Fifty Cents” Jackson’s G-Unit Film & TV, and Erika Alexander’s Color Farm production house, to launch a live action TV series adaptaton of comics writer Christopher Priest’s 'Xero' series.

Problems from Comixology’s integration into Amazon Kindle continue; the annual ComicsPro retailers meeting; new hires Gina Gagliano (Boston Book Festival), Chris Arrant (ReedPop), and the launch of AMC Networks Publishing; ICv2’s Manga Week; plus DC’s switch to “hot desks” and Batman’s new creative team.

An interview with Jeff Trexler, Interim executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, about the CBLDF response to the rise in efforts to ban certain books in schools and libraries; CBLDF’s mission and the history of comics and graphic novel censorship, as well as CBLDF legal resources, and its work in support of teachers, librarians, and retailers in defense of the freedom to read.

Amazon completely absorbs Comixology and Kindle replaces the Comixology app amidst user complaints; data on booming 2021 graphic novel sales; Spike Trotman exits Kickstarter; the Internet Archive/PRH copyright clash over ‘Maus’, and is this the end of the editorial cartoon.

An interview with Khary Randolph and Joanne Starer about their new publishing venture Glass Eye Studios. They talk with Heidi about working with Substack, writing about the Holocaust, indie wrestling, growing up in comics and more