Creator At Large | The Business of Comic Books
56 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsEvery week on the Creator At Large podcast host Jeremy Melloul speaks with creators and other professionals working in the comic book industry. He digs into how they’ve built their careers, as well as their thoughts and feelings on the industry’s trends and changes. Through these conversations, listeners will not only learn about the industry itself, but also get advice and information on how to build an independent living working in comics.
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Episodes
Season 1 Finale - Industry Round-Up: September 2019 - CAL #052
October 09, 2019 05:35 - 14 minutes - 17.3 MBThe September 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it. And, yes, this is also the finale for Season 1 of the show! More details in the episode proper, but don't worry, Creator At Large *will* be back!
The Graphic Novels and Comics RoundTable with President Amie Wright - CAL #051
September 24, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 77.5 MBAmie Wright is the President of the Graphic Novels and Comics Roundtable - a part of the American Library Association dedicated to support library staff in their efforts to engage with comics. In this episode we discuss the GNCRT, the ALA, as well as Amie’s own passion for comics & libraries and how it’s led her through her career so far.
Building Bedside Press with Hope Nicholson - CAL #050
September 17, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBHope Nicholson is a comics historian and the independent publisher behind Canadian comics company, Bedside Press. Through Bedside she’s published numerous comics and anthologies and charted a unique path in the comic industry. In this episode, we discuss how she’s gone about building Bedside.
ComiXology Walk and Talk with Chip Mosher - CAL #049
September 10, 2019 10:00 - 49 minutes - 57.5 MBChip Mosher is the Head of Content at Comixology and, after 20 years of experience, knows the comic book industry well. In this episode we go for a walk - an actual physical walk - and discuss the ins & outs of Comixology’s evolution, their new originals program, and explore Chip’s career in comics and perspective on the industry today.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for August 2019 - CAL #048
September 03, 2019 10:30 - 34 minutes - 39.8 MBThe August 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
The Nitty-Gritty of Creating Comics with Justin Jordan - CAL #047
August 27, 2019 18:20 - 1 hour - 114 MBJustin Jordan is a comic book writer, most well-known for his work on comic such as: The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Spread, and Reaver. In this episode we discuss all the different ways he’s exploring developing his career and his well-informed perspective on the new opportunities available to comic book creators.
Risk-Taking and Healthy Realism with MariNaomi - CAL #046
August 21, 2019 09:14 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBMariNaomi is not only a savvy independent cartoonist, she also manages three databases for diverse cartoonists (Cartoonists of Color, LBTQ Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists). In this episode we discuss how she’s managed to make a living in comics, the work of developing these databases, and the independent path in comics.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for June and July 2019 - CAL #045
August 13, 2019 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBThe June and July 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
An Evolving Comics Career with Stephanie Cooke - CAL #044
July 30, 2019 20:08 - 1 hour - 93.3 MBStephanie Cooke has her hands in many different parts of the comic book industry - taking on a wide variety of projects and never slowing down. Her endless energy for the industry gives her a wide perspective as both a journalist, a writer, and someone working to support creators from the sidelines of the industry. In this episode she joins me to discuss her career so far and everything she’s learned along the way.
The Case for Unionizing Comics with Sasha Bassett - CAL #043
July 23, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 80 MBSasha Bassett is a comic scholar, PhD student in sociology, and instructor at Portland State University. She’s also an unabashed supporter for the unionization of comics and just led a huge study on what it’s like to work in the comic book industry in 2019. In this episode she joins me to discuss her career so far, her perspective on the comic industry, and the preliminary results of her study.
Being a Comics Ambassador with Chris Arrant - CAL #042
July 16, 2019 19:13 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBChris Arrant is a writer, editor, and self-described Comics Ambassador. He’s the Editor of Newsarama, where he started in 2003, and was a judge for the 2019 Eisner Awards, awarded at San Diego Comic Con. In this episode he joins me to discuss the process of judging comics across the Eisner’s 31 categories, the state of comic book journalism, and what it means, exactly, to be an ambassador for comics.
Caitlin McGurk of The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum - CAL #041
June 25, 2019 10:30 - 57 minutes - 65.9 MBCaitlin McGurk is the Associate Curator for Outreach at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. As part of her role she’s involved in many different aspects of the library & museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of American comic art I’m aware of. She joins me on this episode to talk about her work & career, the library’s mission, and the importance of comics as a medium.
Passion, Profit, and Practicality with Jim Zub - CAL #040
June 18, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 98.6 MBJim Zub is a comic book creator who’s had not just one, but two 30+ issue creator-owned comic series (Skullkickers and Wayward). Ever since his first comic in 2001 he’s built a career for himself utilizing his experience as an artist and the security of a day job to build a creator-owned career on his own terms. In this episode he joins me to discuss many of the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Making Art and Commerce as a Comic Book Creator with Jim Rugg - CAL #039
June 11, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBJim Rugg is an independent creator who’s never been afraid to pursue projects he’s scared about. As a result he’s assembled an interesting catalogue of work including comics like Street Angel and Afrodisiac, as well as other comic-related projects. In this episode he joins me to discuss all this projects and what it takes to make ends meet as an independent comic book creator.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for May 2019 - CAL #038
June 04, 2019 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35 MBThe April 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
Diving Deep into Comic Book Retail with Steve Anderson of Third Eye Comics - CAL #037
May 28, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 110 MBIn 2008, Steve Anderson opened up the first Third Eye Comics location. Since then, the store has grown rapidly, moving four times in the last nine years and expanding to multiple locations, all while maintaining a great reputation. In this episode he joins me to break down how comic book retail works, the nature of its sometimes difficult relationship to other parts of the industry, and the challenges at play for comic retailers.
Licensing, Editing, and the State of the Comics Market with Sarah Gaydos - CAL #036
May 21, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBSarah Gaydos is the Editor-in-Chief of One Press, with a long career behind her in the comic industry, including work at IDW and at DC Entertainment (and Wildstorm within it!). Through that she has incredible experience with corporate-owned characters and licensed publishing. In this episode she joins me to discuss this aspect of the industry and Oni’s place in the wider comic book industry.
Indie Comic Distribution with Anne Bean of Emerald Comics Distro - CAL #035
May 14, 2019 09:30 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBAnne Bean founded Emerald Comics Distro in 2016 to help independent creators and small press publishers with their distribution efforts. Since then she’s built a distribution network across the Pacific Network. In this episode she joins the show to share what she’s learned about comic distribution and give advice to independent creators looking to self-distribute their work.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for April 2019 - CAL #034
May 10, 2019 01:18 - 30 minutes - 35.2 MBThe April 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
Sharing the Medium of Comics with Andrew Woodrow-Butcher - CAL #033
April 30, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBAndrew Woodrow-Butcher is not only the Director of Library Services for The Beguiling, a fantastic Toronto area comic book store, but also the programming coordinator for TCAF’s Librarian & Educator track, Kids programing, and the TCAF Abroad program (more on that in the show). In this episode he joins me to discuss the exciting growth of the comic industry in recent years through the lens of his own work and career.
The Modern Independent Creator with Jason Brubaker - CAL #032
April 23, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBJason Brubaker is a comic book creator and animation veteran who built a living for himself creating his own independent comics, making them available to read online for free, and using crowdfunding to support his income. In this episode he joins me to discuss the lessons he’s learned after nearly a decade of independent publishing.
Launching a New Image Series with Brian Schirmer - CAL #031
April 16, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 65.2 MBBrian Schirmer is still early on in his career as a comic boo creator, but with a book out an Image and another launch currently underway, he’s already accomplished what many dream of. In this episode he joins me to discuss his career so far, self-promotion and the launch of his new Image comic series, Fairlady.
How Artistic Careers and Communities Thrive with Ramon Perez - CAL #030
April 09, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 84.5 MBRamon Perez is an Eisner Award Winning comic book creator who has experience working both on indie comics, webcomics, and at the Big Two. He also happens to run the prestigious RAID (Royal Academy of Illustration and Design) studio in Toronto. In this episode he joins me to discuss his career and take a look into how an artists studio works.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for March 2019 - CAL #029
April 02, 2019 21:38 - 19 minutes - 18 MBThe March 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
Building Authentic Stories & Careers with Kwanza Osajyefo - CAL #028
March 26, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBKwanza Osajyefo (BLACK, WHITE, Ignited) is a talented creator who turned phenomenal Kickstarter success into an entire series of creative, original, and politically prescient stories. But his success didn't come overnight - he's spent years honing his skills both in comics & outside of it. In this episode he joins me to discuss his projects and his perspective on building a career creating comics.
Starting from Scratch with Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett of ComicLab - CAL #027
March 19, 2019 10:30 - 33 minutes - 31.3 MBBrad Guigar (Evil Inc, webcomics.com) and Dave Kellett (Drive, Sheldon) are both individually successful independent webcomic creators. In addition they also co-host the wonderful podcast ComicLab, a show about making comics and making a living from comics! In this episode, they join me for a speed-run through what they would do if they had to build their careers from the beginning today.
Surviving Indie Comics with Lucy Bellwood - CAL #026
March 12, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBLucy Bellwood is an independent artist and self-described “adventure cartoonist.” She’s built a career for herself independently through the clever utilization of social media and crowdfunding platforms. In this episode she joins me to discuss the road she’s walked in building her career and some of the harsh realities and obstacles creators deal with, including burnout, earning a living, and more.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for February 2019 - CAL #025
March 06, 2019 07:37 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBThe February 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
Creating Comics and Building IP with Andy Schmidt - CAL #024
February 26, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBAndy Schmidt is a former comic book editor and now the founder of Comics Experience, an online school for comic book creators that provides the support & instruction necessary for aspiring professionals in the comic book industry. In this episode he joins me to discuss storytelling across mediums and how he’s witnessed the evolution of the comic book industry through the creators he’s worked with and helped.
Angouleme Special Feature (Part 2/2) - CAL #023
February 19, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBSecond of a two-part special feature full of interviews & discussions on the global rights & licensing market for comics, all recorded at the Angouleme International Comics Festival (FIBD).
Angouleme Special Feature (Part 1/2) - CAL #022
February 12, 2019 23:05 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBFirst of a two-part special feature full of interviews & discussions on the global rights & licensing market for comics, all recorded at the Angouleme International Comics Festival (FIBD).
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for January 2019 - CAL #021
February 06, 2019 03:47 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBThe January 2019 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month and look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it. Happy New Year in 2019!
Hard Work and Passion with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou - CAL #020
January 22, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBHassan Otsmane-Elhaou is prolific. The projects he’s created, including the video series Strip Panel Naked and the comics magazine Panel x Panel, are some of the highest quality comics media being made today. In addition to all that, he podcasts, letters comics, writes and edits. In this episode, he joins me to talk about where his passion grew from and break down how he’s developed all his projects to where the are today.
Building a Business and Audience with Jake Parker - CAL #019
January 15, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBJake Parker is an independent comic book artist and a veritable comic industry entrepreneur. Not only has he independently built a large following for himself that supports the independent comics he has created, he’s also started initiative like Inktober, which he's turned into popular movements throughout the entire comic industry. In this episode he joins me to discuss his projects and how he's built his audience.
Turning Failure into Success with Roye Okupe - CAL #018
January 08, 2019 11:30 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBRoye Okupe knows about hard work. He knows about overcoming your own struggles and failures and, through that perseverance, reaching success. His efforts to build up an independent entertainment company producing both comics and animation can be directly attributed to his perspective, enthusiasm, and dedication in bringing his projects to life independently.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for December 2018 - CAL #017
January 02, 2019 05:47 - 56 minutes - 52 MBThe December 2018 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month & look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it. Happy New Year in 2019!
Career Building and Self-Awareness with Karl Kerschl - CAL #016
December 18, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBKarl Kerschl has made webcomics, licensed comics - both on video games and at the Big Two, and even indie comics of his own with Isola, now at Image. He joins me here to discuss his own career, how publishing has changed, and what he’s noticed about the change of his own perspective on his future plans as a creator.
Indie Publishing Master-Class with Spike Trotman - CAL #015
December 11, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 108 MBMore than just about any other creator I can think of Spike Trotman has demonstrated a roadmap to independent success, creating the kinds of comics you’d have a hard time finding anywhere else. From the massive sum she’s raised on Kickstarter to the lessons she’s learned as she’s transitioned from self-publishing to full-fledged publisher, we discuss all that & more in this massive extra-large episode of the show.
Comic Book Industry Round-Up for November 2018 - CAL #014
December 04, 2018 19:30 - 39 minutes - 36.8 MBThe November 2018 edition of the Creator At Large All-points Bulletin where we dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month & look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it.
The Evolution of the Comic Book Industry with Heidi MacDonald - CAL #013
November 27, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBHeidi MacDonald has been working in the comic industry or a very long time as both an editor and journalist. She’s witnessed the modern evolution of the comic book industry firsthand. She joins me on this episode to talk about the evolution of comics journalism, what makes the medium of comics unique, and the things every creator needs to know about the comic industry.
Charting Your Own Path with Maelle Doliveux - CAL #012
November 20, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 77 MBIs there space to make something uniquely different in comics? To create books unlike anything else currently being produced? Maelle has definitively answered that question, both as a comic book publisher and as a creator. In this episode she joins me for an honest discussion about the work of building your own career.
The Work of a Comic Book Publisher with Mike Kennedy - CAL #011
November 13, 2018 11:30 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBWhat does a publisher actually do? Mike Kennedy now Creative Director of the Magnetic Collection at LionForge has served as Publisher for both Archaia Entertainment and Magnetic Press, before it became part of Lion Forge. We discuss his work & the realities of publishing comics.
Keeping Up with the Changing Comic Book Industry - CAL #010
November 06, 2018 23:15 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBOn this episode of the Creator At Large podcast… I try something a little different. We dive into what’s happened in the comic book industry over the last month & look at the podcast episodes we released to derive some more insights into the trends shaping & changing the comic industry and the place of professionals and creators working in it. It’s a little different, it’s a work in progress, and I hope you’ll listen and tell me how you think we can make these episodes better.
Building a Career on Your Own Terms with Stephan Franck - CAL #009
October 30, 2018 10:30 - 1 hour - 78.1 MBStephan Franck is an independent comic book creator with more than 20 years of experience… in animation! In this episode he joins me to talk about juggling two full-time careers and how he’s made his comic book series - Silver - an indie success story both on Kickstarter and at conventions!
How “Brand” Works - Bonus Episode #3
October 25, 2018 10:30 - 7 minutes - 7.21 MB“Branding” is one of the most misunderstood terms in business and this is a major problem because of how often people talk about the importance of brand for creatives, in general, and comic book creators, specifically. So, in this episode, I demystify the word brand so you can better understand it and the role it will play in your career.
ComixLaunch’s Tyler James on Kickstarter, Persistence, and more! - CAL #008
October 23, 2018 10:30 - 1 hour - 82.8 MBAt its core, creating a comic is a costly enterprise. Fortunately, innovations in the industry like Kickstarter are making it possible for creators to solve those problems - but Kickstarter has its own set of challenges and obstacles a creator must learn in order to make good use of the tool. In this episode I speak with Tyler James, founder of ComixLaunch about his own career in comics and his efforts to help creators learn about the new opportunities available to them.
Independent Opportunities for Comic Book Creators with George Rohac - CAL #007
October 16, 2018 10:30 - 1 hour - 84.2 MBAs the comic book industry adapts and matures, there are new roles and opportunities for people to bring their particular skills to bear in comics. George Rohac is a great example of this - he’s made it his work to help comic book creators reach audiences online and manage their businesses and careers. In this episode he joins me to discuss his role as a manager to comic book creators and the path that led him here.
You Can’t Break In Alone - Bonus Episode #2
October 11, 2018 10:30 - 8 minutes - 8.13 MBCreative careers can be very isolating and even worse, we can isolate ourselves when success requires you to not only work with others, but also to know how to work well with your collaborators. On this bonus episode of the podcast I discuss collaboration, community, and how to build a network.
Kickstarter’s Role in the Comic Book Industry - CAL #006
October 09, 2018 10:30 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBKickstarter has been one of the strongest forces for change in the comic book industry in the last 10 years, and they’re not planning on slowing down anytime soon. On this episode, Camilla Zhang, the Comics Outreach Lead at Kickstarter, joins me to discuss Kickstarter’s role in the comic book industry and how it might evolve in the future.
Empowering Comic Book Artists with Andrea Demonakos - CAL #005
October 02, 2018 10:30 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBI’ve long felt that comic book artists need to treat their careers more like a business. But not everyone has the skill, interest, or time to tackle the business of being a comic creator - regardless of their artistic skill. Andrea Demonakos is one of a small number of comic professionals now working to help artists grow their businesses and find greater independent success. In this episode Andrea and Jeremy talk about White Squirrel, the company she started to help comic book artists with s...