Tradecraft Podcast

JH WILLIAMS III returns to talk about starting his love-letter to comics, ECHOLANDS and where he and the story are four-years in. We get into his passion for pushing the envelope with his visual storytelling, subtext, writing stories in collaboration, and for others. * Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jhwilliams3.bsky.social * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jhwilliamsiii/ * Website https://ww...

MICHEL FIFFE joins me to talk about his creative journey, wrapping-up his psycho-drama epic COPRA, and the internal conflicts and wealth of unknowns that arose in the wake of this massive change. * Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/michelfiffe.bsky.social * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mfiffe/ * Website https://michelfiffe.com/ * Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MichelFiffe * Etsy https://www...

RON MARZ and I talk writing, and his amazing comic book career, on books like SILVER SURFER, BATMAN/ALIENS, GREEN LANTERN, DC vs. MARVEL, and WITCHBLADE. He clarifies the world of video game writing for me. We discuss the value of travel, creative relationships. his passion for prose, and how he remains engaged with his craft. We touch on his upcoming novel project, and have a good old-fashioned j...

DEXTER VINES, SANDRA HOPE, and KARL STORY join me to talk about the true art and value of traditional inking in an age when digital art dominates the medium and how they’ve stayed so employable. With over a hundred years of comic book experience in this one, these pros tell stories and serve wisdom. These are some of the best inkers working in the business, and their longevity is testament to thei...

JOHN WORKMAN joins me to talk about a life in comics, and other passions. We cover the highlights, like working for HEAVY METAL, lettering MÖBIUS, the ALIEN graphic novel, lettering THOR and RAGNAROK with Walter Simonson, and so many other stories that you’ll just have to listen ‘em all. sa * Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Workman Want to support TRADECRAFT and be awesome? Please sha...

CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN joins me for as close to a Halloween Spookfest as it gets around here. We talk about his immense and impressive career as an author of so many loved—and feared—books. His latest novel THE NIGT BIRDS, the co-edited anthology THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT, with Brain Keene, and his thirty-year creative partnership with MIKE MIGNOLA. * Website https://www.christophergolden.com...

SOPHIE CAMPBELL returns after four years to talk about life after TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, her writing duties on MOTHRA: QUEEN OF THE MONSTERS, and how things go as the writer/artist on SUPERGIRL. We catch up on lots of career and process stuff, plus talk about managing distractions, and much more. * Patreon https://www.patreon.com/mooncalfe * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mooncalfe23/...

Modern comicbook maverick, PAUL POPE joins me to talk about being an American manga artist, how he built his publishing career, and what he has in store. We discuss his process in-depth, BATTLING BOY, and the new collection of his seminal series, THB from 23rd St comics. * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/comicsdestroyer/ * Website https://paulpope.com/ * Store https://www.nakatomiinc.com/colle...

The super-talented, Chris Schweizer joins me for an in-depth conversation about his upcoming web-serialized graphic novel, OUTLAW’S APPRENTICE. We discuss story creation, writing, lettering, structure, panel and page format, crowdfunding, AND how the book will look in print. This one’s chock-a-block with great stuff. * Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ChrisSchweizer * Bluesky https://bsky.app/profi...

Jimmy Palmiotti and I weave through his career, and take stock of his work ethic, calculated risks, and the value personal relationships in the business of comics. We talk about his writing process, and how he approached comics like JONAH HEX, HARLEY QUINN, DAREDEVIL, DEADLY TALES of the GUNSLINGER, AND PUNISHER. DEEP SEA Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creatorownedheroes/deep-sea...

Nick Filardi returns to talk coloring, film, and his recent comic writing project for the ISLANDS IN THE SKY Kickstarter. He’s super busy with comics like POWERS 25, MURDER PODCAST, CAT NINJA, EC COMICS, TASTE OF JUSTICE, and CULT OF THE LAMB. While hard to spot on social media, Nick can be found on your LCS racks, and his Discord Server. ISLANDS IN THE SKY Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/...

Nick Filardi returns to talk coloring, film, and his recent comic writing project for the ISLANDS IN THE SKY Kickstarter. He’s super busy with comics like POWERS 25, MURDER PODCAST, CAT NINJA, EC COMICS, TASTE OF JUSTICE, and CULT OF THE LAMB. While hard to spot on social media, Nick can be found on your LCS racks, and his Discord Server. ISLANDS IN THE SKY Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/...

Shelly Bond joins me to talk about editing, Bowie, Vertigo, The Clash, AND the magic of comics. We also talk about her brilliant, and sorely needed book on editing comics, FILTH & GRAMMAR from Off-Register Press. We also threaten to settle the Oasis/Blur debate once and for all, but wisely get back to talking ’bout comics. https://www.offregister.press/product-page/filth-grammar-softcover-book * I...

Shawn Crystal joins me to talk about his creative life as a comic book artist and illustrator, long-time podcaster with INKPULP, burgeoning path as tattoo artist. We dive into the mental side of the career, and Shawn generously shares his efforts to develop multiple revenue streams to grow his creativity. Since there’s been a nine-month gap since the original recording, and Shawn is in the middle...

The madly talented Ryan Sook returns to the podcast to talk about his new limited series, BLACK CANARY , with Tom King , for DC Comics . We shop nearly the entire episode, and trade some of the highs and lows of our careers. * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rsookart/ * Felix Art https://www.felixcomicart.com/artistgalleryroom.asp?artistid=600 Past guest, Andrew Robinson (episode 159) and his...

Paul Azaceta joins me and we talk about everything in this one. Paul shares his thinking and loves when it comes to comics. We talk about his work on OUTCAST , and his forthcoming Image title THE SEASONS , with Rick Remender. He also shares a lot about the yet to be titled limited series Paul wrote and drew! * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paulazaceta/ * Twitter https://x.com/paulazaceta * F...

Welcome to Season 16! Ignatz nominated, M.S. Harkness joins me to do what she does best, share amazing tales of her life, and talk process. We discuss her nominated graphic novel, Time Under Tension , and her next book, which—if we promise to be good—she'll title, Rogue One . If you’ve read Time Under Tension , please request an Ignatz Award ballot, from the link below, and cast your vote for her...

Settle in for a lively talk with Ben Caldwell as we track his creative journey and process, loves, and un-loves. And yes, we talk about his forthcoming THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS UNIVERSE, CARRIE KELLY, Robin comic with Frank Miller . This is a fun one, with one of my favorite creators! * Big Cartel https://bencaldwell.bigcartel.com/ * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bencaldwellart/ * Twitter htt...

Elsa Charretier joins me to talk managing the highs and lows of a creative career. Though in the midst her fantastic run on the wonderful LOVE EVERLASTING , she questioned her work in comics. Elsa has since found joy in the work, and—more importantly—her life. Make sure to follow her on social media and sign up for her newsletter, and be first to her details about her—yet to be announced—project....

Daniel Warren Johnson joins me to talk comics, school me in manga, and tie it all back to music, vans, and wrestling. We talk about his recent experience winning a pair of Eisner Awards, and his upcoming series with Riley Rossmo, THE MOON IS FOLLOWING US, out in September. We geek out on APPLESEED, and Daniel talks about the pitch process DO A POWERBOMB, WONDER WOMAN; DEAD EARTH, BETA RAY BILL, an...

Greg Rucka joins me to talk writing. We delve into pens, keyboards, comics, movies, and novels. Greg’s works, like Whiteout , The Old Guard , Stumptown , Queen & Country , and the Atticus Kodiak novels range from gritty crime-riddled shadows to far-flung fantastic tales. * Website https://www.gregrucka.com/ * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ruckawriter/ * Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rucka...

Adriano Di Benedetto joins me to talk about the art of inking, and how he built a career in an increasingly digital world. We fan out over amazing inkers, and praise brushes with a fair number of curses. His work as graced the pages of Daredevil, Wonder Woman, the X-Men, and Batman for Marvel and DC. Meet your new favorite inker. * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adriano.dibenedetto/ * Twitter...

Marc Guggenheim joins me to share his experience in film, television, and comics. We talk about how exposure to mind-blowing work at an early age set us on a path to make our own. We also chat about his latest’s novel, IN ANY LIFETIME , available for pre-order now. (link below) Marc is an honest and generous storyteller, with a rich body of writing. This is a great talk, for fans of any one of his...

Jared Cullum joins me to talk painted comics, plein-air painting, master painters, Xerox-era Disney movies, and the brilliance of Studio Ghibli. We talk about the importance of obsessive focus to develop craft, and his work on KODI and the upcoming KODI 2 from Top Shelf. If you’re not familiar with Jared’s work, I can’t wait for you to listen to this great conversation and discover his work. * Web...

Matthew K. Manning joins me to tell stories, talk toys, James Jean, Tom Taylor, the desire to push structure and form, the educational benefits of comics, developing a comic pitch, allowing the story to tell itself, and trusting the characters. We cover a lot. We also touch on some of his 100 books and dozens of comics for DC, Marvel, IDW, Skybound, Abrams,  Scholastic, Disney, DK Publishing, like...