Tradecraft Podcast

Visionary comic book artist and illustrator Andrew C Robinson joins me to talk about the power of influences and how he identified their value in his work. Andrew also discusses how working between illustration and comics helped him build his jaw dropping style. And, huge news, he’s returning to his creator-owned works to build that library. Find Andrew * Twitter @spacejunkees #bigstorypod #comicb...

Comic book writer Chris Sebela joins Alex in talking about his “all in” gamble to become a writer. They dive into the writing process, and Chris shares his thoughts and experiences for developing pitches—the lifeblood of a comic writer. Many of these pitches are now award-nominated works like, Foulbrood , Holy Terror , Screamland , The Tooth , Dirtbag Rapture , Self, Crowded , and Test. Also, chec...

Jim joins Alex to track through his storytelling journey with film, animation, illustration, and finally, comics. We talk process and his current and upcoming projects like Thunderbolts , Red Sonja , Dungeons & Dragons , Conan , and Rick and Morty vs Cthulhu . Find Jim * Twitter @JimZub * Instagarm @jim_zub * Web jimzub.com #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #boom...

Heidi joins Alex to talk about the comic industry, but they fall for Sauron’s clever trap and talk about JRR Tolkien’s creations and many other wonderful creations that come from the rich world-building. Find Heidi Twitter @Comixace Website comicsbeat.com #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #boom #dynamite #oni #darkhorse #valiant #thebeat Get full access to TRADECRAFT at jalex...

After two failed attempts Dustin joins Alex to talk about how the formation of Image Comics impacted his life, From early reader, to visiting the offices as a kid, to becoming an intern a decade later, and now releasing his passion project title, Paklis with the publisher. Dustin is an artist’s artist, loved and loathed (a loving loathing) by his peers. Find Dustin * Twitter @DustinWeaver12 * Patr...

Sebastián joins Alex to talk about the challenges of breaking into the US comic book market. They also talk about the creative tightrope walk between the desire to experiment and delivering art that keeps the work coming in. @SebastianPiriz #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #boom #dynamite #oni #darkhorse #valiant Thanks for checking out the Big Story Podcast. This episode is...

Deniz joins Alex for a lively conversation about the value of human connection, collaboration, character communication, multiculturalism, and the significance of subject density. We also firmly establish the University of Michigan’s superiority to Michigan State outside of the basketball court. Find Deniz * Twitter @DenizCamp #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #bo...

Noah joins Alex to talk about his powerful and personal biographic novel, Joseph Smith and the Mormons . Noah discusses how life events inform our choices—socially and creatively—and how the stories within us manifest themselves if we’re open to them. Find Noah * Instagram @noahvscomics #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #boom #dynamite #oni #darkhorse #valiant #a...

John joins Alex and openly talks about his journey from seeing the Batman movie on VHS as a toddler to an obsessive quest to write and draw his own comics. Even while working in an auto plant, John would craft scenes and stories in his mind that would ultimately become the issues of Frankenaut . With some exciting web comics planned, John’s focus on his long-term goals is clear. Find John * Instag...

Wilfredo talks with Alex about the people who inspired and supported him, the daily struggle at the drawing table, how he gets lost in his work, and how he finds his way back. Wil’s passion for comics is infectious when he talks about landing his dream gig on the Superman ’78 mini-series. If you love comics, this is a long one, but a great one. Find Wilfredo * Instagram @wtorres1972 * Twitter @mig...

Andy and Alex talk about how his childhood love of comics expanded from mainstream masters like Perez and Byrne into artistic pioneers like McKean and Sienkiewicz, and how they all influenced his growth as an artist. Andy reveals how he spent years building a rock-solid illustration career on the side and only working on the projects he wants to. He also discusses the ever-growing task to outdo hi...

Josh joins Alex and talks about his entry into comics and how life, fashion, and music drives his creative vision. An NYC native, Josh graduated from the School of Visual Arts early in the pandemic and maximized his digital platform to catch the attention of Marvel and DC with his phenomenal character illustration. Find Josh * Instagram @JSwayArt * Twitter @sway_art #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcas...

Adam shares his journey, how a family friend’s private comic collection was his gateway into the mainstream world of comics and a pair of chance encounters with Ty Templeton changed his life. Adam walks us through his first gig to draw a 128 graphic novel and how he used that work to build his career. We also get into the process of writing comics for the first time and how important that process...

Tom go deep into his journey as a designer and early work in comics. How working with Ashley Wood was the perfect foothold to showcase his talents and improve comics through design. Tom and Alex talk at length about process and the thought put into trade and publication design for Blue in Green, Best of 2000AD, Days of Hate, Drifter, The New World, The Weatherman, VS, Wolf , and his industry shaki...

Ron and Alex trace his journey from the Philippines, to Canada and ultimately the US. Ron talks openly how his childhood love of art, comics, and pulp novels fostered a desire to draw stories. And when he found acceptance and support on comic forums he worked up the courage to find his first professional work. Now Ron’s illustrating phenomenal comics for Image, Boom!, Dark Horse, Marvel, Black Mas...

Jim, Alex and Gary talk about the unquenchable flame of youth that forged lifelong creative friendships and Jim’s passion for visual storytelling. How following his heart edged him across the country, until he landed in LA—where he found a bigger sandbox to play in and a broader group of peers. Now tucked up in the Pacific Northwest, Jim tells the stories he wants, like GRLL SCOUTS . Find Jim * So...

Rory and Alex dive right into the writing process and how the career-changing lessons learned from his first editor at 2000 AD still inform his current work on Spawn . Rory also talks about his fruitful collaborations with Declan Shalvey and Joe Palmer on Time Before Time and Write it in Blood . Find Rory * Twitter @RoryMcConville2 #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #i...

Hobbs , film, and Bone into his clever and deep books, SHARK SUMMER and SPIRIT WEEK . Ira weaves cinematic lore and themes from classics like Jaws and The Shining in ways that captivate and entertain. These graphic novels are a joy, and Ira is a passionate advocate of his craft. Find Ira * Social @iramarcks * Website iramarcks.com #bigstorypod #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #id...

GABRIEL HARDMAN talks about following his dream to draw comics and moving to NYC at sixteen-years-old. How art college wasn’t an ideal fit and the hustle ethic it took to get work at MARVEL and DC at such a young age. He also talks in-depth about his storytelling process as the storyboard artist for films like AUSTIN POWERS , INCEPTION , LOGAN , and others. Great insight in this one. Find Gabriel...

World traveling illustrator, pre-visualist, and art director, DANIEL HANSEN talks about working in film, games and his forthcoming graphic novel, ALVA IN THE DARK . A native of Sweden, Daniel lives in China with his wife and child, but travels around the globe working on international entertainment projects. This is a thoughtful and candid talk about working with directors and producers in the Bol...

Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman: Evolution , and We Only Kill Each Other comic book writer STEPHANIE PHILLIPS joins us to talk about academia, martial arts, and the value of friendships. We explore Stephanie’s work with DC, Aftershock, Dark Horse, Oni Press, Top Cow/Image , and more. We also get into the writing process, how her Muay Thai practice and playing hockey factor in. Find Steph * Twitter: @St...

Star Wars , Planet Hulk , and Secret Wars comic book artist & illustrator Marc Laming joins us to talk about starting and restarting his career in comics for Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Fleetway, Valiant, IDW, Dark Horse, Image Comics, Dynamite & Boom! It’s a great story and a testament to applying great perseverance with outstanding talent. He’s also a true gentleman, and not a monkey, despite visual acc...

Comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick joins us to talk about her journey in and through the comic book industry; choosing to write about what was important to relaunch Captain Marvel ; music; theater; and her magnum opus, Wonder Woman, Historia . This episode goes up one day after the 28th but you can still check out all the amazing work of women comic creators looking for work by searching #Visib...

USA Today Bestselling author RUSSELL NOHELTY joins us to talk about his journey from want-to-be writer to author over 70 novels and comics. We talk about his early misfire, then his impressive success on Kickstarter. We talk a lot about process and what it takes to write so many works. Check out the episode here and his latest anthology work, Cthulu is Hard to Spell: Battle Royale (cthulhuishardto...

Writer, illustrator, and world-class comic creators, Linnea Sterte joins Alex from Sweden to talk about their journey and a particular view on creating comics. Do yourself the favor and check out this creator’s amazing work and their comic Garden of Spheres on Patreon . Find Linnea * @turndecassette * patreon.com/turndecassette #comicbook #podcast #marvel #dccomics #imagecomics #idw #boom #dynamit...