Virginia's "Words and Phrases for Getting Arahnd Pittsburgh" (available on Etsy)
We discuss staying active in your local indie comics scene by creating comics that represent your community, participating in local shows and events, and working to generate local success.
While this episode focuses on Pittsburgh, you can apply what we're taking about to almost any other locale. And if you don't think you have a local cartoonists scene, you might be surprised what a little bit of digging will reveal -- Google your town or nearby cities to find out where comics creators are meeting up and don't be afraid to get yourself in on the action.
Pittsburgh cartoonist Ed Piskor joins Nick Marino and Shawn Atkins to discuss hip hop history, the formulation of taste, hand lettering, comics reprints, and tons more.
But this isn't Ed's introduction to the history of rap music. He's a passionate hip hop head with his own specific views on the development (and death) of the genre.
And we don't just talk about hip hop in this episode. We also dig into our mutual love of comics, covering topics such as: reading old original issues vs. recolored reprints, "Where's Waldo?" X-Men, The Kubert School, assembly line comics production, the proportion wheel, and emotional connection to source material.
An AudioShocker first! On this week's Sequential Underground, you get to choose your own adventure!!! We've got two podcasts... and two distinctly different paths for you to travel down...
Sequential Underground #33b - Not Comics
Dave, Shawn, and Nick discuss almost everything except for comics in this stream of consciousness conversation about life, love, and uhhh... other stuff. NSFW.
Which path will you travel down? Will you choose the refined discourse of #33a... or the confessional spontaneity of #33b? The choice is yours.
[Note: We received some awesome feedback regarding our previous episode with Tom Scioli, #32 - The Superhero Virus. I forgot to read that feedback this week. SORRY! I promise I'll read it on #34.]
Which side of the table are you on?Dan, Shawn, and Nick discuss being comics creators vs. being comics fans.
Dan never wants to lose his passion as a fan, no matter what. Shawn has always approached comics with creation in mind, and for him being a fan has always been a secondary role. Nick was once a rabid fan, but as his passion to create comics increased, his passion to read comic books decreased.
ALSO: When is it inappropriate for creators to act like cranky fans? Where does the line begin and end? Have JMS and Dave Johnson both crossed the line?
Also, sandwiched between the theme songs (at around 25 mins in), Shawn and Nick discuss the idea of releasing webcomics in chapters. They each have their own ideas about what it means to use a chapters format, but the goals are the same -- create a more engrossing reading experience.
What do comics creators deserve? Shawn and Nick discuss the question, from unknown webcomics creators to the most famous and successful creators in comic books.
Do webcomics creators deserve compensation from their fans? Should it be money, gifts, or just a constant stream of feedback?
Two artists with two very different paths... similar passions but opposing pursuits...
Katie Henderson's first love was animation. She recounts the desires and experiences that led her to follow her current path, living in Los Angeles and working hard to break into the animation business. While Katie's done comics in the past (see below, from Stick Cats #8), she doesn't necessarily feel it's the medium for her.
Shawn Atkins' first love was also animation. He tells of his journey that took him to the animation program at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. And he explains how comics have become his second love, dominating his professional focus and becoming his primary medium (see below, from Time Log #47). He loves the autonomy of creating comics and now he can't imagine ever stopping.
Join Nick Marino as he cross-examines these two creators, grilling them on their illustration inspirations and goals as cartoonists.
Dan, Shawn, Juan, and Nick talk about shows! Conventions, expos, festivals, fairs.
We're talking about SMALL SHOWS (for example, PIX)...
...versus BIG SHOWS (for example, NYCC).
What makes a comic book show "small" or "big"? Is it scale? Is it theme?
What makes more sense for an indie comics creator? We discuss table cost, freebies, making personal connections, and tons more. Shows covered include: PIX, SPACE, Pittsburgh Comicon, SPX, NYCC, and more.
Virginia's "Words and Phrases for Getting Arahnd Pittsburgh" (available on Etsy)
Shawn and Nick at Pittsburgh's Artists Meetup at Assemble.
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