PW Comics World: More To Come

This week on More to Come the cohosts react to the restart of Diamond shipments, discuss the streaming universe, HBO Max and the Snyder Cut, mobile device comics, Layoffs at Kickstarter, and offer a salute to Christian Cooper.

Kate talks with acclaimed writer, producer and comics creator Geoff Johns about Stargirl, a teenage DC superhero he created back in the 1990s, who is also the main character of a new live action TV series on the CW/DC Universe that will debut on May 18 on the DC Universe, and on May 19 on The CW.

The cohosts discuss the state of graphic novel publishing in a pandemic with reports on Fantagraphics, Clover Press, and Titan Comics; DC and Marvel's return; Diamond founder Steve Geppi answers distribution questions; and TCAF, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and BookExpo go virtual.

Heidi talks with comics retailer Jen King of Space Cadets Collection Collection in Oak Ridge North, TX about the Insider Art benefit she's coordinated to help women and non-binary comic shop owners, joining the board of the CBLDF, ComicHub, DC, Diamond, and re-opening her store on May 1.

The cohosts look at the heated response to DC’s controversial new distribution initiative; public and industry support for comics retailers and booksellers, the cancellation of the San Diego Comic-Con; new digital comics ventures such as the manga platform Mangamo; and PW’s #BooksAreEssential.

Calvin talks with acclaimed comics artist Gene Luen Yang about ‘Dragon Hoops’, a new graphic work about the men’s varsity basketball team at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School, where he taught for many years, and their run to the California state championship in 2015. Plus, in this month's Star Gazing feature, Meg Lemke talks about Box Brown’s ‘Child Star’ and Leslie Stein’s ‘I Know You Rider.’

The cohosts discuss the rise and fall of Comics Hub's plan to save comics; the latest developments in comics retailing under Coronavirus lockdown; indie comics publishers in the direct market and book sellers; and on a lighter note, the new comics-based Syfy series 'Vagrant Queen'.

An interview with comics editor and creator Andy Schmidt, founder of ComicsExperience, an online school for comics creators, and ONS, a comics printing company for small publishers, about teaching comics creation; teaching online courses in a pandemic; plans to help retailers; the current state of the comics industry and much much more.

The cohosts discuss Diamond Comic Distributors shutting down shipments of new comics due to Covid-19; supporting creators and retailers during the pandemic; Ace Comic Con and GrowTix fight over refunds while fans lose out. Plus the comics retail feature and Heidi interviews James Tynion IV at C2E2 about Punchline.

An interview with Anika Orrock, creator of ‘The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League’, a graphic history of the legendary women’s baseball league that flourished from 1943-1954. Plus a new Star Gazing with graphic novel reviews editor Meg Lemke about Bishakh Som’s debut story collection ‘Apsara Engine’, and Derf Backderf’s ‘Kent State: Four Dead In Ohio’.

Calvin, Heidi and Kate discuss the cancellation or postponement of cons, including Emerald City Comic Con, MoCCA Arts Fest, and WonderCon, due to the spread of the new coronavirus; plus Heidi reports on C2E2, including DC publisher Jim Lee after the departure of Dan DiDio, plus an interview with comics creator and novelist Joe Hill of the 'Locke and Key' and 'Heart Shaped Box' from C2E2.

An interview with Jared Reinmuth, and Améziane, the writer and artist of ‘Big Black: Stand At Attica’, a graphic memoir that tells the personal history of the late Frank “Big Black” Smith, a prisoner-negotiator during the Attica Prison Revolt of 1971, as well as the tragic story of the Attica revolt, one of the bloodiest rebellions in the history of U.S. prisons.

Calvin, Heidi and Kate take an episode to discuss the departure of DC co-publisher Dan DiDio, look at the impact of his 18-year rein at DC, trends in superhero comics over that era, and public and industry reactions to his removal.

Writer Steven Grant talks about a new publishing venture, Paper Movies, and the relaunch of the spy thriller 'His Name is... Savage', as well as his long career, conspiracy theories, and the history of graphic novels.

Calvin recaps a trip to Philly for ALA Midwinter and Jerry Craft’s historic Newbery Award; Heidi visits Brussels and the Angoulême Comics Festival; and Calvin reviews a trip Bologna, Italy to jury the inaugural BolognaRagazzi Comics Award. Plus Bad Idea, DC’s Generation One, and growing book programs at Marvel and Ten Speed Press

Heidi interviews writer J.D. Morvan and Magnetic Press publisher Mike Kennedy about 'Irena', his series of graphic novels about a real life heroine of the Warsaw ghetto, and talks with Hunter Gorinson, the publisher of the new comics company, Bad Idea.

Calvin Reid interviews comics creator Dean Haspiel about ‘The Red Hook’, his original Brooklyn-inspired superhero series, its launch as a Webtoon digital series, and its release in print by Image Comics. Also, ‘Star Cross,’ the new Red Hook installment currently running on Webtoon. Plus, a new installment of the Star Gazing feature with graphic novel reviews editor Meg Lemke.

Co-host Heidi MacDonald's Eisner-nominated blog "The Beat" amicably parts ways with Polarity/Lion Forge; upcoming coverage from Angouleme; the top 100 comics sellers of the 2010's; and a deep dive into the fannish experience of watching 'The Witcher'.

Calvin Reid interviews interviews writer Cecil Castellucci and artist Jim Rugg about the updated edition of 'PLAIN Janes', a pioneering 2007 YA graphic novel about a teen girl guerilla art collective, released by DC’s now-defunct Minx line of YA graphic novels. The new hardcover 'PLAIN Janes' combines the original two volumes and a previously unpublished third volume, and will be released this month by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

A look forward at 2020, with the top selling books of 2019; trends and exciting new comics and graphic novels for spring 2020, including new adaptations of classics, a new edition of Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg's 'The PLAIN Janes', the forthcoming library adult graphic novel list and much more.