A few weeks back I wrote a big feature about the intense working conditions requiring of comic book artists, why that is, and the damage it does to their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. Frankly, I was disappointed it didn’t get more condition considering the seriousness of the topic and the artists who contributed to the piece. If you haven’t read it I encourage you to do so, and to share it with others if you think the subject matter is valuable for people to learn about.

Comic Book Crunch: The toll drawing comics takes on artists

I wrote about something most people reading this probably noticed a few weeks ago: artists creating fan art of 6 characters on social media. It was a great distraction from COVID world and I enjoyed discussing its formation with its creator, Melissa Capriglione. Give it a read!

SHUT IN THEATER: Behind social media sensation #SixFanArt

I wrote a big piece about TKO Studios for the Beat, speaking with co-founder Tze Chun and several retailers to analyze the state of the publisher after a little over a year on the market. I really enjoyed digging into how TKO’s novel approach paid off (or didn’t) in comic book stores and where they stand in the industry now. It was a lot of work but very rewarding, so I hope people give it a read!

TKO Studios in Review: The industry’s response to two waves of disruptive publishing

I had the pleasure of interviewing comics critic extraordinaire Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. He’s pioneered some of the most interesting comics analysis of the last several years and his newest project, PanelxPanel One Shots, is no exception.

Matt Chats: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on comics criticism and his PanelxPanel Kickstarter

Last week I wrote an analysis of The Insight Project, an initiative from video game developer Ninja Theory using its technology to learn more about and treat mental suffering. It has a lot of potential, but a lot of that relies on what Ninja Theory learned from the reception to its game Hellblade, which depicted psychosis to very mixed results. I worked really hard to accurately present the initiative and its potential faults. I hope it’s informative and that the news suggests further use of video game technology for practical purposes!

https://www.comicsbeat.com/insight-project/

I really took to a recent Image graphic novel. Green Monk: Blood of the Martyrs is a very quiet, melancholic story about a warrior monk. I was really glad to get to interview cartoonist Brandon Dayton about the book, which you can check out below.

Matt Chats: Brandon Dayton on GREEN MONK: BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS, his take of Star Wars with some Miyazaki mixed in

I chatted with Ken Gogor, a writer/artist inspired by some of the great classic cartoonists, about his recent series GOGOR. You can read that interview below!

Matt Chats: Ken Garing on the classic comic book roots of GOGOR

Wrote an editorial for The Beat about what differentiates The Star Wars revival from the enduring success of the MCU. I’m really proud of it, due in large part to Managing Editor’s Samantha Puc’s stellar suggestions and advice, which strengthened it considerably. Check it out!

Why the MCU feels forever when the Star Wars revival is already dying down

Covered some of the many excellent guides to the art of sequential storytelling in my latest Making Comics column for The Beat. A lot to learn for anyone interested in making, critiquing, or just reading comics, so if you’re reading this post you should probably check these out!

Making Comics: Great guides for multiple comic book crafts

Some of my favorite interviews are with members of the media, and this was no exception. I chatted with Daniel Elkin and Alex Hoffman about SOLRAD, a nonprofit source of comics criticism, and what makes it distinct from other online outlets. Check out our discussion at the link below!

Matt Chats: Daniel Elkin and Alex Hoffman on their new comics criticism venture SOLRAD

Several years ago, popular video game critic Tevis Thompson created a wonderful graphic novel called Second Quest, a Zelda-like fantasy story that addresses a lot of his feelings about the franchise. I had a wonderful discussion with him about how he did that and his creative process.

Matt Chats: Tevis Thompson rethinks Zelda in SECOND QUEST

I interviewed the very kind and talented Livio Ramondelli. He’s the writer and artist of the new IDW series Kill Lock, which I predict will go down as one of the best new series of 2020 if it gets the attention it deserves. Check out my interview with Livio, then grab the first issue which is out now!

Matt Chats: Livio Ramondelli on imbuing humanity into a mechanical world in THE KILL LOCK

I chatted with cartoonist Pina Varnel about ADHD Alien, a comic strip about a subject close to my heart. I think it both educates the wider public about life with ADHD and helps those with the disorder feel less shame about their symptoms. You can find the link to the interview below!

Matt Chats: Pina Varnel on turning therapy homework into beloved webcomic ADHD ALIEN

The overwhelming response to my feature about how writers can treat artists better encouraged me to write about how to aid even more unappreciated collaborators: the letterers. Check out my article about that below!

Making Comics: The role of the letterer and responsibilities of their collaborators

About a month ago I was offered the opportunity to interview the creator of Swimming in Darkness, a European graphic novel that’s received praise from some really big names in comics. Intrigued, I gave the book a read and am glad I did because it’s a very special book. Read my interview with cartoonist Lucas Harari about its development and his inspirations.

Matt Chats: Lucas Harari on SWIMMING IN DARKNESS, minimalism in art, and inventing a legend