In case you missed it, we’ve just launched a new video series here at the Beat: ComicsBeat Happy Hour, a regular series of in-depth chats with comics industry movers and shakers, behind the scenes decision makers, veteran and emerging creators, and much more. I kind of view it as eavesdropping on a “BarCon” talk – but maybe with some of the identifying details sanded off. Candid and easy going talks about where the industry has been and where it’s going and learning how comics makers got to where they are.
I’ve been wanting to do a series like this ever since my Pandemic era collab with Jimmy Aquino’s Comic News Insider, called, fittingly enough Comic Beat Insider, a weekly livestream about mostly movies but sometimes comics that was truly one of the highlights of my Pandemic.
After everyone got Zoom fatigue, I stayed off of livestreaming for a while. But it’s prety evident that real life is back, and as everyone’s live event schedule jams up, Zooming is fun again.
Or at least it is for me – and hopefully you. There are so many people I’ve wanted to do in-depth interviews with in comics, and this is a way to make it YouTiube official.
That said I won’t be the only host, other Elite Beat staffers will lead chats as this rolls out.
This is also a benefit for our very loyal and patient Patreon supporters. Patrons will be able to view the talks live and ask questions and interact with the speakers. After the video is lightly edited, it will be posted to our newsletter and YouTube and here. Production is barebones (for now) so if you want to view this as the long, long requested Beat podcast…you can!
I have a huge wishlist of folks that I want to talk to, and everyone I’ve spoken with has already said yes, so look for some unexpected names in the future…but also let us know who you’d like to see interviewed.
As for the first episode, as I envisioned this feature, I always knew I wanted the first guest to be Dean Haspiel. Dean is a prodigious and colorful talker so he was the perfect guest for the pilot. And luckily he has a great project to talk about: Covid Cop, a horror romance torn from his surreal and bombastic oeuvre. You can sign up for it on Kickstarter right here.
Once again, Comicsbeat Happy Hour is also a conversation with The Beat’s loyal community. Let us know who you’d like to see featured or topics you’d like to see explored on future Happy Hours, and what days you think are best to hold it. And as always, thank you for reading and watching.
