I, Podcast: The Future of Comic News
This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on May 15, 2007 Sign up now!
by Stephanie Mangold, PW Comics Week -- Publishers Weekly, 5/15/2007
When it comes to comics podcasting, what began as an impassioned hobby among dedicated fans has steadily evolved into a medium with strong support among fans and creators alike and new business relationships waiting around every corner.
The many podcasts on comic books available for download range from small one-man shows to more involved productions with multiple hosts and famed creators. A select few podcasts have risen to pave the way for the form to become an arm of the comics industry as serious, and as profitable, as any well-established news site. Around Comics, Fanboy Radio and Word Balloon are three such Web sites offering podcasts. Each has earned a reputation as a reliable source for quality news, commentary, and in-depth interviews with both creators and industry professionals. In addition all three shows now have the backing and sponsorship necessary to take comic podcasting to the next level.
Fans may have missed the subtle Around Comics plug in the seventh issue of Marvel's blockbuster mini-series Civil War, which featured a screenshot highlighting three comic podcast Web sites, including the unmistakable Around Comics logo. From a mere 250 downloads at its launch, Around Comics is nearing 250,000 downloads, and continues to bring its audience thought-provoking, “interest specific” content through its unique format featuring a revolving panel of guests and contributors, each one offering a fresh perspective on the growth and development of the comics industry.
After launching two years ago and nailing down the show’s format, hosts Christopher Neseman and Brian Salazar were confident enough in the long-term growth of Around Comics to begin pursuing sponsorships, struggling to sell businesses on a medium that was so new few people even fully grasped what a podcast was. As their show quickly jumped to the forefront, they were approached by the popular online comic shop, Instocktrades.com, owner of Discount Comic Book Services, an online subscription site.
Either through customer referral or personal relationships, DCBS currently sponsors five comics podcasts. “Comic podcasts are great for developing a community of people with common interests,” said DCBS rep Cameron Meckler
Eventually AC was approached by Borders. With the backing of a major book retailer, Neseman and Salazar began to develop ways to expand their show, From appearances in Civil War and Loaded Bible to interviewing legend John Bryne and developing content on independent and manga titles, AC continues to branch out. “In a couple years I think you'll see podcasts playing a major role in the promotion and marketing of comics,” says host Neseman. "Sponsors are beginning to see the benefits of the specialized niche marketing that podcasts can offer them. Only time will tell how much of an impact comic book podcasts have on the industry."”
While Around Comics has only recently burst into the podcasting scene, Fanboy Radio has been making waves for five years, both online and on terrestrial radio at 88.7, the Choice FM in Fort Worth, Texas. Its listener base has quadrupled since it started, and Fanboy Radio has a reputation for drawing big names such as legendary creator Alan Moore. FBR host Scott Hinze carefully walks the line between objective criticism and book bashing, an art form unto itself in an industry full of strong opinions. FBR not only entertains with quality coverage and interviews but always asks “the tough questions and gives honest opinions for the benefit of the books,” according to Hinze.
Developing relationships with big-name sponsors such as the popular Japanese animation company FUNimation Entertainment, FBR has shown podcasting to be "a valuable venue to promote [FUNimation’s] products,” Hinze told PWCW. “Sponsorship has made it possible for me to work on the radio show full-time—it's a job as well as a hobby.”
Hinze’s efforts to cultivate a professional image for his show have paid off as FBR prepares to launch its own television program. Working with the Lankford Media Group and MN1, Fanboy radio has developed a live-action Inter podcasting TV outlet at Fanboy.tv that is free to Internet viewers and “unique and very separate from anything with Fanboy Radio, at this point.
“Comics podcasts are some of the better podcasts out there, and almost all make our hobby and medium sound great," Hinze continued. "It's similar to comics in that it's a very intimate medium that supports loyalty and commitment."
The podcast that didn’t even start out as such, John Siuntres’ Word Balloon, has one of the more unusual formats. A one-man show, Siuntres, with his rich and throaty voice, is recognized for his lengthy, intimate one-on-one conversations with comic professionals that lend themselves to an in-depth insight into both the books his guests have worked on as well as the creators themselves.
“The point behind my show is to really get to hear the guest in a, hopefully, relaxed forum talking about their ideas in a way you may only see at a convention panel," Siuntres told PWCW. "On a panel show with three to five hosts asking creators questions, I think the flow of the conversation can get interrupted by Host B bringing up a new left-field subject, when the Host A subject might've reached an interesting point that never gets developed. I'm not saying my way is always better. Having more than one host could inspire other subjects one host may miss, but I think not having to go to live callers, or turning things over to a cohost makes for a more intimate conversation."
Siuntres admits this may make his show more limited in some ways. "I don't think my show has the mass appeal of the others, because they can evoke the feeling that you're eavesdropping into a great discussion at a comic shop. But, I think I'm reaching a great and good-sized audience that still loves comics, but doesn't get too worked up over the outrageous twists in some of the mainstream books. ”
After almost two years of podcasting, Siuntres began posting his interviews on his Web site in June 2005 and joined iTunes in September 2005. His deeply personal format has caught the eye of comic news giant Newsarama, with whom Siuntres formed a partnership with the Web site. Nestled in among stories of Steve Roger’s death and DC’s latest solicitations on the Newsarama Web site, Word Balloon’s interviews with David Michelinie and Matt Fraction are featured prominently for fast and easy downloading.
"I was surprised Newsarama hadn't jumped into the podcast biz themselves," said Siuntres. "But they liked my style of interviewing, and after testing the waters with special interviews here and there, we got together full-time last month. The response has been outstanding, with huge download increases, and interesting responses on the message boards."
When asked about the future of podcasting, Siuntres said, “We're about five years away from when your car radio will also tune in direct RSS podcast feeds via wi-fi. When that becomes a reality, we'll be ready and in place.”
