To make good comics and graphic novels, all you have to do is draw really well and write pretty well, then mix them together, right? Then why is it so challenging to make comics that connect with audiences? How do you describe that unnameable quality that makes certain art and stories arresting?

After a long hiatus the Comics Are Great podcast returns to address these questions with guest Mark Siegel, Editorial Director at First Second Books, author of the graphic novel Sailor Twain, and writer of the 5 Worlds graphic novel series. Mark helps us explore how comics storytelling is unique from other art forms, and describes what he calls the storyteller’s “handwriting.”

Mark will appear at this year’s Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival at the Ann Arbor District Library, and the A2 Inkubate unconference on the campus of the University of Michigan, June 15-17. You can get copies of his books signed and participate in some terrific free comics workshops led by him.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 5 Worlds Book 1: The Sand Warrior
• Listen to My Art episode 2 with Mark Siegel
• Sailor Twain
• First Second Books
• Three Shadows
• Gunas
• Science Comics: Rockets

This episode was recorded at the Ann Arbor District Library.

Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing.

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