Longbox Conversations

Chris Rundt
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Host Chris Rundt shares his passion for comics and the creators who make them happen. Every week he interviews a new comics creator and people adjacent to the industry to bring you insights on how they are made, what goes into funding and so much more. Find your new favorite comic and comic creator through these insightful interviews.

  1. 7h ago

    A Writer's Growth Journey & the Black Creator's Roadblocks with Devin Arscott

    In this conversation, Devin Arscott shares his journey through the comics industry, his work on Summit Comics, and insights into creating diverse and impactful stories. We discuss the importance of representation, the creative process, and the future of Black creators in comics. Devin discusses his latest project, Musings of a Writer, and how it not only showcases his growth but presents a bookmark for act one of his career. Devin Arscott’s Social Media: Instagram - @CBDevin95 BlueSky - @CBDevin95.BSky.Social X - @CBDevin95 Kickstarter - Devin Arscott Summit Comics’ Social Media: Instagram - @ReadSummit BlueSky - @ReadSummit.BSky.Social X - @ReadSummit Kickstarter - Summit Comics https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/devinarscottcomics/musings-of-a-writer-vol1-a-comic-process-book/description Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Thanks for Listening!

  2. 2d ago

    Bringing Street Level Vigilante to Summit & The Complex AI Conversation with Pete Collins & Matt Summo

    In this conversation, we explore the creative process behind Summit Comics' latest projects, the challenges of crowdfunding, and the evolving role of AI in art and storytelling. Guests Matthew Summo and Pete Collins share insights on character development, industry trends, and the importance of passion in comics. They discuss the importance of authentic cover art in comics, the strategic use of variant covers, and upcoming projects including SummitCon and Diablolist. They share insights into the creative process, marketing strategies, and behind-the-scenes details that make their work stand out. Matt Summo’s Social Media: Instagram - @MattManBegins BlueSky - @MattManBegins.BSky.Social X - @MattManBegins Kickstarter - Matt Summo Pete Collins’ Social Media:Instagram - @PacIllustration BlueSky - @PacIllustration.BSky.Social X - @PacIllustration Kickstarter - Pete Collins Summit Comics’ Social Media: Instagram - @ReadSummit BlueSky - @ReadSummit.BSky.Social X - @ReadSummit Kickstarter - Summit Comics https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pacillustration/the-diabolist-1-summit-comics/posts/4817211 Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Summit Comics and Guests 04:19 October Crowdfunding and Market Competition 07:09 Cross-promoting Campaigns and Collaborations 07:39 Strategic use of variant covers in comics 08:38 Art Direction and Character Design 09:08 Crossover Artwork and Campaign Strategies 10:37 The Role of the Art Director at Summit 11:45 Summit Universe and Character Encyclopedias 12:11 Creative process behind Diablis and cover design 12:37 The Cost of Collectible Art Books 13:02 The Creative Process and Character Creation 14:30 Storytelling and Character Evolution 16:03 Introducing the Diabolist Character 17:14 Fan Feedback and Community Reception 18:42 Planning and features of SummitCon 19:00 The Joy of Making Comics 20:13 Art Style and Artistic Growth 22:28 Emulating Artists and Artistic Confidence 24:49 Long-term Character Planning 25:00 Merchandise ideas: stickers, T-shirts, and corner boxes 27:41 Shaking Up the Status Quo in Stories 28:12 Impact of Events on Characters 29:39 Anti-AI Themes and Future Concerns 30:20 Future projects and announcements 32:22 The Dual Nature of AI in Society 34:50 Closing thoughts and social media promotion 37:33 Small Business and AI Challenges 40:07 Designing Villains and Antagonists 41:29 Summit Campaigns and Cover Art Thanks for Listening!

  3. Oct 9

    Bringing a Crowdfunded Comic to the Direct Market & Learning From Failure with Blake McCarthy

    In this conversation, Blake McCarthy discusses his journey with independent comics, the challenges of crowdfunding, and the strategic move into the direct market with his book Territory. He shares insights on building audiences, marketing, and the evolving landscape of comic publishing. Blake McCarthy’s Social Media: Instagram - @BMcCcomics BlueSky - @BMcComics.BSky.social Kickstarter - Blake McCarthy Lunar Product Code: 0926PP1068 Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and guest overview 02:36 Campaign results and audience assumptions 03:32 Building an audience for a new series 04:02 Future plans for Garbage Lords 05:21 Lessons learned about marketing and promotion 06:25 Post-apocalyptic themes and crossover with Territory 07:30 Balancing creative risks and marketing strategies 09:00 Market conditions and competition in indie comics 10:08 Feedback and campaign data analysis 11:12 Preparing for relaunch and audience growth 13:37 Choosing Source Point Press as publisher 15:30 Trade paperbacks and complete stories 24:32 Cover choices and design considerations 27:30 Next steps with Source Point Press 28:55 Future of Territory and potential sequels 31:44 Reaching non-comic shop markets and libraries 36:41 The diversity of comics and industry labels 37:12 The importance of independent comics and Kickstarter 38:53 Upcoming trends and speculator activity in crowdfunding 40:13 Summary of Territory and final thoughts Thanks for Listening!

  4. Oct 7

    The Flexibility of the Horror Genre & Why Branding Matters with J. Michael Donohue

    In this conversation, J. Michael Donohue shares his journey into horror comics, the importance of niche branding, and insights on the evolving landscape of horror media and conventions. Discover how he navigates genre boundaries and builds a dedicated fan base. J. Michael Donohue and Chris Rundt discuss the evolution of horror media, the influence of social media on perceptions, and the creative process behind independent comics like Addison Grove and Morsels Presents. J. Michael Donohue’s Social Media: X - @JMichaelDonohue Instagram - @JMichaelDonohue Kickstarter - J. Michael Donohue https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jmichaeldonohue/morsels-presents-be-kind-and-rewind?ref=profile_created&category_id=250 Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to horror media evolution 02:47 The rise of indie creators in horror and comics 03:15 Resurgence of EC Comics and creative recharge 04:43 Reading habits and comic inspirations 05:45 Favorite horror stories and character discussions 07:10 The influence of social media on horror perceptions 07:38 The concept behind Morsels and short story creation 09:29 Morsels as a brand and storytelling approach 10:47 Engaging community and personal stories about horror fandom 12:05 Creative process behind Addison Grove 12:10 Marketing, community, and social media presence 14:15 Horror conventions and local community engagement 16:21 Experiences at horror-specific conventions 18:45 Genre branding and creator identity 20:07 Morsels Presents: a series of horror one-shots 22:04 Genre influence on storytelling and creative ideas 23:34 Playing outside the genre and versatility 26:33 Genre specialization as a strategic choice 27:49 Building a connected horror universe in comics 29:15 Legacy of horror filmmakers and genre timing 31:36 Success stories of directors like John Carpenter 33:32 The impact of branding and genre labels 34:34 The importance of creative exploration and risk-taking 34:58 The role of nostalgia and genre homage 35:27 The internet culture of failure and success 36:15 Final thoughts on genre, success, and creative freedom 41:56 The importance of consistency in crowdfunding 50:01 Upcoming projects and campaign details 59:58 Final thoughts and social media links Thanks for Listening!

  5. Oct 5

    How Genre Focus Grew an Audience & Building a Brand at Dark Horse Comics with Zack Kaplan

    In this conversation, Zack Kaplan discusses his journey as a comic creator, the process of adapting comics into TV and film, and insights into his latest projects including Kill All Immortals and Smart Division. Discover how genre choices influence adaptation strategies and the future of creator-owned comics. Zack Kaplan’s Social Media: X - @ZackKaps Instagram - @ZackKaps Facebook - @ZackKaps https://zackkaplan.com/ https://prhcomics.com/?s=Zack+Kaplan&_wpnonce-search=a0012671da Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:55 The Journey of Port of Earth and TV Options 04:12 Close Calls and Hollywood Realities 06:58 Genre Preferences for Adaptation 09:00 The Evolution of Comic Adaptations and Trends 12:02 Shifting Genres and Future Projects 14:51 Dark Horse and Creator-Owned Strategies 21:56 Kill All Immortals: Themes and Storytelling 30:14 World-Building and Cultural Influences in Comics 40:01 Artistic Collaboration and Style in Comics 49:59 The Future of Comics and Industry Trends Thanks for Listening!

  6. Sep 30

    Bringing Brazilian Comics to the USA & Helping Creators Build Their Audience with Chris O'Hara

    In this conversation, Chris O'Hara, a comic book publisher and creator, shares insights on indie publishing, balancing creator-owned projects, and innovative ways to grow a comic business through distribution, gamification, and multimedia expansion. Chris O'Hara discusses the upcoming Red Box horror anthology project, the challenges of translating Brazilian comics, and strategies for growing a comic publishing business through social media and conventions. Bentbox Comics Social Media: X - @BentBoxComics Instagram - @BentBoxComics TikTok - @BentBoxComics Facebook - @BentBoxComics YouTube - @BentBoxComics https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bentboxcomics/the-red-box-volume-one?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv0 https://www.bentboxcomics.com/ Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Red Box project and its cultural significance 00:07 Introduction to Chris O'Hara and Bent Box Comics 00:42 Current status and success of Bent Box projects 01:22 Funding and distribution plans for Monstril and other series 02:21 The Brazilian comic scene and artist Marlon Dennis 03:41 Getting rights for Confederate Monster and collaboration with Dave Schwartz 05:00 Translating and localizing Brazilian horror stories 07:04 Release schedule and managing series continuity 08:30 Launching the Red Box on Kickstarter and campaign details 11:39 Balancing creator work with publisher responsibilities 12:07 Design choices for the trade paperback and collectible editions 13:15 Future plans for Bent Box and upcoming projects 14:48 Distribution strategy and working with Critical Entertainment 15:55 The role of social media and conventions in growth 18:33 Handling release schedules and the direct market challenge 19:49 Challenges of translating cultural elements and folklore 23:23 The importance of full series releases and trade paperbacks 23:40 Future plans for the Red Box series and other projects 27:13 Closing thoughts and social media links 27:41 Conventions, community engagement, and sales strategies 32:50 Gamification, multimedia expansion, and future projects Thanks for Listening!

  7. Sep 25

    Why Original Content is King & the Importance of New Readers for Comics with Mike D. Perkins

    In this conversation, Mike D. Perkins, Editor-In-Chief of Invader Comics, shares insights on indie publishing, multimedia expansion, and building a sustainable comic business. Discover how they navigate the post-Diamond world, engage with fans, and innovate with unique projects like A Field Guide to Legendary Creatures. https://www.invadercomics.com/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/invader/the-digger-eyes-of-the-devil-collected-trade-and-ttrpg https://www.lunardistribution.com/home/search?term=field%20guide Invader Comics Social Media: X - @InvaderComics Instagram - @InvaderComics TikTok - @Invader.Comics  Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Mike Perkins and Invader Comics 01:50 Invader's Growth and Rebranding Journey 04:05 Navigating Distribution Challenges Post-Diamond 06:53 Impact of Massive Indies and Lunar on Readership 10:02 Supporting Creators and Building Relationships 12:51 Expanding into Multimedia and New Formats 16:02 The Power of Creator-Owned and Creator-Driven Content 18:58 Innovative Publishing: Compact Comics and Hybrid Novels 21:57 Supporting Local Shops and Personal Connections 25:04 Digital Strategies and Online Presence 27:54 Kickstarter Campaigns and Exclusive Editions 32:00 Upcoming Titles: The Digger and Field Guide 35:51 The Unique Appeal of Cryptids and Horror 38:52 Building Long-Term Relationships with Creators 45:05 The Future of Invader Comics and Industry Trends Thanks for Listening!

  8. Sep 23

    Embracing Jewish Culture in Comics & Bringing Vesper to Summit Comics with Daniel Kalban

    In this conversation, Daniel Kalban shares insights into his Jewish-themed comic anthology, the creative process behind Vesper in the Summit universe, and the challenges of managing a comic book Kickstarter during conventions. Daniel Kalban insights into his creative process, universe-building, and upcoming projects like Vesper. We discuss the challenges of managing multiple fictional universes, the importance of editing, and the future of indie comics. Daniel Kalban’s Social Media: X - @DanielKalban Instagram - @DKalban BlueSky - @DKalban.BSky.Social FaceBook - @Daniel.Kalban Get your Longbox Conversations merchandise with the link below https://www.teepublic.com/user/longboxconversations/ LongboxConvo.com https://chriscomicscorner.substack.com/ YouTube.com/Longboxconversations Find Chris: https://linktr.ee/tacticalsquirrelmedia https://www.tiktok.com/@chriscomicscorner Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Daniel Kalban and his work 00:07 Introduction to Daniel Kalban and his creative universe 00:31 The inspiration behind the Jewish anthology and its success 00:32 Cultural representation in comics and its significance 00:33 The creative process and themes of the anthology 00:36 Managing a Kickstarter campaign during a convention 00:59 Introduction to Vesper and the Summit universe 01:14 Vesper's character, influences, and story arcs 01:15 The future of Summit Comics and upcoming projects 02:29 The separation of Libertyverse from Summit and reasons behind it 07:16 Managing crossover potential and universe boundaries 12:01 The role of editors and quality control in indie comics 17:41 Future plans for American Dreams and other projects 22:32 Incorporating classic monsters into comic stories 26:58 Building a cohesive universe with multiple characters and stories 32:14 The upcoming Vesper Kickstarter campaign and its rewards 37:07 Challenges of indie publishing and distribution 42:29 The importance of community and conventions in indie comics 47:00 Closing thoughts and where to find Daniel online Thanks for Listening!

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About

Host Chris Rundt shares his passion for comics and the creators who make them happen. Every week he interviews a new comics creator and people adjacent to the industry to bring you insights on how they are made, what goes into funding and so much more. Find your new favorite comic and comic creator through these insightful interviews.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Rundt
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chris Rundt
  • Show Website
    Longbox Conversations