Thread by @PopverseSays

Popverse's very own Editor in Chief @chrisarrant and Staff Writer @graemem are panelists on the Comics Journalism panel in room 23AB!! #sdcc #SDCC2022

@chrisarrant @graemem The panel is moderated by @Comixace, and includes panelists @JoelleMonique (@iHeartMedia), @gcatig1 (@AIPTcomics, Popverse and more!) @nolapfau (@wwacomics), and @barbrajdillon (@Fanbase_Press) as well as Popverse's Chris and Graeme.

Not that this panel is all about Popverse (though three of the panelists are Popverse people 😌), but Chris Arrant is talking about the long path towards launching Popverse!!

Now Graeme is telling the story about building his comics newsletter and how he tried to "share a story that people might not click on" and share it in an interesting way that will cause people to care about that story.

Graeme is talking about the gaps in comics reporting and journalism and how some outlets have gone to the "easier stories" and moved away from that work.

Joelle Monique speaks about learning about comics journalism on the ground and building a really strong website that helped launch careers.

Monique hopes that "more folks look for mentorship and guidance" as they navigate the murkiness of starting their careers.

Gary shares that he, like Joelle, does not have a journalism background. But that he'd love to see the industry expand with those trained in journalism as well.

Nola shares that she is in journalism school right now!

"We help connect new writers to the community at large," Nola says about @wwacomics

Heidi talks about the benefits of "getting your work out there," and how that can develop a writers career.

Barbra Dillon mentions that she has imposter syndrome on this panel and being and Eisner nominee for journalism this year.

Dillon says that she doesn't do exposés, but that she and Fanbase press focuses on community stories.

When asked about how things have changed over the pandemic, Gary Catig says that things have gotten more accessible, especially on the TV front with the addition of digital press access.

Monique agrees about the new level of accessibility. She has written in with others to let studios know that this virtual access was useful, especially considering those with disabilities.

Monique mentions that, especially for freelancers who are paying out of pocket and using their own time to do press, "it's mighty frustrating."

Barbra Dillon says that the pandemic has brought the Fanbase Press closer to the community, especially through their weekly Comics & Coffee events that have run throughout the pandemic and are still taking place now.

Chris adds that the pandemic has pushed big companies to consider that full time in house journalists can work from home and not in New York or Los Angeles in an office.

Nola says that home is her "ideal working environment" and that it has been nice for outlets to understand that you don't have to be in a major city to do this work.

Chris points out how much space there is in video and visual mediums to tell the story of comics.

On the impact of the pandemic, Heidi points out, "We all learned how to Zoom." -- which is true!

Barbra argues that hybrid models (in-person and digital) for conventions is absolutely necessary to address the accessibility problems of conventions.

Joelle Monique points out that the internet was central to her career (she mentions Twitter especially), and that she uses Zoom every day at work.

"Our bubbles are very large now, because of the internet," Monique adds.

Now, it's time for questions from the audience. The first question is about gaining PR access and maintaining balanced coverage.

Nola points out that WWAC hasn't always and still doesn't have a bunch of access, and how writers pay their own money for the comics they're covering.

Heidi reminds the audience to "Have your own blog. Have your own site that you can control," because having your site hosted by corporations leaves your work vulnerable.

Joelle points out that if you're not breaking news, you have to find an angle, bringing your own perspective and voice into the story.

Another question from the audience about money and whether or not it's possible to be a comics journalist full time.

"Comics Journalism is kind of like passing your hat around," Heidi says. And Chris points out that there are probably ten people who do it full time.

"Some of the greatest writers I've seen in comics journalism no longer do comics journalism," Chris points out.

Heidi talks about the importance of supporting sites like WWAC.

And that's a wrap!! Thanks everyone for following along with this great panel!!