Panel By Panel: The (Not So) Secret Origins

Welcome to the first installment, or more to the point, a preview of the latest column I am putting together for the site. This is “Panel By Panel,” an opportunity to write about comics of all types, with all kinds of approaches.

I have a deep passion for comics as I read, create, and study them. I also write about them somewhat regularly. I’ve written papers about different comics and many reviews of comics on the printed page and on the web.

Most recently, I had a regular feature I was writing bi-weekly for The Duck Webcomics since 2022 called “Panel By Panel.” The premise was that I would write an analysis of a single panel from a webcomic found in the community. The feature proved to be quite fun for me and enjoyable for readers. I also tried different variations of what the panel was; some being more successful than others, but it was nice to have a reliable space to write about comics. You may have seen an earlier update regarding that on the blog. The larger archive of posts can be found here.

This was, of course, prior to me launching the blog and revising my website. With the new blog came an opportunity to write more, and I am a writer who loves to have regular projects to fall back on. So, with that in mind, the plan became to phase out the column over at The Duck Webcomics and create a new version, a bit more expansive in scope, on my website.

And that is where we are now. So, what is ahead?

My Approach to “Panel By Panel”

With the new version of “Panel By Panel,” I wanted to expand how I approached comics. I have written many reviews of comics before. I’ve written a lot of articles about single panels in various webcomics, including college essays about comics. Hell, last week my class tackled the work of Harvey Pekar in a discussion about authorship in writing. It’s one of my favorite weeks in the course. So it made sense to use this site as a way to do these things.

It’s not unlike the current “Revenge of Graphic Content” column I have been doing here on the site. The focus of that column is on horror, but I have so far managed to write reviews and essays. I am not locked into a particular form or approach to writing. I want “Panel By Panel” to feel the same.

So, that’s just what it will be; it will be any number of things I want it to be, but the focus will be on comics. Whether I am reviewing new releases, analyzing the craft, or writing essays about books and characters, “Panel By Panel” is the banner they will be under.

Oh, and as for horror comics, they are still very strictly in the purview of “Revenge of Graphic Content.”

What You Can Do

I still want to take advantage of my connection with readers, so with this project, there is a significant way that you, the reader, can lend me a hand.

Suggest something to write about.

There is no shortage of material to write about, but I love to tackle things suggested by someone who reads the column or is curious about my perspective on a comic. I would love to field your questions and tackle your suggestions for posts. I can think of two tracks in that regard.

• One, I am happy to review a comic. It can be the latest published release of a title I can find at a comic book shop. It could be a recommended webcomic. You can even send me your comics for a review. I am happy to honestly assess your work, and I promise it will be constructive. I am more about uplifting these days than tearing down.
• Or, two, I am happy to analyze or discuss any conceivable comic topic; I am just as at home discussing power scaling as I am metaphor used in comic writing. I am happy to comment on the artistry of classic comics as I am sharing thoughts on publishing trends. If you want to pick my brain, please do so.

To set me down a path you are interested in, all you need to do is drop a comment on these posts. Additionally, you can always contact me about previews or review copies of work. I am open to reading just about anything. And that also means those of you from The Duck are still able to ask me to check out your comics. You always have my ear and my blog.

Anyway, that’s just about it for this installment: next time, Absolute Superman and the return of the Soviet Man of the Future.