Episode CDXXXVII...A writer’s Q&A with Sean Lewis and Jeremy Adams

·45 min·4 clips

Sean Lewis tells aspiring comic writers not to break in, revealing the industry's brutal truth.

The episode features a Q&A session with comic writers Sean Lewis and Jeremy Adams, hosted by J.M. Clark. Sean opens by advising against traditional breaks into comics, suggesting instead to create indie comics and share them online or at conventions. He shares his personal story of breaking in by cold-emailing Image Comics publisher Eric Stevenson with a self-made issue, a method he was told not to publicize. Jeremy adds insights from his screenwriting background, recommending incremental writing habits, like committing to one hour daily. The discussion shifts to collaborative processes, with Sean explaining how he tailors stories to artists' strengths, such as Caitlin Yarsky for emotional depth or Hayden Sherman for kinetic energy. Jeremy describes adapting to artists' preferences, like limiting panels for Zermanico on Green Lantern. They explore script variations, with Sean using different formats for publishers like DC (full script) or Todd McFarlane (Marvel-style plot). Jeremy notes the lack of standardized comic scripts compared to screenwriting. Both writers address handling editorial notes, with Jeremy recounting how feedback on a Flash storyline led to the 'One Minute War' arc. Sean talks about embracing fear in writing, citing his book 'Bliss' about a mass murderer as a risky project. They touch on research, with Sean drawing from personal experiences like addiction. The conversation includes anecdotes about artists, such as Greg Capullo's reaction to detailed scenes and the joy of receiving thumbnails. Jeremy shares his desire to write Booster Gold and admiration for artists like Jim Lee. The episode concludes with a brief mention of Supernatural's ending, where Jeremy reveals Dean's death was due to a spike injury, and his idea for a Doc Brown-style revival was rejected.

As heard by us

A candid comics Q&A about making the work, surviving the middle, and finishing anyway.

Breaking into comics gives this Q&A a practical backbone, but its best material comes when Sean Lewis and Jeremy Adams get into the stubborn middle of the work.

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Why you'd press play

You want practical comics advice with enough Supernatural talk to keep the craft conversation loose and human.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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