Sit down with BJ KICKS, host of Comics Are Dope on YouTube, as we talk comics with some of your favorite creators and online personalities.
Episodes
Latest Episode
July 23, 2026 · 1h 21m
When Michael Davis of Blerds Underground looked around at ComicsPro 2023, he was surprised to find no one else in the room who looked like him. He started asking around... "Where are all the Black retailers?" The collective response was "let us know when you find them." Three years later, he's doing exactly that. With Phillip Rollins of Offbeat in Jackson, MS; they've assembled The Ink Alliance. A 10-store coalition of Black-owned Direct Market shops (thought to represent more than half of all Black owned comic shops in North America). Their first project together? An exclusive Sanford Greene variant for one of the most important single issues of the year. Listen as Michael and Phil, along with Josef Woods of The Comic Den and Sean & Ragan Mack of Cuts and Comics talk about the formation of their alliance, and what they look forward to now that they're in community with one another. Learn more about The Ink Alliance and how you can secure your exclusive New Titans #38 variant at For More from Comics Are Dope: Get This Week in Comics , our weekly e-mail newsletter: Subscribe on YouTube: Join our online Discussion Communities: Facebook - Discord -
More Episodes
Jul 16 · 1h 26m
Join filmmaker Phillip “Big Phill” Thompson as he embarks on an extraordinary adventure to uncover the missing original artwork from Fantastic Four #52 — the groundbreaking comic that introduced the world to the Black Panther. This artwork has mysteriously vanished from comic book history, and it’s time to solve this intriguing mystery. Back the Campaign at http://comicsaredope.com/52 For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jul 9 · 56m
Today I'm talking with John Layman & Rob Guillory about their latest creator-owned project, Ghost Brawler. Listen to learn how the creative reunion came together, why they decided to crowdfund this time, and just what this team has in store for readers. Back Ghostbrawler: http://comicsaredope.com/ghostbrawler For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jul 2 · 1h 10m
Amid the campaign for Aceblade #10, Danny and I have a candid conversation about making indie comics amid other community movements. Back the Campaign at http://comicsaredope.com/aceblade For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jun 25 · 1h 3m
David Pepose joins the show to talk about the future of Space Ghost, and the long awaited return to THE O.Z., live on Kickstarter now! What if The Hurt Locker took place in The Wizard of Oz? Find out in The O.Z., the Ringo Award-winning fantasy comic from acclaimed writer David Pepose (Savage Avengers, Space Ghost, Speed Racer) and superstar artist Ruben Rojas (Proton, New Humanz) that transforms a childhood classic into a war story for the ages. Returning to Kickstarter with our giant-sized, 52-page finale, this campaign is dedicated to bringing this adrenaline-fueled twist on L. Frank Baum’s iconic Oz novels to life. Fans of Mad Max: Fury Road, The Old Guard, and Fables will not want to miss The O.Z. For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jun 18 · 1h 13m
PSION #2 is still available for late pledges! Get in on the action at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crimsonsleeper/psion-2-a-southern-gothic-thriller-48-pages-full-color?ref=BJKICKS For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jun 11 · 1h 37m
OFF BLXXK Magazine Founder Aran Lee and Chief Creative Officer Ty Watts stop by to talk about the state of journalism, the work of building community and improving their annual INK & PANELS online conference. Get Your Free Tickets: https://www.offblxxkmag.com/ink-panels-panelists INK & PANELS is an online webinar bringing some of your favorite artists, writers, animators, indie publishers, and more together to help YOU get into the manga/comics/animation business. INK & PANELS VOL. 2 improves on our inaugural event by bringing together 30+ creators from around the world, new animation panels and demonstrations, and a new way for you to enjoy this event through our Experience Tracks. INK & PANELS is for every creative no matter your experience or skill level. We’ve also expanded the event to 2 days so you can get more panels, more demonstrations, and more knowledge on how to get into the creative industry. For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
Jun 4 · 1h 5m
Murk is an orc who wants nothing more than to play music. His ultimate dream is to join a band of adventurers and write ballads about their heroic exploits. But orcs are the enemies of heroes and the only company that will accept him is a far cry from what he was hoping for. Together, they will have to prove themselves worthy of being heroes and, in the process, figure out how to be their truest selves. Hello fellow adventurer! You have found your way to the story of Murk, and our creative team welcomes you! We want to tell a unique story that also feels familiar: people searching for a place to belong, finding friends to call family, and overcoming obstacles along the way. Murk is an outsider who discovers his passion and begins to find his way in the world. Back the campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bentboxcomics/monstrel-1-the-saga-of-an-orc-turned-bard?ref=bjkicks For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
May 28 · 49m
Today I'm talking to Frederick Littles, founder and publisher of Wise Acre Comics. After seeing Black Panther on the big screen in 2018, he was inspired to build a comic publisher of his own -- and build, he has! With an impressive array of comic titles, Wise Acre is now moving into unconventional distribution methods with its Wise Pods initiative. Listen to our conversation to learn more, then visit https://www.wiseacrecomics.com/ to join the movement! For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord
May 21 · 1h 16m
After years of pitching, Nick Marino is finally bringing his Sonic x Godzilla story to life. Coming July 15th from IDW Publishing, listen to hear how the story came together, why Nick is such a big Godzilla fan, and what makes this crossover so special. Don't forget to pre-order Sonic x Godzilla #1 before Sunday, June 8th! For More from Comics Are Dope:Get This Week in Comics, our weekly e-mail newsletter: http://thisweekincomics.comSubscribe on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@comicsaredopeJoin our online Discussion Communities:Facebook - http://bjkicks.link/communityDiscord - http://bjkicks.link/discord