https://simplecast.com COMIC-CON BEGINS: Origin Stories of the San Diego Comic-Con and the Rise of Modern Fandom In the Summer of 1970, a ragtag group of teenage hippies, proto-punks, artists, and science buffs assembled in a small, obscure town called San Diego to celebrate their pop culture heroes … and each other. They couldn’t possibly have known that the San Diego Comic-Con would over the decades grow into the largest pop culture gathering worldwide. Join original scream queen and cosplay pioneer Brinke Stevens as she, nearly 50 of her childhood cohorts, and a cadre of uber-geeky celebrity guests reveal their most fascinating, funny, and fannish memories of how they brought the Comic-Con together in the “early days” … as well as the profound impact the fandom community it helped spawn has had on our shared culture at large. — Celebrity guests include: Kevin Smith, Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller, Felicia Day, Bruce Campbell, The Russo Bros., Scott Aukerman, Trina Robbins, Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Maggie Thompson, Sergio Aragones, Kevin Eastman, Ho Che Anderson, and many more! Copyright 2021 SiriusXM en Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000 Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:55:39 +0000 https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com COMIC-CON BEGINS: Origin Stories of the San Diego Comic-Con and the Rise of Modern Fandom https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/3c9c3c2a-a53f-40bd-9d24-bdb387b03fb1/bf7d5b33-2b5f-4d28-8e62-9a9b1ba4f7c7/3000x3000/podcasttiles-comicconbegins-1136-1920x1920.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com serial In the Summer of 1970, a ragtag group of teenage hippies, proto-punks, artists, and science buffs assembled in a small, obscure town called San Diego to celebrate their pop culture heroes … and each other. They couldn’t possibly have known that the San Diego Comic-Con would over the decades grow into the largest pop culture gathering worldwide. Join original scream queen and cosplay pioneer Brinke Stevens as she, nearly 50 of her childhood cohorts, and a cadre of uber-geeky celebrity guests reveal their most fascinating, funny, and fannish memories of how they brought the Comic-Con together in the “early days” … as well as the profound impact the fandom community it helped spawn has had on our shared culture at large. — Celebrity guests include: Kevin Smith, Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller, Felicia Day, Bruce Campbell, The Russo Bros., Scott Aukerman, Trina Robbins, Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Maggie Thompson, Sergio Aragones, Kevin Eastman, Ho Che Anderson, and many more! SiriusXM yes https://feeds.simplecast.com/dBfLHLzR 1970, 1970s, california, comic books, comic con, dc, image, marvel, san diego, stan lee, thanos SiriusXM podcasts@siriusxm.com 916081bd-8110-4f56-8b7a-cd32047de171 SDCC Conquers the World Twilight, Robert Downey Jr., eight-hour lines. Time to ask the $64,000 question: Has Comic-Con become something completely different?! Why not ask those who made it all happen during the formative years of the Con? Luckily, that’s exactly what we did, and their answer may surprise you.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/sdcc-conquers-the-world-ghrmlNZ0 Twilight, Robert Downey Jr., eight-hour lines. Time to ask the $64,000 question: Has Comic-Con become something completely different?! Why not ask those who made it all happen during the formative years of the Con? Luckily, that’s exactly what we did, and their answer may surprise you.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> SDCC Conquers the World Brinke Stevens 01:02:06 Twilight, Robert Downey Jr., eight-hour lines. Time to ask the $64,000 question: Has Comic-Con become something completely different?! Why not ask those who made it all happen during the formative years of the Con? Luckily, that’s exactly what we did, and their answer may surprise you. Twilight, Robert Downey Jr., eight-hour lines. Time to ask the $64,000 question: Has Comic-Con become something completely different?! Why not ask those who made it all happen during the formative years of the Con? Luckily, that’s exactly what we did, and their answer may surprise you. pop culture, san diego, comics, comic-con, fandom, science-fiction, marvel, hollywood, twilight, iron man, movies yes full 6 1 43f98097-7154-4ed7-828c-55ded88ca45c I Love the Mid-to-Late ‘80s Navigating throughout the ever-expanding pop culture constellation of the turbulent 1980s, we seek out intelligent new life in the final frontier: the Hollywood blockbuster machine. Meanwhile, comics go uptown, with Pulitzer Prize winners, the birth of graphic novels, and four guys named Neil, Alan, Frank, and Art.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

Michael Keaton Batman David Letterman Interview June 22 1989

Alan Moore on Hollywood adaptations, The Show & Northampton

Prisoners of Gravity: Watchmen

]]> Tue, 20 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/i-love-the-mid-to-late-80s-PrF4vD3J Navigating throughout the ever-expanding pop culture constellation of the turbulent 1980s, we seek out intelligent new life in the final frontier: the Hollywood blockbuster machine. Meanwhile, comics go uptown, with Pulitzer Prize winners, the birth of graphic novels, and four guys named Neil, Alan, Frank, and Art.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

Michael Keaton Batman David Letterman Interview June 22 1989

Alan Moore on Hollywood adaptations, The Show & Northampton

Prisoners of Gravity: Watchmen

]]> I Love the Mid-to-Late ‘80s Brinke Stevens 00:55:44 Navigating throughout the ever-expanding pop culture constellation of the turbulent 1980s, we seek out intelligent new life in the final frontier: the Hollywood blockbuster machine. Meanwhile, comics go uptown, with Pulitzer Prize winners, the birth of graphic novels, and four guys named Neil, Alan, Frank, and Art. Navigating throughout the ever-expanding pop culture constellation of the turbulent 1980s, we seek out intelligent new life in the final frontier: the Hollywood blockbuster machine. Meanwhile, comics go uptown, with Pulitzer Prize winners, the birth of graphic novels, and four guys named Neil, Alan, Frank, and Art. pop culture, san diego, comics, comic-con, fandom, science-fiction, marvel, hollywood, star wars, movies yes full 5 1 4de23752-b90a-4af5-8366-aadc39e82a5c Good Grief, Shel Dorf! Some would call late Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf “controversial,” others “#$%!!,” still others their “greatest inspiration and friend.” The only thing everyone can agree on is that the Comic-Con would never have happened without Shel. And now his closest Con compadres open up about the reason why. As well as thoughtful reflections of Shel’s contentious departure in 1984 … right as the Con and geek culture took a giant leap forward.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/good-grief-shel-dorf-9X38jok6 Some would call late Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf “controversial,” others “#$%!!,” still others their “greatest inspiration and friend.” The only thing everyone can agree on is that the Comic-Con would never have happened without Shel. And now his closest Con compadres open up about the reason why. As well as thoughtful reflections of Shel’s contentious departure in 1984 … right as the Con and geek culture took a giant leap forward.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Good Grief, Shel Dorf! Brinke Stevens 00:55:45 Some would call late Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf “controversial,” others “#$%!!,” still others their “greatest inspiration and friend.” The only thing everyone can agree on is that the Comic-Con would never have happened without Shel. And now his closest Con compadres open up about the reason why. As well as thoughtful reflections of Shel’s contentious departure in 1984 … right as the Con and geek culture took a giant leap forward. Some would call late Comic-Con founder Shel Dorf “controversial,” others “#$%!!,” still others their “greatest inspiration and friend.” The only thing everyone can agree on is that the Comic-Con would never have happened without Shel. And now his closest Con compadres open up about the reason why. As well as thoughtful reflections of Shel’s contentious departure in 1984 … right as the Con and geek culture took a giant leap forward. shel dorf, pop culture, san diego, comic-con, fandom, science-fiction, marvel, fantasy, movies yes full 4 1 e1e2edd4-10b2-48f1-b6bc-6cf9b08b36c8 The Con is On We forge ahead at light speed into the complex scenario of how the first San Diego Comic-Con was cobbled together by our illustrious cast of kooky characters. From there, we venture onward through the mid-1970s as the Con grows exponentially in both physical size and attendance, heralding the “golden years” at a ramshackle downtown hotel that had seen better days called the El Cortez.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Tue, 6 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/the-con-is-on-TbQDqYUf We forge ahead at light speed into the complex scenario of how the first San Diego Comic-Con was cobbled together by our illustrious cast of kooky characters. From there, we venture onward through the mid-1970s as the Con grows exponentially in both physical size and attendance, heralding the “golden years” at a ramshackle downtown hotel that had seen better days called the El Cortez.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> The Con is On Brinke Stevens 01:00:17 We forge ahead at light speed into the complex scenario of how the first San Diego Comic-Con was cobbled together by our illustrious cast of kooky characters. From there, we venture onward through the mid-1970s as the Con grows exponentially in both physical size and attendance, heralding the “golden years” at a ramshackle downtown hotel that had seen better days called the El Cortez. We forge ahead at light speed into the complex scenario of how the first San Diego Comic-Con was cobbled together by our illustrious cast of kooky characters. From there, we venture onward through the mid-1970s as the Con grows exponentially in both physical size and attendance, heralding the “golden years” at a ramshackle downtown hotel that had seen better days called the El Cortez. pop culture, san diego, comics, comic-con, science-fiction, el cortez, movies yes full 3 1 db0028d5-f5be-4e38-82bc-e1c51bf76044 First Geeks Just because they were geeks doesn’t mean our intrepid Con creators were any less impacted by the “drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll” of the 1960s. We delve deep into the intimate experiences of these colorful characters of the Comic-Con and how their passion for pop culture was affected by the volatile era’s seismic cultural, political, and technological shifts. Includes a special visit from Mr. “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” himself, Dr. Timothy Leary, along with the birth of Star Trek fandom.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

The Confessions of Robert Crumb (1987)

]]> Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/first-geeks-7IzCL_6v Just because they were geeks doesn’t mean our intrepid Con creators were any less impacted by the “drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll” of the 1960s. We delve deep into the intimate experiences of these colorful characters of the Comic-Con and how their passion for pop culture was affected by the volatile era’s seismic cultural, political, and technological shifts. Includes a special visit from Mr. “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” himself, Dr. Timothy Leary, along with the birth of Star Trek fandom.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, and Christopher Tyler
Edited by Rob Shulte, and Christopher Tyler
Mixed by James Bilodeau 
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

The Confessions of Robert Crumb (1987)

]]> First Geeks Brinke Stevens 01:23:06 Just because they were geeks doesn’t mean our intrepid Con creators were any less impacted by the “drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll” of the 1960s. We delve deep into the intimate experiences of these colorful characters of the Comic-Con and how their passion for pop culture was affected by the volatile era’s seismic cultural, political, and technological shifts. Includes a special visit from Mr. “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” himself, Dr. Timothy Leary, along with the birth of Star Trek fandom. Just because they were geeks doesn’t mean our intrepid Con creators were any less impacted by the “drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll” of the 1960s. We delve deep into the intimate experiences of these colorful characters of the Comic-Con and how their passion for pop culture was affected by the volatile era’s seismic cultural, political, and technological shifts. Includes a special visit from Mr. “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out” himself, Dr. Timothy Leary, along with the birth of Star Trek fandom. san diego, comics, comic-con, science-fiction, fantasy, movies yes full 2 1 8bf75370-a679-4067-bd10-3265d2eb1380 Days of Comics Past We plunge down the time tunnel to the earliest days of fandom: back before nerds were cool, before science fiction was taken seriously, and before comic book characters ruled Hollywood. It was a time when fans could only connect through ‘zines and specialty magazines. A time when MAD Magazine and The Twilight Zone expanded the minds of youth across the nation. And a time when a small group of high school kids in San Diego met a visionary super-fan from Detroit named Shel Dorf.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, Christopher Tyler, and James Bilodeau
Edited by Rob Shulte, Christopher Tyler, and James Bilodeau
Mixed by James Bilodeau
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (Brinke Stevens) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/days-of-comics-past-d_x_SmpR We plunge down the time tunnel to the earliest days of fandom: back before nerds were cool, before science fiction was taken seriously, and before comic book characters ruled Hollywood. It was a time when fans could only connect through ‘zines and specialty magazines. A time when MAD Magazine and The Twilight Zone expanded the minds of youth across the nation. And a time when a small group of high school kids in San Diego met a visionary super-fan from Detroit named Shel Dorf.

Narrated by Brinke Stevens
Created and Directed by Mathew Klickstein
Executive Produced by Rob Schulte
Written and Produced by Mathew Klickstein, Rob Schulte, Christopher Tyler, and James Bilodeau
Edited by Rob Shulte, Christopher Tyler, and James Bilodeau
Mixed by James Bilodeau
Original Music Composed by Max DeVincenzo and Produced by Fox Tracks Music
With help from Brannan Goetschius and Michael Fische

All interviews (unless otherwise noted) conducted by Mathew Klickstein.

Principal interviewees/contributors (in alphabetical order):

Al Jean, Anthony Russo, Barry Alfonso, Barry Short, Bill Lund, Bill Mumy (provided by contributor), Bill Schanes, Bjo Trimble, Bob Arendt, Brinke Stevens, Bruce Campbell, Caseen Gaines, Chuck Graham (provided by SDSU), Clayton Moore, Dave Clark, Dave Scroggy, Erin Hanna, Gene Henderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford, Gus Krueger, Felicia Day, Frank Miller, Ho Che Anderson, Igor Goldkind (provided by SDSU), Jackie Estrada, Jeanne Graham (provided by SDSU), Jim Cornelius, Jim Means, Jim Valentino, Joe Russo, John Pound, John Trimble, Kevin Eastman, Linda Yeh, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Smith (provided by contributor), Len Wein (provided by M. Klickstein archive), Maggie Thompson, Mark Evanier, Mike Towry, Mo Alzmann, Neil Gaiman (provided by contributor), Paul M. Sammon, Phil Yeh, Richard Alf (provided by KPBS), Richard Butner, Rick Geary, Roger Freedman, Scott Aukerman, Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés (provided by contributor), Stan Sakai, Tim Seeley, Trina Robbins, Wendy All.

We are grateful to the family of Mary and Gene Henderson (who, sadly, passed away during the final stages of Comic-Con Begins' post-production). This production is dedicated in part to their memory, as well as the memory of the many Con contributors no longer with us but whose legacy will continue to live on for time immemorial.

Archival material and additional research provided by: 

Mike Towry and his “Comic-Convention Memories” website.

Alan Light’s 1975 Comic-Con recordings 

Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con’s 40th Anniversary Souvenir Book

Pamela Jackson and San Diego State University’s Comic-Con

Kids project 

Maureen Cavanaugh at San Diego’s KPBS

Mark Evanier

Scott Shaw!

Barry Alfonso

Erin Hanna and her book Only at Comic Con

Bjo Trimble and “The Star Trek Concordance”

The works of Bill Schelly

Wendy All

Fantagraphics’ “We Told You So: Comics As Art”

]]> Days of Comics Past Brinke Stevens 01:01:55 We plunge down the time tunnel to the earliest days of fandom: back before nerds were cool, before science fiction was taken seriously, and before comic book characters ruled Hollywood. It was a time when fans could only connect through ‘zines and specialty magazines. A time when MAD Magazine and The Twilight Zone expanded the minds of youth across the nation. And a time when a small group of high school kids in San Diego met a visionary super-fan from Detroit named Shel Dorf. We plunge down the time tunnel to the earliest days of fandom: back before nerds were cool, before science fiction was taken seriously, and before comic book characters ruled Hollywood. It was a time when fans could only connect through ‘zines and specialty magazines. A time when MAD Magazine and The Twilight Zone expanded the minds of youth across the nation. And a time when a small group of high school kids in San Diego met a visionary super-fan from Detroit named Shel Dorf. san diego, comics, comic-con, science-fiction, marvel, history, movies yes full 1 1 d45f134d-0200-48f4-b75d-2b9341bf1be9 Comic-Con: Begins (coming June 22) Find out more HERE.

]]> Tue, 8 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000 podcasts@siriusxm.com (SiriusXM) https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/episodes/comic-con-begins-coming-june-22nd-8l0PQw7f Find out more HERE.

]]> Comic-Con: Begins (coming June 22) SiriusXM 00:03:02 Trailer for the new SiriusXM original podcast COMIC-CON BEGINS, launching as a six-part series starting June 22, 2021 Trailer for the new SiriusXM original podcast COMIC-CON BEGINS, launching as a six-part series starting June 22, 2021 comic book, zack snyder, san diego, comics, comic-con, justice league, science fiction, marvel, star wars, star trek, film, movies yes trailer 1