We love comic books. Anyone who has followed the site over the last eight years has probably noticed some comic book coverage. Our interviews over the years have grown, transformed, and continue to evolve. What began as email interviews with comic creators worked it’s way to a video format, which was elevated by video conferencing (Zoom), and now we’ve recently added a podcast channel featuring a variety of shows covering a wide spectrum of the comic book industry, and soon the cosplay & convention communities. From past content being revitalized to previously unseen/unheard material finally getting the respect they deserve, and on-site interviews at comic conventions (like this one!), PodCultHQ will have a little something for everyone.
“Beyond the Synopsis” is a new show from PopCultHQ‘s podcast – PodCultHQ – where we interview comic book creators and discuss their latest project(s). It might be the next exciting issue of a miniseries or ongoing, an upcoming title launch, a pre-order push, or the release of a trade paperback, hardcover collected edition, or an original graphic novel. And while a synopsis provides a sample of what you can expect with any release, “Beyond the Synopsis” seeks to explore the project(s) even further, through the interview with the creator(s), and provide even more reasons for you to check out, pick up, pre-order, or snag yourself a copy.
PopCultHQ had the honor to once again attend & cover Comic Con International: San Diego 2023 (SDCC). The four-day extravaganza has been a comic book fan’s dream: filled with the best publishers in the business, talented creators of varying degrees of experience, and industry professionals from all over the globe.
One such publisher is Dark Horse Comics. While at SDCC, I had the opportunity to interview Stan Sakai.
Stan Sakai is a living legend. His work on Usagi Yojimbo over the years stands as a testament to the dream of pursuing one’s passion and bringing joy into the lives of others at the same time. Our conversation about the upcoming miniseries Usagi Yojimbo: Ice and Snow was great fun. It is clear that even after years of writing and illustrating these adventures, Stan still has a lot more stories to tell about this fan-favorite character. We also chatted about the mentorship program he is developing with Dark Horse Comics and Doku Publishing to expand the Usagi universe and foster new talent. Stan was a delight to chat with, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the upcoming Usagi miniseries.
Time to listen to the interview!
BEYOND THE SYNOPSIS – Ep. 2 @ SDCC 2023
<From the editor:> Big thanks to Stan Sakai for taking the time out to speak with us at PopCultHQ. And we have to shout-out Kaitlyn Nash. They are the PR/SM Associate at Dark Horse Comics and just awesome to work with! Just wanted to thank them for setting up this San Diego Comic-Con interview for us at PopCultHQ so we could share with all of you!
Be sure to follow Stan across his socials (below) for more awesome content!
Follow Stan Sakai Online!
Stan Sakai was born in Kyoto, Japan, grew up in Hawaii, and currently lives in California. His creation, Usagi Yojimbo, first appeared in 1984. Usagi has been on television as a guest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as toys, on clothing, in comics, and in a series of trade paperback collections.
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Follow Dark Horse Comics Online
Founded in 1986 as an offshoot of his comics retail chain, Mike Richardson, launched Dark Horse Comics with the goal of creating a welcoming environment for comics professionals. The company strives to be an example of how integrity and innovation can broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Dark Horse has published modern masters such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Colleen Doran, Janet Evanovich, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Eric Powell, Stan Sakai, and Gerard Way, as well as Hall of Fame legends Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Richard Corben. The company also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, based on properties such as Star Wars, Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, The Witcher, and Halo. Dark Horse established an entertainment division in 1989, finding immediate success with company-owned projects The Mask and TimeCop. Current hits from Dark Horse Entertainment include The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and Resident Alien on SyFy. Additionally, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing new creative talent throughout all of its divisions.
In 2022, Dark Horse Media, LLC was established as the parent company of all three divisions, and became part of Embracer Group AB, forming the tenth operative group, strengthening the company’s transmedia capabilities.
Follow Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Online!
About SDCC:
The SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION (Comic-Con International) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general public’s awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions, exhibits, museums and other public outreach activities which celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.
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Follow Josh Winchester online!
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Joshua has been a dedicated fan of comics and pop culture since childhood. An avid reader, a devotee of classic movies, and a passionate listener of jazz and rock music, he is best at home in the company of good friends or sitting down with a cup of tea and his nose in a book. If you ever want to talk comic books or discuss who is the best rock drummer besides Neil Peart, Josh is your guy.
Follow PopCultHQ online!
PopCultHQ is a professional entertainment media company covering all things pop culture, with concentrations in comic books, cosplay, and conventions. We have exclusive interviews with comic book creators, cosplayers, publishers, local comic shops, and entertainment celebrities. PopCultHQ is also active on the convention scene, covering many events on-site to obtain & provide exclusive content for our viewing audience. Celebrate your fandom with us!
Follow PodCultHQ online!
PodCultHQ is PopCultHQ’s official podcast. Maintained & managed by Jason Bennett, PodCultHQ is a feature-filled, ear candy of content highlighting the comic book, cosplay, and convention communities.
You can expect exclusive interviews with comic book creators, previous video features returning in audio format (“Pants Optional” Zoom interviews), crowdfunding promotions (“Just Kickin’ It!“), a deeper dive into the comic book world (“Industry Insider“), unpublished material finally seeing the light of day (“From the Vault“), plus so much more. And, of course, idle chatter.
And be on the lookout for some new, fun & exciting, outside-the-box shows, including a talk show, a weekend wrapup broadcast, and an amateur rap competition for comic creators where you, the fans, can vote for your favorite each week through our toll-free number! Crazy, right? Yeah, we question our sanity a lot of times. Every now and then, it replies.
Celebrate your fandom with us… audibly!
