“Between the Panels” is a monthly interview series focusing on comic book creators of all experience levels, seeking to examine not just what each individual creates, but how they go about creating it.
Stephanie Williams might have had a successful, fulfilling career in medical research, except for one small issue — her childhood dream of writing comics. From writing for Nerdist, The AV Club, Rotten Tomatoes, and other online outlets, to honing her storytelling through webcomics, she steadily honed her skills, ready for the moment when talent and preparation met opportunity.
First off, the basics…
Your specialties (artist/writer/letterer/inker/etc.): Writer
Your home base: Charlotte, NC
Website: whysteph.com
Social Media
Instagram: @steph_i_will
Fanbase Press Contributor Kevin Sharp: We start with the same big question for everyone: Why comics? What is it about this medium that attracts you as a creative person?
Stephanie Williams: I’ve always considered comics a powerful medium because they uniquely combine visual art and storytelling. Comics offer a dynamic method of conveying complex narratives and emotions, an aspect I appreciate even more now as a parent. Comics also do a phenomenal job of engaging readers visually and intellectually.
As a creator, comics drew me in because they allow for immediate emotional impact due to the words and art working in concert to move readers. The most important aspect of comics that made it an immediate yes medium for me is the collaborative nature of comic creation, which can foster a rich, diverse creative environment when the opportunities allow it. Last but not least, comics have a rich history of pushing boundaries, addressing social issues, and reflecting and influencing culture in meaningful ways, so why wouldn’t I want to be part of that?
KS: Your bio mentions you had a childhood dream of being a comics writer, but let’s start earlier than that… What are your earliest memories of comics? Not necessarily the first you read (unless you recall that), but how they came to you?
SW: My very first interaction with comics actually happened thanks to Dollar Tree, of all places, lol. My grandmother would often take my brother and me there on Fridays for a mini shopping spree — items were actually only $1 back then. I remember grabbing a softcover collection of Hägar the Horrible comic strips. I was like maybe 6 or 7, so I’m sure the jokes flew over my head, but I found them interesting enough to ask my parents to get me more comics.
KS: Did there come a point when you had easy access to traditional “floppies,” either from a spinner rack somewhere or an LCS where you lived?
SW: Yes! The grocery store was my go-to for floppies, thanks to spinner racks! There was a grocery store called Ultra Foods in Chicago Heights, IL. They had a tremendous comic section. There was a spinner rack and two book racks dedicated to comics. I would make a beeline for it whenever I was there with my parents. I can proudly say they are responsible for my love of Archie comics because they also had the double digest books available in the checkout lines.
KS: Once you were an experienced-enough reader to be aware of specific writers’ voices in comics, who were the first writers you were drawn to?
SW: Dwayne McDuffie was one of the first writers I was attracted to. His voice resonated with me because of his ability to blend engaging storytelling with deep, meaningful themes. McDuffie’s work was distinct for its focus on diversity, social justice, and complex character development, which stood out in a medium often dominated by more conventional narratives. McDuffie’s writing was sharp, insightful, and infused with a passion for representing marginalized voices in a way that was both accessible and thought-provoking.
KS: Do you recall when you first would have “met” him as a writer?
SW: I first came across McDuffie’s work through a Monica Rambeau one-shot he did for Marvel. I was already a fan of the character, but McDuffie’s approach to bringing the character back after being sidelined from the Avengers and losing her powers meant the world to me at the time and endeared her to me even more. I then read McDuffie’s work at Milestone Comics, the pioneering company he co-founded. Titles like Static, Icon, and Hardware were groundbreaking for their diverse characters and willingness to tackle real-world issues such as racism, inequality, and identity. Besides his contributions to Milestone, his work on animated series like Justice League and Static Shock not only entertained but also carried the same depth and social consciousness I knew from his comic book writing.
McDuffie’s voice in comics was a beacon that drew me to a richer understanding of the medium’s potential. His ability to seamlessly integrate profound themes with captivating plots and well-rounded characters made his work compelling and influential to me. His enduring legacy continues to inspire and remind me of the power of comics to reflect and shape societal values and motivate us to continue his work.
KS: Was there a particular comic story that had a real impact on you as a younger reader being exposed to all this material?
SW: One comic story that significantly impacted me as a younger reader was Monica Rambeau’s introduction in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16. This issue, written by Roger Stern and illustrated by John Romita Jr., introduced Monica as the new Captain Marvel, a powerful and capable superhero who quickly became my favorite.
KS: What was about it the story and/or Monica as a character that hit right for who you were at the time?
SW: [The] story resonated with me for several reasons. First and foremost, seeing a strong, intelligent Black woman with a strong familial support system taking on the mantle of Captain Marvel was incredibly inspiring. Monica’s character broke stereotypes and provided a powerful example of leadership and heroism—her background as a New Orleans harbor patrol lieutenant who gains extraordinary powers and uses them responsibly moved me.
Monica’s journey was about more than just gaining powers; it was about learning to harness them, facing self-doubt, and ultimately embracing her new role with confidence and determination. Her interactions with established characters like Spider-Man and the Avengers demonstrated her competence and earned her respect among her peers. This story showed me that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and that anyone can rise to the occasion and make a difference, regardless of their background. Her character showcased courage, perseverance, and the significance of seeing oneself reflected in the stories we consume, reinforcing the idea that stories matter deeply, as they have the power to shape our perceptions, inspire us, and reflect our diverse world.
KS: Switching over to you as a creator, was writing an early hobby for you as a kid or something you came to later on?
SW: I have been passionate about writing since second grade. I used to keep a diary and started jotting down my daydreams, possibly influenced by watching reruns of Doug on Nickelodeon and Ghostwriter. Eventually, I began writing fan fiction. My first fanfic was based on the show, Mad About You. I used to watch the reruns at night before bed and wondered what the show would be like with Black characters. This curiosity led to my first attempt at fan fiction writing.
KS: Was there a particular “big deal” writing project you remember completing when you were younger? Something you felt especially proud of, whatever age this was and whether or not you showed it to anyone else.
SW: It was the very first comic I wrote, but I didn’t consider it a comic at the time because I was in the first grade. I wrote and used construction paper to tell a story about my first-grade teacher, who I adored, giving homework for the weekend and the students revolting. One of the students had magical powers, and she summoned a dragon to burn up the homework. I got first place in the art show for that story, too, lol. My teacher loved it so much that she submitted it for the district-wide art fair.
KS: As far as your dream of writing comics, did that seem like an achievable goal to you? You obviously pursued a different professional path first, but during your time in science, were comics still on your mind as a possible “someday?”
SW: It didn’t at all because I didn’t know of any Black women at the time who were writing comics. I just knew I loved writing and reading, but it honestly didn’t cross my mind that I could one day write comics. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn about the cartoonist Jackie Ormes until I was in college. The other piece to this is that it was heavily stressed growing up to enter a safe and secure profession. Of course, nothing is ever safe and secure. I loved science, and sci-fi was and is still one of my favorite genres, next to romance. Comics were still in the back of my mind but not as a someday because, at the time, I thought I’d found the thing I would do for the rest of my life: to be a biomedical research scientist. Thankfully, somewhere in my subconscious, I left room for my dreams to exist until I was ready to do something about making them a reality.
KS: Did you have family support for this new path you were treading?
SW: Yes! Family support is what made the transition possible. My husband has been one of my biggest supporters. A few years ago, during my short stint at blogging, I discovered that my husband had created a few different accounts to leave encouraging comments under my blog post before I started podcasting. So, when it came time to encourage me further to pursue my dreams, he continued that same supportive energy by telling me he would handle our bigger financial commitments. I still drove Lyft until COVID hit while freelancing full time because that’s just how I am, but it was comforting to know I didn’t need to if I didn’t want to. He also ensured I had time and space to finish my writing without interruption by shouldering more of the caregiver role with our son, a super busy toddler at the time.
KS: What was your first pro writing gig? It’s always interesting to hear about the balance between the hustle of putting oneself out there and any kind of right place/right time “happy accidents” we’ve all probably benefited from.
SW: [It] came via Marvel’s Voices in November 2020. The book itself came out in February 2021. The road to that first gig was like Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road. I went from podcasting to writing articles for different geek/fandom websites while working my traditional 9-5 and being a new mom. I was also highly active on Twitter, which helped me hone my voice and see its value. I often created story threads using still shots from different animated shows like X-Men ‘92, Batman: TAS, Spider-Man, Justice League Unlimited, etc. It eventually dawned on me that I could do the same in comic format. So, I picked up the director’s cut of HoX/PoX and used Jonathan Hickman’s scripts to figure out how to make my own comic scripts. I teamed with an artist named Sarah Macklin to co-create my first webcomic, Parenthood Activate, based on my experiences with my son and motherhood.
KS: How did you find Sarah Macklin or vice versa?
SW: I had the luck of knowing Sarah via Twitter. We had been mutuals for a couple years and I was a big fan of her art!
KS: What did you do to build on that in order to keep your momentum going?
SW: Soon after, the webcomic, But What If Though, came, and it was like this variety show for characters I loved from different fandoms. Out of that came Living Heroes, which O’Neill [Jones] and I co-created and eventually Kickstarted a comic in February 2020. It was funded in a little over 24 hours which was amazing. Everything I did leading up to my first pro comic gig was done with intention. I wanted to put myself out in the world and do so consistently. Thankfully, it eventually paid off, but it was a five-year journey, and I’m still on it. I still have so much more I want to do and many more stories I want to tell. Resting on my laurels isn’t an option, and honestly, I don’t know if I could if I tried.
[Author’s Note: For more about O’Neill Jones, see our chat here.]
KS: Was there a particular point on the journey when you were able to look around and realize this dream was something that would actually work out — that your 9-5 could be a thing of the past?
SW: It happened when I was forced to resign from a staff writing position at a well-known geek/gaming website. I had just started working on Nubia and the Amazons and was also doing contract work with Prime Video’s YouTube channel on the side. Faced with an unfair ultimatum [between] my dreams of writing comics or my health insurance, I chose the former. I turned in my resignation letter less than 24 hours later, not appreciating the tone or the circumstances. I knew I was being underutilized at the site, and it was their loss. I knew my worth and I understood my value. But it all worked out for me in the end. I’m still writing comics, now with a renewed sense of freedom and encouragement. I have health insurance. I was also recently brought on full time with Prime Video. My show, Superhero Club, has been doing extremely well for the channel. This is a testament to the potential positive outcomes of difficult decisions in our careers.
KS: These days, is there a standard daily/nightly writing routine or does it vary based on what’s on your plate?
SW: I finally have a schedule, lol. For the longest time, I wrote whenever I could find the time. I usually work during the day between 9 am – 6 pm, but sometimes that changes depending on what’s going on in my life. I rarely work weekends, which was something I used to do religiously. Burnout is real, so setting boundaries for myself, even though I’m doing something I enjoy, is still crucial to my overall well-being. I like to listen to Lo-Fi music or house music mixes — shoutout to Black House Radio and BreadMan — which help put me in the mindset to focus.
KS: How do you know when a piece of writing is ready “leave the nest,” that it’s as good as you can get it on your own? Do you have any trusted eyes to give you feedback?
SW: Deadlines! I’ve learned to let the first draft be as ugly as needed. The goal is to get it done. It’s not supposed to be perfect. I wasn’t a fan of the revision process beforehand because it felt like a personal attack. It’s clearly not, but you know artists and being sensitive about our ish. I’ve worked with some phenomenal editors, and I trust them to do their job like they trust me to do mine.
KS: Imagine I can hook you up to a machine, Matrix-style, and immediately upload expert skill in any area you’d like. This can be something you’ve always wanted to learn, something you’re OK at, something you have no aptitude for… What’s your new expertise?
SW: Surfing. I know it’s random, but it looks so freeing. I would love to be an expert surfer.
KS: What’s a comic — graphic novel, single issue, entire series — you feel represents the medium at its very best?
SW: Oh, this is a tough one because there are so many titles and single issues I adore. I guess if I have to pick it would be Wonder Woman Historia #2. I had the pleasure of being on a panel with Gene Ha and he talked in depth about his process. Listening to him talk with so much passion truly made me adore that issue more than I already did. The entire Wonder Woman Historia is a masterpiece, #2 is a masterclass for what the medium can do.
KS: To finish up, I’ll turn the floor over to you. Please let readers know what you have out now and what you have coming out the rest of ‘24.
SW: Of all the things I can talk about right now, I wrote my first Sesame Street story featuring Bert and Ernie, which will be out on September 25th. I have an Absolute Power tie-in story, Absolute Power: Task Force VI #6, out September 11th. I wrote a story featuring Star Trek Discovery’s Captain Michael Burnham that will be out September 4th. I also have a Bumblebee and Malcolm Duncan story that will be out sometime later this year in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. I’m not sure which issue, though.
