The following is an interview with David Hyde, Kris Simon, and Christian Gossett on their recent return for season 2 of the Superfan Podcast, where the people who make the comics you love talk about the things that they love . . . that aren’t comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Hyde, Simon, and Gossett about their biggest takeaways from the first season, the incredible guests and bonus content lined up for the new episodes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congrats on the return of the Superfan Podcast! What did you most value about your experience with the first season, and what do you hope to bring to listeners in season two?
David Hyde: When the three of us set out to launch the Superfan Podcast, we wanted to do something different. Let’s face it, there are a lot of very cool, very popular podcasts out there and we didn’t want to get lost in the crowd. We finally landed on a unique conceit: a podcast where the people who make the comics you love talk about the things they love… that aren’t comics. No promotion. No hype. Just thoughtful conversations where creative people get to reflect on the things they love. Each and every one of these conversations in seasons one and two have been incredibly rewarding.
What’s exciting, too, is just how varied the topics are: Steven King, Billy Joel, Alan Alda, John LeCarre, gardening, Frank Zappa, wrestling, K-pop, Midnight Mass, guitarist Rowland S. Howard, Terry Pratchett’s seminal, satirical Discworld novels, and the many joys of game-based dog training. These topics are all over the place, but they are the things that our guests love dearly.
There’s so much negativity these days online and this podcast is an injection of positivity and a celebration of joy. I hope it resonates with folks who listen in.
Kris Simon: It’s always about the friends we make along the way, isn’t it? I really valued being shown into a part of someone’s life that they’re super excited about. I think season two brings some really surprising topics from a couple of the guests!
Christian Gossett: When I was penciling Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi for Dark Horse in the last decade of the 20th Century, I was living in Berkeley, California. My local shop was owned by the legendary Rory Root, and his shop, Comic Relief, was indescribably wonderful. It’s where I bought my first Allred. My first Yoshitaka Amano. My first copy of Understanding Comics. What I most valued about season one of the Superfan Podcast was how it rekindled feelings for comics I thought had gone. The passion and humor of our guests is contagious, episode after episode, and I am proud to co-host such a wonderful show.
BD: In addition to the episodes, you often share new articles and interviews through your Substack. Do you have similar bonus content planned for this upcoming season?
KS: Always! David does a great job of coming up with content, and we’re constantly discussing what we can do next and what would be interesting or relevant.
DH: Kris writes terrific show notes for the Superfan Signal that will bring listeners behind-the-scenes with some of the most exciting creators in comics: Hulk: Grand Design cartoonist and Street Angel creator Jim Rugg, Gender Queer cartoonist Maia Kobabe, bestselling cartoonist Johnnie Christmas. Eisner Award-winning artist/designer Paul Pope, Eisner Award-winning artist Erica Henderson, and acclaimed artist Elsa Charretier. Kris’s show notes include links to relevant articles and playlists and fun extras inspired by the conversation.
BD: Each new episode has featured stunning artwork of both the guests and the topic (or person) about which they are passionate. Christian, what can you share with us about your creative process in bringing these gorgeous images to life?
CG: I am so relieved that the guests have enjoyed them because, honestly, and I’m hoping this hits with artists who are reading this, likenesses are so hard. SO HARD. You want me to draw complex sci-fi battlefields full of high-tech soldier types? I’m in. You want me to draw thousands of frames in a sequence for an animatic fantasy adventure? Let’s go. But likenesses? Oh man. I have so much respect for artists who can make their drawing look like the person they are drawing! I found a groove for the season 2 portraits, more graphic, more committed to simple shapes, etc. The process is to lean into a sincere appreciation for each guest and, in so doing, express this as a simple vibe. Oh! And I love to listen to the guests as I draw them. That helps.
BD: If given the opportunity, are there any super-star guests that you would love to have on the show to talk about their passion (outside of comics)?
KS: For sure. We batted around the idea (Pun intended.) of asking Todd McFarlane to come on to talk about baseball, and I am still really on board with it!
DH: Todd, call us!
CG: I am obsessed with Witch Hat Atelier, so I would literally faint if Kamome Shirahama came on the show. I don’t mind that we’d need a translator because Japanese is one of my favorite languages.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about and subscribe to The Superfan Podcast?
KS: If you subscribe to the Superfan Signal, the podcast episodes get dropped into your inbox every Friday morning! Complete with show notes that have links to everything that is discussed on the episode. Plus, there is bonus content…a themed cocktail, a mocktail, and a dessert recipe! I mean, how could you not?!
DH: We are so grateful to everyone who has listened to an episode. I hope that the podcast connects listeners to new discoverabilities and gives fans new insight into what inspires the writers and artists who make the comics they love.
CG: Come to Comic Con Revolution in May! Kristen and I will be there, and we can tell you all about it! Analog! Human to human! Seriously, anyone who comes to CCR (one of the last great family-owned comics conventions that still endures this dystopian timeline) and mentions the Superfan Podcast will get a little something special!
You can follow the Superfan Podcast on Substack, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
