New PanelxPanel out now, celebrating the comics medium

By John Freeman on February 15, 2018

The latest issue of PanelxPanel (Issue 8), a new digital magazine celebrating the medium of comics, is available now.

The magazine features plenty of the best creators discussing craft and process, and articles taking deep dives into some of the best comics every month, in 100 pages.

Edited by Strip Panel Naked YouTube show host Hass Otsmane-Elhaou, the magazine features a rotating set of writers ranging from critics to professionals, fans and comic stores.

Each issue has two halves across its 90+ ad-free pages. The first, a focus on a particular comic and featuring a series of essays, interviews, process pieces and an exclusive Strip Panel Naked column all focused around that comic.

The eighth issue covers Image Comics Twisted Romance, a four-part anthology series by Alex de Campi, Katie Skelly, Alejandra Gutiérrez, Carla Speed McNeil, Trungles and more.

There’s also an exclusive Strip Panel Naked on its storytelling approach, and other features on theme and story.

The second half features regular articles, interviews, craft essays, a comic, and a series of comic recommendations from a range of comic-related voices.

For the regular features, comics critic Emma Lawson takes on the Final Thoughts column about her favourite comics ending.

Batman, Wonder Woman, Lazarus and Black Magick writer Greg Rucka takes on “5 Questions With…,” and Ales Kot talks through his process of crafting stories in Craft Corner.

This issue also contains a 2017 wrap-up, looking at what the year meant for comics.

Plus, there’s the usual bunch of recommendations from writers, artists, fans, critics and shops as to what they’ve been enjoying this month.

• Buy PanelxPanel for just $2.50 via Gumroad

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.