GVN Talking Comics Exclusive: Meet the Hosts of The Superfan Podcast, Launching Sept. 19

It is common in this job to focus on the specific topics we aim to share and communicate. This could be a new film, television show, game, or, in my case, an upcoming comic project. But what other interests do these talented creators have OUTSIDE their comic professions? As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” (I still hear Jack Nicholson’s voice when I think of that). That’s where the new show “The Superfan Podcast” comes in.

Hosted by Christian Gossett, Kristen Simon, and David Hyde, “The Superfan Podcast” delves into the interests of our favorite creators beyond their normal creative pursuits. Exploring their passions and what makes them happy outside their “paying jobs.” They also introduce a suitable drink or dessert that aligns with each guest’s interests, making for an entertaining and educational show filled with fun.

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with the hosts of the show, exploring how it all came together, and what they themselves have learned during this exciting new venture. So let’s welcome David Hyde, Kristen Simon, and Christian Gossett to GVN Talking Comics.

Three people stand outdoors in front of the Capitol Records building; two men in suits and a woman in a floral dress and yellow shoes. — David Hyde, Kristen Simon, and Christian Gossett

Conception of “The Superfan Podcast”

GVN: Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this exciting podcast. As an interviewer, I tend to focus on whatever new project a creator has upcoming or perhaps a previous popular title. However, with the Superfan Podcast, you are focusing on their interests outside of comics. David, how did this idea come about, and did you have a preconceived notion of who you wanted to work with, in terms of hosting?

DAVID: The idea to launch a new podcast started with Kris Simon. Initially we didn’t have a name or a conceit for the podcast. We just knew we wanted to do something with a unique point of view.

Pretty quickly it was decided that her friend, the artist Christian Gossett, would make for a great co-host. You might know Gossett’s name because he created the double-bladed lightsaber that became Darth Maul’s weapon or because you’ve seen his name in the credits for shows like Twilight of the Gods and Eyes of Wakanda or because you’ve read his comics, like The Red Star. As we were putting this together I emerged as a third co-host and the three of us met each week to find a framework for what we wanted to do with what became the Superfan Podcast.

There are a lot of great comic book podcasts out there and the three of us knew early on that we wanted to do something different. It took us a while to come up with the conceit of the podcast: interviewing the writers and artists who make the comics you love about the things that they love (that aren’t comics). When the idea finally came it came like a thunderbolt and from there we dove into making our wish list for guests.

A Fresh Perspective

GVN: Kristen, as Executive Editor at Mad Cave Studios’ Nakama Press, you provide a fresh perspective on the creators that you all work with. What would you hope that comic fans (and hopefully even those who are NOT comic fans) would take from these discussions?

KRISTEN: I hope what comes across is that creators have passions outside of comics that serve to fuel their imaginations and creativity, which translates to what they put on the
comics page. Fans will be able to re-read their favorite creators comics and see them in
a whole new way. And I think non-fans will be able to enjoy and relate to the enthusiasm
of someone speaking about a topic that they, too, are a fan of.

A NEW Talking Point

GVN: Christian, as a successful creator, have you ever been asked about YOUR interests
outside of comics, and have you had any creators you have approached who were
reluctant to discuss what they might feel as their private lives?

CHRISTIAN: Honestly, never! Which is why I was so excited when we chose to pursue this format. I’ve been a pro since I was 19, and did my first interviews during my breakout with Dark Horse on “Tales of the Jedi #1,” and never once in the years since did anyone go beyond the project itself. I think it’s a perfect time culturally for there to be a podcast that shows both aspiring creatives and fans of that episode’s guest the source love from which their every project originates.

Choosing the Guests

GVN: For all of you, how did you decide who to approach for your inaugural season? (The
great advantage of having connections with the best in comic creation.)

KRISTEN: We sat down together and created a list of everyone we knew as a whole, and then
discussed it. Personally, I only knew one guest from Season One, and it was super fun
to speak with other creators I admire, but had never met, and nerd out about things
together. Instant bonding experience!

DAVID: We really wanted a cross-section of different voices and different topics.

CHRISTIAN: You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, because like so many Puerto Ricans,
“stealthy passing” is our mutant power, but again, given the cultural moment, diversity of
voices was out front for us as we looked over the lists of friends and colleagues that we
had access to. This will continue to be the case.

DAVID: If there’s one thing that the Superfan Podcast season one guests have in common it would be that we talked with incredibly creative people who share a certain generosity of spirit and a general kindness. KellySue DeConnick started the #VisibleWomen movement. Patrick McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years and currently serves on the boards of The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Greenway Land Trust. They are superstar creators and superstar people. And all of the season guests are among the kindest and most curious people that the three of us know in comics. If we were throwing a party (and we are), these are the first people you’d add to the guest list.

Surprising Revelations in the First Season

GVN: For all of you, during this first season, did you learn anything about this first group of
creators that surprised you or went in a direction that you didn’t consider?

KRISTEN: Absolutely! There were times I almost forgot to speak because I was so enthralled with what the guest was talking about. I think Kelly Sue DeConnick and Patrick McDonnell were the two who surprised me the most! I’ve been a fan of Mutts for years, and to find out Patrick was in an underground punk band in the late 70s blew my mind.

DAVID: A few times while recording episodes, I literally caught myself holding my breath. I didn’t want to do anything that would interrupt our guests’ train of thought.

CHRISTIAN: All of us knew going in that the best art always comes from personal longing, fascination, relative experience, etc. However, it’s one thing to know it, and it’s quite another to focus on it to the point where each of them had moments in the interviews where the connection surprised even them.

DAVID: I learned a ton while making season one. Sometimes those discoveries came in the research stage, but most often they came from the conversations. I don’t want to spoil those moments, but each episode has several moments that surprised us and will likely surprise listeners. Did you know there’s a connection between Frank Zappa and Jack Kirby? Did you know that there’s a plant that is a family heirloom for Marjorie Liu? Did you know that Kelly Sue DeConnick has Alan Alda’s name tattooed on her knuckles? Reader, it’s all true.

Appropriate After Conversation Fare

GVN: Great Teaser there, David. An original and fun part of these discussions is the addition of a conversation-appropriate dessert recipe, as well as a cocktail and/or mocktail inspired by the interview. Was this an idea that was always a part of the concept, or did you decide to add it in discussions of the show’s format?

CHRISTIAN: Attribution is too scarce as far as I’m concerned, and I’m going to fly that flag right now and say how much we share a love for the art of Shag. So many of his pieces are these superfun, wonderfully hip gatherings you’d love to attend. So for us, the Superfan podcast is like having an amazing conversation at a great dinner party with people you’re pleasantly surprised are there. And what is a great party without great drinks and bites?

KRISTEN: I think the cocktail was David’s idea from the beginning, and I hopped on with a dessert pairing. Is that right, David? David is a fantastic mixologist, and I love to bake, so these were two things we’re superfans of, which seemed to fit in well.

DAVID: The three of us all live in Los Angeles and have been to a lot of fun parties together, often with other folks from LA’s comics scene. When it came time to start recording the podcast, things like pairing these conversations with a cocktail or a mocktail, or a dessert seemed like a natural extension of the vibe we’re trying to create. A good party needs great food and drinks. A good party, the kind you end up staying at far longer than you intended, needs great music. Dan Shulman and the band Low in the Shag delivered a great, mid century
inspired theme song for the podcast.

And most of all? The best parties have the right mix of both close friends and people you’ve just met, with everyone talking excitedly. To me, that’s the essence of the Superfan Podcast. These are passionate conversations with curious people talking about the things and people that have shaped who they are.

Where can Fans Listen to “The Superfan Podcast”

GVN: Thank you once again for your time, Kristen, Christian, and David. Before we conclude, please let our fans know where they can listen to “The Superfan Podcast” and share some of the guests that will be appearing in this first season.

KRISTEN: You will be able to find the Superfan Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Additionally, you can also get it right in your inbox before anywhere else by subscribing to the Superfan Signal at spfanpodcast.substack.com. Our first six episodes feature Rodney Barnes on Stephen King, Marc Guggenheim on Billy Joel, Kelly Sue DeConnick on Alan Alda, Matt Kindt on John leCarre, Marjorie Liu on gardening, and Patrick McDonnell on Frank Zappa.