Off Panel #541: ComicsPRO LIVE! with Heidi MacDonald and Christina Merkler

About this episode

Heidi MacDonald and Christina Merkler discuss the ComicsPRO conference and the current state of the comics industry.

In an episode recorded in-person at this year's annual conference for the trade organization for comic shops, ComicsPRO, The Beat's Heidi MacDonald and the head of Lunar Distribution and Discount Comic Book Service, Christina Merkler, join the podcast for a vibe check about the event and state of the industry. Up first, MacDonald joins to share her read on the event, how it compares to previous editions, what stood out, and more, before Merkler visits us to talk about how passion is fueling this moment for the direct market, the spread of new readers, blind bag management, building on this moment, creating urgency, Lunar's expansion with Viz Media and Yen Press, what has them hopeful about where comics are headed, and more.

People in this episode

Guests: Heidi MacDonald, Christina Merkler

Topics covered

• Comics industry
• ComicsPRO conference
• New readers
• Direct market
• Lunar Distribution

Keywords

• ComicsPRO
• Heidi MacDonald
• Christina Merkler
• comics industry
• new readers
• Lunar Distribution
• Viz Media
• Yen Press

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ComicsPRO, Lunar Distribution, Discount Comic Book Service, Viz Media, Yen Press

More episodes of Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast

• Off Panel #549: A Lifetime Process with Rafael Albuquerque · April 27, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Off Panel #548: Day Two with Pornsak Pichetshote · April 20, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Off Panel #547: It's Nice Down Here with Julia Wertz · April 13, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Off Panel #546: Boom Tube with Tiffany Babb · April 6, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Off Panel #545: Inbetween with Faith Erin Hicks · March 30, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Off Panel #544: In Your Skin with Aditya Bidikar · March 23, 2026 · 1h 9m