Comic creators and influential comics are taking center stage once again as The Stacks returns for a second season.
The YouTube series, produced by the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast, launches its new season on February 10. The show follows comic writers and artists as they browse the shelves at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland, discussing books that shaped their work and the industry.
Season two features a wide range of creators, including Frank Barbiere (Five Ghosts), Rodney Barnes (30 Days of Night: Falling Sun), Morgan Beem (The Author Immortal), Tyler Boss (You’ll Do Bad Things), Jorge Corona (Lobo), Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Matthew Rosenberg (We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us), Christian Ward (Event Horizon: Dark Descent), and Joshua Williamson (Iron Man). Each episode reflects the personal interests of the featured guest, who leads the conversation by selecting books directly from the shop’s shelves.
The series grew out of an idea from Comic Book Couples Counseling hosts Brad and Lisa Gullickson. The concept took shape after they watched The Criterion Closet series on the Criterion YouTube channel.
“I was obsessed,” says Brad Gullickson, “and as I was listening to Denis Villeneuve, the Dune director, lavish praise upon Akira Kurosawa’s iconic Seven Samurai, I just thought, ‘Why don’t we have this for comics? I want to hear what Chip Zdarsky has to say about Hellblazer!’ CBCC can make this happen.”
Filming takes place inside Third Eye Comics at its Annapolis location. Production often lines up with creator signing events, while some guests have traveled to the store after learning about the series during its first season.
“The Stacks is one of the coolest things I’ve seen hit comics in ages!” says Steve Anderson, co-owner of Third Eye Comics. “The spirit of what Brad and Lisa, who do one of the best damn comic podcasts around with Comic Book Couples Counseling, takes me back to reading about my fav creators in Wizard Magazine!”
Creators involved in the series view it as a platform to highlight the influence of comics history and the creative process behind their work. Matthew Rosenberg spoke about how the show allows creators to openly discuss their influences and personal connections to the medium.
“I’ve always felt that the best thing you can do for comics is talk about and share the ones you love,” says Rosenberg. “There’s a celebration of the medium in it, there is community, but there is a bit of a confessional nature to it, too. It feels so personal and intimate. That’s why I love The Stacks. It’s not just about discovering new books I might have missed; it’s about getting to know the creators whose work I love a little better. Getting to understand who they are, what inspires them, what they love.”
The Stacks season two premieres February 10 on the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube channel. The first season, featuring guests such as David Brothers, Chris Condon, Sanford Greene, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Chip Zdarsky, is currently available to stream on the channel.
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