In this week’s “Previously On,” I list my favorite comics channels on Youtube.
Throughout 2019, I launched the Comic Book Herald Youtube channel, with regular (now weekly) updates kicking into gear around the time House of X / Powers of X reignited my passion for X-Men! It’s been a fascinating new medium for me, as I’ve frankly never gotten deep into Youtube in either a creator or fan capacity until recently.
As you’d expect, actually producing content for audio and video is simultaneously composed of a low barrier to entry, and a massive learning curve to do it well. I’m a writer first, but I also have enough on-air experience to feel confident in my communication skills. The major challenge is all the technical skill and strategy surrounding that communication, in order to turn opinions and reviews into useful video for comic fans.
Naturally, I’ve gained a lot of respect for those creators who make comics analysis look so easy on Youtube. While this is far from a comprehensive list of everyone deserving (I’d recommend the Twitter thread of recommendations when I asked about others favorites!), these are the favorites that have really grabbed my attention.
Matt Draper
One Good Video to Start With:
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I don’t always publish YouTuber’s essays on Comic Book Herald, but when I do, it’s Matt Draper. Matt’s eloquence and passion for art set him apart, with thorough, thoughtful analysis critics like to pretend doesn’t exist on Youtube.
Comic Tropes
One Good Video to Start With:
Shouts to My Marvelous Year co-host Zack for this recommendations, as Comic Tropes has become my go-to for in depth analysis of everything from Batman to Steve Ditko. Honestly, a lot of Chris’s approach on Comic Tropes is what I’m inspired to emulate with some of Comic Book Herald’s “Deep Dives.”
One of the biggest things I look for in comic book analysis is a clear and unadulterated obsession with the medium in its entirety. Everything Comics Tropes does has that in spades. You literally can’t replicate the topics of conversation without 1) reading tons of comics 2) obsessing over tons of comics and 3) desperately wanting to talk about the ways comics work, don’t work, and influence our lives.
Put more simply, Comics Tropes doesn’t half-ass anything, and the detailed analysis and goofball humor always keep me coming back.
Blerd Without Fear
One Good Video to Start With:
There are only two channels at this point that I’ll actually check out if I’m stumped on details of an ongoing, or curious what other people are saying about a work in the moment. One is listed just a few jumps down, and the other is Ernie from Blerd Without Fear. I love Ernie’s enthusiasm, energy, humor, and ability to quickly pull together theories and thoughts on where comics are going (a skill near and dear to my heart!).
Bonus points for being a great guy, and joining me on various Krakin’ Krakoa live streams!
Atop The Fourth Wall
One Good Video to Start With:
The award for funniest reviewer easily goes to Linkara and his Patreon sponsored “Bad Comics” series on Atop the Fourth Wall. I first found this channel looking for ideas on Ultimate Iron Man written by Orson Scott Card for our own My Marvelous Year “Ultimate Universe” special on the topic, and was blown away with the humor and review craft.
From his recent exploration of IDW’s “Revolution” crossover to whatever “bad comics” come next, I greatly look forward to this commentary and critique!
Comic Drake
One Good Video to Start With:
I definitely can’t talk about comic books on Youtube without addressing the fact that a fair amount of the available content is a cesspool of bad intentions and worse ideas. If a channel’s general tone is “This is why comics suck / are dying!,” there’s a 9,000% chance it’s not for me.
The first time I saw a Comics Drake video recommended, I thought the channel would fall into this bucket. The video was titled “Why Miles Morales is Loved and Riri Williams Is Hated,” and let’s just say Youtube content does not have me expecting nuanced exploration of race and gender. When I watched the video, though, I was really impressed with Comics Drake’s careful attention to detail, and clear desire to explore the question in depth.
In the video I link above, I’m just as impressed with the channel’s willingness to explore ideas he might have gotten wrong the first time around! Comics Drake is easily the biggest channel I recommend here, but that’s intentional, as I think it’s the best analysis I’ve seen for a creator operating on such a successful scale.
Strip Panel Naked
One Good Video To Start With:
Likely my first favorite channel, and a great example of what the form can be, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s “Strip Panel Naked” investigates the process of crafting comic books, with a keen eye for detail and a sophisticated curiosity about everything that makes the medium tick. I definitely feel like I know a lot about comics at this point in my life, but I never doubt that I’ll learn something new watching “Strip Panel Naked.”
If you like the content in these videos, I’d also recommend PanelXPanel, Otsmane-Elhaou’s comics magazine that takes a similar in-depth approach to all things comics.
DopeSpill Comics
One Good Video To Start With:
Dopespill might just straight up be the best at this whole game. I’m consistently impressed and jealous of the channel’s ability to capture the most interesting elements across Marvel and DC Comics, quickly sublimating issues into their hottest elements, and breaking everything down smoothly and easily.
Fantastic Frankey
One Good Video To Start With:
Every Frankey video topic is filled with humor, political insight, and drop dead “oh s*^t” instant reactions. Frankey loves anime and comics, and let’s absolutely none of these sacred cows off the hook, no matter the anticipated fanboy reaction.
As I mention above, I’m sure there are oodles of other great channels! Let me know your favorites below in the comments, or on social @ComicBookHerald!
I’m sort of surprised that ComicPOP isn’t fully mentioned in this list. The main host, Sal, has a deep love of comics that comes from reading them his whole life. It’s really interesting to get the perspective of non-comic readers in Ethan and Ben, who at times may poke holes in the logic boat of some stories that fan may use nostalgia glasses to ignore. And while the channel may be focused mainly on big 2 books, Tiffany brings some indie rep to the channel. She also loves to chat about art, which I really enjoy hearing her praise and critique.
While Back Issues is their main show, I also really love the Elseworlds Exchange episodes where Sal talks with creators. His respect and knowledge really lead to great interviews. Hopefully you’ll give this great channel another try!
Comic Tropes is a fine choice. His intros are amazing too. “Oh, Hi. You caught me..”
Another channel I’d recommend is ComicPop (though you briefly mention them). They have a series called Back Issues where the host walks some guests through a story they’ve never read and hilarity ensues.
The big, heavy hitters like ComicsExplained and Variant Comics are good too.