The Beat is a proud sponsor of Comix Experience’s Graphic Novel of the Month Clubs, which bring comics fans a curated mix of the best of new release graphic novels and conversations with the creators who make them.  Each month, the staff of Comix Experience votes on two sets of upcoming books they are most excited—one gets presented to adults and another to middle readers. Each club provides schwag like original signed custom bookplates for adults or buttons and magnets for the kids.

Most excitingly, the Graphic Novel Clubs bring in the creators of selected books to talk exclusively to GNC members in interviews conducted by Comix Experience owner Brian Hibbs, who brings thirty years of experience in comics to the table. These talks are livestreamed to members all over the country and are a fun and informative mix of conversation on craft and form, as well as on the business of making comics.  The Graphic Novel Clubs make a point of being inclusive, inviting creators from a wide variety of age, race, sex, and cultural perspectives to speak to members.

Membership is what propels these conversations, so if you like what you see, please support these discussions of comics, and the creators who make them, by joining the club.

This Week: Brian Hibbs speaks with the legendary creator Steve Skroce. Skroce got his start in the 1990s, making it big on his work at Marvel. He provided art on multiple X titles including Cable, X-Man, and Gambit. He’s written and drawn Wolverine and has created storyboards for a number of hit movies including The Matrix trilogy, I, RobotCloud Atlas, and the film adaptation of V for Vendetta. In 2015, he teamed up with Brian K. Vaughan to draw We Stand on Guard, published by Image Comics.

In 2017, Skroce launched Maestros at Image. A series about the son of a murdered royal family who inherits the Wizard King’s throne and a magical word that allows him to become God, Maestros is a story only comics royalty such as Skroce could tell. Watch as he and Hibbs discuss the book, which was recently collected, and Skroce’s career as a whole.