I know you've been to a few international conventions and events. What are some things that have surprised you during them?

I’ve been to a LOT, and it’s a big part of every year. I do it because I love to spread the word of comics.

I’ve had a lot of shocks, but one of the best is that everywhere I go, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, China, there’s not just a FANDOM there, but a group of people either making comics or ASPIRING to make comics, and most of them are maintaining a flavor of their home country. I can’t explain how much I love that.

When I was in Brazil, every time I actually made it out onto the comics floor, I was just SWARMED by people, mostly women, who were making their own comics. I had no idea there was THAT big of a movement to make comics there, none whatsoever, and I’m IN the industry and work with Brazilian artists all the time.

But there was every size and shape of book, everything from photocopied mini comics featuring cut-outs from magazines, to lush, gorgeous, painted hardcovers. I came home with a suitcase FULL of these books, and it was utterly inspiring. 

I’ve seen that happen again and again. I’ve said it many times, but I think the next big things are going to come from international artists. The talent and ambition and it’s just electric.