I had a whole intro typed about procrastination. I'll get to that later.

This week, I gave myself a challenge. Post one video each weekday leading up to HeroesCon. Just so I wouldn't chicken out, I posted the schedule on social media SNL style. Now if I went back on my word, I'd be lying to at least a dozen people.

It's part of what I'm calling the Summer Sprint. After nearly a year of having to put the channel on the backburner while I dealt with more pressing matters on the homefront, I'm now working to deliver on all the promises in my head that no one else asked for. Consistent videos. More book reviews. Better interviews. Fun experiences.

If I'm super honest, I've felt stuck for a little while. Comics Are Dope doesn't generate much revenue -- which is fine, since that's not what I'm in it for. But when I look around at the landscape -- the quality of most platforms, what's doing well, what isn't -- the people running the outlets I look up to most are doing it full time. How do I give full time effort to something that isn't designed to sustain me while doing so? How do I deliver a quality presence that all external stakeholders (viewers, sponsors, PR reps sending review copies) are happy with? Perhaps a better question is: If there were no external stakeholders, what would I be doing? I have some ideas, and this Summer is about testing them out.

One thing's for sure. Five videos a week isn't sustainable in the long term. This isn't designed to be the new normal. It's designed to help me find the new normal. What video formats do I like the most? What can I deliver quickly and consistently without watering down the product? How many videos is too many? I don't want to drown, but I don't want to just tread water either. Most importantly, I want this to be fun and not stressful.

We'll arrive at our new normal by Fall. Until then, let's enjoy the process together!

Speaking of enjoyment, HeroesCon is this weekend! I thought for sure I'd sit out this year with my newborn, but I couldn't miss the chance to co-host my own panel at the convention. If you're still around Saturday at 4:30pm, stop by Room 209EF, where I'll be having a really fun conversation with my friend Badr of The Short Box podcast. We're talking about the best books of the year, the state of the comic industry, and giving our most salacious hot takes. We've got some other surprises up our sleeves, so I hope to see you there!

On The Podcast

I'm taking this week off the Podcast to get ready for the con, but last week's episode featuring writer Jordan Clark is still a must-listen. We talk about our shared love of Black History, his time in the Milestone Initiative, and his upcoming creator-owned comic Ancestral Recall, debuting this August. The interview went over 90 minutes, and easily could've gone twice as long. I can't wait to have Jordan back on the show.

The Final Word

The word of the day is Friendship. Besides hosting a panel on Saturday, I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting a lot of my online friends for the first time this weekend. People like BunkmastaB, Jake from The Brave and the Boys, David from channel sponsor Organic Priced Books, and so many Comics Are Dope podcast alumni. Heroes always feels like a family reunion, and that's exactly the kind of energy you need before a sprint. If you see me at the con, don't be afraid to stop me. Say hello. Take a selfie with me. Life is crazy short. Don't be afraid to make new memories.

Read Something Dope Today,

BJ KICKS