Broken Frontier

Fanboy Radio, the voice of comics, is blowing out five candles next month. Founder and show host Scott Hinze reflects on the road travelled since the early days in 2001.

BROKEN FRONTIER: Five years ago, what was the main reason for you to start with Fanboy Radio?

SCOTT HINZE: The ladies. Actually, I really wanted to create a talk show, but I didn't know enough about sports and I didn't want to make enemies in politics, so I decided to do something with my buddy Josiah that was outside of the norm—something that would be new to the listening audience.

BF: So you turned to your biggest hobby...

SH: Bingo. Back then I was spending WAAAY too much money on comics and Mage Knight figures and RPG books. It was just insane. The big goal at the time was to have something my comic shop would sponsor and for me to maybe finagle some store credit out of it.

BF: At the time, you obviously didn't expect this much success—what was your wildest dream when it came to audience numbers, or your overall goal for Fanboy Radio?

SH: I worked at another radio show for awhile and decided I liked doing my own thing a whole lot better, so I did whatever it took for it to be my primary source of income. My wildest dream was coast-to-coast syndication and it still is. I honestly think that each week of quality programming brings us closer to that goal.

BF: When you compare the early days to where you are now, what changes have you made to the show in terms of format, interview tactics, and the like?

SH: Well, the co-hosts are all awesome, but I think we hit pretty close to perfection with Oliver Tull.  The man is amazing.  We've added some more segments which keeps the general public and ourselves entertained and I've actually taken a few classes on radio interviewing and improvisation comedy to help with the sound of the show.

BF: How did you meet Oliver, and how did he come to join the show afterwards?

SH: We met when during the planning of a television pilot we co-wrote and hosted (it's somewhere on you tube I think) we had Oliver on the show to enhance our chemistry and it just took off. He brings the perfect balance to the show.

BF: What, then, makes a good Fanboy Radio host?

SH: You've got to read up on the latest/hottest comics and have opinions (be able to Sub Or Flub well). And, of course, listening and speaking skills are a plus!

BF: Obviously!

SH: Well, what do YOU think makes a good Fanboy Radio host? [Laughs]

BF: Some descent comic knowledge, a sense of humor and, indeed, talking skills. Hey! Is the interviewer becoming the interviewee here? [Laughs]

SH: [Laughs] I can't help it… it's what I do!

BF: It is, it is! Now, overlooking the past five years, what are some of the show's most memorable moments?

SH: Man! I loved when we had Jim Mahfood on and both Brian Bendis and Kevin Smith called in unannounced. Kevin and Jim planned out a live art show and the Clerks 2 comic on the air live—that was a hoot.  We spoke to Tom Jane when he was locked outside his house, Rosario Dawson when she was getting off an airplane and Patton Oswalt when he was on his way to the William Shatner Roast...

One time I was trying to tell Oliver how I think it would be cool if there was an African-American Spider-Man and somehow it came out "I WANT BLACK PETER!" And Joe Quesada broke the news that "Princess Diana is a mutant" on our show and almost caused an international incident

BF: In terms of scoops, which one stands out as the biggest and best yet?

SH: Personally, I think it was Craig Thompson's explanation of who Raina from Blankets really is. That was magical—even when I listen to the show again, I cringe at how awful I am.

BF: We've looked at a lot of the positives thus far, but what about growing pains? Did you experience many?

SH: I don’t know. Losing co-hosts unexpectedly always hurts. It’s been a looong, sloooow progression to get the quality to where it is now, where we can really shop it around, so yes, there were some growing pains there.

BF: The online news environment has changed a whole lot in five years. Back in 2001, Fanboy Radio was one of, if not the top comics show aired on radio and online, but these days there's a multitude of podcasts, as well as competition (ComicGeekSpeak comes to mind). Has that affected the show at all?

SH: Ah, it's made me want to play up our strengths, like live shows. But, no, it hasn’t [affected us], not really…

BF: What about ratings? Can you give away how many people listen to a show on average?

SH: Well, with a radio station broadcasting into the fourth largest, radio market, syndicated through another in Canada, the live feed at ours and KTCU's site, the recordings streaming on internet radio stations, our Myspace page, direct downloads through BitPass and our thousands and thousands of subscribers that get every episode- it tough to give an exact number, but I try to for interested sponsors.

BF: It's safe to say the show is doing great, then!

SH: In that arena, absolutely. We still need sponsors and support for further expansion and promotion, especially because the situation with some long-term sponsors is changing a bit, but things are good.

BF: Looking ahead at the schedule coming up for November, you can't pack much more quality in there than what you have: Joe Quesada, Joss Whedon, Mike Mignola, Alan Moore, Paul Levitz—that's some great company!

SH: Hey, thanks! I've already got two people in December that may be even more impressive!

BF: And who may that be?

SH: Man... you don't have enough for one day?

BF: I do, I just want to get readers enticed! [Laughs]

SH: I've got to spread the fan joy around! Keep your eyes peeled as we get closer to the big B-Day Bash!

BF: One of the things comic creators are known for is their ‘approachability.’ I'm sure that instant willingness to talk is essential to making the show tick, as it is with comic book websites as well!

SH: Definitely, The ‘approachability’ quality of comic creators is what has put food on my table for the past few years. Just about all of them are amazing talents with huge hearts.

BF: Has your fanboy side changed now that you're involved in the medium in a professional manner, or do you still look forward to each Wednesday with that same glee and that same sparkle in your eyes?

SH: I absolutely look forward to every Wednesday. There just isn't enough time each week to chat about each and every comic I'd like to. I'm more of a fanboy now than ever. I seriously think that during the November interview with Alan Moore, I will be the most nervous nerd in America—even more than interviewing Quesada 5 years ago without the experience!

Here’s a look at the Fanboy Radio shows for the rest of October and the whole of November. Show shows are LIVE and listed at Central Standard Time (+1 hour Eastern, -2 hour Pacific):

• Wed, 10/25 @ 1pm - FbR #343: Writer Miles Gunter and Tad Stones, Director and Producer of Hellboy: The Sword of Storms
• Sun, 10/29 @ 6pm - FbR #344: Writers Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Grey
• Wed, 11/1 @ 1pm - FbR #345: Writer Ron Marz and Steve Bauman, Editor-In-Chief of MASSIVE Magazine
• Sun, 11/5 @ 6pm - FbR #346: Creator Darwyn Cooke
• Wed, 11/8 @ 1pm - FbR #347: Joe Quesada, Editor-In-Chief of Marvel Comics
• Sun, 11/12 @ 6pm - FbR #348: New York Times Best-Selling Novelist, Laurell K. Hamilton
• Wed, 11/15 @ 1pm - FbR #349: Creator Alan Moore
• Sun, 11/19 @ 6pm - FbR #350: Open Lines with Past Hosts
• Wed, 11/22 @ 1pm - FbR #351: Paul Levitz, President of DC Comics
• Sun, 11/26 @ 6pm - FbR #352: Creator Joss Whedon – Week Long Birthday Bash
• Wed, 11/29 @ 1pm - FbR #353: Creator Mike Mignola