The Essential Review Podcast – COCO Guest Interviews
Exclusive conversations with the creators appearing at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey
The Essential Review Podcast:
Interview with Karen Whitfield- COCO 2026
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review podcast, host Coach sits down with Karen Whitfield—DC Comics’ Bronze Age Batgirl—for a heartfelt conversation about legacy, fandom, and the power of representation.
Karen shares how watching Batman in the 1960s inspired her as a young girl, and how meeting Burt Ward led to her touring nationwide alongside Ward and Adam West as the only Batgirl to suit up and perform live during the Bronze Age era. She reflects on what it meant to embody Batgirl for fans long before comic conventions and cosplay culture existed, and how seeing young girls recognize themselves in a female superhero shaped her purpose.
The conversation also explores Karen’s decision to step away from the spotlight to become a mother, her return decades later with the blessing of DC Comics, and her desire to inspire women to reclaim dreams at every stage of life. Grounded, warm, and deeply personal, Karen’s story reminds fans that Batgirl has always stood for courage, intelligence, and heart—on and off the cape.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Karen Whitfield in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
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Josef Rubinstein
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with legendary comic book finishing artist Joe Rubinstein, whose five-decade career has helped define the visual language of modern comics. Joe shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a child to becoming a studio assistant for Neil Adams and Dick Giordano in his early teens, launching a lifelong career in comic books.
Joe breaks down the role of the inker as a creative interpreter, comparing inking to a musician shaping a composition. He reflects on working with icons like John Byrne, Gene Colan, Jack Kirby, and Gil Kane, discusses career highlights including Captain America, Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and emphasizes the importance of studying and preserving comic book history.
Insightful, educational, and full of humor, the conversation highlights why Joe Rubinstein remains one of the most respected craftsmen in comics — and what fans can expect when they meet him at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Josef “Joe” Rubinstein in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Joe breaks down the role of the inker as a creative interpreter, comparing inking to a musician shaping a composition. He reflects on working with icons like John Byrne, Gene Colan, Jack Kirby, and Gil Kane, discusses career highlights including Captain America, Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and emphasizes the importance of studying and preserving comic book history.
Insightful, educational, and full of humor, the conversation highlights why Joe Rubinstein remains one of the most respected craftsmen in comics — and what fans can expect when they meet him at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Josef “Joe” Rubinstein in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
D. R. Perry (Solo Gayleson)
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with comic book artist, animator, and educator D. R. Perry, also known as “Solo” Gayleson, for an inspiring conversation about his creative journey, passion for teaching, and commitment to making comic arts education accessible. From his early start as a self-taught artist to professional work in comics, animation, and games, Solo reflects on the challenges of learning the craft, the importance of structured education, and how those experiences led to the creation of Ka-Pow!! The Comic Arts Academy. He also discusses his work mentoring artists, building faith-inspired storytelling through HonorStudios Entertainment, and empowering creators at every stage of their journey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet D. R. Perry (Solo Gayleson) in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Andy Smith
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with veteran comic book artist Andy Smith for an engaging conversation about his career, creative evolution, and enduring passion for superhero storytelling. With more than three decades in the industry, Andy reflects on his work across major publishers, the importance of strong anatomy and bold action, and how classic comic-book energy continues to shape his art. He also discusses his role as an educator, author, and creator-owned publisher, sharing insights into what drives him to keep building new worlds and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Andy Smith in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Andy Smith in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Lexx Truss
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with filmmaker Lexx Truss for an engaging conversation about storytelling, purpose, and visual expression. Lexx shares insights from his work as a writer, director, and producer, reflecting on authenticity, legacy, and exploring the human condition through his films. He also discusses what continues to inspire him creatively and what he’s most excited to bring to City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Lexx Truss in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Lexx Truss in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Jamal Igle
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with award-winning creator Jamal Igle for an engaging conversation about storytelling, character, and the evolution of modern comics. Jamal shares insights from his decades-long career as a writer, artist, and educator, reflecting on emotionally driven narratives, the role of identity in comic book storytelling, and how his work bridges classic superhero foundations with contemporary themes. He also discusses mentoring the next generation of creators and what continues to inspire him creatively.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Jamal Igle in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Jamal Igle in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Bill Maus
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with indie comics veteran Bill Maus—joined by his daughter and creative collaborator, Kat Maus—for a thoughtful and energetic conversation about independent comics, creative legacy, and collaboration across generations. Bill reflects on building his career in indie comics and shaping a creator-driven path, while Kat shares her journey growing up in Artist Alley and learning the craft by working alongside him. Together, they discuss what it means to honor that foundation while pushing independent comic book storytelling forward.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Bill and Kat Maus in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Bill and Kat Maus in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Bob McLeod
In this episode of The ESSENTIALReview, host Coach sits down with legendary comic book artist Bob McLeod for a thoughtful conversation about his career, creative process, and lasting impact on the comic book industry. Best known as the co-creator of The New Mutants for Marvel Comics, Bob reflects on his decades of work across iconic titles, the craft of classic comic-book storytelling, and what continues to inspire him as a creator. He also shares insights into his experiences at conventions and the importance of preserving the foundations that modern comics are built on.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Bob McLeod in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Bob McLeod in person at City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Pierre-Alexandre Comtois
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review podcast, host Coach sits down with special COCO guest Pierre-Alexandre Comtois for an in-depth conversation about his creative journey, career highlights, and passion for visual storytelling.
With more than two decades of experience in animation, Pierre shares how comic books were his first creative love and how his path into animation—particularly storyboarding—became a powerful training ground for visual narrative, pacing, and worldbuilding.
He reflects on working behind the scenes on iconic properties such as Peanuts and Sonic Prime, the challenge of honoring beloved stories with devoted fan bases, and the often unseen role storyboard artists play in bringing animated projects to life.
The conversation also explores Pierre’s return to comics through his graphic novel Sunder, a project inspired by classic fantasy and developed alongside his animation career. Throughout the episode, Pierre offers thoughtful insight into creativity, resilience, and what it means to build meaningful stories across both animation and comic books.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Pierre-Alexandre Comtois in person at COCO 2026!
With more than two decades of experience in animation, Pierre shares how comic books were his first creative love and how his path into animation—particularly storyboarding—became a powerful training ground for visual narrative, pacing, and worldbuilding.
He reflects on working behind the scenes on iconic properties such as Peanuts and Sonic Prime, the challenge of honoring beloved stories with devoted fan bases, and the often unseen role storyboard artists play in bringing animated projects to life.
The conversation also explores Pierre’s return to comics through his graphic novel Sunder, a project inspired by classic fantasy and developed alongside his animation career. Throughout the episode, Pierre offers thoughtful insight into creativity, resilience, and what it means to build meaningful stories across both animation and comic books.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Pierre-Alexandre Comtois in person at COCO 2026!
Ciara Renée
In this episode of The ESSENTIAL Review, host Coach sits down with actress, singer, and director Ciara Renée to explore her journey into performance, the power of storytelling, and her impact within the superhero genre. Ciara reflects on growing up singing in church, finding her voice through musical theater, and how performance became both a refuge and a form of self-expression.
She discusses the significance of portraying Hawkgirl in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, the responsibility that comes with representation, and the deep preparation she brought to the role through studying comics and understanding the character’s emotional depth.
The conversation also touches on the differences between stage and screen acting, her love of connecting with fans at conventions, and why stories that allow characters to grow and evolve matter. Ciara shares her excitement for future creative opportunities and expresses her enthusiasm for being part of City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Ciara Renée in person at COCO 2026!
She discusses the significance of portraying Hawkgirl in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, the responsibility that comes with representation, and the deep preparation she brought to the role through studying comics and understanding the character’s emotional depth.
The conversation also touches on the differences between stage and screen acting, her love of connecting with fans at conventions, and why stories that allow characters to grow and evolve matter. Ciara shares her excitement for future creative opportunities and expresses her enthusiasm for being part of City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey.
Watch the full interview and get ready to meet Ciara Renée in person at COCO 2026!
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