In this special bonus episode of Geek Freaks, Frank is joined by acclaimed comic book writer Aubrey Sitterson to explore the radical, sci-fi world of Free Planet, his new series from Image Comics. Known for his bold storytelling and politically rich narratives, Aubrey takes us deep into the philosophical core of Free Planet, unpacking its themes of revolution, freedom, and the cost of building a better world. With deep dives into the creative process, the influence of history and anthropology, and the collaboration with artist Jed Dougherty, this episode is packed with insight and fire.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 – Intro: Why this bonus episode matters
00:19 – Who is Aubrey Sitterson? Background and work
01:03 – The concept behind Free Planet
02:08 – Revolution, history, and political roots
04:30 – Defining real freedom and post-war challenges
07:53 – Layouts, spreads, and comic as object
09:46 – Balancing personal drama with large-scale politics
12:30 – Research-driven worldbuilding over aesthetics
18:06 – Interpersonal conflict as a reflection of ideology
22:34 – Creative process with Jed Dougherty
25:54 – Lettering innovations and character voice
28:01 – The unreliable narrator and historical context
34:11 – Print vs digital: Why Free Planet demands paper
43:01 – Final reflections and what’s next
Key Takeaways:
Aubrey Sitterson uses Free Planet to challenge conventional ideas of freedom and revolution.
The comic is deeply researched, pulling from real-world political and cultural movements.
Free Planet is built as a print-first experience, with double-page spreads, maps, and dense visual storytelling.
The creative team—Jed Dougherty, Taylor Esposito, and Vittorio Astone—elevate the book’s layered vision.
The book includes in-world historical commentary that questions neutrality and narrative control.
Sitterson aims to create work that demands attention and resists passive reading.
Quotes:
“The only freedom worth having is the freedom you fight for.” – Aubrey Sitterson
“We made Free Planet for people who want to sit with something and really think.” – Aubrey
“Talon’s fan reaction was so strong, I had to restructure the story just to give him more space.” – Aubrey
“There’s a difference between mimicking aesthetics and actually building something from the same roots.” – Aubrey
Call to Action:
Love these kinds of deep-dive interviews? Subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review, and share this episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Bonus episodes like this are just one of the many ways we celebrate creators and storytellers in geek culture.
Links and Resources:
All news and updates from this episode at GeekFreaksPodcast.com
Pick up Free Planet from Image Comics — Available now at your local comic shop!
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Listener Questions:
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Apple Podcast Tags:
comics, sci-fi comics, Free Planet, Aubrey Sitterson, Image Comics, political comics, comic book creators, independent comics, comic interviews, revolutionary stories, space opera, speculative fiction, graphic novels, comic book podcast