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It's good to have someone you can trust when looking to find your next favorite thing, or better understand your already-favorite friends, and that can be a friend, a co-worker, or someone you read or watch for their opinion. Popverse co-founder and former Deputy Editor Tiffany Babb has assembled a super-group of comics critics to do just that about all the comics on our shelves and on our digital devices, and it's called the Comics Courier. Much like some of read comics digitally but prefer the look and feel (and smell) of classically-printed comics, the Comics Courier is going for that as well - being published as a physical newspaper on actual newsprint.

The Comics Courier is looking to be a biannual tabloid-sized newspaper giving you hot takes, cold-hard facts, and a variety of informed opinions about comics and is done by some of the most identifiable writers about comics. Eisner Award-winners Douglas Wolk, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and more are joining Babb on the inaugural issue, and The Comics Courier is currently raising funds now on Kickstarter to not only get you a copy of the issue but also to help it get out into the world to others.

You have from now until October 31 to back The Comics Courier on Kickstarter (but the sooner the better!), and I spoke with my good friend, former co-worker, and forever ally Tiffany Babb about the issue, where it came from, and what's in it for you.

Popverse: In working together for two-and-a-half years, I know well your ability to see trends and also to see gaps, and have solutions. Where do you feel The Comics Courier fits into the reading (and buying) habits of comics fans?

Tiffany Babb: There are a lot of comics fans who love reading about comics, whether as a way to engage in what they're reading more deeply or as a way to learn about new stuff. And there's just fewer and fewer places to find that sort of writing. Obviously, over the past few years, a bunch of comics sites have shut down, which is a huge loss - but there also used to be a thriving community of (sometimes toxic, but sometimes amazing) comics discourse on social media and forums, but those spaces are gone... or slowly dying (RIP to Comics Twitter). I hope that The Comics Courier will satisfy comics readers who want to continue those conversations and read more about this medium we all love.

I'm very fond of the advice of making the thing you want instead of hoping someone else will. How did the idea for the Comics Courier develop in you?

I've been wanting to create my own comics criticism periodical for a while. The newspaper idea actually came up when I met Brian Canini from The Columbus Scribbler years ago. I loved the format, and the paper is just so cool. I get every issue. Of course, I've got to put my own spin on it, so the Courier is a tabloid and completely dedicated to criticism. 

A big part of this project is making it what I want it to be, and not trying to fit it into whatever box things are expected to fit in nowadays. Going the crowdfunding route gives us a little more leeway to write about what we care about and not have to chase trends or engagement. For example, it's important to me that the writing in The Comics Courier is not tied to release schedules. Just because a book has been out for a few years doesn't mean it's not worth taking a look at. While I understand why so much of our current comics criticism is driven by that schedule, it sucks to see books get ignored if they weren't dropped this week - or coming out next month. 

I applaud your framing of The Comics Courier centering on the authors more than what specifically in comics they're writing about - at least at this stage. I'm not asking for spoilers, but when you're soliciting the writers for pitches what kind of target are you giving them?

That's the fun part. This project is really my chance to give writers carte blanche to write about what they want to write about. As a critic, there's not always a place willing to publish what you're excited about, and when I'm writing, that's usually where my best work comes from. Really, there's no target other than the fact that it has to be interesting and it has to be good, but of course, with these writers, that's a given!

From what I understand The Comics Courier is strictly print-only - far afield from Popverse, or even PanelxPanel. There's a specialness this brings to it - akin to vinyl record releases, and selling an entire experience and just not words on a screen. What was the decision like for you to make this print-only?

There is a PDF version of the paper available, but the project's ideal form is its print format. Part of the reason I wanted to do print is because I love to read, but I don't love to read on screens. I'm on screens all day long already. Plus, there's something so enticing about newspapers. I love the smell of newsprint, and the classic newspaper format just has such a vibe to it. 

Speaking now to you as a writer for the Comics Courier and not the editor/founder, but what are you wanting to write about for the first edition?

I'm really excited about the feature interview with Patrick Horvath, who I think is one of the more interesting new voices in comics right now. Another fun thing I'm writing for the paper is an ongoing column of essays about specific pieces of comics criticism. Because the paper is so focused on comics criticism, it seemed fitting to write about writing about comics. Down the line, I'd also love to interview some comics critics about their work too.

Lastly, any plans to sell these at conventions and book fairs, or at shops?

There is a retailer tier for the Kickstarter, so hopefully the Courier will find its way into some shops. I do plan to sell copies when I table at zine fairs or whatnot in the future. I don't table at conventions very often, but perhaps I'll convince a friend or two to let me take over their table for a couple of hours... or I could just sell copies out of my backpack like a door-to-door salesman... hawking copies from the crosswalk in front of the convention center.

We look forward to seeing you on the con circuit, and getting the newest edition of the Comics Courier!

Order your copy of The Comics Courier (and support the cause) now on Kickstarter.

New York Comic Con is where you can explore an Artist Alley filled with hundreds of comic creators from legends like Jim Lee to up-and-coming talent. Commission unique art or get your personal collection signed October 17-20. Limited Thursday NYCC tickets are still on sale.