Building a Free Planet: Aubrey Sitterson on Revolution, Freedom, and Sci-Fi Worldbuilding Podcast By cover art

Building a Free Planet: Aubrey Sitterson on Revolution, Freedom, and Sci-Fi Worldbuilding

Building a Free Planet: Aubrey Sitterson on Revolution, Freedom, and Sci-Fi Worldbuilding

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 In this compelling episode of Geek Freaks, Frank sits down with writer Aubrey Sitterson to discuss Free Planet, a new sci-fi epic from Image Comics. Aubrey dives deep into the book’s core themes of freedom, discipline, and revolution, sharing the research and inspiration behind his sprawling geopolitical space opera. From unreliable narrators and anthropological influences to the vital contributions of collaborators like artist Jed Dougherty, letterer Taylor Esposito, and colorist Vittorio Astone, this conversation unpacks how Free Planet became one of the most ambitious and layered comics of the year.Timestamps and Topics:00:00 – Introduction and welcome to Aubrey Sitterson00:19 – What is Free Planet? A saga meets East of West01:03 – The surprising popularity of Talon02:08 – The origins of Free Planet and its political lens04:30 – Revolutionary history and real-world inspirations06:02 – Exploring what freedom really means07:53 – Visual storytelling: spreads, charts, and page design09:46 – Conflict, compromise, and food shortages11:09 – The comic as literature and object12:30 – Sci-fi inspirations: Ursula K. Le Guin, Dune, and more14:17 – Research over aesthetics: grounding the story in truth16:29 – The balance between interpersonal drama and grand politics18:06 – How character dynamics reflect ideological tension20:14 – Page-by-page scripting and Jed’s visual genius22:34 – Weapon design, faction identity, and world-building layers24:49 – Collaborative storytelling and artistic contributions25:54 – Lettering innovations and layered voice design28:01 – Dr. August Ferrucci and the historical narration30:00 – On bias, narration, and the illusion of neutrality31:01 – Bonus material and hand-painted covers34:11 – Liefeld-inspired layouts and homage as design36:15 – The difference between mimicry and foundational homage39:07 – Talon and Basil’s contrasting voices in lettering42:00 – Robert Kirkman’s blurb and industry recognition43:01 – Print versus digital: Why Free Planet demands paperKey Takeaways:Free Planet explores the complexities of freedom, revolution, and post-war society through a sci-fi lens.Aubrey Sitterson researched real-world revolutions, anthropology, and political theory to shape the book’s nuanced world.The comic is intentionally designed as a print-first experience, leveraging double-page spreads, infographics, and layered visual storytelling.Artist Jed Dougherty's page compositions elevate the script, and his designs actively shape the story's evolution.The lettering by Taylor Esposito adds character distinction and thematic nuance, including subtle cues like font shifts and balloon changes.Dr. August Ferrucci’s backmatter essays expand the story’s lore, offering unreliable but informative narration akin to historical texts.Free Planet is “actively hostile” to digital—intended for readers who want to sit, think, and truly absorb a comic.Quotes:“It’s not just about what freedom is—but what we’re willing to sacrifice for it.” – Aubrey Sitterson“There’s not another comic on the rack like this.” – Frank“Talon was so popular early on that I rewrote the outline to give him more of the spotlight.” – Aubrey“We wanted Free Planet to be both art and literature.” – Aubrey“The narration is factual—but even neutrality is a choice.” – AubreyCall to Action:If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Geek Freaks on your favorite podcast app, leave a review, and share it with fellow comic fans using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Help us spotlight indie creators pushing the boundaries of storytelling.Links and Resources:Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all news and updates featured in this episodeLearn more about Free Planet from Image Comics and grab it at your local comic shop on May 7
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