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Aubrey Sitterson Breaks Down Free Planet and the Fight for Real Freedom

Geek Freaks

Release Date: 05/07/2025

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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:
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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