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Steve Schanes: Comic Book + Animation Entrepreneur

Steve Schanes:  Comic Book + Animation Entrepreneur

 

 

Introduction to Steve Schanes.   1:14 min.  Interview:  Raymond Elman.  Post-Production:  Lee Skye.  Music: Carmen Cicero. Recorded via Zoom:  3/9/2026.  Miami–Sandiego.

 

STEVE SCHANES has been in the comic book and animation industry for 50+ years. Schanes began as a comic book retailer when he was 17 years old and, alongside his brother Bill, opened Pacific Comics. From there he launched the industry disrupter, Blackthorne Publishing. During his time in the comic business Schanes published 800 comic books. From these roots POP-KING INC emerged. Some of the POP-KING INC collections over the years include archive acquisition of studios such as Filmation, DiC, and Nelvana. POP-KING has a track record of selling 47 million units including 12 million animation items since the year 2000.

— POP-KING INC 

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 11 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:   1:41 min.

Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY:   0:29 sec.

Did you try to play a musical instrument?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    5:22 min.

It took a long time for comics to be recognized as an art form. What was the evolution of your appreciation of comics?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    11:02 min.

Tell us about your evolution in the Comic Industry.

 

“Society really needs art of all kinds.

The public may not realize how important

art is, but we can’t live without it.”

 

CRITICAL THINKING:   1:32 min.

What are your favorite comic book characters or series?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    2:36 min.

Adventure comic book characters have become central to blockbuster movies. Have you participated in that phenomenon?

 

UNDERSTANDS THE BUSINESS OF ART:   1:05 min.

What’s on your drawing board?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    0:34 sec.

What’s your favorite movie?