This past Saturday, Free Comic Book Day, Lone Star Comics in Plano, TX, sponsored a panel discussion on the current state of American comics. He invited a variety of individuals from different backgrounds and with different perspectives, but all participating in the field of comics in some form or another. The Two Guys with PhDs Talking about Comics were invited to take part in this event. Unfortunately, Andy couldn’t make it, but Derek was able to be there and provide his two or three cents. Joining Derek on the panel were Scott Fane, one of the writers from the blog Comical Musings; Chris Danger from live pop culture broadcast SCNS:Live; Brent Erwin, the Chief Operating Officer and one of the founders of Ape Entertainment; and Hunter S. Zombie, the writer of the indy title, Stillborn: The First Zombie.  Introducing the panel was Shea Hennum, the scheduling manager of Lone Star Comics in Plano and a friend of the show.  Shea got the ball rolling by asking the question, “Are we currently in a ‘golden age’ of comics?” What followed was a series of responses to that questions, insights and observations that led down several interesting paths. Much thanks to Rick Cromack, the manager of Lone Star Comics in Plano, for organizing this event. And a big thanks as well to Jason Dilworth, who helped us with the recording and who captured the panel discussion on video.