Petals to the Metal,

Adapting actual-play tabletop roleplaying campaigns into bestselling graphic novels has brought comedic fantasy adventure to a broad new readership. Clint McElroy, a veteran radio broadcaster and comic writer, collaborated with his sons Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy to transform their popular actual-play podcast, The Adventure Zone, into a widely acclaimed fantasy graphic novel series published by First Second Books.

Career & Background

Born in 1955 and raised in Ironton, Ohio, McElroy built a 45-year career in radio broadcasting after taking his first station job at WKEE in Huntington, West Virginia, in 1975. Following a three-year stint in Tampa, Florida, he returned to local radio in the Tri-State area, was inducted into the Greater Huntington Wall of Fame in 2009, and served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre at Marshall University. Long before his podcasting career, he wrote comic books in the 1980s and early 1990s, penning series such as Green Hornet: Dark Tomorrow for NOW Comics, Blood is the Harvest for Eclipse Comics, and official comic adaptations for feature films including Freejack, Universal Soldier, and Three Ninjas Kick Back.

McElroy later transitioned to actual-play audio and graphic storytelling alongside his sons on the Maximum Fun network's podcast The Adventure Zone. In addition to co-creating and scripting the comic book adaptations of their roleplaying campaigns, he has written for major comic publishers, co-authoring Marvel Comics miniseries such as War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery, Marvel Team-Up, and a story for Marvel Comics #1000. He has also authored humor columns for Huntington Quarterly Magazine and written the children's picture book Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding.

Writing Style & Themes

McElroy's writing centers on collaborative humor, family dynamics, and energetic multi-genre storytelling that bridges tabletop roleplaying with classic comic traditions. His work frequently features quick-witted dialogue, character-driven improvisation, and affectionate parodies of fantasy and sci-fi tropes. Whether scripting sprawling fantasy quest arcs or lighthearted picture books, McElroy emphasizes accessible humor, multi-generational perspectives, and warm domestic comedy—a sensibility playfully reflected in his personal lore of holding three "Best Dad" and six "Best Grandpa" coffee mugs.

Major Works

• Here There Be Gerblins — The debut graphic novel adaptation of The Adventure Zone fantasy campaign, co-written with Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy and illustrated by Carey Pietsch.
• Murder on the Rockport Limited! — The second graphic novel installment in The Adventure Zone series, adapting a high-stakes locomotive mystery campaign with comedic ensemble interaction.
• Petals to the Metal — The third volume of The Adventure Zone graphic novel series, blending fast-paced wagon racing fantasy with humorous character arcs.
• The Crystal Kingdom — The fourth entry in The Adventure Zone graphic novel collection, following the protagonist group as they investigate a crystal-based magical anomaly.
• Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding — A humorous children's picture book written from the perspective of a young grandchild offering advice on guiding and caring for grandparents.
• War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery — A five-issue Marvel Comics limited series co-written with his sons as a tie-in to Marvel's War of the Realms crossover event.