Gary Groth, publisher and founder of Fantagraphics joins Dave to reflect on 50 years of championing comics, the world's greatest cartoonists, and following conviction.

He talks about launching The Comics Journal at 21, meeting Robert Crumb, Harvey Kurtzman, Daniel Clowes, Todd McFarlane, Charles Schulz, and the defining moment Love and Rockets arrived, unsolicited in his mailbox.

The two discuss the tragic passing of artist Ed Piskor, the new Takumigraphics manga imprint, Kago Shintaro, and why Fantagraphics is doubling down on politically urgent work.fantagraphics.com

Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach joins Dave for a deep-dive conversation about comic book collecting, rock music, and creative inspiration. Bach shares his earliest comic memories, from Fantastic Four to Herb Trimpe’s Incredible Hulk, and how those stories shaped his lifelong taste as a collector. He recounts unforgettable rock tour road stories, including the legendary moment he bought Amazing Fantasy #15 alongside Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell on a fateful day in Omaha.

The two explore the power of comic book community, the creative fuel behind Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, and Spider-Man, iconic Spider-Man jackets, and why local comic shops remain a place of quiet refuge for artists, musicians, and fans alike. A must-listen episode for fans of hard rock, heavy metal, Marvel Comics, Spider-Man, and pop culture storytelling.

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Cartoonist Brett Bean (Dungeon Crawler Carl, Rocket and Groot, Jim Henson Creature Shop) joins Dave to discuss D'ORC, his humorous, high-fantasy series with Image Comics.

Bean shares how he developed his protagonist from his own experience of never fitting in, his "controlled chaos" approach to both art and life, and the pivotal conversation that caused him to leave behind animation for comics.

The two discuss paying creative dues, the positivity of Matt Dinnaman, favoring creativity over chasing paychecks, and what watching Phoebe Bridgers play for tips at a farmers market says about the importance of starting small.

Check out Brett's work here : https://www.brettbean.com/

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Artist Marko Djurdjevic (League Of Legends, Marvel Variant Covers) joins Dave to discuss ORKEN, his ambitious and wide ranging transmedia project of novels & illustrated books via Kickstarter. Djurdjevic talks about his overcommitment to quality, building legacy through his company SixMoreVodka, Javier Bardem, the principles that drove his cover designs for Marvel, Ultimate Fallout 4, and shares how 80s cartoons like He-Man shaped his sense of world-building. The two discuss the perfection of There Will Be Blood, David Lynch's Dune, Christopher Nolan, Metallica, and the lost magic of 80's storytelling. Back the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sixmorevodka/orken/descriptionhttps://www.sixmorevodka.com/homeFind Me:-------------------------------------------My Website : www.westcoastdavengers.comPATREON https://www.patreon.com/DavengersDirectEditionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/directeditionpodcast/

Writer B.Earl (Ultimate Hawkeye, Werewolf by Night, Daredevil and Echo) joins Dave for an enthusiastic conversation about his path from film editor to comics and his unlikely partnerships with Will.i.am (Masters of the Sun) and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, and his personal writing on spirituality and creativity. The two talk comics, Northwest artist Jeffrey Veregge, Jim Lee's X-Men, music to read to, tarot and the satisfying payoff that comes from betting on yourself.

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Stephen Bissette (Swamp Thing) & Jim Rugg (Cartoonist Kayfabe, Street Angel) join Dave to discuss the upcoming Artist and Complete Editions of Tyrant via Kickstarter , Bissette's singular prehistoric dinosaur masterwork.

Eisner Hall of Fame legend Bissette and comic genius Rugg explore the role of fanzines in shaping early careers, the intensive scientific research that nearly derailed Tyrant's earliest issues, Ray Harryhausen, and how Alan Moore's advice solved the problem of creating a non-human narrative voice.

Pre-Save the kickstarter here - https://tinyurl.com/yp4mwt72

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Grab Jim Rugg's books through PowerPulp - https://powerpulpcomics.com/

Grab Stephen's Paleo Pop - https://www.amazon.sg/Bissettes-TYRANT%C2%AE-presents-Paleo-PopTM/dp/B0G4DWVX4G

Comic legend Jim Starlin (Infinity Gauntlet, Batman Death In The Family) joins Dave to discuss the upcoming Dreadstar vs Dreadstar Kickstarter. Starlin shares stories from the New York studio scene of the 1970s, Walt Simonson's spoilers, learning from Howard Chaykin, collaborating with Bernie Wrightson, and how early encouragement from Steve Ditko kept him drawing. The two explore Starlin's fascination with death, pushing against the institutional systems, his take on the MCU Infinity Saga, and the harsh economics of Marvel that had artists selling original art at bargain prices just to cover the rent. He also discusses what inspired him to paint and the importance of Neal Adams to comics.You can pre-save the Dreadstar Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/monkeywrenchent/jim-starlins-dreadstar-vs-dreadstarGet all other Dreadstar books through Dark Horse ComicsFind Jim on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimstarlin/?hl=en

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Shawn Crystal & Matteo Scalera join Dave ahead of OAX, where the full InkPulp crew will assemble in person for the very first time. (Jim Mahfood, Eric Canete, Jamie Wood)They break down the business of self-publishing, the toll of running a Kickstarter for Matteo's book The Fourth Father, and how indie creators can build better partnerships with comic shops. The three look ahead to the inaugural InkPulp tour, nearly dismantling the whole thing before it starts.The Fourth Father - Pre-save it here: https://shorturl.at/Ytdsx @inkpulp Tour dates:Feb 23 - Blackbird Comics - OrlandoFeb 26 Heroes Aren't Hard To Find - Charlotte Feb 28 Third Eye Comics - Annapolis March 1 - Forbidden Planet NYC

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