What happens when you go to Galaxy Con with a plan… and leave with stories, new friends, and a bank account that needs emotional support?

In this episode of The Comic Book Block Podcast, we break down our full experience at Galaxy Con—from the moment we stepped into that never-ending line, to the chaos, the cosplay, the panels, and yes… the receipts.

We talk about:

• That first step inside when everything hits at once
• Cosplay moments that were equal parts impressive and hilarious
• Artist Alley… where talent meets emotional spending
• Panels that inspired us (and audience questions that didn’t)
• And the “just one more thing” purchases that added up real fast

But more than anything, this is a conversation about the feeling of it all—the energy, the culture, and what it means to be in a space where people are unapologetically themselves.

Because Galaxy Con isn’t just an event…

We talk about the real side of conventions—the excitement, the overwhelm, the impulse buys you swear made sense at the time, and the way one weekend can completely pull you back into the joy of being a fan.

On this episode of The Comic Book Block, we sit down with independent comic book writer Alfred Paige — the creative force behind Blowtorch, Pinpoint, the expanding C.H.E.S.S. universe, Footpath, and more — and we talk about what it really means to create stories that stand on discipline, not just spectacle.

Because anybody can design a costume.

But not everybody can design consequence.

Alfred’s characters don’t move like they’re waiting on destiny.
They move like they’ve trained for pressure.
They move like tomorrow still matters.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The characters at the heart of his stories — from the hardened resilience of Blowtorch to the calculated precision of Pinpoint

• The strategy, tension, and layered team dynamics inside the C.H.E.S.S. universe

• What inspires him to write characters who feel lived-in, tested, and human

• And how independent comics give him the freedom to move across genres — blending grounded action, tactical storytelling, psychological tension, and character-driven drama

This is craft.

This is control.

This is what happens when a creator bets on their own vision and refuses to water it down.

Listen Now — Pull Up to The Block. .

This week on The Comic Book Block, we spotlight the creators, artists, and independent publishers who are shaping the future of comics — without waiting for permission.

From the groundbreaking legacy of Milestone to the world-building and the grassroots creativity of Sixfifteen Comics, Stranger Comics, Second Sight Publishing, Advent Comics, Comicsburgh, and Midnight Comics — this episode celebrates the people doing the amazing work behind the panels.

We also talk about the artists and writers bringing authenticity to the medium, the ongoing challenges of representation in mainstream publishing, and why Black comic creators deserve recognition every day — not just in February.

This episode is part history, part conversation, part comedy, and all love for the culture.

If the mainstream is sleeping… the indies are cooking.