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Cartoonist and musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorns) joins Dave to talk about his new book Pear Shape from Fantagraphics, and Taste of Cherry, the debut album from his band The Creem. 
Thorburn talks about his creative approach to writing both comics and songs, the lifelong pull toward gallows humor and tenderness, and the freedom of letting stories reveal themselves as he works. 
The two discuss the early influence of Fantagraphics, the power of light-and-dark contradictions in art, Canada, and why comics remain a limitless medium for creators.

https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/nick-thorburn?srsltid=AfmBOormMRB3XNjyWlPg_44AF2xYoGQEakXLr68FTaqcHA0FfeV235Bs

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Cartoonist and musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorns) joins Dave to talk about his new book Pear Shape from Fantagraphics, and Taste of Cherry, the debut album from his band The Creem.

Thorburn talks about his creative approach to writing both comics and songs, the lifelong pull toward gallows humor and tenderness, and the freedom of letting stories reveal themselves as he works.

The two discuss the early influence of Fantagraphics, the power of light-and-dark contradictions in art, Canada, and why comics remain a limitless medium for creators.

https://www.instagram.com/thorburndraws/

directeditionpodcast.com

Join my patreon, help support the podcast https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition

Jim Ward returns to talk with Dave about Sparta's new album Cut a Silhouette, out now on Equal Vision Records. 

Ward shares how a manager's blunt critique sparked three of the record's best songs, working with Jawbox founder and producer J. Robbins as a shepherd and mentor, and bridging his earliest work with who he is now. 

The two discuss the ticket price fatigue reshaping the touring industry, co-founding the Girls Rock camp in El Paso, Hayley Williams, and the elusive "Jims" supergroup featuring Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World.

https://www.sparta.band/

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Writer and Filmmaker Che Grayson joins Dave to discuss Absolute Catwoman, the DC project they're co-writing with Scott Snyder and artist Bengal. 

Grayson shares how their indie roots and pandemic-era Zoom calls with Snyder led to the collaboration, and the creative energy that has allowed the Absolute line to resonate.

 The two discuss Easter eggs hidden in the first two issues, the essential role of horror films in shaping their creative voice, and why great art should always have something to say.

Plus, Bagels.

Follow Che on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chehaunts/?hl=en

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Cartoonist Daniel Warren Johnson joins Dave to announce Chainkata, his ambitious, decade-in-the-making new sci-fi series from Image. Chicks with chainsaws!

 Johnson shares the origin of the book's chainsaw-wielding heroine and the experimental color techniques that brought it to life. 

The two discuss inspiration drawn from Richard Corben and manga masters, the emotional weight of his Eisner winning Absolute Batman Annual, and the meditative pull of the golf course. Plus, Long Island Bagels, Joe Madureira, Original art, and Frank Thorne's Red Sonja.

Chainkata will be available through Image comics in November 2026. 

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Award-winning author and cultural critic Ytasha Womack joins Dave to discuss Spider-Man: Miles Morales, An Exploration, her new book from the Marvel Age of Comics series examining the character's cultural significance. 

Womack shares how her work on Afrofuturism led her to Miles, why the character's vulnerability resonates far beyond superhero fandom, and the layered symbolism baked into everything from his hoodie to the number 42. 

The two discuss the deep ties between Brooklyn hip-hop and comics storytelling, why cities shape kids into fluid identity-shifters, and the musical DNA that connects Miles Morales to Miles Davis.

https://www.ytashawomack.com/

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Legendary writer Brian Michael Bendis joins Dave to discuss his return to Marvel, and the upcoming animated series of Powers in development at Netflix. 

Bendis reflects on co-creating Miles Morales, Jessica Jones, and Riri Williams (Ironheart), the Jewish roots of American comics from Kirby to Eisner, and the early-2000s Marvel bullpen with Joe Quesada.

 The two discuss the nuances of Bendis' process, the importance of collaboration, and how independent horror films like Obsession are echoing the scrappy independent films that reshaped Hollywood in the 1970s.

Check out Brian's work - https://www.jinxworld.com/

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Cartoonist and author Abby Denson joins Dave to discuss 'My Tokyo Summer', her new graphic memoir, illustrated by Utomaru from Scholastic .Denson talks about the early influence of the DIY punk scene on her work, how a zine she made in the 90s sparked a lifelong friendship, the vastness of Japan's doujinshi culture, and the power of art and friendship to transcend barriers. The two talk about their shared love of Japan and the differences in everyday life and culture between Japan and America. https://www.abbydenson.com/https://www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/

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Legendary artist Geof Darrow joins Dave to discuss Shaolin Cowboy: Stayin' A.I.Live, the latest installment of his cult series from Dark Horse. They discuss some of the amazing artists tapped for variant covers including Peach Momoko, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Ryan Ottley.Darrow talks about his refusal to work digitally, the why-not philosophy that fuels his art, and working at a pace fit for a mangaka. The two discuss Darrow’s possibly upcoming New York City art show, his love affair with Asian action cinema (Furious, The Night Comes For Us) , Moebius, and the dump-taking dogs that remain his go-to for any quiet panel.See Geof at San Diego Comic Con this year with his daughter Alice, who put a great book out called Tramps Of The Apocalypse!

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Writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory (Chew) join Dave to discuss their new collaboration Ghost Brawler, the Bruiser Edition live on kickstarter now! The two share the blistering writing pace of the series, how the setting draws from the cinematic style of Martin Scorsese, and the creative shorthand of a decade working together. The pair discuss the Chew television adaptation at Blumhouse, share memories of the late Sam Kieth, Signed Boxing gloves, creative teams, and explain why Kickstarter rewards collectors in ways corporate imprints can't. For fans of Goodfellas, Rocky, Raging Bull, Ghostbusters, and CHEW!BACK THE KICKSTARTER HERE - https://tinyurl.com/4kttuys4https://www.robguillory.com/

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