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.

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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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Eric Canete (Aeon Flux, Inkpulp, Iron Man) joins Dave to discuss his upcoming run on DC Comics Absolute Batman. Canete shares the story of landing the gig at NYCC after conversation with Snyder & Dragotta, and how Akira helped unlock the style of his early sample pages. 

Eric reflects back to getting into comics via Glenn Danzig, and his start in animation with the great Peter Chung.

They explore manga's influence reshaping American comics, Scott Snyder's commitment to storytelling, Walt Simonson's "working stiff" mentality, and why now might be the best creative moment to make the comics you actually want to make.

Screenwriter Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Book of Eli) joins Dave to discuss See You in Hell, his new self-produced comedy podcast and why audio storytelling has become his creative home. Whitta breaks down how Hollywood studios, streaming wars, and algorithm-driven content helped damage the film industry—and what creators can do outside the traditional studio system.

The conversation dives into creative burnout, IP fatigue, the decline and future of movie theaters, and why bold films like Sinners, Weapons, and One Battle After Another still matter. Whitta also explains the freedom of independent podcasting, working beyond studio control, and the current state of film and television in an industry shaped by streaming platforms and data-driven decision making.

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Writer Robert Venditti joins Dave to discuss his current slate of Bad Idea books, including Ordained, Planet Death, and Hank Howard: Pizza Detective. Venditti breaks down his creative process, and a creative partnership with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. 

 They discuss Rob's genre-hopping career, taking over Green Lantern from Geoff Johns, and his perspective on fandom.

 The two dig into Nirvana and Alice In Chains, the Seattle music explosion of the 90's , personal influences, and the deep-rooted crossover between comics and popular culture.

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Larry Reid, curator and manager of the Fantagraphics Bookstore joins Dave to discuss Seattle’s underground art, music, and comics scene. Larry reflects on running the legendary Seattle Roscoe Louie Gallery in the late ’70s, and the rise of alternative comics alongside the city’s punk and grunge movements. 

Larry speaks about the inspiring words he got from Robert Crumb, working with Gary Groth & Kim Thompson and the influence Misfit Lit had on the alternative comix scene.

The two explore the legacy of Love and Rockets, the influence of Linda Barry, Charles Burns, Matt Groening, and Peter Bagge, and the lasting cultural impact of Cartoonist Kayfabe and Ed Piskor.

Visit Fantagraphics here : https://www.fantagraphics.com/Follow the bookstore on facebook https://www.facebook.com/fantagraphicsbookstoreFind Me:-------------------------------------------My Website : www.westcoastdavengers.comPATREON https://www.patreon.com/DavengersDirectEdition