For this episode, we sit down with acclaimed cartoonist and graphic novelist Anders Nilsen to discuss his remarkable career and the ambitious graphic novel, Tongues. Known for award-winning works such as Big Questions, Dogs and Water, and The End, Nilsen shares how Tongues represents the culmination of years of artistic growth, blending mythology, philosophy, and deeply personal storytelling into his most expansive project yet. Along the way, we explore his creative process, the challenges of long-form comics, the influence of grief and personal experience on his work, and why he continues to push the boundaries of what comics can achieve as an art form.

You can follow Anders on his site, andersbrekhusnilsen.com, and on Instagram @andersbrekus.

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Today we welcome Brian Haberlin for a deep dive into his remarkable career as an artist, writer, innovator, and publisher. We start the conversation by shining a spotlight on the currently crowdfunding Aria Omnibus, the definitive collection of the fan-favorite fantasy series co-created by Brian, exploring the origins of the character, the book’s blend of mythology and modern storytelling, and why Aria continues to resonate with readers decades after its debut. Brian also reflects on his early work at Top Cow, his contributions to titles such as Witchblade (which he co-created) and Spawn, and his pioneering efforts in digital coloring and comic-book production technology. Along the way, Brian discusses balancing fine art with #comics work, world-building, and the lessons learned from a career spent pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

Back the Aria Omnibus project on Kickstarter until June 25: kck.st/4dcJUPD. You can follow Brian on his site, haberlin.com, or on Instagram @brianhaberlinofficial.

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Today we're welcoming Shea Fontana for a fun and insightful conversation about her career writing across #comics, animation, and all-ages storytelling. Shea discusses her journey from screenwriting to comics, including her work on DC Super Hero Girls and the challenges of crafting stories for younger readers while remaining engaging for longtime fans. The discussion spotlights her latest projects, including the magical underwater adventures of Mermicorno: Starfall - Game On! and the return to one of her most beloved creations with DC Super Hero Girls: High School Reunion. Along the way, Shea reflects on character-driven storytelling, the importance of creating accessible entry points for new readers, and how the next generation of comic fans continues to shape the industry.

You can follow Shea at her website, sheafontana.com, or on Instagram @sheafontana.

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Returning guest Corrisa Grant is back to discuss the latest chapter in the Worthy Chaos Comics universe with the launch of Worthy Chaos: Damnation #1. Corrisa dives into the origins of the new project, the darker themes and mythology driving the story, and the challenges of continuing to build an ambitious independent comics universe through crowdfunding and creator-owned publishing. The conversation also explores the realities of running an indie comics company in today’s market, balancing creative ambition with business demands, and how Worthy Chaos continues expanding its world and fanbase one project at a time.

You only have until June 4 to back this project, so get to it: http://kck.st/4uPruKu!

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The Dollar Bin Bandits welcome back returning guests Joe Pruett and legendary artist Mike Deodato Jr. to discuss The Book of Deodato Jr., the massive retrospective celebrating Mike’s decades-long career across the #comics industry. The conversation dives into Mike’s artistic evolution from his early superhero work to the darker, cinematic storytelling style that defined acclaimed runs on titles like New Avengers and Dark Avengers, while Joe shares insight into assembling the oversized hardcover packed with rare artwork, archival material, and behind-the-scenes stories from Mike’s career. Along the way, the discussion explores changing eras of the comics business, the enduring appeal of physical art books and collectibles, and what fans may discover about Mike’s body of work that they never fully appreciated before.

You have until June 11 to back The Book of Deodato Jr. Kickstarter here: http://kck.st/4dCiL8K.

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Today we sit down with David Steinberger and Chip Mosher to discuss the evolution of DSTLRY and the rapidly expanding world of Neon Ichiban, with a major focus on the newly unveiled Neon Ichiban 2.0 platform update. The conversation explores how their backgrounds at comiXology and BOOM! Studios helped shape their creator-first approach to publishing and collectibles, while also diving into the changing nature of fandom, curation, and premium physical media in modern comics culture. David and Chip discuss the philosophy behind Neon Ichiban’s evolution, the challenge of balancing collectibility with accessibility, and why they believe thoughtfully curated experiences and high-end presentation still matter in an increasingly digital entertainment landscape.

Check out their creations at dstlry.co and neonichiban.com. You can preorder a Mischief of Magpies at focrewards.com and earn credit for comics reviews here: https://neonichiban.com/hubs.

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The Bandits welcome Jim Zub for a wide-ranging conversation about his career in #comics, with a special focus on his recent Conan the Barbarian work. Jim discusses the challenge of taking on one of fantasy’s most iconic characters, balancing classic Robert E. Howard influences with modern storytelling, and why Conan continues to resonate with readers decades after his creation. The discussion also explores Jim’s broader journey through the industry, from self-publishing and creator-owned projects like Skullkickers to major runs on franchises including Dungeons & Dragons, Avengers, and Thunderbolts. Along the way, Jim reflects on the realities of building a long-term comics career and his passion for mentoring the next generation of creators through education and industry transparency.

You can follow Jim on his site, jimzub.com, or on Instagram @jim_zub.

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The Dollar Bin Bandits welcome legendary creator Dan Brereton back to the show to talk monsters, mood, and the long-awaited return of his beloved noir-horror universe in Nocturnals: Darkly. Dan digs into the origins of the new graphic novel, why the Nocturnals characters continue to resonate decades later, and how his lush painted artwork has evolved over the years while still channeling the same spooky pulp energy fans fell in love with in the ’90s. We also chats with Dan about crowdfunding, creator-owned comics, and the challenges of balancing storytelling with jaw-dropping visuals.

 And for listeners looking to join the monster party, the Nocturnals: Darkly Kickstarter campaign is still accepting late pledges: http://kck.st/3NBLP5Z.

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The Dollar Bin Bandits sit down with Bryan Liddiard and Jon Bryans to discuss the long history and enduring cult appeal of Panda Khan, the martial arts-inspired anthropomorphic comic that became one of the standout independent books of the late black-and-white boom era. The conversation explores the origins of the character, the influence of kung fu films and 1980s comics culture, the challenges of creating independent comics during a rapidly changing market, and the surprising legacy Panda Khan has maintained with collectors and fans decades later. Bryan and Jon also reflect on creator-owned comics, the realities of indie publishing, and what it’s been like revisiting Panda Khan for a new generation of readers.

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Returning guest Diana Schutz joins us for a candid and wide-ranging look back at her decades helping shape Dark Horse Comics as the legendary publisher celebrates its 40th anniversary and faces a new era following the departure of founder Mike Richardson. Diana reflects on the early days of Dark Horse, the company’s creator-first philosophy, and the editorial voice that helped separate it from the Big Two, while also discussing the challenges, risks, and missed opportunities that came with navigating multiple eras of the comics industry.

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