This is a very special episode for me personally, as someone who has a very close relationship with every animal in their life. Sina Grace has written a comic working through his own grief and love for his pet, which is currently running on Kickstarter. Support it here. When I saw the campaign, I texted Sina to set something up as soon as possible, because the grief of losing a pet isn't something we often discuss enough as adults. It's as if that pain is supposed to stop once you aren't a kid and lose a pet. Given the weight of this conversation, I was joined by a very special co-host who took it upon herself to co-host with me. Please welcome Kori for the second half of the interview. I have included the video of the interview so you can see her as she requested. Excuse the mess her canine sisters make of my office.

I was very lucky to get to have a less structured discussion with Sina about this project, as we planned it in under a few hours. It allowed both of us to be more raw than we may have been otherwise. There are some tears on both sides as we discuss animals. If you can support this project, I suggest checking out the Kickstarter. Personally, I believe Sina has a special way to show emotion in his art in a comical but stark fashion. This is no exception with some of the previews I will show below from the official Kickstarter below along with the project's description in Sina's own words.

"All my life, I grew up wanting a dog. When I was in my mid-20s, that dream came true with Henry. He was a sweet chihuahua terrier who went everywhere with me. My floppy-eared companion fit perfectly in my life, and made me a more responsible person every day.  It was only natural that, when I lost him in 2023 after a dreadful fight with lymphoma, I turned to art to process my grief. I didn’t know what else to do with my feelings. Thinking that I couldn’t be the only one struggling to move on from a pet’s death, I poured those emotions onto the page to tell a story that I hoped could heal others. From my own experience, I knew there wasn’t a book on the stands that did what mine was doing: talking about a legitimate and very specific kind of grief that every person goes through when they make the decision to bring a pet home. In the span of putting Henry down, there were at least seven friends I had to walk through the experience of pet grief with, and thought: “Wow, I wish I could give them a book on everything so they wouldn’t feel so alone.”  However, when I submitted this book to publishers, I kept hearing the same story. “This is beautiful, I’m crying, it’s not a fit for us…” Every publisher I sent the book to gave me the kindest rejections I’ve ever experienced in my fifteen years as a published author, but I couldn’t help but think of the friends who, like me, had no template for this kind of grief.

While these setbacks caused me to literally put the project on pause, I knew I had to tell mine (and Henry’s) story even if a marketing department could not see the vision. This is a very special project, and my hope is that a Kickstarter will allow me to deliver it to the readers who need it most. 

If ever I had to put something completely personal on the line knowing that it boiled down to an individual’s relationship to the art, it’s Life on Paws. I’m no stranger to the Kickstarter community, so I’ve built modest goals with rewards that make the book as great and memorable as it can be. I’ve always had a strong vision for the final product: a square-bound volume that is sized to gift to loved ones in need. At the end of the day, the goal with Life on Paws is to heal people and celebrate how great it was to have a pet, and give a story to the people who need to move forward after losing their soul animal. 

This interview kicks off with absolute chaos and doesn't slow down until the credits roll. Brian Michael "B-Money" Bendis and Soo Lee join Dan to talk about WELCOME TO TWILIGHT Issue #2. This is their first installment in the Minor Threats Universe! We dig into their issue, their new characters, and so much more in our extremely fun chat. Oh also, Bendis talks about the time he signed a living breathing dog, but he had NOTHING to do with the CGC grading!

WELCOME TO TWILIGHT is the first anthology series from the world of Minor Threats that lines up absolute superstar teams to tell stories set through the Minor Threats Universe. In Issue 2, A brand-new character so dangerous she was never spoken of until now. Find out her connections to the past and how they’re gonna affect the future of the city. Co-created by the creator of the Peabody-winning Jessica Jones and the Bram Stoker (Not Stroker, that's a very different and much sexier award show which we talk about) award-winning co-creator of Carmilla, Soo Lee!

Soo Lee talks about the design of the new character Dokkaebi with her own heritage and anime influences. As someone who is an expert on the Minor Threats universe, she is my favorite addition since Crab Louie. She fits so well, and I cannot wait to see where she goes from this absolutely STELLAR introduction WELCOME TO TWILIGHT.

Bendis discusses his return not only to writing cape comics but also to writing comics in a shared space like this. He discusses how inspiring the duo of Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum is as someone who loves collaborating with people. We all spend a lot of time gushing over Minor Threats, and I am not sorry about it. If you aren't reading the Minor Threats line... You're missing out on the absolute ultimate thing in comics.

For a long time, I was worried that I had burned myself out of my love of superhero comics. Nothing was making me excited to just talk about DC Comics, specifically like it did when I was growing up. My brother and I have been talking about these characters our whole lives as a site/podcast for years now. So, losing that spark was weighing on me, but recently, that spark was reignited with such a fire that burns harder than ever. The reason is the Absolute Universe. I don't think I am the only one either because the conversation about these books all over the place is overwhelmingly positive and upbeat in every space I see. People are just having fun reading these books and talking about them. I was lucky enough to sit down with Scott Snyder for the first time to talk about the Absolute Universe.

We started our conversation out by talking about a touchstone for both of us which is horror. Snyder got his start and cut his teeth in the horror world, and it's something he has never left, even with Absolute Batman. But we quickly switch to the Absolute universe and it's conception. We get into all the facets of the universe to it's birth, conception, what's to come, and more. Scott talks about how he ended up on Batman and his reluctance to even write the book, which comes as a shock if you have read the book.

Scott Snyder reveals his one non-negotiable for this book, which ended up being what made this version of Batman so impactful as a modern version of Batman. Scott also reveals a LOT about Darkseid since the events of the events of DC ALL IN. Be sure to check it out if you want to know how the Absolute books came to be and what the universe is all about or what the goal of the books are!

We are no strangers to the Minor Threats universe that Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, and Scott Hepburn created. We've spoken to them a few times about the world, but now we are chatting with the creator of the newest spinoff, The Brood. Heath Corson, I.N.J. Culbard, and Nate Piekos bring a tale of fatherhood, legacy, and connection to a cape setting with the utmost vulnerability in its storytelling. Listen as Heath and Dan discuss the book's themes, sandwiches, and more.

We were lucky enough to read the final issue of the series, which ties everything together in one of the best conclusions in a comic. It is a testament to the strength of the Minor Threats line to tell big stories in a familiar caped setting while never sacrificing storytelling.

From the world of the hit Minor Threats series comes a family drama starring the planet's most feared villains.   Napoleon Archimedes is the archnemesis of The Searcher, and he’s fought her to a standstill for over four decades in the futuristic metropolis of Meteor Falls. But now, as he confronts his mortality, he’s forced to name a successor from his three extraordinary children: Athena, Benjamin, and Spookshow. Each brilliant, cunning ... and unlucky enough to be the child of the world’s greatest supervillain.   See, Napoleon believed he was smart enough to have it all: Raise a family AND conquer the world. Then he thought: Why not combine them? Take the kids on as partners. Create a dynasty... None of it went according to plan. Who will rise above the betrayal, failure, and dysfunction to seize the family business?   Join us for an unlikely coming-of-age story that wrestles with the concussions and repercussions of getting raised by a once-in-a-generation criminal mind. Think your father is manipulative, cold, and demanding...? Wait until you meet Napoleon.

We had the chance to chat with Emmy award-winning producer Paul Martin about his latest project, Onside: Major League Soccer, which dives deeper into the world of the US soccer league. It's an incredible series that brings stories from the background to the forefront to give a better look into the world of soccer. Dan and Paul discuss sports story narratives, personalities, and more! It's made Dan go so far as to look into going to a few Philadelphia Union games this season, which is heavily featured in episode 3. Take a listen.

Go beyond the pitch with the personalities that power MLS. With unprecedented access to players, coaches, and clubs, this series explores the electrifying moments and captivating stories that make the 2024 season unforgettable. Each episode takes viewers deeper into the world of Major League Soccer, offering an unfiltered look at the players beyond the pitch—balancing family life, navigating relationships, overcoming injuries, and enduring heartbreaking losses—all while chasing the ultimate goal: winning the 2024 MLS Cup.

Onside: Major League Soccer” featuring some of the sport’s most prolific athletes and leaders including Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls), Olivier Giroud (LAFC), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew), Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati Head Coach), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew Head Coach), David Beckham (Inter Miami Owner), and many more. 

Produced for Apple by Box to Box Films in partnership with Major League Soccer, the eight-episode docuseries is out now!

Executive producers include Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (“Senna,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Amy”), Emmy Award winner Paul Martin (Apple TV+’s “Make or Break,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”) and Hillary Olsen (“Faceoff: Inside The NHL”), along with showrunner Steve Rankin (“Naked and Afraid,” “Man vs Wild”).

1) Back to Glory

Amid Messi Mania, Miami and the LA Galaxy gear up for a huge early-season test. Riqui Puig opens up about the pressure of superstar expectations.

2) Hell Is Real

Ohio’s heated rivalry reignites. As kickoff nears, stars and managers discuss what’s at stake, the will to compete, and leaving it all on the pitch. 

3) Young Blood

Cavan Sullivan signs with Philly at age 14. The countdown is on for the Homegrown phenom to make his debut as the youngest MLS player ever. 

4) City Blues

Second-year club St. Louis CITY are under pressure to build a winning culture. A rematch against arch-rivals Sporting KC raises the stakes.

5) Kings of New York

Who runs NYC? A case is made in the Hudson River Derby’s playoff debut. RBNY’s rising star John Tolkin feels the heat of the spotlight.

6) The Window

Clubs go hunting for new talent in the summer transfer window, where deals get done—or fall apart—and stars arrive in the month-long frenzy.

7) The Big Decision

Atlanta United’s long road back to title contention hits a tipping point. A Decision Day miracle sets up a Round One duel against Inter Miami and Messi.  

8) Legacy

With Messi eliminated, it’s anyone’s MLS Cup. Riqui Puig’s injury stuns the LA Galaxy as they get set to battle the New York Red Bulls for the title.

Today, we are speaking with the producers Caroline Marsden and David Glover about their documentary series Vietnam: The War That Changed America. This isn't our typical coverage, but this documentary reminded me that people can do something good despite the horrors of a situation. With the use of archival footage, the team working on the documentary was able to reunite veterans years after the war. The series is guided by the voices of soldiers who were nothing more than children when they fought in a war without winners. Upon their return, they were treated like monsters despite so many never asking to fight at all... this docuseries is worth the one-month subscription to Apple TV +.

Synopsis:

The unique series, narrated by Ethan Hawke, combines first-person testimony and immersive archival footage to tell the extraordinary, personal, and profoundly human stories of those who lived through the war and the changed America that emerged in its wake, commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the war in Vietnam. Each episode features powerful reunions and the emotional stories told by those who faced agonizing life-or-death situations and impossible moral decisions. Across six episodes, a picture also builds of the profound changes to America itself and a very different country that emerged from the war. 

"Vietnam: The War That Changed America” is produced for Apple TV+ by the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning team at  72 Films, directed by Rob Coldstream (“John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial”) and produced by Caroline Marsden (“9/11: One Day in America”), with executive producers David Glover ("9/11: One Day in America”) and Mark Raphael (“Crime and Punishment”). This series marks the second collaboration for Apple TV+ and 72 Films, following the launch of “John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial” last year. 

West Hollywood Monster Squad is out NOW! The GLAAD Award-winning dynamic duo writer Sina Grace and artist Bradley Clayton stop by the show to talk about their action-packed queer action horror monster romp.

West Hollywood Monster Squad is a book that finds a unique voice by celebrating its identity and influences while still having gut-punching emotional moments of facing queer artists. Sina Grace's humor is on full display with bits that land with a laugh with well-developed character relationships and dynamics. There is a heavy influence of Pokemon in the book that digs into the themes of growth in a really unique way. It's a book that I was not expecting, and I ended up reading in the best way.

Getting to read a full comic of Bradley Clayton's art is a dream come true. There is a thin line between bias and criticism for me here because I have been following Clayton's art before they put their first stories out. I also have a commission from them hanging in my office. But I want you to know it's not leaning towards bias, which you will be able to tell once you read. Clayton's fascination with shape and color is a power play for this book and its characters. Each is distinct in their body shape but also in their fashion choices. Clayton is an artist who you will know if you don't already because they are one of the most talented individuals working in the space. If you don't believe me, wait till you see the splash pages.

Please pick up West Hollywood Monster Club wherever you buy your comics!

Synopsis

A group of high schoolers get more than they bargained for when the drag show they’re attending is attacked by monsters in this funny YA graphic novel from acclaimed queer comics creator Sina Grace

Marvin Matocho just wanted to have a simple night out with his friends at the local drag show. But when a mysterious pink snow starts to fall, Marvin finds himself the hero of his own story when Los Angeles suddenly becomes overrun by monsters.

Now he, along with his group of friends consisting of several queer teens, a drag queen, and a 50-something bar manager, are the only folks who can prevent the complete annihilation of the city—that is, if they can sort through their personal issues before they become dead meat.

As they fight for their lives through a thrilling night, the gang must work together to discover who’s behind the sinister pink snow. With the city of angels overrun with demons, these misfits will have to solve the mystery—or die trying.

It's that wonderful time of the year: sweater weather, hot chocolate, and watching killers incorporate Christmas knick-knacks to create festive kills! We had the pleasure of sitting down with Angele (Belles of Horror) to chat about these five films that made things merry and bloody! Whether you're a horror fanatic or just looking to spice up your holiday movie lineup, these films deliver chills and cheer in equal measure.

1. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

A chilling anthology that intertwines multiple Christmas-themed tales of terror, featuring everything from zombie elves to a Krampus showdown with Santa Claus.

Why Watch: The seamless blend of humor and horror, topped with William Shatner as a radio DJ narrating the chaos, makes this a holiday must-watch.

2. A Wonderful Knife (2023)

This darkly comedic slasher is an homage to the Frank Capra classic as it reimagines Christmas cheer with a sharp edge, where the season of giving turns into a season of survival

Why Watch: It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie got lost in a slasher film—unexpected, gory, and oddly heartwarming.

3. Krampus (2015)

When a dysfunctional family loses their holiday spirit, they summon the wrath of Krampus, the terrifying anti-Santa of folklore, and learn the true/terrifying meaning of Christmas.

Why Watch: The mix of practical effects, dark humor, and a wonderful cast creates a modern holiday horror classic.

4. Violent Night (2022)

Santa Claus himself takes up arms to save a family held hostage on Christmas Eve in this action-packed thrill ride.

Why Watch: Ever wondered what would happen if Santa went full John Wick? This film answers that question with hilarious and bloody results.

5. Gremlins (1984)

What starts out as a charming and furry Christmas gift quickly turns into chaos when mischievous creatures run amok in a small town.

Why Watch: A nostalgic blend of horror and comedy, Gremlins is the ultimate Christmas creature feature that still holds up decades later.

So, grab some eggnog, cozy up by the fire, and join us as we explore the darker, wilder side of Christmas movies. This episode will have you laughing, screaming, and appreciating the holiday spirit in ways you never expected. And yes, Canada is mentioned…a lot.

Skybound Comics Energon Universe has been a beautifully crafted road to a shared universe for original characters, Transformers, and G.I. JOE. The Joe side of the universe has been ramping up with a series of mini series that have lead to GI JOE #1 which is on sale now. We were lucky enough to sit down with Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly to chat about the universe and the debut issue. We also took some time to get into wrestling amongst other topics.

With GI Joe, there is a huge plastic legacy with the toys being a huge component of the popularity of the series. Joshua and Tom talk about how the toys have influenced their work but haven't been shoehorned in. They discuss the freedom that Hasbro has allowed them to have.

Dan asks about his favorite divas of the Energon Universe when they discuss Cobra Commander and Destroy. All three geek out about a certain Destro figure that came out a few years ago.

In this year’s GateSlashers podcast special, hosts Dan and Ethan sit down to talk about IT, the two-part film adaption of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel.

Released in 2017, IT Chapter One, directed by Andy Muschietti, adapted one half of King’s novel, focusing on a group of teen outcasts known as the Loser’s Club as they encounter a malevolent entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in their hometown of Derry, Maine.

IT Chapter Two, released in 2019, again directed by Muschietti, finds the Loser’s Club reuniting 27 years later to once again face-off with a returned Pennywise.

On the podcast, we discuss our love of these films, how they are a shining example of studio horror, and true fear brought on by Pennywise. We also dive into the perfect casting across the board, from the young Loser’s Club to their adult counterparts, and the sublimely terrifying performance by Bill Skarsgård as the titular IT, Pennywise.