The Marvelists are back with an exciting special episode diving into the world of comics, creator collaborations, and crowdfunding!

In this installment, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome special guest Jon Escudero from Dirt Sheet Radio to the show. Together, they sit down with legendary comic book writer Mark Waid (known for iconic runs on Kingdom Come, Daredevil, Flash, and more), AJ Light (writer of The Awakening and Cosmic Conquest), and Ridge Kiley (founder and CEO of Rising Empire Studios, creator of the Alpha Clash universe) for an in-depth interview.

The conversation centers on their brand-new Kickstarter project: Alpha Clash: Rising Empires, an explosive sci-fi action thriller comic series (#1-4) co-written by Mark Waid and AJ Light, set in the Alpha Clash universe. Ridge Kiley joins to discuss the origins of the project, the creative collaboration, and how this grounded, character-driven tale explores a world forever changed by superhuman events—and the ordinary people navigating the aftermath.

Expect plenty of behind-the-scenes insights, creative process talk, Marvel anecdotes from Waid, and details on how fans can support the campaign. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alphaclash/alpha-clash-rising-empires-by-mark-waid-and-aj-light-1-3 (campaign ends soon with just 27 days left as of late January 2026—don't wait!).

Plus, Jon Escudero sticks around to help promote the highly anticipated relaunch of Geek Sheet Radio alongside Peter Melnick—a fresh pop culture podcast bringing their unique perspectives on comics, wrestling, entertainment, and beyond.

Whether you're a Marvel die-hard or just love hearing from top creators, this episode is packed with energy and inspiration. Don't miss it—subscribe now and back Rising Empires on Kickstarter while you're at it!

This week on The Marvelists, host Peter Melnick goes solo for a special deep-dive interview with the legendary wrestler Raven, exploring the grunge-era icon's lifelong passion for comics—particularly his deep appreciation for the Marvel universe.

Raven, known for sporting comic-inspired t-shirts in the ring (from Doctor Strange to the Inhumans and Neil Gaiman's Sandman) and even co-writing a Spider-Man story in Marvel's Tangled Web series, opens up about how comic books have influenced his character, his promos, and his worldview. Peter and Raven geek out over Marvel Knights classics, Kevin Smith's groundbreaking Green Arrow run, the brilliance of Inhumans, and why titles like Sandman resonated so strongly with the brooding, philosophical grappler.

Plus, Raven shares updates on his exciting current projects: his new documentary Nevermore: The Raven Effect, a raw and unflinching look at his career and the chaotic rise of ECW, now available on streaming platforms, and his weekly podcast The Raven Effect, where he and his co-hosts deliver unfiltered banter on everything from pop culture to conspiracies.

It's a rare, insightful conversation blending pro wrestling grit with comic book lore—perfect for fans of both worlds. Tune in for the quotes, the stories, and maybe even a "Quoth the Raven, nevermore" or two! Available now on all major podcast platforms. Excelsior!

In this special Eddie Wilson solo episode of The Marvelists, host Eddie Wilson sits down for an in-depth, one-on-one interview with Eric, the General Manager of Garden State Comic Fest!

Eddie and Eric dive into the behind-the-scenes world of running one of New Jersey's favorite comic and pop culture conventions, sharing stories about building the show's intimate, old-school vibe, the evolution of the fest, and what makes GSCF a must-attend event for collectors, cosplayers, families, and Marvel fans alike.

Of course, the conversation turns to the upcoming Garden State Comic Fest Winter Edition - happening January 24-25, 2026, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ! This smaller, cozy winter show brings that classic comic con feel with comics, collectibles, artists, vendors, and more - perfect for kicking off the new year right. Show hours are 10:30 AM-5:00 PM on Saturday and 10:30 AM-3:00 PM on Sunday, with admission just $10 (kids 10 & under free), available at the door.

Whether you're braving the winter for some comic book treasure hunting or just love hearing insider convention talk, this episode is packed with enthusiasm and details you won't want to miss!

Tune in now on all major podcast platforms, and mark your calendars for Garden State Comic Fest Winter Edition 2026 - more info at gardenstatecomicfest.com. Excelsior!

**Marvelists Episode: "Mutants, Tropes, and the Code of Honor"**

In this blockbuster episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome two fantastic special guests—Chris Piers from the acclaimed YouTube channel Comic Tropes and wrestling historian/podcaster Shane Hagadorn (co-host of An Honorable Mention and author of the upcoming book Code of Honor)—for a lively roundtable all about the X-Men and comics in general.

Together, the four dive deep into mutant mayhem: Chris breaks down the storytelling tropes, visual clichés, and creative brilliance that have shaped X-Men comics for decades—from Claremont-era drama to iconic costume designs—while Shane brings his unique perspective as a lifelong X-fan, exploring the mutant metaphor, real-world social parallels, and unexpected connections between pro wrestling booking and Marvel's soap-opera mutant dynamics.

Essential listening for X-Men die-hards and comics enthusiasts alike. Excelsior!

Eight years in the making! The episode you never knew you were missing! Originally recorded in 2017 and prior to editing completion, it fell victim to a 2018 "blip," but the ever-persistent Eddie Wilson re-interviewed Victoria Ikerd-Schreiter in February 2025 and now (finally, at long last), it's audio-ready! "Wonder Woman Is Real" / Victoria provides 60+ minutes of cosplay content and much more. A great listen awaits, so please enjoy!

Join hosts Peter and Eddie on this exciting episode of The Marvelists as they sit down with veteran actor Alex Hyde-White for an in-depth conversation about his long and varied career in film, television, voice acting, and audiobook narration.

Alex opens up about his diverse body of work, from memorable roles in major films like Pretty Woman, Catch Me If You Can, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, to his early days as one of the last contract players at Universal Studios. He also discusses his successful transition into audiobook narration—winning Audible's New Narrator of the Year Award in 2011, founding Punch Audio, and narrating over 100 titles with his versatile British-American accents.

The conversation dives deep into his iconic Marvel connections: portraying Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in Roger Corman’s legendary unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four film, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from that cult phenomenon. Alex then reflects on returning to the Marvel universe with a cameo appearance alongside his 1994 co-stars in the 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Whether you’re a fan of classic Hollywood, superhero history, or the art of audiobook storytelling, this candid and entertaining interview with Alex Hyde-White is one Marvelists episode you won’t want to miss!

This week on The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie sit down with the one and only Mike Carbonaro, the mastermind behind the legendary Big Apple Comic Con! With the massive winter edition hitting the New Yorker Hotel THIS WEEKEND (November 22-23, 2025), Mike pulls back the curtain on what might be the strongest guest list the show has ever had.

In this episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome back legendary comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis for his long-awaited return to the podcast. Recorded earlier this year—before the bombshell announcement of Bendis's return to Marvel—this interview dives deep into the nuts and bolts of his storytelling philosophy, character development secrets, and the wild behind-the-scenes chaos of crafting some of the most influential Marvel stories of the modern era. Whether you're a die-hard fan dissecting panel layouts or just curious about how a writer's brain turns ideas into four-color gold, this is a must-listen episode that captures Bendis at his most candid and insightful on the creative process of comics.

This week on The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie talk with Dave about the new Garden State Comic Fest in Vineland, NJ on November 15-16, 2025. They cover guests like Melissa Joan Hart, Nate Richert, Phil Fondacaro, Bob Camp, Dan Parent, Scott Hanna, and more. Panels, cosplay, comics, and toys will be there.

The three also discuss Marvel ending the Ultimate Universe line in April 2026. They talk about the final issues, Hickman’s run, top books like Ultimate Spider-Man and The Ultimates, and what might happen next. In addition, the three talk about the return of Brian Michael Bendis to Marvel and what this means for comics as a whole.

A fun, straightforward episode for comic fans planning to hit Vineland or sad about the Ultimate line wrapping up.

Join hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson as they sit down with genre icon Michael Bailey Smith (Men in Black II, The Hills Have Eyes, Charmed) for a no-holds-barred deep dive into his extraordinary career. The conversation centers on his unforgettable role as Ben Grimm / The Thing in Roger Corman’s legendary unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four film—a cult classic that never saw the light of day... until now.

Smith shares behind-the-scenes stories from the low-budget production, the infamous “never meant to be released” myth, and how the project shaped his approach to playing larger-than-life characters. From practical effects mishaps to on-set camaraderie with the doomed cast, no stone is left unturned.

Timed perfectly with Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps landing on Disney+, this episode celebrates the First Family’s long-awaited return to the spotlight while honoring the scrappy indie effort that kept the dream alive for three decades.