What happens when two of the most expressive subcultures in pop culture collide? In Episode 509 of The Short Box, I sit down with Zach Norris—writer, comic shop manager at San Diego’s Now or Never Comics, and the creator behind the Hip-Hop and Comics zine series C.R.E.A.M. (Comics Rule Everything Around Me). 

Zach breaks down his journey from writing for The Hundreds, the hidden links between 80s NYC graffiti culture, hardcore punk, and early comic art, Comic Book Easter Eggs and references in Hip-hop lyrics, the comic artists behind some of rap's most iconic album covers, and shares behind-the-scenes stories from San Diego Comic-Con and advice for indie creators looking to get their self-published work onto comic shop shelves. 

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

Try COVRPRICE for one month for $1 : HERE

LINKS: 

• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

This week on The Short Box, we’re bringing you an exclusive SDCC 2026 interview with Patrick Horvath, the mastermind behind IDW’s breakout horror hit Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees and its sequel Rite of Spring! 

Patrick unpacks the delicate balance between 1980s/90s small-town nostalgia and visceral, upsetting horror. We also talk about the character dynamics, the strong fan reception to Samantha Strong, how graphic design and lettering elevate the storytelling, why horror fans and non-horror readers alike are falling in love with this series, and what the future holds for the residents of Woodbrook in the upcoming Halloween Special!

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

Try COVRPRICE for one month for $1 : HERE

LINKS: 

• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

How do you go from covering the comic industry for more than a decade, to receiving one of the industry's highest awards? David Harper stops by to tell the story and give us the ultimate SDCC recap!

AWARD WINNING Comic Journalist, and Podcaster, David Harper (SKTCHD⁩ & Off Panel) joins me to celebrate his major win at the 2026 Eisner Awards. SKTCHD took home the trophy (Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism), and David talks about the big moment, the current state of comic journalism, the best news & announcements to come out of Comic Con, and a recap of our personal favorite moments from San Diego Comic Con, along with some tips for first-timers

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

Try COVRPRICE for one month for $1 : HERE

LINKS: 

• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

[UNLOCKED PATREON EPISODE] Every month, I record an exclusive spin-off show (with Drew) for SBX Patrons called Save For Pod—and today, we’re unlocking the latest episode for everyone

Enjoy a laid back conversation as Drew and I play catch-up on life, including the top moments from my trip to Japan & Sri Lanka (click here for photos). I talk about culture shock, manga hunting in Tokyo, and the comics I picked up overseas (click here for photos). To wrap things up, we share our unfiltered reactions to the first three episodes of X-Men '97 Season 2 (Spoiler Warning) 

Unlock the full Save For Pod back catalog, and other Patron perks by joining the Short Box Nation at patreon.com/theshortbox

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Want to know the value of your comic collection? Try COVRPRICE for one month for $1 : HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Proudly sponsored by IDW Comics


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

What makes a modern comic book a true "grail," and how do you separate genuine value from market hype?

This week, I sit down with John Sulaitis and Matt DeVoe, the co-founders behind CovrPrice—the ultimate comic book collection management and pricing tool. Together, they break down how real sales data can make you a smarter collector, share advice on how to build a collection without falling into speculator fatigue, and what to expect from this year's SDCC exclusive variants and blind bags!

Check out the most comprehensive list of SDCC exclusives and comics: HERE

Try COVRPRICE for one month for $1 : HERE

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

Recorded at the inaugural First Coast Comic Con and Indie Comic Creator Con (IC3) show in Jacksonville: Cosmic Lion Productions founder and indie-comic-champion Eli Schwab jumps on the mic to talk about what's new at CLP, attending conventions as an independent publisher, advice for pitching your comic, comic con travel tips, and defines what it means to be "indie"

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Get access to COVRPRICE for $1: HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

Comic duo: Kenny Porter & Tyrell Cannon are on the show to talk about their collaborative process on titles like the superhero body-swap comedy: The Schlub, and what readers can expect from their brand-new horror action series: Operation: Iron Coffin - Issue one is already being described as a bloody mashup of Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Hellboy!

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Get access to COVRPRICE for $1: HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

Erica Schultz has worn a lot of different hats throughout her 25+ yr career in the comic industry (including writer, letterer, colorist, teacher, editor), and she's not shy about sharing the ups & downs of that journey. In this interview, the award winning writer talks about what it takes to succeed in comics, lessons she learned from Neal Adams, working on early Marvel Motion Comics, craft and career tips for aspiring writers, leaving her mark on characters like Rogue and Laura Kinney X-23, Vampirella's upcoming Summer Special, and how she made history as the first woman to write Spawn

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Get access to COVRPRICE for $1: HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

Kasra Ghanbari might just be the most interesting man in comics. He's been: a Biotech CEO, a cancer and Alzheimer's researcher, written comics for IDW, an art agent to industry titans like: Scott Radke & Clive Barker, and now he's the organizer of several comic art shows like Original Art Expo (OAX) and Indie Comic Creator Con (IC3). Kasra is on the show to talk about his journey from Biotech to the Dark Arts, the upcoming IC3 and First Coast Comic Con collabo event, the vision behind the Jack Kirby Awards, how Comic Art Fans (CAF) changed his life,  and his expert advice for navigating the original art market today

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Get access to COVRPRICE for $1: HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats

 

Mike Del Mundo makes a return visit to talk about what's changed in his life and career since his last visit. He's also got new comics and projects coming out this summer, including: the release of his first ever art book: The Marvel Art of Mike Del Mundo, the public debut of the sci-fi/ fantasy comic universe he's been cooking up with Jonathan Hickman these last three years: 3 Worlds/ 3 Moons, variant covers for Mass Appeal and Nas' album, and his first official DC work! We talked about it all and then some

Watch the uncut video version of this episode: HERE

LINKS: 

• Get access to COVRPRICE for $1: HERE
• Take your comic shopping experience to the limit, by shopping online at Gotham City Limit!
• Join our Patreon Community, and get access to bonus episodes, free comics, and other rewards! Try a FREE 7-day trial: HERE
• The Schiller Kessler Group

Click here to text us Fan Mail!

Presented by CovrPrice


Proudly sponsored by Gotham City Limit


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

REACH OUT AND FOLLOW FOR MORE 🤝🏼

• Email us at [email protected] 
• Follow Badr on IG , X, and Bluesky
• Website: theshortboxentertainment.com
• Check out the music from the show: DeftStrokeSound, Mecca Tha Marvelous, DJ Crumbz, L.E.R.M., & Dialectable Beats