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The engines are roaring, the cargo is loaded, and the Sea Duck is preparing to return to the skies. Award-winning television and comic-book writer Amanda Deibert joins Al Mega on the Comic Crusaders Podcast to discuss Dynamite Entertainment's new Disney's TaleSpin comic-book series. Deibert has built a versatile career across television, comic books, graphic novels, and animation. Her credits include stories featuring Wonder Woman, Batman, Harley Quinn, Teen Titans, Rocket and Groot, Star Wars, Darkwing Duck, and many more. Her television work includes animated series such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Hot Wheels: Let's Race, and projects for CBS, SyFy, and Hulu. For TaleSpin, Deibert reunites with artist and colorist Carlo Lauro after their acclaimed collaboration on Dynamite's Darkwing Duck series. Letterer Jeff Eckleberry and editor Nate Cosby complete the creative flight crew responsible for bringing Cape Suzette back to the comic-book page. The opening adventure, titled "The Wing Walker," begins when Higher for Hire is contracted to transport Cape Suzette's mysterious newest resident, Skye Ryder. Naturally, a routine flight lasts about three seconds before Don Karnage and his air pirates arrive to create chaos. Baloo and Kit must protect their passenger, outmaneuver the pirates, and somehow bring the Sea Duck home in one piece. Preferably with fewer repair bills than usual. During the conversation, Deibert discusses the responsibility of writing characters beloved by multiple generations, the challenge of translating fast aerial action into comic-book panels, and the importance of creating something that feels authentic to the original animated series without becoming trapped by nostalgia. She also explores the emotional strength of TaleSpin's found-family dynamic and explains how new characters can open unexplored corners of an established world. The episode also digs into Deibert's journey as a writer, her transition between television and comics, the creative lessons she carried from Darkwing Duck, and the collaborative trust she shares with Lauro. Naturally, Al also investigates the truly important questions, including whether Higher for Hire has insurance and how many hours Don Karnage spends rehearsing his entrances.     Disney's TaleSpin #1 is scheduled to arrive in comic shops on August 19, 2026, with covers by Cat Staggs, Carlo Lauro, and artwork from Disney's archives. Readers can preorder the issue through their local comic shop and join Baloo, Kit, and the crew for a new era of high-flying adventure. Follow Amanda on social media at: IG: amandadeibertofficial Tik-Tok/X/Bluesky: @amandadeibert ðŸ' Like the episode ðŸ"" Subscribe to Comic Crusaders ðŸ'¬ Comment with your favorite TaleSpin character ðŸ"¢ Share this interview with a Disney Afternoon fan

Fred Schwartz is stepping back into the Comic Crusaders Podcast arena, and this time the independent writer and creator is bringing the fourth chapter of his bruising mature-reader saga, FISTICUFFS. This return appearance goes beyond the usual creator-origin conversation. Fred breaks down how Book Four changes the trajectory of his planned six-book series, how he balances brutal superhero action with dark comedy and emotional vulnerability, and why addiction, dysfunction, responsibility, and personal consequences remain at the heart of the story. The conversation also explores reader interpretations, Fred's evolving relationship with crowdfunding, collaboration with artists and letterers, the pressure created by strong reviews and creator endorsements, and which parts of FISTICUFFS must remain untouched should the series ever be adapted for another medium. The original Kickstarter campaign has ended, but readers have not missed their opportunity to enter the ring. Late pledges remain available for FISTICUFFS: Books One Through Four of Six, allowing newcomers to begin from Book One and returning readers to continue the fight. Watch or listen to the full interview, support the campaign through late pledges, and discover why FISTICUFFS is earning attention as a fearless, deeply personal piece of creator-owned storytelling. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KFWLSDktBA Support the late pledge campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/schwartzart/fisticuffs-book-four-of-six Follow Fred on FB, IG, X, TikTok and YouTube via @schwartzartllc Visit: www.SchwartzArt-LLC.com Visit Comic Crusaders: https://comiccrusaders.com/ The Crusade Never Ends! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Stuart Moore and John Barber Take Comic Crusaders Inside Marvel Artist Archive: Jim Lee The writer and PUG-W Editor in Chief join Al Mega to explore the research, rare artwork, editorial decisions, and extraordinary Marvel journey behind one of comics' most influential artists. There are comic-book artists who become popular, artists who become influential, and artists whose work permanently changes the way an entire generation imagines superheroes. Jim Lee belongs firmly in that final category. On Comic Crusaders Podcast #733, host Al Mega welcomes writer, editor, and historian Stuart Moore, along with Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide Editor in Chief John Barber, for an extensive discussion about the creation of Marvel Artist Archive: Jim Lee. The deluxe hardcover is being produced by PUG-W in partnership with Marvel Comics and presents approximately 300 oversized pages chronicling Lee's Marvel career. The collection travels from his developmental work on Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal through the industry-shaking success of Uncanny X-Men, his celebrated Marvel trading-card illustrations, rare artwork, covers, process material, and his later work on Heroes Reborn: Fantastic Four. This is not simply a collection of Jim Lee's most recognizable images. The project is designed to show progression the choices, experimentation, discipline, and rapid artistic development that transformed a promising young illustrator into one of the biggest names American comics had ever produced. Stuart Moore provides the book's historical narrative, original research, background information, and newly conducted interviews. His contribution places the finished artwork into context, allowing readers to understand not only what Jim Lee created, but when he created it, what stage of his career he had reached, and how quickly his visual storytelling was evolving. During the interview, Moore joins Al in examining the qualities already visible in Lee's earliest Marvel assignments. The anatomy, character acting, page composition, attention to texture, cinematic framing, and remarkable level of detail were still developing, but the ambition was already sitting there on the page like Wolverine waiting for somebody to make the wrong move. The conversation also digs into a question that comic historians and longtime readers love debating: Was there one particular issue, cover, or sequence where Jim Lee stopped being viewed as an exciting new artist and became an undeniable superstar? That transformation did not happen by accident. Behind the dynamic poses and famous crosshatching was an artist working under deadline pressure, studying the craft, refining his visual instincts, and learning how to control the reader's eye across every panel. John Barber brings the editorial perspective to the conversation, discussing the enormous challenge of transforming decades of artwork into a cohesive reading experience. A book of this scale cannot simply throw beautiful images onto pages and hope the audience supplies the structure. It must balance chronology, artistic development, historical commentary, finished artwork, rough material, covers, trading-card illustrations, rarities, and enough breathing room for each piece to command attention. That challenge becomes even greater when the intended audience includes lifelong Jim Lee collectors, working artists, comic historians, casual Marvel readers, and younger fans who may know Lee's reputation without having experienced his early Marvel material firsthand. Barber discusses the importance of presenting the archive as a visual narrative one that allows readers to watch an artist becoming more confident, ambitious, and technically formidable from assignment to assignment. In other words, the book is not simply showing greatness. It is showing greatness being built. Some of the most revealing pieces in any artist archive are not necessarily the polished covers that everyone already recognizes. Rough layouts, unfinished pencils, production notes, alternate compositions, corrections, and developmental artwork can expose the decision-making process behind the final page. They show where an artist changed direction, solved a storytelling problem, strengthened a pose, adjusted a character's expression, or found a more dramatic way to stage a sequence. Marvel Artist Archive: Jim Lee complements its finished artwork with process pieces and historical commentary intended to offer readers a deeper understanding of Lee's technique and development. The Comic Crusaders conversation explores the archival hunt behind the project, including the difficulty of locating, identifying, verifying, scanning, and reproducing material from across Lee's Marvel career. Because apparently assembling 300 pages of Jim Lee artwork is slightly more complicated than yelling, "Put all the awesome stuff in one book!" Who knew? Jim Lee's Marvel trading-card work receives special attention because those illustrations served as an entry point into the Marvel Universe for countless young fans. Each card demanded a complete character statement within one image. The costume, attitude, power, personality, and mythology all had to register immediately. For many collectors, those cards were not secondary merchandise. They were portable galleries, character encyclopedias, playground currency, and the source of several heated childhood negotiations that remain unresolved to this day. Their inclusion helps demonstrate how Lee's influence expanded beyond monthly comics and into the wider visual identity of Marvel during the era. Jim Lee's work did not simply make established characters look cool—although, yes, they looked ridiculously cool. His artwork helped redefine the scale, energy, intensity, and commercial possibilities of superhero comics. His interpretations of Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Psylocke, Rogue, Magneto, and the larger X-Men universe became foundational images for readers, collectors, animators, game designers, and future comic-book artists. That influence is why Marvel Artist Archive: Jim Lee matters. It preserves the artwork, but it also documents the journey behind it. The Kickstarter campaign includes the oversized hardcover alongside exclusive portfolio prints, miniature cover reproductions presented in a custom mini-shortbox, and additional campaign-specific collectibles. The project launched on Kickstarter on July 14, 2026. Stuart Moore and John Barber give Comic Crusaders listeners a look inside the research, storytelling, design, and editorial thought required to honor an artist whose Marvel work helped reshape modern comics. Collectors should clear some shelf space. Actually, reinforce the shelf first. Three hundred pages of Jim Lee energy may violate local building codes. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzjEsd8lFE ðŸ"¥ Support the Kickstarter atðŸ"¥: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pug-w/marvel-artist-archive-jim-lee ðŸŽ™ï¸ Guests: Stuart Moore – Writer, editor, historian, and author of Marvel Artist Archive: Jim Lee John Barber – Editor in Chief of Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide The Crusade Never Ends! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Julio Anta Brings Puerto Rican Resistance and Chupacabra Horror to Beast of Borikén The legendary Chupacabra is returning to Puerto Rico, but this time the creature is not arriving as a campfire joke, a blurry photograph or another disposable monster-of-the-week. In Beast of Borikén, writer Julio Anta and artist Daniel Irizarri reclaim the famous cryptid as part of a much larger story about colonialism, displacement, family trauma, resistance and an island pushed beyond its breaking point. Anta joined Al Mega on the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a passionate conversation about the new five-issue series from Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion. The discussion explored his journey as a Cuban and Colombian American writer from Miami, his career creating stories centered on Latino characters and the creative responsibility involved in building a supernatural horror narrative rooted specifically in Puerto Rican history and identity. The series follows Loli Flores, an activist fighting against a major development project backed by wealthy outside interests. Loli understands that the language of investment and progress often hides a harsher reality for local communities: rising costs, displacement, unequal access to resources and the gradual transformation of a homeland into a product marketed to people who do not live there. The first issue establishes that conflict through both political debate and personal history. Beginning in Guayama during the devastation and power failures of 2017, the story connects Loli's present-day activism to the suffering her family experienced when critical systems failed. Her anger is therefore not theoretical. She has witnessed how infrastructure, medical vulnerability and political neglect can collide inside an ordinary household. That emotional foundation allows the comic's horror to carry greater weight. When the Chupacabra finally emerges, the creature does not feel randomly inserted into the narrative. Its violence appears connected to the land, the island's past and generations of resistance. The central mystery is not simply whether the monster exists, but what it represents—and whether its attacks are acts of cruelty, protection or judgment. During the interview, Anta discusses why the word "Borikén" was essential to the title, how his collaboration with Puerto Rican artist and co-creator Daniel Irizarri shaped the series and why authenticity required the island to appear as a living community rather than a tropical postcard. Irizarri's artwork presents Puerto Rico through its homes, hills, streets, radio stations, community gatherings, protest lines, construction sites and medical spaces. The result is a setting filled with beauty and tension, while Patricio Delpeche's colors move between storm-soaked anxiety, tropical warmth and supernatural menace. Lucas Gattoni's lettering gives equal force to political confrontation, machinery, protest chants and the creature's violent arrival. Anta also explains how his earlier projects prepared him for this series. From the immigration and family-separation themes of Home to the supernatural border journey of Frontera and the historical celebration of Sí, Se Puede, his work has consistently used genre and graphic storytelling to confront political realities without losing sight of the human beings living inside them. The Comic Crusaders conversation goes beyond the creation of a monster comic. It examines who controls the definition of progress, how folklore preserves cultural memory and why horror becomes more powerful when the audience understands what the monster may be defending. Beast of Borikén #1 is available now from Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion. Readers looking for supernatural horror with political purpose, Puerto Rican identity, fierce character work and a Chupacabra unlike any previously seen should not allow this series to disappear into the darkness. Because in Beast of Borikén, the creature may have the claws but human greed still has the sharper teeth. Follow Julio on: TikTok: @julio_anta Instagram: @julioanta Learn more on Dark Horse: https://www.darkhorse.com/comics/3013… Creative Team Writer / Co-Creator: Julio Anta Artist / Co-Creator: Daniel Irizarri Colors: Patricio Delpeche Letters: Lucas Gattoni Tiny Onion Editor: Greg Lockard Dark Horse Editor: Daniel Chabon Cover A: Daniel Irizarri Cover B: Naomi Franq Cover C: Max Fiumara Publisher: Dark Horse Comics / Tiny Onion The Crusade Never Ends! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

FOOL'S GOLD Creators Felix Irnich and Avery Howett Roll Into the Comic Crusaders Podcast The Comic Crusaders Podcast welcomes Felix Irnich, and Avery Howett for a hilarious and insightful conversation about FOOL'S GOLD: Echoes of the Past, the new graphic adventure arriving July 21, 2026, from Gallery 13. Based on the wildly popular Fool's Gold RPG YouTube series, Echoes of the Past follows its lovable band of misfits as timelines collide and yesterday's mistakes return with teeth. The crew must navigate a realm of souls, escape a dragon's wrath, survive another disastrous party, and prevent a robot from leveling an entire city all while attempting to remain friends. During the conversation, Irnich, and Howett discuss transforming improvised tabletop chaos into a structured graphic narrative, welcoming readers who have never rolled a twenty-sided die, collaborating with Christopher Hastings, balancing comedy with emotional consequences, and building an independent entertainment universe supported by millions of passionate fans. Expect stories about creative risks, crowdfunding success, artistic revenge, cursed dice, dangerous robots, and the power of friendship when every decision is one bad roll away from catastrophe. Preorder FOOL'S GOLD: Echoes of the Past and join the Comic Crusaders for an adventure where the past refuses to stay buried and the dice remain completely unqualified to make responsible decisions. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajI25Ay6PtQ Release date: July 21, 2026 Publisher: Gallery 13 Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Jeff Gomez Goes Deep Down: Building Mythology, Empowering Fans and Protecting Storytelling's Future What keeps a fictional universe alive across movies, comics, games, attractions, and generations? On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, Al Mega welcomes Jeff Gomez, president and CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment, for a powerful conversation about the hidden architecture behind modern storytelling. Gomez has contributed to the storyworld development and franchise strategy of globally recognized properties including Avatar, Halo, Pirates of the Caribbean, Transformers, Spider-Man, and Ultraman. His work focuses not simply on expanding intellectual property, but on preserving the emotional, thematic, and mythological coherence that allows a universe to grow without losing its identity. The conversation dives beneath New York City with Deep Down, an urban crime thriller combining investigative drama, occult mystery, political pressure, and social commentary. The series follows NYC Transit Special Ops as its marginalized members investigate the disappearance of a young autistic girl inside the city's sprawling subway system. Gomez also discusses The 10 Commandments of Successful Corporate Narratives, co-written with Alan Berkson, and explains why companies cannot manufacture trust through slogans when their behavior tells an entirely different story. The book presents narrative as an organizational structure that must survive growth, crisis, leadership changes, and public scrutiny. The episode also tackles fan communities, legacy media, canon governance, generative AI, and Gomez's concept of the Mythic Field the deeper human meaning that keeps a storyworld coherent even as its characters, platforms, and participants evolve. This is not merely a discussion about creating more content. It is a conversation about protecting meaning and determining who will shape the storyworlds of the future. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIQ1F5Bc9a0 Follow Jeff on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgomez/ https://www.instagram.com/slrgomez/ https://x.com/Jeff_Gomez https://www.starlightrunner.com Visit: ComicCrusaders.com YouTube: @ComicCrusadersWorld Host: Al Mega Follow: @TheRealAlMega | @ComicCrusaders Please Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe! The Crusade Never Ends!

Al Mega welcomes comic book creator Giovanni Sticco to the Comic Crusaders Podcast to discuss his indie sci-fi projects Scorpion, Anunnaki, and 51. From retro-pulp noir and rage-fueled transformation to ancient alien mythology and Area 51 disappearances, Giovanni breaks down his creative journey, cinematic influences, indie comics hustle, and the bigger universe he is building through Hollywood Tower Productions. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwmnGPesoq4 Follow on Social Media at: https://www.facebook.com/giovanni.sticco.3 https://www.instagram.com/giovanni_hollywood2008 Get your copy at: https://globalcomix.com/c/issue-1-scorpion Read more about Scorpion at: https://comiccrusaders.com/comic-books/scorpion-strikes-back-indie-sci-fi-noir-hits-11k-organic-reads-on-globalcomix/ Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

The shadows are getting deeper, the mysteries are getting darker, and the investigation continues! Al Mega welcomes back creators Shawn McBee and MJ Jankowski to the Comic Crusaders Podcast for another deep dive into their supernatural detective horror series Westron. Following up on their previous appearance, Shawn and MJ return to discuss the latest chapter of their creator-owned comic universe, Westron: Issues 1 & 2,  a story that blends mystery, horror, and Slavic folklore into a unique supernatural thriller. During this episode, Al Mega talks with the creators about expanding the world of Jan Westron, developing terrifying folklore-inspired threats, building mythology, and the challenges of bringing an independent comic to life through Kickstarter. The conversation explores what makes Westron stand apart from traditional horror stories focusing on forgotten legends, detective storytelling, and the power of creator-owned comics. Fans of supernatural mysteries, horror comics, and indie creators will not want to miss this episode! Check out Westron: Issues 1 & 2 and support the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/propsmith/westron-2 Visit the official Westron website: https://westroncomic.com/ ðŸ'» Follow their mythic journey into the unknown! Previous Appearance on Comic Crusaders Podcast #583: https://comiccrusaders.com/blog/watch-listen/comic-crusaders-podcast/westron-comic-book-interview-shawn-mcbee-mj-jankowski/ https://westroncomic.com Instagram: / westron_comic TikTok: / westron_comic Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/westroncomic.bsky.social Watch, listen, and join the conversation with Al Mega, Shawn McBee, and MJ Jankowski on the Comic Crusaders Podcast! The Crusade Never Ends! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Al Mega welcomes back comic book creator, writer, and publisher John Holland of Die Bold Comics to discuss his new horror comic campaign, Vampires Vs Zombies: The Journals of Enoch Chase. John previously joined Comic Crusaders to talk about ALMA and the Hollandverse. Now he returns with a monster-packed creator-owned project featuring vampires, zombies, journal-driven storytelling, survival horror, and the next evolution of Die Bold Comics. In this episode, Al and John dig into the creation of Enoch Chase, the mythology behind the vampire/zombie conflict, crowdfunding lessons, horror world-building, working with artist Jorge Luis Gabotto, and what indie comics fans can expect from the campaign. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuBoERp3dBQ Support: THE DIE BOLD COMICS DIGITAL LIBRARY: https://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/1008/the-die-bold-comics-digital-library Visit Die Bold Comics: DieBoldComics.com Follow on X at: @JohnH985 Previous Appearance: Comic Crusaders Podcast #455 – John Holland | ALMA Thank you for watching and listening! Host: Al Mega Follow: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Main Site: ComicCrusaders.com YouTube: ComicCrusadersWorld Official Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Swag Shop: comiccrusaders.us Edited / Produced / Directed by Al Mega

Comic Crusaders Podcast #728 welcomes independent comic creator, writer, and colorist W. Frank Walk for a fresh dive into the supernatural action universe of Hellstones, the creator-owned series powered by his studio, Pigmacast Studio. This episode explores the road from Hellstones #0 to the next major chapter, Hellstones #1: Into The Fray, while spotlighting Frank's full creator grind: writing, coloring, producing, promoting, and building an indie comic universe one campaign at a time. The conversation also digs into the launch of the Into The Fray Kickstarter, campaign strategy, serialized storytelling, and how Frank continues expanding Hellstones through hands-on world-building and community support. With additional creator-focused conversations already spotlighting where the Hellstones world came from and what drives it, this episode is a must-watch for indie comic fans, crowdfunding creators, and anyone who loves supernatural action with serious creator-owned fire. Support Hellstones, follow Pigmacast Studio, and keep the indie comics crusade moving. The Crusade Never Ends! Support the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pigmacast/hellstones-into-the-fray-a-supernatural-action-comic Follow Frank on : https://linktr.ee/pigmacast Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Abby Denson Joins Comic Crusaders Podcast To Discuss My Tokyo Summer From Graphix/Scholastic Award-winning cartoonist and author Abby Denson joins the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a bright, heartfelt, and creatively inspiring conversation about her upcoming graphic novel My Tokyo Summer, illustrated by Utomaru and coming from Graphix/Scholastic on July 7, 2026. Known for Cool Tokyo Guide, Cool Japan Guide, Uniquely Japan, Dolltopia, Tough Love, and the beloved Kitty Sweet Tooth series, Denson has built a career around comics that celebrate curiosity, culture, humor, travel, identity, and connection. She has also contributed to major properties including The Powerpuff Girls, The Simpsons, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and The Amazing Spider-Man Family. In this episode, Abby talks about transforming a life-changing trip to Japan into a YA graphic novel, the power of pen-pal friendships, working again with Utomaru, the magic of Tokyo, the creative spirit of zines, and why comics remain one of the most powerful ways people can connect across borders, languages, and generations. My Tokyo Summer follows Abby and Yuuko, two young artists from different parts of the world whose friendship blossoms through letters, comics, Tokyo adventures, and a shared dream of creating something together. It is a celebration of friendship, art, cultural exchange, and the kind of summer that can change a life forever. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGpeAJSsSs Follow Abby on Social Media: @abbydenson Visit her website: www.abbydenson.com Read our review HERE Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

WEPA, Crusaders! Comic book history is about to step out of the shadows, tighten the cape, rattle the chains, and remind everybody why Todd McFarlane remains one of the most important creative forces in comics. Todd McFarlane returns to the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a brand new conversation centered on Spawn 77, the upcoming three-issue Spawn Universe mini-series co-written by McFarlane and Mark Spears, with Spears delivering fully painted interior artwork. This is not just another Spawn project. This is the first official comic book appearance of McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design, a concept he created as a teenager long before Spawn #1 changed the comic book industry in 1992. That alone makes this one a major moment for fans, collectors, retailers, and anyone who loves seeing a creator revisit the original spark that started a universe. Nearly fifty years after that first design came to life in a young artist's imagination, Spawn 77 brings that early vision into the modern Spawn mythology with a new character, a new story, and a fully painted visual approach from one of the hottest artists in comics today. During this episode, Al Mega sits down with Todd to dig into the origins of the 1977 design, what it feels like to revisit that teenage creative energy decades later, and why now is the right time to officially bring this version of Spawn to the page. The conversation also explores Todd's collaboration with Mark Spears, how painted interiors change the tone of a Spawn story, and what fans can expect from this new corner of Hellspawn mythology. Of course, this being Comic Crusaders, we are also going beyond the press release. Al asks Todd about the growing Spawn Universe, the balance between mystery and expansion, the collector energy surrounding the massive cover lineup, the legacy of creator-owned comics, and yes, the long-awaited Spawn movie conversation. Because let's be real, fam — if Todd McFarlane is in the building, the people want to know what is going on with King Spawn. Spawn 77 #1 arrives in comic shops in September 2026 as an oversized 64-page debut issue. The book features covers by Mark Spears, Todd McFarlane, and Emma Ríos, along with multiple incentive and signed foil editions for collectors looking to lock down a piece of Spawn history. This is the kind of interview longtime Spawn fans will want to hear, but it is also a must-listen for creators. Todd's journey is a reminder that the wild idea you sketch at sixteen, the character you keep coming back to, the concept nobody else understands yet, that thing might become your legacy if you keep building. So pull up, Crusaders. The original Spawn is finally stepping onto the comic book page, and Comic Crusaders is taking you right into the fire. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmmOmL1b-f8 Check out the Spawn '77 #1 Preview Check out all things Spawn at: https://mcfarlane.com/ Follow Todd on X: @Todd_McFarlane / Instagram at @ToddMcFarlane | WhatNot The Crusade never ends! WEPAAAAAAA! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on X | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

WEPAAAAAAA, Crusaders! Today on the Comic Crusaders Podcast, we are going behind the cape, behind the symbol, and straight into one of the most important creator-rights battles in pop culture history as bestselling author William Bernhardt joins us to discuss The Superman Wars: A Battle for Truth, Justice, and an American Icon. For generations, Superman has stood as the ultimate symbol of hope, morality, strength, and doing the right thing when the world gets heavy. But behind the Man of Steel is a very human story filled with ambition, creativity, heartbreak, legal battles, and the devastating cost paid by the young creators who helped change the world. In The Superman Wars, Bernhardt pulls back the curtain on Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the two young visionaries whose imagination gave birth to one of the most recognizable characters ever created. Their work helped define not just comic books, but modern entertainment itself. Yet their battle for recognition, ownership, and fairness became a decades-long fight that still echoes through the comics industry today. What makes Bernhardt's take so powerful is his ability to blend legal insight with deeply human storytelling. As a lawyer and bestselling author, he understands the contracts, the courtroom drama, and the cold machinery of corporate power. But he also understands the emotional weight of two creators watching their dream become an empire while they were left fighting for their place in its history. This is not just a Superman story. This is a creator story. This is a warning shot. This is a reminder that every comic, every character, every universe, and every cultural icon begins with someone brave enough to put an idea on the page. Bernhardt also places Superman's arrival in the larger historical moment of the late 1930s, a time of economic hardship, fear, and global uncertainty. America needed a hero. Readers needed hope. And suddenly, there he was: a figure who could leap tall buildings, stand up to bullies, and remind people that justice still mattered. But the irony hits hard. Superman stood for truth and justice while his own creators had to fight for both. That is why The Superman Wars matters now. In an era where comics, films, streaming, games, and digital media continue turning creative ideas into billion-dollar properties, the questions raised by Siegel and Shuster's story are still alive and screaming louder than a Daily Planet headline. Who owns the dream? Who profits from the dream? And who gets remembered when the dream becomes larger than life? Today's conversation with William Bernhardt is going to dig into all of it: Superman's creation, the legal battles, the creator-rights lessons, the cultural impact, and why fans, writers, artists, and publishers should know this history. Because if you love comics, you owe it to yourself to understand the real war behind the world's greatest superhero. Tune in, pull up, and get ready. This one is not just hot, it is super-powered! YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSfoAOjzwak The Crusade never ends! WEPAAAAAAA! Check out our review HERE Get your copy NOW: https://amzn.to/4uSEVsA Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

WEPPAAAA! Comic Crusaders Podcast welcomes back acclaimed YA author and pop-culture writer Preeti Chhibber for a spell-slinging conversation about SCARLET WITCH: HOUSE OF HARKNESS, the upcoming Marvel graphic novel from Graphix, illustrated by Jodi Nishijima and Kiichi Mizushima. This new adventure reimagines Wanda Maximoff as a sixteen-year-old witch-in-training entering the legendary House of Harkness, a magical school filled with secrets, rivalry, legacy pressure, and enough chaos to make detention feel like a supernatural event. Waiting for Wanda is Agatha Harkness, heir to the school's powerful name and not exactly thrilled about a new student shaking up the magical food chain. In this episode, Al Mega dives deep with Preeti about returning to Comic Crusaders, writing Wanda for younger readers, building a magical-school Marvel universe, balancing humor with emotional stakes, and exploring the complicated tension between Wanda and Agatha. The conversation also touches on legacy, ambition, friendship, outsider energy, and how powerful young characters learn who they are before the world tells them who they should become. SCARLET WITCH: HOUSE OF HARKNESS arrives July 7, 2026, from Graphix. Marvel fans, young readers, witchy-read lovers, and anyone who enjoys magical mayhem with heart—this one belongs on your radar. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q4KrXnAU9A The Crusade never ends. WEPA! Get your copy at: https://amzn.to/4vIMYd7 On Sale: July 7, 2026 Like, subscribe, comment, and join the Crusade! Visit Preeti's Website at: http://www.preetichhibber.com Folow on Social Media on Bluesky: @runwithskizzers.bsky.social & Instagram: @runwithskizzers Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

WEPPAAAAA, Crusaders! Today we go dark, dangerous, and full-moon feral as Al Mega sits down with acclaimed Spanish comic book writer, artist, and illustrator Victor Santos to discuss his upcoming Titan Comics graphic novel, Moon Eaters. If you know Victor Santos, you already know the man brings style with teeth. He is the Harvey and Eisner-nominated creator behind Polar, the graphic novel series adapted into the Netflix film starring Mads Mikkelsen, and his work carries that hard-boiled noir punch that makes every shadow feel like it's hiding a bad decision. Moon Eaters drops readers into one savage night where freedom barely gets a chance to breathe. Tommy Blackfoot, fresh out of prison, heads to a roadside motel to finally meet June, the woman whose letters helped keep him alive behind bars. But romance gets body-slammed by horror when the Children of Hati, a wolf-obsessed cult, crash the night and turn that motel into a battleground of secrets, betrayal, mythology, and survival. This is not your cozy "meet cute." This is noir with claws. Horror with swagger. Mythology with a switchblade. Today's conversation dives into Victor's creative journey, his love of black-and-white storytelling, the raw energy of cult horror, the emotional weight behind Tommy and June, and how Moon Eaters blends crime, monsters, pulp attitude, and cinematic action into one brutal graphic novel experience. So pull up, Crusaders. The moon is high, the wolves are hungry, and Comic Crusaders is bringing the WEPA. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RWt4ztbHDE Pre-order Moon Eaters from Titan Comics and ask your local comic shop to add it to your pull list! Follow Victor on Instagram : @victorsantoscomics | X: @Polarcomic Website: https://victorsantoscomics.blogspot.com/ Moon Eaters from Titan Comics On sale: October 6, 2026 Visit Titan Comics at https://titan-comics.com Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega