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Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach joins Dave for a deep-dive conversation about comic book collecting, rock music, and creative inspiration. Bach shares his earliest comic memories, from Fantastic Four to Herb Trimpe’s Incredible Hulk, and how those stories shaped his lifelong taste as a collector. He recounts unforgettable rock tour road stories, including the legendary moment he bought Amazing Fantasy #15 alongside Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell on a fateful day in Omaha. The two explore the power of comic book community, the creative fuel behind Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, and Spider-Man, iconic Spider-Man jackets, and why local comic shops remain a place of quiet refuge for artists, musicians, and fans alike. A must-listen episode for fans of hard rock, heavy metal, Marvel Comics, Spider-Man, and pop culture storytelling. See Sebastian On The Road this year: https://www.sebastianbach.com/ https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition

Screenwriter Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Book of Eli) joins Dave to discuss See You in Hell, his new self-produced comedy podcast and why audio storytelling has become his creative home. Whitta breaks down how Hollywood studios, streaming wars, and algorithm-driven content helped damage the film industry—and what creators can do outside the traditional studio system. The conversation dives into creative burnout, IP fatigue, the decline and future of movie theaters, and why bold films like Sinners, Weapons, and One Battle After Another still matter. Whitta also explains the freedom of independent podcasting, working beyond studio control, and the current state of film and television in an industry shaped by streaming platforms and data-driven decision making. https://seeyouinhell.tv/ - Check out the podcast Subscribe to Gary On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@GaryWhitta

Writer Robert Venditti joins Dave to discuss his current slate of Bad Idea books, including Ordained, Planet Death, and Hank Howard: Pizza Detective. Venditti breaks down his creative process, and a creative partnership with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. They discuss Rob's genre-hopping career, taking over Green Lantern from Geoff Johns, and his perspective on fandom. The two dig into Nirvana and Alice In Chains, the Seattle music explosion of the 90's , personal influences, and the deep-rooted crossover between comics and popular culture. Follow Robert on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/robertvenditti/?hl=en Join my Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition www.westcoastdavengers.com

Larry Reid, curator and manager of the Fantagraphics Bookstore joins Dave to discuss Seattle’s underground art, music, and comics scene. Larry reflects on running the legendary Seattle Roscoe Louie Gallery in the late ’70s, and the rise of alternative comics alongside the city’s punk and grunge movements. Larry speaks about the inspiring words he got from Robert Crumb, working with Gary Groth & Kim Thompson and the influence Misfit Lit had on the alternative comix scene. The two explore the legacy of Love and Rockets, the influence of Linda Barry, Charles Burns, Matt Groening, and Peter Bagge, and the lasting cultural impact of Cartoonist Kayfabe and Ed Piskor. Visit Fantagraphics here : https://www.fantagraphics.com/Follow the bookstore on facebook https://www.facebook.com/fantagraphicsbookstoreFind Me:-------------------------------------------My Website : www.westcoastdavengers.comPATREON https://www.patreon.com/DavengersDirectEdition

Recording live from Koenji, Japan, Dave sits down with Shawn — better known as Japan Book Hunter — for a deep dive into Japan’s unique underground book culture, rare book collecting, and the obsession that drives collectors down endless rabbit holes. From underground bookstores to forgotten print runs, this conversation explores what makes Japanese books so special — and so hard to find.They discuss a shared love of AKIRA and Hayao Miyazaki, and the endless rabbit holes of collecting and the influence of Japanese visual culture on collectors worldwide. If you’re interested in rare books, Japanese art, anime history, or the psychology of collecting, this episode is packed with stories and hard-earned wisdom.Check out JPH on Youtube and visit his website to snag something for yourself www.japanbookhunter.com

2025 was a banner year for media. In this episode, Dave breaks down his favorite TV, music, movies, and comics of the past 12 months—what swam, what sank, and which movie somehow managed to make him feel stupider. From Sinners to Hayley Williams and Absolute Batman, this episode serves as the best of the best, in Dave's eyes.Big thanks to Phil for the awesome edit on this! Join the Patreon and be part of the community - https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition

Matteo Scalera (Black Science, Nemesis Forever) joins Dave to discuss the upcoming release of his new Kickstarter-backed project, The Fourth Father. They discuss storytelling and Scalera’s creative process, and fandom within the Inkpulp Podcast universe. They explore the surge of Italian comic creators, Tim Sale's last Batman book, the narrative mastery of Breaking Bad and Watchmen, and the “Nolan Effect,” along with the challenges of balancing business, family, and art while self-promoting and running and independent business. Scalera dives into his love for animation and explains why seagulls are the unsung heroes of great art. The podcast closes with a rendition of something that all Inkpulp fans may be dangerously familiar with. PRE-SAVE The Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inkpulp/the-fourth-father-graphic-novel-by-matteo-scalera Susbscribe to Inkpulp https://www.youtube.com/@inkpulp Join my patreon, help support the channel - https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition Matteo's Website - https://www.matteoscalera.com/

Comic legend Geof Darrow joins Dave for the Season 5 premiere ahead of the release of Shaolin Cowboy The Beginning of the End Results: 21 Years Of Blood, Sweat & Chainsaws. Uncle Geof reflects on working alongside Jack Kirby and Frank Miller, developing concept art for The Matrix, and introducing Moebius to the work of Katsuhiro Otomo. They talk film, Martial arts, gore, and fantasy; consider the influence of Dark Horse Comics; shudder at the brutal workload of a mangaka; and reveal why George Lucas might be the ultimate fanboy. Join the Patreon for $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition www.westcoastdavengers.com

Comic icon Marc Silvestri joins Dave for a wide-ranging conversation about the pivotal creative moments that shaped his career. From his earliest science fiction influences and the work of legends like Jack Kirby, Bernie Wrightson, Frank Frazetta, and Norman Rockwell, to collaborations with Larry Hama and Chris Claremont. Silvestri discusses his enduring impact on the X-Men & Wolverine , his role in mainstreaming creator ownership through founding Image Comics and Top Cow Productions, mentoring Michael Turner, creating Witchblade and the epic upcoming relaunch of The Darkness. Join the Patreon for $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast https://topcow.com/

Dave reflects on 80 episodes of Direct Edition and shares the lessons, tools and methods that he’s picked up along the way. He looks ahead to Japan, reveals the season finale guest and the season 5 premiere guest and shares a healthy dose of gratitude. Support the podcast, join the Patreon :https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition www.directeditionpodcast.com

Jim Woodring (Creator Of Frank) joins Dave to discuss the creative process behind his award winning surrealist comic art and unique personal vision. Jim recalls his early connection to MAD Magazine and Harvey Kurtzman’s grotesque, lyrical style. He reflects on the work of R. Crumb, and the defining influence of Salvador Dalí. They discuss Jim’s time working with Gil Kane and Jack Kirby at Ruby-Spears, the mastery of Dave Stevens, and the origin of Jim’s long standing relationship with Gary Groth and Fantagraphics. https://www.jimwoodring.com/ Join my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/DavengersDirectEdition WWW.WESTCOASTDAVENGERS.COM

Artist, writer, and fan Kelley Jones (Batman, Dracula, Deadman, Sandman, Swamp Thing) joins the podcast. Kelley details his time working on the Batman Knightfall Covers in the 90's, culminating in the breaking of Batman, pushing the limits at DC Comics. He discusses DRACULA, his partnership with Matt Wagner, and how he made a monster out of Bane in the 90's. Kelley talks about early horror cinema’s influence on his gothic storytelling, the impact of Bernie Wrightson, Graham Ingels, and Wally Wood, his friendship with Sam Kieth, and the details of his substantial back catalog of original art. Back the Dracula III kickstarter today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/draculatheimpaler/dracula-book-3?ref=user_menu

Jim Mahfood returns to discuss Defective Comics Presents : Arachnid Enforcer, his newest self-published, Kickstarter-backed bootleg Spider-Man comic. Jim and Dave drink spider-blood and swap stories about their earliest parody influences—MAD Magazine, SNL, and “Weird Al” Yankovic—favorite Spider-Man eras, Jim’s character-design work on Into the Spider-Verse, and the perpetual thrill of seeing your work in print. BACK THE KICKSTARTER HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimmahfood/defective-comics-presents-the-arachnid-enforcer JOIN MY PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition

Tyler Mane joins Dave to talk about his pro wrestling career, becoming Sabertooth (X-Men & Deadpool / Wolverine) & Michael Myers (Halloween) and co-creating his first graphic novel The Last Spartan: Red Tape. Tyler shares stories from his earliest days training with Stu Hart, finding inspiration in comic books, wrestling Andre the Giant in Japan, working with Rob Zombie, getting stabbed on set, and the motivation behind his most recent project that shines a light on the horror of human trafficking. Join my Patreon today : https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition Pick up The Last Spartan here - https://tylermane.com/the-last-spartan www.maneentertainment.com All Tyler's Links : linktr.ee/tylermane

Comic legend Erik Larsen is back to discuss his return to Marvel, writing the new Spider-Man Noir miniseries and creating a Jack Kirby–inspired variant cover for Venom: Black, White & Blood, in which he writes and draws a short story. He talks about working with the classic “Marvel method” and the noir touchstones—Bogart, The Thin Man, Citizen Kane—that shaped his approach. Larsen also shares what’s ahead for Savage Dragon, recounts meeting Steve Ditko, sets the record straight on Mark Bagley, and reveals where the best burritos in San Francisco are, really. Spider-Man Noir is in stores October 1st, you can also find Erik at NYCC and Fan Expo San Francisco. Join my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast