Direct Edition

Drummer, producer and founder of Good Land Records Jon Phillip joins Dave for a heartfelt conversation about music, fandom, baseball, addiction, recovery, sobriety and friendship. The two talk influences, Guns N’Roses, Paul Westerberg, the Replacements, Metallica’s indelible legacy and Jon’s time drumming with Limbeck, The Benjamins, Tommy Stinson, Trapper Schoepp, Berwanger, Mini Meltdowns, and T...

Fresh off the release of  Batman 1 , Eisner Award–winning writer Matt Fraction ( Iron Man, Hawkeye, Fantastic Four, Godzilla, Sex Criminals ) joins Dave to discuss launching a bold new era for the Dark Knight alongside veteran Batman artist Jorge Jimenez. The conversation covers  Monarch: Legacy of Monsters , DC Comics’ creative renaissance, strategies for maintaining mental health, and diving bac...

Titans of industry David Finch ( Batman, New Avengers ) and Robert Kirkman ( Invincible, The Walking Dead ) join Dave to discuss their long-awaited new project,  Skinbreaker . Eight years in the making, the comic reflects their shared creative impulses, dynamic world-building, and love of character design, with invaluable contributions from colorist Annalisa Leoni. They reflect on sources of inspi...

Felipe Smith continues his reflections on working in Japan as a foreigner in the manga industry, discussing the politics of publishing and the cultural rules of depicting violence . He shares stories of meeting his hero Simon Bisley, lessons learned from Todd McFarlane, and the creative growth that came from collaborating with Tradd Moore On Robbie Reyes All New Ghost Rider. Felipe also talks abou...

Writer and artist Felipe Smith joins Dave for an in-depth, two-part conversation exploring his career and acclaimed work on MBQ, Peepo Choo, TMNT, and All-New Ghost Rider. They dive into Felipe’s early inspirations growing up in Argentina, including Simon Bisley and Frank Frazetta. Felipe talks his groundbreaking achievement as the first Western artist to create a serialized manga in Japan, the in...

Artist and illustrator Jonathan Wayshak joins Dave to talk about his upcoming  Cul-de-sac  comic book with Bad Idea, his recent work for  Heavy Metal , and signing at the Todd McFarlane Spawn booth at SDCC. Wayshak reveals the materials and methods behind his creative process, explains why a strong script in comics makes all the difference. Plus: vampires, David Lynch, and Billy Joel! Way$hak on I...

Daniel Warren Johnson, Greatness is Par for the CourseEisner Award-winning comic book artist and writer Daniel Warren Johnson returns to discuss the making of The Art of Daniel Warren Johnson, his new, Kickstarter-funded, career-spanning monograph. He talks to Dave about his latest projects - Absolute Batman Annual, his creator owned Sci-Fi project, and covers for Deadpool and the DC KO Tournament...

Stand Up! Records founder and Grammy-winning producer Dan Schlissel joins Dave for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, music, and maintaining integrity. They discuss Dan’s family roots, his early fascination with American junk culture, Chick Tracts, punk record label (ISIM & ISIMIST), and the formative impact of seeing George Carlin at 17. Dan shares how he helped launch Slipknot’s caree...

'The Bear' has Dave wondering about the true cost of being so busy all the time. Has corporate exploitation robbed us of our free time? Dave talks business sense, Ticketmaster monopoly, the scam of streaming services, Turnstile, and draws parallels between the decline of comic books and vinyl records.   https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast

Dave is back from Heroes-Con, feeling fitter, happier and more productive. He shares his theory of small batch travel, finding authentic experiences beyond the beaten path and supporting local business. Dave talks Carolina BBQ, learning to love Radiohead, eating under the influence, Mission District Tacos, and the revolutionary act of introducing new people to new things. https://www.westcoastdave...

Chip Zdarsky returns to the podcast to talk about writing Marvel’s new Captain America series, and to try and make sense of how Zdarsky Comic News (ZCN) landed a 2025 Eisner Award nomination. The two talk manga, Japan, the current state of the comics industry, Tom Waits, and Zdarsky’s surprising new best friend, Pedro Pascal. Check Out Chip's Substack - https://zdarsky.substack.com/ https://ww...

Part 2 of Dave’s conversation with comic book legend Stan Sakai. The two discuss Stan’s early fanzine contributions, his writing process, collaborating with Peach Momoko, the long-lasting importance of friendship, and Usagi Yojimbo’s infinite future. Watch part one here - https://youtu.be/BRDaMetpSZk?si=Xco317r-Vlry1Q_I https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast

For the Season 4 premiere, Dave welcomes artist and animator Alice Darrow to the podcast. They discuss Alice’s debut comic release Tramps of the Apocalypse , her unexpected influences and unique process for creating a bold, vivid and satirical work. They talk political chaos, untangling conventional narratives, and the constant work of fending off gratuitous cruelty.  Tramps Of The Apocalypse 1 is...

SEASON FINALE - New Orleans-born, Bay Area-raised artist Dave Correia joins the podcast for the season three finale to discuss artistic camaraderie, influences, and the drive, ambition, and execution needed for an independent creative life. The Daves discuss comic convention culture, Jaws, John Carpenter, Bernie Wrightson, The Last of Us, Zero Friends, Alex Pardee, color, cosmic horror, overcoming...

Liam Finn has spent his entire life surrounded by music. He is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, and member of the New Zealand band Crowded House. Liam’s father, Neil Finn, is a founding member of Crowded House, who Liam now tours and records with.  In this episode Dave talks with Liam about the power of music, not paying billionaires, performing live, opening for Eddie Vedder, his first...

Artist, creative director, writer, and illustrator Rob Sheridan joins Dave to discuss his creative process and work designing groundbreaking stage visuals for Nine Inch Nails and Pearl Jam. They talk about the impact of technology on creativity and what it means for the future of digital media, Sheridan’s comic High Level (DC/Vertigo), album art, bonding with Trent Reznor, Quake, Glitch Goods, and...

In this episode, Dave takes a look at the church of Star Wars. He talks about the lasting impact of George Lucas’ visionary work, prequel love, and his distain for the misguided fans intent on bringing the whole galaxy down. He looks back at the material that spawned the ‘90s resurgence and how the success of Andor, Asoka and The Mandalorian signal a bright future for the franchise. Plus, an overa...

Dave shares stories of NHL mischief at Madison Square Garden, corporate exploitation, and the long con that may have single handedly devalued an entire segment of the collectables world. Also Sinners, the promise of Ryan Coogler and a quick rundown of what Dave is currently reading, watching and listening to.  https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast

Comic Book Publisher, Collector, entrepreneur and comic fan Dinesh Shamdasani joins Dave for a wide ranging and candid conversation. From his time growing up in Hong Kong to his film studies at USC and breaking into Hollywood to Comics publishing, Dinesh has stories to tell. They discuss all things Bad Idea, Planet Death, C2E2, Valiant Comics, original art, community, action movies and Wizard Maga...

Dave tells the harrowing story of his time working for the United States Post Office during the COVID-19 pandemic. He looks back on how the tyrannical management, torrential weather and relentless schedule led to chronic physical injury and, ultimately, starting his own business. Special shoutout to Sherman the Dog, Superman, and the special place in hell reserved for Amazon packages. www.directed...

Musician (Antarctigo Vespucci & Fake Problems), artist and kindred spirit Chris Farren joins Dave for a conversation about creativity, collaboration, songwriting and Billy Joel. He shares the story on how he met long-time friend and collaborator, Jeff Rosenstock. Chris talks about his early touring days, influences, Korn, Florida, Mall Music, Batman, podcasting, becoming internet famous and st...

52 episodes in and ahead of a much needed 2 week break, Dave reflects on 11 years of sobriety.  He talks about his pivotal move from New York to the West Coast, avoiding the plight of idle hands, clean(er) living, and cutting ties. Also, few thoughts quick thoughts on Jon Bolerjack Stan Lee Documentary Kickstarter - ‘nuff said. https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast

A long drive to Emerald City Comic Con has Dave thinking back on his time as an autograph hunter, meeting Peter Jackson, eating Clive Davis’ donuts, and the good fortune that led to time spent with Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam from Montreal to New York! https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast  

Award winning artist Sanford Greene joins Dave for a conversation about comics, culture, community and music. They discuss the restless state of the world, battling nonsense with legitimacy, Michael Golden, early anime, the power of Public Enemy, and  90s comic art. Greene talks about his teaching role, his hip-hop variant covers, upcoming Doom treasury and the return of Bitter Root.  

Episode 49 Comic artist and Inkpulp founder Shawn Crystal joins Dave for a conversation about humor, leadership, craft and coffee. The two recap last year’s Original Art Expo (OAX), share perspectives on collecting and selling artwork, and discuss the proliferation of digital processes in today’s art world. Also, skate graphics, Cezanne, the wizardry of Bill Sienkiewicz and a peek into Shawn’s upc...