VITO x DINO

“Money can’t buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.” — Spike Milligan This week, Dean and Vito discuss the rising costs of Artists Alley and comic conventions, changes in the Wonder Woman creative team, the WTF of the Star Wars/Avengers crossover, and lament the passing of writer, David Atchison. All this and more! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS...

“After being bombarded endlessly by road-safety propaganda it was almost a relief to find myself in an actual accident.” — J.G. Ballard The Terrible Twosome are back in action, but a car accident almost derails their plans. Listen/watch as Dean recounts a mishap on Columbus Day. All this and more! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS! Donations will be used to purchase a portable pod...

“The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass.” — Martin Mull As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we welcome back #1 Fan, Steve Bearfield, as we talk about Baltimore Comic Con one week after, Steve's script for his first comic (!) and the boys remember Vito's Aunt Camille. All this and more! MENTIONE...

While at Baltimore Comic-Con, Vito's wife (Michelle) and daughter (Sadie) took over the mic and recorded the pilot episode of the SINO X MINO Podcast! Listen in for a different point of view of the show, life and more!

“This award validates me finding the joy in comics again.” — Dean Haspiel Buckle up, kids, this is a big one! This year, at Baltimore Comic Con, we brought a portable "studio" and recorded interviews with so many of our peers and guests. Joining us are: Don Simpson (donaldsimpson1713 on Instagram) Marc Nathan (cards_comics_and_collectibles on Instagram) Steve Walker (the_stevewalker on I...

“Most men know what they hate; few what they love.” — Charles Caleb Colton THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED PRIOR TO BALTIMORE COMIC CON! NO SPOILERS. This week, Dean and Vito discuss the FRANK MILLER: AMERICAN GENIUS documentary, page layout constraints, the "Fuck It" Age of Comics and what they're looking forward to at Baltimore Comic Con! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAKING DONATION...

“The young horse runs fast; the old horse knows how to run.”— Dr. Donald Simpson WELCOME BACK, DON SIMPSON! In this episode, we talk about Don's recent kerfuffle over AI, the future of Megaton Man, Kickstarter and 9/11 memories. After, Dean and Vito discuss Lanterns Episode 5 and prepping for Baltimore Comic Con! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Follow Don's Substack at: https://donaldsimpson171...

“It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive.” —Bruce Springsteen As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we welcome Zack Rosenberg! Zack talks about his collaboration with Jared Cullum on KAITO '84, the first ever spin-off of USAGI YOJIMBO. Zack talks about the collaborative process with Jared and the legendary Stan Sakai, and how...

“I want that I love it.” — little girl at Target This week, the fellas talk about the year 1986 in comics and seminal moments in the decades before and after, comparing the comics of '86 with film/makers of the 70's, Don Simpson tried to join the conversation, and everyone, meet Nubbins. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS! Donations will be used to purchase a portable podca...

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” —Dolly Parton This week, the fellas remember Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, as well as comic creators Roger McKenzie and Dave Lanphear. They also pitch their Judge Dredd stories and recap Plastic City Comic Con and LANTERNS Episode 2! All this and much more! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS! Donations will be used to purchase a portable p...

“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.” —Alan Watts As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we welcome Dan Theodore! Dan talks about comic art collecting and his introduction to Dean's work, as well as his favorite pieces. We also talk about Irwin Hasen's DONDI at length! Then, Dan leaves because...

“Life’s no piece of cake, mind you, but the recipe’s my own to fool with.” —Haruki Murakami As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we the co-creators of PACKRAT & THUNDERBUNNY, Derek J. Bush and John Fletcher Pasquini! They talk about the origins of their friendship and how they went from commissioners of art to creators of co...

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” —Raymond Chandler As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we welcome artist, cartoonist and musician, George Folz, aka George Mr. George! George talks about "shape artist" Frank Miller, his collaborations...

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” —T.S. Eliot As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward. This week, we welcome Dave Slusher of Evil Genius Chronicles! Dave tells us his origin story, and the kind of comics he's into, his creative endeavors which include one of the longest running podcasts in history (!) and...

“It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow As part of their recent Kickstarters, Dean and Vito offered guest spots to backers as a reward, so welcome back Steve Bearfield! Steve talks to the guys about two comics projects he's working on and all that's happened since his last appearance. Then, Vito's daughter, Sadie, joins...

“People without a sense of humor will never forgive you for being funny.” — Richard Osman This week, Dean and Vito discuss Marvel's move to Burbank and editorial leadership change, the passing of friend of the show, Tommy Lombardozzi, and have a wide-ranging discussion on independent publishing (specifically coloring), mental health, and creative identity. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: WE ARE TAK...

“Never trust a man who speaks well of everybody.” —John Churton Collins This week, Dean and Vito are joined by writer and publisher, Dirk Manning. Dirk details how he became publisher and owner of Source Point Press, how his philosophy have shaped the company and some of the struggles involved in being a public figure. The three also play a quick game of "Who is Worthy?" and choose creat...

“I went to camp expecting to make friends, but ended up with family.” — Viola Gutierrez This week, Dean details his final days of his Yaddo residency, the boys talk about Ed Piskor, X-Men '97, and much more. It's a short one, but packed! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York has ended successfully and is now open for late pledges: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...

“The more personal you are, the wider your audience.” — David Steinberg This week, the fellas talk about the John Romita, Jr Amazing Spider-Man 1000 cover, Dean's final days at Yaddo, some recent movie viewings, and the Absolute Batman animated series that was just announced. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Episode 100 will be a LIVE show on DECEMBER 10! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only i...

“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” — Ralph Waldo EmersonT his week, the boys "thank" President Trump (and then rip him a new, better asshole), talk about dogs and death, what makes a New Yorker a New Yorker, life at Yaddo and the idea of Absolute Wildcat. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York has ended successful...

“He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” - Ben Jonson This week, Dean and Vito talk about talk about Archie Comics' latest legal woes, the new proliferation of blind bagged comics, 3 Rivers Comic Con, and more from Yaddo! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York has ended successfully and is now open for late pledges: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...

“I want to be justice, love and the wrath of God all in one.” - Marjane Satrapi This week, Dean and Vito talk about Yaddo with a little tour of Dean's studio for his residency, the sagas of James Haspiel and Dominick Delsante, death row meals, AI movie mash-ups and the unfortunate loss of Marjane Satrapi to the world. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York has ended succe...

"Happiness is only real when shared." - Chris McCandless This week, Dean and Vito discuss how to properly layout a comic, the idea of introductory pricing for comics, AI and Stan Lee, personal totem poles and what it feels like to be on the cusp of turning 59 years old. That title is sure to bring in some new viewers in the algorithm! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in N...

"Adventure is just a romantic name for trouble. It sounds swell when you write about it, but it's hell when you meet it face to face in a dark and lonely place." This week, Dean and Vito welcome the incredible Ann Nocenti! They talk about Daredevil (obviously), the need for (and benefits of) art spaces and salons, film making, the argument for and against AI, and much more. Don't...

"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." This week, Dean and Vito do some amazing segue gymnastics, talking seamlessly about the newly named Jack Kirby Way, Marilyn Monroe, the Punisher, Spider-Man/Superman, Marv Wolfman, American Splendor and so much more. Mark your calendars: we're now podcast pros! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: REAL LIFE COMIX: Only in New York has ended suc...