Direct Edition

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...

Dave talks about his recent obsession with the new Marvel Rivals game, and how his addictive personality sometimes leads him down a slippery slope. After reminiscing about the golden days of Nintendo 64's GoldenEye 007, Dave shares his thoughts on Captain America - Brave New World (no spoilers!), meeting Anthony Mackie, and the national treasure that is Harrison Ford.  https://www.westcoastdav...

Dave welcomes special guest and prolific musician Jim Ward to the podcast. They discuss Jim’s work with At the Drive-In, Sparta, and Sleepercar, the early influence of Steely Dan and Billy Joel, the curse of major labels and the sometimes brutal work of doing your best. Playlist of Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2zXZx3CRvfVo1ThQGXy4C0?si=be3d586501cb46a6 Find Jim Here https://w...

It’s the 46th episode and things are dark. Dave talks briefly about the current state of US politics and shares a fond remembrance of legendary artist David Lynch. He recaps his recent trip to the 2nd annual Original Art Expo (OAX), a bout with the Florida Flu, bullies, and the professional hazard of dealing with the stupid. Dave shares reader submitted comfort movies, talks The Coen Brothers, and...

Need a break? We all do sometimes. Dave talks comfort movies and how a familiar film - good or bad - can make you feel at ease. He discusses David Fincher's The Social Network and his body of work, Nosferatu, the second coming of Trent Reznor, and how billionaire villains prove that money always makes a monster. If you are interested in Fincher's filmography check out Seven, Fight Club, So...

Artist Pardee joins Dave and talks about how his earliest inspirations - Garbage Pail Kids, Santa Cruz Skateborads, Tales From the Crypt and Gary Larsen’s Far Side comics - formed the recipe for his unique and colorful artistic style. They discuss how the positive power of art can help quiet an anxious mind, the glory days of Tower Records, David Fincher and the hustle involved in building somethi...

Dave sits down for an in-depth conversation with global DJ, cultural alchemist, foodie, and ambassador of nostalgia, Skeme Richards. The two discuss early musical inspirations and the youth driven culture collision of New York’s early rap and punk scenes, and compare notes on time spent in Japan. Skeme explains the connections between his role as musical conductor and pop culture preservationist,...

Dave shares his (almost) daily diary of audio recordings from Tokyo and talks book hunting, Japan Comic Art Expo, Tokyo Comic Con, meeting Peach Momoko and the surreal city that he is quickly falling in love with. Dave shares his original art commission by Shintaro Kago, talks local cuisine, coffee, Godzilla, praises the lost art of walking, and discusses the value and promise of new partnerships....

こんにちは In the season 3 opener, Dave is recording live from Koenji, Japan. He marvels at the cohesive, functioning society there, and the distinct appreciation for all things pop culture. Dave reflects on the year of work that made the trip possible, tips his hat in appreciation to Ed Piskor’s Manga Quest, and recaps the first the coffee, food, art, and books he’s found so far. Also - Godzilla!...

The season 2 finale is here, and Dave is off to Tokyo to rewire, refresh and reset ahead of the new year. He talks plans and expectations for the trip while straddling the line between excitement and apathy. After all, how different can the egg salad really be? Arigatou Gozaimasu! www.directeditionpodcast.com

Mark Bagley talks with Dave about the events that brought him to Marvel Comics in the late 1980’s, his career defining work on Amazing Spider-Man in the early 1990’s, and his now classic work on Venom: Lethal Protector and Maximum Carnage. The two discuss Bagley’s work on the 1994 Fleer trading card set, Wizard magazine, Life Story With Chip Zdarsky, and encounters with Jim Shooter and Erik Larsen...

Regime change aside, and with community on his mind, Dave has some questions. What drives us to collect and where do we search for new perspectives that differ from our own? What drives a hobby to become more diverse? After fortifying our existing relationships, do we really need to look for more? Exactly how high do you need to be before you forget to hit the play button? Beatles or Stones? Perha...

Dave swims upstream against the relentless hype machine that has been fueling predatory capitalism since the early ’90s. Continuing the conversation of the death of physical media, Dave reminisces about DVD commentaries and extras. He talks about fan communities, the importance of rest and his upcoming trip to Japan. www.westcoastdavengers.com www.directeditionpodcast.com

Continuing the thread from last week’s episode, Dave laments the disappearance of physical media and disowns the inexcusable failures of streaming platforms. He discusses Alan Moore’s recently published perspective on fandom and reflects on how nostalgia suffocates open-mindedness.  PLUS, a special shoutout to the NSDC Podcast. https://linktr.ee/nsdcpodcast Read the Alan Moore Article here: https:...

Dave talks about the culture of criticism that has infiltrated the current media landscape and tries to decipher the negativity that fuels this new world of preemptive scrutiny. He looks Furiosa, and Joker: Folie à Deux as recent victims of this trend and runs through the Batman film canon as evidence that DC Comic stories make better movies. And a bonus story about a mysterious gated community ww...

Daniel Warren Johnson returns to the podcast to discuss a handful of new projects, his recent Eisner awards, Steven Spielberg, a mystery comic that paid the rent, and supplementing stories with music. DJW shares updates on his current Transformers work, an upcoming Kickstarter, and talks about J.R.R. Tolkien and the companionship that inspiration brings to a normal life.  https://www.youtube.com/@...

Dave checks in and is feeling his age. He discusses mental health, legacy and carrying the weight of others, in a frank and open discussion. The question of "what is my legacy?" is asked. As always, he turns toward the positive and talks about a much needed jolt from Jack White, and the destructive power of Alabama Shakes. www.directeditionpodcast.com