Direct Edition

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

Artist and creator Jim Mahfood returns to the podcast to discuss his new project Savage Street Vigilante. Mahfood and Dave talk about why Pittsburgh is a paradise of comics, the current collector market, bootlegs and zine culture, the magic of physical media and the powerful act of answering to no-one. Back The Kickstarter! - http://kck.st/4eKY20b www.directeditionpodcast.com

Is it a rant? Is it diarrhea of the mouth? A cacophony of contradictions? In this episode Dave lets out his truth, while keeping in mind that there is two sides to every story. www.directeditionpodcast.com

30th Episode!!! Dave sits down with friend and prolific musician Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Pet Symmetry & more). Evan talks growing up in New Jersey, early inspiration, the importance of Green Day’s Dookie in forming his first band. He shares what it takes to break even while recording, managing a record label and running a successful Patreon. The two agree to disagree on ‘The Bear,’ form...

After some time away, and ahead of his channel’s 3 year anniversary, Dave recaps the past month. He talks about his trip to Pittsburgh for Eddie P. Con, comic hunting with Jim Rugg, his new home studio, and recent conversation with Kevin Devine. Dave shares an awkward moment he once shared with Metallica’s James Hetfield, talking Marilyn Manson with Johnny Depp, and the time he caught Jon Stewart...

Songwriter and musician Kevin Devine joins Dave for an expansive conversation about music, nostalgia, pro-wrestling, humor, geekdom and all things in-between. They discuss the earnest will of 90’s frontmen, the importance of context in creativity, and power of sobriety. Kevin shares stories from his long career, discusses his new podcast “Give it a Chance,” and reflects on the inspiration for rele...

Ahead of his upcoming trip to Pittsburgh for the inaugural Eddie P. Con (Honoring the legacy of Ed Piskor), Dave reflects on a busy week and answers some subscriber questions. He talks music as therapy, New York memories and details his top (and bottom) 3 comic book movies.  www.directeditionpodcast.com

Veteran artist Bart Sears joins Dave to talk about his long career in comics. They discuss his early work with TSR and Hasbro, examine the industry decline of the 1990s and Sears’ work on C.O.P.S., G.I. Joe, Justice League, Violator, Blade, Turok, Heavy Metal, Wizard Magazine, CrossGen and the early days of Valiant. Bart's Website - www. Bartsearsart.com Www. DirectEditionPodcast.com

Dave sits down with Mickey Finnegan, the writer, director, comic collector and YouTube content creator better known as Swagglehaus. Mickey talks about his career and award winning commercial work with artists LMFAO, Mike Tyson, and Soulja Boy, his short film ‘Mom Fight’ and the origins of his YouTube channel. The two discuss their mutual love of film, Edgar Wright, Weird Al Yankovic, the endearing...

A woefully sleep deprived Dave recaps a busy week. He discusses the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie and attempts to answer the question we’ve all been asking - will Doom prevail? Dave celebrates Ed Piskor’s recent Eisner award and in the spirit of positivity and gratitude gives thanks to the friends and small businesses that keep comics headed in the right direction.  www.directeditionpodcast.c...