VITO x DINO

"Don't keep forever on the public road, going only where others have gone."This week, Dean and Vito are joined by returning guests, Charlie McElvy and Mat Major, to celebrate the launch of the new STRAY Kickstarter! Before talking about the new book and the ins and outs of the campaign, everyone talks about AI and using it to finished unfinished or altered films. MENTIONED IN THIS EP...

"I must say, to my great regret, the cheapest tricks have the greatest impact."This week, Dean and Vito get back to basics and discuss recent comic reads (the hype behind DAKOTA INCIDENT is REAL!) and the 100 Best Superhero Comics of All-Time list in Die With Your Mask On #3!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- Grab your copy of DIE WITH YOUR MASK ON at https://canonzine.bigcartel.com/products -...

"The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down."This week, Dean and Vito are joined by actor and graphic novelist, Chris Miskiewicz, who talks about his early beginnings on screen and in comics to become an multi-nominated writer! Chris also reveals how he trained himself to be prolific and they all discuss the recent Mike Richardson/Dark Horse news. NOTE: Get a c...

"Home is where somebody notices when you are no longer there."This week, Dean and Vito recap Dean's appearance at the Original Art eXpo and his short stay in Florida, and then discuss the meaning of justice in the context of a project Vito is working on and as it pertains to the world around them. And, for the first time, Dean lays down on his couch! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- LATE...

"If you're not gonna tell the truth, then why start talking?"This week, Dean and Vito welcome writer/editor/shepherd, Joseph "Joe" Illidge! After a discussion on Joe's origins, the discussion moves to world building, Milestone Media and Joe's own future universe. This is a sprawling conversation that digs into world building, marketing and what it means to be a &quo...

"If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor."Dean and Vito tackle the comic industry's latest hot topic; story or art (thanks Todd)? A quick hip hop versus, a discussion about creator avatars in comics, and favorite love songs for Valentine's Day! All this and so much more! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- LATE PLEDGES for ANTIMATTER are open! If you...

"Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have."Dean and Vito celebrate Black History Month by talking about their favorite Black creators and characters (including their own!), but not before asking one of the toughest questions they've asked in 56 episodes: How would superheroes solve the problems outside our window? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- LATE PLE...

"In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention."Dean and Vito welcome musician and comics retailer, Nick Purpura, to the show to talk about the current state of comic retailing and strategies for comics creators to consider when publishing their books. This is ONE TO WATCH and TAKE NOTES! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- Follow JHU Comics on Instagram and sho...

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."Dean and Vito welcome cartoonist and comics art teacher, Steve Walker, to the show to talk about his work with the Art Students League of NY, his collaborations past and future with Vito, and then he and Dean critique Vito's second attempt at drawing comics. LOTS of instruction in this one, so don&#...

"I build the plane while I fly it."The new "season" begins right here as the fellas welcome legendary writer of your favorite comic books, Mark Waid! Mark discusses his current workload, how he manages multiple assignments, his top three writers and so much more! This is one you DON'T want to skip! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- Follow Mark Waid on Instagram at instagram.com/m...

"Economy of words/wealth of information."This week, the boys end their first year on a high note, with writer and all around fantastic human, Whitney Matheson. Whitney talks about her memoir, short stories and comics, and why it's not so hard to be a positive presence. Then, the guys talk about the "best day of the year" and how it was almost ruined by the events in Minneso...

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out."This week, boys step into 2026 by discussing Vito's ongoing drawing journey, burnout and physical limitations, the evil that was Roy Cohn and...oh great, a possible war with/in Venezuela. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE :- WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS! Donations wi...

"Life has a funny way of becoming ordinary as soon as it can."This week, the gents welcome a few friends to celebrate their FIFTIETH episode...LIVE! It goes all over the place, but it was a fun time had by all! And we all give our Best of 2025 recommendations! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- WE ARE TAKING DONATIONS! Donations will be used to purchase a portable podcasting rig and new microph...

"Life has a funny way of becoming ordinary as soon as it can."This week, the fellas get ready for the holidays by talking about Vito's first art assignment, the proliferation of artificial intelligence and how it is creeping up on all of us, and they talk about what comics in the 80s taught us all about being "grim and gritty." SET YOUR CALENDARS! We will be doing a LIVE ep...

"Have a healthy disregard for the impossible."This week, Vito talks about his decision to learn to draw comics. You read that right. Also, the gents talk about Humanoids and the ups and downs of their bankruptcy dealings, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER vs EDDINGTON, Netflix vs Paramount for the hand of Warner Brothers and much more! SET YOUR CALENDARS! We will be doing a LIVE episode for Episo...

"I hold a beast, an angel and a madman in me."This week, Dean and Vito welcome writer and publisher, Chris Stevens, to talk about creativity, recovery and reinvention. Chris also discusses how he talked Steven Bissette into publishing a comprehensive collection of his milestone series, TYRANT. Then Dean tells us all about the Jack Kirby pop up museum and a round of classic cartoon Versus...

"Glad to meet you, kid. You're a real horse's ass."This week...TRIGGER WARNING...Dean and Vito talk about death! Like, a LOT! Also, they discuss the Tim Seeley/Magik controversy; the Ari Aster movie, Eddington, and the classic Newman/Redford flick, THE STING; the Joshua Glenn book, BEFORE SUPERMAN: Superhumans of the Radium Age and...did they just come up with a new Age of comics...

"It ain't the despair that gets you, it's the hope."This week, on a live session recorded on Thursday, November 20, Dean and Vito welcome writer and publisher, Charlie McElvy, to the show after numerous name drops. Charlie talks about the genesis of Xion Studios and Blind Squirrel Comics , the now-funded A MONSTER HUNTER NAMED CLAYMORE Kickstarter, and the idea of being " gl...

"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."This week, Dean and Vito the Silver Age and how we modern readers perceive it, some potential good news regarding Kickstarter and late pledges for ANTIMATTER, and a Versus "battle" of Image Comics founders! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- WE HAVE A T-SHIRT! Get yours on Threadless right now ! - IF YOU'RE...

"Sometimes our walls exist just to see who has the strength to knock them down."This week, Dean and Vito discuss the successful ANTIMATTER Kickstarter and the difficult math of crowdfunding. They also discuss the Ditko Mural in Johnstown, PA and ask why there isn't one for Kirby in NYC (there's an obvious reason), and Vito REALLY takes a once admired creator to task. MENTIONED IN...

"The greatest obstacle to pleasure is not pain; it is delusion."For the first time ever, Dean and Vito go LIVE! Join them as they talk about comic book lettering, sandwiches (?), and Dean's current Kickstarter, ANTIMATTER!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- ANTIMATTER has reached its funding goal and has a few days left ! Don't be the one who didn't get Dean's new anthology!- WE...

"Being nostalgic is like taking an off-ramp and getting a sandwich. And then you get back on the highway. I don't want to be spending the rest of my life at the gas station."This week, the boys remember Dean's brother, Mike, as well as Diane Keaton, D'Angelo and Ace Frehley. Vito catches up on some movies as Dean reports from Baltimore Comic Con, and they both discuss Taranti...

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."This week, Dean gives his boots-on-the ground report of New York Comic Con and being banned on Instagram (!), Vito remembers writer Christopher Mills, and then returning champ, Dan Goldman, joins us for his NYCC "post game" and his Baltimore Comic Con pre-game, and a quick round of Writer VERSUS. TRIGGER WARNING: We talk about Suicide MENT...

"Don't ever stop writing and dreaming and you'll see soon enough that they actually did you a favor; you have to kill the Fanboy to become the Writer."This week, Dean and Vito welcome returning champion, Dan Goldman, as he and Dean prepare for the juggernaut known as New York Comic Con. The guys get hard data on which characters have appeared in the most comics, discuss the VINO...

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do."This week, Dean and Vito talk about Dean's upcoming Kickstarter, ANTIMATTER, Peacemaker's incredible reveal (SPOILERS WITHIN) and how they start stories before going into another round of Creator VERSUS! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- ANTIMATTER LAUNCHES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7! - WE HAVE A T-SHIRT! Get y...