Dave reflects on 80 episodes of Direct Edition and shares the lessons, tools and methods that he’s picked up along the way. He looks ahead to Japan, reveals the season finale guest and the season 5 premiere guest and shares a healthy dose of gratitude.
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Jim Woodring (Creator Of Frank) joins Dave to discuss the creative process behind his award winning surrealist comic art and unique personal vision.
Jim recalls his early connection to MAD Magazine and Harvey Kurtzman’s grotesque, lyrical style. He reflects on the work of R. Crumb, and the defining influence of Salvador Dalí. They discuss Jim’s time working with Gil Kane and Jack Kirby at Ruby-Spears, the mastery of Dave Stevens, and the origin of Jim’s long standing relationship with Gary Groth and Fantagraphics.
https://www.jimwoodring.com/
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Artist, writer, and fan Kelley Jones (Batman, Dracula, Deadman, Sandman, Swamp Thing) joins the podcast. Kelley details his time working on the Batman Knightfall Covers in the 90's, culminating in the breaking of Batman, pushing the limits at DC Comics.
He discusses DRACULA, his partnership with Matt Wagner, and how he made a monster out of Bane in the 90's. Kelley talks about early horror cinema’s influence on his gothic storytelling, the impact of Bernie Wrightson, Graham Ingels, and Wally Wood, his friendship with Sam Kieth, and the details of his substantial back catalog of original art.
Back the Dracula III kickstarter today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/draculatheimpaler/dracula-book-3?ref=user_menu
Jim Mahfood returns to discuss Defective Comics Presents : Arachnid Enforcer, his newest self-published, Kickstarter-backed bootleg Spider-Man comic.
Jim and Dave drink spider-blood and swap stories about their earliest parody influences—MAD Magazine, SNL, and “Weird Al” Yankovic—favorite Spider-Man eras, Jim’s character-design work on Into the Spider-Verse, and the perpetual thrill of seeing your work in print.
BACK THE KICKSTARTER HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimmahfood/defective-comics-presents-the-arachnid-enforcer
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Tyler Mane joins Dave to talk about his pro wrestling career, becoming Sabertooth (X-Men & Deadpool / Wolverine) & Michael Myers (Halloween) and co-creating his first graphic novel The Last Spartan: Red Tape. Tyler shares stories from his earliest days training with Stu Hart, finding inspiration in comic books, wrestling Andre the Giant in Japan, working with Rob Zombie, getting stabbed on set, and the motivation behind his most recent project that shines a light on the horror of human trafficking.
Join my Patreon today : https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition
Pick up The Last Spartan here - https://tylermane.com/the-last-spartan
www.maneentertainment.com
All Tyler's Links : linktr.ee/tylermane
Comic legend Erik Larsen is back to discuss his return to Marvel, writing the new Spider-Man Noir miniseries and creating a Jack Kirby–inspired variant cover for Venom: Black, White & Blood, in which he writes and draws a short story.
He talks about working with the classic “Marvel method” and the noir touchstones—Bogart, The Thin Man, Citizen Kane—that shaped his approach. Larsen also shares what’s ahead for Savage Dragon, recounts meeting Steve Ditko, sets the record straight on Mark Bagley, and reveals where the best burritos in San Francisco are, really.
Spider-Man Noir is in stores October 1st, you can also find Erik at NYCC and Fan Expo San Francisco.
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Dave shares his theory about the Stranger Things-ification of modern horror and the shadow it casts on classics like Gremlins, Ghosbusters and Poltergeist. He gives his spoiler free review of Alien: Earth, and explains why Noah Hawley (Fargo, Leigion) is the perfect fit for the franchise. Plus, Dave breaks down surprising new albums by Hayley Williams, Deftones and The World Is A Beautiful Place (TWIABP).
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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 The Obsoletes.
My PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition
Breaking Down Addiction Podcast on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NationalAddictionSpecialists
Apple - Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-down-addiction/id1830338394
Jonny Phillip Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14erAdBwlF82IEjCQVXlzd?si=GOxpZRQEQmyYR7nNKQiVzg&pi=dzmywrQ9QPqF-
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 back into the world of comic conventions. Plus: what piece of unreleased Todd McFarlane artwork once made Jim Lee snap? Matt shares the story from San Diego Comic Con
Join the Direct Edition / Davengers Patreon today: https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition
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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 inspiration, the power of simplicity in storytelling, and details behind the book’s deluxe newsprint treasury edition.
Dave shares with Robert why he threw Walking Dead across the room, plus, Metallica!
Skinbreaker is out September 24 at comic stores everywhere!
Join my new PATREON- https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition
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 about founding the Cringe Musume podcast and his friendship with DJ 5DucK, working analog vs. digital, traveling abroad, and hints at upcoming projects.
DIRECT EDITION PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/davengersdirectedition
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https://www.youtube.com/@cringemusume
Felipe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felipesmithart/?hl=en
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 intense demands of life as a mangaka, and the contrasts between U.S. and Japanese comic industries.
Subscribe to Cringe Musume https://www.youtube.com/@cringemusume
Follow Felipe On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/felipesmithart/?hl=en
https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
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 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/wayshak/?hl=en
https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
Big Thanks to my producer Daniel Koren, find him here https://www.instagram.com/chibald_smith/
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 - and the two discuss gratitude, tools of the trade, and DWJ’s latest obsession, golf.Back the kickstarter here : http://kck.st/4o7tBXNSubscribe to Dan's YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@DanielWarrenJohnson1Wolverine Cover Episode DDubs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHNwzkHlCyk
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 career, his collaborations with Lewis Black, Mitch Hedberg, and Sam Miller, and why he believes that anything worthwhile always begins as a joke.
https://standuprecords.com/
https://www.instagram.com/standuprecords/
https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
'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.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
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://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
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 out on 6/25 from Dark Horse Comics!
https://www.westcoastdavengers.com/direct-edition-podcast
