Direct Edition

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. 

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In the face of recent PSA comic grading news, Dave makes the case for comics as more than just trophies to be idolized but as a relevant art form with cultural value that should never beholden to third parties. As more interest turns toward shallow value systems and misguided interest, will we be able to avoid repeating the industry collapse of early 90s? After all, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 

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A recent blight of time wasters has Dave assessing his tolerance for negativity and fortifying the methods he has in place to combat them. He talks about the inevitable call and response spurred by negative comments and why going low is sometimes the quickest way to find calm in the chaos.

And on the topic of chaos - ‘The Bear’ is the best - ‘nuff said. Dave talks about his love of the tv show, it’s medicinal effects and his musical kinship with creator Christopher Storer.

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Proving that inspiration really is the sincerest form of flattery, Dave makes his case for the undeniable creative parallels between Jaws - the single greatest film of all time - and two of the past decade’s best movies; Jordan Peele’s NOPE and Takashi Yamazaki’s GODZILLA MINUS ONE.

(THIS EPISODE IS SPOILER HEAVY)

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Season 1 Finale! 

Dave tells the story of his move from New York to Seattle in 2014. With the East Coast fixed firmly in his 'rearviewmirror', he reminisces about the House On The Rock, Comic hunting in Milwaukee, Alderaan, one fateful encounter at a Cincinnati Pearl Jam concert, and a brief but awe inspiring moment of patriotism. 

Thanks to Jack Kirby & Neil Gaiman for the inspiration!

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Dave shares a wild story from 1998 when he unwittingly became a part of 90’s pro wrestling history at 17 years old. What do Skid Row's Sebastian Bach, Former WWE & Current AEW Pro Wrestler Paul Wight , and one character-defining half gallon of milk all have in common?

This podcast episode reveals all !

Erik Larsen returns for a wide ranging conversation about comics, collecting, original art, and being of service to the things you enjoy the most. Dave reunites Erik with pieces of ‘lost art’ that he produced at age 19, and the two discuss details of Larsen’s upcoming Savage Dragon Vault Edition. Erik gives insight on his experience following Todd McFarlane on Spider-Man and gives his side of their now infamous collaborative splash page. This savage episode contains a metric sh*t ton of great conversation and enough insight to choke a horse. 

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Dave maintains balance as he rides the mental wave of his own thought tornado. He shares how anxiety acts as motivating tool for his daily routines, work practices, and unique perspective on the world - all while battling giant bugs, reckoning with artistic longevity and indulging his overactive imagination. 

Comic superstar, writer, and class clown Chip Zdarsky joins Dave for a conversation about early comic influences, the world of independent publishing and the 10th anniversary of Sex Criminals. The two talk about comedic influences, Frank Miller, Daniel Clowes and the delicate art of creating emotional resonance through continuity and storytelling. Chip talks about upcoming projects (Batman & Whisper Queen) , manga, his design sensibility and the murder of Jar Jar Binks. 

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Ahead of a short trip to Vancouver, Dave has music on the brain. He talks about the newest Pearl Jam album 'Dark Matter' and wrestles with the disproportionate fees attached to seeing live music. He discusses the rampant toxic fandom that is attached to modern music culture, and it’s clear parallels in comic community with the passing of Ed Piskor. Also, is Dave a secret Swiftie?

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On the heels of a successful 2-day event, Dave sits down to recap the most recent Davengercon. He reflects on his creative process, planning, pitfalls and triumphs of the entire production and is invigorated by the potential of future events. Dave also touches on a recent episode and has some choice words for those using his platform to spread negativity in the wake of Ed Piskor’s tragic passing.

Watch the best Davenger Con moments here: www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

30 year comic veteran Mike Allred sits down with Dave for an extensive conversation about comics, music and film. Mike shares stories about his early encounters with comics and talks about the critical role that family plays in his career. The two discuss Barry Windsor-Smith, Neil Gaiman, Star Wars, the Original Art Expo, all things Batman - past and present - and discover that they agree on most things, even the weather.

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Comic creator Daniel Warren Johnson joins Dave to talk about his upcoming signature edition of Extremity. They discuss Johnson’s newest work on Transformers, his writing process, music, wrestling, original art, Manga and more. 

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Sub to DDubs:

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Ed Piskor 1982-2024

Kayfabe forever!

Dave scratches an itch after returning from a quick comic buying trip to Bellingham. He reflects on the unnatural nature and inevitable pressure of conducting interviews over the computer. Dave reminisces about meeting Pearl Jam & Eddie Vedder in Montreal, reminds us of the power of shared experiences and gives his thoughts on the internet toxicity spurred by the new X-Men animated series. Plus - DAVENGERCON is coming!

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Dave welcomes kindred spirit Japan Book Hunter (Shawn Honnold) for a wide-ranging conversation about the world of collecting, finding and selling rare books in Japan, the culture of Manga and it’s growing popularity worldwide, the disposable nature of Shonen Jump and the wildly unique world of fan created Doujinshi.

The two compare notes across international markets and find common ground in punk culture, original art and the importance of diversity in comics.

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Dave talks about the merits and rewards of being his own boss and working without a net on the road to Davenger Con.

After a recap of the recent Emerald City Comic Con, he takes the American news media to task. Dave shares his views on the media’s unending perpetuation of social stereotypes, and the relentless force multipliers that seem hellbent on steering us all away from empathy at every turn.

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Prolific artist and creator Jim Mahfood joins Dave to discuss his unique artistic path, tools of trade and the ongoing and intertwined role that music has played in his art. The two discuss their mutual admiration of cultural Japan and reckon with the historical relevance of Bill Sienkiewicz. 

As a bonus I've created a playlist that contains songs from every artist/album mentioned in the interview, it is available on spotify and as a video playlist on youtube!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6r6pK9rfbYWZZZ0eYVIb4W?si=48064f86572441ab

Please don't forget to rate & review this podcast!

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All my heroes are junk-waxers

Dave has cards on the brain and sits down to reminisce about his early years collecting during the junk wax era and traces a path from early baseball and hockey sets through to the emergence of iconic non-sports Marvel sets of the early 90’s. He talks comic-cuts, digital only releases, and looks at how the dwindling availability of physical cards was the canary in the coal mine for the bleak future of American small business. 

Plus, Frank Miller.

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Dave recaps his recent trip to Florida and time spent at the first annual Original Art Expo. After reckoning with some potential burnout, Dave opens up about his deep love of music, the merits of Punk, and the mainstay bands that have meant the most. 

Plus, November Rain.

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Todd McFarlane
Dave sits down with iconic artist and entrepreneur, Todd McFarlane. The too discuss key moments in Todd’s career, his creative process, handling critics, baseball, Akira, Spawn, original art and more. See Todd Buy Todd!

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Dave checks-in from a wintery cave and shares the details of 2 important, upcoming interviews. He reflects on a decade of sobriety, his close relationship with the city of New York, comics, collecting and friendship.

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Dave sits down with prolific artist, writer and publisher Erik Larsen. The two discuss Larsen’s storied career, influences, Graphic Fantasy, Savage Dragon, Image Comics, and the current state of the industry. Plus Spagetti Webs and Fly Fishing Comics.

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Thanks to Skar System for the music, all rights belong to Joe Skar.

Dave is back (did he ever really leave?) and weighs in with some final thoughts on the recent CGC graded comic fiasco. He talks about the origins of the West Coast Davengers, his deep interest in collecting and the process of turning a personal passion into a successful public endeavor. (OR successful anti-establishment establishment.)

Follow West Coast Davengers on Youtube - www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

Everywhere else- https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

Thanks to Skar System for the music, all rights belong to Joe Skar.