Direct Edition

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,’ formulate the perfect Guitar Center prank and talk their favorite band, Pearl Jam. 

Stormchasers LTD Patreon https://patreon.com/stormchasersltd

Recommended listening (Albums)

Into It Over It - Figure, Standards, Intersections

Pet Symmetry - Pets Hounds , Vision

Evan's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intoitoverit/?hl=en

www.directeditionpodcast.com

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 hilariously off-guard. 

www.directeditionpodcast.com

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 releasing material direct to Patreon since 2020. The conversation is, hopefully, the first of many between Kevin and Dave, as long as the FBI doesn’t shut them down first.

Kevin's Patreon https://www.patreon.com/kevindevine/posts

Give It A Chance Podcast (Kevin & Casey Jost) https://open.spotify.com/show/4dIdd0Te0IqsdvXTdtszWM?si=b1981f9c6b1c456b

Everything else - www.kevindevine.net

Www.directeditionpodcast.com

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 art of professional wrestling and ask the question, “where does nostalgia go from here?”

www.directeditionpodcast.com

Subscribe to Swagglehaus on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@Swagglehaus

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.com

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. 

Www.directeditionpodcast.com

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.

www.directeditionpodcast.com

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)

Check out all things Direct Edition and West Coast Davengers at www.westcoastdavengers.com

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!

www.westcoastdavengers.com

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. 

Subscribe to West Coast Davengers on YouTube - www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

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. 

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

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?

Subscribe to the West Coast Davengers Youtube - www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

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.

www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

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. 

Subscribe to West Coast Davengers YouTube - www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

Sub to DDubs:

https://www.youtube.com/@DanielWarrenJohnson1

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!

www.youtube.com/westcoastdavengers

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.

www.japanbookhunter.com

https://www.youtube.com/@japanbookhunter

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.

Subscribe to Youtube and join the Discord-https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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!

All my links here https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel today - https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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.

https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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!

All My Links - https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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.

https://linktr.ee/WestcoastDAVEngers

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.

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.

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.