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Returning guest Diana Schutz joins us for a candid and wide-ranging look back at her decades helping shape Dark Horse Comics as the legendary publisher celebrates its 40th anniversary and faces a new era following the departure of founder Mike Richardson. Diana reflects on the early days of Dark Horse, the company’s creator-first philosophy, and the editorial voice that helped separate it from the Big Two, while also discussing the challenges, risks, and missed opportunities that came with navigating multiple eras of the comics industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, we sit down with Morgan Siebert, curator of the Super Museum, for a conversation about preserving the legacy of the Man of Steel and celebrating one of pop culture’s most enduring icons. Morgan shares stories from the museum’s incredible collection of comics, props, toys, and memorabilia, discusses what it’s like running a museum dedicated to Superman, and reflects on how the character has evolved across generations of fans. The episode also dives into the history of the Superman Celebration, rare collectibles, and the unique role Metropolis, Illinois plays as Superman’s hometown in the real world. Check out all that's going on at the Super Museum on their website, supermuseum.com, or by following them on Instagram @supermanmuseum. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Returning guest Judd Winick introduces Hilo Presents, a new imprint expanding beyond the beloved Hilo series to bring his signature action-packed storytelling and humor to brand new stories and worlds. The Mighty launches as the first book under this banner, and Judd breaks down the story of Miranda Luna, an average kid in Willow City navigating multiple changes—rising crime, increased bullying, a mysteriously acting family, and her own body's unexpected transformations including super-strength and sudden hair growth—while grappling with a local legend about a giant, furry, mythical creature that protects the city in times of need. He discusses his approach to balancing themes of growing up and feeling out of control with fun middle-grade adventure, explains how The Mighty compares to Hilo in tone and audience, and shares his vision for the Hilo Presents imprint including plans for additional books, whether he's still working on Hilo simultaneously, and where readers can find The Mighty. As always, you can find Judd on Instagram @juddwinick. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a galaxy not so far away, we sit down with artist Stephane Leonardi to talk shop on the ever-evolving world of sketch cards, with a heavy lean into his standout work on Star Wars and Marvel Universe sets. Leonardi breaks down the unique challenge of telling a complete, dynamic story in just a few square inches, sharing insights into his process, materials, and the hustle behind commission-driven art and collector culture. The conversation celebrates the intersection of fandom and artistry that makes sketch cards such a vital (and addictive) corner of the hobby. You can follow Stephane on his site, stephaneleonardi.com, or on Instagram @artofstephaneleonardi. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Meugniot joins the Bandits for a wide-ranging conversation spanning his decades-long career across #comics, animation, and toy design. He traces his path from discovering comics and early cartoons to breaking into the industry professionally, touching on his co-creation of DNAgents with writer Mark Evanier and discussing how the character designs came together. The bulk of the conversation focuses on his extensive animation work, including his roles as producer and director on X-Men: The Animated Series, where he helped adapt decades of Marvel mythology for a new generation of fans, as well as his contributions to Batman: The Animated Series, G.I. Joe, and Captain Planet. Will reflects on the technical constraints of 80s and 90s animation production and how those limitations often drove creative solutions, while also discussing the differences between storyboarding for animation and laying out a comics page. He shares thoughts on the evolution of the animation industry, collaborators who shaped his storytelling instincts, and which projects brought him the most satisfaction — as well as a few that never made it to screen but still linger in his imagination. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roy Thomas returns to discuss A Life in Four Colors, 1940–1966, his long-awaited autobiography published by TwoMorrows. In the book, the man Stan Lee dubbed "Rascally Roy" and "Roy the Boy" tells the full, uncensored story of his emergence as one of the brightest stars in the Marvel Comics firmament. Readers get a ringside seat at some of the earliest comics conventions, and at the fateful 1965 New York Herald Tribune interview that caused a seismic rift between Lee and Kirby. The full-color hardcover is illustrated with rare and unseen art and behind-the-scenes photos from the dawn of the Silver Age, and Roy teases that he's already hard at work on a follow-up volume covering the rest of his Marvel tenure from 1967 to 1980. You can find the book from TwoMorrows here: https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1878. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Craig Rousseau stops by to talk about The Perhapanauts: Treasure Obscura, the latest Kickstarter in his ongoing effort to bring remixed and remastered editions of the beloved cryptid-adventure series back into print. Co-created with writer Todd Dezago, The Perhapanauts follows a team of strange creatures — including a sasquatch, a ghost, a telepath, and more — investigating other weird and unexplained phenomena. This new self-published edition of volume four is a radical reimagining of the long out-of-print collection, trimming some material while adding the 2025 one-shot "Choopie's Bad Bad Day!" and an all-new eight-page story called "Still in Brazil," a follow-up to the earlier tale "Big in Brazil." Craig shares the journey of shepherding the Perhapanauts through multiple publishers over the years and his passion for getting these books into a definitive, shelf-worthy format for longtime fans and new readers alike. You have until 4/29 to back the project here: kck.st/3PU8rQ0! You can follow Craig on his site, craigrousseau.com, or on Instagram @craigrousseau. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We sit down with Garth Ennis for a wide-ranging conversation that blends career reflection with a deep dive into Babs: Black Road South. Garth discusses his early discovery of comics and how his 2000 AD roots continue to shape his storytelling instincts, particularly his emphasis on clarity, character, and structure. He reflects on long-running themes in his work—war fiction, flawed antiheroes, and the balance between satire and humanism—while also addressing how projects like The Boys have evolved beyond their original context. Turning to Babs, Ennis unpacks his take on sword-and-sorcery, the appeal of a deeply flawed protagonist, and the tonal shift in Black Road South toward a more character-focused narrative. He also highlights his ongoing collaboration with Jacen Burrows, the role of humor in grounding the series’ darker elements, and what lies ahead for Babs and beyond. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We welcome back Ed Catto to talk all things Ithacon 2026, diving into what makes one of the longest-running comic conventions in the country such a unique and creator-friendly experience. Catto shares how this year’s show continues Ithacon’s tradition of blending legendary guests with up-and-coming talent, while also emphasizing its relaxed, community-driven vibe. He discusses the challenges and rewards of organizing the event, highlights some of the special programming and notable attendees fans can look forward to, and reflects on why smaller, more intimate conventions like Ithacon remain vital to the comics ecosystem. Fans can grab tickets and learn more via the official site here: Get Ithacon 2026 Tickets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we sit down with Dick DeBartolo—longtime MAD Magazine writer and “The Giz Wiz”—for a lively conversation that bounces between comics, comedy, and gadgets. Dick shares how he broke into MAD during its legendary era, what it was like working alongside icons like Al Jaffee and Don Martin, and how the magazine’s anything-goes humor shaped his creative instincts. He also digs into his parallel career in tech and radio, explaining how his love of quirky gadgets led to his long-running “Giz Wiz” persona. Throughout the interview, DeBartolo’s trademark wit and self-deprecating humor shine through, offering both a nostalgic look at MAD’s golden age and a reminder of how curiosity and comedy can fuel a decades-long career. You can follow Dick on Instagram @thegizwiz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.