Walter Simonson

Any conversation you may be fortunate enough to have with Walter Simonson is a treat — but for us to get him all to ourselves here in the studio for an hour or so was magic. Walter regales us with tales of his youth, his passion for art — and dinosaurs — and how he got into the business. Well, barely. We barely got into his career. Which is why he’s gonna have to come back soon. I’m calling this episode one of…I’m gonna guess 15…?

*This episode features an excerpt of "The Dinosaur Song" by The Paul Cornish Trio

* The "Terry" mentioned several times throughout the episode is Terry Austin

Derek Jason Bush and John Fletcher Pasquini are a couple of comic book super fans who happen to be best friends. Together the two have supported several Kickstarter campaigns over the years for creator owned projects before creating the characters who would headline their own comicbook called, Packrat and Thunderbunny. This is their story.

The episode features an excerpt of “Time Will Tell” by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

Walt Curley holds the record for listening to Todd prattle on for hours. It's 7 and 2/3rds hours. Walt has been Todd's comic book soulmate for years and this is them talking about their time together on the brutal frontlines of retail comic book sales. Don't interrupt them -- just listen.

* This episode features an excerpt of "B For My Name" by Beastie Boys

Rich Woodall

Rich Woodall is a writer/artist/publisher/creator…Jeez, Rich, got enough hats? He’s also a great friend. His self-published Johnny Raygun dripped with all the things Rich loves about comics and his Kyrra, Alien Jungle Girl — co-created with Craig Rousseau — at Dark Horse Comics, was the epitome of the sci-fi adventure serial! Here we gush over the comics we love and the people who make ‘em.

J.M. DeMatteis has a long list of credits to show for his forty plus years in the business. He’s written extensively for Marvel and DC Comics, been responsible for some truly epic tales along the way, including runs on Spider-Man, The Justice League, etc. He’s the creator of the acclaimed series Moonshadow and Brooklyn Dreams and is currently creating his own universe at Spellbound Comics. He is also one of the Three Musketeers who battled alongside Todd in the Clone Saga.

Producer's note : There is a bit of line interference on Mr. DeMatteis' channel that comes in and out sporadically throughout the broadcast.

This episode includes an excerpt of "High Life" by Pharoh Sanders

Doug Wortel is the producer Random Acts Of Comics. He produces several other podcasts as well, but honestly who cares? He is a musician and composer whose work has appeared on the radio, stage, Internet, Television and even university lecture halls but the latter is a long story. His interests include comic books, novels, music, film, and brutally humiliating anyone who remotely has a hint of comicsgate/4Chan culture in them.

This episode includes an excerpt of the 1963 alternate version of "Haitian Fight Song" entitled, II B.S by Charles Mingus.

Producer Doug Wortel comes on to set up this episode and announce why Todd isn't in the studio/Todd gives us a little slice of history while teaching us how a comic book is made.

This episode features an excerpt of "Manoir De Mes Rêves" by Django Reinhardt"

For Charlotte’s readers of comic books, graphic novels and manga, Shelton Drum has achieved the status of a local legend. Forty years ago, Shelton founded Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, an independent comics shop, which is now located at 417 Pecan Avenue in Charlotte’s Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. Although he was only in his twenties at the time, he already had extensive experience collecting comic books. His customers appreciated his expertise and enjoyed talking with a fellow comic book fan, and he soon developed a loyal customer base. Nowadays Heroes (as the store is generally known) ranks among America’s most influential comic book retailers. For more information about Heroes, please click on the following link: http://www.heroesonline.com/about/

This episode features an excerpt of "Non Cents" by Sonny Rollins