Tom Mason is a comics industry veteran and a key figure in the rise of Malibu Comics . As one of the company’s founders, he played a pivotal role in launching the creator-owned imprint Bravura and co-founding the Ultraverse line. His creator-owned series Dinosaurs For Hire —a wild, action-packed comic about gun-toting, wisecracking dinosaurs working for the government—left a lasting impression on readers. Beyond comics, Tom has had an extensive career in television, writing and story-editing alo...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 30
Christopher Priest is one of the most influential writers in modern comics, known for his sharp wit, intricate storytelling, and groundbreaking contributions to the industry. He began his career at Marvel, becoming the company’s first Black editor and working on titles like The Amazing Spider-Man and Power Man and Iron Fist before transitioning to writing full-time. His breakthrough came with Quantum and Woody for Valiant Comics, and he later redefined Black Panther in the late ‘90s, crafting th...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Junior Bandit Penelope makes her debut in this interview with the Phoebe and Her Unicorn maestro, Dana Simpson ! What began as a webcomic called "Heavenly Nostrils" in 2012 has evolved into a syndicated phenomenon with over a dozen books in the series, garnering comparisons to Calvin and Hobbes . Dana's comics journey began with her earlier webcomic Ozy and Millie , which ran for a decade and is collected in two books of its own. In this episode, Dana shares insights into her creative process, t...
Mar 21, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 28
Our next guests need no introduction... but we're going to do it anyway! Walter & Louise Simonson are comic book royalty, each leaving an indelible mark on beloved characters and series. The interview ranges far and wide, with Louise revealing her earliest comics memories and discussing her transition from editing to writing with Power Pack . The couple shared insights about their first writer/artist collaboration on X-Factor , comparing notes on their individual titles, and the interesting ...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Role-playing game (RPG) lover and independent comic book creator DM Ray is back with the second issue of The Madcaps ! A blend of fantasy, action and fun makes this a perfect fit for RPG and comic fans alike! Check out his Kickstarter for more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/philboentertainment/the-madcaps-issue-2? . ____________________ Check out a video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/dollarbinbandits . If you like this podcast, please rate, review...
Mar 14, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 26
The creative team behind ComiXology's Edgeworld and both past guests, Chuck Austen and Pat Olliffe , are back! This time it's a project called Defiant , a space sci-fi epic from those cool cats at DSTLRY . And twist! This is Chuck's last comic book work before he retires. We get into everything, from developing the characters and story to artistic world building and more! Unfortunately, Defiant has been creeping back in the release schedule, but as of now, it looks like June 25 is the street dat...
Mar 12, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Kyle Starks has become a standout voice in independent comics, known for his distinctive comedic storytelling and energetic art style that blends humor with action-packed narratives. His breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed Sexcastle , a graphic novel that reimagined 1980s action movie tropes with a hilarious and subversive twist. Starks has since become a prolific creator, working on titles like Rock Candy Mountain , The Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton , and I Hate This Place , each ...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Scott Kolins has been a powerhouse in the comic book world for decades, known for his distinctive, high-energy style. As a penciler and cover artist, he's left an indelible mark on titles like The Flash , The Thing: Freakshow , She-Hulk and more, working with some of the most iconic characters in the Marvel and DC universes. His run on The Flash with writer Geoff Johns is particularly celebrated, reimagining the speedster's visual language and introducing memorable character designs that have in...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Russ Kazmierczak has carved out a unique niche in the indie comics scene as the creator of Amazing Arizona Comics , a locally-focused superhero universe that blends satire with Southwest sensibilities. Since launching the series in 2010, Russ has produced over 40 self-published mini-comics featuring characters like Speed Cameron and Cactus Boy who battle villains inspired by Arizona politics, culture, and history. When not creating comics, Russ is an active presence at local art events, frequent...
Mar 03, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 22
John Rose has been breathing new life into the iconic comic strip Barney Google and Snuffy Smith for over two decades. After joining as an inking assistant to Fred Lasswell in 1998, he took over the strip following Lasswell's passing in 2001. John has published several collections, including The Bodacious Best of Snuffy Smith and Snuffy Smith in His Sunday Best . He also regularly appears at cartooning events, offering live chalk talks where he demonstrates his craft. John's distinctive hillbill...
Feb 28, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Who's the President , Editor in Chief, Head Honcho, Big Cheese of Archie Comics ? Why, it's Mike Pellerito of course! A graduate of the Joe Kubert School , he's been at Archie since 2007, so he has some stories to tell. Plus, Mike's the co-owner of the truly excellent Aw Yeah Comics shop in Harrison, NY. He knows a lot about the comics world, which is exactly why we're talking to him today! You can follow Mike on all the socials, including @mike.pellerito on Instagram and Threads , @pellertweeto...
Feb 26, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Kerry Callen has gone from the greeting card industry to creating incredible art for various comics. From MAD Magazine to Big Bang Comics , his work has captured fans’ imaginations. He has also written his own graphic novels including Halo and Sprocket and Dirtnap . Follow his adventures at kerrycallen.blogspot.com . ____________________ Check out a video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/dollarbinbandits . If you like this podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe on...
Feb 21, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Jim Krueger isn't just the "Alex Ross writer." Sure, he's had spectacular collaborations with the painter, from the Earth X trilogy and Justice to Project Superpowers . But Jim's body of work spans far and wide, even beyond those epics. He's worked on many licensed properties, including Star Wars , Micronauts, The Matrix, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And of course there's some Batman issues and Capone vs. Dracula . Jim's also done his share of creator-owned work, including The Foot Soldiers , A...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Barbara Slate has done it all in her over four decades in the industry. Not only is she one of the few female artists who has created, written, and drawn comics for both Marvel and DC, but her textbook, You Can Do a Graphic Novel , is a pioneering how-to for the comics field. She started in the mid-1970s with the comic strip Ms. Liz , which was featured in greeting cards and Cosmopolitan magazine. Another highlight was creating Angel Love for DC, a grown-up series for teens. Barbara has also wri...
Feb 17, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Sarah Palmer was born to entertain and she’s taken her creativity and humor to Svengoolie as the popular Gwengoolie on the House of Svengoolie ! She’s also a dynamic YouTuber with her Pinup Palmer channel that gives makeup tips and explores locations of famous horror films. Check it out at https://m.youtube.com/@pinuppalmer ____________________ Check out a video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/dollarbinbandits . If you like this podcast, please rate, review, and subsc...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Actor Scott Gryder has made his presence felt on stage and screen. One of the winners of the Spawn of Svengoolie contest, fans have fallen in love with his IMP character! Besides that role, he’s a singer, writer, and puppet maker. Be sure to check him out each Saturday night on Svengoolie on MeTV ! ____________________ Check out a video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/dollarbinbandits . If you like this podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . A...
Feb 12, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 15
One of the most influential YouTubers in the comics community, ComicTom101 brings fans information on the most valuable and popular comics on the market. He’s also behind the Key Collector App , which gives collectors information on what books are worth and what books are going up and down in value. He’s also working on a comic book of his own, which will release later this year. Check him out on YouTube at: https://m.youtube.com/@ComicTom101 . ____________________ Check out a video version of t...
Feb 07, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Brian Pulido is a one-man comics making machine! Based on his first character/comic, Evil Ernie , Brian developed and ran Chaos! Comics in the nineties, bringing characters like Purgatori and Lady Death to undead life. Chaos! also took on horror, heavy metal, and wrestling properties, including A Nightmare on Elm Street, Child's Play, Friday the 13th , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Megadeth , Halloween, Insane Clown Posse , and WWE . After a brief break, Pulido came roaring back in 2015 with Coff...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Eli Schwab is the ringmaster of his own circus: Cosmic Lion Productions! The publisher, which grew out of a music and event production house, is now known for some of the hippest indie comics around. We're talking everything from zines to fully produced graphic novel hardcovers, from newcomers and veterans alike. And they're even part of the podcast game! Today's ep delves into Eli's unique journey with Cosmic Lion: his start with various events and publications, his relationship with the Cartoo...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Hailing from NYC, independent comic book creator Luis Cruz is making a name for himself with a variety of titles. The Day They Made Contact , Fuel of Life , and others show off his creativity. For more information, check out: npccomics.com/creators/luis-m-cruz . ____________________ Check out a video version of this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/dollarbinbandits . If you like this podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts . And if you really like this podcast, s...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Richard Isanove has colored so many big projects over the years, it's dizzying. He started out as an animation student, first in Paris, then in California. While on the West Coast, he was hired by Brian Haberlin as Top Cow 's staff colorist and eventual art director. From there, it was on to Marvel, where he brought his exacting eye to big titles like Daredevil: Father , Wolverine: Origin , Marvel 1602 , and the Stephen King adaptation, The Dark Tower . Along the way, Richard's done his share of...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 10
If you know our podcast (and you should if you're reading this), you probably know that we're not the only game in town when it comes to comic book industry interviews. John Siuntres' Word Balloon podcast is the granddaddy of them all, having churned out thousands of interviews in two decades of existence! John has a background in Chicago radio and TV , but it's safe to say that Word Balloon is his passion project and will continue to be a source for interviews throughout the comic book world. Y...
Jan 27, 2025•50 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Jim Beard is one of us, Banditos! Not only is he a comics fan, he's actually written them since 2002, including work at DC and with the Star Wars and Ghostbusters properties. Plus, Jim is a writer about comics and pop culture, including the Monster Aces anthology, Gotham City 14 Miles , and Captain Action: Riddle of the Glowing Men . He also writes for Marvel.com and the Toledo Free Press . You can follow Jim on Facebook , or Bluesky or X @writerjimbeard . Support the show ___________________ Ch...
Jan 24, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Gene Ha is back with the Bandits for an in-depth discussion of his creator-owned series, Mae . That's because Mae: The Definitive Edition is dropping at your LCS and all fine book stores from Oni Press on April 8 ! The book features all 12 issues of Mae , remastered by Ha himself, and featuring loads of extras, including new pages, behind-the-scene featurettes, and more. Of course, we get into all of that, plus a little more talk about Gene's work on Wonder Woman: Historia . As always, you can f...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Yes, another Sherlock Holmes book! The longtime EIC of Tripwire , Joel Meadows , joins the Bandits to talk about the second volume of his Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders story. You may know Joel as a journalist , who's written extensively about comics, film, and genre narratives throughout the UK. He's written two books about comics: Studio Space (as co-author) about where and how 20 of the world's best comic artists work, and Masters of Comic s, which covered more comic artists and thei...
Jan 17, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Mike Baron is back with the Bandits, chatting up his new project with the most famous detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes ! In this new tale, illustrated by Richard Bonk , Holmes teams up with Captain Nemo on a quest to unravel a global criminal conspiracy and prevent world war. Adventure abounds! The Kickstarter campaign just ended, but you can still late-pledge here: http://kck.st/3YOtyoZ . Or you can pre-order (by Jan 25) at fundmycomic.com/leviathan . ____________________ Check out a vide...
Jan 15, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Writer Charles Soule and artist Ryan Browne are a dynamic duo. Having already teamed up on Curse Words and Eight Billion Genies (both with Image), the pair is back with another crazy fantasy title, this one called The Lucky Devils . It's "a tale of two rebellious demons who decide to start a revolution in Hell—and the two ordinary, 20-something humans they're going to manipulate to do it." And the first issue (out last week) features a variant cover by none other than Frank Miller! Get the whole...
Jan 13, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Captain Action is a man of many faces, and this year his face is going to be everywhere! Our pal Ed Catto (TwoMorrows Publishing) and television and film producer Michael Polis are working hard to keep the Captain’s momentum going. Polis has worked on shows such as Yo Gabba Gabba, Kermit’s Swamp Years and many more films and shows. He and Catto have a blueprint in place that includes action figures, comics and much more to give fans all the Captain Action they can handle! Support the show ______...
Jan 10, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 3
You probably know Adam Hughes from his fun and sexy covers that adorn comics nearly every month. But did you know he's spent nearly 40 years in the industry, working with virtually all major and indie publishers? Adam's first regular gig was on Mike Barr's Maze Agency from Comico. He then did a short run on Justice League America (with a continued cover run) before moving to Atlanta to join Gaijin Studios with artists like Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, Dave Johnson, and Tony Harris. He redesig...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Alex Segura has spun plenty of yarns for comics, including for Marvel ( Star Wars, Spider-Verse ), DC ( The Question ), Archie (too many to list!), and others. But it's his novels that are really putting the world on notice. First with Secret Identity , and now with Alter Ego , Alex has written award-winning, crossover thrillers that still have one foot firmly planted in the comic book world. You can follow Alex on his website, alexsegura.com , or on Facebook and Instagram @alexsegurajr . ______...
Jan 03, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 1
