Needless Things

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!A missing Dragon Con recording turns into an unplanned Oops! All Dave episode, with Dave talking candidly about creativity, community, and finding the motivation to keep going. From his concerns about generative AI replacing human artists to post-election hopes and frustrations, Dave connects everyday pop culture to bigger questions about how we treat one another. He also opens up about his job search, creative burnout, and the challenges of building an audience on social media.There’s plenty of monster-sized fun, too: Dave shares his enthusiasm for Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla Minus Zero, finally discovers the wonderfully strange Shin Godzilla, and weighs his next kaiju toy purchases. He also offers a spoiler-light take on Luc Besson’s Dracula, with a detour through Star Trek, streaming services, and the value of owning physical media. Looking ahead, Dave previews Retro Toy Con room sales, possible Needless Things toy-news livestreams, and the November 9 Audible Interlude livestream. At the heart of the episode is an invitation to celebrate Troublemaker’s final planned live screening on November 28 at Blackstrap Rock Hall in Gainesville—a send-off built around live music, chosen family, and showing people a good time.RSVP for Troublemaker"Procrastibate" by LeSexoflex.comSocial Media:Needless Things on InstagramNeedless Things on Bluesky

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Recorded live on Dragon Con’s American Sci-Fi Classics track, this special episode brings together a wild cast of podcasters, performers, and lifelong fans for a full table read of the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode “The Bride of Dracula.” When Count Dracula hypnotizes Angelica Jones and carries her off to Transylvania, Spider-Man and Iceman launch a globe-spanning rescue filled with monster-movie mayhem, superhero banter, and delightfully over-the-top narration.Before and after the performance, the panelists share how different cartoons, comics, toys, movies, records, and video games introduced them to Spider-Man—and why Peter Parker remains such a relatable hero across generations. The conversation also highlights the creative community behind the event, Dragon Con’s charity drive for Hope Atlanta, and plenty of recommendations for fellow fans. Expect nostalgia, comedy, audience stories, and one very jet-black jet.Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends!“The Bride of Dracula” or “The Transylvanian Connection”Written by Jack MendehlsonGary Mitchel - PETER PARKER/SPIDER-MANKristian Allen - BOBBY DRAKE/ICEMANRebeccah Wood - ANGELICA JONES/FIRESTARCharles Kelso - COUNT DRACULANoel Wood - BRUNO THE WOLF-THING/CAPTAIN/MS LIONKevin Cafferty - FRANKENSTEIN/AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER/COPILOTDave West - NARRATOR"Procrastibate" by LeSexoflex.comSocial Media:Needless Things on InstagramNeedless Things on Bluesky

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Thirty years after Resident Evil first opened the doors to survival horror, the Needless Things crew reunites for a lively follow-up to their standing-room-only Dragon Con panel. Dave welcomes Keith, Beth, Ryan Cadaver, and Nicole Ghouled Cadaver for a wide-ranging conversation about the franchise’s roots in Sweet Home, its most iconic sounds and scenes, and the essential ingredients that make a game feel unmistakably Resident Evil: tense exploration, puzzle-driven progression, scarce resources, memorable monsters, deep lore, and the welcome relief of a save room. Along the way, the group revisits favorite characters and overlooked heroes, debates the series’ shifts from the classic trilogy to the action-heavy fourth through sixth entries and the first-person terror of Resident Evil 7, imagines new games centered on Rebecca, Ada, Marvin, and Raccoon City, and shares plenty of personal gaming memories, side quests, and laughs. Whether you have been with S.T.A.R.S. since the mansion or are just entering the survival-horror world, this episode celebrates how Resident Evil keeps reinventing itself without losing the tension, weirdness, and evil science at its core."Procrastibate" by LeSexoflex.comSocial Media:Needless Things on InstagramNeedless Things on Bluesky

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!New York Comic Con 2026 Toy News & HighlightsDave West is joined by Ryan Schweck and Kristian Allen for a recap of the non–G.I. Joe toy news surrounding New York Comic Con 2026. The trio weighs rising prices, collecting limits, and whether the latest reveals are truly worth the shelf space while covering Mattel’s DC relaunch, McFarlane Toys, Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black Series and Vintage Collection, NECA, Nacelle’s Star Trek line, Super7, Fresh Monkey Fiction, Mezco, and indie projects from Wandering Planet Toys. Standouts include Nacelle’s wonderfully deep-cut Star Trek releases, Black Series Squid Head, Super7’s Peanuts Deluxe figures, holiday Leatherface, and an eclectic assortment of horror and pop-culture collectibles. Mattel’s return to DC inspires cautious optimism, while premium pricing, uneven finishes, and costly exclusives draw plenty of sharp criticism. Along the way, the hosts share their personal best-in-show picks and ultimately celebrate NECA’s variety, value, and imaginative licensing in a funny, candid, and nostalgia-fueled conversation for serious collectors and curious toy fans alike.HUGE thanks to Toynewsi.com and Toyark.com for allowing us to use their fantastic photos from SDCC 2026! Be sure to visit both sites for full galleries!ToyArk NYCC coverage: https://www.toyark.com/2026/10/09/nycc-2026-toy-and-action-figure-coverage-round-up-601332Toy News International SDCC coverage: https://toynewsi.com/index.php______________________________________________________________________________________For merchandise, go to... https://www.teepublic.com/user/needless-things ______________________________________________________________________________________Social Media: Instagram: @LegionCub, @phantomtroublemaker, @NeedlessThingsChannel, @schweck

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!While this interview came about as a companion piece to the Kyle Higgins interview on Needless Things Podcast 526, the episode is a compelling solo piece in and of itself.Michael Nie has ben working in the film industry for over twenty years and as a cinematographer has experienced many facets of the film business. Listen in as Dave and Michael discuss his creative journey, working with Kyle Higgins, how he approaches projects and fellow filmmakers, and the upcoming GI Joe/Tomb Raider comic from Skybound and Image Comics. Michael on IGMichael Online"Procrastibate" by LeSexoflex.comSocial Media:Needless Things on InstagramNeedless Things on Bluesky