Comic Crusaders Podcast

The shadows are getting deeper, the mysteries are getting darker, and the investigation continues! Al Mega welcomes back creators Shawn McBee and MJ Jankowski to the Comic Crusaders Podcast for another deep dive into their supernatural detective horror series Westron. Following up on their previous appearance, Shawn and MJ return to discuss the latest chapter of their creator-owned comic universe, Westron: Issues 1 & 2,  a story that blends mystery, horror, and Slavic folklore into a unique supernatural thriller. During this episode, Al Mega talks with the creators about expanding the world of Jan Westron, developing terrifying folklore-inspired threats, building mythology, and the challenges of bringing an independent comic to life through Kickstarter. The conversation explores what makes Westron stand apart from traditional horror stories focusing on forgotten legends, detective storytelling, and the power of creator-owned comics. Fans of supernatural mysteries, horror comics, and indie creators will not want to miss this episode! Check out Westron: Issues 1 & 2 and support the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/propsmith/westron-2 Visit the official Westron website: https://westroncomic.com/ ðŸ'» Follow their mythic journey into the unknown! Previous Appearance on Comic Crusaders Podcast #583: https://comiccrusaders.com/blog/watch-listen/comic-crusaders-podcast/westron-comic-book-interview-shawn-mcbee-mj-jankowski/ https://westroncomic.com Instagram: / westron_comic TikTok: / westron_comic Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/westroncomic.bsky.social Watch, listen, and join the conversation with Al Mega, Shawn McBee, and MJ Jankowski on the Comic Crusaders Podcast! The Crusade Never Ends! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Al Mega welcomes back comic book creator, writer, and publisher John Holland of Die Bold Comics to discuss his new horror comic campaign, Vampires Vs Zombies: The Journals of Enoch Chase. John previously joined Comic Crusaders to talk about ALMA and the Hollandverse. Now he returns with a monster-packed creator-owned project featuring vampires, zombies, journal-driven storytelling, survival horror, and the next evolution of Die Bold Comics. In this episode, Al and John dig into the creation of Enoch Chase, the mythology behind the vampire/zombie conflict, crowdfunding lessons, horror world-building, working with artist Jorge Luis Gabotto, and what indie comics fans can expect from the campaign. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuBoERp3dBQ Support:THE DIE BOLD COMICS DIGITAL LIBRARY: https://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/1008/the-die-bold-comics-digital-library Visit Die Bold Comics: DieBoldComics.com Follow on X at: @JohnH985 Previous Appearance: Comic Crusaders Podcast #455 – John Holland | ALMA Thank you for watching and listening! Host: Al Mega Follow: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Main Site: ComicCrusaders.com YouTube: ComicCrusadersWorld Official Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Swag Shop: comiccrusaders.us Edited / Produced / Directed by Al Mega

Comic Crusaders Podcast #728 welcomes independent comic creator, writer, and colorist W. Frank Walk for a fresh dive into the supernatural action universe of Hellstones, the creator-owned series powered by his studio, Pigmacast Studio. This episode explores the road from Hellstones #0 to the next major chapter, Hellstones #1: Into The Fray, while spotlighting Frank's full creator grind: writing, coloring, producing, promoting, and building an indie comic universe one campaign at a time. The conversation also digs into the launch of the Into The Fray Kickstarter, campaign strategy, serialized storytelling, and how Frank continues expanding Hellstones through hands-on world-building and community support. With additional creator-focused conversations already spotlighting where the Hellstones world came from and what drives it, this episode is a must-watch for indie comic fans, crowdfunding creators, and anyone who loves supernatural action with serious creator-owned fire. Support Hellstones, follow Pigmacast Studio, and keep the indie comics crusade moving. The Crusade Never Ends! Support the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pigmacast/hellstones-into-the-fray-a-supernatural-action-comic Follow Frank on :https://linktr.ee/pigmacast Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

Abby Denson Joins Comic Crusaders Podcast To Discuss My Tokyo Summer From Graphix/Scholastic Award-winning cartoonist and author Abby Denson joins the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a bright, heartfelt, and creatively inspiring conversation about her upcoming graphic novel My Tokyo Summer, illustrated by Utomaru and coming from Graphix/Scholastic on July 7, 2026. Known for Cool Tokyo Guide, Cool Japan Guide, Uniquely Japan, Dolltopia, Tough Love, and the beloved Kitty Sweet Tooth series, Denson has built a career around comics that celebrate curiosity, culture, humor, travel, identity, and connection. She has also contributed to major properties including The Powerpuff Girls, The Simpsons, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and The Amazing Spider-Man Family. In this episode, Abby talks about transforming a life-changing trip to Japan into a YA graphic novel, the power of pen-pal friendships, working again with Utomaru, the magic of Tokyo, the creative spirit of zines, and why comics remain one of the most powerful ways people can connect across borders, languages, and generations. My Tokyo Summer follows Abby and Yuuko, two young artists from different parts of the world whose friendship blossoms through letters, comics, Tokyo adventures, and a shared dream of creating something together. It is a celebration of friendship, art, cultural exchange, and the kind of summer that can change a life forever. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGpeAJSsSs Follow Abby on Social Media: @abbydenson Visit her website: www.abbydenson.com Read our review HERE Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega

WEPA, Crusaders! Comic book history is about to step out of the shadows, tighten the cape, rattle the chains, and remind everybody why Todd McFarlane remains one of the most important creative forces in comics. Todd McFarlane returns to the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a brand new conversation centered on Spawn 77, the upcoming three-issue Spawn Universe mini-series co-written by McFarlane and Mark Spears, with Spears delivering fully painted interior artwork. This is not just another Spawn project. This is the first official comic book appearance of McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design, a concept he created as a teenager long before Spawn #1 changed the comic book industry in 1992. That alone makes this one a major moment for fans, collectors, retailers, and anyone who loves seeing a creator revisit the original spark that started a universe. Nearly fifty years after that first design came to life in a young artist's imagination, Spawn 77 brings that early vision into the modern Spawn mythology with a new character, a new story, and a fully painted visual approach from one of the hottest artists in comics today. During this episode, Al Mega sits down with Todd to dig into the origins of the 1977 design, what it feels like to revisit that teenage creative energy decades later, and why now is the right time to officially bring this version of Spawn to the page. The conversation also explores Todd's collaboration with Mark Spears, how painted interiors change the tone of a Spawn story, and what fans can expect from this new corner of Hellspawn mythology. Of course, this being Comic Crusaders, we are also going beyond the press release. Al asks Todd about the growing Spawn Universe, the balance between mystery and expansion, the collector energy surrounding the massive cover lineup, the legacy of creator-owned comics, and yes, the long-awaited Spawn movie conversation. Because let's be real, fam — if Todd McFarlane is in the building, the people want to know what is going on with King Spawn. Spawn 77 #1 arrives in comic shops in September 2026 as an oversized 64-page debut issue. The book features covers by Mark Spears, Todd McFarlane, and Emma Ríos, along with multiple incentive and signed foil editions for collectors looking to lock down a piece of Spawn history. This is the kind of interview longtime Spawn fans will want to hear, but it is also a must-listen for creators. Todd's journey is a reminder that the wild idea you sketch at sixteen, the character you keep coming back to, the concept nobody else understands yet, that thing might become your legacy if you keep building. So pull up, Crusaders. The original Spawn is finally stepping onto the comic book page, and Comic Crusaders is taking you right into the fire. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmmOmL1b-f8 Check out the Spawn '77 #1 Preview Check out all things Spawn at: https://mcfarlane.com/ Follow Todd on X: @Todd_McFarlane / Instagram at @ToddMcFarlane | WhatNot The Crusade never ends! WEPAAAAAAA! Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Host: Al Mega Follow on X | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: Rumble/Twitch: ComicCrusaders YouTube: / comiccrusadersworld Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Edited/Produced/Directed by Al Mega