David and John pay heartfelt respect to the late, great Peter David—exploring his legacy on Incredible Hulk, X-Factor, and beyond—while reflecting on what makes a comic creator’s career truly enduring. Along the way, they dissect the tangled origins of Bloodstone, the eccentric brilliance of 1970s Marvel publishing, and the wild world of blind-bagged Invincible spin-offs. Plus: John reconsiders Rick Spears’ “Wolfman’s got nards” joke, and the duo spotlight a gorgeous Fantagraphics/Disney release.

David's Doing Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians is now LIVE!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Timestamp Segments

• 00:00:58 – Benjamin Percy Interview Recap
  David and John reflect on their recent talk with Benjamin Percy, praising his sharp insights and deep voice worthy of a mythic lumberjack.
• 00:03:02 – Chuck Dixon Sketch Story
  David tells the hilarious story of how Chuck Dixon imagined—and sketched—a wildly inaccurate version of him based on their emails.
• 00:05:33 – Remembering Peter David
  A heartfelt tribute to Peter David, focusing on his legacy with Incredible Hulk, X-Factor, and his rare longevity in the industry.
• 00:12:02 – Comics Buyer's Guide Influence
  John recalls Peter David’s But I Digress column as a foundational influence on his path into comics.
• 00:17:03 – Elsa Bloodstone Deep Dive
  The hosts explore the obscure roots of Elsa Bloodstone and how Nextwave turned her into a fan-favorite.
• 00:24:02 – Bloodstone’s Wild Origin
  David wades through the chaotic, multi-artist, multi-decade origin of Ulysses Bloodstone—a tale as messy as it is fascinating.
• 00:36:22 – Blind-Bag Comic Dilemma
  John debates whether to open a mysterious Battle Beast blind-bag comic live on the show… and ultimately does.
• 00:45:10 – Gorgeous Disney Comic Spotlight
  David highlights Mickey Mouse and the Lost Ocean—a lush, European-style graphic novel from Fantagraphics worth discovering.

Notable Quotes

• “I apologize officially to Rick Spears for not thinking that "Wolfman’s got nards" was a famous line. I was incorrect.”
• “I'm unreasonably excited that you have not opened this. This is messing with my collector head big time right now. ”
• “I remember where I was the day that I read Peter David's last issue of Hulk, where I was in my apartment in San Diego, perhaps not entirely sober. ”

Books Mentioned

• Incredible Hulk – Marvel's long-running series featuring Peter David's iconic run
• X-Factor – Peter David's second and critically acclaimed run starting in 2005
• Dark Tower – Marvel’s adaptation of Stephen King's saga, co-written by Peter David
• Wonder Man – Marvel character with a limited series by Peter David
• Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. – Cult-favorite Marvel series by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen
• Legion of Monsters – Marvel monster mash-up series featuring Elsa Bloodstone

The invincible Rob Worst joins John and David to talk about getting into comic book collecting, the biggest misconceptions around the hobby, the truth about comics rarity, and watching the stock market for deals. Also, Rob reveals his secret to immortality, and John starts a new career.

David's Doing Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians is now LIVE!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Timestamp Segments

• [00:35] John starts a new career.
• [01:47] The Worst last name.
• [03:30] Where to start collecting.
• [05:35] The biggest misconception about comic book collecting.
• [14:03] The “six weeks to six months” rule
• [16:39] Speculation driving comic book sales.
• [19:05] Today’s trends in comics.
• [21:50] Actual rarity vs manufactured rarity.
• [27:23] The comic book that turned Rob into a fanatic.
• [28:08] Rob gets shot.
• [31:40] How did Rob make it to adulthood?
• [36:00] Frank Miller is everyone’s first.
• [37:24] Getting back into collecting comics.
• [39:28] Watch the stock market.
• [40:27] Which titles to watch out for.

Notable Quotes

• “When people my age are gone, nobody is going to want this.”
• “Sometimes, you have to pay tomorrow’s price, today.”
• “Don’t go hunting with drunks.”
• “Comic collecting is dangerous and hazardous.”

Books Mentioned

• Action Comics #1.
• Adventure Comics #210, by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Stan Kaye, Ramona Fradon, Seymour Barry, & George Papp.
• The Amazing Spider-Man (#1, #14), by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #129, by Gerry Conway & Ross Andru.
• Avengers (1963-1996).
• Avengers #57, by Roy Thomas & John Buscema.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.
• Batman: Year One, Part 3, Daredevil #227, by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli.
• BRZRKR, by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, Ron Garney, Rafael Grampá, & Clem Robin.
• Fantastic Four #52, by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.
• Fightin’ 5 #40, by Joe gill, Bill Montes, & Ernie Bache.
• G.I. Combat #68, Our Army at War #83, by Robert Kanigher & Joe Kubert.
• Green Lantern (1960-1986).

John and David talk about the (almost) million-copy Planet Death series ruse, Free Comic Book Day, the state of the Absolute and Ultimate Universes, Buck Rogers in today’s world, and discovering the biggest unknown comic. Also, John is disappointed by a good comic, and David is annoyed by superheroes drinking coffee.

David's Doing Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina VIP Launches Here!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Timestamp Segments

• [01:42] David is behind closed doors.
• [03:10] Comics at Disneyland.
• [08:33] A million-copy comic.
• [12:05] Free Comic Book Day.
• [14:57] DC’s All-In Free Comic Book Day Flipbook.
• [18:55] Should everything be connected?
• [24:24] John’s experience with Planet Death.
• [26:58] David runs the numbers.
• [29:21] Buck Rogers, 25 years later.
• [40:35] The Buck Rogers concept.
• [42:36] The Power Fantasy.
• [50:23] Reborn.
• [55:47] Enjoying new comics.

Notable Quotes

• “Free Comic Book Day…is the best every comic bookstore has.”
• “33 years later, I’m still that damn comic book.”
• “The most progressive guy from the 1920s is going to be your racist grandfather today.”
• “I think the podcast is helping us enjoy comic books.”

Books Mentioned

• Absolute Batman, by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, & Frank Martin.
• Absolute Superman, by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, & Ulises Arreola Palomera.
• Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.
• Armageddon 2419, by Philip Francis Nowlan.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller.
• Blackhawk, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Shadow, by Howard Chaykin.
• Crisis on Infinite Earths.
• DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition, by Jeff Lemire, Dan Slott, Rafael Albuquerque, & Giuseppe Camuncoli.
• Guardians of the Galaxy.
• The House at Pooh Corner, by A.A. Milne & Ernest H. Shepard.
• One for Sorrow, by Jamie McKelvie.
• Phonogram, The Wicked + The Divine, Young Avengers, by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie.
• Planet Death #0, by Derek Kolstad, Robert Venditti, & Tomás Giorello.

David and John sit down with the one and only Benjamin Percy—novelist, screenwriter, and comic book heavyweight behind Wolverine, Ghost Rider, X-Force, and Predator vs. Wolverine. From his early obsession with Predator and Alien comics to his pitch-perfect approach to balancing horror, heroism, and heart, Percy dives deep into his writing process, creative collaborations, and how persistence (and a little polite pestering) helped him land dream projects. You’ll hear tales of his childhood spent watching R-rated classics in secret, how he brought back "Red Band" gore to Marvel, and why his next take on The Punisher will be one brutal beast of a book. Whether you're a fan of gritty comics, killer storytelling, or just want to know how Wolverine finally met Predator, this conversation is a must-listen.

David's Doing Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians is now LIVE!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Timestamp Segments

• Benjamin Percy’s Background (00:01:15)
• First Comic Book Influences (00:02:51)
• The Predator Connection (00:04:13)
• Wolverine and Predator Pitch (00:05:23)
• Working with Marvel (00:08:38)
• Novelist vs. Comic Book Writer (00:08:50)
• Marvel's X-Men Relaunch (00:10:31)
• Creative Freedom at Marvel (00:15:14)
• New Punisher Project (00:16:20)
• Visual Aesthetics in Writing (00:18:25)
• Collaborating with Artists (00:19:48)
• Balancing Comic and Novel Work (00:21:02)
• Transition from Novels to Comics (00:22:02)
• Pursuing Comic Writing (00:23:45)
• Establishing Credibility (00:26:21)
• Finding Collaborators (00:27:58)
• Working on the Punisher Series (00:30:27)
• Creator-Owned Projects (00:32:00)
• Reading and Influences (00:34:41)
• Exploring the Importance of Classics (00:37:08)
• Stretching Writing Muscles (00:37:37)
• Shifting Narrative Perspectives (00:37:52)
• Innovative Storytelling Techniques (00:38:05)

Notable Quotes

• “I watched Predator in 1987 when I was way too young, and it inspired us to go play Nerf gun warfare in the jungle. It was a foundational story for me.”
• “Writing novels is a lonely existence, but exhilarating. It’s a marathon, pounding out sentences that become pages, chapters, and eventually a novel. Writing comics, by comparison, is a sprint, unrelenting but collaborative.”
• “We wanted Frank Castle to come across as a scarred-up beast of a man, with trench coats and big heavy boots. The aesthetic of the book should look like New York from a 70s crime movie, grimy and gritty.”

Books Mentioned

• The Wilding by Benjamin Percy: "00:01:39"
• Red Moon by Benjamin Percy: "00:01:39"
• Wolverine (Marvel Comics series): "00:02:11"
• X-Force (Marvel Comics series): "00:02:11"
• Ghost Rider (Marvel Comics series): "00:02:11"
• Predator vs. Wolverine: "00:05:23"
• Predator vs. Black Panther: "00:06:18"
• Predator Kills the Marvel Universe: "00:07:34"
• Red Hulk: "00:14:07"
• Punisher: "00:16:20"
• "The Wild" by the speaker (first published novel): "00:22:28"
• "All-Star Superman" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely: "00:36:06"
• "Red Sun" (Superman story): "00:36:15"
• "Uzumaki" (Manga): "00:35:21"
• "Devil's Highway" (Comic series): "00:32:11"
• "Year Zero" (Comic series): "00:32:11"

PugW Editor Mason Rabinowitz joins hosts John and David to talk about Mason’s celebrity encounters while working at the world famous Golden Apple Comic Book Store, we get John’s book recommendations (or not?), discuss what it takes to get a comics career started, and John’s habit of stealing everyone’s stuff. Also, the podcast gets a hotline and a new tagline.

David's Doing Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina VIP Launches Here!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Timestamp Segments

• [03:12] What happens if Mason doesn’t listen to the podcast?
• [04:13] Does John recommend Margot in Badtown?
• [12:01] How Mason got into comics.
• [16:44] John has never met Mark Hamill.
• [17:37] People trade in their comps?
• [21:40] The best Samuel L. Jackson story.
• [29:23] Mason and Bridget Fonda.
• [31:58] How Mason started his comics career.
• [34:23] Getting calls from Warner Bros.
• [40:39] The most valuable things in Mason’s house.
• [43:36] Kevin Eastman is a good dude.
• [46:11] An industry hotline.
• [50:22] The silent ‘T’.

Notable Quotes

• “We can’t let people know that you don’t pay any attention.”
• “What do you do with this? I just don’t know.”
• “Anybody in need should just listen to us.”

Books Mentioned

• Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo.
• Ambush Bug, by Keith Giffen.
• Batman '66, Vol. 1.
• The Boys, by Garth Ennis & Darrick Robertson.
• Daredevil.
• Margot in Badtown, by Jerome Charyn & Massimiliano Frezzato.
• New Warriors (1990-1996).
• Secret Wars (1984-1985).
• The Story of Marvel Studios, by Tara Bennett & Paul Terry.
• Ultimates (2002-2003), Ultimates 2 (2004-2006), by Mark Millar & Bryan Hitch.
• Wanted, by Mark Millar, JG Jones, & Paul Mounts.
• Watchmen, by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons.
• Youngblood, by Rob Liefeld.

On this Solid Gold episode, hosts John and David “Cold Finger” Hedgecock to talk about the process of making 3D comics, John’s renewed interest in affordable European graphic novels, the shocking reason Roger Corman’s Cosmic Comics went out of business, and the true weirdness of comics in the ‘90s, and David comes up with his first superhero comic.

Timestamp Segments:

• [00:44] What’s the best James Bond song?
• [01:32] Sugar Bomb.
• [05:13] Making 3D comics.
• [12:17] The problem with K-tones.
• [16:02] John gets into European graphic novels.
• [18:58] Margot in Badtown: an affordable graphic novel.
• [25:57] David discovers Death Race 2020.
• [31:27] The shocking reason Roger Corman’s Cosmic Comics failed.
• [41:31] The weirdness of ‘90s comics.

David's Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina VIP Launches Here!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Notable Quotes:

• “We got too goofy to go into something else, at this point.”
• “We got too good at formalizing rules for things.”
• “This is what’s called getting old.”

Books Mentioned:

• Billy Bud, KGB, by Jerome Charyn & Francois Boucq.
• Black Panther (1977-1979), by Jack Kirby.
• Caged Heat 3000, by Jerry Prosser, Matt Thompson, Dan Schaefer, & Coop.
• Death Race 2020, by Pat Mills, Tony Skinner, & Kevin O'Neill.
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Vol. 1 & 2, Black Dossier, Century, Nemo, The Tempest), by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill.
• Madman in Your Face 3D Special, by Christian LeBlanc, Laura Allred, & Mike Allred.
• Margot in Badtown, by Jerome Charyn & Massimiliano Frezzato.
• Marshal Law, Nemesis the Warlock, by Pat Mills & Kevin O’Neill.
• Moon Knight (1989-1994).
• New Mutants #98 New Mutants #98 Pan-Dimensional 3D Edition.

Fun Time Go Editor-in-Chief and Corner Box Substitute Teacher, Chase Marotz, joins hosts “John” and David to talk about the past 30 years of Comic-Cons, the do’s and don’ts of attending Comic-Cons (for both fans and professionals), and the importance of avoiding the nachos. Plus, David wins a fight, and Chase has an elevated experience with Civil Rights Legend, John Lewis.

Timestamp Segments

• [01:07] Substitute teachers.
• [02:31] What turned Chase into a comic book fanatic?
• [05:10] Chase’s first ComiCon.
• [06:08] David’s first ComiCon.
• [07:46] San Diego ComiCon Madness.
• [08:15] The First Rule of Con Fandom: Spatial Awareness.
• [10:42] The Second Rule of Con Fandom: Recognize the Humanity.
• [17:12] The Biggest Rule: Extra Socks & Good Shoes.
• [19:01] Books are heavy.
• [19:53] Sienkiewicz is too good.
• [21:34] Join the FunTimeGo Campaign!
• [22:21] ComiCon programming.
• [23:42] The First Rule for Professionals: Read the Room.
• [26:27] The Second Rule for Professionals: Be Kind.
• [30:52] BarCon: Know Your Limits.
• [32:06] Meeting John Lewis.
• [37:50] Credit Cards Have Ramifications.
• [38:53] David falls down the Roger Corman Cosmic Comics rabbit hole.

Notable Quotes

• “There’s 100,000 other people in that room that want the same thing you do.”
• “Recognize the humanity of the people you are approaching and talking to.”
• “The gift is that they’re there, period.”
• “The Convention Center nachos are not going to be the help you think they are.”
• “You never know where you’re meeting somebody in their journey.”

Relevant Links

David's Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina VIP Launches Here!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Books Mentioned

• The Amazing Spider-Man #400, J.M. DeMatteis, Stan Lee, Mark Bagley, Tom Grummett, & John Romita Jr.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller.
• Death Race 2020, by Pat Mills, Tony Skinner, & Kevin O'Neill.

John and David return to talk about more of their Comfort Comics, diving into nostalgia, learning how to make comic books, and how creative teams have shaped the future of the industry. Also, David gets his own post-credits scene.

Timestamp Segments

• [01:00] John’s Comfort Comic #2: Lone Wolf and Cub.
• [03:59] Saving urban space collecting Lone Wolf and Cub.
• [07:10] What everyone gets wrong about Lone Wolf and Cub.
• [09:36] David’s Comfort Comic #3: Justice League International.
• [12:11] Keith Giffen’s famous pitch.
• [14:06] The Justice League lineup.
• [19:01] Join the FunTimeGo Campaign!
• [20:02] John’s Comfort Comic #3: Cerebus.
• [22:04] Dave Sim’s contribution to comics education.
• [29:43] The nostalgia of comfort comics.
• [30:44] Bloopers.

Notable Quotes

• “That’s the way to read it, because that’s the way it exists, but I wish it wasn’t.”
• “Very difficult to argue that he didn’t go mad during that.”
• “If you live long enough, you eventually have a heel turn or two.”

Relevant Links

David's Fun Stuff!
Miss Mina VIP Launches Here!

John is at PugW!
Pug Worldwide

Books Mentioned

• Ambush Bug, by Keith Giffen.
• Batman: Hush, Batman: Hush 2, by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams.
• Cerebus, Cerebus Guide to Self-Publishing, by Dave Sim.
• Conan The Barbarian.
• Crisis on Infinite Earths, By Marv Wolfman & George Perez.
• Daredevil, by Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack, & Alex Maleev.
• Innocent, by Shin’Ichi Sakamoto.
• Justice League International, by J.M DeMatteis, Keith Giffen, Adam Hughes, Bart Sears, Kevin Maguire, Mike McKone, Steve Leialoha, & Ty Templeton.
• Legion of Super-Heroes.
• Lone Wolf and Cub, by Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima.
• The Omega Men.
• Ronin, by Frank Miller.