At NYCC some of the press releases were pretty intense, and I heard about AHOY Comics whom I've talked about in the past with Mark Russell's Forgotten Divine which at that time was their first Kickstarter ever now releasing a slew of books into leading into 2027 and the first is our guest today Eric Palicki as we talked about Dragon Proof live right now on Kickstarter. A tale of a young woman who wandering in the forest comes face to face with a wounded Dragon. The story builds as mythical creatures like this Dragon are being used by the Military as weapons of mass destruction and its up to Ashleigh Cole help these creatures. The feeling, empathy, and action in this Urban Fantasy.

Dragon Proof is live on Kickstarter now

Next up releasing in 2027 Eric's second book Corduroy Road also releasing under the Ahoy Selects imprint as Paul Corduroy is a private detective that just wants to solve mysteries. Only he was given a sword from the Gods which has the only purpose to kill demons.

Corduroy Road releases on January 7th

Dragon Proof

Written by Eric Palicki

Artwork by Giulia Lalli

Corduroy Road

Written by Eric Palicki

Artwork by Christopher Peterson

Today is a special episode as I get to chop it up and talk comics with the Founder of Comics are Dope BJ Kicks. We go through his beginnings as a Youtube creator and the understanding of how comics became his passion. BJ and I discuss what Comics have meant to us in the past years with the influx of popularity after the success of Absolute Batman. We even speak on comics that we didn't even know we liked just by going down the Rabbit Hole of comics and what they've meant to us. Definitely if you haven't already check out Comics are Dope and the Comics are Dope Podcast on YouTube.

Today I talk with Eisner Nominated Writer Stephanie Williams and the CEO of Studio Skye-Tiger Ray Anthony Height to speak on the highly anticipated Pirate Epic of the High Seas for Archie Comics: Vengeance Unchained-The Legend of Black Caesar. Black Caesar also known as Musa historically was a West African King and Pirate with the stature of a modern day giant at a massive 7 feet in height who scoured the globe in the early 1700's. In this story, Musa with his exceptional size, charisma, and strategic brilliance that have made him legendary among West African kingdoms; they’ve also made him a target for those who want to enslave him. After the capture of his love, the Princess Adanna, Musa must not only fight for her safe return but for his freedom as well. Stephanie tells us of her love for history and bringing a story of the African Diaspora to Life. Ray-Anthony always grew up loving Sinbad and Clash of the Titans which brought stories similar to like this to life. FOC is November 9th and the book is released in Comic shops December 2nd.

Written by Stephanie Williams

Artwork by Ray Anthony Height and Studio Skye Tiger

National Distribution in Indie Comics is a huge deal. Over the course of 2026 D.P. Brown, Grant Lankard, and Marvin Wynn also known as the collective Comicsburgh expanded their titles of The Edge, Beowulf, and Theme of Thieves to wide distribution in a new deal with IPG (Independent Publishers Group) in order to bring their Trade Paperback Graphic Novels live to the Direct Market. To build upon that, just last month in October they announce further distribution now of single issued comics with Philbo Distribution and Indie Comic Alliance now building a relationship with local comic shop. Diversity between themselves and the stories they tell have been manufactured in what they do. They are expanding in building up future comic professionals with workshops in educating from how to build a comic storyline as well as the hustles of entrepreneurship in colleges and universities as well as community organizations.

Comicsburgh TPB are available now on Comicsburgh.com

Todays Episode we get spooky for Halloween week as we bring back Greg Anderson Elysee' as we are introduced to a woman who isn't taking no mess from some Classic Horror Villains in Keisha & Ghouls Live on Kickstarter. Keisha Spencer is created by the hive mind of David Brame and Mr Elysee' as a celebration of Black Woman in speculative Horror in a collective of satirical skits. She shares the panels with classic Horror monsters like Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, Blacula, and her own doppelganger (i.e. Jordan Peele's US). Lastly, Greg shares that he will join an all star lineup of writers for the 50th Anniversary comic of Black Lightning for DC Comics.

Written by Greg Anderson Elysee'

Artwork by David Brame

Today I speak with Luis Godoy, as he brings us the second issue to his supernatural mystery into the afterlife with This Eternal Coil. Abraham is dealing with the death of his wife and while being accompanied by his daughter Elena. Through grief, they are both experiencing their torment separately without realizing that they need each other. Abraham and his spirit guide (Dog) Slater who is obsessed with the 90's are up against an Aztec God who is very scorned and imperfect. Traveling through Mictlan, Abraham and Elena journey different paths trying to find each other.

Written by Luis Godoy

Artwork by Julio Suarez

Lettering by Micah Myers

Edited by Ian Modrick

Live from the Press Room (where it was a little loud on the mics as a panel was just behind us) @NYCC I get a chance to speak with Tiffany Babb. Creator of the Comics Courier and the now monthly zine Comics Staple molded with a slew of journalists and Comic creators filled with reviews and upcoming books. We talk about the beginning of the year as Tiffany was named an Eisner Award Judge we asked what responsibilities did that weigh about who she is in this medium. Also, how her dedication to comics journalism has impacted the next generation of journalists in comics and does independent media influence Comics Marketing. Finally, what questions does she wish interviewers like myself ask more often.

Comics Courier Issue 5 Kickstarter launches in November

Comics staple season 2 drops early 2027

I finally get a chance to sit down with Joseph Illidge to speak on the year of culmination at New York Comic Con that started with the History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident's beacon to Milestone Fans and many consumers of Black Creative Led comics the importance of the FOC (Final Order Cutoff) process. I also ask Joe, "What was the most difficult professional decision he had to make this year". Also, in holding up to Milestone Comics foundation and the influence its gained on the community; theres still unfinished business in the mission for longevity and financial stability in Comics.

Prerecorded from New York Comic Con 2026

The Road to NYCC begins as I talk with Julio Anta & Jacoby Salcedo about their Kaiju Thriller No Gods No Masters for Boom Studios. Felipe, Malik, and Jeannie treat the worst day ever as a beginning of their friendship. Felipe who is new to NYC immigrated from Venezuela after a Kaiju attack that displaced his family and killed his Father. This fateful day take a turn from worse to catastrophic as now a Kaiju attack has hit New York City and with the help of his 2 new friends he has to find his mother lost in the city's subway.

Written by Julio Anta

Artwork by Jacoby Salcedo

Colors by Francesco Segala

Letters by Becca Carey

Today I bring back Troy-Jeffrey Allen, because I know when he has a project he will pull something from directly from the culture and have my head spinning. Whether its been tackling Public Enemy, ODB, MF Doom, and even Josephine Baker, Troy takes signature obscure characters in Music and Black Culture and delivers an amazing homage. Deltron Eternal is a tribute to the Supergroup of Deltron 3030 consisting of (Del the Funky Homosapien, Dan the Automater, and Kid Koala). The story blends their lyrics of Sci-Fi and Consciousness into a vivid journey seen to define backpack rap and the Alternative Aesthetic of Hip Hop in the early 2000's.

Written by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Illustrated by Ben Perkins

Lettered by James Easterly

Today we talk with C.E. Massari about his original graphic novel The Mafia vs The Klan now live on Kickstarter. The setting of the 1920's Prohibition period where the title character loosely based on the life of C.E. Grandfather's time in segregated Virginia before settling in the Philly/South Jersey Area. Mario just opened his first restaurant with employees different racial backgrounds that the South in the 1920's just ain't use to. A botched assassination by the KKK takes the life of his daughter in what was meant for him. Law enforcement not being the best to respond to crime like this, Mario has to look for alternatives in the help from the Mafia from up North. This comes with a bargain that will change Mario's life.

Written by C.E. Massari

Artwork by Martin Gimenez

Letters by Dave Lentz

Edited by Drena Jo

Todays Episode I talk with Olivia Dufault & Rebekah Isaacs about their extraordinary tale of Sci-Fi in Prima Apparata for Ignition Press. Growing up the Battle Mechs I loved were Robotech and Voltron where each of these Mechs were constructed in the personality and design of the pilot. Olivia and Rebekah create a world where the pilots start their lives as children-Bioengineered CHILDREN whose main instructional guide to battle is ballet. Imagine the deadliest mech warrior being graceful in the choreography of their warfare. We meet Mar & Rhea the 2 highly qualified students tasked to perform a life or death recital in battle to honor Appolyta, an amalgamation of Apollo, Hippolyta, and Artemis but a cosmic goddess nonetheless. Mar and Rhea compete as top recruits for the title of Prima Apparata. Issue 1 is on sale now and Issue 2 releases October 14th 2026

Written by Olivia Dufault

Artwork by Rebekah Isaacs

Colors by Marissa Louise

Letters by Becca Carey

Today's Episode I speak with Pulitzer Prize winning Journalist Spencer Ackerman about his first creator owned comic in the Political Thriller No One Escapes the Dialectic for Boom Studios. Not a stranger to comics with his latest Iron Man run as well as Waller vs. Wildstorm, we see Spencer mold a book etched in the current state of affairs in terms of the factions in charge of Immigration Enforcement better known as ICE. Utilizing his Journalistic background, he creates the Special Naturalization Organization a powerful branch of Homeland Security.

The Dialectic enters as a reckoning, a witness to violence amongst the people who turns vigilant to cause a disturbance from within. Spencer gives us a power struggle between the deep state old guard and the now treacherous death squad called the Gladio Unit. A name some may remember from the Cold War era.

Can the Dialectic be the disturbance built to reign in community in need, all while subjected to propaganda and coercion by the very organization it seeks to destroy? FOC September 21st and releasing November 4th

Written by Spencer Ackerman

Artwork by Antonio Fuso

Colors by Brad Simpson

Letters by Jodie Troutman

Imagine you are the last human in existence and yet after Earth is no more you end up in another Galaxy...AS A STRANGER! Do you consider having everyone treat you as a Zoo animal and stare at you or do you dig into your talents and show other Alien worlds something that maybe they haven't seen before? MUSIC. This best describes Gil Silver and the band he is now headlining across the cosmos until unforeseen circumstances get in his way.

Today's episode I speak with Hayden Mears about his Sci-Fi Comedy made for music fans entitled Milkywave. Hayden has been an Entertainment Journalist for close to 15 years and has always loved comics. Milkywave brings us a man in solitude who doesn't feel so lonely when he is listening to music or playing in his new band, but this newfound popularity of music has attracted a bounty hunter who works for someone of tremendous power who is in need of Gil's services.

Written by Hayden Mears

Artwork by Lane Lloyd

Colors by Fabi Marques

Letters by Micah Myers

Today's Episode, we speak with Christopher Ford about his smash indie Graphic Novel Dark Volume 2. The first Kickstarter campaign amassed and surpassed goals to reach $80k and immediately called for a follow up. At that point Christopher was a first time Comic writer, but as he tells it he was very strategic in playing his cards right. The story centers around Dara a young woman eager to start the Dark Pink Detective Agency as cases of the supernatural mysteriously start popping up all over New Orleans. Nola means a lot to Chris as he has family in Louisiana and setting of the N.O. was a no brainer. Volume has reached such a following, its even gotten him to work with recent Eisner nominee Stephanie Williams to writing a companion short story and PSA Series. Dark Pink Volume 2 is now live on Kickstarter.

Written by Christopher Ford

Artwork by Canaan White, Marco Lesko, PJ Kaiowa, and Danny Perez

Variants by Asiah Fulmore, Khari Evans, Juliet Nnkea, and Francisco Tomaselli

Today we bring back Newton Lilavois to speak on the latest issue of one of my favorite books Crescent City Monsters #5 The Rise of Kingsley. Newton describes this as a prequel into the beginnings of the Overlord in the Monster Realm. Kingsley's Clan of the Grunch's as far as hierarchy in this world, Grunch's aren't respected taking up the same space as Vampires, Banshees, and Witches. Kingsley was different, stepping on the frontlines against enemy forces for the protection of the Order and other clans gaining respect. All the while his thirst for power heightened and the power of Dark Magic from strong spiritual people in New Orleans like Jonas stand in his path.

Written by Newton Lilavois

Artwork by Gian Carlo Bernal

Today I get a chance to speak with Oliver Mertz for the new Hardcover Graphic Novel- A Ghost Arm made of Angry Ghosts for Oni Press. Ari Ackerman is a teenager in love with the DC punk scene with the likes of Fugazi and Jawbox, but also dealing with his Cancer stricken father. Adolescence has him still figuring the world out and in this world there are Super powered beings throughout the world that cause a state of confusion as he must lean on more grounded friends to aid him on this new found journey of grief. All the while, a murder has surfaced in town and with the help of his friend Maya they must navigate a turbulent world.

Written and colored by Oliver Mertz

Pencils and Inks by Alex Diotto

Letters by Taylor Esposito

Today we are on the cusp of a big week in Comics as SDCC approaches and I was lucky enough to be joined by Amy Chase and Savanna Mayer to talk about the latest in the new IDW Crime Imprint with the murder mystery Fixation. This 42 page 1st issue bring us Taylor Van Owens and her best friend Karrah, Taylor won a contest as a Fan VIP to witness the reunion of her favorite book and series Blood Mountain complete with a reunion of all the past cast members. The Town in Vail where the series takes place isn't all it's cracked up to be. Taylor encounters the characters that she fell in love with only to find out that sometimes its better not to meet your heroes. The Book series got her through a tough time, but the Vail is disguised in jealousy, manipulation, and Murder. Listen as Amy and Savanna gives details in the makings of this first issue Graphic Novel. Final Order Cutoff is August 3rd for preorders and the books releases September 9th.

Written by Amy Chase

Artwork by Savanna Mayer

Colors by James Fenner

Letters and Design by Sandy Tanaka

Edited by Riley Farmer

Today I get a chance to speak to Jamie S. Rich, Editor in Chief for Ignition Press and creator of the Romantic Comedy The Dogsitter. Fun Fact: before the birth of superheroes most comics thrived as romance comics. Jamie tells the story of Gemma who is in her gap year of veterinary school. She is hustling her way not only working at a florist, but utilizing the workspace at the florist siding as a Dogsitter. Gemma is immediately relatable to many students finding the mix between School and actually making money as a hardship in their social lives. Until Neal arrives, currently dating his boss who lives upstairs from the florist and someone who Gemma thought was nothing more than a Harlot. One night out at a costume party changes all this and now Gemma finds herself in a an uninhibited love triangle.

Written by Jamie S Rich

Artwork by Megan Levens

Colors by Nick Filardi

Today I speak with Dr. Christopher Rhodes about First Volume of his Phenomenal Indie Comic Ten releasing the first 5 issues in its first trade paperback. It follows a group of unexpected superheroes from every corner of the globe ranging from Brazil all the way to Japan whose powers were given to them by extraterrestrial beings. Also, being released is what Christopher describes is Ten's Ultimate or Absolute Universe in Ten Max. Where you get to see the ideas outside of the writing credits being curated by his now 11 year old son.

Written by Christopher Rhodes