Comic Crusaders Podcast

Al Mega

CEO of Comic Crusaders, Al Mega, covers all types of pop-culture content with in-depth interview with folks from different industries such as Comic Book Publishers to Creators (Writers, Artists, Musicians, etc...), Technology (Blockchain, Software Developers, etc...), Entrepreneurs (Coaches, Speakers, Business Owners, etc...) and more...Visit our website: www.comiccrusaders.com

  1. 3 hr ago

    Samantha Thompson a/k/a Lady Leo Films Talks Hustle & more… on Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Some stories hit different because they are not polished fairy tales they are built out of grit, faith, and straight-up refusal to quit. That is exactly why today's Comic Crusaders spotlight on Samantha Thompson, known in the industry as Lady Leo Films, matters. Samantha's journey is the kind of story creatives need to hear. Publicly, she has described starting with nothing more than an iPhone and a dream back in 2015, then deciding in 2019 to take filmmaking seriously a decision that helped shape the growing body of work now connected to Prime Video, Tubi, and YouTube. That kind of rise does not happen by accident. It takes guts, patience, and the willingness to do the work when nobody is clapping yet. It takes the kind of creator mentality that says, "I may not have everything, but I have enough to start." That energy is all over Lady Leo Films. From Life Over Death to Lick The Series, The Invite, and DM (Direct Message), Samantha has been putting in the reps and laying down the kind of foundation that turns passion into presence. Now she is pushing forward with QR CODE, a chilling crime thriller built around exploitation, power, and the cost of silence in a world where even human value can be reduced to a transaction. That premise alone tells you this is not just another surface-level thriller. This is a project with weight, danger, and something to say. It is the kind of story that aims directly at the ugly truths people would rather scroll past. What makes Samantha's current moment even more compelling is that she is not pretending the journey is easy. Her public messaging has made it clear that she is calling on ambitious creators, sponsors, and donors who believe in building from the ground up. That speaks to a bigger truth inside the independent film world: sometimes the most powerful thing a creative can ask for is not pity it is partnership. Real support. Real belief. Real community. That is why this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast is one to watch. It is not just about film. It is about vision. It is about betting on yourself before the room understands the play. And it is about hearing from a filmmaker who is actively carving out her own path instead of waiting for permission. Samantha Thompson, Lady Leo Films, is building. And if you respect hustle with purpose, this is absolutely a conversation you need in your orbit. Follow Lady Leo on Social Media at: Instagram: @ms.ladyleofilms Tik-Tok: @ladyleofilms YT: Lady Leo Films TV 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

  2. 1 day ago

    Conor McCreery on The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Comic Crusaders welcomes back Conor McCreery for a lively conversation about The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal, the collected BOOM!Box edition of the latest chapter in his acclaimed YA fantasy saga with artist V.V. Glass. In this episode, we dig into Saoirse's evolution, the emotional cost of magic, family conflict, mythic danger, and the creative challenge of bringing a character face to face with everything she was taught to fear. The trade paperback collects issues #1–5, runs 208 pages, and frames this arc as a major concluding chapter in Saoirse's journey. McCreery, a former journalist turned comics writer, has built a career across major publishers and fan-favorite titles, and here he opens up about character growth, collaboration, and why fantasy works best when the emotions are as dangerous as the monsters. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=424KghelxQE Get your copy of at The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal: https://amzn.to/4skgbIG Follow Conor on Social at: / therealconor https://x.com/ConorMcCreery 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

  3. 2 days ago

    Dennis Robinson Returns With a Howling Win for Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey Chapters 1–4 | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Dennis Robinson is back, and he is not playing small. The Hive Head Studios creator has officially closed out a successful Kickstarter for Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey Chapters 1–4, the latest major step in his ambitious horror-mythology saga centered on Solomon, the world's first werewolf. The campaign ran from March 1 through April 1, 2026 and finished funded, giving readers another strong sign that Dennis is building something with real bite in the indie comics space. For those new to the series, Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey is not just a werewolf comic trying to coast on fangs and blood splatter. The book has been framed by Dennis and Hive Head Studios as a mix of horror, mythology, adventure, and history, following Solomon's long and painful journey after a desperate act transforms him into the first lycanthrope in human history. Solomon was born around 8,000 BC, and his story stretches through an alternate version of our world where folklore, monsters, magic, and gods are not just whispers in the dark—they are very real problems. That big-swing concept is a huge part of what makes the project stand out. Rather than staying stuck in one lane, the series keeps evolving. Chapter 2 brought in Arabic mythology, grief, PTSD, and magic. Chapter 3 expanded the universe with gods and cosmic horror, described by the official site as an alternate take on The Epic of Gilgamesh mixed with H.P. Lovecraft. Now, Chapter 4 sends Solomon into ancient Egypt, where he seeks out the gods themselves in hopes of finally finding a cure for his curse. Of course, this is Solomon we're talking about, so peace was never going to come easy. Instead, he runs into new weaknesses, new monsters, and more trials trying to tear him apart. And that's really the magic of Lycan. Dennis Robinson is using the werewolf myth not as a finish line, but as the front door to a much bigger story about pain, consequence, identity, survival, and the long shadow of history. Every chapter feels like it wants to ask a new question while still dragging Solomon deeper into the cost of what he has become. Dennis also brings a distinct creator energy to the table. According to Hive Head Studios, he's the creator/writer of the series, a founder connected to other geek-space projects, and a guy who clearly loves channeling horror, storytelling, and nerd passion into something personal and cinematic. That passion shows in Lycan's scope. This is not a safe little indie comic trying to whisper for attention. This is a full-throated monster odyssey trying to carve its name into the wall. So yeah, if you like your comics with mythology, monsters, blood, history, and enough ambition to make your pull list nervous, Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey should be on your radar. Dennis Robinson came back to the Comic Crusaders Podcast with a recently funded campaign, a growing universe, and plenty to talk about. And trust me, this wolf still has miles to go. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTxwuaBXAI Follow Dennis Robinson and Hive Head Studios for more on Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey and future projects. Subscribe to Comic Crusaders for more interviews with comic creators, indie voices, and pop culture powerhouses. www.hiveheadstudios.com www.lycanbook.com (for the Kickstarter page) www.instagram.com/hiveheadstudios 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

  4. 3 days ago

    HaZ Dulull Talks Astro Burn | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    There are indie games that look cool on a storefront, and then there are indie games that come with a whole philosophy behind them. Astro Burn is shaping up to be one of those. On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, Al Mega sits down with Hasraf "HaZ" Dulull, founder and director of Beyond The Pixels, to talk about the making of the game, the value of agile development, and why the team is now bringing Astro Burn to Kickstarter with a physical edition built around ownership, preservation, and the joy of opening a game like it's the 16-bit era all over again. The campaign messaging emphasizes a physical copy outside digital platforms, plug-and-play simplicity, and a collector-focused experience that revives the ritual of getting a new game. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeXVfJ7bOf4 Peep the game at: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3810660/Astro_Burn/ Upcoming Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beyondthepixels/astro-burn-limited-edition-physical-indie-game Website: https://www.beyond-the-pixels.com/ Follow Haz on X: @HaZ_Dulull | Instagram: hazdazzle | Tik-Tok: @beyondthepixels | Facebook: @BeyondThePixelss 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

  5. 8 Jul

    Alim Leggett Talks The Diary of Sweet Pea #3 Kickstarter on Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Alim Leggett Returns to Comic Crusaders to Talk The Diary of Sweet Pea #3 and the Expanding Sweet Pea Universe There are indie creators, and then there are creators out here building full-blown emotional universes with patience, purpose, and serious artistic intent. That's exactly why having Alim Leggett back on the Comic Crusaders Podcast is such a win. Alim returns to the show with a brand new Kickstarter campaign, The Diary of Sweet Pea #3, the newest chapter in his growing Sweet Pea universe, and this one is coming with grief, intensity, inner demons, and the kind of emotional pressure that can crack a character wide open. According to the campaign, Imani is forced to confront her inner demons after refusing to accept that her father is no longer among the living. That alone tells you this is not just another "cool indie comic." This is personal. Alim has steadily built a reputation as more than just a comics creator. Across recent interviews and creator spotlights, he's described as a writer, artist, art director, founder of Alter Ego Arts, and father of five, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and making every panel matter. That creative philosophy fits Sweet Pea perfectly because the series isn't just trying to look cool it's trying to make you feel something. The larger Sweet Pea saga has been described in prior campaign materials as an apocalyptic sci-fi epic, but what makes it memorable is that all the scope and danger still revolve around very human pain, choices, and consequences. That's what makes this return conversation so interesting. Alim isn't just promoting another issue. He's showing what growth looks like when a creator sticks with a world, sharpens his storytelling tools, and gets bolder about the emotional core of the material. The Diary of Sweet Pea #3 looks like the kind of project that can hook readers with its genre edge and then land the real punch with character work. That combo is always dangerous in the best way. For Comic Crusaders listeners and readers, this is the sweet spot: creator-owned comics, real conversation, and a Kickstarter campaign fans can support right now while it's live. If you love seeing independent creators push their storytelling further and refuse to play small, this is absolutely one to keep on your radar. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mW4_t4oivM Support the Campaign at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sweetpeacomic/the-diary-of-sweet-pea-1-3 Follow Sweet Pea Comic and Alter Ego Arts on: Facebook: @sweetpeacomic | AAlimalteregoarts and Instagram: @sweetpea_comic | @_alteregoarts 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 Want to create amazing live streams like ours? Then look no further than StreamYard! The BEST and EASIEST to use Streaming Solution on Earth! Check it out at: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6492786798886912

  6. 6 Jul

    Ben Crane Talks Scattered Futures, Hope-Fueled Sci-Fi, and the Power of Indie Comics – Comic Crusaders Podcast #676

    There's sci-fi that blows up planets, and then there's sci-fi that hits you right in the soul. Ben Crane's Scattered Futures looks like one of those books that understands the future is not just built with machines, war, and shiny helmets—it's built with people, with choices, and with the small acts of kindness that keep us from turning into emotionally expired space jerky. On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, we sit down with writer and editor Ben Crane to talk about his new Kickstarter project, Scattered Futures, a 32-page collection of three full-color science fiction comics that explores hope and human connection in a harsh and fractured universe. The anthology features art by Sierra Barnes, Jenny Fleming, and Martyn Lorbiecki, and adds another strong chapter to Crane's growing body of work, which also includes Cosmic Cadets, A Man of Lies, and editing the sci-fi anthology Systemic. What makes this project stand out is that it isn't just selling cool concepts—it's selling emotional truth. In a recent interview, Crane explained that Scattered Futures came out of a period of personal hopelessness and became a way to imagine a better world through small, quiet moments of optimism. That's a powerful hook right there, because the best comics don't just entertain us—they give us language for what we're surviving. And that's exactly why this conversation matters. We talk with Ben about his creative journey, what it means to work across prose and comics, how editing sharpens storytelling, and why collaboration is everything when building a project like this. We also dig into the DNA of Scattered Futures how three short stories can still feel emotionally rich, why gentleness can be radical in fiction, and how science fiction can reflect the fears of today while still offering a glimpse of tomorrow that doesn't feel totally doomed. For indie comics fans, this is the sweet spot. You've got a creator with real storytelling range, a project with a strong emotional identity, and a Kickstarter that proves readers are hungry for thoughtful, human-centered science fiction. The campaign is already funded and runs through April 4, 2026, which means now is the perfect time for readers to jump in, support the book, and help push this thing even further into orbit. If you love comics with heart, ideas, and purpose, keep your eyes on Scattered Futures. This one feels like it's coming from a real place and those are the books that stay with you. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VauRys2VXU Support the Kickstarter: Ben Crane's Scattered Futures Campaign: ends April 4, 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/672640705/scattered-futures-3-short-sci-fi-comics-32-pages Follow Ben on Social: Bsky: @bencranewrites.com Instagram: @benacrane 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 Want to create amazing live streams like ours? Then look no further than StreamYard! The BEST and EASIEST to use Streaming Solution on Earth! Check it out at:  https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6492786798886912

  7. 29 Jun

    Patrick Coyle Returns With Bixby Grant: Fangs & Brimstone #1-4 on Kickstarter! Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Patrick Coyle is back, baby, and he's bringing more mystery, monsters, and moody comic-book greatness with Bixby Grant: Fangs & Brimstone #1-4: A Supernatural Mystery, now live on Kickstarter. The campaign runs from March 17, 2026 through April 16, 2026, giving fans a fresh chance to jump into one of indie comics' coolest supernatural noir worlds. honest this book had us at the pitch: "Mummy Detective. Vampire sidekick." That's the kind of concept that doesn't politely knock on your door. It kicks it open, throws fog into the room, and demands your attention. ough RNM Press, Bixby Grant: Fangs & Brimstone blends hardboiled detective fiction, occult horror, and monster politics into a sharp supernatural mystery with a pulp heart. RNM Press describes the series as "HELLBOY meets THE SPIRIT, with the tone of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES," which is one spicy creative cocktail and a pretty clean snapshot of the vibe Patrick Coyle is throwing down here. nters on Bixby Grant, a mummy private eye navigating a world full of secrets, strange powers, and trouble that never seems to stay buried. In the opening chapter, Bixby takes what should be a routine snoop job while trying to ignore a traumatic anniversary from his past, but things go sideways fast when Diego his rockabilly vampire sidekick inserts himself into the case and the pair collide with a poltergeist and a ritual killing. That's not a bad day. That's a supernatural IRS audit. xby Grant stand out is that it's not just running on "cool monster detective" energy. There's real character work here, real atmosphere, and a real affection for the storytelling traditions of noir and horror. Recent coverage around issue #4 describes the larger Fangs & Brimstone run as a six-issue follow-up to the earlier graphic novel Bixby Grant, Private Eye: Wolf, She Cried, showing that Patrick Coyle isn't just building a gimmick he's building a world. e thinking fits Patrick perfectly. In prior interviews, he explained that launching RNM Press was part of taking control of his own creative destiny rather than waiting around for traditional gatekeepers to decide what gets made and how. That independent spirit is all over this project. It's bold, specific, stylish, and made with the kind of passion comic fans can feel in the pages. o supernatural mystery, noir storytelling, indie comics, or books that sound like they were created by someone who looked at genre walls and said "Nah, I'm good," then Bixby Grant: Fangs & Brimstone #1-4 deserves a serious look. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KN005xz4LM Back the campaign. Support indie comics. And get ready to follow one mummy detective and his vampire sidekick straight into the weird. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rnm-press/bixby-grant-fangs-and-brimstone-1-4-a-supernatural-mystery Follow Patrick on Social Media at: @patrickcoyle71 Subscribe to Comic Crusaders for more interviews with comic creators, indie legends, rising stars, and the wildest voices in pop culture. 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

About

CEO of Comic Crusaders, Al Mega, covers all types of pop-culture content with in-depth interview with folks from different industries such as Comic Book Publishers to Creators (Writers, Artists, Musicians, etc...), Technology (Blockchain, Software Developers, etc...), Entrepreneurs (Coaches, Speakers, Business Owners, etc...) and more...Visit our website: www.comiccrusaders.com