Comic Crusaders Podcast

Al Mega
  • 4.8 (16)
  • Hobbies
  • Updated Weekly

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. 4d ago

    Jonathan Colton Talks Three Brothers Gruff: Troll-Hunters for Hire | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! Comic Crusaders is stepping onto the bridge, but don't worry we brought backup, snacks, and enough indie comic energy to scare every troll back into customer service training. On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, Al Mega welcomes comic creator Jonathan Colton, the creator behind Paul Bunyan vs. Dracula, Captain Arizona, and the new fantasy comic campaign Three Brothers Gruff – Troll-Hunters for Hire. Colton's latest project takes the classic Three Billy Goats Gruff fairy tale and cranks the dial from bedtime story to full-blown fantasy adventure, starring three satyr brothers who work as legendary troll hunters. Their mission? Rescue Princess Brynhild from the monstrous troll Ulif and his mountain fortress. Simple job, right? Of course not. In comics, "simple job" usually means somebody is lying, somebody is bleeding, and somebody forgot to read the fine print. What makes this project pop is the mix of classic folklore, brotherhood, sharp humor, and brutal fantasy action. The campaign description positions the book as a 24-page comic packed with loyalty, betrayal, troll-slaying battles, and that big adventure flavor that feels like Narnia meets Conan with a dose of wild indie comic personality. Jonathan Colton brings more than imagination to the table. His real-life path includes growing up across multiple countries as part of an Air Force family, studying at Academy of Art University, working as a freelance illustrator, serving as a California Corrections Officer, working as a police forensic/composite artist, and teaching art. That is the kind of résumé that gives a creator a serious toolbox: observation, discipline, tension, character, movement, and a deep understanding of how faces, choices, and consequences tell stories. During the interview, Al and Jonathan dive into his creative journey, the influence of folklore and martial arts on his storytelling, the challenge of reimagining a classic fairy tale, and what it takes to bring an indie comic campaign to life through Fund My Comic. They also explore how Three Brothers Gruff – Troll-Hunters for Hire expands the Colton Comics universe and what readers can expect from this wild fantasy adventure. If you love indie comics, fantasy stories, creator-owned worlds, monster fights, mythic adventure, and books that take familiar tales and give them a fresh punch to the jaw, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Support Jonathan Colton's Three Brothers Gruff - Troll-Hunters for Hire campaign on Fund My Comic, share the episode, and help independent comics keep charging forward. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGdssyCsM10 Because around here, the bridge belongs to the storytellers. The Crusade NEVER Ends! Support the campaign at: www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/889/3brosgruff Follow Jon on X: https://x.com/JonathanJColton Visit Jonathan's Website at: www.coltoncomics.com 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. 6d ago

    Kim Dawson Talks Better Together, TMNT Legacy & Teen Hope | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is bringing the heart, the nostalgia, and the big-screen inspiration as Al Mega sits down with producer Kim Dawson for a powerful conversation about storytelling, legacy, and the new coming-of-age film Better Together. For pop-culture fans, Kim Dawson's name carries serious weight. He was part of the producing team behind the original live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films, the 1990s big-screen phenomenon that helped turn four sewer-dwelling heroes into movie icons. From practical effects and franchise instincts to the kind of character-first storytelling that sticks with audiences for decades, Dawson has been connected to films that shaped childhoods and packed theaters. Now, Dawson is helping bring audiences a very different kind of adventure with Better Together, a film arriving in select theaters nationwide on May 15, 2026. The story follows Jesse and his friends as they set out on a quest tied to his father, the mysterious Zion Point, and a legendary meteor shower. But beneath the adventure is something deeper: friendship, grief, identity, hope, and the internal battles many young people are facing today. Written by Sean Thiessen and directed by Emmy Award-winner Kyle William Roberts, Better Together explores teen struggles through a story built around connection and courage. The film stars Gattlin Griffith, Bart Johnson, Ricardo Hurtado, Giselle Torres, LaRonn Marzett, Katie Burgess, and Juan Graterol. This episode dives into Kim Dawson's creative journey, what it takes to believe in a project before the world understands it, and how a producer moves from pop-culture legacy projects to films designed to spark meaningful conversations. Al and Kim also explore why stories about mental health, friendship, and family connection matter now more than ever. So grab your headphones, gather the crew, and join the Crusade for a conversation that reminds us all of one major truth: we are not built to fight every battle alone. Better Together opens in select theaters nationwide on May 15, 2026. Visit the website: https://bettertogethermovie.com/ The Crusade Never Ends! YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE6PRlIiM20 Don't forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share! 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

  3. Aug 24

    Dan Goldman | RED LIGHT PROPERTIES: UNFINISHED BUSINESS | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPAAAA! Comic Crusaders is opening the door to one of the wildest haunted houses in comics as Al Mega welcomes writer, artist, designer, and publisher Dan Goldman to the show to discuss Red Light Properties: Unfinished Business, a massive 340-page, full-color oversized hardcover collecting the first season of his cult-favorite tropical horror series. Presented by Kinjin Storylab, Red Light Properties is not your average ghost story. This is a sun-bleached, psychedelic, emotionally charged ride through Miami Beach where haunted homes, real estate pressure, family stress, capitalism, and supernatural shamanism all collide in one beautifully bizarre package. The story follows Jude Tobin, a psychic who sees ghosts, and his wife Cecilia, a realtor who sees an opportunity. Together, they run Red Light Properties, a Miami Beach agency that exorcises haunted homes and sells them at discounted prices to people priced out of the housing market. Sounds like a dream, right? Not exactly. Because while Jude is powerful in the spirit world, Cecilia is stuck carrying the brutal weight of the business, their marriage, and their family's survival. Dan Goldman's return to this universe feels personal, ambitious, and creatively fearless. With over 100 pages of previously unpublished work, 50 new pages of epistolary worldbuilding, and a design-forward hardcover presentation, Unfinished Business is more than a collection. It is a full immersive experience that pulls readers into the strange, sweaty, haunted soul of Miami. In this episode, Al and Dan dig into the origins of the series, the emotional power behind Jude and Cecilia's relationship, the weird beauty of tropical horror, the pressure of creator-owned publishing, the launch of Kinjin Storylab, and what fans can expect as Season Two begins. If you love horror comics with heart, humor, satire, and visuals that feel like they were cooked under the Florida sun with a ghost whispering in the background, this is an episode you do not want to miss. The Crusade NEVER Ends! Grab the book: https://shop.kinjin.co/ Follow Red Light Properties on Facebook at @RedLightProperties Follow Dan on Instagram at @DanGoldman Don't forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share! 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

  4. Aug 19

    Nora Twomey Brings the Magic of My Father's Dragon to the Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is taking flight with a truly magical episode as Al Mega welcomes acclaimed storyteller and animation powerhouse Nora Twomey to discuss My Father's Dragon, the upcoming Titan Comics graphic novel adaptation inspired by the Netflix film from Cartoon Saloon. This is one of those conversations that feels like opening a storybook and having the pages glow back at you. My Father's Dragon follows Elmer, a young boy struggling after a move to the city with his mother, who runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon waiting to be rescued. Along the way, the story opens the door to adventure, fear, friendship, family, and the kind of emotional courage that hits kids and adults right in the heart. Nora Twomey's work with Cartoon Saloon has helped shape some of the most beloved and visually distinct animated storytelling of the modern era. From The Secret of Kells to Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner, and beyond, Cartoon Saloon has built a reputation for animation that feels handcrafted, emotionally honest, and deeply rooted in imagination. Nora's creative voice brings a rare balance of wonder and weight, making stories that never talk down to young audiences and never forget the adults watching alongside them. In this episode, Al and Nora explore the journey of My Father's Dragon, the emotional layers behind Elmer and Boris, the visual magic of Wild Island, and the unique experience of seeing an animated story live again as a graphic novel. They also dive into adaptation, artistic identity, the power of children's stories, and why imagination remains one of the strongest tools we have when life gets complicated. The Titan Comics release gives fans a new way to experience this heartfelt adventure, and for readers discovering it for the first time, it may just become the kind of story that stays with them long after the final page. So grab your backpack, check your dragon snacks, and join the Crusade as we head toward Wild Island with Nora Twomey and My Father's Dragon. The Crusade NEVER Ends! Pre-Order NOW: https://amzn.to/4uGMrrb 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. Aug 18

    Tina Nawrocki | Syrenka: Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid | Comic Crusaders Podcast #700

    WEPA! Comic Crusaders family, this is one of those episodes where the passion jumps right out of the screen, grabs a pencil, sharpens it dramatically, and says, "Let's make art the hard way because the hard way has soul." Al Mega welcomes back animator, filmmaker, and traditional 2D animation champion Tina Nawrocki to talk about her short film Syrenka: Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid, an indie hand-drawn animated project rooted in Polish folklore, feminist storytelling, and the belief that human-made art still matters in a world moving faster than everybody's attention span after two cups of coffee. Tina is known for her work in animation, including her connection to the beloved hand-drawn world of Cuphead, but Syrenka is a deeply personal creative mission. This short film brings the legendary Mermaid of Warsaw to life through traditional frame-by-frame animation, with a story that explores resilience, gendered power, myth, identity, and the beauty of craftsmanship. In this episode, Tina and Al dive into why she is making an indie hand-drawn film, how far the project has come, the team helping bring this vision to life, and the importance of the new and final crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. This is not just about finishing a film. This is about supporting artists, funding passion projects responsibly, and reminding audiences that every frame of traditional animation carries the fingerprint of the person who made it. The conversation also highlights the value of community in crowdfunding. For creators with dream projects sitting in sketchbooks, hard drives, or folders labeled "someday," Tina's journey is a reminder that funding art is possible, building a team is possible, and pushing forward is possible — even when the mountain looks like it came with extra boss levels. For fans of animation, indie film, folklore, creator-owned projects, and human-made art, this episode is a must-watch. Syrenka: Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid is the kind of project that deserves attention because it carries beauty, purpose, and that rare creative fire you can't fake. Watch the full interview, support the Kickstarter, share the campaign, and help bring this mermaid-powered vision across the finish line. The crusade never ends and this time, it swims with a sword and shield. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPt50x_Kg0 Support the campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tinanawrocki/syrenka-legend-of-the-warsaw-mermaid-animated-short-film Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode. Most importantly, check out the Kickstarter and help support indie hand-drawn animation! 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 #TinaNawrocki #Syrenka #HandDrawnAnimation #Kickstarter #ComicCrusaders #IndieAnimation #WarsawMermaid #SupportIndieArtists

  6. Aug 14

    Jeff Mullen | The Authority | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, Al Mega chats with Jeff Mullen, CEO and Founder of The Authority, a real-time, vertically integrated collectibles marketplace designed to help collectors vault, purchase, encapsulate, authenticate, grade, sell, and fulfill collectibles faster and with more confidence. Jeff brings a unique background in engineering, law, patents, business, and technology to the collectibles world, and The Authority is aiming to solve some of the biggest headaches in the hobby: grading uncertainty, fraud, marketplace friction, slow turnaround times, and the lack of clear standards. We talk about the future of collecting, the Universal Public Grading Standard, authenticated vaulted collectibles, comics, trading cards, TCGs, figurines, marketplace trust, and why transparency could be a game-changer for collectors of every level. If you collect comics, cards, toys, TCGs, memorabilia, or pop culture treasures, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss! YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbnRXD2Qifo Drop a comment: What collectible would YOU vault first? Subscribe for more interviews with creators, innovators, collectors, publishers, artists, writers, filmmakers, and pop culture game-changers. https://www.theauthority.com/ https://www.collectforver.com Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn: authoritycollect X: authcollect 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

  7. Aug 12

    C.E. Massari Talks THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN Graphic Novel | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is back with another creator-focused conversation, and this one brings history, crime, comics, family legacy, and indie publishing power straight to the table. Al Mega welcomes author and creator C.E. Massari to the show to discuss his upcoming graphic novel THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN, a bold new project set to launch on Kickstarter in September 2026 as a premier title in the relaunch of Source Point Press, before moving toward worldwide release through SPP's distribution channels. Massari, known for work connected to THE SIX SWORDS and KAYFABE VOL. 3, brings a storyteller's eye and a creator-owned spirit to a project that immediately demands attention. With a title like THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN, you already know this is not a quiet little stroll through the funny book aisle. This is a graphic novel built around conflict, history, identity, hate, survival, and the type of personal storytelling that gives comics their emotional punch. In this episode, Al and C.E. dig into the creative journey behind the book, how the project evolved, the responsibility of telling stories connected to real-world hate and historical trauma, and what it means to transform powerful personal and cultural material into sequential art. The conversation also explores the indie comics grind, the Kickstarter process, and the excitement surrounding Source Point Press' renewed focus on creator-owned graphic novels. What makes this episode special is the balance between big comic book energy and real storytelling weight. Yes, there is crime drama. Yes, there is pulp attitude. Yes, there is that cinematic "you better keep reading" hook. But underneath it all is a creator working to tell a story with purpose, edge, and respect for the history behind it. Al also talks with Massari about the lessons learned from previous projects, the creative team behind the graphic novel, and what fans can expect when the Kickstarter campaign launches. For readers who love indie comics, historical fiction, crime stories, creator-owned graphic novels, and books that bring something different to the shelf, THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN is absolutely one to keep on the radar. This is the kind of conversation Comic Crusaders lives for: creators building something from the ground up, stories that take risks, and comics that remind the world the medium can entertain, challenge, inspire, and still hit like a freight train with great page layouts. Make sure to follow C.E. Massari, keep an eye out for THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN on Kickstarter in September 2026, and support the creators pushing comics forward one bold idea at a time. The Crusade never ends and this one is coming with history, heat, and a whole lot of WEPA. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpwZFKNeIBM Support the creator. Follow the campaign. Share the episode. The Crusade never ends! THE MAFIA VS. THE KLAN project will launch on Kickstarter in September 2026! https://cemassari.substack.com/ 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 #ComicCrusaders #CEMassari #TheMafiaVsTheKlan #SourcePointPress #KickstarterComics #IndieComics #GraphicNovel #ComicBooks #CreatorOwnedComics #AlMega

  8. Aug 10

    Norm Konyu talks Edgar Allan Poe | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA!!! Some stories never die… they just wait in the shadows for the perfect creator to resurrect them. And this Halloween season, creator Norm Konyu is opening the crypt and inviting readers into the beautifully twisted world of Edgar Allan Poe with the upcoming Edgar Allan Poe: A Tale of Mystery and Intervention from Titan Comics, arriving October 6, 2026. This isn't your dusty classroom version of Poe. Norm Konyu delivers a darkly playful graphic novel experience where humor, dread, melancholy, and beauty dance together like ghosts at a masquerade ball. The project serves as both a celebration of Poe's legendary literary legacy and a modern exploration of why strange stories continue haunting generation after generation. Even better, the graphic novel reportedly includes a reflective postscript where Konyu breaks down literary references and his personal connection to Poe's work. Norm Konyu has once again proven he's one of the most unique creative voices in comics today, blending emotional storytelling with visually atmospheric worlds that stay with readers long after the final page. Comic Crusaders readers looking for something spooky, smart, emotional, and visually unforgettable should absolutely keep this one on their radar. October can't come fast enough. 💥 THE CRUSADE NEVER ENDS! 💥 YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM3HBMuSMh0 Follow Norm on Instagram at @NormKonyu 🔔 Subscribe for more comic creator interviews! Edgar Allan Poe: A Tale of Mystery and Intervention 📅 Release Date: October 6, 2026 Visit Titan Comics at https://titan-comics.com/ 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

See All (298)

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

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

Information

  • Creator
    Al Mega
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    298
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © COMIC CRUSADERS™ 2006- 2026 | Comic Crusaders Podcast™ 2021 -2026 ALL/ANY PICTURES, CHARACTERS, VIDEOS, BOOKS, PRODUCTS DISPLAYED/DISCUSSED ON THIS WEBSITE/PODCAST ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARK OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .
  • Show Website
    Comic Crusaders Podcast