Comic Crusaders Podcast

Al Mega
  • 4.8 (16)
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  • 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. 23h ago

    Aksel Studsgarth Talks Alva in the Dark from Titan Comics | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Wepa, Crusaders! Today we are stepping into the frozen north, where the snow is deep, the shadows are long, and the old blood is waking with a serious attitude problem. Comic Crusaders Podcast welcomes Danish writer and storyteller Aksel Studsgarth to discuss his upcoming Titan Comics graphic novel, Alva in the Dark, a dark and myth-infused Scandi-noir horror story co-created with artist Daniel Hansen. This is not your cozy candle-lit witch tale, fam. This is folklore with ice in its veins, danger in the woods, and a young thief caught in the middle of ancient power, violent history, and people who absolutely refuse to let sleeping witches lie. Alva in the Dark follows Alva, a thief who has survived by staying unseen. That changes when her bloodline ties her to the Fell, a near-extinct witch-tribe whispered about in Scandinavian myth. After a break-in unlocks something that should have stayed buried, Alva and her friend Mini are thrown into a ruthless chase across winter-bound Scandinavia. Closing in behind them are the Craftsmen, a deadly force determined to claim the magic rising in Alva's blood. That premise alone hits like a snowstorm through a broken window, but the real magic of Alva in the Dark is how it blends genres without losing its soul. There is crime energy, horror energy, mythology, action, weird humor, and a deeply personal story about identity and belonging. Alva is not some polished chosen-one hero standing under a spotlight with a destiny speech in her pocket. She is messy, guarded, funny, scared, sharp, and constantly forced to decide whether to run from what she is or finally face it. Aksel Studsgarth's storytelling background makes this conversation especially exciting. His work blends crime, horror, and mythic imagination, and Alva in the Dark feels like a major creative statement: a graphic novel that uses Scandinavian folklore not as decoration, but as a living, breathing force. The world of the Fell, the Svartedal witches, the Aldinn, and the Craftsmen feels ancient but immediate, like history has been buried under the snow and is now clawing its way back up. Artist Daniel Hansen brings a brooding, cinematic visual language to the book, filling the pages with texture, mood, shadow, and stark atmosphere. The result is a graphic novel that looks cold enough to give your eyeballs frostbite, but moves with the urgency of a thriller. It is horror, yes, but it also has wit, personality, and that street-level character chemistry that keeps the story from becoming just another dark fantasy wall of fog and doom. During the interview, Al Mega and Aksel dig into the creation of Alva, the power of Scandinavian folklore, the emotional weight of hidden history, the balance between horror and humor, and what it means to launch the first graphic novel in a planned Scandi-noir horror trilogy. They also explore Aksel's creative journey, his collaboration with Daniel Hansen, and why mythology still speaks so loudly in modern storytelling. If you are a fan of European comics, supernatural thrillers, witchcraft, folk horror, dark fantasy, or stories about outsiders discovering that their past is way bigger and stranger than they ever imagined, Alva in the Dark deserves to be on your radar. Pull up, Crusaders. The north is calling, the witches are watching, and Comic Crusaders is bringing the heat to the cold. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX2-xg8q5_o Pre-Order Your Copy of Alva in the Dark at: https://amzn.to/4vZOt6g Follow Aksel on Instagram: @aksel_studsgarth 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

  2. 1d ago

    Maddy Meyer | Maddy Mania! | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Maddy Mania Hits the Comic Crusaders Podcast: Maddy Myer Celebrates Fandom, Pop Culture, and the Beautiful Madness of Loving What You Love WEPAAAAAAA, Crusaders! Pull up, lock in, and bring your fandom energy, because this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast is for everybody who has ever cared "too much" about a character, a song, a match, a movie, a comic, a Broadway number, a superhero trailer, a K-pop comeback, or a fictional relationship that absolutely had no business breaking your heart at 2:00 in the morning. Today, we welcome Maddy Myer, the creator, host, editor, and producer of Maddy Mania, a fan-first pop culture podcast built for the people who don't just watch entertainment they live inside it, breathe it, quote it, debate it, defend it, and occasionally spiral into a full thesis statement in the group chat. And honestly? That is the magic. Maddy Mania is not just another pop culture show trying to chase trends like a raccoon chasing a hot dog wrapper in Times Square. This podcast comes from a place of genuine love for fandom. It celebrates the emotional connection people build with the entertainment that shapes them. Whether the conversation is about WWE, Broadway, DC superheroes, the MCU, Ariana Grande, K-pop, movies, television, sports, or the next major cultural moment ready to shake the timeline, Maddy approaches it all with curiosity, humor, and respect for the fans who make these worlds matter. What makes this conversation hit differently is Maddy's background. As an entertainment publicist and journalist, she understands both sides of the pop culture machine. She knows the work that goes into shaping stories, building momentum, supporting talent, and connecting audiences to the moments they care about. But with Maddy Mania, she also steps fully into the fan-first seat, creating a space where passion does not need to be watered down, explained away, or apologized for. That right there is the sauce. During the episode, Maddy and I dig into the journey behind launching the podcast, including the bold daily episode rollout that kicked off the show on March 5. That was not a soft launch. That was a fandom cannonball into the pool. The first week spotlighted everything from wrestling and Broadway to superheroes, music, K-pop, and beyond, establishing right away that Maddy Mania is here to celebrate the full buffet of pop culture. The conversation also explores why fandom is more than casual entertainment. For many people, fandom is community. It is language. It is comfort. It is identity. It is the reason strangers become friends, timelines become neighborhoods, and fictional worlds become emotional landmarks. Yeah, some people say fans are dramatic. But let's be real, mi gente sports fans paint their chests in freezing weather and nobody calls that weird. Let a comic fan wear a cape once and suddenly everybody becomes a psychologist. Stop playing. Maddy's show pushes back against that tired idea that caring deeply is embarrassing. Instead, Maddy Mania embraces the people who feel everything at full volume. The fans who remember release dates like anniversaries. The fans who know every lyric, every storyline, every casting rumor, every entrance theme, every emotional betrayal, and every scene that changed their brain chemistry forever. This episode is funny, thoughtful, heartfelt, and full of the kind of energy that reminds us why pop culture matters. It is not "just entertainment." It is how people connect, dream, heal, laugh, argue, imagine, and find their people. So whether you are a wrestling fan, a Broadway kid, a comic book lifer, a Marvel/DC warrior, a music stan, a K-pop detective, a movie lover, a TV binger, or just someone who has ever yelled "WAIT, I HAVE THOUGHTS" during a trailer drop, this episode is calling your name. Check out Maddy Mania at maddymaniapodcast.com, follow the show, support Maddy's work, and keep celebrating the fandoms that make life louder, brighter, and way more fun. Because around here, being "too much" is NOT the problem. It is the superpower! The Crusade Never Ends. WEPAAAAAAA! YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2i5vVtjnw8 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. 4d ago

    Matt Stevens Talks Panopticon, Sci-Fi Mystery & Interactive Indie Comics | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Comic Crusaders Podcast welcomes comic book creator Matt Stevens to discuss Panopticon, a mature sci-fi prison mystery set inside a timeless single-chamber prison where inmates never know when, or even if, they are being watched. Matt breaks down the oppressive psychology of the panopticon, the role of unreliable memory, the cost of loyalty, and how mystery shapes the structure of this ambitious graphic novel. The conversation also dives into the project's interactive elements, including a reader-created inmate/avatar system and companion game that allow fans to step deeper into the world of Panopticon. With Act One launching the story and future acts expanding the mystery, this is an indie comics project built for readers who love psychological sci-fi, layered worldbuilding, and bold experimentation. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ers5ZvdoUs Follow along on : panopticoncomic.com thedarkwebcomics.com thedigitalpools.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

  4. 5d ago

    Tom Sniegoski & Jeannine Acheson | Nothing Can Stop… the Ape! | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Tom Sniegoski & Jeannine Acheson Return to Comic Crusaders to Unleash Nothing Can Stop . . . The APE! WEPAAAAA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is swinging into full cosmic chaos as Al Mega welcomes back the incredible creative duo of Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson to discuss their new Papercutz/Mad Cave Studios graphic novel, Nothing Can Stop . . . The APE! This bold, energetic, all-ages adventure follows 12-year-old Maxwell Morgan, a young hero suddenly thrown into a world-shaking conflict involving ancient gods, elemental warriors, dangerous choices, and one very loyal French bulldog. When Maxwell's mother becomes possessed by Thuuna, a primordial goddess obsessed with order and perfection, Maxwell may have to make the worst decision imaginable: freeing Ghraagg'Endah, the Gorilla God of Chaos. Yeah. That is not a bad day. That is a cosmic-level "somebody please call an adult" situation. Joined by artist Craig Rousseau, colorist Tom Gaadt, and letterer Taylor Esposito, Sniegoski and Acheson deliver a story packed with Saturday morning cartoon swagger, mythic stakes, big laughs, and heartfelt adventure. It is the kind of graphic novel that knows all-ages does not mean "small story." It means big imagination, clear emotion, wild action, and characters readers can cheer for from page one. On this episode, Al Mega dives into the making of the book, the creative partnership between Tom and Jeannine, the balance between chaos and order, writing young heroes with real agency, and how the team built a brand-new mythology that feels classic, fresh, funny, and wonderfully explosive. Tune in, share the episode, and get ready because once the Ape is loose… nothing can stop him. Pre-Order Nothing Can Stop… the Ape! – Vol. 1 in Shops 07/21/2026 Now: https://papercutz.com/product/nothing-can-stop-the-ape-vol-1/ Follow Tom on: FB: Thomas Sniegoski Instagram: tsniegoski Threads: tsniegoski Twitter: @TomSniegoski Bluesky: http://bluesky.com/@tomsnig.bsky.social Website: sniegoski.com Follow Jeannine on: FB: Jeannine Thomas (Jeannine Surette Acheson) Instagram: jsuretteacheson (Jeannine Thomas) Threads: Jeannine Thomas (jsuretteacheson) Bluesky: @jsuretteacheson.bsky.social 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. 6d ago

    Joshua Spiller Talks Hello Darkness, EC Cruel Universe & more… | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Joshua Spiller is stepping into the comics spotlight with the kind of momentum every emerging creator dreams about but only earns through persistence, craft, and surviving the long haunted hallway of submissions, revisions, rejections, and creative self-belief. On this episode of Comic Crusaders, Al Mega welcomes comics writer Joshua Spiller to discuss a major breakthrough moment in his career: his first professional comics stories landing with BOOM! Studios, Oni Press/EC Comics, and Humanoids. For any writer fighting to move from "I'm working on something" to "my work is on shelves," Josh's journey is the kind of real-world creator story that hits with inspiration and honesty. Josh's story "Sweet Couple, Sick Society" appears in BOOM! Studios' Hello Darkness #21, a mystery and thriller-themed anthology issue featuring a lineup of sharp creative talent. His work also appears in EC – Cruel Universe 2 #11 from Oni Press, continuing the bold new era of EC Comics storytelling with sci-fi dread, cosmic horror, technological unease, and that classic EC reminder that humanity is often its own worst monster. The conversation dives into what it takes to write short comics that land fast and hit hard. Anthology storytelling is a unique beast. There is no room for wasted motion, no space for a slow warmup, and absolutely no mercy for flabby ideas. Every panel has to work. Every line has to carry weight. Every ending has to feel earned. Josh and Al discuss the craft behind that pressure, the joy of collaboration, the challenge of trusting artists and letterers, and how a writer learns to leave room for the visual magic that makes comics comics. They also talk about the larger comics industry, especially what it means for newer voices trying to break in today. From indie projects and UK comics roots to American publishers and upcoming work with Métal Hurlant through Humanoids, Josh represents a creator path built not on overnight success, but on endurance, curiosity, and the willingness to keep putting stories into the world until the right doors open. This is a conversation for writers, artists, comic fans, anthology lovers, horror readers, sci-fi freaks, and every creator sitting on a script wondering if the next submission could be the one. The answer is simple: keep going. The page only works if you show up. Listen to the full conversation with Joshua Spiller on Comic Crusaders and make sure to support Hello Darkness #21 from BOOM! Studios and EC – Cruel Universe 2 #11 from Oni Press/EC Comics. The next wave of comics voices is already here, and Josh Spiller is one to watch. Website: joshuaspiller.com X: @joshspiller Instagram: joshua_spiller Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share the Crusade! 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

  6. Sep 29

    Lee Loughridge & Marz. Jr. | The Adequates | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    WEPA! The Comic Crusaders Podcast is going back to school but this time, the field trip comes with half-baked superpowers, supernatural chaos, and one very serious reminder that extra credit should come with a liability waiver. On this episode, Al Mega sits down with Eisner, Ringo, and GLAAD-nominated colorist/writer Lee Loughridge and Brooklyn-raised illustrator/comic artist Marz Jr. to talk about their Comixology Originals series, The Adequates. The comic follows a group of awkward freshmen at Savannah High who gain unusual powers after a haunted field trip and soon find themselves caught between school bullies, social cliques, personal insecurities, and a demonic threat lurking much closer than expected. What makes The Adequates stand out is not just the supernatural hook—it is the emotional honesty underneath the chaos. These are not polished heroes with perfect costumes and billion-dollar headquarters. They are kids trying to survive high school, figure out who they are, and maybe save the day without completely embarrassing themselves in the process. That balance of comedy, horror, heart, and underdog superhero energy makes the series feel fresh, funny, and deeply relatable. During the interview, Lee and Marz discuss the origin of the series, the creative collaboration behind the book, the 90s flavor that shapes the world, the importance of flawed powers, the role of school cliques, and why awkward characters often become the most memorable heroes. They also dig into how comedy and horror share timing, how digital comics allow room for experimentation, and what readers can expect as The Adequates continues to unfold. If you love misfit teams, supernatural school stories, offbeat superhero concepts, 90s nostalgia, and comics that lead with personality, The Adequates deserves a spot on your reading list. Watch/listen to the full interview with Lee Loughridge and Marz Jr. on the Comic Crusaders Podcast, then go read The Adequates and support the creators bringing this wonderfully weird world to life. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZxNoT4Iv-A The Crusade Never Ends! Read The Adequates on Comixology/Amazon: https://amzn.to/49RT55S and check out Comic Crusaders' coverage and review. Follow Lee on Instagram at @leeloughridge Follow Marz on Instagram at @marzjr Visit Comixolgy at https://amzn.to/3PQGYzi Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share the Crusade! 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

  7. Sep 28

    Greg Broadmore | ONE PATH: BOOK II | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    Greg Broadmore returns to the Comic Crusaders Podcast for a deep dive into One Path Book Two: The White King, the next brutal and breathtaking chapter in the prehistoric survival epic published by Mad Cave Studios. This new volume pushes One Path deeper into a savage world where survival is law, mercy can be fatal, and hope is hunted across forests, valleys, mountains, and myth. Fleeing her tribe with a child they have condemned as cursed, One Path races toward the Towers, a mysterious destination rumored to hold life-giving treacle that may save the infant. At her side is a fierce young Runtling, and behind her is Una, her own sister, leading a relentless war-band bound by brutal tradition. But the chase becomes even more dangerous when an ancient albino T-rex known as the White King awakens. Drawn to the child's power, the White King cuts a path of ruin across the land, turning One Path's desperate escape into a mythic battle for survival. In this episode, Al Mega talks with Greg Broadmore about the evolution of One Path, the emotional and moral weight behind the story, the creation of the White King, the challenge of building a world that feels both primal and deeply sophisticated, and the years of craft required to bring this savage odyssey to life. For readers who love high-stakes graphic novels, dinosaur-driven danger, mature storytelling, and comics that refuse to play it safe, One Path Book Two: The White King is a must-watch conversation and a must-read book. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26iz8ZTw_gE Follow Greg on Social: @greg_broadmore 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

  8. Sep 23

    Chris Papst | Failure Factory | Comic Crusaders Podcast

    On this episode of the Comic Crusaders Podcast, Al Mega welcomes National Emmy-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst of Fox45 and Project Baltimore to discuss his explosive book, Failure Factory: How Baltimore City Public Schools Deprive Taxpayers and Students of a Future. After years of investigating Baltimore City Public Schools, Papst digs into one of the most disturbing education stories in America: a system with a massive budget, devastating academic outcomes, and serious questions about data, accountability, school safety, grading practices, and where the money actually goes. This conversation goes beyond Baltimore. It is a warning for parents, taxpayers, teachers, and communities across the country. How do school systems hide failure? What should parents look for? What questions should taxpayers ask? And what happens when bureaucracy becomes more important than students? Grab the book, follow the work, and get ready for a conversation that pulls no punches. YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDS9ICLH0s8 www.chrispapst.com X: https://x.com/chrispapst FB: https://www.facebook.com/chris.papst.7 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

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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