The Short Box Podcast: A Comic Book Talk Show

Another January means another annual trip to visit the big homie, Walt. We hit the ground running so fast this episode, that we didn't even have time to record a proper intro. We talked about a bit of everything, including Walt's pull-list, Ryan Coogler's original script for Black Panther 2, things we'd change about digital comics, Todd McFarlane and Jim Lee's legacy, Avenger's: Doomsday, and we defend...

World renowned comic writer, Jim Zub (Avengers, Conan, Skullkickers), joins the show for a conversation that really covers it all. Jim talks about writing the flagship Conan comic series for Titan Comics, working with rising comic artist Roberto de la Torre, Robert E. Howard's legacy, Dungeons & Dragons, and the power of storytelling, working at Udon with Capcom, and he also shares a heartfelt story about attending GenCon ...

Ben and I continue our annual tradition of recapping the best comics of the year with a special 2025 farewell episode, recorded live from Gotham City limit comic shop. We answer some fan mail questions, and talk about the comics, creators, and trends that made this a great year for comic fans, and the things we're excited about for 2026. 

Some of Ben's comic picks:

• Sisterhood: A Hyde Street Story
• Cheetah & Cheshire R...

Aaron Hazouri (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Toaster Guy, NECA) returns to the show after almost 12 yrs since his first appearance on the podcast! He's back to talk about his new career as a concept artist and illustrator for NECA toys, doing production art for their TMNT line of figures and collectibles, meeting Kevin Eastman, working on Sesame Street, and talks about his upcoming in-person signing at Black Cat comics this Sa...

This episode was recorded at Gotham City Limit comic shop, last month, where superstar comic-cover-artist, Aaron Bartling was celebrating the release of his Final Boss shop exclusive variant. Aaron was kind enough to chat with me about his life and career, working in the Death metal scene with bands like Impending Doom, his creative process and favorite tools of the trade, advice for new artists, and discussed the cover that put hi...

Comic writer Torunn Grønbekk (Catwoman, Carnage, Thor) joins the show to talk about her new ongoing comic series: The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town, and explains how she broke into the comic industry, Co-writing Thor with Jason Aaron, and explains what life is like for a comic writer living in Norway. 

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube, here 

LINKS: 

• Buy official Short Box Merch: HERE
• Joi...

This episode was originally released in September 2023, as Ep. 401 

Brian Wiedman a Comic Book Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions, joins the show for episode #401, to talk about the busy life of a comic auctioneer, setting a world record for the highest Batman comic ever sold, and gives a tour of some rare comics and original artwork that will be going up for auction in the Comic & Comic Art Signature Auction #7341 
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This episode was originally released in May 2024, as Ep. 427 

Sanford Greene joins the show to talk about his new Marvel comic: Doom #1, a passion project and love letter to Marvel's top super villain and monarch. Sanford also talks about the comic scene in the Carolinas, his early career, finding influence from MF DOOM's music, co-writing with Jonathan Hickman, and what makes Dr. Doom one of the best characters of all tim...

Rapper, producer, and comic writer: Esoteric (of 7LES & Czarface) is on the show to talk about all things comic books and hip-hop. Eso breaks down the origin of Czarface and the group’s comic book influences, his writing/ creative process, fatherhood, working with LaMour Supreme, MF DOOM and Ghostface, meeting comic book royalty like Todd McFarlane, his friendship with Tom Hardy (and Frankie Pulitzer), and talks about his new C...

DSTLRY founders and Comixology pioneers, David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, are on the show to talk about their new digital comics platform: Neon Ichiban, and what comic fans can expect from the digital storefront and their patent-pending feature: Neon Ichiban Remarques. David and Chip also settle the digital collectibles vs NFT debate, reflect on the golden years of Comixology, champion creator rights and equity, and discuss what ...

Stephanie Williams (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Spider-Verse Unlimited) joins the show to talk about how she went from working in biomedical science, to being Twitter famous, to landing a job at Marvel and DC as a professional comic writer. We also discuss internet fame, writing the new Street Shark series for IDW, Dwayne McDuffie, the lucrative world of promotional comics, her Top 5 favorite comic st...

Two short interviews in one episode, both recorded at New York Comic Con:

First up, is a conversation with Aub Driver (Head of Marketing, IDW Publishing) and Gregg Katzman (Sr. Publicity Manager, IDW Publishing) about the state of IDW, what goes into marketing comics, the creative teams on the publisher, and they share a preview into what IDW has planned for the future

The second interview is a NYCC Day 2 recap featuring my wife, Bly...

LIVE FROM NEW YORK COMIC CON: Four of the best comic podcasts come together to record a live show! Join the hosts of The Short Box Podcast, Comic Book Couples Counseling, The Oblivion Bar, and Off Panel for a fun crossover episode celebrating our dirty comic secrets, podcast tips & tricks, comic book hot takes, and listen to the panel answer questions from the audience!

Watch the video version of this episode: HERE 

LINKS: 

• Bu...

This episode was originally released on Patreon last month, but now everyone gets to hear it!

This episode (S.F.P. Ep. 33 for those keeping count) was recorded just a few hours before Drew left for Denver! We were inspired by a recent fan mail to get one more recording done before Drew took off (shout-out T Mixx!). In this episode, we talk about everything from K-Pop Demon Hunters, the Deadpool/ Batman crossover, Denver recommendati...

Professional comic book enthusiast and talk show host, Coy Jandreau, joins the Short Box to talk about working on shows like DC Studios Showcase, and hosting the DC High Volume: Batman podcast. Coy also reveals that he reads about 70 comic books a week! Which prompts a deep dive into some of his favorite comics and a discussion about the Deadpool/ Batman crossover. We also discuss what it's like recommending comics to celebrit...

This episode was originally released in April 2022, as Ep. 356

Jordan Blanco is the creator of the ultimate social network for comic book fans: League of Comic Geeks. The platform helps collectors discover and discuss comics, organize their collections, and more. Jordan talks with me about the origin of the League, and how he's helping improve the comic experience for readers, retailers, and comic creators around the world.

Read...

This episode was originally intended to be a Patreon exclusive episode, but it's been a while since Cesar joined the show, so here it is for everyone to enjoy!

Cesar and I made a day trip to visit Cosmic Comics' new location, and hopped on the mics afterwards to talk about the comics we picked up (check out pictures of the haul, HERE). We also discussed our shared love of all things Moebius and Heavy Metal, Kickstarter cam...

Hoopla gives readers free access to THOUSANDS of digital comics, manga, and graphic novels from publishers like Marvel, DC, Image, and more—all with just a library card. Catherine Zappa, VP of Digital Acquisition at Hoopla Digital, joins the show to share how comics make it onto the platform, the latest in digital reading trends, new features like manga support, and Hoopla’s mission to empower public libraries. 

Watch the uncut vide...

Six-time New York Times bestselling comics' writer, novelist, and playwright: Fred Van Lente, joins the show to talk about Jack Kirby, writing educational comics like Action Philosophers, the success of the YA graphic novel market, writing Archer & Armstrong, Marvel Zombies, Incredible Hercules, getting his own holiday (Fred Van Lente Day), and talks about his new noir-meets-zombies comic series for Dynamite Entertainment:...