The Writers Block

A weekly post-con-style roundtable romp with some of the most outspoken (yet still employed) creators in comics. Show biz war stories. State of the comic union. Furious debates over ‘80s televisions shows. Great lobster bisque recipes. Something for everybody.

We have voluntarily self-rated this production as PG-13. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Listen to the preview trailer!

Also available on YouTube if you'd prefer to see everyone's lovely faces!

About The Show

YOUR HOSTS:

DAVID AVALLONE
David has kicked around Hollywood for over thirty years and still has some of his sanity left. In 2014, after a long career spent mostly in indie films, he started writing comics. He's mostly known for writing pulp heroes like VAMPIRELLA, THE SHADOW, DOC SAVAGE, ZORRO and creating kick-ass comic adventures for real world icons BETTIE PAGE and ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. He's particularly proud of his original comics, DRAWING BLOOD and RADICALLY REARRANGED RONIN RAGDOLLS, co-created with some nobody named Kevin (coughTMNTcough) Eastman. He is the second best-dresssed man in comics, which might be a pretty low bar.
Twitter: @DAvallone
Instagram: @DavidAvalloneFreelance
Website: davidavallonefreelance.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EEiRzf
Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/David-Avallone/comics-creator/42762

RYLEND GRANT
Rylend has been a working screenwriter in Hollywood for 15 years, developing film and television projects with folks like JJ Abrams, Ridley Scott, Luc Besson, John Woo, Justin Lin, and F. Gary Gray. He is the Ringo Award-winning creator of comic books like ABERRANT, BANJAX, THE JUMP, and THE PEACEKEEPERS. He is an ordained Soto Zen Buddhist monk in the lineage of Brad Warner and Gudo Nishijima. He once taught Mike Tyson how to meditate.
Twitter: @rylendgrant
Instagram: @rylendgrant
Linktree: linktr.ee/rylendgrant
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hNfXWY
Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/Rylend-Grant/comics-creator/176093

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Episode Archive

Dave Dwonch

Episode Number: 111

Rylend and David chat with Jenny Zero writer Dave Dwonch about what makes a contract “good” and what traditional comic publishers may or may not have to offer creators these days. Also… Rylend and Dave kind of finally talk about the thing that everyone has really wanted them to talk about for a long while but maybe haven’t quite until now.

Episode download: TWB111.mp3

DAVE DWONCH
Twitter: @davedwonch
Instagram: @davedwonch
Website: linktr.ee/OutOfMyMind

Release Date: June 26, 2024

Run Time: 1:30:25
Chris Ryall

Episode Number: 110

Rylend and David intended to have one of their standard “state of the comic union” discussions with Syzygy Publishing co-founder Chris Ryall, but - as happens with great guests - ended up with something much more fun, layered, and nuanced in the end. Special appearances by Cassandra Peterson, Syd Field, and Tyrese and Ludacris.

Episode download: TWB110.mp3

CHRIS RYALL
Twitter: @chris_ryall
Instagram: @chris_ryall
Website: worldofsyzygy.com
Website: chrisryall.substack.com

Release Date: June 19. 2024

Run Time: 1:16:53
Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum

Episode Number: 109

Rylend and David talk with Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. creators/showrunners Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum about their MINOR THREATS comic book universe… Patton and Rylend get through the broadcast - despite being woefully under the weather - by pounding gogol mogol and judiciously using the mute button.

Episode download: TWB109.mp3

PATTON OSWALT
Twitter: @pattonoswalt
Instagram: @pattonoswalt
Website: pattonoswalt.com

JORDAN BLUM
Twitter: @BlumJordan
Instagram: @BlumJordan

Release Date: June 12, 2024

Run Time: 1:02:16
Kickstarter State of the Union

Episode Number: 108

Rylend and David talk with Kickstarter mainstays Charlie Stickney (WHITE ASH COMICS), Richard Fairgray (THE EX-WIVES OF FRANKENSTEIN), and Steven Prince (MONSTER MATADOR) about the current state of the platform’s union… and after spending an 90-minutes admiring David and Richard’s rather prominent cookie dusters, Rylend seriously considers growing a mustache.

Episode download: TWB108.mp3

RICHARD FAIRGRAY
Twitter: @RichardFairgray
Instagram: @richardfairgrayauthor
Website: richardfairgray.com

CHARLIE STICKNEY
Twitter: @charlesstickney
Instagram: @whiteashcomics
Website: whiteashcomic.com

STEVEN PRINCE
Twitter: @monstermatador
Instagram: @monstermatador

Release Date: June 5, 2024

Run Time: 1:35:07
Rich Douek

Episode Number: 107

Rylend and David talk with Bram Stoker Award-nominated comic writer Rich Douek (HEARTPIERCER, MECHAGODZILLA) about the topsy-turvy state of publishing in the wake of the pandemic/the writer’s strike/the streaming collapse/et al… and after a short, cryptic rant about some time spent with Director Simon West years back, Rylend leaves mid-show to watch a CON AIR/THE ROCK double feature.

Episode download: TWB107.mp3

RICH DOUEK
Twitter: @rdouek
Instagram: @rdouek
Website: linktr.ee/rdouek

Release Date: May 29, 2024

Run Time: 1:17:15
Comic Book Law with Gamal Hennessy

Episode Number: 106

Rylend and David talk with comic book attorney and business consultant Gamal Hennessy about incorporation and the ins and outs of creator contracts.

Episode download: TWB106.mp3

GAMAL HENNESSY
Twitter: @gamalhennessy
Instagram: @gamalhennessy
Website: creativecontractconsulting.com

Release Date: April 24, 2024

Run Time: 59:55
Working in Comics and Film Panel from WonderCon

Episode Number: 105

Live from WonderCon ’24, David and Rylend chat with Rob Kutner (Snot Goblins, Scott Lang: Look Out for the Little Guy, Conan O’Brien) and Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Masters of the Universe: Revolution) about their experiences working professionally in both film/TV and comics.

Episode download: TWB105.mp3

ROB KUTNER
Twitter: @ApocalypseHow
Instagram: @robkutner
Website: robkutner.com

TIM SHERIDAN
Instagram: @ilovetimsheridan
Website: timsheridan.com

Release Date: April 17, 2024

Run Time: 47:03
Where’s the Front Door? Panel from WonderCon

Episode Number: 104

Live from WonderCon ’24, David and Rylend chat with a gang of seasoned comic professionals - David Booher (CANTO), David Pepose (PUNISHER), and Jessica Maison (MARY SHELLY’S SCHOOL FOR MONSTERS) - about how they broke into comics.

Episode download: TWB104.mp3

DAVID M. BOOHER
Twitter: @davidbooher
Instagram: @davidmbooher
Website: https://davidbooher.com

DAVID PEPOSE
Twitter: @Peposed
Instagram: @Peposed
Website: linktr.ee/peposed

JESSICA MAISON
Twitter: @jessistarjudd
Instagram: @dandelion451
Website: substack.com/@jessicamaison
Website: wickedtreepress.com

Release Date: April 10, 2024

Run Time: 50:13
Jessica Maison

Episode Number: 103

David and Rylend chat with author/comic creator Jessica Maison (MARY SHELLY’S SCHOOL FOR MONSTERS) about their shared film business roots, strategies for communicating effectively with collaborators, and the looming AI threat.

Episode download: TWB103.mp3

JESSICA MAISON
Twitter: @jessistarjudd
Instagram: @dandelion451
Website: substack.com/@jessicamaison
Website: wickedtreepress.com

Release Date: December 13, 2023

Run Time: 1:19:48
Tim Sheridan

Episode Number: 102

David and Rylend sit down with comic/TV/animation writer Tim Sheridan to discuss matters of love and hate, the dangers of tribalism, the mysterious ethnicity of Kahn Noonien Sigh, and to examine his recent masterwork ALAN SCOTT: THE GREEN LANTERN.

Episode download: TWB102.mp3

TIM SHERIDAN
Twitter: @iamtimsheridan
Instagram: @ilovetimsheridan
Website: timsheridan.com

Release Date: December 6, 2023

Run Time: 1:37:05
Kevin Grevioux

Episode Number: 101

David and Rylend chop it up with old friend Kevin Grevioux… writer/creator of the UNDERWORLD movies, iFrankenstein, the Blue Marvel, and director of the recent Frank Grillo action hit KING OF KILLERS.

Episode download: TWB101.mp3

KEVIN GREVIOUX
Twitter: @KevinGrevioux
Instagram: @KevinGrevioux
Website: darkstormcomics.com

Release Date: November 29, 2023

Run Time: 1:32:22
100th Episode Spectacular

Episode Number: 100

David and Rylend celebrate their 100th episode milestone with a raucous conversation with dear friends/all star guests Barbra Dillion, Richard Fairgray, Charlie Stickney, Amanda Deibert, and Ray Anthony Height.

Episode download: TWB100.mp3

RAY ANTHONY HEIGHT
Instagram: @artofraheight
Website: www.studioskyetiger.com

RICHARD FAIRGRAY
Twitter: @RichardFairgray
Instagram: @richardfairgrayauthor
Website: richardfairgray.com

AMANDA DEIBERT
Twitter: @amandadeibert
Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial
Website: https://amandadeibert.com

CHARLIE STICKNEY
Twitter: @charlesstickney
Instagram: @whiteashcomics
Website: whiteashcomic.com

BARBRA DILLON
Twitter: @barbrajdillon
Instagram: @barbrajdillon

FANBASE PRESS
Twitter: @Fanbase_Press
Instagram: @fanbasepress
Website: fanbasepress.com

Release Date: October 11, 2023

Run Time: 1:59:34
Preeti Chibber

Episode Number: 99

David and Rylend sit down with author Preeti Chibber to explore the many interrelations of the book and comic comic book businesses and to discuss her latest Marvel YA novel SPIDER-MAN’S BAD CONNECTION. Rylend also slips into a deep meditative trance and takes the group on a magic carpet ride through something he calls the “Elmore Leonardverse.”

Episode download: TWB099.mp3

PREETI CHIBBER
Twitter: @runwithskizzers
Instagram: @runwithskizzers
Website: preetichhibber.com

Release Date: October 4, 2023

Run Time: 1:29:10
Rob Kutner

Episode Number: 98

David and Rylend sit down with Late night writer (CONAN, Daily Show)-turned-animation writer/author Rob Kutner to talk about how working in comics can and will affect your film/TV writing (and vice versa)… and after threatening to do it for 97 episodes, the guys actually spend way too much time arguing about Star Trek.

Episode download: TWB098.mp3

ROB KUTNER
Twitter: @ApocalypseHow
Instagram: @robkutner
Website: robkutner.com

Pre-order SNOT GOBLINS & OTHER TASTELESS TALES: http://bit.ly/3DpKZlE

Release Date: August 2, 2023

Run Time: 1:20:18
Tilly Bridges

Episode Number: 97

David and Rylend gleefully take the red pill, stay in Wonderland, and Tilly Bridges - author of the incredible new book Begin Transmission: The trans allegories of The Matrix - shows them how deep the rabbit hole goes. Luckily, Rylend knows Kung fu.

Episode download: TWB097.mp3

TILLY BRIDGES
Twitter: @TillyBridges
Instagram: @heckyeahtillybridges
Website: http://birdguest.com
Website: http://tillystranstuesdays.com

Grab Begin Transmission: The trans allegories of The Matrix on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Begin-Transmission-trans-allegories-Matrix/dp/B0BY2FCSVX/

Release Date: July 26, 2023

Run Time: 1:36:45
Moni Barrette

Episode Number: 96

David and Rylend chat with librarian/Creators Assemble Co-Founder Moni Barrette about the wonder that is the public library, the value of comics and pop culture as teaching/literacy tools, and the group colorfully and enthusiastically tells book burners to go ‘F’ themselves.

Episode download: TWB096.mp3

MONI BARRETTE
Twitter: @MoniBarre
Instagram: @MoniBarre

CREATORS ASEMBLE
Twitter: @CreatorsAssemb
Instagram: @CreatorsAssemb
Website: https://www.creatorsassemble.org

OTHER LINKS
The Fight Against Book Bans: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/fight-against-book-bans-9781440879760/
CA! on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creatorsassemble

Release Date: July 19, 2023

Run Time: 1:24:08
Josh Miller

Episode Number: 95

David and Rylend chat with screenwriter Josh Miller (Violent Night, Sonic the Hedgehog) about Roger Corman, Andy Sidaris, Lloyd Kauffman, and about what it really takes to hang in the often onerous Hollywood game for 20+ years… and Rylend and Josh gleefully reminisce about the time they spent together at Steven Seagal concerts back in the aughts… yes, CONCERTS… Steven Seagal actually put out a few blues albums back then… we’re serious… look it up.

Episode download: TWB095.mp3

JOSH MILLER
Twitter: @JoshMillerLite
Instagram: @josh_s_miller

Best Movies Never Made
Twitter: @NeverMadeFilm
Instagram: @bestmoviesnevermade
Website: anchor.fm/never-made

Release Date: July 12, 2023

Run Time: 1:46:33
Richard Fairgray

Episode Number: 94

David and Rylend chat with cartoonist Richard Fairgray about love, hate, social and political turmoil, and his new Fanbase Press release FOUR-COLOR HEROES. Also, Rylend talks WWWAAAYYY too much about Dominic Toretto (what the hell else is new?) and David works through his rather significant issues with THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL.

Episode download: TWB094.mp3

RICHARD FAIRGRAY
Twitter: @RichardFairgray
Instagram: @richardfairgrayauthor
Website: richardfairgray.com

Release Date: June 28, 2023

Run Time: 1:53:58
WGA Strike with Susan Hurwitz-Arneson

Episode Number: 93

David and Rylend get another frontline report on the WGA Strike from TV pro and Sony AM picket captain Susan Hurwitz-Arneson (Preacher, The Tick). The crew talks writers rooms, strike culture, and how to combine errands with picketing.

Episode download: TWB093.mp3

SUSAN HURWITZ-ARNESON
Twitter: @batdorkgirl
Instagram: @susanhurwitzarneson
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2409134/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Release Date: June 21, 2023

Run Time: 1:11:07
Andrew Pepoy

Episode Number: 92

David and Rylend sit down with Simone and Ajax creator Andrew Pepoy to talk cartooning, comic strips, and librarial influences… and the guys have an exceedingly hard time deciding what to purchase from this month’s Scholastic “book order.”

Episode download: TWB092.mp3

ANDREW PEPOY
Twitter: @andrewpepoy
Instagram: @andrewpepoy
Website: pepoy.com

Release Date: June 14, 2023

Run Time: 1:09:30
The Writers Strike with Christopher Cantwell

Episode Number: 91

David and Rylend sit down with HALT AND CATCH FIRE co-creator/showrunner Christopher Cantwell to delve deep into the philosophical and psychological ramifications of the current Writers Guild strike.

Episode download: TWB091.mp3

CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL
Twitter: @ifyoucantwell
Instagram: @ifyoucantwell

Release Date: June 7, 2023

Run Time: 1:34:22
The Writers Strike with Melody Cooper

Episode Number: 90

David and Rylend sit down with film/TV/comics writer Melody Cooper to discuss the complicated ins and outs of the current Writers Guild strike, to hash out where AI might be headed (from an art/writing standpoint), and to seriously examine whether or not Dr. Dre started this whole mess when he helped create digital Tupac back in 2012.

Episode download: TWB090.mp3

MELODY COOPER
Twitter: @melodyMcooper
Instagram: @melodycooperfilm
Website: melodyMcooper.com

Release Date: May 24, 2023

Run Time: 1:43:23
Ray-Anthony Height

Episode Number: 89

David and Rylend sit down with one of their absolute favorite people in the creatorverse - Ray-Anthony Height (MIDNIGHT TIGER, STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA) - to discuss what a writer can, should, and necessarily must pour into a story emotionally, philosophically, and experientially… they also talk about ROAD HOUSE a lot, you know, because it’s freakin’ INCREDIBLE?

Episode download: TWB089.mp3

RAY-ANTHONY HEIGHT
Facebook: Studio Skye-Tiger: Home of Ray-Anthony Height

Release Date: May 3, 2023

Run Time: 1:32:26
Derek McCaw and Bearded Comic Bro

Episode Number: 88

David and Rylend sit down with Derek McCaw (Fanboy Planet) and the Bearded Comic Bro for part 2 in their “covering comics” discussion series… More on interviewing creators and writing reviews… and much more of Rylend telling people to go “F” themselves.

Episode download: TWB088.mp3

DEREK MCCAW
Twitter: @FanboyPlanet
Instagram: @FanboyPlanet
Website: fanboyplanet.com

BEARDED COMIC BRO
Twitter: @beardedcomicbro
Instagram: @beardedcomicbro
YouTube: https://t.co/G5eZk2XOcP

Release Date: April 26, 2023

Run Time: 1:16:56
Blake Morgan and Brian Wayne

Episode Number: 87

David and Rylend sit down with Blake Morgan (Blake’s Buzz) and Brian Wayne (Cheers to Comics) to talk the ins and outs, the highs and lows of covering comics… interviewing creators, writing reviews, knocking heads with idiots in hate groups. Oh yeah… and Rylend tells, like, A BUNCH of people to go “F” themselves.

Episode download: TWB087.mp3

BLAKE MORAGAN
Twitter: @blakesbuzz
Instagram: @blakesbuzz
Patreon: http://patreon.com/blakesbuzz
Website: drum.io/blakesbuzz

BRIAN WAYNE
Twitter: @cheerstocomics
Instagram: @cheerstocomics
Website: linktr.ee/cheerstocomics

Release Date: April 19, 2023

Run Time: 1:43:08

Main menu

The Writers Block

Episode Archive

Dave Dwonch

Chris Ryall

Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum

Kickstarter State of the Union

Rich Douek

Comic Book Law with Gamal Hennessy

Working in Comics and Film Panel from WonderCon

Where’s the Front Door? Panel from WonderCon

Jessica Maison

Tim Sheridan

Kevin Grevioux

100th Episode Spectacular

Preeti Chibber

Rob Kutner

Tilly Bridges

Moni Barrette

Josh Miller

Richard Fairgray

WGA Strike with Susan Hurwitz-Arneson

Andrew Pepoy

The Writers Strike with Christopher Cantwell

The Writers Strike with Melody Cooper

Ray-Anthony Height

Derek McCaw and Bearded Comic Bro

Blake Morgan and Brian Wayne

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