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

Art

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Episode Archive

John Layman and Taylor Esposito

Episode Number: 11

MEN OF LETTERS. This week, David and Rylend talk lettering with Eisner-winning comic writer/letterer John Layman (CHEW, Various BATMAN titles) and former DC Staff letterer Taylor Esposito. David reminisces thoughtfully about his filmic salad days, spent ghosting for a legendary exploitation director, and the group decides once and for all if Coke is, in fact, IT.

Episode download: TWB011.mp3

JOHN LAYMAN
Twitter: @themightylayman

TAYLOR ESPOSITO
Twitter: @TaylorEspo
Instagram: @TaylorEspo
Website: www.ghostglyphstudios.com

Release Date: December 16, 2020

Run Time: 1:28:03
Chris Cantwell, Ashley V. Robinson and Jason Inman

Episode Number: 10

ORIGIN STORIES. Comic book characters have origin stories, obviously... but so do comic book writers. Eisner-nominated comic scribe (DR. DOOM & IRON MAN)/HALT AND CATCH FIRE Showrunner Christopher Cantwell and Ringo-nominated JUPITER JET creators Ashley V. Robinson & Jason Inman discuss their humble beginnings, what inspired them to walk their creative walks. Also, Cantwell reveals that he once almost joined the circus (seriously), Ashley touches briefly on the time she starred in a feminine hygiene commercial, and Rylend waxes lyrically about his time spent selling Kirby vacuum cleaners door-to-door.

Episode download: TWB010.mp3

CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL
Twitter: @ifyoucantwell
Instagram: @ifyoucantwell

ASHLEY V. ROBINSON
Twitter: @AshleyVRobinson
Instagram: @seanlewis6026
Website: linktr.ee/AshleyVRobinson

JASON INMAN
Twitter: @Jawiin
Instagram: @seanlewis6026
Website: solo.to/jasoninman

Check out Jason and Ashley’s GEEK HISTORY LESSON Podcast here: https://www.geekhistorylesson.com

Release Date: December 9, 2020

Run Time: 1:30:40
Cecil Castellucci and Sean Lewis

Episode Number: 9

PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S TOYS. This week, David and Rylend are joined by Eisner Nominee Cecil Castellucci (Batgirl) and Superman of Metropolis writer Sean Lewis. The group discusses the finer points of writing iconic comic book characters. Cecil, Sean, and Rylend discover that they all have the same IP agent (whom Avallone also once had lunch with). And Rylend attempts, on air, to leap over his desk in a single bound. SPOILER: It doesn’t work out so well for him... or the desk.

Episode download: TWB009.mp3

CECIL CASTELLUCCI
Twitter: @misscecil
Instagram: @cecilseaskull
Website: cecilcastellucci.com

SEAN LEWIS
Twitter: @SeanChrisLewis
Instagram: @seanlewis6026
Website: https://www.littlearkfilms.com

Release Date: November 25, 2020

Run Time: 1:19:12
Emily Flake and Lalo Alcraz

Episode Number: 8

This week, David and Rylend are joined by New Yorker Cartoonist Emily Flake and Pulitzer Prize finalist Lalo Alcaraz (LA CUCARACHA). The group explores the often thorny intersection of comics and politics and Rylend gleefully discusses the unfettered stupidity of old white men. The episode ends abruptly, however, when Avallone realizes he’s running late for a well-earned romantic getaway with his wife at Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

The A is For Clinic Escorts Series Comic Book Emily edited is available here: https://bit.ly/AIF_ClinicEscorts

Episode download: TWB008.mp3

EMILY FLAKE
Twitter: @EmilyFlake
Instagram: @eflakeagogo
Website: https://www.emilyflake.com

LALO ACARAZ
Twitter: @laloalcaraz
Instagram: @laloalcaraz1
Website: https://laloalcaraz.com

Release Date: November 18, 2020

Run Time: 1:05:50
Matt Fraction, Stan Sakai, et al.

Episode Number: 7

Ringo Awards Riot. This week, David and Rylend are broadcasting from Baltimore Comic Con Live! The dynamic duo is joined by cornucopia of elite creators - Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), David Pepose (Spencer and Locke), Drew Edwards (Halloween Man), Troy Little (Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons and Dragons), and IDW Editor Scott Dunbier - to discuss their 2020 Ringo Award nominations. They briefly flirt with the idea of forming a competitive show choir septet, but quickly abandon the scheme once they realize they don’t have a serviceable soprano.

Episode download: TWB007.mp3

MATT FRACTION
Website: https://mattfraction.com

STAN SAKAI
Twitter: @usagiguy
Instagram: @stansakai

SCOTT DUNBIER
Twitter: @sdunbier
Instagram: @sdunbier

DAVID PEPOSE
Twitter: @peposed
Instagram: @peposed

DREW EDWARDS
Twitter: @halloweenmancom
Instagram: drew_halloween

TROY LITTLE
Twitter: @meanwhilestudio
Instagram: angoranapkin

Release Date: October 28, 2020

Run Time: 58:19
Clay Adams and David Schrader

Episode Number: 6

CREEPSHOW. This week, David and Rylend are joined by the Nightmare Theatre Anthology co-editors Clay Adams (RED XMAS) and David Schrader (BABY BADASS). With Halloween on the horizon the group talks horror... the good... the bad... the decidedly ugly (hint: it’s Schrader). Also, Rylend says “Candyman” five times while looking in a mirror and the ghost of Regis Philbin appears and sings Baby It’s Cold Outside.

Episode download: TWB006.mp3

CLAY ADAMS
Twitter: @ClaysEvilTwin/@FriedComics
Instagram: @ClaysAdamsFried/@FriedComics
Website: https://friedcomics.com

DAVID SCHRADER
Twitter: @Schraderopolis/@thebabybadass
Instagram: @Schraderopolis/@thebabybadass
Website: https://babybadass.com

Release Date: October 21, 2020

Run Time: 1:07:40
Amanda Deibert and David M. Booher

Episode Number: 5

“A plan is just a list of things that aren’t going to happen.” This week, David and Rylend are joined by He-Man/Wonder Woman scribe Amanda Deibert and Screenwriter/CANTO creator David M. Booher. The group swaps stories about wildly zig-zagging career paths, about lives lived with one foot in the film/TV puddle and the other in the comics toilet, and David takes another shot at disproving Einstein’s theory of relativity... IN SONG!

Episode download: TWB005.mp3

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

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

Produced by Chad Ramsden from Comic Corps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKT8vwPB3h8hzdKlExfyTuA

Directed by JB from Discovery Bay Comics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5JX0Ld_FI8-qmp9DH8JPw

Release Date: October 14, 2020

Run Time: 1:24:58
Lynly Forrest and Charlie Stickney

Episode Number: 4

This week, David and Rylend are joined by Scout Comics Co-Publisher Charlie Stickney (creator of WHITE ASH & THE GAME) and Hex Comix Producer/Editor Lynly Forrest. The group discuss the “creator empowerment” era of comics, the rapidly changing comic Kickstarter landscape, and despite David’s strenuous objections, Rylend challenges Rip Torn to an arm wrestling match.

Episode download: TWB004.mp3

LYNLY FORREST
Twitter: @HexComix
Instagram: @HexComix
Website: https://hexcomix.com

CHARLIE STICKNEY
Twitter: @CharlesStickney
Instagram: @whiteashcomic
Website: https://whiteashcomic.com

Produced by Chad Ramsden from Comic Corps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKT8vwPB3h8hzdKlExfyTuA

Directed by JB from Discovery Bay Comics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5JX0Ld_FI8-qmp9DH8JPw

Release Date: October 7, 2020

Run Time: 1:19:46
Brenda Hickey, Troy Little, and Richard Fairgray

Episode Number: 3

Grown-Ups and Kids’ Stuff. This week, David and Rylend are joined by a gaggle of creators - Brenda Hickey (My Little Pony), Troy Little (Rick & Morty), & Richard Fairgray (Blastosaurus) - whom have made comics for adults AND comics for children. The panel discusses what’s different, what’s the same, how you walk that line, and how nervous they typically make their publishers. Also, Richard talks A LOT about poop.

Episode download: TWB003.mp3

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

TROY LITTLE
Twitter: @meanwhilestudio
Instagram: @angoranapkin
Website: www.pegamoosepress.com

BRENDA HICKEY
Twitter: @CrazyAry
Instagram: @brenda_e_hickey
Website: brendahickeycomics.com

Produced by Chad Ramsden from Comic Corps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKT8vwPB3h8hzdKlExfyTuA

Directed by JB from Discovery Bay Comics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5JX0Ld_FI8-qmp9DH8JPw

Release Date: September 30, 2020

Run Time: 1:22:24
Kevin Eastman and Barbra Dillon

Episode Number: 2

Publisher Pow-wow. This week, David and Rylend are joined by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator/Heavy Metal Magazine Publisher Kevin Eastman and Fanbase Press EIC Barbra Dillon. The group discuss the rapidly changing comics publishing landscape, David tells a few amazing Andy Sidaris stories, and Kevin refers to Rylend as “Leland” for most of the episode.

Episode download: TWB002.mp3

KEVIN EASTMAN
Twitter: @kevineastman86
Instagram: @kevineastmantmnt
Website: https://fan.kevineastmanstudios.com

BARBRA DILLON
Twitter: @barbrajdillon/@Fanbase_Press
Instagram: @barbrajdillon/@fanbasepress
Website: http://fanbasepress.com

Produced by Chad Ramsden from Comic Corps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKT8vwPB3h8hzdKlExfyTuA

Directed by JB from Discovery Bay Comics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5JX0Ld_FI8-qmp9DH8JPw

Release Date: September 23, 2020

Run Time: 1:22:50
State of the Union, with David F. Walker and Erica Schultz

Episode Number: 1

David and Rylend are joined by Eisner-nominated writer David F. Walker (BITTER ROOT, NAOMI) and Ringo Award-nominated writer Erica Schultz (DAREDEVIL, FORGOTTEN HOME). The group explores the new comic “normal” in the time of COVID, David does not one, but TWO acappella renditions of Ave Maria, and WAY too much time is spent appreciating Erica’s absurdly luxurious hair.

Episode download: TWB001.mp3

DAVID F. WALKER
Twitter: @DavidWalker1201
Instagram: @mofoman68
Website: davidfwalker.com

ERICA SCHULTZ
Twitter: @EricaSchultz42
Instagram: @ericaschultzwrites
Website: ericaschultzwrites.com

Release Date: September 9, 2020

Run Time: 1:03:00

Main menu

The Writers Block

Episode Archive

John Layman and Taylor Esposito

Chris Cantwell, Ashley V. Robinson and Jason Inman

Cecil Castellucci and Sean Lewis

Emily Flake and Lalo Alcraz

Matt Fraction, Stan Sakai, et al.

Clay Adams and David Schrader

Amanda Deibert and David M. Booher

Lynly Forrest and Charlie Stickney

Brenda Hickey, Troy Little, and Richard Fairgray

Kevin Eastman and Barbra Dillon

State of the Union, with David F. Walker and Erica Schultz

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