Welcome to PopCultHQ & PodCultHQ‘s
exclusive spotlight “Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?”
Welcome to PopCultHQ (@PopCultHQ on socials) & PodCultHQ (@PodCultHQ on socials)’s exclusive spotlight “Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?” – a feature where we interview people in the comic book industry who are making an impact with what they created above and beyond just making comics.
For the sixth episode of “Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?,” staff writer/chief editor Jason Bennett (@TahoeJBennett on socials) spoke with writer, editor, and publisher Dave Franchini. The creator, known for his work across a variety of titles at Zenescope Entertainment, has launched his own publishing label, Weird Brain Entertainment – publishing comic books to ensure that stories stay fun and ideas stay weird.
Head over to the Weird Brain Entertainment website to Subscribe to the publisher’s Substack and be sure to Follow on Kickstarter so you’ll know when more projects are coming down the pipeline.
The intial offering from Dave’s publishing company is SVEN THE GROUNDHOG: Savior From the Stars #1. The series debut was successfully funded on Kickstarter in March of 2025. Take a look at this wild story!
SVEN THE GROUNDHOG: SAVIOR FROM THE STARS #1 is a full 48-page, color comic book with 48 pages of story! This is the first issue of a new 4-issue comic book series meant for teen readers with some mature themes featuring the first appearance of the first ever space groundhog you need to know more about–Sven! And did we mention the first issue is 48 pages of story! If not(we did), it is(we promise) and it’s one you can’t miss out on(we hope!)!
From the very, probably too weird, mind of Dave Franchini (Zenescope Entertainment’s Belle: Beast Hunter, Cinderella: Serial Killer Princess, & Grimm Fairy Tales) comes a new story, from a new publisher(created by Dave himself winky face) that is sure to test the sane confines of the universe and all the imagination within it.
Sven is a groundhog, he’s from space and he’s here to save us, or at least that’s what the title implies. But when Sven’s first encounter with humans is the not-so-sober Sarah…and her car, things don’t really go as planned. And what comes next you will need to read to believe!
Drawn and colored by the amazing Matteo Leoni, and lettered by the phenomenal Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios–This action-adventure, sci-fi story packed full of strange and lovable characters, monstrous fungi and mysterious tuxedo’d men from the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania — really earns it’s spot as the first published comic from new publisher, WEIRD BRAIN ENTERTAINMENT!
Time to listen to the interview!
“Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?” – Ep. 6 w/ Dave Franchini
Special thanks to Dave Franchini for sitting down with us at PopCultHQ/PodCultHQ and sharing what he’s doin’ in comics. Be sure to follow Dave & Weird Brain Entertainment on social media (links below).
Thanks for listening and watch for our next episode spotlighting C. Edward Sellner of Visionary Comics!
If you are doin’ something in comics and would like to appear on our podcast, hit us up via email: tahoejbennett@popculthq.com.
About Dave Franchini: Dave Franchini is best known for his writing and editing at Zenescope Entertainment. He also served as Zenescope’s publisher for over three and a half years. He recently decided to fulfill a dream of his and establish his own publishing company – Weird Brain Entertainment. His debut launch at Weird Brain was the successfully-funded SVEN THE GROUNDHOG: Savior From the Stars #1 – the 48-page first issue of a new 4-issue comic book series meant for teen readers with some mature themes.
About Weird Brain Entertainment:
Weird Brain Entertainment is the publishing outlet for the strangest things that comic book creator Dave Franchini’s mind can come up with. Filled with genres ranging from comedy, action, adventure and horror–as well as content suitable from all-ages to mature–there’s no limit to the weirdness of these character-driven stories and collectible comic covers!.
About PodCultHQ:
PodCultHQ is PopCultHQ’s official podcast. Maintained & managed by Jason Bennett, PodCultHQ is a feature-filled, ear candy of content highlighting the comic book, cosplay, and convention communities.
You can expect exclusive interviews with comic book creators, previous video features returning in audio format (“Pants Optional” Zoom interviews), crowdfunding promotions (“Just Kickin’ It!“), a deeper dive into the comic book world (“Industry Insider“), unpublished material finally seeing the light of day (“From the Vault“), plus so much more. And, of course, idle chatter.
And be on the lookout for some new, fun & exciting, outside-the-box shows, including a talk show, a weekend wrapup broadcast, and an amateur rap competition for comic creators where you, the fans, can vote for your favorite each week through our toll-free number! Crazy, right? Yeah, we question our sanity a lot of times. Every now and then, it replies.
Celebrate your fandom with us… audibly!
About Jason Bennett:
Jason Bennett (@TahoeJBennett) is a contributing writer & the chief editor for PopCultHQ. As a team member since PopCultHQ’s inception in February of 2015, Jason has written over 11,000 articles covering all aspects of pop culture. He established relationships with many of the comic book publishers with whom we work on a regular basis. Whether sharing news from the comic book industry, conducting spoiler-free reviews, interviewing creators, or working with publicity reps, he is dedicated in promoting those within the comic book scene, giving people a platform to share their projects, as well as always seeking to find ways in which PopCultHQ can grow and improve. Jason also attends comic conventions, representing PopCultHQ as a member of the press, and can often be seen at conventions up and down the west coast.
