Episode 139 – The Sandman: A Game of You

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

(Explicit warning: A couple of swear words are used.) In this episode, Myth Takes, our series on comics and mythology and folklore, continues with The Sandman: A Game of You, collecting issues 32-37 of The Sandman, published by DC/Vertigo Comics!

Atlanta actress and friend of the show Jennifer Lee returns for a lively discussion that goes deep into Sandman lore as we get into this 30-year-old story arc that offers an incredibly timely take on the issue of trans identity.

Can Barbie save the Land, her childhood dreamscape, from the sinister forces of the Cuckoo? And can this moving tale of growing up and moving on unlock the door to that fabled Barbie Dreamhouse known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 138 – Fables: Animal Farm

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, we follow up the anthropomorphic samurai of Usagi Yojimbo with a menagerie of talking animals as Myth Takes, our miniseries on comics and mythology, takes a slight detour into fairy tale territory with a discussion of Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm, published by Vertigo/DC Comics!

In Bill Willingham’s long-running series Fables, the characters from all your favorite childhood tales have been driven from their homes by the mysterious Adversary and are living under the radar in New York. But when the Farm—home of the animal Fables—is rocked by the vicious murder of one of the Three Little Pigs, tensions between human and non-human Fables threatens to escalate into deadly political revolution!

Can Snow White defeat the militant Goldilocks—not to mention her own sister Rose Red—and prevent a bloody civil war? And can this tale as old as time win entry into that Happily Ever After known as … The Comics Canon?

Discussed in This Episode:

  • Myths and folklore in popular culture
  • Raunchy versions of children’s stories
  • Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
  • The Personal History of David Copperfield
  • Shelly Bond’s Filth & Grammar Kickstarter campaign
  • Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
  • Savage Avengers
  • Some thoughts on She-Hulk

Join us in two weeks as we kick off a Sandman two-parter with a look at A Game of You!

Until then:
Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise!
Rate us on Apple Podcasts!
Send us an email!
Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!

And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 137 – Usagi Yojimbo: Grasscutter

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Myth Takes, our miniseries on comics and mythology, continues with a look at Stan Sakai’s Eisner Award-winning Grasscutter saga from Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 3, issues #13-22, published by Dark Horse Comics!

Usagi Yojimbo, Sakai’s long-running series featuring rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi, draws from Japanese history and folklore to create a fully realized world populated by anthropomorphic rabbits, cats, bears and other animals, all rendered in Sakai’s detailed yet accessible art style.

Can Usagi keep Grasscutter, the legendary sword of the gods, out of the hands of a shadowy cabal—and survive an encounter with his mysterious nemesis, the sinister and murderous wolf Jei? And can he and his friends find safe passage to that Hidden Fortress of comic-book epics known as … The Comics Canon?

Discussed in This Episode:

  • Runaways (the Usagi story, not the Marvel comic)
  • The Hidden Fortress
  • Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits
  • Groo the Wanderer
  • Space Usagi and Senso from The Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends
  • Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles

Join us in two weeks as we discuss Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm!

Until then:
Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise!
Rate us on Apple Podcasts!
Send us an email!
Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!

And as always, thanks for listening!

Listen Now

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Episode 136 – Journey Into Mystery: Fear Itself

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Myth Takes, our miniseries on comics and mythology, continues with a discussion of everyone’s favorite teenage God of Chaos, Kid Loki, in Journey Into Mystery: Fear Itself (specifically, Journey Into Mystery issues #622-626 and #628-629) by Keiron Gillen, Doug Braithwaite and Whilce Portacio, published by Marvel Comics!

When Cul the Serpent, God of Fear and brother of Odin the All-Father, threatens the Nine Realms in the 2011 crossover event Fear Itself, a newly reincarnated Loki sets out to prevent another Ragnarok. Using all his trademark cunning and guile, the godling must assemble a ragtag team of companions to help him in his quest—even though doing the right thing comes at a terrible personal cost!

Can the teen trickster save the world for once, rather than destroy it? And can he cross the rainbow bridge to that hallowed hall of heroic tales known as … The Comics Canon?

(Programming note: The god of mischief bedeviled us with some odd Zoom-related glitches for the first few minutes; things get better just after the 13-minute mark.)

In This Episode
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Episode 135 – Wonder Woman (2011) Vol. 1: Blood

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, we kick off Myth Takes, a miniseries on the intersection of comics and mythology, with a book in which an A-list superhero gets a mythological upgrade: Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood, by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang, published by DC Comics!

This companion piece of sorts to our previous Wonder Woman episode explores the character’s reboot as part of the 2011 New 52 relaunch of DC titles—a reboot that takes the Greek mythology that’s always been a part of her world and moves it front and center by revealing her to be the daughter of Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon!

Can Diana navigate her new family (and some less-than-ideal tropes) while protecting her human friend Zola from the wrath of Hera? And can she scale that Mount Olympus of comic-book epics known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:
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Episode 134 – Doonesbury: The Long Road Home and The War Within

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Content warning: Depictions of wartime violence and PTSD symptoms are discussed.

In this episode, we discuss one of the most acclaimed storylines from the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip Doonesbury, as collected in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time and The War Within: One More Step at a Time, published by Andrews McMeel!

These strips follow the physical and emotional ordeal of long-running character B.D., who loses his leg (and his signature helmet) while serving in the Iraq War. After undergoing painful physical therapy and receiving a new prosthetic leg, he returns home, where he begins showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares and increasingly heavy drinking.

With the help of his family and friends—and his counselor Elias, a fellow veteran and amputee—can B.D. confront his memories of that fateful day in Fallujah? And will this acclaimed narrative be awarded that badge of honor known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:
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Episode 133 – Justice League International Vol. 1 (With Alonso Duralde)

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Podcaster Alonso Duralde (Linoleum Knife, Who Shot Ya?, Breakfast All Day, A Film and A Movie) returns to discuss Justice League International by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, published by DC Comics!

Debuting in 1987, Justice League International came out of the gate with a light and often absurd tone that bucked the “grim and gritty” trend of the late 80s, with Batman and a roster of B- and C-list trading zingers as often as they engaged in fisticuffs.

This risky move, coming on the heels of the poorly received Justice League Detroit era, restored DC’s premier superhero team to prominence. But is that enough to land it a spot in that Hall of Justice known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:
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Episode 132 – Nimona

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Debuting as a webcomic in 2012, Nimona became an Eisner Award-winning sensation after its publication as a graphic novel in 2015. Noelle Stevenson’s tale of a playful shapeshifter who turns out to be something more was even on its way to an animated adaptation until the closing of Blue Sky Studios last month left that project’s future in doubt.

We may not ever get to see that feature film, but we can get answers to these burning questions: Can Nimona overcome her dark side and her deep desire for revenge? Can villain Ballister Blackheart reconcile with his former friend and partner, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin? And can this charming and moving book join the ranks of that Institute of First-Class Fantasy Epics known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:
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Episode 131 – The Invincible Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Combining corporate intrigue, James Bond-style espionage and more than a hint of social relevance, it’s perhaps the defining Iron Man storyline—and arguably informs Robert Downey Jr.’s mega-popular portrayal of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this episode, we strap on the jet skates to discuss Demon in a Bottle—specifically, The Invincible Iron Man issues #123-128, by David Michelinie, John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton, published by Marvel Comics!

As the pressures of being a billionaire industrialist superhero begin to mount, Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) increasingly turns to alcohol. When unscrupulous competitor Justin Hammer takes control of Stark’s armor, causing the death of a foreign diplomat, even his best friend James Rhodes and professional bodyguard Bethany Cabe may not be able to pull him out of his downward spiral.

Can the Armored Avenger prevail against a dozen super-villains—and his growing addiction? And can this famous story infiltrate that island fortress known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:
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Episode 130 – Tintin in Tibet

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, we load up our rucksacks and make a long-overdue trip to the world of bande dessinées—and one of the most popular comics characters of the 20th century—with a look at Tintin in Tibet by Hergé!

When Tintin learns of a plane crash in the Himalayas, a dreamlike vision convinces him that his friend Chang has somehow survived the crash. Joined by his faithful dog Snowy and the irascible Captain Haddock, Tintin travels to Tibet, determined to rescue his friend against impossible odds!

Will our intrepid trio survive a brutal blizzard and the fearsome Abominable Snowman and find Chang before it’s too late? And will this beloved boy adventurer make it to that remote Himalayan hideaway known as … The Comics Canon?

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