Episode 55 – X-Men Origins

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin conclude their trilogy of Marvel origins episodes with a look at the comic book beginnings of everyone’s favorite mutants! Then, they gear up for the new season of FX’s Legion with a look at the issue that inspired a key moment from the show!

First, the comic that started it all: X-Men #1! Who are these mysterious teenagers with bizarre super-powers? Who is their stern, slightly scary taskmaster? And when the mysterious master of magnetism known as Magneto threatens a U.S. missile base, can our milquetoast mutants save the day?

Next it’s the book that launched the X-Men as we know them today: Giant-Size X-Men #1! When the X-Men are captured by a mysterious foe, Charles Xavier assembles a new squad to rescue them. This international mishmash of mutants – including Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler and Colossus – has some impressive powers and even cooler costumes. But when it comes to defeating Krakoa, The Island That Walks Like a Man, do they have any chance atoll?

And last but not least, Charles Xavier recounts his own quasi-origin story in Uncanny X-Men #117, including a no-holds-barred psychic skirmish with the nefarious Shadow King – a mental melee dramatized (after a fashion) in Legion’s first season!

Do these uncanny tales have what it takes to graduate to the top of that class of peerless periodicals known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we make a left turn at Albuquerque to discuss a pair of stories that pair DC superheroes with Looney Tunes characters: The Coyote Gospel from Grant Morrison’s Animal Man and 2017’s Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 54 – Avengers Origins

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin look forward to the April 27 release of Avengers: Infinity War by reviewing the first appearances of the original lineup of Marvel Comics’ Avengers!

It’s a whirlwind lightning round of takes on Phase One of the comic-book Avengers:

“The Man in the Ant Hill!” (Henry Pym, Tales to Astonish #27)
“The Hulk” (The Incredible Hulk #1)
“Thor the Mighty and the Stone Men From Saturn!” (Thor, Journey Into Mystery #83)
“Iron Man is Born!” (Iron Man, Tales of Suspense #39)
“The Creature From Kosmos!” (The Wasp, Tales to Astonish #44) And finally, “the first in a star-studded series of book-length super-epics” … “The Coming of the Avengers” (Avengers #1)!

Can the combined power of the Avengers defeat the sinister spells of Loki, god of evil? And can Earth’s mightiest heroes gain entry into that awesome assemblage known as ? The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:  Continue reading →

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Episode 53 – Alias: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin once again set aside their “clean” rating as they prepare for the second season of Netflix’s Jessica Jones by snooping around Alias Vol. 4: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones, collecting issues #22-28 of Alias, published by Marvel Comics! (Please be advised: Mature subject matter is discussed.)

First, as the title implies, the origins of everyone’s favorite super-powered sleuth are explored, as young Jessica Campbell Forrest Gumps her way around the early days of the Marvel Universe on her way to gaining extraordinary abilities!

Then, our former superhero turned private eye is hired to confront Zebediah Killgrave, The Purple Man, who can make his victims do whatever he wants. To do so, she’ll have to face her painful past as Killgrave’s physical and emotional plaything.

Can Jessica finally defeat Killgrave and put this dark chapter of her life behind her? And can she crack the code that will grant her entrance to that hall of hard-boiled heroes known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we begin our preparations for Avengers: Infinity War with a look at the origins of the comic-book Avengers, starting with the first appearances of Henry Pym (Tales to Astonish #27), The Incredible Hulk (The Incredible Hulk #1), Thor (Journey Into Mystery #83), Iron Man (Tales of Suspense #39) and the Wasp (Tales to Astonish #44), all leading into Avengers #1!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 52 – Love and Rockets: Heartbreak Soup

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this Valentine’s Day episode, Curt and Kevin discuss a tale of love, longing and murder: Heartbreak Soup (or Sopa de Gran Pena) and its prologue, Chelo’s Burden, written and drawn by Gilbert Hernandez, from the long-running series Love and Rockets, published by Fantagraphics Books.

In the small Latin American town of Palomar, a violent breakup finds dazed, drunken Tip in’ Tip in’ taken under the wing of headstrong 11-year-old Carmen. Meanwhile, Pipo, Carmen’s 14-year-old sister, is quickly falling in love with Manuel, the town’s baby-faced lothario. But that doesn’t sit well with hot-headed Gato, who carries a major torch for Pipo.

When this love triangle turns deadly, will all three live to tell the tale? Can Chelo, the town’s bañadora, survive a little competition from beguiling newcomer Luba? And can this indelible cast of characters move on up to that magnificent metropolis known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:
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Episode 51 – Black Panther: The Client

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin look forward to the highly anticipated Black Panther film with a look back at the late 90s storyline Black Panther: The Client, collecting Black Panther vol. 3 #1-5, the start of the groundbreaking run by Christopher Priest, published by Marvel Comics.

T’Challa, king of the African nation of Wakanda, leaves his homeland in the middle of a refugee crisis for an urgent mission to New York City. Accompanied by low-level diplomat Everett K. Ross, the menacing monarch and his pair of sleek, deadly bodyguards investigate the death of a young girl and corruption at The Tomorrow Fund, a Wakanda-backed charity.

But our stealthy sovereign soon discovers that he’s been duped by the murderous Reverend Achebe, who’s taken advantage of his absence to stage a takeover of Wakanda!

Can the embattled emperor survive a confrontation with the demon Mephisto and rescue his realm from the ruthless reverend? And can he gain entrance to that peerless preserve of epic exploits known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Not Discussed In This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we commemorate Valentine’s Day with a tale of longing and love (but no rockets) with the first Heartbreak Soup story from Love and Rockets by Gilbert Hernandez!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 50 – Superman: For the Man Who Has Everything

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin celebrate their two-year podcasting anniversary with a special birthday two-fer, as they discuss the classic Superman birthday story For The Man Who Has Everything by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons from Superman Annual #11, published by DC Comics, as well as its animated adaptation from Justice League Unlimited!

Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman arrive at Superman’s arctic hideaway to wish him a happy birthday, but find the Man of Steel immobilized by a sinister-looking plant known as the Black Mercy. Before they can figure out a plan of action, they’re confronted by the alien warlord Mongul, who reveals that Superman has been put into a coma, dreaming of an idyllic existence as a husband, father and geologist on his home planet of Krypton!

Can our overmatched heroes stop Mongul from conquering the Earth? Can the Man of Tomorrow wake up from his seductive fantasy in time to save them? And can this fearless foursome gain entry into that Fortress of Solitude known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we prepare for the release of the hotly anticipated Black Panther adaptation with a discussion of Black Panther: The Client, by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 49 – Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin return to Gotham City to unwrap the riddle of Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles, by Tom King, Mikel Janin and Clay Mann, published by DC Comics!

The Dark Knight Detective has popped the question to his “purr-fect” match, the beguiling cat burglar known as Catwoman. But before his feline foil can answer, he must unburden himself of a terrible secret – an especially dark night from early in his crime-fighting career.

The Caped Crusader’s two most dangerous enemies, the Joker and the Riddler, have gone to war, with the streets of Gotham as their battleground. The city’s supervillain community has taken up sides, with its citizens quite literally caught in the crossfire, along with the tragic figure known as … Kite Man?

Can the World’s Greatest Detective suss out a solution to this pernicious puzzle before the entire city is torn asunder? And can this criminal conflict win top billing on that comedy club marquee of magnificence known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:
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Comics Onscreen – Justice League, Thor: Ragnarok and More (With Allison Keene)

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

Warner Bros. Pictures

In this last episode of 2017, Curt and Kevin welcome Collider.com senior TV editor and critic Allison Keene for a fun, spirited discussion of the big comics adaptations from the second half of the year, including Thor: Ragnarok, Marvel’s The Defenders and Justice League!

Spoilers are (mostly) avoided in this non-canonical episode, which also touches on the CW’s Crisis on Earth-X crossover event; whether Black Panther will continue Marvel’s recent trend toward the comedic (probably not); Thor: Ragnarok’s similarities to The Empire Strikes Back; waiting for The Punisher to get exciting; the engaging cast of Runaways; The Gifted’s similarity to The O.C.; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in space; and The Tick.

As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a discussion of what we’re looking forward to in 2018, including the CW’s Black Lightning, the second season of Fox’s Legion and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Other Things Discussed in This Episode:
 Continue reading →

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Episode 48 – Archie Meets the Punisher

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, worlds collide as Curt and Kevin take aim at Marvel’s the Punisher and the hit CW series Riverdale with a discussion of the epic 1994 crossover Archie Meets the Punisher (or The Punisher Meets Archie), published by Archie Comics and Marvel Comics!

Written by Batton Lash (Supernatural Law) with art by comics legends John Buscema and Stan Goldberg, this most unlikely of mashups finds Marvel’s mass-murdering vigilante in the idyllic small town of Riverdale on the trail of drug dealer “Red” Fever – who just happens to bear a striking resemblance to Riverdale’s most popular teenager, Archie Andrews!

After their first meeting almost ends in disaster, our dubious duo tracks Archie’s deadly double to Riverdale High’s 1950s dance! But the Punisher’s not the only one after Archie’s dastardly dopplegänger – and these homicidal hitmen don’t care if Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang get caught in the crossfire!

Can America’s favorite teenager and the Marvel Universe’s avenging antihero join forces to thwart the mob and rescue Veronica from Archie’s lethal lookalike? And can they win election to that homecoming court known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:
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Episode 47 – Runaways: Pride and Joy (With Matt Goldberg)

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take the midnight train going anywhere, joined by Collider.com senior editor Matt Goldberg, as they mark the debut of Hulu’s new Runaways series with a discussion of Runaways: Pride and Joy by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, published by Marvel Comics!

All kids think of their parents as villains on occasion. But Alex Wilder and his adolescent friends have just discovered that their well-to-do parents are actual supervillains – members of a criminal cabal called the Pride! Stunned, our hormonal heroes steal away into the California night, determined to expose their felonious fathers and murderous mothers! Along the way, superpowers are discovered, secrets are revealed, superheroic identities are (briefly) adopted … oh, and someone gets a pet dinosaur!

Can these pubescent powerhouses stay a step ahead of their evil elders and avoid the most severe grounding of all time? And can our teen titans find placement in that home for wayward young Avengers known as ? The Comics Canon?

Things Not Discussed in This Episode:

  • Runaways editor C.B. Cebulski’s new job as editor in chief of Marvel Comics (mainly because this was recorded before the promotion was announced)

Things Discussed in This Episode:
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