Episode 30 – New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin get ready for the third comics adaptation in as many episodes with a discussion of the landmark Teen Titans storyline The Judas Contract, as featured in The New Teen Titans issues #42-44 and New Teen Titans Annual #3, published by DC Comics!

These Teen Titans aren’t just kid sidekicks anymore — they’ve dealt with supervillains, marauding aliens, a deadly cult leader and even the horrors of wedding planning. But when they’re captured by the world’s deadliest assassin, they find themselves facing the biggest threat of their budding careers: the tremendously powerful, emotionally unstable Terra!

Can the young man formerly known as Robin rescue his teammates from a cigarette-smoking 16-year-old girl and her judgment-impaired mentor, the menacingly named Deathstroke the Terminator? And can everyone’s favorite teen heroes graduate from the kids’ table to that school of hard knocks known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 29 – Ghost World and Wilson

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin prepare for yet another comic-based film adaptation with a Daniel Clowes double feature: a discussion of the teen turmoil of Ghost World and the middle-aged turmoil of Wilson!

First, best friends Enid Coleslaw and Rebecca Doppelmeyer find themselves at a crossroads – one populated by creeps, geeks and obnoxious, extroverted, pseudo-Bohemian art-school losers. When Enid applies to college, the girls are forced to let go of the past and ponder their uncertain futures — and their relationship to each other.

After a brief detour to discuss the four-page screed Art School Confidential, it’s off for a visit with Oakland, California’s favorite condescending blowhard (coming soon to a movie theater near you) as he suffers the death of a family member, reconnects with an ex-wife and discovers the child he never knew he had.

Can these cynical loners shed their abrasive ways and live happily ever after? And can they score tickets to that hallowed film festival of graphic novel adaptations known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

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Episode 28 – Wolverine: Old Man Logan

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Kevin and “Old Man Holman” mark the release of the new Logan movie by gassing up the Spider-Mobile for a road trip across a post-apocalyptic wasteland to discuss Wolverine: Old Man Logan, collecting Wolverine #66-72 and Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1, published by Marvel Comics.

Fifty years after the villains of the Marvel Universe teamed up to defeat the world’s heroes, a haunted Logan has forsaken violence to live a peaceful life of farming with his wife and two children. But when he can’t pay his rent to the vicious Hulk Gang, the promise of a financial windfall leads him on a dangerous cross-country trip with the blind archer Hawkeye.

Can the man formerly known as Wolverine outrun rampaging dinosaurs, creepy Moloids and his own dark past long enough to save his family? Can he keep from popping his claws and returning to his savage ways? And can he gain admittance to that alternate reality known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 27 – Batman: The Court of Owls (With Glen Weldon)

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin are joined by special guest Glen Weldon – NPR contributor, panelist on NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and author of The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture – as they discuss Batman: The Court of Owls, collecting Batman (Vol. 2) #1-7, published by DC Comics!

The Dark Knight Detective has always believed the Court of Owls to be nothing more than an old folk tale. But when Bruce Wayne is marked for death by their enigmatic assassin, the Talon, Batman learns that they’re very real – and that everything he thought he knew about Gotham City is wrong!

Trapped in an underground labyrinth, driven to the edge of madness, can the Caped Crusader escape the Court’s deadly clutches and reclaim Gotham as his own? And can he gain entry into that secret society known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 26 – Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Power

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin go nuts as they enroll at Empire State University, joined by their first-ever guest – Curt’s teenage daughter, Evelyn – to discuss Squirrel Power, collecting issues #1-4 of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, published by Marvel Comics!

She’s fought crime with the Great Lakes Avengers and even defeated the powerful space baddie Thanos. But now Doreen Green, alias the aforementioned Squirrel Girl, must conquer threats more terrifying than any she’s yet faced: College! A roommate! Boys! And if those weren’t intimidating enough, who went and Kraven the Hunter, Whiplash and Galactus to the curriculum???

With sassy sidekick Tippy-Toe in tow, can our body-positive Avenger somehow convince the Devourer of Worlds to adopt an Earth-free diet?  And can she make it into that exclusive series of trading cards known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 25 – Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin don their finest trench coats, open up a fresh pack of Silk Cut and throw back a couple of pints of holy stout as they discuss the Dangerous Habits storyline from John Constantine: Hellblazer issues #41-46, published by DC Comics!

John Constantine has faced down more than his share of demons and other supernatural threats. But everyone’s favorite chain-smoking magician may have finally met his match when he’s diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. To make matters worse, he’s in for one Hell of an afterlife, having just made an enemy of the devil himself!

 

Can comics’ premier punk-rock prestidigitator con his way out of eternal torment? And can he somehow fast-talk his way into that sweet hereafter known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 24 – Darth Vader

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin travel to a galaxy far, far away to mark the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a discussion of Darth Vader #1-6, published by Marvel Comics!

Following the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, Darth Vader finds himself on the outs with Emperor Palpatine. Enlisting the aid of a “rogue archeologist” and a pair of murderous droids, the Dark Lord of the Sith begins pursuing his own agenda, building a private army and tracking down the hotshot Rebel pilot who brought about the destruction of the Death Star — a young man named Skywalker …

Will his new allies be enough to keep the Empire’s heavy-breathing hatchet man one step ahead of his master? And will his mastery of the dark side of the Force be enough to gain him entry into that mystic order known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Not Discussed in This Episode:

  • Carrie Fisher, who died after this episode was recorded

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Comics Onscreen – 2016 Year in Review

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Kevin Moreau

Marvel Studios

In this last episode of 2016, Curt and Kevin look back on TV and movie adaptations of comic book stories from the second half of the year, pick their favorite small- or big-screen comics properties of the last 12 months, and ask “Just what makes a good comics adaptation, anyway?”

In this non-canonical extravaganza, we also tackle the disjointed mess that is Suicide Squad, check in on DC’s improving Legends of Tomorrow, discuss Season 3 of The Flash and Flashpoint, take aim at the fifth season of Arrow, unlock the first season of Luke Cage, and stumble through a punishing half-season of The Walking Dead.

We also touch on Preacher, Doctor Strange and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before looking ahead to 2017, including the adaptations we’re most looking forward to. And finally, we switch gears with a look at the books that made it into The Comics Canon in 2016, and round things out with that most riveting of audio experiences: the unwrapping of presents!

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Episode 23 – Dark Reign

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Kevin Moreau

darkavengers-altIn this episode, a morally challenged, mentally unstable captain of industry rises to a position of awesome power! That’s right—join Curt and Kevin as they shine a light on the Marvel Comics event Dark Reign with a discussion of the Secret Invasion: Dark Reign one-shot and Dark Avengers Vol. 1: Assemble!

After repelling a horde of alien invaders and their shapeshifting matriarch, Norman Osborn is appointed director of the law-enforcement agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and leader of the Avengers. In no time, he convenes a sinister shadow cabinet of supervillains, and stacks the world’s premier superteam with a rogues’ gallery of ruthless felons!

What alarming agenda will the former Green Goblin advance while wrapped in the American flag in the guise of the Iron Patriot? And will he cap his reign of terror with a seat at that Supreme Court of superhero comics known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 22 – The Night Gwen Stacy Died

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Kevin Moreau

gwen-stacyIn this episode, Curt and Kevin travel to the top of the George Washington Bridge (played by the Brooklyn Bridge) while discussing what may be the most iconic storyline in Spider-Man history (and one of the most influential moments in all of comics) as they take a swing at The Night Gwen Stacy Died, from Amazing Spider-Man #121-122!

But first, they pay a quick visit to the (web-)swingin’ 60s for a look at the cataclysmic confrontation that sets the stage for that fateful event, as the Green Goblin weaves a sinister trap for the wall-crawler in Amazing Spider-Man #39-40!

Wracked with grief, will ol’ web-head end up squashed by his emerald enemy? Or can your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man triumph over his avocado-colored adversary and win admittance into that swingers’ club known as … The Comics Canon?

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