This week we got together to talk about a brief, single-issue of comics that was important for the time even if it slightly misses the mark. In November 2001, Marvel released an issue of The Amazing Spider-Man commemorating and memorializing the events of September 11, 2001. Join us as we chat about the comic itself and the broader issue it tackled…

Now, it is time once again. Time to judge. Time to quantify. Time to assign value. And time, ultimately, to viciously rank the comics, leaving on one as the ultimate winner, reigning over all others. It is time! For the Finale! Veronica's theme for this season is stories from the DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults imprint. Monte's theme is the five…

It's finally happened. Nimona has been released and we have all watched it. Now it's time to talk about it. In this not-so-minisode we talked about the long-awaited Netflix adaptation of N.D. Stevenson's Nimona. This movie was definitely worth watching, and we would all recommend reading the original graphic novel as well! Next week we will be post…

The time has finally come to read the best-selling comic book of all time! This week, we read and discussed X-Men (1991) #1-3 "Rubicon", a story about a lot of things and also nothing. This story concludes Chris Claremont's iconic run of X-Men, and contains great character exploration of Magneto as well as an introduction to the structure of the X-…

We've heard your cries, we've seen the posters, we've tasted your tears, and we have listened. In their benevolence, Veronica and Monte have returned with another minisode talking about their playthrough of Batman: Arkham Asylum. Next week Melissa will be rejoining the podcast to talk about X-Men (1991) #1-3 "Rubicon", the story that kicks off post…

You guys, this is literally the most beautiful comic art we have ever seen. There's an alien corgi robot. You MUST see him. He is everything. Taylor struggles to feel herself in the town of Ozma gap--stifled, controlled, and forced to live in hiding as a human boy when her true identity is the alien princess known as the Galaxy Crowned. But when a …

Look, we all love indie comic podcasts, right? For sure. Obviously. They are categorically the best type of podcasts. But what sort of podcasts do our illustrious hosts like to listen to in their free time, APART from indie comic podcasts? Join said hosts as they go over their original and most frequently listened to mainstream shows. Their podcast…

This week we read Fantastic Four (2002) #60 "Inside Out", a stand-alone promotional issue kicking off Mark Waid's run on Fantastic Four. This is a story introducing Waid's version of these classic characters, and setting the stage for the stories he will tell. Next book club episode, we will be reading Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, a story about a al…

So we're nerds right? We do some nerd shit. We read comics, we watch Star Trek, we play Dungeons and Dragons, and we watched the new D&D movie, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. So we're gonna talk about it. What more do you want from us? Next week we will be reading Fantastic Four (2002) #60, a one-issue introductory arc by Mark Waid that i…

For many kids today, no matter how kind and upbeat, no matter how good their friends or how supportive and loving their parents, the world presents innumerable hurdles and hostilities. But each and every one of them, and each and every one of us, have a spark of true power to help protect our communities. It's just for one teen, Nubia, that spark i…

Continuing his journey through X-Men continuity, Monte reads X-Men: Messiah Complex, a huge crossover X-Men event published from October 2007-January 2008 and involving four different X-books. This event marks a huge shift in X-Men continuity and is the climax of the events set in motion in the House of M in 2005. Next week we will all be back in a…

How much story can you get for only 10 cents?? Not that much, apparently. This week we read Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure by Greg Rucka. This issue (a prelude/teaser for an upcoming Batman event) was sold for the discounted price of 10 cents, resulting in it becoming the 3rd best-selling superhero comic book of all time. This issue was somewhat lig…

Joker takes over Arkham Asylum and Monte has to deal with it. This week Veronica forced Monte to play Batman: Arkham Asylum and we talked about the first three hours. Who knows, this may become a new series. Next week Melissa will be rejoining the podcast to talk about Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure, a promotional issue by Greg Rucka with art by Ric…

Can you rebuild yourself after you realize every action you've taken up to that point has resulted in a person you absolutely do not want to be? Join us as we discuss Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn and Nicole Goux, a DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults that explores a reimagined origin story for Cassandra Cain, a legacy Batgirl. We are joined by…

A cure for mutant-kind, a brainwashed psychic dinosaur, and an early modern mystic murdering your entire family in order to resurrect himself and be reunited with his gay lover? Must be X-Men. In this week's X-Minisode, Monte talks about: Astonishing X-Men (2004) #1-6 "Gifted" by Joss Whedon & John Cassaday Uncanny X-Men (1963) #455-459 "World's En…

Teenage angst, radioactive spiders, a hulking goblin monster-man, bad friends, and questionable parenting. Must be a Spider-Man comic. This week we read Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #1-7 by Brian Michael Bendis & Bill Jemas with art by Mark Bagley. Next week will be a minisode, and then we will be reading Shadow of the Batgirl, an alternate take on t…

Someone once said that Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the best animated superhero movie of all time. Really, somebody said it. Someone we follow on Twitter. I bookmarked it, but it was so long ago I can't find the tweet. Was it you? If you know who it was, let me know, please. In any case, we watched the movie, and now we shall discuss it! Join us…

We all remember adolescence. The changes to your body and to your relationships, experimenting with ways to define and express yourself, looking forward to going forth into the adult world, controlling the elemental force of water and discovering your secret origins... What, you guys didn't do that? Join us as we discuss You Brought Me the Ocean, a…

This episode we will solve the age-old debate of terrorism. You're welcome. Ok not really. We will be discussing how Star Trek actually solved the age-old debate of terrorism. Ok not really. Maybe they just kinda skirted the issue and glossed over some important context and details. Idk, it's art, ok? Not everything has to have a solution. Sometime…

How do you rebuild from your worst enemy taking over your body and living your superhero life with all your superhero friends, forming new relationships and burning old bridges and leaving the existential question of "if I'm not in control of my body am I responsible for the things that happen"? This week we read a story that doesn't answer those q…

The time has come for the long-anticipated, overwhelmingly-demanded, hotly-solicited return of X-Men minisodes. Basically, we didn't have any ideas for a minisode this week so instead Monte is talking about X-Men. The stories discussed in this minisode are: New X-Men (2001) #114-116 "E is for Extinction" by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely X-Treme X-…

*Audio Fixed* This week we discuss Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihura, the earliest entry in the DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults (formerly DC Ink) lineup. Join us as we follow an old-school incarnation of Superman (from back when he just leapt tall buildings in a single bound, rather than fly so fast around the Ear…

We're back! Join us as we discuss the new comics for Season 12! Monte's theme for this season will be the top-selling super hero comic books of all time. Veronica's theme will be stories from the DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults imprint. The comic lineup for Season 12 will be: Superman Smashes the Klan Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #1-6 You Brought M…

Merry Christmas! It's Christmas time, right? Oh, it's not? Well... here we are anyway. We missed our holiday episode, but we still have to cover the comic Melissa picked for us, so here it is! Second Coming is a satirical depiction of what would happen if Jesus came back to earth to learn more about humanity under the guidance of Superm---uh, I mea…

Once again, only one comic can stand above them all as champion of the season. Which one shall it be? Monte's theme this season was works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme was a character study of Wonder Woman (with curation assistance by @AnneComics on Twitter, cohost of The Comics Collective). The comic lineup for Season 11 was: Nimona The W…

We're going to round this season off with a shock to your system! This week we are discussing Static: Season One (the whole volume this time) with Marci and Ako of The Colored Pages Book Club! We were excited to finish this story arc, and it did not disappoint. Tune in to hear us talk about the reintroduction of Virgil Hawkins, the Dakotaverse, and…

Why shouldn't we mix genres without constraint? I see no reason. They all are great and also terrible. Combine them, try to keep all the great, and keep less of the terrible, and then you can have stuff like this, where Wonder Woman fights a fully-painted old school pulp fantasy dragon. This week we are discussing JLA: A League of One with Anne of …

Due to technical difficulties, this episode is a week late but it's still great! This week we discuss Nubia & the Amazons #1-6 with recurring guests and friends of the pod Marci & Ako of the Colored Pages Book Club! Unfortunately we lost a pretty big chunk of the audio for this episode, but our guests were gracious enough to re-record sections of t…

In Minisode 13 we are talking about iconic comic book artist Bill Sienkiewicz! Sienkiewicz has written for many comic book publishers and has left an enormous mark on the work of comics, but this week we hone in on three of his works at Marvel. We perused his work in New Mutants, Moon Knight, and Stray Toasters and had a chat about what stands out …

"Greek tragedy is always a story of the insoluble." When you cannot reconcile two conflicting moralities--or the same morality pulling you in two directions--what can be the result, but destruction? This week we are discussing Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia with with returning guest, comic creator, & commentator Ravian Ruys! In this comic, Wonder Woman…

Hey guys, did you know your beloved hosts are well-rounded human beings, with interests other than comics? No? Well, we are. Just deal with it. This week, Melissa introduces us to Shipwrecked Comedy, a Youtube- and Kickstarter-based comedy video production troupe who make spooky, funny, campy songs, skits, and narrative series. Check them out Next …

This week we are reading the prematurely cancelled Children of the Atom (2021) #1-6 by Vita Ayala. Despite the early cancellation, this is a arc we would all suggest reading. It was fun, it was well-drawn, the story is well-told, and it was overall an interesting take on the status quo in the Krakoa era. Next week is a feature, and after that we ar…

God, does Veronica know any comic other than Sandman? Debatable. But the show is out, so let's watch it! This week we discuss the first two episodes of Netflix's live-action The Sandman series. Next week we are reading Children of the Atom (2021) #1-6. Monte's theme this season is works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme is a character study of…

This week we read Wonder Woman (1987) #8-14: Challenge of the Gods, by Len Wein and George Pérez, along with @dallas_comics on Twitter, cohost of The Comics Collective! Monte's theme this season is works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme is a character study of Wonder Woman (with curation assistance by @AnneComics on Twitter, cohost of The Com…

The time has finally come to discuss the most enjoyable superhero film of the 2000s and possibly the most enjoyable superhero film of all time. It's time for us to talk about Catwoman starring Oscar Award winner Halle Berry opposite Golden Globe winner Sharon Stone. Costarring SAG Award winner Benjamin Bratt. And of course for such a momentous and …

What do you do when realize you've done something awful but for understandable reasons? This week we read a story that explores that situation with Valiant Comics' Livewire Vol 1 #1-4: Fugitive by Vita Ayala. In this story, a formerly respected hero faces the ramifications of a choice that caused a lot of harm to a lot of people. It was a great int…

In this week's minisode we discuss the charming and insightful graphic novel Hugged by writer and YouTube content creator, Verily Bitchie/Verity Richie. Written as a sketchbook diary, the novel explores her experiences in defining her gender and sexuality using a mix of humor and candor. Next week we will be discussing Livewire Vol 1 #1-4 by Vita A…

This week we read Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol 1 an interesting (if a little chaotic) take on Wonder Woman's first adventure in Man's World written by one of our favorite comic book writers, Grant Morrison. Next week we will be discussing Livewire Vol 1 #1-4 by Vita Ayala. Monte's theme this season is works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme is…

With Season 3 newly released, it's time for us to check out the first episode... uh... the first SEASON of the Harley Quinn animated series! Next week is Veronica's first comic of Season 11, Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol 1. Monte's theme this season is works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme is a character study of Wonder Woman (with curation a…

Season 11 has begun in earnest! This week we kicked things off with The Wilds by Vita Ayala. This story features flower-faced zombies, badass queer lady-types, and an arrogant piece of shit doctor that got way too many speaking lines for our pleasure. Next week is a feature minisode, followed by Veronica's first comic of Season 11, Wonder Woman: Ea…

What had slipped from our grasp has been picked up by Netflix, and the Nimona movie is going to happen! In celebration, this week we're reading the seminal work of ND Stevenson, the graphic novel Nimona, adapted from the webcomic of the same name! Join us as we revel in its awesomeness! A comic about ND Stevenson's name. Next week is Monte's first …

Another season finished, and another begins! Join us as we discuss the new comics for Season 11! (And a special guest appearance by Anne of The Comics Collective, and @AnneComics on Twitter!) Monte's theme for this season will be a sampling of works by writer Vita Ayala. Veronica's theme will be a character study of Wonder Woman. The comic lineup f…

Once again, only one comic can stand above them all as champion of the season. Which one shall it be? Veronica's theme this season was Redemption (for characters we didn't like before). Monte's theme was Femme Fatales. Batgirl: Year One #1-9 Sin City (1994): The Babe Wore Red Daredevil (1964) #226-233: Born Again Black Widow (2014) #1-6: The Finely…

The Femme Fatale. A woman so magnetic, no man can resist her--literally. Like, physically incapable. Because she has eldritch seduction powers, beyond even her control. No, that's not EVERY femme fatale, but it is Jo from the Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips collaboration Fatale (2012) #1-5: Death Chases Me, which we discuss this week with comic creat…

Finally we read a femme fatale story written by a woman. This week we read Red Sonja (2014) #1-6: Queen of Plagues, a more modern story about the She-Devil With a Sword herself. This is a character that none of us were too familiar with, and this story was a great introduction. Join us in getting to know the Queen of All Fermented Beverages, Red So…

We can't read ALL the comics, even if we want to. Thus, today we sample just the FIRST issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. Next week we will be reading Red Sonja (2014) #1-6: Queen of Plagues. We invite you to read along with us. Veronica's theme this season is Redemption (for characters we didn't like before). Monte's theme is Femme Fatales. *******…

When you have the power to punch a spaceship to death, are you going to be satisfied stopping muggings in the street? Carol Danvers certainly isn't. Therefore, she must go into space! (And insert herself into tense political situations!) Join us, as we join Carol and her cat in their mission across the stars. Next week will be a mini feature. The w…

Did you know there are just, like, SO many amazing queer comics out right now? Like, almost too many to read? But you have to start somewhere, so let's dive into Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms, the story of a young trans girl reconnecting with her prickly friend over the shared activity of cheerleading, and discuss! And let's do it with our amazing new…

We can't read ALL the comics, even if we want to. Thus, today we sample just the FIRST issue of Static: Season One, the reboot of the Static Series with writer Vita Ayala. Next week will be a bonus episode, in which we discuss Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms with Mike and Jessika from the EXCELLENT podcast Ten Cent Takes! The week after that, we will be…

Ever done something you wish you could take back? Ever made a series of steadily escalating poor decisions where you knew at every turn you were careening towards disaster and dragging the people you love along with you? If so, you can probably relate to Selina Kyle (Catwoman) in this week's story, Selina's Big Score by Darwyn Cooke. Monte's theme …