The Comics Canon

The Cosmic Canon, our miniseries on space-faring epics, concludes with a look at Mike Baron and Steve Rude's Nexus, as seen in Nexus. Vol. 2, issues #13-16 and 18-19, published by First Comics! In the 25th century, Horatio Hellpop dreams of mass murderers, and is compelled to hunt those killers across the galaxy and kill them. When his efforts to free himself of this mission are thwarted, he winds up face to face with the bizarre alien entity behind his incredible powers! Can his best friends and his erstwhile lover prevail against a four-armed assassin and one of the galaxy's most formidable spymasters in a desperate effort to save Horatio's soul? And can this richly imagined and beautifully rendered saga cross the threshold into that space odyssey known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: First Comics Burn After Reading Steve Rude's artwork Nexus as a Warlock in Dungeons and Dragons The Sun Devils We Hate Movies: The Nexus Nexus Omnibus Vol. 1 Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes Join us in two weeks as we switch gears in a big way with a look at Art Spiegelman's Maus Vol. 1: My Father Bleeds History. 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!

In this episode, The Cosmic Canon, our series on space-faring epics, rockets all the way to the 30th century as we discuss The Great Darkness Saga from Legion of Super-Heroes #290-294, published by DC Comics! As chronicled by Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen, the early '80s Legion isn't your daddy's teenage superhero space club! Combining space opera and soap opera, it features a large cast of super-powered young adults embroiled in romantic dramas and interplanetary intrigue. And in this landmark five-issue story, they face their greatest foe yet, the enigmatic Master of Darkness! (Spoiler alert: It's Darkseid!) Superboy, Supergirl and the Legion face off against Jack Kirby's deadly despot as well as his sinister Servants and three billion mind-controlled aliens with the power of Superman in this story that helped to establish Darkseid as one of the elite antagonists of the DC Universe! Can our host of attractive young Lads and Lasses hope to prevail? And can this twilight saga emerge unscathed from the Apokalips Now that is ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: What's your Legion name? Superboy goes to college The artwork of Keith Giffen Great Darkness Saga vs. The Sinestro Corps War Legion of Substitute Heroes Special #1 The Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans Join us in two weeks as The Cosmic Canon concludes with a look at Mike Baron and Steve Rude's Nexus! 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!

On this episode, The Cosmic Canon, our series on cosmic tales, soars from peaceful New Genesis to pockmarked Apokalips to Earth as we discuss Jack Kirby's epic saga of space gods, galactic wars and skiing avatars of Death: New Gods Vol. 1, issues 1-11, published by DC Comics! The flagship title of Kirby's ambitious Fourth World line, New Gods introduced a head-spinning mixture of science fantasy, mythology and superheroics that built on the themes explored in Kirby's work on Marvel's The Mighty Thor. And its villain, the deadly Darkseid, has gone on to become one of the pre-eminent tyrants of popular culture. Can the brooding Orion, wielder of the "Astro-Force," overcome his dark nature and defeat the forces of Apokalips before they find the Anti-Life Equation? And can this unfinished series ascend to that Twilight of the Gods known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: Quotation marks There's Kirby in the air The Blank Check podcast Our Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen episode New Gods' influence on Star Wars The Star Wars Episode Zero podcast The, um, Santa Clause Orion Book 1 The "Apokalips ... Now!" and "Legacy" two-parters from Superman: The Animated Series Even Gods Must Die Join us in two weeks as The Cosmic Canon journeys to the 30th century as the Legion of Super-Heroes battles a mysterious foe (who COULD it be?) in The Great Darkness Saga! 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!

On this episode, The Cosmic Canon, our series on cosmic comics stories, rockets from Coast City to the sentient planet Mogo to the anti-matter universe as we get embroiled in Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Vol. 1, by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and various artists, published by DC Comics! The intergalactic peacekeeping force known as the Green Lantern Corps is rocked to its core when the renegade Sinestro assembles his own army of magic ring-wearing aliens, who launch a full-scale assault on Green Lanterns across the galaxy! And they've got a Cyborg Superman, an alternate-universe Superboy, and the Anti-Monitor on their side! Can Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner and their compatriots stop these fearsome gleep-glops from annihilating the Corps? And can they blast off to that final frontier known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: I mean, the name "Sinestro" is kind of a giveaway Green Lantern 101 Kevin makes another G.I. Joe reference Tygers by Alan Moore Curt has a great idea for a T-shirt Revenge of the Green Lanterns Green Lantern: Agent Orange The "Green Loontern" episode of Duck Dodgers Blackest Night Nova: Annihilation Conquest Join us in two weeks as The Cosmic Canon tackles the mother (or is that the Granny Goodness?) of all cosmic comics series: Jack Kirby's New Gods! 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!

On this episode, we launch a new miniseries on cosmic comics stories called (what else?) The Cosmic Canon! First up: the historic Kree-Skrull War, specifically Avengers issue #93-97, by Roy Thomas, Neal Adams and John Buscema, published by Marvel Comics! Can you call a storyline the Kree-Skrull War when there's no actual Kree vs. Skrull combat? And can this character-stuffed epic achieve victory in that Battle Beyond the Stars known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: Holy pop-culture and sci-fi references, Batman! G.I. Joe #1 "You guys hired Jack of Hearts as an Avenger?!!" Is Goliath juicing? Skrull milk Marvels Epilogue The Avengers/Defenders War Deep Space Nine: A Call to Action through Sacrifice of Angels Should we do a side episode on DS9? War of Kings The Avengers: The Korvac Saga Join us in two weeks as The Cosmic Canon continues with Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Vol. 1! 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!

Phil Sheldon is just your average man on the street—except that his career as a freelance photographer uniquely positions him to chronicle several key events in the history of the Marvel Universe, as depicted in the 1994 miniseries Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, published by Marvel Comics! Can our workaday shutterbug overcome his feelings of inferiority in the face of superpowered beings? Can he rise above a wave of anti-mutant hysteria, survive the Coming of Galactus and work through the tragic death of young Gwen Stacy? And can he make it onto that Front Page of funnybook excellence known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: We linger on the artwork of Alex Ross Jolene by Dolly Parton Sex and the City Phil Sheldon's journalistic objectivity The Black Cat The Old Guard Avengers #16-28 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood The Marvels Project A Killing in Comics Join us in two weeks as we dive into the Kree-Skrull War! 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!

Atlanta actress Jennifer Lee joins us for the conclusion of our Sandman two-parter to discuss The Sandman: Dream Country (issues 17-20), as well as Tales in the Sand (#9) and Men of Good Fortune (#13), by Neil Gaiman and a dream team of artists, published by DC Comics! Will the lord of Dreams rescue his former flame, the muse Calliope, from a reprehensible author? Can a thousand dreaming cats transform reality? And can these stories transcend the waking world and gain entry to that midsummer night's dream known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: Content warning: Sexual assault Audible's The Sandman adaptation "Britain's hottest pub IS ..." Planet of the Apes, but with cats! A Midsummer Night's Dream at the World Fantasy Awards Is Hamnet the price of Shakespeare's success? Hamilton on Disney+ The Sandman #75: The Tempest The Sandman: Overture Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino Kill Shakespeare Vol. 1: A Sea of Troubles Fool by Christopher Moore Join us in two weeks as we review Marvels, by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross! 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!

On July 15, Audible is releasing a star-studded audio production of the first three storylines of the beloved DC/Vertigo series The Sandman—giving us the perfect excuse to book a two-part return trip down the River of Dreams. First stop: The Doll's House, by Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Chris Bachalo, and others! Taking stock of his realm after decades away, Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, notes that some of its denizens are missing. Meanwhile, teenager Rose Walker embarks on a search for her missing brother Jed—a journey that involves a pair of Silver Age superheroes, a boarding house full of memorable characters, and the extremely unsettling nightmare known as The Corinthian. Will Rose survive a serial killers' convention only to die at the hands of Morpheus himself? And can she make her escape to that Field of Dreams known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode: Content warning: Child abuse and attempted assault Our Preludes and Nocturnes and Season of Mists episodes A missed merchandising opportunity Little Nemo in Slumberland G.K. Chesterton Women without agency "Calm down, Mickey Spillane!" The Bogeyman and The Family Man Swamp Thing: American Gothic The Man Who Was Thursday Mindhunter The Dreaming Vol. 1: Pathways and Emanations Iron Maiden's Revelations Cereal Killers by Too Much Joy Join us in two weeks as our Sandman two-parter continues with looks at the short stories Tales in the Sand and Men of Good Fortune from the Doll's House collection, as well as Sandman: Dream Country! 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!

Today's episode was supposed to be about The Sandman: The Doll's House. But we felt that we just couldn't ignore the protests taking place around the United States and across the world over the needless, senseless deaths of George Floyd and many other black Americans. So instead we're discussing the historic but little-known Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story, published in 1957 by a group called the Fellowship of Reconciliation. This 16-page comic explores the events surrounding the Montgomery Bus Boycott, gives a brief biography of Dr. King, and outlines the principles of nonviolent resistance. And it inspired a young man named John Lewis, who would go on to become a leader of the Civil Rights Movement and U.S. Congressman, and whose comic biography March, Vol. 1, we reviewed back in March of this year. Original copies of this book are hard to find, although an authorized reissue was published in 2013 by Marietta, Georgia-based Top Shelf Productions. It's also available on Comixology for $1.99. (And here's some background on it by March co-writer Andrew Aydin.) In addition to our thoughts on the book itself, we discuss the ways in which superhero comics can be problematic, particularly in their sometime glorification of violence by authority figures. We also briefly discuss the 2019 HBO miniseries Watchmen, and spoil some plot points. We plan to be back in two weeks with that episode on The Doll's House, pending other world-shaking events. In the meantime, we encourage you to donate to Black Lives Matter or to a bail fund or other activism-related funds: you can find an extensive list here and here. Thanks for listening, and stay safe and well!

Over the years, the Hulk has been a rampaging behemoth, a Vegas enforcer, and a gladiator-turned-warlord on a far-flung alien planet. And the Green Goliath gets another incarnation in The Immortal Hulk Vol. 1: Or Is He Both?, by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett, published by Marvel Comics. When Bruce Banner dies (which happens a lot), he awakens at nightfall as The Immortal Hulk, a cunning, brutal and fearsome instrument of vengeance, exacting terrible retribution on those who take the lives of others. Can investigative reporter Jacqueline McGee and the Canadian superhero Sasquatch survive their encounters with this terrifying new monster? And can this fresh take on ol' Jade Jaws gain entry into that Tomb of Horrors known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! The very first Wolverine fan fiction? The Incredible Hulk TV series "The Green Door" Joe Bennett's career peak Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. From Beyond Incredible Hulk Vol. 1: Return of the Monster Mighty Avengers Vol. 1: No Single Hero Join us in two weeks as we commemorate Audible's upcoming Sandman adaptation with a look at Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House! 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!

Paul Chadwick's Concrete has the trappings of a superhero story—a quiet, somewhat nebbishy man finds his brain transplanted into a giant stone body that allows him to do great things. But like a number of other similar titles from the early 80s like Nexus and Zot!, it spins this well-worn concept into something new, intelligent and wholly original. In his first four issues (as reprinted in Concrete Vol. 1: Depths), former senatorial speechwriter Ronald Lithgow uses his newfound abilities to rescue miners from a cave-in, attempts to swim the Atlantic Ocean, and recounts his familiar yet freshly horrifying origin. This chip off the old block may be able to hold his own against unfathomable aliens and undersea predators, but can he survive the unspeakable menace of the man known only as Anonymoose? And can he reach the summit of that pinnacle of comic-book excellence known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Not another unscrupulous NPR reporter! Maureen's navigation of sexual politics The Stone Men From Saturn The link between Ron Lithgow and John McClane "I'm cute! I'm cuuute!" The Letterman/Crispin Glover incident Concrete's Spider-Man moment Mage The Hero Discovered Vol. 1 Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Ex Machina Vol. 1: The First Hundred Days Infinite Realities' Stay-at-Home Con Join us in two weeks as we delve into another comic about a super-strong giant with a look at 2018's The Immortal Hulk Vol. 1: Or Is He Both? 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!

Comic book worlds don't come any more vividly imagined or painstakingly detailed than Astro City. The metropolis that gives this anthology series its title isn't all that different from the one outside your window—you know, except for all the high-flying heroes, insectoid invaders and mystical menaces that share the sidewalk with everyday citizens like you. Life in the Big City, collecting the first six issues of this long-running series, allows the reader to imagine what it would be like to live in a world of magic and wonder. Will the super-powered Samaritan ever be able to slow down long enough to enjoy life, or go on a date? Can a young woman from the ethnic neighborhood of Shadow Hill trade her talismans and traditions for those of the city's bustling downtown? Is the boorish Crackerjack really all that stands between Earth and an alien assault? And can these stories move on up to that shining city on a hill known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! The ethics of Samaritan's fact-checking gig Why are there so many bank robberies in superhero comics? The Bouncing Beatnik's most impressive power Curt's favorite character Chekhov's First Family Brooch Where's our Astro City TV series? Astro City: Confessions Kids Love Batman Astro City Vol. 3, issues 39 & 40 Join us in two weeks as we explore the world of Paul Chadwick's Concrete, discussing select stories from Concrete Vol. 1: Depths! 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!

It's hard out here for a C-list supervillain. You've got the basic lack of respect, your super-powered parole officer ... and then there's the constant bickering and backstabbing that threaten to tear your crew apart faster than your not-so-friendly neighborhood Spider-Man ever could! At least, that's the problem facing the five members of the Sinister Six in the hilarious Superior Foes of Spider-Man Vol. 1: Getting the Band Back Together, by Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber, published by Marvel Comics! Can these fractious felons survive the machinations of the Chameleon, the Owl and their own leader, the double-crossing Boomerang? And can this quarrelsome quintet graduate into that Secret Society of Super-Villains known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! This may not be the best pickup line The problem with Overdrive Does anyone find Groucho glasses funny? We cast the Superior Foes sitcom Curt workshops a Chameleon joke A few words from Evan Dorkin Superior Spider-Man Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy The Irredeemable Ant-Man The Fix Vol. 1: Where Beagles Dare The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel Join us in two weeks as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Marvels with a discussion of (what else?) Astro City: Life in the Big City! 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!

It's April Fools' Day, and while most of us aren't in the mood for pranks given the current state of affairs, we could all use something a little light and fun. And what's more fun than ... Mister Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite deconstructing (okay, detroying) the entire DC multiverse? That's why we're discussing Superman and Batman: World's Funnest, by Evan Dorkin and an all-star cast of artists, published by DC Comics! Join us as we ask the burning questions: How DO you pronounce Mxyzptlk, anyway? And can these two interdimensional imps manage the imp-possible and make a favorable imp-pression on that imp-maginary world known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Aren't they ALL imaginary tales? Kit 'N' Kaboodle The Wonder Twins' powers ARE kind of lame What if Wolverine, but nothing interesting? The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited What If? #34 Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites Fantastic Four Marvels Snapshot #1 We'll be back in two weeks with another fun, funny comic to help us all get through these tough times: The Superior Foes of Spider-Man: Getting the Band Back Together, by Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber! 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!

Just as Jack Knight was one of DC Comics' more interesting second-generation superheroes, the book that chronicled his saga from 1994 through 2001 was one of the more literary-minded and ambitious mainstream superhero comics of its time. And that ambition is on full display in issues #9-16 of the series, as collected in Starman: Night and Day, by James Robinson and Tony Harris! Having reluctantly accepted the mantle of Starman from his father Ted, Jack Knight puts a decidedly Gen-X stamp on the role, complete with tattoos, a leather jacket and a staggering knowledge of obscure pop-cultural ephemera. But all that edgy '90s attitude can't keep the past from encroaching on the present as he contends with Nash, the vengeful daughter of his dad's arch-nemesis, the Mist! Can Jack, Ted, the blue-skinned alien Mikaal Tomas and the red-haired O'Dare siblings survive as Nash cuts a swath of murder and destruction through Opal City? And can this story blow the mind of that Starman waitin' in the sky we like to call ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Stargirl Zero Hour Aliens with human-sounding names Jack Knight is kind of a jerk High Fidelity Quentin Tarantino and all those pop-cultural references Do you know any good sci-fi lit podcasts? A few science fiction writers we like Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Green Lantern: Rebirth JSA: The Return of Hawkman James Robinson's Airboy Join us in two weeks as we commemorate April Fool's Day with Superman and Batman: World's Funnest, by Evan Dorkin and various artists! 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!

In this episode, we take a break from talking about fictional superheroes to discuss a real-life superhero with a look at March, Book 1, the first in a three-part series of autobiographical graphic novels examining the life and career of U.S. Congressman John Lewis, published by Top Shelf Productions! Join us as we trace the civil rights leader's early days, from his humble beginnings preaching to chickens on his family's farm to his first meeting with the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and his efforts to desegregate Nashville department store lunch counters. Will this gripping account of one man's journey to gain freedom and equal rights through nonviolent means make its way to that hallowed hall of heroes known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Curt's brush with Rep. Lewis Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story John Lewis, Time Traveler What's the deal with the oar? Unsettling similarities to the present The Spinner Rack on Twitter The New Adventures of Abraham Lincoln by Scott McCloud Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Join us in two weeks as travel back to the '90s to visit one of the hippest superheroes ever with a look at Starman Vol. 2: Night and Day, by James Robinson and Tony Harris! 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!

In this episode, we conclude our two-part look at the two 2019 miniseries that reset the status quo for the X-Men: House of X and Powers of X, by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz and R.B. Silva, published by Marvel Comics! The mutant nation of Krakoa faces its first major setback when a mission to stop Orchis from activating the Mother Mold meets with disaster! Meanwhile, 1,000 years in the future, Wolverine and Moira MacTaggert must act as the Man-Machine Ascendancy prepares to be assimilated into the alien techno-collective known as the Phalanx! Mutantkind seems destined to suffer a terrible fate. Can Charles Xavier and Magneto prevent that dark future from coming to pass? And can they hope to survive the judgment of that Not-So-Quiet Council known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! House of Buggin' Xavier's big emotional moment Everyone's favorite mutant, Goldballs! The thorny implications of resurrection Will humans evolve into machines? Are the dudes really muscling Moira out of her own plan? Giant-Size Fantastic Four #3 Broken Angels by Richard K. Morgan and Altered Carbon on Netflix Transhuman God Is Dead Vol. 1 Join us in two weeks as we kick off the month of March with a look at the first volume of U.S. Representative John Lewis's autobiographical graphic novel trilogy, March! 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!

In this episode, after a brief delay, we tackle one of the biggest superhero comics events of 2019: the game-changing series House of X and Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz and R.B. Silva, published by Marvel Comics! The mutant telepath Charles Xavier shocks the world by announcing the formation of Krakoa, a nation of mutants. In return for recognizing its sovereignty, Krakoa will gift mankind with miracle drugs that drastically improve human life. Meanwhile, it's business as usual for the X-Men, who undertake a suicide mission to a sun-orbiting space station to prevent the eventual rise of one of mutantkind's greatest foes! What do these events have to do with a mutant war against the Man-Machine Ascendancy 100 years from now, or the plans of the mysterious Librarian 1,000 years hence? What surprising role does Xavier's former flame Moira MacTaggert have to play in all this? And can our not-so-merry mutants survive long enough to make it to that island sanctuary known as … The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Krakoa, the Island That Walks Like a Man! Is Charles Xavier doing the Frug? The Stepford Cuckoos The most evil of all mutants! The Voyager Golden Record The Betty and Veronica of the mutant world The October Faction on Netflix The Black Monday Murders Vol. 1 Manifest Destiny Vols. 3-4 The Yesterday's Enterprise episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Wish Curt's review of Birds of Prey Join us next week—that's right, next week!—as we wrap up our two-parter with an exploration of issues #4-6 of House of X and Powers of X! 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!

"Hey, where's my House of X episode?" we hear you asking. Well, Kevin's here to answer that question in this special bonus announcement. And to make up for the delay, we're throwing in a little something extra—Curt Holman's Top 10 Superhero Adaptations of 2019! Thanks for your patience—and as always, thank you for listening!

In this episode, we look ahead to the Feb. 7 debut of the Netflix series Locke & Key with a look at the six issue arc that launched the popular saga—Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, published by IDW! The Locke family falls prey to a violent home invasion in which guidance counselor Rendell Locke is shot and killed. His widow and three children move across the country to Keyhouse, the family's ancestral home, which houses a few secrets. Meanwhile, Rendell's killer, Sam Lesser, is on their trail, under the thrall of an unearthly woman imprisoned in a well on the Keyhouse estate! Can this fractured family overcome their inner demons and stop the devious Dodge from acquiring the mysterious Anywhere Key? And can they unlock the right door to gain entry into that house of horrors known as … The Comics Canon? Discussed in This Episode! Content warning The 2011 Locke & Key pilot Lovecraft? Really? Our episode on The Walking Dead #100 and Violence in Comics The Locke & Key Unlocked podcast from Comic Book Club Nuts by Gahan Wilson Concrete Vol. 5: Killer Smile Basketful of Heads Full Throttle And, um, 8 Heads in a Duffle Bag Join us in two weeks as we tackle one of the biggest comics events of last year: Jonathan Hickman's House of X/Powers of X! 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!

In this episode, we explore the wondrous world of Jeff Smith's Bone (soon to be an animated Netflix series) with a look at the first installment of this beloved fantasy series: Out From Boneville, originally published by Cartoon Books! Forced to flee their home of Boneville, cousins Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone each find their way to an uncharted valley populated with adorable talking possums, a laconic red dragon, tough-as-nails Gran'ma Ben and the beautiful young woman known as Thorn. Can our wayward cousins avoid the clutches of the fearsome Rat Creatures and their terrifying leader, the Hooded One? And can they stay out of trouble long enough to settle that uncanny valley known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! What ARE the Bones, exactly? Mad Magazine's Don Martin Real Men Don't Eat Quiche Where are all the plush Bone dolls? Bone Vol. 5: Rock Jaw, Master of the Eastern Border Batman Vol. 8: Cold Days The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 Join us in two weeks on Wednesday, New Comic Book Day, as we pivot from fantasy to horror with a look at Locke & Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft! 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!

We all know the story: Rocket escapes exploding planet. Elderly couple adopts alien baby. Baby grows up to become the most powerful superhero of all time. But today's Man of Steel is very different from the one we get in his first-ever adventure, as originally recounted in 1938's groundbreaking Action Comics #1—and expanded upon a year later in his own magazine, Superman #1, both published by DC Comics. For our landmark 100th episode, we explore the origin and first appearance of Superman, one of the most beloved and iconic figures in popular culture. Can this champion of the oppressed save an innocent woman from the electric chair and foil a plot to drag the U.S. into war in Europe? And can he muscle his way into that hallowed Fortress of Solitude known as … The Comics Canon? But wait! There's more! We also look back at our favorite canonical stories from the first 99 episodes! In This Episode! One of the best covers in comics history Babies in padded cells and straitjackets This Superman is a super-jerk! Superman: The Unauthorized Biography by Glen Weldon We need to talk about The Dark Knight Returns What can you expect from the NEXT 100 episodes? Join us in two weeks as we kick off our fifth year with a look at the first installment of Jeff Smith's charming Bone saga (coming soon to Netflix): Out From Boneville! 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 here, Anti-Monitor! Wiping out countless realities and snuffing out untold billions of lives is one thing. But when you step to the Maid of Steel ... well, now you've gone and made it personal! In what may be our longest episode ever, we close the book on the epic 12-issue event that closed the book on the DC multiverse—Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, published by DC Comics! After a pitched battle at the dawn of time, five Earths become one, and a few redundant superheroes find themselves without a home! But the Anti-Monitor still has one trick up his metal sleeve, teleporting our world to the anti-matter universe (hey, you said there was only one universe left)! Can the last Supermen standing and a parade of your favorite D-listers succeed against the cosmic creep with the worst name in comics? And can this landmark reality-warping series score a table at that restaurant at the end of the universe known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! George Perez's cosmic artwork The Anti-Anti-Monitor "How come YOU get to be Earth-1?" "Weird" Al Yankovich's "Word Crimes" Plan 9 From Outer Space Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Justice League: The Darkseid War 52 Join us in two weeks on Wednesday, Dec. 25, as we mark our 100th episode with a look at the origin of the first and most legendary superhero of them all in Action Comics #1! 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!

Like the animator's giant eraser in Chuck Jones' classic Merrie Melodies short "Duck Amuck," a wave of anti-matter sweeps across countless realities, obliterating everything in its path until only a handful of universes are left in the epic 12-issue event Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, published by DC Comics! Aided by the mysterious Monitor, some of comics' greatest heroes are all that stand between the remaining worlds and the malevolent ... um, Anti-Monitor! Join us as we answer the burning questions: Can George Perez draw every single DC character before this crossover event is through? And can this world-changing saga survive that End of the Effing World known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! The history of the DC multiverse We have to talk about Pariah Characters referring to other characters by their names Does The Haunted Tank have a horn that plays Dixie? DC: The New Frontier "You're going to die now! ... But later!" The worst name in comics Swamp Thing: American Gothic Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 1 Six Crises by Richard Nixon (yes, really) Join us in two weeks on Wednesday, New Comic Book Day, as this story shifts into gear, resulting in some memorable moments and the birth of a new universe in issues #7-12! 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!

You finally achieve your lifelong goal—absolute dominion over all of creation, not to mention the wife of your bitterest rival—only to find that godhood isn't everything you'd hoped for. We've all been there, right? Victor Von Doom certainly has, in the epic 2015 miniseries Secret Wars, by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic, published by Marvel Comics! Join us as we answer the burning questions: Can Curt and Kevin avoid getting deep in the weeds of this superhero crossover event? (Not so much.) And can this epic, world-changing series emerge triumphant in that Clash of Kings known as … The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Similarities to Game of Thrones "What am I going to do with all these bullets?" The thorny implications of Doom's relationship with Susan Storm Weirdworld Infamous Iron Man House of X and Powers of X Join us in two weeks as we continue our exploration of cosmic crossovers with the mother of all universe-obliterating epics, Crisis on Infinite Earths! 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!

The all-powerful Beyonder transports some of Earth's mightiest heroes and villains to a patchwork planet known as Battleworld, conveniently outfitted with high-tech ships and fortresses! His one command: "Slay all your enemies and all you desire shall be yours!" Thus begins one of comics' first and most famous multi-part crossover epics: Secret Wars, written by Marvel Comics editor in chief Jim Shooter and drawn by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton! Conceived to support a line of Mattel toys, this 12-part series pits members of the Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four against such heavy hitters as Doctor Doom, Magneto, and the Devourer of Worlds himself, Galactus! Alliances are formed, schemes are hatched, battles are fought, and many plotlines are brought up and then abandoned! Join us as we answer the burning questions: Can Curt and Kevin find meaningful things to say about an overlong slugfest aimed squarely at young children? And can this landmark comics event emerge victorious in that Contest of Champions known as … The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Martin Scorsese vs. the MCU Jim Shooter's problematic female characters Where did these two supervillains come from?!! Volcana is totally Kevin's type "Some of my best friends are mutants!" Doctor Doom's space-age bachelor pad We need to talk about Klaw Chekhov's lightning bolt Is this the worst comic we've ever reviewed? Asgardian Wars Contest of Champions (2015) Secret Warriors V1: Nick Fury: Agent of Nothing Join us in two weeks on Wednesday (new comic book day!) as we review a multi-part crossover epic featuring Reed Richards, Doctor Doom, Molecule Man and a mysterious planet known as Battleworld! Yes, it's Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic's Secret Wars from 2015! Until then, be the envy of your Battleworld fortress with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! Last but not least, please help us spread the word! Rate us on Apple Podcasts, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we get into the spooky spirit of Halloween with a look at Through the Woods, a collection of unsettling horror stories by cartoonist Emily Carroll, as well as a trio of chilling and inventive webcomics: Margot's Room, Some Other Animal's Meat, and the Eisner Award-winning When the Darkness Presses! Through the Woods weaves a dark fantasy setting that echoes the classic horror stories of fairy tales and folklore, grounded by Carroll's gorgeous artwork and spidery lettering, while her web stories immerse the reader in fully realized worlds that take full advantage of the medium to scratch and claw at the back of the reader's mind. But can these eerie tales safely make their way to that remote cabin in the woods known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! A little Stephen Sondheim Hands as a recurring motif His Face All Red Gilles de Rais and the legend of Bluebeard Curt feels seen Webcomic and manga recommendations The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter In the Company of Wolves Blue Lenses by Daphne du Maurier The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Nailbiter Vol. 1: There Will Be Blood Blink and You'll Miss It Join us in two weeks as we begin the countdown to our 100th episode with the first of a series of cataclysmic crossover events: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars! Until then, turn some heads with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, please help us spread the word! Rate us on Apple Podcasts, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

Just in time for the Oct. 4 release of Todd Phillips' Joker movie, Curt and Kevin are joined by Atlanta actress and comics fan Jennifer Lee for a timely (and faintly explicit) discussion of the 1989 graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, published by DC Comics! On April Fools' Day, the inmates, led by the Joker, have taken over Arkham Asylum and taken the staff as hostages. Their one demand? That Batman join them for a lethal game of hide and seek! Meanwhile, the journal of founder Amadeus Arkham reveals the gruesome origins of Gotham City's most notorious psychiatric facility! Can the Caped Crusader survive a gauntlet of his deadliest enemies without going insane—if he hasn't already? And can this strikingly illustrated tale check itself into that madhouse of sequential storytelling known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Church Going by Philip Larkin The Thoth tarot deck Why is Batman so uptight? The fetishization of madness "You can't let someone run around blinding horses, dude!" Is Batman mentally ill? Violent Cases and Mr. Punch Alice by Jan Svankmajer Legion season 3 Batman: I Am Suicide The Stumptown pilot The Invisibles Planetary Castle Rock season 2 Join us in two weeks as we get into the spooky spirit of October with a look at Emily Carroll's book of short horror comics, Through the Woods! Until then, turn some heads with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, please help us spread the word! Rate us on iTunes, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Crimewave!, our series on gritty crime comics, comes to a rollicking (and not entirely swear word-free) conclusion with the "Mommy and Clyde" graphic novel Bastard, written and drawn by Belgian cartoonist Max de Radiguès, published in America by Fantagraphics Books! After taking part in a massive heist that targeted 52 different locations in the same city at the same time, May and her son Eugene are on the run, trying to stay ahead of the police while hiding duffel bags stuffed with cash. And if that weren't difficult enough, they soon find themselves hunted by their fellow criminals! After a deadly confrontation, May is forced to make a decision that will change everything Eugene thought he knew about their relationship! Can our fleeing felons elude a pair of dangerous killers long enough for May to turn the tables on the traitor who wants them dead? And can they cross the border to that remote hideout known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! BIG spoiler alert! Southwestern noir vs. urban noir How most criminals see themselves The simple, straightforward artwork of Max de Radiguès Our episode on The Walking Dead #100 Crosswind by Gail Simone and Cat Staggs The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics Where to get the perfect Halloween costume! Join us in two weeks as we look ahead to the Oct. 4 release of Joker with an exploration at 1989's controversial graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean! Until then, turn some heads with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, please help us spread the word! Rate us on iTunes, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Crimewave!, our series on gritty crime comics, rolls on with Death Chases Me, the first volume of the James Ellroy-meets-H.P. Lovecraft occult noir Fatale, written and drawn by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, published by Image Comics! In 1950s San Francisco, reporter Dominic Henry Raines meets with the mysterious and attractive Josephine, girlfriend of corrupt police detective Walt Booker. As Raines investigates Booker, he falls under Josephine's spell, unaware that there's more to his feelings for her than puppy love. And a dying Booker, investigating a series of occult murders, makes a deal with the devil. Meanwhile, in the present, Nicolas Lash meets the alluring and secretive Jo, and finds himself pursued by some familiar-looking sinister goons! Will Raines and our sympathetic femme fatale evade the demonic forces on their trail? And will they survive their ordeal at those mountains of madness known as ... The Comics Canon? In This Episode! Nods to North By Northwest Who is the protagonist of this story? The lipstick-on-the-collar trope The trouble with Sylvia Raines Jack Kirby's New Gods Lazarus Our Death of Captain America and Groot and Jimmy Olsen episodes A Study in Emerald Mandy Criminal: Bad Weekend The Violent Vol. 1: Blood Like Tar The Drop and Peaky Blinders Join us in two weeks as Crimewave! concludes (at least for now) with Bastard by Max de Radiguès! Until then, turn some heads with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, don't be a dirty, no-good tentacle monster! Rate us on iTunes, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Crimewave!, our series on gritty crime comics, continues with a fictionalized account of the real, ripped-from-the-1930s-headlines case of the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, co-written and "executed" by one of the biggest names in comics before he was one of the biggest names in comics: It's Torso, by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko, originally published by Image Comics! Between 1935 and 1938, a mysterious figure murdered, dismembered and decapitated at least 12 victims in Cleveland, Ohio, preying on the city's growing transient population. Against the backdrop of a corrupt city reeling from the Great Depression, Cleveland's new safety director—former "Untouchable" Eliot Ness himself—and a pair of homicide detectives find themselves investigating a new kind of criminal: America's first serial killer! Can our intrepid and all-too-human protagonists solve this unsolved mystery, or will their quarry prove truly Untouchable? And can Bendis and Andreyko make it into that lineup of killer crime stories known as ... The Comics Canon? On the docket: Spoiler and content warnings Encounter: An Ongoing Online RPG Where Readers Vote on the Story Ways the book differs from actual events Fortune and Glory: A True Hollywood Comic Book Story Brian Michael Bendis's artwork "It ain't duck soup!" Who was Gaylord Sundheim? Similarities to Se7en The problem with that ending From Hell What is Torso about? "This Eliot Ness. Who owns him?" The Black Dahlia Scalped Vol. 1: Indian Country Join us in two weeks as Crimewave! continues with a look at Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' supernatural noir, Fatale! Until then, turn some heads with our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, don't be a rat. Rate us on iTunes, send us an email, and hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! We may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Crimewave!, our series on gritty crime comics, continues with Darwyn Cooke's crackling adaptation of The Hunter! Beautifully illustrated in black, white and teal, this stylized revenge tale from IDW Publishing is the first in a four-part series adapting novels about the career criminal Parker by the late Donald E. Westlake, writing as Richard Stark. Physically imposing and intense, the man known only as Parker storms into New York City in 1962, where he confronts the wife who shot him and left him for dead before hunting down the man who betrayed him. Can our laconic lawbreaker survive a one-man war against the nationwide criminal syndicate known as The Outfit? And can he break into that impenetrable vault of graphic excellence known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Content warning "Her corpse isn't gonna disfigure itself!" The women of The Hunter "Waste not, want not!" Toxic masculinity heaven Parker in: Home Alone! Private Parts Curt poses a what-if question Road to Perdition Point Blank Flood by Andrew Vachss Derec Donovan's Trigger Mortis on Kickstarter We return in two weeks as Crimewave! rolls on with the fictionalized true-crime tale Torso, by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko! Until then, spiff up your wardrobe with some snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, we'd consider it a favor if you'd rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook! Who knows? We just may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this hard-boiled episode, we kick off Crimewave!, a series of episodes on gritty crime comics, complete with its own theme song! And for our money, there ain't no better way to get things rolling than by jawing about Frank Miller's bare-knuckled Sin City: The Hard Goodbye, published by Dark Horse Comics, see? Here's the thing about Basin City—it's the kinda place where a hulking bruiser like Marv can spend a once-in-a-lifetime night of passion with an angel like Goldie, only to wake up the next morning to find she's been murdered—and the cops are on their way to take him down for the crime! Can our problematic protagonist prevail against crooked cops, tough-as-nails sex workers, a smirking serial killer, and the most powerful family in Sin City—not to mention his own faulty faculties? And can this black-and-white valentine to noir fiction muscle past the bouncers and make it into that den of iniquity known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: A brief history of crime comics Content warning Frank Miller's Sin City artwork The women of The Hard Goodbye Lucille gets a raw deal That's an awful lot of Nancy How to enjoy revenge fantasies Kurt Busiek and the Punisher The Sin City movie Is the "lasting influence" argument a cop-out? Kill or Be Killed Vol. 1-2 Queenpin by Megan Abbott Tumor The Maltese Falcon and The Reelist podcast Join us in two weeks as Crimewave! continues with another highly stylized revenge tale: Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter, by Darwyn Cooke! Until then, that's a very nice coat you've got there. But not as nice as our Comics Canon merchandise! And why not accessorize with a little King Krackle from our sponsor at Category 4? Last but not least, do us a solid and rate us on Apple Podcasts, 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!

In this episode, our look back at 80s mutant mania continues with The Demon Bear Saga from The New Mutants Vol. 1 #18-20, and the follow-up double-sized story Slumber Party from #21, by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz, published by Marvel Comics! Danielle Moonstar, haunted by visions of the monster that killed her parents, summons it to a showdown on the snow-covered grounds of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. It doesn't go well. As she lies near death, her fellow students find themselves in the mystical Badlands, the only ones standing between this savagely powerful entity and the rest of the human race! And if and when they finish with the Demon Bear, they'll face off against the bizarre techno-organic alien known as Warlock! Can the X-Men's inexperienced junior varsity prevail against these larger-than-life, out-of-this world threats? And can they crash that swingin' superhero sleepover known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: The New Mutants movie The origin of The New Mutants The artwork of Bill Sienkiewicz Why are the other kids hatin' on Illyana? The implications of Healer the Morlock Who knew changing two characters' race would be problematic? Warlock Fear Itself: Wolverine/New Mutants The New Mutants: A Date With the Devil The Immortal Hulk Vol. 1: Or Is He Both? Join us in two weeks as we kick off Crimewave!, a series of episodes on gritty crime comics, with one of the grittiest crime comics of all—Frank Miller's Sin City: The Hard Goodbye! Until then, trade in those drab yellow-and-back New Mutants uniforms for some snazzy Comics Canon merchandise! And add your own Roberto DaCosta sunspots with King Krackle from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, we welcome Tedd Walley, writer, artist and publisher of Mathilda: The Forces of Evil vs. The Third Grade, as we travel to the distant future of 2013 for a discussion of the landmark X-Men storyline Days of Future Past from Uncanny X-Men #141-142, and finish it off with Demon from #143, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, published by Marvel Comics! In a dystopian future America ruled by the mutant-hunting Sentinels, Kate Pryde and the few remaining X-Men launch a desperate plan to avert nuclear war! The adult Kate inhabits the mind of her younger self, enlisting the X-Men of 1980 to stop the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from assassinating Senator Robert Kelly! Then, young Kitty Pryde finds herself alone in the X-Mansion on Christmas Eve when she's attacked by one of the demonic N'Garai in a cross between Home Alone and Alien! Can the youngest X-Man save the day twice in the span of three issues? And can our misunderstood mutants prevent apocalypse and usher in that better tomorrow known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Point Blank, on Netflix July 12 The cover of Uncanny X-Men #141 X-Men: Days of Future Past Wolverine: Days of Future Past Rachel Summers What is the Brotherhood's endgame? How tight is security at the Pentagon, exactly? Kitty Pryde and Chris Claremont's legacy of strong female characters Our Dark Phoenix and Ed Piskor episodes A Murderer's Row of 80s comics professionals All-New X-Men: Yesterday's X-Men The Great Darkness Saga Brian Michael Bendis's upcoming Legion of Superheroes comic New X-Men: Here Comes Tomorrow Join us in two weeks as we grow tired of wondering whether the New Mutants film will ever see the light of day and dive into another Claremont mutant property from the early 80s with The Demon Bear Saga from New Mutants #18-20! Until then, be the most stylish mutant on your block with our Comics Canon merchandise! And be sure to check out King Krackle from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, we temporarily set aside our "clean" rating to wind up our four-part series on Watchmen with a discussion issues #10-12 of the landmark comic-book series written by Alan Moore, drawn by Dave Gibbons, and published by DC Comics! As President Richard Nixon prepares to launch nuclear missiles, Nite Owl and Rorschach discover that the person behind the Comedian's death and Dr. Manhattan's self-imposed exile is their former colleague, Adrian Veidt! When they track him to his Antarctic retreat, the "world's smartest man" shares with them his plan to avert a nuclear apocalypse—presenting them with a horrific moral dilemma! Can these hopelessly outmatched heroes, along with Laurie Juspeczyk and Dr. Manhattan, look on Ozymandias' works without despairing? Can they prevent Veidt from killing millions of innocent people? And will Curt and Kevin judge this paradigm-shifting 12-issue series worthy of admission into that stronger, loving world known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: "Two riders were approaching ..." Alexander the Great's dick move The trolley problem The ending of the Watchmen movie Tales of the Black Freighter Kyle Cooper and the opening credits of Se7en Len Wein and The Architects of Fear The lasting influence of Watchmen Before Watchmen and Doomsday Clock Watchmen the TV show Mark Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme Mary Renault's Alexander trilogy The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield Our Dark Phoenix Saga episode Join us in two weeks as we observe the recent release of Dark Phoenix with a discussion of (what else?) Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past! Until then, why not peruse our new spring line of Comics Canon merchandise? We also invite you to check out King Krackle from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

Like sands through the hourglass, our four-part series on Watchmen continues with a look at issues #7-9 of the groundbreaking comic series written by Alan Moore, drawn by Dave Gibbons, and published by DC Comics! As the world marches closer to the brink of nuclear war, Dan Drieberg and Laurie Juspeczyk become lovers. They also defy the nation's ban on costumed heroes and rescue the residents of a burning building. Determined to find out who's killing other masked adventurers, Nite Owl hatches a plan to spring Rorschach from prison, bringing the police to his front door. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Dr. Manhattan appears and whisks Laurie away to Mars to talk, with the literal fate of the world hanging in the balance! Can Dan and Rorschach avoid being collared by the cops? Can Laurie convince her godlike former boyfriend to save the world? Can any of them survive long enough to make it to that floating crystal palace known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Spoiler and content warnings The ridiculous sex scene in the Watchmen movie The transformation of Dan Drieberg Is Laurie Juspeczyk a strong character? The Comedian and Silk Spectre: a missed opportunity The relative stakes of Dan and Laurie's epiphanies Why do characters tack extra phrases onto the ends of sentences? The political cartooning of "Stan Kelly" A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy Department of Corrections Join us in two weeks as our four-part series concludes with a look as issues 10-12! Until then, why not peruse our new spring line of Comics Canon merchandise? We also invite you to check out King Krackle from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

Like clockwork, our four-part gaze into the abyss of Watchmen continues as we analyze the hidden meanings of the inkblots contained in issues #4-6, written by Alan Moore, drawn by Dave Gibbons, published by DC Comics! Alone on Mars, Dr. Manhattan examines his past, jumping back and forth through time as he recalls the accident that gave him his godlike powers. Back on an Earth growing increasingly fearful of atomic conflict, a homeless Laurie Juspeczyk moves in with lovestruck Dan Dreiberg and Adrian Veidt survives an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, the outlaw vigilante Rorschach, framed and arrested for the murder of the former villain Moloch, tells prison psychiatrist Malcolm Long who he is and how he came to be. Can this overmatched analyst shake off the all-consuming darkness of his patient's pitiless worldview? Can Curt make it through the episode with a sore throat? (Spoiler: Yes!) And can our heroes survive being thrown into that atomic disintegration chamber known as ... The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: The Watchmen TV show trailer Manhattan and Rorschach as Superman and Batman analogues Strangeness and charm Chekhov's time-lock test vault The weird passivity of Dr. Manhattan The fearful symmetry of Fearful Symmetry Hey, that guy carrying the sign! He's ...! The cultural influence of Rorschach The Watchmen Hostess Fruit Pie parody ad Saturday Morning Watchmen The Whimper of Whipped Dogs by Harlan Ellison The Reversible Man by Alan Moore The Death of the Red Mask from Animal Man # 7 Judgment Day and Other Stories: Illustrated by Joe Orlando Join us in two weeks as we march toward Armageddon with a look as issues 7-9! Until then, why not peruse our new spring line of Comics Canon merchandise? We also invite you to check out King Krackle from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin start the clock, kicking off a four-part exploration of one of the most acclaimed comic book series of all time with a look at Watchmen #1-3, written by Alan Moore, drawn by Dave Gibbons, and published by DC Comics! In an alternate-reality version of 1985, a man named Edward Blake is thrown to his death from his penthouse apartment. Investigating this Manhattan murder mystery, the faceless vigilante known as Rorschach discovers that Blake was once the government-sanctioned crimefighter called the Comedian! Fearing that someone may be targeting former costumed adventurers, Rorschach attempts to warn his onetime allies—Dan "Nite Owl" Dreiberg, Adrian "Ozymandias" Veidt, Laurie Jon "Doctor Manhattan" Osterman and his live-in girlfriend, Laurie "Silk Spectre" Juspeczyk. But Rorschach's warnings seem far-fetched, until the godlike Doctor Manhattan is accused of causing cancer in his friends and enemies—and abandons Earth for Mars! With America's atomic protector gone, can President Richard Nixon prevent an impending nuclear conflict? And will our protagonists live long enough to retire to that home for hidebound heroes known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: The kid gloves come off! Watchmen's Charlton Comics roots The signature trope of Watchmen Why is he called The Comedian when he doesn't tell any jokes? What kind of person would want to become a costumed vigilante? Tales of the Black Freighter: The feel-good book of the year! A surprise menage-a-trois "Threatening man buns" Citizen Kane—the Watchmen of movies! Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt Join us in two weeks as our four-part series continues with a look as issues 4-6! Until then, why not peruse our new spring line of Comics Canon merchandise? We also invite you to check out the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin mark the 1,000th issue of Detective Comics and the 80th birthday of Batman with a look back at three early milestones in the career of DC Comics' mega-popular Caped Crusader—beginning with his first appearance (as "The Bat-Man") in Detective Comics #27 from 1939! From there, it's on to the world's best-known origin story from 1939's Detective Comics #33! And last but not least, since a snarling Dark Knight Detective is only as good as his anarchic arch-enemy, it's the first appearance of the Joker, from 1940's Batman #1! Can the World's Greatest Detective crack the imminently solvable Case of the Chemical Syndicate, overcome the death of his parents, and survive his first encounter against the deadly Clown Prince of Crime? And can he strike terror into the hearts of the superstitious and cowardly gatekeepers of … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: What's the appropriate gift for an 80th anniversary? Our Dark Knight Returns episode The enduring flexibility of Batman as a character Batman & Bill and the legacy of Bill Finger The cover of Detective Comics #27 "I'm not a doctor, but that's not how poisons work!" Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs The Silver Age Batwoman Batman: Year One, the animated film The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture (and our Court of Owls episode) Join us in two weeks as we begin a four-part deep dive into Watchmen with a look at issues 1 through 3! Until then, why not peruse our new spring line of Comics Canon merchandise? We also invite you to check out Mathilda: The Forces of Evil vs. the Third Grade, as well as the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, a week ahead of the April 12 debut of the Hellboy movie, Curt and Kevin awaken ancient spirits to explore the origin of everyone's favorite wisecracking monster-hunter in 1994's Hellboy: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola and John Byrne, published by Dark Horse Comics! During World War II, the Russian psychic Rasputin conjures an otherdimensional being to help the Nazi war effort, resulting in the appearance of a young demon boy among Allied forces. Nearly 50 years later, that demon, now named Hellboy, is a paranormal investigator looking into the strange death of the man who raised him, Professor Trevor Bruttenholm. The case leads Hellboy (along with colleagues Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman) to a crumbling English manor where he faces hideous frog-men and the tentacled abomination known as the Sadu-Hem! Can our hell-spawned hero stop the mad monk from freeing the demonic Ogdru Jahad and unleashing apocalypse upon the world? And can he scale the mountains of madness to reach that graveyard smash known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: The Right Hand of Doom Hellboy and Robotman: Separated at Birth? "Sadu Hem is a big dud!" Ron Perlman's performance and the Guillermo del Toro Hellboy movies The Case of Charles Dexter Ward podcast P. Lovecraft adaptations Mathilda: The Forces of Evil vs. The Third Grade Monkeyman and O'Brien Join us in two weeks as we celebrate the 1000th issue of Detective Comics with a look at two early Batman stories—his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 (1939) and the first appearance of the Joker in Batman #1 (1940)! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin wrap up their series on comics' Captains Marvel (and prepare for the April 5 release of Shazam!) with a look at the Big Red Cheese himself, the original Captain Marvel, aka Shazam, in 1940's Whiz Comics #2 and 2007's Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, written and drawn by Jeff Smith and published by DC Comics! In Bill Parker and C.C. Beck's charming origin story, homeless young orphan Billy Batson boards a crazy train to the subterranean lair of an ancient wizard who grants him magical superpowers seconds before dying a gruesome death! That fateful moment set the stage for one of the most popular comics of its day, a kid's wish-fulfillment epic filled with talking tigers, evil worms, mad scientists, and a whole family of super-powered siblings! Almost 70 years later, Jeff Smith, award-winning creator of Bone, tries his hand at Earth's Mightiest Mortal, adding elements of Arabic folklore and post-9/11 sociopolitical commentary in a four-part story featuring giant robots, talking alligators, and lots and lots of roaches! Can 1940s Billy Batson and his strapping alter ego stop the evil Dr. Sivana from ridding the world of terrestrial radio? Can their 21st-century counterparts stop him and Mr. Mind from destroying all of humanity? And can they make it into that Rock of Eternity known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: What Shazam stands for Shazam's connection to The Music Man The Seven Deadly Enemies of Man Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Shazam! The Power of Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil Our Kingdom Come and Flashpoint episodes A horrible name for a circus act Sivana vs. Phoney Bone JSA: Black Reign The Chronoliths by Robert Charles Wilson Miracleman Astro City #43 and the origin of the Gentleman Join us in two weeks as prepare for the April 12 release of Hellboy with a look at the story that started it all: Hellboy: Seed of Destruction! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin look toward the March 8 debut of Captain Marvel with a look at two key stories featuring Carol Danvers: In Pursuit of Flight (Captain Marvel Vol. 7, #1-6) and 1977's Ms. Marvel #1, published by Marvel Comics! The former Air Force pilot has come a long way since her first outing as a superhero, which sees her flying into action against the backdrop of the women's liberation movement to … save bigoted magazine publisher J. Jonah Jameson??! Thirty-five years later, writer Kelly Sue DeConnick charts a new course for Carol Danvers: Now an Avenger and one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, she finally takes the mantel of the late Captain Marvel, just in time to embark on a high-flying adventure featuring time travel, alien technology and some of the toughest woman pilots to ever take to the skies! Can Ms. Marvel defeat a supervillain with a very phallic appendage? Will Earth's Mightiest Hero change the course of history … and lose her powers in the process? And has this Top Gun got The Right Stuff to join that elite squadron known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Ms. Marvel's original costume Avengers #200 Captain Marvel: The Ms. Marvel Years The real-life Mercury 13 Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster, More The Life of Captain Marvel Section Zero 1959 on Kickstarter Join us in two weeks as our series on comics' various Captains Marvel concludes with a look at the Fawcett/DC Comics hero also known as Shazam! -- as seen in Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil and his origin in Whiz Comics #2. Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin prepare for the March 8 debut of Captain Marvel with the first of two episodes on Marvel Comics characters with that name! First up: the Kree warrior Mar-Vell, as seen in The Thanos War from Captain Marvel Vol. 1, #27-33! This Captain Marvel was an alien soldier who became a superheroic protector of Earth in order to capitalize on a lapsed trademark. In these issues from 1973 and 74, writer and artist Jim Starlin made the character more than just a savvy bit of brand management, tapping into the counterculture of the era to give him the power of "cosmic awareness," injecting his adventures with psychedelic flair—and introducing the world to the galactic menace of Thanos! With the aid of professional sidekick Rick Jones and the mighty Avengers, does our groovy galactic guardian have what it takes to defeat an insane god? And can he survive the long, strange trip to that state of higher consciousness known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: The complicated history of the name "Captain Marvel" Similarities to Jack Kirby's Fourth World Why does Rick Jones have an Avengers ID? Mar-Vell's secret affair with an Avenger! The Time-Mind Sync-Warp! Thanos gets psychedelic, man! The Infinity Gauntlet Deadly Class The Death of Captain Marvel Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968 Join us in two weeks as our series on the Captains Marvel continues with a look at Carol Danvers in Ms. Marvel #1 (1977) and Captain Marvel: In Pursuit of Flight! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the King Krackle digital brushes from our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin prepare for the Feb. 15 debut of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix with a look at The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, published by Dark Horse Comics! Brimming with inventive energy, this engaging miniseries follows a group of extraordinary children—each born to women showing no signs of pregnancy on the same night—adopted by inventor Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who grooms them to save the world. Decades later, these superpowered siblings, each haunted by physical or emotional traumas, come back together to bury their distant, demanding "father." But they're soon thrust into action against an old foe, as well as one of their own: their sister Vanya, now leader of an orchestra of madmen and murderesses bent on destroying the world! Can this fractured family overcome their conflicting feelings for each other in time to avert Armageddon? And can they matriculate into that institution of higher learning known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Spoiler warning Curt's mini-review of Aquaman Collider's Allison Keene likes Netflix's Umbrella Academy The Feb. 15 debut of Doom Patrol on DC Universe Darth Plageuis the Wise Grimjack Doom Patrol: Crawling From the Wreckage Runaways: Find Your Way Home and Best Friends Forever Doom Patrol: Brick by Brick Murder Falcon Tenacious D: The Metal Join us in two weeks as we begin preparations for the March 8 debut of Captain Marvel with a look at the first Marvel Comics avenger to go by that name—specifically, Captain Marvel (1968) #27-33 by Jim Starlin! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin brave the fire-pits of Apokalips to discuss one of the most critically acclaimed series of the year, Mister Miracle #1-12 by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, published by DC Comics! Something is wrong with Scott Free, the New God who is also the celebrity escape artist known as Mister Miracle. Following a failed suicide attempt, his perception is plagued by glitches and he sees things or people that aren't there. Along with his wife, the warrior Big Barda, he's called from Los Angeles to heavenly New Genesis to wage war against the demonic forces of Apokolips, the hellish world on which they were raised—a war that will force him to confront a terrible, unspeakable decision! Can our haunted hero survive the horrors of combat, the trials of fatherhood, and a look into the face of God? And can he escape the Closing Jaws of Death and break into that eternal paradise of storytelling spectacle known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Jack Kirby's Fourth World saga Our episode on Groot and Kirby's Jimmy Olsen Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Jim Steranko, escape artist The trouble with sex scenes The ending of The Sopranos For the Man Who Has Everything How long should a podcast episode be? Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Who Is Scorpio? The 616 Society Batman: The Rules of Engagement Join us in two weeks as we prepare for the Netflix debut of The Umbrella Academy with a discussion of The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take a break from graphic novels and caped crusaders for a look at two clever, contemporary comic strips … the webcomic xkcd and cartoonist Olivia Jaimes' take on the newspaper comic strip Nancy! Created by Ernie Bushmiller, the original Nancy was hailed as a pinnacle of comic-strip architecture. When the pseudonymous Olivia Jaimes took the reins in April of last year, she gave it a fresh sensibility that has revitalized the 80-year-old strip and drawn rave reviews. Created by Randall Munroe in 2005, xkcd alternates between sharply observant gags, complex commentaries on "romance, sarcasm, math, and language," and ambitious projects that redefine the parameters of what a comic strip can do in the 2st century. Can these very different yet similarly smart examples of the form help revive interest in the ailing comic strip? And can they find themselves circulating in that firmament of the funny pages known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: How to Read Nancy Scott McCloud's 5-Card Nancy The Coyote Gospel "Sluggo is Lit" memes Vulture's interview with Olivia Jaimes Click and Drag and Time Should we expand the concept of The Comics Canon? Francesco Marciuliano and Medium Large Got any great webcomics to recommend? Spectacle Vol. 1 by Megan Rose Gedris The Reply All podcast Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History Join us in two weeks as we return to more familiar superheroic territory – or do we? – with a look at Tom King and Mitch Gerads' Mister Miracle! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, please be so kind as to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin discuss the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt's favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin, by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, published by Titan Comics! In this satirical account based on actual events, Joseph Stalin, head of the Soviet Union, collapses from a severe stroke in February of 1953, setting off a chain of events that threatens to throw the socialist state into chaos as the members of the Soviet Central Committee bicker about what course of action to take. In the wake of Stalin's death (spoiler alert!), innocents are hauled off to prison or executed, and hundreds of mourners die as they march on Moscow to pay their respects. Can Nikita Khrushchev and his allies prevent noxious Lavrentiy Beria, head of the Secret Police, from seizing power? And can this gripping tale of political perfidy and bureaucratic back-stabbing make it over the Iron Curtain into that capital of comic-book democracy known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Content warning Liberties taken with the historical record Curt's top 10 films of 2018 The Techmeme Ride Home podcast Aquacorn Cove The A.V. Club's best comics of the year Superman: Red Son Join us in two weeks as we switch gears to discuss the recently revitalized comic strip Nancy and the webcomic xkcd! Until then, don't forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4! Last but not least, don't forget to 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!

In this special crossover episode, Curt and Kevin welcome Chris Jordan, Lyric Eschoe and Kenneth Franklin of VOX ATL to discuss the new animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse! (Be advised: Spoilers are discussed.) Topics discussed in this episode include the cultural importance of Miles Morales, the film's exciting visual aesthetic, Michael B. Jordan in Fantastic Four, the YA novel Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds, the legacy of social activism in comics, and the idea that "anyone can be Spider-Man." Join us in just one week as we review the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt's favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin! Until then, consider our fine line of Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4 for all your holiday shopping needs! Last but not least, don't forget to 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!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take the plunge with a discussion of "nobody's favorite superhero," Aquaman! First up, they plumb the depths of the seafaring sentinel's first appearance in 1941's More Fun Comics #73! Can this freshman warrior of the waves sink the dastardly plans of a Nazi submarine crew? Then, it's a deep dive into the character's 2011 reboot from Aquaman Vol. 7, as DC's defender of the deep goes toe to webbed foot with the man-eating menace of … the Trench! When these sharp-toothed humanoids come across the coastal town of Beachrock, they decide to put mankind on the menu! Can Aquaman and his Atlantean gill—er, we mean girlfriend Mera save the inhabitants of Beachrock and adapt to life on the surface world? And can our titan of the tides endure a constant stream of snickers and insults and paddle his way to that sea of love known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Curt's idea for an Aquaman movie trailer "I've oceans of love for you boys!" Super Friends and Aquaman's image problem Kevin has conflicting feelings about these carnivorous denizens of the deep What was the best version of Aquaman? Justice League Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis Upgrade Drowned Earth Sanctum Vol. 1: USS Nebraska Dept. H Vol. 1: Murder Six Miles Deep Join us in two weeks as we review the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt's favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin! Until then, consider our fine line of Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4 for all your holiday shopping needs! Last but not least, don't forget to 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!