Back Issue Bloodbath Archives - Geek Hard

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

This week on Bloodbath, we go behind the scenes of the world of eighties wrestling with Andre the Giant: Life and Legend). Written and drawn by cartoonist Box Brown, Life and Legend is a collection of stories about Andre Roussimoff, a.k.a. the eighth wonder of the world. There have been many tall tales about the man (get it?) but Box made it his mission to use only the stories that can be verified to some degree as true. Many famous people make appearances in these stories. Of course we see Hulk Hogan, Bad News Allen and the like. We also see actor Robin Wright (from the set of The Princess Bride) and playwright Samuel Beckett. Hell, even David Letterman and Joey Bishop are in this comic. Andre the Giant lived a giant life of excitement and heartbreak.

Join us as we take a look at this 2014 graphic novel and give our thoughts on it from two very different perspectives. Andrew is a life long wrestling fan. Sammy knows nothing of the squared circle. Each took away something different from this grouping of illustrated tales published by First Second Books. Find out if this is a graphic novel you should check out on the latest Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

This week on Bloodbath, Andrew and Sammy talk about a book that they’ve brought up A LOT over the past year, Daredevil: Born Again. Released in the mid-eighties, Born Again was Frank Miller’s big return to the character that made him famous. Joined by artist David Mazzuchelli, the two told a ripping tale of heartbreak, betrayal and redemption. When Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of crime, finds out the secret identity of Daredevil, he uses it to destroy the man’s life and strips away his sanity. Matt Murdock becomes a man without hope. But a man without hope is a Man Without Fear!

What makes this story still interesting to this day is that it doesn’t star a superhero. Daredevil is barely in the book. Instead, we see the story unfold for his alter ego, Matt Murdock. We also get to see one of the greatest representations of a villain with power in Wilson Fisk. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also great moments involving Karen Page, Ben Urich and The Avengers, plus the introduction of a man named Nuke. (Give me a Red.) Take a listen as Andrew and Sammy dissect this classic Marvel tale which could be considered the greatest comic story of ALL TIME!

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

When it comes to comic books, everybody always talks about the hero. But where would the hero be without some supporting characters to back him up? The supporting cast of a comic book can be very diverse. They can be the love interest or family of the main character. Sometimes, they’re co-workers. There are books where the supporting cast of a comic are made up of robots or animals or talking animal robot hybrids. Like most things in comics, the supporting cast can be anything that the writer can dream up for the artist to bring to life.

This week on Back Issue Bloodbath, we take a look at the world of supporting characters. Which ones are Andrew and Sammy’s favourites? Which ones are our least favourites? (Pretty sure Sammy will make a Steve Trevor joke at some point.) Join us as we look back at the likes of Foggy Nelson, Alfred, Lois Lane, Microchip and more! We even take a look at supporting casts that didn’t catch on. (Does anybody remember the original supporting cast for Luke Cage: Hero for Hire?) Listen as we support one another in our quest to understand and examine the complexity of comic book supporting characters.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

When it comes to the world of superhero storytelling, there are few greater at telling a ripping yarn than the mighty Kurt Busiek. For years, the man has teamed with various artists to bring us “wonder and spectacle”. Whether it’s with longstanding heroes from Marvel or DC, epic characters from literature, or brand new ones from his own creativity, the comic scribe has shocked and amazed. The key to his sustained quality is giving layered characters that the reader can get behind. No matter the fantastic situation, we’re invested in seeing these characters through to the very end.

Join us for another episode of Back Issue Bloodbath to hear Andrew and Sammy talk about the many comic works of Kurt Busiek. Marvels, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, The Avengers, The Thunderbolt, Superman: Secret Identity, Conan and more! They’re all covered. Of course we couldn’t talk about Kurt Busiek and not bring up Astro City. If you’re a fan of the man or just want to know what makes him such a seminal writer in the world of modern comics, give this episode a listen. You just might learn something about wonder and spectacle. (At least we hope so.)

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

This week, we take a look back at DC’s first try at doing socially conscious comics: Green Lantern Green Arrow. Released as part of the Green Lantern series in the 70s (and finishing up as backup stories in The Flash), the tale of the “Hard Traveling Heroes” – Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen – took a look at social issues of the time. Accompanied by a Guardian from the Planet Oa, Green Lantern and Green Arrow set out across American to connect with the common man. These issues focused on problems such as racism, drug addiction, overpopulation, consumerism and more. The delivery of these stories is a bit hokey by today’s standards. Still, the message of this series has value, especially in our current political and social climate.

Join Andrew and Sammy as they take a look back on the now classic Green Lantern Green Arrow series written by Denny O’Neil with art from Neal Adams. This is the series that cemented Green Arrow as the quintessential socially conscious superhero. It also sports the first appearance of GL John Stewart. We take a look at all this history and more in the latest episode of Back Issue Bloodbath!

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

In honour of this Friday’s release of Marvel’s The Defenders on Netflix, Andrew and Sammy take a look at the current Defenders comic book written by Brian Michael Bendis with art from David Marquez. Bendis is no stranger to Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. He’s told countless stories of them separately. Now we get to see what tomfoolery he’ll get up to with these four as a team. Illustrations from Marquez make the experience all the sweeter. These street level heroes have teamed up to take on Diamondback, a mobster once thought dead, who’s returned from the grave with super powers. It’s time to DEFEND New York!

Andrew has already expressed his love for this new series. Listen as he goes into greater detail about The Defenders and Sammy throws in his two cents as well. Does Sammy love it as much as Andrew? What’s the level of Marvel Universe crossover in this series? Will it get you jazzed for the t.v. show? Most of these questions will be answered on the latest episode of Back Issue Bloodbath.

(Why not all of the questions?) The show’s only a half hour. Some questions don’t make it. Sorry.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

This week, Andrew switches things up a bit as he will not be joined by Sammy Younan. Sammy is taking a much needed vacation as reading a Steve Trevor comic a few weeks back really took the wind out of his sails. (Wait a second….he didn’t even read that comic….oh well.) Sitting in for Sammy will be longtime friend of the show and co-writer of Geek Hard’s New Comics blog, Kris Johnson. Kris loves comics almost as much as he loves his own son…almost. Kris is also a big fan of Danny Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist. That works out well as we look at the current Iron Fist comic by Ed Brisson and Mike Perkins.

For those not in the know, Danny Rand is the champion and protector of the mystical city of K’un Lun. He carries the chi of Shou Lao The Undying, which gives Danny the power to make his fist like a thing unto iron. Except these days, that chi has weakened. Danny’s cut off from K’un Lun and is trying to find a way to get his mojo back. What better way to get back into top Immortal Weapon shape than to go to a hidden kung fu island and fight the various masters there for their chi? Sounds like a plan to Danny. And it sounds like this week’s topic on an ALL NEW Back Issue Bloodbath. Take a listen.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

Cash grabs. Mainstream comics are all about them. If there’s a quickfire way to get a fanboy or girl to part with their money, you better believe Marvel and DC are ready to use them. One of the most popular is the death of a character. Every big name has died at least once. Because of this, a cash grab that just as popular is the “Return” of a character. If you shelled out to seem them die, you’ll pay just as much to see them come back to the land of the “living”. The reasoning behind this is sound. The execution is usually where the problem lies.

When it comes to character returns, there have been great ones that have rejuvenated franchises and made heroes better than they were before. Bucky coming back as the Winter Soldier in the pages of Ed Brubaker’s Captain America was one of the greatest stories of Marvel’s modern era. On the other hand, the rushed return of Jean Grey is one that still seems goofy to this day. And don’t get us started on the Death and Return of Superman. In a world where dead doesn’t mean dead, is it important to present a logical and satisfying explanation for a character’s return? Or do the ends justify the means? That’s what Andrew and Sammy attempt to figure out on an ALL NEW Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

It’s time for another Creator Spotlight here on Back Issue Bloodbath. This time, we’re looking at a creator who’s work has spanned decades. A man that is prolific in his output as a writer and creator. A dude that likes to mix humour with high tension. Peter David. Best known for his twelve year run on Incredible Hulk, Peter David has made a career working on the “also ran” characters. Supergirl, Aquaman, Captain Marvel and X-Factor are just some titles that Peter has taken under his wing. The guy’s got a gift for telling a ripping good yarn. (Although sometimes he doesn’t know how to quit while he’s ahead.)

Join us as Andrew and Sammy take a look back on the career of Peter David. We highlight some of his greatest achievements and a few of his missteps along the way. If you’re a fan of stories like The Death of Jean DeWolff, Future Imperfect and countless adventures involving Multiple Man, you’ll get a kick out this trip down memory lane. So sit back, relax and let us remind you of all the great comics that came from the mind of one Peter David. It’s all your way on the latest Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

 

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

As everyone in the world knows by now, the Wonder Woman film was released in theatres this past June. To celebrate this momentous occasion, DC Comics released a few specials highlighting characters and storylines featured in the movie. Steve Trevor is one of those characters who was featured with his first EVER solo book. Steve’s been a supporting character for years, backing up Wondy in many of her adventures. He’s also shown up in various DC books as one of the members of A.R.G.U.S. This special is Steve’s time to shine! When Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor hit the stands, Andrew knew it was soon to be a topic on an upcoming Back Issue Bloodbath.

Join us as Andrew attempts to have a real discussion about a comic starring Sammy’s least favourite character. Sammy’s hate for Steve Trevor is unrelenting. Andrew’s still not sure Sammy even read the comic. He spends most of his time delivering one liners that would make an old vaudeville comedian proud. Take a listen to hear one man talking about a comic special and the other working on his one man show of hate towards a fictional character. What else would you expect from Back Issue Bloodbath?

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!