BAM POW Comic Hour

In celebration of the Deadpool returning to the big screen its time to take a closer look at Deadpool's comic book origins. During this podcast we review and discuss the Deadpool Classic Trade Paperback vol 1. This covers his first appearance in New Mutants #98 in 1991 created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld as well as stories from the legendary comic book writer Mark Waid, and the writer who brought him into a more familiar version we know today, Joe Kelly. His humor, stunning personality, and his 4th wall antics all had to start from somewhere, so tune in to find out more about your favorite Merc with a Mouth.

This podcast episode reviews the first graphic novel A Contract with God by Will Eisner, known as the godfather of the graphic novel. The story is about a religious man gives up his faith after the passing of his young adopted daughter and how he struggles with acceptance and perceptive. This is one of the 4 tales based on Eisner experience growing up in The Bronx on Dropsie Avenue that takes place in this collected edition.

This book is recommended for anyone who is interested in the history of comics, wants to learn more about the life of legendary Will Eisner and his impact on the comics industry.

When it comes to origins in comics it can be difficult to break new ground. However, Kelly Sue DeConnick found a way to bring a new vision to life for the world of Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman Historia explains how the Amazons were created, how Hippolyta: Diana's mother rose to power and the founding of island of Themyscira.

From the robust mythology of the Greek Gods to Hippolyta fighting of behalf of herself and her tribe of Amazons this epic story stands up shares the struggles of how they fought for their survival and justice for their people.

We recommend this story for fans of Wonder Woman, Greek Mythology and imaginative art styles that shows this larger than life world.

During the 1980s the comic book industry came out with some of the greatest stories that we still hold in high regard today. This includes Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil Born Again, Maus, and so many other innovative comics that changed the mindset of what kind of tales graphic novels can tell. The Incal by writer Alejandro Jodorowsky & art by Mœbius is regarded as one of the most epic sci-fi comic book stories of all time. This French graphic novel tells the wonderous adventure of detective John Difool and how the Incal, an object of immense power. brings him together with a group of strangers, warriors, bounty hunters and talking animals to help guide him through a prophecy that the fate of the universe depends on him to decide.

This epic space opera is recommended for anyone who loves worldbuilding, investing in underdog heroes, mystery, and larger than life storylines. Fans of Dune, Blade Runner, Fifth Element, and Riddick are encouraged to read of the most expansive Sci-Fi graphic novel adventures in comic book history.

In 1991 Marvel relaunched the X-Men #1 title book with exciting collaboration of writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee to become the world's best selling comic book of all time. The time at Marvel during Jim Lee's beginnings brought about a new era of art style that sets a new dynamic for the comic book industry going forward. This would also go on to inspire the designs of the X-Men Animated series that was huge success of Saturday Morning Cartoons. During this podcast we review the massive oversized collected edition of X-MEN XXL by Jim Lee to study the art that highlights some of the most memorable stories of the Claremont/Lee run including X-Men #1.

Fables are defined as a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters. However, if we deepen the mythology behind these iconic characters such as The Big Bad Wolf, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jack & The Bean Stalk to give them human characteristics to compliment their magical/fantasy traits set in a human society where they live together, that is what the brilliant writer Bill Willingham sets his epic tale to be. With a mix of mature themes with fairy tales, Fables does an excellent job of brining to light mythical stories of old, with new insights, and above & beyond character investment that keeps everything unpredictable at the same time. This podcast will cover volumes 1-3 of the 14 Eisner Winning Vertigo DC Comics Series.

The story of the great George Takei goes beyond his career of Star Trek, into his early beginnings growing up in America during the 1940s. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott with art by Harmony Becker tells the real life experiences Takei lived through during WWII when Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps in the United States during the aftermath of Pearl Harbor until the war was over.

With the help of Takei's mother and father, George and his family were able to persevere through this era of traumatic uncertainly that forever changed the lives of thousands of Japanese Americans during one of the harshest times in world history. This part of history is tragically important as to not repeat itself, but to learn the valuable lessons shared in this journey of courage and bravery.

This Eisner Award winning graphic novel for Best Reality-Based Work produced by Top Shelf Productions is highly recommended for readers who like nonfiction autobiographic memoirs as well as readers who want to learn about one of the most iconic pop culture leaders to take action outside of the television screen.

BAM POW COMIC HOUR PODCAST RETURNS TO THE STUDIO! Hello True Believers, were back from our extended break returning to the universe to bring you exciting new comic book collected edition and graphic novel conversations.

Superman Space Age written by Mark Russell and art Michael Allred with colors by Laura Allred is BAM POW Comic Hour's 2023 book of the year. Like many retellings of Superman's origin story, Superman Space Age does explain the origins as the Man of Steel from out space who learns about who he is and why is Superman. The unique twist that this creative team is set with a background of America in the 1960s with real world events and historical figures with iconic DC characters merging to blend the two worlds together. Clark Kent is on a journey of finding his purpose of how he can help others with the time he has on earth. The age of super heroes is born and receiving the call to action has tremendous weight and the ability to make the right decision has a huge responsibility. This book has 3 extended chapters taking place in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The art by Michael Allred has a unique cartoon stylized perspective. However, this creative team does an incredible job at this ambitious vision only they could accomplish. We recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh superman story and for fans of stories that blend history and fantasy together that delivers a deep meaningful, yet fun story with DC Comic Characters.

For mature readers.

Michael Moran speaks the magic works Kimota! and turns into the most powerful superhero the world has ever known, Miracleman. Where did he come from and what are his intentions? After a 18 year hiatus from a world altering a event Miracleman returns to save the day once again, but the world isn't same as it used to be.

We review the Miracleman Omnibus that collects A Dream of Flying, The Red King Syndrome and Olympus as well as other various related stories and extras. In 1982 this 3 party story was written by the uncredited writer of Alan Moore along with art by Gary Leach, Alan Davis, John Totlebean, Rick Veitch, Chuck Austen, and John Ridgeway. Miracleman would truly pioneer the way for super hero reconstruction as well as the impactful behind the scenes history of this underrated comic book story that continues to show the brilliance of Alan Moore.

Is there a Gotham City without Batman? Gotham Central written in collaboration by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker gives us a unique perspective from the detectives of G.C.P.D Major Crimes Unit. This anthology of cohesively written stories establishes the detectives that are hitting the streets, and searching for answers to crimes living in the shadow of Batman. These characters struggle with fighting for legitimacy, while doing their jobs before Batman can swoop in to save the day. The G.C.P.D fights to answer the question how villains' are made as they combat not only villain's from Batman's history, but also work to solve murders, cold cases, find missing persons, and so much more.

With the art of Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano and Kano, this team establishes a modern crime noir story based in DC Comics fan favorite city of Gotham that makes it feel gritty, but authentic in order to focus on the story while investing in characters who you will eager to buckle in for the ride ahead. Batman has nothing on the detectives of the G.C.P.D. Not if this incredible collaborative team has anything to say about it.