Better Than Fiction

Episode #480! My Hero Academia has over 35 volumes and an animated series. This week Scott surprises us by reading vol.1 of the manga property and bringing it to the show. On this episode DL goes deep on the spectacular book The Making of Planet of the Apes by J.W. Rinzler. Also this week he has Planet of the Apes Adventures omnibus(?) from Marvel Comics. Check it out!

Episode #479 This week we have an extra-sized episode of Cool Stuff. First up Scott tells us about the documentary Rallying The Killer Years. We then talk about Marvel Comics moving their digital content away from Comixology. Scott talks about the RPG Villains and Vigilantes and finding out of print modules. To wrap up this episode, DL has the phenomenal art exhibition catalog Arte Noir featuring the work of Jim Steranko. Check it out!

Episode #478! This week we are back with "Cool Stuff" from Image, Marvel and Dynamite. First up is a new story from one of the original pulp heroes of the 1930's. Writer/artist Matt Wagner brings us The Shadow The Death Of Margo Lane from Dynamite Comics. The Idol Of Millions is back with his own limited series. Scott brings us the new Ben Grimm team-up book Clobberin' Time by Steve Skroce. Also on this episode DL brings the first trade of Dark Ride to the table. Writer Joshua Williamson and artist Andrei Bressan give us the story of the people and happenings of Devil Land amusement park. Check it out!  

Episode #477! The movies of filmmaker Kevin Smith! After a viewing of Clerks 3, we were planning to discuss it. However, this episode morphed into a talk about (most) of his movies. Still mainly a Clerks universe episode, we touch on some of his other movies and his other entertainment endeavors including his podcasts, writing comic books and AMC's Comic Book Men. Check it out!    

Episode #476! Cool Stuff episode. This week Scott brings a few Marvel collected editions to the podcast. While not the large size Epics or the expensive hardcover Masterworks, these manga sized Mighty Marvel Masterworks editions are perfect for new readers and old. DL brings a reprint collection that many assumed would never get a collected edition. Both DC and Image have come together with a deluxe edition of Batman Spawn. This volume not only includes the '90's stories with last year's new tale but also includes pencil pages and covers. Also on this episode Scott has These Fists Break Bricks by Grady Hendrix and Chris Poggiali which focuses on the Kung Fu movie craze of the 70's. Check it out!

Episode #475! This week your hosts bring classic comics from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee to the table. The X-Men maybe a franchise most movie-goers know today. However, in the 60's their comic book counterparts weren't exactly household names like they are now. Because of lack of popularity and sales, after 66 issues of new content, the book became a reprint comic. These comics weren't bad, they just hadn't found their audience yet. This week DLNelson and Scott Sackett discuss Stan and Jack's X-Men! Check it out!

Episode #474! Cool Stuff Episode! This week Scott bring multiple items to the table. First up he shows off his newly bound copy of D&D's Player's Handbook, Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide and his copy Stan's Soapbox from The Hero Initiative. As if that wasn't enough cool stuff, Scott also talks about Bubblegum Crisis and Todd & The Book of Pure Evil. To wrap up this episode, DL talks about Joe Daly's very odd but entertaining Highbone Theater. Check it out!    

Episode #473! This week DLNelson talks about his recent trip to Kansas City for Planet Comic Con '23. Celebrity panels were attended with Star Trek's Shatner, Spiner and Frakes. Comic book creator panels were attended with Roy Thomas, Garth Ennis, Jimmy Palmiotti, David Mack and Chris Claremont. Books were signed. Stuff was bought. Plus Don Rosa and Steranko encounters. Check it out! 

Episode #472 This week we spotlight work from three absolute legends in comics. First up Scott has an art book focused on the premiere Spider-Man artist. The Art Of John Romita from Marvel Comics is an out-of-print gem focusing on Romita's life and work. Next up DL has another survivor's tale in the midst of war. Joe Kubert's Fax From Sarajevo is the story of one man trying to move his family from their war-torn city while the bombs fall. Lastly, Scott has a retelling of Spider-Man's origin with John Byrne's Spider-Man Chapter One! Check it out!

Episode #471! We are back with a fully loaded Cool Stuff episode. Scott has two Spider-Man related books this week. First up he talks about Stefan Petrucha's novel Spider-Man: Forever Young. He also brings the incredible book Gil Kane's The Amazing Spider-Man Artisan Edition to the table. DL has the new Garrett Gunn and Kit Wallis trade Little Red Ronin from Source Point Press. Scott has an even bigger Marvel/IDW art book to showcase this week with Chris Samnee's Daredevil Artist's Edition. All that and more is discussed this episode. Check it out!