Better Than Fiction

Episode #424! This week it's more Cool Stuff with Batman, Otomo Katsuhiro and the Mignola-verse!  The holidays may be over but DL has read a Christmas story. This episode's Batman volume is Batman Noel by Lee Bermejo. Scott talks about the fantastic art book Genga by Otomo Katsuhiro. Mike Mignola and Warwick Johnson-Cadwell have worked on three Victorian tales of monster hunting. Listen as DL talks about Mr. Higgins Comes Home, Our Encounters with Evil and Falconspeare. Give it a listen!

Episode #423! This week we are back talking more Cool Stuff from our world of pop culture. Image Comics founder Jim Valentino tells the history of his company with The Official Image Timeline. Scott spotlights the art book Intron Depot vol.1 by Shirow Masamune. DL talks a little bit about Frank Castle with the new Punisher #1 from Marvel comics. After that he focuses on The True Story of the Unknown Soldier by French comics legend Jacques Tardi from Fantagraphics. Check it out!

Episode #422! Batman The Imposter, Batman The World and Marvel Comics An Issue By Issue Field Guide! More Cool Stuff! With The Batman currently at the forefront of pop culture, DL looks at two new Batman hardcovers. First up is Batman The Imposter by Mattson Tomlin and Andrea Sorrentino. Next is the anthology Batman The World featuring works by Lee Bermejo, Brian Azzarello, Kim Jung Gi and others from around the world. Scott talks about his new fantasy read The Way Of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. To close down this episode Scott talks about the three book series Marvel Comics An Issue By Issue Field Guide. Each volume spotlights the decade of the 60's, 70's or 80's. Check it out!    

Episode #421! The Batman! Scott Sackett and DLNelson are back this week talking movies. No make that movie. The movie, if you are a Batman fan. We have seen The Batman. Listen as we spotlight a few cool scenes, discuss casting, talk about the story and maybe even the music. This isn't your mother's Biff!, Boom!, Pow! Batman but Check It Out Old Chum!   

Episode #420! This week your hosts DLNelson and Scott Sackett have another all-new episode of "Cool Stuff"! First up we talk a little TV with Marvel Netflix, Disney+ and NBC's Heroes. After that we focus on books. Scott has Guy Delisle's Factory Summers. Next from DC Comics is Mark Russell and Steve Pugh's The Flintstones. Then we speak briefly about the novelization of The Dark Phoenix Saga by Stuart Moore and The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian season two. Check it out!

Episode #419! This week we talk about two films that aren't super hero movies. First up, is Ridley Scott's The Last Duel. Based on a true story from 1386, this period piece is told from three points of view and it features Adam Driver, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Next is Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley. Set in 1940's NYC, a down-on-his-luck con-man hatches a scheme to swindle a tycoon. Check it out! 

Episode #418! This week Scott Sackett and DLNelson focus their attention on IDW's Artisan Editions. While the Artisan Editions contain the same content as the Artist Editions, their smaller size make them easier to enjoy (and shelve). We look at Mazzucchelli's Daredevil Born Again, Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Simonson's The Mighty Thor, Kirby's Fantastic Four and Romita's The Amazing Spider-Man. We also talk a little about the Netflix Marvel shows! Give it a listen!

Episode #417! An all-new "Cool Stuff" episode! The Black Kaiser is the world's most dangerous spy. In Polar vols. 0-4, The Black Kaiser is dragged out of retirement with a failed assassination attempt. Then he gets busy with a whole lot of killing. At one point many top comic-strip cartoonists lived close to each other in Connecticut. Cullen Murphy's book Cartoon County tells of Murphy's father and his famous cartooning colleagues. Dan Brereton's The Nocturnals omnibus vol.1 is brought to the table. We also examine the art book, Lead Poisoning: The Pencil Art of Geof Darrow. Check it out! 

Episode #416! Spider-Man No Way Home episode. Scott finally made it out to see the new Spider-Man flick. On this episode we talk a little about that movie (plot and some spoilers). We also talk a little about the other Marvel movies of 2021. Give it a listen.

This week it's part two of our interview with comic book creator Derreck Wayne Jackson. Listen as Derreck tells us of his childhood inspirations for creativity (Batman, John Byrne, 80's action movies...), challenges of early comic book production (cost, printing hassles, distribution...), current titles available (Raven, Stray Bullets...) as well as upcoming projects(?). If you want to make your own comic book this episode is for you. Enjoy!