Campus Comics Cast

Campus Comics Cast is reading comics in this episode likes it 1989!!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:01:00 Flash Gordon by Alex Raymond

00:46:52 Swamp Thing 1989

02:10:57 Next Episode

02:11:15 Outros

02:12:04 Stinger

Can a 1930s comic strip still feel fast, imaginative, and essential nearly a century later—and reveal how much of modern sci-fi, including Star Wars, owes a debt to Flash Gordon? For comic readers who want to explore the roots of science-fiction adventure without committing to an endless run, this episode breaks down why Alex Raymond’s original Flash Gordon strips remain worth your time. Scott and Mike explore the thrill of Flash’s serialized adventures on Mongo, the memorable art and character designs, the Ming–Aura–Dale dynamic, and the surprising closeness between the early strips and the 1980 Flash Gordon film. It is a practical guide for deciding whether this foundational classic belongs on your digital reading list—or your bookshelf.

What happens when a long-lost, controversial Swamp Thing storyline finally returns—then sends Alec Holland across time, into the Source, and back to Abigail just as Anton Arcane threatens everything they love? If you have ever wondered whether a comic can successfully revive an unfinished creative vision decades later, this episode gives you a spoiler-rich look at Swamp Thing #89–91: newly created continuations of Rick Veitch’s interrupted 1989 story. Scott and Mike unpack how the series honors DC continuity while delivering cosmic time travel, Constantine scheming, Arthurian adventure, the Source, and the emotional core of Swamp Thing and Abigail’s relationship. They also discuss why the new material feels remarkably faithful to the era rather than like a simple nostalgia project.

Listeners will gain:

A spoiler-friendly overview of the earliest Flash Gordon strips, including Flash, Dale Arden, Professor Zarkov, Ming the Merciless, Princess Aura, Prince Barin, and the varied kingdoms of Mongo.

A clearer understanding of why Alex Raymond’s artwork remains influential, from expressive body language and cinematic panel composition to the evolving layouts of the Sunday strips.

Helpful context for Flash Gordon’s place in comics history, including serialized storytelling, its influence on later science-fiction adventure, and how the 1980 film adapts key elements of the original premise.

A clear, issue-by-issue guide to Swamp Thing #89–91, including Swamp Thing’s journey through time, the Shining Knight’s role, the return of Anton Arcane, and the birth of Abigail and Swamp Thing’s child.

Context for the comic’s dense DC connections, from John Constantine, the Spectre, and Metron to Darkseid, the Source, Anthro, Kronos, and the pre-Crisis multiverse.

Insight into why Rick Veitch’s writing, Tom Mandrake’s artwork, and the new series’ period-specific details make this continuation meaningful for longtime Swamp Thing readers and enticing for newer fans.

Play this episode to discover whether the original Flash Gordon strips deserve a place in your collection—and get a rewarding starting point for exploring one of science fiction’s most influential comic adventures and to get the context, continuity connections, and emotional payoff that will make reading Swamp Thing 1989 #88 to 91 far more rewarding.

So what will you be doing in November of 2026? Hopefully reading some of the comics we recommend in this episode of the campus comics Cast.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:40 Kyle Starks Kickstarter

00:02:45 Next Phase catalog start

00:10:15 DC

00:36:00 Image

01:08:20 Panels catalog start

01:08:47 Panels Highlights

01:15:45 Marvel

01:32:27 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:38:20 Next Episode

01:38:50 Outros

01:39:31 Stingers

Which November 2026 comics deserve your preorder dollars—and which buzzworthy releases are worth watching before they disappear from the shelves? This episode of Campus Comics Cast cuts through a crowded catalog to spotlight the upcoming books, facsimiles, graphic novels, collector editions, and possible sleeper picks that caught two longtime comic readers’ attention.

If you are trying to decide what to preorder, avoid missing a potentially underprinted issue, or simply want fresh reading ideas beyond the usual superhero pull list, this episode gives you a practical, collector-minded tour of November’s solicitations. Scott Reed and Mike Atchison weigh familiar names such as Firestorm, Batman, Dune, Robin Hood, and Flash Gordon alongside unusual indie concepts, affordable one-shots, new graphic novels, and reprints that make costly classics easier to own.

A curated list of November 2026 comic, graphic-novel, and collectible releases worth considering for their reading or preorder list.

Clear, candid perspectives on likely highlights, including Fury of Firestorm, Dune Messiah Book 1, The Forgiven Divine, Retirement Plan, Robin Hood, Chaincata, Ghost Drive Station, and more.

Practical collecting insight on facsimiles, variant-cover gimmicks, low-cost entry points, potential demand, reprints, and why some releases may be better bought to read than to speculate on.

Play the episode now to build a sharper November preorder list and uncover a few under-the-radar books before final-order decisions pass you by.

Join the campus comics cast for its most wibbly wobbly timey wimey episode yet as we discuss Kang the Conqueror.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:04:50 First Five Kang

00:35:18 Captain America by Mark Waid

01:08:00 CLZ Shake

01:11:37 Next Episode

01:12:06 Outros

01:12:45 Stinger

Can you untangle Kang the Conqueror’s earliest appearances—and survive a Captain America story where the Red Skull gains terrifying Cosmic Cube power?

If Marvel’s time-travel continuity, character variants, and decades of comic-book history have ever felt overwhelming, this episode gives you a guided conversation through the origins of Kang, Rama-Tut, and Immortus—then shifts to a high-stakes Captain America and Red Skull storyline from Mark Waid’s run.

Follow Kang’s evolution from Silver Age conqueror to the time-twisting Marvel villain fans know today.

Explore the connections among Kang, Rama-Tut, Immortus, Doctor Doom, and the strange logic of comic-book time travel.

Hear an honest review of Mark Waid and Andy Kubert’s Captain America story, featuring the Red Skull, the Cosmic Cube, the Watcher, and a surprising Korvac reveal.

Play the episode now for a spoiler-filled, issue-by-issue trip through Kang’s first five comic appearances and a cosmic Captain America showdown that earns its place on your reading list.

The episode covers Fantastic Four #19, Fantastic Four Annual #2, Avengers #8, #10, and #11 for the Kang discussion, followed by Mark Waid’s Captain America #12–17, including the Red Skull’s return and Korvac’s reveal.

Welcome to post SDCC episode 240 of the Campus Comics Cast where we are not recovering from con crud, since we were not there.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:30 SDCC News Rapid Fire Discussion

00:09:00 Next Phase catalog start

00:18:20 DC

00:29:05 Image

00:49:45 Panels catalog start

00:50:15 Panels Highlights

00:58:44 Marvel

01:12:40 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:16:53 Next Episode

01:18:24 Outros

01:19:10 Stingers

WWhat are the biggest Marvel and DC reveals from San Diego Comic-Con, and which ones actually matter for fans? What comics do you preorder that are coming out later this year.

If you’re trying to keep up with comics, MCU news, and the next wave of movie and TV announcements without wading through every panel recap, this episode helps you separate the hype from the headlines.

Get a fast breakdown of the biggest San Diego Comic-Con announcements.

Hear two hosts react to Marvel news like Avengers: Doomsday, Black Panther 3, Ghost Rider casting, and Vision Quest.

Walk away with a clearer sense of which reveals are worth watching and which ones may just be fan speculation.

Play this episode now to get a quick, entertaining Comic-Con recap packed with the biggest announcements and the most talked-about Marvel news as well as what comics to preorder from your local comic shop for August 2026.

Taking a cue from Marvel, the Campus Comics Cast announces a new Editor-In-Chief for episode 239! (Just Kidding)

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:50 News

00:03:05 First Five Nexus

00:41:10 Superman Secret Identity

01:05:30 CLZ Shake

01:08:55 Next Episode

01:09:25 Outros

01:10:29 Stinger

What makes Nexus and Superman’s Secret Identity such powerful picks for a comic podcast episode?

If you’re looking for comic recommendations that balance classic indie sci-fi with one of the most thoughtful Superman stories ever told, this episode gives you a strong reason to add both books to your reading list.

Listeners will gain:

A clear understanding of Nexus and its dream-driven cosmic mission.

Insight into why Superman’s Secret Identity stands out as an emotional, character-focused Superman story.

A preview of the hosts’ reactions to both books, helping you decide which one to read first.

Play the episode now to hear Scott and Mike break down both titles and get more confident about what to read next.

In episode 238 of the Campus Comics Cast we commit to never have a Blind Bag episode. After, we talk about the July pre-orders for comics shipping in September and beyond.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:01:09 Supergirl movie discussion

00:05:35 Next Phase catalog start

00:14:58 DC

00:31:55 Image

01:15:30 Panels catalog start

01:16:45 Panels Highlights

01:24:08 Marvel

01:29:55 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:34:48 Next Episode

01:35:35 Outros

01:36:18 Stingers

Which upcoming pre-orders are actually worth your pull list this month?

If you want to spend smarter at your comic shop, this episode helps you sort through the newest pre-order options so you can focus on the books most likely to match your taste and budget before they ship.

A clearer look at standout pre-order picks from DC and other publishers.

Insight into which upcoming books are worth watching.

A practical preview of titles that could save you time, money, and second-guessing when ordering.

Play the episode now to hear Scott and Mike break down the latest pre-orders so you can make your next comic-buying decisions with more confidence.

The Campus Comics Cast goes full anthropomorphic with the first five appearances of Tank Girl and discusison on the first two issues of Escape.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:01:55 First Five Tank Girl

00:26:00 Escape Issues 1 and 2

00:45:07 CLZ Shake

00:49:00 Next Episode

00:49:35 Outros

00:50:25 Stinger

Can a punk, chaotic comic like Tank Girl still hold up today, and what makes Escape such a strong contrast in tone and storytelling?

If you’re trying to decide which comics are worth your time, this episode helps you compare a wild cult classic with a more emotionally grounded war story so you can spot what works, what doesn’t, and why.

A clearer sense of what makes Tank Girl divisive and why it may not connect with every reader.

Insight into how Escape uses anthropomorphic characters to create a more powerful wartime story.

A better understanding of how art, tone, and character design shape your reaction to a comic.

Play this episode now to hear a break down of both books so you can quickly decide whether either one belongs on your read list.

June preorders for books shipping in August means I am back to work when most of these comics come out, which is sort of depressing.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:12 Intro

00:01:26 Listener Feedback

00:05:20 Next Phase catalog start

00:11:15 DC

00:34:50 Image

00:57:48 Panels catalog start

00:58:10 Panels Highlights

01:07:20 Marvel

01:10:30 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:17:56 Next Episode

01:21:43 Outros

01:22:15 Stingers

Are the hottest new comic releases actually worth your money—or just clever marketing hype?

If you’ve ever flipped through a previews catalog or scrolled new releases wondering what’s truly worth buying, this episode breaks it down for you. Instead of wasting money on overhyped #1 issues or missing sleeper hits, you’ll hear a real-world evaluation of upcoming comics, trends across publishers, and how collectors are deciding what actually earns a spot in their pull list.

Learn how to spot promising new comic releases before they spike in popularity or value

Avoid wasting money on overhyped titles that don’t deliver on story or quality

Get insider-style insights on June 2026’s most talked-about books across DC, Marvel, and indie publishers

Press play now to sharpen your comic-buying strategy and walk away with at least one title you’ll feel confident adding to your next order.

In this episode we discuss whether the Punisher sorts his mercy bullets before or after the live ammunition.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:40 First Five Punisher

00:52:35 Comic Book Organization

01:46:25 CLZ Shake

01:50:37 Next Episode

01:50:45 Outros

01:51:20 Stinger

In this episode of the Campus Comics Cast, we dig into the first five appearances of the Punisher in Marvel Comics, covering his debut in Amazing Spider-Man #129 and later key appearances in Amazing Spider-Man #134–135, Giant-Size Spider-Man #4, and Marvel Preview #2. Next we explore Frank Castle’s origins, his anti-hero appeal, his skills and personality, and how the character has evolved over time.

The conversation also covered the Punisher’s place in comics history, including his inspiration from The Executioner book series, the development of his skull symbol, and how writers have adapted the character across different eras. We also recommended standout Punisher-related reading, while noting how the Comics Code and shifting storytelling styles shaped early appearances.

The episode wrapped with a detailed discussion about comic book organization, where we compare methods for sorting collections by publisher, series, crossover placement, imprints, graded books, and special runs. We also shared practical storage tips, including box choices, bagging and boarding preferences, and how to keep large collections manageable and display-ready.

After a really bad knock-knock joke, that hopefully makes sense later, the Campus Comics Cast team dives into the May pre-orders!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:12 Intro

00:01:15 Gerry Conway Passing

00:07:50 Listener Feedback

00:10:55 Next Phase catalog start

00:27:55 DC

00:52:18 Image

01:21:34 Panels catalog start

01:24:07 Panels Highlights

01:10:04 Marvel

01:36:50 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:44:56 Next Episode

01:45:34 Outros

01:46:12 Stingers

What pre-order picks are worth your attention right now?

If you follow comics for the stories, creators, and what’s coming next, this episode zeroes in on pre-order picks so you can spot the titles and ideas most worth putting on your radar before they hit shelves.

A closer look at pre-order recommendations.

Discussion on the passing of Gerry Conway.

A better sense of what to order now so you do not miss the strongest releases.

Play the episode now to get the Campus Comics Cast’s pre-order picks and make smarter decisions before the books arrive.