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.

After listening to episode 233 of the Campus Comics Cast, you should "ask not what your podcast can do for you, Ask what you can do for your podcast." In this episode we discuss the first five appearances of Prez and then determine if Dorc is worth the $80 price tag on eBay.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:01:28 Adam Hughes News

00:02:40 First Five Prez

00:38:20 Dorc issue 1

00:56:45 CLZ Shake

00:59:45 Next Episode

01:00:30 Outros

01:01:21 Stinger

What if a comic about a teen president, a bloodthirsty shield-wielding fantasy outcast, and a spec-worthy first issue all turned out to be part of the same week’s conversation?

This episode gives you a mix of comics history, sharp opinions, and collector insight as the hosts tackle Prez and Dorc, then close with a quick look at a Justice League title from the back issue stack.

A clear breakdown of the original Prez Rickards stories, including why the character feels absurd, dated, and oddly fascinating at the same time.

A fun, enthusiastic read on Dorc issue 1, a fantasy book that blends satire, violence, and weird charm.

Practical collector value, including a real-world check on how hot Dorc issue 1 has become on the secondary market.

Listen now to get the full comic-shop perspective before the next wave of pre-orders and back-issue chatter hits.

In this episode we discuss whether streaming services should release new seasons all at once or spread them out before diving into the April 2026 pre-orders!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:02:15 Next Phase catalog start

00:09:22 DC

00:29:45 Image

00:53:15 Panels catalog start

00:53:25 Panels Highlights

01:10:04 Marvel

01:22:30 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:31:00 Next Episode

01:31:48 Outros

01:32:26 Stingers

What if the next comic you pre-order is the one that turns a nostalgia property, a horror pitch, or a wild genre mashup into the next breakout hit?

If you’re trying to decide what’s worth ordering in a crowded catalog, this episode helps you separate strong creator-driven books from the gimmicks, while also giving you a useful read on what’s moving in comics right now.

A sharper sense of which pre-order picks have real upside, including X-Men Elsewhen, Supergirl Survive, Deadman, M1 Monster Racing League, and The Eye Collector.

A clearer picture of the current comic market, including why Batman, Spider-Man, Transformers, and Exquisite Corpses are showing up in the sales conversation.

Practical collector insight on what to buy, what to skip, and what deserves extra copies before it becomes hard to find.

Play the episode now to get the smartest, most entertaining pre-order guidance before your next trip to the comic shop.

Join us for episode 231 of the Campus Comics Cast were we will do our best to not rush things as we anxiously want to go and watch the second season premiere of Daredvil: Born Again.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:12 Intro

00:00:46 Listener Feedback

00:01:52 Sam Kieth Passing

00:07:25 First Five Grendel

00:48:36 New Vertigo Titles

01:15:55 CLZ Shake

01:20:15 Next Episode

01:20:30 Outros

01:21:21 Stinger

What happens when a comi villain is really a crime lord, and can a zombie story still make you care about the monster?

If you like finding out which comics are actually worth reading before you spend money on them, this episode helps you sort out Grendel’s early identity and the new DC Vertigo launches in a way that is useful for your pull list.

A clearer understanding of Grendel’s first five appearances and why Matt Wagner’s early work still matters.

A look at the revamped DC Vertigo titles, including which ones feel promising and which ones may be easier to pass on.

Honest, opinionated collector talk that helps you decide what’s worth reading, buying, or skipping.

Play the episode now to get a smart, no-nonsense guide to Grendel and the newest Vertigo books before your next comic shop visit.

Can you believe it is already time to pre-order comics coming out in May 2026!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:30 Next Phase catalog start

00:11:07 DC

00:42:25 Image

01:18:38 Panels catalog start

01:18:50 Panels Highlights

01:32:05 Marvel

01:44:40 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2

01:51:38 Next Episode

01:52:12 Outros

01:53:13 Stingers

What happens when comic distribution wars meet mega-crossovers, and could Penguin Random House be quietly killing Marvel's sales momentum?

If you're navigating monthly pre-order catalogs overwhelmed by variant gimmicks, absolute universe saturation, and wondering whether your pull list dollars are going to the right titles, this episode cuts through the noise with sharp takes on what's actually worth ordering—and what's pure speculation trap.

Strategic pre-order picks across publishers including deep cuts from Bad Idea (Megalith with 8-year production saga), new Vertigo horror launches (Bleeding Hearts, End of Life, Peril of the Brutal Dark An Ezra Cain Mystery), James Tynion IV's Odin tackling neo-Nazi mythology, and Rob Guillory's Innards

Absolute Universe reality check dissecting DC's rapid title expansion (now adding Absolute Green Arrow and Absolute Catwoman), inevitable crossover predictions, and why DC's satellite era beats modern team rosters

Distribution shake-up analysis exploring whether Penguin Random House is tanking Marvel's direct market presence, variant fatigue (meteorite fragments in covers?!), and why even Batman: Hush 2 can't maintain a consistent release schedule

Press play now to get the unfiltered pre-order breakdown that separates genuine must-buys from distributor hype—before your catalog orders lock in.

Join us for episode 229 of the Campus Comics Cast as we make our way to the bayou and dive into the muck with Man-Thing and Swamp Thing.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:00:22 New Comics and FOMO2

00:03:48 Sal Buscema

00:05:45 First Five Man-Thing and Swamp Thing

01:01:34 CLZ Shake

01:09:10 Outros

01:10:10 Stinger

Which came first, Man-Thing or Swamp Thing—and does it really matter when both characters are rooted in a 1940s monster called the Heap?

If you've ever wondered how two iconic swamp monsters emerged within months of each other—or why new comics suddenly spike to $70+ on release day—this episode connects comic book history, speculative market trends, and the creative influences that shape the characters you collect and read today.

Listeners will gain:

Deep-dive origins analysis comparing the Heap (1942), Man-Thing (1971), and Swamp Thing (1971)—including how roommates Gerry Conway and Len Wein may have unconsciously influenced each other's creations

Practical collecting insights on pre-release comic spikes (like D'Orc #1 hitting $70 instantly), FOMO-driven market behavior, and how to navigate volatile spec trends

Character evolution breakdown showing how Man-Thing loses humanity while Swamp Thing gains it—plus tributes to legendary artists Gray Morrow, Bernie Wrightson, and the late Sal Buscema

Press play now to explore the swampy origins of these muck monsters and discover why their eerily similar debuts still spark debate among collectors and creators decades later.

So, it is apparently Super Bowl Sunday this week and I had no idea who was playing until two hours ago and I'm actually okay with that.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:15 Intro

00:06:35 Next Phase catalog start

00:18:40 DC

00:51:30 Image

00:49:04 Panels catalog start

01:14:58 Panels Highlights

01:28:31 Marvel

01:39:20 Comic Sales Numbers

01:45:08 Next Episode

01:46:00 Outros

01:47:00 Stingers

Can a comic-book podcast spark your curiosity even if you’re not a comics fan—or if you’ve sworn off sports?

This episode ties everyday interests (pop culture, sports memories, and personal fandom shifts) to a broader question: how do we discover value in media when our loyalties change? You’ll see how seemingly unlikely topics can intersect to keep your curiosity alive and show how personal stories shape what we choose to watch.

Three benefits you’ll gain:

A fresh perspective on how to blend seemingly unrelated interests (comics, sports, entertainment) into engaging discussion.

Practical tips for translating personal experiences into relatable podcast conversations that resonate with listeners.

Examples of episode structure and pacing that keep audiences engaged from hook to takeaway.

Play the episode now to hear how personal storytelling and pop culture conversations collide with comic-book insights.

As we batten down the hatches to prepare for winter storm Fern, we hope you enjoy episode 227 of the Campus Comics Cast as you watch the snow fall outside.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:01:58 First Five Grimjack

00:38:15 The Future Is

01:32:50 CLZ Shake

01:36:01 Outros

01:36:43 Stinger

How much has independent comics culture shaped your reading habits—and are you sleeping on character origins that defined the genre 40 years ago?

This episode explores the gritty world of Grimjack—a mercenary navigating the multi-dimensional city of Cynosure—while diving deep into The Future Is, a modern cybersecurity heist series featuring a ragtag team of pentesters and hackers. Whether you're curious about '80s independent titles that influenced modern storytelling, or fascinated by the intersection of hacking culture and comics, this discussion reveals how both pulp action and cutting-edge tech narratives find their voice in sequential art.

Discover why Grimjack's multi-dimensional setting and morally gray character archetype resonated with readers and why early First Comics publications remain culturally significant today.

Understand how The Future Is translates modern cybersecurity concepts—penetration testing, threat actors, augmented reality, and digital vulnerabilities—into compelling narrative tension and character-driven conflict.

Learn the difference between freebooters and hackers, what "doomscrolling" really means, and how the comic cleverly weaponizes tech jargon as world-building.

Play now to hear two decades of comic history analyzed side-by-side with contemporary storytelling, and discover which independent titles deserve space on your pull list.