Campus Comics Cast

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.

How many time do you plan to write in the wrong year before the next episode of the Campus Comics Cast? Who is even still writing dates?

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:02:28 Listener Feedback

00:06:40 Next Phase catalog start

00:09:25 DC

00:31:08 Image

00:49:04 Panels catalog start

00:52:58 Panels Highlights

01:01:45 Marvel

01:15:04 Next Episode

01:15:47 Outros

01:16:30 Stingers

When was the last time a comic book catalog actually surprised you—and made you rethink what you’re pre-ordering for the next two months?​

This episode dives into the latest Next Phase and Panels catalogs, helping you sort through a lighter-than-usual slate of publishers, movie tie-ins, and stealth reprints so you can focus your budget on the issues that are actually worth your pull list. Whether you are juggling limited shelf space, trying to spot the next hot key issue, or just want more fun reads and fewer regrets, the discussion gives you a curated roadmap instead of 500 pages of guesswork.

​

Discover which new series (like tech‑thriller Exploit and narcoleptic-mystery Narco) are most likely to deliver fresh, satisfying reads instead of forgettable #1s.

​Learn which anniversary and legacy-style issues (such as Green Lantern #600 and Moonstar #1) might matter long-term for collectors, and which “first appearance” claims are more marketing than milestone.

​Get practical guidance on where to spend and where to skip—across Marvel, DC, Image, Mad Cave, IDW, and more—so your pre-orders match your actual reading tastes.

​

Hit play now to hear the full catalog walk-through and lock in your smartest pre-order choices before final order cutoff sneaks up on you.

Welcome to this festive episode of the Campus Comics Cast as recorded on Boxing Day 2025 as we discuss the first five appearances of the Black panther and discuss some comic books we have been reading.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:10 Intro

00:03:20 First Five Black Panther

00:54:27 What We have Been Reading

01:21:35 Outros

01:22:34 Stinger

What if Boxing Day isn’t just about leftovers and sales—what hidden origins of Black Panther’s first appearances could reshape how you see heroic storytelling on screen and in comics?

This episode ties into the reader’s interest in deep-dive folklore and character origin stories, while also addressing a current desire: understanding how early appearances shape a superhero’s long-term impact, which can influence how fans evaluate film and comic book adaptations today.

Gain a clearer grasp of the context behind the Black Panther’s early appearances and their significance in the character’s development.

Gather insights into how a superhero’s first moments can influence later storytelling choices in comics and movies.

Develop a better ability to spot thematic throughlines and foreshadowing in current or upcoming Marvel media.

Play now to unlock richer context for the Black Panther’s origins as discussed on Boxing Day 2025 by the Campus Comics Cast.

As we recover from our Turkey hangovers, it is once again time to be thankful for the preorders episode of the Campus Comics Cast.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Opening Music

00:00:08 Intro

00:00:16 Listener Feedback

00:04:50 Next Phase catalog start

00:08:50 DC

00:38:10 Image

01:04:04 Panels catalog start

01:15:34 Marvel

01:31:16 Next Episode

01:33:05 Outros

01:33:42 Stingers

If you could only afford a handful of new comics next month, which hidden gems and big releases would actually be worth your cash and reading time?​

This episode walks you through the latest Lunar/Marvel/DC/Image and indie catalogs so you are not guessing in the dark about what to pre-order, helping you skip duds, spot sleeper hits, and focus your budget on books you will genuinely enjoy. By listening in on two longtime readers debating art, writers, formats, and trends, you get a shortcut past hype and into grounded, real-world buying advice you can use with your own pull list.​

Discover standout new series, specials, and graphic novels across Marvel, DC, Image, Boom, and more, with context on why they matter and who they are for.​

Learn which issues look promising as longer-term “spec” or investment picks and which ones are probably safe to skip, based on creative teams, first appearances, and market buzz.​

Get practical guidance on stretching your comics budget, from when to wait for trades or apps to when a hardcover, omnibus, or absolute edition is worth upgrading to.​

Hit play now to hear the full catalog walk-through and come away with a confident, fine-tuned pre-order list before this month’s cutoff hits.