Casual Comics Cast

Casual Comics Cast: Halloween Comics, Indie Author Hustle, and MCU Doomsday Breakdown!

Join Joe and Erik for a packed episode as they gear up for Halloween! First, the guys jump into horror comics with a deep dive into Mark Russell’s Cereal from Ahoy Comics—a surprisingly dark, tragic, and clever gothic tale featuring classic breakfast cereal monsters.

Next, co-host Erik K. Hale breaks down the release of his new novel, An Echo of Memory (the sequel to All the Brittle Pieces), and drops a special 99-cent Kindle deal just for podcast listeners!

Finally, the hosts dissect the four bonus scenes from the Avengers: Endgame theatrical re-release and theorize what they mean for Avengers: Doomsday—from Victor von Doom’s mask and Hulk's capture to multiverse incursions and the reunion of Steve Rogers and Loki.

This episode kicks off Halloween season with a deep dive into Marvel’s new "Midnight Universe"!

In this episode, we review:

Other Horror Comic Recommendations for October:

Connect with the show on Facebook or on X / Bluesky at @casualcomicguy to share your favorite spooky comic picks!

Pilot of new format!

I'm talking to author Erik Hale (All the Brittle Pieces) about his comics journey - his earliest reads, his first comic loves, and which comics have inspired his current work as an author. 

We're working through this format, and if people like it, we'd love to welcome more creators to discuss their current projects through the lens of the comic books that shaped their lives. 

You can contact us at:
[email protected]
X - @casualcomicsguy
Bluesky - @casualcomicsguy

Let us know what you think of the new format, and if you (or a creator you know) would like to appear on the show, send us a note.

(NOTE: As this episode is a "test", AI was used for the VO/music in the intro and exit. If we continue the format, those will be re-done.)

Join Joe and Erik on the Casual Comics Cast as they dive into the world of synthozoids, artificial intelligence, and suburban tragedy!

In this episode, we revisit Tom King’s acclaimed 2016 comic book series, The Vision. We explore its tragic themes, the complex dynamic of the Vision's self-created family (Virginia, Vin, and Viv), and how the story grapples with the human condition, identity, and the limitations of logic—including a breakdown of the fascinating P versus NP problem.

Plus, the hosts share their expectations for the upcoming Marvel/Disney+ series Vision Quest, discuss the return of James Spader as Ultron, and reflect on the overarching themes of found family in the MCU. 

Casual Comics Cast: Summer Wrap-Up & Fall Preview!

Joe and Erik are back after a busy summer to catch up on all things comics, movies, television, and gaming!

In this episode, the guys dive into a rapid-fire review of the summer's biggest pop culture moments and discuss what they are looking forward to this fall

Summer Recap

Fall Previews: Speculation on Marvel’s upcoming Vision Quest series on Disney+ and Marvel Comics' brand-new, horror-fueled "Midnight Universe" publishing initiative coming in October, and Insomniac Games' upcoming Wolverine video game.

With the highly anticipated Supergirl movie fast approaching, we are diving deep into the source material and the characters set to shake up the DC Universe.

In this episode, we break down Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s masterful comic book run, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. We discuss its unique "True Grit in space" western vibe,and what may translate to the screen vs. what we expect will change.

Then, Erik takes us to school on one of his absolute favorite characters: Lobo! From his surprising 1983 debut in Omega Men #3 to his evolution into a cigar-chomping, unkillable space biker, we cover everything you need to know about the Main Man. We also speculate on how Jason Momoa’s version of Lobo will fit into the movie adaptation, what role he might play in the story, and how the film will balance the heavy themes of the comic with Lobo's over-the-top satire.

Finally, we wrap up with some comic recommendations for casual fans looking for a perfect jumping-on point before heading to the theater.

Join Joe and Erik on the Casual Comics Cast for a break down of the premiere of the new live-action Spider Noir series on Prime Video, starring Nicolas Cage. We discuss the show's authentic film noir stylings, the debate between watching in black-and-white versus color, and how the series differs from its comic book origins.

Then, the conversation then shifts to a "grab bag" of Spider-Man history, including:

Finally, Eric gives a full report from his two days at Fan Expo Denver. Get the "inside scoop" from the X-Men ‘97 panel with director Larry Houston—including news on Season 3 and 4—and hear stories from The Boys cast panel

In this episode, we dive deep into the gritty world of Marvel’s The Punisher. Following the release of Punisher: One Last Kill on Disney+, Joe and Erik break down how the new special bridges the gap between the Netflix series and the broader MCU.

Then we discuss The Punisher in comics. From his 1974 debut in Amazing Spider-Man #129 to Garth Ennis's definitive "Max" run and even the bizarre "Franken-Castle" era, we explore the history, the violence, and the evolution of comics’ most famous vigilante.

Plus, stay tuned for a look at Punisher’s history in other media, like film and video games, and our picks for casual comic readers!

On this episode of the Casual Comics Cast we explore the decades-long intersection of video games and comic books.

With Mortal Kombat 2 hitting theaters, we look back at the revolutionary impact of the original 1992 arcade game—from its controversial "photorealistic" gore to its legendary '90s industrial soundtrack.

Plus, why is it so difficult to turn a hit video game like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat into a long-running comic series? We discuss the challenges in adapting video games to comic and then provide our list of the best video game adaptations of comic book properties - and how games like Telltale's Walking Dead and Critical Role’s Dispatch are blurring the lines between playing a game and reading a comic.

All this, and more on this episode of the Casual Comics Cast!

The Summer of "Super"

Whether you're a lifelong "Superfan" or you're still wondering where to start, this episode is your gateway into the world of Krypton's finest! Join us as we break down the upcoming DC "Summer of Supergirl" event and revisit the most influential Superman comic book runs.

In This Episode: