Classic Comics Cavalcade

Is Thor: the Dark World a great movie fantasy or a weird, dull tangent in the Marvel Universe? This time Carlos liked the movie, feeling it was a fun derivate take on Lord of the Rings trilogy, while Jason thinks there's just not a lot there to latch onto. It's 28 minutes of fun argument we hope you'll enjoy!

In the third amazing issue of Omega the Unknown, things start to evolve in ways we can barely expect. James-Michael has another weird meeting with his doctor before he enrolls in one of the most realistic and frightening middle schools in New York circa 1976. He also tunes into a telethon in which Electro, the old Spider-Man villain, is monologuing like crazy while he confronts our strong, silent superhero. Mysteries get deeper, few mysteries get resolved, and Jim Mooney's artwork continues to shine. 

Enjoy 30 minutes of Amir and Jason digging deep into this deepest of 1970s Marvel Comics.

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Carlos hated Iron Man 3, but Jason has a hot take on the movie: it's actally not terrible. The guys argue a lot about whether Tony actually grows, if the end battle in this movie is worthwhile, and whether this is an appropriate conclusion to the Iron Man trilogy. They almost break their friendship based on this flick - or at least Carlos threatens that! Join us for a 20-minute chat that will force you to choose sides.

Jason and Carlos have made it to the end of Phase 1 of the MCU as they discuss The Avengers, which stars just about everybody in an awesome special effects blockbuster. Carlos was frustrated by the sketchiness of this movie, while Jason enjoyed the spectacle of it. Come spend 28 minutes listening to Carlos grouse and Jason kinda sounds happy about this flick.

Once again Amir and Jason look at Omega the Unknown, the masterpiece by Steve Gerber, Mary Skrenes and Jim Mooney, and once again they find it is spectacular comics - smart, mysterious and beguilingly complex, with outstanding storytelling, compelling characters and a fascinating setting. It's 48 minutes of smart, thoughtful comics analysis we're sure you'll enjoy.

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Finally a movie we love! Thor is animated by great performances by Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, and directed with gravitas by Kenneth Branagh. Carlos and Jason agree Thor is a delight, with a smart plot that doesn't take itself too seriously, some good supporting characters, and some great godly battles. Join us for a 27-minute listen in which the guys are mostly happy for most of the show (well, alight, they do have questions about Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba and Rene Russo, but not necessaily in a bad way...)

Jason's all time favorite comic book is a classic Steve Gerber - Jim Mooney joint, Omega the Unknown, published by Marvel starting in 1976. This week Jason and Amir talk about Omega #1 and find an incredible amount of depth for a mere superhero comic, including some severe existential fear, some fascinating dichotomies, and a completely ambivalent set of lead characters. It's great comics and we hope it's also great listening!

Next up in our rewatch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is perhaps the low point, at least so far: The Incredible Hulk, from 2008, a film that just doesn't quite work on any level and just ends up making Carlos and Jason fewel frustrated. And just for fun, they also look at Ang Lee's Hulk, from 2003, which also doesn't work, but doesn't work in a very different way. Despite our frustration, we think this pod is a great listen so please check it out.

Are these the best American mainstream comics of the 1970s? If not, they're close to it, as the team supreme of Steve Gerber, Michael Golden and Russ Heath deliver a superlactive comic book. Scott Free is free of the New Genesis/Apokolops dichotomy, as he moves to California, takes on an amazing escape, fights a mysterious woman, and, oh yeah, starts to become a messiah. Amir and Jason rave about the brillance of these issues, and that passion makes for a really interesting 40 minute listen. We hope you enjoy it too!

Welcome to week four of the Marvelcast. Every week Jason and Carlos watch a Marvel movie in chronological order by the timeframe of the film, then have a quick conversation about the movie. This week: Iron Man 2 (2010). Yow, what a POS! Hear Jason get all worked out by how stupid this movie is, and hear Carlos try to like it and (spoilers!) fail. Give this 20 minute pod a listen and let us know what you think.