Classic Comics Cavalcade

Jason and Amir continue their reading of Mr. Miracle comics with a look at issue #22 by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers, and #23 by Steve Gerber and Michael Golden. The guys agree that issue #22 is an odd issue, delivered quickly, and which doesn't contain great takes on the characters - "Steven Segal on a revenge story", as Amir says. The issue does, however, include gorgeous art by Marshall Rogers. Then issue #23 is Steve Gerber classic, a comic that is very true to the Gerber legacy with his customary humorous/introspective writing, which is perfect for this wild and fascinating issue. And the Michael Golden art in this issue is spectacular. 

This episode is about 45 minutes of listening we think you'll enjoy.

Welcome to week three 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 (2008). Carlos and Jason feel that the character of Tony Stark hasn't quite aged well, but that at least the scenes set in Afghanistan are interesting enough. Give this 20 minute pod a listen and let us know what you think.

Welcome to part two 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: Captain Marvel. It's kind of a controversial movie in the Marvel series. Some people love the themes of the film, and love Brie Larson's portrayal of Carol Danvers. Other hate the confusing and slow first 30 minutes and feel the structure is confusing. We kind of represent both poles of the discussion here in this 25 minute quick chat.

Jason and Amir continue their reading of Mr. Miracle comics with a look at issues #20 and 21 by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers and Vince Colletta. The guys agree that Rogers's art is magnificent and fun (though the Colletta inks kind of take away from it) but that Englehart just does not get what makes the relationship between Barda and Scott work. So these are pretty good issues but not the best. Oh, and Jason the comics historian delivers a digression about how Marvel and DC both almost went out of business in the '70s.

This episode is 35 minutes of fascinating, entertaining listening we think you'll enjoy.

Introducing a new series of shows as part of Classic Comics Cavalcade: 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: Captain America: the First Avenger. Neither of them had watched the movie in a few years, so it was interesting to revisit it and see the connections to the Marvel Universe. It's a tight, quick chat we think you will enjoy!

Okay, we've read the Jack Kirby take on Mr. Miracle, and we've read the Tom King - Mitch Gerads take on Mr. Miracle, but what about the versions that came between those two? Today Amir and Jason start to fill that gap, as they begin a four-part look at the late 1970s look at the great hero of New Genesis with Mr. Miracle #19 by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers and a host of inkers. Amir and Jason enjoy the comic well enough but they miss Kirby -- and even more, they miss Barda. This episode is about 27 minutes of great listening which we hope you enjoy. 

Mr. Miracle is one of the most acclaimed comic series of recent years, but how does it read after a reread of the Kirby run on Mr. Miracle and New Gods? Amir and Jason dive into King and Gerads' minestone work and see how it shapes up. We think this episode is a fascinating 50-minute listen for anyone who knows and has read the King work, the Kirby work or both.

Amir and Jason wrap up their discussion of Jack Kirby's Mr. Miracle with the underrated comic that might be the best issue of the run. "Wild Wild Wedding Guests" is a fun family reunion, a sad parting and a blessed event. It also contains a few keynote scenes that perfectly sum up this series in several perfect Kirby pages. It's 30 minutes of classic comics conversation about one of Kirby's most underrated series and comic books that we think you'll enjoy.

Eric Hoffman and Jason Sacks have been fans of DC Comics' 1980s take on the Shadow for a long time. WiIn this second of a two-part look at that comic series, Eric and Jason ponder the anarchic, memorable brilliance of this unique and bizarre comic series. Andy Helfer and Kyle Baker's The Shadow is creatively unwieldy yet astonishingly charming. For good measure, Eric and Jason also look at Baker and Helfer's equally great - and totally different - Justice Inc. Join them for an hour and twenty minute exploration of some brilliant comic books.

The end of Kirby's New Gods saga has different surprises from the beginning of the saga, but even the down issues of Mister Miracle are pretty wonderful. Amir and Jason look at the rise of Shilo Norman as the new lead character in Mister Miracle 16 and 17 and consider whether late Kirby is still great Kirby (spoiler warning: it is!).