Classic Comics Cavalcade

Eric Hoffman and Jason Sacks have been fans of DC Comics' 1980s take on the Shadow for a long time. With an introductory four-parter by Howard Chaykin and a follow up series by writer Andrew Helfer and artists Bill Sienkiewicz, Marshall Rogers and Kyle Baker, the comic looked great for its time. But does it still stand up today? Eric and Jason ponder what evil lurks in the hearts of men in the first of a two-part look at that comic series. 

Jack Kirby was such a master of comic book art that even his less inspired comics are wonderful exercises in comics storytelling. That's the case with Mr. Miracle #15, which on one hand feels a bit quiet while on the other hand delivers thrilling action, some smart character work, and the introduction of a new character into the roster of Scott and Barda's friends. Enjoy this 18 minute pod in which Amir and Jason wrestle with the crazy contradictions of mediocre Kirby.

Jason had the pleasure of joining Joe and Matt of the TwoHeadedNerd podcast, along with their pal Brian Domingos, to talk about a couple of comic series that are not really classics, the Vision and Scarlet Witch miniseries. The group digs deep into the longboxes to discover the sheer insanity of the comics that partially inspired WandaVision and find them to be... surreal seems the best word. It's an hour of very fun listening!

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Mr. Miracle #14 isn't anybody's favorite issue of that Kirby klassic series, but it's still a fantastic, fun, incredibly well drawn Jack Kirby comic. Amir and Jason talk about why the comic is so wonderful and explore Kirby's lasting genius.

Today Jason blasts back 55 years to join an all-expert panel of international comics experts. Whether you want to Make Mine Marvel or you're a Detective Comics fan, or if you want to learn about the great comics coming out of the UK and Europe (including behind the Iron Curtain!) this is a don't miss show.

For more information on The Journey Show and Galactic Journey, visit galacticjourney.org!

Mr. Miracle #12 starts the migration of the Jack Kirby masterwork away from its obsession with the Apokolips-Fourth World saga and towards its feeling as a family super-hero comic. "Mystivac" has a light, '70s action TV series vibe, and Amir and Jason groove on the comic from that standpoint, and have a great time exploring Kirby's more informal, loose world. This episode is less than 20 minutes so give it a quick listen!

Doctor Bedlam is back and he has a horrible scheme to drag Scott into space in a strange UFO! Meanwhile Scott, Barda, Ted and the Furies are trying a new stunt and Oberon is grousing about his clothes. Yes, it's another wonderful issue of Mister Miracle, with dynamic action, great art and some of the finest characters Jack Kirby ever created. Amir and Jason have a blast talking about this issue, and we think you'll have a blast listening to it.

Barda, Scott and the Female Furies are back from Apokolips but their problems continue as they stumble into the middle of a spy battle that... um... kinda makes no sense. But that nonsensical attitude what makes Mister Miracle #10 so glorious! Amir and Jason especially love the cybernetic head in a flying box who gets trapped on a spaceship... okay, you gotta hear how wacky this comic book is. Join us for 23 minutes of fun listening another wacky comic that emerged from the endless imagination of Jack Kirby.

Jason and Amir dig into the best issue so far of Mr. Miracle, issue #9, "Himon." Like the classic New Gods story "The Pact," "Himon" fills in some of the back story of Scott Free, Barda, Metron and many other new gods - and what an amazing back story it is. This conversation spans far and wide, from the nature of heroism to the importance of art. And Amir and Jason always pay close attention to Jack Kirby at the apex of his comics mastery. This is a slightly longer episode, at 40 minutes, but we think it's a solid listen.