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"It was a different time." That seems to be the motto for this month’s episode of Collecting Issues.
Join Michael and Benjamin as they crack open the briefcase on 100 Bullets: First Shot, Last Call. Published in 1999 by Vertigo Comics, this multi-Eisner and Harvey Award-winning series by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso was hailed as a gritty crime revolution. But does it hold up in 2026?
We dive deep into the first two story arcs, discussing the intriguing "John Wick-style" premise: If you were given a gun, 100 untraceable bullets, and proof of who ruined your life, would you take revenge?
In this episode, we discuss:
Next Month’s Read: We are cleansing the palette with Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodríguez and diving into the source material for Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty.
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Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Jim Steranko's Influence
00:54 Welcome to Collecting Issues
01:47 Trigger Warnings and Spoilers Ahead
03:01 The Eisner Awards and 100 Bullets
03:58 Personal Context and 90s Comic Culture
07:37 The Neo-Noir Influence
13:10 Exploring the Anthology Format
19:53 Eduardo Risso's Distinctive Art Style
28:54 The Intriguing Premise of 100 Bullets
32:18 Exploring Narrative Tropes in '100 Bullets'
32:49 Dizzy Cordova's Tragic Story
34:35 Agent Graves and the Devil's Bargain
35:28 Critique of Eduardo Rizzo's Art and Dialogue
36:33 Dizzy's Return and Family Dynamics
37:11 Setting and Cultural Depictions
43:38 Moral Dilemmas and Storytelling Mechanics
46:00 Introduction to Meghan Dietrich
48:09 Lee Dolan's Downfall
57:22 Comparisons to Sin City
59:00 Final Thoughts and Future Reads
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Welcome back to Collecting Issues, your monthly comic book club! To close out 2025, we are wading deep into the bog of Irish Myth to discuss Tuatha, the stunning one-shot from Irish creator Gavin Fullerton, published by IDW Comics.
If Samurai Jack and Hellboy had a baby and sent it on a grim quest across a war-torn ancient Ireland, it would look like this.
In this episode, Michael and Benjamin break down this largely silent visual masterpiece. We explore how Fullerton strips away the "Leprechaun Museum" version of folklore to reveal the gritty, bloody roots of Celtic legend.
Join us as we decode the hidden mythological references scattered throughout the book; from the Brown Bull of Cooley to the Dagda, and discuss why this might be the best visual storytelling of the year.
In this episode, we cover:
2026 Reading Schedule: We’ve announced our lineup for the first half of 2026! Get your copies ready:
Join the Club: We want to hear your thoughts on Tuatha! Did you spot the references to the Red Hand of Ulster? Did you catch the flashback?
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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps more than you know!
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Irish Mythology
00:37 Comic Book Club Overview
02:24 Engage with Us: Join the Discussion
05:22 Deep Dive into Tuatha Comic
07:49 Exploring Irish Mythological References
12:35 The Protagonist's Grim Mission
16:04 Mythical Encounters and Symbolism
29:34 The River Bandits and the Giant Deer
35:04 Irish Mythology and the Gay Bullock
36:09 Action-Packed Battle Scene
37:11 Encounter with WWE Superstar Finn Balor
38:04 The Forgotten God DDA
39:36 A Journey Through Irish Mythology
41:56 The Tragic Death of the Loyal Hound
44:37 A Vigil and a Journey Continues
50:15 Blood Magic and Mythical Struggles
55:48 The Island and the Final Resting Place
57:28 Reflections on Grief and Myth
01:00:25 Upcoming Comic Book Club Reads
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Welcome back to Collecting Issues, the monthly comic book book club! This week, Michael and Benjamin are heading to the Midwest to tackle a modern critical darling: Local Man (Issues #1-13 & #25).
Published by Image Comics, Local Man is the 2023 creation of Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Grayson) and Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs). It’s a genre-bending mix of rural noir and 90s superhero pastiche that asks the question: What happens when an "Extreme" era hero gets cancelled and has to move back into his parents' basement? (Spoiler: His parents are very disappointed).
Join us as we determine if this book is a deconstruction of the industry or just a chaotic ride. Ben realises "Local Man" is actually a derogatory term for someone who parks on a curb, while Michael tries to figure out if Crossjack is the Hawkeye of the Midwest or just an absolute arsehole.
We discuss:
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Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Collecting Issues
00:28 Comic Book Confusion and Local Legends
03:16 Elevator Pitch and Creative Team
05:16 Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs' Background
16:28 Image Comics and the 90s Influence
20:43 Cross Jack's Return and Character Dynamics
28:44 Villains and Plot Twists
37:26 Inga's Character and Comic's Weaknesses
38:01 Corporate Superheroes and Inga's Role
38:26 Tim Sealey's Influence and Comic Tropes
38:58 Second Arc: Horror and Cult Elements
39:22 Cross Jack's Powers and Fourth Wall Breaking
40:28 Inga's Villainy and Characterisation Issues
43:01 Third Arc: Fetishes and Dream Narratives
43:46 Neon's Confrontation with Inga
45:36 Seascape's Mythical Origins
47:44 Faceless Hoard and Comic Book Tropes
52:33 Comic's Rushed Conclusion and Missed Opportunities
54:08 Tim Sealey's Style and Comic's Inconsistencies
01:02:46 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Next Comic: Tuatha, a new digital release from IDW involving Irish myth and horror by Gavin Fullerton.
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Happy Halloween, listeners! This month on Collecting Issues, the monthly comic book book club, Michael and Benjamin skirt the rules to cover an anthology: Come Find Me: An Autumnal Offering.
This 2024 one-shot is published by the new, creator-owned DSTLRY Comics. It's an... interesting business model of limited digital runs and resellable digital rights. (Wait, did we just buy an NFT? Is this the blockchain?)
Curated by horror maestro Becky Cloonan, Come Find Me is a collection of six chilling mini-stories steeped in folk and medieval horror. Join us as we apply "useful frameworks" (much to Michael's disgust) to break down every tale in this unnerving collection from a lineup of incredible female and non-binary creators.
We discuss:
Which stories gave us "oozing dread" and which one was less fright and more...?
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Local Man, a deconstruction of the Big Guns and Pouch era of 90's comics by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to 'Come Find Me'
01:33 Overview of DSTLRY Comics
04:01 Exploring the Anthology's Themes
04:53 Spotlight on Becky Cloonan
09:03 Diving into 'Devil's Trill'
21:32 Analysis of 'Portorium'
32:04 Molly Mendoza's 'Down by the Water'
36:20 Unraveling the Mystery of the Drowned Lover
38:33 The Grim Trysts and Henry's Dark Secrets
39:54 The Frog Spawn Mystery and Henry's Duality
44:17 Medieval Horror and the Tale of Coal & Clover
44:37 The Dark Art of Vanessa Del Ray
48:57 The Folkloric Influence in Horror Comics
01:04:17 The Wild Hunt and the Art of EM Carroll
01:10:32 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Reads
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Welcome back to Collecting Issues, the comic book book club where this month we're pulling a rabbit out of a hat and diving into Zatanna: Bring Down the House! Join us as we review issues #1-5 of the 2025 DC Black Label series by the incredible team of Mariko Tamaki, Javier Rodriguez, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.
Is this spooky, Halloween-adjacent tale a true horror comic or more "spider decoration spooky"? We break down this visually stunning "Year One" style origin story for DC's premier magician. From its unique narrative approach to its mastery of the female gaze, we explore how this comic redefines Zatanna for a new generation. Plus, we have to talk about that impossibly clean, muscular, and croissant-eating John Constantine.
Tune in for a breezy, fun, and pop-art-infused discussion that's part comic review, part art appreciation, and part therapy session for our hosts' confused sexualities.
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Get ready for Spooktober! We're reading "Come Find Me," an all-female descent into folk horror curated by Becky Cloonan, from the new publisher DSTLLRY.
00:00 Introduction to Collecting Issues
00:51 Halloween Vibes and Spooky Stories
02:46 Zatanna's Origin and Elevator Pitch
06:51 The Creative Team Behind Zatanna
08:38 Art and Visuals of Zatanna
17:38 Narrative Tropes and Themes
32:27 Zatara's Journey and Characterisation
33:08 Millennial Themes and Imposter Syndrome
33:42 Favourite Sequences and Dialogue
35:20 Zatanna's Struggles and Power Fantasy
37:49 The Phantom Stranger and Magic Councils
42:31 Art Style and Visual Storytelling
51:04 Magic Battles and Demon Designs
58:38 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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This week on Collecting Issues, we're diving headfirst into the dense, brutal, and brilliant world of 20th Century Men, the six-issue epic from Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, and Image Comics. It’s an alternate history where the Cold War got much, much hotter, fought with super-soldiers, giant mechs, and broken ideals in the mountains of Afghanistan.
WARNING: This is a full-spoiler discussion! We highly recommend you read 20th Century Men #1-6 before listening. Go on, get out of here! Scram! Taste the wilderness... and then come back for the listens.
Join us as we unpack this "impenetrable but so worth it" modern classic. We dissect Deniz Camp’s complex, non-linear narrative that jumps through time and perspectives, comparing his style to legends like Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and Grant Morrison. We also explore Stipan Morian's stunningly varied—and sometimes jarring—artwork, from Frank Frazetta-esque battle scenes to surreal, Bill Plympton-inspired visuals.
Is this the best comic of 2025? Is it a spiritual successor to Watchmen? And after all the propaganda, war crimes, and failed utopias, we ask the eternal question: War, huh? What is it good for?
Tune in to hear our thoughts on:
If you love politically charged, artistically ambitious comics that challenge you at every turn, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to 20th Century Men
00:49 Comic Book Spoilers Ahead!
02:46 The Complexity of War in Comics
12:07 Art and Storytelling in 20th Century Men
16:32 Character Analysis: Heroes and Anti-Heroes
27:37 The Symbolism of the Collected Man
33:56 Side Stories and Paradise
34:10 Azra's Practical Paradise
34:56 John Rambo's Disruption
35:04 Thomas Goode's American Supremacy
36:09 Time Jumps and Narrative Techniques
39:13 Art and Visuals in Comics
43:15 Character Perspectives and Artistic Styles
50:54 The Human Toll of War
55:41 Modern Political Crises and Myth Making
01:07:54 Spooky Season Recommendations
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This week on Collecting Issues, we step into the ring for Do a Powerbomb! (issues #1-7), the 2023 masterpiece from Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer for Image Comics. Get ready for a cosmic slobberknocker that's one part The Wrestler, one part Dragon Ball Z, and all parts heartbreaking, kinetic action.
Join us as we continue our Daniel Warren Johnson odyssey and explore why he's one of the most exciting creators in comics today. We discuss the series' surprising emotional core, a journey of grief and family set against the backdrop of an interdimensional wrestling tournament. We'll break down the concept of kayfabe, the incredible splash pages, the shocking twists, and why this comic is a true love letter to pro wrestling and its fans.
MAJOR SPOILER WARNING! We cover the entire story from the first bell to the final, emotional finish. We highly recommend reading the comic before listening.
In this episode, we discuss:
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to 'Do a Power Bomb'
00:44 Comic Book Education and Daniel Warren Johnson
01:21 Wrestling and Comic Book Crossovers
02:20 Plot Overview and Themes
05:08 Spoilers and Wrestling Terminology
07:13 Art and Visuals in 'Do a Power Bomb'
10:04 Daniel Warren Johnson's Wrestling Journey
13:23 Emotional Depth and Character Arcs
20:51 Wrestling Tropes and Realism
32:04 The Big Twist and Its Impact
35:44 The Evolution of Wrestling: From Extreme to PG Era
36:45 The Art of Wrestling: Capturing Kinetic Moments
40:05 Iconic Wrestling Photography: Geoff Winningham's Legacy
43:12 Wrestling's Emotional and Physical Toll
48:23 The Cosmic Scale of Wrestling: Wrestling God
01:04:26 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes
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his week on Collecting Issues, we're opening the archives to bring you our classic deep dive into Kingdom Come, the legendary 1996 DC Elseworlds series by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. Originally recorded in March 2021, this episode is as relevant as ever.
Join Mick and Ben as they explore how Kingdom Come served as a powerful critique of the '90s comic book "dark age"—an era defined by pouches, excessive violence, and gritty anti-heroes like Cable and Deadpool. We dissect the clash between a new, reckless generation of superhumans, led by the aggressive Magog, and the return of DC's classic icons like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, who come out of retirement to restore order and meaning to the word "hero."
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
00:43 Overview of Kingdom Come
02:17 The Dark Ages of 90s Comics
05:08 Alex Ross and the Realistic Consequences of Superheroes
05:59 The Distinction Between Marvel and DC
07:03 Norman McKay and the Framing Narrative
09:16 The Twilight of the Classic Heroes
09:53 The Rise of the New Anti-Heroes
15:17 The Big Superhero Showdown
19:16 The Aftermath and Conclusion
20:38 Nonstop Motion: The Hero's Relentless Journey
21:19 Wonder Woman's Controversial Portrayal
24:40 The Art of Alex Ross
28:48 Influences and Comparisons
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In this episode of Collecting Issues, we blast off into Marvel’s cosmic corners to discuss Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star – Collecting issues #1–5 of Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer’s 2021 miniseries. This listener-recommended pick follows fan-favourite, horse-faced hero Beta Ray Bill on a heavy-metal space odyssey of broken hammers, busted pride, and one very big sword.
We cover it all:
Is this the most metal Marvel comic ever? Does Bill ever truly find himself? And why is Argent Star the perfect example of a “quest for all the wrong reasons”?
Whether you’re a Thor comics veteran, a Daniel Warren Johnson fan, or new to Marvel’s stranger side, this spoiler-filled review is your ticket to one of the most unique cosmic adventures in recent comics.
The Thor Prey Episode
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star
00:21 Comic Book Education and Podcast Dynamics
01:02 Beta Ray Bill's Space Odyssey
02:42 Listener Recommendations and Social Media Shoutouts
04:45 Beta Ray Bill's Struggles and Motivations
10:54 The Hero's Journey and Weapon Quest
17:27 Scuttlebutt and Beta Ray Bill's Transformation
23:37 The Transformation of Flat Face Bill
24:01 Bar Encounters and Alien Reactions
25:08 Artistic Impressions and Comparisons
29:10 Wrestling Moves and Comic Influences
31:21 Exploring the Nine Realms
33:42 Character Designs and Inspirations
35:28 Scuttlebutt and Heavy Metal Imagery
42:47 Final Showdown and Reflections
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This week on Collecting Issues, we’re talking about The One Hand and The Six Fingers—two five-issue series from Image Comics (2024) by Ram V, Dan Watters, Laurence Campbell, Sumit Kumar, Lee Loughridge, and Tom Muller.
Set in the gritty, retro-future city of Neo Novena, these stories unfold from two perspectives: a weary detective facing a familiar case on the eve of retirement, and a brilliant student who wakes up with memories of a murder. What starts as a ritual killing slowly unspools into something much stranger—where nothing is real, everything loops, and the world might just be a cage.
We’re talking:
If you like Blade Runner, The Matrix, Memento, or Dark City, this one’s worth your time. But seriously—read the comics before listening. It’s impossible to talk about them properly without giving things away.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to 'The One Hand and the Six Fingers'
01:13 Spoiler Alert: Read Before Listening
01:30 Engaging with the Audience
04:22 Plot Overview: The Future and Parallel Stories
05:00 Detective Ari Nasser's Last Case
05:49 Johannes Vale's Mysterious Journey
07:04 Creative Teams and Artistic Styles
08:08 The Noir Aesthetic and Setting
10:09 The Mystery Deepens
30:54 Existential Revelations and The Matrix
38:14 Literary Influences and Themes
40:01 Post-Capitalist Themes and Inspirations
40:42 Philosophy Bites and Post-Work Societies
42:17 The Sunset Limited and Philosophical Debates
43:05 Comic Book Collaboration and Glyph System
47:27 Art and Visuals in the Comic
59:20 Character Analysis and Stereotypes
01:04:18 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Reads
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From the publisher's feed
Each month, Mick and Ben choose a single graphic novel and invite you…
At the end of the month, we record a full episode on that book: the story, the art, the panel construction, the things it gets right and the things we argue about.
We cover the whole range of comic book glory, from Batman and X-Men to indie, literary and creator-owned work. Expect close readings rather than recaps. We dig into character development, comic history, story analysis, art styles and the way comics do things no other medium can.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or you've just picked up your first trade, Collecting Issues is a place to find great reads and talk about them with people who care about good comics. Let's celebrate the world of comics together.
New episodes monthly. We also dip into our archive, remastering older episodes with new context recorded around them, and publish longer comic critical essays on our Substack.
Read along with us on Discord, find us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, and follow wherever you get your podcasts.
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