The Beauty (Image Comics) vs. FX’s Adaptation: Ozempic, Body Horror, and Ryan Murphy

What if an STD could make you the most perfect version of yourself? This week on Collecting Issues, Benjamin and Michael read The Beauty (Vol. 1, Issues #1-6), the 2016 hit by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley.

We compare the original "buddy cop" police procedural comic against the new 2026 FX on Hulu adaptation produced by Ryan Murphy. From the eerily prescient social commentary on modern beauty standards (GLP-1s, Ozempic face) to the explosive consequences of the virus, we break down why this story hits harder in a post-COVID world.

• The Elevator Pitch: Imagine a sexually transmitted disease that guarantees physical perfection for two years—before you spontaneously combust.
• Comic vs. TV: How the comic functions as a tight "90-minute action movie" versus the sprawling, body-horror-heavy miniseries.
• Cultural Prescience: Reading a 2016 comic in 2026; how The Beauty predicted the toxic positivity and division of modern weight-loss culture.
• The Ryan Murphy Treatment: A look at the FX adaptation’s star-studded cast (Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall) and the controversial decision to use "recasting" as a plot device.
• Character Deep Dive: Why Detectives Vaughn and Foster work as grounded leads, and why the villainous Carves feels like a comic book archetype dropped into a gritty drama.

We are reading Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. Join us as we explore this dark, conspiratorial reimagining of J'onn J'onzz in the new DC "All In" universe.

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome to Collecting Issues + why we're covering The Beauty (and the FX show)

01:53 Spoiler warning & how to follow along (read Vol. 1, watch eps 1–2)

03:04 The elevator pitch: an STD that makes you beautiful

04:37 Worldbuilding: 800 days, stigma, and the ‘burn from the inside’ twist

09:26 Who made this? Jeremy Haun & Jason A. Hurley origin story

11:16 Publishing & rights: Image, Ignition Press, and the FX tie-in reprint

14:07 Why Vol. 1 feels like a tight ‘movie’ + anthology series after issue #6

17:41 Pre-COVID vs post-COVID reading: stigma, Ozempic parallels, and ‘earned’ beauty

28:54 Meet the cast: Vaughn & Foster, the Beauty Task Force, and the conspiracy setup

30:55 Stock characters done well? Buddy-cop structure, Caris the hitman, and what works/doesn’t

34:59 Caris the Masked Henchman: Grounded World vs Over-the-Top Villainy

36:24 Best Scenes & Twists: The Celebrity Spokesperson Hit and Foster’s Mirror Reveal

38:49 Consequences Escalate: Collateral Damage and the Air-Traffic Controller Disaster

39:19 Art That Serves the Story: Same-Face Syndrome, Visual Clarity, and Comic Fundamentals

40:43 Covers, Character Design & Horror: Mannequin Imagery and ‘Non-Beauty’ Markers

43:48 The Cure Ending: Body Horror, Consent, and the Ethics of Forcing a ‘Solution’

48:26 Cathartic Payoff: Vaughn Takes Down Caris (and Why Characters Act Smart)

50:37 Netflix/FX Adaptation Talk: Ryan Murphy, Casting, and How the Show Changes the Premise

01:04:36 Final Verdict & Wrap-Up: Comic vs Series, Where to Comment, and Next Book Club Pick

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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:

• The Premise: Agent Graves and his devil’s bargain.
• The Art of Eduardo Risso: Noir shadows, distinct silhouettes, and the "Risso Grin."
• A Product of the 90s: Why the dialogue, racial depictions, and female anatomy feel like a time capsule of "grim and gritty" 90s media (comparisons to Sin City and Pulp Fiction included).
• The Story Arcs: Dizzy Cordova’s return to the streets and the Black Mirror-esque tragedy of Lee Dolan.
• The Verdict: Is the overarching conspiracy enough to keep us reading despite the "cringe" factor?

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:

• Visual Storytelling: How Gavin Fullerton uses silent narrative and cinematic paneling to tell a story of grief and duty.
• Mythology Decoded: We identify the cameos from Irish Legend, including Queen Maeve, Cú Chulainn (maybe?), The Dagda, and Balor of the Evil Eye.
• The Vibe: Why this feels like "Dark Souls" meets an apocalyptic end to the Age of Myth.
• That Dog: Emotional damage and the fate of the protagonist's wolfhound.
• 
  

2026 Reading Schedule: We’ve announced our lineup for the first half of 2026! Get your copies ready:

• Jan: 100 Bullets, Vol. 1 by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso
• Feb: Absolute Martian Manhunter, Vol. 1 by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodríguez
• Mar: Bone, Vol. 1 by Jeff Smith
• Apr: Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman
• May: Assorted Crisis Events by Deniz Cam
• Jun: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King & Bilquis Everly

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:

• Why the first arc feels like The Boys meets Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye—if Hawkeye was a glory-hound who slept with everyone’s wives.
• The Dual Art Styles: Breaking down the genius flip-flop between Tony Fleecs’ grounded, photo-referenced reality and Tim Seeley’s Rob Liefeld-esque 90s flashbacks (no feet allowed!).
• The "Image" History Lesson: How the book serves as a love letter (and a tombstone) to the 1992 founding of Image Comics, referencing WildC.A.T.s, Gen13, and the "pouch era."
• The Inga Problem: The twisty villain arc that left us asking: Is she a Lex Luthor mastermind or just a messy ex?
• The Verdict: Why we believe Volume 1 is a masterpiece that belongs on your shelf, but why the "cosmic shenanigans" of Arcs 2 & 3 gave the lads "comic book blue balls."

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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:

• "Devil's Trill" (Hamlet Machine): A sexy, weird, and wordless Faustian pact that sets a spectacular gothic tone.
• "Portorium" (Becky Cloonan): A classic tale of grave robbery, Roman gods (hello, Orcus), and why you should never steal from the dead.
• "Down by the Water" (Molly Mendoza): A beautiful, abstract, and unsettling story of gossip, grief, and... frog spawn?
• "Coal &Clover" (Vanessa R. Del Rey): A straightforward folk horror revenge story set in a brutal American company town. Don't make deals with the Fae!
• "La Chéta" (Celine Loup): The one that left us scratching our heads. A sketchy, Alpine tale of a sexy widow and... well, we're still not sure.
• "Warmth of the Hunt" (E.M. Carroll): An absolute banger to finish the anthology. A stunning, timeless depiction of the Wild Hunt with tattoo-worthy art.

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.

• The Art of Magic: A deep dive into Javier Rodriguez's spectacular, psychedelic, and masterful visuals. We explore his innovative panel layouts, mastery of colour (including that CMYK flashback style!), and pin-up aesthetic.
• A Millennial Magician: How Mariko Tamaki's writing transforms Zatanna into a relatable millennial hero grappling with imposter syndrome, parental legacy, and finding her own power.
• Narrative Tropes & Themes: We tackle the "Chosen One" narrative, the mystery of Zatara's dark past, and whether the story holds up to the incredible artwork.
• For the Female Gaze?: An exploration of how the comic flips the script on Zatanna's traditionally fetishised character design, creating a powerful and sexy story from a distinctly female perspective.
• That Constantine Cameo: Was John Constantine's appearance necessary, or did he just show up to ruin a perfectly good lesbian romance? We have thoughts.

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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:

• The Unholy Trinity: A deep dive into the core characters: the crumbling Soviet ideal of The Iron Star, the brutal American imperialism of President Goode, and the human cost embodied by Azra.
• Artistic Chaos: Why Stipan Morian's shifting art styles are both the comic's greatest strength and its most challenging feature.
• Deconstructing History: How the comic uses superheroes to explore the real-world horrors and myth-making of the Soviet-Afghan War.
• Legendary Influences: We discuss the heavy shades of Planetary, The Authority, and Watchmen that run through this series.
• The Best and Worst of Humanity: From the terrifying super-soldier Six Bill to the tragic journalist Kyril, we break down the unforgettable supporting cast.

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:

• The unique blend of high-octane action and devastating emotional stakes.
• How Daniel Warren Johnson's kinetic art and page layouts capture the motion of wrestling like never before.
• The themes of family, loss, and what it means to "lick the mats for the fans."
• The shocking character reveals, the incredible tournament matchups, and the absolutely wild ending where our heroes wrestle God.

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:

• The Twilight of the Hero: What was happening in '90s comics that prompted Waid and Ross to create Kingdom Come?
• The Art of Gods: An analysis of Alex Ross's iconic, painted art style. Is it timeless iconography, or has its realism dated?
• Clash of the Titans: We break down some of the most memorable moments, including the legendary battle between a world-weary Superman and a brainwashed Shazam (Captain Marvel).
• A Controversial Take: Was Wonder Woman done dirty? We examine her characterisation as a ruthless warmonger and the villain of the piece.
• Enduring Legacy: How Kingdom Come drew inspiration from stories like Watchmen and Squadron Supreme and went on to influence comics like Civil War and video games like Injustice.

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:

• How Argent Star fits into Marvel continuity after Thor: Prey.
• Wrestling moves in space (yes, suplexes included).
• The tragic humour of Bill’s journey and refusal to grow.
• Scuttlebutt’s role as both sentient starship and scene-stealer.
• The gorgeous kinetic art style of Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer – and its heavy-metal album cover vibes.

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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