Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Three comics books from April 29, 2015. Plus a Second, Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with Ben Diederich. 

Show Notes:

This week we’re talking about Avengers and New Avengers, the current runs of which will go down in history as the best large scale comic event ever. With issues #44 and #33 respectively, we end three years of complex build up of multiple storylines and infinite characters all leading to Secret Wars.

And in contrast, we’re also going to talk about Alex + Ada #14, which is about as different from an event comic as you can get. Understated, emotional growth between primarily two characters. Aaron suggested the theme be “there can be only one”, a tongue in cheek reference to a single Earth left in Avengers. But Andrea countered with “it takes two”, or three or four or twenty-seven. There’s plenty of room for all kinds of comics. Let’s dive into these polar opposites and see what we see.

Avengers #44

Alex + Ada #14 36:12

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

One comic from April 22, 2015. Yup, you read that right: just one.

Show Notes:

Welcome to A Very Special Episode of Comics Therapy. This week we’re looking at some of the themes of identity brought up in All New X-Men, as well as their implications for representation in comics as a whole. We've never deliberately spent an entire show discussing a single book, but sometimes things happen in the world that we can’t ignore, and the existing plan goes out the window. Consider this our Isaac & Ishmael, hopefully with slightly less pretension, but with many of the same intentions.

All New X-Men #40 16:30

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two comics from April 8, 2015. Plus a Second Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with Roderick Ruth.

Show Notes:

This week we’re talking about the complex ties that bind us to our families, that drive us to the ends of the earth, galaxy, dimension, whatever. And how sometimes our memory of those once-close relationships is warped over the years we spend apart. Parent to child. Sibling to sibling. What we had isn’t always what we will have. But we keep on searching for it.

Birthright #6 25:02

Lies and deceit taint the opportunity to reclaim a lost family, which likely ceased to exist long ago. Plus: swords and axes and magic, which always makes reconciliation go more smoothly, right?

Saga #27 42:14

One family's emotional and physical separation is at the center of an epic war spanning across the galaxy. Not lying.

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two books from March 18, 2015. Plus a Second Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with Aaron Meyers. Whaaaaaat? Yeah, you read that right, Aaron is doing a Second Opinion, which means Andrea's co-host is...her 9 year old son Avi. Truth.

Show Notes:

This week we’re talking about modern mythologies and the way comics today often lift classic character tropes from literature and repackage them for new audiences. Wait. Seriously, mommy? This is what you do with Aaron every week? Can’t we just talk about the comics?

Your intro and outro this week were also picked by Avi. And you have to admit, Aaron, that he did a really great job with the intro especially.

Chances are pretty good we'll be off next week, since both Andrea and Aaron will be in Seattle for Emerald City Comicon. See you there!

Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #4 10:46

Peanuts #26 26:01

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two comics from March 11, 2015. Plus a Second Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with Pete Buser.

Show Notes:

This week we’re talking about loss, and the hurt and sacrifice that comes after everything changes. Nothing lasts forever, and that sucks. Bodies grow old, career paths falter, relationships end. But still, we’re here. Gotta get busy living, or get busy dying.

Astro City #21 16:40

The end of one life, and the choice for a new one. Taking steps together or apart. Aaron sees growth, Andrea sees loss. Maybe the two go hand in hand?

Silver Surfer #10 32:05

Loss as an equalizer, but at what cost? With self sacrifice may come immeasurable loss for this pair, or it may be the glue that further binds them together.

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two books from March 4, 2015. Plus a Second Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with John Littrel.

Show Notes:

This week’s theme is artificial intelligence, and how it’s rarely the smartest idea as it turns out. We’re talking about two books where the best robotic intentions turn out to be the worst for their human makers. Artificial intelligence is a hot topic these days, in the news and in comics. The singularity is upon us, kids. Don’t be scared.

Universe! #2 12:30

Descender #1 33:40

Also mentioned:

Alex + Ada

D4VE

The Names

Terminator

A.I.

Small Wonder (yupppp.)

Blade Runner

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two books from February 25, 2015.

Show Notes:

This week’s theme is eh, screw it. It was supposed to be superheroes and second base but then Aaron went and had a conniption on the internet so all bets are off.

Comics and criticism. Reviews and enthusiasts. And American Splendor. Your welcome.

Comics Therapy. No Reviews. Just Analysis.

Two books from February 18, 2015. Plus a Second Opinion, featuring questions answered by a different listener each week, with Matt Roberts.

Show Notes:

This week’s theme is under the thumb of the man, or as we like to call it, just another week talking 'bout the patriarchy. Both books feature oppressive regimes targeting and eliminating undesirables that don’t fit into their precious worldview. Coincidentally, both leaders of those regimes are middle aged white men, drunk on the power of their own ignorance. Like Aaron.

The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 13:12

Bitch Planet #3 30:22