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DC Spotlight February 11, 2026

The Comic Source

For the week of February 4, 2026, Jace and Rocky break down twelve DC Comics releases in a Comic Source / Comic Boom DC Spotlight episode that spans finales, debuts, event developments, and major character revelations. The discussion opens with Batman and Robin #30, the final issue of Philip Kennedy Johnson’s run, focusing on the conclusion of the Quiet Man storyline and the evolution of Bruce and Damian’s father–son dynamic. Attention then turns to Bleeding Hearts #1, the first original title of DC’s revived Vertigo line by Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian, introducing a zombie-centered narrative that explores identity, empathy, and survival from an unconventional perspective. Aquaman #14 by Jeremy Adams delivers significant mythology expansion, revealing the identity and history of Mera’s mother, explaining Aquaman’s defeat in the DC KO tournament, and setting up the arrival of Emperor Aquaman. In Green Lantern Corps #13, Morgan Hampton advances the War for Oa arc with Fatality’s transformation into an Indigo Lantern, the resolution of Enquar’s storyline, and major implications for the emotional spectrum. The hosts also discuss Immortal Legend Batman #6, concluding the Elseworlds saga with teases of future incarnations of the Bat-family, and C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #6, which resolves the first arc while positioning Mordred, Morgan Le Fay, and the modern Knights for future conflict. Sirens: Love Hurts #1 launches a Black Label series centered on Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Black Canary investigating a string of murders tied to emotional vulnerability, while Adventures of Superman: Book of El #6 continues Philip Kennedy Johnson’s Warworld saga with Superman’s illness and Otho-Ra’s race against death. Action Comics #1095 shifts focus to Pete Ross as he grapples with learning Clark Kent’s secret, DC KO #4 reshapes the tournament with the arrival of the Absolute Universe and Lex Luthor as the last combatant standing, Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1 delivers a mythological standalone centered on Medusa and compassion over conquest, and Supergirl #10 embraces Silver Age-inspired storytelling with a Valentine’s Day tale involving pink kryptonite and looming trouble in Kandor. The guys finish up a run down of collected editions and with their final rankings of all the week’s books

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DC Spotlight February 4, 2026

The Comic Source

The latest DC Spotlight episode for the week of February 4, 2026 features Jace and Rocky breaking down a strong slate of eleven new DC releases while reflecting on a rare week free of industry-wide bad news. The discussion is led by the return of The Nice House by the Sea #7, with James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno resuming the series after a long hiatus and using character guides and carefully integrated recap to maintain narrative momentum, followed by Batman: Static Beyond #3, which gains traction as Miguel Mendonça’s art and a more action-driven focus push the Elseworlds concept forward. Batgirl #16 marks a turning point in Cassandra Cain’s arc, delivering resolution to the Unburied storyline, expanding the Lazarus mythology, and setting up a return to Gotham, while DC KO: Night Fight #4 closes its mini-series by exploring Batman’s exile from the tournament, alternate futures, and the consequences of loss before re-inserting him into the larger DC KO event. The episode also covers Batman #6, emphasizing character fallout and the status shift for Tim Drake, Poison Ivy #41, which advances Pamela Isley’s path toward running for mayor through a jail-cell-centered narrative that keeps her agency intact, and DC KO: Boss Battle #1, a crossover-heavy one-shot pairing DC characters with external properties in a high-concept escalation of the tournament. Additional discussion includes JSA #16 continuing its Year One focus on early team dynamics, Absolute Green Lantern #11 deepening Al Ewing’s dense mythology with escalating threats and spectrum lore, Absolute Superman #16 introducing an Absolute Hawkman origin while advancing Lex Luthor and Brainiac plot threads, and Superman: Chains of Love Special #1, a Creeper- and Livewire-focused story that rounds out the week, before the hosts rank their favorites and preview the looming impact of DC KO #4.

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DC Spotlight January 28, 2026

The Comic Source

As part of the Comic Boom! and Comic Source collaboration, this DC Spotlight for the week of January 28, 2026 finds Jace and Rocky breaking down a packed slate of fourteen DC releases, with discussion opening on the passing and legacy of Sal Buscema before turning to the week’s books. DC KO: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1 is examined for its focus on younger heroes and its place as a largely skippable but well-drawn tie-in, while Detective Comics #1105 continues Tom Taylor’s “The Courage That Kills” arc with deeper insight into the Lion’s origin and Gotham’s escalating crisis. Harley Quinn #58 is discussed as the start of a new arc that feels tonally familiar, followed by the Supergirl Next Door Valentine’s anthology, which offers mixed results across stories spotlighting Supergirl, Jay Garrick, Poison Ivy, Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Martian Manhunter, and Green Arrow. Green Lantern #31 features a nostalgic Hal Jordan and Barry Allen team-up that advances Jeremy Adams’ larger arc in subtle ways, while Superman #34 pushes Superboy Prime further into moral conflict against the Dark Legion. Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 stands out for its conceptual storytelling and increased narrative momentum, The Flash #29 introduces Dream Girl as a potential crack in Darkseid’s Legion, and Harley and Ivy: Love and Crimes #3 explores the early dynamics between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy with a more grounded emotional approach. Justice League Unlimited #15 and Justice League Red #6 wrap major threads involving Neuron, time-displaced heroes, and Red Tornado’s reckoning, while Absolute Batman #16 delivers a character-driven underworld journey with Wonder Woman that highlights Bruce Wayne’s loyalty and sacrifice. Absolute Flash #11 provides major revelations about the Still Point and the source of Wally West’s power, and Absolute Wonder Woman #16 launches the “Season of the Witch” arc with Absolute Zatanna and a reimagined Suicide Squad, setting the stage for one of the week’s most consequential confrontations.

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The Secret Origin of Speed Racer & Scoop Finale with Richard Ashley Hamilton

The Comic Source

As the first Comic Source interview of 2026, this episode Jace welcomes back comic writer Richard Ashley Hamilton—introduced here as “Speed Richard”—to discuss his work across both licensed and creator-owned projects. The conversation begins with Mad Cave’s Speed Racer: Tales From the Road #2 (released January 21, 2026), where Hamilton writes the lead story centered on Pops Racer, using a “race down memory lane” structure to explore Pops’ life before marriage and fatherhood, the family’s relationship to racing, and the emotional tension of letting children chase danger; he also highlights the creative team, including interior art by Pablo Andrés, colors by Rebecca Nalty, letters by Buddy Beaudoin, and editing by Chaz Pangburn, and notes the oversized, ad-free format. The episode then transitions into Scoop: Volume 4, with Hamilton giving an overview of the series’ premise—teen reporter-in-training Sophie Cooper investigating paranormal mysteries tied to her father’s case—before breaking down the goals of the final volume, the balance of standalone mystery and long-running payoffs, and the themes of family, media pressure, and misinformation that shape the conclusion, along with details on the upcoming full Scoop collection (currently dated for July 14). The interview closes with Hamilton previewing upcoming work, including Leo Da Vinci: Renaissance Kid from Papercutz arriving in April with artist Marco Matrone, and sharing where listeners can follow him online.

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DC Spotlight January 21, 2026

The Comic Source

Jace and Rocky break down another Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight for the week of January 21, 2026, with only seven single issues on the slate but a massive week for reprints and collected editions—including major Absolute line reprints like Absolute Batman #1 10th printing and Absolute Batman Annual #1 2nd printing, plus facsimiles such as Batman #676 and Superman #75, and a packed shelf of collected editions ranging from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Compact Comics to DC’s Finest: Doom Patrol, Green Lantern by Robert Venditti Omnibus Vol. 2, The Invisibles Compendium, New History of the DCU, Absolute Promethea Vol. 2, Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma, and Young Justice Omnibus Vol. 2. On the single-issue side, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #47 wraps up the Absorbicon chaos with the Joker/Luthor fusion, the world briefly losing knowledge, and a lingering “Fusion” mystery locked away in the Fortress of Solitude; DC KO: Green Lantern – Galactic Slam #1 becomes the week’s standout as Jeremy Adams brings Kyle Rayner into WAM’s multiversal wrestling spectacle, delivers Omega Bam Man’s origin, and ties the concept directly into Darkseid and the DC KO stakes; Titans #31 splits focus between Donna Troy and Arsenal battling Grail on Earth and Nightwing/Raven’s Gemworld complications as Terra turns opportunistic; Superman Unlimited #9 launches “Die Laughing” with a new, more hands-on Prankster targeting Perry White and Superman leveraging Clark Kent’s reporting to bait the killer into exposing himself, while also planting Mxyzptlk-related seeds; Catwoman #83 continues Selina’s Europe-set intrigue with Falcone connections and Court of Owls pressure as the run edges toward a more familiar Gotham-facing direction; Nightwing #134 keeps Dick in the Fifth Dimension facing the Zanni while real-world consequences escalate, including damage that reverberates back to Blüdhaven; and Wonder Woman #29 begins a two-part “The Village” detour to Themyscira with striking Jeff Spokes visuals and Strife’s arrival setting the hook for what comes next, before both hosts give their rankings with Galactic Slam taking the top spot.

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DC Spotlight January 14, 2026

The Comic Source

The latest DC Spotlight is live as Jace and Rocky break down a smaller but strong slate of DC releases for the week of January 14, 2026, offering full rankings and detailed discussion across eight books. The episode opens with Court: Children of the Round Table #5, where Tom Taylor delivers another major cliffhanger revealing Felicity’s shocking connection to Mordred and continuing the series’ younger-reader focus within main DC continuity. Aquaman #13 shifts attention away from Arthur himself to spotlight Mera, deepening Xebel lore, introducing new mysteries around Andrina’s imperial ambitions, and setting up long-term consequences tied to DC KO. In Action Comics #1094, Mark Waid explores Superboy’s moral conflict as he undertakes a military rescue mission under General Lane, raising questions about agency, responsibility, and secrecy, while reactions to the noir-leaning art remain mixed. The Wonder Woman Black & Gold 2026 Special earns discussion for its experimental format, standout visuals from Mitch Gerads, and a thematically heavy Steve Orlando story examining truth, belief, and manipulation through the Golden Lasso. Supergirl #9 leans hard into character drama as a New Year’s party spirals into fallout that challenges Kara’s role as a mentor and forces a reckoning with Lesla’s fate and Kandorian biology. Batman and Robin #29 continues Philip Kennedy Johnson’s acclaimed Quiet Man arc, pushing the Ventriloquist mythology to disturbing new depths while strengthening Bruce and Damian’s evolving father-son dynamic. DC KO #3 escalates the tournament with creative team-ups, major eliminations, Lex Luthor’s calculated use of Supergirl, Joker’s chaotic advantage, and a cliffhanger teasing Absolute-inspired threats. The episode closes with Green Lantern Corps #12, where Morgan Hampton juggles multiple Lantern factions, Larfleeze’s assault on Oa, Fatality’s uncertain allegiance, and a looming planetary threat, delivering a dense, fast-paced issue that emerges as the week’s top contender.

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DC Spotlight January 7, 2026

The Comic Source

Jace of The Comic Source and Rocky return for the first Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight of 2026, opening with New Year updates, comic shop observations surrounding Absolute line demand, collecting goals for the year ahead, and reflections on shifting convention attendance before diving into a full DC release slate. The discussion begins with JSA #15 by Jeff Lemire and Gavin Guidry, highlighting its Year One structure, slower-burn team formation, and character-driven interactions between Golden Age figures like Al Pratt and Hippolyta, followed by Absolute Green Lantern #10 from Al Ewing and Sid Kotian, which advances the Absolute Universe through expanded Checkmate involvement, Hector Hammond’s experiments with alien matter, escalating danger for Jo Mullein, and mounting internal betrayals. The Black Label title Batman / Green Arrow / The Question: Arcadia #2 by Gabriel Hardman and Romulo Fajardo Jr. is examined for its grounded political tone, heavy dialogue, and ideological tension between Oliver Queen’s activism and Bruce Wayne’s pragmatism, while Poison Ivy #40 by G. Willow Wilson and David Gianfelice centers on Ivy’s confrontation with Gotham power broker Vandal Savage, the consequences of her refusal to compromise ecological control, and the violent fallout that signals an impending status-quo shift. Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League #6 by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott concludes its heist narrative by revealing the true objective behind the robbery, breaking Cheetah’s divine curse through a confrontation with the cat god Ishkataga, and positioning stolen Justice League artifacts as future story catalysts. The episode also covers DC KO: Night Fight #3 by Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, focusing on Batman’s resistance to the Heart of Apocalypse’s manipulative rules and the introduction of a new Alfred figure, Batman #5 by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez, which emphasizes Bruce Wayne operating publicly during a high-speed assassination attempt and an accidental identity slip caused by Damian, and Absolute Batman: Ark M by Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri, exploring the historical origins of Arkham Asylum, the manipulative rise of Jack Grim, and the first appearance of Absolute Deathstroke. Absolute Superman #5 by Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra is discussed for its new costume reveal, the aging downfall of Ra’s al Ghul without Lazarus Pit access, Brainiac’s approach to the Luthor farm, and the debut of Absolute Hawkman, while Adventures of Superman: Book of L #5 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson advances its future-set mythology through Green Lantern connections, the fate of Superman’s orphaned descendants, and expanded Book of El text pieces. The episode also touches on Batgirl #15 by Tate Brombal and Stephen Segovia, continuing Cassandra Cain’s mystical arc with Nyssa al Ghul, blood-based powers, and the looming return to Gotham, alongside Teen Titans Go! #11 as a lighter all-ages entry and the oversized Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man facsimile, revisiting the 1976 crossover with classic creators, vintage storytelling structure, and period-specific cultural references, before wrapping with collected edition highlights and full weekly rankings.

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The Comic Source Comic Boom Comic Talk Fireside Chat 2025: Part Two

The Comic Source

As part of 12 Days of The Comic Source, this Part Two Fireside Chat finds Jace continuing the holiday conversation with Rocky of Comic Boom and Steve, shifting focus from year-end reflections into a wide-ranging discussion on blind bags, variant covers, and the role of gimmicks versus storytelling in the modern comics market. The episode opens with Steve unboxing DC KO blind bags, sparking an extended debate on manufactured scarcity, community engagement, and whether blind bags meaningfully support long-term reader investment, before expanding into a broader examination of Marvel–DC crossovers, past and present, including Batman/Deadpool, Deadpool/Batman, Superman/Spider-Man, anthology fatigue, marketing challenges, and what makes crossovers feel special versus disposable. The conversation then turns to Marvel’s current publishing strategy, the planned end of the Ultimate Universe, Brian Michael Bendis’s return, and how Marvel’s output compares to DC’s Absolute line, followed by personal reflections on collecting memories, formative comics, and the emotional connections tied to specific books, including stories of childhood comic shops, early Ghost Rider and Batman/Hulk crossovers, well-worn reader copies, and how nostalgia and lived experiences continue to shape modern collecting habits. From there, the discussion broadens into a detailed breakdown of 2025’s biggest surprises across DC, Marvel, and the independent scene, with specific titles called out such as Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Grommets, Minor Arcana, Bug Wars, Dust to Dust, Tin Can Society, Lucky Devils, Poison Ivy and more, alongside reflections on why these books resonated more deeply than expected. The episode closes on a reflective holiday note, with the group sharing end-of-year sentiments about gratitude for the comics community, appreciation for creators and local shops, the lasting power of shared collecting experiences, and hopes for strong storytelling and meaningful connections heading into the new year, before wrapping with forward-looking thoughts on 2026 and a detailed update on the DC KO prediction standings as Round Two results come into focus and one of the guys is trailing significantly.

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The Comic Source Comic Boom Comic Talk Fireside Chat 2025: Part One

The Comic Source

As part of 12 Days of The Comic Source, this Fireside Chat finds Jace of The Comic Source joined by Rocky and Steve for an extended year-end conversation that blends holiday atmosphere, convention stories, and reflections on collecting. The discussion opens with seasonal check-ins and contrasting December weather, from warm Christmas temperatures to brutal Canadian storms, before shifting into a detailed recap of New York Comic Con, including press logistics, creator dinners, industry mixers, Artist Alley experiences, and a memorable late-night Marvel party mishap that becomes a defining convention story. From there, the conversation broadens into comparisons between New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con, examining differences in layout, exclusives, Artist Alley access, and how each show shapes community and networking. The latter half of the episode focuses on collecting highlights and personal milestones from the year, with Rocky sharing the story behind acquiring Amazing Spider-Man #129 from a legacy collection, Steve reflecting on purchasing a graded Amazing Spider-Man #300 and bonding with his son through comic shops, and Jace discussing major acquisitions like Invincible #1 alongside his continued hunt for missing Ghost Rider issues. This leads into an in-depth discussion of DC’s Absolute line, particularly Absolute Batman, covering its record-setting sales, dominance on secondary-market demand charts, and why its clean break from continuity, self-contained storytelling, frequent cliffhangers, multiple printings, and accessible entry point have resonated with both longtime collectors and brand-new readers, while also touching on speculation, rising prices, and the role of local shops and pull lists. The episode closes by teeing up part two of the conversation in the next episode, which will feature Steve opening blind bags on the show and an update on the current DC KO prediction standings, continuing the year-end discussion into the holiday season.

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DC Spotlight December 24, 2025

The Comic Source

Jace and Rocky return for another Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight for December 24, 2025, tackling an extra-stacked 17-book week before DC takes New Year’s Eve off, with the conversation moving quickly through reactions, standout art, and where each issue lands in their rankings. The slate includes Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes #2, which flashes back to Harley and Ivy getting together and Harley cutting ties with the Joker under Erica Henderson’s full cartooning package; Batman/Static Beyond #2, an Elseworlds team-up that still feels light on world setup as a jumping-on point; Immortal Legend Batman #5, another Elseworlds entry where the shadow-driven approach and a Bruce-to-Joker turn become a sticking point despite strong visuals; The Flash #28, highlighted by the Jay Garrick vs. Guy Gardner matchup and debate over how the fight is contructed; Harley Quinn #57 / Legacy #200, which resolves Elliot Kalan’s Althea Clang storyline while splitting opinions due to sharply contrasting art styles; Superman #33, focused less on Superman himself and more on Lex Luthor’s DC KO battle with Etrigan and its potential long-term ramifications; Justice League Red #5, which heads toward its finale with Red Tornado revealed as the Crimson Cloud and Clayton Henry’s Power Girl art drawing praise; Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #6, escalating its multiversal chaos with Martian Manhunter becoming a kaiju and Wally West stepping into the spotlight; and Justice League Unlimited #14, a DC KO tie-in where Mr. Terrific leads the Terrific Ten into Hell to confront Neuron, forcing characters to sacrifice core aspects of themselves at the River Styx. Higher on the list, Green Lantern #30 (“Frenemies”) stands out for its Hal Jordan and Batman team-up that blends humor with a heartfelt acknowledgment of shared trauma; Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #6 delivers an emotional centerpiece as Trinity spends a day with Steve Trevor and reveals how his return from the afterlife is set in motion; Detective Comics #1104 (“The Courage That Kills Part 4”) hooks hard with Batman questioning his judgment as a fear-killing infection spreads and a familiar adversary is teased; and Green Arrow #31 closes Chris Condon’s run with a coda-like, emotionally grounded finale that ties its mystery together. The Absolute line is heavily represented with Absolute Martian Manhunter #7, a tonal reset that leans into Javier Rodríguez’s tactile, experimental visuals; Absolute Superman #14, which wraps its second arc by resolving the Ra’s conflict, shifting Superman’s look, and closing out the “first year” phase; and Absolute Wonder Woman #15 (“The Mark of Hecate”), a Batman-focused duet issue built around strategy, tension, and long-term implications. Rounding out the discussion is Joker vs. Red Hood (DC KO), a title that sparks one of the biggest ranking splits of the week and fuels broader frustration over Joker fatigue, even as it still lands high for Rocky. The guys finish up by ranking every book and along the way, reflect on DC KO’s structure, consequences, and moral tension, the dominance of DC titles in current pull data, and how this final DC Spotlight of the year encapsulates both the ambition and excess of DC’s 2025 output.

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