Make Mine Paperback Podcast

The gang continues Pride month with Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #1-6 (2021 - 2022) by Tee Franklin. Featuring one of the most iconic same-sex couple, Harley and Poison Ivy, this short series is full of representation! What kind of trouble does the dominant duo get into? How does their relationship change in this limited series? Why does it always seem like trouble finds these ladies when they aren't even trying?

The gang starts off June with Pride! The new theme is dedicated to the LGBTQ community during Pride Month. To introduce the theme, MMP discusses Superman: Son of Kal-El #1-5 (2021) by, you guessed it, Tom Taylor! When Superman is indefinitely summoned to a mission off Earth, it is up to his son, Jon, to serve in his place. Life is tough when society has high expectations for you, and even more so when your father is the greatest hero in the universe! With The Truth serving as his guide, Jon will attempt to balance the responsibility of defending Earth with countless other commitments, all while trying to figure out what he wants for himself. With the help of his boyfriend and fellow truth seeker, Jay, Jon is ready to forge his own destiny to figure who he is and he stands for. Will his compassion get him in trouble? Or will Jon really become the best of us. Find out in this groundbreaking comic from Tom Taylor that delivers refreshing representation.

In the final chapter of the Vibrant Variants theme, the Podcast gets an upgrade! In Superior Iron Man #1-6, written by the eternally loved Tom Taylor, the reader gets to experience a variation of Tony Stark where he never developed a conscience. Instead of using his business empire to help solve Earth’s problems, Tony uses his money to develop an app that makes the user “perfect.” Although this is no act of philanthropy as the app is prohibitively expensive, thereby driving a wedge between the people who can afford the app and those who cannot. As Tony becomes increasingly obsessed with power and his celebrity status the reader is left to wonder if this Iron Man is indeed superior. Will the Daredevil be able to talk sense into Tony? Or is Tony on his way to becoming a stereotypical dictator? Find out the answers to these questions and more by listening in to the #1 comic podcast*!

*Verified by Stark Industries

The gang continues to discuss Vibrant Variants by diving into the ongoing series Dark Knights of Steel #1-6. This alternate take on DC, from an MMP favorite and well known writer Tom Taylor, places several well-known characters in Medieval Times. The artwork by Yasmien Putri perfectly captures the spirit of the Middle Ages. In this spin on DC classic characters, we get to see Kal-El’s parents become monarchs of a Kingdom after winning the hearts of the residents. When a prophecy predicts the fall of all the land at the hands of aliens, things begin to  look grim for the House of El as they become suspect #1. In trying to prevent the prophecy, the magic users of the Kingdom of Storms find themselves on a collision course with the Kingdom of Els. Full of twists on important characters, such as Batman and Superman, this story maintains its integrity by keeping key events in line with continuity. Who is the mysterious Green Man? Has he been pulling the strings of the prophecy? We don’t have those answers yet, but join us in this awesome addition to the show!

Collecting Spider-Man (2016) #12-14, Spider-Gwen (2015B) #16-18, the fellas continue the month of May and the Vibrant Variants. They dive into a little Spiderverse as our hero Miles Morale ventures through time and space to... save his dad? Stop his dad? Kiss Gwen Stacy from another earth? From cameos with Spider-Ham, Spider-Man Noir and more, this run takes the harshness of Spider-mans world and combines it with the colorful and playful style of Gwen's world! What happens to our heroes? Find out in this weeks show!

The month of May is all about vibrant variants now that Grant Morrison’s month has wrapped up. To initiate the new topic, MMP talk about Infinity Wars: Soldier Supreme #1&2 and Secret Warps: Soldier Supreme Annual (2018). Writer Gerry Duggan expertly tells two stories at once in this limited series. Duggan is able to combine the traditional stories of Steve Rogers with that of Dr. Strange, while still making the result seem fresh. The artwork of Albert Kubert is equally impressive at demonstrating the ability to blend different styles into one image. Not shying away from humor, this comic is a fun read with plenty of wacky panels. Will Captain Strange, the Soldier Supreme, be able to handle the power of two different heroes? Or will he get trapped in the Dark Dimension? Find out in this exciting new edition to the show!

The gang wraps up Grant Morrison’s month by discussing The Invisibles #1-4 (1994). Supported by the creative artwork of Steve Yeowell, the reader of this series is drawn into a strange, psychedelic world that only Grant Morrison could conceive. Young hooligan, Dane McGowan, is recruited by a mysterious group of freedom fighters who call themselves The Invisibles. With oppressive systems of power in place around the world, it is up to The Invisibles to restore freewill. But before he is ready to join, Dane is taken on an adventure to discover who he is by Mad-Tom. What is blue mold? And will Dane be able to defeat the evil conformists? We invite the reader to find themselves and the answers to these questions in this week’s explosive new episode!

The gang continues to Marvel over Morrison’s Masterpieces by discussing Klaus (2015) #1-7. Dan Mora’s artwork perfectly illustrates the trademarks of a classic Morrison comic, such as psychedelic cutaway panels. Set in medieval times, this comic series covers the origin story of Santa Claus. In a departure from prior episodes this month, MMP focuses on a  plot driven story. When the town of Grimsvigtown is placed under the control of evil Lord Magnus, all joy is deprived from the citizens. It is up to Klaus to free the people of Grimsvigtown from Lord Magnus’s evil plan and bring back the Yuletide spirit! How will he be able to bring the toys to the children of Grimsvigtown? Will Magnus raise the Krampus? Find out as MMP discusses the origin story of Santa Claus and all the traditions around the Holiday!

The discussion of Grant Morrison’s Masterpieces continues with Nameless #1-6 (2016). Fresh off a discussion of Doom Patrol, the group dives into a horror comic sure to provide nightmare fuel to those who read it. The gruesome style of Chris Burnham’s artistry add to the surreal nature of this mind melting misadventure into the occult. After a well-rounded team of experts in their respective fields are assembled for a mission to stop an asteroid from striking Earth, things go awry quickly when they come in contact with an object of the occult. Will the team be able to stop the asteroid and save the planet? Or are mysterious forces at work to stop them? Listen in this week as MMP tries to scratch the surface of this densely layered comic from the beautiful mind of Grant Morrison! 

After an exciting conclusion to the Mid March Melee, the gang starts off April with a new theme. To honor the many contributions they have made to the comic book world, April will be all about Grant Morrison’s masterpieces. The first book to be discussed is one of Morrison’s initial great works. Doom Patrol #19 (1989) is an excellent example of what makes Grant Morrison’s so special, and so significant to the comic book world. After the series suffered during the initial 18 issues, Morrison was put in charge to bring life back to the series. Introducing a collection of misfits, Morrison uses their genius to put a strange, yet fun twist on the Doom Patrol. Will this relatable gang of outsiders be able to take on the nefarious Scissormen? What even are the Scissormen? Find out in this exciting new episode!