Marvel by the Month

Mike Allred is one of the greatest and most prolific comics creators in the history of the industry. From his creator-owned work like Madman (celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022), Red Rocket 7, The Golden Plates,  iZombie, and Bowie, to critically acclaimed runs on Marvel titles, including FF (with Matt Fraction), X-Statix (with Peter Milligan), and the Eisner Award-winning Silver Surfer (with Dan Slott), Mike has repeatedly redefined the medium and himself as an artist.

His latest work, X-Ray Robot, is now available in trade paperback at your local comics shop. The glasses-free 3D cover gallery in the back of the book will blow your mind.

Thank you for supporting us on Patreon! Enjoy this extended edition, with more than an hour of extra content. Our wide-ranging conversation touches on Mike's early career, his spirituality, his lifelong struggle with mental health, and what we promise is the sweetest meet-cute you've ever heard.

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"Enter -- the Exquisite Elemental!" - Fantastic Four #81, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby w/Joe Sinnott, ©1968 Marvel Comics

"Even an Android Can Cry" - Avengers #58, written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema and George Klein, ©1968 Marvel Comics

"To Squash a Spider!" - Amazing Spider-Man #67, written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita and Jim Mooney, ©1968 Marvel Comics

"The Power and the Prize!" - Silver Surfer #3, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1968 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 2.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen, with bass by Ryan ‘Biff’ Dudder. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org.

For an additional 35 minutes of this episode, including the first appearance of Doc Samson in Incredible Hulk #141 and the death (?) of Thor in Thor #189, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 40 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week.

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"The Only Good Alien..." - Avengers #89, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

As the founder of Kitchen Sink Press, Denis Kitchen published some of the most important independent and underground comics of the last 50 years, including Bizarre Sex, Gay Comix, Omaha the Cat Dancer, Will Eisner’s Quarterly, The Crow, and From Hell. He has also been a lifelong defender of the First Amendment rights of comics retailers, creators, and readers, and is the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, of which Marvel by the Month is a member. We hope you'll consider becoming one as well at cbldf.org.

For an additional 40 minutes of this episode, including nearly half an hour of additional conversation with Denis Kitchen, plus our CBLDF-themed recommendations, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content, with more than 40 extended and exclusive episodes — and more being added every week.

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"-- And Now, The Goblin!" - Amazing Spider-Man #96, written by Stan Lee, art by Gil Kane and John Romita, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"In the Grip of the Goblin!" - Amazing Spider-Man #97, written by Stan Lee, art by Gil Kane, Frank Giacoia, and John Romita, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"The Goblin's Last Gasp!" - Amazing Spider-Man #98, written by Stan Lee, art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Seanbaby launched what was probably the first comedy website on the internet, and he's the co-founder of what might be the last one: 1900HOTDOG. Sample their savory processed humor for free, and then support them on Patreon for even more naturally cased hilarity.

For 60 more minutes of this episode — including our deep dives into Thor #188 ("The End of Infinity!") and the second half of Harlan Ellison's comics masterpiece in Incredible Hulk #140 ("The Brute That Shouted Love at the Heart of the Atom!"), as well as our Marvel by the Minute lightning round featuring seven more stories — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content, with over 40 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"The Summons of Psyklop" - Avengers #88, written by Harlan Ellison and Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Writer Joe Keatinge has been our most frequent guest, and with good reason: no one appreciates early Marvel weirdness more than him! His entire life has been leading up to this episode.

For an additional 40 minutes of this episode — including our deep dives into the Neal Adams story from Tower of Shadows #2 ("One Hungers") and our MONSTER by the Minute speed round covering eight Silver and Bronze Age Marvel horror stories — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content, with more than 40 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"At the Stroke of Midnight" - Tower of Shadows #1, written and drawn by Jim Steranko, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"...Man-Thing!" - Savage Tales #1, by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, art by Gray Morrow, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"MONSTER by the Month" theme and all incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Nick Orr is a brilliant multimedia artist whose Prince and the Pea is available at Books with Pictures, where he ensures that only the finest funnybooks make it into our hands each and every week. We salute his service.

For an additional 50 minutes of this episode — including our deep dives into Incredible Hulk #139 ("Many Foes Has the Hulk!") and Avengers #87 ("Look Homeward, Avenger!") — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content, with almost 40 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"To Stalk the Spider-Man" - Captain America #137, written by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan and Bill Everett, ©1971 Marvel Comics

Marvel by the Minute Issues:

"Hell On Earth!" - Amazing Adventures #6, written by Roy Thomas, art by Neal Adams and John Verpoorten, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Blood Will Tell!" - Amazing Adventures #6, written by Roy Thomas, art by Don Heck and Sal Buscema, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Now Rides the Ghost of El Condor!" - Daredevil #75, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"One From Four Leaves Three!" - Fantastic Four #110, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"In This Hour of Earthdoom!" - Iron Man #37 - Dave Sim letter!, written by Gerry Conway, art by Don Heck and Jim Mooney, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"The Way to Dusty Death!" - Sub-Mariner #37, written by Roy Thomas, art by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"The World Is Lost!" - Thor #187, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Katie Pryde is the proprietrix of Books with Pictures, a comics shop in Portland, Oregon built from the ground up to prioritize inclusivity and diverse representation. She and the shop were recently featured in Mark Trail! You'll find at least one of us there most Wednesdays, and we'll also be there on Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 7th)!

For an additional 35 minutes of this episode — including our deep dives into Sub-Mariner #36 ("What Gods Have Joined Together!") and Fantastic Four #109 ("Death In the Negative Zone!") — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content, with almost 40 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"Worlds at War!" - Thor #186, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1971 Marvel Comics

Marvel by the Minute Issues:

"Trap For a Terrorist!" - Amazing Spider-Man #95, written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita and Sal Buscema, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Rampage!" - Astonishing Tales #5, written by Gerry Conway, art by Barry Smith and Frank Giacoia, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"A Land Enslaved!" - Astonishing Tales #5, written by Larry Lieber, art by George Tuska and Mike Esposito, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Brain-Child to the Dark Tower Came...!" - Avengers #86, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"The World Below" - Captain America #136, written by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan and Bill Everett, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"In the Country of the Blind!" - Daredevil #74, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"... Sincerely, the Sandman!" - Incredible Hulk #138, written by Roy Thomas, art by Herb Trimpe and Sam Grainger, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"... Among Men Stalks the Ramrod!" - Iron Man #36, written by Gerry Conway, art by Don Heck and Mike Esposito, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Outro music is "Nobody Loves the Hulk" performed by The Traits, originally written by Rosalind Rogoff.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Dave Dwonch is the co-writer and co-creator of Jenny Zero, published by Dark Horse Comics. The orphaned daughter of Japan's greatest kaiju fighter went full celebutante after her dad's death, and then she discovers she's inherited his powers and his mission. It's great! And you won't run out of it anytime soon, because Jenny Zero II is about to hit the stands in a couple of weeks!

For an additional 40 minutes of this episode — including our deep dives into Amazing Adventures #5 ("His Brother's Keeper!") and Fantastic Four #108 ("The Monstrous Mystery of the Nega-Man!") — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content, with almost 40 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"The World Is Not For Burning!" - Avengers #85 - Squadron Supreme, written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema and Frank Giacoia, ©1970 Marvel Comics

Marvel by the Minute Issues:

"... And to All a Good Night" - Amazing Adventures #5, written by Roy Thomas, art by Gene Colan and Bill Everett, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"On Wings of Death!" - Amazing Spider-Man #94, by Stan Lee, John Romita, and Sal Buscema, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"More Monster Than Man!" - Captain America #135, written by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"The Stars Mine Enemy!" - Incredible Hulk #137, written by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, art by Herb Trimpe and Mike Esposito, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Revenge!" - Iron Man #35, written by Gerry Conway and Allyn Brodsky, art by Don Heck, Mike Esposito, and Herb Trimpe, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Behold... the Brotherhood!" - Daredevil #73, written by Gerry Conway and Allyn Brodsky, art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Confrontation!" - Sub-Mariner #35, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"In the Grip of Infinity!" - Thor #185, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Sam Grainger, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. 

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Ibrahim Moustafa is still known to Wikipedia as a 1928 Olympic Gold Medallist wrestler, and yes, we're still making that joke on this, his fourth appearance on the program. Be sure to check out his Doctor Strange: Nexus of Nightmares #1, which hits the stands the same day this issue is released, as well as his second Humanoids original graphic novel, RetroActive, which comes out NEXT week (4/26), not THIS week like we mistakenly said a million times during the episode.

For an additional 35 minutes of this episode, support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content. The expanded edition of this episode includes our conversations about Captain America & the Falcon #134 ("They Call Him -- Stone-Face!") and Sub-Mariner #34 ("Titans Three!").

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"The Lady And -- The Prowler!" - Amazing Spider-Man #93, written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita, ©1970 Marvel Comics

Marvel by the Minute Issues:

"The Sun God!" - Astonishing Tales #4, written by Gerry Conway, art by Barry Smith and Sam Grainger, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"The Invaders!" - Astonishing Tales #4, written by Larry Lieber, art by Wally Wood, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"The Sword and the Sorceress!" - Avengers #84, written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema and Tom Palmer, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Lo! The Lord of the Leopards!" - Daredevil #72, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"And Now -- The Thing!" - Fantastic Four #107, by Stan Lee and John Buscema w/Joe Sinnott, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Klaatu! The Behemoth From Beyond Space!" - Incredible Hulk #136, written by Roy Thomas, art by Herb Trimpe and Sal Buscema, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Crisis -- And Calamity!" - Iron Man #34, written by Allyn Brodsky, art by Don Heck and "Joe Gaudioso" (Mike Esposito), ©1970 Marvel Comics

"The World Beyond!" - Thor #184, by Stan Lee and John Buscema w/Joe Sinnott, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. 

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Chelsea Cain is the author of so many New York Times bestselling books, including Heartsick, Sweetheart, Evil at Heart, and The Night Season. She's also the writer of Marvel Comics' Mockingbird, as well as Man-Eaters (published by Image Comics) and Spy Island (published by Dark Horse Comics). The latest volume of Man-Eaters, The Cursed, was just released in trade paperback. Buy it!

For an additional 20 minutes of this episode, support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to get access to our super-secret bonus feed of content. The expanded edition of this episode includes our conversation about Amazing Adventures #4 ("Deadlock").

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"Madness In the Slums!" - Captain America #133, written by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan and Dick Ayers, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Come On In, the Revolution's Fine!" - Avengers #83, written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema and Tom Palmer, ©1970 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. 

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.