Comic Book Club co-host Justin Tyler returns and brings with him one of the legit best comics we’ve ever read on the show: Starman #0-5 (and also #11 because it’s Justin’s fave) by James Robinson, Tony Harris, and Matt Smith. While discussing this offbeat legacy hero, the trio touches on the Marvel swimsuit issue, sibling rivalries, and the interesting career of James Robinson.

Death of Starman

Dissing Starman

Great quip

Poor, poor old Mist

Family reunion

Lecture from dad

Jack can’t catch a break

Jack’s cosmic rod

The JSA in action

Hourman fights

Shocking ending

The ice cream caper

Justin Tyler is one of the hosts of Comic Book Club Live, which you can listen to on the Nerdist Network or watch live every Tuesday at 7pm at Fontana’s in New York City. Justin previously appeared on episode #52, Mutant Genesis.

You can purchase these issues of Starman on Amazon or Comixology.

Music: “Bitter Rivals” by Sleigh Bells

"Justin Tyler / Starman v2 #0-5, 11" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/starman.html

This week on the show, Matt flies solo and reveals the Secret Origin of his love of comics. Strap yourself in: this may be the most self-indulgent episode yet!

Music: “He Gets Me High” by Dum Dum Girls

"The Secret Origin of Matt" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/secret-origin-of-matt.html

Nicole makes a triumphant return as we read her pick: Time Breakers #1-5 by Rachel Pollack and Chris Weston. Originally published by DC Comics' long-defunct Helix imprint, this probably-wasn’t-intended-to-be-but-ended-up-being-a mini-series is all about time travel and paradox, so get ready to be sufficiently confused! You’ll also learn the downside of being a jewel thief, and hear Matt clarify things!

As Time Breakers is rather difficult to find, here are a few scans to give you an idea of the comic. You can find copies on Amazon and My Comic Shop.

Angela’s origin

The Hamlet paradox

Well-dressed heroes

This is how you die

Where _did_ Angela go?

The Time Breakers paradox

Playing a god

The big paradox

Be sure to check out Dibs, the web series that Nicole directed since she last appeared on the show.

Music: “Making Time” by the Creation

"Nicole Drespel / Time Breakers #1-5 (1997)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/time-breakers.html

Matt and Brett talk about this summer’s offering of comic book movies, Spider-Man in the ‘80s, the duo’s cross-country summer travels, Brett’s job at MTV Splash Page, and the coming of the Batfleck!

Next week we will be reading Time Breakers #1-5 by Rachel Pollack and Chris Weston. Nicole Drespel will be returning to discuss the most head-scratchingest time travel adventure ever! This one’s out of print, but you can find copies on Amazon and My Comic Shop.

Music: “Why I Cry” by Best Coast

"Ben Affleck Is In The Shadow Of Ben Affleck" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/ben-affleck.html

Hot 97 DJ and comedian Cipha Sounds is on the podcast to discuss the modern day noir comic Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. You’ll learn all about hip hop radio, Cipha’s journey into the improv world, and, now, his first steps into the comic book world! Also learn all of our… rules.

You can purchase Criminal #1-5 (the “Coward” story arc) on Amazon or download on Comixology. Check out Cipha every morning on Hot 97 in New York City during The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show. You can also follow him on Twitter @ciphasounds and check out TAKE IT PERSONAL: The Hip Hop Improv Show at the UCB Theatre East, Fridays at 9.

Music: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Ray Dalton

"Cipha Sounds / Criminal #1-5 (2006-2007)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/cipha-sounds-criminal.html

This week’s episode is all about Spider-Man as we talk to Mark Ginocchio, the man behind the Chasing Amazing blog and Comics Should Be Good’s Gimmick or Good? column. Mark is only four issues away from owning every single issue of Amazing Spider-Man, so we pick his brain about collecting, Spider-Man in the ‘90s, and how he started on this crazy quest in the first place.

Follow Mark’s Amazing Chase on Twitter at @ChasingASMBlog and read his column, Gimmick or Good?, where he examines the foil-gatefold, holo-bagged comics of the '90s.

And, of course, Gwen or Mary Jane?

Next week we’ll be reading the first story arc from Criminal, “Coward” by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Find it on Amazon or Comixology.

Music: “Circular Karate Chop” by They Might Be Giants

"Mark Ginocchio / Four Issues Away" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/mark-ginocchio.html

Spoiler and trigger warnings abound in this oh-so-heavy discussion of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.’s extremely adult Kick-Ass 2. Seriously, any worthwhile talk about this comic has to veer into some super uncomfortable territory, because lord knows the book itself doesn’t take the time to properly unpack the heinous and horrifying acts it depicts. (We promise we’ll be on to much, much lighter fare next week!)

If you haven’t read Kick-Ass 2 and this episode has you curious about it, get a copy from Amazon or download it on Comixology.

Music: “Finger Back” by Vampire Weekend

"Kick-Ass 2 #1-7 (2010-2012)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/kick-ass-2.html

Nicole Drespel hasn’t been on the show since episode #48 (Gotham Central). How is she? Where has she been? What has she been reading? She and Brett play a game of catch up, including her thoughts on The Amazing Spider-Man (and his appearance at SDCC), a letter from a 1977 issue of Ms. Marvel, before moving on to today’s topic: jumping back into comics.

Nicole has picked up two series and read their newest issues without going back to see what she’s missed: Wolverine & The X-Men #33 and Hawkeye #12. How easy was it to jump back in? What should she read next?

Anyway, here’s what you should read next:

Next week we’ll be reading Kick-Ass 2 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Get a copy from Amazon or download from Comixology.

Music: “Right Action” by Franz Ferdinand

"Jumping In Without Catching Up" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/jumping-in.html

Our guest from our first ever book-club-style episode (see #4), Jeff Rubin, returns with his College Humor colleague Pat Cassels to dive into a book that’s quite topical right now — Chris Claremont and Frank Miller’s iconic Wolverine mini-series from 1982! If you’ve seen The Wolverine in theaters and want to hear more about the story that took Logan to Japan, this is your chance!

Jeff Rubin and Pat Cassels both work for College Humor and host the web series Bleep Bloop together. Jeff also hosts The Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show, sometimes alongside Pat. Check out a Daria movie trailer on College Humor, written by Pat.

You can get your own copy of Wolverine #1-4 from Amazon or Comixology.

Music: “How It Starts” by The Features

"Jeff Rubin & Pat Cassels / Wolverine #1-4 (1982)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/the-wolverine.html

Barely a day after returning from a whirlwind weekend at San Diego’s Comic-Con International, Brett reminisces about his experiences to Producer Ben. Tales are told, as Brett met a lot of people that he’s excited to talk about – some of which can be seen in the pics below! If you’re a Cheers, Tick, or Joss Whedon fan, this episode is for you!

Brett meets R2-D2

Brett meets John “Cliff Clavin” Ratzenberger

Joss Whedon promoting Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Commissioned sketch of Stefon by Kris Anka

The Tick (Townsend Coleman) addresses a crowd in San Diego

Karen Gillan’s reveal

Next week we will be reading Wolverine #1-4 by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, from 1982.

This storyline inspired The Wolverine, which hits theaters this week. Read the book first! You can order it from Amazon or download it from Comixology.

Music: “San Diego” by Starlight Mints

"San Diego Comic Con International" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/sd-comic-con.html