Storied Arcs

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"If we have learned nothing on this journey, it is the fact that we know nothing. What the next danger will be, or where it will come from."

Mike and Alex are back this week to continue their trek through Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts' Manifest Destiny from Image Comics with Volumes 5 and 6 (issues #26-35). They dive right into how the book followed up on the major revelations shown in Volume 4, and how the creators kept the tension and conflict present as they continued to deliver their version of the "monster of the week" story. The guys then discussed how the shifting viewpoints of the journal writings worked for them as a narrative device. Finally, they note the story elements that have them the most intrigued going into the final issues of the book.

We wrap up our expedition next week with our final deep dive into the story, so go find Manifest Destiny Volumes 7 and 8 (issues #37-48) wherever you get your comics and join up back here again for the anchor leg discussion!

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Mike and Alex hop on the mic to discuss a preview of one of their favorite comic events of the year: Lexington Comic & Toy Convention in Lexington, KY. It approaches this weekend. Listen to this episode to hear a little history of our experience with the event and what we're really looking forward to this year. Additionally, if you're within a few hundred miles then consider making the drive. Tickets are available: https://www.lexingtoncomiccon.com/

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• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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"There is vast land out there, but it is deadly. And we can't destroy that danger. Only Navath, Keeper of the Realms, can. But we must pay. Make a sacrifice."

This week, Mike and Alex continue their journey west with Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts' Manifest Destiny Volumes 3 and 4 (issues #13-24) from Image Comics. The guys discuss the narrative swings these volumes take, from jumping back and forth through time to tweaking the established story format, and break down what elements of those swings do and don't work for them. They also dive into the darker turn the book takes in these issues and why they felt it was important that happened. Finally, they throw out some overarching theories (pun intended) on the nature of the structures depicted in the book, and how they might relate to the arch we know exists in our world.

We've hit the halfway point of the book but there's still plenty of ground to cover, so pick up Manifest Destiny Volumes 5 and 6 (issues #25-36) wherever you get your comics and join us here again next week to dive into it all!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

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• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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"Men are braced for action. Surely we will encounter the creatures spoken of by President Jefferson when he wisely commissioned this mission."

Welcome to the latest season of Storied Arcs! This week, Mike and Alex begin their trek westward with the Corps of Discovery as they dive into Manifest Destiny Volumes 1 and 2 (issues #1-12) by Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts from Image Comics. The guys start with an overview of their thoughts, sharing what their expectations were heading into this story and how those changed and/or shifted once they started reading. Then they examine the story through the lens of the known historical record of Lewis and Clark and discuss when events in the book map onto events in real life and why the creators might have chosen those points to sync up when they did. Finally, they touch on the vibrancy of the art and colors in the comic and some of the visual flourishes they enjoyed in these issues.

The expedition continues next week as we make our way further into the unknown, so pick up Manifest Destiny Volumes 3 and 4 (issues #13-24) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again to break it all down!

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• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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For the next season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex will heading into the western frontier as they tackle Manifest Destiny by Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts from Image Comics/Skybound. They guys give a spoiler-free pitch for the comic (aside from the parts of the book that intersect with known history) and chat a bit about some of their expectations going into the story. Then they give the comics background on the creative team of Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts, as well as colorist Owen Gieni and letter Pat Brosseau. 

The plan is to cover this book two trade collections at a time, so go find Manifest Destiny Volumes 1 and 2 (issues #1-12) wherever you get your comics, and join us back here next week to break it all down!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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• Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com

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"I don't care if we win... I just want them to lose."

This week on Stories Arcs, Mike and Alex finish up their deep dive into The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips from Image Comics with Volume 3: Act Three (issues #9-12). They start at the end- how does the mystery resolve and what does it all mean? Did any of it matter in discovering the truth? And what is truth in a world run by story, myth, and legend? The guys examine these questions in the light of noir storytelling, and analyze how the various character see themselves in relation to the larger forces at play in this world. They also look at how relevant the themes and ideas presented in the comic remain today, despite being created some 10 years ago and set some 80 years ago, and why that's more of a commentary on our world today than it is on the prescience of the story. Finally, the guys wrap with a detailed look at some the incredible visual storytelling choices made by Sean Phillips throughout the comic.

We hope you enjoyed this look into another neo-noir classic from the team of Brubaker and Phillips. We'll be back next week to intro our next deep dive discussion. See you then!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
• Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X.
• Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com

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"Charlie's just a moth who figured out how to get closer to the flame. But Maya, and people like her, they did him one better... they figured out how to be the flame, instead."

This week on Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex continue their look into the seedy underbelly of Golden Age Hollywood as depicted in Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two (issues #5-8) from Image comics. The guys start by discussing how this volume subverts some of the expected narrative beats one might anticipate from this type of noir story, from who is leading the investigation into the death that was the inciting incident to the entire story, to how important (or not) that investigation even is to the overall story. They also discuss the comic leaving Charlie's perspective more and following other characters, and how that additional information for the reader both rounds out the world and raises more questions as to what exactly is going on.

The mystery wraps up next week with The Fade Out Volume 3: Act Three (issues #9-12), so find it wherever you get your comics and join us back here again then!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
• Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X.
• Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com

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"Whatever it was inside that made him a writer had been stolen over there. Now he was just empty. And every word he typed felt like a waste, and not enough at the same time."

This week on Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex start their deep dive into Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' The Fade Out from Image Comics with Volume 1: Act One (issues #1-4). The guys discuss how the post-WWII Hollywood setting is the perfect fit for Brubaker and Phillips' neo-noir leanings, and how the story weaves real world events and circumstances (and sometimes people) from history into its story. Then they take a look at the narrative construction presented in the comic and break down how effective it is in building up the mystery that's at the heart of the book. Finally, they heap praise on Sean Phillips and the collaboration with Elizabeth Breitweiser for the phenomenal artwork through the comic.

The mystery trail continues as we get into The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two (issues #5-8), so find it wherever you get your comics and we'll you see you back here again next week!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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For the next season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are returning to the noir-tinged world of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips with their 2014 book from Image Comics, The Fade Out. The guys covered Brubaker and Phillips (and colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser) back when they discussed Kill or Be Killed (check that out if you haven't already), so first they give a brief update on some of the work the pair have published in the interim, then they give a spoiler-free intro to The Fade Out. They talk about why they decided on this story being the next Brubaker/Phillips joint they covered on the show and what their history with the book is.

The Fade Out is the kind of comic that if Brubaker and Phillips hadn't done it, they would be constantly asked why they hadn't done a comic like The Fade Out. We can't wait to dive into this one, so go find The Fade Out Volume 1: Act One (issues #1-4) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again next week to kick of the discussion!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
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• Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com

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"But Gus failed and is forgotten now, and I fear I am forgotten as well. Maybe someday trees will also spring from my joints and moss will crawl over my skin."

Mike and Alex are closing out Lonely Sci-Fi Month with Andrew MacLean's OGN ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times from Dark Horse Comics. The guys touch on how they came to find this book, and how it slots into their overall theme. They discuss how this book is effectively the inverse situation of the books they've covered thus far (isolated on a place versus isolated on a trip to a place), and how twist in perspective alters how we view the actions and choices of our main character(s). They guys also work through some narrative nitpicks they have, and praise MacLean's art style and coloring. Finally, they put a bow on Lonely Sci-Fi Month and wrap things up with a long lens view back on all four of the great comics they've touched on this month.

We hope you enjoyed kicking off another year of Storied Arcs with another theme month! We'll be back next week with an intro to another great comic. See you then!

Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs

• Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review!
• Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs
• Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X.
• Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com

Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!