Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Batman: Dark Victory, the haunting sequel to The Long Halloween, brings us back to Gotham’s underworld, where the hangman killer strikes and alliances crumble. In this episode of Tales from the Long Box, we dive deep into Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s noir masterpiece: how it expands Batman’s mythos, the rise of Robin, and why this story might be the most underrated entry in the Loeb/Sale trilogy.🕒 Chapters00:00 – Intro05:12 – Introduction of Robin and his role in the story06:12 – Comparing Dark Victory to The Long Halloween09:03 – The Hangman killings and mystery plot analysis12:00 – Portrayal of Batman villains: insanity vs. clear motivations (Mr. Freeze focus)14:02 – Bruce Wayne’s withdrawal and grief; impact of Robin on his recovery15:14 – Chapter 9 “Orphans”: Dick Grayson’s parents and parallels with Bruce18:57 - Analysis of visual storytelling and Tim Sale’s shadow-heavy style20:31 – Dick Grayson as Robin and the mentor-surrogate father dynamic25:09 – Legacy, heroism, and Batman’s humanity

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Batman: The Cult (1988) is one of the darkest, most underrated Batman stories ever told. Written by Jim Starlin (Death in the Family) and painted by horror legend Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), this four-issue nightmare strips the Dark Knight of everything—his faith, control, and sanity.In this episode of Tales from the Long Box, we break down how The Cult pushed Batman past his limits and reshaped modern interpretations of the character.🕒 Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why The Cult matters01:10 – Meet the creators: Jim Starlin & Bernie Wrightson04:00 – The rise of darker comics07:30 – Who is Deacon Blackfire?10:20 – Batman’s brainwashing and moral collapse13:45 – The art that made The Cult unforgettable17:00 – Themes of faith, control, and redemption25:00 – The ending and Batman’s recovery29:20 – Legacy and influence on modern Batman33:00 – Final thoughts & outro

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Alan Moore’s landmark Swamp Thing run changed comics forever. In this episode, we dive into Saga of the Swamp Thing #20–#64 era—how Moore, Stephen Bissette, Rick Veitch, and more reinvented Alec Holland, shattered the Comics Code Authority, and laid the groundwork for Vertigo. We unpack the existential twist (“Swamp Thing isn’t Alec Holland”), the book’s mix of cosmic horror, ecology, and spirituality, and why it reads like Shelley, Kafka, and classic Universal/Hammer horror all at once. We also talk about John Constantine’s first appearance, Abby Cable, Arcane, The Phantom Stranger, Etrigan, and how these stories flow into Sandman and DC’s modern supernatural corner. If you love heady horror, literary vibes, and era-defining comics craft, this one’s for you.🕒 Chapters00:00 – Intro00:00:30 – The Creative Team00:01:38 – Why this run mattered: influence alongside DKR/’80s revolution00:06:46 – Swamp Thing’s origin00:11:17 – Identity, memory, and existential themes00:13:40 – Literary DNA: Shelley, Kafka, cosmic horror vibes00:15:30 – John Constantine arrives fully formed00:25:19 – Why it still surprises: pulp ideas, elevated execution00:36:54 – Final thoughts: legacy, recommendations, next reads00:41:12 – Outro

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Dive into the dark origins of Spawn and the incredible rise of Todd McFarlane — from rejected artist to comic book revolutionary. In this episode of Tales From the Long Box, we break down how McFarlane turned frustration at Marvel into one of the biggest creator revolts in comics history, founding Image Comics and giving birth to Spawn — the gritty, chain-covered anti-hero that defined the 1990s. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the world of indie comics, this deep dive captures the chaos, creativity, and controversy that changed comics forever.#TalesFromTheLongBox #Spawn #ToddMcFarlane #ImageComics #ComicBookHistory🕒 Chapters00:00 – Intro03:02 – Who Is Spawn?05:48 – Todd McFarlane’s Early Life & Inspiration08:29 – From DC to Marvel: Todd’s Big Break with Hulk and Spider-Man10:55 – The Speculator Boom: When Comics Became Investments14:31 – Todd Leaves Marvel & Forms Image Comics17:19 – Launching Spawn and Image’s First Wave31:04 – The Art of Spawn: Capes, Chaos, and Color Theory42:04 – Guest Writers: Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore & Others48:29 – Legacy of Spawn & Image Comics

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Junji Ito’s Uzumaki is one of the most disturbing and influential horror manga ever created. In this episode of Tales from the Long Box, we explore why spirals became a symbol of cosmic terror, break down Ito’s unique art style, and look at how Uzumaki builds suspense, dread, and unforgettable body horror. Perfect for fans of manga, horror, and anyone who wants to understand why Uzumaki is considered a modern masterpiece of the genre.🕒 Chapters0:00 – Intro1:52 – Why Uzumaki was chosen for spooky season3:10 – Junji Ito’s background and style5:25 – Story setup: Kiri, Shuichi, and the father’s spiral obsession18:05 – Art style: simple faces vs hyper-detailed grotesque reveals20:10 – Panel pacing and page-turn “jump scares”

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Dive into the origins of Marvel Zombies and how Robert Kirkman turned a throwaway Ultimate Fantastic Four storyline into one of Marvel’s most shocking horror comics. We explore the grisly art, disturbing themes, and why the early volumes worked so well—plus whether Marvel’s upcoming animated series can capture the same unsettling magic. Perfect for fans of horror comics, Marvel history, and anyone curious about how beloved heroes became flesh-eating monsters.0:00 – Intro: Why we’re talking Marvel Zombies00:02:15 – The origins in Ultimate Fantastic Four00:05:40 – Robert Kirkman takes over & the first mini-series00:40:20 – Concerns about the Disney+ animated series00:45:00 – Final thoughts & legacy of Marvel Zombies

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers (with colors by Mike Spicer and later art by Jorge Corona) reinvents the Autobots and Decepticons for a brutal, heartfelt reboot — and it’s one of the best modern takes on the property. In this episode of Tales from the Long Box, we break down Johnson’s art & writing process, how the book was announced, the emotional core (Optimus ↔ Spike’s dad), and why the series lands so well as both mecha spectacle and human drama. If you like big robots, big feelings, Gundam vibes, and comics that punch you in the heart, this is for you.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro01:46 – How the new Image / Hasbro rollout surprised readers05:27 – Who are the Transformers?08:52 – Daniel Warren Johnson’s influences (Gundam The Origin, manga, wrestling)11:36 – How Johnson builds pages14:05 – Values vs. color18:52 – Spike, Sparky, and the human arc that surprised us21:28 – Key emotional scene: Optimus comforts a child; Sparky’s redemption arc26:19 – If-you-liked-this...

Links:Marshall - Mparish_ArtMichael - michael_kloppMarshall's Prints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparish_artCheck out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes, returned after 30 years with a brand-new book: The Mysteries, created with artist John Kascht. In this episode of Tales from the Long Box, we dive into this strange and fascinating fable for adults, unpacking its surreal art style, deeper themes, and how it compares to Calvin and Hobbes. We explore what makes this book so different, why it’s divisive, and why it’s worth your attention.If you’re a fan of comics, Bill Watterson, or unique storytelling, this episode is for you.⏱️ Chapters0:00 – Intro0:20 – What is The Mysteries?7:20 – What is The Mysteries really about?9:00 – Who is John Kascht?13:20 – Final reflections on the story’s meaning15:00 – Wrap up & next week’s episode

Check out Tales From the Long Box every Wednesday to hear us talk about comics we think are great and what makes them greatThanks for stopping by⏱️ Timestamps:00:00:00 - IntroLinks:Marshall:Socials - Mparish_ArtPrints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparis...Michael:Check out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?

Check out Tales From the Long Box every Wednesday to hear us talk about comics we think are great and what makes them greatThanks for stopping by⏱️ Timestamps:00:00:00 - IntroLinks:Marshall:Socials - Mparish_ArtPrints - https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/mparis...Michael:Check out Klopp's Poetry - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCNK8BN?