The Comic Book Block

Welcome to our Halloween Episode! As we dive into Marvel's new horror-filled Midnight Universe.

Marvel’s Midnight Universe gives the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man brand-new origins—and absolutely no peace and quiet. On this episode of The Comic  Book Block, we unpack the three launch issues, explain the horror angle behind each series, and look ahead at the next wave of stories.

We’ll dig into all three debut issues, talk about what’s coming next, compare Midnight with DC’s Absolute line, and hear what fans are praising—and questioning. Is this a bold new world with room to grow, or an Absolute attempt at a cash grab?

Three books. Three kinds of horror. One very crowded pull list.

In this spoiler-filled episode of The Comic Book Block, we break down Lanterns Episodes 5–8

We’re discussing Zoe and Noah’s connection, the truth about Hal Jordan’s murder, Sinestro’s bootleg power battery, the Halogram, John Stewart’s new oath, and that dangerous mixture of green willpower and yellow fear energy.

We’ll also examine the Easter eggs, fan theories, and comic-book connections that we love to think is what is going to happen next, but probably not the way we think.

Is John Stewart still a Green Lantern? Is he slowly becoming a Yellow Lantern? Could Hal Jordan return—and have the Guardians ever successfully completed a background check?

Full spoilers ahead. Charge your ring, question authority, and remember: the Guardians may have created the Corps, but they clearly stopped reading the employee handbook.

The DEATHBLADE Kickstarter Is Live—Back the Awakening, Enter the Bloodwars & Discover Sightless

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deathblade1/deathblade-the-awakening-issues-2-and-3-and-bloodwars-1?ref=creator_tab

Comic Book Creator E.A. Brown steps Pulls Up to the** Block** to discuss the childhood dream that grew into an expanding supernatural comic-book universe.

We go behind the blade to explore Deathblade: The Awakening with issues #2 and #3. Does Ambrose survive the cliffhanger? Who is M? And how much darker is this story about to get?

E.A. also takes us deeper into the Universe and talks  Bloodwars #1, a prequel set during World War II were a biological weapon pushes vampires toward famine and turns humanity into their next food source. In Sightless #0, political power broker Savior Dravani risks exposing an ancient Vampire–Dragonkin bloodline to protect his unborn son.

We talk indie comics, creative ownership, building Skull Valley Comics, Kickstarter, variant covers, and what it takes to keep building this amazing Universe.

The DEATHBLADE Kickstarter is live now. Returning backers can jump on the $55 Early Bird, then add their favorite variant covers, rewards, and swag.

Back the campaign. Share the link. Support independent comics.

Because The Block is down with indie comic-book creators and companies like four flat tires in the rain.

Subscribe. Listen. Share. Join DA Block.

DEATHBLADE. BLOODWARS. SIGHTLESS.
Three stories. One expanding universe.

Bonus Episode On Da Block

Lanterns Episodes 3 & 4: Everybody Looks Oa-fully Suspicious

The mystery is getting deeper, the clues are getting stranger, and pretty much everyone on Lanterns now seems to be hiding something.

In this spoiler-filled episode, The Comic Book Block takes a closer look at Episodes 3 and 4, breaking down the biggest reveals, the hidden comic-book connections, the suspicious lines of dialogue and the little details that could become much more important later. We’ll also explore which classic Green Lantern characters and storylines the series might be quietly setting up.

Hal Jordan and John Stewart are trying to uncover the truth, but every answer only seems to lead to another question. Honestly, at this point, even the power rings probably need lawyers.

So charge your ring, sharpen your detective skills, and join us as we sort through the confirmed Easter eggs, the wild theories, and the clues that might send us straight to Oa wearing tinfoil constructs.

Warning: Contains major spoilers for Lanterns Episodes 3 and 4.

A new superhero universe is rising—and things are about to get E.P.I.C.

On this episode of The Comic Book Block, we sit down with Lonnie “Lo” Plater, founder of Dark City Comics and creator of E.P.I.C. We explore the creation of reluctant hero Chris Tayborne, the mysterious Alpha Bands, the power-awakening Alpha Strand, and the expanding mythology of the Dark City Universe.

Lo also takes us behind the panels of E.P.I.C. #1: The Alpha Strand and previews the growing conflict of E.P.I.C. #2: Arise Alphas—Part 1. We talk cosmic mythology, street-level consequences, rising heroes, dangerous new Alphas, independent publishing, and what it takes to build an original comic universe from the ground up.

Funny, inspiring, and made for readers searching for their next favorite indie comic book series—welcome to the Alpha Era.

Support E.P.I.C. :

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkcitycomics/epic-2-arise-alphas-part-1

Follow Dark City Comics:

https://darkcitycomics.substack.com/

In this episode of The Comic Book Block, we dive into HBO’s Lanterns—a spoiler-filled cosmic murder mystery where Green Lantern power rings, buried secrets, suspicious aliens, and questionable decisions collide with the kind of grim detective work that might make the Guardians of the Universe schedule an emergency ethics review.

We break down the show’s story, characters, biggest twists, funniest moments, comic-book Easter eggs, and connections to classic Green Lantern history. Along the way, we discuss Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Sinestro, Mogo, the Manhunters, Oa, the Green Lantern Corps, and the comic-book storylines that may be influencing the mystery.

It’s True Detective with space cops, ancient conspiracies, cosmic mythology, and enough red string and corkboard to make even the most dedicated Lantern fan wonder whether the real power of the Corps is investigative paranoia.

Charge your ring, check your sector map, and join The Comic Book Block for a lively conversation about one of DC’s most ambitious television mysteries—and a story that could connect grounded crime drama to decades of Green Lantern lore.

Warning: This conversation contains spoilers for Lanterns.

Vixen was supposed to get her own comic in 1978—and DC canceled it before issue #1 even reached the shelves. She got fired before her first day! Then DC spent almost fifty years putting her on every superhero team imaginable while acting like giving her a solo ongoing required congressional approval.

In this episode of Comic Book Block, we discuss Mari McCabe The Vixen from the DC Implosion and Action Comics #521 through the Justice League, Suicide Squad, Return of the Lion, animation, live action and Vixen: NYC. We’re breaking down her history, animal abilities, Tantu Totem, family trauma, villains and everything revealed about Stephanie Williams and Khary Randolph’s upcoming series. Vixen can channel the power of every animal on Earth—but apparently the one creature she couldn’t overcome was a DC publishing schedule.

Absolute Green Arrow: I Need a Cork Board and Red String

Some comics entertain you.

Some comics make you think.

And then there's Absolute Green Arrow...

...the kind of comic that has you staring at the last page wondering if you need a detective's office, a cork board, and about thirty feet of red string just to keep up.

In this episode of The Comic Book Block, The Professor dives deep into Absolute Green Arrow, breaking down the biggest mysteries, hidden clues, shocking twists, and the growing conspiracy surrounding Oliver Queen's death. Every issue raises new questions, every suspect has something to hide, and just when you think you've figured it out... the story changes the game.

🏹 In this episode, we'll discuss:

• A complete breakdown of Absolute Green Arrow Issues #1–#3
• Why this feels more like True Detective than a traditional superhero comic
• Black Canary's incredible role as the series' lead investigator
• Oliver Queen's legacy—and why his absence drives every page
• The biggest suspects, theories, and unanswered questions
• Hidden details and Easter eggs you may have missed
• How the Absolute Universe completely reinvents Green Arrow
• Our favorite moments, funniest observations, and final verdict

Whether you're a longtime Green Arrow fan or just discovering the Absolute Universe, this episode explores why this series has become one of DC's boldest and most talked-about books.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This episode contains some spoilers for Absolute Green Arrow.

We want to hear your theories.

🏹 Who do you think is behind the Green Arrow murders?

🏹 Is Oliver Queen really dead?

🏹 Which clue do you think everyone else is overlooking?

Drop your theories in the comments—because at this point, everybody is a suspect.

💬 Join the Investigation!

If you enjoyed this episode:

✅ Subscribe to The Comic Book Block

✅ Share this episode with your comic book crew

✅ Ring the notification bell so you never miss a Wednesday release

✅ And most importantly... support your local comic shop.

Because every comic is a mystery waiting to be opened...

...and every Wednesday starts a new adventure.

Everybody says they've got the next great comic book idea...

But Malcolm McFadden actually went out and built one.

This week, The Professor, Young O'Neil, and Mr. Rey welcome comic book creator, Founder & CEO of Sixfifteen Comics, Malcolm McFadden, to The Comic Book Block for a high-energy conversation about Subject Zero, the creative journey behind the series, and his live Kickstarter campaign.

From building an original comic universe and taking the leap into independent publishing to the hustle of crowdfunding and believing in your own vision, Malcolm shares what it really takes to turn "What if?" into "Read This."

If you love comics, indie creators, behind-the-scenes stories, and conversations with people bold enough to bet on themselves, then pull up to The Block.

 Featuring: Malcolm McFadden, Founder & CEO of Six Fifteen Comics
 Topic: Subject Zero
 Now Live on Kickstarter

Pull up to The Block... where comic book culture lives. 

This week on Comic Book Block, The Professor, along with Young O'Neil and Mr. Rey, jumps into DC Next Level to find out if DC is finally giving the rest of its roster the spotlight—or if Batman just stepped out long enough for somebody else to borrow the cape.

We're talking:

• Is Zatanna quietly becoming DC's next superstar?
• Is Firestorm the best book nobody's talking about?
• Is Deadman weird...or brilliantly weird?
• Can Barbara Gordon prove she's more than just another Bat-Family member?
• Is Deathstroke still the most dangerous man in comics?
• And did Lobo just remind everybody why he's the Main Man?

We'll also look ahead at what's coming next, including Teen Titans, Legion of Super-Heroes, Doom Patrol, and the future of the DC Universe.

Whether you've been collecting comics since the spinner rack days or you're just starting your pull list, this episode is packed with laughs, comic knowledge, and the kind of conversations that only happen when real fans get together.

We celebrate the culture, debate the stories, and keep the conversation going—On the Block.