The Comic Source Podcast

Jace and Rocky from Comic Boom! do a deep dive into the DC titles for the Week of March 16, 2021. They look at the new Superman anthology, Red & Blue and discuss how the stories are all very emotional and look at the impact that Superman has in them as well as on him. There is also a lot of talk about the limited color palette and how that plays with the mood of the stories. Both the guys are really enjoying Catwoman and issue #29 is no exception. It continues to be one of, if not the BEST monthly title DC is putting out. Brian Michael Bendis makes his debut on Justice League and while the art is spectacular, it's hard to get a read on the narrative because there is so little of it. On the other hand, the back up Justice League Dark story is jam-packed with narrative despite having less pages to work with. Finally the much anticipated Tom Taylor Nightwing lives up to all the hype and expectations. Jace goes so far as to call it a perfect comic and give it a 10/10. Emotional at times, lighthearted at others, it gives everything a fan of Dick Grayson could want. There's plenty of Barbara Gordon, Alfred makes an appearance, in a way and there is a puppy! Stunningly good.

Jace and Jon-Paul break down the final issue of House of X. We see the speech Xavier gave to all humanity regarding the sovereign nation of Krakoa as well as the reasons behind it. They discuss the ramifications of that statement as well as of the supposed "miracle" drugs the mutants are offering the rest of the world. Also we see the ruling council of 12 mutants make the first laws for this new mutant nation. The Quiet Council, as they are called, is made up of a wide cross section of mutants, but whether that is actually a good thing is yet to be determined. Finally we see that council pass judgement on Sabertooth and it is a harsh judgement indeed, what fall out from that, if any, might we see in the future? Only time will tell.

Jace chats with the co-CEO's of Bad Idea to get the lowdown and Eniac #1, allocations and launch day. There are a TON of rumors flying around out there, so we are here to set the record straight. We talk about why there weren't enough first printings to go around, how Bad Idea came up the number of books to be printed and how they hope to resolve this going forward. Also plenty of talk about the speculation market and just why are all those rules in place anyway. How come there will be no trades or digital? We ask it all, plus some listener & forum questions as well. If you have heard about Bad Idea and aren't sure what to think ... this is the podcast you MUST listen to.

Jace breaks down four great DC books. Freedom Fighters #4 finally has Uncle Sam returning with the current team of Freedom Fighters having done enough to restore the spirit of 76 for the people of this version of America. Will Uncle Sam's return be enough to turn the tide of the resistance against the Nazi's? In Shazam #4 we start to discover just how much trouble the Shazam family is in at the hands of King Kid, who has scattered our heroes across the Magiclands. However, help may be on the way from an unexpected ally. In Justice League #21, the imposter Superman stands revealed as the World-Forger explains his deception and the plan he has to save the multiverse. The sacrifices he is asking the League to make may prove more than they are willing to make though. So how it will all play out, and why is a beloved character claiming to have destroyed Superman and siding with the World-Forger in imprisoning more than have the living beings in the multiverse for all time? Have to read on to find out. Finally in the pages of Hawkman #11, we find out that even the combined might of all of Carter Hall's past lives may not be enough to defeat the Deathbringers once and for all. What will it take for Carter Hall to achieve victory and finally let his past be in the past?

Jace and Rocky from ComicBoom! discuss in detail the DC comics from March 9, 2021. Superman #29 kicks off an all new era where the consequences of everything Jon Kent has been through the last few years. Joker #1 might as well be called Jim Gordon and we are all in on this. Wonder Woman #770 show much promise for the Amazon Princess and the guys really liked it. Green Lantern #12 is an incredible finish to the Morrison/Liam era of the Emerald Warrior. Rorschach #6 gets us to the halfway point of this great series from Tom King embracing the pulp feel of the original Watchman series. Batman Urban Legends #1 gives us back the classic feel of timeless Batman stories that we feel may have been missing recently.

Jace chats with creators J.T. Krul & Jonathan Marks Barravecchia about their current Kickstarter Campaign for the Illustrated Fantasy Adventure Hardcover Novel, The Ivory King. J.T. has created a reach anthropomorphic world that Jonathan has brought to life with richly detailed illustrations. Both J.T. and Jonathan talk in detail about developing the look and feel of the world, especially choosing the right animals for the characters and imbuing them with emotion and agency. There's so much to discover about the work behind the novel, but don't worry, we don't give anything away. No spoilers here! The guys also chat about choosing to crowdfund and release this project through Kickstarter and building community. So give it a listen and go pledge!

Jace take s spoiler-free look at some books from this week that he already had a chance to read. Knock 'em Dead by AfterShock continues to do just that, with one of the best lead ins to a final issue we have read in a long time. A couple of other AfterShock titles are really delivering action as well, Maniac of New York #2 & Scout's Honor #3 continue to be exceptional. Commanders in Crisis #6 also has an awesome ending and we can't wait to see what it leads to. This book perfectly captures writer Steve Orlando's love of comics. Children of the Atom #1 gives us a look at a new generation of mutants who may be much more than they seem. Batman Urban Legends is a great anthology that harkens back to a more timeless period for the caped crusader. Spider-Man gets a new costume and a bit of a new direction in issue #61 and it is a breath of fresh air. Meanwhile in Daredevil, Chip Zdarsky continues to deliver one of the most emotionally complex superhero stories we've ever read. Truly a must-read. Plus Jace gives a rundown on some other titles you might want to be on the lookout for.

Jace and Jon Paul take a look at Powers of X #5. We learn about how the resurrection protocol for the mutants was put in motion by Charles many, many years ago with the help of Forge. We also see the moment When Xavier and Magneto bring the White Queen into the fold and why Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, is a necessary ally as well. Then we jump to the thousand years in the future timeline and look at the consequences of the man-machine alliance making a deal with the Phalanx. The question of why Hickman is includes thus currently unexplored timeline remains a mystery, but that doesn't stop the guys from speculating.

Jace and Jon Paul take a look at House of X #5. We begin to see just how groundbreaking the story Hickman is crafting truly is. This is the issue that explains how the mutants of Krokoa have found a way to fundamentally alter their loves FOREVER. The guys love the intricacy of the idea, but wonder at the moral questions that it might raise. We also see the outcome of the UN vote to recognize Krokoa as a sovereign nation. Plus the call has gone out from Xavier to all mutants everywhere, good, bad or indifferent, they are all invited to come make their home on the new island nation.

Jace is joined by the legendary Fabian Nicieza to talk about the recent Juggernaut series that we loved and they also chat about Fabian's return to the 90's to tell the unfinished tale of Adam-X. Plus, Fabian's debut novel is dropping in June of 2021 and there is plenty of talk about the process and differences of writing prose versus comics. So much good information in this one and we hope you enjoy it as much as Jace enjoyed catching up with Fabian.