Kirt Burdick returns to talk Death of Power, the upcoming finale of his gloriously unhinged bootleg-superhero epic, and the creator realities of trying to turn Kickstarter momentum into something resembling an actual career. Along the way, the conversation veers hard into outsider comics like New York City Outlaws, Hayden Sherman’s Batman work, Scott Snyder’s hit-or-miss post-Batman output, Frank Miller’s weird sequel era, and whether readers are just done with short miniseries pretending to be ongoing books.

Then things get thoughtful, with a real discussion about ambition, wealth, artistic freedom, and why longform storytelling still matters. You know… between all the penis jokes.

Captions:

“To make a true independent comic, you have to draw a penis.” — Kirt Burdick explaining the sacred laws of indie comics

“It’s almost like a mind-altering experience to watch them. So it’s not so much you’re watching a film, you’re imbibing a drug.” — Kirt on Outsider VHS cinema

“Scott Snyder’s writing frequently leaves me pretty cold.” — Chase with zero hesitation

“The Corner Box is officially canceled!” — David after talking wealth inequality

“I’m sure I’m blacklisted from DC.” — Kirt on his future in mainstream superheroes

SPLASH PAGE

[00:08:09] – Welcome to the Outsider Art Rabbit Hole: David discovers New York City Outlaws and absolutely loses his mind.

[00:17:24] – The Scott Snyder Debate: Chase gives a brutally honest take on Snyder outside Batman.

[00:19:52] – Are Miniseries Dead?: The gang debates whether readers still want short-form comics.

[00:22:47] – Hollywood vs Comics: Chase breaks down how publishers use comics as TV pitch decks.

[00:31:56] – Frank Miller’s 9/11 Pivot: David explains why Dark Knight Strikes Again became two different books.

[00:42:37] – Death of Power Gets Real: Kirt talks Kickstarter growth and the path toward making comics sustainable.

[00:44:31] – The Indie Comics Penis Manifesto: A sentence nobody expected but everybody will remember.

[00:51:13] – The Finale Is Coming: Kirt reveals Death of Power ends with a double-sized final Kickstarter.

SUPPORT THE CORNER BOX

David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host

John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host

The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

DIVE DEEPER INTO THE BACK ISSUE BIN

Kirt Burdick (https://www.instagram.com/kirtburdick/) - Creator of Death of Power and this episode’s featured guest

Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Outsider comics creator behind New York City Outlaws

Scott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Writer discussed extensively in the Batman/creator-owned debate

Hayden Sherman (https://www.instagram.com/cleanlined/) - Artist praised repeatedly for innovative Batman work

Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the Batman sequel discussion

David Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced via Asterios Polyp

Mark Waid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waid) - Praised for current DC superhero storytelling

Chris Samnee (https://www.chrissamnee.com/) - Highlighted for Batman and Robin Year One

James Tynion IV (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tynion_IV) - Referenced in creator-output discussion

Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher)) - Dark Horse founder discussed during publishing talk

NOT DEEP ENOUGH? WE'RE JUST LONG BOX UNDER THE TABLE DIVING NOW?!

Death of Power (https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/kirtburdick) - Kirt Burdick’s ongoing bootleg-superhero indie saga discussed throughout the episode

Absolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Major point of discussion during the Batman segment

Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s pick for best current Big Two book

Dark Spaces: Dungeon (https://www.idwpublishing.com/) - Scott Snyder crime comic debated by the panel

Batman and Robin: Year One (https://www.dc.com/) - Referenced in the Frank Miller/Batman influence conversation

Dark Knight Returns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns) - Foundation of the Frank Miller discussion

The Dark Knight Strikes Again (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Strikes_Again) - Examined as Miller’s post-9/11 creative pivot

Asterios Polyp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterios_Polyp) - Mazzucchelli’s acclaimed graphic novel

Dark Horse Comics (https://www.darkhorse.com/) - Discussed heavily in the publishing/business conversation

Titan Comics (https://titan-comics.com/) - Current Conan publisher

Heroic Signatures (https://www.heroicsignatures.com/) - Conan rights holder David and Chase work with

Something Is Killing the Children (https://www.boom-studios.com/series/something-is-killing-the-children/) - Referenced during creator-output discussion

Lone Wolf and Cub (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Wolf_and_Cub) - Mentioned in the Dark Horse manga conversation

The Warriors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)) - Core comparison for New York City Outlaws

Bleeding Skull (https://www.bleedingskull.com/) - Referenced during outsider VHS cinema discussion

Cartoonist Kayfabe (https://www.youtube.com/@CartoonistKayfabe) - Mentioned as inspiration in the Death of Power origin story

This episode, things get spicy fast as Kickstarter loyalty gets tested. David lays out a frustration that hits a nerve: paying more, waiting longer, and watching cheaper versions hit shelves first. From there, the guys pivot into creator mode—John’s secretly drawing comics again, Chase is juggling screenplays, and everyone’s got projects they can’t quite talk about (yet). Frank Miller creeps back into the conversation, setting up what might be a full-on deep dive in a future episode. And just when you think it’s under control… The Fly shows up, lights his ass, and still doesn’t save the day. 

Captions

“Less yuck more yums, dude. Let’s go.” — Chase pushing back on fake positivity culture
“It’s an insult to the audience.” — David on identical Kickstarter books hitting stores cheaper and sooner
“He lights his ass… and it still doesn’t work.” — John describing The Fly’s most effective move
“She saves the day. Twice. The Fly does nothing.” — John breaking down the most useless superhero ever

Splash Page

[03:15] – Kickstarter Betrayal: David breaks down the frustration of paying more for less
[06:58] – Retail Before Backers: The moment that crosses the line for everyone
[10:34] – Barber Returns to the Board: John reveals he’s drawing comics again
[13:05] – Moebius High-Wire Act: The chaos and brilliance of making it up as you go
[19:42] – Enter The Fly: A superhero who might be completely useless
[23:13] – One Page Masterpiece: The most insane splash-page monologue ever written
[01:05:18] – The Anti-Spider-Man: Why The Fly might be the most charming failure in comics

Support the Corner Box

David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host
John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host
The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the episode’s ongoing reading obsession and future deep dive tease
David Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced in discussion of Daredevil and Batman: Year One
Moebius / Jean Giraud (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moebius_(comics)) - Cited as inspiration for improvisational storytelling
Paul Pope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pope) - Referenced for speed and stylistic experimentation
Jonathan Maberry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Maberry) - Writer on recent project David and Chase worked on
Paul Pelletier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pelletier) - Artist collaborator on recent miniseries
Walt Simonson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Simonson) - Mentioned in Savage Sword of Conan discussion
John Buscema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema) - Featured artist in Conan material
Robert Loren Fleming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Loren_Fleming) - Writer of the over-the-top Nightmare monologue
Marat Mychaels (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marat_Mychaels) - Artist behind Nightmare and Extreme Studios work
Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Referenced in Extreme Studios and Archie revival attempts
Jerry Siegel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel) - Creator appearing in Archie digest reprints
Jack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Identified in early Shield story artwork
Wally Wood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Wood) - Featured artist in Archie digest
Tom DeFalco (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_DeFalco) - Credited with accidentally inventing his own Greek myth

Things gets weird when David decides he’s one of the cool kids now and starts reading the hot books everyone’s chasing. Join David and John as they get into D’orc, Tigress Island, White Sky, and Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre, weighing which books have real legs and which ones are riding the heat wave. There’s a sharp little debate about speculation, blind bags, first printings, and whether indie launches are a better kind of market chase. The guys also detour through One Piece work ethic, public domain Batman schemes, Skottie Young’s artistic family tree, and Lobo jokes that may or may not land. By the end, the Corner Box may have accidentally created a new recurring feature: Wired or Tired.

Captions

“Yeah, it’s like we’re editors and we know what a deadline means.” — David on never missing a weekly episode

“Once Batman hits public domain, it’s anybody’s game.” — David on the weird future of superhero ownership

“I’m unquestionably more into new indie number ones than I am maybe [for a] Robert Downey Jr. drawn Iron Man on my Daredevil comic.” — John on hot indie books versus blind-bag gimmicks

“Whatever gets good comics, I can live with a lot of the other stuff.” — David on speculation helping readers find strong books

“A novel, John, is a comic book but there’s no pictures.” — David explaining a novel with maximum disrespect

“It’s just goofy Lobo shit.” — John giving the cleanest possible Lobo review

“The title is exactly what it is.” — David on Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre delivering the promised insanity

Splash Page

[00:00] – Deadline Warriors: David and John kick things off by bragging, accurately, that The Corner Box still hasn’t missed a week.

[00:55] – The Oda Machine: One Piece sends the guys into manga production envy and the mystery of how weekly comics even happen.

[02:35] – Public Domain Batman Schemes: David lays out his future plan for using Superman and Batman without putting the names on the cover.

[06:45] – The Cool Kids Read Comics: David admits the show is getting popular, so naturally he had to start reading the hot books.

[08:06] – Speculation With a Pulse: John argues that hot indie number ones are a healthier trend than blind bags and gimmick covers.

[11:22] – D’orc Gets Graded: David gives the batch a rock-solid B and calls D’orc a fun, art-forward fantasy comedy still finding its quest.

[21:49] – Tigress Island Takes the Crown: John and David both land on Tigress Island as the strongest book of the bunch.

[28:58] – Cocaine Hippo Chaos: Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre arrives with cult-movie energy, social commentary, and exactly the level of madness promised.

Support the Corner Box
David Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - The Corner Box Co-Host

John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host

The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

Eiichiro Oda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiichiro_Oda) - Creator of One Piece, brought up as the impossible weekly-comics workhorse.

David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Comics journalist behind SKTCHD, mentioned for his thoughts on which comics may still exist 50 years from now.

Brett Bean (https://brettbean.substack.com) - Creator of D’orc, discussed for bringing Skottie Young-flavored fantasy comedy energy to Image.

Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Artist and writer whose influence becomes a whole side quest in the D’orc discussion.

Jorge Corona (h

David admits that his comic collecting is a full-blown lifestyle problem, complete with eBay piles, office deliveries, and one gloriously baffling Rob Liefeld ashcan. John and David then bounce from a weirdly amazing 1972 fanzine packed with future legends to Marvel Knights: The World to Come, a book that asks for patience before it finally starts paying off. From there, it’s straight into Groo territory, where the art still rules, the coloring looks sharp as hell, and one impossible boat-sinking moment throws the whole universe slightly off its axis. Along the way, there’s talk of Al Milgrom, Jim Starlin, Christopher Priest, Joe Quesada, and Sergio Aragonés. Then the mood turns when the guys issue a call to arms regarding a massive $1 million art heist from Mark Evanier’s collection.

Captions
“We’re not popular… but we’re headed in that direction.” - David

“We’re getting less not popular.” - John

"Everything is there by the time you get to the end, but your tolerance for getting to the end is really dependent on your level of buy-in in the beginning." - John

"These pieces of original art are history, and they need to be treated with respect." - David

"I don’t think either one of those influenced the other one in terms of the name." - John Barber (on D'rok vs. D'orc)

Splash Page
[00:01] – Vacation Mailbox of Doom: David returns from Hawaii to a mountain of comic packages.
[02:06] – Ashcan School: David breaks down what ashcans are and why they matter.
[09:18] – The Lost Fanzine Files: John cracks open a strange 1972 comic called Title.
[18:13] – Future Wakanda, Rough Start: David digs into Marvel Knights: The World to Come.
[31:56] – Groo Rules Are Meant to Break?: A new Groo mini sparks one very specific continuity crisis.
[37:11] – Missing Masterpieces: The guys react to Mark Evanier’s stolen original art.
[41:03] – Less Not Popular: The episode closes with a very Corner Box way to celebrate growth.

Support the Corner Box

David Hedgecock - The Corner Box Co-Host

John Barber - The Corner Box Co-Host

The Corner Box - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

Rob Liefeld (https://robliefeldcreations.com/)

Al Milgrom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Milgrom)

Jim Starlin (https://www.instagram.com/jimstarlin/)

Tom Orzechowski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Orzechowski)

Christopher Priest (https://www.christopherpriest.com/)

Joe Quesada (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Joe_Quesada) 

Sergio Aragonés (https://www.sergioaragones.com/)

Mark Evanier (https://www.newsfromme.com/)

Acrobats (https://imagecomics.com/creators/rob-liefeld)

Title #1 (https://www.comics.org/issue/253965/)

Groo the Wanderer (https://www.darkhorse.com/Search/Groo)

David survives a once-in-a-century storm in Hawaii, and it’s back to business as John and David break down the creative DNA of comics — including the return of the “Top 10 Hottest Artists” list! From a Silver Age deep dive into Don Heck and the surprisingly bold Avengers #32, to the wild discovery of a pre-Fantastic Four appearance of Ben Grimm as a WWII flying ace, it’s equal parts nostalgia, disbelief, and appreciation. Add in John’s latest indie finds and you’ve got a packed, can’t-miss episode.

Super Kaiju Rock and Roller Derby Fun Time Go will be launching soon.
Visit get.funtimego.com for more details.

Captions

• "Don Heck is the guy who should have sued Harlan Ellison and Gary Groth." — John Barber
• “If anybody ever says that Stan Lee and Marvel weren't forward-thinking and aggressively progressive... they're wrong." — David Hedgecock
• "Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman continues to dominate." — David Hedgecock

Splash Page

• [00:01:25] – Storming the Set: David reports on the Hawaii tropical storm that wrecked the Jurassic Park sets.
• [00:03:22] – “What John and David Read This Week”: John and David recap this week’s reads.
• [00:04:15] – Avengers Time Capsule: David hits issue #32 and finds modern relevance
• [00:13:05] – The Leatherneck Raiders: John discusses Captain Savage #7 and the bizarre visual of soldiers on surfboards.
• [00:18:45] – The Thing’s Flight School: Discussing Ben Grimm’s history as a World War II air ace.
• [00:25:35] – The Grading Shift: News on CBCS shutting down and the differences in signature verification.
• [00:28:20] – The Hottest Artists: David dishes out this month’s Top 10 Hottest Artists.
• [00:33:45] – The One to Watch: David spotlights Pye Parr and the upcoming M.A.S.K. comic from Skybound.
• [00:44:20] – The Absolute Champion: LISTEN IN TO FIND OUT WHO takes the number one spot on the Hottest Artists list.

Support the Corner Box

David Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - TCB Co-Host

John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - TCB Co-Host

The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

• Don Heck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Heck) - Silver Age Marvel artist known for Avengers and Iron Man.
• Stephen McArdle (Vendetta Holy Vindicator) - Creator of Vendetta: The Holy Vindicator and Crowbar 9.
• Ken Landgraf (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Veteran artist who provided a new pinup for the Crowbar 9 revival.
• Archie Goodwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Goodwin_(comics) - Legendary writer/editor mentioned for his work on Captain Savage.

A new segment hits The Corner Box this week as John and David roll out “Here’s What We Read This Week!” John dives into Alien: Salvation, arguing that Mike Mignola and Kevin Nowlan teaming up is just plain unfair, while David revisits Dark Knight Returns and DK2, wondering if Frank Miller’s chaos is actually the point — and loving it either way. Along the way: DSTLRY’s return, Ditko Artist’s Editions, Jae Lee redrawing on the fly, and a heartfelt, funny tribute to the late Sam Kieth — celebrating the weird, wild creators who make comics unforgettable.

Captions

• "Don't die and keep doing the thing." — John Barber
• "Nobody draws like Mignola. That means nobody inks like Mignola." — John Barber
• "I would love to be the fly on the wall in Frank Miller's head to find out what that was all about." — David Hedgecock
• “The whole piece feels like this crazy outsider art.” — David Hedgecock
• “We’ll miss you, Sam.” — John Barber

Splash Page

• [01:58] – A Short Box Smorgasbord: The guys decide to go loose and talk about what’s actually on their reading piles.
• [04:25] – Horror in Space: A deep look at the "murderer's row" creative team behind Alien: Salvation.
• [11:15] – The Miller Aesthetic: David breaks down why Dark Knight 2 is a "weird commercial outsider art piece."
• [18:55] – The Ditko Blueprint: Discussion on the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man Artist’s Edition and Peter Parker’s "schlubby" roots.
• [22:08] – The Perfectionist Grind: John shares stories of Jae Lee redrawing pages while the printer was waiting.
• [26:12] – Remembering Sam Kieth: A tribute to the unique genius of the creator of The Maxx and his unconventional career.
• [33:05] – The FedEx Masterpiece: The legendary story of Sam Kieth drawing a final page on the inside of a shipping box.

Support the Corner Box

• David Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - The Corner Box Co-Host
• John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host
• The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

• Mike Mignola (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Mignola) - Legendary artist of Hellboy and Alien: Salvation.
• Kevin Nowlan (Kevin Nowlan) - Master inker known for his work with Mignola and Quesada.
• Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Creator of The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City.
• Scott Dunbier (https://twitter.com/sdunbier)

Guest Dave Baker stops by the show as David and John dig into the industry shake-up following Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse and ask: is the “one guy” publisher era over? The conversation hits the rise of indie collectives and webtoons, then Dave’s new OGN, Punk’n Heads, and wraps with a deep-cut dive into Stephen R. Bissette’s Tyrant. Also, the zen of marathon tattoo sessions.

Captions

• "You don't sell to Embracer and then be like, 'everything's gonna be exactly like it was.'" — Dave Baker
• "Comics is always reliant on one guy doing the right thing. All these companies are always one dude." — Dave Baker
• "These are people that are getting into this to maximize the value of IP, not to make things." — John Barber
• "You look at those pages and they are the monastic, obsessive, maniacal renderings of like a crazy person." — Dave Baker
• "Jack Kirby by way of a Tijuana Bible style is just so rad." — Dave Baker
• "Most cartoonists are doomed to a life of anonymity and crushing poverty." — Dave Baker 

Splash Page

• [00:03:40] – The Dark Horse Clearing: Discussing the departure of Mike Richardson and the "synergistic" corporate speak that followed.
• [00:08:37] – The Changing of the Guard: Why the next CEO probably won't greenlight meticulous Richard Corben collections.
• [00:10:41] – DC's Creative Oxygen: How the "All In" initiative is attracting readers by letting creators breathe.
• [00:13:08] – Peow Studio and the 80s Manga Vibe: Spotlighting the small publishers making noise in the indie sphere.
• [00:21:23] – The Ken Landgraf Mystery: Discovering the 1970s journeyman who drew the first solo Wolverine story.
• [00:26:31] – The Return of the Tyrant: Stephen R. Bissette’s T-Rex masterpiece hits Kickstarter
• [26:47] – The Tyrant Returns: Discussing the ambitious $200,000 Kickstarter for Steven R. Bissette’s dinosaur masterwork.
• [32:12] – The Punk Rock Creative Grind: Dave Baker shares the seven-year journey and eight drafts behind Punk'n Heads.

Support the Corner Box

• David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com)
• John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com)
• The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

• Dave Baker (Dave Baker) - Writer of Punk'n Heads and Halloween Boy.
• Nicole Goux (https://www.nicolegoux.com) - Artist and co-creator of Punk'n Heads.
• Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.
• Steven R. Bissette (https://srbissette.com) - Legendary artist of Swamp Thing and creator of Tyrant.
• Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Cult classic cartoonist and creator of New York City Outlaws.
• Alexis Ziritt (Alexis Ziritt) - Artist on Space Riders and Night Hunt

John breaks down the final chapter of a decades-long war that makes the Avengers Civil War look like a playground spat. That’s right! We are back in the archives to wrap up the "Anything Goes" saga, tracking the fallout of the most infamous punch in science fiction history and a legal feud that just wouldn't die.

The  Recap

John digs deeper into the rabbit hole to close the book on Michael Fleisher, Gary Groth, and the legendary Harlan Ellison. The story shifts from the courtroom to the 1985 Nebula Awards, where Ellison decided to settle a review with a left hook. We explore the bizarre "Victims of Ellison" newsletter, a club founded by critics and editors just to trade insults. The guys also weigh in on Peter David’s legendary platform at the Comics Buyer’s Guide and a letter-writing scandal that nearly broke Fantagraphics. It’s a wild look at an era when the industry’s biggest names spent more time in depositions than at drawing boards. By the end, lawsuits settle, careers move on, people pass away, and the industry keeps rolling—leaving behind a bizarre, petty, and oddly entertaining chapter of comics history that proves creative people can hold grudges longer than a serialized storyline.

Key Panels (Highlights)

• [00:01:49] – The Spider-Man Paradox: David notes that the month's top Spidey books aren't even Marvel-published.
• [00:05:38] – Anything Goes Finale Begins: Ellison vs. Groth feud spirals beyond reason.
• [00:12:21] – The Nebula Left Hook: The blow-by-blow of Harlan Ellison’s physical altercation with critic Charles Platt.
• [00:17:53] – The Anti-Fan Club: The birth of "Enemies of Ellison" and the $14 membership fee to hate a legend.
• [00:26:30] –The Fake Letter Scandal: A deep look at the Peter David and Gary Groth feud over a forged letter.
• [00:30:34] – The Edge of Forever: The legal battle over a pamphlet regarding Ellison’s famously late anthology.
• [00:36:12] – The Final Settlement: Ellison and Groth finally agree to stop the "ad hominem" personal attacks.
• 00:40:34 – Epilogue of Legends: Careers end, lives move on, grudges linger.

Support the Fellas

• David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host
• John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host
• The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website

Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin

• Harlan Ellison (https://harlanellison.com) - Legendary writer, litigant, and central figure of the "Anything Goes" saga.
• Gary Groth (https://www.fantagraphics.com) - Co-founder of Fantagraphics and editor of The Comics Journal.
• Michael Fleisher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fleisher) - Writer who sued Ellison and later became an anthropological consultant.
• Peter David (https://www.peterdavid.net) - Veteran writer and creator of the "Friends of Ellison" club.
• J. Michael Straczynski (https://twitter.com/straczynski) - Babylon 5 creator and executor of the Ellison estate.
• Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Image Comics founder whose Spider-Man reprint is currently topping charts.

David and John break down the fallout of a massive industry earthquake and step back in time to the most surreal courtroom drama in comic book history. It’s the kind of "inside comics" that reminds you why the business is just as wild as the pages we print.

The  Recap

The era of the "comic book guy" CEO is officially on life support as Mike Richardson exits Dark Horse, leaving the company in the hands of a video game-focused equity firm. David and John worry that massive corporate debt at Warner Bros. Discovery could lead to DC Comics becoming a mere licensing farm rather than a publisher. Shifting to the past, it’s Part-two of the infamous 1980s Fleisher vs. Harlan Ellison libel trial as the guys dissect the grueling four-week trial where Michael Fleisher sued the Comics Journal and Harlan Ellison over being called "certifiable." The highlight involves Jim Shooter’s "straight shooter" blog recollections of a morality panel that may or may not have happened exactly the way he remembers. It’s a crazy trip into the past and a sad look at the fragile corporate landscape of today.

 Splash Page Snippets

• "It is legitimately an end of an era—not just at Dark Horse, but in the comics medium." — David Hedgecock
• "There aren't many comic book guys in charge of comic book companies anymore." — John Barber
• "Four weeks of your life spent asking Harlan Ellison if he meant 'bug f*ck' in a clinical sense." — John Barber
• "I can see a scenario where they kill the division and license out all those properties." — David Hedgecock
• "I hope he is as inept in court as he is a writer." — Gary Groth (quoted by John Barber)

 Key Panels (Highlights)

• [01:29] – The Fall of the First Horse: Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse marks the end of the founder-led era.
• [05:43] – The Xenomorph Standard: How Dark Horse proved licensed comics could actually be high-quality storytelling.
• [09:02] – The New Corporate Masters: A look at the changing guard at Marvel, DC, IDW, and Boom.
• [18:27] – Crisis on Infinite Debts: Why 70 billion in debt might turn DC into a mere licensing farm.
• [28:25] – Trial of the Century: The grueling four-week courtroom saga of Fleisher vs. The Comics Journal.
• [37:38] – Enter: The 26-Year-Old EIC: Jim Shooter takes the stand as the industry’s youngest expert witness.
• [43:58] – The Shooter Cut: Jim's "straight shooter" retelling of the infamous 1980 San Diego morality panel.

Support The Comic Box

• David Hedgecock (Fun Time Go) - Corner Box Co-Host
• John Barber (PUG Worldwide) - Corner Box Co-Host
• The Corner Box (The Corner Box Club) - Official Website

Dig Deeper

• Mike Richardson (Mike Richardson) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.
• Mike Mignola (Official Site) - Creator of Hellboy.
• Frank Miller (Official Site) - Creator of Sin City and 300.
• Paul Chadwick (Wikipedia) - Creator of the indie hit Concrete.
• Jim Shooter (Official Blog) - Former Marvel EIC and expert witness.
• Gary Groth (Fantagraphics) - Co-founder of The Comics Journal.
• Mark Evanier (News From ME) - Veteran writer, historian, and panel moderator.

In this episode, Anything Goes! John rises from the dead (again) to team up with David, for a deep dive into the wildest comics scandal of the 1980s: the Harlan Ellison interview that sparked a $2 million libel lawsuit and divided the comic book industry.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Everything Went!

Timestamp Segments

• [01:11] Warner gets bought… again.
• [06:33] Anything Goes!
• [08:04] Byron Preiss: The Trailblazer.
• [13:41] John meets Ellison.
• [15:11] The Comics Journal.
• [21:50] The Infamous Ellison Interview – What Really Happened?
• [33:05] *Listener break*
• [33:33] Ellison vs. Fleisher: Clash of the Titans.
• [51:23] Comics: A World Divided.
• [52:51] The start of Anything Goes!

Notable Quotes

• “In the 1970s, comics were a childish disposable medium, and not even a good one.”
• “I don’t think I’ve ever been a bigger fan of Harlan Ellison than I am right now.”
• “Eventually, Disney rules the world.”

Books Mentioned

• Absolute Green Lantern/Green Arrow, by Dennis O’Neil, Elliot Maggin, Dick Giordano, & Neal Adams.
• American Flagg!, by Howard Chaykin, Hilary Barta, Rick Burchett, Don Lomax, James Sherman, Joe Staton, & Larry Stroman.
• Anything Goes!
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.
• Blackhawk, The Shadow, by Howard Chaykin.
• Blackmark, by Gil Kane, Archie Goodwin, & Gary Groth.
• Captain Victory, Silver Star, by Jack Kirby.
• Cerebus, by Dave Sim.
• Chandler: Red Tide, Dreadstar, by Jim Steranko.
• Chasing Hairy, by Michael Fleisher.
• Conan the Barbarian.
• Dial H for Hero, by Sam Humphries & Joe Quinones.
• The Divided States of Hysteria, by Howard Chaykin.
• ElfQuest.
• Essential Ellison, by Harlan Ellison.
• Frankenstein, by Bernie Wrightson.
• Hipster Detective Lloyd Llewellyn, by Daniel Clowes.
• His Name is... Savage!