**Marvelists Episode: "Mutants, Tropes, and the Code of Honor"**

In this blockbuster episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome two fantastic special guests—Chris Piers from the acclaimed YouTube channel Comic Tropes and wrestling historian/podcaster Shane Hagadorn (co-host of An Honorable Mention and author of the upcoming book Code of Honor)—for a lively roundtable all about the X-Men and comics in general.

Together, the four dive deep into mutant mayhem: Chris breaks down the storytelling tropes, visual clichés, and creative brilliance that have shaped X-Men comics for decades—from Claremont-era drama to iconic costume designs—while Shane brings his unique perspective as a lifelong X-fan, exploring the mutant metaphor, real-world social parallels, and unexpected connections between pro wrestling booking and Marvel's soap-opera mutant dynamics.

Essential listening for X-Men die-hards and comics enthusiasts alike. Excelsior!

Eight years in the making! The episode you never knew you were missing! Originally recorded in 2017 and prior to editing completion, it fell victim to a 2018 "blip," but the ever-persistent Eddie Wilson re-interviewed Victoria Ikerd-Schreiter in February 2025 and now (finally, at long last), it's audio-ready! "Wonder Woman Is Real" / Victoria provides 60+ minutes of cosplay content and much more. A great listen awaits, so please enjoy!

Join hosts Peter and Eddie on this exciting episode of The Marvelists as they sit down with veteran actor Alex Hyde-White for an in-depth conversation about his long and varied career in film, television, voice acting, and audiobook narration.

Alex opens up about his diverse body of work, from memorable roles in major films like Pretty Woman, Catch Me If You Can, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, to his early days as one of the last contract players at Universal Studios. He also discusses his successful transition into audiobook narration—winning Audible's New Narrator of the Year Award in 2011, founding Punch Audio, and narrating over 100 titles with his versatile British-American accents.

The conversation dives deep into his iconic Marvel connections: portraying Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in Roger Corman’s legendary unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four film, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from that cult phenomenon. Alex then reflects on returning to the Marvel universe with a cameo appearance alongside his 1994 co-stars in the 2025 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Whether you’re a fan of classic Hollywood, superhero history, or the art of audiobook storytelling, this candid and entertaining interview with Alex Hyde-White is one Marvelists episode you won’t want to miss!

This week on The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie sit down with the one and only Mike Carbonaro, the mastermind behind the legendary Big Apple Comic Con! With the massive winter edition hitting the New Yorker Hotel THIS WEEKEND (November 22-23, 2025), Mike pulls back the curtain on what might be the strongest guest list the show has ever had.

In this episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome back legendary comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis for his long-awaited return to the podcast. Recorded earlier this year—before the bombshell announcement of Bendis's return to Marvel—this interview dives deep into the nuts and bolts of his storytelling philosophy, character development secrets, and the wild behind-the-scenes chaos of crafting some of the most influential Marvel stories of the modern era. Whether you're a die-hard fan dissecting panel layouts or just curious about how a writer's brain turns ideas into four-color gold, this is a must-listen episode that captures Bendis at his most candid and insightful on the creative process of comics.

This week on The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie talk with Dave about the new Garden State Comic Fest in Vineland, NJ on November 15-16, 2025. They cover guests like Melissa Joan Hart, Nate Richert, Phil Fondacaro, Bob Camp, Dan Parent, Scott Hanna, and more. Panels, cosplay, comics, and toys will be there.

The three also discuss Marvel ending the Ultimate Universe line in April 2026. They talk about the final issues, Hickman’s run, top books like Ultimate Spider-Man and The Ultimates, and what might happen next. In addition, the three talk about the return of Brian Michael Bendis to Marvel and what this means for comics as a whole.

A fun, straightforward episode for comic fans planning to hit Vineland or sad about the Ultimate line wrapping up.

Join hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson as they sit down with genre icon Michael Bailey Smith (Men in Black II, The Hills Have Eyes, Charmed) for a no-holds-barred deep dive into his extraordinary career. The conversation centers on his unforgettable role as Ben Grimm / The Thing in Roger Corman’s legendary unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four film—a cult classic that never saw the light of day... until now.

Smith shares behind-the-scenes stories from the low-budget production, the infamous “never meant to be released” myth, and how the project shaped his approach to playing larger-than-life characters. From practical effects mishaps to on-set camaraderie with the doomed cast, no stone is left unturned.

Timed perfectly with Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps landing on Disney+, this episode celebrates the First Family’s long-awaited return to the spotlight while honoring the scrappy indie effort that kept the dream alive for three decades.

In this heartwarming yet spine-tingling installment of *The Marvelists*, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome Dorian J. Sinnott, acclaimed author of the chilling holiday horror novel It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and proud grandson of Marvel Comics legend Joe Sinnott. As the duo dives into the festive frights that lurk beneath the tinsel, Dorian opens up about the shadowy inspirations behind his debut novel—a masterful weave of interconnected tales inspired by the "12 Days of Christmas," where haunted fir trees, suspicious cats, and sinister twists on Santa and Krampus turn yuletide cheer into pure nightmare fuel.

This week on The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson welcome back acclaimed comic creator Tom Scioli, the visionary behind Fantastic Four: Grand Design and Gødland, for a galactic and gargantuan chat. Tom dishes on his explosive new Image Comics graphic novel, Space Opera Xanadax: Across the Unknown Dimensions of the Galaxy, a cybernetic saga of bounty hunters, pirate armadas, and empire-shattering robots. With the book hitting shelves, the trio celebrates Tom’s New York Comic Con debut this week, where fans can catch him in person for exclusives and Kirby-charged artistry. The conversation takes a monstrous turn as Peter, Eddie, and Tom dive into Godzilla, exploring Tom’s Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre miniseries, the King of the Monsters’ comic legacy, and why kaiju tales roar with atomic-age resonance. From cosmic epics to city-smashing titans, this episode is a must-listen for comics and kaiju fans alike!

This week on The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie are joined by the legendary Magic: The Gathering head designer, Mark Rosewater! Join the trio as they dive deep into the upcoming Spider-Man themed set, dropping September 26th. The conversation is an absolute untap—with Rosewater sharing insider details, behind-the-scenes stories, and even a few cheeky spoilers about the exciting new mechanics and iconic Spider-Man characters making their way into the multiverse of Magic.

From the web-slinging mechanics to the swinging art design, Mark explains how the world of Marvel and Magic collide in this special set, bringing together two beloved universes in a way fans have never seen before. Will Spider-Man’s iconic wall-crawling powers translate to a brand new mechanic? How did the team decide which characters would be featured?

Carl Stiglich also joins the fun as a special guest co-host, bringing his MTG expertise and fan-fueled enthusiasm to the conversation. Whether you're a Magic fan looking for the scoop on this crossover event or a Marvelite eager to see Spider-Man in Magic form, this episode has you covered!

So grab your deck, draw your cards, and get ready for a swingin' good time in this must-listen episode before the Spider-Man set hits the shelves on September 26th!