The Marvelists

In this special episode of The Marvelists, hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson sit down with acclaimed comic book artist, writer, publisher, and educator Stephen R. Bissette for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges the worlds of mainstream comics, independent publishing, and creative rebellion.

Best known for his groundbreaking work on DC’s Saga of the Swamp Thing alongside Alan Moore and John Totleben, Bissette brought a revolutionary level of detail, horror, and ecological depth to the title in the 1980s. But his career extends far beyond the Bayou: from co-founding the influential horror anthology Taboo to self-publishing the ambitious Tyrant series—a meticulously researched, life-cycle epic starring a Tyrannosaurus rex that remains a high-water mark in creator-owned comics.

Whether you’re a Marvel fan curious about the wider industry, a Swamp Thing aficionado, or simply love stories about dinosaur comics and artistic integrity, this episode delivers insights from one of the medium’s most thoughtful and uncompromising voices. Expect plenty of behind-the-pages stories, reflections on the evolution of the industry, and why dinosaurs (and swamp monsters) still rule.

In this episode of The Marvelists, Peter and Eddie sit down with acclaimed cartoonist and Hulk: Grand Design creator Jim Rugg to discuss his new book Wolverine: Weapon X – An Exploration.

Jim breaks down Barry Windsor-Smith’s legendary 1991 Weapon X storyline — its brutal cyberpunk horror, groundbreaking art, psychological depth, and lasting impact on Wolverine and Marvel Comics. They explore why it remains one of the definitive Logan stories and what it was like analyzing a comics classic in full color.

Perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike. Available now from Bloomsbury (Marvel Age of Comics series).

In this solo minisode of The Marvelists, Eddie teams up with Chris from Undiscovered Realm Comic Con for a chat on Marvel fandom, comic cons, and what makes live events special.

They cover the upcoming Undiscovered Realm Comic Con on June 13–14, 2026 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. Get tickets at undiscovered-con.com. Kids 12 and under are free (while supplies last).

Join hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson on The Marvelists as we swing into an exciting conversation with acclaimed comic book writer Todd DeZago! Best known for his fan-favorite run on The Sensational Spider-Man alongside the legendary Mike Wieringo, Todd brought heart, humor, and high-stakes action to the wall-crawler during one of Spider-Man’s most memorable eras.

In this episode, Todd dives deep into his Marvel journey — from breaking into the industry on X-Factor, jumping into the chaos of the Clone Saga on titles like The Spectacular Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man, to crafting his own vibrant take on the Scarlet Spider as Ben Reilly. He shares stories about collaborating with icons, the creative highs (and challenges) of the ’90s Spider-office, his work on Marvel Age: Spider-Man, and what it was like contributing to Amazing Spider-Man years later.

Whether you’re a Clone Saga defender, a Wieringo super-fan, or just love classic Spider-Man tales full of personality and heart, this interview is packed with behind-the-pages insights, untold anecdotes, and plenty of web-slinging nostalgia.

Tune in for a sensational discussion that proves why Todd DeZago’s Spider-Man stories still stick with readers today!

June 6–7, 2026: [Lehigh Valley Comic Convention](https://www.lehighvalleycomicconvention.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com)’s 25th anniversary (now extended to 2 days)! Eddie Wilson connects with Karen Rello, who — along with her husband Bob — has been with the show from the beginning after taking it over from its previous producer. Set in the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex / Expo Center, get ready to hear about all that’s in store in this 59,000-square-foot space, including incredible ticket pricing. Read all about it at [Lehigh Valley Comic Convention](https://www.lehighvalleycomicconvention.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

Hell’s Kitchen will never be the same.

Hosts Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson are joined by guest co-host @RyanMichaelToon for a massive season finale episode of The Marvelists Presents Catholic Guilt - A Daredevil: Born Again Podcast as the crew breaks down the explosive Season 2 finale of Daredevil: Born Again.

This week, Peter, Eddie, and Ryan dig into Matt Murdock’s defining moment of truth as he finally declares, “I am Daredevil,” setting off a chain reaction that tears through Fisk’s collapsing power structure and pushes New York into chaos. From Karen Page’s high-stakes legal battle and Fisk’s unraveling grip on the city, to escalating violence in the streets and devastating personal consequences for Matt, the gang unpacks a finale packed with fallout, betrayal, and irreversible change.

The episode also covers The Punisher: One Last Kill, breaking down Frank Castle’s latest brutal chapter and how the special continues to push Marvel’s street-level storytelling into darker, more unrelenting territory.

Plus, debuting this episode is the brand-new theme song, “The Big Adventure” by Alex Besss — setting the tone for a finale built on fire, consequence, and collapse.

The mask is off. The city is burning. The guilt remains.

Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/the-big-adventure

License code: AATIG6IWFYTVVCVB

In this week’s episode of *The Marvelists Presents: Catholic Guilt – A Daredevil: Born Again Podcast*, hosts **Peter Melnick** and **Eddie Wilson** dive headfirst into Episode 7 of Season 2, where the tension is high, the fists are flying, and Matt Murdock’s moral compass is spinning like it just went twelve rounds in Hell’s Kitchen.

Joining them as guest co-host is comic book veteran **Chris Ryall**, former Editor-in-Chief of IDW Publishing and a longtime creative voice in the world of *Daredevil*. Chris also authored a book on *Daredevil: Born Again* as part of the *Marvel Age of Comics* line, focusing on the classic 1980s comic storyline and its lasting impact on the character. With that background, he brings a sharp, insider perspective to the discussion—breaking down the episode’s themes, character beats, and how this latest chapter compares to Daredevil’s most defining moments in comics history.

Together, Peter, Eddie, and Chris unpack the episode’s biggest reveals, dig into the ever-present themes of guilt and redemption, and speculate on what’s next for the Man Without Fear. As always, Matt’s struggle between justice and faith takes center stage—and let’s just say, things aren’t getting any easier for him.

And yes—before you ask—the podcast is once again temporarily without a theme song. At this point, it’s less of a glitch and more of a tradition. Honestly, the silence at the beginning might be the most consistent thing about the show.

All that and more on this week’s episode—no confession booth required… but you may want to say a few Hail Marys anyway.

This week on Catholic Guilt, Peter Melnick and Eddie Wilson are joined by special guest co-host JP Sarro of The Lapsed Fan as they dive deep into Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 6 – “Requiem.”

Jessica Jones storms back into the MCU with her signature no-nonsense attitude (and a surprise family tie-in), while Matt Murdock finally steps into Fisk’s orbit for a tense confrontation that blends legal savvy, raw emotion, and classic Catholic guilt-fueled moral wrestling. The episode delivers intense stakes, a massive cliffhanger, and some of the rawest Hell’s Kitchen vibes yet.

But that’s not all—JP reveals his own MCU journey as he recounts his experience as an extra (dockworker/Berto vibes) in the episode, sharing what it was like being on set, the NDA secrecy, and how his voice might just echo in the background of one of the season’s key scenes. Expect plenty of laughs as the conversation inevitably veers into Lapsed Fan territory with shout-outs to Lapsed Vince running wild in the boardroom and Lapsed Hogan leg-dropping any plot holes that dare show up.

Also, a quick note for the faithful: due to some mysterious “creative differences,” there is no theme song for the foreseeable future. Consider this episode’s cold open your penance—raw, unfiltered, and slightly awkward, just like a proper Catholic confession.

Faith, fists, family drama, and a little wrestling podcast crossover chaos—tune in for the full breakdown, hot takes on the Defenders’ slow-burn reunion, and whether this “Requiem” signals the true rebirth of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.

Confess your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to hail Mary your way over to subscribe!

This week on Catholic Guilt, Peter and Eddie step back into the confessional as Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 delivers one of its most introspective and emotionally charged episodes yet.

“The Grand Design” splits time between the present-day fallout from Bullseye’s brutal attack on Vanessa Fisk and haunting flashbacks that reframe Matt Murdock’s past, Wilson Fisk’s origins, and the fragile threads of mercy, fate, and redemption. While Wilson Fisk keeps vigil at his wife’s bedside, praying for a miracle, Matt must confront his own Catholic guilt head-on—deciding whether to save the man who murdered his best friend or let justice (and the Devil) take its course.

Foggy Nelson’s memory looms large, old faces from Hell’s Kitchen return in unexpected ways, and the episode grapples with big questions: Is there such a thing as a second chance? Can even the Devil show mercy? And what part does “God’s will” play in the grand design of it all?

Peter and Eddie break down the episode’s masterful use of flashbacks, Charlie Cox’s nuanced portrayal of a hero wrestling with faith and vengeance, Vincent D’Onofrio’s heartbreaking vulnerability as Fisk, and how this hour quietly becomes one of the strongest of the season so far. Expect plenty of rosary-clutching discussion, theological deep dives, and the usual Hell’s Kitchen banter.

Plus: Reactions to that gut-punch ending, theories on where Daredevil and Bullseye’s uneasy alliance heads next, and how the show continues to honor (without cheapening) the emotional weight of loss.

Hail Marys optional… but highly encouraged after this one.

Grab your billy clubs, light a candle, and join us in the booth.

This week on The Marvelists Presents: Catholic Guilt - A Daredevil Born Again Podcast, Peter and Eddie return to the confessional for a triple dose of Hell’s Kitchen intensity as Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 ramps up the stakes. Matt Murdock is in hiding, Wilson Fisk tightens his grip with martial law and the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, and the battle for New York’s soul grows bloodier by the hour.

In “Shoot the Moon,” Fisk makes a calculated political play by declaring Matt Murdock “missing” and publicly blaming the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen—while Bullseye (Dex) wrestles with his fractured psyche, showing up at a church and forcing Matt to confront questions of grace, guilt, and whether some monsters can ever truly be redeemed. Karen Page and the growing resistance scramble as the city spirals deeper into darkness.

“The Scales & The Sword” delivers major action as Matt teams up with unlikely allies—including the Swordsman (Jack Duquesne)—for a high-stakes prison break at Red Hook. Angela del Toro makes her powerful debut as the new White Tiger, billy clubs clash, and Daredevil’s radar sense is pushed to the limit. But Fisk responds with a brutal counterstrike that sends bodies to the bottom of the East River.

Then in “Gloves Off,” the fists fly both literally and figuratively: Bullseye adopts a dangerous new routine, Fisk steps into the ring, and Matt’s internal struggle reaches new heights as he questions whether mercy is a strength or a deadly weakness in a city that’s bleeding out.

Peter and Eddie unpack the heavy faith-driven moral dilemmas, the jaw-dropping fight choreography (that Red Hook breakout is next-level), the escalating Fisk-Murdock chess game, and how the series continues to wrestle with sin, forgiveness, redemption, and what it truly means to be a hero in a fallen world. They also discuss the expanding resistance, White Tiger’s arrival, and whether Matt’s hesitation toward Bullseye is noble… or just classic Catholic guilt wrapped in a devil suit.

Grab your rosary beads, your nightstick, and maybe something strong from Josie’s. This trio of episodes is heavy, heartfelt, and packed with horns. New episode drops now—hail Mary, full of grace… and full of punches.