Behind every great superhero is... sometimes another superhero.

In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon take a look at some of the most iconic romances in comic book history and discuss what makes certain relationships endure for decades while others fade away with the next creative team.

❤️ Featured relationships include:

Peter Parker & Mary Jane Watson

Clark Kent & Lois Lane

Scott Summers & Jean Grey

And many more of comics' most famous couples and pairings

The guys discuss which relationships have stood the test of time, which ones helped define the characters involved, and why some romances have become just as important to comic book history as the heroes themselves.

Of course, not every hero is lucky enough to find lasting love.

The conversation also turns to characters like Daredevil and Nightwing, whose love lives seem destined to be reset every few years as new writers introduce new relationships, new status quos, and new romantic drama. Why do some comic book couples survive editorial changes while others disappear almost overnight?

💘 Topics discussed include:

The greatest marriages and romances in comics

Why certain pairings resonate with readers

The importance of supporting casts in superhero stories

Characters trapped in endless cycles of short-term relationships

How new writers often reshape a hero's romantic life

The role romance plays in modern superhero comics

Whether you're a fan of classic comic book marriages, superhero romance, or just enjoy debating which characters belong together, this episode is packed with plenty of opinions, nostalgia, and spirited discussion.

💬 Join the discussion: Who do you think is the greatest comic book couple of all time?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book history and character discussions

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, rankings, retrospectives, and debates

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

After diving deep into the original Watchmen comic, Corey, Dylan, and Jon turn their attention to one of the most controversial comic book adaptations ever made: Zack Snyder's Watchmen.

Widely praised for its visual faithfulness and criticized for its interpretation of the source material, Watchmen remains a movie that comic fans continue to debate more than a decade after its release. In this episode, the Smark Avengers break down what Snyder got right, what he got wrong, and whether the film truly understands the themes that made Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic a classic.

🎬 Topics discussed include:

The film's controversial changes to the ending

Characterization differences between the movie and comic

The impact of Snyder's costume redesigns

The use of music and soundtrack choices throughout the film

Important scenes, themes, and subplots omitted from the adaptation

Whether visual accuracy translates into thematic accuracy

The challenges of adapting one of the most influential comics ever written

The crew also dives into one of the strangest discussions of the episode: the unexpected similarities between Watchmen and the 1997 film Batman & Robin. It's a comparison that sounds ridiculous at first—but the more they talk about it, the harder it becomes to ignore.

Is Watchmen a misunderstood masterpiece? A visually stunning but fundamentally flawed adaptation? Or something in between?

Join Corey, Dylan, and Jon as they revisit one of the most debated comic book movies ever released and ask the question comic fans have been arguing about for years: Did Zack Snyder miss the point of Watchmen?

💬 Join the discussion: Do you think Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of the comic, or does it fundamentally change the story's message?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book movie retrospectives

🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

Why do some of the most compelling stories ask us to spend time with people who are difficult—or even outright horrible—to understand?

With Jon unavailable for this episode, Corey and Dylan sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on one of storytelling’s most uncomfortable but fascinating ideas: following unlikable or morally questionable characters as protagonists.

The conversation is sparked by Corey’s recent reading of Odin #1 from Image Comics, which follows an investigative journalist embedded with a group of young neo-Nazis lost in the wilderness. From there, the discussion expands into comics and beyond, exploring how writers navigate empathy, discomfort, and moral distance.

📚 Topics discussed include:

What makes an unlikable or villainous character compelling to follow

The difference between understanding a character and endorsing their actions

How writers build empathy without excusing harmful behavior

Antiheroes, villain protagonists, and morally gray storytelling in comics

When storytelling becomes meaningful exploration versus uncomfortable glorification

A significant part of the conversation also turns toward audience interpretation, as Corey and Dylan discuss concerns about how some readers/viewers may identify too strongly with unsavory characters, particularly when those characters embody unchecked power, dominance, or influence. They explore how certain stories can be misread—or intentionally reinterpreted—in ways that reflect a desire for control or superiority rather than the narrative’s intended critique, and why that tension matters in modern storytelling. Along the way, they question where the line is between engaging with complex fiction and projecting real-world values onto characters who are meant to be cautionary or critical examples.

Do characters need to be likable to be worth following? Can a story about terrible people still offer insight without being misunderstood? And what responsibility, if any, does an audience have when engaging with these kinds of narratives? Join us for a deeper-than-usual conversation about comics, storytelling, and the uneasy space between fiction, interpretation, and audience response.

💬 Join the discussion: Do you think audiences sometimes misinterpret villain-centric stories as aspirational? Where is the line for you?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic discussions and narrative deep dives

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, character studies, and storytelling debates

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

It's time for another relaxed-fit episode as Corey, Dylan, and Jon sit down for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of comic books, what's working, what isn't, and some of the stranger directions Marvel and DC have taken recently.

From Spider-Man to the X-Men, Iron Man to Lobo, no topic is safe as the guys bounce around the comic book landscape and share their thoughts on the stories, characters, and creative decisions that have caught their attention.

📚 Topics discussed include:

The latest redesign for Mary Jane Watson's Venom persona

The identity and future of Spider-Man villain Torment

Thoughts on the current Iron Man comics

Whether The Sentry is being used effectively

The state of the X-Men line following recent events

Why Lobo continues to be one of comics' most ridiculous characters

The challenges and opportunities facing modern Marvel and DC

The conversation also shifts beyond the Big Two as Corey reflects on what he's learned from five months of covering new comic releases on New Number Ones, including observations about smaller publishers and the kinds of books that deserve more attention from readers.

Is modern comics in a healthy place? Are publishers making the most of their best characters? And have comic fans become harder to please than ever? Tune in as the Smark Avengers crew tries to make sense of it all.

💬 Join the discussion: What do you think is the biggest problem facing comics today? Or are things better than fans give them credit for?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book discussions and industry talk

🔔 Subscribe for weekly comic book podcasts, character deep dives, rankings, tournaments, and more

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

For the first time ever, Dylan has finally read Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen… and now it’s time to talk about it.

In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon revisit one of the most influential comics ever created as Dylan gives his fresh perspective on the legendary graphic novel while Corey and Jon reflect on their own past readings years later.

Using the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Watchmen discussion guide as a framework, the guys dive deep into the themes, characters, structure, and legacy of the series that changed comics forever.

🟡 Topics discussed include:

Dylan’s first impressions of Watchmen

Whether the comic still holds up in 2026

Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, and the Comedian

The book’s political and social themes

The storytelling techniques that made it revolutionary

Whether the comic deserves its legendary reputation

Does Watchmen remain a masterpiece decades later?

Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who’s never read Watchmen before, this episode is a deep dive into one of the most discussed comics of all time.

💬 Join the discussion: Does Watchmen still deserve its reputation as the greatest graphic novel ever written?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic deep dives and literary discussions

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, retrospectives, and debates

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

The Avengers Auction returns… and this time the roster gets way stranger.

In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon continue their ongoing mission to draft every Avenger in Marvel history by spinning a wheel of names and bidding with limited cash. Covering the Jonathan Hickman Avengers era, All-New All-Different Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, and other 2010s lineups, the guys are forced to balance huge stars with some truly obscure wildcard picks.

🦸 Characters up for auction include:

Deadpool

Rogue

Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel

Miles Morales

Starbrand

Ex Nihilo

Kaluu

Alexis the Protector And many more from Marvel’s weirdest Avengers era

As the bids climb higher, strategies begin to fall apart. One major “power move” completely backfires, sending the auction into chaos and changing the direction of the draft.

Who builds the best Avengers team?

Who wastes their budget on terrible picks?

And who gets stuck with the most random roster imaginable?

If you enjoy Marvel Comics, fantasy drafts, obscure comic characters, and chaotic debates, this episode is for you.

💬 Join the discussion: Which drafted Avengers team would YOU choose?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy Marvel drafts and auctions

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, rankings, tournaments, and deep dives

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

Who are the best—and worst—X-Men villains of all time?

In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon put some of the most iconic enemies of the X-Men through the ultimate test: a tier list ranking from S to D. From legendary masterminds to questionable henchmen, nothing is safe from debate.

Villains featured include:

Magneto (Jon’s favorite—so expect strong opinions)

Apocalypse

Mister Sinister

Mystique

Sabretooth

Bastion

Toad

And more from across X-Men history

Each character is judged on power, impact, storylines, and overall legacy, but when the guys can’t agree… things get heated.

Who belongs in S Tier as an all-time great?

Who gets pushed down to D Tier as a disappointment?

And which rankings will spark the biggest arguments?

If you love X-Men comics, villain breakdowns, and chaotic tier list debates, this episode is for you.

💬 Join the debate: How would YOU rank these X-Men villains? Who did we get completely wrong?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy tier lists and comic debates

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book rankings, deep dives, and weekly episodes

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

Batman has one of the greatest rogue galleries in comics… but it didn’t start out the way you think.

In this episode, Corey walks Dylan and Jon through a PowerPoint deep dive into Batman’s Golden Age villains, showcasing everything from the icons that stood the test of time to the absolute strangest characters DC ever published.

🦇 In this episode:

Classic villains like Joker, Catwoman, Penguin, Two-Face, and the Riddler in their earliest forms

Deep cuts like the vampiric Monk, the mob-minded Gorilla Boss, and the Hitler stand-in Carl Kruger

Truly bizarre one-offs like The Ugliest Man in the World

How Golden Age versions of villains differ from their modern counterparts

Why some villains became legends… while others completely disappeared

As Corey presents each character, Dylan and Jon react in real time to just how weird, experimental, and sometimes ridiculous early Batman comics could be. From horror-inspired enemies to wartime propaganda villains to straight-up nonsense, this episode explores a side of Batman history that proves the Golden Age was pure chaos.

💬 Join the discussion: Which Golden Age Batman villain surprised you the most?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy Batman deep dives

🔔 Subscribe for more comic history, character breakdowns, and chaotic discussions

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

The Shocker might look like a joke… but is he actually one of Spider-Man’s most underrated villains?

In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon take a deep dive into Herman Schultz, better known as the Shocker. Led by resident Spider-Man expert Dylan, the crew explores the character’s full history—from his iconic debut to his many ups, downs, and questionable life choices.

⚡ In this episode:

The origin of the Shocker and his signature vibro-shock gauntlets

Breaking down his yellow quilted suit (and why it’s more practical than it looks)

His inconsistent motivations: master criminal vs guy just trying to get by

Where the Shocker fits in Spider-Man’s rogue gallery

Whether he’s a legitimate threat… or just an easy win

The episode wraps up with a look at Shocker’s appearances across movies, animated series, and video games, and how those versions compare to his comic book counterpart. Is the Shocker a low-level crook who got lucky—or a villain who never quite got the respect he deserves?

💬 Join the discussion: Is the Shocker underrated, or exactly where he belongs?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy Spider-Man deep dives

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book history, character breakdowns, and debates

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

WrestleMania is supposed to be the biggest night in wrestling… so why did it feel like there was more advertising than action?

In this year’s wrestling-themed episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon break down WrestleMania 2026 — covering the matches, standout moments, and the decisions that left them scratching their heads.

💥 In this episode:

Full WrestleMania 2026 match breakdowns

What worked — and what absolutely didn’t

Why so many matches felt shorter than expected

The overwhelming presence of ads and sponsorships

The crowd reactions, surprises, and missed opportunities

Just how over Danhausen was during the event

From high points to frustrating choices, the guys dig into whether this year’s WrestleMania delivered on the hype or fell short of expectations.

Was this a great show buried under bad pacing? Or a sign of a bigger problem with modern WWE events?

💬 Join the discussion: What did you think of WrestleMania 2026? Did the ads hurt the show for you?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy wrestling recaps and debates

🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, wrestling specials, and weekly discussions

Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f