The Source Material Comics Podcast

The flames burn higher and the stakes grow deadlier in Part 4 of Midnight Massacre, as Jesse, Evan, and Chris dive fang-first into Morbius: The Living Vampire #12. This issue doesn't hold back — with werewolf mutilation, vampiric rage, and one of the most devastating two-page death spreads in '90s comics, the body count climbs ever higher. Switchblade has gone full god-tier, and not even Marvel’s most tortured anti-heroes can slow him down.

As the team recaps the action, they explore Morbius’s struggle with his lilin-tainted blood, his tragic final moments, and how Gregory Wright and Ron Wagner manage to give this supernatural brawl some emotional weight. The death of Werewolf by Night via pumpkin bomb-to-the-mouth is as gruesome as it sounds, but it’s Mobius’s final stand — and what comes after — that hits hardest. A red-tinged, rage-filled transformation leads to a desperate assault… only for Switchblade to reduce Morbius to ash and bones with a hellish barrage of supernatural fury.

Of course, no episode would be complete without some levity — including a running analysis of Mandy’s wildly inappropriate workplace behavior, a rogue “planet gave us AIDS” dialogue drop, and speculation on whether Martine’s ghost is a comfort or a cosmic gaslight. It’s another hard-hitting, fast-talking episode that proves this horror crossover never takes its foot off the pedal.

Things get brutally magical in Part 3 of our Midnight Massacre deep dive as Jesse, Evan, and Chris wade through the supernatural chaos of Darkhold #11. The cursed vampire hunter Switchblade has already racked up a body count, but now the power level — and the stakes — skyrocket. As Ghost Rider limps into the scene (after catching a blade to the ribs), the Darkhold Redeemers must rally and brace for a confrontation with a villain whose arsenal now includes hellfire, vampirism, pumpkin bombs, and a dangerously unstable thirst for mystic domination.

But the real showstopper? Mordred — or rather, Modred the Mystic — the leather-jacketed, no-shirt sorcerer who brings skyscraper-level power to the fight. What follows is the most brutal, knock-down drag-out battle in the series so far. From a midtown tower collapse to a Central Park beatdown, Modred and Switchblade throw everything from mystical glass storms to spine removals in a showdown for the ages. And just when it seems like the Darkhold-fueled Blade might finally meet his match, the unthinkable happens.

With discussions ranging from the evolving horror aesthetics of Blade’s rotting transformation to the oddly endearing absurdity of checking a skeleton’s pulse, this episode hits hard. The team breaks down the action, the mythological roots of the "geas" curse, and the storytelling behind one of the most chaotic moments in Marvel’s ‘90s horror boom. It’s grim, gory, and full of sorcery — just the way we like it.

The darkness deepens in Part 2 of our Midnight Massacre retrospective as the Unspoken Issues crew dissects Ghost Rider #40 — a brutal, action-heavy installment where Switchblade (formerly Blade) continues his relentless crusade to wipe out anything remotely supernatural. Now fully corrupted by the Darkhold, Blade stalks the streets of New York like a vampiric predator, cutting down anyone touched by mysticism… one flaming glider or pumpkin bomb at a time.

Jesse, Chris, and Evan dive into the intense rooftop showdowns, gory splash pages, and the fate of Demogoblin, who learns the hard way that allying with a supernatural serial killer is a bad idea. Ghost Rider and Frank Drake arrive on the scene, but even their combined strength may not be enough to slow down a villain who’s now absorbing the powers of everyone he kills. The team also breaks down Ron Garney’s vastly improved artwork, the strange mechanics of the Exorcist Gun (aka “Linda”), and why club bouncers probably shouldn’t try to stop a hell-charged vampire hunter. 

Of course, there’s also time for window-smashing terminology, Teen Wolf references, and the creation of the greatest new podcast bingo term. It’s another jam-packed episode full of horror comics nostalgia, sharp insights, and chaotic fun. Get ready for supernatural carnage — the body count is rising, and we’re just getting started.

Grab your trench coat and hellfire shotgun — it's time to head back into the eerie world of the Midnight Sons! In this special October episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse, Evan, and Chris resurrect Marvel’s supernatural horror crossover, Midnight Massacre, starting with a deep dive into Nightstalkers #10. What begins as a straightforward hunt for a page of the cursed Darkhold quickly spirals into a blood-soaked rampage, as Blade succumbs to dark temptations and takes a terrifying new turn that shocks even his closest allies.

The trio break down the haunting atmosphere of the storyline, the brutal action sequences, and the thematic depth of Blade’s descent into darkness. With a deadly new alias, Switchblade, the vampire hunter turns on his former comrades, resulting in one of the most violent and unexpected shakeups in the Midnight Sons saga. From Ghost Rider’s flaming motorcycle to Hannibal King’s shocking demise, no character is safe in this gruesome kickoff.

In this luminous and thought-provoking episode of Source Material Comics Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich take a heartfelt dive into The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, the Eisner Award-winning comic from writer Ram V and artist Filipe Andrade. With its poetic storytelling, vibrant visuals, and deep philosophical themes, this book is anything but ordinary—blending Hindu mythology, existential wonder, and the color-soaked streets of Mumbai into a modern fable about mortality and meaning.

The story begins with the goddess of death being fired from her divine duties, rendered obsolete by the birth of a boy destined to invent immortality. Cast into the mortal body of Laila Starr, she descends to Earth, determined to stop this invention. But her journey—marked by repeated deaths, rebirths, and encounters with the boy Darius at different stages of his life—becomes less about vengeance and more about understanding the human experience.

Jesse and Mark unpack the emotional core of this story, exploring questions like: Does death give life meaning? What happens when grief fuels obsession? Can acceptance triumph over control? They also touch on the book’s painterly art style, its thematic parallels to The Crow, and how its final moments deliver a soft yet powerful message about letting go. It’s a beautiful meditation on life’s impermanence—and one of the most profound comics the podcast has covered.

Before Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith suited up and neuralyzed their way into pop culture history, The Men in Black began as a gritty, black-and-white comic series published by Aircel in 1990. In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse takes listeners on a deep dive into the origins of the iconic franchise, dissecting issues #1–3 of the original Men in Black comics. From sinister cults and berserker drugs to interstellar treaties and demonic incursions, the series is packed with bizarre plotlines that go far beyond alien policing.

Listeners will hear how the comics differ from the blockbuster films, especially in tone and character dynamics. Kay is colder, more manipulative, and downright ruthless, while Jay emerges as the moral center, trying to hold onto his humanity amid mind-wipes, supernatural threats, and bureaucratic gray zones. From Oklahoma farms to Ohio suburbs, the Men in Black face drug-fueled cults, bug-eyed extraterrestrials, and even demonic RPG monsters summoned from dice rolls. It’s a chaotic ride—and that’s before we even get to the neuralizers.

To cap it off, Jesse reads a fascinating interview with creator Lowell Cunningham, who reveals the real-life paranormal inspirations behind the series, including UFO folklore and strange-but-true news headlines. This episode offers a rare look into the darker, weirder world of The Men in Black—a world where monsters live next door, and the only thing keeping order is a pair of guys in black suits and Ray-Bans.

In this deeply personal episode of Source Material Comics Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich dive into the haunting, emotional powerhouse that is The Crow by James O’Barr. Originally published in the late ‘80s, this cult classic graphic novel tells the story of Eric—a man brutally murdered alongside his fiancée, Shelly, and supernaturally resurrected by a mysterious crow to avenge her death. But beneath its stylized violence and goth noir aesthetic lies a work of raw emotional therapy, born out of O’Barr’s own real-life grief.

Jesse and Mark explore the book’s heavy themes—trauma, unconditional love, rage, and healing—unpacking how O’Barr channeled his sorrow over the loss of his fiancée into one of the most enduring graphic novels of its era. The episode doesn’t just stop at analyzing the book’s powerful romance and grim justice; it also reflects on how The Crow became a goth subculture icon, the tragic mythos surrounding the film adaptation and Brandon Lee’s death, and why the source material is still so emotionally resonant decades later.

Together, they examine the book’s striking black-and-white visuals, its poetic narrative structure, and the deeply cathartic yet paradoxically self-destructive process O’Barr underwent in bringing this vision to life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or reading The Crow for the first time, this episode offers a thoughtful, emotional, and occasionally humorous take on one of the most iconic indie comics of all time.

In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong dive deep into the chaotic and fascinating debut of Siren #Infinity—one of the more obscure and unexpectedly compelling offshoots of Marvel's Black September initiative. Originally a minor Ultraverse character, Siren is suddenly thrust into the Marvel 616 universe, and this issue marks a pivotal shift in her evolution. The hosts take you through her bewildering new reality, where she wakes up in Taskmaster’s twisted dojo and quickly finds herself fighting for survival and identity in a world that barely knows her name.

Jesse and Chris break down the creative team behind the book while exploring how Siren's transformation (and that eerie white makeup becoming a part of her skin) mirrors the uncertainty surrounding the Ultraverse’s integration into Marvel’s continuity. From a brutal bout with Mad Dog to an explosive clash with Diamondback, the story is packed with action, intrigue, and uneasy alliances. The episode also discusses how Siren's past, filled with cosmic encounters and team-ups, is both her baggage and her armor as she navigates new threats under Taskmaster’s watchful eye. 

The conversation goes beyond the page, offering context around the Ultraverse’s abrupt shift, the broader implications of Marvel’s acquisition of Malibu, and the lasting impact (or lack thereof) of Black September. Jesse and Chris don’t shy away from critiquing the narrative missteps and editorial decisions that led to the Ultraverse’s fade into obscurity—but they also highlight how Siren #Infinity serves as a rare example of a successful, new-reader-friendly introduction amidst the chaos. If you're a fan of comic book history, forgotten characters, or just curious how Marvel nearly absorbed an entire universe, this episode delivers a passionate, thoughtful, and entertaining deep dive.

The letter and response read near the end of the podcast is from "Ultraforce #Infinity"

Spooky season has arrived in the world of Marvel Snap, and hosts Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins are embracing the fear… of nerfs! In this hilarious and insightful episode of Snap Material, the duo countdown their Top 5 Cards They're Afraid Will Be Nerfed—and they’re not messing around. From game-changing synergy to oppressive power swings, these are the cards that keep deckbuilders up at night, not because they’re overpowered—but because the next patch could strike them down.

In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse and Chris dive into Night Man #Infinity, a pivotal installment from the Ultraverse that collides with the wider Marvel multiverse during the dramatic Black September event. Published in 1995 and written by legendary comics scribe Steve Englehart, this issue pits two versions of Night Man against each other in a mystical, reality-fracturing confrontation with the sorceress Rhiannon at the center. 

The hosts break down the story's intense themes of duality, morality, and identity as “Good Night Man” and “Bad Night Man” wrestle with their own nature and the seductive pull of power. As the battle escalates at Stonehenge—complete with Celtic rituals, spectral beasts, and even the horned god Cernunnos—one Night Man is cast into the Marvel Universe while the other remains, altered and mysterious. Jesse and Chris dissect the twist ending and how it tees up the transition to Night Man/Wolverine.

You’ll also get background on Steve Englehart’s prolific comic legacy, artist Dean Zachary’s clean storytelling style, and how this issue fits into the larger tapestry of the Ultraverse. If you’ve ever wondered which Night Man is “real” or just want to hear about mystical blade fights, this episode has all the answers—and even a shoutout to Bone Claw Wolverine (nose intact!).