The Source Material Comics Podcast

We’re keeping the mutant energy going strong! In this episode, Jesse continues his X-Men 25th anniversary celebration with a solo breakdown of the X-Men Movie Prequel: Rogue comic—released alongside the Wolverine prequel back in August 2000. This one’s all about Rogue, and folks… it gets wild. From teenage angst and awakening mutant powers to high-speed truck thefts and secret mutant prison labs, this comic gives us a totally fresh look at Rogue’s backstory leading right up to her first big-screen appearance.

Jesse walks us through the gritty events that unfold after Rogue’s powers first manifest—she’s on the run, trying to survive, and eventually finds herself locked in a shady underground facility performing horrific experiments on other powered individuals. Along the way, she meets an original cast of fellow inmates—Jed, Miguel, Billy, and Millie—and joins forces in an explosive escape plan that packs as much heart as it does mutant-powered action. 

And just like the Wolverine prequel, everything wraps up in that fateful Alberta bar where Rogue and Logan first cross paths.

Calling all X-Men fans—it’s time to snikt into something special! In this solo episode, Jesse dives headfirst into the X-Men Movie Prequel: Wolverine comic from 2000, a hidden gem that hits you with some comic book lore before the launch of the live-action X-Men film universe. Jesse walks us through the gritty pages of this tie-in tale that puts Logan center stage before the movie even begins. 

We’re talking classic Wolverine here: bar fights in British Columbia, brooding over mysterious dreams, and a fierce battle with none other than Silver Samurai. Jesse recounts each moment—Wolverine’s amnesia, his bond with a mysterious woman named Natsu, shady gangsters, corrupt cops, and the creeping shadow of a criminal empire. And of course, it wouldn’t be early-2000s Marvel without the oddball restrictions of the Comics Code Authority—Wolverine’s claws go in, but the clothes never tear. Seriously, what a weird rule. 

Don’t miss it, bub—check out what Logan was up to right before he walked into that bar in Alberta.

SNIKT!! Buckle up, bub, because Unspoken Issues is going CLAWS OUT for one of the most iconic issues of the 90s—Wolverine #50! Gimmick Cover Summer is RAGING and this die-cut, file-folder-covered, mystery-packed issue is slashing its way straight into the comic vault of awesomeness!

Jesse, Evan, and Chris take you back to 1991—when X-Men ruled the spinner racks, Marvel was printing gold (and foil and holograms), and Wolverine was the gruffest, toughest, most mysterious mutant around. This issue isn’t just a looker with those three claw marks cut right through the cover—it’s the final chapter of a mind-bending trilogy where Logan faces off against the menacing robo-brute Shiva and unravels the TRUTH (or is it?) about his past.

Dive into shadowy government ops, fake memories, epic bike-riding stunts through office buildings (seriously), and a throwdown that tears through metal, minds, and Marvel mythos! Plus, we get those classic blue-and-gold X-Men fits, a sass-powered Jubilee, and maybe the most 90s computer setup this side of AOL.

If you ever bagged a grab-bag of comics from a flea market, flipped out over trading cards, or got hyped over any cover with claws, chrome, or chaos—you CAN’T miss this episode!

In this energetic and hilariously insightful episode of SNAP Material, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins go full throttle into Marvel Snap territory with their “Top Five Cards That Should Get a Luchador Variant.” With only 11 luchador-themed variants currently in the game, the hosts take on the challenge of assembling a fantasy deck and filling the missing slots with their own ideal picks—based on synergy, flavor, and of course, wrestling theatrics. 

And just when you think they’re done, Evan breaks out a fantasy Marvel Snap season pass pitch based on the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation! Come listen to who steps into the ring in this hypothetical expansion that’s equal parts ridiculous and brilliant. Whether you're a Snap fanatic, a comic book lover, or an old-school wrestling junkie, this episode is guaranteed to dropkick you right in the nostalgia. ¡Es clobberin’ time!

In Part 3 of the July 2025 edition of Snap Material, Jesse and Evan preview the upcoming Marvel Snap season: Fantastic Four: First Steps. With the season launching on July 8th, the duo gives listeners an early breakdown of every new card and location being added—each one themed around Marvel’s first family. From synergy-building mechanics to long-overdue reworks, this episode is packed with strategic insights and excitement.

They kick things off with Mr. Fantastic’s new card, followed by detailed impressions of Fantasticar, H.E.R.B.I.E, Mad Thinker, and Mole Man. Jesse and Evan highlight how this season finally delivers on the promise of a playable Fantastic Four deck, praising the synergy between these new cards and existing archetypes. Human Torch and The Thing get thoughtful re-evaluations, with Ben Grimm finally receiving the power and impact fans have long hoped for. Invisible Woman’s double end-of-turn activation also sparks ideas for powerful new combos with cards like Sunspot, Adam Warlock, and Strange Supreme. 

Rounding out the discussion, they explore the new locations—Rocket Pad and Reed's Lab—while tossing around creative deck suggestions, shout-outs to past comics, and even a few well-placed pop culture jokes.

In Part 2 of Snap Material's July 2025 episode, Jesse and Evan return to unpack the latest card unlocks, fan reactions, and the broader meta in Marvel Snap. Kicking off with a deep dive into their variant hauls and newly acquired cards, the hosts revel in highlights like disco-themed characters, Dan Hipp artwork, and long-coveted additions such as Mercury, Xorn, and Clea. Evan shares creative deck ideas, including Marvel Boy synergy with Clea and nostalgia-driven variant stories, while Jesse celebrates his progress and favorite pulls like Ancient One and disco Venom. 

The conversation then pivots to the controversy surrounding the latest season's monetization tactics—especially the backlash over Kid Omega's unattainable status in the High Voltage Overdrive event. They explore fan frustration on Reddit, calls to boycott, and Second Dinner’s response. Both hosts bring level-headed perspectives, acknowledging the frustration while evaluating their personal impact and maintaining a balanced view of the game’s free-to-play structure.

Finally, Jesse and Evan reflect on the current meta. They discuss their mixed results in Sanctum Showdown, the dominance of Destroy decks fueled by Dormammu, and the noticeable presence of cards like Merlin and Nightmare. Despite some gripes, their enthusiasm for the game remains intact, as they cap off another insightful and entertaining look into the world of Marvel Snap.

Up in the sky—it’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s the Source Material Comics Podcast diving headfirst into the mind-bending, heart-punching cosmic masterpiece: All-Star Superman! Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich team up to break down one of the most celebrated Superman stories of the 2000s (but with enough Silver Age soul to make your spinner rack spin), just in time to get hyped for the new James Gunn movie!

We’re talking Grant Morrison's wild imagination, Frank Quitely’s soaring visuals, and Superman's ultimate challenge—coming to terms with his own mortality. From flexing on Samson and Atlas in an arm-wrestling contest to getting existential on Bizarro World (ugh, that dialogue!), the Man of Steel tackles 12 epic labors with cosmic compassion and all the hope you’d expect from Earth’s greatest boy scout.

But don’t worry—this ain’t just some cape-sniffing lovefest. Jesse and Mark drop hot takes, wrestle with Morrison’s head-trippy metaphors, and even question why Lex Luthor has access to death-row chemistry sets. It’s a deep dive into why All-Star Superman is still the go-to book when someone says, “I don’t get Superman.” 

So grab your black kryptonite, crank up that John Williams theme, and tune in for a super-sized discussion packed with heart, heat vision, and a whole lotta nerdy love for the Big Blue Boy Scout!

In this July 2025 episode of Snap Material, Jesse and Evan dive deep into the just-concluded Marvel Snap season, Masters of the Arcane. For once recording before a new season drop, they reflect on the longevity of the arcane season and break down each new card's impact, synergy, and potential in the meta. Merlin takes center stage early, with Evan sharing his success using the card alongside Collector and Aga Moto in his creatively named "Magic with a Kick" deck, while Jesse recounts frequent sightings of incantations like Polymorph.

The duo offers insightful evaluations of various cards—both celebrated and overlooked. Morgan Le Fay and Nicholas Scratch spark debate, with Evan reversing his previous skepticism about Scratch after finding some synergy in skill-heavy decks. Meanwhile, cards like Jennifer Kale and The Ancient One bring potential but seem to have missed broader adoption. Jesse’s delight in the chaos of Nightmare and creative uses of Clea underscore the fun and unpredictability that made this season memorable.

Capping off the episode are discussions of Dormammu’s ambitious summoning mechanic, Kid Omega’s grind-locked value, and new locations like Camelot and Astral Plane. With their trademark banter, storytelling, and strategic musings, Jesse and Evan keep listeners both informed and entertained, priming fans for what’s next in the Marvel Snap universe.

BOOM! It's the 4th of July and the Unspoken Issues crew is going full red, white, and rad with one of the most EXTREME patriotic comics of the 90s—Fighting American #1 by none other than Rob Liefeld! You voted, and this blast of stars-and-stripes action beat out Legend of the Shield in a close fan poll, so we're diving headfirst into pouches, plasma blasts, and patriotic smackdown! 

Jesse, Chris, and Evan crank the nostalgia meter to 11 as they break down the over-the-top action, killer character designs, and the wild behind-the-scenes drama that brought Fighting American back to life. We’re talkin’ Liefeld’s lost Captain America dreams, legal battles with Marvel, and the birth (and near-death) of Agent America! And yeah, there's a sidekick named S.P.I.C.E. who's basically a cyber-Bucky with sass and style for days! 

From Cold War flashbacks to Skull Island showdowns, from unthrowable shields to Terminator-style villains, this issue is a time capsule of everything that made 90s comics LOUD, PROUD, and totally UNHINGED. If you love your comics with exaggerated muscles, infinite ammo, and enough attitude to fill a double-page spread—this one’s for YOU!

So grab your USA fanny pack, slap on those wraparound shades, and tune in for a righteous ride through the most patriotic punch-fest of the decade. Let’s GOOOOO!

In this episode of Source Material Comics, Jesse and Mark unravel one of the most bizarre, chaotic, and cunning stories in DC’s Black Label line—The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox. What starts as a straightforward mystery—who killed the Riddler?—quickly warps into a twisted web of half-truths, unreliable narrators, absurd detours, and mind-bending revelations. With the Joker at the center, gleefully sowing confusion, this story becomes less about whodunit and more about why it was ever done at all.

The hosts break down how this 14-issue digital-first series blends the energy of Knives Out with the chaos of Gotham's rogues’ gallery. From Harley Quinn tripping on Mad Hatter illusions, to Penguin navigating booby-trapped catacombs Indiana Jones–style, every villain has their own fractured perspective on the search for the powerful Master Engine. But what if the murder never happened? What if the mystery wasn’t real? And what if the Joker did it all—for a laugh?

Mark and Jesse explore how Puzzlebox isn't just a story about the Joker manipulating villains, it’s about him manipulating you, the reader. They unpack the sheer audacity of Matthew Rosenberg’s storytelling, the multi-artist collaboration that keeps the art as unpredictable as the plot, and the wild meta-layer where Joker turns a fake murder into Gotham’s greatest joke. In the end, Joker wins—not with a bang, but with a punchline.