The Source Material Comics Podcast

Get ready to dive into the flashiest era of comics with the latest episode of Unspoken Issues as Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong return with their Gimmick Cover Summer series. This time, it’s all about WildC.A.T.s #2—a shimmering gem from the heyday of 1990s Image Comics. The duo revisits the hype and high-concept madness behind one of the decade’s most iconic foil covers and explores how it captivated readers then—and still dazzles collectors today.

In this episode, the hosts break down the fan poll that crowned WildC.A.T.s #2 as the top gimmick cover among contenders like ShadowHawk #1 and Brigade Vol. 2 #2. They offer a nostalgic critique of the visual and storytelling mechanics of foil embossing and mirror finishes, while peppering in personal stories of comic shop adventures and collecting quirks from the early ‘90s. From hidden references in background monitors to revealing the reused cover stock years later by Valiant, this is deep-cut comic trivia at its best.

Then, buckle in for a beat-by-beat summary and discussion of the explosive events of WildC.A.T.s #2. From teleportation mishaps and interdimensional threats to a showdown with Youngblood and a government mole with alien secrets, the issue delivers all the spectacle you'd expect from a Jim Lee blockbuster. And yes, the hosts don’t miss a chance to geek out over favorite panels, character highlights, and the early building blocks of the WildStorm universe. Whether you're here for the nostalgia or the nerdy details, this episode delivers a punch of ‘90s energy that’s not to be missed.

This week on Source Material Comics, Mark and Jesse dive headfirst into the psychological depths of Joker: Killer Smile, a chilling DC Black Label miniseries from Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino. With a focus not just on Gotham’s most chaotic villain, but on the psyche of the man who dares to try and cure him, this episode explores what happens when good intentions and hubris collide with pure, unfiltered evil.

Dr. Ben Arnell is a man of science, order, and reason. But when he takes on the seemingly impossible task of rehabilitating the Joker, he finds himself spiraling into a personal nightmare where reality and delusion bleed together. As Mark and Jesse dissect this psychological thriller, they discuss how Joker’s manipulation isn't just about carnage—it's about control, gaslighting, and breaking a man piece by piece. The hosts reflect on themes of mental health, the illusion of control, and that haunting idea that maybe all it takes is one bad day to fall apart.

Mark brings rich context from past Joker tales while Jesse shares his appreciation for Lemire's storytelling and Sorrentino’s haunting artwork. Together, they ponder deep questions—was Ben ever truly sane? Or did the Joker merely expose what was already lurking beneath? Tune in as they break down a story that might be short in length but is terrifyingly deep in impact. This isn’t just another Batman story—this is a chilling descent into madness, and the Joker has the last laugh.

It’s time to embrace the mystical mayhem! In Part 3 of Snap Material’s June 2025 series, Jesse and Evan take a deep dive into the just-released "Masters of the Arcane" season. This jam-packed episode is filled with first impressions, card-by-card breakdowns, gameplay theories, and plenty of comic book tangents as the duo wade through a whopping 20 new cards and two spicy new locations.

They kick things off with Merlin, the season pass card, who introduces powerful incantation skill cards that can transform, shift energy, and even alter locations. The conversation flows into meta-impacting newcomers like Morgan Le Fay, Jennifer Kale, and The Ancient One, who all have strong synergy with discard, ramp, or ongoing effects. Jesse and Evan talk through deck potential and favorite combos (Sera + Tal Mandala gets a spotlight), while also having some fun at the expense of underwhelming pulls like Nicholas Scratch (who, to be fair, might have a hidden use or two). 

Listeners also get treated to wild ideas for chaotic tech cards like Nightmare, and the puzzle-like play pattern of Dormammu’s Summoning Rituals—a fascinating, multi-step mechanic that could either break the game or your brain. Add in comic trivia, a spirited debate over Cobra’s niche utility, and card-by-card theories on Kid Omega, Hellion, Mercury, and Clea, and you’ve got a full-on meta-forecasting session that’s as entertaining as it is informative.

To wrap things up, Jesse and Evan break down the two new featured locations: Camelot, which levels all cards to five power, and the enigmatic Astral Plane, which sneakily drops zero-power card copies into play.  It's the ultimate mystical Marvel Snap breakdown!

In part two of the June 2025 edition of Snap Material, Jesse and Evan return with an insightful and entertaining breakdown of the current Marvel Snap meta, new unlocks, and the rollercoaster of reaching (or nearly reaching) Infinite rank. This episode dives deep into the recent dominance of Move and Destroy decks, the rise and minor fall of Hercules, and how recent balance updates—like Cerebro getting a +3 boost—are shaking up strategy and deckbuilding creativity.

Evan shares his journey through several decks this season, from experimenting with Strange Supreme and Silver Surfer variants, to an unexpected hero: Agent Venom. Meanwhile, Jesse discusses his own push toward 90, recounting highlights like his Xorn-Scream-Kingpin combo and rediscovering Prodigy’s value in movement-based builds. 

The pair also run through their latest unlocks with enthusiasm—from Baby Galactus to pixel variants, and from steampunk Forge to an overflowing collection of Venom art. They wrap up the show with a surprise twist: the sudden appearance and disappearance of unreleased cards Hellion and Mercury, sparking theories and laughs in equal measure.

Welcome back to Snap Material! In this action-packed June 2025 episode, Jesse and Evan dive into the thrilling "New X-Men" drop that landed in Marvel Snap last month. They kick things off with a deep analysis of Esme Cuckoo, exploring why she’s a decent utility card—especially in Silver Surfer builds—but doesn’t quite move the needle in most matches. The hosts discuss whether she’s more “deck filler” than “game changer,” and offer ideas for creative synergy.

Then it’s onto Surge, the undeniable standout of the season. With her repeatable cost/power buff mechanic, she’s quickly proven to be a staple across multiple decks. Evan breaks down his experience chaining value plays using Gilgamesh, Thor, and Beta Ray Bill, while Jesse praises her versatility and low downside. Whether you're optimizing order of play or just slotting her into a flexible list, Surge is the real MVP.

The episode also highlights experimental deck-building around Prodigy, Elixir, and Xorn. Prodigy’s back row text-copying ability led to some massive combos (Odin chaos, anyone?), while Elixir prompted a fun but frustrating discussion at revive synergy—especially when paired with Misery and Fire Hair. Jesse found Xorn's move synergy a blast, setting up Vulture for surprise power swings and pondering unexpected combos with Kingpin and Magneto. The duo closes with takes on the two new featured locations: Pit of Exile and Genoa, evaluating their meta impact and strategic nuance.

In this action-packed episode of the Unspoken Issues Podcast, Jesse, Evan, and Chris take a nostalgic dive into one of Marvel's most delightfully chaotic storylines: The Amazing Spider-Man's six-part "Round Robin: The Sidekick's Revenge"! Covering issues #353–358 from 1991, the crew shares memories, hot takes, and plenty of laughs as they revisit a time when superhero crossovers were loaded with guest stars, questionable puns, and pure '90s energy.

Join the discussion as Chris reveals why this story was a must-cover for him, reminiscing about his childhood love for Darkhawk and Amazing Spider-Man. Meanwhile, Jesse experiences the entire saga for the first time, offering fresh reactions to everything from Mark Bagley's early artwork to Al Milgrom’s dialogue—some of which lands... and some of which definitely doesn't! Evan brings the humor, wondering aloud how Moon Knight ever thought training a sidekick was a good idea.

The trio unpacks the Secret Empire's ridiculous amount of hidden bases, marvels at the sheer amount of accidental victories and botched plans, and laughs about Spider-Man's worst one-liners. From Punisher’s stealth antics to bagel jokes that aged like fine (or maybe not-so-fine) wine, this episode is a love letter to a wonderfully over-the-top era of Marvel comics.

The journey comes to an explosive end! In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, hosts Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher close out their deep dive into Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original by tackling issues 9-12. The stakes are at their highest—Jax Teller has been kidnapped, the club is out for blood, and Clay is forced to make a desperate move to bring him home. But as the dust settles, one thing is clear: Jax has fully embraced the outlaw life, and there’s no turning back.

Mark and Jesse break down the action-packed conclusion, from Jax’s brutal fight for survival to Clay’s ruthless power plays. They discuss the strengths and missteps of the series, including a finale that left them with more questions than answers. Was Jax’s rescue satisfying? Did the comic truly add depth to his character? And most importantly—was this really the prequel fans wanted?

So, saddle up for one last ride through Redwood Original and find out if this prequel was a worthy addition to the SOA legacy!

It’s time to dive into the "dark times" of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cinematic legacy in this hilariously honest episode of Unspoken Issues! Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong tackle the notorious TMNT III—the film that sent the turtles back in time…and possibly sent fans running in the opposite direction. Often mistaken for the beloved arcade game Turtles in Time, this 1993 misfire left many questioning whether the franchise had lost its shell. But does the comic book adaptation redeem the movie’s clunky animatronics, generic villains, and missing Foot Clan? The guys are here to find out.

Jesse and Chris walk through the movie and the Archie comic adaptation scene by scene, pointing out everything from awkward time travel mechanics to Splinter’s budget Chuck E. Cheese vibes. They compare the story beats, missing wet willies (you read that right), and surprisingly bloodless action scenes, even digging into whether the adaptation makes the film slightly more digestible. There’s also room for some praise—namely for Corey Feldman’s return, some fun splash pages from Chris Allan, and the standout panel of Michelangelo rescuing Yoshi from a fire.

To cap it all off, Jesse takes listeners on a laugh-filled tour through the TMNT III soundtrack—one of the most “minimal effort” soundtracks of the '90s, featuring recycled pop hits, questionable remixes, and a bizarre rap gem courtesy of Loose Bruce.

The future is now in Part 3 of Snap Material as Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins crack open the brand-new “New X-Men” season in Marvel Snap, which dropped on May 6, 2025. With fresh cards, game-altering abilities, and thought-provoking strategies, Jesse and Evan break down each new character and how they fit into the ever-evolving Snap meta. From the flexible potential of Esme Cuckoo to the power chain antics of Surge, this episode digs into the mechanics, the comic lore, and how players might integrate these new cards into effective, competitive decks.

Jesse floats strategies for pairing Prodigy with Iron Man and Living Tribunal, while Evan analyzes the back-row copying mechanics and highlights how Prodigy may become a Swiss army knife for synergy-rich setups. Elixir offers fresh utility to destroy archetypes, and Xorn brings disruptive move potential that could flip control of the board—if used cleverly. The duo also debate which of the new batch has true staying power, and which might just be flashier in theory than in practice. Wrapping up, Jesse and Evan explore the newly introduced locations—Pit of Exile and Genosha—and how they’ll impact lane control and deck design. .

In Part 2 of this special Snap Material episode, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return for an in-depth meta discussion on all the sweeping changes that hit Marvel Snap during the “What If…?” season. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into Snap Packs—a major shakeup to the game’s card acquisition system. With Spotlight Keys now converted into tokens, the guys break down what this means for players, how it’s impacted their collections, and whether this new method improves the odds of scoring that elusive Series 4 or 5 card. Spoiler: Jesse came away with 14 new cards!

The episode also explores the season's deck trends, with move decks dominating the ladder thanks to strong support from cards like Topaz, Fan-Fei, and Hydra Stomper. Jesse shares his continued success with his Namora deck and a renewed appreciation for the High Voltage challenge, while Evan reflects on the design nuances that made certain move cards more viable. Plus, the guys weigh in on Agamotto's mixed impact and celebrate the introduction of his long-overdue shirted variant. 

Finally, it’s time to compare collection hauls. From Dan Hipp art to obscure and wild variants like Absorbing Man the speakeasy bouncer and pixel Watcher, Jesse and Evan showcase their newest additions—and reminisce about which variants made the cut and which got benched. It’s a celebratory, detail-rich wrap-up of one of Snap’s most transformative seasons.