The Source Material Comics Podcast

In this powerhouse episode of Snap Material, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return (a bit later than usual!) to unpack all the excitement, strategy, and surprises from the April 2025 Marvel Snap season: "What If…?" From the highs of Infinity Ultron to the experimental chaos of Strange Supreme, this episode is packed with card insights, meta shifts, and some genuinely unexpected curveballs. Jesse and Evan kick things off with their thoughts on the season’s inspirations from the animated What If…? series, including card breakdowns for Captain Carter, Goliath, and Kahhori, as well as how they fared in the meta. 

The duo dives into a vibrant discussion around the new back-row mechanic and how key characters like Peggy Carter and Goliath support (or struggle with) the evolving playstyles. They go deep on the powerful but complex Infinity Ultron, the utility of Strange Supreme, and the unexpectedly strong move-centric synergy introduced by surprise cards like Topaz, Fan-Fey, and Batroc the Leaper. Evan offers valuable deck-building advice while Jesse keeps the energy high, dissecting what worked and what fell short in their personal experiences this season.

The road to redemption is never easy—especially for Jax Teller. In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher continue their deep dive into Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original, covering issues 5 through 8. Jax is lost, spiraling into booze and regret after being kicked out of SAMCRO. But when a deadly enforcer starts gunning for the club, Jax sees his chance to prove himself—and he’ll risk everything to take it. 

Mark and Jesse break down the high-stakes action as Jax goes head-to-head with the feared assassin hunting the club, Clay scrambles to fix the mess he created, and the Sons find themselves pinned down in a brutal ambush. With sharp analysis, dark humor, and plenty of SOA knowledge, the guys explore how Clay’s ruthless decision-making sets the stage for bigger conflicts and why Jax’s reckless need for approval keeps pushing him deeper into club life.

But just when things seem settled, a shocking cliffhanger changes everything. Jax is kidnapped, the club is left scrambling, and the tension is at an all-time high. Will Jax survive? Will SAMCRO be able to hold it together? Buckle up for another wild ride through the Sons of Anarchy universe—this one’s a game-changer.

In this jam-packed episode of Unspoken Issues, hosts Jesse and Chris Armstrong dive deep into a green-tinted blast from the past—Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. From the moment Jesse asks, “Have you ever seen a turtle get down?” to nostalgic trips to old theaters and VHS rentals, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of Turtlemania in the early '90s. The duo shares vivid memories of childhood summers, walks to comic stores, and the magic of seeing TMNT on the big screen—paired with action figures, GI Joes, and of course, the infamous Vanilla Ice “Ninja Rap.”

But it’s not just about the movie—this episode takes it further by dissecting the comic book adaptation published by Archie Comics. Jesse and Chris break down the differences between the film and the comic in painstaking detail, from the toned-down violence to the creative liberties taken with dialogue, visuals, and the portrayal of beloved characters like Keno and Super Shredder. They even uncover long-misunderstood lines (yes, Michelangelo’s “all the good ones end in ‘O’” finally gets clarified) and unexpected appearances—like a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo by Michael Jai White.

The episode is also loaded with deep-cut TMNT trivia, soundtrack reviews (you’ll never hear “Ninja Rap” the same way again), and some serious admiration for a single comic panel featuring a stuck mutant turtle. Whether you're a lifelong Turtlehead or just nostalgic for the early '90s, this episode delivers a mutant-sized helping of pop culture commentary, laughter, and surprisingly deep dives into obscure comic lore. And don’t worry—yes, they talk Turtle ween.

Buckle up and get ready to ride back into the world of Sons of Anarchy! In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, hosts Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher revisit Charming, but this time, they’re taking a detour into the past with Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original, the prequel comic series from BOOM! Studios. Set a decade before the FX television series, this gripping story follows an 18-year-old Jax Teller as he navigates the early days of his outlaw journey, wrestling with family, loyalty, and his own dangerous ambitions.

Mark and Jesse break down the first volume of this compelling prequel, dissecting the raw storytelling, character arcs, and the deeper themes of fate and consequence. From Jax’s struggle to prove himself to the tragic foreshadowing of Opie’s doomed future, this discussion is packed with insights, humor, and, of course, plenty of Sons of Anarchy nostalgia. They also dive into the comic’s creative choices, the shift in artistic direction, and the big question: Did this prequel deliver the story fans really wanted? 

Plus, the guys tackle the larger themes of the Sons of Anarchy universe—loyalty, control, and the unintended consequences of bad decisions. Expect some wild tangents, heated debates about Clay Morrow’s leadership, and plenty of laughs as they explore the ever-complicated world of Sam Crow.

(00:00:00) Introduction and Reflections on TMNT: The Movie

(00:08:39) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie... The Comic

(00:29:57) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie after-credits scene?

(00:31:33) Overall thoughts

(00:34:53) Last Minute Random Notes

(00:38:29) Panel Picks

(00:40:33) Plugs!

Cowabunga, dudes! In this episode of "Unspoken Issues," Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong rewind the clock to 1990 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie.  Jesse and Chris not only revisit their first encounters with the movie but also explore how the film acted as a perfect fusion of Mirage's dark tone and the cartoon's vibrant energy. 

But that's not all—they break down the official comic book adaptation from Mirage Studios, comparing it with the movie. From subtle script differences and added scenes to the surprisingly emotional depth of Raphael's inner monologue, you'll discover how the comic offers a faithful, yet expanded, version of the film. They also highlight the creative team behind the adaptation, including Eastman, Laird, and Lawson, and touch on some wild production facts, like deleted scenes and what should have been an after-credits moment.

She-Hulk’s wild legal career continues as we dive into She-Hulk (2005) #1-5 by Dan Slott! With Timely Plaza rebuilt and a mysterious new boss, Arthur Zix, calling the shots, Jen Walters is back in action—but things have changed. Now representing supervillains (because that’s where the money is), She-Hulk finds herself tackling a time-traveling murder case that brings the TVA (Time Variance Authority) into the mix. And when a dead Avenger is brought in as a juror, Jen takes a major legal risk that could change history forever.

As the TVA cracks down, She-Hulk is put on trial for violating the timeline, facing erasure from existence! Can a surprise defense attorney from her own future save her? Meanwhile, we get a deep dive into She-Hulk’s greatest trauma in Bone, Idaho, before the time-traveling Two-Gun Kid joins the modern world in a hilarious fish-out-of-water adventure. Can he adjust to 2005, or is the Wild West calling him back?

From courtroom drama to cowboy shootouts, this episode covers all the absurdity, legal genius, and time-warping shenanigans that make She-Hulk one of Marvel’s most unique books. Join us as we break it all down!

In this epic season closer of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan bring the energy with a full-blown season pass card tier list showdown! With all 36 Marvel Snap season pass cards now released, the guys dive into a fast-paced, hilarious, and surprisingly deep ranking session using their own custom tiers—from “Ant-Man Sized Impact” all the way to “Thanos Snapped His Fingers for This.” Expect debate, nostalgia, strategy insights, and a few roasts along the way (looking at you, Agent Venom).

From the OG powerhouses to meta-benders, every season pass card gets its moment in the spotlight. Jesse and Evan break down which cards had staying power, which ones surprised them (hello again, Zabu), and which ones… barely made a dent. You’ll also hear about personal favorites, mechanical innovations, and the ever-contentious cool factor—yes, the “Cool Factor of 12” tier lives up to the name. 

What makes a Marvel Snap card truly enticing? In this episode of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan dive into their personal Top 5 season pass cards—not necessarily the most powerful or meta-dominant, but the ones that made them stop and say, “Okay… I might need to buy this season.” Whether it’s a unique mechanic, character hype, or just raw style, these picks had serious pull.

You’ll hear the hosts reflect on the cards that made the biggest impressions, the ones they misjudged at first, and even a few that stirred up passionate debate. Some choices are tied to strategy. Others? Pure emotion. It’s all part of the Marvel Snap experience. Along the way, they call out a few near-misses and revisit some infamous season-pass moments—from unexpected sleeper hits to overhyped duds.

A brand-new Marvel Snap season is here—and Jesse and Evan are already digging deep into What If…?. In this episode of SNAP Material, the guys crack open the season pass card Captain Carter and break down how her unique "back row" mechanic could shake up board strategy. From there, it’s a full tour of the season’s fresh faces, including Goliath, Kahhori, Strange Supreme, the Hydra Stomper, and the absolute showstopper: Infinity Ultron. 

Get ready for spicy card talk, as Jesse and Evan weigh the power potential of each new release. Can Kahhori supercharge your swarm discard decks? Will Hydra Stomper be the new MVP for move players? And what the heck are we going to do about Central Park's endless squirrels? Strange Supreme might be the answer, and the duo has a blast theorycrafting how his merging mechanic could change the game—especially when paired with Loki, Squirrel Girl, or even that pesky abandoned mine. 

The highlight? Infinity Ultron and his wild lineup of Infinity Stones. Jesse and Evan compare him to Agamotto and predict he’ll become the season’s must-have card. Toss in lore notes from the What If...? animated series, plus some crafty synergy suggestions and shady Jean Grey lockdown tactics, and this episode is a can't-miss deep dive for fans looking to stay ahead of the Snap curve.

In this continuation of the SNAP Material April 2025 breakdown, Jesse and Evan dive headfirst into the evolving Marvel Snap meta and dish out their latest unlocks with signature humor and deep-cut commentary. The duo explores the rise of discard decks and how cards like Khonshu and First Ghost Rider shook up strategy. Jesse shares his harrowing race against the clock to secure that final High Voltage reward, while Evan explains how War Machine and Crossbones gave his strategy an unexpected edge.

This episode isn’t just about decks—it’s a full-on celebration (and sometimes a roast) of Snap aesthetics. From the delightful chaos of Dan Hipp variants to the controversial banana background split effects, Jesse and Evan get hilariously candid about card art, visual flairs, and the hit-or-miss vibes of pixel and chibi styles. The discussion also unpacks a possible accidental early release of a new feature—where created cards take on the variant art of their source—adding a fun, glitchy twist to gameplay.

To top it off, both hosts walk through their impressive haul of Spotlight keys, collector-level flexes, and themed deck builds, like Evan’s “I Think I'm a Clone Now” deck.