The Source Material Comics Podcast

In this action-packed episode of SNAP Material, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return to dissect the Prehistoric Avengers season in Marvel Snap! From the game-changing arrival of Agamotto and his ancient arcana spells to the raw power of Star Brand and the quirky charm of Firehair, the guys take you on a wild ride through the cards, metas, and chaotic combos that defined the season. And yes—there’s plenty of love/hate commentary on that infamous Winds of Watoomb card.

The episode dives deep into strategy, synergy, and surprise plays. Jesse shares his retreat-triggering trauma at the hands of move decks, while Evan offers up inspired deck builds that make the most of tricky new cards like Eson the Searcher and Firehair. You’ll also hear how both hosts stumbled onto the tragic truth behind First Ghost Rider’s power calculation—and how that revelation reshaped their gameplay. 

They reflect on the evolving discard meta, the impact of Khonshu’s resurrection mechanic, and the joy (or horror) brought on by locations like Celestial Burial Ground. Whether you’re a seasoned Snapper or just curious about the comic-inspired chaos, this episode has laughs, insights, and a touch of shirtless Agamotto.

Hold onto your trench coats and dual pistols, because we’ve reached the high-octane climax of The Rafferty Saga in this finale-focused episode! Jesse and Chris Armstrong break down the final issue of Firearm—issue #18—where bullets fly, cathedrals burn, and the stakes are nothing less than life, death, and one miracle baby. This isn’t just the end of a story arc—it’s the dramatic curtain call for one of the Ultraverse’s most compelling titles. Packed with explosions, doves (figurative and maybe literal), and John Woo-style shootouts, Jesse and Chris take you panel by panel through this noir-drenched showdown between the relentless Rafferty and our gun-toting British PI, Alex Swan. 

Together, the two hosts also dig deep into the legacy of Rafferty as a villain. Was he a B-grade baddie with an A+ body count? A poor man’s Simon Gruber from Die Hard with a Vengeance? Or just a killer with a gold heart—literally? From critiques of Rafferty’s lackluster name to his disturbingly effective track record, Jesse and Chris give this saga the dissection it deserves. And don’t miss their hilarious breakdowns of Brüt cologne, capers on pizza, and how to make a knife-to-the-back baby rescue scene somehow emotional and absurdly cool. With solid art, some messy continuity, and real comic book heart, this final chapter delivers the kind of 90s action that demands another VHS release. Fade to black, cue the end credits, and pour one out for Firearm.

To find the other contributors to this wonderful event click here! - https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/JSApril

Comic book fans! Get ready for a whirlwind of retro excitement as the Source Material Comics Podcast dives into the golden age of superheroes with All-Star Squadron #19 and #20! This special episode is part of the #JSAPRIL event, bringing you an epic blend of nostalgia, history, and some good ol' fashioned superhero action. Host Jesse Starcher is joined by Chris Bailey, and together they explore the pulpy world of DC's World War II-era heroes! 

These issues bring back some of the most iconic characters from the golden age, including Johnny Quick, Firebrand, Robotman, and Commander Steel, as they confront the chilling aftermath of the Justice Society of America's mysterious disappearance. As the All-Star Squadron assembles to fight a looming threat, they face off against the sinister Brainwave—who traps the JSA in an elaborate series of nightmarish illusions. But what's worse than a dreamscape that could lead to death? A villain who’s more than ready to use it against them! This episode covers it all—spanning historical nods to the 1939 World’s Fair, deep dives into the JSA's golden age, and thrilling battles as heroes push the boundaries of their strength and will.

Can the All-Star Squadron save their predecessors, or will they fall prey to Brainwave's trap? And just what kind of damage has the JSA experienced in their dreams? Tune in for a discussion full of nostalgia, expert comic breakdowns, and plenty of enthusiasm for the beloved heroes of DC's early days.

The legal madness continues! In this episode, Mark and Jesse dive into She-Hulk (2004) #7-12, where Jennifer Walters finds herself appointed as a magistrate in the cosmic court of law! From settling alien custody battles to ruling on a case against the Watchers, She-Hulk’s legal career reaches intergalactic heights before she’s thrown into a high-stakes boxing match against The Champion of the Universe—who just so happens to have the Power Gem! But how do you win when the law itself is a fistfight? Jen finds out the hard way in one of the most unique legal showdowns in Marvel history.

Back on Earth, things don’t get any easier. Hercules gets sued for excessive force (and writes a song about it), Jen struggles with newfound strength after her cosmic training, and Titania returns—this time with an Infinity Gem-powered vendetta! As Titania tears through everything in her path, including Jen’s law firm and friends, She-Hulk must find a way to win without simply punching her problems away. The answer? A trip to the local comic book shop, of course!

With sharp legal satire, meta-commentary on comic fandom, and plenty of classic Marvel chaos, this second arc of Dan Slott’s She-Hulk is a perfect mix of action, humor, and heart. Don’t miss our breakdown of these iconic issues!

Ohhh yeah, buckle up and rewind those tapes, 'cause this episode is a full-blown Ultraverse time machine—a straight-up 90s comic book fever dream! In this triple-sized episode of the Rafferty Saga, Jesse dives headfirst into Firearm issues #16 and #17 and Prime #20, delivering a nostalgia-drenched breakdown that’s part crime-thriller, part military op, and ALL Malibu madness. Jesse unpacks the blood-soaked backstory of Rafferty—the knife-loving, ultra-hunting villain who’s basically the Ultraverse’s answer to every 90s anti-hero rolled into one grinning maniac. Born in Georgia, bred on violence, and twisted into something deadly, Rafferty’s tale is grim, gripping, and oh-so-very-1995. 

We get some major revelations (and a few head-exploding moments—literally) as Jesse covers the rise of Rafferty through crime syndicates, military units, and shadowy ultra-hunting alliances. He gives us the deets on Edwin Mosley, a wealthy ultra who, in a wild twist, supports Rafferty's mission of ultra-extermination. Plus, there’s a gadget that tracks ultras, a growing body count, and an ominous setup for Firearm’s final showdown. Then things kick into high gear with the raid on Crystal Cathedral, a hostage baby who may or may not be divine, and a honeymoon for Alex Swan. 

And if that wasn’t enough, we blast over to Prime #20 for a side-hit of teen superhero angst. It’s Shazam meets Melrose Place with a jacked-up 13-year-old flying to a date before getting an arrow to the head courtesy of Rafferty (spoiler alert: his head explodes—but not really?). From the dreamy hook-ups to Rafferty’s evil blimp of doom, this issue has it all.  You do NOT want to miss where this bloodstained saga begins to end.

Yo, comic heads—strap in and grab your chromium covers, because this episode is an absolute blast of pure '90s adrenaline! We're back with another killer installment of The Rafferty Saga, and we’re going full tilt into Firearm #15, Freex #15, and Night Man #14. This isn’t just comics—it’s a crossover carnage-fest dripping in blood-splatter logos, trench coat vengeance, and grimdark one-liners. Rafferty, the ultimate ultra-hunting psycho, is racking up a body count that would make even Spawn nervous. And yes, we get not one, but TWO brutal character deaths—plus a gut-punch cliffhanger that possibly drops a big-time Ultra like a sack of Liefeld pouches. 

🔥 Strap in and lace up those combat boots, because Jesse is back in this pulse-pounding breakdown of Warstrike #6 and Firearm #14! The Rafferty Saga hits critical mass in this double-feature dose of gritty, over-the-top 90s mayhem. You want blood, masks, sewer brawls, exploding hideouts, and tortured anti-heroes? You got it—and then some. 

First up, Warstrike #6 delivers a grimy showdown between everyone's favorite gun-toting, wire-hopping big guy and the nightmare in a trench coat himself—Rafferty. Jesse walks us through the grimy details: masked murder vibes, precog-powered fight scenes, and a villain who tosses grenades like it ain't no thang. And did we mention the issue ends with Warstrike face-down in the sewer, rats incoming, and Rafferty monologuing like a total savage? Brutal. 

Then it’s on to Firearm #14, where Alec Swan chases Rafferty through New York’s underbelly, bumping into greasy gals, mutant ostriches (yes, really), and sludge monsters with a taste for chaos. Jesse breaks down James Robinson’s storytelling chops, the creepy build-up, and that devastating twist involving Vinegarrette that feels straight out of a psychological horror flick. 

The Rafferty Saga continues—and it pulls no punches.

BOOM! BANG! WHOA! Buckle up, true believers, because we’re diving headfirst into some prime ’90s Ultraverse insanity! This episode is all about the beginnings of "The Rafferty Saga", the ultimate knife-wielding, blood-spattering, ultra-hating villain from Malibu Comics! Our host stumbles upon an ashcan edition (yeah, we’re going DEEP CUT here) and uncovers a brutal, relentless, seven-month-long storyline that ran through Firearm, Freex, Night Man, Prime, Sludge, and more! And let’s be real—when a villain gets his own blood-splatter logo on every issue he touches, you KNOW it’s about to get gnarly. 

We break down Firearm #12, where Rafferty goes on a kill-crazy rampage, offing ultras left and right in some of the most over-the-top, full-page, 90s-style deaths ever! And it doesn’t stop there—Firearm #13 ups the ante with explosions, poison, firefights, and a strike team gunning for our hero! Plus, we get inside the mind of Alec Swan (aka Firearm), a guy so cool he breaks the fourth wall like he’s auditioning for Deadpool! 

And let’s not forget Rafferty’s ultimate mission—hunting ultras one by one, leaving a trail of bodies, and playing a twisted game of cat and mouse with Firearm. It’s a full-on '90s action flick meets comic book carnage, and we are HERE FOR IT! So, grab your holofoil covers, your polybags, and your best leather trench coat—it’s time to relive the Rafferty Saga.  Let's begin!

Get ready for an action-packed deep dive into She-Hulk (2004) by Dan Slott! Mark and Jesse tackle the first six issues of this fan-favorite run, breaking down the wild blend of superhero storytelling and legal drama. From Jennifer Walters’ struggles with identity—both as She-Hulk and as a lawyer—to the absurdity of superhuman law, this episode explores what makes this series a standout.

The hosts discuss the comic’s brilliant premise, including how Marvel’s legal system uses actual comic books as legal records, the hilarious and thought-provoking implications of superpowered court cases, and She-Hulk’s unexpected professional dilemmas. They also compare the comic’s themes with the She-Hulk TV show, touching on its strengths, weaknesses, and how well it captured Slott’s vision. And of course, there's plenty of banter about Dan Slott’s writing, surprise Spider-Man appearances, and why arguing in court with a ghost is just another Tuesday in the Marvel Universe.

If you love She-Hulk, legal dramas, or just a good superhero story with depth, humor, and a touch of absurdity, this is the episode for you. Tune in and join the conversation as we break down She-Hulk’s journey from party-loving Avenger to serious legal powerhouse—whether she likes it or not!

Welcome back to SNAP Material, where Jesse and Evan dive deep into the Marvel Snap madness! This time, they tackle a hilarious and frustrating topic—the top 5 worst cards to get from X-Mansion. If you've ever had a randomly summoned card ruin your strategy, this episode is for you!

Inspired by the chaotic nature of X-Mansion—a location that spits out completely random cards on turn three—the hosts discuss their personal nightmares, from self-sabotaging effects to instant retreat scenarios. Some choices are obvious, while others might surprise you. Will your least favorite X-Mansion pull make the list? 

Along the way, Jesse and Evan share hilarious personal experiences, break down gameplay mechanics, and even debate which cards might be secretly useful. Plus, they wrap things up with updates on the latest Marvel Snap events and a shout-out to #JSApril, a must-follow event for comic fans!

Don't miss this fun and rage-inducing episode—because X-Mansion giveth, and X-Mansion taketh away.