The Source Material Comics Podcast

In this part 1 episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse is joined by Dean Compton and Darry to tackle one of the most respected superhero comics of the 1990s: Kurt Busiek’s Astro City. Known for its thoughtful storytelling and deeply human approach to superheroes, Astro City stands as a sharp contrast to the era’s stereotype of pouches, extreme violence, and flashy gimmicks. The hosts explore the first volume of the series—issues #1–6 plus the famous Wizard #½ issue—and discuss why this book has remained such an influential and beloved title for nearly three decades.

The discussion begins with the opening three issues, which perfectly establish the tone and mission of the series. From the exhausting daily life of Samaritan—Astro City’s Superman analogue—to a journalist struggling to report the impossible in a world full of miracles, these stories reveal the hidden emotional and societal layers of a superhero world. Instead of focusing only on battles and spectacle, Astro City asks deeper questions: What does it actually feel like to live in a city full of heroes? How does heroism affect ordinary people? And what happens when someone learns just a little too much about the people behind the masks?

Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight the brilliance of Busiek’s writing, Brent Anderson’s storytelling, and Alex Ross’s iconic designs that help bring this world to life. They explore the book’s themes of responsibility, mythmaking, and everyday humanity while also celebrating standout characters like Samaritan and Jack-in-the-Box.

In this epic installment of Unspoken Issues, the crew dives headfirst into one of the strangest and most ambitious experiments in the Star Wars universe: Shadows of the Empire. Released in 1996, this wasn’t just a comic—it was a full-blown multimedia event that attempted to deliver the experience of a Star Wars movie without ever hitting the big screen. From novels and video games to action figures and even an orchestral soundtrack, this project filled the gap between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with a sprawling, interconnected story.

Jesse and Chris unpack the comic series at the heart of it all, exploring how it fits into the larger narrative while juggling bounty hunters, double agents, and the criminal underworld led by the enigmatic Prince Xizor. Along the way, they reflect on their own Star Wars histories, from childhood VHS memories to late-night college rewatches, and discuss how Shadows of the Empire tried to expand the galaxy in ways both ambitious and, at times, frustrating. Does the comic stand on its own, or does it rely too heavily on the surrounding media?

The conversation also digs into standout moments—like Boba Fett’s tactical brilliance, the introduction of Dash Rendar as a Han Solo stand-in, and the layered storytelling approach that splits key events across multiple formats.

Step back into the comic book boom of the mid-’90s as the crew cracks open Wizard Magazine #55—a time capsule packed with hype, speculation, and pure nostalgia. From the moment you see Jim Lee’s stunning Fantastic Four cover teasing the upcoming Heroes Reborn era, it’s clear this issue captures a pivotal moment when Marvel was pulling out all the stops to stay afloat. Jesse and Chris revisit what it felt like to get your comic news straight from Wizard’s pages and how this magazine shaped an entire generation of fans.

The episode dives into the wild mix of content that made Wizard essential reading—fan casting calls, industry rumors, trading card crazes, and bold predictions that didn’t always age gracefully. Highlights include a hilariously ambitious X-Factor movie cast (yes, including Steven Seagal), early buzz around comic book films long before the superhero movie boom, and a snapshot of the collectible card game explosion led by Magic: The Gathering. Along the way, the hosts reflect on the cultural impact of these trends and how they influenced both comics and fandom at large.

Of course, no Wizard deep dive would be complete without exploring the era’s biggest books and creators. From the rise of Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman to the dominance of titles like Gen 13 and Preacher, this episode paints a vivid picture of what comic fans were excited about in March 1996.

In this episode, the crew dives headfirst into the gritty, chaotic world of Hitman #1—the surprise winner of their fan poll with a commanding 63% of the vote. Created by Garth Ennis and John McCrea, this cult-favorite series introduces Tommy Monaghan, a wisecracking Gotham City hitman with a bizarre twist: he’s packing X-ray vision and telepathy thanks to a strange alien encounter. From the very first page, the tone is set—this is no superhero story, but something far more violent, irreverent, and darkly comedic.

Jesse and Chris break down the issue’s wild mix of street-level crime, over-the-top satire, and unexpected DC Universe connections. From Tommy’s brutal takedown of the hilariously expendable “Shadow Force” team to his uneasy moral code—no innocents, no cops—the conversation explores how Ennis flips traditional superhero storytelling on its head. The guys also dig into the dynamic barroom camaraderie at Noonan’s, where hitmen swap stories like blue-collar workers, adding a surprising layer of humanity to an otherwise ruthless world.

Of course, no Gotham tale is complete without the Dark Knight himself. When Tommy accepts a million-dollar contract on the Joker, it puts him on a collision course with Batman in a short but memorable rooftop showdown. Along the way, the hosts unpack Ennis’ signature style—equal parts satire, shock value, and social commentary—while debating whether this infamous writer deserves his polarizing reputation.

This week on Unspoken Issues, the poll loser becomes the poll winner as the crew dives into 1994’s Fantastic Force #1 — a shiny, gimmick-cover slice of peak ‘90s Marvel experimentation. Born out of Tom DeFalco’s Fantastic Four run and released during a turbulent era for the franchise, this issue asks a bold question: What happens when the Fantastic Four are gone… and someone else has to step up?

Enter Psi-Lord — a future version of Franklin Richards clad in psycho-armor and carrying the weight of destiny. Alongside the fierce Huntara, the vibrationally gifted Wakandan warrior Vibraxas, and the volatile Inhuman Devlor, a fractured new team begins to take shape. But they’re not exactly polished heroes. Internal tension, distrust, and raw inexperience define their first outing — and when Klaw attacks, it becomes painfully clear they’re not ready for prime time.

Evan, Chris, and Jesse break down the very ‘90s aesthetic, the X-Men-adjacent vibe, and the broader context of Marvel trying to shake up the Fantastic Four brand. Is this a bold reinvention? A product of its era? Or an overlooked gem hiding in the bargain bins? From shiny covers to team dynamics to Black Panther swooping in at the last second, the hosts unpack what works, what doesn’t, and whether Fantastic Force deserves another look.

In this episode of the Snap Material Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins bring the fun with a creative and highly relatable topic: the Top 5 Marvel Snap cards we forget even exist. What starts as a simple idea quickly turns into a deep (and hilarious) exploration of overlooked, underplayed, and occasionally baffling cards that slip through even the most dedicated players’ memories.

In this episode of Source Material, Jesse and Mark dive into the IDW comic *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder in Hell*, a visually striking and deeply introspective story that explores the infamous villain’s journey through the afterlife. What begins as a simple villain spotlight quickly becomes something much stranger as the hosts unpack the book’s heavy themes, surreal storytelling, and ambitious attempt to transform Shredder into a more reflective and human character. 

Along the way, Jesse and Mark debate whether the comic’s artistic ambition works in its favor or creates barriers for readers unfamiliar with the broader TMNT continuity. With plenty of humor, blunt criticism, and thoughtful analysis, the discussion examines the balance between concept and execution—and whether this unusual Ninja Turtles story is more rewarding as a conversation piece than a reading experience. 

In this episode of the Snap Material Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins turn their attention to the brand-new Marvel Snap season: X-Men – End of Days, diving deep into the upcoming cards, mechanics, and strategies players need to start thinking about right now. From the moment Strife is introduced as the season pass card, the discussion explores how this flexible on-reveal powerhouse could slot into a wide variety of decks—and whether its true potential lies in combo setups or pure utility.

The episode really shines as the hosts break down each of the new Horsemen cards, comparing them to last season while highlighting what’s changed and what remains familiar. Wolverine (Horseman of War), Archangel (Horseman of Death), Polaris (Horseman of Pestilence), and Storm (Horseman of Famine) each bring unique objectives and playstyles, opening up new deck-building possibilities. Jesse and Evan explore creative synergies—from destroy-based resurrection combos to affliction strategies and energy management tricks—while also mixing in comic lore, humor, and a few surprises about which characters actually held these roles in Marvel history.

Beyond the Horsemen, the episode dives into some of the most intriguing additions of the season, including the Techno-Organic Virus card, which introduces a powerful and scalable infection-based strategy, and standout utility cards like Askani'son and Mother Askani. Whether it’s generating free cards across the board, manipulating costs, or duplicating powerful effects, this season looks packed with experimentation and chaos. Add in new locations like Celestial Circuit and the mysterious Ebonshire, and you’ve got a recipe for a dynamic, unpredictable meta. If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve and start planning your next deck, this episode is essential listening.

In this episode of the Snap Material Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins shift gears to break down their season unlocks, collection progress, and evolving strategies in Marvel Snap’s latest season. Recording just before the season wraps, the hosts compare notes on what they’ve unlocked, what they’re still chasing, and how resource management—especially tokens and credits—can make or break your long-term progression. Jesse shares a surprisingly light unlock season (with some key new additions), while Evan dives into a stacked list of variants, splits, and high-impact pulls like Gambit (Horseman of Death) and Ozymandias.

The conversation expands into one of the most relatable parts of the Snap experience: the grind and the surprises along the way. From chasing Isca and Rama-Tut to debating whether ultimate variants are ever worth the cost, the hosts explore the psychology of collecting in Snap. There’s also a fun deep dive into variant rarity tiers—rare, super rare, and ultimate—and how noticing these details can completely change how you view your collection. Jesse even uncovers a key optimization trick with credits that dramatically speeds up progression, proving that even veteran players are still learning new tricks.

On the meta side, the episode highlights how Gambit (Horseman of Death) quickly became one of the most talked-about and widely used cards of the season, spawning creative (and sometimes broken) combos across the community. Meanwhile, the hosts reflect on the state of alliances, Team Clash, and High Voltage modes—discussing what works, what doesn’t, and what might bring players back. From rock-based decks and chaos builds to tried-and-true ladder strategies that still hit Infinite, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest reactions, and plenty of Snap storytelling that both casual and competitive players will appreciate.

In this episode of the Snap Material Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins dive headfirst into the X-Men: Origins of Apocalypse season, breaking down the brand-new Objective mechanic and what it means for Marvel Snap players. From first impressions to real in-game experiences, the hosts explore how this experimental feature is reshaping deck-building strategies—and whether it’s truly delivering on its promise.

The discussion kicks off with a deep look at Apocalypse (Celestial’s Chosen), the season’s flagship card, and quickly expands into a full analysis of standout additions like Isca, Gambit (Horseman of Death), and the often-overlooked Juggernaut (Horseman of War). Jesse and Evan compare notes on which cards lived up to the hype, which ones fell flat, and how certain combos—especially Gambit’s synergy with created cards—can completely swing a match. Along the way, they share personal gameplay stories, unexpected losses, and those chaotic “what just happened?” moments that make Snap so addictive.

Beyond card mechanics, the episode also leans into the fun and frustration of randomness, especially with wild cards like Rama-Tut and evolving rock-based strategies featuring Sandstorm and Ozymandias.