Thinking Critical Comic Book Podcast

DC Comics officially retconned Tim Drake Robin’s sexuality this week. Many readers saw the writing on the wall after Batman: Urban Legends #5. The Tim Drake retcon feels like another retcon to pander to an audience that doesn’t read or love comic books. (00:04:29) Substack claimed two more enormous names this week. First, Batman writer James Tynion IV announced he turned down a DC exclusive contract to continue working on Batman. (00:20:07) Hours later X-Men writer Jonathan Hickman disclosed plans to start a new shared comic universe under the Three Worlds, Three Moons banner under Substack (00:39:20) All this change had comic readers buzzing about Substack and what this all means. Perch joins Wes to break down exactly what Substack is brining to the comic book industry. (00:57:34) Next, Perch and Wes discuss the enormous sales of Todd MCFarlane’s King Spawn #1. (01:16:47) They then talk about they history of Marvel Comics All-New, All-Different and Legacy eras. Where many of the MCU Phase 4 characters such as Kate Bishop Hawkeye, Jane Foster Thor, Falcon Cap and more came from. (01:38:22) Dok and Wes discuss Zoop, the new comic book crowdfunder. Camilla Zhang, Chris Ryan and Ron Marz (among others) are the braintrust behind the venture. (01:58:56) Josh McDonald makes his comic wrap debut with this week in Batman. He and Wes discuss all the major news and Batman comic of the week. (02:17:23) Finally, Wes talks about all the rapid change in the comic book industry brought about by the pandemic shutdown. (02:52:35)

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Gevian Dargan, former assistant-editor at Milestone Comics, joins Wes for  “It’s Complicated.” Wes and Gevian discuss hot-button issues many people shy away from today. When the #metoo movement started two years ago people started repeating a new mantra, “believe all women.” An idea that clued some people into the direction of the movement. Two years later and men are still afraid to challenge allegations made by women over fear of being labeled misogynist or worse, even to their own detriment. With the current climate of guilty until proven innocent an unsubstantiated allegation can ruin lives and end careers. At what point do we stop and think about if we should believe anyone without verifying their story? Wes and Gevian have an honest, open debate about whether it’s smart to believe all women. You guessed it, it’s complicated.

Gevian Daragan

Twitter: @GevianDargan

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Washington Times journalist and comic book writer Doug Ernst and comic book writer RJ from The Fourth Age YouTube join Wes for a special discussion. Modern entertainment is hellbent on removing positive role models for young boys in entertainment. Whether it’s superheroes like Superman, Spyder-Man or Captain America positive male role models that exude power and strength are being altered and removed from our cultural landscape. Entertainment is also removing any semblance of responsible, reliable fathers as well. Gone are the days of Mike Brady, Ward Cleaver, Dr. Huckstable and Uncle Phil. Positive male role models who were willing to tell there children when they were wrong and impart good morals and principals. In are are a host of Homer Simpson wannabe’s parading as fathers. There was a time when Al Bundy was a caricature of a father made for laughs. Now he’s the standard put forth in Hollywood. Why are comics books and entertainment set on removing these positive male role models? Doug Ernst and RJ from The Fourth Age sit down with Wes for an in-depth discussion.

RJ From The Fourth Age

YT: youtube.com/channel/UCsmgy_rfqOlAz6R_wFLJzmg

Twitter: @rjoftheisland

SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/the-fourth-age-comics

Thomas Valiant Indiegogo Campaign

Link: https://igg.me/at/JPZKRbqmWX8/x#/

Doug Ernst

YT: youtube.com/channel/UCphr2x8FR96PZexWzamPvkw

Twitter: @douglasernst Patreon: patreon.com/douglasernst

Washington Times: washingtontimes.com/staff/douglas-ernst/

Blog: douglasernst.blog/

Soulfinder: Black Tide

Order Now: https://www.iconiccomics.com/product-page/soulfinder-vol-2-black-tide

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Comic book writer Frank Gogol was accused of calling another creator a racial slur at New York City Comic Con 2018. Gogol’s defense is a lesson in how not to defend yourself. Essentially telling anyone to hear to believe her before going on to call his accuser a liar. (00:00:00) Diamond Comics released their first comic sales report since March 2020. June 2021 appears to be a banner month in recent comic sales history. But there are a few devils in the details. Per and Wes discuss. (00:11:14) Amazing Spider-Man writer Nick Spencer recently announced a new exclusive comic book deal with SubStack. Soon creators throughout the comic industry started bashing him. Dok and Wes discuss why it’s dangerous for comic creators to leave the hive.  (00:30:07) Comic books creators have a new tactic to dismiss criticism. Claiming their comic wasn’t created for the comic reading audience to begin with. Wes explains why this is completely false.  (00:46:09) Warner Bros. made headlines when they listed to fans and commixed Zack Snyder’s Justice League cut. Why are they ignoring fans voices over Amber Heard and David Ayer’s Suicide Squad? (01:05:22) Disney+ announced Ms. Marvel is delayed until 2022. Fans will get to see the previously announced Hawkeye series introducing Kate Bishop in 2021. (01:21:11) John Byrne is in the discussion as the best writer/artist in comic history. Wes and Eric Breen look back at his historic runs at Marvel and DC Comics. (01:42:24) Marvel are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man in 2022. (02:10:10) Finally, DC Comics writer Tom King claimed another scalp. Destroying pulp sci-fi hero Adam Strange. (02:24:28) 

Gevian Dargan, former assistant-editor at Milestone Comics, joins Wes for  “It’s Complicated.” Wes and Gevian discuss hot-button issues many people shy away from today. Wes recently talked to Doug Ernst and RJ from The Fourth Age about the death of fathers and heroes. Today Wes digs deeper with Gevian Dargan on the historical portrayal of black fathers in entertainment. There are certainly some standout portrayals throughout the decades but black men have historically been portrayed with negative stereotypes. Where has this come from and are things better now? Wes and Gevian sit down to discuss another complicated topics, the portrayal of black fathers in comics and entertainment.

Gevian Daragan

Twitter: @GevianDargan

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