Thinking Critical Comic Book Podcast

Wes weighs in on Marvel shocking the comic book industry this week, announcing a new exclusive distribution agreement with Penguin Random House. With Penguin Random House’s infrastructure and current deals this likely changes the comic distribution landscape for the better (00:00). Perch joins the show to discuss the fallout from Marvel signing with Penguin Random House and possible demise of Diamond Comics Distributors. This deal effects every publisher, comic book retailer and reader (12:00). Uel Carter (Fantastic Comics owner) and Wes celebrate Uel's birthday reminiscing about the changes he’s seen since Diamond Comics shut down distribution last year. (33:25) Comic book super fan Eric Breen is reenergized after jumping into back issue comic books, something I’ve heard from several channel listeners (58:27). Wes and Skip review the second episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. John Walker is the new Captain America but cracks already beginning to show. (1:23:20) Finally, Wes and Gevian Dargan discuss Valiant Comics vocally supporting for Black Lives Matter but not following up with any action. (1:47:46)

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Washington Times Journalist Douglas Ernst joins Wes to discuss how comic book writers are fundamentally altering characters like Superman and Captain America. Traditional values characters like Superman and Captain America are not tolerated in modern pop culture. These characters must be altered to their core or risk being cancelled from culture altogether. Why is this happening? Douglas Ernst and Wes go in-depth in the the comic book culture war and the long-term effects on Superman and Captain America. Douglas Ernst also talks about his latest comic book Soulfinder: Black Tide. See below for ordering information. 

Soulfinder: Black Tide

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

The Anticipated Sequel to Soulfinder: Demon's Match! Released Exclusively with Iconic Comics in Hardcover with Gold Gilded Edges, a Red Silk Ribbon Bookmark, and a 3D Effect of Embossed & Debossed Front and Back Wrap Around Cover with a Beautiful Mixture of Matte, Glossy and Glow-in-the-Dark Elements!

The Hardcover Edition of our 56-page action/adventure story comes with twelve pages of bonus materials that include an afterword by Soulfinder creator Douglas Ernst and art by both Matthew Weldon, Vince Rush and Timothy Lim. The Hardcover Edition has additional bonus “Script Talk” by Douglas Ernst, and the entire 56-page story in its Original Black & White Inks Version by Matthew Weldon. The Hardcover Edition has a total of 128 pages!

Creative Team:

Douglas Ernst (Writer)

Matthew Weldon (Artist & Variant Cover Artist)

Brett R. Smith (Colorist)

Dave Dorman (Cover Artist)

Bill Williams (Letterer)

Timothy Lim (Variant Cover Artist)

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Former Bitcoin mining facility technician Tom Meidanis joins Wes and comic book artist Eric Canete to talk about the controversy surrounding Non-Fungible Token (NFT) art. Everyone is talking about NFT energy consumption and carbon footprints. Tom breaks Bitcoin mining down and answers the controversy surround NFT environmental effects. They also discuss the current NFT market for comic book art. Other applications NFTs may have on comics and entertainment as a whole. If you have questions about NFTs and all the controversy this is the interview for you.

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Comic book writers Mark Pellegrini and Aaron Sparrow join Wes for the first Comic Book Writing 101 lesson of many, breaking down comic book writing. Every good comic book story starts somewhere….brainstorming! It might not be the sexiest part of the writing process but brainstorming shapes your characters and story to the very core. Mark and Aaron emphasize that brainstorming is instrumental to developing layered characters and executing comic book writing at a high level. If you want to write a comic book but don’t know where to start…Comic Book Writing 101 is the podcast series for you!

YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/ThiningCritical

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RINGO Award winning editor Joe Corallo joins Wes to save the Teen Titans. The New Teen Titans were the best selling DC Comics titles in the 80’s. They were the premiere young superhero team comic on the market bar none for decades. But something happened over the years. DC Comics thought legacy characters made their classic heroes look too old. And they have been trying to kill them off or marginalize their importance ever since. The Teen Titans monicker now belongs to grade schoolers. Joe and Wes are on a mission to revitalize the team and SAVE THE TITANS!

YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/ThiningCritical

Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content.

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Wes and Skipntosh review the debut of Falcon and The Winter Soldier on Disney+. Episode 1: New World Order sees Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes return to life after Avengers: Endgame. Sam’s family kept their business afloat for 5 years while he was missing during “the blip”. Bucky has been used as a killing machine for 90 years, only feeling at peace for a short time in Wakanda. How will our heroes get back to a normal life and who will ultimately wield the shield Captain America Steve Rogers left behind? Join Wes and Skipntosh as they review Episode 1 of Falcon and The Winter Soldier.