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This week we revisit the world of rock gods by reading "The Wicked + The Divine: Fandemonium." This second volume in the run follows up the big ending of "The Faust Act" with an even bigger, crazier cliffhanger! David and Andy discuss the subtle ways in which all of these gods are not what they first appear. We also talk about where the story might be going and our trust that whatever we come up with probably won't be half as cool as where it really goes. Plus, Pacific Rim 2 news and some Star Trek talk up top.

To hear past episodes, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and check out bonus content over at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next time: “Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here" by Kevin Rubio

It's the second episode in our 'Podcaster's Choice, vol. 2' series as we read "Thor: Who Holds the Hammer?" by Jason Aaron. We've eclipsed 300 episodes, so we're going back to read the second volume of some of our favorites. This week, Andy chose the followup to episode 227's "Thor: Goddess of Thunder." We talk about the juicy Odin family drama and how it immediately adds depth to storytelling, mull over who else may have been worthy to hold Mjolnir, and discuss the problems with comic book numbering and renumbering.

To hear past episodes, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and check out bonus content over at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next time: “The Wicked + The Divine: Fandemonium” by Kieron Gillen.

"Podcaster's Choice, Vol. 2" starts off with Jen! To celebrate 300 episodes of WTC, we've each scoured the catalog of past episodes to find a series and read volume 2, starting with "Monstress: The Blood." First trade of Monstress blew us away with its flawless art and rich world but left lingering worries about prolonged mysteries causing frustration. Volume 2 of the run eased our fears and delivered on the promise of Maika's journey to find answers. We talk about how the narrative is skewed from following Maika, discuss how Hajin's quest for answers mirrors Maika's, and have a hearty talk about when anthropomorphized animal characters get creepy. Plus, have you seen that new Hellboy?

To hear past episodes, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and check out bonus content over at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next time: "Thor: Who Holds the Hammer?" by Jason Aaron.

We celebrate our 300th episode in cheeky fashion by reading "300" by Frank Miller. This classic GN, adapted into an action movie, tales the tale of 300 Spartan warriors who held back the might of the Persian army. We talk about the spot-on mood setting, the lack of opportunities for character development, and the pacing. There are countless unavoidable comparisons with the movie, but we answer the big question of which was better up top. Plus, Andy and David talk about their experience at San Francisco Comic Con.

To join us for the next 300 episodes and see what's coming up, visit www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show by going to www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next episode: "Monstress: The Blood" by Marjorie Liu

We're making up for lost time! It just so happens that we never recorded an episode 134, so we're filling in the blanks before next week's EPISODE 300 by taking a listener request topic: the best butts in comics! We mention some of the greatest hits, but overall have a discussion about objectification, who gets to have a good butt, and how they get to show that butt.

To hear past episodes, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and check out bonus content over at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "300" by Frank Miller

Our "Strokin' Ego's Ego" comes to a close as we read "Astonishing Thor," five-issue miniseries by Robert Rodi. In this insane comic, the living planet Ego is alerted to the existence of his long-lost Brother, but not all reunions are joyful! Thor's in this comic, too, and so are cosmic beings and an elemental but we ain't here for that. We talk about the lore behind Ego, the ridiculousness of this book, and the morals of beings whose minds we simply cannot comprehend.

To hear past episodes or see what we're reading next, visit www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show and get bonus content by going to www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next Week: We talk about butts!

We get an interesting entry into our Ego series by reading "Nova: Nova Corps" by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. In this comic, Richard Ryder is finally free of the Worldmind only to discover that it's been using his body without his permission and restarting the Nova Corps with some interesting choices. We talk about the Worldmind's new choice of home, what it feels like when a hero loses their powers, and the kinds of punishments supervillain planets deserve. We also wonder what happened to the Wanderers from last week. Plus, there're about 20 minutes of SDCC talk up top.

To hear past episodes or see what's coming up, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "Astonishing Thor" by Robert Rodi

Because we all loved Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 so much, we're doing a series on Ego the Living Planet and starting off with "Thor #160-#161" by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby from all the way back in the 70s. Thor intervenes to stop a galaxy-crushing battle between Ego and Galactus and finds a new home for The Wanderers. This comic may be almost 50 years old, but surprisingly so much of it still holds up: kernels of great ideas can be found everywhere. We talk a bit about how the flippant concern for canon back in the Golden Age lead to creativity and gush for days over Jack Kirby's flawless work.

To hear past episodes or see what's coming up, go to www.WelcometoComcis.com. Support the show today and get access to bonus content by going to patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next time: "Nova: Nova Corps" by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.

Our Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary series concludes with "Wonder Woman: The Lies" by Greg Rucka. In this comic, Diana goes on a jungle adventure and eventually finds her way home and has reality and sense of self utterly shattered. We talk about the meta-level discussion of continuity and canon, but also the barriers of picking up this comic and jumping into a convoluted universe. It's a big episode fitting of one of DC's Big Three.

To hear past episodes or see what's coming up, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and gain access to bonus content at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next Time: "Thor #160-#161" by STAN LEE!

We take a break from comics this week to discuss the 2017 Wonder Woman movie! It took way too long, but Diana finally has a theatrical release, and much to everybody's glee and Hollywood's surprise, it's doing fantastically well. We talk about all the things that make this movie work: from it's surprisingly strong supporting cast of characters to Gal Gadot's strong performance and its excellent balancing of Diana and Steve's parallel storylines. We also compare the movie's choices to some of the Wonder Woman books we've recently posted episodes about. Plus, David and Andy talk about action figures for a bit at the top of the show.

To look up past episodes or see what's coming up, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show now at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "Wonder Woman: The Lies" by Greg Rucka