Welcome to Comics

Our Best of 2016 megaseries gets an emotional punch to the gut this week as we read "Rosalie Lightning" by Tom Hart. In this graphic novel memoir, Hart recounts the experience of his life shortly after the death of his daughter. We talk about all the ways this comic works -- from raw emotional expression to personal connection. This is a difficult piece to read, but also an important one. At the top of the show, we banter a bit about the new A-Force action figures and some Star Trek names.

To hear past episodes or see what we're reading next, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics and get access to bonus episodes and more.

Next week: "Joyride: Ignition" by Jackson Lanzing.

We finish up our Best of the Big Two 2016 by discussing "Superwoman: Who Is Superwoman?" by Phil Jimenez. In this book, Lois Lane has inhabited the powers of Superman, taking on the mantle of Superwoman for Metropolis, but there's another woman ready to rise up in her way. We applaud and leer at Lana Lang, debate the design of new characters, and mull over the shocker opening and follow-up ending. Seriously, what exactly happened?

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

Next week: "Rosalie Lightning" by Tom Hart!

We move on to DC in our Best of 2016 megaseries as we read "New Super-Man: Made in China" by Gene Luen Yang! In this comic, unlikely protagonist Kenan Kong becomes infused with the spirit of Superman and takes on the mantle of New Super-Man for the emerging Justice League of China. We talk about the mind-blowing cliffhanger reveal at the end of this trade, the phenomenal character development all over this story, and the surprisingly deep-but-still-cheesey character designs. Plus, we talk about Marvel movie castings and Ego the Living Planet.

To hear past episodes, hit up www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show by becoming a patron today at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "Superwoman: Who Is Superwoman?" by Phil Jimenez.

We talk about the second Marvel comic in our Best of 2016 Megaseries, "Doctor Strange: Way of the Weird" by Jason Aaron. After we get a couple issues to get to know Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme comes face to face a foe of all Magic unlike any before. We talk about the Mystical vs. Empirical themes, Wong's big secret and its moral implications, and the quality coloring work throughout this comic. Plus, we talk about Star Wars cartoons for a bit.

To hear past or future episodes, visit www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today and get access to bonus content at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next Week: "New Super-Man" by Gene Luen Yang.

Our annual Best of 2016 Megaseries starts off this year with a brand new character in "Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur: BFF" by Amy Reeder. In this young reader comic, a young genius named Lunella befriends the time-traveling Devil Dinosaur and protects her neighborhood from a dangerous new gang. We talk about the intricacies of bringing a brand new hero into a crowded universe of continuity, debate the target audience of this kind of book, and talk about the theme of fearing change. Plus, David and Andy hype up Rogue One for Jen.

Hear past episodes or see what's coming up on our website, www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics and get access to monthly bonus episodes.

Next week: "Doctor Strange: Way of the Weird" by Jason Aaron

We conclude our "Archie, Too: Riverdale Boogaloo" series with "Jughead, Vol. 1" by Chip Zdarsky! Riverdale High has a new principal who seems to have it out for Jughead, but there's definitely much more going on here. We talk about Jughead's love of the rules, applaud Jughead's asexuality, and parse through the various daydreams.

For past episodes or to see what's coming up, go to www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show by becoming a patron today at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur: BFF" by Amy Reeder!

Our Archie 2: Riverdale Boogaloo series rolls on as we read "Archie, Vol. 1" by Mark Waid. In this modernization of the Archieverse, Waid re-introduces Veronica to the gang and creates drama via the #LipstickIncident. We talk about the quiet strength of Veronica Lodge, bemoan the tragedy of Jughead, and take sides on the #LipstickIncident. This was a seriously fun comic, even if the digital version cost a full $20.

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

Next week: "Jughead, Vol. 1" by Chip Zdarsky.

We start off our Archie Too: Riverdale Boogaloo series by reading "Archie vs. Predator" by Alex de Campi. In this alternate reality Archieverse, a Predator hunter comes to Earth and begins stalking the Riverdale crew. While the entire thing is wrapped in a blanket of ridiculousness, we talk about the surprising complexity of the girl-power ending and the idea of self-awareness constraints in the Archieverse. This comic did a great job giving us exactly what we wanted out of it and so much more.

To hear previous episodes or see what we have coming up, visit www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show at patreon.com/WelcometoComics and get access to monthly bonus episodes.

Next week: "Archie, Vol. 1" by Mark Waid.

Our Death and Return of Superman series wraps up as we talk about "The Return of Superman." In this trade, we finally get the return of Superman from his Kryptonian Healing Matrix, but not until after things really hit the fan. We talk about Cyborg Superman's subtle lack of development, Lex's flowing hair and kawaii eyes, and Superboy's wonderfully horrible punning. Plus, Andy finally started watching Luke Cage!

Listen to past episodes or see what we're reading next at www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show today at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics.

Next week: "Archie vs. Predator" by Alex de Campi.

This week Superman welcomes you to the 90's with "Reign of the Supermen" as we continue our Death & Return of Superman series. Four new heroes have risen to take up the mantle of Superman after his death, but can any of them really continue such a hefty legacy? We weigh the merits of each inheritor to the throne, talk about the little moments that stand out, and throw Bibbo under the bus. Plus, we talk about the new Vegas Golden Knights and Andy's new favorite subreddit.

To hear past episodes or see what's coming up, visit www.WelcometoComics.com. Support the show by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/WelcometoComics and get access to bonus content.

Next week: "The Return of Superman"