Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

Hey folks! As covered in the opening, Tom caught a cold and lost his voice, so we weren’t able to get a new Why Not?! recorded for this week. We’ll be back with more of…Hudnall’s…take on the team in a couple weeks, but not wanting to leave you in the lurch we’re releasing our conversation on the 2005 film V for Vendetta (and a bit on the comic itself) from behind the Patreon paywall.

Which is a reminder that we have a Patreon and will be posting to it pretty regularly moving forward, so if you want to hear about some of our non-AF interests or just want to buy us a coffee, do sign up.

In the meantime, we invite you to remember the 5th of November and a comic/movie that somehow feels even more relevant today…

Music this episode is from Zanzibar Records

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 48: “The One Where Tom Flips a Table”

Folks, this was a tough episode to get done. Not because of anything in our lives, no sir, but because of the issues covered. Tom really broke this time (as did Chris). It’s certainly one of our loosest episodes but you’ll get those sometimes. We do still have a pleasant time (even if Tom did take off his headphones and walk away for a while at one point (let us know which time you think that happened)) and in addition to these two…issues…discuss meme fame, soft rock-jazz fusion music, and Chris invents a new word.

Alpha Flight #74 - “Dark Reflections” - cover date September 1989
Written by James Hudnall
Pencils by John Calimee
Inks by Mike Manley
Colors by Bob Sharen
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Edited by Marc McLaurin, Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco

Alpha Flight #75 - “Tigers In The Rain” - cover date October 1989
Written by James Hudnall
Pencils by John Calimee
Inks by Mike Manley
Colors by Bob Sharen
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Marc McLaurin is Mighty Fine Associate Editor
Carl Potts is Just Married
and Tom DeFalco is Editor In Chief

Why Not?! is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and the Excelsior Embroidery Company, this week featuring a lovely script patch that reads “Biggest Slut At the Public LIbrary”. See this and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 47: “See You at the Crossroads”

Well, we’ve bicc’ed off most of the Mantlo threads and are into Hudnall proper. We cover three issues this week and they’re…interesting?! [upward vocal fry] We get into some of the neat things going on in these pages and a lot of the not-so-neat things. We also discuss Malört, losing Beta Flight for the next while, AI chatbots, and Goethe and The Sorrows of Young Werther. So kind of a typical episode for us, we suppose.

Issues discussed:
Alpha Flight #71 - “Power Plays” - cover date June 1989
Writer is James D. Hudnall
Penciler is John Calimee
Inker is Mike Manley
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin
and Tom Defalco is the Editor in Power

Alpha Flight #72 - “End Game” - cover date July 1989
Writer is James D. Hudnall
Guest Artist is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin
and Tom Defalco is the Editor in Wonderland

Alpha Flight #73 - “Homeward Bound” - cover date August 1989
Writer is James D. Hudnall
Penciler is John Calimee
Inker is Mike Manley
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin
and Tom Defalco is the Still Not Canadian

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by The Excelsior Embroidery Company. This week Excelsior is featuring a patch that looks like a charged playing card from Gambit: it’s pretty neat.  See this and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store.  

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 46: “What the Hudnall?!”

…and thus does the James D. Hudnall era begins…

And we’re befuddled. It’s a rough start but hope springs eternal! We’ve a ton more Talisman, a new old face returns (much to Tom’s chagrin), and we simply burn off a whole mess of plotlines. Oh, and we set a record for the number of deaths in a single episode. So that’s something…

Issues discussed:
Alpha Flight #67 -“The Ties That Bind” - cover date February 1989
Script by James D. Hudnall
Pencils by Hugh Haynes
Inks by Gerry Talaoc
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Associates by Marc McLaurin
Edits by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco as Archaeologist in Chief

Alpha Flight # 68 - “All That We Are” - cover date March 1989
Script by James D. Hudnall
Pencils by John Calimee
Inks by Sam Delarosa
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Associates by Marc McLaurin
Edits by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco as in Here

Alpha Flight #69 - “And All That We Seem…” - cover date April 1989
Script by James D. Hudnall
Pencils by Hugh Haynes
Inks by Hilary Barta
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Associates by Marc McLaurin
Edits by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco  is the Dream Chief

Alpha Flight #70 - “...is but a dream within a dream” - cover date May 1989
Script by James D. Hudnall
Pencils by Hugh Haynes
Inks by Hilary Barta, Sam Delarosa, and Jon Nyberg
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Associates by Marc McLaurin
Edits by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco  is “Not Canadian”\

Why Not Read Alpha Flight?! is made possible by listeners like you, who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, part of the Roxxon family of companies and legally required to say it is proud to be an official Sponsor of the Donald J Trump America 250th celebration at the Donald J. Trump Center For the Arts and Chicken Wing Emporium, please don’t park in the Circle K’s lot they will tow you.  See the new Roxxon trucker hat and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 45: “Bill, Adieu”

Well, we’ve come to the end of Bill Mantlo’s run on Alpha Flight and, folks, he absolutely saved his best issue for last. It’s a wild and, frankly, incredibly well-accomplished issue as Manikin confronts his creator. Both a super-smart metacommentary and just an all-around solid story, it’s quite the issue to go out on.

In this episode, Chris:

• gives some recommendations re: Puscifer’s best work
• does a great High Brow
• and makes some great sound effects

and Tom:

• has a great time with Manikin’s attacks on “the Scribbler” who created him
• probably does more talking as Knapp than he has any other character, which doesn’t feel awesome
• totally predicted that Knapp and Mantlo might have a heart-to-heart at some point and is damn proud of that random occurrence

Issue discussed:
Alpha Flight #66 - “Killing Me Softly With His Word Processor” cover date January 1989
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Penciler is Hugh Haynes 
Inker is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin
and Tom Defalco is Head of the Class

Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you, who support our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, a subsidiary of the Roxxon Corporation, celebrating 26 years of being the leading provider in vote counting technology.  This week, Excelsior is proud to feature a new Venture Brothers patch of Brock Sampson.  It’s the first new addition to the VB line in quite some time and there are more coming so be sure to follow the shop at  excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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In our penultimate episode covering Bill Mantlo's run on Alpha Flight things. get. weird. But quite interesting, too, as Wanda works some things out and Madison, well, Madison discovers the past isn't always done with you. Really interesting episodes but just kinda weird, too.

But, hey, that's not such a bad thing is it?

Issues discussed:

Alpha Flight #64 - "God War/inside title: "Where There's A Will There's A Way" - cover date November 1988
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Breakdown Penciller is Jim Lee
Finisher is Al Milgrom
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc Mc Laurin
and Tom DeFalco is Editor In Quirer

Alpha Flight #65 - "When Robots Dream" - cover date December 1988
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Guest Penciller is Hugh Haynes
Inker is Al Milgrom
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc Mc Laurin
and Tom De Falco is Somnambulist In Chief

This episode is brought to you by listeners like you, who subscribe to our Patreon. And by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder with great comics themed patches like the new classic Captain America shield design reinterpreted in white, pink and blue, available for order now so you’re all set for Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, 2026.  See this and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 43: “All My Life I Wanted To Be a Supervillain”

We cover two issues this week and, holy hell, we have…a GOOD TIME?!?! Two very different issues focusing on two of our least explored AF members (Kara and Madison) by both Bill Mantlo and the writer soon to replace him, James Hudnall. And while the Kara/Bill issue leans (effectively) into horror, the Madison/Hudnall is almost a slapstick adventure. And they both work!!! Feels like Christmas came early.

In this episode, Chris:

• has an incredible time with the Technomancer: maybe his favorite villain to date
• is thrilled to be back on Laurier Drive
• reminds us that corporate ownership of culture rarely goes well

and Tom:

• absolutely digs the Kara issue: everything about it works for him
• ponders just how damn powerful both Kara and Madison really are
• is convinced Heather is about to put Box on ice (it really wouldn’t be that surprising, would it?)

Issues covered:
Alpha Flight #62 - “A Real Gone Daddy!” - cover date September 1988
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Penciler is Jim Lee
Inker is Al Milgrom
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin
and Tom DeFalco is credited as Two Fisted Chieftan

Alpha Flight #63 - “Technomancer” - cover date October 1988
Writer is James Hudnall
Penciler is Hugh Haynes
Inkers are Mike Gustovich and Don Hudson
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
and Tom Defalco is Hoo Hah in Chief

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by Excelsior Embroidery! This week check out the new line of Booty patches, which is pretty self-explanatory. Use coupon code WN503 to save 50% on a purchase of 3 patches.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 42: “Wanda and the Kids”

It’s our somewhat delayed coverage of issue 61 and, yeah, getting sick really throws a wrench in things. But! It’s a great issue as Heather and Jeffries spar with Canadian MPs over Alpha Flight’s direction and Wanda and Beta Flight go on a helluva field trip through Ottawa. The kind of issue that makes you wish THIS Mantlo showed up more often…

In this episode, Chris:

• is quite amused by Wanda’s habit of Sassing out at almost every turn
• really thinks the Canadian MPs should’ve, maybe, insisted the incredibly deadly superheroes not wear their murdersuits to the hearing

and Tom:

• actually has a pretty good time! It’s fun when the issue is good!
• does find Heather’s arguments to the Canadian Parliament a bit…unreasonable (Murder Mommy really wanted to just do her thing in that thar chamber)

Issue covered:
Alpha Flight #61 - “Inquisition!” - cover date August 1988
Bill Mantlo is Writer
Jim Lee is Penciler
Al Milgrom is Inker
Janice Chiang is Letterer
Bob Sharen is Colorist
Carl Potts is Editor
Tom Defalco is Editor In Quirer

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. Check it out at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com and use the code WN503 to get 50% off when you order any three (3) items from the Etsy store.

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 41: “Enter the Jaded Dragon”

We’re wrapping up the Dream Queen arc this episode with some help from…Old Puck?! And, really, that’s not even the oddest thing that happens in these issues, which ya have to hand it to ol’ Bill is kinda impressive. The team meets a dragon, almost start WW3, and see their old friend for just long enough for it all to feel very awkward. Stick around for some excellent fantasy casting in the outtake!

In this episode, Chris:

• does a mean Rod Serling impression
• makes a lama≠llama joke…that Tom reads
• makes a lot, and I mean A LOT, of Dairy Queen© jokes that may or may not take this podcast down

and Tom:

• learns more about the inner workings of Dairy Queen than he ever expected
• (realizes that’s a theme of this podcast: Tom learning things he never cared to know)
• remembers the old days of K-1

Issues covered:
Alpha Flight #59 - “Comes A Dragon!” - cover date June 1988
Story by Bill Mantlo 
Art by Jim Lee and Al Milgrom
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Edits by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight #60 - “War! What Is It Good For?” - cover date July 1988
Bill Mantlo is Writer
Jim Lee is Penciler
Al Milgrom is Inker
Janice Chiang is Letterer
Bob Sharen is Colorist
Marc McLaurin is Soldier
Carl Pots is Editor
and Tom Defalco is Dragon in Chief

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Roxxon Energy Corporation, parent corporation of the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring new Alpha Flight patches! We’ve got Vindicator, Jeffries’ Box, White Sasquatch, and The Purple Girl and they look great! You can see these and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the Etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 40: “RiDQulous”

And we’re back! New year, new energy, and the return of some of our favorite audio gags! It’s been a minute since we talked Alpha Flight so we take our time catching back up on everything that’s brought the team to this place; that place being inside of Box who is now a spaceship. Yep, we’re still hanging with Bill.

In this episode, Chris:

• almost kills Tom with a Kid Rock joke
• argues Frankenstein is an “oops baby” novel
• wistfully considers what Louise Simonson would have done with Alpha Flight: it made us both sad to think what could have been

and Tom:

• manages to fit in two references to The Who (the latter of which triggers a bit of PTSD for Chris)
• argues Frankenstein is very much NOT an “oops baby” novel
• gets to do the SCRAMMMMBBBLE voice again

Issues discussed:
Alpha Flight #57 -”Life” - cover date April 1988
Script by Mantlo
Pencils by Lee
Inks by Dezuniga
Letters by Chiang
Colors by Sharen
Edits by Potts
Coffee by DeFalco

Alpha Flight #58 - “Liveworld” - cover date May 1988
Scripts by Mantlo
Pencils by Lee
Inka by Milgrom
Letters by Chiang
Colors by Sharen
Edits by Lotta
Assists by McLaurin
and DeFalco Lives

Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring a set of paired patches of Northstar and Aurora, they show the hip detail of their classic black and white costume, you really gotta check these out. You can see these and a hundred more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Written, produced, and edited by Chris Baker and Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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