Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 24: “Elbows Up”

…and we’re off! We spend this episode solely discussing Issue #30, which will be our approach for the next few issues as we get used to what Mantlo is bringing to the table. And, boy howdy, is this already a VERY different book than what came before. Oh, and there’s a special treat as our pals over at “Unpacking the Power of Power Pack” sent us a note on their own experiences with Bill Mantlo. That guy wrote everything.

In this episode, Chris:

• reminds everyone listening to this podcast of that time they sent away for a “custom” G.I. Joe action figure: we know our demo
• expands the universe of Madison Jeffries…proclivities
• is feeling largely alright about Mantlo’s run…so far

and Tom:

• speculates comics led to Chris’ first time…cursing up a storm
• talks Jonathan Swift and the current moment in Canadian politics
• dances a jig on Walt’s grave. If he had one. Which he doesn’t

Issue discussed:
Alpha Flight #30 - “Enter…Scramble!” - cover date January 1986
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Pencils: Mike Mignola
Inks: Gerry Talaoc
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Bob Sharen
Editor: Carl Potts
Editor-in-chief: Jim Shooter

Tom appeared on “The Big Book Project” last week, discussing Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. Give that a watch/listen and follow along with the newly launched discussion of Agaat on that pretty awesome site.

And if you’re interested to learn more about Pierre Polievre, the newly released Ripper: The Making of Pierre Polievre by Mark Bourrie is out from Biblioasis. Purchase direct from them or your preferred indie bookstore (Exile in Bookville is mine).

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

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

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 23: “Bills, Bills, Bills”

Here we go! The Mantlo era has begun! Only one issue today as we get our feet under us a bit. And what with all the sturm und drang we (Chris) injected in anticipation of this run…it might not be terrible? Or, more accurately, parts will be rough and other parts will be great and we’re going to call a clean game. And we make time to have a very thorough conversation about soap operas.

In this episode, Chris:

• retires the “MANTLOOOO” battlecry for the time being
• advocates for self-care and really taking care of yourself…even if it means walking away from your team while they’re fighting the Hulk
• calls an audible 20 minutes in to get some more coffee: the magic of audio!
• figures out the proper network for an Alpha Flight tv show: the CW
• is…somehow feeling ok about what’s to come?! Or putting on a brave face. It’s one or the other

and Tom:

• fills everyone in on Bill Mantlo’s history and, yeah, that wasn’t fun
• also advocates for self-care…even if it means flattening a major metropolitan area and reducing it to dust
• takes that opportunity to also get coffee: do you like this level of detail?
• compares The Iliad, Odyssey, and The Aeneid to soap operas and by extension…Alpha Flight?!?!
• knows that it’s “New South Wales”, not “North South Wales” but left the mistake in for accountability

Issue covered:
Alpha Flight #29 - “Cut Bait & Run” - cover date December 1985
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Artists are Mike Mignola and Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Jim Novak
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

To read more on Bill Mantlo, this story from TripAdvisor (of all places) provides a good bit of background. It’s a difficult read, so buyer beware.

And Tom was on another podcast recently: “Mining the Dalkey Archive”. He joined the hosts in a conversation on Flann O’Brien’s The Third Policemen and for you Lost-heads, there’s some interesting show lore discussed.

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 22: “Au Revoir, Jean-Byrne”

Well, folks, this is it: the end of the line for our good buddy and creator of Alpha Flight, John Byrne. Issue 28 is his last on the title, as he moves on to The Incredible Hulk and, very soon, Superman. It’s been quite the ride and we take some time at the end of this episode to  sum up our thoughts on his now completed run.

But before all that! There are three issues to get through as we wrap up the pseudo-Guardian storyline and learn what new and even dumber hijinks Roger Bochs and Walter-Box can get themselves up to. Oh, and Shaman pretty much crashes out. It’s quite the episode!

Next episode: THE MANTLO ERA BEGINS!!!

In this episode, Chris:

• stakes a lot on Heather still being human
• literally edits a joke as we record…so Tom left that WHOLE process in
• declares his undying love for Rick Parker. Which…fair
• goes…places with a discussion of robosexuality which is only going to be available on Patreon. Because Tom doesn’t need that smoke

and Tom:

• doesn’t really nail the Madison Jeffries voice and will strive to do better next time
• is getting some real whiplash with all this “will they or won’t they” re: killing Walt
• had to listen to that robosexual riff a few times too many

Issues covered:

Secret Wars 2 #4 - “Love Is The Answer” - cover date October 1985
Scripter is Jim Shooter
Penciler is Al Milgrom
Inkers are Leialoha and Rubenstein
Leterrers are J Rose. & Friends 
Colorist is Max Schedule
Editor is Bob Budianski

Alpha Flight #28 - “Crossover” - cover date November 1985
Words and picture by John Byrne for the last time
Inking Assist by Keith Williams
Colors by Andy Yanchus
Letters by friend of the pod Rick Parker
Edited by Dennis O’Neil
With Jim Shooter as Editor In Chief

Incredible Hulk #313 - "Hook Line and Sinker" - cover date November 1985
Story by Bill Mantlo
Art by Mike Mignola and Gerry Talaoc
Letters by Jim Novak
Colors by Bob Sharen
Editor Carl Potts
Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter 

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, a subsidiary of the Roxxon Corporation.  This week’s special is a very cool sketchy Black Panther design, available in several color combos to fit in any kitchen or bathroom.  You can see this towel and hundreds of other designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 21: “Beautiful Oblivion, or the Episode with Entirely Too Many Dicks In It”

A lot of returning characters in this episode’s issues, though not precisely in the way one might expect. Which suggests a really clever reveal, but it’s honestly kinda…meh? Oh, and way more Eve 6 references than one might expect, all things considered.

In this episode, Chris:

• makes one of the worst puns he’s ever committed to tape (this has to be on tape somewhere, right?) and proceeds to revel in pointing it out: send help
• MAKES A WRESTLING REFERENCE!!!
• seems to have a problem with Doug? Just Snowbird’s Doug or all Doug’s, we wonder…
• acknowledges Talisman’s outfit

and Tom:

• has maybe too much fun editing in voices from other media
• thinks he knows what Byrne was watching during this time
• continues to speak French poorly (but can crush a Marvel-French accent)
• at one point absolutely loses it about Walt; he’s trying to be better about this…

Issues covered:

Alpha Flight Issue #25 - “And Graves Give Up Their Dead” - cover date August 1985

• Story and pencils by John Byrne
• Embellishing by Bob Wiacek
• Inking Assist by Keith Williams
• Colored by Andy Yanchus
• Lettered by Rick Parker
• Edited by Denny O’Neil
• Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
• Creative Kibbitzing by Bill Mantlo

Alpha Flight Issue #26 - “If At First You Dont Succeed…” - cover date September 1985

• Story and pencils by John Byrne
• Embellishing by Bob Wiacek
• Inking Assist by Keith Williams
• Colored by Andy Yanchus
• Lettered by Rick Parker
• Edited by Denny O’Neil
• Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight Issue #27 - “BETRAYAL!” - cover date October 1985

• same creative team as last issue!

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, a subsidiary of the Roxxon Corporation.  New this week we have a fun twist on the classic Luigi hat. We think you’ll like it, but they are moving fast so don’t sleep on it.  You can see this hat and hundreds of other designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

Elevator music by music_for_video from Pixabay

Cracking ice sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 20: “SASQUATCH FIGHT!!!”

This is a big one. Another Alphan bites it and boy does it make Tom happy (and then very, very angry). A lot of laughs in this one as we very much lose the wrong team member. Oh, and a conversation about Malört. That stuff is just everywhere now.

In this episode, Chris:

• gets to really stretch ye olde voice work chords
• adds “SASQUATCH FIGHT!!!” to his family lexicon
• is traumatized by panels of Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen smiling. It just feels…wrong

and Tom:

• goes through all of the stages of grief in a matter of a few comics pages
• seriously, they were so close to being free of Walt
• I WAS SO CLOSE TO BEING FREE

Issues covered:

Alpha Flight #23 - “Night of the Beast” - cover date June 1985
Story and pencils by John Byrne
Embellishing by Bob Wiacek
Inking Assist by Keith Williams
Colored by Andy Yanchus
Lettered by Rick Parker
Edited by Denny O’Neil
and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight #24 - Final Conflict - cover date July 1986
Story & pencils by John Byrne
Embellishing by Bob Wiacek
Coloring by Andy Yanchus
Lettering by Rich Parker
Editing by Dennis O’Neil
Peacekeeper Jim Shooter

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! This week there’s some new Luigi Mario merch. See these and more at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 19: “THE GIFT!”

A bit of a diversion this week as we discuss a two-issue special, “The X-Men and Alpha Flight”. Which has happened before, but this time, Loki’s involved. And no one is trying to steal Wolverine. Mostly.

This series was published well after certain…other events took place in the main Alpha Flight series (and in the X-Men for that matter) and is penned by Chris Claremont and not drawn by Byrne, so, yeah: this is kinda wild.

But it’s fun! And more than a bit appropriate for January 20, 2025. Anyways, have a great time listening and hold your people a bit closer.

In this episode, Chris:

• Discovers that his bete noire isn’t Mantlo, but…CLAREMONT?!?!
• Wonders if Coca-Cola is the key to world peace
• Talks comic book price inflation
• Reads a fantastic piece by Stan the Man to close us out

and Tom:

• Won’t call Walt his bete orange, but you can if you want to
• Spent a good bit of time trying to make some of these voices…different
• Gets to talk about Joyce and Le Guin and just appreciates how much straight literature there always seems to be in an Alpha Flight issue, written by Byrne or Claremont
• And very much hopes that’ll continue with Mantlo

Issues covered:
X-Men and Alpha Flight #1, cover date December 1985
Written by Chris Claremont
Art by Paul Smith & Bob Wiacek
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Colored by Glynis Oliver
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
with Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

X-Men and Alpha Flight #2, cover date January 1986
Written by Chris Claremont
Pencils by Paul Smith
Inks by Bob Wiacek & friends
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
with Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on next-Christmas shopping in this post-Christmas period with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

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

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Today’s episode gives a sampler of what’s behind the Patreon wall (kinda like the Source Wall, but that’s a DC reference and Chris might not like it…). The holidays ran rough-shod over our recording/production schedule, so we’ll have more of that Alpha Flight sweetness you crave in a couple weeks’ time. But for today…

Welcome to the Why Not?! Have A Drink Thanksgiving special. That's right, this is the only Thanksgiving special we will ever make because there can be only one. And that’s also right, we're pulling a Highlander, alternately titled "Swords Do Not Work That Way"!

A few notes to set the stage:

• We say we’re going to circle back to a number of items, which we don’t really. It’s just that kind of episode!
• But! There’s always another bite at that apple with…Highlander 2: The Quickening
• Chris really can do a Sean Connery. It’s impressive. Probably how he won over his wife
• Tom suggests that maybe some of the actors should’ve swapped places. Just saying
• Chris recounts his “sword period”: the pre-social media era was an interesting time to be alive
• Chris makes some very specific comics comparisons (X-Ternals; Ramirez-MacLeod / Xavier-Summers)
• One of those comparisons almost nails the weirdness of Highlander 2…

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 18: “Holiday Spectacular”

It’s the holiday season and in that spirit we’ve got a festive episode! We take a delightful romp through a decades old Marvel Handbook, discuss the ONLY Alpha Flight issue that takes place at Christmas, and unveil some outtakes that simply did not make it into the show…until now! We keep it pretty light this episode and hope you can enjoy this with your preferred holiday beverage among the folks you value in your life. Or while doing the dishes. Whichever!

And we’ve launched a Patreon! First bit of extra content is up with a Have a Drink episode about Tom’s favorite movie: Highlander. Another goes up later this week! Click here to sign up and, if you’d be so kind, do tell all your friends!

Lastly, a very heartfelt and full-throated thank you from us to you. We’ve had a great time making this podcast and the response has been fantastic. Thanks for coming along on this ride with us and here’s to another year with everyone’s favorite Canadian superheroes!

In this episode, Chris:

• Wonders just how many D batteries it would take to incinerate hisself
• Has an incredible time performing NPR/CBC style pledge appeals
• Only mentions MANTLO!!! once: a holiday miracle!

and Tom:

• Manages not to seize the means of production
• Marvels at the assertions made as to how Guardian’s suit worked…until, you know, it didn’t
• Unveils a new sponsor for the show!

Issues covered:
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1983)

CLASSIC X_MEN #16 - “Home Are the Heroes” - cover date December 1987
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Ken Lopez
Colored by Petra Scotese and/or Glynis Oliver

Classic X-Men #26 - “Wanted: Wolverine, Dead or Alive!” - cover date October 1988
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Colored by Gregory Wright

Classic X-Men #27 - “Shoot Out At the Stampede” - cover date November 1988
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Ken Lopez

Alpha Flight #105 - “The Bachelor Party”
Credits read: Lobdell / Morgan / Icy / Chiang / Sharen / Chase / Defalco
(which should mean: writing/pencils/inks/letters/editing)

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on next-Christmas shopping with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

Special theme music: "Oi to the World” as recorded by Tequila and the Sunrise Gang

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 17: “I’ve Seen That Movie”

Bit of a mishmash, this episode: an Aurora/Northstar adventure (really hope those kids work things out!), a Shaman guest appearance in Iron Man of all things, and a bit of Canadian political history (by a bit, we mean a lot). We also briefly touch on music and how comic book writers like to put real-world bands/songs/titles into their work (we see you Byrne and Claremont!). A regular smorgasbord of Why Not goodness.

And we’ve launched a Patreon! First bit of extra content is up with a Have a Drink episode about Tom’s favorite movie: Highlander. Click here to sign up and, if you’d be so kind, do tell all your friends!

In this episode, Chris:

• Uses a construction that compares MANTLO!!! to Voldemort
• Suggests not kidnapping and murdering in support of your political cause
• Does a more than passable Northstar voice
• Makes a devastating, yet accurate, assessment of psychiatric counseling

and Tom:

• Continues to argue that Box didn’t kill Guardian, Guardian killed Guardian
• Drops some French-Canadian history
• Knows Chris won’t admit it: Walt made Aurora’s life demonstrably worse
• Makes an old internet cat girl meme reference (see if you catch it)

Issues covered:
Alpha Flight #22 - “Rub Out” - cover date May 1985
Written and drawn dramatically by John Byrne
Embellished Enthusiastically by Bob Wiacek
Colored Prismatically by Andy Yanchus
Lettered Alphabetically by Rick Parker
Edited Diplomatically by Dennis O’Neil
Observed Enigmatically by Jim Shooter

Iron Man #195 - “The Thing Most Precious” - cover date June 1985
Written by Denny O’Neil
Penciled by Luke McDonnell
Inked by Akin & Garvey
Lettered by Rick Parker
Colored by Bob Sharen
Edited by Mark Gruenwald
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Iron Man #196 - [no title?!?!] - cover date July 1985
Written by Denny O’Neil
Penciled by Rich Buckler
Inked by Akin & Garvey
Lettered by Rick Parker
Colored by Bob Sharen
Edited by Mark Gruenwald
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on Christmas shopping with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more at excelsioremmroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

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

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 16: “Langkowski Island”

Yeah, we recorded this the week of the US election and, honestly, this was a bright spot during a crap time! Hoping it offers that to y’all, too!

And we’re launching a Patreon! First bit of extra content hits this Thursday with a Have a Drink episode about Tom’s favorite movie: Highlander. Click here to sign up and, if you’d be so kind, do tell all your friends!

In this episode, Chris:

• brings up Scooby-Doo. More than once
• gives some naval officer ranking info
• suggests Jim Shooter has some serious poetry chops
• makes a very modern Lt. Dan reference that this listenership will absolutely get
• might want a remake of the Stapleton standard, “Tennessee Whiskey”, to something a bit more…Canadian

and Tom:

• can’t believe he has to spend an episode talking about mostly Walt and his nepo baby lifestyle
• does an ungodly amount of Aurora voicework: you’re welcome!
• rechristens Byrne from “John” to “Jean”
• decides Walt isn’t a scientist but rather an alchemist
• recommends a couple books and does some John Donne analysis: exactly what you come to this podcast for!

Issues covered:
Alpha Flight #20 - “Gold and Love Affairs” - cover date March 1985
Written and Art by John Byrne
Background inks by Keith Williams
Lettered by Rick Parker
Colored by Andy Yanchus
Edited by Denny O’Neil
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight #21 - “Love Wrought New Alchemy,...” - cover date April 1985
Story and pencils by John Byrne
Inked by Bob Wiacek
Colored by Andy Yanchus
Lettered by Rick Parker
Edited by Dennis O’Neil
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on Christmas shopping with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

Novels recommended:

You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer
Civilizations by Laurent Binet, translated by Sam Taylor

Poetry by John Donne cited:

A Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy’s Day
Love’s Alchemy

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

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