Episode 126: Who Is Jennifer Walters (aka She-Hulk) Addendum

In preparation for the She-Hulk show, we go back and revisit an older episode, going over She-Hulk’s origin and major events, as well as what makes her different from her cousin Bruce.  Then fill in the gaps in her comic book history that happened between that episode’s release and now.

It’s a trap!

Jen, you’ve um…got something on your face.

A little Winter Soldier, a little Omega Red, and a whole lot of Hulk.

My favorite lady lawyer is back!

Episode 125: The Alternates (Spider-Man/Into the Spider-Verse)

Inspired by the animated movie, “Into the Spider-Verse,” a listener asks about the various characters in the Spider-Family that differ from the Spider-Man we all know and love.  There are too many to go through in one episode, but we’ll start this series of “The Alternates” by looking at those featured in the movie that inspired the question.

According to the movie, he’s put on some weight since then.

As promised, here’s what he looks like when he shows up in the mainstream continuity. You’re welcome/I’m sorry.

I did say he was the darkest…

A little different from the anime girl we saw in the movie, but not as much as you’d think.

No, she’s never called “Spider-Gwen” within the story itself.

Episode 124: A History of Events (Why Some Succeed and others Fail)

Since the advent of the Direct Market, event comics have been a staple of Marvel and DCs sales strategy.  But, while some are huge successes still fondly remembered, others are mocked or completely forgotten.  We go back to the start of the Event Era and look at some of the most famous and infamous to see if we can figure out what is the winning strategy.

When Heroes Gather…Sales Follow.

Without Secret Wars, there would be no Venom. You’re welcome, Tom Hardy.

Worlds live…worlds die. Well, mostly, worlds die.

Of course there was a foil cover. Sigh

Is he though? (Insert Thor meme here)

Episode 123: The Revolving Death Door (Why all the Resurrections in Comics?)

The saying the listener asking this week’s question references used to be: “No one stays dead but Bucky, Jason Todd and Uncle Ben,” but two of those three have also returned from the grave. So, why are so many characters brought back to life after being given a “permanent” end to their story?

Yes, I see where this is going…

Yes, that makes sense…

Wait. What?

This is…not how lightning works. Except the “you dying” part.

This will work out fine, I’m sure.

Or…not.

He got better.

Episode 122: The Emotional Spectrum and Lantern Corps (Colors in the DCU Pt. 2)

Following up on last episode, instead of the elemental planes for animals, plants, and other forms of life associated with colors, this time we go over the emotional forces associated with colors in the DC Universe, and how entire Corps of heroes and villains have been built around them.

Can you guess which one comes from the Golden Age and was originally unrelated to the rest?

Cyborg Superman has become more of a Green Lantern villain than a Superman villain. Go figure…

Yes, that is a cat behind Atrocitus’ left shoulder pad. No, it is not an alien. Just a regular Earth housecat. As a cat owner I say, “Yeah, that fits.”

Apparently, the seagulls from Finding Nemo are potential Orange Lanterns.

Yes, every Corp gets their own rhyme, with one exception.

The exception. (“Nok” is the only thing most Indigo Lanterns ever say.)

Based on that outfit, I’m thinking they’re powered by Lust more than Love.

It’s not hard to find heroes who are currently dead to join the Black Lantern Corps…

But it’s even easier to find ones who died and came back for the White Lanterns.

Episode 121: The Green, The Red, and The Rest (Colors in the DCU Pt. 1)

While many superheroes and villains have colors in their name (Green Arrow, Scarlet Witch, Blue Beetle, etc.), in the DC Universe there are two ways that colors influence some characters powers, and vice versa.  This episode, we discuss the elemental forces that are associated with a few different colors in the first of this two part look.

Well, that covers The Red, The Black, and The Green (despite his costume, Animal Man doesn’t represent The Blue)

Swamp Thing travels through The Grey. When he works at it, he can be a real Fungi!

Aquaman communes with his dead adopted dolphin mother. And this is the least weird story involving these forces.

Episode 120: Moon Knight - Post Deep Dive Wrap-Up

Although we’ve finished our blow-by-blow of the individual episodes, guest John Mulhall and I still had some thoughts on the show in general, as well as the Disney+ MCU shows overall, which I decided to include as this special “Wrap Up” episode.

What’s your order?

Episode 119: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 6)

We’ve reached the finale of the show, and while John and I both have our issues with it, we still find a lot to enjoy and discuss as we talk about the characters, the story, and the connections and references to the original source material in the comics! 

If Layla had worn this costume, the rating on the show would have been very different.

They teased, and teased, and teased…right until the very end (plus a little extra)!

Episode 118: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 5)

Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into the penultimate episode.  If you’ve seen the show, you know there are content/trigger warnings that should go along with this episode, including parental abuse, so be advised. 

Row, row, row your boat, gently across the desert…(Hmm. What rhymes with desert?)

Episode 117: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 4)

Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into Episode 4.  Of course, we talk about that final shot, but we also discuss everything along the way to there, which includes some storytelling issues that John has. 

Can you believe she has no appearances in the Marvel Comics?

Episode 116: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 3)

Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall, we get into Episode 3.  John has a few nitpicks this episode, but overall we’re both still enjoying the show, and exploring Marc and Steven’s world (and relationship)!

Anton Mogart (played by Gaspard Uliel, R.I.P.), aka…

Midnight Man (obviously, they went a different way in the show).

Episode 115: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 2)

Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall, we get into Episode 2, where Marc Spector gets a little more spotlight time, as well as introducing us to an original character, Layla, who turns out to be…well, spoilers abound in the show, but not in this intro!

🎶Layla…got down on my knees!🎶

They call me…Mr. Knight! (Not every day you see a superhero fight crime in a suit and tie…)

Episode 114: Moon Knight - A Deep Dive (Episode 1)

Moon Knight is a mysterious enough character that I thought it deserved a Deep Dive, and I brought along a guest, author John Mulhall to discuss the ins and outs of the show, compare and contrast with its comic origins, and do some light theorizing as to where it’s headed.

Just a little different from the show.

Episode 113: Who Are The New Warriors? (Volume 2)

Continuing the anniversary tradition, Kurt moves forward in his chronological look at Speedball and the New Warriors team.  Having finished up the 75 issue Volume 1 last year, we now move on to the short lived Volume 2, focusing on how they got back together and on the new members that joined, mutant teen Bolt, and the inner city youth turned mythological champion, Aegis!

New volume, new costumes for everyone!

Well, for a little while, anyways.

The fight actually went much better for the team than this cover suggests.

Episode 112: Who is Moon Knight (aka Marc Spector aka Steven Grant aka Jake Lockley aka…)?

In anticipation of the upcoming Disney+ show (and the Deep Dive I’ll be doing with author John Mulhall), it’s time to take a look at the origins of Moon Knight, why some call him “Marvel’s Batman,” and most importantly what makes him completely unique.

If he was really clad in solid silver, do you think he’d be able to move?

Leaning into the multiple identities idea from the very start.

Like having Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America guest-star in every issue!

Khonshu is Khreepy.

Episode 111: Earth Numbering Systems in DC and Marvel

You may have heard of Earth 1, Earth 2, and possibly even Earth 616.  But, how did all these names come to be, and who decides which is which? Wouldn’t they all want to be Earth 1? That’s what listener Joel L. asks, and Kurt answers for both the Marvel and DC Universes this episode.

The first time multiple Earths show up.

And the first time they get named.

The DC Multiverse as it (sort of) stands today.

The first use of 616 to refer to the regular Marvel Universe.

Episode 110: Some Card Game Mechanics

Following up on last episode’s discussion of board game mechanics, we move into some game mechanics and other terms that are specific to games with cards.  We define some of the more common terms and mechanics, using examples from some of the more popular card games.

The most commonly known deck, but nowhere near the only one.

Just a few of the many, many, many Magic cards that have been created.

I choose you! (That’s about all I know about Pokemon)

With an H.P. Lovecraft themed deck, I’m not sure “Living Card Game” was the best name, but it is what it is.

A few cards from one procedurally generated Keyforge deck.

All this makes sense as soon as you play. (The catchphrase of many a game teacher.)

Comics and card games combined! Cool!

Be more careful, Speedball!

Episode 109: Some Board Game Mechanics

Resource Management, Worker Placement, Area Control. You may have heard some of these terms and others as people discuss their favorite board games. But what do they mean? Using some of the most popular games around, we discuss these terms and others to help you learn more about how many board games are played.

Just a few of the many, many options out there. Knowing how each game is played will help you decide which one you want to play next.

Episode 108: The Why-Men (Lesser Known X-Men; Vulcan, Petra, Sway, and Darwin)

Continuing this recurring series on the lesser known members of the X-Men, Kurt dives into the history of the mutant team to find the lesser-known characters that deserve some additional attention.  This time we focus on the retconned “second team” introduced in the “Deadly Genesis” mini-series: Vulcan, Petra, Sway, and Darwin.

Soooo…many…X-Men.

Group shot. If you reverse the middle two, they’re in the order I talk about them in the episode.

I adapt my body so that nothing can harm me…

…except the one thing I actually get attacked by.

Episode 107: Dragonlance in Comics

For readers of fantasy, especially those with a history of role-playing “Dragonlance” is a well-known property.  But, did you know that it was also available to readers of comic books? Thanks to a listener question, we go through the various incarnations of comics tied to the World of Krynn, including both adaptations and original stories.

A very familiar site for 80s and 90s fantasy readers.

“Book Two” is actually the second half of the first book. It makes sense when you read it.

A more recent adaptation. Of course I chose the one with Raistlin on the cover…

Guess who the main character is. I’m guessing you’re wrong.

As promised, here’s me as Raistlin (with some Photoshop, but not as much as you might think).