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 98: The Replacements - Spider-Man

Continuing our occasional look into the characters that have taken on the identity of an already established hero, this installment covers those who have become the hero that was literally the face of Marvel for many years, Spider-Man, including one of his arch-nemeses.  Take a listen to get all the details.

The original.

The less original. (Ben’s “Scarlet Spider” costume)

And the first costume Ben wore as Spider-Man. (Sewing those fingers must have taken forever…)

The newest Spider-Ben.

Yes, this happened.

If only there was some clue this was actually Doc Ock… Stares in tentacles

Yeah you are.

Episode 84: Who Else Are The New Warriors? (Volume 1)

For the first anniversary of the podcast’s release, Kurt’s favorite hero Speedball was introduced.  In the 2nd-Anniversary episode, he introduced the rest of his teammates in the New Warriors, or at least the members of the team when it was first formed.  For year 3, it’s time to look at the other heroes who joined the roster sometime after the first issue, but still in the original 75-issue run.

Editors Note: I say in this episode “Helix’s first appearance was in Spider-Man: Maximum Clonage Alpha #1 (yes, that’s the full title), and so his creator credits have been listed as the writer/artist team of that book, which is Tom DeFalco, Todd DeZago, and Ron Lim.  However, in Episode 55, Evan Skolnick seems to state that he and New Warriors penciler Patrick Zircher came up with the idea and look originally.  I’ve reached out to Evan for further elaboration on that, but as of this recording have not heard back.”
I have now heard back from Evan, and he and Patrick did co-create Helix, but that credit was mistakenly left off the title page of the book, so it has been assumed that the creative team of that one-shot are the ones that created the character. Thank you to Evan for getting back to me as quickly as he could (I gave very little notice due to catching this discrepancy late in the process).

Sil’s original costume (that actually traveled with her…originally when she used her powers, she left her clothes behind)

And her most recent costume (not sure why she’s hiding her face now)

Rage’s first costume. Not the greatest sartorial choice.

Not that it got a whole lot better when he joined the New Warriors…

Turbo…not Turbo Teen. That’s different.

The other (still living) Turbo.

Hindsight Lad. Exactly as insufferable as he looks.

Hindsight. Yes, that’s the same guy as the last picture.

Alex (and Friday’s) first appearance. Alex is the blond.

As he appeared with the New Warriors. Someone grew up!

Scarlet Spider and Rage obviously went to the same tailor for their collars.

I’m honestly not sure how much of that is costume, and how much is skin…

How does she make her word balloon do that?