Episode 134 – Doonesbury: The Long Road Home and The War Within

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Content warning: Depictions of wartime violence and PTSD symptoms are discussed.

In this episode, we discuss one of the most acclaimed storylines from the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip Doonesbury, as collected in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time and The War Within: One More Step at a Time, published by Andrews McMeel!

These strips follow the physical and emotional ordeal of long-running character B.D., who loses his leg (and his signature helmet) while serving in the Iraq War. After undergoing painful physical therapy and receiving a new prosthetic leg, he returns home, where he begins showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares and increasingly heavy drinking.

With the help of his family and friends—and his counselor Elias, a fellow veteran and amputee—can B.D. confront his memories of that fateful day in Fallujah? And will this acclaimed narrative be awarded that badge of honor known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 133 – Justice League International Vol. 1 (With Alonso Duralde)

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Podcaster Alonso Duralde (Linoleum Knife, Who Shot Ya?, Breakfast All Day, A Film and A Movie) returns to discuss Justice League International by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, published by DC Comics!

Debuting in 1987, Justice League International came out of the gate with a light and often absurd tone that bucked the “grim and gritty” trend of the late 80s, with Batman and a roster of B- and C-list trading zingers as often as they engaged in fisticuffs.

This risky move, coming on the heels of the poorly received Justice League Detroit era, restored DC’s premier superhero team to prominence. But is that enough to land it a spot in that Hall of Justice known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 132 – Nimona

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Debuting as a webcomic in 2012, Nimona became an Eisner Award-winning sensation after its publication as a graphic novel in 2015. Noelle Stevenson’s tale of a playful shapeshifter who turns out to be something more was even on its way to an animated adaptation until the closing of Blue Sky Studios last month left that project’s future in doubt.

We may not ever get to see that feature film, but we can get answers to these burning questions: Can Nimona overcome her dark side and her deep desire for revenge? Can villain Ballister Blackheart reconcile with his former friend and partner, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin? And can this charming and moving book join the ranks of that Institute of First-Class Fantasy Epics known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 131 – The Invincible Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

Combining corporate intrigue, James Bond-style espionage and more than a hint of social relevance, it’s perhaps the defining Iron Man storyline—and arguably informs Robert Downey Jr.’s mega-popular portrayal of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this episode, we strap on the jet skates to discuss Demon in a Bottle—specifically, The Invincible Iron Man issues #123-128, by David Michelinie, John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton, published by Marvel Comics!

As the pressures of being a billionaire industrialist superhero begin to mount, Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) increasingly turns to alcohol. When unscrupulous competitor Justin Hammer takes control of Stark’s armor, causing the death of a foreign diplomat, even his best friend James Rhodes and professional bodyguard Bethany Cabe may not be able to pull him out of his downward spiral.

Can the Armored Avenger prevail against a dozen super-villains—and his growing addiction? And can this famous story infiltrate that island fortress known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 130 – Tintin in Tibet

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, we load up our rucksacks and make a long-overdue trip to the world of bande dessinées—and one of the most popular comics characters of the 20th century—with a look at Tintin in Tibet by Hergé!

When Tintin learns of a plane crash in the Himalayas, a dreamlike vision convinces him that his friend Chang has somehow survived the crash. Joined by his faithful dog Snowy and the irascible Captain Haddock, Tintin travels to Tibet, determined to rescue his friend against impossible odds!

Will our intrepid trio survive a brutal blizzard and the fearsome Abominable Snowman and find Chang before it’s too late? And will this beloved boy adventurer make it to that remote Himalayan hideaway known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 129 – Death of Spider-Man (With Marvel by the Month)

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, we’re joined by Bryan Stratton and Robb Milne of the Marvel by the Month podcast to complete our first podcast crossover (you can hear the first part here)—and to discuss Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man, by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, published by Marvel Comics!

Just when things are looking up for the Peter Parker of Earth-1610, life comes crashing down around him. His arch-nemesis Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, has escaped from S.H.I.E.L.D. with a handful of superpowered felons. Worse yet, he knows that Parker is Spider-Man and has murder on his mind!

You’ve seen the title of this episode, so you know things don’t end well. The question is, can Spidey protect Aunt May, his friends, and innocent bystanders from Osborn’s insane fury? And can this landmark tale ascend to that ultimate universe of four-color finery known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 128 – Smile

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

We celebrate our fifth anniversary by finally tackling a seminal work by one of the biggest names in comics: Smile by Raina Telgemeier, published by Scholastic/Graphix!

In this Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir, sixth-grader Raina suffers a dental injury that upends her entire world, kicking off a years-long succession of visits to various “odontists” involving surgery, braces, headgear and a retainer with fake teeth attached.

And as if all that weren’t enough, she also has to deal with middle-school crushes, some toxic friends and the 1989 San Francisco earthquake!

Can Raina overcome her insecurity about her teeth and learn to accept herself? And can this orthodontic odyssey graduate to that ivory league known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:

  • Newspaper comic strips
  • M. Forster on plot vs. story
  • A cosmic Community coincidence
  • No one wants to be judged by who they were in middle school
  • Zot! The Complete Black and White Collection
  • The Expanse Book 5: Nemesis Games
  • Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
  • Lumberjanes Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy

Join us in two weeks as we discuss Ultimate Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man!

Until then:
Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise!
Rate us on Apple Podcasts!
Send us an email!
Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!

And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 127 – Superman Smashes the Klan

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Kevin Moreau

(Note: Due to some sound issues, we were forced to re-record a couple of spots in the first few minutes of the podcast.)

In this episode, we kick off 2021 with one of the best-reviewed books of 2020: Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru, published by DC Comics!

Taking inspiration from the 1940s radio serial The Adventures of Superman, this three-issue limited series follows the Chinese-American Lee family as they arrive in Metropolis, where they’re met with open arms, but also unintentional microaggressions and racist jokes. They also attract the attention of the Klan of the Fiery Cross, which kicks off a campaign of intimidation to drive them out of town, including cross-burning and kidnapping!

Can young Roberta and Tommy Lee help the Man of Steel stop the Klan before lives are lost? Can Superman make sense of his troubling visions and discover the truth about his alien heritage? And can this book find a home in that promised land known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we discuss Raina Telgemeier’s Eisner Award-winning 2010 graphic novel, Smile!

Until then:
Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise!
Rate us on Apple Podcasts!
Send us an email!
Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!

And as always, thanks for listening!

Listen Now

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Episode 126 – Ye Gads! It’s … The Bradleys!

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Kevin Moreau

Explicit Warning! This episode contains strong language and is recommended for mature listeners.

For the last episode of 2020, we segue seamlessly from Bucky Barnes to another iconic comics antihero, Buddy Bradley, with a discussion of five stories featuring the Bradley clan from Peter Bagge’s 1980s anthology Neat Stuff, published by Fantagraphics Books!

Specifically, we dive deep into “Rock ‘n’ Roll Refugee,” “Mom Power,” “Sneakin’ a Peek at Babs Bradley’s Secret Diary,” “Hippy House,” and “Merry F—king Christmas.” (A sixth story that was announced last episode, “You’re Not the Boss of Me,” was cut for time.)

In these stories and others, Bagge presents a typical ’80s suburban family in all its dysfunctional glory, laying the groundwork for the likes of Married … With Children and The Simpsons.

But Bagge balances the caustic family dynamics with faithful depictions of the teenage experience and explorations of such issues as religion and the plight of the working suburban mom, employing a wonderfully expressive and exaggerated cartooning style influenced by MAD Magazine and Looney Tunes shorts, among others.

Will Buddy ever stop being such an a—hole? And will the Bradleys be invited into that nuclear family known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 125 – Captain America: Winter Soldier

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Kevin Moreau

For decades, Bucky Barnes sat cooling his heels with Ben Parker in the exclusive club of characters Marvel Comics would never bring back from the dead. But all that changed in 2006, as chronicled in Captain America: Winter Soldier—specifically, Captain America issues 1-6. 8-9, and 11-14—by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Michael Lark and others.

While chasing down a terrorist plot with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter, Captain America starts having flashbacks to World War II and the heroic death of his teen sidekick, Bucky—who might also be the Soviet assassin known as the Winter Soldier!

Can the Star-Spangled Avenger help this ruthless killing machine remember who he is, while also facing off against Crossbones and a Russian mastermind with a Cosmic Cube? And can this popular and influential story arc score an invite to that Party in the U.S.A. known as … The Comics Canon?

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