Episode 75 – Nancy and xkcd

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take a break from graphic novels and caped crusaders for a look at two clever, contemporary comic strips … the webcomic xkcd and cartoonist Olivia Jaimes’ take on the newspaper comic strip Nancy!

Created by Ernie Bushmiller, the original Nancy was hailed as a pinnacle of comic-strip architecture. When the pseudonymous Olivia Jaimes took the reins in April of last year, she gave it a fresh sensibility that has revitalized the 80-year-old strip and drawn rave reviews.

Created by Randall Munroe in 2005, xkcd alternates between sharply observant gags, complex commentaries on “romance, sarcasm, math, and language,” and ambitious projects that redefine the parameters of what a comic strip can do in the 2st century.

Can these very different yet similarly smart examples of the form help revive interest in the ailing comic strip? And can they find themselves circulating in that firmament of the funny pages known as … The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as we return to more familiar superheroic territory – or do we? – with a look at Tom King and Mitch Gerads’ Mister Miracle!

Until then, don’t forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4!

Last but not least, please be so kind as to rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and  we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 74 – The Death of Stalin

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin discuss the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt’s favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin, by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, published by Titan Comics!

In this satirical account based on actual events, Joseph Stalin, head of the Soviet Union, collapses from a severe stroke in February of 1953, setting off a chain of events that threatens to throw the socialist state into chaos as the members of the Soviet Central Committee bicker about what course of action to take. In the wake of Stalin’s death (spoiler alert!), innocents are hauled off to prison or executed, and hundreds of mourners die as they march on Moscow to pay their respects.

Can Nikita Khrushchev and his allies prevent noxious Lavrentiy Beria, head of the Secret Police, from seizing power? And can this gripping tale of political perfidy and bureaucratic back-stabbing make it over the Iron Curtain into that capital of comic-book democracy known as … The Comics Canon?

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Canonical Conversations: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse With VOX ATL

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

Sony Pictures AnimationIn this special crossover episode, Curt and Kevin welcome Chris Jordan, Lyric Eschoe and Kenneth Franklin of VOX ATL to discuss the new animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse! (Be advised: Spoilers are discussed.)

Topics discussed in this episode include the cultural importance of Miles Morales, the film’s exciting visual aesthetic, Michael B. Jordan in Fantastic Four, the YA novel Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds, the legacy of social activism in comics, and the idea that “anyone can be Spider-Man.”

Join us in just one week as we review the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt’s favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin!

Until then, consider our fine line of Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4 for all your holiday shopping needs!

Last but not least, don’t forget to rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and  we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 73 – I Guess We’ll Do an Aquaman Episode …

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take the plunge with a discussion of “nobody’s favorite superhero,” Aquaman! First up, they plumb the depths of the seafaring sentinel’s first appearance in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73! Can this freshman warrior of the waves sink the dastardly plans of a Nazi submarine crew?

Then, it’s a deep dive into the character’s 2011 reboot from Aquaman Vol. 7, as DC’s defender of the deep goes toe to webbed foot with the man-eating menace of … the Trench! When these sharp-toothed humanoids come across the coastal town of Beachrock, they decide to put mankind on the menu!

Can Aquaman and his Atlantean gill—er, we mean girlfriend Mera save the inhabitants of Beachrock and adapt to life on the surface world? And can our titan of the tides endure a constant stream of snickers and insults and paddle his way to that sea of love known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 72 – Persepolis Vol. 1: The Story of a Childhood

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin discuss another graphic novel that has taken on a new level of relevance in today’s political landscape: the first volume of Marjane Satrapi’s comics autobiography Persepolis. It’s an engrossing and eye-opening account of the author’s childhood in the late 70s and early 80s, as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Islamic Revolution and a subsequent war with Iraq—seismic events that placed her family in danger and took the lives of friends and loved ones including her beloved uncle Anoosh.

Will rebellious young Marjane survive life in an oppressive regime without getting arrested—or worse? And will this stirring memoir find its place in that library of historical works known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 71 – The Arrival

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

It’s Election Day in the U.S., and we’re marking the occasion by casting our ballots for a lesser-known gem: Shaun Tan’s wordless 2006 graphic novel The Arrival. Set in a world similar to but slightly different from our own, this vividly imagined and beautifully illustrated tale traces one man’s journey from his menacing homeland to a strange and fantastic new world. Along the way, he meets other immigrants who share their stories of hope and hardship.

Can our protagonist navigate this wondrous new land and reunite with his wife and daughter? And will The Arrival take up residence in that shining city on a hill known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 70 – The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin are off to never-never land as they conclude a look at game-changing DC horror comics with a discussion of The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, collecting issues #1-8 of the Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg and Malcolm Jones III, published by DC Comics!

When an ambitious magician attempts to capture Death, he instead ends up Runnin’ Down a Dream … that is, Dream, aka Morpheus, King of Dreams! When a weakened Morpheus finally escapes decades later, his quest to resume his throne forces him to confront a mentally unstable supervillain and the devil himself!

Can the Dream Weaver prevail against the hordes of Hell and stop the deranged Doctor Destiny from usurping control of the dream world that awaits behind the wall of sleep? And will he walk alone down that boulevard of broken dreams known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 69 – Swamp Thing Origins

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, October is here, Curt and Kevin get into the spirit of the season with a look at the comic-book origins of everyone’s favorite muck monster! First up is 1971’s House of Secrets #92, a kind of proof of concept giving us a proto-Swamp Thing that’s a little light in the swamp department.

Next, it’s on to Swamp Thing (Vol. 1) #1-3, detailing the (first) origin and early adventures of the swamp monster we all know and love, featuring the debuts of Anton Arcane and his niece Abby. And finally, as a companion piece to our previous Swamp Thing episode, a nod to the character’s second origin at the hands of Alan Moore via Swamp Thing Vol. 2 #33, which folds the aforementioned House of Secrets story into contemporary continuity!

Can our favorite beast of the bayous prevail against the grotesque Un-Men and the … shall we say, familiar figure of the Patchwork Man? And can he slog his way into that protected wildlife preserve known as … the Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

Join us in two weeks as the horror continues with a look at Preludes and Nocturnes, collecting issues #1-8 of Neil Gaiman’s magnum opus, The Sandman!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and  we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

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Episode 68 – The Miles Morales Episode

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Kevin Moreau and “Ultimate” Curt Holman return to the Ultimate Universe to discuss the origin of the popular biracial Spider-Man, Miles Morales in the second half of an unofficial Ultimate Spider-Man two-parter, this time reviewing Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1-5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, published by Marvel Comics!

When young Miles Morales is bitten by a genetically modified spider, he quickly develops the ability to turn invisible and cling to walls, among other things. Miles wants no part of these awesome powers, wishing only to live a normal life and do well at his new charter school. But when Miles witnesses the tragic death of Spider-Man, he begins to realize that with great power comes great responsibility!

Can our 13-year-old hero live up to the heroic example set by his predecessor? And can he make the grade in that elite class of comic-book champions known as … The Comics Canon?

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Episode 67 – Ultimate Spider-Man: Venom

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Kevin Moreau

In this episode, Curt and Kevin prime the pump for the Oct. 5 release of the Venom feature film with a discussion of the sinister symbiote’s origin story — that is, as portrayed in issues 33-39 of Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, published by Marvel Comics!

Peter Parker’s childhood friend Eddie Brock reveals that their fathers were working on a cancer-fighting super-suit shortly before they died in a mysterious plane crash years earlier. When Peter investigates, the suit bonds with him, making him more powerful, and soon attempts to turn him into a homicidal monster!

 

When the suit bonds with a vengeful Eddie Brock, can Peter hope to prevail against this stronger, bloodthirstier version of himself — and save his friend in the process? And can he swing his way into that worldwide web of comic book stories known as … The Comics Canon?

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