iFanboy - Comic Books

Thanks to iFanboy Patrons, it's Talksplode time. Here's someone we haven't talked to in a very long time, and never like this. James Robinson is a veteran comic book writer, having created hallmark series like Starman and The Golden Age, with runs on Justice League, Fantastic Four, Superman, Scarlet Witch, and pretty much any other superhero that matters, as well as a good bit of creator owned work, including an upcoming line from Dark Horse, including Patra with Scott Kolins, and Welcome to Maynard, with J. Bone. Josh Flanagan talks with James about his beginnings in comic books, his approach to the craft, his relationship with Archie Goodwin, and plenty more. Total Running Time: 01:00:33 Music: “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Elvis Costello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, really, that is the Pick. We can't control these things. It is what happens. We are merely vessels. How does one pronounce the name Guiu? We're not going to help with that. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:24:36 Pick of the Week: 00:02:02 - Aliens: What If...? #5 Comics: 00:14:02 - The Invincible Iron Man #670 (20) 00:20:52 - Mugshots #2 00:27:51 - Nightwing #116 00:37:40 - Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #1 00:40:30 - Superman #16 00:42:51 - Batman/Superman: World's Finest #29 00:45:01 - Paranoid Gardens #1 Patron Pick: 00:47:40 - Namor #1 Patron Thanks: 00:58:03 - Matthew Sophos Listener Mail: 01:01:21 - Kellen, references Jayden, wants to know what our problem with physical issues is. Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got thirteen designs! Music: "If Credit's What Matters I'll Take Credit" Hot Snakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our awesome Patrons, we’re proud to present another episode of Mediasplode! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:12:20 This month, Josh Flanagan and Conor Kilpatrick are joined by their original Pick of the Week co-host Ron Richards to discuss… Movies: 00:01:44 – 1986 was the best year of Ron’s life but was it a great year for movies? What We’ve Been Enjoying: 00:10:33 – Josh finished both Clipped and Eric. 00:20:57 – Conor is enjoying weekly watches of Presumed Innocent and The Bear, and went to see Fly Me to the Moon. 00:27:30 – Ron went to see Thelma and The Bikeriders. The Summer Mail Bag: 00:33:44 – Dallas T. is looking for classic book recommendations. 00:39:43 – Scott H. from Portland, Oregon wants to know what makes a movie “cheesy.” 00:42:48 – Eric C. from Valley Village, California has questions about movie soundtracks. 00:50:59 – Daniel S. wants to know what the final verdict was on Masters of the Air. 00:57:08 – Bill S. from Kansas City asks about non-blockbuster summer movies. 00:59:12 – Kyle F. wants to know if streaming killed the cult classic. SPOILERS ABOVE! What’s a Mediasplode? It’s a monthly special edition show in which we talk about what we are enjoying in media outside of the realm of comic books. It’s like our All Media Year End Round-Up but in a shorter, monthly format. Music: “New Slang” The Shins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are they colleagues or pals? And when is all of this happening, anyway? Either way, that’s a bad outfit. Woo! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:03:02 Pick of the Week: 00:02:11 – Action Comics #1067 Comics: 00:12:42 – X-Men #1 00:19:38 – The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two #1 00:21:58 – Falling in Love on the Path to Hell #2 00:27:14 – The Avengers #782 (16) 00:29:47 – Kill All Immortals #1 00:31:47 – Get Fury #3 00:35:48 – Union Jack: The Ripper – Blood Hunt #3 Patron Pick: 00:37:48 – The Domain #1 Patron Thanks: 00:44:01 – Anthony Listener Mail: 00:46:17 – Jaden K. wonders how the greater entertainment industry’s focus on familiarity will effect comics. Brought To You By: • Shopify – This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period and take your business to the next level. • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got thirteen designs! Music: “Sunshine Superman” Donovan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a tight production this week, and the rare first/fifth week of comics makes an appearance. As such, we are forced to dispense the honor to a recent former Pick winner. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:05:14 Pick of the Week: 00:01:06 - Scarlett #2 Comics: 00:11:50 - Absolute Power #1 00:20:53 - Batman #150 00:24:03 - Doctor Strange #443 (17) 00:30:06 - Justice Society of America #10 00:32:23 - All the Things We Didn't Do Last Night #1 00:33:55 - Public Domain #6 Patron Pick: 00:38:18 - Free Agents #1 Patron Thanks: 00:46:17 - Kyle Franz Listener Mail: 00:47:29 - Roh is wondering about petty reasons for dropping a series. 00:54:01 - Morgan asks if certain creators with economic advantages fare better than others who have not. Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got thirteen designs! Music: "Karate" Tenacious D Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

But what does any of this have to do with UCSB Professor Dick Hebdige? Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:02:54 Pick of the Week: 00:02:40 – Zatanna: Bring Down The House, Book One Comics: 00:13:01 – Grommets #2 00:19:50 – Blood Hunt #4 00:24:02 – Void Rivals #10 00:31:57 – Superman #15 00:35:07 – Rook: Exodus #3 00:37:05 – The Sacrificers #9 Patron Pick: 00:39:49 – Zatanna: Bring Down The House, Book One Patron Thanks: 00:40:35 – Eric Listener Mail: 00:42:26 – Jaden K. is a new listener who wants to know what draws the iFanboys to a comic and what makes a comic purposeful. 00:49:39 – Socrates from Chattanooga, Tennessee wonders if the Patreon went away, would the show(s) go away too. Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got thirteen designs! Music: “Magic” Mick Smiley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our awesome Patrons, we’re proud to present another Booksplode! This month, Josh Flanagan and Conor Kilpatrick take a look at… The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neill, Ben Dimagmaliw, & Bill Oakley! Running Time: 00:39:20 What’s a Booksplode? It’s a bi-monthly special edition show in which we take a look at a single graphic novel or collected edition, something we really just don’t have time to do on the regular show. Music: “More Adventurous” Rilo Kiley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If a sloth farts in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? No, and you’ll learn why that is as you also learn about this week in comics! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:06:58 Pick of the Week: 00:02:20 – Batman #149 Comics: 00:12:23 – Nightwing #115 00:15:17 – The Invincible Iron Man #669 (19) 00:20:06 – Self Help #1 00:24:22 – The Sensational She-Hulk #187 (9) 00:28:20 – Uncanny Valley #3 00:30:13 – Destro #1 00:33:50 – Batman/Superman: Worlds Finest #28 Patron Pick: 00:38:07 – Uncle Scrooge and the Infinity Dime #1 Patron Thanks: 00:51:56 – Joe Burkel Listener Mail: 00:53:38 – Jordan B. was excited that The Bell came back in episode 926! But can one have too much of a good thing? (Yes.) 00:57:41 – Morgan B. wants to know the dirty secret about sloth farts (or lack there of). Please fill out a brief audience demographic survey! Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got thirteen designs! Music: “Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)” The Treniers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our awesome Patrons, we're proud to present another episode of Mediasplode! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:16:28 This month, Josh Flanagan and Conor Kilpatrick are joined by their original Pick of the Week co-host Ron Richards to discuss... What We've Been Enjoying: 00:01:43 - Ron's enthralled by LOLLA: The Story of Lollapalooza and Ripley. But Star Wars: The Acolyte? 00:12:54 - Josh managed to catch a rare cinematic showing of Frank Miller: American Genius, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Movie. 00:26:21 - Conor headed back north for a revisit of Northern Exposure. and then over to Presumed Innocent. Appetizer of Current Movies: 00:32:49 - Ron saw Hit Man. Conor saw everything. Old Men on Old Movies: 00:43:19 - Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) SPOILERS ABOVE! What's a Mediasplode? It's a monthly special edition show in which we talk about what we are enjoying in media outside of the realm of comic books. It's like our All Media Year End Round-Up but in a shorter, monthly format. Music: "Peggy Sue" Buddy Holly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's... it's not great, Bob. It's so not great that we achieve the mythic four-email-scenario. Honestly, we can hardly believe it ourselves. And yet, a good time was had, and heartily so. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:09:55 Pick of the Week: 00:02:20 - The Avengers #781 (15) Comics: 00:11:28 - Fantastic Four #714 (21) 00:18:02 - G.O.D.S. #8 00:23:59 - Lawful #1 00:26:54 - Ultimate X-Men #4 Patron Pick: 00:29:32 - Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #1 Patron Thanks: 00:40:27 - Sheldon Antle Listener Mail: 00:42:54 - Aaron from Houston, Texas wants some QR code recaps. 00:47:02 - Bob from Dacula, Georgia is thinking about long publishing gaps. 00:51:42 - Cory from Cleveland, Ohio asks about 100 page spectacular issues, but the whole thing morphs. 00:55:50 - Ken from the Great White North brings it home with old comics mail order inquiries. Listen to Conor talk about one of his all-time favorite films on Movie of the Year: 1984 - Ghostbusters! Listen to Ron talk about his career (including iFanboy) on Techsploder with Jason Howell! Please fill out a brief audience demographic survey! Brought To You By: • Shopify - This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period and take your business to the next level. • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got thirteen designs! Music: "Just Like Frank" Less Than Jake Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week saw a high profile story end and several new stories begin, but really the biggest excitement came around having to say “Arashikage” out loud for the first time ever. Plus, Gary? Who’s Gary? Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 00:56:30 Pick of the Week: 00:01:55 – Scarlett #1 Comics: 00:09:00 – Uncanny X-Men #700 (X-Men #35) 00:18:23 – Falling in Love on the Path to Hell #1 00:25:49 – Beyond the Pale #1 00:28:59 – The Amazing Spider-Man #945 (51) 00:31:46 – Love Everlasting #15 Patron Pick: 00:33:46 – The Ultimates #1 Patron Thanks: 00:40:27 – Reece Stankiewicz Listener Mail: 00:42:54 – Alex C. from Wellington, New Zealand does some John Romita Jr. math and the results are pretty impressive 00:46:55 – Khalid M. has trouble following his favorite writers to books with art he doesn’t like. Listen to Conor talk about one of his all-time favorite films on Movie of the Year: 1984 – Ghostbusters! Listen to Ron talk about his career (including iFanboy) on Techsploder with Jason Howell! Please fill out a brief audience demographic survey! Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got thirteen designs! Music: “The Lady in Red” Chris De Burgh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many divergences show up early, but professionals keep it tight. We talked to some, and they walked us through it. The week's release list was short, but not on content. Plus, there's the elasticity of time, and how it vexes us. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:11:27 Pick of the Week: 00:02:29 - Death Ratio'd Comics: 00:14:58 - Avengers: Twilight, Book Six 00:19:28 - Batman: Dark Age, Book Three 00:24:04 - Grommets #1 00:34:55 - Drawing Blood #2 00:39:43 - Midnight Sons: Blood Hunt #1 00:42:26 - Pine & Merrimac #5 00:44:39 - Friday #9 Patron Pick: 00:48:27 - William of Newbury #1 Patron Thanks: 00:54:51 - Danro Listener Mail: 00:56:56 - Morgan wants to clear up the Anti-Shorts agenda question 01:01:42 - Doug, the Alarm Raiser™, wants to know if comic readers would be more or less freaked out by a real manifestation of super powers. Listen to Conor talk about one of his all-time favorite films on Movie of the Year: 1984 - Ghostbusters! Please fill out a brief audience demographic survey! Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got thirteen designs! Music: "Don't Do Me Like That" J. Mascis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our awesome Patrons, we’re proud to present another episode of Mediasplode! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 00:50:20 This month, Josh Flanagan and Conor Kilpatrick are joined by their original Pick of the Week co-host Ron Richards to discuss… What We’ve Been Enjoying: 00:02:40 – Josh has been watching nothing but the NBA playoffs. (And Conor and Ron have been watching baseball.) 00:08:08 – Ron watched Bronx Zoo ’90: Crime, Chaos, and Baseball and Fallout. 00:13:59 – Conor has been enjoying this season of Survivor and played the Pilot Challenge. Discussion: 00:17:34 – Remembering Steve Albini (1962-2024) iFanboy at the Movies: 00:29:03 – Civil War 00:32:37 – Challengers 00:38:39 – The Fall Guy 00:45:01 – The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare SPOILERS ABOVE! What’s a Mediasplode? It’s a monthly special edition show in which we talk about what we are enjoying in media outside of the realm of comic books. It’s like our All Media Year End Round-Up but in a shorter, monthly format. Music: “Squirrel Song” Shellac Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much like Norman Osborn Josh lets his alts out to help The Jamokes™ and itinerant Dr. Haupt discuss this week in comics as quickly as possible! Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:18:34 Pick of the Week: 00:01:39 – The Amazing Spider-Man #944 (#50) Comics: 00:12:39 – The Sensational She-Hulk #186 (#8) 00:18:31 – Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #6 00:23:30 – Nightwing #114 00:27:32 – Cobra Commander #5 00:32:04 – Blood Hunt #2 The Bell: 00:39:18 – The Bell Returns! 00:41:45 – The Bat-Man: First Knight, Book Three 00:42:05 – Predator: The Last Hunt #4 00:42:27 – Void Rivals #9 00:42:43 – Union Jack: Ripper – Blood Hunt #1 00:43:01 – The Holy Roller #6 00:43:18 – X-Men ’97 #3 00:43:36 – Sanction #1 00:43:55 – Blow Away #2 00:44:11 – Ultimate Black Panther #4 00:44:29 – Wonder Woman #9 00:44:47 – Black Widow & Hawkeye #3 00:45:04 – The Butcher’s Boy #1 00:45:22 – Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #27 00:45:40 – Blue Book: 1947 #4 00:45:57 – Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #120 Comics: 00:46:33 – Black Widow & Hawkeye #3 (Redux) Patron Pick: 00:47:12 – Archie Comics: Judgement Day #1 Patron Thanks: 00:55:35 – Joe Cannon Listener Mail: 00:58:11 – Patrick from Maine wants to know what happened to Free Comic Book Day? 01:03:45 – Sam P. from South London, England has issues with Free Comic Book Day and wants to know if creative teams transitioning to event books are exciting or nerve-wracking? Please fill out a brief audience demographic survey! Check out Conor on Movie of the Year: 1984 discussing Ghostbusters! Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got thirteen designs! Music: “Best” Gracie Abrams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to iFanboy Patrons, it's Talksplode time. Your old pal and ours, superstar writer and OG iFanbase member, Tom King comes back to talk about comics. No real specific comics, mind you. But Josh and Tom did talk on and on. If you're a fan of the man's writing and the love of the craft, you're in for a treat. Plus there's a nice Alex Toth lesson included. Oh yeah, Tom is currently writing a lot of comics, like Wonder Woman, Animal Pound, Helen of Wyndhorn, Penguin, and even an Archie book. Total Running Time: 01:43:10 Music: “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" The Replacements Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a weird week! Not a lot of books leads to an unusually superhero-lite rundown. Plus, about half way through the show one of the hosts starts to lose his voice! All that plus a Dreadnok Diversion! Balls. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 00:54:20 Pick of the Week: 00:02:58 - Uncanny Valley #2 Comics: 00:10:38 - G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #306 00:18:13 - Alien: Black, White and Blood #4 00:21:25 - Aliens: What If...? #3 00:22:36 - Redcoat #2 00:26:48 - Dark Ride #12 00:29:29 - Briar #5 00:31:39 - The Displaced #4 Patron Pick: 00:34:00 - Doom #1 Patron Thanks: 00:39:35 - Tom Rose News: 00:40:53 - 2024 Eisner Award Nominations Audience Question: 00:44:30 - Tim Y. has a very technical and specific question about the G.I. Joe theme song. 00:47:56 - Tom D. from Vermont has a correction for the latest Booksplode. Brought To You By: • Shopify - This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period and take your business to the next level. • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got thirteen designs! Music: "On the Road Again (Live)" Willie Nelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The iFanboy Animation Brain Trust — Conor Kilpatrick, Paul Montgomery, and Ryan Haupt — discuss the latest release from the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line… Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part Two! Plus, looking ahead to Part Three (and Watchmen), and are we close to the end for this line of animated films that began in 2007? Running Time: 00:39:00 Music: “Psycho Killer” Talking Heads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comics continue to surprise us, over and over, week after week, year after year, and it is glorious. This week is no different. Plus, enjoy the return of an age old question we're forced to revisit once again. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:16:33 Pick of the Week: 00:02:08 - Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #6 Comics: 00:11:59 – The Avengers #780 /"Blood Hunt" Tie-Ins! 00:22:48 – Transformers #8 00:27:21 – Ain't No Grave #1 00:30:41 – The Boy Wonder, Book One 00:33:42 – Fantastic Four #713 Patron Pick: 00:35:46 - Mugshots #1 Patron Thanks: 00:44:20 - Pachyderm (James Siri) Listener Mail: 00:47:59 - Tyler F. rekindles the age old Top 5 question. 00:55:51 - Greg from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is thinking about superhero movie costumes. Brought To You By: • NordVPN - This episode is sponsored by NordVPN. Get your Exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/ifanboy - It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! • Better Help – This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ifanboy and get on your way to being your best self. • iFanboy Patrons - Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch - Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We've got twelve designs! Music: "Stinking Drunk" Big Black Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to our awesome Patrons, we’re proud to present another Booksplode! This month, Josh Flanagan and Conor Kilpatrick take a look at... Avengers: Kree/Skrull War by Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, Sal Buscema, John Buscema, Tom Palmer, Sam Gainger, George Roussos, Alan Weiss, Sam Rosen, Art Simek, & Mike Stevens. (Art & Color Reconstruction in the Gallery Edition by Tom Mullin, Michael Kelleher, Wil Glass & All Thumbs Creative.) Running Time: 00:48:55 What’s a Booksplode? It’s a bi-monthly special edition show in which we take a look at a single graphic novel or collected edition, something we really just don’t have time to do on the regular show. Music: “Changes” Jimi Hendrix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it’s an early morning record time and words are sometimes hard to come by. Plus, it was a weird week of comics. Note: Time codes are subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. Running Time: 01:03:28 Pick of the Week: 00:03:00 – X-Men #34 Comics: 00:13:50 – Blood Hunt #1 00:23:52 – Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1 00:32:12 – Crave #6 00:33:55 – Space Ghost #1 00:35:34 – Harley Quinn 2024 Annual #1 Patron Pick: 00:36:28 – Get Fury #1 Patron Thanks: 00:43:26 – Kal Lis Listener Mail: 00:45:03 – Brad P. thinks that the listener mail segment deserves more respect. 00:53:14 – Dan C. from New Jersey is being driven mad by the usage of “bi-monthly.” Brought To You By: • iFanboy Patrons – Become one today for as little as $3/month! Or make a one time donation of any amount! • iFanboy T-Shirts and Merch – Show your iFanboy pride with a t-shirt or other great merchandise on Threadless! We’ve got twelve designs! Music: “Scat Sandwich” Space Ghost, Brak, and Zorak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices