Comic News Insider

In our 16th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by cartoonist Nate Powell. We celebrate the comic trilogy MARCH by Congressman John Lewis/Andrew Aydin/Nate Powell. Nate talks of the process of drawing the series, his friendship with Congressman Lewis, the importance of the work and more. An often touching tribute to a true American hero. Join...

Jimmy decided to recruit some pals whom regularly attend San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) to share their memories of past years. Since it's not happening this year, we are all in mourning and it's great to hear these amazing and fun memories. Jimmy shares a few of his own as well. Maybe some celeb encounters? OF COURSE! What are some of your best SDCC memories? Also, get a hold of us! Thanks for listeni...

Reviews: Empyre #1, Engineward #1, Cursed season 1, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels season finale, Palm Springs Jimmy recruits some of his favorite audio reviewers again. Thanks to Jon, Melissa, Emily, and Steph! Thanks to Emily for the news which includes: Keanu Reeves is writing a comic maxi-series, The Walking Dead comic in color is coming, Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series is spawning a...

In our 15th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Emily Edwards and Steph Crawford. This week, we chat about filmed versions of San Diego Comic-Con. A lot of us would normally be prepping for it right now so we are missing it terribly. Among the entertainment discussed: Comic Con IV: A Fan's Hope documentary, Comic Book: The Movie, Co...

Reviews: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow #1, Empyre #0: Avengers, Empyre #0: Fantastic Four, Snowpiercer season finale, The Old Guard film  Jimmy recruits some of his favorite audio reviewers again. Thanks to Marta, Jon, Melissa, Emily and father/son duo Edward & Evan! Thanks to Emily for the news which includes: a Gotham City PD show is coming to HBO Max set in the Matt Reeve's Batman world, Jav...

In our 14th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friend/clinical psychologist/fellow nerd Dr. Andrea Letamendi. This week, we chat mental health and self-care during a pandemic and lockdown. Dr. Drea gives incredible counsel on coping during this time. They also chat about what they've been watching lately and why, her podcasts and just how...

Reviews: All-America Comix One Shot, Goddamned Virgin Brides #1, Pop Star Assassin #1, Warrior Nun season 1, Artemis Fowl film Jimmy recruits some of his favorite audio reviewers again. Thanks to Marta, Jon, Melissa, Emily and welcome to newcomer Bryce! We keep with the style of doing some tight 1/2 hour regular format shows. Hope you're enjoying the brief episodes! Thanks to Emily for the news wh...

In our 13th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Jessica Davis and Ali Sattar. This week, we chat cosplay with 2 professional cosplayers in Wonder Woman and Superman! Fascinating audition stories, heart warming moments with fans, and costume comforts. We also get into acting, gaming, Twitch, cast a Justice League movie and there may...

Reviews: Ash & Thorn #1, Batman: Smile Killer #1, Bleed Them Dry #1, Sleeping Beauties #1, Adventure Time: Distand Lands: BMO, Scoob! Jimmy recruits some of his favorite audio reviewers again. Thanks to Marta, Jon, Melissa, and the return of Emmy! We keep with the style of doing some tight 1/2 hour regular format shows. Hope you're enjoying the brief episodes!  Thanks to Emily for the news which i...

In our 12th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Jon Hoche and Stacey Whittle. This week, we chat about the cult-hit film WILLOW . Jimmy has never seen it while everyone else are die-hard fans. Even some of Heidi's family joins us at the end to talk about their love of it. Nerdy talks of the cast, trivia, fave moments and more. And a...

Reviews: A Man Among Ye #1, Dark Knights: Death Metal #1, Wynd #1, Black Summer s1, Crossing Swords s1, Looney Tunes Cartoons s1, Onward Jimmy recruits some of his favorite audio reviewers again. Thanks to Marta, Jon, Melissa, Dave, Emily and Evan! We get pretty metal in this episode. Well, for at least 2 of the reviews. Thanks to Emily for the news which includes: a new The Walking Dead one-shot...

Reviews: Adventureman #1, The Boys: Dear Becky #1, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Every Generation #1, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: Death of Nancy Drew #1, HBO Max: To the Max Digital Comics (Hector/Brian/Olivia) #1, Doom Patrol season 1, Looney Tunes Cartoons season 1 Comics are slowly rolling out so we grab some new ones to review for you along with a couple of TV shows! Thanks to regular reviewers...

In our 11th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Joe Grunenwald (The Beat Managing Editor) and Emily Edwards. This week, we remember the late Denny O'Neil and Heidi shares stories of when they worked together. Lots of news this week and we discussed Batwoman, new Looney Tunes, SDCC online, the Eisner Awards, the Punisher logo, JK Row...

We celebrate black comic creators and some of their works. Black Lives Matter and so do these comic creators. Jimmy gives some recommendations of comics to check out about and/or created/written/drawn by black comic creators. This is not a comprehensive list of any sorts.  Just great reads by some amazing people including Jamal Igle, Kyle Baker, Aaron McGruder, Dwayne McDuffie, Brittney Williams,...

In our 10th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Kwanza Osajyefo & Jamal Igle. This week, we discuss their comic BLACK (and its spin-offs), Black Lives Matter, other comics work, industry news and more. Always a super fun discussion. Join us each week to listen in live! Send in topic ideas for future episodes. Be it in comics, TV or...

Reviews: Archie Comics 80th Anniversary Presents...Archie, Betty & Veronica, Cheryl Blossom, Archie's Pals: Dotty and Ditto with Bob Phantom, Josie & the Pussycats, Jughead, Katy Keene, Archie and the New Crusaders, Powerteen With Blackjack, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sam Hill: Private Eye, Young Salem, Artist Spotlight: Dan DeCarlo, Artist Spotlight: Harry Lucey Jimmy wishes Archie Comics a Happy...

What's this? Producer Joe has taken back the podcast?!! He snags an interview with director/writer Dave Matalon to discuss his new movie THE CLEARING streaming on Crackle. What was his feature film directorial debut like? How did he put his own spin on the zombie genre? What's next for him? Tune in to this awesome chat to find out all of that and more! Leave your iTunes comments. 5 stars and nothi...

In our 9th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Jon Hoche and Emily Edwards. This week, we discuss actors in the live-action Batman universe. Many actors have played the same role over the years in different iterations on TV and film. From the 1943 Batman serial to the current Justice League film, we cover them all! We each pick our...

Reviews: Ludocrats #1, Whispers #1-6, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Snowpiercer series premiere , Stargirl series premiere Jimmy recruits his regular audio reviewers Melissa, Jon, Marta and new addition Anthony to assist in this episode! A new comic, an older mini-series and a few new TV shows. News (thanks to newsreader Emily!) includes: Batwoman quits, Boba Fett may still be dead, the Snyder c...

In our 8th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Jon Hoche and Marta Balusek. This week, we discuss the cult film STARSHIP TROOPERS. Jimmy had never seen it until this week while everyone else is a big fan. Did he like it? Why does everyone seem to love this film so much? And just what was with that shower scene? So much was discussed...

Jimmy celebrates Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month in this episode. He recruits friends to send in picks of favorite cartoonists of Asian descent. Thanks to Greg Pak, Robin Ha, Rafael Kayanan, Eunsoo Jeong, Qui Nguyen and Jon Hoche for sending in their recommendations. Some of those being celebrated are Gene Luen Yang, Mariko Tamaki, Stan Saki, Thi Bui, Alex Nino and many others. News...

In our 7th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Joe Gonzalez (CNI Producer) and Anna Petterson. This week, we discuss must-read comics. Those comics you always see on the "Best of" lists every year. Books like Maus, Persepolis, Fun Home, American Born Chinese, A Contract With God, Blankets and more. We talk why they are important, en...

Jimmy was supposed to have been in Toronto for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) over the weekend, but like everything else, it was understandably cancelled. It is one of the best comic conventions around! So, he put the word out to some friends and other attendees to chat about their work here. You'll hear from Emma Hayley (SelfMadeHero Publisher) along with cartoonists Falynn Koch, Ido Yoge...

In our 6th episode of COMIC BEAT INSIDER (CBI), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat Chief) and Jimmy are joined by friends Jon Hoche and Ricardo Serrano (The Beat staff writer). This week, we discuss the Hulu/Vice series THE DARK SIDE OF THE RING all about the not so nice side of the wrestling world. We discuss episodes, wrestlers, what shocked us, kayfabe and more. Send in topic ideas for future episodes....

Jimmy recruits some of his regular audio reviewers Ashley, Emily, Emmy, Erica, Heidi, Jon, Marta and Melissa to assist in this episode. We go BATTY! After a recent discussion with a friend, Jimmy asked his reviewers to pick their favorite Batman movie and favorite actor that played Batman. This includes live action and animation! Did everyone pick the same one? Or were our picks wildly different?...