Pencil Us In

In which we discuss one of the biggest surprise success stories of the 20th century and beyond! We talk about the creators of the franchise, how it got to where it did, and where those creators are today. Join us for a story that doesn't actually end up with the creators getting horribly ripped off for once! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of ou...

In which we discuss one of the more important indie comics of the 2000s! We talk about the writer/artist Bryan Lee O'Malley, we talk about the times the book came out in, and we even discuss the publisher a bit, Oni Press! Join us for some very important discourse! Or maybe just some rambling. Probably both! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of ou...

In which we discuss the other great long Kirby comic of the 60s, Thor! We begin with a Journey into Mystery and find ourselves transported across time and space to the very departure of the King of Comics! A whole other king is in the book too, but he's a cosmic jerk!  Anyway, join us! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have...

In which we discuss the very best of the Kirby/Lee collaboration on Fantastic Four! We'll follow our protagonists as they: Stave off world's end! Fight evil in Africa and Europe! Simp over characters with questionable hair! Join us for some of the best comics of the silver age and Marvel Comics in general! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of...

In which...uh...something is killing the children! That something is monsters. Also people are monsters too or something? I don't know. Anyway, join us as we discuss a horror tale in the woods! Plus there's action! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet r...

In which we discuss one of the largest platforms for comics in existence today. Plus we discuss one of the more popular comics to launch on the platform! Join us as we talk about the origins of the mighty Webtoons and then talk about the Remarried Empress! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other top...

In which we discuss one of the great comic runs of all time! Well, part of the run! We're saving the best for next episode! Wanna know the circumstances under which the FF were born? LISTEN IN!! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cookies (pleas...

In which we discuss a popular manga about Japanese nerds! Join our discussion as we talk about the background of the book. Marvel as we talk about something that isn't about Marvel! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cookies (please)?  Let us k...

In which we wrap up our discussion of the Man of Tomorrow for his 85th birthday! Here we cover important contributions to the mythos (and popular culture in general) that were outside the comic pages. I know this is a comic podcast but dammit, there's some important stuff that's not in the comics!  What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our cur...

In which apparently the X is silent? Anyway, we discuss one of the more popular manga to hit the stands recently! We talk about the creator, his influences, and maybe what went in to the creation of this popular book! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes...

In which we discuss an interesting manga about gender, identity, and the roles inherent with them!  Join us as we talk about creator Poppy Pesuyama's memoir about life so far!   It's short, but pretty good! Warning: If you're sensitive about topics concerning sexual harassment, suicidal thoughts, body dysmorphia or otherwise, perhaps this isn't the episode for you! What do you...

In which we discuss the origins and debut of the Man of Steel himself, Superman! Last time, we talked about how DC/National got to the verge of publishing Action Comics #1. Now we discuss how the creators of Superman (Siegel and Shuster) got there and how things went down afterwards! THERE WILL BE MORE ON THIS TOPIC! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think o...

In which we discuss popular manga, One Punch Man, by a guy called One and another guy called Yusuke Murata! We talk about the comic's origins and how it got to where it is today! We explore a bit of background on the creators (such as they are), and we share whatever insight we may add (such as they are)! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our c...

In which we set the stage for the first, the best, and a personal favorite super-hero, Superman!  In order to properly place him within his context, we backtrack to the creation of the very first comic books. We weave in a few super-important figures in our tale and we leave it at a cliffhanger! Wanna know what happens next? Tune in next episode! What do you think?  Do you have something to say? ...

In which we stall for time and Phil gets real curmudgeonly about them newfangled characters!  Anyway, we're working on stuff! You hear about some of the stuff in the episode!  Go ahead and take a listen! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cooki...

In which we tackle one of the big boys of recent popular comics, Demon Slayer!  Su talks about the origins of the story, the background (such as it is) of the author, and even some history on the period of the piece!  We're on the cutting edge this time (get it?  Swords? Please get it)! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have...

There are probably a couple people (2 or 3 of you at least) wondering what happened.  I'll tell you: Work. Su has a new job. I have the same job. I just have even less time than before because this job demands all my attention. Simply put, we've been busy with other things besides comics and research. I didn't say this was an amazing excuse, it's just the way things have been....

In which we discuss a foundational shojo manga, the Poe Clan!  We also discuss the life and times of its creator, Moto Hagio!  Get ready!  This episode will suck (blood or energy or whatever it is they were draining)! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes...

In which we discuss the Sensational She-Hulk mostly under under the pen (and pencil!) of John Byrne!  Wanna know how the whole breaking the 4th wall bit (years before Deadpool) came about?  Find out here! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cookies (...

In which we discuss Japan's favorite space pirate, Captain Harlock!  Join us as we voyage through the ether on a space battleship fighting to save the earth from space plant women and even humanity itself!  We discuss the creator Leiji Matsumoto and a bunch of other stuff!  Climb aboard! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Hav...

In which we discuss some work by Neil Gaiman!  Sandman recently hit Netflix and we decided to get a little topical!  A few weeks later, but better late than never, eh?  We discuss how the book came together, we talk about themes, we talk about another book that Neil Gaiman did as well called Books of Magic!  This isn't a super-deep dive, but it should be fun nonetheless! What do you think?  D...

In which we discuss a recently deceased legendary artist!  Neal changed the industry in several ways and we discuss a few here via reading his Batman work!  Hear about how he helped change panel layouts!  Hear how he expanded the color palette in comics!  Marvel (tee hee) at a dude who just plain got his way! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our cu...

In which we discuss the granddaddy (grandma?) of them all, Sailor Moon!  Listen to our bio on Naoko Takeuchi and how she got to where she is!  Understand that she's apparently capable of doing anything! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cookie...

Our exploration of the Magical Girl genre continues!  We talk about girls that are magical in our own hemisphere!  Wanna know if She-Ra counts?  QUESTION ANSWERED! What do you think?  Do you have something to say?  Wanna tell us what you think of our current topic?  Have other things to say about other topics?  Wanna tell us some sweet recipes for cookies (please)?  Let us know!  We have social me...

That's right!  We're celebrating the birthday of the ol USA with a reading of one of the best Captain America runs in existence!  Join us as we talk about our incredulity over the resurrection of one of the sacred dead ones (RIP Gwen and Uncle Ben)!  We'll talk about the context in which the idea was fostered and the continued resonance of the stories even today! What do you think? ...