Classic Comics Cavalcade

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s “Born Again” is the definitive Daredevil story, and it begins with one of the most devastating single issues Marvel ever published. In Daredevil #227, “Apocalypse” (1986), Karen Page sells Matt Murdock’s secret identity, and the Kingpin uses it to take Matt’s life apart piece by piece: his money, his law license, his friends, his home. Jason Sacks of Classic C...

Frank Miller and Klaus Janson's Daredevil #181 gave Marvel one of its most shocking deaths and one of its greatest single comics. "Bullseye vs. Elektra. One wins. One dies." In 1982, Daredevil #181 delivered on that cover blurb with a story readers never forgot. Here's how a young cartoonist steeped in Will Eisner and Raymond Chandler built to that moment over 16 months, and why...

Valiant Comics didn't just fade away — it imploded. In this follow-up to their Unity crossover deep-dive, the hosts trace the fall: Eternal Warrior's forgettable solo run, Archer & Armstrong's comedic genius, and the insane speculator boom that made Wizard Magazine practically a Valiant mouthpiece (allegedly paid for). Then it gets dark — Jim Shooter's shocking ouster right as...

In this deep-dive episode of Classic Comics Cavalcade, hosts Jason Sacks and Carl Smith continue their history of Valiant Comics, focusing on the landmark "Unity" crossover event. They explore how Jim Shooter and his team leveraged Valiant's tightly interconnected line of titles — Magnus Robot Fighter, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Shadowman , and Solar Man of the A...

Is the web-slinger’s latest cinematic outing a masterpiece or a mismatched digression? Join hosts Jason Sacks and Eric Hoffman as they dive deep into the latest Tom Holland Spider-Man film. The duo breaks down why this blockbuster’s emotional core and stunning, real-world New York visuals represent a massive return to form. But it’s not all praise—the hosts pull no punches when dissecting the film...

Before they became a massive 1990s comic book phenomenon, Valiant Comics was at its absolute lowest ebb. In this episode, Jason Sacks and Carl Smith dive into the legendary "Pre-Unity" era of Valiant. Learn how industry icon Jim Shooter pivoted away from failed Nintendo games to launch masterclasses in sci-fi storytelling like Magnus Robot Fighter and Solar, Man of the Atom . We explore...

Jim Shooter saved Marvel in the ’80s—then got fired on the exact same day he met the man who would help him launch Valiant Comics. In Part 1 of our Valiant deep dive, Jason Sacks and Carl Smith break down the chaotic, rarely discussed origins of the label. From a failed multi-million dollar auction to buy Marvel, to printing bizarre, poorly disguised Nintendo advertisement comics, and fighting wit...

From throwing legendary hotel parties with Stan Lee to getting invited to lunch at Jack Kirby's house, comic book editor and industry veteran Dave Elliott has seen it all! In this episode of Classic Comics Cavalcade, Jason Sacks sits down with lifelong comics veteran Dave Elliott to discuss his massive career, his newest project A1 Deadlin e, and the incredible history of the indie comic scene...

New comics, classic comics, underground and indie, we cover them all this week!

Amir and Jason talk about their latest pickups, including Pee Pee Poo Poo by Caroline Cash, Time Under Tension and Desperate Pleasures by M.S. Harkness, Yummy Fur by Chester Brown, Fielder by Kevin Huizenga; the zines Mineshaft, 1986 and Bubbles , along with some amazing original art by the legendary Trevor Von Eeden. Also a discussion of the most important years of comic book history!

Ryan Claytor has been creating wonderful comics and other works of art for 20 years now. To celebrate, he's creating a new collection of that twenty years' worth of work, and he wants to invite you along to see how he created it! One Bite at a Time , Ryan's new Kickstarter, is a lovingly produced new project which does that. Ryan joins Jason to chat about the project and why it's s...

This week, Amir and Jason dig deep into their comics longboxes to find some of the cool treasures lurking within. They find some classic Flash Gordon , some Frank Frazetta, Kyle Baker, Richard Corben, Vaughn Bode, Steve Ditko and many others, plus Jason shares some of the custom bound comics he has had done recently. All of this is a good listen but is also well worth watching on the Classic Comic...

This week Amir and Jason decided to have some fun and do a quick episode talking about some of the fantastic comics they've read recently. They delve deep into some great names, including Harvey Pekar, Michel Fiffe, Joe Matt, Richard Corben and many others... we'd love to hear what you think about these recommendations and others you might have for us... please share in comments!

The mysterious Malekith strikes Thor's world, but comics genius Walter Simonson won't let that storyline proceed in a predictible way. No, Thor #345 contains a pretty brilliant set of head-fakes which leads the reader to believe this issue is going to present one story when in fact it presents something very different. Amir and Jason explore and have a lot of fun with Simonson's unconv...

Amir and Jason are back exploring the story of Walter Simonson's Thor, this week delving into the complex question of Whatever Happened to Balder the Brave? Yeah, Balder was dead and then got reborn and got fat and kind of lazy, but what happens when Balder is asked by Odin to go on a quest to bring a message to Loki? Some interesting shenanigans ensue.

When you have a friend who's feeling old and run down, what better way is there to cheer him up than to have him fight a Godzilla style monster? Walt Simonson answers that question in the latest breathless issue of his epic Thor run!

The guys' read of Thor continues with issue 342 - "The Last Viking!" In which Thor gets a psychic signal and goes to the secret land below the ice. Meanwhile Lorelei schemes, the DOOM hammer keeps falling, and Surtur is ready to attack New York City. Oh yeah, and Terry Austin takes over the inking chores for an issue and gives things a different - but similar - feel.

Amir rejoins Jason as the guys continue their look at Walter Simonson's masterful Thor run, this time wrapping up the Beta Ray Bill saga with the terrifically exciting Thor #340. This issue has it all! Space battles! Giant monsters! Strong, tough women! And Fandrall sitting on a hapless rebel. Join the guys for a fun chat about a great comic.

The issue title may be sad, but the actual comic is awesome. This week Amir and Jasoon dig deep into Thor 341, the issue with that great title, in which we learn about Nick Fury's family, about Thor's broad shoulders, and about all kinds of nefarious plans to hurt Thor in the future. It's another barnburner, and the guys go on a few tangents as they dig deep into this amazing issue.

As Amir and Jason dig deeper into the Beta Ray Bill saga in Thor , they find Walt Simonson hitting on all cylinders as he delivers the devastating effects of a battle, shows the power of Sif (and her conflicting emotions), and shows how a hammer is forged! Make sure to look for Classic Comics Cavalcade on YouTube to see the artwork we praise so much!

Amir and Jason are back looking at the masterful work of Walt Simonson on Thor , this time looking at Thor #338 and the incredible, thrilling battle between Thor and Beta Ray Bill. Simonson is sparking as he creates these comics and the guys are swept away by the excitement. If you enjoy this program, check out our YouTube channel for video of the pages we discuss.

Amir and Jason are back to talk more classic Marvel Comics. This time they dig deep into the incredible genius of Walt Simonson's debut issue writing and drawing Thor , which features the very first appearance by the one and only Beta Ray Bill. Why is Walt's run so great, and why did it hit like a proverbial lightning bolt? Listen to our take on this. If you'd like to watch a video ver...

Amir and Jason are back, and so is the Black Panther in the magnificent Fantastic Four #53, a thrilling and fun exploration of Wakandan society and the wickedness of one Ulysses Klaw. The guys dissect what works and doesn't work in the comic. If you'd like video to go along with the recording, you can now watch Classic Comics Cavalcade on our very own YouTube Channel , so please check us o...

Amir and Jason are back at it with their look at Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four . This time: the first appearance of the Black Panther in an Afro-furturistic tale of pure action and suspense. Also, we get a lot of Wyatt Wingfoot in this comic, and Amir and Jason agree: We want more Wingfoot!

Amir and Jason are back looking at the exquisite Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four run with a review of one of the most beloved comics of the Silver Age, FF 51's "This Man This Monster." This comic finds Lee and Kirby at the height of their powers, teaming up to deliver a story with a perfect balance of story and art, of pathos and power, and it also has the Kirby Exquisite on full display. I...