Classic Comics Cavalcade

Amir and Jason are still talking about love, Jack Kirby style, as they dig into four stories from the Kirby: Love and War collection and find them to be... not so great? But still kind of fascinating in what they do and don't tell.

Most fans primarily think of Jack Kirby as the co-inventor of the Marvel Universe and the genius behind classic series like the New Gods. But Kirby also created the whole genre of romance comics, in collaboration with his partner Joe Simon, and together the pair created some truly memorable stories. In today's episode, Amir and Jason look at three of those stories and are frankly amazed by how gre...

Wouldja believe Jack Kirby co-created the romance genre in comics as well as some of the greatest comic book romance stories ever created? Amir and Jason dig into two more classic romance stories by the Simon & Kirby team (and some apparent collaborators) in this fascinating 24-minute podcast.

Amir and Jason were intrigued to read the romance comics of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, so they dug out their copies of the 2012 Young Romance anthology and read a couple of the stories from that volume. And the stories weren't just good - they were great! Hear the guys rave about these amazing comics and then come back next week for more fun conversation about the most suprising romance comics ever...

Amir and Jason have had their complaints abou the first three issues of Punisher: POV  by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson and Bill Wray. But they loved issue four, with its totally awesome '80s action vibee and its superlative art by Wrightson. Come hear the guys analyze why the comic deserves to be read -- even if it doesn't quite rise to the level of Batman: the Cult , the comic it sort of it...

Amir and Jason complained about issue 2 of Punisher: POV . But with issue 3, either the comic hits its groove or Amir and Jason just get attuned to it, because the third issue is like a John Carpenter film or a Nightmare on Elm Street film, a strange, spooky, occasionally scary monster movie from the early 1990s. The guys dig into that insight and have fun enjoying this comic's odd vibe.

Despite an all-star cast of creators - the same group who created the excellent Batman: The Cult - the later series Punisher POV is very disappointing. Jason and Amir look at this comic and call out some of the places it fell short - and some of the places the creators could have improved it.

Amir and Jason really enjoyed reading Batman: the Cult, so they had to move ahead and discuss the proposed sequel to that powerful mini, Punisher P.O.V. , which juxtaposes a psychological horror story with an intriguing meditation on vigilantism. Join them for a very interesting discussion.

This week, Amir and Jason wrap up their discussion of Batman: the Cult by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson and Bill Wray, with a discussion of issue 4, which intends to wrap things up, but doesn't quite do the job perfectly. The guys bat around the brilliance of Wrightson's art, the superfluesness of Robin, and the small touches which might have made this final issue even more satisfying. Join them f...

Amir and Jason are back to discuss Batman: the Cult #3 by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson and Bill Wray. This is anotehr dark, intense issue which makes the guys wonder how our heroes can possibly escape their horrible fate. Join Jason & Amir for a 28 minute chat about this comic - then make sure to seek Batman: the Cult out for yourself.

Amir and Jason are back to discuss Batman: the Cult #2 by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson and Bill Wray. Once again the creative team are hitting on all cylinders, delivering a shocking and great story about Batman beginning to reach his limits. Join them for a 22 minute chat about this comic - then make sure to seek Batman: the Cult out for yourself.

Last week, after they finished discussing The Infinity Gauntlet , Amir and Jason decided they wanted to review another comic written by the great Jim Starlin. They decided to look at the roughly contemporary miniseries Batman: the Cult , with art by Bernie Wrightson and colors by Bill Wray. They expected brillaint storytelling by Wrightson, but they didn't quite expect the hyper violent script by...

Amir and Jason have loved every issue of the 1991 Marvel limited series The Infinity Gauntlet . And the final issue, issue #6, gives readers a thoroughly satisfying climax, complete with a smart conclusion to several story arcs and some character beats that wrap the series perfectly. Join them for 28 minutes of discussion we hope wyou will think is as excellent as the comic itself. If you enjoyed...

Amir and Jason continue their read of Infinity Gauntlet , about as solid a set of early '90s Marvel Comics as anyone can hope to find. It's a brilliant cosmic epic, great enough for Amir to declare that Starlin is quickly becoming one of his favorite writers. Join us for 23c minutes to learn why. If you enjoyed the pod, please rate, share and comment!

Amir and Jason are back and they're continuing their look at Infinity Gauntlet . With issue #4, things are starting to get rough and it seems like people are going to die. Lots and lots of people, starting with people with names like Wolverine, Hulk and Captain America. Join Amir and Jason for 25 minutes and hear them chat about how deftly the team of Starlin, Perez and Lim deliver this thrilling...

George Pérez did some brilliant work in his long and amazing comics career, and he did some of his finest work ever on Infinity Gauntlet, with writing by the great Jim Starlin. Join Amir and Jason for a discussion of the amazingly great Infinity Gauntlet #3, a series that continues to be way better than we thought it would be.

Jason and Amir continue their look at the Jim Starlin - George Perez classic The Infinity Gauntlet #2 - yep, the comic that started it all - and find that it continues the awesomeness of the first issue and works as a wonderful tribute to everything Perez brought to his comics work.

Jason and Amir were saddened by the recent death of the great George Pérez, so they had to look at one of his most classic comics. To their mutual surprise, both the guys really enjoyed Infinity Gauntlet #1, especially the brilliant art by Pérez. Come listen to their celebration of the art of one of modern comics' greatest masters.

Amir and Jason were both saddened by the death of the great Neal Adams, so this was the perfect time for them to break out their copies of Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali and talk about perhaps the greatest comic Adams ever created. Give the episode a listen and enjoy the celebration of one of the most important cartoonists of all time.

Amir had never read Steve Ditko's final "Doctor Strange" stories -- or even any Ditko Strange tales - so when Jason suggested they disucss these classics, Amir readily agreed. But Amir was surprised by how great these comics were, and how wonderful Ditko's storytelling was in these stories. Listen in for a 35-minute chat as the guys discuss this truly classic comic work.

Amir and Jason have been huge fans of the work of Daniel Clowes. So when Amir suggested they read an issue of Clowes's Eightball , they agreed it was a must-read. So they chose Eightball #8, from 1992(!), which finds Clowes at his most angsty, with a chapter of "Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron", backed by a half-dozen experiences in angst and pain.  It's a great comic and a great listen and...

Like everyone, Jason is a fan of the films of Hayao Miyazaki. So Amir mentioned to Jason that Miyazaki had created a manga series of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind , the guys agreed they had to read it to discuss for Classic Comics Cavalcade. It was no surprise, then, that the manga is a masterpiece. Join them for a spirited discussion of this amazing work.

Now that Spider-Man: No Way Home is finally out on PPV, it's time to wrap up this round of the Marvelcast with a perfect wrapup. Spider-Man: No Way Home is in some ways a culmination of the Spider-Man films, with all its guest stars and its tight integration with the MCU. Jason and Carlos dig deep into the movie and find a whole lot to enjoy. Warning: there are spoilers for this movie in the pod.

The Batman has been getting rave reviews and is bringing people back to theatres. But is it a good watch? Paul and Shawn join Jason to explore the complexity of Matt Reeves's take on Vengeance, with a 90 minute, tangent filled conversation filled with insights, some laughs and some very smart takes.  If you enjoy the pod, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple or Google.

One of Amir's favorite graphic novels is Stages of Rot by Linnea Sterte, an amazing surreal and thoroughly creative story unline any other. He persuaded Jason to give the book a try, and it turns out that Sterte's creation was Jason's jam. Join Amir and Jason for about 25 minutes' discussion about this intrigiung book. And if you enjoyed the conversation, please share the link with friends and sub...