Classic Comics Cavalcade

Somehow, despite the fact they both owned copies of the story, neither Jason nor Amir had ever read any of Moebius's classic western comic Lt. Blueberry . They rectify that error here, reading "The Iron Horse", and discover - no suprise - that these are incredible comics. 

Amir and Jason decided to take one more stop in their reading of Steve Gerber comics, so they decided to take a look at Howard the Duck #4 from 1976, a shockingly dark look at violence. It's a great comic and the guys spend 20 minutes discussing the complicated moral questions Gerber raises in this issue. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Amir loved the Tintin comics growing up, but Jason never read them. So Amir shares his passion for this classic series and sees Jason blown away by the artistry and plain fun of these volumes. Along the way the guys talk about great coloring, Herge's complicated lovelife, and unrequited monster love. It's a half hour of great listening.

This week Amir and Jason go a little outside our normal Classsic Comic Cavalcade topics, with a discussion of the comics work of the brilliant Carl Barks. Amir and Jason discuss the classic story "The Fabulous Philosopher's Stone", a thrilling story about a treasure hunt to find a rock than transmutes metal into gold. Appropriately, the guys find gold in the brilliant storytelling and amazing clev...

Spider-Man: Homecoming got extremely good reviews on its release, but Jason is full of complaints about it. Is he just being a contrary aspiring hipster or do his points make sense? Carlos tries to sort out Jason's take on the first Spider-Man movie in the MCU. What do you think of his take?

Amir and Jason wrapup their discussion of the brilliant Steve Gerber/Mary Skrenes/Jim Mooney comic Omega the Unknown with a look at the mysterious issue #10. The issue starts with a funeral, ends with a hero being shot down, and contains a slew of cryptic scenes in between. The guys try to make sense of the story and take guesses as to where the series would have gone if it hadn't been cancelled.....

Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes are back on Omega the Unknown with issue 9, so it's a return to greatness. Their brilliant work spurs an interesting conversation by Jason and Amir, discussing children's wish fulfillment, the shallowness of comic book heroism, and the nature of vigilantism - among many other topics. It's a great listen which we're sure you'll enjoy. If you liked the episode, please s...

After loving James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy films (especially Book 2 ), Jason was really excited to watch Gunn's The Suicide Squad . Carlos was excited, too, but not holding his breath. And after watching this new movie, Carlos and Jason are... kind of conflicted. Kind of happy, laughing along, at the same time they're frustrated by the movie. It's an ambivalent 24 minute conversation that w...

Yeah, Carlos and Jason both spent the 30 bucks to watch Black Widow on Disney+. But they both agree the expense was worth it because they agree the movie is fun, with some clever character moments and people to root for. Way to go Disney/Marvel! Join us for 20 minutes of happy discussion!

Omega the Unknown was an incredible Steve Gerber - Mary Skrenes project, but two issues were fill-ins. Amir and Jason dig into those fill-in issues, exploring where they succeed and fail, and how they might have gone differently if Amir or Jason had written the comic instead of Scott Edelman and Roger Stern. It's an interesting listen, worth 30 minutes of your time! If you enjoy this podcast, plea...

The Marvelcast, our rewatching of the Marvel movies in chronological order, continues with our watch of Captain America: Civil War. Jason expected to love the movie and only kind of liked it. Carlos, on the other hand, has a hot take -- he thought it was pretty awful. Join us for 20 minutes of honest disappointment, a few laughs, and maybe a few signs of Marvel fatigue...

Omega the Unknown #6 is an odd issue - but then again, every issue of this comic is odd. Omega #6 starts with a spooky dream sequence that echoes trauma from earlier issues, has a few non-sequitur scenes, starts to explore tensions and trust issues between the Hell's Kitchen roommates, and features a villain who is odd, unerwhelming and yet terrifying. In short, it's a comic worth the discussion,...

Next up on the great Marvel movie rewatch is Ant-Man, a movie Carlos had never seen and which Jason barely remembered. Did they like it or hate it, or kinda fall inbetween? (Spoiler: bet in inbetween!) This pod is a 28-minute fun listen, so please listen and enjoy!

Amir and Jason are back with their discussion of the classic Omega the Unknown by Steve, Gerber, Mary Skrenes and Jim Mooney. The guys declare the comic is amazing, with one of the darkest moments of 1970s comics and a deeply strange villain. It's 30 minutes of interesting discussion about a brilliant, unique comic book.

Yeah, so Avengers: the Age of Ultron isn't the greatest Marvel film but it isn't the worst one, either. Join Carlos and Jason as they dive deep into sentient robots, complicated twins and the pointless destruction of a city in this 30 minute chat.

Jason and Carlos knew they'd enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but they weren't ready for how much they enjoyed it. The ended up recording a 35 minute pod all about how fantastic this film was - and you should go watch it right now if you love fun. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating on iTunes.

Finally Jason and Carlos watch one of their favorite Marvel movies, Guardians of the Galaxy. Both of them love this fun, freewheeling superhero flick, so they trade off in a conversation about why it's so great. Join them for 24 minutes of purely pleasurable chat about a purely pleasurable film! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe and leave a rating on iTunes.

This week Jason starts out saying Captain America: the Winter Soldier is his favorite MCU film so far. But Carlos disagrees with that assertion. He feels it's just not as good as Jason thinks. Join us for 24 minutes of fun debate as well as some bashing of Robert Redford and some praise of Scarlett Johansson. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

Omega the Unknown is a contemplative issue, full of thoughtful exposition that begins to illuminate the mindset of our mysterious hero as he is confronted with an experience completely outside of anything he even considered. Meanwhile, James-Michael is forced to grow some chest hair and go to a public middle school - a school that is a true living hell. Join Amir and Jason as they discuss the next...

Is Thor: the Dark World a great movie fantasy or a weird, dull tangent in the Marvel Universe? This time Carlos liked the movie, feeling it was a fun derivate take on Lord of the Rings trilogy, while Jason thinks there's just not a lot there to latch onto. It's 28 minutes of fun argument we hope you'll enjoy!

In the third amazing issue of Omega the Unknown, things start to evolve in ways we can barely expect. James-Michael has another weird meeting with his doctor before he enrolls in one of the most realistic and frightening middle schools in New York circa 1976. He also tunes into a telethon in which Electro, the old Spider-Man villain, is monologuing like crazy while he confronts our strong, silent...

Carlos hated Iron Man 3 , but Jason has a hot take on the movie: it's actally not terrible. The guys argue a lot about whether Tony actually grows, if the end battle in this movie is worthwhile, and whether this is an appropriate conclusion to the Iron Man trilogy. They almost break their friendship based on this flick - or at least Carlos threatens that! Join us for a 20-minute chat that will for...

Jason and Carlos have made it to the end of Phase 1 of the MCU as they discuss The Avengers, which stars just about everybody in an awesome special effects blockbuster. Carlos was frustrated by the sketchiness of this movie, while Jason enjoyed the spectacle of it. Come spend 28 minutes listening to Carlos grouse and Jason kinda sounds happy about this flick.

Once again Amir and Jason look at Omega the Unknown , the masterpiece by Steve Gerber, Mary Skrenes and Jim Mooney, and once again they find it is spectacular comics - smart, mysterious and beguilingly complex, with outstanding storytelling, compelling characters and a fascinating setting. It's 48 minutes of smart, thoughtful comics analysis we're sure you'll enjoy. If you did enjoy the pod, pleas...

Finally a movie we love! Thor is animated by great performances by Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, and directed with gravitas by Kenneth Branagh. Carlos and Jason agree Thor is a delight, with a smart plot that doesn't take itself too seriously, some good supporting characters, and some great godly battles. Join us for a 27-minute listen in which the guys are mostly happy for most of the show...