Funny Book Forensics

Dan and Greg discuss Starlite Issue 2 fresh off shipping from KickStarter.  What happens when kid super-heroes grow-up? Where do they go, what do they do, and how do they end up in outer space with cat aliens? Co-host and Co-author Greg Smith explains it all while Dan “analyzes” the story.    Like what you heard? Find out more about the other creators including Travis Webb , Brett Weldele , and Da...

We finish up the Harlan Ellison deep dive by watching the Star Trek TOS Season 1 Episode 28 Episode, you guessed it, City on the Edge of Forever. Kirk and Spock go back in time to save McCoy… What!? That sounds like a different script. “ Killers! Assassins! “ Watch Along: Star Trek Season One Episode 28 Follow us on social media: https://twitter.com/funnybook4n6 https://www.instagram.com/funnybook...

Time, displacement, tragedy!  All in this episode of Funny Book Forensics!  We finish the Harlan Ellison Cut!  This is an amazing story. City on the Edge of Forever issue 5 in this episode. WRITTEN: Harlan Ellison with Scott and David Tipton Arts: J.K. Woodward COVERS: Juan Ortiz Read Along: Comixology:  Star Trek: Harlan Ellison’s City on the Edge of Forever  Follow us on social media: https://tw...

Why watch the Snyder cut when you can get the Ellison cut? Greg and Dan review Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay for Dan’s favorite Star Trek Original Series Episode The City on the Edge of Forever in graphic novel form! What do the shirts stand for? Who can beat up Kirk and Scott? Find out why Yeoman Rand is the only member of the crew worth anything. Just have fun with us as we read a classic!...

Greg and Dan get to the end of Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles. “Heavens to Murgatroyd” where does Snagglepuss end up after his life falls apart and he is blackballed? Also, we discuss the best food to eat when depressed and Khrushchev in a cornfield. We end just chatting about why this is a great story.  Hear Mark Russell on Spoiler Country: http://scpod.net/?s=mark+russell WRITTEN: M...

Greg and Dan continue the discussion of Exit Stage Left and you know the story is good when they just talk about the story.  Issue 5 brings the climax of the arc. Find out if Snagglepuss testifies… What is the fate of Huckleberry Hound?   Greg shares his thoughts on how revealing a cover should be in relation to the story. WRITTEN: Mark Russell PENCILS: Mike Feehan INKS: Mark Morales COVER: Ben Ca...

Greg and Dan continue the discussion of Exit Stage Left. This is where things start to change Snagglepuss and Huckleberry Hound. The subplots stop and story moves forward as Gigi Allen uses all of her power to go after Snagglepuss but doesn’t quite hit the mark. Meanwhile Gigi tries to hide her relationship as Snagglepuss starts to share his life with his loved ones. Greg shares his approach to wr...

Greg and Dan continue the discussion of Exit Stage Left. In the story we learn about Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and whole host of character from the 1950s. The story moves forward showing how Snagglepuss and Huckleberry Hound interact the with New York community and the political climate in the U.S.  Of course Greg and Dan get a little off track by chatting about the Bendis is Co...

Greg and Dan continue the discussion of Exit Stage Left. The McCarthy Era topics continue including Roy Cohn, The Lavender Scare, Huckleberry Hound in the City, and the campaign against communism. Join us for issue 2 and stay along during the coming weeks for the rest of the mini-series.   WRITTEN: Mark Russell PENCILS: Mike Feehan INKS: Mark Morales COVER: Ben Caldwell  Read Along: Comixology: Ex...

Greg and Dan head to the front of the stage to discuss the first issue of Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles. Of course, we are going to discuss the issue.  Thanks to some great writing by Mark Russell we also get to talk about Stonewall, the Rosenbergs, HUAC, McCarthy, and all sorts of red scare fun! Join us for issue 1 and stay along during the coming weeks for the rest of the mini-seri...

Greg and Dan review Prez issue 4 from 1974. Prez fights off cultural imperialism, the Universal Monsters, and bat based disease to save the Earth! We also rundown how these stories compare to the current U.S. political environment. This is the third and final episode of a series where we cover all four issues of Prez. So, “Cool it Man” be “Radical” and join in to support “Prez Power.”   Read along...

Greg and Dan review Prez issue 2 and 3 from 1973/1974. We cover protests, Bobby Fischer, Chess, and gun control as this strangely present story weaves forward. This is the second episode of a series where we will cover all four issues of Prez. So, “Cool it Man” be “Radical” and join in to support “Prez Power.”   Read along: Prez Collection on Comixology Prez #2 on DC Universe Prez #3 on DC Univers...

Greg and Dan continue talking through DC Super-Stars 17 from 1977. In part two we discuss the underwhelming Legion of Super-Heroes story about the energetic Quintile crystal. Then we get into the first appearance of The Huntress. We also dig into what was happening with the Justice Society in All-Star Comics at the time! We get into the future of the Huntress after 1977. Get Paul Levitz’s thoughts...

Greg and Dan take on DC Super-Stars 17. In part one we discuss the DC Implosion and creators’ rights. We also review a beautiful Denny O’Neil and Mike Grell Green Arrow origin story! Read the issue and join us next week as we review the 1 st appearance of Huntress. Follow us on social media: https://twitter.com/funnybook4n6 https://www.instagram.com/funnybook4n6/ https://www.facebook.com/FunnyBook...

Greg and Dan review OMAC 1 from 1974! OMAC was Jack Kirby’s last regular series at DC in the 1970s after the hailed “Kirby is Coming” campaign to promote new Kirby creations. During the review we get into some really crazy Kirby story design and Kirby’s view on corporations. Join us as we explore one fun Kirby comic. Creators–Writer/Pencils/Editor Jack Kirby, Inks Mike Royer, Color Jerry Serpe Rea...

In honor of the 2020 Election, Greg and Dan listen to some Superman Old Time Radio! We review all 16 episodes of Superman vs the Clan of the Fiery Cross.  During the review we discuss the history of the KKK in the United States up to the time of the radio serials. The discussion points out the danger of revivalist social movements like the KKK and “Make America Great Again”. We pull no punches in...

Episode 252: Endless Chase Synopsis: Greg and Dan read and discuss ALL OF New Teen Titans Vol 2 Annual 3, the first appearance of Danny Chase. After exploring one off characters that were successful we explore one that was well, a character. We aren’t here just to review the good stories from the long box. However, Danny Chase is getting a reboot on Teen Titans Season 3. Additionally, Spoiler Coun...

Episode 251: Part 2 Squashed Like a Beetle Synopsis:  Greg and Dan finish part 2 of Ted Kord’s “last appearance”. They dive deep into the story and how to utilize *spoiler* the death of a character. Additionally, there is lots of discussion about the history of the Blue Beetle! Countdown to Infinite Crisis was created by all these folks: Writers – Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Judd Winich; Artists: Cha...

Episode 250: Beetlemania Part 1 Synopsis:  Greg and Dan start part one of Beetlemania. Who is Batman holding on the cover?  The history of the Blue Beetle is one of the most fascinating comic stories from the Golden Age to Now. We explore the history of the character while reviewing Ted Kord’s “last story” (well not really last story right!). Plus it was created by all these folks: Writers – Geoff...

Synopsis:  Greg and Dan continue the conversation on one-off and throw-away characters. Guy Gardner was the other “man without fear” in the DC Universe until he got hit by a bus.  John Stewart steps in to be the new back-up Green Lantern on Earth in Green Lantern (Vol. 2) 87.  Like most of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow run this issue challenges social norms taking racism head-on. We also discuss t...

Synopsis:  Greg and Dan review Green Lantern 59 to follow-up the conversation in Episode 247 on throw-away characters. Guy Gardner the other “man without fear” in the DC Universe debuts in a story written by John Broome and drawn by legendary Artist Gil Kane. We salivate over Kane’s art and “enjoy” Broome’s story. We discuss the use of Gardner as a one off character. We also have a little fun look...

On Episode 247 of Funny Book Forensics Dan and Greg discuss Superheroes who can’t fit into their costumes and Superheroes who are not fit for their costumes! They review Justice League America Issue 52 “Fight of the Century” where Guy Gardner and Blue Beetle FIGHT!  We also discuss comic conventions and the local comic shops scene during the social distancing rules due to Covid-19. Show links: JUS...

Funny Book Forensics is a Comic Book Review Podcast with life long friends comic book historian Dan Schabot and comic book writer Greg Smith. We talk about of all things, comics!