Make Mine Paperback Podcast

MMP introduces a special comic this week to wrap up February’s theme of graphic love stories. With art and story by Craig Thomposn, Blankets - Chapter IV: Static (2003) is an autobiographical graphic novel that tells the coming-of-age story of the author. The inspired use of black and white shading makes the art tell a story of its own. Growing up in a strictly Evangelical household, Craig finds t...

Who said robots don’t have feelings? Continuing the theme of graphic love stories, this edition of MMP discusses the possibility of human and robot relationships. In Alex & Ada #2 (2013), written by Sarah Vaughn & Jonathan Luna, the reader will likely notice many similarities between the comic and real life. In a not-so-distant future where technology is everywhere and human connection see...

The month of graphic love stories continues with Batman #50: The Wedding (2016). Written by Tom King, this tale of Holy Batrimony features a collaboration of artists and colorists who come together to celebrate the famous relationship between Batman and Catwoman. After years of playing cat and mouse, or bat if you will, Selina and Bruce decide to tie the knot! The couple finds it difficult to plan...

To get the listeners in the mood for Valentine’s Day, MMP is discussing (graphic) love stories for the new theme in February. The first book of the month, Sex Criminals #1 (2013) by Matt Fraction, explores the awkward experience people go through as they try to learn about sex. Due to an appalling lack of sex education, the main character and narrator of this comic, Suzie, finds it hard to discuss...

Wow! One month into 2022 already! This week Alex, Graham, and Steven wrap up our January theme, Sidekicks, discussing Kick-Ass #4 (2008). It’s the debut of an exciting character as Hit-Girl slashes her way into the pages of Kick-Ass. With art by Tom Palmer and written by Mark Millar our final comic of the month is a cult favorite. A fast-paced book with edgy art, it’s no wonder Kick-Ass spawned tw...

In eager anticipation of Saga Chapter 55, the guys discuss the beautiful Saga Chapter 25 (2015). Continuing January’s theme of Sidekicks! Steven, Alex, and Graham explore the world of Saga. What brought us to this point in the war? How do the people of Wreath and Landfall feel about it? Will Hazel’s family ever be reunited? Why isn’t Ghüs more prominently featured? The boys discuss all this and mo...

The guys continue to discuss sidekicks in January by discussing arguably the most famous sidekick of all, Robin! Robin #1 (2021), written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Gleb Melnikov, tells the tale of one of the more angsty of Batman’s Robins, Damien Wayne. As the son of Batman and Talia al Guhl, Damien has a lot to live up to! Locked in a constant battle to balance his League of Assassins tra...

The guys start the new year with a new theme, sidekicks! To start off the month, MMP discusses Flashpoint - Kid Flash Lost #1 (2011), written by Sterling Gates, with art by Oliver Nome. After a disruption to the timeline, Bart is lost and without support from the Flash. While coming to the realization that he is trapped in a simulation, Bart is able to escape the stasis he has been trapped in duri...

The guys finish off the year by discussing another one of Steven’s favorite reads from 2021, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Written by Ram V, with artwork by Filipe Andrade, the story of Laila Starr takes readers on a philosophical journey while exploring humanity’s understanding of life and death. With humanity about to discover the secrets to immortality, the God of Death is no longer needed in...

In lieu of the release of the new "Spider-Man No Way Home" film that released last week, Alex, Graham and Steven sit down and talk a parallel Spider-Man, a What if...? of sorts! Spider-Man keeps the symbiote suit, and turns to some hardcore vigilante justice... by killing the bad guys? J Jonah Jameson working with the Sinister Six? Where is Eddie Brock? With Aunt May dead, Chip Zdarskey takes you...

As December continues, MMP discusses one of Graham’s favorite comic books from this year, Beta Ray Bill (2021). Written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson, with colors from Mike Spicer, Beta Ray Bill tells the story of a lesser-known hero. Beta Ray Bill is a Korbinite who is transformed into a powerful, horse-like cyborg to help protect his planet. As the only other being worthy of holding Mjolnir...

The second week of December means the guys dive into another book of their favorite stories from 2021 and this one is a new twist to a familiar character: Captain America! In this first issue of a five-part mini series, Steve Rogers reflects on the idea of what is truly the "American Dream", when all of a sudden things go sideways and the shield is stolen by a mysterious character dressed as... Ca...

As the end of the year approaches, MMP begins December by discussing some of the best comics to be released in 2021. To start off the month, the group discusses Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #3 (2020). Katana Collins writes an excellent, crime noir thriller set in a non-canon universe. In an alternate reality, where Bruce Wayne is in prison and the Joker is dead, Harley Quinn remains...

To conclude November’s focus on third-party comic publishers, MMP discusses Spencer & Locke #1 (2017) from Action Lab Comics. David Prepose creates a story that expertly blends the light-hearted spirit of Calvin & Hobbes with the gritty atmosphere found in Sin City. After a traumatic childhood, Locke learns to survive by talking to his stuffed panther, Spencer. As an adult, Locke is a capa...

The group continues to discuss third-party comics by diving into Brigade #1, published by Image Comics . By blending early-90s pop culture with colorful artwork, Brigade creates an easy story for comic fans looking for something different from the major comic publishers. When a terrorist organization seizes control of a building, it is up to Youngblood to stop the madness. But what happens when Yo...

MMP continues to highlight third party publishers by discussing Dynamite Entertainment’s The Boys #21. In a world where superheroes are created and controlled by corporations, we are reminded that humans are indeed flawed. When ordinary people are given superpowers, they do not become the upstanding heroes we normally read about. When a plane is hijacked, will the superheroes be able to save the d...

The guys kick off November with a new theme. This month will be focused on third-party comic publishers to introduce listeners to titles outside of Marvel and DC. In this episode, MMP discusses I Kill Giants #2 from Image Comics. Proving that comic books do not necessarily need to include superheroes to be interesting, the group discusses Barbara Thorson’s odd, yet relatable journey through life....

This week, Alex, Graham and Steven sit down and explore the twisted and cruel mind of the Joker in the 1988 release "The Killing Joke". The Clown Prince of Crime makes every effort to drive Jim Gordon to the brink of insanity, through a charade of vicious and vile acts! Does he break the commissioner? Does Batman stick to the book, or does he do his own thing and deliver the Joker some vigilante j...

This week’s edition of MMP continues the theme of spooky villains by discussing the self-proclaimed “Master of Fear” himself, Scarecrow. In a particularly disturbing display of evil, Scarecrow shows that he is not afraid to break all the rules to terrorize Gotham! Does Scarecrow earn the title of terrifying monster? Are Jim and Batman able to overcome their own worst fears to stop the Scarecrow? F...

Join Alex, Graham, and Steven during this spooky season as they discuss the creepy villains of comics. While discussing the brutal nature of Dr. Destiny in The Sandman #6, MMP proves that not all comics are for children! Is the Dr. one of the scariest baddies in comics? Or is he just another joke villain? Decide for yourself as the hosts talk about what happens when you give a sadistic villain ult...

The guys sit down and crack open Spider-Man 298, as a battle between Spidey and Chance makes you turn the pages to have a quick glimpse at Venom! Who is the symbiote taking control of? Will he be a lover or a fighter? What does Chance have to do with Venom? Find out this and more on this week's episode!

Alex, Graham, and Steven wrap up the topic of mentor and mentee partnerships while discussing Black Cat (2021) #7 . MMP dives into the complex relationship between Black Cat and Black Fox. Black Cat gets put in a tough position by her teacher, father figure, and mentor. Will Black Cat be able to use her thieving skills to save Manhattan? Or will Black Cat give into selfishness? Join us to find out...

In this week’s episode, Alex, Graham, and Steven discuss Invincible (2003) #3 . MMP considers the role of a mentor in a mentee’s life while addressing the relationship Mark has with his own father, Nolan. Mark will have to learn how to be a superhero while also managing the pressures of being in high school! Hopefully Nolan, as Omni-Man, will be able to teach Mark the skills necessary to survive t...

Alex, Graham, and Steven discuss All-New Wolverine (2015) #2 . MMP discusses Laura Kinney’s relationship with Wolverine, continuing the mentor/mentee theme for September. Did Wolverine provide Laura with the skills necessary to survive a hostile world? Laura will be forced to put her training to the test as she is placed in the middle of a conflict that pits clones against their own creators. Will...

Alex, Graham, and Steven discuss Nightwing Rebirth #1, Better than Batman part 1. The beginning of a new month means a new theme for September. Focusing on the relationship between mentors and mentees, the hosts attempt to discover what it means to be better than Batman. MMP discusses Dick Grayson’s transition from Robin to Nightwing, and the implications it poses for the alliance between The Bird...