The Comic Literate Podcast

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the first half of the critically acclaimed graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns. Written by Frank Miller, illustrated by Miller and Klaus Janson, with color by Lynn Varley.  They also discuss whether this truly is the pinnacle of Miller's art work style and how it would it would continue after this, the comic's influence on Batman and the comic mediu...

In this week's episode, Ryan and Jamie reminisce on their favorite moments from the podcast over 2025. From superhero shenanigans to the boys trying not to get political, and more.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro (s) 04:05 - Superhero Shenanigans 43:33 - Comic Book Creators 54:06 - Getting Political 1:04:43 - Jamie's Girlfriends 1:08:35 - And All The Rest YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2GA9q...

In this week's episode, Ryan and Jamie go over the comics that were released in 2025 (that they read) to determine which were the best of the year.  Categories include best comic book movie, horror, non-superhero, DC, Marvel, story, art, and best overall.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 03:07 - Awards Start 04:33 - Best Comic Book Movie 10:19 - VPN Sponsorships and NFTs 13:57 - Best Horror Comic 24:51 -...

In this weeks episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 1997 issue, Hellboy: A Christmas Underground, by Mike Mignola. As well as the 2022 anthology comic, Four Gathered On Christmas Eve, by Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Becky Cloonan, and James Harren.  They also go on tangents about the tropes of Victorian ghost stories, Jamie's ancestry, cucking (for some reason), and a quick dip into the topic of [REDAC...

In this weeks episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 1982's Daredevil issue 191. Written and penciled by Frank Miller with ink by Terry Austin.  They also discuss the themes of hero worship, gun violence, revenge, and Ryan's theory of story.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Comic Talk Starts 03:32 - Story Premise 05:12 - Starting with the Arting 14:20 - Full Story 39:14 - Ryan's Theory  YouTube- https...

In this week's episode, Ryan and Jamie decide, using completely arbitrary criteria, which Marvel/DC copycat characters can stay, and which ones get Thanos snapped. Choosing between  The Flash and Quicksilver, Hawkeye and Green Arrow, Aquaman and Namor, and Swamp Thing and Man-Thing. Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 03:17 - The Flash and Quicksilver 12:09 - Hawkeye and Green Arrow 22:11 - Aquaman and Namor...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read some more of the weirdest Superman comics from the 60's. Which includes Superman issue 137's story of Superman's evil twin (not Bizarro) and World's Finest issue 186's story of Superman trying to burn Batman at the stake for being a witch.  They also explain why this episode was recorded months in advance.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:55 - Superman's Ev...

In this week's episode, Ryan spoils Jamie for his last pre paternity leave episode with the 2001 limited series, Robin: Year One. Written by Chuck Dixon & Scott Beatty, with penciling by Javier Pulido & Marcos Martin, inking by Robert Campanella, colours by Lee Loughridge, and lettering by Sean Konot. They also discuss Jamie's obsession with Dick Grayson, a brief history of all of the main...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the first 4 issues of the currently ongoing series, Captain America. Written by Chip Zdarsky, with art by Valerio Schiti, and colours by Frank Martin.  They also discuss the ever changing timeline of Cap's unfreezing, how does Doctor Doom really feel about him, and Chip Zdarsky's upcomming Marvel Comics event "Armageddon".  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:1...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the first Absolute Batman Annual. Written and art by Daniel Warren Johnson.  They also attempt to discuss the comic without getting too political. As well as discussing what an Annual is, how violent Absolute Batman is compared to Earth 1 Batman, and catching up with the main Absolute Batman series.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:17 - Comic Talk Starts wi...

In this week's episode, not only does Ryan make Jamie read DC K.O. #1, but they also go over the entire tournament brackets to predict, with 100% accuracy, who will win and go on to face Darkseid.  They also discuss DC and Marvel's universe spanning events, the story of DC K.O., and some of the potential upcoming surprises with the Absolute Universe.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:53 - What Is DC K.O...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the first five issues of the 2025 limited series, The Lucky Devils. Written by Charles Soule and art by Ryan Browne.  They also discuss it's thematic connections to a previous work by the same creators, Eight Billion Genies, using hell and devils as an allegory for corporate culture, and critiquing the nine circles of hell (suck it Dante) Timecodes 00:...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie reads the first 2 issues of the 2025 limited series, Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man. Written by James Tynion IV and art by DANI.  They also discuss the original 1933 Universal movie, how movies evolved in the 1930's, why the British love self deprecating humour, and Jamie's vigilante justice for parking crime.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:16 - Comic T...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 2025 limited series sequel , Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite Of Spring. Written and illustrated by Patrick Horvath.  They also discuss the serial killer genre of fiction, specifically the influences of American Psycho and Dexter, and how globalization slowly killed rural population areas.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:24 - Initial Thoughts...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the currently ongoing Image series, Exquisite Corpses. Created by James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh with colours by Jordie Bellaire.  They also discuss the the different players/killers of the story, the probable influences of the comic like Hunger Games and Battle Royal, and a somewhat dark discussion about the glorification of real life serial killer...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 2005 limited series, Marvel Zombies (and the prequel Dead Days). Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Sean Phillips, and colour by June Chung.  They also discuss how weird it is to read "Colonel America" in a comic, the rise and fall of Hank Pym as Ant-Man, and how this particular zombie infection works.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:24 - Comic Talk Sta...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 2025 Marvel/DC crossover, Deadpool/Batman #1. Written by Zeb Wells, art by Greg Capullo, and ink by Tim Townsend.  They also look at the other crossovers including Captain America and Wonder Woman, Krypto the dog and Jeff the Shark, Daredevil and Green Arrow, and more.  They also discuss the time Green Lantern went crazy and killed a bunch of peopl...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 2025 ongoing series, Supergirl. Written and drawn by Sophie Campbell with colour by Tamra Bonvillain.  They also discuss (at length) who this comic might be written for? As well as tangents about music biopics and animated characters that awoke something in today's millennials.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Comic Credits and Broad Thoughts 06:40...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the 2025 Marvel limited series, Daredevil:Cold Day In Hell. Written by Charles Soule and art by Steve Mcniven,  They also go on tangents about whether this is the Old Man Logan universe or not, Daredevil's Catholicism, and the bad Daredevil film from 2003.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:38 - Comic Talk Starts and Credits 04:35 - Starting with the Arting 1...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jame read issues 6-10 of the currently ongoing series, Absolute Batman. Written by Scott Snyder, art by Nick Dragotta, and colour by Frank Martin.  Though they are mainly looking at the introductions of the the DC Absolute Universe's versions of the Joker (who doesn't laugh), Mr Freeze (who is kind of frozen), and Bane (who is big).  They also go on tangents abou...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read the limited series, Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double-Feature. Written by Tim Seeley and Rex Ogle with art by Mitch Gerads, Matteo Lolli, and John Kalisz.  They also talk about the history of Peacemaker, Vigilante as a representation of autism, and the Valiant/Bloodshot comic controversy.  Timecodes Intro - 00:00 03:11 - Comic Credits 04:...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read issues 1-5 of the currently ongoing series Absolute Martian Manhunter. Written by Deniz Camp, and art by Javier Rodriguez.  They also go on wild tangents about the original Martian Manhunter, eccentric English Professors, global economic terms, and tipping culture in America.  Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:49 - Comic Talk Starts & Credits 05:41 - Star...

In this week's episode, Ryan makes Jamie read issues 13-19 of the ongoing series, Ultimate Spider-Man. Written by Jonathan Hickman and art by Marco Checchetto and David Messina.  They also discuss the Ultimate Universe versions of Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman, and Venom, as well as the future of this title and the whole Marvel Ultimate Universe comics, and Ryan tells Jamie a bit about one...

In this week's episode, Ryan made Jame watch 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps so we're reviewing a comic book film instead of a comic this week.  They also discuss the possible new directions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what the post credits scene means, the real meaning of the word fantastic, and which Avengers do they want the Fantastic Four to meet? Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 02:46 - R...

In this weeks episode, Ryan makes Jamie read Fantastic Four issue 262, "The Trial of Reed Richards". Written and art by John Byrne with colours by Glynis Wein.  They also discuss the legal system of the Marvel Intergalactic Universe, does The Watcher ever actually just watch, and how did Galactus produce a daughter? Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 05:00 - Comic Talk Starts 07:22 - Comic Credits 08:11 - St...