The Corner Box

John and David get together to discuss the new Superman movie, the San Diego Comic-Con, how Howard the Duck earned its R-rating, and learning to embrace change. Also, David finally earns his greatest treasure—his Gas Pass. Relevant Links SUGAR BOMB is Coming! The Comic That Makes You Ask, "Is That A Freaking Dolphin?!" John is at PugW! Pug Worldwide Timestamp Segments [00:44] David’s Pas...

John and David get into comic book making processes, what it takes to get big-name artists on a book, the value of comic book art, John gives his thoughts on the new Superman movie, David has a gripe with Silver Surfer, and Jim McCann features as a fun fact. David's First Super-Power Comic is Coming! Sugar Bomb launches soon! John is at PugW! Pug Worldwide Timestamp Segments [01:15] David arc...

John and David catch up on the comics industry news—the ripple effects of Diamond’s closure, the reminiscences pouring in after the passing of Jim Shooter, how he reshaped the entire comic book industry, the success of the Secret Wars formula, and the acid-induced comics of the 1970s, and John is terrified by X-Men. David's First Super-Power Comic is Coming! Sugar Bomb launches soon! John is...

Writer Jim McCann joins hosts John and David to talk about his journey from writing soap operas to comics, coming up with some of the most memorable marketing slogans in Marvel Comics history, the exciting upcoming launches from Ignition Press, why everyone needs a good editor, and Jim’s brand-new newsletter! David's First Super-Power Comic is Coming! Sugar Bomb launches soon! John is at PugW...

David and John dive headfirst into a collector’s dream haul of vintage Avengers comics, mourn the untimely demise of Marvel’s Spider-Boy series, and dissect the ambitious (but uneven) rollout of the Nacelleverse and the bold launch of the Neon Ichiban digital comics platform. Plus, a peanut butter joke that might just change the way you say lunch.

David and John pay heartfelt respect to the late, great Peter David—exploring his legacy on Incredible Hulk , X-Factor , and beyond—while reflecting on what makes a comic creator’s career truly enduring. Along the way, they dissect the tangled origins of Bloodstone, the eccentric brilliance of 1970s Marvel publishing, and the wild world of blind-bagged Invincible spin-offs. Plus: John reconsiders...

The invincible Rob Worst joins John and David to talk about getting into comic book collecting, the biggest misconceptions around the hobby, the truth about comics rarity, and watching the stock market for deals. Also, Rob reveals his secret to immortality, and John starts a new career. David's Doing Fun Stuff! Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians is now LIVE! John is at PugW! Pug Worldwide T...

John and David talk about the (almost) million-copy Planet Death series ruse, Free Comic Book Day, the state of the Absolute and Ultimate Universes, Buck Rogers in today’s world, and discovering the biggest unknown comic. Also, John is disappointed by a good comic, and David is annoyed by superheroes drinking coffee. David's Doing Fun Stuff! Miss Mina VIP Launches Here! John is at PugW! Pug W...

David and John sit down with the one and only Benjamin Percy —novelist, screenwriter, and comic book heavyweight behind Wolverine , Ghost Rider , X-Force , and Predator vs. Wolverine . From his early obsession with Predator and Alien comics to his pitch-perfect approach to balancing horror, heroism, and heart, Percy dives deep into his writing process, creative collaborations, and how persistence...

PugW Editor Mason Rabinowitz joins hosts John and David to talk about Mason’s celebrity encounters while working at the world famous Golden Apple Comic Book Store, we get John’s book recommendations (or not?), discuss what it takes to get a comics career started, and John’s habit of stealing everyone’s stuff. Also, the podcast gets a hotline and a new tagline. David's Doing Fun Stuff! Miss Mi...

On this Solid Gold episode, hosts John and David “Cold Finger” Hedgecock to talk about the process of making 3D comics, John’s renewed interest in affordable European graphic novels, the shocking reason Roger Corman’s Cosmic Comics went out of business, and the true weirdness of comics in the ‘90s, and David comes up with his first superhero comic. Timestamp Segments: [00:44] What’s the best James...

Fun Time Go Editor-in-Chief and Corner Box Substitute Teacher, Chase Marotz, joins hosts “John” and David to talk about the past 30 years of Comic-Cons, the do’s and don’ts of attending Comic-Cons (for both fans and professionals), and the importance of avoiding the nachos. Plus, David wins a fight, and Chase has an elevated experience with Civil Rights Legend, John Lewis. Timestamp Segments [01:0...

John and David return to talk about more of their Comfort Comics, diving into nostalgia, learning how to make comic books, and how creative teams have shaped the future of the industry. Also, David gets his own post-credits scene. Timestamp Segments [01:00] John’s Comfort Comic #2: Lone Wolf and Cub. [03:59] Saving urban space collecting Lone Wolf and Cub. [07:10] What everyone gets wrong about Lo...

John and David get together for Part 1 of a conversation about comfort comics and the creative teams that made them possible, crossing the border to win drinking contests, when panel descriptions become dialogue, and Daredevil’s bright red costume. Also, John saves on oversized comics, and David finds comfort outside of Captain Carrot (we're all as shocked as you are). Timestamp Segments [04:...

Team Tyrant Fall, Max Davenport and C. Brennan Knight, join hosts John and David to talk about all things comic book, how Brennan wrote a pro-level first comic, perfecting the writing process, building the world and characters, merging traditional and digital art, and Heavy Metal’s influence on Tyrant Fall. Also, John manages to get back into the U.S. after his vacation, and David discovers why he...

Comic book great Todd Nauck joins the show to talk about his work on Pooluminati , Young Justice , his big break into comics, working at Extreme Studios, keeping the drive through the decades, leveling up with digital, beating the Imposter Syndrome, the Mount Rushmore of comic artists, and Todd’s wish list of characters he has yet to draw. Also, John finds out he’s old, David takes over the interv...

John and David talk about the financial struggles of comic book creators, how freelancers can effect lasting change, and the sad business practices of corporate comics companies. Also, David pays creators more than Marvel, and John writes an inspired James Bond movie script. Timestamp Segments [01:10] The show’s newfound popularity. [01:37] The financial problems at Marvel. [10:14] How change will...

Writer and comic historian Stephanie Williams joins the show! John and David talk with Stephanie about swapping her electron microscope for a career in comics, how the best butts in Marvel gave her a big break, increasing comics access with fewer bookstores, the nature of corporate comics, building momentum in the industry, and Stephanie's exciting upcoming projects. Also, John reveals his tr...

Tony Fleecs joins The Corner Box to talk about his "meteoric" rise within the industry, his upcoming work on The Thing , the lack of institutional knowledge at the "Big 2", how to create evergreen characters, focusing on creator-owned work, how Stray Dogs changed the face of comics, and building a winning creative team. Also, the podcast becomes a dog show, Tony shares a Corner...

Pat Shand returns with hosts John and David to drop a metric ton of self publishing knowledge! Pat talks about finding his place in self-publishing, embracing horror and sexy comics, Kickstarter vs Direct Market publishing, and how to launch and run a successful campaign. Also, Pat teases some upcoming comics, David considers nuclear physics, and John learns how to spell “Miami.” Notable Quotes “I...

Comic book disruptor and entrepreneur Pat Shand joins John and David to talk about his journey into becoming a comic book professional, comic books being a lucrative creative endeavor, working with difficult licensors, the reality of having a prolific workload, and the good side of fandom. Also, John remembers to pay people. Part One of Two. Timestamp Segments [01:38] What got Pat hooked on comics...

Elizabeth Brei returns with hosts John and David for Part 2 of this Valentine’s Day Special to talk about all things NANA, visual art choices, emotional depth in comic writing, comics that should be in print but aren’t, and Ai Yazawa’s manga being released in English for the first time. Also, David discovers a new rabbit hole, John learns how wrong he did the pandemic, and Elizabeth goes to Jackso...

Boom! Studios Editor, Elizabeth Brei, joins the show! Elizabeth joins John and David for this Valentine’s Day Special to talk about the gatekeepers of the comics industry, where new comic readers should (and definitely shouldn’t) get started, making comics more accessible, and John and Elizabeth’s shared love of the manga, NANA. Also, David apologizes (once again), and John tries to explain indust...

Writer Rich Douek (Batman, Edge of Spiderverse, Drive Like Hell, Heartpiercer) joins hosts John & David to talk about how Rich found his way into comics from prose-writing, turning ideas into stories, the ripple effects of tariffs and Diamond’s bankruptcy, succeeding with a great writer/artist team, and how marketing could save comic books. Plus, David has some thoughts on Infinity Comics, and...

Episode Summary John & David discuss the state of the comics industry after losing Diamond, the possible future of the TMNT license, what taxes and tariffs could mean for the industry, reminisce about their fondest memories of reading comics while sick, then David goes down the rabbit hole of luchador films from the 1970s. Also, John has an epiphany about Walt Simonson. Timestamp Segments [00:...