The Omnibus: A Comics Podcast

In this episode, Phillip and Eric return to the timely Image Comic series, The Department of Truth by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds. Three more volumes have been published from where the duo left out last year, so they dissect the series' examination of institutional power, its unexpected twists and character revelations, and Eric tries to spread the gospel of Dr. Yakub and the white dev...

In this episode, Phillip and Eric watch the much underrated Blue Beetle movie directed by Angel Nanuel Soto and starring Xolo Maridueña. They gush about the movie, discuss their experiences with the Jaime Reyes version of the character from the comics, and Eric makes sure to give Phil lots of shit for not watching this movie in theaters.

In this episode, to give some extra time for the next reading, Phillip and Eric are back at it with revisting the CW Arrowverse, this time on the Arrow episode, "Suicide Squad." They discuss how Diggle is the best character on the show, their wishlist of Suicide Squad characters, and compare Mass Effect playthroughs.

In this episode recorded over Presidents' Day Weekend, Phillip and Eric celebrate the American presidency by talking the Image comic Killadelphia by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander, a comic where John Adams became a vampire! They talk about the vampire tropes the comic avoids and the tropes it leans into, its blending of the vampire genre with political commentary and marginalized groups i...

In this episode, Phillip and Eric mixes things up with a rewatch commentary on the Flash episode, "Rogue Air." Because they ran out of time to do the reading, so why not have some fun?

In this episode, Phillip and Eric tackle the legendary Alan Moore run of the DC comic series Saga of the Swamp Thing . They talk about its literary yet weird reimaging of Swamp Thing, its sophisticated page designs, and Eric fires Phillip from his role as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (and Belonging?) Officer.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric tackle the first volume of the fantasy anthropomorphic mice series, Mouse Guard by David Petersen. They break down its detailed, print-making influenced illustrations, the elegant simplicity of its panel layouts, and its extensive worldbuilding centered around being as small as a mouse. Plus, Eric makes Phillip talk about Magic: the Gathering again!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric look back on the DC Comics modern classic, the new 52 run of Wonder Woman byBrian Azarello and Cliff Chiang. They discuss its then-controversial changes to established lore and backstory to Diana and the Amazons, Cliff Chiang's sublime design, and Eric and Phil discuss some DC movie memes on Twitter.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the creator-owned apolitical but political thriller comic Scarlet by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. They discuss how a middle-aged white guy from suburban Ohio created a comic in 2010 that eerily resembled the protests and anti-establishment sentiment in the decade to follow, its trademark Bendis thumbprint of heavy dialogue, and Phillip gives a...

Phillip and Eric end 2024 by talking the genre-bending manga series Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu! They discuss its quirky blend of sci-fi/fantasy shonen action with romantic comedy, its cast of nuanced characters that defy genre archetypes, and whether Phil believe in ghosts or aliens are more likely than Eric finding true love over the internet.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the Webtoon Canvas horror series, The Pale Woman by UnFrozen70. They talk about its unique visual style as brought about the constraints of the webtoon format, its eerie atmosphere and intentionally opaque plot, and Eric educates Phillip about Kwanzaa! And to see more of the comic we're talking about, subscribe to our new Substack, ⁠The Omnibus Annotat...

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the Image series Home Sick Pilots by Dan Watters and Casper Wijngaard. They break down its weird, unique mashup of haunted horse horror, punk rock, and mecha genres, its unusually vibrant color scheme for a horror comic, and Eric asks Phillip to weigh in on controversial takes on Gundam. And to see more of the comic we're talking about, subscribe to ou...

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk about the manga series Yu-Gi-Oh! by Kazuki Takashi, and the basis for the anime, card game, and media franchise. Because a manga around a children's card game seems ripe for discussion.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric break down the infamous Marvel comic Ultimatum by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. Because sometimes, you gotta talk about the bad comics to learn about what not to do.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk about the reboot of the Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto. They discuss Hickman's reimagining of a middle-aged Peter Parker who has a wife and kids in lieu of personal tragedy, his adherence and deviations to the classic Spider-Man formula, and Phillip educates Eric on 50 Cent's petty grudges.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking about the reboot of Marvel's Ultimate line with Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch. They break down its differences verus Mark Millar's Ultimates twenty years ago, Hickman applying his radical worldbuilding and high-concept sci-fi to the Marvel line, and Phillip and Eric react to the Magic: the Gathering cards of Marvel characters!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric conclude their retrospective on the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina , by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They discuss its twist ending, the culmination of the series' sci-fi and superhero elements fusing with 2000s-era politics, and Eric asks Phillip to join him in launching his campaign to replace Eric Adams as mayor of New York.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the penultimate part of the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They talk about the series's most out-there foray into genre space, Mayor Mitchell Hundred's descent into greater political ambitions, and Eric asks Phillip about New Yorker stereotypes.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their retrospective on the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They share their feelings on this being the weakest part of the series, the outdatedness of the political issues it tackles in this portion, and Phillip educates Eric on Mayor Eric Adams and NYC's checkered mayoral history.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their retrospective on the Wildstorm/DC political superhero comic series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They break down Harris's exquisite art style, discuss the comic's approach to terrorism and supervillains, and Phillip educates Eric about New York subways and ferries.

Just in time for election season, Phillip and Eric kick off the first part of their retrospective on the DC/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They talk about the comic as a time capsule of post-9/11 New York, its approach of a former superhero becoming mayor of New York and putting out political fires, and The Omnibus gives its official endorsemen...

In this episode, Phillip and Eric return to the shonen action manga Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Now that Eric is finally caught up, they discuss their reactions to Denji's character development, the differences between Part 1 and Part 2, and Eric tells Phillip on what he's learned from rewatch binge of Law and Order: SVU.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the Image horror graphic novel Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. They break down this legendary duo's stretching their usual noir stories by adding a horror twist, the use of satanic ritual abuse hysteria as a storytelling device, and Eric accuses Phillip of worshipping the devil.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk the Image superhero comic Local Man by Tim Seely and Tony Fleecs. They break down how it approaches the '90s superhero genre with affectionate mockery, its use of two (and later three) distinctly different art styles to establish an unique visual language that pays homage to the eras of Image Comics, and Phillip educates Eric on the obscure '90s actio...

Phillip and Eric conclude their retrospective on Grant Morrison's epic Batman run with the final part of BATMAN INCORPORATED with Chris Burnham, featuring the death of Damien Wayne and the final showdown with Talia Al'Ghul. They also discuss Eric's new fascination with cat manga, Phillip failing to materialize Damson Idris into the MCU, and how Phillip still hasn't seen On Her Maje...