The Source Material Comics Podcast

In this episode of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan sink their teeth into the Undead Horde season of Marvel Snap, a spine-chilling update that resurrects Marvel Zombies in time for Halloween. They question the name choice—why not just call it Marvel Zombies?—before diving deep into the new Horde mechanic, analyzing how it shapes gameplay and whether it’s a gimmick or a game-changer.  With a slew of n...

In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse and Chris plunge fang-first into one of the most brutal and visually arresting issues from the Ultraverse: Black September relaunch — Rune Infinity. Released in September 1995, this comic showcases twisted body horror, dual identities, and apocalyptic energy clashes, all wrapped in Kyle Hotz’s gloriously grotesque artwork and Len Kaminski’s cyber-horror st...

In this jam-packed follow-up episode of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan dive deep into the evolving Marvel Snap meta and unlocks from the September 2025 season. With fresh reworks shaking up gameplay and card dynamics, the duo explores how characters like Kang and Adam Warlock have gone from benchwarmers to must-plays. Evan shares his excitement over Kang's revitalized versatility, especially in sur...

In this explosive continuation to the Black September retrospective, Jesse and Chris dive into one of the most controversial titles of the Marvel/Malibu relaunch: Mantra: Infinity. The gloves are off as they explore the strange, shocking, and somewhat disturbing directions this series took in its attempt to reboot a fan-favorite character—and why it’s still talked about (and side-eyed) 30 years la...

Welcome back, SNAP fans! In this jam-packed October 2025 edition of the SNAP Material podcast, Jesse and Evan dive headfirst into Visions of the Future, the September season of Marvel Snap. If you've been trying to keep up with the flood of new cards, you're not alone—and our hosts are here to help you make sense of it all. From heavy hitters to sleeper picks, they break down each new addition car...

In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse and Chris turn their attention to the Prime Infinity issue, and things finally start to click — kind of. Set in the aftermath of the Black September event, this issue follows Kevin Green, aka Prime, as he grapples with the fact that he's been shunted into the Marvel Universe, cut off from his full powers, and stuck watching his childhood heroes from the si...

The countdown to Black September is over — and the reality-warping finale kicks off in UltraForce/Avengers #1. Jesse and Chris return to Unspoken Issues to dissect the last big crossover before the Ultraverse is forever changed. With Warren Ellis writing, George Pérez drawing, and nine inkers throwing down, this issue pulls out all the stops. Alternate timelines, character amalgams, body horror, m...

The Black September event keeps twisting reality, and Unspoken Issues is back with another dive into the chaos — this time exploring All-New Exiles Infinity #1. Jesse and Chris wade into this swirling storm of dimension-hopping mutants, Ultraverse originals, and one very displaced Juggernaut. If you’ve ever wanted to see robot dinosaurs, a mutant death stare, and a chaotic team-up that barely make...

In this gripping episode of Source Material Comics Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich dive deep into Dark Horse Comics’ The Butcher of Paris—a chilling five-issue true crime miniseries by Stephanie Phillips. Set in Nazi-occupied France, the comic uncovers the terrifying true story of Dr. Marcel Petiot, a man who preyed upon the desperation of Jewish refugees by promising them escape—only to...

In this follow-up episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse and Chris tackle the UltraForce Infinity issue, the second entry in the Black September Infinity lineup. While the first Infinity issue focused on forgotten characters in a fading reality, this one gives the spotlight to the new Marvel-backed UltraForce team led by none other than Marvel's Black Knight. It’s a tale of fractured realities, religio...

The Ultraverse gets weird — and wild — in this episode of Unspoken Issues as Jesse and Chris dive into Black September Infinity issue, one of the more obscure and convoluted corners of Marvel’s attempt to reboot Malibu’s Ultraverse line. Picking up after the cataclysmic events of Ultraforce/Avengers, the hosts explore a strange transitional tale filled with forgotten characters, fractured timeline...

In this thrilling episode of Source Material Comics Podcast, Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich dive headfirst into the chaotic close of Marvel’s Darth Vader (2015) comic run. From molten tunnel escapes and courtly dance rituals to a cybernetic Rancor, the series delivers a pitch-black blend of politics, betrayal, and pure Sith power. The spotlight is on the Shu-Torun War, where Vader—tasked with cr...

It’s kickoff time — both in the NFL and in SNAP Material! Jesse and Evan wrap up the September run with a special Top 5 countdown inspired by the football season: Marvel Snap cards that make them think of the gridiron. From armor-plated protectors to unstoppable runners, they compare card mechanics to NFL roles and build out an entire fantasy football squad using Snap characters. 

In the next installment of the SNAP Material September 2025 arc, Jesse and Evan regroup after a brief break to tackle the evolving Marvel Snap meta, reflect on standout card interactions, and share their latest unlocks. If you’re looking for strategy insights, offbeat deck ideas, or just a fun listen for Marvel Snap fans, this wrap-up episode is packed with all of the above. From exploring unique...

In this epic episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse and Chris dive headfirst into Avengers/UltraForce #1, the explosive Marvel/Malibu crossover from 1995! Kicking things off with a comprehensive breakdown of the issue, Jesse sets the cosmic stage where the Grandmaster and Loki square off in a multidimensional game of high-stakes manipulation. Infinity Gems, alternate realities, and a card-game-turned-w...

In this electric follow-up episode, Jesse and Evan return to dive into Visions of the Future, the new Marvel Snap season that launched September 2nd, 2025. With 11 brand-new cards and a couple of game-changing locations, the guys break down what’s hot, what’s confusing, and what’s got deckbuilders excited for the months ahead. From the season pass headliner Viv Vision, with her unique blend of pow...

The SNAP Material podcast returns for a brand new season, and Jesse and Evan are diving headfirst into the Heralds of Galactus update that dropped in August 2025. In this first part of their September breakdown, the duo takes a detailed look at the newest additions to the Marvel Snap card pool — unpacking their performance, strategic utility, and what decks (if any) they really thrive in. From the...

In this wildly entertaining episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong dive deep into Spectacular Spider-Man #185, a hidden gem from the early ’90s that blends slapstick humor with heartfelt moments. Instead of battling heavy hitters like Venom or the Sinister Six, Spidey teams up with the one and only Frog-Man to take on the over-the-top duo of White Rabbit and the Walrus. It’...

In this special Unspoken Issues Podcast, Jesse and Chris Armstrong rewind the clock to 1995 to explore one of the most polarizing and obscure crossover events in comic book history: Black September. Specifically, they dig into the UltraForce/Avengers Prelude. Jesse shares his experience as a longtime comics reader who mostly avoided Ultraverse titles during their heyday, while Chris reflects on di...

Black September rolls on with UltraForce #10: “The Iceman Cometh” delivering one of the most explosive, emotionally charged episodes yet, diving deep into multiversal chaos, inner team conflict, and the looming shadow of ultimate power. We open with Prototype going toe-to-toe against a monstrous, magically conjured snow beast in the heart of New York City. Isolated from his team and with his armor...

As Black September continues, UltraForce confronts their most overwhelming threat yet— radiant beings of searing energy whose arrival unravels the very fabric of heroism and humanity. UltraForce #9, originally released on July 13, 1995, plunges our heroes into chaos, self-doubt, and desperate survival as Prime becomes the center of a cosmic transformation, and the team faces a tidal wave of destru...

In this action-packed episode, we crack open UltraForce #8, the explosive prelude to the Black September event that forever altered the Ultraverse. Titled “Heaven on Earth,” this issue throws us straight into Miami’s chaos as Prime and Prototype encounter a reality-warping visitor—Marvel’s own Black Knight—marking a collision of the Ultraverse and the Marvel Universe.  Host Jesse guides listeners...

In this premiere episode, we dive headfirst into one of the most intriguing and overlooked events in 1990s comic book history— Black September . Originally conceived as a soft reboot, the 1995 crossover was Marvel Comics’ bold attempt to integrate its powerhouse universe with the innovative but struggling Ultraverse line it acquired from Malibu Comics. But what started as a relaunch soon unraveled...

Star Wars fans—prepare yourselves. The Source Material crew just tackled Vader Down, and it’s nothing short of epic. Jesse and Mark break down the intense, action-packed crossover where Darth Vader gets knocked out of the sky and crash lands—alone—on a rebel-surrounded planet. The premise? What happens when the most feared Sith Lord in the galaxy is surrounded by hundreds of enemies? Spoiler: he t...

In this emotionally resonant solo episode of Unspoken Issues, host Jesse pays tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025. Jesse takes us on a personal journey through his first encounters with Ozzy’s music and mythos, from MTV and cassette tapes to discovering Ozzy anew through video games and streaming playlists.  Dive into the obscure but fascinating world of Rock-I...