The Source Material Comics Podcast

Get ready to dive into the flashiest era of comics with the latest episode of Unspoken Issues as Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong return with their Gimmick Cover Summer series. This time, it’s all about WildC.A.T.s #2—a shimmering gem from the heyday of 1990s Image Comics. The duo revisits the hype and high-concept madness behind one of the decade’s most iconic foil covers and explores how it ca...

This week on Source Material Comics, Mark and Jesse dive headfirst into the psychological depths of Joker: Killer Smile, a chilling DC Black Label miniseries from Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino. With a focus not just on Gotham’s most chaotic villain, but on the psyche of the man who dares to try and cure him, this episode explores what happens when good intentions and hubris collide with pure,...

It’s time to embrace the mystical mayhem! In Part 3 of Snap Material’s June 2025 series, Jesse and Evan take a deep dive into the just-released "Masters of the Arcane" season. This jam-packed episode is filled with first impressions, card-by-card breakdowns, gameplay theories, and plenty of comic book tangents as the duo wade through a whopping 20 new cards and two spicy new locations. They kick t...

In part two of the June 2025 edition of Snap Material, Jesse and Evan return with an insightful and entertaining breakdown of the current Marvel Snap meta, new unlocks, and the rollercoaster of reaching (or nearly reaching) Infinite rank. This episode dives deep into the recent dominance of Move and Destroy decks, the rise and minor fall of Hercules, and how recent balance updates—like Cerebro get...

Welcome back to Snap Material! In this action-packed June 2025 episode, Jesse and Evan dive into the thrilling "New X-Men" drop that landed in Marvel Snap last month. They kick things off with a deep analysis of Esme Cuckoo, exploring why she’s a decent utility card—especially in Silver Surfer builds—but doesn’t quite move the needle in most matches. The hosts discuss whether she’s more “deck fill...

In this action-packed episode of the Unspoken Issues Podcast, Jesse, Evan, and Chris take a nostalgic dive into one of Marvel's most delightfully chaotic storylines: The Amazing Spider-Man's six-part "Round Robin: The Sidekick's Revenge"! Covering issues #353–358 from 1991, the crew shares memories, hot takes, and plenty of laughs as they revisit a time when superhero crossovers were loaded with g...

The journey comes to an explosive end! In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, hosts Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher close out their deep dive into Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original by tackling issues 9-12. The stakes are at their highest—Jax Teller has been kidnapped, the club is out for blood, and Clay is forced to make a desperate move to bring him home. But as the dust settles,...

It’s time to dive into the "dark times" of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cinematic legacy in this hilariously honest episode of Unspoken Issues! Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong tackle the notorious TMNT III—the film that sent the turtles back in time…and possibly sent fans running in the opposite direction. Often mistaken for the beloved arcade game Turtles in Time, this 1993 misfire left ma...

The future is now in Part 3 of Snap Material as Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins crack open the brand-new “New X-Men” season in Marvel Snap, which dropped on May 6, 2025. With fresh cards, game-altering abilities, and thought-provoking strategies, Jesse and Evan break down each new character and how they fit into the ever-evolving Snap meta. From the flexible potential of Esme Cuckoo to the power ch...

In Part 2 of this special Snap Material episode, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return for an in-depth meta discussion on all the sweeping changes that hit Marvel Snap during the “What If…?” season. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into Snap Packs—a major shakeup to the game’s card acquisition system. With Spotlight Keys now converted into tokens, the guys break down what this means for...

In this powerhouse episode of Snap Material, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return (a bit later than usual!) to unpack all the excitement, strategy, and surprises from the April 2025 Marvel Snap season: "What If…?" From the highs of Infinity Ultron to the experimental chaos of Strange Supreme, this episode is packed with card insights, meta shifts, and some genuinely unexpected curveballs. Jesse a...

The road to redemption is never easy—especially for Jax Teller. In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher continue their deep dive into Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original, covering issues 5 through 8. Jax is lost, spiraling into booze and regret after being kicked out of SAMCRO. But when a deadly enforcer starts gunning for the club, Jax sees his chance...

In this jam-packed episode of Unspoken Issues, hosts Jesse and Chris Armstrong dive deep into a green-tinted blast from the past—Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. From the moment Jesse asks, “Have you ever seen a turtle get down?” to nostalgic trips to old theaters and VHS rentals, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of Turtlemania in the early '90s. The duo shares vivid...

Buckle up and get ready to ride back into the world of Sons of Anarchy! In this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, hosts Mark Radulich and Jesse Starcher revisit Charming, but this time, they’re taking a detour into the past with Sons of Anarchy: Redwood Original, the prequel comic series from BOOM! Studios. Set a decade before the FX television series, this gripping story follows an 1...

(00:00:00) Introduction and Reflections on TMNT: The Movie (00:08:39) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie... The Comic (00:29:57) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie after-credits scene? (00:31:33) Overall thoughts (00:34:53) Last Minute Random Notes (00:38:29) Panel Picks (00:40:33) Plugs! Cowabunga, dudes! In this episode of "Unspoken Issues," Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong rewind th...

She-Hulk’s wild legal career continues as we dive into She-Hulk (2005) #1-5 by Dan Slott! With Timely Plaza rebuilt and a mysterious new boss, Arthur Zix, calling the shots, Jen Walters is back in action—but things have changed. Now representing supervillains (because that’s where the money is), She-Hulk finds herself tackling a time-traveling murder case that brings the TVA (Time Variance Authori...

In this epic season closer of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan bring the energy with a full-blown season pass card tier list showdown! With all 36 Marvel Snap season pass cards now released, the guys dive into a fast-paced, hilarious, and surprisingly deep ranking session using their own custom tiers—from “Ant-Man Sized Impact” all the way to “Thanos Snapped His Fingers for This.” Expect debate, nost...

What makes a Marvel Snap card truly enticing? In this episode of SNAP Material, Jesse and Evan dive into their personal Top 5 season pass cards—not necessarily the most powerful or meta-dominant, but the ones that made them stop and say, “Okay… I might need to buy this season.” Whether it’s a unique mechanic, character hype, or just raw style, these picks had serious pull. You’ll hear the hosts re...

A brand-new Marvel Snap season is here—and Jesse and Evan are already digging deep into What If…?. In this episode of SNAP Material, the guys crack open the season pass card Captain Carter and break down how her unique "back row" mechanic could shake up board strategy. From there, it’s a full tour of the season’s fresh faces, including Goliath, Kahhori, Strange Supreme, the Hydra Stomper, and the...

In this continuation of the SNAP Material April 2025 breakdown, Jesse and Evan dive headfirst into the evolving Marvel Snap meta and dish out their latest unlocks with signature humor and deep-cut commentary. The duo explores the rise of discard decks and how cards like Khonshu and First Ghost Rider shook up strategy. Jesse shares his harrowing race against the clock to secure that final High Volt...

In this action-packed episode of SNAP Material, Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return to dissect the Prehistoric Avengers season in Marvel Snap! From the game-changing arrival of Agamotto and his ancient arcana spells to the raw power of Star Brand and the quirky charm of Firehair, the guys take you on a wild ride through the cards, metas, and chaotic combos that defined the season. And yes—there’...

Hold onto your trench coats and dual pistols, because we’ve reached the high-octane climax of The Rafferty Saga in this finale-focused episode! Jesse and Chris Armstrong break down the final issue of Firearm—issue #18—where bullets fly, cathedrals burn, and the stakes are nothing less than life, death, and one miracle baby. This isn’t just the end of a story arc—it’s the dramatic curtain call for...

To find the other contributors to this wonderful event click here! - https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/JSApril Comic book fans! Get ready for a whirlwind of retro excitement as the Source Material Comics Podcast dives into the golden age of superheroes with All-Star Squadron #19 and #20! This special episode is part of the #JSAPRIL event, bringing you an epic blend of nostalgia, history, and some go...

The legal madness continues! In this episode, Mark and Jesse dive into She-Hulk (2004) #7-12, where Jennifer Walters finds herself appointed as a magistrate in the cosmic court of law! From settling alien custody battles to ruling on a case against the Watchers, She-Hulk’s legal career reaches intergalactic heights before she’s thrown into a high-stakes boxing match against The Champion of the Uni...

Ohhh yeah, buckle up and rewind those tapes, 'cause this episode is a full-blown Ultraverse time machine—a straight-up 90s comic book fever dream! In this triple-sized episode of the Rafferty Saga, Jesse dives headfirst into Firearm issues #16 and #17 and Prime #20, delivering a nostalgia-drenched breakdown that’s part crime-thriller, part military op, and ALL Malibu madness. Jesse unpacks the blo...