This Comic COOKS

Captain America: The First Avenger is the earliest MCU movie on Disney+’s official Avengers: Doomsday watch list and Marvel skipped Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Thor to get there. Vactor von Doom and MCU expert Tim Costello rewatch the 2011 film in 2026 and break down why Steve Rogers’ origin matters heading into Doomsday. In this episode: • Why Peggy Carter may be the reason this film made...

X2 might be more important to Avengers: Doomsday than you think. For our second episode of Before Doomsday , Vactor and Tim Costello revisit X2: X-Men United — one of the most beloved superhero sequels ever made — and look at why this movie still matters more than 20 years later. X2 took everything the first X-Men established and made it bigger. The world expanded, the action became more ambitious...

Before the MCU, there was X-Men . Released in 2000, X-Men helped prove that comic book movies could be taken seriously—and its impact can still be felt 26 years later. In this episode of Before Doomsday , Vactor and DoomsTim revisit the movie that introduced audiences to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Ian McKellen's Magneto, and an entire generation of X-Men c...

Is the MCU finally recapturing that 2019 Avengers: Endgame magic? In this episode of This Comic Cooks , Vactor is joined by Tim Costello to break down the latest buzz, footage clues, and rising anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars . We dissect what the TVA’s involvement means after the collapse of the multiverse, Doctor Doom’s strategy of neutralizing Earth’s greatest thre...

Everyone said Jubilee was the X-Men’s “fireworks girl.” But what if that was never the real story? Behind the bright flashes was one of Marvel’s most overlooked powerhouses — a character with untapped omega-level potential, brutal losses, and a choice to hold herself back. This is why Jubilee deserves way more respect. Not the joke. Not the sidekick. The hero.#Jubilee #XMen #MarvelComics #XMen97 #...

What were the best Superman comics in January 2026?In this episode of This Month in Superman, we break down Absolute Superman #15, Superman #34, Superman Unlimited #9, and the latest DC KO tie-ins — and pick the best Superman book of the month. We discuss:• Absolute Superman #15 (Jason Aaron)• Superman #34• Superman Unlimited #9 (Dan Slott)• DC KO #3 and DC KO Boss Battle• Supergirl movie 2026 hyp...

In this in-depth conversation, Ben Mauro — legendary concept artist behind Halo , Elysium , and Chappie — joins This Comic Cooks to talk about the creation of HUXLEY , his deeply personal sci-fi graphic novel universe. We explore why Mauro chose comics over film , how HUXLEY grew from a solo passion project into a global bookstore release, and what it means to create something physical in an incre...

Honorable mentions:Supergirl #8Justice League Unlimited #14Justice League Red #5The Bat-Man: Second Knight #2Welcome back to This Month in Superman — the show where we celebrate the best Superman comics we read each month. This episode is our December 2025 Superman wrap-up (and the final episode of 2025!), featuring special guests Tim Tangent and Frank Ramblings from Beer with Geeks. We break down...

In this episode, Vactor, Frank, and Tim break down every major Superman-related issue this month — from Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 to DC KO #2, World’s Finest #45, Superman #32, Book of El, Absolute Superman, and more. Whether you read every issue or haven’t picked up a comic yet, this episode is designed to help you understand what’s worth reading — and why these stories matter for Supe...

Because that’s the way the Superman crumbles. Welcome back to This Month in Superman—the show where we break down the best Superman comics on the stands and tell you what actually cooks. This episode: • Superman #31 (Joshua Williamson, art by Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira) — a DCKO tie-in that adds character and lore (Apokolips “heart,” Superboy-Prime’s meta sting, strong Lois Lane beats at the...

Welcome back to This Month in Superman, your monthly breakdown of the best Superman comics on the stands! Vactor, Tim Tangent, and Super Frank dive deep into every Super-title hitting shelves — from Superman #30 to The Kryptonite Spectrum #2 and Adventures of Superman: Book of El #1 — analyzing storylines, art, and what they mean for the Man of Steel’s legacy. 🦸‍♂️ In This Episode: • Frank’s Pick...

Summary In this engaging conversation, the hosts celebrate the exciting developments in the Superman comic universe for 2025, discussing various titles, including Superman Unlimited and the Kryptonite Spectrum. They delve into the dynamics of the Justice League, the artistry behind the comics, and the impact of storytelling. The discussion also touches on the Beer with Geeks podcast, showcasing th...

Summary In this episode, Vactor and Tim Tangent discuss the latest Superman comics released in July, highlighting their favorite moments, honorable mentions, and picks of the month. They delve into various Superman titles, including Superman Number 28 and Cal-El-Fornia Love, while sharing their thoughts on the evolving narratives and character developments within the Superman universe. The convers...

Vactor and Emmy (aka the EMCU) break down Fantastic Four: First Steps — from emotional family dynamics to multiverse madness. We discuss Sue Storm’s standout scenes, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, the new Silver Surfer, and what this movie means for the future of the MCU. Plus, we theorize about Galactus, Doom, incursions, and Franklin Richards’ surprising role. This MCU reboot hit us in the feels...

In this episode of This Comic Cooks , Vactor and Shoff finally reach the end of the so-called Sony Spider-Verse—with Kraven the Hunter marking the franchise’s final misstep. Was this movie really as bad as the internet says? Did Sony ever have a real plan for Spider-Man’s villains without Spider-Man? And what does Kraven’s failure mean for the future of Marvel’s big-screen multiverse? We break dow...

In this episode of This Comic Cooks Audio , Vactor and Shoff break down the final three episodes of Marvel’s Ironheart on Disney+. Did Riri Williams really make a deal with Mephisto? Was the finale satisfying or a missed opportunity? We dive into the show's biggest twists, from AI Natalie and the trauma behind the tech to Parker Robbins’ Scarface downfall and the multiversal magic of Zelma Sta...

He’s smarter than Batman. Invisible to tech. And he’s finally stepping into the spotlight in James Gunn’s new Superman movie. This is Mr. Terrific—Michael Holt. One of the most brilliant, underrated, and coolest heroes in all of DC Comics. In this video, we break down:✅ His tragic origin story✅ His incredible powers (like the T-Spheres)✅ His ranking as the third-smartest person in the DC Univer...

Right now—July 2025—DC Comics is firing on all cylinders. From Absolute Power to House of Brainiac to character-first gems like Shazam, Green Lantern, and JSA, something incredible is happening in comics… and no one seems to be talking about it. In this video, I explore whether we’re entering a new Golden Age of Comics—and why DC might be leading the charge while Marvel struggles to find its voice...

You think you know Superman. Flight, heat vision, super strength—sure. But… hypnosis glasses? Rainbow finger beams? A mini clone from his hand? Yep. That actually happened. In this episode, we dive into the wildest and most forgotten Superman powers from over 85 years of DC Comics. These are the powers DC quietly erased from canon—but not before giving us some of the weirdest moments in comic book...

A brand-new Superman movie is almost here, but June 2025’s comics gave us plenty to get excited about. In this month’s episode, Vactor is joined by SuperFrank and Tim Tangent from the  @BeerwithGeeks  podcast to break down the latest Superman titles — including a bizarre new gold form in Superman Unlimited #2, the heartfelt Mark Waid story in Action Comics #1087, and a surprise return for Electric...

Comics shaped who I am—but today, I’m scared for their future. This episode is a personal letter, a cultural warning, and a love story. Vactor opens up about how superheroes taught him compassion, why comics matter more than ever, and what we all risk losing if this medium fades away. From the quiet of comic shops to the chaos of the attention economy, this is one of the most important episodes of...

Ever feel like you want to read more comics, but life keeps getting in the way? Between work, parenting, and nonstop responsibilities, even sitting down with a comic can feel impossible. In this episode, Vactor shares his real-life tips for staying connected to the stories you love—without turning comics into a chore. We’ll cover: How to find "micro-moments" to read during a packed day The best co...

Is Ironheart worth the wait? After five years in limbo, Marvel finally drops the long-delayed Ironheart series—and Vactor and Shoff are here with a spoiler-filled review of the first 3 episodes. From Riri Williams' emotional AI to Parker Robbins’ live-action debut as The Hood, we break down the themes, the visuals, and why this Disney+ show might be one of Marvel’s most underrated efforts yet....

In this episode, Vactor and Emmy dive deep into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on the recent film 'Thunderbolts' and its implications for the future of the MCU. They discuss the emotional depth of the film, the cultural impact of MCU projects, and the challenges of audience fatigue. The conversation also touches on the importance of character development, the multiverse, and the anticipat...

In this episode of This Comic Cooks , Vactor dives into Scott Snyder’s bold defense of monthly comics through his new series Absolute Batman . With streaming culture dominating how we consume stories, Snyder argues that monthly comics offer something irreplaceable: cliffhangers, conversation, and community.🎤 Topics covered: Why monthly comics are more relevant than ever Snyder’s mission with Abso...