We Like Comics... Because They Have no Bones (Boneless Comics Podcast)

NIER, the quirky, cult classic title originally released for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, seems an odd choice for a comic book adaptation. But with the recent(ish) success of the NieR series on Playstation 4, Joe and Mike decide to visit the tie-in comic Square Enix commissioned through Wildstorm comics! The discussion involves mad science gone wrong, talking books, and lots of background lore...

In the second of two parts, Joe and Mike discuss the moral greys of international politics, the confusion of seeing lesser-knowns in civilian garb, and whether or not maiming people is better than killing! Join us for a fascinating character study of Black Adam that gets into some real world issues, while we compare the comic to the movie it inspired!

Shazam! In the first of two parts, Joe and Mike take a look at the history of the oldest superhero team in comics...the Justice Society of America! We'll make sense of the retcons, legacy characters, and even the geographic location of Kahnaq, so you can fully appreciate our story analysis of Black Reign.

Joe and Mike finally tackle Mike's favorite title at Marvel...The Fantastic Four! Jonathan Hickman's run on the title is one of the highest reviewed critically, but does it collapse under the weight of too many big ideas? And can Mike and Joe possibly balance the weight of their immense intellects with their friendship? Also featuring Spider-Man, Dragon Man, and some sweet, sweet jazz!

The guys go all the way back to 1987 for Bob Burden's Flaming Carrot #16, the first appearance of the Mystery Men! If you like absurdist humor, this title has everything, from carrot-men and clones of Hitler's feet to a super-villain barbecue! Both Joe and Mike nerd out to the numerous references to other comics, as well as the first appearance of The Shoveler and Mr. Furious, who later appeared i...

Turtle power! Joe and Mike explore various one-shots focusing on each of the Ninja Turtles, intended to highlight their uniqueness and build up the lore around IDW's 2011 relaunch of their ongoing title. But should these icons of the 80s and 90s have stayed in the sewers, or do they still feel relevant today? And who are newcomers Alopex and Kara Lewis?

Due to a goof on our part, we ended up reading two different story arcs for She-Hulk...so we reviewed them both! Enjoy a defining moment in the history of Jennifer Walters, the She-Hulk, and discover just what makes her special among the Marvel pantheon of heroes. Guest-starring the Time Variance Authority!

Described as "Ally McBeal with muscles" by some fans, Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo's run on She-Hulk begins here! While this run may have polarized fans, we were unanimous on our decision about its quality. Explore the wild world of superhuman law with us as your hosts! Part 1 of 2.

The New 52, DC's 2011 linewide reboot, brought with it many offbeat and experimental titles, but few of those lasted a long time. Red Lanterns is the exception, exploring issues of rage, hatred, camaraderie, redemption, and even redefining what a team book could be. Joe and Mike discuss the beginning of Charles Soule's run and Guy Gardner's induction into the team, as well as feeling empathy for a...

Katar Hol or Carter Hall? Creators Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch try to make sense of Hawkman's confusing history in this recent run. Joe and Mike discuss the run that redefined Hawkman for our modern age, giving him a story that is equal parts fantasy adventure and search for redemption. And, for the first time ever, watch the full episode on YouTube!

Flying popcorn tins with laser beams! Atomic flying elbows! Spaceships in the Eiffel Tower! These are just a few of the things you'll find in our review of Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba's 2008 series, The Umbrella Academy. We try to make sense of the chaos for you in a world where FINALLY an anthropomorphic banana wouldn't be out of place!

Joe and Mike dive into the world of event tie-ins with Ms. Marvel - Civil War II by G. Willow Wilson and a rotating cast of pencilers. While event comics usually aren't an ideal way to first experience a character, the guys discuss why this story is important to fans of Kamala Khan, the morality of pre-crime, and learning to stand on your own two feet...even when it means standing up to your idols...

Joe and Mike dive headfirst into cosmic Marvel via a character that isn't often associated with it...Doctor Strange! Marvel relaunched the title upon the eve of Steve Ditko's passing, but do Mark Waid and Jesus Saiz pull off a new direction, or does it end up feeling like familiar ground? Take a trip through the universe and the ego of the world's most...powerless sorceror?

Joe and Mike break down Marvel's 2020 Morbius miniseries by Vita Ayala and Marcelo Ferreira. Seemingly canceled before its time, does it manage to service horror fans and superhero fans at the same time? The guys get into the fundamentals of horror, try to figure out if Morbius is a hero, and discuss the limitations of characters with a single, core wound that just won't go away.

As Marvel continues to push forward with adapting their characters for the screen, Joe and Mike look towards Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey's 2014 run on Moon Knight. Is Marc Spector deserving of his C-list status, or does the reading justify a closer look? Brains will sporulate, blood will be spilled, and justice will come to those who travel by night. But can even two seasoned comic fans make s...

Published in 1987, Frank Miller's Batman Year One is considered the definitive origin story for the Caped Crusader. With the release of The Batman, Mike and Joe decide to revisit this story with a critical eye. The discussion that follows covers Selina Kyle's surprising backstory, having a deuteragonist upstage the protagonist, and the power of honesty even in the face of failure.

In the second part of our analysis of both the comic and the movie, we discuss why time travel can be problematic, the comic stylings of Brent Spiner, and end our final thoughts in a way we never have before.

With the premiere of Star Trek: Picard, we've decided to take a look back at DC's official movie adaptation of Star Trek: Generations. This story introduced many story elements and relevant themes that impact the modern show, but is the comic a worthy endeavor? Part 1 contains our thoughts on orbital skydiving, Captain John Harriman, and more!

With the recent release of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart on PS5, the guys decide to tackle Wildstorm's 2011 miniseries based on the characters. Written by a veteran of the series, and drawn by an experiend comic artist, it should be a recipe for success...right? Both Joe and Mike struggle with their memory as they go into the dimension only known as...The Artemis Galaxy!

Green Arrow has been interpreted many times in many forms of media over the years, but what do we think of his "definitive" origin story from 2007? Joe and Mike unpack the character of Oliver Queen, relating why he's a personal favorite, while analyzing Andy Diggle and Jock's attempt to make his origin accessible for the modern reader!

In this short episode, Joe and Mike get together (in person) to discuss the last year of podcasting, reveal the origins of their theme song, and talk about what they'd change if given the chance. Join us as we talk about 2021 and comics! And for the first time, a video version is available on our YouTube channel!

Rounding out our short series on Batman and related characters, Joe and Mike discuss the Boy Wonder all grown up: Nightwing! While Dick Grayson struggles to find his place in the post-New 52 Gotham City, Joe and Mike struggle to find Dick's character arc in Tim Seeley's first few issues of *Nightwing* proper. The discussion covers his pre-DC Universe Rebirth history, as well as an analysis...

Joe and Mike delve into Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf's reintroduction of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl to the DC Universe. The discussion takes the guys through their thoughts on anti-establishment allegories in Gotham, symbolism that's too obvious, and their differing opinions on new villains The Mirror and Gretel. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Batgirl's reintroduction by Simone and Syaf, anti-estab...

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have defined the modern era of Batman comics with their genre-bending, over-the-top style, but can they finish strong with "the last Batman story" they'll ever tell? Joe questions whether this was a story or a thought experiment, while Mike wonders if the Joker was ever really real. One thing is certain: you'll have an opinion on what (Scott) Snyder ends up doing with...

Does Brian Michael Bendis manage to reinvent Jessica Drew for a new generation, or does this Spider-Woman not live up to our standards? Joe and Mike discuss how to pronounce "Wundagore," remark on questionable art choices, and ultimately end up with their biggest difference of opinion ever in the final episode of our "Spider Trilogy!" In this episode, we’ll discuss: Bendis' take on Jessica Drew, t...