Best of the Rest

Dennis and Jay are joined by Eric from Kowabunga Comics to discuss a host of topics regarding the current state of the comics retail business.  How will Marvel's move from Diamond Distributors to Penguin Random House affect the business?  Can Diamond survive without the business of the Big Two?  How might this affect smaller publishers?  Also, a discussion on Kowabunga's  store exclusive issues of Shadowman from Valiant and Star Wars War Of The Bounty Hunters Alpha from Marvel. Eric talks about the process of getting a store exclusive and how it differs between publishers.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Martin and Dennis merge Nerdy Legion with The Best of the Rest and go down the rabbit hole of Non-Fungible Tokens and Crypto.  And this rabbit hole had a lot of side tunnels.  Enjoy this discussion that does delve into the philosophical discussion of ownership and money.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss comic collectability, what's the difference in a CGC 9.8 and 9.9? They also talk about what they are looking forward to in the coming weeks. Then a discussion about Zack Snyder's Justice League.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

This is a lost episode from November 2020.  EnjoyYou can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

It's been TOO long since we recorded an episode, so this one goes in several directions.  Dennis and Jay discuss current comic book reads, what we've been collecting, gin, bourbon and whether or not twenty year old 5.25 inch floppy disks are still readable.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay are joined by Eric Helwig of Kowabunga Comics in Wisconsin.  The discussion ranges from how Kowabunga weathered the shutdown of the store during the early days of Covid-19, the shutdown of Diamond Distribution,  DC comics decision to use other distribution channels than Diamond, and the workings of Kowabunga's mail order and FOC services.  Eric also announces the soon to be available new website for doing business with his store.   Eric can be reached at eric@kowabungacomics.comYou can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Tbe guys discuss comics, coon dogs and collecting among other topics.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss the at last return of baseball, current comic readings, Dennis and his pulp mag collecting and his Battlestar Galactica collectibles along with a variety of other quick hit topics.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Best Of the Rest  expands to video streaming on Youtube with this episode.  We talk about comics we're reading share some original comic art and variant covers and talk about the gradual ramping back up of comics publishing and distribution.  If you want to watch the video, click HERE -->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4G84JwFBn8You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

As if we've not had enough changes in life so far this 2020, DC has now ended it's business relationship with Diamond Distribution. Dennis and Jay discuss the possible outcomes of this decision along with a few other comic book topics.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss the reopening of some local comic shops, the resuming of mail order comics and a host of other unrelated topics.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

A somewhat impromptu episode recorded on a Saturday night during Covid-19 lockdown.  But it seems that new comics will return soon!You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss Fibonacci numbers and the Golden ratio,  binding comics into hardcovers, current reading, current collecting and answer some listener questions.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss AI, Q-Learning, word vectors, comic reading, the status of cons, Monty Python, and the correct way to organize a comic book collection.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting comic shops, creators and consumers.  NOTE:  things are changing so rapidly that some of what they talk about became dated just in the time it took to edit the episode.   They also discuss their current reading.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss their recent Comic peregrination from St. Louis, to Oconomowoc, WI to C2E2.  Listen as our heroes recount their Odyssean quest. What treasures did they find?  Were any cheese curds encountered?  Or beverages with paper umbrella and Lotus blossoms?  All will be told.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay talk about the weather, take desultory look at the January Previews catalog, thenJay shoos everyone off his lawn to talk about archaic technology.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay have a labyrinthine discussion on comic book storage, dissociative personality disorder, data storage on glass, is there a center of the universe, Styles of hats, and more. It makes more sense than you think.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay are back with the All New format of Best Of the Rest. It's spectacular! It's sublime! It's not nearly as hyperbolic as this introduction.  Just give it a listen. We think you'll like it.  I mean, we mention Nick Wetmore and who doesn't like that?You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss collecting pulp magazines dating from the 1920's through the 50's and the similarities and differences to collecting comics.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

This episode begins with Jay recounting his time writing comic book reviews for a blog site.  Then, the guys discuss a 1982 edition of an underground comix price guide, then end with discussing current indie titles they've been reading.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay go through the August Previews catalog and discuss one or two other items.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss the indie books that have caught their attention lately and what they are looking forward to in the near future.  After the closing music, there is a segment of Best Of the Rest After Dark.  Where the two talk about everything but indie comics.  Give it a listen if you want to finally hear the correct pronunciation of Nolet's gin.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Many podcasts do a Previews episode early in the month. But we think a lot of you are like Jay and wait until the very last minute to put in comic orders.  So for you we present a more "timely" episode.  Dennis and Jay discuss the May 2019 Previews catalog.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

In this (sort of) lost episode from a few weeks back, Dennis and Jay start by listing off what items are on top of their respective reading piles. Yes, Piles plural. From there the discussion goes on it's typical Labyrinthine path (See DuckDuckGo for definition)You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Another C2E2 convention is in the books for Nerdy Legion. Dennis and Jay give reflections on the weekend and discuss their latest rabbit hole; buying original creator artwork.  Jay is only a wee bit excited about checking off a bucket list item.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

This episode Dennis and Jay take a slimmed down, more focused look at the February Previews catalog, focusing on just a handful if items each was especially impressed with.   Give it a listen and let us know what you think?You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

After an insanely frenetic December of family and work commitments, Dennis and Jay return with a wide open discussion to start off BOTR for 2019.  Topics include the upcoming C2E2 conventions, convention survival tactics, what they've been reading, a bit on collecting and where they want to take the podcast this year.  You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss the November Previews catalog for books releasing in January.  Listen to find out what the new year will bring!You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay go through the October Previews catalog for books releasing in December.  So if you're looking for some stocking stuffers, the guys have some suggestions.  Seriously though, NEVER stuff a comic book into a stocking. Mylites and half backs only.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Yes, we don't just talk about Indie comics, we read them too. Join us as we discuss the titles that have most intrigued us lately.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Jay was recently invited to join a round table discussion on podcasting hosted by Derek Royal and The Comics Alternative podcast. This episode is rebroadcast with permission of the episode originally aired on 9-30-18 on The Comics Alternative.  Derek invited a variety of other comics podcasters to discuss their experiences in the medium. In addition to myself, the participants are Gina Gagliano, from Graphic Novel TK; Greg Matiasevich, from Robots from Tomorrow; and Gwen Tarbox, from The Comics Alternative for Young Readers. You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

After discussing Dennis's newly found source of comic collecting treasures, they guys talk about a post  they found on comicbookhistorians.com that distinguishes 8 ages of comic books from the late nineteenth century until today.You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay delve into the September Previews catalog.  You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Ever wondered what Dennis and Jay talk about before they start the podcast proper?  This episode is a long conversation between the two where Jay talks about his experience at at small convention in Dallas and Dennis regales us with the story of his visit to an estate sale.  Enjoy!You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.

Dennis and Jay discuss mini series versus ongoing titles for small press publishers. Is one better than the other?  If so, for whom is it better?  You can support this show by visiting our merch store, or by leaving us an Apple Podcasts review.