Casual Comics Cast

Following the events of "Blood Hunt", The Marvel Comics Universe has been reshaped by the shock-and-awe assault on global power of Earth's new Sorcerer Supreme - Doctor Doom! In this episode, we're covering the highly anticipated "One World Under Doom" event. We start by recapping the crucial storylines from Ryan North's amazing Fantastic Four that led to this moment, then delve into the first issue, analyzing its key moments and speculating on what's to come. Whether you're a fan of epic Marvel crossover events, or you're just looking to keep current on what's happening in the Marvel U, this episode is for you! 

Sometimes the best podcasts happen on the spur of the moment! This week, we're ditching the script, and I'm chatting with Jeff about his passion for Mego action figures. From superhero classics to sci-fi gems, Jeff shares his collecting journey and drops some fascinating bits of Mego history. Tune in for Part 1 of this impromptu Mego-mania! 

In this special episode, we're celebrating the start of football season with a Fantasy X-Men draft! Two die-hard Marvel fans battle it out, using their encyclopedic knowledge to build the ultimate mutant teams. Who is the consensus #1 pick? Who's got the inside scoop on lesser-known heroes as sleeper picks? Tune in for laughs, friendly rivalry, and all the X-Men action you can handle!

With the end of the "Krakoan Age" in Marvel Comics, we invite you to embark on an epic journey into the groundbreaking series where it all began, "House of X" and "Powers of X"!Before we launch our recap of the series, with notes and commentary to guide casual comics readers through the complex storyline, this introductory episode lays the groundwork for new and returning X-Men fans alike.We'll discuss the state of the X-Men universe before Jonathan Hickman's arrival, exploring pivotal storylines and creative teams that paved the way. You'll learn about the unique dual narrative structure of "House of X" and "Powers of X," and how to approach reading these intertwined stories.Whether you're a longtime mutant enthusiast or just curious about the hype, if you want to begin unraveling the last FIVE years of X-Men comics, this podcast is your essential guide to understanding the seismic shift that redefined the X-Men. Join us for an introduction to the key concepts, characters, and controversies that will help make "House of X" and "Powers of X" more enjoyable for casual readers.And, if you're interested in what you hear, please stick around for our future podcasts recapping these first key stories in the X-Men Krakoan Age.

 Calling all X-Men fans! Join Joe and Erik as they delve into the exciting new Disney+ series, X-Men '97. This show isn't just a reboot of the classic 90's cartoon; it's a direct continuation, bursting with the same action, heart, and iconic animation style with a fresh update.We'll explore the legacy of the original series and how X-Men '97 picks up the story.  And, of course, no X-Men adventure is complete without the roster of heroes. We'll meet (or reacquaint ourselves with) Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Beast, and more.Want to delve deeper after the episode? We'll point you to other X-Men media you might enjoy, from comics for new readers to classic storylines that inspired the show. 

Wolverine's on a mission of love and vengeance. He hunts for his lost flame Mariko, only to find her caught in a web of Yakuza power plays and ninja intrigue. Fists fly, blades clash, and sparks ignite with the deadly assassin Yukio. Can Logan navigate a foreign underworld, tame his berserker rage, and rescue Mariko before it's too late? Prepare for a whirlwind of romance, betrayal, and savage action in this iconic story that forged Wolverine's legend!In addition, we test the hosts' knowledge of this classic Marvel character with a super-quiz.

Step into the wayback portal with us as we go back to 1982 and revisit the four-issue Marvel mini-series "Hercules: Prince of Power". Hercules lived mostly on the margins of the Marvel universe, but he (and the Greek Pantheon) get a fun and funny showcase in this series that sees the Lion of Olympus exiled from his home... into space?This era of Marvel comics was a formative time in the industry and the Hecules mini-series is just one of many from the decade that spotlights the fun and accessibility that was threaded through comics at the time. Reviewing "Hercules: Prince of Power" (1982) #1-4Writing and Art: Bob Layton

It's the most wonderful time of the year - we're reading holiday comics from the Distinguished Competition (DC Comics)We've got anthologies, we've got one-off specials starring Plastic Man (of all heroes), and a surprising holiday special from December 2023 that turned out to NOT be a one-shot.We've got:JLA # 60 by Mark Waid and Cliff RathburnDCU Infinite Holiday Special by Bill Willingham, Joe Kelly, Kelley Puckett, Tony Bedard, Greg RuckaBatman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight by Jeff Parker and Michelle BandiniPlus, all our Christmas wishes for the DC universe for 2024!

In this mildly spooky episode, we're catching up on Season 2 of the Disney+ Series "Loki"And, we've got reviews of a couple of NEW Marvel titles:Werewolf by Night #1 (2023) - DEREK LANDY (W) • FRAN GALÁN (A) Spine Tingling Spiderman #1 -  SALADIN AHMED (W) • JUAN FERREYRA (A) 

Join me with special guest host Erik Hale as we get ready for Halloween by revisiting the Marvel monster-verse, exploring BLADE: The Vampire HunterWe're covering Blade Comics spanning three distinct eras:Tomb of Dracula #10 (1973) - Blade's first, groundbreaking appearanceBlade: Sins of the Father #1 (1998) - Classic 90s Marvel movie tie-inBlade #1 (2023) - The new adventures of Blade in Marvel comicsAnd, Erik discusses his new novel "All the Brittle Pieces", the first book in the Forgotten Child series. You can find Erik (and his book) online at erikkhale.com

With football season comes fantast football. And - at the Casual Comics Cast - a Fantasy Avengers Draft. Listen in as we get a scenario for the Avengers to tackle and draft our fantasy Avengers Teams.Who drafted the better team? Listen in and let us know!Plus, we discuss the new Fantastic Four series from Ryan North - a great place for new comic fans to jump in and catch up on Marvel's First Family. And, we review the first issue of Marvel's X-Men crossover event, "Sins of Sinister". 

In this installment, we're talking:Trailer for Kraven: The HunterReview of Spider-man: Across the Spider-VerseComic Review of the latest Guardians of the Galaxy series from MarvelAnd, more of the other stuff you've come to know and love.

With The Flash zooming into cinemas, it's our last chance to discuss our hopes, fears, and other expectations for the last pre-James Gunn film in the DC movie universe. And, we've already covered a few Supergirl comics, but in anticipation of the film, we're going back in time to read and review some Supergirl comics from DC comics history.

Available to stream now, Evil Dead Rise continues the franchise in new - and sometimes refreshing - ways. Here are our thoughts on this spook-fest from director Lee Cronin and  executive producers Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell.Plus, we talk comics based on movies, including "Death to Army of Darkness" and "Spinal Tap". 

It's crazy to think that it was almost 10 years ago that director James Gunn introduced audiences to Rocket, Groot, Star Lord, and the rest of the Guardians crew. This found family has had a profound impact on the MCU - and on the hearts and minds of fans everywhere.Now, the Guardians of the Galaxy story comes to a close with "Guardians of the Galaxy 3" - a two-and-a-half hour love letter to misfits everywhere.Join us for a discussion of the movie, as well as of our favorite Marvel "trilogies" to-date. 

“All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That's how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day.” Those immortal words were spoken by The Joker in 1988's classic Batman one-shot, The Killing Joke. Now, Batman fans can experience new tales of classic Batman villains as each of them relives their own ONE BAD DAY. On this episode, we're covering three books in the recent "One Bad Day" series. 

The latest installment of the MCU past it's expiration date for spoiler discussions, so we recap Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaina - what we liked, what we wish had been done differently, and where this ranks in the MCU roster. Plus, we review 2022's Marvel Comic Series "Ant-Man", a 4-issue romp through the annals of each hero who held the title "Ant-Man": Hank Pym, Scott Lang, Eric O'Grady, and a mysterious figure from the far future. Written by comic super-start Al Ewing, we'll review this series and let you know how much casual comics fans would enjoy this series. (Hint: It's "a lot")

Kang and MODOK are two of the most iconic villains in Marvel Comics. And, now, they're taking center stage in the next installment in the MCU - Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania!In this episode, we talk about who these characters are, where they fit into the Marvel Universe, and some of their comics history. We're reviewing two classic comic runs - one for each of these masters of malice.Kang - Avengers #267-269MODOK - Captain America #132-133Image Credit: Fan Art by Raphael Albero X Bosslogic

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special kicks off the Merry Marvel Christmas! Following up to our DC Christmas extravaganza, we compare and contrast how the publishers spotlight the holiday season. In addition to discussing the Guardians of the Galaxy Special on Disney+, we've also got recaps and reviews of these Christmas-themed Marvel Comics: Amazing Spiderman 166 (1976) - "War of the Reptile-Men" (yes, it's a Christmas issue!) Marvel Team Up #1 (1971) - "Have Yourself a Sandman Little Christmas"  Sensational She-Hulk #8 (1989) - "The World's Greatest Detective" Happy Holidays!

In this shaggy dog holiday episode, we're taking a (very) relaxed approach to multiple DC Christmas specials! We talk two special (and silly) treasury edition comics from way back in DC's History - "Christmas with the Super Heroes" along with Batman: The Animated Series' "Christmas with the Joker". Plus, Santa's Naughty/Nice list in the DCU.Happy holidays, everyone!

On this episode, Marc and Joe recap the powerful and touching follow-up to Marvel's Black Panther - "Wakanda Forever". What we liked, what we didn't, and where we think the MCU is headed next. Plus, reviews of two comic books starring the newly introduced Namor, Prince of Atlantis... um, I mean Talokan. For those looking for a good place to dive into this character, we're discussing: X-Men #6 (1964), from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Sub-Mariner: Marvels Snapshots #1 (2020), from Alan Brennert and Jerry Ordway

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!Join us for a review of three very different takes on the Thanksgiving holiday from comics. We're reading and discussing: Franklin Richards: Happy Franksgiving (Marvel) Deadpool #37: "Guess Who's Bumming at Dinner" (Marvel) JSA #54: "Virtue, Vice, and Pumpkin Pie" (DC) Plus, we each pick 5 comics heroes we would definitely want at our Thanksgiving dinner this year!

Celebrating 30 YEARS of Army of Darkness comicsNever seen Army of Darkness? Seems unlikely, but neither has our co-host Jeff. In this episode, Jeff finally catches up on the beloved cult classic and gives his review. Plus, we look at Ashley J Williams' adventures across the pages of multiple comic publishers - with a special focus on the current crossover event, "Army of Darkness vs. Reanimator: Necronomicon Rising" from Dynamite Publishing. 

In this super-sized, super-spooky Casual Comics Cast, we're covering the dark side of the Marvel Universe, including coverage of the 90s mini-series "Rise of the Midnight Sons" - the inspiration for the new Marvel console game. Reviews and plot summaries of: Werewolf by Night on Disney+ Ghost Rider / Rise of the Midnight Sons, featuring Blade, Morbius, and more from Marvel's horror tites Black Panther - White Light, Black Heat: A vampire tale set in New Orleans co-starring Blade and Brother Voodoo

Thanks to a subscription to the mighty Marvel Unlimited app, we're able to catch up on even more recent Marvel event series. In this episode, we're recapping and discussing the 2021 event "Devil's Reign" - a Daredevil-centric series that sees The Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, currently mayor of New York,  discovering a major gap in his memory - namely, the secret identity of Daredevil. Fisk outlaws vigilante heroes in the city, and the war between he and Daredevil threatens to split the very fabric of NYC.Featuring major roles from Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-man - as well as villains galore, like Taskmaster,  Doc Ock, and the Thunderbolts, this adrenaline-fueled event sets up the current state of the Marvel comics universe. So whatever you do, don't miss "Devil's Reign"! 

Over the years, there have been a lot more comics to film adaptations than we realized. Inspired by our recent trek to see Rifftrax Live: Return of the Swamp Thing, we're revisiting some of the lowlights of the bronze age of comic book adaptations - films made from 1978-1997. Spanning Richard Donner's "Superman: The Movie" through Joel Schumacher's "Batman and Robin", there are a whole lot of comic book adaptations to re-discover (and many more that should remain hidden).

On this episode, we are discussing long-time favorite Marvel hero, She-Hulk. With the premiere of the new Disney+ Series, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”, you'll hear about She-Hulk's origin, the extent of her powers (including BOTH how far and how high she can jump), and just generally everything you need to know about Shulkie. We're reading and reviewing three comics:·       Savage She-Hulk #1 (1979) by Stan Lee and John Buscema·       Sensational She-Hulk #1 (1989) by John Byrne·       She-Hulk (2015) #1 by Dan Slott and Greg Horn

The next chapter in the MCU - and the long-awaited follow-up to fan-favorite, Thor: Ragnarok - is finally here. On this episode, we're discussing Taika Waititi's Thor: Love and Thunder.What worked, and what still needed work? And, what to make of Jane Foster's "Mighty Thor", originally introduced in Jason Aaron's excellent run on the comic series in 2015?Plus - our comic book picks for the week of 07/20/2022

It's finally here - the long-awaited, Sam Raimi-helmed sequel to WANDAVISION. Oh, and the follow-up to Doctor Strange, Spider-man: No Way Home, and the next chapter in the continuing Marvel multiverse saga.We discuss whether the movie lives up to expectations, what we learned, what we expect next - as well as our Top 3 Movie Moments from the first entry in Marvel's foray into PG-13 horror / action. 

Part 2 of our look back at the pre-Dark Knight Batman series takes us back to some very different Batman experiences. For those who loved (or who will soon love) the 1966 Batman move and TV series, we've got discussion and reviews of: Batman 66 - The 2013 comic book series that picks up the characters, tone, and wit of the beloved series "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" and "Batman: Two Face" - the animated movies with voice cast from the 1966 series Detective Comics #43 - Classic Batman action from the 1940s. What the heck was up with Batman comics back then? And, our review of "The Wrong Earth: Trapped on Teen Planet" - one of our favorite series from Ahoy Comics that picks up the tone and style of the classic 60s Batman and crosses that character with the dark, gritty post-Dark Knight version of Gotham

With "The Batman" grabbing viewers on HBO Max, it's time to revisit the "which Batman is best" argument with a look at the seldom-discussed "Batman: The Movie" from 1966. Criminally left out of most discussions ranking the relative Batman movies, this Adam West-led Batman adventure deserves a place in the pantheon of Batman movies. So, join us as two seasoned Batman vets watch and discuss Batman: The Movie with someone who has never seen it before!

This time, we're talking all things Marvel Multiverse. What is the Multiverse, anyway?Heading into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we'll cover all the bases to get you up to speed on Marvel's Multiverse. We're talking the history of the multiverse in comics, movies, and TV. There's also in-depth coverage on Marvel's "What If..." and we go deep into Marvel's "House of M" - a comic series that is sure to be heavily referenced in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness!

With the premiere of Moon Knight on Disney+ just days away, we're reading some older Moon Knight titles to break down - what is the essence of the Moon Knight mythos? Reading comics spanning the 70s - today - we discuss just what elements of Moon Knight are consistent through the years, as well as some interesting turns the character has taken along the way. We discuss: Werewolf by Night #32 (first appearance of Moon Knight) Moon Knight #1 (1980) West Coast Avengers #21 Moon Knight #1 (2014) Moon Knight #1 (2021) Plus, other comics news and our picks for comic book new releases for the week!

We're shining a spotlight on some books that casual comic readers should check-out: A trio of books based on licensed properties with no prior continuity needed. If you're looking to pick up books where you don't need an in-depth knowledge of the history or "story so far", these are books that fit the bill. A trio of titles from Casual Comics Crew favorite author, Mark Russell, are reviewed on this episode: Flintstone's #1 (DC Comics) Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1 (DC Comics) The Wonder Twins (DC Comics) How successful are these books at hooking new readers? We'll discuss, plus, you'll get our suggestions for 3 other new titles to check out this week!

The X-Men are experiencing (yet another renaissance), but with a dozen or more X-men related titles, is there an easy way for casual comic book readers to get up-to-speed if they want to join in the fun?On this episode, Marc and Joe delve into the "gateway" books for the current state of Marvel's merry band of mutants - House of X and Powers of X.These two titles ushered in a new era and established the world of the X-men that's running through continuity today. How easy are they for the casual X-Men fan to get into? And, how much fun were they to read?Join us as we delve into the X-Madness and let you know our thoughts on the accessibility of the books and the interest level they generate for catching up in the X-men books on the shelves today.Also, Casual Comics Picks of the Week - the new comics we're recommending for listeners!

If you're a casual comic book reader, there's a new(ish) publisher on the block whose books you have GOT to be reading. Ahoy Comics has a whole slate of books that are perfect for casual fans - you don't need to know decades of continuity or be reading on a weekly basis to enjoy the incredible wit and amazing art in their titles. We've talked about a couple of their books in the past, but in this episode, we're shining a spotlight on our favorite publisher. In-depth reviews of: The Wrong Earth: Night and Day #1 My Bad #1 Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Death #1 and Hostess Fruit Pies Cheers!

For new comic book readers and casual comic fans, finding a way to jump into a new series can be a daunting task. On this episode, we're reading and covering a couple of books that readers may be curious about - and checking whether they would be a good entry point for enjoying the wonderful world of comic books. The books we're covering this week are:Saga #1 - The mega-popular sci-fi/drama/adventure/just about everything and the kitchen sink series from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. This critically acclaimed book has won just about every major award there is, and there are continual rumors of a TV series to come. With the book coming back from a break of over a year, it's time to check in on this series and see what new(ish) comic readers think.She-Hulk #1 (2022) - The new series by Marvel aims to take advantage of interest in the character driven by the upcoming Disney+ series. Can Rainbow Rowell craft an entertaining take on Jennifer Walters and her gamma irradiated alter-ego that is also accessible to someone who has never read a She-Hulk comic? We'll find out.These reviews, plus more on this episode of the Casual Comics Cast!

It's February and, we're in love with love. All over again. For the first time! We're reading and discussing two of the most famous comic book weddings from Marvel comics history:Fantastic Four Annual #3 (1965) - The Wedding of Reed and Sue RichardsAmazing Spider Man Annual #21 (1987) - The Wedding of Spider Man and Mary Jane WatsonIn addition, we're ranking our personal TOP 5 comic book couples of all time. Each of us picked our individual favorite couples and debate them - with kindness (it is Valentine's after all).If there's anyone we missed, drop us a note at casualcomicsguy@gmail.com or on Twitter @casualcomicsguy and we'll discuss in a future episode. 

We're talking to casual comics fans about the upcoming slate of Marvel TV Shows on Disney+Which characters do we already know the most about, and which of the shows are we most excited for? Listen in as we discuss:Moon KnightShe-HulkMs. MarvelSecret InvasionI am GrootGuardians of the Galaxy Christmas SpecialAnd, we pointedly try not to discuss the upcoming Morbius movie, which is delayed yet again. 

In service of our original mission - helping casual comic book fans (or those who want to be) get into the world of comics, we're reviewing two new-ish comics. We've got our thoughts on how well they connect with readers who are not steeped into the ongoing comics continuity, as well as how plain entertaining they are to read. On this episode, we're reviewing:Death of Dr. Strange #1 (Marvel Comics) by Jed MackayOne Star Squadron #1 (DC Comics) by Mark RussellPlus, we discuss comics news, including getting WAY TOO EXCITED for the trailer for the Disney+ series "Moon Knight".

In service of our original mission - helping casual comic book fans (or those who want to be) get into the world of comics, we're reviewing two new-ish comics. We've got our thoughts on how well they connect with readers who are not steeped into the ongoing comics continuity, as well as how plain entertaining they are to read. On this episode, we're reviewing:Human Target (DC Comics) by Tom KingDark Knights of Steel (DC Comics) by Tom Taylor

Batman: Fear State is the latest title-crossing "event" for the bat-family of books in the DC Universe:"Gotham City is on the brink of martial law as Batman fights a two-front battle!"Listen along with Ryan (our biggest Batman fan), Jeff, and Joe as we recap the series, checking in on what's happening with Batman and friends right now - and examine whether the book is a good entry point for casual comics fans. And - We make time to discuss the mini-series event "Superman '78", which ties directly into the beloved classic movie "Superman", released in 1978, don'tcha know.

Spider Man: No Way Home is the blockbuster that's sweeping the nation. We've got our super-Spidey friend, Marc, here to talk about the movie. What should you know before heading into the movie? What were the moments that thrilled us? What left us scratching our heads in confusion? The answers to all those questions, and more, are answered here - on episode 242 of the Casual Comics Cast!Plus: We're reviewing the Disney+ series, Hawkeye. Starring Jeremy Renner as the archer with a branding issue and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, his new (sort of) partner. Is this a "Christmas" show? The debate continues here. And, we see where Hawkeye ranks among our favorite Disney+ Marvel series to-date.

Our resident Spidey fanatic - Marc - joins this episode to discuss the graphic novel "Spider-Man Life Story", written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Mark Bagley. This unique take on the legendary Marvel hero follows Peter Parker from the origin of Spider-Man in 1962 through the next through the six decades of his life placing the major milestone events in Marvel continuity and Spider-man's own legendary exploits into the era when they actually happened in Peter's single lifetime.Plus, we rank our own "Sinister Six" - the six best/coolest/most essential villains in Spider-man's gallery of rogues.

In the vein of our popular “Secret Wars” series recap, we're talking about the comic series that inspired the Marvel Cinematic Universe's “Captain America: Civil War”.This 7-issue mini-series published in 1999 ignited the debate on “who watches the watchmen” in Marvel Comics, as a tragic event leads to attempted government regulation on the actions of super-powered individuals. The series features almost every Marvel hero (and villain) including  Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Thunderbolts! And now we've read it – so you don't have to!Join us as we review Marvel's Civil War!  

In this long-awaited follow-up to our reviews of DC's Future State, we once again pick up on the new DC universe. In addition, we discuss "The Wrong Earth" from Ahoy Comics, one of the best re-inventions of the superhero genre in ages. Join us, won't you? - CCG

On this episode, we discuss the launch of the new DC "Future State" mini-series... all of them! Spawning out of DC's "Dark Nights: Death Metal", Future State takes us through one possible future for the DC Universe, adding to the legacy of the classic heroes and watching as the next generation of heroes pick up their mantle in this bold new world. Reviews for: Future State - The Flash Future State - The Next Batman Future State - Wonder Woman Plus, we spend a good deal of time on our newest obsession, WandaVision on Disney+

WandaVision is coming to Disney+ this week, so we're offering a beginners' guide to everyone's favorite Marvel couple. Including, the original mini-series that serves as an inspiration to the new TV show. In this episode, we discuss: X-Men 4 - Origin of the Scarlet Witck Vision and The Scarlet Witch #1-4 (1982) - Where the couple move to the suburbs to take a break from the Avengers

In this episode, we're talking about Marvel's god of thunder,Thor! Issues 1-6 of the recent series from writer Donny Cates - and all the mind-blowing action and revelations - are discussed. Plus, we go way back to talk about Thor #337 and the introduction of everyone's favorite horse-faced hero: Beta Ray Bill!

This week, we are discussing our favorite X-Men characters and reviewing: Giant Size X-Men #1 (1975) - the introduction of the "new" X-Men that we all know and love. Astonishing X-Men vol. 1 (1995) by Joss Whedon - a more modern take on the X-Men from the fan favorite creator. Plus, we talk about which of our X-Men are our favorites and play an X-Men version of "Date, Marry, Kill". Cheers!

In this episode, we're talking about the new trailer for THE BATMAN with Timmy Hall, host of the Buckeye Show on 97.1 the Fan. Topics discussed include: The Batman Trailer The seminal comic book, The Killing Joke The previous Batman films from - Nolan, Burton, and yes - even the Schumacher films. And, Timmy Hall selects his Marvel Cinematic Universe All-Star squad - the top 5 heroes he'd want at his back if he had to face down Thanos in a rematch. Cheers!