Comics Rot Your Brain!

Steven & Chris explore the rocky emotional terrain winding through the first four issues of Paul Chadwick's imposingly granite-bodied softie, the brooding giant who is CONCRETE (Dark Horse Comics, 1987).COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Christopher Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/ComicsRotYourBrain#comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel #bronzeagecomicsDrop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comicbooks #comics #graphicnovel

Steven and Chris sit down with legendary Mexican comic book artist, Jose Ladrönn, for a lively discussion about his influences, his work with Alejandro Jodorosky on the FINAL INCAL and SONS OF EL TOPO, plus a whole host of indispensable advice. COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Christopher Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/ComicsRotYourBrainComics Rot Your Brain © 2025Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comicbooks #comics #graphicnovel

Steven and Chris vividly discuss John-Paul Leon and Brett Lewis' post-Cold War crime magnum opus, THE WINTER MEN (Image Comics, 2005). COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Christopher Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comicbooks #comics #graphicnovel

Steven and Chris discuss Marvel's brooding teen superheroes — CLOAK AND DAGGER — from the 1985 on-going series; they go over the first four issues written by Bill Mantlo with art by the wildy incredible and overllooked but influential art team of Rick Leonardi and Terry Austin.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon -   / comicsrotyourbrain 

Chris and Steven discuss Raymond Briggs's nuclear war nightmare WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, published by Penguin Books in 1982.Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comicbooks #comics #graphicnovel

n this CRYB! SPOTLIGHT, Chris and Steven discuss DC Comics' batshit-crazy SKREEMER (1988). This proto-Vertigo classic blends noir, cyberpunk, and family tragedy in a retro gangster apocalyptic fable created by Peter Milligan, Brett Ewins, and Steve Dillion. A science fiction comic that makes A CLOCKWORK ORANGE look G-rated.This clip was taken from our full-length SKREEMER episode:https://youtu.be/gfcvYF0aCd0?si=E5H1E0EfawK1tM17.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ComicsRotYourBrain

This week is a CRYB Spotlight episode on Marvel/Epic Comics' ALIEN LEGION, published in 1984, created by Carl Potts, Alan Zelenetz, and Frank Cirocco. This clip is taken from our epic (so to speak) deep dive into ALIEN LEGION (see earlier episodes).COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age of comics.ALIEN LEGION | The Ultimate SciFi War Story/Space Opera - "Humanity" Explored in Thought BalloonsSHOW NOTES00:00 - Theme song00:15 - Intro to ALIEN LEGION00:53 - The legionnaire Skobb signs his own death warrant01:02 - Zelenetz's brilliance as a writer01:32 - The cost of making selfish, all-too-human choices03:31 - Thought balloons in comics05:11 - Exploring the legionnaires' fears and insecurities07:30 - The inner monologue during a War Story08:45 - Blending pathos and politics09:02 - Tell every story in a war film10:25 - The ultimate metaphor for lifeDrop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comicbooks #comics #graphicnovel

Steven and Chris discuss acclaimed graphic designer Dean Motter's science fiction opus, MISTER X (Vortex Comics, 1984); the first four issues were written & drawn by Los Bros Hernandez (Mario, Gilbert, and Jamie) of LOVE & ROCKETS fame and colored by Paul Rivoche.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/ComicsRotYourBrainMISTER X | Art Deco Retro Futurism SciFi Mystery Noir and Flying Cars

In this solo episode, Steven takes a wild trip into the breathtaking visual world of legendary and visionary Filipino artist, Alex Niño, as seen in the unfortunately named graphic novel, SPACE CLUSTERS (DC Comics, 1986).Comics Rot Your Brain! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few noteworthy exceptions). Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Moebius, Druillet, & ALEX NIÑO - This Visionary Genius Is One of the Greatest Comics Artists Ever!We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon:   / comicsrotyourbrain  The Blerd It Out show on Alex Niño mentioned in this episode from Adrian Johnson @ Inazuma Studios:   • Blerd It Out! - Episode 4: Alex Nino  Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

Chris discusses Howard Chaykin's MONARK STARSTALKER single-issue scifi story from the ultra-cool try-out book, Marvel Premiere. COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon -   / comicsrotyourbrain  Fantagraphics is finally collecting Chaykin's early Marvel Comics work - https://a.co/d/dkKaCM3Chaykin's STARS, MY DESTINATION adaptation - https://a.co/d/07teTGnChaykin's AMERICAN FLAGG! - https://a.co/d/dayB5290:00 Music & Intro0:59 Plug for Marvel's upcoming collection of early Howard Chaykin work1:13 What is Marvel Premiere?2:41 Who is Howard Chaykin?3:42 Diving into Monark SDrop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

In the final episode of Season One, Steven and Chris reveal their own secret origins on how and why they came to discover the world of comics in their youth... way back in the '80s!Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

Chris and Steven put on their jet-packs and blast into issues one thru 10 of the wondrous sci-fi idea-bomb that is Scott McCloud's ZOT! (Eclipse Comics, 1984), a slam-bang collision between the widescreen imaginations of Osamu Tezuka and Jack Kirby. Prepare yourself for iconic heroes and villains, heady philosophy, and rich humanism… Much like ZOT! itself, this episode's got it all and it ought to, folks — it's almost six freakin' hours!COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly YouTube show, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.Support Our Patreon - www.patreon.com/comicsrotyourbrain  Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

In this episode, Chris -- in his first one-shot solo episode -- discusses the fan favorite scifi adventure comic ATARI FORCE (1984), written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. A special projects DC Comics' series took inspiration for the legendary Atari 2600 video game console.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/comicsrotyourbrain  Comics Rot Your Brain! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few noteworthy exceptions). Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.⏱ SHOW NOTES00:00 Theme song01:10 The origins of the Atari Force comic.01:45 What does ATARI Force stand for?02:23 Who were the original members?02:59 The 80s SciFi staple - Mankind has crippled Earth3:30 Pop Culture Minute of the Time06:15 The main characters of ATARI Force06:37 Discussing Issue One13:09 Introducing the Nameless Villain16:24 Kidnapping Bade harkens back to TransAtlantic Slave Trade18:21 Praising Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez's Art29:16 Discussing Issue Two34:!5 Poignant Moment for Tempest36:09 Introducing Martin Champion from the original team39:46 Ciritique of First Mate on Slave Ship44:10 Dart's background and how is shapes her internal conflict49:00 The First Fact File50:53 Gerry Conway explains how he got involved with Atari Force53:16 Discussing Issue Three1:01:10 Lamenting No TPB for Atari Force1:03:14 Pining Over Lost Art of Thought Balloons1:13:30 Andy Helfer's Confesson1:18:14 Wrap Up Discussion©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

In this “one-shot” episode, Steven offers a solo examination of Trevor Von Eeden's mind-expanding artwork from issues 305 & 307 of DC's long-running Superman and Batman team-up series, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS.Drop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

In this episode, Steve and Chris discuss the serialized story, GENERATION ZERO, from Marvel Comics' defunct Epic Comics flagship book, Epic Illustrated. A sci-fi story written by long-time comic industry luminary Archie Goodwin with painted art by the famed Spanish cartoonist, Pepe Moreno.Check out more of Pepe Moreno's art at https://pepemorenostudio.com/Support Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/ComicsRotYourBrainCheck out our website, www.comicsrotyourbrain.com0:00:00 - Music & Intro0:02:55 - Primer on Generation Zero0:07:26 - Contextualizing Contemporary Pop Culture0:17:35 - Moreno on his love of America0:20:46 - Praise of Archie Goodwin as Editor and Writer0:24:09 - Discussing Chapter One (Epic Illustrated 17)0:47:38 - The issues of Epic Illustrated that contain Generation Zero0:48:10 - Irony of the collected version by DC Comics 0:50:00 - Obscure nature of Generation Zero0:52:08 - Discussing Chapter Two (Epic Illustrated 18)1:05:18 - Discussing Chapter Three, "Desert Hunt" (Epic Illustrated 19)1:17:21 - Moreno's penchant of Suspect Page Design Readability1:24:40 - Discussion Chapter Four, "The Rat's Nest" (Epic Illustrated 20)1:27:00 - The Lived-In Detail to Moreno's Incredible Casablanca1:30:00 - Inexplicable Cybernetic Arm Non-continuity1:50:18 - Discussing Chapter Five, "Jungle Trail" (Epic Illustrated 21)1:55:48 - Yonomani Tribe makes an appearance?2:12:16 - Discussing Chapter Six, "Terror In Paradise" (Epic Illustrated 22)2:25:50 - Shock at the giant story reveal!2:26:55 - Discussing Chapter Seven, "The Last Battle" (Epic Illustrated 23)2:29:22 - Odd letdown of exposing the lingering mystery of Juan's father2:54:47 - Discussing Chapter Eight, "Face To Face" (Epic Illustrated 24)2:55:00 - The inappropriate nature of the cover art3:19:00 - Steve's Theory that there were supposed to a follow-up series3:27:00 - Talk about what made Epic Comics line so specialCopyright © 2024 Comics Rot Your BrainDrop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

Chris and Steven dive into the first five issues of BLUE DEVIL (DC Comics, 1984), a comic book scientifically proven to be the most outrageously fun title of the 1980s; the madcap insanity of it all was written by Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn, penciled by Paris Cullins, and inked by Pablo Marcos and Gary Martin. Join us, flashback party people… Circuits and Sorcery await you!COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.⏱ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro + Theme Song00:47 - So who is this Blue Devil guy, anyway?03:47 - Pop Culture of the day in 198405:52 - Dick Giordano's admirably bold thoughts on DC Comics' mission in 198412:07 - What is the actual story for BLUE DEVIL?18:49 - “Fun” comics vs. “artsy-schmartsy” comics30:16 - The fascinating original “pitch document” for BLUE DEVIL36:41 - Paris Cullins' extraordinary creature design skills, epitomized by the unique look of the insectoid demon, Nebeiros47:35 - Chris blows Steven's mind by revealing that this one thing that comic artists do, y'know, that thing... Well, it has a name... Behold! "The De Luca Effect!"  01:05:06 - That good ol' green metalhead, Metallo: B+ Superman villain or total clownshow?01:10:42 - Holy Circuits & Sorcery, Batman! What happens when technology collides with ancient occult practices?!01:21:05 - Blue Devil challenges Superman to a little arm wrestling match!01:22:37 - Sparks fly! Instant romantic chemistry between Blue Devil and Zatanna01:49:07 - The historically whimsical nature of most DC Comics as opposed to Marvel's (mostly) scary “realism”02:05:48 - THAT MOMENT where Zatanna grabs both of Blue Devil's horns and kisses him on the mouth (no, really)02:07:45 - So... How exactly is BLUE DEVIL remembered today?02:13:16 - Alan Moore's WATCHMEN and Frank Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS -- how they brought about the “grim ‘n gritty” era of comics, ending the times represented by BLUE DEVIL02:15:02 - The highwire tightrope act for writers of being simultaneously light AND heavy, detouring into critiques of DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, plus Quentin Tarantino's entire oeuvre02:23:18 - What modern comic books actually feel like BLUE DEVIL? Let us know! 

In this episode, Chris and Steven confront highly disturbing revelations about the CIA and American global politics, courtesy of the explosive whistleblower comic, BROUGHT TO LIGHT (Eclipse Comics, 1988), written by Alan Moore and drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz. Buckle up, folks. This is a wild one. BROUGHT TO LIGHT really is the most dangerous comic book ever published!COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comic books (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast format. Screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.SHOW NOTES0:00 - CRYB! theme song01:07 - The origins of BROUGHT TO LIGHT: The Christic Institute, Eclipse Comics, Cat Yronwode, Dean Mullaney, Alan Moore, Bill Sienkiewicz, Warner Books, the CIA, the U.S. government, and the target on everyone's back for even telling this story14:49 - “How America Was Robbed...”17:17 - An American eagle walks into a bar... A discussion of the audacious narrative conceit of this comic23:42 - Swimming pools of blood as a visual metaphor ...for the horrifying worldwide death toll caused by far-reaching immoral CIA covert operations ...and for the U.S. government's secret involvement in a multitude of global assassinations and coups = “An infographic from Hell”28:47 - “I want to talk about Sienkiewicz's art.”  “We need to.”38:55 - A reading from the gospel of our CIA eagle-agent guy and his squawkings about the assassination of JFK44:35 - “An assault on your whole belief in America.” In the spirit of Noam Chomsky & Manufacturing Consent46:29 - The suppression and burial of BROUGHT TO LIGHT57:30 - Peak Alan Moore and peak Bill Sienkiewicz -- reinventing comics with everything they do at this point1:02:08 - Our eagle agent contemplates suicide with a gun to his own head; the brilliant juxtaposition between Moore's words and Sienkiewicz's pictures1:15:00 - Things get meta. The eagle goes after The Christic Institute with vitriol and makes his final desperate case to us, the readers1:21:17 - Creators who risk infusing their art with their own deeply held political beliefs1:28:14 - Sienkiewicz's stunningly-wrought hand-done lettering on BROUGHT TO LIGHT; Steven's eternal soliloquy raging against the dying of the light, as the scourge of font lettering comes over the hillside like a plague of end-time locusts devouring modern comics, etc.©2024  Comics Rot Your Brain!#alanmoore #billsienkiewicz #sienkiewicz #comicbooks #new #content #explained #bronzeagecomics #80s #eclipsecomics #catyronwode #cia #whistleblowerDrop us a line! + Check out our YouTube channel to get a look at some of the fantastic art featured in our episodes. Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories #spaceopera #scifi

Chris and Steven testify before you all, spilling their guts on how DC Comics' OG Superheroes were laid low by the spectre of McCarthyism in “The Red Scare” era of post-WWII USA. This is their battle to rise again in THE GOLDEN AGE (1993), written by James Robinson, drawn by Paul Smith, colored by Richard Ory, and lettered by John Costanza. Will our motley gang of “dirty commies!” triumph in this Elseworlds tale? Featuring OG Hawkman, OG Green Lantern, OG Starman, OG Flash, OG Sandman, Robotman, OG version of The Atom, Hourman, Liberty Bell, The Tarantula, etc.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comic books (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast format. Screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.SHOW NOTES02:01 - Introducing the creative team, explaning the concept behind DC Comics' Elseworlds stories, and summarizing THE GOLDEN AGE10:03 - Hot take alert! Chris makes the bold claim that THE GOLDEN AGE is “as good or better than WATCHMEN” …and, in fact, HE likes GA better!39:44 - Richard Ory's exquisite coloring in THE GOLDEN AGE — how the heck did he do it? Chris has the scoop, straight from the horse's mouth — a CRYB! exclusive43:27 - Paul Smith's artistic influences, plus what exactly is his peak period?57:35 - The rarely used literary device of “Second Person Narration,” deployed expertly by James Robinson here in THE GOLDEN AGE1:04:10 - The art and design for Paul Smith's classic covers  1:12:21 - THE GOLDEN AGE's surprisingly disturbing hallucinatory imagery — rats, eagles, and folks' faces being chewed off!1:16:18 - Chris declares that when it comes to being a wordsmith, the Tarantula ain't no Fitzgerald; we read some of the prose aloud, just to be sure1:26:00 - Circling back on the comparison to Moore & Gibbons' WATCHMEN with a detour through Lindelof/HBO's WATCHMEN, expanding into a discussion of the built-in dramatic weight afforded one when telling stories with iconic characters1:44:36 - The ability to make extreme choices in storytelling with non-mainstream characters, evolving into some ruminations on DC Comics' Elseworlds line1:49:43 - The “Eisners Situation” with THE GOLDEN AGE1:57:24 - Rob Liefeld, Youngblood, Image Comics, Neal Adams, creators' rights, and big personalities with big dreams2:07:26 - Terminal City, Dean Motter, Michael Lark, Mister X, Vortex Comics2:27:00 - More gushing about the amazing art of Paul Smith©2024  Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #dcuniverse #justicesocietyofamerica #comicbooks #new #content #explained+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content #80scomics #explained #indiecomics #scificomics #marvelcomics #horrorstories

Steven and Chris take a roadtrip back in time, eventually arriving on the pothole-riddled streets of Hub City, and man do they have a lot to say -- almost 4 hours' worth of comic book chatter! Steve Ditko's urban vigilante, The Question, is boldly re-imagined by Denny O'Neil and Denys Cowan as a Zen crimefighter for the ages. Check it out; here we cover issues #1-#8 of THE QUESTION (DC Comics, 1987). COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comic books (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast format. Screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age. SHOW NOTES:00:30 - Intro to Vic Sage a.k.a. The Question (covering SteveDitko and Ayn Rand, Denny O'Neil and Denys Cowan)02:57 - THE QUESTION & SWAMP THING as “Proof of Concept” for Vertigo Comics24:14 - Vic Sage's relationship with “Tot” a.k.a. Aristotle Rodor35:53 - Denys Cowan's smart, efficient page compositions1:27:30 - An urban vigilante story written by... a metaphysically minded, left-leaning zenned-out hippie?!1:34:17 - Drawing Black characters in comic books1:47:24 - Cowan's skill at conjuring real-looking people who don't all fit into cookie cutter, visual molds  2:08:18 - Giving Denny O'Neil his flowers as a writer and noticing his evolution on THE QUESTION vs. GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW; an exsmination of his intricate, multi-character storylines 2:40:05 - Cowan's lively, kinetic, uniquely gestural linework2:55:55 - The “generosity of content” of ‘80s comic books -- more story pages, denser stories, letter columns, editorials, etc.#dccomics #vertigocomics #alanmoore #comicbooks #new #content+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#alanmoore #80scomics #indiecomics #scificomics #dccomics #marvelcomics

Steven and Chris grapple with understanding and dissecting Doug Moench, Mike Hernandez, and Dan Day's mind-bending, extra-experimental AZTEC ACE, published by Eclipse Comics.SHOW NOTES:+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#alanmoore #vertigocomics #scifi #darkknightreturns #hawkworld #hawkman #1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseries #sf #spaceopera #thebronzeage #thedarkknight #understandingcomics #vertigocomics...

Chris and Steven swoop in to the Downside of Thanagar to squawk about Tim Truman's bold and impassioned re-imagining of Hawkman's origin story in HAWKWORLD (DC Comics, 1989). Is this Katar Hol's BATMAN: YEAR ONE?  …Or his DARK KNIGHT RETURNS? …Or both?COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comic books (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast format. Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.SHOW NOTES:00:36 - Introduction to HAWKWORLD6:30 - The singular career of visionary artist/writer Tim Truman — SCOUT, GRIMJACK, WILDERNESS and, of course, HAWKWORLD13:36 - The ahead-of-its-time themes of HAWKWORLD: imperialism, subjugation, and cultural appropriation27:16 - The dirty, lived in, alien worlds of Tim Truman — touching on Joe Kubert and the Kubert School36:46 - STIG'S INFERNO + KELVIN MACE by Ty Templeton and Klaus Schonefeld39:35 - NIGHT FORCE by Gene Colan & Marv Wolfman42:55 - “The haunted, super sad feeling” of HAWKWORLD45:30 - Tim Truman on the genesis of HAWKWORLD1:00:01 - Tim Truman's unique artwork and speculation on his chief influences1:10:42 - How the success of WATCHMEN, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, and MAUS encouraged ambitious big swings from comic book artists in the late ‘80s1:11:33 - Katar Hol's exile on the island and the unrelenting, unapologetic brutality of HAWKWORLD1:15:20 - The prescient nature of certain science fiction stories (including MINORITY REPORT)1:17:07 - Metaphorical commentary embedded within HAWKWORLD: the outsourcing of American labor and industry1:32:24 - Katar Hol leaves behind the lies he has been taught about Thanagar's history, confronting the horrific reality of the actual history1:40:37 - Tom King; THE SHERRIFF OF BABYLON, BATMAN1:54:19 - COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! exists for this reason+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#alanmoore #vertigocomics #scifi #darkknightreturns #hawkworld #hawkman #1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseries #sf #spaceopera #thebronzeage #thedarkknight #understandingcomics #vertigocomics...

Steven and Chris obsess over issues one through seven of Comico's ongoing series, GRENDEL (1984+), pondering the lasting resonance of Matt Wagner's extraordinary exploration of evil.SHOW NOTES:00:32 - Intro to GRENDEL. “The greatest indie comics series of all time”?!! Bold words! Cue a valiant attempt to summarize the fascinatingly unique, complex concept of GRENDEL03:12 - “THE DEVIL'S LEGACY” — discussion of the Christine Spar story arc of GRENDEL20:39 - The Amazing Pander Brothers! ...and the inking of their highly stylized work — touching on ‘80s fashion art, Aeon Flux, and Patrick Nagel. The Pander Bros = style AND substance, plus “They draw some of the best hands!”29:10 - The eye-popping sales figures of the first issue of GRENDEL — 68,000 copies!30:54 - How to pronounce “Comico”37:22 - DC Comics' amazing BLUE DEVIL by Paris Cullins, Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn38:42 - The cleverly titled TEMPUS FUGITIVE by Ken Steacy; NOW Comics, ASTRO BOY, SPEED RACER40:17 - THE SACRED & THE PROFANE by Dean Motter & Ken Steacy41:14 - The bizarre & mostly unnoticed WAR BEARS from Dark Horse Comics by Margaret Atwood (!) & Ken Steacy42:38 - Why Matt Wagner brought in other artists on GRENDEL and why modern comics artists are no longer able to do long-ass runs on a series48:15 - The looser, more gestural art of Hayden Sherman and Ashley Wood — drawing awesome comics with styles built for speed50:57 - The super dense verbiage of Matt Wagner's writing in this run of GRENDEL55:06 - “THE DEVIL'S LAIR,” the GRENDEL letter column — Diana Schutz responds to a critical letter about Matt's “wordy” approach, defending Wagner's “intentionally complex” writing choices1:01:15 - GRENDEL: WARCHILD, Grendel Prime, and the exquisite art of Simon Bisley1:04:33 - Great unfinished stories in comic books — THE AERIALIST, TYRANT, BIG NUMBERS1:08:51 - Edvin Biukovic & Darko Macan, the brilliant Croatian artist/writer team that created GRENDEL TALES: DEVILS AND DEATHS1:12:33 - The progressive, multicultural, racial dynamics in this run of GRENDEL1:13:33 - “There's so much greatness in the idea of GRENDEL” — discussing the ambitious extrapolation of the GRENDEL concept in future storylines1:37:57 - The similarities between the mask designs for GRENDEL and SPAWN#moonknight + Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#moonknight #thedarkknight #darkknight #catwoman #spawn #spawncomics #vertigocomics #dccomics #marvelcomics #grantmorrison #neilgaiman #mattwagner #comico #1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseri...

Chris and Steven descend into the futuristic cesspool of gangsterism and “a little of the old ultraviolence” that is SKREEMER (DC Comics, 1989), a noir-styled postapocalyptic science fiction comic that makes A CLOCKWORK ORANGE look G-rated*. An explosive precursor to Vertigo Comics, this series was created by Peter Milligan, Brett Ewins, and Steve Dillion. * Please Note: Our YT video imagery displays comparatively tame examples of SKREEMER art in order to respect YT guidelines concerning violence and graphic content.CRYB! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast format. SHOW NOTES02:16 - A brief introduction to the world of SKREEMER — somewhere between James Joyce's FINNEGAN'S WAKE and Stanley Kubrick's A CLOCKWORK ORANGE12:08 - Celebrating the ahead of its time design of the logo and covers for SKREEMER. These are “pop comics”.13:56 - An attempt to summarize the overarching narrative of SKREEMER37:47 - Why you ought to buy the original floppies of SKREEMER (almost no ads!)40:10 - The groundbreakingly transgressive nature of SKREEMER40:42 - Dense, substantial storytelling in SKREEMER — a mark of the days before “decompressed stories”53:47 - The poetry of Pete Milligan. Purple prose or evocative writing?1:01:17 - Exploring the racial and sexual politics of SKREEMER1:20:43 - The art of Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon on SKREEMER vs. Steve Dillon's art on PREACHER; also, a discussion of Dillon's early UK work for 2000 AD and DEADLINE magazine1:22:44 - The extraordinary, nuanced, and sophisticated coloring choices of Tom Ziuko1:40:19 - The modern day relevance of Vito's evil masterplan1:50:29 - Spoiler warning for Warren Ellis and John Cassaday's PLANETARY (Skip ahead 30 seconds if you haven't read it!)1:52:37 - Further discussion of the depiction of women and people of color in SKREEMER1:57:02 - EC Comics' “Judgement Day!” by Ray Bradbury, Al Feldstein, and Joe Orlando2:16:58 - Final thoughts on the wildly ambitious  SKREEMER — its place in the ‘80s comics canon and why it matters2:25:50 - Grant Morrison and his love for the writings of Pete Milligan, specifically Vertigo's ENIGMA#alanmoore #batman #thedarkknight #stanleykubrick #2000ad #vertigocomics #grantmorrison #scificomics #sciencefiction+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseries #sf #spaceopera #thebronzeage #thedarkknight #thedarkknightreturns #thedarkknighttrilogy #understandingcomics #vertigocomics #vintagecomics

Steven and Chris tackle the mind-bending "superhero" space opera, NEXUS (1981, 1983), created by Mike Baron and Steve "The Dude" Rude.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions) in a weekly podcast. Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) & Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.SHOW NOTES00:30 - Steven & Chris intro NEXUS05:25 - How we first encountered NEXUS15:41 - A detailed overview of the absurdly engaging high-wire act that forms the crux of NEXUS27:40 - “If you're writing fiction, you need to read NEXUS.” The series' place in the American comics canon28:39 - “...NEXUS feels like my platonic ideal of pure comics. Something that you can scarcely imagine existing in another medium without being dramatically changed or bastardized in order to dumb it down for some so-called 'mass audience'...”36:04 - “...Neither fish nor fowl...” The elusive nature of NEXUS48:39 - THE NAME OF THE ROSE by Umberto Eco; THE MASTER AND MARGARITA by Mikhail Bulgakov; IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER by Italo Calvino1:00:30 - NEXUS's stylish synthesis of Alex Toth, SPACE GHOST, and Jack Kirby. “...Mashing up elements that are clearly the individual passions of Baron & Rude... a crackling, kinetic mix.” In the words of Harlan Ellison: “It glows with originality.”1:02:51 - The crossover with Mike Baron's other First Comics title, THE BADGER1:06:27 - The once-in-a-lifetime radiance of Steve Rude. “There's nothing he can't draw... That's what's f'd up.”01:11:04 - “...These are alien landscapes, alien ships, alien clothing... Steve Rude... has lived in these worlds… a master class in comic book art1:12:14 - The subtlety, grace, and beauty of Rude's art -- a barrier-to-entry for some?  01:20:55 - The unbelievable alien physics of Steve Rude's intergalactic architecture01:29:55 - NEXUS as the apex of ongoing creator-owned comics01:33:11 - Why you need to read NEXUS in the original floppy single issues: a rollicking letter column, “WHAT IT IS!” + Harlan Ellison's hilarious exchange w/ Mike Baron01:43:00 - The act of genius-level wholesale invention that is NEXUS, as opposed to WATCHMEN and SANDMAN01:45:53 - A last fraught exchange, NEXUS letter column01:49:46 - “...One of the greatest ongoing comics of all time -- and it isn't even close.”  + Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseries #sf #spaceopera #thebronzeage #thedarkknight #thedarkknightreturns #thedarkknighttrilogy #understandingcomics #vertigocomics #vintagecomics

In this episode, Steven and Chris venture into the bizarre and harrowing — yet entirely compelling — world of Michael T. Gilbert's MR. MONSTER (1988).CRYB! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few noteworthy exceptions). Screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.SHOW NOTES00:46 - The history of MR. MONSTER12:59 - “The Mr. Monster Mantle” -- the tradition of “legacy heroes” -- Zorro, The Phantom... and Mr. Monster22:07 - The uniquely charming, joyful art style of Michael T. Gilbert, full of raw gestural energy and dripping with love for this book (and this character)36:24 - The gorgeous hand lettering of the legendary Ken Bruzenak on Mr. Monster49:44 - Questioning the logic of the evil monsters' plan to take out Mr. Monster55:51 - The extraordinary density of the compressed storytelling in MR. MONSTER, plus text pages and a letter column! 30+ minutes of entertainment per issue! How comparatively lacking modern comics are in regard to ent. value & the immersive nature of older comics58:19 - Early days of Dark Horse Comics: BORIS THE BEAR and WACKY SQUIRREL1:01:30 - TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, FISH POLICE, GROO THE WANDERER, LONE WOLF & CUB, AKIRA1:06:08 - Giving Michael T. Gilbert his due as a very compelling writer — especially considering the extreme switch-up on the tone of story he is telling here in MR. MONSTER: ORIGINS, as compared to his earlier MR. MONSTER stories1:16:53 - “People like kids in movies that do cool shit.” Alex Derrick's theory on the types of children that audiences enjoy seeing in stories1:30:21 - “Mr. Monster... is about love.”1:37:00 - More on the idea of legacy heroes, plus the impact that personal relationships have on the lives of the average international monster killer1:48:11 - The idiosyncratic vision of MR. MONSTER, created in the glorious medium of comic books where, unlike Hollywood, no one will insist that you make your story more grounded. “In Hollywood, it's very rare that the quirk survives.”1:58:15 - Meeting Michael T. Gilbert at Comic Con and the artist's pen he used for inking2:00:03 - Racial dynamics in MR. MONSTER and the differences between then and now#mrmonster #mistermonster #darkhorse+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes and to sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column. Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#1980s #1980scomics #80s #80scomics #alanmoore #batman #bronzeage #bronzeagecomics #comic #comicbook #comicbookfans #comicbookpodcast #comicbooks #comiccollecting #comiccollection #comiccollector #comiccon #comicpodcast #comics #comicscollecting #comicscollector #comicspodcast #comicsrecommendation #comicsreview #comicsrotyourbrain #comix #cryb #darkhorsecomics #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #eighties #eightiescomics #grantmorrison #graphicnovel #indiecomics #jackkirby #manga #marvel #marvelcomics #neilgaiman #oldcomics #omnibus #omnibuscollector #sciencefiction #scifi #scificomics #scificommunity #scifiseries #sf #spaceopera #thebronzeage #thedarkknight #thedarkknightreturns #thedarkknighttrilogy #understandingcomics #vertigocomics #vintagecomics

COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions).In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.• In this week's episode, Steven and Chris continue their wide-ranging discussion of Epic Comics' ALIEN LEGION series (Also check out Part One [link], which went live last week). Carl Potts, Alan Zelenetz, Frank Cirocco, Larry Stroman.SHOW NOTES00:08 - Issue 6: “Operation Nerve Center!” - The character of alien soldier, Dirge, and his all-too-human battle with an addiction to a performance-enhancing drug01:53 - The use of thought balloons as an essential window into the deepest vulnerabilities of our traumatized cosmic battalion. “Soldiers in this insane crucible of battle.” 08:01 - Impostor syndrome in ALIEN LEGION -- the neurotic, inadequate, deeply insecure messes, who are our main players, along with the increasingly expansive cast of characters in this world12:50 - Sarigar usually keeps a lid on his id, but sometimes a mofo's gotta use his big-ass lizard/reptile tail to beat some ass14:51 - Issue 7: Whilce Portacio (!) inked this issue of ALIEN LEGION15:37 - Issues 8 - 11: The Chris Warner issues: rock-solid work in between the more idiosyncratic runs of Cirocco and Stroman16:59 - The rise of the grimmest and  grittiest of all legionnaires, Jugger Grimrod, in the era of Wolverine and the Punisher24:08 - Issue 12: “Hollow Harvest!” The arrival of the great Larry Stroman brings a distinctly new visual flair to the book and some awesomely stylized hair!48:25 - Issue 13: “Moonlilies for Cora Cora!” = FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON56:31 - Issue 14: “Reprise!” - the devastating next chapter1:20:53 - Issue 15: “The Official Death of Jugger Grimrod!” The title says it all.1:35:42 - Issue 16: “Demons!” - Intro of Tamara, the first woman legionnaire2:04:04 - Travis Charest & Larry Stroman both drawing DARKSTARS for DC! Discussion of Charest's early work -- WILDCATS w/ Alan Moore and METABARONS2:06:23 - You can tell every genre of story as a war story.2:07:51 - ALIEN LEGION as the ultimate, hyper-compressed metaphor for life. “We're all in the ALIEN LEGION.”#alienlegion #thealienlegion #carlpotts #larryst+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #understandingcomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #comicsrecommendation #comicsrecommendations #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomi...

COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions).In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age of comics.• EPISODE 3:  This week, Steven and Chris begin their two-part exploration of Epic Comics' ALIEN LEGION, published in 1984, created by Carl Potts, Alan Zelenetz, and Frank Cirocco. Part One covers issues one through five; subscribe and tap the bell, so you don't miss Part Two — it drops next week!Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes.SHOW NOTES0:15 - Intro to the ALIEN LEGION series02:07 - How the floppies differ from the collected trade editions, in regard to THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE-style entries provided for the main legionnaires08:55 - Issue One, "Survival of the Fittest!" Zelenetz and Cirocco's specific way of approaching this sprawling space opera28:15 - Issues Two: "Blind Trust!"30:31 - Allusions to LOST — Did that classic TV series draw inspiration for its “bottle episodes” and their solo character flashback structures from ALIEN LEGION?44:39 - Torqa Dun & Jugger Grimrod as sketchy legionnaires in the Wolverine and Punisher mold58:12 - A detour into the challenges of creator-owned comics1:08:38 - Issue Three, "Last Gamble!” and its Back-up Story1:20:53 - Era of post-decompressed storytelling and Frank Cirocco's exquisitely-designed cover art1:25:19 - Issue Four: "The Killing Zone!” - the big Torie Montroc's solo issue1:40:21 - Zeerod's Back-Up Story in Issue Four: “Conscience!"+ Goodwin & Simonson's phenomenal ‘70s gem,  MANHUNTER#alienlegion #thealienlegion #carlpotts #larrystroman #epiccomics+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ For even more cool shit, read Chris's Substack (cinema, comics, and culture) - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #understandingcomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #comicsrecommendation #comicsrecommendations #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomics #eightiescomics

COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions).In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.• EPISODE 2:  This week, Chris and Steven explore the first couple issues of Don McGregor and Paul Gulacy's SABRE, published by Eclipse Comics in 1982. A  groundbreaking series that is a surreal, post-apocalyptic spectacle.SHOW NOTES:00:52 - Some background info on the storyline for SABRE — the first “graphic album” for the direct market — a sci-fi story set in the “distant future of 2,018” lol.4:40 - Don McGregor's delightfully ornery introductory essay to the Image reprint of SABRE.14:55 - The “throw you in the deep end”-style storytelling of SABRE — in media res, wildly expository and dense dialogue, the art of melodrama — all of it in service of casting a rather immersive spell. 18:33 - Soliloquies in Shakespeare and SABRE — “thought balloons” spoken aloud, and the eternal battle to believe in a smart audience that wants to be challenged. 23:14 -  “Pure comics!” A post-apocalyptic ghost of an amusement park and the bizarre evildoer known as Grouse — a rapscallion refugee from an animated film/Nazi cat-rat… The high weirdness of stories built specifically for comics.25:34 - The gloriously purple prose of Don McGregor and how Paul Gulacy's stunning artwork is at risk of being drowned under a roaring river of words.41:35 - Paul Gulacy in 1978 was merely 25 years old, and yet creating impressively lovely, Steranko-influenced art with a bizarre plasticine rigidity all its own.43:14 - Paul Gulacy never read “How To Draw Comics the Marvel Way” …and that's absolutely not a problem!47:13 - Don McGregor making life Hell for Paul Gulacy — “Draw me a giant train crash and a massive gun battle with dozens of characters... on horseback!”57:56 - Lord help us, we attempt to describe the psychedelic visual world of SABRE and its wild cast of characters.1:06:14 - The inconcievable notion of releasing a comic book as narratively dense as SABRE in the ADD world of today.1:12:53 - SABRE: THE EARLY FUTURE YEARS - a SABRE relaunch from Don McGregor …and Trevor Von Eeden?!! The Kickstarter that almost was.…01:19:26 - SABRE is a story about battling conformity and this also appeared to be one of Don McGregor's chief battles in life.1:23:52 - The Brit+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ Read, Subscribe to, and Support Chris's Substack - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomics #eightiescomics

COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few noteworthy exceptions).In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.• EPISODE 1:  Steven and Chris embark on the paradigm-shattering psychedelic trip that is the first seven issues of THRILLER — published by DC Comics in 1983 — and find themselves awestruck in its wake. One thing is certain: Trevor Von Eeden is a goddamn genius.SHOW NOTES0:05 - Discussing our first exposure to this "unsung-shock-your-brain" idea bomb of a comic.9:07 - An attempt to summarize our unwieldy pulp beast of a story, with an assist from Robert Loren Fleming, as well as discursive detours into THE SHADOW, DOC SAVAGE, and the great Richard Pryor.18:04 - Unconventional pacing in THRILLER and the powerful "delayed cumulative impact" of its story rhythms.23:20 - Novel panel compositions ("an obscene amount of panels!"), storytelling innovations, and the downright psychedelic properties of THRILLER. “…an incredible sense of discovery... Trevor Von Eden is literally inventing new storytelling mechanics on every page." "It's impossible for us to convey verbally how inventive this guy was."39:27 - TVE's atypical, kinetic, emotionally resonant approach to inking. "...no one was finishing their work with this roughness and gestural vitality... Von Eeden is all about the emotion..." With detours into the styles of Alex Toth, Neal Adams, and David Mazzuchelli.44:23 - Drawing characters "acting" without masks in non-superhero comics.  50:09 - Innovation in art, from Michaelangelo to manga, Frank Miller to Steven Spielberg, and how David Mazzuchelli's relatively small body of work that casts a huge shadow.1:30:17 - Dick Giordano's inking of TVE plus TVE being uniquely unrecognized for being such an absolute friggin' genius.1:37:17 - Celebrating the vibrant and unique voice of Robert Loren Fleming  — way ahead of his time in his decompressed approach to comic book storytelling, as well as the bold originality of his ideas.1:38:45 - Reading from Heidi MacDonald's amazingly astute, contemporaneous review of THRILLER from THE COMICS JOURNAL #93.1:47 - Discussing the outrageous letter column (mis)behavior of THRILLER's so-called editor, Alan Gold.1:49:34 - Back to Heidi MacDonald's absurdly prescient review, praising the overarching ambition,+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ Read, Subscribe to, and Support Chris's Substack - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomics #eightiescomics

COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few noteworthy exceptions).In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.In this very special ZERO EPISODE, Steven and Chris sit down and gab about the genesis of this podcast: how the team was formed and our mission!SHOW NOTES:1:05 - Why we're doing this show5:02 - Experimentation in mainstream comics in the ‘80s, specifically Jenette Kahn's extraordinary, game-changing reign as Publisher of DC Comics.6:44 - Why the ‘80s were such a halcyon period to read American comics and the importance of examining the more obscure titles from that era.9:10 - DC's much lamented horror anthology, WASTELAND, and other comics that leave a lasting mark on their audiences, regardless of commercial success.10:56 - Paul Chadwick's CONCRETE from Dark Horse Comics and other once-acclaimed works that slip between the cracks of our collective memory.12:05 - Marvel, Ron Perelman, HEROES REBORN, and the birth of the modern comics mainstream as IP farm, first and foremost.13:37 - Epic Comics, EPIC ILLUSTRATED, DREADSTAR, ALIEN LEGION, GROO THE WANDERER, AKIRA.16:00 - SKREEMER, VIGILANTE, GRENDEL, and our raison d'être. Also: Chris' love of big French words and the types of comics that inspired us.17:59 -  MR. MONSTER and revisiting the indie comics of our youth to see how well they hold up (spoiler: still dope).19:43 - The list of comic books we want to cover: SCOUT, HAWKWORLD, AZTEC ACE, BROUGHT TO LIGHT, COYOTE, BWS' STORYTELLER, WISE SON: THE WHITE WOLF, THE LIGHT & DARKNESS WAR, MARS, AMERICAN FLAGG, THE SHADOW (Mike Kaluta, Howard Chaykin, Andy Helfer, Bill Sienkiewicz, Marshall Rogers, Baker).23:10 - The pre-Vertigo era, Vertigo, AMERICAN CENTURY by Chaykin, Tischman, and Laming; BLACK KISS and the transgressive works of Howard Chaykin.28:00 - Tim Vigil and David Quinn's FAUST: “If you're not offending somebody with your work, you're not doing it right.”29:52 - The difference between mainstream comics then and now — the devolution of American genre comics. IP management versus creative stewardship — the work of Steve Englehart, Cary Bates and Carmine Infantino's insane TRIAL OF THE FLASH, Ann Nocenti, JRJR, and Al Williamson's DAREDEVIL. Today, Marvel and DC Comics feel like product; back then, at their best, they were zany expression+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ Read, Subscribe to, and Support Chris's Substack - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomics #eightiescomics

They say the fabled history of American comic books is divided into four distinct ages — the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age, and the Modern Age. In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) and Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! invites you to take a deep dive into ‘80s comics (…mostly ‘80s, with a few notable exceptions). The podcast explores your hosts' deep passion for and quirky takes on pivotal or semi-obscure comic series from their youth — groundbreaking and once-lauded titles that laid the foundation for their life-long love affairs with the graphic storytelling medium. Tune in each week to hear Steven and Chris discuss extraordinary comic books that you forgot about or ones that you never knew existed.Episodes can be found on your favorite podcast app, YouTube, and ComicsRotYourBrain.com; you can also check out some of the amazing art discussed in each week's episodes and access time-stamped show notes on the CRYB! website.In the debut episode (Zero Episode), the guys talk about why the hell they're actually doing this! Don't leave them alone in their fandom and fanaticism. Join in!+ Visit ComicsRotYourBrain.com to get a look at some of the fantastic art discussed in our episodes!+ We appreciate your support of the show via Patreon: ComicsRotYourBrain+ Join us! Sign up for our newsletter, Letter Column, at CRYB! Check out our YouTube channel. You can also find us wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.+ Read, Subscribe to, and Support Chris's Substack - THIN ICE©2024 Comics Rot Your Brain!#comics #comic #comicbooks #comicbook #comicbookfan #comicbookfans #comicpodcast #comicspodcast #comicbookpodcast #comiccollecting #comicscollecting #comiccollector #comicscollector #comiccollection #comix #80s #bronzeagecomics #bronzeage #thebronzeage #1980s #dc #dccomics #dccomic #dcuniverse #marvel #manga #marvelcomic #marvelcomics #comiccon #indiecomics #darkhorsecomics #imagecomics #vertigocomics #eighties #comicsrotyourbrain #cryb #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #sf #scifi #sciencefiction #spaceopera #80scomics #80scomic #1980scomic #1980scomics #eightiescomics