First Issue Club Comic Books

This week Vargas and Mike are crackin' into previews and giving you the highlights of what stood out to us. In other news — we warn you to avoid some spoilers, Batman and Deadpool are meeting, the Superman cast is going on a world tour, A new Toxic Crusaders comic, Local Comic Shop Day changes, & Bad Idea party at San Diego Comicon. Apart from the books in the title, we're talking about Dark Honor on the Image imprint SYZYGY, and Goddamn Tragedy - a one-shot by Chris Condon out on Oni Comics. Be nice, sign everyones yearbooks, have a great Summer (HAGS), and read lots of comics.

This week we try to think of two celebrities who have appeared as 3 different high profile comic book characters in movies while discussing the Spider-man Nior trailer. Then... You know its all about comics baby. Like the title suggests, we dig into Dan Slotts Superman, Zander Cannons Sleep, The Killer: Affairs of the State II, Whatever Happened to the Crimson Justice?, and Godzilla: Here There be Aliens. BONUS: Vargas missed last week so he catches us up on his take on Exquisite Corpses.

HEY! We've got a lot to cover this week. The Big 2 treated us with a duo of trailers. DC's mega long Superman trailer, and Marvels teaser/trailer for the Riri Williams Iron Heart show. They are both good, but we'll tell you WHY they're good to US!!! In comics we'll discuss the new Exquisite Corpse project that got kick started by James Tynion, the blind bag phenomenon that is Battle Beast (an Invincible spin-off series), a new direction for Supergirl where Sophie Campbell does double duty writing and illustrating Kara back in Midvale, and a brief nod of the hat to Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens. 

Today, we'll be talking about the Old Guard sequel, an All-Star Superman audio book, comic supplies tariffs, and alternate timeline for marvels alternate ultimate timeline?!?! The comics we'll be discussing include Star Wars, Captain Planet, Spacequest, Blood & Thunder, and Vargas' pick of the week... Vanishing Point!

This week we talk about wether a newer variant cover can defy the odds, and become a true "Classic" cover over time. AND of course we'll be talking about first issues along the way. Hope you find a new comic you love this week. XOXO - First Issue Club

Today, the club chats about the new Predator movie and the Beauty getting adapted into a TV show on FX! WOO! Then we're reading some comix. They're in the title, and they're goooood!

HEY! We're talking about first issues! If you wanna hear about the Fantastic Four trailer, we do that over on our patreon. OTHERWISE, stick around for some Thunderbolts and Diamond chatting. In addition to the books in the title, we've got another GI JOE silent mission (feat. Spirit), and Buried Long Long Ago.

This week we're talking tariffs and what a price increases means for us, and what they might mean for creators, before immediately contradicting ourselves and talking about how much money Skybound already made on the massive Transformers Kickstarter project.  For first issues, we're of course covering the new jumping on point for one the most iconic titles out there — Amazing Spider-Man!! Then we've got some minis and one-offs with Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #1 out of 6 on DC, and Dani's entry into the series of GI Joe 21 homages (better known as 'the silent issue') with GI Joe A Real American Hero: JINX - Silent missions #1.  We play a little bit of catch up on first issues past and talk Dark Pyramid, and Vargas reads each of the first issues of the Joe Hills old DC Black Label Imprint - Hill House!

There are a ton of first issues this week, and we're talking about as many of em as we can! Shout out to Valiants new Beyond books, that weren't at our shop this week. We'll try to catch up on those on the Patreon next week. BUT, we did cover Absolute Green Lantern, Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe One Last Time, Resurrection Man, I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer, and Past Time. OOO-WEE! What a treat. Such a platter. In the news we're talking about TFAWs online pre-orders stopping, new MCU Fantastic Four clips, and Skybound going public.

EMERGENCY BONUS EPISODE! By now, you've surely seen a ton of the news drops from this huge leak across the big 2 and several indie publishers. We're here to bring you our takes on some of the most alarming headlines we've come across so far. Buckle yourselves in! It's gonna be a wild week in comix-ville!

This week we're joined by our pal Chris Hacker – Who you might know from the Oblivion Bar Podcast! We talk a little about crawling Planet Comicon in Kansas City together, before we get into the show, which contains the following... MCU Casting announcements (You probably already saw them, but have you heard our takes on them!?!), Diamond getting sold, the club arguing over Hush 2, and talking about some other great issues like Absolute Martian Manhunter, The Mummy, You'll Do Bad Things, and MoOoOoRe.  Special shoutout to We're Taking Everyone Down With Us that we discussed on a previous episode that formally came out this week, and the wider release of Patrick Hovarths Free for All. 

This week we did what we always do... minus one club member :( — but we've got two great first issues to talk about The Last Boy by Dan Panosian, and Absolute Flash by Jeff Lemire. A couple club faves and they both brought it!

This week were talking con prep for our upcoming weekend at Planet Comicon with Boulevard Brewing Co! New beers, new games, and new giveaways to be had. So look out for us at booth #100 and stay tuned to our socials. In the podcast we're talking about Dustin Nguyens cover pay concerns, a doc on Stan Lee's later life, and a few comic books with Assorted Crisis Events, Nick Fury vs. Fing Fang Foom, and Dark Pyramid. On the patreon we taste test a bunch of new Space Camper varieties, and discuss the first few episodes of Daredevil, and speculate about where the series could head!

This week, the club talks about probably fake concept art for Avengers Doomsday. In addition to the comics in the title, we're also talking about Mothra: Queen of Monsters on IDW and Secret Six out on DC.

This week, we talk about beverage temperature, and what to put in cereal. ALSO, comic books were discussed! We'll chat about Kaiju & the Marvel/DC crossover before getting into some new(ish) first issues. Our comics include Red Hulk, Jumpscare, & Let This One Be a Devil.

This week Greg has a chat with Club favorite writer Matthew Rosenberg (At minute 9:00 timecode travellers!). During their discussion we get to hear more about the upcoming We're Taking Everyone Down with Us #1 on Image Comics. You can pick up your copy March 26 - and folks... It's double sized. You know we love an Image double sized debut at FIC.  Check out the Patreon for our typical news type discussion. We mostly get into some of the announcements from ComicsPRO 2025 over there. 

We're talking red carpet Robs. We're talkin' early reviews for the new Cap movie. And of course we're thanking Boulevard Brewing Companies Space Camper Cosmic IPA for sponsoring the show so we can talk to you about a bunch of First Issue Comic Books!

On this episode, we break down the Fantastic Four trailer scene by scene before talking about first issue comics. Those comics books include: Alien Paradiso (Marvel), Finders/Keepers (Image) which is part of the Horizon Experiment line and is written by club favorite Vita Ayala, Motherfu!kin' Monsters (Image), The Season (Image via Rick Remenders Giant Generator imprint), Bronze Faces (Boom! Studios), and lastly a special exception to the first issue rule for the 43rd special issue of Ice Cream Man. 

A lot of stuff going on in the world of nerds. In this episode we'll chit-chat about two marvel firsties: Xaviers Secret (which compiles an unlimited infinity series), and Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon. In the news, Captain Planet is back in comics, DSTLRY has a funny slip up, Jeff and Galactica are the cover of the week, Cineverse saves the previously doomed Toxic Avenger movie, Amazing Spider-man might be back to basics again, the DOGE doesn't wanna spend money on comic stuff, and more tomfoolery right here... ON FIC!

This week the club talks about Diamond distributors, then gets into comic books! We read Behemoth, You Won't Feel a Thing, Astonishing Avengers, When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee, New Champions, Aquaman (All In!), and Rogue: The Savage Land

This week the club looks back on 2024 to reminisce about what in the comic book landscape we'll remember this even-numbered year for (for better or worse)!

We spend about 40 minutes talking about a 2-minute trailer, and then get into a handful of comics like a new EC Holiday offering (via Oni), Erica Shultz's Laura Kinney Wolverine, Ram V's New Gods firsty, and MORE! Join us on the Patreon early next week for some Marvel Rivals talk, and some personal comic retrospectives and resolutions before the new year between Vargas and Mike. 

This week the club plays a little bit of catch-up! We're covering a couple issues from this week, and taking a look back at some of our favorite books we missed since Thanksgiving. Before comics we're talking about comic book TV shows and the possible end of the CW era. Join us on the Patreon in a few days for some video game talk, package opening, and gift giving!

This week on the First Issue Club, we dive into three incredible topics perfect for comic book fans! First, we review Long Cold Winter from Mad Cave Studios—a gritty noir thriller set in a dystopian future that's sure to chill you to the bone. Then, we deck the halls with horror as we explore Dread the Halls from Image Comics, a spine-tingling festive fright. Finally, we break down the savings and perks of Marvel Unlimited—can this subscription service fuel your comic book obsession without breaking the bank? Tune in for our take on these must-read releases and discover how to make the most of your comic book budget!

Happy food with family time for those of ya who celebrate. If you don't, I hope you're having a great normal week! This week we're picking up our list at 74, counting down the best 100 things about comic books. 

This week we catch up a bit on last weeks comics, and hit a few firsties out on shelves this week! In the news we chat about 2025s free comic book day offering, the announcement of Predator vs Spider-Man, and Daniel Craig being eyed for SGT Rock!

Today, Greg and Mike start the definitive list of the top 100 things about comics. We're biting off 100 thru 75 this time around! What waits?! Only listeners (or the most diligent of transcript readers) will know!

This week on First Issue Club we're Vargasless, but we must persevere. On the bright side, DC comics is making sure we have something to talk about this week! We get into first issues of Absolute Superman, and Batgirl before learning about Kelly Sue DeConnick's indie offering on Darkhorse called FML! In the [comic book] news: More Joker screen time coming our way, who might be on the newly announced Young Avengers title, more AI in comics, and candy!

This week we talk about Something is Killing the Children. This is your debrief for what Something is Killing the Childen is, or your resource so you don't have to explain it to your family. 

This week were downloading on the best news from NYCC, getting a tour of the many flavors of the newest flavor of Boulevard Brewing Company's Space Camper family of beers, and we're talking about Godzilla and Absolute Wonder Woman.  Join us on the Patreon for more from Boulevard's Adam Hall and our collective con experiences, along with some fun games and takes on Agatha All Along's last few episodes. 

This week we have a mighty offering of first issues and industry goings-on to get into. Mike D read Vicarious by Ryan Parrott, and Mystique by Declan Shalvey, while Vargas did the heavy lifting & talks us through Batman & Robin, Moon Knight, Where Monsters Lie, Batman Full Moon, and Exorcism at 1600 Pennsylvania. Join us on the patreon in a few days to hear what Vargas thought about the new Hell Boy movie, and a chat about what we're still reading on our show within a show: "The Subsequent Issue Club"!

This week we talk about the clear headliner... DC is ALL IN on Absolute Batman, but how does the First Issue Club feel?! We also read Sentinels on Marvel, Toxic Avenger on Ahoy, Terminator on Dynamite, and The Body Trade on Mad Cave.  In the news we'll talk about rumors swirling around a "new" Batman creative team, the resurrection of Youngbloods on Image, Joker 2 box office woes, and Supermans love life. 

This week, DC illuminated us on the next era of comics with the giant-sized DC All In Special! How special was it?! We have takes, so listen and find out. In the news we'll be talking about retailers as publishers, COVR Price making moves in the software space, the first full appearance of Marvels Fantasma, and the Beauty TV show being cast. In our indie comics offerings, Greg will be walking us through Skin Police, The Creeping Below, and Hyde Street. All spooky books to get your fall started off right. 

To just read the title and think thats all your getting??! What a disservice to yourself! We have a veritable feast of firsties! Violent Flowers, Knights vs Samurai, The Manchurian (& what the horizon experiment part of this is!), Missionary, Lobo Cancelation Special, & Turtles of Grayskull. In the news, we'll also talk about a sneak peak at Spider-Girl, a TVA comic on the horizon, Revival casting, & the West Coast Avengers new cover.

Spoilers ahead on Agatha All Along! Greg and Mike watch the first two episode of the new Disney+ Marvel spin-off series, and recap it with takes. In the news we'll pepper a little info about Deadpool 6 and NYCC panels, but mostly focus on the show... THEN, on to comics we read: We'll talk about The Graveyard Club by RL Stine, TMNT Mutant Nation, Dazzler, and Daniel Warren Johnson and Riley Rossmo's The Moon Is Following Us. 

This episode comes with news! We'll talk about Magik's solo series, the Penguin reviews, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man preview issue, upcoming variants, Batman day, and the Venom 3 trailer. 

OKAY! Andy is doing the heavy lifting this episode, bringing us the news and the most reviews of those sweet sweet comics of the first issue variety. In addition to firsties in the title, we'll be talking about Marvel Zombies (Groot Version!), Prarie Gods, & Autumn Kingdom by club favorite writer Cullen Bunn! In the news, we're talking DSTLRY Slab-os, early Joker: Folie à Deux reception, and the convo around the X-Men '97 drama on... ONLY FANS??? Looking for more? Find us on the Patreon to see what we picked up at our favorite local convention TOWER-CON! 

In addition to the great books in the title, we also read Convert on Image, Wolverine: Revenge & Phases of the Moon Knight. In the news this week, we talk about the Crossed movie: Will it work, do we want to see it, and all other speculative questions about our perception of this move answered! We'll also quickly discuss the Absolute Batman logo, Marvel for Dummies books and more. Join us on the Patreon this week for a discussion around DSTLRY digital comics, and ranking the unactractiveness of hobbies. 

This week we've got a lot to discuss. Theres the comics in our title OF COURSE! In addition we also talk about the new Werewolf by Night (Red Band), Johnny Quest on Dynamite & Babs by Garth Ennis on Ahoy. In the news we talk more about Marvels QR codes in relation to what unfolds in this weeks Iron Fist anniversary issue, NYCC adding a day to their events, a comic book scammer caught, what super hero movie should be in the Criterion Collection, and moOoOoOoOore!

In this episode: What super hero wouldja be? Todd McFarlanes art style. Too many Dr. Doom covers are too pricey. Stormy Daniels has a comic book. New Mutants 98 cover art is up for auction. Comixology dudes own DSTLRY. Ranking the X-Spin-offs. Kraven is rated R. Scarlet Witch #6 has a first appearance (we think). The comics in the title are discussed, along with Greg covering the new Garfield #1.

This week we're talking about the human trafficking bust at SDCC & the Olympic games before getting into our comics of the week. In addition to our books in the title, we also talk some about Flash Gordon & X-Force.  Hop over to our Patreon for more on SDCC and Deadpool & Wolverine movie takes. 

This week, the club discusses SDCC rumors, the newest gossip about comic book shows and movies, and Marvel replacing the last page of your comic with a QR code!

This week we're unfortunately discussing/navigating another comic community accusation of assualt. Next, we'll get into independent publisher moves with Boom! getting purchased, and a DSTLRY distribution change which gets us asking how are they doing on their mission to disrupt the industry. We'll also touch on the U.S. Mint making DC coins, Criminal casting, & Whoopi Goldberg's "The Change", before we get into our weekly issues, where we've got some doozies! We'll be talking about the latest relaunch of X-Men with a new first issue, creative team and some of the first pages post Krakoa! Greg and Andy also cover books like Barfly on Dark Horse, The Domain on Image (spin-off of Public Domain), and from Marvel Kid Venom, Moon Knight, Spider-Man Reign 2, & Werewolf by Night: Blood Hunt. On the Patreon, we'll watch the Hellboy and Watchmen Chapter I trailers and react LIVE, so join us over there if you're looking for movie talk. 

People are fleeing St. Louis! Should they be? Greg has the details on how STL is performing in comic shops and coolness. Next we've got a Marvel Blood Hunt update, speculate about a suprise Marvel drop, talk about the stills from DC's Superman movie, and remember a rad Marvel cover artist.  In addition to the books in the title we're also talking White Boat from DSTLRY, Magicks Blood Hunt one-shot issue, and DC's back with the Elseworlds imprint with Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.

This week is a special "AND THE" episode, as we discuss Marvels Uncle Scrooge AND THE Infinity Dime, along with the Comixology Exclusive Roderick AND THE City of Morhil. In addition to these bagged and boarded bad boys, we talk Venomverse Reborn, along with DC solicitations, and the imminent conclusion of Marvels current era of Star Wars mags. 

PATREON PREVIEW   We're gearing up for Boulevardia this week so we decided to give you the Patreon where our friend Doug tells us about all his trouble with the grading company CGC. This is probably the wildest story you'll ever hear this week about CGC. There was twists and turns, highs and lows, tears from both laughter and saddness. Doug's story is not uncommon in the community, but he's the first to tell it. We hope you enjoy and share with your friends.   Remember to follow FIC on IG, Facebook, and Twitter Check FirstIssueClub.com for more articles and reviews. Not to mention episode links so you can share them with all your friends. Speaking of which, tell your friends about us and be sure to rate and review the show on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on.  

Big, bulky, and boisterous... A F.I.C episode like none before it. Greg and Andy are joined by Chris Hacker (The Oblivion Bar podcast) and Badr Milligan (The Short Box podcast) for an incredibly special and rowdy episode of the First Issue Club. Chris and Badr have been longtime friends of ours IN ADDITION to being massive influences and voices in the comic book podcasting community. A crossover that has been a longtime in the making and will go down in FIC history as one of our best shows. The Comic Gentlemen discuss the end of the Krakoan Age (2016-2024) and the impact it had in comic books and beyond, Petrol Head by Pye Parr and Rob Williams from Image Comics is optioned to become either a movie/TV show, Steve Orlando is penning a new Avenger's series over at Marvel with the most head-scratching lineup featuring Club favorite Night-Thrasher, and finally we discuss how a steamy Star Wars parody comic is making massive waves in the community and may have gotten itself in hot water... First issues covered this episode -  Scarlett #1 -  Kelly Thompson and artist Marco Ferrari TMNT: Alpha - Jason Aaron, Tom Waltz, Chris Burnham, Gavin Smith Ultimates #1 - Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri Profane #1 - Peter Milligan, Raul Frenandez Falling in Love on the Path to Hell #1 - Gerry Duggan, Garry Brown Canto: A Place Like Home - David M. Booher, Drew Zucker   Remember to follow FIC on IG, Facebook, and Twitter Check FirstIssueClub.com for more articles and reviews. Not to mention episode links so you can share them with all your friends. Speaking of which, tell your friends about us and be sure to rate and review the show on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on.  

This week we're talking about current Kickstarters & Humble Bundles, before getting to comix. What comics??? They're in the title bub! No need to read it twice, & yes need... to press play.

Today, we're talkin'. WHY? Becuase theres new stuff to talk about each and every week, and its the duty and responsibility of the First Issue Club to keep the conversation going. These conversations include topics like Tom King writing an Archie comic, an upcoming Avengers/Ultraman crossover mini, the impending return of the Green Goblin in the pages of Amazing Spider-man, and wether or not Jean, Logan, and Scott were ever really in a throuple during the Krakoan era of X-Men.  After the yackin', Greg walks us through the Blood Hunt tie-in Union Jack the Ripper from Marvel Comics, and the eerie indie Butchers Boy out on Darkhorse Comics.  Hop over to our Patreon for this weeks bonus where we talk first appearances and lucky finds. 

This week the club is sans Vargas, but the show must go on! Greg and Mike chop it up about the Captain America McDonalds toys, and decide wether we're hyped or not for it. Next we mention Nick Cage's Spider-Man Noir coming to TV... Then... FINALLY! It's time for those sweet sweet reads the title of the show promised. We discuss the new Spawn universe mini-series Monolith, The Doom one-shot by Sanford Greene & Jonathan Hickman, a cool new dark fantasy on Darkhorse called Heart Piercer, and then Greg catches us up on a few more comics we missed last week while covering C2E2, which includes a book he was particularly hyped on, called Mugshots out on Mad Cave.  Join us on the Patreon for more C2E2 talk, and some convos around purchasing original art. 

Today the club discusses our experiences at Chicagos premiere comicon C2E2! The club got the full con experience including: Attending panels, being part of a panel, shopping, meeting creators, commissions, exclusive, and it wouldn't be complete without one of us getting sick once its all done.  Check the show out on Youtube this week if you wanna see our Show n' Tell, but we'll do our best to describe our treasures so its fun for followers who refuse to look at us (We don't blame ya!)