House to Astonish

An odd little selection of issues this time round, as Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts issues 63 and 64, and Thunderbolts: From The Marvel Vault. Want to know what Zemo's sulky face looks like? Want to know what Nomad sings to himself to when he's wandering the highways? Want to know how many gratuitous instances of nudity one issue can contain? Well then this might just be the episode for you!

It's not the biggest of weeks for comics news, but Paul and Al have their fun regardless, as they talk you through the new UK comics industry trade body, the end of Immortal Thor, Werewolf By Night: Blood Moon Rise, the upcoming The Shredder series, Archie's crossovers with Minor Threats and Jay & Silent Bob and Hellboy and the BPRD: Professor Harvey is Gone, as well as reviewing Amazing Spider-Man and Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over. Meanwhile, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has eaten the fresh-baked cherry pie right off Mrs Witherspoon's window ledge, that rascal. 

Paul and Al are taking a look at Thunderbolts issues 60-62 this time round, as Marvel's Most Wanted put the T in both TBolts and Teleported To counTer-earTh. What will they our heroes do when confronted by the planet of doomed NPCs? What is the dark secret of Fixer's terrible Tamagotchi? And how do power-dampening manacles work when your power is "big teeth"? All this and definitely some more, Thunderbuddies!

And so this is January, and what have you done? Another year over, a new one begun about three weeks ago. It's not the most topical of year in review shows, but Al and Paul have once more brought you their pick of 2024 in the world of comics, as they name the books that turned their heads over the past 12 months, in what they could only call... The Homies (largely because that's what they've been calling it for the past decade and a bit)

They had to get there eventually. Al and Paul bite the bullet and tackle Citizen V and the V Battalion: The Everlasting #1-4, the second (in any sense you care to choose) miniseries starring everyone's least favourite patriotic superhero. They did it so you don't have to, so the least you can do is listen to them suffer through it.

Another episode, another convention to bring you all the news from! This time round, Paul and Al are talking about the return of Vertigo (with a detour into the state of Marvel's Red Band), the launch of the Marvel Premiere Collection, Hush 2, Absolute Flash, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern, Rise of Emperor Doom, IDW's new logo and IDW Dark line, Andy Khouri becoming TMNT editor, and a multitude of Godzilla series, along with reviews of Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu and Batman & Robin Year One. If I had the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, I'd Handbook in the morning.

It's time to chew over a big beatdown bonanza as Paul and Al look at the climactic clash between the Thunderbolts and Graviton in issues 56-58, and take the time to say goodbye to Marvel's breakout character of 1998. Then it's time for something completely different, as one of the least fondly remembered gimmicks of the Bill Jemas era rears its very quiet head in issue 59.

There's a bunch of news out of San Diego Comic Con, and you can hear what Al and Paul think about it all here! And now! If you like! They're chatting about Black Canary: Best of the Best, The Question: All Along The Watchtower, Batgirl, New Gods, JSA, Hellverine, West Coast Avengers, Laura Kinney: The Wolverine, Psylocke and Lower Decks, plus the announcement of Amazing Comics, and they've got reviews of S.I.R. and Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? Splendid chaps, all of them.

Who is Humus Sapien? If you don't know, Al and Paul can help you with that! They're covering issues 53-55 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, as Charcoal's dad makes his dazzling debut and we meet the winner of the 1973 F.O.O.M. Magazine Create A Marvel Character contest!

Paul and Al have a full basket of comics news and they're dispensing it left, right and centre, as they remember Don Perlin and Peter B. Gillis, look at Jeff Lemire's Minor Arcana, the finales of Jupiter's Legacy and Marvel's Star Wars, and the new Blade: Red Band mini, chat through the ends of Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr's run on Amazing Spider-Man and Joshua Williamson's runs on Green Arrow and Batman and Robin, and draw your attention to the Wicked & the Divine's covers collection Kickstarter, on top of all of which they've got reviews of Destro and Self-Help. That was all one sentence. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has taken a red pen to it.

And now for something... slightly different. Al and Paul step beyond the bounds of the regular Thunderbolts title to look at the 2001 miniseries Citizen V and the V-Battalion, with chat about two-fisted journalist Jim Daring, HR disasters and the horniest comics in Marvel history.

Al and Paul are back (back! Back!) with remembrances of Trina Robbins and Mark "Doc" Bright, a whiz through the first six post-Krakoa X-books and a mini-explainer of Misty and the new Gail Simone-run iteration thereof, as well as reviews of Action Comics and Uncanny Valley. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can't believe it's not butter either.

It's a brave new world for the Thunderbolts, as they try to readjust to civilian life... or, in the case of some, to adjust to being bossed around by Captain America as part of the Redeemers. Paul and Al say hello to new regular penciler Patrick Zircher, as well as to the continuity transplants from the Heroes Reborn universe, as they look at issues 51 and 52 of Thunderbolts, as well as the Thunderbolts: Life Sentences oneshot. Join them as they explore the questions of who is the 19th best telepath in the Marvel Universe, where can you find the most racist electrical goods store in America, and how badly a 1990s comics character can lacerate himself with his own costume.

Merry Chri... er... Happy New Y... um... Happy February? Welcome to the joint 15th anniversary and end of year wrap-up episode of House to Astonish, as Paul and Al chat through the news of the past few weeks, including Blood Hunt's polybagged "Red Band" editions, Jason Aaron taking on the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo and Criminal coming to Amazon Prime. On top of that, they have the 2023 Homies awards, where we (and our listeners) give their picks of the best things we read last year, and the complete audio of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from November 2023's Thought Bubble festival. There's almost too much here! Don't eat it all at once! 

It's anniversary time, as Paul and Al mark the 15th turn round the sun of House to Astonish by briefly mourning the original episode they recorded for the occasion and lost in a computer disaster, before moving on to another anniversary in the form of issue 50 (and 48 and 49) of Thunderbolts, from 2001. It's the end of the Scourge story, the return of Jolt, and time to bid a fond farewell to Mark Bagley. It's all go!

The Thunderbolts are on a collision course with Scourge (and issue 50), but right now they've got to deal with Moonstone's identity crisis, the Battle of Techno's Ear and the arrival of Genis-Vell, as we look at issues 45-47 from the turn of the millennium. Plus Cybergoth Santa, the Titanian Smurfs and the concept of Pink Pavements crossovers.

Al and Paul have a whirlwind recap of news from NYCC for your enjoyment, as they look at the "faux-simile" Batman 428; John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America; the Superman Superstars initiative; the formation of Ghost Machine; Avengers: Twilight; the Blood Hunt crossover; the creative teams of the new Ultimate line; and the end of the Krakoan era, as well as taking the time to remember Keith Giffen and to review Batman: City of Madness and Midlife (How to Hero at Fifty). The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is coming, and everybody's jumping, New York to San Francisco, an intercity disco.

It's crossover time, and Paul and Al are catching up once again with Marvel's Most Wanted, who are going to learn to play nice with other comics whether they want to or not. The Nefaria Protocols play out across Thunderbolts #s 43 and 44 and Avengers #s 33 and 34, and nothing will ever be the same again! Except almost everything actually will, but look, at least we get the perils of invisible furniture, regional Inhumans and Christopher Robin's arch-enemy.

Paul and Al are back once again, and this time round they're wishing Jeff Smith well in his recovery from cardiac arrest, and gabbing about Tom Brevoot's intra-Marvel move, the upcoming Sentry, Speed Force and Spider-Man: Reign 2 series, and the strange case of the possibly disappearing IDW Originals line, as well as reviewing Uncanny Avengers and The Cull. Plus the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's a bit of an animal.

The mystery of Scourge deepens while Atlas gets drunk, and Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts issues 40-42 (with a brief detour into Avengers 32 for good measure) and the T-Bolts begin the twisty, turny climb towards issue 50.

Al and Paul are back with more comics chat, remembering John Romita Sr and Ian McGinty, talking about #ComicsBrokeMe, Image moving distribution to Lunar, Marvel and DC's upcoming launches and Ram V and Felipe Andrade's Rare Flavours, as well as reviewing Void Rivals and Ultimate Invasion. It's 10pm. Do you know where the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is?

It's time for another electrifying set of issues of Marvel's most wanted superteam, the Thunderbolts, as Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts Annual 2000, as well as Thunderbolts #38 and #39. Scourges! Hellstroms! Citizens V! It's very much all go, as the storyline begun in issue 34 continues along its twisty-turny path. 

Paul and Al are back on their regular beat, remembering Al Jaffee and Rachel Pollack, talking about all the upcoming Fall of X and Knight Terrors books, enjoying Mark Waid's mini-renaissance at DC and dissecting the digital drops of DSTLRY, as well as reviewing The Great British Bump-Off and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? I don't believe they exist.

It's a whole new era for Marvel's Most Wanted as Paul and Al's reread of Thunderbolts enters the Fabian Nicieza era, looking at issues 34-37. The team comes face to face with someone who's either a new enemy or an old friend (or possibly both) as the tale of the new Beetle wraps up and the Scourge saga begins!

It's 2023! And you know what that means! That's right, more 2022! Join al and Paul as they dish out the golden gongs in the comics industry's most Scottishy-podcasty awards, the Homies! Now in its titantic tenth year! Who won (they'll tell you!)? Who lost (they won't tell you!)? EXCITING!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... twelve lightnings striking! It's time for the latest episode of Al and Paul's reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts, and they're looking at issues 31-33 of the original run of the book. This is the end of series cocreator Kurt Busiek's run as writer, so there's a little tear in everyone's eye as they revisit Arnim Zola From Work, the Marvel Universe's most deadly drug and Citizen V's emoji mask.

To quote the Bard, it's been a long road, getting from there to here, but Paul and Al have made it to episode 200 of House to Astonish, and they're indulging in their traditional vices of cake and fizz, and talking about Vault Comics' Headshell line, Titan's new Conan series, Joe Kelly and Kim Niimura's Immortal Sergeant, and Ty Templeton's cancer-free all-clear. They're also reviewing a bunch of comics on a theme, as they look at Batman #200, House of Mystery #200, Amazing Spider-Man #200, and, er, Deadpool #58? And as always, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is ringing in the new. (As this episode was recorded on Sunday evening, the news hadn't yet broken of the incredibly sad loss of Kevin O'Neill, an absolute giant of British comics, but there will be more to say about him on a future episode.)

The Thunderbolts are back, and Graviton is making heavy weather of things for them. Can Archangel tip the scales in the heroes' favour? Can you imagine how embarrassed he would be if he didn't? We're looking at issues 27-30 of Thunderbolts (1997) this time out, and there's a guy with too many baguettes, some highly unfortunate kerning, and a high society scandal in the world of military robotics to deal with.

Al and Paul are back, and they're remembering George Pérez, Neal Adams, Tim Sale, Kazuki Takahashi and Pat McCallum, as well as talking about Oni-Lion Forge and Comixology's recent personnel shifts, the upcoming Tim Drake: Robin series from DC, Marvel's newest Spider-Man ongoing, the return (again) of Miracleman, the just-announced Wakanda miniseries and Ryan North and Erica Henderson's Danger and Other Unknown Risks, and reviewing Starhenge and Batman. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been - lives in a dream.

Lightning keeps striking! Good lord! It's just bizarre by this point! Paul and Al are back to look at Thunderbolts issues 22, 0 and 23 (in that order) and Avengers 12 (not in that order). Thrill to Hawkeye losing his AirBnB deposit! Be wowed by Vision's capacity for complaining! Wonder aloud at whether Hercules and Atlas had a fling! It's all go here!

Paul and Al are back, with more news and reviews and the usual nonsense. They've got chat about Archie Comics' NFT shenanigans, IDW's Originals line, DC's Pride special's lineup, the new Batman and Detective Comics creative teams, Superman: The Space Age, X-Terminators, All-Out Avengers, the relaunch of Shang-Chi and Grant Morrison's debut novel Luda, as well as reviews of The Wrong Earth: Fame and Fortune and Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country. Does the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe love you, now that you can dance?

Lightning strikes eight times! It's really very dangerous to be out here! Get to shelter! Paul and Al are back to talk about Thunderbolts #21 and Captain America/Citizen V '98, with all the extraneous cover blurbs, world-class pauldrons and embarrassing Pritt-Stick accidents that entails.

Al and Paul have a full slate of comics news, remembering Ian Kennedy and Tom Veitch, and discussing the Hero Initiative's JLA/Avengers reprint, DC's upcoming Black Label titles, Marvel's Wild Cards and Thunderbolts revivals, IDW's Last Bot Standing and the Amazon/ComiXology disaster, and they've got reviews of Iron Fist and Nightwing to boot. If the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe falls in the forest, will anyone tidy up the mess?

It's time for another adventure with the Marvel Universe's most neurotic super... er... heroes? Villains? Something along one of those lines, or possibly both. Anyway! We're looking at issues 17-20 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, and we've got Graviton, Charcoal, and the addition of a crucial element of the Tbolts mythos. Plus: a pug in a hoodie! Some French! An old lady from Elgin! It's all go around here.

It's time for Paul and Al's annual look-back at the comics and creators of 2021, as they give out the gongs in the Homies awards. Will your favourites go home with a glittering prize? Only one way to find out! Then it's time for a trip back to Harrogate in November 2021, for the recording of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from Thought Bubble, featuring Rachael Stott, Becky Cloonan, Al Ewing and Hannah Berry. What larks!

A relatively quiet few weeks of news means a compact and bijou episode, but Al and Paul still find time to talk about Amazon's postponed assimilation of Comixology, Gina Gagliano leaving Random House Graphic, the launch of Zestworld, Oni signing with Lunar for distribution and Marvel's announcement of Secret X-Men, as well as reviewing King of Spies and Justice League Dark Annual. Last Christmas, I gave you the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and the very next day, you returned it for store credit.

Lightning strikes six times! This is surely a sign of the Biblical apocalypse! Paul and Al dive into the second year of Thunderbolts, covering issues 13-16. Bug people! Political intrigue! Hulkbots! Guys called Dirkson! It's all here, and it's all go!

Paul and Al have got a bit of NYCC-dodging news chat for you this time round, as we discuss the Ditko lawsuit, creative changes on the X-books, Kurt Busiek's new Image slate and Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese coming to Disney Plus, as well as reviews of Amazing Spider-Man and We Have Demons. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has been, and always will be, your friend.

Lightning is striking again! That's five times now! This is surely statistically improbable! Paul and Al are now up to the finale of the first year of Thunderbolts, and are taking a run through issues 10-12. This is where is all starts going off, as secrets are uncovered, plans are revealed and the whole house of cards comes down.

Paul and Al have a busy news week for you this time round, with discussion of Jonathan Hickman stepping away from X-Men, the Great Substack Migration of 2021, Scott Snyder's Comixology Unlimited slate, Brian Michael Bendis transplanting Jinxworld to Dark Horse, and DC signing with Webtoon, along with reviews of Eat the Rich and Kang the Conqueror. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe don't have anything, if it don't have you.

It's time for lightning to strike four times, because... well, because it's the fourth episode of The Lightning Round? Paul and Al are back with another episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they're covering Thunderbolts #7-9 and Heroes for Hire #7.

It's been a long old time, but Paul and Al are finally back, with discussion of X-Force: Killshot, Phoenix Song: Echo, the creative changeover on Amazing Spider-Man,  Human Remains at Vault, Party and Prey at Aftershock, and Jeff Lemire's upcoming pair of miniseries Mazebook and Primordial, as well as reviews of Catwoman Annual and Black Cat Annual. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is just going to wait here for a little while, see what happens.

Lightning never strikes twice, but luckily for us it strikes three times, because Paul and Al back with the third episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they’re covering Thunderbolts #5 and 6, and Thunderbolts '97.

Al and Paul are back, with discussion of Marvel's distributor changes, John Romita Jr moving from DC back to Marvel, the new X-Men lineup, the upcoming launches of Amazing Fantasy and Moon Knight and Future State: Gotham, and the newly-broken record for sale price of a single comics issue, along with reviews of Batman: The Detective, Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has got mud on its face, a big disgrace, kicking that can all over the place.

Al Kennedy and Paul O'Brien are back with the second episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts! If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoilers for the issues under discussion. In Episode 2: Spider-Man Team-Up #7, Thunderbolts #s 3 and 4 and Thunderbolts: Distant Rumblings (aka Thunderbolts #-1)  

Paul and Al are back, and this time out they're remembering Si Spencer, and talking about the Linearverse, Wonder Girl, Milestone's new creative teams, Legends of the Dark Knight, the Year of Spawn, X-Corp and The Blue Flame, as well as reviewing Stray Dogs and Nuclear Family. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe ain't a beauty, but hey, it's alright.

Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy are pleased to present the first episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts! Each episode they'll be looking at a few issues of the series, plus key tie-ins and guest appearances, checking off a few of the things to watch out for and chatting through all the twists and turns in this twistiest and turniest of series. If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoilers for the first year of the book. In Episode 1: Incredible Hulk #449, Tales of the Marvel Universe, and Thunderbolts #s 1 and 2.

It's the Homies awards! Al and Paul look back at The Year of Big Pando in comics, and pick out winners in the many and various categories which long-term listeners will have come to know and tolerate. Where did your favourites place? Find out here! Unless you voted for something that didn't win, in which case, you won't find out here, sorry. Also in this podcast! An important message to you from the editor -- about the NEW Astonishing!

Paul and Al are back, and are talking about the sad death of Richard Corben, DC's post-Future State plans, Marvel's Alien series, X of Swords, Rob Liefeld's latest stint at Marvel and the return of Witchblade, as well as reviewing Batman: Black & White and Home Sick Pilots. I'd like to buy the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe a Coke and keep it company.

Al and Paul have hour-and-change of comics chat for you this time round, with discussion of Marie Javins' promotion to DC EIC, John Nee being let go as Marvel Publisher, and the announcements of Truth & Justice, X-Men Legends, Hollow Heart and Geiger, as well as reviews of Punchline and Hellboy and the BPRD: The Seven Wives Club. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for peace.