Make Mine Paperback Podcast

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! PolitiComix continues! Our October of political comics focuses on comics that make political statements. Graham's selection for the month hits close to home with Harvey Pekar's Cleveland. A lifelong Cleveland resident, Harvey Pekar pioneered autobiographical comics, mining the mundane for magic. In a month full of books with big political messages, this week we focus on the politics of the everyday with a book that relates more closely to politics as the way that people living in groups make decisions. Come celebrate the ordinary with us! This week's comic: Harvey Pekar's Cleveland Written by: Harvey Pekar Art by: Joseph Remnant Follow Us! Instagram: https://Instagram.com/makeminepaperback X: https://twitter.com/MakeMinePprbck

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! PolitiComix continues! Our October of political comics focuses on comics that make political statements. In what's shaping up to be a month in homage to Alan Moore, Steven selects Watchmen. This classic graphic novel in twelve parts has spawned countless discussions and debates. Set in 1985, in an alternate history United States where superheroes are real and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union, Watchmen asks questions surrounding the nature of patriotism, social and personal responsibility, and whether the ends justify the means. The Doomsday Clock is at five minutes to midnight, so listen in as the boys discuss this pillar of comic book history and try to sneak in a few cocktails before the world ends! This week's comic: Watchmen Written by: Alan Moore Art by: Dave Gibbons Follow Us! Instagram: https://Instagram.com/makeminepaperback X: https://twitter.com/MakeMinePprbck

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! The start of a new month can only mean it is time to introduce a new theme. October is all about political comics, where the discussion will focus on comics that make political statements. To kick off the month is one of the most well-known politicomics, V for Vendetta. This classic dystopian tale was written by one of the most prolific comic creators in the world, Alan Moore. Following an allegedly devastating war, the citizens of England are forced to live under strict, totalitarian rule in an effort supposedly aimed at maintaining peace and safety. When a masked character begins assassinating high-profile targets and blowing up symbols of government, the reader is left with many moral dilemmas. Listen in, as the gang discuss the themes and motives present in this essential graphic novel. This week's comic: V for Vendetta Written by: Alan Moore Art by: David Lloyd Follow Us! Instagram: https://Instagram.com/makeminepaperback X: https://twitter.com/MakeMinePprbck

The story follows the life of Saitama, a superhero who has become so powerful that he can defeat any enemy with a single punch. The series is set in a world where superheroes and villains exist, and follows Saitama's journey as he becomes a professional hero and joins the Hero Association, an organization that ranks heroes based on their abilities. Despite his incredible strength, Saitama is often overlooked and unappreciated because of his unimpressive appearance and lack of ambition.

Jimmy Olsen must die! Wait, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Jimmy Olsen lives! Superman's best friend and Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen tours the bizarre underbelly of the DC universe in this new miniseries featuring death, destruction, giant turtles and more! It's a centuries-spanning whirlwind of weird that starts in Metropolis and ends in Gotham City. And then we kill Jimmy.

Back in 1984, a rebellious, 17-year-old, punked-out Ulli Lust set out for a wild hitchhiking trip across Italy, from Naples through Verona and Rome and ending up in Sicily. Twenty-five years later, this talented Austrian cartoonist has looked back at that tumultuous summer and delivered a long, dense, sensitive, and minutely observed autobiographical masterpiece.

Scott Pilgrim's life is so awesome. He's 23 years old, in a rock band, "between jobs," and dating a cute high school girl. Everything's fantastic until a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. But the path to Ms Flowers isn't covered in rose petals. Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends stand in the way between Scott and true happiness. Can Scott beat the bad guys and get the girl without turning his precious little life upside-down?

After saving the world in The Storm and The Fury, but sacrificing himself and Great Britain, Hellboy is dead, cast into Hell, where he finds many familiar faces and a throne that awaits him. Mike Mignola returns to draw Hellboy's ongoing story for the first time since Conqueror Worm. It's a story only Mignola could tell, as more of Hellboy's secrets are at last revealed, in the most bizarre depiction of Hell you've ever seen. * Mike Mignola writes and draws the next phase of Hellboy's story. * Dark Horse horror gets under your skin! **Death was only the beginning!**

10,000 years ago, Morpheus condemned a woman to Hell! Hell's ruler has sworn to destroy him, but maybe not in the way you think. What happens on the road to Hell? Does Morpheus rescue his lost love? Will we see any other fabled individuals make their mark on this journey to the underworld? Find out this and more in this weeks show!

ALex needs to stop picking weird books. The Swords of Heaven, The Flowers of Hell takes place in a world divided into three regions: "Hell", "the Dream Marches" and "Heaven" (despite the theological connotation attached to these terms, they are not meant to be literal portraits such as found in Dante or Milton). Hell is a wasteland dotted with the ruined remnants of various dwellings and populated by relatively uncivilized "barbarians" and marauders. Hell is in such a decrepit state because during the night, flying creatures known as "Angels" excrete acid rain over the region, destroying and eroding away everything on the surface.  Well, here we go! We dive into this one and learn something about a fictional alternate version of Heaven and Hell... and a little extra!

This month we turn our focus to the characters and stories revolving around the pearly gates of heaven or the eternal flames of hell! This week, we cover Hellraiser and John Constantine as he is... dying?!? Does he survive? Can Colin's beverage of the week do enough to cure our sorrows/calm our surprise? Find out in this weeks show!

It's a class of a titan vs a relative unknown: The Joker vs Alanna! These two characters go toe to toe to see who reigns supreme in this month's championship round! Will the Clown Prince of Crime take the lead, or will Alanna from Saga rule the month? Alex and Graham defend their characters, and go to blows! Tune in to find out who our champion of 2023 will be!

We are in our semi-final round and things are heating up! It's the Joker vs Superman and Alanna vs Daredevil and things are intense! Can Graham get both of his characters into the next round? Can Alex and Steven get their characters to a championship? Is Colin mad he doesn't have a character in the semis? Find out in this weeks show!

After a great week last week, we round out the first round with John Constantine vs Daredevil and Captain America vs Alana (Saga). Some great battles to send two contestants to the semi-finals, who wins this round?

This month, with a new co-host, the boys dive into their comics and state their case for why their characters should be tournament champions! This weeks episode features Omni-Man vs Superman and The Joker vs Harley Quinn! Who advances to the next round? Find out now!

Welcome back, to another informative issue of Make Mine Paperback! As the month of June continues, so does the discussion of historical events. Proving that comics can be educational and not just for entertainment. To highlight that point, the focus this week is on Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans, written and drawn by Don Brown. Drowned City presents the facts of Hurricane Katrina, and unlike the previous selections this month, does not focus on a person. Instead of following a narrative the story simply presents the facts and figures that highlight the devastation of Katrina. Listen in, as the podcast breaks down why this storm was so devastating as well as ways the damage could have been mitigated! 

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback, and this week's book: Persepolis. Using powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! The podcast is hopefully going to teach you something new this month. Continuing the discussion of Living History is Graham's selection: They Called Us Enemy, written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott and art by Harmony Becker. They Called Us Enemy follows George Takei's experience in an internment camp as a child. At only four years old, George was sent to a notorious prison for Japanese-Americans during WW2 when the United States declared war on Japan. As a child, George Takei's parents shielded him from the true situation inside the camps leading him to believe his childhood was normal. As an adult, Takei now reflects on his time inside the camp, and even offers hope for the future. Listen in, as the hosts take you on a journey through important events in American history, and prove that comics can help teach history that textbooks normally leave out!

Welcome back, to Make Mine Paperback! For the new month, the theme will focus on living history - comics about historical events. June will undoubtedly be a shift in tone as some of the selections will feature more serious subject matter. The first comic book up is March, written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin with art by Nate Powell. March is a vivid first-hand account of John Lewis' lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Listen in as the podcast discusses this important graphic novel that proves comics are not always just funny pictures for kids!

Yes, we skipped 82, due to some technical errors with the recording rendering, our apologies! BUT! Thanks for tuning in to the conclusion of the Sci-FI month here on Make Mine Paperback! The final discussion on the topic is on Heavy Liquid, written and drawn by Paul Pope. No discussion on science fiction would be complete without mentioning cyberpunk, so this comic was handpicked to fill that void. Paul Pope is an expert at using artwork to tell a story, and this comic is a perfect example of his drawing skills. In addition to amazing imagery, this book manages to tell a compelling story! The comic reads like an instruction manual for the many uses of Heavy Liquid: explosive, sculpting clay, and psychedelic drug. Listen in, as the guys try to figure out what the story means and who the real star of the comic is! As a bonus, we list the many reasons coffee pairs so well with comics! 

Welcome back! And thanks for choosing to listen to Make Mine Paperback, where the discussion on fictional science continues. You'll have to forgive the lack of cocktails as our mixologist is down with the sickness. This week the focus is on Universal War One, which is a French comic written and drawn by Dennis Bajra, but adapted for an English-speaking audience. In a riveting story, a mysterious black wall appears at the edge of our solar system. It is up to a team of court-martialed scientists and pilots to figure out the mystery! Listen in as the guys talk about where they think the story is headed and what some of the symbolism could mean. As a bonus, there is a comparison to the DC comic series The Suicdidce Squad. Listen in to this exciting episode!

Thanks for tuning in to Make Mine Paperback! The podcast that is always about comics, and sometimes cocktails. Although this time we don't have a cocktail, we do have a great book and a new theme! This month we will focus on Science-Fiction. To start the month off we have East of West Volume 1: The Promise, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Nick Dragotta. The Promise collects the first five issues of this intriguing Image Comic series. Although the world seems to be on the edge of the apocalypse, things do not go according to plan when death is noticeably absent as a horseman. Listen in as the gang theorizes where the story is headed. Although it can be a lot to take in, this comic delivers an interesting story that leaves you wanting for more! John Hickman carefully lays out a complex narrative of political mystery that leaves the reader guessing everyone's motives. Find out what makes sci-fi such an enduring and popular genre! 

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! The podcast that helps you get a great buzz while listening to the world's #1 authority on nothing! Seeing as how April ends this week, it seems fitting that this episode would wrap up the April shower theme. The final comic for this month is Murder Falcon! Written and drawn by none other than podcast favorite Daniel Warren Johnson. Although not as scary as the name may suggest, this book still delivers a powerful message. Murder Falcon reminds us to enjoy every moment we have. Music as therapy can be a powerful tool for helping us to enjoy those moments. This book definitely fits the theme, but it does contain notes of hope! Listen in and grab a drink as you enjoy the most recent edition of MMP!

Our month of sadness continues with The Sculptor. The boys follow the life of David Smith, in a deal with the devil, who is granted the supernatural ability to sculpt anything he can imagine...but he soon realizes that time is running out and his personal relationships are put to the test. This week's book focuses on themes of love, ambition, mortality, and the pursuit of artistic greatness. If given the chance, what would you sacrifice for the opportunity to achieve greatness in your chosen field? Find out this and more in this week's show!

Welcome back to the newest issue of Make Mine Paperback! Pour yourself a cocktail as the gang discusses Game of Thrones Book One: A Song of Ice and Fire Issues 1-3 (2011), based on the groundbreaking novel by George RR Martin. Author Daniel Abraham and illustrator Tommy Patterson expertly adapt the masterpiece for comic book panels. This week's featured cocktail is the Black Manhattan. A simple drink that pairs well with a complex story! What makes Game of Thrones a sad tale? Does the story follow too closely to the tv show and novel? Hopefully the hosts can answer these important questions while you enjoy a cocktail and a comic!

This week the fellas discuss the Noodles Arc! Diving into our month of sad comics, Usagi Yojimbo depicts the journey of animals who have replaced humans! Miyamoto Usagi wanders the land on a warrior's pilgrimage, occasionally selling his services as a bodyguard. Our story this week deals with Usagi's meeting and eventual parting with Spot, the Wonder Lizard. What tragedy do we find in these pages? Are they happy sad, or a deeper sad? Find out that much and more on this week's episode!

Let's get Hulky!!! (Or Steve Rogers...y?) The boys sit down this week and discuss Planet Hulk, the green man of the Avengers, and Marvel Comics! What do we learn from this planet of hulks in this Secret Wars universe? How does Doctor Doom factor into all of this? Is this really "our" Hulk? All this and more in this weeks episode of Make Mine Paperback!

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback, where the discussion on all things green continues in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. This week, the discussion is on Infinite Frontier Swamp Thing (2021) #1-4, written by Ram V with art by Mike Perkins. This story follows Levi, an Avatar of the Green, as he struggles to understand his own destiny. Follow along and see how Ram V's contribution to Swamp Thing compares to his work on Layla Starr. How does Ram V change his style to fit DC? Find out how Ram V is able to fit his own unique storytelling within the confines of a Swamp Thing story! 

Welcome back fellow comic book and St Patrick's Day fans! Listen in, as the discussion on all things green continues during the month of March. This week, the focus is The Green Lantern Vol. 1: Intergalactic Lawman (2019), written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Liam Sharp. The story follows well-known Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, as he attempts to save Earth from being sold to the highest bidder. Hal soon finds out that the Lantern Corps may not be altruistic as it seems, as he finds himself unable to help Earth! The three incredible hosts lead a thought-provoking dialogue on the potential role of intergalactic lawman. Being another Morrison masterpiece, you know there is more than meets the eye in this psychedelic art-infused comic book. Don't miss it!

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperback! This week starts a new month and a return to classic comic books. To celebrate St Patrick's Day, coinciding with Spring approaching, the gang is talking about all things green! Kicking off the new theme is Green Goblin #1-4, written by Tom DeFalco with art by Scott McDaniel. This comic is best described as an amalgamation of all things the 90s. From the super slammin' slang to the chaotic panels, this will give listeners a dose of 90s nostalgia. Although this comic may be lacking a compelling backstory for its title character, it does still provide entertainment in the form of explosions and the feeling that one is listening to a guitar riff the entire time due to the rock and roll nature of the time. Listen in as the podcast explores one of the lesser-known Green Goblins, Phil Ulrich!

Talkin video games?!?! That's right! In this week's adaptation, we discuss the Arkham Asylum series and how close it ties to the comics! Do the games stay true to Batman? Does the Joker fit the bill? are the characters too OP? Find out that and more in this week's episode of Make Mine Paperback!

Welcome back, loyal listeners, to Make Mine Paperback! The discussion of superhero-inspired media continues! This week the hosts talk about songs that deal with superhero topics. The songs, which span several music genres, are Magneto and Titanium Man by Paul McCartney and Wings, Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five for Fighting, Batman and Robin by Snoop Dogg, and Ode to a Superhero by Weird Al. Although superheroes may often get their start in comic books, there are many forms of media that draw inspiration from superheroes. Some songs, such as Magneto and Titanium Man as well as Ode to a Superhero, are about telling the stories of a superhero adventure. Others, Superman (It's Not Easy) and Batman and Robin explore how it feels to be a superhero. Listen in to find out what the podcast thinks about superhero-themed songs!

We move on to another movie adaptation of a character we all know and love, Wade Wilson, AKA Deadpool! The Merc with a Mouth made his big screen debut in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie, but actor Ryan Reynolds wanted to do more with the character, and thus, the movie was born. What differences are accepted in the movie compared to the comic? Are creative liberties afforded to the movie writers given just how self-aware the character is in the comics? What did the movie do well, and what could have been different? Find out all of this and MORE in this week's episode of Make Mine Paperback!

This month the gang put away the comics and fire up various forms of media with comic book adaptations! Our first character? Steven's choice a Mr. Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman and the Summer of 22 box office hit "The Batman". How well does this represent the character of Batman? What does it do with creative liberties that we like or dislike? Is it ok for movie writers to stray from the source material for their own creative purpose? Are all Batman movies equal, or do they bring something unique to the table and it's okay if different fans enjoy different movies? Check out all of this and more in this week's episode of Make Mine Paperback!

Thanks for tuning in to Make Mine Paperback! This week is the conclusion of the month-long discussion of It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth, written and drawn by Zoe Thorogood. The first week looked at the art, while the second week focused on how Thorogood used the art to deliver her message. The most recent week centered on the desired audience of Zoe Thorogood's messaging. The final week will tie it all together by discussing the central theme of the novel: mental health struggles. To add legitimacy to the conversation the podcast brings on special guest Danille Giles, who works as a licensed counselor dealing with mental health issues. Does this comic book do a good job of addressing mental health struggles? What is the proper role of a mental health professional? Find out how MMP and Danielle feel about these questions and more, as this week deals with a topic that should be more commonly discussed.

Welcome back to Make Mine Paperwork, where the discussion on Zoe Thorogood's masterpiece It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth continues. This week picks up where last week's conversation left off. The previous discussion focused on how this comic book reaches its audience compared to the techniques other comic book creators use. This episode will explore the message of the book, and the target audiences of that message. Although Zoe had a target audience in mind, it seems she has purposefully left the message open-ended to appeal to the largest audience possible. This allows the reader to interpret it in a way that makes sense to them, instead of the classic advice people get when experiencing mental health struggles. Find out what the hosts think about the target audience in this week's edition of Make Mine Paperback!

Welcome back to another exciting discussion of It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth! MMP continues where they left off last week by comparing Zoe Thorogood's masterpiece to other comics from other well-established comic book creators. The focus this week is on the techniques used by Thorogood to deliver the comic's message. What makes this comic stand out is the masterful use of art to bring home the story's themes. Whereas the majority of comic books tend to have more focus on the words to establish a narrative, this novel breaks that trend by putting art front and center. The art combined with the presentation creates a truly unique reading experience. By presenting this as a biography, the emotions being presented are rawer than if the comic had been written as a work of fiction. Although not a superhero-based comic, It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth is a must-read for any comic book fan who wants to see the genre get pushed in new and exciting ways.

A new year means a new theme for Make Mine Paperback! To start off January, the podcast is switching up the format by focusing on only one graphic novel for the month. It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth, written and drawn by Zoe Thorogood, is a masterpiece that needs more time than just one discussion to cover. Zoe Thorogood details six weeks of her life and the struggles she experiences while trying to make it as a comic book artist and author. The novel covers difficult, yet important, topics such as mental health issues. Some readers may have trouble with the content. The first week will be dedicated to discussing the art and design of the novel. Zoe breaks the mold of traditional comic book art by creating an experience that breaks all the standard practices of the industry. Incorporating real-life pictures with inconsistent panel use creates a graphic novel where the art is more important and thought-provoking than the words. Zoe Thorogood expertly uses art to tell a story that many readers may find disturbing, yet relatable. Listen in as MMP takes time to analyze a truly great novel of the last year!

Welcome back to the final discussion of Silver Age comics! This week, MMP explores Tales of Suspense #58, written by Stan Lee, with art by Don Heck and colors by Dick Ayers. Stan Lee proves yet again that he was ahead of his time in the world of comics. Although the story contains a typical Silver Age-style plot that fits into the confines of the comics code authority, it still does a good job of finding new ways to be creative. With humor and a generally light-hearted tone, this comic reminds us that reading a comic can still be fun while also making important commentary. The artwork may not quite be up to the level of Jack Kirby, but Don Heck and Dick Ayers's contributions cannot go overlooked. Listen in, as the gang discusses the Silver Age one last time. Find out what Iron Man and Captain America are fighting about this time!

Welcome back to another exciting discussion of the Silver Age! This week we look at The Brave and the Bold #25 (1959), written by Bob Kanigher, with art by Ross Andru and colors by Mike Espositio. This particular issue of the Brave and the Bold introduces the Suicide Squad! Although the inaugural Squad does not feature any supervillains due to the strict rules of the Comics Code Authority, it does its best to live up to its name. Featuring a team of average servicemen, with no superpowers, the Suicide Squad attempts dangerous missions to alleviate their surprisingly similar surviror's guilt. Sent on a series of deadly missions, with almost no chance of survival, the fan-favorite Rick Flag leads his team to stop the threats facing Earth. Will the Squad be able to stop the Red Wave of Communism? Or will the space monster destroy the city? Find out how all these questions are related and more by tuning in to this week's episode of Make Mine Paperback!

Welcome back to the Silver Age of Comics! This week, MMP focuses on The Fantastic Four #1, from the legendary duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The introduction of the Comics Code Authority in 1954 did little to slow down the production of comic books. Instead, writers like Stan Lee were forced to take a different approach to their craft, which resulted in the superhero story archetype we know and love today. Equally impressive is Jack Kirby's skill with drawing panels that show superhero action on a level that was unmatched at the time. The dynamic duo is able to deliver a story that introduces not one, but four new characters all at once! Although this book is far from perfect, it still served to blaze a trail in an era where comic books started to deviate from the Golden Age forebearers. Fantastic Four #1, like many of the works by the incredible team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, served as inspiration for countless new comic book creators. Listen in, as MMP discusses a classic book that all modern comic fans should give a look at!

Welcome back to another exciting edition of Make Mine Paperback! Moving on from Golden Age comics, the next logical step is to discuss the Silver Age. Serving as the bridge between the two eras is Showcase #4 (1956), written by Bob Kanigher and John Broome with art by Carmine Infantino and colors by Joe Kubert. Often regarded as the comic that heralded in the Silver Age, Bary Allen takes on the mantle of The Flash while giving a nod to his Golden Age counterpart, Jay Gerrick. Although the company that would become DC had plenty of existing material and characters to work with, The Flash was born out of the Comics Code Authority. Showcase #4 is able to follow the restrictive Comic Code in a creative fashion that results in a fresh take on the comic book genre. In their bid to avoid controversy, the writers effectively created the template for Silver Age comics, which resulted in some of the most influential and well-known characters being developed that are still popular today. Listen in to the discussion of the comic book that created The Flash we know and love today as well as the story that served to advance the comic book genre to a new era.

Welcome back to the final discussion of Golden Age comics! Join MMP as they discuss one of the most controversial comic books of the era, Tales from the Crypt #23. This particular issue collects four short stories, each written and drawn by a different person: Reflections of Death (Al Feldstein), Last Respects (Graham Ingels), Seance (Jack Davis), and Voodoo Death (Johnny Craig). Widely regarded as one of the most influential horror anthologies of all time, Tales from the Crypt has paved the way for many of the other well-known horror collections we love today. Although this series seems cheesy by today's standards, it caused chaos at the time of its release to the point it was almost solely responsible for the adoption of the Comics Code Authority. Listen in as we go in-depth to each of the four stories to find out what we like and the things we would change. Hopefully, you will be able to sleep after reading such a terrifying comic with some spooky artwork!

Welcome back to another lively discussion of Golden Age comics! This week, MMP looks at Startling Comics #49, written by Charles S. Strong with art from Alex Schomburg, Hal Sherman, and Ken Battefield. This particular comic is extra special since it contains four, unrelated stories. From Tygra the amazon woman to the classic, All-American Jefferson Jones, this issue offers something for everyone! Assuming you can interpret the ultra-hip slang. Startling Comics proves that not all comics need to have superheroes and lengthy back stories to be swell. Instead, focusing on fun, simple comics can be a breath of fresh air. The discussion of Golden Age Comics continues as the gang discusses the iconic comics that laid the groundwork for the modern comics we love today. Which story was the most interesting? Find out if we agree on this week's episode of MMP!

Listen in as MMP discusses another legendary golden age comic, Captain America #1-5 (1941), written and drawn by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby. The art and story were truly ahead of their time in this comic book. Even though it was drawn decades before computer generation, this comic proves it can match modern comics in quality of line work and action sequences. The story is equally impressive. At the time of publication, the U.S. was not involved in WW2, which makes it even more impressive that the comic was advocating for the U.S to enter the war. Will Captain America be able to stop the Nazis and Red Skull? Give this episode a listen in to find out what makes Captain America one of the most popular superheroes today!

Welcome back to another high-quality episode of Make Mine Paperback! It's a new month, which means it is also a new theme! This month the focus is on the Golden Age of comics, which refers to the glut of American comics that were released between the years 1938-1956. Many heroes and villains that are still popular today were introduced during this time, including the iconic Superman! This episode will focus on the Superman portions of Action Comics #1 & 2 (1938) written by Jerry Siegel with art by Joe Shuster. Although Superman needs no introduction, this episode will analyze the roots of the character to see what makes him so enduring. What makes Superman so popular among the masses? Will he still be popular in another 80 years? Well, we cannot predict the future, but listen in as the gang discusses the Man of Steel!

Welcome back to the world's foremost experts on all things comics, and now Manga. Just kidding, but tune in this week as MMP brings in a special guest, David Fresh! The final discussion for Manga month will focus on Berserk, written and drawn by Kentaro Miura. This series is not for the faint of heart! Brutal violence and uncomfortable topics drive home the message that war is hell, especially in medieval Europe. With a “fresh” perspective on Manga, Fresh is able to expand the discussion on Manga by bringing years of experience on the topic. Does guts have what it takes to survive? Or will the horrors of war (and literal horrors) be too much? Find out on this extra special episode!

Welcome to the high seas! This week's manga selection, One Piece, takes the reader on a tour of pirate life. Written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece has become one of the most well-known manga series in the world. With its deep themes of family and friendship, while also showcasing child-like wonder it is easy to see why the series is as popular as it is. Follow along as we find out if Luffy has what it takes to become the Pirate King! Will Luffy find all the long-lost treasure? Or will he discover a true lesson on what real treasure is? Find out in this exciting new episode!

The month of Manga continues with a lively discussion of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters 1 & 2, written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa. Arakawa creates a beautiful, steampunk setting to create a world where alchemy is a widely practiced science. This particular Manga may feel a little more familiar to American audiences, due in part to the successful anime series that were based on the books. Fullmetal Alchemist explores concepts well-known by Western cultures, such as the Catholic Religion, and follows a structure more similar to that of mainstream American comics, which allows this series to be an easy starting point for those looking to get into Manga. Will the Elrich Brothers get the philosopher's stone? Or are they doomed to live with their mistakes? Listen in and find out!

Welcome back to the show! Listen in as MMP starts off a new month with a new theme: manga! Taking a break from American comics, the focus this week is on Detective Conan Volume 1 File #1 and #2 written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama. As the title suggests, the story revolves around a young detective as he solves case files. Besides exploring the comic itself, the gang also discusses the ways manga comics contrast with American comics. Listen in and see if you agree with the hosts' assessments. Don't forget to read from right to left!

The gang wraps up the cringy month of September with All Star Batman and Robin: The Boy Wonder (2005) #1 & 2 by Frank Miller with art by Jim Lee. Although this series comes from two heavyweights in the world of comics, not all stories can be great. In a twist on the traditional Batman and Dick Grayson relationship, the reader gets to experience a what if… scenario where Batman is no longer an angsty superhero. This Bruce Wayne is more of an antihero than outright hero. Regularly breaking his code of ethics leads this non-canon Batman to put others at risk of death and shockingly the kidnapping of Dick Grayson. Was this a sincere attempt to tell a Batman story? Or did Frank Miller come up with the ultimate parody to make us appreciate the classic Batman? Find out, as MMP discusses one final cringetastic comic!