The Comic Source Podcast

Marvel Comics is entering one of the biggest transitional periods in its history. This week I break down Marvel moving its publishing operations from New York to Burbank, Steve Wacker replacing C.B. Cebulski as Editor-in-Chief, and what those changes could mean for the future of the publisher. I also cover Daredevil's continued reprint momentum, DC extending Absolute Green Arrow from six issues to twelve, first looks at G.I. JOE #25 and Battle Beast #12, the ThunderCats relaunch, San Diego Comic-Con announcements from Bad Idea, Ignition Press, Rocketship Entertainment and more. Then it's time for What Hit, the Prana Top 10 Best Sellers, and this week's Final Order Cutoff books.   00:00 Intro 01:28 Marvel Leaves New York & Steve Wacker Takes Over 05:11 Daredevil Reprint Momentum 06:33 Absolute Green Arrow Extended 07:24 G.I. JOE #25 First Look 07:57 Battle Beast #12 Preview 08:33 ThunderCats Relaunch 09:15 Bad Idea SDCC News 12:06 Ignition Press Pavilion 13:49 Revenge Of TV 15:05 Eastside Saints 16:08 The Rocketfellers #13 16:53 Three Worlds, Three Moons 18:59 Final Boss Video Game 19:46 Ice Cream Man Reprint 20:33 Badrock Sells Out 21:19 Rocketship Entertainment at SDCC 22:35 Pop Kill: Big Candy 23:37 Flux House Presents #1 24:25 Todd McFarlane & J. Scott Campbell 25:21 What Hit 27:40 Prana Top 10 32:22 Final Order Cutoff 37:53 Closing

Todd McFarlane returns to The Comic Source for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present and future of Spawn. Todd explains how drawings he created as a teenager in 1977 inspired the upcoming Spawn '77 project with Mark Spears, why the new story must carefully work around established Hellspawn mythology and what impressed him about Spears' atmospheric interpretation of the concept. He also details his unusual collaboration with J. Scott Campbell, in which both artists created distinct finished versions of the same original sketches, and discusses the hidden differences fans can discover between their covers. The conversation also explores McFarlane's limited-edition enamel pin program, his commitment to honoring announced production numbers and the importance of maintaining trust with collectors. Todd even shares a cinematic moment he wrote for the Spawn movie and imagines Jamie Foxx's Al Simmons delivering the line, "I wasn't hiding. I was waiting." The episode closes with McFarlane reflecting on creative freedom, longevity and why surviving long enough to continue making comics may be the greatest victory of all.   Links: The Comic Source: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource Todd McFarlane Productions: https://mcfarlane.com McFarlane Toys Store: https://mcfarlanetoysstore.com J. Scott Campbell Store: https://jscottcampbell.com Spawn Official: https://www.spawn.com

Zach Michaels, Director of Events at Fandom, returns to The Comic Source to preview one of San Diego Comic-Con's most sought-after opening-night events. He discusses how fans can win invitations, the work required to produce the massive celebration, and why San Diego provides an experience unlike any other major convention. Zach also reveals some of this year's entertainment and activations, including The Coverups led by Billie Joe Armstrong, Xbox and Halo: Campaign Evolved, Suntory's -196 brand, Z2 Comics' And Out Comes the Wolf, and an unconventional pep squad that will be part of the performance. Beyond the party, the conversation explores Fandom's larger mission of providing a place where every interest—from comics and gaming to anime, movies, television, and reality shows—can be celebrated without one community being elevated at the expense of another.

John Ross Bowie joins Jace to discuss returning as Barry Kripke in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the new Big Bang Theory spinoff premiering July 23 on HBO Max. John explains how the series takes Stuart, Denise, Bert and Kripke into a different universe with each episode while keeping the story grounded in the relationships between its characters. He also talks about expanding Kripke beyond his familiar punchlines, reuniting with Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus and Brian Posehn, and working on the first Chuck Lorre series built around extensive visual effects. John also reflects on the lasting impact of Speechless, why its edgy and absurd comedy was sometimes misunderstood, and the response the series continues to receive from families affected by disability. Plus, he previews his role as Kenneth Adelman in The Brink of War alongside Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris and J.K. Simmons and discusses the immersive Stuart Fails to Save the Universe experience coming to San Diego Comic-Con. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres July 23, 2026, on HBO Max.

Jace and Rocky break down all 13 DC releases for the week of July 15, 2026. Nightwing #140 brings Psycho Pirate into Dan Watters' Blüdhaven mystery by tying the city's violence to Medusa architecture instead of the Medusa Mask. Wonder Woman #35 works as a Wonder War interlude that retells Diana's origin through Steve Trevor explaining Wonder Woman's history to Trinity. End of Life #6 has Eddie Stallion try to leave Pluto before his reunion with Sophie convinces him to stay while the Menagerie's assassins keep closing in. Batwoman #5 has Kate Kane rescue Alice by removing her mask and reaching her sister directly, while Mother Despina warns that winning may still mean losing. Deathstroke: The Terminator #5 reveals the person behind the attacks on Slade and ends with a threat to Rose Wilson that she may not survive. Absolute Flash #17 ends the Gorilla City story in tragic fashion with the young Grodd caught between loyalty to his father and his bond with Wally. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #53 highlights Dick Grayson's skills as he tries to break Batman and Superman free from Tyrannus Rex's control in Skartaris. Dark Knights of Steel 2 #1 expands the medieval DC world beyond the original kingdoms as Kara is welcomed into Amazonia, Batman remains separated from the League, and Amanda Waller's secret villainy continues to hang over the larger story. New Titans #37 hints at Static joining the team while giving Kid Devil more spotlight and continuing Spoiler's rise into a stronger leadership role. Lobo #5 has the network ordered to bring Lobo back, only for the executive to put a contract on him and send Lip Bomb after the Main Man. Catwoman #89 pushes Selina deeper into her Gotham war with Black Mask while bringing her connection to Carmine Falcone closer to outright confirmation. Superman Unlimited #15 builds on the Ultra Boy reveal by showing Jon Kent's faith in him pay off, while Superwoman's arrival keeps the Earth-3 story from ending cleanly. Absolute Green Arrow #3 shifts further into Black Canary's investigation as the issue reveals Miraclo, Rex Tyler and anti-aging experiments tied to the billionaires being targeted. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace welcomes writer Ben H. Winters and Oni Press President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson for an in-depth conversation about the new Archie #1 and the beginning of Oni Press' ambitious Archie publishing program. Hunter explains how the partnership with Archie Comics developed, why Oni is launching the line carefully with Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Archie in Hell, and how the publisher plans to preserve the characters' history while giving every book a distinct modern identity. Ben discusses writing Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the Riverdale cast, drawing inspiration from raising three teenagers, balancing humor with authentic adolescent anxiety and finding the humanity beneath the characters' familiar relationships. They also explore Archie's enormous influence on popular culture, the importance of joyful comics, Fábio Moon's interpretation of Riverdale and what Oni has planned for San Diego Comic-Con. Archie #1 is scheduled for release September 2, 2026.   Chapters 00:00 Introducing Oni Press' New Archie Era 00:32 How the Oni and Archie Partnership Happened 03:12 Why Ben H. Winters Said Yes to Archie 05:20 Modernizing Archie for Every Generation 07:34 Choosing Fábio Moon and Kano 11:38 Betty or Veronica? 13:45 Building a Sustainable Archie Publishing Line 16:28 Balancing Teenage Drama, Humor and Optimism 18:50 Jughead's Journal 20:15 Why Archie Comics Are So Hard to Write 23:55 Making Comics Fun Again 27:19 The Fizz of Teenage Potential 29:38 Finding Archie Andrews' Voice 31:31 Archie's Influence on Popular Culture 33:00 The Responsibility of Publishing an Icon 35:16 What Makes Oni's Archie #1 Different 37:40 San Diego Comic-Con Plans 39:35 Why Comic Conventions Matter 42:46 Final Thoughts and Preordering Archie #1   Find more interviews, reviews and comic news from The Comic Source: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource

This week on The Comic Source Weekly, Jace breaks down the biggest comic book news for the week of July 8, 2026. The lead story is Skybound, Image Comics, Hasbro and Crystal Dynamics revealing the first-ever crossover between G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero and Tomb Raider, with Lara Croft making a surprise appearance in G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #330 before the launch of a five-issue G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero / Tomb Raider mini-series in October. That surprise immediately turned into a sales story as G.I. JOE #330 sold out at the distributor level and was rushed back to print. Jace also covers DC and Skybound's Comic-Con International 2026 plans, Daniel Warren Johnson launching Chainkata at Image Comics, Do A Powerbomb Black & White #1 selling out, Ignition Press adding new creators and revealing its SDCC Pavilion schedule, Bad Idea's WARBIRD, Planet Death and SDCC Tiki Party announcements, Judge Dredd crossing over with Biker Mice from Mars, Ghost Machine's Radioactive Revolution cover contest, Oni's Fort Psycho Comic in a Can and Sabrina first look, Universal Monsters: Frankenstein Black & White Special, Mike Mignola's Circus of Bones art book, Zero Instance from Comixology Originals, and the Waypoint Kickstarter. Plus, Jace looks at what hit for the week of July 8, counts down the Prana Bestseller Top 10 for the week of June 30, and highlights books coming up on Final Order Cutoff. The Comic Source Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource #ComicBooks #ComicBookNews #TheComicSource 00:00 Hook, Intro and Housekeeping 03:22 G.I. JOE / Tomb Raider Crossover and #330 Sellout 06:03 DC Unveils SDCC 2026 Lineup 09:04 Skybound Announces SDCC Panels and Exclusives 10:59 Daniel Warren Johnson Launches Chainkata 12:20 Do A Powerbomb Black & White #1 Sells Out 13:12 Ignition Press Creator Wave and SDCC Pavilion Schedule 17:17 Bad Idea Block — WARBIRD, Planet Death and SDCC Tiki Party 20:13 Judge Dredd / Biker Mice from Mars Crossover 21:25 Ghost Machine Radioactive Revolution Contest and Geiger Exclusives 24:43 Oni Press Fort Psycho Comic in a Can 26:01 Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 First Look 26:54 Universal Monsters: Frankenstein Black & White Special 28:20 Circus of Bones: The Art of Mike Mignola 29:31 Zero Instance from Comixology Originals 30:56 Waypoint Kickstarter 32:21 What Hit 37:36 Prana Bestseller Top 10 44:02 Final Order Cutoff 49:04 Closing

Artist Gyula Németh joins Jace to discuss his work on the VeeFriends Topps Chrome trading-card set. Gyula explains how his years creating artwork for Panini's Kaboom inserts led to his involvement with VeeFriends, how Gary Vee's original character sketches are reinterpreted by different artists, and why preserving each character's established personality can make the process more challenging than illustrating a real athlete. Gyula also reveals which monsters became his favorite characters to draw, discusses the revisions behind some of the finished cards, and reacts to seeing rare collectibles featuring his artwork listed for extraordinary prices. The conversation concludes with a broader look at the accessibility of card collecting and its ability to connect collectors across generations. Follow Gyula Németh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gynemethart/ Follow The Comic Source: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:31 What Are VeeFriends? 00:58 How Panini Kaboom Led to VeeFriends 02:43 Reimagining Gary Vee's Original Character Sketches 04:19 Drawing Athletes vs. VeeFriends Characters 05:18 Revising the Gorilla's Personality and Expression 06:31 Gyula's Favorite VeeFriends Characters 07:41 Rare Erupt Cards and the $99,000 Listing 09:00 VeeFriends, Pokémon and Collecting as a Family 10:33 Why Card Collecting Reaches More Generations Than Comics 11:55 VeeFriends Cards at Conventions 12:38 Where to Follow Gyula Németh 13:15 Closing

Jace and Rocky break down all 9 DC releases for the week of July 8, 2026. Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 turns Basil Karlo's Hollywood comeback into an identity mystery when another Clayface who also believes he is Basil Karlo escapes and begins searching for himself. Fury of Firestorm #4 reframes Professor Stein as a manipulative figure when Lorraine Reilly learns she was also used in his attempt to control the Firestorm Matrix. Bleeding Hearts #6 forces Poke to choose a side when his beating heart is revealed. Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 uses flashbacks to a mission with Nightwing, Cassandra Cain and Huntress to help Barbara realize the pills she has been taking may be drugging her. Absolute Catwoman #2 reveals more of Selina Kyle's past with the Calicos while centering the heist around the Yarn, an object with possible Brainiac links. Supergirl #15 concludes the Hero of Kandor storyline featuring Kara's final showdown with Black Flame with the future of Kandor in the balance, while Lesla continues her hero's journey. Emperor Aquaman #15 has Batman and Wonder Woman question whether the Justice League could stop Aquaman as Arthur's power as king of the blue expands across the galaxy. Absolute Batman #22 reveals Absolute Harley Quinn's connection to Jack Grimm while Batman ignores her warnings and falls deeper into Scarecrow's psychological trap. Green Lantern Corps #18 uses Guy Gardner's perspective to reframe the emotional entities as sentient beings who deserve respect instead of weapons to be deployed against the Manhunters. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

This week on The Comic Source Weekly, Jace breaks down the biggest comic book news for the week of July 1, 2026. The lead story is Todd McFarlane Productions offering signed SDCC 2026 exclusive McFarlane / Artgerm collector sets through a July 9 Whatnot live show, giving fans outside San Diego a shot at limited convention exclusives. Jace also covers Ignition Press expanding its SDCC presence with Booth #5531 and the new Ignition Pavilion offsite pop-up across from the convention hall, kicking off its Ignition Sequence of ten SDCC announcements. Also covered this week: DC Silver Age Covers and Stories Artist's Edition from Act 4 and Skybound, Bad Idea's Hank Howard and Dingoliath glow-in-the-dark cover updates, Ghost Machine's SDCC exclusives, Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives, McFarlane Toys DC Direct Weekly Pin Drops, Oni and Archie's Riverdale relaunch, Fort Psycho, Ghost Pepper, The Eye Collector, Liberty, Image's retailer award nominations, and the Radiant Black audiobook. Jace also looks at what hit for the week of July 1, counts down the Prana Top 10 Bestseller List for the week of June 23, and highlights books approaching Final Order Cutoff on July 6. NEWS SOURCES Oni / Archie Redesigns and Relaunch https://www.onipress.com/news/first-look-oni-press-reveals-complete-archie-1-covers-with-elsa-charretier-stuart-immonen-kano-karl-kerschl-fbio-moon-dan-parent-khary-randolph-amp-more The Eye Collector #1 Second Printing https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/inventory-of-the-eye-collector-wiped-out-in-a-blink-debut-issue-rushed-back-to-print-this-week Image Select Retailer Award Nominations https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/image-comics-opens-comic-shop-retailer-appreciation-award-for-spring-2026-nominations-round Liberty Kickstarter Press release provided directly. Radiant Black Audiobook https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/image-comics-first-ever-audiobook-radiant-black-is-now-available The Comic Source Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource #ComicBooks #ComicBookNews #TheCom

Jace and Rocky break down all 11 DC releases for the week of July 1, 2026. Absolute Green Lantern #16 brings the Absolute Lantern spectrum closer together as Hal Jordan uses violet light to protect the group from the Black Star of Sinestro, Jo Mullein weaponizes the people of Evergreen inside the Green Lantern construct, and Jessica Cruz's connection to Mogo threatens to throw the fight sideways. Poison Ivy #46 moves the pieces into place for Bad Seeds without Pamela appearing in the issue, as Janet from HR explains why Harley may be the only person who can reach Ivy and why Pamela's love for Harley makes her feel vulnerable. Batman #11 brings Lady Ojo back into the story as Batman clashes with her, the Minotaur's hold on Gotham's criminal money comes back into focus, Dr. Zeller deals with the fallout of Bruce's almost-date, and Verity Pennyworth makes her first appearance at Wayne Manor. Adventures of Superman: Book of El #10 continues Philip Kennedy Johnson's House of El story as Superman battles for his adoptive children, the fight on Tamarian escalates, and Kryl-Ux proves how powerful he has become by taking on a Sun-Eater. Batgirl #21 brings Cassandra Cain back to Gotham as Doctor Forget-Me-Not forces her to confront memories of a young girl named Victoria who may have been killed by Cassandra when she was younger, while the issue continues building Batgirl's own supporting cast. 100 Bullets: The U.S. of Anger #1 returns to Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's world in black and white, following Lono through a grim, angry story involving podcasters, gang violence, police violence and the fractured state of America. Deadman #2 improves on the first issue by bringing in Plastic Man, showing Deadman fail to take over Batman because of Bruce's psychological defenses, and expanding the villain's interference with souls transitioning into the afterlife. Supergirl: Survive #2 turns Kara and baby Kal-El's escape into a galaxy-hopping Elseworlds adventure as Lobo's gang hunts the last Kryptonians, the Lantern Corps appears across the emotional spectrum, and Kara receives a hope lantern ring after Saint Walker's death. Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 closes the series by focusing on John Jones' relationship with his son Tyler, how his inability to understand Tyler helped fracture his family, and how the Martian Manhunter experience lets him see others differently as he chooses a second chance with his wife and child. JSA #21 explores the Spectre's origin and has the spirit of vengeance jump between different JSA hosts, including Obsidian, Jade and Wildcat, while Metron suggests the mystery depends not only on the Spectre's beginning but also on Jim Corrigan's origin. Batman / Green Arrow / The Question: Arcadia #4 continues Gabriel Hardman's political mystery as Batman, Green Arrow and the Question push deeper into the conspiracy around Arcadia, with the book still functioning more as a dense ideological thriller than a traditional superhero team-up. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

This week on The Comic Source Weekly, Jace breaks down the biggest comic book news for the week of June 24, 2026. The lead story is Absolute Batman already heading to animation, with reports that DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation are developing an animated series based on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta's comic. Jace also follows up on the Amazing Spider-Man #1000 cover controversy, as Marvel now says the John Romita Jr. / Paolo Rivera cover and the Pepe Larraz cover are both main covers. Also covered this week: Ignition Press celebrating its first anniversary with seven launches over seven weeks, WARBIRD #1, Exquisite Corpses continuing to expand, Crimes Against Nature, Marvel's Midnight Universe, Giant-Size Youngblood, the Plastic-Verse passing 400K copies sold, DNX, The Karman Blade, Good Devils, Where Monsters Lie, and Marvel's Wolverine: The Art of the Game. Jace also looks at what hit for the week of June 24, counts down the Prana Top 10 Bestseller List for the week of June 17, and highlights books approaching Final Order Cutoff on June 29.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Hook and Intro 00:56 Absolute Batman Goes Animated 04:10 ASM #1000 Cover Fallout 07:08 Ignition Press Turns One 11:10 WARBIRD #1 14:27 Exquisite Corpses Continues to Expand 16:35 Crimes Against Nature 18:17 Marvel Midnight Universe 21:22 Giant-Size Youngblood 23:07 Plastic-Verse Passes 400K 25:47 DNX 28:41 The Karman Blade 30:08 Good Devils Second Printing 31:27 Where Monsters Lie Omnibus 32:34 Marvel's Wolverine: The Art of the Game 33:53 What Hit 37:47 Prana Top 10 46:37 Final Order Cutoff 57:29 Closing

Jace and Rocky break down all 17 DC releases for the week of June 24, 2026. They discuss Detective Comics #1100, where Batman, Green Arrow and Black Canary continue investigating Prion's past while the mystery surrounding the young assassin tied to his grave becomes more complicated. Bizarro Year None #2 follows Perry White and Jimmy Olsen as they try to understand the strange rules of Bizarro's square world as the series begins framing this as a distorted Bizarro origin story. Harley Quinn #63 continues Harley's darker current direction as the monochromatic infection and her fractured emotional state push her further from the zanier version of the character. Absolute Superman #20 returns with a massive battle against King Shazam as Superman, Steel and Hawkman are forced to confront whether overwhelming power can be stopped without sacrificing innocent lives. Green Lantern #36 reconnects Kyle Rayner and Jade while Odyssey's identity and past remain in question. Gotham Academy: First Year #5 follows Olive Silverlock's nightmare as it forces her to confront fears about her mother's legacy while Batman and the Gotham Academy cast move closer to the final issue. Absolute Wonder Woman #21 focuses on Absolute Wonder Woman's time in Hell separating her from Barbara Minerva, whose captivity and connection to a dangerous feline god open new questions about her future. The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #5 sees Ezra Cain's pulp adventure escalate into a Nazi-blimp action sequence that leans hard into the series' darker Indiana Jones energy. Flash #34 has Ryan North explain Flash's new precognitive ability through data, speed and probability while keeping the story light, accessible and emotionally grounded. Superman #39 pushes Superboy-Prime through multiple comic-book realities as Manchester Black tests whether he has truly changed, while Dan Mora shifts art styles to match each world. Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2 sees Jor-El refuse to let Kryptonian technology be used for weapons while Lex Luthor secretly moves forward with non-lethal weapon development, and the issue brings in Klarion and John Constantine as magic emerges as a weakness for this version of Superman. Wonder Woman #34 brings Wonder War to Diana's confrontation with Matriarch, as the fight centers on whether Wonder Woman's willpower can overcome a Green Lantern ring that Matriarch has spent years forcing to obey her. The issue also ends with Diana making a drastic choice involving the God Killer sword. Justice League Unlimited #20 has Wonder Woman nearly reach Brainiac Queen before Lex Luthor's arrogance and his use of Warp ruin the Justice League's chance to turn her, leaving her missing and possibly setting up a "Cyber Earth" timeline. Swamp Thing 1989 #3 brings Rick Veitch's long-delayed story to its most epic chapter yet, with Swamp Thing existing across different points in DC history and Darkseid appearing in a way that fits the elemental scope of the story. Zatanna #3 pits Zatanna against Agent Di Manes, whose power of quietude suppresses her voice and directly attacks the way she uses magic, while the story also involves Elodi and a muse spirit tied to a dead singer. Summer of Supergirl Special #1 continues from Lobo #4, putting Supergirl and Lobo on trial while Crush, Krypto and Dawg get pulled into the chaos, and the special also includes a Supergirl/Mary Marvel team-up plus a Mark Waid story connecting different versions of Supergirl's history. Justice League: Dream Girls #4 concludes with the Justice League apologizing to Galaxy and giving her mission leader rank, while Dreamer chooses not to join the League yet because she still needs to understand her powers on her own. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

The Comic Source Weekly covers the biggest comic-book news for the week of June 17, 2026. Jace breaks down DC's expansion of the Next Level line with new Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans and Doom Patrol series, Barbara Gordon becoming The Bat in the Absolute Universe, Marvel pulling an Amazing Spider-Man #1000 cover, José Luis García-López's new Artist's Edition and the debut of Spawn '77. Also covered are Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight, DC's new Gotham titles, Wolverine: Paradise, Alex Ross' Marvel Dimensions, Superman: The Stranger, The Trillion Dollar Kid, Crowbound, Tales of Wonder and the reported Deniz Camp exclusive deal with DC. The episode also looks at what appeared to hit during the June 17 release week, counts down the Prana Top 10 Bestsellers for the week of June 9 and finishes with books approaching Final Order Cutoff on June 22. The Comic Source Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource #ComicBooks #ComicNews #TheComicSource   00:00 Hook and Introduction 01:18 DC Expands Next Level 06:01 Barbara Gordon Becomes The Bat 09:53 Marvel Pulls Amazing Spider-Man #1000 Cover 14:35 José Luis García-López Artist's Edition 17:24 Spawn '77 21:01 Minor Threats and New Gotham Series 25:58 Wolverine: Paradise, Marvel Dimensions and Superman: The Stranger 29:21 Trillion Dollar Kid, Crowbound and Tales of Wonder 32:12 What Hit — Week of June 17 39:25 Prana Top 10 — Week of June 9 47:14 Final Order Cutoff — June 22 58:01 Closing Thoughts

Jace and Rocky break down all 13 DC releases for the week of June 17, 2026. They discuss Batwoman #4, where Kate Kane and Renee Montoya begin searching for Alice as the mystery involving Beth, the Darkseid cult and Gotham's elite finally starts coming into clearer focus. Absolute Flash #16 sends Wally and Linda deeper into their search for Ray Palmer as young Grodd leads them toward Gorilla City and the Rogues close in. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #52 continues the heroes' adventure in Skartaris as Robin joins Travis Morgan and his allies while Tyrant Rex uses magic to turn Batman and Superman against them. Deathstroke the Terminator #4 finds Rose Wilson saving Deathstroke before father and daughter struggle to connect during a tense conversation that forces Slade to confront what kind of parent he has become. Lobo #4 follows the Main Man's attempt to break into Superman's off-world "Fortress of Storitude," bringing him into conflict with Supergirl while Krypto and Dawg create their own chaos. Absolute Green Arrow #2 sees Dinah Lance and Merlyn questioning figures from Oliver Queen's past while the mysterious archer targeting billionaires remains one step ahead of their investigation. Catwoman #88 reveals that Katarina Belova survived the fire and has been manipulating Black Mask's campaign to destroy Selina, bringing the European conspiracy and Gotham storylines together. New Titans #36 finds the team settling into Titans Mountain as Starfire leaves, Cyborg secretly works to activate a massive Mother Box and questions continue to surround Eva's nanite-based body. Justice League: Dream Girls #3 sends Galaxy back into Dreamer's mind to rescue her from the Key while the Justice League questions Galaxy's actions, and the backup follows Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy through a quiet day together. Nightwing #139 sees Dick Grayson use his scientific training to examine bodies recovered from the water while facing pressure to surrender for a crime he did not commit, leading to a confrontation with a priest whose actions create a difficult moral dilemma. Superman Unlimited #14 intensifies the questions surrounding the young Jon Kent as kryptonite, old memories and Batman's investigation begin exposing cracks in his story. Absolute Batman #21 pits Batman against the Robins before Jack Grimm confronts Bruce Wayne and claims responsibility for creating the man he became. End of Life #5 shows Eddie at his most effective as a killer before his father forces him to confront the fact that he may no longer have a place in Pluto. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace and Rocky break down all 11 DC releases for the week of June 10, 2026. They discuss Fury of Firestorm #3, where Ronnie Raymond learns Professor Stein manipulated the creation of Firestorm while new details connect the series to concepts introduced in Doomsday Clock. Justice League: Dreamgirls #2 finds Dreamer and Galaxy trapped deeper within shifting dream realities as Dreamer struggles with guilt, self-doubt and her role during the Amanda Waller crisis. Green Lantern Corps #17 focuses on Guy Gardner as he confronts childhood trauma and his abusive father while navigating the emotional spectrum. Barbara Gordon Breakout #2 sees Barbara brutally beaten inside prison before discovering someone she trusted may be working against her. Emperor Aquaman #18 teams Aquaman with Hal Jordan as Arthur begins questioning whether his rapidly expanding powers have become too dangerous. Action Comics #1099 follows a young Clark Kent as he experiences life without his powers and discovers what it feels like to truly be human. Absolute Catwoman #1 introduces a wealthy and successful Selina Kyle whose planned retirement is postponed by an attack tied to a mystery that culminates in the surprise debut of Absolute Cassandra Cain. Nice House By The Sea #10 delivers major revelations surrounding Walter and Max while raising new questions about the true nature of the apocalypse. Supergirl #14 sees Kara receive a new costume and a cure for her cybernetic corruption as tensions within Kandor continue to escalate. Bleeding Hearts #5 follows Rabbit as she becomes part of the zombie holiday known as the Great Hunt while Poke develops an increasing empathy for the living. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 concludes the series by revealing Bruce Wayne's connection to the dark force shaping Gotham and setting him on a collision course with the city's elite. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace and Rocky break down all 10 DC releases for the week of June 3, 2026. They discuss Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #6, where Erica Henderson concludes her retelling of Harley and Ivy's first meeting and the foundation of their relationship. JSA #20 continues the search for Jim Corrigan and ends with a surprise appearance from Metron. Adventures of Superman: Book of El #9 begins bringing together the long-running story threads involving Superman, Otho-Ra, Osul-Ra and the future legacy of the House of El. Justice League: Dream Girls #1 finds Dreamer and Galaxy trapped in shifting dreamlike versions of the DC Universe as a mystery involving hidden knowledge and altered realities begins. Batman #10 sees Bruce Wayne uncover a connection to the Minotaur while his conflict with Vandal Savage enters a new phase. Poison Ivy #45 finds Mayor Pamela Isley increasingly isolated after alienating Batman, Vandal Savage, the Green and the Gray while her feelings about Harley Quinn are tested. Deadman #1 follows Boston Brand as he investigates a hospital filled with trapped souls while W. Maxwell Prince reimagines Deadman as a spiritual guide navigating multiple interpretations of death, but the guys have radically different reactions to the story. Supergirl: Survive #1 sees teenage Kara experience Krypton's destruction through a dramatically altered sequence of events as she leaves Krypton in the same rocketship as an infant Kal-El whom she is determined to protect. Batgirl #20 forces Cassandra Cain to confront painful memories when a murdered child is found wearing the same dress she wore during her first kill, while Doctor Forget-Me-Not begins playing mind games with her memories. Absolute Green Lantern #15 pits Jo Mullein against Tomar Re after she refuses to sacrifice her entire town to stop the Black Star Mogo, forcing a clash over whether saving a few thousand lives is worth risking trillions across the universe. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Geiger #3 delivers one of the most devastating reveals in the entire Ghost Machine universe as Tariq finally discovers the horrifying truth about the family he thought he had been protecting all this time. In this panel by panel review, Jace breaks down how Jeff Johns and Gary Frank structure the emotional flashbacks, the significance of the bunker reveal, and the exact moment Tariq fully transforms into the Glowing Man. This issue remains one of the most important foundational chapters for Geiger and the larger Unnamed mythology. This is the issue that completely redefines Tariq as a character.

Marvel fans have been highly anticipating Ultimate Impact: Reborn #1, but the biggest surprise may not be the action, the Origin Boxes or even the connection to the Ultimate Universe. In this review, Jace breaks down why the book feels more like classic Marvel storytelling than most modern Marvel comics, how Chris Condon's characterization gives the setup real emotional weight, and why this may signal a larger creative shift happening inside Marvel right now. From Miles Morales and the Spot fight to speculation about Midnight, the future of the Ultimate Universe and even a possible Pete & MJ reunion before Amazing Spider-Man #1000, there's a lot more going on here than a standard event setup issue.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC Comics releases for May 20, 2026, with discussion of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #51 revisiting Skartaris and the origin of Tyrant while Mark Waid continues modernizing classic DC concepts, Sirens: Love Hurts #4 wrapping with Horoscope defeated, Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance's wedding, and the various couples baskign in the romance, Wonder Woman #33 sending Diana and Steve Trevor into the underworld where Superman dies from kryptonite poisoning and Diana seeks the Fates after Matriarch's devastating victory, Absolute Flash #15 expanding the Absolute Universe mythology through Ray Palmer, Silas Stone, S.T.A.R. Labs, the Still Place, and Wally's disturbing visions of the future, Batwoman #3 raising questions about Kate Kane's behavior after she attacks Renee Montoya while Darkseid-connected forces appear to be circling her, Catwoman #87 escalating Black Mask's attack on Selina by using an imposter Catwoman convincing enough to fool Holly Robinson while Maggie's trauma remains tied to Black Mask, Deathstroke the Terminator #3 continuing Slade Wilson's mission with Death Blow and Deadshot brought into the conflict, End of Life #4 focusing on Eddie's complicated relationship with his father while the kidnapping storyline moves forward, Lobo #3 delivering an origin-heavy chapter for the Main Man, New Titans #35 continuing the Alpha Energy fallout while Stephanie Brown takes on a surprising leadership role, Nightwing #138 bringing Starfire to Blüdhaven for a Psion-related story that also moves the Witch of Blüdhaven plot forward while Barbara remains in Supermax, Superman Unlimited #13 using Beppo, excess Kryptonite, Tomorrow Man, young Jon Kent's Ultraman nightmare, and Lois trying to help her superpowered son to deepen the question of whether this young Jon is the real deal, and Absolute Green Arrow #1 launching a mystery-driven reinvention involving Dinah Lance, Oliver Queen, Hector Hammond, missing memories, and the question of who is really under the hood. They also cover the week's facsimiles, reprints, and collected editions, including Batman #244 Facsimile Edition, Gotham Central Compact Comics, DC Finest: Sgt. Rock of Easy Company, Superman Omnibus Vol. 1: Elseworlds, Absolute Blackest Night, and Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus, before ranking every book and naming their respective Books of the Week.

Jace welcomes bestselling author William Bernhardt to the show to discuss Superman Wars, his deeply researched exploration of the decades-long battle over Superman ownership and the emotional toll it took on Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The conversation covers creator rights in comics, the contradictions at the center of Superman's legacy, the evolution of DC editorial culture, Jeanette Kahn's impact on the industry, why Superman continues to resonate across generations and how modern audiences still connect to the character as a symbol of hope. They also discuss modern Superman adaptations, the current resurgence of the character, the lasting impact of Siegel's fight for recognition and Bernhardt's upcoming project, The Batman Wars.

Jace breaks down Amazing Spider-Man / Venom: Death Spiral – Body Count #1, an epilogue issue that reframes Torment through his final moments after Mary Jane/Venom throws him from the rooftop. The issue gives added context to Torment's origin, his youth, his lack of experience, and the possibility that his connection-seeing ability may be hereditary, especially with the final tease involving his younger sister. Jace discusses how the funeral scene complicates Torment's family dynamic, whether the issue turns him from a mysterious horror figure into a more tragic character, and how the added explanation both deepens the villain and strips away some of his mystique. There is also plenty of discussion about the moody art, the psychological horror tone, the unanswered questions about Torment's physical abilities, and whether Body Count was necessary as an epilogue to Death Spiral.

Jace and Rocky break down this week's DC releases including Supergirl #13, where Sophie Campbell's handling of Kara's trauma, Kandor's civil unrest and the Black Flame conflict leads to one of the biggest disagreements of the episode, Barbara Gordon Breakout #1 as the hosts debate Barbara willingly entering prison as part of Batman's larger Vandal Savage plan, Bleeding Hearts #4 with Dennis Camp continuing to humanize Polk while expanding the emotional divide between the zombies and humans through Rabbit and Mush, Emperor Aquaman #17 as Jarro makes a shocking decision involving the Starros that dramatically escalates Aquaman's cosmic status and creates major moral fallout, Action Comics #1098 with Mark Waid blending Silver Age Superboy storytelling and modern sensibilities through Mary Marvel, Booster Gold and Martian Manhunter learning more about Clark's origins, Fury of Firestorm #2 as Ronnie Raymond's darker trauma is contrasted against the classic heart-of-gold characterization that defines the hero, Green Lantern Corps #16 with Morgan Hampton expanding the Manhunters' plans to control the emotional spectrum while Aya, Parallax and the emotional entities become central to a massive cosmic power struggle, Absolute Martian Manhunter #11 as the series heads toward its conclusion with more psychological and reality-bending storytelling, and Absolute Batman #20 with discussion of the printing defects, retailer response, massive number of variant covers and continued teases surrounding Scarecrow and Robin. They also discuss the shutdown of Read Comics Online and the larger conversation surrounding comic piracy and affordability before covering this week's facsimiles, reprints and collected editions, ranking every book from the week and each giving their respective Book of the Week picks.

Derek Kirk Kim and Jacob Perez join Jace to talk about Royals #1-2 from Image Comics. The conversation covers the series' crime noir setup, the telepathic connection between twin brothers Paul and Castor, the poker tension that kicks the story into motion, and how the book quickly escalates beyond its opening premise. Derek and Jacob also discuss how the series came together, Jacob's transition into sequential comics, the visual energy of the book, the Seoul setting, lettering, thought balloons, color choices, the response to issue #1 selling out, the second printing, and why Royals feels so cinematic on the page. Follow The Comic Source on all social media with our Linktree - https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource

Jace and Rocky break down the DC books for the week of May 6, 2026, with Absolute Superman #19 delivering massive action as Superman, Steel, Lois, Talia, Ra's al Ghul, and King Shazam collide; Absolute Green Lantern #14 diving deeper into the Absolute spectrum mythology with Jo Mullein and Tomar-Re; Poison Ivy #44 continuing Pamela Isley's dangerous rise as mayor of Gotham while Batman gives her a chance to walk away; Batman #9 setting the next stage of Matt Fraction's run with Barbara Gordon's capture, Vandal Savage's pressure campaign, and the destruction of Wayne Manor; Batgirl #19 wrapping Cassandra Cain's blood-curse arc while expanding DC's martial arts mythology; Batman/Static Beyond #6 closing out its team-up story with Shutdown and the cosmic Cooperative; JSA #19 focusing on the Spectre, Kid Eternity, and the younger generation of the team; Adventures of Superman: Book of El #8 continuing Philip Kennedy Johnson's larger Superman mythology; and Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 revisiting Guy Gardner and the Manhunters. They also briefly touch on DC vs. Sonic the Hedgehog, run through this week's reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, rank every book, and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

If you've ever wanted to read a comic that leaves you completely confused—but completely hooked at the same time—Red Roots #1 might be exactly that kind of experience. Jace breaks down the oversized debut issue from Image Comics and the Skybound Entertainment imprint, written and illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici with lettering by Russ Wooton. From a brutal, near-silent infiltration filled with violence and atmosphere to a seemingly normal schoolteacher whose life spirals into something far stranger, the issue presents two completely different narratives that feel disconnected—but clearly aren't. Jace explores how the visual storytelling carries the weight, how the lack of answers is intentional, and why the mystery surrounding the severed heads, the red roots, and the final page twist makes this one of the most intriguing debut issues in recent memory. This is a spoiler discussion that leans into the confusion—in the best possible way.

If you've been away from Punisher comics or confused about where Frank Castle stands right now, this episode breaks down the full picture. Jace of The Comic Source looks at the current status quo following the Hand era, the Joe Garrison run, Red Band, and now Punisher #3 from the current series by Benjamin Percy. While Marvel is clearly bringing Punisher back to a more grounded, street-level approach, questions remain about what this version of the character actually is and whether it can evolve in a modern storytelling landscape. With the upcoming Punisher: One Last Kill special on the horizon, Jace also explores whether the direction of the comics could be aligning with what we may see on screen, and what that could mean for the future of the character.

Warbird #0 from Bad Idea Comics introduces Cole Norton, a high-end repo man capable of stealing anything that rides, flies, or floats. Written by Robert Venditti and Derek Kolstad with art by Jesse Lonergan, the issue delivers high-octane action through "The Bike Job," where Cole infiltrates a luxury yacht to repossess an experimental motorcycle. While the premise leans heavily on spectacle, the issue also hints at deeper motivations driving Cole. His precision, control, and detachment suggest that the work itself may matter more than the payout, raising the question of whether each job is less about money and more about avoiding his past while taking something back from the powerful people he targets. The issue functions as both an action showcase and a character setup, laying the groundwork for the larger Warbird mission involving advanced fighter jets and escalating global stakes.

Oddball's Odyssey from Bad Idea Comics might look like a Sunday funnies throwback, but underneath the whimsical cartooning and laugh-out-loud moments is a story with real emotional depth. Written and illustrated by Tony Millionaire, with colors by Jim Campbell II, this oversized issue delivers gorgeous, expressive artwork that leans into classic cartooning and Looney Tunes–style visual storytelling. On the surface, it's a zany adventure following Bobby, an alcoholic monkey, and his friend Jimmy as they navigate a bizarre journey filled with mythological elements, surreal humor, and incredible sight gags. But beneath that playful tone are themes of self-awareness, belonging, friendship, and the search for love, as Bobby's obsession with Lucia the swan pushes him toward confronting his own flaws and finding his place in the world. This is a comic that works on multiple levels—you can enjoy it purely for the humor and visual storytelling, or dig deeper into the ideas about identity, connection, and acceptance that give the story its emotional weight.

Jace and Rocky discuss a smaller fifth-week DC lineup for April 29, 2026, opening with a remembrance of Gerry Conway before diving into Swamp Thing 1989 #1 and the long-delayed Rick Veitch controversy surrounding Swamp Thing's encounter with the life of Jesus, Justice League Intergalactic Special #1 and its focus on Galaxy, Dreamer, Naltor, and the setup for more Pride-related storytelling, Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth #1 with Jeff Loeb and Jim Cheung delivering a visually strong but continuity-light Batman/Wonder Woman one-shot involving Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Joker, and the Lasso of Truth, and Zatanna #1 as Jamal Campbell positions Zatanna as the Prime Magus of the DC Universe while introducing new occult agency elements. They also cover the week's reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, including Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Absolute Superman, Teen Titans by Geoff Johns, Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, DC Finest: Joker, and The Omega Men deluxe edition. As always, Jace and Rocky rank every book and each host gives their top pick of the week.

Jace of The Comic Source breaks down Corpse Knight #1 from Skybound Entertainment, written by Michael Chaves with art by Matthew Roberts and colors by Rico Renzi. Set against the backdrop of the Hundred Years' War, the story follows a young girl named Foy and her father as they struggle to survive in a dangerous, war-torn countryside, with the relationship between the two serving as the emotional foundation of the issue. After tragedy strikes, that bond takes a dark and unexpected turn when her father returns under mysterious circumstances, raising questions about faith, sacrifice, and what it truly means to protect someone. Jace highlights the cinematic storytelling approach, the strength of the visual narrative, and how the issue leans more into character-driven dark fantasy than traditional horror, while also touching on the Joan of Arc element that sets up the broader journey ahead.

Jace breaks down Geiger #2 as the Ghost Machine universe expands with the introduction of Las Vegas, the King, and the idea of the so-called "Holy Grail." The issue builds out the larger world around Tariq Geiger, while also revealing more about his past and the possible connection between his condition and the radiation that changed everything. The story introduces new characters and shows the harsh reality of survival in this post-apocalyptic setting, while also setting up larger conflicts that continue to pay off later in the series. With the benefit of hindsight, many of the elements introduced here carry more weight, especially when looking at how the narrative evolves beyond this issue.

Jace and Rocky break down all the DC Comics releases for the week of April 22, 2026, covering 10 books with a wide range of reactions from solid entertainment to standout highlights. Superman #37 features a meta-driven Superboy Prime navigating life in Metropolis while grappling with his past and a surprising encounter with Witchfire, Flash #32 introduces a dangerous viral stunt app pushing Wally West to his limits while juggling family life, and Detective Comics #1108 continues Tom Taylor's grounded mystery with Bruce teaming with Green Arrow and Black Canary while uncovering secrets tied to Prion's legacy. Absolute Flash #14 explores the Mirror Master storyline with Wally and Linda trapped in the mirror dimension and a deal involving Ray Palmer, while Absolute Wonder Woman #19 continues Diana's mythic journey with high-stakes magical elements. Green Lantern #34 sets up future developments with Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner while introducing the mysterious Toby Y2K, and Justice League Unlimited #18 examines the controversial decision to grant villains amnesty in the face of larger threats. Harley Quinn #61 leans into the split between Harley's personalities with the Bat-Quinn concept, while Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #5 slows things down with character work at Ma Hunkel's home and a Clayface cliffhanger. The Brutal Dark #3 builds its noir mystery around Ezra Kane with deeper connections to the museum heist and missing persons case. The episode also includes discussion of industry news, including layoffs and broader market trends, along with thoughts on speculation around current titles. As always, Jace and Rocky run down reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, rank every book from the week, and each give their pick for Book of the Week.

Jace welcomes returning creaor Richard Ashley Hamilton to discuss Leo Da Vinci: Renaissance Kid, a graphic novel that reimagines a young Leonardo da Vinci as an adventurous and inventive kid while drawing from real historical elements of his life. The conversation covers the inspiration behind portraying Da Vinci as a mischievous and empathetic protagonist, the balance between factual history and fictional storytelling, and how the Renaissance setting mirrors modern-day experiences for younger readers. Jace and Richard also explore the artistic work of Marco Matrone, the accessibility of the graphic novel format as a gateway for new readers, and how the story encourages curiosity about history through engaging, character-driven storytelling rather than traditional educational approaches.

Jace takes a look at Fireborn #1 from Image Comics, breaking down how the issue connects to the Lost Fantasy universe while evaluating how effectively it functions as a standalone story. With discussion of the creative work from Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Mark Dale and Micah Myers, the episode examines the structure of the oversized debut, the introduction of Aaron Hilberg and his connection to the dragon egg, and how the pacing benefits from the extended page count. The conversation also explores how the character's attitude is grounded in his personal circumstances, the balance between action and setup, and whether the issue establishes a strong foundation moving forward. Additional context is provided on the early market reaction, including the sellout and speculation, along with whether the demand reflects genuine reader interest or short-term attention.

Jace takes a look at The Hab #1 from Bad Idea, a high-concept horror story from Joshua Dysart, David Lapham, Bill Sienkiewicz and more, exploring a billionaire-built survival habitat meant to outlast the end of the world, only for things inside to begin to unravel as hallucinations, violence and deeper mysteries tied to the environment start to surface, with discussion of the layered themes, unsettling tone and standout visual storytelling that make this one of the more intriguing indie releases currently flying under the radar. Follow The Comic Source on all social media with our Linktree - https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource

Jace and Rocky break down the DC releases for the week of April 15, 2026. Lobo #2 is discussed as a surprise standout with its corporate bounty hunter premise, meta humor, and unexpected fun factor, while Deathstroke the Terminator #2 follows Slade Wilson through an extremely violent and grief-driven search for whoever is manipulating him after Wintergreen's death. Superman Unlimited #12 centers on the return of a younger Jon Kent, the sacrifice being made by the older Jon Kent as Tomorrow Man, Lois being brought to tears by seeing Jon again, Damian's suspicion that something is wrong, and the possibility that the returned Jon may not actually be the real younger Jon. Nightwing #137 focuses on the sniper situation on the Blüdhaven bridge and the contrast between Batman and Nightwing's approaches, while Batwoman #2 features Kate Kane in a brutal confrontation that appears to end with her using lethal force to save her father. New Titans #34 reveals Cyborg split into separate human and cybernetic entities, Catwoman #84 continues Selina Kyle's conflict with Black Mask and Katarina Beloff as her inner circle is targeted, End of Life #3 blends absurd humor, strong action, and emotional material with Eddie Stallion caring for his dying father, Wonder Woman #21 continues the Wonder War storyline with its possible-future setup and split narrative structure, and Absolute Batman #19 is discussed in terms of its shock-value storytelling, Scarecrow's appearance feeling more like future setup, and a major character death that lands as wasteful rather than earned. As always, the episode also includes the week's rankings, Book of the Week discussion, and a rundown of the reprints and collected editions.

Jace is joined by Cody to break down Geiger #1 from Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, exploring the debut title that launched the Ghost Machine publishing imprint. The discussion covers the post-apocalyptic setup of Tariq Geiger, the nuclear event that transforms him, and the introduction of key world-building elements including the Unnamed War, the Las Vegas factions, and the early hints of a shared universe. The episode also touches on how Geiger evolves from a seemingly self-contained story into a broader connected narrative within Ghost Machine.

Jace takes a look at the first three issues of D'Orc from Image Comics, breaking down the story, humor, and overall execution to evaluate whether the book's rapid rise in the aftermarket is supported by the actual reading experience. With discussion of the creative work from Brett Bean, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos, the episode examines the structure of the first three issues, the use of familiar fantasy elements, and how the tone balances cartoon-style violence with comedic intent. The conversation also explores how low initial orders, FOC attention, and social media momentum contributed to the book's visibility, along with whether that attention reflects long-term value or short-term demand. A comparison is made to a key past fantasy humor comic to provide additional context for how a similar concept performed over time.

Jace reviews Web of Venom #1 from Marvel Comics. The issue introduces a new symbiote and a new host, with Boomerang playing a central role, while raising questions about the growing number of symbiote-related titles. The discussion covers what works in the issue, including the core concept and accessibility, as well as concerns about overexposure and whether the story adds meaningful value to the broader Venom mythos.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC releases for the week of April 8, 2026. Gotham City Sirens is discussed with its standout Babs Tarr art, strong variant covers, and battle with the villain Horoscope, while Bleeding Hearts #3 continues the story from Poke's perspective as the zombie's inability to communicate with the surviving mother and child adds to the tension. Firestorm #1 launches DC's Next Level take on the character with Ronnie Raymond apparently trapped, Firehawk brought in to investigate, and the mystery of who is really controlling the Firestorm Matrix left unresolved. Nice House by the Sea #9 deepens the contrast between Walter's and Max's houses, raises questions about whether the destruction of Earth is even real, and continues exploring the changing dynamics between the people chosen to survive. Green Lantern Corps #15 focuses on John Stewart confronting Parallax and his past with help from Soranik Natu, while the Manhunters turn Aya's apparent victory into a trap by taking over her body. Action Comics #1097 follows Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter, and Mary Marvel traveling back to Superboy's era as Epoch steals the rocket that brought Kal-El to Earth. Supergirl #12 centers on Kara waking up in Kandor as a cybernetic Supergirl after being badly injured, with Black Flame's rebellion, the city's secrets, and Team Thunder all adding to the conflict. Emperor Aquaman is discussed with Arthur continuing to establish himself as "Emperor of the Blue" by setting up lighthouses across the universe, gaining King Shark's allegiance following his DC KO vision, and fulfilling a prophecy on another world by freeing a parasite-controlled race. Absolute Green Lantern #13 shifts to Ran, introducing Rack Shade, the M Zone, Professor Sardin, Alana, and Emily Hawk as the mythology around the Black Stars and the Controller of Mu continues to expand. As always the episode also includes a rundown of the week's reprints and collected edition releases, as well as Jace and Rocky rankings for all the books and their picks for Book of the Week.

Jace reviews Royals #1 from Image Comics, written by Derek Kirk Kim with art by Jacob Perez. The episode covers the introduction of brothers Castor and Paul, their psychic connection used to gain an advantage in televised poker tournaments, and the early setup involving a high-stakes game against casino owner Dasham Kang. The discussion also touches on the character dynamics between the brothers, the use of telepathic communication, the poker sequences that drive the issue's tension, and the implications of their actions as the story begins to expand into a larger crime narrative.

Jace is joined by writer Pornsak Pichetshote to discuss his upcoming Absolute Green Arrow series, including the tone, themes and approach to the character within the Absolute Universe. The conversation also covers his Day 2 Substack project, focusing on navigating a career in comics after breaking into the industry, along with thoughts on current trends in comics, the success of the Absolute line and how creators balance their voice when working on established characters.

Jace of The Comic Source is joined by Rocky from Comic Boom! for this week's DC Spotlight as they break down a lighter but still varied week of DC releases. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #50 gets discussed for its Dr. Destiny dream story, Superman's dream Supermobile, and a backup featuring Robin, Supergirl, Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen in a rivalry-fueled mystery. Batman/Static Beyond #5 continues to build around older Static mentoring a younger Batman Beyond while Failsafe and the larger Q-energy conflict move the story forward. Adventures of Superman: Book of El #7 delivers another dense chapter in the House of El saga with Otho-Ra, the future descendants of Superman and the larger science fiction mythology continuing to expand. Batman #8 is a slower setup issue centered on Bruce Wayne's conversation with Alan Scott, the threat of Vandal Savage, and Gotham's mayor Poison Ivy turning the city against Batman and Robin. Absolute Superman #18 stands out with Lois Lane confronting Talia al Ghul over her father's death, Ra's al Ghul showing the effect Superman has had on him, and the issue introducing Absolute versions of John Henry Irons and King Shazam while also hinting at the Phantom Stranger. Poison Ivy #43 continues G. Willow Wilson's character-driven run with Pamela Isley using her position as mayor to go after Gotham's corruption, while also advancing the fallout with Harley Quinn, Janet from HR and the consequences of Bob Venus. Bizarro: Year None #1 offers a different take on Bizarro through a Jimmy Olsen and Perry White focused story that sends them to Bizarro World, with the Daily Planet itself playing into that world's creation. JSA #18 wraps up the Year One material while also including more of the Search for the Spectre backup and its focus on the newer generation of Justice Society characters. Mad About DC #1 serves as a full Mad Magazine-style send-up of DC characters, creators and fandom with multiple standout gags and a tone both hosts found genuinely funny. Batgirl #18 leans deeper into the Spirit World mythology, Cassandra Cain's growing connection to the Wu clan, and the question of whether Lady Shiva is capable of redemption. The episode also includes a rundown of the week's collected editions along with rankings for the books discussed and selections for Book of the Week.

Daredevil is getting a fresh start with a brand new #1 from Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett — but after the last run left a lot of fans frustrated, the real question is whether this reset actually fixes what wasn't working. In this review, Jace takes a look at Daredevil #1 and breaks down what works, what doesn't, and whether this new direction brings Matt Murdock back to the street-level hero fans have been missing. From stronger pacing and action to a compelling new villain in Omen, this issue feels like a true return to form — but is it enough to win fans back long-term? Let us know your thoughts in the comments — did you stick with the last run, or are you jumping back in with this new #1?

Jace takes a look at the first issue of The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace from writer Hannah Rose May, artist Kelsey Ramsey, colorist Heather Breckel and letterer Joe Troutman, discussing how the series builds on the ideas introduced in The Exorcism at 1600 Penn while shifting tone toward a more character-focused and atmospheric approach. The episode covers the setup involving a tragedy at sea that leaves the British royal line in crisis, the introduction of Theo as the reluctant heir to the throne, and the growing suggestion of a malevolent entity tied to the Belmont family that may be influencing his behavior. Jace also examines the pacing differences compared to the previous series, the use of horror elements alongside themes of duty, addiction and public pressure, and how the depiction of the monarchy and media attention adds a grounded layer to the supernatural story. The discussion includes thoughts on Ramsey's textured and visceral art style, how it supports the tone of the narrative, and why the issue presents a compelling foundation for the series moving forward.