The Omnibus

Phillip and Eric are exploiting the algorithm this week by talking Star Wars while it's still hot, but not the Star Wars anyone expected. They're going over the obscure comic Dark Empire by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy, set after Return of the Jedi featuring a resurrected Palpatine when it was still original. They talk about its trippy art and color scheme by Cam Kennedy, its lackluster writing and pacing by comparison, and their shared hatred of The Rise of Skywalker and toxic Star Wars fans who hate The Last Jedi.

Phillip and Eric are talking the Dark Horse creator-owned comic series Hellboy by the legendary Mike Mignola! They discuss Mignola's exquisite and distinctive art style, his Jack Kirby influences, the series drawing upon superhero, gothic horror, pulp, and folklore genres, and Phillip tests if Eric can tell the difference between a quote from Wilson Fisk vs mayor Eric Adams.

Phillip and Eric wrap up their breakdown on Garth Ennis's Punisher MAX run, covering the final three arcs. They discuss what is Ennis's definitive statement on what it means to be the Punisher, gush over the "Widowmakers" arc, and Eric asks Phillip to lend him some money to buy a PS5 and Death Stranding 2.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their discussion on Garth Ennis's iconic run on The Punisher MAX. They talk the influence Ennis's readership of war comics on the series, the introduction of Frank Castle's silliest foe to date, and Eric gushes about the Devil May Cry Netflix series.

Phillip and Eric continue their breakdown of Garth Ennis's run on the Marvel MAX series The Punisher. They discuss the darkest arc of its series with Frank Castle going after human traffickers, the introduction of Nick Fury and espionage elements into the story, and why Phillip hates Boston.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric kick off their breakdown on Garth Ennis's seminal Punisher MAX run with Punisher: Born and the first 12 issues of the MAX series. They discuss Garth Ennis's take on the Punisher as a sociopathic, battle-hardened war veteran anti-hero, the series' critique of the military-industrial complex, and whether Wilson Fisk would be a better mayor of NYC than Eric Adams.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric take a crack at the YA girl camper adventure comic series Lumberjanes by N.D. Stevenson and Shannon Watters. They discuss its lovingly idiosyncratic art style, the storytelling touches brought on by an all-female team, and why black people don't go camping.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric return to the timely Image Comic series, The Department of Truth by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds. Three more volumes have been published from where the duo left out last year, so they dissect the series' examination of institutional power, its unexpected twists and character revelations, and Eric tries to spread the gospel of Dr. Yakub and the white devil race.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric watch the much underrated Blue Beetle movie directed by Angel Nanuel Soto and starring Xolo Maridueña. They gush about the movie, discuss their experiences with the Jaime Reyes version of the character from the comics, and Eric makes sure to give Phil lots of shit for not watching this movie in theaters.

In this episode, to give some extra time for the next reading, Phillip and Eric are back at it with revisting the CW Arrowverse, this time on the Arrow episode, "Suicide Squad." They discuss how Diggle is the best character on the show, their wishlist of Suicide Squad characters, and compare Mass Effect playthroughs.

In this episode recorded over Presidents' Day Weekend, Phillip and Eric celebrate the American presidency by talking the Image comic Killadelphia by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander, a comic where John Adams became a vampire! They talk about the vampire tropes the comic avoids and the tropes it leans into, its blending of the vampire genre with political commentary and marginalized groups in America, and Eric educates Phillip on how the Delaware crossing is not the same thing as crossing the Rubicon.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric mixes things up with a rewatch commentary on the Flash episode, "Rogue Air." Because they ran out of time to do the reading, so why not have some fun?

In this episode, Phillip and Eric tackle the legendary Alan Moore run of the DC comic series Saga of the Swamp Thing. They talk about its literary yet weird reimaging of Swamp Thing, its sophisticated page designs, and Eric fires Phillip from his role as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (and Belonging?) Officer.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric tackle the first volume of the fantasy anthropomorphic mice series, Mouse Guard by David Petersen. They break down its detailed, print-making influenced illustrations, the elegant simplicity of its panel layouts, and its extensive worldbuilding centered around being as small as a mouse. Plus, Eric makes Phillip talk about Magic: the Gathering again!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric look back on the DC Comics modern classic, the new 52 run of Wonder Woman byBrian Azarello and Cliff Chiang. They discuss its then-controversial changes to established lore and backstory to Diana and the Amazons, Cliff Chiang's sublime design, and Eric and Phil discuss some DC movie memes on Twitter.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the creator-owned apolitical but political thriller comic Scarlet by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. They discuss how a middle-aged white guy from suburban Ohio created a comic in 2010 that eerily resembled the protests and anti-establishment sentiment in the decade to follow, its trademark Bendis thumbprint of heavy dialogue, and Phillip gives an impromptu review of the movie It Ends With Us starring Blake Lively.

Phillip and Eric end 2024 by talking the genre-bending manga series Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu! They discuss its quirky blend of sci-fi/fantasy shonen action with romantic comedy, its cast of nuanced characters that defy genre archetypes, and whether Phil believe in ghosts or aliens are more likely than Eric finding true love over the internet.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the Webtoon Canvas horror series, The Pale Woman by UnFrozen70. They talk about its unique visual style as brought about the constraints of the webtoon format, its eerie atmosphere and intentionally opaque plot, and Eric educates Phillip about Kwanzaa!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking the Image series Home Sick Pilots by Dan Watters and Casper Wijngaard. They break down its weird, unique mashup of haunted horse horror, punk rock, and mecha genres, its unusually vibrant color scheme for a horror comic, and Eric asks Phillip to weigh in on controversial takes on Gundam.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk about the manga series Yu-Gi-Oh! by Kazuki Takashi, and the basis for the anime, card game, and media franchise. Because a manga around a children's card game seems ripe for discussion.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric break down the infamous Marvel comic Ultimatum by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. Because sometimes, you gotta talk about the bad comics to learn about what not to do.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk about the reboot of the Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto. They discuss Hickman's reimagining of a middle-aged Peter Parker who has a wife and kids in lieu of personal tragedy, his adherence and deviations to the classic Spider-Man formula, and Phillip educates Eric on 50 Cent's petty grudges.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking about the reboot of Marvel's Ultimate line with Ultimate Invasion by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch. They break down its differences verus Mark Millar's Ultimates twenty years ago, Hickman applying his radical worldbuilding and high-concept sci-fi to the Marvel line, and Phillip and Eric react to the Magic: the Gathering cards of Marvel characters!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric conclude their retrospective on the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina, by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They discuss its twist ending, the culmination of the series' sci-fi and superhero elements fusing with 2000s-era politics, and Eric asks Phillip to join him in launching his campaign to replace Eric Adams as mayor of New York.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the penultimate part of the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They talk about the series's most out-there foray into genre space, Mayor Mitchell Hundred's descent into greater political ambitions, and Eric asks Phillip about New Yorker stereotypes.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their retrospective on the DC Comics/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They share their feelings on this being the weakest part of the series, the outdatedness of the political issues it tackles in this portion, and Phillip educates Eric on Mayor Eric Adams and NYC's checkered mayoral history.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their retrospective on the Wildstorm/DC political superhero comic series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They break down Harris's exquisite art style, discuss the comic's approach to terrorism and supervillains, and Phillip educates Eric about New York subways and ferries.

Just in time for election season, Phillip and Eric kick off the first part of their retrospective on the DC/Wildstorm political superhero series, Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughn and Tony Harris. They talk about the comic as a time capsule of post-9/11 New York, its approach of a former superhero becoming mayor of New York and putting out political fires, and The Omnibus gives its official endorsement for 2024 US presidential race!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the Image horror graphic novel Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. They break down this legendary duo's stretching their usual noir stories by adding a horror twist, the use of satanic ritual abuse hysteria as a storytelling device, and Eric accuses Phillip of worshipping the devil.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk the Image superhero comic Local Man by Tim Seely and Tony Fleecs. They break down how it approaches the '90s superhero genre with affectionate mockery, its use of two (and later three) distinctly different art styles to establish an unique visual language that pays homage to the eras of Image Comics, and Phillip educates Eric on the obscure '90s action show, Vanishing Point.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric return to the shonen action manga Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Now that Eric is finally caught up, they discuss their reactions to Denji's character development, the differences between Part 1 and Part 2, and gush over Fukimoto's twisted sense of humor.

Phillip and Eric conclude their retrospective on Grant Morrison's epic Batman run with the final part of BATMAN INCORPORATED with Chris Burnham, featuring the death of Damien Wayne and the final showdown with Talia Al'Ghul. They also discuss Eric's new fascination with cat manga, Phillip failing to materialize Damson Idris into the MCU, and how Phillip still hasn't seen On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their breakdown of Grant Morrison's epic Batman run with the second part of the Batman Incorporated arc debuting during the New 52 with artists Chris Burnham, Frazier Irving, and more! They discuss Morrison's deep dive into the backstory of Talia al Ghul, Chris Burnham's rough and tumble art style, and reveal the global expansion of The Omnibus Incorporated!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric talk the first part of the third act of Grant Morrison's epic run on Batman with Batman Incorporated, featuring art by Yanick Paquette, Chris Burnham, and more. They talk about Morrison's reinvention of Batman as a global crimefighting organization, the reintroduction of the Golden Age Batwoman and the extended Bat family, and figuring out who's in charge of the all the spy agencies in the DC universe.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the conclusion of the second act of Grant Morrison's Batman epic with The Return of Bruce Wayne and the final part of Batman and Robin with Frazier Irving. They break down Frazier Irving's surreal, moody art, discuss the philosophy of "vibes, not plot", and weigh in on the stupid Drake/Kendrick Lamar feud.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric go over the first part Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin featuring the debut of Dick Grayson as Batman and Damien Wayne as Robin, with art by Frank Quitely, Phillip Tan, Chris Burnham, and more. They discuss the new dynamic of the new Dynamic Duo, the meta-commentary of the return of Jason Todd on post-Watchmen superheroes, and Phillip reacts to a clip from Titans to juice the algorithm!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are continuing their breakdown of Grant Morrison's run on Batman with the big epic DC event, Final Crisis and Superman Beyond with art by J.G. Jones, Doug Mahnke, et al. They discuss this tangential yet essential tie-in to the death of Bruce Wayne story arc, debate on the quality of the story choices Morrison makes within Final Crisis, and Eric asks Phillip if it's racist to exclude Martian Manhunter from the Justice League.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their discussion of Grant Morrison's Batman run with Batman R.I.P., drawn by Tony Daniel. They break down Morrison's revamping of Silver Age campiness with a dark twist, their ultimate statement on what it takes to be Batman, and Eric confides in Phillip about some romantic troubles he's been having with his girlfriends Mitsuru and Aegis.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their breakdown of Grant Morrison's Batman run with the second arc, The Black Glove with J.H. Williams III and Tony Daniel. They discuss Morrison's reintroduction of campy Silver Age elements like the Club of Heroes and Bat-Mite but with a darker twist, go over J.H. Williams's exquisite panel design, and debate whether the X-Men have privilege.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric kick off the first of a multi-episode breakdown of Grant Morrison's definitive Batman run with Batman and Son with art by Andy Kubert. They talk about the introduction of Damien Wayne, Grant Morrison being a true auteur artist within mainstream superhero comics and laying the foundation for their take on the Batman mythos, and Phillip and Eric voice their hot takes on the latest trends to juice the algorithm!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are breaking down the Denpa manga Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack - Beltorchika's Children by Uroaki Sabisi and Takayuki Yanase. They go real deep into the lore of the Gundam franchise, debate of whether a primarily adapted property works well in comics, and Eric makes fun of Phillip for spending money on Gundam toys.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are discussing the Black Dynamite comic by IDW, written by Brian Ash and drawn by a multitude of artists including Ron Wimberly, Jun Lofamia and more. They discuss the translation of the movie's humor into comic form, quote the movie back and forth, and Eric subjects Phil to a test of his blackness.

In this episode, Phillip asks Eric about two of the comic series personally edited by the latter: the Tapas webtoon series, The Undefeatable Swordsman and the manga series on J-Novel Club, The Frontier Lord Begins With Zero Subjects. They go over the behind the scenes work of webtoon and manga localization, Phil's distaste of light novel titles, and give a brief overview of the critical and commercial bomb that is Sony's Madame Web movie. Check out the series here: The Frontier Lord Begins With Zero Subjects: Tales of Blue Dias and The Onikin Alna The Undefeatable Swordsman

In this episode, Phillip and Eric wrap their discussion on the Image series The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. They break down the whether the plot threads came together, the use of differing artists and prose pages for time jumps, and Eric tries to prove how cool he really is to Phil.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their breakdown of the Image series, The Wicked + The Divine written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Jaime McKelvie. They talk McKelvie's use of logos and graphic design, debate the ease of following the plot, and Eric schools Phillip on notable black figures in history!

In this episode, Phillip and Eric continue their discussion of the Image series The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen an Jamie McKelvie. They discuss the next installment's use of guest artists and Phillip schools Eric on Kanye West albums.

In this first part of a four episode series, Phillip and Eric discuss the first eleven issues of the Image series The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie! They talk about its unique premise of combining godhood with celebrity culture, its basis of its characters off of famous music icons, and Phillip tests Eric's knowledge of Billie Ellish songs.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric discuss the Yen Press manga memoir My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness by Kai Nagata. They discuss its unique visual style compared to other manga, its candid discussion of the author's mental health struggles and visiting a lesbian escort agency, and how Phillip has the three strikes of being problematic by not having watched Echo yet.

In this episode, Eric and Phillip kick off 2024 by going back to their roots and revisit the very first comics they ever read: Venom on Trial by Marvel for Eric and The Death of Superman for Phil. Listen to how these comics have and haven't aged very well, plus Eric lambasts Phil for his continuing failure to improve diversity and inclusion by not catching up on the Hulu Wu-Tang show.

Phillip and Eric close out 2023 by finishing their watch and commentary on The Flash movie. Hear Eric's moans of pain as the mediocrity deadens his brain, their suggestions on a variety of different movies and tv shows that would be better to watch, and how Phil is still racist for not having watched Blue Beetle.

In this episode, Phillip and Eric are talking two award-nominated manga series: the slice of life comedy Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani, and the demented shonen action series Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Plus, they announce a bold new direction for their webcomic that's sure to juice the algorithm! Read their kung-fu crime webcomic Black Ghost on the following platforms: WEBTOON Tapas