We Like Comics Because They Have no Bones

It's the year of the villain! In this dramatic finale to Dan Slott's Superior Spider-Man, everything comes crashing down for Otto Octavius as Norman Osborn unleashes chaos across New York. "SpideyJoe" brings the action to life with a full-on audio drama retelling the final chapter of this series (2013)!In this episode, we discuss the different methodology (and psychology) of Otto Octavius and Peter Parker, as well as highlighting several questions beginners might have about this chapter in Spider-Man's history. As the resident Spider-expert, Joe brings to light how Venom and the Avengers impact this story, and more importantly, how Marvel editorial didn't! Plus: how does Norman Osborn shape the lives of both Octavius and Parker, and why is he the perfect villain to end on?

It's the year of the villain! In this episode, we got the scoop direct from the horse's mouth, direft from the mouth of Doom! Just don't tell him we called him a horse... Our discussion will give you all you need to know about the greatest leader the world has ever known: Victor Von Doom! From his humble origins as a Romani orphan, to his days as a world renowned scholar, we'll tell you all you need to know about how he became our benevolent ruler!

It's the year of the villain! In this episode, we cover Dark Horse and Archie Comics' mid 2010s crossover, Archie vs. Predator! But what can possibly bring these two disparate properties together? How can the kids of Riverdale survive? And who does Betty have to stab in the back to finally get Archie to notice her?! This episode has all this and more!

It's the year of the villain! While Wildstorm characters have been a part of DC's Prime Earth since 2011, they've had many false starts and misteps. This episode focuses on the morally grey (anti?) heroes, WildC.A.T.s, and how they fit (or don't) into the larger picture of DC. While Matthew Rosenberg and Steven Segovia's new run has been fairly well-received, can it win over new readers?

It's the year of the villain! Jeff Parker and Ciro Cangialosi expand Dynamite'sDarkwing Duck line with a focus on his arch-nemesis:Negaduck!In this episode, we'll discuss: our memories of Negaduck from childhood, how this new story compares to theDisney Afternoon original, and a surprisingly informative tangent about… quicksand?

It's the year of the villain! To open our fifth season, we take a look at Christopher Priest's critically acclaimed run on Deathstroke. We discuss Slade Wilson's dysfunctional family as well as his "allies", Kid Flash, Terra, and Power Girl. With a lot of continuity to track, we guide you this story that involves sociopaths, hidden agendas, and even a surprising link between Liam Neeson and Eddie Murphy!

As we put 2024 in the rear view mirror, join us as we recap the highlights (and lowlights) of our fourth season! We discuss positive changes we've made, express our surprise at which episode resonated the most with our audience, and give you a preview of what's to come in 2025!

What do you get when you combine a hard-luck Avenger, a surprisingly "settled" Merc with a Mouth, and a Halloween party gone awry? Clint (Hawkeye) and Wade (Deadpool) team up in this hilarious and action-packed miniseries by Gerry Duggan, featuring unexpected twists, Skycycle jokes, and Black Cat causing trouble. Join us as we discuss Clint's questionable costume choices, Deadpool's surprising family life, and whether Hawkeye's "I shut a door, and it changed lives" arc hits the mark!

Witches, Demons, and Vampires, oh my! Journey with us through Edenwood, Tony S. Daniel's creator-owned world from Image Comics. With detailed art and intricate world-building, we'll attempt to make sense of all the lore so you can follow this story (and our discussuon). Join Rion Astor, Adelai, and us as we venture deep into the heart of Necronema!

In this continuity-heavy story based on Dr. Who, Jody Houser brings back the 8th Doctor in a crossover with the 11th! Join us as we unpack the complicated history of these characters, discuss parallel universes, and even briefly discuss the artist's depiction of Billie Piper's lips! Enjoy our second foray into Titan Comics' Dr. Who comics!

Joe and Mike take a look at a fascinating character study of one of Star Wars' most important characters: Grand Admiral Thrawn! In Jody Houser and Luke Ross' adaptation of the novel by Timothy Zahn, there's a unique challenge: condensing a novel into comic book format! Joe practices his best Lars Mikkelson impression, while Mike has a million questions about the Empire and its inner workings, just like Thrawn! Join us for a closer look at this fascinating character!

Join us as we go back to the year 1998, when Star Trek Deep Space Nine was in its sixth (penultimate) season. Mike Chen and Angel Hernandez give us a new, missing episode with 'The Dog of War,' an exploration of just what it would be like if a rare corgi came to the station...and some rogue Borg technology! We discuss the challenge of fitting a new "episode" within an already heavily serialized portion of the show, writing characters with a unique voice, and even the strangeness of addressing the Borg this late in the series' life. So get out your latinum, hold on to your raktajino, and take a runabout back to your favorite space station: Deep Space Nine!

Just like Agents Mulder & Scully investigated the paranormal for years, Joe & Mike are investigating their 2013 series published by IDW! Join us as we discuss the impact the show had on the TV landscape, the merits of modernizing this property, and how the art pays tribute to the look of the show! The truth is out there!

Join Joe and Mike as they go to St. Canard, the city where raucous rogues rush recklessly to racketeering and rage! Our discussion compares the animated series from the 90s to Dynamite's recent comic book revival, written by Amanda Deibert and penciled by Carlo Lauro. If you're a fan of the Duckverse, this is the episode for you! Let's get DANGEROUS!

Part of Brian Michael Bendis' Jinxworld imprint, Pearl follows the exploits of a young tatoo artist in San Francisco trying to navigate the seedy world of the Yakuza! With Bendis on writing and Michael Gaydos on art, this crime thriller has one of the most high profile teams in comics...but can they deliver like they did with Jessica Jones? Joe and Mike discuss similarities to Tatantino, the problem with making an invincible protagonist, and the issues that can crop up with style-over-substance storytelling. And yes...they still find a way to work in a Star Trek reference!

Joe and Mike take a look at a recent(ish) run of some of Marvel's lesser known vigilantes: Cloak and Dagger! Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson may have never had an ongoing title, but their stories are still impactful and relevant. The guys discuss problematic relationships, morally ambiguous superheroes, and the new villain Grey, all while imagining their own possibilities for the story! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Michael Dorn's entry into DC Comics' writing staff begins with the character he voiced in Superman The Animated Series: Steel! Joe and Mike's discussion will take you through high concept sci-fi ideas, reformed villains tropes in comics, and even an exploration of how to make a new character unique. Enjoy all this as well as a brief history of John Henry Irons in the most modern comic we've ever reviewed! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Vampires, and demons, and witches, oh my! Join us as we "splainy" the first trade of Joss Whedon's Dark Horse series, following the official canon continuation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Join us as we explain the context you need to dive into this series, talk about entertainment made just for fans, and talk about Whedon's writing, the good and the bad! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Following Brad Meltzer's successful Identity Crisis event, he became the regular writer for DC's JLA, alongside penciler Ed Benes. Joe and Mike take a look at the backstory of Red Tornado, discuss familiar sci-fi tropes in comics, and talk about the challenges of transitioning from novelist to comic book writer. Also: Are the DC Trinity a bunch of elitist snobs?! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

With the passing of the legendary storyteller and artist Akira Toriyama, Joe and Mike delve into one of his most loved creations: Dragon Ball Z! While the anime was a smash hit here in the States, the guys discuss the interesting relationship it had with censorship, the impact of having limited access to Japanese media in the 90s, and the genius of its world-building and character work. Plus! A special spotlight on Krillin. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Originally published in Japan in .hack//the magazine, this manga centers on the many trials and tribulations of players of the online game "The World." Hard science fiction meets existential crises as we ask the question, who has more of a right to exist: man or AI? And is this streamlined retelling of the .hack tetralogy worthy of your time, or is it as dated as Y2K? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

After a long run on Sonic at Archie Comics, writer Ian Flynn makes the move to IDW to explore even more stories with the Blue Blur. We do our best to explain the vast array of characters and surprisingly deep lore in the first 12 issues of this series, all while reveling in some early-90s nostalgia. Gotta go fast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

The New Warriors have had a troubled history at Marvel Comics, from falling out of favor with readers in the 90s, to being blamed for Civil War. But can these characters exist in the modern era? We'll take you on a tour of Christopher Yost's run in its entirety, examining questions of identity, genetic engineering, and character development in service of a larger narrative! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Join us as we celebrate the biggest winners from our 2023 reviews, discuss what we'd like to improve, and go on plenty of tangents about the state of superhero cinema! Plus, Joe and Mike talk about what's in store for 2024, and we look forward to another great year of comics! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Joe and Mike head to the seedy underbelly of the Marvel Universe with Jessica Jones! Popularized by the Netflix (now Disney+) show, Jessica Jones debuted in the pages of Alias, created by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos. The guys discuss making comics more like movies, why subtext makes a good character, and why even the letterer has an impact on good storytelling. Join us as we explore Marvel's snarkiest, most flawed female character in her early days! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

Joe and Mike look at Jaime Reyes' inroduction to Prime Earth in his debut New 52 adventure by Tony Bedard and Ig Guara! The guys discuss the phenomenon of superhero fatigue, the difficulty of balancing good world-building with character development, and what elements they each feel are central to establishing Blue Beetle as his own character. And don't forget, you're not allowed to go anywhere near Tio Amparo's house! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonelesscomicspodcast/message

An examination of Yoko Taro's darkly hopeful prequel to Nier Automata, this is Joe and Mike's first foray into manga! We discuss the differences between Eastern and Western comics, the visual language of manga, and the dense world-building of this unique world. What begins as a discussion solely about Nier turns into a larger discussion about science fiction tropes, the strength of the genre, and yes, invites inevitable references to Star Trek...again!

Thing get all wibbly-wobbly and timey-wimey in this episode as the guys explore Titan Comics' Dr. Who series! Joe and Mike discuss the plot mechanics of time travel, the difficulty in translating the Angels to comic book form, and the importance of building a cohesive world with your art. This story covers David Tennant's version of the Doctor, better known as the Tenth Doctor!

Flash fact: If you're a fan of the Scarlet Speedster, you'll really enjoy this episode! Joe and Mike go back to the 90s to discuss Wally West's legacy, the writing of Mark Waid, and why Eobard Thawne is the most twisted supervillain in comic books. But is it possible for something written in the "dark age" of the 90s to surpass its edgy contemporaries and deliver a good story? And where exactly is Barry Allen? Listen in to find out!

Cast adrift in a long hiatus, Joe and Mike return to tackle the Sentinel of Liberty's adventures in Dimension Z! Join us for an examination of Rick Remender and John Romita Jr's bizarre sci-fi epic featuring Steve Rogers, Arnim Zola, and more than a few references to the New Gods! We discuss Cap's impact on the people around him, half-baked sci-fi concepts, and how to follow one of the most acclaimed runs on the book of all time.

With only 3 years between the comic and the film adaptation, The Mask represents perhaps the fastest comic-to-movie turnaround. John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke may not have created the character, but they popularized the tone and many of the scenes we associate with Big Head today! Join us for a discussion that takes us from the blood-splattered violence of the 90s to 1950s jazz crooners, all with our signature wit and comic-book-know-how. Ssssmokin!

Three years of podcasting, and for the third annual time, we're covering Star Trek! This time, however, we examine a series that has no connection to actual filmed production with IDW's Star Trek Year Five! Our discussion takes us from Hesperides to Simga Iotia III, all with a young Tholian aboard! Join us for our examination of this collaborative effort by many of the talents at IDW, and as always: live long and prosper!

Join us for the backstory of a character introduced in Star Wars Rebels: Kanan Jarrus! Greg Weisman and Pepe Larraz give us a coming-of-age story with divided loyalties, betrayal, and hard lessons. Join the guys as they unpack the history surrounding this comic, and discuss how they were both "late bloomers" when it came to enjoying Star Wars. May the Force be with you!

Keanu Reeves' freshman effort in comics teams him up with industry veterans Matt Kindt and Ron Garney! BRZRKR is the bloody tale of an immortal half-man, half-god, compelled to violence but not enamored with it. Listen as we discuss the hyper-violence of the book, science fiction genre tropes, and how good execution can sell a concept that seems rote on the surface. Find out what we think of the most successful comic book Kickstarter ever, BRZRKR! Vowels not included.

An event tie-in is the beginning of Daniel Way's controversial retooling of Wade Wilson, the mercenary known as Deadpool! Joe and Mike discuss the Marvel event Secret Invasion, focusing on Deadpool's tie-in issues, which caused a stir with fans at the time. Enjoy these Madcap adventures as the guys talk to each other and the voices in their head! Guest-starring Blooper of the Atlanta Braves!

Eoj dna Ekim enimaxe eht lacigam edis fo eht Ecotsuj Eugael! Join us for an examination of one of the most interesting and bizarre teams DC has to offer, the Justice League Dark. Ram V and Xermanico tackle the team after they've been relegated to backup stories in the main Justice League title. Join us as we discuss the impact this has had on the storytelling, the danger of using tired character tropes, and how Man-Bat is better than Batman (in this case)!

In the mid-70s, Gold Key was home to a number of licensed comics, which included the Addams Family! Fresh from watching Netflix's Wednesday, Joe and Mike examine this interesting piece of history from a long-gone publisher. But is this spooky and kooky, or should it have stayed in the grave? Join us to find out, as well as hear our thoughts on the various media adaptations of Charles Addams' work!

Carol Danvers and Rogue have a long-standing rivalry in the Marvel Universe, but where did it all begin? Joe and Mike dive headfirst into the world of Chris Claremont's X-men, discovering new, and sometimes disturbing, aspects of both character's histories. Discover along with us how the darkest chapter in Carol Danvers' history was redeemed.

Dan Abnett and Stjepan Sejic's collaboration is one of the few modern Aquaman stories to get a Deluxe Hardcover edition, but is it deserving of this honor? The guys talk about coherent world-building, the importance of art that communicates emotion, and discuss the controversy in the Justice League tie-in to this arc. Plus! An endless string of water-based puns may spell dangerous waters for our listeners!

Joe and Mike sink their teeth into the supernatural side of Marvel with Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin's Blade series! This "re-vamp" (pun intended) was meant to capitalize on the success of the film trilogy, while making Blade relevant to the Marvel universe again after a long absence. The guys discuss whether or not vampires have souls, whether or not suspenders are needed to fight the undead, and the surprising success of putting the classic Dracula into a superhero universe!

Our annual year-end extravaganza! Join us for a guided tour of the last year, exploring our regrets, biggest successes, and how the podcast production has changed over the last season! Plus, we speculate on what characters we want to tackle in 2023, as well as continuing the age-old debate of how to pronounce "lawyer!"

Rob Liefeld's first professional work in comics was Hawk and Dove, where he co-created Dawn Granger with Barbara and Karl Kesel. Joe and Mike talk about having the ending spoiled before you begin, the political meaning behind Steve Ditko's early work, and even a surprising link between this story and a 90s sci-fi classic! Don't miss our last full review of season 2!

NIER, the quirky, cult classic title originally released for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, seems an odd choice for a comic book adaptation. But with the recent(ish) success of the NieR series on Playstation 4, Joe and Mike decide to visit the tie-in comic Square Enix commissioned through Wildstorm comics! The discussion involves mad science gone wrong, talking books, and lots of background lore that may enhance your enjoyment of the story. Visit the beautiful, dangerous, and divisive world of NieR.

In the second of two parts, Joe and Mike discuss the moral greys of international politics, the confusion of seeing lesser-knowns in civilian garb, and whether or not maiming people is better than killing! Join us for a fascinating character study of Black Adam that gets into some real world issues, while we compare the comic to the movie it inspired!

Shazam! In the first of two parts, Joe and Mike take a look at the history of the oldest superhero team in comics...the Justice Society of America! We'll make sense of the retcons, legacy characters, and even the geographic location of Kahnaq, so you can fully appreciate our story analysis of Black Reign.

Joe and Mike finally tackle Mike's favorite title at Marvel...The Fantastic Four! Jonathan Hickman's run on the title is one of the highest reviewed critically, but does it collapse under the weight of too many big ideas? And can Mike and Joe possibly balance the weight of their immense intellects with their friendship? Also featuring Spider-Man, Dragon Man, and some sweet, sweet jazz!

The guys go all the way back to 1987 for Bob Burden's Flaming Carrot #16, the first appearance of the Mystery Men! If you like absurdist humor, this title has everything, from carrot-men and clones of Hitler's feet to a super-villain barbecue! Both Joe and Mike nerd out to the numerous references to other comics, as well as the first appearance of The Shoveler and Mr. Furious, who later appeared in Kinka Usher's 1999 movie.

Turtle power! Joe and Mike explore various one-shots focusing on each of the Ninja Turtles, intended to highlight their uniqueness and build up the lore around IDW's 2011 relaunch of their ongoing title. But should these icons of the 80s and 90s have stayed in the sewers, or do they still feel relevant today? And who are newcomers Alopex and Kara Lewis?

Due to a goof on our part, we ended up reading two different story arcs for She-Hulk...so we reviewed them both! Enjoy a defining moment in the history of Jennifer Walters, the She-Hulk, and discover just what makes her special among the Marvel pantheon of heroes. Guest-starring the Time Variance Authority!

Described as "Ally McBeal with muscles" by some fans, Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo's run on She-Hulk begins here! While this run may have polarized fans, we were unanimous on our decision about its quality. Explore the wild world of superhuman law with us as your hosts! Part 1 of 2.

The New 52, DC's 2011 linewide reboot, brought with it many offbeat and experimental titles, but few of those lasted a long time. Red Lanterns is the exception, exploring issues of rage, hatred, camaraderie, redemption, and even redefining what a team book could be. Joe and Mike discuss the beginning of Charles Soule's run and Guy Gardner's induction into the team, as well as feeling empathy for a giant, mutli-tentacled alien brain!