Episodes

3d ago

EPISODE 340 - We take a look at the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. It came out in 1990 and was a runaway smash hit. Will is watching it for the first time. Kevin saw it when it came out, but maybe not since. How does it hold up? Listen and find out! No Loose Screws this week! Is that okay? ------------ Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to support the show and to get monthly bonus episodes. Proceed pay our server costs and anything leftover goes to comics-related charities. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Dec 10

EPISODE 339 - We take a look at the show that brought huge fame for the Turtle -- the original Saturday morning TV show. Although primarily made as a way to promote the new toy line, the creators of this TV show also wanted it to be good. So there was a lot of thought put into this show. They took a lot of visual designs from the comic, but simplified the story considerable. They added new characters (Rocksteady and BeBop), half-new characters (Krang the talking brain) and gave April a more specific consistent personality. We look at the first five episodes, which is the entire first season and which tell a single story. The story gets complicated, but it's fun and thoughtful and... pretty darn good. Hey, maybe these Turtles are gonna be around for a while. In Loose Screws, we talk about the new season of Stranger Things. Next week we go over the first TMNT live action movie! ------------ Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to support the show and to get monthly bonus episodes. Proceed pay our server costs and anything leftover goes to comics-related charities. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 26

EPISODE 338 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Dark Knight Returns style! We go over the 2020(ish) mini series The Last Ronin. This takes place in a bleak future version of our world, where only one turtle is still alive, and he is fighting to avenge his fallen brothers and father. It was a hit story and mostly very well received by fans! There is a very clear influence from Frank Miller's mid-1980s Batman story The Dark Knight Returns, but it's still very much a TMNT story, albeit one in the "mature, violent" category. Kevin Eastman collaborated on this, using an outline he and Peter Laird had done in 1987 as a starting point. Along with writer Tom Waltz and a cadre of brilliant arists (Esau and Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop as well as Kevin Eastman), they craft a dark post-apocalyptic (not technically, but it feels like a fallen world) landscape. We visit most of the main cast of Turtles lore (in the comics) one way or the other. Despite all the harshness and sad turns, it's very fun! In Loose Screws, we talk about Batman: Dark Patterns, which Kevin loves (and Will has not read).

Nov 19

EPISODE 337 - We review the three issue arc "Return To New York" which was one of the last true Eastman/Laird TMNT stories ... ever? Sort of ever! It's a gritty violent story that almost feels like a defiant statement in contrast to the then-brand-new TMNT television cartoons which were coming out. We do like it, though it's missing some of the humor and humanity of the previous Eastman/Laird issues. For Loose Screws, Will talks about The Pitt and Kevin discusses how Stranger Things mentions War Games, which means we also have an episode of our sub podcast Screw It, We're Just Going To Talk About War Games.

Nov 12

EPISODE 336 - We are at issue 11 of the original run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics. April and the gang are recovering in a New England farm. April writes in a diary, and we see through her eyes how each of the other characters recovers from the crushing defeat they had at the hands of Shredder last issue. It's a contemplative, emotional and dare we say it --- extremely patient and grown-up issue! The comic that started at least partly as a laugh and a lark has matured into a full world with feelings and integrity! We love this issue! In a way, this is the end of the first era of these comics. From this point on, it's rare that both creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird would be involved at the same time making the comics. There are some exceptions (We will cover the trilogy they did the next year in our next episode). But this is the end of their initial run. We forgo Loose Screws this episode to instead discuss a "Relevant Screw." We discuss the most successful of the Turtle rip-off comics: Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters. is it good? Well, no. But there's something kinda fun amidst the mess! --- For bonus monthly episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Oct 29

EPISODE 335 - We're approaching the end of the first batch of Eastman/Laird issues on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This issue is an action packed issue-long battle between the full team of Turtles/Splinter/April versus the newly-returned Shredder!!! Very fun! In Loose Screws, Kevin discusses the book Project Hail Mary and the Enforcers card in the Marvel themed Magic card deck. And Will starts an episode of Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About War Games to discuss the new Kathryn Bigelow movie A House Of Dynamite. --- For bonus monthly episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Oct 22

In the early days of TMNT comics, the creators published four separate one-issue "micro-series" for each of the four turtles. Basically one-shot stories for each one. We reviewed the Raphael one-shot a bit earlier in this season. This episode we take a look at the stories for Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo. In general we liked these just a bit more than the "regular" issues the creators were doing at the same time. These one-shots are simple and uncluttered and really fun. For Loose Screws, Kevin talks Peacemaker season 2 and what it's like to be out of sync with the opinions presented on social media. Will talks about the video game Baby Steps. --- For bonus monthly episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Oct 15

We are up to issue 9 of the original run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics. This is a stand-alone adventure in which the young turtled and splinter help an old man pass on the honoable samurai magic of his family to his grandson. We are seeing Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird pull back from working on the comic. This issue they wrote and helped ink but did not do the pencils for. As the Turtles get more popular, this will be the pattern! Next episode we go over the one-shot comics for Leonardo, Donatello and Michaelangelo. For Loose Screws, Will talks about the Marx Brothers and Kevin talks about The Knives by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. -------------- Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Oct 8

We go over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7! This is the end of the "outer space" arc. It's a very busy issue with lots of exposition but the art is beautiful and the comic remains fun. For Loose Screws, Kevin discusses two recent graphic novel biographies of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee!

Sep 24

EPISODE 331 - We go over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6! This is a continuation of the epic "space" arc in which the Turtles meet Fugatoid, the Triceratons and the Federation (something like that?) The art is more ambitious than ever! The action is fun and compelling! The dialogue is... out of control with huge Stan Lee levels of exposition on almost every page! But the comic is fun! For Loose Screws, we talk about staying in Christopher Reeve's house and also Spinal Tap! Now that's loose! ---------------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus epsiodes at screwitpodcasts.com, if you please!

Sep 17

EPISODE 330 - We go over TMNT#5. Stuff gets very wild as we meet Fugitoid and the Triceritons. Oh and the, er, Federations? Some human army. Anyway, the Turtles are in space and in the middle of a three-way battle for a scientist trapped in a runaway robot's body. Again, this is issue number FIVE. Loose screws: Kevin talks Alien Earth and will talks Spaghetti Westerns. ----------------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus epsiodes at screwitpodcasts.com, if you please!

Aug 27

EPISODE 329 - We continue our coverage of the original run of TMNT comics! This week, we go over issue #4! We learn more about what's going on inside the alien organization TCRI! ----------------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus epsiodes at screwitpodcasts.com, if you please!

Aug 20

EPISODE 328 - We continue our coverage of the original run of TMNT comics! This week, we go over the Raphael one-shot, which came out between issues 3 and 4. This features the debut of Casey Jones! ----------------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus epsiodes at screwitpodcasts.com, if you please!

Aug 13

EPISODE 327 - We go over issue 3 of the original run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. Our guest is Elliott Kalan! Elliott is the co-host of the terrific podcast The Flophouse, as well as being an Actual Comics Writer, currently writing Harley Quinn. In this issue, the turtles and April go on a 10+ page car chase! And... that's mostly it! but it's cool! ----------------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus epsiodes at screwitpodcasts.com, if you please!

Jul 30

We're on to issue #2 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! After issue one is a surprise hit, the creators scramble to come up with a second issue. We get a not-quite-as-good but still-pretty-good story! We meet April and a new villain Baxter Stockman. We learn that Donatello is tech savvy and that Splinter has an extensive book collection! We also go over a survey Kevin ran to see just how much people know about the Turtles, even if they are not especially big fans! And a brief loose screw segment where we chat about the Superman and FF movie. We plan to go over it even more in our sop-scriber episode next week! -------- For bonus episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Jul 23

EPISODE 325 - We start our season on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with an in-depth look at the original issue #1. Famously created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, this issue was meant as a one-shot story. Not quite a joke, but not quite serious either, the creators had no idea they were creating a media empire. The comic is good! We meet the turtles, Master Splinter and Shredder! How much did Will know about the turtles going in (not much). But how much did he like the comic? A lot! ------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/phXVFgB4ck

Jul 16

Episode 324 - We end our Gamma Sops season with an issue that does not have the Hulk in it! Clay Quartermain is testifying before Congress, and Betty is dealing with carrying Bruce's baby! Todd MacFarlane only did breakdowns, but Erik Larsen delivers quality art. It's a fine issue to end our coverage on! Next week: we start our coverage of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with issue one of the original Eastman/Laird run!

Jul 9

EPISODE 323 - THREE MILKSOPS EDITION. A Hines family reunion has put Kevin and Will in the same room with brother Brian, and so we take a slight sidestep from the Peter David / Todd McFarlane run to go to the end of Peter David' first long run on the Hulk. We look at Hulk 467, which features a slightly-in-the-future and maybe-alternate-reality Rick Jones looking back on a future we don't get to see. It's a poignant smart issue -- a fitting end to a tremendous Hulk run! Subscribe for bonus monthly episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Jun 25

This is it! The sorta-kinda final issue from Peter David / Todd McFarlane's run on Hulk! Though Todd only does breakdowns. And he does do layouts next issue, which is the epilogue of the story. Anyway. This is a fun issue! Also sad. But good! ---------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for monthly bonus episodes -- profits go to comics-related charities. Join our free Discord (link at screwitpodcasts.com) And email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Jun 18

It's not the last Todd McFarlane issue, though we're close to the end of his run on Hulk. Nor is it the most ICONIC issue -- that's probably the Hulk/Wolverine fight. But this might be the BEST issue of the Peter David / Todd McFarlane run. Loose Screws: How Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning is really War Games 2. ---------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for monthly bonus episodes -- profits go to comics-related charities. Join our free Discord (link at screwitpodcasts.com) And email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Jun 11

EPISODE 320 - Betty Banner is back in the story, briefly, as Hulk fights the Leader's robots... as does Bruce Banner! Plus we get some nifty flashbacks of the Hulkbusters with great visual from Mr. Todd McFarlane. For Loose Screws, Kevin likes the TV show Murderbot and Will saw an exhibit of Jack Kirby's art. ---------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for monthly bonus episodes -- profits go to comics-related charities. Join our free Discord (link at screwitpodcasts.com) And email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

May 28

We were saddened to hear that Peter David, writer of the very Hulk run we are covering, passed away this past Saturday, May 24, 2025. Kevin and Will devote this episode to David's stellar career. Kevin in particular was a fan of Peter David's work and shares of lot his thoughts and feelings about the many comics he loved that PAD wrote! Among the many comics we discuss: Spider-Man, Hulk, Spider-Man 2099, Future Imperfect, X-Factor, Aquaman, Young Justice and many more! ----------- To subscribe and get bonus monthly episodes, go to screwitpodcasts.com Send thoughts via email to screwitcomics@gmail.com

May 21

EPISODE 318 - It's Hulk versus the Leader! Sort of! Really, it's Hulk versus Half-Life, who was sent BY the Leader. Didn't Hulk beat him pretty easily before? Yeah, but now Half-Life has ARMOR! Despite this lackluster description, the issue is good! Peter David is writing the Grey Hulk as he wishes, and Todd McFarlane's art has fully manifested. In Loose Screws, Will discusses his new ring tone (really) and Kevin is mad about spoilers for the new Thunderbolts* movie. ----- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for monthly bonus episodes -- profits go to comics-related charities. Join our free Discord (link at screwitpodcasts.com) And email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

May 14

EPISODE 317 - Hulk Versus the Man-Bull! Or maybe it's "Savage Man-Bull" or maybe just "Savage!" At any rate, the Hulk fights another mirror image of himself in a way, and he alternatively feels compassion for Man-Bull and also beats him up. For Loose Screws, Will talks about going through a box of old comics his friend gave him, and Kevin talks about the first arc in Season 2 of Andor. ------- For monthly bonus episodes, subscribe at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ Last week we released a bonus ep in which we went through all the stories in Action Comics #1 Join our free Discord -- invite link is also at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com / -------- The end of our episode features an interview between past and future guest Chris Gethard talking to comics creator Ethan Sacks about A HAUNTED GIRL, the comic Ethan made with his daughter Naomi about struggles with suicidal thoughts and depression. They get into using comics to talk about mental health issues. THis is to promote a non-profit Gethard founded called LAUGHING TOGETHER where Gethard gets comedians to use comedy exercises to promote better communication, emptahy, listening and mental health. To learn more about LAUGHING TOGETHER and its parent program WELLNESS TOGETHER go to http://wellnesstogether.org/allhandsondeck

Apr 30

Episode 316 - We go over issue 340, which is the iconic Hulk Vs. Wolverine battle with the even more iconic cover by Todd McFarlane. Wolverine's claws out, reflecting Hulk's angry face. We feel with this issue McFarlane has fully arrived. Peter David is also in fine form, and the result is the best issue in the run so far. For Loose Screws, Will discusses the movie Sinners and Kevin discusses the institution of sports. Stick around to the end for a Watchmen trivia quiz a listener sent if for us! --------- Subscribe to support the show and for bonus episodes at screwitpodcasts.com. May's bonus episode is a review of Action Comics #1. Email us any comics thoughts you have at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Apr 23

EPISODE 315 - We continue our coverage of the Peter David / Todd McFarlane run on The Incredible Hulk. This issue, the theme is fathers and more specifically abusive fathers. The "enemy" such as it is, is a super-powered child who has lost his father and sees his caretaker threatened. The Hulk talks a big game about not caring but in the end, does the right thing. This story picks up a thread that has now become a major fixture in Hulk lore -- that Banner's father abused him, perhaps creating the suppressed anger and pain that would someday emerge as The Hulk. The origin of this idea is not this story. That started in a Bill Mantlo story from Hulk 312. But as Kevin points out, it seems Mantlo stole that story from a not-yet-published Barry Windsor-Smith comic. Former Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter wrote about that here: http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/plagiaris.html ----------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for bonus monthly episodes. Join our free Discord, also at screwitpodcasts.com Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Apr 16

EPISODE 314 - We discuss issue 338! Hulk faces a demon? alien? ghost? called Mercy! She's not called that, but we call her that. In Loose Screws, we talk about Kevin's son watching Star Wars for the first time and the video game Untitled Goose Game! -------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com To support the podcast and get bonus monthly episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Join our Discord! The invite link is also at screwitpodcasts.com

Apr 9

EPISODE 313 - We look at Incredible Hulk 337, where we finish up the crossover with X-Factor (X-Terminators?). We start with Hulk trapped in a block of ice and end up with the explosion of the Gamma Base. Peter David is making the book his own. For Loose Screws, we discuss the Wheel of Time TV series! --------- Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com To support the podcast and get bonus monthly episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Join our Discord! The invite link is also at screwitpodcasts.com

Mar 26

EPISODE 312 - We do a quick survey of Hulk 335 (non-Todd McFarlane art, but a nice creepy possession story) and then dig more deeply into Hulk 336, where he crosses paths with X-Factor! I mean the X-Terminators! No, wait, I mean X-Factor! Loose Screws: Will talks about the 1950 Bogart film In A Lonely Place and Kevin discusses the video game Horizon Zero Dawn: Forbidden West !

Mar 19

EPISODE 311 - The Incredible Hulk battles Half-Life, a brand new villain! Is he gamma-created? You know it! We are continuing are examination of the run by writer Peter David and artist Todd McFarlane. Peter is starting to really dig in. Todd's artworks is showing tremors of his style that will soon erupt! For Loose Screws, Kevin talks about his new Plastic Man reprtins and Will can't get his iPad to update! ------------------------ Email us with your thoughts to screwitcomics@gmail.com Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for bonus content. Join our Discord, invite is also at screwitpodcasts.com

Mar 12

EPISODE 310 - We are three issues into the Peter David / Todd McFarlane run on Incredible Hulk! Todd is still relatively contained, but Peter is starting to really assert himself as a writer. The Grey Hulk's personality is emerging as a cynical, tough witness to the hypocrisies of humanity! He's also very big! Loose Screws: A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs and the documentary "We Beat The Dream Team." ---- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to support the show and get monthly bonus episodes! Join our free Discord -- the link is at screwitpodcasts.com!

Feb 26

EPISODE 309: Continuing our coverage of the Peter David / Todd McFarlane run on The Incredible Hulk! We've got McFarlane's distinctive art style starting to poke through (evil Hulk in sillhouette), Peter David's style (grey Hulk's personality shaping up), plus Hulkbusters, The Leader and Betty Banner's long-lost husband question mark? For Loose Screws, we discuss the movies Companion and Captain America; Brave New World.

Feb 19

EPISODE 308: The milksops begin a new season covering the writer Peter David / artist Todd McFarlane issues of the Incredible Hulk! Done before either of them became the instituation they would, these issues are a really interesting look at each of their talents! We are starting with the first issue they did togeter, issue 331 which came out in February of 1987. For Loose Screws, we discuss the Fantastic Four movie trailer.

Feb 12

Episode 307 - We wrap up our episode on Watchmen with a discussion of the animated film "Watchmen Chapter II" which was released to little fanfare (despite being having pretty stellar reviews) toward the end of 2024. Plus we read lots of the email we've gotten about this season! Next season (starting next week): We go over the Peter David / Todd McFarlene run on Incredible Hulk. ----------------- Subscribe to support our podcast and get bonus monthly episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Join our Discord -- invite link also at screwitpodcasts.com

Jan 29

Our friend and regular guest Chris Gethard takes an episodes to deliver his quibbles with some flaws in Watchmen. You know Chris from his stand-up comedy, from his podcast Beautiful/Anonymous, from his TV show The Chris Gethard Show. The Milksops know him from their days together at the UCB Theatre in NYC. We had invited Chris -- who is a passionate comics fan -- to be our guest on a regular episode. Gethard suggested that he be on a special episode since he worrites his takes would detract from a regular coverage. We started calling this a "rebuttal" episode. Although Gethard takes pains to underline that he loves and admires the comic, and even agrees that it is one of the very best created, he doesn't think that means it's above criticism, and so he takes the book to task. We get into lots of ideas: the defensiveness of Watchmen fans, the pirate comic, the portrayal of the alien, the idea that the much-maligned Zack Snyder film had a better ending and other things! It's a passionate discussion and an interesting one! ---------- Subscribe to support and to get bonus monthly episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Join our Discord -- invite link also at screwitpodcasts.com

Jan 22

We examine the stunning conclusion of Watchmen with a dive into issue 12. After finishing this read, Kevin text Will "Watchmen is good" -- that's our take, everyone! Most amazing is that despite how many times they've read it, Kevin and Will found YET ANOTHER thing that had not noticed in previous reads. It's the comic that keeps on giving. We discuss the recent disturbing news about Neil Gaiman, a creator we have covered many times before. And for Loose Screws, we talk about the movies Blade and Die Hard 2. We talk for a while about Die Hard 2.

Jan 15

We take a close look at Watchmen #11 with Marvel editor Jordan D. White! Jordan is the current editor of the Venom books, the former editor of the X-books and most important is a returning guest to our podcast! As usual we marvel over how great Watchmen is. Will fails to convince Kevin and Jordan that Alan Moore did a not-great job setting up the twist of the plot (the stuff with the island / alien). And do we talk pirate comic? You bet we do! For Loose Screws, Will is binging all of Weird Al Yankovic and Jordan can't stop watching YouTube videos of people playing MineCraft! Don't miss Jordan's cool podcast "Nature Trail to Hell" which goes over horror movies!

Jan 8

This episode, we're joined by Eric Berlatsky, a professor of English who also happens to be a passionate fan of Watchmen. He's a lifelong comics fan who read Watchmen as it came out and has been a huge fan ever since. it was fun to talk to someone who's been a fan of the series since it came out! We go over issue #10, which is when Nite Owl and Rorscach figure out what's up! And is there more pirate comic book? Yes there is! And Professor Eric has a take on the pirate comic that the Milksops had never considered! That's just ONE of the cool insights we've get in this episode! Loose screws are: The Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and the Marvel animated series What If, season 2? In addition to being a professor, Eric has is the editor of a collection of Alan Moore interviews called Alan Moore: Conversations. For more info on that, you can go here: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/A/Alan-Moore

Dec 25, 2024

It's Christmas and that means all three Hines brothers are under one roof and that means all three Hines brothers (Will, Kevin and Brian) are on the podcast. We decide to talk about Power Pack -- a superhero group of siblings that was first published in 1984. We three brothers all loved the series when it came out and it was fun to revisit it. Power Pack was more revolutionary than it might have seemed. In an era of increasing violence and grittiness in mainstream comics, Power Pack remained focused on gentler powers and feelings. The siblings, although they do squabble, care for each other. The villains -- although dangerous -- are of the "fantasy" realm, not crime/gritty/pulpy variety. It was one of the first big writing forays for Louise Simonson, who had previously mostly been an editor. And it was one of the few -- perhaps the first? -- major Marvel title to be written and drawn by female creators (Louise and artist June Brigman). Power Pack originally ran for 62 issues -- a more than respectable run. They had excellent crossovers with both The Fantastic Four and X-Men (as former editor of X-Men, Louise had worked with FF writer/artist John Byrner and X-Writer Chris Claremont). To this day, the Power Pack will show up in Marvel comics, much to our delight. For Loose Screws we discuss: UK comedian Daniel Kitson, the quality of Santa sleigh in the film Elf and the new Superman movie trailer.

Dec 18, 2024

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of sexual assault figure heavily into this issue's plot. ------------------------------- EPISODE 301 - Dan Gvozden of the Amazing Spider-Talk podcast joins us to discuss issue 9. In this issue, Dr. Manhattan takes Laurie to Mars to give her a chance to talk him into returning to Earth and preventing the impending nuclear war. Typical ex stuff. During their talk we learn about Laurie's life and learn the secret of who her actual father is. She's not excited about it. Dan has loved Watchmen since he first read it. Just like Kevin and Will, he finds something new every time he re-reads it. Though he says this is the first time he realized there was a "big blue naked guy" in the book, so.. maybe he's not reading as closely as we thought. Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to get monthly bonus episodes! Thanks!

Dec 11, 2024

We welcome Alex Zalben of Comic Book Club podcast to discuss Watchmen issue 8. In this issue, the series becomes almost joyful as Nite Owl and Silk Spectre bust Rorschach out of prison. Sure there's a few brutal murders along the way, and another brutal murder after -- but the issue is somewhat happy. With Alex on board, the Milksops talk for almost two hours about this tremendous issue. Alex has loved Watchmen since he first read it. We talk about the time HIS comic book podcast reveiwed watchmen, and the cool Watchmen watch he just couldn't stop bragging about! (We loved it). Also it's episode 300! Thanks to everyone who has listened to us along the way! We're just getting warmed up! That's not true, we're about as warm as we're gonna get. But we're having a great time and thank you for listening! To subscribe for monthly bonus episodes, go to screwitpodcasts.com. 20% off annual plans through the end of 2024 with code HOLIDAY24.

Nov 27, 2024

Bryan Stratton from the terrific Marvel by the Month podcast joins us to go over Watchmen #7, the issue where Nite Owl II and Silk Spectre get together! But not before they have sexual anxiety, nightmares of nuclear apocalypse, and a quick run of saving people from a fire! Bryan talks about discovering Watchmen in his early comics reading days and why he loves it so much. We talk about what the function of Nite Owl is - are we supposed to relate to him? Or is he the fanboy completionist, but with powers? We also talk about how the Snyder film got this part of the story so wrong (while still looking so great). Subscribe to support the podcast and for access to bonus monthly episodes at screwitpodcasts.com.

Nov 20, 2024

We talk about the recent Watchmen animated movie and a little bit about the 2008 Zach Snyder film as well. Our blistering hot take: the comic is better!!! We also read mail! Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for monthly bonus episodes and email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com .

Nov 13, 2024

Today we go over the merry, lighthearted life story of a little fellow called Rorschach. Gather the kids around and read them the story... no sorry, that's wrong, never do that! Watchmen #6 ("The Abyss Gazes Also") is a bleak albeit compelling tale that answers the question "What If Batman Were Truly Emotionally Damaged, But No, Like REALLY." To subscribe for bonus content, do so at screwitpodcasts.com Email us your comic book thoughts at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 6, 2024

This is an excerpt of our interview with Scott Aukerman about his experience writing the new Astonishing Spider-Man comic. To hear the full one, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com -- proceeds pay our costs and then go to the charity Hero Initiative. Thanks! -------------------------------------- Writer / comedian / podcaster Scott Aukerman returns to the podcast for a third time, this time to discuss his new comic book Astonishing Spider-Man . Available exclusively on the Marvel Unlimited app, Astonishing Spider-Man is publishing in the "infinity" format, meaning it's one long vertical page designed for viewing on phones and tablets. We talk to Scott about how he got the gig to write his own Spider-Man comic, the experience of writing for this format, and what aspects of Spidey Scott wanted to focus on. A lifelong Spider-Man fan, Scott is giving his all for this series -- we hear about the research and thought he's putting into the stories in an attempt to make the kind of Spider-Man comic he'd like to read. And we finish up with the five Spider-Man arcs which influenced him the most when writing this series!

Oct 30, 2024

Rorschach gets captured! Also Ozymandias is almost murdered! And the entire issue has a symmetrical layout, something neither Kevin nor Will noticed for like 20 years! This is our continuing coverage of Watchmen! To get our monthly bonus episodes and support the podcast, subscribe at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Oct 23, 2024

It's the Dr. Manhattan on Mars issue! The man (god? thing? electro magnetic lifeform?) who lives in all time! Although he only relives his life up until things we have already seen. No spoilers in the Dr. Manhattan all-time existence! This is one of the most iconic and memorable issues of a superhero comic book ever! We get into it! --------- Subscribe for bonus episodes (like our recent foray into Ryan North's FF issues) at screwitpodcasts.com

Oct 16, 2024

Watchmen #3! Dr. Manhattan is forced off of Earth because journalists are annoying! Take that, the media! We also see Laurie and Dan's friendship blossoming into something more. Or at least they seem to get sexually excited beating up bad guys. We also get our longest look yet at the most divisive part of Watchmen: the pirate comic! Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for bonus episodes, to support our podcast and to give to Hero's Initiative!

Oct 9, 2024

We continue our examination of Watchmen with issue 2! A funeral for a friend! Not a friend so much as a violent amoral psychopath - The Comedian! Writer Alan Moore's narrative mastery is on display as we learn about the Comedian from a series of flashbacks that show us the way he changed over the years from a 16 year old would-be-sexual assaulter, to remorseless mercenary, to finally a frightened man begging for help from his former enemy. We also learn more of the world of Watchmen and how things changed with the arrival of the superpowered Dr. Manhattan, which we will learn even more of in the next two issues! Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for bonus episodes, to support the podcast and to give to Hero's Initiatve!

Sep 25, 2024

Today we are republishing a discussion on the first issue of Alan Moore/Dave Gibbon's landmark 1986 comic book Watchmen . We first released this on Nov 27, 2019. At that time, HBO was airing its television series adapation of/sequel to the comic, so Kevin and Will went through the first issue of the comic. Now five years later we want to go through the entire series. Listen to this epsiode and we'll be here next episode with a discussion of issue 2! Watchmen is, of course, a 12 issue comic book series featuring superheros that live in a world much more realistic than we usually see them. It's about a merecenary superhero, The Comedian, who gets quietly murdered, and another superhero, Rorschach, an emotionally shut down detective, who finds out. Even though the "masks" have been banned by the government, they all start communicating to unravel this mystery. The one legal superhero -- the supernarually powered Dr. Manhattan -- has used his power to cement America as an unchallenged sole dominant nation. When he is forced to leave Earth, the world seems destined for a nuclear apcolypse unless the non-powered, legally banned "masks" can save it. "Realistic superheroes" is an idea that's been done, but never with as much command as Watchmen. Each character -- created forthis series -- seems lived in with a rich deep history. The story is deeper and more complicated than most comics dare to present. The dialogue reveals the character's personality while also making ironic commentary on the story. And all along, it shows the darker side of superhero comics tropes and archetypes. It's funny, fascinating, challenging, and it changed comics forever.

Sep 18, 2024

EPISODE 291 - We take a break from our regular seasons to pay tribute to two great comics artists who passed away recently: John Casasdy and Karl Moline. Cassady is probably best known for his stunning work on Planetary (with writer Warren Ellis) and Astonishing X-Men. But also -- everything he drew was magic. Moline was a bit less known, but made a huge impact with his stellar work on The Fray, Route 666 and much else. Both of them are gone too soon. On cheerier subjects, we catch up on our mailbag in which we learn about some mistakes we (Will) made and that some people agreed with Kevin's opinions on Ultimate Spider-Man!

Sep 11, 2024

For our last episode on The Human Target, we go over the recent excellent run by writer Tom King and artist Greg Smallwood. Christopher Chance is back and this time he has to meet with members of the beloved 1980s version of the Justice League. You want The Human Target chatting on a couch with G'nort? You've got it. He also falls in love with Ice, works for Lex Luthor, has to look over his shoulder to check for Batman -- and lots of fun stuff. Although a very different approach than Peter Milligan's, this is a delightful run! As fans of the 1980s JLI, we really enjoyed this! Next episode we dive into a little-known indie comic called Watchmen (yep, that one).

Aug 28, 2024

EPISODE 289 : End of the Peter Milligan run. We finish our coverage of the Peter Milligan run of the Vertigo series "The Human Target." The final story, "The Stealer" is in many ways the most Human Target-y stories of them all. Someone from Christopher Chance's life wants to steal his identity. What happens when a master of disguise is impersonated by another master of disguise? Will it hard to know who is the real Human Target? Will Christopher Chance himself know? Will Bruno be able to get good water for his espressos? All these questions and more are answered or at least carefully dodged in this final really fun story! Next episode - we give a quick look at the excellent Tom King / Greg Smallwood run.

Aug 21, 2024

We continue our look at the excellent crime noir Vertigo series HUMAN TARGET. In these issues, our hero Christopher Chance gets involved in the seedy underbelly of human trafficking. This series is not big on lighthearted topics! Chance and his romatic partner (wife? girlfriend? it depends which identity Christopher is in) discover the lengths each will go to achieve their goals. Oh and there's also a fun story where Christopher is contracted to sexually please a bunch of woman. True!

Aug 14, 2024

EPISODE 287: Peter Milligan's run on Human Target continues to tackle tough, dark material, this time with a story about a group of domestic terrorists. We follow another protagonist who seems to have less than steady morals as he commits murder, abandons his friends, lies to his family, plans marital affairs, and immediately presumes he is being hunted! And then.... Christopher Chance the Human Target enters his life! Chance seems to mostly hold on to who he actually is during this story. The inner turmoil is saved for the group of former terrorists who have to face the consequences of acts they committed long ago. Hey this is good! Plus we have another Chris Gethard email, read in its entirety.

Aug 8, 2024

This is a 10ish minute preview of our "sop-scriber" episode in which Kevin and Will create a superhero team. If you want to become a sop-scriber, go to screwitpodcasts.com! ---------------------- Martin Goodman, former publisher of Marvel Comics has come back from the dead and asked the Milksops to make a new superhero team. Requirements: 4-8 members, names and powers, a "hook" for the team (and we agree to sign away all the rights). In just over an hour we do it!

Jul 31, 2024

EPISODE 286 - After Vertigo published the four issue Human Target mini series, and after the original graphic novel, they started a short-lived but excellent regular series. We cover the first three issues in this episode. The first issue takes where things left off in the graphic novel (no spoilers, but Christopher Chance has forgotten he is Christopher Chance -- that's not a spoiler because that happens a lot) and gets The Human Target back to his bizarre status quo. Remember this is a guy whose self-chosen profession is to dress up as people that are being pursued by murderers so he can prevent the murder and defeat the bad (?) guys while almost getting killed himself. So, yeah, THAT status quo. Issues 2 and 3 deal with a little lighthearted topic known as the 9/11 attacks on America. Our story is about a man who uses the attacks as a chance to fake his death and remove the problems of his life from his family. He does it for noble reasons. Or does he? Hint: no. We still have writer Peter Milligan and artist Javier Polido. This is an excellent start for the regular series.

Jul 24, 2024

EPISODE 285 - We welcome two time Eisner nominee comics writer Jordan Morris to this ep! Jordan is here to promote his new young adult comics novel Youth Group. Jordan is also co-host of the great podcast Jordan, Jesse, Go! as well as having written for several cool television shows. Check out Jordan's work! Jordan also joins us in this episode's topic: The Final Cut, an original graphic novel featuring the Human Target. The Final Cut happened a few years after the Human Target Vertigo mini-series, and Peter Milligan is even better. Christopher Chance, the Human Target is once again having trouble keeping track of his real identity as he goes undercover first to protect a screenwriter and then find a missing child star. But of course, nothing and no one is as they seem. Once again the theme seems to be that everyone is wearing masks. Javier Palido is the artist and his simpler approach is a powerful contrast to the complex plot. It's a beautiful, thrilling book. The Milksops also have a few loose pop culture screws for you, including a quick discussion of the terrific animated series "My Adventures With Superman."

Jul 17, 2024

Acclaimed comics writer J.M. DeMatteis ( Justice League International, Kraven's Last Hunt, Moonshadow ) is back to promote his new Kickstarter for the second issues of his DeMultiverse. The DeMultiverse is JM's independently produced comics, which include four titles: Layla in the Lands of After, art by Shawn McManus Anyman, art by David Baldeón Godsend, art by Scott Koblish Wisdom, art by Tom Mandrake Plus as a bonus an earlier project that had not been released: The Edward Gloom Mysteries, art by Vassilis Gogtzilas To donate to the Kickstarter and help issue 2 of these series come out, go here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spellboundcomics/jm-dematteis-presents-the-demultiverse-phase-2-edward-gloom?ref=ksr_email_backer_backer_confirmation We go deep on each series to talk about his influences for each one. We get into the art styles of the many talented artists co-creating these stories. We talk about the promotion necessary to keep a Kickstarter going! We ask how JM stays so positive in an industry known to sometimes burn people out. We talk about letting the unconscious mind have time and space to generate ideas. We also sneak in a few quick questions about his past Marvel/DC titles too. JM is one of our favorite creators and people. 40+ years in the business and he's still as enthusiastic to discuss it as someone writing their first book. He's curious about new work and inspired by what came before. We love that he's co-producing his own books and hope you consider helping out! ----------------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to get our monthly bonus episodes. You can join our free Discord chat service there too.

Jul 10, 2024

EPISODE 283: The Milksops begin their dive into Peter Milligan's early 2000s run on The Human Target. Created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino in 1972 for DC Comics, the Human Target has had several runs over the years. The basic gist is this: if you're in danger of being killed, you can hire Christopher Chance who will dress up as you until he catches the killer! Very normal, simple strategy. In 1999, writer Peter Milligan and artist Edvin Biuković started a run which pushed the envelope of how far this story could go. For example, in this first story, Chance has an assistant who has gone so deep undercover he has forgotten he is in disguise. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in this complex, rewarded, thrilling four issue story. We learn that almost everyone we meet has a double life of some kind, and they're all trying to hide it for different reasons. By the end of the four issues, Milligan and Buikovic had established that this character was a great inspiration for terrific stories. Join us as we sample from this terrific run. ------- Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com for bonus monthly episodes. Profits go to Hero Initiative and other comics-related charities.

Jun 26, 2024

EPISODE 282 - We finish our coverage of John Byrne's FF with the issue where Sue Richards changes her name from The Invisible Girl to The Invisible Woman. It's a fine issue that mostly features She-Hulk breaking out of Psycho-Man's fear spell. We also learn the story of Pearla, Queen of the Microverse! We give some closing thoughts on John Byrne. For a good John Byrne issue, and there were many you got: strong confident storytelling, exciting purposeful battles, clearly told stories, a strong command of where your eye goes, and what your heart wants to know. Byrne in the 80s was iconic, truly one of the best and most popular creators in America. The shortcomings: his art starts to get sketchier as he strives to produce more. His faces look... honestly, the same? It's almost strange how that DOESN'T hurt the story telling. He gets more and more about the references. Although funny, he's best when he isn't doing a book which is billed as comedic first and foremost. But for the FF, he revitalized the comic, giving Kirby's creations an often upgraded portrayal. Next season: Peter Milligan's run on The Human Target

Jun 19, 2024

EPISODE 281 - We're approached the end of the John Byrne FF era. Franklin is having another prophetic dream, which is a six page plug for Power Pack, which the Milksops applaud. Sue Richards is standing up to Reed like never before, and she demands revenge against Psycho-Man. And that means we're going to the Micro-Verse! And also, whoa, what is the Micro-Verse? We also have an appearance of our sub podcast "Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About War Games" which is hilariuosly more well produced than the main podcast. And the Milksops cast themselves in a movie! One more ep of Comics Rays and Correspondence to go! ------ Subscribe at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ to get our monhtly sop-scriber episodes, or join our free Discord chat! Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Jun 12, 2024

We're nearing the end of our coverage of John Byrne's FF run. In one of the final stories, the (new) Hate Monger teams up with the (old?) Psycho-Man to create a third brand-new villain... Malice! And you'll never guess Malice's true identity. Ok, I'll tell you: it's the Invisible Girl! And this is the final adventure of the Invisible Girl! Not because she dies but because she changes her alias next story. We read some email, which I bet was great! Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com In a few episodes we will begin our next season, coverage of Peter Milligan's run on Human Target. ------ Join our sop-scriber level for $5 a month, $50 a year over at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/

May 29, 2024

This is an all mailbag episode, including an email from Chris Gethard about our Ultimate Spider-Man coverage. Next week: FF#280!

May 22, 2024

EPISODE 278 - Doom is back, sort of? At least his life story is back, in the form of memories being artificially implanted into a helpless child! This is the kind of good times Dr. Victor Von Doom brings to the party. The Milksops are glad to see Doom. So much that they never even get to mail! But they do spend a while talking about the hit show X-Men '97, which Will loves and Shogun, which Kevin loves!

May 15, 2024

Episode 277 - As an epilogue to our season on Ultimate Spider-Man, we go over some other reboots of Spidey continuity. Well, some of them are reboots, some are kinda just parallel Spider-Man dimensions. We discuss: Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1 Chapter One (a little bit) Mary Jane #1 Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #1 Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #53 (kind of a restart of this line) Spidey #1 Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) Subscribe to get access to our monthly bonus episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Or join our free Discord chat, also at screwitpodcasts.com

May 8, 2024

Episode 276 - We finish out our look at the first arc of Ultimate Spider-Man. In this issue, we get the rest of Spidey's first battle with this universe's monstorous Green Goblin. We also see Spidey's first use of his web shooters, the idolization of Spidey by Peter's friends and Peter's first alibi of why he wasn't around as Spidey kicked butt. Next episode we are going to go over some other attempts to reboot Spider-Man's continuity! If you want access to our monthly bonus episodes, become a sop-scriber at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ You can join our free Discord there too!

May 1, 2024

This is subscriber-only episode! Subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com to listen! Regular episodes back in this feed next week! --------------------------------- Kevin and Will review the first five episodes of X-Men '97, the hit new animated Marvel show. Does it hurt never having seen the original series? How about never having read any Chris Claremony Uncanny X-Men until two years ago? How about not telling each other what they think of the series before they started recording????

Apr 24, 2024

In issue 6 of the Bendis/Bagley run, we get to see Actual Ultimate Spider-Man -- properly costumed, fighting bad guys and everything! Does this change Kevin's mind about the pace of the comic? You'll have to listen to find out! (hint: not really!) Joining us for this episode is guest Elliott Kalan (former Daily Show head writer, co-host of The Flop House podcast). Elliott is a passionate Spider-Man fan and a fan of this podcast! Hey, this guy is pretty smart! Elliott also writes comics. He tells us how he made the leap (side-step? pivot?) from writing for the Daily Show to also writing some Marvel comics. AND he tells us about his new comics series Hercules! It's continuing the adventures of the Disney movie version of Hercules. This is going to be just as great as the comics he wrote previously: Disney Villains: Hades! It's out this week and we would all love it if you bought it. Hercules comics: https://www.dynamite.com/disney/ The Flop House podcast: https://www.flophousepodcast.com/ ----------------------- Subscribe to our monthly bonus episodes or join our chat server: https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/

Apr 17, 2024

The Milksops welcome TV writer / podcaster / comics creator James III to the show! You may know James as a co-creator / co-star of the Netflix sketch show The Astronomy Club, or from his podcast Black Men Can't Jump In Hollywood. Friends from the UCB Theatre in NYC, the Milksops and James dive into another issue of the Bendis/Bagley run of Ultimate Spider-Man. This is issue #5, which takes place immediately after the death of Uncle Ben. It's a terrific issue which puts all of the strengths of this run (emotional nuance, going slow, emotional art) to great effect. We also talk to James about how he became a comics fan. Even though he started reading after he was in his 20s, he made up for lost time, going through a ton of issues. We also talk about his comic Junior! He's doing a Kickstarter to fund another batch of issues and if you'd like you can support it below. All things James III: https://www.ruleof3inc.com/ James III's Kickstarter for Junior: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ruleof3comics/junior-2-5-daddy-issues/

Apr 10, 2024

Episode 273 - Continuing the Bendis/Bagley run -- we reach the big moment. Peter lets a criminal, who he easily could have stopped, run past. And his family pays a huge price. But before that, we get the Bendis/Bagley nuanced look at Peter's extended world. We see Kong extend the hand of friendship. We see Liz Allen make a move on Peter, an MJ storm off. We see a revamped version of the famous "with great power must come great responsibility speech." And we see police cars and ambulence gathered outside the Parker home. Loose Screws: we talk the A24 horror movie "Talk To Me" and the HBO series "Peacemaker." Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com with your thoughts. Consider joining our subscriber level at screwitpodcasts.com. Join our free Discord, invite link is at screwitpodcasts.com

Mar 27, 2024

The Milksops continue their examination of Bendis/Bagley's Ultimate Spider-Man! Kevin likes it more on this reading, but is still frustrated by the slow pace. Will remains is moved by the nuanced characters. In this issue, Peter begins his short career as a masked wrestler, and also becomes a star of the high school basketball team. In our world famous loose screws segment, Kevin talks about the Aquaman movie sequel. Does Kevin like it, or not? (Spoiler: no!)

Mar 20, 2024

We keep going through this legendary run by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. Will continues to like it, Kevin continues to think it's too slow. We both agree the "homage" to Ferris Bueller at the top (the boring professor who goes "voodoo economics") is... weird. We discuss the effects of getting to know Uncle Ben more. We observe how obvious it must be to Peter's classmates that he has supernatural powers. We see Peter's anger boiling up. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com with your thoughts. Consider joining our subscriber level at screwitpodcasts.com Join our free Discord chat service -- invite link at screwitpodcasts.com

Mar 13, 2024

We get into one of the most popular runs on a superhero comic ever: Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. An attempt to win over new audiences, this was a rebooted Spider-Man without any history or previous continuity. It was a commercial and critical smash! Kevin never took to the slow pace of the plot, and doesn't think the Bendis-style dialogue is worth it, though he admits that it's well crafted and was certainly a hit. Will is taken with the emotional nuance of the characters, and the lack of other superheroes. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com with your thoughts. Consider joining our subscriber level at screwitpodcasts.com. Join our free Discord, invite link is at screwitpodcasts.com

Feb 28, 2024

Two stories in one! The top half of each page details the return of Ben Grimm, and an almost-but-not-quite battle against the Dire Wraiths (who?) And the bottom half has Reed, Sue and Franklin in hell! Which is pretty fun! Then we read a bunch of mail, which Kevin has organized by THEME! Join our subscriber level for bonus eps (soon) - https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/

Feb 21, 2024

We cover three more issues of John Byrne's run on FF: A check-on on The Thing while he's on the Secret Wars planet, a story of a tabloid getting a hold of naked photos of She-Hulk, and the start of a Mephisto story where Reed and Sue go to an unnamed Hell! We also talk about the recently announced FF movie casting.

Feb 14, 2024

We pick right up where we left off with the FF going.. back in time! Wait, not, they are going SIDEWAYS in dimensions, but to the SAME TIME! A time where... the dark ages never happened, so society got very advanced! But then blew themsleves up so they are not! Wait, no they PARTLY are advanced because Reed's science genius dad has been here. Whatever. We get into it! We now have subscriber-only eps! See screwitpodcasts.com for more details! And we talk about this in the episode. Discounts for our subscriber eps: legacymonth - 20% off monthly plan legacyyear - 20% off yearly plan

Feb 7, 2024

We close out our season on writer/artist Keith Giffen with a look at another of his creator-owned series: Trencher. Trencher is another crack of the "Lobo" type -- a hyperviolent cynical tough guy who takes missions in which he has to kill lots of people. Trencher is less of a satire than Lobo -- and the world is more specific. He is a reincarnated soul who must hunt down other reincarnated souls. A Blade Runner of reincarnated people. And his targets tend to be ludicrous: a guy whose super power is controlling his nose hairs, someone who can vomit with pinpoint accuracy, and Elvis Presley split into four bodies (a la Superman, after his early 90s "death.") HIs art is different yet AGAIN -- looking like a combination of late 80s Giffen and Geoff Darrow. A fun, specific biting series that deserved more time -- a fitting end to our study of a great storyteller.

Jan 31, 2024

We go back towards the beginning of Keith Giffen's career, when he was "just" an artist. Specifically we examine his work with writer Paul Levitz on the 1983 Legion of Super-Heroes story "The Great Darkness Saga." This 5-issue story showed The Legion facing super powerful "shadow villains" who seemed to be clones of people from the distrant past. When it's revealed to be Darkseid --- it was one of the first times a character from Jack Kirby's New Gods came into the DC proper in a major way. The story was also epic in scope, had huge surprises and full of great character moments. Though it's more traditional than much of Giffen's later work, it's masterfully done. We assume Giffen was helping with the plotting here (he would soon be credited as a co-plotter on upcoming issues). We can see Keith learning lessons he would apply in the Annihilation mini-seres that we covered two episodes ago. His art is very traditional in this story, though we see a few glimpses of the abstract experimental style that he would adopt in a few years.

Jan 24, 2024

We continue our Keith Giffen coverage with a look at the creator-owner property he did in the 2000s, Hero Squared. Keith did this with his Justice League collaborator J.M. DeMatteis. J.M. was kind enough to be on this episode! We ask J.M. about Keith in general, his collaboration with Keith and then we get into the series Hero Squared. Hero Squared is the story of Milo Stone, an unproductive aspiring filmmaker who learns that his alternate universe self is a superhero. As the series progresses, the characters -- the two Milos -- talk argue and cooperate with each other as they become friends. There's lots of humor, action and commentary on the superhero genre as we go. And this was long before multiverse fever ran through the comics industry!

Jan 17, 2024

Keith Giffen does mainstream crossover event, and does it well. Here we cover the 2006 epic war story that is Annihilation. The brainchild of editor Andy Schmidt along with Giffen, this story features the "cosmic characters" in the Marvel lineup. Galactus and Silver Surfer? You know it. Thanos. Of course. Rohan? Yep. And a star turn for the main villain, who is not much of a surprise when you think about the title of this series. This series also leads very directly to the creation of the modern Guardians of the Galaxy. But back to cosmic folks: Giffen's writing is fun and crisp and tells an epic tale. But for the real gem, we suggest the Drax mini-series that preceded the main event.

Jan 10, 2024

What if a superhero acted mostly like Bugs Bunny? We now take you to another Milksop favorite: The Heckler. Though it was cancelled after only six issues because of low sales, The Heckler has always been a beloved cult favorite, espeically for fans of Giffen. Kevin has loved this series since it first came out! Will didn't read it until after Kevin raved about it for the 100th time or so, but he also respects it. The Heckler is a superhero with no specific powers, origin story or explanation. What we are told is he is the owner of a diner in Delta City, who is tired of the various mob gangs running his town. There is humor in this story, a remarkably rich world, a demanding narrative style and generous helpings of meta jokes. The Milksops think Keith had Steve Ditko on his mind with The Heckler, but they do tend to think that about everyone. Join us for this deep dive into a commercial flop, critical darling - The Heckler!

Jan 3, 2024

The THREE Milksop brothers (Will, Kevin and Brian) are home for the holidays and thus record an ep in person. They have a tradition of watching Batman movies together, which sprung out of their shared beloved experience of seeing the 1989 Tim Burton movie together on opening night in Danbury CT. Listen as we reminisce about lots of brother-bonding movie watching! Somehow we make a lot of Rodney Dangerfield references in this ep and they are: not relevant!

Dec 27, 2023

Part ultraviolent anti hero, part parody of ultraviolent anti hero, Lobo was a phenomenon. Originally a side character in the Omega Men, this creation of Keith Giffen went on to become one of the more recognizable characters in the DC universe. In the 90s, he led his own books and made appearances everywhere. He even showed up in the kid-friendly tv show The Adventures of Superman, which is sort of like the gang from Clockwork Orange showing up in Scooby-Doo. We look at the four issue self-titled mini-series from the 1990s. We like him, and appreciate that even this mainstream hit (kinda) has lots of Giffen weirdness and demanding story wrapped around him. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com and make sure to join the #screwitinstapush

Dec 20, 2023

We continue looking at the career of writer/artist Keith Giffen. This week we look at his "Legion of Super-Heroes: Five Years Later" story. Starting from their creation in the late 1950s, the Legion of Super Heroes stories were sunny and optimistic. After all, these were teen heroes in the future who had been inspired by the (relative to their time) ancient story of Superman. Giffen had even been an artist and sometimes plotter of a run on this title in the early 1980s. But in 1989, Giffen led the characters into a big tonal shift. "Five Years Later" sees the team broken up, demoralized, often refusing their superhero names. The world has become dystopian, with an evil police state running things. A huge shift, and a fascinating and great story. We cover the first issue of this run.

Dec 13, 2023

We begin our examination of acclaimed comics writer/artist Keith Giffen. Perhaps most famous as a co-creator of the 1980s run of Justice League (the "B players" era), Giffen also either created or massively influenced: Lobo, Legion of Super Heroes, Rocket Raccoon (and kinda sorta Guardians of the Galaxy), the modern Blue Beetle and much more. This episode, we're looking at Ambush Bug. Specifically a 4 issue mini series that came out in 1985. The Bug knew he was in a comic, made very inside baseball references to the comics industry, and was a hit with the young Milksops. Ambush Bug stories aren't just funny, they are ambitious comics that jump around different genres, skip around in time and space, refuse to hold the reader's hand --- all the while being genuinely funny. The Bug brought out the maverick in Giffen, and this mini series is a genuine joy. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 29, 2023

THWIP! We go deep -- too deep? -- on the new Spider-Man 2 video game. The Milksops were big fans of the first one. In fact, they each bought Playstations in 2018 just so they could play it! They generally like the new one a lot. But there are shortcomings that kind of HAVE to come with the sequel --- the great stuff isn't new anymore. But there's also lots of new fun stuff. Highlights: playing as Venom, some genuinely suspenseful story moments, a few great Miles hero moments and a surprisingly moving return of the pigeon-loving Spider-friend Howard.

Nov 22, 2023

A special bonus ep, kind of, which is JUST the "loose screws" segment. This was recorded for next week's ep (in which re review the Spider-Man 2 video game), but we decided it was TOO long and hence you're getting it this week. Will talks about the "Dark Age" storyline from the comic Astro City. Kevin discusses the recent MCU film The Marvels and the Apple+ TV show Monarch. See you next ep! email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 15, 2023

FF 271 (which came out in the summer of 1984) is a hodge-podge of cool little stories. We've got a glimpse of the Fantastic Four in "family mode" as they celebrate Reed's unnamed (but 40th) birthday, then a flashback to a pre-FF adventure done very much in the style of pre-Marvel Kirby art, and finally a visit to Reed's childhood... estate? Yes, Reed was not just a Richards but also Rich. And everything has been going just totally normally with his family's butler and wife except for the ghosts, of course. THE GHOSTS?!?!?! And that's where we leave it until next ish. The Milksops announce they'll be doing a season on Keith Giffen next. Also, this is episode 255, which in hexadecimal is ... FF! Pretty cool, right? I mean, as cool as hexadecimal numbers can be. Our email address is screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 8, 2023

What do you do with a problem like Terminus? Well, you treat him like a mini Galactus, because that's kinda what he is. The FF head out to the Southwest US where Terminus, a big alien in planet-devouring armor, has landed. Luckily Reed has invented something which he spent 2 pages explaining to us towards the start of the story. We also get: Sue working through depression, She-Hulk flirting with Wyatt Wingfoot, and (gasp) Johnny falling in love with Alicia. All done with the as-usual stellar art and storytelling from artist/writer Jonn Byrne. We also go through some fun email! That's from YOU guys! Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com

Nov 1, 2023

We close out our coverage of the terrific Grant Morrison JLA run with this adventure that was released as its own graphic novel: JLA Earth 2. Done by Morrison and Frank Quitely -- who would later do the sublime All-Star Superman series -- this story is about an alternate world where the JLA is evil (the Crime Syndicate of America) and Lex Luthor is good! CSA is not a Morrison invention -- it goes back to 1964 when Gardner Fox created them during the original run of JLA stories. But here we get a Morrison-y twist: in the CSA's world, evil ALWAYS WINS. So how do you win in such a world? You'll have to read to find out. Or listen to our episode. Kevin thinks Will hates this story, but it's just that Will is embarrassed at his poor ability to recap!

Oct 25, 2023

World War III! We've got nuclear bombs, some New Gods (and their dogs), angels, huge eye balls, Lex Luthor, some alternate dimensional space, Batman getting his revenge on Promethus, the end of Wonder World (a place we had barely heard of), the return of the Shaggy Man (gone for almost 3 issues!) and Superman kissing Huntress, kind of. It's also the final Grant Morrison arc from the JLA title that we're covering (though we are doing a few special issues next ep). Kevin feels there are too many characters to really feel any of them. Will thinks the dazzling plot is enough. Overall, we like it better than the genie/JSA story but wish it was a bit less crowded. We also talk about the new Spider-Man 2 video game for Playstation 5 for half an hour. Too much?

Oct 18, 2023

We're back on the Grant Morrison JLA run which means we are back to COMPLICATED RECAPS. This time we have a relatively simple 2 issue story of the JLA vs a corrupt general and his Ultramarines! There's only like 6 new characters in this, so --- not too complex! But whoops then we have the 4 part story "Crisis TIme Five." In this story, there is an invasion from the fifth dimension which somehow leads to the JLA teaming up with their older Golden Age counterparts the Justice Society of America. You've got a 2-dimensional Shazam and Green Lantern arguing in a 5-D courtroom, and also Zauriel the JLA Angel speeding up time for a tiny civilzation so that he can free the Spectre. Also: robot mobsters, a couple of genies, alternate timeline JLA people, Superman getting knocked out, talking banks (like, the building) and I think a little of the New Gods too. Standard fare Morrison!

Oct 4, 2023

The Milksops realize that it's episode 250 and they should do something special. So we take a break from JLA and do these things: read promotional blurbs suggested by our listeners, force Kevin to answer trivia, go over an old collection of "imaginary" Superman stories from our childhood, and remember our favorite moments of the first 250 episodes. Also because we are dumb we thought it was 200 episodes at the time we recorded it, but as we explain in the cold open it really truly is 250, and yes that's confusing and we're sorry, except that it's funny, so we're not TOO sorry.

Sep 27, 2023

Two relatively "simple" stories are up next for the Grant Morrison JLA run. First we get new supervillain Prometheus -- a sort of anti-batman, whose criminal parents were gunned down by police -- invading the JLA headquarters. He makes quick work of the JLA before suddenly becoming stupid and then losing immediately. Then we have a two part story where the Lord of Dreams, Sandman, needs help from the JLA to stop the world from falling asleep! You think he'd like that. We also read some email before announcing that we are almost up to episode 250!

Sep 20, 2023

Plot complexity level: you have been MORRISSONED. The issues remain extremely fun but the story becomes very hard to summarize. Unless you keep it simple like this: Lex Luthor finds a magic crystal to destroy the JLA, but instead lets an alien enslave Earth, until the good guys use time travel to undo everything. Except add in: hard light holograms, New Gods technology so advanced it ruins your mind, cosmic beings at the edge of the universe waiting for the battle at the end of time, Future Batman getting killed by Future Darkseid (spoiler) (kind of) and the JLA disbanding for almost no reason. But it's fun! Will re-caps this in a terse 35 minutes! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Sep 13, 2023

We're gonna rock down to... electric Superman?!!! Yes, Electric Superman has entered the chat. So has Tomorrow Girl, a few angels from Actual Heaven, Connor Hawke (son of original Green Arrow) and Starro. We cover a lot in this segment! We talk about how Superman is still Superman, even with new powers. We talk about how the "Green Arrow vs Overpowered Villain" story is still good in its own right even though it seems pretty similar to a classic Superman tale. And we talk just about how much we are enjoying the many moments of grand superheroism! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Sep 6, 2023

Sometimes when you read superhero comics you want Actual Superheros doing Actual Superhero things. That's what you get in Grant Morrisson's 1990s JLA run. Extraordinarily powered beings battling the highest stakes villains. Creative uses of physically impossible abilities. The triumph of good over evil. And Superman being a great Superman. We cover the first 4 issues they wrote, the "Hyperclan" arc. Kevin gives us an overview of DC comics at this time (1996). Then Will re-caps all four issues, a stunning achievment for a man who normally does not read comics published after 1987. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Aug 23, 2023

Dr. Doom is on the loose! Wait, no, actually it's just his mask. But still! It's a fearsome powerful mask! We also talk about Spider-Man: Blue (which Will just read). In our mailbag, we do another quiz from Keith! We also get emails about Superhero Movie Fatigue, Epic Collections and our fantasy FF Movie.+ __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Aug 16, 2023

The Milksops review a tragic event in the lives of the FF. How did we feel about it when this issue came out? How about now? Is She-Hulk gonna get to do anything? We also get a collection of the greatest scientists in the Marvel Universe (Reed, Banner, Morbius and.... Sasquatch) who decide that what they need is... another scientist. Can Dr. Michael Morbius look any weirder? We dig into the mail, where we have more pitches for segment names, more suggestions of who would be on Mt. Comicsmore! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Aug 9, 2023

The Milksops discuss the issue where it's announced that She-Hulk has replaced The Thing in the FF! A momentous occasion, that is barely explained in this issue. Instead, we spend much of the issue on a very fun story where the Trapster fails to infiltrate The Baxter Building. Yes, it is fun! The Milksops also start to catch up on their mountain of mail. We get lots of proposed names for segments, and also the question: what do you think when someone says they are a "Marvel fan" or a "DC fan?" __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Aug 2, 2023

Our final Catwoman arc is a happy one. Selina and Holly heal their hearts by hitting the road and taking a tour of the DC universe. We visit: Wildcat, Captain Cold, Starman (kinda), Hawkman and make a phone call to a Flash! All while a mysterious band of middle eastern robbers chase Selina in a storyline that we do not continue! Next ep: Cosmic Rays and Correspondence! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jul 26, 2023

We cover "No Easy Way Down," an emotional and creative high point for this series. After the traumatic events of "Relentless" three three issues show us Selina, Holly and Slam all dealing with their feelings. The action is moved into the background as we hear the characters thoughts, see their dreams, and feel their pain! It's an incredible trio of books and a must read for anyone who likes good comics! Plus Will talks about the Barbie movie and we even answer a few pieces of mail. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jul 19, 2023

We go over a dark, moving arc in the Brubaker Catwoman run: "Relentless." Selina learns that she can't buy redemption. We learn that the Black Mask is a creative psychopath. But Slam gets a happy ending, sort of, maybe? __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jul 5, 2023

The Milksops actually talk about Catwoman comics as they get into the second arc of the regular monthly Brubaker-penned series. It's called "Disguises" and it's about Selina protecting Holly, after the latter uncovers a ring of dirty Gotham cops. Corruption? In Gotham City? Unheard of, we know. We got Slam Bradley back, we got new good Gotham cops in addition to all the lousy ones and we have Selina / Catwoman back in full action. We also go over Secret Invastion and (for some reason) David Cronenberg movies. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jun 28, 2023

The Milksops discuss two Spider-Man related events: 1) the passing of John Romita Sr., one of the best and most important Marvel artists in the company's history, (he took over drawing Spidey after co-creator Steve Ditko left), and 2) the recently released "Across The Spider-Verse," a worthy and terrific sequel in the Miles Morales animated franchise. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jun 21, 2023

We go over the first arc in the Ed Brubaker Catwoman series. Guess what: it's good! We've got: Darwyn Cooke art, film noir aesthetics, questions of good versus evil, a for-real supervillain, a little Batman which all adds up to a great story. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jun 14, 2023

In this "one shot" episode (a name I just made up where we examine a topic separate from our current season) we take a break from Catwoman to discuss the topic of "shelf appeal." This means roughly the way comics look on the shelves of comic shops. We bring on former guest Casey Bruce, co-owner of Danger Room comics in Olympia, Washington to talk about the challenges facing shop owners when it comes to making their product look appealing to customers. There's packaging, what editions are available, the impact of movies and television shows, how popular the characters are, and how long the title has been running. Kevin has a lot of hot takes in this ep! Back to Catwoman next week! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Jun 7, 2023

We cover one of the all-time great comic book stories: Selina's Big Score. Written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke, this story is a masterpiece of crime fiction, active storytelling, redefining a classic character all with some of the prettiest art you could hope to see. There's echoes of crime fiction author Richard Stark in here (there's a character named after him), but also reminders of classic 1980s superhero crime stories by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and David Mazzuchelli. Truly a pleasure to read. Also Will learns that Kevin loves Zelda video games! Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

May 31, 2023

We begin our coverage of the Ed Brubaker / Darwyn Cooke era of Catwoman comics. We start with Trail of the Catwoman - written by Brubaker, drawn by Cooke.. Originally published in 2001 as a backup feature in Detective Comics, it's now collected with the solo Catwoman series that Brubaker and Cooke worked on. The plot of the story is that hard boiled private eye Slam Bradley (himself an actual golden age character from the pre-Batman Detective Comics) as he tries to determine if Selina Kyle is really dead (she is not). But the effect of the story is to re-purpose Catwoman as a crime noir action star. It's a beautiful, gripping, fun story - a must read! Also Will talks for 20 minute about Welcome Back Kotter and the streaming service Tubi and for that we are truly sorry! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

May 24, 2023

The Milksops discuss the third installment in the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Kevin liked it more than Will, but Will admits that maybe he's just going through MCU fatigue, and he's not being fair. Both of us love that James Gunn got to finish this trilogy, and appreciate that he's kept the same tone and voice throughout the series. We talk about the challenge of balancing so many characters and places, and which characters have changed the most since the first movie in 2014. In our world-famous "Loose Screws" segment, Will talks about JM DeMatteis' self-produced Spellbound Comics. We also answer some mail, which include more discussion of who should be on the comics Mount Rushmore? __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

May 17, 2023

The Milksops review "Marvel Comics Assistant Editor's Month," one of the first crossover events Marvel ever did. Here's what happened: For comics dated January 1984, readers were told that the assistant editors had been given reign over the content since the regular editors were away at San Diego ComicCon. Some comics took this as an excuse to do very far-out stories (Marvel Team-Up featured Galactus and Aunt May), whereas some did only very small changes (Moon Knight has a typewritten letter from the assistant editor instead of a splash page) and others completely ignored it! But for those reading at that time, it was a striking and dare we say pretty fun event. Kevin theorizes that modern fans would dislike it. In fact, the readers of 1984 didn't seem to like it too much either. But here we are, discussing it anyway! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

May 10, 2023

Milksop Brother Three Brian is back with a quiz of comics-related questions for his older brothers. "What's your favorite comic" type of questions, but these go way beyond that. We thought this was gonna be a mini-ep, but Kevin and Will spend so much time discussing things that we got to a full hour. But think about how you would pick YOUR Mount Rushmore of Comics, and see if you can answer quickly. AND you KNOW we've got some Loose Screws™! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

May 3, 2023

It's your Friendly Neightborhood... Mole Man?!?!?! Yes, kind of! The Thing and The Human Torch team up with Mole Man to defeat a Walt Disney-esque captain of industry who has gone completely nutso and wants to save the Earth with a plan which will unfortunately also destroy it! We also have a hugely long plug for the Comedy Bang-Bang (podcast) (book) in which Will wrote a piece as Morpheus. And in the mailbag, we answer questions about: Miracleman, the appeal of TMNT and much more! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Apr 26, 2023

REED RICHARDS MUST DIE! Harsh, right? Or at least rude. Then again, Reed did save Galactus, who has a nasty habit of eating planets. So we have ourselves a legal conundrum as a council of aliens decide if Mr. Fantastic should be executed. The Watcher gets involved, which he's never supposed to do, yet always does. This is also "Assistant Editor's Month" in which Marvel allegedly lets its junior editors run the show. For the FF, that means that John Byrne himself is in the issue, to bear witness as the official FF chronicaler. In the mailbag, we get some thoughts on Zot! and more suggestions of names for our segments! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Apr 19, 2023

We've got three fairly Doom-tastic issues of the FF to go over. We get a day in the life of Doom running the show over in Latveria, and then a two-issue battle of Sue, Johnny and Ben vs. Terrax the Untamed (who's gotten his Power Cosmic back thanks to Doom). The FF end up winning, with the help of the Silver Surfer, but in the end one question remains: where the heck is Reed? Plus we get to some mail, where we cover 70s sci-fi recs, thoughts on Reed and Sue's romantic activites, how we would wrap up comics if Marvel were to come to an end and a little on Ryan North's current FF run. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Apr 12, 2023

The Milksops 3 finish their coverage of Zot! with a humdinger of an issue: "Normal." Originally released as Zot #33, this tells the story of Jenny's best friend Terry coming to terms with her sexuality as a gay teenager in a very homophobic high school. Although it's aged very well, it still helps to remember this issue came out in 1990. As the rest of comicdom was about to embark on a bombastic era of variant covers, millions of X-books and the birth of hyper-active Image Comics, Scott McCloud was putting the finishing touches on a serene, deeply human, beautifully rendered superhero book. There's dark stuff in here, sure, and also lots of compassionate moments as Terry struggles with who to trust, and how much. We also go over the ending arc of issues in Zot that are known as the "Earth Stories" where the superheroics are at a minimum. Although we find the very end of the series a bit of a letdown, there's no doubt that the Milksops are stunned and amazed at the quality of these issues. Email the podcast: screwitcomics@gmail.com __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Apr 5, 2023

The Milksops Three continue their coverage of Zot!, the late 1980s indie comic that featured a Golden Age style optimistic hero wrestling with the emotional challenges of "our" Earth. In this episode we cover "The Ghost in the Machine" which is Zot's three-issue battle against one of his main villains, 9-Jack-9. Jack is a legitimiately terrifying villain, an assassin who can travel via electrical wires, has no emotion, and is incredibly smart. By the way, he killed Zot's parents. But in typical Zot fashion, these stories differ from most superhero stuff in that they focus on the emotional angle way more than, say, punching. There's loss of family members, the struggle to not give up hope, the forgiveness of our enemies, all shown around the scary visage of the genteman Killer, 9-Jack-9. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Mar 29, 2023

The Milksops Three (Will, Kevin and Brian) discuss the "black and white" era of Zot! comics. We discuss how much this comic levels up in terms of quality, ambition and emotion, in both art and story. We see Zot trying to convince Jenny that her Earth is worth living in, as she tries to convince him to visit more and more. We meet Jenny's friends, and even see a few tender moments of older brother/sometimes monkey Butch. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com . __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Mar 23, 2023

A special mini-episode to honor the special mini issues of Zot that came out, which were drawn by stick figure genius Matt Feazell. The Milksops were all big fans of these. They inspired a young Kevin Hines to make mini-comics of his own! Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com . __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@ScrewItComics⁠⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ Subscribe: ⁠⁠Spotify⁠

Mar 22, 2023

Kevin and Will welcome Milksop #3 - Brian Hines, the legendary third Hines brother to the podcast. We talk about a comic that has meant a lot to each of us: Zot! Created by Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics), Zot ran from the mid-80s through the very early 90s, and represented a sensitive, human and nuanced look at a superhero arc. The stories brought influences of manga to an American book in a way that hadn't been done in any prominent fashion. Plus the sweet, compassionate world of Zot stood out in contrast to the brutal grimness featured in many other 80s comics. Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com . __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: ⁠@ScrewItComics⁠ Instagram: ⁠@ScrewItComics⁠ Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Subscribe: ⁠Spotify

Mar 15, 2023

The FF finish their Negative Zone saga! We've got aliens that look like salamanders, Reed rebuilding his own consciousness, and a plan to save the end of the world that worked because the Avengers are able to, um, well... okay, we can't tell why it worked. But it DID work and so the FF return to their own Earth in time to stop Annihulus. Or maybe just scare him off? In our mailbag section, we get corrected and then (probably) make more errors!

Mar 8, 2023

The FF are in the Negative Zone. The Negative Zone is an alternate universe which is different from our universe in that it is.... well, it's not that different. But it means Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny are visiting a new planet every issue, meeting a new alien race and encountering a big ironic twist! Kinda a la Star Trek. Meanwhile super-mean bad guy Annihulus has taken up residence in the Baxter Building. More Negative Zone coverage next episode! In our mailbag, we have more pitches for our unnamed media segment and also questions about comics! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 1, 2023

FF #250 has the FF vs Gladiator, plus the X-Men (kind of) and the Skrulls, in a double-sized fight-tastic story. Then #251 sets up what is going to be a run of stories set in the Negative Zone. Your hosts, the Milksops, like it all. Plus we've got mail. Sop it up! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 22, 2023

The character that we refer to many times as "Guardian" is actually "Gladiator." Three more John Byrne FF issues! We've got "This Land Is Mine" which makes the argument that Latveria might be better off when Doom is in charge. The Milkshops are not convinced, but also can see that Byrne is trying to give nuance to the main FF nemesis. We've got an Inhumans one-and-done story where the FF are trapped (and.. murdered?) by a huge alien. And finally a big battle against The Guardian (super-powered "knight" of the Shi'ar royal family) who thinks the FF are Skrulls! Makes sense, right? Plus we go through our mail which includes another "must read in full" letter from Chris Gethard. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 15, 2023

Kevin makes a really good case that this first appearance of Daredevil is one of the strongest first issues we've read. This is in contrast to the sort-of "second tier" status Daredevil will have for much of the 60s and 70s. Even after Frank Miller and Klaus Janson brought the title to the top of the sales charts in the early 80s, there have been almost no "bad runs" on Daredevil. Has he quietly been one of the best Marvel characters this whole time? Will perhaps unfairly compared this issue to the dark brooding stories he knows are coming in the title's future. It's also interesting that this issue is drawn by Bill Everett, creator and artist of the Sub-Mariner! He came out of retirement to do this one issue but had trouble hitting his deadlines. We also talk about the Guardians and the Galaxy video game a bit! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 8, 2023

Milksops Assemble! We go over Avengers #1. It's crazy and also good in the way a lot of early Marvel stuff is both crazy and good. Kirby's art is great. The inventiveness is BIG. The leaps is logic to justify the plot are .... ALSO VERY BIG. Big jumps. Why Hulk decides to "hide out" by posing as a robot in a circus is never going to make sense. Never mind that he... doesn't look like a robot when he's in disguise, He just looks like the Hulk with the smallest amount of clown makeup on. Or why Loki uses his power of illusion to lure the Hulk, rather than just... make an illusion of the Hulk. Or the fact that Thor doesn't really need the others. Or that the Wasp rides a flying ant across the country, or ... at all. But you know what? This issue is somehow really fun? Make mine Marvel! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 1, 2023

We cover the first appearance of a group of heroes that would change Marvel, superheroes and all of comics forever: The X-Men. And we find the issue: really rushed! Like, no backgrounds, crazy powers (even for 60s Marvel standards), a lot of panels with the team simply freaking out that a pretty girl is joining the team (Marvel Girl) and Magneto writes in the sky in surprisingly legible cursive. It's Jack Kirby, so even a rushed Kirby is dynamic and inventive and good, but there's a long way to go before the X-Men become the force we know of them. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 25, 2023

We cover the first appearances of Iron Man and Dr. Strange. We find Iron Man has a pretty solid story. Extremely problematic depictions of the Vietnamese? Yep. But the character of Tony Stark is well-developed, and much like he will remain right up until his rise to the top of the MCU. And you know we visit the 4-page introduction of the classic red and yellow armor, designed by Steve DItko. Speaking of Ditko, Dr. Strange has a slower start. It has the the terrific Ditko art. But since the initial few stories are just 5 pages each, it takes a few chapters until we have much more than Dr. Strange entering ghost form and punching other ghosts. But soon we have some beautifully designed villains and surreal nightmare dimensions. The Marvel Universe is starting to feel like a full place. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 18, 2023

We continue our examination of Marvel First Issues with the Ant-Man and Thor. We talk way more about Ant-Man than we expected to. But Ant-Man has a way of surpassing people's expectations. Who would have guessed that the hero of "The Man in the Ant Hill" or whatever it was called in Tales to Astonish #27 would go on to be Marvel's second-ever super-hero? Not the Milksops. But that is exactly what he is. And that's despite: odd powers, a shifting origin story, a complete lack of logic within his strategies, and aliens made of (drum roll) formic acid. We eventually move onto Thor's first apperence. The art is far superior and the story... mostly superior. But still a long ways to go in terms of how important the Mighty Thor will become to the Marvel Universe. But for all the craziness of these stories, they ARE fun. We kinda want to read more Ant-Man! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 11, 2023

We start a new season analyzing the number 1 issues of all the original Marvel Comics series. Today we start with the big three: Spider-Man, FF and Hulk. Known informally (to us) as "the good ones" this discussion gives us an excuse to again celebrate the special alchemy of creativity, recklessness and just plain goodness that made these issues such milestones. We also discuss Alan Moore's new short story collection "Illuminations" and the recent DC movie "Black Adam." __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 4, 2023

The Milksops were guests on the terrific comics podcast Marvel By The Month to discuss the Alan Moore penned series 1963. This is that episode presented here in our feed for the convenience of our listeners / laziness of us. "1963" was published in 1993 by then-new Image Comics. It was Alan Moore's homage to the superhero books of the early 60s, basically the birth of the Silver Age. We have a Captain America-like person, a Fantastic Four-ish group, a Spider-Man sorta fella, and lots more. And it wouldn't be an Alan Moore book without 2 or so pages of straight prose in impossibly small type. Part love letter, part satire, all fun. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 28, 2022

On the FF side of things, we start with the fate of Galactus and Frankie Raye, and we end with the beginning of a Dr. Doom story ("Too Many Dooms!"). Both fine issues. But in the middle we have one of the best FF issues ever, and certainly one of the signature issues of John Byrne's run - #245 "Childhood's End." It's Byrne's thesis statement on Susan RIchards, The Invisible Girl. What makes her special, powerful, indispensible? It is demonstrated masterfully in this tale, where Susan takes on a mysterious enemy so powerful he dispenses with Reed Ben and Johnny with little more than a thought. Two Milksops up! On the correspondence side, we get into some corrections on more Will Hines factual errors, a request for a no-prize (denied, for the first time ever) and a discussion of the inimitable Forbush Man. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 21, 2022

We have some Galactastic issues of FF! John Byrne continues his tour of the big Kirby stories with a visit from Galactus! First we have to deal with some magic armor that has allowed a Roman soldier to preserve ancient Rome in a column just outside of Wakanda. You know, little stuff. But then it's Galactus, who is dying. Reed decides we gotta save him, which is a hot take. On the correspondence side, we have an impassioned defense of Squadron Supreme from Mark Gruenwald superfan, Chris Gethard. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 14, 2022

On the FF side of things, we learn about Frankie Raye's hidden powers, see the return of H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, and watch the Inhumans move their city to the moon. Very solid issues sandwiched in between a few more iconic chapters that we will soon get to. From the correspondence side, we get questions about how to deconstruct The Enforcers, do we care about "collecting," and somehow start talking about The Last Action Hero! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 7, 2022

We finish our analysis of 1985's Squadron Supreme series and come to the same conclusion we had at the very beginning: it's good but reading it now isn't as fun as reading it then probably was. We also go over Sean Howe's Marvel Comics: The Untold Story even though Will is only 20% through it! #screwitinstapush is still in effect as make our drive to get 1500 instagram followers. WILL IT HAPPEN? WOULD WE NOTICE? __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 30, 2022

CORRECTION: Yep, Will is still saying 'Madame Ape' instead of 'Ape X' -- please enjoy his wrongness! Three more issues down, and the Milksops opinion of the Squadron has... remained mostly the same! They appreciate the books' strengths and find it interesting BUT we both feel that it suffers when you read it, like, now (post-Watchmen, post-multiversemania). Still, we examine the stories in this issue which include: Fake Evil Hyperion dating Recently Widowed Princess Power (recently widowed because Evil Hyperion killed her husband!), Blue Eagle and Foxfire getting it on, Madame Ape (Ape X?) falling for Tom Thumb, and a very abrupt ending to issue 9! We also talk about the CW cartoon series The Spectacular Spider-Man which Will has just started watching. We wrap it up by trying to think of what movies / comics / TV shows have endings that make your impression of them jump way up.

Nov 23, 2022

CORRECTION: Will keeps saying 'Madame Ape' which is very wrong -- he should have said 'Ape X.' Three more Squadron Supreme issues, and it's growing on the 'sops. There's a brainwashing machine in play and it's giving the Squadron some Clockwork Orange creepiness. We like. Plus there's guilt and death and betrayal and just to keep things interesting, another 10 or so characters added. We like these more than we did the first three, maybe because the exposition is finished? Plus we grieve the recent deaths of comics greats Kevin O'Neill, Carlos Pacheco and Kevin Conroy (voice of Batman in BTAS and ... everything). Also, the #screwitinsta push remains in full effect! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 16, 2022

The Milksops begin their coverage of Mark Gruenwald's most famous work, the 12-issue "Squadron Supreme" mini-series from 1985. It's the OTHER comic where a bunch of heroes who are not in the normal comics continuity have to deal with a realistic world (the primary one from this time in comics being Alan Moore's Watchmen). We get into the huge cast, the Squadron's history up until this point, the gutsiness of Gruenweld's story, the surprises, and also the shortcomings (perhaps TOO "regular comics" for its subject, maybe a bit rushed?) as well as the inevitable comparison to Alan Moore's great work. Defying expectations, we even answer a few pieces of mail. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 9, 2022

On the Byrne FF side of things, we've got two great issues and one very solidly okay one. In the "great" column we have the FF battling Ego The Living Planet in issue 235 -- one of Kevin's favorite FF issues ever! Then in issue 236 there is one of the most revered issues in Byrne's whole run - "Terror In A Tiny Town" which has the FF facing off against The Puppet Master, Dr. Doom as well as.... their own minds! Then issue 237 is pretty okay too. We also get into our mail which has a listener fan-casting a Fred Hembeck movie(?), and pleas for us to read more X-Men (no, but thank you). Please email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com and post Instagram stories about our pod with the hashtag #screwitinstapush __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 2, 2022

It's a new era of mailbags episodes! Starting now, we are covering issues of the John Byrne Fantastic Four run on the eps where we also read some mail. In this first FF/mail ep, we talk about what we learned about Byrne from reading his run as co-creator of X-Men stories. We discuss his "back to basics" approach with the FF, his terrific fight scenes, the clear story beats, simple characters, cool clothes, advancement of female characters and of course his stupendous rubble! We read mail (barely, kind of). __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 26, 2022

We continue our examination of Love and Rockets comics with a focus on Gilbert Hernandez's first big Palomar story "Heartbreak Soup." We discuss the hugeness of the world, the variety of influences (Jack Kirby, Don DeCarlo, folk tales, punk rock), the wildness of Gilbert's plot, the progressive sex and love, the problematic sex and love, the boldness of the mature themes. We get into Gilbert overall: how much he's done, how challenging he can be to read. Will talks about how much this affected him when he first discovered it in 1987 and how far ahead of so many comics it was. Kevin chimes in now and then. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 19, 2022

The Milksops go over one of Will Hines' all-time favorite comics: Love and Rockets. Done (mostly) by two Mexican-American brothers, Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, Love and Rockets mixes sci-fi, soap opera, folk tales, sexuality, surrealism and sometimes even good 'ol superheroes to make one of the coolest and most innovative comics ever. Published in various forms since 1981, this is a mammoth comics run. To spare our listeners (much) of Will just rambling forever, we are doing only 2 eps on this series. For this one, we focus on Jaime and in particular his late 80s story "The Death of Speedy." We talk about Jaime's superb art, the confident use of flashbacks, the assumption that you, the reader, are noticing all the detail in the panels, the aimless plot, the beautiful character moments, the mxiture of cartoonish styles with realistic drawing. Kevin assures Will that the story is not as hard to understand for newbies as he fears. Next ep: Gilbert and Heartbreak Soup. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 12, 2022

Comics (and prose and TV) writer J.M. Dematteis returns to plug his new independently funded comics line: Spellbound Comics. JM is teaming up with 4 terrific artsts (Shawn McManus, David Baldeon, Matthew Dow Smith, Tom Mandrake) to tell a wide variety of stories. The Milksops talk about that a bunch and also ask him about: keeping a positive attitude, the influence of Ray Bradbury and Twilight Zone, themes of identity that recur throughout his work, his recent novella The Excavator and much more. We also talk about (amongst ourselves, once it's over) all the questions we should have asked him!! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 5, 2022

Two huge milestones: Magneto is taking over the X-Men, and the Milksops are stepping away from the Uncanny X-Men. Claremont and John Romita Jr. are on a roll -- these issues are fun and exciting with surprising character moments (Magneto good? being foremost among them). But we've done over 100 issues and we want to shift onto "new" things (John Byrne's early 80's run on The Fantastic Four is as new as we get). We talk our opinions of what it's been like to read this huge swath of X-books, which includes among them some of the most famous Marvel comics of all time. We have really really loved reading these books and will miss it! We also get into some mailbags action, in which we are deservedly corrected and sometimes complimented! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 28, 2022

Three X-Men comics that actually feature the X-Men! Whoops, except the first one which is almost all Power Pack. But the Milksops love Power Pack, so they're happy. Then we've got a murder mystery which only kind of features a guest appearance by the omnipotent Beyonder (here to promote Secret Wars II, a comic which the Milksops read and remember almost nothing of), and then a Doom/Arcade story which is, as they say in an old Beach Boys song, fun. We're getting ready to wrap up our mutant coverage and woudln't you know Claremont and JRJR are starting to heat up, just to punish us. We also get into the mail which features: the Milksops pronouncing names wrong, What If? pitches, explanation of She-Hulk's talking to the camera, and validation for our Sandman TV review. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 21, 2022

Whoa, we are coming up on 100+ issues of the Uncanny X-Men reviewed on this podcast! Pretty good for two idiots who'd skipped this stuff the first time it came out. We go over some fun stories in these issues including: the X-men face off against Magus (alien robot lifeform) who's come looking for his son Warlock (a member of the New Mutants) the return (sort of) of original new X-man Thunderbird (sort of), and a battle with Juggernaut. I believe all of these battles end in a draw, which now that I realize that, is hilarious. We also go over the mail in which we say that comics created at the demands of marketing departments are (hot take alert) sometimes pretty good. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 7, 2022

First the Milksops review a three issue span where the X-Men and New Mutants team up against the magic villain Kulan Gath, who has thrown Manhattan back into Conan the Barbarian-esque time (NOT Conan O'Brien, despite what Will says a few times). Kevin liked that it was a short arc, and the glimpse into telepath Rachel Summer's terrible dystopian future world. Will was fed up with Claremont's overly-complicated plots and the density of characters! Like, wait, who's Amara? Why is Spider-Man unaffected? Why is Spider-Man even here? Which Milksop is right? We also get into some mail and talk about re-buying issues, forgotten teams we want back, British comics, and give out a few no-prizes for no reason! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 31, 2022

The Milksops review the new Netflix' series The Sandman. We already did 10 eps on the comics so you know we're fans, so was the show good enough for us? Short answer: kind of! We respect the shows' reverence for the source material, the great casting and visual goodness. But something is missing from the show, and we spend 45 minutes trying to figure out what. But we love the Corinthian, maybe too much, and the show kept getting better and better as it went. We're hoping there's a season 2 because we feel the comics ALSO got better as they went, and we think the show will too! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 17, 2022

In preparation for the Disney Plus show, the Milksops review She-Hulk in the comics! We go over the Savage era, the Byrne treatment, the Sensational phase (Byrne II), the Slott epoch and the Soule chapter. Plus dips into the other stuff. We talk about how Jennifer Walters went from a very tossed-off rip off of Bruce Banner into her own indominatable indispensible part of the Marvel Universe! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 10, 2022

The Milksops go over the 1982 four-issue mini series Wolverine, written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Frank Miller. This was part of Wolverine's ascendence to becoming one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe. Kevin was expecting a "bigger" story, something akin to what Miller would do on Batman: Year One or Daredevil: Born Again. It's not that seismic, but there's plenty of terrific Miller art and layouts in this story. There's also ninjas, Japanese culture, an expansion of the Wolverine character and world, the arrival of the assassin/would-be-love-interest Yugio and plenty of Claremont prose. The story is good, both Milksops agree, and they are glad to have read this story -- something that has been recommended to them for over 30 years! We also read mail! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 3, 2022

NO MAILBAG THIS EPISODE. For the "mutants" portion of our ep, the Milksops review the graphic novel "God Loves, Man Kills" in which the X-Men ally with arch-enemy Magneto to battle an anti-mutant televangelist/murderer! This was also known as "Marvel Graphic Novel #5," which was part of a series where Marvel creators could make more adult content. This story contains brutal murders, commentary on how people use religion and media to manipulate the masses, a man killing his family and Kitty Pryde dropping the N-word in an argument about racism. It's intense! It's also really good and one of the most compeling and nuanced portrayal of Magneto so far! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 20, 2022

We saved (one of) the best for last: Astro City. This is Kurt's masterpiece. Along with artist Brent Anderson and cover artist/collaborator Alex Ross, Kurt created an entire superhero universe for Astro City. The characters are a combination of analogues of very popular superhero "types" (we see a Superman-ish person, a Spider-Man ish hero, a Justice League, a Fantastic Four), but also characters who don't fit cleanly into any box. What is true of every character in Astro City is they are: human, emotional, moving, surprising and impressively thought-through. Astro City is to superhero comics what Speilberg movies are to adventure serials: better, deeper more moving versions of the old tropes --- done with joy and love and excitement. We dig a bit into two issues: #1 ("Flying") and #1/2 ("The Nearness of You") which is one of the Milksops' favorite issues of comic book of ANY genre and series. Hope you like it! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 13, 2022

We continue our look into Kurt Busiek with a deepish dive on one of his most beloved works: 2004's "Secret Identity." What if someone woke up in OUR world had Superman's powers? Meaning there are no superheroes but there are Superman comic books. He knows what he's become, but not why or how. An off-kilter premise, explored with heart and sweetness and surprise. It's a moving story that covers far more emotional ground than you're ready for. The decency and goodness in this story gets at the core of why we all love Superman so much. A must read. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 6, 2022

The Milksops continue our Talking 'Bout Busiek season with a look at his stellar run on The Avengers. Specifically we dig into issues 19-22, Ultron Unleashed! Thor has words with Ultron, Justice doesn't drink tea, and lots of robots wish they had families. It's action-packed and is a highlight of Kurt and George Perez's Avengers run. We also talk about the hard-to-find Avengers/JLA book and it's insanely dense character-filled fan service. If you ever wanted to see two universes kiss, then this is the comic for you. But also Superman holds Thor's hammer! It's fun when people hold Thor's hammer, right? Email us at screwitcomics@gmail.com ok? __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 29, 2022

Continuing our dive into Kurt Busiek, we look at his critically acclaimed series Untold Tales of Spider-Man. It's a masterpiece of going back to basics with the webhead, finding new stories from the old strategies. In particular, we dive into two incredible issues: UTOSM #16, which shows what Mary Jane Watson thought of Peter (and Spidey) before they met, and also UTOSM Annyal '96, which has the web-head go on a date with The Invisible Girl. These two issues have everything a great Spidey tale could have: action, humor, pathos, nerdiness, joy, severe punching and truthful emotional centers. We also go through some mail in which we find out we've made mistakes. But Will is still not convinced Matt Murdock has a personality. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 22, 2022

A team of villains who sometimes maybe kinda want to be heroes? One of the great series in recent decades. The Milksops get into Thunderbolts #1 with it tremendous twist ending that caught everyone unaware. We also talk about the series overall. It was born in a strange time in Marvel "history" when many of the big properties were removed from publication. Busiek turned this possible restriction into a feature. Also on display is Kurt's standard high level of story navigation: clear characters established quickly, smart plot twists and fun dialogue. It's one of those issues you read a second time the second you've finished it. Plus we get into some mail where as usual we are corrected on getting some facts wrong and we pick what a modern "Marvels" comic might focus on! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 15, 2022

The Milksops begin their celebration / examination of legendary comics writer Kurt Busiek by doing a medium-depth dive on his breakout 1993 mini-series Marvels. With the stunningly realistic paintings of Alex Ross, Marvels was a critical and commercial hit that also proved that the classic Marvel characters and stories still worked in the collectors-edition froth of the early 1990s. The series established Kurt's knack for creating everyman characters who view the world of superheros from "street level." The Milksops argue that Marvels and Kurt's success also marked the beginning of a "back to basics" appraoch for Marvel comics stories after the constant showing revisions of the 1980s. Hey, fun. We also answer email, which is why this episode is a bit longer. Mail includes a question on the movie War Games, because this show doubles as Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About War Games. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 8, 2022

To prepare for the new Disney+ show starring Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan incarnation), the Milksops do a crash course on her comic books! Despite just having debuted in Feburary 2014 (besides a fast cameo in 2013), Ms. Marvel has gotten a lot of development and appearances in that time. We go over her impressively strong debut, which includes the personality of Jersey City, her interesting conservative Muslim family, and cabal of surprising, supportive high school friends. We see a lot of Peter Parker in Kamala, with her joy and decency and missteps. We're intrigued by her Muslim background. We love the physical weirdness of her poly-morphism -- very Kirby, we think. We don't love the Inhmans origin (too complicated) and don't love her as much on teams (too competent, you heard us), and have yet to be grabbed by the recent "space stories" run. But we think this character is a hit and are excited for the show. __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 25, 2022

The Milksops break from their tendency to talk about 80s and 90s comics to focus on the latest MCU release: Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Their take: it's good? We get into what Kevin didn't like about the first one, and why he likes this one better. We also get into: guest character appearances, our assessment of the films visuals and actions, rating its villain, the impact on the story of the MCU as a whole and along the way Kevin spoils Citizen Kane! __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 18, 2022

Two issues of bliss, two issues of blah -- that's how the Milksops see these issues. We get a fun look at Rogue and Storm's friendly in 185, followed by the double-sized Barry Windsor-Smith pencilled epic of Storm and Forge falling in love with each other! They're each fun, intriguing, exciting issues of the X-Men. And then we get two completely confusing issues where they face off against an alien race called the Dire Wraiths who come from the Marvel title ROM, which was one of those toy-first-comics-later comics that often doesn't work (Transformers, you get a pass). We also talk a lot about superstar artists George Perez and Neal Adams who sadly recently passed away. They each were impactful for their work as artists and work behind the scenes as human beings! In the mailbags portion, we pick an all-bald super-powered basketball team and talk about digital vs print comics! You can't miss this ep! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 11, 2022

A terrific run of Claremont issues. We have the charming "Young Dragons in Love" where we see Japan bring out its standing anti-Monster forces to stop a lovesick dragon from destroying Tokyo. Rogue loses track of which of her memories are really hers when she rescues an ex-boyfriend (we think) of Carol Danvers. Wolverine takes Colossus out to maybe beat him up for dumping Kitty Pryde and instead just lets casual clothes wearing Juggernaut beat him up. And finally Rachel Summers, the daughter of Scott and Jean from another timeline arrives in our present to , we presume, save the world. Hey, pretty fun. We still get some Kevin hot takes, don't you worry. In the mailbag, we get suggestions of what we should cover in future Crash Courses, a defense of the "a hero is someone who always gets up" trope from a fellow Danburian, and Kevin and Will talk about how they always seem to get along? is it a hoax????? __ SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 4, 2022

In this X-issues we see a lot of cool stuff but also Professor X playing basketball in X-themed athletic wear, which is..... I can't decide what that is. Great? Silly? Fun? In other events, we see Kitty almost get married, and Caliban reveals he can be good. Nightcrawler continues being a doctor, and Rogue is more and more accepted into the team. Scott continues to be married to an almost maybe kinda clone of his dead girlfriend. John Romita Jr. is the regular artist now, and in one issue is inked by his own dad! Interesting! In the mailbags portion, we get more trivia questions and one reader has a hilarious explanation for Karen Page's behavior in the Born Again storyline. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 27, 2022

Three pretty great X-Men issues where we the mutants deal with getting used to Rogue, meeting Scott's Jean Grey-clone(?) fiance and Wolverine investigating why he was left at the altar! Also Will is so exhausted that he keeps calling Nightcrawler "Wolverine" which is insane! Then we cover Annual 7 which is, depending on your mood, either deligtfully silly meta in-joke fun where ou see the Marvel Bullpen, or maybe just totally dumb and who cares? Why do annuals exist? Then we cover the mail where we learn about Bantam, the not-at-all Batman character from Marvel, and the Milksops get called out for being hypocrites about thinking it's funny how much Marvel characters call each other cowards. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 20, 2022

The mutants return to fight the villain they are most known for fighting: Count Dracula! Wha....? Okay, so it's not a standard X-villain, but this is a better story than the count's previous X-appearance. We then get into the arrival of a terrific legendary X-man: Rogue. And right on the heels of that the (near) wedding of Wolverine and Mariko. In typical Claremont era fashion, the story's plots are insanely complicated and hard to summarize, but the character moments are moving and terrific. There's a great Rogue/Wolverine team up sequence and Professor X is..... not around until everything is solved? In the mailbag section, we talk about switching heroes' Rogue Gallery, picking the most important non-super people in the comics universe and hear a million listeners tell us we forgot to pick Maus as the third big comics event of the mid-1980s. Consider us properly shamed! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 13, 2022

The big finish of the Born Again saga. We've got: crazed super-soldier who always thinks he's in Vietnam, corrupt generals and police commissioners and police, Matt Murdock cooking amazing burgers, the return of wearing a superhero costume, and oh yeah the Avengers. And epic finish to a story that transformed the character and probably intimidated/inspired everyone writing superhero comics in the whole world! Our take: we like it. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 6, 2022

The Born Again saga begins jumping from character to character faster and faster, but Miller's taut prose and Mazzuchelli's deft art keep everything feeling smooth. Matt is healing, Ben Urich is scared and the not scared, Karen is on the run and then not on the run and Foggy has a bowling ball. We talk about how fearsome the Kingpin is despite his ridiculous habit of beating up scores of employees in karate gis. The Daily Bugle scenes are so beautiful and cinematic that you almost want the whole comic to take place there. And we make an argument that drug dealer/murderer Paolo is the accidental hero of some twisted version of this tale. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 30, 2022

Because of the new Moon Knight television show, the Milksops do a crash course in to the comics portrayal of Moon Knight, a character neither of them know that well! After an admittedly fast and intense few days of reading, we give our first impressions of most of the different incarnations of the characters. But that's tough because the characters has been rebooted many times in very different ways. The original incarnation was an impassioned but scattered story of a mercenery resurrected (maybe) by an Egyptian god to do good. Along with multiple secret identities, a confusing array of allies and assistants, and a dark past -- the ingredients were set for the multiple reboots that followed. Your hosts see Moon Knight get labelled with interesting facets: multiple personality disorder, an insistance that villains "see him coming," a duty to protect travellers at night, loyalty to his Jewish heritage. A fun, complicated, constantly changing character. We hope you enjoy our guide! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 23, 2022

Despite some very big limitations and shortcomings, Born Again stands out as an incredible achievement of monthly comic book creation. Each issue is tense, interesting, has surprising developments, humor, character moments, ending in a terrific cliffhanger. Writer Frank Miller is excellent at taking characters you know and exaggerating them to more powerful versions of themselves. Kingpin is not just a crime lord, he's an imposing terrifying figure of doom. Murdock/Daredevil is not just a run-of-the-mill good guy, but a man who is unable to quit even when he loses his mind. Ben Urich is a tough-as-nails reporter commtted to getting the truth -- so what does it feel like when he gets truly scared? Karen Page is the well-known misfire in this story -- she's all damsel in distress with little personality other then begging Matt to save her. But for 1986, you can see that this run blew away its peers for presenting an exciting can't-wait-for-next-issue story. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 16, 2022

Professor Xavier is a jerk, says Kitty Pryde and X-Nation agrees, or at least the Milksops agree. We are into the beautiful Paul Smith epoch of the Claremont era of the X-books and things are cooking. We've got the final showdown with the Brood as the X-Men meet the New Mutants, Kitty (once again) proving herself to be worth of X-man status, and then a very cool and fun adventure in the sewers as the X-Men meet the Morlocks. The Milksops love these issues, and we can't believe how far we've come! We're almost up to the Secret Wars! Plus we get a great email from a fellow alumnus of our high scool, where the mascot was improbably a giant hat. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 9, 2022

The Milksops can't stop obsessing over Frank Miller, so we're going from Dark Knight Returns to Frank's awesome return to Marvel's Daredevil: the Born Again stories. Along with artist David Mazzuchelli, this seven part Daredevil story is one of the greatest Daredevil stories ever and one of the great Marvel comics stories. The Kingpin finds out that Daredevil is really Matt Murdock and so he... ruins Matt Murdock's life. What could be a simple one or two issue story becomes a prolonged exploration of what makes Daredevil truly a hero. We see Matt Murdock go completely insane, Foggy Nelson being a new love affair, Karen Page go on a doesnt-age-that-well struggle with drug addiction, Ben Urich stand up for getting the true story no matter what the cost -- all wrapped up in taut, lively compelling crime fiction. Oh, and the best cliffhangers in the biz! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 2, 2022

Brood, Brood and more Brood. The X-Men find themselves in an impossible situation when they realize that a hostile alien force has planted eggs inside of their bodies, and the only way to stop the hatching is to die! Luckily they find a simple (not) solution involving the prophet/singer leader of a fleet of peaceful space whales, spirtual bonds that heal bodies, and a rogue dragon who eats eggs. Paul Smith starts his run as artist for the X-Men and it's a great fit right away. Also Professor X gets ready to begin the New Mutants. Will is more sympathetic to the good parts of recent stories, wheras Kevin has had it with The Brood taking up so many issues. They discuss if an unenjoyable run on a comic makes the comic as a whole bad. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 23, 2022

The final issue of the Dark Knight Returns brings a showdown that maybe only Frank Miller was asking for: Batman takes down Superman. We see a very Batman-centered view of Superman: a sellout, a toady, an obstacle. Superman meanwhile saves the lives of millions and is rewarded with an order to capture Batman. We see Gotham collapse into utter chaos when a nuclear bomb takes away all power in the city. Batman resorts to old tech to rally the mutants and Sons of Batman to put away the guns and restore order. The Green Arrow, now with one arm, wants to help take down Supes. Yindel has a change of heart. Carrie Kelly helps Batman carry out the ultimate con. As we turn the last page, we realize Batman - the story, the character, the myth -- will never be the same again. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 16, 2022

Batman doesn't kill. But should he? Frank MIller's portrayal of the Joker puts this question to the test after the Clown Prince of Crime begins a murder spree in already-collapsing Gotham. Also we see glimpses of Superman, who is forbidden from being talked about on the news. We see the old mutant gang decalre themselves to be the violent sons of Batman. New Commission Yindel makes no bones about this: Batman is a criminal and should be put in jail. The stakes keep going up up up! Oh yeah, there's also creepy flying doll bombs who have full personalities? -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 9, 2022

The X-Men stories are getting so complicated it's tough to summarize correctly. But basically we've got: a quick fight against Dracula (no big), a demon who pulls Illyana into limbo for 6 or 7 years, Professor X remembering that he and Magneto were once allies and then shaking off a coma, and the beginning of a showdown against the increasingly horrifying (to the Milksops) Brood. Kevin is still a bit "meh" on how disorganized the stories are but Will sees that the characters' back stories are being improved and strengthened for the next era of X-Comics. Plus we get a great trivia game in our mailbag, questions about villains, and some corrections! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 2, 2022

Issue 2 of this seminal series is the only one that features a wholly original villain: the hyper-violent, extra-brutal leader of the Mutant Gang. Batman gets a new Robin: the extremely fun and optimistic Carrie Kelly. We also see the Bat-Tank version of the Batmobile, and get hints of a SUPER guest to come later in the story. This Kevin's favorite issue and Will's second-favorite. Can the Milksops survive such a disagreement (yes, it's no big deal). -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 26, 2022

The Starjammers are back and things get confusing! It's something to do with a missing possibly kidnapped Princess Lilandra, and a coup among the Shi'ar, and also some villains called The Brood, and also Scott's dad is back (again), and Kitty hacks into computer and there's a living ship which is a brain-dead space-whale, and also.... we meet soon-to-be X-Man Rogue! In the mailbag, we get corrected for mis-remembering the source cartoon of Horny Wolf, and consider a Doom solo movie. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 19, 2022

The Milksops begin their in-depth look at THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, the 1986 Batman story by Frank Miller (and Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley) that changed the character and all of superhero comics forever. We get into: the violence, the density, the intelligence, the fun (yes, this bleak world has a lot of joy in it), the tons of captions, what it was like for Kevin to read this as a wee lad. We also get into the legacy, the influence, and the absolute enormous HIT this was at the time. Takes us about 25 minutes before we actually start discussing the issue and frankly I think we were rushing. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 12, 2022

Hilarious Correction Department: it's Emma FROST not Emma STONE. Anyway: A rival school for mutants drafts Kitty Pryde, and Storm switches bodies with Emma Frost. Plus a cute fairy tale that charmed Will and kinda was okay to Kevin, plus the Starjammers returns as Cyclops (again?) remembers the story of his father. In our mail, we are shamed for not mentioning the Daredevil cameo in "No Way Home" plus we have to pick the worst X-Men villains and Will just sys Galactus? Go to shortboxed.com/screwit to win a copy of a 2018 pressing of Dark Knight Returns #1 signed by Frank Miller and Klaus Jansen! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 17, 2021

The Milksops convene for a emergency episode to discuss their feelings on the new Spider-Man movie "No Way Home." Big spoilers starting at about 10 minutes in -- we warn you. Among topics discussed: Kevin balancing his wishes for MCU Spidey versus him actually enjoying the movies, fan service vs good story, the many redemption arcs for actors in this film, ranking all Spider films, what moments made our respective audiences burst out with applause and more! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 14, 2021

Magneto is back and badder than ever! Wait, no, maybe he's good! No, he's bad! Anyway: he's fun. The post-Byrne era continues. Claremont likes off-panel big events and big emotional reactions, even if these are completely different emotional reactions than happened the previous issue! In the mailbag, we talk about what we should cover after X-Men, the tragic news about George Perez and his gracious handling of it, comics of the early 2000s and how to pronounce "Darkseid." -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 8, 2021

We take a break from the superheroes with this one. Actor/writer Ben Rodgers (Lower Decks, Workaholics) joins the Milksops to discuss the indie comic classic Eightball, specifically issue #11. Eightball, written and drawn by Dan Clowes, was an anthology comic that featured a mix of short brutally hilarious pieces, surreal genre stories, longer more grounded explorations of every-so-slightly grotesque characters, mixed in a with lots of commentary on pop culture and our relationship to it! All with amazingly well done art. Ben, who once aspired to draw comics himself, is a passionate reader of lots of different comics and we loved talking with him about what he loves about Dan Clowes. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 1, 2021

Five more Claremont X-Men issues. We say goodbye to John Byrne with a cracker of Kitty Pryde story, followed by a Man-Thing story (the most awkwardly named Marvel character ever), followed by Cockrum Era Part II -- which means more Nightcrawler, kids! We are still loving these X-Men stories, so expect more. We also get into the mailbag, where we get helpful comments about the Dr. Doom story we read with Chris Gethard, and thoughts on the new Spidey movie and more! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 17, 2021

We're joined by Brett White, a writer for Decider.com, former employee of Wizard magazine and deeply devoted life-long X-fan. Brett gets into his passionate defense of X-Factor #84 and X-Force in general! Early and mid-90s Marvel gets criticzed a lot these days, but Brett explains about what made this time period special. We get into the X-Men cartoon on Fox that drew so many fans to the comic, and what Brett doesn't like about the current run of X-books. The Milksops maybe disagree with many of Brett's finer points on comics but we love him and love how well he descirbes and defends his viewpoint. Enjoy! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 10, 2021

The hits keep on coming! The Milksops have reached another X-Men milestone: the two-issue story "Days of Future Past." This is where we see an adult Kathryn Pryde in the future journey back to our present to prevent an mutant apocalypse. Written by artist John Byrne (with dialogue and some key plot points altered by Claremont), this story is a legendary chapter in the X-Verse. Will loves it, Kevin... mostly likes it? We also dive into our mailbag, where we talk crossovers, behind the scenes of X-Comics, and a possible Fancy Dan appearance in the Venom-movie-verse. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 3, 2021

Chris Gethard (Beautiful/Anonymous, Planet Scum, Half My Life special on Amazon Prime) returns to discuss a gem of a graphic novel from 1989: Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom - The Triumph and The Torment. We also get into: a old issue of FF the Gethard has acquired, whether or not Kevin and Will appreciate the X-Men the way they do the FF, Byrne / Claremont / DeMatties as interview subjects, Mark Gruenwald's run on Captain America, the impact of an FF movie on the MCU, The New Warriors, a tiny bit of UCB/improv history and the impact of graphic novels themselves! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 27, 2021

It's a bit of a valley in the X-Men saga, as we take a breath after the Death of Phoenix and before Days of Future Past. We get a funeral, a recap of... the entire X-men comics run, Kitty Pryde showing up to an empty mansion, a Wolverine/Nightcrawer trip to the world's richest government (Canada) and also real quick a trip to hell. In the mailbag, we get into X-adaptations, old cartoons and comic books filing systems! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 20, 2021

One of the Milksops' dream guests, J.M. DeMatteis graces the podcast this epsiode! J.M.'s credits in comics are vast: he had several long runs on Spider-Man (including the legendary series "Kraven's Last Hunt"), the dialogue writer on Justice League International (which was one of the funniest superhero comics ever, not that it was comedy, but still), Captain America, Moonshadow, Blood -- not to mention writing several episodes of animated series Justice League, Superman and others. J.M. asked to talk about Silver Surfer #3 from 1968. Written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Buscema, it's a philosophical, spiritual and trippy story --- no surprise that J.M. connected with it, given his long run of emotionally powerful comics stories. We were thrilled to have him! Oh, and he has a great John Lennon story which he DID NOT TELL US! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 13, 2021

The Death of Phoenix. Truly one of the milestone stories in modern superhero comics, and it still hits hard, even for the Milksops who are reading the full arc for the first time this year! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 6, 2021

The Milksops interview Chris Claremont, author of Marvel's X-Books for something like 17 years, and then some. We get into how he got hired by Stan Lee in the early 1970s, what Marvel was like at that time, the decision behind the Death of Phoenix, the challenges of writing comics these days, his priorities while writing comics, and more! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 29, 2021

Enter: The Hellfire Club. Also enter: "radiation" heroes as stand-ups, mutants as improvisers; the abundance of alleys in Marvel's NYC; the debut of Kitty Pryde; and one of the most famous Wolverine panels to have ever happened! Plus the mail: we pitch some "What Ifs?", Kevin has an idea for The Incredibles 3 and wondering how the mutants will fit into the MCU. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 22, 2021

Alex Segura, who's written and edited in various capacities for Archie, DC and many others (in addition to writing terrific crime novels) joins us to analyze Amazing Spider-Man #350, in which Erik Larsen draws an epic battle between Spidey and the very normally named Doctor Doom! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 15, 2021

The Milksops arrive at the Proteus saga, and notice that the already-great X-Men series is levelling up in quality. Multiple storylines intersect with a powerful villain to create tension, action and drama. Phoenix is powering up. The Hellfire Club arrives. Moira Mctaggert returns, as does her ex-husband. Colossus' inferiority complex goes away, and Wolverine remains his fun and brutal self. Our take: this comic is goddamn good. Plus the mail! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 11, 2021

A catch-up issue where everyone catches their breath, then Arcade throws everyone into a giant pinball machine, and then oh yeah some guy named Arkon from another dimension or something shows up and fights and then befriends the X-Men! Kevin compares these comics to old Kirby FFs. Will likes the Wild West and confirms the least surprising thing ever: he has a crush on Storm. Plus the mail! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 4, 2021

The X-Men go up against the most powerful enemy: the insanely well-funded secret Canadian super-hero program. Enter ALPHA FLIGHT! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 28, 2021

A big episode for a big event: the wrap-up of Superior Spider-Man. One of the all-time great Spidey comics comes to a thundering, epic, emotionally devastating close. The Milksops first wrap up the arcs that precede the finish: Spider-Man 2099, Stunner and Venom. But then they spend a full hour on the final two issues of the series. Dan Slott and company deliver the goods in Spidey-Otto's final hour. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 21, 2021

The X-Men (most of them) make it to the Savage Land. The Milksops talk about the trope of hidden lands with dinosaurs in them, people who look like they've read Lord of the Rings but haven't, and try to figure out what the deal was with The Petrified Man. Plus lots of email! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 14, 2021

Over these issues, Spidey-Otto evolved into full super villain mode. He gets a lair, henchmen and even a giant robot. The Milksops discuss this, as well as some MCU talk and Will's plan to play the Thing in an FF movie as an homage to Fat Bastard from Austin Powers. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 7, 2021

John Byrne is on-board and the X-Men stories are getting wilder, weirder and even more fun. We've got circus sideshows, robot nannies and Colossus saying "Lenin's Ghost" a whole lot more. Plus the Milksops read some email, with a very funny example of Moon Knight announcing his name before punching a bad guy out! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 30, 2021

Things go from bad to worse for Ghost Peter as Spidey-Otto discovers his existence. We get into the many ways that Dan Slott keeps this story emotionally interesting, with surprising plot twists and oh yeah, the art is great too. Plus a great cover, dare we say iconic, of Peter and Otto fighting inside of Spidey's brain! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 23, 2021

Barely 12 issues into their run and the X-men battle with approximiately 100 newish characters and save the universe. We get into: Claremont and Cockrum putting themselves in the issue, the joy of new characters, the speed with which Claremont and team are changing the X-universe, Cockrum's insanely good costume design and the arrival of little rookie artist John Byrne. Also we answer a million emails. Plus: Screw It We're Just Gonna Talk About War Games returns! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 16, 2021

More tales of Spidey-Otto! The milksops get into seeing which ways Otto is a more efficient Spidey and the many ways in which he is worse. Some hot takes from Kevin on how modern comics kills people too easily, without good enough story reasons. As usual we disagree with the readers who thought this series glorified or somehow approved of Otto -- it most definitely does not. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 9, 2021

We're not far into Chris Claremont's X-Men run and things are happening FAST: Storm and Jean Grey are best friends, the X-Men have gone on vacation for the second time in a year, the Sentinels are back and Marvel Girl becomes Phoneix? So much! We talk about: old comics' tendency to RUSH everything (on the team for 2 issues: best friends), the weird decisions to bring back lame villains from X-Men 1.0. But also there's the good: romance and passion, terrific writing -- like literal wordsmithing, great costumes, and fast-piling sub plots. And we answer email! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 2, 2021

The new normal: Otto Octavious is Spider-Man. What could have been a single issue is being played out into a multi-year regular series! We start to see the ramifications of Otto as a man determined to be the best Spider-Man ever: robot spies, new tech for defeating baddies, more merciless beatings... and this all sometimes works? The Milksops dive in! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 26, 2021

The Milksops introduce a new episode format: Mutants and Mailbag. For half the episode the cover the early Chris Claremont run of Marvel's X-Men (which they are embarrassed to admit they have never read before) and then for the other half they catch up on mail! In this ep, we go over Giant Size X-Men #1 and X-Men #94-97 --- seismic issues that would transform Marvel Comics forever! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 19, 2021

The Milksops get into one of the most-requested series from our fans: 2012's Superior Spider-Man, in which Spidey and Doctor Octopus switch bodies! In this episode we go over the three issues of Amazing Spider-Man where the story started, before it kicked off into its own series for thirty or so issues. Will is won over right away. Kevin talks about how he had to read the first issue a second time immediately after finishing it once. Fun! Scary! Cool! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItComics@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 28, 2021

The Milksops get their first returning guest: podcast novice Scott Aukerman, creator and host of Comedy Bang-Bang as well as the writer / actor / producer of many other comedy projects. This time around, we discuss Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #6, the debut of Spidey's sidekick Spider-Bite. Well, sort of sidekick. I mean, YES sidekick, but also... well, whatever, you'll see. We also talk about Scott's history as a fan of comics and how he got into writing a few himself. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 21, 2021

While the Milksops have been talking to all these guests, the mail has piled up so we catch up! We cover: superheroes in cabinet positions, the question of whether flying takes effort, and how Will's Stan Lee impression is starting to lean a bit Gilbert Gottfried. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 14, 2021

We are joined by Jordan White, who is Marvel Comics Senior Editor that oversees the "X books." Damn, pretty cool, right? Jordan talks about Amazing Spider-Man #334-339, which is the "Return of the Sinister Six" by David Michelinie and Erik Larsen. This arc which came out in 1990 is a long-overdue homage to the first Spider-Man annual that came out in 1963. We talk about Erik's terrific arc, the very fun story, the entertainingly insane reasons that these 6 villains need any help at all, and how everyone in Manhattan seems to place bets on whether or not hit men will murder their targets! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 7, 2021

We are so legitiamately thrilled to announced our guest for this episode: Chris Gethard. In addition to being an author, comedian, creator of the hit podcast Beautiful/Anonymous and host of the third biggest show on his own twitch network Planet Scum, Chris did improv with the Milksops at the UCB Theater for like 100 years. So we talk forever. Also, by the way, Gethard comes onto the podcast to talk about the ingenious, delightful, thrilling arc: FROG THOR. In the middle of Walt Simonson's legendary run on Thor in the mid-1980s, the Thunder God gets turned into a frog, a storyline that polarized readers who either loved it or hated it. Put us in the "loved it" camp. We get into many topics with Gethard: how he's a fan of this podcast, his love of Mark Gruenwald Captain America run, why the X-Men resonate so much, our mutual friend Jesse Falcon's apartment, the death of the Executioner and you know we get a little improv talk in there, too. This is a long one, and we were restraining ourselves to only talk for 2 hours!!! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 31, 2021

Multi-genre master Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Red Handed, Beserker, Bang and a million more) comes on to wax nostalgic about the late 1980s indie favorite Concrete. We hear what Kindt loves about the thoughtful, lonely, beautiful comics series by Paul Chadwick. We get into why he refuses to re-read it! And plenty of talk about all the amazin comics that came out in the 1980s - A Milksops favorite topic! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 24, 2021

Longtime Marvel (and ToyBiz and Disney) Toy Designer Jesse Falcon joins us. Jesse is both a comics professional and a comedian friend of the Milksops as they all performed together at the UCB Theatre for years. Jesse talks about his lifelong obsession with making comics gear, insanely strange movies and TV shows he somehow knows about it, that Will and Kevin were wrong for years to assume he was the guy who invented Hulk Hands, and that Steve Ditko once gave someone homemade pretzels. This ep is an instant classic! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 17, 2021

Jeff Smith, the creator of the insanely great series Bone, joins the Milksops to geek out about Batman #232 by Denny O'Neill and Neal Adams. And we do mean geek out. We get an awesome panel-by-panel breakdown of Neal Adams' storytelling might by one of our favorite comics artists of all time. A joy. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 12, 2021

The Milksops take a break from their season of guests (already? sure) to catch up on email. Turns out our Secret Wars episodes really got you listeners working at the 'ol email machines. We go over: another casting assignment, questions about spoilers, Stan vs Jack vs Steve, and dealing with the challenge that the Secret Wars did not have enough secrets! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 10, 2021

We begin our Season of Guests with a bang: Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort (editor of Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, Civil War, Winter Soldier) joins us to talk about why he loved the 1970s mini-arc of the FF vs the Frightful Four (Three). We've got auditions for super-villains, Evil Reed, crazy big fan machines and The Impossible Man watching TV! We also geek out about Tom's excellent blog tombrevoort.com which is a must-read for any Marvel-head! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 24, 2021

The Secret Wars comes to an abrupt end, but not before Doom becomes a god, then not, then inbewteen, then... nothing. Also the heros all die and then don't. Except Szaji who really did? And Spidey is pretty chill about realizing that his costume is maybe kinda... alive? But in the end, the Brothers Milksop declare that this is a VERY fun book and deserved its success. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 17, 2021

These issues showcase the super-villain Doctor Doom, and he emerges as the main character of this story. Will loves Secret Wars and respect Jim Shooter's work on it, and Kevin brings him down to earth with some stories about Jim's behind the scenes arrogance or at least tone-deaf office humor. Still, these issues are fun. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 10, 2021

A lot of stuff happens in these two issues but maybe the most significant is the arrival of Spider-Man's black costume, which eventually becomes the super-villain Venom. But no one making Secret Wars had any idea that would happen! Isn't that weird? -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 3, 2021

More fun issues, though there is a lot of recapping, even for Secret Wars. In one issue we have both Doom and Professor X checking in with everyone, and maybe Reed Richards too? It's hard to keep track. Also: the Lizard shows up, and the Milksops think that maybe Shooter had simply forgotten to include him up until now. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 27, 2021

The Milksops talk about one of their favorite moments of the Secret Wars story: the Hulk holds up a mountain. Will is suprised how much he's enjoying this re-read. Kevin is not surprised. We get into more of Shooter's unsubtle dialogue, the Molecule Man's truly unreasonably powerful powers and if the X-Men are being treated unfairly by the story! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 20, 2021

Secret Wars is a fun-first, subtle dialogue far far last type of story, and for the Milksops (and the tens of thousands who bought these issues) it works. Other fun things: the heroes are impressed with each other. Doom flips the script on Beyonder (or tries) and oh yeah, the bad guy's name is "Beyonder." -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 13, 2021

The Milksops talk about the original Marvel Superhero's Secret Wars. Commercially successful, critically tolerated, and fascinating! We ponder what the arrogant / influential editor-in-chief Jim Shooter must have been like. We remember what it was like reading this story as kids. Kevin gets into some behind-the-scenes stories he knows. And we read 100 pieces of reader email! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 16, 2020

We continue going over Kevin's recommendations as we go over the very cool series Black Hammer, specifically issue #2. A group of superhumans are stuck in a small town, which is... not a small town. In these early issues we are learning the back stories of our main characters, each of which is part fun part mystery! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 9, 2020

We go over the action movie homage Bang #02, written by Matt Kindt. It stars an action hero that is part Die Hard, part Doc Savage and all fun. It's also a mind trip, as the characters seem to exist in books written by another character from a higher dimension? It's weird. And fun! The Milksops dissect! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Dec 2, 2020

We begin a short series of Will reading some comics Kevin tells him to. We start with the commercially successful and critically acclaimed IMMORTAL HULK. The mystery, the philosophy, the character, the darkness, the... fun? We get into it. Next epsiode: BANG #2. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 18, 2020

Milksops Will and Kevin wrap up their season of discussing Sandman comics. Somehow Will talks for 45 minutes and they're not even going over another issue. Plus email! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 11, 2020

Dream learns that murdering his own son might have been uncool, like way uncool, to the degree that the 3 Fates who for reasons we forget hate Dream, show up and rip his world apart. The Milksops are almost done with Dream, folks! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 4, 2020

Stories within stories within stories! The Milksops continue their look at Sandman with a deepish dive into issue #55, called "Cerements" in which (inhale).. a journeyman from a city of burial experts tells a story he heard from his master about a story HE heard from HIS teacher, who also tells ... other stories! All within the story of the World's End Inn. Come get "incepted" with us! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 28, 2020

Casey Bruce from Danger Room Comics of Olympia, Washington joins the Milksops to do a deep dive on the truly strange Sandman Story "The Golden Boy," which focuses on the 1970s teen president "Prez." We've got Nixon cameos, Watchmen references, plenty of Jesus parallels, and oh yeah, Wildcat. Don't forget the rad Mike Allred art! We also get into what makes great comic shops great and how important they are for so many comics fans! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 21, 2020

"Do You Control Transportation?" may not seem like a good way to start a conversation in a travel agent's office but then again, what are travel agents? The Milksops discuss chapter three of the funny / sad / exciting Sandman story "Brief Lives." -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 14, 2020

The Milksops get into the hot button issues of: gender identity, sexual consent and also cutting people's faces off and nailing them to a wall in this, the third chapter of the incredible Sandman arc "A Game of You." -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 7, 2020

We meet Lord Morpheous' family who are strange in two ways only: they are super-powerful beings in charge of aspects of reality, and all their names start with D. We also take a trip to hell! And we learn that Lord Morpheous is a really bad boyfriend. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 30, 2020

WARNING: the issue we discuss has sexual assault in its story. Kevin and Will review a gruesome tale of horror and revenge in the Sandman issue "Callopie." An evil writer is out of ideas so he does what so many young artists to: he enslaves a Roman muse. We get into this story as an example of how well Sandman can show evil and justice, and we learn some key info on Dream's personal history. Also the Three Fates show up. That's pretty wild. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 23, 2020

The milksops (Kevin and Will) go over the debut of Hob Gadling, the man who will never die! What's YOUR favorite invention of the last 500 years: chimneys or handkerchiefs? -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 16, 2020

We begin a new season in which Kevin and Will examine the Vertigo series Sandman! Will is so excited we don't get to the issue itself for 30 minutes! Then we discuss this seminal issue, in which we meet Dream's big sister Death. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 2, 2020

Kevin and Will finish their discussion of Batman Year One, and guess what? They still love it. Kevin pitches more ways to get Batman out of this story. Will tries to figure out when he stopped liking Frank Miller. And they talk about whether it's COOL or REALLY COOL that Batman is not even in costume for the climactic battle of this story! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 26, 2020

Commissioner Gordon watches as Gotham Police nearly kill his not-yet-friend Batman. Topics we discuss include: how fast could you pick a lock in gloves? Did Year One create the "Save The Cat" trope? How much money can one make from a device that summons thousands of bats? -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 19, 2020

Kevin and Will continue looking at one of the greatest superhero comics of all time: Batman Year One. There's two hot takes in this episode. 1) They both think this comic is great. 2) Kevin thinks he could do with EIGHTY PERCENT less Batman, which Will thinks is the craziest thing Kevin or anyone has ever said. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 12, 2020

The JLE meet their toughest enemy yet: a strict French teacher. Also the hilariously not-that-powerful Injustice League are in the same class! And with that, we close up our discussion of the Giffen/DeMatties era Justice League International. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 5, 2020

The JLE beat their foe, and in a very un-Justice League moment -- they do it by actually using their powers in a fight?! Also Kevin and Will discuss how JLE characters all have an intimidating amount of hair. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 29, 2020

Who does the city of Paris love more than the JLE? Everyone, but especially the Global Guardians (who? oh, right them). Will and Kevin admire the balance of humor and action again. They also try to name their top 5 favorite artists and instead name 50. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 22, 2020

The new chapter of the league splits into pairs to track down who is trying to destroy their credibility. We learn almost nothing about that, but DO get to see everyone's powers and personalities on display! And Kevin talks a lot about Back to the Future for no good reason. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 15, 2020

Justice League International was such a hit that it spawned a spin-off: Justice League Europe. Kevin talks about how this title is better than the original and Will ogles Captain Atom's tiny waist. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 8, 2020

Special guest episode! We talk to Tze Chun, a writer and the co-founder of comics company TKO Presents, about the stellar classic BATMAN: YEAR ONE. A masterpiece of Frank Miller's hard-boiled detective fiction style, with David Mazzuchelli's sublime art, and Richmond Lewis's transcendant colors - this is one of our favorite comics of all time. Tze writes hard-boiled genre comics himself, is a lifelong Batman fan, and was also a writer/producer on the TV show Gotham, so this story is right up his alley. We get into it. Stick around for Tze's story of meeting Frank Miller when he was 13. And if you are interested in checking out the books TKO Presents produces you can get 20% with the code SCREWIT20: http://tkopresents.com/discount/SCREWIT20 -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 1, 2020

The first year of JLI ends with Maxwell Lord smashing a computer apart while the Justice League fights... no one? Merton leaves mid issue and Will and Kevin can't decide why we supposed to like Max. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 24, 2020

The league starts to uncover the mysterious background of Maxwell Lord, the good guy who seems like a bad guy until we discover... he isn't! Maybe? I lose track. Also we discuss and propse catch phrases of super-teams! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 17, 2020

Within the forgettable Millenium event there is born a character both idiotic and unforgettable. G'nort arrives! And the JLI creative team gets to write Superman, Hawkman, Hawkwoman and more Green Lanterns then any story needs. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 10, 2020

Rocket Red, who has been a member of the JLI for one whole issue -- is a TRAITOR! Only a crossover as forgettable as "Millenium" could produce a betrayal of such low stakes! Still, the issue is pretty good! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 27, 2020

The first almost all-fun-character, no-action JLI issue as the league moves into several embassies around the globe. We've got the first "bwa-ha-ha" laugh, which would become iconic for this series, and the establishment that the Martian Manhunter loves Oreos. Kevin and Will give it an A+. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 20, 2020

The Justice League becomes Justice League International! First Dr. Fate gets rid of the most powerful villain of the series in one panel. Also, Kevin and Will discuss how it's weird that it's interesting when an ensemble comic spends several pages discussing lineup changes. And RIP Richard Sala - unrelated to JLI but a great comics creator that Kevin has admired for years. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 13, 2020

The Justice League team attempts to fight the mystical Gray Man with the help (or hinderance) of the Creeper. Captain Marvel fights J'onn Jonzz, Black Canary reluctantly gets saved, and a casually dressed Hal Jordan visits Maxwell Lord. Then in the end Dr Fate handles the situation. Plus we answer some emails and take too long deciding who should be on our Justice League line up. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

May 6, 2020

The mysterious Grey Man is finally revealed! He's a dude who is a bad guy. Also The Creeper shows up. And Batman and Guy Gardner have their most iconic moment they will ever have. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 29, 2020

Booster Gold joins the Justice League. He earns his place by fighting some adults who dress up as playing cards the same way most people get jobs. Plus Maxwell Lord annoys Batman and Blue Beetle unplugs something. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 22, 2020

More nukes, more commies, plus two Star Trek Jokes. JLI is already in fine form, very early in its series run. Kevin and Will love that Mister Miracle was willing to sacrifice his life for the cause, and we also love his flying discs! Kirbytastic! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 15, 2020

It's not a 1980s superhero book without the THREAT OF NUCELAR WAR looming closely overhead. Will and Kevin get into the issue where the Justice League start messing around with nukes. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 8, 2020

Issue one features the new Justice League in all of its not-that-much-glory. We've got: alt-right Green Lanterns! An "Oh Gosh" Captain Marvel! A serious-as-heck Batman. And a cigar-chomping entertainment booker-style Oberon! Let the new era begin! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Apr 1, 2020

We begin our look at the 1980s hit JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL. Originally simply JUSTICE LEAGUE, this was an incarnation of DC's super team that featured lots of ... not exactly A-list superheroes. Oberon, anyone? Doctor Light? Blue Beetle? Third most important Green Lantern Guy Gardner? We got 'em! But this series worked and the brothers Hines loved it and here we are. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 11, 2020

We take a break from the Incredible Hulk to take a deep dive on BATMAN. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Mar 4, 2020

Finally: Banner changes into Hulk when he gets angry! Or at least stressed. We go over the first two Ditko Hulk stories under the "Tales to Astonish" banner. And that's the end of our coverage of The Incredible Hulk! For now! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 26, 2020

The Metal Master is a villain so powerful, so fascinating -- that we're pretty sure he's never heard from again after this issue. But we have art from Steve Ditko! Actual feelings expressed by Dr. Banner! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 19, 2020

This issue includes: secret underground civilization, sub-human worker race, the fountain of youth, spider-leg-cars, gladiator battles, and a sub-nuclear weapon -- and that's only up until page 11. The Hulk keeps getting crazier and the Hines brothers love it! Plus, the Hulk exercises. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 12, 2020

Lots more of the Hulk flying-not-flying, Rick being a scientific genius, a new set of rules for Banner turning into the Hulk, lotsa gamma rays, a few rampages, a few torn-up houses and a space gladiator wearing shorts! YOU make a comic that does all that in 22 pages! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Feb 5, 2020

Truly one of the most bonkers stories Will and Kevin have ever read. Hulk flies, but doesn't, gets mind controlled, gets trapped in space for the third time in three issues, rampages several times, and probably murders the most active circus of all time -- in 22 pages! YES HULK YES! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 29, 2020

We follow up last issue's sci-fi commnuist spy plot with... TOAD MEN! An alien race arrives with insane magnetic power to take over the Earth, that is... until the Hulk.... beats them up! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 22, 2020

Kevin and Will go over The Incredible Hulk issue #1. We've got G-bomb tests, cranky generals, rebellious teenagers, dangerous commies, a human gargoyle and.... The Hulk! 22 pages, five chapters, all crammed with Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's ideas. We say: fun! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 15, 2020

Your introduction to all things Hulk! Kevin and Will give an overview of how the Hulk comic book was created, canceled, brought back, and then seen to become one of Marvel Comics most popular characters! We briefly discuss some of the major Hulk eras, and the Hulk movies, and Will forces in a smarty pants reference to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jan 8, 2020

Kevin and WIll announce they'll be discussing the first six issues of The Incredible Hulk, starting next episode! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 27, 2019

Kevin and Will go over the first issue of legendary comic book series Watchmen. This is unrelated to the rest of this season, and just because the new HBO television series gives us an excuse to go over one of our favorite comic series of all time. We talk about Alan Moore's genius, Dave Gibbon's mastery, and what makes the finely turned watch that is Watchmen's world tick! We talk about the masterful FULLNESS of this world, the irony, the bleakness, the hilarious meanness! We get into problems with Alan Moore stories in general: the density, the dude-ness. We recorded this on Alan Moore's birthday and forgot to mention it!

Nov 20, 2019

We look back on the Kirby era. These 102 issues have been at different times: perfection, wildly brilliant, recklessly inventive, silly, downright dumb, out of date, ahead of its time -- but never, ever, ever boring. What did we learn on this re-read? And what next for the podcast? ALSO: We go over the "lost" Kirby FF issue, and the recent FF history recap comic Grand Design! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 13, 2019

We finish the Jack Kirby era. An undersean man/alien, a plot to foil the moon landing, the Puppet Master/Mad Thinker's instantly failure of a plan, and the last issue by Jack Kirby. Plus Kevin breaks out a few character voices. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Nov 6, 2019

We are reaching the end of Jack Kirby's FF issues, and the stories are maybe getting crazier? But still good. We've got a gangster planet that has alien gladiators, a witch babysitter for newly-named Franklin Richards, and a guy with a monocle tries a dumb plan which does not work! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 30, 2019

Two story arcs: Doom hypnotizes FF but also plays piano for them, and then Sue rents what looks like a totally evil house and in fact is one. Plus some email in which Kevin and Will get schooled! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 23, 2019

Jack Kirby is picking up steam again! Although we're into a run where a high percentage of fights end the second people have a conversation. A moral lesson? Or hurried storytelling? YOU BE THE JUDGE! Plus Kevin and Will catch up on email again. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 9, 2019

Jack Kirby is starting his (slight) dip in story quality. Fewer new characters. Plots stretched over a couple of issues with little development. But on the bright side: Galactus shows up and he's still wearking shorts! That's fun. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Oct 2, 2019

A catch-up episode! Kevin and Will take a deep dive on the Human Torch! They catch up on email! They challenge each other to a Fantastichat! More Fantastic Four issues next episode! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 26, 2019

Past the peak, we move into some issues that we deem as "not bad!" Meaning, they don't change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe, but they are darn good Jack Kirby stories. We also see Dr. Doom on a surfboard, which Kevin hates and Will loves! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 18, 2019

Continuing this stellar run of Jack Kirby masterpieces, we review what may be the single greatest issue of FF ever - "This Man, This Monster" as well as the introduction of a little-known Marvel hero known as The Black Panther! Kevin and Will lose their minds and basically read the whole comics to you all. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 11, 2019

This is it! The big one! Perhaps the most famous Fantastic Four story from the Kirby Era: The Galactus Saga. The long-winded, big-helmet-wearing, pantsless God-like villain known as Galactus shows up on Earth in order to... eat it for dinner. Along with him comes the Silver Surfer, and in battling him the FF meet one of the most powerful and popular villains in all of Marvel comics! Spoiler: hosts Kevin and Will love it! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Sep 4, 2019

We take a break from our already-insane (not) regular structure to interview our friend RAMSEY ESS, who has collected EVERY SINGLE ISSUE of the Fantastic Four. That's... crazy. He's a huge fan of the book, and we talk about it! All right! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 28, 2019

We are now going over some of the greatest FF issues of all time! This episode, we see the debut of The Inhumans: Gorgon, Medusa, Crystal, Karnak, Triton, Black Bolt and Lockjaw. You want STRONG FEET or ANIMATED HAIR or TELEPORTING DOG? We got 'em! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 21, 2019

Will and Kevin discuss one of the all-time great Marvel Comics characters: Ben Grimm, The Ever-Lovin' Thing! They also get into their admittedly insane plan for structuring this season, and some more email! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 14, 2019

Will and Kevin examine the first capital G GREAT long run of FF stories in this batch. Artist/co-writer Jack Kirby is getting into a groove as the action is non-stop, the characters have evolved and it is just plain fun! Plus we meet The Frightful Four -- villains featuring some of the silliest powers in all Marveldom! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Aug 7, 2019

Kevin and Will analyze the "getting good" run, including a deep dive on the much-underdeveloped character of the group: Sue Storm aka The Invisible Girl. Jack and Stan seemed determined to relegate her to "needing to be rescued" status. But was there something progressive by just having romantic interest part of the team at all? And was it revolutionary to see a couple get engaged, then married, then have a baby? All this and much more! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 31, 2019

This is where the Fantastic Four starts to get good. We've got an awesome Hulk vs. Thing fight, the evolution of Dr. Doom, the increased powers of Sue Storm -- and a feeling that Stan and Jack are starting to really understand their characters. Oh, and there's Gideon, one of the dumbest ideas for a villain ever! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 24, 2019

A catch-up episode! Kevin and Will take a break from the Fantastic Four briefly to discuss the new Spider-Man movie "Far From Home." And they also read a bunch of listener email! More Fantastic Four next week! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 17, 2019

Kevin and Will analyze the bad issues. You can still see the elements that will make this series great. Ben's character is settling into place. The artwork remains strong (although the inking gets worse). The huge number of ideas is still impressive. And we take a deep dive into Doctor Doom who somehow evolves from hilariously weak to the signature villain in the Marvel Universe! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 10, 2019

We go through a bad stretch: issues 9 through 24. Villains with ultimate power dispatched by... ignoring them! And also... calling their parents? Time travel only when you need it! Sue tries on wigs! COMMUNIST SUPER APES! Eeesh. -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jul 3, 2019

Kevin and Will go segment crazy as they analyze the characters, themes and significance of the first eight issues of The Fantastic Four. Plus a deep dive on the team's brilliant, bossy, maybe emotionally bullying leader Mr. Fantastic! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 26, 2019

Kevin and Will recap the first eight issues of the Fantastic Four. The Origin! The Skrulls! Doctor Doom! And Sub-Mariner! These are great! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 19, 2019

Hosts Will and Kevin talk about the original run of The Fantastic Four! This was the comics series that launched all of Marvel Comics. We get into the partnership of artist/writer Jack Kirby and editor/writer Stan Lee! The weird characters of Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben! The awesome visual design! The sometimes unhinged plots! And the awe-inspiring density of ideas! -- SHOW INFORMATION Twitter: @ScrewItComics Instagram: @ScrewItComics Email: ScrewItSpidey@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify

Jun 5, 2019

Season two of Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About Comics is coming soon. Subscribe now!

Jan 1, 2019

A special episode! After swearing they would never play the PS4 Spider-Man game, both Kevin and Will bought PS4 systems and games and got completely obsessed with it! They loved every bit of it, and in this episode get into why! The characters, the mechanics, the rendering of Manhattan, the surprises in the story!

Dec 20, 2018

We re-activate this podcast to discuss the awesome new movie: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" Your co-hosts Kevin and Will LOVED it, but of course we also have enough thoughts that we talk for over an hour about. Which version of Miles Morales do we get? What do we think of our two different Peter Parkers? How about the crazily good and varied art styles? Isn't it so funny and also moving? Holy crap we loved it!

Nov 13, 2018

Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-Man, as well as the architect of the Marvel Universe, passed away this weekend. Kevin and Will give a eulogy. They talk about Stan's personality, his salesmanship, his focus on the reader, his love of words, his respect for good stories. They get into a bit of the darker stuff too -- issues of giving credit, bad business deals, and the poorly written female characters. But overall, we loved and revered Stan, and we miss him already.

Oct 31, 2018

This is the end of Season One of the podcast! Thanks to everyone who listened! We go over what we learned, and then read a whole bunch of emails we got in the last few weeks! Thank you all from your hosts Kevin and Will Hines!

Oct 24, 2018

A look at what the Spidey-world looks like without Steve Ditko: your co-hosts Kevin and Will look at the first two issues with a new artist/co-plotter. And what it looks like: people are friendlier, backgrounds are filled in, everyone's hunkier.. And Stan Lee gives a crap about his dialogue again!

Oct 17, 2018

Spider-Man's original artist and co-writer Steve Ditko departs the series not with a bang but with a whimper. "Just A Guy Named Joe" has a pretty good start (in the opinion of your podcast co-hosts, at least) but falls apart. Maybe editor/scripter Stan Lee was ready to move on, maybe Steve Ditko didn't bother thinking it through!

Oct 10, 2018

In his second to last issue, artist Steve Ditko turns in a good story! There's subplots and great drawing and two weird-looking robots and the introduction of one of the greatest villains in the Spider-verse -- Norman Osborn! Corrupt businessman, terrible father and murderer! A not-great dude, but he makes for yes-great stories!

Oct 3, 2018

He got his powers from a meteor. He's obsessed with meteors. This is the story of…. THE LOOTER! (?) Continuing this run of "guy who punches hard" villains, it's clear that artist Steve Ditko is mentally checked out. But seeing a great artist phone it in is still interesting, IF You are insane fans like Kevin and Will! YOU CAN'T MISS THIS ONE (you could).

Sep 26, 2018

In what Will deems the "worst issue so far of the Ditko run" we see the Molten Man return and Stan Lee turn in his strangest bunch of dialogue yet! BUT the issue does venture into "so bad it's really weird" territory so CHECK IT OUT!

Sep 19, 2018

Kraven is back to hunt the ultimate prey: Spider-Man! Betty Brant has a trippy Spidey-themed dream! And Gwen Stacy is falling for Peter! All great stuff! So… why is this issue kinda… eh?

Sep 12, 2018

Once again, Kevin and Will talk about some of their favorite non-Ditko stories! This episode, we go into the 1982 classic "Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut" and the 2008 modern classic "Unscheduled Stop!" Plus a longish discussion about the lack of female creators who have been given the helm of Spidey stories (more stuff like Sara Pichelli drawing Miles Morales, please!)

Sep 5, 2018

"The Final Chapter" -- part 3 of the stunning Master Planner trilogy and co-hosts Kevin and Will are so excited they don't quite know what to do with themselves. They read the first five pages out loud, then gush, then gush some more! They make the very fair declaration that if you don't' like this story more than any other story in any medium then you have a problem!

Aug 29, 2018

Part 2 of the artist Steve Ditko's climactic Spider-Man triology - "Man on a Rampage." All the setup of last issue comes bursting forth in an issue-long explosion of anger and fighting from Spidey! The previous 31 issues are in a way ALL part of a build-up to this story! Kevin and Will, as usual, get into it TOO MUCH!

Aug 22, 2018

This is it: One of the best stories in the history of Marvel Comics -- maybe ALL comics. It's a three part story we call "The Master Planner Saga" and it starts here with issue 31 - "If This Be My Destiny." We get fully into it: what made this trilogy so moving as a story, how it was right before writer/illustrator Steve Ditko left Marvel comics and started to fully enter obscurity and how writer/editor Stan Lee still nails it despite being almost totally left out by his collaborator.

Aug 15, 2018

A decent issue with a huge continuity error: the gang of uniformed thieves that show up periodically are ACTUALLY a foreshadowing of next issue! DO YOU FIND THIS FASCINATING? Co hosts Will and Kevin do! Plus: Ned Leeds PROPOSES to Betty Brant!

Aug 8, 2018

Kevin and Will welcome guests Kait Thompson and Mark David Christenson, the co-hosts of "Aw Crap, A Hellboy Podcast!" We get into: how Ditko makes a great action story out of a not-that-great villain! How JJJ's cowardice is ratcheted up to farcial levels, and how Peter's got sexy new duds!

Aug 1, 2018

Spidey teams up with Doctor Strange, who happens to be the other big co-creation of Spidey artist Steve Ditko. There's very little Peter Parker as the two Ditko superheroes battle a pleasantly very evil wizard named Xandu! Ah, HERE'S the great Ditko art we were missing a bit in the last regular issue!

Jul 25, 2018

Sure there's a golden man who can punch like a wrecking ball but also: PETER PARKER GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL! Kevin and Will get into this momentous event. We also talk about how Ditko's plotting seems to focus way more on Peter's civilian life than his super-hero exploits as Spidey and how that's cool. Also this issue features some very rare bad Ditko art! Relatively speaking since, no surprise, we still love it.

Jul 18, 2018

We are well into the era where artist Steve Ditko had stopped talking to writer/editor Stan Lee, and it's making for stories with very unique structures! For example, in this issue -- the battle is over at the halfway point, and then there's about 10 pages of wrapping everything up! It's… not bad! But it feels different than most super-hero books! Listen to hosts Kevin and Will talk about it forever!

Jul 11, 2018

Spidey fights not ONE but TWO villains with secret identities: The Green Goblin and also -- THE CRIME MASTER! It's yet another guy who's plan is to unite all the crime syndicates in NYC! Will the fact that Spidey-Man has to use a cheap rented costume slow him down! Hint: yes! Kevin and Will like this issue as they realize that they had underestimated this particular era of the Ditko-Lee partnership.

Jul 8, 2018

Steve Ditko passed away this week at the age of 90. We recorded this episode the morning after the news broke. As listeners know, he is the artist and co-creator of Spider-Man. Hosts Kevin and Will give him a special eulogy episode where we talk about what made Ditko so special, about how big his impact was on Marvel in particular and comics in general. We get into this feud with Marvel, his eccentric reclusivity, his non-Marvel comics. RIP Steve Ditko, one of the giants of comics!

Jul 4, 2018

We interrupt our flow of doing the Ditko issues to talk about two brand-new issues of Spider-Man, because they are so good! Instant Classics. One is Dan Slott's final issue -- Amazing Spider-Man #801. And the other, Chip Szdarsky's Spectacular Spider-Man Annual with a JJJ story. They both broke our hearts and we had to talk about it!

Jun 27, 2018

First appearance of the Spider-Slayer robot, back when it was just the Spider-capturing robot! Also, Kevin and Will realize every teenager on Peter Parker's block is a nephew/niece with no parents in sight. Weird, right? And we catch up reader mail, which leads to Will pitching an impressively detailed vision for an Enforcers television show.

Jun 20, 2018

Kevin and Will break from the format of the podcast to talk about Spidey stories from after the original Steve Ditko era! They talk about two in this episode: The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man and Kraven's Last Hunt! Both are so cool!

Jun 13, 2018

The current penciller (Joe Quinones) and colorist (Jordan Gibson) for "Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man" join Kevin and Will to talk about the psychological drama that is issue 24 -- Spider-Man Goes Mad! We get into: Ditko hands! Gangster Faces! European Therapists! And how a villain really gives away his guilt when he instantly tries to run away at the first accusation! We also talk about Joe and Jordan's recent issues, which had modern Spidey meet Ditko Spidey! This is a CAN'T MISS ep!

Jun 6, 2018

Kevin and Will are joined by Chip Zdarsky, current writer for the Marvel Comic "Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man." We talk about his recent story in which 2018 Spider-Man time-travels to… the Spider-Man of THIS EPISODE'S ISSUE! So cool! We get into: What exactly is the Green Goblin's concept? Do all newspaper publishers micro-manage as much as JJJ? Is Betty Brant a robot? And why does gangster Lucky Lobo snap his cigar?

May 30, 2018

Step right up and see… the silliest heroes yet! A group of circus performers kick out the one member of their group with actual powers (The hypnotist Ringmaster) and try to get Spidey with their ability to… Run at him fast! This ish also features a record high number uses of the word "female!" Check it out!

May 23, 2018

Spider-Man and the Human Torch have two problems: their emotionally fragile girlfriends, and a guy with an armored flying suit who calls himself the Beetle. Guess which one is portrayed more realistically!

May 16, 2018

Co-hosts Kevin and Will discuss the debut of the probably-not-that-great-villain The Scorpion! He can punch! He can also...well, he can punch pretty hard. Plus a boatload of reader mail!

May 9, 2018

After a whole issue of doubt, Spider-Man is back into action! For the first time in the comic's run we have a whole issue where Spider-Man is joyously being Spider-Man, and it is FUN! Your hosts love this issue, which is zero surprise.

May 2, 2018

One of the best issues of the original run, according to your co-hosts Will and Kevin! There is no villain for this issue as Peter deals with the fallout of his decision to quit being Spider-Man as he cares for his Aunt May. Co-creators Steve Ditko and Stan Lee pull off a masterful buildup of tension to one of the Hines' favorite endings to a Spider-Man ish ever! Check it out!

Apr 25, 2018

The Green Goblin is back and he's meaner and smarter. Pete's love life is once again falling apart as he can't convince working girl Betty that popular rich girl Liz means nothing to him. Everyone loves the Human Torch more than Spidey. And then: a twist near the end that ups the drama and leaves this issue as the start of one of the best Spidey stories of the original era, at least according to your hosts Kevin and Will!

Apr 18, 2018

Co-hosts Kevin and Will Hines ask: If you've got a top hat that can hypnotize anyone -- why not open a circus? Well, that's the apparent decision by this issue's villain; The Ringmaster! Previously appearing in The Hulk, this actually-twirling-an-evil-mustache villain is BACK, and this time he's got a whole circus of weirdly-shaped crime thugs!

Apr 11, 2018

We take a break from analyzing the old comics to discuss: Spider-Man movies! Kevin and Will talk about their lifelong dream to see a good Spider-Man movie, and what it felt like to see it realized in the original (2001) Spider-Man! We talk about what we like and didn't like about each of the big movies. We talk about the movie WE'D make given unlimited budget and power (in other words, as if we were the Green Goblin in issue 14!).

Apr 4, 2018

For the first-ever Spider-Man annual, there's a special event: six of Spidey's worst baddies team up to try and defeat him together…. By fighting him ONE AT A TIME! Also, most of Marvel's other heroes casually walk in and out of the story, doing very little but plugging their own comics! And Spidey loses his powers for almost four pages! AND … the art is amazing, the dialogue very truly funny and this is a fun fun ride.

Mar 28, 2018

He's a hunter and you know that because he is wearing a vest made out of a LION. He's KRAVEN the HUNTER, and he debuts in this issue, Amazing Spider-Man 15. Kevin and Will -- er, no surprise -- love the issue, though they also admit it has the usual number of insane moments -- like Kraven winning over NYC by wrestling to the ground dangerous animals which he had just brought into the country himself! Oh yeah, and The Chameleon is back, due to zero popular demand!

Mar 21, 2018

Scott Aukerman (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Are You Talking REM Re: Me?) is our guest to talk about this issue of Spidey which features the debut of The Green Goblin! It is also inspired a Marvel comic which Scott wrote (Spider-Man/Deadpool #6), which is really cool! Kevin and Will talk about stuff too!

Mar 14, 2018

The probably-quickly-named villain MYSTERIO is the bag guy of issue 13, and hosts Kevin and Will … no mystery here … like him a lot! He has a whole bag of tricks designed to scare Spidey which end up sending our hero to a psychiatrist! This series is turning into Mad Men, if Don Draper wore a mask and saved people (which of course, he kind of did). CHECK IT OUT!

Mar 7, 2018

Maybe our favorite issue yet! Action, drama, humor and as always amazing Steve Ditko art! Doc Ock unmasks Spidey! He really does it, but there's a TWIST that helps Spidey protect his identity. Plus Will bought comics this week and Kevin loves when Loki and Thor are nice to each other.

Feb 28, 2018

It's the return of premier Spidey villain Doctor Octopus, and this issue sizzles! We've got melodrama in Peter's growing love affair with Betty Brant! A new troubled character who threatens to destroy the people he loves with his gambling addiction! A climactic battle! And a bunch of times Doc Ock calls people FOOLS! WE LOVE THIS ISSUE!

Feb 21, 2018

The best worst villains in the Spider-Man universe: it's the Enforcers! Ox! Montana! And the even more insanely-named Fancy Dan! Artist Steve Ditko really seems to be following a "make 'em fun-to-draw first, worry about the story second" rule with these guys, and your co-hosts Kevin and Will couldn't be happier. These villains, led by the almost-but-not-quite-as silly "Big Man" are some our favorite villains. Honestly the story is pretty fun. Come on in and get ENFORCED!

Feb 14, 2018

One of the coolest powers yet most desperate costumes ever, Electro is the villain for this issue. He's got lightning bolts on his wrists, ankles and face, and he's called Electro. Now, what do you think his powers revolve around? But despite this costume, this issue has some of the most moving and affecting storytelling yet in the series! Co-hosts/brothers Kevin and Will freak out about it!

Feb 7, 2018

Alex Fernie (UCB, Bajillion Dollar Properties, Do You Want To See A Dead Body?) is our first ever guest as we go over Issue 8, the oddly subtitled "Tribute To Teenagers" issue. A tribute in that there are teenagers IN the story, and that might be the total tribute that happens. Also there's a huge killer robot, Peter punches Flash and Peter is a straight-up bully to the Human Torch in the backup story. All right!

Jan 31, 2018

Our first return villain and it's our favorite winged septuagenarian (assuming) The Vulture! Peter Parker's brilliant "Anti magnetic inverter" (?) no longer stops bird-brain, so how will Spider-Man beat this weird old man who flies? Other questions: why do Parker's classmates stay so caught up on crime news? How far will JJJ go to save a buck? Are Peter and Betty crushing (yes)? Kevin and Will loves this issue. The sense of humor is coming through more, while the action stays great.

Jan 24, 2018

This issue introduces what will be another classic Spidey villain: The Lizard! Spider-Man travels to the swamps of Florida to battle this tragic scientist-turned-lizard-man! And JJJ is along for the ride. Kevin is moved by The Lizard's tears! Will realizes that he might like JJJ as much as if not more than Spider-Man!

Jan 17, 2018

Spidey meets Marvel's most notorious villain --- the very unsubtly named Doctor Doom! An exciting idea that leads to a just okay story! But even a sub-par Doom story has all that great/ridiculous Doctor Doom dialogue! Never has a villain referred to himself in the third person like Doctor Doom! The issues also features a favorite trope: bully Flash Thompson getting humiliated!

Jan 10, 2018

Another major villain debuts: The Sandman! A man gets the power to separate himself into millions of tiny sentient beings and he uses it to…. Get big bags of money! Come on, Spidey still specializes in THUGS, no matter how powerful! Also: Spidey shows off in front of his high school classmates! Peter almost gets a date! Sandman can't stop saying his own name! And MORE!

Jan 3, 2018

The debut of Doctor Octopus, one of the greatest Spidey villains of all time! Fittingly, this is the first truly great issue of Spider-Man! Great characters, moody beautiful art, terrific action and a great story! We can't stop raving about this one!

Dec 20, 2017

We meet the first classic Spider-Man villain: The Vulture. Like all great Ditko villains, he seems created just for the cool visuals. He looks distinct and cool (or at least intriguingly odd), he's smart, he's mean, and he will be back. And... there's also a second story! The tale of the Tinkerer. It is... an ungood story. Seems left over from the old Amazing Fantasy bin. But the art is great, and it gave future writers a good challenge to try to retroactively make this story fit into the universe.

Dec 13, 2017

For his second appearance, Spider-Man gets his own comic that contains two -- really THREE -- stories! He meets J. Jonah Jameson, the perpetually angry newspaper publisher who uses his media empire to paint Spider-Man as a MENACE! He meets the FF, who reject him as a member, for many reasons including that he basically breaks in to their headquarters and tries to show off! He meets the Chameleon, one of the dumbest villains in all comicdom!

Dec 6, 2017

Amazing Adult Fantasy was an anthology comics series that featured stand-alone sci-fi and fantasy stories. They were short, dark, weird and often had twist endings. Think Twilight Zone, but five page comics stories. But this issue -- the series' last issue -- broke from its pattern in a few important ways. One, it changed its title to just "Amazing Fantasy." And two, it introduced Spider-Man.

Nov 22, 2017

In this podcast, we will discuss all 41 of the original Spider-Man comics done by the original creative team of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko! But before we do, we wanted to give a background on both the character and us! So we talk about the history behind the creation of Spider-Man, and what he came to mean to the world of comics and beyond.