Comic Geek Speak Podcast - The Best Comic Book Podcast

It's Previews time in the old corral, as summer scorches on! This month, Murd, Chris and Ian discuss Diamond Previews issue 418, DC Connect 38, and Marvel Previews Vol 6 issue 22, with books mainly set for September 2023 release. Highlights include Darkwing Duck's Negaduck getting a miniseries, the official solicit for the ROM Omnibus, JMS' Captain America, Tom King's Wonder Woman, new books from friends of the show Mike Norton and Martheus Wade, and much more. And if you listen close, you'll hear the torrential downpour outside Ian's window mid-episode. (2:20:05)

Peter and Pants tackle all sorts of topics for the comic collecting hobby, including: storage vs weather, comic inventory apps, selling, comic ads, variant cover trends, retailing, etc. Also, an update on Pants' great reorganization, attending future comic conventions, Sex Criminals, CGS History for the months of June and July, 1957 television and so much more. (1:34:03)

You wanna get nuts? Come on, let's get nuts! Welcome to our reality, as Chris, Shane, Murd and Ian play catch-up and get to reviewing two of the summer's most multiversal of movies. First, they discuss Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse (discussion begin at 6:08), the second entry in Lord and Miller's love-letter to all things Spidey, and Miles Morales' time to theatrically shine. Then, they switch gears to the Distinguished Competition for a movie many many many years in the making, Andy Muschietti's The Flash (discussion begins at 58:48). Do both of these universe spanning stories open a vortex through space filled with joy for the Geeks, or are things a bit more complicated? How many cameos does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Can CGI bring actors back to life? These questions and more await, as do the answers. (1:59:29)

The second episode to come from our latest in-studio sojourn is officially available for all to enjoy! Chris, Murd and Ian do what they do best, talk some comics, in this here Comic Talk. We begin with some words on the passing of "Jazzy" John Romita Sr. and his wide-spread legacy in both the world of comics, and the art world as a whole. Then some media convo, including delays in Marvel's upcoming Phase Five slate, the ongoing writer's strike and the subsequent hold on production for Penguin and Daredevil: Born Again, and Ian's review of American Born Chinese on Disney+. Next, some recent reads, including Chris and Ian's thoughts on Titans #1, and Amazing Spider-Man issues 25 and 26, and Chris goes solo for Joshua Williamson's Superman, some Cantwell Blue Flame, and Back Issue's Neal Adams tribute in issue 143. Murd brings us Count Dante in all its glory, and Ian reports in on Steve Orlando and Sarah Pichelli's Scarlet Witch #1 as well as Jeremy Adams' fun Rick Jones centric romp over in Avengers Unlimited.

Summer has officially begun, and that means summer reading is a must. Luckily, you have Murd, Chris and Ian to go over the latest set of Previews! This time we have Diamond Previews issue 417, DC Connect 37, and Marvel Previews Vol 6 issue 21, with books mostly set for an August release. Annoyingly, some of Marvel's earlier in the month solicits needed to be ordered in May in order to get properly added to your pull list, so please be sure to double-check with your local store or DCBS or what have you if you need anything added last minute. Enjoy! (2:22:41)

What better way to follow up a release of the Time Bubble than to dip our toe into the origins of three (or is it one...?) of Marvel's timey-whimiest villains for our latest in the Introducing...series. And best of all, Murd, Chris and Ian do so in studio! That's right, revel in the comradery as the Timely Trio discuss Fantastic Four issue 19, and Avengers issues 8 and 10, the first appearances of Rama-Tut, Kang, and Immortus. All three of these issues were written by Stan the Man himself, with art by King Kirby for the first two, and Don Heck for our finale. Prepare to be transformed by the rays of the Egyptian sun, be sure to shield yourself for all sorts of random radiation (and acid), and ponder whether or not the villain attacking you is dreamy under that full face mask. Finally, by the time you're done with this one, you too will be a master of Yubiwaza, this we guarantee; Teen Brigade interference and all. Excelsior! (1:51:52)

History is made (and traveled through) once again on the Time Bubble, as Murd welcomes aboard that master of Comic Timing, Ian Levenstein, as his third-ever guest co-pilot! Individually, they acquaint themselves with the super-celebrities of the Noble family in Jay Faerber's Noble Causes; witness the decompressed dawn of Millar & Hitch's The Ultimates; explore a tantalizing alternate timeline of Young Justice; and crack open a truly strange chapter in the presidential biography of Lex Luthor! Then, it's a titanic Time Bubble team-up, as Adam and Ian join forces to make sense of 2002's Marvel Mangaverse event! (3:00:29)

Get your Previews fix in right as the month concludes! This edition is helmed by Chris, Ian and Murd, and covers Diamond Previews 416, DC Connect 36, and Marvel Previews Vol 6 number 20, with books set primarily for a July 2023 release. Plus, we discuss Image's impending migration to Lunar Distribution come September, in a new exclusive deal for all their single issue content. (2:30:04)

We're officially only one hundred episodes away from TWO THOUSAND (numbered) episodes! Time flies when you're talking about comics, I must say. Spoilers abound, as Chris, Shane, Ben, Murd and Ian traverse space, Zune in hand, for what could potentially be the Guardians last ride. How did The High Evolutionary land as a villain? Are Mantis and Drax the best comedy duo in the MCU? Is Cosmo good dog? Will Peter Quill ever get his act together enough to be Star-Lord? What about Gamora and Nebula, can these two sisters get along? Did Adam Warlock stack up to expectations? Was there crying over Rocket Raccoon's backstory? Is this a worthy farewell for James Gunn, as he heads firmly to the Distinguished Competition moving forward? And finally, most importantly...I Am Groot? (1:31:34)

Return of The Pants. Once again! Bryan, Peter, Shane, Murd and Mr. Pantalones gather together to discuss a bevy of topics, including The Great Pants Collection Organization; FCBD'23; key comic books and grading comics; homemade posters; the upcoming Ultimate Invasion; the Ultimate line of comics; Bryan's trip to Belgium; Castle Geek Speak; CGS history for April and May; reading the first appearances of Rogue (Avengers Annual 10), Jubilee (Uncanny X-Men 244) and Gambit (Uncanny X-Men 266); Michael Golden; Marc Silverstri; and more! (2:06:46) 

Peter and Shane reconvene to wrap up their spoiler-filled discussion of Star Trek Picard Season 3, including the final two episodes, Vox and The Last Generation. Which of our speculations played out? What were the surprises? Hear our thoughts and reactions on the series finale, characters, callbacks, Easter eggs, the return of the Enterprise-D, and more! (1:26:42)

What evil lurks in the hearts of men? We here at CGS aim to find out! Shane, Matt, Chris, Murd and Ian scower the streets of 1930's New York City via the Universal backlot to gather together a network and discuss 1994's Alec Baldwin vehicle, The Shadow. Matt and Murd saw it together at age fourteen in the theaters back in the day; has as it aged well nearly thirty years since its release? How does themovie encompass the pulp sensibilities of the character while also attempting a 90s personality? And have some of the Geeks' opinions on the film gotten better since that initial viewing? Plus, a Muddle the Murd attempt, and who will win the Best of 2022 Awards, aka The Jamies, for this year? Only The Shadow knows...and Murd. Results begin about an hour and 39 minutes into the show! (2:05:43)

Summer is on its way, at least according to this month's Previews! A full crew of Shane, Chris, Murd and Ian go through the April catalogs, covering Diamond Previews 415, DC Connect 35, and Marvel Previews Vol 6 issue 19, with books mostly set for a June 2023 release. Highlights include Hickman and Hitch's return to the Ultimate Universe, milestone 800th issues for Wonder Woman and The Flash, the return of Joe Madureira's Battle Chasers after more than twenty years, Kirkman's Void Rivals, a new collection of Strangers in Paradise, Murd's luxurious mustache and more! (2:48:42)

The Next Generation reunion has arrived! Hear Peter and Shane's in-depth thoughts on Star Trek: Picard season 3 episode 8, Surrender. From the original seven to the next Next Generation, we examine character journeys, theories about Jack Crusher and the big bad, our hopes for the finale, excitement for the future of Star Trek and more. Spoilers ahead, evasive maneuvers if you haven't seen Season Three yet! (1:01:59)

Time to play some catch-up and discuss all things comics and geek related! Chris, Shane and Ian start us off with news on Ike Perlmutter's removal from Marvel after more than thirty years. They then discuss some recent movies watched, including Chris and Ian's thoughts on John Wick Chapter Four, Ian's journey into Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Shane getting his first viewing of Everything, Everywhere All at Once. The meat of the episode is a spoiler-filled review of Shazam: Fury of the Gods (37:15-1:08:00), followed by spoilery discussion of Picard (through episode 4) with some occasional very light spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery and its universe (1:08:00-1:32:00). And then, as we begin talking comics read...MURD COMETH!!! Once arrived, he gives his thoughts on the Shazam: Fury of the Gods movie from 1:40:58 until about 1:55:00. Recent reads include Shane's return to Crisis on Infinite Earths, Murd talks Wolverine: Origins from back in the day, Justice League: Detroit's turn at JLA: Classified and Bria

Murd, Shane, Peter and Bryan lead the table this week, with tons to discuss! Topics include Movies of the '70s, the Offer, the decline of long-running TV shows, ER, Cowboy Bebop, TV cancellations, the 2023 Oscars, Picard season three, the upcoming new Titans comic, how big is your Geekdom?, CGS History for the month of March, Gotham by Gaslight by Augustyn, Mignola and Russell, Jack the Ripper, DC Elseworlds, future reading topics, and more. (2:04:05)

There's tons of great comics to showcase this month, and we have three solid hours of Previews content to prove it! Ian and Murd are your Ironmen who make it through the entire catalog this episode, while Shane sticks around until after Marvel, and Chris joins until midway through the back of the book. This round of Previews showcases issue 414 of Diamond's Previews, DC Connect 34, and Marvel Previews Volume 6 issue 18, for books mostly set for release in May, 2023. Highlights include the launch of Waid and Mora's Shazam! and Jed Mackay's Avengers, the return of Kevin Smith's Maskerade and Tom King's Love Everlasting, multiple projects from friends of the show such as Dave Dwonch, Mike Norton, Brent Schoonover and Jeremy Whitley, TWO Dark Horse sections, and so much more. And while we're at it don't forget to put in your FCBD picks this month! (2:59:08)

The annual tradition continues! Your votes have been tallied, the results have been confirmed by our internal auditor Time Bubble, Crisis and Murdough, and the ballots from Chris, Ian and Murd have been submitted. Let's do the Best of 2022! All sixteen categories are prepped and ready, and those of you still reading this will have until Sunday, April 2nd at 11:59pm Eastern to submit your results to bestof@comicgeekspeak.com. Who will win the coveted Jamie Award (which is virtual and not an actual real-life statue) for each category? Tune in to hear who has a chance! (2:47:57)

In this episode, Bryan, Peter and Shane celebrate the memories and friendship of Darren "Rainbow Cloak" Nowell, a longtime member of the CGS, comics and podcasting community. From conventions, to fun anecdotes, our reminiscing takes us to other topics such as how the Geeks first became friends, roleplaying, current TV watching, Dawn of DC, Mike Mignola, One Piece, Five Years Later Legion, comics we would love to read for the first time again, a class Bryan rant - updated, and more. (1:49:12)

Kang is upon us! His first foe in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be small, but technically so is Kang in this movie so it evens out. Listen as Chris, Murd, Ian and Shane go through the Quantum Realm barrier and delve deep into spoiler territory on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Does this beginning of Phase 5 live up to hype, or does is fall short? Will we ever stop calling the Quantum Realm the Microverse? Are there even more miniscule puns to be found inside the episode itself? I'll give you a little hint...you'll find out, shortly. (1:16:02)