93 | Artist’s Page Rates, Comic Book Body Building Ads And The Black Panther

Deep in the heart of Parts Unknown, Don, Al and Dallas discuss Slice Radio, Afterlife with Archie, some comic shop documentaries, the Origin of Rook Murphy, Warren comics, art commissions, Bernie Wrightson, Art Adams, John Buscema, Howard Chaykin’s Iron Wolf, Mike Mignola, Flex Mentallo, Charles Atlas, Count Dante, Jack and Stan’s Fantastic Four, civil rights in 60’s comics, the portrayal of minorities in 40’s and 50’s comics, and we wrap it up with Uncanny X-Men circa 1980’s.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Ruby Sting

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The Rook From Warren Publishing.

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92 | Game of Thrones, Ray Harryhausen, Locke & Key, Glamourpuss and After the Cape

Join Dallas, Al and Rook for another exciting roundtable discussion. We talk Game of Thrones, Ray Harryhausen, The Walking Dead, Locke & Key, Glamourpuss, and After the Cape.

Rook unveils his big plans for the summer and we compare single issues to collected editions. We turn to Image comics and talk about creator rights along with a glimpse of the new Days of Future Past movie. We wax poetic about Calvin & Hobbes and the Trick or Treat Movies, and discuss our reading habits.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Dallas’ band DUNGEON BOSS!!!!!!!

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Game Of Thrones. Rook Loves A Story Where Everybody Dies.
And Here Is George R. R. Martin’s Letter To Fantastic Four.

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91 | Creator Owned Comics, Black And White Explosion And Finding Comics Off The Rack

Walking Dead is mentioned which quickly turns to creator owned comics and the black and white explosion of the eighties. A comparison of Alex Toth and Jaime Hernandez occurs, as well as a short discussion of nineties comics, titles about villains, newspaper strips and finding comics off the rack. And of course, more Fantastic Four talk. Whoo hoo!

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Wilco

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The Walking Dead All Out War Storyline.
By Robert Kirkman And Charlie Adlard.

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90 | Comics Overseas, Color Or Black And White, Kirby’s Fantastic Four And Inkers

We start off talking about living with no rules, shipboard life, and nine minutes later finding comic books overseas. Once again black and white or color is discussed, as well as Kirby’s epic run on Fantastic Four 41-50. Vince Colletta, Walt Simonson’s Star Slammers and old war comics finish it out.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Ed Woltil

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Teen Weekly Komiks From The Philippines.

Artist’s Signature And The Time It Was Done,
From Teen Weekly Komiks.

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89 | Comic And Fantasy Artists Of The 70’s, Dragon’s Dream And Steve Ditko

Jack Kirby’s epic run on Fantastic Four is mentioned, then quickly goes into comic and fantasy artists of the seventies, books from Dragon’s Dream, Steve Ditko, Days Of Future Past (the comic book) and IDW’s upcoming Star Trek: City On The Edge Of Forever.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Stranglers

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Don Is Currently Reading His Way Through Kirby And Lee’s
Fantastic Four Run, But Didn’t Want To Talk About It At This Time.

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88 | Original Packaging, Our Fascination With Ruins And Over-Explained Storylines

It starts off with a brief history of Aurora Model Kits, goes into keeping things sealed in the original packaging, and mankind’s fascination with relics and ruins. Pin-ups, Fantastic Four, Chic Stone and the constantly changing line-ups of Yes. Then finish up with Hanna-Barbera theme songs, over-explained comics and Doctor Strange.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Pixies

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Aurora Model Kits History. Cover By James Bama.

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87 | Free Comic Book Day, Silver Surfer, Daredevil, Plastic Model Kits

We start off talking about Free Comic Book Day, discuss the Silver Surfer and Daredevil comics, then trail off onto plastic model kits.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Sonic Graffiti

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Free Comic Book Day First Saturday In May.

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86 | Epic Comic Runs, 60’s Comics, New Mutants, Wordy 80’s Comics And Go-To Guys

Episode 86. The entire crew returns to discuss Game Of Thrones, Lee and Kirby’s Fantastic Four Run, other epic comic runs like Walking Dead, Groo, and Uncanny X-Men,
Differences between Marvel and DC in the 60’s, Ghost Rider, Digital Reading, Comixology, Mike Ploog’s Horror Comics, The New Mutants original run, Herring and Robinson Book Binders, Wordy and dated 80’s comics, Jack Kirby’s Inkers, and Sal Buscema & Vince Colletta: Marvel’s Go-To Guys.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Coheed and Cambria

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Game Of Thrones.

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85 | Comic Shop News, Free Comic Book Day, Marvel Tales And Random Titles

Don, Al, Dallas, Rook, and Rook’s Beard reunite in an epic roundtable discussion about comics! During this trainwreck they discuss: Comic Shop News, Free Comic Book Day, Marvel Tales, Amazing Fantasy #15, Graded/Slabbed Comics, Locke & Key, Rook’s new vlog on Youtube, Kafka by R. Crumb and David Zane Mairowitz, Superior Carnage #1, Jupiter Legacy #4, Walking Dead: All Out War, Rat Queens, and Ghost Rider: Engines of Vengeance #1.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Pierre Legault

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Comic Shop News.

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84 | Research Before Drawing, Comics Old And New

Drawing with references were discussed, as well as The Silver Surfer, Jack Kirby’s amazing run on Fantastic Four, kung fu comics from the seventies, and Don thought Shannon was from Miami, only to learn she was really from New York.

Comic books that started in 1984, Jan Strnad, Richard Corben, western art, Beanworld and Adventure Time finished out the episode.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: ShannonAlex Chilton (again)

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If Doctor Morbious Enterprises Were Real,
He Would Have An Ad Like This.

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83 | Comic Book Films

The Dynamic Duo of Dallas and Dr. Morbius (from parts unknown) entices the senses with talk of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Tales From The Crypt (the 1972 film), Ex Machina Volume 3, The original Fantastic Four movie, Creepy by Dark Horse Comics, The Mighty Blue, Life with Archie, and much more!!!

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: FAIR TO MIDLAND

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Tales From The Crypt TV Show.

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82 | Comic Book Lawsuits, Hall Of Fame, Writers/Artists & Idea Guys

We start off with comic creator’s heirs suing publishers for the rights that were never shared. Hall of fames, museums, writer/artists, digital comics, Hellboy trades with similar covers, Daredevil, HawkeyeSergio Aragones and Silver Surfer.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Teenage Fanclub

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Kirby Heirs / Disney Lawsuit Going To Supreme Court.

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81 | Megacon, Movie Rooms & Backmasked Record Albums

Starting out this episode, Al and Don talk about finding comic books and trades at Megacon, cosplay, and wondered if conventions still have movie rooms. After the music break they wonder why no one complains about satanic music and backmasked albums. The Paul is dead hoax is discussed along with conspiracy theories.

At the end they finally talk about comic books. The influences of Bill Sienkiewicz, the new Silver Surfer comic and Walt Simonson.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: P J Harvey

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Megacon 2014.

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80 | Filipino Artists, DC Implosion And Random Comics

Al asks Don if there are any comics about beer and the conversation briefly goes onto The CPL, Filipino comic book artists Alex Nino and Alfredo Alcala. Wondering why Nestor Redondo’s King Arthur comic never came out, brought up the DC Implosion, Denny O’neil’s socially conscious work, Neal Adams’ angst driven work, and the unsung hero we know as Gray Morrow.

Then we went on to Mister X after Los Bros. Hernandez, Afterlife With Archie, She-Hulk and Spidey Super Stories.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: hitomiHoodoo Gurus

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Duffy’s Tavern From Rog 2000 By Nicola Cuti And John Byrne.

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79 | Will Eisner The Dreamer, Tijuana Bibles & Attack On Titan

AlDallas and Rook discuss stuff! Dallas and Rook divulge their love of obnoxious beer and whisky, while Al reviews WIll Eisner’s The Dreamer along with divulging the secret of Tijuana BiblesRon’s current anime of choice on Netflix is discussed… “Attack on Titan.”

We also talk comic book adaptations of works in other mediums, Do-It-Yourself Comic Book Binding, and Megacon 2014 in Orlando, FL.

Also please consider these two organizations:
heroinitiative.org • rugazrescue.com

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: THE JEZABELS!!!!!!

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The Dreamer By Will Eisner

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78 | Reworking Old Comic Stories

Don and Al sneak in an episode and continue their Atlas comics talk. This leads to a discussion about fashion and reworking old stories in comics.
Don ruminates on the short-lived King Comics, and the beautiful painted covers of Dell and Gold Key comics. After divulging the Kirby Curse, the boys talk about workaholic artists, the guys that never stuck out, but deserve appreciation, like Dan Spiegel and Ross Andru.
Other topics include: The greatness of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Bruno Premiani, the Best Kirby Inkers, Michael Moorcock’s Elric, Comic Shop News, and Don’s gut-wrenching reaction to 1984 by George Orwell.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Tin Spirits

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Tippy Teen By Harry Lucey From Tower Comics.

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77 | Binding Comics, Flash Gordon Atlas Comics And More

The gang talk about comic book binding, Mark Waid and Mike Weiringo’s Fantastic Four, Archie and Atlas comics, Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples,
a great documentary called Jack Kirby: Storyteller, lootcrate.com (check it out – trust us), The Walking Dead, Jupiter Legacy by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely,
and the lasting effects of Alan Moore and Frank Miller.

We also discuss subscribing to monthly books and stack reading etiquette, late monthly books vs. trades, and hidden gems at the flea market.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT:  XTCJimmy Eat World

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Flash Gordon Was Published By Dell As A Reprint Title.

While Binding Comic Books Were Discussed, Al Mentioned
The Many Publishing Attempts For Flash Gordon.

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76 | Voodoo Child Bill Sienkiewicz, Robert Crumb, All Star Superman, Whoa, Nellie!, Jaime Hernandez

Don, Al and Dallas talk comics. What comics? These comics:

She Hulk, The Winter SoldierSienkiewicz’s Voodoo Child and New Mutants, Robert Crumb’s Heroes of Blues and Kafka, All Star Superman, Whoa Nelly!, Fables, Walking Dead, Preacher, Howard the Duck and The Beatles.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Robert Crumb & His Cheap Suit Serenaders

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Winter Soldier By Rick Remender and Roland Boschi.

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75 | Comics, Movies And Music

It’s our glorious episode 75 reunion! The entire crew is present tonight (but not at the same time). Here’s a rundown of what we talk about:

COMICS:
Al Jaffee • Afterlife With ArchieThor: God of ThunderHellraiser
Preacher by Garth Ennis And Steve Dillon • Thor: Tales of Asgard
Thor: The Mighty Avenger • King CityMultiple WarheadsChildren of PalomarLocas

MOVIES and TV:
The Hobbit – The Desolation of SmaugLovelace with Amanda Seyfried
Ray Harryhausen – Special Effects TitanGame of Thrones Black Sails
The Mighty HeroesWizardsHeavy Metal

MUSIC:
Skinny PuppyStrung Out

MISCELLANEOUS:
Our Love of Whiskey: Michael Collins and Tullamore Dew
The merits of make-up & costumes over CGI in film
Dallas takes his nephew to get his first comic (spoiler: it’s the Ninja Turtles!)
The obligatory Walking Dead talk • Don vs. His Dog

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: TESSERACT
(no relation to Thanos the Mad Titan or the Cosmic Cube)

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Tall Tales By Al Jaffee.

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74 | The Beatles Story, The Fifth Beatle, Baby’s In Black And Will Eisner’s The Dreamer

A Beatles centric episode as Al and Don discuss The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story and Baby’s In Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe, and The Beatles which lead to a long discussion on The Beatles and the songs they made. They finish up with The Dreamer by Will Eisner.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Alex Chilton (of course)

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The Beatles Story From Marvel Comics.

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73 | Dave Berg, Mad Magazine, The Usual Gang Of Idiots Plus Steve Ditko Strange And Stranger

Al and Don start off talking about Dave Berg, then continue with other Mad Magazine creators Antonio Prohias, Don Martin, Mort Drucker, Jack Davis (who did everything under the sun), Sergio Aragones, Wally Wood and Kelly Freas. Al brings up paperback book covers painted by comic book artists and ends the show with Steve Ditko Strange And Stranger By Blake Bell.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Pavement

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MAD’s The Lighter Side By Dave Berg.

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72 | Will Comic Book Movies Wear Thin? Are There Any Genius Artists Pushing The Medium?

“Will comic book movies wear thin? Do we have any genius artists working in the field today?” Al asks both of these questions, and the entire episode is spent discussing it.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: PARADA

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Dallas Can’t Stop Watching Man Of Steel.

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71 | Christmas Comics And Living In An Archival Society

It’s the Christmas episode! Join Don, Al, and Dallas as they take a walk down memory lane and discuss their favorite Christmas-themed comics. Dallas chooses X-Men (of course), Al chooses Tales from the Crypt (of course) and Don is just a Scrooge.

After that, It’s gift time as the boys exchange presents on air and be merry to each other. The blissful times continue as we meet our once-per-episode quota of Walking Dead talk, before the show inexplicably becomes Two Dimension: The Music Podcast.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: BAD RELIGION!!!!!!!! (courtesy of Rook)

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70 | Vinyl Records, French Comics, Strong Female Characters And Muck Monsters

Al and Don start off talking about John Severin, then go into humor magazines of the seventies, rising paper costs of the nineties, the evolution of brick and mortar bookstores  and the return of vinyl records.

Comic book artists streamlining styles as they progress, color work and uninked pencils are discussed, as well as comic book heroines, French comics and muck monsters.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Steve Robinson

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John Severin Cover For Cracked.

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69 | Comic Titles Gone Into Oblivion And Reading Comic Books Online

Al and Don start out discussing forgotten titles that have seemingly gone into oblivion,
and later talk about a band that never made the shuffle to obscurity. Kind of strange that neither one cared for The Eagles, but they seem to know the material quite well anyway.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Flamin Groovies

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Omaha The Cat Dancer Finishes And Is Available From NBM.

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68 | Golden Age Artists Who Left Us Too Soon And Underground Comix Of North America

Don and Dr. Morbius from parts unknown (Al) host the official “inker” episode! They begin by talking about how B-Movies were made, and drool over the all-encompassing glory of Krispy Kreme donuts and the subtle, understated appeal of Krystal burgers.

Talking About The Slow Robot A Go Go Podcast Started Everything Off
Then Went Into A Discussion Of Intentions And Bad Work.

Golden Age artists like John Buscema, Gil Kane, Alex Toth, Mike Sikorsky and Joe Maneely were discussed,  and how some of them continued their careers into the 80’s and others’ careers were cut tragically short.

And then it’s inker time! The boys discuss the merits of full and partial pencil layouts and the integral job of the inker, and how many artists inked their own work. Don sneaks in Sergio Aragones’ Groo and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, two of his favorite books. They even mention Mick Gray and Terry Austin, two of Dallas’ favorite inkers, and then Al proposes a challenge to Don to ink his art!!!! Don recites the story of how Howard Chaykin helped J.H. Williams III get into the comics industry, and gushes over Chaykin’s Buck Rogers run.

Al gives Don his collection of Omaha the Cat Dancer and epic tales of underground comics ensues with discussions about The First Kingdom by Jack Katz, among others.  Al gives his thoughts on the progression of underground/counter-culture comics (like the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) into indie comics (such as Star Reach), and Don explains why Fat Freddy’s Cat is better than Garfield.

Al reviews  Afterlife with Archie (Starring Sabrina the Teenage Witch!) and Guardians of the Galaxy #8.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Geneva Wollett • Alex Chilton

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67 | Promethea By Alan Moore And J.H. Williams

THE ALL-PROMETHEA EPISODE!

Dallas and Don break into an in-depth discussion on one of their famous comic book runs, Promethea by Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III. (Rook is there too, but he’s nursing a hangover and falls asleep). Spoilers abound as we break apart the story, ideas, and characters that make up the 32 issue run.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Seven Nations

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Promethea. If She Did Not Exist, We Would Have To Invent Her.
By Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III, Mick Gray And Todd Klein.

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66 | Gene Luen Yang, The Silent Invasion And Other Black And White Series From The Eighties

Al and Don discuss American Born Chinese and Boxers • Saints by Gene Luen Yang, which leads into a discussion of making changes in foreign places you don’t understand, and how little Don actually knows about world history. The Silent Invasion By Michael Cherkas And Larry Hancock and other black and white series from the eighties. Golden age artists that didn’t make the transition into the silver age and cartoonists that went into advertising.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: CuneEno

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American Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang.

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65 | Remaking Movies And The Legion Of Superheroes

Dallas joins Al and Don to talk about anything but comic books. Remaking movies, brand management and the illusion of change. Later they get Don to talk about The Legion Of Superheroes, which Al was somewhat aware of, but Dallas was not.

MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Cold War KidsGuided By Voices

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Even Though We Started The Show Talking About Total Recall,
Star Wars Conceptual Art By Ralph McQuarrie Goes On The Blog First.

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