Documentary filmmaker Anthony Desiato starts the show off discussing his films My Comic Shop, Buy Spoon: The Jay Meisel Story and Wacky Man: The Rise of a Puppeteer. We then go into a discussion of unknown Archie creators, Walt Simonson’s Ragnarok, Groo Vs. Conan, Chic Stone, Terry Austin, Marshall Rogers and the amazing unsung hero Marie Severin.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Graham Gouldman
We start off with a discussion of influences, mention the difference between creation and contribution, and artists who work with a sketchy line style. Old Daredevil comics, the New Wonder Woman of the early seventies, Dial H For Hero and finish off with the Fantastic Four as always.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Ruby Sting
Conan By Gary Gianni.
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
The Rook From Warren Publishing.
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
Teen Weekly Komiks From The Philippines.
Artist’s Signature And The Time It Was Done,
From Teen Weekly Komiks.
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
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.
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
Aurora Model Kits History. Cover By James Bama.
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
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
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: XTC • Jimmy Eat World
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.
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
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.
Amazing as it sounds, Dallas and Rook are absent, but somehow Al keeps Don from talking over the hour. The show starts off mentioning the Bill Wray episode of Sidebar: Four Color Conversations, then goes into comic book editors, which is a subject that they have thought very little about.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Deloris Telescope
Giant Size Avengers 1 By Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler And
Dan Adkins But Don, Proving That He Needs An Editor, Said
That It Was Written By Gerry Conway.
Don, Rook, Dallas and Al (A.K.A. Dr. Morbius) return for an exciting night of comics discussion. The topic tonight is what comic book would you give to a non-comic book reader? The choices are varied. Dallas suggests UNDERSTANDING COMICS, an insightful meditation on the medium, while Don suggests THE CARTOON HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE, a highly entertaining book that can be read and enjoyed by all ages. Al decides to pick his very first comic book, FANTASTIC FOUR #57 for all the reasons you can guess… basically, Jack and Stan. Rook has an interesting pick, and we won’t spoil it here. And, as usual, more Walking Dead talk follows. Excelsior!
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Hell-Bent
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Dallas returns and introduces the show while gushing over Dave Sim and Gerhard’s CEREBUS THE AARDVARK. He also touches on a graphic novel by Guy DeLisle entitle PYONGYANG. Oh, and he finally completes his Promethea collection!!! After a musical break by The Ditchflowers, Don and Al take over the show and promptly drive it into the ground. Just kidding. They discuss the Comic Book History of Comics, and ask the question: Is Digital the Future? Also, which is better: buying comics online or local? Enjoy!!
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Ditchflowers
Unprepared once again, Al and Don take the helm as they discuss comics they’ve read, then quickly digress into B-movies and the Tampa Bay music scene during the late 80’s to eatly 90’s.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Headlights
Once again, the whole gang is present, and thanks to Al we discuss letterers and the art of typography. What’s better.. digital fonts or traditional lettering?
We reminisce about some of the old school lettering masters such as John Workman, Moebius, and Tom Orzechowski. Don finds a way to slide in a Carl Barks comment,
and Dallas gushes about Dave Sim’s typographical masterpiece, Cerebus.
We then discuss “event fatigue” in the DC and Marvel universe, and Rook tastefully bags on DC’s New 52 concept. We talk about how boring the superhero “status quo” can be,
and how refreshing books like Spider-Man’s Brand New Day and Morrison’s New X-Men can be. There’s some creator-owned rights talk, and Don brings up symphonic music
to hammer home his point on artistic “innovators” and “cultivators”.
Oh, and Rook sticks up for Aquaman.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: The Brilliant Green
Not Only Could No One Draw Or Design Like Alex Toth,
No One Could Letter Like He Could As Well.
Yet, We Missed Talking About It On This Episode.
The entire crew returns with a special guest! Don and Al reminisce about the classic Fantastic Four, Rook explains the 90’s X-Men fad, and Dallas interrupts everyone.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Bryan Yeatter
Al and Dallas struggle to get a word in edgewise as Don goes on and on and on about his Top Ten Favorite Artists.
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Don’s Brother, Larry Moore, of course.
10. Steve Rude.Happy Labor Day Weekend!!! And here we are again, this time around it’s Dallas, Don, and Al. The topic: why Rook isn’t here. Oh, and we also discuss comics. Specifically, Al’s favorite writers, including Bruce Jones and Arnold Drake. Don goes bananas over Thor, Dallas’ wife tries to get him drunk on air, and we all fight over the new DC Reboot. We also get in a discussion about Stan Lee. Yes, Stan “the Man” Lee, co-creator of Marvel’s most beloved franchises. Even if you’re not a comic book reader, you know this guy. And “What Are You Reading” returns with a new grading scale! Enjoy and have a safe Labor Day weekend!
MUSICAL SPOTLIGHT: Steve Robinson.
Al’s vote for favorite writer went to Jack Kirby and Stan Lee:
