The Epic Marvel Podcast: Recent Episodes
ThunderQuack Podcast Network
It’s time to return to the pages of Generation X and discuss those pre-Onslaught issues of our favourite mutant team of the 90s! Gabe and Kurtis talk about Emplate’s mysterious history, M’s family secret, Banshee’s past connection to Omega Red, and why it took Mondo so long to show up and join the team!
Issues discussed: Generation X #10-16, Generation X Annual ’95, Generation X San Diego Comic-Con Preview
This episode contains clips from interviews with Scott Lobdell, Mark Buckingham and Richard Starkings.
The Hulk is on a rampage again, and Kurtis and Alex are here to document every moment of it! This batch of Hulk issues by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe includes one of the most important Hulk issues of the 1970s, in which the Green Goliath shrinks down to a microscopic world! Plus, they discuss the debut of a new Hulk supporting cast member, Doc Samson!Issues discussed: Incredible Hulk #138-145, Avengers #88
This episode deals with one long Tomb of Dracula epic in which the Dark Lord marries and has a child! Josh and Kurtis and really wondering if this is the point the series jumps the shark. In particular, during a fight between Dracula and the Silver Surfer…? Can the series recover from this?Issues discussed: Tomb of Dracula #45-54
Halloween may have just passed, but we can still continue the spooky season with an episode about the Lord of Vampires himself – Count Dracula! Kurtis and Josh talk about the end of a long Tomb of Dracula story in which Doctor Sun reveals his master plan and comes face-to-face with Dracula, Blade and all […]
Kurtis and Adam first start with a very in depth look at several Amazing Spider-Man stories including a Spider-Man annual, including one chapter of Atlantis Attacks with very early art from Rob Liefeld! Then they tackle the classic Assassin Nation Plot storyline by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. What works? What doesn’t? Do the guest […]
In this special interview episode, Kurtis and Craig talk to Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz about their legendary run on Thor! They cover the Eric Masterson’s transition to Thor, the Black Galaxy Saga, the Thor Corps, and even Thunderstrike! And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this 90 minute conversation! More from […]
It’s time to talk Spidey with Kurtis and Adam! In this episode they discuss the first battle between the Green Goblin and the Hobgoblin, Peter and MJ’s housing crisis, the very second appearance of Venom and more B- and C-list villains than you can shake a stick at! Plus, they marvel at Todd McFarlane’s artwork […]
The Torch is being hunted by so many super powered people, including his own family, the Wild Pack, and the New Fantastic Four! Kurtis and Eric discuss this very 90s era of Marvel’s first family! Plus, two terrible annuals and a bonus Spider-Man story that really should have been included in the Epic Collection! Issues […]
It’s the 90s and even the Fantastic Four can’t escape the affect the Image wave had on the industry! But how does FF hold up today? Does the 90s effect have a positive or negative impact on the storytelling? Kurtis and Eric examine two storyarcs from the DeFalco/Ryan era: Occulus the Omnipotent and The Infinity […]
After Adventure Into Fear was canceled, Morbius’s story continued in the pages of Spectacular Spider-Man and Savage She-Hulk! But how do these stories hold up against the rest of the issues found in these Epic Collections? Kurtis and Ryan go through them all and discuss Morbius’s involvement (or in some cases, non-involvement) as he teams […]
The adventures of the Living Vampire continue as Kurtis and Ryan return to talk about the many portals to hell, what vampires do at a house part, and how a guy can erase you off the face of the planet! This this the insane world of MORBIUS! All this and special guest appearances from Ghost […]
Kurtis and Ryan dive into a far out corner of the Marvel Universe, one that is filled with a Living Vampire, an underground city of cat people, a planet full of creatures that want to die, a Spider-Man with six arms, a race of android barbarians, a wolfman, a man-wolf, and the deadliest six year […]
Kurtis, James, Lars and Jared are back one more time to finish their roundtable discussion on that infamous 90s X-Men crossover classic – X-Cutioner’s Song! How do these guys really feel about the back half of this story, and especially how it all concludes after twelve densely packed issues? You’ll have to listen and find […]
Kurtis and James return to the pages of X-Force to discuss the two-part Cable mini-series, Blood and Metal. Then, they are joined by Lars and Jared and together they have a roundtable discussion about the famous 90s X-Men crossover, X-Cutioner’s Song! The four of them go through, issue by issue, and unpack all of the […]
Kurtis and Jared continue their discussion about Peter David’s X-Factor and the title leads up to the X-Cutioner’s song story. In this episode, the conversation revolves around the early appearances of Stryfe, the development of characters like Wolfsbane and Strong Guy, and the overly political plotlines in every issue – abortion, illegal refugees, racial profiling, […]
Out with the old, in with the new! Kurtis and Jared talk about the groundbreaking shakeup of the X-Factor team in the midst of the X-Men boom of the early 90s! The discussion surrounds the new team of relatively lesser known mutants, the comedy of Peter David, and the dynamic style of Larry Stroman! Plus, […]
Illyana’s story arc reaches its climax as she faces he past demons, while the New Mutants and X-Terminators defend New York from hundreds of demons! The Inferno crossover story was a big event for the X-books in the 80s, and Kurtis, Franck and Jared are here to discuss the New Mutants half of the story! […]
Kurtis and Franck discuss the post-Demon Bear Saga issues of New Mutants! These stories include a Cloak and Dagger tale, a Dazzler gladiator event and the debut of Legion! This is more goodness from Bill Sienkiewicz, but how does it hold up against the classic story that came before it? Issues discussed: New Mutants 25-31, […]
Kurtis and Franck dive into the most well known and well loved New Mutants story, The Demon Bear Saga! But before they get into that, they visit the last of the Sal Buscema issues, including a story about the Hellions! The discussion includes the development of Magik and her powers, the introduction to a few […]
Captain America gets a new partner, and Cap’s old partner comes back from the dead! Stan Lee and Gene Colan’s run on Captain America comes to a close, but not before they cram in as many villains as they can! Scorpion, Mandarin, Red Skull, Mole Man and so many more! Plus a team up with […]
Captain America body swaps with Red Skull! Rick Jones becomes the new Bucky! Steve Rogers meets Sam Wilson for the first time! Captain America dies??? Kurtis and Drew discuss another batch of classic Captain America comics, including the landmark three issues by Jim Steranko! Issues discussed: Captain America #110-119
Captain American bursts forth in all his patriotic glory from playing second fiddle to Iron Man in the pages of Tales of Suspense to becoming his own full-fledged, self-sufficient superhero franchise! Kurtis and Drew discuss these transitional Captain America issues and the evolution of the character, the storytelling and the artwork. How do Jack Kirby’s […]
Kurtis and Gabe continue to read through the early Generation X issues, talking about the development of all these new mutant characters! They reveal a few behind the scenes tidbits and discuss the various artists and how their styles differ. Plus, even though these issues are not included in the Epic Collection, Kurtis and Gabe […]
A new group of young mutants came together in the 90s to form the next generation of X-Men. They are…Generation X! This breakout 90s title is the topic of this week’s episode! Kurtis and Gabe swoon over artwork, marvel at storytelling and gush over characters! The discussion involves the origin of the series, the interplay […]
Kurtis, Eric and Craig wrap up their discussion on Jack Kirby’s Eternals! It is generally agreed that this series unravels as it barrels down toward its sudden conclusion. But how exactly does it do that? Why does it do that? Why does Kirby make the decisions he makes? We may never know the real answers, […]
Kurtis is joined by Eric and Craig to discuss the larger-than-life concepts of Jack Kirby’s Eternals! Together, they talk about the characters, the history, the mythos, the art and the man himself! Ikaris, Thena, Ajak, Sersi and the whole gang team up with the Deviants to stop the Celestials from issuing their cosmic judgment upon […]
Kurtis welcomes Steve Englehart back on the show to discuss the early days of West Coast Avengers! Steve shares his insights on such characters as Master Pandemonium and Firebird, events like Lost in Space Time, Hank Pym’s attempted suicide, and the Vision and Scarlet Witch 12-issue limited series! This is a companion episode to Avengers […]
It’s Halloween and we have a spooky episode for you! Kurtis and Josh finish up their conversation on Tomb of Dracula Complete Collection Vol. 3 as they discuss the showdown between Dracula and Harker, the Brother Voodoo guest appearance, the terrible Giant-Size issues, and the first Marvel work from John Byrne! Issues discussed: Tomb of […]
It is time once again for our annual Halloween episode! This week is the first of two parts exploring the middle of the classic 70s Marvel series — Tomb of Dracula! Kurtis and Josh discuss the many aspects of Dracula’s multi-faceted character and the various people he encounters! The conversation also revolves around Gene Colan […]
Conan the Barbarian fans, Kurtis and Jason are back to finish their discussion on the early years of the Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor-Smith classic series! Comparisons between the books and comics; the “barbarian code” that Conan follows; the many women of Conan — all this and more in this exciting episode! Issues discussed: Conan the Barbarian […]
Embarking on a journey through the Hyborian Age, Kurtis and Jason explore the early days of Conan the Barbarian comics and discuss what makes Conan so great, what are the differences between the comics and the books, and why every woman is attracted to this skinny Cimmarian! Plus, plenty of behind the scenes information and […]
Kurtis speaks with writer Simon Furman about his long career writing Transformers. The focus of this interview is Furman’s Marvel US Transformers run. They discuss the difference between Marvel US and Marvel UK, taking over the series from Bob Budiansky, working with artists Wildman, Delbo and Senior, and even some talk about the short-lived Generation […]
Kurtis Findlay and Peter Ha are back to talk about Marvel’s classic Transformers series! This episode covers the transitional period in 1989 when Bob Budiansky hands the writing reigns over the Simon Furman! The discussion revolves around the deaths and resurrections of characters, the ever expanding toy lines, the introduction of Primus and Unicron, and […]
The Epic Marvel Podcast is back with an all-new interview with comics historian and Marvel writer Peter Sanderson! Peter contributed many entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and put the 616 continuity in chronological order for Marvel Saga! Kurtis and Peter discuss both of these series and his approach to researching for […]
Excitement kicks into high gear as Godzilla faces off against the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and even Devil Dinosaur! He shrinks! He goes to outer space, he even beats up cattle rustlers! Is there anything Godzilla can’t do? Kurtis and Mike talk though the last half of this underrated series and discuss the high points, […]
Who is excited for Godzilla vs. Kong? Kurtis and Mike are looking forward to it, so it seemed like a good time to read through all of the issue in Marvel’s classic 1977 Godzilla comic series! Mike is an expert in all things Godzilla so you’ll learn plenty about how the comic relates to the […]
Peter B. Gillis has built up an impressive assortment of stories for Marvel Comics, including Dr. Strange, Micronauts, Eternals and… What If! In this interview, every single one of Gillis’s What If stories are discussed. This is a companion episode to What If…?, Ep. 1b, 2a and 2b. More exclusive interviews can be found on […]
More alternate realities to discuss with Kurtis! Spidey the movie mogul! Sue Storm the Atlantean! Hulk the teeny-tiny, and more!: What if Spider-Man Had Never Become a Crimefighter? What if the Avengers Fought the Kree-Skrull War without Rick Jones? What if the Invisible Girl had Married the Sub-Mariner? What if Dr. Doom Had Become a Hero? […]
Continuing on our journey through What If, Kurtis discusses some really amazing stories and a couple of not so amazing stories. But they are all fun! Here are the stories involved: What if Conan the Barbarian walked the Earth today? What if Sgt. Fury had fought WWII in outer Space? What if Nova had been […]
The next installment of What If explorations takes us in so many different directions! From the Spider-Verse to the Marvel Bullpen, this episode has a little bit of everything, including some commentary from Roy Thomas and Don Glut! What if someone else besides Spider-Man had been bitten by the radioactive spider? What if the world knew Daredevil was blind? What if […]
Rounding out a six-week series on the Amazing Spider-Man, Franck and Kurtis discuss the remaining issues in the Goblin Lives Epic Collection which includes multi-part stories with Mysterio and Vulture, and the two issues of The Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine, featuring the dynamic return of the Green Goblin! Join them as they discuss writing, art and […]
Kurtis and Franck ring in the new year with more classic stories from the early days of the Amazing Spider-Man! The discussion strongly centers around the art of John Romita and how he was aided by Don Heck and Mike Esposito. Other topics include the multi-part Doctor Octopus story, the missteps in the return of […]
In the issues discussed in this week’s episode, Kurtis and Franck discuss John Romita’s evolving art style and Stan Lee’s shaping of the cast. Plus, the introduction to the Kingpin is an important part of the Marvel Universe, but how does this first appearance hold up? Another strong batch of stories to discuss! Issues discussed: […]
The Romita era starts off with a bang, and Kurtis and Franck are reading though it to bring you the most interesting and engaging podcast conversation they can! We will discuss the origins of new characters like Rhino and Shocker, the return of others like the Lizard and the Vulture. And of course, the real […]
The Ditko era comes to a close in the issues that Kurtis and Franck discuss on this week’s episode. How do the early issues compare to the later ones once Steve gets more creative freedom, and how does that present itself in the Master Planner Saga? Plus, the introduction to many new characters and the […]
We have reached the mid-point of Steve Ditko’s time on Spider-Man and in this episode Kurtis and Franck take a look at the transformation that Ditko undergoes as he takes a more active role on the title and improves in all aspects of his art and storytelling! Plus, more great villains are introduced, like Scorpion […]
Passing through the mid-point of Steve Englehart’s run on Fantastic Four, Kurtis and Eric discuss one of the most convoluted stories in Marvel history! What do Morbius, the Savage Land, Belasco, Master Pandemonium, The Comet Men, teleportation portals, underground societies, cat people, Cosmic Cubes, the Shaper of Worlds and many different aliens have to do […]
Kurtis and Eric continue to read through Steve Englehart’s Fantastic Four. The Thing and Ms. Marvel go through a huge transformation. How does this affect their mental state? How does this affect their relationship? How does this affect the team? Plus, the Thing and the Hulk take on an alien McDonalds? Issues discussed: Fantastic Four […]
Our Halloween tradition continues this year with another episode about the Tomb of Dracula! Kurtis and Josh explore the myths and legends of Dracula, Werewolves, Spider-Man and the mysterious Dr. Sun! Conversation also includes the amazing art by Gene Colan, the treatment of Dracula by writers other than Marv Wolfman, and the Tomb of Dracula/Werewolf […]
In today’s episode, Will and Jim begin a multi-part series on the legendary DC vs. Marvel miniseries by Ron Marz, Peter David, Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini! Learn about the history of this battle, the characters involved and the whole voting thing that took place to determine the winners! Issues discussed: DC vs. Marvel #1-3 […]
In the previous episode, Kurtis and Josh discussed the first two issues of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch 12-issue series, but in this special bonus episode, they decide to tackle the remaining 10 issues! This series revolves around Vision and Scarlet Witch’s resignation from the Avengers and life in suburbia where normal life and […]
Josh and Kurtis continue to read and talk through the early appearances of the West Coast Avengers! In this episode, they discuss the beginnings of the WCA ongoing series, the reveal of Iron Man’s secret identity to the team, the many limbs of the Ultron/Vision/Wonder Man family tree, the introduction of Master Pandemonium and the […]
Starting a new series about the beginnings of West Coast Avengers, our first episode is so big it will be told in three parts! How does the Roger Stern mini series fit into the ongoing Avengers continuity and how does this new team differ from the original one? Kurtis and Josh go through all the […]
Chris and Andy of the Collected Comics Library continue to dissect the Punisher Max series in all its bloody glory! Issues discussed: Punisher (2004) #13-18 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters.
Adam and Kurtis explore the philosophical side of Nocenti’s Daredevil in a story about heaven, hell, angels, demons, and a ragtag group of people/beings caught in the middle! Plus, a surprisingly good Annual crossover story about a mutating man. Issues discussed: Daredevil #278-282, Annual #6, Punisher Annual #3, Incredible Hulk Annual #16, Silver Surfer Annual […]
There have been a lot of weird and unexpected crossovers in the Archie world. Everyone from Kiss to Predator to Glee to Vampirella to the Ninja Turtles. Heck, you could probably make a whole podcast out of them! But the one that started it all is the now classic Archie Meets the Punisher, by Batton […]
This little stretch of Daredevil goes in some very weird territory. Animal slaughter farms, bio-engineered humans, a missing Inhuman child, an emotionally confused Ultron. How do these all fit together and does it all work? Issues discussed: Daredevil #271-277, Annual #5 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters.
Doug and Steve return to talk about another 1980s movie classic, Annie! Not only do they watch the musical, but they also read the Marvel Comics adaptation! Interesting note, the comic is an adaptation of the movie which is an adaptation of the play which is an adaptation of the comic strip! Issues discussed: Marvel […]
Continuing our discussion about Nocenti’s Daredevil, Adam and Kurtis reach the Inferno tie-in issues. How does Daredevil fare against actual devils and demons, including the son of Mephisto–Blackheart? Issues discussed: Daredevil #261-270 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters.
In this week’s episode, Kurtis and Adam read through and discuss the debut of Typhoid Mary in the pages of Ann Nocenti’s Daredevil! Who is this new character and what is he beef with Matt Murdock? Only the Kingpin knows for sure! Plus, Epic Marvel Podcast Punisher co-host Chris joins the show to talk about […]
This this episode, Kurtis and Pearce discuss the revamp of the Black Widow character and her own ongoing series in the pages of Amazing Adventures. How did the revamp affect her character? What things changed? What things remained? How do the changes work in the context of what came before? All this and more in […]
In this startling first episode, Kurtis and Pearce team-up to explore the origins of Black Widow in the pages of Tales of Suspense and Avengers! How did Stan, Roy and the gang evolve this character from Russian femme fatale to avenging super spy? This, and much more, discussed in this episode! Issues discussed: Tales of […]
We are fortunate enough to spend some time with Roy Thomas talking about creating the fan-favourite series, What If…? and the issues he wrote in those early days! Listen to Roy talk about Conan in the 20th Century, the Marvel Bullpen as the FF, the Invaders, and more in this exclusive interview! More exclusive interviews […]
We have at last come to the final episode of Moon Knight (until they release more Epic Colelctions, that is). In this episode, Kurtis and Eric discuss the final Doug Moench stories as well as the ones that follow leading up the the finale. How do they feel the series ended? You’ll have to listen […]
Chris and Andy of the Collected Comics Library discuss the Irish mob and Frank’s connection to the horrific events that involved many mobsters and $10 million dollars! Issues discussed: Punisher (2004) #7-12 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters.
Kurtis and Eric bid farewell to Bill Sienkiewicz as they discuss the last few issues of his amazing run on Moon Knight! Join them as they try to make sense of the multiple personality issue and whether or not Moon Knight actually has any moon powers! Plus, studies in composition, the use of werewolves in […]
Kurtis had the privileged of being on the Near Mint Condition livestream with Omar Valdivieso to talk about the new and upcoming Epic Collections, Complete Collections, and even Marvel Masterworks that are coming in January to April of 2021! This is the audio from that session, for your listening pleasure!
Continuing on the special series of episodes looking at the original G-1 Transformers comics from Marvel, Peter and Kurtis discuss the return of Optimus Prime, the inclusion of the Headmasters on Earth, the destruction of many, many robots, and the special Transformer tourist resort for humans. Plus, the 4-part Underbase Saga! Issues discussed: Transformers #39-50 […]
John Byrne brings together a team-up of epic proportions! Batman & Captain America was the start of a whole new universe that Byrne continued past this initial crossover. How did it all get started? How does this book stack up against other crossovers? Does Byrne benefit from doing the writing, penciling, inking and lettering by […]
This episode is the conclusion to our six-week long journey through the early days of the Avengers! The discussion in this episode revolves around the rotating cast of Avengers, the introduction to new super teams like Squadron Sinister and the Zodiac, the incredible world of Arkon, the return of the Sons of Serpents and their […]
You never thought you’d get an episode of the Epic Marvel Podcast that described the make up of a duck’s genitals, did you? Well, you get all this and more in this episode about the Howard the Duck movie! Steve and Doug discuss the great and not-so-great aspects of this b-movie and compare it to […]
The issues discussed in this Avengers episode chronicle the debut of the Vision, the master plan of Ultron-5, the wedding of Wasp and Yellowjacket, and the transformation of Hawkeye into Goliath! And if that isn’t enough, we get Wakanda worldbuilding, a Dr. Strange team-up, and Hawkeye’s mysterious past! Plus, great art from Buscema, Colan and […]
More Avengers talk is headed your way as Chris and Kurtis discuss the new and improved Masters of Evil, the introduction of the Collector, the return of Kang, and a crossover with the X-Men (featuring X-Men co-host Jared!) Issues discussed: Avengers #51-56, Annual #2, X-Men #45, Not Brand Echh #5, 8 Check out our exclusive […]
Chris and Andy of the Collected Comics Library return for another installment of Punisher Max! In this episode, they talk about the first storyarc, one issue at a time! Join them as they discuss all the gory details! Issues discussed: Punisher (2004) #1-6 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters. […]
The adventure continues as Chris and Kurtis plow their way through the early days of Roy Thomas’s Avengers! New villains show up (Red Guardian, Typhon) and old villains return (Super-Adaptoid, Diablo), plus–The Mandarin gathers together a whole bunch of Avengers antagonists, the beginning of a long Magneto saga, and the debut of Dane Whitman as […]
The Man of Steel meets the Sentinel of the Skyways, and Will and Jim are your guides through this monumental crossover! Join them as they discuss the highs and lows, the similarities to recently discussed crossovers, and the team-up we never realized we wanted–Impossible Man and Mr. Mxyzptlk! Issues discussed: Silver Surfer/Superman Check out our […]
Let’s all join Kurtis and Chris for their continuing journey through early Avengers issues! This episode tackles the first few issues of Roy Thomas’s legendary take on the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! The discussion revolves around Greek history, science-fiction, racism, romance, and the art of Don Heck! Issues discussed: Avengers #31-40 Check out our exclusive interviews […]
For their special one-year anniversary episode, Steve and Doug are joined by Transformers co-hosts Kurtis and Peter for a rousing discussion about Transformers: The Movie and the three-part Marvel Comics adaptation! Join them as they talk about the film, the soundtrack, and the many differences with the comics! Issues discussed: Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Check […]
Kurtis and Chris return to the early issues of the Avengers to discuss the team as they grow into a formidable force! The team is now Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, and in this volume we see the return of the Wasp and Giant-Man, now called Goliath! Plenty of villains, plenty of fun! […]
And lo! A new series is born! Chris and Andy of the Collected Comics Library begin a brand new series all about Punisher Max, the R-rated comic series by Garth Ennis! In this premiere episode, they talk about the origins of the character as told in the 4-issue mini series, Born! Hold onto your butts […]
Continuing on with the conversation about the early days of the Marvel Universe, Kurtis and Eric take a look at the remaining issues in the first FF Epic Collection and talk about the new villains, such as The Red Ghost, The Thinker and The Impossible Man, the use of returning villains like Dr. Doom and […]
It’s the event that was decades in the making! The ultimate crossover between Marvel and DC’s two biggest teams! JLA/Avengers took the comic world by storm and was a benchmark for cross-company crossovers! Will and Jim pick apart the history, the creative team, the story and the excitement to see what makes this crossover work, […]
Welcome to the wonderful world of “Dinosaur” Don Glut! Don’s career in the entertainment industry crosses every medium, genre and job that you can imagine! his comic book work is just a drop in the bucket, but we were able to make an hour long interview out of it! Join us as we talk about […]
Podcasting from a more than adequate social distance, Doug and Steve are back to talk about the Steven Spielberg classic, Close Encounters of the Third Kind! What makes this film stand the test of time? And does the comic adaptation by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson do an adequate job of retaining the magic and […]
Greg Russell and Kurtis return to Marvel’s humour mag of the 1960s, Not Brand Echh! Together, they meticulously dissect every panel, explaining and discussing every cultural reference they can! Are you able to stomach a whole two hours of this garbage? We want to see you try! Issues discussed: Not Brand Echh #3-4 Check out […]
Writer Gerry Conway returns to the show to talk about the Comic Code Authority and the events that led to the Code becoming more irrelevant and ushering in a new era of Marvel Comics! The discussion includes Conway’s contributions to such classic Marvel titles like Werewolf By Night, Tomb of Dracula and Man-Thing! More exclusive […]
Will and Jim are back to discuss the very first meeting of two universes! The very first cross-company superhero team was Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man in 1976 and it was give the super-sized treatment for this action packed “battle of the century”! Does it hold up over time? Are there better crossovers out there? […]
Here is where it all begins! Kurtis and Eric discuss the issues that introduce the Marvel Universe! The origin of the Fantastic Four! The first appearances of Dr. Doom, Namor, Mole Man, Puppet Master and more! You won’t want to miss this discussion about the start of one of modern literature’s greatest mythologies! Issues discussed: […]
Over on the Epic Marvel Podcast Facebook page, Kurtis has been livestreaming an issue of What If…? every day! He will continue to do so throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode is a compilation of some of those livestream episodes and features the following stories: What if Spider-Man had Joined the Fantastic Four? What if […]
Take a peek behind the curtain with the Legendary Tom DeFalco and find out what it took to be the writer of Fantastic Four during the tumultuous 90s! Plus, Tom shares how the comic industry changed during his time as Editor-in-Chief and how that eventually lead to his dismissal. It is very interesting stuff! This […]
Steve and Doug return to the show to talk about another fabulous 1980s cult classic, this time, that unforgettable(?) disco fantasy dance musical staring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, Xanadu! Of course, because this is a Marvel Comics podcast, they will also discuss the comic adaptation by J.M. DeMatteis, Rich Buckler and a host of […]
Kurtis and Alex return to talk about the Hulk as the book and the character transition into the 1970s! They discuss Roy’s evolution as a writer, going from Stan Lee’s shadow into a writer of his own, and the evolution of Herb Trimpe’s artwork and his collaborations with John Severin and Sal Buscema! Plus, conversation […]
In the aftermath of Fall From Grace, we see a harder, edgier, meaner, grumpier Daredevil! The topic of his attitude comes up often as Kurtis and Adam discuss this interesting period of Daredevil that serves as a stretch of issues with little direction and no clear sense of purpose. But did Kurtis and Adam like […]
In this exclusive interview, Kurtis chats with Master of Kung Fu writer Doug Moench about his work on the 70s Kung Fu cult classic. The discussion revolves around story ideas, behind the scenes situations and working with Paul Gulacy. Even if you don’t care at all about Master of Kung Fu, this is still a […]
Picking up where they left off, Jason and Kurtis continue their conversation on the Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu! This episode sees Shang-Chi travel all over the world in search of his father, the evil Fu Manchu! Moench and Gulacy set the stage through these issues, building to a big change to the […]
The crossover that isn’t a crossover, but really is a crossover! In this unofficial crossover, Spider-Man teams up with Howard the Duck while Savage Dragon teams up with Destroyer Duck! But how did they do it when the companies didn’t actually want to do it? And what did all this have to do with the […]
Yesterday, The Uncanny Omar invited me to take part in a reveal of 11 new Epic Collections on his Near Mint Condition Youtube Channel! We had a blast talking about the upcoming Epics, and Omar has graciously allowed me to share that discussion with you hear on the podcast! Please check out his Facebook, Twitter, […]
Steve and Doug reach back into Muppet history and rewatch Muppets Take Manhattan. How does this movie fair in the long line of Muppet movies? And in a surprising twist, they like the comic adaptation better than the film itself! But why is that? You’ll have to listen to find out! Issues discussed: Marvel Super […]
Kurtis and Jason step out of the superhero world and enter the world of Kung Fu! The 70s were an experimental time for Marvel Comics and The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu became a cult classic! This episode explores the origins of this book, discuss the writing and art, and deconstructs the Asian […]
Can you think of a more appropriate crossover than Marvel Zombies and Army of Darkness? It is like the two franchises were made for this mini-series! Join Will and Jim as they take a big bite out of the meat of this series and have more fun discussing this book than a deadite with a […]
Returning to the show is master scribe, Chris Claremont, who took over Ms. Marvel after Gerry Conway stepped away after only two issues! Much of what we know of Carol Danvers is thanks to Claremont in the 70s. Also, listen to me embarrass myself at the end of this episode when I don’t understand one […]
Part of what made Marvel so well known in the 60s is their sense of humour. Stan and the gang didn’t shy away from being funny, self-depreciating and overall goofy. So what happens when you take all of that energy and channel it into one title? You get Not Brand Echh! Greg Russell and Kurtis […]
Christmastime is here! So how about a Christmas episode? This month, Steve and Doug take a look at Santa Claus: The Movie. Is that the one with Tim Allen? No! It’s the one with Dudley Moore! The discussion never stays on track for long, but they manage to work their way through this movie and […]
Frank travels all over the world to fight drug lords, hackers, teen gang members, ninjas and even the Kingpin! Kurtis and Chris examine each of his cases in this bunch of issues in great detail with an eye on Frank’s motivations and how they effect the people around him! Issues discussed: Punisher #11-25, Annual #1-2 […]
In this special episode, each issue is reviewed by a different parent/child combo! Since Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham is part of Marvel’s 1980s all-ages Star Comics imprint, it seemed only fitting to bring actual kids into the conversation! Issues discussed: Marvel Tails #1, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #1-8 Check out our exclusive interviews […]
The subject of this month’s Crossover Special features one of the hottest superhero teams of the 90s and one of the hottest superheroes of all time! It’s Gen13 and Spider-Man–together for the first time! Does this comic have any relevance past the 90s? You’ll have to listen to Will and Jim’s conversation to find out! […]
A new era begins for the Fantastic Four after the departure of Walter Simonson. This episode covers the first few issues by the Legendary Tom DeFalco and Paul Ryan! Included is talk about the famous “I Married a Skrull” storyline! This will be the start of a multi-part series on the lesser-known and underappreciated period […]
Once again, we take a trip back in time to talk about Generation X with people who worked on the book. This time, writer Larry Hama returns for a short interview about writing Generation X from issue #33-47. This is part of our Generation X 25th Anniversary interview series. Check out our past interviews: Scott […]
Arnold is on the big screen once again with another instalment of the Terminator story, but let’s take a trip back to the 80s and look at one of his early films, Conan the Barbarian! What makes this movie so great? How does the Marvel Comics adaptation hold up against it? Listen and find out! […]
Kurtis and Eric finish up talking about the Walt Simonson era of the Fantastic Four beginning with the popular storyline featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk and Ghost Rider, and ending with a timey-wimey story that even the Doctor would find head-spinning! Issues discussed: Fantastic Four #347-354, Annual #24, Marvel Holiday Special #1 This episode includes clips […]
It’s time for another Crossover Special! This time, Jim and Will look and laugh at the classic Batman/Punisher team-up from the 90s! You’ll want to listen to this one if you like hearing people talk about comics they didn’t enjoy reading! Issues discussed: Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks […]
Kurtis and JC Carlos are back to discuss the remaining issues of Ms. Marvel’s ongoing series and the various issues that tied up her story before her transformation into Binary! Yes, this does include some discussion about the controversial Avengers #200 and the follow up in Avengers Annual #10! Issues discussed: Ms. Marvel #15-23, Marvel […]
Kurtis found time to edit a podcast this week, and just in time for Halloween! Here is the first episode with Josh Tonn, talking about the 70s Marvel classic — Tomb of Dracula! Together they cover the first 15 issues of this groundbreaking series! Issues discussed: Tomb of Dracula #1-15 Check out our exclusive interviews […]
Adam Chapman of the Comic Shenanigans Podcast has graciously let us borrow a couple of clips from two interviews he did with Brian Wood about his time on Generation X. Wood was on the title toward the end of the series before it was cancelled, and played a role in the controversial death of Synch […]
Steve and Doug return to talk about another 80s classic, The Last Starfighter! Together they discuss plot points, special effects, video games, and of course, the Marvel adaptation by Bill Mantlo and Bret Blevins! Issues discussed: Marvel Movie Special #31, The Last Starfighter #1-3 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon […]
Bob Budiansky returns to the show to talk about the second half of his run on Transformers in the 80s! He goes into detail about the various TF mini-series, working with people like Jose Delbo, and what effect the UK comics and animated series had on his work! This is a companion episode to Transformers, […]
Here’s a nice surprise! A new series from Kurtis all about Micronauts! This is “micro-episode” series which means Kurtis will only discuss one issue per episode in order to keep them short! Join Kurtis as he makes his way through every issue of the classic Marvel series by Bill Manlto and Michael Golden! Issues discussed: […]
Kurtis chats with editor Terry Kavanagh about the origins of Excalibur, working with the various creators on the first fifty issues, and a bit about what it takes to edit Marvel Comics Presents! Plus, an amusing story about Scott Lobdell! This is a companion episode to Excalibur, Ep. 1a: The Sword is Drawn and Excalibur, […]
Will and Jim are back for a second helping of Marvel crossovers! This time, they talk about the classic Chris Claremont/Walter Simonson pairing of Marvel’s Uncanny X-Men with DC’s New Teen Titans who band together to stop the double threat of Dark Phoenix and Darkseid! Issues discussed: The Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans […]
Have you ever heard an interview with a colorist? Well, here’s one for you! Steve Buccellato was a driving force behind the use of digital coloring at Marvel Comics, especially with Generation X, the first monthly Marvel comic to go full digital. This is part of our Generation X 25th Anniversary interview series. Check out […]
Continuing right where they left off, Kurtis and Jared finish their discussion on the very first X-Men Epic Collection! With Juggernaut and Sentinels as the high points and Count Nefaria and his c-list villains as the low point, there is plenty to talk about in these early issues of the X-Men! Issues discussed: X-Men #12-23 […]
Steve and Doug return to discuss yet another 80s movie that was adapted by Marvel Comics! This time around–Dune! This movie bombed in the box office, but how does the comic hold up? Adapted by Ralph Macchio and illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz, this adaptation has a lot going for it, but also its share of […]
Kurtis and Jared explore the monumental origins of Marvel’s biggest franchise! But it wasn’t so big at the beginning. In fact, X-Men in the early years struggles a bit to find its footing, resulting in one of the weaker beginnings of a Silver Age Marvel title. But the groundwork is still laid for future writers […]
Peter and Kurtis are back to talk Transformers once again! Grimlock takes control of the Autobots! Blaster and Goldbug are on the run! Headmasters come to Earth! A carwash tries to kill Buster! This is the mid point of Bob Budiansky’s run and things are starting to ramp up! Plus, Jonny Cannon joins us to […]
Welcome to the very first episode of a brand new series of our podcast! This is The Epic Marvel Crossover Podcast! Every month, your hosts William Hoffknecht and Jim Mason will discuss one story in which a Marvel character comes face to face with a hero from a different universe (DC, Image, Dynamite, Malibu, etc.)! […]
Drew and Kurtis return to talk about Wolverine–no, Patch–no, Wolverine? So who is he anyway? The answer to that question may not be fully answered in this episode, but the rest of the discussion includes talk of Acts of Vengeance, Apocalypse’s relationship with Logan, and a story arc that really makes no sense at all. […]
This month’s Generation X interview is with none other than Mark Buckingham who was the inker for Generation X #1-20 and the penciler on issue #32! Mark is one of the founders of Generation X and his fantastic inks form the distinct look of the book. This interview focuses on his work on the series […]
I’ve been having computer issues the past few days so the episode I wanted to release has to be put on hold for a bit. To tide you over, here is an interview with the great Roy Thomas that I released as a Patreon exclusive a few months ago. In this interview, we discuss the […]
We are doing this Epic Collection a bit out of order, so be sure to listen to Episode 22a to get the Round Robin story arc discussion. This episode has everything else found in the Round Robin Epic Collection, including a team-up with Iron Man and Black Panther, a two-part story featuring Cardiac, and a […]
Are Steve and Doug really replicants? Find out in this episode and they dissect Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, the Philip K Dick book from which it was birthed, and the moody comic adaptation by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson. If they fail to show any sort of emotional response in their conversation, we will have […]
The next installment in our Generation X 25th Anniversary interview series actually has nothing to do with the comic, but rather the Generation X TV movie that aired on Fox in 1996! In this episode we get to hear from the film’s director Jack Sholder about the creation of the film, working with the actors, […]
Tommy and Kurtis return to discuss the beginning of Bob Harras’s run on Avengers! They kick off the episode with an Avengers Graphic Novel featuring the ever popular Venom! Next up is the 1991 Annual crossover story, the Subterranean Wars, featuring a evil villain team-up between The Mole Man, Tyrannus and Grotesk! Then, they tackle […]
Adam and Kurtis settle in for one of the biggest team-ups of the 90s! Round Robin saw Spidey team up with Punisher, Moon Knight, Nova, Night Thrasher, and Darkhawk for an adventure again the cyborg Midnight! Join us as we pick apart this mini series and find out what works and what doesn’t! Issues discussed: […]
Ron Marz is a major player when it comes to the cosmic universes for both Marvel and DC! In this episode he comes on the show to tell tales of being Jim Starlin’s protege, taking the reigns on Silver Surfer and Thor, and creating some memorable stories with Ron Lim through the 90s! This is […]
Kurtis and Franck return to the New Mutants to talk about the epic adventure story in which our heroes battle hostile Valkyries under the control of Hela in Asgard! This episode only tackles the second half of the Curse of the Valkyries Epic Collection. We’ll get to the first half a little later. Issues discussed: […]
This month’s special Generation X 25th Anniversary interview is with editor Jason Liebig who started as an assistant editor early in the book’s run, eventually graduating to full editor for the Counter-X era stories. The discussion includes stories about the X-offices during the bankruptcy era, working with Gen X writers and artists, culminating with a […]
Kurtis and Jonny continue right where they left off last week, talking about some more of the earliest Excalibur adventures! We have Arcade, Mojo, X-Babies, Looney Tunes and even Nazis! There is more weirdness than you can shake a stick at! Issues discussed: Excalibur #4-11, Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem, Marvel Comics Presents #31-38 This episode includes […]
Steve and Doug return to discuss another movie that has been adapted to comic form by Marvel Comics! This time, it is Star Trek: The Motion Picture! Listen to them as they discuss the finer points of the film, what works and what doesn’t, and how the comic differs from the movie! Issues discussed: Marvel […]
Beginning in this episode is our Epic dive into the pages of Excalibur by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis. In fact, our dive is so deep that we go back ten years before Excalibur and begin our conversation with a few key issues of Marvel UK’s Captain Britain! Issues discussed: Captain Britain Weekly #1-2, Mighty […]
Venom: The Mace is the worst Venom mini series that Kurtis has had to discuss on the show so far! In this episode, Kurtis is joined by Jon and together they tear this story apart and poke fun at the holes, pacing and dialogue. HOWEVER, after reading the mini-series, they make a discovery that changes […]
Alex and Kurtis return to discussion the Hulk’s transition from 10-page serialized stories in Tales to Astonish to getting full-length stories in his very own title! The Leader returns and the Hulk takes on the Mandarin, Namor, Sandman, the Inhumans, Rhino, Ka-Zar and all of Asgard! Issues discussed: Tales to Astonish #97-101, Incredible Hulk #102-117, […]
Tune into this special Generation X interview to learn all about Richard Starkings and how he brought the comic industry into the digital age by creating computer fonts and styles for world balloons, sound effects, titles and credits! And what was Generation X’s special role in this massive transition? You’ll have to listen to find […]
Steve and Doug recount seeing the first Spider-Man movie when it debuted 2002, but how does it hold up today? Discussion revolves around casting, plot points and, of course, the official comic adaptation by Stan Lee and Alan Davis! Issues discussed: Spider-Man: The Official Movie Adaptation Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for […]
There was a time when you couldn’t throw a rock in a comic shop without hitting a book written by Bill Mantlo. But the prolific writer of such books as Cloak and Dagger, Incredible Hulk and Micronauts has been living with severe brain trauma since an accident in the 90s and has been in the […]
J.M. Dematteis sets the stage for his next big era of Defenders! Old Defenders leave, and new ones are here to stay! Plus, the Beast wants to turn this non-team into a team! All this and a Hellstrom doppelganger, a robot nurse, an elf with a gun, a funeral for a fallen comrade and a […]
Everyone is going gaga over everything Infinity thanks to a couple of movies that have recently been released. But what the movies don’t show are the far reaching effects of the Infinity Gauntlet. How does the “snap” affect the Kree Empire? What does Thanos’s conquest look like on other planets? What does the Rhino feel […]
In this second interview in our Generation X 25th Anniversary series, writer Jay Faerber talks about his first major job working in comics – Generation X #48-62! And as an added bonus, Jay has graciously shared his original Generation X pitch for us all to read! Click here to read it! More exclusive interviews can […]
Jason and Kurtis return to talk about the next steps for the Defenders before they move into the “New Defenders” era! DeMatties and Perlin craft some epic, funny, heart-warming, tragic and whimsical issue and they can all be found in the issues discussed within! Issues discussed: Defenders #110-116, Avengers Annual # 11 Check out our […]
Let’s continue to follow the adventures of the man in silver and jet! This is our second Moon Knight episode and in this one we see the Moon Knight series find its groove and Sienkiewicz find his signature style. Plus, the introduction of some of Moon Knight’s rogues gallery, including Morpheus! Issues discussed: Moon Knight […]
Welcome to the first episode of a new segment of the Epic Marvel Podcast! This is the Epic Marvel Movie Special Podcast, in which Steve and Doug Ferguson explore films that Marvel has adapted into comics. Most of these adaptations are from the 70s and 80s and are bound to include several movies that are […]
Craig and Kurtis revisit the period of Silver Surfer that directly sets up The Infinity Gauntlet mini-series. It is in these issues that you will learn about the formation of the Infinity Gauntlet and see all the pieces fall into place to bring about the circumstances of one of the greatest mini-series of the 90s! […]
In this episode, Peter and Kurtis return to talk more Transformers! They tackle to the two TF mini-series, G.I. Joe and the Transformers featuring the transformation of Bumblebee into Goldbug, and Transformers: Headmasters, featuring the comic debuts of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok, Hot Rod and so many more! Yes, this is episode 7, but it fits […]
2019 is the 25th anniversary of Generation X (aka my favourite comic). I’m not sure that Marvel will be doing anything in particular to celebrate, so I’m taking it upon myself to bring you The Oral History of Generation X! I’ve been collecting interviews over the past couple of years with writers, artists and other […]
Kurtis and Chris return to finish talking about Avengers Epic Collection, Vol. 1 that contains the first issues featuring the new Avengers: Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver! They discuss the last few issues with the founding members and transition to Captain America and his new crew as they figure out how to work together and […]
Kurtis and Peter are back to talk about another bunch of classic Marvel Transformers comics from the 80s! Peter brings his TF toy knowledge to the conversation as they dive into these stories that introduce over 50 new characters! Plus, for very first time, Cybertron is seen in the comics! Issues discussed: Transformers #14-25 This […]
Before she was Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers was Ms. Marvel! Find out how Gerry Conway took this forgotten character and turned her into a superhero in the 70s! Kurtis and Gerry also chat about her costume, her powers, what Gerry would have done with the character had he stayed on the book for more than […]
In 1977, Gerry Conway and John Buscema launched the very female headlined Marvel comic–Ms. Marvel! They transformed Carol Danvers into a superhero and throughout the years, many different people have had their chance to write the character. But JC and Kurtis go back to the beginning to take a look at what is essentially a […]
What’s this? A new episode? But it isn’t Friday! Well, I’m getting a blacklog and I just can’t wait to get these episodes out to you! Here is Mike “Bloody Red” Baron, talking about the beginning issues of his epic run on the Punisher! Much of what we know about the Punisher’s history and character […]
Up until this point, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Ant-Man and the Wasp had been operating independently in their own books. But starting with Avengers #1, all of these amazing heroes join together to form one of the most epic teams in comic history! Plus, throw in Captain America in a few issues and you […]
Picking up right were we left off in the last episode, Chris and Kurtis finish talking about the second Punisher Epic Collection which includes some great stories from Mike Baron, Luke Ross and Whilce Portacio! Plus, it’s Punisher vs. Daredevil in a classic crossover, and Frank joins known criminals to take down other known criminals […]
This episode marks the 50th review episode of the podcast! Thank you to every one of you faithful listeners! In this episode, Kurtis is joined by Chris Marshall to talk about the original Punisher mini-series, Circle of Blood, by Steven Grant and Mike Zeck, and the first five issues of Punisher’s first ongoing series, by […]
New York is overrun by goblins and it is up to Venom and Morbius to figure out why and how to get rid of them! Kurtis and Chemi join forces to discuss the good and the bad of this odd little Venom mini-series by Bruce Jones and Bob McLeod! Issues discussed: Venom: The Enemy Within […]
Venom goes insane when a virus mixes with his symbiote! Ann Nocenti and Kelley Jones bring you a very 90s tale, full of moodiness, muscles and mania! Oh, and did we mention that Juggernaut is thrown in for good measure? This mini-series is truly madness and Kurtis and Mark do their best to figure out […]
Next up in our walk through Venom’s ongoing mini-series of the 90s is Funeral Pyre, by Carl Potts and Tom Lyle! Check out Venom as he takes down a neighborhood of drug dealers! Watch Punisher get in his way over and over again! Discover the origin story of a brand new villain who will never […]
Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a little side journey away from Epic Collections to talk about the first few Venom mini-series from the 90s! First up, Kurtis and Adam discuss Michelinie, Bagley and Lim’s Lethal Protector, the mini-series that took Venom from reoccurring villain to starring anti-hero! Issues discussed: Venom: Lethal […]
In this episode, we finish discussing the issues found within Marvel Two-In-One Epic Collection: Cry Monster. Kurtis is joined by a variety of new and returning co-hosts to talk about Ben Grimm’s many adventures with friends like Spider-Man, Black Widow, Iron Man, Ka-Zar and Power Man, and unlikely team-ups with lesser known (and in some […]
We are kicking off the new year with a special episode that examines the classic 70s Marvel series featuring the ever-lovin’, blue-eyed Thing, featuring all of my co-host friends and more!! We will see the Thing team up with Marvel stalwarts like the Hulk, Captain America and Iron Man, and he will cross paths with […]
Let’s wrap up 2018 with a new interview with Spider-Man editor Danny Fingeroth! We discuss what it means to be a group editor of the Spider-Man books, the state of comics in the 90s, and the rise of two of the most popular characters from that decade – Venom and Carnage! This is a companion […]
Captain America is thrust into modern day adventures with SHIELD, AIM, MODOK… and the return of the Red Skull! Join Kurtis and Drew and they get all caught up in these early adventures of the Star-Spangled Avenger! Issues discussed: Tales of Suspense #78-96 Check out our exclusive interviews available as perks for our Patreon supporters. […]
Captain America has a long history before the issues Kurtis and Drew discuss in this episode, but this is the beginning of the famed Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Silver Age run on Captain America! In this episode, you will hear about Cap and Bucky’s WWII adventures and how this ushered in a new era […]
Considered the pinnacle of Roger Stern’s Avengers, Kurtis and Tommy talk about Under Siege, one of the most brutal stories of its era! Plus, the Council of Kangs! Alpha Flight vs. Atlantians! The Beyonder! West Coast Avengers vs. East Coast Avengers… in a baseball match! There is a lot to talk about in this episode, […]
Continuing right where we left off last time, Kurtis and Franck tackle the next batch of wall-crawling issues, which introduce popular villain after popular villain, and of course, the culmination of all of these hit villains with the introduction of the Sinister Six! Grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy this episode! Issues discussed: Amazing […]
Welcome to the first episode of our series on the Amazing Spider-Man! Join co-hosts Kurtis and Franck and they discover (not for the first time) the origins of the famous wall-crawler and his colorful band of baddies! Every issue is a classic by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and this episode is determined to explain […]
Kurtis calls up writer J.M. DeMatteis to talk about his famous Kraven’s Last Hunt story that was told throughout all three Spider-titles in 1987. Together, they discuss the inner workings of Kraven’s mind, the use of words and text, the amazing Mike Zeck, and how it all came together like capturing lightning in a bottle. […]
Widely accepted as one of the greatest Spider-Man stories ever told, Kraven’s Last Hunt is the feature of this week’s thrilling episode! Adam and Kurtis go through these six issues in detail and get into the mind of Kraven the Hunter and why this story has stayed relevant thirty years later! Issues discussed: Web of […]
Marvel has had many amazing inkers over the years, but it is possible that Joltin’ Joe Sinnott rises to the top of the list! Joe has been working with Stan Lee since the 50s and has many stories to tell about the early days of Marvel and what it was like to ink many of […]
Kurtis and Craig go back to the very beginning of the God of Thunder – The Mighty Thor! Together, they explore the origins of the character and how he and the whole realm of Asgard developed over the first few years. Many of Thor’s villains appear here for the first time as well. Loki, Enchantress, […]
Continuing right where they left off in the previous Hulk episode, Kurtis and Alex continue to rampage through the pages of Tales to Astonish with the giant jade giant, The Incredible Hulk himself! In these stories, Hulk faces Boomerang, Abomination, Silver Surfer, the High Evolutionary and more! Issues discussed: Tales to Astonish #80-96 Check out […]
This is it! The big three-oh-oh! Amazing Spider-Man hits 300 and Kurtis and Adam are on board to talk about the debut of Venom! Hear them discuss the coming of Todd McFarlane, the kidnapping of Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Life in the Mad Dog Ward and much, much more! Issues discussed: Amazing Spider-Man #295-310, Annual #22, […]
In today’s interview episode, Kurtis welcomes back Jim Salicrup to the show to talk about that time he edited Spider-Man comics in the late 80s/early 90s! The discussion includes such memorable Spider-Moments like the reveal of the Hobgoblin’s identity, Kraven’s Last Hunt, the Wedding of Peter and Mary Jane and the origin of Venom! Plus, […]
Adam and Kurtis tackle the first half of the Kraven’s Last Hunt Epic Collection that deals with the big reveal of the Hobgoblin’s secret identity, the origin of the Rose, and the wedding of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson! This is a very interesting behind the scenes time for Spider-Man and you will hear […]
We are back with round two with none other than Larry Lieber! Kurtis asks him questions about the Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip from which he recently retired, they discuss the writing process of his novel, and Larry shares stories of being in the service in the 50s! Note: This is a companion episode to Amazing […]
Jared and Kurtis return to Captain America to begin the highly acclaimed run by Mark Gruenwald! This is the origin of the Serpent Society! The departure of Nomad! The fate of the Steve Rogers/Bernie Rosenthal relationship! Gruenwald step in after a short run my Mike Carlin and really shakes things up. And this is just […]
William Messner-Loebs has fallen on hard times in recent years. On September 29, 2018 there will be a benefit auction at the Great Lakes Comic Expo where the proceeds will be given to Bill and his wife Nadine. You can participate in the auction by proxy if you are not able to make it to […]
Kurtis and Alex jump into the Tales to Astonish days of the Incredible Hulk and discuss some of the earliest Hulk stories featuring the Leader, the Watcher, Hercules and more! This is where all of the major players in the Hulk mythos get developed and we finally get a look at how the book is […]
Featured in today’s episode is the man behind the Transformers – Bob Budiansky! It was Bob who created the character bios of most of the Transformers that we all know and love, and he wrote Marvel’s Transformers series for over 50 issues! This interview discusses the first half of his TF run and what it […]
We take a break from our normal Epic Collection talk to take a look at the creation of the Transformers universe as it unfolded in the pages of Marvel’s Transformers comics from the 80s! Kurtis is joined by TF fan Peter Ha and the two of them compare the comics to the animated series and […]
In this all-new episode, Kurtis talks to Erik Larsen about the two times he took over Spider-Man from Todd McFarlane, his short stints on Excalibur (Marvel Comics Presents) and Punisher, and what it means to be part of a long line of creators trying to develop a characters in a new and different way. This […]
Welcome back to the Defenders! In this episode, Jason and Kurtis finish up the second half of their Defenders episode with the fallout from the Six-Fingered Hand saga! Huge implications for Hellcat, Son of Satan, Devil-Slayer, Valkyrie, Gargoyle and, well, pretty much everyone, are seen throughout this volume. Plus! Guest appearances from Wonder Man, The […]
In this episode, Kurtis is joined by new co-host Jason as they jump into the Defenders. Is this a good starting place for people who have never read Defenders? Do all of the B-List characters work well together? Is there more to the Defenders than just fighting demons? Just how many different versions of Satan […]
There are only a few people still alive who were there at the beginning of the Marvel Age of comics. Larry Lieber is one of them! Larry wrote many stories and scripted many of Stan’s plots in the early days and for the past 30 years has been writing and drawing the Spider-Man newspaper comic […]
Kurtis and Chris proudly present the first episode in a series spotlighting the Punisher! In this episode, they explore Frank’s European adventures brought to you be the winning combination of Abnett and Lanning! Plus, Punisher in space! Punisher buried alive! And Punisher teaming up with the Black Widow! Issues discussed: Punisher #63-75, Punisher: G-Force, Punisher: […]
Children of the 90s more than likely read a lot of comics written by Fabian Nicieza whether they know it or not! He is one of the key players in some of the biggest X-Men crossovers of the era and played a role in the success of X-Force! Kurtis talks to Fabian all about X-Force, […]
Kurtis and Adam return to the Amazing Spider-Man to discuss the dynamic pairing of writer David Michelinie and artist Erik Larsen! The Return of the Sinister Six, Venom, and the Black Fox, plus the debut of Cardiac! Also, Spidey battles Doctor Doom, loses his powers and goes to Scotland (but not all in the same […]
Part two of our giant-size episode about Ant-Man/Giant-Man! Kurtis and Eric pick up right where they left off with Ant-Man making his transition to the larger than life hero known as Giant-Man! Hank and Jan face returning villains like The Porcupine, and new villains like The Human Top! Spider-Man and the Hulk also stop by […]
Examining the humble beginnings of Marvel’s tiniest hero, the Ant-Man, Kurtis and Eric discuss what makes Ant-Man so great, the highlights and shortfalls of this Silver Age classic, the many obscure villains, and why the Hank/Jan relationship is so toxic even from the very start. The episode is no small feat. In fact, it became […]
Mark Pacella isn’t a household name like Rob Liefeld or Todd McFarlane, but he made an impact on X-Force taking over the penciling chores after Liefeld’s departure. He talks about getting in a fight with Larry Hama, the time when Bob Harras put masking tape all over his X-Force pages, when he was told not […]
Beginning a series that examines the comic that defined the 90s, James and Kurtis discuss X-Force in all its glory to find out what made it so popular with the disgruntled youth of the the grunge era! You’ll see guns! You’ll see pouches! You’ll see Rob Liefeld at his best! Plus, Deadpool! Spider-Man! Wolverine! More excitement than […]
Talking with Larry Hama and Adam Kubert about their time working together on Wolverine was something I’ll never forget, and I’m glad I can share it with you! You will gain some insights of key moments in bone claw-era Wolverine, and learn more about creating comics in this one episode than you would in most […]
A new era begins for Wolverine after Magneto rips the adamantium from his bones! How does this affect his mutant healing factor? What does this mean for the X-Men? And how does Apocalypse play into all of this? Drew and Kurtis tackle these tough questions as they plow their way through the bone claws years! […]
It is my pleasure to share this interview with the man who defined much of Marvel’s cosmic universe through the 70s, 80s and 90s. From Captain Marvel to Warlock to the Infinity Trilogy, Jim Starlin has shown his skill as an artist and a writer though comics that will forever be remembered as some of […]
This week we take a detour from our normal Epic Collection episodes! Kurtis is joined by Tommy, Franck, Craig, Jared and Eric for a roundtable discussion about the mini-series that can only be described as Epic: The Infinity Gauntlet! Together, they break down each issue, analyze Thanos’s every move, and determine exactly what it is […]
Back for round three is Thor editor Ralph Macchio to discuss all things Thor! The focus of this interview is the DeFalco/Frenz run on Thor, but you’ll also hear Ralph reminisce about reading the Lee/Kirby run as a kid, marvel at seeing Thor on the big screen, and reveal what it was like to be […]
Kurtis and Tommy jump into Roger Stern’s legendary Avengers run with the final Stern volume! This volume features incredible battles that pit the Avengers against Zeus and the rest of Olympia, Magneto and the X-Men, the West Coast Avengers, a dozen dead heroes and villains, and even Doctor Doom! Issues discussed: Avengers #278-285, X-Men vs. […]
Chris Claremont returns to the show to reveal the origins of the New Mutants! He discusses the creation of each character, drawing inspiration from the original X-Men, transitioning from the graphic novel to the series with Bob McLeod, and creating the Demon Bear Saga with Bill Sienkiewicz, and the Magik limited series. This is a […]
Kurtis and Craig return to Thor to continue their look at the under-appreciated run by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz. For all you Thunderstrike fans, this is the volume that literally intertwines Eric Masterson into Thor history! The Knights of Wundagore, the Wrecking Crew, Hercules, Mongoose, Beta Ray Bill, The New Warriors, and the Unstoppable […]
Kurtis got the chance to discuss the origins of the New Mutants with series co-creator Bob McLeod! Find out about the work that went into character design, the headache that is rushed deadlines, and the evolution of inking over the years! This is a companion episode to New Mutants, Ep. 1: Renewal. More exclusive interviews […]
Kurtis and Franck begin their journey through every issue of the next generation of X-Men — The New Mutants! The first leg of their journey takes them to Rio, not-so-ancient Rome, and the farthest reaches of Limbo! Meet the cast of new characters who will all become future X-Men in their own time! Issues discussed: […]
Marvel editor Ralph Macchio returns to the show to discuss how he began his career at Marvel as an assistant editor for the black and white magazines! It was here that Ralph was able to give Moon Knight a new life! Find out how Ralph fits into Moon Knight’s history and how his editorial guidance […]
Kurtis and Jared take a trip to Wakanda and explore the depths of Don McGregor’s 12-part Black Panther epic Panther’s Rage. This is the formative Black Panther story that defined the nation of Wakanda set the foundation for nearly every future Black Panther tale! Jared calls this book required reading for any comic fan, so […]
Kurtis talks to Bill Sienkiewicz about breaking into the comic industry with a little know character in the pages of Hulk! magazine. Find out just how working on Moon Knight influenced his career and pushed him to develop his signature style! Plus, which of Moon Knight’s personalities does Bill like best? You’ll have to listen […]
Kurtis and Alex begin a long journey that chronicles the adventures of The Incredible Hulk! From the very first appearance by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, through the many guest appearances in various Marvel comics leading up to Tales to Astonish, our hosts discuss the evolution of this character as it struggled to find a […]
Kurtis chats with Marvel legend Doug Moench about creating Moon Knight, working with Bill Sienkiewicz and writing for dozens of Marvel comics and magazines at the same time! There is no recent picture of this great man that I could find, so the header image proudly shows Doug in his heyday. This is a companion […]
Kurtis and Eric tackle the origins of Moon Knight! Fans of modern Moon Knight may be surprised to find that the original Moon Knight is nearly a completely different character. Kurtis and Eric discuss the evolution of Marc Spector through this collection of his earliest appearances! Issues discussed: Werewolf By Night #32-33, Marvel Spotlight #28-29, Defenders […]
Denny O’Neil returns to the show to discuss his run on Iron Man! Denny tells all as he shares stories about bringing alcohol back into Tony Stark’s life, creating characters like James Rhodes and Obadiah Stane, and the hardships of self publishing your own novels. This is a companion episode to Iron Man, Ep. 10: The […]
Kurtis and James resume their journey though 80s Iron Man! Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes has firmly established himself as Iron Man, Tony has literally lost everything due to his relaps in alcoholism, and everything comes to a head when old Iron Man has to face new Iron Man! Join our hosts as they dig deep into […]
Kurtis talks about the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen with D.G. Chichester! The discussion includes Fall of the Kingpin, Fall from Grace, Tree of Knowledge, Daredevil’s new costume, the return of Elektra, and not knowing that he got fired off the book! This is a companion episode to Daredevil, Ep. 18: Fall from Grace. More exclusive interviews […]
Kurtis and Adam tackle Daredevil’s 90s epic, Fall from Grace! Some love it, others hate it. Where do our hosts stand? Also included in this episode is the lesser known story, Tree of Knowledge. Kick off the new year with a new episode of The Epic Marvel Podcast! Issues discussed: Daredevil #319-332 and Annual #10. This […]
Kurtis and Dennis O’Neil chat about the state of comics in the 60s, the creation of the comic code, the influence of Stan Lee and Julie Schwartz, and the many people Denny has worked with over the years. An “uncut” version of this interview and other exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site. […]
Kurtis talks to long-time Marvel editor Ralph Macchio about his long run editing Fantastic Four, spanning the Englehart, Simonson and DeFalco runs! Mutating the Thing, Invisible Woman’s revealing outfit and the death of Mr. Fantastic are all discussed within! This is a companion episode to Fantastic Four, Ep. 17: All in the Family and Fantastic […]
Kurtis and Jared take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the origin of X-Factor, the return of Jean Grey and the debut of Apocalypse! There is plenty of great conversation about what it took to make this book possible and how it holds up against time, thirty years later! […]
Steve Englehart returns to the show to talk about the rise of Doctor Strange in the 70s and working with legends like Frank Brunner and Gene Colan! This is a companion episode to Doctor Strange, Ep. 3: A Separate Reality. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site. More from Steve Englehart: […]
Kurtis and Eric rediscover the beginning of Walter Simonson’s short but great run on Fantastic Four! There are Celestials, dinosaurs, giant Russian robots, a million Kangs, and more d-list villains than you can shake a stick at! Plus, the four-part Annual crossover event, Days of Future Present! Issues discussed: Fantastic Four #334-346, Fantastic Four Annual #23, New […]
Kurtis chats with X-Factor and Young Justice writer Peter David about the handful of times he has written Wolverine, including the six-part Gehenna Stone Affair, the famous battle with the Hulk with Todd McFarlane, and the clash with Cyber with Sam Keith. This is a companion episode to Wolverine, Ep. 1: Madripoor Nights. Many more […]
Kurtis talks to Chris Claremont about spinning Wolverine into his own ongoing series and how he developed the character through the 80s. Plus, Chris shares the Wolverine story he never got to write! This is a companion episode to Wolverine, Ep. 1: Madripoor Nights. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site. […]
Kurtis talks to long-time Marvel writer, editor and editor-in-chief Roy Thomas about Doctor Strange! Roy wrote Strange in the 60s, editing his revival in the 70s and return to writing the title in the 90s! This is a companion episode to Doctor Strange, Ep. 3: A Separate Reality. Many more exclusive interviews can be found […]
Kurtis and Craig explore the mystical world of Doctor Strange during this period of wandering that takes the Doctor out of his own book and through a few other before settling back into his own title. There are monsters, spirits, gods, vikings, a giant caterpillar, and even village full of lizard-people! Issues discussed: Doctor Strange […]
Kurtis managed to get Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz on the line at the same time to talk about their classic run on Amazing Spider-Man! This is the team behind Silver Sable, Puma, the alien symbiote, baby Normie Osborn, Mary Jane finding out Peter’s secret, and new revelations about the Hobgoblin, and it is all […]
Kurtis talks to comic legend Chris Claremont about taking Iron Fist to new heights and defining his character in his first solo series! This is a companion episode to Iron Fist, Ep.1: The Fury of Iron Fist. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site. More from Chris Claremont:
Kurtis talks to writer Larry Hama about his first major work for Marvel (on which he was the penciler), Iron Fist! And as an added bonus, there is a excerpt from an interview with Iron Fist writer Doug Moench, conducted by Adam Chapman on the Comics Shenanigans Podcast! This is a companion episode to Iron […]
Kurtis talks to prolific inker Joe Rubinstein about working on Silver Surfer with Marshall Rogers! They also discuss a few other parts of Rubinstein’s career, such as Amazing Spider-Man and Wolverine! This is a companion episode to Silver Surfer, Ep. 3: Freedom. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site.
Kurtis is back with another interview with writer Steve Englehart! This time they discuss taking Silver Surfer to new places, the late Marshall Rogers, and why his time on SS and FF was so short lived. This is a companion episode to Silver Surfer, Ep. 3: Freedom. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on […]
Kurtis talks to editor Jim Salicrup about editing Captain America while Roger Stern and John Byrne were on the title. Plus, what is the story behind the Amazing Spider-Man/Incredible Hulk toilet paper comic? Listen and find out! This is a companion episode to Captain America, Ep. 9: Dawn’s Early Light. Many more exclusive interviews can […]
Kurtis and Drew begin their journey through Wolverine’s solo series with this first volume of early Wolverine stories when Logan was in the gritty city of Madripoor under the alias “Patch”! There are pirates, vampires, demons, and even a Hulk! Issues discussed: Marvel Comics Presents #1-10, and Wolverine #1-16. This episode uses clips from interviews […]
Kurtis talks to writer J.M. DeMatteis about that time he wrote Captain America in the 80s. What was it like working with Mike Zeck? What is it about the Red Skull that makes him a great villain? How exactly do you pronounce DeMatteis? All is answered within! This is a companion episode to Captain America, […]
Kurtis and Adam get together once again to talk about the wall-crawler in this period just after the Black Costume saga. You’ll see Black Fox, Silver Sable, Scorpion, Frog-Man, Spider-Kid, Puma, and of course… Hobgoblin! Join in the discussion about this important era of Spidey history! Issues discussed: Amazing Spider-Man #259-272, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #18-19, […]
Steve Englehart talks with Kurtis about getting involved with the Fantastic Four, changing the roster, mutating the Thing, and destroying the Beyonder! This is a companion episode to Fantastic Four, Ep. 17: All in the Family. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site.
Hot on the heels of the new Netflix series, Kurtis and Brian take a look at the early days of Iron Fist, from the origin story in Marvel Premiere, to the change of pace when Claremont and Byrne launch Danny Rand’s first ongoing series, to the grand conclusion when the book was cancelled after fifteen […]
Kurtis originally wanted to talk to Jon Bogdanove about the Fantastic Four vs. X-Men mini series, but the conversation actually turned out to be more about Power Pack! Plus, Jon has a great origin story of how he got into comics! This is a companion episode to Fantastic Four, Ep. 17: All in the Family. […]
The Legendary Tom DeFalco talks to Kurtis about how he came to write Thor, the purpose of Eric Masterson and his reaction to “hammer on the coffee table” scene in Captain America: Civil War! This is a companion episode to Thor, Ep. 16: War of the Pantheons and Thor, Ep. 17: In Mortal Flesh (which […]
This episode could be the only podcast episode to discuss the Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers run on Silver Surfer in great detail! After being tied to Earth by Galactus (and Stan Lee) for over twenty years, the Surfer is finally able to roam the galaxies once again! Listen to Kurtis and James discuss just […]
Kurtis talks to Ron Frenz on his collaboration with Tom DeFalco on Thor! What was it like following Walter Simonson? Why did they create Eric Masterson? Why did Hercules become a supporting cast member? This is a companion episode to Thor, Ep. 16: War of the Pantheons and Thor, Ep. 17: In Mortal Flesh (which […]
Kurtis and Jared begin their series on Captain America with a look at the short but sweet run by Roger Stern and John Byrne, along with the several issues that follow. Jared makes an interesting observation about all of the fill-in issues, and they get a little bit political at the end (but this is […]
Kurtis talks with Gerry Conway about being Editor-in-Chief for six weeks and his brief run on Avengers in the 70s as well as what it was like to be a part of the Cosmic Spider-Man Acts of Vengeance story. This is a companion episode to Avengers, Ep. 9: The Final Threat and Amazing Spider-Man, Ep. […]
Kurtis and Eric discuss that period of Fantastic Four that comes right after the John Byrne era. Johnny Storm marries Alicia masters! The FF battle the X-Men! Crystal and Ms. Marvel join the team! Steve Englehart’s run on Marvel’s First Family begins here! Issues discussed: Fantastic Four #296-307, Fantastic Four Annual #20, Fantastic Four vs. […]
Kurtis chats with Jim Shooter about taking over writing the Avengers and the state of the Marvel Bullpen in the 70s. This is a companion episode to Avengers, Ep. 9: The Final Threat. Many more exclusive interviews can be found on our Patreon site.
Kurtis and Craig talk about the beginning of Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz’s six year run on The Mighty Thor! The origin of Eric Masterson, Captain America picking up Mjolnir, and what it’s like to be inside the head of a Celestial are all discussed within. Issues discussed: Thor #383-400 This episode uses clips from […]
Kurtis Findlay and co-host Tommy Albarelo discuss a transitional period of Avengers history, 1976-1977! Covering Gerry Conway’s brief run with the return of Wonder Man! The start of Jim Shooter’s run with the first appearance of Graviton and the Count Nefaria trilogy! Plus, the conclusion to Jim Starlin’s epic Warlock saga! Issues discussed: Avengers #150-166, […]
Welcome back to The Epic Marvel Podcast! This is our second episode and the 20th episode of our overall series on the Amazing Spider-Man with Kurtis Findlay and Adam Chapman that covers that memorable time when Spidey got some mega upgrades! Issues discussed include Amazing Spider-Man #326-333 & Annual #24, Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 & Annual […]
Welcome to the Epic Marvel Podcast – the only podcast dedicated to Marvel’s Epic Collections! In this very first episode, hosts Kurtis and James take a look at Iron Man: The Enemy Within and take an in depth look at the Golden Avenger from the early 80s. This is the origin of Obidiah Stane and […]