Spawn #76 - Story - Todd McFarlane & Brian Holguin, Pencils - Dwayne Turner, Inks - Danny Miki, Letters - Tom Orzechowski, Colors - Brian Haberlin, Dan Kemp & Tyson Wengler
It what is definitely the most romantic issue of Spawn to date, Al learns the "secret origin" of Granny Blake and how much he and Wanda have in common with Granny and her late husband, Jack. We get gorgeous line and color work illustrating this issue that covers decades of history and goes from a graveyard on Earth to heaven and back again. It's not only a nice chance for Al Simmons to catch his breath after all the tumultuous action he has seen lately, but it's a chance for readers to catch there breath also. That doesn't mean it isn't a must-read though as the themes of love and devotion are a reminder of how those ideas are at the very heart of Spawn as a character and were present from the beginning. Sure the chains, spikes and capes are cool, but despite the demons and monsters and hellfire, Spawn IS a love story.
Jace is joined by actor, author and film maker Luke Arnold and TV/Animation writer/producer Chris "Doc" Wyatt to talk all about their Kickstarter Campaign for ESSENTIALS. This is a wildly imaginative book that takes a very strange and somewhat elaborate premise and makes it imminently relatable. Also, the co-main leads of the story are so vastly different, but somehow still remain relatable as the represent different aspects of humanity we all have within us. When you add in the huge roster of talented artist you have an incredible title that deserves your attention. Check out the campaign and be sure to share it with your fellow comic readers.
DC has dropped a huge announcement with details about the upcoming big event, Absolute Power. Amanda Waller finally has a chance to achieve the goal she's been working for all these years, taking the power of all the superhumans in the DCU. How she does it working alongside the Brainiac Queen and Failsafe remains to be seen. Perhaps even more compelling, is how this triumvirate DC is dubbing the " Trinity Of Evil" will get along once the smoke clears. They are all huge, alpha villains with egos that don't seem to indicate they will allow themselves to be subservient to others. Plus there's plenty of hints about some revelations for Waller that will help us understand her motivations and perhaps in relate to the character. Can you imagine a world where Amanda Waller is actually sympathetic? Yeah we can't either. Either way, there are tons of series announce and the guys give their thoughts on each one, along with some thoughts on the new characters we will see in the event and how they look visually. For dates and creative line-ups for the series. Please see the Official DC Press Release below and watch the video on YouTube for more preview art and to get our thoughts on what we know so far!
Spawn #75 - Story - Todd McFarlane & Brian Holguin, Pencils - Greg Capullo, Inks - Danny Miki, Letters - Tom Orzechowski, Colors - Brian Haberlin, Dan Kemp & Tyson Wnegler
We find out who has taken Spawn from Earth and why, but it isn't good news for Spawn or perhaps the planet either. As these beings explain their motivations to Spawn and grant him a new ability they deem a "gift", it appears that Spawn may not survive using this new ability. An ultimate sacrifice is made to return Spawn to Earth, but the price that is paid is high and the consequences of these events feel like something Spawn will be dealing with for a long time. It seems ever since his latest resurrection, Al Simmons hasn't known a moments peace. Unfortunately, it appears that his life is only getting more complicated.
Solid of week of DC Comics for Jace and Rocky from Comic Boom to break down. Jay Garrick, Flash comes to a satisfying conclusion, while Nightwing hits a milestone and Titans continues to build drama. Also Wonder Woman confronts the Sovereign face to face, Batman faces a huge threat in space and Superman has to team up with an unlikely ally to take on Braniac.
Spawn #74 - Story - Todd McFarlane & Brian Holguin, Pencils - Greg Capullo, Inks - Danny Miki, Letters - Tom Orzechowski, Colors - Brian Haberlin & Dan Kemp
As Sam and Twitch examine the file on Al Simmons that Cogliostro left with them, it becomes clear that they don't have all the pieces to the puzzle. They do know that Jason Wynn may have a lot of the answers, but since they can't get to Wynn they plan to go after Spawn himself again for the answers to their questions. What they don't know is that Spawn is engaged in a life and death struggle with The Heap and when the dust settles, it isn't the Hellspawn who comes out on top. When Cogliostro and Bootsy come upon the scene of that battle it becomes apparent, that Spawn is not present on Earth, Heaven or Hell. Does this mean Spawn has been erased from existence? If so, who is The Heap working for and just how powerful are they?
Jace is joined by artist and character designer Jordan Brown to take about the crowdfunding campaign for The Fury, The Maelstrom and The Kiwi. A tale of vengeance drawing inspiration from John Wick, Atomic Blonde and other action-packed stories. Strong female characters dominate this narrative and the creative team, but if you think that means it won't be completely bad-ass, you couldn't be more wrong. So listen in and check out the campaign.
This is a story about revenge.
A story about having nothing left to lose.
This is definitely not a tale about redemption.
Because once you’ve fallen this far, there’s no way back. Darkness will consume you until your soul is dimmed, and your ideals have vanished.
You’ve been warned.
It's Kill Bill meets Atomic Blonde in this sapphic spy tale by an all-star lineup of creators.
By all accounts, "Resident Alien" from NBC Universal has been a hit. The Alan Tudyk-led dramedy, which airs on the SyFy channel, has found a loyal fanbase that appears to be growing now that the first two seasons are streaming on Netflix.
This series, based on the Dark Horse comic of the same name, differs slightly from its source material by incorporating witty humor to capitalize on Tudyk’s unique talents as a comedian. While it's fair to say he anchors the show with a complex and often hilarious portrayal of the titular alien, the rest of the cast also brings their A-game.
Combined with this talented cast, show creator and executive producer Chris Sheridan, along with the writing team and directors he’s brought in, show a clear passion for the story and characters that inhabit the small Colorado town of Patience, which serves as a charming backdrop for all sorts of weird extraterrestrial shenanigans.
Jace, from The Comic Source, had a chance to chat with Chris Sheridan, Sara Tomko (who plays Asta Twelvetrees), and Corey Reynolds (who plays Sheriff Mike Thompson) at the recent Wondercon Convention. Their thoughts about creating the show were insightful and we especially loved the story about what a fan had to say about their own PTSD after watching a pivotal scene.
Jace and Rocky from Comic Boom! chat about the DC Comics for the week of April 8, 2024. Dreamer confronts Amanda Waller about her true intentions in Dream Team, Hal Jordan connects with the underground Green Lantern rebellion on OA and discovers his ring doesn't work the way theirs do and The Outsiders lean more into their Planetary roots than ever. Meanwhile, The Batman: First Knight continues to tell the tale of the earliest days of Batman with a brilliant narrative and gorgeous art, while Action Comics kicks off an intriguing Brainiac event that feels like an instant classic.
Jace is joined by Mickey Finnegan to talk about his current Kickstarter Campaign, Sanity. You might know Mickey from his YouTube channel Swagglehaus Comics, where he chats about vintage comics and collectability. His second campaign picks up the Lovecraftian inspired horror story he began in issue one with two additional issues. Set in the 1930's the story follows private investigator Robert Grant as his world view is challenged by horrific monsters you would not have believed existed until he saw them himself. Will this stop Grant from seeking out the truth? Guess you will have to read it to find out. Fantastic linework from Santiago Espina and perfectly mood-setting colors from Maksim Strelkov round out the visuals. Listen in for more details and go pledge.
Mark Russell returns to the show to chat about his upcoming over-sized One-Shot from AWA Studios, Death Ratio'd. In a future world where social media has taken over for governments, too many dislike will cause you to lose your head ... literally. So when a man awakens from a 20 year coma and learns that you can be killed if your ratio of likes to dislikes is unfavorable, how does he survive? Plenty of talk about the meta relevance of this story and the fabulous art from Laci also. Listen in to learn more.
Spawn #72 - Story - Todd McFarlane & Brian Holguin, Pencils - Greg Capullo, Inks - Danny Miki Todd McFarlane & Chance Wolf, Letters - Tom Orzechowski, Colors - Brian Haberlin & Dan Kemp
Sam and Twitch get a visit from Cogliostro telling them they need to start doing more to help Spawn. In an attempt to persuade them, he leaves a file with information about Spawn, but just what is in it, remains a mystery for now. Meanwhile, in Rat City, Spawn, Bootsy and Cogliostro all sense a menacing presence which is the cause of an unrelenting heatwave in Manhattan. What they don't know is the being beyond it, represents a new faction in the war between Heaven and Hell and it looks like he may on his own side. Just wait until you are introduced to ... THE HEAP!
Rocky and Jace breakdown the DC Comic titles for the week of April 2, 2024. They debate Zod's motivations and wonder where his actions will take him next. Also the Birds of Prey and their inter-team relationships are a real highlight this week, while Poison Ivy's origin continues to feel like a very worthwhile update. Plus the suitably hopeful ending of Superman 78: the Metal Curtain and has The Captain betrayed Billy Batson?
Spawn/WildCATS #1-4 - Writer - Alan Moore, Pencils - Scott Clark, Inks - Sal Regla, Colors - LeAnne Clark, Letters - Tom Orzechowski
Spawn's past, present and future collide in this epic adventure from the legendary Alan Moore. When Spawn is seemingly attacked by members of the WildCATS, he searches out the team to find answers. When the attackers are revealed as faux CATS, it leads to an adventure in the future that no one is really prepared for. As Spawn discovers that someone from his past is closer than he realizes, it turns out the answer to averting disaster may not lie in the past, present or future, but within Spawn himself and his devotion to family.
Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics for the week of March 26, 2024. Detective Comics sees Batman return to Gotham City finally, are we entering the end phase of this long run for Detective? We also see an alternate version of Batman in Dark Age, but is it the same universe as Superman: Space Age? Alan Scott Green Lantern continues to be excellent on several levels and we are so impressed by the character week. Also the first serialized installment of Primer has it reaching new readers including us and it is outstanding. Join us to hear about all these books and more.
Jace welcomes writer Mohsen Ashraf back to the show. They talk about the second volume of Syphon and how it builds on the story of Sylas and his empathic abilities. The duality themes remain, ideas of pleasure and pain are introduced and the scope and history of the powers are greatly expanded on. Plus a lot more of Sylas's romantic partner Liv and a couple of intriguing new characters. Listen in and tell your retailer you want to order a copy of the TPB for Volume 2.
Curse of Spawn #15-16 - Story - Alan McElroy, Pencils - Dwayne Turner, Inks - Danny Miki, Letters - Tom Orzechowski, Colors - Todd Broeker & Mark Nicholas
Actions from his past have come back to haunt Vito Gravano. When we find out who is after him and why, that's only the beginning. Gravano his to dig deep to survive and we see the ruthlessness he displayed in his youth that allowed him to become the feared mob boss with his own empire. Now that he is older, does he still have it in him to survive, triumph and rebuild?
Jace is joined by aspiring comic creator Paul Eza to chat about his current Kickstarter campaign. It is a comic set in a world where nearly everyone has a special ability and those without are a bit forgotten. What happens when a tragedy occurs and the "Zeroes" might be the only ones who can get to the bottom of what happened? Well, that's the question this comic will answer. Part X-Men, part Scooby Doo mystery and all out comic goodness, this is a project you won't want to miss. Paul gives us some insight into how the comic came about, some of his creative decision regarding the tone of the story and his collaboration with co-creator and series artist, Kasey Quevedo. So be sure to listen in and go check out the campaign.
Jace and Rocky chat about the DC titles for the week of March 19, 2024. Superman ends it second arc which is actually a big story that has been going on since the launch of this volume. Does it reach a satisfying conclusion? You'll have to listen in to find out. Meanwhile, Green Lantern: War Journal continues to feel absolutely epic, be sure to go listen to our interview episode with series writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson. The word 'fun' continues to come up over and over when we chat about Justice League vs Godzilla vs King King and rightly so. It has been a long time since an event has brought so much action, excitement and pure superhero joy. Regular Wonder Woman artist Daniel Sampere takes a break from interiors this month on Wonder Woman as we see Diana and Clark search an intergalactic shopping mall to find Bruce the perfect birthday gift. This story has so many heartfelt moments, silly puns and wonderful gags, that it reminds us of some of the best comics of our youth, when continuity, decompressed storytelling and writing for the trade weren't so prevalent. A great week of books, so we hope you join us for our thoughts.
Jace welcomes writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson back to the show. It's time to talk about what happened in the first arc of Green Lantern War Journal and teases what's to come. Phillip talks about how well-received the first arc was with fans relating to John's vulnerability and sense of impending loss. Also the guys chat about the collaboration with Montos on art and the specific motifs the team is leaning into for each Lanterns constructs. Finally, Phillip teases what's to come for John as he finds himself in a strange place thanks to the Revenant Queen, Daughter of Olgrun. We love how it ties back to Phillip's Action Comics run. It's clear the Green Lantern mythos is heading somewhere huge with Phillip and fellow Lantern writer Jeremy Adams at the helm. Listen in for clues about where things may be headed.
Jace and Rocky chat about the DC titles for the week of March 12, 2024. It's a fantastic week with just about every book being worth a read. Highlights are The Outsiders, though Jace rates it much higher than Rocky, Suicide Squad Dream team where Nicole Maines really impressed and Sinister Sons which paves the way for a great series. We expect years of great interactions from Sinson and Lar-Zod going forward.
Jace chats with aspiring comic creator Lucas Lee-Garza about his current Indiegogo Campaign for Wallow. A bug fantasy story taking inspiration from beloved stories such as Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, World of Warcraft and more! Lucas is also drawing personal inspiration from his own family to tell the story of a family uprooted by war trying to find each other again amidst the upheaval. There's some great rewards to be had in this campaign for very affordable prices, plus some huge names in the comic industry ready to provide alternate covers if stretch goals can be reached. Lucas has big plans for this series, so go check it out and pledge to be in on the ground floor of this exciting new story.
Jace welcomes writer Tom King and artist Daniel Sampere back to the show. The guy are here to talk all about their Wonder Woman run. Plenty of talk about art and composition discussion and some teases about the inevitable meeting between Wonder Woman and the Sovereign. It's a fun discussion with plenty of insight into the creative decisions.
Jace and Rocky from the Comic Boom! YouTube Channel chat about the DC titles for the week of march 5, 2024. It's a great week filled with some pretty big events for the DCU overall. We have a big death in Kneel Before Zod, The Joker and Batman seems to have their origins tied more closely together than ever and DC's latest Black Label series explores the earliest days of Batman. Join us to hear our thoughts on these titles and a whole lot more on this week's DC Spotlight.
Jace welcomes the creators and founders of the up and coming publisher Gungnir to the show. Comic boom industry veterans Matthew Medney, Jim Krueger and Steve Orlando talk about the goals of the publisher and how they aim to be different from other publishers out there. Plus some teasers about some of the upcoming stories and plenty of talk about how Gungnir is hoping to reach new audiences, new creators and hopefully help to author a new age for stories. Join us for an engaging conversation and be sure to go and visit the Gungnir website,