For this Thanksgiving-week DC Spotlight covering the books of November 26, 2025, Jace and Rocky tackle one of the biggest slates of the year and find a lively mix of event chaos, holiday charm, grounded character work, and absolute-universe bombast, even as they debate whether the buzz around the Absolute line and DC KO is starting to overshadow the strong “regular” DC books. They unpack how Superman #32 quietly becomes one of the most essential KO tie-ins by finally revealing how the villains escaped the Phantom Zone and entered the tournament; how Flash #27 and Justice League Unlimited provide fun but mixed connective tissue to KO; and how Christopher Condon’s Green Arrow #30 delivers another emotional gut-punch of Ollie, Roy, and Lian’s family drama as the run nears its end. They also spotlight the gritty precision of Gabriel Hardman’s new Black Label debut Arcadia with Batman, Green Arrow, and the Question, revisit the escalating mystery in Immortal Legend: Batman, cheer on the kaiju spectacle of Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, and take a surprisingly deep dive into the holiday anthology I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus, praising the meta-hilarious Animal Man riff, the charming Supergirl/Brainiac 5 romance, and a Dr. Light/Atom story that may even seed future key elements.
But the episode ultimately belongs to the Absolute Universe, with the guys debating what works in Absolute Wonder Woman #14 before completely losing their minds over Absolute Batman #14, a gloriously unhinged action-packed fight finale to the Abomination arc filled with skyscraper-dropping theatrics, venom-fueled warfare, Killer Croc callbacks, and a chilling Joker twist that redefines Bane’s future. They celebrate Nick Dragotta’s wildly ambitious layouts—now finally earning the industry recognition his East of West work always deserved—while reflecting on how the issue crystallizes what makes this version of Batman so different: a hero who fights not to win, but because fighting is the point. The episode wraps with their week-end rankings, teases of upcoming Fireside Chats, YouTube shout-outs, and a Thanksgiving sendoff that doubles as a rallying cry for the week’s standout title: “Welcome to Gotham.”
In this episode, Jace chats with writer/artist Jared Throne about Bridge, Planet Nine, a new black-and-white graphic novel that blends science fiction, crime, and character-driven drama into a tense, emotionally grounded heist. Jared explains the concept of “bridge planets” and the morally gray crew at the heart of the story, digging into themes of corporate exploitation, desperation, and the haves vs. the have-nots without ever getting preachy. He also talks about designing the bombed-out colony world, crafting distinct voices for the four thieves (including a fan-favorite bit of comedic relief), and what it’s like to spend years creating a complete, self-contained graphic novel before anyone gets to read a single page. Jace shares why the book works so well for both adult readers and younger audiences, why it’s a great gateway comic or gift, and lets listeners know where they can pick up Bridge, Planet Nine now and follow Jared’s work online.
In this episode of The Comic Source, Jace welcomes back fan-favorite writer Mark Russell to discuss his new Ahoy Comics one-shot, Thanksgiving. Known for weaving biting social commentary into relatable everyday scenarios, Russell explores the uneasy dynamics of family gatherings and how shared traditions can expose deep divides beneath the surface. The pair delve into the book’s darkly humorous premise—a seemingly ordinary holiday dinner that spirals into moral chaos when one family member is revealed to be a killer—while unpacking the story’s sharp reflections on modern America, empathy, and apathy. Jace and Mark also touch on Russell’s collaboration with artist Alain Mauricet, whose grounded visuals and warm tones heighten both the satire and humanity of the tale. Before wrapping up, Mark teases his upcoming projects at Mad Cave Studios, including Racer X, Vanishing Point, and TerrorBytes, offering more of the thought-provoking storytelling that has made him one of comics’ most distinctive voices.