Author: Vincent Goodwin

Some of My Friends Read Comics 246 – Batman: Creature of the Night by Kurt Busiek & John Paul Leon + Thunderbolts #19

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Hot on the heels of Kurt Busiek’s take on a real-world(ish) Clark Kent, we’re reading his Batman focused followup called Creature of the Night from 2017, with art by John Paul Leon.

We meet a young kid in a non-superhero world named Bruce Wainwright who’s obsessed with Batman comics, and that doesn’t really change after his parents get murdered by robbers.

So what’s the deal with this Batman that starts showing up immediately?

Then we move onto Thunderbolts #19, featuring the winner of the Wizard Create-A-Villain contest!

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/39njdkh2

Next Time: Wolverine (1982) by Chris Claremont & Frank Miller

Some of My Friends Read Comics 245 – Superman: Secret Identity by Kurt Busiek & Stuart Immonen + Thunderbolts #18

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We’re double-dipping on Kurt Busiek today!

We’re still continuing his run on Thunderbolts with #18 and the rudest French supervillain you’ll ever meet, but first we’re reading Superman: Secret Identity from 2004, with Stuart Immonen on art. 

It’s a story about a regular kid named Clark Kent in a regular universe where superheroes only exist in comics, who gets ridiculed constantly for his name. And then he gets powers. Whoa!

Join us as we follow this variant Clark Kent through a full lifetime, and we discuss the duality of Busiek.

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/3msba9v5

Next Time: We check out the Secret Identity spiritual sequel, Batman: Creature of the Night!

Some of My Friends Read Comics 244 – Top Ten by Alan Moore, Pt. 2 + Thunderbolts #17

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It’s only been about 10 years since we read the first 5 issues of Alan Moore and Gene Ha’s Top Ten, but now we’re finishing the full first season with issues 6 through 12.

As the precinct deals with criminals on multiple fronts, there’s one question on everyone’s lips: What’s Sergeant Dog Cop up to?

Then we move onto Thunderbolts #17, which had a sword fight, an exploding castle, and a dude who can control gravity.

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/4exkbpey

Next Time – Superman: Secret Identity by Kurt Busiek & Stuart Immonen

Some of My Friends Read Comics 243 – Captain America by Rob Liefeld + Thunderbolts #16

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We’ve never fully delved into the artistic stylings of Rob Liefeld, but it’s finally time to take the plunge.

We look at his work on relaunching Captain America during Marvel’s Heroes Reborn event in the 90s along with Jeph Loeb, and we find plenty of… interesting art choices to discuss. 

We read the first 5-issue storyline as well as a 6th issue that perplexed us.

Then we move onto Thunderbolts #16 which brings up a new mystery!

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/yujzzj84

Next Time: Celebrate the podcast’s 10th anniversary with Top 10 #6-12!

Some of My Friends Read Comics 242 – Secret Wars II, Pt. 2 +Thunderbolts #15

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We’re finishing up the back half of Secret Wars II with issues #6-9. So far, we haven’t been very impressed with The Beyonder and his antics on Earth, but will his cool new “Thriller” vest help matters at all?

Thankfully the Molecule Man takes center stage to give us something to latch on to.

Then, the Thunderbolts are back on Earth in issue #15, and they’ve gotta figure out how to live life on the run.

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/36vw8tmm

Next Time: Captain America (1996) #1-6 by Rob Liefeld

Some of My Friends Read Comics 241 – Secret Wars II, Pt. 1 + Thunderbolts #14

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It’s Secret Wars II, the sequel to Secret Wars… and it’s very different! The Beyonder is on Earth and he’s just a confused, lonely alien who wants love. It’s only 9 issues, so we read the first 5 issues this time and try to understand why it exists.

Then we move onto Thunderbolts #14 where they make it back to Earth too!

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/3vz2w6k3

Next time: Secret Wars II, Pt. 2 (Issues 6-9)

Some of My Friends Read Comics 240 – Daredevil: The Death of Elektra + Thunderbolts #13

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Apparently we haven’t covered a Daredevil book since our very first episode. We’ve never even read the death of Elektra, an iconic moment from the middle of Frank Miller’s run in the early 80s.

We’re reading Daredevil #178-182 to see the big moment for ourselves, along with Daredevil using crutches because he got his leg caught in a bear trap. Oops!

Then we’re still reading Thunderbolts with issue #13, in which we deal with some alien BS.

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/yuueyau7

Next Time: Secret Wars 2, Pt. 1 (Issues 1-5)

Some of My Friends Read Comics 239 – Batman: Hush, Pt. 2 + Thunderbolts #12

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For some reason, we’ve devoted two episodes to Batman: Hush.

Why did we do this to ourselves? For some payoff with The Riddler? The Riddler!?!?! Damnit, Loeb. 

At least Thunderbolts #12 didn’t disappoint with the big finale to their first story arc.

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/b7z6kf9z

Next Time: The Death of Elektra in Daredevil #178-182

Some of My Friends Read Comics 238 – Batman: Hush, Pt.1 + Thunderbolts #11

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Hush up y’all, this week we’re checking out one of the biggest Batman storylines of the 2000s with Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s Husssshhhhh [emphasis mine] from Batman #608-619.

We’re reading the first 6 issues in which we learn that Batman had a best friend named Tommy who has somehow never been mentioned in any comic before this one.

There’s also a mystery bad guy who barely shows up. 

Cool. 

Then, we’re getting real close to the end of the first Thunderbolts storyline in issue #11, which features zappy mind control laser beams!

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/suembnxz

Next Time: We finish up Batman: Hush with Batman #614-619

Some of My Friends Read Comics 237 – The Death of Captain America Pt. 3 + Thunderbolts #10

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We’ve finally reached the end of Ed Brubaker’s classic run on Captain America in issues 37-42. Steve Rogers is dead, probably forever, but now we’ve got Bucky running around with the shield.

We also get some other clown who thinks he’s Steve, and the Red Skull is trying to get his puppet elected as president while also doing some time travel shenanigans.

Then we get to the beginning of the end in Thunderbolts #10. The secret is out! But how???

MP3: https://tinyurl.com/txhfwaxc

Next time: Batman: Hush Pt. 1 (Batman #608-613)