The Comics Canon

In this episode, Curt and Kevin embark on a dazzling journey from the stuffy confines of an exclusive NewYork club to the famed “blue area” of the moon (the No. 1 lunar tourist attraction!) as they struggle to decide the fate of Uncanny X-Men issues 132-137: The Dark Phoenix Saga! The Hellfire Club, a cabal of wealthy, power-hungry Hamilton cosplayers, mentally manipulate Jean Grey, aka the godlike Phoenix, to help them capture her fellow X-Men. But in doing so, they unwillingly unleash a force of cosmic destruction—the Dark Phoenix, who promptly snacks on a star and earns the wrath of a mighty intergalactic empire. Will this Black Angel destroy the man she loves, her teammates, and possibly the entire universe? Or can our band of merry mutants win the day and cement their spot in the fiery firmament of funnybooks known as … The Comics Canon?

In this episode, Curt and Kevin don their best star-spangled finery and strap on their shootin’ irons as they take on the awesome responsibility of discussing Captain America vol. 5, issues 25-36; the first 12 issues of The Death of Captain America. In the aftermath of Civil War, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is gunned down in front of a stunned nation—the first volley in a diabolical plot by the dastardly Red Skull, who really, really hates America! It’s up to Cap’s former sidekick, Bucky Barnes, to save the day—while atoning for his past as the brainwashed Soviet assassin Winter Soldier. Have the Red Skull and his criminal cronies written freedom’s obituary? Or can Bucky Cap, Sharon Carter, the Falcon and the Black Widow march onward into that sweet land of liberty known as … The Comics Canon?

In this non-canonical episode, we take a break from passing judgment on comic book stories to discuss one of our favorite days of the year: Free Comic Book Day! Things discussed in this special mini-episode: What is this annual event all about? How did it get started? And what are some of the more noteworthy offerings? We also discuss the free comics we’re most looking forward to, and offer recommendations for comics to spend actual money on while you’re visiting your favorite comics retailer.

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? In this episode, Curt and Kevin charter a school bus to Stamford, Connecticut to weigh the pros and cons of the Superhero Registration Act, the ethics of cloning a dead god, and the problems of giant crossover events as they (rather civilly) discuss the 2006-2007 Marvel limited series Civil War. In the wake of a national tragedy, a shocked and fearful public calls for the regulation of super-powered beings. Iron Man leads a group of heroes in favor of licensing, proper training, and (presumably) having government holidays off, while Captain America heads up a resistance movement not eager to take its marching orders from politicians. Will this clash of titans end in blood and tears, with friends and families forever rent asunder? Or will our Founding Fathers come together to deem it a revolutionary tale worthy of admission into that Land of the Free known as … The Comics Canon?

In this episode, Curt and Kevin hitchhike their way back to the rural South to sermonize on issues 8-12 of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s two-fisted, double-barreled 1990s Vertigo series, Preacher. Hard-drinkin’ reverend Jesse Custer has been forcibly merged with an otherworldly entity known as Genesis, the product of the union of an angel and a demon. Armed with the Word of God, Jesse sets out with his ex-girlfriend, would-be hitwoman Tulip O’Hare, to find God and discover why He has abandoned His creation. But when they’re abducted at gunpoint and dragged back to Angelville, Jesse’s horrific childhood home, they learn that God—and the most evil grandma ever—have other plans. Have these lovebirds had their Last Supper? Or can they somehow find their way into that Garden of Eden known as … The Comics Canon? Things Discussed in This Episode: Why don’t we discuss issues 13-17? Why is God in cahoots with the most evil grandma ever? Racism, bestiality and incest -- just another day in the South! “Eff you, John Wayne!” “You’re under arrest for the murder of a cyclops!” Burning a cross on your own lawn Curt draws a line in the sand! Join us in two weeks as we trade in our priestly vestments for the latest high-tech spandex to rain fire and brimstone upon Marvel’s 2006 crossover event Civil War! Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this special non-canonical episode, Curt and Kevin discuss The Walking Dead #100 and graphic violence in comics stories. As Negan makes his introduction on the Walking Dead TV series, we ask: Was his brutal murder of a beloved character in this issue a bridge too far? When do violent scenes in comics cross the line? And was Negan a Tarantino fan before the zombie apocalypse? (Also mentioned: From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Garth Ennis, and the “Women in Refrigerators” trope in entertainment.) But what do YOU think? Share your thoughts on a violent comic-book story that stuck with you—one you enjoyed, or one that grossed you out—and you could win FIVE FREE COMICS from The Comics Canon Prize Bin! Send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and the best response will receive five free comics of our choosing. The winner will be selected on Friday, April 8. Meanwhile, check back with us in two weeks as we return to passing judgment on classic comics stories with Preacher: Until the End of the World! And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin trade in their crime-fighting long johns for prison jumpsuits as they hack, shoot, and slash their way through 12 lurching issues of Robert Kirkman’s never-ending magnum opus, The Walking Dead. When Rick Grimes and his ragtag band of zombie apocalypse survivors come across a remote prison complex, they hope to make a new life for themselves. But they find themselves serving a sentence of maximum insecurity, thanks to a nebbishy serial killer, a prickly double-murderer, a pair of botched suicide attempts and Rick’s mounting bloodlust – not to mention an unending stream of undead inmates. Will these habitual offenders fall prey to a menace far worse than a parade of perambulating corpses … the threat of their own baser instincts? Or can Rick, Tyreese, Michonne and the rest of this tightly wound community stop squabbling, brawling and hooking up long enough to earn that Get Out of Jail Free card that grants them membership in … The Comics Canon? Things discussed in this episode: --Why Rick Grimes Never Made Detective --The Continuing Stooory of a Zombie Apocalypse ... --Why is it always the most obvious suspect? --The Adventures of Patty, Low-Self-Esteem Girl! --The Heather Locklear of The Walking Dead --Weekend at Bernie’s: The Zombie Edition --What’s in the mystery meatloaf? --Seven pages of white-hot lecturing action! --"WE ARE THE WALKING DEAD!" Join us in a mere two days as we commemorate the upcoming season finale of The Walking Dead for a non-canonical discussion of violence in comics and the infamous The Walking Dead #100. And then check back with us again in two weeks as we gear up for another AMC program based on a comic-book property by pontificating on Preacher issues 8-12, collected in Until the End of the World. Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, “Miller March” continues as Curt and Kevin ring in the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil series by applying their keen extrasensory senses to Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s classic tale of revenge, redemption and overheated Christian symbolism. When his junkie ex-girlfriend sells his secret identity for a fix (we’ve all been there, right, fellas?), Matt Murdock finds himself homeless and penniless as he faces off against the Kingpin of Crime, a murderous psychotic, a roided-up super-soldier, and one very unfriendly health-care professional. Is this the end of everyone’s favorite blind attorney turned protector of Hell’s Kitchen? Or can ol’ Hornhead overcome these trials and tribulations to win a favorable verdict in the People’s Court known as … The Comics Canon? Things discussed in this episode: The lamest rogue’s gallery in all of comics? (Cough) Stilt-Man (Cough) Karen Page’s poor negotiation skills “The Passion of the Matt” and heavy-handed Catholic imagery Leave my credit score alone, you monster! “There is no corpse.” Lois the Killer Nun! Nuke? Seriously? It’s an Avengers thing … you wouldn’t understand. Why kids don’t play make-believe as Daredevil Join us in two weeks as we shamble down to rural Georgia to pass sentence on The Walking Dead: Safety Behind Bars and The Heart’s Desire! Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, “Miller March” kicks off with a bang as Curt and Kevin don their surgical scrubs to dissect Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, writer/artist Frank Miller’s celebrated deconstruction of everyone’s favorite Caped Crusader!

In this episode, the rubber meets the road as Curt and Kevin travel back in time to the sepia-toned days of 2014 to discuss Ms. Marvel #1-5! Kamala Khan may well be the most likeable first-generation Pakistani-American teenage Muslim superhero ever. Does this shape-shifting schoolgirl have what it takes to crash that hallowed hall of marvels known as … The Comics Canon?

In this episode, Curt and Kevin dig deep into the fertile soil of The Saga of the Swamp Thing issues 21-24! In this tangled tale of fearsome flora, Alan Moore puts DC’s mixed-up muck monster through an existential crisis that plants the seeds of a new era in superhero comics.

Our first episode is here, and it’s a big one! Join Curt and Kevin as they tackle Fantastic Four issues 48-50, introducing two of the heaviest hitters in the Marvel Universe—none other than that great-granddaddy of celestial crumbums, the world-devouring Galactus, and his shreddin’ sentinel of the spaceways, the Silver Surfer!

Co-hosts Kevin Moreau and Curt Holman answer that burning question in this introductory preview. Each episode, they'll take a critical and completely subjective look at one of the greatest (or not-so-greatest) stories in comics history as they decide: Does this belong in the pantheon of great comic-book stories ... The Comics Canon?