Matt & Brett Love Comics!

Save the Date! The Crisis on Infinite Podcasts Crossover with The Nerdist Network’s Comic Book Club Podcast will be happening Tuesday, February 5th at 7 PM at Fontana’s in New York City. Come see a live episode of Comic Book Club, followed by a live episode of Matt & Brett Love Comics! Tickets are free! Prepare yourselves for as deep a discussion about the world of Sonic the Hedgehog as may ever appear on this podcast. Matt and Brett sit down with Aaron Burdette to discuss the anthropomorphic star of the line of Archie comic books, as well as some video games you’ve probably heard of. We also touch upon Star Wars, living in The South, Brett’s letter to ToyFare, and the monkey from Friends. For a terrifying glimpse into the world of Sonic, watch this YouTube video. Aaron Burdette is a sketch writer in New York City whose work is featured weekly as part of Stone Cold Fox at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Follow him on his amazeballs Twitter @AaronBurdette. Read Aaron’s graphic novel reviews on Goodreads. On the next episode, we’ll be talking about Love & Rockets #21 from Fantagraphics by Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Music: “Hang Loose” by Alabama Shakes "Aaron Burdette / The Skunk with the Purple Beret" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/sonic-the-hedgehog.html

Save the Date! The Crisis on Infinite Podcasts Crossover with The Nerdist Network’s Comic Book Club Podcast will be happening Tuesday, February 5th at 7 PM at Fontana’s in New York City. Come see a live episode of Comic Book Club, followed by a live episode of Matt & Brett Love Comics! Tickets are free! Matt, Brett, and Nicole talk to guest Anna Rubanova about Gotham Central #6-10 and the complicated relationship Batman has with the Gotham police. The gang also discusses the origin of the name “Left Handed Radio”; childhood cartoon crushes on Chip (of the Rescue Rangers), Montery Jack, Daria, and shirtless Batman as voiced by Kevin Conroy; how Brett’s “type” has never changed; the many backgrounds of Catwoman; the homosexual gender divide of the Marvel and DC Universes; and using foreign languages to express emotion. ¡Qué emocionante! This episode was not sponsored by WPIX 11. You can download your own copy of Gotham Central #6-10 from the Comixology online store. Anna is a writer for video sketch team The Punch and is also one of the minds behind the sketch comedy podcast Left Handed Radio. You can see Anna’s work on her website, annarubanova.com, or follow her on Twitter @TheActualAnna. Music: “Baby Get Worse” by Divine Fits "Anna Rubanova / Gotham Central #6-10 (2003)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/gotham-central.html

Hello, 2013! Matt and Brett return with guest Jon Gutierrez, a great comedy writer based in New York City. He has performed on house improv teams at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, as well as written for UCB sketch and video sketch teams. Most notably, Jon worked for the beloved, historic and hilarious ToyFare magazine as the price guide editor, and wrote for the strip Twisted ToyFare Theatre. Learn the origins of Mego Spidey and ToyFare magazine, the inner workings of the price guide, as well as tales from the Wizard compound. From the early days of Wizard to the bitter end, this episode brings the stories. We also introduce our next book club pick: Gotham Central #6-10 by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark. It’s available digitally on Comixology and is an essential read. You can catch Jon’s current writing and voice acting in the web series “Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” and see him perform live every Friday with Sister Sex Wolf at the Queen’s Secret Improv Club. Music: “The Witch” by The Walkmen "Down the Wizard Hole" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/down-the-wizard-hole.html

This is the one where Matt, Brett, Nicole and producer Ben get trapped in an elevator and reminisce about the past year of Matt & Brett Love Comics. Clips from past episodes, lessons learned, issues discussed, Ninja Turtles endorsed. Do comic books cause deviated septum? It’s been a crazy first year and we’re very thankful for all the listeners out there! If you’d like to hear the full episodes that go along with the clips: #19: X-Force v2 #1-6 (2004-2005) #17: The Goon # 36-39 (2011-2012) #13: New Mutants #18-21 (1984) #27: Courtney Crumrin & The Night Things #6: Incredible Hulk v2 #370-373,376-377 (1990-1991) If you’d like to hear other podcasts we like: iFanboy (iTunes) Decompressed (iTunes) Music: “Sleigh Ride” by Ferrante and Teicher "We’re Trapped on an Elevator" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/year-in-review.html

Things get edgy, angsty and grungy with the arrival of Generation X from Marvel Comics, by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo. Nicole Drespel and Matt Fisher join Brett to discuss the ‘90s iteration of the classic teen-mutants-with-problems premise. Spoiler Alert for, like, every awful thing that happens to these characters in later years. Matt Fisher is a New York City based comedian who can be seen performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre with The Law Firm. You can also follow him on Twitter @fishermatt and on Tumblr. You can find Generation X #1-4 on Amazon or My Comic Shop. Music: “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses "Matt Fisher & Nicole Drespel / Generation X #1-4 (1994-1995)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/generation-x.html

The return of Kevin Hines! With two Spider-Man mega-fans in one place (Matt and Kevin; Brett is a Spider-Man regular-fan), we had to discuss the radical events of Amazing Spider-Man #698! So, spoilers for that if you haven’t read it. Also spoilers for pretty much every TV show, movie and comic from the last decade. You have been warned. Also discussed: super-heroines as real world politicians, what makes a meaningful comic book death, and Friends (NBC). You can see Kevin perform improv comedy with The Curfew and the Brothers Hines at the UCB Theatres in New York City. You can also follow him on Twitter @kevhines and his comic book thoughts on Tumblr. Our next book club selection is Generation X #1-4 (1994) by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo. The trade paperback collecting these issues, including the team’s origin story, can be purchased on Amazon. The single issues can also be bought for cheap on My Comic Shop. Music: “A Christmas Duel” by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper "Money Can’t Buy the Death of a Species" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/death-of-a-species.html

Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s DC Comics epic Rock of Ages takes center stage this week, as Matt and Brett guide America Won’t Shut Up co-host Jason Flowers through the comic book wilderness. What does someone who hasn’t cracked a comic book open since Zubaz were cool think of electric Superman, one-handed Aquaman, and the overwhelmingly bizarre (yet awesome) ideas packed into every one of Grant Morrison’s JLA issues? Find out in this episode! Jason Flowers is the co-host of the podcast America Won’t Shut Up. You can find this week’s comics on Comixology or Amazon. Music: “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind "Jason Flowers / JLA #10-15 (1997-1998)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/jla.html

Paul Montgomery joins the podcast for this episode and talks about his history with iFanboy and their positive brand of comic journalism, as well as extended talk about animation. The trio also discuss the barriers for entry that exist for new fans but don’t come up with any concrete solutions. Whoops! You can follow Paul Montgomery’s online exploits at iFanboy.com as well as @fuzzytypewriter on Twitter. Also check out his podcast, Fuzzy Typewriter. Music: “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” by Arcade Fire "Film Students: It Gets Better" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/it-gets-better.html

Things get downright horrific when the gang discusses the Image Comics mini-series Severed, by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft and Attila Futaki. Equally horrific: the prospect of mothers exposing their unborn children to Backstreet Boys music in the name of science. But is it as scary as a cannibal killer stalking America in 1916, in search of children to eat? You be the judge! Nicole returns just in time for this super scary tale. Our guest is writer Becky Ferreira. Becky recently interviewed the cast of Amazing Spider-Man! Severed #1-7 is available digitally on Comixology and a lovely hardcover can be ordered from Amazon.com. Music: “Garbageman” by The Cramps "Becky Ferreira and Nicole Drespel / Severed #1-7 (2011-2012)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/severed.html

Matt and Brett converse from two different boroughs in this episode, in the aftermath of hurricane-turned-superstorm Sandy. Both Matt and Brett share their experiences living in New York City in this trying time, and also discuss some of the bigger comic book related news items of the week: Disney acquiring Lucasfilm, Bryan Singer returning to the X-Men franchise, and where they fall in the wider spectrum of concern. They also introduce the next book club pick: Severed #1-7 from Image Comics, by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft and Attila Futaki. You can pick it up digitally on Comixology and a lovely hardcover can be ordered from Amazon.com. For listeners who want to help, Alex Zalben wrote a handy guide to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts for MTV Geek. Please help out in any way you can. Music: “A Bite Out of My Bed” by the New Pornographers This episode was recorded on Thursday, November 1. Sorry everybody for posting it late, my apartment is still without Internet access! – Ben "We All Seem To Come Together Pretty Well" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/we-all-come-together.html

Timmy Wood (writer for iFanboy) returns and brings with him a comic not fit for young audiences! Smoking, sexing, and violencing; writer/artist Darwyn Cooke crams it all into this adaptation of Richard Stark’s The Hunter. You can get The Hunter digitally on Comixology, or you can get the very, very handsome physical copy on Amazon. Timmy Wood is a comedian in New York City as well as a writer for the website iFanboy. For his work on iFanboy, check out Comic Book Job Evaluations and iFlashback. You can follow Timmy on Twitter at @TimmyWood. Music: “The French Song” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts "Timmy Wood / Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter (2009)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/starks-parker.html

Matt and Brett hit up New York Comic Con last weekend and boy oh boy, did they see a lot of Adventure Time cosplayers and lady Lokis! They also got to talk to some wonderful comic book creators about the comics (and other things) that they love. In this episode: Declan Shalvey talks about the Phalanx Covenant Paolo Rivera talks about The Walking Dead Joe Quinones talks about Empire Strikes Back Ryan Stegman talks about Todd MacFarlane Maris Wicks talks about the pizza tag on Tumblr Mike Norton talks about Blue Beetle and indie comics Corinna Bechko and Gabe Hardman talk about horror comics and “doing it for the money” Tim Chamberlain talks about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ming Doyle talks about Aquaman Please check out all of our guests' websites and their work at your local comic book shop or local Internet space. Music: “New York City Cops” by The Strokes "New York Comic Con 2012" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/new-york-comic-con.html

Matt and Brett talk comics with another guy who loves comics, Timmy Wood. Timmy is an improviser in New York City who also happens to write some very funny articles for the comic book website iFanboy. This discussion episode covers everything from Brett’s tenure with Wizard Entertainment to Timmy’s Woody Allen fandom, as well as a story from Matt about the power Mr. Rogers has over people’s emotions. We also introduce next week’s pick, selected by guest Timmy Wood: Richard Stark’s Parker vol. 1: The Hunter by Darwyn Cooke! This leads to a lot of D. Cooke talk, and there’s nothing wrong with that. For Timmy Wood’s work on iFanboy, check out Comic Book Job Evaluations and iFlashback. You can follow Timmy on Twitter at @TimmyWood. To read next week’s pick, check it out on Amazon or on Comixology. To pick apart Brett’s comic book rankings, check out this and this. Music: “Carried Away” by Passion Pit "Timmy Wood / Joss Whedon is a Bad Person" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/not-really.html

In a shocking twist, the guests introduce a comic book to Matt and Brett. Whoah! Things get downright creepy as the foursome tear into the first Locke & Key mini-series by IDW Publishing. The use of the word “tear” was intentional, because Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have crafted a suspenseful horror story that is possibly the most intense read this podcast has seen. You can read the first mini-series, “Welcome to Lovecraft”, on Comixology or from Amazon. Jeremy Bent can be seen on the improv team Thank You, Robot and in the web-series Quest For An Unknown Planet. Frank Hejl writes and performs with the sketch team Onassis. They are both members of Bucky, an improv team at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Music: “Everlasting Light” by the Black Keys "Jeremy Bent and Frank Hejl / Locke & Key #1-6 (2008)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/locke-and-key.html

Matt & Brett Love Comics! in association with Left Handed Radio present The Sequel Machine. Every month, The Sequel Machine recruits 25 writers to write the sequels for film’s biggest franchises one page at a time. The catch is, the writers only get to read the page before theirs in a round-robin, exquisite corpse style. The end result is a hilarious, twisted, and as coherent as any misquided Hollywood sequel. This month: Dark Knight 4. Opening act: Katey Healy-Wurzburg Performed by: Adam Bozarth, Dan Chamberlain, Matt Little, Anna Rubanova, Jeremy Bent, Michael Hartney, Kevin Hines, Jim Santangeli, and Brett White Written by: Adam Bozarth, Brett White, Anna Rubanova, Dave Bluvband, John Freiler, Taylor Moore, Katey Healy-Wurzburg, John Timothy, Matt Little, Lee Rubenstein, Jason Saenz, Mike Scollins, Matt Braunsdorf, Brandon Gulya, Benjamin Apple, Daniel Mirk, Erik Tanouye, Kirk Damato, Chris Principe, Alex Zalben, Matt Mayer, Jon Gabrus, Justin Tyler, and Joe Berkowitz Script produced by Brett White and Matt Little. See the next Sequel Machine show live: 9thmare on Elm Street. UCB Theatre East, 3rd Street & Avenue A. Thursday, October 4th, 11:00 PM "The Sequel Machine: Dark Knight 4" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2012/dark-knight-4.html