Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast

Brad & Lisa Gullickson

Boost

Boost

Join married couple Brad and Lisa as they explore the various dynamics of comic book relationships throughout pop culture and publishing history.

A Slasher Celebration: David Bowles, Drew Edwards, and Monica Gallagher on The Matron

The horror genre occupies an important moment in our romantic relationship. We started dating nearly eighteen years ago. Our earliest outings were at the theater, watching one mediocre to terrible horror film after the other. As you'll hear in this week's episode, those violent excursions caused us to sharpen our ideas of who we are. Gosh, we sure could have used The Matron back then. Comic creators David Bowles, Drew Edwards, and Monica Gallagher join us to discuss their new slasher comic, The

Feb 28, • 1:18:41

CBCC Book Club: Rick Quinn and Dave Chisholm on Spectrum 3

We try not to gatekeep. We try to resist nostalgia, but on some days, we feel the purest expression possible in comics can only occur through monthly serialization. Rick Quinn and Dave Chisholm return to the podcast for the third month, discussing Spectrum #3, the latest entry in their magical, sci-fi tour through an alternate musical history. As you'll hear Rick Quinn say at some point in our conversation, Spectrum #3 is not their "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Hey Jude." It's twenty-two pages; it's

Feb 25, • 1:14:45

Thomas Jane and Mike Carey on The Lycan

They couldn't let go. Thomas Jane and Mike Carey resurrect The Lycan, a comics project languishing for over fifteen years. Jane and screenwriter David James Kelly initiated the concept and hired Carey to write the script. An artist was also hired. That artist disappeared. An opportunity arose years later, and a new artist, Diego Yapur, finally materialized this ruthless tale of adventure and horror. The North Sea. 1797. A ship shatters on the shore of a Scottish isle. The hunters within spill u

Feb 19, • 1:00:32

Clay McLeod Chapman on Seance in the Asylum

Always challenge certainty. The moment you know, watch out. Clay McLeod Chapman arrives with another spooky story to confront your perspective, if not outright shatter it. His latest comic, Seance in the Asylum, done in collaboration with artist Leonardo Marcello Grassi, colorist Mauro Gulma, and letterer Frank Cvetkovic, propels us back into our past when science sought belief to cure the mad. It's 1865. America sits soaked in blood after the Civil War. The Ashcroft Hospital is bursting at the

Feb 12, • 1:06:10

Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar on Bug Wars

After doing a stint on Conan the Barbarian for Marvel, Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar aimed to keep their collaboration roaring. They loved their time in Hyperborea but also wanted a realm to claim as their own and one where they could unleash their most vicious instincts. Bug Wars, their latest partnership, published at Image Comics, is the beautifully brutal saga of "The Yard." Here, in the tall grass, below teenager Slade Slaymaker's home, Beetle Clans rage against the Ant Imperium while the Sy

Feb 5, • 1:01:25

John Harris Dunning on Ripperland

Time is inescapable -- as if we need to explain that to anyone living in January 2025. However, our listeners who've been paying attention to our podcast this past month know the tyrannical clock is particularly present in our imagination. This preoccupation began with this week's conversation about Ripperland with John Harris Dunning, which we recorded in December last year and has been informing nearly every episode we've released since. Dunning co-wrote Ripperland with Steve Orlando, and it'

Jan 29, • 1:00:24

CBCC Book Club: Rick Quinn and Dave Chisholm on Spectrum 2

They're back! Writer Rick Quinn and artist Dave Chisholm return to the podcast to discuss Spectrum #2, the second issue in their science fiction tour through an alternate musical history. As the plot reveals itself, adding new elements and several more splash pages, we dig deeper into its characters, emotions, and references. Adding this conversation atop our previous one about the first issue, we're building something grand - a comic book dissection as we've never done before - so we might as w

Jan 22, • 1:23:56

Patreon Preview: Tyler Crook on Mage - The Hero Discovered 6

In 2024, we published 58 Comic Book Couples Counseling episodes. However, that was not the total Comic Book Couples Counseling experience. Over on our Patreon, we published an additional 61 episodes, including our Married to Singlesseries, where we talk with comic book creators about their favorite single issues. In 2025, we'll make these a regular thing, starting with Tyler Crook this week, diving deep into his cherished Mage: The Hero Discovered #6. Crook has appeared on the podcast multiple

Jan 15, • 1:05:44

Chip Zdarsky and David Brothers on Time Waits

New Year's always has us looking inward, hoping for a fresh start. Creating resolutions, however, causes too much pressure, so we prefer to announce our intentions and free ourselves from potential regret if/when we don't achieve them. Helping us through the yearly reboot process in 2025 are Chip Zdarsky and David Brothers, whose new DSTLRYcomic Time Waits, done in collaboration with artists Marcus To and Marvin Sianipar, colorist Matt Wilson, letterer Ariana Maher, and editor Allison O'Toole, i

Jan 7, • 59:34

The Stampies: Best Comics of 2024 (Part Two)

We made it. Another trip around the sun. Congratulations, everyone. Let's celebrate with our final episode of the year, The Stampies: Best Comics of 2024 (Part Two). In our final episode of 2024, we name the Best Comic of 2024 as well as several other cherished awards: Best Ongoing Series, Best Limited Series, Best Relaunch, Writer of the Year, Artist of the Year, etc. Maybe most significantly, we award the second annual Jesse Tappia II Champ Stamp Award, named after our good friend who no long

Dec 27, 2024 • 1:56:15

The Stampies: Best Comics of 2024 (Part One)

Comics will mend your heart. That's the energy we're taking into the new year and the thought we carried as we assembled The Stampies, our end-of-the-year award show celebrating The Best Comics of 2024 - ahem - (Part One). Over the last six years, we've turned to comics to understand ourselves and the world around us better. They've guided us through tumultuous times, and we know we'll need them even more in the coming months and years. Our award show is very much OUR award show. We have peculi

Dec 20, 2024 • 1:17:31

J Holtham and Michael Lee Harris on Motherfukin Monsters

It's easy to claim your comic as "Evil Dead for Blerds," but accomplishing the cheeky elevator pitch is far more complex. Writer J. Holtham and artist Michael Lee Harris grab their inspiration from the iconic Sam Raimi splatstick horror franchise but do so in service of an entirely different purpose. Motherfu*kin Monsters rages with a political fire, throwing their protagonist into a university setting shrouded with white faces. Their JJ eagerly wants to find his place within this system, while

Dec 13, 2024 • 45:06

Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge on Finders Keepers

It belongs in a museum? On this week's podcast, we chat with friends and collaborators Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridgeabout their new comic, Finders Keepers, and why they were compelled to tell a "reverse Indiana Jones." Like the other comics in The Horizon Experiment, Finders Keepers flips a classic genre trope on its head and knocks the dust and cobwebs from a well-trodden idea. The hook is powerfully compelling, but as you read through the one-shot, the reader also begins to understand there i

Dec 9, 2024 • 59:29

Kami Garcia on Teen Titans: Starfire

After working through most of the Teen Titans, author Kami Garcia and artist Gabriel Picolo have finally reached the Tamaranean superhero, Starfire. Their latest collaboration finds Kori struggling to find her place amongst her peers while her sister Kira thrives in the environment. Kori strives for the stars above, but feels trapped in her Summer job and her body, especially after her Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) diagnosis. On this week's podcast, we chat with bestselling author Kami Garcia ab

Dec 3, 2024 • 47:49

Tom King and Ryan Sook on Black Canary: Best of the Best

We don't know how to feel about violence as sports entertainment, but we cannot deny how much we love stories that center their emotional conflicts inside a ring. With their new series, Black Canary: Best of the Best, Tom King and Ryan Sook join the long tradition of tearing into internal torment by subjecting protagonists to regulated gladiatorial combat. Dinah Lance versus Lady Shiva, let's get ready to rumble. The first issue of the new series arrives in stores Wednesday (11/27). We won't sp

Nov 26, 2024 • 55:52

Dave Chisholm and Rick Quinn on Spectrum #1

Art finds us when we need it most. Spectrum, the new Mad Cave Studios series from creators Dave Chisholm and Rick Quinn, is an astonishing sci-fi saga that begins inside the Seattle WTO protests of 1999 and propels its characters into a realm where music grants flight. The central character, Melody, can't quite discern what's real and what's not - a sensation you may very well be familiar with at this moment - seeing impossible beings floating amongst the crowds. Powers from within and without c

Nov 19, 2024 • 1:09:30

FML with Kelly Sue DeConnick

What a difference a week can make, huh? When we recorded our conversation with Kelly Sue DeConnick, we were still weeks away from the American election, but now, here we are, living in its aftermath. We couldn't have been the only ones with three little letters rattling around our brains these last batch of days. FML. You're damn right. Kelly Sue DeConnick's new comic, done in collaboration with artist David López, colorist Cris Peter, and letterer Clayton Cowles, is very much about managing yo

Nov 12, 2024 • 1:07:32

NYCC '24: Cliff Chiang, Jason Aaron, Juan Ferreyra, and Patrick Horvath

Two weeks later, we're still recovering from New York Comic Con 2024. This may have been our third year attending, but we've never experienced a comic convention quite like this one, and it may take a few more months before we've actually processed everything that happened. A major factor differentiating this event from any that came before was our new gig hosting the Harvey Awards. So, we spend the first half of today's episode taking you behind the scenes of this event, detailing what you can

Nov 4, 2024 • 1:50:05

Michael Allred, The Monkees, and Marvel (with Special Guest Star Laura Allred)

It doesn't take long to recognize pop culture's influence on the work of Michael Allred. Whether we're talking Madman, X-Statix, or Silver Surfer, his comics radiate his passion for music, art, and life. Some references are easy to spot, a few a little trickier, and others impossible unless you know the man personally. For us, his comics mostly equal comfort, a place to rush into and join for an hour or a bit longer. We adore many of Michael Allred's influences. So, our primary mission on this

Oct 29, 2024 • 1:16:21

Kelley Jones and Matt Wagner on Dracula: The Brides

Dracula permeates everything. Before we're five years old, we know his story. It's baked into the cultural imagination. However, if you were to hold that story up to the light, you'd immediately notice a lot of holes. In Bram Stoker's iconic work, Dracula appears less frequently than you would think, and his backstory is referenced in short bursts and shrouded in mystery. His tale is perfect fodder for artists Kelley Jones and Matt Wagner to sink their teeth into. Last year, they published Drac

Oct 17, 2024 • 1:05:17

Ben Clarkson and Matt Bors on Justice Warriors: Vote Harder

Hey, you. Stop doom scrolling. You've landed where you belong. Ben Clarkson and Matt Bors return to Comic Book Couples Counseling with another Justice Warriors book, Vote Harder. And they're back just when we need them most, weeks away from a critical, very American election. As in the best romantic comedies, Swamp Cop and Officer Schitt are torn apart early on in Justice Warriors: Vote Harder. Bubble City embarks on its first-ever election, and it's doing something strange to its populace. The

Oct 15, 2024 • 1:18:08

Tiffany Babb on The Comics Courier

In this article, the top ten reasons why reading comics criticism will increase your sex drive. Yeah, that's right, we need your clicks! We live in an apocalypse where thoughtful online comics criticism decreases in value every minute. However, you know comics criticism is essential to the industry's ecosystem and community because you're an intelligent person. All we need is a champion to keep this art form alive, and it is an art form, and she has arrived - Tiffany Babb. She's shaking The Comi

Oct 11, 2024 • 59:41

Full-Spoilers: Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman

It's been a trip to get to this moment. Since we saw Nick Dragotta's design for Absolute Batman, an intense anticipation took hold of us. However, if you think it's been a long journey from our Batman AF introduction at San Diego Comic-Con, it's been an even longer and more thoughtful one for Dragotta and his collaborator Scott Snyder. They've noodled over this new DC pocket universe for over a year, and now that we're all holding the first issue in our hands, we can take comfort in knowing thes

Oct 9, 2024 • 1:01:29

17 Minutes and 43 Seconds with Chris Claremont

This week's episode is a full-circle moment. We began our podcast five years ago, discussing the romantic entanglements between Scott Summers and Jean Grey as depicted in The Dark Phoenix Saga. Now, we're honored, and in a bit of disbelief, to welcome writer Chris Claremont onto the show. His contributions to the medium have been some of the most significant to our collective imagination, and they directly inspired the personal journey the two of us have been on these last handful of years. Tod

Oct 7, 2024 • 39:37

Patrick McDonnell on Mutts and the Guard Dog Story

If you think comic books and their audience resist continuity changes, you must consider the death grip comic strips have on their characters. Charlie Brown was never allowed to kick the football and was also denied a wardrobe. His life sentence was that yellow shirt. Mutts cartoonist Patrick McDonnell accepts the pressures of his medium and believes there is nirvana in its structure. However, in the case of certain characters, he knew he had to free them of their decades-long consistency. Guard

Sep 30, 2024 • 49:15

Batman: City of Madness - The Ultimate Christian Ward Interview

Racing on the heels of Batman Day, we celebrate eighty-five years of the Caped Crusader by finally digging into one of our recent favorite Dark Knight stories, Batman: City of Madness by Christian Ward. Technically, this is our third conversation with Ward about this particular story, but it's the first one where we can dig into it page-by-page, going full spoilers and properly exploring its characters and themes. The hardcover is now available from DC Comics, so please grab your copy, snuggle u

Sep 24, 2024 • 1:17:55

Scott Snyder on Absolute Batman

The instant the internet glimpsed Nick Dragotta's bold, BIG design for Absolute Batman, it lost its mind. Since the initial San Diego Comic-Con reveal, emotions have intensified around it, and the fan art has flowed like a dam burst. The first issue is still weeks away, but Final Order Cutoff is here (TODAY!), and Scott Snyder joins the podcast to discuss why they had to go thicc with the Bat. Absolute Batman is a radical reimagining based on the way our world is now. Bruce Wayne has no fortune

Sep 16, 2024 • 1:34:57

Alex Ross and Steve Darnall on Uncle Sam

Sneak into any comic book geek's home, and you'll probably find copies of Marvels and Kingdom Come. What about Uncle Sam, though? The series hit shops in 1997 from DC's Vertigo label, and it sparked provocative thought from those who read it, but for whatever reason, it did not resonate as soundly within the direct market crowd as Alex Ross' more recognizably superheroic collaborations. It's time to reconsider Uncle Sam, just in time. We're months away from a critical American election as of th

Sep 10, 2024 • 1:13:38

Daniel Warren Johnson and Riley Rossmo on The Moon Is Following Us

When cartoonists like Daniel Warren Johnson and Riley Rossmo come together, the rest of us better take notice. The Moon Is Following Us drops its first issue on September 18th, and it's a jam comic with a fierce narrative engine and an even more assertive take-notice paint job. Set within the waking and sleeping worlds, Johnson handles the former while Rossmo takes the latter. The relationship between the two creates an electric reading experience not found anywhere else on the stands. From a s

Sep 3, 2024 • 1:26:04

Heather Antos and Ryan North on Star Trek: Lower Decks

We did it. We've completed our San Diego Comic-Con coverage. Twelve podcasts in August. Too much? Maybe, but no regrets, and there is no better way to wrap up our Comic-Con celebrations than with Star Trek group editor Heather Antos and superstar writer Ryan North discussing Star Trek: Lower Decks and its new mission at IDW Publishing. Since its streaming premiere, we've championed Star Trek: Lower Decks as the most human Trek. While it's wickedly funny, frequently teasing the ultra seriousness

Aug 29, 2024 • 55:39

Pornsak Pichetshote and Terry Dodson on The Manchurian

Hey, don't tell us. We'll tell you. The suits who bankroll the industry think they know what we want to read. They have no idea. Marginalizing voices is an active pursuit where financial concerns are frequently used as an excuse. The Horizon Experiment has faith in us, placing its future in our wallets, betting we'll support originality in genres gatekept by the fearful. Their first one-shot, The Manchurian, carries an irresistible premise steered expertly by Pornsak Pichetshoteand Terry Dodson.

Aug 27, 2024 • 1:00:55

JP Ahonen on Belzebubs

Once upon a time, cartoonist JP Ahonen fell out of love with his art. He'd reached a wall. It was burnout. He'd lost the joy found in creation. Then, he just started to doodle, and an Inktober project became a runaway success. Belzebubs, the saga of a black metal family, significantly inspired by Calvin and Hobbes, sprung from his brain, and there is no stuffing it back in. These odd little outsiders reignited something inside Ahonen, but more importantly, Belzebubs ignited something in its rea

Aug 24, 2024 • 46:39

James Tynion IV and The Tiny Onion Empire

In a few short years, James Tynion IV has become a beacon within comics. When you walk into a shop, you don't have to look long before you stumble upon one of his comics. He's seemingly everywhere, spreading beyond the four color realm, and no matter the title he's attached to, it's worth a perusal. Back in July, at San Diego Comic-Con, we sat down with Tynion inside the Dark Horse Comics booth to discuss the unique collaborative process that birthed The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Cha

Aug 22, 2024 • 40:59

Mark Waid and Mariko Tamaki on Batman, Superman, and Supergirl

At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, the family was at the forefront of DC creators' minds. We couldn't escape the topic when discussing superheroics. Plus, we've been pretty anxious on the podcast, contemplating the ramifications of city saviors placing their loved ones above the citizens of Gotham City and Metropolis. Does the person on the street want Superman to have a son? A wife? A cousin? Thankfully, we can corner Mark Waid and Mariko Tamaki at the DC booth and force them to process our ri

Aug 19, 2024 • 52:49

Ram V on Jack Kirby and The New Gods

This year's San Diego Comic-Con brought a lot of news. Possibly the most surprising and easily the most exciting was DC's announcement that The New Gods were coming back to comic shops and that their latest saga would be steered by writer Ram V and artist Evan Cagle. While these characters loom large over the DC universe, they've rarely carried a solo book for any significant amount of time. One reason for that might be that they're such pure Jack Kirby creations, and following in the King's foo

Aug 16, 2024 • 51:54

Full Spoilers: Juni Ba on TMNT: Nightwatcher 1

Last year, cartoonist Juni Ba had an epic Fall, releasing multiple all-timers in one month. We had him on the show and told him the output would be difficult to top in 2024, and he humbly said he had a few projects already lined up and would do his best. With The Boy Wonder about to wrap and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1 hitting stands today, Juni Ba reveals how he still has numerous killer comics inside him. Ba returns to the podcast this week for a lengthy discussion about Nig

Aug 14, 2024 • 58:52

DC All In with Joshua Williamson, Tom King, and Daniel Sampere

In October, DC asks its creators and readers to go All In regarding a new status quo. No matter their history with these characters or their knowledge of them, readers can pick up any single issue on the stands, begin a new adventure, and easily comprehend the event and its possibilities. It starts with The All In Special, released on October 2nd, written by Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder and illustrated by Daniel Sampere and Wes Craig. While ongoing stories like Wonder Woman, written by Tom

Aug 12, 2024 • 57:36

Joey Esposito and Sean Von Gorman on The Pedestrian

As San Diego Comic-Con began its last day, we met with Joey Esposito and Sean Von Gorman in the Hilton lobby to thoroughly discuss their brand-new superhero, The Pedestrian. Just when you dismiss the genre's ability to create or support a new spandex character, architects like Esposito and Von Gorman come around to rejuvenate the space with an absurd concept told earnestly. Imagine if Bruce Wayne patrolled Twin Peaks rather than Gotham. We discuss the character's origins, the massive lore they'

Aug 9, 2024 • 1:00:57

Wes Craig on Kaya

We're mostly unpacked from San Diego Comic-Con, and we begin this week's podcast by discussing the show's big highlight. No, it's not RDJ as Doctor Doom. After working through the con highs and lows, we invite cartoonist Wes Craig into our Zoom room for the first time so we can thoroughly investigate his all-ages epic, Kaya. In an era where publishing beyond six issues seems nearly impossible, Wes Craig has already knocked out 20 Kaya comics, equalling three trade paperbacks, and promises five

Aug 7, 2024 • 1:22:15

Full Spoilers: Jason Aaron on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1

Hopefully, you've had some time with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 by Jason Aaron and Joëlle Jones. The record-breaking comic seemingly found its way into everyone's pullbox last week. Despite San Diego Comic-Con taking over much of the discourse, the IDW Publishing relaunch snatched tremendous attention and fueled equal excitement. As promised, it's a comic for the loyal continuity consumer, curious first-timer, or once-upon-a-time Mirage Studios loyalist. Months back, shortly after he was a

Aug 5, 2024 • 1:00:15

San Diego Comic-Con: Gail Simone on Misty

Reporting live from San Diego Comic-Con, we're chatting with Gail Simone about everything she has going on at the moment, including the incredible Misty 2024 Special from Rebellion Publishing. When editors first approached her with the project, she'd never read the previous British series. However, after a few issues, Simone was hooked and saw her way into Misty's world, so some updates would have to occur. The Misty 2024 Special features three tales written by Gail Simone and illustrated by Ca

Jul 30, 2024 • 36:15

Mangasplaining Search and Destroy Volume 1

It's easy to despair. Fear and frustration spread quickly, and their hold has hooks hard to shake. Don't fall into the discourse trap; free yourself by following the light radiating from the medium's champions. Find folks like Deb Aoki and Christopher Woodrow-Butcher and grab firm. Through their Mangasplaining podcast (co-hosted with David Brothersand Chip Zdarsky), they've become beacons of what the sequential art form can offer the human experience, and recently, they've taken their passion on

Jul 22, 2024 • 1:23:14

Maurice Vellekoop: I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together

There is power in putting your life on the page. Cartoonist Maurice Vellekoop discovered it when making the internal external, crafting a massive graphic novel memoir over eleven years. I'm So Glad We Had This Time Togethergorgeously and nakedly splays his experience for EVERYONE to consume, and while his audience could/should find it healingly reflective, the act is entirely selfish. He's found the shape of his journey and solidified it. If only we could all be so fortunate. Maurice Vellekoop

Jul 15, 2024 • 1:21:44

Matt Kindt (Son) and Margie Kraft Kindt (Mom) on Gilt Frame

When it comes to cool collaborators, Matt Kindt has had quite a few. He partnered with CBCC all-star Matt Lesniewski on Crimson Flower. He and David Rubin gave us the blazing sci-fi adventure Ether. And with Ron Garney and Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt birthed the This Is Spinal Tap version of Conan the Barbarian. Don't deny it: BRZRKR is proudly cranked to eleven. The partner from Hollywood might attract the most mainstream attention, and it's an alliance that may have paved the way for Kindt's mos

Jul 5, 2024 • 1:06:48

Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, and Kyle Starks on Barfly, the Most Minor of Threats

Are you ready to meet our new favorite henchman, Barfly? Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, Kyle Starks, and Ryan Browne are eager to make introductions. Their new series, spun "from the world of Minor Threats," drills even deeper into the philosophical pursuit initiated by the original run that began two years ago. The lowliest punk in Twilight City has a rich inner life, and he'd love to share it with you if you can set aside your primordial revulsion toward sh*teaters. You don't need to browse long

Jun 27, 2024 • 1:03:06

Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips: Every Comic is an Emergency

What's the ideal environment for making a comic? We toss the question to Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips, and they ponder it for a moment. They've never experienced it, and they're not sure it's possible, or if it was, that they'd want it. Deadlines loom over all, making every comic an emergency. This urgency helps them accomplish their craft, and it must be working since, undoubtedly, everyone reading these words is craving their next collaboration, Houses of the Unholy (out August 14th from I

Jun 20, 2024 • 1:08:26

Jordan Morris on Youth Group

We get serious with Jordan Morris, whether he wants us to or not. He returns to the podcast with his new graphic novel, Youth Group, done in collaboration with artist Bowen McCurdy. It's a wickedly winky narrative about a young goth girl named Kay reluctantly following her mother's instructions to join a Christian youth group and discovering that they actually battle demons. Morris returns to the nineties in an effort to better understand his brief flirtation with religiosity, which left him wit

Jun 12, 2024 • 1:23:19

Maria Bamford and Scott Marvel Cassidy Are Hogbook and Lazer Eyes

How you define your relationship determines its trajectory. If you see your romance as a triumph over adversity, you will triumph. This is one of the many lessons we took from our long ago exploration of Drs. John and Julie Gottman, and we discuss their philosophy thoroughly on this week's podcast with Maria Bamford and Scott Marvel Cassidy. Their new graphic novel from Fantagraphics, Hogbook and Lazer Eyes, details their complicated coupling, all told through the eyes of their various elder pug

Jun 5, 2024 • 1:04:16

Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! with Ram V and Dan Watters

The Gill-man just does it for us. Or Lisa, more specifically. You can have your Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolf Man, and Invisible Man; we'll take the wet and wild one off your hands any day of the week. Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! And no more ravishingly than in our hearts. Where other Universal Monsters stem from rich, lurid literature and folklore, the Creature is a far more contemporary cat...er, fish. His origins are chained to the 1954 film, its few sequels, and the morali

May 29, 2024 • 57:18

The Ultimate Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Interview

It's been a week. You've had a minute. The sixth and final issue of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is out there, living its life, rattling around our collective imaginations. We need to talk about it. You need to talk about it. Let's talk about it together. And drag cartoonist Patrick Horvath into the chat, crack his melon open, and root around in all of his delicious secrets. Yep, it's time to go full spoilers with this comic. When Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees first landed in shops

May 21, 2024 • 1:17:38

Kyle Starks on Karate Prom

He's back—like you've never seen him before. Kyle Starks, the writer behind I Hate This Place, Peacemaker Tries Hard!, and Where Monsters Lie, just released an original graphic novel at First Second that's all-ages and without swears. Karate Prom is a heart-forward action adventure about two teens who find love in the ring, or after it, when Sam knocks Don "TheDragonWilson" Jones out cold. As Starks puts it in our conversation, he's entered his "two people who just love the sh*t out of each oth

May 15, 2024 • 1:18:07

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 40th Anniversary Special

March 5th, 1984. Forty years ago, three thousand copies of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 hit the newsstands. The title was impossible to ignore. Born from a joke between fresh collaborators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, it sparked an instantaneous passionate response. Many quickly dismissed the concept or rolled their eyes, but those who actually read that first issue recognized the love for the medium within. Eventually, cartoons and toys would follow, and a phenomenon occurred that truly ha

May 6, 2024 • 1:21:08

Daniel Warren Johnson on The Nam

For this week's podcast, we're digging out a treasure from the CBCC Patreon Feed: our deep-dive conversation with Daniel Warren Johnson about The Nam # 9. This thorough discussion launched our "Married to Singles" Patreon exclusive series, where we examine the favorite single issues of various comic book creators and critics. It's one thing to dissect an artist's work alongside or in front of them, as we often do, but it's an entirely different thing to scrutinize an artist's work with another a

Apr 29, 2024 • 1:19:06

Daniel Warren Johnson on Transformers: Robots in Disguise

When people dare to complain about modern Transformers stories, they often single out the human characters and how they drag the spotlight away from the glorious Cybertron titans they paid their money to see. Optimus Prime is enough. Bumblebee is enough. We don't need Spike or Sparky to stretch the narrative. Just give us the 'bots. And yet, Daniel Warren Johnson, the virtuosic cartoonist behind Extremity, Murder Falcon, and Do a Powerbomb!, could not imagine telling his Transformers story with

Apr 20, 2024 • 1:00:15

Man's Best with Jesse Lonergan and Pornsak Pichetshote

How many words belong on a page? How many panels? In this week's podcast, we uncover the answers by chatting with Pornsak Pichetshote and Jesse Lonergan about their new Boom Studios series, Man's Best. It's a radically personal work about three emotional support animals lost in space, and it forced its creators to rethink their collaborative impulses to achieve the best comic possible. And we're excited to report they pulled it off. Man's Best is, without doubt, one of the year's best comics. In

Apr 10, 2024 • 1:08:03

The Death of Comics Bookcase with Zack Quaintance

We've dreaded this moment for more than a minute. The Death of Comics Bookcase is here. Journalist Zack Quaintance has assembled a mighty fine coffin in the form of a comic book and put his old self into it. Having written for his old site, we'll miss him, but we also recognize this death as a rebirth loaded with possibility, and we can't help but be excited, too. Having dipped his toes into comic-making with Next Door, Zack Quaintance now plunges all the way in with his latest project. The Dea

Apr 3, 2024 • 1:05:50

Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay on Somna

A story is never one story. A story is several stories. It's the story imagined by its author or authors, as is often the case in comics, and it's the story imagined by its many readers. They can be similar or significantly different, but none of them are the same. Never have we been more aware of this phenomenon than when we were talking to Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay about their new comic, Somna. The DSTLRY series gripped us immediately. One issue in, we found ourselves challenged, wrestling

Mar 27, 2024 • 59:14

The Ultimate The Enfield Gang Massacre Interview with Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips

Walk into your local comic book store and give it a good browse. These days, you won't find too many Western comics. When a publisher like Image Comics grants a person the opportunity to make one, they must seize it and run wild. Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips cram The Enfield Gang Massacre with everything they love about the genre. It's got bank robberies, shootouts, and Gatling guns, oh my. When Condon and Phillips last appeared on the podcast, we speculated that The Enfield Gang Massacre an

Mar 19, 2024 • 1:11:14

The Ultimate Tom King Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Interview

Who are we? Who do we want to be? Sometimes, the truth is a lie well told. Tom King returns to the podcast for his most in-depth conversation, breaking down the themes of his iconic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow run and why so much of his personal history wound up within it. Explore no further if you have not already read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. We spoil everything. We've wanted to have this conversation with Tom King since we read the first issue, and it became utterly vital for our well-

Mar 12, 2024 • 1:26:58

The Ultimate Tyler Crook The Lonesome Hunters: The Wolf Child Interview

This week's episode is the conversation we've wanted to have with Tyler Crook from the moment we first read The Lonesome Hunters. Despite already having two wonderful chats with Crook on the record, we couldn't let him rest there. After Dark Horse Comics released the second volume, The Wolf Child, we needed to go full-spoilers, and it appears Tyler Crook needed to do the same thing. We start at the end and work our way back to the beginning, picking through the comic's various themes and how the

Mar 4, 2024 • 1:24:17

Jason Aaron on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -Return to New York

Some birthdays are bigger than others. To properly celebrate the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hitting their forties this year, IDW Publishing is determined to make a fuss regarding our favorite comic book siblings, including, but not limited to, inviting heavyweight scribe Jason Aaron onto their flagship title. The main monthly comic will relaunch with a new number one in July but remain faithful to IDW's continuity, all one hundred and fifty issues of it. This week on Comic Book Couples Counsel

Feb 26, 2024 • 54:16

Tom Scioli on I Am Stan: A Graphic Biography of the Legendary Stan Lee

All biography is autobiography. Nowhere is this more evident than when discussing Tom Scioli's back-to-back books, Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics and I Am Stan: A Graphic Biography of the Legendary Stan Lee. Since his earliest works, Scioli has found himself through his reverence, study, and subversion of the King. Kirby's collaborations with Stan Lee shaped much of our current cultural imagination, and they absolutely reworked Scioli's DNA and continue to do so with each passin

Feb 21, 2024 • 1:08:37

Scott and Emma: Dark X-Men - The Confession

What's in the box!? Scott Summers invites Emma Frost into his mind palace and shows her his special black cube, constructed with a little help from his ex. Gulp. This week, we reach the halfway point in our ScEmma Counseling Session series, discussing Dark X-Men: The Confession as well as Uncanny X-Men issues 518 and 519, which mark the height of their functionality. Yup, it's the top of their hill, and we're not ready to look on the other side. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let

Feb 10, 2024 • 1:27:18

Todd McFarlane: Secrets of His Success

The initial mission was to create a character who would outlast him. Todd McFarlane stared down Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man. He knew he had a character within him that could last beyond his own lifetime; he just had to pull him out. Spawn might not have outlived his maker yet, but he has survived and thrived these last thirty-plus years. As has Todd's action figure empire, McFarlane Toys, celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year. Next month, Spawn continues its record-breaking run, r

Feb 1, 2024 • 1:25:35

Scott and Emma: New X-Men - Here Comes Tomorrow

Today, we get serious about ScEmma. After years of teasing it, we're finally tackling the complicated romance between the X-Men's Scott Summers and Emma Frost. It's a relationship born out of pain and surprise. Maybe it was not meant to last, but we can't ignore the lessons found within their passion. We begin our counseling session at the end of Grant Morrison's iconic New X-Men run, discussing the Assault on Weapon Plus, Planet X, and Here Comes Tomorrow storylines (issues 142 - 154). The psyc

Jan 26, 2024 • 1:51:15

Jadzia Axelrod on Hawkgirl: Once Upon A Galaxy

Regret is a poison we too often sip from in our lives. Resisting its toxin should be easy, but it's a practice we must continuously endure. Thankfully, we have writers like Jadzia Axelrod, who offer stories as gauntlets for us to charge through in our imaginations. Hawkgirl: Once Upon a Galaxy, the latest saga from Axelrod and artist Amancay Nahuelpan, forces Kendra Saunders to reflect on her life and the many past lives that came before and embrace the choices they made as the villainous Vulpec

Jan 16, 2024 • 1:16:24

Flash Gordon at 90: Dan Schkade

Ninety years after his creation, Flash Gordon continues to soar in syndication. Helping us celebrate Alex Raymond's fearless champion this week is current Flash Gordon cartoonist Dan Schkade. Together, we explore why the confident space jock remains relevant and why the electric sexuality associated with the eighties cinematic adaptation is simply an extension of the raw heat present in Raymond's original strips. Since his birth, numerous stylists have had their way with Flash Gordon. He's been

Jan 7, 2024 • 1:28:34

Best Comics of 2023 (Part Two)

We can't put 2023 to bed without releasing our very last episode of the year, The Stampies: The Best Comics of 2023 (Part Two). Continuing the celebration from last week's Part One, we push into several other major categories, highlighting the exceptional art birthed into the universe by this beautiful medium. Aiding our love-in our numerous friends from the comics journalism and podcasting community. Frankly, too many wonderful comics were released in 2023, so it's always a blessing to have fri

Dec 31, 2023 • 1:38:25

Best Comics of 2023 (Part One)

It's here - The Stampies: Best Comics of 2023 (Part One)! For the last two months, we've scrambled to read all the comics we missed during the year and compiled a gargantuan list of favorites. As far as the comics medium was concerned, 2023 was an impressively massive year for quality books. And once again, squeezing the best comics into one CBCC episode proved impossible. Of course, we couldn't read all the comics. So, if there is a personal favorite you see missing from our Stampies, please le

Dec 26, 2023 • 1:18:35

Sarah Myer on Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story

A powerful imagination can be as burdensome as it is liberating. Born in South Korea and adopted at birth by a white couple, Sarah Myer struggled with identity in their rural and frequently antagonistic Maryland community. Cartoons, comics, and cosplay were their escape, but they could also cause Sarah to internalize their emotions. Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story is Sarah Myer's attempt to document their childhood and teenage years, where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sailor Moon off

Dec 22, 2023 • 1:29:14

Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly on Duke and GI Joe (feat. a Robert Kirkman cameo)

This week, we got to get tough - Yo Joe! - with Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly, the creative team behind the new Energon Universe series, Duke. The Man of Action experienced something unexplainable in Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers #2, which rewired his purpose. Now, the Real American Hero is slipping into a "Walking American Nightmare," and General Hawk is concerned. We should all be concerned. Duke #1 lands in shops on December 27th from Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment. It's an

Dec 18, 2023 • 1:00:35

Scott and Emma: New X-Men (5th Anniversary Spectacular)

Five years ago, we launched this podcast with Scott Summers and Jean Grey. Back then, our conversation concluded with a tumultuous debate surrounding Grant Morrison's New X-Men and the complicated three-way that seemingly shattered an iconic Marvel Comics romance. With so much life lived since those early podcasting days, we return to New X-Men issues 127 through 141, this time examining them through the lens of Scott Summers and Emma Frost. Are they the one true pairing? Is the question even fa

Dec 8, 2023 • 2:18:49

Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev on Masterpiece

Peanut butter and chocolate. Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Two great tastes that taste great together. Whether you first encountered their delicious collaboration through Daredevil, Moon Knight, Scarlet, or whatever, once experienced, you must gorge on the rest. And it's an event - an emergency feast - whenever they reunite. Hitting shops on December 13th, Masterpiece from Dark Horse Comics is the next irresistible banquet from Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. In the solicits, you c

Nov 29, 2023 • 1:24:51

Tom Taylor on Titans: Beast World

We invite Tom Taylor onto the show this week to discuss all the tasty relationship dynamics he's been exploring with the Titans ongoing series and why it's taken decades for these twenty-something superheroes to nab their first major DC Comics event book, Titans: Beast World. For too long, the world has relied on Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, but their decrepit Boomer attitudes won't save the day this time. Everyone, please shut up and listen to Beast Boy. The Titans may no longer be teena

Nov 22, 2023 • 46:57

Juni Ba on Mobilis: My Life with Captain Nemo

Dedicated to Jesse Tapia II. "What are you picking up today?" At some point, we all meet Captain Nemo. He's an icon: a literary legend, a Disney villain, and a comic book mainstay. As with Batman, Superman, or any other decades-old character, you probably have your favorite interpretation. Thanks to Juni Ba, there's a new version loose on the planet, and he may very well be our favorite one so far. That's a bold proclamation, but it's Ba, so hyperbole usually quickly transitions into stone-cold

Nov 13, 2023 • 1:19:02

Jeff Smith on The Secret Origin of Bone

At five years old, Jeff Smith brought Fone Bone to life. Immediately enthralled by the characters of Walt Kelly, Charles M. Schulz, Walt Disney, and others, the kid desperately sought to contribute his own creation. While most abandon their childhood ideas, Smith carried Fone Bone into his teenage years, college life, and adulthood. Why? The question rests at the core of this week's episode. We chat with Jeff Smith about his nearly lifelong relationship with Fone Bone and how it evolved from a c

Nov 6, 2023 • 1:26:33

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters: The Ultimate Laura and Chris Samnee Interview

We've wanted to have this conversation with Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee from the moment we read the first issue of Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters. Sure, we've had them on before talking about their beautiful comic celebrating sibling relationships, but we only had half the story. Now the comic is complete and contained in a gorgeously crafted new Deluxe Edition hardcover from Oni Press, and we can go full-spoilers, friends. Don't press play unless you're ready for a proper Comic Book Couple

Oct 31, 2023 • 1:31:08

Kevin Eastman, Jeff Rowe, and the IDW TMNT Crew

This week's episode has all the toppings. Kevin Eastman, Jeff Rowe, Tom Waltz, Gavin Smith, Vincenzo Federici, Sarah Myer, Ben Bishop, Esau Escorza, and Isaac Escorza. If you're a shellhead, you're already flipping out. If you're not, you soon will be. There is no better time to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan. No matter your favorite iteration, there is a comic, cartoon, or movie for you. Brought forth from the sewers nearly forty years ago by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, the Ninja Turt

Oct 27, 2023 • 1:44:55

Kevin Alvir on Lisa Cheese and Ghost Guitar

We return from New York Comic-Con, bursting with stories and conversations. We've never had a show quite like this one, where every corner revealed some incredible new encounter and discussion. Cartoonist Kevin Alvir was there, sliding his way through artist alley, riding high, after recently launching his new graphic novel Lisa Cheese and Ghost Guitar: Attack of the Snack. Having barely absorbed all that we did, we try to put it on the record in this episode, recapping as much as we could while

Oct 19, 2023 • 1:17:43

David Dastmalchian on Count Crowley

Good evening, boils and ghouls. Welcome to a spooktacular conversation with comics scribe David Dastmalchian, discussing his devilishly delicious and wickedly personal horror comic Count Crowley. Currently, two volumes are available from Dark Horse Comics (Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter and Amateur Midnight Monster Hunter), and a third chapter is nearly upon us (Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter hits the comic shops and graveyards on November 8th). To celebrate, Dastmalchian pulled up a coffin

Oct 8, 2023 • 1:04:31

Patrick Horvath on Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

Don't take candy from strangers. Did you ever ask your mom or dad, "Why?" Or were you too afraid? Were you already too good at actively imagining what those strangers would do with you once they got you in the van? Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath brushes against that very particular dread, playing with your nostalgia and injecting grotesque horror into your picturesque youth. Sam the Bear appears as the ideal small-town neighbor. She runs the local hardware store. She has

Sep 29, 2023 • 1:06:36

Dave Chisholm and Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound

Every accomplished creative work is miraculous. Bringing anything over the finish line should be celebrated. However, even rarer are the projects that find their way to the artist whom no one else could compete with regarding that project. Dave Chisholm was seemingly born to adapt Miles Davis' life into comic book form.   Holding a doctorate in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music, Dave Chisholm better understands Miles Davis than most cartoonists. The icon has haunted Chisholm si

Sep 22, 2023 • 1:32:09

Christian Ward on Batman: City of Madness

A particular story has rattled around Christian Ward's imagination for years. It's been there since childhood, really. Since he first encountered Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth. Last year, he sent out a Tweet, taunting the universe to grant his wish - to tell his cosmic Batman saga. Now, we're weeks away from the cosmos' answer. Batman: City of Madness #1 lands on shelves from DC Comics on October 10th. It's a real humdinger, a comic that feels

Sep 15, 2023 • 1:40:35

CBCC 93: Leon & Cody - Light Carries On

Episode 200! Light Carries On by Ray Nadine refuses to allow death to get in the way of a little life-changing romance. We go into session with Leon and Cody, two souls in stasis, unsure how to move forward and afraid their future won't hold happiness. Together, they uncover the beauty they're already living or un-living. You may think you know where Light Carries On will take you, but Ray Nadine blissfully subverts genre convention and delivers a genuinely original ghost story. Only in the last

Sep 8, 2023 • 1:41:03

SDCC 2023: Robert Kirkman & Friends (The Energon Universe)

We close our San Diego Comic-Con International coverage with an epic roundtable conversation with Energon Universe shepherds Robert Kirkman, Sean Mackiewicz, Joshua Williamson, and Daniel Warren Johnson. As you have undoubtedly heard, Skybound Entertainment is the new G.I. Joe and Transformers license holder. They recently launched their shared universe with a new comic book series called Void Rivals, written by Kirkman and illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici, and we think it's the most exciting ev

Aug 28, 2023 • 58:19

SDCC 2023: Nicole Maines on Dreamer

Moving one character from one medium to another is a complex task. Nicole Maines was desperate to see her Dreamer fighting alongside the other DC Comics superheroes. However, when she pitched the idea to the publisher, she didn't expect them to ask her to participate in that process. Quickly, Maines found herself as writer of Dreamer's destiny, and such responsibility was as thrilling as it was daunting. Already, Dreamer has appeared in Superman: Son of Kal-El and the DC crossover event, Lazarus

Aug 21, 2023 • 51:05

SDCC 2023: Todd McFarlane

During this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, finding someone working harder or as urgently as Todd McFarlane would be difficult. He was everywhere, announcing numerous projects one after the other. His partnership with Warner Bros. shows no signs of weakening as they unveiled numerous DC Multiverse figures, including a definitive cinematic Batman six-pack. McFarlane and Count Crowley creator David Dastmalchian revealed their Knights vs. Samurai series. He announced not one but five new

Aug 11, 2023 • 1:00:05

SDCC 2023: Jamie Lee Curtis, Russell Goldman, and Karl Stevens on Mother Nature

The path Mother Nature took to its sequential form is beautifully compelling. When Jamie Lee Curtis was nineteen, an angry story of global catastrophe and corporate greed took root. Time would pass, and along with her co-writer Russell Goldman, she would mold it into a potential movie. Her eventual friendship with New Yorker cartoonist (and former CBCC guest) Karl Stevens would ultimately yield the new graphic novel from Titan Comics. Curtis never imagined herself as a comic creator, but here sh

Aug 7, 2023 • 1:07:29

SDCC 2023: Erik Burnham on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

For most of us, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series is where our shellshocked obsessions began. Now, IDW Publishing returns to this glorious era with their Saturday Morning Adventures offshoot with writer Erik Burnham and artists Tim Lattie, Jack Lawrence, and Dan Schoening busting out all the best Playmates action figures. The new series tickles nostalgic pleasures while keeping itself grounded in the now. Last week, we unleashed an onslaught of creator content to coincide with the

Aug 4, 2023 • 1:01:04

SDCC 2023: Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai on Dogu Publishing

In September, Usagi Yojimbo returns to Dark Horse Comics with the new mini-series Ice and Snow. However, that's just the warm-up. Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai have massive plans for their Dogu Publishing imprint, and we're eager to break it all down with them. Their creative partnership began on a short strip featured in Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz. We go back to their beginning and trace a path to where they are today, creatively and as a romantic couple. How did they know they would

Jul 23, 2023 • 56:52

SDCC 2023: Chris Condon & Jacob Phillip on The Enfield Gang Massacre

When we first started That Texas Blood by Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips, we enjoyed it as a nifty, nasty, clever Western Noir. Now, we're three trade paperbacks in and one issue into their spin-off series, The Great Enfield Gang Massacre, and we think we're reading an epic mythology saga exploring notions of lowercase evil and uppercase Evil. Friends, this is their Hellboy, whether they want to admit it or not. The Enfield Gang Massacre #1 hits shelves courtesy of Image Comics on August 9th. I

Jul 22, 2023 • 1:05:26

SDCC 2023: Adrian Tomine on Shortcomings

Most people cringe a little when they look at their younger selves. Cartoonist Adrian Tomine certainly doesn't love revisiting his older work, but he was challenged to do so when adapting his own graphic novel, Shortcomings, for director Randall Park. We're ecstatic to have Tomine on the podcast today, discussing his recent revisitation of a work that gripped both of us when we cracked the page. The creator is generous with his time, process, and internal life. Shortcomings is - what did TNT use

Jul 21, 2023 • 50:03

SDCC 2023: Paul Cornell on Con and On

The San Diego Comic-Con International is back, and just like last year, we're determined to bring the celebrations to our Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast feed. Whether you're attending the show or not, we aim to bring the con experience to your ears. All week long. Every day of the con, we're dropping one new, rad creator conversation episode. We're kicking things off strong today (Thursday), chatting with celebrated science fiction, television, and comics writer Paul Cornell. His new Ahoy

Jul 20, 2023 • 54:45

CBCC 92: Invincible & Atom Eve - The End of All Things

With four Mark Grayson and Atom Eve counseling sessions already behind us, we finally reach a conclusion regarding their Invincible relationship. In this episode, we discuss the final two trade paperbacks in Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, and Cory Walker's superhero masterpiece, The End of All Things Parts One and Two. While their ending is definitive, their story seemingly remains ongoing. We must reckon with what we're given and how far these characters have and have not grown since we first m

Jul 18, 2023 • 2:11:03

Tyler Crook on The Lonesome Hunters: The Wolf Child

Nearly to the day, Tyler Crook returns to Comic Book Couples Counseling to discuss The Lonesome Hunters, this time digging into its follow-up series, The Wolf Child. As he proved during his last session, Crook is eager to crack open his story and root around inside. There is life here, and we need to know what makes it tick. Centered in this conversation is a paraphrased Jack Kirby quote. In these notes, we'll present it in full as it was spoken during an interview on The Masters of Comic Book A

Jul 13, 2023 • 1:05:24

50 Years of Red Sonja: Shannon and Luke Lieberman

Let the festivities begin! This year, Red Sonja celebrates her fiftieth anniversary, and as caretakers and licensors of the character, Shannon and Luke Lieberman are determined to transform 2023 into a massive birthday bash. A movie is on the horizon. Gail Simone has penned a new book, and a comics series is launching with a new number one written by Torunn Grønbekk and illustrated by Walter Geovani. It's set to release next week (7/19), which just so happens to coincide with the San Diego Comic

Jul 10, 2023 • 1:06:56

Patreon Preview: Sandman #70, plus - an Announcement

For two years, we've discussed The Sandman on our Patreon, one episode at a time, one issue at a time. Periodically, we've dropped certain conversations into the main Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast feed, but it's been a while. Since we're nearly reaching the end of Neil Gaiman's original 75-issue run, we felt compelled to pull a Patreon conversation to all our wonderful listeners' attention. Our "Sleepwalking Through Sandman" Patreon series is an extremely vulnerable experience for us. Li

Jul 4, 2023 • 1:14:45

My Adventures with Superman: In Conversation with the Cast and Creators

Steel yourself. My Adventures with Superman is the Superman story you've been waiting for, friends. The new animated series (set to premiere on Adult Swim on July 6th and on Max the next day) is a joyful exploration, digging deep into what it means to be super. Not just from Clark Kent's perspective but also from Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane's points of view. My Adventures with Superman is a vibrant, radical, and passionate outburst. The cartoon is a relationship saga, beginning just as these three

Jun 26, 2023 • 57:15

Gene Luen Yang on American Born Chinese

It's not up for debate. American Born Chinese, now streaming on Disney+, is 2023's best comic book adaptation. The streaming series miraculously transforms Gene Luen Yang's iconic graphic novel into something unique without betraying the book's characters or core emotions. You can experience both separately from each other or in conversation with each other; they're doing their own thing. On this week's episode, Gene Luen Yang joins the show to discuss the adaptation process and how it somewhat

Jun 22, 2023 • 48:31

Kim-Joy on Turtle Bread

You rarely encounter an accurate depiction of social anxiety in art. At least an accurate depiction that reflects our experience. We found ourselves in Turtle Bread, the new graphic novel from former Great Britsh Bake-Off contestant Kim-Joy. The discovery was thrilling, emotional, and somewhat hard to believe. Here we are, wrapped up inside a gorgeous baking comic wondrously illustrated by Alti Firmansyah. It's a gift we're eager to hand to friends, family, and strangers. Look inside and see the

Jun 14, 2023 • 54:33

CBCC 91: Invincible & Atom Eve - Full House

"This is not my beautiful house! This is not my beautiful wife!" Mark Grayson returns from his Rebooted life to find Atom Eve fully embracing that alien lifestyle and their daughter Tera well into childhood. He's missed so much but doesn't have time to cry about it. Thragg and his brood armada are on the march and thirsty for Grayson blood. We return to Invincible this week and our ongoing Mark and Eve counseling session. We are so close to the comic's climax and freaking out a little. Creators

Jun 6, 2023 • 2:06:27

Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum on Minor Threats

Woe unto the city where the sidekick dies. In Minor Threats, Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt plunge into the chaotic relationship dynamics that fuel the best spandex stories, shifting the microscope toward the C-list, well, maybe the D-List "super" crooks that frequently fall under the boots of top-tier heroes and villains. Kid Dusk is dead. The sinister Stickman pulled the trigger. Now, The Insomniac is on a rampage to secure justice...vengeance...payback. Tomayto, tomahto.  Hoping to restore nor

May 25, 2023 • 58:03

Tom King on Danger Street

Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, Tom King returned! In this episode, we go into the woods and down the dell; the path is straight toward Danger Street! We're talking with the creator about his utterly absurd and equally delightful maxi-series, illustrated by Jorge Fornés, colored by Dave Stewart, lettered by Clayton Cowles, and currently on the stands from DC Comics. What's the tougher task - knocking out another Batman story or creating a narrative where twenty-three random superhero rej

May 18, 2023 • 55:42

Mitch Gerads and Tom King on Batman: The Brave and The Bold

We get highfalutin with Mitch Gerads and Tom King, discussing their latest Dark Knight collaboration, "The Winning Card," as it appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1, out now from DC Comics. The longtime collaborators continue to test each other, pulling the very best from one another and delivering a Batman tale unlike any other. It's Year One for both Bats and Joker. They're looking to prove themselves. They're looking to sell themselves to Gotham City. And sell themselves as something

May 16, 2023 • 59:56

Free Comic Book Day with Jesse Lonergan and Third Eye Comics

We celebrate Free Comic Book Day with Jesse Lonergan and Steve Anderson from Third Eye Comics. Our first-ever spectacular promoting the annual event where comic readers collide to nab free comics but, more importantly, buy comics. Free Comic Book Day is a shop appreciation day, not a customer appreciation day. So, be kind, say thank you, and discover a new universe of titles and characters. Exploration is your mission. In our first portion, we chat extensively with Steve Anderson about his new B

May 6, 2023 • 1:47:43

Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing on Star Trek

Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing return to Comic Book Couples Counseling, discussing their longstanding Star Trek obsession and how they transformed it into a propulsive narrative for the rest of us to enjoy. Their latest IDW Publishing series picks up where Star Trek: Deep Space Nine left off, fulfilling Benjamin Sisko's promise to his son. The Emissary returns from the Wormhole on a mission to halt a God-killing entity while reconnecting with an emotionally anxious Jake Sisko. As longtime Sisk

Apr 24, 2023 • 1:34:26

Patreon Preview: Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson on Justice Warriors

You got comedy in my dystopia! You got dystopia in my comedy! Two great tastes that taste great together! In our latest Creator Cranny conversation, we chat with Pulitzer Prize finalist Matt Bors and Adult Swim filmmaker Ben Clarkson about their righteously hilarious buddy cop sci-fi satire, Justice Warriors. The new book from Ahoy Comics is a viciously funny tale about two Bubble City law enforcers maintaining the peace of the Uninhabited Zone. At the same time, their mayor desperately tries to

Apr 18, 2023 • 1:13:33

CBCC 90: Invincible & Atom Eve - Reboot?

When is a reboot not a reboot? When Robert Kirkman and Invincible are involved. We've reached the halfway point in our Mark and Atom Eve counseling sessions, delving into one of their relationship's most complicated and gut-wrenching moments. Surviving this moment is absolutely critical for themselves and the fate of the universe, and possibly the romance between the two podcasters making this episode! If you could go back in time with the knowledge you possess today, would you do better, be bet

Apr 10, 2023 • 1:47:26

Creator Corner: Evan Narcisse on Milestone 30th Anniversary Special

Thirty years ago, Milestone Media dropped into comic shops. Their books were almost unrecognizable next to the other comics being published at the time. They were politically charged, radically motivated, and bursting with boundless creative energy. Founded by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle, Milestone Media changed the game and delivered iconic characters like Static, Hardware, Blood Syndicate, Rocket, and, yeah, Icon. If you want to understand the context surro

Mar 31, 2023 • 1:01:00

CBCC 89: Invincible & Atom Eve - Modern Family

Few comics feel as epic as Invincible by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley. As such, it presents an incredible challenge for Comic Book Couples Counseling. Where do we start if we want to properly analyze the complicated romantic relationship between Mark Grayson and Samantha Eve Wilkins? For years, the question has gotten in the way of programming our Invincible counseling sessions, but last week, Robert Kirkman himself came to our rescue. We've said this on the podcast before, but w

Mar 23, 2023 • 1:55:40

Robert Kirkman Programs Our Invincible Podcast

Twenty years ago, Robert Kirkman unleashed Invincible upon the planet. The comic represented an opportunity to do everything he ever imagined a superhero comic was capable of doing. Through Image Comics (and what would eventually develop into his own Skybound Entertainment), the comic creator found a narrative freedom that previously proved impossible at the big two comic companies. In the process, he also created an utterly compelling romance that took significant time to develop, causing profo

Mar 13, 2023 • 48:19

The Ultimate Do A Powerbomb! Daniel Warren Johnson Interview

Few comics operate like Do A Powerbomb! Cartoonist Daniel Warren Johnson does his thing (along with genius colorist Mike Spicer), pulling you in with the most incredible, kinetic, and badass panels while slowly engaging your heart and soul. When the comic reaches its jaw-dropping climax, you're shook and probably requiring a little alone time to get all those uncontrollable tears out of your system. Since the very first issue, we've been championing Do A Powerbomb! We've folded the comic into ou

Mar 1, 2023 • 1:30:56

Creator Corner: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing on Clayface

INT. CLAYFACE - DAY/NIGHT/WHATEVER. There are two wolves (desperation and artistic integrity) tearing into each other. The disgraced Basil Karlo will do anything to get his face (or someone else's face atop his face) on the screen again. Unfortunately, even after cheating and slaughtering his way to his goal, Karlo's damn creative principles threaten to ruin his bright lights, big city dreams. Batman: One Bad Day - Clayface #1 is a sensational trip into the murderous mudsliding thespian's soul.

Feb 24, 2023 • 43:17

Creator Corner: Joshua Williamson & Jamal Campbell on Superman

Nothing has a greater influence over your life than your thoughts; rather they are negative or positive. This is true for Superman, Lex Luthor, Brad Gullickson, Lisa Gullickson, Joshua Williamson, and Jamal Campbell. On this week's podcast, we chat with the two comic creators about Clark Kent's impact on their lives as well as his impact on the greater DC Comics universe. Their Superman #1 hits comic shops this Tuesday, and with it comes an exciting new take on the character and those that flock

Feb 18, 2023 • 59:17

Dan Slott on Silver Surfer & Dawn Greenwood: A CBCC Second Opinion

Hang on! Dan Slott joins Comic Book Couples Counseling for an epic, in-depth conversation about his Silver Surfer run, which he did in collaboration with Mike Allred and Laura Allred. No other comic has had as profound an impact on our relationship as this one, especially when you consider that Dawn Greenwood and Norrin Radd were the inspiration for the podcast. In many ways, we've spent our entire time on this show preparing for the deep-dive chat you're about to hear. In creator corner convers

Feb 10, 2023 • 1:45:57

CBCC 88: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- The Last Ronin

We bring our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series to a close with the final Turtle story as envisioned thirty years ago by the original TMNT creators, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. In The Last Ronin, we find the last living Ninja Turtle marching into a Foot Clan-occupied New York City, determined to end the fight that consumed his family. He's beaten, bruised, and maybe a little deluded. After all, the spirits of his three dead brothers haunt his waking world. As discussed in our Martian Manhunt

Feb 2, 2023 • 1:43:02

Creator Corner: Mark Waid, Nicole Maines, & Leah Williams on Lazarus Planet

The latest DC Comics event is here - Lazarus Planet! Spearheaded by Mark Waid and Gene Luen Yang and carried forth by writers like Nicole Maines and Leah Williams, the crossover radically alters DC's science-based and magic-based heroes. Chaos rains, and chaos reigns. Heroes transformed. Secrets revealed. Powers unleashed. As seen in Batman vs. Robin #4, Lazarus Island has exploded. Dangerous, magical chemicals spread across the globe, catastrophically changing the atmosphere and the heroes who

Jan 19, 2023 • 1:07:37

Creator Corner: Kelly Thompson and Meredith McClaren on Black Cloak

We like big worlds, and we cannot lie. We like them, even more, when they come packed in extra thick premiere issues. Black Cloak #1 from creators Kelly Thompson and Meredith McClaren is the first event comic of 2023. It presents a massive, fantastical world jammed with magic, mystery, and mermaids. One part procedural, one part political intrigue, all parts pointedly compelling and weird as hell. After devouring the first three issues, we came away from Black Cloak wickedly captivated and brimm

Jan 15, 2023 • 1:05:41

Creator Corner: Alex Segura on Blood Oath and The Black Ghost

We can't quit vampires. Just when you think you've seen every mythological iteration, a creator comes along with a new take on the bloodsuckers. Blood Oath by Alex Segura, Rob Hart, and Joe Eisma arrived before our eyeballs at the perfect moment. The vicious vampire twist that plops our favorite fanged beasts amongst the gangs puppeteering the Prohibition era was the most delightful way for Lisa to extend her current undead obsession, ignited mostly by her recent Twilight re-read. She will not a

Jan 10, 2023 • 1:10:45

The Best Comics of 2022 (Part Two)

Determining the Best Comics of 2022 requires more space than the usual Comic Book Couples Counseling conversation. More space and several more voices! In Part Two of our epic year-end celebration, we invite another cool cadre of guests on the show to name their favorite books from the previous year. Several titles you may expect, but a whole bunch of others should come as a surprise. We're not NPR, we're not IGN. We're the CBCC Podcast! If you missed last week's selection of great books, click H

Jan 6, 2023 • 1:40:14

The Best Comics of 2022 (Part One)

HAP...PY NEW YEAR! We close out December doing what we love most: rambling about comic books! And this year, we're joined by a bevy of guests who help us recognize the Best Comics of 2022. We've scurried and scrambled during the last several weeks, racing to read and re-read as many comic books as possible. 2022 was a banner year for the industry, certainly in terms of quality. Narrowing our two-part end-of-the-year extravaganza down to a few handfuls of books proved nearly impossible. Thankfull

Dec 31, 2022 • 1:14:04

Creator Corner: Alisa Kwitney on G.I.L.T.

Close your eyes. Picture the longest strand of regret dangling in your memory. Want to clip it? What would your life be like if you could go back in time and fix that one annoying problem? In G.I.L.T. (the Guild of Independent Lady Temporalists), writer Alisa Kwitney proposes the possibility for at least one woman to repair her calamitous history and, in the process, drop an unwitting sidekick into the tricky solution as well. The acerbic science fiction adventure from Ahoy Comics is one of the

Dec 24, 2022 • 1:14:55

Creator Corner: Chris Condon & Jacob Phillips on That Texas Blood

'Twas the week before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring - EXCEPT Two-Gun Khamen, the rootinest, tootinest cowboy mummy this side of the Pecos. This week, we're dipping into young Billy Coates' wild imagination as he regales his folks with a rip-roaring adventure saga, which serves as the backbone for That Texas Blood #20, the second twisted Christmas Special from comic creators Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips. Billy's strange tale is a most excellent jumping-on po

Dec 12, 2022 • 1:18:26

CBCC 87: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Archie Comics

When the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon erupted in popularity, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird required a comic book that kids could flock toward, which could not be their original hyper-violent Mirage Studios series. In 1988, they partnered with the industry's most wholesome brand, Archie Comics, launching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.  The second TMNT comic series began with strict adaptations of the cartoon but quickly swerved down far weirder avenues. Under the guidance of Rya

Dec 5, 2022 • 1:36:31

Creator Corner: Alex Ross on Fantastic Four: Full Circle

We've waited a long time for this one, but maybe not as long as our guest spent percolating on his subject. Alex Ross exhausted years thinking and rethinking the Fantastic Four. He desired a graphic reinterpretation of the characters that launched the Marvel Comics universe. A new coat of paint that would highlight what was so incredible about the sixties space race characters without tethering them to basic nostalgia. Fantastic Four: Full Circle spins directly from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's ico

Nov 24, 2022 • 1:11:48

Creator Corner: Alex Ross on Fantastic Four: Full Circle

We've waited a long time for this one, but maybe not as long as our guest spent percolating on his subject. Alex Ross exhausted years thinking and rethinking the Fantastic Four. He desired a graphic reinterpretation of the characters that launched the Marvel Comics universe. A new coat of paint that would highlight what was so incredible about the sixties space race characters without tethering them to basic nostalgia. Fantastic Four: Full Circle spins directly from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's ico

Nov 24, 2022 • 27:37

Creator Corner: Luke Lieberman, Ryan Silbert, & Bill Sienkiewicz

Stan Lee's 100th birthday is next month, and we're getting a jump on the celebrations. Joining us on the show this week are comic creators Luke Lieberman, Ryan Silbert, and Bill Sienkiewicz, discussing their collaboration on Alliances: Orphans. The new graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment springs from Lee's imagination and is further shaped into reality by Lieberman and Silbert. The comic is a cosmic adventure following the Orphans, a ragtag band of desperados who found each other after the

Nov 17, 2022 • 1:01:22

Creator Corner: Dan Jurgens on The Death of Superman

Thirty years ago, Superman died. Then, he came back. We remember the event as a gimmick done to boost sales. Sure. Okay. However, the storyline had a massive impact on the readership, including our young Brad. Today,  DC Comics recalls the fictional catastrophe in The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special, exploring the lingering trauma of Kal-El's death. We chat with Dan Jurgens, the original Death of Superman co-architect, about what it was like to kill the Man of Steel, resurrect him, an

Nov 9, 2022 • 57:02

CBCC 86: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -Mirage Studios

Nearly forty years ago, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sprung from the Jack Kirby and Frank Miller-obsessed brains of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Pop culture was forever altered. For the better. In this week's episode, we continue to explore the sibling dynamics between the four mutant brothers: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. This time, however, we go back to the beginning, flipping through the pages of the first seven Mirage Studios issues. What we find within feels famili

Nov 2, 2022 • 1:46:49

Creator Corner: Todd McFarlane & Greg Capullo on Batman/Spawn

There are event comics, and then there are EVENT comics. This December, Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo reunite for the new Batman/Spawn crossover, a comic book clash two decades in the making. It's a rematch many thought would never occur, but its possibility put every reader on notice. No one wants to miss out on this back alley rumble. Equally as legendary as the icons squaring off against each other are the creators themselves. McFarlane and Capullo's partnership solidified during Spawn's ea

Oct 22, 2022 • 49:55

Comic Book Couples Conning: New York Comic-Con w/Matt Lesniewski

We've attended many comic conventions, but none quite like the New York Comic-Con. In this week's episode, we plunge into our #NYCC experience, detailing how this convention differentiates from other shows like San Diego and Baltimore. We run you through the show floor, the many eating options, the glorious cosplay, and the never-ending artist's alley. Returning CBCC guest Matt Lesniewski also joins us for an in-depth discussion about his new comic book, Faceless and the Family. As he tells us,

Oct 14, 2022 • 1:31:08

A Werewolf by Night Special Presentation: Michael Giacchino & Andy Park

We promised on the last episode that we would return from the Fantastic Fest film festival with some seriously cool filmmaker conversations, but we had no idea we would come back with these two rad discussions. We're thrilled to have Michael Giacchino and Andy Park on the show this week, chatting about their Marvel Studios experiences and how they're transforming their childhood comic book obsessions into a live-action reality. These two geeks have done so much good for their nerd community. Up

Oct 4, 2022 • 57:09

CBCC 85: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The 1990 Movie

"You were expecting maybe the Addams Family?" After years of covering romantic love on the podcast, we're shifting gears by exploring sibling love, and we're doing that through the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Donatello, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, and Raphael - the four brothers raised by their Master Splinter in the art of invisibility. Insert the obligatory, "Cowabunga!" Our new four-part (maybe five-part, stay tuned) series begins with the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie directed by St

Sep 20, 2022 • 1:41:13

Creator Corner: Mathew Klickstein on See You in San Diego

Geek culture? Nope. Just culture. The evidence is all around you. In this week's episode, we're joined by author Mathew Klickstein talking about his new book, See You in San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture. Klickstein's massive tome is a beast of a feast, and one not only San Diego Comic-Con obsessives will enjoy. Inside, you'll find numerous wild characters. Yes, folks like Neil Gaiman, Kevin Smith, and Scott Aukermanare present, but wait until you m

Sep 13, 2022 • 1:08:39

Creator Corner: Brian Michael Bendis & André Lima Araújo on Phenomena: The Golden City of Eyes

Episode 150! "Not an apocalypse...something far more interesting." André Lima Araújo and Brian Michael Bendis celebrate our 150th episode by providing an immensely eclectic conversation discussing their new all-ages sci-fi adventure saga, Phenomena: The Golden City of Eyes. These two creators are two great tastes that taste great together despite their frequently contradictory points of view. As you'll hear, Araújo and Bendis see the world quite differently, but their opposing sensibilities unle

Sep 6, 2022 • 1:43:21

CBCC 84: Angela & Sera - Queen of Hel

We conclude our Angela & Sera sessions by journeying into the FUNderworld! After two tumultuous mini-series, our Hevenly warriors finally get to spend some time together...jumping through Hela's hoops and the various trials of Hel. If these two lovers must have a climax, Angela: Queen of Hel is the best one for them. The seven-issue storyline subverts expectations and challenges the two Marvelous bounty hunters in ways unimagined after their last two quests together: Angela: Asgard's Assassin an

Aug 28, 2022 • 1:35:06

Creator Corner: Attack Peter & The Walking Dead: Last Mile

We conclude our San Diego Comic-Con International coverage with a massive Skybound Entertainment celebration. In part one of this week's episode, we're joined by Attack Peter, the master artist and Kaiju-wrangler, who nearly brought the house down during the Up From the Depth's: Toho's Godzilla panel. His new, titanic creation Takoro: The Last Dorok is on the verge of worldwide domination, and we already want all the toys even before his Kickstarter campaign has launched. In this episode's secon

Aug 12, 2022 • 1:20:00

Creator Corner: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, & the Paper Girls cast

Yes, we're back from the San Diego Comic-Con International and we've returned with one of the wildest conversations we've had so far. Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang climax this week's episode, chatting about the new Paper Girls adaptation streaming on Amazon. However, they're not the only ones gabbing with us. We were lucky enough to chat with the entire Paper Girls cast, as well as showrunner Chris Rogers. Our latest Creator Corner conversation was recorded in a press room, roundtable style.

Jul 31, 2022 • 1:09:49

Creator Corner: Tom King and Elsa Charretier on Love Everlasting

Love is a trap, especially if you're Joan Peterson tumbling terrifyingly through numerous romantic scenarios in the new Image Comics series Love Everlasting. Creators Tom King and Elsa Charretier satirize and celebrate the young romance comics, once mastered by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. In the process, they savagely comment on the culture and business of love. King and Charretier climax our San Diego Comic-Con International coverage, joining us on the show and sharing their philosophy surroundin

Jul 23, 2022 • 56:28

Creator Corner: Scott Snyder Returns!

Scott Snyder is back on Comic Book Couples Counseling! The comic creator returns to the show for a joyfully thoughtful conversation discussing his next round of Best Jackett Press/ComiXology Originals: Barnstormers, Canary, and Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine. In this episode, we start our conversation with the San Diego Comic-Con International and what makes this year different from any other  - besides the pandemic, obviously. Presenting your own comics to the con crowd is unique from pr

Jul 21, 2022 • 1:17:41

Creator Corner: Matt Kindt on Flux House

When is a comic no longer a comic? Matt Kindt is determined to find out with his new Dark Horse Comics imprint, Flux House. The comic creator has always strived to push the art form, but he feels he can go even crazier and further by breaking the norms. The new four-part Mind MGMT: Bootleg series, made in collaboration with artists Farel Dalrymple, Jill Thompson, David Rubín, and Matt Lesniewski, is simply stage one in what's sure to be a revolutionary play to alter comics. In this episode, we c

Jul 19, 2022 • 54:02

Creator Corner: James Asmus & Jim Festante on Survival Street

Today's episode is brought to you by the letters W-T-F? Writers James Asmus and Jim Festante join us for a very special Creator Corner to discuss their new apocalyptic puppet caper comic Survival Street, which hits shops on August 3rd. Get that banana out of your ear, because we've got something else to shove in it. Now is a weird time to be alive. Frequently, hope seems out of reach. More and more, our neighbors appear to be strangers. If only the public access puppets of our youth could help u

Jul 17, 2022 • 1:01:35

CBCC 83: Angela & Sera -1602 Witch Hunter Angela

Love doesn't come easy for Angela & Sera. After experiencing dastardly deceit and catastrophic revelation in Angela: Asgard's Assassin, Doctor Doom remakes the universe and dumps our Hevenly lovers in a Battleworld territory trapped in the Elizabethan age, Neil Gaiman's 1602. 1602: Witch Hunter Angela finds our couple serving a vengeful deity, tracking and slaying Witchbreed. However, when an even more dangerous threat appears - the Faustians - Angela & Sera hop to a new genocidal mission. In do

Jul 12, 2022 • 1:37:51

Creator Corner: Tyler Crook on The Lonesome Hunters

We should all take notice when a comic like The Lonesome Hunters comes around. It is a singular creation from a singular creator. After percolating on the idea for a decade, Tyler Crook has put his entire being into the story of Howard, Lupe, the magic sword, and the magpies. You can sense tremendous consideration and emotional excavation occurring on every page of the first issue, and it excites the reader beyond the narrative experience. The Lonesome Hunters is a pure comic book, and no other

Jul 5, 2022 • 1:11:19

CBCC 82: Angela & Sera - Asgard’s Assassin

Nothing for Nothing! Angela and Sera are one of the most hotly requested couples from our listeners, and we're ecstatic to finally bring them into session using the Marvel Comics mini-series, Angela: Asgard's Assassin. For at least one of these Hevenly creatures, every action has a cost and every debt must be paid. Such obsession can create dangerous internal turmoil, especially after you've kidnapped your newborn sister from your parents who thought you were dead. Never mind your younger step-b

Jun 23, 2022 • 1:40:00

Patreon Preview: Sandman #17 - Morpheus and Calliope

With the recent Sandman trailer drop, the world seems re-energized regarding all things Dream King. We are here for it. In fact, we've been reading Neil Gaiman's epic series one issue at a time/one week at a time for more than a year now and recording our thoughts through our Patreon feed. Our Sleepwalking Through Sandman episodes are some of our favorite conversations that we've had in the Love Nest, made all the better by our Patrons providing context and history every week. When we initially

Jun 14, 2022 • 1:17:15

Creator Corner: Chip Zdarsky & Jason Loo on The All-Nighter

Artist Jason Loo wanted to make a vampire comic and get away from superheroes. Chip Zdarsky said, "Sure, but what if the vampires were hiding in plain sight as superheroes? And what if...uh...a whole bunch of other weird stuff was involved?" The All-Nighter from ComiXology Originals is a wild comic where every issue drops another bomb that is somehow wilder than the last. This week, Jason Loo and Chip Zdarsky join us in the Love Nest to explain why hats upon hats are a good thing, no matter what

Jun 1, 2022 • 1:00:11

Creator Corner: Kyle Starks on I Hate This Place

Aliens and monsters and slashers, oh my! Kyle Starks didn't want to play with any one creature feature, so he threw them all into I Hate This Place. His new kitchen sink horror comic made in collaboration with Artyom Topilin, Lee Loughridge, and Pat Brosseau is a wild, far-out terror experience that feels unlike any other project he's put out before while also remaining true to his distinct oddball voice. Kyle Starks has wanted to tell this tale for a while, and I Hate This Place's first issue r

May 23, 2022 • 56:50

Samurai Rabbit with Stan Sakai & The Usagi Chronicles Creative Team

On the show this week, we welcome Stan Sakai and the creative force behind the new Netflix series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles. Yeah, we can hardly believe it, either. After decades of anticipation, Miyamoto Usagi, the classic comic book character, finally has his own show. Kinda. But don't let that "kinda" worry you. It's all good. Adaptation is a scary concept when you love something as much as we love Usagi Yojimbo. Stan Sakai's comic is legendary. Few have ever dabbled in his world.

May 9, 2022 • 1:14:49

Creator Corner: Jeff Smith on Tuki

We owe our imagination to Jeff Smith. His masterpiece, Bone, shaped our inner lives, molding our philosophies as much as our creativity. It's a work so profound it's nearly impossible to consider that any future work could ever live up to its brilliance. But then we read Tuki: Fight for Fire and Tuki: Fight for Family. We now welcome these comics into our hearts, beating side by side with the Bone cousins.  Two million BCE. Multiple human species existed alongside each other. We live and breathe

Apr 28, 2022 • 1:16:55

CBCC 81: Marko & Alana - Saga Volume 9

Goodbye, Marko & Alana. We're not ready. No other comic book couple has occupied as much space on our podcast as these two. Therefore, it's not terribly surprising that our final conversation discussing their epic romance is our BIGGEST EPISODE EVER! You probably remember where you were when you first read Saga #54. And you probably remember exactly how its last few pages made you feel. Saga Volume 9 is a tough storyline to process, and we've had years to do it. We trudge through the comic, prac

Apr 21, 2022 • 2:17:01

Creator Corner: Jeff Lemire & Andrea Sorrentino on The Bone Orchard Mythos

In this week's episode, we offer a warning. The Bone Orchard Mythos from Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino represents a layer of dread not previously explored by the creators. The new shared universe from Image Comics is the first time Lemire and Sorrentino have fully plunged themselves into the horror genre.  Oh, you thought Gideon Falls was creepy? Sure, it got under your skin, but as you'll hear in our conversation with Lemire and Sorrentino, The Bone Orchard Mythos finds the collaborators da

Apr 8, 2022 • 1:02:51

CBCC 80: Marko & Alana - Saga Volume 8

When you think Saga, you think of "fun-filled" adventures, right? Oh, and tears. So many, many tears. Welcome to our penultimate episode discussing the heroically heartbreaking relationship between Marko & Alana. No other comic book couple has preoccupied as much space on our podcast as this one, and as we approach their end, we prepare to embrace our own grief as well as theirs. Helping us grapple with sorrow is author Helen Russell and her book, "How to Be Sad: The Key to a Happier Life: Every

Mar 29, 2022 • 1:21:14

Creator Corner: Chris Samnee & Laura Samnee on Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters

Breaking News! Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee join us in the love nest to discuss their new all-ages comic book series, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters. Yeah, we're just as surprised about their appearance here as you are, but we're mostly beyond excited to have our first creative couples session with those responsible for one of our favorite comics on the stands. Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a lovingly warm adventure tale set in a world of titanic beasts. With their dad missing, Rainbo

Mar 22, 2022 • 1:03:32

CBCC 79: Marko & Alana - Saga Vols. 6 & 7

In Saga, Marko & Alana cannot escape sadness. Rather than running, they lean into it, and by sharing their sorrow, they gain strength. Any Star Trek V: The Final Frontier fans out there? Sybok knew what was up. We race toward Saga's halfway point and the tragic cliffhanger ending to end all tragic cliffhanger endings, which is really saying something when discussing Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' sci-fi romance masterpiece. As we did the last episode, we consulted Helen Russell's "How to Be

Mar 14, 2022 • 1:27:21

CBCC 78: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 5

Saga is back! And if Saga is back, then we better get back to investigating Marko & Alana's tumultuous, universe-threatening romance. After we finished Saga Volume 4 on the podcast two years ago, we took a break, waiting for Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples to get back into the business of publishing rad comics. It took a little longer than we expected, but the single issues are flowing again, and it's time for us to catch up. Knowing how challenging Saga can be on our emotions, we thought the

Feb 28, 2022 • 1:18:22

Creator Corner: Garth Ennis on Battle Action

Battle! Action! To hear Garth Ennis explain it, these two British publications are responsible for the comic book landscape we're all living in today. Without their influence, the Briitish invasion would never have occurred in the states - no Watchmen, no Sandman, no Preacher. No, thank you. This week, Garth Ennis joins us to discuss his upcoming Battle Action Special as well as his Hawk the Slayer sequel (wait, what? Yes!) from 2000 AD. From there, we gain a better understanding of how Garth En

Feb 18, 2022 • 58:03

Creator Corner: Skottie Young on I Hate Fairyland

Oh, Muffin Fluffer! Skottie Young joins us for a deep dive discussion about his creative process, his obsession with relationship stories, and what we can expect when I Hate Fairyland returns in July. Right now, we're witnessing a significant moment in his creative evolution. With books like Strange Academy and The Me You Love in the Dark, Skottie plunges into himself and pulls out relatable turmoil for all of us to consume. In the process, we all become better people. Teaming up with fellow cre

Feb 4, 2022 • 1:03:02

Creator Corner: Mark Siegel on 5 Worlds: The Emerald Gate

Five years since the first 5 Worlds published, comic creator Mark Siegel joins us to discuss the final graphic novel chapter, The Emerald Gate. These stories represent more than the epic quest they depict; they're a creative collision resulting from five artistic talents aligning in harmonious imagination. Like the characters within 5 Worlds, these collaborators were changed by the journey, and we were giddy to chat with Siegel about the impact his characters and their creation had on him and hi

Jan 29, 2022 • 52:54

A Mignolaverse Celebration with Rob Williams & Warwick Johnson-Cadwell

This week, comic creators Rob Williams and Warwick Johnson-Cadwell join us to discuss their new contributions to The Mignolaverse, The Sword of Hyperborea and Falconspeare. They're both incredible comics, totally different from each other, but they absolutely belong together within Mike Mignola's apocalyptic landscape. The Mignolaverse commands a very special corner within the Love Nest. Mike Mignola's Hellboy comics were the first comics Brad ever put into Lisa's hands. It was an insane, and ma

Jan 20, 2022 • 1:25:34

The Best Comics of 2021 (Part Two)

Here it is—The Best Comics of 2021 (Part Two). As far as comics were concerned, the year was simply too marvelous. We had to stretch the celebration across two episodes. If you haven't already listened to The Best Comics of 2021 (Part One), you can find it by clicking HERE. As with that previous episode, we invited numerous friends onto the show to help us with this party. We are humbled by their enthusiasm and their generosity. It's an honor to have them partake; please seek them out via the li

Jan 13, 2022 • 1:24:03

The Best Comics of 2021 (Part One)

Sorting through The Best Comics of 2021 was no easy task. In an utterly bugnuts year, the medium produced numerous brilliant works. Putting our heads together, we created thirteen categories (that are very CBCC) and split them over two EPIC episodes. Welcome to Part One, the Thunderdome. With 2021 being a banger year for comic books, we invited some friends onto the show to name their favorites. You will hear some familiar titles, but we believe you'll also encounter several discoveries. And whi

Jan 11, 2022 • 55:15

CBCC 77: Carmen & Hwen - The Second Life of Doctor Mirage (Part Two)

We say goodbye to 2021 with our final conversation on The Second Life of Doctor Mirage. Carmen and Hwen are GOALS; they're a high-functioning power couple that work best when they rely on each other's exceptional skills. We need more comic book couples like this one, friends. We have more to learn from them than they do from us. And we can certainly learn more from them than we can this week's "Love Ecccchhhhhspert." Lisa is still raging against the machine in this episode. Just sit back and enj

Dec 31, 2021 • 1:36:25

CBCC 76: Carmen & Hwen - The Second Life of Doctor Mirage (Part One)

The Second Life of Doctor Mirage presents a rare commodity in comics, a functioning romantic couple. Carmen and Hwen are two butt-kicking parapsychologists with unique abilities that complement each other. They've experienced a lot of weirdness in their relationship, and it has prepared them for the ultimate paranormal trip - when Hwen becomes an incorporeal specter! In this week's episode, we examine one of the most underrated couples in comics and discover heaps of inspiration for ourselves. Y

Dec 13, 2021 • 1:38:45

CBCC Crossover: Deathmate with Ten Cent Takes

Worlds collide as Image Comics and Valiant Comics smash their ugly bits and produce DEATHMATE, the most epic crossover event in comics? Perhaps! This week, we join the Ten Cent Takes podcast to discuss this mondo bizarro mini-series that dared to shake the industry in the early nineties. And the best bit? At the center of Deathmate is a catastrophic love affair between WildC.A.T.S.' Void and Solar: Man of the Atom. This means we get to throw The Five Love Langues into the mix in an effort to mak

Dec 4, 2021 • 2:08:43

CBCC Creator Corner: Scott Snyder on His ComiXology First Wave

We welcome Scott Snyder onto the show to discuss his EPIC collaboration with ComiXology as well as numerous other projects and philosophies. And, yes, we talk Batman. Snyder has written some of our all-time favorite comic books, from The Court of Owls to American Vampire to Nocterra. If he writes a book, we buy that book. We would be thrilled to chat with him about any number of those titles, but we've caught him at an incredible turning point in his career, and dammit, we were super lucky to do

Nov 25, 2021 • 1:33:38

CBCC 75: Dinah & Ollie - Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding

Till Death Do They Part! When it comes to Green Arrow and Black Canary - that's been there, done that. They don't let a corpse get in the way of their romance. After years of hot, steaming action and betrayal, Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance finally tie the knot. In response, every hero and villain turn out for the festivities, and a terrible and most upsetting tragedy occurs when the smoke clears. We close out our conversation on DC Comics' sexiest couple by covering their nuptials and the 14-issu

Nov 18, 2021 • 1:28:16

CBCC Creator Corner: Mark Waid on The History of Science Fiction

Let's talk science fiction. And let's talk about it with Mark Waid. Wait, what? Oh yes, this episode is a very special and wild Creator Corner conversation. We sit down with the Humanoids Publisher (and writer behind Kingdom Come, Justice League: The Tower of Babel, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Black Widow - AHHHHHHH! So Many!) to discuss their new graphic novel adventure, The History of Science Fiction. Waid considers this comic by Xavier Dollo and Djibril Morissette-Phan "the crown jewel" produc

Nov 11, 2021 • 43:37

CBCC Creator Corner: Douglas Wolk on All of the Marvels

Author Douglas Wolk is no mere mortal. He's done what few, if any, have dared to do. Wolk read every Marvel superhero comic, all 27,000+, and compiled what he learned from this massive endeavor into his own epic tome, All of the Marvels. His book is a must-read for all comic book maniacs, and it was an absolute honor to chat with him about this grand experiment and discuss the life lessons he's learned as a result. For many, comics appear as an impenetrable mountain. Where do you begin? Who's th

Oct 31, 2021 • 1:03:52

Comic Book Couples Conning: Baltimore Comic-Con 2021

After two years, we returned to the Baltimore Comic-Con and it was everything we needed it to be. We saw some friends, we met new friends. We bought some old comics, we bought some new comics. And, yeah, we stood in some lines, but as you should know, we love lines! Not only that, we were able to meet up with comic book creators Kat Calamia and Phil Falco and talk to them in person, having just spoken to them via Zencastr, about their new Kickstarter project, Slice of Life! In this week's episod

Oct 27, 2021 • 1:07:17

CBCC 74: Dinah & Ollie: Green Arrow - Quiver

With Green Arrow: Quiver, Kevin Smith and Phil Hester resurrect the Emerald Archer in a fantastical fashion, forcing Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance to stare directly into the abyss that is their relationship. This epic comic book series goes a long way in celebrating everything we love and love-to-loathe about these two characters, and it makes for one of our best couple sessions so far. Helping us sort through the romantic turmoil is love expert Megan Lundgren and her self-help guide Relationship

Oct 18, 2021 • 1:36:31

Patreon Preview: Reading Sandman for the First Time

Neil Gaiman's Sandman is one of the most highly regarded epics in comics. It seems like everyone's already read it, but nope! Not us! Over on our Patreon, we've decided to finally tackle the DC Comics masterpiece one issue at a time. That's right, 75 issues, 75 episodes! And we want to make sure that all of our listeners get a chance to jump on board this massive adventure. This week mark's the one-year anniversary of our Patreon feed. We're extremely proud of the community we've built around Co

Oct 6, 2021 • 48:23

CBCC 73: J‘onn J‘onzz & M‘yri‘ah J‘onzz - Martian Manhunter: Identity

Martian Manhunter! The glue that holds the Justice League together! But before that can ever happen, the last Martian known as J'onn J'onzz must come to terms with his own shameful history and the horrendous loss of his beloved M'yri'ah and daughter K'hym. Helping us confront such tremendous sorrow is Dr. Katherine Shear and The Center for Complicated Grief and their article, "H.E.A.L.I.N.G. Milestones: What To Expect from Grief."  We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to partake in an ep

Sep 29, 2021 • 1:22:50

CBCC 72: Dinah & Ollie - The Longbow Hunters

When discussing Green Arrow and Black Canary, sooner or later, you must come to The Longbow Hunters. The 1987 three-issue prestige format series from DC Comics and Mike Grell attempted to pull Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance from the fanciful world of spandex and capes and drop them into the gritty reality of Seattle Washington. No more trick arrows, no more maniacal superpowered maniacs. It's time for "unspeakable violence" from all parties. The Longbow Hunters finds Oliver Queen facing a midlife

Sep 17, 2021 • 1:22:07

CBCC 71: Dinah & Ollie - Justice League of America

Some couples have bumpy starts, but Dinah Drake Lance and Oliver Queen put anyone's awkward first encounters to shame. Hailing from two separate universes and with one dead husband lying between them, Black Canary and Green Arrow require some serious me-time before securing their romantic solidarity, but that doesn't stop Ollie from making his move while poor Larry Lance is barely cold in the ground. We begin our four-episode series investigating the Black Canary/Green Arrow romance by exploring

Sep 5, 2021 • 1:26:08

The Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary Party Special

August 8th, 2021, The Fantastic Four celebrated their 60th Anniversary, and we're pulling out the red carpet and setting a birthday cake ablaze in their honor. And we're not partying alone; we've invited some of our bestest comic book creator friends over to the Love Nest to help champion Marvel's First Family.  On this week's show, we have Fantastic Four: Grand Design cartoonist Tom Scioli (back on the show), Marvel's Executive Editor and Senior Vice President, Tom Brevoort, Stan and Jack comic

Aug 24, 2021 • 59:37

CBCC 70: Scott & Jean - A What If Wedding Album

Are Scott Summers and Jean Grey of the Uncanny X-Men meant to be? Are any of us? Is true love possible? We return to the comic book couple that started it all for us, Cyclops and Marvel Girl/Phoenix as experienced in "A What If Wedding Album." Oh, and is that Wolverine waiting in the wings? You're damn right. Snikt Snikt, Bang Bang. And if we're returning to Scott and Jean that means we must also return to Gary Chapman and The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. We consider the L

Aug 16, 2021 • 1:22:40

CBCC 69: Loki & Loki - Journey into Mystery

Are we capable of change? Kid Loki sure hopes so as Asgard explodes into flames in the climactic Journey Into Mystery storyline, "Everything Burns." While his past self literally infects his brain, taking the shape of the devilish magpie Ikol, Loki attempts to rectify his sins by making a few new ones. And in the telling, we come face to face with everything we love and hate about comics. Helping us unpack Loki's deceptive self-loathing strategy, we're using Ellen Michaud's "Twelve Ways to Forgi

Aug 7, 2021 • 1:28:45

CBCC Emergency Podcast Broadcast: Beta Ray Bill No. 5 -The Finale

Beta Ray Bill’s Final Fight with the fire demon Surtr is a knockdown, dragout brawl, but it’s those brutally contemplative final pages that really left us aching. On this week’s show, we’re calling an Emergency Podcast into session, so that we can discuss Daniel Warren Johnson’s final chapter in his Beta Ray Bill mini-series. It is everything we wanted it to be, despite it not at all being what we thought it would be. No spoilers here, but there will be plenty of spoilers found within the episod

Jul 29, 2021 • 50:51

Creator Corner: Daniel Warren Johnson on Beta Ray Bill

We're casting off Thor's shadow this week as we chat with Daniel Warren Johnson about Beta Ray Bill, the five-issue mini-series from Marvel Comics that reaches its epic conclusion this Wednesday. As is already well documented on this podcast, we're obsessive maniacs regarding Johnson's comics. We think Beta Ray Bill might be his finest achievement yet, which is crazy to say considering the obvious genius that is Murder Falcon and Wonder Woman: Dead Earth. We asked Johnson to help us wade through

Jul 23, 2021 • 1:12:03

CBCC Celebration: Richard Donner's Superman - The Movie

Richard Donner is gone, but his films and their impact on the culture remain. We could not let his passing occur without taking a moment to celebrate the director who gave us so many incredible stories, including the film that ushered in a new era of "serious" comic book entertainment and kickstarted our current cinematic landscape, Superman: The Movie. To help us properly honor this utterly iconic adventure, we're joined by Clark Kent obsessive Shawn Eastridge of the Missing Frames podcast. Sha

Jul 17, 2021 • 1:42:07

CBCC 68: Reed & Sue - Fantastic Four Marvel NOW!

Welcome to National Lampoon's Fantastic Four, aka the rebooted Marvel NOW! For our final episode delving into the romance between Reed Richards and Sue Richards, we're going on a cosmic road trip and unpacking all sixteen issues of FF volume four. Did you think tensions were tight during Civil War? Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet. As we've done for every FF episode, we're using Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How To Make Your Life Better (a

Jul 8, 2021 • 1:54:57

Patreon Preview: Loki & Loki in Loki Episode 3 - Lamentis

Sometimes you gotta embrace the Loki within. This week we're playing trickster, sharing a Patreon episode in our main feed because we had too much dang fun recording it. Are you all caught up on the God of Mischief's Disney+ series? No? Well, you better get caught up as we're going full-spoilers on Episode 3, "Lamentis." We're deeply enjoying this latest installment in the MCU, and this episode in particular truly speaks to what we do here on Comic Book Couples Counseling. We're all about relati

Jun 26, 2021 • 49:43

Creator Corner: A TKO Studios Spectacular!

TKO Studios is the Criterion Collection of comic books. Every release is a blind-buy, and we try not to miss a one. As such, it's an incredible delight to have Editor-In-Chief Sebastian Girner and writer/artist Juni Ba on the show this week. TKO is making its first serious move into the Young Adult (YA) market with three new graphic novels: Djeliya, Scales and Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander, and Scales and Scoundrels Book 2: The Festival of Life. All three are currently available, and w

Jun 18, 2021 • 1:28:34

CBCC 67/100: Reed & Sue - Civil War

We did it! 100 Episodes! And we're celebrating by smashing headfirst into the greatest fight to nearly tear the Fantastic Four apart - CIVIL WAR! Iron Man and Captain America are punching each other in the streets as Reed Richards and Sue Richards fall on opposite sides of the Superhuman Registration Act. With murderous Thor clones and Negative Zone prisons between them, how can this happily married couple ever hope to remain together? And, frankly, should they? Our third episode exploring Reed

Jun 10, 2021 • 1:40:37

CBCC 66: Reed & Sue - The Fantastic Four Wedding

The biggest event in Fantastic Four history is also the biggest event in Marvel History - the Wedding of Reed Richards & Sue Storm. Nearly every hero in Marvel Comics appears, and thanks to Doctor Doom and his emotion-manipulator, the same thing can be said for the villains. But on this week's episode, we're not discussing Fantastic Four Annual No. 3 - no, we're digging into Fantastic Four: The Wedding Anniversary Special. This comic is an exceptional and essential read for Reed & Sue fans. The

May 29, 2021 • 1:27:27

Creator Corner: Tony Cliff & Jordan Morris on Bubble

The apocalypse need not be scary when you've got your Scooby gang nearby. Bubble, the new graphic novel from First Second Books began its life as a narrative podcast and now thrives within the four-color form thanks to creator Jordan Morris, his co-writer Sarah Morgan, artist Tony Cliff, and colorist Natalie Riess. The comic is a whip-smart and hilarious spin through a dystopian future where the gig economy has run amuck. Microbrewery hipsters are bad enough but toss in a few rampaging imps and

May 17, 2021 • 56:00

CBCC 65: Reed & Sue - The Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four! The World's Greatest Comic Magazine! And are Reed Richards and Sue Storm the world's greatest comic book couple? Well, we'll just have to see about that. But, it is definitely true that we've wanted to cover these two cosmic crusaders for quite some time, and we're incredibly excited to bring them into session with this week's episode. The Marvel Comics Universe begins with these first six issues. It's not only comic book history; it's pop culture history. Every comic book fa

May 10, 2021 • 1:32:07

Creator Corner: Alex de Campi on Full Tilt Boogie

Buckle up! Alex de Campi jumps into our Creator Corner to discuss her galactic gig economy magnum opus, Full Tilt Boogie! The writer behind Dracula Motherf**ker, Bad Girls, and Archie vs. Predator (1 & 2) puts her spin on the sci-fi found family, and while you'll recognize a few of the trappings, we promise that you've never experienced a tale quite like this one. How many times do we utter the word "masterpiece" during this episode? Quite a few.  While we were reading Full Tilt Boogie, we were

Apr 29, 2021 • 1:13:01

Creator Corner: Karl Stevens on Penny: A Graphic Memoir

Give us all the cat comics! We dig them and we crave them; they’re our catnip. That’s why we were incredibly excited to learn about the new feline adventure memoir Penny by graphic novelist and painter Karl Stevens. The comic hits shelves this May the 4th from Chronicle Books, and we’re encouraging all our listeners to snatch it up. As you will hear in this conversation, Stevens looks into the mind of his adorable house cat and discovers a mind on fire. Penny may be imprisoned within her apar

Apr 22, 2021 • 53:01

Creator Corner: Rob Williams on Judge Dredd - End of Days

Judge Dredd, the top lawman of Mega-City One, is a fascist. He's a walking nightmare and a total badass. The 2000 AD icon is both the hero and the villain of his story. Navigating that balance is tremendously tricky, and it was an absolute pleasure to have writer Rob Williams on the show to discuss how he lives within this delicious, repulsive, and intoxicating mindscape. Williams' latest Dredd tale, End of Days, sees Dredd facing off against the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Honestly, when R

Apr 14, 2021 • 1:01:49

CBCC 64: Sam & Bucky - Falcon and Winter Soldier

Friendship is Magic! Well, not always. Sometimes it takes a lot of work. In this week's episode, we observe the complicated relationship between two Captain Americas, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as seen in the Marvel Comics mini-series, Falcon and Winter Soldier. To help us hug it out, we're using Dr. Mariso G. Franco's "How to Make Friends As An Adult" (which you can read by clicking HERE). Her article offers several key tips to keep a friendship alive, and they may also help you in a few other

Apr 9, 2021 • 1:21:35

CBCC 63: James Howlett & Hercules - X-Treme X-Men

We're back with the X-Treme X-Men, but this ain't the universe you remember. On Earth 12025, James Howlett (who you may know as Wolverine) fell hard for Hercules, and their love conquered dragons. As X-Treme X-Men members, they aid Dazzler in the hunt for the many evil Charles Xaviers that plague the multiverse. Howlett and Hercules conclude our most recent X-Couple series, providing a joyous discussion that challenges our latest love experts who co-authored "The Normal Bar." Is it possible to s

Mar 29, 2021 • 1:25:30

CBCC Bonus Episode: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Talking The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on our Patreon was too much damn fun. We had to share this episode with the rest of you. If you dig what we're doing here, consider supporting the pod by joining our Patreon. Later this week, we'll be back with our regularly scheduled show. We rant and rave about the first episode for our latest Comically Reel, discuss what the future might hold, and answer your Slack questions/observations. But first, Brad must apologize to Lisa via a 16 minute SXSW con

Mar 22, 2021 • 1:06:17

Creator Corner: Kevin Konrad Hanna on Drawing Monsters

Mike Mignola forever altered our relationship with comics. We don't think we're alone in that matter. Clearly not--all one needs to do is look at the recent success of the "Drawing Monsters" Kickstarter. People love Mignola, and more importantly, they want to know more about him.   We return to the Creator Corner with documentarian Kevin Konrad Hanna, discussing why he and his co-director Jim Demonakos were compelled to put Mignola's saga on screen and why Kickstarter was the only means to ma

Mar 15, 2021 • 44:40

CBCC 62: Nathaniel & Benjamin - Generation X

The kids are all right! The X-Men return to their melodramatic roots with Generation X Volume 2. In this week's episode, we explore young love through the adorable fumblings between Nathaniel Carver (aka Hindsight) & Benjamin Deeds (aka Morph). Is trust possible when your powers grant you intimate, invasive access into your partner's mental interior? To help us discuss their unique romance, we're using "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, a

Mar 6, 2021 • 1:42:29

Creator Corner: Abraham Riesman on True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee

You don't know Stan Lee. You only think you do. Abraham Riesman's new biography, "True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee" is the definitive biography on the man who "created the Marvel Comics Universe." Even if you're a die-hard comic book obsessive, this book will rock your understanding of Stan the Man. His story is also the story of comics as an industry. Anyone who adores this medium, not just Marvel Zombies, should dig into this book and open their mind to this incredibly complicated

Feb 21, 2021 • 1:18:23

CBCC 61:Ororo & Callisto - X-Treme X-Men: The Arena

Ororo & Callisto - enemies turned friends turned enemies turned companions. These two warriors rage against each other time and time again, and in doing so, they discover the ties that bind them. Or are those tentacles? X-Couple month continues as we look at these combatants as seen in the X-Treme X-Men storyline, "The Arena." To help us discuss their unique romance, we're using "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, and James Witte. Does ana

Feb 6, 2021 • 1:25:52

CBCC 60: Ben & Julio - Shatterstar: Reality Star

We begin our latest X-Couple series with Ben Gaveedra and Julio Richter aka Shatterstar & Rictor as seen in the mini-series "Shatterstar: Reality Star." Romance is hard, fights will happen, but what occurs when temporal dimensional battles make no room for domestic bouts? Every couple needs the space to focus on their problems so they can find the necessary solutions. Helping us guide Shatterstar & Rictor to a secure zone of conversation is "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by

Jan 29, 2021 • 1:35:48

CBCC Creator Corner: Marc Makes Comics Returns!

Marc Jackson of Marc Makes Comics returns!! We discuss how his Magnum P.I. comics came to this rescue during this incredibly strange year, as well as how his SPOOKIDS comic is about to enter a grande new phase. In addition to all that rad comic chatter, we celebrate Marc's incredible hustle and gain inspiration through admiration. Be sure to pursue the Marc Makes Comics YouTube page, and purchase a few comic books over on his Website, or buy the man a Ko-Fi and nab some Magnum P.I. comics in ret

Jan 22, 2021 • 1:01:00

CBCC 59: Vision & Virginia - The Vision

WandaVision is nearly here, and in preparation, we plunge into one of our all-time favorite romance comics, "The Vision" by Tom King and Gabriel H. Walta. This comic is an absolutely crushing and compulsive read, highlighting everything we adore about our android hero and his mission to claim humanity for himself. Can we ever be more than our programming? Helping us answer that question this week is love guru Gretchen Rubin and her book "The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent A Year Trying to Si

Jan 14, 2021 • 1:36:31

CBCC 58: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 6

Happy New Year!! We're pulling out of 2020 and thrusting into 2021 by climaxing alongside "Sex Criminals" with the sixth and final volume. We began this journey over a year ago, but thankfully, Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky wrapped up their bizarre romantic crime saga so we can finish our conversation regarding this unique couple. We're selfish lovers. Helping us provide insight into the relationship woes between Suzie & Jon is love guru Esther Perel. We dive into her podcast "Where Should We Beg

Jan 1, 2021 • 1:45:18

A CBCC Team-Up: A Very Parker Christmas

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a special bonus episode. Last month, we guested on the Ride the Omnibus podcast to celebrate #Noirvember by hittin' the books. Specifically, we discussed Darwyn Cooke's fabulous Richard Stark "Parker" adaptations. The conversation was an absolute blast, and we felt compelled to share it with our listeners. In revisiting the chat the other night, we also thought it made a great little Christmas present. There's something delightfully melan

Dec 25, 2020 • 1:24:54

CBCC Special Report: The Best Comics of 2020

2020 was a wild year, to say the very least, but comic books were a saving grace. We've eagerly anticipated recording this episode as it works as an exceptional excuse to celebrate the bright outbursts of good that rattled throughout the year. What you'll find within are some returning favorite creators, but also several surprises. Will your favorite comic appear? We hope so, but we also recognize that we're a couple of weirdos and our "Best Comics of 2020" absolutely reflects our bent nature. S

Dec 17, 2020 • 1:23:37

CBCC 57: Miyamoto & Tomoe - Senso

The unrequited romance between Miyamoto Usagi & Tomoe Ame cannot last. Our conversation centered around Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo must end. There is no better place to conclude this epic discussion than the incredible sci-fi War of the Worlds mash-up, "Senso." Jumping fifteen to twenty years into the future, we witness the final moments between our heroes. Will the unsaid things finally be said? If so, is it too late for Usagi & Tomoe? "Senso" is the ultimate "What-If" adventure for fans of thi

Dec 7, 2020 • 1:21:09

CBCC 56: Miyamoto & Tomoe - Tomoe's Story

When it comes to Miyamoto Usagi & Tomoe Ame, there are things that are hidden. These unsaid feelings strike at the very core of their relationship, and in many ways, "Tomoe's Story" is Stan Sakai's final statement regarding their romance...even though we still have one more episode after this one to explore their undeniable chemistry. Usagi Yojimbo: Book 22 operates in a very different manner than the previous storylines we've covered. There is no singular plot driving the narrative. Instead, it

Nov 27, 2020 • 1:47:43

CBCC 55: Miyamoto & Tomoe - The Mother of Mountains

Back to back, Miyamoto Usagi & Tomoe Ame must battle the Blood Princess and rescue an enslaved village in "The Mother of Mountains." The two Samurai warriors reveal the courageous core of their character time and time again within the pages of Usagi Yojimbo, and this storyline showcases how such a code is infectious to those around them, including the reader. This week, we continue to apply Lori Tsugawa Whaley's "Let the Samurai Be Your Guide: The Seven Bushido Pathways to Personal Success" to t

Nov 13, 2020 • 1:09:55

CBCC Creator Corner: Brea Grant on Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter

Brea Grant will not let 2020 stand in her way. In addition to writing two films, directing one, and starring in several others, Grant also recently launched a new graphic novel from Six Foot Press. "Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter" is a beautiful genre celebration purposefully linked to an extremely relatable coming-of-age saga. We cannot think of a better way to celebrate Halloween than hanging out with Grant in the Creator Corner and discussin

Oct 31, 2020 • 33:18

CBCC 54: Miyamoto & Tomoe - Grasscutter

Stan Sakai's "Usagi Yojimbo" is one of the great comic book series. Few compare, none top it. We begin our journey discussing the unrequited romance of Miyamoto Usagi and the Lady Tomoe Ame with the epic "Grasscutter" saga. Neither character meets on the page, but here is where we see them in their purest form. To see them alone is to know them together. To help us in our quest to understand our heroes, we consult "Let the Samurai Be Your Guide: The Seven Bushido Pathways to Personal Success" by

Oct 25, 2020 • 1:44:41

Patreon Preview: Fantastic Four - The Rise of the Silver Surfer

Surprise! Since our last episode, we launched a Patreon Page! It's been up a week, and we've been having a ton of fun with those that have already joined. However, if you don't follow us on Twitter & Instagram, we wanted to make you aware of what's been going down. We've raised the paywall on our first episode, and dropped it into this feed, so you can give a listen to what we're doing over there. We hope you join us in this next venture in Comic Book Couples Counseling. It's an investment on yo

Oct 11, 2020 • 42:52

CBCC 53: Dawn & Norrin - A Power Greater Than Cosmic

Anywhere & Everywhere - Hang On! Our month-long conversation surrounding Dawn Greenwood & Norrin Radd must finally come to a close with this epic discussion regarding "Silver Surfer: A Power Greater Than Cosmic." We have covered many couples on this show, but few as important to our relationship growth as these two. Grab your tissues, things get emotional this week. What does it mean to love another person? With such passion must come as much pain as pleasure, and this week, we attempt to answer

Oct 1, 2020 • 1:57:28

CBCC 52: Dawn & Norrin - Last Days/Citizen of Earth

The Silver Surfer & Dawn Greenwood have run out of space...and time. Thanks to the cruel machinations of Doctor Doom, all of reality is crumbling and it's up to this month's couple to remake the universe. Are they up to the task? Are we? In this week's episode, we cover a lot of ground, crawling out of Galactus' planetary scraps, and entering the mind-bending trip of Dan Slott & Michael Allred's award-winning Möbius strip Silver Surfer issue. Oh! And we get the first kiss! We're rooting for Dawn

Sep 21, 2020 • 1:44:48

CBCC 51: Dawn & Norrin - Worlds Apart

Galactus enters just as the romance between Dawn Greenwood & Norrin Radd, The Silver Surfer, starts to heat up. Can love blossom when Norrin suffers from such impossibly deep shame? Does it matter when a giant space god steps in for a planetary snack? This week, we continue our passionate conversation surrounding one of our all-time favorite couples, and we use Stephanie Barron Hall's "The Enneagram in Love" as our guide. Special bonus: this self-help book also holds a secret within its creation

Sep 11, 2020 • 1:14:56

CBCC Road Trip 3 - Dawn & Norrin & Groot

The Silver Surfer rides...with us as we travel across seven states on our return from Grandpa Joe's funeral. To stave off boredom, we're trapping you in the back seat of our car as we put our Norrin Radd & Dawn Greenwood through the Enneagram Personality Test to determine their types, and use "Groot" issue 3 as our narrative guide. This is a wild episode, folks. Hosts Brad and Lisa are in full goofster mode. Prepare yourself. "Groot" number 3 is written by Jeff Loveness, illustrated by Brian Kes

Sep 2, 2020 • 1:44:40

CBCC Road Trip 2 - Four Color Fantasies Charity Auction

Four Color Fantasies is an institution within the industry. They're a comic book shop with deep ties to the community, and a drive to give back to those that have supported them throughout decades of operation. This week, we're joined by comic book slingers Erik & Steve as they discuss their awesome Comic Sketch Cover Charity Auction, where every dollar earned benefits the Literacy Volunteers of Winchester, Virginia. Honestly, as you'll hear in this episode and are already well aware of, it's fi

Aug 26, 2020 • 49:23

CBCC 50! Dawn & Norrin - Silver Surfer: A New Dawn

Norrin Radd & Dawn Greenwood! The most anticipated couple ever tackled on the podcast. Strap in cuz we're hitting the cosmic skyways for our most epic 50th episode, and we begin our journey into the wild world of Dan Slott & Michael Allred's "Silver Surfer." The romantic saga of Norrin & Dawn is one with deep roots to our hearts, and we've avoided covering them in the past for fear of not living up to their beautiful story. All good things come to those that wait! It's time to break down one of

Aug 19, 2020 • 1:57:12

CBCC 49: Freddy & Laura - Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O'Connell tear through our emotions as we tackle their Eisner Award-winning "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me." Their high school romance offers an authentically painful insight into young love with all its beauty and tragedy. It's impossible to come away from the reading experience without some sense of relatability and hope that those that read this graphic novel won't make the same mistakes you did in your formative years. In this episode, Brad & Lisa descr

Aug 7, 2020 • 1:29:08

CBCC @ Awesome Con - The Umbrella Academy

Awesome Con refuses to let lockdown get in the way of community. The best damn comic book convention from the nation's capital invited us to lead a conversation surrounding "The Umbrella Academy," and we were happy to bring our recent "Extraordinary Relationships" insights to the table. Thank you, Dr. Roberta M. Gilbert. We're also thrilled to have Liz Reed of Cuddles & Rage return to the podcast to aid in the discussion. We breakdown the first two volumes of Gerard Way & Gabriel Bá's comic book

Aug 1, 2020 • 1:03:21

CBCC 48: Dick & Babs - Convergence

The Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon will-they/won't-they relationship ends here, and it only took another DC Crisis, sorry, we meant Convergence to make it happen. This week concludes our series on Dick & Babs by tackling the two-issue "Birds of Rage" mini-series written by Gail Simone. These conversations were a typical whirlwind of emotions, but we can happily report that we're leaving them as passionate fans of Dick & Babs romance.  Nightwing & Oracle are left to defend their Gotham City from t

Jul 22, 2020 • 1:24:08

CBCC 47: Dick & Babs - Oracle & Nightwing

Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon are all grown up. The flirtations are over. It's time to get serious with the romance. The kids they once knew are gone. Batgirl & Robin the Boy Wonder are no more. In their place are Oracle & Nightwing. Can they get over years of almosts and shouldas to reach a partnership more meaningful than friends or sidekicks? It's going to take a lot of work. Thankfully, we have Dr. Roberta M. Gilbert aiding us as our love guru with her book "Extraordinary Relationships: A Ne

Jul 15, 2020 • 1:30:09

CBCC Creator Corner: Tom Scioli on Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics

Tom Scioli has spent his entire career cracking the Kirby code, and his latest book is his masterpiece. "Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics" is the single most magnificent celebration of the artist who revolutionized an industry and forever altered our pop culture landscape. We're beyond thrilled to have Scioli on the show this week, discussing in great enthusiastic detail the challenges and wonders of adapting a life as immense as Jack Kirby. Of course, we dig into the complicated

Jul 8, 2020 • 1:07:38

CBCC 46: Dick & Babs - Batman Family

Robin & Batgirl are The Dynamite Duo!! We travel back into the Bronze Age to explore the early flirtations between Batman's most magnificent sidekicks. Was it love at first sight? Were Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon destined to end up together? We answer these questions by exploring four specific issues within the mondo bizarro anthology series "Batman Family." We certainly could not make heads or tails out of this romance without the help of Dr. Roberta M. Gilbert and her self-help guide, "Extra

Jul 1, 2020 • 1:45:33

CBCC Creator Corner: Kevin Eastman on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

We're absolutely shell-shocked to have Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on the show this week. Learning from the lessons of Jack Kirby, Eastman and Peter Laird were determined to do right by their creations where they could, and in the process, bring on other astonishing talents to contribute to the character, vibe, and mythology of TMNT. This spirit of evolution and reinvention is not only what propelled their Turtles into mass popularity but guaranteed their longe

Jun 22, 2020 • 36:08

CBCC 45: Dick & Babs - Batgirl: Year One

We return to Gotham City with Batgirl & Robin! While we weren't expecting to stick with DC Comics for another round of episodes, this month, we allowed our listeners to pick our couple, and Dick & Babs were the chosen winners. What separates these two on-again/off-again lovers from most comic book couples is how they've been allowed to grow beyond their initial appearances, and as we see in "Batgirl: Year One," who they were when they first met is not who they are in today's continuity. There is

Jun 14, 2020 • 1:28:46

CBCC 44: Harley & Ivy - Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy

Is this the end of Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy? It's certainly our final conversation discussing the two love birds for a bit, and we're sad to see them go as we've fallen hard for them over these last four episodes. Have no fear though, we go out with a bang, diving deep into the controversial comics that dared to put #HarlIvy on the backburner. The 2019/2020 mini-series, written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Adriana Melo, wreaks havoc with our emotions. One minute, we've never been happier w

May 26, 2020 • 1:20:23

CBCC 43: Harley & Ivy - Harley Quinn Road Trip Special

Get your motor runnin,' Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy head out on the highway, plus Catwoman! This week three's company as the Gotham City Sirens travel West to retrieve the ashes of Harley's beloved uncle and bring them back East so they can be laid to rest next to his deceased wife. The "Harley Quinn Road Trip Special," written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, is a rollicking adventure, featuring plenty of innuendoes, but genuine affection between our trilogy of rogues. As we venture into The N

May 11, 2020 • 1:29:47

CBCC Creator Corner: Stephen R. Bissette on Saga of the Swamp Thing

Stephen Bissette joins us to discuss the romantic plights of Swampy & Abby, as seen in the groundbreaking series "Saga of the Swamp Thing." The artist describes the magical alchemy that occurred between him, John Totleben, and Alan Moore in 1983, and how their desire to make monster comics radically altered the landscape of the art form. More importantly, we converse on the re-creation of Abigail Arcane and her sensuous union with the plant who dreamed he was a man - "The Rites of Spring," which

Apr 27, 2020 • 1:22:28

CBCC 42: Harley & Ivy - Welcome to Metropolis

Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy hit the road, ditching Gotham for the bright lights and tight spandex of Metropolis. The girls are on the hunt for Superman but have to settle for Jimmy Olsen and Bizarro. What begins as a joyous coupling slowly drives a wedge into #HarlIvy. Can they survive an apartment's lack of sunlight and the small bother of a super-villain kidnapping? Tune in as we root for our favorite Gotham girl gang, digging into the early days of Harley Quinn's solo career. Also, we ditch our

Apr 22, 2020 • 1:26:24

CBCC Creator Corner: MARC Makes Comics!

MARC Makes Comics!! This week we're delighted to invite cartoonist Marc Jackson into the Love Nest to discuss his new YouTube Channel - MARC Makes Comics - that's keeping us all sane during these weird times, as well as the various other comics projects he's willing into the universe. Our conversation is one massive celebration of the art form, digging into the myriad influences that feed Marc's work as well as his intense and inspirational hustle.  Just because we're all doing our duty to flatt

Apr 12, 2020 • 52:03

CBCC 41: Harley & Ivy - The Timm/Dini Mini

Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy finally come to the Comic Book Couple Counseling Podcast! We kick off our exploration of this villainous Gotham City duo by digging into their earliest adventures, as seen in "Batman: Harley & Ivy" spearheaded by the Animated Series collaborators Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. While they are not technically lovers (yet), we do witness an intense bond between the two, which separates them from the rest of the rogues that plague Bruce Wayne's vigilante lifestyle. Being in a co

Apr 6, 2020 • 1:31:11

CBCC Creator Corner: Cuddles and Rage on 'Bites of Terror' Part II

You're invited to our first-ever crossover event with the ITMODChatCast gang (a.k.a. our other podcast) as we delve further into the creative and romantic partnership of Liz Reed & Jimmy Reed, the fiendishly brilliant cartoonists who collaborate as Cuddles and Rage. Their new graphic novel, "Bites of Terror," hits bookstores today, and we believe you will want to devour this comic asap. Not for nothing, but both Brad and Lisa appear in some form within its ghoulish contents. "Bites of Terror" is

Mar 24, 2020 • 39:31

CBCC 40: Rogue & Remy - Mr. & Mrs. X

Rogue & Remy forever! Wedded bliss finally arrives for our happy couple, but first things first, they gotta survive the honeymoon, which includes an unwanted appearance by Deadpool. We conclude our conversation surrounding Rogue & Gambit by finishing off Kelly Thompson's run on the characters with Mr. & Mrs. X volumes one and two. We're sad to see them go, but ecstatic to finish our exploration with such an epic run of comics. Before we get to that, though, as well as wrapping up our time with D

Mar 23, 2020 • 1:48:55

CBCC 39: Rogue & Remy - Ring of Fire

Rogue & Gambit" by Kelly Thompson. This is the episode we've all been waiting to dive into. The last batch of shows have all been about context, filling out the nooks and crannies to Rogue & Remy's relationship, so we can get down to the delightfully dirty business of shipping the greatest X-Men couple. Have we gone too far? We dunno. Kelly Thompson's work on these characters have made us true believers, and we're thrilled to continue to explore their dynamic using "Eight Dates: Essential Conver

Mar 6, 2020 • 1:27:07

CBCC Emergency Podcast Broadcast: Giant-Size X-Men No. 1

Red Alert! Red Alert! We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this special mini-episode delving into this week's #NCBD release of "Giant-Size X-Men" No. 1, featuring story and art from Jonathan Hickman and Russell Dauterman. After weeks of anticipation, the comic is finally on the stands, and we couldn't wait to get our eyes upon it. Jean Grey & Emma Frost together again for the first time. Did it live up to the hype? Good question. We've got an answer. Honestly, though, t

Feb 27, 2020 • 30:53

CBCC 38: Rogue & Remy - The Mackie Minis

Rogue and Remy finally shed their past sins, but is that enough to bring them closer together? We delve into the two Howard Mackie mini-series from the 1990s that defined the romance of the popular X-couple. It's a lot of comics to cover, but they are essential to the conversation if we're ever to join them in the next stage of their relationship. Gambit's past refuses to stay where it belongs, and Rogue refuses to let its murky shadow get in the way of the love she so desperately wants to parta

Feb 24, 2020 • 1:34:59

CBCC 37.66: Rogue & Remy - Gambit Vol. 5 No. 11

Rogue & Remy - No More! Say it ain't so. This week, we return with another Travel Episode, recorded live from the Denver International Airport. Before we dive into the romantic plight of Rogue & Gambit, we download a little about all the rad films we saw at the Sundance Film Festival. We focus on a few flicks that we think our listeners will appreciate and want to put on their radar. After that, we dig into the 11th issue from the 5th Volume of the "Gambit" solo series. Times are rough for our c

Feb 4, 2020 • 57:30

CBCC 37.33: Rogue & Remy - X-Men Vol. 2 No. 30

We're going to the chapel as we deviate just slightly from our regularly scheduled programming. As we prepare for the Sundance film festival in Park City, Utah, we've recorded an episode straight from our hotel room! And it's a conversation we probably should have had way back at the beginning of our podcast when we tackled Scott Scummers & Jean Grey. Well, better late than never. Besides, this historic wedding is a significant moment in the romance between Rogue & Remy. Will they? Won't they? D

Jan 23, 2020 • 51:08

CBCC 37: Rogue & Remy - 90s X-Men

New Year, new X-couple! Rogue & Remy start as an impossible flirtation but eventually transform into one of the most popular pairings within the marvelous merry mutant family. Was their romance destined, or did it take a whole lot of painful communication to make it work? We begin where all stories should, in the beginning, witnessing their first awkward triflings, their first disastrous date, and the second one that sealed the deal. We dive systematically into the heyday of the 90s comic scene

Jan 10, 2020 • 1:18:45

CBCC Special Report: The Best Comics of 2019

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon; The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone... Woo-Hoo! Here we go, friends! We've made it to the end of the year!! Congratulations to all of us. As is always the case, one of our favorite aspects to the climax of any year is the assembling of Best Of lists, and we couldn't let all the others have the fun. This week, we put our brains together and determined what the greatest achievements in the four-color realm were in 2019

Dec 22, 2019 • 1:03:30

CBCC 36: Alec & Abby - The New 52 Swamp Thing

All good things must come to an end. This week, we say goodbye to Alec Holland and Abigail Arcane, as well as our love guru Common and his memoir of self-reflection, "Let Love Have the Last Word." We've absolutely adored our time with these fabulous creatures, but we're excited to contemplate where they go from here. Our conversation uses The New 52 storyline "Season's End" as our backbone, and upon it, we find two very different beings than when we last discussed their relationship. In fact, on

Dec 14, 2019 • 1:39:26

CBCC 35: Alec & Abby - The Vertigo Era of Swamp Thing

From the blossom of romance to its rot, this week, we're tackling one of the darkest moments in the relationship between Swamp Thing and Abigail Arcane - Nancy A. Collins' "Martial Problems." These final four issues in her run are fraught with emotional turmoil for both parties and left us aching with deep empathy for the guardians of the Green. The Vertigo era of the book was a time of transition, and Collins went in with a plan to revitalize the characters and concepts and left the Louisanna b

Nov 27, 2019 • 1:19:00

CBCC 34: Alec & Abby - The Saga of the Swamp Thing

"There is no contradiction...only the pulse. The pulse within the world. Within us. Within me." In this week's episode, we finally witness the union between Abigail Arcane and Alec Holland...or, at least, the plant which once dreamed he was Alec Holland. "The Saga of the Swamp Thing" is a game-changer comic book. Not just because it's the arrival of Alan Moore upon the American comics scene, but in how it reveals the potential elevated philosophical heights of the art form. These are not your da

Nov 11, 2019 • 1:16:17

CBCC 33: Alec & Abby - The Bronze Age Swamp Thing

"Deep in the bayous of Louisiana, far from civilization's grasp, a shadowed creature seen only in fleeting glimpses roils the black waters...a twisted, vegetative mockery of a man...a Swamp Thing!" As we enter the spooky Halloween season, Brad & Lisa take on their favorite monstrous couple. Dr. Alec Holland & Abigail Arcane are a tormented pair destined to defend the Earth from outside (and inside) forces, but before they ever found comfort in each other's embrace, they were lonely travelers bum

Oct 25, 2019 • 1:18:47

CBCC ChatCast Advance Preview: Joe Kelly on 'I Kill Giants'

This week we're bringing our CBCC listeners an Advanced Preview of the ITMODChatCast Interview with comic book scribe and screenwriter Joe Kelly. We had the great pleasure of hosting a special screening of his film "I Kill Giants" at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia. Based on the Image Comics graphic novel of the same name, done in collaboration with artist JM Ken Niimura, "I Kill Giants" is a fantastical exploration of grief as experienced through the eyes of a rather angry young gi

Oct 15, 2019 • 51:20

CBCC 32: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 5

We're back! After a whirlwind adventure in Austin, Texas for the Fantastic Fest film festival, we return to close the book on Suzie & Jon's romantic adventures. When we last left our couple, they had split for greener pastures. Volume 5 of "Sex Criminals" finds them in new relationships, but still searching for happiness while also trying to ignore the fiendish machinations of Kuber Badal. What began as a time-freezing crime spree through a rainbow of sexual kinks eventually evolved into an epic

Oct 7, 2019 • 1:16:02

CBCC 31: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 4

Jon has a secret. Suzie has a problem. "Sex Criminals" Vol. 4 challenges their relationship in ways previously not seen in past volumes, and we're here to help you through this difficult time. Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky bring the epic war between cop and criminal to a boil, and we're teetering to see how this rollicking romantic adventure will reach its end. This episode offers deep conversation into how sex is managed within couples, and the psychic scars American culture thrusts upon its pop

Sep 16, 2019 • 1:20:31

CBCC 30: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 2 & Vol. 3

Jon & Suzie. They have sex. And time stops. Literally. And when time stops, they rob banks...kinda. This week, we continue our conversation surrounding Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky's bestselling Image Comics series and discover a philosophical wonder we did not realize how much we needed in our lives. "Sex Criminals" is more than vagina and penis jokes; the comic is a new way of life we should all follow. Join us as we use Esther Perel's "Mating in Captivity" to understand humanity's hangups wit

Sep 9, 2019 • 1:24

CBCC 29: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 1

This week we're kicking off a new series with a kinky dash of sci-fi fantasy. "Sex Criminals" Vol. 1 by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky is an aggressively funny and bizarre saga of romance between Suzie & Jon. The sexual act can be a challenging endeavor for anyone, but how do you survive in this world when such an act can literally halt the flow of time? You rob banks! That's issue one. From there, life gets only more mad for our happy couple. Join us as we use the equally provocative "Mating in

Aug 26, 2019 • 1:03

CBCC Road Trip 1: Eric & Karen - Blade '98

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a special road trip episode recorded on Brad's epic 40th Birthday. Don't worry, our Sex Criminals series will launch next week, but due to unforeseen b-day shenanigans, we had to pull an audible with this week's enthusiastic celebration of the essential 1998 comic book movie Blade, starring Wesley Snipes, written by David S. Goyer, and directed by Stephen Norrington. Our current landscape of superhero cinema simply would not be the same w

Aug 19, 2019 • 52:20

CBCC 28: Peter & Mary Jane - Red-Headed Stranger

After a year-long absence, Mary Jane Watson returns to the life of Peter Parker as a "Red-Headed Stranger." This week we conclude our Spider-Man series by exploring the diabolical nature of Dr. Alexander Avila's "LoveTypes" and how his dating system would be absolutely deadly in the hands of The Chameleon.  We've deeply enjoyed discussing the romantic turmoil of Peter and M.J., and it breaks our heart to leave them apart in "Brand New Day," but we see cupid's arrow cresting the horizon. Is their

Aug 12, 2019 • 0:31

CBCC Bonus Episode 7: The Jason Mewes Interview

Back from the San Diego Comic-Con International, we're bringing you an extra special bonus episode. Partnering with the itmodchatcast podcast and Film School Rejects, we spoke to Jason Mewes about his new directorial debut "Madness in the Method" due in theaters and VOD on August 2nd. The chattier side of Jay & Silent Bob, Mewes creates a meta-comedy-commentary about his struggles with typecasting and the mad lengths he's willing to go to break free. Featuring a slew of cameos from the likes of

Aug 1, 2019 • 0:05

CBCC 27: Peter & Mary Jane - One More Day

Few comic book storylines are as controversial as "One More Day" by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. Possibly one of the most aggressive editorial mandates in comic book publishing history, the devilish plot was concocted as a means of dissolving the marriage between Peter Parker & Mary Jane Watson. Fans may have been a little miffed when they first got together back in 1987, but after several decades of wedded bliss, their matrimony was holy. So holy the dark demon Mephisto desired to sh

Jul 29, 2019 • 11:35

CBCC 26: Peter & Mary Jane - To Have and To Hold

This week we jump into another Spider-Man comic that revisits iconic moments of continuity to deliver a deeper understanding of the relationship between Peter Parker & Mary Jane Watson. Originally published in "The Sensational Spider-Man" Vol. 2 Annual #1, "To Have and To Hold" by Matt Fraction & Salvador Lorroca is one of the most beloved single issues in modern Marvel history. For a couple that has faced many insurmountable odds, "To Have and To Hold" finds Peter & M.J. at one of their lowest

Jul 15, 2019 • 1:26:05

CBCC Bonus Episode 6: The SDCC Survival Guide

Comic Khhhhhhhaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn!!! It's that time of year again, and to celebrate Brad & Lisa have whipped up a special episode compiled of all their tips & tricks that they've learned after nine straight years of Comic-Con International: San Diego. To help in that endeavor, our hosts are joined by special guest-stars Darren Smith & Bryan Young of the In The Mouth of Dorkness podcast. Together, the team suggests a few key strategies that might aid you in acquiring tickets for next year's show a

Jul 12, 2019 • 52:20

CBCC 25: Peter & Mary Jane - Parallel Lives

Is love possible within the confines of the superhero lifestyle? Peter Parker may have gained new confidence when he was bitten by that radioactive spider, but he also bounced around a half dozen relationships before marrying Mary Jane Watson. What separates their relationship from other supporting players like Liz Allen, Betty Brant, and Gwen Stacy? This month, Brad & Lisa explore the unique nature of Peter & Mary Jane, and they begin their journey with the controversial 1989 original graphic n

Jul 8, 2019 • 1:30:34

CBCC Bonus Episode 5: The Stephen King Roadtrip

Happy 10th Anniversary!! Brad & Lisa celebrated ten years of ghoulish wedded bliss by hitting the road @ traveling north. Why? They wanted to reconnect with nature. Stephen King's nature. Brad & Lisa traveled to Bangor, ME, and saw all the sights they've read about in books like "It," "'Salem's Lot,'" & "Cujo." This bonus episode was recorded from the road & they dish on all the gorgeous selfies they snapped along the way. Also, they dig a little bit into the classic graphic novel adaptation of

Jul 2, 2019 • 59:59

CBCC 24: Arthur & Mera - Sea of Storms

This week, we close out our conversation regarding Arthur & Mera by jumping back to The New 52 with "Aquaman: Sea of Storms" written by Jeff Parker & illustrated by Paul Pelletier & friends. We find our royal couple in a period of transition, still reeling from the catastrophic events placed on them by Geoff Johns. Parker brings Aquaman back to basics, pitting the Atlantian against krackens, Hercules, high school reunions, and Swamp Thing. Arthur & Mera's relationship continues to be a push & pu

Jun 24, 2019 • 1:11:58

CBCC 23: Arthur & Mera - The Drowning

The recently engaged Arthur & Mera attempt to bridge the divide between land & sea by establishing an Atlantian Embassy on American soil. Unfortunately, Black Manta is waiting in the wings, and he's going to destroy Aquaman's heart by slaying his new fiancee. As we begin to wind down our conversation surrounding monogamy and it's future in the life of our royal couple, Brad & Lisa tear into their romantic plight using "Aquaman Vol 1: The Drowning" and Dr. Sue Johnson's "Love Sense" as their guid

Jun 12, 2019 • 1:19:33

CBCC Bonus Episode 4: The Overlook Film Festival & Creature from the Black Lagoon

This week we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you another special road trip edition of CBCC. While Lisa was busy bringing home the bacon, Brad ventured down to New Orleans to partake in the Overlook Film Festival where he saw a bunch of rad horror movies and spoke to several incredible filmmakers like Mick Garris and Larry Fessenden. Podcasting trapped inside a car on the freeway, Brad is joined by special guest William Dass of the In the Mouth of Dorkness and Bill & Clair'

Jun 5, 2019 • 50:44

CBCC 22: Arthur & Mera - The Trench

"How's it feel to be nobody's favorite super-hero?" As part of the DC Comics New 52 relaunch, the superstar comic book team of Geoff Johns & Ivan Reis attempt to explain the appeal of Aquaman to a world of haters. Arthur may have a lot to prove, but his lady love Mera needs none of surface-lover's adulations. In our second episode exploring the strong bond between Atlantis' ultimate power couple, we continue to dissect how parental attachment haunts their relationship, and we're using Dr. Sue Jo

May 27, 2019 • 1:16:25

CBCC 21: Arthur & Mera - Mera: Tidebreaker

"When we come out of the shadows, does the darkness stay with us?" We launch our new series on Arthur Curry and Mera by diving into the original graphic novel, "Mera: Tidebreaker." Written by Danielle Paige and illustrated by Stephen Byrne, this young adult adventure kicks off a new series of DC Ink titles geared to score teen readers. Brad & Lisa discuss how these characters fare in the footsteps of "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games," and how this angsty insight alters the perception of superher

May 21, 2019 • 1:21:33

CBCC 20: Thanos & Death - Thanos Wins

"Ask the most powerful beings how the universe will end, and they will answer with two words: Thanos Wins." We conclude our discussion surrounding the Mad Titan Thanos & his lovely Mistress Death by devouring the time-traveling apocalyptic horror "Thanos Wins" written by Donny Cates, illustrated by Geoff Shaw, & colored by Antonio Fabela. Wallowing in the dark psychology of two cosmic monsters was a unique endeavor, but thankfully we had Brene Brown's "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulne

May 13, 2019 • 1:10:55

CBCC 19: Thanos & Death - Deadpool vs Thanos

No. This is not a joke. Marvel Comics finally pits the two maddest forces in their Universe against each other - "Deadpool vs Thanos." Forced into battle against each when their beloved Mistress Death disappears from the fabric of Eternity. With the fate of everything resting in their hands, can two of the greatest comic book rip-off characters come to a meeting of the minds? Or are we all screwed? Brad & Lisa continue their exploration of the romantic plight plaguing Thanos & Death using Brene

May 6, 2019 • 1:21:57

CBCC Bonus Episode 3: Writing with Purpose at Awesome Con 2019

This week we're bringing you a very special episode recorded live at Awesome Con 2019 in Washington D.C. Lisa and Brad took part in the annual "Writing With Purpose" panel alongside Liz Reed from Cuddles and Rage and Emily Sears of Birth. Movies. Death. The purpose was to offer inspiration and advice to fellow writers, and a platform where creative folks could gather and network. Next week, we'll return to our regularly scheduled program as we continue the conversation surrounding the Mad Titan

Apr 30, 2019 • 53:44

CBCC 18: Thanos & Death - The Infinity Gauntlet

On the eve of "Avengers: Endgame," we dig into one of the most iconic comic book events in history. "The Infinity Gauntlet," written by Jim Starlin and illustrated by George Perez and Ron Lim, was an incredibly influential book for young Brad and he's extremely eager to share it with his partner-in-crime Lisa. Does the saga still hold up? Is Mistress Death a considerate partner now that her boyfriend wields all the power of eternity? More importantly, what can Brene Brown and her book "Daring Gr

Apr 25, 2019 • 1:14:21

CBCC 17: Thanos & Death - Thanos Rising

With "Avengers: Endgame" on the horizon, Brad & Lisa wanted to celebrate the epic conclusion to the current phase of the MCU by digging into the romantic plight of The Mad Titan. We've covered a few troubled relationships in the past, but few have been as troubling or downright horrific as the coupling between Thanos and Mistress Death. Covering such an unhealthy alliance presents new challenges for the show, but thankfully we have Brene Brown's "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable

Apr 15, 2019 • 57:45

CBCC 16: Mia & Grace - On a Sunbeam

In the deepest reaches of space, young love blossoms and fades. Told via two distinct timelines, we explore the relationship between Mia & Grace as they discover their feelings for each other and are denied a proper ending by outside forces beyond their control. "On a Sunbeam" is an epic blend of science-fiction and fantasy that recalls Studio Ghibli as much as it does Ridley Scott's "Alien." Creator Tillie Walden has no desire to explain her universe or her characters; she simply drops you into

Apr 8, 2019 • 1:15:19

CBCC 15: Midnighter & Apollo - Midnighter and Apollo

Partners. Teammates. Lovers. On this week's episode, Brad & Lisa return to the world of superhero punch-ups with the DC Comics mini-series "Midnighter and Apollo." When one is murdered, he awakens in hell. While he battles his own personal demon, the other fights tooth and nail to gain entry to the underworld so he can rescue his love from the very real flames of damnation. No angel or demon or death will keep these two apart. Written by Steve Orlando and illustrated by Fernando Blanco, in many

Mar 25, 2019 • 1:04:17

CBCC 14: Elle & Mari - Bingo Love

We've all been there - the fog of infatuation. How do we know when love is true or just lustful and new? Especially at the start of our sexual maturation? We discuss the science of new love in our latest episode and we use Tee Franklin & Jenn St-Onge's beautifully refreshing "Bingo Love" for our conversational framework. In the early 1960s, everyone expects Hazel & Mari to behave in a certain way and love a certain person. Familial and societal pressures often get the better of us, but that does

Mar 18, 2019 • 56:50

CBCC 13: Ari & Hector - Bloom

This month we’re exploring romances beyond the heteronormative and we’re applying Stan Tatkin’s "Wired for Dating" to their relationship woes. We’re kicking it off with Ari and Hector from the new graphic novel from First Second Books, "Bloom" by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau.  Brad & Lisa look into the budding romance of Ari & Hector and ask the big questions, "Do relationships require hard work?" "Do we have to love ourselves before someone can love us?" "Is being happy enough of a 5-yea

Mar 11, 2019 • 1:16:16

CBCC 12: Bruce & Selina - The Wedding

The magical day has finally arrived for Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle - they are to be joined in wedded bliss by writer Tom King and every artist under the DC Umbrella. Everyone is coming out for this big event! Are Batman & Catwoman meant to be together forever, or are these two creatures of the night destined for spinsterhood? On our final episode discussing the relationship between The Bat & The Cat, Brad & Lisa will answer that question using "He's Just Not That Into You" as their relationship g

Mar 3, 2019 • 1:08:43

CBCC 11: Bruce & Selina - Batman Incorporated

"Mr. Unknown is Dead!" Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle travel to Japan to recruit the pulp adventurer Mr. Unknown into the new "Batman Incorporated" crimefighting organization. Unfortunately, the devilish Lord Death Man has already struck and killed the hero. What will happen to Wayne's global security task force now!?!? This week, Brad & Lisa continue to use "He's Just Not That Into You" to discuss the overt flirtations of Catwoman and how Batman wants none of it. Grant Morrison has big plans for Bat

Feb 23, 2019 • 1:05:20

CBCC 10: Bruce & Selina - Batman: Year One

"Batman was never funny!" So says Frank Miller. Sorry, Adam West. This week, Brad & Lisa excavate one of the most celebrated comic books in pop culture history - "Batman: Year One," written by Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, and colored by Richmond Lewis. Here we see the first encounter between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle in and out of the costumes, and running parallel to their romance is the deteriorating marriage of Detective Jim Gordon and Barbara Gordon.  As they did last week, B

Feb 17, 2019 • 1:03:11

CBCC 9: Bruce & Selina - The Autobiography of Bruce Wayne

February feels like the perfect month to root around in one of the most twisted and dysfunctional relationships in comics - Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle a.k.a. Batman & Catwoman. We love seeing them together, and we hate seeing them together. To kick this month's relationship series off, we're diving deep into a "not-so-classic" issue of "The Brave and The Bold" - #197, in which the Batman & Catwoman of Earth-2 battle the terrifying formula of The Scarecrow and find love in the process. In all hone

Feb 9, 2019 • 1:02:05

CBCC Bonus Episode 2: Sundance Film Festival 2019

This week Brad & Lisa are reporting to you live from Park City, Utah as they attend the Sundance Film Festival 2019. While this is not their usual comic book relationship talk, they did find a few films that CBCC listeners will definitely want to put on their radar. Without going into spoilers, Brad & Lisa discuss the Australian horror comedy "Little Monsters" as well as the beautifully melancholic "The Last Black Man in San Fransisco." What exactly makes these films necessary watches for comic

Feb 4, 2019 • 29:44

CBCC 8: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 4

We close out our first month of the year with "Saga Vol. 4," which might represent a split between Marko & Alana, but certainly not the end. We look into how this volume deviates significantly from the vibe previously established by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples in the first three arcs, and how the time-jump between the last issue and the first issue of this storyline radically expands the possibilities of the series. There are several banger confrontations in this week's book, and it drags

Jan 26, 2019 • 1:08:09

CBCC 7: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 3

What's that old cliche? Never meet your heroes. Well, in the pivotal third volume of "Saga" from Image Comics, Marko & Alana flee to Quietus in an effort to encounter the brilliant mind that birthed the novel that originally bonded their hearts. D. Oswald Heist is everything and nothing like his dust jacket promised. This brief and bizarre relationship will not only steer their lives, but that of their daughter, their stowaway companions, and their nefarious pursuers. Our third episode on the ro

Jan 19, 2019 • 1:06:19

CBCC 6: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 2

"Please. Keep reading." Indeed. In the second volume of Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' "Saga" we finally learn how our lovebirds first met, and the source of their bonding. While Marko & Alana bicker in the face of a surprise visit from the in-laws, our trusty narrator also reveals all the raunchy secrets no child should know about their parents' coupling. Also, we can't forget that Marko's Ex is hot on their trail along with Prince Robot IV, The Will, and Lying Cat. Brad & Lisa are still d

Jan 12, 2019 • 58:10

CBCC 5: Marko & Alana - Saga Vol. 1

"This is how an idea becomes real..." For the last seven years, "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples has held the attention of all comic book fans with discernible tastes. This sweeping science-fiction fantasy romance is an epic that truly lives up to its many labels. Marko & Alana are two soldiers from opposite sides of a galactic war who get lost in each other's eyes and a beautiful baby girl is the result. "Saga" Vol. 1 is brutal, witty, profane, romantic as hell, and it's only just b

Jan 6, 2019 • 1:09:00

CBCC Bonus Episode 1: Scott Free & Big Barda - Mister Miracle

"Is he a master of spectacular trickery -- or is he something more? -- You will have to decide when you confront the strangest, most incredible hero to ever appear in comics!" Brad & Lisa close out 2018 with a special bonus episode focusing on one of the year's best comic books - Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. This limited series was the talk of the town this past year, and for good reason. We meet heroes Scott Free and Big Barda at a crossroads in their lives, and we cry and cheer

Dec 29, 2018 • 1:09:22

CBCC 4: Scott & Jean - New X-Men

Beware! Team Scemma!! The Charles Xavier Institute is in total chaos. Professor X is still reeling from the psychic invasion of Cassandra Nova. The island nation of Genosha has been obliterated. Magneto is dead. Emma Frost joins the school as a bustin' loose teacher, but her real motives appear to be the total annihilation of Scott Summers and Jean Grey. The Phoenix Force is unleashed! For their final episode dissecting the king and queen of The Uncanny X-Men, Brad and Lisa go out with a bang th

Dec 22, 2018 • 1:11:37

CBCC 3: Scott & Jean - The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix

Past and future collide in "The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix" written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Gene Ha. Just as their honeymoon is about to kick off, Jean Grey and Scott Summers are propelled 2,000 years into the future so that they can raise their techno-virus poisoned son, Nathan Christopher Charles Summers a.k.a. Baby Cable! As if that wasn't hard enough, the newlyweds must also contend with Apocalypse and Stryfe, Cable's bratty, evil decoy clone. Hosts Brad and Lisa are happy

Dec 15, 2018 • 59:37

CBCC 2: Scott & Jean - X-Factor

One Triumphant Return, One Diabolical Debut! In the second episode of the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast, Brad & Lisa jump from "The Dark Phoenix Saga" to the first, official X-Men spin-off series "X-Factor." Six years have passed since the death of Jean Grey, and suddenly she's back to wreak havoc in the heart of Scott Summers. Oh, and you can't forget that Scott has married another women and they have a sweet, baby boy that will one-day grow up into the X-Force badass and general thorn

Dec 7, 2018 • 58:44

CBCC 1: Scott & Jean - The Dark Phoenix Saga

Face front, true believers. You are now in session with the Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast. Every episode married couple Brad and Lisa Gullickson will dig into the relationship of a famous comic book pair, analyze their behavior, and attempt to resolve any issues they may be facing. Each month will focus on a different couple, and to kick things off Brad and Lisa are exploring the king and queen of the Uncanny X-Men: Scott Summers and Jean Grey a.k.a. Cyclops and Marvel Girl. In episode o

Dec 1, 2018 • 1:14:39