Graphic Novel Explorers Club

Our Week in Geek - The King's Affection & Spider-Man: No Way Home

Greetings, Explorers! We're trying something new here at Graphic Novel Explorers Club. We thought started checking in every other week to see what non-comic book and non-graphic novel media that's got our attention. Things like shows, movies, books, games, and music.

In the very first episode, Aubrey and Johnny chat about some of things they've been geeking out on: The King's Affection, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Mixtape, Donut County, New Teeth: Stories, and Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers.

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Episode 85

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Happy Holidays, Explorers! December marks the return of our annual Holiday Special! This year we take a look at Krampus! by writer Brian Joines and artist Dean Kotz. Images Comics published the comic in 2014.

The bones of Saint Nicholas have gone missing! Now the Secret Society of Santa Clauses are in mortal danger and so is Christmas! With time running out, their only option is to turn to the creature they locked up decades ago: Krampus. With the Santas in their most desperate hour, will he help his jailers or return to his ways of punishing children? However, knowing Krampus is forever on the Naughty List, the Santas go to an extreme measure to him to keep him in line. Which begs the question, what's a Krampus to do?

Johnny, Dennis, and guest host Aubrey look at the similarities between the character of Krampus and private detectives like Philip Marlowe and Jeffrey Lebowski. Next, they discuss the respect the author shows in bringing different cultures’ winter lore to life in the story. Finally, they contemplate if this book will follow the lead of other loved comics that are yet to have their follow up published – looking at you Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Emil Ferris. Additional topics include taking the trope of cursing Santa; the many versions of a gift-giving deity; the possible inspiration of Escape from New York; did the kid at the end make it; Horny Christmas vs. Depressed Christmas; the Boomer State of Mind; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Krampus!.

Graphic Novel Explorers Club will return with a new season (number 6!) in January 2022.

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Episode 86

Greetings, Explorers! We kick off our sixth season of Graphic Novel Explorers Club with Daredevil Know Fear, by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto. Marvel published the comic in 2019.

Matt Murdock, better known as Daredevil, is rebuilding everything after nearly passing away, both in his personal life and his vigilante life as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. His first mission back results in a criminal dying while trying to stop a crime. Consequently, NYPD is scouring Hell's Kitchen for Daredevil. His problems don’t stop there! First, Kingpin is mayor of New York. Next, the one hero no one wants on their side is trying to help him. Finally, his investigation into who really killed that criminal is not going where Daredevil is hoping it will go.

Dennis and Johnny kicks things off with some updates about the podcast, including introducing our new co-host Aubrey Zevallos! Next, they look at the history of comic book villains running for office. Finally, that ask how effective are superheroes if supervillains are able to commit crimes after being caught? Additional topics include asking if Daredevil Know Fear is a What If story; “brutal with compassion”; the consequences of running that hero game; how heroes deal with the loss of their identity; the Anti-Vigilante Vigilante; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Daredevil Know Fear.

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Episode 74

Greetings, Explorers! The gang takes a look at The Incal: Classic Collection in this episode. Story by Alejandro Jodorowsky and art by Mæbius. Set in a dystopian world, a detective named John DiFool finds his life in constant peril after discovering “The Incal”. Self-centered and incompetent, DiFool not only must save his own skin, he must face the fact that the survival of the entire universe rests on his shoulders.

Dennis, Johnny, and guest host Jake (Frankie needed a new Multipass) chat about the influence The Incal: Classic Collection had on Sci-Fi and pop culture. Next, they discuss the comic’s origins with Jodorowsky’s abandoned Dune movie. Last, they ask if Ralph Bakshi or Rankin/Bass would have benefited from turning the series into an animated movie. Additional topics include what the possibleoffspring of Æon Flux and Tintin; a call back to Episode 35; Jodoworsky’s tarot deck collection; the unofficial trailer; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of The Incal: Classic Collection.

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Week in Geek – Obi-Wan Kenobi & V Rising

Greetings, Explorers! This is our Week in Geek. Every other week we look back at the everything we’ve been geeking out on. That could be movies, shows, books, games, music, and anything else that got our attention. This week we look at Obi-Wan Kenobi.

First up, Aubrey shares her latest TV viewing, which is the K Drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One that is currently available on Netflix (as of June 6, 2022). Aubrey is also playing V Rising and No Man’s Sky. Next, Dennis and Johnny both watched Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+. Dennis also watched Stranger Things and Young Justice. Finally, Johnny chats about re-reading of The Watchmen after about a decade since he last read it.

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