The Comics Canon

“Hey, where’s my House of X episode?” we hear you asking. Well, Kevin’s here to answer that question in this special bonus announcement.

And to make up for the delay, we’re throwing in a little something extra—Curt Holman’s Top 10 Superhero Adaptations of 2019!

Thanks for your patience—and as always, thank you for listening!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin discuss the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt’s favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin, by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, published by Titan Comics!

In this satirical account based on actual events, Joseph Stalin, head of the Soviet Union, collapses from a severe stroke in February of 1953, setting off a chain of events that threatens to throw the socialist state into chaos as the members of the Soviet Central Committee bicker about what course of action to take. In the wake of Stalin’s death (spoiler alert!), innocents are hauled off to prison or executed, and hundreds of mourners die as they march on Moscow to pay their respects.

Can Nikita Khrushchev and his allies prevent noxious Lavrentiy Beria, head of the Secret Police, from seizing power? And can this gripping tale of political perfidy and bureaucratic back-stabbing make it over the Iron Curtain into that capital of comic-book democracy known as ... The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

• Content warning
• Liberties taken with the historical record
• Curt’s top 10 films of 2018
• The Techmeme Ride Home podcast
• Aquacorn Cove
• The A.V. Club’s best comics of the year
• Superman: Red Son

Join us in two weeks as we switch gears to discuss the recently revitalized comic strip Nancy and the webcomic xkcd!

Until then, don’t forget our snazzy Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4!

Last but not least, don’t forget to rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin take the plunge with a discussion of “nobody’s favorite superhero,” Aquaman! First up, they plumb the depths of the seafaring sentinel’s first appearance in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73! Can this freshman warrior of the waves sink the dastardly plans of a Nazi submarine crew?

Then, it’s a deep dive into the character’s 2011 reboot from Aquaman Vol. 7, as DC’s defender of the deep goes toe to webbed foot with the man-eating menace of ... the Trench! When these sharp-toothed humanoids come across the coastal town of Beachrock, they decide to put mankind on the menu!

Can Aquaman and his Atlantean gill—er, we mean girlfriend Mera save the inhabitants of Beachrock and adapt to life on the surface world? And can our titan of the tides endure a constant stream of snickers and insults and paddle his way to that sea of love known as ... The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

• Curt’s idea for an Aquaman movie trailer
• “I’ve oceans of love for you boys!”
• Super Friends and Aquaman’s image problem
• Kevin has conflicting feelings about these carnivorous denizens of the deep
• What was the best version of Aquaman?
• Justice League Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis
• Upgrade
• Drowned Earth
• Sanctum Vol. 1: USS Nebraska
• Dept. H Vol. 1: Murder Six Miles Deep

Join us in two weeks as we review the graphic novel that inspired one of Curt’s favorite movies of the year: The Death of Stalin!

Until then, consider our fine line of Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4 for all your holiday shopping needs!

Last but not least, don’t forget to rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Curt and Kevin discuss another graphic novel that has taken on a new level of relevance in today’s political landscape: the first volume of Marjane Satrapi’s comics autobiography Persepolis. It’s an engrossing and eye-opening account of the author’s childhood in the late 70s and early 80s, as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Islamic Revolution and a subsequent war with Iraq—seismic events that placed her family in danger and took the lives of friends and loved ones including her beloved uncle Anoosh.

Will rebellious young Marjane survive life in an oppressive regime without getting arrested—or worse? And will this stirring memoir find its place in that library of historical works known as ... The Comics Canon?

Things Discussed in This Episode:

• Larry Gonick’s Cartoon History of the Universe
• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Keith Haring
• "Iron Maiden? Those four brutes?"
• Persepolis the movie
• Curt puts Kevin on the spot
• Craig Thompson’s Blankets and Habibi
• Palestine by Joe Sacco
• What Does This Button Do? by Bruce Dickinson
• Kevin’s guest appearance on The Reelist podcast
• R.I.P., Stan Lee
• Stan’s Soapbox column on racism and bigotry

Join us in two weeks as we gear up for the Dec. 21 release of the Aquaman movie with a look at Aquaman Vol. 1: The Trench, by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis!

Until then, consider our fine line of Comics Canon merchandise and the Benoda! series of typefaces by our friends at Category 4 for all your holiday shopping needs!

Last but not least, don’t forget to rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME as we kick off a two-part look at one of Marvel Comics’ most storied traditions: epic slugfests between the Hulk and the Thing! Specifically, the first two face-offs between these fearsome foes in Fantastic Four #12 and #25-26, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!

First, everyone’s on their worst behavior as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross enlists the FF’s aid in subduing the Hulk, who’s accused of sabotaging a military experiment!

Then, with his teammates sidelined, it’s up to Ben to stop the angry green goliath from rampaging across New York City, in a knock-down drag-out brawl guest starring the Mighty Avengers!

Can the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing prevail against the jade giant? And can these stories go the distance in a title match against ... The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:

· A literal card-carrying communist

· How pretty young ladies can help their men

· “Aunt Petunia was pretty hardcore!”

· Giant-Man’s pill problem

· What If? Season 2 and Echo

· Doctor Who: The Angels Take Manhattan

· Marvel Two-in-One #46

· Curt introduces an unscheduled order of business

Join us in two weeks as we polish off this two-parter with a matchup of more recent vintage: The Thing vs. The Immortal Hulk from Fantastic Four (Vol. 6) #12-13!

Until then:Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise! Rate us on Apple Podcasts! Send us an email! Hit us up on Facebook or The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter!

And as always, thanks for listening!