Matt & Brett Love Comics!

The guys get relatively topical this week, as Matt, Brett, and guest Nat Towsen discuss Image Publisher Eric Stephenson’s recent address at this year’s ComicsPRO event. On top of that heavy talk, the guys discuss reboots, New York City history, and a ton of other stuff. Take A Tour Of Marvel’s Manhattan Grassroots Tavern Transcript of Eric Stephenson’s address at ComicsPRO Nat Towsen is a comedian in New York City and the host of Nat Towsen’s Downtown Variety Hour at the UCB East Theatre. You can also follow him on Twitter at @NatTowsen. Music: “He’s A Rebel” by The Crystals "Nat Towsen / There Is Always A Hand On Your Shoulder" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/nat-towsen.html

This week, Comic Book Club’s own Alex Zalben speeds into our lives and brings with him The Flash v2 #192-200 by Geoff Johns, Scott Kolins and Phil Winslade. It’s Brett’s first time reading the Flash, and he has a LOT of questions about family trees and the Speed Force. Also, Punisher fans, we apologize in advance. For more of Alex, you can check out Comic Book Club on the Nerdist Network, and you can follow him on Twitter @azalben. To read this stretch of Flash issues, go to Amazon or Comixology. Music: “Run” by Vampire Weekend "Alex Zalben / The Flash v2 #192-200 (2003)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/alex-zalben-flash.html

Matt and Brett are joined by friend of the podcast T.J. Dietsch to talk about this year’s Toy Fair in New York City, as well as toys in general. You can learn more about T.J. on his previous appearance, where he regaled us with tales of his time working for Wizard and ToyFare magazine. You can read T.J.’s musings over at his blog, United Monkee. You can follow him on Twitter at @PoppaDietsch. Music: “The Man With All The Toys” by the Beach Boys "He's Not a Hero, He's in Hell" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/toy-fair-tj-dietsch.html

Matt and Brett are snowed in! And since their actual podcast plans were dashed due to the storm, they decided to read a classic comic book tale of snowy adventure. This week, we’re reading Snowblind, the classic issue of Alpha Flight by John Byrne that features five whole blank pages of story as Alpha Flight’s Snowbird fights blind against an ancient spirit in a snowstorm. You can buy this issue on Comixology, or you can read it in Alpha Flight Classic volume 1, or buy the issue itself at MyComicShop. Next week on the show, we’ll be reading Batman #404-407, also known as Batman: Year One. You can buy it on Amazon or download on Comixology. Music: “Winter Must Be Cold” by Apples in Stereo "Alpha Flight #6 (1984)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/alpha-flight-no-6.html

Matt and Brett celebrate 100 episodes by talking about 100th issues with Kevin Hines! Spider-Armor! The Legacy Virus! Touching lessons about literacy! All that, and the gang dives back into the mail bag to answer questions about superhero musical taste and comic shops. For more of Kevin Hines, listen to our Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot review or our limbo characters episode. You can also follow Kevin on Twitter @kevhines and see him perform at the UCB Theatre with The Curfew every Saturday night. Music: “You Gotta Feel It” by Spoon "One Hundredth Issues" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/100.html

The comedy-in-comics discussion continues with a trek through the strange genius of Michael Kupperman’s Tales Designed to Thrizzle. Joining Matt and Brett is a longtime sketch comedy writer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, Damian Chadwick. Picasso: His Astonishing Life Johnny Silhouette Sidafexil childish revenge Baby Poop'n'Tell Cousin Grandpa Unnecessary Foreplay pubic hair stencils The Buzz Aldrin Mysteries Fabulous Nut Bra Uncle Billy’s Drunken, Bitter Guide to the Animal Kingdom To read Tales Designed to Thrizzle, either get the single issues on Comixology in black and white, or buy the collection in color on Amazon or Comixology. Follow @damianchadwick on Twitter, and if you’re in the Portland area, check out Reading Frenzy. Music: “Who Have I Become?” by Best Coast "Damian Chadwick / Tales Designed To Thrizzle #1-4 (2005-2008)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/tales-designed-to-thrizzle.html

Matt and Brett get together this week to discuss [Brett’s recent “Andy Rooney moment”][facejam], comedy in comics, the many different types of comedy that could be in comics, and various other comedy-driven talking points. Point is, it gets intense. Then they switch gears to respond to a few listeners who sent in their problems with “The Dark Knight Rises,” in a new segment dubbed The Letters Column! (Want to suggest a better title than “The Letters Column”? Tweet it to @brettwhite and you could win a prize!) Next week on the show, Matt and Brett will be reading a comedy comic: Michael Kupperman’s Tales Designed To Thrizzle #1! You can get the first issue on Comixology, or buy the whole first volume on Amazon. Music: “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” by Gary Portnoy "Why Aren't There Sitcoms In Comic-Book Form?" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2014/sitcomic-books.html

The crew from the Star Wars Minute podcast drop out of hyperspace to discuss some truly classic Star Wars comics with Matt and Brett. The adventure in question is Star Wars #7-10, from the original Marvel Comics series in the late ‘70s. These comics have everything: shirtless interviews, Borg precursors, hokey religions, giant great bunnies, literal Jedi knights, and more! If you haven’t yet read Star Wars #7-10 by Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, and friends, and this episode didn’t scare you off, now is the time to purchase these issues in Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago, either physically on Amazon or digitally through Dark Horse. You can check out Alex and Pete on Star Wars Minute, the podcast where they analyze, scrutinize, and mythologize the Star Wars trilogy one minute at a time. You can also follow @arobtwit (Alex) and @peterbonavita (Pete) on Twitter, listen to Pete on Nerd Geek Dork, and check out Alex’s comic book art. And why not buy Alex’s graphic novel, Box Office Poison, while you’re a

Matt and Brett seek shelter on the coldest day of 2014 in the warmth of their Podcastatorium, where they ring in the new year by talking about The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, Valiant Comics, Golden Age Superman stories, gripes with The Dark Knight Rises, Marvel’s Phase Two films, and what Star Wars comics will look like at their new publisher. Want to buy some of the things we talked about? The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story Valiant: Unity The Dark Knight Rises (also on iTunes) Lois Lane: A Celebration of 75 Years Thor: The Dark World (also on iTunes) Next week on the show, we’ll be taking a trip way back in time to 1978 to read the very first original Star Wars stories published by Marvel Comics: “Star Wars” #7-10 by Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, and friends. You can purchase these issues in the Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago trade, either on Amazon or digitally through Dark Horse. Music: “Fugitive Air” by Of Montreal "Very British in His First A

The holidays have arrived and they’ve come packaged with a lot of violence! Matt and Brett stumbled upon the accidental theme of “putting a hit on Santa” and had to read these two issues: Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special by Keith Giffen, Alan Grant, and Simon Bisley; and Hitman #22 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea. From Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special: Santa’s Origin Are they aliens? Elf death Slash Tough Santa The finger From Hitman #22: Simpsons Santa hit Gift swap Joining Matt and Brett is comic book creator Christopher Hastings. You might recognize him from his creator-owned web comic Dr. McNinja, or you might be reading his incredibly fun Longshot Saves the Marvel Universe mini-series. If not, remedy that! Get these comics: Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special: Amazon, Comixology Hitman #22: Amazon, Comixology The Adventures of Dr. McNinja: Amazon Longshot Saves the Marvel Universe: Amazon, Comixology Music: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)&rd

It’s a secret crossover with Left Handed Radio as Matt & Brett are joined by their sketch comedy cohorts Anna Rubanova and Adam Bozarth! The group discuss the “process” behind writing their all-comic-book sketch episode, their deal with Above Average, what comics spoke to them as vagrant youths, and try to name all 36 Chambers of the Wu-Tang. Warning: we earn an explicit tag with this episode! Let’s blame Brett. Music: “Protect Ya Neck” by Wu-Tang Clan "Anna Rubanova & Adam Bozarth / Wolverine’s Bar & Grill" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/left-handed-radio.html

We’re going Buck(y) wild this week with artist Kris Anka (Uncanny X-Men, X-Men) and BOOM! Studios editor Dafna Pleban (Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm, Sons of Anarchy). They are two of the biggest Bucky/Winter Soldier fans around, so we read the first arc, The Longest Winter, from the character’s 2012 ongoing series by Ed Brubaker, Butch Guice, and Bettie Breitweiser! You can check out more of Kris’s work on his Tumblr or Twitter, and you can chat about Bucky fandom with Dafna on her Tumblr or Twitter as well. If you’re interested in reading Winter Soldier #1-5, you can purchase it on Comixology or Amazon. Music: “Spinoza” by Generationals "Kris Anka & Dafna Pleban / Winter Soldier #1-5 (2012)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/winter-soldier.html

Matt and Brett are joined by fellow podcaster and comic book journalist extraordinaire: Matt Wilson of Comics Alliance and War Rocket Ajax fame! Join this trio as they talk about Chicago facts, hip hop movies, Christmas comics, Spider-Man, and TGIF intros! Check out Matt Wilson’s work on Comics Alliance and listen to him on the podcasts War Rocket Ajax and Movie Fighters. You can also follow him on Twitter @highmindedmw and read the two books he’s written: The Supervillain Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide to Destruction and Mayhem and The Supervillain Field Manual: How to Conquer (Super) Friends and Incinerate People. Next week we will be reading Winter Soldier #1-5 by Ed Brubaker, Butch Guice and Bettie Breitweiser, available on Amazon or Comixology. Music: “Y.A.L.A.” by M.I.A. "Matt D. Wilson / For Juggalos, By Juggalos" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/matt-d-wilson.html

iFanboy’s very own Paul Montgomery joins Matt and Brett in a celebration of all things Thor! Okay, well, it’s actually just a celebration of the six issues surrounding the first appearance of Thor’s new big screen baddie, Malekith. These Podcasters Three join forces to analyze the work of Walt Simonson and answer the big questions: What’s up with Balder? How accurate is Thor’s New York City geography? WEEEOOO Balder’s not feeling Odin’s plan Thor the construction worker Well drawn weird page about a McBurger DOOM She’s made of wood A specific subway stop Bad hiding place A bit of Kurse John Workman’s lettering There are several places to find these issues: Amazon: Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus Amazon: Thor by Walter Simonson - Volume 1 and Volume 2 Comixology: Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson Volume 1 (#337-348) and #349 Paul Montgomery previously appeared on Matt & Bret

Enjoy the next installment in our ongoing “Oral History of Wizard Magazine” series as Brett talks to former ToyFare editor — and current Marvel.com and Comic Book Resources writer — T.J. Dietsch about his history with all things related to Wizard magazine. For more of T.J.’s online exploits, check out his blogs United Monkee and Pop Poppa (and its associated podcast, the Pop Poppa Nap Cast). You can also follow T.J. on Twitter at @PoppaDietsch. Next week on the show, we’re celebrating the release of Thor: The Dark World by reading Thor #344-349. Where to get these issues: Amazon: Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus Amazon: Thor by Walter Simonson - Volume 1 and Volume 2 Comixology: Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson Volume 1 (#337-348) and #349 Music: “Here Comes The Night Time” by Arcade Fire "T.J. Dietsch / Tough On Your Childhood Fan Side" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/pod

Matt and Brett try something a little different this week, as they discuss two recent issues that both grabbed at their heart/gut strings and reveal just a little bit of something about themselves. Brett picked Astonishing X-Men #67 by Marjorie Liu and Amilcar Pinna. Matt picked Hawkeye #13 by Matt Fraction and David Aja. You can find these issues of Astonishing X-Men and Hawkeye on Comixology (X-Men, Hawkeye), or pre-order the trade paperbacks containing these issues on Amazon (X-Men, Hawkeye). Music: “We Walk” by R.E.M. "Astonishing X-Men v3 #67, Hawkeye v4 #13 (2013)" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/astonishing-hawkeye.html

Matt and Brett reconvene post-NYCC to run through all of Marvel’s new series announcements, including favorites like Silver Surfer and Black Widow. We also interview documentary filmmaker Patrick Meaney about his work on two upcoming documentaries, Comics In Focus: Chris Claremont’s X-Men and The Image Revolution. Music: “Sugarcane” by Sleigh Bells "Patrick Meaney / All-New Marvel NOW!" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/all-new-marvel-now.html

It’s convention time in New York City! Matt and Brett went to New York Comic Con this past weekend, and it was pretty great. They interviewed their old friends, their new friends, and some of the hardest working creators in comics today. Will Sliney on the X-Men cartoon Charles Soule on playing music Cliff Chiang on Paul Smith’s Uncanny X-Men Joe Harris on Slingers David Marquez on Miles Morales Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman on Star Wars Russell Dauterman on Paul Smith’s Uncanny X-Men And check out Russell’s X-Men animated series print: For more NYCC fun, check out our episode from 2012. And why not pick up a copy of Joe Harris and Adam Pollina’s Wars in Toyland? We’ll be back next week with more from NYCC 2013. Music: “Crash Years” by the New Pornographers "New York Comic Con 2013" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/new-york-comic-con.html

With Arrow returning to the small screen this week, Matt and Brett decided to read one of the hooded vigilante’s recent comic book exploits: Green Arrow/Black Canary: The Wedding Album by Judd Winick, Cliff Chiang, Amanda Conner, and Andre Coelho. Joining them is comedy writer Mary Iampietro. Mary drops some serious knowledge about comic book painters Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, and the trio all talk way too much about The Real World. Superhero wedding invites I came for the fight Emo Batman in the stairwell Speedy makes her point Wedding party Black Canary, ready to fight Who needs the Comics Code Superhero strip club Superhero lingerie Black Canary mourns Gruesome autopsy Granny Goodness Black Canary in the arena Use the chamber pot Super impotence Green Arrow’s new costume Best Superman panel ever Oliver Queen, King Douche You can listen to Mary Iampietro on the video game podcast Unlimited Lives, which airs on the UCB’s SiriusXM channel. You can also see her sketch team Alamo perfo

Kevin and Timmy return to talk about the debut episode of ABC’s new comic book-based super-spy show, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. What did everyone think? What does everyone think everybody else thought? What other shows are they watching? And most importantly: what does Timmy have to say about Pretty Little Liars? All of this and much more in this very special episode of Matt & Brett Love Television! Next week on the show we’ll be reading Green Arrow/Black Canary: The Wedding Album by Judd Winick, Amanda Conner, and Cliff Chiang. You can purchase these issues (Green Arrow/Black Canary: Wedding Special and Green Arrow/Black Canary #1-5) through Amazon or digitally on Comixology. Music: “Junior Kickstart” by the Go! Team "It's Essentially Mean Girls Meets Agatha Christie" originally appeared at http://mattandbrettlovecomics.com/podcast/2013/agents-of-shield.html