Indefensible Ink

On today's episode, Ryan and Justin conclude their discussion of one of Marvel's most misguided crossover epics, Secret Wars II. Prepare yourself for lots of space-god brooding, a dash of dorm-room philosophy, and more awkwardly shoehorned-in cameos than a latter-day Simpsons episode! Also covered in loving detail: Justin accidentally pitches a DC crossover event, Molecule Man's DIY psychotherapy, Daredevil gets left out of yet another Marvel storyline, and Captain America defends your right to die in a tidal wave. Discussed in this episode: Secret Wars II #5-9 (1985).

Ryan and Justin cover the first four issues of legendary 1980s Marvel mega-crossover Secret Wars II! Find out what happens when Marvel trades crowd-pleasing, sprawling battles between their most popular characters for wacky fish-out-of-water hijinks, thinly veiled attacks on former employees, and gentle satire of '80s consumer culture! Also in this episode: The Thing's erotic adventures, Spidey's power and responsibility motto apparently has its limits, organized crime seems pretty awesome, and the Beyonder's assessment of the Dazzler makes your hosts question his all-knowingness. Discussed in this episode: Secret Wars II #1-4 (1985).

On this episode of Indefensible Ink, Ryan and Justin cover 1993's obscure (and bizarre) sci-fi superhero saga, Warriors of Plasm, a series that tried (and failed) to launch a superhero universe. They'll discuss one of comics' most divisive figures--former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter--as well as the role of slime in the cultural zeitgeist of the 1990s, why the protagonist of Warriors is The Worst, and some art choices that would make Georgia O'Keeffe blush. Also covered: Earth's laziest cops, poorly conceived nicknames, why Splatterball players should keep out of politics, and carnivorous floors. Discussed: Plasm #0, Warriors of Plasm #1-4 (1993).

In this episode of Indefensible Ink, Ryan and Justin are reunited and ready to discuss 2009's little-loved DC miniseries Justice League: Cry for Justice. Will this grittier, "rogue" version of the Justice League leave your hosts crying for mercy? Or will JL:CfJ deliver the superhero goods? Ryan and Justin examine why the most compelling character in this series is a big-game-hunter-turned-talking-gorilla, alleged superhero threesomes, and the ethics of shrunken superheroes expanding inside villains' sinuses. Also discussed: DC's comparatively mundane names for its super-powerful artifacts, Justin makes a startling self-discovery, and the ways in which the main bad guy's plans involve ripping off a late-80s Marvel crossover event. Discussed: Justice League: Cry for Justice #1-7 (2009-2010).

With Ryan away, Justin must enlist his own son as fill-in co-host to discuss The World Series of Zombies, a poker-themed horror comic that's quite possibly inappropriate for a boy his age. Beat the rake, take the pot, fold those...aces? Look, nobody here understands poker terminology, but maybe you'll enjoy this mini-episode anyway. Indefensible Ink is taking July off and will be back with regular episodes again in August. In the meantime, however, Ryan and Justin will be dropping some bonus content to see you through the mid-summer.

An introduction to the podcast and your hosts, Ryan and Justin. If you want to know more about what Indefensible Ink is trying to accomplish and what kind of madmen or fools would volunteer to read such regrettable comic books, check out this excerpt from the first episode, now handily available in standalone form. Indefensible Ink is taking July off and will be back with regular episodes again in August. In the meantime, however, Ryan and Justin will be dropping some bonus content to see you through the mid-summer.

In this episode, Ryan and Justin take a look at Marvel's Ultimatum, the major crossover event that changed the Ultimate Universe forever...because it alienated readers and rendered the Ultimate Universe no longer commercially viable. Listen as the tanking of a formerly successful publishing line unfolds before your very ears!  Plus: How to avoid drawing the tidal wave that destroys Manhattan; cannibalism and its applications towards mutant supremacy; various instances of massive head trauma; and the woefully inadequate defenses of medieval Latverian castles. Discussed: Ultimatum #1-5 (2009).

In this episode, the '90s comic series Lady Death strikes a dubious blow for equality by showing that women are equally capable of starring in bad comics! But just how bad? And will the series leave us longing for (Lady) Death or just plain ol' death? Also in this episode: Lady Death’s real superpower is her incredible memory, Steven Hughes’ art would look perfect on the side of your sweet van, and Hell has seen better days. Discussed: Lady Death #1-3, #1/2, Swimsuit Special (1994).

In this episode, Ryan and Justin cover DC’s 2014 poorly received reboot of the popular '90s anti-hero, Lobo! Was the backlash to the newly sleek and svelte Lobo simply fan resistance to change? Or was "Sexy Lobo" justly dismissed? Your hosts contemplate these questions and other matters, including DC’s half-assed approach to reboots, faux-tough guy narration, the mechanics of interdimensional Porta Potties, and why you don’t want to be on the receiving end of Lobo’s Twitter snark. Also covered: DC reboots Canadian geography, Lobo is the ten-millionth "killer with a code," and somebody’s been stealing villain names from Hideo Kojima. Discussed: Lobo (The New 52), #1-6 (2014).

This week, Ryan and Justin trade in their inhalers and pocket protectors for free weights and jockstraps as they cover Marvel’s football-themed superhero, NFL SuperPro! Witness the amazing origin of gridiron-star-turned-superpowered-vigilante Phil Grayson as he “tackles” (better get used to football puns!) hard-hitting issues such as steroid abuse and not-quite-classic villains including Instant Replay, Quick Kick, and Sanction. Was this ignored and/or despised series a secret touchdown, or a real fumble (ha ha, sports!)? Also discussed: more tortured football metaphors, a time-traveling ninja assassin who seems out of SuperPro’s league, a half-assed team-up appearance from Spider-Man, irresponsible medication disposal, and why SuperPro’s cameraman/hacker sidekick is the real hero of the book. Plus: We take a look at '90s comic book advertisements, including an X-Men phone game(?) and trading cards based on the TGIF lineup. Discussed: NFL Superpro Special Edition #1 (1991), NFL Superpro #1-4 (1991-1992).

This week, Ryan and Justin explore what was once the best selling independent comic of all time: Rob Liefeld’s Youngblood, published by a young Image Comics! In today’s episode, your intrepid hosts are just talkin' 'bout their man Shaft and his team of government-sponsored, pouch-manufacturer-subsidized superfolk as they fight underwhelming villains including the (adjectiveless) Four and the dollar-store Darkseid known as Darkthorne. Also covered: the team is surprisingly casual about “urgent” crises, that awkward moment when your super-team leader may be dating your mom, and why there's very little Youngblood in the second issue of Youngblood. PLUS: Spine-breaking backup features! Discussed: Youngblood, #1-5 (1992).

In this episode, Ryan and Justin examine Volume 2 of Batman: Odyssey, in which we learn the safest place to stand in an explosion, Ra’s al Ghul is not a sportsball fan, Neal Adams believes some interesting stuff, and coping with traumatic news on the back of a giant bat is not optimal. Also, Justin wonders about IP law in the DC Universe, the podcast gets tough on (Ra’s al Ghul-related) crime, and Batman gets the subterranean telepathic cyclops blues. Discussed: Batman: Odyssey, Volume 2, #1-7 (2011-2012).

Is Batman: Odyssey, Volume 1 the most successful adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey since O Brother, Where Art Thou? Or is it a rightfully reviled trainwreck? Ryan and Justin discuss this and an actual trainwreck, take controversial stances on superheroes shooting pistols into a train car of civilians and 19th-century pseudoscience, and establish that Gotham City is in Pennsylvania. Also, writing for the Riddler is hard, Batman is an angry Bill Nye the Science Guy, Bruce Wayne has some tough talk for Alfred, and it’s raining manta rays (Hallelujah!). Discussed: Batman: Odyssey, Volume 1, #1-6 (2010-2011)

In this inaugural episode, hosts Ryan McClure and Justin Zyduck discuss one of the best-selling comics of all time, Spider-Man (1990) #1, which kicks off the critically panned "Torment" storyarc featuring the Lizard. Is superstar artist Todd McFarlane's first full-fledged attempt at writing unfairly maligned? Or does it live up to its title? Also in this episode: how the '90s collectors boom made us all millionaires, promoting your new Spider-Man comic by drastically lowering expectations, and why writing like Alan Moore is not as easy as it looks. Discussed: Spider-Man #1-5 (1990)