Kray Z Comics And Stories

It has been a LONG time since we did this:  Cory!! and Joe talk about what would be a dream comic shop if they had to open one under the current state of the comics industry. What they would have done before 2019 is vastly different from what they would do now, so what sort of things would they do, what product mix would they have, and more!  They also discuss: The origins of the podcast Should we carry new comics? Is it worth having a store in a mall now? Do you need a gaming section? What sort of non-comics merch would you carry? Our Retro Review this week: Weird War Tales #9 All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

Not everything DC has done in their stories has been a good thing, so this week, Joe and Cory!! discuss stories DC has done that have messed things up, made characters fail, or derailed other stories going on.  In other words, Where Has DC Screwed up? They also discuss: Are we in a new speculator boom? How successful DC’s Absolute line has been with DC sales figures How DC messed up their “universe” pre-Crisis The mess that was Wonder Girl How John Byrne screwed up the Sandman series. THE NEW 52!!! Our Retro Review this week: Remo Williams The Destroyer #1 from Marvel All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

Not everything Marvel has done in their stories has been a good thing, so this week, Joe and Cory!! discuss stories Marvel has done that have messed things up, made characters fail, or derailed other stories going on.  In other words, Where Has Marvel Screwed up? TRIGGER WARNING: There is a discussion of Marvel stories that had rape in them.   Cory!! discusses Malort Stan Lee’s job at Marvel in the 70’s. Oh, there is so much about the behind the scenes stuff on the Peter Parker/Mary Jane wedding What is the story that caused the most damage?  A story so bad it affected sales across an entire line of comics? A mystery solved: How did Steve Gerber become an editor at Marvel? All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

Doug Marcaida is a martial artist, edged weapons specialist, and knife designer born in the Philippines, who calls Upstate New York home. Doug’s interest in martial arts began at the age of 8, but he did not begin formally training in the arts until he was 16. At age 25 he discovered his love for Filipino Martial Arts, and from there, he changed his life and started to change the lives around him. He has time in the Air Force, 20 years as a respiratory therapist and a lifetime of knowledge about weapons, martial arts, and moving from a place of anger to a place of inner peace. Cory speaks to him about his new comic Lineage, a comic that tells a tale of intrigue, martial arts, and cults. We discuss the deeper reason why he is telling this story, how he went from the Reality show Forged in Fire to the world of comics and how to tell stories in the comic form. He is Kickstarting the conclusion of the first story arc for Lineage here:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kidheroes/doug-marcaidas-lineage-2-4-comic?ref=profile_created&category_id=250And you can get the special covers and other merchandise for the first issue here:https://www.kidheroes.net/lineage

After being put out to pasture back in 2020, but it has been brought back starting this year! Cory!! and Joe go into the history of where Vertigo came from, how shops in the 90’s dealt with it, the successes why it went away and a review of the first comic in its revival!  They also discuss:  Cory talks about the DC implosion caused by a snowstorm Cory goes over the history of Superman publishing after Crisis on Infinite Earths How Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing was the first comic that started the march onward Vertigo.  What the hell was Pirana Press How Vertigo opened the door for comics in bookstores Joe not liking the hard line between Vertigo and DC Retro Review: The Monkees All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

Greg Ketter, owner of the comic/book shop Dreamhaven made international news for taking to the streets when Alex Pretti was killed in Minneapolis. We discuss the situation in Minnesota, Greg’s history with comics and books, and what an awesome guy he is.  Sal Buscema passed away, and we go over our love of his work, and his long and storied career as a comics artist.  They also discuss: American Food – Chicken Noodle Soup Drop The sort of things people in Minnesota are doing to support their neighbors What drove Greg Ketter to take to the streets How Sal Buscema slowly worked his way into the comics industry. Retro Review: Avengers Epic Collection 27:  Timeslide All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

This week, they review: Superman vs Spider-Man Aliens vs Captain America Erotech Dungeons of Doom They also discuss: Joe is cold. COLD, I TELL YOU! Joe was working hard on the eBay to keep warm Why Cory!! would not want to run a comic shop All of the new things shop owners have to do that Joe didn’t have to do when he owned Hot Comics Cory!! has AMERICAN FOOD! Retro Review: Marvel 2 in 1 #96 All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!! A note; As this episode was recorded, Alex Pretti was killed in Minneapolis and this leads to political discussions during the Freaking and Geeking portion of the show. 

After being away from Marvel for about 8 years, Brian Michael Bendis is returning to Marvel. In this episode, Joe and Cory!! discuss what that means, and give out Fave Five Bendis stories! They also discuss: Avengers 800 Has Joe found a new children’s joke book? When a comic creator returning works and why And why it doesn’t work Joe and Cory!! Have done this before! The history behind people freaking out about comics maturing in their subject matter The sales figures for 2025 for MAD Magazine are in and they are dire Retro Review: Post Cereal Presents the Super Friends! All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

We are running behind on getting these out, and I apologize for that. The combination of being sick over New Year’s Week, extra hours and work have slowed the editing process.  ALSO Cory had a new headset which picked up his breathing and keyboard work much more than in the past. It gets corrected soon.In this episode, Cory!! and Joe went to Hot Comics Minneapolis that last week of its existance and they discuss: Neither Cory!! Nor Joe could record the first week of 2026 because of Bad Food MAD annuals Some of the trade paperbacks that Joe and Cory!! bought How much money did Joe save? The feeling of a store closing Odd things they noticed Mind’s Eye Comics has moved Joe opens a blind bag! Joe’s Retro Review: Lidsville #5 All of this, the usual shenanigans, and much, much more!!

2025 is in the books, so Joe and Cory!! Are going to go over their favorite comics they read in 2025:  Kill Train – Mad Cave The Atlas Library – Fantagraphics Assorted Crisis Events – Image Fantastic Four – Marvel Sleep – Image The Knives – Image Animal Pound – Boom They also discuss:-Free Comic Book Day is going to happen in 2026 -Oni is doing a revamp of Archie comics -Peanuts has been purchased by Sony Our Retro review is for Marvel’s Tomb of Terror! Our new sponsor:  HOPE! Heroes Organized To Save Earth

WE GOT A LOTTA PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE, AND NOW, YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ABOUT IT!The Airing of Grievances: At the beginning of the Festivus dinner, each participant tells friends and family all the times they have disappointed him or her the past year. As quoted by Frank Costanza: “I’ve got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re going to hear about it!”