The Corner Box

In Part One of this two-part episode, David attempts the most brilliant thing ever done on a comic podcast or the dumbest… opening a stack of TWENTY Terminal #1 blind bags. His target is the elusive Rob Liefeld cover, but the bags have other plans—mostly involving enough copies of issue seven to supply the entire listening audience. Along the way, John remembers writing Optimus Prime dialogue for Peter Cullen and explains why nearly every comic is created under conditions that would terrify a normal person. David then previews Mark Buckingham’s work on Kull the Conqueror and describes the pressure of protecting a project that already feels exceptional. Eight bags are down, twelve remain, and the Liefeld cover is still hiding somewhere in Part Two—or laughing from a safe distance.Captions:“John, I’m creating art here, man. I don’t need monetary influences cramping my artistic endeavor.” — David before returning directly to Kickstarter promotion“The rest of it’s the nightmare.” — John on everything surrounding the fun of making comics“You bought a copy of Terminal #1, and that’s not what you got.” — David on blind bags supplying an entirely different issue“What a fantastic way for them to get you to buy two copies. Brilliant.” — David admiring the beautifully ruthless logic of blind bags“You’re only down ninety-five dollars.” — John after David’s allegedly successful first pull“Everything is made under the worst possible conditions it can be made under.” — John sharing the real lesson he learned editing at Marvel“If everybody can do their jobs right, this has the potential to be something really special.” — David on the pressure surrounding Kull the ConquerorSplash Page:[00:32] – Artists With a Capital A: David explains why buying Miss Mina is currently the best way to support the show.[03:59] – The Machine Demands Answers: John accidentally asks an image generator for interview questions and receives a poster containing thirty-six of them.[07:01] – The Lost Voice of Optimus Prime: John recalls writing dialogue performed by Peter Cullen—only for the finished attraction to use a Chinese-language recording.[09:57] – Enter the Blind-Bag Labyrinth: David introduces Terminal, its violent new superhero world, and his plan to hunt the rare Rob Liefeld cover.[15:55] – Greetings From Issue Seven: The first bag contains an advance issue, briefly making David look like a collecting genius.[16:25] – Attack of the Clones: Three consecutive copies of Terminal #7 turn triumph into an increasingly funny financial emergency.[24:18] – Everything Is Already Late: John explains why looming deadlines are the natural state of comic-book production.Support the Corner Box(https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/funtimego/miss-mina-and-the-midnight-guardians-legend-continues) - Back Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book 03!David Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:David Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - Writer of Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians and editor of the newly teased Kull the Conqueror.John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com/pages/meet-the-team) - Writer, editor, former IDW Editor-in-Chief, and survivor of more impossible publishing schedules than anyone should admit publicly.Xong Brothers (https://funtimego.com) - The twin art team whose manga-influenced pages give Miss Mina its visual charge; their name appears inconsistently in the transcript.Robert Kirkman (https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman) - Terminal co-writer whose violent superhero storytelling launches David’s blind-bag crusade.Andy Kubert (https://imagecomics.com/creators/andy-kubert) - Terminal artist and designer behind the connecting wraparound covers discussed during the opening.David Finch (https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-finch) - Terminal artist responsible for the issue-seven advance edition and the giant-eyeball cover David pulls.Arthur Adams (https://imagecomics.com/comics/list/creator/arthur-adams/releases) - Veteran artist behind one of Terminal’s blind-bag-only advance issues.Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Artist behind the rare Terminal cover David buys twenty blind bags hoping to find.Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com) - Comics legend whose Terminal foil variant appears among the possible high-end pulls.Dave McCaig (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_McCaig) - Colorist credited on Terminal’s connecting covers and David Finch variant.Mark Buckingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Buckingham) - Artist whose early Kull the Conqueror pages convince David the project might be exceptional.Jim Aparo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Aparo) - Celebrated Batman artist recruited for a hypothetical argument about why Watchmen could never survive a fill-in issue.Terminal #1 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/terminal-1-cvr-a-andy-kubert-dave-mccaig-connecting-wraparound-mr) - The violent Image/Skybound superhero launch behind the episode’s twenty-bag collecting experiment.Terminal Blind Bags and Variant Covers (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/frank-miller-bill-sienkiewicz-rob-liefeld-lead-all-star-lineup-of-newly-revealed-variant-cover-artists-for-terminal-1-from-image-skybound) - The official breakdown of the variants, rare covers, and surprise advance issues David is chasing.Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://funtimego.com) - David’s steampunk horror-adventure starring Mina Murray and her team of monstrous misfits.Invincible (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/invincible) - Kirkman’s earlier superhero epic, used as the violence benchmark for Terminal.Transformers (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/transformers-2023) - The franchise behind John’s story about writing Optimus Prime dialogue performed by Peter Cullen.Watchmen (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/watchmen-1986/watchmen) - The book David uses to demonstrate why some projects cannot absorb a substitute artist without losing their identity.Old Man Logan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_Logan) - John’s example of a comic whose lasting quality mattered more than forcing it through a monthly schedule.CGC Comics (https://www.cgccomics.com) - The grading service referenced while David inventories Terminal’s rare and possibly slabbed variants.

Two episodes in one day?! What's the special occasion? Well...David's Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book Three campaign launches today and HE'S NOT PANICKING! YOU'RE PANICKING!!! Ahem... Sorry. We have guests. I shouldn't scream...Tyrant Fall creators Brennan Knight and Max Davenport return to the show and bring their own Kickstarter launch, a looming world war, and the grim realization that making the comic may be easier than getting anyone to notice it. David, John, and guests then compare Kickstarter launch tactics, advertising experiments, and the sacred checklist behind a successful Kickstarter. Then a lost Jim Lee Wolverine, an alarming X-Factor baby story, and one indestructible toddler derail the meeting exactly as nature intended.Captions:“Social media doesn’t really exist more than two seconds.” — David on why creators cannot be precious about promotion“You have to push it hard enough that you start to look like a bot.” — Brennan on getting locked out while promoting Tyrantfall“It’s there to slow things down and make sure you do the things that you know you’re doing.” — John on the checklist behind a major Kickstarter“I keep zooming in and zooming in—and ultimately realized I kind of hate it.” — Max on drawing an entire issue digitally“I’m fighting the urge to put a hundred panels on a page.” — Brennan on learning how to write comics professionally“There’s a point where saying ‘the Mandarin’ was worth more to Marvel than a Jim Lee Wolverine drawing.” — John on a baffling alteration to an Uncanny X-Men cover“I am a robot. I’m indestructible.” — Brennan quoting his three-year-old’s unbeatable dinner-table argumentSplash Page:[03:40] – Heavy Metal Power Level: Brennan pitches Tyrantfall as Dragon Ball Z filtered through Heavy Metal, with revenge mutating into world war.[05:35] – Revenge of the Pencil: After one fully digital issue, Max returns to traditional art—and remembers how good an actual page feels.[13:41] – Promote Until the Machines Notice: Brennan posts so aggressively that Twitter decides he must be a bot.[14:38] – The Astronaut Checklist: John explains what the Marvel Art of Jim Lee campaign taught PUG about slowing down before launch.[23:54] – Wolverine Was Here: Jim Lee’s original Wolverine figure gets replaced by an “Enter the Mandarin” caption on an Uncanny X-Men cover.[27:39] – The Indestructible Robot: Brennan’s three-year-old ends a food dispute with the strongest declaration in human history.[29:00] – The Madrox Baby Incident: John recounts the Peter David X-Factor twist that turned a personalized baby reference into nightmare fuel.[30:45] – Build an Emergency Ending: Brennan and David explain why independent series need satisfying checkpoints before reality cancels the next arc.Support the Corner Box:MISS MINA and the MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS BOOK THREE IS LIVE! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/funtimego/miss-mina-and-the-midnight-guardians-legend-continuesSupport Max & Brennan and their great book, TYRANT FALL! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cbrennanknight/tyrant-fall-1-4Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Roman Stevens (https://www.romanstevens.co.uk) - Tyrantfall colorist whose growth David singles out alongside Max’s evolving linework.Jim Lee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lee) - The artist at the center of PUG Worldwide’s Marvel archive campaign and its recovered artwork.Scott Williams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Williams_(comics)) - Jim Lee’s longtime inker, whose Xeroxes preserved previously unseen X-Men #1 pencils.Whilce Portacio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whilce_Portacio) - Jim Lee collaborator discussed during John’s account of Lee’s path from Punisher to X-Men and beyond.Bob Harras (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Harras) - Former Marvel editor interviewed for the Jim Lee archive project.Peter David (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_David) - Writer behind Madrox and X-Factor, including the baby twist John remembers all too well.Andy Schmidt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Schmidt) - Editor whose child became the visual reference attached to John’s grim X-Factor anecdote.Chuma Hill (https://www.kirbyscomicart.com/chuma-hill) - Cover artist whose Miss Mina image performed far better in David’s advertising tests than expected.Tony Harris (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Harris_(artist)) - Starman and Ex Machina artist contributing a cover to Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book 3.Clive Barker (https://www.clivebarker.info) - Horror author whose three-book Kickstarter comeback earns an enthusiastic late-show recommendation from John.Kevin Eastman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Eastman) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator mentioned during John’s tour of famous comics neighbors.Alex Sinclair (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Sinclair) - Veteran colorist revealed to be another creator living near John.Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Image co-founder whose former Extreme Studios location turns David into a betrayed childhood friend.Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://funtimego.com) - David’s Dracula-versus-Mina Murray adventure, with Book 3 launching alongside Tyrantfall #4.Kickstarter Pre-Launch Pages (https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034769114-Setting-up-your-project-s-pre-launch-page) - The launch tool behind the episode’s arguments about early followers, repeat backers, and first-week momentum.Kickstarter Comics Resources (https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046109713-I-m-looking-to-run-a-Comics-project) - Official guidance covering preparation, rewards, stretch goals, promotion, and campaign planning.Heavy Metal Magazine (https://shop.heavymetal.com/pages/about-us) - One half of Tyrantfall’s wonderfully efficient “Dragon Ball Z published in Heavy Metal” pitch.Dragon Ball Z (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z) - The other half of that pitch, supplying the escalating battles and explosive power-level energy.X-Men #1 (1991) (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/14281/x-men) - Jim Lee’s landmark issue, including Scott Williams’s inks and the newly surfaced pencil material discussed by John.Marvel Art of Jim Lee (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - PUG Worldwide’s archive project and the source of John’s hard-earned Kickstarter lessons.Clive Barker’s Three New Books (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/clive-barker/three-new-books-from-clive-barker) - The horror legend’s campaign that John recommends before the closing bell.Revolutionary Comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_Comics) - Publisher of Rock ’N’ Roll Comics and the source of John’s geographically obsessive Alistair Crowley detour.

In part two of this exclusive two-part Corner Box conversation, special guest Steven Grant joins David and John for a brutally honest trip through comics, from the Punisher’s emotional shutdown to the birth of his ninja creation, Whisper. Steven recalls how Mike Baron and Steve Rude’s Nexus helped Capital City reach the point where it could finally pay an artist for his book. The conversation jumps online as Grant remembers Gail Simone helping connect him with Comic Book Resources, where Master of the Obvious and Permanent Damage spent fifteen years puncturing myths about how comics get made. Then 2 Guns takes the scenic route from an unsold crime concept to a Denzel Washington movie—and exposes how unimpressive Hollywood option money can be. The finale finds Grant cutting The Count of Monte Cristo down to 44 pages, reconsidering Hamlet’s sanity, and admitting that some assignments leave permanent scars.Captions:“Frank Castle is some guy who died with his family.” — Steven Grant on the Punisher’s severed identity“Popularity and making money do not necessarily amount to the same thing in comics.” — Steven Grant on the economics behind Nexus and Whisper“Most of it is not what people think it is.” — Steven Grant on demystifying how comics get made“When 94% of the things you want to do don’t get done, you figure out: what happens, happens.” — Steven Grant on surviving rejected pitches“Hollywood can screw up your story all by themselves. You don’t need to do it for them.” — Steven Grant’s advice to creators chasing adaptations“Just do the comic you want to do, and don’t worry about whether Hollywood will want it.” — Steven Grant on making the work first“Basically, I played Jenga with it.” — Steven Grant on compressing The Count of Monte Cristo into 44 pagesSplash Page:[01:32] – Frank Castle Is Already Dead: John finds the line that reveals the Punisher has been lying to himself.[02:28] – The Man Behind the Skull: Grant explains why the Punisher feels no connection to his name, family, or former life.[05:15] – Enter the Fake Ninja: A train ride, a ninja book, and Capital City’s shaky finances give birth to Whisper.[09:19] – Permanent Damage Begins: Gail Simone opens the door to Grant’s fifteen-year run of blunt online commentary.[12:18] – Secrets from Behind the Curtain: Grant recalls the creators who thanked him for finally explaining how comics really work.[19:01] – Two Undercover Cops Walk into a Gang: The original 2 Guns concept survives rejection, a screenplay detour, and a disastrous Hollywood meeting date.[22:25] – Hollywood Can Handle the Damage: Grant delivers the creator advice every adaptation-hungry pitch needs to hear.[26:30] – The 44-Page Monte Cristo Massacre: Grant plays literary Jenga with a novel built almost entirely from interconnected subplots.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Steven Grant (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/1293/grant_steven) - Veteran writer behind the Punisher limited series, Whisper, 2 Guns, and the columns at the center of this conversation.Mike Zeck (https://mikezeck.com/) - Grant’s artistic partner on the Punisher work whose visual heat countered Frank Castle’s cold narration.Mike Baron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Baron) - Co-creator of Nexus, the early Capital Comics success Grant helped set in motion.Steve Rude (https://www.steverude.com/) - Nexus co-creator whose work helped Capital Comics establish its publishing line.Gail Simone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Simone) - Writer whose recommendation helped Grant land his Comic Book Resources column.Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Writer of the original RoboCop screenplays that Grant adapted for Avatar Press.Howard Chaykin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Chaykin) - Artist and writer whose comments helped Grant compare screenplay adaptation to inking.Brian K. Vaughan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_K._Vaughan) - Cited while discussing the strange economics of writing screenplays that never get filmed.Tony Harris (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Harris_(comics)) - Starman and Ex Machina artist providing a painted cover for Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians.Jonathan Maberry (https://www.jonathanmaberry.com/aboutjonathan) - Award-winning author contributing an original prose story to David’s new book.Will Eisner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Eisner) - Invoked during John’s analysis of visual performance in Grant’s Hamlet adaptation.Dan Spiegle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Spiegle) - Artist praised for surviving the 44-page compression gauntlet of The Count of Monte Cristo.Dan Brereton (https://www.dc.com/talent/daniel-brereton) - Grant’s collaborator on the sword-and-sorcery character the Scythian.The Punisher (https://www.marvel.com/characters/punisher-frank-castle) - Grant explains why his version of Frank Castle is emotionally severed from his former identity.The Punisher Limited Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Punisher_%281986_series%29) - The Grant and Zeck story that helped establish the character as a solo attraction.Whisper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Grant) - Grant’s fake-ninja concept, created for Capital Comics and later continued by First Comics.Capital City Distribution (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_City_Distribution) - The distributor whose short publishing venture led to Nexus, Badger, and Whisper.Women in Refrigerators (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_refrigerators) - Gail Simone’s influential project, mentioned while Grant recounts how his online column began.Comic Book Resources (https://www.cbr.com/) - Home of Grant’s Master of the Obvious and Permanent Damage columns.2 Guns Complete Collection (https://www.boom-studios.com/archives/20-for-20-announcement/) - The undercover-cop crime story that eventually reached theaters with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg.Classics Illustrated (https://www.classicsillustratedbooks.com/) - The adaptation line that forced Grant to compress Hamlet and The Count of Monte Cristo into unforgiving page counts.Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://get.funtimego.com/) - David’s upcoming Kickstarter project featuring comics, painted covers, and an original Jonathan Maberry prose piece.

Special guest Steven Grant joins David and John to explain how measles, Flash of Two Worlds, and one very strange dime-operated comics rack rewired his childhood. His road into the business runs through Underground Comix, Michael Moorcock, Bob Layton, Roger Stern, John Byrne, and a surprise Marvel Two-in-One assignment that he never asked for. Along the way, Grant remembers learning from Gil Kane, surviving Marvel’s fill-in trenches, and writing an entire character’s dialogue in haiku just to satisfy a baffling series bible. Then an unusable Olympics treasury story gets rebuilt as Contest of Champions, Marvel’s first published limited series and an unlikely ancestor of Secret Wars. The issue closes with Grant and Mike Zeck rescuing the once-reviled Punisher, the brutal math of rejected pitches, and why Return to Big Nothing remains Grant’s near-perfect statement on Frank Castle.Captions:“I did not break into comics. I wasn’t even asked—I was told I was going to write comics.” — Steven Grant on his accidental Marvel debut“If anybody asked you to do a story, you did it. If you didn’t, you didn’t get asked again.” — Steven Grant on the freelancer survival rule“All of her dialogue is written in haiku.” — Steven Grant on solving an impossible Shogun Warriors character note“When we were doing Contest of Champions, we didn’t even know we were doing Contest of Champions.” — Steven Grant on Marvel’s accidental first limited series“I’d say of the things that I pitched, at least 94% never got done.” — Steven Grant on the reality behind a long comics career“When I did the Punisher miniseries, they said, ‘Well, f@#$, if he can do it, anybody can.’” — Steven Grant on his book’s less glamorous influence“I still view that as close to the perfect Punisher story as anyone ever got.” — Steven Grant on Punisher: Return to Big NothingSplash Page:[01:09] – The Measles Origin Story: A sick week, an All-Star Western, and a Justice League ad turn Grant into a lifelong comics reader.[03:34] – Flash of Two Worlds, Third Comic Ever: David discovers that Grant encountered a multiversal landmark almost immediately—and bought it from a vending machine.[06:50] – Seventeen and Writing Moorcock: Grant casually contacts Michael Moorcock, gets permission to adapt Elric, and leaves David wondering what happened to teenage fear.[09:34] – Report to Marvel Monday Morning: Roger Stern offers Grant a couch and informs him that he’ll be writing Marvel Two-in-One after breakfast.[14:49] – Curves Are Static, Angles Are Active: A Gil Kane interview gives Grant a new language for understanding storytelling through art.[17:36] – The Haiku Defense: A vague Shogun Warriors character description inspires Grant’s most beautifully unreasonable dialogue solution.[22:13] – The Accidental Event Machine: A shelved Olympics project becomes Contest of Champions and helps establish the model for decades of giant Marvel clashes.[27:10] – Nobody Wanted the Punisher: A repeatedly rejected 1976 pitch finally finds Mike Zeck, Carl Potts, and the opening it needs to become Circle of Blood.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Steven Grant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Grant) - Writer of the first Punisher limited series and the guest tracing his unlikely route from fandom to Marvel.Gil Kane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Kane) - Grant’s childhood favorite and eventual collaborator on Edge, whose thinking about curves and angles shaped Grant’s view of comics.Mike Zeck (https://www.mikezeck.com) - Secret Wars artist whose involvement helped Grant’s long-rejected Punisher proposal finally get approved.John Beatty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beatty_(illustrator)) - Inker who worked with Zeck on Secret Wars, the Punisher limited series, and Return to Big Nothing.Roger Stern (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Stern) - Writer, editor, CPL publisher, couch provider, and the man who handed Grant his first Marvel assignment.Bob Layton (https://www.boblayton.com) - Artist, writer, and CPL co-publisher who became part of Grant’s formative comics circle.John Byrne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Byrne_(comics)) - Artist Grant met before Byrne’s Marvel breakthrough, when the two attempted to develop a series together.Al Milgrom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Milgrom) - Marvel editor praised for his story sense, artistic eye, and tolerance of Grant’s Shogun Warriors mischief.Bill Mantlo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo) - Writer who brought Grant and Mark Gruenwald into the Olympics project that eventually became Contest of Champions.Mark Gruenwald (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Gruenwald) - Writer and editor who worked with Grant and Mantlo on the material repurposed for Marvel’s first limited series.Jim Shooter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Shooter) - Marvel editor-in-chief charged with getting late books moving and later approving both Contest of Champions and the Punisher gamble.Marv Wolfman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marv_Wolfman) - Marvel editor-in-chief who heard Grant’s original Punisher pitch years before the project found a home.Carl Potts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Potts) - Editor who championed Grant and Zeck’s Punisher proposal despite Marvel’s lack of faith in the character.Archie Goodwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Goodwin_(comics)) - Epic editor who gave Grant and Zeck the freedom to make Return to Big Nothing their definitive Frank Castle statement.Flash of Two Worlds (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_of_Two_Worlds) - The landmark Flash story that became one of Grant’s first comic-book purchases.Moon Knight (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Knight) - Grant’s choice for his first Marvel Two-in-One co-star, partly because the character’s identity confusion gave him a storytelling joke.Shogun Warriors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Warriors_(comics)) - The assignment Grant accepted despite disliking the book, producing his infamous all-haiku dialogue experiment.Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Super_Hero_Contest_of_Champions) - The shelved Olympics material transformed into Marvel’s first published limited series.Secret Wars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Wars) - The massive follow-up success drawn largely by Zeck before he joined Grant on the Punisher.The Punisher Limited Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Punisher_%281986_series%29) - Grant and Zeck’s influential solo reinvention of a character Marvel once considered nearly unusable.Return to Big Nothing (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/77954/epic_graphic_novel_the_punisher_-_return_to_big_nothing_1_1989_1) - The Epic graphic novel Grant calls his near-perfect expression of the Punisher.The Dark Knight Returns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns) - Frank Miller’s landmark work, raised during the debate over which books most strongly influenced later creators.Watchmen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen) - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ defining series, compared with the Punisher limited series in terms of creative influence.American Flagg! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Flagg!) - Howard Chaykin’s influential series, invoked in Grant’s self-mocking comparison of how landmark comics were received.

David unveils the new Top 10 Hottest Artists list, from Mark Spears and Brett Bean to Nick Dragotta, Ryan Ottley, and Hayden Sherman at the top. Daniel Warren Johnson’s upcoming Chain Kata causes a minor ashcan feeding frenzy, while Jamal Campbell makes the case that Zatanna can absolutely move books when the pages look that good. John then brings Image’s Royals to the table, praising Derek Kirk Kim and Jacob Perez for a psychic-poker crime story that suddenly turns into a chase-comic clinic. David follows with an accidental cage match between Spawn #376 and Mahdi Khene’s Steel Streets—and the gloriously odd handmade book wins on personality. They close in the nostalgia gutter with Mad Cave’s The Last Starfighter, Comic Shop News’ Team America revival, and the insane fact that Kyle Baker adapted Howard the Duck.Captions:“There should be more things like that.” — John on Eric Larsen keeping Savage Dragon alive, strange, and evolving for 281 issues“Chicks with chainsaws in space.” — David on Daniel Warren Johnson’s ChainKata pitch, which sold him instantly“Absolute Batman continues to be the thing that is saving the comic industry.” — David on Nick Dragotta’s sales monster“I’m jumping right back off.” — David after trying Spawn again at issue #376“What if Raphael died and got turned into a RoboCop and goes out for vengeance?” — David explaining Steel Streets“The one that you would think I would like more… laid an egg.” — David on slick craft versus a comic with a real voice“Every time I think this couldn’t be more random, you’re making it more random.” — David as John explains Team America’s bizarre historySplash Page[03:06] – Savage Dragon Still Bites: Eric Larson becomes a “one to watch” after issue #281 sparks aftermarket noise.[09:11] – Blind-Bag Roulette: David buys 20 Terminal blind bags hunting a Rob Liefeld cover. This can only end well.[16:32] – Chainsaws in Space: Daniel Warren Johnson’s Chain Kata pitch lands, followed by a wild $400 ashcan price.[20:55] – The Absolute Crown: Hayden Sherman takes the top slot on the strength of Absolute Wonder Woman and Legion of Super-Heroes.[25:09] – Dog Man Returns: David and John celebrate a new Dav Pilkey original graphic novel coming in November.[31:39] – Psychic Poker, Seoul Style: John explains why Royals turns a sharp premise into a twisty action comic.[36:20] – Spawn Gets the Hook: David’s much-delayed Spawn return lasts exactly one issue.[43:31] – The Personal-Work Argument: The guys make the case for imperfect comics made with a singular, unmistakable voice.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com) - Writer-artist behind the upcoming Chain Kata, whose convention ashcan is already causing a collector scramble.Jamal Campbell (https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/11/12/zatanna-d-cs-mistress-of-magic-is-back) - Writer-artist whose Zatanna work earns praise for handling the full visual load and making magic look massive.Hayden Sherman (https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-06-17/dc-announces-three-new-next-level-comic-book-series) - Absolute Wonder Woman artist and upcoming Legion of Super-Heroes artist who takes the list’s top spot.Nick Dragotta (https://www.dc.com/allin) - Absolute Batman artist and one of the key visual forces behind DC’s huge Absolute line.Derek Kirk Kim (https://imagecomics.com/features/royals-q-a-with-cartoonist-derek-kirk-kim) - Royals writer and longtime cartoonist returning to a setting rooted in Korea.Jacob Perez (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/royals-launch-deals-a-winning-hand-rushed-back-to-print-this-week) - Royals artist singled out for dynamic chases, clean action, and surprise-heavy storytelling.Matthew Rosenberg (https://imagecomics.com/creators/matthew-rosenberg) - Spawn #376’s new writer, whose jumping-on point does not win David over.Mahdi Khene (https://www.instagram.com/mahdikhene/) - Cartoonist behind Steel Streets and Bootleg Spider-Man, whose raw handmade energy wins David’s heart.Willi Roberts (https://madcavestudios.com/product/the-last-starfighter-issue-1/) - The Last Starfighter artist praised for taking critique seriously and visibly leveling up.Dav Pilkey (https://www.scholastic.com/site/dav-pilkey.html) - Dog Man creator, whose next original graphic novel has both hosts ready to dive back in.Royals (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/royals-launch-deals-a-winning-hand-rushed-back-to-print-this-week) - Derek Kirk Kim and Jacob Perez’s six-issue psychic-poker crime series set in Seoul.Zatanna (https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/11/12/zatanna-d-cs-mistress-of-magic-is-back) - Jamal Campbell’s writer-artist series, central to the conversation about an artist lifting a character into a sales contender.Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-vol-1-the-last-amazon) - Hayden Sherman’s bold redesign of Diana anchors the list’s number-one slot.Legion of Super-Heroes (https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-06-17/dc-announces-three-new-next-level-comic-book-series) - Joshua Williamson and Hayden Sherman’s new run, discussed as a potential sales breakout.The Last Starfighter #1 (https://madcavestudios.com/product/the-last-starfighter-issue-1/) - Mad Cave’s continuation of the cult film, written by Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes with art by Willi Roberts.The Last Starfighter (https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/the-last-starfighter) - The original film that David considers one of his all-time favorites.Dog Man (https://www.scholastic.com/site/dav-pilkey/dog-man.html) - Dav Pilkey’s all-ages series and the subject of The Corner Box’s most-listened-to episode.Spawn (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/spawn) - Todd McFarlane’s long-running series, revisited here through David’s very unhappy experience with issue #376.

David and John compare San Diego Comic-Con scars, including a panel-opening challenge that landed like a wet fart. John unveils his work on a 3D comic adaptation of Santo and the Treasure of Dracula, built to read like an actual comic instead of a pile of movie stills. David breaks news on the upcoming Kull miniseries with John Arcudi, Mark Buckingham, and Dave Stewart—then explains why he missed the announcement after an egret turned him into a disaster zone. The guys also puzzle over the reported takedown of a Dark Knight Returns recreation project, praise Geof Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy work, and stumble into a restored Steranko-related short film. It’s a full convention-floor episode: great art, bizarre panels, copyright ownership headaches, and no budget left by Saturday.Captions:“Everybody that was up on the panel loved comic books more than everybody in the audience.” — David, explaining his unexpectedly controversial Comic-Con opener“I’ve probably almost made as much money as I’ve spent on comics over my 20-year professional career.” — David, defining success with painful honesty“This needs 3D glasses.” — David, on John’s Santo comic experiment“I don’t go anywhere near preview night for exactly this reason.” — John, after hearing about the Dark Knight recreation chaos“There goes my entire Comic-Con budget.” — David, after spotting Darrow’s limited oversized edition and original artSplash Page:[01:49] – Love Letter With a Chair Thrown: David’s Comic-Con panel declaration gets a rough landing.[08:02] – Santo Goes Stereo: John reveals a 3D comic built from Santo and the Treasure of Dracula.[11:16] – The Screen-Grab Curse: Why most movie-to-comic photo books forget how comics work.[15:58] – Kull Draws Steel: David announces the new Kull miniseries with Arcudi, Buckingham, and Stewart.[17:20] – Attack of the Egret: A bird disaster wipes out David’s plans to attend his own announcement.[24:48] – Shadow House of Pain: John stumbles into a strange Steranko-related restoration panel.[29:05] – Dark Knight, Rights Fight: A fan-made recreation project reportedly runs into a DC takedown.[33:02] – Darrow’s Budget Finisher: David finds a Shaolin Cowboy treasure and spends accordingly.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:John Arcudi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Arcudi) - Writer announced for the upcoming Kull miniseries.Mark Buckingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Buckingham) - Fables and Miracleman artist whose Kull pages get David and John fired up.Dave Stewart (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Stewart_(colorist)) - Acclaimed colorist joining the Kull creative team.Geof Darrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geof_Darrow) - Shaolin Cowboy artist whose limited convention edition wrecked David’s spending plan.Jim Steranko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Steranko) - Artist connected to the restored Shadow House short-film detour.Harlan Ellison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison) - Writer whose freeway-gunfight story was discussed as the short film’s original intended adaptation.Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Convention-floor near miss and the source of David’s lingering complaint.Nicole Goux (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Goux) - Eisner-winning guest celebrated for her Comic-Con weekend.Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller) - Creator of The Dark Knight Returns, central to the recreation-project discussion.Kull (https://heroicsignatures.com/) - Robert E. Howard’s Atlantean king returns in the newly announced miniseries; the transcript’s exact subtitle is unclear.Santo and the Treasure of Dracula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_and_the_Treasure_of_Dracula) - The Santo film being reshaped into a 3D comic.Masked Republic (https://www.maskedrepublic.com/) - The lucha libre rights holder working with John on the Santo project.The Dark Knight Returns (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-dark-knight-returns-1986/batman-the-dark-knight-returns-frank-miller-gallery-edition) - Miller’s landmark Batman story, discussed after the unlicensed recreation project was reportedly halted.Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I.Live (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/838666/shaolin-cowboy-staying-ailive-by-written-and-illustrated-by-geof-darrow/) - Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy release and David’s convention-floor splurge.Tower of Shadows (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/21015/tower_of_shadows_1969_1) - The Steranko comic discussed before John’s Shadow House panel story.

What separates a technically solid comic from one that grabs three Marvel editors by the throat at the same time? That question leads John through Jason Aaron’s early career, the difference between having technical chops and possessing a distinct creative voice, and why no stack of screenwriting books can manufacture the magic. David then puts Dynamite’s Thundarr the Barbarian revival to the test, complete with Jason Aaron, Kewber Baal, Kirby-fueled nostalgia, mutant motorcycle rats, and a genuinely surprising victory for the bad guys. From there, John unearths Star Rider and the Peace Machine, a 1982 Canadian comic magazine packed with Captain Canuck resentment, suspicious global alliances, and one extremely committed Richard Comely. David fires back with Swords of the Swashbucklers, launching a larger argument about superhero flaws, team infighting, creator-owned momentum, and why Batman should still be allowed to get hit in the back of the head once in a while.Captions:“Knowing all the rules doesn’t make you a good writer. If it did, everybody who read Save the Cat would be one.” — John on why craft books cannot manufacture creative instinct“I want to surprise and delight on every page—and I’m not talking about the reader. I’m talking about myself.” — David on keeping his own writing unpredictable“The bad guys win, John.” — David discovering that Thundarr the Barbarian is willing to wreck the nostalgic safety net“It won’t be biased at all. He’s just reporting the facts.” — David on Richard Comely investigating his own Captain Canuck dismissal“Some guy hit Batman in the back of the head? You can’t do that. He’s the greatest crime fighter who ever lived.” — John on superheroes becoming too flawless to generate real tensionSplash Page:[00:24] – The San Diego Time-Travel Incident: John and David attempt to preserve podcast continuity by pretending their Comic-Con panel has already gone perfectly.[01:40] – Three Editors, One Comic: John remembers himself, Nick Lowe, and Axel Alonso arriving at Marvel with copies of Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s The Other Side.[02:41] – The Spark Beyond Technique: John explains why a distinct voice matters more than merely producing technically competent pages.[06:50] – Save the Cat Cannot Save You: The guys wrestle with whether good writing can be taught, measured, or reduced to a dependable formula.[10:35] – The Sun Sword Correction: John calls Thundarr’s weapon a laser sword and is immediately educated.[12:06] – Thundarr Changes the Verdict: David’s Jack Kirby appreciation tour leads to a surprisingly enthusiastic reassessment of Dynamite.[19:43] – Canadian Comics Go Nuclear: Star Rider and the Peace Machine delivers Captain Canuck resentment, bargain-bin space opera, and a four-page global conspiracy article.[34:02] – Let Hawkeye Be an Asshole: A discussion of Swords of the Swashbucklers becomes an argument for flawed heroes, team tension, and superheroes who are still allowed to fail.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Jason Aaron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Aaron) - Writer of The Other Side, Wolverine: Weapon X, Bug Wars, and the new Thundarr the Barbarian series that kicks off the episode’s larger discussion about creative voice.Jack Kirby (https://kirbymuseum.org) - Legendary artist and designer whose visual work helped define Thundarr the Barbarian and inspired David’s recent appreciation tour through Kirby’s career.Kewber Baal (https://www.instagram.com/kewberbaal) - Artist bringing Thundarr’s ruined future, mutant creatures, and sword-swinging action to the Dynamite series.Michael Cho (https://www.michaelcho.com) - Artist behind the main Thundarr covers, using a bold retro approach that channels the visual power of Kirby-era comics.Richard Comely (https://comelyart.com) - Captain Canuck co-creator and the driving force behind Star Rider and the Peace Machine, including its comics, publishing grievances, and startling conspiracy material.Tom Grummett (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Grummett) - Veteran superhero artist whose early work appears inside Star Rider and the Peace Machine before his later runs on major Marvel and DC titles.Bill Mantlo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo) - Prolific Marvel writer and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, known for loading his teams with personality clashes, arguments, and constant dramatic friction.Jackson Guice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Guice) - Artist and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, delivering heavily rendered spacecraft, pirate ships, alien technology, and oversized painted pages.Colleen Doran (https://www.colleendoran.com) - Acclaimed artist who contributed two issues to the Swords of the Swashbucklers limited series after the original graphic novel.Daniel Warren Johnson (https://imagecomics.com/creators/daniel-warren-johnson) - Writer-artist behind Transformers, Do a Powerbomb, and the newly announced Chainkata, representing the healthy movement between major characters and creator-owned work.Tradd Moore (https://www.traddmoorecomics.com) - Distinctive artist and writer whose move toward new creator-driven material helps fuel the closing discussion about the state of comics.Thundarr the Barbarian (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-Thundarr_The_Barbarian) - Dynamite’s new comic revival of the animated series, written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Kewber Baal.The Other Side (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Side_%28comics%29) - Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s Vietnam War series that immediately caught the attention of several Marvel editors.Bug Wars (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/bug-wars) - Jason Aaron’s creator-owned fantasy series, cited by David as part of the writer’s recent run of surprising and adventurous work.Captain Canuck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Canuck) - Richard Comely’s Canadian superhero and the source of the publishing history, resentment, and unfinished business simmering throughout Star Rider and the Peace Machine.Star Rider and the Peace Machine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Comely) - Comely’s short-lived 1982 magazine combining illustrated fiction, young artistic talent, publishing commentary, and an alleged global conspiracy.Swords of the Swashbucklers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swords_of_the_Swashbucklers) - Bill Mantlo and Jackson Guice’s science-fiction pirate epic, launched as Marvel Graphic Novel No. 14 before continuing as a 12-issue series.Micronauts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronauts_%28comics%29) - Mantlo’s celebrated Marvel series, discussed as an important earlier collaboration point for the creators behind Swords of the Swashbucklers.Chainkata (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/multiple-award-winning-do-a-powerbomb-transformers-dynamo-daniel-warren-johnson-to-launch-epic-new-series-chainkata-this-november-from-image-comics) - Daniel Warren Johnson’s newly announced Image Comics series featuring chainsaws, space combat, and the kind of gloriously impractical weapon editors once might have rejected.

David opens the show at his breaking point after a recent issue of Captain America delivers artwork he believes never should have made it to print. John brings the former-editor perspective, breaking down how brutal deadlines, crossover schedules, shifting status quos, disappearing inventory stories, and the loss of veteran inkers can turn a promising monthly book into a full-blown disaster. From there, the guys compare Marvel’s struggles with the steady artistic bench behind Absolute Wonder Woman, celebrate the arrival of ComicPreviews.com, and dig into John Byrne’s decision to create roughly 30 issues of unofficial X-Men comics simply because he wanted to. X-Men: Elsewhen turns out to be a joyful blast of classic superhero storytelling—and John’s decision to leave it at the shop immediately comes back to haunt him. Then the back-issue bin gets weird in the best way, with Jack Kirby’s gloriously unrestrained The Demon and Dark Horse’s adaptation of George Lucas’s original Star Wars draft to comics.Captions:“Man, am I a sucker? I just paid $4.99 for this book, and they didn’t put five dollars’ worth of effort into it.” — David reaching his breaking point with Captain America“Everything is made under the worst possible conditions the thing can be made under—and sometimes that catches up with you.” — John on the brutal reality behind monthly comics“Fifteen years later, nobody ever says, ‘Boy, that comic sure was on time.’” — John on deadlines versus finished quality“Nobody draws 30 issues of a comic book for free if they don’t have a soft spot in their heart for the characters.” — David on John Byrne’s X-Men: Elsewhen“I set it back down, got to my [home] desk, and found out they were already going for sixty dollars on eBay.” — John realizing he made a terrible comic-shop decision“Jason Blood is just a regular guy—a regular professional demonologist.” — John explaining the beautifully casual insanity of Jack Kirby’s The DemonSplash Page:[00:36] – Captain America Goes Airborne: David finds a recent issue so frustrating that he closes it, throws it across the room, and starts questioning the value of monthly comics.[07:33] – The Inventory Story Is Dead: John explains why fill-in issues became harder to use once collected editions, creator control, and constantly shifting status quos took over.[11:33] – Made Under Fire: A former Marvel editor reveals how often comics are produced under the worst possible conditions—and how veteran inkers once saved pages headed for disaster.[16:31] – Where Was the Emergency Button?: David compares Captain America’s artistic chaos with Absolute Wonder Woman’s carefully planned rotation of strong replacement artists.[24:48] – The Previews Catalog Returns: ComicPreviews.com steps into the void left by Diamond with searchable releases, creators, publishers, categories, and final-order-cutoff listings.[28:43] – Byrne Does X-Men His Way: John Byrne draws years of unofficial X-Men stories for free, Chris Ryall helps turn them into X-Men: Elsewhen, and the finished book becomes an immediate hit.[42:08] – The Omnibus That Crushes Children: John attempts to read a 1,500-page Jack Kirby collection before celebrating the magnificent, barely contained madness of The Demon.[53:04] – Before Star Wars Became Star Wars: David explores The Star Wars, where Han Solo is a green alien, Darth Vader has no powers, and George Lucas is still figuring out which characters belong in the same body.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinChip Zdarsky (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/11743/chip_zdarsky) - Writer of the current Captain America series and a central architect behind Marvel’s Road to Armageddon. (⁠Marvel)Valerio Schiti (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12155/valerio_schiti) - Artist who launched Captain America with Zdarsky and established the book’s original visual identity. (⁠Marvel)Hayden Sherman (https://www.dc.com/talent/hayden-sherman) - Artist praised for helping make Absolute Wonder Woman feel visually ambitious and carefully planned. (⁠DC)John Byrne (https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/john-byrne_84912274/) - Legendary X-Men creator who wrote and drew X-Men: Elsewhen as a continuation of his classic run. (⁠ABRAMS)Chris Ryall (https://www.instagram.com/chris_ryall/) - Writer, editor, publisher, and longtime champion of bringing Byrne’s unofficial X-Men continuation into print.Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/talent/jack-kirby) - The creator behind The Demon, OMAC, New Gods, and the wildly imaginative DC work John revisits this week. (⁠DC)Paul Kupperberg (https://www.paulkupperberg.net/) - Writer of the second Super Powers miniseries drawn by Kirby and one of the creators discussed during John’s omnibus expedition.Joe Simon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Simon) - Kirby’s longtime creative partner and co-creator of the 1970s Sandman material included in the omnibus.Alan Moore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore) - Writer who later brought Etrigan into Swamp Thing with a very different approach from Kirby’s original series.J.W. Rinzler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._W._Rinzler) - Writer and Star Wars historian who adapted George Lucas’s original screenplay draft into The Star Wars.Mike Mayhew (https://www.mikemayhewstudio.com/) - Artist whose realistic, cinematic work makes George Lucas’s abandoned Star Wars concepts feel like images from a lost film.George Lucas (https://www.starwars.com/databank/george-lucas) - Filmmaker whose rough screenplay became the basis for Dark Horse’s eight-issue The Star Wars miniseries. (⁠StarWars.com)Ralph McQuarrie (https://www.starwars.com/news/ralph-mcquarrie-the-art-of-star-wars) - Concept artist whose early designs helped guide the visual reconstruction of Lucas’s original Star Wars draft.Toshiro Mifune (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiro_Mifune) - Akira Kurosawa’s legendary leading man, who was considered for the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. (⁠Wikipedia)Akira Kurosawa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Kurosawa) - Filmmaker whose work, particularly The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo, helped shape Star Wars and generations of Western storytelling.Captain America (2025–Present) (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/42747/captain_america_2025_present) - The Zdarsky and Schiti series at the center of David’s argument about artistic consistency, deadlines, and reader value. (⁠Marvel)Avengers: Armageddon (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/avengers-armageddon-chip-zdarsky-valerio-schiti) - Marvel event connected to Zdarsky’s Captain America run and the larger publishing schedule discussed in the episode.Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s example of a monthly book that maintains its visual standard even when the regular artist needs relief. (⁠DC)Comic Previews (https://comicpreviews.com/) - Searchable resource for upcoming comics, graphic novels, manga, new releases, and final-order-cutoff titles. (⁠Manage Comics)X-Men: Elsewhen (https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/x-men-elsewhen-volume-1-of-3_9781419787287/) - Byrne’s continuation of his classic X-Men run, now presented as the first volume of a three-book graphic-novel series. (⁠ABRAMS)The Demon by Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-demon-1972/the-demon-by-jack-kirby) - Complete collection of Kirby’s original 16-issue series featuring Jason Blood and Etrigan. (⁠DC)Jack Kirby’s Fourth World (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/jack-kirbys-fourth-world-omnibus) - Kirby’s massive DC mythology!

This week gets fun when R.C. Samo of FanboyNation.com joins David and John to talk Marvel’s Burbank move, Steve Wacker’s new editorial role, and what gets lost when the House of Ideas leaves Manhattan. They kick around the real human cost of a cross-country move, the danger of comics becoming movie leftovers, and why Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers worked because somebody let an artist swing for the fences. The movie detour gets into bad live-action remakes, Sonic’s near-disaster design, and Supergirl’s rough launch. And was Iron Man the Snow White of the MCU. Back in the shops, the crew gives Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League a serious look, wrestles with page rates versus ownership, and agrees on one sacred rule: pay the people making the comics. Robert also brings the heat for Patrick Zircher’s Solomon Kane, while David proves that “supporting local comic shops” can mean buying every Badrock cover in sight.Captions:“What’s he going to do, hop from car to car in 405 traffic?” — Robert on Spider-Man’s new Burbank-adjacent reality“You make a comic book to make a comic book, period.” — David on why comics cannot be movie leftovers“Sometimes the passion project’s worth more than the bigger paycheck.” — Robert on Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League work“As long as people are getting paid in comic books, God bless them.” — David on creator compensation“It was like Bad News Bears meets Supergirl.” — Robert on the film’s vibe“Iron Man is the Snow White of the MCU.” — Robert on the blueprint every later superhero movie followedSplash Page[03:30] – Burbank, Here We Come: Marvel’s move and Steve Wacker’s incoming editor-in-chief role hit the table.[06:27] – The Human Toll: John zeroes in on the staff asked to uproot their lives or walk away.[10:17] – The 52 Miracle: Why Wacker’s management of the weekly series still earns industry awe.[17:11] – Let Comics Be Comics: David makes the case against treating print stories like screen leftovers.[31:26] – The Remake Assembly Line: Robert calls out live-action retreads that bring nothing new.[34:02] – Sonic Dodged a Bullet: David recounts the Sega/Sony disconnect behind the original movie design.[40:17] – Snow White in a Repulsor Suit: Robert drops the episode’s most dangerously persuasive MCU analogy.[40:48] – Monster Racing League Roars: Jae Lee’s layouts, page-rate questions, and a gorgeous new Image book.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteR.C. Samo (https://fanboynation.com) - Fanboy Nation host and the guest bringing reporter instincts, movie opinions, and indie-comic enthusiasm.Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinSteve Wacker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wacker) - Incoming Marvel editorial leader discussed for his comics and animation experience.Jae Lee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jae_Lee) - Acclaimed artist behind M1: Monster Racing League and the central creator-compensation conversation.Robert Windom (https://imagecomics.com/comics/list/creator/robert-windom/releases) - M1: Monster Racing League co-writer whose ownership of the work sparks the business discussion.Patrick Zircher (https://titan-comics.com/c/2236-solomon-kane-the-serpent-ring/) - Writer-artist praised for bringing serious visual firepower to Solomon Kane.Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com/) - Cited as the creator whose Transformers run shows what happens when an auteur gets room to work.James Gunn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn) - The filmmaker whose DC rollout and Supergirl oversight get a spirited once-over.Marvel Comics (https://www.marvel.com/comics) - The discussion’s main pressure point: relocation, editorial succession, creator compensation, and comics as source material.52 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52_(comics)) - Steve Wacker’s massive weekly-series editorial achievement, with Keith Giffen, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, and Greg Rucka in the mix.M1: Monster Racing League #1 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/m1-monster-racing-league-1) - Jae Lee and June Chung’s new racing series, praised for its art, color, and sharp page design.Seven Sons (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/seven-sons) - The earlier Jae Lee and Robert Windom Image collaboration that frames the ownership question.Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant (https://titan-comics.com/comics/series/507-solomon-kane/) - Patrick Zircher’s new Solomon Kane chapter, singled out for its striking art.Challengers Comics + Conversation (https://www.challengerscomics.com/) - David’s Chicago retailer of choice and a reminder to support comic shops.

The fellas get into how summer events stopped feeling like summer events and became a never-ending conveyor belt of crossover noise. John pulls from the Marvel trenches with House of M, Civil War, Secret Invasion, Tony Stark taking the heat, and Ralph Macchio’s very correct complaint that Spider-Man should not just walk into a press conference like some regular dope. Then Absolute Batman takes over the room, with Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s monster hit reportedly moving wild numbers and now heading into animation with the actual comics creators involved. David and John debate whether that’s a creator win, a workload trap, or both, before veering into the eternal truth that most superhero adaptations still lose to the comic on the page. And once “What John and David read this week” kicks in, it’s a full rack raid: Ghost Machine, Kyle Starks’ Wrestle Heist, Vertigo’s new wave, Lobo, Drew Hennessy, Dai Dark, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Invincible crushing graphic novel sales like it never left.Captions:“They started building tent poles instead of building up in the summer.” — John on how event comics became a constant cycle“Spider-Man doesn’t walk to a press conference and walk out like a normal person. He’s Spider-Man.” — John channeling Ralph Macchio’s perfect superhero logic“Well, how about Tommy Lee Edwards?” — David on the emergency button that fixes any bad comic idea instantly“Let them cook.” — David on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta being involved in the Absolute Batman animated series“I think bank robbers are heroes, David.” — John offering the only morally correct read on Wrestle HeistSplash Page:[00:00] – The Guest Is Nobody: John teases an exciting guest, and David immediately undercuts the whole operation because it’s just them.[01:37] – Summer Events Lost the Calendar: David and John talk about how big comic events used to dominate summer, but now announcements and launches feel scattered across the whole year.[04:10] – Event or Just a Big Story?: John uses Avengers Armageddon to unpack the fuzzy line between a major arc and a full-blown line event.[07:10] – Civil War From the Trenches: John explains how tie-ins worked, why the X-Men mostly sidestepped Civil War, and how Tony Stark became the guy everyone wanted to punch.[08:31] – Spider-Man Should Be Spider-Man-y: Ralph Macchio’s issue with the identity reveal scene becomes a perfect lesson in why superhero staging matters.[11:27] – The 1985 Photo-Realism Trap: John remembers Mark Millar’s original photo-manipulation plan for 1985 and why Tommy Lee Edwards was the better answer by a mile.[16:47] – Absolute Batman Has the Juice: The guys react to Absolute Batman’s huge sales chatter, Nick Dragotta’s art, and the thrill of a top-selling comic actually being good.[18:42] – Absolute Animation, Creator Control: The Absolute Batman animated announcement flips David from skeptical to fully interested once Snyder and Dragotta are involved.[33:18] – Ghost Machine Is Firing: David catches up on Ghost Machine and celebrates Brian Hitch, Gary Frank, and Francis Manapul producing big, polished comics on a strong cadence.[34:23] – Wrestle Heist Deserves the Belt: David breaks down Kyle Starks’ wrestling-meets-bank-robbery comic and mourns the fact that it may not have sold like it should have.[45:07] – A Bittersweet Credit Page: John spots Drew Hennessy’s name in God Summoner and reflects on a great inker, unfinished work, and comics that deserve to be seen.[47:47] – Bones, Backpacks, and Goth Space Chaos: John sells David hard on Dai Dark, a manga about immortality-granting bones and exactly the kind of weird nonsense this show was built for.[50:12] – Comic Books Without Pictures: David discovers prose novels, then pivots to Dungeon Crawler Carl and why comic shops were smart to pay attention.[53:20] – Invincible Still Won’t Die: The BookScan numbers turn into an Invincible victory lap, with compendiums and trades dominating the graphic novel chart years after the series ended.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Scott Snyder (https://www.dc.com/talent/scott-snyder) - Writer of Absolute Batman, with the episode circling how much creator involvement could matter for the animated adaptation.Nick Dragotta (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Artist and co-creator of Absolute Batman, praised here as the visual engine giving the book serious juice.Brian Michael Bendis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Michael_Bendis) - Writer behind New Avengers, House of M, Secret Invasion, and a big chunk of the Marvel event era John discusses.J. Michael Straczynski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Michael_Straczynski) - Writer of Amazing Spider-Man during Civil War, brought up for framing Tony Stark as very much the bad guy.Chris Gage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christos_Gage) - Writer mentioned for Civil War-era work that gave Tony Stark’s side more shape than most tie-ins did.Ralph Macchio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Macchio_(editor)) - Longtime Marvel editor whose Spider-Man staging complaint becomes one of the episode’s best craft lessons.Mark Millar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Millar) - Writer of 1985, discussed here through the abandoned photo-manipulation version before Tommy Lee Edwards saved the day.Tommy Lee Edwards (https://www.tommyleeedwards.com) - Artist of 1985 and Winterworld, praised hard for roughs so alive they could carry a whole graphic novel.Brian Hitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Hitch) - Artist name-checked through Ghost Machine and the broader discussion of cinematic superhero realism.Gary Frank (https://imagecomics.com/creators/gary-frank) - Geiger artist praised as part of Ghost Machine’s absurdly strong art lineup.Francis Manapul (https://www.dc.com/talent/francis-manapul) - Artist mentioned for Rook: Exodus and the sheer visual strength of Ghost Machine’s current output.Kyle Starks (https://www.kylestarks.com) - Writer and artist of Wrestle Heist, celebrated here as a cartoonist with sharp timing, bite, and big personality.Vladimir Popov (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/wrestle-heist-1) - Colorist on Wrestle Heist, singled out through David’s praise for the book’s full visual package.Steve Pugh (https://www.dc.com/talent/steve-pugh) - Artist on End of Life, praised as a perfect match for Kyle Starks’ Vertigo writing.Greg Rucka (https://www.gregrucka.com) - Writer mentioned through Gotham General and the Gotham Central legacy.Chris Condon (https://www.chriscondonwrites.com) - Writer discussed for Vertigo crime work and the upcoming Gotham Central connection.Jacob Phillips (https://jacobphillips.com) - Artist discussed with Chris Condon, with John noting the nice crime-comics lineage of that pairing.Jorge Corona (https://www.dc.com/talent/jorge-corona) - Lobo artist praised by David even while the story is not fully clicking for him yet.Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Writer of the current Lobo run, discussed as David waits for the book to fully land.Nicoletta Baldari (https://www.instagram.com/nicoletta_baldari/) - Artist praised for a Little Lobo sequence that David absolutely loved.Drew Hennessy (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12758/drew_hennessy) - Late inker remembered warmly by John and David, especially through unfinished work and a shared credits page.Ron Lim (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/208/ron_lim) - Artist mentioned in connection with John accidentally breaking the sad Drew Hennessy news.Paul Pelletier (https://www.dc.com/talent/paul-pelletier) - Artist on The Others project John and David discuss with real affection.Q Hayashida (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Hayashida) - Creator of Dai Dark and Dorohedoro, whose goth sci-fi weirdness immediately hooks John.Matt Dinniman (https://mattdinniman.com) - Creator of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which David flags as a major crossover opportunity for comic shops.Robert Kirkman (https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman) - Co-creator of Invincible, which dominates the sales chart discussion like a cape-wearing wrecking ball.Absolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - The big DC hit driving the episode’s sales, animation, and creator-control conversation.Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-vol-1-the-zoo) - The first collected edition of the Snyder and Dragotta run that keeps coming up throughout the episode.Civil War (https://www.marvel.com/comics/discover/114/civil-war-the-complete-event) - The Marvel event John uses to explain tie-ins, Tony Stark backlash, and how event storytelling gets shaped.

The guys sit down with David Pepose as The O.Z. heads toward its third and final Kickstarter chapter, turning the Wizard of Oz into a war-torn fantasy battlefield with Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter at the center of the wreckage. Pepose breaks down the long wait between issues, why keeping Ruben Rojas on the book mattered, and how trauma, reinvention, and redemption became the spine of his work from Spencer & Locke to Space Ghost. Things get especially sharp when the conversation turns to “cheap heat” retellings, why a grim hook is worthless without a real human story, and how Kickstarter gave Pepose both creative control and a life-changing payday. David and John also dig into Space Ghost’s breathless pacing, the value of done-in-one adventures, the brutal usefulness of editor notes, and why licensed comics can be freeing when the right people stay out of the way. Plus, Speed Racer goes full volcano madness, Pepose reveals he’s stepping away after his planned run, and fatherhood starts looming over the whole episode like the ultimate deadline.Captions:“Comics are ultimately all about playing the long game. This one was a little bit of a longer game than I had anticipated.” — David Pepose on the long road to finishing The O.Z.“What if Mad Max took place in the Wizard of Oz?” — David Pepose explaining the killer hook behind The O.Z.“I owe him my career, but not in the way that he expected.” — David Pepose on Bobby Kurnow accidentally steering him away from editing and toward writing.“We were turning sacred cow into Tasty Hamburger.” — David Pepose on the gamble of Spencer & Locke.“Shock can get your foot in the door once. But I’m playing the long game here.” — David Pepose on why grim retellings need more than cheap heat.“Superheroes are not superheroes because they punch out a bad guy.” — David Pepose sharing the Tom Brevoort rule that shaped his Space Ghost.“Sequels are another opportunity to screw up.” — David Pepose on why he won’t extend a story unless the timing and reason are right.Splash Page:[00:24] – Enter Pepose, Exit Safe Choices: John introduces David Pepose, from Spencer & Locke to Speed Racer, Space Ghost, Cable, Punisher, Fantastic Four, Moon Knight, and Captain Planet.[01:07] – The Long Road to the Occupied Zone: Pepose explains why The O.Z. #3 took years, why Ruben Rojas stayed on the book, and why the finale had to feel consistent instead of rushed.[02:41] – Mad Max Meets the Yellow Brick Road: Pepose lays out The O.Z. as Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter entering a brutal power vacuum in Oz after the “happy ending” fell apart.[05:21] – The Editor Who Scared Him Straight: Pepose talks DC internships, comics criticism, Comics Experience, and realizing he was absolutely not built for the editor’s chair.[07:09] – Sacred Cow, Tasty Hamburger: Spencer & Locke becomes the career gamble that proves Pepose can take an outrageous premise and make it hurt in the right way.[20:07] – Cheap Heat Gets Exposed: Pepose draws the line between a lazy grim retelling and a real story with emotional investment.[27:02] – The Brevoort Rule: Pepose shares the superhero lesson that shaped Space Ghost: it’s not about punching villains, it’s about protecting people.[55:29] – Speed Racer Hits the Finish Line: Pepose reveals he’s stepping away from Speed Racer after his planned run, with fatherhood and a packed workload forcing the baton pass.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:David Pepose (https://www.davidpepose.com/) - The guest of the episode and writer of The O.Z., Spencer & Locke, Space Ghost, Speed Racer, Savage Avengers, Punisher, Moon Knight, and more.Ruben Rojas (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Artist of The O.Z., whose work Pepose waited on to keep the finale visually consistent with the rest of the series.Whitney Cogar (https://www.instagram.com/smashpansy/) - Colorist on The O.Z., part of the finale team Pepose praises near the end of the episode.DC Hopkins (https://hopkinsletters.myportfolio.com/) - Letterer on The O.Z., credited as part of the book’s creative team.Jonathan Lau (https://www.instagram.com/jonathanalau/) - Artist on Space Ghost, described by Pepose as drawing “like a damn Terminator.”Andrew Dalhouse (https://www.instagram.com/adalhouse/) - Colorist on Space Ghost, praised as part of the book’s consistent creative engine.Taylor Esposito (https://www.ghostglyphstudios.com/) - Letterer on Space Ghost and owner of Ghost Glyph Studios, called an unsung hero by Pepose.Davide Tinto (https://www.instagram.com/tintodavideart/) - Artist on Speed Racer, part of the team bringing Pepose’s high-speed Mad Cave run to life.Kenneth Wagnon (https://www.patreon.com/Kennethjwagnon/about) - Artist behind the fully illustrated map of The O.Z. mentioned as a Kickstarter stretch goal.Tom Brevoort (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brevoort) - Marvel editor whose advice about superheroes defending the little guy became a major storytelling rule for Pepose.C.B. Cebulski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._B._Cebulski) - Marvel figure Pepose mentions while discussing how Spencer & Locke helped get him on Marvel’s radar.Bobby Kurnow (https://idwpublishing.com/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-bobby-curnow-interview) - Editor whose class visit helped Pepose realize editing was not his path.Dan Slott (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Slott) - Writer praised during the conversation as someone who can love Spider-Man without being trapped by that fandom.Daniel Warren Johnson (https://danielwarrenart.com/) - Mentioned as a creator who helped blow open what licensed comics could be.Ryan North (https://www.ryannorth.ca/) - Mentioned as part of the modern wave of done-in-one and short-arc superhero storytelling Pepose looked at while building Space Ghost.Steve Orlando (https://www.steveorlando.com/) - Mentioned alongside Scarlet Witch as another example of current superhero pacing and structure.Jed MacKay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jed_MacKay) - Mentioned in connection with Moon Knight and modern superhero structure.Joe Kelly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kelly_(comics)) - Writer of the Space Ghost miniseries that introduced Pepose to a more serious superhero version of the character.Ariel Olivetti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Olivetti) - Artist on the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries referenced during the conversation.Heidi MacDonald (https://www.comicsbeat.com/author/heidi/) - Comics journalist mentioned for the “satisfying chunk” idea about single issues earning their keep.George Marston (https://www.gamesradar.com/author/george-marston/) - Pepose’s friend who helped him frame Space Ghost as “Batman in space.”The O.Z. (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Pepose’s Ringo Award-winning fantasy war story and the emotional center of this episode.The O.Z. #1-3 Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theozcomic/the-oz-3) - The campaign for the third and final issue discussed throughout the episode.Spencer & Locke (https://www.davidpepose.com/spencer-and-locke/) - Pepose’s breakout “Calvin and Hobbes grew up in Sin City” comic and the project that helped put him on the map.Scout’s Honor (https://www.davidpepose.com/scouts-honor/) - Pepose’s AfterShock series that helped build the critical momentum leading to Marvel work.Space Ghost (https://www.davidpepose.com/space-ghost/) - Pepose’s Dynamite series and the major craft conversation point for pacing, done-in-one stories, and emotional superhero storytelling.Speed Racer (https://madcavestudios.com/product/speed-racer-issue-0/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave run, discussed here as it heads toward the end of his planned arc.Savage Avengers (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/32776/savage_avengers_2022_-_2023) - The Marvel book where Pepose turns a Conan idea into a sword-and-sorcery Deathlok chase.Punisher (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/36917/punisher_2023_-_2024) - Pepose talks about the challenge of creating a Punisher-adjacent book while dealing with modern baggage around the iconography.Captain Planet (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513034110501011) - One of Pepose’s licensed projects and an example of an idea he had been carrying for years.The Devil That Wears My Face (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-devil-that-wears-my-face/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave horror book, brought up as his supernatural take on Face/Off-style body-swapping.Astro City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_City) - The Confession arc comes up as an influence on how Pepose approached Space Ghost through Jan and Jace.Batman: The Long Halloween (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Long_Halloween) - Pepose uses it as a tonal and structural comparison point for Space Ghost.Space Ghost Coast to Coast (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Ghost_Coast_to_Coast) - The version of Space Ghost many fans know, and one Pepose had to work around while rebuilding the hero.

Part 2 of the Bart Sears interview continues as Bart walks David and John through the high-pressure years where every career move looked massive and every deadline came with teeth. Bart talks Eclipso, DC exclusives, the frustration of not getting one of the big characters, and the Valiant jump that put him on X-O Manowar and Turok right as the 90s boom was cooking itself alive. Then things get even more beautifully ridiculous with ToyBiz figure designs, Wizard pseudonyms, Brutes and Babes, and the launch of Ominous Press with a first issue that was basically a comic book, trading card set, collectible object, and logistical nightmare all at once! Along the way, Bart gets brutally honest about missed deadlines, silence with editors, depression, burnout, and why communication can save a project before everything goes sideways. It’s funny, brutal, and honest as hell — Bart Sears tells the truth about surviving the machine.Captions:“I wanted one of the main characters or I was gone.” — Bart Sears on asking DC for a bigger book before leaving for Valiant“They manufactured that heat.” — Bart Sears on how Valiant built demand by under-shipping early books“Wait, are you claiming that you ended the comic book industry in the 90s boom?” — David calling out Bart after the Turok sales talk“I screwed myself with Valiant.” — Bart Sears on taking X-O Manowar and Turok at the same time“If I’d stayed communicating, I probably would have been fine.” — Bart Sears on deadlines, embarrassment, and the editor relationship“I’ve never really enjoyed drawing.” — Bart Sears on the brutal honesty behind burnout, talent, and the jobSplash Page:[00:57] – Eighty Pages of Pain: Bart remembers the Eclipso 80-pagers and the line technique that looked great but turned into a time-sucking monster.[03:09] – The Gem Cover Defense: The infamous Eclipso cover gets defended with the most collector-unfriendly solution possible: just buy two.[04:02] – Give Me Batman or I Walk: Bart explains why DC’s refusal to put him on a bigger character pushed him toward Valiant.[07:32] – Valiant Builds the Furnace: Bart breaks down how under-shipping created demand, heat, and eventually a sales bubble nobody could sustain.[09:32] – Two Monthly Books, One Bad Idea: X-O Manowar and Turok looked like a payday until deadlines, style choices, and pressure turned the whole thing into quicksand.[11:17] – Silence Kills Pages: David lands a real editor lesson for younger artists: communicate early, because quiet makes everybody panic.[15:24] – The Wizard Pseudonym Game: Bart explains why “Whitman” and “McNabb” showed up on Wizard covers while everyone with eyeballs knew it was him.[22:36] – The Monument Edition Madness: Ominous Press launches with loose cardstock pages in custom plastic cases, hand-packed in Bart’s mother’s garage like the most 90s comic object ever created.Support The Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Bart Sears (https://www.bartsearsart.com) - The guest of honor, walking through Eclipso, Valiant, ToyBiz, Ominous Press, burnout, and the giant-art choices that made his pages impossible to ignore.David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box co-host steering the conversation with collector brain, editor instincts, and full-on Bart Sears fandom.John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box co-host bringing the editor’s-eye view on contracts, deadlines, layouts, and why Bart’s pages never felt like anyone else’s.Joe Quesada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Quesada) - Mentioned by John in connection with young artists leaving when publishers would not hand them bigger characters.Steven Massarsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Massarsky) - The Valiant co-founder Bart says was actively wooing him away from DC.Gareb Shamus (https://www.instagram.com/garebshamus/) - Wizard founder referenced during the Ominous Press discussion and the choice to launch with Brute and Babe.Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Comes up during Bart’s Violator story, where deadline expectations collided hard with burnout.Christopher Priest (https://digitalpriest.com/about/) - The writer on Captain America and the Falcon, where Bart turned boredom into huge Cap and Falcon visuals on the page.Ron Marz (https://www.ronmarz.com/) - The writer on The Path, where Bart happily blew up the layouts while working inside CrossGen.Rob Hunter (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Rob_Hunter) - The inker Bart wanted on Captain America and the Falcon because he knew Hunter’s line would make the heavy rendering sing.Andy Smith (https://www.andysmithart.com/) - Mentioned as part of the studio and Silver Surfer-era orbit around Bart’s post-Valiant scramble.Mark Pennington (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_Pennington) - The inker Bart discusses in relation to The Path and its blown-up marker layouts.Eclipso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipso) - The DC villain and crossover work that pushed Bart into massive 80-page assignments and one very memorable gem-cover controversy.Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - Bart’s DC title before the Eclipso frustration and the “why won’t they give me a bigger character?” breaking point.Valiant Comics (https://www.dmg-entertainment.com/ip-universes/valiant-comics/) - The hot publisher that pulled Bart away from DC during the early 90s boom.X-O Manowar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-O_Manowar) - One of the Valiant books Bart took on while trying to chase a more illustrative style under impossible monthly pressure.Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turok:_Dinosaur_Hunter) - The Valiant hit Bart connects to the massive sales spike and speculator-era overload.Wizard Magazine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_%28magazine%29) - The 90s comics magazine where Bart’s Brutes and Babes tutorials and pseudonymous covers helped boost his profile.Toy Biz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Biz) - The toy company behind the Marvel figure work Bart was designing around the same time he was trying to build a studio.Ominous Press (https://www.bartsearsart.com/folio-9) - Bart’s creator-owned publishing swing, built on huge mythology, Brute and Babe, and the infamous Monument Edition packaging gamble.CrossGen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossGen) - The publisher where Bart became art director and pushed layouts hard on books like The Path.Captain America and the Falcon (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_America_and_the_Falcon_Vol_1_1) - The Marvel series Bart discusses for its big figures, silhouette vehicles, and heavily rendered approach.The Path (https://crossgen-comics-database.fandom.com/wiki/The_Path_%28comics%29) - The CrossGen series Bart used to experiment with two-page spreads, marker layouts, and page design that ignored the safe route.

Bart Sears joins David and John to unpack the early grind behind one of comics’ most muscular, instantly recognizable art styles. Bart talks about learning from Neal Adams, Ross Andru, Frank Frazetta, John Buscema, and How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way before landing work through Larry Hama and eventually walking into Hasbro with full superhero energy. From designing the heroic proportions of C.O.P.S. figures, to Hasbro badly misreading the toy market, the conversation turns into a brutal lesson in how great creative work can still get steamrolled by bad business calls. Then comes the real madness: Andy Helfer telling Bart to finish 18 pages in three days before handing him an 80-page DC event packed with almost every hero and villain in the DC Universe. Then Justice League Europe, The Spectre, Invasion!, Matt Groening’s napkin poster, and Bart’s Dark Knight deadline nightmare hit the table — and suddenly, this is a creator survival story with bruises.Captions:“Hell, I can do this.” — Bart Sears on seeing a Batman story as a kid and deciding comics were the job“You learn a lot by figuring out what direction lines go.” — Bart on tracing, copying, and actually learning how comic art works“There’s a game, six degrees of Larry Hama, that you can play with anything in the comic book industry.” — David on Hama’s impossible reach through comics history“The last thing I wanted to draw in my life was a female, because I really wasn’t very good at it back then.” — Bart on getting assigned biker women and motorcycles early at Marvel“It was just filled with Air Raiders. But you couldn’t find C.O.P.S.” — Bart on Hasbro backing the wrong toy line“If you can make a living making comic books, you can literally work anywhere in this world.” — David on comics being the hardest creative boot camp around“I’m not Jack Kirby.” — Bart on being asked to draw 18 pages in three days before an 80-page DC assignmentSplash Page:[00:47] – John Barber’s Dog Opens the Show: John returns, Chase gets accused of eyeing his job, and somehow dog poop becomes the warm-up act.[02:53] – The Ten-Year-Old Pro: Bart traces his origin back to a Batman story, a werewolf, and the instant belief that comics were his future.[06:01] – The First Big Break: After Kubert School, video game art, and sample pages, Bart knocks on Marvel’s door and Larry Hama gives him work.[10:57] – The Hasbro Hallway Heist Fantasy: David remembers seeing original G.I. Joe art at Hasbro and having to fight every instinct not to run off with it.[11:54] – Original Art in the Dumpster: Bart drops the nightmare detail that a lot of classic toy art only survived because people rescued it from the trash.[16:14] – How Hasbro Fumbled C.O.P.S.: Bart explains how Air Raiders got the big push while C.O.P.S. demand blew past what Hasbro had ready to ship.[24:48] – Comics as the Hardest Job in the Room: David argues that anyone who can survive comics deadlines can walk into almost any business and dominate.[29:04] – The 18-Pages-in-3-Days Disaster: Andy Helfer asks Bart to finish nearly an entire issue of The Spectre in three days before dropping an 80-page DC event on him.[31:32] – Matt Groening’s Napkin Poster: Bart reveals the Invasion! poster concept came from Matt Groening sketching an idea on a napkin.[35:15] – Justice League Europe Gets Moved Up: Bart finds out from a fan at a convention that Justice League Europe is shipping months earlier than he thought.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Bart Sears (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Sears) - The guest of the episode, known for Justice League Europe, Turok, Ominous Press, and a big, anatomy-driven superhero style.Larry Hama (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Hama) - Writer, editor, and G.I. Joe legend who gave Bart early comics work and later reconnected with him through C.O.P.S. material.Neal Adams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Adams) - One of the key Batman artists Bart mentions as an early influence.Ross Andru (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Andru) - Classic Marvel and DC artist Bart cites as part of the visual education he absorbed as a young artist.Frank Frazetta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Frazetta) - Fantasy art giant whose work helped shape Bart’s early sense of power, form, and heroic drama.John Buscema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema) - Marvel master Bart names as one of the artists he studied while learning the craft.Dan Fraga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Fraga) - Artist David mentions while talking about the value of tracing and learning from the linework of artists you admire.Mike Carlin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carlin) - DC and Marvel editor who met Bart during his early Marvel office visit.Doug Moench (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Moench) - Writer mentioned in connection with the DC C.O.P.S. comic.Andy Helfer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Helfer) - DC editor who gave Bart C.O.P.S., The Spectre, Invasion!, Justice League Europe, and plenty of deadline trauma.Keith Giffen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Giffen) - Artist and writer whose clean thumbnail layouts helped Bart survive the huge Invasion! assignment.Todd McFarlane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane) - Mentioned as the artist originally attached to the Invasion! issue Bart ultimately drew.Matt Groening (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Groening) - The Simpsons creator who, according to Bart, sketched the rough idea for the Invasion! poster on a napkin.Jack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Comics legend invoked during the conversation about insane productivity and creator compensation.Joe Kubert (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kubert) - Artist, teacher, and Kubert School founder whose work ethic shaped Bart’s attitude toward saying yes and figuring it out later.Mark Pennington (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Pennington_(comics)) - Artist and inker who worked with Bart and appears throughout the Hasbro and comics portions of the story.Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - The DC series David calls formative to his early comics reading, largely because of Bart’s artwork.C.O.P.S. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.O.P.S._(animated_TV_series)) - The toy and animation property Bart helped design, with a comic-book-style heroic look.G.I. Joe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe:_A_Real_American_Hero) - The Hasbro toy line that frames part of the discussion about concept art, packaging, and toy design culture.Hasbro (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasbro) - The toy company where Bart worked on concept art, figure design, and the C.O.P.S. line.The Kubert School (https://www.kubertschool.edu) - The art school Bart attended before breaking into comics and commercial illustration.How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Draw_Comics_the_Marvel_Way) - The classic instructional book Bart mentions as part of learning what comic pages were supposed to look like.The Spectre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(DC_Comics_character)) - The DC character Bart was assigned before being pulled into the massive Invasion! project.Invasion! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion!_(DC_Comics)) - The 80-page DC event issue Bart drew under a brutal schedule after Todd McFarlane left the assignment.Piranha Press (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha_Press) - The DC imprint tied to the behind-the-scenes deadline pressure Bart describes near the end of the episode.Ominous Press (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ominous_Press) - Mentioned in David’s intro as part of Bart’s long creative résumé, with more promised for part two.Turok (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turok) - One of the major characters David references while introducing Bart’s broader comics legacy.

The guys get into Frank Miller’s 300, from its brutal Spartan swagger to the underappreciated magic Lynn Varley brought to every inch of the page. John is out today, but David is joined by special guest and fill-in co-host Chase Marotz to talk about Miller’s later art style, the historical homework behind Thermopylae, and why this book still feels like a giant opera made of sweat, shields, and testosterone. Before the main event, they hit the news wire: Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto on Avengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300 moving monster numbers, Dark Horse recognizing its workers union, and Shaquille O’Neal teaming with Archie Comics. Then things get beautifully stupid with Sugar Bomb, Tom the Dolphin, Bart Sears, Juan Jose Ryp, and the kind of superhero book that could only come from trying to make your office mate laugh and/or quit. By the end, Frank Miller’s 300 looks less like a frozen artifact and more like the battle line between classic craft, creator obsession, and full-throttle comic book weirdness.Captions:“Frank Miller’s art has really become sort of outsider-esque.” — David on how Miller’s later style has grown on him“It’s the ultimate indie comic win.” — David on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hitting issue #300“One in a million thing happened to one in a million dude.” — Chase on Kevin Eastman and the Turtles phenomenon“I’ve never seen somebody have the ability to humanize a dolphin.” — David on Juan Jose Ryp drawing Tom in Sugar Bomb“This is the story that I was waiting to tell until I knew I was good enough to tell it.” — David quoting Frank Miller on 300Splash Page:[00:42] – Miller Goes Outsider: David kicks off the episode by connecting Frank Miller’s current art style to the outsider comics conversation that’s been circling the show.[03:07] – Avengers Gets a Real Creative Swing: David and Chase react to Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto relaunching Avengers, with cautious optimism and a few Batman-induced headaches.[08:08] – Turtles Print Money Again: TMNT #300 jumps to 200,000 units, and the guys break down why legacy numbering is ridiculous, brilliant, and very much still alive.[11:42] – A Hard Turn for Persepolis: David and Chase pause for Marjane Satrapi, reflecting on why Persepolis still hits with force and humanity.[13:28] – Dark Horse Recognizes the Union: The guys give credit where it’s due while keeping one cynical eye open about what comes next.[15:25] – Shaq Walks Into Archie Comics: Shaquille O’Neal’s new comics project gives David the perfect excuse to shout out Stephanie Williams and Ray-Anthony Height.[19:32] – Enter Sugar Bomb and the Dolphin Menace: Chase explains Sugar Bomb as a cynical cyborg superhero with a perverted dolphin sidekick, which is somehow only the beginning.[30:57] – 300 Returns to Battle: David and Chase revisit Frank Miller’s 300 and immediately zero in on Lynn Varley’s massive contribution to the book’s power.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinFrank Miller (https://frankmillerpresents.com) - The legendary cartoonist behind 300, Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, and the whole Spartan blood-and-thunder centerpiece of this episodeLynn Varley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Varley) - The Eisner-winning colorist whose watercolor work on 300 gets a well-earned victory lap from David and ChaseChip Zdarsky (https://www.zdars.co) - Writer discussed for his upcoming Avengers work and past Daredevil/Batman runsMarco Checchetto (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/11748/marco_checchetto) - Artist paired with Zdarsky on Avengers and a longtime Corner Box favoriteKevin Eastman (https://fan.kevineastmanstudios.com) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator, praised here as the ultimate indie comics success story and an all-around great dudePeter Laird (https://peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator, part of the original DIY comics miracle behind TMNTMarjane Satrapi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjane_Satrapi) - Creator of Persepolis, remembered here for the power and humanity of her landmark graphic novelStephanie Williams (https://stephaniecomics.com) - Writer of Shaquille O’Neal’s Archie Comics project and a friend of the show David wants back on the micRay-Anthony Height (https://www.ray-anthonyheight.com) - Artist on Shaq’s Archie project, praised by David as a hard-working comics talent getting a bigger spotlightJuan Jose Ryp (https://www.instagram.com/juanjoseryp) - Sugar Bomb artist whose character acting, especially with Tom the Dolphin, basically hijacked David’s heartBart Sears (https://www.bartsearsart.com) - Artist behind Sugar Bomb’s initial designs and the upcoming guest for the Ominous Press/Brutes and Babes conversationRolo Maeda (https://www.instagram.com/rolomaeda) - Interior artist on Super Kaiju Rock and Roller Derby Fun Time Go, shouted out during the Funtime Go Kickstarter breakZack Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Snyder) - Director of the 300 film adaptation and the source of several side quests in the conversationJames Gunn (https://www.dc.com/talent/james-gunn) - Mentioned through the Dawn of the Dead connection and his current DC film universe role300 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300_(comics)) - Frank Miller and Lynn Varley’s five-issue Dark Horse series that anchors the main discussionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles) - The indie comics phenomenon discussed through TMNT #300, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and the Frank Miller connectionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300 (https://idwpublishing.com) - The legacy-numbered milestone issue David says pushed massive sales and brought the Turtles back into the spotlightAvengers (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series) - The Marvel flagship title discussed through the new Zdarsky/Checchetto relaunchDaredevil (https://www.marvel.com/comics/characters/1009262/daredevil) - Referenced through Zdarsky and Checchetto’s previous work and the TMNT/Miller creative lineageBatman (https://www.dc.com/characters/batman) - Comes up through Zdarsky’s run, Zur-En-Arrh confusion, and Miller’s larger creative legacyPersepolis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persepolis_(comics)) - Marjane Satrapi’s landmark graphic novel, discussed as a major work worth revisitingDark Horse Comics (https://www.darkhorse.com) - Publisher of 300 and the focus of the workers union discussionDark Horse Workers United (https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dark-horse-workers-united) - The labor effort discussed after Dark Horse voluntarily recognized the unionArchie Comics (https://archiecomics.com) - Publisher behind Shaquille O’Neal’s new comics project with Stephanie Williams and Ray-Anthony HeightVengeance Unchained: The Legend of Black Caesar (https://archiecomics.com) - Shaq’s Archie Comics project discussed as a surprising non-superhero announcementSuper Kaiju Rock and Roller Derby Fun Time Go (https://funtimego.com) - Funtime Go’s high-end hardcover graphic novel series currently running its Book 3 KickstarterSugar Bomb (https://funtimego.com) - David and Chase’s chaotic superhero project featuring Sugar Bomb, Tom the Dolphin, and a growing murderers’ row of artistsOminous Press (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ominous_Press) - Bart Sears’ publishing venture, teased for next week’s wild Brutes and Babes/Monument Edition conversationBrutes and Babes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Sears) - Bart Sears’ Wizard-era how-to-draw feature and the springboard for next week’s Ominous Press episode

The guys get into the real mechanics of launching a comics Kickstarter without just throwing a link into the void and praying to the algorithm gods. David breaks down why the campaign is won before launch day, how email lists and “notify me” clicks create the first-day fire, and why stretch goals work best when they feel like party favors instead of cheap bait. John digs into the questions creators actually ask: do updates cost pledges, do non-comics audiences convert, and how much should you show before you spoil your own book? From there, the conversation jumps into “Here’s What John & David Read This Week” with Joe Palmer’s Destination Kill, the absolute fever dream of Neil Adams on Mr. T and the T Force, and a heartfelt detour into the wild, too-short career of Seth Fisher. It’s part creator survival guide, part comics archaeology, and part “how did Mr. T end up kicking through a roof?”Captions:“It’s almost like doing a pre-order for the pre-order.” — John translating Kickstarter strategy into direct-market terms“When you generate $10,000 in 12 hours, Kickstarter pays attention.” — David on why day-one momentum changes everything“The stretch goals are kind of like the party favors.” — David on treating a campaign like a celebration, not a begging bowlSplash Page:[00:00] – Hall of Fame Host Energy: David kicks things off by needling John with the Transformers Hall of Fame intro, and John takes the bait beautifully.[03:32] – The Kickstarter Firestarter: David lays out the big lesson: if you wait until launch day to build heat, you may already be cooked.[06:57] – Pre-Campaign Is the Campaign: The “notify me” page becomes the whole game, turning awareness into day-one pledges.[13:32] – Three Hours to Funded: Super Kaiju Book 3 hits its goal fast, giving David a real-world case study instead of vague creator advice.[16:49] – Stretch Goals as Party Favors: David reframes extras as a celebration for backers and a smart way to move fence-sitters.[25:14] – Link in Bio or Get Buried: The guys get into how social platforms punish links and force creators into smarter, weirder promotion tactics.[34:09] – Don’t Ignore the Monster Fans: David makes the case for chasing kaiju lovers, roller derby people, and genre fans outside the comics bubble.[48:51] – Mr. T Saves Literacy and Kicks Through a Roof: John opens a polybagged time capsule and finds Neil Adams, gold chains, moral chaos, and pure comics madness.[51:58] – The Seth Fisher Appreciation Lap: David revisits The Flash: Time Flies and celebrates Fisher’s dense, inventive, future-shocked artwork.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Creators MentionedDavid Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - The Corner Box co-host and Fun Time Go publisher breaks down his Kickstarter playbook from direct experience.John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box co-host, longtime Transformers writer, former IDW editor-in-chief, and current PUG Worldwide editor-in-chief asks the creator-side questions that make the Kickstarter talk useful.Rolando Mallada (https://www.instagram.com/rolomallada) - Artist on Super Kaiju Rock-N-Roller Derby Fun Time Go, praised by David as a major selling point of the campaign’s interior art.Bart Sears (https://www.bartsearsart.com) - Legendary artist discussed as a past live-event guest and character designer for Sugar Bomb.Rich Johnston (https://bleedingcool.com/author/rich-johnston/) - Bleeding Cool writer mentioned as receiving a launch-day exclusive for the Super Kaiju Kickstarter.Jay Gonzo (https://www.instagram.com/jaygonzoart) - Artist behind the collector’s box artwork for Super Kaiju, praised for his Day of the Dead-inspired style.Dave Baker (https://www.heydavebaker.com) - Creator mentioned through John’s Jay Gonzo story and a broader comics-world connection.Joe Palmer (https://www.instagram.com/palmerjoeart) - Artist of Destination Kill, which John calls a fantastic first issue.Neal Adams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Adams) - Legendary comics artist whose work on Mr. T and the T Force sends John into full back-issue joy mode.Mr. T (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._T) - Pop culture icon at the center of the wild Now Comics book John brings to the table.Pete Stone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stone_(writer)) - Writer credited in the discussion of Mr. T and the T Force.Seth Fisher (https://www.floweringnose.com/) - The late artist celebrated for his inventive, dense, wildly imaginative comics work.John Rozum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rozum) - Writer of The Flash: Time Flies, the Seth Fisher-drawn DC one-shot David revisits.Sergio Aragonés (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergio_Aragon%C3%A9s) - Referenced as a comparison point for the amount of visual information packed into Fisher’s pages.Zeb Wells (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeb_Wells) - Writer of Fantastic Four/Iron Man: Big in Japan, one of Fisher’s last major works.Joe Hill (https://joehillfiction.com/) - Writer mentioned in connection with a posthumously published Seth Fisher story.J. M. DeMatteis (https://www.jmdematteis.com/) - Writer of Green Lantern: Willworld, remembered as a perfect match for Seth Fisher’s surreal visual imagination.Mark Badger (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Badger) - Artist mentioned by John while connecting DeMatteis’ stranger comics work to Fisher’s energy.Topics & Resources:Super Kaiju Rock-N-Roller Derby Fun Time Go: Fuji-Tengu Flames (https://bleedingcool.com/comics/super-kaiju-rock-n-roller-derby-fun-time-go-fuji-tengu-flames/) - The Book 3 campaign discussed in the episode, including its launch push and press strategy.Kickstarter Comics (https://www.kickstarter.com/comics) - The crowdfunding ecosystem David breaks down throughout the first half of the episode.Bleeding Cool (https://bleedingcool.com) - Comics news site mentioned as part of David’s launch-day press push.Comic Geek Speak (https://www.comicgeekspeak.com) - Podcast mentioned as part of David’s campaign outreach.Destination Kill (https://oni-press.myshopify.com/products/destination-kill-1) - The Oni Press sci-fi comedy John recommends during the weekly reading segment.Oni Press (https://oni-press.com) - Publisher of Destination Kill, brought up during John’s new-comics enthusiasm.Mr. T and the T Force (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._T_and_the_T-Force) - The bizarre Now Comics back issue John brings in, complete with Neil Adams art and a polybagged trading card.Now Comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_Comics) - Publisher behind Mr. T and the T Force.Superman vs. Muhammad Ali (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_vs._Muhammad_Ali) - Neal Adams classic used as a comparison point for big, goofy, high-energy celebrity comics.The Flash: Time Flies (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Flash:_Time_Flies_Vol_1_1) - The Seth Fisher-drawn DC one-shot David uses as his entry point back into Fisher’s work.Green Lantern: Willworld (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Green_Lantern:_Willworld_Vol_1_1) - Seth Fisher and J. M. DeMatteis’ surreal Green Lantern story, remembered fondly by David.Fantastic Four/Iron Man: Big in Japan (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/1845/fantastic_four_iron_man_big_in_japan_2005_-_2006) - The Marvel mini-series by Zeb Wells and Seth Fisher discussed as one of Fisher’s final major works.Myst III: Exile (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myst_III:_Exile) - Video game David mentions as part of Seth Fisher’s creative path before returning to comics.Locke & Key (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locke_%26_Key) - The Joe Hill series connected to one of Fisher’s posthumously published comics stories.Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - Bart Sears’ run is referenced while David talks about bringing him into Fun Time Go live-event orbit.Rocky III (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_III) - The film that made Mr. T’s Clubber Lang iconic, referenced through the Mr. T trading card.Marvel (https://www.marvel.com) - Mentioned across the episode through David and John’s industry histories, Fisher’s Big in Japan work, and the broader state of current comics.DC Comics (https://www.dc.com) - Mentioned through Seth Fisher’s DC work, The Flash: Time Flies, Green Lantern: Willworld, and the current comics landscape.IDW Publishing (https://idwpublishing.com) - Referenced through David and John’s editorial history and the wider independent comics scene.

David & John talk about the brutal math of making comics after the pages are done and the hard truth of the hard work behind every Kickstarter project. The guys talk about Marvel's changing of the guard, Dan Buckley’s legacy, DC’s momentum under Marie Javins, and whether comics are being pulled closer to media-brand machinery than comic-book instinct. John then drags Clive Barker’s Razorline out of the longbox, complete with Ecto Kid, Hyperkind, Steve Skroce, James Robinson, Lana Wachowski, and some truly heroic cover embossing. David counters with AmeriKarate, an Action Lab oddball that sounds like Team America, American Dad, Chuck Norris, and karate-chop insanity got shoved into one very dumb, very fun blender. Somehow, it all becomes a love letter to strange comics, dead-end experiments, and the beautiful mess of the medium.Captions:“Marketing comic books is a lot.” — John stating the creator pain in six words“We blew it, man. We were like amateur hour big time.” — David on wishing they’d done more with David Harper“It is nonsense… but oddly under control.” — John on Hyperkind and the chaos of Razorline“Everything is solved with a karate chop to the face.” — David on AmeriKarate’s entire operating systemSplash Page:[00:47] – The Kickstarter Pain Machine: David breaks down why making the comic is only the first boss fight.[03:39] – Eisner Guest Regret Spiral: The guys admit they may have fumbled a killer David Harper conversation.[05:05] – Marvel Gets a New Boss Fight: Dan Buckley’s exit sparks talk about Marvel, Disney, and the future of the line.[09:23] – Dark Horse Alarm Bells: David worries about shops closing and comics losing focus to bigger media plays.[12:01] – DC Gets Its Flowers: Mark Waid’s comments back up David and John’s read on Marie Javins’ steady hand.[18:16] – Enter Razorline: John revisits Clive Barker’s strange Marvel horror-superhero experiment from the ’90s.[22:00] – Embossed Abs Era: Ecto Kid’s cover becomes a love letter to ridiculous, beautifully overworked ’90s production.[46:04] – AmeriKarate Kicks the Door In: David recommends a wildly dumb, wildly fun Action Lab series with maximum karate stupidity.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:Part 1 — Creators MentionedDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - Co-host, comics veteran, and creator behind Super Kaiju Rock n’ Roller Derby Fun Time Go.John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - Co-host, writer, editor, and Transformers Hall of Fame comics veteran.David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Comics journalist and Off Panel host discussed after his recent Corner Box appearance.Dan Buckley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Buckley) - Longtime Marvel publishing executive discussed during the Marvel leadership conversation.Marie Javins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Javins) - DC editor-in-chief credited in the conversation for helping steer DC’s current momentum.Mark Waid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waid) - Veteran comics writer discussed for his long-running relevance and current DC work.James Gunn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn) - Mentioned in the conversation about comics-aware leadership and DC’s broader direction.Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher)) - Dark Horse founder discussed in relation to the company’s leadership shift.Clive Barker (https://www.clivebarker.info) - Horror and dark fantasy creator behind Marvel’s Razorline concepts.Steve Skroce (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Skroce) - Artist on Ecto Kid and later collaborator with the Wachowskis.James Robinson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Robinson_(writer)) - Writer of early Ecto Kid issues, discussed shortly before his Starman era.Lana Wachowski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Wachowski) - Mentioned for taking over Ecto Kid under her earlier name and later collaborating with Steve Skroce.Corey Kalman (information missing) - Co-writer of AmeriKarate; reliable official reference not provided in transcript.Brockton McKinney (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2444198/) - AmeriKarate co-writer connected in the discussion to Gingerdead Man movies and Rick and Morty comics.Devon Roth (information missing) - AmeriKarate artist praised for animation-flavored storytelling; reliable official reference not provided in transcript.Dave Dwonch (https://www.actionlabcomics.com) - Letterer on AmeriKarate and Action Lab-connected creator mentioned in the credits discussion.Part 2 — Topics & ResourcesSuper Kaiju Rock n’ Roller Derby Fun Time Go (https://funtimego.com) - David’s Kickstarter comic promoted during the episode.Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com) - The platform at the center of David’s creator-marketing pain and Super Kaiju campaign.Marvel Comics (https://www.marvel.com/comics) - Discussed through leadership changes, market position, and the Razorline back catalog.DC Comics (https://www.dc.com) - Discussed for its current creative momentum, Absolute line, compact editions, and editorial direction.Dark Horse Comics (https://www.darkhorse.com) - Discussed through leadership changes, shop closures, and publishing focus.Things From Another World (https://www.tfaw.com) - Dark Horse-connected retail operation discussed after store closure news.Razorline (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razorline) - Clive Barker’s Marvel imprint and the centerpiece of John’s reading pick.Ecto Kid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecto_Kid) - Razorline title praised as the strongest of the batch.Hyperkind (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperkind) - Razorline superhero title discussed for its wild ’90s execution.Hokum & Hex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokum_%26_Hex) - Razorline title discussed for its hard-to-explain weirdness.Saint Sinner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Sinner) - Razorline title discussed as one of the darker Barker concepts.AmeriKarate (https://www.actionlabcomics.com) - Action Lab series David recommends for absurd action-comedy mayhem.Gingerdead Man (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gingerdead_Man) - Bizarre horror-comedy rabbit hole connected to Brockton McKinney.Image Comics (https://imagecomics.com) - Discussed as the massive early-’90s disruption that forced Marvel and DC to react.X-Force (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Force) - Used as a reference point for Marvel’s early-’90s artist churn and post-Liefeld direction.

John and David welcome Eisner-nominated comics journalist and podcaster David Harper for an Eisner Awards heat check. Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Assorted Crisis Events, Ghost Pepper, Jerome, Land, and Hirayasumi all get thrown into the ring. David Hedgecock argues for Denis Camp, Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and books that actually make you feel something, even if that feeling is misery. David Harper brings the manga enthusiasm, the awards perspective, and just enough Alaska warmth to keep things from going completely off the rails. Somewhere between Club 52, AI anthology drama, and Batman being “best new comic,” the episode becomes a snapshot of comics having one hell of a year.Captions:“Club 52 is a perfect comic book cool guy club that we’re all in.” — John describing how David Harper accidentally invents DC’s worst nightclub“I have never been more depressed reading a comic book series in my life.” — David on Assorted Crisis Events doing its job too well“After you read an issue, you need to watch a Paddington movie afterwards so you can feel better about life.” — David Harper on Assorted Crisis Events“Absolute Wonder Woman is the best thing that DC is publishing.” — David on Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman’s run“Best new comic: Batman. Technically true, but also feels kind of funny.” — David Harper on Batman landing in Best New Series“The straw that stirs the Absolute drinks are the artists, plain and simple.” — John on Nick Dragotta, Hayden Sherman, and the Absolute lineSplash Page:[00:01] – Welcome to Club 52: David Harper joins the show and the Eisner-nominated flexing begins.[03:50] – John Likes Comics Again: John admits the Eisner list actually made him feel plugged back in.[06:22] – Best One-Shot Bloodbath: Absolute Batman Annual, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Ice Cream Man, and Dennis Camp collide.[07:36] – Sadness as Craft: David explains why A Sort of Crisis Events practically forced him to go outside.[10:21] – Absolute Wonder Woman Wins Hearts: Harper and David make the case for DC’s strongest current book.[17:00] – The AI Anthology Mess: Stardust gets pulled into the awards controversy, and the guys break down why the Eisners need clearer rules.[28:18] – Manga Opens the Floodgates: Harper champions Hirayasumi, Land, and Tokyo Alien Bros as essential reads.[33:37] – The Scott Snyder Debate: David argues Absolute Batman may be more about Nick Dragotta than Snyder.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Eisner-nominated comics journalist, SKTCHD founder, and Off Panel host guesting on this episode.Deniz Camp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deniz_Camp) - Writer behind Absolute Martian Manhunter, A Sort of Crisis Events, and The Ultimates, making him one of the episode’s biggest award-season names.Kelly Thompson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Thompson) - Writer of Absolute Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, and Jeff the Land Shark, praised heavily here.Scott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Absolute Batman writer whose nomination sparks one of the sharper debates.Nick Dragotta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Dragotta) - Absolute Batman artist discussed as a major force behind the book’s impact.Hayden Sherman (https://www.haydensherman.com) - Absolute Wonder Woman artist praised for page design, detail, and consistency.Jesse Lonergan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Lonergan) - Jerome creator discussed as a major Best Writer/Artist contender.Junie Ba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Ba) - Creator praised for Monkey Meat, The Fable of Earl King Woods, and a singular comics voice.Van Jensen (https://www.vanjensen.com) - Writer and organizer behind the Stardust anthology discussed during the AI controversy.Jordie Bellaire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordie_Bellaire) - Colorist mentioned during the Eisner craft-category tangent.Part 2 — Topics & Resources:Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/) - The awards list driving the full conversation.SKTCHD (https://sktchd.com) - David Harper’s subscription-based comics journalism site.Off Panel Podcast (https://sktchd.libsyn.com) - Harper’s weekly comics interview podcast.Stardust the Super Wizard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_the_Super_Wizard) - Golden Age character at the center of the anthology discussion.Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology (https://zoop.gg/c/stardust) - The anthology discussed after its Eisner nomination issue.Absolute Batman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Batman) - Major awards contender and lightning rod for writer/artist credit debate.Absolute Wonder Woman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Wonder_Woman) - The book repeatedly praised as one of DC’s best current titles.2000 AD (https://2000ad.com) - Long-running British comics institution mentioned in the anthology category.Judge Dredd (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd) - 2000 AD icon referenced during the anthology nominations.Akira (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_(manga)) - Manga touchstone mentioned as David talks about where he is in his manga-reading journey.

David & John get into Ken Landgraf, Ghoul Butcher, New York City Outlaws, and the strange thrill of “Outsider Comics” that feel half-feral but wonderfully alive. David maps out his outsider-comics reading list, including Revenger, C.R.O.W.Bar 9, The 7 Guys of Justice, and Amerikarate. John counters with Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders, a 1950s ranch comic reprint that somehow includes Bob Powell, Dick Ayers, a murder puppet, and a Hardee’s franchise ad aimed at half-million-dollar investors. From there, they hit Dave Baker and Alexis Ziritt’s Night Hunters, Comics: The Magazine, the problem with comics sites ignoring smaller publishers, Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day win, and Frank Miller & Geoff Darrow’s Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot. It’s weird-comics archaeology with jokes, grudges, and just enough industry frustration to leave a mark.Captions:“There’s a level of competency combined with the unhingedness.” — John on why Ken Landgraf’s comics hit different“Oh, good, I’m glad we have these so we know not to finance this.” — John on Ghoul Butcher feeling like impossible movie storyboards“The marionette committed the murder.” — John on the sudden left turn in Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders“I’m sitting here with a wad of cash for advertising and marketing, and I can’t spend it with you.” — David on comics media ignoring smaller publishers“Rusty never comes back.” — David on the beautifully weird structure of Big Guy and Rusty the Boy RobotSplash Page:[01:27] – Birthday Roll Call: John shares a birthday with Moebius, Jamie McKelvie, Steve Wacker, and apparently himself.[01:51] – Kickstarter Number Six: David plugs Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go: Fuji Tengu Flames.[06:59] – Outlaws Go Sideways: New York City Outlaws mutates from street crime into aliens, monsters, and sewer weirdness.[08:46] – The Outsider-Comics Reading List: David lines up Ghoul Butcher, Revenger, Crowbar Nine, Seven Guys of Justice, Night Hunters, and Amerikarate.[15:16] – Zombie Truck Driver Theology: Ghoul Butcher gets weird with apocalypse survival, strip-club angels, and obsessive crosshatching.[20:00] – The B-Bar-B Ambush: John discovers Bobby Benson, Bob Powell, Dick Ayers, and a murder marionette.[27:19] – Hardee’s Wants Investors: A 1990 western reprint somehow advertises hamburger franchises to wealthy entrepreneurs.[43:33] – Comics Media Catch-22: David lays into the frustration of trying to buy ads when comics sites won’t cover smaller books.[49:17] – Marvel Wins Free Comic Book Day: John says Marvel’s FCBD offering wipes the floor with DC’s reprints.[50:55] – Rusty Gets Buried: Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot becomes a gorgeous, strange, uneven monster-smashing artifact.Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Part 1 — Creators MentionedKen Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Artist behind New York City Outlaws and Ghoul Butcher, and the spark for David’s current outsider-comics rabbit hole.Rolo de la Hoya (https://www.instagram.com/rolodelahoya/) - Artist on Super Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go, praised by David for leveling up across the series.Kurt Busiek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Busiek) - Previous Corner Box guest, mentioned in connection with Death of Power and Kickstarter comics.Dave Baker (https://www.instagram.com/xdavebakerx/) - Writer of Night Hunters and Fuck Off Squad, discussed for his essays and sharp sense of audience.Alexis Ziritt (https://www.aziritt.com/) - Artist of Night Hunters, whose neon-heavy visual style fuels the book’s dystopian punch.Bob Powell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Powell) - Golden Age artist discussed through Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders and Mars Attacks.Dick Ayers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Ayers) - Classic comics artist brought up through Bobby Benson and Captain Savage.Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Writer/artist whose later work becomes part of David’s developing outsider-art theory.Geof Darrow (https://www.facebook.com/geofdarrow/) - Artist of Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Hard Boiled, and Shaolin Cowboy.Todd McFarlane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane) - Mentioned through his argument that comic sales still tilt toward the power of the art.Moebius / Jean Giraud (https://www.moebius.fr/) - Birthday shoutout and one of the giants hanging over the episode’s comics conversation.Jamie McKelvie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_McKelvie) - Birthday shoutout, noted for Phonogram and Young Avengers.Part 2 — Topics & ResourcesSuper Kaiju Rock n Roller Derby Fun Time Go (https://funtimego.com) - David’s Fun Time Go series, with the third book Fuji Tengu Flames launching through Kickstarter.Floating World Comics (https://floatingworldcomics.com/) - Publisher connected to several outsider-comics titles discussed in the episode.Night Hunters (https://floatingworldcomics.com/shop/comic-books/night-hunters-2) - Dave Baker and Alexis Ziritt’s cyberpunk Venezuela comic, discussed as a pandemic-era time capsule.Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Guy_and_Rusty_the_Boy_Robot_(TV_series)) - Frank Miller and Geof Darrow’s strange robot/monster comic that later became an animated series.Shaolin Cowboy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Cowboy) - Geof Darrow’s solo series, praised for its impossible action storytelling and obsessive visual craft.Free Comic Book Day (https://www.freecomicbookday.com/) - John compares Marvel and DC’s FCBD offerings, with Marvel getting the clear win here.PUG Worldwide (https://www.pugworldwide.com/) - John Barber’s publishing home, mentioned during the opening Signa/Kickstarter banter.The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official home base for the show.

Kirt Burdick returns to talk Death of Power, the upcoming finale of his gloriously unhinged bootleg-superhero epic, and the creator realities of trying to turn Kickstarter momentum into something resembling an actual career. Along the way, the conversation veers hard into outsider comics like New York City Outlaws, Hayden Sherman’s Batman work, Scott Snyder’s hit-or-miss post-Batman output, Frank Miller’s weird sequel era, and whether readers are just done with short miniseries pretending to be ongoing books.Then things get thoughtful, with a real discussion about ambition, wealth, artistic freedom, and why longform storytelling still matters. You know… between all the penis jokes.Captions:“To make a true independent comic, you have to draw a penis.” — Kirt Burdick explaining the sacred laws of indie comics“It’s almost like a mind-altering experience to watch them. So it’s not so much you’re watching a film, you’re imbibing a drug.” — Kirt on Outsider VHS cinema“Scott Snyder’s writing frequently leaves me pretty cold.” — Chase with zero hesitation“The Corner Box is officially canceled!” — David after talking wealth inequality“I’m sure I’m blacklisted from DC.” — Kirt on his future in mainstream superheroesSPLASH PAGE[00:08:09] – Welcome to the Outsider Art Rabbit Hole: David discovers New York City Outlaws and absolutely loses his mind.[00:17:24] – The Scott Snyder Debate: Chase gives a brutally honest take on Snyder outside Batman.[00:19:52] – Are Miniseries Dead?: The gang debates whether readers still want short-form comics.[00:22:47] – Hollywood vs Comics: Chase breaks down how publishers use comics as TV pitch decks.[00:31:56] – Frank Miller’s 9/11 Pivot: David explains why Dark Knight Strikes Again became two different books.[00:42:37] – Death of Power Gets Real: Kirt talks Kickstarter growth and the path toward making comics sustainable.[00:44:31] – The Indie Comics Penis Manifesto: A sentence nobody expected but everybody will remember.[00:51:13] – The Finale Is Coming: Kirt reveals Death of Power ends with a double-sized final Kickstarter.SUPPORT THE CORNER BOXDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDIVE DEEPER INTO THE BACK ISSUE BINKirt Burdick (https://www.instagram.com/kirtburdick/) - Creator of Death of Power and this episode’s featured guestKen Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Outsider comics creator behind New York City OutlawsScott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Writer discussed extensively in the Batman/creator-owned debateHayden Sherman (https://www.instagram.com/cleanlined/) - Artist praised repeatedly for innovative Batman workFrank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the Batman sequel discussionDavid Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced via Asterios PolypMark Waid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waid) - Praised for current DC superhero storytellingChris Samnee (https://www.chrissamnee.com/) - Highlighted for Batman and Robin Year OneJames Tynion IV (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tynion_IV) - Referenced in creator-output discussionMike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher)) - Dark Horse founder discussed during publishing talkNOT DEEP ENOUGH? WE'RE JUST LONG BOX UNDER THE TABLE DIVING NOW?!Death of Power (https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/kirtburdick) - Kirt Burdick’s ongoing bootleg-superhero indie saga discussed throughout the episodeAbsolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Major point of discussion during the Batman segmentAbsolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s pick for best current Big Two bookDark Spaces: Dungeon (https://www.idwpublishing.com/) - Scott Snyder crime comic debated by the panelBatman and Robin: Year One (https://www.dc.com/) - Referenced in the Frank Miller/Batman influence conversationDark Knight Returns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns) - Foundation of the Frank Miller discussionThe Dark Knight Strikes Again (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Strikes_Again) - Examined as Miller’s post-9/11 creative pivotAsterios Polyp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterios_Polyp) - Mazzucchelli’s acclaimed graphic novelDark Horse Comics (https://www.darkhorse.com/) - Discussed heavily in the publishing/business conversationTitan Comics (https://titan-comics.com/) - Current Conan publisherHeroic Signatures (https://www.heroicsignatures.com/) - Conan rights holder David and Chase work withSomething Is Killing the Children (https://www.boom-studios.com/series/something-is-killing-the-children/) - Referenced during creator-output discussionLone Wolf and Cub (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Wolf_and_Cub) - Mentioned in the Dark Horse manga conversationThe Warriors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)) - Core comparison for New York City OutlawsBleeding Skull (https://www.bleedingskull.com/) - Referenced during outsider VHS cinema discussionCartoonist Kayfabe (https://www.youtube.com/@CartoonistKayfabe) - Mentioned as inspiration in the Death of Power origin story

This episode, things get spicy fast as Kickstarter loyalty gets tested. David lays out a frustration that hits a nerve: paying more, waiting longer, and watching cheaper versions hit shelves first. From there, the guys pivot into creator mode—John’s secretly drawing comics again, Chase is juggling screenplays, and everyone’s got projects they can’t quite talk about (yet). Frank Miller creeps back into the conversation, setting up what might be a full-on deep dive in a future episode. And just when you think it’s under control… The Fly shows up, lights his ass, and still doesn’t save the day. Captions“Less yuck more yums, dude. Let’s go.” — Chase pushing back on fake positivity culture“It’s an insult to the audience.” — David on identical Kickstarter books hitting stores cheaper and sooner“He lights his ass… and it still doesn’t work.” — John describing The Fly’s most effective move“She saves the day. Twice. The Fly does nothing.” — John breaking down the most useless superhero everSplash Page[03:15] – Kickstarter Betrayal: David breaks down the frustration of paying more for less[06:58] – Retail Before Backers: The moment that crosses the line for everyone[10:34] – Barber Returns to the Board: John reveals he’s drawing comics again[13:05] – Moebius High-Wire Act: The chaos and brilliance of making it up as you go[19:42] – Enter The Fly: A superhero who might be completely useless[23:13] – One Page Masterpiece: The most insane splash-page monologue ever written[01:05:18] – The Anti-Spider-Man: Why The Fly might be the most charming failure in comicsSupport the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinFrank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_(comics)) - Central to the episode’s ongoing reading obsession and future deep dive teaseDavid Mazzucchelli (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mazzucchelli) - Referenced in discussion of Daredevil and Batman: Year OneMoebius / Jean Giraud (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moebius_(comics)) - Cited as inspiration for improvisational storytellingPaul Pope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pope) - Referenced for speed and stylistic experimentationJonathan Maberry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Maberry) - Writer on recent project David and Chase worked onPaul Pelletier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pelletier) - Artist collaborator on recent miniseriesWalt Simonson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Simonson) - Mentioned in Savage Sword of Conan discussionJohn Buscema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema) - Featured artist in Conan materialRobert Loren Fleming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Loren_Fleming) - Writer of the over-the-top Nightmare monologueMarat Mychaels (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marat_Mychaels) - Artist behind Nightmare and Extreme Studios workRob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Referenced in Extreme Studios and Archie revival attemptsJerry Siegel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel) - Creator appearing in Archie digest reprintsJack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Identified in early Shield story artworkWally Wood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Wood) - Featured artist in Archie digestTom DeFalco (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_DeFalco) - Credited with accidentally inventing his own Greek myth

Things gets weird when David decides he’s one of the cool kids now and starts reading the hot books everyone’s chasing. Join David and John as they get into D’orc, Tigress Island, White Sky, and Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre, weighing which books have real legs and which ones are riding the heat wave. There’s a sharp little debate about speculation, blind bags, first printings, and whether indie launches are a better kind of market chase. The guys also detour through One Piece work ethic, public domain Batman schemes, Skottie Young’s artistic family tree, and Lobo jokes that may or may not land. By the end, the Corner Box may have accidentally created a new recurring feature: Wired or Tired.Captions“Yeah, it’s like we’re editors and we know what a deadline means.” — David on never missing a weekly episode“Once Batman hits public domain, it’s anybody’s game.” — David on the weird future of superhero ownership“I’m unquestionably more into new indie number ones than I am maybe [for a] Robert Downey Jr. drawn Iron Man on my Daredevil comic.” — John on hot indie books versus blind-bag gimmicks“Whatever gets good comics, I can live with a lot of the other stuff.” — David on speculation helping readers find strong books“A novel, John, is a comic book but there’s no pictures.” — David explaining a novel with maximum disrespect“It’s just goofy Lobo shit.” — John giving the cleanest possible Lobo review“The title is exactly what it is.” — David on Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre delivering the promised insanitySplash Page[00:00] – Deadline Warriors: David and John kick things off by bragging, accurately, that The Corner Box still hasn’t missed a week.[00:55] – The Oda Machine: One Piece sends the guys into manga production envy and the mystery of how weekly comics even happen.[02:35] – Public Domain Batman Schemes: David lays out his future plan for using Superman and Batman without putting the names on the cover.[06:45] – The Cool Kids Read Comics: David admits the show is getting popular, so naturally he had to start reading the hot books.[08:06] – Speculation With a Pulse: John argues that hot indie number ones are a healthier trend than blind bags and gimmick covers.[11:22] – D’orc Gets Graded: David gives the batch a rock-solid B and calls D’orc a fun, art-forward fantasy comedy still finding its quest.[21:49] – Tigress Island Takes the Crown: John and David both land on Tigress Island as the strongest book of the bunch.[28:58] – Cocaine Hippo Chaos: Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre arrives with cult-movie energy, social commentary, and exactly the level of madness promised.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinEiichiro Oda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiichiro_Oda) - Creator of One Piece, brought up as the impossible weekly-comics workhorse.David Harper (https://sktchd.com) - Comics journalist behind SKTCHD, mentioned for his thoughts on which comics may still exist 50 years from now.Brett Bean (https://brettbean.substack.com) - Creator of D’orc, discussed for bringing Skottie Young-flavored fantasy comedy energy to Image.Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Artist and writer whose influence becomes a whole side quest in the D’orc discussion.Jorge Corona (h

David admits that his comic collecting is a full-blown lifestyle problem, complete with eBay piles, office deliveries, and one gloriously baffling Rob Liefeld ashcan. John and David then bounce from a weirdly amazing 1972 fanzine packed with future legends to Marvel Knights: The World to Come, a book that asks for patience before it finally starts paying off. From there, it’s straight into Groo territory, where the art still rules, the coloring looks sharp as hell, and one impossible boat-sinking moment throws the whole universe slightly off its axis. Along the way, there’s talk of Al Milgrom, Jim Starlin, Christopher Priest, Joe Quesada, and Sergio Aragonés. Then the mood turns when the guys issue a call to arms regarding a massive $1 million art heist from Mark Evanier’s collection.Captions“We’re not popular… but we’re headed in that direction.” - David“We’re getting less not popular.” - John"Everything is there by the time you get to the end, but your tolerance for getting to the end is really dependent on your level of buy-in in the beginning." - John"These pieces of original art are history, and they need to be treated with respect." - David"I don’t think either one of those influenced the other one in terms of the name." - John Barber (on D'rok vs. D'orc)Splash Page[00:01] – Vacation Mailbox of Doom: David returns from Hawaii to a mountain of comic packages.[02:06] – Ashcan School: David breaks down what ashcans are and why they matter.[09:18] – The Lost Fanzine Files: John cracks open a strange 1972 comic called Title.[18:13] – Future Wakanda, Rough Start: David digs into Marvel Knights: The World to Come.[31:56] – Groo Rules Are Meant to Break?: A new Groo mini sparks one very specific continuity crisis.[37:11] – Missing Masterpieces: The guys react to Mark Evanier’s stolen original art.[41:03] – Less Not Popular: The episode closes with a very Corner Box way to celebrate growth.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinRob Liefeld (https://robliefeldcreations.com/)Al Milgrom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Milgrom)Jim Starlin (https://www.instagram.com/jimstarlin/)Tom Orzechowski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Orzechowski)Christopher Priest (https://www.christopherpriest.com/)Joe Quesada (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Joe_Quesada) Sergio Aragonés (https://www.sergioaragones.com/)Mark Evanier (https://www.newsfromme.com/)Acrobats (https://imagecomics.com/creators/rob-liefeld)Title #1 (https://www.comics.org/issue/253965/)Groo the Wanderer (https://www.darkhorse.com/Search/Groo)

David survives a once-in-a-century storm in Hawaii, and it’s back to business as John and David break down the creative DNA of comics — including the return of the “Top 10 Hottest Artists” list! From a Silver Age deep dive into Don Heck and the surprisingly bold Avengers #32, to the wild discovery of a pre-Fantastic Four appearance of Ben Grimm as a WWII flying ace, it’s equal parts nostalgia, disbelief, and appreciation. Add in John’s latest indie finds and you’ve got a packed, can’t-miss episode.Super Kaiju Rock and Roller Derby Fun Time Go will be launching soon.Visit get.funtimego.com for more details.Captions"Don Heck is the guy who should have sued Harlan Ellison and Gary Groth." — John Barber“If anybody ever says that Stan Lee and Marvel weren't forward-thinking and aggressively progressive... they're wrong." — David Hedgecock"Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman continues to dominate." — David HedgecockSplash Page[00:01:25] – Storming the Set: David reports on the Hawaii tropical storm that wrecked the Jurassic Park sets.[00:03:22] – “What John and David Read This Week”: John and David recap this week’s reads.[00:04:15] – Avengers Time Capsule: David hits issue #32 and finds modern relevance[00:13:05] – The Leatherneck Raiders: John discusses Captain Savage #7 and the bizarre visual of soldiers on surfboards.[00:18:45] – The Thing’s Flight School: Discussing Ben Grimm’s history as a World War II air ace.[00:25:35] – The Grading Shift: News on CBCS shutting down and the differences in signature verification.[00:28:20] – The Hottest Artists: David dishes out this month’s Top 10 Hottest Artists.[00:33:45] – The One to Watch: David spotlights Pye Parr and the upcoming M.A.S.K. comic from Skybound.[00:44:20] – The Absolute Champion: LISTEN IN TO FIND OUT WHO takes the number one spot on the Hottest Artists list.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - TCB Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - TCB Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinDon Heck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Heck) - Silver Age Marvel artist known for Avengers and Iron Man.Stephen McArdle (Vendetta Holy Vindicator) - Creator of Vendetta: The Holy Vindicator and Crowbar 9.Ken Landgraf (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Veteran artist who provided a new pinup for the Crowbar 9 revival.Archie Goodwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Goodwin_(comics) - Legendary writer/editor mentioned for his work on Captain Savage.

A new segment hits The Corner Box this week as John and David roll out “Here’s What We Read This Week!” John dives into Alien: Salvation, arguing that Mike Mignola and Kevin Nowlan teaming up is just plain unfair, while David revisits Dark Knight Returns and DK2, wondering if Frank Miller’s chaos is actually the point — and loving it either way. Along the way: DSTLRY’s return, Ditko Artist’s Editions, Jae Lee redrawing on the fly, and a heartfelt, funny tribute to the late Sam Kieth — celebrating the weird, wild creators who make comics unforgettable.Captions"Don't die and keep doing the thing." — John Barber"Nobody draws like Mignola. That means nobody inks like Mignola." — John Barber"I would love to be the fly on the wall in Frank Miller's head to find out what that was all about." — David Hedgecock“The whole piece feels like this crazy outsider art.” — David Hedgecock“We’ll miss you, Sam.” — John BarberSplash Page[01:58] – A Short Box Smorgasbord: The guys decide to go loose and talk about what’s actually on their reading piles.[04:25] – Horror in Space: A deep look at the "murderer's row" creative team behind Alien: Salvation.[11:15] – The Miller Aesthetic: David breaks down why Dark Knight 2 is a "weird commercial outsider art piece."[18:55] – The Ditko Blueprint: Discussion on the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man Artist’s Edition and Peter Parker’s "schlubby" roots.[22:08] – The Perfectionist Grind: John shares stories of Jae Lee redrawing pages while the printer was waiting.[26:12] – Remembering Sam Kieth: A tribute to the unique genius of the creator of The Maxx and his unconventional career.[33:05] – The FedEx Masterpiece: The legendary story of Sam Kieth drawing a final page on the inside of a shipping box.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://linktr.ee/funtimego) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinMike Mignola (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Mignola) - Legendary artist of Hellboy and Alien: Salvation.Kevin Nowlan (Kevin Nowlan) - Master inker known for his work with Mignola and Quesada.Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Creator of The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City.Scott Dunbier (https://twitter.com/sdunbier)

Guest Dave Baker stops by the show as David and John dig into the industry shake-up following Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse and ask: is the “one guy” publisher era over? The conversation hits the rise of indie collectives and webtoons, then Dave’s new OGN, Punk’n Heads, and wraps with a deep-cut dive into Stephen R. Bissette’s Tyrant. Also, the zen of marathon tattoo sessions.Captions"You don't sell to Embracer and then be like, 'everything's gonna be exactly like it was.'" — Dave Baker"Comics is always reliant on one guy doing the right thing. All these companies are always one dude." — Dave Baker"These are people that are getting into this to maximize the value of IP, not to make things." — John Barber"You look at those pages and they are the monastic, obsessive, maniacal renderings of like a crazy person." — Dave Baker"Jack Kirby by way of a Tijuana Bible style is just so rad." — Dave Baker"Most cartoonists are doomed to a life of anonymity and crushing poverty." — Dave Baker Splash Page[00:03:40] – The Dark Horse Clearing: Discussing the departure of Mike Richardson and the "synergistic" corporate speak that followed.[00:08:37] – The Changing of the Guard: Why the next CEO probably won't greenlight meticulous Richard Corben collections.[00:10:41] – DC's Creative Oxygen: How the "All In" initiative is attracting readers by letting creators breathe.[00:13:08] – Peow Studio and the 80s Manga Vibe: Spotlighting the small publishers making noise in the indie sphere.[00:21:23] – The Ken Landgraf Mystery: Discovering the 1970s journeyman who drew the first solo Wolverine story.[00:26:31] – The Return of the Tyrant: Stephen R. Bissette’s T-Rex masterpiece hits Kickstarter[26:47] – The Tyrant Returns: Discussing the ambitious $200,000 Kickstarter for Steven R. Bissette’s dinosaur masterwork.[32:12] – The Punk Rock Creative Grind: Dave Baker shares the seven-year journey and eight drafts behind Punk'n Heads.Support the Corner BoxDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com)John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com)The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinDave Baker (Dave Baker) - Writer of Punk'n Heads and Halloween Boy.Nicole Goux (https://www.nicolegoux.com) - Artist and co-creator of Punk'n Heads.Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.Steven R. Bissette (https://srbissette.com) - Legendary artist of Swamp Thing and creator of Tyrant.Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Cult classic cartoonist and creator of New York City Outlaws.Alexis Ziritt (Alexis Ziritt) - Artist on Space Riders and Night Hunt

John breaks down the final chapter of a decades-long war that makes the Avengers Civil War look like a playground spat. That’s right! We are back in the archives to wrap up the "Anything Goes" saga, tracking the fallout of the most infamous punch in science fiction history and a legal feud that just wouldn't die.The  RecapJohn digs deeper into the rabbit hole to close the book on Michael Fleisher, Gary Groth, and the legendary Harlan Ellison. The story shifts from the courtroom to the 1985 Nebula Awards, where Ellison decided to settle a review with a left hook. We explore the bizarre "Victims of Ellison" newsletter, a club founded by critics and editors just to trade insults. The guys also weigh in on Peter David’s legendary platform at the Comics Buyer’s Guide and a letter-writing scandal that nearly broke Fantagraphics. It’s a wild look at an era when the industry’s biggest names spent more time in depositions than at drawing boards. By the end, lawsuits settle, careers move on, people pass away, and the industry keeps rolling—leaving behind a bizarre, petty, and oddly entertaining chapter of comics history that proves creative people can hold grudges longer than a serialized storyline.Key Panels (Highlights)[00:01:49] – The Spider-Man Paradox: David notes that the month's top Spidey books aren't even Marvel-published.[00:05:38] – Anything Goes Finale Begins: Ellison vs. Groth feud spirals beyond reason.[00:12:21] – The Nebula Left Hook: The blow-by-blow of Harlan Ellison’s physical altercation with critic Charles Platt.[00:17:53] – The Anti-Fan Club: The birth of "Enemies of Ellison" and the $14 membership fee to hate a legend.[00:26:30] –The Fake Letter Scandal: A deep look at the Peter David and Gary Groth feud over a forged letter.[00:30:34] – The Edge of Forever: The legal battle over a pamphlet regarding Ellison’s famously late anthology.[00:36:12] – The Final Settlement: Ellison and Groth finally agree to stop the "ad hominem" personal attacks.00:40:34 – Epilogue of Legends: Careers end, lives move on, grudges linger.Support the FellasDavid Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinHarlan Ellison (https://harlanellison.com) - Legendary writer, litigant, and central figure of the "Anything Goes" saga.Gary Groth (https://www.fantagraphics.com) - Co-founder of Fantagraphics and editor of The Comics Journal.Michael Fleisher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fleisher) - Writer who sued Ellison and later became an anthropological consultant.Peter David (https://www.peterdavid.net) - Veteran writer and creator of the "Friends of Ellison" club.J. Michael Straczynski (https://twitter.com/straczynski) - Babylon 5 creator and executor of the Ellison estate.Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Image Comics founder whose Spider-Man reprint is currently topping charts.

David and John break down the fallout of a massive industry earthquake and step back in time to the most surreal courtroom drama in comic book history. It’s the kind of "inside comics" that reminds you why the business is just as wild as the pages we print.The  RecapThe era of the "comic book guy" CEO is officially on life support as Mike Richardson exits Dark Horse, leaving the company in the hands of a video game-focused equity firm. David and John worry that massive corporate debt at Warner Bros. Discovery could lead to DC Comics becoming a mere licensing farm rather than a publisher. Shifting to the past, it’s Part-two of the infamous 1980s Fleisher vs. Harlan Ellison libel trial as the guys dissect the grueling four-week trial where Michael Fleisher sued the Comics Journal and Harlan Ellison over being called "certifiable." The highlight involves Jim Shooter’s "straight shooter" blog recollections of a morality panel that may or may not have happened exactly the way he remembers. It’s a crazy trip into the past and a sad look at the fragile corporate landscape of today. Splash Page Snippets"It is legitimately an end of an era—not just at Dark Horse, but in the comics medium." — David Hedgecock"There aren't many comic book guys in charge of comic book companies anymore." — John Barber"Four weeks of your life spent asking Harlan Ellison if he meant 'bug f*ck' in a clinical sense." — John Barber"I can see a scenario where they kill the division and license out all those properties." — David Hedgecock"I hope he is as inept in court as he is a writer." — Gary Groth (quoted by John Barber) Key Panels (Highlights)[01:29] – The Fall of the First Horse: Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse marks the end of the founder-led era.[05:43] – The Xenomorph Standard: How Dark Horse proved licensed comics could actually be high-quality storytelling.[09:02] – The New Corporate Masters: A look at the changing guard at Marvel, DC, IDW, and Boom.[18:27] – Crisis on Infinite Debts: Why 70 billion in debt might turn DC into a mere licensing farm.[28:25] – Trial of the Century: The grueling four-week courtroom saga of Fleisher vs. The Comics Journal.[37:38] – Enter: The 26-Year-Old EIC: Jim Shooter takes the stand as the industry’s youngest expert witness.[43:58] – The Shooter Cut: Jim's "straight shooter" retelling of the infamous 1980 San Diego morality panel.Support The Comic BoxDavid Hedgecock (Fun Time Go) - Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (PUG Worldwide) - Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (The Corner Box Club) - Official WebsiteDig DeeperMike Richardson (Mike Richardson) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.Mike Mignola (Official Site) - Creator of Hellboy.Frank Miller (Official Site) - Creator of Sin City and 300.Paul Chadwick (Wikipedia) - Creator of the indie hit Concrete.Jim Shooter (Official Blog) - Former Marvel EIC and expert witness.Gary Groth (Fantagraphics) - Co-founder of The Comics Journal.Mark Evanier (News From ME) - Veteran writer, historian, and panel moderator.

In this episode, Anything Goes! John rises from the dead (again) to team up with David, for a deep dive into the wildest comics scandal of the 1980s: the Harlan Ellison interview that sparked a $2 million libel lawsuit and divided the comic book industry.Stay tuned for Part 2: Everything Went!Timestamp Segments[01:11] Warner gets bought… again.[06:33] Anything Goes![08:04] Byron Preiss: The Trailblazer.[13:41] John meets Ellison.[15:11] The Comics Journal.[21:50] The Infamous Ellison Interview – What Really Happened?[33:05] *Listener break*[33:33] Ellison vs. Fleisher: Clash of the Titans.[51:23] Comics: A World Divided.[52:51] The start of Anything Goes!Notable Quotes“In the 1970s, comics were a childish disposable medium, and not even a good one.”“I don’t think I’ve ever been a bigger fan of Harlan Ellison than I am right now.”“Eventually, Disney rules the world.”Books MentionedAbsolute Green Lantern/Green Arrow, by Dennis O’Neil, Elliot Maggin, Dick Giordano, & Neal Adams.American Flagg!, by Howard Chaykin, Hilary Barta, Rick Burchett, Don Lomax, James Sherman, Joe Staton, & Larry Stroman.Anything Goes!Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.Blackhawk, The Shadow, by Howard Chaykin.Blackmark, by Gil Kane, Archie Goodwin, & Gary Groth.Captain Victory, Silver Star, by Jack Kirby.Cerebus, by Dave Sim.Chandler: Red Tide, Dreadstar, by Jim Steranko.Chasing Hairy, by Michael Fleisher.Conan the Barbarian.Dial H for Hero, by Sam Humphries & Joe Quinones.The Divided States of Hysteria, by Howard Chaykin.ElfQuest.Essential Ellison, by Harlan Ellison.Frankenstein, by Bernie Wrightson.Hipster Detective Lloyd Llewellyn, by Daniel Clowes.His Name is... Savage!

David and John dive into the state of comics, using insights only decades in the industry can provide, and yet another Corner Box prediction comes true. At this point, should we be worried?David reads and reviews all three Breed miniseries (yes, all of them), there’s renewed excitement around the epic Superman VS Spider-Man crossover, M.A.S.K. gets a facelift, and more importantly, Captain Underpants is set to become a manga.Then: the real crisis. How do we even hear about new comics anymore? With no universal pull list, too much noise, and dwindling visibility, David and John debate the growing discovery crisis.Timestamp Segments[00:51] We have more listeners.[01:38] Who are John and David?[02:55] WWI was worse than comics.[03:53] David’s full Breed Trilogy breakdown.[14:47] Is there redemption for Breed?[17:46] Breed vs Dreadstar.[19:17] How Jim Starlin shaped comics.[21:36] Superman VS Spider-Man.[27:23] Captain Underpants… as manga?![28:24] The discovery dilemma: How do we find new comics?[28:58] John makes a shocking confession.[33:54] How to improve visibility.[36:01] M.A.S.K. is back.[41:43] Another Corner Box prediction comes true.Notable Quotes“So far, as bad as some things can get in comics, WWI was worse.”“There was more than one week where I chose comic books over eating.”“DSTLRY, putting the stuff in the format pioneered by Jim Starlin with the Death of Captain Marvel.”Books Mentioned2000 AD.Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998).Batman: Dark Patterns, by Dan Watters & Hayden Sherman.Batman: The Cult, by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson, & Bill Wray.Blood Brothers Mother, by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso.Bone, by Jeff Smith.Breed, Dreadstar, Metamorphosis Odyssey, by Jim Starlin.Captain Marvel (1968-1979).Cerebus, by Dave Sim.Conan the Barbarian.Cosmic Odyssey, by Jim Starlin & Mike Mignola.Death, by Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham, John Totleben, & Dave McKean.Dreadstar VS The Inevitable, Dreadstar VS Dreadstar, by Jim Starlin & Jaime Jameson.

David is joined by Editor-in-Chief of Fun Time Go, Inc., Chase Marotz, for a free-dive into the wild world of comics, from their weekend adventures with snare drums, cold beers, and tall stacks of comics, to the wild world of comic book publishing rights and the decades-long saga of Miracleman, one of the industry’s most infamous legal nightmares.Then, Chase steps into the ring to do the unthinkable: defend The Clone Saga. Love it or hate it, this polarizing Spider-Man storyline gets its day in court as Chase makes a case for its redemption.Timestamp Segments[00:56] David’s exciting weekend.[01:53] Timing a big reveal.[05:48] The Clone Saga.[07:26] Ghost Machine comics.[09:29] Why Spider-Girl is canceled.[11:20] Den.[13:03] How to get into Savage Dragon.[15:02] Malibu Comics.[17:24] How great is Breed?[21:20] Chase is ensnared.[22:30] Chase’s three beers.[23:15] The Miracleman legal drama.[31:18] The story of Miracleman.[36:31] The predatory world of publishing rights.[41:20] Alan Moore vs Grant Morrison.Notable Quotes“You should never assume that you’re going to get an Issue #3.”“When the lettering is great, it shouldn’t stand out, at all.”“Nobody goes into comic books to make money.”Relevant LinksTheCornerBox.ClubBooks Mentioned1602, Neil Gaiman & Andy Kubert.Angela, by Neil Gaiman.Batman, by Kelley Jones.Batman, by Norm Breyfogle.Batman: Odyssey, by Neal Adams.Batman: Three Jokers, by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, & Brad Anderson.Breed, Dreadstar, by Jim Starlin.Den, by Richard Corben.Dracula, by Matt Wagner & Kelley Jones.Geiger, by Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, & Geoff Johns.Green Lantern, by Geoff Johns.Green Lantern (2018-2019).Hellspawn, by Brian Michael Bendis, Steve Niles, Ashley Wood, & Ben Templesmith.Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, John Rauch, & Ryan Ottley.The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill.

David and John "Transformers Hall-of-Famer" Barber are joined by regular guest, Chase Marotz, for a deep dive into the wild and wonderful frontier of public domain. This is where expired copyrights mean anything goes (kind of)!They wade through the murky rules of public domain reuse, highlight some exciting new and upcoming properties, and uncover David’s master plan to rejuvenate century-old comic book properties. Chase weighs in with wisdom derived from his extensive beer collection, and they all mourn the shrinking world of comic bookstores, one back issue bin at a time.Timestamp Segments[01:21] David toots John’s horn.[04:08] Chase and the Tutu.[06:38] Stardust the 4th Most Super Wizard.[08:29] Public domain properties.[10:08] What is available now?[11:16] The next 10 years in comics.[12:50] The public domain rules.[19:25] Different renditions of properties.[26:44] The DC loophole.[27:48] How to make public domain properties interesting.[34:33] Chase’s current reading.[36:34] David reads pictureless comics.[38:08] Where to buy comics.Notable Quotes“When we speak, it’s from a place of love and expertise.”“The level of fanfic that’s going to happen once this stuff is available is going to be insane.”“I suggest everybody just wait 95 years and then listen to this somewhere else.”Books MentionedAction Comics.All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Jamie Grant, Neal Adams, & Travis Lanham.The Bat-Man: First Knight, The Bat-Man: Second Knight, by Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins.Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment, by Roger Stern, Mike Mignola, & Mark Badger.Dracula, by Bram Stoker.Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman.Dungeons & Dragons.Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.Ginseng Roots, by Craig Thompson.I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets!, by Fletcher Hanks & Paul Karasik.Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware.The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill.The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett.

John and David put on their reading glasses and get into Jack Kirby’s Galactic Bounty Hunters, Steve Ditko’s Art, The Conan Revolution, The Return of Bill Schanes, and the Uncertain Future of the Will Eisner Library.Timestamp Segments[00:33] John can see clearly now.[02:21] It IS possible to collect all of G.I. Joe.[05:01] Jack Kirby: Galactic Bounty Hunters.[13:29] How to get through Invincible.[18:59] Steve Ditko: The Commerce of Art.[22:50] The Conan Revolution.[25:26] Gabe Rodriguez makes his mark.[29:00] The Will Eisner Library.[31:08] The thing about The Spirit.[33:37] Who will buy it?[36:13] Bud Plant: The Return of Bill Schanes.[40:48] The best company for the Eisner Library.[44:18] The Public Domain.[45:25] This is just for David.Notable Quotes“Congratulations, and welcome to getting old.”“Remember, we live in a world where Steve Ditko did Indiana Jones comics.”“You’ve just been Corner Boxed.”Books MentionedA Contract with God, by Will Eisner, Dave Gibbons, Denis Kitchen, & John Lind.Adventures of Superman (2013-2014).Amazing Fantasy, by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko.Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, by Jack Kirby.Conan the Barbarian.Cosmochasm, by Alejandro Jodorowsky & Gabriel Rodríguez.Cyber Force, by Marc Silvestri.The Dreamer, Invisible People, by Will Eisner.Galactic Bounty Hunters (2006-2007), by Jack Kirby, Michael Thibodeaux, & Karl Kesel.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.Groo the Wonderer, by Sergio Aragones.Guardians of the Galaxy (2008-2010).Hack/Slash.Indiana Jones: The Further Adventures. Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, John Rauch, & Ryan Ottley.Last of the Viking Heroes, by Jack Kirby & Michael Thibodeaux.Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower, Gabriel Rodriguez, & Nelson Daniel.Locke & Key, by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez.

Our Best of 2025 continues! We find out which comics and artists made it on to the comics industry’s most prestigious (and accurate!) awards list: The Corner Box Best of 2025! This week's awards include Best Original Graphic Novel, Best Collection and Archival Collection, Best New Series, Favorite Comeback, Favorite Artist and Cover Artist, and Best Continuing Series.Timestamp Segments[00:54] The Best Best Of List.[01:56] Recap of last week’s Bests.[01:58] Best Original Graphic Novel.[02:17] Best Collection.[02:32] Best New Series.[02:51] Favorite Artist.[04:39] Best Archival Collection.[08:53] The self-publishing movement.[13:46] John’s first publication.[14:27] David’s comics manifesto.[18:40] David’s 2024/25 Best Archival Collection.[22:47] Favorite Cover Artist.[28:30] Favorite Comeback.[39:39] Where does John buy his comics?[42:32] Best Continuing Series.[49:46] Honorable Mentions.Notable Quotes“This is the only true, valid list of Best of 2025 that’s out there.”“This is what we wanted. As fans of comic books, people have been screaming for this, for a while.”“Fletcher Hanks froze to death on a bench.”Books MentionedAbsolute Batman, by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta.Absolute Batman 2025 Annual.Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.Aquaman, by Jeremy Adams & John Timms.Assorted Crisis Events.Bacchus, by Eddie Campbell.Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller.Batman: Hush 2, by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, & Alex Sinclair.Batman: The Long Halloween, by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale.Batman: Year 100, by Paul Pope & Jose Villarrubia.Blueberry, by Jean-Michel Charlier & Moebius.Bone, by Jeff Smith.Captain Marvel (2019-2023).Cerebus, by Dave Sim.Complete Megaton Man Universe Volume 1: The 1980s, by Don Simpson & Bill Morrison.Cornelius: The Merry Life of a

John and David bring us their BEST OF 2025! They take a look at the comics that took the world by storm, the stories that shaped the industry, the artists that made it all possible, and a few honorable mentions (some maybe not from 2025... the fellas got a little excited). Timestamp Segments[00:38] The true 2025 review.[04:00] John’s Favorites: New Material.[08:10] The story of Prometheus.[09:36] David’s Favorites: New Material.[13:25] Favorite Interior Artist of the Year.[17:21] OGN of the Year.[25:10] Best New Ongoing Series.Notable Quotes“We’re probably the only truly valid Best of 2025 List that’s really going to be out there.”“It’s the most David Finchy thing that’s ever been drawn.”“Keep on comic-ing, everyone.”Relevant LinksTheCornerbox.ClubBooks Mentioned20th Century Man, by Stipan Morian & Deniz Camp.Absolute Batman, by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta.Assorted Crisis Events.Absolute Martian Manhunter, by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez.Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.Batman and Robin: Year One, by Mark Waid & Chris Samnee.Invincible, Invincible Universe: Battle Beast, by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, & Annalisa Leoni.Copra, Death of Copra, by Michel Fiffe.Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow, Tongues, by Anders Nilsen.Dreadstar, Gilgamesh II, by Jim Starlin.Drome, Hedra, Kaya, Man’s Best, by Jesse Lonergan.Fire Power, by Robert Kirkman & Chris Samnee.G.I. Joe.G.I. Joe: Real American Hero.Helen of Wyndhorn, by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, & Matheus Lopes.Hitman, by Garth Ennis & John McCrea.Little Bird, 

Heroic Signatures Editor, Chris Butera, joins David and John to talk about all things Conan the Barbarian! They get into Jim Zub’s mastery of Conan lore, the expansion of the Howard-verse, the importance of a good writer-artist pairing, and fitting stories into a modern context, and David learns about comics without pictures.Timestamp Segments[01:14] This is the Barbarian.[02:51] How Chris fell into comics.[04:15] Jim Zub is made for success.[08:37] Starting on Conan.[11:47] Into the Howard-verse.[16:38] Finding new artists.[17:37] The Rob and Roy comic magic.[21:51] Why writer-artist pairings are so important.[28:12] Dealing with Solomon Kane.[37:35] Robert E. Howard’s prolific output.[39:34] Staying true to Conan while gaining new readers.[43:46] How Conan stands the test of time.[47:17] What’s in-store of Conan in 2026?Notable Quotes“Prose is comic books without pictures.”“Let the artist cook.”“We have this goldfish memory, culturally, sometimes, where we forget how acceptable certain things were, how recently, and then cast back 100 years from that, and expect those values to have been in place 100 years earlier…”Relevant Linkswww.ChrisButera.comwww.HeroicSignatures.comBooks MentionedAlter Ego, by Roy Thomas & Ron Harris.Conan, Shadows in Zamboula, The Dark Man, by Robert E. Howard.Conan the Barbarian.Conan the Barbarian: Battle of the Black Stone, by Jim Zub & Jonas Scharf.Conan the Barbarian: Frozen Faith, by Jim Zub & Doug Braithwaite.Conan the Barbarian: Scourge of the Serpent, by Jim Zub, Ivan Gil, & Joao Canola.Corto Maltese, by Hugo Pratt.Dungeons & Dragons.The Frost-Giant’s Daughter, by Robert E. Howard & Raymond West.Head Lopper, by Andrew MacLean.The Invincible Iron Man (2004-2007).Popeye.Savage Avengers (2019-2022). Savage Sword of Conan.Transformers.

Challengers Comics + Conversation’s Patrick Brower joins John and David for part 2 of this year-end conversation about all things comics in 2025. They get into why David can’t get all the variant covers, the Marvel/DC crossovers, what made the Absolute Line so successful, the good and the bad of 2025, and looking ahead at the comics industry in 2026, and Patrick makes a prediction – will it come true?Timestamp Segments[00:57] Excitement for 2026.[04:38] The variant covers headache.[08:03] Marvel and DC do different books together.[09:59] The average customer.[11:09] The DC/Marvel solution.[12:29] DC K.O.[14:22] What makes the Absolute Line work?[17:56] Was 2025 a good year for comics?[19:10] PRH’s payment portal.[21:28] Book distributors vs comic distributors.[23:31] Making more money – still broke.[25:06] What’s coming up in 2026?[29:09] Patrick’s prediction for 2026.[30:21] Patrick mentions wrestling.[30:40] Warner being bought, again.[31:35] The longest-running comic shop.Notable Quotes“I'm not saying any names, whatsoever.”“Your average customer isn't the expert customer you're hearing from on the internet.”“I'm just disappointed that Time Warner rejected the Blockbuster video bid from the early 90s.”Relevant LinksChallengerscomics.comBooks MentionedAbsolute Batman, by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, & Frank Martin.Absolute Green Lantern, by Al Ewing & Jahnoy Lindsay.Absolute Martian Manhunter, by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez.Absolute Superman, by Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval.Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.Batman, by Matt Fraction & Jorge Jiménez.The Cull, by Kelly Thompson & Mattia de Iulis.DC K.O., by Scott Snyder, Xermanico, Javi Fernandez, & Alejandro Sanchez.DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool.G.I. Joe.Ice Cream Man, by W. Maxwell Price, Martin Morazzo, & Chris O’Halloran.Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman (2025- ).Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. (2006-2010), by Warren Ellis & Stuart Immonen.

Challengers Comics + Conversation’s very own Patrick Brower joins John and David for a 2-part year-end conversation about all things comics in 2025. They get into how Diamond’s fall reshaped the entire industry, what it takes to run a comic bookstore, the disappearance of customer service, and a week in the life of a Challengers comic book.Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Corner Box vs Patrick Brower!Timestamp Segments[01:13] The podcast peaks.[05:00] The fall of Diamond.[13:53] Navigating smaller margins.[16:57] Where is customer service?[19:05] Heroes World.[20:46] Delivery headaches.[25:09] David gets a card.[27:06] The shelf-life of a Challengers comic book.Notable Quotes“Not being able to access customer service and talk to a real-live person in 2025, there’s nothing that makes me more angry than that.”“It’s not a New Year’s card. It’s a Christmas card.”“If you want people to look through stuff, hide it.”Relevant Linkschallengerscomics.comBooks MentionedKamen Rider, by Shotaro Ishinomori.Transformers.Transformers: Optimus Prime, by John Barber & Kei Zama.

The one and only real Jim McCann joins John and David to talk about his secret careers in music and flower arranging, the truth behind the success of the podcast, a peek the behind-the-scenes in comic book publishing offices, and how to put a double-page spread to good use. Also, David wets himself, Jim wets his comics, and John gets a rock.Timestamp Segments[00:48] David’s leaky pipes.[04:28] Jim loses comics.[05:12] David finds comics.[06:16] The third best Jim McCann.[06:53] Jim is algorithm-optimized.[08:37] The world, summarized.[10:16] The best office locations.[17:53] The Other/Half.[19:30] Setting up a double-page spread.[22:33] The perfect page turn.[32:01] Working with Ignition Press.[42:11] Jim’s other secret projects.[43:25] John and G.I. Joe.Notable Quotes“I was there for, if I recall correctly, about another 435 years.”“Sometimes, rocks are bad. Sometimes, they’re good.”“I’m responsible for more failed relaunches of G.I. Joe than any other human being.”Books MentionedAvengers #800, by Brian Michael Bendis, Jed Mackay, Mark Bagley, Farid Karami, & Russell Dauterman.Avengers Disassembled.Civil War.Conan the Barbarian.Dazzler, by Jim McCann & Kalman Andrasofszky.Deluge, by Cullen Bunn & Marika Cresta.G.I. Joe.Green Lantern: Ganthet’s Tale, by John Byrne & Larry Niven.Green Lantern Mosaic, by Gerard Jones & Cully Hamner.Hawkeye & Mockingbird, by Jim McCann, David Lopez, & Paul Renaud.House of M.Mind the Gap, by Jim McCann.Morning Glories, by Joe Eisma, Nick Spencer, & Rodin Esquejo.Murder Podcast, by Jeremy Haun, Mike Tisserand, & Nick Filardi.Mutant Massacre.New Avengers: The Reunion, by Jim McCann, David Lopez, & Jo Chen.New Teen Titans.Return of the Dapper Men, by Jim McCann & Janet Lee.Something is Killing the Children, by James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, & Miquel Muerto.Star Trek: Year Five.

Superguy creator and Comics and Chronic cohost, Anthony Iannaccio, joins John and David to talk about his career arc, from WWE arenas to writing comedy superhero comics, the super team behind Superguy, the state of comedy in comics, and the best comics of the moment.Relevant LinksMrTonyNachoTimestamp Segments[00:43] Comics and Chronic.[02:08] The secret to longevity.[03:09] Anthony career arc.[04:18] Getting into comics.[07:59] Stand-up comedy.[09:54] Writing for WWE.[13:29] Breaking into comics.[17:07] Superguy.[19:26] Comedy in comics.[22:29] Are audiences more sophisticated these days?[23:40] The Superguy Super Team.[26:50] Overcoming the pressure to perform.[29:49] David’s thoughts on Superguy.[31:32] The best of the latest comics.[35:55] Get your MrTonyNacho comics.[37:43] A true commitment to the fans.Notable Quotes“If you’re successful in comic books, you write for other media, and if you’re not successful in comic books, you write for other media.”“It’s harder to write a 20-page comic than a 22-page one.”“I don’t think there’s enough good comedy in comics anymore.”Books MentionedAbsolute Batman, by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Gabriel Walta, & Frank Martin.Absolute Martian Manhunter, by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez.Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.Assorted Crisis Events, by Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, Jordie Bellaire, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson.Civil War.Drome, by Jesse Lonergan.Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction & David Aja.Infinite Crisis.Mutant Massacre.Nightwing, by Tom Taylor.Quick Stops, by Kevin Smith, Jeremy Simser, & John Sprengelmeyer.RoboWolf, by Jake Smith.Spectators, by Brian K. Vaughan & Niko Henrichon.Sugar Bomb, by David Hedgecock.Superguy, by Anthony Iannaccio & Joey Murphy.The Tick, by Ben Edlund.Ultimate Endgame (2025- ), by Deniz Camp

John, David, and Everybody Else (aka Mason Rabinowitz) return for Part 2 of the "Top 5 Runs in All of Marvel Comics"! They get into the Top 3, make some honorable mentions, add a few titillating surprises, and then the trio faces-off for the True #1 Marvel Comic Run.Relevant LinksBehind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret WarsTimestamp Segments[00:00] Check out This Secret Wars Kickstarter![02:13] John’s #3.[05:34] Dave Cockrum vs John Byrne.[09:42] Mason’s #2.[13:35] David’s #2.[17:10] John’s #2.[18:16] Mason’s Top Comic Run.[19:07] Lee/Kirby magic.[20:22] Has David read Fantastic Four?[22:09] John’s Top Comic Run.[25:07] Why Spider-Man didn’t make the list.[27:58] David’s Top Comic Run.[32:08] When New Mutants gets really great.[33:32] The Liefeld rollercoaster.[35:54] Behind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret Wars.Notable Quotes“That book is the Marvel Universe.”“You might be right, but you’re wrong.”“New Mutants: better than girls.”Books MentionedAmazing Fantasy #15, The Amazing Spider-Man – The Master Planner, by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko.The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998).Avengers: Kree/Skrull War, by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, & Neal Adams.Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Classic X-Men (1986-1990).Daredevil (1964-1998).Daredevil, by Ann Nocenti & John Romita Jr.Daredevil: Born Again, by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli.Deadpool/Batman (2025).Fantastic Four (1961-1998).Fantastic Four: Imaginauts, Unthinkable, by Mark Waid & Mike Wieringo.The Flash, by Mark Waid.Incredible Hulk, by Peter David.

Everybody Else (aka Mason Rabinowitz) joins John and (eventually) David for Part 1 of their "Top 5 Runs in All of Marvel Comics"! They get into what makes a run truly great, some iconic collaborations and runs that didn’t make the lists, the exciting Behind the Panels of Secret Wars, and Batman’s new logo. Also, David makes a surprise appearance on today’s episode.Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Corner Box vs Mason Rabinowitz next week!Relevant LinksBehind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret WarsTimestamp Segments[00:00] Check out This Secret Wars Kickstarter![01:49] What’s David really doing?[02:08] Everybody Else is here.[02:45] David’s real Top 5.[03:14] The Top 5 Criteria.[05:12] What has Mason been working on?[08:46] Mason’s #5.[14:33] John’s #5.[18:41] Wait, there’s another host![19:34] Batman’s new logo.[20:17] Honorable mentions.[21:26] David’s #5.[26:46] Mason’s #4.[28:23] David’s #3.[35:26] David’s #4.[37:14] Mason’s #3.Notable Quotes“There is no objective measurement of this, and anybody that pretends there is, there isn’t.”“It’s the only run… that started in 1982 that you can still go out and pick up the current issue of, by the same writer.”“And then Thor becomes a frog for two issues.”Books MentionedAlien: The Illustrated Story, Manhunter, by Archie Goodwin & Walter Simonson.Avengers (1963-1996).Batman (2025- ), by Matt Fraction & Jorge Jiménez.Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil, by Frank Miller.Bloodstrike, by Rob Liefeld, Dan Fraga, Danny Miki, & Thomas Mason.Cerebus, by David Sim.Daredevil, by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev.Fantastic Four (1998-2012).G.I. Joe, by Larry Hama.Incredible Hulk (1962-1999).M.A.R.S. Patrol, by Wally Wood.Marvel Knights Punisher, Punisher Max, by Garth Ennis.

John and David go undercover in search of the answer to the ultimate question: Why? They get into the magic of great creators and their stories, do a deep dive on the recent Batman/Deadpool comic by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora, and discuss David’s unchecked comics spending. Also, John has a revelation.Timestamp Segments[01:06] Why?[02:07] David’s Why? Salvation Run.[05:46] John’s Why? Youngblood #1.[09:04] The most Garth Ennis of Garth Ennis books.[14:00] The thing about Hitman.[19:05] The DC One Million controversy.[20:34] Grant Morrison writes the comic book of the moment.[22:11] Batman/Deadpool.[23:11] All the Morrison layers.[31:15] Marvel vs DC stories.[34:36] The magical Carlos Ezquerra.[36:45] The Stainless Steel Rat.[40:43] John’s revelation.[44:15] Spawn: The Dark Ages.[49:24] The return of the Swat Kats.[54:01] Spending too much on comics.Notable Quotes“In general, he’s just too smart for me.”“I take it all back, man. He’s great.”“I think I may have spent more money in comics than I’ve made.Books MentionedAnimal Man (1988-1995).Back to the Future: Untold Tales & Alternate Timelines. Batman: No Man’s Land.Batman & Robin (2009-2011).Bloodstrike, by Rob Liefeld, Dan Fraga, Danny Miki, & Thomas Mason.The Boys, by Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson.Conan the Barbarian.Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman & George Perez.DC K.O.DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool.DC One Million.The Demon Annual #2: Introducing Hitman, Dicks, Hitman, Troubled Souls, by Garth Ennis & John McCrea.Ernest & the Dream Stone, by Corey Perkins, M. Arief Russanto, Mariam Yasser.Final Crisis, by Grant Morrison & J.G. Jones.For a Few Troubles More, by Garth Ennis, John McCrea, & Wendy Simpson.

Rob Worst cheats death once again and joins John and David to talk about the art of collecting comics, the value of original art, the rise of AI and digital comics, and the importance of artists supporting other artists.SUPPORT THE SHOW! DO FUN THINGS!John has a Kickstarter | Behind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret WarsRob Worst has a podcast | Not Near MintTimestamp Segments[00:00] Check out This Secret Wars Kickstarter![02:03] The show gains a new listener![02:39] Rob’s origin story.[03:33] Rob cheats death.[05:59] To slab or not to slab?[13:34] Signed comics.[16:45] The rise of digital comics.[21:01] The Mark Spears phenomenon.[23:26] AI comics.[24:46] David’s Dan Mora story.[27:34] 3D comics.[31:37] Collecting CG comics.[32:48] The true value of original art.[35:58] Artists supporting artists.[41:07] Not Near Mint.Notable Quotes“Rule #1: don’t die.”“You can’t smell digital.”“One day, today will have been 20 years ago.”Books MentionedBatman: The Man Who Laughs, by Ed Brubaker, Doug Mahnke, Patrick Zircher, Tim Sale, Aaron Sowd, Steve Bird, & David Baron.Daredevil: Born Again, by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli.Detective Comics (1937-2011).Dungeons & Dragons.Faust, by David Quinn & Tim Vigil.The Forever People, by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, Frank Giacoia, Mike Royer, Tom Ziuko, & Jim Amash.G.I. Joe.Gold Digger.Grips, by Kris Silver & Tim Vigil.Hexed, by Michael Alan Nelson, Dan Mora, & Emma Ríos.Iron Man: Crash, by Mike Saenz.Justice League Unlimited, by Mark Waid & Dan Mora.The Monster and the Wolf, by Mark Spears.New Champions (2025- ), by Steve Foxe, Ivan Fiorelli, & Gleb Melnikov.New Mutants (1983-1991).Nightwing (1996-2009).

Former Marvel editor and Behind the Panels writer, Ellie Pyle, joins John and David to talk about the upcoming Behind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret Wars! They get into Ellie’s career path through every known form of media, the ins and outs of working at big companies, the process of creating the Behind the Panels book, and collaborating with the nicest people in comics.Relevant LinksWomen of MarvelBehind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret WarsTimestamp Segments[00:00] Check out This Secret Wars Kickstarter![02:18] Ellie is too impressive.[04:24] The most fun Marvel summit ever.[07:58] What it’s like to develop a book at Marvel.[12:05] Making comics at Riot Games.[19:57] Marvel Television.[21:13] Women of Marvel.[23:31] Ellies favorite project, Spider-Boy.[28:31] Getting back into publishing.[31:36] Creating a space for theatre.[33:27] What’s Secret Wars?[35:52] Behind the Panels.[44:22] Creator-owned books.[46:22] Knowing when to trust a writer.Notable Quotes“Sales are the only thing that keeps this business alive.”“If it weren’t for Ron Lim, Paco Medina would be the nicest guy in comics.”“You need to not be the reason that someone else can’t do their job.”Books Mentioned1872, by Gerry Duggan, Nik Virella, & Leonard Kirk.Aliens vs Avengers (2024- ), Secret Wars (2015-2016), by Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribic.Amazing Spider-Man (1999-2013).American Vampire, by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, & Rafael Albuquerque.Carnage (2023- ), by Torunn Gronbekk, Pere Perez, Juan Ferreyra, & Paulo Siqueira.Daredevil (2011-2014).Deadpool (2024- ), by Cody Ziglar, Gerry Duggan, Roge Antonio, Andrea di Vito, & Taurin Clarke.Fearless Defenders, by Cullen Bunn, William Sliney, & Mark Brooks.Jem and the Holograms, by Kelly Thompson & Sophie Campbell.Lucifer, by Mike Carey, Peter Gross, & Ryan Kelly.Spider-Boy (2023- ), by Dan Slott & Paco Medina.Spider-Woman (2023- ), by Steve Foxe, Ig Guara, Leinil Yu, & Carola Borelli.

John and David look at what it means to succeed in comics, David Finch's incredible work on Skinbreaker, some new Easter eggs in old comics, and the best way to waste a splash page. Also, John talks about his exciting new Kickstarter, and David sees the light.Support the Fellas!Behind the Panels of Marvel’s Secret WarsTimestamp Segments[00:00] Check out This Secret Wars Kickstarter![02:17] David’s winning week.[04:54] John has 3D glasses.[05:54] John was “hard at work.”[06:24] Good for Guy Davis.[08:06] Winning in comics.[11:29] David sees the light.[15:14] How to waste a splash page.[25:05] How David Finch tells a story.[27:02] Rus Wooton’s evolution.[33:05] Keeping up with the Invincibles.[38:31] Going old-school.[39:10] Did Jack Abel murder Howard Chaykin?[43:00] Popeye’s chin.Notable Quotes“The win state of comics is to not have to do them anymore.”“Creative talent is not being paid commiserate to the amount of work and the amount of skill that is necessary to create those things.”“Nobody asks the question, why did he want to kill Howard Chaykin?”Books MentionedAphrodite IX, by Matt Hawkins, David Wohl, Stjepan Sejic, & David Finch.Baker Street, by Guy Davis & Gary Reed.Batman (2025- ), by Matt Fraction & Jorge Jiménez.Batman: The Dark Knight (2011-2014).B.P.R.D., by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Guy Davis, Tyler Crook, Duncan Fegredo, & Dave Stewart.Casanova, by Matt Fraction, Gabriel Bá, & Fábio Moon.Conan the Barbarian #25, by Jim Zub, Alex Horley, & Diego Rodriguez.Defenders #53, by David Anthony Kraft, David Cockrum, Keith Giffen, Michael Golden, & Sandy Plunkett.Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.G.I. Joe A Real American Hero.Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, John Rauch, & Ryan Ottley.Invincible Universe: Battle Beast, by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, & Annalisa Leoni.The Marquis, by Guy Davis.Marvel Team-Up (1972-1985).Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians, by David Hedgec

John and David share their monthly "Top 10 Hottest Artists of the Moment" list! This isn't some arbitrary list, folks. These artist picks are based on a variety of factors including their current book sales, industry "buzz", and production pulled from several different online and in print sources. Not enough for you? The guys also get into the art of New #1s, John’s life after Grey, and the podcast gets a 5th listener!SUPPORT THE SHOW!John's Company has a Kickstarter!Timestamp Segments[00:50] The podcast gets a new listener![01:31] Are New #1s the answer?[06:05] A new bankruptcy.[07:47] John rereads Grey.[21:21] The Top 10 Hottest Artists of the Moment.[22:16] A shocking drop![22:55] #10 – Iban Coello.[24:50] #9 – Nic Klein.[26:15] #8 – Dan Mora.[27:50] #7 – Ludo Lullabi.[28:50] #6 – Jason Fabok.[29:58] #5 – Gary Frank.[31:02] #4 – Ryan Ottley.[32:35] #3 – You Have...[34:44] #2 – To Listen...[36:30] #1 – To Find Out![37:58] Final thoughts on the current Top 10.Notable Quotes“A New #1 actually does work, even in podcasting.”“Looks can be deceiving, John.”“Even the bad stuff, you can learn from.”Relevant LinksCornerbox.clubBooks MentionedAbsolute Batman (2024- ), by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, & Frank Martin.Absolute Wonder Woman (2024- ), by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, & Jordie Bellaire.Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo.Aliens vs Avengers (2024- ), by Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribic.Batman (2025- ), by Matt Fraction & Jorge Jiménez.Battle Chasers, Ghost Pepper, by Ludo Lullabi & Joe Madureira.Big Rig, by Post Malone, Adrian Wassel, & Nathan Gooden.Black Terror, by Beau Smith, Chuck Dixon, & Dan Brereton.DC K.O. #1, by Scott Snyder, Javi Fernández, & Alejandro Sánchez.Geiger, by Geoff Johns & Gary Frank.G.I. Joe A Real American Hero.Good Devils, by David Brothers & Nick Dragotta.Grey, Horobi, by Yoshihisa Tagami.Haunt, by Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, & Ryan Ottley.

After a couple of weeks of really insightful comic talk from John and special guest host (and Fun Time Go EiC), Chase Marotz, David returns just in time to dumb things back down and go “All In” on DC’s K.O. brackets! The guys predict the winning brackets, make a shocking discovery about Batman(?!), announce (again) the return of Vertigo, contemplate Marvel’s ventures into other genres, and speculate about the future of the Ultimate and Absolute Lines. SUPPORT THE SHOW!John's Company has a Kickstarter!Timestamp Segments[00:30] David sees all![01:50] DC K.O.[04:33] John goes off on a weird tangent.[05:29] The old man reactions.[12:04] The fate of the Absolute Line.[13:12] The brackets.[20:22] A Batman shocker![28:07] DC making all the right moves.[29:34] The return of Vertigo (again!)[34:44] Marvel announces the end of the Ultimate Line.[38:32] Marvel’s other comics.Notable Quotes“You want to see a bunch of superheroes fighting each other? That is what this is.”“We’re the Woodward and Bernstein of modern-day comic book reporting.”“DC can keep letting me vote if Jason Todd dies, and I’ll keep voting he dies.”Books Mentioned100 Bullets, by Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, & Dave Johnson.Alien (2021-2022), by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Salvador Larroca, & Marc Aspinall.Aliens vs Avengers (2024- ), by Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribic.Aliens vs Predator, by Randy Stradley, Phil Norwood, Chris Warner, & Wes Dzioba.Civil War.DCeased, by Tom Taylor, Trevor Hairsine, & Stefano Gaudiano.DC K.O. #1, by Scott Snyder, Javi Fernández, & Alejandro Sánchez.The Death & Return of Superman.Dragon Ball, by Akira Toriyama.Fear Itself, by Matt Fraction & Stuart Immonen.JLA, by Grant Morrison, Howard Porter, & John Dell.Justice League Unlimited, by Mark Waid & Dan Mora.Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, by Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell.Naruto, by Masashi Kishimoto.The New History of the DC Universe.Pokémon.

John and special guest host, Chase Marotz, learn new things about old stuff! They get into pronouncing names they’ve never heard, the state of reproduced comics, and the joy of finishing a really bad comic. Also, John crosses the threshold.Timestamp Segments[01:44] How to pronounce things you’ve never heard.[05:15] Learning new things about old stuff.[07:47] Reading Weapon X.[10:09] The problem with reproduced comics.[14:35] The early years of manga in the US.[17:20] Ranma 1/2.[19:54] The WE3 hype.[23:36] Watching the wrong movie.[29:51] Little Lulu and Tubby at Summer Camp.[36:17] Hate-reading comics.Notable Quotes“People can bully me more today for the comics I only recently read.”“Somewhere, David felt a disturbance in the force, and he didn’t know why.”“I’ve never been happier to not be reading something…”Relevant LinksCornerbox.clubBooks MentionedAkira, by Katsuhiro Otomo.All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison, Chip Kidd, & Frank Quitely.Appleseed, by Masamune ShirowArchie Comics.Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.Batman: Odyssey, Blood, by Neal Adams.Casper, by Sid Jacobson.Conan.Dwellings, by Jay Stephens.Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown, by Walter Simonson, Louise Simonson, Jon J Muth, & Kent Williams.Hot Stuff.Inuyasha, Maison Ikkoku, Mao, Ranma 1/2, Rin-Ne, Rumic World, Urusei Yatsura, by Rumiko Takahashi.Manhunter, by Archie Goodwin & Walter Simonson.Marge's Little Lulu and Tubby At Summer Camp, by Marge Buell & John Stanley.Monsters, by Barry Windsor-Smith.Sin City, by Frank Miller.Sky Masters, by Jack Kirby & Wally Wood. 

John and Chase Marotz (as David 2.0) get into Autobiographical Comics! They talk about the evolution of autobio comics, what it would take to write about one’s innermost thoughts, grappling with comics as journalism, and the educational value of non-fiction comics. Also, David somehow finds himself in a meaty situation?Timestamp Segments[01:04] What happened to David?[02:24] Chase’s journey into comics.[04:24] Early autobio comics.[11:01] Chase’s favorite 4 Autobio Comics.[13:41] The Playboy.[16:26] Olivia, the Pig.[20:14] Chase’s own autobio comic.[20:46] Writing about secrets.[23:35] John’s own autobio comic.[25:27] It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth.[29:09] Palestine.[30:07] Comics as non-fiction.[32:23] Learning by reading comics.[35:35] What we can learn from autobio comics.[36:37] Nobody stays dead for long.Notable Quotes“There’s nothing that comics can’t do as well as, or better, than other mediums.”“We live in a world that, much to my dismay, has become increasingly less empathetic and hostile towards people who are different.”“It’s comics. Nobody stays dead for long.”Books MentionedA Single Man, by Christopher Isherwood.The Black Panther Party, by David F. Walker & Marcus Kwame Anderson.Blankets, Ginseng Roots, by Craig Thompson.The Cartoon History of the Universe, by Larry Gonick.Clyde Fans, It’s a Good Life, If You Don’t Weaken, by Seth.Ed the Happy Clown, The Little Man, Louis Riel, Paying For It, The Playboy, Yummy Fur, by Chester Brown.Eightball, by Daniel Clowes.Epileptic, by David B.The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, by Gilbert Shelton & Dave Sheridan.Footnotes in Gaza, Palestine, Paying the Land, War on Gaza, by Joe Sacco.Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel.HATE, by Peter Bagge.

Kirt Burdick, John, and David return to talk more Death of Power! Along the way they get into comic conventions, showing appreciation to fandom, using technology to enhance art, and how memes run the world. Also, David takes off (maybe to Paris).Support the Show! Buy Our Books!Support Kirt BurdickTimestamp Segments[00:53] Kirt does Cons.[05:36] Death of Power: The Sales Pitch.[06:53] Kirt’s comics for kids.[09:30] Kickstarter VS publishers.[12:00] What happens next in Death of Power?[14:27] Who inspires Kirt?[14:56] Books to think about.[19:32] David takes off![20:12] Enhancing art with technology.[23:48] Peter Kuper’s Kafka books.[24:58] 40 pages of Moby Dick.[26:32] Early indie comics.[28:10] What the future used to look like.[30:14] We’re run by memes.[31:09] Alien: Earth and Andor.Notable Quotes“If it’s said here, it’s truth.”“The more publishers that can get stuff on the rack, the better.”“I need anything other than what we’ve got.”Books MentionedAmerican Flagg!, by Howard Chaykin.Batman: Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.Batman: Digital Justice, by Pepe Moreno.Batman: Ra's Al Ghul.Conan the Barbarian.Cosmic Odyssey, by Jim Starlin, Mike Mignola, & Carlos Garzon.Critters, by Stan Sakai.Daredevil: The Man Without Fear, by Frank Miller, John Romita Jr., Al Williamson, Christie Scheele, & Joe Rosen.From Hell, by Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell.Give It Up!, The Jungle, Kafkaesque, The Metamorphosis, by Peter Kuper.Iron Man: Crash, by Mike Saenz.Jimmy Corigan, Rusty Brown, by Chris Ware.Johnny The Homicidal Maniac, by Jhonen Vasquez.Jon Sable Freelance, by Mike Grell.Lenore, by Roman Dirge.Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka