Because Comics

In our Pull List segment, we review "Big Trouble in Little China/Escape From New York" (yes, that's one comic) and the new "Jessica Jones" series. Then, we celebrate October with a spooky Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom team-up comic, "Triumph and Torment!" Finally, we play "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best and worst designated driver?    Pull List:  Jay: “Big Trouble in Little China/Escape From New York" (Boom! Studios), written by Greg Pak, art by Daniel Bayliss.  Mike: “Jessica Jones" (Marvel), written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Michael Gaydos.    Main Segment:  "Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment" (Marvel), written by Roger Stern, art by Mike Mignola.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Designated Driver?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitter at @supergeekmike

We kick off the episode by recommending you read "Seven to Eternity" and "Josie and the Pussycats," and then for our main segment... did you know Superman made a sex tape? Well, we're gonna talk about it, and it's gonna be super creepy, but we're gonna get through it together. Also, we play a game of "Would You Rather," and ask if you would prefer to work in Arkham Asylum for a year, or stay there for a night?    Pull List:  Jay: “Seven to Eternity" (Image Comics) written by Rick Remender, art by Matt Hollingsworth and Jerome Opeña.  Mike: “Josie and the Pussycats" (Archie Comics) written by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio, Audrey Mok.    Main Segment:  "Action Comics" #592-593 - "Superman's Sex Tape" (DC Comics) written and drawn by John Byrne.    Game: "Would You Rather... Work in Arkham Asylum for a year, or stay there for a night?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursd

Jay and Mike recommend two-fisted sci-fi with "Atomic Robo" and "Bounty," and then in honor of the new Marvel/Netflix series, we go back to a classic "Luke Cage, Hero for Hire" comic, and ask the question: Where's my money, honey? We wrap up the episode with a game of "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best and worst to host a surprise party - and who would be the best/worst to have a surprise party for?    Pull List:  Jay: “Atomic Robo and the Temple of Od" (Tesladyne), written by Brian Clevinger, art by Scott Wegener.  Mike: “Bounty" (Dark Horse), written by Kurtis J Wiebe, art by Mindy Lee.    Main Segment:  "Luke Cage, Hero for Hire" #8-9 (Marvel), written by Steve Englehart, pencils by George Tuska.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst to Host a Surprise Party? Best / Worst to be the Recipient of a Surprise Party?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc

Jay recommends you read "All-Star Batman" (shocking) and Mike recommends "Animosity," and then Mike takes us WAY down the rabbit hole as we recap the events of 1993's "Godzilla vs. Barkley." Yes, CHARLES Barkley. Also, we wrap up the episode with a game of "Would You Rather," and ask if you'd rather be a superhero with superpowers, or be a superhero through intense training and ridiculous amounts of money?    Pull List:  Jay: “All-Star Batman" (DC Comics), written by Scott Snyder, art by John Romita, Jr. (with Declan Shalvey).  Mike: “Animosity" (Aftershock Comics), written by Marguerite Bennett, art by Rafael de Latorre.    Main Segment:  "Godzilla vs. Barkley" (Dark Horse Comics), written by Mike Baron, art by Jeff Butler. Plot by Alan Smithee.    Game: "Would You Rather... Be a superhero with superpowers, or be a superhero who spent years intensely training and who also has ridiculous amounts of money?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitte

Jay and Mike recommend you read "The Black Monday Murders" and "Power Man & Iron Fist," and then we go DEEP into Jack Kirby's Fourth World saga, because we're talking about the Forever People! Who? Yes, them! Wait, who? And then we play "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best and worst at cake decorating. (Special thanks to listener Guy Shani for this Super-Mundane suggestion!)    Pull List:  Jay: “The Black Monday Murders" (Image) written by Jonathan Hickman, art by Tomm Coker.  Mike: “Power Man & Iron Fist" (Marvel) written by David F. Walker, art by Sanford Greene for #1-4, and Flaviano as of #5.    Main Segment:  "Forever People" #3-4 - "Life vs. Anti-Life!" / "Kingdom of the Damned!" (DC Comics) written and drawn by Jack Kirby.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst at Cake Decorating?" Special thanks to listener Guy Shani for this suggestion!   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns eve

In our pull list segment, Jay and Mike recommend "Unfollow" and "Another Castle." Then, since Hulk will be going to Asgard next year in "Thor: Ragnarok" (and we got some pretty cool news about that at this year's Comic Con), we jump back to Hulk's earliest visit to Asgard in "The Incredible Hulk" #102. Finally, we end the episode with a very challenging game of "Would You Rather," and ask if you'd prefer to work in the Justice League's Watchtower, or the Avengers Mansion?    Pull List:  Jay: “Unfollow" (Vertigo), written by Rob Williams, art by Mike Dowling.  Mike: “Another Castle" (Oni Press), written by Andrew Wheeler, art by Paulina Ganucheau.    Main Segment:  "The Incredible Hulk" #102, "A World Not His Own!" (Marvel), written by Gary Friedrich, art by Marie Severin.    Game: "Would You Rather... Work at the Justice League's Watchtower or at Avengers Mansion (/Tower)?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's col

Jay and Mike recommend "Black Hammer" and "The Unbelievable Gwenpool," and then for some reason we're talking about Batman & Superman fighting again, even though I think we've had quite enough of it. Also, we play "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best... pilot? That's a mundane task, right?     Pull List:  Jay: “Black Hammer" (Dark Horse) written by Jeff Lemire, art by Dean Ormston.  Mike: “The Unbelievable Gwenpool" (Marvel) written by Christopher Hastings, art by Gurihiru.    Main Segment:  "World's Finest" #143, "The Feud Between Batman & Superman!" (DC Comics) written by Edmond Hamilton, art by Curt Swan.     Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Pilot?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitter at @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike recommend you read "The Goddamned" and "Joyride," and then Mike recaps the events of "Marvel Team-Up" #137. And folks, we've talked about a lot of weird comics on this show. But they don't get much weirder than "Marvel Team-Up" #137. Finally, we bring the episode to a close with a game of "Would You Rather," and spend entirely too long debating the merits of being bitten by either a radioactive pigeon or a radioactive squirrel.     Pull List:  Jay: “The Goddamned" (Image Comics), written by Jason Aaron, art by Giulia Brusco & R.M. Guera.  Mike: “Joyride" (BOOM! Studios), written by Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, art by Marcus To.    Main Segment:  "Marvel Team-Up" #137 - "Aunt May & Franklin Richards vs. Galactus - Twinkle, Twinkle" (Marvel), written by Michael Carlin, art by Greg LaRogue.    Game: "Would You Rather... be bitten by a radioactive pigeon or a radioactive squirrel?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter

In our pull list segment, we recommend "Archangel" and "Mockingbird." Then we cut back to the Legion of Super-Heroes for a classic adventure, cleverly titled "The Super-Moby Dick of Space!" Then we end the episode with our game, "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best - and worst - ruler? You know, that mundane task or activity of "ruling." We may be running out of ideas, you guys.    Pull List:  Jay: “Archangel" (IDW) written by William Gibson, art by Butch Guice and Tom Palmer.  Mike: “Mockingbird" (Marvel) written by Chelsea Cain, art by Kate Niemczyk.    Main Segment:  "Adventure Comics" #332 - "The Super-Moby Dick of Space!" (DC Comics) written by Edmond Hamilton, pencilled by John Forte, inked by George Klein.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Ruler?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitter at @supergeekmike    

In our pull list segment, Jay and Mike recommend "The Fix" and "Goldie Vance." Then, Mike takes us back to the '90s with the oddly self-aware, possibly meta first issue of "Thunderstrike!" Finally we end the show with a game of "Would You Rather," and ask who you would prefer to take a tour of the galaxy with - the Silver Surfer, or the Guardians of the Galaxy?    Pull List:  Jay: “The Fix" (Image Comics), written by Nick Spencer, art by Steve Lieber.  Mike: “Goldie Vance" (Boom! Box), written by Hope Larsen, art by Brittney Williams, colors by Sarah Stern.    Main Segment:  "Thunderstrike" #1 - "Blood Without Glory!" (Marvel Comics) written by Tom DeFalco, pencils by Ron Frenz, finished art by Al Milgrom, colors by Mike Rockwitz.    Game: "Would You Rather... Tour the galaxy with the Silver Surfer or the Guardians of the Galaxy?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialAr

Jay and Mike begin this episode by recommending you check out "DC Rebirth" and "Black Panther." Then, we flash back to an awesome time of Kirby dots and dragon-tanks, as we pull back another layer of the Fourth World saga with "New Gods: The Pact!" Then we wind down with a game of "Super-Mundane," and ask which hero would be the best and worst at renovating a home? The answer for "Best" turns out to be super obvious, provided you've ever heard of him. And be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode for a special treat!    Pull List:  Jay: “DC Universe: Rebirth" #1 (DC Comics), written by Geoff Johns, art by Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez.  Mike: “Black Panther" (Marvel Comics), written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, art by Brian Stelfreeze, colors by Laura Martin.    Main Segment:  "New Gods" #7, "The Pact!" (DC Comics), written and drawn by Jack Kirby.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst at Renovating a Home?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics

Jay and Mike suggest you check out "Beasts of Burden" and the new "Punisher" series. Then, in honor of the new film "X-Men: Apocalypse," we flash back to the Big Bad's first major appearance, in the original "X-Factor" comics! Finally, we play "Would You Rather," and Jay vastly underestimates the inherent coolness of a character from "Captain America: Civil War."    Pull List:  Jay: “Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In" (Dark Horse) written by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer, art by Jill Thompson.  Mike: “The Punisher" (Marvel) written by Becky Cloonan, art by Steve Dillon.    Main Segment:  "X-Factor" #24-25 - "The Fall of the Mutants" tie-in, aka "Judgement Day!" (Marvel) written by Louise Simonson, pencils by Walt Simonson, inks by Bob Wiacek.    Game: "Would You Rather... be Black Panther in Wakanda for a day, or be Spider-Man in Queens for a day?"      Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday

It's our two-year anniversary! We encourage you to check out "Moon Knight" and catch up on "Rat Queens," and then in honor of "Captain America: Civil War" (as well as the current election), Mike takes us back to an issue of "What If" where Steve Rogers is elected president! Then we bring things to a close with a game of "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best and worst at hosting a game night?    Thank you so much for two incredible years! We look forward to sharing many more weird, wacky comic book stories with all of you!    Pull List:  Jay: “Moon Knight" (Marvel Comics) written by Jeff Lemire, art by Greg Smallwood.  Mike: “Rat Queens" (Image Comics) written by Kurtis Weibe, art by Tess Fowler.    Main Segment:  "What If?" #26, "What If Captain America Had Been Elected President?"  (Marvel Comics) written by Mike W. Barr, art by Herb Trimpe and Mike Esposito.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst at Hosting a Game Night?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail

Jay and Mike recommend you check out "Black Widow" and "DC's Bombshells," and then Mike takes us back to a classic "Legion of Super-Heroes" adventure, where we reveal a traitor in the Legion! Finally, we play "Would You Rather," and ask which dangerous wonder you would most like to visit... Themyscira or Atlantis? Also, we talk about that "Doctor Strange" trailer, because of course we do.   Pull List:  Jay: "Black Widow" (Marvel Comics) written by Chris Samnee and Mark Waid, art by Mark Waid.  Mike: "DC Comics: Bombshells" (DC Comics) written by Marguerite Bennett, art by various.   Main Segment:  "Adventure Comics" #346-347 - "One Of Us Is A Traitor!" (DC Comics) written and pencilled by Jim Shooter, inks by Sheldon Meldoff.    Game: "Would You Rather... Take a day trip to Themyscira or Atlantis?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitt

Jay and Mike are back from seeing "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" - let's see if they can hold their emotions in check while reviewing some classic comics, "Superman: Birthright" and "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns." Then, in honor of "Daredevil" season 2, we flash back to another Frank Miller comic, and the first meeting of Daredevil and the Punisher! Finally, we play "Super-Mundane," and ask which heroes would be the best and worst at being a Home Security Specialist - the answers may surprise you! But also, probably they won't.   Pull List:  Jay: “Superman: Birthright” (DC Comics), written by Mark Waid, art by Leinil Francis Yu.  Mike: “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (DC Comics), written and drawn by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley.    Main Segment:  “Daredevil” #183-184 - “Child’s Play” / “Good Guys Wear Red” (Marvel Comics), written by Roger McKensie & Frank Miller, pencils by Frank Miller, inks and colors by Klaus Janson.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Ho

We've been doing this show for 50 episodes! Can you believe it? In our "Pull List" segment, we recommend you read "Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and Archie Comics' "Jughead" reboot, and then in honor of the upcoming "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," Mike recounts one of the earliest fights between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight... and it is 100% INSANE. Also, in our "Would You Rather" game, we have to choose between the Punisher and Deadpool - who would you rather have gunning for you while the other one protects you?   Pull List:  Jay: "Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (DC Comics), written by James Tynion IV, pencilled and inked by Freddie E. Williams II, colored by Jeremy Colwell.  Mike: "Jughead" (Archie), written by Chip Zdarsky, art by Erica Henderson.    Main Segment:  "World's Finest" #153 (DC Comics), "The Clash of Cape and Cowl," written by Edmont Hamilton, pencilled by Curt Swan, inked by George Klein.    Honorable Mention: "Superman/Batman" #78, written by Jack Kelly, Joe

In the pull list segment, Jay and Mike recommend "Cry Havoc" and "The Adventures of Supergirl." Then, Mike brings us back to the heyday of Jack Kirby's Fourth World comics, with "Mister Miracle" #3-4, "The Paranoid Pill!" Including the introduction of Big Barda, Scott Free's OTP! Finally we play "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best and worst capture the flag players? It's a lot harder than it sounds, but the results are amazing.   Pull List:  Jay: "Cry Havoc" (Image Comics), written by Simon Spurrier, art by Lee Loughridge & Matt D. Wilson.  Mike: "The Adventures of Supergirl" (DC Comics), written by Sterling Gates, art by Bengal.    Main Segment:  "Mister Miracle" #3-4, "The Paranoid Pill"    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Capture the Flag Player?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitter at @supergeekmike    

Jay and Mike recommend you check out "Rumble" and "The Totally Awesome Hulk," especially if you like awesome monsters and awesome fight scenes. Then, Mike takes us back to the story where we first saw the Spider-Mobile, but this time, we cover the rest of the story... and it somehow involves a gang war, a Christmas party, and Aunt May's new boyfriend! Then we end the episode with a game of "Would You Rather," and ask if you'd rather have the life of Daredevil or Moon Knight?   Pull List:  Jay: "Rumble" (Image Comics), written by John Arcudi, art by James Harren, colors by Dave Stewart.  Mike: "The Totally Awesome Hulk" (Marvel Comics), written by Greg Pak, art by Frank Cho, colors by Sonia Oback.    Main Segment:  "Amazing Spider-Man" #130-131, "My Uncle, My Enemy!" (Marvel), written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru.    Listen to our original commentary on the Spider-Mobile scene from #130 in Episode 22 of Because Comics.   Game: "Would You Rather... Have the Life of Daredevil, or Moon Knight?"   Listen to

Jay and Mike recommend you read "Captain Marvel" and "Table Titans," and then Mike takes a listener suggestion, and takes us back to the arc of "Wolverine: Origins" where Deadpool beats up Wolverine. (The fact that Deadpool was also in a terrible movie of a similar name is not lost on us.) Then, we end the episode with a game of "Super-Mundane," and ask which heroes would be the best and worst limo drivers?   Pull List:  Jay: "Captain Marvel" (Marvel), written by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, art by Kris Anka.  Mike: "Table Titans" (web original), Written and drawn by Scott Kurtz (Brian Hurtt for Season 3), colors by Steve Hamaker.    Main Segment:  "Wolverine: Origins" #21-25, "The Deep End" (Marvel), written by Daniel Way, art by Steve Dillon.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best / Worst Limo Driver?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and follow him on Twitt

In this episode, Jay and Mike recommend "Superman: American Alien" and "All-New Wolverine" from their personal pull lists. Then, Mike takes us back to another of our crossover comics classics as we recap "Superman Meets The Quik Bunny!" Finally, we play "Would You Rather," and we're forced to choose between a date with Gambit, or a date with Deadpool! We know, there's no right answer, but there is a slightly better answer.   Pull List:  Jay: "Superman: American Alien" (DC Comics), written by Max Landis, art by various.  Mike: "All-New Wolverine" (Marvel), written by Tom Taylor, art by David Lopez.    Main Segment:  "Superman Meets The Quik Bunny" (DC Comics), written by Mike Carlin, layout art by Carmine Infantino, finished art by Dick Giordano.    Game: "Would You Rather... let your sister date Gambit or Deadpool?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter at @partialarc  Read Mike's columns every Tuesday and Thursday at PartialArc.com, and foll