Because Comics

Jay and Mike tell you to read "Howard the Duck" and "Hexed," and then in light of the new "Avengers: Age of Ultron" film, they talk about "The Avengers" #57, with the first appearance of the Vision, his conflict with Ultron, and how the Avengers are apparently terrible at their jobs. Then we play "Who Am I?" and boy... guys, sometimes comic book characters' real names are SUPER silly.    Pull List:  Jay: "Howard the Duck" (Marvel), written by Chip Zdarsky, art by Joe Quinones.  Mike: "Hexed" (Boom), written by Michael Alan Nelson, art by Dan Mora.    Main Segment:  "The Avengers" #57, "Behold... The Vision!" written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema.    Game: "Who Am I?"    Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike recommend "The Phantom" and "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl," and then Mike leads us on a discussion of "The Question" #26, where the Question meets the Riddler, and things get VERY heady. Then we play "Super-Mundane," and debate who would be the best - and worst - kids' sports coach.    Pull List:  Jay: "King: The Phantom" (Dynamite), written by Brian Clevenger, art by Brent Schoonover.  Mike: "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" (Marvel), written by Ryan North, art by Erica Henderson.    Main Segment:  "The Question" #26, "Riddles," written by Dennis O'Neil, art by Denys Cowan.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best and Worst Kids' Sports Coach?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike tell you that you should be reading "Nameless" and "Gotham Academy," because you really, really should. Then we discuss "The Incredibles: Family Matters," the comic book sequel to the best superhero movie of all time. Then, Mike and Jay play "Who Am I," and explore the magic of retroactive continuity...    Pull List:  Jay: "Nameless" (Image), written by Grant Morrison, art by Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn.  Mike: "Gotham Academy" (DC), written by Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher, and drawn by Karl Kerschl.    Main Segment:  "The Incredibles: Family Matters" #1-4, written by Mark Waid, art by Marcio Takara.    Game: "Who Am I?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike recommend "Darth Vader" and "Copperhead," and then Mike takes us to the far future of "Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth!" which is basically Jack Kirby's version of "Planet of the Apes." Then, we play "Super-Mundane" and ask which superheroes would be the best and worst bartenders?    Pull List:  Jay: "Darth Vader" (Marvel), written by Kieron Gillen, art by Salvador Larroca.  Mike: "Copperhead" (Image), written by Jay Faerber, art by Scott Godlewski.    Main Segment:  "Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth!" #1, written and drawn by Jack Kirby.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best and Worst Bartender?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike recommend "Batman" (especially the "Endgame" storyline) and "The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw," and then Mike takes us back to "The Amazing Spider-Man" and the most ill-advised superhero car of all time, the Spider-Mobile! Then, we play "Who Am I," and we REALLY test Mike's knowledge of DC continuity...    Jay: "Batman" (DC), written by Scott Snyder, art by Greg Capullo. The "Endgame" storyline begins with issue #35.  Mike: "The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw" (Image), written by Kurt Busiek, art by Ben Dewey.    Main Segment:  "Amazing Spider-Man" #160, "My Killer, the Car!" Written by Len Wein, art by Ross Andru.  The Spider-Mobile first appears in "Amazing Spider-Man" #130, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru.    Game: "Who Am I?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

It's almost Valentine's Day, so after Jay and Mike recommend "Ant-Man" and the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" sequel comics, we explore a weird story of love, marriage, and demonic contracts (again?) as Mike busts out an old issue of "Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane!" Then, in this episode's "Super-Mundane," we ask who would be the best - and the worst - at writing greeting cards?    Jay: "Ant-Man" (Marvel), written by Nick Spencer, art by Ramon Rosanas.  Mike: "Avatar: The Last Airbender" sequel comics (Dark Horse), written by Gene Luen Yang with Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, art by Gurihiru.    Main Segment:  "Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane" #41, "The Devil and Lois Lane" Written by Leo Dorfman, art by Kurt Schaffenberger.   Game: "Super-Mundane: Writing Greeting Cards?"   Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter Email us any questions at becausecomics@gmail.com Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

In today's episode, Jay and Mike recommend "Birthright" and "Wayward," and then Mike draws us in with the noir-style revamp of the X-Men's Multiple Man in "Madrox: Multiple Choice." Then we play "Who Am I?" The answer is: someone totally awesome.    Jay: "Birthright" (Image), written by Joshua Williamson, art by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas.  Mike: "Wayward" (Image), written by Jim Zub, drawn by Steve Cummings.    Main Segment:  "Madrox" #1-5, "Multiple Choice" Written by Peter David, drawn by Pablo Raimondi.    Game: "Who Am I?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com.  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter as @partialarc  Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Happy New Year! In this episode, we take a look at a new direction of "Batgirl" and old acquaintances in "Storm," and then Mike talks about that time the cast of "Archie" met the cast of "Glee" - and it's WAY weirder and more fun than it sounds. And at the end, we play "Super-Mundane" and ask which hero would be the best baby-sitter - and who would be the worst?    Jay: "Batgirl" (DC), written by Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart, art by Babs Tarr.  Mike: "Storm" (Marvel), written by Greg Pak, drawn by Victor Ibañez.    Main Segment:  "Archie" #641-644, "Archie Meets Glee!" Written by Roberto Aguirro-Sacasa, drawn by Dan Parent.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Best and Worst Baby-Sitter?"    Listen to full episodes at PartialArc.com.  Email us at becausecomics@gmail.com, and find us on Twitter as @partialarc  Find more from Mike at supergeekmike.com, or on Twitter as @supergeekmike

Jay and Mike recommend "Gotham By Midnight" and "Red Sonja," and then Mike leads us in an examination of the most broken Spider-Man story ever - "Spider-Man: One More Day." And then, if that weren't enough, we also discuss an issue of "Sensational Spider-Man" from around the same time that COMPLETELY contradicts the message of One More Day, and actually tells a much better story. We discuss the power of comics storytelling and the significance in relatable characters, and then we bring it all home with our game segment, "Who Am I?" Happy New Year, everyone - we'll see you in 2015!    Pull List:  Jay: "Gotham By Midnight" (DC), written by Ray Fawkes, art by Ben Templesmith.  Mike: "Red Sonja" (Dynamite), written by Gail Simone, art by Walter Geovani.    Main Segment:  "Spider-Man: One More Day" - written by J. Michael Straczynski & Joe Quesada, art by Joe Quesada.  "The Sensational Spider-Man #40 - The Book of Peter" - written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, art by Clayton Crain.    Game: "Who Am I?"

Happy Holidays from Because Comics! In this festive episode, Jay and Mike suggest comics that make good gifts, specifically "Old Man Logan" and "Superman: Secret Identity," and then discuss "Brave and the Bold" #148, where Batman and Plastic Man team up to save Christmas (XMas?) from the evils of cigarette smuggling! And for today's game segment, we play "Super-Mundane," and ask who would be the best - and worst - Secret Santa?    Pull List:  Jay: "Old Man Logan" (Marvel), written by Mark Millar, art by Steve McNiven.  Mike: "Superman: Secret Identity" (DC), written by Kurt Busiek, art by Stuart Immonen.    Main Segment:  "Brave and the Bold" #148 - "The Night the Mob Stole XMas!" written by Bob Haney, art by Joe Staton & Jim Aparo.    Game: "Super-Mundane - Secret Santa?"

Jay and Mike recommend the new "Rocket Raccoon" series and "JL8," and then we flip the script! And Jay leads us on a discussion of Mark Millar's "Nemesis." It's... it's pretty rough, you guys. Also, we play "Who Am I," and this time Mike's the man with the answers, and Jay's in the hot seat...   Pull List:  Mike: "Rocket Raccoon" (Marvel), written and drawn by Skottie Young.  Jay: "JL8," written and drawn by Yale Stewart (at jl8comic.tumblr.com).    Main Segment:  "Nemesis" #1-4, written by Mark Miller and drawn by Steve McNiven.   Game: "Who Am I?"

Jay and Mike recommend "Memetic" and "The Fade Out," and then in honor of Thanksgiving, they discuss "The Spectre" #6, which reminds us of the REAL spirit(s) of the holiday... Plus, the boys play "Super Mundane," and decide which superhero would be the best - and worst - at being a tour guide.    Pull List:  Jay: "Memetic" (Boom!), written by James Tynion IV, art by Eryk Donovan.  Mike: "The Fade Out" (Image), written by Ed Brubaker, art by Sean Phillips.    Main Segment:  "The Spectre" #6 - "Pilgrims of Peril!" Written by Gardner Fox, pencilled by Jerry Grandenetti, inked by Murphy Anderson.    Game: "Super Mundane - Being a tour guide?"

Jay and Mike recommend "Starlight" and "The Wicked + The Divine," and then, in honor of the new Disney movie, they discuss the 2008 "Big Hero 6" mini-series, which is a lot stranger than you might think. Plus, a very special "Who Am I" - you're definitely gonna want to hear how this one ends!   Pull List:  Jay: "Starlight" (Image), written by Mark Millar, drawn by Goran Parlov.  Mike: "The Wicked + The Divine" (Image), written by Kieron Gillen, drawn by Jamie McKelvie.    Main Segment:  "Big Hero 6" #1-5 - "Brave New Heroes!", written by Chris Claremont, drawn by David Nakayama.    Game: "Who Am I?"

Join us for a very special, spooooky Halloween episode! Jay and Mike recommend "Edge of Spider-Verse" and "Big Trouble In Little China" (the film and the comic), and then Mike walks us through the first Marvel Zombies mini-series, which is exactly what you hope it will be. Plus, our spoooooky Halloween edition of "Super Mundane," where we determine who would be the best at putting together a haunted house! SPOOOOOOOKY!!!   Pull List:  Jay: "Edge of Spider-Verse" (Marvel), written and drawn by various.  Mike: "Big Trouble In Little China" (Boom), story by John Carpenter and Eric Powell, written by Eric Powell, drawn by Brian Churilla.    Main Segment:  "Marvel Zombies" #1-5, written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Sean Phillips.    Game: "Super Mundane - Putting On A Haunted House?"

  Jay and Mike discuss "Southern Bastards" and "Silver Surfer," and then explore "Swamp Thing" #7, starring a surprisingly chatty, weirdly ineffectual Batman! Then they play a game of "Who Am I," and it more or less goes completely off the rails, in a way that was almost certainly bound to happen one of these days. Comics are super-weird, you guys.   Pull List: Jay: "Southern Bastards" (Image), written by Jason Aaron, art by Jason Latour.  Mike: "Silver Surfer" (Marvel), written by Dan Slott, drawn by Mike Allred.    Main Segment:  "Swamp Thing" #7 - "Night of the Bat!" Written by Len Wein, drawn by Bernie Wrightson.    Game: "Who Am I?"  

Jay and Mike recommend "Seconds" and "Pretty Deadly," and then discuss "Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5," and the REAL secret history of Peter Parker's parents (suck it, Sony Pictures). Then they play "Super Mundane," and determine which hero would be best at leading a yoga class - and, of course, who would be the worst...   Pull List:  Jay: "Seconds" by Bryan Lee O'Malley.  Mike: "Pretty Deadly" (Image), written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, drawn by Emma Rios.    Main Segment:  "Amazing Spider-Man" Annual #5 - "The Parents of Peter Parker!" Written by Stan Lee, pencilled by Larry Lieber & John Romita, inked by John Romita.   Game: "Super-Mundane - Leading a yoga class?"

Jay and Mike recommend "Swamp Thing" and "Black Widow," and then, in the spirit of convention season, Mike discusses "Archie & Friends" #156, where the gang dresses up in costume and heads down to Comic-Con, filled with glorious off-model cameos! Plus, we play "Who Am I," and Mike gets a bit too cocky...    Pull List: Jay: "Swamp Thing" (DC), written by Charles Soule, drawn by Jesus Saiz Mike: "Black Widow" (Marvel), written by Nathan Edmondson, drawn by Phil Noto   Main Segment: "Archie & Friends" #156 - "The Great Riverdale Comic-Con!" Written by Alex Segura, Drawn by Bill Galvan   Game: "Who Am I?"

It's a throwback episode! Jay and Mike recommend comics from their pull lists gone by, with "Joe the Barbarian" and John Rogers' "Dungeons and Dragons," and then they review the first issue of Howard the Duck's solo series, and determine conclusively that Howard the Duck stories have ALWAYS been super-weird. Also, in this episode's "Super-Mundane," we discuss who would be the best - and the worst - at leading a camping trip.   Pull List: Jay: "Joe the Barbarian" (Vertigo), written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Sean Murphy. Mike: "Dungeons and Dragons" (IDW), written by John Rogers, drawn by Andrea Di Vito.   Main Segment: "Howard the Duck" #1: "Howard the Barbarian," written by Steve Gerber, drawn by Frank Brunner.   Game: "Super-Mundane - Leading a camping trip?"

Jay and Mike recommend "Squidder" and "Saga," and then talk about the weird adventures of Superman's pal in 2011's "Jimmy Olsen" one-shot. Plus, in "Who Am I," Mike has a surprisingly challenging time figuring out the answer, considering how much he enjoys the character in question...   Pull List: Jay: "Squidder" (IDW), written & drawn by Ben Templesmith Mike: "Saga" (Image), written by Brian K. Vaughn, drawn by Fiona Staples   Main Segment: Jimmy Olsen One-Shot (Jimmy Olsen's Big Week), written by Nick Spencer, drawn by RB Silva & Amilcar Pinna. This story originally ran as a back-up series, beginning in "Action Comics" #890, which featured Lex Luthor as the main character for about 10 issues.   Game: "Who Am I?"

Jay and Mike recommend "Grayson" and "She-Hulk." Then, in light of the new "Guardians of the Galaxy" film (out on Friday!), Mike looks back at the first appearances of the film's guaranteed breakout characters - Groot and Rocket Raccoon! Also, in today's "Super Mundane," we definitively answer who would be the best - and worst - at building a tree-house.   Pull List:Jay: "Grayson," written by Tim Seeley, drawn by Mikel Janin Mike: "She-Hulk," written by Charles Soule, drawn by Javier Pulido   Main Segment: Tales to Astonish #13: "I Challenged Groot, the Monster from Planet X!" Written by Stan Lee, drawn by Jack Kirby Incredible Hulk #271: "Now Somewhere In the Black Holes of Sirius Major There Lived a Young Boy Name of Rocket Raccoon!" Written by Bill Mantlo, drawn by Sal Buscema These stories and others are collected in "Rocket Raccoon and Groot Ultimate Collection"   Game: "Super Mundane - Building a tree house?"   More about Bill Mantlo: http://gregpak.com/love-rocket-raccoon-please-consider-donating-to-w