Elliott Kalan has made a career for himself out of checking items off the bucket list he made for himself when he was 14, which is a damn fine way to go through life, if you ask us. You may know him as the head writer of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return , which Robb mortgaged his house to Kickstart, or his 12-year run as writer and head writer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . He's written a bunch of Spider-Man comics, including Spider-Man & the X-Men , which includes what is prob...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Season 4 of Marvel by the Month was our biggest and best season yet, thanks to our fantastic, incredible, amazing guests. In this special recap episode, you'll hear (in order of appearance): Ibrahim Moustafa talk about the seminal Fantastic Four #51, "This Man, This Monster" Corregan Brown discuss the Black Panther's first appearance in Fantastic Four #52-53 Curt Holman and Kevin Moreau from The Comics Canon podcast weigh in on whether the "Cosmic Doom" storyline in FF #57-60 is canon-worthy or ...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Matt Fraction is a mostly unemployed comic book writer, now that Sex Criminals and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen have both wrapped up. The final volume of his and Elsa Charretier's noir crime comic, November , comes out in early 2021. And then what's he going to do with himself? We're not worried, exactly, maybe just a little concerned. Watch this space for a GoFundMe or something. Stories Covered In Detail This Episode: Avengers #43, written by Roy Thomas, art by John Buscema w/George Bell -“Color...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 46 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Seanbaby invented being funny on the internet. He continues to do it with impossible regularity and hilarity at 1900HOTDOG.com . (Due to a minor total audio catastrophe, we had to fall back on our emergency backup recording. So it's a Zoom call, but it's a Zoom call that might make you pee your pants.) Stories Covered In Detail This Episode: Thor #142 #64, written by Stan Lee, art by Jack Kirby w/Vince Colletta - “The Scourge of the Super-Skrull!” Daredevil #30, written by Stan Lee, art Gene Col...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Miles Stokes is one-half of the phenomenal Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men podcast with Jay Edidin, which you hopefully already know all about. But did you know that he also made a podcast called Thor: The Lightning and the Storm with Elisabeth Allie that's all about Walt Simonson's legendary run on the Thunder God's title? Check out both of these things and thank us later! Stories Covered In Detail This Episode: Fantastic Four #64, written by Stan Lee, art by Jack Kirby w/Joe Sinnott - “The S...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Fred Hembeck has spent more than four decades writing and drawing gag strips featuring just about every comics character you can think of (and a bunch you can't). His curly-Q-elbowed caricatures have graced the pages of the Comics Buyer's Guide, Marvel Age, Fantastic Four Roast, and Fred Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe and have been collected in The Marvel Universe According to Hembeck and The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus . Own a piece of his original art by bidding on...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Jordan Morris (@Midnight, Earth to Ned) is the co-host and co-creator of the world's first podcast, Jordan, Jesse, Go! on the Maximum Fun network. He's also the creator of the scripted sci-fi comedy podcast, Bubble , which he's adapting into a graphic novel and an animated movie for Sony Pictures Animation. He's great on Twitter , and as of a few weeks ago, he's now also on the 'Gram ! The Punisher was directed by Mark Goldblatt, with a screenplay by Boaz Yakin. It stars Dolph Lundgren, Louis Go...
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 23 min
If you don't know who John Hodgman is, then good lord, we need to fix that: Start by listening to the Judge John Hodgman podcast on the Maximum Fun network. It's a fake internet court whose primary jurisdictions are pedantry and spouses who have come up with elaborate alternative systems for things that didn't need them (they're almost always guys, and they're almost always wrong). Then check out some of his New York Times bestselling books, like Vacationland or Medallion Status (now available i...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Matt "Sugar Lips" Fraction needs no introduction, but here's one anyway: He’s written more Marvel Comics than most people have read, including Uncanny X-Men, the Immortal Iron Fist, Punisher War Journal, The Mighty Thor, Defenders, and Fantastic Four — as well as the Eisner Award-winning Invincible Iron Man and Hawkeye . He won another Eisner and a Harvey Award for the delightfully filthy Sex Criminals , which he co-created with Chip Zdarsky. He’s currently collaborating with Elsa Charretier on ...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Season 4Ep. 11
The Comics Canon is the podcast that renders judgment on the greatest comic book stories of yesterday and today, and it's one of our favorite listens. Check them out at comicscanon.com or wherever you get your podcasts! Comics Released This Month (ones we discuss are in bold ): Amazing Spider-Man #46 , Avengers #37, Daredevil #25 , Fantastic Four #60 , Sgt. Fury #39, Strange Tales #154, Tales of Suspense #87, Tales to Astonish #89, Thor #137, X-Men #29, ©1966 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month"...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Look, 2020 has been a rough one, and nobody really feels like celebrating a birthday... until a guy riding a unicycle shows up outside their window in a Darth Vader mask, playing flaming bagpipes. Hit up unipiper.com to make someone's birthday unforgettable during a year that we'd all like to forget. While you're at it, put your money to good use by becoming a member of Weird Portland United , which discovers, promotes, and nurtures the creators and risk-takers that Keep Portland Weird. And don'...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Ibrahim Moustafa ( High Crimes, Jaeger, James Bond: Solstice, Count ) didn't really win a gold medal at the 1928 Olympics , but it's a fun bit that we're not going to drop anytime soon. Keep up with all the great stuff he has going on at ibrahimmoustafa.com . Follow his Instagram action figure customization adventures and his very good political takes on Twitter , which he is on so we don't have to be. Joe Keatinge is the writer of Shutter, Glory, Ringside, Stellar, Marvel Knights: Hulk , and Mo...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Dave Dwonch is the founder and Creative Director of Action Lab Entertainment and the writer of so many great comics for readers of all ages, including Scholastic's Vamplets , Behemoth's Prom of the Dead , and the upcoming Jenny Zero from Dark Horse. He's also the creator of the excellent Fannibal webcomic, Mind Palace, which updates twice a week at MindPalaceComic.com . Find him on the internet at outofmymind.co ! Comics Released This Month (ones we discuss are in bold ): Amazing Spider-Man #44 ...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Are you the sort of masochist who wants to follow along with this insane thing? Be careful what you wish for! THEM / AIM / Secret Empire backstory: October 1965 : SHIELD seemed to have defeated Hydra in Strange Tales #140 December 1965 : The shadowy organization of super-scientists known as THEM appears for the first time in Strange Tales #142. In Tales of Suspense #75, THEM hires Batroc the Leaper to help them steal Inferno-42 March 1966 : In Tales of Suspense #78, Nick Fury recruits Cap to hel...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 44 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Joe Keatinge is the writer of so many great comics, including Shutter, Glory, Ringside, Stellar, Marvel Knights: Hulk , and Morbius: The Living Vampire . He also won an Eisner as the Executive Editor of Image Comics' anthology Popgun. Check out his website at joekeatinge.com for a beautifully curated collection of vintage goodness. And don't miss his #spinnerrackdiaries on Instagram . Comics Released This Month (ones we discuss are in bold ): Amazing Spider-Man #42 , Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #41 , Avengers #32 , Daredevil #20, Fantastic Four #55 , Sgt. Fury #34, Strange Tales #149, Tales of Suspense #82, Tales to Astonish #84, Thor #132 , X-Men #24 , ©1966 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com ....
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 5
We were going to drop our interview with David Currie into a regular episode, but it turned out so well, and he was so generous with his time, that we decided it needed to stand on its own as a bonus episode. David Currie's Ditko Shrugged: The Uncompromising Life of the Artist-Creator of Spider-Man and the Rise of Marvel Comics is scheduled for release in mid-October 2020 from Hermes Press . Pre-order it today from your local comics shop or your favorite independent bookstore . "Marvel by the Mo...
Aug 19, 2020•42 min
Check out SoundFX Studio for some awesome comic-booky t-shirts! (We're not getting anything out of this, but it's run by comics letterer Pat Brosseau, who did a very nice thing for a 15-year old Bryan.) Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #40 , Avengers #31, Daredevil #19 , Fantastic Four #54 , Sgt. Fury #33, Sgt. Fury Annual #2 , Strange Tales #148 , Tales of Suspense #81 , Tales to Astonish #83, Thor #131, Thor Annual #2, X-Men #23 , ©1966 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme ...
Aug 12, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Corregan Brown writes about politics, race, faith, and just about everything else under the sun with grace and eloquence at BrokenBeatnik.com . Follow him on Facebook — you'll be glad you did. Corregan also lends his time and skills to Be the Bridge , which empowers people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation. Please join us in supporting the good work they do. ( Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Vimeo ) And check out Jambo Book Club , which makes it easy to add fun multi...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Jackie Kashian is one of the funniest nerds on the planet and the host of two amazing podcasts: The Dork Forest , where guests go deep on the things they're obsessed with, and The Jackie and Laurie Show with fellow comedian Laurie Kilmartin, where they share their joys and frustrations with the comedy business. Her latest comedy album is I Am Not the Hero Of This Stor y, and like everything else she does, it's very funny. Stay up to date on her goings-on by signing up for her newsletter at jacki...
Jul 29, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Ibrahim Moustafa ( High Crimes, Jaeger, James Bond: Solstice, Count ) had never read a 1960's comic before we tricked him into appearing on this episode. We had him read the classic Fantastic Four #51 ("This Man, This Monster!") to hook him... and then we made him check out an issue of Amazing Spider-Man that Steve Ditko clearly phoned in on his way out the door. Keep up with all the great stuff Ibrahim has going on at ibrahimmoustafa.com . Follow him on Instagram if you love custom action figur...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Our third "Essential MBTM" episode recaps everything that we covered in Season 3, plus additional info on what was going on with the creators behind some of early Marvel's best comics. It's the perfect way to get caught up quickly, or to refresh your memory before we launch Season 4 next week! Comics We Covered This Season: Amazing Spider-Man #25-36, Avengers #17-27, Daredevil #8-15, Fantastic Four #39-50, Journey Into Mystery #117-125, Sgt. Fury #19-29, Strange Tales #133-144, Tales of Suspense...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Take a peek into three classic Fantastic Four alternate realities that answer the questions, "What if... ... the Invisible Girl had married the Sub-Mariner?" ( What If...? vol. 1 #21, written by Bill Mantlo, art by Gene Colan w/Bob Wiacek, ©1980 Marvel Comics) ... the Fantastic Four had not gained their super-powers?" ( What If...? vol. 1 #36, written and drawn by John Byrne, ©1982 Marvel Comics) ... the original Marvel Bullpen had become the Fantastic Four?" ( What If...? vol. 1 #11, written an...
Jul 08, 2020•59 min
We support the following organizations, and we hope that you will consider doing so as well: Black Resilience Fund TransActive Gender Project Q Center Outside In Basic Rights Oregon Visit Books With Pictures online at bookswithpictures.com or in person at 1401 SE Division St in Portland (open hours vary depending on proximity to apocalypse). "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com ....
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 14 min
It is impossible that you are reading this and don't already know all of the awesome stuff that Clint is up to, but just in case: https://www.themcelroy.family Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #36, Avengers #27, Daredevil #15, Fantastic Four #50, Sgt. Fury #29, Strange Tales #144, Tales of Suspense #77, Tales to Astonish #79, Thor #127, X-Men #19, ©1966 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on inte...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 37 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Your time could not be better misspent than on Sean's virile new comedy site, 1-900-HOTDOG or his brain-melting math combat collectible card you know what just try it mobile game, Calculords ! Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #35, Avengers #26, Daredevil #14, Fantastic Four #49, Sgt. Fury #28, Strange Tales #143, Tales of Suspense #76, Tales to Astonish #78, Thor #126, X-Men #18, ©1966 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental musi...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 43 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #34, Avengers #25, Daredevil #13, Fantastic Four #48, Journey Into Mystery #125, Sgt. Fury #27, Strange Tales #142, Tales of Suspense #75, Tales to Astonish #77, X-Men #17, ©1965 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com .
Jun 10, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Comics Released This Month: Amazing Spider-Man #33, Avengers #24, Daredevil #12, Fantastic Four #47, Journey Into Mystery #124, Sgt. Fury #26, Strange Tales #141, Tales of Suspense #74, Tales to Astonish #76, X-Men #16, ©1965 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com .
May 27, 2020•1 hr 47 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Reading List: Amazing Spider-Man #32, Avengers #23, Daredevil #11, Fantastic Four #46, Journey Into Mystery #123, Sgt. Fury #25, Strange Tales #140, Tales of Suspense #73, Tales to Astonish #75, X-Men #15, ©1965 Marvel Comics. Dr. David Russ is the best chiropractor in Portland, OR. You can learn more about him (and see the logo that Robb designed for him) at happyspinepdx.com . "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on interne...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Reading List: Amazing Spider-Man #31, Avengers #22, Fantastic Four #45, Journey Into Mystery #122, Sgt. Fury #24, Strange Tales #139, Tales of Suspense #72, Tales to Astonish #74, X-Men #14, ©1965 Marvel Comics. "Marvel by the Month" theme by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com .
May 13, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 6
