We visit a rare Frank Miller interview from 1982 and go inside the mind of an absolute master of the craft. From his early days learning from Neal Adams to the origins & inspiration for Elektra to Miller’s portrayal of violence, this one is packed with drama and insight! Learn why he Miller sought to differentiate Daredevil from Spider Man & Batman! Also - the birth of Marvel’s lucrative royalty system!
Taking it all the way back to 1992 and THAT controversial cover and THAT controversial creator and THAT controversial interview! Or was it?? All hands on deck for Liefeld Vs. Wizard Vs. Marvel Vs. Image!
Since it’s inception, Star Trek has been prominent in tv, movies, comics & toys. Rob looks at his own journey with Star Trek across the decades and tells you why the best Star Trek comic book features the X-Men!
What era you first encounter an artist can establish how you feel and relate to their work. Rob shares a rare comic that provided multiple first encounters with talents that would go on to be super-stars! Also, The Comic Book & Collectible Marketplace!
The comic that saved Marvel! The original Marvel comic book adaptation of Star Wars gets the full Robtopsy examination! The historical relevance of the comic book Stan Lee didn’t want to publish is revealed! How taking a chance on an unknown “Space Opera” turned the fortunes of a publishing company on the brink! The scenes that didn’t make the film, the legendary creators and much, much more!
Superman is racing towards the Public Domain as fast as a speeding bullet? When he arrives, if he arrives, what exactly will be available? Rob is sharpening his pencils in anticipation of creating his own Superman adventures, should you?
A discussion of the fire that sparks conflict and ignites creativity!
As Marvel celebrates 60 years of The X-Men, Rob looks back on the first ever X-Men spin-off, The New Mutants. From an early 80’s interview, discover Chris Claremont’s initial outlook for the book and its inspirations as well as lost storylines & characters that were never realized!
Another Robtopsy is performed, this time on one of the greatest runs in the history of comic books! As The X-Men fight to survive Magneto and later, the dangers of The Savage Land, multiple historical achievements are unlocked! This period of the X-Men set the stage for all that followed and remains a favorite among both casual fans and die-hards! Rob examines all the milestones by this storied creative team!
Welcome to the Madness of March! There’s no basketball or gambling involved but a revelation of serious comic book cornerstones that were achieved during the month of March across the decades! Spider Man, Batman, Flash and more! Get ready to count it down with Rob!
Introducing The Robtopsy ! Where we examine and dissect a particular body of work, revealing its historical & cultural impact! The patient this week is The Fantastic Four of the 1970’s, a far different version from any that had come before! Sue Richards was no longer a member, she was divorcing Reed and an Inhuman had taken her place! The author was celebrated for ending the Silver Age of comics, ushering in a more adult and mature era. There is much to discuss in this very special edition o...
It’s a double bill as we examine the origins of todays most popular trope, the grizzled warrior, the young ward and the treacherous journey across dangerous terrain! The Last Of Us! The Mandalorian! Road To Perdition!! Bonus - Comic Book Feuds:Barry Smith, Part 3! No One Is Safe!
The 90’s was a time of Femme Fatales! Women Warriors ruled the charts pushing the big brawn to the side as fans favored a new age of Lady Liberators! Witchblade! Lady Death! Shi! Avengelyne! Glory! Plus - Major Podcast Announcement!
Today it’s a time for reflection as we give respect to “The Source” expanding our awareness of Marvel & DC comic book tropes and their various origins! We discuss the X-Men’s infamous “Outback” era and how it compares to other periods in Marvel Mutant History!
It’s time for our annual Macho Awards! Join as we celebrate the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Batman! Joker! Top Gun! Yellowstone and so much more!
A look at the very best twists and turns in the history of comic books & movies! An in depth study at the “Plot Armor” that provides the best payoffs! Marvel! DC! Image! Star Wars! X-Men! Batman! Invincible!
Rob breaks down how the cinematic treatment of comic books and their extraordinary success over the last two decades have taken characters from the cellar all the way to the penthouse! Little known titles have become household names!
30 years ago, Marvel teamed with James Cameron, fresh off his blockbuster T2 success, to make a Spider Man film that never happened. Rob performs the autopsy of how it all fell apart! Learn why the greatest movie never made failed to materialize!
The filming of a series of ground breaking new videos hosted by Stan Lee provides the backdrop for an announcement that would change comic books forever!
We launch our Then & Now series with a spotlight on industry Titan, Todd McFarlane! From a rare 1993 interview Todd shares his views on Variant covers, Spin-Offs and Cross-Overs. Many of these opinions are in stark contrast to McFarlane practices of 2023, find out what has changed and why!
We wrap up our series with even more Manga Madness, examining many of the works influenced by the Mighty Manga Boom. BATTLE CHASERS! WARLANDS! SOUL SAGA!! Also, we reveal untold secrets from Heroes Reborn, the original plans prior to the disruption from the Marvel Bankruptcy of 1996!
It’s time to talk about Manga! The popularity of Manga & Anime continues to surge, especially with young audiences. Rob takes you back to the 80’s as Manga first broke thru with western audiences in mainstream hits like Akira! Appleseed! Ghost In The Shell! Bastard! A new generation of Manga influenced artists took the 90’s by storm!
Stephen King is one of the most celebrated authors of our time, one of the most accomplished imaginations in all of pop culture! While many of his works have been adapted in comic book format, none come close to this classic work from Marvel in the 80’s!
Marvel & DC have a long history with shirtless warriors, Killraven, Kamandi, Tor, Claw, Ka-Zar among the many who have struggled to stay relevant! Towering talents such as Neal Adams, Joe Kubert, Jack Kirby, John Buscema and more have contributed, trying to break the trend, with decidedly mixed results! The Struggle Is Real!! Plus - an update on the comic book marketplace!
Batman! The most popular comic book character of all time, his look and appeal have been shaped by a number of visionary talents across the decades. Rob names the legendary artists who have defined his look and portrayal, bolstering his popularity over the years.
We wrap our most recent Comic Book Feuds as the popular Marvel and X-Men illustrator known as Barry, continues to take on the world, comic books and beyond! Paul McCartney, John Buscema, Steranko and more are caught in his critical sights! Just how grumpy can one man be? Prepare to find out!
Who’s Barry you ask? Barry’s road to stylistic influencer took decades, but once he arrived, his presence at Marvel was staggering. Barry goes off on everyone in the first of a two part interview excerpt. Also, James Gunn takes over DC Films, what should we expect?
What happens when one generation of talent replaces another, garnering the spotlight & praise, routinely topping the charts that were once dominated by the previous era? Seldom does the older generation go quietly and, in the case of John Byrne, he takes aim with the Image Comics gang, specifically Todd McFarlane…repeatedly! Hang on for a crazy installment of Comic Book Feuds!
Comic Stores are the backbone of the comic book industry! Chances are you encountered your favorite comic book character or issue at a local comic book retailer, Rob offers support for all stores and some memories of great comic store experiences! Also, Critical Acclaim? What’s it worth anyway?
We return to the way back machine and visit 2002, where licensed properties filled the creative void in comic books! Transformers! Thundercats! G.I. Joe! Buffy! Planet Of The Apes! Nostalgia fever was all the rage, fueling the culture as Marvel & DC regained their footing in the new millennium! Also, the movies, tv & music from 20 years back!
