In 1991 Marvel relaunched the X-Men #1 title book with exciting collaboration of writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee to become the world's best selling comic book of all time. The time at Marvel during Jim Lee's beginnings brought about a new era of art style that sets a new dynamic for the comic book industry going forward. This would also go on to inspire the designs of the X-Men Animated series that was huge success of Saturday Morning Cartoons. During this podcast we review the massive oversized collected edition of X-MEN XXL by Jim Lee to study the art that highlights some of the mo ..read more

Fables are defined as a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters. However, if we deepen the mythology behind these iconic characters such as The Big Bad Wolf, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jack & The Bean Stalk to give them human characteristics to compliment their magical/fantasy traits set in a human society where they live together, that is what the brilliant writer Bill Willingham sets his epic tale to be. With a mix of mature themes with fairy tales, Fables does an excellent job of brining to light mythical stories of old, with new insig ..read more

The story of the great George Takei goes beyond his career of Star Trek, into his early beginnings growing up in America during the 1940s. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott with art by Harmony Becker tells the real life experiences Takei lived through during WWII when Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps in the United States during the aftermath of Pearl Harbor until the war was over. With the help of Takei's mother and father, George and his family were able to persevere through this era of traumatic uncertainly that forever changed the liv ..read more

BAM POW COMIC HOUR PODCAST RETURNS TO THE STUDIO! Hello True Believers, were back from our extended break returning to the universe to bring you exciting new comic book collected edition and graphic novel conversations. Superman Space Age written by Mark Russell and art Michael Allred with colors by Laura Allred is BAM POW Comic Hour's 2023 book of the year. Like many retellings of Superman's origin story, Superman Space Age does explain the origins as the Man of Steel from out space who learns about who he is and why is Superman. The unique twist that this creative team is set with a backgrou ..read more

For mature readers. Michael Moran speaks the magic works Kimota! and turns into the most powerful superhero the world has ever known, Miracleman. Where did he come from and what are his intentions? After a 18 year hiatus from a world altering a event Miracleman returns to save the day once again, but the world isn't same as it used to be. We review the Miracleman Omnibus that collects A Dream of Flying, The Red King Syndrome and Olympus as well as other various related stories and extras. In 1982 this 3 party story was written by the uncredited writer of Alan Moore along with art by Gary Leach ..read more

Is there a Gotham City without Batman? Gotham Central written in collaboration by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker gives us a unique perspective from the detectives of G.C.P.D Major Crimes Unit. This anthology of cohesively written stories establishes the detectives that are hitting the streets, and searching for answers to crimes living in the shadow of Batman. These characters struggle with fighting for legitimacy, while doing their jobs before Batman can swoop in to save the day. The G.C.P.D fights to answer the question how villains' are made as they combat not only villain's from Batman's histo ..read more

In celebration of Guardians of the Galaxy 3, we wanted to share our review one of the comic book runs featuring the comic adventuring team that the movie trilogy is based on. Writers Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett were instrumental in reigniting Marvel's Cosmic Universe with Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest. After this in-universe cross over event they took some of the surviving characters and reintroduced them as a team in their own title Guardians of the Galaxy in 2008. This group features Star-Lord, Gamora, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Mantis, Drax the Destroyer and Adam Warlock a ..read more

Saga is the story of parenthood as told in the most dramatic, space soap opera, action packed blockbuster, science fiction tale ever told. Written from acclaimed writer Brian K. Vaughan and co-created with illustrations by Fiona Staples, this creative team crafts a world around a young family of two different races who are trying to rasie their child in a war torn universe. There is everything from bounty hunters to politicians who are chasing after them to bring them to justice. This is for mature readers. However, we do recommend the 3 hardcover Image Deluxe editions books as well as support ..read more

Grant Morrison takes on one of the most forgotten heroes of the 1960s and reinvents him in only in the way Morrison can. Buddy Baker, has the power to imitate any animal's ability that he can sense around him. This leads to him joining the fight for animal rights, while still taking up the duties of being a superhero in the DC Universe and being a father/husband to his family . However, when the secrets of Buddy's past begin to arise the question remains who is behind all the evil going on around him. We recommend this story as one of the key Grant Morrison comic book runs that explains his un ..read more

Stanley wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist and create heroes and villains for the comic books he loves so much. After a crazy turn of events, Stanley’s heroes come alive! And so does the dreaded super-villain Doctor Shock Clock. It is up to Stanley to save the day with his own superheroes — charismatic but egotistical Star Guy, speedy Triple Time, environmentally correct Blossom, and cranky little Wombat Woman! Buy Tickets at https://janesvillepac.org/box-office/?eid=87954&edid=0 March 17-19, 2023 at the Janesville Performing Arts Center ..read more