Unboxing January's Box from Comic Bento!

I've never done a blind buy subscription service and I've never done an unboxing video! Comic Bento, which offers a monthly box of graphic novels and trades grouped by theme, seemed like my kind of service, so let's dig in. What did I get?

Podcasts: "End of the Universe" Examines DC Crossovers from 'Zero Hour' to 'Flashpoint'

It's the second half of our 2-part discussion on the history of DC Comics' crossover events! You can listen to Part 1 here, where we start with Crisis on Infinite Earths all the way up to Knightfall. In this episode, we pick up with 1994's Zero Hour and get all the way up to Flashpoint, the event that birthed the New 52.

I need to offer a bit of self-correction upon my going back and listening to what we said. I mention Zero Hour aging Alan Scott into an elderly man when in reality, Scott was spruced up as a new (somewhat youthful) hero named Sentinel. He didn't get old via Zero Hour like his peers Wildcat or Starman did. The second thing is that has me self-flagellating is the fact that I didn't mention how Zero Hour provided me a terrific jump-on into the world of Legion through the titles Legion of Super-Heroes and Legionnaires. Those books were great, and appreciate DC creating such a welcoming way to get acquainted with that world. I was also really into R.E.B.E.L.S. because of Zero Hour, but I acknowledge that few loved that book as much as me. Also, I should've mentioned Xenobrood to Moises, if I was going to mention forgotten books like Primal Force.

Listen along here or subscribe to Giant Size via iTunes (or your favorite Podcast aggregator).

Podcasts: Deep Dive into DC Comics' Crossovers with "Your World Is Going to be Destroyed!"

Been a while since I updated, in part because of changes to the CMS that meant I had to take a hot second to re-learn the system, but HERE WE ARE. Back.

In this first part of a giant-sized Giant Size two-parter, host Moises Chuillan and I go through the history of DC Comics' crossover events - from Crisis on Infinite Earths all the way through to the birth of the New 52. This was inspired by announcements from both Marvel and DC that they are resetting their comic book universes this Summer to entice people who are intimidated by comic books that have been around for more than a year or two. Yes, that is snark. But, never fear, the show - as usual - is snark-free! You'll like it!

Stay tuned for Part 2...

Listen along here or subscribe to Giant Size via iTunes (or your favorite Podcast aggregator).

Podcasts: Marvel Slate Explored in "Permission to Kill Thanos"

Marvel finally formally announced all of those long-rumored new films they've been circling - The Inhumans, Black Panther, Captain Marvel (not in that order) - and gave us a timeline for stuff like Doctor Strange, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War. In this episode of Giant Size, host Moises Chiullan and myself go after the starting points for people interested in these characters and storylines. We also dust off an interview with Captain Marvel writer Kelly Sue DeConnick, who discusses the importance of heroes like Carol Danvers.

Listen along here or subscribe to Giant Size via iTunes.

The conversation continues directly into Infinity Gauntlet spoiler territory in an episode of Test Pattern. Moises and I talk about where the line might be drawn between Avengers 3 and 4 and why the Marvel announcements draw more optimism than the Warners/DC announcements.

Listen along here or subscribe to Test Pattern via iTunes.

Podcasts: 'Homicide in Gotham' Explores Batman Comics Without Batman

First things first - a correction. In this episode, I describe Arkham Manor #1 completely wrong in advance of its release. Now that it's out, I can tell you that the book is actually about the patients of Arkham being moved into Wayne Manor (with Bruce having lost the house due to events in Batman Eternal) and Batman going deep cover into the asylum to keep an eye on things.

It actually doesn't end up fitting in with the theme discussed in the episode, Batman books without Batman in them. So...It's a good thing that host Moises Chiullan and myself, along with guest David Loehr, spend most of our time talking about police procedural Gotham Central, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, and just what sets Gotham apart from, say, Keystone City. Peppered throughout this episode is the voice of writer Ed Brubaker (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Fatale), whose own work on Gotham Central went on to inspire the new Gotham television series.

Listen along here or subscribe to Giant Size via iTunes.

Podcasts: Kevin Maguire Talks About His Work in "The Henry Silva of Portland"

Best known as one of the definitive Justice League artists, Kevin Maguire continues to impress audiences with his expressive character work and crystal-clear storytelling. I'd use the words "Living Legend," but there's too much in Maguire's tank yet to start throwing around phrases typically reserved for the retired and semi-retired. On this episode of Giant Size, Moises Chuillan and I talk about everything with Maguire -- his signature crowd shot, his collaborations with Giffen/DeMatties and Fabian Nicieza, 1998's Godzilla, Penthouse Comix, and the general state of the industry. This was a "bucket list" interview for me, so I hope you enjoy it.

Listen along here or subscribe to Giant Size via iTunes.