Info

Some of My Friends Read Comics

SOME OF MY FRIENDS READ COMICS is a book-club format podcast about reading the great comic book stories for the first time. On each episode, your hosts will review a classic comic book story or run, examine how well it holds up, and figure out how it fits within the grand context of comics.
RSS Feed
Some of My Friends Read Comics
2024
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2018
Dec 18, 2018

With the passing of Stan Lee, we took a look back at some of his classic origin stories in Fantastic Four #1, Amazing Fantasy #15 and Avengers #1.

We celebrated this legend’s life the only way we knew how: debating what credit he should actually receive and how much should go to Ditko & Kirby.

Then we continued Secret Wars with issue 3 in which lots of stuff maybe happened. Blink and you’ll miss it!

Next Time: Batman: A Death in the Family (Batman 426-429)

Dec 5, 2018

We’re back! After a little break, we’re picking up right where we left off with a Halloween episode in December.

We read Volume 1 of Afterlife With Archie, which of course led us to some discussion about Netflix's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and the CW's "Riverdale" TV series.

We also continue reading Secret Wars with issue 2 and Vince fills us in on how his personal Justice League is coming along.

Next Time: We remember Stan Lee with Amazing Fantasy 15, Fantastic Four #1, and Avengers #1!

Oct 10, 2018

We’ve reached the final issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths!

And as our first long-read book ends, we jump right into our next one and begin Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (yes, that’s the full title).

We look back at the entirety of DC’s first event and what it meant for comics as a whole before reading Secret Wars #1 to see what direction Marvel took for their first event.

And we’ll keep reading an issue of Secret Wars every episode to see how the story progresses!

Next Time: Afterlife with Archie

Sep 26, 2018

You want teeth? Venom’s got teeth!

As his first movie approaches release, we thought we’d read his first titular miniseries, Venom: Lethal Protector from 1993.

Venom travels through time*, fights five different versions of his own symbiote spawn, and deals with three different dudes in suits.

And we’ve got a special no-prize going out to the first listener to count all the teeth in these issues!

PLUS! We read the penultimate issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths...and it's good?

Next Time: We wrap up Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue #12 and start our next long reading project, Secret Wars (1984) #1!

 

 

*Venom does not travel through time.

Sep 12, 2018

When Batman is dead, who gets to take over Detective Comics? Batwoman!

With issue 854, Kate Kane became the star of the title and creators Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III made sure she stepped up to the plate.

It’s not often that we get to talk about werewolves and lesbian tuxedo meet-cutes in the same episode, but here we are. Join us for Batwoman: Elegy.

Also, we near the homestretch of Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue 10, as our characters abandon the issue's plot halfway through to do something way more interesting. And Wildcat once again is nowhere to be seen.

Next Time: Venom: Lethal Protector!

Aug 29, 2018

Even the undead fear… The Goon! But who is The Goon? We take a look at Eric Powell’s strange pulpy horror adventure crime comic series about a tough guy who beats up spiders and zombies and elves and cows and anyone else who needs a beating.

We’re looking at 4 issues (and a color special) that were self published by Eric Powell, but that Dark Horse later released as Volume 1 of the Goon.

We’re also getting close to the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue #9 of our continuing series.

Next Time: Batwoman: Elegy by Greg Rucka & JH Williams III

Aug 15, 2018

It’s Eisner season again! This year we took a look at the winner for best single issue, Hellboy: Krampusnacht.

But of course one issue’s not enough for us. We thought we’d also visit our old friends (and previous Eisner winners) Beasts of Burden in their team-up with Hellboy called Sacrifice before moving on to our continuing read of Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue #8. We’re two-thirds of the way through!

Next Time: The Goon

Aug 1, 2018

In this episode, we honor Steve Ditko's memory by reading one of his rare solo creations as both writer and penciller with Charloton Comics' Blue Beetle #1-5 from 1967.

These issues also featured backup stories with The Question, so we take the time to talk about some of these early Charlton characters before they made their way to the DC Universe.

Also: Crisis on Infinite Earths heats up with the double-sized Issue #7! We finally get a backstory, stakes, a villain with an understandable motive, and emotional payoff! Spoiler-alert for what happens on the cover: Supergirl dies!

Next Time: The 2018 Eisner Award winner for Best Single Issue "Hellboy: Krampusnacht"!  And we'll revisit the Beasts of Burden when they crossed over with Hellboy in 2010's "Beasts of Burden/Hellboy: Sacrifice".

Jul 18, 2018

Now that Cable and Domino have appeared on the big screen in Deadpool 2, the team of X-Force is all the more well-known.

We take a look at one of the best eras of X-Force with issues 70-75, when some of the other characters spread their wings and leave Cable behind.

And stick around afterwards for our continued read of Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue #6. Halfway there!

Next Time: We remember Steve Ditko with Blue Beetle (1967) 1-5

Jul 4, 2018

Happy 4th of July!

Last year we talked about Prez, the 1st teen president, so this year we decided to celebrate America’s upcoming reboot by reading the Prez reboot from 2015.

This time it’s a teenager named Beth Ross in the year 2036 who takes on robots, cat flu, and evil corporations like Pharmaduke.

Join us to find out if Transylvania sends any vampires again.

Plus, we continue our look into Crisis on Infinite Earths!  Things are finally starting to get good!

Next Time: We get into some classic 90s X-Men with X-Force 70-75!

Jun 20, 2018

We continue our tradition of celebrating Marvel movies by looking at the time that hero took over the Fantastic Four. This time, it's Scott Lang's turn!

The Fantastic Four have gone away for a bit and they've left some other heroes in charge of the Future Foundation to look after all those smart kids.

Ant-Man, She-Hulk, Medusa, and Miss Thing do their best in issues 4-8 of FF (the 2013 reboot) by Fraction and Allred.

The trade collection will confuse you by calling itself FF Vol 1: Fantastic Faux.

Also, we continue our look at Crisis on Infinite Earths, with Issue 4, in which...the plot continues...?

Next Time: Prez (2015)!

Jun 6, 2018

Doctor Doom loves to steal powers!

After touching on it in our last episode, we wanted to see more of his crazy schemes, so we went back to Fantastic Four 57-60 from the mid 1960s to watch him steal the Silver Surfer’s cosmic powers.

Ol’ Stan and Jack really had a good time with this one.

We also continued our read of Crisis on Infinite Earths with issue #3 which is getting slightly easier to understand. Slightly.

Next Time: FF (2012) #4-8 - "Fantastic Faux"

May 23, 2018
Infinity War "The Comic" is a little different from Infinity War "The Movie."
 
There are lots of evil doppelgangers, Adam Warlock is the most important character, and the infinity gems aren't working together (due to a previously established court ruling).
 
Galactus also shows up long enough to make a real boneheaded move. Nice going, Galactus.
 
Next Time: Dr. Doom steals the Silver Surfer's powers in Fantastic Four 57-60, by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby!
May 9, 2018

It’s a major milestone for the Man of Steel as we read the newly released Action Comics #1000, filled with stories honoring Superman as well as Brian Michael Bendis’ first story after his move from Marvel to DC.

And since we’re reading something so modern, we figured we’d take a look at various offerings from this year’s Free Comic Book Day.

AND on top of all that we’re starting our deep dive into the classic Crisis on Infinite Earths by reading the first issue. That’s a lot of stuff!

Next Time: Infinity War and Crisis on Infinite Earths #2

Apr 25, 2018

Time to head back to outer space!

After the events of Annihilation, Marvel’s reinvigorated galactic universe gets taken over by robots. Sequel time!

Annihilation: Conquest brings back Nova, Quasar, Moondragon, Star-Lord and a whole slew of outer space favorites.

Rocket and Groot make their modern debuts too. We say modern because Groot’s 1st appearance was back in Tales to Astonish #13 from 1960. But he was a little… different. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that trees will always be popular in comic books.

Next Time: Action Comics #1000, Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, Free Comic Book Day 2018 selections!

Apr 11, 2018

It’s our 3-year anniversary, so we had to continue the tradition by reading Batman: Year 3 from 1989 by Marv Wolfman with art by Pat Broderick.

No really, we had to, we’re thankful there’s no Year Four.

Originally from issues 436-439, it appears to be a story retelling Robin’s origin. And then they pasted the “Year Three” title on it. Then they changed “Three” to a "3" for some reason. Look, we don’t know.

Next Time - Annihilation: Conquest

Mar 28, 2018

Has anyone even heard of Moon Knight?

We read the first 6 issues from his ongoing series in 1980 and we’ve learned that he might be crazy or he might be dead.

Or both.

And he has multiple personalities.

He also might have werewolf blood.

There’s a lot to unpack here. Join us while we try!

Next Time: Batman: Year Three (Batman 436-439)

Mar 14, 2018

The burning question on everyone’s lips: Would Batman have been able to solve the Jack the Ripper murders?

Duh, obviously yeah.

Gotham by Gaslight, an Elseworlds tale from 1989, covers the whole story with art by pre-Hellboy Mike Mignola.

They even just made an animated movie out of it, which is different in A LOT of ways.

Next Time: Moon Knight (1980) #1-6

Feb 28, 2018

We heard that Black Panther was kind of a big deal (btw, check out last week's spoilercast about the movie), so this week we're looking at his short-lived stint as the leader of the Fantastic Four.

Written in 2007 by Dwayne McDuffie (Damage Control, Static Shock, much of the DC Animated Universe), Fantastic Four 544-550 finds the the titular team in disarray after Civil War.  Reed and Sue take a break from the team, so the newly-married T'Challa and Storm join up with Johnny and Ben to fight classic foes like the Silver Surfer and the Frightful Four.

Doctor Strange, the Watchers, and Klaw also make guest appearances!

Next Time: Gotham by Gaslight

Feb 23, 2018

Spoilers spoilers spoilers!

We have a very special episode to talk about the biggest movie in the world, Black Panther!  Was Killmonger right?  How good of a performance did young Forest Whitaker give?  Are the Oscars for Costume Design and Original Song already locked up

Special guest Marselles from The Blurred Nerds and Pixl Gods podcasts joins special guest Kimberly on this episode.  Bruce also chimes in with his favorite moments from Thor: Ragnarok

Next week, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming covering Fantastic Four 544-550 (Black Panther & Storm join the Fantastic Four)!

Feb 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re celebrating in the traditional way, which is to doubt all love right before your wedding, but go through with it anyways.

At least that’s what’s Spider-Man did, yeesh. Don’t let that loser get you down though, there are some fun Marvel Weddings to be had!

We read three of them: Reed Richard & Sue Storm (Fantastic Four Annual 3), Peter Parker & MJ (Amazing Spider-Man Annual 21), and Scott Summers & Jean Grey (X-Men 30).

Next Time: Fantastic Four 544-550 (Black Panther & Storm join the Fantastic Four)

Jan 31, 2018

Anyone else ever been in a court room, representing a ghost or maybe Spider-Man, and just dying to change into She-Hulk?

But you can’t because your boss really wants you to stay regular old Jennifer Walters? But then he screws up by letting a bunch of miniaturized super-villains escape from a high-tech prison? Yeah, me neither.

Join us as we read She-Hulk 1-6 from 2004!

Next Time: Marvel Weddings (Fantastic Four Annual #3, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, X-Men #30)

Jan 17, 2018

Aunt May. It’s really a miracle that she lived as long as she did. The woman was in her 70’s for about 30 years, always on the verge of death from some disease or another.

In 1995, writer J. M. DeMatteis agreed and finally killed her off in Amazing Spider-Man #400.

There were also a bunch of Spider-Clones running around. Don’t worry, we’ll talk about that. Of course we'll talk about that.

Next Time: She-Hulk (2004) #1-6 by Dan Slott

Jan 3, 2018

Does it count as a spoiler if it’s in the title? Jim Starlin don’t care, he does what he wants.

He and Marvel changed up their regular comic book format with The Death of Captain Marvel in 1982, the beginning of a line of original graphic novels intended to be richer stories for a more mature audience and published like traditional books.

But what kills him?!?!?! Sorry, no spoilers.

Next Time: Amazing Spider-Man #400: The Death of Aunt May

1