Modern X-fans — even those who dislike it — agree that the recent era of X-comics, depicting the rise and now fall of the Krakoan nation-state, is a grand, far-reaching change to mutant history. You might say — as several fans and journalists have all but said — that it represents the greatest X-change since…
We’re back to the three series we’ve been covering arc by arc. This time, Will actually likes a Grant Morrison story in his run on Batman! The Penguin has a rough day in No Man’s Land! And a reasonable number of artists draw an arc of Injustice! It’s a miracle all around! Well, except for…
Three pride specials from both of the Big Two companies, two CXF regulars with a lot to say about them. Welcome to Part 2 of our Pride issue coverage. This time we’re focusing on DC Pride 2023. Check out Part 1 here. Sean: So DC’s Pride special was the obvious winner of Pride 2023, if…
They stalk the night. When they have your name, you are as good as dead, so pray that you never draw their attention. They are the League of Assassins. Whether they serve Ra’s al Ghul, his daughter Talia, the Sensei or any other master, the League has been a thorn in the side of Batman…
Of all superheroes, Batman seems to have spawned more characters that are dark reflections of him than any other. Sure, Superman has Bizarro, and Spider-Man has Venom, but Batman has a legion of the them: Killer Moth, Bane, Hush, Owlman (the Lincoln March one), Wrath, Prometheus. There are enough to fill multiple episodes, so we…
Damian Wayne remains a character who is controversial around these parts; Will can’t stand him, and Matt, well, Damian’s the kid who beat up Tim Drake, so there remains some beef there. But there are all sorts of stories of Damian, and many of them are stories of Damian in possible futures or alternate worlds,…
This week, we’re returning to three series/arcs/runs that we have started in previous episodes. See Batman rub testosterone all over himself in the next arc of Grant Morrisons’ Batman. Witness the Scarecrow play mind games in the second arc of “No Man’s Land.” And gaze in wonder as Alfred beats the ever loving hell out…
I first read Agent of W.O.R.L.D.E. #1 (along with its second) last year, back when it was called C.H.A.O.S. Agent. At the time, I was finishing up a teaching certificate program with the University of Connecticut (Hartford). Back then, I was working as a student teacher at Eastern Middle School in Riverside, CT. Most days,…
It’s a New X-Men party as we celebrate Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely’s time on New X-Men. Also some other artists that kill the whole vibe. Ranked This Episode: New X-Men #117-120 (Germ Free Generation) New X-Men #121 (Silence: Psychic Rescue In Progress) New X-Men #122-126 (Imperial)
We’ve talked about them before on multiple episodes, but few writers cast a longer shadow over the canon of Batman than Grant Morrison. Big ideas, dark stories and characters that are polarizing are central to Morrison’s opus on Batman. This week, Matt & Will read three Batman stories by Morrison, one from before their long…
We’ve already had one episode dedicated entirely to the origin of Dick Grayson, the first Robin. Now it’s time to move on to stories featuring the early days of three of the next Robins (no, we’re not taking part in Stephanie Brown erasure; she’ll just get a focus in a Batgirls episode, we promise). See…
It is a mad house. It is the home to terror, both supernatural and all too irrational. Arkham Asylum is one of the most recognizable locales in Gotham City, if not the entire DC Universe. This week, as “Shadows of the Bat,” the tale of the new Arkham Tower, begins in Detective Comics, Matt &…
He’s Batman’s greatest nemesis. He is as mutable as his foe, appearing sometimes as a whacky criminal clown, sometimes as a terrifying homicidal maniac, and sometimes as an urban terrorist. He is the Joker. And this week, Matt and Will look at three single issue Joker stories in their first villain spotlight episode. The Joker’s…
While the Superman of Earth Prime gets ready for Warworld, over in other Earths, other Superman have more classic villains to face – and Brainiac’s the brains behind it all. An older Superman and his recruits thwart Brainiac’s varied contingency plans, truly coming together as a team for the first time in the conclusion to…
Superman and his new team battle June Moon’s inner demons to get the Enchantress on the team – leaving just one member left to be recruited. Before the team can get to young icon Lightray, however, Superman’s old enemies rear their ugly heads (and uglier brains) for an all-out attack! Superman and the Authority #3…