Panel Chewing Pick of the Week: Chaos, Cults & Capes | Episode 130

Panel Chewing #133: The Odyssey, Hyde Street, and Lone Wolf and Cub Vol 2

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week, Steve and Jarrod dive into another packed week of comics, graphic novels, and manga. They discuss the disappointing return of Capes #7, the intriguing mystery behind The Fury of Firestorm #2, and whether Honor and Curse Eternal #3 continues to build momentum. Jarrod shares his thoughts on Megalith: The Olympus Saga #1 and revisits Ender's Game through its graphic novel adaptation, while Steve explores the latest issues of The Peril of the Brutal Dark, King Spawn, Pretty Hate Machine, and Red Roots. For their Picks of the Week, Jarrod highlights Gareth Hinds' stunning deluxe adaptation of The Odyssey, while Steve champions the latest issue of Geiger/Hyde Street as one of the strongest books currently on shelves. The episode wraps up with the ongoing group read of Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 2: The Gateless Barrier, where they discuss the series' unique storytelling, philosophical themes, historical Japanese culture, and why this classic manga continues to impress decades after its original publication. Join the conversation, read along with the group, and let us know what your pick of the week was! Keep Page Chewing Ad Free [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9E] Books discussed (Amazon Affiliate links): Capes 7 [https://amzn.to/4flBDdA] The Fury of Firestorm 2 [https://amzn.to/4omptnj] Honor and Curse Eternal 3 [https://amzn.to/4dKcyb2] Megalith 1 [https://amzn.to/4x30itz] The Peril of the Brutal Dark 4 [https://amzn.to/49BQD3g] King Spawn 55 [https://amzn.to/434Zjvr] Pretty Hate Machine 2 [https://amzn.to/4dIQPAb] Enders Game [https://amzn.to/4dSJyOt] Red Roots 2 [https://amzn.to/4fmhpQY] The Odyssey [https://amzn.to/4vtksvr] Hyde Street 12 [https://amzn.to/4x06MJO] Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 2 [https://amzn.to/434ZKWB] Podcast equipment used (Amazon Affiliate links): Rodecaster Duo [Rodecaster Duo] Rode PSA1+ Professional Studio Arm [https://amzn.to/49zzxD3] Rode Procaster Microphone [https://amzn.to/4uMVqaA]

Panel Chewing #132: Comic Reviews, Lone Wolf & Cub Begins + Pick of the Week

After a short break, Panel Chewing is back—and we’ve got a stacked episode to make up for lost time. This week, we’re diving into a massive haul of comics, breaking down everything we’ve been reading lately, from standout hits to a few disappointing misses. We kick things off with Absolute Superman #19, discussing its balance of spectacle and character development, before moving into the surreal and visually stunning Absolute Martian Manhunter #11. From there, we hit some mixed territory with Absolute Batman #20 and a few titles that didn’t quite stick the landing. On the flip side, there are some real highlights—Astro Quantum #4 continues to impress (with a realization that changes how we see the entire story), while Terror Bites #6 ramps up its overarching narrative in a big way. We also talk new releases, surprising reads, and a few books that completely fell off the rails. And of course, we wrap things up with Jarrod’s Pick of the Week: Sacrificers #21—a powerful and visually stunning finale to an epic fantasy series. Finally, we introduce our new group read: Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1, available free on Libby and Hoopla. If you’ve ever wanted to jump into a classic manga, now’s the perfect time to read along with us.

Page Burners: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson - Prologue, Chapters 1 & 2

In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of The Bonehunters, the sixth installment in Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Covering the prologue through Chapter 2, we unpack a dense and chaotic start that reminds us just how wild this series can get. From the eerie, spider-infested streets of Kartool to the unsettling rituals of the Nameless Ones, the episode explores the darker tone and shifting stakes that define this point in the series. We break down the chilling release of Dejim Nebrahl, speculate on the motives of the Nameless Ones, and question whether they’re agents of balance—or something far more dangerous. We also spend time with standout character introductions and returns, including the unforgettable Hellian (who somehow steals every scene), the mysterious Barathol Mekhar, and a surprisingly emotional look at Apsalar’s current state. Along the way, we discuss how The Bonehunters begins to pull together threads from across the series, signaling a turning point where everything starts to converge. If you’re reading along, next episode will cover Chapters 3 and 4—so get ready, because things are only getting more intense from here.

Page Burners: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. - Chapters 4, 5 & Epilogue

In this episode of Page Burners, we wrap up our discussion of Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont, covering Chapters 4, 5, and the epilogue—and there’s a lot to unpack. From the mysterious Stormriders to the shadowy aftermath of Kellenved and Dancer’s ascension, we dive into what wasn’t shown just as much as what was. Does the book’s decision to keep major events off-page strengthen its mythic tone, or leave the story feeling incomplete? We spend time breaking down Kiska and Temper as our POV characters—whether their arcs land emotionally, and how they function within the larger Malazan Book of the Fallen universe. We also explore the shifting portrayal of characters like Tayschrenn, the lingering mystery of the Stormriders, and the role of ordinary people caught in world-changing events. Along the way, we debate expectations vs execution, the strengths and weaknesses of Esslemont’s storytelling, and whether Night of Knives truly works as a standalone—or feels more like a missing piece of a much larger puzzle. If you’ve ever wondered what really happened that night… you’re not alone. Next Episode: We begin The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson, reading through Chapter 2.

Page Burners: Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. - Chapters 3 & 4

This week on Page Burners, the group continues their journey through Night of Knives with a deep dive into Chapters 3–5. The discussion explores the book’s slower, more atmospheric middle section, the confusion and chaos of Malaz Island during Shadow Moon, and the increasingly tangled loyalties surrounding Dancer, Kellanved, Surly, and the Claw. The crew debates whether Chapter 3 drags or intentionally leans into disorientation and tension, while also unpacking personal reading pet peeves, confusing timelines, and Esslemont’s descriptive style. Things heat up once the flashbacks begin, giving us our first real look at Dasem Ultor during the fall of Y’Ghatan — including his conflict with Hood, Surly’s growing influence, and the legendary reputation that made soldiers willing to follow him into hell. Along the way, the episode also touches on Stormriders, Hairlock memes, Shadow Cultists, Dancer’s intimidating presence, and the ongoing question at the heart of Night of Knives: who actually knows what’s happening tonight on Malaz Island?