Comic Timing Podcast

The Blue Team of Ian, Brent, Raph, Donovan, Brandon, Kris and Jamal are back at it to talk about Marvel’s conclusion to Phase Five, and the unexpected tentpole of what’s to come, Thunderbolts*. Spoilers abound as they discuss the nuances of the film as well as the team’s comic book origins, who the heck Bob is, how Marvel subverted our expectations in more than one way and how they made us care about these particular characters through the exploration of mental health, the joy that is Florence Pugh, Pullman and Russell: TNG, the father daughter relationship between Alexi and Yelena, how MCU Contessa is basically just Victoria Hand, where we rank this in post-Endgame movie releases, the thoughtful dickery that is John Walker, Congressman Bucky, and tons more*. *Okay fine, we address the asterisk and how even that has multiple meanings. We also start with thoughts on this year’s Free Comic Book Day and FBCD in general, discover a new library of comics you can read from the library via the Comics Plus [https://comicsplusapp.com/] app, and we conclude with some recent reads! And here’s the video version: You can support future releases of Comic Timing and get in on the occasional early releases of the show at http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming [http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming]. Video versions of most episodes are at http://youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast [http://youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast], so go ahead and subscribe if you haven’t already done so. You can also follow Comic Timing on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/ [https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast [http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast]. And please, if you can, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comic-timing-podcast/id168365960]; it helps attract new listeners! Finally, you can join in on the conversation at our Comic Timing Fans group [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FjUyXpTmU/] on Facebook, which is a great place to hang out and talk comics. Follow Ian on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/iamscifi.bsky.social], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.instagram.com/i_am_scifi]. Brent posts regularly to YouTube on his channel, BK’s Bullets [https://www.youtube.com/bksbullets] and can be found on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kossinab.bsky.social]; Raph is on Twitch at RaphDoesStuff [https://www.twitch.tv/raphdoesstuff], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/raphdoesstuff/], and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/raphdoesstuff.bsky.social]. Kris is lampbane [https://bsky.app/profile/lampbane.bsky.social] on Bluesky, here’s the article Kris wrote [https://www.engadget.com/comic-industry-shutdown-173013121.html] about the comic book industry in 2020, and you can check out her various other works at http://linktr.ee/krisnaudus [http://linktr.ee/krisnaudus]. Donovan is on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/donomark.bsky.social], writes for DC’s blog and The Batman Universe [https://thebatmanuniverse.net/author/donovan-grant/], and check out his podcast, Questions: We Don’t Have Answers [https://qnoanswers.com/]. Brandon is on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/thedabbadon.bsky.social] and Twitch [https://www.twitch.tv/atomikagames], and will be running a panel at Kaiju Brooklyn [https://www.kaijubrooklyn.com/] on May 31st! And finally, Jamal is https://bsky.app/profile/jamaligle.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/jamaligle.bsky.social], https://www.instagram.com/jamaliglecomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/jamaliglecomics/] and of course https://jamaligle.com/ [https://jamaligle.com/]. Thanks for listening, we’ll catch you next time, and as always, there’s always time for comics!

Today, May 1st 2025, is Comic Timing’s 19th Anniversary. To celebrate, we’re re-airing our 10th anniversary episode! But first, Ian gives updates on Diamond Distributors incredibly tumultuous sale process, including Alliance Entertainment terminating its purchase [https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59420/more-alliance-entertainment-termination-back-up-bid], suing Diamond [https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59432/alliance-entertainment-sues-diamond-again] over false representation, and the final winner of the bankruptcy being a combined bid by Universal Distribution and Ad Populum [https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59443/universal-gets-alliance-ad-populum-gets-diamond-comic-et-al]. He also gives props to Comic News Insider on their 1600th episode, and to Charlito for his amazing print [https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/494173083_1361500975650455_1745132095359859075_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=1wBZ7T5F3X4Q7kNvwGXuGky&_nc_oc=Adm4BYOobsLk_My-I_drF7dMo54fHG818TFhuy8uG3b5MFOSiqev70va8KU4DZp4IWo&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=5ksRSRcnUgtIttBPbwRE3g&oh=00_AfHGAUeP6TFEHP8bKkc0r0Yj5EwiAP48pG0P6WHvw1dz7g&oe=68196F7E] he created for CGS’ 20th. Then, we transition into Episode 179, which was the first time Chris Eberle, Adam Murdough and Shane Kelly appeared on Comic Timing as a group! They join Ian and Brent in a full conversation on collecting comics that remains quite relevant today, nine years later. Time stamps: Diamond Distributors updates: 0:03:32 CNI 1600 and Charlito’s print: 0:11:57 Episode 179: 0:15:26 You can support future releases of Comic Timing and get in on the occasional early releases of the show at http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming [http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming]. Video versions of the show, as well as occasional shorts and other goodies are available at https://www.youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast]. Follow Comic Timing on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/ [https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/], on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@comictimingpodcast [https://www.threads.net/@comictimingpodcast] and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast [http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast]. And please, if you can, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comic-timing-podcast/id168365960]; it helps attract new listeners! Finally, we have a Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/21048820692] that is thriving nicely. If you’d like to join, do so! Follow Ian on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.twitter.com/i_am_scifi], on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/iamscifi.bsky.social], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@i_am_scifi], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.instagram.com/i_am_scifi]. Thanks for listening as always, we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and we will catch you all next time! And as always, there’s always time for comics!

Back at it again with that Previews magic! To start, Ian and Murd talk the final final final (for now) results [https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/economy/diamond-comic-sold-lawsuit-HRF5F6JFWFCCNBFNVOJX6GWWGA/] of the Diamond Distributors purchase, as Alliance Entertainment has officially closed the deal after a last minute attempt at shenanigans by Diamond and their secondary bid. Then we delve into the multiple catalogs, including quick comments on Lunar’s catalog for TwoMorrow’s content, and a little bit of Penguin Random House’s very hard to read catalog. As for the usual suspects, we have Image Catalog Issue 6, DC Connect issue 59, Marvel Previews Vol 6 issue 43, and Diamond Previews issue 439, with books mainly set for June 2025 release. Highlights include Dynamite’s fever dream known only as Thundercats Powerpuff Girls, Brian K Vaughn and Nico Henrichson’s Spectators, Image’s foray into oversized with their Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition, the conclusion of Michel Fiffe’s Copra, a whole lot of Godzilla in various forms as IDW, Marvel AND DC all get in on the game, Mark Waid’s New History of the DC Universe, the temporary return of Rainbow Rowell’s Runaways, Top Shelf’s It Rhymes with Takei, and so much more. Time stamps: Diamond acquisition talk: 0:01:41 It Rhymes with Takei: 0:09:26 Image Comics: 0:12:56 Dynamite: 0:46:05 Titan: 0:58:50 DC: 1:06:57 Marvel: 1:44:41 Back of the Book: 2:24:42 Two Morrows: 3:01:34 Manga: 3:03:13 You can support future releases of Comic Timing and get in on the occasional early releases of the show at http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming [http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming]. Video versions of the show, as well as occasional shorts and other goodies are available at https://www.youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@comictimingpodcast]. Follow Comic Timing on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/ [https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/], on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@comictimingpodcast [https://www.threads.net/@comictimingpodcast] and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast [http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast]. And please, if you can, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comic-timing-podcast/id168365960]; it helps attract new listeners! Finally, we have a Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/21048820692] that is thriving nicely. If you’d like to join, do so! Follow Ian on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.twitter.com/i_am_scifi], on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/iamscifi.bsky.social], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@i_am_scifi], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.instagram.com/i_am_scifi]. Thanks for listening as always, we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and we will catch you all next time! And as always, there’s always time for comics!

Gold Team, unite! It has been way too long since Ian, Chris Eberle, Shane and Murd got together for a loosey goosey, catch-up comics conversation, so we bring that to you this very episode. Highlights include Shane being all the closer to completing his full Justice League run and some general conversation on complete runs the others own. Chris talks Jason Aaron’s Namor series, Mark Waid’s Batman and Robin: Year One as well as his upcoming New History of the DC Universe [https://www.dc.com/blog/2025/03/19/new-history-of-the-dc-universe-new-four-issue-series-provides-a-fresh-take-on-the-dcu], the new GI Joe series from Image/Skybound, Black Canary: Best of the Best, a reread of Brubaker and Phillips’ Criminal, and Roy Thomas’ return to Savage Sword of Conan. Murd goes retro, as he tends to do, and brings forth Sandman Mystery Theater Compendium One by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle and The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, plus something much more modern in Jonesy out of Boom Studios. Ian brings media to the table as he reviews The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, as well as the complete first season of Batman: Caped Crusader, and Season Five of Harley Quinn; plus a dalliance into theater with BOOP! The Musical. Then Shane finished us out with some toy talk, and thoughts on Mark Waid’s Justice League Unlimited, The Atom Project, whether we actually needed a Hush 2 and The Question: All Along the Watchtower, and we mention the passing of Val Kilmer and what his works meant to us. And more! Here’s the video version up on YouTube: You can support future releases of Comic Timing and get in on the occasional early releases of the show at http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming [http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming]. You can also follow Comic Timing on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/ [https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast [http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast]. And please, if you can, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comic-timing-podcast/id168365960]; it helps attract new listeners! Finally, you can join in on the conversation at our Comic Timing Fans group [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FjUyXpTmU/] on Facebook, which is a great place to hang out and talk comics. Follow Ian on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/iamscifi.bsky.social], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.instagram.com/i_am_scifi]. And check out Brent’s YouTube channel, BK’s Bullets [https://www.youtube.com/bksbullets]. Thanks for listening, we’ll catch you next time, and as always, there’s always time for comics!

Ian, Brent, Kris and Donovan return for the back half of their recent marathon recording. This time, Kris and Ian give their thoughts on the first nine issues (aka what was available on Marvel Unlimited at the time) of Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men run, based on varying degrees of response from different portions of the Interwebs. Does the run feel like the X-Men according to two longtime readers of the franchise? Will we someday remember the names of Calico, Deathdream, Ransom and Jitter outside of this run? The verdict is still out. We then deviate into a eye-opening conversation of what actually makes comic book art “modern” by today’s standards in the eyes of the “Youths,” and just how much color theory can make that determination. Finally, we conclude with some recent reads. Time codes: Kris and Ian talk Gail Simone’s Uncanny X-Men: 0:02:57 What makes comic art “modern?”: 0:25:00 Recent reads: 0:49:51 And here’s the YouTube version with full video: You can support future releases of Comic Timing and get in on the occasional early releases of the show at http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming [http://www.patreon.com/ComicTiming]. You can also follow Comic Timing on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/comictiming.bsky.social], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/ [https://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming/], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast [http://instagram.com/comictimingpodcast]. And please, if you can, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comic-timing-podcast/id168365960]; it helps attract new listeners! Finally, you can join in on the conversation at our Comic Timing Fans group [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FjUyXpTmU/] on Facebook, which is a great place to hang out and talk comics. Follow Ian on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/iamscifi.bsky.social], and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/i_am_scifi [https://www.instagram.com/i_am_scifi]. Brent posts regularly to YouTube on his channel, BK’s Bullets [https://www.youtube.com/bksbullets] and has a Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kossinab.bsky.social] of his own now due to peer pressure; Kris is lampbane [https://bsky.app/profile/lampbane.bsky.social] on Bluesky, and you can check out her various other works at http://linktr.ee/krisnaudus [http://linktr.ee/krisnaudus]. And Donovan is on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/donomark.bsky.social], writes for DC’s blog and The Batman Universe [https://thebatmanuniverse.net/author/donovan-grant/], and check out his podcast, Questions: We Don’t Have Answers [https://qnoanswers.com/]. Thanks for listening, we’ll catch you next time, and as always, there’s always time for comics!