Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast

CBCC 62: Nathaniel & Benjamin - Generation X

The kids are all right! The X-Men return to their melodramatic roots with Generation X Volume 2. In this week's episode, we explore young love through the adorable fumblings between Nathaniel Carver (aka Hindsight) & Benjamin Deeds (aka Morph). Is trust possible when your powers grant you intimate, invasive access into your partner's mental interior?

To help us discuss their unique romance, we're using "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, and James Witte. Does analyzing your relationship by comparing it to others work?

Issues covered in this episode: "Generation X" Volume 2 issues 1 - 87 written by Christina Strain, illustrated by Amilcar Pinna, Alberto Albuquerque, Eric Koda, and Martin Morazzo, with additional inks by Roberto Poggi, colored by Felipe Sobreiro, Jay David Ramos, Chris Sotomayor, and Nolan Woodard, and featuring covers by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

 

Creator Corner: Abraham Riesman on True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee

You don't know Stan Lee. You only think you do. Abraham Riesman's new biography, "True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee" is the definitive biography on the man who "created the Marvel Comics Universe." Even if you're a die-hard comic book obsessive, this book will rock your understanding of Stan the Man. His story is also the story of comics as an industry. Anyone who adores this medium, not just Marvel Zombies, should dig into this book and open their mind to this incredibly complicated saga.

 

We're honored and delighted to have Riesman on the podcast this week. We break into the myths, the legends, and, most importantly, the passions that surround Stan Lee. We strongly encourage you to read the book, but it's not a requirement for enjoying this conversation. No doubt, however, you'll want a copy for yourself when you get done with this chat.

 

You can purchase "True Believer" from your favorite local bookstore. Learn more about it by clicking on the Random House website. Also, make sure to catch up on all of Riesman's adventures and endeavors HERE and follow him on Twitter HERE. You can read his original Stan Lee article for Vulture HERE.

 

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

 

SUPPORT THE PODCAT BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

 

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

CBCC 61:Ororo & Callisto - X-Treme X-Men: The Arena

Ororo & Callisto - enemies turned friends turned enemies turned companions. These two warriors rage against each other time and time again, and in doing so, they discover the ties that bind them. Or are those tentacles?

X-Couple month continues as we look at these combatants as seen in the X-Treme X-Men storyline, "The Arena." To help us discuss their unique romance, we're using "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, and James Witte. Does analyzing your relationship by comparing it to others work?

Those looking to explore Ororo & Callisto's relationship further should read Sara Century's excellent piece, "Storm vs. Callisto, and the Uneasy Alliance of Heroes and Villains."

Issues covered in this episode: "X-Treme X-Men" issues 36 - 39, written by Chris Claremont, penciled by Igor Kordey, and inked by Kordey, Scott Hanna, Sandy Florea, Mark McKenna, Andrew Pepoy, Norm Rapmund, and Josef Rubinstein. The colors are provided by Transparency Digital and the letters by VC’s Rus Wooten. Special shout-out to cover artist Salvador Larroca.

Order your own CBCC "Comics Are My Love Language" t-shirt from @ElliotComicArt's TeePublic Page.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

CBCC 60: Ben & Julio - Shatterstar: Reality Star

We begin our latest X-Couple series with Ben Gaveedra and Julio Richter aka Shatterstar & Rictor as seen in the mini-series "Shatterstar: Reality Star." Romance is hard, fights will happen, but what occurs when temporal dimensional battles make no room for domestic bouts? Every couple needs the space to focus on their problems so they can find the necessary solutions.

Helping us guide Shatterstar & Rictor to a secure zone of conversation is "The Normal Bar: Where Does Your Relationship Fall?" by Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, and James Witte. The idea being that normalcy is impossible, but by exploring how other couples behave, you might find alternative options for your relationship.

Issues covered in this episode: "Shatterstar: Reality Star" issues 1 - 5, written by Tom Seeley, penciled by Carlos Villa & Gerardo Sandoval, inked by Villa & Juan Vlasco, colored by Carlos Lopez, and lettered by VC's Cory Petit.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

 

CBCC Creator Corner: Marc Makes Comics Returns!

Marc Jackson of Marc Makes Comics returns!! We discuss how his Magnum P.I. comics came to this rescue during this incredibly strange year, as well as how his SPOOKIDS comic is about to enter a grande new phase. In addition to all that rad comic chatter, we celebrate Marc's incredible hustle and gain inspiration through admiration.

Be sure to pursue the Marc Makes Comics YouTube page, and purchase a few comic books over on his Website, or buy the man a Ko-Fi and nab some Magnum P.I. comics in return. You should also stalk his Instagram and Twitter.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Oh yeah, we're also on Ko-Fi.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

CBCC 59: Vision & Virginia - The Vision

WandaVision is nearly here, and in preparation, we plunge into one of our all-time favorite romance comics, "The Vision" by Tom King and Gabriel H. Walta. This comic is an absolutely crushing and compulsive read, highlighting everything we adore about our android hero and his mission to claim humanity for himself. Can we ever be more than our programming?

Helping us answer that question this week is love guru Gretchen Rubin and her book "The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent A Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun."

Who is ready to hear Lisa cry? Buckle up as we champion the greatest Marvel Comics tragedy on the stands. We root for The Vision and Virginia to make it work every time, even though, like the two narrators, we know the cataclysmic ending that awaits.

Issues covered in this episode: "The Vision" Vol. 2, issues 1 - 12, written by Tom King, illustrated by Gabriel H. Walta & Michael Walsh, colored by Jordie Bellaire, and lettered by VC's Clayton Cowles.

Those looking to explore another Tom King romance, but of a very different color, should listen to our "Mister Miracle" episode from the early days of the podcast by clicking HERE.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

 

 

CBCC 58: Suzie & Jon - Sex Criminals Vol. 6

Happy New Year!! We're pulling out of 2020 and thrusting into 2021 by climaxing alongside "Sex Criminals" with the sixth and final volume. We began this journey over a year ago, but thankfully, Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky wrapped up their bizarre romantic crime saga so we can finish our conversation regarding this unique couple. We're selfish lovers.

Helping us provide insight into the relationship woes between Suzie & Jon is love guru Esther Perel. We dive into her podcast "Where Should We Begin?" and use her episode "You Can Be Right or You Can Be Married" to navigate the circular nature of arguments.

Issues covered this week: "Sex Criminals" issues 26 - 69, written by Matt Fraction and drawn by Chip Zdarsky.

Feel free to jump back in time and enjoy our past "Sex Criminals" episodes:

Volume 1 --> http://bit.ly/CBCC29

Volume 2 & 3 --> http://bit.ly/2lFF2em

Volume 4 --> http://bit.ly/2kCMqXW

Volume 5 --> http://bit.ly/31Up8x5

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

A CBCC Team-Up: A Very Parker Christmas

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a special bonus episode. Last month, we guested on the Ride the Omnibus podcast to celebrate #Noirvember by hittin' the books. Specifically, we discussed Darwyn Cooke's fabulous Richard Stark "Parker" adaptations.

The conversation was an absolute blast, and we felt compelled to share it with our listeners. In revisiting the chat the other night, we also thought it made a great little Christmas present. There's something delightfully melancholic about reveling in Parker's world while sleigh bells ring in your ears.

If you're not already, you should add Ride the Omnibus to your podcast feed and follow host Ariel Baska on Twitter @RuinMySky & @OmnibusRide. 

If one chat wasn't enough delicious content, we're also dropping our spoiler-free review of "Wonder Woman 1984" in the back half of this episode. We recently unlocked this conversation on our Patreon feed, but just in case you didn't see it there, we're plopping it here as well. 

Our other recent podcast guest-appearances:

- WSTR Galactic Public Access

- It's Canon Podcast

- Pod Wars

- My Marvelous Year

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAT BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.

CBCC Special Report: The Best Comics of 2020

2020 was a wild year, to say the very least, but comic books were a saving grace. We've eagerly anticipated recording this episode as it works as an exceptional excuse to celebrate the bright outbursts of good that rattled throughout the year. What you'll find within are some returning favorite creators, but also several surprises.

Will your favorite comic appear? We hope so, but we also recognize that we're a couple of weirdos and our "Best Comics of 2020" absolutely reflects our bent nature. Selecting the winners in our eight categories was mostly harmless this year, but we struggled in a few places.

Our wish is that this episode brings a little joy to you this holiday season. Don't be shy in sharing your picks for the Best Comics of 2020. We want to hear from you, and we always crave recommendations. 

The Categories + Timestamps:

Best Comic Book Movie - 9:36

Best Bootleg/Fan Comic - 18:35

Best Young Adult Graphic Novel - 24:56

Best One-Shot - 33:23

Best Ongoing Series - 43:38

Best Single Issue - 50:18

Best Collected Comic - 59:26

Best Original Graphic Novel - 1:06:27

Final Wrap-Up - 1:15:36

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner & the Epic 50th Poster art by @Karen_XmenFan.

CBCC 57: Miyamoto & Tomoe - Senso

The unrequited romance between Miyamoto Usagi & Tomoe Ame cannot last. Our conversation centered around Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo must end. There is no better place to conclude this epic discussion than the incredible sci-fi War of the Worlds mash-up, "Senso."

Jumping fifteen to twenty years into the future, we witness the final moments between our heroes. Will the unsaid things finally be said? If so, is it too late for Usagi & Tomoe? "Senso" is the ultimate "What-If" adventure for fans of this series, allowing Stan Sakai to tie a bow on his story in a way that the main title will no doubt never let him do.

It's also time to say goodbye to our latest love guru, Lori Tsugawa Whaley, and her book, "Let the Samurai Be Your Guide: The Seven Bushido Pathways to Personal Success." Would she consider the choices made by Miyamoto & Tomoe honorable? Do we consider them honorable?

Comics covered this week: "Usagi Yojimbo: Senso" issues 1 - 6, written, illustrated, & lettered by Stan Sakai.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner & the Epic 50th Poster art by @Karen_XmenFan.