Join married couple Brad and Lisa as they explore the various dynamics of comic book relationships throughout pop culture and publishing history.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tom Scioli has spent his entire career cracking the Kirby code, and his latest book is his masterpiece. "Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics" is the single most magnificent celebration of the artist who revolutionized an industry and forever altered our pop culture landscape. We're beyond thrilled to have Scioli on the show this week, discussing in great enthusiastic detail the challenges and wonders of adapting a life as immense as Jack Kirby.
Of course, we dig into the complicated relationship between Kirby and Stan Lee, but we also marvel at his romance with Roz Kirby and the many other necessary courtships made along the way. For Scioli, tackling such an icon and an idol was a glorious burden and pleasure, marking a massive turning point in his career.
Where does Scioli go from here? He's not sure, but he does offer us some tantalizing morsels that we would love to see transformed into graphic reality. Tom Scioli's Star Wars? Um, yes, please.
"Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics" is currently available for pre-order HERE or wherever fine books are sold. Be sure to follow Scioli on Instagram and Twitter, and you can find us at our usual social media haunts: @CBCCPodcast, @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Robin & Batgirl are The Dynamite Duo!! We travel back into the Bronze Age to explore the early flirtations between Batman's most magnificent sidekicks. Was it love at first sight? Were Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon destined to end up together? We answer these questions by exploring four specific issues within the mondo bizarro anthology series "Batman Family."
We certainly could not make heads or tails out of this romance without the help of Dr. Roberta M. Gilbert and her self-help guide, "Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions." We all need to recognize the hot emotions bubbling beneath our surfaces, but maybe none more so than the Boy Wonder - scratch that - the Teen Wonder.
Issues covered in this episode: "Batman Family" #1, #11, #13, & #15. These comics were published between 1975 - 1978 and were written by Elliot S. Maggin & Bob Rozakis, penciled by Mike Grell, Don Newton, Marshall Rogers, & Lee Elias, and inked by Bob Wiacek & Joe Giella.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
We're absolutely shell-shocked to have Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on the show this week. Learning from the lessons of Jack Kirby, Eastman and Peter Laird were determined to do right by their creations where they could, and in the process, bring on other astonishing talents to contribute to the character, vibe, and mythology of TMNT. This spirit of evolution and reinvention is not only what propelled their Turtles into mass popularity but guaranteed their longevity throughout their endless incarnations.
In this latest Creator Corner episode, we discuss Kevin's desire to have others play in his sandbox, and the core characteristics of his universe that cannot be broken when his toys are in the hands of others. Also, we get in a little chatter regarding the 30th anniversary of the 1990 movie, and how that small indie film grew out of the same unique atmosphere that birthed the original comic book.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren. You can also find Kevin on Twitter @kevineastman86, and keep your eyes peeled for "The Last Ronin," the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series from IDW Publishing.
Saturday Jun 13, 2020
Saturday Jun 13, 2020
We return to Gotham City with Batgirl & Robin! While we weren't expecting to stick with DC Comics for another round of episodes, this month, we allowed our listeners to pick our couple, and Dick & Babs were the chosen winners. What separates these two on-again/off-again lovers from most comic book couples is how they've been allowed to grow beyond their initial appearances, and as we see in "Batgirl: Year One," who they were when they first met is not who they are in today's continuity. There is great excitement in going back to their earliest days and watching their awkward relationship bloom under the gaze of their Batman daddy.
To guide our hands with Dick & Babs, we're turning to Dr. Roberta M. Gilbert and her book "Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions." We don't live our lives alone. We're surrounded by others who shape our destiny. Don't turn from them! Embrace your Bat-family!
Issues covered in this episode: "Batgirl: Year One" No. 1 - 9, written by Scott Beatty & Chuck Dixon, penciled by Marcos Martin, inked by Alvaro Lopez, lettered by Willie Schubert, and colored by Javier Rodríguez.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
Is this the end of Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy? It's certainly our final conversation discussing the two love birds for a bit, and we're sad to see them go as we've fallen hard for them over these last four episodes. Have no fear though, we go out with a bang, diving deep into the controversial comics that dared to put #HarlIvy on the backburner.
The 2019/2020 mini-series, written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Adriana Melo, wreaks havoc with our emotions. One minute, we've never been happier with this ship, and the next, we're screaming in frustration and anger. That's some damn good comic book storytelling.
Thankfully, we have Lindsay King-Miller's "Ask A Queer Chick" to aid in our discussion as well as the emotional turmoil sparked by this particular mini-series. As far as couple journeys go, the trip from "Batman: The Animated Series" to these six issues was absolutely wild, and we're excited to see what's on the horizon for Harley & Ivy, and yeah, there is still a future there, folks.
Issues covered in this episode: "Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy" No. 1 - 6, written by Jody Houser, penciled by Adriana Melo, inked by Mark Morales and Wade Von Grawbadger, lettered by Gabriela Downie, and colored by Hi-Fi.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Sunday May 10, 2020
Sunday May 10, 2020
Get your motor runnin,' Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy head out on the highway, plus Catwoman! This week three's company as the Gotham City Sirens travel West to retrieve the ashes of Harley's beloved uncle and bring them back East so they can be laid to rest next to his deceased wife. The "Harley Quinn Road Trip Special," written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, is a rollicking adventure, featuring plenty of innuendoes, but genuine affection between our trilogy of rogues.
As we venture into The New 52 era, it's exhilarating to see the #HarlIvy relationship gather serious steam, building off a deep friendship in a world populated by monsters (Joker) and dimwits (Darkwolf). To help us navigate this love on the road, we're using Lindsay King-Miller's "Ask A Queer Chick" as our relationship guide.
The comic covered in this episode: "Harley Quinn Road Trip Special" No. 1 written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, illustrated by Bret Blevins, Moritat, Flaviano Armentaro, Pasquale Qualano, and Jed Dougherty, with additional inks by Mike Manley, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by Dave Sharpe.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Sunday Apr 26, 2020
Sunday Apr 26, 2020
Stephen Bissette joins us to discuss the romantic plights of Swampy & Abby, as seen in the groundbreaking series "Saga of the Swamp Thing." The artist describes the magical alchemy that occurred between him, John Totleben, and Alan Moore in 1983, and how their desire to make monster comics radically altered the landscape of the art form. More importantly, we converse on the re-creation of Abigail Arcane and her sensuous union with the plant who dreamed he was a man - "The Rites of Spring," which may just be the most erotic and romantic comic book ever produced.
For those wanting a little more context to this conversation, be sure to listen to the 34th episode of CBCC, where Brad & Lisa breakdown "The Rites of Spring" as well as Swampy & Abby's relationship in detail. Also, you can hear Brad & Steve talk about David Cronenberg's "The Brood" and the 660-page book Stephen wrote on the film over at the In the Mouth of Dorkness podcast. You should also watch the career-spanning conversation Steve had with the boys of Cartoonist Kayfabe.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren. While you're feeling social, you can find Steve on Twitter @SRBissette, and you can pre-order his Brook book from PS Publishing.
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy hit the road, ditching Gotham for the bright lights and tight spandex of Metropolis. The girls are on the hunt for Superman but have to settle for Jimmy Olsen and Bizarro. What begins as a joyous coupling slowly drives a wedge into #HarlIvy. Can they survive an apartment's lack of sunlight and the small bother of a super-villain kidnapping? Tune in as we root for our favorite Gotham girl gang, digging into the early days of Harley Quinn's solo career.
Also, we ditch our previous love gurus Ben Schwartz and Lauren Moses for relationship columnist Lindsay King-Miller and her advice book "Ask a Queer Chick: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls." As we discover this week, there's plenty of hope for Harley & Ivy as they're presented in the "Welcome to Metropolis" story arc.
Issues covered in this episode: "Harley Quinn" No. 13 - 19, written by Karl Kesel and primarily illustrated by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson, but featuring fill-in art by Pete Woods, Phil Noto, Craig Rousseau, with guest-inks by Mark Lipka, Dan Davis, and Kesel himself. Colors provided by Alex Sinclair and Peter Pantazis, and letters by Ken Lopez and Kurt Hathaway.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
MARC Makes Comics!! This week we're delighted to invite cartoonist Marc Jackson into the Love Nest to discuss his new YouTube Channel - MARC Makes Comics - that's keeping us all sane during these weird times, as well as the various other comics projects he's willing into the universe. Our conversation is one massive celebration of the art form, digging into the myriad influences that feed Marc's work as well as his intense and inspirational hustle.
Just because we're all doing our duty to flatten the curve, doesn't mean we cannot take advantage of some serious reading time as well as promoting the artists bringing joy into the world. If you need a little respite right now, jump on over to Marc's Instagram, where he's just launched a new webcomic "Bring the Ninja," which drops every Friday. Find all his comics for purchase over at marcmakescomics.co.uk, and you can also stalk him on Twitter @MARCmakescomics.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy finally come to the Comic Book Couple Counseling Podcast! We kick off our exploration of this villainous Gotham City duo by digging into their earliest adventures, as seen in "Batman: Harley & Ivy" spearheaded by the Animated Series collaborators Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. While they are not technically lovers (yet), we do witness an intense bond between the two, which separates them from the rest of the rogues that plague Bruce Wayne's vigilante lifestyle.
Being in a couple means being partners in crime, and not acting like an A-hole. To help us understand the complicated bond between Harley & Ivy, we're using "Things You Should Already Know About Dating, You F*cking Idiot" by Ben Schwartz & Laura Moses. Sometimes commons sense isn't so common.
Issues covered in this episode: "Batman: Harley & Ivy" No 1-3 written by Dini, illustrated by Timm, inked by Shane Glines, colored by Lee Loughridge, and lettered by Tom Orzechowski.
Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow the hosts @MouthDork & @sidewalksiren.