Happy new year from the House to Astonish, as Paul and Al are joined by games blogger Cara Ellison to talk about the big news stories of 2011, as well as some of their favourite comics of the past 12 months. Also featuring the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - soft, strong, and about ten minutes long.

Paul and Al have a great episode for you this time out, with news on the passing of Jerry Robinson, the continuing New 52 creative reshuffle, the Kickstarter success of Ashes, the upcoming Marvel crossover event and Brian Michael Bendis's move off the Avengers titles, as well as reviews of Valen the Outcast, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and The Defenders. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is going to be coming down your chimney very soon, so for your sake we'd advise getting some firewood gathered.

Al and Paul have got a bit of an epic for you this time round, with their longest ever episode. There's discussion of the Marvel cancellation wave, the Booster Gold TV show, Image Comics' convention and Ron Marz's move off Voodoo, as well as a run through the solicitations. They've also got reviews of Fantastic Four and Mudman as well as interviews with Nick Spencer, Stephen Wacker and Kieron Gillen recorded at Leeds's Thought Bubble convention. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: THREAT OR MENACE?

Three years in and we're still going strong, with news on the passing of Mick Anglo, the October sales charts, DC's collections plan, Marvel's rollout of bagged digital codes, the early online leak of Incredible Hulk issue 2,  Jim Mahfood's Tank Girl OGN, the Spider-Man musical's continued injury woes and the one-dollar Wasteland promotion. We've also got reviews of The Occultist, Uncanny X-Men and Heart. The greatest trick the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe ever pulled was convincing people it didn't exist (the second greatest was that one with the seemingly linked metal rings).

Al and Paul have got plenty of comics-related chat for you this time round, looking at Mark Millar's big announcements, the Avenging Spider-Man digital promotion, Criminal moving to the big screen, Marvel's lay-offs, FOX's Punisher and the January solicitations, along with reviews of Incredible Hulk, Dead Man's Run and Spaceman. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - how does it work?

Paul and Al have all the news you need (and some you don't) from NYCC this time round, as well as reviews of The Shade, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode and Power Play. Who was that masked man? Oh, it's just the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Never mind.

Al and Paul bring you more comics-based banter, looking at December's solicitations, DC on the Kindle Fire, George Perez leaving Superman, the CBLDF's ironic purchases, Marvel's Point One promos and Albert Uderzo retiring from Asterix, as well as reviews of Aquaman, Near Death and Brilliant. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - smarter than the average bear, particularly as bears are kind of dim.

Paul and Al have got a whole load of chat on the good and bad press DC have received over the New 52, John Rozum leaving Static Shock, the Amanda Waller controversy, the announcement of Avengers: X-Sanction, the Spectre TV show and the opening of Little Island Comics, along with reviews of Pigs, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and Demon Knights. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is on the move, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is loose!

Al and Paul are back, with discussion of the New 52's sales, the Deadman TV series and the solicitations for November, plus reviews of Secret Avengers, Angel & Faith and a little book called Justice League. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - Never Knowingly Understated.

This is where we find out if our RSS feed switchover has gone ahead. Don't mind us. Go about your day.