House to Astonish

It's time to chew over a big beatdown bonanza as Paul and Al look at the climactic clash between the Thunderbolts and Graviton in issues 56-58, and take the time to say goodbye to Marvel's breakout character of 1998. Then it's time for something completely different, as one of the least fondly remembered gimmicks of the Bill Jemas era rears its very quiet head in issue 59.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:41pm EDT

There's a bunch of news out of San Diego Comic Con, and you can hear what Al and Paul think about it all here! And now! If you like! They're chatting about Black Canary: Best of the Best, The Question: All Along The Watchtower, Batgirl, New Gods, JSA, Hellverine, West Coast Avengers, Laura Kinney: The Wolverine, Psylocke and Lower Decks, plus the announcement of Amazing Comics, and they've got reviews of S.I.R. and Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? Splendid chaps, all of them.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_209_-_Constable_Tim.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:39pm EDT

Who is Humus Sapien? If you don't know, Al and Paul can help you with that! They're covering issues 53-55 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, as Charcoal's dad makes his dazzling debut and we meet the winner of the 1973 F.O.O.M. Magazine Create A Marvel Character contest!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:40pm EDT

Paul and Al have a full basket of comics news and they're dispensing it left, right and centre, as they remember Don Perlin and Peter B. Gillis, look at Jeff Lemire's Minor Arcana, the finales of Jupiter's Legacy and Marvel's Star Wars, and the new Blade: Red Band mini, chat through the ends of Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr's run on Amazing Spider-Man and Joshua Williamson's runs on Green Arrow and Batman and Robin, and draw your attention to the Wicked & the Divine's covers collection Kickstarter, on top of all of which they've got reviews of Destro and Self-Help. That was all one sentence. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has taken a red pen to it.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Episode_208_-_Hamish_McDeath.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:48pm EDT

And now for something... slightly different. Al and Paul step beyond the bounds of the regular Thunderbolts title to look at the 2001 miniseries Citizen V and the V-Battalion, with chat about two-fisted journalist Jim Daring, HR disasters and the horniest comics in Marvel history.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:08pm EDT

Al and Paul are back (back! Back!) with remembrances of Trina Robbins and Mark "Doc" Bright, a whiz through the first six post-Krakoa X-books and a mini-explainer of Misty and the new Gail Simone-run iteration thereof, as well as reviews of Action Comics and Uncanny Valley. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can't believe it's not butter either.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_207_-_I_Love_Satan_Best_Of_All_The_Animals.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:16pm EDT

It's a brave new world for the Thunderbolts, as they try to readjust to civilian life... or, in the case of some, to adjust to being bossed around by Captain America as part of the Redeemers. Paul and Al say hello to new regular penciler Patrick Zircher, as well as to the continuity transplants from the Heroes Reborn universe, as they look at issues 51 and 52 of Thunderbolts, as well as the Thunderbolts: Life Sentences oneshot. Join them as they explore the questions of who is the 19th best telepath in the Marvel Universe, where can you find the most racist electrical goods store in America, and how badly a 1990s comics character can lacerate himself with his own costume.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:17pm EDT

Merry Chri... er... Happy New Y... um... Happy February? Welcome to the joint 15th anniversary and end of year wrap-up episode of House to Astonish, as Paul and Al chat through the news of the past few weeks, including Blood Hunt's polybagged "Red Band" editions, Jason Aaron taking on the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo and Criminal coming to Amazon Prime. On top of that, they have the 2023 Homies awards, where we (and our listeners) give their picks of the best things we read last year, and the complete audio of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from November 2023's Thought Bubble festival. There's almost too much here! Don't eat it all at once! 

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_206_-_Guts_for_Gratis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:31pm EDT

It's anniversary time, as Paul and Al mark the 15th turn round the sun of House to Astonish by briefly mourning the original episode they recorded for the occasion and lost in a computer disaster, before moving on to another anniversary in the form of issue 50 (and 48 and 49) of Thunderbolts, from 2001. It's the end of the Scourge story, the return of Jolt, and time to bid a fond farewell to Mark Bagley. It's all go!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:49pm EDT

The Thunderbolts are on a collision course with Scourge (and issue 50), but right now they've got to deal with Moonstone's identity crisis, the Battle of Techno's Ear and the arrival of Genis-Vell, as we look at issues 45-47 from the turn of the millennium. Plus Cybergoth Santa, the Titanian Smurfs and the concept of Pink Pavements crossovers.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:44pm EDT

Al and Paul have a whirlwind recap of news from NYCC for your enjoyment, as they look at the "faux-simile" Batman 428; John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America; the Superman Superstars initiative; the formation of Ghost Machine; Avengers: Twilight; the Blood Hunt crossover; the creative teams of the new Ultimate line; and the end of the Krakoan era, as well as taking the time to remember Keith Giffen and to review Batman: City of Madness and Midlife (How to Hero at Fifty). The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is coming, and everybody's jumping, New York to San Francisco, an intercity disco.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_205_-_Tractor_Supply_Company.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:37pm EDT

It's crossover time, and Paul and Al are catching up once again with Marvel's Most Wanted, who are going to learn to play nice with other comics whether they want to or not. The Nefaria Protocols play out across Thunderbolts #s 43 and 44 and Avengers #s 33 and 34, and nothing will ever be the same again! Except almost everything actually will, but look, at least we get the perils of invisible furniture, regional Inhumans and Christopher Robin's arch-enemy.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:21pm EDT

Paul and Al are back once again, and this time round they're wishing Jeff Smith well in his recovery from cardiac arrest, and gabbing about Tom Brevoot's intra-Marvel move, the upcoming Sentry, Speed Force and Spider-Man: Reign 2 series, and the strange case of the possibly disappearing IDW Originals line, as well as reviewing Uncanny Avengers and The Cull. Plus the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's a bit of an animal.

Direct download: hta204.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

The mystery of Scourge deepens while Atlas gets drunk, and Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts issues 40-42 (with a brief detour into Avengers 32 for good measure) and the T-Bolts begin the twisty, turny climb towards issue 50.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:29pm EDT

Al and Paul are back with more comics chat, remembering John Romita Sr and Ian McGinty, talking about #ComicsBrokeMe, Image moving distribution to Lunar, Marvel and DC's upcoming launches and Ram V and Felipe Andrade's Rare Flavours, as well as reviewing Void Rivals and Ultimate Invasion. It's 10pm. Do you know where the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_203_-_Robots_And_Also_Cats.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:51pm EDT

It's time for another electrifying set of issues of Marvel's most wanted superteam, the Thunderbolts, as Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts Annual 2000, as well as Thunderbolts #38 and #39. Scourges! Hellstroms! Citizens V! It's very much all go, as the storyline begun in issue 34 continues along its twisty-turny path. 

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm EDT

Paul and Al are back on their regular beat, remembering Al Jaffee and Rachel Pollack, talking about all the upcoming Fall of X and Knight Terrors books, enjoying Mark Waid's mini-renaissance at DC and dissecting the digital drops of DSTLRY, as well as reviewing The Great British Bump-Off and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? I don't believe they exist.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_202_-_Now_With_Cobalt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41pm EDT

It's a whole new era for Marvel's Most Wanted as Paul and Al's reread of Thunderbolts enters the Fabian Nicieza era, looking at issues 34-37. The team comes face to face with someone who's either a new enemy or an old friend (or possibly both) as the tale of the new Beetle wraps up and the Scourge saga begins!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:57pm EDT

It's 2023! And you know what that means! That's right, more 2022! Join al and Paul as they dish out the golden gongs in the comics industry's most Scottishy-podcasty awards, the Homies! Now in its titantic tenth year! Who won (they'll tell you!)? Who lost (they won't tell you!)? EXCITING!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_201_-_Custody_of_Another_Lamp.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:47pm EDT

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... twelve lightnings striking!

It's time for the latest episode of Al and Paul's reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts, and they're looking at issues 31-33 of the original run of the book. This is the end of series cocreator Kurt Busiek's run as writer, so there's a little tear in everyone's eye as they revisit Arnim Zola From Work, the Marvel Universe's most deadly drug and Citizen V's emoji mask.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents_The_Lightning_Round_Episode_12_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:26pm EDT

To quote the Bard, it's been a long road, getting from there to here, but Paul and Al have made it to episode 200 of House to Astonish, and they're indulging in their traditional vices of cake and fizz, and talking about Vault Comics' Headshell line, Titan's new Conan series, Joe Kelly and Kim Niimura's Immortal Sergeant, and Ty Templeton's cancer-free all-clear. They're also reviewing a bunch of comics on a theme, as they look at Batman #200, House of Mystery #200, Amazing Spider-Man #200, and, er, Deadpool #58? And as always, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is ringing in the new. (As this episode was recorded on Sunday evening, the news hadn't yet broken of the incredibly sad loss of Kevin O'Neill, an absolute giant of British comics, but there will be more to say about him on a future episode.)

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_200_-_Lets_Scare_Batman_To_Death.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:20pm EDT

The Thunderbolts are back, and Graviton is making heavy weather of things for them. Can Archangel tip the scales in the heroes' favour? Can you imagine how embarrassed he would be if he didn't? We're looking at issues 27-30 of Thunderbolts (1997) this time out, and there's a guy with too many baguettes, some highly unfortunate kerning, and a high society scandal in the world of military robotics to deal with.

Direct download: Lightninground11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:33pm EDT

Direct download: lightninground10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:31pm EDT

Al and Paul are back, and they're remembering George PĂ©rez, Neal Adams, Tim Sale, Kazuki Takahashi and Pat McCallum, as well as talking about Oni-Lion Forge and Comixology's recent personnel shifts, the upcoming Tim Drake: Robin series from DC, Marvel's newest Spider-Man ongoing, the return (again) of Miracleman, the just-announced Wakanda miniseries and Ryan North and Erica Henderson's Danger and Other Unknown Risks, and reviewing Starhenge and Batman. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been - lives in a dream.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_199_-_Incorporating_Melody_Maker.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:54pm EDT

Lightning keeps striking! Good lord! It's just bizarre by this point! Paul and Al are back to look at Thunderbolts issues 22, 0 and 23 (in that order) and Avengers 12 (not in that order). Thrill to Hawkeye losing his AirBnB deposit! Be wowed by Vision's capacity for complaining! Wonder aloud at whether Hercules and Atlas had a fling! It's all go here!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, with more news and reviews and the usual nonsense. They've got chat about Archie Comics' NFT shenanigans, IDW's Originals line, DC's Pride special's lineup, the new Batman and Detective Comics creative teams, Superman: The Space Age, X-Terminators, All-Out Avengers, the relaunch of Shang-Chi and Grant Morrison's debut novel Luda, as well as reviews of The Wrong Earth: Fame and Fortune and Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country. Does the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe love you, now that you can dance?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_198_-_Deflator_Mouse.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm EDT

Lightning strikes eight times! It's really very dangerous to be out here! Get to shelter!

Paul and Al are back to talk about Thunderbolts #21 and Captain America/Citizen V '98, with all the extraneous cover blurbs, world-class pauldrons and embarrassing Pritt-Stick accidents that entails.

Direct download: lightninground8.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:15pm EDT

Al and Paul have a full slate of comics news, remembering Ian Kennedy and Tom Veitch, and discussing the Hero Initiative's JLA/Avengers reprint, DC's upcoming Black Label titles, Marvel's Wild Cards and Thunderbolts revivals, IDW's Last Bot Standing and the Amazon/ComiXology disaster, and they've got reviews of Iron Fist and Nightwing to boot. If the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe falls in the forest, will anyone tidy up the mess?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_197_-_The_Comics_Purge.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:28am EDT

It's time for another adventure with the Marvel Universe's most neurotic super... er... heroes? Villains? Something along one of those lines, or possibly both. Anyway! We're looking at issues 17-20 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, and we've got Graviton, Charcoal, and the addition of a crucial element of the Tbolts mythos. Plus: a pug in a hoodie! Some French! An old lady from Elgin! It's all go around here.
Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_7.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:43pm EDT

It's time for Paul and Al's annual look-back at the comics and creators of 2021, as they give out the gongs in the Homies awards. Will your favourites go home with a glittering prize? Only one way to find out!

Then it's time for a trip back to Harrogate in November 2021, for the recording of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from Thought Bubble, featuring Rachael Stott, Becky Cloonan, Al Ewing and Hannah Berry. What larks!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Episode_196_-_The_Silence_Of_The_Homies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:03am EDT

A relatively quiet few weeks of news means a compact and bijou episode, but Al and Paul still find time to talk about Amazon's postponed assimilation of Comixology, Gina Gagliano leaving Random House Graphic, the launch of Zestworld, Oni signing with Lunar for distribution and Marvel's announcement of Secret X-Men, as well as reviewing King of Spies and Justice League Dark Annual. Last Christmas, I gave you the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and the very next day, you returned it for store credit.


Lightning strikes six times! This is surely a sign of the Biblical apocalypse! Paul and Al dive into the second year of Thunderbolts, covering issues 13-16. Bug people! Political intrigue! Hulkbots! Guys called Dirkson! It's all here, and it's all go!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_6.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

Paul and Al have got a bit of NYCC-dodging news chat for you this time round, as we discuss the Ditko lawsuit, creative changes on the X-books, Kurt Busiek's new Image slate and Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese coming to Disney Plus, as well as reviews of Amazing Spider-Man and We Have Demons. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has been, and always will be, your friend.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_194_-_My_Two_Steves.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:38pm EDT

Lightning is striking again! That's five times now! This is surely statistically improbable! Paul and Al are now up to the finale of the first year of Thunderbolts, and are taking a run through issues 10-12. This is where is all starts going off, as secrets are uncovered, plans are revealed and the whole house of cards comes down.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT

Paul and Al have a busy news week for you this time round, with discussion of Jonathan Hickman stepping away from X-Men, the Great Substack Migration of 2021, Scott Snyder's Comixology Unlimited slate, Brian Michael Bendis transplanting Jinxworld to Dark Horse, and DC signing with Webtoon, along with reviews of Eat the Rich and Kang the Conqueror. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe don't have anything, if it don't have you.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_193_-_Imbrocated_Snout.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:39pm EDT

It's time for lightning to strike four times, because... well, because it's the fourth episode of The Lightning Round? Paul and Al are back with another episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they're covering Thunderbolts #7-9 and Heroes for Hire #7.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:52pm EDT

It's been a long old time, but Paul and Al are finally back, with discussion of X-Force: KillshotPhoenix Song: Echo, the creative changeover on Amazing Spider-Man,  Human Remains at Vault, Party and Prey at Aftershock, and Jeff Lemire's upcoming pair of miniseries Mazebook and Primordial, as well as reviews of Catwoman Annual and Black Cat Annual. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is just going to wait here for a little while, see what happens.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_192_-_Stop_Spider-Man_Stop.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm EDT

Lightning never strikes twice, but luckily for us it strikes three times, because Paul and Al back with the third episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they’re covering Thunderbolts #5 and 6, and Thunderbolts '97.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:18pm EDT

Al and Paul are back, with discussion of Marvel's distributor changes, John Romita Jr moving from DC back to Marvel, the new X-Men lineup, the upcoming launches of Amazing Fantasy and Moon Knight and Future State: Gotham, and the newly-broken record for sale price of a single comics issue, along with reviews of Batman: The DetectiveDarkhawk: Heart of the Hawk. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has got mud on its face, a big disgrace, kicking that can all over the place.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_191_-_NFT_Superpro.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:43am EDT

Al Kennedy and Paul O'Brien are back with the second episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts!

If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoilers for the issues under discussion.

In Episode 2: Spider-Man Team-Up #7, Thunderbolts #s 3 and 4 and Thunderbolts: Distant Rumblings (aka Thunderbolts #-1)

 

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:26pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, and this time out they're remembering Si Spencer, and talking about the Linearverse, Wonder Girl, Milestone's new creative teams, Legends of the Dark Knight, the Year of Spawn, X-Corp and The Blue Flame, as well as reviewing Stray Dogs and Nuclear Family. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe ain't a beauty, but hey, it's alright.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_190_-_Spawn-Force.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:17pm EDT

Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy are pleased to present the first episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts! Each episode they'll be looking at a few issues of the series, plus key tie-ins and guest appearances, checking off a few of the things to watch out for and chatting through all the twists and turns in this twistiest and turniest of series.

If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoilers for the first year of the book.

In Episode 1: Incredible Hulk #449, Tales of the Marvel Universe, and Thunderbolts #s 1 and 2.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_Presents__The_Lightning_Round_Episode_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm EDT

It's the Homies awards! Al and Paul look back at The Year of Big Pando in comics, and pick out winners in the many and various categories which long-term listeners will have come to know and tolerate. Where did your favourites place? Find out here! Unless you voted for something that didn't win, in which case, you won't find out here, sorry.

Also in this podcast! An important message to you from the editor -- about the NEW Astonishing!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_189_-_Exciting_Brunch_Adventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, and are talking about the sad death of Richard Corben, DC's post-Future State plans, Marvel's Alien series, X of Swords, Rob Liefeld's latest stint at Marvel and the return of Witchblade, as well as reviewing Batman: Black & White and Home Sick Pilots. I'd like to buy the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe a Coke and keep it company.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_188_-_Hellcrisps.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:39pm EDT

Al and Paul have hour-and-change of comics chat for you this time round, with discussion of Marie Javins' promotion to DC EIC, John Nee being let go as Marvel Publisher, and the announcements of Truth & Justice, X-Men Legends, Hollow Heart and Geiger, as well as reviews of Punchline and Hellboy and the BPRD: The Seven Wives Club. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for peace.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_187_-_Strictly_Comics_Dancing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:24pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, with a bunch of chat for you about DC's Future State, the return of the Thunderbolts, delays to Marvel's Eternals and Aftershock's merger, along with reviews of Amazing Spider-Man and We Live. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is number two, but it tries harder.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_186_-_Flumechat.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:12pm EDT

Al and Paul are back, and they're talking about DC Universe Infinity, Brian Michael Bendis leaving the Super-books, the return of Batman: Black and White, Marvel's new S.W.O.R.D. series, IDW's place as Marvel's kids' books custodian and Archie going day-and-date on ComiXology Unlimited, as well as chewing over reviews of Juggernaut and The Autumnal. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's the new normal in these unusual times.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_185_-_Aftermath_MacTavish.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:44pm EDT

After their foray into the abyss that is the 1993 Marvel annuals, Paul and Al are back with a regular episode, with chat about Denny O'Neil and Joe Sinnott, the recent wave of allegations of impropriety and harassment in comics, DC quitting Diamond, Marvel's new Warhammer line, the culling of the Empyre crossover and the return of Bill & Ted under Evan Dorkin and Roger Langridge, as well as reviews of Ash & Thorn and All-America Comix. I don't understand how a heart is a spade but somehow the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is made.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_184_-_The_Guy_From_The_Elevator.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:02am EDT

Al and Paul bring you their first ever remote recording, as they give the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe treatment to all 27 characters introduced in Marvel's 1993 annuals!

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Category:general -- posted at: 2:29am EDT

Paul and Al are back to talk about Dan DiDio's exit from DC, the postponement of Emerald City Comic-Con, Comixology's European price hikes, the Quotable Giant Days and John Layman and Dan Boultwood's Chu, as well as reviewing Join The Future and Strange Academy. Maybe she's born with it - maybe it's the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_182_-_The_Men_Who_Stare_At_Gods.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:31pm EDT

It's awards time! Paul and Al are taking a leisurely saunter through their picks for the best series, creators and moments of 2019, as well as taking a look at the ones which you voted for. WHO managed to pull off a narrow win for Best Writer? WHICH Marvel series pulled off a clean sweep? DID they mention any manga (yes!)? HOW many comments did they read out on the show from the listener votes (none, sorry, by the time they recorded there wasn't time to collate them)?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_181_-_It_Has_To_Be_Beige.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:07pm EDT

Paul and Al are back with a new episode, where they remember Tom Spurgeon, Howard Cruse and Tom Lyle, talk about delays at Marvel, the announcements of Hellions and Strange Academy, Chris Samnee's Fire Power and Vault Comics' Myriad line and review Annihilation: Scourge - Silver Surfer and Dying Is Easy. And don't overlook the hotly-awaited audio from the SILENCE! To Astonish panel live at Thought Bubble 2019, with Gerry Duggan, Ram V, John Allison and Emma Vieceli!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_180_-_Greg_and_Ashley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:53pm EDT

A relatively quiet period for comics news, but Al and Paul have chat on Kevin Feige being installed as Chief Creative Officer of Marvel, the Bloodshot movie, the Into The Spider-Verse sequel, Sky UK's troubles showing the CW's Crisis crossover, HBO Max's Green Lantern and Strange Adventures series, Dark Horse collecting Michel Fiffe's Panorama, and the closing of ComicBookDB and The MNT, as well as reviews of Afterlift and The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe counts as one of your five a day, so eat up.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_179_-_Into_The_Spider-Chorus.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:31pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, with chat on Tom Lyle, Mariko Tamaki's new graphic novel imprint, a bunch of news out of NYCC including new series for Wolverine, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man 2020, Star Wars, the upcoming The End one-shots, Marvel teaming with Games Workshop, Plunge, G Willow Wilson on The Dreaming, Amethyst, The Last God, The Killing Horizon, Black Crown folding, Quantum & Woody, Tomorrow, Enigma, Kill a Man and Alienated. They've also got reviews of Ghost Rider and Strange Skies Over East Berlin, and the audio from the SILENCE! to Astonish panel from Glasgow Comic-Con 2019.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_178_-_Johnny_Blase.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

It's been far too long, but Paul and Al are back with a brand new episode, talking about the shuttering and reopening of Manga Rock, Conan copyright scuffles, Terrific Production's Youngblood, Brian Wood being shown the door at Dark Horse, the return of Hellboy, Once and Future becoming an ongoing, Marvel's Incoming! and the newly-announced Disney+ MCU shows, as well as reviews of Everything and Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy. Sasquatch, Godzilla, King Kong
Loch Ness, Goblin, Ghoul, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_177_-_My_Dog_Comics.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

It's the annual SDCC roundup, and Paul and Al are talking about the upcoming relaunch of the X-Men line, Phase 4 of the MCU, Ed Brubaker's deal with Legendary Television, Miracleman in Marvel Comics 1000, the CW's upcoming Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, Beware the Ghost Rider, The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage, the return of Dead Rabbit as Dead Eyes, Cecil Castellucci taking over Batgirl, the upcoming Spider-Verse miniseries, Afterlift, Amazing Spider-Man: Full Circle, The Amazing Mary Jane, Birds of Prey, The Batman's Grave, Doctor Doom, Undiscovered Country and DC's further adventures in imprints, as well as reviewing Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and Loki. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can't liiiiiiiiiiiiive if living is without yooooouuuu.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_176_-_Hurrying_Ken.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm EDT

Al and Paul are back, with discussion of DC shuttering Vertigo, Ink and Zoom; Brian Michael Bendis on Legion of Super-Heroes; the books spinning out of Heroes in Crisis; Gotham City Monsters; Harleen and Joker/Harley Quinn: Criminal Insanity; the cancellation of Doctor Strange; Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda; King Thor; Marvel's 80th anniversary oneshots; the debut of Strikeforce; JJ and Henry Abrams and Sara Pichelli's Spider-Man; Matt Fraction and Elsa Charretier's November; and the returns of Pretty Deadly and Battle Chasers, as well as reviews of Superman: Year One and Usagi Yojimbo. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe packed its bags last night, pre-flight, zero hour, 9am.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_175_-_Arkham_Babies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:51am EDT

Lots to discuss this time round, as Paul and Al talk about the deaths of Kazuhiko Kato aka Monkey Punch and Kazuo Koike, the Lion Forge/Oni Press merger, Dark Horse's Netflix first look deal, Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso's new publishing company and Marvel Comics 1000, and review Excellence and New Agents of Atlas. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe come to Brazil.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_174_-_Formaldehyde_Anniversary.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:26pm EDT

Paul and Al are remembering Mark Alessi, talking about Jai Nitz, chewing over the announcements of House of X and Powers of X, the new Death's Head series, Erik Larsen's return to Marvel, and DC's Wal-Mart giant-size books being repackaged for the Direct Market, and they've got reviews of Marvel Team-Up and Section Zero. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - it's what's for dinner.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_173_-_Gravestones_and_Timbits.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:32pm EDT

It's a relatively quiet few weeks for comics news, but nonetheless Paul and Al are chatting about the upcoming Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen books, the Thought Bubble festival moving from Leeds to Harrogate, Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora's The Once And Future, Dark Horse losing Usagi Yojimbo to IDW, DC's Giant books entering the Direct Market and Marvel's upcoming Venom-centric event, as well as reviewing The Forgotten Queen and X-Tremists. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe melts in your mouth, not in your hands.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_172_-_Diamond_Walrus.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:52am EDT

It's a scattershot selection of news this time around, as Al and Paul talk about DC's layoffs, Image's new retailer programmes and their announcements of Excellence and FairLady, Marvel's upcoming Agents of Atlas and Savage Avengers series, the third Batman/TMNT mini, an interesting fill-in on Catwoman, Jughead's Time Police, David F Walker's Solid Comix and give a quick round-up of comics festival news, along with reviews of Wonder Twins and Savage Sword of Conan. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_171_-_Solve_For_Dimension_X.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:04pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, talking about Batton Lash, Dark Horse's upcoming Definitive Moonshadow, Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalski's Sex going straight to OGN, the return of Section Zero, Marvel's upcoming Thanos mini, Kieron Gillen leaving Star Wars, the upcoming Age of Rebellion one-shots and Rob Liefeld's return to Marvel, as well as reviewing the first issues of Criminal and Invaders. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is a dustman, it wears a dustman's cap.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_170_-_They_Never_Found_Hitlers_Body.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:48am EDT

2018! What? A year? What a year! It's a brand new year and time for Al and Paul's traditional look back at the books, creators and moments that made 2018 such a good time for comics, in the form of the Homies awards. Paul and Al have both picked their favourites in each of their traditional categories, and are handing out the gongs on this retrospective episode. They've also tallied the listener vote - what have the Housemates chosen as the most deserving in each category? Find out here!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_169_-_Jason_and_his_Amazing_Hoover.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:27pm EDT

It's Paul and Al's tenth anniversary episode, where they remember Anthea Bell, laugh for quite a long time about Writer X and the "revelation" of his identity, and chat briefly about Vault Comics' new YA line (in particular, about Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover's Wrassle Castle), before going into extended examinations/rambles/digressions about The Green Lantern and Lost Light, and once again raid the playbook of excellent videogame podcast Bitsocket as they play Is It Canon?. They've also got messages from some of their friends in the comics podcasting world, and the audio from the SILENCE! To Astonish panel which took place at Thought Bubble in September, featuring Gary Lactus and the Beast Must Die of SILENCE! and an all-star line-up of guests (John McCrea, Matthew Rosenberg, Sam Humphries and Babs Tarr).

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_168_-_House_to_As10ish.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:37pm EDT

It's NYCC, and there's a whole ton of news just waiting to be chewed over, so it would be rude for Al and Paul not to do that, frankly. On the new House to Astonish, they remember Norm Breyfogle and Carlos Ezquerra, and talk about Die, Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt, Wonder Comics, Humanoids' new imprint H1, Avengers: No Road Home, Man Without Fear, Buffy, Three Jokers, The Girl In The Bay, Marvel's 80th anniversary series, Oni Press's webcomics portal, Champions, Savage Sword of Conan, Captain Marvel, Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man, Star Trek: Q Conflict, Flash: Year One, Pearl, Out Of The Blue, Guts, Share Your Smile and r(ender), and they've got reviews of These Savage Shores and Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion. Why do birds suddenly appear, every time, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is near? Just like me, they long to be, fed with crumbs.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_167_-_Roll_1d6_To_Buy_Milk.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:27pm EDT

Paul and Al are back with an absolute truckload of news for you this time round, as they pay respects to Russ Heath, chew over the announcements of Uncanny X-Men, Marvel Knights 20, Conan the Barbarian, Best Defense, Riri Williams: Ironheart, Batman & the Outsiders and the Green Lantern, and chat through the creative shuffle on Return of Wolverine, Dark Horse losing the Buffy license, Aftershock comics' first-issue returnability, IDW losing another senior member of staff and Legendary Entertainment's option on My Boyfriend is a Bear, as well as reviewing Cold Spots and West Coast Avengers. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has no bananas. It has no bananas... today.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_166_-_Two_Scoops_of_Chemical_X_Ripple.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

It's been a sad few weeks for comics, and Al and Paul are here to talk about the deaths of Harlan Ellison, Bong Dazo and, of course, Steve Ditko. In less tragic news, they've got discussion on the Descender sequel Ascender, the end of I Hate Fairyland and the upcoming launch of Middlewest, Boom! aquiring the Firefly licence, Marvel's upcoming Deadpool vs Black Panther and Shatterstar minis, Jared Leto being cast as Morbius, the launch details for DC's new streaming service (including in relation to how comics themselves fit into it all), and reviews of Submerged and Catwoman. Give the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe a fish, and it will have absolutely no idea what you're trying to achieve.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_165_-_More_Futuristic_Than_Rubber.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:28pm EDT

Paul and Al are back with a compact and bijou hour and twenty of comics chat for you, with discussion of the departures of Diane Nelson and Geoff Johns from DC, Johns's new imprint and his recently-announced 3 Jokers and Shazam series, Vertigo's relaunch, the DC Zoom and DC Ink slates, Ellis and Howard's Cemetery Beach, Brandon Sanderson's partnering with Vault Comics, Edge of Spider-Geddon and Asgardians of the Galaxy, as well as reviews of Immortal Hulk and Justice League. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is not right, but it's okay.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_164_-_Toss-Up_Team-Up.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23am EDT

It's been a long time, but Al and Paul have finally returned, to talk about DC's new streaming service and their dropping of digital codes, Man of Steel's returnability, Jeanette Schaefer joining Boom! and John Barber rejoining IDW, as well as to review Avengers and Coda. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe shouldn'ta left you without a dope beat to step to.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_163_-_Dead_Enya.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:01am EDT

It's been a busy couple of weeks, and Paul and Al are back to fill you in on everything that's been going on, from the Image Expo to the Sandman Universe, from Fresh Start to Bendis's Super-Books, and from IDW's Transformers reboot to Boom! and Dynamite stepping up to the Eloi section of Previews, as well as bringing you reviews of Mera and The Beef. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe doesn't know who you are but you're a real dead ringer for love, apparently. 

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_162_-_Chekhovs_Water_Pistol.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:22pm EDT

New year, new podcast, and Al and Paul are back to discuss Marvel's announcements of Kelly Thompson's exclusive and Dan Slott's move, the new Domino and Exiles series, the return of the original Wolverine, John Nee replacing Dan Buckley and the wedding of Kitty Pryde and Colossus, as well as the Eisner Hall of Fame nominees, Promethea's appearance in Justice League and the stellar cast of creators on Action Comics 1000, along with reviews of Strangers In Paradise XXV and Avengers: No Surrender. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - 4 out of 5 dentists recommend it (and the fifth is more of a Who's Who person).

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_161_-_Old_News_Logan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:42pm EDT

It's New Year's Eve, and Paul and Al have the traditional year-in-review show for you, featuring the 2017 Homies Awards. They're handing out gongs for the best comics, creators and moments of the past year, and looking forward to 2018 with a mixture of trepidation, anticipation and X-Nation 2099 (one of these is not true).

Apologies for the sound issues on this episode - we'll have everything shipshape again by the time the next one rolls around.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_160_-_Jenny_Brexit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

Al and Paul have been away a long old time (having a second kid will do that to you) but they're back, with theirr ninth-anniversary podcast. They're talking about DC's Eddie Berganza problem, Marvel's Brian Michael Bendis problem, Funko's IPO problem, the debut of Ken Niimura's Umami, Marvel's most recent book announcements, a quick casting update on Netflix's Umbrella Academy series, Mark Millar and Olivier Coipel's The Magic Order, and The Phoenix's US distribution deal, and they've got reviews of Coyotes and Daredevil. You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

This episode also features the full audio from the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from Thought Bubble 2017, with Gary Lactus and the Beast Must Die from SILENCE! and special guests John Allison and Kieron Gillen. It's very silly.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_159_-_The_Littlest_Lobo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:03pm EDT

Paul and Al are back, talking about the sad death of Len Wein; IDW's Full Bleed Kickstarter and new partnership with Glenat; Madefire Comics' partnering with DC; Oni Press's Spring 2018 OGN slate and Sam Humphries and Tim Seeley's Nightwing/Green Lanterns title swap, and bringing you reviews of Retcon and Runaways. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe wants to walk like you, talk like you, too-oo-oo.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_158_-_Junior_Kickstarter.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:24pm EDT

It's the first House to Astonish following SDCC, and unusually, there's actually quite a lot of comics news to talk about. Al and Paul discuss the mooted Doctor Doom movie, the newly-released details about Doomsday Clock, Jeff Smith's upcoming Bone picture books, Arkham Asylum 2, The Terrifics, Spider-Man vs Deadpool, The Signal, Sonic the Hedgehog's move to IDW, the three newly-announced Black Crown series, Mark Waid and Chris Samnee on Captain America, the new Unicron and Visionaries books, Marvel's digital-first deal with Comixology, Ed Piskor's X-Men: Grand Design, the new creative teams on Doctor Strange and Thanos, Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca taking over Star Wars, the final volume of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and the sad death of Flo Steinberg, as well as reviewing Mech Cadet Yu and Lark's Killer. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is a cool dude with attitude, kinda groovy.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_157_-_All_The_Walls_Purple.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:58am EDT

This time round, Paul and Al are remembering Joan Lee, trying to work out what Legacy actually is, chewing over the controversy surrounding Howard Chaykin's current Image work, and chatting through Titan's upcoming Dan Dare series, DC & Archie's Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica, and Sean Murphy's Batman: White Knight. They've also got reviews of Diablo House and Green Arrow. When 900 years old the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is, look as good it will not.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_156_-_The_Nu-Metal_Age.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

Al and Paul have been away for a little while longer than usual, but that just means that there's plenty for them to talk about. They kick off by discussing the sad death of Rich Buckler, then talk a little about the extra issue recently granted to Secret Empire (as well as the execution of the story so far); the upcoming "Doomsday Clock" story (as well as "The Button" and Watchmen more generally); the abrupt cancellation of Black Panther and the Crew and what it says about Marvel's line overall; the announcements of Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa's Mech Cadet Yu, Ted Naifeh's Heroines and Tom King and Mitch Gerads' Mister Miracle; Scott Snyder's last "proper Batman" story and Sony's Venom movie, then turn their attention to reviews of Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks and Generation X. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe doesn't work, it just makes you worse. Sorry.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_155_-_Punched_To_A_Crisp.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:25am EDT

It's been a busy couple of weeks, so Paul and Al have got nearly an hour of chat about the comics news, including the sad death of Bernie Wrightson, the closing of ComicsAlliance, Marvel's four-fold woes with digital code backtracking, artists vs writers, diversity and sales, and Ardian Syaf's hidden messages, and the announcement of the New Warriors TV show, along with reviews of Royals and Eleanor and the Egret. I don't have plans and schemes, and I don't have hopes and dreams, I don't have anything, if I don't have the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_154_-_Swearing_and_Trainers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT

Al and Paul are back, and this time round they're discussing Astonishing X-Men, Darth Vader, Edge of Venomverse and Marvel's current creative and sales position generally; the return of Zodiac Starforce; new creator-owned imprints led by Karen Berger and Shelly Bond, Image's announcements from ECCC; and DC's Looney Tunes crossovers, as well as reviewing Grass Kings and Redline. 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!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_153_-_You_Can_Use_A_Tea_Cosy_As_A_Hat.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:12am EDT

Hot on the heels of their chat with Mike Quackenbush, Paul and Al are back with another regular House to Astonish, talking about the New York Times dropping its comics bestseller charts, the lack of an Image Expo in 2017, December's sales estimates, the retirement of Bernie Wrightson, the relaunching of Rocket Raccoon, Valiant's upcoming Secret Weapons miniseries and the casting of Marvel's Cloak & Dagger and Runaways TV series, as well as reviews of Bullseye and The Spirit: The Corpse Makers. Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today, I want to be a part of it, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_152_-_High-Tech_Snood.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:12am EDT

House to Astonish - Episode 151 - Imaginary Mince Pie

It's the end of the year, and as always, Paul and Al are running through the results of the Homies awards, with Paul's picks, Al's picks, and the winners of the listener vote. They've got unexpectedly good books, predictably good creators, astonishingly close votes, and shambolically tabulated results. Come hear what the House enjoyed this year, and what the voting Housemates plumped for. All this plus a wooden piece of wood, a beautiful leather briefcase, and a perfunctory log fire.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_151_-_Imaginary_Mince_Pie.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am EDT

It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here - House to Astonish episode 150, commemorating eight years of chat and waffle about comics. This time round, Paul and Al aren't doing their usual news-reviews-handbook format, but instead tackling questions about what current books they'd recommend, what the most ridiculous stories are that they've ever read, the Transformers: Earthforce stories, their secret origin, the concept of the "Reverse OHOTOHOTMU", their greatest hits, and how they'd remake crossover events. Plus their most punsome Amalgam characters, a spot of House to Astonish Theatre and a feature which they straight-up ripped off from another podcast. As a bonus, they've also got the entirety of the House to Astonish vs SILENCE! panel from Thought Bubble 2016, featuring Ryan North, Brenden Fletcher, Emi Lenox and John Allison, for anyone who missed that.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_150_-_Podcast_Three_Times_Backwards.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:26am EDT

Al and Paul are gearing up for their big 150th episode, with discussion of Charlie Adlard becoming the UK's Comics Laureate; more details on Marvel's Monsters Unlimited event; Scott Snyder reteaming with Greg Capullo; Kieron Gillen and Kev Walker's upcoming Doctor Aphra series; the impending relaunches of Nova and Batwoman; Warren Ellis's revamp of the Wildstorm universe; America Chavez's 2017 ongoing; Thunderbolts anniversary stories and LionForge's new superhero universe, as well as giving reviews to Reborn and Mosaic. Theorising that one could time travel within his own lifetime, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator... and vanished.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_149_-_Favourite_Corks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:22am EDT

Paul and Al remember they have a podcast, and take a canter through the comics news of the past week or so, including the renaming of Death of Hawkman; the announcement of the Justice League/Suicide Squad event and Steve Orlando as Justice League of America writer; the suggested new optimistic direction for the DC Cinematic Universe; Marvel's teases for Ressurexion and Monsters Unleashed; the mooted New Warriors sitcom; Alan Moore's retirement from comics; Image's cross-country move; and Warren Ellis and Coleen Doran's forthcoming webcoming Finality. They've also got reviews of Night's Dominion and Supergirl. The word's on the streets and it's on the news, I'm not going to teach the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe how to dance with you.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_148_-_No_Shires_No_Shoes_No_Service.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:27pm EDT

House to Astonish - Episode 147 - Story: Ark

Al and Paul have got absolutely loads to get through this episode, as they run through the Marvel NOW! announcements, take a look at the most recent Direct Market sales figures, look at Spell on Wheels, Ether, Hawkman and Adam Strange: Out of Time and the Lost Boys sequel comic, have a quick chat about the new artist on Black Panther, discuss Plutona's potential move to the big screen, dig into the upcoming Marvel/Fox co-produced TV show and sigh wearily at the Wonder Woman cover thing, as well as reviewing Horizon and New Super-Man. Clap along if you feel like the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe without a roof.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_147_-_Story__Ark.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm EDT

House to Astonish - Episode 146 - Immune to Terrapins

In which Paul and Al promise not to spend time chewing over the massively-masticated topics of Captain America's Hydra cliffhanger and DC Rebirth's unexpected additions to the DCU, then proceed to spend 15 minutes doing exactly that. They also chat through the Cinemax-optioned Scarlet; the Civil War II #3 midnight openings (and the candidates for the "big surprising death"); the director of the Flash movie and Superman's upcoming guest spot on Supergirl, and review Detective Comics and Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe! The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe!  Kick off your Sunday shoes!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_146_-_Immune_To_Terrapins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:12pm EDT

House to Astonish - Episode 145 -  Being Lex Shrapnel

Al and Paul are back to their regular comics chat this time out, with news of the sad and untimely death of Darwyn Cooke; the cancellation of Agent Carter; the renewal of Supergirl; the woes of Marvel's Most Wanted; a bit of movie chat around Black Panther, Civil War, Suicide Squad and BvS; the end of Darth Vader; the upcoming Section 8 mini; and DC's anti-sexual harassment measures, along with reviews of Punisher and Satellite Falling. Iggle Piggle Iggle Onk, we're going to catch the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_145_-_Being_Lex_Shrapnel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:21pm EDT

It's been a big few weeks for comics news, so Paul and Al are running through the DC Rebirth announcements, the Image Expo presentation, Gerard Way's new DC imprint, the sale of CBR to Valnet, the (very) minor trinkets of Marvel news from the past couple of weeks and a little bit of chat about Batman v Superman along with reviews of The Fix and Black Panther. Battle not with monsters, lest you become a monster, and if you gaze into the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe gazes also.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_144_-_The_Avengabus_Is_Coming.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:34am EDT

House to Astonish - Episode 143 - How to be Tortured With Fruit

A quiet time for comics news as we head towards convention season, but Al and Paul have got some chat for you this time out on the Civil War trailer, the renewed slate of CW DC shows, Amazon's Tick pilot order, Valiant's Deathmate event, Civil War II: X-Men, the revival of the Icon imprint, the planned roll-out of DC Rebirth and the price point and shipping schedule that goes along with that, as well as reviews of Mockingbird and Baker Street Peculiars. If you were the only girl in the world, and I were the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, you'd probably get bored pretty quickly.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_143_-_How_to_be_Tortured_With_Fruit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:43pm EDT

There's an absolute ton of news for Paul and Al to discuss this time around, so they're looking at DC Rebirth; Wal-Mart's move into graphic novels; the Hanna-Barbera comics revamp; the mess that was this year's Angoulême; Si Spurrier and Dylan Burnett's Weavers, the return of Steve Rogers as Captain America; the Supergirl/Flash TV crossover and the Legion show casting, as well as reviewing Spider-Man and Mirror. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe makes our heart sing; it makes everything... groovy.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_142_-_Effys_Illegal_VR_Den.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm EDT

Al and Paul are back to normal operations this time round (by which we mean "recorded with sound errors" - for some reason the laptop didn't pick up the mic so the show recorded using the internal mic on the Macbook, which means a slightly echoey experience that long-time listeners will remember from the show's first year). They've got a good bit of chat about Civil War II, the newly-announced Poe Dameron ongoing, the all-new Wasp, Netflix's potential Punisher series, titbits of info on the Wonder Woman movie and the creative team change on A-Force. They're also casting a critical eye over the December sales charts and reviewing Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion and Spider-Man/Deadpool. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. 

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_141_-_All_This_and_Civil_War_II.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:59pm EDT

It's the last day of 2015, so an end-of year wrap-up seems appropriate. It's the Homies awards, as is normal for Paul and Al at this time of year, and we're awarding all sorts of gongs and other glittering prizes to the comics, creators and stories that most impressed us this year, including totting up the results of our listener vote. Hark! as they lay a potentially surprising amount of praise at DC's door. Herald! as they try to work out what exactly is Gwenpool. Sing! as they let our central conceit slide with remarkable frequency. There's no news, reviews or Official Handbook this time round, but they've got mince pies and hot chocolate, so you never know who might come carolling. All this plus a human Jaffa Cake, Halley's clockwork comet, Jeff Lemire's Blue Tooth and Monty Python's Secret Wars.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_140_-_Goose_and_Sprout_Risotto.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Al and Paul are back from Battlepod, with a whole bunch of comics and comics-y chat for you. They're looking at Paul Dini and Eduardo Risso's Batman OGN, Marvel's Apocalypse Wars crossover (with assorted Secret Wars dissection waffle), the Batman v Superman and Captain America: Civil War trailers and Telltale Games's upcoming Batman release, and have also got reviews of Mystery Girl and Robin War. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - where does it go? Where does it stop? What's the sign on the lollipop?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_139_-_In_The_Dark_Knight_Garden.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:20am EDT

It's part seven of Secret Convergence on Infinite Podcasts, and Al is joined by Elle Collins (of Into It with Elle Collins), Helena Hart (of Journey Into Misery) and Jeff Lester (of Wait, What?) to talk about the comics, characters and creators from the bottom of the barrel whom we love despite their occasionally ostensibly awful nature, those who've never had a fair shake, and those we just feel sorry for. For other episodes of Secret Convergence, and for info on the crossover and its participating podcasts, check out http://secretconvergence.tumblr.com and @scoipodcasts on Twitter.


Paul and Al have got plenty of juicy comics chat for you this time round, with discussion of Fox's two new X-Men TV shows, the upcoming Power Man & Iron Fist series, AfterShock Comics' announcement of American Monster, DC's new Wonder Woman digital series, and all the recent comings and goings on Marvel's movies and TV shows, as well as reviews of I Hate Fairyland and Uncanny Avengers. Once upon a time the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe was falling in love, now it's only falling apart, poor thing.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_138_-_Captain_Tarzan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:46am EDT

Al and Paul have got a slightly chunkier episode than usual for you this time round, with just over 90 minutes of chat about Batman Day, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze's Black Panther, DC's recent cancellations (and un-cancellations), Marvel's news out of the Diamond summit (including Moon Knight, Mockingbird and Silver Surfer, along with the Master of Kung Fu omnibus news); the return of Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore's Leaving Megalopolis, and the Gambit movie's woes. They've also got a jaunt through December's solicitations and reviews of Wild's End: The Enemy Within and Exit Generation. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's like red but not quite.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_137_-_Grimlockerdammerung_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:28pm EDT

Paul and Al have something of a scattershot selection of news for you this time out, with discussion of Secret Wars being extended to nine issues; the Scarlet Witch artist announcement; Mads Mikkelsen's negotiations to bring villainy to the Doctor Strange movie; the newly-announced Guardians of Infinity series; casting news for the Flash and Agents of SHIELD shows; and Superman's career as a watch thief, along with reviews of Last Days of Ant-Man and Over the Garden Wall. There goes the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, watch him as he goes.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_136_-_Costco_Mephisto.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:07pm EDT

The world turns, a new day dawns, and there's a new episode of House to Astonish for you. Al and Paul are talking about Channing Tatum's trials and tribulations signing on the line for the Gambit film, Bluewater's ill-advised name change, Chris Pine joining the Wonder Woman movie, Marvel's newly-announced titles and the upcoming Civil War box set, and have reviews of Power Up and Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. I never saw ya, I only heard ya, talking 'bout the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_135_-_Murderer_Things.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:47am EDT

Paul and Al are back after a slightly longer break than usual, with a massive run-through of the All-New All-Different Marvel books, the announcements out of Image Expo, DC's Convergence tie-in launches, Vertigo's new slate, IDW's surprising licensed launches and the return of Tokypop, as well as reviews of Archie, The Spire and Dungeon Fun. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can't liiiiiiiiiive if living is without youuuuuuu.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_134_-_Nuts_Flava.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am EDT

Al and Paul are back with chat about the Wicked and the Divine heading to TV, Tilda Swinton potentially joining the cast of Doctor Strange, the Lumberjanes movie landing at Fox, Stephen Amell's dalliance with WWE, Mark Paniccia's step up to X-Men senior group editor, the post-Secret Wars Marvel teasers, Brian Bendis and David Marquez's Invincible Iron Man and DC's half-page ads, along with reviews of The Covenant, Bizarro and Airboy. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe's gonna hate hate hate hate hate.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_133_-_Uncle_Lemmys_Big_Idea.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT