House to Astonish

It's Al and Paul's Christmas gift to you - a slightly belated podcast featuring discussion of the casting of Ant-Man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Sandman movie, Shia LaBoeuf's plagiarism, Matt Fraction leaving Inhuman and Zeb Wells leaving Elektra, the return of Stray Bullets, Mike Carey and Salvador Larocca's X-Men OGN and Stephen Wacker's job move. They're also reviewing The Illegitimates, The Midas Flesh and Harley Quinn, and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is just your dad really.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_116_-_The_Tumble_Drying_Aspect.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:31pm EDT

After a week away, Paul and Al are very pleased to be able to say that things seem to have worked out a good bit better this time round - they've got news about Fox's Marvel movie universe, the X-Men movie after next, Warners' casting of Wonder Woman, Marvel's digital trades giveaway and the new Wolverine & the X-Men and Magneto series. They've also got reviews of Inhumanity, Rover Red Charlie and Black Science and interviews with Al Ewing, Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kieron Gillen which they recorded at Thought Bubble. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is in ur base eating ur Pringles.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_115_-_Waiting_for_Gal_Godot.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:51am EDT

Al and Paul are joined for their fifth-anniversary, longest-ever podcast by Graeme McMillan and Jeff Lester of Wait, What? to talk about the Ultimate universe, Marvel's Netflix deal, comics creators who've fallen by the wayside, the state of play at DC and a huge amount more. There's Alicia Masters trying not to get pee on her shoes, a badly-pitched Daredevil story, a labrador writing Avengers, a low-rent Scooby Gang and Schrodinger's Channel. Thanks for joining us for the past five years, and here's to the future...

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_114_-_My_Wolverine_Has_No_Nose.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:57pm EDT

Al and Paul have a nice lean 75 minutes for you this time round, talking about DC relocating to Burbank, the end of Fables, the Daredevil Infinite comic, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March, Marvel's Japanese animated show, the latest comings and goings in comics-related litigation and the Mighty Avengers 1 script release SNAFU. They've also got reviews of Sandman: Overture, Damian, Son of Batman and Velvet. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is just zis guy, you know?

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_113_-_Our_Assets_Are_Arguments.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:45am EDT

Paul and Al are back, and on a (theoretically) regular schedule too, with tons of discussion of news out of New York Comic-Con. They're talking about a whole load of things, including Batman: Eternal, the Dynamite revival of the Gold Key characters, the return of Priest and M.D. Bright to Quantum & Woody, Greg Rucka's new horror series Veil, the slew of new Marvel series and, of course, the ReedPOP promotional tweet controversy. They've also got interviews with Antony Johnston, Greg Pak, Justin Jordan and Charles Soule, and all the usual waffle you've come to expect (except reviews or Handbook stuff, both of which are AWOL).

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_112_-_Marvel.EXE.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:53am EDT

By way of something to tide you over in anticipation of House to Astonish's full-blown return, here's an hour of questions, answers and general messing around featuring Al Kennedy, Cara Ellison, Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, with questions on comics-based video games, gritty superhero TV shows, all-ages comics, Marvel Now Wave 2, the future of the Ultimate universe and loads more.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_-_The_Shed_Of_Ideas.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:39pm EDT

Paul and Al have got a handy recap of all the major news out of San Diego for you, talking about IDW's new Artist's Editions, the republishing of The Maxx, the continuing partnership between IDW and 2000AD and Walt Simonson's new creator-owned series, Dynamite's new Twilight Zone and Heroes books (as well as Howard Chaykin's return to The Shadow), Dark Horse's Ghost and Terminator series, five new titles from Monkeybrain, DC Digital's upcoming new books, the launch of a new Harley Quinn title, Marvel's latest addition to the X-books, Wolverine: Origin II, the return of the Marvel UK characters and the Avengers movie sequel. Oh, and something to do with a big superhero movie from Warners... They've also got reviews of Hunger, Tomorrowland and Mysterious Strangers, and frankly, my dear, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe doesn't give a damn.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_111_-_Worlds_Yummiest.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:37am EDT

Paul and Al have a heaving slab of chat for you this time round, with discussion of Ales Kot being replaced on Suicide Squad, George Perez going exclusive at Boom, all the announcements out of the Image Expo (including DRM-free digital comics), Marvel's new Inhumans-led direction, and a blitz through October's solicitations, as well as reviews of Trinity of Sin: Pandora, Sheltered and Superior Foes of Spider-Man. Give the Official  Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe a fish, and it'll be completely baffled.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_110_-_If_Jupiters_Legacy_Was_Lemsip.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:20am EDT

Al and Paul have a lean slice of chat for you this time round, with news on Comixology's new subscriptions and bundles, the six new launches from Vertigo and Gerry Conway's comics creators royalty drive, as well as reviews of Uncanny, Batman/Superman and Lazarus. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe thinks it's kind of funny, it thinks it's kind of sad, that the dreams in which it's dying are really freaking bizarre.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_109_-_Ecuadorian_Cake_Festival.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:26pm EDT

Paul and Al have got a brand new episode of House to Astonish for you, with a chunky run through Man of Steel's opening box office, the recent developments in the Marvel/Friedrich Ghost Rider litigation, Jeff Parker and Mark Laming's King's Watch and September's solicitations, along with reviews of Six-Gun Gorilla, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys and Superman Unchained. Give the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe an inch and it'll eat for a day. Or something.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_108_-_Otto_Goes_Skiing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:59pm EDT

New month, new podcast, and Al and Paul have got comicsy natterings for you on Rebellion's limited Zenith hardcover (and the legal implications thereof), Paul Jenkins leaving Marvel and DC for BOOM!, the ever-expanding cast of Guardians of the Galaxy and Marvel's wranglings with Fox over the cinematic versions of Quicksilver, along with reviews of Supermag, The Wake and X-Men. Yes sir, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can boogie, but it needs a certain song.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_107_-_To_Catch_a_Skrull.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:43am EDT

Paul and Al have got an hour and a half of comics discussion for you, with news on the passing of Dan Adkins, James Robinson leaving DC, Disney's Big Hero 6 movie, Matt Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick's t-shirts for charity and a run through the August solicitations, along with  reviews of The Dream Merchant, Avengers: The Enemy Within and... well, something special. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is no competitive eater, just a regular book with a serious appetite.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_106_-_The_Nerd_Riots_of_2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:59am EDT

It's Free Comic Book Day, and it's also New House To Astonish Day - Al and Paul have got a hefty slice of comicsy chat for you, with discussion of the closure of Comics Alliance, Valerie Gallagher's departure from MTVGeek, the blacklisting of The Outhouse by DC and the cancellation of the B&B column at CBR, as well as the end of X-Factor, the return of Spider-Man 2099, the Battle of the Atom crossover, Aw Yeah Comics' partnership with Thrillbent, the return of Shaolin Cowboy, Dark Horse's new Hellboy projects and Alex de Campi's Grindhouse, as well as reviews of Jupiter's Legacy, The Movement and Mister X: Eviction. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has got the touch, it's got the power - when all Hell's breaking loose, it'll be right in the eye of the storm.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_105_-_The_Softest_of_Balls.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:19am EDT

It's been a relatively quiet couple of weeks for comics news, but Paul and Al still somehow managed to put together an hour and three quarters of discussion of the Saga/Comixology shenanigans, the first transgender character in the New 52, the sad passing of Carmine Infantino and the July solicitation, as well as reviews of Avengers Assemble AU, Batman and Invincible Universe. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is movin' on up, movin' on out, movin' on up, nothin' can stop it.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_104_-_Saga_Saga.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:39pm EDT

They're a few days late because of the Easter holiday, but Al and Paul have got lots of chat for you this time round to make up for it. They're talking about Angela joining the Marvel Universe, DC's creative merry-go-round, Marvel's new Avengers title, Jeff Parker's Batman '66, the return of Quantum & Woody, Marvel's move into OGNs, Jim Rugg's Supermag and various other bits and bobs, as well as reviewing The Private Eye, Constantine and East of West. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is no April Fool - it's just a fool for your love.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_103_-_The_One_Direction_Corps.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:28am EDT

Paul and Al have got a ton of chat for you this time round, covering Marvel's SXSW announcements, JLA's sales figures, the delay to X-Men, the casting of Drax the Destroyer, the JManga closure and Afterlife with Archie, as well as a canter through the June solicitations and reviews of Lost Vegas, Aliens vs Parker and Age of Ultron. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe! It's the feature, the feature with the Miiiiidas touch!

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_102_-_Darts_and_Televisions.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:03am EDT

Al and Paul are back with another episode of House to Astonish, with discussion of the Pandora and Batman/Superman ongoings, the expansion of the Fables empire, the Brother Lono miniseries, Gail Simone's Red Sonja, the death of Damian Wayne, the Unwritten OGN, the Larfleeze title, Monkeybrain's  print distribution, IDW's cartoon licenses, Columbia University's acquisition of the Elfquest archives, the possibilities of Marvel First, the coming and going of WTF Month and Steven Sanders's Symbiosis Kickstarter, along with reviews of Five Weapons, Justice League of America and Nova. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe knows how to whistle - it just puts its lips together and tries not to suck.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_101_-_Thank_Fifty-Two_Its_Friday.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:25am EDT

It's House to Astonish episode 100! Paul and Al are joined by Carrie Kennedy, Susi O'Brien, Stu West and Amal El-Mohtar to discuss topic suggested by friends, listeners and comics pros, encompassing digital comics, boycotts, the greatest comics out today, what Marvel would be like if they'd done right by Kirby, favourite superhero movies, reinventions of Marvel characters, the Eurovision Song Contest, pie, monkeys and what goes on inside the human stomach.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_100_-_All_Work_And_No_Play_Makes_Herbie_Go_Bananas.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:27pm EDT

Al and Paul are back with an hour and a half of discussion of DC's chaotic creative assignments, Keith Giffen's potential departure from Legion of Super-Heroes, Kyle Baker's free graphic novels, Marvel NOW!'s free digital collections and the Doctor Strange movie, as well as a look at April's solicitations and reviews of Uncanny X-Force, The Answer and Threshold. If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit, The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is probably going to be a disappointment by comparison.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_99_-_Boom_Clap_Boom_De_Clap_De_Clap.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:26pm EDT

Paul and Al have got a nice little hour and a quarter of comicy chat for you this time out, with discussion of Titan's new comics line, the Phoenix going digital, the proposed DC "dark" movie, the SHIELD and Hulk TV shows and the Superman appeal decision, along with reviews of The End Times of Bram & Ben, Superior Spider-Man and Mara. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe wants you for a sunbeam, which is a little weird to be honest with you.

Direct download: House_to_Astonish_98_-_Utensil_Plus.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:24pm EDT

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