QBP #033 - Mystery in Space (2004)

Quarter-Bin Podcast #33

DC Comcs Presents: Mystery in Space, DC Comics,  cover-dated September 2004.

"Man of Two Worlds," by Elliot S! Maggin, with art by JH Williams III.

and

"Two Worlds," by Grant Morrison, with art by Jerry Ordway & Mark McKenna.

It's two, two, two stories in one! Professor Alan takes on a tribute comic featuring a return of Quarter-Bin veteran Adam Strange and his buddies the Dibnys. And then he faces down Grant Morrison for the first-time ever in the whole history of the podcast? Will he be able to handle the storytelling whiplash? Listen to the episode and find out!

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Promo #1: Comic Book Time Machine
Promo #2: No Agenda

Next Episode: Marvel Two-in-One #1, Marvel Comics,cover-dated June 1979.

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SS #023 - Super-Hero Prose

Shortbox Showcase #023

Super-Hero Novels & Short Stories

Professor Alan and Emily have talked more than once about comic books that don't feature superheroes. This time they talk about non-comic books that do feature superheroes. It's book report time, as the topic for this conversation is "super-hero prose." We talk about novelizations and adaptations, novels featuring DC & Marvel characters, novels featuring original characters, short stories, and even some fan-fiction.


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Here is a partial list of the stories and novels we mentioned, which you should purchase through the Amazon link at Two True Freaks:

Playing for Keeps, by Mur Lafferty
Sable, by Mike Grell
Shadow Legion: New Roads to Hell, by Thomas Deja,, reviewed by Professor Alan here.
Leaper, by Geoffrey Wood, reviewed by Professor Alan here.
Soon I Will Be Invincible, by Austin Grossman, reviewed by Professor Alan here.
Mary Jane & Mary Jane 2, by Judith O'Brien
The She-Hulk Diaries, by Marta Acosta, reviewed by Professor Alan here.
Escape Pod sci-fi short story podcast

Promo:  New Roads to Hell 

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QBP #032 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #6

Quarter-Bin Podcast #32

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #6, DC Comics, cover-dated November 1992.

"The Ugly American," by Alan Grant, with art by Dan Jurgens and Dick Giordano.

So who exactly is that big steroided-up dude on the cover? What does he have to do with the CIA? And why does the CIA just not show Batman the proper respect? And how exactly am I going to work in a discussion on the current state of the auto industry in the US? Listen to the episode and find out!


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Promo: Mark's Mess Podcasts

Next Episode: DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space #1, DC Comics,cover-dated September 2004

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Mister Hero: the bound version

As we discussed in episode 22 of the Shortbox Showcase, Emily and I had the 18 issues of Mr. Hero: The Newmatic Man bound last year. We chose that title partially because of the Steampunk style of the story and partially because it had mostly sentimental value, in case the issues were lost or ruined. Fortunately, they were not. Here are some pictures of the finished product: 

We used Houchen Bindery, and were very pleased with the results.  They offered a wide array of options for customization. We were able to reorder some pages (all the covers and letters pages are collected at the end) and send in paper for custom end pages, along with our own printed table of contents. The gold lines on the binding cost a few extra bucks, as did the printing on the cover. The process was easy -- the hardest part was removing the staples from the books and separating / cutting the pages down the middle.

We hope this gives you an idea of what a bound book of comic books look like. We are debating the next titles that we should send in. Maybe a collection of 4-issue mini-series, or a 12-issue limited series.

SS #022 - Under-read Comics

Shortbox Showcase #22  - The Best Comics You've Probably Never Heard Of!

Professor Alan and Emily talk about their favorite under-read comic books. They discuss the difference between under-rated and under-read, and then talk about some comics that should be read by more people, like Evangeline, Demon Knights, Baker Street, and Sword of the Atom.

Do you have your own favorite "ignored" books? Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com and let us know your choices. 

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Promo #1: Pop Culture Affidavit
Promo #2: Superman in the Bronze Age

Link: Professor Alan's blog post on Baker Street 1-5. And issues 6-10.

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QBP #031 - Dr. Strange #33

Quarter-Bin Podcast #31

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #33, Marvel Comics, cover-dated September 1991.

"The Alexandria Quatrain," by Roy & Dann Thomas, with art by Chris Marrinan and McKenna & Friends.

and

"The Book of the Vishanti: A Gathering of Fear, Part III," by Roy Thomas & Jean-Marc Lofficier, with art by Larry Alexander and Tim Dzon.

How does Doctor Strange spend his day when he's not in a trance battling Thanos? And which historical city of the past does he land in when Thanos interrupts his trance? And who is the guy with the big pink circle on his forehead? Listen to the episode and find out!

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Promo #1: Trentus Magnus Punches Reality
Promo #2: Nutty Bites

Next Episode: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #6, DC Comics,cover-dated November 1992.

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SS #021 - Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

One year ago today, our very first Shortbox Showcase episode debuted. Yes, the other shows in the network had gone live the week before, but since this has become our flagship show, we consider 7/30/13 as our official network starting date.

After covering some feedback, and talking about how awesome our listeners are and all that, we decided to celebrate our first year with a terrific Annual issue. And since both Professor Alan and Emily LURV the Legion, this seemed like a fitting issue to cover on this momentous episode! Wedding bells, time travel, and fashion advice abounds!

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #2, 1983. "Whatever Gods There Be," by Paul Levitz, Keith Giffen, and Dave Gibbons.

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Promo #1: Flash Pulp 
Promo #2: Parallel Lines: The Tangent Comics Podcast

Next Episode: Our favorite "under-read" comics 

Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com 

You can follow Professor Alan on twitter @ProfessorAlan

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