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Episode 91 Become a Patron! Greetings, Explorers! We're traveling to Jersey City to take a look at Ms. Marvel, No Normal Vol. 1. Marvel Comics published the comic book in 2014. G. Willow Wilson wrote the story with art by Adrian Alphona. Additional contributions as follows: color by Ian Herring and lettering by Letter VC’s Joe Caramagna. Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American high school student who is a big fan of Captain Marvel. Kamala lives in Jersey City with her older brother and parents. She struggles with finding the balance between her parents' native Pakistani heritage while also growing up as an American teenager. Kamala soon finds herself dealing with new powers that don't come with an instruction manual. Parties, rescuing classmates, studying for tests, stopping a crime ring... what's Ms. Marvel to do? Johnny, Aubrey, and Dennis begin things by fawning all over Ms. Marvel. Next, Dennis enlightens the gang about Terrigen Bombs and how one becomes an Inhuman. Finally, they look at Kamala's journey toward accepting who she is when so many push her to be an "other". Additional topics include polymorphic alloys and polymorphic humans; and pigs with wings. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Ms. Marvel - No Normal, Vol 1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Week in Geek – Obi-Wan Kenobi & V Rising Greetings, Explorers! This is our Week in Geek. Every other week we look back at the everything we’ve been geeking out on. That could be movies, shows, books, games, music, and anything else that got our attention. This week we look at Obi-Wan Kenobi. First up, Aubrey shares her latest TV viewing, which is the K Drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One that is currently available on Netflix (as of June 6, 2022). Aubrey is also playing V Rising and No Man’s Sky. Next, Dennis and Johnny both watched Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+. Dennis also watched Stranger Things and Young Justice. Finally, Johnny chats about re-reading of The Watchmen after about a decade since he last read it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 90 Greetings, Explorers! Will you dare enter the Sanctum Sanctorum of Doctor Strange: The Oath? Marvel Comics published Doctor Strange: The Oath in 2007. Brian K. Vaughan wrote the story with art by Marcos Martin. Additional contributions as follows: Inks by Alvaro Lopez, color by Javier Rodriguez, and lettering by Willie Schubert. The story concerns Doctor Strange trying to save Wong’s life by tracking down a mysterious elixir. However, at the same time, Doctor Strange must figure who is trying to kill him (and why) while he’s searching for the cure to Wong’s illness. Finally, is it possible Doctor Strange’s past behavior and decision making are catching up with him? First, Dennis, Johnny, and Aubrey dive into the history of Wong, both in Marvel comics and the MCU. Next, the gang examines why Marvel heroes insist on calling a doctor “nurse” instead of doctor. Finally, they dive into the motivation of the protagonist(s) of this story. Additional topics include why don’t rich heroes chip in to help poor heroes; the Trolley Problem at the center of the story; when writers should know better; why you don’t recruit minions from Angie’s List; and what Joel and Doctor Strange share in common. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Doctor Strange: The Omen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 89 Become a Patron! Greetings, Explorers! After a short break due to our co-host Johnny being tied up with up a semester of school, we're back with some new-ish episodes (we recorded the next couple of episodes at the beginning of the year). We're kicking off the rest of our season with Batman: Zero Year. Published by DC comics the story in 2013. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV wrote the story, with art by Greg Capullo. Set within DC's New 52 Universe, Batman: Zero Year is a new telling of the early days of Batman's career. Additionally, it wraps up Snyder and Capullo's run on Batman comics. Aubrey, Dennis, and Johnny starts things off chatting about Batman: Year Zero's connection to Batman: Last Knight on Earth, which we reviewed in Episode 81. Next, they discuss if Batman stories even need to be told at this point. Finally, they look at the Batman Eggs (Batman + Easter Eggs) in the story. Additional topics include Jim Gordon's coat; the Robin who isn't a Robin, wears a Batman symbol, but isn't a Batman either; the sexual tension between two of the characters (and it's not who you'd expect it to be); finding the time to move to Metropolis; "That rubbed me the right way"; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Batman: Year Zero. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Greetings, Explorers! The podcast is going on hiatus for a bit and co-host Johnny lets you know why. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Greetings, Explorers! This is our Week in Geek. Every other week we look back at the everything we’ve been geeking out on. That could be movies, shows, books, games, music, and anything else that got our attention. This week we look at The Book of Boba Fett. Dennis, Aubrey, and Johnny chat about some of things they’ve been geeking out on. First up, Dennis shares his thoughts about The Book of Boba Fett (and the culture building in the show), HBO’s Peacemaker, and Station Eleven. Next, Aubrey’s Week in Geek revolves around Talk Show the Game Show, the Korean drama I Can Hear Your Voice, the DLC for Breath of the Wild, and the book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté. Finally, Johnny’s Week in Geek involves The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window, MONK! by Youseff Dadudi, which is about Thelonious Monk and Pannonica de Koenigswarter, and musicians Angel Olsen and Julia Jacklin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 88 Greetings, Explorers! Prepare yourself to become a multi-modality hyper-genius after reading Omni. Story by Devin Grayson and art by Alitha E. Martinez. HUMANOIDS published the comic in 2020. Doctor Cecelia Cobbina is a surgeon working with Doctors Without Borders. While helping patients in Africa, Doctor Cobbina suddenly becomes gifted with hyper-intelligence. However, she’s not alone. Other people are gaining powers of their own. Finally, her new metahuman abilities come in handy as tries to figure out this mystery. Frist, Johnny, Dennis, and Aubrey look at at the larger H1 Ignition Universe. Three of the series that make up the Ignition Universe are Omni, Strange Lands, and Ignited. Next, they discuss how the hero’s powers manifest themself. Finally, they talk about the flawed, smart, and dynamic character that is the hero of this series. Additional topics include co-dependent superheroes; the bedside manners of doctors; and the Hippocratic Oath of letting a garbage truck hit people. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Omni. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Writer and Artist Interview Greetings, Explorers! We’ve got a special episode for you. Ian Rosenberg, an attorney and writer, and Mike Cavallaro, an artist with over 30 years of experience in comics and animation, stop by to chat about their new graphic novel, the Free Speech Handbook. First Second published the book in 2021. Free Speech Handbook is part of the World Citizens Handbooks series of six graphic novels. Two of the other books in the series are What Unites Us by Dan Rather and Why the People by Beka Feathers. Free Speech Handbook and the rest of the World Citizen Handbooks are available now. Ian is a media lawyer and teaches media law at Brooklyn College. Additionally, he is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and since 2003 has provided legal counsel for ABC News. Mike has worked in comics and animation since the early 90s. His body of work, to name just a few, includes the Eisner Award-nominated Parade (with Fireworks), The Life and Time of Savior 28, Foiled, and Curses! Foiled Again, and the Nico Bravo series, a 2019 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids selection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 87 Bonjour mes Explorateurs! In this episode we look at About Betty’s Boob. Written by Véro Cazot, art by Julie Rocheleau, and published by Archaia Entertainment in 2017. About Betty’s Boob concerns a young woman named Betty waking up after her mastectomy. In addition to her surgery, she goes through a break up and losing her job. However, what seems to be the darkest time in Betty’s life may be the start of a bright new day. Above all, what could easily be a dark tale is told with humor, healing, and self-acceptance. Aubrey, Johnny, and Dennis chat the lack of dialogue in the book. Next, they discuss the anti-Capitalism themes of the book. Finally, Aubrey examines the exploratory structure of the book. Additional topics include 80085; why the artisanal fake breast shop was done dirty; “boobdazzled”; the lack of comeuppance for the “villain”; another graphic novel by a French duo; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of About Betty’s Boob.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our Week in Geek - The King's Affection & Spider-Man: No Way Home Greetings, Explorers! We're trying something new here at Graphic Novel Explorers Club. We thought started checking in every other week to see what non-comic book and non-graphic novel media that's got our attention. Things like shows, movies, books, games, and music. In the very first episode, Aubrey and Johnny chat about some of things they've been geeking out on: The King's Affection, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Mixtape, Donut County, New Teeth: Stories, and Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 86 Greetings, Explorers! We kick off our sixth season of Graphic Novel Explorers Club with Daredevil Know Fear, by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto. Marvel published the comic in 2019. Matt Murdock, better known as Daredevil, is rebuilding everything after nearly passing away, both in his personal life and his vigilante life as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. His first mission back results in a criminal dying while trying to stop a crime. Consequently, NYPD is scouring Hell's Kitchen for Daredevil. His problems don’t stop there! First, Kingpin is mayor of New York. Next, the one hero no one wants on their side is trying to help him. Finally, his investigation into who really killed that criminal is not going where Daredevil is hoping it will go. Dennis and Johnny kicks things off with some updates about the podcast, including introducing our new co-host Aubrey Zevallos! Next, they look at the history of comic book villains running for office. Finally, that ask how effective are superheroes if supervillains are able to commit crimes after being caught? Additional topics include asking if Daredevil Know Fear is a What If story; “brutal with compassion”; the consequences of running that hero game; how heroes deal with the loss of their identity; the Anti-Vigilante Vigilante; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Daredevil Know Fear. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 85 Become a Patron! Happy Holidays, Explorers! December marks the return of our annual Holiday Special! This year we take a look at Krampus! by writer Brian Joines and artist Dean Kotz. Images Comics published the comic in 2014. The bones of Saint Nicholas have gone missing! Now the Secret Society of Santa Clauses are in mortal danger and so is Christmas! With time running out, their only option is to turn to the creature they locked up decades ago: Krampus. With the Santas in their most desperate hour, will he help his jailers or return to his ways of punishing children? However, knowing Krampus is forever on the Naughty List, the Santas go to an extreme measure to him to keep him in line. Which begs the question, what's a Krampus to do? Johnny, Dennis, and guest host Aubrey look at the similarities between the character of Krampus and private detectives like Philip Marlowe and Jeffrey Lebowski. Next, they discuss the respect the author shows in bringing different cultures’ winter lore to life in the story. Finally, they contemplate if this book will follow the lead of other loved comics that are yet to have their follow up published – looking at you Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Emil Ferris. Additional topics include taking the trope of cursing Santa; the many versions of a gift-giving deity; the possible inspiration of Escape from New York; did the kid at the end make it; Horny Christmas vs. Depressed Christmas; the Boomer State of Mind; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Krampus!. Graphic Novel Explorers Club will return with a new season (number 6!) in January 2022. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.