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What happens if Marvel hands you the keys and says, "Fix everything"? David Hedgecock and John Barber tackle that challenge by debating the one creator and one project they'd use to reshape Marvel's future while unpacking the editorial decisions that transformed both Marvel and DC across multiple eras. Along the way they explore Daniel Warren Johnson, Brian Michael Bendis, Absolute Batman, Ghost Machine, Star Wars, creator-driven publishing, and why fresh perspectives matter more than nostalgia. The second half shifts into an enthusiastic “What John and David Read This Week” with good reads including Battle Beast, Shaolin Cowboy: Staying AI Live, Tales of Wonder, Badrock, Carmen Blade, and more. The episode closes with one of John's all-time funniest comic breakdowns—a wonderfully absurd Simon & Kirby Fly story that proves comics have always embraced glorious weirdness. Captions: [03:10] — Save Marvel in One Move — "One creator and one project." — David. David challenges John to answer the ultimate editor fantasy: if Marvel needed saving tomorrow, who gets the call? [11:49] — Daniel Warren Johnson Is the Pick — "Daniel Warren Johnson is a unique creative talent." — David. A passionate case for why one creator has the talent and momentum to move the entire industry. [14:11] — Quesada Changed Everything — "Joe had a big respect for the artist... and the writers." — John. A fascinating look at the philosophy that helped redefine modern Marvel. [33:03] — Three Issues of Pure Carnage — "It's just been three issues of fight scene." — David. Battle Beast delivers unapologetic action, and David couldn't be happier about it. [35:57] — Every Panel Demands Your Attention — "This book took me about two hours to get through." — David. Jeff Darrow's Shaolin Cowboy is less a comic than an experience to absorb one panel at a time. [43:56] — Rob Liefeld Still Has the Eye — "Liefeld has a very good eye for artistic talent. Period." — David. The hosts discuss why Rob consistently discovers artists worth watching. [59:15] — The Greatest Villain Lair Ever? — "He's already in prison." — David. John's hilarious recap of a bizarre Simon & Kirby Fly story becomes one of the funniest conversations of the episode. Splash Page: [00:24] — Can One Creator Save Marvel?: David challenges John with the ultimate editorial thought experiment. [03:10] — Marvel vs. DC Reinvention: How publishers reinvent themselves and why editorial philosophy matters. [30:29] — Miss Mina Kickstarter: David shares the latest on Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book Three. [32:15] — Current Comics Roundup: Battle Beast, Shaolin Cowboy, Tales of Wonder, Badrock and more. [47:35] — John's Reading Stack: Carmen Blade, Building Stories, and a journey through alternative comics. [53:11] — The Wild World of The Fly: Simon & Kirby's superhero logic reaches delightfully absurd heights. [01:04:19] — Looking Ahead: James Harren's Demon, Season 4, and final thoughts. [01:05:48] — A Thank You to Ed: David and John recognize editor Ed Bishop for three seasons of podcast production. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Ed Bishop (http://www.edbishopcreactive.com) - The Corner Box Editor & Producer Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com/) - Acclaimed creator discussed as the hosts' top choice to headline a Marvel revival. Brian Michael Bendis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Michael_Bendis) - Used as the benchmark for a creator who fundamentally changed Marvel. Joe Quesada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Quesada) - Former Marvel Editor-in-Chief whose editorial philosophy becomes central to the discussion. Scott Snyder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Snyder) - Discussed as a driving creative force behind DC's Absolute initiative. Nick Dragotta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Dragotta) - Praised for the visual identity of Absolute Batman. Jeff Darrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geof_Darrow) - Celebrated for the astonishing detail in Shaolin Cowboy. Steve Skroce (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Skroce) - Creator of Tales of Wonder and longtime comics and film storyboard artist. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Discussed through Badrock and his talent for discovering artists. Seth DeMoose (https://www.instagram.com/sethdemoose/) - Artist on Badrock whose work earns strong praise. Ian Bertram (https://www.instagram.com/ianbertramart/) - Highlighted for Carmen Blade and his striking commercial potential. Darcy Van Poelgeest (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darcy_Van_Poelgeest) - Writer of Carmen Blade. Jack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Central to John's discussion of The Fly and classic superhero storytelling. Joe Simon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Simon) - Co-creator of The Fly and partner to Jack Kirby. Chris Ware (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Ware_(comics)) - Mentioned through Building Stories. James Harren (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harren) - Mentioned for his upcoming Demon project. Topics & Resources: Marvel Comics (https://www.marvel.com/) - The hosts debate how the publisher could reinvent itself creatively. DC Comics Absolute Universe (https://www.dc.com/) - Used as the modern example of a successful publishing refresh. Ghost Machine (https://ghostmachinepro.com/) - Discussed as the destination for several high-profile DC creators. Battle Beast (https://imagecomics.com/) - David's pick for pure action-packed fun. Shaolin Cowboy: Staying AI Live (https://www.darkhorse.com/) - Jeff Darrow's latest showcase of meticulous artwork. Tales of Wonder (https://imagecomics.com/) - Steve Skroce's new creator-owned series. Badrock (https://imagecomics.com/) - Rob Liefeld's latest return to Extreme Studios. Carmen Blade (https://imagecomics.com/) - Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram's new Image Comics series. Building Stories (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Stories) - Chris Ware's acclaimed graphic novel. The Fly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_(comics)) - Simon & Kirby's unconventional superhero becomes one of the episode's funniest discussions. Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://funtimego.com/) - David's Kickstarter campaign featured during the episode.

John and David cover a stack of new releases, from Doom Patrol, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Teen Titans to the surprising new Archie relaunch. Along the way, John tumbles into one of the most obsessive comic-book rabbit holes ever discussed on the show—a typewriter sound effect that nearly derails an otherwise fantastic first issue. They also debate modern comic lettering, discuss why small storytelling details matter, and celebrate creators who elevate every page. David also revisits Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra's Just a Pilgrim, making the case that it's one of Ennis' most overlooked comics. It's equal parts comic criticism, production masterclass, and wonderfully unhinged comic-shop conversation. Captions: [05:00] — Joe Casey Problem — "I don't think I'm a fan of Joe Casey... and I want to be, but I'm just not." — David. David explains why Terminal isn't clicking for him despite gorgeous artwork and a creative team he wants to support. [12:47] — Archie Surprise — "This is basically just a regular Archie comic... executed at an extremely high level." — John. A surprisingly enthusiastic review of the new Archie relaunch that isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. [16:35] — Doom Patrol Delivers — "Spoiler alert... I loved it." — John. Before descending into comic-book madness, John makes it clear that the new Doom Patrol is one of his favorite reads of the week. [24:34] — The Typewriter Breakdown — "David... my hair has turned white." — John. A hilarious lead-in to one of the most obsessive page-design analyses you'll ever hear on a comics podcast. [28:57] — Lettering Snob — "I am such a lettering snob." — David. David explains why bad lettering can completely ruin a comic—and why he refuses to compromise on it. [43:39] — Creator First — "I'm there for whoever the creative talent is." — David. A thoughtful discussion about following creators instead of simply buying books because of the characters. [47:37] — Giant Nutsack Monster — "The guy comes out of the hole looking like a giant eight-foot nutsack." — David. An unforgettable description that perfectly captures the wonderfully ridiculous world of Garth Ennis comics. Splash Page: [00:23] — Season Extended: The hosts celebrate getting a few extra episodes before wrapping Season 3. [03:25] — Terminal #2 Reactions: David shares why the series lost some momentum after a strong debut. [10:09] — New Comic Roundup: Reviews of Teen Titans, Legion of Super-Heroes, Doom Patrol, and the new Archie. [16:35] — Doom Patrol Review: Why the new series immediately became one of John's favorite books. [19:09] — The Typewriter Rabbit Hole: A masterclass in comic storytelling, lettering, and page construction. [43:07] — Following Creators vs. Characters: A discussion about what really drives comic buying habits. [45:39] — What We Read This Week: David recommends Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra's Just a Pilgrim. [57:46] — Wrapping Up Season 3: Looking ahead to the final episodes before a brand-new season. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Andy Kubert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Kubert Legendary comic book artist discussed for his standout work on Terminal and his evolution as both penciler and inker. Adam Kubert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Kubert Referenced during a comparison between the Kubert brothers and their distinctive artistic styles. Joe Casey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Casey Writer of Terminal, whose storytelling style becomes a point of discussion. Robert Kirkman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kirkman Praised for his long-form storytelling and discussed as a major reason David is sticking with Terminal. David Finch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Finch_(artist) Mentioned as an upcoming artist on Terminal, generating excitement for future issues. Kyle Higgins https://www.kylehiggins.com/ Writer of the new Teen Titans series highlighted during the new comic reviews. Josh Williamson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Williamson Writer of the new Legion of Super-Heroes series. Hayden Sherman https://www.haydensherman.com/ Artist on Legion of Super-Heroes, praised for dynamic storytelling and visual style. Darcy Van Poelgeest https://imagecomics.com/creators/darcy-van-poelgeest Writer of Doom Patrol, Little Bird, and Precious Metal, whose storytelling is heavily discussed. Nico Henrichon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico_Henrichon Artist on Doom Patrol, celebrated for his page design and visual storytelling. Fabio Moon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fábio_Moon Artist on the new Archie relaunch, praised for bringing his own artistic voice to the classic characters. Ben H. Winters https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_H._Winters Writer of the new Archie series. Mark Waid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Waid Referenced while discussing previous Archie relaunches and Black Bull Publishing. Fiona Staples https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Staples Mentioned for her acclaimed work on the earlier Archie relaunch. Grant Morrison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Morrison Discussed extensively for the influential Doom Patrol run and its lasting legacy. Richard Case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Case_(comics) Artist on Grant Morrison's landmark Doom Patrol series. Rachel Pollack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Pollack Referenced as Morrison's successor on Doom Patrol. Paul Kupperberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kupperberg Friend of the show whose Doom Patrol work is discussed. William Goldman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Goldman Referenced for Adventures in the Screen Trade and its insights into storytelling. Alan Moore https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore Discussed throughout the Watchmen analysis. Dave Gibbons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Gibbons Referenced for his meticulous visual storytelling on Watchmen. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou https://strippanelnaked.com/ Discussed at length for his influence on modern comic lettering and storytelling. Richard Starkings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Starkings Referenced for his enormous influence on modern comic lettering. Dave Lanphear https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Lanphear Remembered during a discussion about Comicraft lettering. Garth Ennis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis David recommends Just a Pilgrim.

On part two of this episode, the blind bag madness continues as David opens the second half of his twenty Terminal #1 mystery packs in pursuit of the increasingly mythical Rob Liefeld variant. Between pulls, John introduces several overlooked Fantagraphics books that deserve another look, sparking a conversation about forgotten creators, publishing history, and why some excellent comics disappear into obscurity. David reviews Garth Ennis' Streets of Glory, explains why Ennis remains one of comics' most reliable storytellers, and then delivers a brutally honest review of Dynamite's Super Zombies. Along the way, both hosts explore the editor's role in shaping successful comics—and what happens when nobody steps in. The episode wraps with more blind bags reveals, crushed expectations, and one very expensive lesson in comic collecting. SUPPORT THE SHOW BY SUPPORTING DAVID'S LATEST KICKSTARTER! Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book Three! Captions:[03:57] — Forgotten Classics — "People should talk about it... Oh, people do talk about it. I'm the idiot that hadn't read it." — John Barber. John discovers that one of comics' hidden gems has been respected for decades—he simply arrived late to the party. [10:48] — Great Comic, Terrible Title — "He had to make an effort in 1991 to not sell comics." — David Hedgecock. David and John roast one of the least marketable comic titles ever despite loving everything inside the book. [17:18] — Why Garth Ennis Works — "His lead character is always a dude who's loyal to a specific code that he himself has." — David Hedgecock. David explains the storytelling trait that makes Garth Ennis consistently compelling across genres. [20:48] — Worth Every Penny — "You find a cheap copy of this on eBay... nice little evening read." — David Hedgecock. A recommendation for an overlooked Garth Ennis hardcover that deserves far more attention. [29:16] — Stop Explaining the Virus — "Don't give me a title, Super Zombies, and then give me a dissertation on viral transmission." — David Hedgecock. One of the funniest rants of the episode as David explains exactly how a comic loses its audience. [31:15] — The Editor's Job — "That lack of editorial oversight can be a blessing or a curse." — John Barber. John shares an editor's perspective on why talented creators can still produce unfocused comics. [34:41] — No Happy Ending — "I really thought there would be a little more variation." — David Hedgecock. Twenty blind bags later... and the Rob Liefeld cover never arrives. Splash Page[01:28] — What We're Reading: John and David dive into another week of comic discoveries. [03:57] — Rediscovering Fantagraphics: Forgotten classics, publishing history, and why some amazing comics disappear. [16:48] — Garth Ennis Spotlight: David reviews Streets of Glory and why Ennis rarely disappoints. [24:16] — Kickstarter Break: David previews Ms. Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book 3. [26:46] — Blind Bag Reality Sets In: Duplicate covers begin piling up as the Rob Liefeld hunt continues. [27:16] — Super Zombies Review: When ambition overwhelms storytelling. [31:15] — Why Editors Matter: David and John discuss editorial oversight, creator freedom, and finding the right balance. [33:41] — The Final Pull: Twenty blind bags later... was the chase worth it? Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Creators Mentioned John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - Former IDW Publishing Editor-in-Chief and Corner Box co-host discussing comics, editing, and publishing history. David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - Comic creator, publisher, Kickstarter creator, and Corner Box co-host. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Legendary Image Comics co-founder whose rare Terminal variant cover fuels David's blind bag obsession. Art Adams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Adams_(comics)) - Celebrated artist behind one of the Terminal variant covers. Dave Finch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Finch_(artist)) - Artist responsible for another repeatedly-pulled Terminal cover. John Stanley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stanley_(comics)) - Legendary Little Lulu cartoonist whose work John enthusiastically recommends. Jan Strnad (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Strnad) - Writer of Dalgoda, one of the overlooked comics highlighted in this episode. Dennis Fujitake (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Fujitake) - Artist of Dalgoda. Kevin Nowlan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Nowlan) - Creator discussed for his early backup work. Alan Moore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore) - Referenced during discussion of The Bo Jeffries Saga. Steve Parkhouse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Parkhouse) - Artist and collaborator on The Bo Jeffries Saga. Gary Groth (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Groth) - Fantagraphics co-founder discussed extensively during the publishing history conversation. Mike Kazaleh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Kazaleh) - Creator of Captain Jack. Jeff Smith (https://www.boneville.com/) - Referenced as the artistic benchmark for AKQJ. Garth Ennis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis) - Writer of Streets of Glory and the focus of one of the episode's biggest discussions. Mike Wolfer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Wolfer) - Artist on Streets of Glory. Mark Guggenheim (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Guggenheim) - Writer of Super Zombies. Mel Rubi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Rubi) - Artist of Super Zombies. Fantagraphics Books https://www.fantagraphics.com/ Discussion about the publisher's evolution and overlooked comics from its early catalog. Little Lulu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Lulu John explains why the classic series still holds up today. Dalgoda https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalgoda Forgotten science-fiction series from Fantagraphics that earns high praise. Usagi Yojimbo https://www.usagiyojimbo.com/ Referenced during the discussion of Fantagraphics' publishing history. Garth Ennis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis Conversation about Ennis' consistent storytelling style across genres. Avatar Press https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_Press Publisher of Streets of Glory. Dynamite Entertainment https://www.dynamite.com/ Publisher discussed in both positive and negative contexts through reviews of Thunder the Barbarian and Super Zombies. Kickstarter – Ms. Mina and the Midnight Guardians https://funtimego.com/ David's current crowdfunding campaign featured during the episode.

In Part One of this two-part episode, David attempts the most brilliant thing ever done on a comic podcast or the dumbest… opening a stack of TWENTY Terminal #1 blind bags. His target is the elusive Rob Liefeld cover, but the bags have other plans—mostly involving enough copies of issue seven to supply the entire listening audience. Along the way, John remembers writing Optimus Prime dialogue for Peter Cullen and explains why nearly every comic is created under conditions that would terrify a normal person. David then previews Mark Buckingham’s work on Kull the Conqueror and describes the pressure of protecting a project that already feels exceptional. Eight bags are down, twelve remain, and the Liefeld cover is still hiding somewhere in Part Two—or laughing from a safe distance. Captions: “John, I’m creating art here, man. I don’t need monetary influences cramping my artistic endeavor.” — David before returning directly to Kickstarter promotion “The rest of it’s the nightmare.” — John on everything surrounding the fun of making comics “You bought a copy of Terminal #1, and that’s not what you got.” — David on blind bags supplying an entirely different issue “What a fantastic way for them to get you to buy two copies. Brilliant.” — David admiring the beautifully ruthless logic of blind bags “You’re only down ninety-five dollars.” — John after David’s allegedly successful first pull “Everything is made under the worst possible conditions it can be made under.” — John sharing the real lesson he learned editing at Marvel “If everybody can do their jobs right, this has the potential to be something really special.” — David on the pressure surrounding Kull the Conqueror Splash Page: [00:32] – Artists With a Capital A: David explains why buying Miss Mina is currently the best way to support the show. [03:59] – The Machine Demands Answers: John accidentally asks an image generator for interview questions and receives a poster containing thirty-six of them. [07:01] – The Lost Voice of Optimus Prime: John recalls writing dialogue performed by Peter Cullen—only for the finished attraction to use a Chinese-language recording. [09:57] – Enter the Blind-Bag Labyrinth: David introduces Terminal, its violent new superhero world, and his plan to hunt the rare Rob Liefeld cover. [15:55] – Greetings From Issue Seven: The first bag contains an advance issue, briefly making David look like a collecting genius. [16:25] – Attack of the Clones: Three consecutive copies of Terminal #7 turn triumph into an increasingly funny financial emergency. [24:18] – Everything Is Already Late: John explains why looming deadlines are the natural state of comic-book production. Support the Corner Box (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/funtimego/miss-mina-and-the-midnight-guardians-legend-continues) - Back Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book 03! David Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: David Hedgecock (https://www.funtimego.com) - Writer of Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians and editor of the newly teased Kull the Conqueror. John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com/pages/meet-the-team) - Writer, editor, former IDW Editor-in-Chief, and survivor of more impossible publishing schedules than anyone should admit publicly. Xong Brothers (https://funtimego.com) - The twin art team whose manga-influenced pages give Miss Mina its visual charge; their name appears inconsistently in the transcript. Robert Kirkman (https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman) - Terminal co-writer whose violent superhero storytelling launches David’s blind-bag crusade. Andy Kubert (https://imagecomics.com/creators/andy-kubert) - Terminal artist and designer behind the connecting wraparound covers discussed during the opening. David Finch (https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-finch) - Terminal artist responsible for the issue-seven advance edition and the giant-eyeball cover David pulls. Arthur Adams (https://imagecomics.com/comics/list/creator/arthur-adams/releases) - Veteran artist behind one of Terminal’s blind-bag-only advance issues. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Artist behind the rare Terminal cover David buys twenty blind bags hoping to find. Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com) - Comics legend whose Terminal foil variant appears among the possible high-end pulls. Dave McCaig (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_McCaig) - Colorist credited on Terminal’s connecting covers and David Finch variant. Mark Buckingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Buckingham) - Artist whose early Kull the Conqueror pages convince David the project might be exceptional. Jim Aparo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Aparo) - Celebrated Batman artist recruited for a hypothetical argument about why Watchmen could never survive a fill-in issue. Terminal #1 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/terminal-1-cvr-a-andy-kubert-dave-mccaig-connecting-wraparound-mr) - The violent Image/Skybound superhero launch behind the episode’s twenty-bag collecting experiment. Terminal Blind Bags and Variant Covers (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/frank-miller-bill-sienkiewicz-rob-liefeld-lead-all-star-lineup-of-newly-revealed-variant-cover-artists-for-terminal-1-from-image-skybound) - The official breakdown of the variants, rare covers, and surprise advance issues David is chasing. Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://funtimego.com) - David’s steampunk horror-adventure starring Mina Murray and her team of monstrous misfits. Invincible (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/invincible) - Kirkman’s earlier superhero epic, used as the violence benchmark for Terminal. Transformers (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/transformers-2023) - The franchise behind John’s story about writing Optimus Prime dialogue performed by Peter Cullen. Watchmen (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/watchmen-1986/watchmen) - The book David uses to demonstrate why some projects cannot absorb a substitute artist without losing their identity. Old Man Logan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_Logan) - John’s example of a comic whose lasting quality mattered more than forcing it through a monthly schedule. CGC Comics (https://www.cgccomics.com) - The grading service referenced while David inventories Terminal’s rare and possibly slabbed variants.

Two episodes in one day?! What's the special occasion? Well... David's Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book Three campaign launches today and HE'S NOT PANICKING! YOU'RE PANICKING!!! Ahem... Sorry. We have guests. I shouldn't scream... Tyrant Fall creators Brennan Knight and Max Davenport return to the show and bring their own Kickstarter launch, a looming world war, and the grim realization that making the comic may be easier than getting anyone to notice it. David, John, and guests then compare Kickstarter launch tactics, advertising experiments, and the sacred checklist behind a successful Kickstarter. Then a lost Jim Lee Wolverine, an alarming X-Factor baby story, and one indestructible toddler derail the meeting exactly as nature intended. Captions: “Social media doesn’t really exist more than two seconds.” — David on why creators cannot be precious about promotion “You have to push it hard enough that you start to look like a bot.” — Brennan on getting locked out while promoting Tyrantfall “It’s there to slow things down and make sure you do the things that you know you’re doing.” — John on the checklist behind a major Kickstarter “I keep zooming in and zooming in—and ultimately realized I kind of hate it.” — Max on drawing an entire issue digitally “I’m fighting the urge to put a hundred panels on a page.” — Brennan on learning how to write comics professionally “There’s a point where saying ‘the Mandarin’ was worth more to Marvel than a Jim Lee Wolverine drawing.” — John on a baffling alteration to an Uncanny X-Men cover “I am a robot. I’m indestructible.” — Brennan quoting his three-year-old’s unbeatable dinner-table argument Splash Page: [03:40] – Heavy Metal Power Level: Brennan pitches Tyrantfall as Dragon Ball Z filtered through Heavy Metal, with revenge mutating into world war. [05:35] – Revenge of the Pencil: After one fully digital issue, Max returns to traditional art—and remembers how good an actual page feels. [13:41] – Promote Until the Machines Notice: Brennan posts so aggressively that Twitter decides he must be a bot. [14:38] – The Astronaut Checklist: John explains what the Marvel Art of Jim Lee campaign taught PUG about slowing down before launch. [23:54] – Wolverine Was Here: Jim Lee’s original Wolverine figure gets replaced by an “Enter the Mandarin” caption on an Uncanny X-Men cover. [27:39] – The Indestructible Robot: Brennan’s three-year-old ends a food dispute with the strongest declaration in human history. [29:00] – The Madrox Baby Incident: John recounts the Peter David X-Factor twist that turned a personalized baby reference into nightmare fuel. [30:45] – Build an Emergency Ending: Brennan and David explain why independent series need satisfying checkpoints before reality cancels the next arc. Support the Corner Box: MISS MINA and the MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS BOOK THREE IS LIVE! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/funtimego/miss-mina-and-the-midnight-guardians-legend-continues Support Max & Brennan and their great book, TYRANT FALL! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cbrennanknight/tyrant-fall-1-4 Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Roman Stevens (https://www.romanstevens.co.uk) - Tyrantfall colorist whose growth David singles out alongside Max’s evolving linework. Jim Lee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lee) - The artist at the center of PUG Worldwide’s Marvel archive campaign and its recovered artwork. Scott Williams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Williams_(comics)) - Jim Lee’s longtime inker, whose Xeroxes preserved previously unseen X-Men #1 pencils. Whilce Portacio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whilce_Portacio) - Jim Lee collaborator discussed during John’s account of Lee’s path from Punisher to X-Men and beyond. Bob Harras (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Harras) - Former Marvel editor interviewed for the Jim Lee archive project. Peter David (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_David) - Writer behind Madrox and X-Factor, including the baby twist John remembers all too well. Andy Schmidt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Schmidt) - Editor whose child became the visual reference attached to John’s grim X-Factor anecdote. Chuma Hill (https://www.kirbyscomicart.com/chuma-hill) - Cover artist whose Miss Mina image performed far better in David’s advertising tests than expected. Tony Harris (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Harris_(artist)) - Starman and Ex Machina artist contributing a cover to Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians Book 3. Clive Barker (https://www.clivebarker.info) - Horror author whose three-book Kickstarter comeback earns an enthusiastic late-show recommendation from John. Kevin Eastman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Eastman) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator mentioned during John’s tour of famous comics neighbors. Alex Sinclair (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Sinclair) - Veteran colorist revealed to be another creator living near John. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Image co-founder whose former Extreme Studios location turns David into a betrayed childhood friend. Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://funtimego.com) - David’s Dracula-versus-Mina Murray adventure, with Book 3 launching alongside Tyrantfall #4. Kickstarter Pre-Launch Pages (https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034769114-Setting-up-your-project-s-pre-launch-page) - The launch tool behind the episode’s arguments about early followers, repeat backers, and first-week momentum. Kickstarter Comics Resources (https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046109713-I-m-looking-to-run-a-Comics-project) - Official guidance covering preparation, rewards, stretch goals, promotion, and campaign planning. Heavy Metal Magazine (https://shop.heavymetal.com/pages/about-us) - One half of Tyrantfall’s wonderfully efficient “Dragon Ball Z published in Heavy Metal” pitch. Dragon Ball Z (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z) - The other half of that pitch, supplying the escalating battles and explosive power-level energy. X-Men #1 (1991) (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/14281/x-men) - Jim Lee’s landmark issue, including Scott Williams’s inks and the newly surfaced pencil material discussed by John. Marvel Art of Jim Lee (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - PUG Worldwide’s archive project and the source of John’s hard-earned Kickstarter lessons. Clive Barker’s Three New Books (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/clive-barker/three-new-books-from-clive-barker) - The horror legend’s campaign that John recommends before the closing bell. Revolutionary Comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_Comics) - Publisher of Rock ’N’ Roll Comics and the source of John’s geographically obsessive Alistair Crowley detour.

In part two of this exclusive two-part Corner Box conversation, special guest Steven Grant joins David and John for a brutally honest trip through comics, from the Punisher’s emotional shutdown to the birth of his ninja creation, Whisper. Steven recalls how Mike Baron and Steve Rude’s Nexus helped Capital City reach the point where it could finally pay an artist for his book. The conversation jumps online as Grant remembers Gail Simone helping connect him with Comic Book Resources, where Master of the Obvious and Permanent Damage spent fifteen years puncturing myths about how comics get made. Then 2 Guns takes the scenic route from an unsold crime concept to a Denzel Washington movie—and exposes how unimpressive Hollywood option money can be. The finale finds Grant cutting The Count of Monte Cristo down to 44 pages, reconsidering Hamlet’s sanity, and admitting that some assignments leave permanent scars. Captions: “Frank Castle is some guy who died with his family.” — Steven Grant on the Punisher’s severed identity “Popularity and making money do not necessarily amount to the same thing in comics.” — Steven Grant on the economics behind Nexus and Whisper “Most of it is not what people think it is.” — Steven Grant on demystifying how comics get made “When 94% of the things you want to do don’t get done, you figure out: what happens, happens.” — Steven Grant on surviving rejected pitches “Hollywood can screw up your story all by themselves. You don’t need to do it for them.” — Steven Grant’s advice to creators chasing adaptations “Just do the comic you want to do, and don’t worry about whether Hollywood will want it.” — Steven Grant on making the work first “Basically, I played Jenga with it.” — Steven Grant on compressing The Count of Monte Cristo into 44 pages Splash Page: [01:32] – Frank Castle Is Already Dead: John finds the line that reveals the Punisher has been lying to himself. [02:28] – The Man Behind the Skull: Grant explains why the Punisher feels no connection to his name, family, or former life. [05:15] – Enter the Fake Ninja: A train ride, a ninja book, and Capital City’s shaky finances give birth to Whisper. [09:19] – Permanent Damage Begins: Gail Simone opens the door to Grant’s fifteen-year run of blunt online commentary. [12:18] – Secrets from Behind the Curtain: Grant recalls the creators who thanked him for finally explaining how comics really work. [19:01] – Two Undercover Cops Walk into a Gang: The original 2 Guns concept survives rejection, a screenplay detour, and a disastrous Hollywood meeting date. [22:25] – Hollywood Can Handle the Damage: Grant delivers the creator advice every adaptation-hungry pitch needs to hear. [26:30] – The 44-Page Monte Cristo Massacre: Grant plays literary Jenga with a novel built almost entirely from interconnected subplots. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Steven Grant (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/1293/grant_steven) - Veteran writer behind the Punisher limited series, Whisper, 2 Guns, and the columns at the center of this conversation. Mike Zeck (https://mikezeck.com/) - Grant’s artistic partner on the Punisher work whose visual heat countered Frank Castle’s cold narration. Mike Baron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Baron) - Co-creator of Nexus, the early Capital Comics success Grant helped set in motion. Steve Rude (https://www.steverude.com/) - Nexus co-creator whose work helped Capital Comics establish its publishing line. Gail Simone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Simone) - Writer whose recommendation helped Grant land his Comic Book Resources column. Frank Miller (https://frankmillerink.com/) - Writer of the original RoboCop screenplays that Grant adapted for Avatar Press. Howard Chaykin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Chaykin) - Artist and writer whose comments helped Grant compare screenplay adaptation to inking. Brian K. Vaughan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_K._Vaughan) - Cited while discussing the strange economics of writing screenplays that never get filmed. Tony Harris (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Harris_(comics)) - Starman and Ex Machina artist providing a painted cover for Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians. Jonathan Maberry (https://www.jonathanmaberry.com/aboutjonathan) - Award-winning author contributing an original prose story to David’s new book. Will Eisner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Eisner) - Invoked during John’s analysis of visual performance in Grant’s Hamlet adaptation. Dan Spiegle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Spiegle) - Artist praised for surviving the 44-page compression gauntlet of The Count of Monte Cristo. Dan Brereton (https://www.dc.com/talent/daniel-brereton) - Grant’s collaborator on the sword-and-sorcery character the Scythian. The Punisher (https://www.marvel.com/characters/punisher-frank-castle) - Grant explains why his version of Frank Castle is emotionally severed from his former identity. The Punisher Limited Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Punisher_%281986_series%29) - The Grant and Zeck story that helped establish the character as a solo attraction. Whisper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Grant) - Grant’s fake-ninja concept, created for Capital Comics and later continued by First Comics. Capital City Distribution (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_City_Distribution) - The distributor whose short publishing venture led to Nexus, Badger, and Whisper. Women in Refrigerators (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_refrigerators) - Gail Simone’s influential project, mentioned while Grant recounts how his online column began. Comic Book Resources (https://www.cbr.com/) - Home of Grant’s Master of the Obvious and Permanent Damage columns. 2 Guns Complete Collection (https://www.boom-studios.com/archives/20-for-20-announcement/) - The undercover-cop crime story that eventually reached theaters with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. Classics Illustrated (https://www.classicsillustratedbooks.com/) - The adaptation line that forced Grant to compress Hamlet and The Count of Monte Cristo into unforgiving page counts. Miss Mina and the Midnight Guardians (https://get.funtimego.com/) - David’s upcoming Kickstarter project featuring comics, painted covers, and an original Jonathan Maberry prose piece.

Special guest Steven Grant joins David and John to explain how measles, Flash of Two Worlds, and one very strange dime-operated comics rack rewired his childhood. His road into the business runs through Underground Comix, Michael Moorcock, Bob Layton, Roger Stern, John Byrne, and a surprise Marvel Two-in-One assignment that he never asked for. Along the way, Grant remembers learning from Gil Kane, surviving Marvel’s fill-in trenches, and writing an entire character’s dialogue in haiku just to satisfy a baffling series bible. Then an unusable Olympics treasury story gets rebuilt as Contest of Champions, Marvel’s first published limited series and an unlikely ancestor of Secret Wars. The issue closes with Grant and Mike Zeck rescuing the once-reviled Punisher, the brutal math of rejected pitches, and why Return to Big Nothing remains Grant’s near-perfect statement on Frank Castle. Captions: “I did not break into comics. I wasn’t even asked—I was told I was going to write comics.” — Steven Grant on his accidental Marvel debut “If anybody asked you to do a story, you did it. If you didn’t, you didn’t get asked again.” — Steven Grant on the freelancer survival rule “All of her dialogue is written in haiku.” — Steven Grant on solving an impossible Shogun Warriors character note “When we were doing Contest of Champions, we didn’t even know we were doing Contest of Champions.” — Steven Grant on Marvel’s accidental first limited series “I’d say of the things that I pitched, at least 94% never got done.” — Steven Grant on the reality behind a long comics career “When I did the Punisher miniseries, they said, ‘Well, f@#$, if he can do it, anybody can.’” — Steven Grant on his book’s less glamorous influence “I still view that as close to the perfect Punisher story as anyone ever got.” — Steven Grant on Punisher: Return to Big Nothing Splash Page: [01:09] – The Measles Origin Story: A sick week, an All-Star Western, and a Justice League ad turn Grant into a lifelong comics reader. [03:34] – Flash of Two Worlds, Third Comic Ever: David discovers that Grant encountered a multiversal landmark almost immediately—and bought it from a vending machine. [06:50] – Seventeen and Writing Moorcock: Grant casually contacts Michael Moorcock, gets permission to adapt Elric, and leaves David wondering what happened to teenage fear. [09:34] – Report to Marvel Monday Morning: Roger Stern offers Grant a couch and informs him that he’ll be writing Marvel Two-in-One after breakfast. [14:49] – Curves Are Static, Angles Are Active: A Gil Kane interview gives Grant a new language for understanding storytelling through art. [17:36] – The Haiku Defense: A vague Shogun Warriors character description inspires Grant’s most beautifully unreasonable dialogue solution. [22:13] – The Accidental Event Machine: A shelved Olympics project becomes Contest of Champions and helps establish the model for decades of giant Marvel clashes. [27:10] – Nobody Wanted the Punisher: A repeatedly rejected 1976 pitch finally finds Mike Zeck, Carl Potts, and the opening it needs to become Circle of Blood. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Steven Grant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Grant) - Writer of the first Punisher limited series and the guest tracing his unlikely route from fandom to Marvel. Gil Kane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Kane) - Grant’s childhood favorite and eventual collaborator on Edge, whose thinking about curves and angles shaped Grant’s view of comics. Mike Zeck (https://www.mikezeck.com) - Secret Wars artist whose involvement helped Grant’s long-rejected Punisher proposal finally get approved. John Beatty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beatty_(illustrator)) - Inker who worked with Zeck on Secret Wars, the Punisher limited series, and Return to Big Nothing. Roger Stern (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Stern) - Writer, editor, CPL publisher, couch provider, and the man who handed Grant his first Marvel assignment. Bob Layton (https://www.boblayton.com) - Artist, writer, and CPL co-publisher who became part of Grant’s formative comics circle. John Byrne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Byrne_(comics)) - Artist Grant met before Byrne’s Marvel breakthrough, when the two attempted to develop a series together. Al Milgrom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Milgrom) - Marvel editor praised for his story sense, artistic eye, and tolerance of Grant’s Shogun Warriors mischief. Bill Mantlo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo) - Writer who brought Grant and Mark Gruenwald into the Olympics project that eventually became Contest of Champions. Mark Gruenwald (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Gruenwald) - Writer and editor who worked with Grant and Mantlo on the material repurposed for Marvel’s first limited series. Jim Shooter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Shooter) - Marvel editor-in-chief charged with getting late books moving and later approving both Contest of Champions and the Punisher gamble. Marv Wolfman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marv_Wolfman) - Marvel editor-in-chief who heard Grant’s original Punisher pitch years before the project found a home. Carl Potts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Potts) - Editor who championed Grant and Zeck’s Punisher proposal despite Marvel’s lack of faith in the character. Archie Goodwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Goodwin_(comics)) - Epic editor who gave Grant and Zeck the freedom to make Return to Big Nothing their definitive Frank Castle statement. Flash of Two Worlds (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_of_Two_Worlds) - The landmark Flash story that became one of Grant’s first comic-book purchases. Moon Knight (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Knight) - Grant’s choice for his first Marvel Two-in-One co-star, partly because the character’s identity confusion gave him a storytelling joke. Shogun Warriors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Warriors_(comics)) - The assignment Grant accepted despite disliking the book, producing his infamous all-haiku dialogue experiment. Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Super_Hero_Contest_of_Champions) - The shelved Olympics material transformed into Marvel’s first published limited series. Secret Wars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Wars) - The massive follow-up success drawn largely by Zeck before he joined Grant on the Punisher. The Punisher Limited Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Punisher_%281986_series%29) - Grant and Zeck’s influential solo reinvention of a character Marvel once considered nearly unusable. Return to Big Nothing (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/77954/epic_graphic_novel_the_punisher_-_return_to_big_nothing_1_1989_1) - The Epic graphic novel Grant calls his near-perfect expression of the Punisher. The Dark Knight Returns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns) - Frank Miller’s landmark work, raised during the debate over which books most strongly influenced later creators. Watchmen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen) - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ defining series, compared with the Punisher limited series in terms of creative influence. American Flagg! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Flagg!) - Howard Chaykin’s influential series, invoked in Grant’s self-mocking comparison of how landmark comics were received.

David unveils the new Top 10 Hottest Artists list, from Mark Spears and Brett Bean to Nick Dragotta, Ryan Ottley, and Hayden Sherman at the top. Daniel Warren Johnson’s upcoming Chain Kata causes a minor ashcan feeding frenzy, while Jamal Campbell makes the case that Zatanna can absolutely move books when the pages look that good. John then brings Image’s Royals to the table, praising Derek Kirk Kim and Jacob Perez for a psychic-poker crime story that suddenly turns into a chase-comic clinic. David follows with an accidental cage match between Spawn #376 and Mahdi Khene’s Steel Streets—and the gloriously odd handmade book wins on personality. They close in the nostalgia gutter with Mad Cave’s The Last Starfighter, Comic Shop News’ Team America revival, and the insane fact that Kyle Baker adapted Howard the Duck. Captions: “There should be more things like that.” — John on Eric Larsen keeping Savage Dragon alive, strange, and evolving for 281 issues“Chicks with chainsaws in space.” — David on Daniel Warren Johnson’s ChainKata pitch, which sold him instantly“Absolute Batman continues to be the thing that is saving the comic industry.” — David on Nick Dragotta’s sales monster“I’m jumping right back off.” — David after trying Spawn again at issue #376“What if Raphael died and got turned into a RoboCop and goes out for vengeance?” — David explaining Steel Streets“The one that you would think I would like more… laid an egg.” — David on slick craft versus a comic with a real voice“Every time I think this couldn’t be more random, you’re making it more random.” — David as John explains Team America’s bizarre historySplash Page [03:06] – Savage Dragon Still Bites: Eric Larson becomes a “one to watch” after issue #281 sparks aftermarket noise.[09:11] – Blind-Bag Roulette: David buys 20 Terminal blind bags hunting a Rob Liefeld cover. This can only end well.[16:32] – Chainsaws in Space: Daniel Warren Johnson’s Chain Kata pitch lands, followed by a wild $400 ashcan price.[20:55] – The Absolute Crown: Hayden Sherman takes the top slot on the strength of Absolute Wonder Woman and Legion of Super-Heroes.[25:09] – Dog Man Returns: David and John celebrate a new Dav Pilkey original graphic novel coming in November.[31:39] – Psychic Poker, Seoul Style: John explains why Royals turns a sharp premise into a twisty action comic.[36:20] – Spawn Gets the Hook: David’s much-delayed Spawn return lasts exactly one issue.[43:31] – The Personal-Work Argument: The guys make the case for imperfect comics made with a singular, unmistakable voice.Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com) - Writer-artist behind the upcoming Chain Kata, whose convention ashcan is already causing a collector scramble. Jamal Campbell (https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/11/12/zatanna-d-cs-mistress-of-magic-is-back) - Writer-artist whose Zatanna work earns praise for handling the full visual load and making magic look massive. Hayden Sherman (https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-06-17/dc-announces-three-new-next-level-comic-book-series) - Absolute Wonder Woman artist and upcoming Legion of Super-Heroes artist who takes the list’s top spot. Nick Dragotta (https://www.dc.com/allin) - Absolute Batman artist and one of the key visual forces behind DC’s huge Absolute line. Derek Kirk Kim (https://imagecomics.com/features/royals-q-a-with-cartoonist-derek-kirk-kim) - Royals writer and longtime cartoonist returning to a setting rooted in Korea. Jacob Perez (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/royals-launch-deals-a-winning-hand-rushed-back-to-print-this-week) - Royals artist singled out for dynamic chases, clean action, and surprise-heavy storytelling. Matthew Rosenberg (https://imagecomics.com/creators/matthew-rosenberg) - Spawn #376’s new writer, whose jumping-on point does not win David over. Mahdi Khene (https://www.instagram.com/mahdikhene/) - Cartoonist behind Steel Streets and Bootleg Spider-Man, whose raw handmade energy wins David’s heart. Willi Roberts (https://madcavestudios.com/product/the-last-starfighter-issue-1/) - The Last Starfighter artist praised for taking critique seriously and visibly leveling up. Dav Pilkey (https://www.scholastic.com/site/dav-pilkey.html) - Dog Man creator, whose next original graphic novel has both hosts ready to dive back in. Royals (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/royals-launch-deals-a-winning-hand-rushed-back-to-print-this-week) - Derek Kirk Kim and Jacob Perez’s six-issue psychic-poker crime series set in Seoul. Zatanna (https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/11/12/zatanna-d-cs-mistress-of-magic-is-back) - Jamal Campbell’s writer-artist series, central to the conversation about an artist lifting a character into a sales contender. Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-vol-1-the-last-amazon) - Hayden Sherman’s bold redesign of Diana anchors the list’s number-one slot. Legion of Super-Heroes (https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-06-17/dc-announces-three-new-next-level-comic-book-series) - Joshua Williamson and Hayden Sherman’s new run, discussed as a potential sales breakout. The Last Starfighter #1 (https://madcavestudios.com/product/the-last-starfighter-issue-1/) - Mad Cave’s continuation of the cult film, written by Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes with art by Willi Roberts. The Last Starfighter (https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/the-last-starfighter) - The original film that David considers one of his all-time favorites. Dog Man (https://www.scholastic.com/site/dav-pilkey/dog-man.html) - Dav Pilkey’s all-ages series and the subject of The Corner Box’s most-listened-to episode. Spawn (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/spawn) - Todd McFarlane’s long-running series, revisited here through David’s very unhappy experience with issue #376.

David and John compare San Diego Comic-Con scars, including a panel-opening challenge that landed like a wet fart. John unveils his work on a 3D comic adaptation of Santo and the Treasure of Dracula, built to read like an actual comic instead of a pile of movie stills. David breaks news on the upcoming Kull miniseries with John Arcudi, Mark Buckingham, and Dave Stewart—then explains why he missed the announcement after an egret turned him into a disaster zone. The guys also puzzle over the reported takedown of a Dark Knight Returns recreation project, praise Geof Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy work, and stumble into a restored Steranko-related short film. It’s a full convention-floor episode: great art, bizarre panels, copyright ownership headaches, and no budget left by Saturday. Captions: “Everybody that was up on the panel loved comic books more than everybody in the audience.” — David, explaining his unexpectedly controversial Comic-Con opener“I’ve probably almost made as much money as I’ve spent on comics over my 20-year professional career.” — David, defining success with painful honesty“This needs 3D glasses.” — David, on John’s Santo comic experiment“I don’t go anywhere near preview night for exactly this reason.” — John, after hearing about the Dark Knight recreation chaos“There goes my entire Comic-Con budget.” — David, after spotting Darrow’s limited oversized edition and original artSplash Page: [01:49] – Love Letter With a Chair Thrown: David’s Comic-Con panel declaration gets a rough landing.[08:02] – Santo Goes Stereo: John reveals a 3D comic built from Santo and the Treasure of Dracula.[11:16] – The Screen-Grab Curse: Why most movie-to-comic photo books forget how comics work.[15:58] – Kull Draws Steel: David announces the new Kull miniseries with Arcudi, Buckingham, and Stewart.[17:20] – Attack of the Egret: A bird disaster wipes out David’s plans to attend his own announcement.[24:48] – Shadow House of Pain: John stumbles into a strange Steranko-related restoration panel.[29:05] – Dark Knight, Rights Fight: A fan-made recreation project reportedly runs into a DC takedown.[33:02] – Darrow’s Budget Finisher: David finds a Shaolin Cowboy treasure and spends accordingly.Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: John Arcudi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Arcudi) - Writer announced for the upcoming Kull miniseries. Mark Buckingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Buckingham) - Fables and Miracleman artist whose Kull pages get David and John fired up. Dave Stewart (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Stewart_(colorist)) - Acclaimed colorist joining the Kull creative team. Geof Darrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geof_Darrow) - Shaolin Cowboy artist whose limited convention edition wrecked David’s spending plan. Jim Steranko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Steranko) - Artist connected to the restored Shadow House short-film detour. Harlan Ellison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison) - Writer whose freeway-gunfight story was discussed as the short film’s original intended adaptation. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Convention-floor near miss and the source of David’s lingering complaint. Nicole Goux (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Goux) - Eisner-winning guest celebrated for her Comic-Con weekend. Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller) - Creator of The Dark Knight Returns, central to the recreation-project discussion. Kull (https://heroicsignatures.com/) - Robert E. Howard’s Atlantean king returns in the newly announced miniseries; the transcript’s exact subtitle is unclear. Santo and the Treasure of Dracula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_and_the_Treasure_of_Dracula) - The Santo film being reshaped into a 3D comic. Masked Republic (https://www.maskedrepublic.com/) - The lucha libre rights holder working with John on the Santo project. The Dark Knight Returns (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-dark-knight-returns-1986/batman-the-dark-knight-returns-frank-miller-gallery-edition) - Miller’s landmark Batman story, discussed after the unlicensed recreation project was reportedly halted. Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I.Live (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/838666/shaolin-cowboy-staying-ailive-by-written-and-illustrated-by-geof-darrow/) - Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy release and David’s convention-floor splurge. Tower of Shadows (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/21015/tower_of_shadows_1969_1) - The Steranko comic discussed before John’s Shadow House panel story.

What separates a technically solid comic from one that grabs three Marvel editors by the throat at the same time? That question leads John through Jason Aaron’s early career, the difference between having technical chops and possessing a distinct creative voice, and why no stack of screenwriting books can manufacture the magic. David then puts Dynamite’s Thundarr the Barbarian revival to the test, complete with Jason Aaron, Kewber Baal, Kirby-fueled nostalgia, mutant motorcycle rats, and a genuinely surprising victory for the bad guys. From there, John unearths Star Rider and the Peace Machine, a 1982 Canadian comic magazine packed with Captain Canuck resentment, suspicious global alliances, and one extremely committed Richard Comely. David fires back with Swords of the Swashbucklers, launching a larger argument about superhero flaws, team infighting, creator-owned momentum, and why Batman should still be allowed to get hit in the back of the head once in a while. Captions: “Knowing all the rules doesn’t make you a good writer. If it did, everybody who read Save the Cat would be one.” — John on why craft books cannot manufacture creative instinct “I want to surprise and delight on every page—and I’m not talking about the reader. I’m talking about myself.” — David on keeping his own writing unpredictable “The bad guys win, John.” — David discovering that Thundarr the Barbarian is willing to wreck the nostalgic safety net “It won’t be biased at all. He’s just reporting the facts.” — David on Richard Comely investigating his own Captain Canuck dismissal “Some guy hit Batman in the back of the head? You can’t do that. He’s the greatest crime fighter who ever lived.” — John on superheroes becoming too flawless to generate real tension Splash Page: [00:24] – The San Diego Time-Travel Incident: John and David attempt to preserve podcast continuity by pretending their Comic-Con panel has already gone perfectly. [01:40] – Three Editors, One Comic: John remembers himself, Nick Lowe, and Axel Alonso arriving at Marvel with copies of Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s The Other Side. [02:41] – The Spark Beyond Technique: John explains why a distinct voice matters more than merely producing technically competent pages. [06:50] – Save the Cat Cannot Save You: The guys wrestle with whether good writing can be taught, measured, or reduced to a dependable formula. [10:35] – The Sun Sword Correction: John calls Thundarr’s weapon a laser sword and is immediately educated. [12:06] – Thundarr Changes the Verdict: David’s Jack Kirby appreciation tour leads to a surprisingly enthusiastic reassessment of Dynamite. [19:43] – Canadian Comics Go Nuclear: Star Rider and the Peace Machine delivers Captain Canuck resentment, bargain-bin space opera, and a four-page global conspiracy article. [34:02] – Let Hawkeye Be an A*****e: A discussion of Swords of the Swashbucklers becomes an argument for flawed heroes, team tension, and superheroes who are still allowed to fail. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Jason Aaron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Aaron) - Writer of The Other Side, Wolverine: Weapon X, Bug Wars, and the new Thundarr the Barbarian series that kicks off the episode’s larger discussion about creative voice. Jack Kirby (https://kirbymuseum.org) - Legendary artist and designer whose visual work helped define Thundarr the Barbarian and inspired David’s recent appreciation tour through Kirby’s career. Kewber Baal (https://www.instagram.com/kewberbaal) - Artist bringing Thundarr’s ruined future, mutant creatures, and sword-swinging action to the Dynamite series. Michael Cho (https://www.michaelcho.com) - Artist behind the main Thundarr covers, using a bold retro approach that channels the visual power of Kirby-era comics. Richard Comely (https://comelyart.com) - Captain Canuck co-creator and the driving force behind Star Rider and the Peace Machine, including its comics, publishing grievances, and startling conspiracy material. Tom Grummett (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Grummett) - Veteran superhero artist whose early work appears inside Star Rider and the Peace Machine before his later runs on major Marvel and DC titles. Bill Mantlo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo) - Prolific Marvel writer and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, known for loading his teams with personality clashes, arguments, and constant dramatic friction. Jackson Guice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Guice) - Artist and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, delivering heavily rendered spacecraft, pirate ships, alien technology, and oversized painted pages. Colleen Doran (https://www.colleendoran.com) - Acclaimed artist who contributed two issues to the Swords of the Swashbucklers limited series after the original graphic novel. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://imagecomics.com/creators/daniel-warren-johnson) - Writer-artist behind Transformers, Do a Powerbomb, and the newly announced Chainkata, representing the healthy movement between major characters and creator-owned work. Tradd Moore (https://www.traddmoorecomics.com) - Distinctive artist and writer whose move toward new creator-driven material helps fuel the closing discussion about the state of comics. Thundarr the Barbarian (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-Thundarr_The_Barbarian) - Dynamite’s new comic revival of the animated series, written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Kewber Baal. The Other Side (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Side_%28comics%29) - Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s Vietnam War series that immediately caught the attention of several Marvel editors. Bug Wars (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/bug-wars) - Jason Aaron’s creator-owned fantasy series, cited by David as part of the writer’s recent run of surprising and adventurous work. Captain Canuck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Canuck) - Richard Comely’s Canadian superhero and the source of the publishing history, resentment, and unfinished business simmering throughout Star Rider and the Peace Machine. Star Rider and the Peace Machine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Comely) - Comely’s short-lived 1982 magazine combining illustrated fiction, young artistic talent, publishing commentary, and an alleged global conspiracy. Swords of the Swashbucklers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swords_of_the_Swashbucklers) - Bill Mantlo and Jackson Guice’s science-fiction pirate epic, launched as Marvel Graphic Novel No. 14 before continuing as a 12-issue series. Micronauts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronauts_%28comics%29) - Mantlo’s celebrated Marvel series, discussed as an important earlier collaboration point for the creators behind Swords of the Swashbucklers. Chainkata (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/multiple-award-winning-do-a-powerbomb-transformers-dynamo-daniel-warren-johnson-to-launch-epic-new-series-chainkata-this-november-from-image-comics) - Daniel Warren Johnson’s newly announced Image Comics series featuring chainsaws, space combat, and the kind of gloriously impractical weapon editors once might have rejected.

David opens the show at his breaking point after a recent issue of Captain America delivers artwork he believes never should have made it to print. John brings the former-editor perspective, breaking down how brutal deadlines, crossover schedules, shifting status quos, disappearing inventory stories, and the loss of veteran inkers can turn a promising monthly book into a full-blown disaster. From there, the guys compare Marvel’s struggles with the steady artistic bench behind Absolute Wonder Woman, celebrate the arrival of ComicPreviews.com, and dig into John Byrne’s decision to create roughly 30 issues of unofficial X-Men comics simply because he wanted to. X-Men: Elsewhen turns out to be a joyful blast of classic superhero storytelling—and John’s decision to leave it at the shop immediately comes back to haunt him. Then the back-issue bin gets weird in the best way, with Jack Kirby’s gloriously unrestrained The Demon and Dark Horse’s adaptation of George Lucas’s original Star Wars draft to comics. Captions:“Man, am I a sucker? I just paid $4.99 for this book, and they didn’t put five dollars’ worth of effort into it.” — David reaching his breaking point with Captain America “Everything is made under the worst possible conditions the thing can be made under—and sometimes that catches up with you.” — John on the brutal reality behind monthly comics “Fifteen years later, nobody ever says, ‘Boy, that comic sure was on time.’” — John on deadlines versus finished quality “Nobody draws 30 issues of a comic book for free if they don’t have a soft spot in their heart for the characters.” — David on John Byrne’s X-Men: Elsewhen “I set it back down, got to my [home] desk, and found out they were already going for sixty dollars on eBay.” — John realizing he made a terrible comic-shop decision “Jason Blood is just a regular guy—a regular professional demonologist.” — John explaining the beautifully casual insanity of Jack Kirby’s The Demon Splash Page:[00:36] – Captain America Goes Airborne: David finds a recent issue so frustrating that he closes it, throws it across the room, and starts questioning the value of monthly comics. [07:33] – The Inventory Story Is Dead: John explains why fill-in issues became harder to use once collected editions, creator control, and constantly shifting status quos took over. [11:33] – Made Under Fire: A former Marvel editor reveals how often comics are produced under the worst possible conditions—and how veteran inkers once saved pages headed for disaster. [16:31] – Where Was the Emergency Button?: David compares Captain America’s artistic chaos with Absolute Wonder Woman’s carefully planned rotation of strong replacement artists. [24:48] – The Previews Catalog Returns: ComicPreviews.com steps into the void left by Diamond with searchable releases, creators, publishers, categories, and final-order-cutoff listings. [28:43] – Byrne Does X-Men His Way: John Byrne draws years of unofficial X-Men stories for free, Chris Ryall helps turn them into X-Men: Elsewhen, and the finished book becomes an immediate hit. [42:08] – The Omnibus That Crushes Children: John attempts to read a 1,500-page Jack Kirby collection before celebrating the magnificent, barely contained madness of The Demon. [53:04] – Before Star Wars Became Star Wars: David explores The Star Wars, where Han Solo is a green alien, Darth Vader has no powers, and George Lucas is still figuring out which characters belong in the same body. Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinChip Zdarsky (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/11743/chip_zdarsky) - Writer of the current Captain America series and a central architect behind Marvel’s Road to Armageddon. (⁠Marvel) Valerio Schiti (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12155/valerio_schiti) - Artist who launched Captain America with Zdarsky and established the book’s original visual identity. (⁠Marvel) Hayden Sherman (https://www.dc.com/talent/hayden-sherman) - Artist praised for helping make Absolute Wonder Woman feel visually ambitious and carefully planned. (⁠DC) John Byrne (https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/john-byrne_84912274/) - Legendary X-Men creator who wrote and drew X-Men: Elsewhen as a continuation of his classic run. (⁠ABRAMS) Chris Ryall (https://www.instagram.com/chris_ryall/) - Writer, editor, publisher, and longtime champion of bringing Byrne’s unofficial X-Men continuation into print. Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/talent/jack-kirby) - The creator behind The Demon, OMAC, New Gods, and the wildly imaginative DC work John revisits this week. (⁠DC) Paul Kupperberg (https://www.paulkupperberg.net/) - Writer of the second Super Powers miniseries drawn by Kirby and one of the creators discussed during John’s omnibus expedition. Joe Simon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Simon) - Kirby’s longtime creative partner and co-creator of the 1970s Sandman material included in the omnibus. Alan Moore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore) - Writer who later brought Etrigan into Swamp Thing with a very different approach from Kirby’s original series. J.W. Rinzler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._W._Rinzler) - Writer and Star Wars historian who adapted George Lucas’s original screenplay draft into The Star Wars. Mike Mayhew (https://www.mikemayhewstudio.com/) - Artist whose realistic, cinematic work makes George Lucas’s abandoned Star Wars concepts feel like images from a lost film. George Lucas (https://www.starwars.com/databank/george-lucas) - Filmmaker whose rough screenplay became the basis for Dark Horse’s eight-issue The Star Wars miniseries. (⁠StarWars.com) Ralph McQuarrie (https://www.starwars.com/news/ralph-mcquarrie-the-art-of-star-wars) - Concept artist whose early designs helped guide the visual reconstruction of Lucas’s original Star Wars draft. Toshiro Mifune (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiro_Mifune) - Akira Kurosawa’s legendary leading man, who was considered for the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. (⁠Wikipedia) Akira Kurosawa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Kurosawa) - Filmmaker whose work, particularly The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo, helped shape Star Wars and generations of Western storytelling. Captain America (2025–Present) (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/42747/captain_america_2025_present) - The Zdarsky and Schiti series at the center of David’s argument about artistic consistency, deadlines, and reader value. (⁠Marvel) Avengers: Armageddon (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/avengers-armageddon-chip-zdarsky-valerio-schiti) - Marvel event connected to Zdarsky’s Captain America run and the larger publishing schedule discussed in the episode. Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s example of a monthly book that maintains its visual standard even when the regular artist needs relief. (⁠DC) Comic Previews (https://comicpreviews.com/) - Searchable resource for upcoming comics, graphic novels, manga, new releases, and final-order-cutoff titles. (⁠Manage Comics) X-Men: Elsewhen (https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/x-men-elsewhen-volume-1-of-3_9781419787287/) - Byrne’s continuation of his classic X-Men run, now presented as the first volume of a three-book graphic-novel series. (⁠ABRAMS) The Demon by Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-demon-1972/the-demon-by-jack-kirby) - Complete collection of Kirby’s original 16-issue series featuring Jason Blood and Etrigan. (⁠DC) Jack Kirby’s Fourth World (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/jack-kirbys-fourth-world-omnibus) - Kirby’s massive DC mythology!

This week gets fun when R.C. Samo of FanboyNation.com joins David and John to talk Marvel’s Burbank move, Steve Wacker’s new editorial role, and what gets lost when the House of Ideas leaves Manhattan. They kick around the real human cost of a cross-country move, the danger of comics becoming movie leftovers, and why Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers worked because somebody let an artist swing for the fences. The movie detour gets into bad live-action remakes, Sonic’s near-disaster design, and Supergirl’s rough launch. And was Iron Man the Snow White of the MCU. Back in the shops, the crew gives Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League a serious look, wrestles with page rates versus ownership, and agrees on one sacred rule: pay the people making the comics. Robert also brings the heat for Patrick Zircher’s Solomon Kane, while David proves that “supporting local comic shops” can mean buying every Badrock cover in sight. Captions: “What’s he going to do, hop from car to car in 405 traffic?” — Robert on Spider-Man’s new Burbank-adjacent reality“You make a comic book to make a comic book, period.” — David on why comics cannot be movie leftovers“Sometimes the passion project’s worth more than the bigger paycheck.” — Robert on Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League work“As long as people are getting paid in comic books, God bless them.” — David on creator compensation“It was like Bad News Bears meets Supergirl.” — Robert on the film’s vibe“Iron Man is the Snow White of the MCU.” — Robert on the blueprint every later superhero movie followed Splash Page [03:30] – Burbank, Here We Come: Marvel’s move and Steve Wacker’s incoming editor-in-chief role hit the table.[06:27] – The Human Toll: John zeroes in on the staff asked to uproot their lives or walk away.[10:17] – The 52 Miracle: Why Wacker’s management of the weekly series still earns industry awe.[17:11] – Let Comics Be Comics: David makes the case against treating print stories like screen leftovers.[31:26] – The Remake Assembly Line: Robert calls out live-action retreads that bring nothing new.[34:02] – Sonic Dodged a Bullet: David recounts the Sega/Sony disconnect behind the original movie design.[40:17] – Snow White in a Repulsor Suit: Robert drops the episode’s most dangerously persuasive MCU analogy.[40:48] – Monster Racing League Roars: Jae Lee’s layouts, page-rate questions, and a gorgeous new Image book. Support the Corner Box David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website R.C. Samo (https://fanboynation.com) - Fanboy Nation host and the guest bringing reporter instincts, movie opinions, and indie-comic enthusiasm. Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Steve Wacker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wacker) - Incoming Marvel editorial leader discussed for his comics and animation experience. Jae Lee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jae_Lee) - Acclaimed artist behind M1: Monster Racing League and the central creator-compensation conversation. Robert Windom (https://imagecomics.com/comics/list/creator/robert-windom/releases) - M1: Monster Racing League co-writer whose ownership of the work sparks the business discussion. Patrick Zircher (https://titan-comics.com/c/2236-solomon-kane-the-serpent-ring/) - Writer-artist praised for bringing serious visual firepower to Solomon Kane. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com/) - Cited as the creator whose Transformers run shows what happens when an auteur gets room to work. James Gunn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn) - The filmmaker whose DC rollout and Supergirl oversight get a spirited once-over. Marvel Comics (https://www.marvel.com/comics) - The discussion’s main pressure point: relocation, editorial succession, creator compensation, and comics as source material. 52 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52_(comics)) - Steve Wacker’s massive weekly-series editorial achievement, with Keith Giffen, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, and Greg Rucka in the mix. M1: Monster Racing League #1 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/m1-monster-racing-league-1) - Jae Lee and June Chung’s new racing series, praised for its art, color, and sharp page design. Seven Sons (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/seven-sons) - The earlier Jae Lee and Robert Windom Image collaboration that frames the ownership question. Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant (https://titan-comics.com/comics/series/507-solomon-kane/) - Patrick Zircher’s new Solomon Kane chapter, singled out for its striking art. Challengers Comics + Conversation (https://www.challengerscomics.com/) - David’s Chicago retailer of choice and a reminder to support comic shops.

The fellas get into how summer events stopped feeling like summer events and became a never-ending conveyor belt of crossover noise. John pulls from the Marvel trenches with House of M, Civil War, Secret Invasion, Tony Stark taking the heat, and Ralph Macchio’s very correct complaint that Spider-Man should not just walk into a press conference like some regular dope. Then Absolute Batman takes over the room, with Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s monster hit reportedly moving wild numbers and now heading into animation with the actual comics creators involved. David and John debate whether that’s a creator win, a workload trap, or both, before veering into the eternal truth that most superhero adaptations still lose to the comic on the page. And once “What John and David read this week” kicks in, it’s a full rack raid: Ghost Machine, Kyle Starks’ Wrestle Heist, Vertigo’s new wave, Lobo, Drew Hennessy, Dai Dark, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Invincible crushing graphic novel sales like it never left. Captions: “They started building tent poles instead of building up in the summer.” — John on how event comics became a constant cycle “Spider-Man doesn’t walk to a press conference and walk out like a normal person. He’s Spider-Man.” — John channeling Ralph Macchio’s perfect superhero logic “Well, how about Tommy Lee Edwards?” — David on the emergency button that fixes any bad comic idea instantly “Let them cook.” — David on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta being involved in the Absolute Batman animated series “I think bank robbers are heroes, David.” — John offering the only morally correct read on Wrestle Heist Splash Page: [00:00] – The Guest Is Nobody: John teases an exciting guest, and David immediately undercuts the whole operation because it’s just them. [01:37] – Summer Events Lost the Calendar: David and John talk about how big comic events used to dominate summer, but now announcements and launches feel scattered across the whole year. [04:10] – Event or Just a Big Story?: John uses Avengers Armageddon to unpack the fuzzy line between a major arc and a full-blown line event. [07:10] – Civil War From the Trenches: John explains how tie-ins worked, why the X-Men mostly sidestepped Civil War, and how Tony Stark became the guy everyone wanted to punch. [08:31] – Spider-Man Should Be Spider-Man-y: Ralph Macchio’s issue with the identity reveal scene becomes a perfect lesson in why superhero staging matters. [11:27] – The 1985 Photo-Realism Trap: John remembers Mark Millar’s original photo-manipulation plan for 1985 and why Tommy Lee Edwards was the better answer by a mile. [16:47] – Absolute Batman Has the Juice: The guys react to Absolute Batman’s huge sales chatter, Nick Dragotta’s art, and the thrill of a top-selling comic actually being good. [18:42] – Absolute Animation, Creator Control: The Absolute Batman animated announcement flips David from skeptical to fully interested once Snyder and Dragotta are involved. [33:18] – Ghost Machine Is Firing: David catches up on Ghost Machine and celebrates Brian Hitch, Gary Frank, and Francis Manapul producing big, polished comics on a strong cadence. [34:23] – Wrestle Heist Deserves the Belt: David breaks down Kyle Starks’ wrestling-meets-bank-robbery comic and mourns the fact that it may not have sold like it should have. [45:07] – A Bittersweet Credit Page: John spots Drew Hennessy’s name in God Summoner and reflects on a great inker, unfinished work, and comics that deserve to be seen. [47:47] – Bones, Backpacks, and Goth Space Chaos: John sells David hard on Dai Dark, a manga about immortality-granting bones and exactly the kind of weird nonsense this show was built for. [50:12] – Comic Books Without Pictures: David discovers prose novels, then pivots to Dungeon Crawler Carl and why comic shops were smart to pay attention. [53:20] – Invincible Still Won’t Die: The BookScan numbers turn into an Invincible victory lap, with compendiums and trades dominating the graphic novel chart years after the series ended. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Scott Snyder (https://www.dc.com/talent/scott-snyder) - Writer of Absolute Batman, with the episode circling how much creator involvement could matter for the animated adaptation. Nick Dragotta (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Artist and co-creator of Absolute Batman, praised here as the visual engine giving the book serious juice. Brian Michael Bendis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Michael_Bendis) - Writer behind New Avengers, House of M, Secret Invasion, and a big chunk of the Marvel event era John discusses. J. Michael Straczynski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Michael_Straczynski) - Writer of Amazing Spider-Man during Civil War, brought up for framing Tony Stark as very much the bad guy. Chris Gage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christos_Gage) - Writer mentioned for Civil War-era work that gave Tony Stark’s side more shape than most tie-ins did. Ralph Macchio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Macchio_(editor)) - Longtime Marvel editor whose Spider-Man staging complaint becomes one of the episode’s best craft lessons. Mark Millar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Millar) - Writer of 1985, discussed here through the abandoned photo-manipulation version before Tommy Lee Edwards saved the day. Tommy Lee Edwards (https://www.tommyleeedwards.com) - Artist of 1985 and Winterworld, praised hard for roughs so alive they could carry a whole graphic novel. Brian Hitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Hitch) - Artist name-checked through Ghost Machine and the broader discussion of cinematic superhero realism. Gary Frank (https://imagecomics.com/creators/gary-frank) - Geiger artist praised as part of Ghost Machine’s absurdly strong art lineup. Francis Manapul (https://www.dc.com/talent/francis-manapul) - Artist mentioned for Rook: Exodus and the sheer visual strength of Ghost Machine’s current output. Kyle Starks (https://www.kylestarks.com) - Writer and artist of Wrestle Heist, celebrated here as a cartoonist with sharp timing, bite, and big personality. Vladimir Popov (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/wrestle-heist-1) - Colorist on Wrestle Heist, singled out through David’s praise for the book’s full visual package. Steve Pugh (https://www.dc.com/talent/steve-pugh) - Artist on End of Life, praised as a perfect match for Kyle Starks’ Vertigo writing. Greg Rucka (https://www.gregrucka.com) - Writer mentioned through Gotham General and the Gotham Central legacy. Chris Condon (https://www.chriscondonwrites.com) - Writer discussed for Vertigo crime work and the upcoming Gotham Central connection. Jacob Phillips (https://jacobphillips.com) - Artist discussed with Chris Condon, with John noting the nice crime-comics lineage of that pairing. Jorge Corona (https://www.dc.com/talent/jorge-corona) - Lobo artist praised by David even while the story is not fully clicking for him yet. Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Writer of the current Lobo run, discussed as David waits for the book to fully land. Nicoletta Baldari (https://www.instagram.com/nicoletta_baldari/) - Artist praised for a Little Lobo sequence that David absolutely loved. Drew Hennessy (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12758/drew_hennessy) - Late inker remembered warmly by John and David, especially through unfinished work and a shared credits page. Ron Lim (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/208/ron_lim) - Artist mentioned in connection with John accidentally breaking the sad Drew Hennessy news. Paul Pelletier (https://www.dc.com/talent/paul-pelletier) - Artist on The Others project John and David discuss with real affection. Q Hayashida (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Hayashida) - Creator of Dai Dark and Dorohedoro, whose goth sci-fi weirdness immediately hooks John. Matt Dinniman (https://mattdinniman.com) - Creator of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which David flags as a major crossover opportunity for comic shops. Robert Kirkman (https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman) - Co-creator of Invincible, which dominates the sales chart discussion like a cape-wearing wrecking ball. Absolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - The big DC hit driving the episode’s sales, animation, and creator-control conversation. Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-vol-1-the-zoo) - The first collected edition of the Snyder and Dragotta run that keeps coming up throughout the episode. Civil War (https://www.marvel.com/comics/discover/114/civil-war-the-complete-event) - The Marvel event John uses to explain tie-ins, Tony Stark backlash, and how event storytelling gets shaped.

The guys sit down with David Pepose as The O.Z. heads toward its third and final Kickstarter chapter, turning the Wizard of Oz into a war-torn fantasy battlefield with Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter at the center of the wreckage. Pepose breaks down the long wait between issues, why keeping Ruben Rojas on the book mattered, and how trauma, reinvention, and redemption became the spine of his work from Spencer & Locke to Space Ghost. Things get especially sharp when the conversation turns to “cheap heat” retellings, why a grim hook is worthless without a real human story, and how Kickstarter gave Pepose both creative control and a life-changing payday. David and John also dig into Space Ghost’s breathless pacing, the value of done-in-one adventures, the brutal usefulness of editor notes, and why licensed comics can be freeing when the right people stay out of the way. Plus, Speed Racer goes full volcano madness, Pepose reveals he’s stepping away after his planned run, and fatherhood starts looming over the whole episode like the ultimate deadline. Captions: “Comics are ultimately all about playing the long game. This one was a little bit of a longer game than I had anticipated.” — David Pepose on the long road to finishing The O.Z. “What if Mad Max took place in the Wizard of Oz?” — David Pepose explaining the killer hook behind The O.Z. “I owe him my career, but not in the way that he expected.” — David Pepose on Bobby Kurnow accidentally steering him away from editing and toward writing. “We were turning sacred cow into Tasty Hamburger.” — David Pepose on the gamble of Spencer & Locke. “Shock can get your foot in the door once. But I’m playing the long game here.” — David Pepose on why grim retellings need more than cheap heat. “Superheroes are not superheroes because they punch out a bad guy.” — David Pepose sharing the Tom Brevoort rule that shaped his Space Ghost. “Sequels are another opportunity to screw up.” — David Pepose on why he won’t extend a story unless the timing and reason are right. Splash Page: [00:24] – Enter Pepose, Exit Safe Choices: John introduces David Pepose, from Spencer & Locke to Speed Racer, Space Ghost, Cable, Punisher, Fantastic Four, Moon Knight, and Captain Planet. [01:07] – The Long Road to the Occupied Zone: Pepose explains why The O.Z. #3 took years, why Ruben Rojas stayed on the book, and why the finale had to feel consistent instead of rushed. [02:41] – Mad Max Meets the Yellow Brick Road: Pepose lays out The O.Z. as Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter entering a brutal power vacuum in Oz after the “happy ending” fell apart. [05:21] – The Editor Who Scared Him Straight: Pepose talks DC internships, comics criticism, Comics Experience, and realizing he was absolutely not built for the editor’s chair. [07:09] – Sacred Cow, Tasty Hamburger: Spencer & Locke becomes the career gamble that proves Pepose can take an outrageous premise and make it hurt in the right way. [20:07] – Cheap Heat Gets Exposed: Pepose draws the line between a lazy grim retelling and a real story with emotional investment. [27:02] – The Brevoort Rule: Pepose shares the superhero lesson that shaped Space Ghost: it’s not about punching villains, it’s about protecting people. [55:29] – Speed Racer Hits the Finish Line: Pepose reveals he’s stepping away from Speed Racer after his planned run, with fatherhood and a packed workload forcing the baton pass. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: David Pepose (https://www.davidpepose.com/) - The guest of the episode and writer of The O.Z., Spencer & Locke, Space Ghost, Speed Racer, Savage Avengers, Punisher, Moon Knight, and more. Ruben Rojas (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Artist of The O.Z., whose work Pepose waited on to keep the finale visually consistent with the rest of the series. Whitney Cogar (https://www.instagram.com/smashpansy/) - Colorist on The O.Z., part of the finale team Pepose praises near the end of the episode. DC Hopkins (https://hopkinsletters.myportfolio.com/) - Letterer on The O.Z., credited as part of the book’s creative team. Jonathan Lau (https://www.instagram.com/jonathanalau/) - Artist on Space Ghost, described by Pepose as drawing “like a damn Terminator.” Andrew Dalhouse (https://www.instagram.com/adalhouse/) - Colorist on Space Ghost, praised as part of the book’s consistent creative engine. Taylor Esposito (https://www.ghostglyphstudios.com/) - Letterer on Space Ghost and owner of Ghost Glyph Studios, called an unsung hero by Pepose. Davide Tinto (https://www.instagram.com/tintodavideart/) - Artist on Speed Racer, part of the team bringing Pepose’s high-speed Mad Cave run to life. Kenneth Wagnon (https://www.patreon.com/Kennethjwagnon/about) - Artist behind the fully illustrated map of The O.Z. mentioned as a Kickstarter stretch goal. Tom Brevoort (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brevoort) - Marvel editor whose advice about superheroes defending the little guy became a major storytelling rule for Pepose. C.B. Cebulski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._B._Cebulski) - Marvel figure Pepose mentions while discussing how Spencer & Locke helped get him on Marvel’s radar. Bobby Kurnow (https://idwpublishing.com/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-bobby-curnow-interview) - Editor whose class visit helped Pepose realize editing was not his path. Dan Slott (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Slott) - Writer praised during the conversation as someone who can love Spider-Man without being trapped by that fandom. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://danielwarrenart.com/) - Mentioned as a creator who helped blow open what licensed comics could be. Ryan North (https://www.ryannorth.ca/) - Mentioned as part of the modern wave of done-in-one and short-arc superhero storytelling Pepose looked at while building Space Ghost. Steve Orlando (https://www.steveorlando.com/) - Mentioned alongside Scarlet Witch as another example of current superhero pacing and structure. Jed MacKay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jed_MacKay) - Mentioned in connection with Moon Knight and modern superhero structure. Joe Kelly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kelly_(comics)) - Writer of the Space Ghost miniseries that introduced Pepose to a more serious superhero version of the character. Ariel Olivetti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Olivetti) - Artist on the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries referenced during the conversation. Heidi MacDonald (https://www.comicsbeat.com/author/heidi/) - Comics journalist mentioned for the “satisfying chunk” idea about single issues earning their keep. George Marston (https://www.gamesradar.com/author/george-marston/) - Pepose’s friend who helped him frame Space Ghost as “Batman in space.” The O.Z. (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Pepose’s Ringo Award-winning fantasy war story and the emotional center of this episode. The O.Z. #1-3 Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theozcomic/the-oz-3) - The campaign for the third and final issue discussed throughout the episode. Spencer & Locke (https://www.davidpepose.com/spencer-and-locke/) - Pepose’s breakout “Calvin and Hobbes grew up in Sin City” comic and the project that helped put him on the map. Scout’s Honor (https://www.davidpepose.com/scouts-honor/) - Pepose’s AfterShock series that helped build the critical momentum leading to Marvel work. Space Ghost (https://www.davidpepose.com/space-ghost/) - Pepose’s Dynamite series and the major craft conversation point for pacing, done-in-one stories, and emotional superhero storytelling. Speed Racer (https://madcavestudios.com/product/speed-racer-issue-0/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave run, discussed here as it heads toward the end of his planned arc. Savage Avengers (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/32776/savage_avengers_2022_-_2023) - The Marvel book where Pepose turns a Conan idea into a sword-and-sorcery Deathlok chase. Punisher (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/36917/punisher_2023_-_2024) - Pepose talks about the challenge of creating a Punisher-adjacent book while dealing with modern baggage around the iconography. Captain Planet (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513034110501011) - One of Pepose’s licensed projects and an example of an idea he had been carrying for years. The Devil That Wears My Face (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-devil-that-wears-my-face/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave horror book, brought up as his supernatural take on Face/Off-style body-swapping. Astro City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_City) - The Confession arc comes up as an influence on how Pepose approached Space Ghost through Jan and Jace. Batman: The Long Halloween (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Long_Halloween) - Pepose uses it as a tonal and structural comparison point for Space Ghost. Space Ghost Coast to Coast (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Ghost_Coast_to_Coast) - The version of Space Ghost many fans know, and one Pepose had to work around while rebuilding the hero.

Part 2 of the Bart Sears interview continues as Bart walks David and John through the high-pressure years where every career move looked massive and every deadline came with teeth. Bart talks Eclipso, DC exclusives, the frustration of not getting one of the big characters, and the Valiant jump that put him on X-O Manowar and Turok right as the 90s boom was cooking itself alive. Then things get even more beautifully ridiculous with ToyBiz figure designs, Wizard pseudonyms, Brutes and Babes, and the launch of Ominous Press with a first issue that was basically a comic book, trading card set, collectible object, and logistical nightmare all at once! Along the way, Bart gets brutally honest about missed deadlines, silence with editors, depression, burnout, and why communication can save a project before everything goes sideways. It’s funny, brutal, and honest as hell — Bart Sears tells the truth about surviving the machine. Captions:“I wanted one of the main characters or I was gone.” — Bart Sears on asking DC for a bigger book before leaving for Valiant “They manufactured that heat.” — Bart Sears on how Valiant built demand by under-shipping early books “Wait, are you claiming that you ended the comic book industry in the 90s boom?” — David calling out Bart after the Turok sales talk “I screwed myself with Valiant.” — Bart Sears on taking X-O Manowar and Turok at the same time “If I’d stayed communicating, I probably would have been fine.” — Bart Sears on deadlines, embarrassment, and the editor relationship “I’ve never really enjoyed drawing.” — Bart Sears on the brutal honesty behind burnout, talent, and the job Splash Page:[00:57] – Eighty Pages of Pain: Bart remembers the Eclipso 80-pagers and the line technique that looked great but turned into a time-sucking monster. [03:09] – The Gem Cover Defense: The infamous Eclipso cover gets defended with the most collector-unfriendly solution possible: just buy two. [04:02] – Give Me Batman or I Walk: Bart explains why DC’s refusal to put him on a bigger character pushed him toward Valiant. [07:32] – Valiant Builds the Furnace: Bart breaks down how under-shipping created demand, heat, and eventually a sales bubble nobody could sustain. [09:32] – Two Monthly Books, One Bad Idea: X-O Manowar and Turok looked like a payday until deadlines, style choices, and pressure turned the whole thing into quicksand. [11:17] – Silence Kills Pages: David lands a real editor lesson for younger artists: communicate early, because quiet makes everybody panic. [15:24] – The Wizard Pseudonym Game: Bart explains why “Whitman” and “McNabb” showed up on Wizard covers while everyone with eyeballs knew it was him. [22:36] – The Monument Edition Madness: Ominous Press launches with loose cardstock pages in custom plastic cases, hand-packed in Bart’s mother’s garage like the most 90s comic object ever created. Support The Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Bart Sears (https://www.bartsearsart.com) - The guest of honor, walking through Eclipso, Valiant, ToyBiz, Ominous Press, burnout, and the giant-art choices that made his pages impossible to ignore. David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box co-host steering the conversation with collector brain, editor instincts, and full-on Bart Sears fandom. John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box co-host bringing the editor’s-eye view on contracts, deadlines, layouts, and why Bart’s pages never felt like anyone else’s. Joe Quesada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Quesada) - Mentioned by John in connection with young artists leaving when publishers would not hand them bigger characters. Steven Massarsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Massarsky) - The Valiant co-founder Bart says was actively wooing him away from DC. Gareb Shamus (https://www.instagram.com/garebshamus/) - Wizard founder referenced during the Ominous Press discussion and the choice to launch with Brute and Babe. Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Comes up during Bart’s Violator story, where deadline expectations collided hard with burnout. Christopher Priest (https://digitalpriest.com/about/) - The writer on Captain America and the Falcon, where Bart turned boredom into huge Cap and Falcon visuals on the page. Ron Marz (https://www.ronmarz.com/) - The writer on The Path, where Bart happily blew up the layouts while working inside CrossGen. Rob Hunter (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Rob_Hunter) - The inker Bart wanted on Captain America and the Falcon because he knew Hunter’s line would make the heavy rendering sing. Andy Smith (https://www.andysmithart.com/) - Mentioned as part of the studio and Silver Surfer-era orbit around Bart’s post-Valiant scramble. Mark Pennington (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_Pennington) - The inker Bart discusses in relation to The Path and its blown-up marker layouts. Eclipso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipso) - The DC villain and crossover work that pushed Bart into massive 80-page assignments and one very memorable gem-cover controversy. Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - Bart’s DC title before the Eclipso frustration and the “why won’t they give me a bigger character?” breaking point. Valiant Comics (https://www.dmg-entertainment.com/ip-universes/valiant-comics/) - The hot publisher that pulled Bart away from DC during the early 90s boom. X-O Manowar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-O_Manowar) - One of the Valiant books Bart took on while trying to chase a more illustrative style under impossible monthly pressure. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turok:_Dinosaur_Hunter) - The Valiant hit Bart connects to the massive sales spike and speculator-era overload. Wizard Magazine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_%28magazine%29) - The 90s comics magazine where Bart’s Brutes and Babes tutorials and pseudonymous covers helped boost his profile. Toy Biz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Biz) - The toy company behind the Marvel figure work Bart was designing around the same time he was trying to build a studio. Ominous Press (https://www.bartsearsart.com/folio-9) - Bart’s creator-owned publishing swing, built on huge mythology, Brute and Babe, and the infamous Monument Edition packaging gamble. CrossGen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossGen) - The publisher where Bart became art director and pushed layouts hard on books like The Path. Captain America and the Falcon (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_America_and_the_Falcon_Vol_1_1) - The Marvel series Bart discusses for its big figures, silhouette vehicles, and heavily rendered approach. The Path (https://crossgen-comics-database.fandom.com/wiki/The_Path_%28comics%29) - The CrossGen series Bart used to experiment with two-page spreads, marker layouts, and page design that ignored the safe route.