Never Stay Dead: A Comic Book Podcast

Bonus Episode - conversation bouncing off of Planetary

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 17:14:58 -0700

As a sort of Bonus Episode here's more of the conversation started by our examination of issues number 6 and number 7 of the comic book series Planetary.

Planetary Project Part Four: Comic Books through a dark mirror

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:57:35 -0700

In this fourth episode of our big Planetary discussion Matt and Damian take a look at issues number 6 and number 7 of the comic book series Planetary. Written by Warren Ellis, line art by John Cassaday and color art by Laura (Depuy) Martin.

Planetary Project Part Three: Pulp Visions

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 23:37:25 -0700

Strange Harbours and The Good Doctor: A Planetary Novel. In this third episode of our big Planetary discussion Matt and Damian take look at issue numbers 4 and 5 of of the 1999 comic book series Planetary. Written by Warren Ellis, line art by John Cassaday and color art by Laura (Depuy) Martin.

Planetary Project Part Two: Off to Japan and Hong Kong!!

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:51:07 -0700

In this second episode of our big Planetary project, Matt and Damian dig deep into issue numbers 2 and 3 of Planetary: "Island" and "Dead Gunfighters." Written by Warren Ellis, line art by John Cassaday and color art by Laura (Depuy) Martin. Lots of love for these two stories!

Damian: @sleepyreader666

Matt: @Godamn_Milkman

Planetary Project Launch Episode

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 23:51:26 -0700

Lets chat about Planetary issue one, from late 1998. This is the first in a series of podcasts Matt and Damian plan to produce looking through the Graphic Novel Planetary by writer Warren Ellis, artist John Cassaday, colorist Laura Martin and a host of letterers. We plan to take a close look at every one of the 27 issues that make up Planetary, perhaps two or three an episode.

Send us comments on twitter:

Damian : @sleepyreader666
Matt: @Godamn_Milkman

Shooting (Green) Arrows: The Longbow Hunters

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 16:26:31 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian dive deep into Mike Grell's seminal graphic novel The Longbow Hunters from 1987, featuring the reboot or revival of the Green Arrow.

Check out Damian's recommended podcasts:

The Daily Rios:
https://thedailyrios.com/tdr-digest-10-03-21/

Into the Weird:
https://sinkintotheweird.com

Matt: @Godamn_Milkman
Damian: @sleepyreader666

Rom! Spaceknight - Flipping through the first 10 issues

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 20:09:27 -0700

Join Matt and Damian as we discuss the first ten issues of Marvel's Rom Spaceknight from 1979-1980. From failed toy to successful comic book, never to be reprinted...one of the more interesting oddities of the bronze age of comics.

November - Four Volume trip to where?

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 00:03:22 -0700

After a long delay, Matt and Damian discuss the hardback four volume 2020 original graphic novel "November" - script by Matt Fraction, line art from Elsa Charretier, colors from Matt Hollingsworth and hand lettering from Kurt Ankeny.

Marvel's Jack of Hearts: Bonus Episode Conversation with Longbox Review

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:13:56 -0700

In this Bonus episode Damian has a chat with Eric from the excellent Longbox Review podcast about the 4 issue mini-series Jack of Hearts written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by George Freeman, back in late 1983.

Check out Eric's podcast here.

You can contact us on twitter

Damian: @sleepyreader666
Matt: @UntoldTalksSpmn
Eric: @longboxreview

Death Note notes -talking manga, the best we can

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 01:14:31 -0700

This time around we read the first three volumes of famous manga Death Note: Matt's pick as he tries to help manga deficient Damian get on board this super popular Japanese comic book artform.

Comics Conversation: Bonus Episode

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 09:54:13 -0700

Beer, manga, Wonder Woman 1984, who will replace DC comics and other random chatter. Here's the seemingly random conversation between Matt and Damian after we recorded our "official" episode. Eavesdrop on our conversation or wait for the next official episode, coming soon.

Digging into Kitty Pryde and Wolverine - 1984 comic book mini-series

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 00:40:24 -0700

Matt and Damian continue to look at early X-men spinoff mini-series from the 80's. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1-6 from scribe Chris Claremont and artist Al Milgrom (with notable colors from Glynis Wein) is the third in a loose trilogy of mini-series. Matt raves, Damian gets picky and little bit of blood is shed.

Send comments our way on twitter:

Matt: @magicalmatt42
Damian: @sleepyreader666

The Mysteries of Magik the 1983 X-men miniseries

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:07:09 -0700

Matt and Damian both love and struggle to parse all the meanings of Chris Claremont's 1983 four issue Limited Series-- Storm and Illyana: Magik with artists John Buscema, Ron Frenz, Sal Buscema and magical, moody inker Tom Palmer.

The sound this time was from our back up source. You can also check out the raw recording of this episode, with images from the comics on the SleepyReader666 youtube channel.

Feel free to drop comments to us on Twitter

Damian: @sleepyreader666
Matt: @magicalmatt42

Slicing up the Wolverine mini-series by Claremont and Miller

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:43:21 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian take a close look at 1982's 4 issue Wolverine mini-series from Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont, X-Men super-scribe, and Frank Miller, rising superstar writer/artist, best known for his Daredevil run at the time. We also look at the follow up story in The Uncanny X-Men 172 and 173: Claremont writer and Paul Smith penciler.

Focusing in On The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:28:56 -0700

Superhero comic book masterpiece? Fascinating experiment? Overflowing tapestry? This time around Matt and Damian zoom in on the 400 pages of writer/artist Darwyn Cooke's The New Frontier (DC Comics 2004). Colors by Dave Stewart.

You can communicate with us on Twitter:

Damian: @sleepyreader666
Matt: @magicalmatt42

Comic Book Love in the Time of Covid

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:09:25 -0700

A special Bonus Episode where Matt and Damian share with you our comic book discussion that continued on from the recording of the Demon Bear discussion. The conversation meanders but we thought you might enjoy listening in.

Demon Bear - New Mutants masterpiece!

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:35:19 -0700

This time Matt and Damian dive into the Demon Bear storyline from New Mutants numbers 18, 19 & 20. This 1984 masterpiece was created by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Correspond with us on Twitter

Damian: @sleepyreader666

Matt: @magicalmatt42

Tomb of Dracula - Bronze Age horror

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 14:50:03 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian dive into Bronze Age 1970's Marvel's Tomb of Dracula, specifically: issues #24 - #28 all written by Marv Wolfman with art by the team of Gene Colan and Tom Palmer.

The audio this time around may be a bit rougher. Because of a recording accident, we grabbed the audio directly off of the video version.

Damian: @sleepyreader666

Matt: @magicalmatt42

Spider-Man and Ezekiel, Straczynski & Romita Jr.

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 20:21:11 -0700

This time around we look at Matt's pick of The Amazing Spider-Man, vol. 2 issues #30-35, the first issues written by J.M. Straczynski (teamed up with peak John Romita Jr. on pencils and Scott Hanna on inks). This story arc introduced the character of Ezekiel and perhaps changed our view of Spider-Man himself.

Damian: @sleepyreader666
Matt: @magicalmatt42

Claremont's X-Men Takes Off

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 00:10:16 -0700

In this longer episode Matt and Damian tackle Giant Sized X-Men #1 and X-Men numbers 94 through 100. We're exploring and considering the beginnings of Chris Claremont's monumental X-Men saga. And of course we have to include the wonderful visuals from Dave Cockrum and the original impetus from idea-smith Len Wein!

Apologies for the long delay between Never Stay Dead episodes, all the fault of Damian who sat on this episode for about 6 weeks before editing the audio. The next episode will be out much more quickly.

Check out Matt's other Podcast "Untold Talks of Spider-Man:
https://amazingspidertalk.com/category/podcasts/untold-talks/

Emerald Dawn times two - Green Lantern reboot from 1989

Mon, 04 May 2020 00:07:00 -0700

Never trust the Guardians! In this 32nd episode Damian and Matt discuss Emerald Dawn I and Emerald Dawn II, two interlinked 6 issue mini-series designed to update and flesh out the origins of Hal Jordon as Green Lantern.

You can contact us via twitter:

Damian: @sleepyreader666

Matt: @magicalmatt42

X-Men 1969: Neal Adams comes to Marvel

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:20:05 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian butt heads over the old school X-Men as re-tooled by Neal Adams during his first foray into Marvel Comics circa 1969. We take a look at X-Men issues 56 - 63; written by Roy Thomas, Pencils by Neal Adams and Inks by Tom Palmer.

Send us comments via Twitter:

Matthew
@magicalmatt42

Damian
@sleepyreader666

Putting on The Hood

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 14:46:37 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian put on "The Hood" a 2002 mini-series from writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz & Eric Powell. This was originally published under Marvel's Max imprint, their line for mature readers only. We do spoil the story during the course of our conversation.

This episode was recorded live over Youtube, so apologies in advance for a reduction in audio quality. We may have also been a bit distracted by the live comments coming through from our youtube audience.

Ronin by Frank Miller - Neglected Masterpiece or Transition Piece?

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:49:27 -0700

This time Matt and Damian chew on Frank Miller's Ronin, his first book after being given total freedom by DC Comics way back in 1983.

Send us comments on Twitter:

Damian = @sleepyreader666

Matt = @magicalmatt42

Please rate and review our podcast if you can. Thanks.

Mister Miracle Is...?

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 23:29:53 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian try probe the meaning of Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. For some reason we can't stop taking pokes against Mr. King.

This episode was recorded before the last two episodes, which is why you hear us talking as if our last show was the one on Identity Crisis.

A POX on Your House of X

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 01:10:55 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian argue the merits or lack of merits of Jonathan Hickmans epic retcon or reboot of the X-Men in his braided mini-series House of X and Powers of X.

Follow and contact us via twitter.

Damian: @sleepyreader666

Matt: @magicalmatt42

Grappling with the decade in comic books

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 13:30:02 -0700

A rather lengthy chat between Damian and Matt about the highlights of the two thousand teens decade in comic books. We try to identify personal favorites and important creations and movements of the past ten years, a task that we may or may not be up to. Happy New Year Everyone.

Man and Superman, Mann

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:20:15 -0700

This time around we take a run at two graphic novels with almost identical titles: "Man and Superman" by Wolfman and Castelini and "Mann and Superman" by Michael T. Gilbert. To be honest, most of the episode is devoted to the more recent Wolfman and Catelini version.

Diving into Identity Crisis

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 13:35:58 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian dive deep into the 7 chapter graphic novel Identity Crisis from DC comics.

Check out 64PageSpecial's slideshow based on our Alan Moore vs Grant Morrison conversation

Alan Moore and Steve Ditko

And check out Longbox Review Podcast

Frank Miller's beginnings in Daredevil

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 00:04:33 -0700

This time around Matt and Damian do their best to grasp a hold of the gradual shift in mainstream superhero comics that seemed to begin when Frank Miller took over the writing in Daredevil number 168. We take a close look at Daredevil 168 -173 and discuss the rest of Miller's historic run on the character in more general ways.

Who's Number One?

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 09:03:32 -0700

In this conversational ramble, Matt and Damian discuss generational differences in comic book reading and ponder who their number one comic book writer of all time would be. This is the conversation that immediately followed last episode's discussion of Tokyo Ghost and is basically a series of digressions.

Captives of Tokyo Ghost

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 12:18:53 -0700

Join us--Matt and Damian--as we discuss the graphic novel Tokyo Ghost by Rick Remender, Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth. This story can be read as ten individual comic book issues, two paperback volumes or one "deluxe" hardback volume.

Gospel of the New Gods - Jack Kirby's 1971 Masterpiece

Sun, 08 Sep 2019 23:25:08 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian discuss New Gods #6 & #7 from Jack Kirby's original 11 issue run of this central text of his 4th World creation.

Surfing the Cosmic Wave

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 23:29:07 -0700

In this Episode Matt and Damian take a look at the Silver Surfer via Silver Surfer Parable by Stan Lee and Moebius, a one shot Silver Surfer (listed at Volume 2) by Stan Lee and John Byrne and the first three issues of the current Silver Surfer: Black by Donny Cates and Trad Moore. But that's not all: the conversation extends into a multitude of subjects from Venom and Carnage, to collecting habits, to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Spirit by Will Eisner, original art collecting and so much more!

Vengeance of the Spectre

Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:23:56 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian discuss the two issue Spectre meets Batman story in Detective Comics 1006 and 1007. The also discuss facsimile comics, X-men, Spider-man, Silver Surfer and other current comics goings on.

Back from the Dead: Comic Books We've Been Reading Lately

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 10:47:21 -0700

Matt and Damian discuss their recent comic book reading and promise the podcast is not dead, with more to come soon.

There was a glitch around the 33 minute mark where technical problems caused us to lose 5 or 10 minutes of the conversation. You'll hear a bit of our theme music and then the conversation will abruptly move on to a new subject.

Sleeper: the endless circle of moral turpitude

Sat, 23 Mar 2019 00:19:23 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian discuss the Wildstorm comics series Sleeper Season One and Two by writer/artist team Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips--with a brief dive into Point Blank a mini-series that predates Sleeper written by Brubaker.

Apologies for the rough audio, created by unknown problems with Damian's mike. By the time Damian realized that something had gone wrong it was too late to re-record the episode.

Taking on Transmetropolitan

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:16:38 -0700

This time around we decided to tackle Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, in collected editions. Damian read the first three trade volumes of Transmet for the first time and Matt re-read the first five volumes. This gave us plenty to talk about!

Diving Into the Spiderverse! (bonus episode)

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 09:44:35 -0700

Matt and Damian are dedicated to discussing comic books, but this movie strikes so close to the comic book zone that we decided to record a "bonus" episode to share our thoughts on "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse."

Conan the Barbarian Comics - Love 'em or Hate 'em?

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 17:47:03 -0700

This time Matt and Damian try to read issues #3, 11, 14 & 15 of Marvel Comics' Conan the Barbarian from the very early 70's featuring scripts by Roy Thomas and art by Barry Windsor-Smith and various inkers.

Batman: White Knight - trade chat

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:20:41 -0700

Matt and Damian do their best to dig into the complexities of character and theme in Batman: White Knight, from DC's new Black Label line, written and drawn by Sean Murphy with color art by Matt Hollingsworth.

Later the conversation veers into Spiderman and on into Dan Slott's current Fantastic Four before fading away into total silliness....

What If, The Marvel Universe & Stan Lee

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:07:41 -0700

In this episode of Never Stay Dead Matt and Damian focus on some issues of Marvel's What If series; starting with the recent What If Flash Thompson Became Spider-Man scripted by Gerry Conway and continuing on to a bunch of new and old What If stories...along the way we ended up discussing the Marvel Universe and the meaning of Stan Lee and his influence.

Excelsior!

DC Comics Present and Future: A conversation with Longbox Review

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 13:20:09 -0700

This episode is a non-cononcial Never Stay Dead Extra. This conversation was recorded as a live hangout on the SleepyReader666 youtube channel and as it is rather lengthy, but hopefully fun to listen to, seemed worthy of a podcast episode. Damian and the ever awesome Eric, host of the Longbox Review podcast dug deep into their thoughts and love for current and upcoming DC projects.

Be sure to check out Eric's podcast Longbox Review at https://longboxreview.com/ or on your favorite podcast catcher.

Digging into the Trinity (Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity: by Matt Wagner)

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:43:40 -0700

This time Matt and Damian chat about (and digress from) Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity written and drawn by Matt Wagner with magnificent color by Dave Stewart. This comic originally came out in three thick prestige format issues in 2003 and is now also available in physical and digital collected editions.

Don't forget to check out Matt's other podcast The Untold Talks of Spiderman

The Galactus Trilogy - Fantastic Four 48-50 circa 1966

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:49:12 -0700

Welcome to our 8th episode where we delve into the mysteries of Silver Age Fantastic Four. This time it's the classic first appearances of Galactus and the Silver Surfer in a three issue story nicknamed the Galactus Trilogy by fans. This was Matt's first time reading these classic issues and for Damian it was roughly his 6th read through since discovering this story in reprint issues in the early 70's. The conversation wanders off on many tangents and diversions.

Introducing the Never Stay NO PRIZE!

Check out The Longbox Review Podcast.
Never Stay Dead Podcast Spotlight
July 2018 Previews (With the great George Hanna)

Also check out Carlos Infante's long running youtube comic book vlog

Early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Meet Kirby)

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 22:53:58 -0700

In this episode Matt and Damian discuss the Donatello solo adventure with an artist named Kirby and also look over the first three issues of the iconic Turtles run.

Among Us Hide the Inhumans!

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:59:51 -0700

We take look at Fantastic Four #44-48, circa 1965-66. And later veer wildly off topic.

Probing the Grand Design

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 21:22:07 -0700

We take a look at Marvel's X-Men Grand Design Volume One, by Ed Piskor, aclaimed indy "cartoonist" and X-Men fanatic. The conversation spins off into a variety of X-Men subjects.

Our podcast recommendation this time is for Battle of the Atom, for all things X.

Rebirth Batman

Sun, 06 May 2018 20:21:00 -0700

How bad is Batman since rebirth/ Does it totally suck or just partially? Opinions are divided.

We tackle Action Comics #1000

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 22:43:13 -0700

Let's celebrate the iconic template for all superhero comic books. We talk about this 80th anniversary issue and discuss a number of other issues concerning the current day Superman comics.

Talking: I Kill Giants

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 20:49:14 -0700

We made it to our second episode! This time we discuss the graphic novel I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura which has recently been adapted into a movie.

Black Panther VS Fantastic Four

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 10:09:43 -0700

In this, our first episode, we discuss the Black Panther's first appearences in the Fantastic Four back in 1966. We looked at FF #51, #52 & #53 plus Avengers #62.