First Issue Club Comic Books
350 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 90 ratingsWe're a reading club, hyping and reviewing all the weekly talked about number one ☝️ comics.
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Episodes
Robert Venditti on Tankers / Ultramega / 'Eros/Psyche' / Orphan and the Five Beasts
March 24, 2021 03:35 - 38 minutes - 52.9 MBThis week we talk to Robert Venditti about his new comic Tankers, coming April 7 on Bad Idea, then get into a trifecta of comics made by creators doing double duty as Illustrator/writer: James Harren starts us off with Ultramega, a super-double-sized first issue on Image Comics. Next, Maria Llovet takes us on an atmospheric journey in Eros/Psyche on Ablaze Comics. Finally, James Stokoe's uber-detailed illustrations fill his new Dark Horse Comics series Orphan and the Five Beasts.
The Joker #1/ Proctor Valley Road (Grant Morrison) / Children of the Atom
March 17, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBJoker is back with an original series on D.C. - staring.... commissioner Gordon? Grant Morrison has an already optioned book on Boom! with Proctor Valley Road. And - X-Men goes Gen-Z and creates Sidekick stories in Children of the Atom (a must pick!). Also crazy news - like Canto and Slam! are both optioned for animated projects!
NFT's & Comics / BRZKR / Nocturna / Demon Days
March 10, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 46.5 MBThis week, we talk about how DC's entry into the Fortnite universe stacks up to Marvels, and try to make sense of NFT's and how they relate to the comic book collecting community. We also discuss this weeks selection of first issue comics from all-star creators Matt Kindt (BRZKR on BOOM! Studios), Scott Snyder (Nocturna on Image Comics), and Peach Momoko (Demon Days on Marvel Comics).
Stray Dogs (Image) / By The Horns (Scout) / Dept. of Truth Optioned
March 02, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 44.2 MBIt's a new writer's showcase! Two brand spanking new indie books from new writers. And these book slap my friends, don't let Stray Dogs or By The Horns slip on by you at your comic shop. We also chat Department of Truth getting optioned, the delay that will be happening to King in Black, and Daft Punk (they might as well be comic books ok!)
CROSSTALK: Crossover #4 / Theme Song Submissions
February 26, 2021 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MBWhats up with Madman? What new comic book references do we get? What else are we learning about the world Crossover is set in? Who am I to be so lucky to have listener submissions for theme songs? We're gonna address all these questions, so DON'T WORRY!
Lemire & Jock's Snow Angels / Hollow Heart / Comic Book Cards
February 24, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBPut on your war hat! The club is back in the weekly comic book battle field, taking on topics like Marvels push for Reptil to be its next big character, and the odd comic card boom on ebay. As always we're also talking about two first issues; Comic book all-stars Jeff Lemire and Jock have the comixology exclusive Snow Angels out this week, and the team who brought you TET is back with Hollow Heart.
Radiant Black / Casual Fling (AWA) / Joss Whedon Sucks / Miracle Molly
February 17, 2021 06:01 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBRadiant Black is the hottest first issue release in Feb. from Image, a can't miss super hero start. Then it's onto AWA with their thriller about cheating on your spouse, it's a gripping read of Fatal Attraction stuff into a comic book. On the news we have tons of people getting checked for doing bad stuff - Joss Whedon leads us off - but don't worry there is (some would say) juicy Batman News.
Fear Case / Deep Beyond / Oceans VS Space
February 10, 2021 05:44 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBYES! Club favorite writers are back for our reads this week. Matt Kindt brings us Fear Case #1 on Dark Horse Comics, and Mirka Andolfo pens Deep Beyond on Image Comics (Both getting second prints already!) & before we sign off, we've got some big FIC family news after arguing which is better: Earths oceans, or outer space.
Star Wars: The High Republic / Stake (Scout Comics) / WandaVision
February 03, 2021 05:30 - 40 minutes - 55.3 MBStar Wars: The High Republic is the hottest marvel book flying off the shelves, and we are covering it - at the time that it gets a reprint - it's a club first. Then we get into the Vampire Book Stake that nobody asked for but everyone needed. WandaVision leads our news and we have so much hot more hot news! They might as well call this the news episode cause it's so full of news it takes over the rest of the pod.
Future State Superman: Worlds of War / Crimson Flower
January 27, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MBThe club is back with another DC Future State first issue, this time featuring Superman... kinda? Saying this book stars characters who wonder where Clark Kent has gone, may be more accurate. Our second book is another independent entry from one of our favorite writers Matt Kindt, who has Crimson Flower out on Dark Horse Comics. Read along! It's a club! You're in it too!
Zac Thompson on I Breathed a Body / Future State: Dark Detective / HAHA
January 20, 2021 05:00 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBThis week, the club chats with Zac Thompson about his new book, I Breathed a Body out today on Aftershock Comics, before getting into this weeks first issues! First, we're catching up with Gotham's most famous orphan, Bruce Wayne, to see what he's been doing since his apparent death in Future State: Dark Detective #1. Next, we'll hash out how we feel after reading the clown-centric and twilight-zone-esque HAHA #1, by W. Maxwell Prince and Vanesa R. Del Ray.
Future State: The Next Batman / Eternals
January 13, 2021 04:50 - 38 minutes - 53 MBLast week kicked of DC's mega event Future State, and our wallets are already feeling the pain! For this weeks episode, we're focusing on what Gotham's future has in store with The Next Batman - An oversized first issue with a few different stories, all taking place within Gotham city limits. Next, Kieron Gillen and Esad Ribić take on Eternals. Can they make one of the more challenging Marvels make sense? Let's see!
CROSSTALK: Crossover #3
January 08, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBThe most hyped issue of Crossover thus far! You've read it, we've read it, let's talk about it!
New Year's Resolutions for Comics, Shops, Publishers, & More
January 06, 2021 05:01 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBThis week, the club asks what should publishers, characters, comic shops, and more be resolute to change in the new year?
Our Best of 2020: Trades, Creators, Events & More
December 30, 2020 05:30 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBTo round out the year, the club discusses a spectrum of their favorites from 2020.
Comic Industry News / Immortal Hulk: King in Black / Post Americana
December 23, 2020 06:04 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBAW, HEY! At First Issue Club we don't take holidays off, so we're here to cover an x-mas themed issue of Immortal Hulk by Al Ewing, and Steve Skroce takes us on a wrecked-future thrill ride in Post Americana, out on Image Comics. How do these stories stand out from the pack of dystopian future comics and holiday super hero tales??? Listen and find out!
CROSSTALK: Solid Blood 17
December 18, 2020 04:18 - 16 minutes - 23.3 MBWe're back again, and way sooner than expected. "Why?", you may be asking? Well, I have answers! Image released a surprise Robert Kirkman & Ryan Ottley comic from the middle of a series... that hasn't previously existed??!!?! WE KNOW! Listen on, to see what we're speculating.
Speculating on the Next Spidey Movie / S.W.O.R.D. / Home Sick Pilots
December 16, 2020 05:10 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBWe talk about all the exciting news for what Spider-Man 3 says it's going to try to do. D.C. did some fun things this week. Then we get into the hard sci-fi book of S.W.O.R.D. from Al Ewing. And Home Sick Pilots - holy smokes do not skip this book - it's certified gooood baby!
CROSSTALK: Crossover #2
December 11, 2020 05:34 - 21 minutes - 30 MBIntroducing CROSSTALK! The First Issue Club is entering untrodden territory, by following a comic series beyond its first issue. In this bonus show, we'll share our thoughts on each release of the endlessly fun to discuss Crossover, on Image Comics. Hold all 8 of our hands and jump into the unknown with us babyyyy!
King in Black / The Union / M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games
December 09, 2020 07:40 - 33 minutes - 46.3 MBWe're starting the episode sans our news segment so we can get into a little bit of the Marvel Comics event KING IN BLACK, before we cover a K.I.B. tie-in title wherein our writer Paul Grist introduces us to a slew of new characters that join Union Jack in a UK team-up. Then, a duo from the new HULU show starring M.O.D.O.K., Patton Oswalt & Jordan Blum, give us their take on the heady villain ahead of the shows debut in M.O.D.O.K.: Head Games.
Power Pack / Kaiju $core
December 02, 2020 15:08 - 41 minutes - 56.4 MBLooking for facts, and simile? This episode is chock full of both. Lucky you! James Patrick gives us an Oceans 11 style caper set in a Godzilla attack backdrop on Aftershock called Kaiju $core, and Ryan North pens the return of Power Pack on Marvel Comics - bringing the series up to speed by dropping our heroes into Marvels Outlaws event.
Franklin Richards & the Mutant Metaphor / Dr. Who / The Recount
November 25, 2020 06:54 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MBIt's Turkey week, and the comic book gods have blessed us with a bounty for conversation. We start the show hashing out the tweet-storm surrounding Franklin Richards losing his Mutantdom. Next, the club gets into our experience with Dr. Who, surrounding a conversation of Titans newest arch of the BBC shows comic. Finally, we get into a Scouts action thriller The Recount, where there's a lot to unpack!
Punchline / Taskmaster
November 18, 2020 15:42 - 48 minutes - 67.1 MBThis week we discuss a duo of first issues from big 2 baddies. Punchline #1 and Taskmaster #1.
CROSSOVER! / Explaining Thor's Donald Blake
November 11, 2020 16:55 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MBThis week we focus on all things Donny Cates! His Thor run starts a new story arch with an obscure character for newbies, so we try to help unpack his history. Then, the main event! We discuss one of the most hotly anticipated independent first issue releases in a long time... CROSSOVER, from Image Comics.
The One You Feed / TMNT: The Last Ronin
November 04, 2020 06:24 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBThe club starts the show talking Donny Cates conspiracy theories, and event covers, before getting into a couple hot hot hot first issues! First up is The One You Feed out on Panel Syndicate, from the creative team that brought you Cosmic Ghost Rider on Marvel comics. Next, we discuss Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, the hotly anticipated & hard to find first issue of a mini-series penned by the original TMNT creators! What a week!
Halloween Special: Our Salem Comic-Con Trip
October 28, 2020 04:08 - 58 minutes - 80.1 MBThis year, the club celebrates Halloween by taking a trip to the Salem Comic Book Convention, and talking to the fans, creators, and celebs we meet.
M.O.D.O.K. Trailer / Commanders in Crisis / Rorschach
October 21, 2020 03:31 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MBThis week the club is at odds with which first issues deserve the title “humdinger”! First we discuss Peach Momoko covers, to grade or not to grade, and the M.O.D.O.K. trailer in our intro. Next, we move onto Commanders in Crisis - Steve Orlando's super team event debut on Image Comics, before finishing with Tom King's entry into the Watchmen universe with Rorschach #1.
NYCC Panels / Getting It Together / American Ronin
October 14, 2020 16:28 - 37 minutes - 51.4 MBSina Grace & Peter Milligan have authored our bounty this week, bringing us two wildly different comic books! Plus NYCC panel buzz.
Shang-Chi / The Department of Truth
October 07, 2020 05:28 - 44 minutes - 61 MBAnother week means more first issues, and we've got some doozies here from writers we know and love! First up, Gene Yang gives Shang-Chi some extreme family tension, and next, the Department of Truth blows our minds, when James Tynion IV explores conspiracies and truth itself. Sound intriguing? It is! So start listening!
Fury & Peacemaker Get Shows / The Autumnal / An Unkindness of Ravens
September 30, 2020 12:38 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBBOOM! Studios and Vault comics bring us our first issues this week – two perfectly spooky titles to transition us into the Halloween Season. Beforehand, we get into more streaming platform announcements on new high profile comic book shows coming our way. Lucky us!
Iron Man / Stillwater
September 23, 2020 05:05 - 56 minutes - 77.6 MBThis week, we discuss the direction the new creative team is taking Tony Stark in IRON MAN #1 from Marvel Comics, and club favorite writer Chip Zdarsky kicks off his newest independent series with STILLWATER #1 on Images Skybound imprint.
Cyberpunk 2077 / Ultraman
September 16, 2020 04:04 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBOn this weeks episode, the club talks video game preferences before getting into the first of a brand-new four issue comic book series set in the world of the hotly anticipated game Cyperpunk 2077 (It's out on Dark Horse comics by a club favorite writer Cullen Bunn!) Next up, none of us are Ultraman experts, but did we love this cultural and literal giant's move into Marvel Comics anyway? One way to find out... press plaaaaay!
Counting Down the 7 Best New #1's / Black Widow / Al Ewing Goes Indie
September 09, 2020 04:51 - 55 minutes - 76.1 MBWhew! We loved so many of last weeks first issues that we decided to cover 'em all, and contentiously count down to our favorite first issue of the week. No spoilers, but in alphabetical order we'll cover, Black Widow on Marvel, Grendel Kentucky on AWA Upshot, Inkblot on Image, Hellblazer: Rise & Fall on DC's Black Label, Lonely Receiver on Aftershock, Spy Island on Dark Horse, & We Only Find Them When They're Dead on Boom! Studios.
Chadwick Boseman / Three Jokers / Interview with Zack Quaintance
September 02, 2020 06:15 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBOn this weeks show, we remember Chadwick Boseman and talk about the Marvel + Fortnite crossover, before getting into the most anticipated comic of the month... Maybe year? EVEN DECADE? Yes, Three Jokers is finally here on DC's Black Label imprint, and we're here for it. We also catch up with Zack Quaintance on what it's like writing and covering comics, and get the scoop on his new comic NEXT DOOR, which is up on kickstarter.
DC Fandom / Shadow Service / Maestro
August 26, 2020 14:29 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MBThis week, after catching up on all of the news from DC Fandom (Video Games! Movie Trailers! Comics! & more!), we get into what we do best... Rev up the old reading club and discuss last weeks first issues! First up, from Vault Comics is SHADOW SERVICE, a story that follows a private eye with magical witchy powers. Next, we move on to Marvel Comics for MAESTRO, to explore the origins of a Bruce Banner/Hulk personality that was introduced way back in 1992's Future Imperfect.
DC Layoffs / Seven Secrets / Big Girls
August 19, 2020 04:35 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MBIt's another Wednesday and comics are still coming out! PHEW! This week the club gets into comic book news like the DC layoffs & changes at the CBLDF. Then, we're on to the main event – Seven Secrets out on BOOM! Studios comes from a club favorite writer Tom Taylor, then Jason Howard takes double duty on art and story for his newest title on Image Comics... BIG GIRLS!
Bad Mother / Atlantis Wasn't Built for Tourists
August 12, 2020 14:30 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBWe're back talking about first issues. WHO KNEW?! This week features a couple independent offerings - Bad Mother comes from AWA's Upshot imprint, and Atlantis Wasn't Built for Tourists is out on Scout.
X-Factor / Wonder Woman
August 05, 2020 04:34 - 49 minutes - 68 MBThis week the club is whittled down to just two hosts, but Mike and Greg do their best to guide you through two new & exciting titles from the big 2! Mariko Tamaki starts her anticipated run on Wonder Woman #759 (what we're calling a 'spiritual first issue'), and Leah Williams pens the newest x-title that takes mutant detectives outside of the gates of Krakoa in X-Factor #1.
Chu / Bliss
July 29, 2020 14:59 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBThis week, our featured first issues are both out on Image Comics! First, we discuss John Layman's CHU #1, a return to the world of his hit Image Comic series CHEW. Next, we shift our focus to BLISS #1, an original series from the club favorite creative team that brought you COYOTES - Sean Lewis, and Caitlin Yarsky. This series looks to be following a hitman to the gods, in a world where a drug can wipe memories. Intriguing enough for you!?
Murder Hobo / It Eats What Feeds It
July 22, 2020 04:46 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBSCOUT WEEK! WEEK 2! First up, Murder Hobo is based on the role-playing archetype of a player character known by the same term. (Think your friend who plays Dungeons & Dragons with no story or motivation, outside of killing, looting, & chaos.) Next, It Eats What Feeds It follows a young man who's car breaks down while replying to a help wanted ad at a scary dilapidated mansion. This sparse horror-trope filled romp feels colossally nuanced after reading Murder Hobo!
Scout Week!
July 15, 2020 05:23 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MBThis week, Scout Comics released several first issues, and we're here for it! First up, we get into Loggerhead #1, a one-shot B-Movie style thrasher/monster story written and illustrated by Bryan Silverbax - kudos for doing double duty on this one Bryan! Next, we talk about Assassin and Son #1, penned by former WWE wrestlers Shad Gaspard & Marc Copani. Proceeds from the book go to the recently passed away Gaspard's family, so if you're a fan, make sure you track that down on Scouts website.
Negan Lives! / Fire Power
July 08, 2020 12:18 - 55 minutes - 76 MBRobert Kirkman saves us from a light new comic book day with with two first issues! First, The Walking Dead creative team is back for a reprise with 'Negan Lives!'. 'Fire Power', is up next, wherein Robert teams up with club favorite artist Chris Samnee to bring us an original trade paper back origin story, along with a Free Comic Book Day first issue to kick off the new ongoing series. Both can be found on Images Skybound imprint, which was co-founded by Kirkman.
Empyre / Sleeping Beauties
July 01, 2020 15:09 - 39 minutes - 54.7 MBThis week, the club decodes a prelude to Marvel's Empyre event, after checking out the comic book adaptation of Stephen King & Owen King's best selling novel Sleeping Beauties.
Dark Knights: Death Metal / Wynd
June 24, 2020 03:55 - 46 minutes - 64.2 MBThis week Synder and Capullo are back with an encore to their popular DC series with Dark Knights: Death Metal, and club favorite author James Tynion IV releases his next title on Boom!, called Wynd.
Adventureman / Rick and Morty: Go to Hell
June 17, 2020 03:43 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MBThis week in comic book news, we talk PS5 and the Miles Morales' price boom, DC ditching Diamond, Comicsgate vs Gamergate, and Christopher Cantwell taking the wheel on Iron Man in the fall. Then, it's on to last weeks first issues. Image comics brings us Matt Fractions Adventureman, which takes a sec to set in with the club, but once we get it, ooo baby! Next, Ryan Ferrier sends Rick & Morty to Hell in a new mini-series out on Boom! Studios.
Nailbiter Returns / Sabrina: Something Wicked
June 10, 2020 04:06 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBWe are missing Greg and Kaitlyn again this week, so it's up to Mike and BK get you your fill of first issues. After discussing "the cartoons are better" argument for DC, the club gets into Kelly Thompson's second volume of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, with Sabrina: Something Wicked #1 (art by the Fish family). Next, Nailbiter is also back for a second volume in the horror inspired title Nailbiter Returns from Joshua Williamson & Mike Henderson.
Disaster Inc. / Rogue Planet
June 04, 2020 02:55 - 41 minutes - 56.6 MBThe club talks about some of this weeks comic book news, before getting into Cullen Bunns Rouge Planet, and Joe Harris's Disaster Inc.
Bad Karma / Ludocrats
May 27, 2020 14:40 - 40 minutes - 55.8 MBThis week, the club got to read some brand new first issues for the first time in a couple weeks! One of our favorite online publishers, Panel Syndicate, has a creative team that brings it for Bad Karma #1, and Ludocrats #1 sees Kieron Gillen & Jim Rossignol get even more absurd than the title of their new Image Comic suggests.
Interview with Kelly Thompson
May 20, 2020 02:47 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MBThis week, the club chats with Kelly Thompson, one of our favorite writers at Marvel Comics. You may know her work from her current runs on Deadpool, Captain Marvel, & Star, as well as her past work on some club favorites like West Coast Avengers, Hawkeye, and Captain Phasma.
Watching the Snyder Cut - Anniversary Special!
May 13, 2020 16:26 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MBFor our special 150th episode we discuss our favorite scenes from the legendary Snyder cut of the Justice League film!