House to Astonish

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 19

It's a brave new world for the Thunderbolts, as they try to readjust to civilian life... or, in the case of some, to adjust to being bossed around by Captain America as part of the Redeemers. Paul and Al say hello to new regular penciler Patrick Zircher, as well as to the continuity transplants from the Heroes Reborn universe, as they look at issues 51 and 52 of Thunderbolts, as well as the Thunderbolts: Life Sentences oneshot. Join them as they explore the questions of who is the 19th best ...

House to Astonish - Episode 206 - Guts For Gratis

Merry Chri... er... Happy New Y... um... Happy February? Welcome to the joint 15th anniversary and end of year wrap-up episode of House to Astonish, as Paul and Al chat through the news of the past few weeks, including Blood Hunt's polybagged "Red Band" editions, Jason Aaron taking on the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo and Criminal coming to Amazon Prime. On top of that, they have the 2023 Homies awards, where we (and our listeners) give their ...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 18

It's anniversary time, as Paul and Al mark the 15th turn round the sun of House to Astonish by briefly mourning the original episode they recorded for the occasion and lost in a computer disaster, before moving on to another anniversary in the form of issue 50 (and 48 and 49) of Thunderbolts, from 2001. It's the end of the Scourge story, the return of Jolt, and time to bid a fond farewell to Mark Bagley. It's all go!

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 17

The Thunderbolts are on a collision course with Scourge (and issue 50), but right now they've got to deal with Moonstone's identity crisis, the Battle of Techno's Ear and the arrival of Genis-Vell, as we look at issues 45-47 from the turn of the millennium. Plus Cybergoth Santa, the Titanian Smurfs and the concept of Pink Pavements crossovers.

House to Astonish - Episode 205 - Tractor Supply Company

Al and Paul have a whirlwind recap of news from NYCC for your enjoyment, as they look at the "faux-simile" Batman 428; John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America; the Superman Superstars initiative; the formation of Ghost Machine; Avengers: Twilight; the Blood Hunt crossover; the creative teams of the new Ultimate line; and the end of the Krakoan era, as well as taking the time to remember Keith Giffen and to review Batman: City of Madness and Midlife (How to Hero at Fifty). The Official ...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 16

It's crossover time, and Paul and Al are catching up once again with Marvel's Most Wanted, who are going to learn to play nice with other comics whether they want to or not. The Nefaria Protocols play out across Thunderbolts #s 43 and 44 and Avengers #s 33 and 34, and nothing will ever be the same again! Except almost everything actually will, but look, at least we get the perils of invisible furniture, regional Inhumans and Christopher Robin's arch-enemy.

House to Astonish - Episode 204 - Onepiece Munroe

Paul and Al are back once again, and this time round they're wishing Jeff Smith well in his recovery from cardiac arrest, and gabbing about Tom Brevoot's intra-Marvel move, the upcoming Sentry, Speed Force and Spider-Man: Reign 2 series, and the strange case of the possibly disappearing IDW Originals line, as well as reviewing Uncanny Avengers and The Cull. Plus the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's a bit of an animal.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 15

The mystery of Scourge deepens while Atlas gets drunk, and Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts issues 40-42 (with a brief detour into Avengers 32 for good measure) and the T-Bolts begin the twisty, turny climb towards issue 50.

House to Astonish - Episode 203 - Robots And Also Some Cats

Al and Paul are back with more comics chat, remembering John Romita Sr and Ian McGinty, talking about #ComicsBrokeMe, Image moving distribution to Lunar, Marvel and DC's upcoming launches and Ram V and Felipe Andrade's Rare Flavours, as well as reviewing Void Rivals and Ultimate Invasion. It's 10pm. Do you know where the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is?

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 14

It's time for another electrifying set of issues of Marvel's most wanted superteam, the Thunderbolts, as Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts Annual 2000, as well as Thunderbolts #38 and #39. Scourges! Hellstroms! Citizens V! It's very much all go, as the storyline begun in issue 34 continues along its twisty-turny path. 

House to Astonish - Episode 202 - Now With Cobalt

Paul and Al are back on their regular beat, remembering Al Jaffee and Rachel Pollack, talking about all the upcoming Fall of X and Knight Terrors books, enjoying Mark Waid's mini-renaissance at DC and dissecting the digital drops of DSTLRY, as well as reviewing The Great British Bump-Off and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? I don't believe they exist.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 13

It's a whole new era for Marvel's Most Wanted as Paul and Al's reread of Thunderbolts enters the Fabian Nicieza era, looking at issues 34-37. The team comes face to face with someone who's either a new enemy or an old friend (or possibly both) as the tale of the new Beetle wraps up and the Scourge saga begins!

House to Astonish - Episode 201 - Custody of Another Lamp

It's 2023! And you know what that means! That's right, more 2022! Join al and Paul as they dish out the golden gongs in the comics industry's most Scottishy-podcasty awards, the Homies! Now in its titantic tenth year! Who won (they'll tell you!)? Who lost (they won't tell you!)? EXCITING!

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 12

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... twelve lightnings striking! It's time for the latest episode of Al and Paul's reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts, and they're looking at issues 31-33 of the original run of the book. This is the end of series cocreator Kurt Busiek's run as writer, so there's a little tear in everyone's eye as they revisit Arnim Zola From Work, the Marvel Universe's most deadly drug and Citizen V's emoji mask.

House to Astonish - Episode 200 - Let's Scare Batman To Death

To quote the Bard, it's been a long road, getting from there to here, but Paul and Al have made it to episode 200 of House to Astonish, and they're indulging in their traditional vices of cake and fizz, and talking about Vault Comics' Headshell line, Titan's new Conan series, Joe Kelly and Kim Niimura's Immortal Sergeant, and Ty Templeton's cancer-free all-clear. They're also reviewing a bunch of comics on a theme, as they look at Batman #200, House of Mystery #200, Amazing Spider-Man #200, ...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 11

The Thunderbolts are back, and Graviton is making heavy weather of things for them. Can Archangel tip the scales in the heroes' favour? Can you imagine how embarrassed he would be if he didn't? We're looking at issues 27-30 of Thunderbolts (1997) this time out, and there's a guy with too many baguettes, some highly unfortunate kerning, and a high society scandal in the world of military robotics to deal with.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 10

House to Astonish - Episode 199 - Incorporating Melody Maker

Al and Paul are back, and they're remembering George Pérez, Neal Adams, Tim Sale, Kazuki Takahashi and Pat McCallum, as well as talking about Oni-Lion Forge and Comixology's recent personnel shifts, the upcoming Tim Drake: Robin series from DC, Marvel's newest Spider-Man ongoing, the return (again) of Miracleman, the just-announced Wakanda miniseries and Ryan North and Erica Henderson's Danger and Other Unknown Risks, and reviewing Starhenge and Batman. The Official Handbook of the Official ...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 9

Lightning keeps striking! Good lord! It's just bizarre by this point! Paul and Al are back to look at Thunderbolts issues 22, 0 and 23 (in that order) and Avengers 12 (not in that order). Thrill to Hawkeye losing his AirBnB deposit! Be wowed by Vision's capacity for complaining! Wonder aloud at whether Hercules and Atlas had a fling! It's all go here!

House to Astonish - Episode 198 - Deflator Mouse

Paul and Al are back, with more news and reviews and the usual nonsense. They've got chat about Archie Comics' NFT shenanigans, IDW's Originals line, DC's Pride special's lineup, the new Batman and Detective Comics creative teams, Superman: The Space Age, X-Terminators, All-Out Avengers, the relaunch of Shang-Chi and Grant Morrison's debut novel Luda, as well as reviews of The Wrong Earth: Fame and Fortune and Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country. Does the Official Handbook of the Official Ha...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 8

Lightning strikes eight times! It's really very dangerous to be out here! Get to shelter! Paul and Al are back to talk about Thunderbolts #21 and Captain America/Citizen V '98, with all the extraneous cover blurbs, world-class pauldrons and embarrassing Pritt-Stick accidents that entails.

House to Astonish - Episode 197 - The Comics Purge

Al and Paul have a full slate of comics news, remembering Ian Kennedy and Tom Veitch, and discussing the Hero Initiative's JLA/Avengers reprint, DC's upcoming Black Label titles, Marvel's Wild Cards and Thunderbolts revivals, IDW's Last Bot Standing and the Amazon/ComiXology disaster, and they've got reviews of Iron Fist and Nightwing to boot. If the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe falls in the forest, will anyone tidy up the mess?

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 7

It's time for another adventure with the Marvel Universe's most neurotic super... er... heroes? Villains? Something along one of those lines, or possibly both. Anyway! We're looking at issues 17-20 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, and we've got Graviton, Charcoal, and the addition of a crucial element of the Tbolts mythos. Plus: a pug in a hoodie! Some French! An old lady from Elgin! It's all go around here.

House to Astonish - Episode 196 - The Silence Of The Homies

It's time for Paul and Al's annual look-back at the comics and creators of 2021, as they give out the gongs in the Homies awards. Will your favourites go home with a glittering prize? Only one way to find out! Then it's time for a trip back to Harrogate in November 2021, for the recording of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel from Thought Bubble, featuring Rachael Stott, Becky Cloonan, Al Ewing and Hannah Berry. What larks!

House to Astonish - Episode 195 - There's Nothing More Gripping Than Double-Entry Bookkeeping

A relatively quiet few weeks of news means a compact and bijou episode, but Al and Paul still find time to talk about Amazon's postponed assimilation of Comixology, Gina Gagliano leaving Random House Graphic, the launch of Zestworld, Oni signing with Lunar for distribution and Marvel's announcement of Secret X-Men, as well as reviewing King of Spies and Justice League Dark Annual. Last Christmas, I gave you the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and the very n...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 6

Lightning strikes six times! This is surely a sign of the Biblical apocalypse! Paul and Al dive into the second year of Thunderbolts, covering issues 13-16. Bug people! Political intrigue! Hulkbots! Guys called Dirkson! It's all here, and it's all go!

House to Astonish - Episode 194 - My Two Steves

Paul and Al have got a bit of NYCC-dodging news chat for you this time round, as we discuss the Ditko lawsuit, creative changes on the X-books, Kurt Busiek's new Image slate and Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese coming to Disney Plus, as well as reviews of Amazing Spider-Man and We Have Demons. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has been, and always will be, your friend.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 5

Lightning is striking again! That's five times now! This is surely statistically improbable! Paul and Al are now up to the finale of the first year of Thunderbolts, and are taking a run through issues 10-12. This is where is all starts going off, as secrets are uncovered, plans are revealed and the whole house of cards comes down.

House to Astonish - Episode 193 - Imbrocated Snout

Paul and Al have a busy news week for you this time round, with discussion of Jonathan Hickman stepping away from X-Men, the Great Substack Migration of 2021, Scott Snyder's Comixology Unlimited slate, Brian Michael Bendis transplanting Jinxworld to Dark Horse, and DC signing with Webtoon, along with reviews of Eat the Rich and Kang the Conqueror. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe don't have anything, if it don't have you.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 4

It's time for lightning to strike four times, because... well, because it's the fourth episode of The Lightning Round? Paul and Al are back with another episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they're covering Thunderbolts #7-9 and Heroes for Hire #7.

House to Astonish - Episode 192 - Stop, Spider-Man, Stop!

It's been a long old time, but Paul and Al are finally back, with discussion of X-Force: Killshot, Phoenix Song: Echo, the creative changeover on Amazing Spider-Man,  Human Remains at Vault, Party and Prey at Aftershock, and Jeff Lemire's upcoming pair of miniseries Mazebook and Primordial, as well as reviews of Catwoman Annual and Black Cat Annual. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is just going to wait here for a little while, see what happens.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 3

Lightning never strikes twice, but luckily for us it strikes three times, because Paul and Al back with the third episode of their spinoff reread podcast covering Marvel's most wanted, the Thunderbolts - this time round, they’re covering Thunderbolts #5 and 6, and Thunderbolts '97.

House to Astonish - Episode 191 - NFT Superpro

Al and Paul are back, with discussion of Marvel's distributor changes, John Romita Jr moving from DC back to Marvel, the new X-Men lineup, the upcoming launches of Amazing Fantasy and Moon Knight and Future State: Gotham, and the newly-broken record for sale price of a single comics issue, along with reviews of Batman: The Detective, Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has got mud on its face, a big disgrace, kicking that can all...

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 2

Al Kennedy and Paul O'Brien are back with the second episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts! If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoilers for the issues under discussion. In Episode 2: Spider-Man Team-Up #7, Thunderbolts #s 3 and 4 and Thunderbolts: Distant Rumblings (aka Thunderbolts #-1)  

House to Astonish - Episode 190 - Spawn-Force

Paul and Al are back, and this time out they're remembering Si Spencer, and talking about the Linearverse, Wonder Girl, Milestone's new creative teams, Legends of the Dark Knight, the Year of Spawn, X-Corp and The Blue Flame, as well as reviewing Stray Dogs and Nuclear Family. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe ain't a beauty, but hey, it's alright.

House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 1

Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy are pleased to present the first episode of The Lightning Round, an in-depth re-read show all about Marvel's Most Wanted, the Thunderbolts! Each episode they'll be looking at a few issues of the series, plus key tie-ins and guest appearances, checking off a few of the things to watch out for and chatting through all the twists and turns in this twistiest and turniest of series. If you haven't read the series before, be aware that this episode does contain spoile...

House to Astonish - Episode 189 - Exciting Brunch Adventures

It's the Homies awards! Al and Paul look back at The Year of Big Pando in comics, and pick out winners in the many and various categories which long-term listeners will have come to know and tolerate. Where did your favourites place? Find out here! Unless you voted for something that didn't win, in which case, you won't find out here, sorry. Also in this podcast! An important message to you from the editor -- about the NEW Astonishing!

House to Astonish - Episode 188 - Hellcrisps

Paul and Al are back, and are talking about the sad death of Richard Corben, DC's post-Future State plans, Marvel's Alien series, X of Swords, Rob Liefeld's latest stint at Marvel and the return of Witchblade, as well as reviewing Batman: Black & White and Home Sick Pilots. I'd like to buy the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe a Coke and keep it company.

House to Astonish - Episode 187 - Strictly Comics Dancing

Al and Paul have hour-and-change of comics chat for you this time round, with discussion of Marie Javins' promotion to DC EIC, John Nee being let go as Marvel Publisher, and the announcements of Truth & Justice, X-Men Legends, Hollow Heart and Geiger, as well as reviews of Punchline and Hellboy and the BPRD: The Seven Wives Club. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can be a dangerous place, but it's our last, best hope for peace.

House to Astonish - Episode 186 - Flumechat

Paul and Al are back, with a bunch of chat for you about DC's Future State, the return of the Thunderbolts, delays to Marvel's Eternals and Aftershock's merger, along with reviews of Amazing Spider-Man and We Live. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is number two, but it tries harder.

House to Astonish - Episode 185 - Aftermath MacTavish

Al and Paul are back, and they're talking about DC Universe Infinity, Brian Michael Bendis leaving the Super-books, the return of Batman: Black and White, Marvel's new S.W.O.R.D. series, IDW's place as Marvel's kids' books custodian and Archie going day-and-date on ComiXology Unlimited, as well as chewing over reviews of Juggernaut and The Autumnal. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: it's the new normal in these unusual times.

House to Astonish - Episode 184 - The Guy From The Elevator

After their foray into the abyss that is the 1993 Marvel annuals, Paul and Al are back with a regular episode, with chat about Denny O'Neil and Joe Sinnott, the recent wave of allegations of impropriety and harassment in comics, DC quitting Diamond, Marvel's new Warhammer line, the culling of the Empyre crossover and the return of Bill & Ted under Evan Dorkin and Roger Langridge, as well as reviews of Ash & Thorn and All-America Comix. I don't understand how a heart is a spade but somehow th...

House to Astonish - Episode 183 - House Arrest to Astonish

Al and Paul bring you their first ever remote recording, as they give the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe treatment to all 27 characters introduced in Marvel's 1993 annuals!

House to Astonish - Episode 182 - The Men Who Stare At Gods

Paul and Al are back to talk about Dan DiDio's exit from DC, the postponement of Emerald City Comic-Con, Comixology's European price hikes, the Quotable Giant Days and John Layman and Dan Boultwood's Chu, as well as reviewing Join The Future and Strange Academy. Maybe she's born with it - maybe it's the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

House to Astonish - Episode 181 - It Has To Be Beige

It's awards time! Paul and Al are taking a leisurely saunter through their picks for the best series, creators and moments of 2019, as well as taking a look at the ones which you voted for. WHO managed to pull off a narrow win for Best Writer? WHICH Marvel series pulled off a clean sweep? DID they mention any manga (yes!)? HOW many comments did they read out on the show from the listener votes (none, sorry, by the time they recorded there wasn't time to collate them)?

House to Astonish - Episode 180 - Greg and Ashley

Paul and Al are back with a new episode, where they remember Tom Spurgeon, Howard Cruse and Tom Lyle, talk about delays at Marvel, the announcements of Hellions and Strange Academy, Chris Samnee's Fire Power and Vault Comics' Myriad line and review Annihilation: Scourge - Silver Surfer and Dying Is Easy. And don't overlook the hotly-awaited audio from the SILENCE! To Astonish panel live at Thought Bubble 2019, with Gerry Duggan, Ram V, John Allison and Emma Vieceli!

House to Astonish - Episode 179 - Into The Spider-Chorus

A relatively quiet period for comics news, but Al and Paul have chat on Kevin Feige being installed as Chief Creative Officer of Marvel, the Bloodshot movie, the Into The Spider-Verse sequel, Sky UK's troubles showing the CW's Crisis crossover, HBO Max's Green Lantern and Strange Adventures series, Dark Horse collecting Michel Fiffe's Panorama, and the closing of ComicBookDB and The MNT, as well as reviews of Afterlift and The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer. The Official Handbook of t...

House to Astonish - Episode 178 - Johnny Blasé

Paul and Al are back, with chat on Tom Lyle, Mariko Tamaki's new graphic novel imprint, a bunch of news out of NYCC including new series for Wolverine, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man 2020, Star Wars, the upcoming The End one-shots, Marvel teaming with Games Workshop, Plunge, G Willow Wilson on The Dreaming, Amethyst, The Last God, The Killing Horizon, Black Crown folding, Quantum & Woody, Tomorrow, Enigma, Kill a Man and Alienated. They've also got reviews of Ghost Rider and Strange...

House to Astonish - Episode 177 - My Dog, Comics

It's been far too long, but Paul and Al are back with a brand new episode, talking about the shuttering and reopening of Manga Rock, Conan copyright scuffles, Terrific Production's Youngblood, Brian Wood being shown the door at Dark Horse, the return of Hellboy, Once and Future becoming an ongoing, Marvel's Incoming! and the newly-announced Disney+ MCU shows, as well as reviews of Everything and Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy. Sasquatch, Godzilla, King Kong Loch Ness, Goblin, Ghoul, the Official...

House to Astonish - Episode 176 - Hurrying Ken

It's the annual SDCC roundup, and Paul and Al are talking about the upcoming relaunch of the X-Men line, Phase 4 of the MCU, Ed Brubaker's deal with Legendary Television, Miracleman in Marvel Comics 1000, the CW's upcoming Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, Beware the Ghost Rider, The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage, the return of Dead Rabbit as Dead Eyes, Cecil Castellucci taking over Batgirl, the upcoming Spider-Verse miniseries, Afterlift, Amazing Spider-Man: Full Circle, The Amazing M...