Comic book artist Ron Garney joins Wes to talk about working with Keanu Reeves, BRZRKR success, moving on from Marvel Comics and the evolution of comic book art and industry. Comic book artist Ron Garney has been delivering pulse pounding images for 35 years. Many know him from his time on Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, X-Men and other legendary Marvel Comics characters. But it’s a recent indie comic titles attached to a Hollywood juggernaut that’s turned into his most successful project. Keanu Reeve’s passion project BRZRK from BOOM! Studios sold over 615k issues of its debut. After it already crowdfunded over $1.5M on Kickstarter.  Big part of that success is the poetically violent imagery from comic book artist Ron Garney. Not that anyone should be surprised. Ron Garney continues pushing the boundaries of action story, now with over 3 decades of storytelling under his belt. (04:57) The industry veteran also talks about his Captain America run with Mark Waid and why it was cut short. Ron also dives into what he considers the best comic book art of his career. (17:54) Ron and Wes also discuss the evolution of comic books art over the years and the physical toll 35 years drawing some of the most iconic comic characters in history have taken on his body. (28:23) Finally, Ron talks about the current transition of the comic book industry and his plans moving forward. (42:40)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Drew and Kiel from Comics Elite comic shop preview the best and worst releases of the new comic book week. DC and Marvel Comics are debuting several new titles during new comic week December 15th including Batgirls and Wastelanders: Wolverine. Drew and Kiel lay out this weeks new releases you shouldn’t expect much from or can outright skip. (00:00) Drew and Kiel then name his Top 10 must read new comics for the week. (49:05) Must listen for readers looking for the best bang for their new comic buck. Marvel Comics feature new series Wastelanders: Wolverine and new issues of Amazing Spider-Man,Hulk, X-Force and Strange Academy. DC Comics feature new Batgirls and new issues of Batman: The Imposter, Robin & Batman, Wonder Woman and Teen Titans Academy. Image Comics feature new issues of King Spawn and Primordial. Other indie comics of note include; Mazebook, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, BRZRKR and X-O Manowar.   Comics Elite Info YT: youtube.com/channel/UCqomzHuP6X3QLXElMdzm1JA Website: comicselitecomics.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/comicselite/   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is joined by award-winning comic book editor Joe Corallo and comic super-fan Eric Breen to review The Doom Patrol’s first story after becoming a self-titles comic series. Previously published in My Greatest Adventures, The Doom Patrol are one of the oddest superhero teams in history. Writer Arnold Drake and artist Bruno Premiani do a fantastic capturing the spirit of the silver-age oddities. In this story many things are revealed, including Chief’s name and origin story.    Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is joined by award-winning comic book editor Joe Corallo and comic super-fan Eric Breen to review David Michelinie and Bob Layton’s Iron Man Vs Hulk story arc. David Michelinie’s Iron Man comic book run is criminal underrated. One story that stands out is his 3-issue Iron Man Vs Hulk story. Brought to life by Bob Layton’s impeccable line art. Iron man vs Hulk is a pulse pounding thrill-ride of a comic book.    Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Comic book collectibles expert and critic Gem Mint Collectibles joins Wes and the Comics Aficionados. The Comics Aficionados break down all the latest comic book industry news and rumors. X-Men Group Editor Jordan White and Marvel Comics received plenty of criticism following their X-Men: Green story. Jordan White attempted to calm the outrage but ended up making things far worse. Calling into question whether White even knows what makes heroes and villains anymore. (00:21:35) X-Men fans knew change was coming following Jonathan Hickman’s exit from the franchise early next year. Marvel Comics announced a soft reboot following X Lives/Deaths of Wolverine, Destiny of X. (00:42:00) DC Comics announced their third crossover event including Batman this week, Shadow War. Batman is the flagship character of DC Comics but this is getting ridiculous. (01:28:00) DC Comics put a stop to exclusive creator contracts following the pandemic shutdown. This practice blew up in their faces when Batman writer James Tynion decided to leave with little notice. This week DC signed controversial writer Tom Taylor to a new exclusive. (01:45:55) Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil run has been criminally under-read the past several years. It was surprising Marvel Comics gave him his own crossover event, Devil’s Reign. Devil’s Reign #1 had great action and art but didn’t have the signature moment to kick off such an expansive crossover event. (02:01:00) DC Comics EIC Marie Javins is explaining her plans for Wonder Woman moving forward. It appears DC Comics are going to ignore 80 years of history and use one-third of DC’s Trinity to push social commentary. (02:20:35)    Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Batman Critic Josh McDonald and X-Men Historian Dok join Wes to talk about all the latest developments and comics in Batman and X-Men. First Josh joins Wes to review Batman #118, which features new writer Joshua Williamson. Williamson does a good job transitioning to a new arc with fantastic art from Jorge Molina. Josh and Wes also review the latest issues of Batman ’89 and Arkham City before talking about speculation that Joker is appearing in Matt Reeves The Batman film. (00:00:00) Wes talks about DC’s announcement of a third Batman crossover event in 6 months. (00:28:21) Dok and Wes talk about the details of Immortal X-Men and Marauders reboot from Destiny of X. They also review the Hellions finale. What had been the very best ongoing X-Men series for some time (00:39:22) Wes and Dok then review the latest issue of Jonathan Hickman’s Inferno. Inferno #3 is filled with exciting revelations that should have happened during Hickman’s X-Men run. (01:02:11) Finally, they talk about Marvel’s announcement of an upcoming X-Men vs Avengers sequel. (01:21:33)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is back with another episode of the The Comic Wrap. Wes runs down the biggest comic book and pop culture news and best conversations of the week. X-Men group editor Jordan White answered X-Men: Green critics this week. Turns out he has no clue what the real criticism is or what made the story repugnant. (00:00:00) Streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max are frequently turning to Hollywood names to produce content based on beloved franchises. Comic book editor and writer Aaron Sparrow and Wes discuss why this is resulting in low quality adaptations. And how Seth Rogan and Kevin Smith do themselves no favors lashing out at fans. (00:23:01) DC Comics announced their first exclusive writer in over a year this week, Tom Taylor. Taylor has begun incorporating his trademark writing tropes that ruined his career at Marvel Comics. (00:45:12) For the first time in moths Manga didn’t occupy the best selling adult graphic novel in November. Unfortunately, DC and Marvel still can’t penetrate the Top 20. Falling behind Manga and webtoons. (01:03:36) There are more troubling signs at IDW Publishing. They recently letting go of EIC John Barber after rumors of major licenses leaving the company. (01:16:16) Marvel Comics released details of this weeks Devil’s Reign event in anticipation of its release. Turns out, Marvel are rehashing their illegal superhero story…again. (01:29:24) Wes reviews the first issue of Devil’s Reign from Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto. The comic hits all the right notes on action but lacks in motive and plot. (01:42:56) Dok and Wes review two of the worst comics of last week; Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons and Phoenix Song: Echo #2. (02:05:10) Finally, Skip and Aaron Sparrow join Wes to talk about Hawkeye episode 4 from Disney+. (02:32:05)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Gevian Dargan, former assistant-editor at Milestone Comics, joins Wes for “It’s Complicated” to discuss hot-button issues from todays culture. Today Gevian and Wes discuss how freedom of speech is under fire, not from government, but major technology companies and media. When the founding fathers wrote the Bill of Rights in the US it was primarily aimed to protect people from government. Little did they know the greatest threat to free speech would be companies that control access to who can and cannot be heard. This was a point of emphasis by new Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal in 2018. Controlling narratives and access to information seems to be a point of emphasis from Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Tools a majority off US citizens use to communicate and find information today.    Gevian Daragan Twitter: @GevianDargan

Drew and Kiel from Comics Elite comic shop preview the best and worst releases of the new comic book week. DC and Marvel Comics are debuting several new titles during new comic week December 8th including Devils Reign, One Star Squadron, World of Krypton, Captain America/Iron Man and Star Wars: Crimson Reign. Drew and Kiel lay out this weeks new releases you shouldn’t expect much from or can outright skip. (00:00) Shawn and Drew then name his Top 10 must read new comics for the week. (50:11) Must listen for readers looking for the best bang for their new comic buck. Marvel Comics feature new titles Devils Reign, Captain America/Iron Man and Star Wars: Crimson Reign. Marvel also release new issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Amazing Fantasy, Hellions, Inferno and Star Wars. DC Comics feature new titles One Star Squadron and World of Krypton. DC also release new issues of Batman, Dark Knights of Steel, Superman: Son of Kal El and Green Lantern. Image Comics feature new series Lady Mechinika: The Monster of The Ministry of Hell as well as new issues of Crossover and The Silver Coin. Other indie comics of note include; Red Sonja, Vampiverse, G.I. Joe, Crimson Cage and Mighty Morphin.    Comics Elite Info YT: youtube.com/channel/UCqomzHuP6X3QLXElMdzm1JA Website: comicselitecomics.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/comicselite/   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is joined by Comics Aficionados: Comic book critic Gabriel Hernandez from Weird Science DC, Drew from Comics Elite, comic book YouTuber and retailer Uel Carter from Fantastic Comics, Batman and pop culture critic Josh McDonald and co-host Dok. The Comics Aficionados break down all the latest comic book industry news and rumors. Comic books have long been categorized by ages by collectors. Recently Wes from Thinking Critical declared we’re in the Broken Age of comic books. The Comics Aficionados discuss what age of comics we’re in and when did it start. (00:11:40) Marvel Comics charged $10 for The Avengers #750 comic this week. What readers got was a disjointed mess, light on storytelling cloaked in fan service. (00:47:00) This week the Comics Aficionados debate who would a battle between Dr. Fate and Dr. Strange? (01:19:26) IDW Media has been in financial disrepair for a few years now. Recently their publishing lines revenue was turning around but now it appears they’re losing Star Wars, Marvel and the Hasbro license in a matter of months. (01:30:15) DC Comics used their 5th release week to promote a plethora of upcoming stories including: Shadows of the Bat, Shadow War, Poison Ivy Return, Ghost Makers new sidekick and more. (01:49:20) Finally, the Comics Aficionados discuss the recent turnout for San Diego Comic Con 2021. Most of the major studios skipped the convention leading to a sparsely attended SDCC with a renewed emphasis on comic books. (02:04:48)   Born of Blood Kickstarter Campaign Link: http://kck.st/3ln4KjS   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Batman Critic Josh McDonald and X-Men Historian Dok join Wes to talk about all the latest developments and comics in Batman and X-Men. First Wes talks about the over saturation of Batman and how releasing $50 worth of Batman comics is unhealthy for the character and fans. (00:00:00) Josh joins es to review this weeks Batman Annual comics and the finale of Batman: The Detective. Batman: Fear State Omega and Detective Comics Annual left much to be desired. While Batman: The Detective #6, Robin Annual and Nightwing Annual all delivered. (00:13:28) Wes discusses a recent article highlighting the experience and comic book influences of Marvel Comics X-Men editorial staff. (00:44:38) Finally, Dok joins Wes to break down the new Destiny of X promotional art. As well as review another miserable issue of X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (01:06:26)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is back with another episode of the The Comic Wrap. Wes runs down the biggest comic book and pop culture news and best conversations of the week. Comic book publishers, mostly notably Marvel Comics, began casting comic writers based on traits similar to their characters in the past few years. This was mostly in reaction to the perception that they only create comics for “old straight white men”. One of the unfortunate side effects is a generation of talent used for headlines and discarded when they don’t sell comic books. (00:00:00) Dok joins Wes to discuss a listener question “Do comics have characters or platforms?” Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy to dismiss as you might think. (00:25:22) Dok sticks with Wes to discuss if Marvel and DC Comics have gone too far down the path of pushing agenda over story. (00:44:46) Wes talks about how comic book fans can both love and hate the hobby at the same time. (01:08:22) The hits keep on coming for IDW. They’re in the process of losing their lucrative all-ages Star Wars and Marvel licenses and rumor has it they’re going to lose the Hasbro license as well. Losing Star Wars, Marvel, G.I. Joe, Transformers and My Little Pony in a matter of months may be a blow they can’t recover from. (01:25:25) Wes reviews the second chapter in Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Warworld Saga, Action Comics #1037. This action-packed issues is well worth the cover price and is sure to have readers anxious for more Superman vs. Mongul. (01:42:10) Marvel and Jason Aaron celebrated the 750th issue of Avengers comics in a very auspicious way. They basically crammed about 5 terrible stories into 1 comic and charged fans $10. (01:59:51) Dok joins Wes one final time to review 2 very bad comic books from last week, Harley Quinn and Hawkeye: Kate Bishop. (02:17:18) Finally, Skipntosh and Wes review episode 3 of Disney+ Hawkeye. Which is delivering fans the Kate Bishop they always wanter. (02:42:13)     Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Gevian Dargan, former assistant-editor at Milestone Comics, joins Wes for “It’s Complicated” to discuss hot-button issues from todays culture. Today Gevian and Wes discuss the need for comics and other industries to find new customers. Unfortunately, comic books reliance on older readership is a problem of their own making. They abandoned kids and mass distribution in the 90’s in favor of a more upscale, higher priced collectible market. Parents and children didn’t stop reading they just looked for their entertainment in new places. In many ways Western comic books are priced out of many mass markets until they can get a better price point and more accessible product.  Now DC, Marvel and other publishers have turned to Twitter and other social media crowds to become their tastemakers. Running of the fans that stuck around and poisoning the well for potential new readers. How can Marvel and DC right the ship? Wes and Gevian discuss at length in today’s It’s Complicated.     Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Kiel from Comics Elite comic shop preview the best and worst releases of the new comic book week. DC and Marvel Comics are debuting several new titles during new comic week December 1st including Justice League Incarnate and Wonder Woman: Historia. Kiel lays out this weeks new releases you shouldn’t expect much from or can outright skip. Kiel then name his Top 10 must read new comics for the week. Must listen for readers looking for the best bang for their new comic buck. Marvel Comics feature new issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers, Daredevil and Venom. DC Comics feature new titles Justice League Incarnate and Wonder Woman: Historia. DC also release new issues of Batman: The Detective, Batman: Fear State, Wonder Woman, Nightwing and The Joker. Image Comics feature new series King of Spies and new issues of Spawn, Fire Power and The Department of Truth. Other indie comics of note include; Once and Future, Hellboy: Bones of Giants, Evil Ernie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Snake Eyes and Blade Runner: 2029.    Comics Elite Info YT: youtube.com/channel/UCqomzHuP6X3QLXElMdzm1JA Website: comicselitecomics.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/comicselite/   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes and the Comics Aficionados celebrateThanksgiving week answering viewer questions. The Comics Aficionados break down all the latest comic book industry news and rumors. It was a light week for comic book news but The Comics Aficionados came prepared. Wes asked channel viewers for anything they would like answered by his nerdy friends. The Comics Aficionados are answering 30 questions live ranging form what our favorite comic book character is to what would happen if you put Joker in the Marvel Comics universe. Comic book writer and 80’s pop culture guru Mark Pellegrini is also reviewing Ghostbusters: Aftlerlife. Did they finally get the reboot right in 2021? Don’t miss a fun, interactive panel with Wes and the Comics Aficionados answering viewer questions live on Thinking Critical.   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Batman Critic Josh McDonald and X-Men Historian Dok join Wes to talk about all the latest developments and comics in Batman and X-Men. First Josh joins Wes to talk about the continued confusion that is Batman: Fear State. A week after the event concluded DC are releasing stories in Detective Comics and Catwoman that tie into events that occurred months before. Thankfully Robin is a standalone book and is finishing up the Lazarus Tournament. Batman: Reptilian is so strange it has to be read to be believed. (00:00)  Dok and Wes talk about Marvel Comics teasing a future X-Men event “Destiny of X” before Inferno is complete or X Lives/Deaths of Wolverine has even started. Dok and Wes also review the latest installments of X-Men and Wolverine. Both of which are very lackluster. (27:33)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes is back with another episode of the The Comic Wrap. Wes runs down the biggest comic book and pop culture news and best conversations of the week. Gerry Duggan’s X-Men: Green story arc concluded in X-Men: Unlimited Infinity Comics. Disney and Marvel brass should consider firing anyone associated with this deeply disturbing take on superheroes. (00:00:00) Unfortunately, despite outcry  Marvel refuse to acknowledge criticism. But Marvel and DC are going to learn you can only ignore your customers for so long. (00:20:42) Wes answers a listener question regarding how to fix Marvel and DC Comics. There’s one fix that will result in immediate positive dividends for both companies. (00:43:59) Marvel Comics cancelled Luke Cage: City of Fire weeks before it was set to release. There’s a couple reason why this could happen but Wes thinks he knows the answer. (01:03:45) Dylan from TheRealComicBookGamer joins Wes to talk about the top 5 “Oh Shit” comic book villains of all-times. (01:17:49) Dylan sticks around and talks about the state of Superman at DC Comics. Jon Kent’s recent awakening may be grabbing all the headlines but there are some very high quality comics staring Clark Kent. (01:38:26) Dok joins Wes to talk about two of the worst new comics from last week. Wonder Woman: Evolution features some of the worst Wonder Woman art in recent memory, while X-O Manowar is 24-pages of exposition dump. (02:00:49) Wes reviews the hottest new comic of the week, Donny Cates’ Hulk #1. It’s an interesting premise but Wes isn’t sure if it’s even a Hulk story. (02:23:44) Young Justice writer Aaron Sparrow and pop culture critic Skipntosh join Wes to review the first two episodes of Hawkeye on Disney+. (02:44:55)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Wes sits down and talks about the tings he’s most thankful for in 2021. Much like comics, Thanksgiving is pure Americana. It can be difficult being an expat during the holidays. Missing out on favorite traditions can be a bit of a bummer. But Wes has so many blessings in 2021 he lays them all out. He talks in detail about his growing family, the great friends he’s made along the way. Channel supporters that have gone above and beyond, helping make Thinking Critical one of the most popular comic book YouTUbe and podcasts.    Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Despite technical issues Drew from Comics Elite and comic shop and later Kiel preview the best and worst releases of the new comic book week. DC and Marvel Comics are debuting several new titles during new comic week November 24th including Black Panther, Hulk and Hawkeye: Kate Bishop. Drew lays out this weeks new releases you shouldn’t expect much from or can outright skip. (00:00) Drew and Kiel then name his Top 10 must read new comics for the week. (18:31) Must listen for readers looking for the best bang for their new comic buck. Marvel Comics feature new series Hulk, Black Panther and Hawkeye: Kate Bishop. Marvel Comics also release new issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Death of Doctor Strange, X-Men, Wolverine and Thor. DC Comics feature new issues of Batman: Reptilian, Detective Comics, Robin, Flash and Superman ’78. Image Comics feature new issues of Decorum, Gunslinger Spawn, Radiant Black and That Texas Blood. Other indie comics of note include; House of Slaughter, Hellboy, Barbarella, Transformers and Harbinger.    Comics Elite Info YT: youtube.com/channel/UCqomzHuP6X3QLXElMdzm1JA Website: comicselitecomics.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/comicselite/   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!

Marvel and DC Comics released their comic book solicitations for February 2022. Wes sorts through well over 100 previews to find hidden gems and outright stinker. Marvel Comics are running multiple meaningless events in February. None more meaningless than Dan Slott’s Fantastic Four: Reckoning War. An amazing 13 of 68 or 19% new comics are #1’s, which is a considerable decrease from previous months. Marvel are also leaning heavily on Amazing Spider-Man, releasing 6 new issues in February. (00:00) DC Comics continue following failed Marvel Comics initiatives. In February they feature two teacups with beloved characters (Arthur Curry and Dick Grayson) showing new legacy characters the ropes ala Marvel Comics Legacy. 48% of all new DC Comics solicited are led by Batman, feature Batman In a team or are led by a Batman-related character. DC Comics continue putting out less and less comics to get excited for in February 2022. (30:33)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!