Source Material #429 - The Incredible Hercules - Part 1

Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins head to the Round Table for a look at Marvel Snap’s Knights of Avalon season! From Arthur Pendragon and Merlin to Captain Britain, Lancelot, and an imposing Elder Dragon, they discuss the new cards, potential combos, and the challenge of getting expensive cards into play. Plus, they explore Knight’s Vow, the return of Draft, new locations, and plenty of Arthurian comic book connections—with a few questionable knight jokes along the way.

The Source Material Comics Podcast continues its journey through Incredible Hercules: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 as World War Hulk reaches its breaking point and the spotlight finally begins shifting toward Hercules and Amadeus Cho! Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich wrestle with the line between justice and revenge as Hulk turns the tables on the heroes who exiled him, while Cho puts his unwavering belief in the Green Goliath to the ultimate test. But when the dust begins to settle, a new conflict takes shape: Hercules and Cho versus S.H.I.E.L.D., with Ares, Black Widow, Hydra, and some very personal demons standing in their way. Along the way, the guys dig into the consequences superhero battles have on ordinary people, Hercules’ surprising willingness to surrender, and the dangerous contradiction at the heart of Amadeus Cho—a kid brilliant enough to outthink almost everyone in the room, but still young enough to make devastating mistakes when things get personal.

Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins return to SNAP Material to recap Marvel Snap’s Vampires vs Zombies season! They compare October unlocks and favorite variants, break down Evan’s Zombie Nova climb to Infinite, and share Scarlet Witch chaos and experimental decks. Plus, they discuss the infection event, Grand Arena, Deadpool’s Diner frustrations, and the cards that shaped their month.

The Source Material Comics Podcast dives into the opening stretch of Incredible Hercules: The Complete Collection Vol. 1, where the fallout from Planet Hulk and World War Hulk raises a provocative question: has the Marvel Universe been getting the Hulk wrong all along? Jesse Starcher and Mark Radulich explore Amadeus Cho’s fierce belief that Hulk is a hero who’s been repeatedly misunderstood, feared, and pushed too far—and how Hercules may understand that struggle better than anyone. From Hulk’s return to Earth and the hypocrisy of Marvel’s heroes to Cho’s dangerous combination of genius and youthful recklessness, there’s plenty to unpack as Hercules, Angel, Namora, and Cho find themselves caught between stopping the Hulk and trying to save him. Plus, Jesse and Mark untangle years of Hulk continuity, revisit the road from Planet Hulk to World War Hulk, and ask what happens when the supposed “monster” starts looking more sympathetic than the heroes trying to contain him.

Ghost Rider. The X-Men. The Brood. What could possibly go wrong?Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong keep the Unspoken Issues Halloween tradition rolling with "Brood Trouble in the Big Easy," the 1992 crossover running through X-Men #8-9 and Ghost Rider #26-27. Gambit's return to New Orleans brings an unexpected reunion with his wife, Bella Donna, a feud between the Thieves and Assassins Guilds, and an alien infestation with its sights set on the Spirit of Vengeance.Jesse revisits an X-Men issue he bought off the shelf, while Chris brings his love of Danny Ketch's Ghost Rider to a discussion packed with Jim Lee artwork, Bishop's suspicions, mutant relationship drama, and a very unpleasant trip beneath the city. Does Wolverine versus Ghost Rider deliver on that cover promise? Did Bella Donna need more room in the story? And just how many heroes does it take to finish off one Brood queen?We break down the story, pick our favorite panels, and wrap up with a wonderfully baffling trip through the Cool-O-Meter. It's concentrated early-'90s Marvel: flaming skulls, body horror, big personalities, and an absolutely excessive finale.Spoilers for all four issues.

What happens when Earth’s greatest heroes face a disaster they can’t simply punch their way out of? Jesse, Evan Bevins, and Chris Armstrong revisit The Final Night #1, September’s winner in Unspoken Issues’ ’96 Number Ones listener poll! DC’s heroes confront the Sun-Eater, and the guys discuss whether this cosmic catastrophe delivers an effective opening—or feels like another day at the Justice League office. From the Legion of Super-Heroes and some ambitious superhero science to Stuart Immonen’s atmospheric artwork, it’s a look at a DC Universe on the brink—with plenty of bad puns to keep the darkness at bay.

Frank Castle heads to Las Vegas in The Punisher #20, "Bad Tip," but this time the house may have the edge. A mission to protect a key witness turns into a trail of bad information, mistaken identities, and a casino chase that leaves Frank with more questions than answers.On Episode 17 of The Source Material War Journal, Jesse looks at Mike Baron's Vegas adventure, the art of Shea Anton Pensa and Gerry Talaoc, and a memorable final confrontation. The setting works, the bullets fly, and Frank proves he can make mistakes. But does breaking the usual Punisher formula make for a satisfying story? Jesse explains why this issue lands among his bottom five of the run covered so far, despite a few moments worth remembering.

Weird Al Yankovic has entered the DC Universe, and Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins are here for every wonderfully bizarre second of it! On this episode of the Source Material Comics Podcast, the guys discuss Batman/Superman: World’s Finest — World’s Weirdest, looking at how Weird Al fits alongside Batman and Superman, the inspired use of Mr. Nobody, the dreaded Mundanity Wave, and a comic built around the idea that being weird should be celebrated. Along the way, Jesse and Evan share their own history with Weird Al, dig into the Easter eggs and song references scattered throughout the issue, and debate whether the comic gave them enough of what they came for. Then things get even stranger when they pitch their own six-issue Weird Al/DC series involving perhaps the most unexpected supervillain mastermind imaginable. If you like DC Comics, Weird Al, or just watching two comic fans disappear completely down a ridiculous creative rabbit hole, this one is for you!

The Source Material War Journal heads down under for The Punisher #19, “The Spider,” as Mike Baron sends Frank Castle from the streets of New York all the way into the Australian outback. Jesse takes a look at the one-and-done art team of Larry Stroman and Randy Emberlin, Frank’s elaborate scheme to bait drug dealers, the wonderfully bizarre sight of the Punisher crossing Australia on camelback, and an issue packed with unmistakably late-’80s pop-culture references. But coming immediately after Frank’s showdown with the Kingpin, does this globe-trotting adventure feel like a worthy follow-up—or a major step down? And beneath all the spiders, opals, and Crocodile Dundee jokes, is there something more important happening as Frank is forced to confront the consequences of putting innocent people in the path of his war on crime?

It’s time for another SNAP Material Top 5, and this time Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins are looking at Team Clash and asking one big question: which Marvel teams should be added next? With several major groups already represented in the mode, Jesse and Evan dig deeper into the Marvel Universe to build their own wish lists. Along the way, they debate what makes a team a good fit for Team Clash, how their unique mechanics could work, which existing cards could be reworked for the mode, and what brand-new characters deserve a chance to join Marvel SNAP. There are some surprising overlaps, plenty of deep cuts, and more than a few ridiculous card ideas along the way. Which teams make the Top 5, and where do Jesse and Evan agree—or completely go in different directions? Tune in and find out!