Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast

If you’re responding positively to the political electricity in DC’s Absolute line (as this recent Rolling Stone article suggests), then you must read No One Escapes the Dialectic. The first issue, by Spencer Ackerman, Antonio Fuso, Brad Simpson, and Jodie Troutman, landed in comic book shops today, and it’s a scorcher. The comic reflects a nation in revolt, where a masked vigilante kills a Special Naturalization Operations (SNO) agent, sending the government force, already at war with itself, into a panic. While they scramble to uncover and detain the killer, the communities they invade daily attempt to organize opposition. Is the vigilante, The Dialectic, a force to embrace or resist? We’re eager to share today’s episode with writer Spencer Ackerman. He’s a Pulitzer Prize and National Magazine Award-winning reporter who has spent the last two decades entrenched in national security. He’s also a massive comic book geek, having done time on Iron Man and co-scripted the DC series, Waller vs. Wildstorm. No One Escapes the Dialectic, however, is Spencer Ackerman unleashed and truly plunging into the world outside your window. Spencer Ackerman explains why he writes comics and how they enrich him in ways his day job does not. We discuss what readers want from their superheroes, whether Batman would benefit a revolution, and why he wants No One Escapes the Dialectic to feel dangerous. The first issue is out now from Boom Studios, with the second expected to arrive on December 16th. Final Order Cutoff is November 9th. Follow Spencer Ackerman on BlueSky and Instagram, and subscribe to his Forever Wars. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Pornsak Pichetshote on Absolute Green Arrow Previously on CBCC: Daniel Warren Johnson on Absolute Batman Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

These Universal Monsters/Skybound Entertainment collaborations have been such wonderful gifts for us (and probably a lot of other people, too). They’ve given us an excuse to revisit the classic monster movies and, in some cases, watch them for the very first time. The night before we spoke with Kelly Thompson about her sequel comic, The Bride of Frankenstein Lives, we snuggled up on the couch together and devoured the 1935 original. So bloody good, and it left us wanting more, certainly, since the Bride only shows up in the heartbreaking last three minutes. The Bride of Frankenstein is not her movie; it’s his. The creature crawls from the fiery wreckage of the first film, terrifies the countryside, ponders his loneliness, and cries for companionship. Two wicked mad scientists grant his wish, forcing the Bride to life, and when she recoils from her arranged marriage, the husband-to-be blows the whole damn thing up—the end. Thankfully not. Kelly Thompson, along with artist Mattia De Iulis and letterer Becca Carey, frees the Bride from her explosive ending and gives her new life in The Bride of Frankenstein Lives. Finally, the title character gets her title. The first issue, out now from Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics, centers the Bride’s story and perspective. This is a saga not about the men who made her, but the women who gave their limbs and organs to her so she may live. Of course, what kind of life is this, where her very existence invites predators? On this very special Halloween episode, we chat with Kelly Thompson about giving The Bride of Frankenstein her proper due, and how this story works in conversation with everything she’s doing with Absolute Wonder Woman. We discuss the original film, what the creators might have had in mind, and how the movie inspired Thompson to go in her own direction. Stay up to date on all things Kelly Thompson by following her website, BlueSky, and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Pornsak Pichetshote on Absolute Green Arrow Previously on CBCC: Tony Fleecs on The Princess Murders Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This is your first warning. Go no further until you’ve read Absolute Green Arrow #6 by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque. The issue hit stands last week, and we’re desperate to discuss all its gnarly reveals with the writer. As you heard when the creators were last on the show, co-host Lisa was confident she knew The Longbow Killer’s identity. It’s time to confess; put it all out there. When Absolute Green Arrow launched several months ago, the plan was for a hearty six issues. Then, the sales came in, and a twelve-issue extension was deemed more than desirable. The story’s first arc exposed the killer stalking the streets but spawned numerous new questions. It’s time to pose those to Pornsak Pichetshote while also mulling over the tricky, painfully relevant themes at the story’s core. What problems are solved when billionaires are hunted? This week on the podcast, we’re sharing our wacky predictions, admitting fault, and savoring the delights that Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque delivered with Absolute Green Arrow’s breakout storyline. We discuss how Absolute Green Arrow parallels Pichetshote’s other new horror series, Exquisite Corpses: Lone Gunman, which arrives in comic book shops next Wednesday. Hear an artist understand his world (our world) by making comics. Absolute Green Arrow issues one through six are out now from DC Comics. They’re written by Pornsak Pichetshote, illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque, colored by Marcelo Maiolo, and lettered by Jeff Powell. Make sure you're following Pornsak Pichetshote on Bluesky and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque on Absolute Green Arrow Previously on CBCC: Tony Fleecs on The Princess Murders Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

Uh-oh. Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley (along with colorist Brian Reber) have waded into precious waters with The Princess Murders. We podcasters have very strong opinions about Disney princesses and black-gloved Giallo killers, and we need to check their cred before we go any further. Their new Image Comics series plunges into the dark depths of both fantasy lands, but thankfully does so with profound reverence. On the show this week, Tony Fleecs starts by interviewing our Lisa Gullickson. He needs to know her choir history. He, too, has cred to check. Lisa passes swimmingly. Then we explore our collective Disney princess past, debate whether Simba counts as a princess, and dive into the graphic horror of various Italian Giallo masters. The Princess Murders tells its own unique story. Princess Lottie and her wicked stepsister Edwige travel to the Kingdom of Sardinia, where many other princesses have gathered to steal the hand of gorgeous Prince Carlo. The competition between them is fierce enough, but when a black-gloved killer makes their presence known in spectacularly bloody fashion, the princesses suddenly have much more to contend with than a royal cattle call. The Princess Murders #1 arrives in comic book shops on December 9th. Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is November 9th. Keep up to date by following Tony Fleecs on Instagram, BlueSky, and his Website. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Watch Tony Fleecs in The Stacks Watch The Princess Murders Trailer Previously on CBCC: Dan Slott on The Spectacular Spider-Man Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This week, Dan Slott joins us for a giant-sized conversation about The Spectacular Spider-Man. Thanks to a little MCU synergy, Slott finds himself back in his early days, writing Spider-Man during his “Brand New Day” era. He’s dancing between the raindrops, attempting to fill out a previous Spider-Man epoch while hopefully expanding current continuity. Sounds like quite the magic trick. Five months ago, The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day was a five-issue miniseries. Today, it’s an ongoing series, moving beyond Brand New Day, pushing into the Big Time era, and maybe soon The Superior Spider-Man? Not so fast. We get into it. But seriously, with Dan Slott revisiting stories from nearly twenty years ago in The Spectacular Spider-Man, how will he reckon with his most iconic storyline? If he wants to bring this new Spectacular Spider-Man into modern continuity, he'll have to address Doc Ock, right? And in reflecting on Superior Spider-Man, Dan Slott reminisces about that catastrophic launch and the controversy that followed. Whatever the case, Slott is throwing everything into this new monthly book. He's going "hog wild." The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day issues 1 - 5 were written by Dan Slott, illustrated by Marcus To, colored by Alex Sinclair, lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna, with Tell-All pages by Marcos Martín and Munsta Vicente, and published by Marvel Comics. The Spectacular Spider-Man #7 arrives in shops on 11/25 (FOC is Monday 10/19). Follow Dan Slott on BlueSky and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Alex Ross and Sal Abbinanti on Marvel Dimensions Previously on CBCC: Dan Slott on Silver Surfer Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

We’re back from New York Comic Con and The Harvey Awards, and we’ve brought Alex Ross and Sal Abbinanti with us. On the show this week, we recap our experience hosting The Harvey Awards for the third straight year and discuss how purchasing a couple of original art pieces has propelled us into a bold new world. We also dive into Marvel Dimensions, the bold new graphic novel from Alex Ross, published under the Marvel Arts banner at Abrams ComicArts, and debate the core qualities of all your favorite superheroes. Marvel Dimensions also began as a sort of recap for Alex Ross. Similar to his The World’s Greatest Super-Heroesproject for DC from a few years earlier, Marvel Dimensions was originally conceived as an emphatic account of Marvel Comics. Basically, Alex Ross explains The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Uncanny X-Men, and so on. However, Marvel Dimensions eventually found an interloper observing everything - Machine Man. Before he knew it, Alex Ross included a book within a book, a tie-in to his Earth X concepts, and a decree to readers and fellow artists: let’s remember what makes these characters great, and forget the add-ons that diminished their core ideas. As Alex Ross’ official agent, and a heckuva artist in his own right, Sal Abbinanti carries a unique perspective. We see him every year at New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con, patrolling the Alex Ross booth and chatting with comic readers and art lovers. He has a finger on the pulse of what resonates with folks and what doesn’t. Abbinanti responds dramatically to the mighty swing Ross attempts in Marvel Dimensions. Also, next month, on November 7th and 8th, we’ll see the launch of the ICON Festival of Comic and Narrative Art, co-founded by Sal Abbinanti. This high-end show will feature numerous rockstar artists: Daniel Warren Johnson, Nick Dragotta, William Stout, and Bill Sienkiewicz. Even Alex Ross contributes the show’s mascot, the ICON Angel. Today’s podcast examines our community of readers and collectors, what they want from their favorite characters, and what Alex Ross wants from HIS favorite characters. We get granular, scrutinizing what the original Marvel Comics characters still offer us in 2026 and how they challenge our empathy and connection to our neighbors. Continue this conversation with Alex Ross by following his Website and Instagram. And follow Sal Abbinanti on Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Alex Ross on Uncle Sam Previously on CBCC: Alex Ross on The Fantastic Four: Full Circle Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order! Horror fans may know Steve Niles’ paranormal detective from the cult-favorite Criminal Macabre series and his many adventures in prose. Now Cal returns in Cal McDonald: Plague of Evil and Other Stories! This brand new collection from the creator of 30 Days of Night is officially LIVE on Kickstarter from Clover Press! For more than three decades, Cal has taken on the cases nobody else would touch, facing vampires, werewolves, ghouls, demons, and every other nightmare lurking in the shadows of Los Angeles. Joining him through his investigations is his undead sidekick, Mo’Lock. Now Steve Niles brings Cal back to prose with ten all-new hard-boiled tales packed with supernatural crime, monsters, dark humor, and noir. The 216-page hardcover book features a foreword by David Dastmalchian, a painted cover by Joe Jusko, and chapter illustrations from an incredible lineup of artists.

Yup, it’s Halloween season, and Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones are back on the podcast talking Dracula. At three years running, with a practical guarantee that they’ll be back this time next year, we’re turning their guest appearances into a legit Comic Book Couples Counseling tradition. And we’re so incredibly happy at the notion. After their last three books, we were sure, but with Dracula: The Undead promising to go where no other Bram Stoker sequel has gone before, we’re positively raving - Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones are making the best comics of their lives together. They’re chasing their curiosity, springing off the classic novel, filling in the bits we’ve never seen before, and discovering a blistering, brilliant burst of relevant horror. To put it in the simplest terms, these are some of our favorite comics being made today and absolutely our favorite adaptation of the Bram Stoker book. Book 1: The Impaler, Book 2: The Brides, Book 3: The Count. These searing works explore human monstrosity through our greatest literary boogeyman, refusing to venerate Dracula and exposing him as the gluttonous, rageful, grotesque figure he worked so damn hard to become. He’s not your idol; he’s your monster. Don’t ever forget it. It’s a joy to have Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones back on the podcast. We dig into their third book and how it fleshes out Dracula’s character by filling in the blank spaces of Bram Stoker’s novel. We discuss where they’re going with The Undead, picking up the final moments of the original text and moving toward a Dracula who seems even more horrendous than already depicted. Will Kelley Jones draw “actual evil” in this fourth chapter? They seem to think so. Dracula Book 3: The Count arrives in paperback from Dark Horse Comics on October 20th. Dracula Book 4: The Undead is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter. Visit the page, back the book, and catch up on the other three comics in hardcover if you haven't already. Dracula Books 1-4 are written by Matt Wagner, illustrated by Kelley Jones, colored by Jose Villarrubia, and lettered by Rob Leigh. You can continue the conversation with Kelley Jones on Instagram. You can follow Matt Wagner on Blue Sky and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones on Dracula: The Brides Previously on CBCC: Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones on Dracula: The Impaler Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors This winter, rising star George Northy and Eisner Award–nominated artist Caitlin Yarsky invite you, dear listener, to a distant castle to behold a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind comics murder mystery starring the greatest man-made monster of all. Decades after his creation, the creature once known as Frankenstein’s Monster has reinvented himself as Europe’s most formidable mind. After years underground, his scars have faded, and his genius-level intellect has tamed his hulking nature, revealing an extraordinary talent for solving the world’s most inexplicable mysteries. Today, he is Prometheus Graft: Gentleman Detective, expert investigator, and something still not quite entirely human. From the ashes of Frankenstein’s past, witness the birth of a new legendary detective – only in Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death’s End #1 from Oni Press – on sale December 9th! Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors, this one is for you! Marvel Masterworks is BACK, and the brand-new Kickstarter from Clover Press is officially LIVE! For decades, Marvel Masterworks has set the standard for premium Marvel collections, restoring classic comics and presenting them in beautifully produced hardcover editions. And now Clover Press is continuing that tradition! The lineup includes The Uncanny X-Men Volume 18, featuring Gambit's debut. The Mighty Thor Volume 25 brings more of Walt Simonson’s legendary run. Tomb of Dracula Volume 6 completes the series in Marvel Masterworks. And, for the very first time, Super-Villain Team-Up joins the Masterworks line, featuring Doctor Doom. For each volume, collectors can choose from classic Masterworks covers faithfully recreated to match the original editions already on their shelves, or brand-new Clover Press covers offering a fresh new look. Head over to the campaign page, check out everything being offered, and make your pledge today! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

What did we all do to deserve this? Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook are collaborating on Archie in Hell, part of the new Oni Press/Archie Comics partnership. They’re two of the best cartoonists working in the industry today. We never imagined them together on the same book, especially one that sends America’s favorite teenager straight to H-E double hockey sticks. Whatever we did, let’s keep doing it. Coming straight out of Baltimore Comic-Con, having just moderated the Archie Comics panel with Oni Press President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Archie Comics President and Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito, we’re buzzing with a new passion for this 85-year-old universe. This week’s podcast starts with a Baltimore Comic-Con review (spoilers: another blast was had at one of the country’s best and most proper comic book conventions), before diving into everything currently going down at Archie Comics…and, yeah, we do mean DOWN. We spoke with both Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook about Archie in Hell, and clearly they’re having the time of their lives working together, as this conversation is filled with all the giggles. Why does punishing Archie Andrews feel so good? Why is horror such a fun genre to splash atop Riverdale? Those questions are at the heart of today’s show. Archie in Hell #1 is written by Patrick Horvath, illustrated by Tyler Crook, and colored by Francesco Segala. It arrives in comic book shops on November 4th, but Final Order Cutoff (FOC) is September 28th. Follow Patrick Horvath on his website, Instagram, and Bluesky. Also follow Tyler Crook on his website, Bluesky, and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Patrick Horvath on Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Previously on CBCC: Tyler Crook on The Lonesome Hunters Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th. Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order! This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

What’s in a title? This week, Kyle Starks takes us to school, detailing the best way to hook a reader and use your following to do it. Louise Sprouse Stole My Heart (And I Have Two Hours to Get It Back) is live on Kickstarter. As of this writing, you have eight days to back this book and grab yourself a cute little desk calendar in the process. The comic is the third from Kyle Starks, following Karate Prom and Wrestle Heist, which his followers named. They supplied the inspiration, and the challenge was living up to it. Having read all three, we believe Starks has never failed, and we’re excited to learn he’s doing it again right now on his Patreon. Louise Sprouse Stole My Heart (And I Have Two Hours to Get It Back) is another hitman tale from Starks, but it’s his most romantic, and certainly his most gory. This darling is black, white, and bloody, but accomplished in the most endearing, relatable fashion. Whenever Starks is behind the pen, the resulting story delivers on the “awwwwws” as well as the giggles. We swoon for Starks. Returning to the podcast for the second time this year, Starks chats with us about the importance of a title, building a community, and making your comics physical. Also, don’t waste your time drawing characters that don’t matter. Follow Kyle Starks on BlueSky, Instagram, and his Website. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Kyle Starks and Chris Schweizer Live at HeroesCon. Previously on CBCC: Scott Snyder Celebrates 15 Years of The Court of Owls The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Extended Patreon Review Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors The Cryptid Hacker Force is a team of Cryptid Hackers who are responsible for covering up Cryptid Sightings. They are based in Scotland because the world's biggest camera hog is the Loch Ness Monster, and whenever someone gets a photo of her, the team has to go into action to blur photos and delete Instagram posts. This is a lovingly irreverent take on Cryptids in the mode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Issue #1 was entirely self-funded and has been a huge hit for Green Archer Comics, and today, they’re Kickstarting issue #2 to reach a wider audience (but don't worry, you can still grab issue #1 if you missed it). Cryptid Hacker Force is written by brothers Allan and Benn Liska, illustrated by Kieran Squires, with a main cover by our friend and fave, Sarah Myer, of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures. Click here to back the Kickstarter! In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th. Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order! This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

Light the Bat-Signal, friends. Scott Snyder is back on the podcast, reflecting on Batman: The Court of Owls and how it served as a massive lesson in character. Both on and off the page. Fifteen years ago, a roar rushed through every local comic book shop. Cries of blasphemy rattled over the racks and rippled atop the longboxes. DC Comics rebooted every single one of their titles with a new number one, calling it The New 52, and readers were as anxious about it as they were willing to buy every single title. It was a linewide reset, and it felt as radical as comics could get for new readers, and even gave the old heads some pause. Batman (Vol. 2) #1 arrived on September 21st, 2011. It was written by Scott Snyder, penciled by Greg Capullo, inked by Jonathan Glapion, colored by FCO Plascencia, and lettered by Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt. Today it’s considered a modern classic, having just gotten the Compact Comics $9.99 seal of approval. Fifteen years ago, however, it was anything but a sure thing, especially from Scott Snyder’s perspective. On this hallowed Batman Day, we’re deeply pleased to chat with Scott Snyder about this extreme moment in time. We discuss the panic he felt when he first got the title, the mission he set for himself, and the battle he fought to stay on target with his new partner-in-comics, Greg Capullo. Is Batman the ultimate detective? Or can he screw up royally, living decades in ignorance while the diabolical Court of Owls controls his streets? Fighting for a fallible Bruce Wayne nearly got him ripped off the book, but his passion for growth-mindset superheroes is what’s rocketing Absolute Batman to the top of the bestseller charts today. Follow Scott Snyder on Bluesky and Instagram, and subscribe to his Substack. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Listen AD-Free! Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman Previously on CBCC: Daniel Warren Johnson on Absolute Batman Annual #1 Previously on CBCC: Frank Miller on The Dark Knight Returns Previously on CBCC: Grant Morrison on Batman/Deadpool Previously on CBCC: Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo on Batman/Spawn Previously on CBCC: Matt Fraction on Batman (Vol. 4) #1 The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Extended Patreon Review Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors The Cryptid Hacker Force is a team of Cryptid Hackers who are responsible for covering up Cryptid Sightings. They are based in Scotland because the world's biggest camera hog is the Loch Ness Monster, and whenever someone gets a photo of her, the team has to go into action to blur photos and delete Instagram posts. This is a lovingly irreverent take on Cryptids in the mode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Issue #1 was entirely self-funded and has been a huge hit for Green Archer Comics, and today, they’re Kickstarting issue #2 to reach a wider audience (but don't worry, you can still grab issue #1 if you missed it). Cryptid Hacker Force is written by brothers Allan and Benn Liska, illustrated by Kieran Squires, with a main cover by our friend and fave, Sarah Myer, of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures. Click here to back the Kickstarter! In the bloodstained tradition of Afterlife With Archie, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award nominee Patrick Horvath and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook. They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger… An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated the town, and they need a human sacrifice to bring their century-old plan to fruition. Their target? Hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Face the fire when Archie in Hell #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on November 4th. Art fans, character-design lovers, and anyone who appreciates anime-influenced illustration, you’re going to want to check this out. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is a new art book celebrating the work of acclaimed character and concept artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon! The book is now live on Kickstarter from Clover Press. Whether you know his work from League of Legends or you’re discovering his art for the first time, Reminiscent offers a look at years of incredible artwork and the evolution of Zeronis’s unmistakable style. This 152-page deluxe hardcover book collects character concepts, portraits, original designs, and much more! Select Kickstarter tiers include a limited-edition slipcase, exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high-end acrylic prints. Reminiscent: Zeronis Art is live on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today! We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order! This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.