The Source Material Comics Podcast

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The Source Material Comics Podcast Since 2014, The Source Material Comics Podcast has been providing a discussion regarding the comic book medium on the Radulich In Broadcasting Network. Think of the show as a book club for comics where readers get together and talk about a single issue, a story arc, some news within the comic industry, and maybe even an interview every once in a while. Tune in and enjoy! You can find us on Twitter @sourcematcast and on Facebook @sourcematerialpodcast This channel also currently hosts the Unspoken Decade’s “Unspoken Issues” podcast dedicated to 90’s comics!

  1. Source Material #414 - Joe the Barbarian (2010, Vertigo)

    2D AGO

    Source Material #414 - Joe the Barbarian (2010, Vertigo)

    On this episode, Jesse and Mark head into the attic—and straight into Aqua Lung, the strange, shifting fantasy realm at the heart of Joe the Barbarian (2010). They break down Grant Morrison’s eight-issue story about Joe, a 13-year-old dealing with type 1 diabetes and the grief of losing his father. When Joe’s blood sugar crashes during a stormy afternoon alone, his house becomes a mythic battlefield, complete with prophecies, toy-warriors, and a looming force known as King Death—all while Joe’s real-world mission is desperately simple: find sugar and survive. Jesse digs into the emotional core of the book—how the fantasy quest doubles as a kind of self-therapy, reshaping fear, trauma, and loss into something Joe can fight through. The conversation explores why the “Dying Boy” label hits harder the more you sit with it, and how the story’s ambiguity keeps you guessing: is this a true otherworld adventure, or a vivid hallucination born from crisis and stress? Meanwhile, Mark brings a more skeptical lens—clocking the familiar DNA of kid-to-fantasy-world storytelling (with big Neverending Story energy) while still appreciating Morrison’s use of the unreliable narrator and the way the book immerses you in Joe’s perspective. Together, they weigh the strengths (emotion, atmosphere, visual clarity) against the potential drawbacks (lengthy worldbuilding across eight issues), and talk through what makes this one resonate—especially for younger readers or anyone interested in how imagination can become a survival tool.

    15 min
  2. SNAP Material - "Guardians Greatest Hits vol. 2" Preview

    FEB 10

    SNAP Material - "Guardians Greatest Hits vol. 2" Preview

    The Guardians are back, and so are Jesse and Evan, ready to break down all the wild cards, lore tangents, and deck experiments that come with Marvel Snap’s Guardians’ Greatest Hits Vol. 2 season. This installment isn’t just a review — it’s a celebration of creativity, chaos, and saxophones? Kicking things off with Star-Lord: Master of the Sun, the hosts explore energy manipulation and high-Evo synergy before diving into one of the more complex cards of the drop — Magus. From there, it’s a whirlwind of analysis, laughs, and lore with cards like Moon Dragon, Drax: Avatar of Life (a true sax-destroyer), and Kraglin — a card that gets a hard pass from Jesse unless banished cards start mattering. They also spotlight Jack Flag, Major Victory, and Starhawk, digging deep into comic continuity and gameplay potential. Locations get some love too, including The Proscenium and the returning Milano, both tying into thematic synergy and deck mechanics. And yes, the boys dream up even more team-summoning possibilities, calling out for SHIELD agents, Thunderbolts, and mystics to make their way into Snap via future card designs.

    23 min
  3. Unspoken Issues #158- Deathstroke - "City of Assassins"

    FEB 9

    Unspoken Issues #158- Deathstroke - "City of Assassins"

    Gotham isn’t just dark in this episode — it’s a city of assassins, and Jesse Starcher is joined by Dean Compton and Darry to take on one of the most important early-’90s DC arcs: Deathstroke the Terminator #6–9. The big historical hook? As Dean points out, this storyline marks the first time Batman meets Deathstroke in DC continuity, a moment that echoes all the way into modern games, cartoons, and pop-culture perceptions of Slade as a “Batman villain.” From there, the conversation turns into a smart, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful deep-dive on what makes Deathstroke tick — not just as a badass mercenary with a code, but as a character who constantly tests the boundaries between “antihero” and outright villain. The trio digs into the uncomfortable parts of Slade’s legacy, his uneasy “face turn” energy, and why his brutal practicality makes him such a perfect foil for the Titans and for Batman’s rigid no-kill stance. And because this is Unspoken Issues, it’s not only plot — it’s craft. Jesse, Dean, and Darry rave about Steve Irwin’s moody Gotham, dynamic action, and visual storytelling choices that mirror Batman and Deathstroke’s methods… right up until Slade does what Batman won’t. They also spotlight the era-specific flavor: Mike Zeck’s killer covers, a detour through what was on DC shelves in November ’91, and even a spirited roast of the then-current Batmobile design.

    1h 20m
  4. SNAP Material - Meta and Unlocks January 2026

    FEB 9

    SNAP Material - Meta and Unlocks January 2026

    The chaos continues in part two of the February 2026 season recap as Jesse and Evan break down their personal card unlocks and dig into the state of the Marvel Snap meta. From deck experimentation to high-voltage hilarity, this episode is packed with practical insights and community gems that make the Snap scene so addictively unpredictable. Jesse kicks things off with his latest collector climb and a string of noteworthy additions — including Dragon Lord, Iron Lad, and Zombie Galacti. Meanwhile, Evan hits a milestone of his own by completing his Series 4 card list, nabbing elusive variants like Inkpulp Luke Cage and Tarot Friga along the way. But it's not just about collecting — they both reveal their favorite pickups and how they fared in actual gameplay, with Jesse singing the unexpected praises of Zombie Galacti and Evan spotlighting Fantomex’s unique utility. In the second half, the meta takes center stage. Jesse details his surprise success with a Strange Supreme deck using Living Tribunal to dominate lanes, while Evan shares his Guardians of the Sanctum build and experimental “No Vacancy” deck featuring Stardust. The two also reflect on Marvel Snap's balance decisions, including Spider-Ham's nerf, and close things out by spotlighting wholesome community stories — like a Snap-playing grandpa gifted a new iPad — and hilarious top memes from High Voltage Overdrive mode.

    16 min
  5. SNAP Material - "Dragons" Review

    FEB 8

    SNAP Material - "Dragons" Review

    The dragons have descended — and Jesse and Evan are diving headfirst into Marvel Snap’s “Dragons” season! In this rich, laugh-filled episode, the duo finally catches up after a holiday hiatus and a bout with what Evan affectionately calls the “souvenir virus.” From card nerfs to surprise meta shifts, it’s a complete tour through the February 2026 season that’s packed with surprises, strategies, and Snap-lore. They start strong with a discussion on Shou-Lou the Undying — a power-flipping game-changer who has both frustrated and fascinated players. Lockheed and Dragon of the Moon quickly follow, igniting debate over combo potential and lore-accurate design. Evan’s deep-dive trivia and Jesse’s real-match reflections bring each new release to life, including Lin Lei’s Iron Fist transformation, the quirky Majestic Wing Beat, and Fin Fang Foom’s pant-clad power moves. But the real sleeper hit? Dragon Lord. Jesse and Evan break down why this five-cost card might just be one of the most balanced, fun-to-use, and deck-flexible additions Marvel Snap has ever released. As usual, the conversation flies off into delightfully nerdy tangents, including vintage comic trivia, absurd deck builds, and thoughts on cards like Grandmaster, Absorbing Man, and even Spider-Man Noir.

    30 min
  6. Source Material #413 - Happy (2012, Image)

    FEB 2

    Source Material #413 - Happy (2012, Image)

    In this episode of Source Material, Jesse and Mark dive headfirst into the surreal, violent, and surprisingly heartfelt world of Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson’s Happy—a four-issue comic that combines noir grit, Christmas horror, and the unlikely guidance of a cheerful blue cartoon horse. What starts as a hitman’s bloody downward spiral becomes a darkly redemptive journey. Nick Sax is a drug-addicted ex-cop with zero interest in saving anyone—until “Happy,” an imaginary flying horse, begs him to save a kidnapped girl. What follows is a twisted Christmas tale full of mob hits, creepy Santas, and a surprising emotional core. Jesse and Mark unpack how Morrison’s tale walks a tightrope between extreme violence and emotional redemption, the creative collision of tones that somehow works, and why the comic’s commentary on morality hits harder than its potential jabs at Christmas commercialism. They also discuss the difference between Morrison’s cerebral weirdness and Garth Ennis-style cynicism, how this book ties into faith-based redemption arcs, and whether the blue horse could have been a little more fun.

    20 min
  7. Unspoken Issues #157.2- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #112-115

    JAN 27

    Unspoken Issues #157.2- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #112-115

    "The Battle of Benzheen" concludes, and the body count continues to rise. In this second part of the Unspoken Issues deep dive into GI Joe: A Real American Hero #112–115, hosts Jesse, Dean, and Darry dig into the final act of one of the most sobering and ambitious arcs in GI Joe comic history. What starts as a toy-driven war comic ends up being a stark anti-war narrative that hits harder than expected—even decades later.  This episode explores how the creative team, led by Larry Hama, walked the tightrope between marketing mandates and meaningful storytelling. From obscure characters like Cool Breeze to the surprising appearance of Metalhead, the team looks at who lived, who died, and why those choices mattered—both narratively and behind the scenes. They unpack the odd but intentional character deaths, the satire baked into Cobra’s billionaire budget for chaos, and the heavy emotional beats that elevated this arc beyond “Saturday morning cartoon” expectations.  As always, the episode blends critique and nostalgia with humor—debating the best Cobra pets, the ethics of letting Saw Viper live, and even dropping a few spicy takes (is Snake Eyes... overrated?). It's a passionate tribute to a pivotal moment in GI Joe lore. Long live Law & Order. RIP Breaker. And yes, we still don’t understand why Cobra Commander didn’t just go be rich.

    39 min
  8. Unspoken Issues #157.1- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #108-111

    JAN 26

    Unspoken Issues #157.1- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #108-111

    The Unspoken Issues crew returns to the battlefield with a deep dive into GI Joe: A Real American Hero issues #108–111, a storyline remembered for its high stakes, real-world parallels, and shocking casualties. Jesse, Dean, and Darry deliver an unflinching look at one of Larry Hama’s most intense arcs—unofficially dubbed “The Battle of Benzheen.” This isn’t the sanitized world of the Saturday morning cartoon; this is GI Joe at its most mature, complex, and emotional.  As the hosts explore the storyline’s Gulf War-inspired backdrop and themes of sacrifice, honor, and moral ambiguity, they also reflect on their personal connections to the franchise—from collecting action figures and trading comics as kids to rediscovering the narrative depth as adults. The conversation navigates the deaths of key Joe characters, the moral implications of war storytelling in children’s media, and how the creative team used fictional geopolitics to reflect real-world anxieties. The episode also celebrates the layered legacy of GI Joe—from its anti-war messaging masked in toy-driven storytelling to its current revival in the Energon Universe from Skybound.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Source Material Comics Podcast Since 2014, The Source Material Comics Podcast has been providing a discussion regarding the comic book medium on the Radulich In Broadcasting Network. Think of the show as a book club for comics where readers get together and talk about a single issue, a story arc, some news within the comic industry, and maybe even an interview every once in a while. Tune in and enjoy! You can find us on Twitter @sourcematcast and on Facebook @sourcematerialpodcast This channel also currently hosts the Unspoken Decade’s “Unspoken Issues” podcast dedicated to 90’s comics!

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