Campus Comics Cast

Campus Comics

Listen along to the crew of the Campus Comics Cast for recommendations each month as we review the pre-orders coming from top publishers. Then stick around for discussions on comics news, reviews, what we have been reading, trivia, CLZ shake, and more. The Campus Comics Cast is the flagship podcast of the Burg Comics podcast network.

  1. MAR 3

    Campus Comics Cast 230 - March 2026 Next Phase and Panels Pre-Orders

    Can you believe it is already time to pre-order comics coming out in May 2026! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:10 Intro 00:00:30 Next Phase catalog start 00:11:07 DC 00:42:25 Image 01:18:38 Panels catalog start 01:18:50 Panels Highlights 01:32:05 Marvel 01:44:40 Comic Sales Numbers ICV2 01:51:38 Next Episode 01:52:12 Outros 01:53:13 Stingers What happens when comic distribution wars meet mega-crossovers, and could Penguin Random House be quietly killing Marvel's sales momentum? If you're navigating monthly pre-order catalogs overwhelmed by variant gimmicks, absolute universe saturation, and wondering whether your pull list dollars are going to the right titles, this episode cuts through the noise with sharp takes on what's actually worth ordering—and what's pure speculation trap. Strategic pre-order picks across publishers including deep cuts from Bad Idea (Megalith with 8-year production saga), new Vertigo horror launches (Bleeding Hearts, End of Life, Peril of the Brutal Dark An Ezra Cain Mystery), James Tynion IV's Odin tackling neo-Nazi mythology, and Rob Guillory's Innards Absolute Universe reality check dissecting DC's rapid title expansion (now adding Absolute Green Arrow and Absolute Catwoman), inevitable crossover predictions, and why DC's satellite era beats modern team rosters Distribution shake-up analysis exploring whether Penguin Random House is tanking Marvel's direct market presence, variant fatigue (meteorite fragments in covers?!), and why even Batman: Hush 2 can't maintain a consistent release schedule Press play now to get the unfiltered pre-order breakdown that separates genuine must-buys from distributor hype—before your catalog orders lock in.

  2. FEB 20

    Campus Comics Cast 229 - First Five ManThing Swamp Thing

    Join us for episode 229 of the Campus Comics Cast as we make our way to the bayou and dive into the muck with Man-Thing and Swamp Thing. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:10 Intro 00:00:22 New Comics and FOMO2 00:03:48 Sal Buscema 00:05:45 First Five Man-Thing and Swamp Thing 01:01:34 CLZ Shake 01:09:10 Outros 01:10:10 Stinger Which came first, Man-Thing or Swamp Thing—and does it really matter when both characters are rooted in a 1940s monster called the Heap? If you've ever wondered how two iconic swamp monsters emerged within months of each other—or why new comics suddenly spike to $70+ on release day—this episode connects comic book history, speculative market trends, and the creative influences that shape the characters you collect and read today. Listeners will gain: Deep-dive origins analysis comparing the Heap (1942), Man-Thing (1971), and Swamp Thing (1971)—including how roommates Gerry Conway and Len Wein may have unconsciously influenced each other's creations Practical collecting insights on pre-release comic spikes (like D'Orc #1 hitting $70 instantly), FOMO-driven market behavior, and how to navigate volatile spec trends Character evolution breakdown showing how Man-Thing loses humanity while Swamp Thing gains it—plus tributes to legendary artists Gray Morrow, Bernie Wrightson, and the late Sal Buscema Press play now to explore the swampy origins of these muck monsters and discover why their eerily similar debuts still spark debate among collectors and creators decades later.

  3. JAN 23

    Campus Comics Cast 227 - First Five Grimjack, The Future Is

    As we batten down the hatches to prepare for winter storm Fern, we hope you enjoy episode 227 of the Campus Comics Cast as you watch the snow fall outside. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:10 Intro 00:01:58 First Five Grimjack 00:38:15 The Future Is 01:32:50 CLZ Shake 01:36:01 Outros 01:36:43 Stinger How much has independent comics culture shaped your reading habits—and are you sleeping on character origins that defined the genre 40 years ago? This episode explores the gritty world of Grimjack—a mercenary navigating the multi-dimensional city of Cynosure—while diving deep into The Future Is, a modern cybersecurity heist series featuring a ragtag team of pentesters and hackers. Whether you're curious about '80s independent titles that influenced modern storytelling, or fascinated by the intersection of hacking culture and comics, this discussion reveals how both pulp action and cutting-edge tech narratives find their voice in sequential art. Discover why Grimjack's multi-dimensional setting and morally gray character archetype resonated with readers and why early First Comics publications remain culturally significant today. Understand how The Future Is translates modern cybersecurity concepts—penetration testing, threat actors, augmented reality, and digital vulnerabilities—into compelling narrative tension and character-driven conflict. Learn the difference between freebooters and hackers, what "doomscrolling" really means, and how the comic cleverly weaponizes tech jargon as world-building. Play now to hear two decades of comic history analyzed side-by-side with contemporary storytelling, and discover which independent titles deserve space on your pull list.

  4. JAN 6

    Campus Comics Cast 226 - January 2026 Next Phase and Panels Pre-Orders

    How many time do you plan to write in the wrong year before the next episode of the Campus Comics Cast? Who is even still writing dates? Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:10 Intro 00:02:28 Listener Feedback 00:06:40 Next Phase catalog start 00:09:25 DC 00:31:08 Image 00:49:04 Panels catalog start 00:52:58 Panels Highlights 01:01:45 Marvel 01:15:04 Next Episode 01:15:47 Outros 01:16:30 Stingers When was the last time a comic book catalog actually surprised you—and made you rethink what you’re pre-ordering for the next two months?​ This episode dives into the latest Next Phase and Panels catalogs, helping you sort through a lighter-than-usual slate of publishers, movie tie-ins, and stealth reprints so you can focus your budget on the issues that are actually worth your pull list. Whether you are juggling limited shelf space, trying to spot the next hot key issue, or just want more fun reads and fewer regrets, the discussion gives you a curated roadmap instead of 500 pages of guesswork. ​ Discover which new series (like tech‑thriller Exploit and narcoleptic-mystery Narco) are most likely to deliver fresh, satisfying reads instead of forgettable #1s. ​Learn which anniversary and legacy-style issues (such as Green Lantern #600 and Moonstar #1) might matter long-term for collectors, and which “first appearance” claims are more marketing than milestone. ​Get practical guidance on where to spend and where to skip—across Marvel, DC, Image, Mad Cave, IDW, and more—so your pre-orders match your actual reading tastes. ​ Hit play now to hear the full catalog walk-through and lock in your smartest pre-order choices before final order cutoff sneaks up on you.

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Listen along to the crew of the Campus Comics Cast for recommendations each month as we review the pre-orders coming from top publishers. Then stick around for discussions on comics news, reviews, what we have been reading, trivia, CLZ shake, and more. The Campus Comics Cast is the flagship podcast of the Burg Comics podcast network.

You Might Also Like