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. 6D AGO

    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. 11/30/2025

    Campus Comics Cast 224 - December 2025 Next Phase and Panels Pre-Orders

    As we recover from our Turkey hangovers, it is once again time to be thankful for the preorders episode of the Campus Comics Cast. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:08 Intro 00:00:16 Listener Feedback 00:04:50 Next Phase catalog start 00:08:50 DC 00:38:10 Image 01:04:04 Panels catalog start 01:15:34 Marvel 01:31:16 Next Episode 01:33:05 Outros 01:33:42 Stingers If you could only afford a handful of new comics next month, which hidden gems and big releases would actually be worth your cash and reading time?​ This episode walks you through the latest Lunar/Marvel/DC/Image and indie catalogs so you are not guessing in the dark about what to pre-order, helping you skip duds, spot sleeper hits, and focus your budget on books you will genuinely enjoy. By listening in on two longtime readers debating art, writers, formats, and trends, you get a shortcut past hype and into grounded, real-world buying advice you can use with your own pull list.​ Discover standout new series, specials, and graphic novels across Marvel, DC, Image, Boom, and more, with context on why they matter and who they are for.​ Learn which issues look promising as longer-term “spec” or investment picks and which ones are probably safe to skip, based on creative teams, first appearances, and market buzz.​ Get practical guidance on stretching your comics budget, from when to wait for trades or apps to when a hardcover, omnibus, or absolute edition is worth upgrading to.​ Hit play now to hear the full catalog walk-through and come away with a confident, fine-tuned pre-order list before this month’s cutoff hits.

  6. 11/18/2025

    Campus Comics Cast 223 - First Five Jonah Hex, Dead Acre Black Badge

    Welcome to the rootenest, tootenest episode yet of the Campus Comics Cast, or our names ain't Yosemite Sam and Josey Wales, which by the way, they are not. Join us for our discussion of the first five appearances of Jonah Hex and a review of Dead Acre Black Badge. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Opening Music 00:00:26 Intro 00:03:06 First Five Jonah Hex 00:54:36 Western Comic Books To Read 00:58:45 Dead Acre Black Badge Review 01:26:30 Outros 01:28:44 Stinger Are you ready to ride into the weirdest corners of the Old West—where gunslingers, angels, and werewolves all share the same dusty street?​ If you love Westerns but wish they had more monsters, angels, and supernatural mystery, this episode is aimed right at you.​ You’ll see how mixing classic cowboy tropes with horror and theology can give familiar comics and stories a fresh, surprising edge.​ Understand what makes Jonah Hex and other Western comics still compelling today, even for readers who usually stick to superheroes.​ Discover how “Dead Acre” blends Western grit with horror, angels, and occult elements, and why that combo works so well.​ Walk away with specific Western and weird-Western titles to check out next, so you know exactly what to read after you listen.​ Hit play on this episode now to get a guided tour through classic Western comics and the supernatural world of “Dead Acre,” and come away with a new reading list for your next comic binge.

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.

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