The Source Material Comics Podcast

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  • 4.6 (8)
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  • Updated Weekly

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. 3h ago

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 11- The Punisher vol. 2 #14

    Frank Castle is back in class—and detention is the least of anyone’s problems. In The Punisher #14, “Social Studies,” Mike Baron, Whilce Portacio, and Scott Williams send the Punisher undercover as substitute teacher “Mr. Melchior” to track down a criminal hiding inside one seriously out-of-control high school. Jesse digs into the issue’s gloriously over-the-top late-’80s setup, the shadow of the Kingpin hanging over Frank’s investigation, the bizarre escalation of the central plot, and the surprisingly human side of Castle that emerges when he’s dealing with teenagers who may not be beyond saving. Plus: Frank’s unique approach to classroom discipline, a memorable Daredevil reference, one of the series’ strongest covers so far, and the important question nobody expected to ask—does Frank Castle actually enjoy teaching?

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 11- The Punisher vol. 2 #14

  2. 4d ago

    Source Material #423 - Bruce Wayne Murderer? Part 2

    The tension escalates in Part 2 of Jesse and Mark’s deep dive into Batman: Bruce Wayne Murderer, as the psychological fallout of Bruce Wayne’s arrest begins to ripple through Gotham—and the Bat-family itself. With mounting evidence and public perception turning against him, Bruce’s silence becomes more than frustrating—it becomes dangerous. Meanwhile, Sasha Bordeaux faces her own nightmare behind bars, enduring pressure, doubt, and violence as prosecutors try to break her loyalty. Yet even in the darkest moments, a single silent gesture from Bruce reinforces her belief: this isn’t a man who’s lost control—he’s playing a deeper, more calculated game. Outside the prison walls, the cracks in the Bat-family widen. Dick Grayson and Tim Drake clash over logic versus loyalty, while Barbara Gordon works tirelessly to uncover the truth beneath the growing pile of suspicious evidence. The investigation begins to shift from “Did Bruce do it?” to “Who wants it to look like he did?” But the biggest shock comes when Bruce himself escapes custody—not to clear his name, but to abandon it. Declaring Bruce Wayne nothing more than a mask, he embraces Batman fully, setting off a chain reaction that leads to a brutal confrontation with Nightwing and a symbolic break from his past. At the heart of this episode is a heated discussion about Bruce’s mindset—and whether his actions are strategic brilliance or complete emotional collapse. Mark doesn’t hold back, delivering one of the most intense critiques of Batman’s character you’ll hear, while Jesse explores the deeper themes of trauma, identity, and isolation driving the story. As Superman steps in to challenge Bruce’s thinking and the Bat-family continues working in secret to clear his name, one question looms large: is Batman still a hero… or is he running from the consequences of being Bruce Wayne?

    Source Material #423 - Bruce Wayne Murderer? Part 2

  3. Aug 14

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 10- The Punisher vol. 2 #12 and #13

    On this episode of The Source Material War Journal, Jesse dives into The Punisher #12 and #13—“Castle Technique” and “Sacrifice Play”—from Mike Baron, Whilce Portacio, Scott Williams, and company. Frank Castle heads to Utah with an elaborate prison-break plan, a serial killer in his sights, and a chess-inspired strategy that quickly collapses into chaos. From a miniature-helicopter extraction and a brutal reversal of fortune to the arrival of the dangerous Samson family, these issues push Frank into one of his bleakest situations yet. Jesse breaks down the heavy-handed but entertaining chess motif, the dark humor, Frank’s uneasy alliance with Ortiz and Conchita, Charlie Samson’s obvious real-world inspiration, and an over-the-top motorcycle-versus-helicopter chase that delivers a fittingly grim conclusion.

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 10- The Punisher vol. 2 #12 and #13

  4. Aug 10

    Source Material #422 - Bruce Wayne Murderer? Part 1

    In this episode of Source Material, Jesse and Mark dive into the gripping opening chapter of the “Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” storyline, beginning with Batman: Bruce Wayne Murderer. What starts as a shocking crime quickly spirals into one of the Dark Knight’s most personal and psychologically intense arcs. When Bruce Wayne returns home to find Vesper Fairchild murdered in his own mansion, the unthinkable happens—he’s arrested for the crime. With the evidence stacked against him and Gotham turning its back, the question isn’t just “who did it?”—it’s whether Bruce Wayne can survive being seen as the villain. As the story unfolds across multiple Bat-family titles, the episode explores how Bruce’s silence becomes his greatest liability. Refusing to defend himself or accept help, he isolates allies like Nightwing, Oracle, and Robin, creating tension within the very network that’s always supported him. Meanwhile, characters like Cassandra Cain and Barbara Gordon begin piecing together the truth, even as the legal case—and public perception—grows darker. Jesse and Mark break down how this narrative cleverly blends detective work with emotional stakes, forcing the Bat-family to question everything they thought they knew. The heart of the discussion centers on Bruce himself—his decision to withdraw, his refusal to play the role of Bruce Wayne, and the deeper implications of abandoning that identity altogether. As the pressure mounts inside Blackgate Prison, Bruce begins to shift from passive prisoner to strategic operator, setting the stage for his transformation into something more singular and dangerous. With sharp commentary, humor, and plenty of debate, this episode unpacks a storyline that challenges the very foundation of Batman’s dual identity.

    Source Material #422 - Bruce Wayne Murderer? Part 1

  5. Aug 9

    Unspoken Issues #171.5 - Wizard #58 - June 1996

    Grab your copy of Wizard #58 from June 1996 and join Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong for another trip through the glorious chaos of ’90s comic-book culture on Unspoken Issues! This time, the guys dig into Wizard’s attempt to cast a live-action Watchmen, while wandering through everything from ads for Kingdom Come, Daredevil, Backlash/Spider-Man, Scud: The Disposable Assassin, and Amalgam Comics to custom action figures, Resident Evil, forgotten arcade memories, and Jesse’s ingenious method for getting a few extra games of Marvel Super Heroes at Walmart. Then it’s time for the ultimate test: the Wizard CBIQ, where Chris puts his 1996 comic-book knowledge on the line with questions covering Alpha Flight, Batman crossovers, Image Comics, Spider-Man 2099, Blue Devil, Fallen Angels, Rick Jones, The Crow, Superman, and plenty more. How well does he survive Wizard’s merciless scoring system? Play along and find out!

    Unspoken Issues #171.5 - Wizard #58 - June 1996

  6. Aug 8

    SNAP Material - Top 5 Characters We'd Be Surprised to See

    The Snap Material Podcast closes out August with a top-five list made for deep-cut Marvel fans: which characters would surprise Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins the most if they ever appeared in Marvel Snap? The answers get wonderfully weird, with a few characters so obscure they practically dare Second Dinner to make a card out of them. Along the way, Jesse and Evan dig into forgotten comics, canceled movie plans, bizarre character histories, Savage Land Mutates, Marvel’s stranger corners, and a pile of honorable mentions. If you like Marvel Snap, obscure comics trivia, and the kind of character picks that make you ask “Wait... that was a Marvel character?”, this one is for you.

    SNAP Material - Top 5 Characters We'd Be Surprised to See

  7. Aug 7

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 9- The Punisher vol. 2 Annual #1 "3 Hearts"

    This time on The Source Material War Journal, Jesse digs into “3 Hearts,” the Microchip-focused backup story from The Punisher Annual #1! With Frank Castle nowhere to be found, Micro gets the spotlight—and a dangerous situation involving an old friend forces the Punisher’s tech-savvy ally to find out exactly what he’s capable of when things get personal. Along the way, Jesse looks at Roger Salick’s unusual Marvel résumé, the story’s clever use of Microchip’s surveillance and technical skills, some wonderfully over-the-top late-’80s Punisher action, and why the idea behind “3 Hearts” may apply to Micro himself more than he realizes. Does Microchip have what it takes to carry a Punisher story without the Punisher? Tune in and find out!

    The Source Material War Journal - Episode 9- The Punisher vol. 2 Annual #1 "3 Hearts"

  8. Aug 6

    SNAP Material - Fractured Frontier Preview

    The Snap Material Podcast rides into Marvel Snap’s new Fractured Frontier season as Jesse Starcher and Evan Bevins break down the debut of Quick Draw and the alternate-reality cards built around it. How explosive could Thanos become once his Infinity six-shooter is fully loaded? Is Psylocke the season’s must-have cost-reduction weapon? And which decks could make the most of Jane Foster, Red Wolf, a destroy-friendly Death, and an eight-power Red Hulk? Jesse and Evan explore the season’s most intriguing combinations, counters, and deck-building possibilities before turning their attention to Doctor Octopus, Hellcow, the mysterious Error 404 Fractured event, and two new locations primed for Silver Surfer and Cerebro experimentation. Along the way, expect Agatha ideas, Luke Cage loopholes, an unfortunate future for Elixir, Wild West Marvel wish lists, and the inevitable pizza-related tangent.

    SNAP Material - Fractured Frontier Preview
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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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