The Corner Box

David & John

Welcome to The Corner Box, where we talk about comic books as an industry and an art form. You never know where the discussion will go, or who’ll show up to join hosts David Hedgecock and John Barber. Between them they’ve spent decades writing, drawing, lettering, coloring, editing, editor-in-chiefing, and publishing comics. If you want to know the behind-the-scenes secrets—the highs and lows, the ins and outs—of the best artistic medium in the world, listen in and join the club at The Corner Box!

  1. 4d ago

    The Egret of Happiness or SDCC Recap on The Corner Box - S3Ep47

    David and John compare San Diego Comic-Con scars, including a panel-opening challenge that landed like a wet fart. John unveils his work on a 3D comic adaptation of Santo and the Treasure of Dracula, built to read like an actual comic instead of a pile of movie stills. David breaks news on the upcoming Kull miniseries with John Arcudi, Mark Buckingham, and Dave Stewart—then explains why he missed the announcement after an egret turned him into a disaster zone. The guys also puzzle over the reported takedown of a Dark Knight Returns recreation project, praise Geof Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy work, and stumble into a restored Steranko-related short film. It’s a full convention-floor episode: great art, bizarre panels, copyright ownership headaches, and no budget left by Saturday. Captions: “Everybody that was up on the panel loved comic books more than everybody in the audience.” — David, explaining his unexpectedly controversial Comic-Con opener“I’ve probably almost made as much money as I’ve spent on comics over my 20-year professional career.” — David, defining success with painful honesty“This needs 3D glasses.” — David, on John’s Santo comic experiment“I don’t go anywhere near preview night for exactly this reason.” — John, after hearing about the Dark Knight recreation chaos“There goes my entire Comic-Con budget.” — David, after spotting Darrow’s limited oversized edition and original artSplash Page: [01:49] – Love Letter With a Chair Thrown: David’s Comic-Con panel declaration gets a rough landing.[08:02] – Santo Goes Stereo: John reveals a 3D comic built from Santo and the Treasure of Dracula.[11:16] – The Screen-Grab Curse: Why most movie-to-comic photo books forget how comics work.[15:58] – Kull Draws Steel: David announces the new Kull miniseries with Arcudi, Buckingham, and Stewart.[17:20] – Attack of the Egret: A bird disaster wipes out David’s plans to attend his own announcement.[24:48] – Shadow House of Pain: John stumbles into a strange Steranko-related restoration panel.[29:05] – Dark Knight, Rights Fight: A fan-made recreation project reportedly runs into a DC takedown.[33:02] – Darrow’s Budget Finisher: David finds a Shaolin Cowboy treasure and spends accordingly.Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: John Arcudi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Arcudi) - Writer announced for the upcoming Kull miniseries. Mark Buckingham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Buckingham) - Fables and Miracleman artist whose Kull pages get David and John fired up. Dave Stewart (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Stewart_(colorist)) - Acclaimed colorist joining the Kull creative team. Geof Darrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geof_Darrow) - Shaolin Cowboy artist whose limited convention edition wrecked David’s spending plan. Jim Steranko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Steranko) - Artist connected to the restored Shadow House short-film detour. Harlan Ellison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison) - Writer whose freeway-gunfight story was discussed as the short film’s original intended adaptation. Rob Liefeld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Liefeld) - Convention-floor near miss and the source of David’s lingering complaint. Nicole Goux (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Goux) - Eisner-winning guest celebrated for her Comic-Con weekend. Frank Miller (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller) - Creator of The Dark Knight Returns, central to the recreation-project discussion. Kull (https://heroicsignatures.com/) - Robert E. Howard’s Atlantean king returns in the newly announced miniseries; the transcript’s exact subtitle is unclear. Santo and the Treasure of Dracula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_and_the_Treasure_of_Dracula) - The Santo film being reshaped into a 3D comic. Masked Republic (https://www.maskedrepublic.com/) - The lucha libre rights holder working with John on the Santo project. The Dark Knight Returns (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-dark-knight-returns-1986/batman-the-dark-knight-returns-frank-miller-gallery-edition) - Miller’s landmark Batman story, discussed after the unlicensed recreation project was reportedly halted. Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I.Live (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/838666/shaolin-cowboy-staying-ailive-by-written-and-illustrated-by-geof-darrow/) - Darrow’s latest Shaolin Cowboy release and David’s convention-floor splurge. Tower of Shadows (https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/21015/tower_of_shadows_1969_1) - The Steranko comic discussed before John’s Shadow House panel story.

  2. Aug 4

    You Can't Hit Batman in the Back of the Head on The Corner Box - S3Ep46

    What separates a technically solid comic from one that grabs three Marvel editors by the throat at the same time? That question leads John through Jason Aaron’s early career, the difference between having technical chops and possessing a distinct creative voice, and why no stack of screenwriting books can manufacture the magic. David then puts Dynamite’s Thundarr the Barbarian revival to the test, complete with Jason Aaron, Kewber Baal, Kirby-fueled nostalgia, mutant motorcycle rats, and a genuinely surprising victory for the bad guys. From there, John unearths Star Rider and the Peace Machine, a 1982 Canadian comic magazine packed with Captain Canuck resentment, suspicious global alliances, and one extremely committed Richard Comely. David fires back with Swords of the Swashbucklers, launching a larger argument about superhero flaws, team infighting, creator-owned momentum, and why Batman should still be allowed to get hit in the back of the head once in a while. Captions: “Knowing all the rules doesn’t make you a good writer. If it did, everybody who read Save the Cat would be one.” — John on why craft books cannot manufacture creative instinct “I want to surprise and delight on every page—and I’m not talking about the reader. I’m talking about myself.” — David on keeping his own writing unpredictable “The bad guys win, John.” — David discovering that Thundarr the Barbarian is willing to wreck the nostalgic safety net “It won’t be biased at all. He’s just reporting the facts.” — David on Richard Comely investigating his own Captain Canuck dismissal “Some guy hit Batman in the back of the head? You can’t do that. He’s the greatest crime fighter who ever lived.” — John on superheroes becoming too flawless to generate real tension Splash Page: [00:24] – The San Diego Time-Travel Incident: John and David attempt to preserve podcast continuity by pretending their Comic-Con panel has already gone perfectly. [01:40] – Three Editors, One Comic: John remembers himself, Nick Lowe, and Axel Alonso arriving at Marvel with copies of Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s The Other Side. [02:41] – The Spark Beyond Technique: John explains why a distinct voice matters more than merely producing technically competent pages. [06:50] – Save the Cat Cannot Save You: The guys wrestle with whether good writing can be taught, measured, or reduced to a dependable formula. [10:35] – The Sun Sword Correction: John calls Thundarr’s weapon a laser sword and is immediately educated. [12:06] – Thundarr Changes the Verdict: David’s Jack Kirby appreciation tour leads to a surprisingly enthusiastic reassessment of Dynamite. [19:43] – Canadian Comics Go Nuclear: Star Rider and the Peace Machine delivers Captain Canuck resentment, bargain-bin space opera, and a four-page global conspiracy article. [34:02] – Let Hawkeye Be an A*****e: A discussion of Swords of the Swashbucklers becomes an argument for flawed heroes, team tension, and superheroes who are still allowed to fail. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Jason Aaron (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Aaron) - Writer of The Other Side, Wolverine: Weapon X, Bug Wars, and the new Thundarr the Barbarian series that kicks off the episode’s larger discussion about creative voice. Jack Kirby (https://kirbymuseum.org) - Legendary artist and designer whose visual work helped define Thundarr the Barbarian and inspired David’s recent appreciation tour through Kirby’s career. Kewber Baal (https://www.instagram.com/kewberbaal) - Artist bringing Thundarr’s ruined future, mutant creatures, and sword-swinging action to the Dynamite series. Michael Cho (https://www.michaelcho.com) - Artist behind the main Thundarr covers, using a bold retro approach that channels the visual power of Kirby-era comics. Richard Comely (https://comelyart.com) - Captain Canuck co-creator and the driving force behind Star Rider and the Peace Machine, including its comics, publishing grievances, and startling conspiracy material. Tom Grummett (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Grummett) - Veteran superhero artist whose early work appears inside Star Rider and the Peace Machine before his later runs on major Marvel and DC titles. Bill Mantlo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo) - Prolific Marvel writer and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, known for loading his teams with personality clashes, arguments, and constant dramatic friction. Jackson Guice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Guice) - Artist and co-creator of Swords of the Swashbucklers, delivering heavily rendered spacecraft, pirate ships, alien technology, and oversized painted pages. Colleen Doran (https://www.colleendoran.com) - Acclaimed artist who contributed two issues to the Swords of the Swashbucklers limited series after the original graphic novel. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://imagecomics.com/creators/daniel-warren-johnson) - Writer-artist behind Transformers, Do a Powerbomb, and the newly announced Chainkata, representing the healthy movement between major characters and creator-owned work. Tradd Moore (https://www.traddmoorecomics.com) - Distinctive artist and writer whose move toward new creator-driven material helps fuel the closing discussion about the state of comics. Thundarr the Barbarian (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-Thundarr_The_Barbarian) - Dynamite’s new comic revival of the animated series, written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Kewber Baal. The Other Side (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Side_%28comics%29) - Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart’s Vietnam War series that immediately caught the attention of several Marvel editors. Bug Wars (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/bug-wars) - Jason Aaron’s creator-owned fantasy series, cited by David as part of the writer’s recent run of surprising and adventurous work. Captain Canuck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Canuck) - Richard Comely’s Canadian superhero and the source of the publishing history, resentment, and unfinished business simmering throughout Star Rider and the Peace Machine. Star Rider and the Peace Machine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Comely) - Comely’s short-lived 1982 magazine combining illustrated fiction, young artistic talent, publishing commentary, and an alleged global conspiracy. Swords of the Swashbucklers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swords_of_the_Swashbucklers) - Bill Mantlo and Jackson Guice’s science-fiction pirate epic, launched as Marvel Graphic Novel No. 14 before continuing as a 12-issue series. Micronauts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronauts_%28comics%29) - Mantlo’s celebrated Marvel series, discussed as an important earlier collaboration point for the creators behind Swords of the Swashbucklers. Chainkata (https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/multiple-award-winning-do-a-powerbomb-transformers-dynamo-daniel-warren-johnson-to-launch-epic-new-series-chainkata-this-november-from-image-comics) - Daniel Warren Johnson’s newly announced Image Comics series featuring chainsaws, space combat, and the kind of gloriously impractical weapon editors once might have rejected.

  3. Jul 28

    Driving Us Absolutely Batty on The Corner Box - S3Ep45

    David opens the show at his breaking point after a recent issue of Captain America delivers artwork he believes never should have made it to print. John brings the former-editor perspective, breaking down how brutal deadlines, crossover schedules, shifting status quos, disappearing inventory stories, and the loss of veteran inkers can turn a promising monthly book into a full-blown disaster. From there, the guys compare Marvel’s struggles with the steady artistic bench behind Absolute Wonder Woman, celebrate the arrival of ComicPreviews.com, and dig into John Byrne’s decision to create roughly 30 issues of unofficial X-Men comics simply because he wanted to. X-Men: Elsewhen turns out to be a joyful blast of classic superhero storytelling—and John’s decision to leave it at the shop immediately comes back to haunt him. Then the back-issue bin gets weird in the best way, with Jack Kirby’s gloriously unrestrained The Demon and Dark Horse’s adaptation of George Lucas’s original Star Wars draft to comics. Captions:“Man, am I a sucker? I just paid $4.99 for this book, and they didn’t put five dollars’ worth of effort into it.” — David reaching his breaking point with Captain America “Everything is made under the worst possible conditions the thing can be made under—and sometimes that catches up with you.” — John on the brutal reality behind monthly comics “Fifteen years later, nobody ever says, ‘Boy, that comic sure was on time.’” — John on deadlines versus finished quality “Nobody draws 30 issues of a comic book for free if they don’t have a soft spot in their heart for the characters.” — David on John Byrne’s X-Men: Elsewhen “I set it back down, got to my [home] desk, and found out they were already going for sixty dollars on eBay.” — John realizing he made a terrible comic-shop decision “Jason Blood is just a regular guy—a regular professional demonologist.” — John explaining the beautifully casual insanity of Jack Kirby’s The Demon Splash Page:[00:36] – Captain America Goes Airborne: David finds a recent issue so frustrating that he closes it, throws it across the room, and starts questioning the value of monthly comics. [07:33] – The Inventory Story Is Dead: John explains why fill-in issues became harder to use once collected editions, creator control, and constantly shifting status quos took over. [11:33] – Made Under Fire: A former Marvel editor reveals how often comics are produced under the worst possible conditions—and how veteran inkers once saved pages headed for disaster. [16:31] – Where Was the Emergency Button?: David compares Captain America’s artistic chaos with Absolute Wonder Woman’s carefully planned rotation of strong replacement artists. [24:48] – The Previews Catalog Returns: ComicPreviews.com steps into the void left by Diamond with searchable releases, creators, publishers, categories, and final-order-cutoff listings. [28:43] – Byrne Does X-Men His Way: John Byrne draws years of unofficial X-Men stories for free, Chris Ryall helps turn them into X-Men: Elsewhen, and the finished book becomes an immediate hit. [42:08] – The Omnibus That Crushes Children: John attempts to read a 1,500-page Jack Kirby collection before celebrating the magnificent, barely contained madness of The Demon. [53:04] – Before Star Wars Became Star Wars: David explores The Star Wars, where Han Solo is a green alien, Darth Vader has no powers, and George Lucas is still figuring out which characters belong in the same body. Support the Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue BinChip Zdarsky (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/11743/chip_zdarsky) - Writer of the current Captain America series and a central architect behind Marvel’s Road to Armageddon. (⁠Marvel) Valerio Schiti (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12155/valerio_schiti) - Artist who launched Captain America with Zdarsky and established the book’s original visual identity. (⁠Marvel) Hayden Sherman (https://www.dc.com/talent/hayden-sherman) - Artist praised for helping make Absolute Wonder Woman feel visually ambitious and carefully planned. (⁠DC) John Byrne (https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/john-byrne_84912274/) - Legendary X-Men creator who wrote and drew X-Men: Elsewhen as a continuation of his classic run. (⁠ABRAMS) Chris Ryall (https://www.instagram.com/chris_ryall/) - Writer, editor, publisher, and longtime champion of bringing Byrne’s unofficial X-Men continuation into print. Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/talent/jack-kirby) - The creator behind The Demon, OMAC, New Gods, and the wildly imaginative DC work John revisits this week. (⁠DC) Paul Kupperberg (https://www.paulkupperberg.net/) - Writer of the second Super Powers miniseries drawn by Kirby and one of the creators discussed during John’s omnibus expedition. Joe Simon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Simon) - Kirby’s longtime creative partner and co-creator of the 1970s Sandman material included in the omnibus. Alan Moore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore) - Writer who later brought Etrigan into Swamp Thing with a very different approach from Kirby’s original series. J.W. Rinzler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._W._Rinzler) - Writer and Star Wars historian who adapted George Lucas’s original screenplay draft into The Star Wars. Mike Mayhew (https://www.mikemayhewstudio.com/) - Artist whose realistic, cinematic work makes George Lucas’s abandoned Star Wars concepts feel like images from a lost film. George Lucas (https://www.starwars.com/databank/george-lucas) - Filmmaker whose rough screenplay became the basis for Dark Horse’s eight-issue The Star Wars miniseries. (⁠StarWars.com) Ralph McQuarrie (https://www.starwars.com/news/ralph-mcquarrie-the-art-of-star-wars) - Concept artist whose early designs helped guide the visual reconstruction of Lucas’s original Star Wars draft. Toshiro Mifune (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiro_Mifune) - Akira Kurosawa’s legendary leading man, who was considered for the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. (⁠Wikipedia) Akira Kurosawa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Kurosawa) - Filmmaker whose work, particularly The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo, helped shape Star Wars and generations of Western storytelling. Captain America (2025–Present) (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/42747/captain_america_2025_present) - The Zdarsky and Schiti series at the center of David’s argument about artistic consistency, deadlines, and reader value. (⁠Marvel) Avengers: Armageddon (https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/avengers-armageddon-chip-zdarsky-valerio-schiti) - Marvel event connected to Zdarsky’s Captain America run and the larger publishing schedule discussed in the episode. Absolute Wonder Woman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-wonder-woman-2024/absolute-wonder-woman-1) - David’s example of a monthly book that maintains its visual standard even when the regular artist needs relief. (⁠DC) Comic Previews (https://comicpreviews.com/) - Searchable resource for upcoming comics, graphic novels, manga, new releases, and final-order-cutoff titles. (⁠Manage Comics) X-Men: Elsewhen (https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/x-men-elsewhen-volume-1-of-3_9781419787287/) - Byrne’s continuation of his classic X-Men run, now presented as the first volume of a three-book graphic-novel series. (⁠ABRAMS) The Demon by Jack Kirby (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-demon-1972/the-demon-by-jack-kirby) - Complete collection of Kirby’s original 16-issue series featuring Jason Blood and Etrigan. (⁠DC) Jack Kirby’s Fourth World (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/jack-kirbys-fourth-world-omnibus) - Kirby’s massive DC mythology!

  4. Jul 21

    R.C. Samo Brings Fanboy Nation to The Corner Box - S3Ep44

    This week gets fun when R.C. Samo of FanboyNation.com joins David and John to talk Marvel’s Burbank move, Steve Wacker’s new editorial role, and what gets lost when the House of Ideas leaves Manhattan. They kick around the real human cost of a cross-country move, the danger of comics becoming movie leftovers, and why Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers worked because somebody let an artist swing for the fences. The movie detour gets into bad live-action remakes, Sonic’s near-disaster design, and Supergirl’s rough launch. And was Iron Man the Snow White of the MCU. Back in the shops, the crew gives Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League a serious look, wrestles with page rates versus ownership, and agrees on one sacred rule: pay the people making the comics. Robert also brings the heat for Patrick Zircher’s Solomon Kane, while David proves that “supporting local comic shops” can mean buying every Badrock cover in sight. Captions: “What’s he going to do, hop from car to car in 405 traffic?” — Robert on Spider-Man’s new Burbank-adjacent reality“You make a comic book to make a comic book, period.” — David on why comics cannot be movie leftovers“Sometimes the passion project’s worth more than the bigger paycheck.” — Robert on Jae Lee’s M1: Monster Racing League work“As long as people are getting paid in comic books, God bless them.” — David on creator compensation“It was like Bad News Bears meets Supergirl.” — Robert on the film’s vibe“Iron Man is the Snow White of the MCU.” — Robert on the blueprint every later superhero movie followed Splash Page [03:30] – Burbank, Here We Come: Marvel’s move and Steve Wacker’s incoming editor-in-chief role hit the table.[06:27] – The Human Toll: John zeroes in on the staff asked to uproot their lives or walk away.[10:17] – The 52 Miracle: Why Wacker’s management of the weekly series still earns industry awe.[17:11] – Let Comics Be Comics: David makes the case against treating print stories like screen leftovers.[31:26] – The Remake Assembly Line: Robert calls out live-action retreads that bring nothing new.[34:02] – Sonic Dodged a Bullet: David recounts the Sega/Sony disconnect behind the original movie design.[40:17] – Snow White in a Repulsor Suit: Robert drops the episode’s most dangerously persuasive MCU analogy.[40:48] – Monster Racing League Roars: Jae Lee’s layouts, page-rate questions, and a gorgeous new Image book. Support the Corner Box David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website R.C. Samo (https://fanboynation.com) - Fanboy Nation host and the guest bringing reporter instincts, movie opinions, and indie-comic enthusiasm. Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Steve Wacker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wacker) - Incoming Marvel editorial leader discussed for his comics and animation experience. Jae Lee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jae_Lee) - Acclaimed artist behind M1: Monster Racing League and the central creator-compensation conversation. Robert Windom (https://imagecomics.com/comics/list/creator/robert-windom/releases) - M1: Monster Racing League co-writer whose ownership of the work sparks the business discussion. Patrick Zircher (https://titan-comics.com/c/2236-solomon-kane-the-serpent-ring/) - Writer-artist praised for bringing serious visual firepower to Solomon Kane. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://www.danielwarrenart.com/) - Cited as the creator whose Transformers run shows what happens when an auteur gets room to work. James Gunn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gunn) - The filmmaker whose DC rollout and Supergirl oversight get a spirited once-over. Marvel Comics (https://www.marvel.com/comics) - The discussion’s main pressure point: relocation, editorial succession, creator compensation, and comics as source material. 52 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52_(comics)) - Steve Wacker’s massive weekly-series editorial achievement, with Keith Giffen, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, and Greg Rucka in the mix. M1: Monster Racing League #1 (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/m1-monster-racing-league-1) - Jae Lee and June Chung’s new racing series, praised for its art, color, and sharp page design. Seven Sons (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/seven-sons) - The earlier Jae Lee and Robert Windom Image collaboration that frames the ownership question. Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant (https://titan-comics.com/comics/series/507-solomon-kane/) - Patrick Zircher’s new Solomon Kane chapter, singled out for its striking art. Challengers Comics + Conversation (https://www.challengerscomics.com/) - David’s Chicago retailer of choice and a reminder to support comic shops.

  5. Jul 14

    Your Good-Time Comic Pals Having a Chitty-Chat on The Corner Box - S3Ep43

    The fellas get into how summer events stopped feeling like summer events and became a never-ending conveyor belt of crossover noise. John pulls from the Marvel trenches with House of M, Civil War, Secret Invasion, Tony Stark taking the heat, and Ralph Macchio’s very correct complaint that Spider-Man should not just walk into a press conference like some regular dope. Then Absolute Batman takes over the room, with Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s monster hit reportedly moving wild numbers and now heading into animation with the actual comics creators involved. David and John debate whether that’s a creator win, a workload trap, or both, before veering into the eternal truth that most superhero adaptations still lose to the comic on the page. And once “What John and David read this week” kicks in, it’s a full rack raid: Ghost Machine, Kyle Starks’ Wrestle Heist, Vertigo’s new wave, Lobo, Drew Hennessy, Dai Dark, Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Invincible crushing graphic novel sales like it never left. Captions: “They started building tent poles instead of building up in the summer.” — John on how event comics became a constant cycle “Spider-Man doesn’t walk to a press conference and walk out like a normal person. He’s Spider-Man.” — John channeling Ralph Macchio’s perfect superhero logic “Well, how about Tommy Lee Edwards?” — David on the emergency button that fixes any bad comic idea instantly “Let them cook.” — David on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta being involved in the Absolute Batman animated series “I think bank robbers are heroes, David.” — John offering the only morally correct read on Wrestle Heist Splash Page: [00:00] – The Guest Is Nobody: John teases an exciting guest, and David immediately undercuts the whole operation because it’s just them. [01:37] – Summer Events Lost the Calendar: David and John talk about how big comic events used to dominate summer, but now announcements and launches feel scattered across the whole year. [04:10] – Event or Just a Big Story?: John uses Avengers Armageddon to unpack the fuzzy line between a major arc and a full-blown line event. [07:10] – Civil War From the Trenches: John explains how tie-ins worked, why the X-Men mostly sidestepped Civil War, and how Tony Stark became the guy everyone wanted to punch. [08:31] – Spider-Man Should Be Spider-Man-y: Ralph Macchio’s issue with the identity reveal scene becomes a perfect lesson in why superhero staging matters. [11:27] – The 1985 Photo-Realism Trap: John remembers Mark Millar’s original photo-manipulation plan for 1985 and why Tommy Lee Edwards was the better answer by a mile. [16:47] – Absolute Batman Has the Juice: The guys react to Absolute Batman’s huge sales chatter, Nick Dragotta’s art, and the thrill of a top-selling comic actually being good. [18:42] – Absolute Animation, Creator Control: The Absolute Batman animated announcement flips David from skeptical to fully interested once Snyder and Dragotta are involved. [33:18] – Ghost Machine Is Firing: David catches up on Ghost Machine and celebrates Brian Hitch, Gary Frank, and Francis Manapul producing big, polished comics on a strong cadence. [34:23] – Wrestle Heist Deserves the Belt: David breaks down Kyle Starks’ wrestling-meets-bank-robbery comic and mourns the fact that it may not have sold like it should have. [45:07] – A Bittersweet Credit Page: John spots Drew Hennessy’s name in God Summoner and reflects on a great inker, unfinished work, and comics that deserve to be seen. [47:47] – Bones, Backpacks, and Goth Space Chaos: John sells David hard on Dai Dark, a manga about immortality-granting bones and exactly the kind of weird nonsense this show was built for. [50:12] – Comic Books Without Pictures: David discovers prose novels, then pivots to Dungeon Crawler Carl and why comic shops were smart to pay attention. [53:20] – Invincible Still Won’t Die: The BookScan numbers turn into an Invincible victory lap, with compendiums and trades dominating the graphic novel chart years after the series ended. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Scott Snyder (https://www.dc.com/talent/scott-snyder) - Writer of Absolute Batman, with the episode circling how much creator involvement could matter for the animated adaptation. Nick Dragotta (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - Artist and co-creator of Absolute Batman, praised here as the visual engine giving the book serious juice. Brian Michael Bendis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Michael_Bendis) - Writer behind New Avengers, House of M, Secret Invasion, and a big chunk of the Marvel event era John discusses. J. Michael Straczynski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Michael_Straczynski) - Writer of Amazing Spider-Man during Civil War, brought up for framing Tony Stark as very much the bad guy. Chris Gage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christos_Gage) - Writer mentioned for Civil War-era work that gave Tony Stark’s side more shape than most tie-ins did. Ralph Macchio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Macchio_(editor)) - Longtime Marvel editor whose Spider-Man staging complaint becomes one of the episode’s best craft lessons. Mark Millar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Millar) - Writer of 1985, discussed here through the abandoned photo-manipulation version before Tommy Lee Edwards saved the day. Tommy Lee Edwards (https://www.tommyleeedwards.com) - Artist of 1985 and Winterworld, praised hard for roughs so alive they could carry a whole graphic novel. Brian Hitch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Hitch) - Artist name-checked through Ghost Machine and the broader discussion of cinematic superhero realism. Gary Frank (https://imagecomics.com/creators/gary-frank) - Geiger artist praised as part of Ghost Machine’s absurdly strong art lineup. Francis Manapul (https://www.dc.com/talent/francis-manapul) - Artist mentioned for Rook: Exodus and the sheer visual strength of Ghost Machine’s current output. Kyle Starks (https://www.kylestarks.com) - Writer and artist of Wrestle Heist, celebrated here as a cartoonist with sharp timing, bite, and big personality. Vladimir Popov (https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/wrestle-heist-1) - Colorist on Wrestle Heist, singled out through David’s praise for the book’s full visual package. Steve Pugh (https://www.dc.com/talent/steve-pugh) - Artist on End of Life, praised as a perfect match for Kyle Starks’ Vertigo writing. Greg Rucka (https://www.gregrucka.com) - Writer mentioned through Gotham General and the Gotham Central legacy. Chris Condon (https://www.chriscondonwrites.com) - Writer discussed for Vertigo crime work and the upcoming Gotham Central connection. Jacob Phillips (https://jacobphillips.com) - Artist discussed with Chris Condon, with John noting the nice crime-comics lineage of that pairing. Jorge Corona (https://www.dc.com/talent/jorge-corona) - Lobo artist praised by David even while the story is not fully clicking for him yet. Skottie Young (https://www.skottieyoung.com) - Writer of the current Lobo run, discussed as David waits for the book to fully land. Nicoletta Baldari (https://www.instagram.com/nicoletta_baldari/) - Artist praised for a Little Lobo sequence that David absolutely loved. Drew Hennessy (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12758/drew_hennessy) - Late inker remembered warmly by John and David, especially through unfinished work and a shared credits page. Ron Lim (https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/208/ron_lim) - Artist mentioned in connection with John accidentally breaking the sad Drew Hennessy news. Paul Pelletier (https://www.dc.com/talent/paul-pelletier) - Artist on The Others project John and David discuss with real affection. Q Hayashida (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Hayashida) - Creator of Dai Dark and Dorohedoro, whose goth sci-fi weirdness immediately hooks John. Matt Dinniman (https://mattdinniman.com) - Creator of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which David flags as a major crossover opportunity for comic shops. Robert Kirkman (https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman) - Co-creator of Invincible, which dominates the sales chart discussion like a cape-wearing wrecking ball. Absolute Batman (https://www.dc.com/comics/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-1) - The big DC hit driving the episode’s sales, animation, and creator-control conversation. Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo (https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/absolute-batman-2024/absolute-batman-vol-1-the-zoo) - The first collected edition of the Snyder and Dragotta run that keeps coming up throughout the episode. Civil War (https://www.marvel.com/comics/discover/114/civil-war-the-complete-event) - The Marvel event John uses to explain tie-ins, Tony Stark backlash, and how event storytelling gets shaped.

  6. Jul 7

    David Pepose in the Wonderful Land of The Corner Box - S3Ep42

    The guys sit down with David Pepose as The O.Z. heads toward its third and final Kickstarter chapter, turning the Wizard of Oz into a war-torn fantasy battlefield with Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter at the center of the wreckage. Pepose breaks down the long wait between issues, why keeping Ruben Rojas on the book mattered, and how trauma, reinvention, and redemption became the spine of his work from Spencer & Locke to Space Ghost. Things get especially sharp when the conversation turns to “cheap heat” retellings, why a grim hook is worthless without a real human story, and how Kickstarter gave Pepose both creative control and a life-changing payday. David and John also dig into Space Ghost’s breathless pacing, the value of done-in-one adventures, the brutal usefulness of editor notes, and why licensed comics can be freeing when the right people stay out of the way. Plus, Speed Racer goes full volcano madness, Pepose reveals he’s stepping away after his planned run, and fatherhood starts looming over the whole episode like the ultimate deadline. Captions: “Comics are ultimately all about playing the long game. This one was a little bit of a longer game than I had anticipated.” — David Pepose on the long road to finishing The O.Z. “What if Mad Max took place in the Wizard of Oz?” — David Pepose explaining the killer hook behind The O.Z. “I owe him my career, but not in the way that he expected.” — David Pepose on Bobby Kurnow accidentally steering him away from editing and toward writing. “We were turning sacred cow into Tasty Hamburger.” — David Pepose on the gamble of Spencer & Locke. “Shock can get your foot in the door once. But I’m playing the long game here.” — David Pepose on why grim retellings need more than cheap heat. “Superheroes are not superheroes because they punch out a bad guy.” — David Pepose sharing the Tom Brevoort rule that shaped his Space Ghost. “Sequels are another opportunity to screw up.” — David Pepose on why he won’t extend a story unless the timing and reason are right. Splash Page: [00:24] – Enter Pepose, Exit Safe Choices: John introduces David Pepose, from Spencer & Locke to Speed Racer, Space Ghost, Cable, Punisher, Fantastic Four, Moon Knight, and Captain Planet. [01:07] – The Long Road to the Occupied Zone: Pepose explains why The O.Z. #3 took years, why Ruben Rojas stayed on the book, and why the finale had to feel consistent instead of rushed. [02:41] – Mad Max Meets the Yellow Brick Road: Pepose lays out The O.Z. as Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter entering a brutal power vacuum in Oz after the “happy ending” fell apart. [05:21] – The Editor Who Scared Him Straight: Pepose talks DC internships, comics criticism, Comics Experience, and realizing he was absolutely not built for the editor’s chair. [07:09] – Sacred Cow, Tasty Hamburger: Spencer & Locke becomes the career gamble that proves Pepose can take an outrageous premise and make it hurt in the right way. [20:07] – Cheap Heat Gets Exposed: Pepose draws the line between a lazy grim retelling and a real story with emotional investment. [27:02] – The Brevoort Rule: Pepose shares the superhero lesson that shaped Space Ghost: it’s not about punching villains, it’s about protecting people. [55:29] – Speed Racer Hits the Finish Line: Pepose reveals he’s stepping away from Speed Racer after his planned run, with fatherhood and a packed workload forcing the baton pass. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: David Pepose (https://www.davidpepose.com/) - The guest of the episode and writer of The O.Z., Spencer & Locke, Space Ghost, Speed Racer, Savage Avengers, Punisher, Moon Knight, and more. Ruben Rojas (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Artist of The O.Z., whose work Pepose waited on to keep the finale visually consistent with the rest of the series. Whitney Cogar (https://www.instagram.com/smashpansy/) - Colorist on The O.Z., part of the finale team Pepose praises near the end of the episode. DC Hopkins (https://hopkinsletters.myportfolio.com/) - Letterer on The O.Z., credited as part of the book’s creative team. Jonathan Lau (https://www.instagram.com/jonathanalau/) - Artist on Space Ghost, described by Pepose as drawing “like a damn Terminator.” Andrew Dalhouse (https://www.instagram.com/adalhouse/) - Colorist on Space Ghost, praised as part of the book’s consistent creative engine. Taylor Esposito (https://www.ghostglyphstudios.com/) - Letterer on Space Ghost and owner of Ghost Glyph Studios, called an unsung hero by Pepose. Davide Tinto (https://www.instagram.com/tintodavideart/) - Artist on Speed Racer, part of the team bringing Pepose’s high-speed Mad Cave run to life. Kenneth Wagnon (https://www.patreon.com/Kennethjwagnon/about) - Artist behind the fully illustrated map of The O.Z. mentioned as a Kickstarter stretch goal. Tom Brevoort (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brevoort) - Marvel editor whose advice about superheroes defending the little guy became a major storytelling rule for Pepose. C.B. Cebulski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._B._Cebulski) - Marvel figure Pepose mentions while discussing how Spencer & Locke helped get him on Marvel’s radar. Bobby Kurnow (https://idwpublishing.com/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-bobby-curnow-interview) - Editor whose class visit helped Pepose realize editing was not his path. Dan Slott (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Slott) - Writer praised during the conversation as someone who can love Spider-Man without being trapped by that fandom. Daniel Warren Johnson (https://danielwarrenart.com/) - Mentioned as a creator who helped blow open what licensed comics could be. Ryan North (https://www.ryannorth.ca/) - Mentioned as part of the modern wave of done-in-one and short-arc superhero storytelling Pepose looked at while building Space Ghost. Steve Orlando (https://www.steveorlando.com/) - Mentioned alongside Scarlet Witch as another example of current superhero pacing and structure. Jed MacKay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jed_MacKay) - Mentioned in connection with Moon Knight and modern superhero structure. Joe Kelly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kelly_(comics)) - Writer of the Space Ghost miniseries that introduced Pepose to a more serious superhero version of the character. Ariel Olivetti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Olivetti) - Artist on the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries referenced during the conversation. Heidi MacDonald (https://www.comicsbeat.com/author/heidi/) - Comics journalist mentioned for the “satisfying chunk” idea about single issues earning their keep. George Marston (https://www.gamesradar.com/author/george-marston/) - Pepose’s friend who helped him frame Space Ghost as “Batman in space.” The O.Z. (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-oz/) - Pepose’s Ringo Award-winning fantasy war story and the emotional center of this episode. The O.Z. #1-3 Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theozcomic/the-oz-3) - The campaign for the third and final issue discussed throughout the episode. Spencer & Locke (https://www.davidpepose.com/spencer-and-locke/) - Pepose’s breakout “Calvin and Hobbes grew up in Sin City” comic and the project that helped put him on the map. Scout’s Honor (https://www.davidpepose.com/scouts-honor/) - Pepose’s AfterShock series that helped build the critical momentum leading to Marvel work. Space Ghost (https://www.davidpepose.com/space-ghost/) - Pepose’s Dynamite series and the major craft conversation point for pacing, done-in-one stories, and emotional superhero storytelling. Speed Racer (https://madcavestudios.com/product/speed-racer-issue-0/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave run, discussed here as it heads toward the end of his planned arc. Savage Avengers (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/32776/savage_avengers_2022_-_2023) - The Marvel book where Pepose turns a Conan idea into a sword-and-sorcery Deathlok chase. Punisher (https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/36917/punisher_2023_-_2024) - Pepose talks about the challenge of creating a Punisher-adjacent book while dealing with modern baggage around the iconography. Captain Planet (https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513034110501011) - One of Pepose’s licensed projects and an example of an idea he had been carrying for years. The Devil That Wears My Face (https://www.davidpepose.com/the-devil-that-wears-my-face/) - Pepose’s Mad Cave horror book, brought up as his supernatural take on Face/Off-style body-swapping. Astro City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_City) - The Confession arc comes up as an influence on how Pepose approached Space Ghost through Jan and Jace. Batman: The Long Halloween (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Long_Halloween) - Pepose uses it as a tonal and structural comparison point for Space Ghost. Space Ghost Coast to Coast (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Ghost_Coast_to_Coast) - The version of Space Ghost many fans know, and one Pepose had to work around while rebuilding the hero.

  7. Jul 2

    Bart Sears Gives Away Ominous Secrets on The Corner Box - S3Ep41

    Part 2 of the Bart Sears interview continues as Bart walks David and John through the high-pressure years where every career move looked massive and every deadline came with teeth. Bart talks Eclipso, DC exclusives, the frustration of not getting one of the big characters, and the Valiant jump that put him on X-O Manowar and Turok right as the 90s boom was cooking itself alive. Then things get even more beautifully ridiculous with ToyBiz figure designs, Wizard pseudonyms, Brutes and Babes, and the launch of Ominous Press with a first issue that was basically a comic book, trading card set, collectible object, and logistical nightmare all at once! Along the way, Bart gets brutally honest about missed deadlines, silence with editors, depression, burnout, and why communication can save a project before everything goes sideways. It’s funny, brutal, and honest as hell — Bart Sears tells the truth about surviving the machine. Captions:“I wanted one of the main characters or I was gone.” — Bart Sears on asking DC for a bigger book before leaving for Valiant “They manufactured that heat.” — Bart Sears on how Valiant built demand by under-shipping early books “Wait, are you claiming that you ended the comic book industry in the 90s boom?” — David calling out Bart after the Turok sales talk “I screwed myself with Valiant.” — Bart Sears on taking X-O Manowar and Turok at the same time “If I’d stayed communicating, I probably would have been fine.” — Bart Sears on deadlines, embarrassment, and the editor relationship “I’ve never really enjoyed drawing.” — Bart Sears on the brutal honesty behind burnout, talent, and the job Splash Page:[00:57] – Eighty Pages of Pain: Bart remembers the Eclipso 80-pagers and the line technique that looked great but turned into a time-sucking monster. [03:09] – The Gem Cover Defense: The infamous Eclipso cover gets defended with the most collector-unfriendly solution possible: just buy two. [04:02] – Give Me Batman or I Walk: Bart explains why DC’s refusal to put him on a bigger character pushed him toward Valiant. [07:32] – Valiant Builds the Furnace: Bart breaks down how under-shipping created demand, heat, and eventually a sales bubble nobody could sustain. [09:32] – Two Monthly Books, One Bad Idea: X-O Manowar and Turok looked like a payday until deadlines, style choices, and pressure turned the whole thing into quicksand. [11:17] – Silence Kills Pages: David lands a real editor lesson for younger artists: communicate early, because quiet makes everybody panic. [15:24] – The Wizard Pseudonym Game: Bart explains why “Whitman” and “McNabb” showed up on Wizard covers while everyone with eyeballs knew it was him. [22:36] – The Monument Edition Madness: Ominous Press launches with loose cardstock pages in custom plastic cases, hand-packed in Bart’s mother’s garage like the most 90s comic object ever created. Support The Corner Box:David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Bart Sears (https://www.bartsearsart.com) - The guest of honor, walking through Eclipso, Valiant, ToyBiz, Ominous Press, burnout, and the giant-art choices that made his pages impossible to ignore. David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box co-host steering the conversation with collector brain, editor instincts, and full-on Bart Sears fandom. John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box co-host bringing the editor’s-eye view on contracts, deadlines, layouts, and why Bart’s pages never felt like anyone else’s. Joe Quesada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Quesada) - Mentioned by John in connection with young artists leaving when publishers would not hand them bigger characters. Steven Massarsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Massarsky) - The Valiant co-founder Bart says was actively wooing him away from DC. Gareb Shamus (https://www.instagram.com/garebshamus/) - Wizard founder referenced during the Ominous Press discussion and the choice to launch with Brute and Babe. Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Comes up during Bart’s Violator story, where deadline expectations collided hard with burnout. Christopher Priest (https://digitalpriest.com/about/) - The writer on Captain America and the Falcon, where Bart turned boredom into huge Cap and Falcon visuals on the page. Ron Marz (https://www.ronmarz.com/) - The writer on The Path, where Bart happily blew up the layouts while working inside CrossGen. Rob Hunter (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Rob_Hunter) - The inker Bart wanted on Captain America and the Falcon because he knew Hunter’s line would make the heavy rendering sing. Andy Smith (https://www.andysmithart.com/) - Mentioned as part of the studio and Silver Surfer-era orbit around Bart’s post-Valiant scramble. Mark Pennington (https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_Pennington) - The inker Bart discusses in relation to The Path and its blown-up marker layouts. Eclipso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipso) - The DC villain and crossover work that pushed Bart into massive 80-page assignments and one very memorable gem-cover controversy. Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - Bart’s DC title before the Eclipso frustration and the “why won’t they give me a bigger character?” breaking point. Valiant Comics (https://www.dmg-entertainment.com/ip-universes/valiant-comics/) - The hot publisher that pulled Bart away from DC during the early 90s boom. X-O Manowar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-O_Manowar) - One of the Valiant books Bart took on while trying to chase a more illustrative style under impossible monthly pressure. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turok:_Dinosaur_Hunter) - The Valiant hit Bart connects to the massive sales spike and speculator-era overload. Wizard Magazine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_%28magazine%29) - The 90s comics magazine where Bart’s Brutes and Babes tutorials and pseudonymous covers helped boost his profile. Toy Biz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Biz) - The toy company behind the Marvel figure work Bart was designing around the same time he was trying to build a studio. Ominous Press (https://www.bartsearsart.com/folio-9) - Bart’s creator-owned publishing swing, built on huge mythology, Brute and Babe, and the infamous Monument Edition packaging gamble. CrossGen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossGen) - The publisher where Bart became art director and pushed layouts hard on books like The Path. Captain America and the Falcon (https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_America_and_the_Falcon_Vol_1_1) - The Marvel series Bart discusses for its big figures, silhouette vehicles, and heavily rendered approach. The Path (https://crossgen-comics-database.fandom.com/wiki/The_Path_%28comics%29) - The CrossGen series Bart used to experiment with two-page spreads, marker layouts, and page design that ignored the safe route.

  8. Jun 30

    Bart Sears Muscles His Way Onto The Corner Box - S3Ep40

    Bart Sears joins David and John to unpack the early grind behind one of comics’ most muscular, instantly recognizable art styles. Bart talks about learning from Neal Adams, Ross Andru, Frank Frazetta, John Buscema, and How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way before landing work through Larry Hama and eventually walking into Hasbro with full superhero energy. From designing the heroic proportions of C.O.P.S. figures, to Hasbro badly misreading the toy market, the conversation turns into a brutal lesson in how great creative work can still get steamrolled by bad business calls. Then comes the real madness: Andy Helfer telling Bart to finish 18 pages in three days before handing him an 80-page DC event packed with almost every hero and villain in the DC Universe. Then Justice League Europe, The Spectre, Invasion!, Matt Groening’s napkin poster, and Bart’s Dark Knight deadline nightmare hit the table — and suddenly, this is a creator survival story with bruises. Captions: “Hell, I can do this.” — Bart Sears on seeing a Batman story as a kid and deciding comics were the job “You learn a lot by figuring out what direction lines go.” — Bart on tracing, copying, and actually learning how comic art works “There’s a game, six degrees of Larry Hama, that you can play with anything in the comic book industry.” — David on Hama’s impossible reach through comics history “The last thing I wanted to draw in my life was a female, because I really wasn’t very good at it back then.” — Bart on getting assigned biker women and motorcycles early at Marvel “It was just filled with Air Raiders. But you couldn’t find C.O.P.S.” — Bart on Hasbro backing the wrong toy line “If you can make a living making comic books, you can literally work anywhere in this world.” — David on comics being the hardest creative boot camp around “I’m not Jack Kirby.” — Bart on being asked to draw 18 pages in three days before an 80-page DC assignment Splash Page: [00:47] – John Barber’s Dog Opens the Show: John returns, Chase gets accused of eyeing his job, and somehow dog poop becomes the warm-up act. [02:53] – The Ten-Year-Old Pro: Bart traces his origin back to a Batman story, a werewolf, and the instant belief that comics were his future. [06:01] – The First Big Break: After Kubert School, video game art, and sample pages, Bart knocks on Marvel’s door and Larry Hama gives him work. [10:57] – The Hasbro Hallway Heist Fantasy: David remembers seeing original G.I. Joe art at Hasbro and having to fight every instinct not to run off with it. [11:54] – Original Art in the Dumpster: Bart drops the nightmare detail that a lot of classic toy art only survived because people rescued it from the trash. [16:14] – How Hasbro Fumbled C.O.P.S.: Bart explains how Air Raiders got the big push while C.O.P.S. demand blew past what Hasbro had ready to ship. [24:48] – Comics as the Hardest Job in the Room: David argues that anyone who can survive comics deadlines can walk into almost any business and dominate. [29:04] – The 18-Pages-in-3-Days Disaster: Andy Helfer asks Bart to finish nearly an entire issue of The Spectre in three days before dropping an 80-page DC event on him. [31:32] – Matt Groening’s Napkin Poster: Bart reveals the Invasion! poster concept came from Matt Groening sketching an idea on a napkin. [35:15] – Justice League Europe Gets Moved Up: Bart finds out from a fan at a convention that Justice League Europe is shipping months earlier than he thought. Support the Corner Box: David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin: Bart Sears (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Sears) - The guest of the episode, known for Justice League Europe, Turok, Ominous Press, and a big, anatomy-driven superhero style. Larry Hama (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Hama) - Writer, editor, and G.I. Joe legend who gave Bart early comics work and later reconnected with him through C.O.P.S. material. Neal Adams (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Adams) - One of the key Batman artists Bart mentions as an early influence. Ross Andru (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Andru) - Classic Marvel and DC artist Bart cites as part of the visual education he absorbed as a young artist. Frank Frazetta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Frazetta) - Fantasy art giant whose work helped shape Bart’s early sense of power, form, and heroic drama. John Buscema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buscema) - Marvel master Bart names as one of the artists he studied while learning the craft. Dan Fraga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Fraga) - Artist David mentions while talking about the value of tracing and learning from the linework of artists you admire. Mike Carlin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carlin) - DC and Marvel editor who met Bart during his early Marvel office visit. Doug Moench (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Moench) - Writer mentioned in connection with the DC C.O.P.S. comic. Andy Helfer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Helfer) - DC editor who gave Bart C.O.P.S., The Spectre, Invasion!, Justice League Europe, and plenty of deadline trauma. Keith Giffen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Giffen) - Artist and writer whose clean thumbnail layouts helped Bart survive the huge Invasion! assignment. Todd McFarlane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane) - Mentioned as the artist originally attached to the Invasion! issue Bart ultimately drew. Matt Groening (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Groening) - The Simpsons creator who, according to Bart, sketched the rough idea for the Invasion! poster on a napkin. Jack Kirby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby) - Comics legend invoked during the conversation about insane productivity and creator compensation. Joe Kubert (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kubert) - Artist, teacher, and Kubert School founder whose work ethic shaped Bart’s attitude toward saying yes and figuring it out later. Mark Pennington (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Pennington_(comics)) - Artist and inker who worked with Bart and appears throughout the Hasbro and comics portions of the story. Justice League Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_Europe) - The DC series David calls formative to his early comics reading, largely because of Bart’s artwork. C.O.P.S. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.O.P.S._(animated_TV_series)) - The toy and animation property Bart helped design, with a comic-book-style heroic look. G.I. Joe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe:_A_Real_American_Hero) - The Hasbro toy line that frames part of the discussion about concept art, packaging, and toy design culture. Hasbro (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasbro) - The toy company where Bart worked on concept art, figure design, and the C.O.P.S. line. The Kubert School (https://www.kubertschool.edu) - The art school Bart attended before breaking into comics and commercial illustration. How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Draw_Comics_the_Marvel_Way) - The classic instructional book Bart mentions as part of learning what comic pages were supposed to look like. The Spectre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(DC_Comics_character)) - The DC character Bart was assigned before being pulled into the massive Invasion! project. Invasion! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion!_(DC_Comics)) - The 80-page DC event issue Bart drew under a brutal schedule after Todd McFarlane left the assignment. Piranha Press (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha_Press) - The DC imprint tied to the behind-the-scenes deadline pressure Bart describes near the end of the episode. Ominous Press (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ominous_Press) - Mentioned in David’s intro as part of Bart’s long creative résumé, with more promised for part two. Turok (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turok) - One of the major characters David references while introducing Bart’s broader comics legacy.

See All (158)

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Corner Box, where we talk about comic books as an industry and an art form. You never know where the discussion will go, or who’ll show up to join hosts David Hedgecock and John Barber. Between them they’ve spent decades writing, drawing, lettering, coloring, editing, editor-in-chiefing, and publishing comics. If you want to know the behind-the-scenes secrets—the highs and lows, the ins and outs—of the best artistic medium in the world, listen in and join the club at The Corner Box!

Information

  • Creator
    David & John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fun Time Go, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Corner Box

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