The Smark Avengers

The Smark Avengers
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Corey, Dylan, and Jon are three long term friends and long term comic book fans. They are not experts, they are not well-respected in their fields, but they are here to talk about comic book topics that make them laugh.

  1. 3d ago

    Leap of Faith - Daredevil Jumping On Points!

    Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil is one of the most dynamic and tragic heroes in Marvel Comics history. With a large supporting cast like Foggy Nelson and Karen Page along with a rogues gallery including the Kingpin, Bullseye, Elektra, the Owl, and Purple Man… the Man Without Fear has been captivating readers since the 1960s with the recent success of his Disney+ earning him new fans every season. That being said… one of the biggest challenges facing new comic book readers is where and how do you jump on to a new book? Thankfully for you new readers, resident Daredevil expert Jon is walking Corey and Dylan through the major creative runs for the Man Without Fear and what are the best jumping on points! 😈 Sit back and relax, True Believers, as the lads cover: - Stan Lee, Bill Everett, and Jack Kirby’s creation of the character along with the creation of villains the Owl, the Purple Man, and Stilt-Man. - The shift in issue #7 where Daredevil gains his iconic solid red costume. - The swashbuckling Silver Age days. - Frank Miller’s run that changed everything for Matt Murdock and as the Kingpin is introduced as his major antagonist along with the Hand, Elektra, Bullseye, and more. - Frank’s return to Daredevil for the iconic Born Again storyline. - The introduction of the Marvel Knights line of comics with filmmaker Kevin Smith’s run on Daredevil and the death of Karen Page. - Brian Michael Bendis’ run with the introduction of Sammy Silk, the status quo shift for the Kingpin and Vanessa Fisk, Matt Murdock’s short-lived marriage, and Daredevil’s arrest. - Ed Brubaker’s continuation of Bendis’ story of Murdock in prison and ending with the Shadowland storyline. - Mark Waid’s returning Daredevil to his swashbuckling roots as he tries to hide his depression in an atypical run. - Charles Soule’s run that proves to be influential to the Daredevil: Born Again television series that returns Daredevil to his New York roots and the Kingpin becomes Mayor of NYC. This is a great episode for longtime fans of ol’ Hornhead or new fans looking to learn more about the iconic vigilante from Hell’s Kitchen! 💬 Join the discussion: What do you think is THE iconic Daredevil run? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book related discussions and humor 🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f Also be sure to check out New Number Ones posted every week on our YouTube channel!

    Leap of Faith - Daredevil Jumping On Points!

  2. Jul 24

    Relaxed Fit: Superhero Movies, Fighting Games, and More

    After capping off their year and a half long Avengers Auction project, the Smark Avengers are back with a relaxed fit episode! As is tradition with the relaxed fit, Corey, Dylan, and Jon don’t really know what they’re going to talk about before they record and let the conversation flow naturally… and did it ever! Almost immediately this one goes off the rails so… strap in! 🧘Sit back and relax as the lads discuss: - Supergirl’s disappointing performance at the box office - Is the upcoming Spider-Man or Avengers movie the litmus test for if the superhero movie bubble has burst - Upcoming DC movies Dynamic Duo, Clayface, and The Batman 2 - Does the rumored Dynamic Duos plot ruin the Dick Grayson and Jason Todd characters - The insane world of Injustice: Gods Among Us DC Comics continuity - Fighting games like Street Fighter, Smash Brothers, and more - The upcoming Street Fighter movie versus the 90s Street Fighter movie - And circling back to fighting games leads to a bizarre conversation about Dracula Once more the lads test the idea of whether or not they need more structure in their lives? 💬 Join the discussion: What are your thoughts on the future of superhero movies? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book related discussions and humor 🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f Also be sure to check out New Number Ones posted every week on the Smark Avengers YouTube channel!

    Relaxed Fit: Superhero Movies, Fighting Games, and More

  3. Jul 17

    The Final Avengers Auction: The Wheel of Redemption

    It has been almost a year and a half in the making but it’s time for the final Avengers Auction and it is the biggest one to date! For months Corey, Dylan, and Jon have been working their way down the Avengers roster in an attempt to build the ultimate Avengers line-up through a series of auctions as sorted by the spins of a wheel. Now, with 41 names left, the Avengers Wheel of Redemption is finally ready to be spun! The lads are bringing in all of the money they have left over from their previous Avengers Auctions which leaves Jon at a distinct disadvantage. Can he come back from this 100 dollar deficit? Who will come out with the Ultimate Avengers team? Who will finally draft Spider-Man?! 🛞Who is on the wheel to be drafted?! Names included: - Heavy hitters like Iron Man, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, War Machine, Daredevil, Mister Fantastic, and the Sentry! - Classic Avengers like the Black Knight, Doctor Druid, Firestar, Photon, and Jack of Hearts! - Unlikely names like Cannonball, Ghost Rider, and Penance! - And… head scratchers like Starbrand, Nightmask, and Blue Bolt! Buckle in! With 41 names the Wheel of Names is in for a long ride! 💬 Join the discussion: Who drafted the best team overall? What character went for a steal?! 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book related discussions and humor 🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f Also be sure to check out New Number Ones posted every week on the Smark Avengers YouTube channel!

    The Final Avengers Auction: The Wheel of Redemption

  4. Jul 10

    Crocodile Characters and Other Shenanigans

    While Jon is away, Corey and Dylan will play… and in this case playing means talking about their favorite Crocodile/Alligator/Reptilian characters… or try to. At first Corey and Dylan discuss the Batman rogue Killer Croc but then the topic verges off into how to identify a crocodile’s sex, Lana Del Ray’s regular every day bloke husband, then they go back to Killer Croc but then verge off the path to talk about Mary Jane Watson and Venom. Don’t worry, they get it back on topic… or try to before they start talking about animal-based monster characters. 🐊 Topics discussed include: - Copperhead from Batman: Arkham Origins - The Lizard from Spider-Man’s rogue gallery - Manbat from Batman’s rogue gallery - King Shark from the Suicide Squad - Leatherhead from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Their feelings on the “Watch-A-Long” videos they’ve put out in the past - The Rhino from Spider-Man’s rogue gallery - The tendency of Spider-Man to have villains replace other villains and then those original villains to come back - A brief discussion on IP and movies - Characters named after animals versus animal-based characters - Chip Zdarsky’s Batman run and the “Failsafe” storyline - James Tynion IV’s Batman run and creating new characters that didn’t stick The lads then tie it together by inventing their brand new character “Cool Croc” to add to the lineage of crocodile/alligator themed characters. Join Corey and Dylan as they dive headfirst into the animal kingdom as it relates to monsters and comic books. 💬 Join the discussion: Who are your favorite animal-based monster characters? Did Corey and Dylan miss any big examples of one? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book related discussions and humor 🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f Also be sure to check out New Number Ones posted every week on the Smark Avengers YouTube channel!

    Crocodile Characters and Other Shenanigans

  5. Jul 3

    From Psylocke to Phone Ranger: Avengers Auction Chaos

    The final regular Avengers Auction is here... and the Avengers roster has officially gotten weird. In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon spin the wheel one last time as they continue their quest to draft every Avenger in Marvel history. This installment covers characters who joined Earth's Mightiest Heroes between 2016 and 2026, a period that introduced a handful of major names, a surprising number of former villains, and more obscure heroes than anyone knew existed. 🦸 Characters up for auction include: Psylocke X-23 Night Thrasher Hazmat Mr. Immortal Captain Beyond Ultron Blue Bolt Infinity City Avenger X Phone Ranger And many, many more With fewer superstar names available than ever before, the bidding wars may be smaller, but the laughs are bigger as the guys attempt to determine which characters are hidden gems and which ones are destined to become the latest auction busts. Who assembles the strongest team from this unusual era of Avengers history? Who gets stuck with the strangest roster? And can anyone justify spending actual auction money on Phone Ranger? 💰 In this episode: The final regular Avengers Auction draft Avengers members from 2016–2026 Heroes, villains, teenagers, and complete obscurities Marvel's strangest roster additions Bad bids, questionable strategies, and auction chaos Plenty of deep-cut Marvel trivia and laughs The Avengers Auction may be nearing its end, but Marvel's ability to create bizarre new Avengers appears limitless. 💬 Join the discussion: Which of these modern Avengers would you actually want on your team? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy Marvel drafts, auctions, and obscure comic book characters 🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, rankings, character deep dives, and Marvel history discussions Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

    From Psylocke to Phone Ranger: Avengers Auction Chaos

  6. Jun 26

    The Greatest Comic Book Couples of All Time

    Behind every great superhero is... sometimes another superhero. In this episode, Corey, Dylan, and Jon take a look at some of the most iconic romances in comic book history and discuss what makes certain relationships endure for decades while others fade away with the next creative team. ❤️ Featured relationships include: Peter Parker & Mary Jane Watson Clark Kent & Lois Lane Scott Summers & Jean Grey And many more of comics' most famous couples and pairings The guys discuss which relationships have stood the test of time, which ones helped define the characters involved, and why some romances have become just as important to comic book history as the heroes themselves. Of course, not every hero is lucky enough to find lasting love. The conversation also turns to characters like Daredevil and Nightwing, whose love lives seem destined to be reset every few years as new writers introduce new relationships, new status quos, and new romantic drama. Why do some comic book couples survive editorial changes while others disappear almost overnight? 💘 Topics discussed include: The greatest marriages and romances in comics Why certain pairings resonate with readers The importance of supporting casts in superhero stories Characters trapped in endless cycles of short-term relationships How new writers often reshape a hero's romantic life The role romance plays in modern superhero comics Whether you're a fan of classic comic book marriages, superhero romance, or just enjoy debating which characters belong together, this episode is packed with plenty of opinions, nostalgia, and spirited discussion. 💬 Join the discussion: Who do you think is the greatest comic book couple of all time? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book history and character discussions 🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, rankings, retrospectives, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

    The Greatest Comic Book Couples of All Time

  7. Jun 19

    Did Zack Snyder Miss the Point of Watchmen?

    After diving deep into the original Watchmen comic, Corey, Dylan, and Jon turn their attention to one of the most controversial comic book adaptations ever made: Zack Snyder's Watchmen. Widely praised for its visual faithfulness and criticized for its interpretation of the source material, Watchmen remains a movie that comic fans continue to debate more than a decade after its release. In this episode, the Smark Avengers break down what Snyder got right, what he got wrong, and whether the film truly understands the themes that made Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic a classic. 🎬 Topics discussed include: The film's controversial changes to the ending Characterization differences between the movie and comic The impact of Snyder's costume redesigns The use of music and soundtrack choices throughout the film Important scenes, themes, and subplots omitted from the adaptation Whether visual accuracy translates into thematic accuracy The challenges of adapting one of the most influential comics ever written The crew also dives into one of the strangest discussions of the episode: the unexpected similarities between Watchmen and the 1997 film Batman & Robin. It's a comparison that sounds ridiculous at first—but the more they talk about it, the harder it becomes to ignore. Is Watchmen a misunderstood masterpiece? A visually stunning but fundamentally flawed adaptation? Or something in between? Join Corey, Dylan, and Jon as they revisit one of the most debated comic book movies ever released and ask the question comic fans have been arguing about for years: Did Zack Snyder miss the point of Watchmen? 💬 Join the discussion: Do you think Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of the comic, or does it fundamentally change the story's message? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic book movie retrospectives 🔔 Subscribe for more comic deep dives, reviews, rankings, and debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

    Did Zack Snyder Miss the Point of Watchmen?

  8. Jun 12

    The Art of Following Unlikable Characters

    Why do some of the most compelling stories ask us to spend time with people who are difficult—or even outright horrible—to understand? With Jon unavailable for this episode, Corey and Dylan sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on one of storytelling’s most uncomfortable but fascinating ideas: following unlikable or morally questionable characters as protagonists. The conversation is sparked by Corey’s recent reading of Odin #1 from Image Comics, which follows an investigative journalist embedded with a group of young neo-Nazis lost in the wilderness. From there, the discussion expands into comics and beyond, exploring how writers navigate empathy, discomfort, and moral distance. 📚 Topics discussed include: What makes an unlikable or villainous character compelling to follow The difference between understanding a character and endorsing their actions How writers build empathy without excusing harmful behavior Antiheroes, villain protagonists, and morally gray storytelling in comics When storytelling becomes meaningful exploration versus uncomfortable glorification A significant part of the conversation also turns toward audience interpretation, as Corey and Dylan discuss concerns about how some readers/viewers may identify too strongly with unsavory characters, particularly when those characters embody unchecked power, dominance, or influence. They explore how certain stories can be misread—or intentionally reinterpreted—in ways that reflect a desire for control or superiority rather than the narrative’s intended critique, and why that tension matters in modern storytelling. Along the way, they question where the line is between engaging with complex fiction and projecting real-world values onto characters who are meant to be cautionary or critical examples. Do characters need to be likable to be worth following? Can a story about terrible people still offer insight without being misunderstood? And what responsibility, if any, does an audience have when engaging with these kinds of narratives? Join us for a deeper-than-usual conversation about comics, storytelling, and the uneasy space between fiction, interpretation, and audience response. 💬 Join the discussion: Do you think audiences sometimes misinterpret villain-centric stories as aspirational? Where is the line for you? 👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic discussions and narrative deep dives 🔔 Subscribe for more comic book podcasts, character studies, and storytelling debates Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/ Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f

    The Art of Following Unlikable Characters
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About

Corey, Dylan, and Jon are three long term friends and long term comic book fans. They are not experts, they are not well-respected in their fields, but they are here to talk about comic book topics that make them laugh.

Information

  • Creator
    The Smark Avengers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Smark Avengers 2024
  • Show Website
    The Smark Avengers