Storied Arcs

Storied Arcs
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  • WEEKLY SERIES

Welcome to Storied Arcs! A read-along deep dive into comics, one story arc at a time...In each episode, we will discuss one story arc, typically in the form of a trade paperback, for a completed comic series. In general, we will be avoiding ongoing or continuing series so that we can discuss a work in its entirety. We’ll also be avoiding the “big two” (Marvel and DC.) While we love those comics, there are plenty of podcasts covering characters like Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and so on. Instead, we’re excited to explore some of the great creator-owned stories. We’ll deep dive into the story while evaluating the prose, art, and all the easter eggs we can find. Learn more at www.storiedarcs.com

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  1. Intro to The Fade Out

    EPISODE 1

    Intro to The Fade Out

    Send a text For the next season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are returning to the noir-tinged world of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips with their 2014 book from Image Comics, The Fade Out. The guys covered Brubaker and Phillips (and colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser) back when they discussed Kill or Be Killed (check that out if you haven't already), so first they give a brief update on some of the work the pair have published in the interim, then they give a spoiler-free intro to The Fade Out. They talk about why they decided on this story being the next Brubaker/Phillips joint they covered on the show and what their history with the book is. The Fade Out is the kind of comic that if Brubaker and Phillips hadn't done it, they would be constantly asked why they hadn't done a comic like The Fade Out. We can't wait to dive into this one, so go find The Fade Out Volume 1: Act One (issues #1-4) wherever you get your comics and join us back here again next week to kick of the discussion! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X. Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

    39 min
  2. The Fade Out Volume 1: Act One

    EPISODE 2

    The Fade Out Volume 1: Act One

    Send a text "Whatever it was inside that made him a writer had been stolen over there. Now he was just empty. And every word he typed felt like a waste, and not enough at the same time." This week on Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex start their deep dive into Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' The Fade Out from Image Comics with Volume 1: Act One (issues #1-4). The guys discuss how the post-WWII Hollywood setting is the perfect fit for Brubaker and Phillips' neo-noir leanings, and how the story weaves real world events and circumstances (and sometimes people) from history into its story. Then they take a look at the narrative construction presented in the comic and break down how effective it is in building up the mystery that's at the heart of the book. Finally, they heap praise on Sean Phillips and the collaboration with Elizabeth Breitweiser for the phenomenal artwork through the comic. The mystery trail continues as we get into The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two (issues #5-8), so find it wherever you get your comics and we'll you see you back here again next week! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X. Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

    1h 3m
  3. The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two

    EPISODE 3

    The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two

    Send a text "Charlie's just a moth who figured out how to get closer to the flame. But Maya, and people like her, they did him one better... they figured out how to be the flame, instead." This week on Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex continue their look into the seedy underbelly of Golden Age Hollywood as depicted in Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' The Fade Out Volume 2: Act Two (issues #5-8) from Image comics. The guys start by discussing how this volume subverts some of the expected narrative beats one might anticipate from this type of noir story, from who is leading the investigation into the death that was the inciting incident to the entire story, to how important (or not) that investigation even is to the overall story. They also discuss the comic leaving Charlie's perspective more and following other characters, and how that additional information for the reader both rounds out the world and raises more questions as to what exactly is going on. The mystery wraps up next week with The Fade Out Volume 3: Act Three (issues #9-12), so find it wherever you get your comics and join us back here again then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X. Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

    54 min
  4. The Fade Out Volume 3: Act Three

    EPISODE 4

    The Fade Out Volume 3: Act Three

    Send a text "I don't care if we win... I just want them to lose." This week on Stories Arcs, Mike and Alex finish up their deep dive into The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips from Image Comics with Volume 3: Act Three (issues #9-12). They start at the end- how does the mystery resolve and what does it all mean? Did any of it matter in discovering the truth? And what is truth in a world run by story, myth, and legend? The guys examine these questions in the light of noir storytelling, and analyze how the various character see themselves in relation to the larger forces at play in this world. They also look at how relevant the themes and ideas presented in the comic remain today, despite being created some 10 years ago and set some 80 years ago, and why that's more of a commentary on our world today than it is on the prescience of the story. Finally, the guys wrap with a detailed look at some the incredible visual storytelling choices made by Sean Phillips throughout the comic. We hope you enjoyed this look into another neo-noir classic from the team of Brubaker and Phillips. We'll be back next week to intro our next deep dive discussion. See you then! Thanks for listening to Storied Arcs Find us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star review! Find all links here: https://linktr.ee/storiedarcs Or specifically, find us on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter/X. Learn more about our hosts, the show, or where to find us at www.storiedarcs.com Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Google Podcast, or anywhere else fine podcasts are found!

    1h 16m
See All Season 48 (4)

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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

Welcome to Storied Arcs! A read-along deep dive into comics, one story arc at a time...In each episode, we will discuss one story arc, typically in the form of a trade paperback, for a completed comic series. In general, we will be avoiding ongoing or continuing series so that we can discuss a work in its entirety. We’ll also be avoiding the “big two” (Marvel and DC.) While we love those comics, there are plenty of podcasts covering characters like Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and so on. Instead, we’re excited to explore some of the great creator-owned stories. We’ll deep dive into the story while evaluating the prose, art, and all the easter eggs we can find. Learn more at www.storiedarcs.com

Information

  • Creator
    Storied Arcs
  • Episodes
    199
  • Seasons
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Storied Arcs
  • Show Website
    Storied Arcs