The Corner Box

David & John
  • 4.0 (4)
  • LEISURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 11H AGO

    Dave Baker Punks The Corner Box - S3Ep28

    Guest Dave Baker stops by the show as David and John dig into the industry shake-up following Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse and ask: is the “one guy” publisher era over? The conversation hits the rise of indie collectives and webtoons, then Dave’s new OGN, Punk’n Heads, and wraps with a deep-cut dive into Stephen R. Bissette’s Tyrant. Also, the zen of marathon tattoo sessions. Captions "You don't sell to Embracer and then be like, 'everything's gonna be exactly like it was.'" — Dave Baker"Comics is always reliant on one guy doing the right thing. All these companies are always one dude." — Dave Baker"These are people that are getting into this to maximize the value of IP, not to make things." — John Barber"You look at those pages and they are the monastic, obsessive, maniacal renderings of like a crazy person." — Dave Baker"Jack Kirby by way of a Tijuana Bible style is just so rad." — Dave Baker"Most cartoonists are doomed to a life of anonymity and crushing poverty." — Dave Baker Splash Page [00:03:40] – The Dark Horse Clearing: Discussing the departure of Mike Richardson and the "synergistic" corporate speak that followed.[00:08:37] – The Changing of the Guard: Why the next CEO probably won't greenlight meticulous Richard Corben collections.[00:10:41] – DC's Creative Oxygen: How the "All In" initiative is attracting readers by letting creators breathe.[00:13:08] – Peow Studio and the 80s Manga Vibe: Spotlighting the small publishers making noise in the indie sphere.[00:21:23] – The Ken Landgraf Mystery: Discovering the 1970s journeyman who drew the first solo Wolverine story.[00:26:31] – The Return of the Tyrant: Stephen R. Bissette’s T-Rex masterpiece hits Kickstarter[26:47] – The Tyrant Returns: Discussing the ambitious $200,000 Kickstarter for Steven R. Bissette’s dinosaur masterwork.[32:12] – The Punk Rock Creative Grind: Dave Baker shares the seven-year journey and eight drafts behind Punk'n Heads.Support the Corner Box David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com)John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com)The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Dave Baker (Dave Baker) - Writer of Punk'n Heads and Halloween Boy.Nicole Goux (https://www.nicolegoux.com) - Artist and co-creator of Punk'n Heads.Mike Richardson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Richardson_(publisher) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.Steven R. Bissette (https://srbissette.com) - Legendary artist of Swamp Thing and creator of Tyrant.Ken Landgraf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Landgraf) - Cult classic cartoonist and creator of New York City Outlaws.Alexis Ziritt (Alexis Ziritt) - Artist on Space Riders and Night Hunt

    43 min

  2. MAR 31

    The Pettiest War in Comics History Concludes on The Corner Box - S3Ep27

    John breaks down the final chapter of a decades-long war that makes the Avengers Civil War look like a playground spat. That’s right! We are back in the archives to wrap up the "Anything Goes" saga, tracking the fallout of the most infamous punch in science fiction history and a legal feud that just wouldn't die. The  Recap John digs deeper into the rabbit hole to close the book on Michael Fleisher, Gary Groth, and the legendary Harlan Ellison. The story shifts from the courtroom to the 1985 Nebula Awards, where Ellison decided to settle a review with a left hook. We explore the bizarre "Victims of Ellison" newsletter, a club founded by critics and editors just to trade insults. The guys also weigh in on Peter David’s legendary platform at the Comics Buyer’s Guide and a letter-writing scandal that nearly broke Fantagraphics. It’s a wild look at an era when the industry’s biggest names spent more time in depositions than at drawing boards. By the end, lawsuits settle, careers move on, people pass away, and the industry keeps rolling—leaving behind a bizarre, petty, and oddly entertaining chapter of comics history that proves creative people can hold grudges longer than a serialized storyline. Key Panels (Highlights) [00:01:49] – The Spider-Man Paradox: David notes that the month's top Spidey books aren't even Marvel-published.[00:05:38] – Anything Goes Finale Begins: Ellison vs. Groth feud spirals beyond reason.[00:12:21] – The Nebula Left Hook: The blow-by-blow of Harlan Ellison’s physical altercation with critic Charles Platt.[00:17:53] – The Anti-Fan Club: The birth of "Enemies of Ellison" and the $14 membership fee to hate a legend.[00:26:30] –The Fake Letter Scandal: A deep look at the Peter David and Gary Groth feud over a forged letter.[00:30:34] – The Edge of Forever: The legal battle over a pamphlet regarding Ellison’s famously late anthology.[00:36:12] – The Final Settlement: Ellison and Groth finally agree to stop the "ad hominem" personal attacks.00:40:34 – Epilogue of Legends: Careers end, lives move on, grudges linger.Support the Fellas David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official WebsiteDive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin Harlan Ellison (https://harlanellison.com) - Legendary writer, litigant, and central figure of the "Anything Goes" saga.Gary Groth (https://www.fantagraphics.com) - Co-founder of Fantagraphics and editor of The Comics Journal.Michael Fleisher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fleisher) - Writer who sued Ellison and later became an anthropological consultant.Peter David (https://www.peterdavid.net) - Veteran writer and creator of the "Friends of Ellison" club.J. Michael Straczynski (https://twitter.com/straczynski) - Babylon 5 creator and executor of the Ellison estate.Todd McFarlane (https://mcfarlane.com) - Image Comics founder whose Spider-Man reprint is currently topping charts.

    44 min

  3. MAR 24

    Shooter, Shills, and a Dark (Horse) Ending on The Corner Box - S3Ep26

    David and John break down the fallout of a massive industry earthquake and step back in time to the most surreal courtroom drama in comic book history. It’s the kind of "inside comics" that reminds you why the business is just as wild as the pages we print. The  Recap The era of the "comic book guy" CEO is officially on life support as Mike Richardson exits Dark Horse, leaving the company in the hands of a video game-focused equity firm. David and John worry that massive corporate debt at Warner Bros. Discovery could lead to DC Comics becoming a mere licensing farm rather than a publisher. Shifting to the past, it’s Part-two of the infamous 1980s Fleisher vs. Harlan Ellison libel trial as the guys dissect the grueling four-week trial where Michael Fleisher sued the Comics Journal and Harlan Ellison over being called "certifiable." The highlight involves Jim Shooter’s "straight shooter" blog recollections of a morality panel that may or may not have happened exactly the way he remembers. It’s a crazy trip into the past and a sad look at the fragile corporate landscape of today.  Splash Page Snippets "It is legitimately an end of an era—not just at Dark Horse, but in the comics medium." — David Hedgecock"There aren't many comic book guys in charge of comic book companies anymore." — John Barber"Four weeks of your life spent asking Harlan Ellison if he meant 'bug f*ck' in a clinical sense." — John Barber"I can see a scenario where they kill the division and license out all those properties." — David Hedgecock"I hope he is as inept in court as he is a writer." — Gary Groth (quoted by John Barber) Key Panels (Highlights) [01:29] – The Fall of the First Horse: Mike Richardson’s exit from Dark Horse marks the end of the founder-led era.[05:43] – The Xenomorph Standard: How Dark Horse proved licensed comics could actually be high-quality storytelling.[09:02] – The New Corporate Masters: A look at the changing guard at Marvel, DC, IDW, and Boom.[18:27] – Crisis on Infinite Debts: Why 70 billion in debt might turn DC into a mere licensing farm.[28:25] – Trial of the Century: The grueling four-week courtroom saga of Fleisher vs. The Comics Journal.[37:38] – Enter: The 26-Year-Old EIC: Jim Shooter takes the stand as the industry’s youngest expert witness.[43:58] – The Shooter Cut: Jim's "straight shooter" retelling of the infamous 1980 San Diego morality panel.Support The Comic Box David Hedgecock (Fun Time Go) - Corner Box Co-HostJohn Barber (PUG Worldwide) - Corner Box Co-HostThe Corner Box (The Corner Box Club) - Official WebsiteDig Deeper Mike Richardson (Mike Richardson) - Founder of Dark Horse Comics.Mike Mignola (Official Site) - Creator of Hellboy.Frank Miller (Official Site) - Creator of Sin City and 300.Paul Chadwick (Wikipedia) - Creator of the indie hit Concrete.Jim Shooter (Official Blog) - Former Marvel EIC and expert witness.Gary Groth (Fantagraphics) - Co-founder of The Comics Journal.Mark Evanier (News From ME) - Veteran writer, historian, and panel moderator.

    1h 6m

  4. MAR 17

    Anything Goes! The Harlan Ellison Lawsuit on The Corner Box - S3Ep25

    In this episode, Anything Goes! John rises from the dead (again) to team up with David, for a deep dive into the wildest comics scandal of the 1980s: the Harlan Ellison interview that sparked a $2 million libel lawsuit and divided the comic book industry. Stay tuned for Part 2: Everything Went! Timestamp Segments [01:11] Warner gets bought… again.[06:33] Anything Goes![08:04] Byron Preiss: The Trailblazer.[13:41] John meets Ellison.[15:11] The Comics Journal.[21:50] The Infamous Ellison Interview – What Really Happened?[33:05] *Listener break*[33:33] Ellison vs. Fleisher: Clash of the Titans.[51:23] Comics: A World Divided.[52:51] The start of Anything Goes!Notable Quotes “In the 1970s, comics were a childish disposable medium, and not even a good one.”“I don’t think I’ve ever been a bigger fan of Harlan Ellison than I am right now.”“Eventually, Disney rules the world.”Books Mentioned Absolute Green Lantern/Green Arrow, by Dennis O’Neil, Elliot Maggin, Dick Giordano, & Neal Adams.American Flagg!, by Howard Chaykin, Hilary Barta, Rick Burchett, Don Lomax, James Sherman, Joe Staton, & Larry Stroman.Anything Goes!Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, & Lynn Varley.Blackhawk, The Shadow, by Howard Chaykin.Blackmark, by Gil Kane, Archie Goodwin, & Gary Groth.Captain Victory, Silver Star, by Jack Kirby.Cerebus, by Dave Sim.Chandler: Red Tide, Dreadstar, by Jim Steranko.Chasing Hairy, by Michael Fleisher.Conan the Barbarian.Dial H for Hero, by Sam Humphries & Joe Quinones.The Divided States of Hysteria, by Howard Chaykin.ElfQuest.Essential Ellison, by Harlan Ellison.Frankenstein, by Bernie Wrightson.Hipster Detective Lloyd Llewellyn, by Daniel Clowes.His Name is... Savage!

    1h 5m

  5. MAR 10

    Flat Out Loving Comics on The Corner Box - S3Ep24

    David and John dive into the state of comics, using insights only decades in the industry can provide, and yet another Corner Box prediction comes true. At this point, should we be worried? David reads and reviews all three Breed miniseries (yes, all of them), there’s renewed excitement around the epic Superman VS Spider-Man crossover, M.A.S.K. gets a facelift, and more importantly, Captain Underpants is set to become a manga. Then: the real crisis. How do we even hear about new comics anymore? With no universal pull list, too much noise, and dwindling visibility, David and John debate the growing discovery crisis. Timestamp Segments [00:51] We have more listeners.[01:38] Who are John and David?[02:55] WWI was worse than comics.[03:53] David’s full Breed Trilogy breakdown.[14:47] Is there redemption for Breed?[17:46] Breed vs Dreadstar.[19:17] How Jim Starlin shaped comics.[21:36] Superman VS Spider-Man.[27:23] Captain Underpants… as manga?![28:24] The discovery dilemma: How do we find new comics?[28:58] John makes a shocking confession.[33:54] How to improve visibility.[36:01] M.A.S.K. is back.[41:43] Another Corner Box prediction comes true.Notable Quotes “So far, as bad as some things can get in comics, WWI was worse.”“There was more than one week where I chose comic books over eating.”“DSTLRY, putting the stuff in the format pioneered by Jim Starlin with the Death of Captain Marvel.”Books Mentioned 2000 AD.Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998).Batman: Dark Patterns, by Dan Watters & Hayden Sherman.Batman: The Cult, by Jim Starlin, Bernie Wrightson, & Bill Wray.Blood Brothers Mother, by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso.Bone, by Jeff Smith.Breed, Dreadstar, Metamorphosis Odyssey, by Jim Starlin.Captain Marvel (1968-1979).Cerebus, by Dave Sim.Conan the Barbarian.Cosmic Odyssey, by Jim Starlin & Mike Mignola.Death, by Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham, John Totleben, & Dave McKean.Dreadstar VS The Inevitable, Dreadstar VS Dreadstar, by Jim Starlin & Jaime Jameson.

    47 min

  6. MAR 3

    The Miracle Man Legal Saga on The Corner Box - S3Ep23

    David is joined by Editor-in-Chief of Fun Time Go, Inc., Chase Marotz, for a free-dive into the wild world of comics, from their weekend adventures with snare drums, cold beers, and tall stacks of comics, to the wild world of comic book publishing rights and the decades-long saga of Miracleman, one of the industry’s most infamous legal nightmares. Then, Chase steps into the ring to do the unthinkable: defend The Clone Saga. Love it or hate it, this polarizing Spider-Man storyline gets its day in court as Chase makes a case for its redemption. Timestamp Segments [00:56] David’s exciting weekend.[01:53] Timing a big reveal.[05:48] The Clone Saga.[07:26] Ghost Machine comics.[09:29] Why Spider-Girl is canceled.[11:20] Den.[13:03] How to get into Savage Dragon.[15:02] Malibu Comics.[17:24] How great is Breed?[21:20] Chase is ensnared.[22:30] Chase’s three beers.[23:15] The Miracleman legal drama.[31:18] The story of Miracleman.[36:31] The predatory world of publishing rights.[41:20] Alan Moore vs Grant Morrison.Notable Quotes “You should never assume that you’re going to get an Issue #3.”“When the lettering is great, it shouldn’t stand out, at all.”“Nobody goes into comic books to make money.”Relevant Links TheCornerBox.Club Books Mentioned 1602, Neil Gaiman & Andy Kubert.Angela, by Neil Gaiman.Batman, by Kelley Jones.Batman, by Norm Breyfogle.Batman: Odyssey, by Neal Adams.Batman: Three Jokers, by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, & Brad Anderson.Breed, Dreadstar, by Jim Starlin.Den, by Richard Corben.Dracula, by Matt Wagner & Kelley Jones.Geiger, by Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, & Geoff Johns.Green Lantern, by Geoff Johns.Green Lantern (2018-2019).Hellspawn, by Brian Michael Bendis, Steve Niles, Ashley Wood, & Ben Templesmith.Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, John Rauch, & Ryan Ottley.The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill.

    46 min

  7. FEB 24

    In the Public Domain on The Corner Box - S3Ep22

    David and John "Transformers Hall-of-Famer" Barber are joined by regular guest, Chase Marotz, for a deep dive into the wild and wonderful frontier of public domain. This is where expired copyrights mean anything goes (kind of)! They wade through the murky rules of public domain reuse, highlight some exciting new and upcoming properties, and uncover David’s master plan to rejuvenate century-old comic book properties. Chase weighs in with wisdom derived from his extensive beer collection, and they all mourn the shrinking world of comic bookstores, one back issue bin at a time. Timestamp Segments [01:21] David toots John’s horn.[04:08] Chase and the Tutu.[06:38] Stardust the 4th Most Super Wizard.[08:29] Public domain properties.[10:08] What is available now?[11:16] The next 10 years in comics.[12:50] The public domain rules.[19:25] Different renditions of properties.[26:44] The DC loophole.[27:48] How to make public domain properties interesting.[34:33] Chase’s current reading.[36:34] David reads pictureless comics.[38:08] Where to buy comics.Notable Quotes “When we speak, it’s from a place of love and expertise.”“The level of fanfic that’s going to happen once this stuff is available is going to be insane.”“I suggest everybody just wait 95 years and then listen to this somewhere else.”Books Mentioned Action Comics.All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Jamie Grant, Neal Adams, & Travis Lanham.The Bat-Man: First Knight, The Bat-Man: Second Knight, by Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins.Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment, by Roger Stern, Mike Mignola, & Mark Badger.Dracula, by Bram Stoker.Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman.Dungeons & Dragons.Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.Ginseng Roots, by Craig Thompson.I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets!, by Fletcher Hanks & Paul Karasik.Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware.The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill.The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett.

    42 min

  8. FEB 17

    Kirby's Galactic Size Legacy on The Corner Box - S3Ep21

    John and David put on their reading glasses and get into Jack Kirby’s Galactic Bounty Hunters, Steve Ditko’s Art, The Conan Revolution, The Return of Bill Schanes, and the Uncertain Future of the Will Eisner Library. Timestamp Segments [00:33] John can see clearly now.[02:21] It IS possible to collect all of G.I. Joe.[05:01] Jack Kirby: Galactic Bounty Hunters.[13:29] How to get through Invincible.[18:59] Steve Ditko: The Commerce of Art.[22:50] The Conan Revolution.[25:26] Gabe Rodriguez makes his mark.[29:00] The Will Eisner Library.[31:08] The thing about The Spirit.[33:37] Who will buy it?[36:13] Bud Plant: The Return of Bill Schanes.[40:48] The best company for the Eisner Library.[44:18] The Public Domain.[45:25] This is just for David.Notable Quotes “Congratulations, and welcome to getting old.”“Remember, we live in a world where Steve Ditko did Indiana Jones comics.”“You’ve just been Corner Boxed.”Books Mentioned A Contract with God, by Will Eisner, Dave Gibbons, Denis Kitchen, & John Lind.Adventures of Superman (2013-2014).Amazing Fantasy, by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko.Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, by Jack Kirby.Conan the Barbarian.Cosmochasm, by Alejandro Jodorowsky & Gabriel Rodríguez.Cyber Force, by Marc Silvestri.The Dreamer, Invisible People, by Will Eisner.Galactic Bounty Hunters (2006-2007), by Jack Kirby, Michael Thibodeaux, & Karl Kesel.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.Groo the Wonderer, by Sergio Aragones.Guardians of the Galaxy (2008-2010).Hack/Slash.Indiana Jones: The Further Adventures. Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, John Rauch, & Ryan Ottley.Last of the Viking Heroes, by Jack Kirby & Michael Thibodeaux.Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower, Gabriel Rodriguez, & Nelson Daniel.Locke & Key, by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez.

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 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
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fun Time Go, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Corner Box

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