Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight w/ Chris & Tom
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The best podcast about Alpha Flight you'll ever hear!

  1. "What the Hudnall?!"

    15H AGO

    "What the Hudnall?!"

    Episode 46: “What the Hudnall?!” …and thus does the James D. Hudnall era begins… And we’re befuddled. It’s a rough start but hope springs eternal! We’ve a ton more Talisman, a new old face returns (much to Tom’s chagrin), and we simply burn off a whole mess of plotlines. Oh, and we set a record for the number of deaths in a single episode. So that’s something… Issues discussed: Alpha Flight #67 -“The Ties That Bind” - cover date February 1989 Script by James D. Hudnall Pencils by Hugh Haynes Inks by Gerry Talaoc Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Associates by Marc McLaurin Edits by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco as Archaeologist in Chief Alpha Flight # 68 - “All That We Are” - cover date March 1989 Script by James D. Hudnall Pencils by John Calimee Inks by Sam Delarosa Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Associates by Marc McLaurin Edits by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco as in Here Alpha Flight #69 - “And All That We Seem…” - cover date April 1989 Script by James D. Hudnall Pencils by Hugh Haynes Inks by Hilary Barta Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Associates by Marc McLaurin Edits by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco  is the Dream Chief Alpha Flight #70 - “...is but a dream within a dream” - cover date May 1989 Script by James D. Hudnall Pencils by Hugh Haynes Inks by Hilary Barta, Sam Delarosa, and Jon Nyberg Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Associates by Marc McLaurin Edits by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco  is “Not Canadian”\ Why Not Read Alpha Flight?! is made possible by listeners like you, who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, part of the Roxxon family of companies and legally required to say it is proud to be an official Sponsor of the Donald J Trump America 250th celebration at the Donald J. Trump Center For the Arts and Chicken Wing Emporium, please don’t park in the Circle K’s lot they will tow you.  See the new Roxxon trucker hat and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store. Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    47 min
  2. "Bill, Adieu"

    MAR 23

    "Bill, Adieu"

    Episode 45: “Bill, Adieu” Well, we’ve come to the end of Bill Mantlo’s run on Alpha Flight and, folks, he absolutely saved his best issue for last. It’s a wild and, frankly, incredibly well-accomplished issue as Manikin confronts his creator. Both a super-smart metacommentary and just an all-around solid story, it’s quite the issue to go out on. In this episode, Chris: gives some recommendations re: Puscifer’s best workdoes a great High Browand makes some great sound effectsand Tom: has a great time with Manikin’s attacks on “the Scribbler” who created himprobably does more talking as Knapp than he has any other character, which doesn’t feel awesometotally predicted that Knapp and Mantlo might have a heart-to-heart at some point and is damn proud of that random occurrenceIssue discussed: Alpha Flight #66 - “Killing Me Softly With His Word Processor” cover date January 1989 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is Hugh Haynes  Inker is Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin and Tom Defalco is Head of the Class Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you, who support our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, a subsidiary of the Roxxon Corporation, celebrating 26 years of being the leading provider in vote counting technology.  This week, Excelsior is proud to feature a new Venture Brothers patch of Brock Sampson.  It’s the first new addition to the VB line in quite some time and there are more coming so be sure to follow the shop at  excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store. Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    1h 8m
  3. "Keep Alpha Flight Weird!!!"

    MAR 9

    "Keep Alpha Flight Weird!!!"

    In our penultimate episode covering Bill Mantlo's run on Alpha Flight things. get. weird. But quite interesting, too, as Wanda works some things out and Madison, well, Madison discovers the past isn't always done with you. Really interesting episodes but just kinda weird, too. But, hey, that's not such a bad thing is it? Issues discussed: Alpha Flight #64 - "God War/inside title: "Where There's A Will There's A Way" - cover date November 1988 Writer is Bill Mantlo Breakdown Penciller is Jim Lee Finisher is Al Milgrom Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Associate Editor is Marc Mc Laurin and Tom DeFalco is Editor In Quirer Alpha Flight #65 - "When Robots Dream" - cover date December 1988 Writer is Bill Mantlo Guest Penciller is Hugh Haynes Inker is Al Milgrom Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Associate Editor is Marc Mc Laurin and Tom De Falco is Somnambulist In Chief This episode is brought to you by listeners like you, who subscribe to our Patreon. And by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder with great comics themed patches like the new classic Captain America shield design reinterpreted in white, pink and blue, available for order now so you’re all set for Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, 2026.  See this and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com, where listeners of Why Not?! can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off any 3 items in the store. Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    56 min
  4. "All My Life I Wanted To Be a Supervillain"

    FEB 23

    "All My Life I Wanted To Be a Supervillain"

    Episode 43: “All My Life I Wanted To Be a Supervillain” We cover two issues this week and, holy hell, we have…a GOOD TIME?!?! Two very different issues focusing on two of our least explored AF members (Kara and Madison) by both Bill Mantlo and the writer soon to replace him, James Hudnall. And while the Kara/Bill issue leans (effectively) into horror, the Madison/Hudnall is almost a slapstick adventure. And they both work!!! Feels like Christmas came early. In this episode, Chris: has an incredible time with the Technomancer: maybe his favorite villain to dateis thrilled to be back on Laurier Drivereminds us that corporate ownership of culture rarely goes welland Tom: absolutely digs the Kara issue: everything about it works for himponders just how damn powerful both Kara and Madison really areis convinced Heather is about to put Box on ice (it really wouldn’t be that surprising, would it?)Issues covered: Alpha Flight #62 - “A Real Gone Daddy!” - cover date September 1988 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is Jim Lee Inker is Al Milgrom Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Associate Editor is Marc McLaurin and Tom DeFalco is credited as Two Fisted Chieftan Alpha Flight #63 - “Technomancer” - cover date October 1988 Writer is James Hudnall Penciler is Hugh Haynes Inkers are Mike Gustovich and Don Hudson Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts and Tom Defalco is Hoo Hah in Chief Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by Excelsior Embroidery! This week check out the new line of Booty patches, which is pretty self-explanatory. Use coupon code WN503 to save 50% on a purchase of 3 patches. Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    59 min
  5. "Wanda and the Kids"

    FEB 17

    "Wanda and the Kids"

    Episode 42: “Wanda and the Kids” It’s our somewhat delayed coverage of issue 61 and, yeah, getting sick really throws a wrench in things. But! It’s a great issue as Heather and Jeffries spar with Canadian MPs over Alpha Flight’s direction and Wanda and Beta Flight go on a helluva field trip through Ottawa. The kind of issue that makes you wish THIS Mantlo showed up more often… In this episode, Chris: is quite amused by Wanda’s habit of Sassing out at almost every turnreally thinks the Canadian MPs should’ve, maybe, insisted the incredibly deadly superheroes not wear their murdersuits to the hearingand Tom: actually has a pretty good time! It’s fun when the issue is good!does find Heather’s arguments to the Canadian Parliament a bit…unreasonable (Murder Mommy really wanted to just do her thing in that thar chamber)Issue covered: Alpha Flight #61 - “Inquisition!” - cover date August 1988 Bill Mantlo is Writer Jim Lee is Penciler Al Milgrom is Inker Janice Chiang is Letterer Bob Sharen is Colorist Carl Potts is Editor Tom Defalco is Editor In Quirer Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. Check it out at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com and use the code WN503 to get 50% off when you order any three (3) items from the Etsy store. Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    45 min
  6. "Enter the Jaded Dragon"

    FEB 2

    "Enter the Jaded Dragon"

    Episode 41: “Enter the Jaded Dragon” We’re wrapping up the Dream Queen arc this episode with some help from…Old Puck?! And, really, that’s not even the oddest thing that happens in these issues, which ya have to hand it to ol’ Bill is kinda impressive. The team meets a dragon, almost start WW3, and see their old friend for just long enough for it all to feel very awkward. Stick around for some excellent fantasy casting in the outtake! In this episode, Chris: does a mean Rod Serling impressionmakes a lama≠llama joke…that Tom readsmakes a lot, and I mean A LOT, of Dairy Queen© jokes that may or may not take this podcast downand Tom: learns more about the inner workings of Dairy Queen than he ever expected(realizes that’s a theme of this podcast: Tom learning things he never cared to know)remembers the old days of K-1Issues covered: Alpha Flight #59 - “Comes A Dragon!” - cover date June 1988 Story by Bill Mantlo  Art by Jim Lee and Al Milgrom Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Edits by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco as Editor in Chief Alpha Flight #60 - “War! What Is It Good For?” - cover date July 1988 Bill Mantlo is Writer Jim Lee is Penciler Al Milgrom is Inker Janice Chiang is Letterer Bob Sharen is Colorist Marc McLaurin is Soldier Carl Pots is Editor and Tom Defalco is Dragon in Chief Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Roxxon Energy Corporation, parent corporation of the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring new Alpha Flight patches! We’ve got Vindicator, Jeffries’ Box, White Sasquatch, and The Purple Girl and they look great! You can see these and hundreds more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the Etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    33 min
  7. "RiDQulous"

    JAN 12

    "RiDQulous"

    Episode 40: “RiDQulous” And we’re back! New year, new energy, and the return of some of our favorite audio gags! It’s been a minute since we talked Alpha Flight so we take our time catching back up on everything that’s brought the team to this place; that place being inside of Box who is now a spaceship. Yep, we’re still hanging with Bill. In this episode, Chris: almost kills Tom with a Kid Rock jokeargues Frankenstein is an “oops baby” novelwistfully considers what Louise Simonson would have done with Alpha Flight: it made us both sad to think what could have beenand Tom: manages to fit in two references to The Who (the latter of which triggers a bit of PTSD for Chris)argues Frankenstein is very much NOT an “oops baby” novelgets to do the SCRAMMMMBBBLE voice againIssues discussed: Alpha Flight #57 -”Life” - cover date April 1988 Script by Mantlo Pencils by Lee Inks by Dezuniga Letters by Chiang Colors by Sharen Edits by Potts Coffee by DeFalco Alpha Flight #58 - “Liveworld” - cover date May 1988 Scripts by Mantlo Pencils by Lee Inka by Milgrom Letters by Chiang Colors by Sharen Edits by Lotta Assists by McLaurin and DeFalco Lives Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring a set of paired patches of Northstar and Aurora, they show the hip detail of their classic black and white costume, you really gotta check these out. You can see these and a hundred more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    49 min
  8. BONUS EPISODE: WNWAM on A KNIGHT'S TALE

    12/29/2025

    BONUS EPISODE: WNWAM on A KNIGHT'S TALE

    We thought during this fallow period between episodes on Alpha Flight we’d drop our Boxing Day 2024 special: our conversation about A Knight’s Tale. These movie convos live on the Patreon so if this is the kind of thing you enjoy from us, maybe consider joining up. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy our chat and the realization that this ain’t a swords-and-horses or even a historical romance: this is a straight-up sports movie, and one of the best ever made. Have a great rest of 2025 and we’ll be back with you on January 12th, 2026. Music: “Golden Years”- Disco Purrfection Version Written by Chris Baker Produced and edited by Tom Flynn Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy Follow us on these platforms: Instagram TikTok Imgur YouTube Patreon

    54 min
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4.7
out of 5
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The best podcast about Alpha Flight you'll ever hear!

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