Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight w/ Chris & Tom
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Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

The best podcast about Alpha Flight you'll ever hear!

  1. Episode 29: "What Color Is Your Sasquatch?"

    JUN 9

    Episode 29: "What Color Is Your Sasquatch?"

    Episode 29: “What Color Is Your Sasquatch?” Welcome to Episode 29, in which we wrap up Snowbird’s magical mystery pregnancy, encounter a real-life tale of Arctic exploration gone wrong (redundant, really, that “gone wrong”) made mystical(?!), and run into Talisman again. And, y’know what? Chris may have had a point about her. But maybe don’t mention that to him such that it goes to his head. Very much not in this episode? Marrina! But probably next time. Maybe. In this episode, Chris: gives some solid advice re: best practices when one’s partner is giving birth (short version: do what you’re told)acknowledges that there’s nothing subtle about Aurora’s…depiction heremakes some choice selections vis-a-vis audio gags (try and figure out which ones are his!)and Tom: tries something new to memorialize le morte de Waltairtakes us on quite the diversion re: The Terror and Dan Simmonsgets why The Doug is so upset, just can’t give him too much credit since he’s way too much of a dick about itIssues covered: Alpha Flight #37 - “Death Birth” - cover date August 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is David Ross Letter is Jim Novak Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts  Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter Alpha Flight #38 “Pestilence!” - cover date September 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is David Ross Letter is Jim Novak Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts  Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter Roxxon also wishes all the listeners of Why Not?! A happy Pride Month with Excelsior’s X-Men icon with a transflag background on a color appropriate trucker hat, perfect for keeping the hot sun off your dome at the scaled-down Pride fest in your city that Roxxon refused to sponsor this year.  Check out this design and more at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.  Listeners of Why Not can use the code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items in 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

    34 min
  2. Episode 28: "The Doug...Undone!"

    MAY 27

    Episode 28: "The Doug...Undone!"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 28: “The Doug…Undone!” It’s a surprise-entirely-unnatural-pregnancy episode, everyone’s favorite scifi/fantasy trope! And The Doug Thompson handles it…poorly. Little less of the Puck/Bochs self-loathing (though not none of that nonsense), but the issues covered this episode represent a real corner being turned as we put the…rocky start to Mantlo’s time behind us. Overly optimistic? Probably! In this episode, Chris: proves Tom very wrong on a bit of character backstory, which shouldn’t be surprising, but here we arewrote a script that goes pretty hard at Canada, our beloved neighbor and (future?) homeadores Shaman’s new outfit!and Tom: leaves in Chris proving him wrong because he’s a real onethinks “Mansion Alpha” sounds like an influencer houseposits that we were all deprived of some righteous Mignola-mystical artIssues covered: Alpha Flight #35 - cover date June 1986 - “The Child is Father to the Man” Writer is Bill Mantlo Introducing Canada’s own David Ross and penciler Inker is Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Jim Novak Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter Alpha Flight #36 - cover date July 1986 - “Labor Pains” Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is David Ross Inker is Gerry Talaoc Letter is Joe Rosen Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, part of the Roxxon family of companies. Roxxon is proud to celebrate Pride month with a series of pride themed comic book patches like the Deadpool icon with a pan flag in the background and an X-Men icon with a trans flag theme. But my favorite has to be the Alpha Flight combined logo with a full pride flag of colors throughout: it’s really something special. You can see all these and hundreds more by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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

    53 min
  3. Episode 27: "Big Throuble in Westchester County"

    MAY 12

    Episode 27: "Big Throuble in Westchester County"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 27: “Big Throuble in Westchester County” We’ll be at The Uncanny Experience in July, giving a talk on the history of Department H, which sounds boring, but it’s us, so we’ll find a way to spice it up (I mean, a full-scale assault on civil rights tends to make for spicy conversation)! But in today’s episode, we cover the last(?) two especially rough issues in the Mantlo run (Tom hopes), featuring Wolverine and the first appearance of Lady Deathstrike (if you’re listening to us, you know what that is). Oh, and inexplicably, as is their wont, a member of Power Pack makes an appearance. They’re literally everywhere. In this episode, Chris: makes a Secret Wars joke that there’s no way in hell Tom could’ve possibly understoodcomments on the corner box art and how it’s a lost art in modern comics (shakes fist at sky)makes a frankly INSANE suggestion for a THUNDERBOLTS* post-credit scenelays out the rules for Power Pack/X-Men team-upsand Tom: is running out of ideas re: celebrating Walt’s…absencesuccessfully argues that we all need to show “The Doug” some ‘spectfeels Teeny really pulled her weight this episodeabsolutely does NOT nail a Rogue voicegoes on another literary tangentAlpha Flight #33 - “A Friend in Need” - cover date April 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is Sal Buscema Inker is Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Jim Novak Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief Alpha Flight #34 - “Honor” - cover date May 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Storyteller is Sal Buscema Finisher is Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorer is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Editor in Chiefer is Jim Shooter This week our sponsor, the Excelsior Embroidery Company, is featuring the iconic X-Men logo with a variety of Pride flags in the background.  Available as a patch, towel, or hat, this is a great addition to your summer wardrobe. See this patch and hundreds more designs by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.  When company is coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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

    44 min
  4. Episode 26: "Tall Tale"

    APR 28

    Episode 26: "Tall Tale"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 26: “Tall Tale” Do you ever feel like you’re just talking to yourself most of the time? Just Tom? Because he spends swaths of this episode doing voices? Ok. Just Tom. It’s time for that episode folks. THAT episode. Wherein we learn how Puck came to be…Puck…according to Bill Mantlo. But! We make the most of it. We think. In this episode, Chris: brings back an oldie, but a goodie, sound effectreally wants to see Harrison Ford take out Pucktries out a new sign off?and Tom: is more than a touch flummoxed by the…necromancy?...committed to give Heather her suitkinda struggles w/ Northstar & Aurora’s accents: he’ll do better next timesays “immensely black storm cloud” and wonders what language even is anymoreAlpha Flight #32 - “Tall Tales” - cover date March 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is John Bogdanove Inker is Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Jim Novak  Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts and Jim Shooter as Editor In Chief Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, specializing in comic themed patches, towels, and more.  This week we are featuring our delightfully cheeky Rogue towels, now 100% lead free in the state of California. See what everyone at C2E2 was talking about by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.  When company is coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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

    40 min
  5. Episode 25: "Pucking Around and Finding Out"

    APR 14

    Episode 25: "Pucking Around and Finding Out"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 25: “Pucking Around and Finding Out” Well we’re back from C2E2 and boy howdy was that a good time. Great meeting folks and finding out just how many folks can recognize Puck in the wild (and were incredibly excited to see the costume!). We’re back in your ears today with a deep dive on issue 31 and the return of Deadly Ernest. In this episode, Chris: does an incredible amount of Puck voicework. Really think he’s only going to speak as Puck in the very near futurerecounts the worst job he ever had, which does connect to this issue. Sort ofand Tom: theorizes John Byrne may have held his characters and their lives hostagegets a basic Canada fact wrong, which is very much not his role on this podcast Alpha Flight #31 - “The Grateful Dead” - cover date February 1986 Writer is Bill Mantlo Pencils by Mike Mignola Inks by Gerry Talaoc Letters by Jim Novak  Colors by Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company which is happy to mail you a nerdy iron on patch, kitchen towel, tote bag, or anything else embroiderable! This week we’re featuring a new design, it’s a mini Alpha Flight icon patch that’ll fit on anything you could imagine and listeners can get one for free! For a limited time, go to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com to make any purchase and use the code ALPHAN to get this little guy tossed in your order for free. Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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

    40 min
  6. Why Not?! Come to C2E2

    APR 4

    Why Not?! Come to C2E2

    What the title says! We'll be at C2E2 Friday, April 11, 2025 and Saturday, April 12, 2025, just hanging out and taking it all in. And we'll be in costume. Alphan costumes. So if you're nearby and have the time, you should come. Not just because of us. But mostly because of us. And if you're not nearby, you can engage vicariously through our socials. Tom never thought he'd dress up for a con. The things we do... 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

    1 min
  7. Episode 24: "Elbows Up"

    MAR 31

    Episode 24: "Elbows Up"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 24: “Elbows Up” …and we’re off! We spend this episode solely discussing Issue #30, which will be our approach for the next few issues as we get used to what Mantlo is bringing to the table. And, boy howdy, is this already a VERY different book than what came before. Oh, and there’s a special treat as our pals over at “Unpacking the Power of Power Pack” sent us a note on their own experiences with Bill Mantlo. That guy wrote everything. In this episode, Chris: reminds everyone listening to this podcast of that time they sent away for a “custom” G.I. Joe action figure: we know our demoexpands the universe of Madison Jeffries…proclivitiesis feeling largely alright about Mantlo’s run…so farand Tom: speculates comics led to Chris’ first time…cursing up a stormtalks Jonathan Swift and the current moment in Canadian politicsdances a jig on Walt’s grave. If he had one. Which he doesn’tIssue discussed: Alpha Flight #30 - “Enter…Scramble!” - cover date January 1986 Writer: Bill Mantlo Pencils: Mike Mignola Inks: Gerry Talaoc Letters: Jim Novak Colors: Bob Sharen Editor: Carl Potts Editor-in-chief: Jim Shooter Tom appeared on “The Big Book Project” last week, discussing Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. Give that a watch/listen and follow along with the newly launched discussion of Agaat on that pretty awesome site. And if you’re interested to learn more about Pierre Polievre, the newly released Ripper: The Making of Pierre Polievre by Mark Bourrie is out from Biblioasis. Purchase direct from them or your preferred indie bookstore (Exile in Bookville is mine). Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! “Awwww” sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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
  8. Episode 23: "Bills, Bills, Bills"

    MAR 17

    Episode 23: "Bills, Bills, Bills"

    Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 23: “Bills, Bills, Bills” Here we go! The Mantlo era has begun! Only one issue today as we get our feet under us a bit. And what with all the sturm und drang we (Chris) injected in anticipation of this run…it might not be terrible? Or, more accurately, parts will be rough and other parts will be great and we’re going to call a clean game. And we make time to have a very thorough conversation about soap operas. In this episode, Chris: retires the “MANTLOOOO” battlecry for the time beingadvocates for self-care and really taking care of yourself…even if it means walking away from your team while they’re fighting the Hulkcalls an audible 20 minutes in to get some more coffee: the magic of audio!figures out the proper network for an Alpha Flight tv show: the CWis…somehow feeling ok about what’s to come?! Or putting on a brave face. It’s one or the otherand Tom: fills everyone in on Bill Mantlo’s history and, yeah, that wasn’t funalso advocates for self-care…even if it means flattening a major metropolitan area and reducing it to dusttakes that opportunity to also get coffee: do you like this level of detail?compares The Iliad, Odyssey, and The Aeneid to soap operas and by extension…Alpha Flight?!?!knows that it’s “New South Wales”, not “North South Wales” but left the mistake in for accountabilityIssue covered: Alpha Flight #29 - “Cut Bait & Run” - cover date December 1985 Writer is Bill Mantlo Artists are Mike Mignola and Gerry Talaoc Letterer is Jim Novak Colorist is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief To read more on Bill Mantlo, this story from TripAdvisor (of all places) provides a good bit of background. It’s a difficult read, so buyer beware. And Tom was on another podcast recently: “Mining the Dalkey Archive”. He joined the hosts in a conversation on Flann O’Brien’s The Third Policemen and for you Lost-heads, there’s some interesting show lore discussed. Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior! Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 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

    53 min
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The best podcast about Alpha Flight you'll ever hear!

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