Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris & Tom

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight w/ Chris & Tom
  • 4.7 (6)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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

  1. "Wanda and the Kids"

    6D AGO

    "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
  2. "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
  3. "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
  4. 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
  5. Holiday Spectacular 2025!!!

    12/15/2025

    Holiday Spectacular 2025!!!

    Welcome to our second Holiday Spectacular! In which we share some of the more amusing outtakes that didn’t make it into the show over the last year interspersed with some delightful holiday music. This year we also explore a different and similarly fascinating question to our usual “Why Not?!”: What If?! Giant-Size Alpha Flight??? Thanks for coming along on this ride with us. We have a great time making the show and really appreciate everyone who listens. See you in the new year for more from Canada’s greatest superhero team! Music: “Just Another Christmas Song” by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings from the album It’s a Holiday Soul Party 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
  6. "A Sas Called Wanda"

    12/01/2025

    "A Sas Called Wanda"

    Episode 39: “A Sas Called Wanda” In which Alpha Flight goes on several distinct genre-based adventures over the course of 3 issues…and we feel the whiplash. Lot more on Goblyn; less discernible rules to characters’ power; and the return of…the Great Beasts?!?!?! In this episode, Chris: makes it clear that Heather’s bloodlust is only growinggets further confirmation of Jeffries…proclivitiesgives one of the best defenses of Universal Healthcare you’ll ever hear (doesn’t happen on the recording, but just seeing if anyone is reading)and Tom: drops in some great lit references, including the origin of the term “Poohbah”almost quit the pod over how all over the place it iscapably refutes Chris’s points re: healthcare (just closing the loop on the bit)Issues discussed: Alpha Flight #54 - "Goblyn!" - cover date January 1988 Script by Bill Mantlo Pencils by Hugh Haynes Inks by Wilce Portacio Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Gregory Wright Edited by Carl Potts with Tom DeFalco as Editor in Sleet Alpha Flight # 55 - "Identity Crisis!" - cover date February 1988 Script by Bill Mantlo Pencils by Jim Lee Inks by Tony  DeZuniga Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Edited by Carl Potts and Tom DeFalco as Poohbah in Chief Alpha Flight #56 - "Have you ever heard a spaceship scream?  Warped!" - cover date March 1988 same creative team as last issue 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 a patch of Prince Namor’s trident. You can see these and 2 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!   Quick note on “Poohbah” Tim Curry in Command & Conquer Bell sound Effect by u_7xr5ffk4oq 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

    1h 1m
  7. "Always Choose the Sasquatch"

    11/11/2025

    "Always Choose the Sasquatch"

    We circle back to a couple issues we skipped over in our zeal to keep the narrative moving and boy do they really expand on Heather’s characterization. Are they groundbreakingly original stories? No. Are they solidly done and enjoyable? Absolutely. Mantlo…you really know how to play with our emotions. In this episode, Chris: points out that the only Alphan with a traditionally stable childhood is Marrina, who opted not to stick around very longhas some thoughts on Larry Hama writing AFoffers some recommendations for visitors to the St. Louis Zooand Tom: manages to get a dig in on Waltmakes a pretty wild accusation against the McNeil familymakes an even wilder accusation against JMH Issues discussed: Alpha Flight #47 - You Can’t Tell The Forest from the Trees! - cover date June 1987 Script by Bill Mantlo Pencils by Craig Brasfield, Mike Mignola, and Steve Purcell Inks by Whilce Portacio and Terry Austin Letters by Jim Novak Colors by Bob Sharen Edited by Carl Potts and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief Alpha Flight Annual #2 - The Fire Inside! - cover date December 1987 Writer is Bill Mantlo Layouts by June Brigman Finishes by Bob McLeod Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts  and Tom DeFalco is credited as Editor in Deep 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 a HOP patch, you’ve seen the image of the Portland Frog set to the classic Shepard Fairey Obama poster motif that says Hop instead of Hope, well I made a patch out of it. You can see this 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

    1h 5m
  8. Episode 37: "Bedlam? I Hardly Know Him!"

    10/27/2025

    Episode 37: "Bedlam? I Hardly Know Him!"

    It’s a proper 3-issue arc! Which feels shockingly novel! In which, the Canadian government finds out just how different an Alpha Flight—and Vindicator—they have on their hands; one of JMH’s failed experiments makes a return; JMH’s GREATEST failure shows up for a bit (yeah, Wolverine is guesting); Wanda muses on her current state (we’ll get to that conversation very soon); and members of the team wonder at, but do not act on, Purple Girl and Knapp’s budding relationship (which is indefensible). But, like, one story over three issues! And no Alphans leave or die! Winning!!! In this episode, Chris: asserts Californian = Canadianoffers a quick business lesson on comics publishingreally likes the name “portaputer”...to each their own, I supposeand Tom: deploys a new voice he’s not totally sure about (he misses Northstar and Aurora already)really digs June Brigman’s work in issue 52enjoys Heather but absolutely calls her out on some bullshitIssues covered: Alpha Flight #51 - “Friends in High Places!” - cover date October 1987 Writer is Bill Mantlo Penciler is Jim Lee Inker is Whilce Portacio Letterer is Janice Chiang Colorest is Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter Alpha Flight #52 - “Specters!” and/or “Flashback!” - cover date November 1987 Script by Bill Mantlo Pencils by June Brigman Inks by Whilce Portacio Letters by Janice Chiang Editor is Carl Potts  And Editor in Chief is Tom DeFalco Alpha Flight #53 - “A Blast From The Past!” - cover date December 1987 Writer by Bill Mantlo Pencils by Jim Lee Inks by Whilce Portacio Letters by Janice Chiang Colors by Bob Sharen Editor is Carl Potts And Tom DeFalco as Predator-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 a sugar skull girl oversized patch that looks super. You can see this 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

    58 min
See All (50)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like