Cosmic Treadmill ep. 145 - Logan's Run (1977)

Hello, Runners! In this episode, dystopian love slaves Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) examine the future world of hedonism and group suicide when they read Marvel Comics' Logan's Run #6, written by John Warner and drawn by Tom Sutton and Terry Austin! After discussing the film that this series initially adapted, they dive right into the first comic book after that five-issue adaptation that was meant to continue the story, despite the wishes of the movie studio. And while they're at it, our New-You patrons divulge the plot of the seventh and final issue. They talk about why this series was so quickly truncated, then talk about the original novel by William F. Nolan, and the many adaptations and incarnations that resulted over the years. You'll need your running shoes for this one, don't miss it!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #22: Superman #281 (1974) #VartoxWeek

Blessings and Riches, my friends... for today is a day like no other.  Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Vartox Week!

Today Chris (@acecomics) shares the story of how a hairy-chested mustachioed alien stranger saved his blog from terminal burn-out!  It's a discussion about the frustrations associated with the creation of content, getting into one's own head, and attempts at side-stepping writer's block.

All that and a Bronze-Age issue of Superman to boot!

Celebrate Vartox Week responsibly... and remember, this is the one week a year where we're all Valerians!

Reggie's Comics Stories ep. 15 - The Great Marvel Exodus

Hey folks! In this episode, Reggie (@reggiereggie) looks at an article from Comic Book Artist #7, compiled by Chris Knowles titled "The Great Marvel Exodus." Normally, the number of creators that left in the late 1970s is attributed to Jim Shooter's promotion to Editor-in-Chief, but after reading these recollections by the actual creators in question, we see that things are not so cut-and-dry. It's another unsolicited promotion for TwoMorrows Publishing, so be sure to head over to twomorrows.com and check 'em out!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 16: Laurel & Hardy #1 (1972)

Well, here's another nice mess we've gotten ourselves into!

This time out, Chris (@acecomics) discusses a strange little offering from DC Comics in the early-70's... the one-and-only issue of (Larry Harmon's) LAUREL & HARDY.  Before getting into the comic itself, I share with you my affection for the old comedy team, how I first "met" them, and my many (mostly failed) attempts to record as many of their shorts and films as possible during my youth.  "The Boys" have always been important to me, and despite the issue being a bit "ehh", I'm so pleased to get the opportunity to chat about this topic.

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 138 - Action #37 (1976)

'Ello, Limeys! In this episode, Anglophiles Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at a comic book so nasty, it was banned in the United Kingdom: Action #37, published by IPC in 1976! After some information about the people who made this comic and just what the heck it is about, graduates of the Winona Ryder Acting Society go through every brutal story in this crazy weekly comic book, doing their best to provide some color to the commentary. After a break, they talk about what happened to the folks from Action, and look at some movies made illegal in the United Kingdom and labeled "video nasties" in the early days of the VCR. This episode is more dire than an encounter with Hook Jaw, you don't want to miss it!

Reggie's Comics Stories ep. 13 - Comic Book Implosion

Hey everyone! In this less-raspy, less-echo-filled episode, Reggie talks at you about the DC Comics Explosion/Implosion, which happened in 1978, and reads some excerpts from Comic Book Implosion, compiled by Keith Dallas and John Wallace for TwoMorrows Publishing. This book provides a unique look at DC Comics' period of change, as well as what the rest of the comics industry was up to at the time, and comes with the highest recommendation. Just a few tidbits to wet your whistle, then it's off to the library or bookstore with you!

Cosmic Treadmill #134 - The Flash #268 (1978)

Greeting, citizens of Central City! In this episode, comics enthusiasts Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at the hobby of comics collecting--as depicted in a comic book, when we read The Flash# 268 by Cary Bates and Irv Novick, published in 1978! After the usual biographical information, our plodding speedsters go through every page of the issue and try to figure out what makes The Flash vol. 1 # 26 just so darned special! After a little break, our bin-divers discuss the Golden Age issue in question, and then look at a history of cosplay and costuming. You don't want to miss this one, don't let it teleport away!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 128 - The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Prodigy (1976)

Hello, o responsible listeners! In this episode, curious teenagers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at a collaboration between Marvel Comics and Planned Parenthood in 1976: The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Prodigyby Ann Robinson and Ross Andru! After some biographical info about the creators--the best that could be done under the circumstances--the promiscuous hosts look at the beginnings of Planned Parenthood and then read every page and panel of the comic book to hand. Then the pair let their hair down and check out the Second Sexual Revolution--that's the groovy one, folks. Finally, they wrap it all up with some terrific listener mail! It's an episode you'll want to share with your family--IF you choose or have chosen to have one!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 121 - Limited Collectors Edition #C-24 (1973) aka New Giant Adventures of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! In this episode, workshop janitors Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) read a seasonal favorite enjoyed for generations: DC Comics' Limited Collectors Edition #C-24 from 1973, aka New Giant Adventures of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman! After some biographical information about our creators, and a look at how these oversized treasury editions came to be in the first place, our reindeer groomers read all three of the Rudolph stories in the book, following each twist and turn, no matter how inane. After a break, they talk about the rest of the Limited Collectors Edition line, including some titles that made it into other formats entirely! It's an episode sure to chase the seasonal doldrums away, don't miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 119 - Star Wars #1 (1977)

Beep beep tweet, folks! In this episode, Nerf herders Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at some events that occurred some time in the past, in a remote corner of the universe, as depicted in Marvel Comics' Star Wars #1 by Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin, published in 1977! After some biographical information about these legendary creators, and a little background information on how the deal was struck, they go through every page of the inaugural issue, butchering the voices as politely as possible. After a break, these rebel traitors return to wrap up their histories of Mr. Thomas and Mr. Chaykin, and wrap it all up by talking about how the comic book fared at Marvel going into the 1980s–including an aside about a giant green bunny? The episode is more fun than a barrel full of light sabers, you don't want to miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 111 - Vartox Week! The Life and Times of Vartox the Valerian

Greetings, Eternals! In this episode, Brutal Exterminators Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) examine one of the weirdest characters in DC Comics' pantheon: it's Vartox Week! A discussion of every appearance of Vartox, with special concentration on Superman #281 by Cary Bates and Curt Swan, and Power Girl vol. 2 #7 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Amanda Conner! Without skimping on the requisite creator bios, our swoon-proof mortals detail every issue in which Vartox appears, even if only for a panel. Plus, they detail the mysterious film origins of this character–both the origins and the film being mysterious! This episode is so chock full, you'll need a Hyper-Ear to listen to it!

Reggie's Comics Stories ep. 1 - Mort Weisinger: The Man Who Wouldn't Be Superman (1975)

Hello, comics enthusiasts! Welcome to the debut episode of a new show hosted by Reggie (@reggiereggie), wherein he'll be telling stories about comic books–the history, the industry, and pretty much anything interesting that didn't happen within the comic book pages themselves. In this episode, he'll read an interview with Mort Weisinger from The Amazing World of DC Comics (1987), conducted by Guy H. Lillian III, titled "Mort Weisinger: The Man Who Wouldn't Be Superman." It's a rare look into the mind of this famous...some might say infamous DC Comics editor. Enjoy!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 108 - Savage Combat Tales featuring Sgt. Stryker's Death Squad #1 (1975)

Face front, soldiers! In today's mission, Privates Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) dive into the life and work of the beloved editor, writer--and cartoonist!--Archie Goodwin, when they read Atlas/Seaboard Publishing's Savage Combat Tales featuring Sgt. Stryker's Death Squad #1 from 1975! With the usual biographical information about the artists, this episode contains a full run-down of Archie Goodwin's career, along with many quotes by the people that worked with him and the man himself. Plus, our troops detail every moment of this seminal war comic in the usual fashion! Be sure to enlist for listening to this episode right away!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 99 - American Splendor #1 (1976)

Heya, fellow comics enthusiasts! In this episode, everymen Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) do a little gazing at someone else's navel when they read Harvey Pekar's American Splendor #1 from 1976! After some biographical information, peppered with lots of quotes from the subject himself, our pair go through every story in this 52-page anthology, providing information on all of the contributing artists (including Robert Crumb) as they go. Then, after a break, our eavesdroppers discuss the details and impact of American Splendor, and wrap up the life of Harvey Pekar as well. It's an episode packed with the mundanity of life, you don't want to miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 90 - Welcome Back, Kotter #1 (1976)

Hello, prime-time television enthusiasts! In this episode, Sweathogs Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) check out one of DC Comics' experimental titles from their mid-1970s "Explosion," when they read Welcome Back, Kotter #1 by Elliot S! Maggin and Jack Sparling from 1976! After the creator bios, and an explanation of the conditions that allowed such a comic book to exist, they do a complete read-through and make poor attempts at mimicking the character voices. After a break, our TV addicts talk about a few other television shows turned into surprisingly popular comic books, then talk about American television in the 1970s, and the conditions that allowed such a television show to exist. Plus, some listener mail--and some mixed news for the Treadmill clan. You won't need a laugh track to enjoy this one!

Chris & Reggie "Box-Set", Volume 6: The First Five

For this week's "Box-Set" we're going old-school... compiling the first five "pre-historic" episodes of Weird Comics History... before we even numbered 'em!

It's awkward... and (at least in the first episode) hard to hear at least one of your hosts... but they're still pretty fun!

These episodes are also available on our YouTube... and have been assembled into a Playlist:

Total Run Time

2 Hours, 24 Minutes, 19 Seconds

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 85 - Weird Western Tales #12 (1972)

Git along, little doggies! In this episodes, cowpokes Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) dip their toes into the genre of Western Comics, when they read DC Comics' Weird Western Tales #12 from 1972! Concentrating on the first story, "Promise to a Princess!" featuring Jonah Hex, they still give biographical information for each creator involved in this anthology comic book, and detail every story therein. Then, after a break, the intrepid frontiersmen look at the history of Jonah Hex, and then America's Old West in total. They wrap things up by dispelling some of the Old West's most enduring myths. This episode is more fun than firing a six-shooter at a plugged nickel, you don't want to miss it!