Cosmic Treadmill ep. 144 - Uncanny X-Men #287 (1992)

Greetings, fellow mutants! In this episode, time-displaced soothsayers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at one of the longest-running (and now, solved) X-Mysteries when they read Uncanny X-Men #287 by Jim Lee, Scott Lobdell, and John Romita Jr., beginning the "X-Traitor" story line that ran for several years! After explaining the unusual conditions of the X-Men editorial office at the time, and providing biographical information on the key creators involved, our mutant mavericks read every page of the issue at hand. Then, they delve even further into "X-Traitor," reading some fan mail and commentary from pertinent Marvel Comics staff members, and even following the mystery to its stunning conclusion! It's time-traveling fun, you don't want to miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 142 - DC Universe Rebirth #1 (2016)

Hello, patient listeners! In this episode, newborn babes Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at the most recent of DC Comics' many universe reboots when they read DC Universe: Rebirth #1 from 2016! After some biographical information about writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank, our inter-dimensional travelers look at what makes up a parallel universe, and then detail how DC acquired such a convoluted multiverse in the first place! After reading the issue, Reggie and Chris discuss what got them psyched about DC Universe Rebirth #1 and whether or not DC delivered on that enthusiasm. This episode is far less messy than an actual birth, you don't wanna miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill, Ep. 132: Jack Chick's "Dark Dungeons"

Hello, Panicking Pals! This week we were unable to release an all-new episode, and so we decided to share a sampling from the Cosmic Treadmill, After Dark Collection (exclusive to Chris and Reggie Patrons).  During this episode, we look at Evangelist Jack Chick and his comic book tracts, and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s, and how it fueled Jack's ministry.

We also read the tract "Dark Dungeons" in its entirety... it does deal with very adult themes--so put the kids to bed before listening. Thanks to everyone for your support, and please let us know if there are any questions or suggestions!

Chris and Reggie "Box-Set", Volume 12: Hal Jordan's Action Comics

During the month of November, 2018... we examined an often-overlooked era for Hal Jordan... and the pit-stop he made between runs of his own ongoing title as the leading man of Action Comics during its weekly incarnation.
Join us for nearly six-hours of discussion and analysis... and follow along as Hal learns a bit about his ring, meets Oprah Winfrey, ends his icky (and arguably illegal) relationship with Arisia, and faces off with the Greatest Super-Villain you've never heard of... Lord Malvolio!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 115 - Action Comics Weekly: Green Lantern Part Two + Green Lantern Special #1 (1988)

Greetings, Jordanites and Jordanettes! In this episode, anti-Apartheid protesters Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) continue their look at the Green Lantern parts of Action Comics Weekly from 1988-1989, this week covering issues #615 through #623, and Green Lantern Special #1 from 1988! Providing biographical information for creators along the way, our weekly warriors go through every page of these issues, lending their arguable vocal talents and commentary. It's another oft-forgotten chunk of Green Lantern history, you don't want to miss this!

Chris & Reggie "Box-Set", Volume 10: 1980's DC Comics Public Service Announcements

For this box-set, we decided to compile those Reagan-era Public Service Announcement comics DC put out.  What're those?  Well... for some context:

Between the years 1983 and 1986, DC Comics... in association with various companies (including Keebler, the American Soft Drink Company, IBM, and American Honda) as well as the United States Government, put out five special comic books.

Three of these comics featured the New Teen Titans, and were presented by The President's Drug Awareness Campaign (featuring a letter from then-First Lady... and potential Manhunter... Nancy Reagan).  The remaining two starred Supergirl.  Those were presented by the United States Department of Transportation's National Safety Belt Campaign (these opened with a letter from then-Secretary of Transportation, Elizabeth Dole).

We covered the lot of 'em... and now, you can find our thoughts right here in this handy "box-set".

Total Running Time
3 Hours - 21 Minutes - 47 Seconds

Chris & Reggie "Box-Set", Volume 9: The Age of Apocalypse

Welcome friends, to the Ninth "Box-Set" post... this time "collecting" our six-part 100th Episode X-Travaganza, a deep-dive into Marvel's Age of Apocalypse from 1995!

Total Running-Time

10 Hours, 37 Minutes, 2 Seconds

Cosmic Treadmill, ep. 93 - Kill Image #1 (1993)

Hello, revenge enthusiasts! In this episode not meant for young children, publisher assassins Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) read a decidedly mean comic from 1993, produced by Hart D. Fisher and Joe Duncan, Boneyard Press' Kill Image #1! After a history of Boneyard Press and the conditions surrounding the publication of this book, including the creation of Image Comics, our pair read the entire book and do a great job butchering the voices of actual people. After a break, they dive back into the salacious history of Hart Fisher--his lawsuits, his public beefs, and what he's up to now! This episode may test the boundaries of free speech--it certainly tests the boundaries of taste!

Chris and Reggie "Box-Set", Volume 5: The Image Launch Line-Up

Our fifth "Box Set" Collection takes a look at the "Big 4" Image Comics launch titles... not necessarily in the order of release date... but perhaps in reverse order "quality-wise".  Your mileage may vary... give'em a listen anyway!

Total Running Time

4 Hours, 59 Minutes, 52 Seconds

Chris and Reggie "Box Set", Volume 4: The Death and Return of Superman

Welcome to our fourth "Box Set" Collection, where you can find our four-part long-form coverage of the 1992-1993 Death and Return of Superman story arc.

Part One: Doomsday

Part Two: Funeral For a Friend

Part Three: Reign of the Supermen, Part One

Part Four: Reign of the Supermen, Part Two & The Return

Total Run Time

6 Hours, 33 Minutes, 56 Seconds 

Chris and Reggie "Box Set", Volume 3: Crisis on Infinite Earths

Welcome to our third "box set" collection... collecting out Five-Part (very) long-form discussion on one of DC Comics' biggest and grandest events... as well as our Weird Comics History look into the pre-Crisis DC Multiverse!

If you have say... a twelve-hour drive ahead of you, and you're looking for some company... this is the "box set" for you!

Included are Cosmic Treadmill Episodes 50-54 and Weird Comics History, Episode 22

Total Run Time

11 Hours, 18 Minutes, 30 Seconds

If you're interested in seeing every (to our knowledge) pre-Crisis appearance of the Monitor... we collected them, right here!

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode #82 - Jim Nastics #1

Salutations, dusty-fingered listeners! In this episode, cheapos Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) sift through the back of the quarter bin to bring you some independent entertainment on a budget: Redstone Comics' Jim Nastics #1, by Bill Mitchell and Alan Larsen, from 1984! After as much biographical information as could be found, and a look at the conditions that allowed this comic book to exist, they go through every page of this tense, Cold War-era drama. Then, our bouncing heroes turn the show over to our listeners, as they read YOUR keen finds in the darkened undertables of comic shops around the world. It's an episode so precious, you'll want to bag and board it!

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 69: The Pro. (2002)

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 69:
The Pro. (2002)
By Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Image Comics

Step into our budoir, comics enthusiasts. In this sinfully sultry episode Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) delve into the "bluer" side of funnybooks when they read Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner, and Jimmy Palmiotti's prestige format The Pro. published by Image Comics in 2002! After some squeaky clean creator bios, and a downright pleasant review of the conditions at Image Comics that made this comic book possible, our intrepid but tepid explorers spelunk the seedy and slightly sticky pages of The Pro., with some dialogue altered to preserve decency. After revealing some thoughts on the book, there's a list of times characters did the nasty in mainstream comic books. It's an episode that will put your partner in the mood...to leave the room!

***WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN***

Here's what a Pro. Pro has to say about the episode:

Thanks for listening, Jimmy!  You made our day too!

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 65 - Reign of the Supermen, Part One

Hello again, friends! In this episode, Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) return to their 25th Anniversary celebration of the DC Comics event "The Death of Superman" with a look at 1993's "Reign of the Supermen," which ran through Action Comics #687, Superman: The Man of Steel #22, Superman #78, and Adventures of Superman #501--four comic books which were all released on the same day! After introducing soe new creators and describing two related comics that came out during a three-month Superman publishing hiatus, they dissect each issue in their usual style. After a little discussion of their memories of reading this series as it came out, our pair look at other times heroes had to be replaced by understudies! It's an episode jam-packed with returns!

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 64: Superman - Funeral For a Friend (1992-1993)

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 64:
Superman: Funeral For a Friend (1992-1993)

Greetings, fellow mourners. In this episode, pallbearers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) somberly detail the second chapter in the Death of Superman saga, 1992-93's Funeral For a Friend by DC Comics!

After some recap, they describe Justice League America #70, which came out the same day as Superman #75 and served as a bridge into the eight-issue Funeral For a Friend series!

And when those details are done, the show wraps up with some other funny-book funerals through the years. This episode puts the "fun" in "funeral!"



Extra Bits:

DC Comics NEWSTIME Magazine:

BREAK AUDIO: Cable report on Mid Ohio Con 1992 and the Death of Superman

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 63: The Death of Superman

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 63:
The Death of Superman (1992)
Greetings, comics enthusiasts! To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the landmark event, our pallbearers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) dive deep into DC Comics' Death of Superman from 1992! After providing some context for the series by describing its contributing factors, and an exhaustive look at the many creators involved in this story, they break down every comic book leading up to Superman's demise in the landmark issue Superman vol. 2 #75, which gets their special attention. Then our grief-stricken duo get down to brass tacks and talk about the dollar values of these comics today, and discuss several other times Superman has departed this mortal coil throughout his existence. It's an action-packed adventure that ends with tragedy, a deal you won't get this side of Shakespeare!



New York Newsday Articles:

The Goodies included in the "Black Bag" (now you never have to open yours!  You're welcome, by the way):

Superman: Doomsday - Requiem and Rebirth Documentary:

BREAK: Headline News on the Death of Superman (CNN, 1992)

Chris is on Infinite Earths Coverage (click a cover):

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 62: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 (2014)

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 62
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 (2014)
Script - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist - Robert Hack
Letterer - Jack Morelli
Cover Price: $4.99

Happy Halloween! In this episode, Witchfinder General Chris (@AceComics) and Supreme Warlock Reggie (@reggiereggie) peer into the darker side of Archie Comics when they read Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 from 2014! After the requisite creator and character bios, they commune with the issue, picking apart every scene and detailing any easter eggs. After a break, they provide a history of European and American witch trials, and a partial history of Archie Comics, with scrutiny on the core Riverdale teens! It's a spooky, groovy, and fact-filled episode you will not want to miss!

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 61: X-Factor #71 (1991)

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 61:
X-Factor #71 (October, 1991)
"Cutting the Mustard"
Written by Peter David with Pencils by Larry Stroman
Hello! In this episode, our blorks Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) read a title that was effectively rebooted--without being renumbered! It's Peter David's and Larry Strohman's X-Factor #71, published by Marvel Comics in 1991! There's the usual creator bios, and enough X-Men backstory to help frame the issue being read. Then, they dive into the history of the X-Men, including some of Chris' personal reminiscences collecting the X-Men series! It's like attending a day of classes at the Xavier School for Gifted Children, without paying tuition!

Thanks to Jesse DeJong for the suggestion!

You can reach us at weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com to share your memories of 90's X-Men, the works of Peter David, and those weird Mall-Conventions!

The Sun-Vet Mall... where Chris paid $5 for X-Factor #1 sometime during 1992.
He might have also paid $5 for a back-issue of Wizard Magazine... ahem.

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/cosmictmillhistory and on Twitter @cosmictmill

--

For the blow-by-blow on the great debate between Peter David and Todd McFarlane: 
http://www.hoboes.com/pub/Comics/Conventions/Philadelphia/McFarlane-David%20Debate%20Highligh/

Opening credits for Nickelodeon's Space Cases:

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 60: TRIGGER GIRL 6 and a Brief History of Fanzines

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 60:
TRIGGER GIRL 6

Greetings, comics enthusiasts! This week, our untrained assassins Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) dive into the first four issues of Image Comics' Creator-Owned Heroes and read every chapter of Trigger Girl 6 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Phil Noto! Inspired by the format of Creator-Owned-Heroes, the pair wander off on a tangent into the Weird and Comically Historical world of fanzines--specifically, comics fanzines! Describing a history and technique lasting since the 19th Century, they go on about fanzines of the past, and name a few printed fanzines that you can read today! Only the most ardent enthusiasts need apply.

Reach out to us at weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

Check us out on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/cosmictmillhistory

Thanks again to Jeffrey Brown for the suggestion! @tsujigo
To check out Jeffrey's work: https://society6.com/tsujigo6

Find more creator-owned work by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray at paperfilms.com

Check out the fanzine Baxter Stock at dcinthe80s.com

Take a peek at rootsoftheswampthing.com for more about their Swamp Thing-centric fanzine, The Holland Files

BREAK: "How to Make a Mini Comic or 'Zine" by Crab McEgret, https://youtu.be/h4Pb5tLQ4NE

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 50: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part One

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 50
Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 1

For the landmark 50th episode of Cosmic Treadmill, Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) celebrate with the 50th anniversary celebration of DC Comics, and read issue #2 of Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez! After some creator bios and an exhaustive look at the conditions that created the DC Multiverse, our intrepid comics enthusiasts sift through every appearance of a central figure to Crisis--before the event ever happened! After a break, our Treadmillers summarize issue #1 and detail issue #2 of Crisis on Infinite Earths! And that's all we have time for this week--tune in next Sunday for part two of this series!

 
Pre-Crisis Monitor Appearances
To our knowledge this is every pre-Crisis appearance of the Monitor.  Did we miss any out?  Please let us know as we will endeavor to make this as complete a resource as possible.

From New Teen Titans #21 (July, 1982)
Marv Wolfman / George Perez

From New Teen Titans Annual #2 (August, 1983)
Marv Wolfman / George Perez

From Green Lantern (vol.2) #173 (February, 1984)
Len Wein / Dave Gibbons

From Green Lantern (vol.2) #176 (May, 1984)
Len Wein / Dave Gibbons

From Green Lantern (vol.2) #178 (July, 1984)
Len Wein / Dave Gibbons

From Flash #338 (October, 1984)
Cary Bates / Carmine Infantino

From Flash #339 (November, 1984)
Cary Bates / Carmine Infantino

From Tales of the Teen Titans #47 (October, 1984)
Marv Wolfman / George Perez 

From Blue Devil #5 (October, 1984)
Dan Mishkin / Gary Cohn / Paris Cullins

From Fury of Firestorm #28 (October, 1984)
Gerry Conway / Rafael Kayanan

From Action Comics #560 (October, 1984)
Paul Kupperberg / Alex Saviuk

From Batman and the Outsiders #14 (October, 1984)
Mike W. Barr / Bill Willingham

From Batman and the Outsiders #15 (November, 1984)
Mike W. Barr / Trevor Von Eeden

From Justice League of America #232 (November, 1984)
Kurt Busiek / Alan Kupperberg

From Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #317 (November, 1984)
Paul Levitz / Mindy Newell / Terry Shoemaker

From Saga of the Swamp Thing #30 (November, 1984)
Alan Moore / Steve Bissette

From Wonder Woman #321 (November, 1984)
Dan Mishkin / Don Heck

From Infinity, Inc. #8 (November, 1984)
Roy Thomas / Dann Thomas / Jerry Ordway

From All-Star Squadron #40 (December, 1984)
Roy Thomas / Richard Howell

From DC Comics Presents #76 (December, 1984)
Dan Mishkin / Gary Cohn / Eduardo Barreto

From Superman #402 (December, 1984)
Cary Bates / Curt Swan

From Swamp Thing #31 (December, 1984)
Alan Moore / Rick Veitch

 From Justice League of America #234 (January, 1985)

Gerry Conway / Chuck Patton

From Superman #403 (January, 1985)
Paul Kupperberg / Curt Swan

From World's Finest Comics #311 (January, 1985)
Joey Cavalieri / Stan Woch

From Wonder Woman #323 (January, 1985)
Dan Mishkin / Don Heck

From Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #319 (January, 1985)
Paul Levitz / Terry Shoemaker

From Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #320 (February, 1985)
Paul Levitz / Terry Shoemaker

From Amethyst #2 (February, 1985)
Dan Mishkin / Gary Cohn / Ric Estrada

From Action Comics #564 (February, 1985)
Paul Kupperberg / Alex Saviuk 

From DC Comics Presents #78 (February, 1985)
Marv Wolfman / Curt Swan

From G.I. Combat #274 (February, 1985)
Robert Kanigher / Sam Glanzman

From G.I. Combat #275 (March, 1985)
Robert Kanigher / Sam Glanzman

From Warlord #91 (March, 1985)
Cary Burkett / Dan Jurgens

From Jonah Hex #90 (April, 1985)
Michael Fleisher / Gray Morrow

From Batman #384 (June, 1985)
Doug Moench / Rick Hoberg

From Tales of the Teen Titans #58 (October, 1985)
Marv Wolfman / Chuck Patton