Cosmic Treadmill ep. 101 - Marvel Comics' Age of Apocalypse Part Two: Astonishing X-Men #1 (and all the #1 issues!) (1995)

Greetings, fellow slaves of Apocalypse! In this episode, our cannon fodder Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) return to that dystopian dimension in part two of their look at the Marvel Comics event Age of Apocalypse from 1995! Concentrating on Astonishing X-Men #1 (March 1995) but covering each #1 issue of this event, including full creator and character biographies, our time-hopping duo attempt to weave this tale of what might have been--and may yet be!--if things aren't returned to normal. Tune in next week for more of this epic storyline that affected the X-Men forever! No, really!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 100 - Marvel Comics' Age of Apocalypse Part One: X-Men Alpha #1 (1995)

Hello, dwellers of an alternate dystopian future! In this Giant-Size episode, dimension-shunters Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) check out Marvel Comics crossover so big, they'll need multiple parts to get through it! It's Age of Apocalypse, part one, specifically dealing with 1995's X-Men Alpha #1 by Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, Roger Cruz and Steve Epting! After laying down some substantial story groundwork, our pair dive right into biographies for all four creators that are directly involved in X-Men Alpha #1! After dissecting that issue to the last panel, our guys are pretty tuckered out, so they table further apocalyptic events until the next episode! You won't want to miss the first installment of this dimensionally-sneaky series!

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. 98: Nightwing #93 (2004)

Hello! In this episode, our caring and compassionate comics readers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) tackle an uncomfortable subject when they read Devin Grayson and Patrick Zircher's Nightwing #93, published by DC Comics in 2004! After some biographical information and a little place-setting, the duo use their vocal stylings to read the entire issue. Then they look at the ciritical reaction to the book and some background information on Devin that might help explain--or illuminate the reasoning behind some of these story choices. After that, our rabble-rousers talk about some other coordinated fan responses to the comic book industry. And then some listener mail! It's a jam-packed episode that you may listen to only consensually.

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 97 - Young Romance #1 (1947)

Hello, romanticizers of four-color funnybooks! In this episode, love doctors Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) tackle the mysteries of love, when they read the first romance comic book ever published: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's Young Romance #1 from 1947! After the needed run-down on Jack and Joe, our heartstrong pair discuss the conditions that created the romance comic, and then read all four (or five?) stories contained within the first one--with special emphasis on "The Plight of the Suspicious Bridegroom" and its unconvential storytelling device. Then, after an informative break, our duo talk about other romance comics and why they practically vanished in the 1970s. All this, and some listener mail! This episode will surely make you swoon!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 96 - Excalibur #1 (1988)

Cheerio, comics enthusiasts! In this episode, Anglophiles Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggie) head over to jolly old England when they read Chris Claremont and Alan Davis' Excalibur #1, published by Marvel Comics in 1988! After introducing the creators and the team of muties, they go through the entire issue, mangling all sorts of accents along the way. After a break, the blokes wrap up Claremont's and Davis' biographies, and then tell the tortured tale of Marvel's European publishing arm for many decades, Marvel UK! This episode is more filling than a steak and kidney pie, you don't want to miss it!

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 95 - Creepy #1 (1964)

Ghoul evening, comics enthusiasts! In this episode, the cadaver-friendly duo of Chris (@AceComics) snd Reggie (@reggiereggie) examine a spooky offering: Creepy #1, produced in 1964 by Warren Publishing! After some information about James Warren and his company, they'll read every story in this trend-setting black-and-white horror anthology, providing biographical information about the creators along the way--putting special emphasis on "The Success Story" by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson, including the true origin of that gory story. After a break, they'll wrap up the life of James Warren and his company, and then tell the tale of one Myron Fass, who also produced black-and-white comics magazines for his company, Eerie Publishing. It's a bone-chilling episode sure to keep you cool, just in time for Summer!