The Comic Source Podcast

Jace and Rocky break down a busy week of DC releases in DC Spotlight for the week of March 11, 2026, discussing nine titles in detail while also touching on the surge of speculation driving more fans into comic shops and sharing thoughts on the recently released Lanterns trailer and what it could mean for the future of DC television. The episode covers Bleeding Hearts #2 from the Vertigo imprint by Dennis Camp and Stipan Morian, which continues its unique zombie story told through shifting perspectives; Morgan Hampton's Green Lantern Corps #14 as Guy Gardner deals with the psionic entities and a mission that sends a mixed team of Lanterns into Manhunter territory while Jon Stewart confronts Parallax; Sirens: Love Hurts #2 by Tini Howard and Babs Tarr featuring the complicated dynamics between Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Black Canary; Supergirl #11 by Sophie Campbell as Kara faces the mysterious Black Flame in Kandor while Boy Thunder finally enters the story; Emperor Aquaman #15 by Jeremy Adams and John Timms where Arthur returns from the Blue in a powerful new form; Absolute Batman #18 from Scott Snyder that continues the Seventh Kingdom storyline while revealing deeper connections between Martha Wayne and the Court of Owls; Absolute Green Lantern #12 by Al Ewing which expands the strange mythology of the Absolute Universe as Hal Jordan, Jo Mullein and others face Hector Hammond and encounter Tomar-Re; Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes #4 from Erica Henderson exploring the complicated relationship between the two Gotham antiheroes; and Action Comics #1096 by Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge kicking off the Search for Superman storyline as Superboy deals with a bizarre cause-and-effect anomaly with help from Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel. Jace and Rocky also highlight the collected editions hitting shelves this week, including Batman/Superman: World's Finest Vol. 8, the massive Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War Compendium, DC Finest: The Flash – The Fastest Man Alive, Catwoman: The New 52 Omnibus, Flinch: The Complete Collection and Supergirl: The Bizarro Girl, before wrapping up the show with their weekly rankings of the books discussed.

On this episode of The Comic Source, Jace welcomes returning writer Chris Condon for a conversation that begins with the launch of Brutal Dark for DC's revived Vertigo line, including how the project evolved from earlier iterations into its current form, the pulpy crime-noir and supernatural influences behind Ezra Cain's world, and the collaborative storytelling approach Condon shares with artist Jacob Phillips, plus a reminder to pre-order Brutal Dark #2 ahead of its March 25 release. The discussion then shifts to Image Comics' News From the Fallout now collected in trade, looking back on the book's creative risks, the use of back matter and design elements, the team's celebration event, and future possibilities for additional time-period stories with Jeffrey Allan Love. Condon also talks about his time on Marvel's Ultimate Wolverine, what it has meant to write the character, how the series evolved from its original plan, and teases what's ahead with Ultimate Impact: Reborn arriving May 20, including the process of building new characters and exploring the Ultimate Universe's Negative Zone, before also previewing his upcoming Darth Vader project and how he's approaching the character's "hammer" presence and tone. The interview also covers the newly announced Image series Of The Earth (also out May 20), an eco-horror neo-noir story co-written with Andrew and brought to life by Charlie Adlard with colors by Pip Martin and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, before closing with reflections on fan response to Condon's Green Arrow finale, a brief update on That Texas Blood, and where listeners can follow more behind-the-scenes work via the Condon/Phillips Patreon and newsletter.Throughout the episode, Condon shares insight into collaboration, tone, creative risk-taking, and the balance between independent and Big Two storytelling.

The latest DC Spotlight episode for the week of February 4, 2026 features Jace and Rocky breaking down a strong slate of eleven new DC releases while reflecting on a rare week free of industry-wide bad news. The discussion is led by the return of The Nice House by the Sea #7, with James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno resuming the series after a long hiatus and using character guides and carefully integrated recap to maintain narrative momentum, followed by Batman: Static Beyond #3, which gains traction as Miguel Mendonça's art and a more action-driven focus push the Elseworlds concept forward. Batgirl #16 marks a turning point in Cassandra Cain's arc, delivering resolution to the Unburied storyline, expanding the Lazarus mythology, and setting up a return to Gotham, while DC KO: Night Fight #4 closes its mini-series by exploring Batman's exile from the tournament, alternate futures, and the consequences of loss before re-inserting him into the larger DC KO event. The episode also covers Batman #6, emphasizing character fallout and the status shift for Tim Drake, Poison Ivy #41, which advances Pamela Isley's path toward running for mayor through a jail-cell-centered narrative that keeps her agency intact, and DC KO: Boss Battle #1, a crossover-heavy one-shot pairing DC characters with external properties in a high-concept escalation of the tournament. Additional discussion includes JSA #16 continuing its Year One focus on early team dynamics, Absolute Green Lantern #11 deepening Al Ewing's dense mythology with escalating threats and spectrum lore, Absolute Superman #16 introducing an Absolute Hawkman origin while advancing Lex Luthor and Brainiac plot threads, and Superman: Chains of Love Special #1, a Creeper- and Livewire-focused story that rounds out the week, before the hosts rank their favorites and preview the looming impact of DC KO #4.

As part of the Comic Boom! and Comic Source collaboration, this DC Spotlight for the week of January 28, 2026 finds Jace and Rocky breaking down a packed slate of fourteen DC releases, with discussion opening on the passing and legacy of Sal Buscema before turning to the week's books. DC KO: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1 is examined for its focus on younger heroes and its place as a largely skippable but well-drawn tie-in, while Detective Comics #1105 continues Tom Taylor's "The Courage That Kills" arc with deeper insight into the Lion's origin and Gotham's escalating crisis. Harley Quinn #58 is discussed as the start of a new arc that feels tonally familiar, followed by the Supergirl Next Door Valentine's anthology, which offers mixed results across stories spotlighting Supergirl, Jay Garrick, Poison Ivy, Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Martian Manhunter, and Green Arrow. Green Lantern #31 features a nostalgic Hal Jordan and Barry Allen team-up that advances Jeremy Adams' larger arc in subtle ways, while Superman #34 pushes Superboy Prime further into moral conflict against the Dark Legion. Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 stands out for its conceptual storytelling and increased narrative momentum, The Flash #29 introduces Dream Girl as a potential crack in Darkseid's Legion, and Harley and Ivy: Love and Crimes #3 explores the early dynamics between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy with a more grounded emotional approach. Justice League Unlimited #15 and Justice League Red #6 wrap major threads involving Neuron, time-displaced heroes, and Red Tornado's reckoning, while Absolute Batman #16 delivers a character-driven underworld journey with Wonder Woman that highlights Bruce Wayne's loyalty and sacrifice. Absolute Flash #11 provides major revelations about the Still Point and the source of Wally West's power, and Absolute Wonder Woman #16 launches the "Season of the Witch" arc with Absolute Zatanna and a reimagined Suicide Squad, setting the stage for one of the week's most consequential confrontations.

Jace and Rocky break down another Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight for the week of January 21, 2026, with only seven single issues on the slate but a massive week for reprints and collected editions—including major Absolute line reprints like Absolute Batman #1 10th printing and Absolute Batman Annual #1 2nd printing, plus facsimiles such as Batman #676 and Superman #75, and a packed shelf of collected editions ranging from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Compact Comics to DC's Finest: Doom Patrol, Green Lantern by Robert Venditti Omnibus Vol. 2, The Invisibles Compendium, New History of the DCU, Absolute Promethea Vol. 2, Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma, and Young Justice Omnibus Vol. 2. On the single-issue side, Batman/Superman: World's Finest #47 wraps up the Absorbicon chaos with the Joker/Luthor fusion, the world briefly losing knowledge, and a lingering "Fusion" mystery locked away in the Fortress of Solitude; DC KO: Green Lantern – Galactic Slam #1 becomes the week's standout as Jeremy Adams brings Kyle Rayner into WAM's multiversal wrestling spectacle, delivers Omega Bam Man's origin, and ties the concept directly into Darkseid and the DC KO stakes; Titans #31 splits focus between Donna Troy and Arsenal battling Grail on Earth and Nightwing/Raven's Gemworld complications as Terra turns opportunistic; Superman Unlimited #9 launches "Die Laughing" with a new, more hands-on Prankster targeting Perry White and Superman leveraging Clark Kent's reporting to bait the killer into exposing himself, while also planting Mxyzptlk-related seeds; Catwoman #83 continues Selina's Europe-set intrigue with Falcone connections and Court of Owls pressure as the run edges toward a more familiar Gotham-facing direction; Nightwing #134 keeps Dick in the Fifth Dimension facing the Zanni while real-world consequences escalate, including damage that reverberates back to Blüdhaven; and Wonder Woman #29 begins a two-part "The Village" detour to Themyscira with striking Jeff Spokes visuals and Strife's arrival setting the hook for what comes next, before both hosts give their rankings with Galactic Slam taking the top spot.

The latest DC Spotlight is live as Jace and Rocky break down a smaller but strong slate of DC releases for the week of January 14, 2026, offering full rankings and detailed discussion across eight books. The episode opens with Court: Children of the Round Table #5, where Tom Taylor delivers another major cliffhanger revealing Felicity's shocking connection to Mordred and continuing the series' younger-reader focus within main DC continuity. Aquaman #13 shifts attention away from Arthur himself to spotlight Mera, deepening Xebel lore, introducing new mysteries around Andrina's imperial ambitions, and setting up long-term consequences tied to DC KO. In Action Comics #1094, Mark Waid explores Superboy's moral conflict as he undertakes a military rescue mission under General Lane, raising questions about agency, responsibility, and secrecy, while reactions to the noir-leaning art remain mixed. The Wonder Woman Black & Gold 2026 Special earns discussion for its experimental format, standout visuals from Mitch Gerads, and a thematically heavy Steve Orlando story examining truth, belief, and manipulation through the Golden Lasso. Supergirl #9 leans hard into character drama as a New Year's party spirals into fallout that challenges Kara's role as a mentor and forces a reckoning with Lesla's fate and Kandorian biology. Batman and Robin #29 continues Philip Kennedy Johnson's acclaimed Quiet Man arc, pushing the Ventriloquist mythology to disturbing new depths while strengthening Bruce and Damian's evolving father-son dynamic. DC KO #3 escalates the tournament with creative team-ups, major eliminations, Lex Luthor's calculated use of Supergirl, Joker's chaotic advantage, and a cliffhanger teasing Absolute-inspired threats. The episode closes with Green Lantern Corps #12, where Morgan Hampton juggles multiple Lantern factions, Larfleeze's assault on Oa, Fatality's uncertain allegiance, and a looming planetary threat, delivering a dense, fast-paced issue that emerges as the week's top contender.

As part of 12 Days of The Comic Source, this Fireside Chat features Jace welcoming returning guest Tom King for a wide-ranging holiday conversation that reflects on a year of major transitions while remaining grounded in the creative heart of comics. King discusses the shifting balance between his Hollywood work and comics, including his involvement with the upcoming Supergirl film and the enduring impact of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, before diving deep into the themes, structure, and artistic collaboration behind Helen of Wyndhorn, praising Bilquis Evely's Eisner- and Ringo-winning work and explaining how the book was conceived as a companion piece to Supergirl. The discussion also covers the horror-romance mechanics of Love Everlasting, its planned second half, and its thematic exploration of agency and choice, alongside reflections on Human Target, its noir sensibilities, and the newly released hardcover edition. King then turns to his current Wonder Woman run, unpacking the philosophy behind Diana's uncompromising approach, the creation of the Matriarch, and the scope of the upcoming "Wonder War," before closing with a more personal holiday note as he shares the atmosphere of the King household during Christmas—presents piling up around his workspace, the joy of seeing his children connect with lighter, more playful stories like Trinity, and his deep affection for the warmth, family traditions, and reflective nature of the season—including an ongoing family tradition in which something seems to go spectacularly wrong each year, recounting this year's debacle as a memorable incident involving a broken Christmas tree adds both humor and warmth--reinforcing the celebratory spirit that defines these Fireside Chats

As part of 12 Days of The Comic Source, this Fireside Chat features Jace welcoming back writer Jeremy Adams for an in-depth, free-flowing conversation covering a wide range of current and recent projects alongside broader creative philosophy. Jeremy discusses Aquaman, focusing on redefining Arthur Curry as an avatar-level powerhouse and how DC KO positions him against Hawkman in a tournament setting that highlights his expanded abilities; Green Lantern, detailing long-form planning around the fractured emotional spectrum, Hal Jordan's evolving role, and the reintegration of legacy elements like Jon Stewart, Kyle Rayner, and long-dormant continuity threads; and the digital crossover Flash / Fantastic Four, where Jeremy explains the constraints and opportunities of vertical-format storytelling and character interaction outside heavy continuity. The conversation also touches on multiple DC KO tie-ins, including a Green Lantern wrestling-themed one-shot that expands the Wham mythology, the youth-focused The Kids Are All Fight, which centers Jon Kent guiding younger heroes during a world-ending crisis, and the high-concept DC KO crossover featuring non-DC characters such as Homelander, Vampirella, and Sub-Zero. Jeremy further reflects on the broader DC creative landscape, including Absolute and Next Level initiatives, while sharing insight into continuity stewardship, editorial collaboration, and the balance between ambitious ideas and reader expectations, before closing on a seasonal note as he talks about specific holiday traditions such as winter outings like sledding, revisiting favorite Christmas movies, and enjoying local holiday events and markets with his family as a way to slow down and reconnect during the end-of-year rush.