BAM POW Comic Hour

During the 1980s the comic book industry came out with some of the greatest stories that we still hold in high regard today. This includes Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil Born Again, Maus, and so many other innovative comics that changed the mindset of what kind of tales graphic novels can tell. The Incal by writer Alejandro Jodorowsky & art by Mœbius is regarded as one of the most epic sci-fi comic book stories of all time. This French graphic novel tells the wonderous adventure of detective John Difool and how the Incal, an object of immense power. brings him together with a group of strangers, warriors, bounty hunters and talking animals to help guide him through a prophecy that the fate of the universe depends on him to decide.

This epic space opera is recommended for anyone who loves worldbuilding, investing in underdog heroes, mystery, and larger than life storylines. Fans of Dune, Blade Runner, Fifth Element, and Riddick are encouraged to read of the most expansive Sci-Fi graphic novel adventures in comic book history.

In 1991 Marvel relaunched the X-Men #1 title book with exciting collaboration of writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee to become the world's best selling comic book of all time. The time at Marvel during Jim Lee's beginnings brought about a new era of art style that sets a new dynamic for the comic book industry going forward. This would also go on to inspire the designs of the X-Men Animated series that was huge success of Saturday Morning Cartoons. During this podcast we review the massive oversized collected edition of X-MEN XXL by Jim Lee to study the art that highlights some of the most memorable stories of the Claremont/Lee run including X-Men #1.

Fables are defined as a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters. However, if we deepen the mythology behind these iconic characters such as The Big Bad Wolf, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jack & The Bean Stalk to give them human characteristics to compliment their magical/fantasy traits set in a human society where they live together, that is what the brilliant writer Bill Willingham sets his epic tale to be. With a mix of mature themes with fairy tales, Fables does an excellent job of brining to light mythical stories of old, with new insights, and above & beyond character investment that keeps everything unpredictable at the same time. This podcast will cover volumes 1-3 of the 14 Eisner Winning Vertigo DC Comics Series.

The story of the great George Takei goes beyond his career of Star Trek, into his early beginnings growing up in America during the 1940s. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott with art by Harmony Becker tells the real life experiences Takei lived through during WWII when Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps in the United States during the aftermath of Pearl Harbor until the war was over.

With the help of Takei's mother and father, George and his family were able to persevere through this era of traumatic uncertainly that forever changed the lives of thousands of Japanese Americans during one of the harshest times in world history. This part of history is tragically important as to not repeat itself, but to learn the valuable lessons shared in this journey of courage and bravery.

This Eisner Award winning graphic novel for Best Reality-Based Work produced by Top Shelf Productions is highly recommended for readers who like nonfiction autobiographic memoirs as well as readers who want to learn about one of the most iconic pop culture leaders to take action outside of the television screen.

BAM POW COMIC HOUR PODCAST RETURNS TO THE STUDIO! Hello True Believers, were back from our extended break returning to the universe to bring you exciting new comic book collected edition and graphic novel conversations.

Superman Space Age written by Mark Russell and art Michael Allred with colors by Laura Allred is BAM POW Comic Hour's 2023 book of the year. Like many retellings of Superman's origin story, Superman Space Age does explain the origins as the Man of Steel from out space who learns about who he is and why is Superman. The unique twist that this creative team is set with a background of America in the 1960s with real world events and historical figures with iconic DC characters merging to blend the two worlds together. Clark Kent is on a journey of finding his purpose of how he can help others with the time he has on earth. The age of super heroes is born and receiving the call to action has tremendous weight and the ability to make the right decision has a huge responsibility. This book has 3 extended chapters taking place in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The art by Michael Allred has a unique cartoon stylized perspective. However, this creative team does an incredible job at this ambitious vision only they could accomplish. We recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh superman story and for fans of stories that blend history and fantasy together that delivers a deep meaningful, yet fun story with DC Comic Characters.

For mature readers.

Michael Moran speaks the magic works Kimota! and turns into the most powerful superhero the world has ever known, Miracleman. Where did he come from and what are his intentions? After a 18 year hiatus from a world altering a event Miracleman returns to save the day once again, but the world isn't same as it used to be.

We review the Miracleman Omnibus that collects A Dream of Flying, The Red King Syndrome and Olympus as well as other various related stories and extras. In 1982 this 3 party story was written by the uncredited writer of Alan Moore along with art by Gary Leach, Alan Davis, John Totlebean, Rick Veitch, Chuck Austen, and John Ridgeway. Miracleman would truly pioneer the way for super hero reconstruction as well as the impactful behind the scenes history of this underrated comic book story that continues to show the brilliance of Alan Moore.

Is there a Gotham City without Batman? Gotham Central written in collaboration by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker gives us a unique perspective from the detectives of G.C.P.D Major Crimes Unit. This anthology of cohesively written stories establishes the detectives that are hitting the streets, and searching for answers to crimes living in the shadow of Batman. These characters struggle with fighting for legitimacy, while doing their jobs before Batman can swoop in to save the day. The G.C.P.D fights to answer the question how villains' are made as they combat not only villain's from Batman's history, but also work to solve murders, cold cases, find missing persons, and so much more.

With the art of Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano and Kano, this team establishes a modern crime noir story based in DC Comics fan favorite city of Gotham that makes it feel gritty, but authentic in order to focus on the story while investing in characters who you will eager to buckle in for the ride ahead. Batman has nothing on the detectives of the G.C.P.D. Not if this incredible collaborative team has anything to say about it.

Where to start reading comics is a question that is always being asked by new readers and throughout the comic book community. It is a difficult question to ask, but one of our highest recommendations we can rely on is the works of the writer Jeff Lemire. Especially if you are looking to explore multiple different genres other than popular superheroes comic books.

Gideon Falls by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino with colors by the infamous Dave Stewart really does an excellent job at developing a new horror based world that is grounded in reality, but knows how to make it less predictable. There is always a new layer of mystery to get to the heart or center of the plot. However, once we learn the rules of Gideon Falls, the purpose behind the Black Barn that is seen is Norton Sinclair's visions, and the motivations about the Smiling Man behind the curtain, this supernatural story has you invested as you keep turning the page.

If you are looking for a refreshing take on the horror genre, with a combination of supernatural along with mystery plot elements this book is for you. It also rewards readers for noticing small details or phrases, so do not be afraid to go back to reread previous issues as well. As fans of Jeff Lemire we strongly encourage readers to check out this story, his bibliography, as well as our previous reviews of Black Hammer and Sweet Tooth.

In celebration of Guardians of the Galaxy 3, we wanted to share our review one of the comic book runs featuring the comic adventuring team that the movie trilogy is based on. Writers Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett were instrumental in reigniting Marvel's Cosmic Universe with Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest. After this in-universe cross over event they took some of the surviving characters and reintroduced them as a team in their own title Guardians of the Galaxy in 2008. This group features Star-Lord, Gamora, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Mantis, Drax the Destroyer and Adam Warlock along with other heroes from Marvel's cosmic backlog. We follow this cast of cosmic adventurers as they attempt to save time and space from the cataclysmic Faults that have the potential to destroy the universe as they know it and then some. They also persevere through another 2 Marvel events along with other villains that continue to test the unity of this interesting cast of cosmic heroes. The primary artist on the series, Paul Pelletier helps establish this new modern vision of the team that has ties to its 1969 version of the lineup, while creating a welcoming introduction to new comic book readers.

If you like James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy movie trilogy and looking for a jumping on point we recommend checking out the Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Omnibus to follow along in their adventures while discovering what inspired the live action adaption.

Saga is the story of parenthood as told in the most dramatic, space soap opera, action packed blockbuster, science fiction tale ever told. Written from acclaimed writer Brian K. Vaughan and co-created with illustrations by Fiona Staples, this creative team crafts a world around a young family of two different races who are trying to rasie their child in a war torn universe. There is everything from bounty hunters to politicians who are chasing after them to bring them to justice. This is for mature readers. However, we do recommend the 3 hardcover Image Deluxe editions books as well as supporting resurgence of the ongoing series.