Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Where's the Trade? Angel & the Ape (1968)


On this episode of Where's the Trade?, I'll be taking a quick look back at DC's late 60s humor title, Angel & the Ape, and then the Christmas spirit hijacks the show, as I recap the A&A story from Limited Collectors' Editon C-34, Christmas with the Super-Heroes cover dated March 1975!

Download this episode HERE!

Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play!

Also, I'd love to hear from you!  Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun

Thanks for listening, and I wish you the absolute best 2017!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

ITG's ABCs: Flash 80-Page Giant #2 (Apr. 1999)


On this episode of ITG's ABCs (which is short for Anthology & Back-up Comics Stories), I'll be taking a look at a little 10-page gem from the collection, The Flash 80-Page Giant #2, cover dated April 1999!

Worlds collide as the final fate of the (Wally West) Flash is seen through the perspective of the 30th century, home time of the Legion of Super-Heroes!  I'll be recapping this Tom Peyer/Steve Lightle short story, and also dive a little bit into my own 'Flash-story' talking about my history with the character.

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Shanna Showcase 17: Marvel Fanfare #s 58-59 (Aug.-Oct. 1991)


This time out, I'll be finishing up coverage of a 4-part Shanna solo serial, from Marvel Fanfare #s 58-59!  In this adventure, writer Steve Gerber attempts to redefine the conflict between the jungle queen's civilized nature and her wild side. To me, this is Shanna's most fascinating aspect - was Gerber successful?  Find out and -

Download this episode HERE!

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Reboot Review Bonus! Q & A w/ Tom Peyer


It's Thanksgiving week, and one of the things I'm thankful for recently was the opportunity to have some questions answered via email by former Legion writer, Tom Peyer!

Tom began writing the Legion in 1994 at the dawn of the post-Zero Hour reboot, and was one of the architects of a new future and helped develop a new vision for the 30th century.  Please check out the Q & A below, in which Tom talks a little about his time on the Legion.

Also, be sure to check out Tom on Twitter, and his latest work, co-writing (along w/ Mark Waid) the fantastic Captain Kid, published by Aftershock Comics.

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How did you come to write the Legion/Legionnaires? You were working on REBELS at the time, correct?  Were you always a Legion fan?

I was a kid in the Silver Age, so I'd read a million Legion stories. But part of me held it against the Legion that their series replaced "Tales of the Bizarro World" in the back of Adventure Comics. That "Bizarro World" was the far superior series should have been obvious to everyone--but people are fools. They refuse to see. ​Many years later, in writing the Legion, I was finally able to make my peace with them. Bringing me aboard was Mark Waid's idea; it was the start of a writing collaboration that continues to this day with Captain Kid.


Was the idea of a fresh start for the Legion appealing? Any regret not working on versions of the Legion characters you may have read & enjoyed in the past?

Like I said, I was a Silver Age kid. To me, those are the real comics  and most of what came after is karaoke.​ I would have enjoyed calling the Legionnaires by their 60s code names--This Lass and That Lad. The rocket clubhouse, Superboy, Proty--I missed all of it.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

ITG's ABCs: Weird Western Tales #48-49 (Oct.-Nov. 1978)



On this episode, I'm debuting a new feature called ITG's ABCs (which is short for Anthology & Back-up Comics Stories).  On ABCs, I'll be recapping the short tales (typically 8 pages in length) found in titles like World's Finest & Adventure Comics or in the back of comics like Unknown Soldier or (in this case) Weird Western Tales. 

I've been looking forward to this feature, as it will allow me to broaden the number of characters and types of stories I'll be able to cover on this podcast.  First up, getting the ABCs treatment, is DC's western character Cinammon!  This determined firebrand made only 2 lead feature appearances (both covered here) before fading into obscurity at the dawn of the 1980s.

If a wild western adventure is up your alley, and you think 9 pages of story is just too much, I invite you to:

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Shanna Showcase 16: Marvel Fanfare #s 56-57 (1991)


Shanna Showcase is back with a look at the 1st 2 chapters of a Shanna 4-parter 13 years in the making!  Dusted off to help wind down the anthology series, Marvel Fanfare, an unearthed Steve Gerber Shanna script (ca. 1978) with completed pencils for only the 1st chapter was given to artist Bret Blevins to finish up - with mixed results.

Join me as I recap the 1st 1/2 of this Shanna solo story, from Marvel Fanfare #s 56-57, providing commentary & context along the way!

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Happy Halloween, Dr. Thirteen! Adventure Comics #428 (Aug. 1973)


Another Halloween means another look back at an adventure of the 'physician of phenomenology,' the 'surgeon of skepticism' (my phrases), Dr. Terrence Thirteen!  Last year around this time I spoke a bit about the good Dr.'s publishing history, and recapped a couple of his adventures - including his 1st appearance, and his confrontation with the Spectre - this year, I'll be taking a look at one of Dr. Thirteen's solo stories (in the issue of Adventure Comics that debuted Black Orchid) gorgeously illustrated by Tony Dezuniga!

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Reboot Review 18: Legion of Super-Heroes #75 & Legionnaires #32 (Dec. 1995)



On this episode of Reboot Review, I'll be providing a recap and commentary to the 2 Legion-related issues tying into DC Comics' 1995 line-wide x-over event, Underworld Unleashed!

21 years ago, the villains of the DCU were unleashed (as the name suggests) on the earth - and on the timestream!  This event - where heroes took on some unfamiliar foes - provided some interesting match-ups, not the least of which was the Legion facing off against old Atom enemy, Chronos!

In these issues we also see the (near) return of the timelost XS, and the introduction of a couple of important supporting characters.  If you're so inclined:

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Happy 75th Wonder Woman: War of the Gods #1 (Sep. 1991)


On this episode, I wanted to acknowledge the 75th anniversary of one of comics' most important characters, Wonder Woman!  About a year back I recorded a 75th birthday special for Green Lantern (it was very early in my podcasting career, so listen at your own risk), in which I looked back at how GL's 50th anniversary was celebrated.

I wanted to do something similar for Diana, so I'll be having a look back at War of the Gods, which was not only a 50th anniversary celebration, but was also meant to crown George Perez's groundbreaking 5 year run on the character.  I don't consider the event to be a success, but it still does hold a special place in my heart.

Download this episode HERE!


Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Reboot Review 17: Legion of Super-Heroes #74 & Legionnaires #31 (Nov. 1995)


This time out, I'll be providing a recap and commentary to parts 2 & 3 of the 3-part x-over between Superboy and the Legion titles, from November, 1995!

Will Valor finally be released from the Stasis Zone?  Which old Superboy villain has survived 1000 years only to confront his foe and the Legion on a distant planet?  How will Superboy and the Legion fare against the Philosopher's Stone?  Believe me, this ain't Hogwarts!  To find out the answers to these questions and more, you can:

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Air Fighters: Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster - All-American Men of War #112 (Dec. 1965)


In this episode, I'll be circling back to one of the main inspirations for this show, Steve Savage the Balloon Buster!  Despite the very few appearances made by this obscure DC war hero, some of the top names in comics worked on his feature, and it really produced some top notch genre stories.  Check out a recap of the Maverick Ace's very 1st adventure and,

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Reboot Review 16: Superboy #21 (Nov. 1995)


In this episode of Reboot Review, I'll be providing a little recap to the 1st of a 3-part x-over between Superboy and the Legion titles, from November, 1995!

Plus, I'll be providing a very brief character overview of Valor, a central figure to this special x-over, and arguably the 'most important hero in the universe!'

Download this episode HERE!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Where's the Trade? Jonny Quest (1986)


This time out, I'm revisiting a feature from when I'm the Gun was strictly a blog called 'Where's the Trade?'  There's a ton of great uncollected material out there, for one reason or another, and this feature asks the titular question.

I don't admit to having any answers to this question, this feature is merely just a way to highlight a title or run of issues that I'm particularly excited about - in this case, I'll be talking about the Jonny Quest series, published by Comico back in the mid-80s.

This series had a lot going for it, not the least of which was a great creative team, led by writer William Messner-Loebs, and at least for the title's 1st year, or so, a rotation of artists that reads like a Who's Who of the best illustrators in comics.

Download this episode HERE!


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Reboot Review 15: Legion of Super-Heroes #73 & Legionnaires #30 (Oct. 1995)


Lightning strikes in this episode of Reboot Review, which recaps Legion of Super-Heroes #73 & Legionnaires #30, spotlighting (ex)Legionnaire, Live Wire!  Plus, a subplot involving the reintroduction of a very important & Valor-ous Legion character EXPLODES!

Download this episode HERE!

Scroll down to see some images from these issues, and be sure to check out previous Reboot Reviews on iTunes.  Also, I'm the Gun in now available on Google Play!

Interested in talking more Legion?  Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @marksweeneyjr

Thanks for listening!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran

A mega-moment for Triad

'Lightning Lord' springs his little bro' from the slammer

Maimed by Mekt

Wonder Twins power activate!

Next stop - the 20th century!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Ms. Tree Theatre - Ms. Tree Special #10 (1992)


This time out, I'll be test-driving a new feature called 'Ms. Tree Theatre' which will recap & recall the adventures of hard-boiled private investigator Ms. Michael Tree.  Created by mystery writer Max Allan Collins and illustrator Terry Beatty, Ms. Tree had a long running series published by a number of independent comics companies, and finished out her comics career with a run of 10 quarterlies/specials published by DC Comics.

Along with special guest Professor Alan Middleton of the Relatively Geeky Podcast Network, I'll be taking a look at Ms. Tree Special #10, which to date, has been Ms. Tree's last comics appearance.

Download this episode HERE!

This episode is part of a x-over with Relatively Geeky, so be sure to check out, the Quarter Bin Podcast #76, on which I join the Professor to talk about Ms. Tree Special #9.

Scroll down to see a few images from . . . Special #10 below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes.

Thanks for listening!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.  A short clip of 'Theme From Ms. Tree' by Cruisin' was used during the show closing.

The action proper begins with a murder by a mysterious 'negatively colored' Ms. Tree

An amazing coincidence - nemesis/collaborator Don Donnie Muerta shows up in Vietnam

A shocking revelation

Bloody finale

Technically a success, Ms. Tree's final case was a mess

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Reboot Review 14: Legion of Super-Heroes #72 & Legionnaires #29 (Sept. 1995)


Reboot Review is back after a few months' hiatus to begin a recap of the 2nd year of the Legion of Super-Heroes!  This time out we'll be having a look at Legion of Super-Heroes #72 & Legionnaires #29, which feature a eulogy, of sorts, for victims of the White Triangle war, and the re-introduction of an important character from Legion history!

Download this episode HERE!

Scroll down to take a look at some images from these issues, and be sure to check out previous Reboot Reviews on iTunes!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran

A crowd gathers to mourn

Tease for old Legion fans - Brande affectionately refers to Cham as 'Son'

Uncharacteristic Cosmic Boy

Insectoid, slightly feminine redesign for an old Legion foe

Mini x-over with Guy Gardner: Warrior

Injected in the forehead with radioactive liquid gold (ouch!)

Bright as the sun, boy!

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Shanna Showcase 15: Spidey Super Stories #35 (Sept. 1978)


Shanna Showcase is back with a look at Shanna's team-up with Spider-Man in Spidey Super Stories #35.  SSS was a title aimed squarely at younger readers, and the stories in this issue are particularly silly - and in the grand scheme of things, pretty inessential Shanna reading.  But I'm a total completist, so if you are, too . . .

Download this episode HERE!

Scroll down to see some images from this issue, and check out previous Showcases on iTunes!

Also, I've inserted a promo this time out, for a great new show Xenozoic Xenophiles, so be sure to check that out!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

Them what prints the news together, does their banking together

Them what saves a bank together, holds up traffic together

The animals choose - Shanna!

Comedy no-brainer - Spidey in an ape suit

From a story called 'The Godmother' - should have been called 'WTF?!'

2 panels and some Hitchcock humor that justify this story's existence

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Air Fighters: Johnny Cloud - All-American Men of War #82 (Dec. 1960)


This time out, I'll be taking a flight back to the dawn of the Silver Age, and having a look at the debut of one DC's longest running war heroes, Johnny Cloud, the Navajo Ace!

Lt. John Cloud battles Nazi fighters and prejudice from his comrades in this treasure from All-American Men of War #82

Download this episode HERE!

Scroll down to images from this issue, and check out older episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes.

Thanks for listening!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran

The nickname 'Chief' follows Johnny around, as does his spirit brother, his namesake Flying Cloud

Johnny Cloud coming up against a wall of enemy fighters

Lessons are learned - or are they?