I’ve listened to podcasts just about daily since at least 2011. Nonetheless, it’s only around 2017 that I’ve found comic book podcasts entering my regular routine.
The truth is while there are oodles and caboodles of comics podcasts out there, finding the best ones with consistently intriguing approaches is a challenge. Much of it comes to personal taste, as I know I tend to tune out to podcasts that simply review the week’s issues (see also: MANY of them).
I’d also be remiss here if I didn’t mention Comic Book Herald has podcasts! Check out the My Marvelous Year reading club podcast to listen to Zack, Charlotte and myself discuss every year of Marvel publication, starting with 1962 (throughout 2022, we’ll be covering the mid to late 1990s)!
Or check out Comic Book Herald’s Best Comics Ever, where I interview comic book creators in my now 70+ episode “Creannotators” series, and share my Youtube livestreams talking X-Men comics and more!
The below podcasts all have at least some central hook, or are simply done so well that I tune in at least once a month.
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So, if you’re looking for new comics podcasts to add to your rotation, or want to start listening to some for the first time, these are my favorites of the year.
Off Panel
David Harper is the founder of Sktchd, and an excellent comic book journalist with my favorite comic book podcast of the year. Off Panel is set up as a standard “guest of the week” interview show, but Harper’s curiosity about all aspects of the comic book business keep the guests from sinking into the trap of repetition.
Favorites of mine include an interview with the co-owner of Big Bang Comics, a comic shop in Ireland, as well as Harper’s interview with Jonathan Hickman centered around all things X-Men.
If you’re interested in many facets of the comic book industry, Off Panel almost certainly has high quality episodes that will peak your interest.
War Rocket Ajax (Every Story Ever)
The “internet’s most destructive comic book and pop culture podcast” is hosted by Chris Sims and Matt Wilson, two former Comics Alliance writers, and comic book creators in their own right. While the duo produce a weekly podcast with hundreds of episodes, it’s the monthly “Every Story Ever” specials that hooked me.
“Every Story Ever” finds Sims and Wilson taking reader submitted lists of three comics stories at a time, and then ranking them against all the other stories that have ever been submitted. The list is now hundreds of items long, and frequently leads to hilarious confrontations between the likes of Maus and something like Garfield Alone.
Your mileage for the host’s opinions may vary, but at a minimum “Every Story Ever” has introduced me to all sorts of comics I either hadn’t heard of, or hadn’t prioritized reading. For example, there’s no way anything from Achewood makes my best comics of all time list without this pod.
Titan Up the Defense
Easily the funniest recap podcast imaginable, with primary host Hub tackling alternating Bronze Age issues of DC’s Teen Titans and Marvel’s Defenders. Even when I couldn’t be less interested in reading the comic discussed, I’m endlessly entertained by the conversation around the comic.
For my money, the Patreon exclusive “What the Duck?!” podcasts with Hub and his partner are even better. Titan Up The Defense has my highest recommendation!
Wait, What?
Comics journalist Graeme McMillan and co-host Jeff Lester alternate episodes tackling the news in comics (and whatever they happen to be reading!) and “The Baxter Building,” a show tackling the entire first volume of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. It’s challenging to really carve out ownership of “the week in comics” style conversation, but the chemistry between the hosts positions Wait, What? a cut above a crowded field.
Bitches on Comics
This pod became one of my favorites after listening to episode #48 “No such thing as perfect,” in which hosts Sara Century and S.E. Fleenor talked about comics criticism with writers and editors from the Eisner-winning Women Write About Comics (WWAC). Extremely intelligent and entertaining discussion of all things comics, and diverse opinions and perspectives that are often lacking in coverage.
Honorable Mentions:
- House to Astonish
- Cerebrocast
- Casual Wednesdays with Doom Rocket
- Word Balloon
- First Issue Club
What do you think? Agree with any of the selections? I’m sure there are plenty I missed as well that I’d love to give a shot. Do what feels right to you in the comments.
Check out ours: Comic Patrol, we’re laidback and casual but have a TON of fun talking about comic book arcs and sometimes movies too
https://open.spotify.com/show/7c1SC2Xk6IrCkzs7n85Q6m?si=78f99e569eda44e3
Check out the Cave of Solitude podcast. It’s a top 5.
I enjoy Off Panel a lot. Wait, What? also. We aren’t nearly as well known as any of these, but perhaps one day. Maybe give us a listen when you get a chance!
https://linktr.ee/themightymetahumans
Podcast about comic book characters that die and come back:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3V3jMoFv3u3pvaFjyQup60
Not a Hoax! Not a Dream!
Podcast about every comic book character to die and come back:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3V3jMoFv3u3pvaFjyQup60
Not a Hoax! Not a Dream!
This one is pretty great – https://open.spotify.com/show/0ezszRByIvX7mqZq5wrDv6
Planes, Trains and Comic Books
I’ve heard this one is worth a listen. 😉
https://comicbookcentral.net
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The Wednesday Pull List is my favorite comic book podcast. Those guys are laid back and I always feel like I’m part of the conversation.
Fun Ideas Podcast: https://funideas-mark.podomatic.com/
Bitches on Comics is my favorite!
My go to has always been 11 o’clock comics. Three guys that have a palpable love for the art form…you can hear the love they have even just in the tone of their voices. Vince, Jason and David continually bring out great content and are very entertaining in doing so.
Yeah I’ve enjoyed that pod in the past. Just kind of fell out of my rotation for one reason or another! Good pick, thanks for the rec!
I think Wordballoon shouldn’t be missing from such a list. 🙂
I’ve started trying that one this year – great interview pod. May be a contender for the 2018 list 🙂
You should check out our podcast STACKED podcast. We talk in depth about the entire story of a comic. What works, what doesn’t, what are the overarching themes this book is trying to tell, ect. Our latest episode was all about Kaare Andrews Iron Fist The Living Weapon. We would love to know what you think! http://www.stackedpod.com
You should check out Comics From the Multiverse on iTunes or on the Mild Fuzz TV YouTube channel. They cover the week’s books from DC. They are huge DC fans and offer an entertaining view on DC’s stuff.
Definitely check out the Comic Slobs and Number One Comic Books!
Try Serious Issues
I just started the Fantasticast. They plan on going through every issue of Fantastic Four. I’m on episode 5 and its been very good. They give an in depth look at each issue and keep it entertaining with comedy.
That sounds fun, I’ll have to check it out. Those issues are a blast.
Have you heard iFanboy? They’ve been around for over 10 years. Every week, they read a good portion of the week’s releases and talk about them on the podcast. It comes out every Sunday.
I believe I gave it a shot at one point, but it wasn’t for me. I can’t get into weekly roundtables about the week’s issues. Maybe one day!