The Comic Source Podcast

Jace breaks down Geiger #2 as the Ghost Machine universe expands with the introduction of Las Vegas, the King, and the idea of the so-called "Holy Grail." The issue builds out the larger world around Tariq Geiger, while also revealing more about his past and the possible connection between his condition and the radiation that changed everything.
The story introduces new characters and shows the harsh reality of survival in this post-apocalyptic setting, while also setting up larger conflicts that continue to pay off later in the series. With the benefit of hindsight, many of the elements introduced here carry more weight, especially when looking at how the narrative evolves beyond this issue.

Jace and Rocky break down all the DC Comics releases for the week of April 22, 2026, covering 10 books with a wide range of reactions from solid entertainment to standout highlights. Superman #37 features a meta-driven Superboy Prime navigating life in Metropolis while grappling with his past and a surprising encounter with Witchfire, Flash #32 introduces a dangerous viral stunt app pushing Wally West to his limits while juggling family life, and Detective Comics #1108 continues Tom Taylor's grounded mystery with Bruce teaming with Green Arrow and Black Canary while uncovering secrets tied to Prion's legacy. Absolute Flash #14 explores the Mirror Master storyline with Wally and Linda trapped in the mirror dimension and a deal involving Ray Palmer, while Absolute Wonder Woman #19 continues Diana's mythic journey with high-stakes magical elements. Green Lantern #34 sets up future developments with Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner while introducing the mysterious Toby Y2K, and Justice League Unlimited #18 examines the controversial decision to grant villains amnesty in the face of larger threats. Harley Quinn #61 leans into the split between Harley's personalities with the Bat-Quinn concept, while Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #5 slows things down with character work at Ma Hunkel's home and a Clayface cliffhanger. The Brutal Dark #3 builds its noir mystery around Ezra Kane with deeper connections to the museum heist and missing persons case. The episode also includes discussion of industry news, including layoffs and broader market trends, along with thoughts on speculation around current titles. As always, Jace and Rocky run down reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, rank every book from the week, and each give their pick for Book of the Week.

Jace welcomes returning creaor Richard Ashley Hamilton to discuss Leo Da Vinci: Renaissance Kid, a graphic novel that reimagines a young Leonardo da Vinci as an adventurous and inventive kid while drawing from real historical elements of his life. The conversation covers the inspiration behind portraying Da Vinci as a mischievous and empathetic protagonist, the balance between factual history and fictional storytelling, and how the Renaissance setting mirrors modern-day experiences for younger readers. Jace and Richard also explore the artistic work of Marco Matrone, the accessibility of the graphic novel format as a gateway for new readers, and how the story encourages curiosity about history through engaging, character-driven storytelling rather than traditional educational approaches.

Jace takes a look at Fireborn #1 from Image Comics, breaking down how the issue connects to the Lost Fantasy universe while evaluating how effectively it functions as a standalone story. With discussion of the creative work from Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Mark Dale and Micah Myers, the episode examines the structure of the oversized debut, the introduction of Aaron Hilberg and his connection to the dragon egg, and how the pacing benefits from the extended page count. The conversation also explores how the character's attitude is grounded in his personal circumstances, the balance between action and setup, and whether the issue establishes a strong foundation moving forward. Additional context is provided on the early market reaction, including the sellout and speculation, along with whether the demand reflects genuine reader interest or short-term attention.

Jace takes a look at The Hab #1 from Bad Idea, a high-concept horror story from Joshua Dysart, David Lapham, Bill Sienkiewicz and more, exploring a billionaire-built survival habitat meant to outlast the end of the world, only for things inside to begin to unravel as hallucinations, violence and deeper mysteries tied to the environment start to surface, with discussion of the layered themes, unsettling tone and standout visual storytelling that make this one of the more intriguing indie releases currently flying under the radar.
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