The Comic Source Podcast

Marvel Comics is entering one of the biggest transitional periods in its history. This week I break down Marvel moving its publishing operations from New York to Burbank, Steve Wacker replacing C.B. Cebulski as Editor-in-Chief, and what those changes could mean for the future of the publisher. I also cover Daredevil's continued reprint momentum, DC extending Absolute Green Arrow from six issues to twelve, first looks at G.I. JOE #25 and Battle Beast #12, the ThunderCats relaunch, San Diego Comic-Con announcements from Bad Idea, Ignition Press, Rocketship Entertainment and more. Then it's time for What Hit, the Prana Top 10 Best Sellers, and this week's Final Order Cutoff books.
 
00:00 Intro
01:28 Marvel Leaves New York & Steve Wacker Takes Over
05:11 Daredevil Reprint Momentum
06:33 Absolute Green Arrow Extended
07:24 G.I. JOE #25 First Look
07:57 Battle Beast #12 Preview
08:33 ThunderCats Relaunch
09:15 Bad Idea SDCC News
12:06 Ignition Press Pavilion
13:49 Revenge Of TV
15:05 Eastside Saints
16:08 The Rocketfellers #13
16:53 Three Worlds, Three Moons
18:59 Final Boss Video Game
19:46 Ice Cream Man Reprint
20:33 Badrock Sells Out
21:19 Rocketship Entertainment at SDCC
22:35 Pop Kill: Big Candy
23:37 Flux House Presents #1
24:25 Todd McFarlane & J. Scott Campbell
25:21 What Hit
27:40 Prana Top 10
32:22 Final Order Cutoff
37:53 Closing

Todd McFarlane returns to The Comic Source for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present and future of Spawn. Todd explains how drawings he created as a teenager in 1977 inspired the upcoming Spawn '77 project with Mark Spears, why the new story must carefully work around established Hellspawn mythology and what impressed him about Spears' atmospheric interpretation of the concept. He also details his unusual collaboration with J. Scott Campbell, in which both artists created distinct finished versions of the same original sketches, and discusses the hidden differences fans can discover between their covers. The conversation also explores McFarlane's limited-edition enamel pin program, his commitment to honoring announced production numbers and the importance of maintaining trust with collectors. Todd even shares a cinematic moment he wrote for the Spawn movie and imagines Jamie Foxx's Al Simmons delivering the line, "I wasn't hiding. I was waiting." The episode closes with McFarlane reflecting on creative freedom, longevity and why surviving long enough to continue making comics may be the greatest victory of all.
 
Links:
The Comic Source: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource
Todd McFarlane Productions: https://mcfarlane.com
McFarlane Toys Store: https://mcfarlanetoysstore.com
J. Scott Campbell Store: https://jscottcampbell.com
Spawn Official: https://www.spawn.com

Zach Michaels, Director of Events at Fandom, returns to The Comic Source to preview one of San Diego Comic-Con's most sought-after opening-night events. He discusses how fans can win invitations, the work required to produce the massive celebration, and why San Diego provides an experience unlike any other major convention.
Zach also reveals some of this year's entertainment and activations, including The Coverups led by Billie Joe Armstrong, Xbox and Halo: Campaign Evolved, Suntory's -196 brand, Z2 Comics' And Out Comes the Wolf, and an unconventional pep squad that will be part of the performance.
Beyond the party, the conversation explores Fandom's larger mission of providing a place where every interest—from comics and gaming to anime, movies, television, and reality shows—can be celebrated without one community being elevated at the expense of another.

Jace and Rocky break down all 13 DC releases for the week of July 15, 2026. Nightwing #140 brings Psycho Pirate into Dan Watters' Blüdhaven mystery by tying the city's violence to Medusa architecture instead of the Medusa Mask. Wonder Woman #35 works as a Wonder War interlude that retells Diana's origin through Steve Trevor explaining Wonder Woman's history to Trinity. End of Life #6 has Eddie Stallion try to leave Pluto before his reunion with Sophie convinces him to stay while the Menagerie's assassins keep closing in. Batwoman #5 has Kate Kane rescue Alice by removing her mask and reaching her sister directly, while Mother Despina warns that winning may still mean losing. Deathstroke: The Terminator #5 reveals the person behind the attacks on Slade and ends with a threat to Rose Wilson that she may not survive. Absolute Flash #17 ends the Gorilla City story in tragic fashion with the young Grodd caught between loyalty to his father and his bond with Wally. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #53 highlights Dick Grayson's skills as he tries to break Batman and Superman free from Tyrannus Rex's control in Skartaris. Dark Knights of Steel 2 #1 expands the medieval DC world beyond the original kingdoms as Kara is welcomed into Amazonia, Batman remains separated from the League, and Amanda Waller's secret villainy continues to hang over the larger story. New Titans #37 hints at Static joining the team while giving Kid Devil more spotlight and continuing Spoiler's rise into a stronger leadership role. Lobo #5 has the network ordered to bring Lobo back, only for the executive to put a contract on him and send Lip Bomb after the Main Man. Catwoman #89 pushes Selina deeper into her Gotham war with Black Mask while bringing her connection to Carmine Falcone closer to outright confirmation. Superman Unlimited #15 builds on the Ultra Boy reveal by showing Jon Kent's faith in him pay off, while Superwoman's arrival keeps the Earth-3 story from ending cleanly. Absolute Green Arrow #3 shifts further into Black Canary's investigation as the issue reveals Miraclo, Rex Tyler and anti-aging experiments tied to the billionaires being targeted. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace welcomes writer Ben H. Winters and Oni Press President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson for an in-depth conversation about the new Archie #1 and the beginning of Oni Press' ambitious Archie publishing program. Hunter explains how the partnership with Archie Comics developed, why Oni is launching the line carefully with Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Archie in Hell, and how the publisher plans to preserve the characters' history while giving every book a distinct modern identity. Ben discusses writing Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the Riverdale cast, drawing inspiration from raising three teenagers, balancing humor with authentic adolescent anxiety and finding the humanity beneath the characters' familiar relationships. They also explore Archie's enormous influence on popular culture, the importance of joyful comics, Fábio Moon's interpretation of Riverdale and what Oni has planned for San Diego Comic-Con. Archie #1 is scheduled for release September 2, 2026.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Oni Press' New Archie Era 00:32 How the Oni and Archie Partnership Happened 03:12 Why Ben H. Winters Said Yes to Archie 05:20 Modernizing Archie for Every Generation 07:34 Choosing Fábio Moon and Kano 11:38 Betty or Veronica? 13:45 Building a Sustainable Archie Publishing Line 16:28 Balancing Teenage Drama, Humor and Optimism 18:50 Jughead's Journal 20:15 Why Archie Comics Are So Hard to Write 23:55 Making Comics Fun Again 27:19 The Fizz of Teenage Potential 29:38 Finding Archie Andrews' Voice 31:31 Archie's Influence on Popular Culture 33:00 The Responsibility of Publishing an Icon 35:16 What Makes Oni's Archie #1 Different 37:40 San Diego Comic-Con Plans 39:35 Why Comic Conventions Matter 42:46 Final Thoughts and Preordering Archie #1
 
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