Best 700 The Light Podcasts (2024)

1
BLOOD IN THE TITLE 1:06:29

1h ago1:06:29

1:06:29

BLOOD IN THE TITLE •Controlling your reactions. •This week’s New Release videos. •DC’s initial wave of Absolute #1’s are all out. •Comic book elections. •BOOM! (and Oni) press releases for the week. •Comparing another shop’s invoice (again). This episode is dedicated to Florence Pugh. Contest of Challengers #710…

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Love Is The Seed: PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 91 - 105 33:27

24m ago33:27

33:27

Love is the seed … of all you do. It's news to me, given the state of the world. But not to Virgil. And certainly not to Dante's COMEDY. Virgil's explosive claim about love lies at the center of the poem: We do right and we go wrong because of the seed of love. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at the beginning of Virgil's central discourse in C…

1
Interview with Brox Boulder 40:44

3h ago40:44

40:44

First video podcast with Brox Boulder! Enjoy an entertaining and informative interview with one of Wrestling's great indie performers. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lee-gaugh/support

1
Drowsy Yet Vigilant, Slothful Yet Expectant: PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 73 - 90 23:09

6h ago23:09

23:09

Welcome to the fourth terrace of Purgatory proper! Dante and Virgil reach the top of the stairs just as night falls and the pilgim loses all possibility of forward momentum. He hesitates--from sloth?--and turns to Virgil--still damned!--to explain where they are. Virgil, the guide of Purgatory. It's still as shocking as it was sixteen cantos ago! J…

1
FEEDING FRENZY 1:07:03

5h ago1:07:03

1:07:03

FEEDING FRENZY •The long reach of Absolute Batman #1. •New website single-issue buying limits (and why). •LUCKY DEVILS #1 (by Ryan Browne and Charles Soule) is a really fun new comic!! •Thanks, Patrons! •The ongoing struggle for Pre-Orders. •The Fan Confidence Rating (via Prana DMS and Manage Comics). •Publisher Zoom meetings for retailers. This ep…

1
The Fourth Terrace Of Purgatory Proper: A Read-Through Of PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Line 73, to Canto XVIII, Line 145 16:41

1h ago16:41

16:41

We're ready to get to the fourth terrace of Purgatory proper--that is, the terrace where sloth is purged. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for a read-through of this terrace, starting at Canto XVII, Line 73 (or back three lines perhaps for a running start) through the end of Canto XVIII (at Line 145). We'll hear Virgil's great discourse on love as well as…

1
THEMATIC HEFT 1:08:16

2d ago1:08:16

1:08:16

THEMATIC HEFT •Graphic Novels based off of bands. •Out-of-print graphic novels. •X-Books sales check-in! •Collector mentality. •How the Day of the Dead Gil Signing went. •Daimond warehouse reduction. •Diamond replenishment shipping. •Marvel FOC’s thru January 2025. •Comics talked about in this episode: CALAVERA P.I. #1 DUST TO DUST #1This episode i…

1
Keeping Wrasslin' In Your Heart With Stag And Big John G 24:34

4d ago24:34

24:34

Interview with the indie's big man Big John G. Discussing his journey in the indie pro wrestling circuit. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lee-gaugh/support

1
MEGAFORCE 1:04:38

9d ago1:04:38

1:04:38

MEGAFORCE •Absolute Batman #1 is a HUGE, thikk-thighed hit! •It’s all about the BOOM (Tube)! •Aimee Garcia and AJ Mendez are coming (or, were here, by the time you hear this)! •Something about wrestling fans… •Thank you, Samantha/Welcome back, Donovan. •NYCC announcements (as of Thursday). •Comic talked about in this episode: GI JOE #1This episode …

1
CHANGING THE CALCULUS 1:12:49

25d ago1:12:49

1:12:49

CHANGING THE CALCULUS•A broken frame. •Dal’s Manage Comics Vision Board (TM). •Website search bars. •Dal is unqualified to sell comics. •Comic shop theft. •The high rent of modern retail. •Super-fun upcoming events! •Our preferable comic book publishing format? This episode is dedicated to Mike Norton’s first Richie Kotzen concert. Contest of Chall…

1
WE JUST DO WHAT WE DO 1:10:07

23d ago1:10:07

1:10:07

WE JUST DO WHAT WE DO •September 2024 sales. •The difference between different distributors’ invoicing. •Stocky importing (and what is Stocky). •Burnt out on too many comics. •Hand-selling is getting harder. •Thanks, Patrons! •The new lights are all installed!Contest of Challengers #705 This episode is dedicated to Patrick’s brother George and his …

1
LET THERE BE LIGHT 1:09:24

1M ago1:09:24

1:09:24

LET THERE BE LIGHT •Online credit/Pokemon kids. •We have (many but not all) new lights! •How was Batman Day 2014? •Dal talks about the Chicago White Sox a little bit more than Patrick wants him to. •No change in our weekly delivery date woes.•Comics talked about in this episode: ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1 DAY OF THE DEAD GIRL #1 TITANS #16 DETECTIVE …

1
All The Light Ends With The Stars: PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 40 - 72 20:23

2M ago20:23

20:23

Dante the poet is having great fun with light. He's playing with its various meanings: illumination, revelation, sunrise, sunset, concealment, power--all this as we approach the middle of PURGATORIO and even find ourselves in the middle of COMEDY as a whole. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore these last moments on Purgatory's terrace of the wr…

1
CLIFFORD T. JUMPER 1:06:04

1M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

CLIFFORD T. JUMPER •Patrick is (was) on WGN Spotlight Chicago. •Breaking our Manga section into Genres. •Another week of Lunar woes.•Comics talked about in this episode: BATMAN & ROBIN YEAR ONE #1 BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #1 GODZILLA MONSTERPIECE THEATRE #1Contest of Challengers #703By Challengers Comics

1
Three Ecstatic Visions And Dante's Warning (To Himself?) About Anger: PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 19 - 39 31:39

2M ago31:39

31:39

As Dante the pilgrim gets ready to leave the third terrace of Purgatory, the terrace of the angry, he has three ecstatic visions that warn about the dangers of excessive wrath. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at these visions and try to come to terms with the problem that Dante's rage may sit at the very center of COMEDY. If you'd like to help…

1
Interview with Zondra Lee punkrock indie babe 22:31

1M ago22:31

22:31

Stagger Lee interviews Canada's very own Zondra Lee (no relation) in this insightful look into an immensely talented future MEGASTAR! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lee-gaugh/support

1
FUNGIBLE 1:01:18

1M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

FUNGIBLE •Surge pricing. •Non-consecutive artists. •Good relationships with your USPS/UPS/FED EX delivery people. •Printer delays. •September sales slump. •The $2 Million copy of Fantastic Four #1.•Comics talked about in this episode: ABSOLUTE POWER #4 DC ALL IN ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1Contest of Challengers #702…

1
DAL CHOSE IT 1:07:13

2M ago1:07:13

1:07:13

DAL CHOSE IT •No cookies?!? •Updating the public. •A lunar eclipse. •The McDonalds bonus play. Contest of Challengers #701By Challengers Comics

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The Light Of The Imagination: PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, Lines 1 - 18 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Dante the pilgrim leaves Marco of Lombardy behind, but Dante the poet is not yet done with fundamental questions for his poem--particularly, how does he know what he knows? The answer lies in the imagination, the shaky ground that Dante posits is the basis of revelation. If you'd like to help underwrite the fees for this podcast, please consider do…

1
Marco Of Lombardy Redux: Questions From PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 46 - 145 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

We've finished Marco of Lombardy's central discourse about free will, the soul's maturation, and the systemic problems with the world. Now let's look back at the whole speech and talk through some of the larger issues it raises. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at Marco's speech in PURGATORIO in its entirety. If you'd like to donate to underwri…

1
34 700 1:28:44

2M ago1:28:44

1:28:44

34>700 •Episode 700 coincides with Patrick’s 34th Comic Retail Anniversary! •No, our Challengers Choice counter dump does not hold free comics. •A deep dive into the emails we send every month. •Book market shipment packing has not gotten any better. •Thanks, Patrons!•DC Comics’ new Compact Comics standing display. •Losing a mail order subscriber.C…

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The Chatty Conclusion Of The Angry Marco's Discourse: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 130 - 145 18:17

2M ago18:17

18:17

Marco of Lombardy's time in COMEDY comes to an end with a chatty back-and-forth between him and the pilgrim Dante. Dante wants to compliment Marco on creating such a great argument (the one, that is, that Dante the poet created!) but Marco's only answer seems to be irritation and an abrupt dismissal. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for a fascinating deep…

1
The Best World Is A World With Two Suns: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 97 - 129 34:46

2M ago34:46

34:46

Marco of Lombardy, the angry penitent, continues his diagnosis of the world's problems. It's got only one sun, not two, as Rome had. And that one sun, the papacy, is not kosher. In fact, perhaps cannot be kosher under any circumstances. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore a big chunk of Marco's reasoning about the world's ills. He said it was i…

1
“HEL-LO. DAN-YELL?” 1:04:06

2M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

“HEL-LO. DAN-YELL?” •Consulting? •Retailers talk, but do they listen? •Advice on opening a comic shop. •Unpopular opinion time! •Cover design fun! •Power Fantasy #1 is STILL so good! •DC’s Compact Comics commercial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yklMO_mPRoI •Apple wants our Patreon money! Contest of Challengers #699…

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The Shocking News That The Soul Is A Little Girl: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 85 - 96 28:21

3M ago28:21

28:21

Marco of Lombardy continues his discourse on free will, deep in the pitch-black smoke of the third terrace of Purgatory where the angry penitents confront their sin. His discussion takes a wild turn: a developmental hypothesis of the soul as a little girl, a scheme that may or may not nix original sin from Christian theology. Join me, Mark Scarbrou…

1
The Cause Is In You: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 64 - 84 33:39

3M ago33:39

33:39

Dante the pilgrim has asked the angry Marco of Lombardy the cause of the world's ills. Marco responds with both exasperation and affection before turning to the root of the matter: The cause is in all of you. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at this central passage in COMEDY, a grand statement of the Christian paradox of free will. If you'd lik…

1
THE BREAK-UP SONG 1:03:08

2M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

THE BREAK-UP SONG •Little Golden Books. •3 new DC titles for November. •Checking in on From The Ashes sales. •Marvel Unlimited. •So many Batmans. •The Challengers Book Club. •Comic talked about in this episode: THE MOON IS FOLLOWING US #1 Contest of Challengers #698By Challengers Comics

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How Can You Justify The Ways Of God (Or At Least, The Stars): PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 52 - 63 19:03

3M ago19:03

19:03

Dante's on the verge of exploding with doubt. Marco of Lombardy's snark about the loss of valor in the bows of this world has done little more than leave the pilgrim in a theological puzzle: How did the world get so bad? Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore Dante's question to Marco before we turn to Marco's central discourse, the very middle of…

1
Greeting The Wrathful And Slowly Changing COMEDY Itself: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 25 - 51 33:41

3M ago33:41

33:41

Wrapped in the dark, acrid smoke, Dante encounters one of the angry penitents and one of the most seminal figures in COMEDY, here at almost the exact center of the entire poem. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we work through the pilgrim's flatteries, the penitent's abrupt nature, and the questions of beauty that begin to dominate COMEDY itself. Here a…

1
PROMOTIONAL MUSCLE 1:03:48

3M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

PROMOTIONAL MUSCLE •Sponsors! •Inventory needs to be synched.•A Manage Comics correction.•So many new #1 issues per week.•Promotional muscle.•Snap-It’s! Contest of Challengers #697By Challengers Comics

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Solving The Knot Of Wrath: PURGATORIO, Canto XVI, Lines 1 - 24 23:15

3M ago23:15

23:15

Dante finds himself in such dark, acrid smoke that he is reminded of the very inky desolations of Inferno. In fact, he has come to the darkest spot in all of COMEDY, the fiftieth canto of Dante's masterpiece. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we begin to explore the third terrace of Purgatory proper along with Dante and his guide, Virgil. If you'd like …

1
Anger In PURGATORIO and INFERNO 23:36

3M ago23:36

23:36

In this interpolated episode among those on our slow-walk through Dante's masterpiece, COMEDY, let's discuss the specific sin of anger (or wrath), particularly as it relates to both PURGATORIO (the canticle we're in) and INFERNO (where we've come from). Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the definitions and inside-the-poem problems of anger. I…

1
IT’S NOT IN MY DNA 1:10:14

3M ago1:10:14

1:10:14

IT’S NOT IN MY DNA •July 2024 sales vs July 2023 sales. •The worst team in baseball.•Comparing our ordering vs another store.•Foil cover pricing.•Comics talked about in this episode: ZERO HOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 AUTUMN KINGDOM #1 JENNY SPARKS #1 STANDSTILL #1 DC VS VAMPIRES WORLD WAR V #1Contest of Challengers #696…

1
The Third Terrace Of Purgatory Proper: A Read-Through Of PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Line 85, Through Canto XVII, Line 72 20:32

3M ago20:32

20:32

We've now come to the third terrace of Purgatory proper, the ledge of wrath (or anger). Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we read through the passages that make up this terrace, starting back at PURGATORIO, Canto XV, line 85 (through parts of Canto XV we've already covered) and on to PURGATORIO, Canto XVII, line 72. If you'd like to help underwrite this…

1
Lighten Up Before The Dark Smoke Of Anger: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 115 - 145 17:44

3M ago17:44

17:44

Dante comes out of his ecstatic vision only to have Virgil question whether the pilgrim has drunk too much. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for this rare moment of levity after such intense visions. The pacing slows down and Virgil offers kind advice about getting on their way, maybe two more answers to the problem of anger. If you'd like to help underwr…

1
CONNECTION 46:51

3M ago46:51

46:51

CONNECTIONSorry, but this episode was recorded in the car. It’s been a busy week and there was no other time to get together and do it. It’s also a little shorter than usual, so that’s strike 2. But we do manage to talk about some industry news (Marvel ramping up their QR page usage), some SDCC stories, and run down the full slate of DC Comics crea…

1
The Answer To Wrath Is Written On Your Face: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 94 - 114 24:50

4M ago24:50

24:50

Dante the pilgrim has already had one ecstatic vision as he stepped onto the third terrace of Purgatory proper. Now he has two more in quick succession. We're able then to identify the sin or human failing for this terrace: anger (or wrath). And we're able to glean some very human answers Dante proposes to this very human failing. Join me, Mark Sca…

1
The First Ecstatic Vision . . . Of COMEDY: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 85 - 93 23:55

4M ago23:55

23:55

Dante and Virgil have stepped onto the third terrace of Purgatory proper and our pilgrim is hit with an ecstatic vision. In fact, the first one in a poem that may itself seem like an ecstatic vision. And one of the few anywhere in COMEDY. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we look at the first vision on the third terrace of Purgatory, the opening salvo t…

1
COIL VOLTAGE 1:09:24

3M ago1:09:24

1:09:24

COIL VOLTAGE •Zdarsky Comic News •Powerpuff Girls #1 is so much fun! •Giveaways being given to the right people. •ALL IN and Absolute DC.•A last-second security alarm call! Contest of Challengers #694By Challengers Comics

1
Hunger, Light, Love, And The Theology Of Abundance: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 58 - 84 27:14

4M ago27:14

27:14

Dante the pilgrim has gotten one answer out of Virgil about the nature of abundance and scarcity in terms of heavenly good . . . but that answer was not apparently enough. So he goes back for more. Join me, Mark Scarbrough, for this continuation of Virgil's lesson between the second and third terraces of Purgatory proper. As we leave the envious be…

1
FOR STABILITY REASONS 1:13:35

4M ago1:13:35

1:13:35

FOR STABILITY REASONS •How the video game Zenless Zone Zero is like working in a comic shop.•BIG Manage Comics update! •Gettin’ them ducts cleaned!•DSTLRY leaves Lunar for Diamond!•We actually like Lunar as a comic distribution company.•Penguin Random House buys BOOM! Studios!•When publishers reuse terminology, such as “absolute” or “ultimate”. Con…

1
Scarcity, Abundance, And The Poetics Between The Terraces: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 34 - 57 33:10

4M ago33:10

33:10

Dante and Virgil encounter the awaited angel as they begin their ascent to the third terrace of Purgatory proper. They hear two snippets of song. They find the climb easier. And Dante asks Virgil to gloss two lines Guido del Duca said back in Canto XIV. All these things indicate the shifting the nature of COMEDY itself as we enter its middle cantos…

1
Redefining The Terms Of What Seems To Be: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 25 - 33 15:41

4M ago15:41

15:41

Dante the poet is playing a very crafty game. He's been pulling out all the stops with two metaphors to help us understand the weight, meaning, and timing of the light . . . and then he redefines that source of light right underneath all those metaphors. And just as the poet pulls off that trick, Virgil also redefines the very terms on which PURGAT…

1
IT’S NOT AN ERA 1:05:17

4M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

IT’S NOT AN ERA •Challengers Shelf Sponsorship is live! https://challengerscomics.com/products/shelf-sponsorship •The Future of The X-Men starts Now!•Thanks, Patrons!•Comics talked about in this episode: X-MEN #1 POWER FANTASY #1, #2 NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #1 RED BEFORE BLACK #1 KILL ALL IMMORTALS #1, #2Contest of Challengers #692…

1
Playing Around With The Sun: PURGATORIO, Canto XV, Lines 1 - 24 30:57

4M ago30:57

30:57

Dante and Virgil pass on beyond the envious along the second terrace of Purgatory proper. As we enter the first of the middle three canti of all of COMEDY, Dante is blinded by the sun, about as we're blinded by his increasingly complex poetics. These passages begin the brilliant fun of the second half of the poem. Dante begins to play with meaning,…

1
Virgil Inscribes Circularity Into Linearity: PURGATORIO, Canto XIV, Lines 142 - 151 28:47

4M ago28:47

28:47

Having been accosted by two voices decrying the fate of the envious on the second terrace of Purgatory proper, Dante and Virgil begin to walk toward a stairway to the third terrace. As they do, Virgil, silent for quite a while, refocuses and reinterprets most of what we've read in PURGATORIO, Cantos XIII and XIV. He offers circularity in place of t…

1
IT’S JUST NOISE 1:07:31

4M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

IT’S JUST NOISE •The new weekly delivery schedule for new comics. •Marvel’s stealth release of Moon Knight Fist of Khonshu #0. •DC’s confidence in Absolute Power #2? •Notable, non-product specific challenges. •Shopify’s 150+ updates.•Diamond’s new Fandomworld. •Our products in someone else’s (non-comic) shopContest of Challengers #691…

1
Two More Voices On The Winds Of Envy: PURGATORIO, Canto XIV, Lines 127 - 141 27:07

4M ago27:07

27:07

With Guido del Duca enmeshed in his tears, Dante the pilgrim and Virgil begin to talk on along the terrace of envy, searching for a way up to the third terrace of Purgatory. Lo and behold, they're struck by two voices, just as they were when they got up to this terrace. This time, it's Cain and Aglauros, speaking on the wind. Join me, Mark Scarbrou…

1
Oh, For The Glory Days (That Maybe Never Were): PURGATORIO, Canto XIV, Lines 97 - 126 28:03

5M ago28:03

28:03

Guido del Duca reaches the climax of his diatribe: a nostalgic retrospective of the courts and families of Romagna. Where have the good guys gone? Is this Dante the poet's lament? Or Guido del Duca's? Does this passage tell us more about Guido's problems or Dante's hopes? Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we work through a tough passage about historical…

1
“SOMETHING SPECIAL IS COMING” 1:15:32

4M ago1:15:32

1:15:32

“SOMETHING SPECIAL IS COMING” •July 3rd is going to be a very small week of new comics. •Tipping. •Marvel has quietly ended/is ending several series. •Strange Tales Marvel Legends. •SAGA, now in a smaller collection format. •Frustrations when ordering from incomplete solicitations. •Upcoming comics for September. •Other media writers writing comics…

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