Zackula, Charlacabra, and Tiffany “Blah!”-bb are covering two monstrous graphic novels: – My Favorite Thing is Monsters (2017) by Emil Ferris – Monsters (2021) by Barry Windsor Smith Topics discussed: – How much does the authorial vs. character voice matter to the success of My Favorite Thing is Monsters? – Is Monsters a genre work or literary work…

The Undigestible Zackum and Millenium Charlotte are covering three separate “stoner comics”: – Dungeon Quest (available on Comixology, vol. 1-4) – Prison Pit (available as a complete collection on Hoopla) – Megg, Mogg, and Owl (read Megahex or Megg & Mogg in Amsterdam to start, then read your fill of other volumes) Topics discussed: – Is there a un…

Zackdick the Comic-Fucker and Charlotte Coleslaw are joined this month by Dave Puesing, founder and CEO of Comic Book Herald. On this episode, we’re covering the seminal Eightball by Daniel Clowes. We’re talking issues #1-18 (what’s included in The Complete Eightball collection). Topics discussed: – Can the comic succeed simply by expressing the in…

Charlotte “Horny Redhead” Costigan, Zackie the Man-chanic, and special guest Sara Century begin a new series covering the renowned comic book publisher Fantagraphics. This is the first of two episodes covering Love and Rockets, focused on the work of Jaime Hernandez. Our second episode, coming in five months, will cover Gilbert Hernandez’ work. Com…

Dungeon Zack and Shattered Charlotte wrap up our discussion on the work on Molly Knox Ostertag, covering three stand-alone graphic novels. Comics covered in this episode: – Girl From the Sea – Shattered Warrior – Dungeon & Dragons: Dungeon Club Vol. 1 Topics discussed: – Does MKO’s artistic style suit the material of Shattered Warrior? – What if a …

Witch Boy Zack and Shapeshifting Charlotte begin our discussion on the work on Molly Knox Ostertag, covering her three graphic novels in the Witch Boy Trilogy. Comics covered in this episode: – The Witch Boy – The Hidden Witch – The Midwinter Witch. Topics discussed: – Is there a difference in how representation should be handled in children’s medi…

Zack and Charlotte begin our discussion on the work on Molly Knox Ostertag, covering her online work, including her current work on Substack. Comics covered in this episode: – Her online work, in order of how much we recommend reading it: Strong Female Protagonist, Darkest Night, How The Best Hunter In The Village Met Her Death, Lord of the Rings f…

Zack and Charlotte complete our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of the Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips spy noir, Sleeper. We cover all 24 issues in the two volumes. Topics discussed: – If the stakes are felt, do plot details matter? – Is this a subversion, or just what superhero comics are now? – Don’t ask Charlotte about …

Zack, Charlotte, and special guest Dave Busting continue our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of the Alan Moore run of Miracleman (1982). We cover all the issues in the newly released Omnibus. Topics discussed: – Is Alan Moore critiquing superhero comics? Taking them very seriously? Mocking them? Or a combination or the t…

Zack, Charlotte, and special guest Kelly Kanayama continue our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s The Boys (2006). Topics discussed: – What is Garth Ennis targeting with his anger in this comic? – How do you make edgy comedy land? – Is the Amazon series adaptation an improvement, or doe…

Zack, Charlotte, and special guest Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continue our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard’s Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt (2019) Topics discussed: – Does Peter Cannon make a successful argument for fresh modes of comic creation? – How valuable is the legacy of Watchmen? – Wha…

Zack and Charlotte (aka Zackita Wagner and Charlotte Leather) continue our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of Warren Ellis (https://www.somanyofus.com/) and John Cassaday’s Planetary. Topics discussed: – Is Planetary just a series of references to pop culture or does it have something to say about those stories? – Does i…

Zack and Charlotte (aka Rors-Zach and Dr. Transhattan) kick off our first miniseries on Superhero Subversions with a discussion of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. Topics discussed: – Is Watchmen really as good as its legacy suggests (yes, it is), or is it just nerds overvaluing a metatextual work (no, it isn’t)? – Is a personal sense of over…

Zack and Charlotte END their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – What kind of animal is a shallot? – Are fetishes in the DNA? – Does the Ultimate Universe end with a bang or a whimper? Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate FF #1 – #6 -Ultimate Spider-Man #200 -Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – #12 -…

Zack and Charlotte continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Does a robot need to be hot in order to love it? – Can the heart ever be mended (from almost being murdered by your super-villain boyfriend last week)? – Is Charlotte lying about wearing glasses? You decide! Comics covered in this episode: …

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Did THIS COMIC invent the idea of sentient plants? – Charlotte finally PROVES that she can speak French. – Should the Ultimate Universe be ending now? Is a wrap-up now wise? Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Comics X-Men #23-33 -Ult…

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – What’s the point of the Ultimate line of Marvel if it’s as hard to get into as 616? – Double Uncle Ben’d! – HoXPoX is a cipher for discussing all mediocre comics. Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #16.1 & #19-22 -U…

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Should this event be LONGER? – Is this Zack’s most cancellable verbal slip-up? – Should the French be allowed to vote in US elections? Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Comics X-Men #14-18.1 -Ultimate Comics Ultimates #13-18.1 -Ulti…

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – What makes Miles more than just “New Peter Parker”? – How does Ultimate Comics X-Men deal with the Mutant Metaphor being removed? – How much is Spider-Men fan service, and does it matter if it’s good? Comics covered in this episode: -Ultima…

Zack and Charlotte (and Dave, who blackmailed us into letting him be on the show again) continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Whose podcast is this, anyway?! – How did Hickman make an Ultimate Hawkeye comic one of the best in the entire line? – Our perpetual desire to see Hickman run his own Ulti…

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – How much should the extratextual spoilers of an event matter when reading a comic? – Thank you for creating Miles Morales, Brian… now leave! – Charlotte realizes Zack’s goldfish memory can be wielded against him. Comics covered in this epis…

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Should Hickman be leading a new Ultimate Universe? – Does hype for events ruin stories? – Giant vampires and vampire Hulk? It’s cool! We’re only human! Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Comics Thor #1 – #4 -Ultimate Comics Avengers …

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – What advantages does the smaller size of the Ultimate U bring? – Sue and Ben? Best FF couple confirmed? – No More Loeb Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Enemy #1-4 -Ultimate Mystery #1-4 -Ultimate Doom #1-4 -Ultimate Comics Captain …

Charlotte and Zack continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: – Aunt May’s Home for Wayward Super Boys. – Mark Millar, please explain yourself. – Nick Fury is simply irresistible, no matter how many times he sleep with your mom. Comics covered in this episode: – Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 – #15 – Ult…

Zack and Charlotte continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Comics covered in this episode: Ultimate Comics X #1-5 Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #1-4 Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-6 (2009) Ultimate Avengers #1-6 Up Next for Episode Twenty-Four (05/01/22): Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7 – #15 Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #1 – #6 You …

Zack, Charlotte, and guest STAR Dave, continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Comics covered in this episode: Ultimatum #1-5Ultimate Spider-Man #129-133Ultimate X-Men #98-100Ultimate Fantastic Four #58-60 Up Next for Episode Twenty-Three (04/01/22): Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #1-4Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1-6Ultimate Comics…

Zack and Charlotte continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Comics covered in this episode: Squadron Supreme #1-6Ultimate X-Men #90-97Ultimate Origins #1-5Ultimate Hulk Annual #1 Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four Annual #1 Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men Annual #1 Up Next for Episode Twenty-Two (03/01/22): Ultimatum #1-5Ultimate Spi…

Zack and Ashley continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Comics covered in this episode: Ultimate Fantastic Four #54-57Ultimate Human #1-4Ultimate Spider-Man #123-128The Ultimates (v3) #1-5 Up Next for Episode Twenty-One (02/01/22): Squadron Supreme #1-6Ultimate X-Men #90-97Ultimate Origins #1-5Ultimate Hulk Annual #1 Ultimate…

Zack and Ashley continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Should the mutant metaphor go deeper? * Did Mike Carey pull off his version of Thanos the second time around? * Kong is the coolest bro. Just a statement. Comics covered in this episode: – Ultimate X-Men #81-89 – Ultimate Fantastic Four #47-53…

Zack and Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Why robot so sexy? * Is Bendis just writing a lesser version of his own 616 Daredevil run here? * Invincible? Why are we debating this again? Comics covered in this episode: – Ultimate Vision #1-5 – Ultimate Spider-Man #106-117 Up Next for Episo…

Zack, and special guest Monika Estrella Negra continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! You can find Monika at: https://twitter.com/negramonika1 https://authory.com/monikaestrellanegra Topics discussed include: * Why doesn’t Ultimate Fantastic Four work? * Has any comic wasted Thanos more than this? * Cable Logan is cool. Not a…

Zack, Dave, and special guest Monika Estrella Negra continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! You can find Monika at: https://twitter.com/negramonika1 https://authory.com/monikaestrellanegra Topics discussed include: * Does Ultimate Annual #2 take enough care with its subject matter? * Why is Greg Land? * Why does the Ultimate …

Talitha Rowland is the Cabinet Office Deputy Director who runs the secretariat for the Cabinet's Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee, which is charged with overseeing the development of the government's legislative agenda. In this unprecedented interview she offers a rare insight of a civil servant's view of the lawmaking process, in d…

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Which characters in the Ultimate Universe can compete against the 616 versions? * What other writers do we fancast to work in the Ultimate U.? * Why are there so many dang wiseacres in these comics?! Show some respect, teens! Comics covered in thi…

Fast-streamer Mohammed Hasan interviewed Jacob Rees-Mogg as part of 2021's Civil Service Live, giving the Leader of the House a chance to set out his views on how government interacts with parliament to an audience of civil servants.

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Are we starting to feel the effects of the 10+ year Bendis run of USM? * Is Kitty/Peter a smart choice for the Ultimate Universe? * How do we give credit to By Divine Right for our theme music?! Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Spider-Man…

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Why is Ultimate Gah Lak Tus such a disappointment? * What even is Miller’s sense of humor? * Could 2020 Marvel get away with killing a U.S. first lady? Comics covered in this episode: -Ultimate Extinction #1-5 -Ultimates (v2) #6-13 -Ultimate Wolve…

Jacob Rees-Mogg hands over the reins to Lord Hannan of Kingsclere for a special episode to conclude the second series of 'Why Parliament Works'. The pair discuss what the powers returned from the European Union mean for the UK Parliament - and how parliamentarians should respond to their new, strengthened roles.…

Dame Eleanor Laing is the House of Commons' senior deputy speaker, the Chairman of Ways and Means. In this episode she discusses with Jacob Rees-Mogg her career in Westminster - including her time as special adviser to Leader of the House John MacGregor from 1990 to 1992; her election in 1997; and her views on the Commons during the pandemic.…

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * Why does Dave yell at us? * Do artists like Steve Dillon and Jae Lee work best only with certain kinds of stories? * When/if will someone besides Millar or Bendis soar in the Ultimate U? Comics covered in this episode: – Ultimate Secret #1-4 – Ult…

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is a landmark piece of legislation and the result of extensive scrutiny by Parliament. In this special episode of the 'Why Parliament Works' podcast to mark Royal Assent - the moment when the bill becomes an Act of Parliament - Minister for Safeguarding Victoria Atkins discusses her work with MPs and peers to improve the…

Dr Caroline Shenton, historian, archivist and author of 'The Day Parliament Burned Down' and 'Mr Barry's War', discusses the disastrous 1834 fire which destroyed the Palace of Westminster and its subsequent protracted rebuilding with Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg.

The Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Natalie Evans of Bowes Park, discusses with the Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, her experience in the upper House - first as the youngest female peer, then as a Baroness-in-Waiting, and since 2016 in her current role.

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * What spark does the Ultimate U really need to soar? * Why does the Ultimate Universe bring such so-so work out of acclaimed writers? * What does it mean to malt something? Comics covered in this episode: *Ultimate X-Men #54-60 *Ultimate X-Men Annu…

Catherine McKinnell is the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North and chairman of the Commons' petitions committee, which has been giving members of the public the opportunity to influence parliamentary business since its establishment in 2015. This episode explains the ongoing relevance of petitioning, one of the oldest forms of seeking redress of griev…

Carolyn Harris is the Member of Parliament for Swansea East and a regular contributor to business questions, where she often praises individuals and organisations in her constituency. In this episode Jacob Rees-Mogg discusses with her how MPs of all parties can support their constituents and how campaigning MPs can make a real difference to people'…

The development of petitioning during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries is an important chapter in the UK Parliament's history. This period saw a broadening of the scope of the issues under consideration: cases of individuals seeking redress of grievance continued throughout but were increasingly supplemented by instances when the king was asked to…

In his long and distinguished parliamentary career Lord Hague of Richmond has seen the Commons - and more recently, the Lords - from every conceivable angle: backbencher, junior minister, leader of the opposition, shadow foreign secretary, first secretary of state, foreign secretary and of course Leader of the House. In this episode Jacob Rees-Mogg…

Following the UK's exit from the European Union the three principles of parliamentary of sovereignty as defined by A.V. Dicey, that great constitutional theorist, once again fully apply to Westminster. These are that Parliament is the supreme lawmaking body and can enact laws on any subject; that Parliament cannot bind its successor; and that no co…

Zack & Dave continue their coverage of the Ultimate Marvel line of comics! Topics discussed include: * How does good dialogue function? Does tonal coherence with the story matter? * Why does Ultimate Fantastic Four exist? * How Brian K. Vaughan created a new and improved version of Mr. Sinister. Comics covered in this episode: *Ultimate Spider-Man …