Comic Talk Cafe

Comic Talk Cafe One Shot #9: “Fantastic Four Out of Theater Reaction”

Jonathan TowryJuly 28, 2025One Shot, Podcast

Out-of-Theater Review: Fantastic Four First Steps

In this episode of Comic Talk Cafe, Jonathan, Rachel, and Logan give their out-of-theater reactions to the movie ‘Fantastic Four First Steps.’ The team provides a detailed review, noting the film’s adherence to comic book lore, character development, and overall pacing. They all agree that the fantastic casting and special effects make it a solid film. The group also discusses the pros and cons of the movie’s independence from the broader MCU and its potential for future crossover events. Their final verdict is a ‘fantastic thumbs up,’ recommending the movie to both comic book fans and general sci-fi enthusiasts.

00:00 Introduction and Crew Introduction

00:12 Initial Reactions to Fantastic Four

00:55 Detailed Review and Comparisons

03:20 Character Development and Casting

06:47 Special Effects and Visuals

09:44 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Comic Talk Cafe One Shot #8 “Superman Out Of Theater Reaction”

Jonathan TowryJuly 10, 2025One Shot, Podcast

Superman: James Gunn’s Vision Comes to Life – Out of Theater Reactions

In this episode of Comic Talk Cafe, Jonathan, Rachel, and Logan share their enthusiastic out-of-theater reactions to James Gunn’s new Superman movie. They discuss their initial thoughts and feelings about the film, the performances of the actors, and the movie’s ability to bring the DC Universe to life. They also touch on the emotional impact, humor, and comic accuracy of the film. The discussion includes reflections on specific characters like Lex Luthor and the roots of the DC Universe in the film. The episode ends with a hopeful outlook on the future of the DCU under James Gunn’s direction, encouraging listeners to get their tickets and experience the movie for themselves.

00:00 Out of Theater Reaction: Superman by James Gunn

00:34 Initial Impressions and Theater Experience

01:00 Character Performances and Audience Reactions

02:23 Humor and Emotional Moments

02:58 Supporting Cast and Comic Accuracy

03:52 Superman’s Role and DC Universe Expansion

06:34 Lex Luthor and Villain Portrayals

13:12 Final Thoughts and Future of the DCU

Comic Talk Cafe #4 “Heroes Con 2025”

Jonathan TowryJuly 10, 2025Podcast

Heroes Con 2025 Recap & Highlights!

Join Jonathan, Rachel, and Logan as they dive into their experiences at Heroes Con 2025. They discuss the cool artwork they picked up, including pieces, and shout out various artists they met. The crew shares insights into panels they attended, meeting notable personalities like, Chris Claremont, and Nick Dragotta. Tune in to hear their takeaways from dynamic figure drawing classes and an engaging Prince Valiant panel. If you’re a fan of comics, art, and conventions, this video is a must-watch for a comprehensive Heroes Con 2025 experience.

00:00 Introduction and Day One Overview

00:52 Art Acquisitions and Highlights

02:51 Meeting Artists and Collecting Signatures

06:42 Panels and Workshops 11:25 Day Two Kickoff

16:18 Artist Contributions and Comic Strips

17:27 Discovering New Artists at Comic-Con

18:23 Panel Highlights and Art Tips

20:19 Farewell to Cheap Joe’s Art Supplies

21:35 VIP Access and Comic Signatures

23:48 Final Day and Concluding Thoughts

Heroes Con 2025

Jonathan TowryJune 21, 2025Conventions

Comic Talk Cafe Mini Issue #3: “Dawn of the Black Axe #2”

adminJune 3, 2025Mini, Podcast

Review of ‘Dawn of the Black Axe’ Issue 2

Jonathan provides a quick review of ‘Dawn of the Black Axe’ Issue 2, detailing Broderick’s ongoing quest to eliminate the five vile snake beasts. The narrative explores Broderick’s internal struggle and the reappearance of his elk friend, culminating in his encounter with a poisonous snake. The review also mentions behind-the-scenes insights into the collaboration between artist Gabriel Rodriguez and writer/colorist David Peterson. Additionally, Jonathan highlights the 20th anniversary facsimile reprint of ‘Mouse Guard: Belly of the Beast’ in its original black-and-white format, suggesting it as a collectible for fans.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:19 Broderick’s Quest and Challenges

01:25 Battles and Turning Points

03:22 Behind the Scenes Insights

04:46 Final Thoughts and Collectibles

05:19 Mouse Guard 20th Anniversary

07:01 Conclusion and Recommendations

Comic Talk Cafe One Shot #7: “Marvel Books in July 2025”

adminMay 28, 2025One Shot, Podcast

Marvel Comics Preview for July 2023

In this episode, Jonathan provides an in-depth overview of the Marvel comics shipping in July 2023, as featured in Marvel Previews Number 44. Highlights include ‘Fantastic Four #1’ by Ryan North with art by Humberto Ramos, which is anticipated as a major release. Other significant titles discussed are ‘Captain America #1’ by Chip Zdarsky, ‘Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe,’ ‘Immortal Thor #25,’ and several new and ongoing series including ‘Marvel Knights,’ ‘Spider-Man versus the Sinister 16,’ ‘One World Under Doom,’ and various X-Men and Star Wars comics. Jonathan shares his excitement for these releases and invites viewers to share their opinions on the Comic Talk Cafe website and social media.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:20 Fantastic Four #1 Preview

03:17 Captain America #1 Preview

04:25 Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe

05:10 Giant-Size Specials and Marvel Knights

06:36 Immortal Thor and Marvel Swimsuit Special

08:15 Spider-Man and the Sinister 16

12:23 Ultimate Universe and Spider-Man

13:39 Star Wars and Licensed Comics

14:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Comic Talk Cafe One Shot #6: “DC Comics in July 2025”

adminMay 19, 2025One Shot, Podcast

DC Comics July Releases Overview with Jonathan

In this episode, Jonathan provides a preview of upcoming DC comics set to be released in July. Highlighted titles include the return of Gotham City Sirens, new issues in the Batman and Superman series, Absolute editions for Batman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter, as well as an exciting Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong crossover. Jonathan also shares his personal insights and preferences regarding the featured comics, and encourages listeners to share their thoughts via comments on the Comic Talk Cafe’s website or social media.

00:00 Introduction to DC Books for July
00:15 Gotham City Sirens and Batman Updates
01:00 Absolute Series Highlights
02:24 Superman and Other DC Heroes
03:02 Justice League and Other Team-Ups
03:27 Green Lantern and Detective Stories
04:59 Miscellaneous DC Releases
05:22 Final Thoughts and Personal Picks
06:23 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement

Comic Talk Cafe One Shot #5 “The New Avengers Spoilers Review”

adminMay 10, 2025One Shot, Podcast

Thunderbolts Review: The New Avengers’ Surprising Twist

In this episode of Comic Talk Cafe, hosts Jonathan, Rachel, and Logan dive into a detailed review of the recently released Marvel film ‘Thunderbolts’, which is officially revealed as ‘The New Avengers’. They discuss their initial thoughts, highlighting the film’s focus on major characters like the Sentry and Elena, while touching on the underdevelopment of supporting characters like Ghost and John Walker. The conversation also covers key plot points, character dynamics, and the balance between humor and serious themes. They emphasize the film’s strong narrative and speculate on future connections within the MCU, including the teaser hinting at the Fantastic Four. Overall, the hosts agree that ‘Thunderbolts’ is a promising step forward for Marvel, offering a good blend of action, emotion, and humor.

00:00 Introduction and Spoiler Alert

01:03 Initial Reactions to Thunderbolts

01:55 Character Dynamics and Critiques

04:56 Sentry’s Role and Marvel Comparisons

08:35 Visuals and Special Effects

12:14 Post-Credit Scene and Future Speculations

14:31 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Comic Talk Cafe Issue #3: “Summer of Superman”

Jonathan TowryMay 7, 2025Podcast

Summer of Superman Special: An In-Depth Review

In this episode of Comic Talk Cafe, hosts Jonathan, Logan, and Rachel provide an insightful discussion about the ‘Summer of Superman Special’. They discuss the significance of the special issue as a springboard for new Superman storylines, creative teams, and upcoming comics. The episode details the three-chapter special, highlighting key plot points such as Superman’s interactions with Lana, the inclusion of key characters like Krypto, and Lana Lang’s marriage to John Irons. The hosts reflect on the artwork by George Jimenez and discuss the different writers involved, including Mark Wade, Dan Slott, and Joshua Williamson. They conclude with a look at upcoming Superman-related releases and encourage listeners to engage with the new comic series.

00:00 Introduction to Comic Talk Cafe

00:02 Overview of the Summer of Superman Special

00:33 Creative Teams and New Storylines

01:38 Chapter One: Superman’s Early Years

05:11 Chapter Two: Superman as an Adult

06:33 Chapter Three: The Conclusion

09:58 Upcoming Superman Comics

17:25 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Comic Talk Cafe Mini Issue #2: Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1 Review

adminApril 29, 2025Mini, Podcast

Review and Exploration: Mouse Guard – Dawn of the Black Axe

Jonathan delivers a concise review of ‘Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe,’ highlighting the artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez and the writing and colors by David Peterson. The book explores the origin of the Black Axe and its first wielder, providing a rich backstory to the main Mouse Guard series. The three-issue mini-series format is praised for its digestibility. Jonathan commends the synergy between Rodriguez’s art and Peterson’s narrative, noting the familiar and immersive feel. The unique square format of the book adds to its charm. Overall, the review describes the book as a must-read for both long-time fans and newcomers.

00:00 Introduction to Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe

00:15 Background and Timeline of Mouse Guard

01:06 The Creation and Legacy of the Black Axe

01:30 Format and Structure of the Mini-Series

02:19 Art and Writing: A Perfect Blend

04:55 Unique Visual Storytelling

05:54 Final Thoughts and Recommendations