The Fantasticast

Episode 368: Marvel Two-in-One #77 - Only The Swamp Survives Apr 05, 2024

Cancelled Comic Cavalcade

Hello, and welcome to episode 367 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

After an extended break, Steve is back to continue his journey through the latter issues of Marvel Two-in-One. What happens if a team-up books doesn't involve a team-up, and neither title star recognises each other? What happens if the non-title guest stars are more interesting than the actual guest star? And what happens if The Thing is actually his own grandfather in an attempt to match the Marvel sliding timescale with a story set in a very specific timeframe? Find out in this week's Fantasticast!

Tom DeFalco, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Bob Wiacek present Marvel Two-in-One #77 - Only The Swamp Survives. In which a walkabout in a swamp goes horribly wrong, Alicia Masters has no agency at all, we discover a new element of World War II, and find out what The Thing would look like as a Muppet. All this, and brief looks at Avengers #209 and Dazzler #5 as well!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 367: Fantastic Four #232 - Back To The Basics May 20, 2023

John Byrne Doesn't Play Well With Others

Hello, and welcome to episode 367 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're finally here, the start of the 1980s renaissance of the Fantastic Four. John Byrne is here as writer and artist, and the Fantastic Four will never be the same again. Diablo is back in town, and looking to use the elemental nature of the Fantastic Four against his old enemies. Only some cunning thinking, and a well-stocked scuba store, can prevent the team from being defeated by their own dark reflections. And only the former co-host of The Fantasticast can help guide Steve through this new beginning.

Yes, returning to the show for the start of the Byrne run is former Fantasticast co-host Andrew Leyland. He tore himself away from reviewing The Overlooked Dark Knight, and from hosting his eclectic pop-culture review show The Palace of Glittering Delights, to dust off his Fantastic Four longbox and make a return to the world of Fantastic Four review and commentary. Missed him? As well as his podcasts, you can also follow him on (what's left of) twitter where he is @leyland_andrew!

John Byrne, John Byne, Bjorn Heyn (but actually John Byrne), Glynis Wein, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Terry Austin present Fantastic Four #232 - Back To The Basics! Featuring two-month-old Oscar talk, Yeoh before bladder, Not Bjorn Heyn, a catalogue of redheads, and the cleansing of New York with fire.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 366: Steve Further Fan-'Splains The FF Apr 28, 2023

A Veritable Everything Bagel of 1970s Fantastic Four

Hello, and welcome to episode 358 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time around, the Fantasticast is taking a short breather between the end of the Moench/Sienkiewicz run, and the start of the Byrne run. Picking up from where we left off in mid-2015, Steve is here to guide you literally through every issue and spin-off of the Fantastic Four, from Fantastic Four #121 through to Fantastic Four #131, including all of Marvel Two-in-One to date, and a few extra appearances as well.

Yes, it's Steve Further Fan-'Splains The FF, a chance to catch up on everything that's been happening so far in The Fantastic Four. It's a non-stop skip-and-a-jump through the post-Kirby years and into the 1970s, with revisits of the good, the bad, and the Conway. It's a chance to revisit old memories, and remind ourselves of the just how weird things could get in the 1970s.

Part 1 of the Fan-'Splain series can be found in Episode 137, and Part 2 can be found in Episode 138.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 365: Marvel Two-in-One #76 - The Big Top Bandits Feb 16, 2023

We Need To Talk About Sue's... Uh...

Hello, and welcome to episode 365 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking a well-earned break, both in the real world and in the podcast. Steve's travelling to Los Angeles to attend the Gallifrey One convention, and Ben, Alicia, Bobby, and Bill are off to the circus in Marvel Two-in-One. Such a shame that there's only one circus in the Marvel Universe (yes, we're discounting the one with Johnny's cousins from Strange Tales), and that one is the Circus of Crime!

Tom DeFalco, David Michelinie, Jerry Bingham, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, and Gaspar Saladino present Marvel Two-in-One #76 - The Big Top Bandits. Guest-starring both Iceman and Giant Man, and featuring some curiously silent heroes, a thoroughly irriating clown, an accidentally-forgettable artist, and the strong need to talk about Sue's... uh... As well as this, we're also joining the latest of Marvel's merry mutants to follow her disco-laden adventures with Doctor Doom in Dazzler #3 and #4.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 364: Fantastic Four #231 - In All The Gathered Gloom Feb 04, 2023

He Is Styggor, And He Is Not Important

Hello, and welcome to episode 364 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The end has arrived, and, well, it's probably about time. The creative team are departing the book to make way for a fresh start, but they've got some unfinished business to take care of. The Baxter Building and the surrounding city block are stuck in the Negative Zone, and Lorrie Melton is missing her boo. Can the Fantastic Four overcome civilian insurrection, and the least important villain see in the Fantastic Four to date, and make it back home to Franklin?

Doug Moench, Roger Stern, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, And Moore (but actually Al Milgrom and Frank Giacoia), George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #231 - In All The Gathered Gloom. Featuring someone who is a gangster and not a Wolverine writer, someone who is not Magneto, someone who is not Jim Shooter, someone who is not Jerome Moore, and wouldn't you know it? Bill Sienkiewicz is inking, and he wants you to know it!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 363: Marvel Two-in-One #75 - By Blastarr -- Betrayed! Sep 30, 2022

Ah, Fuck Me Dead, I've Got To Draw All This Shit

Hello, and welcome to episode 363 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

For the second week in a row, the Avengers nose their way into the podcast, but to greater narrative effect. Blastarr and Annihilus are teaming up to tame the Negative Zone, and only The Thing and his poker-playing Avengers buddies can stop them. And only Steve and his Antipodean podcasting buddy Paul Hix (Waiting for Doom, The DCOCD Podcast, Dial F for Flanger, The Gary Show) can recap and review this oversized anniversary issue.

Tom DeFalco, Alan Kupperberg, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Mike Higgins, Jean Simek, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Joe Sinnott, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #75 - By Blastarr -- Betrayed! Featuring pre-emptive podcast notes, some tips for She-Hulk, a spaceship called Tim, Annihilus's best life, the bestial bastard Blastarr, sexy Highfather, the anatomy of a boot, and an inevitable discussion about Neighbours.

Find Paul on twitter where he is @reading_hix and find Waiting For Doom (and all his other shows) at https://www.waitingfordoom.com/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 362: Fantastic Four #230 - Firefrost and the Ebon Seeker Sep 12, 2022

Hello, and welcome to episode 362 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time on the Fantasticast, we discover what happens after an all-action issue. Yes, it's the inevitable exposition, and there's plenty of it. From decaying cultures in the far future to the inside of a black hole, this issue is not short of great concepts, but can they be spun into an engaging story that stands alongside it's predecessor? Uh...

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #230: Firefrost and the Ebon Seeker. Featuring lots of blatant rip-offs of recent science fiction films, a gratuitous Avengers appearance, and an astonishingly awful UK Number One single. Well, that bit isn't in the comic itself, but after last week, you do deserve a bit of warning.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 361: Marvel Two-in-One #74 - A Christmas Peril Jul 17, 2022

Festive Clay Snuffling

Hello, and welcome to episode 361 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, the Fantasticast hits a new milestone - the first comic covered twice by the show. We looked at Marvel Two-in-One #74 almost an entire decade ago, and it's time to look at it in context of the run, and see if Steve has worked out just who the people at the party really are.

Except that Steve isn't doing this along. Joining him for a thoroughly unseasonal Christmas bash is returning guest host Stacey Taylor. Host of Stacey's Pop Culture Parlor, Stace and Barry In The Morning, and new show Never Seen, Stace is back and delightful as ever. Together, they examine a unusual Christmas tale, as childlike wizards and bovine nannies meet the holiday spirit.

Mark Gruenwald, Frank Springer, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Bob Budiansky, and Jim Salicrup present Marvel Two-in-One #74 - A Christmas Peril, featuring parole, a guy with a big face and a lack of talent, all of the swears, uncensored smut, and... hold on, that's the hosts! In addition, Steve takes a quick peak at Avengers #206, as he forgot to do it last time.

Fantasticast guest-host Christine Hanefalk has published her first book. Being Matt Murdock: One Fan's Journey Into The Science of Daredevil is now available as both a book and an e-book from Amazon. Do go and check it out!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 360: Fantastic Four #229 - The Thing From The Black Hole Jun 12, 2022

Reed's Tool

Hello, and welcome to episode 360 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a bumper episode of The Fantasticast this week, as we cover no less than five comics! From visitors from the inside of a black hole, to scientific handwaves, from the disco floors of New York to the funeral of a President that could have been, with a quick sidestep into flashback territory, this is one of our busiest episodes to date.

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiwicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #229 - The Thing From The Black Hole. And many, many more creators bring us Amazing Spider-Man #215, Dazzler #2, Thor #306, and What If? #26. Join as us we discover the first Fantastic Four work of John Romita Jr and Tom DeFalco!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 359: Marvel Two-in-One #73 - Pipeline Through Infinity May 29, 2022

Direct Nipple Strike

Hello, and welcome to episode 359 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're jumping through the dimensions with Ben Grimm and Wendell Vaughan. A dangling plot thread needs to be tied up, and it leads our heroes to a world under threat, a world where dinosaurs and oil drilling are forced to mix. Oh, the horrors!

Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, John Costanza, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #73 - Pipeline to Infinity. Guest-starring Quasar, and featuring some catty swiping at Muse, at least one bare-arse naked guy, and Roxxon: Exxplained. And, as a bonus, we also take a quick peek at Thor #305, featuring the return of Gabriel, the Air Walker.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 358: Fantastic Four #228 - Ego-Spawn May 14, 2022

Reed Richards: Master of Ethics

Hello, and welcome to episode 358 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time on the Fantasticast, we must, we must uncover the mysteries of Franklin's powers, by dressing him up as Professor X (with handy replica Cerebro) and hoping that he isn't too unhappy about a burger. And if this doesn't sound too great, don't worry - someone's read some 'science' and is oh-so-eager to show off their 'research'...

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Gaspar Saladino, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #228 - Ego-Spawn. Featuring a long look at the medical and scientific ethics at play, the worst way to manipulate your family so you can get your own way, and a prick in a vest.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 357: Marvel Two-in-One #72 - The Might of Maelstrom Apr 29, 2022

A 'Masterclass' In Solo 'Podcasting'

Hello, and welcome to episode 357 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The show is back after a 2-ish week break, and this time, there's a dire need to wrap some things up. There's an unfinished three-part storyline in Marvel Two-in-One, which in turn forms part of an unifnished plot thread that has run through most of the 1970s. The inhabitants of Hybrobase need curing, and the Inhumans have some unfinished business at their old gaffe.

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, John Costanza, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Gaspar Saladino, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #72 - The Might of Maelstrom. In which domes are shattered, old men die, shadows are wielded by villain and artist alike, and crimes too terrible to mention go unmentioned.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 356: Fantastic Four #227 - The Brain Parasites Apr 17, 2022

A Punk With A Tie

Hello, and welcome to episode 355 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The show is back after a 19-ish month break, and it's bringing with it yet another issue from the infamous Moench/Sienkiewicz run on the Fantastic Four. A meteor falls to Earth, and what it contains could spell disaster and ruin for the petrochemical industry! Only the Fantastic Four can stop it, as long as they don't get distracted by Reed's chauvinism and Sue's poor writing...

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Bruce Patterson, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, and Gaspar Saladino present Fantastic Four #227 - The Brain Parasites. Featuring an impromptu holiday, fishing gear, a novel way of keeping score, an Alien ripoff, and a spooky twist ending. OR DOES IT?!?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 355: Marvel Two-in-One #71 - The Cure Sep 12, 2020

Let's Play Sportsball!

Hello, and welcome to episode 355 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time to wrap up one of the longer-running plot lines in the Marvel Universe. It's time to brew a potion, it's time to put things right, it's time to cure the green-skins, on our episode tonight. The inhabitants of Hydro-Island are ready to have their humanity restored, and no-one can stop them. Not even a mysterious figure and his three henchmen.

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Dasy, John Costanza, George Roussos, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #71 - The Cure, guest-starring the Fantastic Four's very own Mr Fantastic. And Triton. And Gorgon. And Karnak. And Crystal and Quicksilver. And Luna (sort-of). In addition, we're also off to the original dystopian future with Uncanny X-Men #141, where an elder Franklin Richards holds the key to unmaking the Days of Future Past.

Before all of this, tribute is paid to our friend and co-host Seb Patrick, who passed away very unexpectedly at the start of August. Seb was a huge supporter of the show, he appeared three times with us over the years, and his is much missed. A GoFundMe was set up to support his wife and daughter, you can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-seb-patrick

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 354: Fantastic Four #226 - The Samurai Destroyer Aug 01, 2020

And We're Back

Hello, and welcome to episode 354 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

So we're back. Well, one of us is, at least. After eight months off the air and four months of social isolation, the urge to podcast got a bit too much for Steve, and he's back for at least one episode to continue the mission of the podcast. It's the first Fantasticast solo episode, and hopefully it works! Now, what are we covering? Shogun Warriors?

Uh...

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, Bruce Patterson, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky, Jim Shooter, Bob Mcleod, and Gaspar Saladino present Fantastic Four #226 - The Sumurai Destroyer. In which a license expiration necessitates a lot of flashback destruction, the globe is trotted with astounding ease, and Andrew Lloyd-Webber makes his Marvel debut.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast: An Ending, And A Farewell Dec 21, 2019

The Moment Has Been Prepared For

Hello, and welcome to The Fantasticast.

This episode was originally released as our final episode. We discuss why the show reached a conclusion at the end of 2019, and look back over 8 years of podcasting together.

The Fantasticast has since continued to release episodes sporadically, so this episode now functions more as a conclusion to the show as originally launched.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast Presents... Fantastic Four (2015) Commentary Dec 14, 2019

43 Confirmed Kills

Hello, and welcome to a special epsiode of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're releasing something from our Patreon archive. Previously Patreon-exclusive, the time has come to share with you all our commentary on Josh Trank's 2015 film, Fantastic Four.

One of the more notable failures in the decade in which cinema became defined by superhero movies, this was Steve's second watch-through and Andy's first, and dates from late 2016.

How dis the film hold up 18 months after release? Did it deserve the critical and fan kicking it received? Was it fair to judge what we received? What was up with Kate O'Mara's hair? And why does Doctor Doom keep killing the black guy? Answer to some of these questions, and more, can be found within...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 353: Marvel Two-in-One #70 - A Moving Experience Nov 23, 2019

Fantastic Butts And Where To Find Them

Hello, and welcome to episode 353 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're off to Yancy Street for a romantic reunion, a change in living arrangements, and a set of suspicious removal men who really chose the wrong moment to go undercover. With the Thing sitting on the back of a removals van, and a long-time foe who just might be the mystery teamer-upper for this issue, this issue proves that moving home ain't quite as Fantastic as it sounds...

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Mike Nasser, Gene Day, George Roussos, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #70 - A Moving Experience. Featuring the discovery that arms are better than ropes, The Adventures of Electro Rope Guy And Bloke With Slightly Snazzy Gun, and more Victorian music-hall songs then you could possible have ever wanted...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 352: Marvel Team-Up #100 - And Introducing - Karma! She Possesses People! Nov 16, 2019

Spidey vs Nightwing - The Great Superhero Buttock-Off

Hello, and welcome to episode 352 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The Fantastic Four head off to the world of Marvel Team-Up to help the title celebrate its 100th issue. There's a new mutant (or New Mutant) on the loose, seeking revenge, and Spider-Man is the weapon of choice. Only the Fantastic Four can prevent their occasional ally from doing something he really doesn't want to do...

Chris Claremont, Frank Miller, Bob Wiacek, Carl Gafford, Annette Kawecki, Denny O'Neil, Jim Shooter, Klaus Janson, John Byrne, Bob McLeod, and Robbie Carosella present Marvel Team-Up #100: And Introducing - Karma! She Possesses People! Featuring the first of the New Mutants, the origins of the Storm/Black Panther romance, and abundance of water towers, and Charles Xavier answering... THE PHONE!!!

Joining us to take a look at this oversized anniversary issue is Jay Edidin from Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men. Jay can be found on twitter as @NotLasers. Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men can be found at https://www.xplainthexmen.com/ and on twitter as @XPlaintheXmen. Jay can also be found at edidin.wordpress.com and at https://postcardsfromspace.tumblr.com/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 351: Fantastic Four #225 - The Blind God's Experience Nov 09, 2019

Mjolnir (Not) On A Spin Cycle

Hello, and welcome to episode 351 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're back in the Arctic once again, as the Fantastic Four find themselves battling to save the blind Viking god from losing his powers to save the dome, battling to kill the blind Viking god who is tired of his powers, and battling to save the dome from destruction by the bling Viking god (but it doesn't really matter because special guest star Thor makes his grand entrance by bursting through the dome...)

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #225 - The Blind God's Experience! Endure a repetitive flashback! Thrill to a synopsis interrupted by a fansquee over Mamma Mia! Raise suspicions at a person who is definitely not a Viking from a secret community! Marvel at a comic that not even Marv Wolfman or Len Wein could bring themselves to read...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 350: Marvel Two-in-One #69 - Homecoming Nov 02, 2019

Foggy McFogFace

Hello, and welcome to episode 350 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're on the hunt for the elusive 'third-time lucky' effect. Members of the original Guardians of the Galaxy make their third appearance in Marvel Two-in-One, and our hopes are tentatively high that this one will finally be a good comic. With Vance Astro looking to change his past and avert the pain of his current existence by checking which base his teenage self has reached while a mysterious fog saves everyone time on drawing backgrounds, could this be the one?

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, George Roussos, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #69 - Homecoming. Featuring an indistinct Daredevil, a barely-present Nikki, a highly-relevant piece of Two-in-One continuity, the origins of the New Warriors (...ish), and definitely no Welsh accents at all, because we've learned our lesson for once.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 349: Fantastic Four #224 - The Darkfield Illumination Oct 26, 2019

Space Viking: Norseman In Disguise

Hello, and welcome to episode 349 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're paying a return visit to the Arctic wilderness (not that the Fantastic Four acknowledge their recent trip there) because... uh... look, it's something to do with the red tears of a very tall, very old man, The Neverending Story III, a tiger of indeterminate origin (unless you read the actual text), and a viking-laden flashback that makes the past year of Thor look even better than it currently did, but I'll be buggered if I can recall anything about this partially-formed comic.

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby present various bits of Fantastic Four #224 - The Darkfield Illumination. And now, for no reason at all, I'll just recycle some episode text from much earlier in our run. "enslavement on the gangster world with gladiatorial deathmatches comes to a close. Not necessarily a conclusion, but it certainly stops. Do the Fantastic Four have an actual role to play in the issue? Will the long-promised battle". Look, if it's good enough for Marvel, it's good enough for us!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 348: Marvel Two-in-One #68 - Discos and Dungeons Oct 19, 2019

Get More With The Fever On The Dance Floor

Hello, and welcome to episode 348 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're jumping onto the disco zeitgeist, a mere year after the cultural peak of the craze, as we join Ben Grimm and Warren Worthington III in a flashy, New York discotheque before they go and mix it up with a bunch of wacky robots in castle. With the motifs of 'crazy themeing' and 'assassination', could it possibly be Arcade pulling the strings?

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Glynis Wein, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Dave Simons present Marvel Two-in-One #68, in which a robot frog guides our heroes, a bathroom rises suspiciously to the roof, a screwdriver is rather strong, a comic is not constructed in the manner to which one would be accustomed, and some terrible things are done to a Welsh accent.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 347: Fantastic Four Annual #15 - Time for the Prime Ten Oct 12, 2019

Stolen From Rimmerworld

Hello, and welcome to episode 347 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we stray once again into Annual territory. Reed Richards and Captain Marvel find themselves fighting side-by-side against (allegedly) the cream of the Skrull forces as an experiment to make toy cars move by themselves (or something) brings the Kree-Skrull War to Earth. Meanwhile, in Latveria, Zorba discovers that it ain't so great to be the King, as the journey to Doctor Doom's return to the throne begins.

Doug Moench, George Perez, Chic Stone, Jon D'Agostino, Mike Esposito, Ben Sean, George Roussos, Tom Sutton, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four Annual #15 - Time for the Prime Ten. Featuring extra-terrestial ear-waggling, a look at how the MCU treats (or doesn't treat) the average person-on-the-street, an examination of Reed's parenting skills, and the deep, deep eyes of Mar-Vell... oooh...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 346: Fantastic Four #223 - That A Child May Live Oct 05, 2019

Brutacus Is Silly But He Really Illustrates, etc.

Hello, and welcome to episode 346 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

If you had bet money against The Salem Seven (as the cover has them) returning in a story featuring Nicholas Scratch, then your wallet is now a bit lighter. Every(no)body's favourite super-villain team is back to remind us all what makes them so unique, as they seek to aid Scratch in returning to Earth, taking it over, and making his facial hair the memetic piece of graphic design that he so wants it to be.

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #223 - That A Child May Live, featuring a rebuilt and expanded Fantasticar, an ineffective prison, a demon hunter who arouses absolutely no interest from our hosts, and a reaction you'll have to hear to believe. Which is how podcasts work. Stupid clickbait.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 345: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #5 - When A Stranger Calls Sep 28, 2019

No! Not The N-Neuron Beam!

Hello, and welcome to episode 345 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Our latest episode sees Steve and Andy linger longer in September 1980, leafing through the pages of that year's Marvel Two-in-One Annual. Dark forces are on the move, and only the Thing and the Hulk possess the raw power, savagery, and innate courage needed for the Stranger to... uh... well, they certainly posses the things that he needs.

Alan Kupperberg, Pablo Marcos, Nel Yomtov, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One Annual #5, in which the Stranger can't keep the continuity of his own plan straight, the Hulk has multiple secret desert laboratories equipped with unnecessarily-massive televisions, and the underworld turns out to be a pretty boring place.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 344: Marvel Two-in-One #67 - Passport to Oblivion Sep 21, 2019

This Fantasticast Could Be Worth $2500 To You!

Hello, and welcome to episode 344 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we bid a fond farewell to one of our favourite supporting characters from the Fantastic Four comics of the 1970s. Treading a fine line between ally and nemesis, Thundra finally heads home, but the journey is not easy, especially when you've got a Hyperion by your side, a Thing in the way, and the Nth Command on your tail...

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Frank Martin, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #67 - Passport to Oblivion, in Alicia steps out (of her house on a possible date), Thundra and Hyperion step out (of our universe and into a mirror of Femizonia), and Steve and Andy step out (of their comfort zone by reading Shogun Warriors #20 and wondering just what the hell was going on in that).

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 343: Fantastic Four #222 - The Possession of Franklin Richards Sep 14, 2019

Mr Fantastic Meets Scratchman

Hello, and welcome to episode 343 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, the much-discussed Doug Moench/Bill Sienkiewicz Fantastic Four run gets underway properly. A game of hide-and-seek is interrupted by a small spot of demonic possession, and the Fantastic Four find themselves once again facing off against Nicholas Scratch.

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #222 - The Possession of Franklin Richards, in which Franklin Richards gets possessed, Ben Grimm takes the subway, Johnny Storm does some Wacky Racing, Sue Richards has no concept of child endangerment, and Reed Richards... well, Reed Richards puts Hank Pym and Peter Parker to shame.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 342: Marvel Two-in-One #66 - A Congress of Crowns Sep 07, 2019

The Bad Guy Is Called Hugh

Hello, and welcome to episode 342 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, a packed episode sees us don matching hats to dominate the entire- wait, these aren't hats! They're multiversal incarnations of the Serpent Crown! And only The Thing and the Scarlet Witch can save us from a oil CEO called Hugh. It's the final part of the Serpent Crown Affair, and we're here to examine just what happens when a deranged businessman tries to grab power in Washington.

Oh, right...

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Frank Martin Jr, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Joe Sinnott, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #66 - A Congress of Crowns. And, if that wasn't enough for you, we also look at what happens when Reed and Sue go shopping in Defenders #86, what happens if Doctor Doom had chosen a path of heroism in What If? #22, and we throw ourselves into Shogun Warriors #19 to see if the addition of the Fantastic Four can save this little-loved title. Plus, we get a bit tired and honest while answering one of your e-mails...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 341: Fantastic Four #221 - Tower Of Crystal... Dreams Of Glass Aug 31, 2019

Powered by Coke

Hello, and welcome to episode 341 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the Fantasticast, we bid a temporary farewell to John Byrne, as he wraps up his re-purposed corporate tie-in two-part fill-in story. The padding is gone, and the Fantastic Four find themselves participating in a relatively-decent SF morality tale, with complex motivations, an army of plastoids, and a wonderful 'oh, we didn't actually mean to wipe out all life on your planet, sorry' moment.

John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Carl Gafford, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #221 - Tower Of Crystal... Dreams Of Glass. Join us, as we descend beneath the ice to mis-date the last inversion of the Earth's magnetic field, identify the true academic qualifications of Susan Storm, and go disco with the Incredible Hulk and a narratively-pertinent cake bar.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 340: Marvel Two-in-One #65 - Serpents From The Sea Aug 24, 2019

Superfluous Triton

Hello, and welcome to episode 340 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we tackle the middle chapter of the Serpent Crown Affair. The Serpent Soci- uh, Squad are here to explain everything, destroy and oil rig, go treasure hunting, and exchange underwater punches with The Thing, Stingray, and special guest star Triton of the Inhumans, who definitely has a role to play in this issue, oh yes.

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, George Perez, Gene Day, Carl Gafford, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #65 - Serpents From The Sea, in which your hosts definitely know who each member of the Serpent Soci- uh, Squad is, and Sidewinder (we think) delivers the most gratuitous exposition seen in Marvel Comics to date. And, as a bonus, we also dive into one entire panel of the Dark Phoenix Saga, as we take an exceedingly-brief look at Uncanny X-Men #135.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 339: Fantastic Four #220 - And The Lights Went Out All Over The World Aug 17, 2019

Gratuitous Vindicator

Hello, and welcome to episode 339 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

In a taste of things to come that will dominate the Fantastic Four for years, this week sees John Byrne at the typewriter for the first time, assuming both writing and penciling duties as a corporate tie-in gets repurposed to fill an unexpected hole in the publishing schedules. Is it the real thing? You can't beat the feeling of know the good stuff is only a handful of issues away...

John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Bob Sharen, Irv Watanabe, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #220 - And The Lights Went Out All Over World, in which the lights go out in a geographically-minute area, an artistic depiction of an updraft just doesn't quite work, a Canadian and a flashback are deployed to pad out a page count, and the most unlikely moment in Fantastic Four history is selected to be represented by a pinup page.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 338: What If? #21 - What If... Sub-Mariner Had Married the Invisible Girl? Aug 10, 2019

Pregnancy Blind Spot

Hello, and welcome to episode 338 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we return to both the Marvel multiverse and Earth 772 as we take a look at how Reed Richards might fare following Sue Storm's decision to stay with Namor the Sub-Mariner. Rejecting Spider-Man, alienating Ben, faking evidence to draw the world into war, and attempted genocide - all perfectly reasonable responses that don't warrant further analysis.

And joining us for that further analysis is podcaster Jon M. Wilson. Host of Make Ours Marvel, All The Pouches: An Image Comics Podcast, former host of more shows than we can mention, and the podcast who gave Steve his podcasting break, Jon joins us to complete his Fantasticast guest-hosting hat trick, a feat that has taken eight years to complete. Well, good thing come to those who wait... Follow him on twitter, where he is @jonreadscomics!

Bill Mantlo, Gene Colan, Bob Wiacek, Carl Gafford, Tom Orzechowski, Denny O'Neil, Mark Gruenwald, and Jim Shooter present What If? #21 - What If... Sub-Mariner Had Married the Invisible Girl?, a comic full of a diminishing team, misplaced attempts to garner the sympathy of the reader, an inability to distinguish between Attuma and Krang (although that may just be Steve) and, sadly, no bollockfish. But if you're after toxic masculinity and an irrelevant Sue Storm, then this comic is the one for you!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 337: Marvel Two-in-One #64 - The Serpent Crown Affair Part 1 - From the Depths Aug 03, 2019

Wind-Generated Oil Rigs

Hello, and welcome to episode 337 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're at the start of another big storyline for Marvel Two-in-One, as abandoned plotlines from Namor's solo title drive the adventures of Benjamin "The Thing" Grimm and Walter "Stingray" Newall. A jaunt to visit the Inhumans turns into a rescue mission at a suspiciously-acting oil rig, and there are yet larger forces at work...

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Maccio, George Perez, Gene Day, Carl Gafford, Ben Sean, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #64, the first part of the classic The Serpent Crown Affair. As well as this, we also take a brief look at the Tom DeFalco and Steve Ditko-produced Machine Man #15, in which wheels are definitely better than legs.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 336: Fantastic Four #219 - Leviathans Jul 27, 2019

Much Ago About Namor's Horn

Hello, and welcome to episode 336 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

When is a fill-in not a fill-in? When it's the first issue of an ongoing run that immediately goes on hiatus for another fill-in, right? Despite being introduced as a fill-in, this is the first issue of Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz's much-criticised run on the Fantastic Four, as they remix the first appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner with a little extra dash of Barracuda, just in case things get too exciting.

Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #219, which features far too many people wanting to grasp Namor's horn, an unfeasibly-large sandwich, a comic awakening, a costume too dull to draw in close-up, and the complete and total plunder of New York. The city. All of it. Yeah.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 335: Marvel Two-in-One #63 - Suffer Not A Warlock To Live Jul 20, 2019

Everybody Hates Starhawk

Hello, and welcome to episode 335 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to outer space to hunt down those who have stolen Counter-Earth, discover Adam Warlock's body, and get someone laid. Behold as plotlines from comics nothing to do with the Fantastic Four get explained and retconned while the star of this book stands around and listens.

Mark Gruenwald, Jerry Bingham, Gene Day, Roger Slifer, Joe Rosen, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, George Perez, and Terry Austin present Marvel Two-in-One #63, in which a Warlock is not suffered to live. In addition, we pay a final visit to the Microverse (for now) as the Fantastic Four and the Micronauts team up to survive capture by the Psycho-Man, in The Micronauts #17.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 334: Fantastic Four #218 - When A Spider-Man Comes Calling Jul 13, 2019

Steve's Eternal Spider-Disappointment

Hello, and welcome to episode 334 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees us firmly in fill-in crossover team-up territory. In a shared story of Spectacular Spider-Man #42, the Frightful Four have reformed - this time with Electro - and have set their sights on both Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. With the aid of some nifty technology, they're out to impersonate Spider-Man and the Human Torch. Will anyone notice the difference between four middle-aged hardened super-powered career criminals and two lithe superheroes in their early 20s?

Bill Mantlo, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Al Milgrom, Mike Zeck, Jim Mooney, Janice Cohen, Irv Watanabe, and Joe Rubinstein present Fantastic Four #218 and Spectacular Spider-Man #42, in which a cunning disguise manages to fool even our hosts, and the Trapster runs the entire gamut of villainy 'hyper-competent' to 'facepalm'.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 333: Marvel Two-in-One #62 - The Taking of Counter-Earth Jul 06, 2019

It's Spankin' Time

Hello, and welcome to episode 333 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we're back in the realms of Marvel Two-in-One, as an extended cast (including Starhawk, Moondragon, Her, and Alicia Masters) make their way to Counter-Earth. Well, they would do, if some bastards hadn't towed the bloody thing away, forcing them to resurrect the High Evolutionary to work out where it's gone. All this for a shag...

Mark Gruenwald, Jerry Bingham, Gene Day, George Roussos, Joe Rosen, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #62 - The Taking Of Counter-Earth, in which Counter-Earth is taken, Starhawk reveals his secret power, and Moondragon receives some corporal punishment. Yes, it's time for us to look at a spanking! As well as this, we linger in the Microverse for Micronauts #16, and head into the multiverse for a brief look at What If? #20.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 332: Fantastic Four #217 - Masquerade! Jun 29, 2019

This Little Robot Tramp

Hello, and welcome to episode 332 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Ah, Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics, we barely knew ye. Actually, we knew you rather too well - you were annoying and unfunny. But still, in Fantastic Four #217, your final appearance, a modicum of empathy is gained. Secrets are uncovered, identities are revealed, and a sacrifice is made...

Bill Mantlo, Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Bob Sharen, John Costanza, Mark Gruenwald, Morrie Kuramoto, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #217, in which danger rises from within, Marv Wolfman bids his farewell by dint of leaving some post-it notes dotted around the office, and the birds and the bees explain CEX.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 331: Marvel Two-in-One #61 - The Coming Of Her Jun 15, 2019

Er... Yeah... Fnarr?

Hello, and welcome to episode 331 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're doing our best not to snigger in a smutty manner at the title of Marvel Two-in-One #61. Because there's nothing to laugh at, at all, alright? Anyway, we start another cosmic epic for Ben Grimm, as he gets mixed up with Her, Moondragon, Starhawk, and Alicia Masters. Some of these characters are headed out into space, and it's not necessarily the ones that you might be thinking of...

Mark Gruenwald, Jerry Bingham, Gene Day, Ben Sean, Joe Rosen, Jim Salicrup, George Perez, and Terry Austin present Marvel Two-in-One #61 - The Coming Of Her. Featuring some things that I made notes about while editing the podcast, but I left those notes at home in Gent, and I'm over 500km away, so those notes might just as well have not been taken. Hmm.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 330: Fantastic Four #216 - Where There Be Gods Jun 08, 2019

Daniel Bedingfield Is Ultron!

Hello, and welcome to episode 330 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we loiter in the aftermath of the Wolfman run on the Fantastic Four. Following all the high-stakes cosmic drama, it's time for something a little more grounded. Well, as grounded as a hyper-evolved scientist and an incursion from the Negative Zone by Blastarr can possibly be. Can our favourite blasting baddie twist the next stage of man's evolution to his will?

Marv Wolfman, Bill Mantlo, John Byrne, Pablo Marcos, Carl Gafford, Irv Watanabe, Michael Higgins, Mark Gruenwald, Rich Buckler, and Al Milgrom present Fantastic Four #216 - Where There Be Gods! Featuring an arse-less Ben Grimm (no, really - those rocky buns are definitely missing in action), and the realisation that it can't really be Franklin's fault that he's badly written...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 329: Marvel Two-in-One #60 - Happiness Is A Warm Alien Jun 01, 2019

Laptop Or Cigar Box?

Hello, and welcome to episode 329 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

How many issues of downtime do you need following one of the greatest stories of the late-1970s? We're glad the answer is 'more than one', as it allows to us to enjoy an evening in the company of Ben Grimm, Alicia Masters, The Thing's purple-and-green hat, and... waitaminnit! That's not a hat! That's The Impossible Man!

Ralph Macchio, Mark Gruenwald, George Perez, Gene Day, Roger Slifer, John Costanza, Roger Stern, Bob Budiansky, and Joe Rubinstein present (and, for some of them, star in) Marvel Two-in-One #60, featuring the return of The Impossible Man, three unlikely villains, and an poorly-timed spot of life drawing. In addition, we revisit Spider-Man's first encounter with the Fantastic Four as to take a peak at What If? #19, and prepare for future episodes in the Microverse with The Micronauts #14.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 328: Fantastic Four #215 - Blastarr! May 25, 2019

How To Evolve A Watcher

Hello, and welcome to episode 328 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The door to the Negative Zone has been opened. From within the depths comes one of the most terrifying beings, raw power personified, fueled by a lust for conquest. Only four beings can stand in the path of this mysterious fig- oh, they just named the comic after him? Oh, right. Hey, everyone - Blastarr's back!

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Carl Gafford, Joe Rosen, Jim Shooter, Ron Wilson, and Joe Rubinstein present Fantastic Four #215 - Blastarr! In which hyper-evolution doesn't mean becoming amoral, New York suburban street life gets a harsh lesson in the practicalities of privately-funded scientific research, and a long-anticipated reveal regarding one of the podcast hosts is... uh... revealed.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 327: Marvel Two-in-One #59 - Trial And Error May 18, 2019

Nose-Operated Alarms

Hello, and welcome to episode 327 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The Pegasus Project is over. It's time for some much-needed downtime for our hero, Ben Grimm. Maybe with some Conan the Barbarian comics. Let's hope that he doesn't get roped into a series os shenanigans involving a very unfortunately-designed piece of peril simply to save the life of a serial idiot out to prove his masculinity - that would be an absolute nightmare!

Marv Wolfman, Ralph Macchio, Chic Stone, Al Gordon, Ben Sean, Irving Watanabe, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, and Bob Budiansky present Marvel Two-in-One #59, in which being a man apparently means being a colossally-irresponsible pillock, being a cowboy means being out of control, being a detective means doing no detection, being a Fantasticast host means resisting an incredibly childish joke, and fire is not a universal cure.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 326: Fantastic Four #214 - And Then There Was One May 11, 2019

THEY MELTED MY ROBOT BRAIN!

Hello, and welcome to episode 326 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The 1980s are here, and what better way to celebrate the dawning of a new decade by finally wrapping up some, but not all, subplots from the last year's worth of stories? The time has come to address both Skrull X and the artificial aging of the Fantastic Four, while at the same time, almost-completely ignoring the events that set this cosmic epic in motion.

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Carl Gafford, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #214 - And Then There Was One, in which The Human Torch grapples with having to actually do stuff, experiences a case of Extra! Mel! Oh! Draaaama!, and Sue Richards makes for an intriguing corpse (her most substantial contribution to the book in several issues).

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 325: Marvel Two-in-One #58 - To The Nth Power May 04, 2019

The Age Of The Aquarian

Hello, and welcome to episode 325 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The finale to both the Project Pegasus Saga and our coverage of books cover-dated in the 1970s is finally here. Many questions will now be answered. What is Bill Foster really doing at Project Pegasus? Why is Wundarr so important to the story? What exactly was Dr Lightner up to? Why were so many villains being kept in the basement? Just how long did this entire saga actually last?

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, George Perez, Gene Day, Carl Gafford, John Costanza, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, and Terry Austine present Marvel Two-in-One #58 - To The Nth Power. Can this issue really put The Thing against a second dimensionally-powered villain whose body functions as a gateway to another realm in as many issues? Well... yes... but this one is much better! Join us, as we bit farewell to the 1970s.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 324: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #4 - A Mission Of Gravity Apr 27, 2019

Bin-Juice-Ridden Sh*t-Clothes

Hello, and welcome to episode 324 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Who's ready for an annual comprising two planned issues of the main title? Well, thankfully, we are, as we join Ben Grimm, Black(agar) Bolt(agon), and the master of gravity himself, Graviton, in New York, for a titanic tussle-'n'-throw-down.

Allyn Brodsky, David Michelinie, Jim Craig, Bob Budiansky, Bruce Patterson, Irving Watanabe, George Bell, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One Annual #4. Featuring: A rational and logical explanation for Black Bolt's electron powers, another explanation for those powers, a further explanation of those powers, a gravity arsehole, and somebody reverse-farting their way across New York. Yes, it's going to be that kind of show.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 323: Marvel Team-Up #88 - A Child Is Waiting Apr 20, 2019

The Susan Storm Affair

Hello, and welcome to episode 323 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

After 88 issues, Marvel Team-Up finally gets around to featuring Sue Richards. Well, better late than never. She's joining forces with Spider-Man to escape the rigour of a society event, rescue her son, pay off the Maggia, and chew bubblegum. And, unfortunately, she's all out of bubblegum. Although, would the Maggia really have missed a few cents from the $3 million she'll give them?

Chris Claremont, Sal Buscema, Eduardo Barreto, Bob Sharen, John Costanza, Al Milgrom, Jim Shooter, and Rich Buckler present Marvel Team-Up #88. In which some things happen, some of then which can be trivially described to create an alluring episode blurb, probably in a list. And Claremont does some great stuff with Sue's powers.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 322: Fantastic Four Annual #14 - Cats-Paw Apr 13, 2019

But He Really Illustrates

Hello, and welcome to episode 322 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The Fantasticast goes giant-sized once again, as Steve and Andy get to grips with Fantastic Four Annual #14. Nicholas Scratch and Salem's Seven are back, the Fantastic Four are out of action, and only Franklin Richards and Agatha Harkness can stop them. It's the team-up you never knew you wanted!

Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Pablo Marcos, Carl Gafford, Jim Novak, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four Annual #1 - Cats-Paw. Warning: This annual contains extraneous Sandman, a happy town, lots of people dying quite horribly if you think about it for more than a few moments, gratuitous cameos, a confuzzling ceremony, and a last triumph from a writer about to jump ship.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 312: Fantastic Four #213 - In Final Battle Apr 06, 2019

A Paradox-Free Bow

Hello, and welcome to episode 321 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're back, and we're weekly again! Yes, after a couple of months of rest, we're back to our regular weekly schedule, just in time for a momentous climax to the long-promised Sphinx/Galactus battle. And, as an extra bonus for our listeners, we manage to uncover more than a few things that we really liked about the issue!

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #213 - In Final Battle, featuring an unconvincing backdrop, an unlikely transatlantic cargo shipment, an entire panel featuring someone who isn't a man, and the revelation that John Byrne doesn't know what one of the most famous deus ex machinas in comics actually looks like.

The Fantasticast is sponsored by Wolverine: The Lost Trail, the new scripted podcast drama from Stitcher and Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head to wolverinepodcast.com and use the promo code FANTASTICAST

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 320: Marvel Two-in-One #57 - When Walks Wundarr Mar 23, 2019

Shout! Shout! Let It All Out!

Hello, and welcome to episode 320 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're returning to the depths of the original Project Pegasus, as the Project Pegasus Saga moves towards its climax! Solarr and Klaw run rampant through the tunnels of Project Pegasus, while Thundra mopes in a cell, and Wundarr goes for a wanderr.

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, George Perez, Gene Day, Bob Sharen, John Costanza, Roger Stern, Al Milgrom, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #57. Join us, as we enjoy a conference in a bubble, a valiant attempt to make everything make sense, and a perfectly reasonable way to derail a train.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 319: Fantastic Four #212 - The Battle Of The Titans! Mar 09, 2019

Pharoah's A Jolly Good Fellow

Hello, and welcome to episode 319 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time on the Fantasticast, we're returning to Earth as an aged Fantastic Four, a non-aged Galactus (how does he age, anyway?), and a brand new herald arrive in New York city, hot on the trail of the Sphinx. Who is actually in Egypt, indulging in fantasies of an idealised past that would make even the most fervent Brexiteer green with jealousy.

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Carl Gafford, John Costanza, Jim Shooter, Walt Simonson, and Irv Watanabe present Fantastic Four #212, which reveals the origins and intentions of the Sphinx, dumps Sue into a customised fridge, contains a startling revelation about a computer, and contains just enough Nova to avoid Nova Classic volume 3 being prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 318: Marvel Two-in-One #56 - The Deadlier Of The Species Feb 23, 2019

Five Wrestlers In Search Of Whatchamacallit

Hello, and welcome to episode 318 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Grab yer spandex and yer definitely-not-choreographed-at-all moves - it's time to bring some wrasslin' to the Pegasus Project! Thundra, blackmailed by a mysterious man with a cigar, leads the Grapplers into the tunnels of everyone's favourite energy research complex, and only Black Goliath, Quasar, and The Thing stand in their way!

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, George Perez, Gene Day, Bob Sharen, Irv Watanabe, Roger Stern, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, John Byrne, and Terry Austin present Marvel Two-in-One #56 - The Deadlier Of The Species! Featuring a maudlin Thundra, a confusing timejump, and the true debut of Screaming Mimi/Songbird. And, as a bonus, we catch up with a sickly Mr Fantastic as he helps Spider-Man identify the formula for an anti-matter bomb. Uh, Reed, you know that a formula alone doesn't make a bomb, right?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 317: Fantastic Four #211 - If This Be Terrax... Feb 09, 2019

Zwammo - Just Say No (No)!

Hello, and welcome to episode 317 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

What time is it? Why, it's time for a new herald for Galactus! And the Fantastic Four find themselves conscripted to conscript this new herald, being sent across the galaxy to find the being that shall become Terrax... The Tamer!

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, Joe Rosen, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #211 - If This Be Terrax, featuring a city made out of a rock, motivationally-confused dissidents, an irrelevant robot, a mis-wielded axe, the most desperate use of The Watcher seen in Marvel to date, and a very clumsy attempt to classify all of Galactus's heralds to date as being related to the elements.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 316: Marvel Two-in-One #55 - Giants In The Earth Jan 26, 2019

Blobby, Oh Mr Blobby

Hello, and welcome to episode 316 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're dragging ourselves to the halfway point of The Pegasus Project Saga. Bill Foster is the guest-star, sporting a natty new costume, a natty new attitude, and a natty old name. He's got an elevator to support, and a nuclear-powered childlike colossus to punch. Oh, and he's got his superhero chops to prove, and to one of the first of the Marvel age of heroes, no less!

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Bob Sharen, John Costanza, Roger Stern, Jim Salicrup, Keith Pollard, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #55 - Giants In The Earth. Featuring a suspiciously-placed 'G', an anti-climatic flashback, blonde hieroglyphs, and a format that breaks jokes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 315: Fantastic Four #210 - In Search Of Galactus Jan 12, 2019

Why Is Johnny On Fire?

Hello, and welcome to episode 315 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the issue that gives its title to the collection of this cosmic epic. It's the midpoint of the story (if you pretend all that stuff with the Monocle never happened). It's the return of one of the greatest comics villains of all time. This has to be a great issue, full of relevance, chocked full of plot, and completely devoid of filler. Right?

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, John Costanza, Jim Shooter, Keith Pollard, and Frank Giacoia present Fantastic Four #210 - In Search Of Galactus. In which a search is held. A successful search. Also, some outer-space baseball, an alien zoo, a heavy dose of ignoring, and some incredibly suspect family history.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 314: Marvel Two-in-One #54 - Blood And Bionics Jan 05, 2019

The Thing Does It One-Handed

Hello, and welcome to episode 314 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We kick off our eighth(!) year of podcasting by returning to Project Pegasus to see how Ben Grimm and Quasar do when confronted by the Marvel Universe's favourite ex-con-who-was-turned-into-a-cyborg-assassin-from-an-alternate-future-before-finding-himself-stranded-in-the-present-day-who-will-later-be-retconned-to-actually-be-a-robotic-duplicate - Deathlok!

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Bob Sharen, John Costanza, Roger Stern, George Perez, and Terry Austin present Marvel Two-in-One #54, a cautionary tale of failed assassinations, deadly radiation, some confusion between identically-named Marvel and DC heroes, and a some unexpected blood.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast Trailer v3 Jan 04, 2019

A trailer for The Fantasticast in 2019 and beyond.

Here come the 1980s!

http://www.thefantasticast.com/

Episode 313: Fantastic Four #209 - Trapped In The Sargasso Of Space Dec 22, 2018

H.E.R.B.I.E. cometh

Hello, and welcome to episode 313 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Oh dear lord, it's finally happened. Not content with annoying the heck out of everyone with a pair of ears who watched the 1978 Fantastic Four animated series, HERBIE has arrived in the Fantastic Four, full of smug attitude, extendable trippin' legs, and a great big basket o' suspicious activities that get noticed only by the Thing. Is this the start of a great subversion of an editorial mandate? Er...

Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Glynis Wein, Tom Orzechowski. Jim Shooter, and Keith Pollard present Fantastic Four #209, in which a supporting cast is ruthlessly pared to the bone, an emperor is ruthlessly overthrown, a robot is ruthlessly forced upon the audience, some prisoners are ruthlessly captured, and the writer ruthlessly misunderstands the characteristics of the Sargasso Sea.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 312: Fantastic Four #208 - The Power Of The Sphinx Dec 15, 2018

Whammosplang!

Hello, and welcome to episode 312 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, it's the final pre-Byrne issue of the Fantastic Four. Well, technically it's the final pre-pre-Byrne issue, but I think I'm splitting hairs... The spotlight swings onto Nova and his supporting cast of misfits, who lurch from saving the Fantastic Four to stealing the power of the living computers of Xandar as the cosmic epic attempts to switch gears.

Marv Wolfman, Sal Buscema, Diverse Hands, Glynis Wein, Joe Rosen, Jim Shooter, Dave Cockrum, Keith Pollard, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #209, in which Prime Thoran gets a power-up, the Skrulls go invisible, there's some death by vacuum (cleaner), and there's some gubbins involving The Sphinx. We also peer at the hasty conclusion to Godzilla, King of the Monsters, and see how the Fantastic Four cope with an alternative Nova in What If? #15.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 311: Marvel Two-in-One #53 - The Inner War Dec 08, 2018

The Pegasus Project Saga Starts Here

Hello, and welcome to episode 311 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's one of the most famous stories to come out of Marvel's team-up books. It was the focus of one of Marvel's earliest trade paperbacks. It properly introduced a mainstay of Marvel's cosmic roster in the 90s and 2000s. It cemented the reputation of the writers. It gave the Thunderbolts a home. It's the Pegasus Project Saga, and it's arrived at the Fantasticast.

Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Bob Sharen, Gaspar Saladino, Roger Stern, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #53. Quasar formally arrives in the Marvel Universe, Ben Grimm gets probed in all sorts of ways, and a whole bunch of setup is carried out in a way that feels far more modern than the 1979 cover date might otherwise suggest.

Joining us to look at this issue of Marvel Two-in-One is Quasar podcaster and host of The Quantumcast, Gene Hendricks. Find the Quantumcast at http://twotruefreaks.com/shows.php?show=36, and Gene's blog, The Hammer Strikes, can be found at http://www.thehammerstrikes.com/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 310: Marvel Two-in-One #52 - A Little Knight Music Dec 01, 2018

EVEN YOUR OWN

Hello, and welcome to episode 310 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're looking to team a veteran, rock-based super-hero with an up-and-coming vigilante who definitely isn't Batman in a white costume, oh no, not at all. Yes, Moon Knight gets to feature in Marvel Two-in-One this week, as he and Ben Grimm go up against future Hawkeye villain Crossfire!

Steven Grant, Jim Craig, Pablo Marcos, Ben Sean, Gaspar Saladino, Roger Stern, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #52. Join us, as we discover the most unlikely reality in the Marvel multiverse, discuss Doctor Doom's massive organ, exclaim 'You're flipping nuts!', and excitedly proclaim 'Pew! Pew!'.

Joining us this week is writer, critic, and podcaster Matt Lune. You can find Matt's podcast Mother Box at http://www.multiversitycomics.com/category/podcasts/, and That's The Issue on iTunes and on twitter at https://twitter.com/thatstheissue. Matt is also the reviews editor for Multiversity.com and he can be found on twitter at https://twitter.com/MattLune

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 309: Fantastic Four #207 - Might Of The Monocle Nov 24, 2018

Spider-Man vs Cap'n Birdseye

Hello, and welcome to episode 309 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

How best to convince an audience of rabid Marvel-ites that the Fantastic Four have actually died? By giving the next issue of the title over to a madcap team-up between the Human Torch and Spider-Man as they investigate the hypnotic security cameras, muddled motivations, and aborted plotlines of Security University, of course!

Marv Wolfman, Sal Buscema, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, John Costanza, Jim Shooter, and Keith Pollard present Fantastic Four #207, in which a bunch of pajama-clad students overwhelm an army base, and we are introduced the the Very Dangerous Dymanite. Presumably the Mostly Harmless Dynamite was surplus to requirements... We also head to New York as the Fantastic Four and the Avengers team up to take out everybody's favourite gigantic radioactive lizard in Godzilla, King Of The Monsters #23.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 308: Marvel Two-in-One #51 - Full House, Dragons High Nov 17, 2018

Face Front

Hello, and welcome to episode 308 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

To be very blunt, Marvel Two-in-One #51 is a Very Good Comic. Guest writer Peter Gillis crafts a story where The Thing has to team up with Nick Fury and some newer Avengers to defend the SHIELD Helicarrier, and on the strength of the writing, this would be a pretty good comic. But then there's the guest art from Frank Miller, at a very early stage in his career, and he takes the issue to an entirely new level.

Peter Gillis, Frank Miller, Bob McLeod, Glynis Wein, Tom Orzechowski, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, and George Perez present Marvel Two-in-One #51, with Ms Marvel, The Beast, Wonder Man, Nick Fury, a fantastic red alert, and an unstable Fantasticar. And on top of this, we also spend time with Godzilla, King Of The Monsters #22, where it turns out that dumping Godzilla through a time machine wasn't the best idea in the world, and Ben Grimm eats Doctor Doom's time platform.

But before all of that, we sit down to give our very immediate thoughts on the passing of Fantastic Four co-creator and Marvel figurehead Stan Lee. Recorded within half an hour of the news of his passing breaking, we discuss our personal experiences meeting Stan, and his impact on us.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 307: Fantastic Four #206 - The Death Of The Fantastic Four Nov 10, 2018

A Planet That Is Also A Space-Ship

Hello, and welcome to episode 307 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Who wants to see the main characters of this book achieve almost nothing in 20 pages? Who wants to have a whole bunch of heroes from another title show up with no introduction or concession to those who haven't been reading it? Who wants to spend lots of time with Adora and Tanak? If you answered 'yes' to these questions, then Fantastic Four #206 is the book for you. For everyone else, The Fantasticast is the review of Fantastic Four #206 for you.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Ben Sean, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present The Death of The Fantastic Four, a story of ineffective public executions, a hen-pecked intergalactic emperor, a knowing smirk to the camera, a lot of confusion about the difference between a ship and a planet, and the worst set of characters introductions seen in the book to date.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 306: Marvel Two-in-One #50 - Remembrance of Things Past Nov 03, 2018

Simon Bisley On An Etch-a-Sketch

Hello, and welcome to episode 306 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're jumping back to late January, 2012, to find out what our hosts got up to between episodes 2 and 3 of the Fantasicast. This week, we're reading Marvel Two-in-One #50, in which John Byrne takes Ben Grimm back to his past to try and avert his rocky-skinned fate. It's a time-travel classic that sees the Thing battle the Thing for... uh... look, it's an anniversary issue, does there need to be much more of a plot?

Joining us to discuss the first book written and drawn by John Byrne is writer and artist David Wynne. You may have seen his artwork for podcasts including Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men or Joshua and Jamie Do Daredevil. Not wanting to miss out on this, Steve and Andy Fan-'splain The FF asked Dave to recreate the cover to the comic, and once we'd worked out who had originally drawn the cover, it came out of a treat. It's our first cover recreation, and we're as pleased as a couple of podcasters talking about a comic they really like with a guest host they enjoy chatting with who has also done a great job with creating some artwork for the episode.

Find Dave on twitter where he is @davidwynne. Dave's art store can be found at https://gumroad.com/davidwynne. Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men can be found at https://www.xplainthexmen.com/ and on twitter at https://twitter.com/XPlaintheXmen. Joshua and Jamie Do Daredevil is at https://acreativepodcast.com/josh-and-jamie-do-daredevil/ and on twitter at https://twitter.com/jjdoddpodcast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 305: Fantastic Four #205 - When Worlds Die Oct 27, 2018

Episode 305: Fantastic Four #205 - When Worlds Die

The Crinkliest Chins Of All

Hello, and welcome to episode 305 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're off to the unusual lands of outer space and further education, as most of the Fantastic Four head to the remains of Xandar to avert a Skrull invasion, whilst Johnny Storm heads to a surprisingly sparse dorm room to rather easily give up his right to privacy. Oh, and get hypnotised by a bunch of early CCTV cameras and an assassin who has changed his entire MO.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Glynis Wein, Jim Novak, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #205 - When Worlds Die. And, as a bonus, we also find out what happens when you cross a diminuitive kaiju with an undersized shark tank, as we look at Godzilla, King Of The Monsters #21, which features the most logical way to deal with Godzilla that has been seen.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 304: Marvel Two-in-One #49 - The Curse of Crawlinswood Oct 20, 2018

The Unexpected Popeye

Hello, and welcome to episode 304 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Well, normally we would, but thanks to the a dose of real life, Andy's got the week off. That doesn't stop Steve from hitting the longboxes and diving into a strange tale (hehe) featuring Doctor Strange and Ben Grimm taking down a centuries-old necromancer in a creepy house ripped directly from an episode of Dark Shadows in Marvel Two-in-One #49, by Jo Duffy, Alan Kupperberg, Gene Day, Carl Gafford, Gaspar Saladino, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, Bob Budiansky, and Al Milgrom.

Joining Steve this week is Doctor Strange and 2000AD podcaster Conrad Leiden. Together, they examine the cartoonish, atmospheric artwork, the playful use of horror tropes, and what exactly constitutes a team-up when one of the heroes has no idea that the other one is there. As a bonus, they also dive into Godzilla, King Of The Monsters #20, where a museum turns out to be a terrible place to store a rapidly-growing lizard, and the Fantastic Four go toe-to-toe with one of the most iconic kaiju of all time.

Find Conrad's Doctor Strange Podcast - Stranger By The Dozen - at http://cradeline.com/stranger-by-the-dozen/ and on twitter at https://twitter.com/StrangerByThe12. Space Spinner 2000 can be found at http://spacespinner2000.com/ and on twitter at https://twitter.com/SpaceSpinner2K.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 303: Fantastic Four #204 - The Andromeda Attack Oct 13, 2018

The Hulk Changes His Mind

Hello, and welcome to episode 303 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we spend time loitering in the early stages of a grand Fantastic Four epic. An alien princess has arrived in the Baxter Building, Johnny's got an urge to return to full-time education, an ex-girlfriend lurks in the margins of the story, a building explodes (but it's all fine, nothing to worry about), and a soon-to-be-cancelled book starts working its way into the plot of the Fantastic Four.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Francoise Mouly, Jim Novak, Jim Shooter, and Al Milgrom present Fantastic Four #204 - The Andromeda Attack, the first chapter in a cosmic epic that will take the Fantastic Four in the heart of an intergalactic war. And also features the return of the one villain that we would have put actual money on never showing his magnificently-bearded face ever again.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 302: Marvel Two-in-One #48 - My Master, Machinesmith Oct 06, 2018

The Other Faceless Ones

Hello, and welcome to episode 302 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the hallowed cobbles of Yancy Street... before diving to the slightly-less hallowed underground villainous lairs of Yancy Street, as The Thing struggles against Machinesmith and Mr Carnation, with the captured Yancy Street Gang in danger. Who could possibly help him? Well, this time, it's the most over-designed hero of the 1970s - Jack of Hearts.

Bill Mantlo, Chic Stone, Tex Blaisdell, Mario Sen, Elaine Hendl, Roger Stern, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #48, in which a different approach to the inking gives some unusual responses, a sharp-edged rocket-propelled wedge does something surprising, a training simulation loses its potency when it moves outdoors, and there's more than one robot.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 301: Fantastic Four #203 - And A Child Shall Slay Them Sep 29, 2018

Evil, Evil Eyebrows

Hello, and welcome to episode 301 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're wandering into the realms of the standalone done-in-one, as a hallucinating mutant child conjours an evil Fantastic Four into existence, to battle and destroy our favourite super-team. Only Reed can save the day, but to save his family, he must first abandon them...

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Glynis Wein, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #203 - And A Child Shall Slay Them. Featuring some innocuous bowling, some radioactive gentleman juice, a look at the standing of the X-Men in the Marvel Universe, another Doris Evans, and the return of... Hostess Masterpiece Theatre!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 300: Marvel Two-in-One #47 - Happy Deathday, Mr Grimm Sep 21, 2018

Stupid Simian Suspense Stories

Hello, and welcome to episode 300 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Here we are, with our 300th episode of The Fantasticast. This week, we're teaming up with the Yancy Street Gang to protect our turf from rival gangsters and third-rate Daredevil villains. Bill Mantlo, Chic Stone, Bob Sharen, Gaspar Saladino, Diana Albers, Roger Stone and Joe Sinnott combine to create Marvel Two-in-One #47.

But that's merely the warm-up for the main event - your regular hosts kicking back and answering your questions. From our takes on the Fantastic Four arriving in the MCU, to our hope for the new title, via a whole bunch of rating, ranking, forgetting our actual favourite issues, struggling to hold our drink, reminiscences, flattery, disagreements, and imitations.

Many thanks to all of our listeners, guest hosts, Patreon backers, and anyone who has helped us get through 300 episodes of the show. Here's to the next 300!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 299: Fantastic Four #202 - There's One Iron Man Too Many Sep 15, 2018

Guest-Starring Noddy Holder As Thor

Hello, and welcome to episode 299(!) of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're encountering one more Iron Man than expected, as an attack on the Baxter Building leads to an unexpected take-off, a bold-faced lie, a tiny Quinjet, an over-hyped eye, a confusing flashback, and the return of our favourite acronym in comics - the QUASI-MOtivational Destruct Organ!

Marv Wolfman, John Buscema, Joe Sinnott, Janice Cohen, Jim Novak, Jim Shooter, and Dave Cockrum present Fantastic Four #202 - There's One Iron Man Too Many. And there's one comic too many, as we jump into Spidey Super Stories #38, in which a subway train-jacking punning Mad Thinker has to be brought down by the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man... assuming he can find somewhere to change, of course!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 298: Marvel Two-in-One #47 - Battle In Burbank Sep 08, 2018

Oh So Tropey

Hello, and welcome to episode 298 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we've got a triple-shot of late-70s Marvel goodness for you. We start with Marvel Two-in-One #46, in which some jealousy over the Bill Bixby TV series leads The Thing to Hollywood, where a throwdown with the Hulk disrupts an attempted kidnapping of Karen Page. Allan Kupperberg, Chic Stone, Gaspar Saladino, Roger Stern, and Jim Shooter are along for the ride.

Then it's off to Earth-7812, which attempts to answer the question... What If Rick Jones Had Become The Hulk. What If? 312 sees Reed Richards trying to help Bruce Banner separate the teen from the monster. And finally, we swing by an introspective Spider-Man in Spectacular Spider-Man #25. Oh, and we also discover what the word is.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 297: Fantastic Four Annual #13 - Nightlife Sep 01, 2018

In The Kingdom Of The... Uh...

Hello, and welcome to episode 297 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're nestling into the gap between pages 3 and 4 of Fantastic Four #201 to investigate a plague of statue-stealing, in Fantastic Four Annual #13. The Mole Man is back, and wants to create a public service of beauty for a kingdom of outcasts seeking refuge in the tunnels beneath New York, and only the Fantastic Four can stop him. But... should they?

Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema, Joe Sinnott, Francoise Mouly, Gaspar Saladine, Irv Watanabe, Mark Wolfman, Jim Shooter, Keith Pollard, and Steve Leialoha present Fantastic Four Annual #13 - Nightlife, featuring a completely-unnecessary arm stretch, an attempt at social commentary, an almost completely-compromised moral, and a man hoping that if he stands very still, people will mistake his green cloak for... uh... grey statue stuff.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 296: Fantastic Four #201 - Home Deadly Home Aug 25, 2018

Fromage a Trois

Hello, and welcome to episode 296 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

A new era dawns for the reunited Fantastic Four, as issue #201 sees the team return to New York (via a couple of annuals and a few spinoff issues) and reclaim their home in the Baxter Building. It's more than just a geographical homecoming, as the team formally define themselves as a family for the first time, a surprisingly late development in the history of the Fantastic Four.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Francoise Mouly, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #201 - Home Deadly Home. Computer run wild, a long-overdue Baxter Building cutaway doesn't reflect the actual plot, a balance of focus from FF #200 is redressed, and Ben proves surprisingly effective in rent negotiations. Who would have guessed?

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 295: Marvel Two-in-One #45 - The Andromeda Rub-Out! Aug 18, 2018

One More Piece Of The Action, See?

Hello, and welcome to episode 295 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Guns, gals, jalopies, doppelgangers, and a suspicious wall all combine on this week's Fantasticast, as we head to Brownsville, Brooklyn, with Captain Marvel in to- oh, wait, where did he go? Anyway, this week's issue of Marvel Two-in-One is the sequel to a story that we never expected to see, especially as it ignores another sequel. Oh, hey, Mar-Vell's back.

Peter Gillis, Alan Kupperberg, Mike Esposito, Phil Rachelson, Michael Higgins, Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, and Ron Wilson present Marvel Two-in-One #45 - The Andromeda Rubout. Huh, he's gone again... Anyway, remember Torgo? He's back. Well, some of him at least. And there's a very unconvincing Skrull dying a very unconvincing death. And he's back once more... is anyone getting this not-very-subtle commentary on the use of the guest-star in this book?

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 294: Marvel 2-in-One #1-6 - The Fate Of The Four Aug 11, 2018

Zdarsky Man, Zdarsky Man, Writes Whatever A Zdarsky Can

Hello, and welcome to episode 294 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

To celebrate the return of the Fantastic Four, we're taking a week off from our regularly-scheduled mission to take a look at the comics that comprise Marvel 2-in-One vol. 1: The Fate Of The Four. Join Ben, Johnny, Rachna Koul, and Victor von Doom on a journey into the multiverse to discover just what happened to Reed, Sue, Franklin, Valeria, and the rest of the Future Foundation.

Chip Zdarsky, Jim Cheung, Valerio Schiti, Walden Wong, Frank Martin, Joe Caramagna, Alanna Smith, and Tom Brevoort lay the groundwork for the return of the Fantastic Four in Marvel 2-in-One #1-6. If you've enjoyed these reviews, you can get more, including monthly looks at the currently-published Fantastic Four family of books, at patreon.com/fantasticast

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 293.5 - Fantastic Four #1 Review & Dan Slott Interview Aug 08, 2018

Signal In The Sky

Hello, and welcome to this special episode of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The Fantastic Four are back, and Steve is here with a spoiler-filled review of their return. Can Dan Slott, Sara Pichelli, Simone Bianchi, Skottie Young, and more, make the return of Marvel's First Family a true event? Find out, as we dig into this oversized first issue.

In addition to this, we present a spoiler-free interview with Dan Slott, conducted a couple of weeks ago at London Film and Comic Con. We discuss his history with the Fantastic Four, the continuity he messed up in Spider-Man/Human Torch, the story of why Spider-Man joined the FF, and what he wants to accomplish with his tenure on The World's Greatest Comics Magazine.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 293: Fantastic Four #200 - When Titans Clash! Aug 04, 2018

At Long Last, 200!

Hello, and welcome to episode 200 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's finally here. The big one. The climax to the epic Reed Richards/Doctor Doom saga. The first truly impressive anniversary issue from the House of Ideas. Face front, True Believer - this is When Titans Clash. It's oversized, it's overpriced, it's overly-melodramatic, and it's really rather good!

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Francoise Mouly, John Costanza, Mark Gruenwald, Jim Shooter, and Jack Kirby present Fantastic Four #200, in which Reed and Doom get to punching the living daylights out of each other, a statue causes a riot, Johnny fight some missiles, Alicia can't recognise Ben's voice, and Sue... er... well, the issue isn't perfect.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 292: What If? #11 - What If The Fantastic Four Were The Original Marvel Bullpen? Jul 28, 2018

Real-Life Clobberin' Time!

Hello, and welcome to episode 292 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Hey there, Kirby fans. This week, we're covering the final major contribution of Jack Kirby to the world of the Fantastic Four. Working off an idea from Roy Thomas, Jack imagines a world where Stan Lee, Sol Brodsky, Flo Steinberg, and The King himself become imbued with the powers of the Fantastic Four, and have to track down the mysterious 'S Men' while putting out some of the most notable comics of the 1960s. With hilarious consequences.

Jack Kirby, Mike Royer, Carl Gafford, Bill Wray, and Roy Thomas present What If? #11, an issue that breaks all the rules of What If?, has a ton of fun along the way, includes some astonishing late-period KirbyTech, and casually reveals that Atlantis exists in the 'real' world. Join us, as we bid a final farewell to one of the creators of the Fantastic Four.

Don't forget to join Steve at 3pm on Saturday 28th July at London Film & Comic Con as he interviews Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli about the upcoming Fantastic Four relaunch!

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 291: Marvel Two-in-One #44 - The Wonderful World Of Brother Benjamin J. Grimm Jul 21, 2018

Narrativium Concludo

Hello, and welcome to episode 291 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This is the story of community service gone wrong, of the fall of Olympus. This is the story of the dangers of smoking near children, and of naming your youth program 'Camp Runamok'. This is the story of Hercules casually flying a chariot down a New York street. This is the story of some truly hilarious wisecracks, a titanic team-up, and a bunch of cowardly gods. This, however, may or may not be an imaginary story... aren't they all?

Joining us to cover Marvel Two-in-One #44 is writer and Punisher podcaster Kelly Kanayama. Together, we dive into this delightful comic, examining if Hercules is truly a fan of The Bay City Rollers, what the placement of a comma before the 'TM' symbol means, and utter the immortal phrase: "Horny's catching up with us!". Come and join all three of us!

Find Kelly on twitter, where she is @KellyKanayama. Find Kelly's writing at Nerdist at https://nerdist.com/author/kelly-kanayama/. Frank Discussions can be found at https://www.mixcloud.com/KellyKanayama/, including the live episode, Bullseye For The Skull Guy, featuring occasional Fantasticast guest host Al "To Astonish" Kennedy.

Don't forget to join Steve at 3pm on Saturday 28th July at London Film & Comic Con as he interviews Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli about the upcoming Fantastic Four relaunch!

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 290: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #3 - When Strike The Monitors Jul 14, 2018

Dick Sprang, David Banks

Hello, and welcome to episode 290 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we join the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing as he teams up with the Definitely-A-Man Called Nova to defend the Earth against the might of the Monitors. Aided only by a trio of giant women and a plasticine railroad-building dog, it's up to these two heroes to save the planet from imminent destruction at the hands of Marv Wolfman, Sal Buscema, Frank Giacoia, Dave Hunt, Phil Rachelson, Joe Rosen, and Jim Shooter.

Joining us for this episode is podcast and three-time Fantasticast guest host, Al Kennedy. He's one of the most vocal New Warriors fans out there, and he was the perfect person to invite along to experience an early adventure of Nova with us. Along the way, we discuss The Penguin & The Queen, The King Ralph Scenario, the adventures of S.T.R.I.K.E.Monitor, Nova's 'Human Rocket', how eggs make everything more exciting, a giant Airfix woman, and why Cannonball wouldn't have gone 'boing'.

Al is the host of House To Astonish, a comics news and review podcast featuring The Official Handbook Of The Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe, available at http://www.housetoastonish.co m/. You can also follow him on twitter where he is @housetoastonish

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 289: Fantastic Four #199 - The Son Of Doctor Doom Jul 07, 2018

Lethal Lettering

Hello, and welcome to episode 289 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we're enjoying our last look at a Fantastic Four book with a three digit issue number that begins with a '1'. This might seem like a tenuous thing to celebrate... and it is! An incredibly melodramatic Doctor Doom who doesn't know how to democracy prepares to abdicate and transfer power to someone who is definitely his son, and the Fantastic Four can only rampage through his dungeons.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Janice Cohen, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #199 - The Son Of Doctor Doom. Because concealed clones, smuggled weaponry, detailed crowd scenes, expositional equations, unoccupied orbs, unclear transfers, and suspicious statues make for a great comic.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 288: Marvel Two-in-One #43 - The Day The World Winds Down Jun 30, 2018

Little Blue Bastards

Hello, and welcome to episode 288 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we return to the mystical swamps of Florida to witness the battle of life and death personified, as the Man-Thing goes up against the physical embodiment on entropy, inexplicably named Jude, while The Thing and Captain America try to recover the cosmic cube. Swamps will live, swamps will die, and the cube will never be the same again...

Ralph Macchio, John Byrne, Some Friends, Phil Rachelson, Bruce Patterson, Roger Stern, Walt Simonson, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #43, which features lots of Smurfs, the inadvisable stroking of Jude The Entropic Man's tummy, and Andy's inability to recognise a basic narrative device.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 287: Fantastic Four #198 - Invasion! Jun 23, 2018

Victor Von Doom II: This Time It's Personal

Hello, and welcome to episode 287 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're well on the road to the 200th issue of The Fantastic Four, and it's time to put the focus on the newly-restretchenatorised Reed Richards. Is there nothing he can't do? Swing from a mountain, Impersonate the brother of a victim of a harpsichord-activated laser? Incite revolution in the kingdom of Latveria?

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Janice Cohen, Rick Parker, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #198: Invasion! In which Latveria is invaded, our hosts can't remember notable fictional headlines, Ultimatum is spoiled, we discover an edge-teeterer, the Latverian NHS is explored, and a robot is shagged. Sort of.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 286: Marvel Two-in-One #42 - Entropy, Entropy... Jun 16, 2018

Non-Jumping Jumpers

Hello, and welcome to episode 286 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Following a successful series of birthdays, Steve and Andy return to Marvel Two-in-One for a series of firsts. The first appearance of Project Pegasus, the first script from new regular writer Ralph Macchio (not that one), the first appearance of Jude The Entropic Man, and the first credit for assistant editor Jim Salicrup. Oh, and the first non-consecutive returning named guest star, in the form of Captain America.

Ralph Macchio (not that one), Sal Buscema, Alfredo Alcala, Sam Grainger, Nel Yomtov, Sam Grainger, Jim Shooter, and Jim Salicrup present Marvel Two-in-One #42, which includes the return of Wundarr, the return of Blacksun, the return of Victorious, some first-class time-wasting, and the astonishingly suspicious ethics of Captain America.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 285: Fantastic Four #197 - The Riotous Return Of The Red Ghost Jun 09, 2018

Do You Know Who The F--k I Am?

Hello, and welcome to episode 285 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

As we all know, the best way to celebrate that landmark 197th issue (excluding annuals and Giant-Size issues) is to return to the beginning of a title, but for only of the cast of characters, and only to restore his missing powers, and only if the co-host's least favourite recurring villain makes an appearance.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Joe Sinnott, Barry Grossman, John Costanza, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #197, which takes Reed to outer space, returns the Red Ghost, stars Rik Mayall as Doctor Doom, decides that Doom would be a Morrissey fan, racism and all, and exclaims, By Jon Bogdanove's Beard!

There's also a song, at 12 minutes into the episode, that has an awful lot of unbleeped swearing in it. But it's not as bad as the singing. Sorry about that... You can hear the original version of the parody at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVmVVkbx3jE

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 284: Marvel Two-in-One #41 - Voodoo And Valour Jun 02, 2018

Guest-Starring- Oh, No...

Hello, and welcome to episode 284 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to T'Challa's apartment, visiting a remote airfield, and journey to, uh, Uganda to meet, uh, genocidal dictator Idi Amin. In one of the more baffling writing choices of the 1970s, Brother Voodoo and Black Panther are overshadowed by this real-world, very unwelcome guest appearance.

Roger Slifer, David Kraft, Ron Wilson, Pablo Marcos, Francoise Mouly, Joe Rosen, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #41, in which Brother Voodoo does very little despite being the named guest star. There's also a terrible FBI agent, a narratively-convenient urn, some really badly-structured flashbacks, a misunderstanding as to the meaning of the word 'resourceful', and... well... him.

For more on this unusual and unwelcome guest appearance, please spend some time with this article from The Middle Spaces. https://themiddlespaces.com/2016/05/24/marvel-five-in-one/

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 283: Fantastic Four #196 - Who In The World Is The Invincible Man? May 26, 2018

Psycho Man, qu'est-ce que c'est?

Hello, and welcome to episode 283 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're off for a proper, slap-up Hollywood dinner, complete with ghostly father, soup that fights back, and absolutely no children. The Psycho Man('s armour) is back, the Invincible Man is also back, Reed's having nightmares, and Ben's having bouillabasse.

Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, Pablo Marcos, Glynis Wein, Joe Rosen, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #196, in which a babysitter is despatched, stars are spotted, Johnny Storm definitely isn't Luke Hamill or David Cassidy, and nobody notices a fight in a restaurant. Just your average issue of the Fantastic Four, then.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 282: Marvel Two-in-One #40 - Conjure Night May 19, 2018

Kitchen In The Kitchen

Hello, and welcome to episode 282 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to Hell's Kitchen to transition from one set of guest stars to the next. We bid farewell to Daredevil and Yellowjacket, and welcome... Luke Charles? After a bit of research, we find out that he's actually T'Challa, the Black Panther, in his day job as a teacher. Remember that? We don't...

Tom DeFalco picks up his first Marvel credit, joining Roger Slifer, Ron Wilson, Pablo Marcos, Phil Rachelson, Irving Watanabe, and Jim Shooter on Marvel Two-in-One #40. Featuring zuvembies, glue, cellists, undercooked pizza, ethics, the first appearance of Carnegie Hall, and a big bag o' home-grown. You know what we mean.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 281: Fantastic Four #195 - Beware The Ravaging Retrievers May 12, 2018

Musical Memories

Hello, and welcome to episode 281 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're off to Hollywood as Namor and Sue not-quite-resume their flirtation as the Savage Sub-Mariner tries to escape the power and responsibility of running Atlantis by running a movie studio. And fighting an elite team of Retrievers sent by his abandoned people. Quite how this counts as the 'quiet' life is beyond us...

Keith Pollard, Pablo Marcos, Phil Rachelson, and Denise Wohl welcome Marv Wolfman to Fantastic Four #195, a tale of revelatory flashbacks, giant fishtanks, a cape that flows majestically from underneath his buttocks, and the very unlikely origins of the 1994 Fantastic Four movie.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 280: Marvel Two-in-One #39 - The Vision Gambit May 05, 2018

Forgetful Hypno-Specs

Hello, and welcome to episode 280 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're heading to the Mad Thinker's sewer hideout to discover why this nefarious villain wants to take over The Vision and enslave mankind. Or something. Only Daredevil, The Thing, Yellowjacket, and Eugene Everett can stop him. Which is good, because even Paste Pot Pete would make a better mankind enslavement overlord...

Roger Slifer, Ron Wilson, Pablo Marcos, George Roussos, Peter Iro, and Archie Goodwin present Marvel Two-in-One #39. Featuring Daredevil's tighty-whiteys, Yellowjacket's thighs, the Avengers Coffin, a fake psychic, a not-that-fake psychic, a bunch of robot clones, a pair of completely blank metal spectacles, and the wrong Omnibus.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 279: Fantastic Four #194 - Vengeance Is Mine Apr 28, 2018

Gassy Head

Hello, and welcome to episode 279 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we return to the scene of the crime (crash), as Fantastic Four #194 sees Alicia, the US Army, and a right dick of a fireman on the trail fo Ben Grimm, who has gone missing in the aftermath of a solar shuttle crash. Will he get caught up in Diablo and Darkoth's plot against Doctor Doom? Let's hope so...

Len Wein, Keith Pollard, Bill Mantlo, Dave Hunt, George Roussos, Annette Kawecki, and Marv Wolfman present Fantastic Four #194 - Vengeance Is Mine. It's a tale of unlikely geographic coincidences, intense melodrama, an unlikely way of pronouncing the word 'EXPLODE', and previous little of any members of the team who aren't primarily comprised of rocks...

Find Stacey Taylor's 24 hour live broadcast of Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour at mixlr.com/spcp-live and donate to her fundraising for the British Heart Foundation at justgiving.com/spcplive3.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 278: Marvel Two-in-One #38 - Thing Behind Prison Bars Apr 21, 2018

How Do I Chicken?

Hello, and welcome to episode 278 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're diving into the pages of Marvel Two-in-One #38, which purports to feature The Thing, but spends a lot of time with Daredevil as he digs into the events that conspired to confine Ben Grimm to jail. Well, until he decides to break out and fall through a surprisingly-fluid hole in the sewers, that is...

Joining us for this episode is Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour host Stacey Taylor, warming up for her upcoming 24 hour live broadcast to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. And now, I'm just going to list the notes I made during the edit.

Insulted By A Brummie
Smutty & Nutty?
Aunt May's Not Dead
Blokes Being Weird
'Sylvester Stallone's Giant Schlong
Minty Fresh Vagine
Daredevil's Inflatable Chin
Bin Skateboardin'
King Of Everywheres Of Something
The Thinker, Mad-Splained
Brotherhood Of Man or Boney Me?
Brotherhood Of Man or Brotherhood of Nod?

Find Stacey's 24 hour live broadcast at mixlr.com/spcp-live and donate to her fundraising at justgiving.com/spcplive3. Why not drop her a follow on twitter, where she is @staceysparlour?

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 277: Fantastic Four #193 - Day Of The Death Demon Apr 14, 2018

Shaving Namor

Hello, and welcome to episode 277 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, the focus swings onto Benjamin J. Grimm, fresh from his court case, and his new job as a solar-powered shuttle pilot for NASA. Hopefully a former colleague, brainwashed, mutated into a giant purple cyber-demon, and controlled by a 9th century time-displaced alchemist, won't show up and smash the place up. Oh... whoops!

Len Wein, a debuting Keith Pollard, Bill Mantlo, and Joe Sinnott present the much-requested return of Darkoth in Fantastic Four #193. Along the way, we discuss the veracity of an acting career, admire a purple suit, snigger at the title of an advert, moan about cover credits, and admire a shuttle. It's all in an hour's work for The Fantasticast.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Support our former guest host Joe Cunningham's MCU marathon this weekend at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joe-cunningham-mcu

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 276: Marvel Two-in-One #37 - Game Point Apr 07, 2018

The Shining Is A Ghost Story

Hello, and welcome to episode 276 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're entering a new era of Marvel Two-in-One with issue 37, as the book catches up with current Fantastic Four continuity to deliver a detailed look at the humdrum life of Benjamin J. Grimm when shorn of the Fantastic Four. Well, it's a humdrum as it can be when he's accidentally smashing up New York, getting thrown in jail by a bunch of reluctant cops, and being defended by none other than Daredevil's alter-ego: Matt Murdock, Attorney-At-Law!

As you might have intuited, we didn't want to waste this opportunity to invite Daredevil blogger Christine Hanefalk back to the Fantasticast, and to our great delight, she couldn't come up with an excuse to not be here. She joins us to look at the mechanics of balancing a lit cigar, an extendable chin, and an in-depth look at just what kind of trial Ben is actually involved in. Spoilers: it's inconclusive!

Christine's Daredevil blog can be found at http://www.theothermurdockpapers.com/, and on facebook. Follow Christine on twitter where she is @Chris_TOMP, and pre-order your copy of Daredevil Psychology: The Devil You Know.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 275: Fantastic Four #192 - He Who Soweth The Wind Mar 31, 2018

They're Back!

Hello, and welcome to episode 275 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's hard to focus on the comic when news hit during the final edit that, in the hands of Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli, the Fantastic Four will return later in 2018. If you listen closely, you can hear Steve's reaction to the news breaking. And then, because we have a job to do, it's back to the Fantastic Four #192.

And it's a sad moment for the Fantastic Four, as George Perez takes his leave of the title and Len Wein starts his transition from the book. But it's not all sadness - Wyatt Wingfoot's back, Johnny's taking part in a confusing drag race, and Rebecca Rainbow is here. There's also some good old Liverpudlian stereotypes, a rare appearance of Woke Johnny, and the startling fate of Glendale.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 274: Marvel Two-in-One #36 - A Stretch In Time Mar 24, 2018

Gratuitous Heart

Hello, and welcome to episode 274 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're heading back to the sort-of-but-not-quite prehistoric era to see just how The Thing, Skull The Slayer, and a supporting cast without book manage to escape back to their own time, and what might happen if a megalomaniacal priest and a group of oversized pteradons should happen to follow them home.

Marv Wolfman, Ernie Chan, Michelle Wolfman, and Joe Rosen present Marvel Two-in-One #36 which, eventually, guest-stars Mr Fantastic himself, stretching his way in and out of current continuity. We've also got some incredibly prescient Cub Scout campfire songs, and some time-travel sci-fi Borg-y-bollocks.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 273: Fantastic Four #191 - Four No More! Mar 17, 2018

Self-Folding Sheets

Hello, and welcome to episode 273 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we push past the reprints and the redrawings to cover the final farewells of the Fantastic Four. Reed's decision is final, and a maudlin issue sees the team pack up the Baxter Building, assault some reporters, repel an over-zealous landlord, and receive a suspiciously-convenient telegram from a semi-retired postman.

Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #191 - Four No More, in which an ersatz SHIELD agent triggers a temporary reunion of the World's Greatest... uh... Team? Along the way, we discover the world's first Arcade cosplayer, debate the merits of using Whatsapp to co-ordinate a dramatic entrance, and wonder just what happened to Mark Lamarr?

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 272: Marvel Two-in-One #35 - Enter: Skull The Slayer And Exit: The Thing Mar 10, 2018

Punch Him In His Dino-Neck

Hello, and welcome to episode 272 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we welcome the great Ernie Chan to the world of the Fantastic Four, as he brings his pencils and inks to the first part of a two-part story dedicated to wrapping up the ongoing plotlines of the short-lived and recently-departed time-travel series, Skull The Slayer. With Ben Grimm searching for a cobalt bomb in the Bermuda Triangle, a time-warp drops him right in the middle of an unresolved cliffhanger in a world full of very angry, beautifully-drawn dinosaurs...

Marv Wolfman and Ernie Chan present Marvel Two-in-One #35, a tale full of anachronisms, angry supporting cast members, devilish priests, oversized pteradons, mis-identified brontosauruses, mis-pronounced diplodocuses, and a regained appreciation for Wolfman's Two-in-One. Admittedly, the last one is from us, rather than from the tale itself, but it filled up a couple of lines in the episode description.

The Fantasticast is support by Stitcher Premium, home of Wolverine: The Long Night, launching March 12th. Starring Richard Armitage as Wolverine, this ten episode podcast audio drama is the first of its kind for Marvel. For a month's free trial to Stitcher Premium, head over to stitcher.com/premium and enter the promo code Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 271: Fantastic Four #190 - The Way It Was Mar 03, 2018

Atomic Powered Shotgun

Hello, and welcome to episode 271 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Is it a reprint? No! Is it a flashback? Er... no? Ish? Is it an original story? Hell, no! Is it an awkward mix of all three hastily assembled to fill an unexpected gap in the production schedule? Yeeeeeaaaahhhhh!

Marv Wolfman, Sal Buscema, and Tony DeZuniga present Fantastic Four #190 - The Way It Was, which awkwardly attempts to craft a narrative out of 189 issues of squabbling, fighting, breaking-up, and Namor's horn. All this, and the latest instalment of Hostess Masterpiece Theatre!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 270: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2 - Death Watch! Feb 24, 2018

Alan Moore's Thunderbirds

Hello, and welcome to episode 270 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This is it. The grand climax to the first grand, cosmic story depicting the threat to the universe posed by Thanos, his armies, and the reunited Infinity Gems. The Avengers stand between Thanos and Earth, whilst Adam Warlock must sacrifice everything to stop his foe. And, caught in the middle, are the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing, and your friendly, neighbourhood Spider-Man.

Jim Starlin and Joe Rubinstein present Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2, the grand climax to Starlin's first cycle of Thanos stories. Featuring Ed Piskor's X-Men thing, spoilers for Salem's Lot, the most obscure reference ever made on the podcast, and Jim Bowen as... Thanos.

Joining us for this momentous, magnificent magazine is writer and critic Steve W. Morris. Steve has written for sites such as Comics Beat, Comics Alliance (where he snuck us onto the site), and CBR, as well as running his own single-issue review site at shelfdust.com, and the monthly comics newsletter The MNT, which can be found on patreon at https://www.patreon.com/comicsmnt. Follow him on twitter, where he is @stevewmorris

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 269: What If? #6 - What If The Fantastic Four Had Different Powers? Feb 17, 2018

Sorcery Wankers

Hello, and welcome to episode 269 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're off to Earth-7712 (well, it's better than the UK as featured in recent issues of Two-in-One!) to discover a different incarnation of the Fantastic Four. A twist of fate grants the team a different set of super-powers to the ones we are familiar with, and we're here to examine the adventures of Big Brain, Ultra Woman, Mandroid, and Dragonfly, as they encounter Doctor Doom for the first time.

Roy Thomas, Jim Craig, Rick Hoberg, and Sam Grainger present What If? #6. Discover the first time that the team's personality traits are used as a reason for their specific powers, and read along with never-published comics from an alternate universe, before Immortus destroy them all. Because what's the point in having a podcast if you can't go all multiversal when you want to?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 268: Marvel Two-in-One #34 - A Monster Walks Among Us Feb 10, 2018

The Usborne Book Of International Plugs

Hello, and welcome to episode 268 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're back in good ol' blummin' perishin' Blighty for another issue of Marvel Two-in-One. Nighthawk's in town for entirely spurious reasons, Deathlok's waking up, Nick Fury's got some presents to give out, and there's a giant icy stone, just waiting to release the morally ambiguous monster within. Or is the true monster the one within all of us? Aaaaah...

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Pablo Marcos present Marvel Two-in-One #34, featuring suspiciously non-English hunters, hospitals, churches, plug attachments, and methods of extinguishing fires. We're also having a look at the original elements of Fantastic Four #189, which doesn't take very long at all.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 267: Fantastic Four Annual #12 - The End Of The Inhumans... And The Fantastic Four! Feb 03, 2018

Thraxon, Thraxoff

Hello, and welcome to episode 267 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're jumping into a nest of continuity errors as we join the definitely-an-ongoing-concern that is the Fantastic Four for their 12th annual. The Inhumans are in trouble, having come under attack from both Thraxon and the Sphinx, and only Crystal, Lockjaw, and the Fantastic Four can save them from the plots of this immortal super-villain (and his lackey).

Joining us for this episode is podcaster Mark Adams. Mark is the host of the Marksmess series of podcastsm including Marksmess vs The Evolutionary War, Marksmess vs Atlantis Attacks, and The Marksmess Podcast, as well as the World War I podcast looking at the letters of his grandfather, John Adams: Letters From The Front.

Mark joins us to examine this giant-size comic from Marv Wolfman, Bob Hall, Keith Pollard, Bob Wiacek, and Marie Severin. Along the way, we create the 'Ben's Finger' test, encounter Anabelle and her Singing Appendix Scar, discover that we don't know how to pronounce 'Wiacek', and discover that Steve is a Formula One Expert (TM).

Mark and his podcasts can be found at http://marksmesspodcasts.blogspot.co.uk, on twitter where he/they are @marksmesspodcas, and on Facebook. The letters of John Adams can be found at http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 266: Marvel Two-in-One #33 - From Stonehenge... With Death! Jan 27, 2018

To Pack... Or To Podcast?

Hello, and welcome to episode 266 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Will this holiday ever end? Will Ben and Alicia ever leave the United Kingdom? The answer to both of these appears to be 'no', as the two decide to not talk about recent events and instead to a holiday to Stonehenge, where nothing bad will happen. Apart from a quartet of one-shot villains looking to drag a wayward magician a thousand years back in time to the era he came from, of course...

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Pablo Marcos present Marvel Two-in-One #33, guest-starring Modred The Mystic, Spider-Woman, and Chauncey, of Chauncey and Trevor. We examine the unconcerned origins of Spider-Woman, missed opportunities of spinoffs, the geography of Southern England, and the civil engineering of Wiltshire. And for a special Fantasticast bonus, we take a look at the first Fantastic Four artwork from Walt Simonson.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 265: Fantastic Four #188 - The Rampage Of Reed Richards Jan 20, 2018

In A Purple Pigs Eye

Hello, and welcome to episode 265 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're doing our best to avoid being caught in a battle for our bodies with a being capable of altering the very nature of molecules themselves, as we cover Fantastic Four #188 - The Rampage of Reed Richards. It's an action-packed issue as the Molecule Man battles Reed Richards for control of his body while the rest of the Fantastic Four do their best to save New York.

Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present the only tale in the Marvel Universe where The Watcher attempts crowd control whilst a New York skyscraper rampages through the streets. As well as this issue, we're also covering some unfinished business from last week, as we take a brief look at X-Men #106, and welcome Super Doctor Astronaut Peter Corbeau to the show.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 264: Marvel Two-in-One #32 - Only The Invisible Girl Can Save Us Now Jan 13, 2018

The British Bobby Cavalry

Hello, and welcome to episode 264 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It comes to something when The Thing has spent more time in the UK of late than one of the hosts... We're back to the world of Marvel Two-in-One. A mutated Alicia Masters - complete with extra limbs, Dr Seuss feet, and hairy forearms - is on the rampage in London, and only The Thing and Spider-Woman can stop her. Until they can't, and Susan Storm has to step in.

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Pablo Marcos present (but not in a proud way) Marvel Two-in-One #32, featuring a quickly-rebuilt Big Ben, a featureless grey void, some incredibly heavy inks, a lack of agency or point of view for one of the main characters, and the return of everybody's favourites - Chauncey and Trevor.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 263: Fantastic Four #187 - Trouble Times Two Jan 06, 2018

My Lips Are Sealed

Hello, and welcome to episode 263 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We kick off our coverage for 2018 with a rare issue set almost entirely within the Baxter Building. Klaw, the Murderous Master of Sound has teamed up with a fetching pair of green legs (and the person who uses said legs) and has invaded the Baxter Building. Can a moping Reed, a despondent Agatha, a hotheaded Johnny, a loose-lipped Sue, and a crystalline Ben save the day?

Yes, it's Fantastic Four #187, Trouble Times Two, by Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott. And it's us covering said issue, along with plenty of jokes, nitpicks, and an incredibly sexy song. What more do you expect from The Fantasticast?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 262.5 - Marvel Two-in-One #1 Dec 30, 2017

A Review

Hello, and welcome to episode 262.5 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

And we're back, sneaking in with a special minisode just before the end of the year. And we're not the only ones who are back. Marvel Two-in-One #1 sees the Fantastic Four appearing together in a Marvel comic for the first time since at least the end of Secret Wars, and we're here to take a look.

This is a spoiler-packed discussion of Marvel Two-in-One #1 by Chip Zdarsky, Jim Cheung, John Dell, Walden Wong, Frank Martin, and VC's Joe Caramagna. How do the adventures of Johnny and Ben bear up given the weight of expectations born by the FF's long absence, both in-and-out of the Marvel Universe? Find out, as we take a look at this new #1.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 262: Marvel Team-Up #61 - Not All Thy Powers Can Save Thee Dec 23, 2017

KISS Me Quick

Hello, and welcome to episode 262 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We close out our episodes for 2017 with a nifty little threesome. First up, we find out what happens when Spider-Man goes up against the entire Fantastic Four, in Marvel Team-Up #61. Well, as close to the entire team as you can get, while just being one person. The Human Torch guest stars as future Fantastic Four creators Chris Claremont and John Byrne, along with Dave Hunt, make their debuts.

Then we're off to Long Island to check in with Marvel's teen superhero, Nova. In amongst his battles with perennial FF nemesis The Sandman, he finds time to put the fear of the almighty into the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. And finally, we check in Gene Simmons et al as KISS find themselves on a whistle-stop tour of the Marvel Universe, in Marvel Comics Super-Special #1.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 261: Marvel Two-in-One #31 - My Sweetheart, My Killer Dec 16, 2017

Meadows, Airplanes, and Hypnosis

Hello, and welcome to episode 261 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we return to jolly old London town for the further adventures of Ben Grimm in the Land of Blighty. Both the Thing and Spider-Woman find themselves on the trail of the missing Alicia Masters, to stop HYDRA from turning her into a horrific spider-mutant. Meanwhile, the most unlikely treasure hunt since the last Nicholas Cage movie continues.

Yes, it's Marvel Two-in-One #31, presented by Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Sam Grainger. As well as kicking holes in the plot, we examine the events of the Blitz, the use of body horror in contemporaneous Marvel comics, the appearance of Spider-Woman-Woman, and the events that made Andy remark, ?I don't think they thought this through..."

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 260: Fantastic Four #186 - Enter: Salem's Seven Dec 09, 2017

11PT SPLASH SUBTITLE HERE

Hello, and welcome to episode 260 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Brutacus! Hydron! Thornn! Vakume! Gazelle! Reptilia! Vertigo! Salem's Seven are here, and you'd better be afraid of their awesome might! See how they cow the Fantastic Four! Marvel at their powers! Delight in their artistic depiction! Snigger at their method of defeat!

Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #186, featuring the introduction of Salem's Seven. And, let's be honest, we'd all rather that they hadn't. Thrill as we discuss the possibilities of water-absorbing snakes! Gape agog as we discover the dumbest thing since Strange Tales! Plug your ears as someone sings!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 259: Marvel Two-in-One #30 - Battle Atop Big Ben Dec 02, 2017

Cripes, Explosion!

Hello, and welcome to episode 259 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to jolly ol' London town for an issue of Marvel Two-in-One. Ben just wants to relax and see the sights, but Spider-Woman insists on attacking at every opportunity, and two crooks are content to blow up everything they can to avoid attracting attention. It's not a particularly clever plan, but it's the one we've got.

Marv Wolfman, John Buscema, and Pablo Marcos present Marvel Two-in-One #30, a comic book that, if you hold at an angle and squint slightly, makes sense. As well as the plot and art, we discuss how to forget Julia Carpenter, the usefulness of Spider-Woman's hood, and just what Steve misses about Eastenders.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 258: Fantastic Four #185 - Here There Be Witches Nov 25, 2017

Construct-A-Non-Fantasticar

Hello, and welcome to episode 258 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Where there be witches? Here? Here there be witches? Uh-oh... we'd better be nice about them, then. And considering that the witches that be here eventually give way to Salem's Seven, that's not going to be easy... Yes, the Fantastic Four continue their baby-and-nanny hunt with a trip to New Salem, a town hidden behind a terrible wind. Make your own jokes...

Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott introduce us to Nicholas Scratch in Fantastic Four #185. And if you think his name is suspicious, that's nothing compared to his beard... All this, plus some retro uniforms, a very specific form of subtlety, and a sort of heat portal thing that totally makes sense, oh yes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 257: Marvel Two-in-One #29 - Two Against HYDRA Nov 18, 2017

Bruce Forsyth is... The Master of Kung-Fu!

Hello, and welcome to episode 257 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Groetjes uit Nederland! And I totally had to Google Translate that... Yes, the Big Move (tm) is over, and Steve is ensconced in a small town in the south of The Netherlands, with only a few issues of Marvel Two-in-One for company. Luckily, one of these is Marvel Two-in-One #29, in which Shang-Chi and The Thing team up to beat up HYDRA agents beneath the streets of London.

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Sam Grainger present a tale of introspective wanderings through the (mostly accurate) streets of London, a suspicious Italian restaurant, and a narratively-unimportant boyfriend. We also get to see The Thing on a Routemaster, and we ask the question: Who is the mysterious colourist?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 256: Fantastic Four #184 - Aftermath: The Eliminator Nov 11, 2017

Abyssinia Surbiton

Hello, and welcome to episode 256 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a bittersweet week for one of our hosts on The Fantasticast. It's the final episode recorded in the place where the podcast was conceived, where every episode was recorded, edited, and published. And yet, among all the endings is a reminder of beginnings, as we cover the first comic that Steve ever brought that was older than him - Fantastic Four #184.

Len Wein, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott are on hand to transition us away from the crowded Baxter Building to the dilapidated Whisper Hill, as the Fantastic Four start their quest to locate Reed and Sue's missing son Franklin, encountering cyborgs, movies, vacuum jets, metallic eggs, and the many costumes of Thundra.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast Episode 255: Marvel Two-in-One #28 - In The Power Of The Piranha Nov 04, 2017

Weekend At Deathlok's

Hello, and welcome to episode 255 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're heading under the Atlantic Ocean to adventure in Atlantis with the Sub-Mariner. Marvel Two-in-One #28 sees the return of The Piranha, a villain so obscure that he would be forgotten about for another 24 years of comics. Anyway, it's not really him, but hundreds of mutated piranhas who ate the original Piranha and mutated into copies of him and... I need an aspirin!

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and John Tartaglione present this story of unlikely air traffic routes, breathing pills, ampitheatre mechanics, piranha-ical proportions, and a Crisis on Multiple Irene V's!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 254: Fantastic Four #183 - Battleground: The Baxter Building Oct 28, 2017

Annihilus's Aerial Butler

Hello, and welcome to episode 254 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

And lo, there shall come an ending (of sorts). We're looking at Fantastic Four #183, featuring a battle at the Baxter Building, in which almost all of the in-progress plots come to a head almost seamlessly. You wouldn't guess that there were six writers involved in the creation of this comic. Or maybe you might...

Anyway, Mantlo, Wein, Shooter, Stern, Macchio and Slifer team up with Buscema (S.) and Slifer to bring us this tale of Annihilus, abandoned androids, inopportune times to loot the Baxter Building, a reversal of a blow a head making you evil, and an ill-judged attempt to replicate the success of This Man, This Monster. All this, and a discussion as to the value of a retcon. Because we love you. Somewhat.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 253: Marvel Two-in-One #27 - Day Of The Demolisher Oct 21, 2017

Don't Cry For Me Latveria

Hello, and welcome to episode 253 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're delving into the realms of the 1970s conspiracy thriller, as a technical wizard, a mesmeric master, and a mind-controlled zombie cyborg from an alternate future ripped from his own time come together to try and assassinate President Jimmy Carter at the moment of his inauguration. Yes, it's our coverage of Marvel Two-in-One #27 - Day Of The Demolisher!

Marv Wolfman, Ron Wilson, and Pablo Marcos come together to put the Fantastic Four (and friends) against The Fixer, Mentallo, and Deathlok the Demolisher. We also get to experience a naked inauguration, and ask the all-important question: Who's crapper? Deathlok or Cyborg Superman?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 252: Fantastic Four #182 - Enter The Mad Thinker Oct 14, 2017

No Such Thing As The X-Factor

Hello, and welcome to episode 252 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the many, many subplots in progress in the main title, with Fantastic Four #182. Between revolution in the Negative Zone, child abduction in Whisper Hill, spousal impersonation in the Baxter Building, and the removal of as many extraneous characters as the writers can get away with, this is one heck of a full issue.

The fullness starts with the credit box, which lists Archie Goodwin, Len Wein, Jim Shooter, and Bill Mantlo as writers, alongside Sal Buscema (who we really like, despite the evidence to the contrary) and Joe Sinnott. They come together to present the misadventures of the Mildly Disturbed Thinker, and the long-awaited return of... ZANTE!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 251: Marvel Two-in-One #26 - The Fixer And Mentallo Are Back Oct 07, 2017

The Logistics of SHIELD Pizza

Hello, and welcome to episode 251 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're tackling two mighty Marvel tales. In the first, Marvel Two-in-One #26, a pizza date with Nick Fury turns into a fight against a mesmeric master and a future Thunderbolt for Ben Grimm. Mentallo and The Fixer are back, the world will never be the same again, and neither will a certain refugee from Earth-7484.

Then we're off into Earth-774 to revisit the history of The Incredible Hulk in What If? #2 - What If The Hulk Had The Brain Of Bruce Banner? This questions leads to the permanent cure of Ben Grimm, the abandonment of mutant rights, and the non-destruction of Earth, proving that the series just doesn't know its own tropes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 250: Fantastic Four #181 - Side By Side With Annihilus Sep 30, 2017

You Can't Tie A Knot In Your Neck

Hello, and welcome to episode 250 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's celebration time for The Fantasticast, as we reach our milestone 250th episode. And how do we mark this huge moment in our history? Er... by doing nothing about it at all. Instead, we get stuck right into Fantastic Four #181, which sees the FF splintered and scattered across New York and beyond. Reed's fighting against Annihilus, Sue's contending with the return of Agatha Harkness, and Johnny's confronting PTSD with the subtlety of the Presidential tweet.

Roy Thomas, Ron Wilson, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #181, a tale of battle in the Negative Zone, dredging the Hudson River, kidnapping a child, and watching a marathon of film noir with an extra-dimensional shape-changing chaotic being with a penchant for green and purple.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 249: Marvel Two-in-One #25 - A Tale Of Two Countries Sep 23, 2017

Half-Inching The Goodyear Blimp

Hello, and welcome to episode 249 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're rushing through both Fantastic Four #180 and Marvel Two-in-One #25 in one episode. This task is made a lot easier by Fantastic Four #180 being a cunningly-disguised reprint of Fantastic Four #101. So cunningly-disguised is the reprint that Marvel even got Jack Kirby to draw a brand new cover that does not represent the contents in any way shape or form. Much like most covers from the early 2000s...

Marvel Two-in-One #25 is a more original affair, as The Thing and Iron Fist go for a wander in the jungle and get contracted to provide military training for an entire army. Marv Wolfman has arrived as series writer, joining Ron Wilson and Sam Grainger to present the most logical way to kidnap Ben Grimm from a football stadium.

Lending his vocals to our episode is Patreon supporter Patrick Delmore. Patrick has a new podcast launching this week: Next Generation's First Generation, a Star Trek: The Next Generation commentary podcast. Check out the first episode on September 23rd.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 248: What If? #1 - What If Spider-Man Had Joined The Fantastic Four? Sep 16, 2017

Return Of The Bollocksfish

Hello, and welcome to episode 248 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Today, we peer through the windows into a strange parallel world of what might have been. For, none save The Fantasticasters (and their guest) can truly know what could have happened, but for the invisible workings of an incomprehensible fate. Today, we answer the question, What If Spider-Man Had Joined The Fantastic Four, as we read What If? #1.

We're joined by our episode image designer Sam Savage to look at the first of many Marvel titles devoted to the alternate worlds where history took a different turn. Roy Thomas, Jim Craig, and Pablo Marcos come together to retell and revise Fantastic Four and Marvel history. Will The Watcher's narration irritate us all? Will the Earth explode? Will we spend too long recapping fight scenes that have little-to-no bearing on the plot? Find out, as we enter Earth-772!

We also take some time at the start of the episode to pay tribute to Len Wein, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away earlier this week.

Sam can be found on instagram as slpsavage92

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 247: Marvel Two-in-One #24 - Does Anyone Remember The Hijacker? Sep 09, 2017

The Who?

Hello, and welcome to episode 248 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we come to the conclusion of Bill Mantlo's run on Marvel Two-in-One. In common with a lot of his issues, he's picking up the reigns of a character rejected by the comics readership of the time, and giving him a second shot. In this case, it's Bill Foster - Black Goliath. And the Whiz Kids. But they're so unimportant that none of us recognise them.

Joining us for this episode is Fantastic Four superfan and comicbook.com writer Mike Brown. He stands beside us as we examine the work of Bill Mantlo, Jim Shooter, Sal Buscema, and Pablo Marcos. Strap in, folks - the Hijacker is here, and we definitely remember him!

Mike can be found on twitter as @EvrLvnBluIdThng, and you can find his interviews at comicbook.com with us here, here, and here.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 246: Fantastic Four #179 - A Robinson Crusoe In The Negative Zone Sep 02, 2017

Hardback, Softback, Any Kind Of Back

Hello, and welcome to episode 246 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're peeling back the covers of Fantastic Four #179. Reed Richards is lost and almost naked in the Negative Zone, forced to hunt bats for sustenance and to make fire from quite literally nothing. His doppelganger, The Brute, has taken his place on the team. Thundra is flirting outrageously with Ben, Sue's got her doubts, and Tigra just wants lunch.

Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Ron Wilson and Joe Sinnott present a tale full of double-crossing, film noir marathons, almost-pizza, a discussion of Kai Cole's recent statement regarding her marriage, unlikely giant robots, and sunken garbage scows. Oh, and a completely bland number one single.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 245: Marvel Two-in-One #23 - Death On The Bridge To Heaven Aug 26, 2017

Blacksun Won't You Come, And Wash Away The Rain

Hello, and welcome to episode 245 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, in We Set A Format For The Show Six Years Ago And We're Sticking To It No Matter What, we're taking a look at Marvel Two-in-One #23. The Mighty Thor continues to guest star as he and The Thing do something involving Seth, a golden bridge, a size-changing door, and Blacksun. You remember him, right? Well, that's more than the writers of this comic did.

Bill Mantlo, Jim Shooter, Ron Wilson, Marie Severin, and Pablo Marcos present the final part of this story involving the threat of Blacksun (even though that threat has spent this issue and the past lying unconscious with Johnny keeping hot/cold). The final part. With a conclusion. That ends things. Yes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 244: Fantastic Four #178 - Call My Killer -- The Brute Aug 19, 2017

The Counter-Earth Pantsless Pipe-Smoking Society

Hello, and welcome to episode 244 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Following an unexpected diversion with the last episode, we're back on track this week with a look at Fantastic Four #178. The Brute has joined the Frightful Four, and the team of villains is holding the Fantastic Four hostage in the Baxter Building. Will New York pay the princely sum of... ONE MILLION DOLLARS? Or will Marvel's First Family pay the ultimate price?

Roy Thomas, George Perez, and Dave Hunt present Call My Killer -- The Brute, with a whole host of guest stars including Thundra, Tigra, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, The Impossible Man, and more. As well as this, we're also taking a look at Tom Hanks' oovoo, and discovering that there is nothing quite like The Fonz.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast Episode 243.5: Steve & Andy vs The Fantastic Four (Cartoons) Episodes 1 & 2 Aug 12, 2017

Emergency Fill-In Episode

Hello, and welcome to episode 243.5 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Due to a sudden hoarseness caused by screaming guest vocals on notable Evanescence songs a little too much, Steve and Andy find themselves hamstrung by the dreaded deadline doom, and have to resort to diving into their Patreon archives, released the first two installments of Steve & Andy vs The Fantastic Four (Cartoons). In this Patreon-only extra podcast, we provide episode commentaries for the various Fantastic Four cartoons. For this episode, it's the first two episodes of the 1967 Fantastic Four series - Menace Of The Mole Men, and Diablo. As well as this, Steve chats about his experiences hosting comics panels at the recent London Film and Comic Con, particularly those featuring future Fantastic Four writer Marv Wolfman.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 243: Marvel Two-in-One #22 - Touch Not The Hand Of Seth Aug 05, 2017

Diagnosis: Moider!

Hello, and welcome to episode 243 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're heading into hospital with The Thing, The Human Torch, Dr Donald Blake, Thor, half of Black Sun, and Seth. It's Marvel Two-in-One #22, which features the only available doctor in New York and the Egyptian god of death stalking the hall of the hospital in which he works. Bill Mantlo, Ron Wilson, and Pablo Marcos join forces for the first of two consecutive Two-in-One issues to feature the same credited guest star.

Then we're off to the realm of Andy's nightmares to take a look at our first ever TV tie-in comic. The Electric Company comes to Marvel comics in Spidey Super Stories #20, in which Spider-Man, the Human Torch, and the Invisible Girl, to defeat Mysterio and his hateful hate ray of hate. You know, like Mysterio always has.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 242: Fantastic Four #177 - Look Out For The Frightful Four Jul 29, 2017

Bitten By A Radioactive Tornado

Hello, and welcome to episode 242 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, to celebrate our coverage of Fantastic Four #177, both Steve and Andy have been placed into restraints and forced to witness the auditions of their replacements. Which is appropriate, as the centrepiece of this issue sees the Frightful Four on the hunt for a male replacement for the team. It goes about as well as you'd expect...

Roy Thomas, an uncredited Mike Friedrich, George Perez and Joe Sinnott bring the Frightful Four to the heart of the Baxter Building, in a tale full of eager wannabes, Texas Twisters, surprise guests, queued vengeance, and brutish doppelgangers. Hang on to your overcoat - this one has more villains than any issue seen to date!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 241: Marvel Two-in-One #21 - Black Sun Lives Jul 22, 2017

A Pig In A Tartan Waistcoat

Hello, and welcome to episode 241 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're delving into the realm of never-reprinted* comics with Marvel Two-in-One #21, in which a licensing-defying•• Doc Savage crosses the boundaries between one fictional universe and another, coming golden-face-to-rocky-face with the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. Bill Mantlo, Ron Wilson and Pablo Marcos push against the boundaries of how to tell a superhero story in 1976. Well, for half an issue at least.

But that's not all! We're also rummaging through the opening pages of Captain Marvel #47, in which Mar-Vell does not make a good showing of himself, and Rick Jones makes up an entire friendship. Following this, we get into a snowball fight with The Thing in few pages from Marvel Treasury Edition #13. It's a bumper episode of The Fantasticast, for your listening pleasure.

*Oh, Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Two-in-One vol. 3 got solicited this week, with this issue included in it, you say?

**Well, not any more. Bloody Marvel. Ruining our podcast since Tuesday of this week.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 240: Fantastic Four #176 - Improbable As It May Seem -- The Impossible Man Is Back In Town Jul 15, 2017

George Perez Saves Stan Lee!

Hello, and welcome to episode 240 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're arriving at the much-anticipated Fantastic Four #176, in which The Impossible Man shatters the fourth wall, causing havoc and mayhem in the Marvel Bullpen. With a Jack Kirby cover inspiring the action, Roy Thomas, George Perez and Joe Sinnott pull out all the stops, puncturing egos and giving cameos to just about everyone in the Bullpen.

Joining us for this madcap comic is frequent podcast e-mailer, comic book inker, and lifelong Fantastic Four fan Charles Yoakum. Together, we attempt to identify every single creator cameo, play a round of Starlin or Salicrup, and try and squeeze the entire show through Steve's Poppuppian filter. (It's a joke about an important piece of podcasting equipment, you see.) (Not, admittedly, a very good joke.) (Ah, well...)

Charles can be found at http://charlesyo.com/, and his blog at http://inkdestroyedmybrush.blogspot.co.uk/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 239: Marvel Two-in-One #20 - Showdown At Sea Jul 08, 2017

Swastika Fidget Spinner

Hello, and welcome to episode 239 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're finally bring to a completely satisfying (honest, guv) conclusion this multi-annual story involving multiple divergent World War IIs, time-travelling vibranium, mimetic Watchers, and underwhelming period superhero teams. Yes, it's Marvel Two-in-One #20, featuring the Liberty Legion, in their last attempt at standing in the spotlight in the 1970s.

Returning to join us for this episode is Michael Bailey, currently the most prominent Liberty Legion fan to be found within this episode. He's here to try and explain how gyroscopes can affect the power of brain and eyeballs in a jar welded to a giant flying swastika, and to show us why Gerry Anderson hipsters are the worst of the puppet hipsters.

Michael Bailey is the host of numerous podcasts, including From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast, Views From The Longbov, The Overlooked Dark Knight, the upcoming Married With Comics, and the upcoming It All Comes Back To Superman. All of these, as well as his comics blogging, can be found at http://www.fortressofbaileytude.com/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 238: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #1 - Their Name Is Legion Jul 01, 2017

The Podcast With Everything But Yuuuul Brynner!

Hello, and welcome to episode 238 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're doing something new on The Fantasticast. Marvel Two-in-One is going giant sized with Annual #1. Picking up the story threads of Fantastic Four Annual #11, the Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing heads back to World War II (via the world's slowest time machine), teaming up with the Liberty Legion to retrieve half of a vibranium cylinder. As you do.

Returning to The Fantasticast to help us cover this issue is former guest-host, voice of The Thing, podcaster, and fan of obscure World War II superhero teams, Michael Bailey. He's on hand to explain Roy Thomas's Time Wedge, The Thing's things, and exactly what happens when you find yourself rubbing against the crotch seams of the trousers of time.

Michael Bailey is the host of numerous podcasts, including From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast, Views From The Longbov, The Overlooked Dark Knight, the upcoming Married With Comics, and the upcoming It All Comes Back To Superman. All of these, as well as his comics blogging, can be found at http://www.fortressofbaileytude.com/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 237: Fantastic Four #175 - When Giants Walk The Sky Jun 24, 2017

Bobblehead Galactus

Hello, and welcome to episode 237 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's an anniversary week at The Fantasticast, as we get to grips with the not-super-sized Fantastic Four #175. The High Evolutionary and Galactus are finally getting down to the battle for Counter-Earth, and the Fantastic Four can do little more than stand by and watch. A solution seems almost... impossible...

Roy Thomas and John Buscema (inking himself) present the first ever final ever Galactus story, concluding a tale that began with a giant golden gorilla, and ensuring that the life of Ben Grimm will never be the same again until the next time his life will never be the same again. All this, included in the limits of Galactus's peripheral vision.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 236: Marvel Two-in-One #19 - The Claws Of The Cougar Jun 17, 2017

The Inessential Tigra

Hello, and welcome to episode 236 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're taking a look at the history of the Cat People, as Tigra - The 61st Sexiest Female Character in comics, according to CBG - arrives in both the Baxter Building and Marvel Two-in-One #19. Tony Isabella, Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema and Don Heck introduce an actual Were-Woman (don't think about it) in a book described by one of the team for this episode as "like reading gas."

Joining us for this episode is Gary Lactus, live from his spaceship in space. Gary's a lifelong Fantastic Four fan (although this issue may have affected this passion somewhat, and one of the hosts of SILENCE!, a fantastic comics podcast. Together, we discuss the nomenclature of Greer Nelson - Happy Housewife, the misadventures of Benjamin 'Shagger' Franklin, and exactly how Ben Grimm sleeps at night.

Find Gary on SILENCE!, every week at mindlessones.com. Gary's civilian alter ego Fraser Geesin releases comics, short films, and more at frasergeesin.com. Follow Gary on twitter where he is @frasergeesin. And, if you like the very last thing in the show, you can find more at http://mindlessones.com/2012/12/24/silence-night-holy-shit/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 235: Fantastic Four #174 - Starquest! Jun 10, 2017

I Drove My Fantasticar Through Your Haystack Last Night

Hello, and welcome to episode 235 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we continue our journey through the story of the High Evolutionary / Galactus war for the very existence of Counter-Earth. Ben and Reed find themselves inciting revolution on Torgo's planet of robots, whilst Johnny and Gorr go jousting on a suspiciously-cliched medieval planet. Well, I say Johnny does this - what he actually does is literally tread water for half a comic.

Roy Thomas, John Buscema, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #174, containing unusual armour, a life-changing admission, a cunning disguise, a discussion of why Reed isn't working (both literally and figuratively), and someone spoiling the Planet of the Apes. Some of those things might be us.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 234: Marvel Two-in-One #18 - Dark, Dark Demon-Night! Jun 03, 2017

No Charge? I Still Want A Refund!

Hello, and welcome to episode 234 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week is a Marvel Two-in-One week, and what a week it is. Marvel Two-in-One #18 features possible the most obscure guest star to ever appear in the comic. It's The Scarecrow, and if you think you know who this guy is, you should probably check again. The inhabitant of a supernatural painting that also happens to be a portal to another dimension, The Scarecrow is here to make Ben reconsider his views on the Supernatural and to fail to do his one job.

Bill Mantlo, Scott Edelman, Ron Wilson, Jim Mooney and Dan Adkins present a comic that completely fascinates Steve, as it works to incorporate a complex backstory and an entire supporting cast into one punch-happy team-up story. We also take a brief look at Super-Villain Team-Up #7, ignoring anything at all to do with The Shroud, and see just how the Fantastic Four react to being thrown out of Latveria by Henry Kissinger.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 233: Fantastic Four #173 - Counter-Earth Must Die At The Hands Of Galactus! May 27, 2017

Thank You, Rich Buckler

Hello, and welcome to episode 233 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, it's the turn of Fantastic Four #173, as Ben Grimm prepares to battle Galactus in space, before events conspire to split the team up and hunt down a different snack for the World-Eater. Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott present a tale of digging for oxygen, unconvincing reasons for Sue to stay out of the action, and the return of the surprising character.

But before all of this, we take a few minutes to remember writer and artist Rich Buckler, whose two year tenure as Fantastic Four artist we finished covering just a few months ago. Rich recently passed away after a long battle with cancer, and with his work fresh in our minds, we sit down to discuss his artistic contributions to the Fantastic Four, as well as his wider career in general.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 232: Marvel Team-Up #47 - I Must Fight The Basilisk May 20, 2017

Powered By Plotonium

Hello, and welcome to episode 232 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're concluding our coverage of this volcano-themed three part story by taking a look at Marvel Team-Up #47. With The Thing and Spider-Man finally teaming up, only they can stand between The Basilisk and the fiery destruction of New York. Bill Mantlo, Ron Wilson and Dan Adkins present a comic full of arse equality, and we genuinely compare the writing styles of Mantlo and Jonathan Hickman.

Joining us for this episode is writer and podcaster Peter Dillon-Trenchard. Pete is one half of The Mostly Made-Up Doctor Who Podcast, another half of Ranger Pod, and a regular writer for the fantastic film and TV website Den of Geek. We're pretty sure we gave him the strongest issue out of the three parts of the story, but we're not entirely sure that would stand up in court. Follow him on twitter at @pdtsaysthings

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 231: Marvel Two-in-One #17 - This City Afire! May 13, 2017

Andy vs Jabba The Hutt

Hello, and welcome to episode 231 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're returning once again to the world of Marvel Two-in-One for an issue of Marvel Team-Up that was printed in the wrong place for reasons that aren't exactly clear to us. As a result, we spend a little too long dealing with recent events for Spider-Man in Marvel Team-Up and not enough time focusing on The Thing. Although, seeing as most of his pages are spent in a fight with The Basilisk, maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.

Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema, Mike Esposito and Dave Hunt present Marvel Two-in-One #17, a book jam-packed with surprise volcanoes, unusual uses for web fluid, unlikely eye-beam propulsion, and the ever-changing vista as seen from the window of Peter Parker's apartment.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 230: Fantastic Four #172 - Cry, The Bedeviled Planet May 06, 2017

Feeding Twinkies To The Cosmic Cube

Hello, and welcome to episode 230 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the scene of the crime, with a talking golden gorilla held in Reed Richards' sex dungeon laboratory. It's Fantastic Four #172, which returns the team to space to battle The Destroyer, Herald of Galactus, for the very existence of the High Evolutionary and Counter Earth.

Bill Mantlo, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Cry, The Bedeviled Planet, a truncated story of intergalactic life-saving, and space-filling flashbacks. As well as this, we discover that Andy can't remember who's been on the show, and we discover a surprising addition to the very short list of Tony-nominated comics creators.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 229: Marvel Two-in-One #16 / Super Villain Team-Up #6 Apr 29, 2017

Surprise Pterodactyl

Hello, and welcome to episode 229 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're doing the unlikely this week, tackling two, full-length comics in one, full-length podcast. First up is Marvel Two-in-One #16, guest-starring Ka-Zar, Nick Fury, a surprised pterodactyl, a numbered tank, and a surprisingly-complacent Reed Richards. Written by Bill Mantlo, with art by Ron Wilson and Dan Adkins, it's a dino-tastic volcanic issue.

Then we're off to Latveria, as Steve Englehart, Herb Trimpe, and Jack Abel bring a story of the Fantastic Four going to war with Doctor Doom, invading his homeland for the first time. Only Namor the Sub-Mariner stands between them. Well, him and the infuriatingly-cryptic Shroud. Oh, and special guest star Henry Kissinger. Yes, him.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 228: Fantastic Four Annual #11 - And Then The Invaders Apr 22, 2017

8 Simple Rules For Punching A Nazi

Hello, and welcome to episode 228 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

For the first time in nearly three years, we open up the pages of a Fantastic Four Annual. The appearance of The Watcher and the disappearance of a small cylinder sets off a journey into an alternate past where the Nazis won World War II. Any similarity between our subject matter this week and a certain comic published this week is purely coincidental, but that doesn't stop us from spoiling the crap out of Secret Empire #0 as we cover Fantastic Four Annual #11.

Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Sam Grainger team the Fantastic Four with The Invaders to set history back on track (or not back on track, depending on your viewpoint). Featuring confusion as to how causality and memory actually works, Steve attempting to speak German, incredulity at a certain creator with the initials NS, and the discover of the lessons of the postman.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 227: Fantastic Four #171 - Death Is A Golden Gorilla Apr 15, 2017

Swipe Left To Turn Page

Hello, and welcome to episode 227 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Apparently, at the time this comic was released, there was a new King Kong movie about to be released. Now, I'd hate to suggest that such a cinematic event would affect the plotting of this issue... but when there's a giant golden gorilla scaling the Baxter Building with Sue Richards in its hand whilst Ben Grimm cracks numerous Dino de Laurentiis jokes, it's hard not to draw that conclusion.

Roy Thomas, George Perez, Joe Sinnott, and Rich Buckler (guest-penciling three pages for no readily-discernible reason) present Fantastic Four #171 - Death Is A Golden Gorilla, introducing Gorr, and featuring another completely non-disastrous date for Johnny Storm and Frankie Raye. All this, plus a seemingly-invisible barcode.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 226: Marvel Two-in-One #15 - The Return Of The Living Eraser Apr 08, 2017

Interdimensional Linoleum

Hello, and welcome to episode 226 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Hey everyone, the Living Eraser is back! Woohoo! Yaaay! We totally know who he is! And that completely affects our level of enthusiasm for his return! It's Marvel Two-in-One #15, in which the Living Eraser returns, along with Morbius, The Living Vampire. It's a tale of granite blocks, interdimensional travel, and a love untempered by an uncontrollable bloodlust.

Arvell Jones makes his full-issue Marvel debut, under the inks of the legendary Dick Giordano, whilst Bill Mantlo tries to get an interesting story out of two not-particularly-interesting guest stars. We also examine the confusing origins of this issue, and ask the troubling question: who erases the eraser?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 225: Fantastic Four #170 - A Sky Full Of Fear Apr 01, 2017

The Prat In The Cat In The Hat

Hello, and welcome to episode 225 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we say a fond farewell to the most recent substitute member of the Fantastic Four, Luke Cage. A victim of mind-control and Reed's inventiveness, the Hero For Hire is sent packing back to Harlem. But not before he goes toe-to-toe with an artificially-enhanced Ben Grimm across the skies of New York in Fantastic Four #170.

Roy Thomas, incoming regular penciler George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present what we consider to be the strongest story to date for Alicia Masters, as she single-handedly uncovers the villain behind the entire plot. We also spend time examining Riker's perverted boot, experiencing some OVER-ACT-ING!, and asking that all-important question: Who, or what, is Captain Sticky?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 224: Super-Villain Team-Up #5 - ...And Be A Villain! Mar 25, 2017

Tank O' Doom

Hello, and welcome to episode 224 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're indulging our villainous side, as we explore Super-Villain Team-Up #5. Namor and Doctor Doom take the lead, leaving the Fantastic Four to move in their orbit. Despite being a team-up title, Doctor Doom has condemned Namor to a slow, suffocating death, and only the Sub-Mariner's sometime love rival Reed Richards can help him.

With Steve Englehart, Herb Trimpe, and Don Perlin at the helm, things are a little more complex than this, with multiple flashbacks, underwater devastation, a personal challenge, some glorious gloating, and a moment where Johnny takes a little to long to admire Namor's tiny green trunks. Well, they're not that tiny, if you get my drift...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 223: Fantastic Four #169 - Five Characters In Search Of A Madman Mar 18, 2017

Spinal Discord

Hello, and welcome to episode 223 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees the team come to terms with its new line-up, just in time a mysterious force to take control of Luke Cage, MASTERing him like some kind of PUPPET. Yes, it's Fantastic Four #169, in which Ben Grimm goes looking for a fight, Luke Cage goes looking for some continuity, and Roy Thomas goes looking for a clumsy bit of setup for an upcoming annual.

Pencils are provided by Rich Buckler, in what would turn out to be his final full issue of the Fantastic Four for over 150 issues. We take a few minutes in this episode to look back on his work, a few minutes before Andy is forced to face an uncomfortable truth about 1970s pop culture.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 222: Marvel Two-in-One #14 - Ghost Town Mar 11, 2017

Charles Atlas Meets Scientology

Hello, and welcome to episode 222 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we're encountering ghosts and the devil's offspring in a deserted town, in Marvel Two-in-One #14. Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, guest-stars in an issue in which he and The Thing go on a ghost/demon hunt, all because Alicia Masters has a strange feeling about an eerily-accurate model. Bill Mantlo, Herb Trimpe and John Tartaglione present a tale that we've chosen to read as including a Nazi Doombot Thing, full of Shat and getting strident with a trident.

Joining us for this episode is returning guest-host Chris Thompson. Chris is Brand Manager for Titan Comics, and is previously an Eisner Award-winning retailer. He's also a huge fan of the Son of Satan, which is a bit of bonus as neither of the regular hosts can consider themselves such a thing. Chris can be found on twitter as @popculturehound, his fantastic interview podcast can be found at Multiversity.com, and Titan Comics can be found at http://titan-comics.com

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 221: Fantastic Four #168 - Where Have All The Powers Gone? Mar 04, 2017

Ben & Alicia 'Celebrating'

Hello, and welcome to episode 221 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, it's all change for the Fantastic Four. It's out with the now-human-and-powerless Benjamin Grimm, and in with the unbreakable-skinned Power Man, Luke Cage. Yes, thanks to an ancient bylaw that definitely wasn't made up by Roy Thomas as he sat down to plot this issue, only people with super powers can be on the Fantastic Four, and Reed wastes no time in chucking his best friend to the curb.

Rich Buckler returns to pencil Luke's first adventure with the Fantastic Four, as the team take on The Wrecker, paperwork, reckless piloting, truncated television interviews, faulty Danger Room doors, and lots and lots of barely-off-panel nookie.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 220: Fantastic Four #167 - Titans Two Feb 25, 2017

F$%& The Red Hulk

Hello, and welcome to episode 220 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we teeter on the edge of big changes for the Fantastic Four, as issue #167 sees Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing, fighting side-by-side with ol' jade jaws himself, The Incredible Hulk. From a secret army base to the top of the Gateway Arch in St Louis, it's an all-out action issue.

In amongst all the punching and changing of status quo, there's also time for Sue to take a level-up in awesome and how she uses her powers, Reed to be a massive tool at exactly the wrong moment, and George Perez to continue to impress at the end of his short fill-in run.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 219: Marvel Two-in-One #13 - I Created Braggadoom, The Mountain That Walked Like A Man Feb 18, 2017

Pulsing & Throbbing With A Life Of Its Own

Hello, and welcome to episode 219 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we're returning to the world of Marvel Two-in-One as Luke Cage, Power Man tangles with both The Thing and a pair of giant green shins. It's the semi-tragic tale of Braggadoom, The Mountain That Walked Like A Man, that only gains its tragic nature if you ignore the multiple deaths and the sheer scale of city-wide destruction. We're asking only the most important questions on this podcast - just what do a plotter, two scripters, a penciller and an inker think a mountain looks like anyway?

Joining us for this historic first team-up between Luke Cage and any member of the Fantastic Four is Joe Cunningham. He's the host of Cinematic Universe, a guide to comics adaptations on screens both big and small, and he joins us to investigate the relative sizes of boats and bridges, and to wonder just what would happen if this comic featured Chuff and Spack - The Mountains That Walked Like A Man!

Cinematic Universe can be found at cinematicmultiverse.com, and Joe can be found on twitter where he is @JoeCunningham14

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 218: Fantastic Four #166 - If It's Tuesday, It Must Be The Hulk Feb 11, 2017

Johnny The Air Stewardess

Hello, and welcome to episode 218 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're covering Fantastic Four #166, in which large wheels are set in motion that will affect the Fantastic Four forever. Well, for a few months at least... The team are called in to help track down The Hulk and cure him permanently, but a duplicitous military threatens to tear the team apart.

It's a tale of unnecessary coincidences, uselessness during aviation disasters, an invisible hippy named Charlie (seriously, he has his own page on marvel.wikia yet we never even noticed him in this issue), reluctant punching, and an awesome yellow circle.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 217: Marvel Team-Up #40 - Murder's Better The Second Time Around Feb 04, 2017

Locational Coincidences

Hello, and welcome to episode 217 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time around, we're taking a brief look at Marvel Team-Up #40, in which the Human Torch plays second fiddle to Spider-Man, the Sons of the Tiger, the Big Man, the Crime Master, the Sandman, 2/3 of the Enforcers, and a dead pigeon. That's at least ninth fiddle, depending on how you're counting your fiddles. Oh, and he also flies away from the plot halfway through the issue. Spoilers, I guess...

We're also taking a look at the short-lived 1975 Fantastic Four radio series, in which a bunch of early FF issues are read aloud into a microphone and the fed through some ear-splitting electronic distortion. The series is perhaps best known for featuring a pre-fame Bill Murray as The Human Torch, as well as featuring Stan Lee as The Narrator (aka the person explaining everything because the plots were never adequately adapted for a non-visual medium). The episodes are freely available online, so why not give them a listen?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 216: Fantastic Four #165 - The Light of Other Worlds Jan 28, 2017

Venusian Fiduciary Services

Hello, and welcome to episode 216 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're looking at Fantastic Four #165, by Roy Thomas, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott. We've got a whole load of 'splaining to do, as we discover the origins of the Crusader, his connections to a 1950s iteration of the 1940s character that would feed directly into a 1970s character who would become prominent in the 1990s. Oh, and it turns out that thanks to the power of retcon, it's not that person after all. Thanks, Jeff Parker!

Somewhere amongst all of the continuity porn is a story of misplaced revenge, confused motivations, sensible bank managers, unreasonable loan requests, and people miraculously having their heads crushed by high-velocity masonry. What else would expect from the mighty world of Marvel?

And, just as a heads-up, next week's episode will include a discussion of the 1970s Fantastic Four radio series, featuring Stan Lee and Bill Murray. You might want to check out archive.org or Old Time Radio Downloads for some episodes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 215: Marvel Two-in-One #12 - The Stalker In The Sands Jan 21, 2017

Chicken Blindness

Hello, and welcome to episode 215 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're off to Israel for this week's episode, strapping into a test rocket and heading for the stars with Marvel Two-in-One #12. Tony Stark has hired The Thing to test a new rocket ship, and nothing could go wrong. Well, maybe some incredibly poor engineering choices and the reappearance of Praestor John. But apart from that, everything will be fine.

We're also welcoming penciller Ron Wilson, who turns out some impressive debut pencils on this issue. And some less-than-impressive debut pencils as well. We're also examining some very non-blue blueprints, and Steve has a bone to pick with The Swordsman. All this, and more, on the latest Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 214: Marvel Team-Up #39 - Any Number Can Slay Jan 14, 2017

Shooting Pigeons On The Roof

Hello, and welcome to episode 214 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Good news, everybody - The Human Torch has stopped starring in Marvel Team-Up! He's merely featuring now! And what a story he's featuring in. Moving effortlessly from a flanderous pigeon murderer to some of the biggest events in the New York Underworld, it's a story of of gangs, organised crime, and accurate translations of Spanish.

Scripted by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Sal Buscema, we also encounter returns of classic characters such as The Big Man, The Crime Master, Fancy Dan, Montana, and a villain who has merely been on loan to the Fantastic Four for the past decade. Strap in, folks - it's our short, but it packs a punch!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 213: Fantastic Four #163 - The Crusader Syndrome Jan 07, 2017

A New Year's Spanking

Hello, and welcome to episode 213 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We kick of 2017 with Fantastic Four #164, which is an issue full of firsts. It's the first issue produced under the purveyance of incoming Editor-in-Chief Mark Wolfman. It's the first appearance of the villain known as The Crusader. It's the first appearance of Frankie Raye. And, as you can see from the episode image, it's the first cover by Jack Kirby following his return to Marvel.

It doesn't stop there. It's also the first issue with pencils by George Perez, making his first credited appearance on the Fantastic Four. Will the book survive so many shake-ups? Will Sue survive a 'good-natured' spanking from Ben? Will Ben survive giving the spanking to Sue? And just what is the stealth monogram? Find out, in an all-new episode of The Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 212: The Fantasticast at Thought Bubble 2016 Dec 31, 2016

Do You Like The Fantastic Four?

Hello, and welcome to episode 212 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

To conclude our podcasting year, we're taking a break from covering every issue of the Fantastic Four. As you may know, we took the podcast to Thought Bubble this past November, sharing a table with our show artist Michael Georgiou. Whilst we were there, we took advantage of having a large number of guest-hosts (past and future) at the convention, and invited them to take part in our Fantasticast pop quiz.

13 podcasters. 5 questions. One episode.

Thank you to Joe Cunningham, Fraser Geesin, Michael Georgiou, Christine Hanefalk, Stephen Lacey, Andrew Leyland, Micheal Leyland, Al Kennedy, Ryan O'Sullivan, Seb Patrick, Stacey Taylor, Dan White and David Wynne for taking part!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 211: Fantastic Four #163 - Finale Dec 24, 2016

A Finale Finally Finalls

Hello, and welcome to episode 211 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's our final regular episode of 2016, and also the final issue of this multidimensional tussle. Ben's out in space playing 'catch' with Gaard, Reed's busy getting his company back from the grubby mitts of DeVoor, and Arkon desperately needs to invest in batteries. There's a nonsensical origin, a dose of interdimensional amnesia (whither Phineas and Valeria?), and a cutesy ending. Because it's Christmas!

Talking of Christmas, be sure to catch next week's episode, where a whole host of returning guest hosts get put on the spot and are made to answer questions about the Fantastic Four, LIVE at Thought Bubble 2016. And if you want to hear our commentary on Fantastic Four (2015), be sure to subscribe to our Patreon, as it'll be released just after Christmas...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 210: Marvel Two-in-One #11 - The Thing Goes South Dec 17, 2016

Bitten By A Radioactive Gil Kane

Hello, and welcome to episode 210 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The week sees our final issue of Marvel Two-in-One for 2016. Marvel Two-in-One #11, guest-starring The Golem. And if your response to that is to go, "Who?", then you're not alone. He's a refugee from a very short-lived Strange Tales solo series, and he's popping up in this issue, dragging his entire supporting cast with him.

Roy Thomas, Bill Mantlo, Bob Brown and Klaus Janson pull together to bring you this tale of cross-continental travel, metropolitan transport-based destruction, and misplaced moral messages. To which we add an examination of Ben Grimm's musical tastes, and we discover just what Steve wears whilst podcasting.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 209: Fantastic Four #162 - The Shape Of Things To Come Dec 10, 2016

Farewell Art

Hello, and welcome to episode 209 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, our coverage of Fantastic Four #162 covers a lot of Things. We've got Things from different Earths doing all sorts of things whilst other things look one in bemusement at the things being carried out. It's the newly-christened Earth A vs the not-yet-christened 616 Earth vs the Fifth Dimension vs Machus! It's an interdimensional smackdown of epic proportions, brought to you by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott.

Things run the risk of getting so complicated that we've got a full page of exposition, complete with fancy diagrams. And, as if the four-way battle weren't enough, we've also got the first (and, sadly, not last) appearance of Gaard, the character that answers the question: What if the Silver Surfer played ice hockey and was crap?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 208: Fantastic Four #161 - All The World Wars At Once Dec 03, 2016

Contention Of The Revels

Hello, and welcome to episode 208 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're starting out trek towards the end of the month with some inter dimensional Thing v dinosaur action, in Fantastic Four #161. Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott keep on escalating their interdimensional cold war / financial hostile takeover with the addition of the Fifth Dimension (sadly, only the fourth dimension in this story).

Nelson Rockefeller is President (hardly the most ridiculous choice, with hindsight), vikings are battle a T-Rex, Johnny's getting some inter dimensional sugar, and Reed has developed some upper arm pain that he definitely won't bother Sue with because (like the characters in The Flash) he's learned his lesson about keeping secrets. All this, and we discover what happens when the Collector starts collecting comics.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 207: Marvel Two-in-One #10 - Is This The Day The World Ends? Nov 26, 2016

Atomic Bomb Tsum Tsum!

Hello, and welcome to episode 207 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, it's the turn of Marvel Team-Up #10, as Chris Claremont brings the Thing into the world of the Black Widow, helping her save the word from atomic devastation at the hands of Agamemnon. We're experience our first pencils from Bob Brown, and the first inks from Klaus Janson, whose brushwork not-so-neatly divides opinion amongst our hosts...

Joining us this week is podcast Nicolas Papaconstantinou, from We Have Issues and the UK Podcast Award-nominated Two Grown Men. He helps us bear witness to the greatest Black Widow action seen so far in comics, and to help judge the terribly-confusing terrorist talent show. Nick can be found on twitter as @nixsight, and the 24 Hour Twitter Comic 2016 fundraiser for Mind can be found here - in return for a donation, you'll receive a copy of the David Wynne-drawn comic.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 206: Marvel Team-Up #35 - Blood Church Nov 19, 2016

How Andy Lost His Hair

Hello, and welcome to episode 206 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

With Spider-Man off enjoying his Giant-Size adventures, it's one again time for us to take a peek between the covers of Marvel Team-Up, as the Human Torch teams up with Doctor Strange. The Valkyrie and Spidey have gone missing, and it's up to Johnny to find them. But the mysterious Jeremiah and his cult have other plans for the heroes...

We're taking a look at the final work by Gerry Conway, Sal Buscema and Vinnie Colette to feature the Human Torch as the main character, as all future Marvel Team-Up issues feature a member of the Fantastic Four as a guest-star. We also reminisce about the fun times we had at Thought Bubble 2016, from the joy of meeting guest-hosts to the physical awkwardness of crawling out from behind a table.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 205: Fantastic Four #160 - In One World And Out The Other Nov 12, 2016

A Subsidiary of Something That Acronates To ITT

Hello, and welcome to episode 205 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're back from Thought Bubble with an episode recorded before we went, so you'll have to wait another week to find out how we got on. Or check out the report at thefantasticast.com/blog. Y'know, whatever. In the meantime, we're taking a look at Fantastic Four #160, in which a Thing fights an Arkon and a Lockjaw chases a thing.

We're also showing off a fantastic brand new logo and some gorgeous new artwork, courtesy of Sam Savage and Michael Georgiou.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 204: Fantastic Four #159 - Havoc in the Hidden Land Nov 05, 2016

Give Me A Minute Whilst I Read This F---ing Book

Hello, and welcome to episode 204 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's Thought Bubble weekend, and Steve and Andy are up in Leeds. We're sharing Table 11, New Dock Hall with show artist Michael Georgiou, and we would love to see you there. We're debuting our new logo and artwork (launching on the show next weekend), and will be recording at our table throughout the weekend. Come and say hi!

For everyone not at Leeds, Steve and Andy are in your ears, discussing Fantastic Four #159, in which the Fifth Dimension invades, Sue displays new powers, Black Bolt is fitted with a superfluous gag, Johnny gets a snog, and Steve struggles to remember even the basics of the plot five minutes after they've been explained to him.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 203: Marvel Two-in-One #9 - When A God Goes Mad Oct 29, 2016

Hast Thou Left Asgard With Thy Mittens?

Hello, and welcome to episode 203 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're diving back into the world of Marvel Two-in-One. Issue 9 poses the question: Just how wrong can a children's puppet show go? Well, if the puppeteer is the inevitably-revealed Puppet Master, and Thor's nearby for reasons of editorial mandate, then it can go pretty wrong!

Joining us for this episode is podcaster, critic and actual Man of Words, Alasdair Stuart. Together, we get intimate with detergent, we join Ben, Donnie Wahlberg, and Daria on Broadway, and we answer that all-important question: If there are no sausages, why should there be puppet shows?

Alasdair is the host of Escape Pod, Pseudo Pod, Pod Castle, and Cast of Wonders, presenting original SD, Horror, Fantasy and YA fiction in podcast form. He is currently running a kickstarter to help fund Pseudo Pod, please check it out. You can find his writings at www.alasdairstuart.com, and on twitter, he is @AlasdairStuart

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 202: Fantastic Four #158 - Invasion From The 5th (Count It, 5th) Dimension Oct 22, 2016

Your Mother's Moustache

Hello, and welcome to episode 202 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the beginning of the end for Medusa, as our coverage of Fantastic Four #158 marks her penultimate issue as a member of the team. Fittingly, the title rejoins the Inhumans. Less fittingly, Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott drag up a near-forgotten villain from the earliest days of Strange Tales to provide some threat. And a giant horn.

As well as all of this, Johnny goes to a singles bar, Reed is a colossal ass, Sue first with being a PI, Ben goes to the opera, Medusa does nothing of interest at all, and we meet the ultimate mashup of villains whose names are spurious acronyms - QuasiMODOK!

All this, and... we encounter the very first Hostess Fruit Pies advert!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 201: Marvel Team-Up #32 - All The Fires In Hell... Oct 15, 2016

Idaho's Most Haunted

Hello, and welcome to episode 201 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We kick off our third century by looking at the perennially underwhelming Marvel Team-Up. Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, is the special guest star, bringing his expertly-defined powers to this semi-sequel to Marvel Two-in-One #8. Will Wyatt Wingfoot get any lines? Will the writer remember the name of his tribe and where their reservation is? And will the villain turn out to be even worse than the Miracle Man? Only Gerry Conway, Sal Buscema, and Vince Coletta can tell us.

Elsewhere, Steve and Andy are changing up their format to give more time to these four-colour masterpieces, Steve's friends are chilling with George Takei, and there's a bit too much musing about the contents of an obscure Marvel Essential collection.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 200: Fantastic Four #157 - The Endeth Cometh Oct 08, 2016

Let's Go Latverian Bargain Hunting - Yeah!

Hello, and welcome to episode 200 (yes, 200) of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

For our giant-size anniversary special, we're taking a look at Fantastic Four #157, the conclusion to the latest Doctor Doom/Silver Surfer storyline. The Doomsman returns, the Surfer gets a snog, the truth about Shalla-Bal is revealed, and revealed again, and someone's playing a much bigger game than the Fantastic Four realise. Roy Thomas, Len Wein, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott welcome the coming of the Endeth, whatever that is.

Following this, we take a very deep dive into our mailbag, stuffed full of listener questions. We wonder about which version of the films deserve to continue, who Johnny's least-terrible girlfriend was, discover how we'd bring back the Fantastic Four, explore what's in our current pull-list, and reassign Stan and Jack to other comics properties. All this, and more, in our extra-sized 200th episode.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 199: Fantastic Four #156 - Middle Game! Sep 30, 2016

Cosmic M&Ms

Hello, and welcome to episode 199 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time to get to grips with the middle game. The middle of the game. The intermediary stage. Not the end, neither the beginning, but the all important middle. The. Middle. Game. It's Fantastic Four #156, featuring some of Rich Buckler's best panel layouts to date, and Roy Thomas and Len Wein playing some great games with exactly who's perspective is driving the story.

We're joined by Tom Harris, host of Radio Free Asgard, to revisit his first ever Fantastic Four issue. Doctor Doom is manipulating the Silver Surfer, the Reavers are eyeing up the equipment in the torture chamber, there's LSD in the Negative Zone, and a free binder with part one.

Check out Radio Free Asgard at http://radiofreeasgard.podbean.com

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 198: Marvel Two-in-One #8 - Silent Night... Deadly Night! Sep 24, 2016

Three Wise Men And A Ghost Rider

Hello, and welcome to episode 198 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

In a last-minute change to our schedule, we're celebrating Christmas early with Marvel Two-in-One #8. Three Wise Men are following yonder star, Wyatt Wingfoot's got no room in the inn, and a flaming-headed demonic stunt rider is wondering just why all of this is happening in Arizona! A shadow, powerful figure is looming - is it the Collector? Is it God? Or is it someone far, far worse?

Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito present a Ghost Rider/Thing team-up of quite literally biblical proportions, with an extra dash of exploding Christmas tree, a sprinkle of astronomical anomaly, and a serving of egg nog.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 197: The Defenders #20 - The Woman She Was Sep 17, 2016

Suspiciously Unsolid Wall

Hello, and welcome to episode 197 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

In an unusual move, we're throwing our regular titles to the side, and spending this week in the weird world of Marvel's premier non-team, The Defenders. Issue 20 brings to a conclusion the plot line involving the harmonica, the Valkyrie and Destiny that has been running through the last two issues of Marvel Two-in-One, and because The Thing is along for the ride, we are too.

Guided by the hands of Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema and Vince Coletta, we follow The Thing, Valkyrie, Doctor Strange and Nighthawk into the town of Cobbler's Roost, where great old ones are waiting to burst into our dimension, trapdoors are waiting to be sprung, harmonicas are waiting to be blown, husbands are waiting to be revealed, and plots are waiting to be wrapped up. Not all of these things actually happen in this book...

You can find Andy's recent appearance on 90s Comics Retrial here, Steve's recent appearance on Waiting For Doom here, and we'll both be appearing on Views From The Longbox very soon.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 196: Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 - Madox The Multiple Man Sep 10, 2016

Multiple Multiplying Madroxes Make Merry Mayhem

Hello, and welcome to episode 196 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's our final excursion into the world of Giant-Size Fantastic Four, with the fourth issue of the oversized not-quite-an-annual. Of all the issues, this is the one with the most impact on the Marvel Universe, as it introduces one of the most enduring secondary X-Men of all - Jamie Madrox, The Multiple Man.

Len Wein, Chris Claremont, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott present an unusual tale with no clear villain, the Thing in a pimp suit, the closest Professor X has got to actual criminal neglect of a minor, and the first appearance of Peregrine Namath - Sports Player!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 195: Fantastic Four #155 - Battle Royal Sep 03, 2016

The Barry van Dyke Of Podcasting

Hello, and welcome to episode 195 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're spending more than 10 minutes covering an issue of The Fantastic Four, as we cover Fantastic Four #155. It's the first full issue from incoming writer (and Editor-in-Chief) Len Wein. It's a welcome return for the Silver Surfer, featuring in a story which draws inspiration from across the spectrum of Silver Surfer stories, from his solo series to his appearances in the Defenders, and back to his original appearances in the Fantastic Four.

It's not just a good story that revives the previously-flagging FF title. Rich Buckler is on fire, providing a combination of great pencils and innovative page layouts, with Joe Sinnott providing excellent inks, although that's pretty much the norm for him. Could this be the start of a great run on the Fantastic Four? Let's find out...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 194: Marvel Two-in-One #7 - Name That Doom Aug 27, 2016

Post-Apocalyptic Slapstick

Hello, and welcome to episode 194 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the fertile lands of Marvel Two-In-One. The Valkyrie needs an origin, Destiny needs a harmonica, and Doctor Strange is on call to provide some ghostly exposition. Richard Burton is dead, and the Thing's under crackers are just wrong. Don't ask, just accept.

Making a welcome return to the show to help us through this issue is Stacey Taylor, of Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour. If you remember Stacey from her previous appearance on the show, you know what you're in for! And joining Stacey is a conicla-boobed bird on a Pegasus, some existential tooting, and a whole bunch of folks doing the Defenders Mash (it was a podcast smash).

Listen to Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour here, check out our appearance on the 24 Hour Pop Culture Parlour here, and follow Stacey on twitter where she is @stacebobt. You can also donate to Stacey's fundraising for the Alzheimers Society here.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 193: Fantastic Four #154 & Marvel Team-Up #29 Aug 20, 2016

A Team-Up With A Team-Up

Hello, and welcome to episode 193 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're packing them in with coverage of two complete issues. First up is The Man In The Mystery Mask, presented in Fantastic Four #154, in which the dreaded deadline doom catches up with Len Wein before his run has even begun, and a panicking bullpen reprint Strange Tales #127. Thankfully, we skip the stuff we've covered before (check out episode 37 for fuller coverage), which allows us to get straight on to the next issue.

And what an issue that is Marvel Team-Up #29 - Beware The Coming Of Infinitus, or, How Can You Stop The Reincarnated Man? Yes, this issue has a title for each hero. You'll find Iron Man being a massive tool, Vince Coletta back on inks, and the unlikely sight of Johnny Storm conducting heavy-duty academic research.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 192: Fantastic Four #153 - Worlds In Collision Aug 13, 2016

Bondage Trousers

Hello, and welcome to episode 192 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

What is it with creative teams changing mid-story? From Kirby to Romita Sr, and Lee to Goodwin, it seems that more creators have switched out without completing their stories than there should be for the FF. Fantastic Four #153 is no exception, as Tony Isabella steps up to complete Gerry Conway's plotline, and I think it's fair to say that in the case of this particular story, it's a pretty thankless task.

With Machus and Femizon converging, it's clear that worlds will die, worlds will live, and pretty much everything will be the same. Only this time there's some muddled plotting, some incredible trousers, and a really uncomfortable ending that has to be read to be believed. Strap in folks, we're bringing the saga of Mahkizmo to a conclusion.

On another note, we're seeking your questions and queries for our 200th episode - send them in via e-mail, and we'll answer them as part of our bicentennial celebration!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 191: Marvel Two-in-One #6 - Death-Song of Destiny Aug 06, 2016

Is... Is That Stalin?

Hello, and welcome to episode 191 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

If there's something' strange in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call? Doctor Strange! Especially if the something' strange is an exploding manifestation of Destiny in a subway station, touching the lives of a myriad of New Yorkers. Threats for the Thing and Doctor Strange to overcome include faceless ones and a giant rat, which sounds like Steve Gerber has been raiding Doctor Who plots for this issue.

Joining us is comics writer and long-time Fantastic Four fan Ryan O'Sullivan, who took a break from preparing his webcomic Turncoat for publication to help us work our way through this issue. Together, we uncover the secret history of Ben Grimm, and find out just what happens when Doctor Strange cooks.

Ryan's webcomic Turncoat, with art by Plaid Klaus, can be found at http://turncoatcomic.com, and the collected edition will be in stores in September. Follow him on twitter, where he is @ryanosullivan

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 190: Giant-Size Fantastic Four #3 - Where Lurks Death... Ride The Four Horsemen Jul 30, 2016

Cryptic Title

Hello, and welcome to episode 190 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time to go giant-size once again, as we get to grips with the epic storytelling on display in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #3. Ancient beings return to Earth, equipped with innate abilities to hasten the destruction of humanity, and only the Fantastic Four can do something about it. That is, of course, assuming that they can survive the coma-pox!

It's a story that truly deserves the title 'giant-size', brought to us by Gerry Conway, Marv Wolfman, Rich Buckler, Joe Sinnott, and an uncredited George Perez. It's packed full of detailed art, contemporary references, subtle morality, and a highly confusing conclusion. All this, and we ban George RR Martin from listening to the show!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 189: Fantastic Four #152 - A World Of Madness Made Jul 23, 2016

An Actual Ice-Cream Van

Hello, and welcome to episode 189 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we bid a fond farewell to Gerry Conway with Fantastic Four #152, his last regular issue. Thundra and the team are lost in a nightmarish, hyper-masculine future. Rich Buckler's taking on too much work, and Reed Richards has the wrong number of appendages. As it turns out, not only is this Conway's final issue, but it's not even the conclusion to the story, and it's one of the most notorious rushed comics.

We're also activating our childish-snigger circuits as we get to grips with Giant-Size Man-Thing #2, by Steve Gerber, John Buscema and Klaus Janson. As well as this, we're talking about San Diego Comic-Con, celebrating some new equipment, celebrating the release of something long-lost, and getting interrupted by an actual ice-cream van. It's a packed episode of The Fantasticast, so why are you reading this? Get listening!

Find Amazing Spider-Man Classics at http://amazingspiderman.libsyn.org. Donate to Stacey Taylor's fundraising at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spcplive2 and listen to our appearance on her 24 hour live podcast at http://popcultureparlour.podbean.com/e/spcp-live-2-part-1-a-side-order-of-sass/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 188: Marvel Team-Up #26 - The Fire This Time Jul 16, 2016

The Cockamamie Fan Club

Hello, and welcome to episode 188 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

With Spider-Man taking a month off, the Johnny Storm steps up to lead this issue of Marvel Team-Up, joining forces with the God of Thunder to investigate a Hawaiian volcano and a set of fiery bootprints, as both a forgettable Avengers storyline and a forgettable Marvel Team-Up plot get a follow-up. It's Thor and the Human Torch against the Lava Men in the abandoned kingdom of the Mole Man!

As if all of this doesn't excite you enough, we can also promise you a moloid with a six pack, and a hard-hitting investigation into the medical ethics of Donald Blake, MD. It's these kind of shenanigans that make the podcast what it is - almost the best Fantastic Four podcast on the internet!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 187: Fantastic Four #151 - Thundra And Lightning Part One Jul 09, 2016

A Wombful Of Wombats

Hello, and welcome to episode 187 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week is another double-comic episode. We start with Avengers #128, which sees the Fantastic Four's now-redundant nanny Agatha Harkness head take up a new position as the Defence Against Dark Arts teacher for the Avengers. Following this, we peer into the pages of Fantastic Four #151, as Gerry Conway starts his final Fantastic Four story by revealing the origin of Thundra.

This does, however, mean that we also get the first appearance of the walking manifestation of brutish masculinity, Mahkizmo. It's a battle of the sexes with the entire (possible) future of the Earth hanging in the balance. Can this issue carefully walk the line between comment and crassness? Find out in this week's episode!

We are live on Stacey Taylor's 24 Hour Pop Culture Parlour Podcast at 10am BST, Saturday 9th July. Listen to the show at http://mixlr.com/spcp-live/

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 186: Fantastic Four #150 - Ultron-7: He'll Rule The World Jul 02, 2016

Twatted By Ultron

Hello, and welcome to episode 185 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, wedding bells are ringing, celebrations are in the air, and everyone wants to kill each other. It's another Marvel wedding, as Quicksilver and Crystal prepare to spend the rest of their lives with each other. Such a momentous event couldn't be contained in one comic alone, so this week, we're looking at Avengers #127 and Fantastic Four #150.

Steve Engelhart, Gerry Conway, Sal Buscema and Rich Buckler present the return of Ultron and Omega, a revolution by the Alpha Primitives, a petulant Ben who just won't wear a damn cloak, the sudden return of Agatha Harkness, and the next momentous event in the life of Franklin Richards. Grab your confetti and take your seats. Now, are you with the bride or the groom?

We're appearing live on Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour Saturday July 9th at 10am BST. Listen live at http://mixlr.com/spcp-live/. Follow Stacey's Parlour on twitter for guest and schedule updates!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 185: Marvel Two-In-One #5 - Seven Against The Empire Jun 25, 2016

Honky-Tonk Badoon-Ba-Donk

Hello, and welcome to episode 185 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the year 3014AD, as The Thing, Captain America and Sharon Carter attempt to overthrow the Badoon occupation of Earth. But they can't do it alone - they need the aid of the Guardians of the Galaxy (Classic Edition). And we can't do it alone either - we need the aid of Al Kennedy, of House to Astonish!

Together, we're serving up some super-sized scrutiny of the work of Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema. We offer some of the best Ben Grimm impersonations ever heard, encounter some Churlish Haters of Ol' Marvel, and encounter a wolf in a snood. As an extra bonus, Al gets us both to shut up for a few minutes whilst he explains why the classic Guardians are awesome, although it's entirely possible that this comic needed to listen as well.

Check out the House to Astonish at housetoastonish.com, and follow Al on twitter!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 184: Giant Size Fantastic Four #2 - Cataclysm Jun 18, 2016

I'm The General... Whee!

Hello, and welcome to episode 184 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy are tackling something a little... bigger than usual. It's the second/first issue of Giant Size Fantastic Four (blame title changes for the lack of certainty), in which another accidental activation of Doctor Doom's time platform threatens to unravel human evolution because George Washington fell off his horse. It's probably best not to wonder how...

It's the return of John Buscema to the Fantastic Four, along with Chic Stone as inker, a pairing that produces unusual results. We've also got some carefully-timed exposition, the entirety of Medusa's face, Reed and Ben mugging some revolutionary soldiers, and Marlon Brando as... The Watcher!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 183: Fantastic Four #149 - To Love, Honor, and Destroy Jun 11, 2016

No-Prizing A Boardwalk

Hello, and welcome to episode 183 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're covering Fantastic Four #149, by Gerry Conway, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott. With the title fast-approaching an big anniversary issue, there's a need to start wrapping ongoing plots and storylines. So, it's time to deal with Reed, Sue and Namor. And Thundra. And an Atlantean invasion. And some flashbacks to an early FF adventure. This one's a bit packed, folks!

With all of this going on, you'd think that there would barely be time to gaze at the view through Namor's legs, encounter a self-repairing boardwalk, wish each other a Happy Birthday, miss some very obvious swiping, and ponder on the whereabouts of Little Namor. Well, we managed to fit it all on. We're efficient like that.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 182: Marvel Two-in-One #4 - Doomsday 3014 Jun 04, 2016

A Latverian Dictator In King Arthur's Court

Hello, and welcome to episode 182 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're stretching the title of Marvel Two-in-One to breaking point, as issue #4 not only guest-stars Captain America, but the Agent 13, Namorita, Reed Richards and Wundarr as well. It's Doomsday 3014 as Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia lay the groundwork for the return of the Guardians of the Galaxy... but not just yet.

Joining us this week is Mark D. White. Mark is a Professor of Philosophy as well as a huge comics and Fantastic Four fan. He's the editor of books such as Batman and Philosophy and Watchmen and Philosophy, and the author of the newly-released A Philosopher Reads... Marvel Comics' Civil War. Given all of this, we probably should have picked an episode for him with a bit more philosophy in it... But we do have some enjoyable apes, some ebullient baboons, and John Ritter: The Solaria.

Find Mark at www.profmdwhite.com, and follow him on twitter where he is @profmdwhite. Mark's article, My Year With The Fantastic Four, can be found here.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 181: Marvel Team-Up #23 - The Night Of The Frozen Inferno May 28, 2016

A Team-Up Of Ice And Fire

Hello, and welcome to episode 181 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

A titanic team-up as the tremendous twosome throw in together to tussle with the terrifying top dog of temperature, Equinox the Thermonuclear Man! Which tremendous twosome, we hear you ask? Why, the Human Torch and Iceman, who take over Marvel Team-Up for an issue. And just for fun, we also cover two pages of Giant-Size Spider-Man #1, in which Spidey borrows a ride and doesn't mention an ice patch.

Presented as only Len Wein, Gil Kane and Mike Esposito could possibly to present! Featuring lots of punching, and some surprising artistic references to the 1990s, but two decades too early. All this, plus Steve has finally combined his Hamilton obsession with his podcasting obsession. You have been warned...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 180: Fantastic Four #148 - War On The Thirty-Sixth Floor May 21, 2016

Such Maths. Wow.

Hello, and welcome to episode 180 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy are journeying to a purely fictional location within the otherwise-completely-non-fictional Baxter Building to age war, in Fantastic Four #148. The Frightful Four have returned to battle the Fantastic Four for reasons that are carefully explained in detail, and Thundra's definitely not out to betray them at all, oh no.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 179: Fantastic Four #147 - The Sub-Mariner Strikes May 14, 2016

Namor, The Fastest Milkman In The West

Hello, and welcome to episode 179 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're back, and it's time to get damp and get punched. Divorce papers arrive in the Baxter Building, kicking off another throw down between the Thing and the Sub-Mariner, in Fantastic Four #147. We also take a moment to look at a couple of pages from Daredevil #110 as Ben Grimm gives Matt Murdock a ride.

As well as these comics, we have a smug Steve, a terrible trap laid by one of our listeners, and the Fantastic secrets of Steve's autocorrect. It's post-sprak, pre-boom, and if that makes sense to you, then you're clearly cheating.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 178: Marvel Two-In-One #3 - Inside Black Spectre May 07, 2016

A Pro-Patriotism Podcast

Hello, and welcome to episode 178 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to our favourite Thing-starring team-up title, Marvel Two-In-One, to jump into the middle of an ongoing Daredevil storyline. The Black Spectre are attacking in an impossible blimp, the Black Widow is only appearing one body part at a time, and Hitler's killing Captain America. Somehow, all of this comes together into a story...

A Two-In-One issue demands a guest-host, and we couldn't resist the opportunity to bring back onto the show Christine Hanefalk, of The Other Murdock Papers blog. Having made four other appearances on the show, she's our first Five-Timer, and we're celebrating by making her explain the Nelson family tree. We're also examining convenient awnings, Steve Gerber's interpretation of circles, and pondering a cry for help from the letterer.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 177: Giant-Size Super Stars #1 - The Mind Of The Monster Apr 30, 2016

Giant-Size Rental Lycanthropy

Hello, and welcome to episode 177 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Giant-Size greetings to you all, as we take our first dip into the mid-1970s Marvel Giant-Size comics. Giant-Size Super Stars #1 is, to all intents and purposes, Giant-Size Fantastic Four #1, and it features another bout of fighting between the Hulk and the Thing... or does it?

We're looking at the the writing of Gerry Conway, the penciling of Rich Buckler, and the inking of Joe Sinnott. Oh, and the colouring of Petra Goldberg, and the lettering of John Constanza. We also have a re-appearance of Thundra, we go Over The Escher-esque Garden Wall, and discover that it's all Joe Quesada's fault!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 176: Fantastic Four #146 - Doomsday: 200 Degrees Below Apr 23, 2016

Junior Comics Podcaster Deathmatch

Hello, and welcome to episode 176 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Today, we're discovering just how cold it is in the hidden lands inhabited by a scientifically-advanced race of Bigfeets located just 50km away from the Great Refuge. Yes, we're covering Fantastic Four #146, by Gerry Conway, Joe Sinnott and guest-penciler Ross Andru. Given the cover, you have to wonder why they made such a fuss about concealing the arrival of the Thing in the story. And we do wonder.

To help us cover this issue, we're joined by podcaster Paul Spataro, co-host of Back To The Bins and Listen To The Prophets: A Star Trek Deep Space Nine Podcast. He's here to shame Steve by speaking with a true New York accent, and by revealing his actual first issue of the Fantastic Four. Spoilers: It's not this one.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 175: Fantastic Four #145 - Nightmare In The Snow Apr 16, 2016

There Is No Cannon

Hello, and welcome to episode 175 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees the Fantasticast team reunited and looking at Fantastic Four #145, by Gerry Conway, Joe Sinnott and guest artist Ross Andru. Medusa and Johnny are stuck in the Himalayas, under attack from a race of advanced yeti-folk, struggling under the weight of too many flashbacks, and facing off against a formidable ice-cannon, which doesn't exist.

We're also getting our own schedule wrong, pondering the plural form of Bigfoot (Bigfeet?), experiencing THE SCIENCE, referencing Les Dennis, roping an unwilling guest star into joining the show, and wondering just what would have happened if George Constanza had joined the Marvel Bullpen.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 174: Marvel Two-In-One #2 - Manhunters From The Stars Apr 09, 2016

Stupid Superman

Hello, and welcome to episode 174 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a different episode of The Fantasticast this week: Andy's taken a holiday, leaving Steve to entertain our special guest. To help us cover Marvel Two-In-One #2, guest-starring the ever-horny Namor, we've enlisted the help of Kulbir Mann from the House of Flying Scalpels.

Together, we examine the return of Steve Gerber's Superman analogue, Wundarr, as he battle the Thing, Namor and Namorita. We also celebrate the artwork of Gil Kane, meet Mortoid: The Robot Assassin, question the attempt to trademark the word 'together;, and ponder just whatever happened to Marvel AR.

Make sure to follow Kulbir on twitter: https://twitter.com/Kooliebear

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 173: Fantastic Four #144 - Attack! Apr 02, 2016

Topless Johnny

Hello, and welcome to episode 174 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy are looking at Fantastic Four #144, the conclusion to the Doctor Doom/Darkoth saga, as brought to us by Gerry Conway, Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott. Things are so dire that not Johnny, Reed, nor even Coach Thorne's wife can stop Doctor Doom!

We're also taking a peek at Amazing Spider-Man #130 and the grand debut of the Spider-Mobile. On top of this, Steve's talking' 'American', we discover a new way of skipping some boring stuff, and we celebrate the first appearance of Johnny Storm's left and right nipples. It's a packed episode!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 172: Marvel Team-Up #18 - Where Bursts The Bomb Mar 26, 2016

It's A Bit Battle-Ish...

Hello, and welcome to episode 172 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're taking a break from Darkoth and Doctor Doom to pay a visit to Marvel Team-Up #18. It's the first time the Human Torch has led a book since Strange Tales, and if that doesn't sell you on this book, then maybe this will. The Torch and the Hulk team up to battle with Blaster, the Living Bomb Burst! As depicted by Len Wein, Gil Kane, Frank Giacoia, and Mike Esposito!

Still not sold? We also unravel the facts behind this issue's most pressing mystery - why boys are being thrown at the Hulk. We also examine the possibilities of using fire to stop explosives from exploding, and we meet the wonderfully-named Professor Paxton Pentecost. How can you resist such an alliterative scientist?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 171: Fantastic Four #143 - The Terrible Triumph Of Doctor Doom Mar 19, 2016

He Looks Like John Constantine!

Hello, and welcome to episode 171 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the core FF title for Fantastic Four #143, in which Doctor Doom slowly captures the entire team, a college football coach, his wife, and a semi-mythical beast from the Balkans. As you do. Created by

We also spend some time on Medusa's balcony, ponder the mystery of Rich Buckler's Disappearing Dining Table, enjoy multiple finger blasts, and take advice from the monarch of Latveria as Doctor Doom shares his seduction tips.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 170: Marvel Two-In-One #1 - Vengeance of the Molecule Man! Mar 12, 2016

Marvel Two-On-One

Hello, and welcome to episode 170 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's here. We made it. We're finally starting out coverage of Marvel Two-In-One, and what a wonderful cluster of Things it is! The Molecule Man('s son) brings together Marvel's favourite Things for one of the best team-up issues we've covered to date. With writing from Steve Gerber, art from Gil Kane and inks from Joe Sinnott, this is a great start to the second Fantastic Four spinoff series.

In amongst all of the Thing/Man-Thing action, we've also got the tricky issues of codename copyright, one of the most horrific deaths seen so far, queries about the distribution of the Daily Bugle, and the first confirmed sighting of pornography in the Marvel Universe. We also take a moment to remember one of the most prolific Fantastic Four pencilers, Paul Ryan, who passed away this week.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 169: Marvel Team-Up #17 - Chaos At The Earth's Core Mar 05, 2016

Moloid Selfies

Hello, and welcome to episode 169 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time for another tremendously titanic team-up! Marvel Team-Up #17 sees Spider-Man teaming up with Mr Fantastic and Captain Marvel to battle the Mole Man, his moloids, and the Basilisk. With more heroes and villains than your shake a shaky shaking stick at, it's a wonder that Len Wein, Gil Kane and the suspiciously-named Everybody found the space to tell a riveting story.

What's that you say?

Oh... well... There's also the Kree stones, Spider-Man using panel borders to stick his webbing to, an incredibly fortuitous piece of timing for the Mole Man, and the surprising revelation that Gil Kane cannot tell the difference between gas and spaghetti.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 168: Fantastic Four #142 - No Friend Beside Him Feb 27, 2016

Time-Delayed Insults

Hello, and welcome to episode 168 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

January 1974. The month that everything changed (for about a decade or so). But we'll get to that in a couple of episodes. In the meantime, it's time to pick up the pieces of the team with Fantastic Four #142. Alicia's on another sight-restoring kick, there's an impressively-designed villain/monster out to kick Ben Grimm's backside, and Coach Thorpe is still trying to force himself into a plot line. Will she? Will it? Will he?

It's also a huge welcome to new regular Fantastic Four penciler Rich Buckler, and we waste no time in getting into the details of the controversies of his run. We're also debating Steve's favourite sight-gags in Mel Brooks movies, the non-spoilers awesomeness of Supergirl, and spending far too long arguing the temporal relativity of a single caption box. Because it wouldn't be the Fantasticast if we didn't find a reason to argue over the tiniest little thing.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 167: Fantastic Four #141 - The End Of The Fantastic Four Feb 20, 2016

Annihilus Hamilton

Hello, and welcome to episode 167 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a huge week for the Fantastic Four, as the Annihilus story comes to a conclusion with Reed forced to make an impossible decision in Fantastic Four #141. We've also got a look at at an undressed Spider-Mobile in Amazing Spider-Man #127, and a quick look at the effects of the Avengers-Defenders War in The Avengers #118. With contributions from Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart, a departing John Buscema, Ross Andru, Bob Brown, and more, this is a packed episode.

So packed, in fact, that we barely found time to abuse our e-mailers. Or to counter Gerry Conway's Wyatt Wingfoot-blinness. Or to experience compromised cryptography. And we definitely didn't forget - and then remember again - Janus the Nega-Man. Or Spider-Man. Ah well...

Meanwhile, Steve's at the London Super Comic Convention, and would love to say hello to any listeners there. Grab him on twitter or flag him down and say hi. He promises not to bite. Or to get all nervous and flustered either...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 166: Marvel Feature #12 - The Bite Of The Blood Brothers Feb 13, 2016

The Physics Of The Double-Punch

Hello, and welcome to episode 166 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking a diversion into the world of Marvel Feature, which itself diverges into the first stages of Jim Starlin's Thanos tales. Marvel Feature #12, which guest-stars Iron Man, sees Starlin pick up threads from his Captain Marvel stories, tying The Thing and the Blood Brothers into a giant punch-up, with aid from scripter Mike Friedrich and inker Joe Sinnott.

Join us as we take a look at this titanic team-up, examining the logistics of superhero flight, the curious lack of definition for the Blood Brothers' powers, and more. We've also got some exciting Patreon news for you.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 165: Fantastic Four #140 - Annihilus Revealed! Feb 06, 2016

Namor's Onesie

Hello, and welcome to episode 165 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a triple-comic week on the Fantasticast. First up, the main event, Fantastic Four #140, which pulls together just about every unresolved plot line since Jack Kirby left the book. Where did Agatha Harkness go? What's going on with Franklin's glowing eyes? Will Sue and Reed ever reunite? Thanks to the return of our favourite buck-toothed, armour-clad insectoid ruler of the Negative Zone, a sense of purpose and direction returns to the book. And, as if all of this wasn't enough, we also find out the origins of Annihilus.

Elsewhere, we're also taking a look at the beginnings of one of the most superfluous mandated pieces of superhero technology, the Spider-Mobile, in Amazing Spider-Man #126. We then follow up with some big changes for Namor in Sub-Mariner #67, where a heavy dose of nerve-gas leads to the introduction of a brand new costume.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 164: Fantastic Four #139 - Target: Tomorrow! Jan 30, 2016

Podcasters Ponder the Plight of the Plummeting Indians

Hello, and welcome to episode 164 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Good news, everyone! We're returning to the Miracle Man story with this week's episode of the show. Fantastic Four #139 sees Ben, Johnny, Medusa and Wyatt conclude their struggle against one of the first villains to face the Fantastic Four. Will everything pull together for a satisfying conclusion? Or will a lack of focus and rationale for this revamped villain nobble any momentum in the story?

Either way, this issue finally gives some focus to Medusa, defining her role on the team about as well at it'll be defined, and giving her some great fighting moves. Oh, and amnesia, apparently. We'll also take a look at some staggering artistic shortcuts from artist John Buscema, and lay out the love triangle at the heart of the Mrsvel Bullpen romcom.

Our new website is now live at www.TheFantasticast.com - it's a bit of a work in progress right now, but the core stuff is there. Thanks to our early Patreons for helping get this thing off the ground.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 163: Marvel Feature #11 - Cry Monster Jan 23, 2016

Stupid Pile Of Orange Rocks - Hulk Will Smash!

Hello, and welcome to episode 163 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're leaving the Fantastic Four behind this week, and picking up our copies of Marvel Feature #11, the first book to feature the Thing as a solo(ish) star, and the first step on the short road to Marvel Two-In-One. With words by Len Wein and pictures by Jim Starlin, Ben Grimm finds himself fighting against the Incredible Hulk, the Leader, and Kurrgo, Master of Planet X. Or Kurrgo The Twerp. Whichever fits the fuzzy alien the best.

It's a fast-paced, hard-punching, all-out-action issue, combining the best of Ben's humour and action with the best of Jim Starlin's artwork. And this episode isn't just focusing on this comic, no! We've also got a healthy dose of automatic desiccation, some correspondence from the Time Variance Authority, and a spoiler alert: No dinner!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 162: Fantastic Four #138 - Madness Is... The Miracle Man! Jan 16, 2016

Socially Cordial Recaps

Hello, and welcome to episode 162 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're covering Fantastic Four #138, featuring the return of three beloved characters last seen in the Lee/Kirby era. One is Johnny's college dorm-mate, Wyatt Wingfoot. Another is Wyatt's wannabe football coach and interesting plot-dodger, Coach Thorne. And the third is... uh... the Miracle Man.

The Miracle Man and Coach Thorne. Just let those sink in.

It's not all bad, however, as Alicia experiences minute plot development, Johnny gets a reverse haircut, and Steve and Andy present the latest instalment in their irregular series, How To Speak In A New York Accent.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 161: Fantastic Four #137 - Rumble On Planet 3 Jan 09, 2016

This FOOM Is On Fire

Hello, and welcome to episode 137 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're bringing to a conclusion the story of the Shaper of the Worlds and the 1950s throwback world that the Fantastic Four have found themselves trapped in. If it seems like this week's episode doesn't quite match up with last week's, that's just our attempt to recreate these comics in podcast form! Just don't ask us where Planet 3 is.

We've got plenty of forced intergenerational conflict, self-proclaimed male chauvinism, multiple no-prizes, Burt - the glorious sound of battle, and important Red Ghost news. Yes, such a thing exists. All this and more, on this week's Fantasticast.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 160: Fantastic Four #136 - Rock Around The Cosmos Jan 02, 2016

Legs vs Cubes

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're back! 2016 is here and we're kicking things off with our coverage of Fantastic Four #136, by Gerry Conway and John Buscema. What do you get when you cross a poorly-defined 1950s nostalgist with the Shaper of Worlds? Why, it's a dystopian reality where laser-guitar biker gangs battle against old people! All this, plus a spirited debate on the virtues of legs vs cubes, the ballad of Slugger Johnson, and we open our paradoxical Christmas present!

This week, we're launching our Patreon campaign, to help us fund the next stages in the life of the podcast. Patreon is a crowdfunding platform that allows supporters to donate on an ongoing basis. We have lots of things we'd like to do, but we do need some financial help with this. Check out our Patreon page for further details.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 159: Marvel Team-Up #10 - Time Bomb! Dec 19, 2015

Prince Philip: Iron Man

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's our last episode of 2015. We could have closed out this year with a nice, simple standalone comic. We could have, but we didn't. Instead, we decided to look at the middle part of a three-part Marvel Team-Up story. Spider-Man is caught in a temporal battle between Kang The Conqueror and Zarrko The Tomorrow Man, and only Johnny Storm can help save the day. Gerry Conway, Jim Mooney and Frank Giacoia bring us an issue packed full of time-travel, literal time-bombs, and surprisingly easy international air travel.

We're also paying tribute to our dear friend, podcast and former co-host Shawn Engel, who passed away this past week. Shawn was a huge supporter of the show, and he joined us for episode 31, three years ago. Messages can be left here, and the family have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice. Shawn, you were one of the best of us, and we miss you very much.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 158: Fantastic Four #135 - The Eternity Machine Dec 12, 2015

I-Spy: Gil Kane Edition

Hello, and welcome to episode 158 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Things are a little quieter this week for us, as we take a look at Fantastic Four #135. Of course, quieter is a loose term to use for an issue that includes a rampaging Dragon Man, Gregory Gideon and his cyber-suit of power, Medusa's hair, Sue's emotional trauma, and the betrayal of Thomas Gideon. Gerry Conway and John Buscema present the final appearance of one of the Fantastic Four's earliest villains.

Oh, and a terribly-constructed prison cell, an overly-dramatic Alicia Masters, the most unlikely Time Magazine Person Of The Year, a terrible choice for a flight path, a mysterious stranger, and Stan Lee's fake Willie. It's a packed issue, but is it any good?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 157: Fantastic Four #134 - A Dragon Stalks The Skies Dec 05, 2015

Two Hundred Dollars!

Hello, and welcome to episode 157 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's one the most packed episodes of The Fantasticast seen in a long time, with three comics before us. We start with Fantastic Four #134, with the return of the Dragon Man, and of one of the most unlikely Fantastic Four villains from the early 1960s. We continue with the legendary Luke Cage, Hero For Hire #9, in which Luke travels to Latveria to collect a debt of $200 from none other than Doctor Doom. Finally, Jim Starlin arrives to take over Captain Marvel with issue #26, guest-starring The Thing, and kick off the first great Thanos storyline.

With so much to cover, and a prominent story featuring Thanos, we decided to ask Al Sedano to join us for this episode. Host and producer of Resurrections: An Adam Warlock and Thanos podcast, Al was the perfect guest to discuss and direct these three issues. And who can resist an issue where Luke Cage punches Doctor Doom in the face whilst shouting 'Here's a sample of my fist!'

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 156: Fantastic Four #133 - Thundra At Dawn Nov 28, 2015

Thought Bubble Be Crazy

Hello, and welcome to episode 156 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a week of new beginnings for the Fantastic Four. It's the first issue to be written by Marvel mainstay Gerry Conway. It's also the first issue to be drawn by a woman, as Silver and Bronze Age legend Ramona Fradon provides fill-in pencils for this issue. And what pencils they are!

Tundra's back, and spoiling for a fight with the Thing on New Year's Eve. We've got plots of mass destruction, foreshadowing for the climax of Iron Man 2, and someone literally attempting to turn back time. We've also got the unusual story of how Steve ended up partying with DMC (the clue's in the title), and a moment of pure physical pain for one of the hosts.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 155: Fantastic Four #132 - Omega The Ultimate Enemy! Nov 21, 2015

Roy Thomas's Illicit Wank

Hello, and welcome to episode 155 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're looking at Roy Thomas's final issue of the Fantastic Four for a couple of years. It's the concluding part of the two-part story pitting Crystal, Quicksilver and Johnny against the Alpha Primitives in the Inhumans' Great Refuge, and big changes are in store for the team by the end of the issue. Costume changes, lineup changes, relationship changes, writer changes... everything's changing!

It's a story of maturity, and a story of confused imperialistic themes and of misplaced audience sympathies. It's also a story of Steve trying to tiptoe through the language of talking about this, with mixed success. It's also a story of Black Bolt's Coffee Shop, but that's a very small part of the story.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 154: Fantastic Four #131 - Revolt In Paradise Nov 14, 2015

Flamenco Exposition

Hello, and welcome to episode 154 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're covering the first part of Roy Thomas's final Fantastic Four story for a few years. John Buscema's taking a holiday, so Ross Andru swings by to provide fill-in art for this story featuring Johnny Storm, Crystal and Quicksilver in the Great Refuge. The Alpha Primitives are revolting... and they're not too happy about their status as slaves either!

It's an episode packed full of romance, fill-in art, the intentional immorality of Benjamin J. Grimm, existential links, discovering that Crystal doesn't know how to kiss, and the revelation that Black Bolt is The Karate Kid.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 153: Marvel Team-Up #6 - As Those Who Will Not See! Nov 07, 2015

The Secret Origin Of Phil

Hello, and welcome to episode 153 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're dipping our toes back into the world of Marvel Team-Up, with issue #5. The Thing is the guest-star for this issue, stepping forward in his own right for the first time. Can you tell that Marvel Two-In-One is on the horizon? This titanic team-up also features two (count 'em, two!) villains, the nefarious Mad Thinker and the strangely sympathetic Puppet Master. After a decade of radioactive clay, the time has come to discover his secret origin.

Joining us for this team-up is Fantasticast artist Mike Georgiou. Creator of Steve and Bob, and Elemental Micah, Mike is the owner of a proud beard and a fluffy tablecloth. He's also the creator of our wonderful show artwork, and we're very pleased to welcome him back to the show. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk or follow @mikedraws on twitter.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou.

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 152: Fantastic Four #130 - Battleground: The Baxter Building Oct 31, 2015

Longbox Amnesia

Hello, and welcome to episode 152 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Big changes are afoot in this week's episode of The Fantasticast. Fantastic Four #152 sees the Frightful Four infiltrate the Baxter Building, striking a blow at the heart of the Fantastic Four. With the team seemingly broken apart and defeated, can the combined force of Franklin and Sue Richards save the day? What unthinkable consequences will their actions bring? And can this set of show notes get any more overwrought?

We also read your e-mails, plug our friends participating in Secret Convergence on Infinite Podcasts, discuss just why Reed Richards isn't working for us in Secret Wars, encounter melodramatic Johnny Storm's melodrama, and give more thought to Gorgon's footwear than anyone has ever given before.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 151: Fantastic Four #129 - The Frightful Four Plus One Oct 24, 2015

Attack Of The Giant Asterisk

Hello, and welcome to episode 151 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's another landmark issue of The Fantastic Four, as issue #129 sees the introduction of the fiery Femizon, Thundra. As the Fantastic Four start to splinter and fracture, the Frightful Four mount a brutal attack on the Thing and Medusa. Roy Thomas and John Buscema have big changes in store for the team, and we're here to guide you through them.

As well as this, we're also displaying totes accurate accents, questioning the choice of chauvinism over survival, and spanking the Trapster's arse. Look, if we didn't, who would?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 150: Fantastic Four #128 - Death In A Dark And Lonely Place Oct 17, 2015

How Do You Avoid Sadness?

Hello, and welcome to episode 150 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

150. That's quite a number, and one we're really proud of. Nearly four years to the day after we sat down to record our first episode, we're passing a century-and-a-half's worth of episodes. Thankfully, we've got a cracking Fantastic Four issue to take a look at, with Roy Thomas and John Buscema's Fantastic Four #128.

It's a subterranean tour de force, with the Mole Man, Kala and Tyrannous battling it out for dominion of the underworld. There's a legally-mandated bonus set of posters, a good thing, a good read, the question of Mantis or Moondragon, and the mystery of the missing preacher. We've packed this episode with geekery, trivia, and the inability to read out loud. Would you expect anything less?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 149: Fantastic Four #127 - Where The Sun Dares Not Shine Oct 10, 2015

I Am A Mole (Man) And I Live In A Hole (Man)

Hello, and welcome to episode 149 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking a look at Fantastic Four #127, in which Roy Thomas and John Buscema bring together the myriad rulers of the subterranean kingdoms of the Marvel Universe - The Mole Man, Kala, and Tyrannus. It's a melting pot of underground intrigue, with lashings of moloids, a giant lizard, and just a little touch of brainwashing.

We've also got your listener e-mails, wonderfully sappy number one single, more false starts than a thing that contains a large number of false starts (look, it's late, and metaphors are hard), and news of some sort of infinitely secret convergence...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 148: Fantastic Four #126 - The Way It Began Oct 03, 2015

Deja Vu All Over Again

Hello, and welcome to episode 148 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the dawning of a new era for the Fantastic Four as Roy Thomas comes on board as the regular writer, with Fantastic Four #126. And what better way to start a new era than by revisiting the start of the previous era? Yes, it's time to retell the origin of the Fantastic Four, complete with extra dialogue, homages to Jack Kirby's panel layouts, and some alarming trousers.

Joining us to examine this new beginning is our regular cover designer, Sam Savage. Sam's responsible for each individual episode image, and we're celebrating 100 episodes with his work. Both Sam and Andy have also featured together in the latest Back Issue magazine, which we also find the time to discuss as well. Follow Sam on twitter at @SLPSavage

We also have an excerpt from the Power Records adaptation of this comic. The full audio and scans of the pages can be found at the Power Records blog run by Rob Kelly of the Aquaman Shrine. Do check it out!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 147: Fantastic Four #125 - The Monster's Secret Sep 26, 2015

Penicillin

Hello, and welcome to episode 147 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the end of another era for the Fantastic Four, as Fantastic Four #125 marks the final work by Stan Lee as regular writer of the book. Concluding the return of the Monster from the Lost Lagoon, this final issue features unlikely concussions, melodramatic melodrama, quick-change costuming, and deep, meaningful morals. Well, three out of four ain't bad...

We also stop and take a moment to assess Stan's return to the Fantastic Four, how it compares to his return to Amazing Spider-Man, and whether the Gibbon is better than the Monster. It's a bittersweet moment for the show, twinged with sadness but filled with the knowledge that an extended run from Roy Thomas is just around the corner...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 146: Marvel Team-Up #3 - The Power To Purge Sep 19, 2015

The Waffles Are An Untruth

Hello, and welcome to episode 146 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees us dip our toes back into the murky waters of Marvel Team-Up, as the Human Torch once again teams up with Spider-Man, this time to take on the Living Vampire himself, Morbius.

Joining us for this team-up is UK Podcast Award nominee Stacey Taylor, of Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour and Podcast In A Half-Shell. Together, we name Timothy Spall as the quintessential brummie, out-index the Marvel Index, indulge in some over-ACT-ing, encounter a muffled Spider-Man, get drunk on cheese, and ponder just what exactly an enzyme vampire actually is.

You can find Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour here, and the Podcast In A Half-Shell here. Stacey's 24 Hour Podcast begins here. You can also find the Parlour on twitter here, and Stacey's personal twitter is here.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 145: Fantastic Four #124 - The Return Of The Monster Sep 12, 2015

Walls Aren't Elastic

Hello, and welcome to episode 145 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week's we're diving into part one of Stan Lee's final story for The Fantastic Four, with Fantastic Four #124. Keeping in line with his return to the book, it's a revisiting of a concept already seen in the book, the mysterious, mute, monster from the Black Lagoon. Will this be a new facet of a confused yet fun story, or a pointless rehash mixed with a lot of running around? Join us, as we find out.

We also check in with Incredible Hulk #153, which sees the Hulk in trial for the destruction and chaos he's caused. With Matt Murdock defending, Reed Richards finds himself faced with a moral quandry. It's a mega-Marvel bonanza, guest-starring... well, almost everybody.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 144: Fantastic Four #123 - This World Enslaved Sep 05, 2015

The Great Galactus Bake-Off

Hello, and welcome to episode 144 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

And lo, there shall be an ending, of a sort. With Galactus poised to eat the entire planet, it's up to Reed to do the equivalent of reading the small-print, before bragging to the entire planet. Well, when you've got the equivalent of a brain the size of a planet, you might as well let everyone know! Fantastic Four #123, Stan Lee's antepenultimate issue of the Fantastic Four, is our issue for this episode.

However, it's not our only issue. We have a very brief peak at Captain Ameria and Falcon #150, before taking a more leisurely browse through The Incredible Hulk #152, featuring the prelude to the Trial of the Incredible Hulk. All this, and a detailed look at career paths in the US Army of the Marvel Universe, and the discovery of Galactus's PIN. And featuring Richard M. Nixon as himself!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 143: Marvel Team-Up #2 - And Spidey Makes Four Aug 29, 2015

Peter Parker's Chin's Secret Identity

Hello, and welcome to episode 143 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time for another team-up, in more ways than one. We're covering Marvel Team-Up #2: The Frightful Four are back, with a surprising new addition to the team, and only the Human Torch can stop them. Aided and abetted by Spider-Man, it's the teenage heroes of the Marvel Universe against the Fantastic Four's greatest villains, as well as an unexpected threat from the Negative Zone. All this comics goodness if brought to you by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru and Jim Mooney.

Teaming up with us to tackle this titanic tussle is writer and podcaster James Hunt. James is a regular feature writer at Den of Geek, co-writer of A Brief History Of Time Travel, and part of the panel at the excellent Cinematic Universe podcast. He can be found on twitter as @jameshunt.

Together, all three hosts find themselves carbon-dating Marvel fashions, discovering the Human Torch in polyester, subjecting someone to unexpected and violent disrobing, and musing the possibilities of Garfield Minus Garfield, Plus Lying Cat...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 142: Fantastic Four #122 - Galactus Unleashed Aug 22, 2015

Is Galactus A True Scotsman?

Hello, and welcome to episode 142 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees us cover Fantastic Four #122. Galactus has arrived on Earth, and he is very hungry. The Fantastic Four get into their most physical confrontation yet with the World Eater, before splitting up and embarking on a daring hijacking mission. Can the Silver Surfer find a way to escape his fate? All this and more in this issue from the hands of Stan Lee, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott.

We've also got our regular dose of listener e-mails, Andy embarks on a particularly troublesome elocution safari, and we discover the madness of dating Madness.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 141: Fantastic Four #121 - The Mysterious Mind-Blowing Secret Of Gabriel Aug 15, 2015

What Is It? Do Tell!

Hello, and welcome to episode 141 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It feels like ages since it was just Andy and Steve discussing an issue of The Fantastic Four, and that's what we're doing today. Fantastic Four #121, the second part of Stan Lee's final run on the book, continues to try and find something interesting to do with Gabriel The Air Walker. Will it succeed? The answer may surprise you!

We're also back to reading your e-mails, and Steve attempts to defend a controversial position with the appropriate amount of nerves. Andy's advanced amnesia returns, and we ask the important question - what does a herald of Galactus need with a starship?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 140.5 - Fantastic Four (2015) Review Midweek Minisode Aug 12, 2015

Review Time

Hello, and welcome to episode 140.5 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time, it's just Steve, as he's the only one of the team to have seen the current Fantastic Four movie. It's time to review this troubled, incoherent film, and whilst the review isn't great, hopefully enough of the good things that lurk underneath the surface of the film are brought forward.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 140: Marvel Team-Up #1 - Have Yourself A Sandman Little Christmas Aug 08, 2015

A Very Sandman History

Hello, and welcome to episode 140 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're branching away from The Fantastic Four to cover the first issue of the iconic team up book from Marvel, Marvel Team-Up. The Human Torch and Spider-Man teaming up to stop the Sandman from... er... anyway. Roy Thomas and Ross Andru team up to bring you this titanic team up.

And they're not the only ones! To celebrate the launch of this title, we've teamed up with Avengers Inspirations and New 52 Adventures of Superman host (and past guest host for The Fantasticast) Jon M. Wilson. Together, we discuss bungalows, explore continuity and nitpicks, index the official indexes, and uncover the secret history of Misty Knight.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 139: Fantastic Four (1994) Commentary Aug 01, 2015

Freud Batman, I Think You're Right, OK

Hello, and welcome to episode 139 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's our final special episode, and to celebrate the imminent release of the new Fantastic Four movie we're taking a look back to the first, unreleased Fantastic Four movie. Made on a shoestring budget and in less time than it took to edit this episode, the Roger Corman-produced Fantastic Four movie is a masterpiece of rights-retaining movie making. Featuring Indiana Jones' father, a pre-teen vampire, the least convincingly-animated Human Torch ever seen, and the most convincing glove acting ever seen.

We're watching the film on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHlBsLQ4BQs) and for extra hilarity, activate the automatic subtitling. We did, and the results are certainly memorable!

The commentary itself starts at 06:48.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 138: Steve And Andy Fan-'Splain The FF Part 2 Jul 25, 2015

Because It's About Time Someone Did Again!

Hello, and welcome to episode 138 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're taking a break from our usual format this week to take a look back, in the second of three special episodes to celebrate the release of the new Fantastic Four movie. In the style of the rather wonderful Rachel and Miles X-Plain The X-Men, we're taking look back at issues 52-120 and annuals 4-6 of The Fantastic Four.

Starting with the Black Panther and ending with Gabriel, The Air Walker it's a breakneck romp through the origins of the Marvel Universe. Featuring Doctor Doom's finest moments, the development of the Negative Zone, the birth of Franklin Richards, the introduction of Annihilus, and the Creature From The Black Lagoon. Well, they can't all be winners...

Featuring podcaster and friend-of-the-show Michael Bailey as 'Digits' - check out his shows From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast and Views From The Longbox!

Rachel and Miles X-Plain The X-Men is an awesome show, with artwork by former guest-host David Wynne, and can be found at rachelandmiles.com

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 137: Steve And Andy Fan-'Splain The FF Part 1 Jul 18, 2015

Because It's About Time Someone Did!

Hello, and welcome to episode 137 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We're taking a break from our usual format this week to take a look back, in the first of three special episode to celebrate the release of the new Fantastic Four movie. In the style of the rather wonderful Rachel and Miles X-Plain The X-Men, we're taking look back at the first 51 issues and 3 annuals of The Fantastic Four. And Strange Tales. But not for long - we promise!

Starting with the Mole Man and ending with the bald bloke, it's a breakneck romp through the origins of the Marvel Universe and the creation of a legendary comics, encompassing some of the greatest comics ever published, some of the most iconic villains in comic-dom, and the Infant Terrible.

Featuring podcaster and friend-of-the-show Michael Bailey as 'Digits' - check out his shows From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast and Views From The Longbox!

Rachel and Miles X-Plain The X-Men is an awesome show, with artwork by former guest-host David Wynne, and can be found at rachelandmiles.com

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 136: Fantastic Four #120 - The Horror That Walks On Air Jul 11, 2015

Andy's Astonishing Agatha Adoration

Hello, and welcome to episode 136 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, it's the return of our fearless leader to the Fantastic Four. Face front,, frantic one - Stan Lee's back to write Fantastic Four #120. And he's brought with him a whole load of original ideas, and definitely hasn't written a story with more than a few parallels with a classic issue of the Fantastic Four. Gabriel The Air Walker has arrived to... er... and the Fantastic Four have to... er... It's time for Plant T - T for Taunt!

As well as this, we have one of Steve's favourite number one singles of all time, and after weeks of teasing, we reveal exactly what we'll be doing in our special episodes across the rest of July and early August.

We are eligible for nomination in the first UK Podcasters Award, in the Games & Hobbies category. Across the month of July, you can visit http://ukpodcasters.com/directory/podcast/the-fantasticast/ and click the nominate button. You can nominate us once per day between now and the end of the month, and we would be very grateful if you would be able to do this.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 135: Fantastic Four #119 - Three Stood Together! Jul 04, 2015

Reed Richards vs Skype Latency

Hello, and welcome to episode 135 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This time around, it's an episode full of firsts. Future Fantastic Four writer Roy Thomas contributes to the book for the first time, scripting the first-ever fill-in issue of the Fantastic Four, a blisteringly good take on the issue of racism. It's the first issue of the book to feature the new Fantastic Four logo, and this is the first episode of the show to feature Sam Savage's adaptation of that logo on the episode cover. It's the first appearance of a new Marvel hero - The Black Leopard! And it's the first appearance of AUNTIE... OK, not all the firsts are that notable!

As well as this, we're teasing some special episodes in our immediate future, celebrating the best of Brummie rock, encountering a suprise guest-villain, participating in The World's First Grant Morrison Impression Showdown, discovering who wins in Steve vs Andy vs Comics vs Racism, and meeting a bunch of brickies dressed up like women. All this, and more, in our coverage of Fantastic Four #119.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 134: Fantastic Four #118 - Thunder In The Ruins Jun 27, 2015

Undoing The Incursions

Hello, and welcome to episode 134 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking a look at Fantastic Four #118, as Johnny Storm tries to undo Crystal's brainwashing, Diablo plays with his chemicals, and Ben Grimm takes a journey to Earth-A, where everyone looks like Reed, except... Reed? We're also taking a look at Sub-Mariner #45. I say we... does anyone have anything they want to confess?

We're also taking a look at Dan Slott's greatest achievement, and... other fun things, but I forgot to take notes, so I'm just desperately filling space here. So, that Game of Thrones, huh? Boy, words are hard to think of...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 133: Fantastic Four #117 - The Flame And The Quest Jun 19, 2015

Expository Pyjamas

Hello, and welcome to episode 133 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Much like Breaking Bad, this episode of the Fantasticast is all about Crystal (I apologise for that terrible joke). Fantastic Four #117 starts the search for Johnny Storm's true love, with Archie Goodwin and John Buscema weaving a globe-trotting, Thing-scaring tale. We're also looking at Sub-Mariner #44, where an evil hippie-burning Johnny Storm helps Namor against Llyra and Tiger-Shark. Finally, we've a brief peek at a few panels of Avengers #94, a true turning point in the Kree-Skrull War.

As well as all this goodness, we present The Adventures of the Cul-De-Sac Crew, the greatest unintended consequence of Secret Wars, and Bagpuss in cosplay. As for what happens when Rita Repulsa meets the Sub-Mariner... you won't believe what happens next!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk, but more importantly, head over to www.elementalmicah.com where Mike's creator-owned comic, Elemental Micah, is currently available on a pay-what-you-want basis!

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 132: Fantastic Four #116 - The Alien... The Ally... And Armageddon Jun 13, 2015

Doom Shall Lead Them

Hello, and welcome to episode 132 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy present a giant-sized episode, covering Fantastic Four #116 and Avengers #93 - both oversized, 25c special issues. In FF #116, the Over-Mind saga concludes with a shocking plot twist completely spoiled by the cover. Aganst all odds, the Over-Mind finally presents an interesting and formidable threat to the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, and the entire planet. Here's hoping a deus ex machina doesn't resolve this plot...

We're also looking at Avengers #93, which doesn't feature any members of the Fantastic Four. It doesn, however, feature some utterly astonishing artwork from Neal Adams and Tom Palmer, as well as the deadliest cows ever seen in a Marvel comic. And when the only other notable cow in the Marvel Universe is Bova, that doesn't mean much.

Presented by gross, bumbling idiots and fumble-witted fools, this episode features Johnny Storm vs the pit from The Dark Knight Rises, an examination of Agatha Harkness's mutant ability to remove agency from the Fantastic Four, and the greatest entrance to date of Doctor Doom.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 131: Fantastic Four #115 - The Secret Of The Eternals Jun 06, 2015

Planet Of The Moderately-Trained Baristas

Hello, and welcome to episode 131 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The saga of the Over-Mind trundles on, with an extended origin flashback for the villain in Fantastic Four #115. Stan Lee's on holiday, so we welcome Awesome Archie Goodwin as scripter for the Fantastic Four for the next few issues. Steve fails to do an interview, Secret Wars II continues (sort of) in this podcast, and the true origins of Parallax are revealed.

To help us through this issue, we are proud to welcome fellow podcaster W. Blaine Dowler to the show. You may know Blaine from his e-mails to the show, from his podcasts covering the X-Files or comic book science, but you should definitely know him from his Unofficial 75 Greatest Marvels podcast, available at bureau42.com - go check it out, as both Andy and Steve have made guest appearances over there.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 130: Fantastic Four #114 - But Who Shall Stop The Over-Mind? May 30, 2015

Under-Mind, Over-Mind, Wombling Free

Hello, and welcome to episode 130 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy are sitting down to take a detailed look at Fantastic Four #114, featuring continuity, the Over-Mind, an angry dog, the return of Agatha's resting cloud-face, and awkwardly-timed flashbacks. We're also casting our eye over Avengers #92, where The Thing proves himself a totally credible witness for the defence.

As well as this, we're puzzling over the pagination, finding out what happens when Midnight Cowboy meets a Fourth World rip-off, laughing at lacklustre Yancy Street pranks, discovering the unlikely location of the secret of perpetual motion, and counting the notches on the one bedpost in the Marvel Universe you don't ever want to count notches on!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 129: Fantastic Four #113 - The Power Of -- The Over-Mind! May 23, 2015

Cryptic Title Derived From Minor Joke

Hello, and welcome to episode 129 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

The Thing - dead. The Hulk - missing. The Human Torch - angry. Mr Fantastic - prostrate. The Invisible Woman - inconsequential. The Over-Mind - Fourth World-ish. Stan Lee - not paying attention. Steve's microphone - faulty.

Andy and Steve it down to cover Fantastic Four #113, featuring the first appearance of the Over-Mind, the fate of Ben Grimm, and plenty of other things that escape me at the point I'm sitting down to write these notes. Some kind of note-pad to be used during the editing would seem to be in order...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 128: Fantastic Four #112 - Battle Of The Behemoths May 16, 2015

HULK SMASH PUNY CAROUSEL

Hello, and welcome to episode 128 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're celebrating the 100th issue anniversary of the first meeting of Marvel's mightiest titans. Back in Fantastic Four #12, the Hulk and the Thing fought for the first time, and today, in Fantastic Four #112, the Incredible and the Ever-Lovin' do battle once again.

This is the biggest fight between the two to date, and there's no pesky, meddling Avengers to spoil the fun and steal the thunder. As only Stan Lee, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott could present.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 127: Fantastic Four #111 - The Thing -- Amok! May 09, 2015

She Hid The Gun Where?

Hello, and welcome to episode 127 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, it's a bumper crop of comics for Steve and Andy to cast their Fantastic-eye over. The main feature is Fantastic Four #111, with a rampaging mad Ben Grimm tearing up a suprisingly small New York.

We're also taking a look at the origins of the Kree-Skrull War with Avengers #89, and taking a brief peak at the erotic fantasies of Namor in Sub-Mariner #38. And, because I'm late heading out to the pub, that's where this episode's notes are going to end.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 126: Fantastic Four #110 - One From Four Leaves Three May 02, 2015

Unbeatable Benny Grimm

Hello, and welcome to episode 126 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

And we're back. This week, Steve and Andy are joined once again by Chris Thompson of Orbital Comics in Conversation to take a look at Fantastic Four #110, and hopefully answer the question of just how Reed Richards can escape the ever-watchful eye of Annihilus in the Negative Zone. We're also taking a brief look at Avengers #88, with plotting by SF legend Harlan Ellison.

We've also got mention of the first credited female creator on the Fantastic Four (sort of), more ABBA than you can shake a Pierce Brosnan-shaped stick at, a radical reinterprtation of the catchiest theme tune of 2015, and a superb Harlan Ellison anecdote.

Chris's podcast backlog can be found at popculturehound.net. New episodes of Orbital Comics In Conversation can be found at http://www.orbitalcomics.com/podcast/. You can also follow Chris on twitter where he is @popculturehound.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 125: Fantastic Four #109 - Death In The Negative Zone Apr 11, 2015

No Smoking Except In The Designated (Negative) Zones

Hello, and welcome to episode 125 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're returning to the Negative Zone for the second full appearance of Annihilus, The Death That Walks, in Fantastic Four #109. As befits the return of one of our favourite villains (and Janus, the Nega-Man), we've roped in a special guest host. The Pop Culture Hound himself, Chris Thompson, joins us from Orbital Comics to explore this issue.

As well as being joined by one of the best comics creator interviewers out there, we find the time to discuss just what exactly the point of an extend-o-platform is, casual racism towards gargoyles, Reed Richards in the 25th Century, and Clive Dunn. Yes, Clive Dunn. No, I'm not explaining why - you'll have to listen for that!

Chris's podcast backlog can be found at popculturehound.net. New episodes of Orbital Comics In Conversation can be found at http://www.orbitalcomics.com/podcast/. You can also follow Chris on twitter where he is @popculturehound.

As a small addendum, the Chip Zdarsky event discussed at the start of the show isn't last week, it's today - Saturday April 11th. Grab your Sex Criminals, conceal them in a brown paper bag, and head down to get them signed!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 124: Fantastic Four #108 - The Monstrous Mystery of the Nega-Man! Apr 04, 2015

All-New Flashbacks

Hello, and welcome to episode 124 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we're cracking open Fantastic Four #108, and experiencing a bit of deja vu all over again. As is well-know, the contents of Fantastic Four #108 were 'frankensteined' together from unused Jack Kirby pages, originally intended for Fantastic Four #102 before they were rejected by Stan Lee. We looked at these pages and the story they were supposed to have told a few weeks back, and now it's time to look at them in the context of their original release.

John Buscema and John Romita do their best, but there's something very off about this issue, and it's not just our frustration at having to read the same pages twice in 6 episodes. But we're brave and honourable citizens, and our duty is to read these comics, and hopefully we found a new way of looking at them.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 123: Fantastic Four #107 - And Now - The Thing! Mar 28, 2015

Steve Buscemi's Fantastic Four

Hello, and welcome to episode 123 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the Fantasticast, we're taking a look Fantastic Four #107. Ben's about to get defrosted, Janus is looming on the horizon, and nobody's really caring about Crystal. More importantly, this is the first issue to feature art from Fantastic Four mainstay John Buscema.

As well as this, Steve's autocorrect leads to an unusual arrival on the show, we wonder just how a lethargic alarm system would sound, and we exhibit a high level of suspicion regarding a claim that the Bullpen Bulletins are not just about plugging other books.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 122: Fantastic Four #106 - The Monster's Secret Mar 21, 2015

It's Pronounced Solzhenitsyn

Hello, and welcome to episode 122 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking a look at Fantastic Four #106, featuring the return of Joe Sinnott to the inking brush. A monstrous figure is laying waste to downtown New York, Reed's experiments on Ben are reaching a critical point, and everyone's already forgotten about Crystal.

We've also got an explanation for the hiccup in our release schedule, and after 122 episodes, tensions between the hosts finally spill over.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 121: Fantastic Four #105 - The Monster In The Streets Mar 07, 2015

Pollution Is Bad, M'Kay?

Hello, and welcome to episode 121 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we're getting our grubby, non-Inhuman hands on Fantastic Four #105, which casually slides a key character over to another title, sets up a potential cure for The Thing, and rather niftily introduces multiple levels of threat for the entire team. It's John Romita's penultimate full issue of the Fantastic Four, and John Verpoorten's final inking for the book.

We've also got a debate about Motown, a moving listener e-mail, some news about our activities next weekend, and an announcement about the long-neglected Fantastic Flame On blog.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 120: Fantastic Four #104 - Our World -- Enslaved Feb 28, 2015

Dramatically Defeatist Namor

Hello, and welcome to episode 120 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're concluding a story started by Jack Kirby and finished by Stan Lee and John Romita. Magneto has taken command of the armies of Atlantis, developed a curiously personal grudge against the Fantastic Four, and kidnapped Sue and Lady Dorma into the bargain. Can Reed and Namor save their true loves and avert war?

We also take a look at Avengers #82, where we compare and contrast a Stan Lee-penned invasion of New York with a Roy Thomas-penned invasion of New York. And finally, Ben and Triton are busy having some bro time, watching a Netflix marathon, in Sub-Mariner #31.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 119: Fantastic Four #103 - At War With Atlantis Feb 21, 2015

The Usefulness Of Lady Dorma

Hello, and welcome to episode 119 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We've done it. We've broken through the Jack Kirby barrier. Let the uncertain era of Lee, Romita, Thomas, Buscema, et al. begin. And begin it does, by picking up the pieces of Kirby's Magneto/Atlantis plot and rebuilding them in the form of a fast-paced action epic.

We've got the Master of Magnetism, an invasion of New York, the return of Agatha Harkness, the worst possible satnav directions in the Fantasticar, along with brief looks at Sub-Mariner #30 and Fantastic Four Annual #8. And not forgetting this episode's special guest star: Richard M. Nixon!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 118: Fantastic Four - The Lost Adventure Feb 14, 2015

The Lee/Kirby Retrospective Episode

Hello, and welcome to episode 118 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's a bumper-sized episode this week, as Steve and Andy tackle an unusual 'Frankenstein' project from 2008, when Marvel published a special issue comprising of a recreation of the original, rejected Fantastic Four #102, along with scans of the original artwork, and a reprint of Fantastic Four #108. We're covering this issue out of sequence to mark the end of one of the most notable and productive collaborations in comics history - Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's run on The Fantastic Four.

We also feature feedback from our listeners on the impact, the highs, the lows, and the surprises from this legendary run, as well as provide our own thoughts. As a little bonus, there's also some audio of notable comics creators discussing Jack Kirby, his work and his influence.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 117: Fantastic Four #102 - The Strength Of The Sub-Mariner Feb 07, 2015

The Podcast That Goes Like This

Hello, and welcome to episode 117 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This is it. The end of an era. Fantastic Four #102, featuring the dual-menace of Magneto and the Sub-Mariner, and the final issue of the Fantastic Four pencilled by Jack Kirby. There's a certain serendipity to releasing this episode on the 21st anniversary of his passing, although absolutely no planning went into this!

Joining us to take a look at this landmark issue of the Fantastic Four is Micheal Leyland, one half of Heykids Comics, one third of Andy's offspring, and 100% of the people who have said 'yes' to appearing on the show then never turned up for the recording. We've finally got him, and as an added bonus, we even exposed him to an Inhumans story from Amazing Adventures #2.

The opening trailer is for the Kickstarter of Ray Gunn and Starburst. Please support this Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/703821617/ray-gunn-and-starburst

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 116: Fantastic Four #101 - Bedlam In The Baxter Building Jan 31, 2015

Post-Trailer Comedown

Hello, and welcome to episode 116 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's time to take a look at the penultimate Jack Kirby-penciled issue of the Fantastic Four, issue #101. The Maggia have their eyes on the Baxter Building, and will stop at nothing, including murder, to get their hands on the contents of Reed's laboratory. It's a small but effective tale, and a late burst of quality from these final issues.

And if it's quality that you like, then you'll barely tolerate the existence of Amazing Adventures #1. The Inhumans are given their own solo strip for the second time, and Jack's been allowed to write and pencil. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a muddled mess, with inappropriate colouring and heavy inking doing their best to drown Kirby's work.

We're also taking the time to plug a kickstarter for an audio SF comedy series called Ray Gunn and Starburst. Written by Holly Rose, and featuring the voice of Fantasticast guest-host David Wynne, this is a fun project. Check out the kickstarter and help Holly get the funding at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/703821617/ray-gunn-and-starburst

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 115.5 - Fantastic Four Trailer Midweek Minisode Jan 27, 2015

Hello, and welcome to a special midweek minisode of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's finally here. An official trailer for this year's Fantastic Four film. Even the best of expectations were low for this, following lots of silence from the studio, some unfortunate mis-speaking from the cast, and lots of rumours.

In this special episode, Steve and Andy are joined by Micheal Leyland to discuss the trailer, their reactions to it, and some notable observations that have been made. We discuss the influences of Ultimate Fantastic Four, and Andy gets very distracted by Philip Glass.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode 115: Fantastic Four #100 - The Long Journey Home Jan 24, 2015

Generic Quote Regarding Anniversaries

Hello, and welcome to episode 115 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're covering Fantastic Four #100, Jack Kirby's antepenultimate issue of the Fantastic Four and the first Marvel anniversary issue. Nowadays, Marvel celebrate an anniversary at the drop of a hat (did we really need a 25th issue anniversary celebration for All New X-Men?), but in 1970, this was the first time a milestone was celebrated.

You know that old saying about learning to walk before you can run? Well...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 114: Fantastic Four #99 - The Torch Goes Wild Jan 17, 2015

Oh, The Inhumanity

Hello, and welcome to episode 114 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week sees Steve and Andy tackle Fantastic Four #99, Jack Kirby's preantepenultimate issue of the title. There's a new Inhumans strip in the offing, so Kirby's treasured creations make their final appearance under his pen in the Fantastic Four. Johnny's got all hot-headed (pun!) and the rest of the team have to get to him before he destroys the Inhumans. Why? I can't explain.

We also take a very brief look at how the Fantastic Four help SHIELD defend against an attack by the Silver Surfer in Silver Surfer #17. And, for extra fun, we both decide to answer the 1970 Marvel Readers' Survey as featured in this month's Bullpen Bulletins.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 113: Fantastic Four #98 - Mystery On The Moon Jan 10, 2015

How Not To Celebrate The Moon Landing

Hello, and welcome to episode 113 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

We kick off our journey through 2015 with Fantastic Four #98, a celebration of the first landing on the Moon. Ish. There's a Kree Sentry, a mysterious island, something dormant beneath the surface of the moon, and Neil Armstrong's foot. And if this sounds like a mash-up of Doctor Who's Kill The Moon and The Impossible Astronaut... well... that's just a coincidence!

We're not sure what sort of comic ended up being produced, to be honest. Join us and see if you can make up your mind.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

The Fantasticast Trailer v2 Jan 03, 2015

Hello, and welcome to The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

But not this week. We're taking a well-earned post-Christmas nap, and have woken momentarily to produce a new trailer for the show. It's been three years since our first trailer, and we wanted to produce something a little shorter, and a bit more relevant to our upcoming episodes.

Hope you enjoy!

Episode 112: What The--?! #10 - I'll Be Doom For Christmas Dec 27, 2014

To Save You, Why Must I Floss?

Hello, and welcome to episode 112 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey (for it is he) and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's Christmas time at the Fantasticast, and Steve (for it is he) and Andy are continuing their annual tradition of pulling an issue of a Fantastic Four related title from outside of the reading order and covering it. Due to time pressures, Steve (for it is he) abstained from choosing an issue, instead throwing himself on the selection of Andy. And what a selection it is!

Steve (for it is he) is not prepared for the Onslaught of one of the most unique project of the 1990s. The X-Cution alone is worthy of comment, there's Zero Tolerance for the insanity contained within this book. For lo, there shall be an issue of What The--?!. Steve (for it is he) can't wait for the next episode of the show where the Heroes Return. And the terrible crossover-based puns finish.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 111: Fantastic Four #97 - The Monster From The Lost Lagoon Dec 20, 2014

In The Kingdom Of The Mute, The Phlegmatic Man Is King

Hello, and welcome to episode 111 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the final episode of 2014, and taking advantage of the wintery season, Steve and Andy are taking a look at Fantastic Four #97, featuring a summer holiday, a trip to a marine mammal park, and a magical, size-changing submarine. Sensible plotting has been put on hold, as the motivations (and, indeed, the vocal properties) of the antagonist seem to change from page to page.

As an extra seasonal treat, we're also taking a look at Silver Surfer #15, featuring a pitched battle between the Surfer and the Human Torch. Just like the Surfer's own series, we also get a bit philosophical, looking at the flaws and failings of Stan Lee's most personal superhero series.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 110: Fantastic Four #96 - The Mad Thinker And His Androids Of Death Dec 13, 2014

Lurgi Strikes Britain. Well, Manchester...

Hello, and welcome to episode 110 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, Andy's been hit with a terrible cold, and it sort of shows... However, this doesn't stop him from teaming up once more with Steve and tackling the final Lee/Kirby Mad Thinker story. Can a good Mad Thinker issue be produced in the dying days of the run? And is it mere coincidence that Steve has been watching lots of Battlestar Galactica in the lead-up to recording this episode?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 109: Fantastic Four #95 - Tomorrow --- World War Three Dec 05, 2014

Stuck In The Middle(ton) With You

Hello, and welcome to episode 109 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy are joined once again by Emily Middleton of the Relatively Geeky Podcast Network. As host of Uncovering The Bronze Age, co-host of the Shortbox Showcase, and having a few familial connections to Latveria, Emily is the perfect person to help us take a look at Fantastic Four #95.

We have international assassinations, dastardly distractions, and a compeltely terrifying beard as the Monocle makes his first (of two) appearances. We're also taking the briefest of brief looks at X-Men #65, with a rare portrayal of the team by Neal Adams. Oh, and Steve raps. Sort of. It's not good.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage

Episode 108: Fantastic Four #94 - The Return Of The Frightful Four Nov 29, 2014

How Many Seamen On The Love Boat?

Hello, and welcome to episode 108 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, Steve and Andy welcome Emily Middleton of the Relatively Geeky Podcast Network to the show. As the host of Uncovering The Bronze Age, Emily is ideally positioned to help us transition from the 1960s to the 1970s. And, as the daughter of previous guest-host Alan Middleton, she even has our Skype contacts already on her computer!

We're covering a veritable stack of comics this episode. Fantastic Four #94 features the first appearance of Agatha Harkness, the return of the Frightful Four, the naming of the younger Richards, and a very scary cat. We're also taking a look at Incredible Hulk #123, where Reed is responsible for a big change for Bruce Banner, and Namor, The Sub-Mariner #21, where Ben Grimm records a voicemail message.

As well as all of this, we're also taking a very brief look at our experiences at the recent Thought Bubble convention. Spoiler: It was awesome!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 107: Fantastic Four #93 - At The Mercy Of Torgo Nov 22, 2014

Yet Another Piece Of The Action, See?

Hello, and welcome to episode 107 of The Fantasticast, see? Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four, see?

OK, we've done that joke to death. This week sees us tackle Fantastic Four #93 as the saga of The Thing's enslavement on the gangster world with gladiatorial deathmatches comes to a close. Not necessarily a conclusion, but it certainly stops. Do the Fantastic Four have an actual role to play in the issue? Will the long-promised battle between Torgo and the Thing live up to expectations? And what happens when mobsters start arguing the finer points of the rulebook?

We're also taking a rare side-trip into The Incredible Hulk with issue #122. Reed's got a cure for the Hulk, and it's the first Hulk/Thing battle in several years. Herb Trimpe's on art, and without spoiling too much, this issue is a pleasant surprise. We also examine the contents of the Hulk's green-skinned grab bag, which is less of a pleasant surprise.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 106: Fantastic Four #92 - Ben Grimm, Killer Nov 15, 2014

Another Piece Of The Action, See?

Hello, and welcome to episode 106 of The Fantasticast, see? Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four, see?

It's Thought Bubble weekend, and Steve and Andy are busy trying to teach comics fans at the Royal Armouries in Leeds how to talk like a 1920s gangster, see? The reason for this is that this week's episode features covereage of the third (second-and-a-halfth) part of the Thing Enslaved story, in Fantastic Four #92, see?

Marvel at the delights of lazily designed and names Magno-Man! Delight at the appearance of Cat Man! No, not that one. Or that one. Thrill at the dropping of a running gag regarding the insertion of the word 'see' at the end of each sentence! All this, and the Swindon version of Seal's greatest hit!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 105: Fantastic Four #91 - The Thing Enslaved Nov 08, 2014

A Piece Of The Action, See?

Hello, and welcome to episode 105 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four, see?

This week, we focus our gaze onto two comics, see? In Fantastic Four #91, The Thing is transported to a Star Trek episode and has to pretend that he's not seen the series, see? Meanwhile, in Amazing Spider-Man #77, The Torch treads on Spidey's toes as he tries to restrain the Lizard, see? With artwork from Sal Buscema, this is a rare thing - a 1960s Torch/Spidey crossover that we actually enjoy, see?

We also bear withness to the strange fate of Whitey Mullins, examine the maxim 'With Great Balls Comes Great Responsibility', and Andy teaches Steve how to talk gangster, see?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast, see?

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk, see?

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage, see?

Episode 104: Fantastic Four #90 - The Skrull Takes A Slave Nov 01, 2014

No Vagrant Is Safe

Hello, and welcome to episode 104 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we start our coverage of the last extended storyline from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, with Fantastic Four #90: The Skrull Takes A Slave. It's a bit more than that, though, as the issue takes some time to wrap up the previous Mole Man story as well. There's torture, deathly danger, and some lovely new clothes for The Thing.

As well as this, we've got an e-mail looking ahead to our 200th episode, the first and only Fantasticast 'rap battle', and a very long discussion about hair...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 103: Fantastic Four #89 - The Madness Of The Mole Man Oct 25, 2014

Return Of The Shagg

Hello, and welcome to episode 103 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week on the show, we cover Fantastic Four #89, with its hysterical blindness, and a plot hole so huge and inconsistent that only one of the team picked up on it. Returning this week is Shagg Matthews, of the Fire And Water Podcast and the Who's Who: A DC Universe Podcast, as well as the brand new Ultraverse Podcast.

As well as this, Steve has a series of shocking admissions to make regarding the things that he's seen, the things that he's not seen, and the things that he really should have seen...

Check out Andy's article on the Battlestar Galactica pilot here.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 102: Fantastic Four #88 - A House There Was Oct 18, 2014

Disparaging The Words Of Clark Griswold

Hello, and welcome to episode 102 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week we finally get to Fantastic Four #88, after a previous attempt at recording the episode went horribly wrong. We managed to re-secure the services of the wonderful Shagg Matthews of the Fire And Water Podcast and the Who's Who: A DC Universe Podcast to help us through this issue.

And what an issue it is. Despite some fairly obvious warning signs, Reed and Sue decide to buy a very unsuitable house for them to live in with the still unnamed baby, and wouldn't you believe it - it turns out to be a sort-of-trap laid by a super-villain! All this, and Sue's collection of snow globes, job opportunities for hyper-intelligen space clouds, and we answer the burning question of the moment: Is hentai comic-code approved?

Shagg's latest podcasting venture is a guide to the Ultraverse comics published by Malibu in the 1990s. It launches this weekend, and can be found at http://ultraversepodcast.com

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 101.5: A Huge Mistake Has Been Made Oct 11, 2014

Hello, and welcome to episode 101.5 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

Except for this one. Unfortunately, a recent recording went horribly wrong when a software crash caused one of the tracks to save with multiple, unsurmountable errors. So, we're delaying for a week whilst we get our re-record sorted.

As is traditional when this sort of thing happens, we're not going to leave you empty-eared for a week. To keep your Fantasticast cravings under control, we're presenting a selection of our favourite outtakes, distractions, insults, and idiocy from episodes 21-30. Featuring special appearances from our guest-hosts David Wynne and Michael Bailey.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 101: Fantastic Four #87 - The Pride And The Power Oct 04, 2014

The Jackanape Sanity Test

Hello, and welcome to episode 101 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's the end of an era, as the final Lee/Kirby Doctor Doom story comes to a close, not with a bang, but with possibly the most off-beat ending this year. Yes, it's the turn of Fantastic Four #87 to come under the gaze of The Fantasticast. We're also taking a brief, two-panel look at Namor, The Sub-Mariner #14 as Ben Grimm tries to avoid getting involved in the plans of Egghead, something highly recommended by anyone forced to deal with that particular villain over the years.

Along the way, we spy on Doctor Doom's sleepover, listen to some mid-combat shouting matches, discuss Latverian small talk, discover Rob Liefeld's Bullpen Bulletin, and find a scene that actually passes the Bechdel test. In the 1960s, Stan Lee-penned Marvel comic. Yeah, it surprised us too...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 100: Fantastic Four #86 - The Victims Of Doom Sep 27, 2014

Our Actual 100th Episode For Real

Hello, and welcome to episode 100 (yes, that reads 100!) of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It's anniversary time at the Fantasticast, as we're celebrating our 100th episode. Steve and Andy have the third part of the Latveria saga to cover, with more Achilles Heels than you can shake a poisonous arrow at. There's also a lovely last-page reveal, that is totally spoiled by the cover of the comic, proving that today's comic covers owe rather a lot to Jack Kirby.

But this episode is about the celebrations. You'll discover the very secret origins of The Fantasticast, find out what happens when Andy wants to recast the Fantastic Four with DC characters, how few alternate FFs Steve has actually read, what the worst Marvel comic published in recent years is, what the Fantasticast might look like in an alternate universe where there are no Fantastic Four comics, and why Steve doesn't answer his texts.

Check out The Fantastic Flame On every day this week for special content celebrating our 100th episode!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 99: Fantastic Four #85 - Within This Tortured Land Sep 20, 2014

Deja Vu Masterpiece Theatre

Hello, and welcome to episode 99 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

It must be that time of year again. A recording has gone missing, and with it our first run of jokes, banter, and surprises. And what a surprise there is in this episode. We're covering Fantastic Four #85 - The Fantastic Four are trapped in Latveria, Doctor Doom has hypnotically sapped their powers, and Steve has something rather special laid open on the desk in front of him.

As well as this, we've also got a brief look at Silver Surfer #5, a couple more listener e-mails, and some other really great, funny stuff that I would love to tease about here but I forgot to make notes during the edit and none of them spring to mind whilst I'm writing these notes.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 98: Fantastic Four #84 - The Name Is Doom Sep 13, 2014

James Doom, License To Rule

Professor Alan be praised, it's the last great Lee/Kirby Doctor Doom story! Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland open up the best Fantastic Four comic they've read in ages. A secret robot army is being formed in the rogue nation of Latveria, and Nick Fury needs our heroes to nip this threat in the bud.

With a smattering of listener e-mails, a request for questions, and some more things that have completely slipped Steve's mind whilst writing these show notes, the journey to our 100th episode is off to a great start!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 97: Fantastic Four #83 - Shall Man Survive? Sep 06, 2014

Enid Blyton's Memorial Plaque

Steve and Andy return once again to tackle the Silver Age of the Fantastic Four. This week, the focus is on Fantastic Four #83, featuring the culmination of Maximus' plan to hypnotise the world into submission. Will the Fantastic Four unite to take down the mad monarch, or will they end up as bystanders in their own title?

We also read some e-mails, play one of the greatest number one singles of the 1960s, and get very hung up on just who wrote Peter Rabbit.

With episode 100 coming up, we want your questions for us to answer. Ask us anything - about the Fantastic Four, about comics, about geekdom, or about us. Send them in to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on our 100th episode in a few weeks time.

Episode 96: Fantastic Four #82 - The Mark Of The Madman Aug 30, 2014

Stan Lee Doesn't Understand Hypnotism

It's a bumper episode for the Fantasticast, as we cover two comics, one wedding, and a whole slew of responses to our latest listener question.

Steve and Andy are spending this week looking at Crystal's return to the rebuilt Attilan in Fantastic Four #82, as well as attending the completely legitimate wedding of Janet van Dyne and Yellowjacket in Avengers #60. It's a Jack Kirby and John Buscema feast for the eyes.

We also run down our listener responses to our latest listener question, as we attempt to find out if our audience is currently reading Fantastic Four. There's also a brand new Listener Question, and it's an unusual one...

All of this, and you get to find out if Steve knows just how many Inhuman feature strips there were in the Silver and Bronze Ages, when they were published, and how this knowledge (or lack thereof) affects his review of the issue.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 95: Fantastic Four #81 - Enter The Exquisite Elemental Aug 23, 2014

Andy Finds This Funny

I have no idea what would be funny about the title of this comic...

This week, Steve and Andy reunite to discuss Fantastic Four #81. Changes are afoot, as motherhood takes a toll on the team. Can a sorely underused supporting character step up and prove their worth to the staunchly-conservative team leader? Plus, as a special bonus, we drop in on Namor, The Sub-Mariner #8. The Serpent Crown is causing trouble, and it's up to the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing to ensure it gets to safety.

We also take a look at just what Steve got up to on his holidays. The podcast panel mentioned hasn't yet been released, but if you pop on over to the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheFantasticast), you can take a look at some photographs of original Jack Kirby Fantastic Four pages and covers. Why? Well, you'll have to listen to find out...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 94: Fantastic Four #80 - Where Treads The Living Totem! Aug 16, 2014

Wyatt Wingfoot and the Totem of Doom!

The holidays are over, and Steve and Andy are back by themselves to take a look at Fantastic Four #80. Will this be a tightly plotted issue, reintroducing a beloved supporting character, featuring a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of Native American culture, and starring a well-designed villain? Well... at least one of those things happens...

We also discuss our not-so-recent experiences at the London Film and Comic Convention, reveal the secret origins of the Merry Marvel Marching Society, and get rather rudely interrupted by the weather (and not in a Welcome to Night Vale manner).

Episode 93: Fantastic Four Annual #6 - Let There Be Life Aug 09, 2014

Ambush Bug In Judge Dredd's Clothing

It's a giant-sized episode of The Fantasticast for a giant-sized issue of the Fantastic Four. Annual #6 features the first appearance of the classic villain Annihilus, as well as the birth of Franklin Richards. To celebrate these milestones, Steve and Andy have invited a special guest onto the show - Al Kennedy, of the House To Astonish podcast.

Together, we examine the most in-depth exploration of the Negative Zone to date; pick holes in 1960s natal care, discover The Adventures of Night Optometrist, explore the etymology of Annihilus, take up residence in the Arenas of Crochet and Cribbage, listen to Anihilus Sings Barry White, play Star In A Reasonably Priced Fantasticar, and get the only Acrobat update you need to receive.

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Episode 92: Fantastic Four - Rise Of The Silver Surfer Aug 02, 2014

Doug Jones Good, Julian McMahon Bad

Don't worry, there's more to our review than just that...

Steve's away on holiday, and needs a quick-edit to keep the show on track, so he and Andy sit down to watch Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer and provide a commentary to the film.

We celebrate the film's high points, and we spend the other 91 minutes examining plot holes, poor dialogue, unsuitable effects, and the complete ineptitude of Julian McMahon's performance as Doctor Doom. We wonder why Andre Braugher chose this film over appearing on ER, and just who thought the wig for Jessica Alba was a good idea.

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Episode 91: Fantastic Four #79 - This Monster Forever? Jul 26, 2014

Carry On Not Brand Echh

Steve and Andy return with an human Ben Grimm, a former submarine commander now in charge of a group of marines, and a daikaiju and horror film-loving guest-host. Yes, Luke Jaconetti joins us once again to finish off the story of the human Ben Grimm and the team's battle with the Wizard. This issue has it all - dinner dates, Irish stereotypes, and a robot with a tortologous name. This is Fantastic Four #79, and we are your guides.

We also take a look at an issue of Captain Savage And His Leatherneck Raiders. Guest-starring ace fighter-pilot Ben Grimm, Captain Savage #7 has it all - POW camps, Irish stereotypes, and excellent Dick Ayers artwork.

Don't forget to answer out Listener Question - Are you currently reading Fantastic Four, and why?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 90: Fantastic Four #78 - The Thing No More! Jul 19, 2014

Black Bolt On Acid

This week on The Fantasticast, Steve and Andy open the doors of the studio and welcome in Luke Jaconetti, host of Earth Destruction Directive and co-host of the Vault of Startling Startling Monster Horror Tales of Terror as co-host for this episode and the next. Given that Luke specialises in classic horror and giant monsters beating up cities, you'd have thought that we would have brought him on for an issue of the Fantastic Four that caters to his particular interests.

But... no. Instead, he joins us for Fantatsic Four #78, an issue that sees the Wizard rather rudely interrupt Ben's latest journey to his human form. His facial hair is no less horrific than usual, and h'es got rather a lovely pair of gloves with him. And the Wizard is the focus of his synopsis!

Don't forget to answer out Listener Question - Are you currently reading Fantastic Four, and why?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 89: Fantastic Four #77 - Shall Earth Endure? Jul 12, 2014

Bitten By A Radioactive Bottle Of White Lightning

(You'll have to wait until the end of the show to get that one!)

In this week's episode of The Fantasticast, Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland encounter the following:

A Galactus so hungry he'd consider eating an Iceland prawn ring
A new addition to the Superman Returns title sequence
A Psycho-Man even more pointless than you might expect
The Silver Surfer trying his hand at reassuring a hysterical pregnant woman

All this, and more, as we cover Fantastic Four #77!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 88: Fantastic Four #76 - Stranded In Sub-Atomica Jul 05, 2014

Fansplaining Earth X

Join hosts Stephen Lacey and Andrew Leyland as they venture down into the Sub-Atomica, the Microverse, the worlds within worlds. Fantastic Four #76 sees Reed, Ben and Johnny on the trail of the Silver Surfer, seeking his aid to prevent Galactus from consuming the planet Earth. Featuring a not-very-surprising guest-villain, and more pregnancy-induced hysteria than you can shake a stick at.

We also take a brief look at the moral conundrums of Reed Richards in Incredible Hulk #105. On top of this, we have your favourite non-Fantastic Four Fantastic Four stories, we pose a new listener question of the month, and there's a double-dose of British number-one singles.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 87: Fantastic Four #75 - Worlds Within Worlds Jun 28, 2014

Galactuth Hath A Lithp

Poor Galactus.

Andrew Leyland and Stephen Lacey welcome you to the latest episode of The Fantasticast. We're celebrating 75 issues of the Fantastic Four in a way that definitely doesn't involve half an issue's worth of plot stretched to fill an entire issue, oh no, not at all. We're also taking a look at The Sub-Mariner #2, featuring the return of the Plant Man. Because you demanded it. Allegedly.

We're also taking a look at the effects of microwaving comics, defending the fun of the New 52, promising to buy a Dan DiDio comic, looking forward to The Flash (obviously, this was recorded before the leak of the pilot episode), and getting disproportionately angry over the mere existence of the Sleepers.

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Episode 86: Fantastic Four #74 - When Calls Galactus Jun 21, 2014

The Steampunk Herald Of Galactus

Welcome to the 86th episode of The Fantasticast. This week, your hosts Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland present Fantastic Four #74. The Silver Surfer is on the run, Galactus is hungry, and Reed's got the contractors in. It's a veritable health and safety nightmare! We also take a look at the first issue of Namor's solo title, The Sub-Mariner.

There's also e-mails, a love affair, news about Andy's other podcasts, a discussion about lame Doctor Who cliffhangers, talking to letter-writers on twitter, and just how much Jon Snow can be expected to know following major head trauma.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 85: Fantastic Four #73 - The Flames Of Battle Jun 14, 2014

Douchebaggery, Mistaken Identities, Shooting First & Asking Questions Later

How can you resist a podcast episode with this title?

This week, Steve and Andy are joined once again by Daredevil blogger Christine Hanefalk. After a fairly decent run of Daredevil comics, we're back to the main Fantastic Four title to wrap up the story of Daredevil's battle with the mind-swapping Doctor Doom. We were quite favourable towards the Daredevil issues that lead into this issue, so our hopes are high for this issue.

If you've enjoyed Christine's appearances over the past couple of episodes, why not go and check out her excellent Daredevil blog, The Other Murdock Papers, or drop her a follow on twitter at @Chris_TOMP

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 84: The Fantasticast Presents Daredevil #35-38 Jun 07, 2014

Gene Colan Draws Galactus

We're taking a break from our regular run-through of The Fantastic Four to take a look at four issues of Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. Between guest-appearances and a plot featuring Doctor Doom that flows in next week's issue of the Fantastic Four, we had a lot of Daredevil to cover, so we gave it its very own episode. It's a veritable feast of Gene Colan artwork, with little flavourings of Mike Murdock, Foggy Nelson's career and Karen Page's hormones.

Joining us this week is one of our favourite guest-hosts, Daredevil blogger Christine Hanefalk. The writer of The Other Murdock Papers, and hot off of her guest-appearance in recent issues of Daredevil, we were delighted to have Christine back with us to take a look at these issues. And for a bonus, during the recording, the Netflix Daredevil casting announcement was made - look out for a special outtake containing our live reactions to the news!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 83: Fantastic Four #72 - Where Soars The Silver Surfer Jun 01, 2014

Which Episode Number Is This Again?

(If you grabbed the episode and it was just Andy speaking by himself, it's now been fixed!)

It's episode 83 (we think) of The Fantasticast, and it's time for Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland to lay some groundwork for the first true spin-off of The Fantastic Four. Issue 72 of the series prominently features the Silver Surfer, his alien morality and viewpoints, and a shedload of wanton worldwide destruction.

We're also reading some of our shorter listener e-mails, looking at what happens when a cartoon adapts a storyline with two actual female characters in the story, and Steve's least-favourite Beatles song. Oh, and we're also singing a completely faithful and accurate cover of the Dallas theme song, and damnation upon anyone who would suggest otherwise.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 82: Fantastic Four #71 - And So It Ends May 24, 2014

Pac-Man Gobbling Kirby Krackle

Episode 82 of The Fantasticast is upon us, and Steve's in a begging tenaciously-requesting mood. Desperate for shares, retweets and iTunes reviews, he's taken to the airwaves to ask for your help.

Once this is out of the way, Steve and Andy get down to what is possibly our shortest episode to date, as the Fantastic Four engage in an issue-long fight scene, exchanging subplots and subtlety for wall-to-wall action. We've got it all - giant green robots, random unconsciousness, and a huge status quo change that definitely won't be undone during the next issue at all, oh no.

Along the way, we wonder what would have happened (as our titles suggests) if Pac-Man had gobbles Kirby Krackle for energy, and Andy learns how to pronounce the word 'Leicester'.

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Episode 81: Fantastic Four #70 - When Falls The Mighty May 17, 2014

Just Who Is Irving Forbush Anyway?

Don't ask us. We'll try to answer any question. Why does Crystal not use her powers in a situation which would demand that they be used? Why does Steve think that he can inflict singing on his audience on a semi-regular basis? And why The Thinker? But we won't even begin to touch the question of who exactly lurks beneath the saucepan helmet.

This week Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland take their copies of Fantastic Four #70 and unleash the epic fight scene within. Reed Richards does to The Thinker the exact thing that Steve wants to, and Crystal is an integral and vital part of the story. Or she goes out shoppng. Take your pick.

We've also got some more listener e-mails, and a look at a few episodes of the 1967 Fantastic Four cartoon series. Really, what more could you want?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 80: Fantastic Four #69 - By Ben Betrayed May 10, 2014

Doom/Silver Surfer: The Original Odd Couple

I say that, there's absolutely no Doctor Doom or Silver Surfer in this episode...

What there is, however, is Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland's coverage of the second part of the greatest late-era Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Fantastic Four story. Doctor Stand-ini has done something terrible to Ben Grimm, turning him against the team in a murderous rage.

We also take a brief look at the first four episodes of the 1967 Hanna Barbera Fantastic Four animated series. And we read some listener e-mails. We also take a look at the chilling consequences of a flippant line from this issue's mystery villain. And revisit the Real Housewives of Latveria. Because that's a joke that never gets old.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 79: Fantastic Four #68 - His Mission: Destroy The Fantastic Four May 03, 2014

I Wonder Who The Mystery Villain Is...

Episode 79 of The Fantasticast is here, kicking off a brand new storyline as the enigmatic and not-at-all-related-to-Airwolf Dr Santini arrives in town to mess about with Ben's brain chemistry. Don't worry - he's been invited! But a mystery villain who is not at all easy to guess turns up to throw a spanner into the works... with hilarious consequences!

Before all of that, Steve and Andy finally get around to answering the most recent Listener Question Of The Month, looking at your suggestions for the best issue of the Fantastic Four that showcases the team as you see them.

And then we go and launch another Listener Question Of The Month, because we like making you lot work! This time around, we want to know your favourite non-Fantastic Four Fantastic Four stories. Confused? Listen on, and all shall become clear!

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Episode 78: Amazing Spider-Man Annual #4 - The Web And The Flame Apr 26, 2014

The Ayn Rand Simile Or Metaphor Theme Song

Annual season continues and concludes here at the Fantasticast. Steve and Andy get to grips with Amazing Spider-Man Annual #4, featuring the latest team-up between the Human Torch and Spider-Man. Memories of Strange Tales Annual #2 are lingering, and with irrelevant villains, forced conflict, and leaps in storytelling logic so vast even Evel Knievel would think twice before leaping across them, there's good reason for these to linger.

For, hidden underneath the surprisingly good artwork of Larry Lieber, is a Strange Tales story in all but name.

This decpetion has put Steve in a particularly bad mood, and he puts this bad mood to good use this episode. He also uses it to respond to listener e-mails, in a very angry feedback session. Sorry about that...

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Episode 77: Fantastic Four Annual #5 - Divide And Conquer Apr 19, 2014

KERPLUNK - Spelt K-E-R-P-L-U-N-K

It's annual season once again at the Fantasticast. 1967 served up two annuals featuring members of the Fantastic Four, so to avoid a super-sized episode (and to save Steve's editing muscles), we've split the episode into two.

First up for Andy and Steve is Fantastic Four Annual #5. This issue features guest-appearances from almost every friendly face featured in the series (but no Wyatt Wingfoot or Willie Lumpkin). There's also a three-page slice of insanity, pumped straight from the brain of Jack Kirby, and the first ever solo Silver Surfer story.

We also find time to return to our listener feedback, something we haven't done in a while. If you've written in to us but haven't heard your e-mail on the air, don't worry - it's coming!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 76: Fantastic Four #67 - When Opens The Cocoon Apr 12, 2014

The Great Latverian Bake-Off!

It's muffin week here in the Fantasticast tent. Will Mary Berry be impressed by Victor's blueberry surprise muffins? And will Paul Hollywood survive his criticism of Victor's cake density?

Will Steve Lacey, Andy Leyland and returning guest host Seb Patrick find a coherently-plotted story amongst the destruction of the Beehive? When exactly opens the cocoon? And will Stan ever learn to use correct syntax in his story titles?

It's the actual first no-really-we're-not-kidding appearance of Adam Warlock in Fantastic Four #67. We also take a brief look at the Nick Fury: Agent Of SHIELD strip in Strange Tales #161, featuring so much lovely Jim Steranko artwork that the actual story... well, it's reduced to being told in an unconventional manner.

Seb's just launched a new website featuring comics reviews and criticism: Panel Beats. Why not head over there and read his thoughts on this week's Doop #1, take a look at a Saved By The Bell comic, or get a guide to Ed Brubaker's Winter Soldier stories? Find the site at http://www.panelbeats.co.uk

Why not check out some of Seb's writing at http://www.sebpatrick.co.uk, or follow @sebpatrick on twitter? (https://twitter.com/sebpatrick). A Brief History Of Time Travel is available from http://www.abhott.com, where the entire series is availble on a pay-what-you-want basis.

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Episode 75: Fantastic Four #66 - What Lurks Behind The Beehive? Apr 05, 2014

Sgt Fury's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Hello, and welcome to our special 75th episode* spectacular. To celebrate 75 episodes* of The Fantasticast, Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland decided to invite a special guest onto the show. In no way at all was the special guest invited, and at a later date Steve discovered that this was going to be the 75th episode. Oh no.

Joining us this week is writer and critic Seb Patrick. A regular contibuter to Den of Geek and Film4.com, Seb is one half of the writing team behind the time-travel SF radio sitcom A Brief History Of Time Travel. He's also a seasoned Marvel-ite and podcaster, and he joins us to look at Fantastic Four #66, featuring the first almost-but-not-quite appearance of cosmic Marvel hero Adam Warlock.

Along the way, we ask the burning question of just what would happen if KITT were a suspect in CSI, and we hit one of the all-time great number one singles.

Why not check out some of Seb's writing at http://www.sebpatrick.co.uk, or follow @sebpatrick on twitter? (https://twitter.com/sebpatrick). A Brief History Of Time Travel is available from http://www.abhott.com, where the entire series is availble on a pay-what-you-want basis.

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*Using our best Marvel-style numbering, we're casually ignoring at least three episodes to arrive at this figure!

Episode 74: Fantastic Four #65 - From Beyond This Planet Earth! Mar 29, 2014

Definitely Not Not Brand Echh!

It's really not.

What it is, though, is the 74th episode of The Fantasticast, hosted by Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland. This week we're looking at the first physical appearance of the Kree in the Marvel Universe, as both the Supreme Intelligence and Ronan The Accuser make their debut appearances in the Marvel Universe. Hint: One of these is a lot more prominent than the other! Yes, it's Fantastic Four #65.

We've also dragged show artist Michael Georgiou back for a second bout of commentary and stumbling through the Bullpen Bulletins.

And, as a special bonus, we spend almost two minutes looking at the lead strip from the first issue of Not Brand Echh!, Marvel's first humour mag. And I use the word 'humour' very broadly.

Why not drop by Mike's website (http://www.mikedraws.co.uk), buy a copy of Elemental Micah (http://www.elementalmicah.com), or follow Mike on twitter (https://twitter.com/MikeDraws)?

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Episode 73: Fantastic Four #64 - The Sentry Sinister Mar 22, 2014

Mike Draws Us In With His Synopsis

A little twitter-based humour for you there...

It's been a while since Steve and Andy invited a guest onto the show, and Fantastic Four #64 seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. Joining us this week is the writer and artist of Elemental Micah, and the cover artist of this very show, Michael Georgiou.

Michael jumps aboard as we gently explore the theories of Erich von Daniken (and by explore, I mean completely neglect to mention). The Kree make their first appearance in the Marvel Universe by proxy, with the Sentry Sinister. There's a mighty amount of destruction, one of Jack Kirby's greatest designs, and a suprisingly moving ending.

We also have one of the longest selection of outtakes we've had in a long time, although I should warn you - they are not for the faint-hearted...

Why not drop by Mike's website (http://www.mikedraws.co.uk), buy a copy of Elemental Micah (http://www.elementalmicah.com), or follow Mike on twitter (https://twitter.com/MikeDraws)?

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 72: Fantastic Four #63 - Blastarr, The Living Bomb-Burst! Mar 15, 2014

BLAST It, I Need A Funny Subtitle

Episode #72 of The Fantasticast is here, ready to BLAST you with a BLAST of audio goodness, BLASTing from your speaker/headphones into your non-BLAST-proof ears! BLAST BLAST BLAST! (Have you guessed that this week's villain is BLASTarr yet?)

Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland are here to continue guiding you through the Fantastic Four from the very beginning, this week looking at Fantastic Four #63, featuring a mighty team-up between the Sandman and Blastarr. Along the way, we discover some words that Stan may or may not have made up, we get totally awesomed by Jack's use of forced perspective, and we come across our first ever column from Stan "The Man" Lee - Stan's Soapbox.

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Episode 71: Fantastic Four #62 - And One Shall Save Him Mar 08, 2014

Punch A Submarine To Death

It's episode 71 of The Fantasticast and, in a rush to get the episode released so Steve can go watch Monty Python, he forgot to record a pre-titles stinger. So, imagine him singing the theme to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or something along those lines...

This week, Steve and Andy dig into Fantastic Four #62, featuring some terrible peril for Reed, the first appearance of Blastarr, and Triton punching a submarine to death. How could anyone not like this issue?

Don't forget to answer our Listener Question of The Month: We want to know the single issue that sums up the Fantastic Four for you!

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Episode 70: Fantastic Four #61 - Where Stalks The Sandman Mar 01, 2014

The summer sun is fading as the year grows old

And darker days are drawing near

The winter winds will be much colder

But The Fantasticast is here!

Today on The Fantasticast, Steve and Andy take a look at a powerful solo debut for a long-time Marvel universe villain in Fantastic Four #61. Yes, it's the Sandman, divorced of the Frightful Four and equipped with a great Jack Kirby-designed costume. It's a fast, brutal, action-filled issue that takes the team to and entirely new place...

Don't forget to answer our Listener Question of The Month: We want to know the single issue that sums up the Fantastic Four for you!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 69: Fantastic Four #60 - The Peril And The Power Feb 22, 2014

After nearly two-and-a-half years, Steve and Andy reach the conclusion of their journey. With their coverage of Fantastic Four #60, they have exhausted the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby issues collected by Marvel in Omnibus form. Today, we clobber our final vagrant.

Such sad tidings aside, we also have one of the best fights seen yet in the Fantastic Four as the team go head-to-head with the cosmically-powered Doctor Doom, with the fate of the planet hanging in the balance.

All this, and a special appearance from Professor Alan Middleton!

Don't forget to answer our Listener Question Of The Month: We want to know the single issue that sums up the Fantastic Four for you!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 68: Fantastic Four #59 - Doomsday! Feb 15, 2014

Hello, and welcome to the 68th episode of the show! Your hosts, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland, are all fired up and ready to look at Fantastic Four #59: Doomsday!

First, though, there's the small matter of our Listener Question of the Month, where we asked our listeners to tell us their feel good Fantastic Four reading experiences. Our feedback was limited, but we've gathered it all together anyway. There's also a new Listener Question of the Month for you all to answer... but you'll have to listen to the show to find out what that is.

Then it's off to Fantastic Four #59, wherein Doctor Doom poses a lot, the Fantastic Four cower a lot, Black Bolt shouts a lot, Attilan suddenly gains a population, and the longest-running subplot in Marvel Comics get wrapped up (a bit).

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Episode 67: Fantastic Four #58 - The Dismal Dregs Of Defeat Feb 08, 2014

The Silver Surfer: Imprisoned and drained. Doctor Doom: Enhanced with the power cosmic. The Inhumans: Still trapped. The Fantastic Four: Blissfully unaware of Doom's power, and wilfully ignorant of unusual lightning strikes.

Professor Alan Middleton: Still here after an entire week. His family miss him. He's eaten all the cereal and won't go and buy some more. Terrible house guest. Although he did write a synopsis for Fantastic Four #58, which saved Steve and Andy the bother of doing so.

Along the way, we pay tribute to Jack Kirby to mark the 20th anniversary of his passing, get involved in a detailed conversation regarding the benefits of renting vs buying in the context of discovering your borther-in-law's former college rival gaining unimaginable power, and remark on just how wonderful Doctor Doom is. That last bit may just be Alan...

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Episode 66: Fantastic Four #57 - Enter… Doctor Doom! Feb 01, 2014

So, who like Latverian monarchs? Who likes cosmically-powered ex-world-eater heralds? Who likes surfing? Who would like to see all three combined, and served with a side-salad of granule-based supervillain? And how would you like if such a story were to be covered on the show in the presence of the Cultural Attache to the Embassy of Latveria (or whatever his title is)?

We think you all would, which is why Steve and Andy are proud to welcome back to the Fantasticast... Professor Alan Middleton! Alan joins us as we start our coverage of one of the most epic stories Stan and Jack ever told. Fantastic Four #57 is the first of four issues to feature Doctor Doom and the usurped power of the Silver Surfer. If you thought it looked pretty poor in Rise of the Silver Surfer, we three are here to show you how it should have been done.

Oh, and one of the biggest outtakes ever.

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Episode 65: Fantastic Four Annual #4 - The Torch That Was Jan 25, 2014

It's time to dust off a character whose copyright is about to expire, deliver a resounding beat-down to a litigious creator, and welcome back the original android Human Torch to Marvel Comics. Join Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland as they cover Fantastic Four Annual #4, featuring The Torch That Was, and take a look at the behind-the-scenes goings-on that led to this copyright-retaining revival.

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Episode 64: Fantastic Four #56 - Klaw, The Murderous Master Of Sound Jan 18, 2014

I'll give you three guesses as to which villain makes a return in this issue, and the other two guesses just don't count. Yes, Klaw is back, and he's shed the meth-addict look for some a classic Kirby onesie, complete with unfortunate highlights around his backside. Fantastic Four #56 is devoted to clearing up the biggest loose end of the Fantastic Four's sojourn to Wakanda. See Sue fail to be silent. See Reed abandon his reasoning and resort to the power of his fists. See... er... something happen to the Inhumans.

As for the opening to the show... well... we literally ran out of time to create an opening. You have our sincerest apologies.

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Episode 63: Fantastic Four #55 - When Strikes The Silver Surfer Jan 11, 2014

It's our shortest ever episode as Steve and Andy see what happens when the Silver Surfer returns to the lives of the Fantastic Four in issue #55. It's a fantastic issue-long punching match between Ben Grimm and Norrin Rad, with at least one incredibly suspicious tactical decision from the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing along the way.

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Episode 62: Fantastic Four #54 - Whosoever Finds The Evil Eye... Jan 04, 2014

Year Three of The Fantasticast is here! If we were Batman, we'd be introducing our kid sidekick right about now... But as we legally can't do that, instead we're going to return to Lee and Kirby following our end-of-year shenanigans.

Steve Lacey (20 Minute Longbox, Who True Freaks) and Andy Leyland (Heykids Comics, Who True Freaks) are here to guide you through Fantastic Four #54, featuring the first appearances of Prestor John and the Evil Eye, two bastions of the Marvel Universe who definately aren't unknown by most readers of comics, oh no.We also dive into our e-mail bag, swing with Ol' Blue Eyes himself, and imagine the moment of JJ Abrams' birth.

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Episode 61: Fred Hembeck's Fantastic Four Roast Dec 28, 2013

Welcome to The World's Silliest Comic Podcast!

As our listeners rouse themselves from the annual turkey coma, we head back in time 31 years to celebrate with 20th year of publication of the Fantastic Four with a good old-fashioned roast. Yes, this episode, Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland present the glorious gag-packed jam issue, Fantastic Four Roast, masterminded by Fred Hembeck. Check out the list of creators:

Fred Hembeck, Jim Shooter, Ron Wilson, Jon Byrne, Michael Golden, John Romita Jr, Al Milgrom, Mike Zeck, Bob Layton, Alan Weiss, Sal Buscema, Mike Vosburg, Kerry Gammill, Keith Pollard, Frank Miller, Denys Cowan, Marshall Rogers, John Buscema, Don Perlin, Gene Day, Walt Simonson, Frank Springer, Brent Anderson, Steve Leialoha, Dave Cockrum, Chic Stone, Terry Austin, John Romita Sr, Joe Rubinstein, Joe Sinnott, John Beatty, Bill Anderson, Ricardo Villamonte, Dan Green, Keith Pollard, Klau Janson, Bob McLeod, Bill Sienkiewicz.

All this, and one of the greatest number one singles of all time.

Don't forget to answer our listener question of the month: We want to know your feel-good Fantastic Four reading experiences!

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Episode 60: Marvel Two-In-One #74 Dec 22, 2013

Happy Christmas, and welcome to the first of our two end-of-year special episodes of The Fantasticast. Once again, Steve and Andy are throwing the Lee/Kirby issues out of the window (not literally - we've proved over the past two years just how dangerous hardback collections of these comics can be) and are choosing two issues from across the length and breadth of the 53 years of the Fantastic Four.

Andy's selection is up first, and he's chosen 1981's Marvel Two-In-One #74, a Christmas-themed team-up between The Thing and the Puppet-Master. With script by Mark Gruenwald and art by Frank Springer and Chic Stone, this story features a guest-appearance from the best bovine midwife in the world - Bova!

Don't forget to answer our listener question of the month: We want to know your feel-good Fantastic Four reading experiences!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 59: Fantastic Four #53 - The Way It Began Dec 14, 2013

No, it's not another origin song - your ears are safe! Instead, it's an origin story, as Stan and Jack tell the tale of the Black Panther, and the tragedy that birthed him. Join Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland as they take a look at Fantastic Four #53, violent murder, giant red sound elephants, and a chilling comparison with Gotham's greatest hero.

Don't forget to answer our Listener Question Of The Month: We want to know your feel-good Fantastic Four reading experiences!

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Episode 58: Fantastic Four #52 - Introducing The Sensational Black Panther Dec 07, 2013

We've been back in, re-tooled, and fixed the audio.

We're back, re-recorded and 100% kinder on your ears than the original episode would have been. This time around, Steve and Andy get to grips with the introduction of the first black superhero, The Black Panther. Will this be a measured and respectful look at tribal life in another country, or will we get caught up in hideously inappopriate and dated stereotypes? The answer lies within. We also launch our new Listener Question Of The Month. if you responded to our last question, don't worry, we haven't forgotten about it. We'll be looking at all the feedback collected from this in next week's episode as we review your favourite under-rated Fantastic Four stories. All this, and the first adventure of the incredible Doctor Spynazi! Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 57.5: We've Made A Terrible Mistake All Over Again Nov 30, 2013

Hello, and welcome to the 58th episode of the Fantasticast, your guide to the Fantastic Four from the very beginning. Your hosts - Andrew Leyland (Heykids Comics) and Steve Lacey (20 Minute Longbox) are here to guide you through the contents of Fantastic Four #52, featuring the first appearance of the Black Pa- Wait, what?

Oh, right, that episode doesn't yet exist, thanks to an unfortunate piece of distortion on Andy's microphone that rendered the recording un-listenable. We'll be doing that next week, so to give you all a treat whilst you wait for this episode, have another batch of our now-legendary out-takes and introductions, this time picked from episodes 11-20.

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Episode 57: Fantastic Four #51 - This Man, This Monster Nov 23, 2013

This special episode of The Fantasticast statistically has a high chance of something magical happening if you listen to it on the day of release. For Saturday 23rd November is the anniversary of an assassination, the anniversary of a TV show, and more importantly, the first day of the Thought Bubble Comic Convention, which both Andy and Steve are attending. So, as you listen to this episode, we may very well be facing each other, dressed in our Fantasticast t-shirts, and generally being fantastic. If you see us at the show, do say 'hi'!

If you're not in Leeds on this day, then enjoy our coverage of Fantastic Four #51, the classic one-shot story This Man, This Monster. We had a lot of fun putting this episode together, and our little post-credits tribute to Doctor Who has to be heard to be believed.

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Episode 56: Fantastic Four #50 - The Startling Saga Of The Silver Surfer Nov 16, 2013

Guided by The Watcher, The Human Torch ventures into sub-space to seek the only weapon useable against Galactus. Meanwhile, cowed by The Punisher, The Thing, Mr Fantastic and The Invisible Girl find themselves powerless against The Destroyer Of Worlds. Only the power of The Silver Surfer can halt Galactus's plans to devour the Earth.

Steve and Andy, even more unable to affect the seemingly unstoppable sequence of events, have to satisfy themselves with recording a new episode of The Fantasticast, covering the 50th issue of The Fantastic Four. Do come and join us!

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Episode 55.5: We've Made A Huge Mistake Nov 09, 2013

Or, as this episode proves, rather a lot of mistakes, both huge and small.

Yes, it's another fill-in show, and we can promise you no singing this time around. Except that we can't really, there will be singing. But what we can give you is a selection of the best openings and outtakes from the first 10 episodes of The Fantasticast for your enjoyment.

Steve and Andy will return next week with their coverage of Fantastic Four #50 and the conclusion of the Galactus Trilogy.

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Episode 55: Fantastic Four #49 - If This Be Doomsday Nov 02, 2013

The Jack Kirby Collector has this to say about page 2 of Fantastic Four #49: "[it's] the exact point when the 1960s super-hero comics peaked."

The Encyclopaedia Galactica also covers this subject, going into greater detail about the impact of a second splash-page at the start of the comic, conveying the majesty and scale of the two characters portrayed.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy simply mentions that as the Earth is not about to be destroyed by a Vogon Constructor Fleet, then the events on this page must therefore be fictional, and can safely be disregarded. Unlike the Vogon Constructor Fleet.

Steve and Andy, however, find more to talk about in this comic than just one splash page, no matter how phenomenal that page is. There's the depiction of The Watcher, the arrival of the (original) Punisher, and the first meeting of the Silver Surfer and Alicia Masters. It's pretty good!

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Episode 54.5: A Brief, Musical Interlude Oct 26, 2013

With real life getting in the way of editing a podcast, Steve has thrown together a brief filler episode to keep you all going for the next seven days.

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Episode 54: Fantastic Four #48 - The Coming Of Galactus Oct 19, 2013

MY JOURNEY HAS ENDED

THIS PLANET SHALL SUSTAIN ME UNTIL IT HAS BEEN DRAINED OF ALL ELEMENTAL LIFE

SO SPEAKS... GALACTUS!

With these words, so ends the first part of a three-part story regarded by many as the peak of Marvel's 1960s comics.

Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland tackle Fantastic Four #48, wrapping up the opening story in the saga of the Inhumans, and introducing the Silver Surfer and Galactus to the Marvel Universe.

'Nuff said!

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Episode 53: Fantastic Four #47 - Beware The Hidden Land Oct 12, 2013

Sue's Inappropriate Haircut

When would be the least-appropriate time to get a haircut? 10 minutes before you're expected to walk up the aisle? Halfway through the Mens 100m Olympic final? Or on board a plane zooming halfway around the world, chasing a myserious super-powered being who has kidnapped another mysterious super-powered being and who may very well turn against mankind?

Well, the Fantasticast is here to reveal this answer. Steve and Andy get to grips with Fantastic Four #47, as the saga of the Inhumans steps up yet another level. The Royal Family is back together, we go to Attilan tfor the first time, and we meet Maximus - but is he Magnificent or Mad?

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Episode 52: Fantastic Four #46 - Those Who Would Destroy Us Oct 05, 2013

Who Seeks The Seeker?

Hello and welcome to the 52nd episode of The Fantasticast. There are now enough episodes for you to listen to one a week for an entire year. But it's not just about obvious and underwhelming numerical facts!

This time around, Andy's got a cold, and Steve's taken advantage of that to create the most revolting episode introduction yet. We're covering Fantastic Four #46 (in Andy's case, in a liberal dose of snot), as the Inhuman saga heats up and we get to see just how much of a badass Black Bolt is. We also find out which international celebrity spoiled the end of Breaking Bad on twitter during the record (don't worry, that spoiler is not repeated).

But most importantly of all, we launch our first listener question. We want you, lovely listener, to tell us what Fantastic Four stories you feel are underrated. When we (rightly) venerate the runs of Lee/Kirby, Byrne, Waid/Wieringo, and Hickman, which runs, stories, issue or miniseries do you feel don't get the attention that they deserve? E-mail us, tweet us, facebook us, comment us and let us know!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 51: Fantastic Four #45 - Among Us Hide… The Inhumans! Sep 28, 2013

Agents Of F.O.U.R.

Yes, the episode title is a blatant piece of attention-grabbing, what with the release of the TV show.

This week, we welcome back Charlie Niemeyer to the show. Host of Superman In The Bronze Age and Charlie's Geekcast, and co-host of Starman Observatory, Charlie is just the guy we wanted to have sit around whilst Steve summarises this week's issue!

And what an issue. Having been teased with Gorgon last week, we now get a full bevy of Inhumans this week. Crystal. Lockjaw. Karnak. Triton. Black Bolt. Kirby's opened up his imagination and letting everything spill out.

Along the way, we find time to do the Ninja Rap, have a gimp on the show, and sing the Dogtanian theme.

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Episode 50: Fantastic Four #44 - The Gentleman's Name Is Gorgon Sep 21, 2013

The Gentleman's Name Is... Niemeyer!

Hello and welcome to the landmark milestone never-to-be-reached-again-unless-we-restart-the-numbering fiftieth episode of The Fantasticast! In case you hadn't guessed from the title, this week Steve and Andy are joined by veteran podcaster Charlie Niemeyer. Known by some as the host of Charlie's Geekcast, by others as the host of Superman In The Bronze Age, soon-to-be-known by some as one of the co-hosts on Starman Observatory, Charlie is best known for his four-second appearance in our trailer as Doctor Doom.

This time around, we get to be ridiculously relevant and contemporary. Literally as I write this, Marvel are hosting a liveblog revealing the scope of the upcoming Inhumanity event. Two days, ago, Marvel released a trade paperback collecting this issue and several others, chronicling the origins of The Inhumans. And it all begins here: Issue 44 of The Fantastic Four - The Gentlemen's Name Is Gorgon. And as if this wasn't enough, the title welcomes its new regular inker, the legendary Joe Sinnott.

Along the way, we discuss Jack Kirby's influence on Bruce Timm, the best Golden Age penciller, and realise that just one corpse of Jon M Wilson in our basement isn't really enough...

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Episode 49: Fantastic Four Annual #3 - Bedlam At The Baxter Building Sep 14, 2013

You Are Cordially Invited...

Andrew Leyland and Stephen Lacey would like to invite you, the listener, to the wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm.

Venue: The Baxter Building. Time: To be confirmed upon RSVP.

Speeches to be given by the hosts and Samuel Savage.

Warning: S.H.I.E.L.D., upon advice from the groom, have issued notification that due to the high public profile of the wedding, there may be uninvited guests. Please be vigilant and comply with all security protocols.

Artists and writers need not attend.

Please RSVP to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 48: Fantastic Four #43 - Lo, There Shall Be An Ending Sep 07, 2013

Lo, There Shall be An Episode

Lo, there shall be a cover image. Redesigned by Sam Savage (more on him later) to better show off both the glorious Kirby cover artwork and the glorious Georgiou artwork.

Lo, there shall be a guest host. Sam Savage (see? I told you there'd be more of him) joins us this week to try his hand at speaking out loud. He does a pretty good job of it!

Lo, there shall be a coverage of Fantastic Four #43, featuring the wrap-up of the Frightful Four trilogy quadrilogy pentalogy wait, just how long has this story been going on for anyway?

Lo, there shall be an announcement about the future of the show that is completely genuine unlike the one where we fooled a couple of people into thinking we had quit the show.

Lo, there shall be an overly-dramatic and tedious joke throughout the shownotes for this episode.

Lo, there shall be feedback, which can be sent to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, left in the comments below or left over at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com

Lo, there shall be an ending to these notes. Verily, forsooth, thou shalt listen to the show until I say thee nay.

Episode 47: Fantastic Four #43 & X-Men #13 Aug 24, 2013

Because Once Just Isn't Enough

Hello and welcome to the 47th episode of The Fantasticast. There's a strong sense of deja vu in the air today, as thanks to a recording failure, Steve and Andy are doing it all over again. So, for the second time, we're covering Fantastic Four #43, wherein an evil Ben Grimm does his best to help the Frightful Four defeat the Fantastic Four. We're also checking in with X-Men #13, wherein a slightly-brainwashed Johnny Storm does his best to help the X-Men defeat the Juggernaut.

Along the way, we discuss Omnibuses, the departure of Matt Fraction, the awesomeness of Karl Kesel, the un-awesomeness of the original X-Men logo, and we have special guest-appearances from every guest-host we've had on the show to date.

There's also some singing. Sorry about that...

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Episode 46: Fantastic Four #41 - The Brutal Betrayal Of Ben Grimm Aug 10, 2013

Change, My Dear, And Not A Moment Too Soon

After 19 months and 46 episodes, Steve and Andy have decided to call it a day. Join us at the start of this episode as we broadcast live to the world to exclusively announce who the next hosts of the Fantasticast are. The betting has been hot, Rich Johnston keeps naming other potential hosts other than the ones who will be announced, and shortly, the secret will be revealed. Here's hoping all of the anticipation isn't in aid of a 30 second opening gag that ultimately changes nothing...

Hello and welcome to the 46th episode of the show. For real. Steve and Andy are trying a new way of recording, hoping to make Steve sound like a normal human being, and we hope you'll notice an improvement in the sound quality of the show.

It's a shorter episode than normal, as there's only one comic up for coverage this time around. So, we take a bit of time to trawl through the e-mails and feedback we've been receiving recently. Then it's into Fantastic Four #41 as the Frightful Four make their return with devastating consequences for the team.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 45: Fantastic Four #40 & Strange Tales #134 Jul 27, 2013

The Final Strange Tales

Hello and welcome to the 45th episode of the show. This time around, Steve and Andy are once again joined by Christine Hanefalk of The Other Murdock Papers to examine the guest appearances of Daredevil in the Fantastic Four. Well, half a guest-appearance at least. In Fantastic Four #40, the team, along with the Man Without Fear, take part in the Battle of the Baxter Building against none other than Doctor Doom. Then in Strange Tales #134, everybody's favourite non-interferer turns up to interfere. That's right, The Watcher is back.

This is our final episode covering Strange Tales as a core Fantastic Four title, and instead of leaving on what you might assume to be a down note (come on, there is a small chance that the story might be pretty good), we decided to produce a list each of five things that weren't terrible about Strange Tales.

Check out The Other Murdock Papers here, and follow @Chris_TOMP on twitter here.

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Episode 44: Fantastic Four #39 & Strange Tales #133 Jul 13, 2013

The Other Other Murdock Papers Podcast Podcast

Hello and welcome to the 44th episode of the show. This week, Andy and Steve are joined by Christine Hanefalk, writer of the The Other Murdock Papers blog and host of The Other Murdock Paper podcast. Why do we have such an incredibly awesome co-host who has dedicated large amounts of time and creativity to a blind lawyer who is definitely not a super-hero oh no not at all?

Well, Fantastic Four #39 is the first of a two-part epic featuring an attack from Doctor Doom, a powerless set of heroes, and a special guest-appearance from Daredevil! As well as this, Strange Tales #133 sees the return of the Puppet Master in a tale that... well... it's an issue of Strange Tales. 'nuff said.

All this, and singing, mispronunciation, impressions of Jackie Mason, some thoroughly filthy suggestions regarding what Reed can do with his technology, and a special appearance of Stan's ability to completely forget the names of his characters.

Check out this special post from The Other Murdock Papers here, and why not drop Christine a follow on twitter?

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Episode 43: Fantastic Four #38 & Strange Tales #132 Jun 29, 2013

From Rorschach To Father Jack

Hello and welcome to the new look for the Fantasticast. The wonderful Mike Georgiou has designed a band-spanking new image for the show, which you'll have seen on our facebook page, on our twitter account, and, if you've grabbed the episode through itunes or another podcatcher, you'll be seeing it on the show's page there. Check out Mike's work at his website, follow him on twitter, and maybe grab a copy of his great comic, Elemental Micah. And huge thanks go to Samuel Savage for adapting the image into our new format episode cover image!

Anyway, in today's episode, Andy and Steve face off against the returned Frightful Four, featuring the first appearance of The Trapster, in Fantastic Four #38. Then, a spot of undercover work at NASA goes awry in Strange Tales #132. Along the way, we've got masked psychopaths, Man of Steel spoilers, a reluctant admission that Strange Tales may not be crap, some new Avengers (no, not New Avengers!), and a sweary priest.

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Episode 42: Fantastic Four #37 & Strange Tales #131 Jun 17, 2013

Happy Birthday Us

Hello and welcome to the latest Fantasticast episode. Steve has just turned 30, and Andy has just turned a little-bit more, so it's celebration time. Or at least it would be if we hadn't recorded 2 weeks in advance and forgotten when this was due to be released...

This week, we look at Fantastic Four #37, as the team head into space to exact bloody vengeance upon the party responsible for the death of Dr Storm. Then, in Strange Tales #131, Johnny and Ben face off against the Mad Thinker, who has clearly been watching The Dam Busters.

If you're looking at the image and thinking 'gosh, that looks different', then you're right. Michael Georgiou - http://www.mikedraws.co.uk/ - has created a wonderful cover image for the show that you'll see rolled out across the websites, facebook and twitter pages very soon. Then, Samuel Savage took a shot at creating an episode cover image, so we thought we'd use it. Thanks to Mike for his amazing talent, and to Sam for the episode graphic.

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Episode 41: Fantastic Four #36 & Strange Tales #130 Jun 01, 2013

Andy's Amazingly Awesomely Authentic American Accent

It's challenge week over at The Fantasticast, as a surprising e-mail to the show leads Andy into uncharted vocal territory.

Fantastic Four #36 sees a whole slew of firsts for the title. The Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete escape from Strange Tales, The Sandman transfers over from Amazing Spider-Man, and we get the first ever appearance of a member of the Inhumans - Medusa. Then, in Strange Tales #130, Steve and Andy's American accent get to grips with a guest-appearance by none other than... The Beatles.

Joining us at the very end of the episode (and at no other point) is Beatles and Marvel Comics podcaster Josh Lapin-Bertone to briefly look at the Fab Four's appearance in Marvel continuity and to introduce the number one song, co-incidentally a Beatles track. Many thanks to Josh for joining the show for a couple of minutes.

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Episode 40: Fantastic Four #35 & Strange Tales #129 May 25, 2013

Love (And A Sodding Big Dragon) Is In The Air

In the second half of our coverage of books cover-dated February 1965, love blossoms unexpectedly. Steve and Andy take a look at Fantastic Four #35, as a giant dragon somehow comes to life and terrorises Ben and Reed's alma mater. Then in Strange Tales #129, some gubbins involving a train and some pathetic henchmen.

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Episode 39: Amazing Spider-Man #21 & Avengers #13 May 18, 2013

Amazing Spider-Man Classic

Today, we throw the rules out of the window and staunchly refuse to read any issue of Fantastic Four or Strange Tales. Instead,guided by editors notes, we attempt to put the comics cover-dated February 1965 into some sort of continuity order.

So, we start with Amazing Spider-Man #21, co-featuring The Human Torch. It's a three-way smackdown between Johnny Storm, Peter Parker, and Abner Jenkins. You know, The Beetle! We then briefly head over to Avengers #13 to see how the Four deal with the plans of Count Nefaria. And yes, I say Avengers #13. Unlike on the show, where Steve repeatedly says Avengers #12. Ignore him...

We also spend some time with your e-mails, and then - we're off! We've split the episode into two, to prevent audio overload and to allow Steve some time to edit. So, you get weekly Fantasticast for the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!

E-mail the show at fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below, or over at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com

Episode 38: Fantastic Four #34, Strange Tales #128 & Avengers #12 May 03, 2013

Two Not-That-Fat Men On Fantastic Four

Well, that was a different way to open the show...

This week sees a slightly-shorter-than-usual episode, for a few reasons. One is we're only covering 2 comics this time around. Another is that Strange Tales doesn't have a great deal going for it. And another is that Steve's mic was creating some pretty bad sounds, so he edited the heck out of the episode to minimise its impact.

In Fantastic Four #34, the mysterious tyrannical tycoon Gideon tries to prove his superiority by defeating the Fantastic Four, whilst Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver call in on the Baxter Building in Strange Tales #128. Oh, and Avengers #12 is covered in about 30 seconds, which may be a new podcast record...

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Episode 37: Fantastic Four #33, Strange Tales #127 & Amazing Spider-Man #19 Apr 20, 2013

Yes, Mr Lister, Sir!

Hello and welcome to another episode of The Fantasticast! This time around, Steve Lacey (20 Minute Longbox) and Andrew Leyland (HeyKids Comics) guide you through three excellent slices of Silver Age Marvel magic. Yes, three. We're classing Strange Tales this month as officially 'Not Crap'.

Fantastic Four #33 sees Lee and Kirby break the formula and conventions of the title to create genuinely exciting and innovative read, supported by some of the best art that Kirby and Stone have produced to date. Strange Tales #127 sees a mysterious villain challenge Ben and Johnny to a desert race to find out who is the better driver. Amazing Spider-Man #19 sees Peter Parker regain his mojo, and team up properly with the Human Torch for the first time. No snarkiness, no jokes, just great comics. And some snarkiness. And quite a few jokes, now that I come to think of it.

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Episode 36: Fantastic Four #32, Strange Tales #126 & Amazing Spider-Man #18 Apr 06, 2013

John Byrne Quits Comics

Hello and welcome to the 36th episode of the show! This time, Steve and Andy journey into Fantastic Four #32, where a mystery villain causes John Byrne to stop reading comics. Then we're off to Strange Tales #126, where two very familiar villains almost cause us to stop reading comics. Finally, we stop in to Amazing Spider-Man #18, where a returning villain barely appears, and Peter Parker decides to go a-stalkin' Betty Brant.

The Fantasticast: With extra added rapping with Cap and John Barnes.

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Episode 35: Fantastic Four #31, Strange Tales #125 & Amazing Spider-Man #17 Mar 23, 2013

House Of The Fallen Storm

Ooh, a cryptic title!

On this episode of the Fantasticast, Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland see the Fantastic Four title leap forward into a new era of storytelling, whilst featuring the team's very first villain. It's #31 - The Mad Menace of the Macabre Mole Man. Then in Strange Tales #125, the storytelling takes a huge leap backwards, before jumping forward again in Amazing Spider-Man #17. Oh, and we also have one of the greatest number one singles of all time to close the show.

But even more importantly than that, we're launching our very first competition with this episode. We're going to digitally give away every issue of the Marvel NOW Fantastic Four and FF series by Matt Fraction, Mark Bagley, Mark Farmer, Mike Allred and Laura Allred. To enter, all you need to do is to like us on Facebook and/or follow us on twitter. When we have 150 likes and 300 followers, we'll choose to likers/followers, and they will win either Fantastic Four or FF in digital form.

What are you waiting for? Go enter the competition!

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Episode 34: Fantastic Four Annual #2 & Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 Mar 09, 2013

The Doomcast

Hello, and welcome to the first episode of the Doomcast, hosted by Professor Alan. Joining him this week are Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland of The Fantasticast, who are summoned to the Office of the Cultural Attache of the Great State of Latveria to explain why so many of their episodes paint Doctor Doom in a villainnous light, rather than the heroic view that all peoples of Latveria see him.

Or... Professor Alan of The Book Guys join Steve and Andy this episode to take a look at the life and times of Victor von Doom, as presented in Fantastic Four Annual #2. From the first telling of his origin to his latest battle with the Fantastic Four, via a reprint of his first appearance, and many more surprises. Then it's a fast dive into Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 to establish just how the Four aid Spider-Man in his hour of need, when his greatest villains team up against him.

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Episode 33: Fantastic Four #30 & Strange Tales #124 Feb 23, 2013

Bad Horse, Bad Horse

He rides across the nation, the thoroughbred of sin, and when you eat that burger you'll be eating him. The food contamination sees his evil game begin. That lasagne, that nice burger, that hotdog might contain, of course, some horse (some horse), some horse (some horse).

Of course, if you've been ignoring the horse meat contamination scandal in the UK, then that intro means nothing to you.

This week's London Super Comic Covention-co-inciding episode sees Steve and Andy joined by Dave Walker of the Flash Legacies podcast. Dave provided the voice of Baron Hugo for our trailer, and having him on the show has been an ambition of ours for some time.

Steve, Andy and Dave dive into the origins of Diablo in Fantastic Four #30 before getting covered in gallons of paste from Paste-Pot Pete in Strange Tales #124. We also bid a very fond farewell to a battered and blood-stained vagrant-clobbering Fantastic Four Omnibus vol. 1.

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Episode 32: Fantastic Four #29, Strange Tales #123 & Tales of Suspense #55 Feb 08, 2013

Now With Genuine People Personalities

The 32nd episode of the Fantasticast is here, and Steve and Andy are ready to guide you through three Silver Age issues of Marvel goodness.*

*WARNING: Goodness is used for descriptive and not literal purposes.

We start with Fantastic Four #29 - It Started On Yancy Street, featuring the return of a surprise guest-villain and the first instance of Jack Kirby's photo montage. We then move to the origin of The Beetle in Strange Tales #123, before briefly checking in with the Tales of the Watcher in Tales of Suspense #55.

Along the way, we read listener e-mails, and make more references than a referency reference guide that references references.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 31: Fantastic Four #28 & Strange Tales #122 Jan 26, 2013

Just Three Of The Guys

It's time for another episode of the Fantasticast. This time around, Steve and Andy are joined by the mighty Shawn Engel, host of Just One Of The Guys and co-host of Two True Freaks: Walking Dead Wednesdays. Shawn joins us for one of the most interesting and enjoyable issues from this period - Fantastic Four #28: We Have To Fight The X-Men. No prizes for guessing who guest-stars in this issue...

Then it's on to Strange Tales #122, which features Three Against The Torch - Doctor Doom's super-powered henchmen going up against our flaming hero.

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Episode 30: Fantastic Four #27, Strange Tales #121 & Daredevil #2 Jan 12, 2013

Horny Namor

It's the 30th episode of The Fantasticast, and our first episode of 2013.

To kick off the new year, we start with one of the longest running plot threads in the Fantastic Four - that love triangle between Sue Storm, Reed Richards, and Namor the Sub-Mariner. It's time to wrap this plot up and put it to bed, and Fantastic Four #27 almost does that. We also say goodbye to inker George Roussos, and sadly he's not leaving on a high...

Then it's over to Strange Tales #121 and the highly-anticipated dreaded return of The Plant Man, before taking a fast dip into Daredevil #2 to see how a guest appearance by Marvel's First Family helps or hinders the second issue of this troubled title. We end with a song and a new closing tag.

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Episode 29: The Thing #2 & Fantastic Four #524 Dec 28, 2012

Steve And Andy Throw Their Normal Format Out Of Window, Choose Some Comics To Review, And Have An Unfeasibly Long Episode Title

Hey everybody! We did it! We made it to the end of our first year! Yes, one year ago (give or take a couple of days), the first episode of the show was released. To celebrate our first birthday, we decided to abandon our issue-by-issue format for one episode only, and do a little something special. A podcaster's choice, if you will. So, we chose an issue each from the entire length and breadth of the Fantastic Four and its related titles, with only one rule - No Stan & Jack.

Andy dove into the mid-1980s and chose the main secondary title from that decade, The Thing, by John Byrne and Ron Wilson. In fact, it's the second issue of that title, taking a long-overdue look at the early days of Ben and Reed's friendship and Ben's first love. Steve chose his very first Fantastic Four comic, the final issue of the legendary run by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo - Fantastic Four #524.

So, join us for two of our very favourite issues. Feel free to tell us about your favourite individual issues of the Fantastic Four by e-mailing us at fantastic4podcast@gmail.com

Episode 28: Strange Tales #120 Dec 22, 2012

Bailey's Iceman Podcast

And... we're back. Special guest-host Michael Bailey brings to a close his record-breaking run on the Fantasticast by joining Steve and Andrew to cover Strange Tales #120, featuring Iceman from the X-Men. It's a shorter episode this week, a little pre-Christmas appetiser, if you will.

The audio quality is a bit odd this week. The normal record failed, so we had to use Michael's backup record. Unfortunately, as Michael was about 4200 miles away from both Steve and Andrew, they sound a bit distorted. Many thanks to Michael for the backup recording - without this, we wouldn't have an episode! And many thanks to Michael for joining us on the show over the past four episodes. Below is a list of some of his current podcasts - go check them out!

Views From The Longbox

From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast

Bailey's Batman Podcast

Two True Freaks: Comics Monthly Mondays

PADSmash: An Incredible Hulk Podcast

Radio KAL

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Episode 27: Fantastic Four #26 Dec 15, 2012

Hulk Goes Home And Plays With His Trains

We're back, and we're bringing Michael Bailey with us!

Once again, we drag Michael into our business as we sit down and take a look at Fantastic Four #26, featuring the conclusion to the first ever two-part story in the Fantastic Four. Marvel as the Hulk and the Thing carry on punching each other! Be surprised at Reed's miraculous recovery! Astonish at the Avengers, busting out of their own book and cracking skulls in this one!

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Episode 26: Strange Tales #119 Dec 08, 2012

Ha! Not So Different After All!

Welcome to the 26th episode of the show. This episode is the second half of our coverage of the comics released in January 1964, focusing on the strangely different Rabble Rouser in Strange Tales #119. We also cover the reprints and collections of the issues, the British number one, and there's a bumper collection of outtakes and diversions that didn't quite fit into the episodes for you to enjoy.

Guest-host Michael Bailey returns to help us with this week's issue.

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Episode 25: Fantastic Four #25 Dec 01, 2012

December is here, and to celebrate, the Fantasticast has a special guest. We're also going weekly for the month. This week's episode focuses on Fantastic Four #25, where news of Captain America's ascendancy in The Avengers causes the Incredible Hulk to go on a rampage in New York, with only the First Family of Marvel standing in his way. Viruses, beatings and insecurity are all troubles that will have to be overcome if the team are to be triumphant.

To help us out with this multi-issue epic, we welcome onto the show Michael Bailey, of Views From The Longbox, From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast, Bailey's Batman Podcast, PADSmash: An Incredible Hulk Podcast, Two True Freaks: Comics Monthly Mondays, Xavier's Podcast For Gifted Children, Tales Of The Justice Society Of America, and many, many more.

Check back with us in 7 days for our coverage of Strange Tales #119.

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Episode 24: Fantastic Four #24 & Strange Tales #118 Nov 18, 2012

An Enfant Terrible Is Not Literally A Terrible Infant

No, it really isn't.

Welcome to the twenty-fourth episode of The Fantasticast. This time around, Steve Lacey (20 Minute Longbox) and Andrew Leyland (Heykids Comics) take a look at Fantastic Four #24 (featuring the Infant Terrible) and Strange Tales #118 (featuring the return, again, of the Wizard). To our surprise, both of these issues are better than our admittedly low expectations had led us to believe.

Along the way, we read your emails, talk a bit about the imminent meeting of bodies and minds as we meet for the first time on Saturday at the Thought Bubble convention, and spend a bit of time discussing omnibuses and absolutes.

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Episode 23: Fantastic Four #23 & Strange Tales #117 Nov 03, 2012

(Asbestos) Grease Is The Word

In the twenty-third episode of The Fantasticast, Steve and Andrew do the following:

Cover Fantastic Four #23 - The Master Plan of Doctor Doom
Cover Strange Tales #117 - The Return of The Eel
Read your e-mails
Explain social networking for the over-40s
Make at least one too many Jimmy Saville jokes
Sing

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Episode 22: Fantastic Four #22, Strange Tales #116, Avengers #3 & Amazing Spider-Man #8 Oct 19, 2012

Going Underground

Hello and welcome to the twenty-second episode of The Fantasticast! This week, Steve and Andy have their biggest haul of comics to cover for the show, as well as a mountain of emails to go through.

First up is the return of the Mole Man in Fantastic Four #22. Then we have a full-on smackdown between Ben and Johnny in Strange Tales #116. Then we drop in on Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers #3, before finishing off with another Spidey/Torch fight in Amazing Spider-Man #8.

We also spend some time going through emails and feedback to the show.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Don't forget to check out our daily panel blog at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com

Episode 21: Fantastic Four #21 & Strange Tales #115 Oct 06, 2012

Powered By Hateful Hate From A Hate Raygun

Joining Steve and Andrew today is the marvellously wonderful and hairy David Wynne, co-creator and artist of Hypergirl, creator of Ideasman, and all-round nice bloke. Oh, he also created the Fantastic-Arse joke, but we forgive him for that. David joins us to look at Fantastic Four #21, featuring the hateful Hate-Monger, Colonel Nick Fury, and a surprise guest-star on the final page. We then move onto Strange Tales #115, featuring the Sandman and... not much else.

We also introduce our new blog, Fantastic Flame On, a daily picture blog chronicling every instance of Flame On, It's Clobberin' Time, Asbestos, and more. Swing by the site to check it out!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

David Wynne can be found on twitter (@davidwynne) and tumblr (http://davidwynne.tumblr.com/, or http://bigfootrock.tumblr.com/)

Ideasman can be found at http://particlefiction.posterous.com/

Hypergirl can be ordered in trade paperback from here or in digital form from Comixology

Episode 20: Fantastic Four #20 & Strange Tales #114 Sep 22, 2012

The (Pre-Emtpive) Return Of Captain America (Secret Wars II Continues In This Episode)

Landmark! Record Breaker! We Never Thought You'd Get There! Just some of the comments made about this episode before it was even listened to by human ears!

Steve and Andrew re-unite once more to continue their trek through all things Fantastic. This episode they cover one of the less-good issues of the Fantastic Four, featuring the first appearence of the Molecule Man. They then move on to one of the less-bad issues of Strange Tales, featuring the first modern appearance of Captain America... sort of... Along the way, they tackle listener e-mails, and kill off the Teen Brigade.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 19: Fantastic Four (2005) Commentary Sep 08, 2012

NOW It's Time For A Move Commentary!

Greetings from the Olympic Park in Stratford, London! Steve is away helping people with mobility issues to move around the park, sneaking into events, and meeting Oscar Pistorius. Andrew's enjoying the last dregs of his holiday. Between us, we've had minimal editing time, so we thought we'd take a different tack with this week's show. Instead of working through a couple of issues of Fantastic Four and Strange Tales, we thought we'd sit down and watch Fantastic Four (2005), and record a commentary.

Join us as we journey through the team's first (released) cinematic outing and see how we feel about the film seven years after its release. We also take a brief moment to evaluate the upcoming Marvel NOW (not a) reboot of the Fantastic Four titles.

No emails or trailers this time around, but we'll be devoting a bit of time on the next episode to catch up on our mailbag, so do send your comments and thoughts on the show, the comics, or even the film to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com

Episode 18: Fantastic Four #19, Strange Tales #113 & Amazing Spider-Man #5 Aug 25, 2012

Pharoahs and Plants, Spiders and Soldiers

Welcome to the Eighteenth episode of the Fantasticast, where Andrew and Steve take you through the Fantastic Four from the very beginning. This time around, we have a monster episode with four issues to cover.

In Fantastic Four #19, we meet Rama-Tut/Kang/Immortus for the very first time in a time-travelling romp to Ancient Egypt. Then in Strange Tales #113, Jerry Siegel regales us with the saga of the Plant Man. We then move over to Amazing Spider-Man #5, where Doctor Doom forces the Fantastic Four to make a brief appearance in the narrative, before finishing with an overdue look at Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos #3.

Along the way we hear a couple more 'And we're back's', debate the influence of Asterix on Stan and Jack, and discover what happens when Andrew's 's' key stops working.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 17: Fantastic Four #18, Strange Tales #112 & Avengers #1 Aug 11, 2012

No Funny Episode Title Springs To Mind

Damn my alcohol-fueled lack of imagination!

Welcome to the 17th episode of The Fantasticast. This week, Andrew and Stephen take a look at Fantastic Four #18, featuring the first appearance of the Super-Skrull and formulaic plotting. We then dive into Strange Tales #112, where an unexpected guest-scripter takes the series to new heights. Just with lots of words. And a very casual attitude to atomic explosions. Ah well.

Finally we take a brief look at Avengers #1 and the role our favourite family play in the founding of Earth's Mightiest Heroes! It's a pretty packed episode, and it's surprising we fit it all into one-and-a-half hours!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 16: Fantastic Four Annual #1 & Strange Tales Annual #2 Jul 28, 2012

The Best Of Annuals, The Wost Of Annuals

This is the 16th episode of The Fantasticast, and it's our biggest one yet. Which is appropriate, considering we're looking at the largest amount of story pages yet on the show. To help us out with this massive task, we invited podcaster extraordinaire Jon M. Wilson (New 52 Adventures of Superman, Golden Age Superman, Xavier's Podcast For Gifted Children, The Mighty Shield, Amazing Spider-Man Classics, Teenage Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast) to sit in with us for the show. And to our great delight, he agreed!

It's time for us to take a look at Fantastic Four Annual #1 and Strange Tales Annual #2. In one, the Marvel universe expands in breadth and depth. The world is invaded, the secret history of Atlantis is revealed, and Jack Kirby hits an artistic peak. In the other, there's a load of gubbins involving The Human Torch and some imposter dressed up as Spider-Man, and Jack Kirby hits an artistic trough.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 15: Fantastic Four #17 & Strange Tales #111 Jul 15, 2012

Whence Came The Man Of Asbestos!

Dedicated to the memory of the great Ernest Borgnine, without whom Airwolf would never have flown.

The fifteenth episode of The Fantasticast! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! Featuring the return of Doctor Doom! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! The deadly attack of the Asbestos Man! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! The voice of Professor Alan! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! Spoiling the end of Quantum Leap! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!

Quit demanding stuff, it's making our episodes too random!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 14: Fantastic Four #16, Strange Tales #110 & Amazing Spider-Man #2 Jun 30, 2012

The Return of Doctor Doom!

Cower, mortals, for this episode of the Fantasticast sees Doom return in all his gloriousness, and at only a fraction of his original size! Featuring a special guest appearance from Ant Man and possibly the first appearance of the Microverse! But we don't end there! Both the Wizard and Paste Pot Pete team up in the latest issue of Strange Tales. But we don't end there! See how Johnny Storm helps Peter Parker in his first battle with Doctor Octopus... without even knowing it!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 13: Fantastic Four #15 & Strange Tales #109 Jun 16, 2012

The Thinker's Fantastical Predictions

Hello and welcome to a very special episode of The Fantasticast! Not only are we celebrating half a year's worth of the show (we're aiming for 26 a year), but we're also celebrating the birthdays of both Andrew and Stephen, born only 24 hours (and a handful of years) apart. Not that we realised this when recording the show, but I thought I'd put some metaphorical balloons up anyway!

So, this time around, we get to grip with The Mad Thinker and his Awesome Android in Fantastic Four #15. Steve's been going on for weeks how much he dislikes the Thinker, so the contents of this episode may just surprise you. And then it's over to Strange Tales #109 for the threat of the Sorceror and the contents of Pandora's Box. And with a villain called the Sorceror, you just know we've gone overboard with the Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy music...

We also cover our most recent e-mails, but we need some more, so please do send your feedback, thoughts, views, comments, abuse, dirty jokes, and requests for help in moving money out of Nigeria to: fantastic4podcast@gmail.com

Episode 12: Fantastic Four #14 & Strange Tales #108 Jun 02, 2012

HYPNOFISH!!!

Twelve episodes into the Fantasticast and Andrew and Stephen find themselves confronted by the titanic not-quite-a-team-up of Namor and Puppet Master, followed by the worst forger (and moustache) in the world, The Painter. Discover the joys of the Hypnofish, marvel at Alicia Masters' uncanny ability to resolve the plot in time for the end of the book, and cower before the meance of Wilhelm van Vile.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 11: Fantastic Four #13 & Strange Tales #107 May 18, 2012

Red? Yes! Communist? Yes! Russian? No!

Just to be clear, Ivan Kragoff, the Red Ghost, is not Russian at all. Oh no.

Welcome to the 11th episode of the Mighty Fantasticast. This week, your hosts - Andrew Leyland and Steve Lacey - take a deep breath and dive into one of Stan and Jack's kookier concepts, the Red Ghost and his super-apes. It's not all crazy super-simians though, as we encounter a mysterious being who embodies the concept of non-interference (unless it suits the writer to have him interfere), The Watcher. It's Fantastic Four #13 in all its glory!

We then come back down to Earth and journey beneath the seas as we join Johnny Storm as he seeks out Namor the Sub-Mariner to exact vengeance for something or other, possibly boredom.

We also spend a few minutes catching up with your emails and feedback. Keep them coming in and we'll feature each and every one in an upcoming episode.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 10: Fantastic Four #12, Strange Tales #106 & Amazing Spider-Man #1 May 04, 2012

Hulk? Smash!

Hurrah, it's another Weter-iffic episode of the Fantasticast! But why is it Weter-iffic? Well, dear listner, it is Weter-iffic due to the presence of our latest guest-host. You may have heard him on Superman Forever Radio, Green Lantern's Light, The New 52 Adventures of Superman, or PADSMASH: An Incredible Hulk Podcast. He is J. David Weter, and he joins us for the seminal Fantastic Four #12, featuring ol' jade-jaws himself, The Incredible Hulk.

Following this, we stop off in Strange Tales #106 as the Acrobat causes mischief, mayhem, and the abandonment of something very important to the nascent Johnny Storm. And finally, we celebrate the publication of the iconic Amazing Spider-Man #1 by taking a look at the team's first ever appearance outside of one of their own titles.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave it over at the libsyn site. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 9: Fantastic Four #11 & Strange Tales #106 Apr 20, 2012

Patriotic Pedestrians Proceeding from Planet Poppup Prefer Poorly Produced Podcasts

I don't consider our show poorly produced, but we have been experiencing sound quality issues that do affect this episode. Sorry!

This week Steve and Andy are on their own, and they're taking a look at two slices of Silver age scrumptiousness. First up is Fantastic Four #11, featuring the first appearances of Willie Lumpkin and The Impossible Man. And then, to finish off, there's Strange Tales #106, featuring the second appearance of most of the Wizard.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, or leave comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter where we are @fantasticast

Episode 8: Fantastic Four #10 & Strange Tales #104 Apr 07, 2012

Don! Don! Don! Don-Don-Don! Don-Don-Don!

(It's the Imperial March)

Welcome to Episode Eight of the Fantasticast! I can't believe we've been doing this for more hours than there are of television and film set in the world of Firefly! This episode sees veteran podcaster Donovan Morgan Grant (Amazing Spider-Man Classics, The Next Dimension: A Dragonball Z Podcast) jump aboard for two hours of mind-swapping madness and sticky goodness as we take a look at Fantastic Four #10 and Strange Tales #104. We find out how Doctor Doom survive the ravages of space, watch the team read some mail, and meet Paste Pot Pete and give him every ounce of respect that his first appearance deserves.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com (we'll be reading e-mails in future episodes as your comments catch up with our recording schedule) or leave your comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter where we are @fantasticast

Episode 7: Fantastic Four #9 & Strange Tales #103 Mar 25, 2012

S(&)M Studios!

Stephen and Andrew are (mostly) going it alone this week, taking a look at Fantastic Four #9, which gave us the first appearance of the classic Silver Age Marvel trope, the use of a film shoot to cover the plans of a nefarious ne'er-do-well! There's fun galore as the signal flare is used and abused, as Stan and Jack cram in a bunch of celebrity cameos, as the Human Torch faces off against a fire-proof tribe, and Ben and Namor get down to business in one of the best fight scenes yet in the book. And then there's Strange Tales #103, which has some mucking around in the 5th dimension (not that one...) in a fairly forgettable story that has already slipped my memory.

We're also briefly joined by Jon M. Wilson and J. David Weter of The New 52 Adventures of Superman to establish just what the heck went on with the last episode...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com or leave your comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 6: Fantastic Four #8 & Strange Tales #102 Mar 10, 2012

Like A Puppet On A String

This week, Andrew and Steve are joined by veteran podcaster Joshua Lapin-Bertone, formerly of Amazing Spider-Man Classics and currently of Clone Saga Chronicles, The Spider-Man Crawlspace and Bertone Beatle Bonanza, amongst others. Josh is a veteran of the Silver Age, despite not having lived through it, and was also the voice for Namor in our amazing trailer, so we couldn't wait to get him onto the show.

This time, we cover the first appearance of Philip and Alicia Masters in Fantastic Four #8, whilst the Wizard and his alarming choice of facial hair pop up to render a future retcon null and void in Strange Tales #102.

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com or leave your comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 5: Fantastic Four #7 & Strange Tales #101 Feb 24, 2012

The Strangest Tales Of All

Hello and welcome to the fifth episode of the Fantasticast. Andrew Leyland and Steve Lacey are your guides today as we journey through Fantastic Four #7 and Strange Tales #101, the first issue of that title to feature the (almost) solo adventures of The Human Torch. Along the way, we nearly redo a gag from a previous episode, get highly distracted by anything shiny nearby, and, almost by accident, manage to provide some commentary on the issues!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com or leave comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

Episode 4: E-mails and Fantastic Four #6 Feb 11, 2012

Super-Villain Team Up

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey (20 Minute Longbox) and Andrew Leyland (Heykids Comics) team up every two weeks to examine the Fantastic Four from the very beginning. This week we take some time out from the series to take a look at the feedback sent in by our listeners, before spending some time with Fantastic Four #6, featuring the first team up of Namor and Doctor Doom!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com or leave comments on the libsyn page. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast.

Episode 3: Fantastic Four #4 & #5 Jan 28, 2012

Super-Villain Cavalcade

Welcome to the third episode of The Fantasticast, the fortnightly show where Steve Lacey and Andrew Leyland take a look at every issue of the Fantastic Four from the very beginning. This time out, we take a look at Fantastic Four #4 and #5, featuring the first appearances of two of the greatest antagonists for the team: Namor, the Sub-Mariner, and Doctor Doom.

Oh, and we reveal the truth about the hosts: Our well-crafted outer appearance of mature and responsible adults completely crumbles when faced with a story in which Namor's mighty horn features prominently.

Fnarr...

Feedback can be sent to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com

Episode 2: Fantastic Four #2 & #3 Jan 14, 2012

Secret Invasion Tie-In

No, really. Fantastic Four #2 was included in the Secret Invasion: The Infiltration trade paperback. So it counts.

Hello, and welcome to the special edition of episode 2 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This week, we're taking the tentative second steps on our journey through the lives and times of The Fantastic Four by taking a look at the second and third issues of the comic. In Fantastic Four #2, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby start flexing their cosmic muscles, introducing one of the mainstay alien races of the Marvel Universe, the Skrulls. In Fantastic Four #3, we get The Miracle Man. Well, not every one can be a winner...

We also take the time to reveal of your (and our) favourite podcasters lent their voices to our original trailer. And then, once all the original fun is done, Steve takes a few minutes to reflect on the second episode, the successes and the regrettable mistakes. Oh, and if you've been wondering where the outtakes from this episode were? They've been found. Finally, you can find out why Andy was laughing a little bit at one point. It's good when a mystery gets solved...

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at www.TheFantasticast.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Episode 1: Introductions, Origins, and Fantastic Four #1 Jan 01, 2012

And So It Begins...

Hello, and welcome to episode 1 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four.

This is our special edition of our first episode. The audio is a bit cleaner, we've found some outtakes, there's a special producer's commentary, and Andy now shoots first. We hope you enjoy this episode but, as the commentary points out, the show has come a long way since this first recording. We have a much stronger format, much better quality audio, and we sound much more convincing when we're pretending that we're any kind of authority on the subject matter.

To kick off the Fantasticast, we spend this episode introducing ourselves and answering the important question of why we would want to podcast about the Fantastic Four, before taking a look at the origins of the Marvel Age of Comics, then finally covering Fantastic Four #1.

It's the first step on a road that covers the entire Lee/Kirby era, the Human Torch's adventures in Strange Tales, Marvel Two-In-One, and more. Welcome to The Fantasticast - we hope you survive the X-Men reference!

Send in your feedback to fantastic4podcast@gmail.com, leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at fantasticflameon.wordpress.com. Follow us on twitter, where we are @fantasticast

The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit www.patreon.com/fantasticast to donate and support us.

The Fantasticast is part of the Flickering Myth Podcast network.

Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at mikedraws.co.uk

Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.

Fantasticast Trailer Nov 13, 2011

Hello, and welcome to the trailer for the Fantasticast, a new podcast cover the Fantastic Four from the very beginning. The show will go live in January 2012, with the trailer making a splash in December 2011. Please feel free to download and use the trailer in your shows. Let us know if you have done so at fantastic4podcast@gmail.com so that we can return the favour.

The Fantasicast is brought to you by Steve Lacey (World of Superman, 20 Minute Longbox) and Andrew Leyland (Heykids Comics).

Cast List:

Ben Grimm/The Thing: Michael Bailey

Sue Storm/The Invisible Girl: Angela Leyland

Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic: Jon M. Wilson

Johnny Storm/The Human Torch: Micheal Leyland

The Mole Man: Donovan Morgan Grant

Namor, The Sub-Mariner: Joshua Lapin Bertone

Doctor Doom: Charlie Niemeyer

The Puppet Master: Michael Bradley

The Impossible Man From Planet Poppup: Andrew Leyland

The Mad Thinker: Thwipping Boy Chris