It's Avengers week on Talkin' Comics Podcast!

We're celebrating the release of Avengers #1 with a special Avengers mystery box unboxing! We picked up an Avengers blind bag box packed with variant covers, exclusive artwork, and the possibility of finding something really special. Will we pull a sketch cover? Which covers will be our favorites? And why did we end up with two exclusive covers instead of the promised number of blind bags?

This week, AJ and Annakhan also share their weekly comic book pulls, talk about their latest reads, and take a look at what's happening in the world of Marvel Comics.

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🎧 Subscribe to Talkin' Comics Podcast for weekly comic book hauls, creator conversations, trivia, games, and plenty of comic book fun!

Like, comment, and subscribe. Let us know which Avengers variant cover was your favorite and whether you think we could have pulled a sketch cover!

#Avengers #MarvelComics #comicbookunboxing

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Christmas Decorations and Talking Comics Episode 166

2:20 Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

2:50 This Week’s Comic Book Picks

5:22 Batman: Justice Buster and This Week’s Reading

7:02 Catching Up on Thor and Harley Quinn

10:05 Avengers Blind-Box Unboxing

23:10 Avengers Trivia and This-or-That

36:57 What’s Coming Up This Week

38:27 Weekend Sign-Off

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How do you break into comic book writing? What does it really take to create an independent comic book? And what happens when a comic book story begins with a family's real-life history?

On this episode of Talkin' Comics Podcast, AJ Reimann sits down with comic book writer C.E. Massari for a wide-ranging conversation about the creative journey, the challenges of independent comics, learning from failure, and the remarkable family history that inspired his graphic novel, The Mafia vs. the Clan.

C.E. Massari didn't take a straight path into comics. His writing career began with mixed martial arts journalism before he moved into comics journalism, interviewed industry creators, and pursued his own comic book projects. Along the way, he experienced setbacks, projects that didn't work out, and lessons that helped him develop as a writer.

We talk about why aspiring comic creators should stop waiting for the perfect idea and start making comics, why learning by doing matters, and how setbacks can become valuable experience rather than reasons to quit.

Then we dive into the fascinating story behind The Mafia vs. the Clan. Inspired in part by C.E.'s Italian-American family history, the graphic novel combines historical research, family stories, and creative storytelling. C.E. explains how researching his grandfather's past uncovered details about a tragic family event that had largely faded from the family's collective memory.

We also discuss the responsibility of telling real family stories, the balance between historical accuracy and entertainment, and how a creator can transform years of research into a compelling comic book narrative.

Plus, we discuss comic book collecting, Spider-Man, anime, Marvel and DC, favorite comic runs, and C.E.'s upcoming supernatural comic aimed at teen readers.

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Guest: C.E. Massari @c.e.massari

Please take a look at the current Kickstarter, Accepting Late Backers!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cemassari/the-mafia-vs-the-klan

🚀 Don’t Miss Out

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

📚 Follow Our Journey Into Comics

👫 Family Friendly

🎙 Creator Conversations

🦸🏼 Learning to Write & Draw

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:11 The Journey into Writing and MMA Journalism

03:02 Transitioning to Comics and Creator-Owned Projects

05:54 Networking and Learning from Industry Professionals

09:03 The Importance of Persistence and Learning from Failure

12:16 Balancing Life Responsibilities with Creative Pursuits

15:04 The Value of Doing and Practical Experience

21:14 The Importance of Creating Comics

26:01 Exploring Personal Stories in Comics

26:29 The Mafia vs. The Klan: A Historical Narrative

37:18 Family History and Its Impact on Storytelling

50:48 Exploring Family Heritage and Storytelling

53:13 The Importance of Crafting a Compelling Narrative

55:06 Personal Connections to History and Ancestry

55:23 Comic Book Influences and Early Memories

57:17 Imagining Superpowers and Sidekicks

01:04:05 Life as a Comic Book: Master of None

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#TalkinComicsPodcast

#ComicBookWriting

#IndependentComics

#ComicBookCreators

#GraphicNovels

#ComicBookPodcast

#ComicBookWriter

#IndieComics

#SourcePointPress

#TheMafiaVsTheClan

#CreatorJourney

#ComicBookHistory

#ComicBookCommunity

🎃 HALLOWEEN COMICS, SUPERHERO TRIVIA & OUR WEEKLY COMIC BOOK HAUL! 🎃

Welcome back to Talkin' Comics Podcast! AJ and Annakhan are back for Episode 164, and we're celebrating Halloween with new comic books, superhero trivia, spooky comic book characters, and plenty of comic-loving fun!

This week, we're showing off our latest comic book pickups, talking about what we've been reading, exploring some classic Thor moments, and testing our comic book knowledge with Halloween-themed Marvel and DC trivia.

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Co-Host: Annakhan

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Episode 164 and Halloween Excitement

1:16 Weekly Pulls: Wonder Woman, Absolute Batman and More

4:29 Bad Seeds Covers and Harley Quinn Finds

7:12 Yellow Bird Comics' Store-Exclusive Absolute Batman Variant

8:54 What We Read This Week

11:15 Thor Dives: Captain America Loses His Name

14:07 Question Time: The "Same Answer" Game

21:55 Halloween Comic Trivia

25:36 This or That: Halloween Edition

28:00 Bonus Questions: Haunted Mansion or Vampire Castle

29:58 Harley and Elvira, and Next Week's Reading

30:48 Sign-Off: Halloween Plans and Clocks Back

#TalkinComics #ComicBookHaul #ComicBookTrivia #MarvelComics #DCComics #HalloweenComics

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It's spooky season on Talkin' Comics Podcast! 🎃📚 AJ and Annakhan are back for Episode 162 with another weekly comic book hangout packed with comic book hauls, reading updates, DC Comics trivia, superhero games, Halloween fun, and an honest conversation about comic book blind bags.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What comic should AJ read after Dick Tracy?

What's your favorite DC Comics character?

Have you bought comic book blind bags? Were they worth it?

What would your ultimate Halloween superhero or villain be?

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Co-Host: Annakhan

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

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⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Intro – Episode 162 & Spooky Season Banter

2:04 Weekly Pulls

4:07 What We Read This Week (Thor, Dick Tracy & More)

9:16 What We Watched & Played

12:49 Mystery Package: Jake Harris's Rusty Stubbs

16:39 Question Time: DC Halloween Trivia

21:00 Guess the Character

26:04 Real or Fake: DC Halloween Edition

27:25 Batman or Superman? Pick Your Side

30:05 Bonus Question: Create a Halloween Villain

32:52 Would You Rather: Arkham or the Haunted Forest

33:41 Keenspot Blind Bag Refunds

38:59 Wrap-Up & Halloween Hype

#TalkinComicsPodcast

#ComicBooks

#DCComics

#ComicBookHaul

#ComicBookTrivia

#Batman

#HalloweenComics

#ThorComics

#ComicCollecting

#HarleyQuinn

#ComicBookCommunity

#FamilyFriendly

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What does it take to create your own comic book universe? On this episode of Talkin' Comics Podcast, AJ Reimann sits down with independent comic book creator Robbie Burnham of RetroLand Comics to talk about his journey from a lifelong love of the X-Men to creating original superheroes, writing personal stories, and bringing independent comics to life.

Robbie shares how his experiences growing up helped inspire his characters and stories, why his original comic ideas stayed with him for years, and how a Dungeons & Dragons campaign helped inspire a comic book storyline.

We also discuss the creative process behind independent comics, working with artists, funding comic books out of pocket, and finding ways to promote your work without a big publishing company behind you.

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Guest: Robbie Burnham @RetrolandComics retrolandcomics.net

🚀 Don’t Miss Out

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

📚 Follow Our Journey Into Comics

👫 Family Friendly

🎙 Creator Conversations

🦸🏼 Learning to Write & Draw

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Robbie Burnham and Virtual Land Comics

01:58 Character development: Ronnie and Donny in Civil Society

03:52 Artwork and cover art insights for Civil Society and Angry War

04:33 Family influence and personal stories behind the characters

05:22 Starting to write at age 15 and evolving the story

06:55 Writing for a campaign and planning story arcs

08:38 Finding artists and managing collaborations

10:11 Marketing indie comics through social media and videos

11:54 Favorite comics and characters: Wolverine and X-Men

13:18 First comic book experiences and childhood influences

14:25 Current comic reading habits and new releases

15:48 Future projects, long-term goals, and funding strategies

17:27 Living in a comic universe: superpowers and sidekicks

18:51 Creative process: giving artists freedom and collaboration

20:18 Writing 22 issues of Civil Society and planning for 40

22:48 Marketing and selling comics at local shops and events

24:12 Life as a comic book: what would the title be?

24:37 Family reactions and personal stories behind the characters

25:59 Writing routines, rituals, and overcoming creative blocks

27:37 Upcoming projects, releases, and staying motivated

28:55 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

#TalkinComicsPodcast #IndieComics #ComicBookCreator #ComicBooks #ComicBookWriting #SelfPublishing #ComicBookArtist #Superheroes #XMen #DnD #IndependentComics #ComicBookCommunity #RetroLandComics

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It's time for another weekly comic book hangout with AJ and Annakhan on Talkin' Comics Podcast! This week, we're talking new comic book pickups, sharing what we've been reading, opening horror comic blind bags, celebrating indie comics, and putting our comic knowledge to the test with Halloween Marvel trivia!

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Co-Host: Annakhan

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

03:55 Concert Experiences and Personal Updates

10:06 Kickstarter Unboxing and New Releases

16:10 Blind Bag Openings and Collectibles

26:10 Trivia Time: Halloween Marvel Questions

38:52 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

#MarvelTrivia #ComicBooks #XMen #HalloweenTrivia #ComicBookHaul #HorrorComics #IndieComics #ComicBookCollecting #ComicBookPodcast #TalkinComicsPodcast #PanelPete

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What does it take to become a comic book artist, create an independent comic, and find your place in the comic book community?

On this episode of Talkin' Comics Podcast, AJ sits down with Mark, an independent comic book artist from the Nashville area, to talk about learning to draw, developing comic art skills, creating original stories, and finding inspiration through other creators.

Mark shares how he began teaching himself to draw during 2020, why the Proko Art of Storytelling course became an important part of his artistic development, and how learning techniques like thumbnailing, composition, lighting, and visual storytelling helped him approach comic pages differently.

Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

Guest: Mark Tutaj @marktutajdraws https://globalcomix.com/a/marktutajdraws

🚀 Don’t Miss Out

🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/

📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/

🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic

🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast

📚 Follow Our Journey Into Comics

👫 Family Friendly

🎙 Creator Conversations

🦸🏼 Learning to Write & Draw

👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comics

Sponsors:

• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete

👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...

Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Meet Mark: An Indie Comic Book Artist

01:08 – Learning to Draw During 2020

02:41 – Teaching Yourself Comic Art

03:54 – Proko's Art of Storytelling Course

05:11 – Thumbnailing and Improving Comic Pages

06:54 – The Journey from Beginner to Better Artist

08:12 – Drawing Together and Finding Inspiration

10:04 – Learning to Let Go of Artistic Perfection

11:36 – From Cartoon Strips to Comic Book Art

13:35 – Drawing Backgrounds and Building Environments

14:23 – Creating a Christmas Horror Comic

15:45 – Turning a Script into a Finished Comic

16:58 – A New World War I Monster-Hunter Series

19:03 – Patreon, Free Issues, and Independent Comics

21:02 – Substack, Memberships, and Creative Extras

24:11 – Mini-Series Ideas and Bonus Content

27:13 – Why Marketing Your Comics Matters

28:52 – Finding Your Creative Marketing Voice

29:37 – Meeting Creators in Person

30:51 – Building a Supportive Comic Book Community

33:21 – Finding Fans Beyond the Creator Community

35:38 – How Comics Bring People Together

36:06 – Mark's First Favorite Superhero: Batman

36:23 – Remembering His First Comic Book

37:24 – Reading Comics with Your Kids

38:29 – Choosing a Comic Universe and Superpower

40:05 – If Mark's Life Were a Comic Book

40:48 – Discovering Wondermark and Vintage Art

41:45 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Mark

#ComicBooks #IndieComics #ComicBookArtist #ComicBookArt #ComicBookCreator #HowToDrawComics #IndependentComics #HorrorComics #ComicBookCommunity #CreatorInterview #TalkinComicsPodcast

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