Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast

A common complaint within the comics discourse is that new books can’t get past the sixth issue. Well, friends, have you been reading The Toxic Avenger over at Ahoy Comics? Cartoonist Matt Bors, along with several other artists, has been building a massive universe of stories at Ahoy, and they’ve radically upgraded the Troma superhero for the modern era. These are books with bite, and stories stuffed with relevance.

Bors is back on the podcast this week to explore how he became the one to shape the comic book Toxie. We discuss his earliest encounter with the character in cartoons and films, and how those experiences were his first foray into the taboo and into challenging the system. We talk about maintaining the Troma spirit, making filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman proud, and creating space to tell your own damn stories.

Next month, Toxie and Yvonne find themselves pregnant in the new Ahoy series, The Toxic Avenger vs. The Noxious Offender. Parenthood will challenge them in ways they can not possibly imagine, especially when Toxie's evil doppelgänger makes his first comic book appearance. We’ve read the first two issues, and they’re dynamite. Bors and artist Felipe Sobreiro deliver another essential Toxic Avenger story packed with genuine emotion and powerful pertinence. If you’re looking for a universe to get lost in, you must seek it out.

Before diving into our conversation with Matt Bors, we also review the new documentary, The Mad World of Harvey Kurtzman, directed by Bart Simpson (no, not that one). We connect the dots between Kurtzman and Bors, and celebrate the massive reach Mad (and so many other Kurtzman creations) has had on all of us.

The Toxic Avenger vs. the Noxious Offender #1 lands in shops on October 7th, but FOC is this upcoming Monday. Call your shops if you want this book in your box. It’s written by Matt Bors, illustrated by Felipe Sobreiro, colored by Lee Loughridge, and lettered by Rob Steen. Make sure you’re following Bors on Instagram and BlueSky.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

IDW Superlatives: Brad vs. Chris Hacker

Previously on CBCC: Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson on Justice Warriors

Comic Book Film Club: Akira at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 9/6 at 5:45 PM. Co-Sponsored by Four Color Fantasies.

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

The only way to have a friend is to be one. Kodi by Jared Cullum perfectly encapsulates the notion. The original graphic novel, published six years ago, told the exquisite story of a lonely girl, Katya, rescuing a bear in need, Kodi, and finding connection through the act. Now, Cullum is back with a follow-up, Kodi: A Place to Call Home.

It could have easily continued the cozy, warm, watercolor comfort of the original story. Instead, the new book challenges the friendship and, in doing so, celebrates what made it beautiful in the first place while showing how such connections must evolve. Kodi: A Place to Call Home is relatable, sweet, complicated, and wonderfully surprising. To put it in even simpler terms, it’s one of the best graphic novels of the year.

We are most pleased to have Jared Cullum on the show this week. Even more so because the artistic core from which Kodi: A Place to Call Home sprang forth is more surprising than we imagined. We chat with Cullum about his relationship with friendship, how the first book came to be, and why he felt compelled to be even more explicit about his intentions when making the second book.

Both Kodi and Kodi: A Place to Call Home are now available from Top Shelf Productions. Make sure you’re following Jared Cullum on Instagram and BlueSky.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Comic Book Film Club: Akira at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 9/6 at 5:45 PM. Co-Sponsored by Four Color Fantasies.

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

We’re cutting the Law down to size! As Judge Dredd celebrates fifty years of publication in 2027, now is the time to read his stories from the beginning. Judge Dredd: The Compact Crimes begins in January 2027 - a new series of compact comics featuring the Lawman of the Future. Collecting his original stories right from the start, this is the perfect way to try out Judge Dredd for the first time. Printed in compact size, each volume is filled with the sharp satire, keen wit, and all-out action Dredd is known for. Each volume costs only $12.99, with a new volume releasing every month in 2027 – so you can keep your Law in Order!

This September, obsession, exploration, and terror take center stage at IDW Publishing! On September 9th, fandom turns fatal in Fixation #1. A beloved vampire franchise. A small mountain town packed with superfans. And a killer hiding in plain sight. If you love twist-filled mysteries, true-crime tension, and stories where obsession turns frightening, this one’s for you. Then, a new era begins with Star Trek #1! Captain Seven of Nine leads the Enterprise-G beyond known space, relocating a dying civilization to the mysterious Epsilon Corridor. The future of Star Trek begins here. (Pick up the exclusive Local Comic Store Day cover!) And on September 23rd, kickoff becomes a nightmare in Smile: Any Given Smile #1. It’s the championship game of the decade. Big game. Big money. And a killer smile spreading through the crowd. Ask your local comic shop to pre-order today and start your September with IDW.

It’s always a good time when Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips find their way back on the show. It’s especially grand when they’re back to chat about That Texas Blood, and it’s even better when they come guns blazing with the new Hell Comes to Allison Ranch relaunch and news of an upcoming television adaptation. FOC for the new series is this upcoming Monday. Get on your Bat-phone, and get your local comic shop on the line. Here’s your chance to jump on the That Texas Blood chuckwagon.

That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch begins in 2003. America has just invaded Iraq. Sheriff Joe Bob wants his son to witness the history on TV, but the teen just wants some alone time with his Xbox. An argument is brewing, but then the call comes in. War is on their doorstep; the Allison Ranch, a local institution, is apparently coming under heavy fire. Sheriff Joe Bob and Deputy Wilson investigate. Things get rough.

It’s been four years since the previous That Texas Blood storyline. While Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips have never been busier, they’ve been itching to return to the title that solidified their reputation. We discuss what That Texas Bloodoffers them that no other story does. We explore how this series reflects our current moment and how genre tropes guide their characters toward revelation.

During our introduction, we also discuss the sudden closing of Meanwhile…Coffee in Herndon, Virginia. It’s where we founded our in-person Comic Book Club, which has become a staple in our creative pursuits. We encourage others to form their own Comic Book Clubs, and we announce where the next iteration of our Comic Book Club will meet in September.

That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch will hit shops on September 23rd, courtesy of Image Comics. It's written by Chris Condon, illustrated by Jacob Phillips, with color assists by Pip Martin, and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Follow Chris Condon on Bluesky. Follow Jacob Phillips on Blue Sky and Instagram.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter

Meanwhile...Coffee Announces its Closure

Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on The Peril of the Brutal Dark

Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on The Enfield Gang Massacre

Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on a Holly Jolly That Texas Blood

Previously on CBCC: Matthew Rosenberg on We're Taking Everyone Down With Us

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

Glinda and the Wicked Witch finally get their romance. Vampire Snow White and Werewolf Belle must fight the evil queen, while exes-to-lovers, Sleeping Beauty and Alice, try to escape a Nightmare version of Wonderland. Kat and Phil at Lifeline Comics have been building a Kickstarter empire with their Mature Fairy Tale Universe for years…did we also mention they are queer? Well, now they are all colliding in a special Big 2-style event. Nothing will be the same. Head to Kickstarter for Fairy Tale Wars #1, which sees the popular series The Beast and Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and The Witches of Oz crossover for a first-of-its-kind comics event.

I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! is the wild new original graphic novel from Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard, the twisted minds behind Plastic, Vinyl, Plush, and the current hit Image book, Narco. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where Heaven and Hell are at war, a nerd wakes up trapped in the body of a supernatural slasher, and his only allies include a roller derby angel, a possessed truck...and immortal murder chickens. Critics are already calling it wildly creative, wonderfully weird, and an absolute blast. Back the Kickstarter for an oversized deluxe hardcover, exclusive editions, art prints, and even the Murder Chickens Card Game, available only during the campaign. If you love horror, dark comedy, and comics that break every rule, head to Kickstarter and search I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! before the campaign disappears!

This August, the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is here to make it a nuclear Summer! This 48-page Summer Special features five self-contained stories featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Judge Death and Stickleback – the King of Crime! Never read 2000 AD before? This is a great way to jump on board and try out The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. With a cover by Liam Sharp and stories from a galaxy of reality-warping creators, this is all-out sci-fi with an anarchic edge. And the best news is? It’s available through Lunar – so you’ll be able to order it through your LCS! It’s the ultimate apocalyptic beach read – so make sure you pick up the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special this month!

We don’t want to know your favorite Ninja Turtle. We want to know which Ninja Turtle is you. Which Ninja Turtle best represents your personality and behavior? Not everyone is comfortable answering the question, but Matthew Rosenberg gives it a go in our recent conversation at San Diego Comic-Con International, after a little nudge/encouragement.

Matt Rosenberg will take over writing duties on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #25, after Gene Luen Yang and Fero Pe wrap up their current “City That Never Dies” storyline. Rosenberg is on a hot streak, writing both Spawn and King Spawn, as well as If Destruction Be Our Lot. Not to forget the eagerly anticipated cinematic adaptation of 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank hitting screens next year.

He’s the third writer to tackle the monthly Ninja Turtle series in three years, and he promises to bring a unique perspective to our favorite mutant brothers. First, his Turtles are going to war, and it’s going to take them down nearly every New York City street. Streets Rosenberg knows exceptionally well as someone raised on them. Secondly, Rosenberg is a diehard Turtle fanatic, and he’s been plotting possibilities for these characters since he was twelve or so.

This week’s podcast is our final 2026 San Diego Comic-Con episode. As we’ve done over the last few weeks, we’ve invited another podcaster onto the show to help us broaden our con coverage perspective. Today, we have Chris Hacker, co-host of The Oblivion Bar. Hacker found his way to Comic-Con only through the power of the comic book community, and we needed to take a moment to celebrate. Comic book people can get a bad rap, especially online, but Hacker’s story shows the beauty that fellowship makes possible.

Make sure you're following Matthew Rosenberg on his Substack, Podcast, Bluesky, and Instagram.. And follow The Oblivion Bar on Instagram and Bluesky.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

Watch Matthew Rosenberg in The Stacks

Previously on CBCC: Matthew Rosenberg on We're Taking Everyone Down With Us

The Extended Chris Hacker SDCC 2026 Episode

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

Glinda and the Wicked Witch finally get their romance. Vampire Snow White and Werewolf Belle must fight the evil queen, while exes-to-lovers, Sleeping Beauty and Alice, try to escape a Nightmare version of Wonderland. Kat and Phil at Lifeline Comics have been building a Kickstarter empire with their Mature Fairy Tale Universe for years…did we also mention they are queer? Well, now they are all colliding in a special Big 2-style event. Nothing will be the same. Head to Kickstarter for Fairy Tale Wars #1, which sees the popular series The Beast and Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and The Witches of Oz crossover for a first-of-its-kind comics event.

I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! is the wild new original graphic novel from Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard, the twisted minds behind Plastic, Vinyl, Plush, and the current hit Image book, Narco. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where Heaven and Hell are at war, a nerd wakes up trapped in the body of a supernatural slasher, and his only allies include a roller derby angel, a possessed truck...and immortal murder chickens. Critics are already calling it wildly creative, wonderfully weird, and an absolute blast. Back the Kickstarter for an oversized deluxe hardcover, exclusive editions, art prints, and even the Murder Chickens Card Game, available only during the campaign. If you love horror, dark comedy, and comics that break every rule, head to Kickstarter and search I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! before the campaign disappears!

This August, the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is here to make it a nuclear Summer! This 48-page Summer Special features five self-contained stories featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Judge Death and Stickleback – the King of Crime! Never read 2000 AD before? This is a great way to jump on board and try out The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. With a cover by Liam Sharp and stories from a galaxy of reality-warping creators, this is all-out sci-fi with an anarchic edge. And the best news is? It’s available through Lunar – so you’ll be able to order it through your LCS! It’s the ultimate apocalyptic beach read – so make sure you pick up the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special this month!

This week, we’re once again in the thick of San Diego Comic-Con International, chatting with filmmaker Duncan Jones about his upcoming animated adaptation of Rogue Trooper, based on the iconic 2000 AD character created by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons. Amongst the pulsating exhibit hall, tucked inside the 2000 AD booth, we chat with Jones about his passion for Rogue Trooper, how it ties thematically into his other movies (Moon, Source Code, Warcraft), and why animation was the only medium that could satisfy his creative needs.

Also, we enlist our friend Bryan Young (of B and B Movie Reviews) to detail his excruciating saga in the infamous Hall H line and whether his nearly 48 hours of waiting resulted in a satisfying Marvel Studios presentation. You’ve undoubtedly heard horror stories, but until you’ve been inside it, you can’t understand the challenge and appeal of Hall H. We’re grateful to receive Bryan Young’s story of pure geek family.

What is the value of meat? The question rattles throughout Rogue Trooper, Moon, and Hall H. When humanity is seen as disposable by our corporate overlords, we must make ourselves impossible to ignore and flaunt a raging self-worth.

While Rogue Trooper begins its festival circuit, we await a release date. To keep up to date on the film, make sure you’re following Duncan Jones on Bluesky. Purchase Rogue Trooper comics from your local comic book shop, or find them on the 2000 AD website.

Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode:

Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel

Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics

How to Win a Marvel Studios Doctor Doom Mask and Cloak

The Extended Bryan Young Hall H Conversation

CBCC on The Comic Pals

The Rogue Trooper Teaser Trailer

Previously on CBCC: The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast

Previously on CBCC: Ben Whatley on Judge Dee and Judge Dredd

Matttt on Joe Matt

Matttt on Ed Brubaker

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This Week's Sponsors

Glinda and the Wicked Witch finally get their romance. Vampire Snow White and Werewolf Belle must fight the evil queen, while exes-to-lovers, Sleeping Beauty and Alice, try to escape a Nightmare version of Wonderland. Kat and Phil at Lifeline Comics have been building a Kickstarter empire with their Mature Fairy Tale Universe for years…did we also mention they are queer? Well, now they are all colliding in a special Big 2-style event. Nothing will be the same. Head to Kickstarter for Fairy Tale Wars #1, which sees the popular series The Beast and Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and The Witches of Oz crossover for a first-of-its-kind comics event.

I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! is the wild new original graphic novel from Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard, the twisted minds behind Plastic, Vinyl, Plush, and the current hit Image book, Narco. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where Heaven and Hell are at war, a nerd wakes up trapped in the body of a supernatural slasher, and his only allies include a roller derby angel, a possessed truck...and immortal murder chickens. Critics are already calling it wildly creative, wonderfully weird, and an absolute blast. Back the Kickstarter for an oversized deluxe hardcover, exclusive editions, art prints, and even the Murder Chickens Card Game, available only during the campaign. If you love horror, dark comedy, and comics that break every rule, head to Kickstarter and search I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! before the campaign disappears!

This August, the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is here to make it a nuclear Summer! This 48-page Summer Special features five self-contained stories featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Judge Death and Stickleback – the King of Crime! Never read 2000 AD before? This is a great way to jump on board and try out The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. With a cover by Liam Sharp and stories from a galaxy of reality-warping creators, this is all-out sci-fi with an anarchic edge. And the best news is? It’s available through Lunar – so you’ll be able to order it through your LCS! It’s the ultimate apocalyptic beach read – so make sure you pick up the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special this month!