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Graphic Novel Explorers Club
Daphne Byrne
Happy Halloween, Explorers! We return with our annual Halloween Special, in which three podcasters visit hell and a deal is struck. This year we dissect Daphne Byrne, by writer Laura Marks and artist Kelley Jones. The comic was published by DC’s Hill House Comics.
Set in 19th-century New York, Daphne Byrne is a teenage girl grieving the death of her father. Her mother, lost in her own heartache, turns to visiting a woman who claims she can speak with the dead. Thinking Daphne’s mother is rich and easy prey, the woman is part of a larger group that sets a nefarious plan in motion. However, the group is unaware that Daphne has a long lost “brother” guiding her as she takes action to stop this group from taking advantage of her mother. However, is Daphne’s “brother” helping her or does he have his own plans? And what exactly is Daphne capable of her on?
Guest host Aubrey joins Johnny and Dennis as they discuss Laura Marks’s career, primarily known as a TV writer, and her first journey into comic book writing. Next, they discuss DC’s decision to shutdown Vertigo in favor of DC’s Black Label. Finally, they try to decide heavy themes in the book. Additional topics include the perfect password; supernatural comeuppance; the Conversion of Linus; why the Devil prefers to keep it in the family; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Daphne Byrne.
One last thing, we had originally planned to cover The Man Who Came Down the Attic Stairs. Given the topic of the book, we didn’t think it fit within the context of our Halloween Special. However, we do highly recommend reading it and will hopefully cover it in future episode.
Check out our reading lists for previous seasons by clicking here. We would love to hear your suggestions for future episodes of Graphic Novel Explorers Club.
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95. Thank You & Goodbye
04:31||Season 6, Ep. 95Greetings, Explorers! The version of the podcast we've made for the past six seasons is coming to an end. Thank you for your support and listening to our podcast all these years! Dennis may bring it back in some form or another, so be on the look out for that. Much gratitude to Frankie and Aubrey for co-hosting! Be sure to check out Aubrey's podcast, Bring Your Own Popcorn. It is a wonderful, humorous, and insightful podcast where Aubrey and her guests chat about movies that made an impact in their lives. It's a been a blast! We cannot express our gratitude for giving us your time over the past six seasons of Graphic Novel Explorers Club! Take care and be kind.94. She-Hulk
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32:20||Season 6, Ep. 93Episode 93Greetings, Explorers! In this episode we return to the criminal world of Richard Stark’s Parker, with The Outfit. IDW published the book in 2010. The late, great Dawryn Cooke adapted and illustrated this book along with three other of the Parker novels. We reviewed the first of his adaptations, The Hunter, in Episode 11. There’s also a Catwoman story in Batman: Ego & Other Tails possibly inspired by the Parker character. We looked at that book in Episode 67.The Outfit picks up shortly after The Hunter ended, then skips ahead a year later to 1963. Parker got the money owed to him from The Outfit, the criminal organization he went toe-to-toe with in The Hunter. Parker decides to relax in Miami after a getting a new identity and a surgical operation to change his face. Unfortunately, he’s ratted out to The Outfit by one of the few people who knows his real identity. Now The Outfit is hot on his trail. However, what they don’t realize is that while they’re hunting him, he’s looking to take the organization out, from the top down.Dennis, Johnny, and Aubrey dive in by comparing the loads of misogyny and civilian deaths in The Hunter and the lack of either (or a reduction of) in The Outfit. Next, they compare Parker to The Getaway‘s Doc and Roland from The Dark Tower series. Finally, they question if Parker is in any way a “hero”, even an anti-hero. Additional topics include “conveniently good” vs “accidentally OK”; F-M-K Parker; and rather or not readers should skip The Hunter and go straight to this book. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Richard Stark’s Parker – The Outfit.92. The Good Asian, Vol. 1
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27:16||Season 6, Ep. 91Episode 91Become a Patron!Greetings, Explorers! We're traveling to Jersey City to take a look at Ms. Marvel, No Normal Vol. 1. Marvel Comics published the comic book in 2014. G. Willow Wilson wrote the story with art by Adrian Alphona. Additional contributions as follows: color by Ian Herring and lettering by Letter VC’s Joe Caramagna.Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American high school student who is a big fan of Captain Marvel. Kamala lives in Jersey City with her older brother and parents. She struggles with finding the balance between her parents' native Pakistani heritage while also growing up as an American teenager. Kamala soon finds herself dealing with new powers that don't come with an instruction manual. Parties, rescuing classmates, studying for tests, stopping a crime ring... what's Ms. Marvel to do?Johnny, Aubrey, and Dennis begin things by fawning all over Ms. Marvel. Next, Dennis enlightens the gang about Terrigen Bombs and how one becomes an Inhuman. Finally, they look at Kamala's journey toward accepting who she is when so many push her to be an "other". Additional topics include polymorphic alloys and polymorphic humans; and pigs with wings. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Ms. Marvel - No Normal, Vol 1.90.5. Week in Geek - Obi-Wan Kenobi
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27:28||Season 6, Ep. 90Episode 90Greetings, Explorers! Will you dare enter the Sanctum Sanctorum of Doctor Strange: The Oath? Marvel Comics published Doctor Strange: The Oath in 2007. Brian K. Vaughan wrote the story with art by Marcos Martin. Additional contributions as follows: Inks by Alvaro Lopez, color by Javier Rodriguez, and lettering by Willie Schubert.The story concerns Doctor Strange trying to save Wong’s life by tracking down a mysterious elixir. However, at the same time, Doctor Strange must figure who is trying to kill him (and why) while he’s searching for the cure to Wong’s illness. Finally, is it possible Doctor Strange’s past behavior and decision making are catching up with him?First, Dennis, Johnny, and Aubrey dive into the history of Wong, both in Marvel comics and the MCU. Next, the gang examines why Marvel heroes insist on calling a doctor “nurse” instead of doctor. Finally, they dive into the motivation of the protagonist(s) of this story. Additional topics include why don’t rich heroes chip in to help poor heroes; the Trolley Problem at the center of the story; when writers should know better; why you don’t recruit minions from Angie’s List; and what Joel and Doctor Strange share in common. Last of all, but not certainly not least, they look at the storytelling and art of Doctor Strange: The Omen.89. Batman: Zero Year
28:09||Season 6, Ep. 89Episode 89Become a Patron!Greetings, Explorers! After a short break due to our co-host Johnny being tied up with up a semester of school, we're back with some new-ish episodes (we recorded the next couple of episodes at the beginning of the year). We're kicking off the rest of our season with Batman: Zero Year. Published by DC comics the story in 2013. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV wrote the story, with art by Greg Capullo.Set within DC's New 52 Universe, Batman: Zero Year is a new telling of the early days of Batman's career. Additionally, it wraps up Snyder and Capullo's run on Batman comics.Aubrey, Dennis, and Johnny starts things off chatting about Batman: Year Zero's connection to Batman: Last Knight on Earth, which we reviewed in Episode 81. Next, they discuss if Batman stories even need to be told at this point. Finally, they look at the Batman Eggs (Batman + Easter Eggs) in the story. Additional topics include Jim Gordon's coat; the Robin who isn't a Robin, wears a Batman symbol, but isn't a Batman either; the sexual tension between two of the characters (and it's not who you'd expect it to be); finding the time to move to Metropolis; "That rubbed me the right way"; and last, but not certainly not least, the storytelling and art of Batman: Year Zero.Hiatus
02:40|Greetings, Explorers! The podcast is going on hiatus for a bit and co-host Johnny lets you know why.