Ep. 097 “Boston Pre-Party”

Convention season is upon us and the Near Mint Comic Show is back with an overdue and overstuffed episode telling you everything you need to know to prepare yourself. We take a look at all the guest list for the upcoming Boston Comic Con – our biggest regional show and offer up a convention primer to get you ready for whatever conventions may be coming up in your area.

[EDITORS NOTE]: While not mentioned in the episode, this podcast is being released on the eve of MASSive Comic Con – taking place on June 25 & 26 in Worcester, MA. If you’re in the area, you should definitely check that out!

Later in the show, we take a loot at some of the “All-New, All-Different” Marvel books, which have come post-Secret-Wars and are newly available on the Marvel Unlimited app. We gauge our excitement level for books like Dr. Strange by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo, Sam Wilson: Captain America, Howling Commandos of Shield, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and many more. It’s good ol’ fashioned, 2+ hour extravaganza to kick off the summer!

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Los Lobos, Boston, Jon Benjamin

Ep. 092 “Rated R for Reboot”

It’s old school Near Mint action as Ben and Josh bring you a potpourri of hollywood talk including DC Rebirth, Deadpool, Daredevil, Batman v. Superman and more.

DC Comics is throwing out the bathwater once again with their recently announced Rebirth storyline. We talk about our excitement level, the endless reboot cycle and DCs desperate ploys to satisfy new and old readers alike.

Meanwhile, Deadpool is breaking the fourth wall and shattering box office expectations. What made this movie such a hit given its R rating and the somewhat polarizing nature of it’s machine-gun-toting, mouth-running lead character.

With Daredevil poised for season 2 and the Walking Dead, toying with fans at every turn, comics are dominating the small screen as well – and we’re here to talk about it.

And while Deadpool represents yet another hit in the successful run of Marvel films, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice hopes to push the DC cinematic universe out of the starting gate and silence the many critics created with its aura of darkness and despair.

All this, plus a Top o’ the Pile, a Can o’ Beans, a rub and a tug, and a good time had by all. It’s the knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred episode that nobody was asking for. Don’t get left in the popcorn line!

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: DMX, Nice Peter

Ep. 082 “Reverse Burgling”

In this week’s episode, we introduce two new segments and devise the world’s worst plan to keep your significant other from clamping down on your comic collection. But first up, in Top o’ the Pile, we find out what book Ben can’t quit, what you get when you add fun to Hellboy and whether Josh will ever catch up on Detective Comics.

In our first new segment – If you like that, try this – we discuss Fear The Walking Dead and make comic, movie and novel recommendations for fans of flagship show/comic. Then we head to the boardroom for our next new segment – Near Mint CEO – where we play armchair editor and try to fix D.C. Comics.

With all this, plus a Can o’ Beans, listening to this episode is a matter of life and death. It’s 73 minutes of mindless entertainment that might just save you from the zombie apocalypse.

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Warren G, James Brown 

Ep. 081 “Boiled Eggs and Beef Jerky”

It’s a deep dive into geekdom this week as Ben and Dan settle in to cover 2 topics that go together like, well… eggs and jerky. In the first half of the show we revisit the “Kirkman Manifesto” seven years later. Then in act two, we try to pick the definitive stories and defining artists for DC and Marvel’s most popular heroes.

It’s been nearly 80 episodes since we talked about Robert Kirkman’s green-screened glove-slap to the comics industry. With Rick Remender’s recent proclamation to focus on creator-owned work and the Image renaissance in full swing, it’s a perfect time to look back. Join us as we turn back the clock to a bygone era of prophecy and un-ironic MySpace references.

Shifting gears, completely we look at Big-2 superheroes and try to pick the defining stories for the world’s most popular heroes – it’s harder than you’d think. We give our picks and choose a Can o’ Beans from the resulting list.

With all this – plus Top o’ the Pile and a Granitecon recap – you’ll have plenty to chew on in this 108-minute serving of hard-boiled entertainment.

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Mark the Hammer, the Isley Brothers 

Ep. 076 “Of Heroes and Homewreckers”

Dan and Josh forge bravely into uncharted waters with the first Ben-less episode in Near Mint Comic Show history. First, up in Top o’ the Pile, we talk about The Walking Dead and Old Man Logan, segueing, once again into a discussion on diversity.

With San Diego Comic-Con recently in the rearview, we talk about new movie trailers, upcoming films, and comics news, including ROM the Space Night, Micronauts, new books from Vertigo and of course, Street Fighter vs. G.I.Joe.

There’s more Marvel movie talk, as we preview our upcoming Marvel movie countdown special before wrapping things up with a Can o’ Beans. Ben is barely missed, as Dan and Josh keep the Near Mint banner flying high and do so in super-heroic fashion.

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Sponge

Ep. 073 “Dandemonium”

Join us on a Dantastic voyage as we welcome back our good friend, Dan Larson to talk toys, comics and plots to rule the world. In Top o’ the Pile, Dan delves into Secret Wars. We live large with Box Brown’s Andre the Giant: Life and Legend. We wax nostalgic with Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, and toss around thoughts on licensed comics, Star Wars and John Cassaday conspiracy theory.

Later, special guest, Dan Larson opens up the toy box to tell us about his latest ventures – art, acting, his vintage toy site, Hard to Find Blog and the newly-launched toy review show, Toy Galaxy. Find out Dan’s favorite collectibles, past and present and take a look into the world of collectible childhood memories cast in plastic.

The fun doesn’t stop there as we crack open cans o’ beans featuring the legendary talent of Jack Kirby, Walt Simonson and Jim Steranko, plus hearty tangents into Batgirl controversy and definitive creator runs on classic characters. We’ve got two Dans, and nearly two hours of podcast that’s too good to miss!

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: “Weird Al” Yankovic, Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars

Ep. 072 “So Many Beans”

This week, we welcomed a new member into Near Mint family with the arrival of Theodore Maverick Cason-Bertwell, but not even an 8-day-old baby could keep Dan off the Mic. The boys actually read some comics this week and they’re anxious to talk about them.

The Bean-o-Rama starts with Top o’ the Pile as we get caught up on Batman, The Walking Dead and She-Hulk. There’s plenty for you casual fans too as we get Nason’s take on Avengers: Age of Ultron and give props to Marvel/Fandango for their cross-pollinating digital comics offer.

Later, it’s off to Riverdale, where we take Archie Comics to task for their misguided Kickstarter campaign, but reluctantly express interest in Afterlife with Archie and the forthcoming Archie #1 by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples.

Finally, our Can o’ Beans runneth over with Batman: Endgame, and numerous FCBD books, including 2000 AD, Fight Club, Hip Hop Family Tree and more. Listen to find out what outrageous claims we make to read for next episode.

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Procol Harum, The Archies

Ep. 066 “Reboots Are Made For Talkin”

With our own reboot just 3 fortnights in the rearview, the boys settle in to dissect Marvel’s Universe-obliterating plans for Secret Wars, Battleworld and beyond. On the D.C. side of the street (soon-to-be side of the country). We brace changes and inevitable slate-wiping in Convergence. Do reboots help sales? Entice new readers? Offer fertile stories? Or just give us something to whine about.

All this, plus a Can o’ Beans that Includes Rick Remender, Howard the Duck and SO much Carnage. Listen now, while this episode is still in-continuity.

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Tegan & Sara, Redbone
Intro-drop credit: How It Should Have Ended

Ep. 065 “Men out of Time”

Time-travel shenanigans continue as we launch into part 2 of our (don’t call it a) comeback episode. Ben and Dan get the party started with a Chew and pre-New 52 Detective Comics at the Top o’ the Pile. Josh returns from the world’s longest dog walk to join us for TV & Movie talk, including Agent Carter, Gotham and the MASSIVE slate of upcoming films from both Marvel and DC.

All this plus a big ol’ Can o’ Beans to round things out. The Near Mint train is back on the tracks and rolling right along so get onboard!

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: Hozier

Ep. 064 “Don’t Call It A Comeback”

We’re BAAAAAACK! Rising from the ashes, The Near Mint Comic Show returns  – with a new format, a new lineup and a new lease on it’s podcasting life.

What’s Ben’s been reading the past year? How did Josh become the resident DC expert? What’s a Can o’ Beans? These questions and more  are answered in this triumphant return episode. Want to know more. Download and listen!

Download | Subscribe 

Music in this episode by: LL Cool J