The Corner Box

Not a Jumping Off Point on The Corner Box - S4Ep4

• David & John • Season 4 • Episode 4

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0:00 | 51:03

The Corner Box is back, but David has some disturbing news: the show's latest #1 relaunch may have sent listeners running for the exits, and John thinks it's time to embrace legacy numbering. Also, John returns from NYCC with original Geoff Darrow artwork, stories of eye-watering convention prices, and a front-row seat to the changing comic book industry. Then David returns to the beautifully unhinged world of Atlas Comics' The Destructor, celebrating Archie Goodwin, Steve Ditko, and Wally Wood's four-issue superhero “masterpiece” while introducing Death Grip, Big Mike Brand, and a scene-stealing cowboy named Pepe. Throw in Ghost Machine's Geiger and Redcoat, John's fascinating discovery of vintage Will Eisner Spirit magazines, and a bizarre chain of comic book T-shirt encounters, and you've got another episode where the history, business, and glorious absurdity of making comics collide.

Captions:

[01:28] — The Curse of the New #1 — "But the thing that we forgot is that it can also be a jumping off point." — David Hedgecock. David reveals that The Corner Box's latest relaunch actually cost the show listeners, proving that the comic industry's favorite sales gimmick doesn't always deliver the desired results.

[03:52] — Rob Liefeld's Next Chapter — "Well I hope his next venture is Youngblood number one oh one and one oh two." — David Hedgecock. With Robservations coming to an end, David makes it clear he'd gladly trade weekly podcast episodes for more comics from one of his favorite creators.

[06:36] — The Collector's Dilemma — "If I'm gonna spend fifty bucks on a signed copy, I'm gonna spend another four bucks to get the edition that's in the comic book shop." — David Hedgecock. Liefeld's early-release Youngblood strategy exposes the strange but very real economics of comic collecting, where buying two copies makes perfect sense to the dedicated fan.

[10:12] — Comic Con Becomes a Shopping Channel — "The New York Comic Con was just the backdrop for it." — John Barber. John's encounter with Whatnot's massive live-streaming operation reveals how conventions are increasingly becoming stages for audiences who aren't even attending.

[16:13] — Comics Will Humble You — "Oh geez, that's brutal. Man, comics will humble you, man." — David Hedgecock. John describes the crowds lining up for Peach Momoko right next to Geoff Darrow's table, illustrating the unpredictable hierarchy of fame and attention in Artist Alley.

[30:01] — The Greatest Supporting Character Ever? — "Then, John, the greatest secondary character in the history of comic books is then introduced, John." — David Hedgecock. David's increasingly enthusiastic breakdown of The Destructor reaches another level when a purple-sombrero-wearing gangster named Pepe enters the story.

[37:10] — The Beautiful Trashiness of Atlas Comics — "There's something just kind of like slightly trashy about... even like seventies Marvel at Atlas. And I mean that in a really positive way." — John Barber. John identifies the gritty, unpredictable quality that distinguishes Atlas Comics from its more famous competitors and makes these forgotten superhero stories worth rediscovering.

Splash Page:

[00:27] — The Relaunch Curse & Rob Liefeld's Farewell: David and John confront the consequences of their latest #1, consider legacy numbering, and discuss the end of Robservations alongside Liefeld's direct-to-fan Youngblood publishing strategy.

[07:57] — New York Comic Con: Comics, Commerce & Chaos: John reports on NYCC's changing identity, from Naruto announcements and live-streaming shopping platforms to convention crowds, Artist Alley, and the shifting economics of original artwork.

[15:05] — Artist Alley, Big Names & Bigger Price Tags: Reconnecting with fellow creators, navigating Peach Momoko's popularity, discovering Geoff Darrow bargains, and encountering $9,000 Joe Quesada sketches.

[19:26] — Sugar Bomb Milk Run & the Return of Atlas Comics: David previews his upcoming Kickstarter before returning to his obsession with Martin Goodman's short-lived Atlas Comics and the extraordinary creative team behind The Destructor.

[26:00] — The Destructor #2: Death Grip, Pepe & Gangster Mayhem: Archie Goodwin, Steve Ditko, and Wally Wood deliver another outrageous superhero adventure featuring an electrified villain, a morally complicated mob boss, and one unforgettable supporting character.

[38:09] — Ghost Machine's Winning Streak: David catches up with Geiger and Redcoat, praising Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Bryan Hitch for delivering compelling, consistent creator-driven comics.

[39:06] — Will Eisner's Spirit: A Comic History Time Capsule: John explores a vintage Kitchen Sink Spirit magazine packed with Wally Wood artwork, conversations about storytelling craft, unfinished strips, and a remarkable wraparound cover.

[45:50] — Comic Book T-Shirts & the Small World of Fandom: John's convention wardrobe sparks an unlikely series of encounters involving the Jack Kirby Museum, fellow creators, and a TSA agent who knows his Dracula comics.

Support the Corner Box:

David Hedgecock (https://funtimego.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host

John Barber (https://www.pugworldwide.com) - The Corner Box Co-Host

The Corner Box (https://www.thecornerbox.club) - Official Website


Dive Deeper Into the Back Issue Bin:

Rob Liefeld (https://robliefeldcreations.com/) - The Youngblood creator takes center stage as David and John discuss the end of his Robservations podcast, his history with John, and his strategy of offering signed, premium editions directly to fans before traditional comic shop releases.

Archie Goodwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Goodwin_(comics)) - Legendary writer and editor whose scripts for Atlas Comics' The Destructor demonstrate how strong characterization, rapid-fire action, and outrageous villains can elevate a straightforward superhero adventure.

Steve Ditko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ditko) - Spider-Man co-creator and penciler of The Destructor. David celebrates Ditko's inventive storytelling and distinctive character designs, particularly the electrified villain Death Grip.

Wally Wood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Wood) - Celebrated artist whose inking helped make The Destructor a visual powerhouse. John also revisits Wood's contribution to the science-fiction era of Will Eisner's The Spirit.

Geof Darrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geof_Darrow) - Artist behind Shaolin Cowboy and the subject of John's biggest NYCC art purchase. His convention pricing sparks a fascinating comparison with the increasingly expensive original-art market.

Peach Momoko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach_Momoko) - Artist whose enormous convention popularity provides John with a memorable illustration of how dramatically fan attention can vary between neighboring Artist Alley tables.

Joe Quesada (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Quesada) - Former Marvel editor-in-chief and acclaimed artist whose $9,000 sketch covers leave John questioning the economics of original comic artwork.

Nick Dragotta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Dragotta) - Absolute Batman artist whose convention table draws extraordinary attention, prompting discussion about artist demand, commissions, and autograph pricing.

Chris Claremont (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Claremont) - Legendary X-Men writer whose consistently busy NYCC table demonstrates the lasting appeal of creators who shaped generations of comic storytelling.

Marc Silvestri (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Silvestri) - Veteran artist and Image Comics co-founder whose convention line earns a mention alongside other heavily sought-after creators.

Geoff Johns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Johns) - Writer and Ghost Machine co-founder whose work on Geiger and Redcoat earns enthusiastic praise from David for its consistency and long-form storytelling.

Gary Frank (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Frank) - Artist of Geiger, one of the Ghost Machine titles David singles out as particularly strong after two years of ongoing stories.