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The Iron Age of ComicsAuthor: Justin Zyduck and Jim Cannon
A critical re-evaluation of comic books from about 1985 to 2000 including, of course, the boom and bust of the '90s! Go beyond the chromium covers and grim 'n' gritty cliches for a deeper look at one of the most divisive periods in comics history. Hosts Justin Zyduck and Jim Cannon share context, commentary, and a few laughs on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The Authority (with Guest Cameron Kunzelman)
Episode 70
Wednesday, 19 November, 2025
When Bryan Hitch took over as artist on WildStorm’s low-selling StormWatch title, writer Warren Ellis was inspired to ditch most of the characters and reinvent the book from the ground up. The resulting series, The Authority, pointed the way to the future of mainstream comic books and stands as one of the milestones marking the end of the Iron Age. It’s an important and influential comic, so we’ve invited writer and podcaster Cameron Kunzelman (last heard on our X-Men: The Animated Series episode) back to read the entire Ellis and Hitch run with us. We discuss the advent of “widescreen comics” and what it means for comic books as a medium to adopt a more cinematic storytelling language; the transition from StormWatch’s murky politics to the ends-justify-the-means justice of the Authority; and how the run attempts to comment on and close the book on the genre fiction of the 20th century.CONTENT WARNINGS: The plot and story contents of this series prompt discussions of racism, terrorism, colonialism, genocide, sexual violence, and related topics. We also talk at great length about toxic and manipulative patterns of behavior from writer Warren Ellis, as extensively detailed by his accusers at SoManyOfUs.com.Visit RangedTouch.com to listen to the podcasts Cameron co-hosts. You can also check out his book Everything Is Permitted on the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise here:https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517914943/everything-is-permitted/Support the Iron Age of Comics and get access to bonus content at patreon.com/ironageofcomics
