Ben and Joshs Near Mint Comic Show

Near Mint Ep. 020 - Party Like its 2009

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:21:00 GMT

In our landmark 20th Episode, we step outside the cozy confines of the Comic Cave and Saddle up with the Brothers Proulx at Double Midnight Comics to recap the best of 2009 in the 2nd Annual Minty Awards.

First we tak a look back at the decade that was, and what it meant for comics. Then it's off to the red carpet, where we hand out our best of 2009 awards in the following categories:

CHARACTERS â
Hero of the Year â
Villain of the Year
âTeam of the Year âBreakout
Character of the Year ââ

INDUSTRY
Best Comic Book Movie
âNews story of the Year
Publisher of the Year

ââCREATORS
âBest Colorist
Best Inker
Best Penciler
Best Writer

ââCOMICS â
Best Marvel book
âBest DC book â
Best "Independent" â
Best Cover â
Best Original Graphic Novel or Collected Edition
âBest Single Issue âBest New Series
Best Mini-Series
âBest Ongoing Series

Music in this episode by Bonnie Tyler, Flight of the Conchords, Reef, Dave Matthews and Stan Bush.

Near Mint Ep. 019 - the Great Escape

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:05:00 GMT

Happy Holidays! In an episode packed with holiday cheer (if not comics talk) the boys wax poetic about Christmas nerds and winter beards before touching on the remotely relevant. Gather around the fireplace as Josh offers up a dramatic reading from the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - the novel that left Ben with a 60-comic backlog. Eventually, we get to silver bells and brass tacks with yuletide rants about Cap: Reborn, Annuals, Web of Spider-Man and iTunes reviews. Josh swears off zombies but cant quit Spidey Noir.... Ben stumbles under the mistletoe and gets gushy about New Avengers #59... And the Fa-la-la-la-loodgates open with talk of Blackest Night, Dark Reign, Deadpool, Excel sheets, the Kick Ass movie and a look ahead to 20X. Music in this episode by: Ween, Mariah Carey, ZZ Top, Dispatch, Gwen Stefani and Jay-Z *CALL THE NEAR MINT VOICEMAIL LINE: 1-825-31-SNIKT*

Near Mint Ep. 018 - Spooktacular

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:21:00 GMT

Just in time for Halloween, itâs the Near Mint Comic Show Spooktacular! Ok, It actually doesnât have anything to do with Halloween, but this episode does have terrifying tales of the Baltimore Comic-Con (8:00), a bloodcurdlingly bad interview with Matt Fraction (26:10), talk of the chilling challenge between NYCC and the Big Apple Con (38:44), and a fearsome foray into the field of figure collecting (44:00).

Then after the break, youâll be petrified by Benâs big purchase (51:52), We wake the dead with comic talk, including a hair-raising recap of Blackest Night (59:00) and Josh ask a question that will make you quiver (1:37) â âwhen do you tell a girl that youâre into comics?â Itâs enough Near Mint to scare your pants off!

Near Mint Ep. 017 - Nobody's Business

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:03:00 GMT

It's the 17th Episode Spectacular and we've got a really big show lined up for you. First up, we weigh in on the news that has everyone talking - Disney's 4 billion dollar aquisition of Marvel Comics. Then it's a blockbuster Near Mint interview, as Ben sits down to talk with Jeff Lemire (the Nobody, Essex County, Sweet Tooth). Finally, we hear from Scott Proulx about his trip to the San Diego Comicon and throw in a boatload of comics talk for good measure, including: Ultimate Spidey & Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, Y: the Last Man, Batman, Utopia and more. Hold onto your backing boards folks, this one's a whopper!

Near Mint Ep. 016 - Crack Economics

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:38:00 GMT

We've been off for a month but we're back with a vengeance! In this episode, we open up with some San Diego Comic Con news and a good hearty bitch session about the onslaught of titles in this month's Marvel Previews. Then we get to some comic talk, where replacement heroes, Bucky-Cap and the Dick Knight make us think about character evolution. And what do you do when you characters get to old to be human? A hidden bombshell in Captain America #600 sparks a wave of continuity questions. Finally, we wrap things off with a longbox-load of comic talk including Avengers Invaders, Dark Reign: Mr. Negative & Sinister Spider, Ultimatum and the Ultimate Comics relaunch, Wednesday Comics, Batman, Green Lantern, Chew, Viking and more â It's too much for you to handle!

Near Mint Ep. 015 - Taken For Granite

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 03:04:00 GMT

The Near Mint Comic Show is on location once again, this time at the 2009 Granite State Comicon, Manchester. Ben and Josh are joined by a very hung-over Adam Fleishman as they talk to fans and attendees at the show. In the first hour, we catch up with gamer, Lise, who we met at FCBD. We chat with Deadpool, and talk about the potential return of Steve Rogers. Later, were treated to the comedic stylings of our good friend P.J. Huot and meet fellow comic, Kevin Cotter (44:00), both of whom did stand-up at Granitecon. Then we talk with Bob Gouveia, Commanding Officer of the 501st New England Garrison (59:00), but thats just the beginning. In the second hour, we take a stroll through Artists Alley and talk to Supergirls Jamal Igle (1:05:45), Joe and TJ of the Underburbs (1:09:15) and the hard-drinking, cowboy-hat-wearing, Clone-Wars-drawing Fillbach Brothers (1:10:55). We meet the creators of Sky Pirates and the White Rose (1:15) and finally talk to fellow FCBD attendees, Jeremy McHugh (1:17:10) and Blair Shedd (1:26:14). We meet Marvel artists, Norman Lee and Pop Mhan (1:30:25) and try to pull spoilers from Keith Champagne of DCs The Mighty (1:36:53). We wrap things up with New Hampshires own Scott Wegner (1:39:35), artist on Atomic Robo, Killer of Demons and Human Torch. Its a long episode, packed with comic-y goodness so pace yourself. This puts a cap on the biggest month in Near Mint history.

Near Mint Ep. 014 - Stick Around

Sat, 23 May 2009 05:26:00 GMT

Theres strangers in the Comic Cave! This week, Ben and Josh sit down with Daniel Larson, the creator of Daniel Larsons Stickman. Dan tells us all about Stickman and what it's like to be the writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer and publisher of the weekly web comic. Later, we talk comics and comic book movies. We ponder the blacklisting of the Punishers skull. Josh professes his love for Godzilla. And Ben takes the training wheels of his wife's comic reading. Additional Show Notes: - After further research it was determined that Joe Sinnott, not Herb Trimpe, was the lonely Ghost Rider creator at the NY Comic Con - You can check out Daniel Larsons Stickman at circlecomics.com and you can meet Dan and Ben and Josh at the upcoming Granite Con, May 31 in Manchester, NH

Near Mint Ep. 013 - Free Comic Book Day

Tue, 5 May 2009 17:54:00 GMT

In this special Free Comic Book Day episode we take the show on the road. Paul Huot guest stars as we join artists, Blair Shedd, Dan Larson and Jeremy McHugh for FCBD festivities at Double Midnight Comics in Manchester, NH. In our first live remote, we talk to fan and parent, Dave Donohue about corrupting his kids with comics; Green Lantern fan, Garrett spoils Blackest Night #0; 9-year-old Felix combats the economic downturn with free comics; Gamer, Lise Lapan lays down the gauntlet; And co-owner, Brett Parker reveals the Secret Origin or Double Midnight Comics. Its an all-ages-friendly celebration of comics and probably our most fun episode to date. Enjoy!

Near Mint Ep. 012 - Attack!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:34:00 GMT

Finally! Were back from a long drought and weve got plenty of pent up hostility. In this episode, we go on the O-ffensive and Rant about CB Sebulski, The Apprentice, NYX and the Various Avengers. Josh attempts to explain his reading routine and why it hasnt had time for Watchmen - then admits to choosing girls over comics! And thats just in the first hour ... then things get ugly.

Near Mint Ep. 011 - DeCONpression (Part 2)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:17:00 GMT

It is part two of our recap of New York Comic Con, which deals with digital comics and what they mean to the industry, a comparison of Marvel and DCs booths and tons more!

Near Mint Ep. 010 - DeCONpression (Part 1)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:49:00 GMT

Were back from the New York Comic Con and we have more to talk about than we can contain within a single episode. In part one of our New York Comic Con debriefing we recount the events of the weekend, taking you the listener along for the ride. Youll ride with us on the shuttle bus, sit next to us at the panels and hold our place in line at Artist Alley. Youll hear how Ben spent all of Friday standing in one place, find out what pissed off Josh enough to start a podcasting turf war, and youll cringe as we stalk Jim McCann with a Near Mint Valentine. Youll even get a chance to win an autographed comic if you can tell us why Phil Jimenezs Spider-Man wears a tiara.

Near Mint Ep. 009 - NY Comic Con Preview

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 17:43:00 GMT

Its the eve of the New York Comic Con and we can hardly contain our excitement. Download this episode for your ride to New York or to live vicariously through us if your not going. In this pre-con show, we cover some of the guests, panels and bargains were looking forward tell you what to bring (or what you may have already forgot to bring) to the Con. Well be back with some more meaningful discussion post-convention - see you in New York!

Near Mint Ep. 008 - Timewarp

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:41:00 GMT

In this action-packed episode that defies chronological order, our heroes take you back in time to recap the comic book worlds Best of 2008 (51:15). But first, Paul Huot drops by to give us the Newbie Book Report (05:50). All this, plus some BIG REVEALS - the Near Mint Comic Show will never be the same!

Near Mint Ep. 007 - Lucky for You

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:51:00 GMT

In the last episode before the Holidays, Ben & Josh stuff your stocking with comic talk including a postmortem on Secret Invasion (00:07:25) and Batman R.I.P. (00:28:27). Other Reviews & Previews include Ultimatum #1 (00:40:50), Joker (00:48:20), Amazing Spider-Man (00:54:50), X-Men / Spider-Man (01:00:13), Kevin Smithâs Batman: Cacophony (01:06:29) and more â We also trim your tree with some Retro Recommendations: Ultimates 2 (01:22:30) and Wanted (01:28:31), deck your halls with Twitter posts by Warren Ellis and get set to ring in the new year with another edition of the The Newbie Book Report (01:52:46).

Near Mint Ep. 006 - Suddenly Cynical

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:52:00 GMT

In this Galactus-sized episode, Adam Fleishman stops by to give us The Newbie Book Report and wastes no time dishing out some harsh criticism We read listener email and rant about back matter, event banners and Jeph Loeb. Then Ben and Josh show off their huge stacks and talk comics including: Amazing Spider-Man (55:22), Secret Invasion (1:02:11), 1985 (1:10:06), The Twelve (1:12:05), the Ultimate Universe (1:14:52), Batman R.I.P. (1:32:54), Green Lantern (1:37:29), Walking Dead and Invincible (1:39:26), The Stand (1:42:08), Rasl (1:43:44), Greatest Hits (1:47:13) Spawn (1:48:47), G.I. Joe (1:56:18), X-Force (2:00:39) and finally, Final Crisis (2:03:04)

Near Mint Ep. 005 - Fragmented

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:46:00 GMT

In an episode searching for substance, the boys talk TV, DVDs, Ultimate Fighting, and Free Beer. They even manage some comics talk despite having light weeks at the shop. Reviews and Previews include Villains United and Secret Six, Marvel Apes, Marvel Noir and more. A look ahead to next episode reveals a special guest and the debut of The Newbie Book Report.

Near Mint Ep. 004 - Monthly Momentum

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:08:00 GMT

In this episode, the boys talk about comics derailed by the monthly schedule. We dive into Secret Invasion and Spider-Man New Ways to Die. Ben recaps the Granite Con and continues to be confused by Batman RIP. Josh gives us news including Denny Oneil and Stephen Colbert. Reviews and Previews include Ultimate Origins, Mighty Avengers, DC Last WIll and Testament, War Heroes, Captain America and more.

Near Mint Ep. 003 - Done in One!

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 17:08:00 GMT

In a change of venue, the boys get together to talk comics in Bens Comic Cave. This full-length episode was recorded a few weeks ago along with our Kirkman conversation (released as Episode 002) Josh gives us the latest comic news and notes including the Kick Ass movie, Dark Knight box office success, suspicious sellouts, Savage Dragon backs Obama and more. Reviews & Previews include: 1985, Y: the Last Man Vol. 10, Ultimates, Arkham Asylum, Venom: Dark Origin, Batman RIP, Iron Man: Leaving Las Vegas, the Walking Dead and more. All this, plus tangents galore including a variant cover rant, a heated debate over wether the proper terminology is one-and-done or done-in-one, and Mary Jane vs. the Diamond shipping dates.

Near Mint Ep. 002 - Kirkmania

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:08:00 GMT

The Kirkman Manifesto has everyone talking and the Near Mint Crew is getting in on the discussion. Ben and Josh give their thoughts on the recent mission statement by Robert Kirkman and what it says about the state of comics.

Near Mint Ep. 001 - Pilot

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

The debut episode of Ben and Josh's Near Mint Comic Show