🎙 SHOW NOTES Chris and Steven dive into the first five issues of BLUE DEVIL (DC Comics, 1984), a comic book scientifically proven to be the most outrageously fun title of the 1980s; the madcap insanity of it all was written by Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn, penciled by Paris Cullins, and inked by Pablo Marcos and Gary Martin. Join us, flashback party people… Circuits and Sorcery await you! ⏱ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro + Theme Song 00:47 - So who is this Blue Devil guy, anyway? 03:47 - Pop Culture of the day in 1984 05:52 - Dick Giordano’s admirably bold thoughts on DC Comics’ mission in 1984 12:07 - What is the actual story for BLUE DEVIL? 18:49 - “Fun” comics vs. “artsy-schmartsy” comics 30:16 - The fascinating original “pitch document” for BLUE DEVIL 36:41 - Paris Cullins’ extraordinary creature design skills, epitomized by the unique look of the insectoid demon, Nebeiros 47:35 - Chris blows Steven’s mind by revealing that this one thing that comic artists do, y'know, that thing... Well, it has a name... Behold! "The De Luca Effect!" 01:05:06 - That good ol’ green metalhead, Metallo: B+ Superman villain or total clownshow? 01:10:42 - Holy Circuits & Sorcery, Batman! What happens when technology collides with ancient occult practices?! 01:21:05 - Blue Devil challenges Superman to a little arm wrestling match! 01:22:37 - Sparks fly! Instant romantic chemistry between Blue Devil and Zatanna 01:49:07 - The historically whimsical nature of most DC Comics as opposed to Marvel’s (mostly) scary “realism” 02:05:48 - THAT MOMENT where Zatanna grabs both of Blue Devil’s horns and kisses him on the mouth (no, really) 02:07:45 - So... How exactly is BLUE DEVIL remembered today? 02:13:16 - Alan Moore’s WATCHMEN and Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS -- how they brought about the “grim ‘n gritty” era of comics, ending the times represented by BLUE DEVIL 02:15:02 - The highwire tightrope act for writers of being simultaneously light AND heavy, detouring into critiques of DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, plus Quentin Tarantino’s entire oeuvre 02:23:18 - What modern comic books actually feel like BLUE DEVIL? Let us know! COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age. 🎯 www.patreon.com/ComicsRotYourBrain
I vividly remember buying the first issue at my local drugstore spinning rack! This was an exciting era...the height of the Bronze Age with so many titles putting out bangers. Batman and The Outsiders, The New Teen Titans, All Star Squadron, The New Defenders. This is just before the rise of comic specialty shops so independent/alternative books were not yet on my radar!
Yes, so true! My first BLUE DEVIL comic also came off a spinner rack! BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS was also one of my earliest comics experiences! And yes, THE NEW TEEN TITANS, plus so many other amazing series back then! What a time to be alive!! The ‘80s was the greatest comics era EVER. In my opinion, it’s not even close. Thank you for commenting! - Steven
Loved this book, had the first dozen issues and sold them off in a few long boxes when we moved several years ago. Luckily this is a series that can be found in dollar bins, looking forward to buying those issues back!
Yeah, I was in a similar situation to you - and I recently repurchased the floppies for the whole run and it made me SO HAPPY! As you heard us discuss… This series really holds up - it’s still a gem! Thanks for commenting! - Steven
Kid Devil was awesome! Thanks for the kind words! Haha, I would love to revisit BLUE DEVIL… who knows, if there’s enough demand, we may do it! - Steven
One of the fun books back in the day was The Jam by Bernie Mireault. Unfortunately he passed away this month, his work does deserve a look. I always thought it was pretty cool.
Yes!!! I love THE JAM and love the work of Bernie Mireault in general (his issues of GRENDEL are amazing). I was deeply saddened to learn of Bernie’s passing in this last week - he was a terrific, highly original cartoonist who deserved far more acclaim. THE JAM has been on our list of titles that we’ve been planning to cover on the show - I’m truly sorry that we didn’t get to it sooner. We will still do an episode on THE JAM as a much deserved tribute to Bernie and his impressive body of work. Rest in peace to another one of the greats. - Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrainI look forward to the broadcast. Another book to check out is Icon Devil written and drawn by Neil Hensen; this short run (4 issues) came out in the mid 80's.
@@theafronaut4131Great suggestion! I actually have every issue of ICON DEVIL. I snag it every time I see it in a dollar bin. Neil Hansen’s art is epic, dynamic, bizarre, and awesome. I was also visually gobsmacked by his short lived Epic series, UNTAMED. Thank you for reminding me of Hansen - we’ll definitely cover his stuff on the channel soon! - Steven
@ComicsRotYourBrain I watch alot of comic book review podcast channels (working on a comic book myself) and CRYB is by far the most intriguing, eloquent and incitful introspection of comics that I have ever experienced. You guys are like a couple of comic book college professors that are fun to listen to🤩😎🤪
@@byronschexnayder875 Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! We truly appreciate all of it, especially since part of the goal of our show is to reckon with the legacies of these somewhat obscure older comics and take the work seriously on its own terms. We believe there is just so much great work, especially from the ‘80s, that has gone surprisingly unheralded for decades now and deserves to be discussed in detail - these comics are just that good! Happy to hear you’re digging the whole vibe of the show. :) And we do have some great episodes coming up, so definitely stay tuned, and thanks again for leaving such an awesome comment! - Steven
Great episode, fellas! Not every day you come across a Blue Devil video on TH-cam!The character is one that I will also see as synonymous with my start in collecting comics. The Blue Devil King Kong is issue is one of the first 5 comics I got on my own. Still hurts a bit that the intended Blue Devil figure never made it into the Super Powers figure line!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the episode and we appreciate you commenting! Yeah, I feel like there needs to be a LOT more discussion of how fantastic the original incarnation of Blue Devil was, on TH-cam and elsewhere - he’s such a charmer! I have a feeling BD was probably the “gateway drug” into comics for a lot of folks. Something about the character is just super cool and appealing. And I agree, a Blue Devil figure in the Super Powers line would have been amazing! - Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Good call on the "The De Luca Effect" as well....I have seen it my entire life, and I wouldn't have the faintest idea what to type to even begin looking the technique up
@@ScaryGarrySG1 I know, right?! I was genuinely shocked that there was a name for that type of visual in a comic. But it was so cool that Chris knew that term so we could all be educated on it. Hmmm… I wonder what percentage of artists who use that technique actually know what it’s called… Food for thought! - Steven
I’m shocked that the De Luca Effect wasn’t a more publicized comic art tool. It’s pretty much unique to comics (although I tried to create it in a short film 18 years ago). - Chris
I really liked this character, so much so that I argued with my Dungeon Master to allow me to re-create him for a campaign but he was mind blasted by an Elder Brain and turned into a vegetable before being flayed alive.
Ha ha ha -- Blue Devil IS a fun character. Too bad your DM had to punish him. No way to heal his mind? I haven’t played D&D in like 30+ years. Keep wanting to play again. One day soon. Thanks for listening - Chris
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Once an Elder Brain telepathically takes over your mind they either kill you, make you kill yourself or make you attack your own team and they kill you. It's kind of a no-win situation.
TRIVIA SMACKDOWN (🪐 sci-fi edition) At some point after the recording of this episode, Steven realized he misattributed a very famous quote to Isaac Asimov, instead of this other famous science fiction author.❓In the interest of accuracy, which legendary sci-fi author should he have credited?
I loved AMBUSH BUG back in the day and I always found HEX to be a fascinatingly bizarre oddity; plus, Keith Giffen and Michael Fleisher were both riddles wrapped in enigmas! Yeah, we’ll probably cover both of these titles at some point, but it’s hard to say when… So many rad ‘80s comics! Thank you for the suggestions, though - much appreciated! - Steven
HEX… haven’t thought of that book in years. I keep thinking we’ll do Warlord, Arion, and Gene Golan’s Night Force run… we’ll see how things shake out. - Chris
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Warlord was a favorite in my house. My brother and father and me all read the the comic and the art was a level above normal DC comics.
@@ScaryGarrySG1 Yeah, I remember seeing those. Giffen’s “weird style” was such a shock to me as a kid. I would definitely like to look at those last issues of HEX. - Steven
🎙 SHOW NOTES
Chris and Steven dive into the first five issues of BLUE DEVIL (DC Comics, 1984), a comic book scientifically proven to be the most outrageously fun title of the 1980s; the madcap insanity of it all was written by Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn, penciled by Paris Cullins, and inked by Pablo Marcos and Gary Martin. Join us, flashback party people… Circuits and Sorcery await you!
⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro + Theme Song
00:47 - So who is this Blue Devil guy, anyway?
03:47 - Pop Culture of the day in 1984
05:52 - Dick Giordano’s admirably bold thoughts on DC Comics’ mission in 1984
12:07 - What is the actual story for BLUE DEVIL?
18:49 - “Fun” comics vs. “artsy-schmartsy” comics
30:16 - The fascinating original “pitch document” for BLUE DEVIL
36:41 - Paris Cullins’ extraordinary creature design skills, epitomized by the unique look of the insectoid demon, Nebeiros
47:35 - Chris blows Steven’s mind by revealing that this one thing that comic artists do, y'know, that thing... Well, it has a name... Behold! "The De Luca Effect!"
01:05:06 - That good ol’ green metalhead, Metallo: B+ Superman villain or total clownshow?
01:10:42 - Holy Circuits & Sorcery, Batman! What happens when technology collides with ancient occult practices?!
01:21:05 - Blue Devil challenges Superman to a little arm wrestling match!
01:22:37 - Sparks fly! Instant romantic chemistry between Blue Devil and Zatanna
01:49:07 - The historically whimsical nature of most DC Comics as opposed to Marvel’s (mostly) scary “realism”
02:05:48 - THAT MOMENT where Zatanna grabs both of Blue Devil’s horns and kisses him on the mouth (no, really)
02:07:45 - So... How exactly is BLUE DEVIL remembered today?
02:13:16 - Alan Moore’s WATCHMEN and Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS -- how they brought about the “grim ‘n gritty” era of comics, ending the times represented by BLUE DEVIL
02:15:02 - The highwire tightrope act for writers of being simultaneously light AND heavy, detouring into critiques of DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, plus Quentin Tarantino’s entire oeuvre
02:23:18 - What modern comic books actually feel like BLUE DEVIL? Let us know!
COMICS ROT YOUR BRAIN! is a deep dive into ‘80s comics (plus a few notable exceptions). In this weekly podcast, screenwriters Steven Bagatourian (AMERICAN GUN) and Chris Derrick (STAR TREK: PICARD) discuss their favorite books, runs, and creators from the Bronze Age.
🎯 www.patreon.com/ComicsRotYourBrain
I vividly remember buying the first issue at my local drugstore spinning rack! This was an exciting era...the height of the Bronze Age with so many titles putting out bangers. Batman and The Outsiders, The New Teen Titans, All Star Squadron, The New Defenders. This is just before the rise of comic specialty shops so independent/alternative books were not yet on my radar!
Yes, so true! My first BLUE DEVIL comic also came off a spinner rack! BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS was also one of my earliest comics experiences! And yes, THE NEW TEEN TITANS, plus so many other amazing series back then!
What a time to be alive!! The ‘80s was the greatest comics era EVER. In my opinion, it’s not even close.
Thank you for commenting!
- Steven
Now this is exactly what I needed today. Thanks for all the quality content, guys.
More is around the corner - Chris
Glad you dig the show! Thank you for listening and commenting!
- Steven
Loved this book, had the first dozen issues and sold them off in a few long boxes when we moved several years ago. Luckily this is a series that can be found in dollar bins, looking forward to buying those issues back!
Yeah, I was in a similar situation to you - and I recently repurchased the floppies for the whole run and it made me SO HAPPY!
As you heard us discuss… This series really holds up - it’s still a gem!
Thanks for commenting!
- Steven
Heck yeah! I have been anxious for another episode. Love this podcast!
We’ll be more consistent over the next few months (we hope)
- Chris
Glad you’re digging the show! Thanks for commenting!
- Steven
Dope !! Forgot about this
Happy to remind you! Thanks for commenting!
- Steven
'Mazin Man was another DC Book that was quite unique around this time...
Yeah, I was a huuuuuuuge fan of ‘MAZING MAN - we will definitely be covering that book!
- Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrain NICE!
Loved blue devil. Remember kid devil? Great podcast. Revisit this comic please!
Kid Devil was awesome! Thanks for the kind words!
Haha, I would love to revisit BLUE DEVIL… who knows, if there’s enough demand, we may do it!
- Steven
One of the fun books back in the day was The Jam by Bernie Mireault. Unfortunately he passed away this month, his work does deserve a look. I always thought it was pretty cool.
Yes!!! I love THE JAM and love the work of Bernie Mireault in general (his issues of GRENDEL are amazing).
I was deeply saddened to learn of Bernie’s passing in this last week - he was a terrific, highly original cartoonist who deserved far more acclaim.
THE JAM has been on our list of titles that we’ve been planning to cover on the show - I’m truly sorry that we didn’t get to it sooner. We will still do an episode on THE JAM as a much deserved tribute to Bernie and his impressive body of work.
Rest in peace to another one of the greats.
- Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrainI look forward to the broadcast. Another book to check out is Icon Devil written and drawn by Neil Hensen; this short run (4 issues) came out in the mid 80's.
@@theafronaut4131Great suggestion! I actually have every issue of ICON DEVIL.
I snag it every time I see it in a dollar bin. Neil Hansen’s art is epic, dynamic, bizarre, and awesome. I was also visually gobsmacked by his short lived Epic series, UNTAMED.
Thank you for reminding me of Hansen - we’ll definitely cover his stuff on the channel soon!
- Steven
WHERE HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN?!! I 💕🖤 LOVE THIS SHOW 💜💕
Our apologies! Work stuff (big announcement coming soon) got in the way of finalizing this one! Glad you’re enjoying the show - Chris
@ComicsRotYourBrain I watch alot of comic book review podcast channels (working on a comic book myself) and CRYB is by far the most intriguing, eloquent and incitful introspection of comics that I have ever experienced. You guys are like a couple of comic book college professors that are fun to listen to🤩😎🤪
@@byronschexnayder875 Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! We truly appreciate all of it, especially since part of the goal of our show is to reckon with the legacies of these somewhat obscure older comics and take the work seriously on its own terms. We believe there is just so much great work, especially from the ‘80s, that has gone surprisingly unheralded for decades now and deserves to be discussed in detail - these comics are just that good!
Happy to hear you’re digging the whole vibe of the show. :) And we do have some great episodes coming up, so definitely stay tuned, and thanks again for leaving such an awesome comment!
- Steven
@ComicsRotYourBrain just the facts sir, just the facts💯 Definitely will be tuning in whenever I can catch it🤩😎🤪
Great episode, fellas! Not every day you come across a Blue Devil video on TH-cam!The character is one that I will also see as synonymous with my start in collecting comics. The Blue Devil King Kong is issue is one of the first 5 comics I got on my own. Still hurts a bit that the intended Blue Devil figure never made it into the Super Powers figure line!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the episode and we appreciate you commenting!
Yeah, I feel like there needs to be a LOT more discussion of how fantastic the original incarnation of Blue Devil was, on TH-cam and elsewhere - he’s such a charmer!
I have a feeling BD was probably the “gateway drug” into comics for a lot of folks. Something about the character is just super cool and appealing.
And I agree, a Blue Devil figure in the Super Powers line would have been amazing!
- Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Good call on the "The De Luca Effect" as well....I have seen it my entire life, and I wouldn't have the faintest idea what to type to even begin looking the technique up
@@ScaryGarrySG1 I know, right?! I was genuinely shocked that there was a name for that type of visual in a comic.
But it was so cool that Chris knew that term so we could all be educated on it.
Hmmm… I wonder what percentage of artists who use that technique actually know what it’s called… Food for thought!
- Steven
I’m shocked that the De Luca Effect wasn’t a more publicized comic art tool. It’s pretty much unique to comics (although I tried to create it in a short film 18 years ago). - Chris
@@ComicsRotYourBrain You guys really should do the next 5 issues!
I really liked this character, so much so that I argued with my Dungeon Master to allow me to re-create him for a campaign but he was mind blasted by an Elder Brain and turned into a vegetable before being flayed alive.
Ha ha ha -- Blue Devil IS a fun character. Too bad your DM had to punish him. No way to heal his mind? I haven’t played D&D in like 30+ years. Keep wanting to play again. One day soon. Thanks for listening
- Chris
Glad you dig Blue Devil, too! Thanks for listening and commenting :)
- Steven
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Once an Elder Brain telepathically takes over your mind they either kill you, make you kill yourself or make you attack your own team and they kill you. It's kind of a no-win situation.
TRIVIA SMACKDOWN
(🪐 sci-fi edition)
At some point after the recording of this episode, Steven realized he misattributed a very famous quote to Isaac Asimov, instead of this other famous science fiction author.❓In the interest of accuracy, which legendary sci-fi author should he have credited?
By the way when are you two going to do AMBUSH BUG and HEX?
I loved AMBUSH BUG back in the day and I always found HEX to be a fascinatingly bizarre oddity; plus, Keith Giffen and Michael Fleisher were both riddles wrapped in enigmas!
Yeah, we’ll probably cover both of these titles at some point, but it’s hard to say when… So many rad ‘80s comics!
Thank you for the suggestions, though - much appreciated!
- Steven
HEX… haven’t thought of that book in years. I keep thinking we’ll do Warlord, Arion, and Gene Golan’s Night Force run… we’ll see how things shake out.
- Chris
@@ComicsRotYourBrain Warlord was a favorite in my house. My brother and father and me all read the the comic and the art was a level above normal DC comics.
@@ComicsRotYourBrain I'll even "up" you one on that....The last issues of the Hex title before it went away that Keith Giffen did. So weird and fun!
@@ScaryGarrySG1 Yeah, I remember seeing those. Giffen’s “weird style” was such a shock to me as a kid. I would definitely like to look at those last issues of HEX.
- Steven