The Other Identity - A Comic Book Podcast

Disney Plus and Marvel Studio's newest comic book series Loki has captured the minds and hearts of fans just as we knew it would. It's managed to separate itself in a single episode of the two series that have came before it. Robbie and Ben talk about the importance of allowing Loki's character to change in a meaningful and long-lasting impactful way.

They also take a look back at Marvel Studios TV shows of the past, from Agents of Shield to the Netflix shows like Daredevil and Jessica Jones. How have the changed and evolved and how could Marvel bring them back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

At one point the CW Universe, originally dubbed the Arrowverse, was the best comic book to TV adaptation in the world. From Arrow to Flash, Supergirl to Black Lightning, there was no one who could hold a candle to it. But, after nearly a decade is that still true? Is the Greg Berlanti ran superhero universe still the best on the market or have they fallen behind the lives of Marvel, Amazon or even Netflix?

Despite most of their shows being much older, there may still be hope for newcomers like Stargirl and Superman and Lois. Ben and Robbie also talk about the future of the CWverse and if there is anything the comic counterparts can do to save it.

Loki is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney + starting June 9th. The third Marvel series to premiere on the streaming platform, it will follow the Avenger's incarnation of Loki as he teams up with the Time Variance Authority to sew the timeline he ruptured back into place. Robbie and Ben talk about their expectation and their fears.

Plus, in 2004 Marvel released a 4 issue Loki comic book that was the definitive story of the trickster god. Does that book still hold up or has Tom Hiddleston and other more recent portrayals of the character reinvented the true king of Jotunheim?

DC Comics surprised the internet with three big announcements out of the animated universe last week. A reimagining of the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, complete with the original artist Bruce Timm as well as JJ Abrams and Matt Reeves. Along with that, a new Superman Animated Series will also be created, both of these for HBO Max.

Plus, the hit fighting game from DC Comics 'Injustice' which birthed an entire Elseworld-like story in DC comic books continuity will also be getting an animated movie adaptation. Robbie and Ben go through each of these projects and talk about their hopes and dreams and their fondness for what came before.

Since Disney acquired Fox and the Fantastic Four and X-Men returned home to Marvel Studios, fans have been clamoring to find out when they will enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A few weeks ago Marvel dropped a Fantastic Four teaser and Ben and Robbie has started to prepare with a Fantastic Four Essential comic book reading list.

Robbie and Ben walk you through some of the best FF comic books throughout the year for beginners and veterans alike to jump in or brush up on their FF knowledge. Plus, they discuss what a Fantastic Four movie would need to be successful this late in the MCU.

Last week Marvel dropped a new trailer confirming and hyping up the next three years worth of movies for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From Black Widow to a teaser for the Fantastic Fours, 11 titles comprise the next phase of the MCU.

Robbie and Ben go through each title and talk about what to expect, but just based on what we know so far but also on the comic book lore and history. Ultimately, they ask where is the next big story going and who could be the next Thanos-level threat that the next generation of super heroes have to face?

Darkseid is a name nearly every DC fan should know, but the group he's part of, The New Gods, might be a little less known. Ben gives us a crash course in the New Gods, including how they were created by comic book legend Jack Kirby.

But the real meat of the episode is about his adopted son, the hero known as Mister Miracle. Robbie and Ben dive into and break down the 12 issues series of Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. They discuss what makes it different from normal comics, why it's a great single read, and how it relates to Tom Kings 'The Vision' and WandaVision.

With the epic conclusion to the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) leaves behind the mantle of the Falcon and becomes our New Captain America. With only 6 episodes in the series, all characters involved had quite the journey. Robbie and Ben break down their thoughts, talk about everyone from Sharon to Karli to Bucky and Sam.

They also discuss the legacy of Steve Rogers and the Shield and how Sam, Bucky and John Walker all lived up to that legacy.

The X-Men have entered into a whole new era since the reboot of House of X and Power of X. Robbie and Ben talk about the latest cross-over event to hit Marvel Unlimited, X of Swords. Robbie describes it as the X-Men's anime tournament arc meets Alice in Wonderland. Is it worth picking up?

Plus, they discuss how much the X-Men have changed from what they use to be and how they operate. Not everyone is happy with the change, but it's launched the X-Men to new heights and Robbie considers the X-Men side of the universe to be just as big as the rest of the Marvel.

A new trailer for the Loki Disney Plus series by Marvel gives us an even better look at what to expect from the show. Plus, Ben laments the cancellation of the DC Comics New Gods movie that would've been directed Ava DuVernay and written by Tom King.

Robbie and Ben also discuss the latest episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and where the last two episodes could take us.

2021 is shaping up to be a big year for Super Heroes (And Villains') as Black Widow and the Suicide Squad head towards their theatrical debut. Not a sequel but also not a reboot, James Gunn is bringing the action with new and familiar faces in his Suicide Squad movie. From King Shark to John Cena as Peacemaker, both Robbie and Ben can hardly contain their excitement.

Plus, after over a year of delays, Black Widow, which was originally suppose to kick off Marvel Phase 4, is coming to both Theaters and Disney Plus. Thanks to the new trailer, Robbie has an interesting new theory on what to expect.

Did you know there was a Justice League before the Justice League? They called themselves the Justice Society of America, or the JSA. They inspired the League we know and love today. On this episode, Ben and Robbie give you an Essential Reading list for the JSA.

But is it worth getting into? Robbie had some major problems reading through some of the best JSA stories that Ben could think of. Plus, they break down the recent Falcon and Winter Soldier episode as well as James Gunn's Suicide Squad trailer.

The Snyder Cut for Warner Brothers and DC Comics Justice League has finally been released. For the most part, reception of Zack Snyder's Justice League has been met with praise. It undoubtedly, a better version compared to the Original.

Robbie and Ben highlight all the moments and additions that led to the success to the HBO Max exclusive. But is the Snyder Cut a good movie in itself? Or does it bring with it a slew of new issues that keep it from greatness?

Matt Rosenberg joins the Other Identity to talk about his origins in writing comics, how the pandemic affected him as a comics writer and his time writing for Marvel. Ben and Robbie talk about Matt's run of Hawkeye in the 6 issue mini-series "Freefall" as well as his future with DC writing for characters like Grifter.

The WandaVision season finale marks the end of the first Disney Plus series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Was it everything everyone had hoped it would be? Robbie and Ben talk about what worked for the series and what could've been done better.

Plus, what does this mean for the Scarlet Witch and Vision's future? They have a few hot takes on those as well.

We're only weeks away from Zack Snyder's The Justice League debuting on HBO Max. In the wake of several interviews with Snyder about the new movie, Ben and Robbie took another swing at the topic. Ben finally watched the original Justice League and they asked themselves, "Whose fault is it that the movie failed?" Unbiased, with all expectations put aside, they talk about the successes and failures of Justice League.

They also talk about whether or not Snyder has what it takes to deliver a good Justice League film and what the movie would need to succeed.

The Green Lantern Corps aren't the only ring slinger's in the galaxy. The Green Lantern mythos is one of the richest and deepest in DC Comics, despite having only expanded to such in the last couple decades. Robbie and Ben tackle one of the most influential crossover events in Green Lantern history, the Sinestro Corp Wars.

This 18 issue event saw the creation of the Yellow Lantern Corp and would eventually pave the way for the Blackest Night crossover event that some say is one of the biggest and best crossovers in comics history.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is less than a month away and the first trailer has been released. Ben and Robbie talk about the newest Trailer and what to expect from the second Disney Plus and Marvel Series.

Plus, how will audiences react to a more traditional Marvel show after WandaVision changed our expectations of how super hero stories are told?

The current State of Spider-Man, or the Spider-Men, has never been better. With a new Tom Holland Spider-Man movie in production, the best way to keep your web-related impulses in check is to read the comics. Ben and Robbie break down the current runs of Spider-Man that you can read today.

They talk about Nick Spencer's 50+ issue run with Peter Parker and Saladin Ahmed's 20+ issue series with Miles Morales. Plus, their reactions to episode five of WandaVision.

Marvel is holding the first official elections of Krakoa and allowing fans from all over to participate. Out of the ten mutants on the ballot, one of them will go on to become part of the official protectors of Krakoa and become an X-Men for the next era of comics.

Plus, what happened last week in WandaVision and what are the current results of the best couples in comics bracket?