The Fantasticast
Stephen Lacey and Andrew Leyland are your guide to Marvel's First Family, The Fantastic Four. Starting at the very beginning of the Marvel Age of Comics, they cover every issue of The Fantastic Four, every spinoff title (Strange Tales, Marvel Two-In-One, and more), every guest appearance and every cameo, in order of publication. IMPORTANT: The show has moved to TheFantasticast.com - find us there! Feedback can be sent to [email protected], or left in the comments for each show's posting.
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Episode 368: Marvel Two-in-One #77 - Only The Swamp Survives
04/05/2024
Episode 368: Marvel Two-in-One #77 - Only The Swamp Survives
Cancelled Comic Cavalcade Hello, and welcome to episode 367 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. After an extended break, Steve is back to continue his journey through the latter issues of Marvel Two-in-One. What happens if a team-up books doesn't involve a team-up, and neither title star recognises each other? What happens if the non-title guest stars are more interesting than the actual guest star? And what happens if The Thing is actually his own grandfather in an attempt to match the Marvel sliding timescale with a story set in a very specific timeframe? Find out in this week's Fantasticast! Tom DeFalco, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Bob Wiacek present Marvel Two-in-One #77 - Only The Swamp Survives. In which a walkabout in a swamp goes horribly wrong, Alicia Masters has no agency at all, we discover a new element of World War II, and find out what The Thing would look like as a Muppet. All this, and brief looks at Avengers #209 and Dazzler #5 as well! Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 367: Fantastic Four #232 - Back To The Basics
05/20/2023
Episode 367: Fantastic Four #232 - Back To The Basics
John Byrne Doesn't Play Well With Others Hello, and welcome to episode 367 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. We're finally here, the start of the 1980s renaissance of the Fantastic Four. John Byrne is here as writer and artist, and the Fantastic Four will never be the same again. Diablo is back in town, and looking to use the elemental nature of the Fantastic Four against his old enemies. Only some cunning thinking, and a well-stocked scuba store, can prevent the team from being defeated by their own dark reflections. And only the former co-host of The Fantasticast can help guide Steve through this new beginning. Yes, returning to the show for the start of the Byrne run is former Fantasticast co-host Andrew Leyland. He tore himself away from reviewing , and from hosting his eclectic pop-culture review show , to dust off his Fantastic Four longbox and make a return to the world of Fantastic Four review and commentary. Missed him? As well as his podcasts, you can also follow him on (what's left of) twitter where he is ! John Byrne, John Byne, Bjorn Heyn (but actually John Byrne), Glynis Wein, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Terry Austin present Fantastic Four #232 - Back To The Basics! Featuring two-month-old Oscar talk, Yeoh before bladder, Not Bjorn Heyn, a catalogue of redheads, and the cleansing of New York with fire. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 366: Steve Further Fan-'Splains The FF
04/28/2023
Episode 366: Steve Further Fan-'Splains The FF
A Veritable Everything Bagel of 1970s Fantastic Four Hello, and welcome to episode 358 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This time around, the Fantasticast is taking a short breather between the end of the Moench/Sienkiewicz run, and the start of the Byrne run. Picking up from where we left off in mid-2015, Steve is here to guide you literally through every issue and spin-off of the Fantastic Four, from Fantastic Four #121 through to Fantastic Four #131, including all of Marvel Two-in-One to date, and a few extra appearances as well. Yes, it's Steve Further Fan-'Splains The FF, a chance to catch up on everything that's been happening so far in The Fantastic Four. It's a non-stop skip-and-a-jump through the post-Kirby years and into the 1970s, with revisits of the good, the bad, and the Conway. It's a chance to revisit old memories, and remind ourselves of the just how weird things could get in the 1970s. P, and . Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 365: Marvel Two-in-One #76 - The Big Top Bandits
02/16/2023
Episode 365: Marvel Two-in-One #76 - The Big Top Bandits
We Need To Talk About Sue's... Uh... Hello, and welcome to episode 365 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're taking a well-earned break, both in the real world and in the podcast. Steve's travelling to Los Angeles to attend the Gallifrey One convention, and Ben, Alicia, Bobby, and Bill are off to the circus in Marvel Two-in-One. Such a shame that there's only one circus in the Marvel Universe (yes, we're discounting the one with Johnny's cousins from Strange Tales), and that one is the Circus of Crime! Tom DeFalco, David Michelinie, Jerry Bingham, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, and Gaspar Saladino present Marvel Two-in-One #76 - The Big Top Bandits. Guest-starring both Iceman and Giant Man, and featuring some curiously silent heroes, a thoroughly irriating clown, an accidentally-forgettable artist, and the strong need to talk about Sue's... uh... As well as this, we're also joining the latest of Marvel's merry mutants to follow her disco-laden adventures with Doctor Doom in Dazzler #3 and #4. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 364: Fantastic Four #231 - In All The Gathered Gloom
02/04/2023
Episode 364: Fantastic Four #231 - In All The Gathered Gloom
He Is Styggor, And He Is Not Important Hello, and welcome to episode 364 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. The end has arrived, and, well, it's probably about time. The creative team are departing the book to make way for a fresh start, but they've got some unfinished business to take care of. The Baxter Building and the surrounding city block are stuck in the Negative Zone, and Lorrie Melton is missing her boo. Can the Fantastic Four overcome civilian insurrection, and the least important villain see in the Fantastic Four to date, and make it back home to Franklin? Doug Moench, Roger Stern, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, And Moore (but actually Al Milgrom and Frank Giacoia), George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #231 - In All The Gathered Gloom. Featuring someone who is a gangster and not a Wolverine writer, someone who is not Magneto, someone who is not Jim Shooter, someone who is not Jerome Moore, and wouldn't you know it? Bill Sienkiewicz is inking, and he wants you to know it! Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 363: Marvel Two-in-One #75 - By Blastarr -- Betrayed!
09/30/2022
Episode 363: Marvel Two-in-One #75 - By Blastarr -- Betrayed!
Ah, Fuck Me Dead, I've Got To Draw All This Shit Hello, and welcome to episode 363 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. For the second week in a row, the Avengers nose their way into the podcast, but to greater narrative effect. Blastarr and Annihilus are teaming up to tame the Negative Zone, and only The Thing and his poker-playing Avengers buddies can stop them. And only Steve and his Antipodean podcasting buddy Paul Hix (Waiting for Doom, The DCOCD Podcast, Dial F for Flanger, The Gary Show) can recap and review this oversized anniversary issue. Tom DeFalco, Alan Kupperberg, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Mike Higgins, Jean Simek, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Joe Sinnott, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #75 - By Blastarr -- Betrayed! Featuring pre-emptive podcast notes, some tips for She-Hulk, a spaceship called Tim, Annihilus's best life, the bestial bastard Blastarr, sexy Highfather, the anatomy of a boot, and an inevitable discussion about Neighbours. Find Paul on twitter where he is and find Waiting For Doom (and all his other shows) at Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 362: Fantastic Four #230 - Firefrost and the Ebon Seeker
09/12/2022
Episode 362: Fantastic Four #230 - Firefrost and the Ebon Seeker
Hello, and welcome to episode 362 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This time on the Fantasticast, we discover what happens after an all-action issue. Yes, it's the inevitable exposition, and there's plenty of it. From decaying cultures in the far future to the inside of a black hole, this issue is not short of great concepts, but can they be spun into an engaging story that stands alongside it's predecessor? Uh... Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #230: Firefrost and the Ebon Seeker. Featuring lots of blatant rip-offs of recent science fiction films, a gratuitous Avengers appearance, and an astonishingly awful UK Number One single. Well, that bit isn't in the comic itself, but after last week, you do deserve a bit of warning. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 361: Marvel Two-in-One #74 - A Christmas Peril
07/17/2022
Episode 361: Marvel Two-in-One #74 - A Christmas Peril
Festive Clay Snuffling Hello, and welcome to episode 361 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, the Fantasticast hits a new milestone - the first comic covered twice by the show. We looked at Marvel Two-in-One #74 almost an entire decade ago, and it's time to look at it in context of the run, and see if Steve has worked out just who the people at the party really are. Except that Steve isn't doing this along. Joining him for a thoroughly unseasonal Christmas bash is returning guest host . Host of , Stace and Barry In The Morning, and new show , Stace is back and delightful as ever. Together, they examine a unusual Christmas tale, as childlike wizards and bovine nannies meet the holiday spirit. Mark Gruenwald, Frank Springer, Chic Stone, George Roussos, Michael Higgins, Bob Budiansky, and Jim Salicrup present Marvel Two-in-One #74 - A Christmas Peril, featuring parole, a guy with a big face and a lack of talent, all of the swears, uncensored smut, and... hold on, that's the hosts! In addition, Steve takes a quick peak at Avengers #206, as he forgot to do it last time. Fantasticast guest-host Christine Hanefalk has published her first book. is now available as both a book and an e-book from Amazon. Do go and check it out! Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 360: Fantastic Four #229 - The Thing From The Black Hole
06/12/2022
Episode 360: Fantastic Four #229 - The Thing From The Black Hole
Reed's Tool Hello, and welcome to episode 360 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. It's a bumper episode of The Fantasticast this week, as we cover no less than five comics! From visitors from the inside of a black hole, to scientific handwaves, from the disco floors of New York to the funeral of a President that could have been, with a quick sidestep into flashback territory, this is one of our busiest episodes to date. Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiwicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #229 - The Thing From The Black Hole. And many, many more creators bring us Amazing Spider-Man #215, Dazzler #2, Thor #306, and What If? #26. Join as us we discover the first Fantastic Four work of John Romita Jr and Tom DeFalco! Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 359: Marvel Two-in-One #73 - Pipeline Through Infinity
05/29/2022
Episode 359: Marvel Two-in-One #73 - Pipeline Through Infinity
Direct Nipple Strike Hello, and welcome to episode 359 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're jumping through the dimensions with Ben Grimm and Wendell Vaughan. A dangling plot thread needs to be tied up, and it leads our heroes to a world under threat, a world where dinosaurs and oil drilling are forced to mix. Oh, the horrors! Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, John Costanza, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #73 - Pipeline to Infinity. Guest-starring Quasar, and featuring some catty swiping at Muse, at least one bare-arse naked guy, and Roxxon: Exxplained. And, as a bonus, we also take a quick peek at Thor #305, featuring the return of Gabriel, the Air Walker. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 358: Fantastic Four #228 - Ego-Spawn
05/14/2022
Episode 358: Fantastic Four #228 - Ego-Spawn
Reed Richards: Master of Ethics Hello, and welcome to episode 358 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This time on the Fantasticast, we must, we must uncover the mysteries of Franklin's powers, by dressing him up as Professor X (with handy replica Cerebro) and hoping that he isn't too unhappy about a burger. And if this doesn't sound too great, don't worry - someone's read some 'science' and is oh-so-eager to show off their 'research'... Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Gaspar Saladino, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #228 - Ego-Spawn. Featuring a long look at the medical and scientific ethics at play, the worst way to manipulate your family so you can get your own way, and a prick in a vest. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 357: Marvel Two-in-One #72 - The Might of Maelstrom
04/29/2022
Episode 357: Marvel Two-in-One #72 - The Might of Maelstrom
A 'Masterclass' In Solo 'Podcasting' Hello, and welcome to episode 357 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. The show is back after a 2-ish week break, and this time, there's a dire need to wrap some things up. There's an unfinished three-part storyline in Marvel Two-in-One, which in turn forms part of an unifnished plot thread that has run through most of the 1970s. The inhabitants of Hybrobase need curing, and the Inhumans have some unfinished business at their old gaffe. Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Chic Stone, George Roussos, John Costanza, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Gaspar Saladino, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #72 - The Might of Maelstrom. In which domes are shattered, old men die, shadows are wielded by villain and artist alike, and crimes too terrible to mention go unmentioned. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 356: Fantastic Four #227 - The Brain Parasites
04/17/2022
Episode 356: Fantastic Four #227 - The Brain Parasites
A Punk With A Tie Hello, and welcome to episode 355 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. The show is back after a 19-ish month break, and it's bringing with it yet another issue from the infamous Moench/Sienkiewicz run on the Fantastic Four. A meteor falls to Earth, and what it contains could spell disaster and ruin for the petrochemical industry! Only the Fantastic Four can stop it, as long as they don't get distracted by Reed's chauvinism and Sue's poor writing... Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Bruce Patterson, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, and Gaspar Saladino present Fantastic Four #227 - The Brain Parasites. Featuring an impromptu holiday, fishing gear, a novel way of keeping score, an Alien ripoff, and a spooky twist ending. OR DOES IT?!? Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 355: Marvel Two-in-One #71 - The Cure
09/12/2020
Episode 355: Marvel Two-in-One #71 - The Cure
Let's Play Sportsball! Hello, and welcome to episode 355 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. It's time to wrap up one of the longer-running plot lines in the Marvel Universe. It's time to brew a potion, it's time to put things right, it's time to cure the green-skins, on our episode tonight. The inhabitants of Hydro-Island are ready to have their humanity restored, and no-one can stop them. Not even a mysterious figure and his three henchmen. Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Dasy, John Costanza, George Roussos, Bob Budiansky, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #71 - The Cure, guest-starring the Fantastic Four's very own Mr Fantastic. And Triton. And Gorgon. And Karnak. And Crystal and Quicksilver. And Luna (sort-of). In addition, we're also off to the original dystopian future with Uncanny X-Men #141, where an elder Franklin Richards holds the key to unmaking the Days of Future Past. Before all of this, tribute is paid to our friend and co-host Seb Patrick, who passed away very unexpectedly at the start of August. Seb was a huge supporter of the show, he appeared three times with us over the years, and his is much missed. A GoFundMe was set up to support his wife and daughter, you can donate at Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 354: Fantastic Four #226 - The Samurai Destroyer
08/01/2020
Episode 354: Fantastic Four #226 - The Samurai Destroyer
And We're Back Hello, and welcome to episode 354 of The Fantasticast. Each episode, Steve Lacey guides you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. So we're back. Well, one of us is, at least. After eight months off the air and four months of social isolation, the urge to podcast got a bit too much for Steve, and he's back for at least one episode to continue the mission of the podcast. It's the first Fantasticast solo episode, and hopefully it works! Now, what are we covering? Shogun Warriors? Uh... Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, Bruce Patterson, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky, Jim Shooter, Bob Mcleod, and Gaspar Saladino present Fantastic Four #226 - The Sumurai Destroyer. In which a license expiration necessitates a lot of flashback destruction, the globe is trotted with astounding ease, and Andrew Lloyd-Webber makes his Marvel debut. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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The Fantasticast: An Ending, And A Farewell
12/21/2019
The Fantasticast: An Ending, And A Farewell
The Moment Has Been Prepared For Hello, and welcome to The Fantasticast. This episode was originally released as our final episode. We discuss why the show reached a conclusion at the end of 2019, and look back over 8 years of podcasting together. The Fantasticast has since continued to release episodes sporadically, so this episode now functions more as a conclusion to the show as originally launched. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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The Fantasticast Presents... Fantastic Four (2015) Commentary
12/14/2019
The Fantasticast Presents... Fantastic Four (2015) Commentary
43 Confirmed Kills Hello, and welcome to a special epsiode of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're releasing something from our Patreon archive. Previously Patreon-exclusive, the time has come to share with you all our commentary on Josh Trank's 2015 film, Fantastic Four. One of the more notable failures in the decade in which cinema became defined by superhero movies, this was Steve's second watch-through and Andy's first, and dates from late 2016. How dis the film hold up 18 months after release? Did it deserve the critical and fan kicking it received? Was it fair to judge what we received? What was up with Kate O'Mara's hair? And why does Doctor Doom keep killing the black guy? Answer to some of these questions, and more, can be found within... Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 353: Marvel Two-in-One #70 - A Moving Experience
11/23/2019
Episode 353: Marvel Two-in-One #70 - A Moving Experience
Fantastic Butts And Where To Find Them Hello, and welcome to episode 353 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're off to Yancy Street for a romantic reunion, a change in living arrangements, and a set of suspicious removal men who really chose the wrong moment to go undercover. With the Thing sitting on the back of a removals van, and a long-time foe who just might be the mystery teamer-upper for this issue, this issue proves that moving home ain't quite as Fantastic as it sounds... Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Mike Nasser, Gene Day, George Roussos, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, George Perez, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #70 - A Moving Experience. Featuring the discovery that arms are better than ropes, The Adventures of Electro Rope Guy And Bloke With Slightly Snazzy Gun, and more Victorian music-hall songs then you could possible have ever wanted... Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 352: Marvel Team-Up #100 - And Introducing - Karma! She Possesses People!
11/16/2019
Episode 352: Marvel Team-Up #100 - And Introducing - Karma! She Possesses People!
Spidey vs Nightwing - The Great Superhero Buttock-Off Hello, and welcome to episode 352 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four head off to the world of Marvel Team-Up to help the title celebrate its 100th issue. There's a new mutant (or New Mutant) on the loose, seeking revenge, and Spider-Man is the weapon of choice. Only the Fantastic Four can prevent their occasional ally from doing something he really doesn't want to do... Chris Claremont, Frank Miller, Bob Wiacek, Carl Gafford, Annette Kawecki, Denny O'Neil, Jim Shooter, Klaus Janson, John Byrne, Bob McLeod, and Robbie Carosella present Marvel Team-Up #100: And Introducing - Karma! She Possesses People! Featuring the first of the New Mutants, the origins of the Storm/Black Panther romance, and abundance of water towers, and Charles Xavier answering... THE PHONE!!! Joining us to take a look at this oversized anniversary issue is Jay Edidin from Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men. Jay can be found on twitter as . Jay and Miles X-Plain The X-Men can be found at and on twitter as . Jay can also be found at and at Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 351: Fantastic Four #225 - The Blind God's Experience
11/09/2019
Episode 351: Fantastic Four #225 - The Blind God's Experience
Mjolnir (Not) On A Spin Cycle Hello, and welcome to episode 351 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're back in the Arctic once again, as the Fantastic Four find themselves battling to save the blind Viking god from losing his powers to save the dome, battling to kill the blind Viking god who is tired of his powers, and battling to save the dome from destruction by the bling Viking god (but it doesn't really matter because special guest star Thor makes his grand entrance by bursting through the dome...) Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Fantastic Four #225 - The Blind God's Experience! Endure a repetitive flashback! Thrill to a synopsis interrupted by a fansquee over Mamma Mia! Raise suspicions at a person who is definitely not a Viking from a secret community! Marvel at a comic that not even Marv Wolfman or Len Wein could bring themselves to read... Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 350: Marvel Two-in-One #69 - Homecoming
11/02/2019
Episode 350: Marvel Two-in-One #69 - Homecoming
Foggy McFogFace Hello, and welcome to episode 350 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're on the hunt for the elusive 'third-time lucky' effect. Members of the original Guardians of the Galaxy make their third appearance in Marvel Two-in-One, and our hopes are tentatively high that this one will finally be a good comic. With Vance Astro looking to change his past and avert the pain of his current existence by checking which base his teenage self has reached while a mysterious fog saves everyone time on drawing backgrounds, could this be the one? Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, George Roussos, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #69 - Homecoming. Featuring an indistinct Daredevil, a barely-present Nikki, a highly-relevant piece of Two-in-One continuity, the origins of the New Warriors (...ish), and definitely no Welsh accents at all, because we've learned our lesson for once. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 349: Fantastic Four #224 - The Darkfield Illumination
10/26/2019
Episode 349: Fantastic Four #224 - The Darkfield Illumination
Space Viking: Norseman In Disguise Hello, and welcome to episode 349 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're paying a return visit to the Arctic wilderness (not that the Fantastic Four acknowledge their recent trip there) because... uh... look, it's something to do with the red tears of a very tall, very old man, The Neverending Story III, a tiger of indeterminate origin (unless you read the actual text), and a viking-laden flashback that makes the past year of Thor look even better than it currently did, but I'll be buggered if I can recall anything about this partially-formed comic. Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Pablo Marcos, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, Joe Sinnott, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby present various bits of Fantastic Four #224 - The Darkfield Illumination. And now, for no reason at all, I'll just recycle some episode text from much earlier in our run. "enslavement on the gangster world with gladiatorial deathmatches comes to a close. Not necessarily a conclusion, but it certainly stops. Do the Fantastic Four have an actual role to play in the issue? Will the long-promised battle". Look, if it's good enough for Marvel, it's good enough for us! Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 348: Marvel Two-in-One #68 - Discos and Dungeons
10/19/2019
Episode 348: Marvel Two-in-One #68 - Discos and Dungeons
Get More With The Fever On The Dance Floor Hello, and welcome to episode 348 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we're jumping onto the disco zeitgeist, a mere year after the cultural peak of the craze, as we join Ben Grimm and Warren Worthington III in a flashy, New York discotheque before they go and mix it up with a bunch of wacky robots in castle. With the motifs of 'crazy themeing' and 'assassination', could it possibly be Arcade pulling the strings? Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Glynis Wein, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Dave Simons present Marvel Two-in-One #68, in which a robot frog guides our heroes, a bathroom rises suspiciously to the roof, a screwdriver is rather strong, a comic is not constructed in the manner to which one would be accustomed, and some terrible things are done to a Welsh accent. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 347: Fantastic Four Annual #15 - Time for the Prime Ten
10/12/2019
Episode 347: Fantastic Four Annual #15 - Time for the Prime Ten
Stolen From Rimmerworld Hello, and welcome to episode 347 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we stray once again into Annual territory. Reed Richards and Captain Marvel find themselves fighting side-by-side against (allegedly) the cream of the Skrull forces as an experiment to make toy cars move by themselves (or something) brings the Kree-Skrull War to Earth. Meanwhile, in Latveria, Zorba discovers that it ain't so great to be the King, as the journey to Doctor Doom's return to the throne begins. Doug Moench, George Perez, Chic Stone, Jon D'Agostino, Mike Esposito, Ben Sean, George Roussos, Tom Sutton, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four Annual #15 - Time for the Prime Ten. Featuring extra-terrestial ear-waggling, a look at how the MCU treats (or doesn't treat) the average person-on-the-street, an examination of Reed's parenting skills, and the deep, deep eyes of Mar-Vell... oooh... Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 346: Fantastic Four #223 - That A Child May Live
10/05/2019
Episode 346: Fantastic Four #223 - That A Child May Live
Brutacus Is Silly But He Really Illustrates, etc. Hello, and welcome to episode 346 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. If you had bet money against The Salem Seven (as the cover has them) returning in a story featuring Nicholas Scratch, then your wallet is now a bit lighter. Every(no)body's favourite super-villain team is back to remind us all what makes them so unique, as they seek to aid Scratch in returning to Earth, taking it over, and making his facial hair the memetic piece of graphic design that he so wants it to be. Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, Bob Budiansky, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #223 - That A Child May Live, featuring a rebuilt and expanded Fantasticar, an ineffective prison, a demon hunter who arouses absolutely no interest from our hosts, and a reaction you'll have to hear to believe. Which is how podcasts work. Stupid clickbait. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 345: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #5 - When A Stranger Calls
09/28/2019
Episode 345: Marvel Two-in-One Annual #5 - When A Stranger Calls
No! Not The N-Neuron Beam! Hello, and welcome to episode 345 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. Our latest episode sees Steve and Andy linger longer in September 1980, leafing through the pages of that year's Marvel Two-in-One Annual. Dark forces are on the move, and only the Thing and the Hulk possess the raw power, savagery, and innate courage needed for the Stranger to... uh... well, they certainly posses the things that he needs. Alan Kupperberg, Pablo Marcos, Nel Yomtov, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One Annual #5, in which the Stranger can't keep the continuity of his own plan straight, the Hulk has multiple secret desert laboratories equipped with unnecessarily-massive televisions, and the underworld turns out to be a pretty boring place. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 344: Marvel Two-in-One #67 - Passport to Oblivion
09/21/2019
Episode 344: Marvel Two-in-One #67 - Passport to Oblivion
This Fantasticast Could Be Worth $2500 To You! Hello, and welcome to episode 344 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, we bid a fond farewell to one of our favourite supporting characters from the Fantastic Four comics of the 1970s. Treading a fine line between ally and nemesis, Thundra finally heads home, but the journey is not easy, especially when you've got a Hyperion by your side, a Thing in the way, and the Nth Command on your tail... Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Frank Martin, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Jim Shooter, and Joe Sinnott present Marvel Two-in-One #67 - Passport to Oblivion, in Alicia steps out (of her house on a possible date), Thundra and Hyperion step out (of our universe and into a mirror of Femizonia), and Steve and Andy step out (of their comfort zone by reading Shogun Warriors #20 and wondering just what the hell was going on in that). Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 343: Fantastic Four #222 - The Possession of Franklin Richards
09/14/2019
Episode 343: Fantastic Four #222 - The Possession of Franklin Richards
Mr Fantastic Meets Scratchman Hello, and welcome to episode 343 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, the much-discussed Doug Moench/Bill Sienkiewicz Fantastic Four run gets underway properly. A game of hide-and-seek is interrupted by a small spot of demonic possession, and the Fantastic Four find themselves once again facing off against Nicholas Scratch. Doug Moench, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, George Roussos, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #222 - The Possession of Franklin Richards, in which Franklin Richards gets possessed, Ben Grimm takes the subway, Johnny Storm does some Wacky Racing, Sue Richards has no concept of child endangerment, and Reed Richards... well, Reed Richards puts Hank Pym and Peter Parker to shame. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 342: Marvel Two-in-One #66 - A Congress of Crowns
09/07/2019
Episode 342: Marvel Two-in-One #66 - A Congress of Crowns
The Bad Guy Is Called Hugh Hello, and welcome to episode 342 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week, a packed episode sees us don matching hats to dominate the entire- wait, these aren't hats! They're multiversal incarnations of the Serpent Crown! And only The Thing and the Scarlet Witch can save us from a <checks notes> oil CEO called Hugh. It's the final part of the Serpent Crown Affair, and we're here to examine just what happens when a deranged businessman tries to grab power in Washington. Oh, right... Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio, Ron Wilson, Gene Day, Frank Martin Jr, John Costanza, Jim Salicrup, Joe Sinnott, and Jim Shooter present Marvel Two-in-One #66 - A Congress of Crowns. And, if that wasn't enough for you, we also look at what happens when Reed and Sue go shopping in Defenders #86, what happens if Doctor Doom had chosen a path of heroism in What If? #22, and we throw ourselves into Shogun Warriors #19 to see if the addition of the Fantastic Four can save this little-loved title. Plus, we get a bit tired and honest while answering one of your e-mails... Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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Episode 341: Fantastic Four #221 - Tower Of Crystal... Dreams Of Glass
08/31/2019
Episode 341: Fantastic Four #221 - Tower Of Crystal... Dreams Of Glass
Powered by Coke Hello, and welcome to episode 341 of The Fantasticast. Each week, Steve Lacey and Andy Leyland guide you through every issue, guest-appearance and cameo of The Fantastic Four. This week on the Fantasticast, we bid a temporary farewell to John Byrne, as he wraps up his re-purposed corporate tie-in two-part fill-in story. The padding is gone, and the Fantastic Four find themselves participating in a relatively-decent SF morality tale, with complex motivations, an army of plastoids, and a wonderful 'oh, we didn't actually mean to wipe out all life on your planet, sorry' moment. John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Carl Gafford, Jim Novak, Jim Salicrup, and Jim Shooter present Fantastic Four #221 - Tower Of Crystal... Dreams Of Glass. Join us, as we descend beneath the ice to mis-date the last inversion of the Earth's magnetic field, identify the true academic qualifications of Susan Storm, and go disco with the Incredible Hulk and a narratively-pertinent cake bar. Send in your feedback to , leave your comments at the libsyn site, or at . Follow us on twitter, where we are The Fantasticast is Patreon supported. Visit to donate and support us. Original artwork by Michael Georgiou. Check out his work at Episode cover design by Samuel Savage.
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