Hey folks, just a quick note to let you know what we’re going to be doing for the next couple of podcast episodes.

We were scheduled to have a regular episode this weekend, but because of various circumstances (including my being on holiday and there not being much comics news from the past couple of weeks) we’ve moved the next episode to next weekend (February 8/9). We’ll be back then with news, reviews and the Handbook, all as per usual.

In the interim, we’re intending to have a special one-off show, probably going up on Monday or Tuesday, which is going to be a completely different kettle of fish. You might remember this post which we did back in October, concerning the heavily comics-influenced indie wrestling promotion Chikara Pro. Well, we’re going to be speaking to a couple of representatives from that promotion – commentator Leonard F Chikarason (whose comics podcast, The Weekly Longbox, is available here) and Kobald (a wrestler who’s heavily influenced by a certain Spidey villain with a pointy glider). We’re going to be talking about Chikara, and about everything that’s been going on with that promotion and its ARG over the past eight months.

Just to be clear: this isn’t going to be an episode of House to Astonish (we’re calling it Holds to Astonish, because it made us laugh), though it’s going to come out on the same feed (because a lot of people who enjoy our podcast also like Paul’s writing on wrestling here, and because we’d have to pay to set up a separate feed, which seems a little over the top for a one-off). You’re not going to miss out on any of our chat about comics news, reviews and daft Marvel characters if you skip this episode, so if it’s not for you then please do just ignore it – we know that not everyone who listens to our show is interested in wrestling (and to be honest, I’m in that category 90% of the time), but as we were going to be delaying the regular episode until next weekend anyway you’re not actually getting any fewer episodes of the show, and there’ll be a new episode of House to Astonish along next weekend. If you’re interested in finding out more about Chikara, though, then check it out. It’s an extra, and in all honesty I think it should be a lot of fun.

If you’d like to get yourself warmed up for it, you can check out the live, free stream of National Pro Wrestling Day today at their site from 6pm UK time/1pm EST- it’s likely to be a pretty major forum for developments in the ongoing Chikara saga. The show is completely free, but they’re running a donation drive for the Against Malaria Foundation, so maybe consider throwing them a few bucks anyway.

With one thing and another, we’re a little behind, so apologies for the slight delay in getting this episode to you. This time round, we’re discussing Marvel’s announcements, including a variety of new series, the relaunch of the Ultimate books, and… something to do with Spider-Man? We’re also looking at Lex Luthor taking the reins of the Justice League, DC’s second Aquaman series, and the Vertigo anthology CMYK, and whizzing through all of the announcements coming out of the Image Expo. We’re also reviewing Black Widow, Black Dynamite and EGOs (in the context of which we fail to notice that the artist and colourist are the same person), and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is in fact only a clockwork toy to be wound up by God or the Devil. All this plus Prisoner: Deep Space 9, What If: Essex and Rich Johnston’s gang of comics gossip urchins.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, either in the comments, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.

And hey, there are swish t-shirts and hoodies available on our Redbubble store. Why not treat yourself?

Welcome to 2014, a shiny new year of comics, and what better way to see out 2013 than to look back at the best it had to offer? Paul and I are naming our picks in a variety of categories, with the result of the listener vote also being revealed. We’ve also got a little news, regarding Star Wars moving to Marvel, Jim Starlin’s new Thanos graphic novel and Deadpool’s wedding celebration, but the emphasis is on the Homies as we hand out the gongs… or rather, have to watch them being handed out. There’s the best new series, best actually new series, pleasant surprises, cliffhangers and outstanding achievements, among others, so please do join us. All this plus Frankly Cock Cho, banana peels and seltzer bottles and the Five Interesting Things You Meet In Heaven.

The episode is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.

And why not start the year by spending a little of that Christmas money on a lovely new t-shirt or hoodie? Christmas jumpers are for Christmas, but HtA merch is for life.

It’s our Christmas gift to you – a slightly belated podcast featuring discussion of the casting of Ant-Man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Sandman movie, Shia LaBoeuf’s plagiarism, Matt Fraction leaving Inhuman and Zeb Wells leaving Elektra, the return of Stray Bullets, Mike Carey and Salvador Larocca’s X-Men OGN and Stephen Wacker’s job move. We’re also reviewing The Illegitimates, The Midas Flesh and Harley Quinn, and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is just your dad really.

Hear! Al briefly sing a They Might Be Giants tune. Boggle! At both Paul and Al admitting that they really don’t get one of the most celebrated newspaper strips of all time. Wonder! If there is no awards ceremony because Al was too disorganised to ask for nominations (yes). All this plus a clown car, a pint of drawing pins and the Coen brothers movie that’s happening behind the DC offices.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments, on Twitter, via email, or on our Facebook fan page. Don’t forget that we’ve got our t-shirt store open 24/7 if you want to spend some of that Christmas money Granny gave you, and we’ll see you again in the new year.

After last week’s debacle, we’re very pleased to be able to say that things seem to have worked out a good bit better this time round – we’ve got news about Stan Lee Media’s latest lawsuit, Fox’s Marvel movie universe, the X-Men movie after next, Warners’ casting of Wonder Woman (and yes, we know her name’s not Godot, that was just for a rubbish joke, we promise), Marvel’s digital trades giveaway and the new Wolverine & the X-Men and Magneto series. We’ve also got reviews of Inhumanity, Rover Red Charlie and Black Science, and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is retro chic. On top of that, we’ve got interviews with Al Ewing, Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kieron Gillen which we recorded at Thought Bubble. All this plus Superman eating a puppy, scratch & sniff numbering, the sound of fighting geese and the true story of what killed all the Romans.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments below, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page. Please do also leave iTunes reviews if that’s your thing, and remember that we have a range of very swish t-shirts and hoodies available via our Redbubble store.

Due to Garageband being an unutterable piece of garbage, we won’t have a podcast for you this week. Apologies. We’ll try to convene again next weekend if we can, where you’ll be able to hear the interviews with Kelly Sue DeConnick, Al Ewing and Kieron Gillen which were recorded at Thought Bubble.

It seems ridiculous to think that we’d ever hit this point, but here we are – it’s the fifth anniversary of House to Astonish, and we’re joined for our longest-ever podcast by Graeme McMillan and Jeff Lester of Savage Critics’ Wait, What? to talk about the Ultimate universe, Marvel’s Netflix deal, comics creators who’ve fallen by the wayside, the state of play at DC and a huge amount more. There’s Alicia Masters trying not to get pee on her shoes, a badly-pitched Daredevil story, a labrador writing Avengers, a low-rent Scooby Gang and Schrodinger’s Channel.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Get comfortable. This one’s long (and yes, very self-indulgent, but if you can’t be self-indulgent on your fifth birthday, when can you be?).

Let us know what you think, either in the comments below, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page. Don’t forget too that you can get our t-shirts on our Redbubble page, with its delightful range of sartorially smashing shirts.

Thanks for joining us for the past five years, and here’s to the future…

We have a nice lean 75 minutes for you this time round, talking about DC relocating to Burbank, the end of Fables, the Daredevil Infinite comic, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March, Marvel’s Japanese animated show, the latest comings and goings in comics-related litigation and the Mighty Avengers 1 script release SNAFU. We’ve also got reviews of Sandman: Overture, Damian, Son of Batman and Velvet, and The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is trying not to hurt its stiff upper lip. All this plus Batman’s sexytime habits, a left hand pouring water on the carpet and someone being sued by their own trousers.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments, via email, on Twitter or on our Facebook fan page.

As always, if you want to help us pay rents, hosting costs or baby food bills, our Redbubble store will let you do that and look snazzy at the same time.

Yep, you read that right – we’re back, and on a (theoretically) regular schedule too. This time round, on a special extra-length episode, we’ve got tons of discussion of news out of New York Comic-Con for you. We’re talking about a whole load of things, including Batman: Eternal, the Dynamite revival of the Gold Key characters, the return of Priest and M.D. Bright to Quantum & Woody, Greg Rucka’s new horror series Veil, the slew of new Marvel series, the return of Miracleman and, of course, the ReedPOP promotional tweet controversy. We’ve also got interviews with Antony Johnston, Greg Pak, Justin Jordan and Charles Soule, and all the usual waffle you’ve come to expect (except reviews or Handbook stuff, both of which are AWOL). All this plus a 24-hour hype man, a really complicated tax spreadsheet and Alan Moore giving you the finger.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments below, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.

Don’t forget too that there are snazzy t-shirts available through our Redbubble store. Look good! Feed Paul’s son!

By way of something to tide you over in anticipation of House to Astonish’s full-blown return, here’s an hour of questions, answers and general messing around featuring me and previous guests Cara Ellison, Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, where we answer questions on comics-based video games, gritty superhero TV shows, all-ages comics, Marvel Now Wave 2, the future of the Ultimate universe and loads more.

The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available through the embedded player below. Let us know what you think in the comments below, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.

Don’t forget that our stylish and charming House to Astonish shirts will keep you warm and contribute to Paul’s son’s college fund, and can be found at our Redbubble store.