Robservations with Rob Liefeld

What happens when one generation of talent replaces another, garnering the spotlight & praise, routinely topping the charts that were once dominated by the previous era? Seldom does the older generation go quietly and, in the case of John Byrne, he takes aim with the Image Comics gang, specifically Todd McFarlane…repeatedly! Hang on for a crazy installment of Comic Book Feuds! 

Comic Stores are the backbone of the comic book industry! Chances are you encountered your favorite comic book character or issue at a local comic book retailer, Rob offers support for all stores and some memories of great comic store experiences! Also, Critical Acclaim? What’s it worth anyway? 

We return to the way back machine and visit 2002, where licensed properties filled the creative void in comic books! Transformers! Thundercats! G.I. Joe! Buffy! Planet Of The Apes! Nostalgia fever was all the rage, fueling the culture as Marvel & DC regained their footing in the new millennium! Also, the movies, tv & music from 20 years back!

The Holidays are here and Rob shares some favorite Christmas themed Marvel & DC comic books from across the decades! Batman! Spider Man! Avengers! Luke Cage! Dr. Strange! Black Widow! Superman! Aquaman! It’s the Holiday Super Hero Grab Bag Edition of Robservations! 

An expression of thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation. 

Would you go back and do it over the same way all again? This question led to an examination of why and how storytellers make the choices they do? What is the contract you enter into with fans as you seek to entertain them? Even though the market has changed, what recommendations would I make to Marvel & DC comic creators young and old. In the first entry in our new Storytellers series, I share the lessons I learned from the creators that influenced my own path. 

With two of comic books oldest characters, Namor & Black Adam recently introduced to audiences worldwide Rob looks ahead to which characters and titles are yet to come on the big screen. Are there any A-Listers left? Who is on deck for upcoming Marvel & DC films? 

It’s not a trend it’s an evolution. Spider Man! Boba Fett! Snake Eyes! Deadpool! The Mandolorian! Venom! Power Rangers! Kyle Ren! The masked character, helmeted figure has risen to all new levels of of popularity and acclaim among fandom! Rob looks at the how and why of the current Mask Revolution! 

As the cinematic debut of Marvel’s original Hot-Head, Prince Namor, The Sub-Mariner races towards cinema’s in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rob looks at his own history with Marvel Hot Head’s! Fiery tempers defined many of these popular characters who raged on the page! Luke Cage, Power Man! The Thing! Hercules! And the most popular, temperamental of them all, X-Men’s very own, Wolverine! Also, the return of Rob Recommends! 

The late Nineties was a weird time in comic books, publishers were scrambling to bolster falling sales, chasing emerging trends in search of a lifeboat! Marvel embraced the success of The Matrix and applied all the wrong lessons in the process! The history of X-Revolution and Counter X! 

What many consider to be the greatest and most celebrated run in the history of comics yielded a plethora of bold new characters and hidden kingdoms! The Fantastic Four by Jack Kirby & Stan Lee laid down the foundation of the Marvel Universe! Among the standouts were Black Panther and Wakanda! The Inhumans and The Great Refuge! Silver Surfer! None were as bold or as memorable as Galactus, The Devourer Of World’s! We examine the history, the inspirations and the impact of one of Marvel’s most impressive characters!

It was a time of big sales for comic books, with Marvel Comics holding 40% of the market and Image Comics achieving 20% with only 8 titles, two talented Titans shared their personal viewpoints at distinct junctures in their careers. Spider Man’s Todd McFarlane & X-Men’s Chris Claremont sound off in a pair of 1992 interviews! 

Do recent box office results reflect a shift in appetite for comic book movies from Marvel & DC? Has The Golden Age of Comic Book films passed us by? Did the modern comic book film peak with Avengers:Endgame?  Spider Man:No Way Home? What comes next and what will it take to punch through to the next Comic Book Movie renaissance? 

We all know how it feels when that comic book, movie or our favorite show clicks into place with spectacular results. The careful mix of talent, style, genre can produce a timeless experience that electrifies the audience. Rob examines the creators who found their perfect fit as well as a few misfires along the way! 

A discussion of Cancel Culture. When your favorite artists go awry. The fallout on fans when controversial conduct, behavior and actions occur. 

We continue our series on Marvel Monsters with Marvel’s very own Frankenstein, an adaptation that saw the legendary monster enter the modern Marvel Universe fighting Spider Man & The Avengers! Rob examines the history behind incorporating Frankenstein into Marvel lore and the extraordinary talent that brought it to life! Also, Rob Recommends! 

How does a comic company boasting the top talents in the business vanish inside 2 years time? Adams! Ditko! Wood! Chaykin! The sad demise of Atlas Comics is examined in this concluding episode. Plus, an all new Rob’s Recommendations! 

Did the owner of Marvel Comics really start a rival comic company after feeling betrayed by Stan Lee? Did he assemble top flight creators to launch his new label? Neal Adams! Steve Ditko! Wally Wood! Howard Chaykin! Larry Hama! The saga of Atlas Comics demands your attention!

Pull up your desks and get ready to take notes! Comic Book Distribution has taken many forms over the years and currently it’s in flux as publishers change directions. Where is the future of comic book publishing and distribution headed? Rob shows you the way! 

Rob goes back in time 41 years, examining a Marvel & DC combo editorial panel from San Diego Comic Con, 1981! Roy Thomas, Frank Miller, Jim Shooter, Louise Simonson & Denny O’Neil offer the Marvel & DC Comics methods of creating comics! Its a stark contrast to the way comics are presented today! Also, AVATAR, the legacy and success of Jim Cameron! 

We take a walk on the competitive side of The Arts! Music! Movies! Comics! Competitors All! Steven Spielberg! Francis Ford Coppola! James Cameron! John Byrne! Howard Chaykin! From comics to film, the beefs and boasts to remember! 

Frank Miller’s Dark Knight arrived in 1986 garnering universal praise & critical acclaim. It has stood as the most transformative work for the character, permanently altering him from the Caped Crusader to Dark Knight Detective. The Dark Knight informed Batman’s cinematic future and all that followed. Rob shares the 10 major changes introduced in Miller’s visionary tale that affected not only Batman but the comics and entertainment industry at large. 

Rob covers the most important work you’ve never heard of.  In 1983, visionary creator Howard Chaykin, artist of the original Star Wars adaptation, launched his creator-owned magnum opus, American Flagg! A graphic experience like no other, with no capes or superpowers, Chaykin’s work on Flagg! from layouts, page design, costumes, characters & concepts informed all that followed, including Dark Knight and Watchmen.

Disney’s Mega Celebration event, D23, returned bigger than ever with all sorts of exciting news for fans of Star Wars, Marvel and Avatar! Indiana Jones 5! The Mandalorian! Andor! Willow! Thunderbolts! Rob was on the scene for all of it & breaks down his favorite presentations, sharing the biggest news of the show!

A look back at how Marvel Comics jumped headfirst into creating an expansive Monster-Verse that dominated their line up for many years. Rob examines the circumstances and conditions that created this opportunity to expand the Marvel Universe. 

A study of Superman, the inspirations behind his creation and the tremendous impact the character has had across pop culture. 

Mr. Wizard takes Rob out to dinner to share a foreboding forecast. Plus, The Marvel/DC cross-over that almost was! 

Celebrating the life & accomplishments of Jack Kirby! The Decades series looks at 1989 as key pieces move into place that will transform comic books forevermore.

Rob looks over his 37-year career in comics and shares the five biggest and most transformational changes to the industry over the past three decades!

We have to talk about The Wizard! The Wizard Age of Comics left us 11 years ago. An examination of what that experience entailed from the perspective of a professional comic creator and publisher of comic books that survived their tumultuous existence. 

On the occasion of their 30th Anniversary, we celebrate the artistic achievements and favorite works of the original Image Comics founders. 

The Passion Of The Pop. Why we worship.

Secret Wars! Secret Wars! All the buzz is about Secret Wars coming to the MCU, but which one? The original comic event generated massive sales, spawning a 1985 sequel that is best forgotten. Where did it all go wrong? Also, a profile of the worst comic book store owner of all time!

The origins of Marvel’s ambitious and controversial attempt to launch a companion X-Men title. Also – The latest on the frenzy behind DC Comics & Entertainment!

Fast Food & Comic Books go together like chocolate & peanut butter. Fans binge burgers, fries, tacos and pizzas all while consuming their favorite comic book adventures. Rob takes you through his own history with fast food and comics as a fan and later as a pro. The taco stands & burger joints where crucial creative decisions on New Mutants, X- Force & Image Comics all went down. Get this one to go!!

The Importance of ACTION in storytelling!

Two groups of outcasts, each led by a mysterious  man in a wheelchair, their publications separated by a matter of months. Just how much did Doom Patrol influence X-Men? What did the creator of Doom Patrol accuse Stan Lee of and how did Stan respond? The mystery between the two concepts is examined in depth like never before! Also – why there will ever be another venue like Hall H!

Our Marvel vs. DC Series kicks off as we highlight the evolution of Aquaman and the influence that Namor, The Sub Mariner had on him from the very beginning! Rob attended Marvel’s HALL H panel and shares all he has seen as well as recounting the events of an emotional, yet triumphant return to Comic-Con!

The Comic-Con Episode! To celebrate the return of Comic-Con International, Rob reflects on 40 fabulous years of attending the legendary show as both fan and professional! 

What is a movie? How is it different than a film? No less than Steven Spielberg provides the answer in this jam packed episode! The audience that propelled Marvel to the top of the pack is maturing, how will their evolving tastes affect the movies of the future? In comics, the best & brightest of the Bronze Age united to re-launch a legendary title, the THUNDER AGENTS were reborn but short lived as a result of a lawsuit that killed the movement! 

The State Of Pop is on the menu! The Boys! Top Gun:Maverick! Deadpool 3! Prophet! Thor! Something Is Killing The Children! Marvel! DC! Rob looks at what’s hot and what’s not in Comics, TV and Film. 

Break out the Disco Ball and the bell bottoms as we celebrate all the Pop that was formed in 1978! The Greatest Comic Book of all time was published! What was it? The X-Men went international, The Avengers Assembled against their mightiest foe! At the movies, Superman made you believe a man could fly & Grease was the word! An incredible close out to our decade series! 

Our decades series continues to roll! 2012 was chock full of surprises! The Hunger Games! Beyond Watchmen! Spider-Man #700! Hawkeye! Captain Marvel! The Future was now as pop culture exploded with new faces and franchises! 

The Decades series jumps into 2012, a massive year for Marvel, the MCU and the Avengers! Avengers comics! Avengers movies! Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead explodes in popularity, topping the charts and cementing Image Comics continued dominance! Huge pop culture footprints defined the decade to come!

The Decades series continues in The Year 2000 part 2 with an exploration of the new directions the X-Men attempt to explore, the missed opportunities, the creative misfires and the challenges. Plus, the latest from the current comic book auctions and on the occasion of his passing, Rob celebrates the life, genius and legacy of illustrator Tim Sale. 

We made it to the year 2000 and things are about to change! The most popular comic of all time makes it’s big-screen debut, Marvel emerges from bankruptcy, changes management and initiates a new but familiar strategy! 

The excitement of 1991 extends throughout 1992 as dramatic shifts and shake-up’s rock pop culture! A group of Marvel superstars form Image Comics just as a group of NBA All Stars unite as The Dream Team, dominating the world of basketball. Batman Returns dominates as the top movie and DC snaps, killing their most iconic here! What a thrilling conclusion to the year that shaped all that followed! 

Nirvana crashed the music scene! Terminator 2 dominated the cineplex! X-Force & X-Men shattered the record books! 1991 transformed the media landscape, shaping all the music, movies & comics that followed! 

1986 Part Two! Marvel’s attempts to launch an all new, New Universe as DC’s Power Trio of Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman get a fresh overhaul for former Marvel Mega-Stars! At the cineplex, an Australian adventurer takes America by storm! 

We begin our series examining specific years across various decades and the monumental influence they had in shaping pop culture. Top Gun:Maverick! Stranger Things Season 4! The cover to Dark Knight #1 at auction! 1986 is the bond that unites them all, that year has never been more relevant than right now! Rob takes the dive into the music, tv, films and comic books that changed an era!