Robservations with Rob Liefeld

During the filming of Captain America:Civil War Marvel was having a literal Civil War of its own between divisions of power within the company. “Civil War started a Civil War in Marvel” Joe Russo boldly states, one of many revelations from this period of extreme tension & upheaval, un-covered in-depth for the first time in the gripping new Marvel publication, The Story Of Marvel Studios, written by Tara Bennett & Paul Terry. Rob examines all the details leading up to a dramatic shift in power and authority within the hallowed halls of mighty Marvel! 

What could possibly unite Charlie’s Angels, Raiders Of The Lost Ark and The Uncanny X-Men? All will be revealed with this in-depth examination of The Sphere Of Influence!

New castings are on the horizon for James Bond, Wolverine, Johnny Storm and many more! Black Adam is coming! Will there be more Cable? The historical importance of casting, chemistry and how they can determine the fate of your next cinematic franchise!

As salty a feud as you will find in the history of comic books! One that spilled into public view, taking up space in the actual Marvel comic books themselves! Two powerhouse comic book visionaries in the prime of their careers fall out while the entire industry watched! 

Has the market lost its magic? Compare and contrast today’s market with the 90’s heyday. Rob examines interviews with important voices from the 90’s and what they say about then & now! 

DUNE! Dennis Villeneuve! David Lynch! Marvel Comics! Rob uncovers the secret history of the Dune saga spanning two movies to the greatest comic book movie adaptation of all time! 

Angelina Jolie! Kit Harrington! Jack Kirby! Rob goes deep into the cinematic adaptation of Marvel’s new Eternals film. What works? How would Jack Kirby feel? What was most anticipated? How does it affect the MCU going forward! Fresh from the worldwide premiere, an extensive examination of the newest addition to the Marvel Movie Pantheon! 

My full panel from New York Comic Con 2021 was particularly fun! I love doing panels and this one had it all! Pro-tips, creating characters, rivalries, longevity and a lively audience Q&A. Plus, learn how my kid gave Ryan Reynolds hard earned box office to Ben Stiller in order to see Deadpool! 

The ’90s was an electric time for comic books with record-setting sales from Marvel as well as the stunning launch of Image Comics. A slew of fresh characters and creators combined to re-shape the industry. The young fans of that era have come of age, their collective buying power is driving prices of comics, art, and collectibles to new heights! Plus, an encounter with William Shatner! 

No character in modern day history has more Fathers laying claim to his parentage than Venom! The fight for Venom is loaded with juicy vitriol and nasty exchanges between multiple creators sharing their version of the process that conceived of the most celebrated Symbiote! Also – notes from a comic con, NYCC 2021!

An examination of how George Lucas original screenplay, THE STAR WARS, the earliest incarnation of his celebrated space saga, was eventually realized as both a comic book and a line of toys. Anakinn Starkiller! General Skywalker! Plus a crazy convention story from the past that Rob has never shared! 

Spider Man:No Way Home! Dr. Strange: Multiverse Of Madness! Flashpoint! We are about to be deluged with multiple Multiverse films from both Marvel & DC. Rob takes you back to his first thrilling encounter with Multiversity’s and the myriad of possibilities they represent, then and now!

SPIDER MAN! SAVAGE DRAGON! CARNAGE! Image Comics Founder! Image Comics Partner! There are few creators that have achieved what Erik Larsen has! 260 consecutive issues of Savage Dragon and there’s no slowing him down! Our 90 minute discussion covers a career of outstanding benchmarks including his upcoming ANT series! 

As unimaginable as it seems in our modern age of technology, many incredible works, almost all of them adaptations, are out of print with little hope of being restored. Battlestar Galactica! ROM! Logan’s Run! These are chief among the very best sci-fi series adaptations that are inaccessible, representing the finest of the Forbidden Fruits! Rob runs down the best of the uncollected editions!

Did Marvel really launch a crossover out of order? They sure did and we are re-living every fascinating aspect of it! Plus – Venom! Carnage! Luke Cage! Avengers! Spider Man! Beastmaster! It’s a full plate of comic book themed awesomeness! 

Did DC Comics really ship 15 Batman comics in one week? Amazing Comic Convention CEO Jimmy Jay joins Rob for an extensive examination of the current comic book market from a retail perspective! Also, how a search for a comic book store led young 14-year-old Rob Liefeld to a surprise visit to an Adult Sex Shop! 

The 2000’s!! A new Millennium was dawning and the comics industry was rebuilding. New talent was rising and shaping the business! The Ultimate Comics line! Y:The Last Man! The Walking Dead! Invincible! Rob looks back 20 years later to see the millennial turn and the changes that resonate today! 

The emergence of Fantasy themed comics was surging, future comic book superstars were cutting their teeth on classic pulp characters. Sword and Sorcery by names you love but didn’t expect to see on a DC series you never heard of! 

On the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, Rob looks back on the series of tragic events and how they rallied not just a nation but the entire comics industry to action. Marvel and DC Comics publishing operations were based in Manhattan, their heroes boldest adventures were set in the heart of the greatest city in the world. Rob remembers how publishers and talent united to create a series of truly memorable tribute books honoring the fallen heroes and victims of that tragic day. 

An entire episode of Hot Topics covering Marvel’s latest breakout star, SHANG-CHI and Top Marvel Annuals from summer’s past! Avengers! X-Men! Spider-Man! Thanos! 

On February 20, 1978, the first official entry into the Star Wars Expanded Universe was released, opening up a portal for a stream of seemingly endless tales to follow. As the first official follow up to Star Wars smashing success, Splinter Of The Minds Eye was a blockbuster, it’s true origins revealing a possible fate for the sequel to the original film and beyond! The fans of this period, 1st generation Star Wars fans, helped shape the world that was coming, feverishly consuming every item on the Star Wars menu! 

An award-winning fantasy series as well as a pioneer of the independent comic book movement, Rob examines the humble beginnings and overwhelming success that is the phenomenon of ELFQUEST! Hot Topics advises how to best navigate the phony news and fake headlines driving reckless fan sites! 

One of the most popular comic book characters of all time, Wolverine debuted 46 years ago in an issue of The Incredible Hulk, 1974! Did you know that Marvel considered him a teenager when he made his first appearance? Later, his true lineage was revealed, or was it? Rob goes deep inside his intense creation and extensive development across several influential comic book creative teams. 

The Super Feud to end them all! Some feuds are bigger than others and this one between two of comics biggest writers is a scorcher! Alan Moore vs. Grant Morrison! Learn about SUPER-FOLKS, the 1977 Super Hero satire at the center of it all! Grant’s accusations! Alan’s hilarious response! Who called who a “Gilded Turd”? Rob goes deep into the divide between these comic book icons! 

With two Game Of Thrones leads cast in Marvel’s The Eternals Rob examines Kit Harrington’s top secret role as The Black Knight and his complicated comic book history! Also, the art of being an apprentice revealed! The role of an assistant has been a gateway to many blockbuster careers and Rob discusses his time as an apprentice as well as the many that came before him!

How close did we come to a Batman/Spider Man Crossover by Frank Miller & Todd McFarlane? With Joker & Kingpin! What role does Captain America play in Jack Kirby’s DC creation, OMAC? Untold Tales of comics revealed! Plus Hot Topics provides a deep  dive into the high-end collectible incentives driving today’s comic book sales! What will they think of next? 

Dark Knight & Watchmen we’re all the rave and as such, the grim & gritty movement flooded the entire industry! It most definitely was not a one size fits all equation! During the 80’s, The Legion Of Super Heroes once rivaled the X-Men in popularity, boasting multiple titles & spin offs for DC Comics. Then, they applied the Grim & Gritty approach to the Legion with a bleak dystopian make-over that never took off, the franchise went completely off the rails and has never recovered! 

The Underground comic book movement spread like wildfire in the late 1960’s, the champion of the form was Robert Crumb, a pioneer of Comix! In the 1970’s Crumb’s work would spread across the culture with his popular “Keep On Trucking” images and comic strips. In the early 2000’s R. Crumb shocked the world as he began work on a word for word adaptation of the Book Of Genesis. Published in 2009, it is a brilliant & gorgeous effort showcasing the best of Crumbs raw talents and instincts. Rob examines the depths of this masterwork. 

As Image Comics fractures Todd McFarlane leads the charge to cripple Rob Liefeld’s publishing endeavors, but 3 key moves backfire spectacularly, the fallout becomes too much for Jim Lee, who becomes the ultimate decider. Tantrums and meltdowns follow! You cannot miss the pulse-pounding conclusion to one of comic books’ biggest feuds ever! 

A feud for the ages! So big it can’t be contained in just one installment!! In July 1996, Rob Liefeld moved his popular titles, including the comic that launched Image Comics, Youngblood, to Maximum Press, a publishing label Liefeld owned outright. This created a turbulent, hostile response from his Image partners, none as furious as the one from Todd McFarlane. Accusations were thrown, Threats were issued, Lawsuits filed and angry words exchanged. Follow the entire saga from the beginning, including the catalogue preview that lit the fuse, and the legendary 1997 Comics Journal interview by McFarlane that has to be heard to be believed, leading the Journal to say “We Know Todd’s pissed as a raving monkey”. 

A bitter dispute between talent and label creates a window of opportunity that provides an alternative path putting Michael Turner on top of the comics world! Turner’s introduction to the big two publishers was a result of a standoff with his former studio, his work at DC put him in another league of recognition and acclaim which carried until his tragic passing in 2008.

The most celebrated scribe in the history of modern comics, Alan Moore, (Watchmen, From Hell) has feuds with both Marvel & DC! His feuds are almost as notorious as his acclaimed stories. Rob walks you through the timeline that finds Alan vowing to never work for DC Comics again post Watchmen controversy, which he maintained right up until DC acquired his newest line of titles without his knowledge. The bogus “firewall”, sold as a barrier to settle Moore’s misgivings about DC, held briefly until they meddled and lost him once again. Forever?

Our Comic Book Feuds series kicks off with a Clash of Titans! Together, John Byrne and Chris Claremont created the most acclaimed run in modern comic books. Their X-Men stories transformed the industry, adapted in no less than 4 Major motion pictures as well as cartoons and toys. Their celebrated work inspired a generation, until they parted ways, never to work together at Marvel again. Rob breaks down the differences that led to their epic break up and weighs the benefits for both men and it’s impact on all of fandom. 

Prior to Disney purchasing Marvel and the MCU Films going on their extended run of unprecedented box office success, the market was uncertain of their prospects. Back in 2004, the business world preached caution, advising that all Marvel had left was “inferior characters” going so far as to hedge against them as they prepared to finance their own slate of films. Rob has done the research and takes you all the way back, examining the articles & opinions from Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and others as they doubled down with doubt as to Marvel’s future. Little did they know what was to come! 

Everyone loves a great duet, two top talents combining to forge a new sound, or in this case, look! Comic books has long boasted many such collaborations where two unique, powerhouse talents combine, becoming one, often offering an alternate look with equal appeal. Rob counts down his favorite duets in the history of comic books! 

An historic pairing of comic book’s most celebrated art team put Uncanny X-Men on the map! But it almost never happened and you’ll never believe why! Also, more comic book secret history and how it impacted Justice League and a fledgling Young Avengers title! Rob details all the near-misses and could have been’s that shaped the industry! 

Wolverine’s impact on the popularity of X-Men and comics in general is immeasurable. Rob breaks down the 5 artists who defined him for all who followed. In Hot Topics, we discuss who broke the 4th wall in the first place and why it matters! 

A deep discussion of the state of fandom and the fan experience in comic books and pop culture.

As Black Widow storms towards theaters, it’s international scope provides a perfect platform to discuss the myriad of international heroes from Marvel and DC! Rob shares The Global Guardians and many other worldwide characters from past & present! 

The Summer of 1978, The DC Explosion was coming, until all of the sudden, it wasn’t. In one fell swoop, the plans for an aggressive expansion of the DC Comics line, more story, more pages, was crushed! Re-named The DC Implosion, an unexpected line wide cancellation came from on high, directed by Warner Bros. top management, an epic publication scale back like nothing seen before or after. 17 titles abruptly canceled, over before it began, writers and artists left scrambling for work. An industry in upheaval! Was it the end of an era or the beginning of an all new revolution? 

June 25, 1991, Marvel Comics releases X-Force #1, created by Rob Liefeld, a fresh take on Marvel’s Mighty Mutants, selling a record shattering 5 million copies. 30 years later, Cable, Deadpool and the rest have gone on to become staples of the comics industry, stars of games, movies, cartoons and toys. Rob reflects on the battles to bring X-Force to life as well as the road that led to this momentous 30th anniversary celebration.

But for a crazy twist of fate, the All-New X-Men almost appeared as DC characters in a DC Comics spin-off with radically different origins! Storm! Nightcrawler! Wolverine! Thunderbird! What almost wasn’t!

Action in comics! Where’d it go? Where’s it been and most importantly, where’s it all headed? We kick off with Hot Topics asking what happened to all the action in comic books?  Once a staple of every comic book, the trend has gone away from action oriented stories and Rob shares with you the inspiration from his personal favorite action comics! 

The Brits have arrived! Alan Moore arrived fresh from English shores with Marvelman, Swamp Thing & Watchmen, each met with thunderous acclaim and comic books were never the same! Grant Morrison soon followed and the Age of The British Writer was here to stay! Rob looks at the rivalries and the impact the British Invasion of the 80’s has on modern day comics and beyond! Also, Hot Topics takes on She-Hulk, Titania & the rise of the Expert Level Influencer! 

By 1974, Marvel had raced past DC Comics as the most popular and successful brand of comic book entertainment. Seeking to expand awareness and establish a presence in the burgeoning book market, Marvel pacted with prominent publisher, Simon & Schuster, who went on to produce a blockbuster line of Marvel trade collections under their Fireside label. These first of their kind collections featured accessible entry level stories of Marvel’s most popular characters. Fireside books placed Marvel in libraries all over the country, further enhancing Marvel’s growing profile. Fireside created the first ever original graphic novel by re-teaming Jack “The King” Kirby and Stan “The Man” Lee in a collaboration that produced an epic original Silver Surfer story! Rob recounts the history of Marvel & Fireside as he experienced it in real time!

Who is on the Mt. Rushmore of comic books? Rob isn’t shy about sharing who he believes deserves the hollowed honor, the legends that demand recognition above all others. We break it down as All-Time Greats as well as era’s. The Seventies? The Eighties? Is there a modern day candidate? What’s the criteria anyway? Get those fighting hands up as this is bound to get heated! 

It’s the End Of The World as we know it! Audiences have a longstanding love affair with Post-Apocalyptic themes and scenarios. Depictions of Armageddon and the aftermath have been famously explored on screens big & small in Planet Of The Apes, Walking Dead and recently, A Quiet Place. Rob examines the comic book explorations, expansions and exploitations of popular apocalyptic worlds! 

Marvel’s famous Wall-Crawler has had no shortage of amazing artists depict his legendary adventures! Todd McFarlane! Steve Ditko! John Romita Sr! Erik Larsen! Gil Kane! Who defines your Spider Man? Who is your favorite Spidey illustrator? Rob breaks down the distinct influence of each artist and provides his top 5 Spider Man artists of all time! 

Working on legendary and storied franchises provides career opportunities like no other. None bigger than Batman. How long do you stay, when do you parlay the exposure into the next big thing? Rob looks at the art, practice and negotiation of the Signal Boost! 

Rob examines a grueling Batman Tale from the not too distant past that offers a brutal glimpse of another future Gotham struggling without a Batman! From The Pope Of Comic Books himself, Paul Pope, a Bat-Masterpiece!! Also – The Eternals! Fast & Furious 9! Mission Impossible! Star Wars! The Age Of Heroes! Literally, the age of our current & future franchises given careful scrutiny! What comes next?