This week on the Capes and Tights Podcast Justin Soderberg discusses what’s new in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after the updates from the San Diego Comic-Con 2022 in July.

Co-host Adam Morrisette has taken a small sabbatical from the podcast as he is starting a new full-time gig in Illinois and wants to focus on the job. Until he returns Justin will welcome guests as well as go solo on a few episodes. This episode is a solo one.

Kevin Feige, President at Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer at Marvel, made many outstanding announcements at this year’s SDCC and now that the dust has settled a bit, we take a look at this news. The fourth phase will end in November with Black Panther, we got a ton of the fifth phase announcements, and was surprised with some of the major films of Phase 6.

#56: What’s New in the MCU – SDCC Updates

What a special episode of the Capes and Tights Podcast featuring comic book creator and artist Bob Tkacik as well as Galactic Comics and Collectibles owner Paul Eaton to discuss the store-exclusive Seven Years In Darkness #1 variant.

Tkacik is the artist on the Galactic Comics and Collectibles and Capes and Tights store-exclusive variant of Joseph Schmalke‘s Seven Years In Darkness #1. Tkacik is a local Maine artist and creator working on his first book entitled Good Boy Paws which he funded via Kickstarter and is due out soon.

Eaton owns the aforementioned Galactic Comics and is a regular on the Capes and Tights Podcast.

When Eaton was tossing around the idea of hooking up with Schmalke to sell a store-exclusive variant he approached us at Capes and Tights asking if we would go in together on the project. Of course we couldn’t say no to a Schmalke book. After talking back and forth, Eaton decided the best course of action was to hire Tkacik to draw the cover.

The store-exclusive variant cover issues of Seven Years In Darkness #1 are only available at Galactic Comics and Collectibles (547 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME) or galacticcomicsandcollectibles.com. This cover is limited to 100 total copies (including comps) with 75 regular variant covers and 25 metal variants. The regular cover Seven Years In Darkness #1 is also available.

Schmalke’s solicitation for Seven Years In Darkness

Seventy-two children are conscripted to the Academy of Black Magic for seven years where they’ll study the dark arts in a setting devoid of the sun. Only seven will survive to see daylight again.

Schmalke is an artist and comic creator known for his work on We Don’t Kill Spiders, The Electric Black, Cherry Blackbird, Murder Hobo, and so much more. He is also the Co-Publisher, along with Rich Woodall, at Black Caravan an imprint at Scout Comics.

#55: Bob Tkacik – Seven Years in Darkness #1 Variant

The Capes and Tights Podcast welcomes Steve Mardo to the show for episode 54. Mardo is a comic book artist and creator from New England.

Mardo is the artist for Black Caravan’s Epic Tavern – Tales From The Fantastical Crime Unit from writer Shawn French with colors by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles legend Steve Lavigne. The one-shot is based off the Epic Tavern video game created by French and Hyperkinetic Studios, available in beta on Steam.

“Angel is a Centaur Foal.” Hard-boiled detective Victor Marshall finds himself partnered with idealistic young necromancer Emilia Mortalis and her crew of undead animal pals to investigate the disappearance of a young centaur in this official adaptation of the video game Epic Tavern. The series follows the adventures of an overworked agency in the fantasy realm of Beor tasked with investigating crimes committed by supernatural and mythological creatures. Hidden within are clues for unlocking bonus content in Epic Tavern, including a new Final Boss battle and the most powerful artifact in the game.

Steve Mardo has also worked on Joseph Schmalke‘s Murder Hobo comic book and more. His work has also been used for the Bangor Comic and Toy Con‘s promotion poster in 2022. Look for more from Mardo coming in 2023 with projects yet-to-be announced. Steve will be at NecronomiCon in Providence, RI from August 18-21, as well as the 2022 Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland from September 16-18.

Episode #54: Steve Mardo – Comic Book Artist