Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 28: “The Doug…Undone!”

It’s a surprise-entirely-unnatural-pregnancy episode, everyone’s favorite scifi/fantasy trope! And The Doug Thompson handles it…poorly. Little less of the Puck/Bochs self-loathing (though not none of that nonsense), but the issues covered this episode represent a real corner being turned as we put the…rocky start to Mantlo’s time behind us. Overly optimistic? Probably!

In this episode, Chris:

• proves Tom very wrong on a bit of character backstory, which shouldn’t be surprising, but here we are
• wrote a script that goes pretty hard at Canada, our beloved neighbor and (future?) home
• adores Shaman’s new outfit!

and Tom:

• leaves in Chris proving him wrong because he’s a real one
• thinks “Mansion Alpha” sounds like an influencer house
• posits that we were all deprived of some righteous Mignola-mystical art

Issues covered:

Alpha Flight #35 - cover date June 1986 - “The Child is Father to the Man”
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Introducing Canada’s own David Ross and penciler
Inker is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Jim Novak
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter

Alpha Flight #36 - cover date July 1986 - “Labor Pains”
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Penciler is David Ross
Inker is Gerry Talaoc
Letter is Joe Rosen
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Editor in Chief is Jim Shooter

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, part of the Roxxon family of companies. Roxxon is proud to celebrate Pride month with a series of pride themed comic book patches like the Deadpool icon with a pan flag in the background and an X-Men icon with a trans flag theme. But my favorite has to be the Alpha Flight combined logo with a full pride flag of colors throughout: it’s really something special. You can see all these and hundreds more by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com.

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Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 27: “Big Throuble in Westchester County”

We’ll be at The Uncanny Experience in July, giving a talk on the history of Department H, which sounds boring, but it’s us, so we’ll find a way to spice it up (I mean, a full-scale assault on civil rights tends to make for spicy conversation)! But in today’s episode, we cover the last(?) two especially rough issues in the Mantlo run (Tom hopes), featuring Wolverine and the first appearance of Lady Deathstrike (if you’re listening to us, you know what that is).

Oh, and inexplicably, as is their wont, a member of Power Pack makes an appearance. They’re literally everywhere.

In this episode, Chris:

• makes a Secret Wars joke that there’s no way in hell Tom could’ve possibly understood
• comments on the corner box art and how it’s a lost art in modern comics (shakes fist at sky)
• makes a frankly INSANE suggestion for a THUNDERBOLTS* post-credit scene
• lays out the rules for Power Pack/X-Men team-ups

and Tom:

• is running out of ideas re: celebrating Walt’s…absence
• successfully argues that we all need to show “The Doug” some ‘spect
• feels Teeny really pulled her weight this episode
• absolutely does NOT nail a Rogue voice
• goes on another literary tangent

Alpha Flight #33 - “A Friend in Need” - cover date April 1986
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Penciler is Sal Buscema
Inker is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Jim Novak
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight #34 - “Honor” - cover date May 1986
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Storyteller is Sal Buscema
Finisher is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Janice Chiang
Colorer is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Editor in Chiefer is Jim Shooter

This week our sponsor, the Excelsior Embroidery Company, is featuring the iconic X-Men logo with a variety of Pride flags in the background. Available as a patch, towel, or hat, this is a great addition to your summer wardrobe. See this patch and hundreds more designs by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. When company is coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

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Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 26: “Tall Tale”

Do you ever feel like you’re just talking to yourself most of the time? Just Tom? Because he spends swaths of this episode doing voices? Ok. Just Tom.

It’s time for that episode folks. THAT episode. Wherein we learn how Puck came to be…Puck…according to Bill Mantlo. But! We make the most of it. We think.

In this episode, Chris:

• brings back an oldie, but a goodie, sound effect
• really wants to see Harrison Ford take out Puck
• tries out a new sign off?

and Tom:

• is more than a touch flummoxed by the…necromancy?...committed to give Heather her suit
• kinda struggles w/ Northstar & Aurora’s accents: he’ll do better next time
• says “immensely black storm cloud” and wonders what language even is anymore

Alpha Flight #32 - “Tall Tales” - cover date March 1986
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Penciler is John Bogdanove
Inker is Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Jim Novak
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
and Jim Shooter as Editor In Chief

Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, specializing in comic themed patches, towels, and more. This week we are featuring our delightfully cheeky Rogue towels, now 100% lead free in the state of California. See what everyone at C2E2 was talking about by going to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. When company is coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 25: “Pucking Around and Finding Out”

Well we’re back from C2E2 and boy howdy was that a good time. Great meeting folks and finding out just how many folks can recognize Puck in the wild (and were incredibly excited to see the costume!). We’re back in your ears today with a deep dive on issue 31 and the return of Deadly Ernest.

In this episode, Chris:

• does an incredible amount of Puck voicework. Really think he’s only going to speak as Puck in the very near future
• recounts the worst job he ever had, which does connect to this issue. Sort of

and Tom:

• theorizes John Byrne may have held his characters and their lives hostage
• gets a basic Canada fact wrong, which is very much not his role on this podcast

Alpha Flight #31 - “The Grateful Dead” - cover date February 1986
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Pencils by Mike Mignola
Inks by Gerry Talaoc
Letters by Jim Novak
Colors by Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company which is happy to mail you a nerdy iron on patch, kitchen towel, tote bag, or anything else embroiderable! This week we’re featuring a new design, it’s a mini Alpha Flight icon patch that’ll fit on anything you could imagine and listeners can get one for free! For a limited time, go to excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com to make any purchase and use the code ALPHAN to get this little guy tossed in your order for free.

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Written by Chris Baker
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Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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What the title says! We'll be at C2E2 Friday, April 11, 2025 and Saturday, April 12, 2025, just hanging out and taking it all in. And we'll be in costume. Alphan costumes.

So if you're nearby and have the time, you should come. Not just because of us. But mostly because of us. And if you're not nearby, you can engage vicariously through our socials.

Tom never thought he'd dress up for a con. The things we do...

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 24: “Elbows Up”

…and we’re off! We spend this episode solely discussing Issue #30, which will be our approach for the next few issues as we get used to what Mantlo is bringing to the table. And, boy howdy, is this already a VERY different book than what came before. Oh, and there’s a special treat as our pals over at “Unpacking the Power of Power Pack” sent us a note on their own experiences with Bill Mantlo. That guy wrote everything.

In this episode, Chris:

• reminds everyone listening to this podcast of that time they sent away for a “custom” G.I. Joe action figure: we know our demo
• expands the universe of Madison Jeffries…proclivities
• is feeling largely alright about Mantlo’s run…so far

and Tom:

• speculates comics led to Chris’ first time…cursing up a storm
• talks Jonathan Swift and the current moment in Canadian politics
• dances a jig on Walt’s grave. If he had one. Which he doesn’t

Issue discussed:
Alpha Flight #30 - “Enter…Scramble!” - cover date January 1986
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Pencils: Mike Mignola
Inks: Gerry Talaoc
Letters: Jim Novak
Colors: Bob Sharen
Editor: Carl Potts
Editor-in-chief: Jim Shooter

Tom appeared on “The Big Book Project” last week, discussing Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. Give that a watch/listen and follow along with the newly launched discussion of Agaat on that pretty awesome site.

And if you’re interested to learn more about Pierre Polievre, the newly released Ripper: The Making of Pierre Polievre by Mark Bourrie is out from Biblioasis. Purchase direct from them or your preferred indie bookstore (Exile in Bookville is mine).

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

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Written by Chris Baker
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Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?! Episode 23: “Bills, Bills, Bills”

Here we go! The Mantlo era has begun! Only one issue today as we get our feet under us a bit. And what with all the sturm und drang we (Chris) injected in anticipation of this run…it might not be terrible? Or, more accurately, parts will be rough and other parts will be great and we’re going to call a clean game. And we make time to have a very thorough conversation about soap operas.

In this episode, Chris:

• retires the “MANTLOOOO” battlecry for the time being
• advocates for self-care and really taking care of yourself…even if it means walking away from your team while they’re fighting the Hulk
• calls an audible 20 minutes in to get some more coffee: the magic of audio!
• figures out the proper network for an Alpha Flight tv show: the CW
• is…somehow feeling ok about what’s to come?! Or putting on a brave face. It’s one or the other

and Tom:

• fills everyone in on Bill Mantlo’s history and, yeah, that wasn’t fun
• also advocates for self-care…even if it means flattening a major metropolitan area and reducing it to dust
• takes that opportunity to also get coffee: do you like this level of detail?
• compares The Iliad, Odyssey, and The Aeneid to soap operas and by extension…Alpha Flight?!?!
• knows that it’s “New South Wales”, not “North South Wales” but left the mistake in for accountability

Issue covered:
Alpha Flight #29 - “Cut Bait & Run” - cover date December 1985
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Artists are Mike Mignola and Gerry Talaoc
Letterer is Jim Novak
Colorist is Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

To read more on Bill Mantlo, this story from TripAdvisor (of all places) provides a good bit of background. It’s a difficult read, so buyer beware.

And Tom was on another podcast recently: “Mining the Dalkey Archive”. He joined the hosts in a conversation on Flann O’Brien’s The Third Policemen and for you Lost-heads, there’s some interesting show lore discussed.

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company. Choose from dozens of distinctly comic inspired designs available on hundreds of items at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com. Listeners of Why Not can use the discount code WHYNOT20 to get 20% off any 2 items. When company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Airhorn sound effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 22: “Au Revoir, Jean-Byrne”

Well, folks, this is it: the end of the line for our good buddy and creator of Alpha Flight, John Byrne. Issue 28 is his last on the title, as he moves on to The Incredible Hulk and, very soon, Superman. It’s been quite the ride and we take some time at the end of this episode to sum up our thoughts on his now completed run.

But before all that! There are three issues to get through as we wrap up the pseudo-Guardian storyline and learn what new and even dumber hijinks Roger Bochs and Walter-Box can get themselves up to. Oh, and Shaman pretty much crashes out. It’s quite the episode!

Next episode: THE MANTLO ERA BEGINS!!!

In this episode, Chris:

• stakes a lot on Heather still being human
• literally edits a joke as we record…so Tom left that WHOLE process in
• declares his undying love for Rick Parker. Which…fair
• goes…places with a discussion of robosexuality which is only going to be available on Patreon. Because Tom doesn’t need that smoke

and Tom:

• doesn’t really nail the Madison Jeffries voice and will strive to do better next time
• is getting some real whiplash with all this “will they or won’t they” re: killing Walt
• had to listen to that robosexual riff a few times too many

Issues covered:

Secret Wars 2 #4 - “Love Is The Answer” - cover date October 1985
Scripter is Jim Shooter
Penciler is Al Milgrom
Inkers are Leialoha and Rubenstein
Leterrers are J Rose. & Friends
Colorist is Max Schedule
Editor is Bob Budianski

Alpha Flight #28 - “Crossover” - cover date November 1985
Words and picture by John Byrne for the last time
Inking Assist by Keith Williams
Colors by Andy Yanchus
Letters by friend of the pod Rick Parker
Edited by Dennis O’Neil
With Jim Shooter as Editor In Chief

Incredible Hulk #313 - "Hook Line and Sinker" - cover date November 1985
Story by Bill Mantlo
Art by Mike Mignola and Gerry Talaoc
Letters by Jim Novak
Colors by Bob Sharen
Editor Carl Potts
Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter

Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company, a subsidiary of the Roxxon Corporation. This week’s special is a very cool sketchy Black Panther design, available in several color combos to fit in any kitchen or bathroom. You can see this towel and hundreds of other designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at whynotEHpod@gmail.com; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

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Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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