For the last two years, one graphic novel has been the source of controversy and censorship in the United States of America. Young audiences all over have been gravitating toward the deeply personal and frank discussions of self and exploration that is Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer: A Memoir. Join Behind the Yellow Boxes as Steph and Brook explore the…

Since 1984, one franchise has been a solid part of nearly every generation of children the world over, and it all started with a little indie comic that only published 3,000 copies! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been an unparalleled force in multiple genres and has remained a stable in comic publishing for 40 years! So for the 50th episode of th…

In preparation for a special upcoming event, Steph and Brook talk about the Man Without Fear, better known as Daredevil! Or Matt Murdock! Or Mike Murdock! Specifically, they talk about Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's 2011 run of Daredevil, and why they love it. Along the way they discuss bad secret identities, some famous people who have tackled the m…

If one, like the cohosts of this podcast, ever wonders what the most popular comics of the day are, and happens to take a look at it by checking sales charts, one name in particular always comes up. In this episode, Brook takes Steph back down memory lane to discuss the saga of Dav Pilkey and the world of Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Super Diap…

Brook and Steph return to manga in order to dissect the latest international phenomenon Spy x Family. In doing so, they go into the career history of mangaka Tatsuya Endo and the general details of how manga become published by the world-famous magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. They also examine what makes the premise of this manga so special and why th…

Brook and Steph travel through the storied legal history of a fallen comics publishing giant, Fawcett Comics, during their quest to untangle the name of a popular DC comics hero. As they do so, they discuss the American legal system, international copyright, and the pitfalls of licensing intellectual property. All the while, they share their love a…

Brook invites Steph to learn about the Marvelous World of Mutants through the lens of Storm, one of the most famous Black women in comics ever. Along the way, Steph bemoans her status as a Storm/T'Challa shipper, Brook discusses her nemesis Jim Shooter, and both of them talk about how much they love a mohawk. This episode contains brief discussions…

Our comic reviewing duo take time to visit one of their favorite creators in this episode visiting the world of Stumptown! Following the lovably fallible private detective Dexedrine "Dex" Parios to her stomping grounds of Portland, Oregon, Brook and Steph discuss the indie comic scene as well as mystery and noir comics in general, as well as the hi…

Starting off the New Year just right, Brook and Steph return! This time our comic duo tackles the long, complicated, and sometimes unfortunate history of Black Adam! What sorts of influences did the the comics provide for the recent DC film, and how many tangents can they go on when it comes to the Captain Marvel Family? The answer to both is many!…

Modern horror returns to a standing ovation as the Comic Code Authority fades from memory and new Indie studios like BOOM! take the lead. In this October episode, Brook and Steph share their experience with the ongoing horror comic Something is Killing the Children. The thrills and chills grip them both as they explore the fannish glee of monsters,…

For our latest patreon request episode, Brook sets out to explain to Steph the wild world of a crowning jewel of Shojo manga, Fruits Basket. On the way, they discuss gender, Brook's history of being not like other girls, and Steph cooes over cute animals. A lot. This episode contains discussions of transphobia and abuse. We’re on patreon! Support u…

As the Webtoons smash sensation gears up for its third print release this October, Brook and Steph explore the fascinating world of Lore Olympus. They dive into this app that is revolutionizing the way many new fans read comics, explore the unique take on Greek mythology, and discuss how the comic provides new and interesting explorations of trauma…

To celebrate the movie that Brook has dubbed "the most important movie ever, of all time" (Superpets), Steph and Brook come together to tell the history of animals in comics, furry sidekicks, and to dub no less than four different fuzzy fictional characters "the best boy". We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast Follow us on …

In celebration of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, Brook and Steph cover the history behind the superhero title of "Ms. Marvel" and then dive right into the titular superheroine herself, Kmala Khan. Along with all the MS.adventures behind the scene of creating Kamala herself, Brook and Steph talk about the Inhumans, the reason that Mutants and Inhuma…

Starting off June, Brook and Steph go over the 2006 graphic memoir by an outspoken artist and advocate, Alison Bechdel. The duo give a brief history of Bechdel's history, contribution to media criticism, and the autobiographical bend found in her comics. There is also some discussion about the dubious banning of books and whether or not that actual…

As Doctor Strange continues his multiversal journey through theaters, Brook sits Steph down to regale her with a classic tale of Strange's dimension-jumping adventures: Brian K. Vaugh and Marcos Martin’s The Oath. Other topics include the Problem of Wong, the issue of artist credit in cinematic language, and how gay marriage could have solved many …

Brook and Steph bring on special guest Alix to reflect on the history and characters of the Fantastic Four. Topics include the eternal Kirby vs. Lee retellings of early Marvel, what led to the landmark success of the first Marvel Team, and lots of fannish feelings over the characters that build the Fantastic Four. We're on patreon! Support us at pa…

Brook and Steph sit down to talk about the story of Maus, and for once, do their best to stay completely on topic as they talk about censorship, the importance of first hand narratives of the Holocaust, and the role that Maus played in bringing attention to comics as an artistic medium. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast…

Steph and Brook discuss the infamous collect call that decided the fate of a fan-favorite character in this episode of Behind the Yellow Boxes. How exactly was the fate of Jason Todd decided behind the scenes? The answer may be more ridiculous than you'd think! Join the podcast to hear all the details behind the scene including Jim Starlin's docume…

Brook sits Steph down to tell her about the history of the one and only Black Lightning, and the way that this character inspired generations in and out of universe. Other topics of note include why so many Black characters have electricity based powers, the character who Black Lightning barely edged out as DC's first headlining African American ch…

For Black History month, Steph and Brook explore the history of Milestone Comics and the contributions to comics that have shown lasting power to this very day. Our hosts provide a look at the initial four comics that launched the company, discuss some of the creators pushing for Milestone, and even where the characters can be found today! There is…

Steph produces a French history textbook in order to explain to Brook the history of the comic strip, in all of its glory. Other topics of note include The Dreaded Calvin and Hobbes decal, whether or not Scooby Doo and Marmaduke are cousins, and Wizard of Oz completionism. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast Follow us on …

After an eventful break, Brook and Steph talk about the highly controversial Spider-Man comic One More Day. Brook sinks deeper into her inner Spider-Nerd as she retells the events leading up to One More Day to Steph. Rants include the Mary Jane Watson conundrum, Marvel editorial offices, and whether or not divorce is more relatable than selling a m…

In Neil Gaiman's work, he revitalized a lesser-known work of Jack Kirby, and created a breathtaking story with stunning visuals and clever storytelling that created a beloved classic of comics everywhere. And then he did the Eternals. Which is also a retread of a lesser-known Kirby project... but it doesn't quite hit the same notes as Sandman. Broo…

Brook takes advantage of the month of October to get Steph to read one of her spooky favorites, Junji Ito's Fragments of Horror. Conversations involve Steph's rant about nudity in horror movies, Brook trying not to make jokes about wood, and why Steph could never go to medical school. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast F…

To celebrate the spooky season, Steph dives into the history of crime comics, their censorship, and their relation to today's true-crime fascination. Brook shares anecdotes about margarine fortunes, the inevitability of a My Favorite Murder Graphic Novel, and her rankings for worst movie adaptations ever. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com…

It's our first Patreon Request episode! Brook and Steph dive into the webcomic-turned-manga My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness and talk about its themes of queerness, mental health, and the struggle to find self-love and acceptance in a capitalist system. And they only occasionally get distracted trying to figure out if the creator of Glee is ac…

With the release of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Shang-Chi, Steph invites Brook to walk down the annals of history to examine the role of Asian and Asian-American superheroes over the years. Other topics for consideration: a coyote pope, Kung Fu movies, and Brook having yet another excuse to gush about Cassandra Cain. This episode contains discu…

To belatedly recognize Suicide Squad 2021, Brook and Steph embark on an investigation of the sixty year history of the team, examining some of the books, and talking about their likes, dislikes, and absolute love for Doctor Amanda Waller, voted "best comic book war criminal" by your local podcast hosts. This week's digressions include the Nu52, our…

Steph wraps up the saga of how Marvel went from top of the world, to the bottom of the barrel, to the omnipresent blockbuster franchise we know today. Sidebars include the Streisand effect, how Blade saved comic book movies, and why Tom Holland has permanent job security. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast Follow us on t…

Brook and Steph talk about webcomics, and particularly Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu, a story about hockey, baking, and college life. Other topics include sports, the internet before the world-wide-web, and Steph's continuously growing collection of printed webcomics. (Steph had a technical difficulty so her audio sounds bad this week!) We're on pa…

Steph continues the story of how a comic company with a 70% market share ended up in bankruptcy court despite its owner making hundreds of millions of dollars. Brook muses about her favorite action figures, the highs and lows of local comic book stores, and how Magneto was right. We're on patreon! Support us at patreon.com/yellowboxespodcast Follow…

In preparation for Black Widow (2021), Brook takes Steph on a first: a decades long character retrospective, examining Natasha Romanov's origins, backstory, and what kind of solo books she's had over her fifty-year long tenure at Marvel. Conversations along the way include chicken and dumplings, stupid sexy Tony Stark, and that time that Natasha dr…

Steph emerges from a research spiral months in the making to try to explain the whys, the hows, and the whats of the Marvel Bankruptcy Saga. Brook has questions about how Marvel, at the peak of its popularity in the 1990s, went completely and utterly broke, and how the decisions made during those years still affect pretty much everything in comics …

Brook and Steph review Marjorie Liu's Mosntress, an award-winning independent horror fantasy comic that has a whole new perspective on both the queer experience and the fantasy genre. Also up for discussion: the importance of representation in genre fiction, how not everything in fantasy is always Lord of the Rings, and the importance of using cute…

Steph and Brook invite their friend Iz onto the podcast to talk about the history of zines and the queer community, and go on many a tangent along the way. These tangents include the nature of fanfiction, the US Postal Service's role in censorship, and what Ninja Turtle would be Steph's favorite. This episode contains discussions of homophobia. Fol…

Continuing the Pride Month series, Brook and Steph revisit one of the oldest teen-aimed queer comic books in the Big Two: Marvel's Young Avengers, and talk about what it did well, and where it falls short in hindsight. Also features: not one, but two instances of Steph singing script cues, your regular reminder that Spider-Man sold his marriage to …

For the first entry in their Pride Month series, Steph and Brook do a very short, very dirty rundown of the history of LGBT representation in mainstream superhero comics. Topics of note include a very detailed explanation of the origin of Batwoman and Bat-Girl, how many years Northstar had to wait before kissing his boyfriend, and Brook's grudge ag…

In preparation for Sweet Tooth's release on Netflix on June 4, Brook and Steph examine the first volume to see what kinds of adventures a deer-boy got up to. Topics include: a history of Vertigo Comics, Brook's love of Zoids, and Steph over-achieving when it comes to doing her homework. This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, pregnancy…

After eleven episodes, Brook and Steph concede defeat and finally do a proper Batman episode. And where better to start than with a Frank Miller story? Sidebars include: the first dramatic script reading of the show and strong opinions about bat-summoning sonic technology from both parties. This episode includes discussions of police brutality, sex…

Steph and Brook share their comic book backstories, and talk about cartoon adaptations. Featuring: valiant attempts to ignore Brook's microphone malfunctioning, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Steph's sense of foreboding over the inevitable episode about Spider-Man's copyright. Follow us on twitter @yellowboxespod, email us at yellowboxespodc…

The Walking Dead is an international phenomenon that reintroduced horror to comic books and kick-started a zombie craze throughout Hollywood. So of course, Brook and Steph decided to read it. Tangents include: Disney Channel Original Movies, Steph's complete and utter lack of background when it comes to zombies, and Brook's deep-seated love for Day…

In which Steph chooses to write an episode about Superman's sex life rather than picking a fight with a stranger on the internet, and drags Brook along for the ride. Also includes: Twilight comparisons, far too many jokes about the year 1969, and Brook's very real concern about Steph's grade in high school biology. Follow us on twitter @yellowboxes…

Just in time for Disney+'s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to wrap up, Brook invites Steph to read the comic which started it all, Ed Brubaker's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Also included: a literal mic drop, Steph's Smithsonian rage, and who the hell is Bucky? Follow us on twitter @yellowboxespod, email us at yellowboxespodcast@gmail.com…

Steph and Brook tackle a multi-layered story that spans over seventy years of comic book history; the tale of Superman and the KKK. Digressions include Steph betraying Brook, colorful methods of insulting white supremacists, and why you should ensure your children are properly entertained at the office in order to cut off their podcasting career. T…

Brook and Steph are joined by special guest, Nina to provide insight about one of the most globally popular comic books that Americans have never heard of, Asterix the Gaul. Other topics include surreal music numbers, Brook not being the comic expert for once, and butchered attempts to pronounce French names. This episode contains discussion about …

Steph invites Brook to talk about one of her least favorite topics (comic book gorillas) and one of her favorite topics (real life gorillas). Also discussed, Wonder Woman's evolution gun, DC's first supervillain, and Nicholas Furry. No, we did not misspell that. This episode contains discussion of racism and animal sexuality. Follow us on twitter @…

Brook and Steph talk Wonder Woman. Includes: Steph flexing about her Wonder Woman merch, Greek tragedies, and minor misuse of university resources. Follow us on twitter @yellowboxespod, email us at yellowboxespodcast@gmail.com, and find our full show notes over at yellowboxespodcast.blogspot.com. Feelin' Good Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License…

Steph and Brook talk about how, according to Fredrick Wertham, comic books turned them gay in this deep dive about bad research ethics, moral panics, and the inability to separate fiction from reality. This episode contains discussion of homophobia. Follow us on twitter @yellowboxespod, email us at yellowboxespodcast@gmail.com, and find our full sh…

Brook and Steph break down the classic Marvel story, as well as delving into the environment it was published in and the story of editorial interference that changed comic history forever. This episode contains a brief discussion of anti-Black violence. Follow us on twitter @yellowboxespod, email us at yellowboxespodcast@gmail.com, and find our ful…