Episode Summary:

Happy Black History Month! This week, Lex flies solo (while fighting off the flu) to kick off a series spotlighting Black creators who have shaped, are shaping, and will continue to redefine the comic book industry.

From the revolutionary foundation of Milestone Media to the modern mastery of "Bitter Root" and the rising reign of Stephanie Williams, we’re looking at why new perspectives are the only way the industry truly evolves.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

THE FOUNDATION: Dwayne McDuffie & Milestone Media

• Why Milestone wasn't just another indie label—it was a revolution.

• Moving beyond "sidekick" status to fully realized, lived-in heroes.

• The legacy of Virgil Hawkins and why "Static Shock" still resonates today.

THE BLOOM: David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, & Sanford Green

• Why "Bitter Root" is Lex’s "required reading" for every comic fan.

• The concept of "healing the hate" vs. just hunting monsters.

• Sanford Green’s expressive art style and its impact on modern storytelling.

THE FUTURE: Stephanie Williams

• Taking overlooked IPs and giving them undeniable weight.

• How her run on "Nubia" turned a footnote into a Queen.

• Why her work on "Street Sharks" and "Shuri" feels personal, not like an assignment.

NOTABLE STATISTICS & CONTEXT:

• MILESTONE'S IMPACT: Founded in 1993, Milestone Media was a pioneer in Black-owned comic ventures. Before this, industry representation was significantly lower; historical data shows that for decades, Black characters appeared in less than 5% of mainstream lead roles.

• THE BITTER ROOT SUCCESS: "Bitter Root" is a critical powerhouse. The series won the Eisner Award (the "Oscars of Comics") for Best Continuing Series in both 2020 and 2022, proving that creator-owned, culturally rich stories can dominate the industry's highest honors.

• STEPHANIE WILLIAMS' ASCENT: A writer who has quickly become a cornerstone of modern DC and Marvel. Her work on "Nubia" successfully revitalized a character that had been largely sidelined for nearly 50 years, turning her into a lead Queen of the DC Universe.

RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Read: "Static" (Milestone Media/DC)

• Read: "Bitter Root" (Image Comics) — Lex’s #1 Recommendation!

• Read: "Nubia: Queen of the Amazons" by Stephanie Williams

• Check Out: "The Dakota Incident" (New History of the DC Universe)

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW:Check out @WednesdayPull on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts for deep dives all month long. Find Lex on Threads or Blue Sky to share your favorite Black creators!

Follow us on all social platforms for podcast updates.

Visit our Patreon for additional content and episodes.

Subscribe to "Wednesday Toast" on all platforms for future reviews and discussions.

How to Support the Podcast:

Leave a review on your podcast platform and share feedback.

Spread the word about "Wednesday Toast" to fellow nerds!

Consider supporting us on Patreon!

Credits:

Hosts: Lex (@wednesdaypull)

Producer: Lex (@wednesdaypull)

Intro Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/pollypocketmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Summary:

@WednesdayPull navigates a personal slump and the weight of current events before pivoting to a deep dive into Marvel’s latest experiment: Wonder Man. The episode examines how the series uses Hollywood satire and character-driven storytelling to breathe new life into a post-Endgame MCU.

Takeaways:

• Production Context: The host opted for a solo session after a brief hiatus; the series dropped as an eight-episode binge.

• The "Post-Endgame" Shift: Discussion on how Marvel's evolution has altered viewer expectations.

• Meta-Commentary: The show shines as a satire of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

• Strengths: Refreshing, natural humor and standout character development for a lesser-known hero.

• • Critiques: Notable pacing issues, particularly regarding the series finale.
  • The Big Picture: Why Marvel should continue taking risks and the role of entertainment as a necessary distraction.

• Timestamps:

• • 00:00 – Introduction and Host's Reflections

  • 05:18 – Wonder Man Release & Initial Thoughts

  • 09:18 – Character Development & Standout Performances

  • 12:41 – Meta Commentary & Industry Themes

  • 17:23 – Pacing, Structure, and the Finale

• • 22:16 – Final Thoughts & Broader Implications

  Memorable Quotes:

• "I lost it at some point.""I really enjoyed it.""Marvel can take risks."

  
  

  How to Connect:

  Follow us on all social platforms for podcast updates.

  Visit our Patreon for additional content and episodes.

  Subscribe to "Wednesday Toast" on all platforms for future reviews and discussions.

  
  

  How to Support the Podcast:

  Leave a review on your podcast platform and share feedback.

  Spread the word about "Wednesday Toast" to fellow nerds!

  Consider supporting us on Patreon!

  
  

  Credits:

  Hosts: Lex (@wednesdaypull)

  Producer: Lex (@wednesdaypull)

  Intro Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/pollypocketmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  
  

  Keywords: Wonder Man, Marvel, MCU, comic books, character development, current events, podcast, entertainment, storytelling, Hollywood satire

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Wednesday Toast, Lex reflects on the recent finale of My Hero Academia and the mixed reception of Stranger Things. He discusses the culture of critique in media, emphasizing the importance of constructive criticism while also acknowledging the joy that fandom can bring. Lex shares his personal creative journey, detailing his plans to write scripts, collaborate with other creators, and engage with his audience through Substack and YouTube. He expresses excitement for upcoming projects and the importance of supporting various creative endeavors.

Takeaways

The importance of maintaining a consistent podcast schedule.

Fandom can bring joy and whimsy, even in critique.

Constructive criticism is essential for creative growth.

Engaging with the audience through various platforms is key.

Personal creative journeys can be fulfilling and rewarding.

Collaboration with other creators can enhance projects.

Substack is a useful tool for organizing content and updates.

YouTube can serve as a platform for sharing insights and experiences.

It's important to support different facets of creativity.

Finding joy in the creative process is paramount.

Sound bites

"I just didn't want to miss a week."

"I thought it was a lot of fun."

"I want to take it slow and do it right."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wednesday Toast

00:16 Reflections on My Hero Academia and Stranger Things

01:45 The Joy of Fan Theories

03:58 Criticism in Creative Works

08:02 Personal Creative Journey and Projects

12:24 Upcoming Comic Book Ventures

17:17 Substack and New Content Initiatives

19:38 The TMNT Fan Club and Future Plans

28:59 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

How to Connect:

Follow us on all social platforms for podcast updates.

Visit our Patreon for additional content and episodes.

Subscribe to "Wednesday Toast" on all platforms for future reviews and discussions.

How to Support the Podcast:

Leave a review on your podcast platform and share feedback.

Spread the word about "Wednesday Toast" to fellow nerds!

Consider supporting us on Patreon!

Credits:

Hosts: Lex (@wednesdaypull) Simon (@Sime_On_Toast)

Producer: Lex (@wednesdaypull)

Intro Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/pollypocketmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keywords

comic books, Stranger Things, My Hero Academia, critique culture, creative journey, Substack, YouTube, podcasting, TMNT, storytelling