Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 19: “THE GIFT!”

A bit of a diversion this week as we discuss a two-issue special, “The X-Men and Alpha Flight”. Which has happened before, but this time, Loki’s involved. And no one is trying to steal Wolverine. Mostly.

This series was published well after certain…other events took place in the main Alpha Flight series (and in the X-Men for that matter) and is penned by Chris Claremont and not drawn by Byrne, so, yeah: this is kinda wild.

But it’s fun! And more than a bit appropriate for January 20, 2025. Anyways, have a great time listening and hold your people a bit closer.

In this episode, Chris:

• Discovers that his bete noire isn’t Mantlo, but…CLAREMONT?!?!
• Wonders if Coca-Cola is the key to world peace
• Talks comic book price inflation
• Reads a fantastic piece by Stan the Man to close us out

and Tom:

• Won’t call Walt his bete orange, but you can if you want to
• Spent a good bit of time trying to make some of these voices…different
• Gets to talk about Joyce and Le Guin and just appreciates how much straight literature there always seems to be in an Alpha Flight issue, written by Byrne or Claremont
• And very much hopes that’ll continue with Mantlo

Issues covered:
X-Men and Alpha Flight #1, cover date December 1985
Written by Chris Claremont
Art by Paul Smith & Bob Wiacek
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Colored by Glynis Oliver
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
with Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

X-Men and Alpha Flight #2, cover date January 1986
Written by Chris Claremont
Pencils by Paul Smith
Inks by Bob Wiacek & friends
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
with Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on next-Christmas shopping in this post-Christmas period with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more 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!

Produced by Tom Flynn
Assisted by Chris Baker
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Today’s episode gives a sampler of what’s behind the Patreon wall (kinda like the Source Wall, but that’s a DC reference and Chris might not like it…). The holidays ran rough-shod over our recording/production schedule, so we’ll have more of that Alpha Flight sweetness you crave in a couple weeks’ time. But for today…

Welcome to the Why Not?! Have A Drink Thanksgiving special. That's right, this is the only Thanksgiving special we will ever make because there can be only one. And that’s also right, we're pulling a Highlander, alternately titled "Swords Do Not Work That Way"!

A few notes to set the stage:

• We say we’re going to circle back to a number of items, which we don’t really. It’s just that kind of episode!
• But! There’s always another bite at that apple with…Highlander 2: The Quickening
• Chris really can do a Sean Connery. It’s impressive. Probably how he won over his wife
• Tom suggests that maybe some of the actors should’ve swapped places. Just saying
• Chris recounts his “sword period”: the pre-social media era was an interesting time to be alive
• Chris makes some very specific comics comparisons (X-Ternals; Ramirez-MacLeod / Xavier-Summers)
• One of those comparisons almost nails the weirdness of Highlander 2…

Produced by Tom Flynn
Assisted by Chris Baker
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

Follow us on these platforms:
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YouTube
Patreon

Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 18: “Holiday Spectacular”

It’s the holiday season and in that spirit we’ve got a festive episode! We take a delightful romp through a decades old Marvel Handbook, discuss the ONLY Alpha Flight issue that takes place at Christmas, and unveil some outtakes that simply did not make it into the show…until now! We keep it pretty light this episode and hope you can enjoy this with your preferred holiday beverage among the folks you value in your life. Or while doing the dishes. Whichever!

And we’ve launched a Patreon! First bit of extra content is up with a Have a Drink episode about Tom’s favorite movie: Highlander. Another goes up later this week! Click here to sign up and, if you’d be so kind, do tell all your friends!

Lastly, a very heartfelt and full-throated thank you from us to you. We’ve had a great time making this podcast and the response has been fantastic. Thanks for coming along on this ride with us and here’s to another year with everyone’s favorite Canadian superheroes!

In this episode, Chris:

• Wonders just how many D batteries it would take to incinerate hisself
• Has an incredible time performing NPR/CBC style pledge appeals
• Only mentions MANTLO!!! once: a holiday miracle!

and Tom:

• Manages not to seize the means of production
• Marvels at the assertions made as to how Guardian’s suit worked…until, you know, it didn’t
• Unveils a new sponsor for the show!

Issues covered:
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1983)

CLASSIC X_MEN #16 - “Home Are the Heroes” - cover date December 1987
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Ken Lopez
Colored by Petra Scotese and/or Glynis Oliver

Classic X-Men #26 - “Wanted: Wolverine, Dead or Alive!” - cover date October 1988
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Colored by Gregory Wright

Classic X-Men #27 - “Shoot Out At the Stampede” - cover date November 1988
Script by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Kieron Dwyer
Inked by Terry Austin
Lettered by Ken Lopez

Alpha Flight #105 - “The Bachelor Party”
Credits read: Lobdell / Morgan / Icy / Chiang / Sharen / Chase / Defalco
(which should mean: writing/pencils/inks/letters/editing)

Why Not?! is brought to you by the Excelsior Embroidery Company! Get a jump on next-Christmas shopping with a variety of classic and cheeky designs. See these and more 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!

Special theme music: "Oi to the World” as recorded by Tequila and the Sunrise Gang

Produced by Tom Flynn
Assisted by Chris Baker
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

Follow us on these platforms:
Instagram
TikTok
Imgur
YouTube
Patreon