Ever feel like you want to read more comics, but life keeps getting in the way? Between work, parenting, and nonstop responsibilities, even sitting down with a comic can feel impossible. In this episode, Vactor shares his real-life tips for staying connected to the stories you love—without turning comics into a chore.

We’ll cover:

 * How to find "micro-moments" to read during a packed day

 * The best comic reading apps for busy people (Marvel Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite, Hoopla)

 * How audio-enhanced comics and podcasts keep you immersed

 * The importance of letting go of event fatigue and embracing one-issue joy

 * Why nostalgia re-reading is one of the best hacks for tired readers

💬 What comic are you trying to make time for? Drop it in the comments or tag @ThisComicCooks to share your pick.

👉 Support the show: patreon.com/vactor

How to Read More Comics When You’re Too Busy for Anything Else

Is Ironheart worth the wait? After five years in limbo, Marvel finally drops the long-delayed Ironheart series—and Vactor and Shoff are here with a spoiler-filled review of the first 3 episodes. From Riri Williams' emotional AI to Parker Robbins’ live-action debut as The Hood, we break down the themes, the visuals, and why this Disney+ show might be one of Marvel’s most underrated efforts yet.

We also discuss Mephisto theories, the show's connection to Wakanda Forever, and why fans should read Eve L. Ewing’s Ironheart comics. Plus: preschool Marvel shows, cinematic quality visuals, and what this means for the MCU’s future.

📚 Comics Mentioned:

 * Invincible Iron Man (Bendis)

 * Ironheart (Eve Ewing, 2018)

 * Champions (featuring Riri)

🎧 Subscribe and follow This Comic Cooks for more reviews, comic deep dives, and the infamous Sinful Cinema series.

Ironheart Eps 1-3: Why Marvel Fans Shouldn’t Skip This

In this episode, Vactor and Emmy dive deep into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on the recent film 'Thunderbolts' and its implications for the future of the MCU. They discuss the emotional depth of the film, the cultural impact of MCU projects, and the challenges of audience fatigue. The conversation also touches on the importance of character development, the multiverse, and the anticipation surrounding upcoming projects like 'Fantastic Four'. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the need for cohesive storytelling and the significance of mental health themes in superhero narratives.



https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy.deleon




Chapters:

00:00 Diving into Thunderbolts

01:17 Mental Health and Character Depth in MCU

04:34 The Future of the MCU: Brave New World and Beyond

06:06 Recasting and the Multiverse

09:22 Anticipation for Fantastic Four

12:54 Pedro Pascal and Career Evolution

16:01 The Impact of Marketing on Audience Excitement

18:31 Expectations for Doomsday and Character Arcs

22:34 Nostalgia and the Multiverse

23:29 The Future of the MCU and Fantastic Four

25:58 Chasing the High of Endgame

26:24 Grounding the MCU's Storylines

27:39 The Challenge of Loose Ends

29:53 Character Development and Emotional Stakes

32:42 The Impact of Marketing on Character Perception

35:44 The Importance of Character Depth

37:51 Found Family in the MCU

39:05 Disney+ and Its Impact on the MCU

43:39 The Future of Marvel and New Characters



Exploring the Depths of Thunderbolts & The Future of the MCU: What Lies Ahead?

In this episode of This Comic Cooks, Vactor dives into Scott Snyder’s bold defense of monthly comics through his new series Absolute Batman. With streaming culture dominating how we consume stories, Snyder argues that monthly comics offer something irreplaceable: cliffhangers, conversation, and community.🎤 Topics covered:



 * Why monthly comics are more relevant than ever
 * Snyder’s mission with Absolute Batman
 * The creative explosion in today’s comic market
 * Why waiting is part of the magic
 * Yes… Batman dropkicks a kid off a boat



📚 If you’ve ever questioned whether single issues still matter — this episode is your answer.

www.patreon.com/vactor

Why Monthly Comics Still Matter

The symbiote saga is complete—was it worth the goo?

In this episode of Suffer Sinema, Vactor and Shoff dive into Venom 3: The Last Dance. From multiverse confusion to underused talent, we unpack everything: the highs, the lows, and the final send-off between Eddie and Venom.



Expect chaotic symbiotes, wasted Oscar nominees, and one last dose of Sony’s web of weirdness. Plus, we tease what’s next—Kraven the Hunter and the return of Fantastic Fourstick as our Suffer Sinema series rolls on.



💥 Support this show and all of Vactor’s comic-driven chaos by joining the Patreon:

👉 patreon.com/c/vactor [https://www.patreon.com/c/vactor]



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Venom 3: The Last Dance

02:36 Reflections on Venom 1 and 2

05:11 Expectations for Venom 3

07:36 Character Development and Missed Opportunities

10:01 The Role of Supporting Characters

12:45 Visuals and Special Effects

15:28 The Future of the Sony Spider-Verse

17:58 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Suffer Sinema #3: Did Venom 3 Stick the Landing or Just Stick?

🎧 Vactor and Shoff return for another round of cinematic suffering—this time, they’re crawling into the tangled mess of Madame Web. Was it worse than Morbius? Why was Ezekiel Sims barefoot on the subway? And did Sony just waste one of its best casts ever?

In this spoiler-packed roast, we break down the plot holes, laugh at the cringe-worthy dialogue, and ask: how did this even get made?

👕 Grab the “Here’s The Thing” tee: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/63683187-heres-the-thing-white

🎙️ Support our show + unlock exclusive content on Patreon: patreon.com/thiscomiccooks

📢 Tell us what movie to suffer through next @thiscomiccooks on X & Bluesky!

Suffer Sinema #2: Is Madame Web the Worst Spider-Verse Movie Ever?

In this special episode of This Comic Cooks, Vactor is joined by writer Cassius Lawson and aspiring director Evgenii to discuss the origin of a bold new superhero project. Inspired by real historical events from Liberia and built with grounded storytelling in mind, this conversation dives into the creative process behind developing a fresh, globally-minded comic book narrative.Topics include:– The true story behind the 1989 coup in Liberia– Why costumes come second to character– The challenges of representing cultural history as collaborators– Inspirations from Sin City, Sherlock, and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2– How to balance accessibility for newcomers with deep lore for longtime comic fansWhether you’re a lifelong comic reader or a curious creative, this episode gives a rare glimpse into a new project being built from the ground up—with heart, history, and a hunger to innovate.



Chapters



00:00 Introduction to a New Superhero Project

02:15 The Creative Process Behind the Story

05:52 Character Development and Storytelling

07:58 Exploring Political Themes in the Narrative

12:03 Target Audience and Comic Book Consistency

16:36 Visual Storytelling Techniques

20:56 Directorial Inspirations and Style

23:29 The Vision for Live Action Adaptation

25:59 Conclusion and Future Updates

From Coup to Cape: The Real-World Roots of Our Superhero Script

In this debut episode of Suffer Sinema, hosts Vactor and Shoff sink their teeth into the most memed comic book movie of the decade—Morbius (2022).
Is it really the disaster everyone said it was? Or is there something lurking beneath the surface? Join us as we talk Jared Leto’s performance, Spider-Man connections, Sony’s failed Sinister Six plans, and why watching Morbius years later might just change your mind.

➡️ Topics covered:

 * Is Morbius truly the worst comic book movie?

 * The “Venom-verse” confusion

 * Midnight Sons, Vulture, and Sony’s Spider-Man problem

 * Vampire powers vs. comic accuracy

 * Why the end credit scene ruins everything

🎬 Suffer Sinema is the series where we rewatch the most critically panned comic book movies of all time… so you don’t have to. Because sometimes, watching is the real superpower.

Suffer Sinema #1: Is Morbius Actually That Bad?

Comic Test Dummy Ep. 1: Battle Beast Is Invincible’s Wolverine Meets Klingon



Vactor introduces a brand new segment—Comic Test Dummy—where he throws his co-host Shoff into a new comic pick with no warning, and Shoff shares his raw, unfiltered reaction. First up? Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley!

🔥 Is Battle Beast the Klingon-Wolverine hybrid of comics?
🧠 What did Shoff think about the brutal backstory, cosmic rage, and Michael Dorn vibes?
👊 Is this new series worth following, or just a side quest?

We also dive into Robert Kirkman’s world-building, Dragon Ball and John Wick parallels, and which Invincible characters deserve their own spinoffs. It’s gory, geeky, and gloriously fun.

👉 Subscribe to This Comic Cooks for more unfiltered comic reviews, lore dives, and top-tier recommendations.



Battle Beast #1 - Wolverine Was A Klingon?

Step into the futuristic world of Vitalerium with author and creator Nicholas Keating Casbarro. In this episode of This Comic Cooks, we explore how a cross-country flight inspired an entire sci-fi universe, now spanning novels, comics, and more.



Nicholas reveals how he brought the world of Vitalerium: Descent into the Void to life—crafting rich characters like Roman Matthews and Darok Ferris Benson, balancing philosophical themes with action-packed storytelling, and turning his sci-fi saga into a powerful comic book adaptation.



We talk about:



 * Building a universe at 36,000 feet

 * Adapting a novel into a visual comic experience

 * How world-building reflects modern-day society

 * The creative process of independent creators

 * Tips for aspiring sci-fi storytellers





📚 Pick up Vitalerium: Descent into the Void on Amazon - https://amzn.to/42VH9gl

🎨 Grab the limited-edition comic & merch at vitaleriumseries.com [https://www.vitaleriumseries.com]

📲 Follow Nicholas on Instagram & Threads: @VitaleriumSeries [https://www.instagram.com/vitaleriumseries]

📺 Watch full interviews on YouTube: This Comic Cooks [https://www.youtube.com/@ThisComicCooks]

Join the Vitalerium Universe on Patreon – Be Part of the Story - https://vitaleriumseries.com/join-the-vitalerium-universe-on-patreon-be-part-of-the-story/

Vitalerium: A New Sci-Fi Universe You Need to Read

*A weekly comic book discussion podcast where Vactor and his amazing friends discuss the latest and greatest from the comic book industry!* They love comics, AND YOU SHOULD TOO! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/comicbookkaiju/support

The Comic Book Kaiju

Hosted by Shoff and Vactor, two STAR TREK loving dads whose continuing mission is to boldly go through and review all things TREK with our short-form podcast! Together, we’ll ENGAGE with the latest Trek content that’s been teleported into the Alpha Quadrant! We’ll also be slingshotting around the Sun to travel back in time in order to bring you some fascinating discussions of Star Trek TV shows and films of the past too! If you’re hard-working parents like us who love Star Trek, but are press for time, then beam aboard the U.S.S. TREKnological for our short-form podcast about all things Trek! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/treknological/support

TREKnological: A Star Trek Shakedown

Vactor's Show

Star Wars addict, Comic Book cuckoo, Half Asian/Half Amazing. Part man. Part spider. All cop. Podcaster.

Vactor

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