Vactor and Emmy (aka the EMCU) break down Fantastic Four: First Steps — from emotional family dynamics to multiverse madness. We discuss Sue Storm’s standout scenes, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, the new Silver Surfer, and what this movie means for the future of the MCU. Plus, we theorize about Galactus, Doom, incursions, and Franklin Richards’ surprising role. This MCU reboot hit us in the feels — let’s talk about why.



🔗 Follow Emmy: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy.deleon🌸 Reinventing her life one TikTok at a time

Fantastic Four: First Steps Review – MCU Family, Doom Theories & Galactus Moments

In this episode of This Comic Cooks, Vactor and Shoff finally reach the end of the so-called Sony Spider-Verse—with Kraven the Hunter marking the franchise’s final misstep. Was this movie really as bad as the internet says? Did Sony ever have a real plan for Spider-Man’s villains without Spider-Man? And what does Kraven’s failure mean for the future of Marvel’s big-screen multiverse?

We break down Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s forgettable performance, Russell Crowe’s baffling accent, and the wasted potential of iconic characters like Rhino and Chameleon. Plus, we talk about the contractual chaos between Sony and Marvel Studios, the lost opportunity of a Sinister Six movie, and what comes next—including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Doomsday, and that Spider-Noir TV show. Subscribe and let’s cook.



Chapters:

00:00 The End of the Sony Spider-Verse

02:39 The Craven the Hunter Experience

05:22 Sony's Spider-Man Rights and Future

08:29 Character Portrayals and Casting Choices

11:06 The Direction and Writing Issues

13:59 Box Office Performance and Future Prospects

16:44 Looking Ahead: The Future of the MCU



👉 Love comics and honest movie takes? Subscribe to This Comic Cooks and leave us a review—it helps more fans find the show. Let us know on socials: Was Kraven the worst of the Sony Universe?

Kraven Flops: The End of Sony’s Spider-Verse

In this episode of This Comic Cooks Audio, Vactor and Shoff break down the final three episodes of Marvel’s Ironheart on Disney+. Did Riri Williams really make a deal with Mephisto? Was the finale satisfying or a missed opportunity? We dive into the show's biggest twists, from AI Natalie and the trauma behind the tech to Parker Robbins’ Scarface downfall and the multiversal magic of Zelma Stanton.

Topics include:

 * The real meaning behind Riri’s final choice

 * Dormammu and the evil behind the cape

 * How the finale sets up Strange Academy

 * Comic book vs MCU differences for The Hood, Natalie, and more

 * What worked, what didn’t, and what we hope comes next

🎧 Subscribe for more comic breakdowns, Marvel deep dives, and reviews of every show that cooks.

Ironheart Ep 4–6 Review: Mephisto, Magic, and Missed Potential

He’s smarter than Batman. Invisible to tech.And he’s finally stepping into the spotlight in James Gunn’s new Superman movie.This is Mr. Terrific—Michael Holt.One of the most brilliant, underrated, and coolest heroes in all of DC Comics.In this video, we break down:✅ His tragic origin story✅ His incredible powers (like the T-Spheres)✅ His ranking as the third-smartest person in the DC Universe✅ Why he might be the key to the new DCUIf you’ve never heard of Mr. Terrific, that’s kind of the point.Because once you understand what he’s capable of…He might just be your new favorite character.🦸‍♂️ Featured comics:• The Terrifics• Justice Society of America• Future State💬 What surprised you most about Mr. Terrific? Comment below!

Who IS Mr. Terrific?

Right now—July 2025—DC Comics is firing on all cylinders. From Absolute Power to House of Brainiac to character-first gems like Shazam, Green Lantern, and JSA, something incredible is happening in comics… and no one seems to be talking about it.In this video, I explore whether we’re entering a new Golden Age of Comics—and why DC might be leading the charge while Marvel struggles to find its voice (except for one bright spot).💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Are you reading more DC lately too? Which books are blowing your mind?🙏 Want to support the channel?→ Buy me a comic: https://www.patreon.com/c/vactor📚 Subscribe for more comic book joy, nostalgia, and new reader recommendations every week.#DCComics #MarvelComics #GoldenAgeOfComics #ComicBookReview #AbsolutePower #HouseOfBrainiac #ThisComicCooks

Is DC Comics Quietly Winning the Comic Book War?

You think you know Superman.

Flight, heat vision, super strength—sure.

But… hypnosis glasses? Rainbow finger beams? A mini clone from his hand?

Yep. That actually happened.



In this episode, we dive into the wildest and most forgotten Superman powers from over 85 years of DC Comics. These are the powers DC quietly erased from canon—but not before giving us some of the weirdest moments in comic book history.



From super ventriloquism and atomic vision to telepathic caller ID and reality-breaking time travel, this episode is a celebration of comic book chaos at its best.





🎙️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:



 * Why Superman’s powers used to be basically unlimited

 * The Silver Age madness behind powers like shape-shifting and technopathy

 * How DC Comics quietly scaled things back after Crisis on Infinite Earths

 * Why weird comics still matter (and why we kind of miss them)







🧠 Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just love weird comic book trivia, this one’s for you.



💬 Which power would YOU bring back? 

Superman Once Hypnotized People With Glasses?! The Forgotten Powers of the Man of Steel

A brand-new Superman movie is almost here, but June 2025’s comics gave us plenty to get excited about.In this month’s episode, Vactor is joined by SuperFrank and Tim Tangent from the  @BeerwithGeeks  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC3PIB1l-6HkUabCyFSQWFRw] podcast to break down the latest Superman titles — including a bizarre new gold form in Superman Unlimited #2, the heartfelt Mark Waid story in Action Comics #1087, and a surprise return for Electric Blue Superman in Justice League Unlimited #8.We also debate whether scroll comics like Marvel Infinity and DC Go are the future—or just a gimmick.👕 Plus: Frank previews a Superman screening event with Brian Michael Bendis and Philip Kennedy Johnson in Cleveland!https://www.beerwithgeeks.com/If you want to help me keep This Comic Cooks going strong, join my Patreon—every dollar helps me make more videos.💬 Join the Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/vactor

This Month In Superman (June 2025)

Comics shaped who I am—but today, I’m scared for their future.



This episode is a personal letter, a cultural warning, and a love story.

Vactor opens up about how superheroes taught him compassion, why comics matter more than ever, and what we all risk losing if this medium fades away. From the quiet of comic shops to the chaos of the attention economy, this is one of the most important episodes of This Comic Cooks yet.



🎙️ In this episode:



 * Why superhero movies are booming while the comics fade

 * The real magic of comics (it’s not the art or words—it’s the space between)

 * The comic industry’s biggest challenges: price, access, continuity, and competition

 * How to start reading comics again (and help others do the same)

 * Why comics whisper, and why that makes them essential in today’s noisy world





💬 What comic changed you?

Drop a comment or send a message—your recommendation could help someone fall in love with comics for the first time.



📚 Get started:



 * Hoopla [https://www.hoopladigital.com/]

 * Marvel Unlimited [https://www.marvel.com/unlimited]

 * DC Universe Infinite [https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/]

 * Webtoon [https://www.webtoons.com/]

 * Tapas [https://tapas.io/]



💥 Support the podcast & help keep comics alive: patreon.com/vactor [https://www.patreon.com/vactor]

The Comic Book Crisis No One’s Talking About

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

*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

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