Off Panel #320: Superhero State of the Union 2021 with Oliver Sava

In this week’s episode of Off Panel, comics critic Oliver Sava returns for the eight millionth annual Superhero State of the Union. Sava discusses idealogical differences between Marvel and DC, different flavors of Batman, DC’s current approach, Black Label, Wayne Family Adventures, event comics, general disruption in superhero comics, Marvel’s Infinity Comics, the Avengers trinity, Marvel’s lack of a plan, Hickman’s departure from the X-Men, our favorite non-Marvel/DC superhero book, and more.

You can find Sava on Twitter.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Macroverse. Macroverse is an exciting digital comics platform featuring top creators from all parts of the comics, Webtoon and storytelling universe, with everything curated for quality – think of it like HBO for comics. There’s over 35 series and more than 400 episodes so far, with work from creators like Brian Stelfreeze, Juan Doe, Paul Scheer and more, with each using Macroverse’s unique TapStory format, which tells comic stories at the power of a tap in a way that’s only possible in a digital format. Check out Macroverse today by downloading the app on iOS or Google Play, or my clicking this link. The first episode of every series is free, with unlimited access to this growing library being just $4.99 a month.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Klaas Van de Ven, Capes and Tights Podcast, Brian, Submet Industries, Raj Patel, Jack Mulqueen, Kyle, Karl Kerschl, Robert Masella, Elliot Metz, Elsa Charretier, Luc Nakashoji, Dr. Luke, Scott Haselwood, Scott Buon, Michael Tunk, CanadianByProxy, Jonny Cannon, Bradley Roeder, Carl Choi, Megan Marsden, Brandon De Pillis, Patrick Brower, Declan Shalvey, Dan Gearino, Josh WIlliamson, Atom Freeman, Ben Wild, Brian Klein-Q, S.B., Nick Bennett, Daniel Whitfield, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, AbductedTheComic.com, Andrew Kurita, Matt Mahoney, Charlie Chu, Stefan Hull, Penscaola Pop Comics, Kim Estlund, Phillip Maira, Christian Shelton, Kenny Porter, Chris Bachalo, Torunn Grønbekk, FuzBubbles, Christopher Ta, Transmitterdown, Walt’s Comics & Books, Carl Mizell, Danny Ollie, Paul Salaets, Akil Wilson, Alex Dimitropolous, Terry Dodson, Liana Kangas, Wesley Gift, Shawn Kirkham, Alister Ross, Julio Anta, Brett A. Schmidt, Jason Goodmanson, Paul Reinwand, Vita Ayala, Tara Ferguson, Dave Slusher, WMQ Comics, Akylle, Kokaachi, Shaun Pinello, Kent Heidelman, Phillip Sevy, Al Ewing, Ryan Alcock, David Kelley, Robert Wilson IV, Nick Poleto, Brenden Fletcher, Gary Moloney, Jonathan Nilsson, Matthew Groom, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Matthew Taylor, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Nick Hall, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Steve Anderson, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Colin McMahon, Chris Palmer, Scott McGovern, Nathan Fairbairn, Cat McKenzie, Adam Highfill, Fiona Staples, Mark Abnett, Mike Murphy, Michael Shirley, Tom Barnett, Jim Demonakos, Norbert, Nick Lowe, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You’re all the best.

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Header art is from Batman: Wayne Family Adventures. Off Panel’s theme music is an original track by custom music agency Upright T-Rex Music, written and performed specifically for the podcast. A huge thanks to Ross and Cody from Upright T-Rex Music for putting the track together!