Marvel Comics are loading up the final quarter of 2021 with huge reboots and events to coincide with their new exclusive agreement with Penguin Random House. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, VENOM, HULK, MS. MARVEL, DEATH OF DR. STRANGE, PREDATOR and DARK AGES are all confirmed to launch by the end of the year. We also have indications of more events involving the X-MEN, SPIDER-MAN and VENOM. (00:00:00) DC Comics suffered a pair of high level defections this week. It appears 2 years of restructures and the uncertainty involved in the WarnerMEdia Discovery merger is too much for some value employees to endure. (00:11:47) Comic books writer/editor Joe Corallo and Wes discuss the implications that longtime Robin Tim Drake is about to come out as bisexual or gay in the DCU. (00:28:05) Comics, by Perch joins Wes to dispel the notion that manga will be the death of comics (00:47:44) and the theory that comic book piracy is what is hurting Western comics. (01:07:19) They also discuss the latest news involving Bad Idea, Skybound and IDW Publishing. (01:24:08) Marvel Comics continue a familiar pattern of hiring creators based on surface traits and identity politics rather than merit. How many readers will they lose before changing course? (01:39:39) Comic book writer Aaron Sparrow joins the channel to discuss the latest controversy involving Kevin Smith’s MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVELATION series on Netflix.(02:03:53) Finally, they review the second episode of Disny+ MCU series LOKI. (02:28:51)   Support Thinking Critical at Ko-fi. Monthly subscriptions receive bonus content and early access to some channel content. Ko-fi.com/thinkingcritical Thank you for supporting the channel!