THE FLIGHT STUFF - Episode 2: The Master and Marrina

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Welcome to The Flight Stuff: a podcast about Canada’s premiere superhero team!

In 1983, comic book writer and artist John Byrne lifted his original team, Alpha Flight, from the pages of Uncanny X-Men and dropped them into their own, eponymous series. Over the course of 11 years, the Canadian super team — Guardian, Sasquatch, Puck, Snowbird, Shaman, Aurora, Northstar, and others along the way — battled foes large and small, with adventures steeped in social commentary and uniquely Canadian issues and themes.

Join comic book enthusiasts Liam, Adrianna and Doug as they make their way through the original series issue by issue, character by character, Byrnism by Byrnism, with occasional detours through Canadian cultural history. So sit back, listen up and get right with the Flight!

Episode Two kicks off with a heartfelt “thank you” to all those who supported the show launch. Adrianna gives a shout-out to fellow Alpha Flight podcaster Gareth A. Hopkins and his show Alpha Pod Flight (2:41) while Liam has high praise for the hosts of the Super Gay! podcast and their Northstar appreciation. The team then jumps into discussion of Alpha Flight #3 (4:55) with complicated thoughts on the storyline, some of Byrne’s artistic choices and the surprise appearance at the end of the issue. The issue’s backup story detailing the beginning of James and Heather’s relationship raises curious ethical questions when viewed through the lens of 2019, which all three hosts attempt to unpack (19:46). The team’s thoughts on issue #4 (32:01) are equally complicated, with Doug and Liam expressing their frustrations regarding Marrina’s character arc among other things. Puck cartwheels in to save the day, though, as the hosts have near unanimous praise for the very Puck-centric issue #5 (49:02). Liam and Doug debate Byrne’s handling of indigenous issues as they relate to Shaman’s character arc before Doug leads the team through another installment of Canada Facts (1:09:53). Finally, the gang gives some closing remarks, thus concluding the second episode of The Flight Stuff. Thanks for listening!

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please drop us a line at [email protected].