the weblog of David A. Price

Bullpen Bulletins was the podcast celebrating all things Marvel. At least that was the idea. The origins of the show start in 2006 at Wizard World Chicago. The following is an excerpt from the podcast’s website:

On a Saturday night in the Windy City (or Sunday morning, depending on your point of view), a group of convention-weary friends were relaxing and talking about their favorite pastimes: comic books, podcasts, and, as you might expect, podcasts about comic books. The morning after, scant details of the marathon conversation could be recalled by those in attendance, but there was one exchange that seemed to stick in the mids of all:

Chris (Neseman of Around Comics fame): Sean, it would be great if there was a podcast like Raging Bullets (the DC Comics Fan Podcast), but focusing on Marvel comics!

Sean (Whelan of Raging Bullets fame): You’re right. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to do such a show as it would mean cutting back on Raging Bullets. That’s not something I want to do.

Somehow, the names of Vince and David were bandied about as a pair that could really make a Marvel-centric podcast work. Were these inane ramblings from inebriated conventioneers to be taken seriously? Had countless hours cavorting the con floor sapped them of their sanity? Only time will tell.

So, why Vince and David? For one, they’ve been fast friends ever since their first face-to-face meeting at the CGS Episode 100 celebration. Vince is a longtime Marvel reader; his exposure at the tender age of five to the work of Jack Kirby (specifically, Fantastic Four #48, a landmark issue in more ways than one), transformed him forever. Kirby not only infused Vince with a lifetime love for the medium of comics, but plotted a course for his life in the process, prompting him to follow in the King’s footsteps by seeking out a career in art. The man loves his Marvel (even if there was a time when he needed some space). David, on the other hand, remembers the second issue of the Marvel Comics movie adaptation of Blade Runner as the first comic book he purchased (read: pleaded with his grandfather to purchase for him) from the newstand over twenty-five years ago. Combine that fact with David’s avid following of Spider-Man’s adventures every day in the newspaper, and you’ve got the makings of a ravenous Marvel Zombie.

Toss in some not-so-gentle nudging from the aforementioned Chris, many words of wisdom and encouragement from Peter Rios (of Comic Geek Speak fame, and the enthusiasm of their friends in on the secret, and you’ve got a rough outline of how the Bullpen Bulletins podcast came to be.

Now, there were always other comic books we enjoyed and still do to this day.  Having a podcast that focused exclusively on the House of Ideas had merit.  But it also had flaws.  If one of the hosts is not enjoying the work produced by the publisher nor no longer had the time to devote to producing the podcast, instead of changing the format and subject matter of the show, the best thing to do was to turn out the lights.

And that paved the way for Marvel Noise.

But I wouldn’t dismiss the notion that Vince and David won’t be sharing hosting duties if I were you.