Podcast · Arts & Books

House to Astonish

by Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy · English · Arts & Books

Paul O'Brien (The X-Axis) and Al Kennedy (One Hundred Days of Comics) present a roundup of comics news and reviews, with nary a 'meh' to be heard. Also featuring the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and more. Email House to Astonish at [email protected]

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest: 14 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

House to Astonish Episode 220 - Crow, Do My Taxes

A tidy little hour of comicsy nattering for you this time, as Al and Paul discuss Marvel/Star Wars: Hope Assembles , Fugitive X-Force, Origin III, The Snail and the extensions of Fury of Firestorm and Deadman , and review Fixation and The Forever Home . I say I say I say, my Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has no nose. How does it smell? It does not, it is a conceptual feature of this podcast.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E32 · 17 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 32
New volume, new team, new episode, as Paul and Al look at 2005's New Thunderbolts issues 1-3, and Mach IV assembles a wonky squad of screw-ups to take on one of Marvel's classic Barons (so what else is new?). There's also the clunk of victory, the burger van outside TBolts HQ and the hitherto-unsung villainy of Portugal.
S1 · E219 · 6 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
House to Astonish Episode 219 - Absolut Batman
Tick tock, it's podcast o'clock, as Paul and Al talk about the Midnight line's rescheduling, Alien v X-Men , the Absolute Batman animated series, the upcoming new volumes of Doom Patrol , Teen Titans and Legion of Super-Heroes , Crimes Against Nature, Bride of Frankenstein , and You'll Never Leave This Place Alive, as well as reviewing 100 Bullets: US of Anger and Iron Man . What if The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?
S1 · E31 · 8 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 31
The launch of New Thunderbolts is just around the corner, but first Paul and Al are polishing off the Avengers/Thunderbolts miniseries with issues 4-6, as one fight runs for three issues and they learn just how much of a petty dillweed Captain America can be. Along the way, they'll be ruminating on the possibility of Magnesium Man, boggling at an advert for the concept of doing things, and learning about "an MTV film that extreme right-wing moralists can be proud of".
S1 · E218 · 20 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
House to Astonish Episode 218 - Rocko's Modern Basilisk
Paul and Al are back with more comics waffle for you to gobble up, as they send good wishes to Adam Hughes, chew over Marvel's layoffs and its wider malaise, and discuss DNX , Challenges of Doom , Clayface: Celebrity Dirt , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Dark Horse's Marvel reprints and Jughead: Piemageddon , while also giving reviews of Fireborn and The Fury of Firestorm. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: the treat you can eat between meals, without ruining your appetite.
S1 · E30 · 7 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 30
Back once again with the renegade Masters of Evil, as Al and Paul look at the first half of 2004 miniseries Avengers/Thunderbolts . There's talk of Spider-Man working down the mines, Jean Grey's ex-boyfriends and a deranged neo-Nazi who names everything after the letter X, and even some discussion of the Avengers and the Thunderbolts, so why not come and join them? Exactly, no reason, that's what we thought.
S1 · E217 · 2 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 31 min
House to Astonish Episode 217 - The Distant Sound of Scraping
Al and Paul have a lot of news for you this time round, as they remember Tatjana Wood, and talk 3 Worlds 3 Moons, Hulk War, Terminal, M.A.S.K., Skate Ali, Odin, Avengers/JLA, Jays of Future Past and Concrete: Stars Over Sand, as well as reviewing The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery and The Punisher. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: the choice of a new generation.
S1 · E29 · 2 Feb 2026 · 54 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 29
It had to happen. And now, it finally has. It's time for Paul and Al to bite the bullet and step into the squared circle to take on the Marvel's Most Merciless, the Masters of Mayhem, the Mush-Mangling Mavens of the Marquis of Queensbury, the... Thunderbolts?
S1 · E216 · 11 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
House to Astonish Episode 216 - Metamorpho the Elephant Man
It's only 348 sleeps 'til Christmas, so Paul and Al are taking the opportunity to look back at the best 2025 had to offer, as they run down their pick of their three favourite comics of last year in the 14th annual Homies awards. Will your favourite make the cut? What did the listeners choose? Find out here, true believer!
S1 · E28 · 1 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 28
Al and Paul hit a major milestone this episode, as they reach the end of the first run of the original Thunderbolts team, and cover issues 72-75. There's fighting, arguments, and weird things exploding, and that's just the behind the scenes escapades of Bill Jemas. Will all the TBolts survive? Will they all get off Counter-Earth? Will they all make it to the next volume of the book? Find out the answers to two of these questions right here, true believer!
S1 · E215 · 20 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
House to Astonish Episode 215 - Got Up And Finished Fourth
With NYCC in the rear-view mirror, it's time for Al and Paul to look back at some of the news coming out of the show, like the revamped Vertigo slate, Swamp Thing Is Killing The Children , DC K.O.'s unexpected crossovers, Marvel's two upcoming symbiote-centric sagas, Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen's Crowbound , the first wave of post- Age of Revelation X-books, the impending Spider/Super crossover and a smattering of other little newsy nuggets, and once that's all done there's also reviews of Endeavour and DC K.O. to chew over. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel…
S1 · E27 · 8 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 27
Paul and Al continue to bop back and forth to Counter-Earth, as they look at Thunderbolts (1997) #69-71. There's plotline resolutions, a parade of fill-in artists and the least elite team of Elite Agents of SHIELD you could ever hope to encounter, plus Boobforce powers, the Curse of Taz and Café La Plume De Ma Tante.
S1 · E214 · 18 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
House to Astonish Episode 214 - I'm From Space And I've Got A Big Tongue
A small but perfectly formed episode for you this time round, as Paul and Al bring you news about Die: Loaded , the new Infernal Hulk and Doctor Strange , DC's upcoming Batman/Static: Beyond and the announcements of the murderers' row of creators working on Batman/Deadpool, along with reviews of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum and Uncle Scrooge: Earth's Mightiest Duck. I see the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe tremble with antici
S1 · E26 · 22 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 26
We're on the home stretch of TBolts Volume 1, as Al and Paul look at Thunderbolts #65-68. There's a whole new squad of 'bolts, a brand new costume for Moonstone and a fresh new minty taste (that'll be the Verdant Green). Plus! The logistics of Hydro-Man's stogie! The Continuity Sugababes! and the unfortunate wording of early 2000s soft drink ads!
S1 · E213 · 9 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
House to Astonish Episode 213 - Puncher War Journal
Two weeks in between episodes? What is this, 2014? Whatever it is, it's Al and Paul talking about Peter David, Marvel and DC's upcoming Deadpool and Batman crossovers, David Marquez's The UnChosen , Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum and Punisher: Red Band, as well as reviews of Imperial and Be Not Afraid. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook? I don't think they exist.
S1 · E25 · 26 May 2025 · 1 hr
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 25
An odd little selection of issues this time round, as Paul and Al look at Thunderbolts issues 63 and 64, and Thunderbolts: From The Marvel Vault. Want to know what Zemo's sulky face looks like? Want to know what Nomad sings to himself to when he's wandering the highways? Want to know how many gratuitous instances of nudity one issue can contain? Well then this might just be the episode for you!
S1 · E212 · 14 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 15 min
House to Astonis Episode 212 - You Have Been Watching
It's not the biggest of weeks for comics news, but Paul and Al have their fun regardless, as they talk you through the new UK comics industry trade body, the end of Immortal Thor , Werewolf By Night: Blood Moon Rise , the upcoming The Shredder series, Archie's crossovers with Minor Threats and Jay & Silent Bob and Hellboy and the BPRD: Professor Harvey is Gone, as well as reviewing Amazing Spider-Man and Fire and Ice: When Hell Freezes Over. Meanwhile, the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe has eaten the fresh-baked cherry pie right off Mrs Witherspoon's window…
S1 · E24 · 3 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 24
Paul and Al are taking a look at Thunderbolts issues 60-62 this time round, as Marvel's Most Wanted put the T in both TBolts and Teleported To counTer-earTh. What will they our heroes do when confronted by the planet of doomed NPCs? What is the dark secret of Fixer's terrible Tamagotchi? And how do power-dampening manacles work when your power is "big teeth"? All this and definitely some more, Thunderbuddies!
S1 · E211 · 21 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
House to Astonish Episode 211 - The Ghost of Tony Hart
And so this is January, and what have you done? Another year over, a new one begun about three weeks ago. It's not the most topical of year in review shows, but Al and Paul have once more brought you their pick of 2024 in the world of comics, as they name the books that turned their heads over the past 12 months, in what they could only call... The Homies (largely because that's what they've been calling it for the past decade and a bit)
S1 · E23 · 19 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 22 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 23
They had to get there eventually. Al and Paul bite the bullet and tackle Citizen V and the V Battalion: The Everlasting #1-4, the second (in any sense you care to choose) miniseries starring everyone's least favourite patriotic superhero. They did it so you don't have to, so the least you can do is listen to them suffer through it.
S1 · E210 · 22 Oct 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
House to Astonish Episode 210 - You Absolute Batman
Another episode, another convention to bring you all the news from! This time round, Paul and Al are talking about the return of Vertigo (with a detour into the state of Marvel's Red Band), the launch of the Marvel Premiere Collection, Hush 2, Absolute Flash, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern , Rise of Emperor Doom , IDW's new logo and IDW Dark line, Andy Khouri becoming TMNT editor, and a multitude of Godzilla series, along with reviews of Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu and Batman & Robin Year One. If I had the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, I'd Handbook…
S1 · E22 · 14 Sep 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 22
It's time to chew over a big beatdown bonanza as Paul and Al look at the climactic clash between the Thunderbolts and Graviton in issues 56-58, and take the time to say goodbye to Marvel's breakout character of 1998. Then it's time for something completely different, as one of the least fondly remembered gimmicks of the Bill Jemas era rears its very quiet head in issue 59.
S1 · E209 · 19 Aug 2024 · 1 hr 23 min
House to Astonish Episode 209 - Constable Tim
There's a bunch of news out of San Diego Comic Con, and you can hear what Al and Paul think about it all here! And now! If you like! They're chatting about Black Canary: Best of the Best, The Question: All Along The Watchtower, Batgirl, New Gods, JSA, Hellverine, West Coast Avengers, Laura Kinney: The Wolverine, Psylocke and Lower Decks , plus the announcement of Amazing Comics, and they've got reviews of S.I.R. and Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special . The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe? Splendid chaps, all of them.
S1 · E21 · 23 Jul 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 21
Who is Humus Sapien? If you don't know, Al and Paul can help you with that! They're covering issues 53-55 of Thunderbolts vol. 1, as Charcoal's dad makes his dazzling debut and we meet the winner of the 1973 F.O.O.M. Magazine Create A Marvel Character contest!
S1 · E208 · 23 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
House to Astonish Episode 208 - Hamish Macdeath
Paul and Al have a full basket of comics news and they're dispensing it left, right and centre, as they remember Don Perlin and Peter B. Gillis, look at Jeff Lemire's Minor Arcana , the finales of Jupiter's Legacy and Marvel's Star Wars , and the new Blade: Red Band mini, chat through the ends of Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr's run on Amazing Spider-Man and Joshua Williamson's runs on Green Arrow and Batman and Robin , and draw your attention to the Wicked & the Divine 's covers collection Kickstarter, on top of all of which they've got reviews of Destro and Self-Help . That was all one…
S1 · E20 · 13 May 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 20
And now for something... slightly different. Al and Paul step beyond the bounds of the regular Thunderbolts title to look at the 2001 miniseries Citizen V and the V-Battalion, with chat about two-fisted journalist Jim Daring, HR disasters and the horniest comics in Marvel history.
S1 · E207 · 15 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
House to Astonish Episode 207 - I Love Satan, Best Of All The Animals
Al and Paul are back (back! Back!) with remembrances of Trina Robbins and Mark "Doc" Bright, a whiz through the first six post-Krakoa X-books and a mini-explainer of Misty and the new Gail Simone-run iteration thereof, as well as reviews of Action Comics and Uncanny Valley. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe can't believe it's not butter either.
S1 · E19 · 11 Mar 2024 · 1 hr 31 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 19
It's a brave new world for the Thunderbolts, as they try to readjust to civilian life... or, in the case of some, to adjust to being bossed around by Captain America as part of the Redeemers. Paul and Al say hello to new regular penciler Patrick Zircher, as well as to the continuity transplants from the Heroes Reborn universe, as they look at issues 51 and 52 of Thunderbolts, as well as the Thunderbolts: Life Sentences oneshot. Join them as they explore the questions of who is the 19th best telepath in the Marvel Universe, where can you find the most racist electrical goods store in America,…
E206 · 30 Jan 2024 · 2 hr 25 min
House to Astonish - Episode 206 - Guts For Gratis
Merry Chri... er... Happy New Y... um... Happy February? Welcome to the joint 15th anniversary and end of year wrap-up episode of House to Astonish, as Paul and Al chat through the news of the past few weeks, including Blood Hunt 's polybagged "Red Band" editions, Jason Aaron taking on the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , the 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo and Criminal coming to Amazon Prime. On top of that, they have the 2023 Homies awards, where we (and our listeners) give their picks of the best things we read last year, and the complete audio of the SILENCE! To Astonish panel…
S1 · E18 · 14 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 44 min
House to Astonish Presents: The Lightning Round Episode 18
It's anniversary time, as Paul and Al mark the 15th turn round the sun of House to Astonish by briefly mourning the original episode they recorded for the occasion and lost in a computer disaster, before moving on to another anniversary in the form of issue 50 (and 48 and 49) of Thunderbolts, from 2001. It's the end of the Scourge story, the return of Jolt, and time to bid a fond farewell to Mark Bagley. It's all go!

About House to Astonish

House to Astonish is a English arts & books podcast from Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Paul O'Brien and Al Kennedy
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest episode: 14 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id296092576
Rights: Paul O'Brien and Alistair Kennedy

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