Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 19: “THE GIFT!”

A bit of a diversion this week as we discuss a two-issue special, “The X-Men and Alpha Flight”. Which has happened before, but this time, Loki’s involved. And no one is trying to steal Wolverine. Mostly.

This series was published well after certain…other events took place in the main Alpha Flight series (and in the X-Men for that matter) and is penned by Chris Claremont and not drawn by Byrne, so, yeah: this is kinda wild.

But it’s fun! And more than a bit appropriate for January 20, 2025. Anyways, have a great time listening and hold your people a bit closer.

In this episode, Chris:

• Discovers that his bete noire isn’t Mantlo, but…CLAREMONT?!?!
• Wonders if Coca-Cola is the key to world peace
• Talks comic book price inflation
• Reads a fantastic piece by Stan the Man to close us out

and Tom:

• Won’t call Walt his bete orange, but you can if you want to
• Spent a good bit of time trying to make some of these voices…different
• Gets to talk about Joyce and Le Guin and just appreciates how much straight literature there always seems to be in an Alpha Flight issue, written by Byrne or Claremont
• And very much hopes that’ll continue with Mantlo

Issues covered:
X-Men and Alpha Flight #1, cover date December 1985
Written by Chris Claremont
Art by Paul Smith & Bob Wiacek
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Colored by Glynis Oliver
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
With Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

X-Men and Alpha Flight #2, cover date January 1986
Mostly the same creative team as last issue with a minor shakeup in the art team
Written by Chris Claremont
Pencils by Paul Smith
Inks by Bob Wiacek & friends
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
Edited by Ann Nocenti and Denny O’Neil
With Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief
Based on a Premise by Jim Shooter, Ann Nocenti, and Denny O’Neil

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You can find us on BlueSky, username WhyNotPodcast, or check us out at The Why Not Pod to leave us a comment or email us at [email protected]; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!