What's Your Grail Tale?

Episodes

March 6, 2024

Happy Patreoniversary — A Full Episode of Floppies Just For You

We're celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Spec Tales Patreon. Because of our dedicated and generous Scärce Army members, we've been able to update the show's artwork, create JJ the Spec Tater-Tot, and literally give …
Feb. 28, 2024

The Masks Come Off — A Comic Whale Tale Shows Our True Colors

No guest this week, but that doesn't mean we're taking it easy on the mics. We've got multiple recent pickups that you need to sprint to the shelves (or digital shelves) to get your hands on. We've got a comic book whale tal…
Feb. 21, 2024

To Speculate or Not to Speculate — Zach Mitchell Breaks Down The Comic Collecting Landscape

We're back for a throwback-style episode with one of our original listeners and Instagram comic collector friends, Zach Mitchell from Zach's Comics. Together, we dive head-first into the state of the comic book world, inclu…
Feb. 7, 2024

The Kickin' Roundtable with Mario Candelaria, James Ferguson & Christof Bogacs

From the biggest names in the industry to the indie creators just trying to see their vision come to life, Kickstarter has fully established itself as a major player in the comic book world. This week we bring on three veter…
Jan. 31, 2024

Spec Tales Episode 100 — Grail Tales: Where Are They Now?

To celebrate our 100th episode of Spec Tales, we decided to look back and see where a few of our most memorable Grail Tales are now. Have no fear, we still bring the heat with some extra special recent pickups and speculatio…
Jan. 24, 2024

Eisner Winner Kelly Thompson Chats The Cull, Comics, Grails, and Pennywise the Dancing Clown

Back from our happy holiday hiatus and ready for a big new year! This week, Eisner-winning writer Kelly Thompson (Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Jem and the Holograms) joins us to discuss her latest work — The Cull. But we don't …
Jan. 3, 2024

Breaking News One-Shot: Jay Stephens and Gold Key Comics Make A Big Announcement

Acclaimed animator, and comic book creator Jay Stephens (Dwellings) and Gold Key chief creative director Arnold Guerrero join Jake & Jesús for this very special breaking news one-shot episode of Spec Tales. We know we told y…
Dec. 13, 2023

2023 Year-End Cleanup — Our Favorite Comics and Grails of the Year

Believe it or not, we're already halfway through season three of Spec Tales. However, before we take the next 6 weeks off, we have to wrap up the year with our favorite comic books and grails of 2023. So, saddle up the reind…
Dec. 7, 2023

One True Nerd King Phil Taylor Blows Our Collector & Speculator Minds

You've heard of the one true king of the North, but have you heard of the One True Nerd King? Of course you have, his nerdtastic social posts have garnered millions of views and laughs. His comic-culture brain is on full dis…
Nov. 29, 2023

THE Comic Book Presser Chris Myers Grade Bumps Spec Tales

Pressing and cleaning comic books isn't witchcraft or magical restoration — but for Chris Myers The Comic Book Presser, it's an art. This week, Chris and the guys deep dive into some of the intricacies of how pressing and cl…
Nov. 22, 2023

Jake & Jesús and The Batman 55 Tape Pull of Destiny

It's Thanksgiving for us and we're here to say thank you to all the listeners out there for take the time to join us every week for Spec Tales. This week's episode is filled with many listener themed segments, including the …
Nov. 15, 2023

Acclaimed Comic Artist Nick Pitarra Chats Axe-Wielder Jon and His Original Comic Art Addiction

Eisner-nominated comic artist Nick Pitarra jumps on the show to chat all about his creator-owned comic Axe-Wielder Jon. From its heartwarming origins to its massively successful crowdfunding campaign — Nick takes us through…
Nov. 8, 2023

Brad & Lisa Gullickson of Comic Book Couples Counseling Bag and Board Spec Tales

GIANT-SIZE EPISODE ALERT! This conversation was too good to cut short. Brad and Lisa Gullickson of the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast join us to chat all about their unbelievable comic grail tales. Traversing through …
Nov. 1, 2023

Scärce Whales That Could Be Your Next Grail — The Return of Whale Tales

Have you ever seen a CATMAN comic from the 1940's? How about a CHAMBER OF CHILLS pre-code horror comic? We dive into some of the biggest white whales of these iconic runs and what makes them true grails. An episode of Spec T…
Oct. 25, 2023

Episode 91 — Dallas FanFestival Edition

We did it! We finally got around to meeting up in person for the first time at Dallas FanFestival 2023. A weekend of many firsts, including recording our first-ever live/in-person comic book grail tales. Hear all about the b…
Oct. 18, 2023

The Beautifully Deviant Mind of Joshua Hixson and Creating Horror Comics

Just in time for the most horrifying season of the year. Artist Joshua Hixson joins Jake & Jesús to discuss his work on show-favorite horror comic THE PLOT and his upcoming collaboration with James Tynion IV THE DEVIANT. Jo…
Oct. 11, 2023

Dueling Listener-Submitted Grail Tales with Guest Host Mario Candelaria

Jake & Jesús pull out all the stops with TWO listener-submitted grail tales and a first-time special guest host — writer and friend of the show Mario Candelaria. This episode is chock-full of recent pickups, reading recommen…
Oct. 4, 2023

Phillip Kennedy Johnson Smashes with Grails and Hulk Speculation Goodness

Phillip Kennedy Johnson discusses his approach to writing the current Incredible Hulk series and how he wanted to bring back the monster movie elements and horror themes that were originally part of the character. He also ta…
Sept. 27, 2023

Jordan Alsaqa Cooks with Monsters and Apex Legends

Jordan Alsaqa, author of the Apex Legends Official Cookbook and IDW's young adult fantasy graphic novel Cooking with Monsters, joins Jake and Jesús on this episode of Spec Tales. Jordan shares a couple of white whales he'd l…
Sept. 20, 2023

Kieron Gillen Rolls a Nat 20 Grail Tale and Speculates a Bit on Dr. Aphra

Acclaimed comic book writer Kieron Gillen joins Jake & Jesús to discuss his career and creative process. From his background in games journalism to his transition to comic book writing, the guys talk all about Kieron and his…
Sept. 13, 2023

Badr Milligan of The Short Box Podcast Gives and Receives Comic Grails

Jake & Jesús welcome former guest host Badr Milligan of the Short Box comic podcast back to Spec Tales to finally give his grail tale. Not just one but TWO heartstring-pulling tales that'll hit you right in the feels. The tr…
Sept. 6, 2023

Introducing Whale Tales and the Most Valuable Non-Superhero Comic

Jake and Jesús are very proud to introduce something new on this week's episode with the first-ever Whale Tale segment. What's a whale tale you ask? You'll just have to listen to the episode to find out! Also in this episode…
Aug. 30, 2023

Jason Ayers and the Most Epic Season 3 Premiere

We're back! To kick off season three in style, we're joined by WWE referee and notorious comic book collector Jason Ayers who discusses the monumental "X" comic book grail tale he's currently embarking on. Jake also reviews …
July 26, 2023

Secret Invasion! Chris Hacker and Badr Milligan with Guest Christian Ward

The final installment of the Spec Tales Secret Invasion is here! Chris Hacker from the Oblivion Bar Podcast and Badr Milligan from the Short Box podcast join forces to rock the mics with multi-Eisner-winning comic creator Ch…