Paul and Al examine what the iPad means for comics (and whether anyone actually knows), go over the April solicitations and round up the rest of the comics news from the last couple of weeks, and review Starman, New Avengers and Joe the Barbarian. Of course, there's another visit to the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, but don't let that put you off.

Al and Paul are seeing in the new year with chat about the Spider-Man 4 debacle, Marvel's Blackest Night exchange programme, Gail Simone's return to Birds of Prey, Legion relaunches, the Avengers cancellations and David Finch's exclusivity. There are also reviews of Amazing Spider-Man, Orc Stain and Super Hero Squad and a root around in the grubby laundry basket of the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Paul and Al ring out the old and ring in the new as they discuss Earth One, the Marvel Adventures cancellation, DC's plans for co-features and the X-Men First Class movie, and review Daytripper, X-Factor and The Tick. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook appears too, and it knows when you are sleeping and it knows when you're awake.

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It's a quiet week for comics news and releases, but Al and Paul are soldiering on, looking at further developments in the convention calendar, Mark Millar and Steve McNiven's new Marvel project, Dynamite and the Dabels, Yen Press's Gossip Girl manga and the knock-on effects of the Marvel/Disney merger and reviewing Image United, JSA All-Stars and Jonah Hex. Your early Christmas present is an instalment of the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, so we hope you kept the receipt. (NB - this is the second version of this episode. The earlier version was at a lower bitrate.)

Paul and Al are back, looking at the expanding empire of Gareb Shamus, developments in the Thor movie and the Global Frequency TV show, and reviewing S.W.O.R.D., Supergod and Victorian Undead. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is back, and I think it's rolled in something nasty.

Al and Paul celebrate the one-year birthday of House to Astonish in a special extended, unedited edition, with a look at the changes at Wizard and the Comics Journal, the Spider-Man musical's prospects and the San Diego sell-out, and reviews of Assault on New Olympus, The Great Ten and Stumptown. There's no Official Handbook this time round, but there's a special surprise feature instead, so get stuck in.

Paul and Al are back with a look at the NYCC vs Big Apple con war, a look at the January 2010 solicitations and reviewing The Anchor, Sugar Shock and Azrael. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook is only doing it for the attention, just ignore it.

Paul and Al are back from another short break with news on the San Diego sell-out, the Kirby lawsuits and Boom! Studios' distribution difficulties, plus reviews of Planetary, Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural and Haunt. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook remains at large.

This week, the House to Astonish becomes the Mouse to Astonish as Al and Paul look at Disney purchasing Marvel, examine the implications for DC of their recent corporate restructure and review Vengeance of the Moon Knight, Beasts of Burden and Sweet Tooth. That plus all the usual nonsense, including an episode of the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe that can't be bargained with, can't be reasoned with, doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear, and absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.

Paul and Al take a look at the solicitations and the rest of the comics news, review 2000AD, King City and Fantastic Four, and quietly try to ignore the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe that's gooning around in the background of the photo.

Al and Paul make the most of a quiet news week, looking at the announcements from Chicago Comicon, Frank Darabont's Walking Dead and the Spider-Man musical, and reviewing Doom Patrol, Lenore and Ultimate Comics Avengers. The Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is still there too. Nobody has the heart to tell it to leave.

Paul and Al look over the news from San Diego and the solicitations in an extra-length episode, with reviews of The Lone Ranger, Dark Reign: The Hood and Wildcats and the unavoidable dip into the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

Al and Paul tackle Wizardworld Anaheim, John Ostrander's health woes, the Superman lawsuit developments and more, and review North 40, Wednesday Comics and Creepy, while the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook continues to hang around like a guest who won't leave.

Paul and Al talk Project Longbox, the Harvey awards and more, and review Justice League: Cry for Justice, Greek Street and Existence 2.0. With no Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe! Oh, no, wait.

This week, Al and Paul look at September's solicitations and Marvel's Captain America news, and review X-Men Forever, Captain America and Booster Gold. There's also another installment of the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, which is statistically unlikely to kill you.