Welcome to our second Holiday Spectacular! In which we share some of the more amusing outtakes that didn’t make it into the show over the last year interspersed with some delightful holiday music. This year we also explore a different and similarly fascinating question to our usual “Why Not?!”: What If?! Giant-Size Alpha Flight???

Thanks for coming along on this ride with us. We have a great time making the show and really appreciate everyone who listens. See you in the new year for more from Canada’s greatest superhero team!

Music: “Just Another Christmas Song” by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings from the album It’s a Holiday Soul Party

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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Episode 39: “A Sas Called Wanda”

In which Alpha Flight goes on several distinct genre-based adventures over the course of 3 issues…and we feel the whiplash. Lot more on Goblyn; less discernible rules to characters’ power; and the return of…the Great Beasts?!?!?!

In this episode, Chris:

• makes it clear that Heather’s bloodlust is only growing
• gets further confirmation of Jeffries…proclivities
• gives one of the best defenses of Universal Healthcare you’ll ever hear (doesn’t happen on the recording, but just seeing if anyone is reading)

and Tom:

• drops in some great lit references, including the origin of the term “Poohbah”
• almost quit the pod over how all over the place it is
• capably refutes Chris’s points re: healthcare (just closing the loop on the bit)

Issues discussed:
Alpha Flight #54 - "Goblyn!" - cover date January 1988
Script by Bill Mantlo
Pencils by Hugh Haynes
Inks by Wilce Portacio
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Gregory Wright
Edited by Carl Potts
with Tom DeFalco as Editor in Sleet

Alpha Flight # 55 - "Identity Crisis!" - cover date February 1988
Script by Bill Mantlo
Pencils by Jim Lee
Inks by Tony DeZuniga
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Edited by Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco as Poohbah in Chief

Alpha Flight #56 - "Have you ever heard a spaceship scream? Warped!" - cover date March 1988
same creative team as last issue

Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Roxxon Energy Corporation, Parent corporation of the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring a patch of Prince Namor’s trident. You can see these and 2 hundred more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Quick note on “Poohbah”

Tim Curry in Command & Conquer

Bell sound Effect by u_7xr5ffk4oq from Pixabay

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

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We circle back to a couple issues we skipped over in our zeal to keep the narrative moving and boy do they really expand on Heather’s characterization. Are they groundbreakingly original stories? No. Are they solidly done and enjoyable? Absolutely. Mantlo…you really know how to play with our emotions.

In this episode, Chris:

• points out that the only Alphan with a traditionally stable childhood is Marrina, who opted not to stick around very long
• has some thoughts on Larry Hama writing AF
• offers some recommendations for visitors to the St. Louis Zoo

and Tom:

• manages to get a dig in on Walt
• makes a pretty wild accusation against the McNeil family
• makes an even wilder accusation against JMH

Issues discussed:

Alpha Flight #47 - You Can’t Tell The Forest from the Trees! - cover date June 1987
Script by Bill Mantlo
Pencils by Craig Brasfield, Mike Mignola, and Steve Purcell
Inks by Whilce Portacio and Terry Austin
Letters by Jim Novak
Colors by Bob Sharen
Edited by Carl Potts
and Jim Shooter as Editor in Chief

Alpha Flight Annual #2 - The Fire Inside! - cover date December 1987
Writer is Bill Mantlo
Layouts by June Brigman
Finishes by Bob McLeod
Letters by Janice Chiang
Colors by Bob Sharen
Editor is Carl Potts
and Tom DeFalco is credited as Editor in Deep

Why Not Read Alpha Flight is brought to you by listeners like you who subscribe to our Patreon, and by the Roxxon Energy Corporation, Parent corporation of the Excelsior Embroidery Company, turning thread into thunder where every piece is stitched with style, sarcasm, and just a dash of superhuman flair. This week we’re featuring a HOP patch, you’ve seen the image of the Portland Frog set to the classic Shepard Fairey Obama poster motif that says Hop instead of Hope, well I made a patch out of it. You can see this and a hundred more designs at excelsiorembroidery.etsy.com where Listeners of Why Not can use the coupon code WN503 to get 50 percent off when you order any 3 items from the etsy store. When Company’s coming over, bring out the good towels. Excelsior!

Written by Chris Baker
Produced and edited by Tom Flynn
Music:"Oh, Canada" by Five Iron Frenzy

Follow us on these platforms:
Instagram
TikTok
Imgur
YouTube
Patreon