The Stacks: Comics Finally Has An Answer To The Criterion Closet

Sometimes the YouTube feed can be haunted – especially if you’re not signed in. An endless stream of algorithmic dreck, chasing Mr. Beast fame and fortune in a race to the bottom. In times like these, I’ve always been able to rely on Closet Picks. Run by home video publisher Criterion, the long-running video series features actors and directors picking films from the publisher’s robust collection of classic, arthouse, and important films and discussing them. It’s an insight into these creatives’ minds, highlighting their tastes and inspirations. I’ve always wanted there to be a comics version. And now there is.

The Stacks is comics’ answer to The Criterion Closet. Presented by the Comic Book Couples Counselling podcast, each episode invites someone involved in comics – whether they’re a writer, artist, retailer, or someone adjacent to comics somehow – and gets them to discuss their favourite comics. The episodes are filmed at Annapolis’ Third Eye Comics, tucked into a corner of the shop that’s overflowing with awesome comics.

I always find it fascinating when creatives reveal their favourite works. It’s an insight into the creative process, where sometimes you can see a lineage to what they’ve produced. But it can also be surprising, showing another side to their creative process you might not have expected.

There have been five episodes at the time of writing this. These include David Brothers (critic/podcaster/editor/writer) and Chip Zdarsky (Batman, Daredevil, Sex Criminals); Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, X-Force); Steve Anderson (Owner of Third Eye Comics); Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk, Superman), and Sanford Green (Bitter Root, Doom). Comic Book Couples Counselling has promised that more instalments are on the way.

Episode 1: David Brothers and Chip Zdarsky