Bryan Sorensen
198 episodes listed below
Continuity made readable, one arc at a time.
Comic Book Storylines turns complicated superhero events into plain-language chronology. Brian Sorensen, known as Bri the Comic Book Guy, walks through issues, character histories, and crossover setup with the enthusiasm of someone sorting issues and timelines at once.
PRESS PLAY
Comic Book Storylines is a continuity-first comics recap show with a collector's sense of preparation. It likes the setup. Brian Sorensen, known as Bri the Comic Book Guy, does not treat major events as isolated spectacles; he works backward through the miniseries, side stories, character turns, and old conflicts that make those events readable. The pace is quick. Episodes often begin with the practical question of what has to be covered before a bigger arc can be handled fairly, especially with stories like Infinite Crisis or Earth X. The show is casual without being empty. It can move from a note about C2E2 or tracking down issues into a detailed explanation of why Blue Beetle matters to the OMAC Project, why Maxwell Lord changes the threat level, or why Checkmate matters before Infinite Crisis lands. Marvel stories get the same treatment. Earth X becomes a layered alternate-future puzzle involving the Watcher, X-51, Reed, Black Bolt, the Celestials, Hulk, Silver Surfer, and the larger idea of hidden seeds inside humanity. The Fantastic Four and X-Men episodes lean into family, mutation, Franklin Richards, Secret Wars aftermath, and Krakoan-era echoes. Nothing is treated as too small if it helps the listener follow the chain. The show often repeats names and relationships, but that repetition has a purpose. It keeps the board visible. There is a strong issue-by-issue habit here, with enough interpretation to explain why a reveal, betrayal, or misunderstanding matters beyond the panel. The voice is friendly and direct. It assumes the audience may remember some pieces and need help with others. That makes it approachable for returning comics readers, especially anyone who has heard the title of a crossover but never caught every lead-in. It also works for longtime fans who enjoy hearing older stories reconstructed with affection rather than distance. The best moments feel like standing beside someone who has finally gathered the right comics and is ready to lay the whole thing out.
Made for: Best for Marvel and DC readers who enjoy crossovers, limited series, alternate futures, and old continuity made easier to follow. It also suits lapsed fans who want context before tackling big event comics.
What sets it apart: The show’s strength is patient chronological stitching: it explains the lead-ins, side characters, and older consequences that many recap shows skip. Its collector-minded approach makes big stories feel less like homework and more like a guided stack of issues.
We talk about all the great events and crossovers in comic book history! Old and new, Marvel and DC, small runs and line wide! This podcast has been on my radio stations website for three years but I am now bringing it to my own channel to grow! you can also find me on youtube on the channel brythecomicbookguy!
Based on 5 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Detailed oral recaps make dense Marvel and DC crossover continuity easier to follow without flattening its character conflicts.
Brian Sorensen turns sprawling superhero crossovers into patient, issue-by-issue oral recaps. As Bri the Comic Book Guy, he traces the alliances, betrayals, hidden agendas, and continuity behind stories involving the X-Men, Avengers, and major DC events.
Infinite Crisis has prerequisite reading; Brian Sorensen helps you arrive knowing why Blue Beetle matters.
Press play if you want
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A brisk guide to the DC buildup to Infinite Crisis, with the OMAC Project segment doing the heaviest lifting.
Comic Book Storylines treats the buildup to Infinite Crisis as a guided pass through DC continuity, not a single leap into the event. Brian Sorensen says the series needs several lead-ins, including four miniseries and a one-shot, and that the coverage will roll out over the…
A clear, conversational guide through a knotty crossover, with a few loose side-road detours.
X-Men vs. the Avengers comes across as a clear, conversational guide to a knotty crossover, with Brian Sorensen keeping Magneto, Dr. Druid, Darkstar, Titanium Man, and the rest of the cast in workable order.
A brisk, continuity-smart guide to Inferno that keeps the X-Men fallout easy to follow.
Sorensen keeps Inferno readable by tracking who is possessed, who is trying to rescue whom, and why the X-Men and X-Factor keep misreading each other.
A steady, fan-led guide to Inferno as its crossover pieces begin to lock into place.
Brian Sorensen keeps Inferno Part 2 moving by folding in Madeline Pryor's origin, Mr. Sinister's lingering presence, and the demon-driven chaos already in motion.
A clear recap that keeps the Phoenix Force stakes sharp while leaning into mutant history.
Avengers vs. X-Men Part 2 keeps the Phoenix Force stakes front and center: it is coming back to Earth, and the Avengers and X-Men are stuck weighing salvation against disaster.
Fandom recap with receipts and side roads.
Moon Knight talk with lore-soaked judgment.
Fast takes for lore-sick fans.
Old comics, old monsters, and friends who remember both.
Brian Sorensen starts with the road map.
Brian Sorensen opens at C2E2.
This episode explores the second limited series where the Fantastic Four and X-Men clash over Franklin Richards, an Omega-level mutant, with higher stakes than their previous encounter.
This episode explores the 1980s four-issue limited series 'Fantastic Four vs X-Men Volume 1', discussing its context, characters, and connections to later Marvel events.
This episode concludes the Earth-X comic storyline, focusing on Reed Richards' confrontation with the Watcher and his theory about Celestials' connection to Silver Surfer's planet.
This episode analyzes issues 7-10 of the Earth X comic series, focusing on the Hulk's origin story and how gamma radiation connects to the Celestials' seeds in humanity.
Brian Sorensen introduces part two of EarthX, a dark alternate future Marvel storyline, comparing it to Kingdom Come and explaining its depth.
Brian Sorensen introduces the podcast and begins discussing the Earth-X storyline from Marvel's parallel universe.
The host explains his upcoming break due to job training and shifts to discussing how to collect comic book storylines and events, including finding read orders.
The host introduces a five-part crossover event called Blood Ties, involving the Avengers and X-Men, and begins discussing the first part from Avengers #368.
The host recaps and analyzes the plot of the comic 'The Long Halloween' sequel, focusing on a confrontation between Gilda Dent and Two-Face.
Brian Sorensen introduces a new episode discussing the prologue to Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween, a sequel to the classic storyline.
Brian Sorensen introduces the show and discusses the Muir Island Saga, a pivotal X-Men storyline that led to new team configurations in the 1990s.
Brian Sorensen introduces a four-issue X-Factor arc called Endgame, detailing the origin of Cable and the final battle against Apocalypse before the 90s X-Teams split.
Inferno is closing out before Christmas.
Inferno snaps into sharper focus.
This episode introduces the Avengers vs X-Men comic book storyline, covering its background, tie-ins, and a prologue involving Cable's mission to protect Hope Summers.
Brian Sorensen discusses part three of Operation Galactic Storm, analyzing the Avengers' involvement in the Shi'ar and Kree conflict.
The host recaps the final battle of Avengers vs.
Brian Sorensen discusses the sequel to Marvel vs.
Brian Sorensen discusses the fourth week of the Avengers vs.
Brian Sorensen introduces a deep dive into the DC Comics event 'Salute Power', focusing on Amanda Waller's rise to power and her blitz against heroes.
Brian Sorensen introduces a new series on DC's Identity Crisis event, discussing its place in DC continuity and the Justice League lineup.
Brian Sorensen discusses the Absolute Power comic event, focusing on Green Lantern #14 and the tie-ins involving major DC characters.
Brian Sorensen introduces the Phalanx Covenant crossover event, focusing on the Generation Next storyline and its impact on the X-Men universe.
Brian Sorensen discusses the Phalanx Covenant crossover event, covering X-Men related comic issues.
Brian Sorensen introduces a series of episodes covering Marvel's What If?
Brian Sorensen discusses tie-ins and major plot points in the Avengers vs.
Brian Sorensen discusses the Avengers vs.
Brian Sorensen introduces a multi-episode series covering the Marvel vs.
This episode analyzes week five of the Avengers vs.
Week two pushes the fight into the school.