Before Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith suited up and neuralyzed their way into pop culture history, The Men in Black began as a gritty, black-and-white comic series published by Aircel in 1990. In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse takes listeners on a deep dive into the origins of the iconic franchise, dissecting issues #1–3 of the original Men in Black comics. From sinister cults and berserker drugs to interstellar treaties and demonic incursions, the series is packed with bizarre plotlines that go far beyond alien policing.
Listeners will hear how the comics differ from the blockbuster films, especially in tone and character dynamics. Kay is colder, more manipulative, and downright ruthless, while Jay emerges as the moral center, trying to hold onto his humanity amid mind-wipes, supernatural threats, and bureaucratic gray zones. From Oklahoma farms to Ohio suburbs, the Men in Black face drug-fueled cults, bug-eyed extraterrestrials, and even demonic RPG monsters summoned from dice rolls. It’s a chaotic ride—and that’s before we even get to the neuralizers.
To cap it off, Jesse reads a fascinating interview with creator Lowell Cunningham, who reveals the real-life paranormal inspirations behind the series, including UFO folklore and strange-but-true news headlines. This episode offers a rare look into the darker, weirder world of The Men in Black—a world where monsters live next door, and the only thing keeping order is a pair of guys in black suits and Ray-Bans.
