Sunday, December 27, 2015

2015cast

2015 is over. Jon and Steven cover the major releases in comics, movies, tv, video games and toys and discover why this was the year of "meh".

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Star Wars The Force Awakenscast

Episode VII is here! Jon and Steven welcome back Kevin Ryan for massive SPOILERS including the film's ending, the state of the universe, how George Lucas reacted and what to do with people that post SPOILERS on your phone. BTW, SPOILERS!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Claracast

Live from Chicago TARDIS! Jon joins a panel of podcasters to discuss the legacy and impact of Jenna Louise Coleman's character on Doctor Who. NOTE: At this time, we all thought she was dead.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Jessica Jonescast

Marvel's follow up to Daredevil is here! Jon and Steven cover all 13 episodes of the Netflix series with both compliments and criticisms. Also, the latest Batman v. Superman trailer, Captain America: Civil War and why head socks.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Batman in Video Gamescast!

Live from Valorcon! Jon and Steven welcome back Stu McLean to discuss the greatest superhero in a whole new media! We trace the origins of Batman from the 16 bit movie adaptations all the way through Lego and Arkham! Plus, there's a predator in the room!

Monday, November 23, 2015

Ash Vs. Evil Deadcast

Ash is back! Elliott Serrano, writer of the "Army of Darkness" comic and Neal Fischer, writer of "Dead Girls" are here to discuss the new Starz series, the licenses that separate "Evil Dead" from the third film and why Sam Raimi's horror franchise still feels vital while Freddy and Jason have become 80's relics.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

MST3Kcast

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is on Kickstarter! Jon and Steven talk the origins of the show though the horror host genre, its decade long run on cable, progeny online and how it spawned nerd comedy. Also, immediate reactions to Paris.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

SPECTREcast

James Bond is back. Jon and Steven have both seen SPECTRE and have SPOILERS about it. Steven compares it to some of Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore's entries while Jon finds common ground with The Peanuts Movie.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Worst Comic Book Moviecast

Live from Geek Bar Beta! Jon, Steven and Elliot Serrano compare the worst attempts to adapt comics on film, from Batman and Robin to Green Lantern. It goes off the rails almost immediately with some very strong Doctor Who drinks. Listen as we decide to remake Fantastic Four in the bar and set Elliot on fire.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Star wars Trailer Againcast

Another week, another trailer, another chance to break the internet. Jon and Steven talk the latest revelations, the idiocy of #BoycottStarWars, #BTTFday and attack Fox News even though Jon was quoted by them this week.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

NYCC2015 Report with Michele Sileo

Michele Sileo is back from New York Comicon! She gives her first hand account form the floor of NYCC, how to navigate children through the biggest con next to SDCC, combing parenting with cosplay and preparing for Halloween!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

NYCC 2015cast

Covering NY from Chicago! Jon and Steven talk Capullo leaving Batman, John Romita Jr. drawing Batman, Killing Joke getting a "R" rating and the upcoming live podcast at Geek Bar Beta!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

24 Hour Comic Daycast

Artists across the country are creating comics in one sleepless day and Steven is one of them! Jon finds out how Chimera's Comics is hosting artists around the clock to complete new work and Steven's own long gestating graphic novel project. Also, how writers pitch new ideas and how the great stylists work for speed.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Harrison Fordcast

Eileen Tull is here! We talk Han Solo, Indy, taking a beating and her new one woman show "Bad Dates Or What Killed That Monkey in Indiana Jones Only Makes Me Stronger"! Plus, some Gary Oldman for the hell of it.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Doctor Who Series Ninecast

Peter Capaldi is back! Jenna Louise Coleman is leaving! Moffat is doing Moffat! Bill Monroe is here to discuss the latest episode "The Magician's Apprentice". Is it stronger than Series 8? How does it connect to classic Who? Can there be any stakes in a time travel show? All this and "Weird" Al!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

John Champion

The host of "Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast" is here! Jon and John find common ground through his young exposure (and audition) to Star Trek, his process of covering all 740 episodes of the series one week a time and just what will happen if CBS announces a sixth series!

Monday, September 7, 2015

Force Fridaycast

#ForceFriday has happened and Jon, Steven and Joe are puzzled. How does one love again after the prequels? But before that, what Marvel Studios leaving Marvel Entertainment really means, like Iron Man 4.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Conventioncast

What makes a great con? Thomas Glen is here to discuss the origins of geek conventions, how they progressed to the modern giants we see every weekend, how to maintain inclusiveness in a diverse audience and how he put together the very first Valorcon!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Michele Sileo

Michele went from a cog in a law firm to the star of her own reality show on Oprah Winfrey's network. Hear the strange tale of how "Staten Island Law" happened and how it went away again. Also, Michele's complete obsession with "Rick and Morty".

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Muppet Newscast

Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters HBO while the Muppets are bringing their show to ABC. Jon and Steven discuss what this means for PBS, public funding and television itself. Also, Spider-Man on the Electric Company.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Fantastic Four Moviecast

Jon takes on the Fantastic Four alone! In a special solo cast, Jon explains the differences from the last two FOX movies, the comparisons to SONY's ill-fated reboot of Spider-Man and why he's willing to let the new film bomb.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Billy Conahan

Billy got his start on stage in stand-up clubs before high school and now creates hip-hop beats while other kids his age are still in class. Jon and Billy talk the stand-up scene of the mid aughts, the relationship of music and comedy and what makes Astoria such a thriving neighborhood in an increasingly gentrified NYC.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Super Villaincast

Bring on the Bad Guys! Jon, Steven and Joe cover the greatest and worst super villains in history! What makes a great evil character? how do you keep him fresh when the original motivation is resolved? Who's crazy and who's cunning? Everyone and the Armadillo this week.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Ant-Mancast

SPOILERS! The Marvel movie you never thought would happen is here! Jon and Steven discuss the smaller scale after this summer's Avengers: Age of Ultron, the subtle ties to the MCU and whether this movie kicks off Phase 3 or ends Phase 2! Also, the obligatory insults to DC.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

SDCC 2015cast

Comicon is over! Jon and Steven discuss the few surprises but tons of new footage from the upcoming blockbusters. Is Batman Vs. Superman getting any better? Will J.J. Abrams redeem "Star Wars"? How awesome is "Ash Vs. Evil Dead"? Plus, actual comic book news!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Social Justicecast

Comedian Micia Mosely is here! Jon and Micia are reunited after 25 years to talk stand-up comedy in the face of income inequality and inner city riots. It gets political, deep and funny, all in one hour.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Jurassicast

Jon hasn't seen "Jurassic World". Steven saw it and doesn't like it. They discuss the fourth entry in the franchise, how smart you can make a dinosaur before it becomes a character and whether the fifth film should be a dinosaur buddy cop movie.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Jamal Igle

The creator of "Molly Danger" is here! Jon and Jamal talk the reaction to the first volume, his Kicksatrter for a bimonthly series and why the book matters. Also, how he learned writing by working with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

TV Season 2015cast

A lot of shows ended this spring. Kate Kulzick from the "Televerse" podcast is here to help us sort it all out. From "Mad Men" to "Parks and Recreation", "Constantine" to "Gotham" we cover the good, the bad and the ugly of this season. And why there's no such thing as a tv season anymore.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Mad Maxcast

We saw "Mad Max: Fury Road". Steven HATES it. Jon compares the new Tom Hardy version to classic Mel Gibson films like "Road Warrior" and "Beyond Thunderdome" but it doesn't help. Neither does the entire French press they consume during the episode.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

XCast

As another era of editors and writers leave the X-Men, Jon, Steven, Joe and Dave take a moment to look at the entire franchise. From its quirky almost cancelled beginnings to the biggest thing in comics for decades to again a quirky side universe, Professor Xavier's school has always defined expectations, just like comics themselves.

Monday, May 25, 2015

David Letterman Tributecast

"The Late Show with David Letterman" aired its final broadcast Wednesday. Keith Alberstadt is here to talk about what it was like to perform stand-up comedy on the show twice. Then Bill Monroe remembers growing up with Dave's NBC show and sitting in the audience for a CBS taping.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Retailcast

What's it like to run a comic book store? Jon and Steven welcome Tenth Planet founder John Cavalone. He talks the boom and bust of the 90's, staying diversified and how to sell to fans without shaking them down.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Podcasting Workshop with Kate Kulzick

Live from DePaul University! Jon and Televerse host Kate Kulzick spend an hour spilling the secrets of podcasting. From microphones and file sizes to getting the most out of your guest, they share some behind the scenes stories of episodes you know.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Avengers Age of Ultroncast

It's out! Our team of regulars is all here to cover Marvel Studio's greatest team. We discuss whether Ultron is the MCU's best villain or a disappointment, whether the Easter Eggs for future films gets in the way and the Vision's impact on the Marvel Universe.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

JM DeMatteis on Batman VS. Robin

The new direct to dvd animated movie "Batman Vs. Robin" is out and friend of the show JM DeMatteis wrote it. Jon and JM talk the differences between comics and animation, authorship and collaboration and how he finds a way into characters and concepts in the Bat mythology he hadn't known before. Plus, a look into "Justice League: Gods and Monsters" and an exclusive peek at the future of "Justice League 3000"!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Daredevil and Everything Elsecast

GIANT SIZE PODCAST! Chris Prunkle is back to talk about the Star Wars trailer we loved, the Ant-Man trailer we feel secure about and the Batman Vs. Superman trailer we hated. Finally, we SPOILERLY love Netflix's "Daredevil"!

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Game of Thronescast

Brittany Yantos and SPOILERS are here! On the heels of the Season 5 premiere we talk the adaptation of George R.R. Martin's books, comparisons to The Walking Dead, the disturbing violence and just how this story can end on a tv budget.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Deadpoolcast

The "Deadpool" movie is officially rated "R". We discuss whether this will help create an unfettered film or simply limit its audience. Also, Jon has laryngitis the entire show! So that happened.

Monday, March 30, 2015

X Filescast

Geek Girl Chicago is back and so is the X Files! We discuss whether the anticipation for FOX's 6 hour miniseries outweighs the disappointment of season 9 and the second movie. Also, how long TV has been doing reunions and which ones failed. Will this one work? I want to believe.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

That Batgirl Covercast

Elliot Serrano is back to talk about "that Batgirl cover". We discuss whether the controversy is warranted in either side of the argument, whether the Joker variant simply referenced "The Killing Joke" or crossed the line and what it means for female readers that that DC Comics cancelled it.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Philip J. Reed

The author of "Universe Expanded" is here! Jon and Philip discuss the history of Kenner Star Wars toys, Hasbro's Transformers line, and his Kickstarter for his fifth book on action figures!

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Avatar: The Last Airbendingcast

With the dvd of the final season of "The Legend of Korra" on dvd and blu-ray plus a special painting by one of the creators, the universe of "Avatar: the Last Airbender" has come to a close. Lisa and Tina are back to discuss the impact of both series, the juggling between broadcast and digital, the implications for the LGBT and of course, that horrible horrible movie. Get ready for some ear bending!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Remembering Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy passed away at the age of 83. Jon and Bill discuss the integrity and dignity Spock brought to everything he did, his impact on the Star Trek legacy and where the franchise is headed without their tether. Also, that damn dress.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Oscarbaitcast!

Recorded hours before the 2015 Oscars! Jon, Steven and Dave discuss the politics of the Academy awards, whether Best Picture means classic and what stories Hollywood likes to reward. Plus, an in-depth look at Birdman!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Spider-Man with Marvel Studioscast!

SONY and Marvel are sharing Spider-Man! Jon discusses the news with Bill Monroe and Jeff Sussman. Plus, Jon Stewart leaves "The Daily Show", Brian Williams leaves NBC Nightly News and Bob Odenkirk starts "Better Call Saul!"

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Michael Brumm

After nine years writing for "The Colbert Report" Mike Brumm is ready to make the move to Stephen's late night CBS show! Jon and Mike talk his beginnings in Chicago improv, his move to NY and Madison Avenue advertising and the day to day routine that won him multiple Emmys!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Rebootcast

New FF trailer! New female Ghostbusters! Chris Pratt as Indiana Jones? Jon, Steven and Joe discuss the hysteria around altering childhood classics vs. letting them die. Plus, new microphones!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Secret Convergencecast!

The Marvel Universe is ending with "Secret Wars"! The DC Universe is ending with "Convergence"! Steven Brown worries his business is ending with the upheaval of both major companies! Jon and Steven cover the announcements, questioning the wisdom of rebooting, the successes and failures of previous attempts and what it means to current storylines. Also, lots of bitching about Todd McFarlane!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Webcomicast!

Creator of "Wannabe" Chris Prunkle is here! We talk what makes a successful web comic, how to create on a schedule when your time is compromised and positive genre roles for women! Also, X-Men.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Caesar Antomattei

Vampirella artist and action figure designer Caesar Antomattei is here! Jon and Caesar talk the 90's NY comic scene, their days at Art Asylum working on the legendary Toy Biz Marvel line and finding time to draw with two kids in the house.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

100th Podcast!

It's our 100th episode, two year anniversary and 2014 wrap-up all in one show! Jon and Steven look back at how the podcast has grown over the last year, how geekdom has stayed in the headlines week after week and how a bottle of champagne doesn't go very far.