Podcast! The Comics

This week last week whoa... sigh. Okay. Woof. It was a while ago. ANYWAY, *however long ago,* the boys got together to discuss things. Like Park Chan-wook's excellent new movie The Handmaiden!  They also wax rhapsodic about the new sitcom Speechless, which is one of the pleasant surprises of this season's North American TV series, which actually provides much needed representation for disabled people! And Minnie Driver!

Also, comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20222.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:40pm MDT

This week Last week Recently, the boys got together to catch up and talk about how busy they are, including James' experience in Texas during the hottest time of the year! James talks about seeing Hell or High Water, a modern western with a good native character!  Also, they discuss the first two episodes of Atlanta. The fact that they recorded this when that episodes were new should tell you how long ago this episode was recorded. Whoops!

 

Also, comics were discussed.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20221.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:12pm MDT

This week a while ago, the boys got together to catch up, talk festivals, fermented fish and No Man's Sky! That game that generated a ton of controversy for disappointing people was, contrarianly enough, something James quite enjoyed! But he also likes fermented fish.

Also, comics?

Also, the Moonshot Volume 2 Kickstarter is still live! Check it out and maybe consider giving it money so James has to do work!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1350078939/moonshot-the-indigenous-comics-collection-volume-2 

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20220.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:14pm MDT

This week, the boys got together to talk about self promotion! On Brandon's end of things, his comic book shop, Variant Edition, is moving, and he'd like it if you all know about it! Because of this, James is breaking his "Brandon can't mention his business by name for some reason" rule, and including the link to not only information on Variant Edition's new location, but also a great sale they're running:

http://variantedmonton.com/no/2016/08/17/announcing-the-20-30-40-moving-sale/

And in addition to that, James has news: he's been asked to write the foreword/introduction for the next volume of Moonshot, the indigenous comics collection! The first volume of the book was a huge success, and the second is being Kickstarted right now, with a campaign ending on September 30th! Check it out and get a hardcover:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1350078939/moonshot-the-indigenous-comics-collection-volume-2

Next, in lesser, unimportant news, they talk about TV, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic and, of course, comics!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_219.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:01pm MDT

This/last week (whoops!) the boys got together to talk the end of James' move, life cohabitating and of course insult each other. Afterwards, they discussed the WWE's Cruiserweight Classic, which is just a gosh danged delight don't you know.  It you're not a wrestling person, this could actually be something more up your speed - less weighted on story and styled more like an athletic competition, featuring handsome boys!  

Also, comics were discussed.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20218.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:47pm MDT

This week, the boys got together to catch up and watch the first episode of Netflix's new original series Stranger Things, which surprised them in its quality.  James refuses to be grateful to the person who recommended it to him, on principle.  Anyway, it's good!  Tune in for a more rigorous discussion of some John Francis Daley as hell teens.

Also, comics.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:16am MDT

This week, the boys got together to give the most boring life updates ever, in the first ever episode recorded in the new podcast HQ, aka James' new office in his new home!  I mean, that's exciting for him, but the life update stuff is basically, "I moved, sorry about the echo."  We'll get 'em next week!

Meanwhile, the boys watched the first episode of HBO's newest drama series, The Night Of, and really liked it!  It also made James miss James Gandolfini.  After this, they discuss comics from the last week, including Jade Street Protection Services #1!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20216.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm MDT

This week (!!!) the boys got together to catch up after a week without recording.  To mark the Fourth of July (and because there's no new TV that day) (and because James wanted to watch it anyway), they watch Jaws, which Brandon had never seen and James was more than willing to shout about.  After this: comics!

And yes, with this episode we are officially back on schedule!  New episodes will proceed as normal (Wednesdays, weekly) going forward and we'll try to keep folks aware of any disruptions to the schedule!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_215.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:33am MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to catch up on life, which is to say James' move.  They discuss the first two episodes of the second season of The Jim Gaffigan Show, including his discussions of Catholicism and the difficulty in making an episode of internet outrage but also still getting the point.  Also, comics.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_214.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:15am MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to catch up on life stuff, which means <reggaeton airhorn> moving update!  Also, James talked about seeing Popstar and becoming an Andy Samberg fan, and they discuss the first episodes of the new Voltron: Legendary Defenders show on Netflix.  Finally, comics are discussed.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20213.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:34am MDT

This/last week (who even knows anymore), the boys got together to discuss something big: James' update on packing his apartment now that he's moving! Riveting! Also, and perhaps more importantly, they discussed the first episode of Lady Dynamite, Maria Bamford's new Netflix comedy series, and how it surprised them (or at least James) and why it's worth watching.  Also, comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20212.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to discuss what they were up to.  For example, James saw a baseball game!  They also discuss the first episode of the second season of Netflix's The Chef's Table and how something that seems pretentious might carry itself positively through enthusiasm and a desire for connection.  Finally, they discuss comics, and compare Heartthrob #2 to a romcom modern classic.

Now, you may notice that this is the second new episode in two days; James has been falling behind at posting new episodes when they went up, so there's a small backlog.  To get back on schedule, there might be one more episode this week and two episodes next week, so be warned!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20211.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to catch up in an abbreviated manner, since they were recording at Brandon's store.  James gave his quick reviews of The Nice Guys and the first episode of Preacher, including a quick discussion of the show's ironic racism and how it's different than the comic's.  And finally, they discuss some comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20210.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:23pm MDT

This/last week, the boys get/got together to catch up on life, which in James' case was catching up Brandon (and listeners) on Uncharted 4.  You know, that extremely popular new installment in an extremely beloved franchise, from an equally beloved developer?  It turns out it's real good!  James talks about why that is, and tries to sell Brandon on it.

Next, they discuss an episode of Houdini & Doyle, a British-American TV series that takes the bold stance of "what if a guy who played a character on House played a character a lot like House on a different show!"  Finally, they discuss comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20209.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:44pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to catch up from Free Comic Book day and discuss the biggest movie in the world, Captain America: Civil War.  Spoiler warning: they liked it!  They also discuss the pilot episode of TBS' new comedy The Detour, which had some great moments, some promise and one really weird comment about sex workers.

Also: comics!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20208.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:55pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to catch up on their lives, which, as usual, turned into discussing media.  James (as promised) discussed Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! and how on-set warmth differs to sets like, say, Alejandro Inarritu's.  Together, they discuss Hannibal Buress' concert film Hannibal Takes Edinburgh and the effect of having a comedian you trust approach jokes that could go south. Finally, they discuss comics!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20207.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm MDT

This week, the boys sat down to catch up and discuss their lives and, much more importantly, watch the pilot episode of CBS' new hour-long show, Rush Hour.  Yes, as in the Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker movie series.  No, it's not as good.  But it's different in some interesting ways!  Listen to them talk about it.

Then they talk about comics, because obviously.  This isn't Podcast! The Rush Hour... yet.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20206.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:51pm MDT

This/last week week... okay, let's be real.  This was recorded in a timely way and then it was not posted... whoops! So let's just call this a bonus one.  The boys got together at a friend's house to watch WrestleMania 32, and then they got together the next night to argue about it.  If you know when Wrestlemania was, you can probably guess how late this is without too much effort.

My bad.

More episodes this week! Actual ones about comics!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20205.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:20pm MDT

This/last/WHEN?! week, the boys got together for a special episode.  Instead of recording on their usual day of the week, they got together to watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  After thinking about it for a couple of days, they sat down to talk about it.

Be warned.

Of course, this is also a comics podcast, and DC Comics released some important issues with both of the movie's title characters recently.  After being so negative about the movie, they wanted to positively discuss some comics, so they talk about Batman #50, Superman #50 and Action Comics #50.  That conversation is a lot more fun!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20204.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:51pm MDT

This/last/whenever week, the boys got together to talk about the season premiere of Season 2 of Daredevil, and how the series gets the lighter moments so right but isn't... you know... that great at low-level crime dialogue.  I'm sure this is fine, this is a workplace comedy, right?

Also, comics are discussed.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20203.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:26pm MDT

Recently, the boys got together to discuss Flake, the new Netflix series from Will Arnett, and what makes it... well... what makes it not work.  After that, they move onto TV that does work, and finally onto some comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20202.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm MDT

This week, the boys look back at the past 200 episodes and come up with a new listener-driven way for them to try something new.  Speaking of the opposite of something new, they also watch some episodes of Fuller House and discuss the "critic-proof" show. Finally, they talk comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20201.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:33pm MDT

This week, the boys celebrate the show's 200th episode, and there's nobody they'd rather do it with than Sam Humphries, superstar writer and the show's first ever guest!  When his first episode went live, Sam had just started writing for Marvel Comics and was in the process of publishing Sacrifice, a book that had a lot of importance in James' professional life.  Now, four years later, he asks Brandon and James questions about the past and how things have changed for them since.  Sometimes emotionally real, sometimes bullshit, this is a fun one.

Find Sam online at: 

Twitter: @samhumphries

Tumblr: samhumphries

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20200.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:17pm MDT

This week, the boys do another minisode in preparation for the 200th episode extravaganza!  in addition to some comics reviews, they also talk about the first episode of Cooked, Michael Pollan's Netflix documentary series.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode2019920and20three20quarters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47am MDT

In the lead-up to the 200th episode, the boys got together to quickly talk about the Gravity Falls series finale, eulogize the series and talk about some comics quickly.  That's it!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode2019920and20a20half.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm MDT

This/last week, the boys get/got together to catch up quickly but mostly to talk about DC's Legends of Tomorrow.  Did you know that show exists and it is CUCKOO BONKERS and also DELIGHTFUL AS HECK?  Well now you do!  You should probably catch up on it immediately, tbh.

Also, comics.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20199.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm MDT

This week/last week, the boys talk/ed about wrestling!  You see, it was the 2015 Royal Rumble, and they used the occasion to talk about the event itself, the state of the WWE and a little bit of NJPW.

Also: comics, and the ever-lengthening please-sponsor-us-segment, The Hottest Podcast Segment of 2016.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20198.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:48pm MDT

This week/last week/two weeks ago, the boys got together to talk about... well... let's be honest, we don't remember.  Wrestling?  TV?  Who knows.  We DEFINITELY talked about comics. 

I think.

 

PS: This will be a three episode week, so buckle up.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20197.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:08am MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to talk about wrestling!  They cover the injuries in WWE, how that coincides with the questionable writing on the main roster shows recently, and how NJPW might offer some solution.  Then, they talk about comics, which are probably the reason you're here checking out a podcast with "comics" in the title and not the Art of Wrestling (hi, Colt Cabana!)

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20196.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:20pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to talk about each other's Christmases - the stressful and the good.  They also discuss some movies they watched (like James' torn reaction to The Hateful Eight) and some comics they read!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20195.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:24pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to celebrate an early Christmas with each other, involving brainstorming new endorsement tiers, talking TV and discussing some comics from the last week.

Remember: there may not be a new episode next/this week due to our holiday break!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_194.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:14pm MDT

This week, the boys got together to reminisce about going through all of James' comics, which it turns out is a pretty cool thing when you get to pinpoint the exact comic that made you best friends!  After this, they discuss the wonder that is the Chopped Canada Teens Tournament and wrap up talking about some comics they enjoyed from the previous week.

 

Tune in next week for something holiday-y?!?!?!?!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20193.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:46pm MDT

This week, the boys get together to watch A Very Murray Christmas, discuss the weird situation Brandon got himself in with Rob Liefeld (and why we still love him), and what it's like getting rid of most of your comics.

Also, James talks about Red Wolf #1 so if that is your bag, this is the episode for you.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20192.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:19pm MDT

Last week (sorry), the boys caught up after James' busy long weekend out of the city, by talking about Doctor Who, Mockingjay Pt 2 and Creed. James also realizes that Brandon has never watched Black-ish, and immediately rectifies that.  Finally, they discuss comics.  Do they spend more or less time discussing comics than they do making increasingly aggressive endorsement pitches?  That's for you to find out!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20191.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:06pm MDT

This week, the boys get together to talk about Jessica Jones, prematurely eulogize Gravity Falls by discussing its second-to-last episode, and add a new tier to the increasingly elaborate sponsorship tiers that, shockingly, few of you are taking advantage of.  Also, then they talk about comics.  

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20190.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:46pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together for an increasingly elaborate sponsorship request!  Also, a comics podcast!  Before they talk about comics though, and well after they have an increasingly elaborate sponsorship request, they talk about John Mulaney's new comedy special, The Comeback Kid, and how he's a talented, thoughtful comic who will certainly never disappoint us by doing something gross or creepy.

[insert future disappointment here]

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20189.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:39pm MDT

This week, the boys get together to watch the first episode of Aziz Ansari's new Netflix show, Master of None and the latest episode of Brooklyn Nine-Ninewhile discussing comics.  Also, they come up with some plans and suggestions that they were very careful to word in a way so as not to be the recipients of any lawsuits, but please don't scrutinize any of that, they're not lawyers.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20188.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:28pm MDT

This week, the boys got together to watch the first part of Gravity Falls' season finale and the Supergirl pilot, and James talks about the movies he's seen recently, including a more in-depth analysis of Burnt than anybody has ever once asked for.  After all this is done, they set the record for the longest time in an episode before actually talking about comics, at over 52 minutes!  Let's all get some cake, we've earned it.

The MultiversalQ episode James guested on (and in which he ate a lot of white people) can be found over at their site:

http://www.multiversalq.com/fondue-dracula-the-2015-halloween-spooktacular/

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20187.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:45pm MDT

This episode, the boys catch up on Gravity Falls before the season (series?) finale, watching one episode that's firmly anti-MRI and another that uses character beats to earn its ending.  James talks about being excited for Star Wars, and the surprise of finding a Clone Wars episode that's more progressive about indigenous issues than basically anything else in media.  Finally, they talk comics, I GUESS.

Note: this is the first of two episodes going up today, as we get back on schedule!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20186.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:34am MDT

This week, the boys make apologies for the lack of episodes recently.  Actually, episodes were recorded, but due to life and work stuff they just didn't get up!  So here's one episode for today - recorded almost two weeks ago - and there will be another on Monday, when we'll hopefully get back on schedule!

Listen, what happened in this episode? I dunno!  It was a while ago. James probably shit talked the Martian a bit (even though he enjoyed it) and Brandon probably said he didn't do much. They watched some TV and talked about it, and then they talked about some comics.  Heck, they even decided on a title for the episode, which has clearly been forgotten.

Yes, we still ask for a sponsorship.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20185.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm MDT

This week (or last week, sorry! technical troubles caused a late upload), the boys catch up and discuss the first episode of the new PBS food show, I'll Have What Phil's Having, and how its host's openness and lack of familiarity with a foreign culture presents a great learning opportunity.  They also have one of their (self-described) best comics discussion sections to date, and James talks about his troubles with hard sci-fi in advance of seeing The Martian.

There's also a lot of baseball talk.  Listen, it's the playoffs. You understand.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20184.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:35pm MDT

This week, the boys convene for a proper episode after taking the previous week "off" to do a panel on indigenous representation in media [Ed. Note: check the previous episode's show notes to find out more!] and instead of sitting around, giving themselves diabetes and watching television, they went out to give themselves heart disease while watching a movie!  They went off to watch the Signature Edition rerelease of The Iron Giant, and then came back to talk about it and a bunch of comics from the previous week.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20183.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:39pm MDT

You may have noticed that last week there was no episode!  It's because on the normal podcast recording night, the boys were at Variant Edition's Indigenous Representation in Media panel!  Brandon, as one of the owners, was the host and emcee for the panel, while James was a panelist with Richard Van Camp, Patti Laboucane-Benson and Kelly Mellings!  It was a great experience, and in lieu of having an episode, we'd like to point you towards the full audio podcast of the panel over at Yegs & Bacon:

http://variantedmonton.com/2015/09/30/yegs-bacon-episode-022-indigenous-representation-in-pop-culture/

There will be a regular episode of the podcast tomorrow, but until then, give a listen to this!

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20182ish.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:05am MDT

This week, the boys got together to have a less... uh... emotional conversation and mostly just had a pleasant time.  First, they discussed the second episode of the new season of Mind of a Chef, as James has given in and decided to buy it digitally, and they discuss the curious case of Life in Pieces, a new TV comedy that is a bafflingly mixed bag of good performers and less great material.  Finally, they discuss the comics of the last week, breaking down some books in one of the most in-depth critical segments on the show to date.

Also, James proposes some more sponsorships.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20182.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:14pm MDT

This week, the boys get together to catch up after a week off, as James insisted to Brandon that "in the middle of moving" is not a good time to record a podcast and gave him the night off, before promising that he'd "figure something out," which turned out to be "nothing."  James talks watching a 5.5h Bollywood movie with the hosts of Bollywood Is For Lovers (@bollywoodpod) and they settle down to discuss the most recent episode of Gravity Falls and the season premiere of The Mind of a Chef.  Then they talk about some comics, and then things get real.

You may have noticed a discussion about the announcement of Marvel's Red Wolf solo series last week and the controversy around it.  You may have also noticed that DC canceled their book with an aboriginal character in it.  James has some emotional thoughts about these announcements, the overall landscape of indigeneity in comics, and getting burnt out on bad news.

Uh... enjoy.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20181.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:27pm MDT

This week, the boys welcome Sam Humphries, writer of Star-Lord and Kitty Pride and the upcoming Citizen Jack back to the show for his record-extending fifth appearance.  As Sam episodes always are, this one is wide-ranging and loose, jumping from Citizen Jack and its birth in a place of anger to the Metrodome to making advance dinner plans for a trip to Los Angeles.  It's long, it's surreal and it's one of our favourite episodes to date.

Find Sam online at: 

Twitter: @samhumphries

Tumblr: samhumphries

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20180.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:46pm MDT

This/last week, the boys welcomed Danica back to the show for a night of catching up and discussing comics.  Brandon and Danica talk about life at the comic shop and make the mistake of inviting James out to hang out on Danica's father's porch out in the country.  Someone will regret this, probably!  James talks about life as a professional cook for a day, and how stressful but fun it was, and makes an ssing admission about how long it took him to realize a copy of a movie was broken.  Finally, they all discuss the latest Gravity Fallsepisode and some of the comics from the previous week.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20179.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:21pm MDT

This/last week, the boys got together to recap stuff from the previous week.  Brandon talked about his store's latest event, a Doctor Who Day, while James talks about being frugal for a week and catching up on a lot of comics he's owned for a while, like John Rogers' Dungeons & Drgaons run and Locke & Key, as well as the frustrations of reading Oishinbo, a 30-years-and-running-old whose English adaptation doesn't have any of the emotional plot due to deliberately non-chronological adaptation publishing.  Next, they discuss the new Netflix revival/series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and wrap it all up with a discussion of new comics from the previous week.

Also, American Ninja Warrior is once again discussed and Brandon deliberately sets James off on a rant to close out the episode.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20178.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:11pm MDT

This week, the boys get together to catch up and watch the first two second season episodes of Rick and Morty, a show they haven't watched since its first two episodes, period.  It turns out it's gotten really confident and ambitious!  Who knew?  James also gives a rundown of the newest Fantastic Four movie, which is way more interestingly bad than the internet is giving it credit for, before they move into comics.  Instead of just reviewing new books, this week features a lot of catch-up on some runs that James finally read over the weekend.  Hope you like Batman: Endgame and Secret Wars hot takes!

Also, Brandon bet James $5 he wouldn't get this episode up on time, so pay up, sucker.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20177.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:52am MDT

This/last week, the boys recount their trip for Brandon's birthday, aka the darkest day of the year, one of two where James is forced by his own rules to give Brandon an unqualified compliment.  It's awful.

After this, they discuss Gravity FallsThe Jim Gaffigan Show and a bunch of comics. Also, did you know the comics internet went CRAZY recently?  They talk about that, too.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_176.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:42pm MDT

This week/last week, the boys get/got together to discuss their previous week.  Brandon actually had some fun, while it's arguable that James had too much fun.  Next, they discuss the second episode of The Jim Gaffigan show, before wrapping up with a discussion of the week's comics.

I mean, I could be more specific, but it's been a week and a day.  I don't even remember what I had for breakfast most days.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20175.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm MDT

This week (again, technically last week, who cares), the boys get together to discuss the media they enjoyed recently, and because Brandon was actually able to go see a movie for once, it wasn't totally one-sided!  They discuss Ant-Man's charm and efforts to rise above its issues, while James reports back on the charm and warmness of Trainwreck.  Next, they discuss the first episode of TVLand's The Jim Gaffigan Show, and wrap up by talking about a bunch of comics.  

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20174.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:02pm MDT

This week, the boys are back after a week off while James was on vacation and I guess Brandon was too lazy slash running a new business or something.  Either way, pretty selfish, and if you would all ignore that this is going up five days late, that would be great, thanks.

After they catch up on personal stuff, the first Gravity Falls episode in four months is discussed.  After this, James leads a discussion on how interesting it was to have three comics come out in the previous week featuring prominent aboriginal characters, and how two of them were pretty good and only one was disappointingly racist.  Honestly, it's a better ratio than usual.  Other comics are discussed, I guess.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20173.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:02pm MDT

This week, writer and podcaster Matt Wilson comes back to the show.  The last time Matt was on, he discussed his recently launched webcomic, Copernicus Jones: Robot Detective.  Years later, the series has transitioned to Monkeybrain Comics and is Kickstarting its first trade paperback collection, which Matt is here to promote.  Along the way, they discuss Kids in the Hall, what makes noir and how the neo-noir format offers the ability to tweak expectations and working with a new artist.  Finally, James makes partial amends for his participation in a War Rocket Ajax scandal, but mostly to get selfish vindication.

Remember to support the Copernicus Jones kickstarter immediately; it ends on Wednesday!

Find Matt online at:

Web: About.me

Twitter: @themattdwilson

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_172.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm MDT

This week, (but technically last week, whoops!) the boys got together to catch up, and, much more importantly, watch the first episode of the Rock's new HBO TV series, Ballers.  Unfortunately, let's just say that didn't turn out as well as they wanted, so they talked about Inside Out and moving out to the country instead.  Finally, they talked about a bunch of comics!  Because this is a comics podcast, at least in theory.

Also, apologies for this not going up last week!  That makes this week a DOUBLE PODCAST WEEK, I GUESS.

Direct download: Podcast2120The20Comics20-20Episode20171.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02am MDT

The boys return to James' where they talk about the week that was, and dig into Sense8, Jurassic World and The Flash finalé, as well as other things Brandon can't remember less than 24 hours after they recorded. Oh, and also, comics! Get some hot takes on DC's new line (good?) and other things! 

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_170.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:22pm MDT

Because terrible puns, is why.

This week, the boys are recording live at Variant Edition, so the audio has a lot of background sound, and whatever. Brandon talks about all the things he hasn't done becuase STORE STUFF, you guys, and James runs through some Bollywood recommendations and his Comics Alliance article about Marvel and Red Wolf and indigenous representation in comics. Then? Comics talk! And a lot of it.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_169_-_2015-06-11_8.52_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:31am MDT

This week, the boys reconvene after a few weeks without recording together to catch up.  Brandon gives an update on the store and their living situation, while James talks a bit about his vacation, as well as the raw emotions churned up by the Truth and Reconciliation Report. 

After this, they discuss the Kevin Owens/John Cena match from Elimination Chamber, as well as the storytelling details that made it so good.  Finally, they talk comics, including Convergence: Shazam #2Inferno #1 and All New Hawkeye #3.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_168.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:35am MDT

As promised in Episode 167, this is a special bonus episode for people who wanted a more standard P!TC episode and not an hour and a half of James and Scott Williams talking about how people are wrong about both Avengers movies.  In a quick mini-episode, James follows the normal format: first, he talks about what he's been up to, namely his vacation and a discussion of the experiences eating at so many great restaurants and catching up with friends.  Second, he talks about things he's watched and played recently, in this case Mad Max: Fury RoadThe Chef's Table and the new Wii U game Splatoon.  Finally, he discusses comics he's read, including a decade's worth of Usagi Yojimbo and how Captain Marvel #15 moved him in a personal way he wasn't expecting.

That's it, you animals!  Come back later this week for an appropriate episode, featuring Brandon.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_167_and_a_half.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:41pm MDT

This week brings a very special episode: the finale of the site's Marvel Cinematic Universe Rewatch, Fast and Fury-ous!  James and Scott Williams finally sit down to discuss Avengers: Age of Ultron, from what it does better than Marvel's The Avengers to where it stumbles.  Finally, they do an overall top-to-bottom rating of the MCU movies to date, and set up their next rewatch (maybe).

Note: Since this episode is so different from the normal format, as loose as it is, there will be a small bonus mini-episode tomorrow following the usual format.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_167.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:28am MDT

This week, James is on vacation, and will hopefully not end up dead in a dumpster in New York or Toronto, and Brandon is running the podcast with Danica LeBlanc and not Jay Runham. In fact, Jay Runham is not on this episode. I can't express this enough.

Anyway, Brandon and Danica talk about their weekends (work) and all the Masters of Sex that they just watched (a lot) and then get to comics and it's late and they are both tired so maybe just listen to this and stop reading the description. That would be super great, thanks.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_166.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:24pm MDT

This week, the boys convene on Alberta Election night to briefly address the night's events before talking about more important things: comic shops and superhero movies!  They reminisce about the successful opening of Brandon's comic shop this past weekend, discuss the ups and downs of Avengers: Age of Ultron and talk about the surprisingly enjoyable live episode of Undateable, including what the show might learn from this if it gets the chance.

Finally, they discuss comics from the past week, including another fantastic issue of Daredevil, the strong second issue of Jem and the Holograms and the spectacularly well-crafted Bitch Planet #4.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_165.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:37am MDT

This week, the boys catch up after some pretty boring weeks - Brandon's busy preparing for his store's preview opening (today!) and James has been shockingly ill - to watch the first episode of Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix and discuss the series' strong start.  They then review comics from the previous week, including Ms. Marvel #14Giant Days #2Thor #7 and Lumberjanes #13.  Finally, they discuss comics news of the day, including the new Justice League United creative team.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_164.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:45pm MDT

This week, the boys get together after a week apart to catch up; Brandon talks about preparing his store for opening and the sweet relief of receiving his first (and first incorrect) order from Diamond, while James talks about his upcoming vacation.  Next, they (read: James) discuss the series finale of Cougar Town.  Finally, they talk about a lot of comics from last week, including Howard the Duck #2Descender #2Kaijumax #1 and the varied offerings from DC's Convergence event.

Meanwhile, James tries not to die of the plague.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_163.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27pm MDT

This week, the boys James is flying solo, but instead of descending into madness (again), he's talking to Kieran Shiach, host of the Have A Nice Day wrestling podcast and Journey Into Misery, the podcast where he explains complicated and convoluted comics continuity to his girlfriend Helena an enthusiastic comics reader without any of the baggage of having to know who Max Mercury was, until a few months ago, that is.  Over the course of the episode, they talk about the best and worst wrestling theme songs, the Flash and the fun of doing a podcast about introducing someone to comics continuity where the joke is absolutely never on the new reader and instead is a loving facepalm directed at something established readers take for granted.  They might also make plans to hang out in Pennsylvania in late summer, so... uh... stay tuned for that one.

Find Kieran online at:

Web: King Impulse dot com;

Twitter: @kingimpulse

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_162.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52am MDT

This week, the boys got together to watch the Showcase of Immortals, the Grandest Stage of them all, WRESTLEMANIA!  Wait, no, come back!  It's fun, we swear!

Let's be real: you're either going to really love this episode, or you're going to want to skip it.  But this episode was a lot of fun, with frequent guest and co-rewatcher-in-chief Scott Williams stopping by to discuss not just the entire 6-hour event, match by match, but to discuss how to build stories in a serialized medium, with a highly invested audience that's second-guessing every move and often thinks they know best.  Sounds like comics, right?  Right.

Plus, James is challenged to not let his laziness get in the way of making a petty, minor edit to the show at Brandon's expense.  What happened?  Listen and find out!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_161.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50am MDT

This week, the boys get together to watch the hundredth episodes of two TV series that were never expected to reach that milestone: Cougar Town and Community.  They discuss how each series avoids the mistake of having the 100th episode be a "theme" episode *cough*Bones*cough*, instead leaning into the strengths of their casts.  In particular, they talk about how Community's 100th episode marks the strongest of the new season so far.  Additionally, James talks about seeing the Studio Ghibli documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness and seeing a local indie wrestling show.

Finally, they discuss comics from the last week, including Giant Days #1Batgirl #40Superman #39Frankenstein Underground #1 and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #3.

This week's episode is brought to you by Goodwill Industry of Alberta's Comic Book Fair!  This Saturday and Sunday (March 28th & 29th), stop by 8759-51st Avenue NW rom 9am to 6pm and check out all the comics they have!  Throughout the year, Goodwill collects comics, graphic novels and memorabilia, and this weekend they're all on sale!  Check out the Fair's Facebook page for more information and head over the weekend for fun and comics, two things we here at C!TB are definitely behind.

Contact us if you're interested in your business, event or petty feud sponsoring the show!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_160.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:41pm MDT

oys talk about two TV premieres that they ended up being more excited about than they thought they would: the premiere of iZombie, based on the Vertigo comic, and the return of Community for its sixth season on Yahoo.  In both cases, modest expectations were met by an impressed response.  James also saw Song of the Sea, the latest animated feature from Tomm Moore, and it was unsurprisingly solid.

After this, the boys discuss comics they enjoyed from the last week, including Howard the Duck #1Spider-Gwen #2Southern Cross #1Casanova: Acedia #2 and Thor #6.  They also shoot themselves in the foot regarding a local media award.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_159.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:18am MDT

This week, the boys find their efforts to watch the first episode of the Powers TV adaptation blocked by a US-only release, so instead they just talk about other TV instead.  First, they talk about Netflix's new series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, its message of positivity and how it showcases the talents of Jane Krakowski.  Next, they discuss the latest episode of Gravity Falls, "Not What He Seems," and fall over themselves complimenting how the show manages to move forward its overall narrative while still keeping a tight focus on characters and their relationships.

Finally, they talk about new comics they enjoyed, such as All New Hawkeye #1Spider-Woman #5Princess Leia #1 and Descender #1, as well as navigating Rat Queens #9, a very good comic that's still co-owned by an abuser, even if he's no longer drawing it.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_158.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am MDT

This week, the boys discuss James' descent into even-bigger-nerddom, as he played his first game of Dungeons & Dragons and... liked it?  Oh, lord.  Well, we're sure the shiny pink dice and his matching fingernails & ensemble helped.  Either way, it was fun and he will do it again!  They also discuss the first two episodes of Phil Lord and Chris Miller's new TV series, The Last Man on Earth, which is both funny and deeply, troublingly anxiety-inducing.

Next, the boys discussed a lot of the last week's comics, such as Spider-Gwen #1Gotham Academy #5Darededevil #13Curb Stomp #1Thor Annual #1 (featuring the writing debut of CM Punk!) and Men of Wrath #5.  Also, James tries to convince Brandon to help staff the store by letting some dudes lay low for a while, which personally, I feel is super helpful.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_157.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:34am MDT

This week, the boys welcome Brandon's wife, the Lovely Danica(tm), back on the show.  The gang is together to watch the Parks and Recreation series finale (so good, btw), but due to a scheduling change, they had a few hours to kill and recorded this first.  They talk about their weekends recording the Doctor Whooch 50th Episode Special, a lot of great comics from last week that just happened to star women (like She-Hulk #12Silk #1Batgirl #39Ms. Marvel #12 and Bitch Planet #3), and a Home Improvement reference goes horribly right.  Finally, they talk about how comic book stores can end up cultivating echo chambers of reductive feedback from customers, and how that hinders progression in the industry.

 

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_156.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:33am MDT

This week, the boys have recuperated from a jubilant night out celebrating the site's fourth anniversary (and this podcast's third) and the rest of their weekends, and are ready to get back to what's important: insulting Mark Millar and talking about comics and TV.  First, they talk about the latest episode of Gravity Falls, which deepens an unexplored relationship, and one of the latest episodes of Parks and Recreation, which used a show within a show to do what it does best: explore the bonds between characters we care about.

Finally, they discuss the new comics from the last week, including the end of the "Spider-Verse" event in Amazing Spider-ManSouthern Bastards #7Darth Vader #1Guardians of the Galaxy #24 (part 2 of the "Black Vortex" crossover) and Help Us! Great Warrior #1.

They also discuss John Cena's bizarre body shape and how an appearance on a sitcom actually let him be more heroic and nuanced than the WWE has in years.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_155.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am MDT

This week, the boys are celebrating a momentous occasion: Brandon is finally watching John Wick!  After missing out on an opportunity to watch it one last time in the theatres, James breaks out his brand new blu-ray and shares with Brandon the majesty of one of the best action movies in the last few decades.  And no, that's not hyperbole.  It's smartly assembled, visually gorgeous and features a lot of really good looking murders.  It's kiiiiinda amazing.

After this, the rest is downhill, as they discuss stuff like Hawkeye #21Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #2Superman #38 and Cluster #1.  Plus, they go HAM on people already being cynical about the Marvel/Sony announcement about bringing Spider-Man into the MCU.  Good job, nerds!  You almost ruined everything again.

Ugh, you're the worst.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_154.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:24am MDT

This week, the boys finally convene after several desperate weeks apart, longing to once again be near each other.  You don't understand their friendship, you monsters.  Whatever.  It's fine.  

After insulting each other by calling each other names of oft-hated sitcom characters, the boys catch up on their time apart - Brandon is gearing up for the launch of his store and James is dealing with family things, and both distracted themselves from this with movies.  They discuss Louis CK's new comedy special (available online) and how his work on Louie, namely his experimentations with surrealism and arthouse, are finding its way into his standup.  They talk about the long-awaited return of Casanova with Acedia 1, as well as Sex Criminals #10Bitch Planet #2 and Gotham Academy #4.

Finally, James compares himself to the Old Testament God, because go hard or go home, and the boys agree on a new enemy of the show. 

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_153.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:08am MDT

This week, the boys welcome back long-time friend of the show Kelly Thompson!  Kelly was recently announced as the writer upcoming Jem and the Holograms comic, and came back to the show to talk about adapting a beloved property for a new century, the amazing art of collaborator Ross Campbell, late night talk shows, her ongoing refusal to watch Everwood and to call James "a nightmare person" about three times.

The highlight of the episode, however, is when Kelly, James and Brandon all discuss their "top five" celebrity lists (i.e., which celebrities they'd most like to have sex with), starting with the heterosexual lists and getting progressively more queer as it goes on.  Find out who all three of them are attracted to, and get a way more intimate look at an up-and-coming writer than you ever thought you would!

Find Kelly online at:

Twitter: @79semifinalist

Web: 1979 Semifinalist dot com

And make sure to order Jem and the Holograms #1, out March 18th from IDW Comics!  Order code: JAN150430

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_152.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:41am MDT

This week, the boys talk to Kevin Warren, artist of Copernicus Jones and godforsaken fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Over the course of the hour, they touch on restarting the comic after its previous iteration with a different artist, Stephanie McMahon's pedigree and making time for comics and movies when you have a young family.  To his credit, Kevin generally refuses to engage James' needless antagonism over the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry.

Find Kevin online at:

Twitter: @theycallmekdub

Web: The Hero Dies

Keep up to date with Copernicus Jones on its Tumblr page and buy issues online on Comixology.  Issue #6, the final issue of the first arc, is available today for 99 cents!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_151.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51am MDT

This week, the boys remembered at the last minute that it was their 150th episode and they should maybe do something to commemorate the occasion.  Unfortunately, because they realized this so late, there was no time to get a special guest for the show, so instead, they decided they had no other option but to indulge you, the listeners with a Q&A special.  Listen to them take some questions seriously, antagonize you over others and get off topic with even more still!  Enjoy their awkward silence as they acknowledge a previous fight!  Marvel at Channing Tatum!  This episode has it all!  

Well, except comics.  There actually aren't ANY comics in this episode of a podcast with the word "Comics" in the title.  Whoops.  Here's to another 150 episodes of this!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_150.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07am MDT

This week, the boys explain their absence over the last few weeks and get right back to business insulting each other, watching TV and talking about comics.  They discuss the first episode of Marco Polo, the new Netflix Original Series, which manages to have almost no white men, a nuanced view of Asia, and a surprising amount of subtlety until the final few minutes, when they can't hold it in any longer.  They talk comics, like She-Hulk #11Daredevil #11Capture Creatures #2 and They're Not Like Us #1.  Finally, they exchange Christmas gifts!  Will this be the year they finally get each other the exact same thing?  Will they Gift of the Magi it?  Listen and find out!

Also, consider sponsoring us in 2015.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_149.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23pm MDT

 This week, the boys get together after stressful weeks to relax and watch Christmas specials.  You see, James went to the Vinyl Cafe Christmas concert and woke up on Monday in Peak Holiday Condition, and he's jumped straight into the music, television and baking of the season.  To that effect, they watched the Girl Meets World (featuring the return of Shawn Hunter!) and Bob's Burgers Christmas specials from the weekend and go off on tangents about Carl/Rob Reiner and Norman Lear/Mailer.  It's all very confusing.

Finally, they talk about comics from the last week, such as The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #2Gotham Academy #3Valiant Sized Quantum & Woody and the new Secret Six launch. 

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_148.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:48am MDT

This week, the boys recoup after very taxing weekends doing nothing to talk about Brandon's TV appearance (where he did not mention the name of this site, though at least the logo was on a giant TV behind him), Gravity Falls' continued excellence and the unsurprisingly consistent charm of Toy Story That Time Forgot, the half-hour ABC Christmas Special where people remember that Tim Allen isn't only on terrible sitcoms these days.  Seriously, it's very reassuring knowing that Toy Story 4 is going to be a thing.

Afterward, they discuss comics from the last week, including Capture Creatures #1 (a very Pokemon-friendly series for all ages), the challenging, brilliant ODY-C #1, the winking Pop #4 and the friendlier-than-the-first-issue Rasputin #2.  Finally, they discuss the announced Suicide Squad movie casting, including why it's not surprising that big actors (like Will Smith as Deadshot) are being cast, and why Oprah could be the greatest Amanda Waller of all.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_147.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:37am MDT

This week, the boys talk to Nolan T. Jones, writer of the webcomic House of Orr, the digital comic Colonial Souls, whose second issue is out today, and the deceitfully named but otherwise enjoyable short comic "Decagon of Doom" in the digital anthology 2299.  He also co-created Roll20, the largest web-based platform for tabletop gaming around, aka nerd shit.

We're not going to lie to you: James makes this unnecessarily combative.

Otherwise, though, it's a great interview!  The boys talk about Rob Liefeld, getting Dylan Todd to watch the second season of Under the Dome, Billy "Country Breakfast" Butler and the fun in writing a sci-fi comic that subverts the genre expectations about what "aliens" are.  WARNING: Nolan wrote a comic described as HR Giger's Xenomorph doing a galaxy-wide apology tour while ghostbusting, and it is every bit as delightful as that sounds.  It's also an interesting discussion of colonialism and how that impacts later generations!  You're gonna want to buy this.  Buy it.

Find Nolan online at:

Twitter: @nolantj

Tumblr: Nolan T. Jones is Tumbling Down [GET IT?]

Plus, make sure to buy Colonial Souls, catch up on House of Orr while it's on hiatus, check out 2299 and discover why Roll20 is the number one choice for nerd shit online.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_146.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:16am MDT

This week, the boys talk about movies and their weekends and whatever, but that's all just.... whatever, man.  The important things are:

  • An episode of Marry Me sending Brandon into uncomfortable fits as it resembles his family life;
  • Lucha Underground being a genuinely awesome wrestling show with good characters, exciting action and smart commentary!

Also, some comics!  Drifter #1!  Batgirl #36!  The Kitchen #1!  Superior Iron Man #1!  And Terry Crews!  This is the show that keeps on giving.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_145.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55am MDT

This week, the boys bond over their recent and current back pain, as well as chat about Brandon's family Christmas, which James refuses to acknowledge as being real due to being in November.  James talks about his weekend of seeing movies - Big Hero 6InterstellarJohn Wick (AMAAAAAAAZING) and Boxtrolls.  Finally, they chat about comics from the last week that they enjoyed, including Tooth & Claw #1, the Over the Garden Wall SpecialGotham Academy #2 and Terrible Lizard #1.  One is a master of craft, another is an interesting spin on a TV series, one is a great balance of old and new, and another is about dinosaurs and skateboards.  

At the end, they joke about Doctor Doom being a blogger and the internet's outrage over it.  Life is beautiful sometimes.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_144.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:37am MDT

This week, the boys catch up about their weekends, which doesn't take long, because they did the same thing! HALLOWEEN KARAOKE, BABY!  Nothing but prince (not that one) costumes and the smooth feeling of freshly shaved legs in your Louise Belcher green dress.  That and tunes!  And some booze.  It was a night.

After this, James expounds on how now that he has the WWE Network, his already low productivity is going to go even farther down, and they discuss the infamous Undertaker/Mankind Hell in a Cell match at 1998's King of the Ring, which is pretty crazy even today.  Knowing that there's only so much wrestling talk they can get away with before people unsubscribe, they talk more about Benched, and its surprisingly layered lead characters and subversions of sitcom expectations.

But mostly, and honestly, surprisingly, this episode is about comics, from Southern Bastards #5 to Wayward #3 to Rasputin #1 to Bob's Burgers #3.  Three of them are about brutal, often frightening violence, while one is about cartoon characters!  The answer may surprise you.  Finally, James picks a fight with shitty comic journalists and annoying fans over a manufactured DC/Marvel feud that sprung out of a Christopher Nolan interview.  It's a pretty full episode, actually.

 

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_143.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:29am MDT

This week, the boys sit down to do what they do every week: watch TV and talk about comics.  A common theme in this episode is things that have a strong, defined voice, whether it's Benched, a new TV series co-created by Michaela Watkins and starring Eliza CoupeOver the Garden Wall, a spooky but charming cartoon miniseries, a shockingly confident episode of black-ish or comics like Pop #3Mimetic #1 or She-Hulk #9.  All of these shows and comics skirt potentially dodgy issues by being self-assured and consistent, unlike, say, Nightcrawler, which never surpasses its handicap of not being about Kurt Wagner.  Also, it's kinda morally gross.

In the end, they talk about Marvel's movie announcements, how response to it differed from that to DC's recently and, of course, Rob Liefeld.  Call us, The Rob!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_142.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:12am MDT

This week, the boys convene to discuss Brandon's wedding and also TV and comics and holy shit Brandon got married on Friday HOLY SHIT

Ahem.  Congratulations all around.  Especially to James, who had hot dogs at his parents' house.

After the celebration subsides, they discuss some new TV series.  This night, they watched the second episode of Marry Me, the series from one of the Happy Endings guys and starring Casey Wilson, from Happy Endings, which reminds us all of something.  Ooh, I've got it!  Party Down.  The boys also discuss the tension that comes out of new TV sitcoms needing a high concept to get greenlit but often needing to jettison that concept almost immediately as the pilot is over, using Selfie, Mulaney and Black-ish as examples of differing levels of success.  They also appeal to the Dylan Todd demographic (admittedly, a fairly small group) by watching the pilot of Star Wars: Rebels, an animated series that has some fun ideas and less than great voice directing.

Then, they talk about comics or something.  The Wild's End is pretty good!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_141.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:08am MDT

This week, the boys are running against the clock as they see how much episode they can get in before James' injured neck starts bothering him too much, so they get straight to what they watched.  James has been celebrating the Dractober holiday season with a few movies about the King of Vampires, namely Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula and the new movie Dracula Untold, which is waaaaaay more historically accurate than it needed to be.  Untold, that is.  Coppola's is mostly about dream logic sex.  It's... pretty great.

After this, they discuss the new Flash TV series, which wins mostly through its genuineness and optimism, as well as some great comics from last week, including Batgirl #35 and two spooky comics, Wytches #1 and Chilling tales of Sabrina #1.  All of these are either premieres or jump-on points, so make sure you don't miss them!

Also some stuff got announced at New York Comic Con and that's pretty cool, too.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_140.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:19am MDT

This week, the boys take a quiet night in to catch up, eat candy and talk about TV.  Namely, the work of Kristen Schaal.  Once again, they talk about the latest Gravity Falls episode, including the Neil deGrasse Tyson as the voice of a pig.  After that, they move on to the premiere of Bob's Burgers, an episode that showcases just how full of love, passion and Louise Belcher the show is, and why it's become a true heir to the heyday of The Simpsons.  After this, they talk about comics they loved and the announcement of a Squirrel Girl ongoing series at Marvel, which is just delightful.

Oh, and James got published at ComicsAlliance.  There will be no living with him now.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_139.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:24am MDT

This week, the boys talk to Chris Sims, the Senior Writer for ComicsAlliance, the cowriter of Down, Set, Fight! from Oni Press and Subatomic Party Girls from Monkeybrain, as well as the writer of Draula the Unconquered and the brand new Radical Guardian Skater X, available on ComiXology.  James and Brandon are both big fans of Chris' work and jumped at the opportunity to talk with him about pro wrestling, iCarly, putting his own spin on Kamen Rider Fourze (except with skateboards) and compassion-based heroics.  Plus, it's October and Chris is Chris, so Dracula was discussed.

Find Chris online on:

Twitter: @theisb

Tumblr: Twenty Percent Cooler

About.me: slash Chris Sims

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_138.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:33am MDT

This week, the boys rebound from last week's perfectly timed episode with one that quickly gets a little out of hand and goes a little long.  You've been warned.  But you can just fast forward through Brandon's parts anyway, so that probably brings it down by about 15 minutes.

Otherwise, the boys discuss their recent goings-on.  Brandon was interviewed by a local news station that called him the wrong name about a campaign to have a statue of Wolverine in Edmonton, which both hosts thing is pretty dumb.  James made homemade kimchi and, when hoping he doesn't end up poisoning himself, is still waxing rhapsodic about Richard Linklater's latest movie Boyhood, which is a truly magical and momentous movie experience.  After this, it's all Gravity FallsNew Girl and new comics from here.  Who'd have thought the most straightforward superhero book of the week would be written by Grant Morrison?  PS it's also suuuuper good and reminded us a lot of Geoff Johns' first JSA run.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_137.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:52am MDT

This week, the boys make their regular promise - that this will be a short episode - and by god, they're going to not break it for once.  This isn't some truncated, James-tries-to-read-more-50-Shades-of-Grey-and-taps-out episode, either.  This is the whole hog, baby!  Comics talk!  Gravity Falls!  Doctor Who!  A little bit of wrestling!  A lot of antagonism!  It's all here, in a conveniently-sized package.

I mean, it's still an hour.  It's the length of an episode of CSI, but it'll make you less sad about CBS.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_136.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:34am MDT

This week the boys - yes, the boys! - celebrate Brandon's return with, well, outright antagonism and accusations of racism.  It's not subtle.  James calls himself a saint, a hero and your social better.  Might as well start back up with the greatest hits, right?

Ahem.

Ready to get back in the swing of things, they catch up on their recent lives, including Brandon's vacation to Connecticut, including proposing to his now-fiancee!  Plus, racial tensions and IHOP.  Next, they talk about the new video game Destiny, the half of the Gravity Falls episode they were able to watch before it cut out, the first episode of Kamen Rider Fourze and a bunch of comics they liked.

Next week: more accusations of racism?

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_135.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:38am MDT

This week, James continues the cruel, cruel joke he played on himself and you last week, wherein he did a live reading of 50 Shades of Grey with the names changed to the Twilight originals and while doing funny voices.  You'll recall last week left on a sexy cliffhanger, and so, in order to not leave listeners hanging - and after looking at the shockingly high ratings for last week's episode - James realized he didn't book a guest host and was basically obligated to continue.

This week, things get dark.  Do you want to listen to the destruction of a man?  Do you want to discover the one thing that will make James Leask, a man who gleefully tortured Brandon by making him watch I Wanna Marry Harry while watching impassively and unaffectedly, finally tap out?  WELL LOOK NO FURTHER BECAUSE THE COMEUPPANCE IS REAL.

Far, far too real.  Come on, you know you want to be there for this.  Brandon would have.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_134.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:43am MDT

This week, James fulfills a long-standing threat, one that has long since passed topicality and has transcended straight to the plane of despair: he reads Fifty Shades of Grey, out loud, for your... pleasure?

Some context: for years, whenever he's been in his friend Brittany's car, James has read out loud from the copy of the book she leaves in her back seat, exchanging the character names for their original Twilight fanfiction names, and with the sex scenes read in a Sean Connery voice.  For two years, he's threatened to do a Brandon-less episode where he repeats this feat on the show, and finally, he's made good on his promise.

It is pain.

But for you... pleasure?  Tune in to hear James' descent into madness as he drinks beer to deal with the awful writing, as well as his running, exasperated commentary and funny voices.  He even makes a contest out of it!  Guess how long he makes it before tapping out and maybe win a prize!

Life is pain.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_133.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49am MDT

He's not dead, just dead to us, amiright?  That's what he gets for taking a vacation, which is very different from what James gets when he goes on vacation (adulation, warm welcomes home).

This week, with Brandon out of the country leaf-peeping or whatever, James calls on friend of the show Scott Williams to fill in as guest host for an episode that won't be a repeat of last year's all-time-fewest-listeners WrestleMania special.  We swear.  We talk about comics and movies and James' overbearing narcissism (including a revisiting of the fact that he would like to wear a shirt with his own face on it) and everything!  We can't help it if SummerSlam was Sunday and Stephanie McMahon hossed all over the place.

After starting with a recap of why working in retail is the worst, the boys talk about their weekends, including movies (one new, one new-ish and one old), karaoke and the post-karaoke hungover breakfast.  Then some stuff, and then comics!  It's a miracle!  Mostly because Brandon isn't here.

Tune in next week for... something special?

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_132.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:09am MDT

This week, love is in the air, and not because the boys have finally made it official and gotten married.  Though that could still happen!  Danica can't be there ALL the time.

Ahem.

But no, love is in the air because both Brandon and James attended weddings this weekend.  One even featured guests making it rain while the DJ blasted the reggaeton horn sound effect, and surprisingly, it wasn't the one James was at.  But after returning (and a morning-post-wedding biscuit & sausage and Gatorade), it was time to get down to business:

New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

That's right, James' friends have started getting him into Japan's premiere wrestling promotion, and with the giant G1 Climax tournament ending this weekend with a spectacular final, he decided to share the love.


G1 Climax 24 Final Match Kazuchika Okada vs... by original_bonski 

Needless to say, James has already spent $100 on shirts.

After this, it was time for the weekly Gravity Falls discussion (come at us, Chris Haley!), a look at some great comics from the last week (like She-Hulk #7 and a couple of Guardians of the Galaxy-related issues!), and a discussion of how Mark Doyle and Scott Snyder are changing DC's Bat-line for the better, with yet another cool series announcement that happens to correspond with the debut of a major network TV series set in Gotham.  Coincidence!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_131.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:54am MDT

This week, James is back from vacation and none too happy to discover that Brandon went back on his promise to have any episode James isn't here for be a greatest hits memorial episode devoted to extolling his greatness.  Keen listeners will remember this is a real thing Brandon has promised more than once.  Betrayal cuts deep.

Luckily, it's easy to get over it when Guardians of the Galaxy has finally come out in theatres and Gravity Falls is finally back on TV.  Spoiler alert: both Brandon and James really liked both!  Something about friendship and emotional genuineness and treating characters like they're not dumb.  Plus, bright colours!

After this, it's time for a discussion of comics they liked, like James Stokoe's Avengers #1 for the Marvel 100 Years kinda-fake event, or the final chapter to "Zero Year" in Batman.  It turns out comics are still pretty great!

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_130.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:35am MDT

Who is excited about Guardians of the Galaxy? I know we are.

James is gone this week as he takes some time to recover from his vacation, but fear not! The lovely Danica LeBlanc is here once again to make Brandon seem okay! Is that nice of her?

Over the course of the episode, they talk about two new Guardians comics that will hit the stands today, as well as issue 19 of HAWKEYE, the long awaited sign language issue. They also talk about things that happened at SDCC that made them upset, because you guys... the SDCC should really have a sexual harassment policy.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_No._129.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36pm MDT

In which James isn't here, but we did an episode anyway!

In this episode Brandon and special guest host Danica talk about all the things you want to hear about: comics and uh... tv... and... well, comics and tv. Want to know about the new Docto Who comics coming out today? We talk about that. How about that new Thor news? We talk about that too. We also tackle a new book from Aspen, just because we can. We're rebellious like that.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_No._128.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:17pm MDT

This week, the boys do an episode... for the ladies.  Well, really, they just happen to talk about a lot of things they like that might appeal to a lot of women more than Identity Crisis.  And that might not be very hard, but dammit, they're gonna do it.  First, they watch the first episode of the new Sailor Moon Crystal anime, from the point of view of someone new to the franchise (Brandon) as well as someone who was introduced to it as a child because of his little sister and ended up loving it (James).  Specifically, they talk about the differences in the cartooning and animation style as well as how great it is to see a series with female characters that don't have to worry about tokenism.

Next, they talk about comics from last week that they enjoyed, foremost of which is Lumberjanes #4, which moves the series forward in an exciting way.  They also talk about Captain Marvel #5, a book that continues to surprise them with its characterization and the confidence of its creative team.  You should check out these books, if you're not already!

Finally, they talk about two recent Big Two comic announcements: DC's new Batgirl relaunch that took over the comics internet last week as it captured the excitement of a fanbase craving a series like it, and Marvel's announcement that Thor will be a woman for the foreseeable future as a different character takes over that identity when the previous incarnation is deemed unworthy to hold Mjolnir.  Some people are being reactionary and dumb about this stuff, but you're cool, right?  You ask good questions to hold publishers' feet to the fire but also let yourself be excited sometimes, right?  Cool.  Let's hang out.

Direct download: Podcast_The_Comics_-_Episode_127.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:05am MDT