This week, the boys get together to celebrate the most sacred holiday of the year.  No, it's not Wrong Thanksgiving, Yankees.  If you're going to have a thanksgiving try one of two things:

a) Have it be more like Canadian/Correct Thanksgiving  and take place in October, where it can celebrate the harvest and also Not Freezing To Death Before Getting Poisoned (as God intended), instead of something racially uncomfortable.  Save that for every OTHER day;

b) Celebrate the life and works of one James Van Der Beek, the spirit guide of Comics! The Blog;

That's right, y'all: we're watching Varsity Blues!  It may be poorly written, not particularly competently directed and feature some problematic at best dialogue, but we love it with all our hearts nonetheless.  After all, it is from MTV Films, the studio mecca that brought us Joe's Apartment and The Perfect Score!  And because it's the high holiday of C!TB, this episode is extra indulgent and meandering.  Eventually, though, stuff like the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special and more comics from two weeks ago (last week's had not arrived yet, SIGH) get discussed, if on-topic discussion is your jam.

This week, the boys invite Danica to the show to talk about the normal podcast stuff, like weekends, comics and House of Anubis (it's so great, dudes!) but also to talk serious stuff.  About gender!  Basically, with all the news and discussion in the last week about the unacceptable ongoing treatment of women in the comics industry (and more broadly in society), it felt inappropriate to not talk with a woman we know about her experiences and the issue, and to mostly sit and listen.

Also, the word "dickbag" gets thrown around a lot.  Stuff happens.  Words get said.  You know how it is on the mean streets of the middle class with a purring cat on your lap.  You know.

This week, the boys welcome comic book writer, PR professional and noted snacktivist Justin Aclin onto the show to talk about his work on S.H.O.O.T. First and Star Wars graphic novellas, whether Boba Fett is a terrible character or the worst character and some shockingly real talk about religion and Israel.  We're not joking: instead of the usual talk-for-an-hour-and-then-oh-shit-what-about-your-comic episode format, this one is shockingly on topic and Justin gives some really thoughtful, intelligent answers to sensitive questions about politics.

Send those emails to bschatz@comicstheblog.com!

Also, they talk about how great the Rugrats holiday specials about Judaism were, because we're a podcast of inclusive opinions and positivity. Unless any of this offends you, in which case we'll turn on Aclin on a dime.

Find Justin online at:

Twitter: @justinaclin

Web: A site with a really straight-forward name I mean come on already punch it up

This week, the boys start off the week with a rare diversion into local politics, namely the cartoonishly evil RENT villains who killed a local proposal for affordable housing.  And brother, it just gets darker from there, as they dig deeper into issues of parental abandonment, unfathomable loneliness and other dark aspects of their psyches.  They also talk about why you should watch Trophy Wife, which features the talents of the wonderful Michaela Watkins and the worst television show title since Cougar Town.

After this, some comics get discussed before recent developments in the world of comics get unpacked.  First, the announcement that DC will be consolidating its offices into a single west coast location generates talk about what this could mean for the comics culture and history of New York, as well as the lives of employees facing a very difficult and life-altering decision.  Finally, though, the episode ends on a positive note as Marvel's recent announcement of a teenage, Muslim Ms Marvel written by G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Adrian Alphona generates hopeful rumination on the positive changes to the comics industry and how we can all keep it getting better.

Ugh, positivity.  Whose idea was that?