GateCrashers: Recent Episodes
GateCrashers
A podcast dedicated to kicking open the door to your next favorite thing. Our mission, our creed, our code is this... to make all things more approachable and accessible to EVERYONE. We want you to find a universe that you’ll fall in love with.
Today on the podcast, we're joined by writer Che Grayson! Best known for their work on Dark Spaces: Good Deeds from IDW Publishing and Exquisite Corpses from Image Comics. Che is currently writing Absolute Catwoman for DC Comics and the recently announced Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow's Hand, both of which we're chatting about today.
Absolute Catwoman #1-2 are currently available, with #3 out August 26th.
Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow's Hand #1 releases September 9th.
Today on the GateCrashers podcast sees James Tynion IV join us to chat more comics with Dan. Known for his work at DC Comics with extended runs on Detective Comics, Justice League Dark, and Batman, James has been acclaimed in recent years for his horror work with his own comics imprint, Tiny Onion Studios. James started off with the acclaimed books Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth, and Exquisite Corpses. Now, James is back on the pod to chat his new series ODIN, a Norse horror story co-written with Marguerite Bennett and art by Letizia Cadonici, and the recent issues of W0rldtr33 with artist Fernando Blanco. Listen to our chat with James Tynion IV below!
The first three issues of ODIN are available now, and issue four releases September 9th.
The first three trade paperbacks of W0rldtr33 are available now, and Vol. 4 releases September 9th.
Today on the podcast we're joined once again by Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Writer of Action Comics, Green Lantern: War Journal, and his current Hulk saga with artist Nic Klein, Johnson joins us today to discuss his upcoming work on the new, horror-focused Marvel imprint Midnight with Midnight Spider-Man with artist ScieTronc, and the next stage of his Hulk saga, Infernal Hulk and a series of one shots which sees Hulk taking on some of Marvel's most famous heroes. We dig into the horrors of Hulk, Appalachia, and more.
If you know the name Bear McCreary, it's probably from the goosebumps he's given you without you even knowing it was him. You may know his work from Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, God of War, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He's one of the most prolific composers working today, and on July 31st, he's releasing Singularity: Ekleipsis, his second metal album. He sat down with us to talk about creating something that is his own art.
We dug into how neither of us comes from a metal background and what that means for the music he is creating. He drops some great recommendations of things to listen to in order to find your way into the genre. The album itself is brilliant from top to bottom. Bear McCreary discusses how this was, in his opinion, more finely tuned than the first, but both albums have been on constant repeat for me lately.
About Bear McCreary and Singularity: Ekleipsis
Award-winning composer and recording artist Bear McCreary began his career as a protégé of legendary film composer Elmer Bernstein, before bursting onto the scene scoring the revered series Battlestar Galactica in 2004. Since then, McCreary has won three Emmy Awards, including two for Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians and one for his theme for Da Vinci's Demons, a musical palindrome, and has won twelve International Film Music Critics Association Awards, including the award for Score of the Year in 2024, his second. Named the 23rd Most Definitive Bear in Popular Culture (The Ringer), he's also been the subject of a clue on Jeopardy! Project highlights include The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon); Foundation (Apple TV); the beloved series Outlander (STARZ); Godzilla: King of the Monsters (Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures); The Walking Dead (AMC); andNetflix's Academy Award–nominated documentary Crip Camp (produced by Barack and Michelle Obama). McCreary's celebrated scores for Sony PlayStation's blockbusters God of War and God of War Ragnarök have earned him two BAFTA Awards and two Grammy nominations. In 2024, McCreary released The Singularity, a hard-rock concept album featuring legendary rock talent including Slash, Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Rufus Wainwright, and more.
McCreary has collaborated with artists from across the musical spectrum, including Hozier, Fiona Apple, Shirley Manson (Garbage), Annie Lennox, and the late Sinéad O'Connor. In 2014, Maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducted a suite of McCreary's music with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
Chuck Tingle is one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the chance to talk to. Our first interview changed how I approached interviews entirely. He taught me to come at things from my place with my heart on my sleeve. I owe so much to Chuck Tingle's influence on me, so getting the chance to chat again was a blessing. This time around, we are diving into his new book, Beautiful Bodies. We dive deep into the role of influencers and how what they do is art, through a Warhol lens. We also took some time to talk about Busta Rhymes' brilliance. The interview spans the board, offering a deep conversation about art, humanity, horror, and all the things that make life worth living. LOVE IS REAL!
About Beautiful Bodies
Poppy Stringer was born to be a star.
An aspiring fashion influencer by day, Poppy moonlights as a grave robber to make ends meet, wheeling and dealing dead bodies across Palm Springs.
When her hero, the flamboyant, piano-slamming rockstar Eddie Michaels, unexpectedly dies, Poppy gets a call to retrieve his body from the medical examiner's office for a lucrative sum. It could be the last job she'll ever need—if everything goes to plan. But the night's delivery quickly veers off course when Eddie wakes up.
Now Poppy must fight for her life if she hopes to survive this blood-soaked joyride of carnage and extravagant entertainment.
About Chuck Tingle
Chuck Tingle is a USA Today bestselling author, as well as a two-time Hugo Award finalist, Bram Stoker Award nominee, Goodreads Award nominee, Golden Poppy Award finalist, Locus Award winner, Dragon Award winner, Audie Award winner, and the recipient of the 2025 Loud Hands Award for Autistic Storytellers. He is a mysterious force of energy behind sunglasses and a pink mask. He is also an anonymous author of romance, horror, and fantasy. Chuck was born in Home of Truth, Utah, and now lives in Los Angeles, California. Chuck writes to prove love is real, because love is the most important tool we have when resisting the endless cosmic void. Not everything people say about Chuck is true, but the important parts are.
Chuck self-publishes erotica and romance, and releases horror novels through Tor Nightfire.
Alex Paknadel has been a rising star in comics for a few years now, working on back-ups for Detective Comics, the wildly popular Cult of the Lamb, and doing some incredible work at Marvel such as Red Goblin, Cyclops, and the upcoming What If...? Secret Wars. In this episode Dan and Adam dive deep into the recently wrapped up Cyclops mini-series, discussing Paknadel's history with the character, his influences and inspirations, and giving some great insights on what makes the leader of the X-Men such a great character.
We also talk about the experience of working on Cult of the Lamb, the difficulties of revisiting the original Ultimate Universe and the fact that Adam and Alex were currently being boiled alive by the insane heatwave hitting the UK. Cyclops: Seeing Red is available now in single issues and comes out on trade on November 10th, and What If…? Secret Wars releases this Wednesday, June 28th. Check them both out, and be sure to have a look at our Cyclops review and keep an eye out for our Secret Wars review coming this week!
Ariana Maher has been one of the top names in lettering for a few years now. With her work on many titles, such as Zatanna, she has made herself well known as one of the top talents in her field. On this episode, we get the chance to talk about lettering in depth with her. We talk about what good lettering looks like, Ariana's influences, and so much more.
Ariana Maher and Dan take the time to dive into the world of lettering to give listeners a better look at what it takes to letter a book. Ariana talks about how her relationship with book editors helps her get her lettering passes done. We also get into Ariana's origin story of her father giving her the Adobe suite years ago. Ariana also gives us a background on how she learned to letter through practice and fan works. We also discuss her study of Japanese
Ariana Maher recommends Nate Piekos's Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering if you are looking to get started with lettering. She also built her own page-by-page reader's guide for critics/reviewers, which she posted on her blog, so they can better spot and appreciate lettering craft.
When I hear Monsters and love in the same sentence, I am in there like swimwear. I love monsters. But I love that monsters are such a powerful storytelling tool to discuss the other, identity, and queerness. In the Tiny Onion and Dark Horse Pride anthology Monsters in Love, we see a cavalcade of some of the best creators in comics telling stories of love, loss, and so much more using every type of monster imaginable. This year, we were lucky enough to get together with 11 of the creatives who worked on the book to talk about it. We all talked about sandwiches first before diving into conversations about queerness, storytelling, bears, and so much more.
We speak with: Jadzia Axelrod
Vita Ayala
Zoe Tunnell
Aditya Bidikar
Bradley Clayton
Sina Grace
Jacoby Salcedo
Lee Knox Ostertag
Ed Luce
Josh Trujillo
Vash Taylor
About Monsters in Love
We need love and monsters now more than ever!!!
Beloved anthology Monsters In Love turns romance comics on their ogre-sized head with 10 swoon-worthy stories by fan-favorite LGBTQIA+ creators, including James Tynion IV, Jadzia Axelrod, Vita Ayala, Zoe Tunnell, Sina Grace, Josh Trujillo, Claudia Aguirre, Tench, and many others, just in time for Pride Month.
This super-sized special also includes a framing story by the creative team from The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos!
It's an 80-page one-shot for less than 10 bucks!
From the New York Times and multi-Eisner award-winning best-selling author James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal.
About Dark Horse:
Dark Horse Comics is a publisher based in Milwaukie, Oregon, in the Portland metro area. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse publishes creator-owned and licensed comics and art books, manga and other international titles, prose books, and products such as statues, figures, and accessories. These items are available through retailers, including comic shops and bookstores worldwide.
About Tiny Onion:
Tiny Onion is an independent production house from the mind of James Tynion IV, co-creator of critically acclaimed comic book bestsellers Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth, The Nice House on the Lake, and many more. Learn more and reach out on the home site below.
On this episode, we chat with Margo's Got Money Troubles star Michael Angarano! Michael plays the show's "villain" Mark, who's Margo's baby daddy. We talked in depth with Michael about the character, how he approaches him, and how he isn't actually a villain. We spoke about Mark's empathetic approach to the character and his growth through the first season of the show. We also tapped into Mark's relationship with his mother in the series. Angrano also spoke about how his work as a director has sharpened his instincts as an actor. He's learned to use both and says he still loves that the emotional disconnect of performance is something no amount of technical knowledge can fully replace. Michael brings a strong performance in a show that I can promise you is worth your time.
"Margo's Got Money Troubles" is a bold, heartwarming, and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress (Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Offerman), as she's forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills, and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them. The series also stars Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award-winner Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty and Lindsey Normington.
Michael Anthony Angarano is an American actor with a career spanning film and television since the mid-1990s. He's known for roles like Young William in Almost Famous and Will Stronghold in Sky High. He also played Nick Pearson in NBC's This Is Us, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor. Angarano's other credits include Music of the Heart, Cover Me, I'm Dying Up Here, Gentlemen Broncos, and Oppenheimer (2023).
I have never reviewed or even written about a memoir before. For me, the question has always been how I can critique a view of someone's life and history. It's not a genre I have even grazed near because I just didn't know how to handle it. That was until The Problem Drinker, which offered me a unique approach. I had access to the subject and pitched that we have a drink to have a real conversation instead of a typical interview.
Describing The Problem Drinker isn't an easy task because it feels like a snapshot of who a human being is. Kyle is brutally honest about himself, his world, and everything in it. There is a level of authenticity to how he writes this debut. Kyle is a problem drinker, not someone who is struggling with drinking. In the book, it's treated like a pastime or just a natural part of his life. But all around it is turmoil, heartache, and life itself. Between large life events, Kyle opens up his own rib cage to let the reader understand him a bit better.
I have been lucky enough to befriend Kyle after being introduced to him by his girlfriend, CJ Leede, who is a character in the book. I have interviewed and spoken to CJ many times, so going from her book Headlights straight into this was a unique experience. You can feel Kyle, as a character in her book, in the most loving homage to her partner. But in The Problem Drinker, you get a real look at what love is. How love is formed in ordinary and everyday life, while never feeling mundane. The way Kyle writes about the people he loves is why this book is going to stick with me for some time.
This conversation ranges from music to food to drinking stories, and everything in between that makes us human. It is an open and honest conversation that works as a companion piece to the incredible book. Make sure you check out the short film as well!
About The Problem Drinker
Kyle Kouri's debut non-fiction collection is full of 'whiskey courage' staring at the abyss of family, writing rejection, relationships, and his own drinking. From hijinks at AWP to hustling in the movie business, Kouri bridges the gap in drama between indie and horror.
At turns hilarious and heartbreaking, The Problem Drinker is the story of an artist living with another artist, yearning to move the needle in his career, amidst a sea of personal tragedies and comedies. If F. Scott Fitzgerald had one foot in the 2020s horror scene, that's the spirit of Kouri's caustic and big-hearted, lush and refreshingly candid debut.
About Kyle Kouri
Kyle Kouri is an award-winning actor, writer, filmmaker, and producer. He received his MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, where he served as the online arts editor for the Columbia Journal. He is the co-founder of Slashtag Cinema, a film production company.
Today, we are joined by Kate O'Flynn from the Apple TV show Widow's Bay. We got the chance to discuss her superstitions, which include some rather interesting bird-related ideas. We also spoke about her recent turn taking the lead in Ep. 4 of Widow's Bay, "Beach Reads", which sees O'Flynn's character, Patricia, assistant to Matthew Rhys' Mayor Tom, organising a town party while dealing with some old school "friends". It's safe to say that, thanks to an ominous party-planning book, things take a turn for the supernatural. We also discuss if she walked away with any party tips from this experience.. Thanks to Kate for sitting down with us for this wonderful chat about the show, now streaming on Apple TV.
About "Widow's Bay"
In "Widow's Bay," something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There's no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don't. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again.
Blending genuine horror with character-driven comedy, "Widow's Bay" features an ensemble cast led by Rhys, Kate O'Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll and Dale Dickey. The supporting cast includes K Callan and Emmy Award winner Jeff Hiller.
Hailing from Apple Studios, "Widow's Bay" is created, showrun and executive produced by Dippold. Murai executive produces through his banner Chum Films alongside Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin and Rhys. Murai directs five episodes this season, in addition to directors Ti West, Sam Donovan and Andrew DeYoung.
Today on the GateCrashers podcast we have the pleasure of being joined by writer Tate Brombal, known for his extensive collaborations with James Tynion IV on his Slaughterverse books, including the just launched Fall of the House of Slaughter and Image Comics' Everything Dead & Dying. Over the last couple years, he has made a name for himself as a rising star at DC Comics, first with Elseworlds's title Green Lantern Dark and an ongoing run on Batgirl starring Cassandra Cain, #19 having just been released this week. Along with this, Brombal has recently taken over New Titans, delivering a much-needed fresh take on the beloved DC team. We chat about all this and more in our interview that you can listen to right now!
For more info on all of Tate Brombal's books, check out our reviews and solicit texts for all his first issues mentioned above here:
Fall of the House of Slaughter by Tate Brombal, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera, Adriano Turtulici, and Tom Napolitano.
- As the House of Slaughter's ailing Old Dragon enters his final days, Cecilia Slaughter and the other Heads gather to determine his successor. Deadly ambitions begin to take shape as the House and the Order prepare for a new legacy to begin — and the conflict will no doubt be lethal in this all-new miniseries set in the world of Something is Killing the Children! Can the House of Slaughter survive a new Dragon coming into power?
New Titans by Tate Brombal, Sami Basri, Adriano Lucas, and Tom Napolitano.
- WHO ARE THE NEW TITANS? After helping save the world from yet another world-ending event, the Titans have earned some much-deserved rest. Back in Titans Tower, they're glad to be reunited again... But it almost feels too good to be true. Are these Titans who they claim to be? And if they can't trust each other... can they even trust themselves? Tate Brombal and Sami Basri kick off a brand-new era for the next generation of superheroes!
Everything Dead & Dying by Tate Brombal, Jacob Phillips, Pip Martin, and Aditya Bidikar.
- Everything Dead & Dying follows Jack Chandler, the sole survivor of the zombie apocalypse hunkered down in his rural farming community. But rather than eliminate them, Jack has chosen to continue living alongside the undead — including the husband and adopted daughter he fought so hard to have. But when his town is discovered by outsiders, Jack suddenly becomes the one thing standing in the way of those who hope to kill his family for good.
Batgirl by Tate Brombal, Takeshi Miyazawa, Mike Spicer, and Tom Napolitano.
- Hold on to your seats, clutch your pearls, and rejoice in celebration because Cassandra Cain is taking center stage in her first solo Batgirl series in nearly two decades! When a deadly group of assassins shows up to kill Cassandra, Lady Shiva comes to the rescue, and they must put their complicated past aside and work together as mother and daughter to ensure they make it out alive. Unfortunately, things are never as easy as they seem, and Cass must embark on a jaw-dropping, martial-arts filled adventure in her quest for truth and justice... and revenge?! It's a Batgirl book like never before, so join us as we dive into the psyche of one of Gotham's deadliest fighters, while exploring her deep and complex relationship with her mother.
Green Lantern Dark by Tate Brombal, Werther Dell'Edera, Giovanna Niro, and Tom Napolitano.
- On a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by monsters, the battle between good and evil ended long ago — and evil won. Now darkness prevails as humanity struggles to survive in the corrupted wasteland that remains. Only one hero is said to haunt what's left of our shadowed cities, the one who wields the mystical green flame that could return light to a dark world--The Green Lantern. But she's been missing for years, and on the isolated island of New England, Solomon Grundy's undead army only grows larger and more powerful every night... Celebrated horror artist of smash hit Something is Killing the Children Werther Dell'Edera teams with rising-star writer Tate Brombal (House of Slaughter) to bring you a chilling tale of desperation, hope, and resurrection from the bitter remains of the fan-favorite Tangent Universe!
In comic stores today, If Destruction Be Our Lot is the new Image Comics book from Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Francesco Segala, Andy Macdonald, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. To celebrate the release, we had the pleasure of being joined on the podcast by Matthew Rosenberg to talk about his new sci-fi book. We also discuss Rosenberg's other comics work, including We're Taking Everyone Down With Us, also published by Image Comics, featuring art by Stefano Landini, and much more! You will hear Dan gush over all the books in live audio fashion!
If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 / Rosenberg, Rosenberg, Segala, MacDonald, and Otsmane-Elhaou / Image Comics For more info on Matthew Rosenberg's If Destruction Be Our Lot, check out the solicit text for Issue 1 below, and make sure to grab it from your local comic store!
- SERIES PREMIERE EXTRA-LENGTH DEBUT ISSUE! Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us.The robots who once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abe. He believes there must be something more out there. After nearly getting killed, he's determined to wander the Earth until he finds it—or gets recycled trying. Brilliant artist ANDY MACDONALD (Doctor Strange, Wonder Woman), and adequate writers MARK ELIJAH ROSENBERG (Approaching the Unknown, Year Million) and MATTHEW ROSENBERG (WE'RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) bring you an ongoing sci-fi adventure about finding purpose, holding onto hope, and really lonely robots.
And if you're looking to find out more about Matthew Rosemberg's We're Taking Everyone Down With Us, here's the solicit text for Issue 1!
- After her mad-scientist father is killed by the world's greatest spy, 13-year-old Annalise is left all alone in the world. Sort of. Her dead dad's robot bodyguard is following her around for some reason. Now Annalise has a choice: try to lead a normal life for the first time ever…or seek revenge and maybe overthrow the world order in the process. Image Comics proudly presents a journey of regret and retribution, super spies and pseudoscience, growing up and global domination from brilliant artist STEFANO LANDINI (Prodigy, Hellblazer) and okay writer MATTHEW ROSENBERG (WHAT'S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE?, Uncanny X-Men).
Matthew Rosenberg's other credits include Task Force Z, DC vs. Vampires, Hawkeye: Freefall, and much more! Check out Ashcan Press here!
Matt Fraction is the current writer on Batman, and has written a lot of great books in the past, such as Hawkeye, Sex Criminals, Casanova, and Immortal Iron Fist. The latter was one of the books that I read when really getting into comics; it's just embedded in my comics DNA, and Batman is my favorite comic currently being published, so it was wonderful to finally be able to interview him. We talked about Batman particularly, what goes into it, what it's like writing it, and a bunch of other stuff
Find more at www.gatecrashers.fan!
It's Star Wars Day! And to celebrate the GateCrashers crew gathered for a chaotic, rambling discussion about all things Galaxy Far, Far Away. From projects we want to see that Disney would definitely consider making, to a truly terrible Darth Maul impression, we really cover the full gamut of everything you could want to discuss about Star Wars!
And if, after listening you're still in that May the Fourth mood for more Star Wars, why not check out some of our extensive writing on everyone's favourite space opera:
- Have you been wanting to get into Star Wars comics? Then check out our handy Crash Course!
- Wondering what everyone's favourite spiky Sith Lord is up to? Give a read of our Maul - Shadow Lord review!
- Harkening for the brilliance of Genndy Tartakovsky's 2D Clone Wars? Our retrospective is sure to remind you of the good times!
- Maybe you're looking for something more serious from the Galaxy Far, Far Away? In that case, our Andor review is the place to go!
- Did you play Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and wish there were even more characters to play as? Then our ranking of 25 Glup Shintos you can't play as is perfect for you!
- Ever wondered what Luke and Lando got up to between the Original and Sequel trilogies? Find out in our review of the game-changing Shadow of the Sith!
- Are you tired of annoying people on the internet constantly complaining about Rey being a Mary Sue? We agree!
- Do you love Doctor Aphra as much as we do? Our ode to everyone's favorite space thief/archaeologist/gay disaster is right here!
- Did you ever wonder what Colin Trevorrow's Duel of the Fates, the original finale to the Sequel Trilogy, might have looked like? Then check out our recap of the script!
- And lastly, make sure to listen to our homemade Star Wars audio adventure, Wild Space!
All this and more can be found at our Star Wars landing page!
By now, I have done over a hundred interviews but every one is still special to me. But ones like this are why I do what I do. I met Jimmy Gaspero through talking and writing comics online. Jimmy's unique critical view was one that I fell in love with the first time I read it. Since then, I have had Jimmy as a writer on my site for awhile and now he's helping lead the charge over at Comic Book Yeti. There is a level of love and heart he brings to everything he does from his own work to being a dad to being just a pillar of the comics community. Not only that, but Jimmy's wife is photographing my wedding; Jimmy is a brother to me. I have had the pleasure of watching him start his comics career and grow into a published author of this status. His anthology Made in Delco is a love letter to the area we both hold close to our hearts. Jimmy is a writer who you want to keep an eye on because his future is so bright.
That is why I was so excited to get the chance to read his first full published graphic novel Penny and the Yeti from Papercutz (A Mad Cave Imprint). Penny and the Yeti is written by Jimmy, art by Amber Akin, and letters by Buddy Beaudoin. In our conversation, we discussed the novel and how it handles adult themes in a way that helps children navigate them on their own. Penny and the Yeti is a beautiful story of family, friendship, and the struggles of working through unpleasant feelings. I highly suggest it to any parent or child who is looking for a wonderful journey with a cryptid.
YETI OR NOT, HERE WE COME! Penny and Yeti are pretty typical best friends: they go to school together, play together, and have fun adventures. The twist? Yeti's a living breathing myth!
Before Yeti, Penny had a super normal life with her big sister Peri and their parents, Fenton and Maxine. Penny thinks life is pretty great, especially when Peri draws and colors with her—Peri draws the best monsters called "cryptids!" The only real problem is that Penny's parents argue… a LOT. Penny wishes her parents would stop, but what can she do? That's when Yeti shows up, right out of one of Peri's drawings and smack into Penny's life! With Yeti's help, Penny comes up with a plan to get her parents to stop fighting. Penny, however, soon finds out that her parents may need more help than even a magical Yeti can provide…
I have been the luckiest horror fan in existence because I have had the chance to watch CJ Leede's career start from before her debut Maeve Fly. From those first few pages, I knew I had a new favorite author with a unique voice and POV in the horror genre. This is our third conversation, so there is more nuance to the topics we get the chance to discuss. This book is an absolute sucker punch of mystery, tragedy, and the cracks in the mirror of the human psyche. Be sure to check out Selena's review here to get more in-depth thoughts on how the book succeeds at drawing you in like a wolf in headlights.
We dive into road trips, nature, wolves, and so much more in this interview. Music has been an important part of CJ's fiction thus far in her career, and we take some time to dive into that. We also discuss how her books always teach me something new and why that sticks with readers long after the book ends.
My audio was a bit spotty, so apologies for that, but CJ is crystal clear, and that's what matters.
In Headlights, Special Agent Daniel Stansfield is ready for a change. Burnt out and defeated by the job, it's his last day with the FBI. But before he can turn in his badge, he's summoned back to Denver, the city he ran from four years ago, with a chilling message: it's happening again.
C.J. Leede is a Los Angeles-based horror writer whose debut novel, Maeve Fly, received the Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award and a Splatterpunk Award, and was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. Her works, including Maeve Fly and American Rapture, are noted for their brutal and gory elements, while also exploring themes such as conservative religious extremism, the psychological effects of strict upbringings, and societal decay.
It's Awards Season, baby! Join GateCrashers regulars Patrick, Jon, and Ethan as they talk about all things Oscars! The guys ramble their way through 98 years of Oscars history (more or less), including some of the great moments in Academy Award history. One of the major tentpoles of the film industry, the Academy Awards, or the Oscars, is the premier award show of Hollywood and the English-speaking world's film industry. This year's Academy Awards, which will see the head-to-head matchup of major critical and audience successes Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler's Sinners, will be held on March 15, 2026.
As they dive into the Oscars as an institution, Patrick, Jon, and Ethan talk about some of the highs of the award show (Marissa Tomei, Parasite, and so on) and some of the… let's say less highs (Green Book, Crash, what have you). More importantly, they talk about a wide variety of Oscar-nominated movies and performances that were just really cool and really good (because honestly, that's what matters most). Towards the end of the conversation (and let's be honest, all throughout the episode), the guys talk about this year's nominations, including the new award for Casting, the record nominations earned by Sinners, and the interesting nominations (good and… less good) for the acting nominations this year.
All-in-all, this episode is certainly a preview for this year's Academy Awards and a bit of a retrospective. Come in and enjoy as you listen to Patrick, Jon, and Ethan's opinions on film that will certainly not upset anyone we are sure! 🙂 (Please don't be mean to us, we are just guys with opinions! We will cry!) And we hope to see you at future episodes about a number of topics that will certainly include films at some point!
With the recent rerelease of the Bram Stoker Award and the Shirley Jackson Award-winning Night of the Mannequins, I sat down to chat with Stephen Graham Jones once again. I'm not shy about admitting that Stephen is the reason I started reading prose again, because I felt like I could really hear the voices of his narrators. It made me fall in love with reading in ways I hadn't felt since childhood. We get into his unique voice in his work, which makes it sing in a different way than anything else.
But with that unique voice, we also spend a lot of the conversation talking about the power of audiobooks and how his in particular always has the tone perfect for the Texas air that lingers in the text. Texas is also a hot topic of conversation and, in itself, a character in many of Stephen Graham Jones' novels. There are also comparisons made between the leads of Night of the Mannequins and I Was a Teenage Slasher, with tinges of unreliability in the narrators.
We also get into the power of the novella and how Tor Nightfire has been a major factor in making the horror novella front and center.
The novella is available wherever you buy books now!
About Night of the Mannequins
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians, Stephen Graham Jones, comes a slasher story where a teen prank goes very wrong and all hell breaks loose in a small town. Winner of both the 2020 Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Awards!
We thought we'd play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead.
As summer winds down and his friends are growing up, Sawyer has a plan for one last prank to spook his buddy working at a nearby movie theater. Smuggling in a mannequin and seating it in the middle row is just harmless fun - until it wakes up, walks out, and starts killing. Luckily, Sawyer devises a plan to save as many people as possible. But in order to be the hero, sometimes you have to become a monster first. NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS asks "questions about the nature of change and friendship" (NYT) between its blood-spattered pages that will leave readers reeling.
You read that title right, GateCrashers does sports again! Come join Patrick, Dan, and newcomer Kate McGowan as they dive into the Olympic Games, just in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy! The Olympics are probably the most prestigious sporting event, uniting the world every 4 years for international competition across a wide variety of sports.
Patrick, Dan, and Kate talk about the history of the Olympics and their personal relationships with the Games (like how Patrick watches every single medal event at each Olympics!) before diving into what to expect at this year's Winter Games. Patrick eagerly talks about the absolutely wild new sport of Ski Mountaineering, and Dan talks about his love of all things Curling. Patrick and Kate give an overview of the broader Olympic program, including sore spots like the lack of women's Nordic Combined and the absence of most Russian and Belarusian athletes. They also talk about what to expect at this year's Olympic ice hockey tournament, with the return of NHL players for the first time since 2014 (and some very direct comments on how, if you want to support queer people in ice hockey after watching Heated Rivalry, women's ice hockey might be for you).
Kate then gives us a deep dive into the marquee event of any Winter Olympic Games: the Figure Skating program. She gives us an overview of the differences in the figure skating events (which include men's singles, women's singles, pairs, and ice dancing), as well as a very brief explanation of different jumps that constitute the sport, including the recently unbanned backflip. Patrick and Kate then preview who the medal contenders are this year, including who is representing Team USA. They also teach Dan about the unprecedented athletic feat that is Ilia Malinin and his quadruple axle.
We hope that you enjoy this episode and join us for 19 days of incredible international sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics!
Yo Gabba Gabba has always had a special place in my heart. I watched the series with my sister and fell in love with Brobee, the green monster. The show featured many musicians I loved while still being whimsical and fun. It also introduced me to one of my favorite bands, The Aquabats. So getting the chance to interview the co-creators of the original and the new series, Yo Gabba Gabbaland, was an honor. I spoke with them about their philosophy for creating children's entertainment, what guides their musical guests, and the staying power of monsters. The show's second season premieres on January 30th on Apple TV, and the first season is streaming now! Be sure to check it out after listening to or watching our interview!
ABOUT "YO GABBA GABBALAND!" SEASON TWO:
Inspired by the original "Yo Gabba Gabba!," the vibrant new ten-episode season is led by rising star Kamryn Smith as Kammy Kam and features the original performers: Brobee (Amos Watene), Foofa (Emma Penrose), Muno (Adam Deibert), Toodee (Erin Pearce) and Plex (Christian Jacobs). Season two brings this group together with a new roster of musical guests to create dynamic performances and original songs to help kids and families uncover life lessons through music, movement and joyful discovery.
Created by Emmy Award-nominated Scott Schultz and Christian Jacobs (co-creators of "Yo Gabba Gabba!"), "Yo Gabba GabbaLand" is produced in partnership and collaboration with WildBrain and Yo Gabba Gabba, LLC, co-owners of the brand. Schultz and Jacobs also serve as executive producers for Yo Gabba Gabba LLC, alongside Stephanie Betts and Josh Scherba for WildBrain. Season one of "Yo Gabba GabbaLand!" was recently nominated for a 2026 Children's & Family Emmy Award.
The 'Super Music Friends' and special guests feature an all-star mix of acclaimed and Grammy winning artists including Santigold, Ziggy Marley, Sharon Van Etten, Sleigh Bells, Yola, Still Woozy, Silversun Pickups, Chicano Batman, The Aquabats! and Hemlocke Springs. Viewers will also hear fresh jingles from Freedom Fry, Turnpike Troubadours, Ginger Root, CHVRCHES, King Tuff, Mates of State, Hatchie, Sylvan Esso and Chai. In addition, the new season features returning fan favorites and new guest stars including Billy Eichner ("Bros"), Tiffany Haddish ("Girls Trip"), David Arquette ("Scream"), Brendan Hunt ("Ted Lasso"), Jaime Camil ("Jane the Virgin") and more.
We are once again joined by the incredibly talented Adams Family. Toby Poser, John Adams, and Zelda Adams joined me to talk about their new film Mother of Flies, which premieres on Shudder on January 23rd. We have previously chatted for Hellbender, and I have been a super fan since. The Adams create terrifying stories as a family, which allows for such creative expression as you will see in this film. Doing interviews like this one is my favorite because I get to dig into so much, since much of the project has been done by a small team. The family gives insight into their process, editing, and so much more about the film. For a film grappling with life, death, and the nature of things, it perfectly captures the horrors of the in-between.
Mother of Flies follows Mickey (Zelda Adams), who faces a deadly diagnosis, but she isn't ready to die yet. Heading into the woods with her father (John Adams), she seeks dark magic at the hands of a mysterious recluse, Solveig (Toby Poser), who has an intimate relationship with death and roots that go deep in the land. For three days, Mickey endures Solveig's extreme rituals of death magic. But every cure has its cost, and every curse is another's gift. As buried secrets claw their way to the surface, the veil between the living and the dead begins to unravel, and Mickey finds herself facing dark truths that only the dead and the dying can know.
John Adams, Toby Poser, and daughters Lulu and Zelda Adams (collectively known as The Adams Family) have been making films under the creative marquee of Wonder Wheel Productions since 2010. Features include The Deeper You Dig (2019, Dark Sky Films), Hellbender (2021, Shudder), Where the Devil Romas (2023, Tubi), and Mother of Flies (2025, Shudder). The family's films have been represented by Yellow Veil Pictures for sales, festivals, and theatrical runs since 2021. John and Toby also directed the sci-fi feature Hell Hole (2024, Shudder) and the episode 'Plastic Smile' for Screambox's "Tales from the Void" (2024). The soundtrack for Adams Family films is performed by the family's band, H6LLB6ND6R.
After 16 issues, Dan checks back in with Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly to talk about all things G.I. Joe! The series has been going strong at Skybound and Image for some time, so Dan wanted to do a retrospective on the series so far. Also, any excuse he can find to talk about Cobra Commander, he will take. With the DREADNOK WAR wrapping up this week with Issue #17, we wanted to take a chance to chat about the series and this big event.
Joshua Williamson gives insight on writing Cobra Commander and Destro who are both the biggest personalities in any room they walk into. Tom Reilly talks about his character designs for them and how he tries to always give them the most flashy costumes because they have to stand out.
We also dig into the first appearance of Road Pig with how the team approached Dan's new favorite character. The team shares thoughts on who the character is in their series and their Texas Chain Saw inspirations for him, including what is stated and what is implied.
They dig into the future of G.I. Joe and what's to come in the Energon Universe. We talk about sharing all the cool toys in the Energon toy box and how they work together across teams to keep it cohesive. Joshua talks about collaborating with Robert Kirkman to make the line as tight and accessible as possible for new readers.
In this episode, we spoke with the team behind Apple TV's new show Born to be Wild. Lucy van Beek (Executive Producer, Tealfeather Productions Founder and Creative Director), Alex Williamson (Executive Producer, Offspring Films Co-founder and Creative Director), Isla Robertson (Executive Producer), and Tom Payne (Showrunner) talk about the documentary. We chat about what it's like to film over the years to follow the journeys of these incredible people and animals.
ABOUT "Born to be Wild"
Filmed over several years across three continents, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs. From their earliest days through their journey to life in the wild, the series highlights the challenges, triumphs, and resilience that define their survival, both for the animals and the extraordinary people working to raise and protect them. "Born to be Wild," narrated by SAG Award winner Hugh Bonneville ("Paddington," "Downton Abbey," "The Secret Lives of Animals") premieres worldwide on Friday, December 19, on Apple TV.
As each animal finds its place in the world after being orphaned or born through conservation programs—from an elephant calf and two young cheetahs, to a ring-tailed lemur pup, a moon bear cub, Iberian lynx kittens, and rescued African penguins—"Born to be Wild" offers an intimate and emotional look at the pow
WondLa's grand finale to the trilogy is out now on Apple TV! We were lucky enough to sit down with two of the show's leads, Jeanine Mason and Alan Tudyk, to discuss the final season. We chat with both of them about their approach to voice acting and more in these interviews. Make sure to listen before starting the final season of Wondla!
About the show:
This groundbreaking third and final installment features a star-studded voice cast, including Jeanine Mason ("Roswell, New Mexico") as Eva, Emmy Award winner Brad Garrett ("Everybody Loves Raymond") as Otto, Gary Anthony Williams ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows") as Rovender, Alan Tudyk ("Resident Alien") as Cadmus Pryde, John Ratzenberger ("Toy Story") as Caruncle, John Harlan Kim ("The Librarians") as Hailey, Ana Villafañe ("Castro's Daughter") as Eva 8, Peter Gallagher ("The O.C") as Antiquus, and many more. New cast members include Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated Shohreh Aghdashloo ("House of Sand and Fog") as Darius and Arius, and Maz Jobrani ("The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour") as Zin.
In the epic final season of "WondLa," war erupts between humans and aliens. With Orbona's fate hanging in the balance, Eva must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: recapturing the stolen Heart of the Forest. Along the way, she gathers old friends and unlikely allies for one last stand. But to save Orbona, Eva must do more than find the Heart; she must bridge two divided worlds and prove the ultimate truth: "There is no 'them.' There is only us."
The epic trilogy's final season continues with six thrilling half-hour episodes executive produced by Tony DiTerlizzi and Bobs Gannaway alongside Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, Julie Kane-Ritsch, and Skydance Animation's John Lasseter, David Ellison and Dana Goldberg. The series is also produced by Tony Cosanella.
One of my favorite aspects of doing all this is stepping out of my comfort zone. GateCrashers' mission has always been to help people find new things and engage with them without the fear of embarrassment. So I would not be living by my own mission if I didn't push myself to do new things! The topic for this interview was Formula 1 racing! I got the chance to interview one of the biggest names in the industry, Guenther Steiner.
What I learned about Mr. Steiner in my research was that he was, as the title of his book suggests, Unfiltered. I watched many interviews where censors barely caught expletives coming from his mouth or things he put so plainly that many just assume he is blunt. I admire this quality in someone to be themselves at all times, regardless of what others think. It's a power not many possess, and I hope many can emulate this bravado to fully be themselves.
While the other interviewers at the WONDERFUL F1 Arcade were in the know about F1, I was not. I stood watching them interview Guenther Steiner with insight into the industry and happenings. I stood, sipping the only beer in the room, admiring people who were good at their craft. I was a bit worried my book-centric interview would be a bit off, but it went wonderfully. Guenther was an incredible interview. I could listen to this man speak for hours. Luckily, you can! For the book, he is doing a speaking tour called "Guenther Steiner: Unfiltered" which is in Philly tonight, November 13th. You can find more dates on his Instagram here. I suggest checking it out to anyone who loves F1 or big personalities. It will give you such new insight into the industry, his life, and what it means to live an unfiltered life.
The day has finally come. The final season (for now) of Solar Opposites is now on Hulu. When the show started in 2020, I was instantly hooked and have been a Solar ever since. The show is the best Hulu original and will live on. This very special episode is jam-packed with Solar Opposites energy. Chach and Adam join me to talk about the show, the final season, and The Duke's biggest secret at length. I also share my recent interviews with Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack, Josh Bycel, and Mike "The Big Hog" McMahan to talk about the series as a whole. This is a big one, so get your novelty motto t-shirt on and get ready to hear the word mount A LOT.
The Solar Opposites final season perfectly encapsulates why this show was a perfect blend of comedy, family, and sci-fi hijinks. It's a worthy send-off for one of the best adult animated shows since The Simpsons. There are episodes that will bring you to tears with their touching moments surrounding the family and what it means to be a finale. The Wall saga comes to a shocking finale that will leave you with your mouth wide open for bugs to crawl in and stuff.
Synopsis:
Once their alien diamond-making machine gets destroyed, the Solar Opposites must face their greatest challenge yet: living their expensive lives on a budget! When their consumerist habits and expensive hobbies are gone, only their true selves will remain... but will they like who they find? ALSO: The epic story of the people of The Wall has all built to this thrilling and shocking conclusion…
On this interview special, Dan chats with Yvette Nicole Brown, Scott Adsit, Mac Barnett, and Jon Klassen about their show Shape Island on Apple TV+! They discuss how they carry the life lessons of childhood TV into their own lives, the important elements of storytelling, and much more. Yvette and Scott discuss their approach to voice acting while the show's creators talk about what it was like to let others become involved with something they created. Each interview brings a unique light to the show and what everyone brings to the project. Dan was excited to have such insightful conversations revolving around the show. The show is now available to stream anywhere you watch Apple TV+, so make sure you are checking it out with your family!
ABOUT “SHAPE ISLAND” SEASON TWO:
The Children’s and Family Emmy Award-winning series from Apple TV+ takes place on a charming island and invites viewers to join serious Square, intrepid Circle and tricky Triangle as they dig up some fun, search for answers and build on their friendship — all while learning how to navigate each other’s differences. “Shape Island” shows kids that friendship can take many shapes.
Season two features the familiar voices of Yvette Nicole Brown (“Frog and Toad”) as the narrator, Harvey Guillén (“Puss In Boots: The Last Wish”) as Square, Scott Adsit (“Big Hero 6”) as Triangle and Gideon Adlon (“Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth”) as Circle.
“Shape Island” was co-created by book authors Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, who serve as executive producers. Barnett was recently appointed the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress. Kelli Bixler and Drew Hodges (“Tumble Leaf”) from the Emmy Award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment also serve as executive producers. Ryan Pequin serves as co-executive producer and head writer.
It’s the final day of Anime August Week and Amanda and Patrick have saved the best for last: today, they’re treating you all to Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning, record-breaking 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film, Spirited Away!
Often considered Ghibli Studios’s breakout project—and a usual suspect on “best of” lists throughout the industry—Spirited Away is the company’s (and Miyazaki’s) first Academy Award-winning film, having been only the second movie to win Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards (following Shrek, the award’s inaugural winner, lol). As with all Miyazaki films, Spirited Away tackles themes of community building, environmentalism, and greed, conveyed across a simultaneously tender and exciting coming-of-age adventure set against a backdrop of cultural Japanese folklore.
Mythical deities, acerbic witches, and whimsical magical entities (looking at you, Soot Sprites!) are just a few things that the 10-year-old protagonist, Chihiro, encounters during her employment at a bathhouse for spirits, where she’s forced to earn her keep if she doesn’t want to run afoul of powerful witch Yubaba, the bathhouse’s austere owner. If Chihiro hopes to make it back to the mortal realm, she’ll have to rely on the help of her coworkers and Yubaba’s mysterious right-hand man, dragon-shifter Haku.
Join Amanda and Patrick as they engage in some all-too-familiar antics, including (but not limited to): Amanda forgetting how to read, Patrick going on a tangent about music, Amanda literally crying about how much she loves this movie, and Patrick Googling things in real time.
We at GateCrashers are so excited to bring you the final episode of one of our favorite annual segments. Thank you for joining us. See you next year. Long live Anime August!
Amanda and Patrick are back for day 3 of Anime August Week, and this time they’re diving into the world of revered director Hayao Miyazaki, starting with his 1984 film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind!
Believe it or not this is the first episode in GateCrashers history talking about Studio Ghibli or Miyazaki! Amanda and Patrick are huge fans of Miyazaki’s films, so they are very excited to talk about this movie.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is often considered the beginning of the Studio Ghibli era, even though Miyazaki made it before founding the studio. As such, Amanda and Patrick talk about how it feels so classically Miyazaki, fully formed and fledged right from the start, even though it was only his second ever full-length film. There are plenty of classic themes in this film we’ve come to appreciate in Miyazaki’s canon, including environmentalism, Marxism, and our favorite, some funky little airplanes!
To that end, this Amanda and Patrick episode has all the classic Amanda and Patrick themes too: yelling about the English dub, learning things in real time about the manga that they absolutely did not read before recording the episode, and going on tangents so deeply unrelated from the topic of the episode that they have to hard segue back to talking about the movie. Ya know, a classic Amanda and Patrick episode!
Amanda and Patrick do genuinely believe that this is one of the Miyazaki’s best films. They talk about how important and relevant Miyazaki’s message in this film is, even 41 years later, as we continue to live in a world affected by ecological disaster, war, and hatred. But importantly, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has a message of hope for a humanity that chooses to coexists with nature and the Earth instead of dominate it.
Come and join us as we continue our annual dive into the world of Japanese animation! And keep an eye (or ear) out for tomorrow’s episode about another Hayao Miyazaki movie!
It’s another Anime August episode with Patrick and Amanda! This time, we are discussing the anime Delicious in Dungeon (or as it is known in Japanese and on some corners of the internet Dungeon Meshi). This episode covers the first season of the anime series on Netflix (and in theory the corresponding manga - we didn’t read it, sorry!), so be sure to watch the whole season to avoid spoilers. (Although Patrick definitely spoiled something he saw online that happens after the first season’s story! He’s really sorry he promises!)
Amanda and Patrick talk about some of their favorite bits of the season of Delicious in Dungeon, including Senshi crotch shots, Marcille’s semi-canon lesbianism, and the spectacular English dub. They also discuss autistic representation, perceived or otherwise, in Laios’s character (which might be partially influenced by the performance from Damien Haas, his English language voice actor). The food is talked about, of course, but more importantly Amanda yells about how weird it is that people think it’s so strange that Laios and party eat the monsters in the dungeon. Naturally, they also get very passionate about side characters like Kabru and Shuro.
There is also a good deal of discussion around the influence that Dungeons & Dragons has on Delicious in Dungeon, including how the mangaka read Dungeons & Dragons player and dungeon master books for research. They also discuss the need (or lack thereof) of racism in the fantasy genre (spoiler: they come out hard against racism).
And Amanda and Patrick only briefly get sidetracked into talking about Smosh like twice and whether or not Damien Haas’s participation in Smosh videos means that we are getting season 2 anytime soon… So come and join us as we continue our annual dive into anime. Be sure to check out our other episodes this month while you’re at it!
ANIME AUGUST IS BACK BABY! We're kicking off with a bang, featuring demons, aliens, and GILFs. This is the big time now because we are talking Dandadan. Amanda and Pat are the hosts of this year's Anime August! This episode, they are joined by Dan because no way he was missing a chance to talk about this wild show. So kick back, get your conspiracy theories or demonology books ready, and hit play. Because if you know it, the theme song is already playing in your head.
Dandadan is a manga and anime series about two high schoolers, Momo Ayase, a girl from a family of spirit mediums, and Okarun, an occult enthusiast. After Okarun denies ghosts and Momo dismisses aliens, they make a bet to prove each other wrong by visiting legendary paranormal hot spots, which results in both of them gaining supernatural powers after encountering overwhelming entities. They are then forced to join forces, fighting terrifying aliens, yokai, and other threats while also navigating their own burgeoning relationship and the chaotic paranormal events that engulf their lives.
You can find Dandadan on Crunchyroll and Netflix, with both dubs and subs available currently, with season 2 wrapping up. The team talks about how they feel about certain voices in subs and dubs with their attachments to some or the other as well in this episode! They also talk about many other things. We are not sorry to any goblins who were hurt during the making of this episode or in the past or future.
Dan also gets the chance to talk about a bit of the score that hit him personally that made the show click that it was going to become a personal favorite. It's about a piece everyone knows but not many know the name of but the show and the composer got to play with for the show in a very fun way.
Ben Folds has been an influential artist on me for as long as I have had my own musical identity. I have been able to follow his work to see his growth as a musician, changing and evolving over time. There was never a moment when I thought I would be sitting in a virtual room with him, having a conversation about his current lane of music and how he doesn't really have anyone else like him. We discussed how he approached another outing with Snoopy and the gang with Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical. Listen below or anywhere you get your podcasts!
About Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical This summer, celebrate the joy and magic of summer camp and the importance of preserving what you love. Charlie Brown loves camp and is determined to make his final year special, but Sally – a first-time camper – is nervous and skeptical of the new and unfamiliar place. While everyone settles into camp, Snoopy and Woodstock discover a treasure map that takes them on a wild adventure nearby.
One morning, the Peanuts gang learns that their beloved camp is shutting down because there are fewer campers joining each summer. The news especially saddens Charlie Brown, who feels hopeless about losing a place that has meant so much to him and his friends. Meanwhile, on their adventure, Snoopy and Woodstock find the sought-after treasure chest, but are quickly disappointed when they discover it’s not riches, but instruments and photos from past summer concerts held at the camp. Newly inspired, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang use the treasure to host their own concert to save the camp.
Featuring original music by Emmy Award-nominated composer Jeff Morrow and Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, composer, and New York Times bestselling author Ben Folds, the latest special under the acclaimed “Snoopy Presents” banner by Peanuts and WildBrain for Apple TV+ marks the first Peanuts musical in 35 years.
Produced for Apple TV+ by Peanuts and WildBrain, “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” is directed by Erik Wiese and is written by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. Executive producers are C. Schulz, B. Schulz, Uliano, Paige Braddock, Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts, and Logan McPherson.
Before Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti and Frank Martin’s Captain America shield slashes into stores this Wednesday, I had a chance to converse with Chip about the title, as well as his (and Rachael Stott, Tamra Bonvillain and Ariana Maher’s) White House Robot Romance from DSTLRY – going into how it feels to write books with these storylines during this political climate, as well as a wealth of other stuff primarily about Captain America and how he views the character and the mythos.
I’ve been a big fan of Chip Zdarsky since his Spectacular Spider-Man book way back in 2017, and he was the first comics creator I ever met in person, so getting to interview him was a dream come true. The conversation we had about these books, especially Captain America, was a real eye opener in a lot of ways. I even got to talk about one of my criticisms of Avengers: Twilight’s ending with him and how that might influence how he writes Captain America, which certainly left me very inquisitive about how this book is going to turn out.
I also asked about Gundam (obviously), which he covered with his friends over at his manga podcast Mangasplaining, so be sure to check that out.
Captain America #1 hits stores this Wednesday, July 2nd.
Check out Chip Zdarsky over at his substack!
Synopsis for Captain America #1 While Captain America slumbered in ice, the world changed — for better and for worse. Steve Rogers awakens to a reality where battles are fought in the shadows through secrets and subterfuge, and villains aren't so easy to identify. When a fledgling dictator named Victor Von Doom conquers Latveria, Steve faces a critical decision: adapt to a new kind of warfare, or forge his own path? And what will the choice he makes in the past mean for his future?
Experience the untold tale of Captain America's first encounter with Doctor Doom as Chip Zdarsky and Valerio Schiti team up for a game-changing new era of CAPTAIN AMERICA!
Synopsis for White House Robot Romance When Chef-9 learns that Service-1 is scheduled for immediate decommissioning, he makes an unprecedented choice: abandon his station, break protocol, and flee with Service-1 into the streets of Washington, D.C. But what starts as a desperate act of defiance quickly spirals into an international crisis. Service-1’s memory banks hold highly classified state secrets—ones that could tilt the balance of power between America and Canada. As paranoia mounts and the military mobilizes, the runaway robots find themselves hunted by government agents.
Be sure to check out our previous interview with Chip here, where he discusses his other work, Public Domain. We delve into the comics industry, its history, and what it's like working in it today.
Be sure to rate and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts! Every rating helps us get fantastic interv
With The Library at Hellbore's release right around the corner (July 22), I got the chance to sit down and have a conversation with Cassandra Khaw about the upcoming book. This conversation was much more than that, though. It was a conversation with a creator whose work made me fall in love with prose as an adult. Cassandra's style of writing is enthralling to the point of outright consumption (which... is a topic in this episode in a more meaty sense).
Our conversation digs into the themes of the title in a non-spoiler fashion. Still, it is an overall conversation about horror and the horrors of the world in a wonderfully eye-opening way. If you could see how often my eyes widened as I listened to Cassandra Khaw speak, you would laugh as you listened along but there is so many things they say that made the gears move in my brains. It's one of those interviews where I will always be thankful I got to talk with someone who inspires me. I hope you take something away from this conversation as well.
The Library at Hellbore will be in bookstores on July 22nd, but pre-order wherever you get your books now, so you can let them know you want it.
In our interview, Cassandra Khaw mentions that there is a perfumist who makes scents based on their works. Here is a link to their site with a TON of really niche scents, lotions, and candles based on all sorts of things that I personally love. I couldn't help myself and got the Deckard, the Clown, and of course, my favorite Khaw book's perfume, Nothing But Blackened Teeth. There is something so cool to me about engaging other senses with things like prose because it only draws you further into the world you're reading about.
Follow Cassandra Khaw on Instagram to keep up with everything they've got going on!
The Hellebore Technical Institute for the Gifted is the premier academy for the dangerously powerful: the Anti-Christs and Ragnaroks, the world-eaters and apocalypse-makers.
Hellebore promises redemption, acceptance, and a normal life after graduation. At least, that’s what Alessa Li is told when she’s kidnapped and forcibly enrolled.
But there’s more to Hellebore than meets the eye. On graduation day, the faculty go on a ravenous rampage, feasting on Alessa’s class. Only Alessa and a group of her classmates escape the carnage. Trapped in the school’s library, they must offer a human sacrifice every night, or else the faculty will break down the door and kill everyone.
Can they band together and survive, or will the faculty eat its fill?
With the final volume of Brian Michael Bendis and André Araújo's Phenomena on shelves now, we got the chance to dig into the series with them. Dan spends a lot of time chatting with the team about building this fascinating world from the ground up, what world-building looked like for them, and more. There is a focus on the art in this interview with André talking about building scenes and his approach to the scope of his work. This is a must-read for sci-fi fans of all ages. Check out the interview and make sure to pick up all three volumes wherever you get your books from Abrams Books!
Phenomena is the story of a young boy named Boldon and his warrior friend Spike—survivors of a phenomena that took over Earth years ago. Not an apocalypse . . . something far more interesting. We follow Boldon and Spike as they are forced to team up with another lost orphan of the world, Matilde. The trio of heroes go on a globetrotting adventure that takes them to a magical, mysterious place called the Golden City of Eyes. As they quest across this epically crazy new world looking for answers and purpose, they face off against dark forces big and small, changing the world better along the way. In each book in the series, our heroes travel to different parts of the magical world of Phenomena by various modes of transportation, each more and more fantastical than the mode that preceded it.
Each journey is personal, and every chapter takes the trio toward a different, visually iconic destination, and each location, character, and chapter reveals clues to the shape of the world and how they got there—and, ultimately, their purpose. With Phenomena, Brian Michael Bendis and André Lima Araújo deliver a universe chock-full of unforgettable characters, full-tilt action, and stunning imagination and world-building that is perfect for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Superman Unlimited written by Dan Slott, with interior art by Rafael Albuquerque, colours by Marcelo Maiolo and letters by Dave Sharpe hits shelves tomorrow from DC Comics. This series is set up to be a brand new jumping-on point for all types of readers. If you're a new fan coming off of the excitement for the new film or an old fan wanting to return to the last son of Krypton, this is the book for you! I got the chance to sit down with Dan Slott to chat about the series, Superman, and his world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube!
Our first Dan and Dan interview dug deep into the character of Spider-Man where we took time to unpack the character and this interview follows that same web. Dan and I talked about Superman Unlimited and how it came to be after so much time in the industry. Dan opened the interview hard talking about Superman's rogue gallery which we revisit later in the episode.
Slott's other work has often featured a heavy emphasis on the third-party cast around superheroes, which has been lacking in mainstream comics. We discussed how he will use Superman's supporting cast in Superman Unlimited to bolster the character and the world around him. Dan talks about which characters he is going to make you fall in love with by the time his run is over.
I was lucky enough to read Superman Unlimited before our chat, which I allude to in the interview. I will say there is a scene in issue one that recontextualizes something about Superman and the burden he carries with him that changes a pivotal point in the character's history. It's an extremely powerful moment that Slott has crafted that sets the path forward so much more exciting for longtime fans of the character. This is a series filled with heart, which makes a very strong Superman book for me. You will want to pick Superman Unlimited up as soon as you can!
News From the Fallout is one of those horror titles that sticks to your heart like tar. It has a lingering fear that seeps deep into you the longer you sit with the book. It's an incredible piece of work from the Writer CHRIS CONDON (THAT TEXAS BLOOD, Ultimate Wolverine), artist JEFFREY ALAN LOVE (The Last Battle at the End of the World, The Thousand Demon Tree), letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and designer Michael Tivey. I was lucky enough to sit down with the writer and artist to have a long discussion about the series that digs into some rather heavy topics about the book. Pre-order it now!
In 1962 Nevada, a nuclear bomb test goes horribly awry and unleashes a contaminate into the atmosphere that turns people rotten. Otis Fallows, a private in the U.S. Army who is present for the test and is the only known survivor, flees the secret army base in search of a safe haven—but does such a place exist?
Here is an excerpt from my review of the first two issues, which you should pre-order now:
I grew up as a child in the 90’s, seeing footage or references to nuclear fallout drills in all sorts of media. Watching those children my age crawl under their desks to escape the blast of a nuclear bomb’s fallout seemed more like science fiction than something that was a real present threat anyone faced. Nothing catastrophic like that could ever happen in America, right? Well, in 3rd grade, I watched the Twin Towers fall on live television. So those tests didn’t seem too far-fetched in my 9-year-old gray matter anymore.
With both the horrors that I witnessed and everything surrounding them, it felt like people’s fears were heard loud and clear. They were echoed in everyone’s hearts to try to stop them from happening again. There was no doubt that the fallout was inevitable.
This is a very special episode for me personally, as someone who has a very close relationship with every animal in their life. Sina Grace has written a comic working through his own grief and love for his pet, which is currently running on Kickstarter. Support it here. When I saw the campaign, I texted Sina to set something up as soon as possible, because the grief of losing a pet isn't something we often discuss enough as adults. It's as if that pain is supposed to stop once you aren't a kid and lose a pet. Given the weight of this conversation, I was joined by a very special co-host who took it upon herself to co-host with me. Please welcome Kori for the second half of the interview. I have included the video of the interview so you can see her as she requested. Excuse the mess her canine sisters make of my office.
I was very lucky to get to have a less structured discussion with Sina about this project, as we planned it in under a few hours. It allowed both of us to be more raw than we may have been otherwise. There are some tears on both sides as we discuss animals. If you can support this project, I suggest checking out the Kickstarter. Personally, I believe Sina has a special way to show emotion in his art in a comical but stark fashion. This is no exception with some of the previews I will show below from the official Kickstarter below along with the project's description in Sina's own words.
"All my life, I grew up wanting a dog. When I was in my mid-20s, that dream came true with Henry. He was a sweet chihuahua terrier who went everywhere with me. My floppy-eared companion fit perfectly in my life, and made me a more responsible person every day. It was only natural that, when I lost him in 2023 after a dreadful fight with lymphoma, I turned to art to process my grief. I didn’t know what else to do with my feelings. Thinking that I couldn’t be the only one struggling to move on from a pet’s death, I poured those emotions onto the page to tell a story that I hoped could heal others. From my own experience, I knew there wasn’t a book on the stands that did what mine was doing: talking about a legitimate and very specific kind of grief that every person goes through when they make the decision to bring a pet home. In the span of putting Henry down, there were at least seven friends I had to walk through the experience of pet grief with, and thought: “Wow, I wish I could give them a book on everything so they wouldn’t feel so alone.” However, when I submitted this book to publishers, I kept hearing the same story. “This is beautiful, I’m crying, it’s not a fit for us…” Every publisher I sent the book to gave me the kindest rejections I’ve ever experienced in my fifteen years as a published author, but I couldn’t help but think of the friends who, like me, had no template for this kind of grief.
While these setbacks caused me to literally put the project on pause, I knew I had to tell mine (and Henry’s) story even if a marketing department could not see the vision. This is a very special project, and my hope is that a Kickstarter will allow me to deliver it to the readers who need it most.
If ever I had to put something completely personal on the line knowing that it boiled down to an individual’s relationship to the art, it’s Life on Paws. I’m no stranger to the Kickstarter community, so I’ve built modest goals with rewards that make the book as great and memorable as it can be. I’ve always had a strong vision for the final product: a square-bound volume that is sized to gift to loved ones in need. At the end of the day, the goal with Life on Paws is to heal people and celebrate how great it was to have a pet, and give a story to the people who need to move forward after losing their soul animal.
This interview kicks off with absolute chaos and doesn't slow down until the credits roll. Brian Michael "B-Money" Bendis and Soo Lee join Dan to talk about WELCOME TO TWILIGHT Issue #2. This is their first installment in the Minor Threats Universe! We dig into their issue, their new characters, and so much more in our extremely fun chat. Oh also, Bendis talks about the time he signed a living breathing dog, but he had NOTHING to do with the CGC grading!
WELCOME TO TWILIGHT is the first anthology series from the world of Minor Threats that lines up absolute superstar teams to tell stories set through the Minor Threats Universe. In Issue 2, A brand-new character so dangerous she was never spoken of until now. Find out her connections to the past and how they’re gonna affect the future of the city. Co-created by the creator of the Peabody-winning Jessica Jones and the Bram Stoker (Not Stroker, that's a very different and much sexier award show which we talk about) award-winning co-creator of Carmilla, Soo Lee!
Soo Lee talks about the design of the new character Dokkaebi with her own heritage and anime influences. As someone who is an expert on the Minor Threats universe, she is my favorite addition since Crab Louie. She fits so well, and I cannot wait to see where she goes from this absolutely STELLAR introduction WELCOME TO TWILIGHT.
Bendis discusses his return not only to writing cape comics but also to writing comics in a shared space like this. He discusses how inspiring the duo of Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum is as someone who loves collaborating with people. We all spend a lot of time gushing over Minor Threats, and I am not sorry about it. If you aren't reading the Minor Threats line... You're missing out on the absolute ultimate thing in comics.
For a long time, I was worried that I had burned myself out of my love of superhero comics. Nothing was making me excited to just talk about DC Comics, specifically like it did when I was growing up. My brother and I have been talking about these characters our whole lives as a site/podcast for years now. So, losing that spark was weighing on me, but recently, that spark was reignited with such a fire that burns harder than ever. The reason is the Absolute Universe. I don't think I am the only one either because the conversation about these books all over the place is overwhelmingly positive and upbeat in every space I see. People are just having fun reading these books and talking about them. I was lucky enough to sit down with Scott Snyder for the first time to talk about the Absolute Universe.
We started our conversation out by talking about a touchstone for both of us which is horror. Snyder got his start and cut his teeth in the horror world, and it's something he has never left, even with Absolute Batman. But we quickly switch to the Absolute universe and it's conception. We get into all the facets of the universe to it's birth, conception, what's to come, and more. Scott talks about how he ended up on Batman and his reluctance to even write the book, which comes as a shock if you have read the book.
Scott Snyder reveals his one non-negotiable for this book, which ended up being what made this version of Batman so impactful as a modern version of Batman. Scott also reveals a LOT about Darkseid since the events of the events of DC ALL IN. Be sure to check it out if you want to know how the Absolute books came to be and what the universe is all about or what the goal of the books are!
We are no strangers to the Minor Threats universe that Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, and Scott Hepburn created. We've spoken to them a few times about the world, but now we are chatting with the creator of the newest spinoff, The Brood. Heath Corson, I.N.J. Culbard, and Nate Piekos bring a tale of fatherhood, legacy, and connection to a cape setting with the utmost vulnerability in its storytelling. Listen as Heath and Dan discuss the book's themes, sandwiches, and more.
We were lucky enough to read the final issue of the series, which ties everything together in one of the best conclusions in a comic. It is a testament to the strength of the Minor Threats line to tell big stories in a familiar caped setting while never sacrificing storytelling.
From the world of the hit Minor Threats series comes a family drama starring the planet's most feared villains. Napoleon Archimedes is the archnemesis of The Searcher, and he’s fought her to a standstill for over four decades in the futuristic metropolis of Meteor Falls. But now, as he confronts his mortality, he’s forced to name a successor from his three extraordinary children: Athena, Benjamin, and Spookshow. Each brilliant, cunning ... and unlucky enough to be the child of the world’s greatest supervillain. See, Napoleon believed he was smart enough to have it all: Raise a family AND conquer the world. Then he thought: Why not combine them? Take the kids on as partners. Create a dynasty... None of it went according to plan. Who will rise above the betrayal, failure, and dysfunction to seize the family business? Join us for an unlikely coming-of-age story that wrestles with the concussions and repercussions of getting raised by a once-in-a-generation criminal mind. Think your father is manipulative, cold, and demanding...? Wait until you meet Napoleon.
We had the chance to chat with Emmy award-winning producer Paul Martin about his latest project, Onside: Major League Soccer, which dives deeper into the world of the US soccer league. It's an incredible series that brings stories from the background to the forefront to give a better look into the world of soccer. Dan and Paul discuss sports story narratives, personalities, and more! It's made Dan go so far as to look into going to a few Philadelphia Union games this season, which is heavily featured in episode 3. Take a listen.
Go beyond the pitch with the personalities that power MLS. With unprecedented access to players, coaches, and clubs, this series explores the electrifying moments and captivating stories that make the 2024 season unforgettable. Each episode takes viewers deeper into the world of Major League Soccer, offering an unfiltered look at the players beyond the pitch—balancing family life, navigating relationships, overcoming injuries, and enduring heartbreaking losses—all while chasing the ultimate goal: winning the 2024 MLS Cup.
Onside: Major League Soccer” featuring some of the sport’s most prolific athletes and leaders including Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls), Olivier Giroud (LAFC), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew), Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati Head Coach), Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew Head Coach), David Beckham (Inter Miami Owner), and many more.
Produced for Apple by Box to Box Films in partnership with Major League Soccer, the eight-episode docuseries is out now!
Executive producers include Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (“Senna,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “Amy”), Emmy Award winner Paul Martin (Apple TV+’s “Make or Break,” “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”) and Hillary Olsen (“Faceoff: Inside The NHL”), along with showrunner Steve Rankin (“Naked and Afraid,” “Man vs Wild”).
1) Back to Glory
Amid Messi Mania, Miami and the LA Galaxy gear up for a huge early-season test. Riqui Puig opens up about the pressure of superstar expectations.
2) Hell Is Real
Ohio’s heated rivalry reignites. As kickoff nears, stars and managers discuss what’s at stake, the will to compete, and leaving it all on the pitch.
3) Young Blood
Cavan Sullivan signs with Philly at age 14. The countdown is on for the Homegrown phenom to make his debut as the youngest MLS player ever.
4) City Blues
Second-year club St. Louis CITY are under pressure to build a winning culture. A rematch against arch-rivals Sporting KC raises the stakes.
5) Kings of New York
Who runs NYC? A case is made in the Hudson River Derby’s playoff debut. RBNY’s rising star John Tolkin feels the heat of the spotlight.
6) The Window
Clubs go hunting for new talent in the summer transfer window, where deals get done—or fall apart—and stars arrive in the month-long frenzy.
7) The Big Decision
Atlanta United’s long road back to title contention hits a tipping point. A Decision Day miracle sets up a Round One duel against Inter Miami and Messi.
8) Legacy
With Messi eliminated, it’s anyone’s MLS Cup. Riqui Puig’s injury stuns the LA Galaxy as they get set to battle the New York Red Bulls for the title.
Today, we are speaking with the producers Caroline Marsden and David Glover about their documentary series Vietnam: The War That Changed America. This isn't our typical coverage, but this documentary reminded me that people can do something good despite the horrors of a situation. With the use of archival footage, the team working on the documentary was able to reunite veterans years after the war. The series is guided by the voices of soldiers who were nothing more than children when they fought in a war without winners. Upon their return, they were treated like monsters despite so many never asking to fight at all... this docuseries is worth the one-month subscription to Apple TV +.
Synopsis:
The unique series, narrated by Ethan Hawke, combines first-person testimony and immersive archival footage to tell the extraordinary, personal, and profoundly human stories of those who lived through the war and the changed America that emerged in its wake, commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the war in Vietnam. Each episode features powerful reunions and the emotional stories told by those who faced agonizing life-or-death situations and impossible moral decisions. Across six episodes, a picture also builds of the profound changes to America itself and a very different country that emerged from the war.
"Vietnam: The War That Changed America” is produced for Apple TV+ by the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning team at 72 Films, directed by Rob Coldstream (“John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial”) and produced by Caroline Marsden (“9/11: One Day in America”), with executive producers David Glover ("9/11: One Day in America”) and Mark Raphael (“Crime and Punishment”). This series marks the second collaboration for Apple TV+ and 72 Films, following the launch of “John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial” last year.
West Hollywood Monster Squad is out NOW! The GLAAD Award-winning dynamic duo writer Sina Grace and artist Bradley Clayton stop by the show to talk about their action-packed queer action horror monster romp.
West Hollywood Monster Squad is a book that finds a unique voice by celebrating its identity and influences while still having gut-punching emotional moments of facing queer artists. Sina Grace's humor is on full display with bits that land with a laugh with well-developed character relationships and dynamics. There is a heavy influence of Pokemon in the book that digs into the themes of growth in a really unique way. It's a book that I was not expecting, and I ended up reading in the best way.
Getting to read a full comic of Bradley Clayton's art is a dream come true. There is a thin line between bias and criticism for me here because I have been following Clayton's art before they put their first stories out. I also have a commission from them hanging in my office. But I want you to know it's not leaning towards bias, which you will be able to tell once you read. Clayton's fascination with shape and color is a power play for this book and its characters. Each is distinct in their body shape but also in their fashion choices. Clayton is an artist who you will know if you don't already because they are one of the most talented individuals working in the space. If you don't believe me, wait till you see the splash pages.
Please pick up West Hollywood Monster Club wherever you buy your comics!
Synopsis
A group of high schoolers get more than they bargained for when the drag show they’re attending is attacked by monsters in this funny YA graphic novel from acclaimed queer comics creator Sina Grace
Marvin Matocho just wanted to have a simple night out with his friends at the local drag show. But when a mysterious pink snow starts to fall, Marvin finds himself the hero of his own story when Los Angeles suddenly becomes overrun by monsters.
Now he, along with his group of friends consisting of several queer teens, a drag queen, and a 50-something bar manager, are the only folks who can prevent the complete annihilation of the city—that is, if they can sort through their personal issues before they become dead meat.
As they fight for their lives through a thrilling night, the gang must work together to discover who’s behind the sinister pink snow. With the city of angels overrun with demons, these misfits will have to solve the mystery—or die trying.
It's that wonderful time of the year: sweater weather, hot chocolate, and watching killers incorporate Christmas knick-knacks to create festive kills! We had the pleasure of sitting down with Angele (Belles of Horror) to chat about these five films that made things merry and bloody! Whether you're a horror fanatic or just looking to spice up your holiday movie lineup, these films deliver chills and cheer in equal measure.
- A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
A chilling anthology that intertwines multiple Christmas-themed tales of terror, featuring everything from zombie elves to a Krampus showdown with Santa Claus.
Why Watch: The seamless blend of humor and horror, topped with William Shatner as a radio DJ narrating the chaos, makes this a holiday must-watch.
- A Wonderful Knife (2023)
This darkly comedic slasher is an homage to the Frank Capra classic as it reimagines Christmas cheer with a sharp edge, where the season of giving turns into a season of survival
Why Watch: It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie got lost in a slasher film—unexpected, gory, and oddly heartwarming.
- Krampus (2015)
When a dysfunctional family loses their holiday spirit, they summon the wrath of Krampus, the terrifying anti-Santa of folklore, and learn the true/terrifying meaning of Christmas.
Why Watch: The mix of practical effects, dark humor, and a wonderful cast creates a modern holiday horror classic.
- Violent Night (2022)
Santa Claus himself takes up arms to save a family held hostage on Christmas Eve in this action-packed thrill ride.
Why Watch: Ever wondered what would happen if Santa went full John Wick? This film answers that question with hilarious and bloody results.
- Gremlins (1984)
What starts out as a charming and furry Christmas gift quickly turns into chaos when mischievous creatures run amok in a small town.
Why Watch: A nostalgic blend of horror and comedy, Gremlins is the ultimate Christmas creature feature that still holds up decades later.
So, grab some eggnog, cozy up by the fire, and join us as we explore the darker, wilder side of Christmas movies. This episode will have you laughing, screaming, and appreciating the holiday spirit in ways you never expected. And yes, Canada is mentioned…a lot.
Skybound Comics Energon Universe has been a beautifully crafted road to a shared universe for original characters, Transformers, and G.I. JOE. The Joe side of the universe has been ramping up with a series of mini series that have lead to GI JOE #1 which is on sale now. We were lucky enough to sit down with Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly to chat about the universe and the debut issue. We also took some time to get into wrestling amongst other topics.
With GI Joe, there is a huge plastic legacy with the toys being a huge component of the popularity of the series. Joshua and Tom talk about how the toys have influenced their work but haven't been shoehorned in. They discuss the freedom that Hasbro has allowed them to have.
Dan asks about his favorite divas of the Energon Universe when they discuss Cobra Commander and Destroy. All three geek out about a certain Destro figure that came out a few years ago.
In this year’s GateSlashers podcast special, hosts Dan and Ethan sit down to talk about IT, the two-part film adaption of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel.
Released in 2017, IT Chapter One, directed by Andy Muschietti, adapted one half of King’s novel, focusing on a group of teen outcasts known as the Loser’s Club as they encounter a malevolent entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in their hometown of Derry, Maine.
IT Chapter Two, released in 2019, again directed by Muschietti, finds the Loser’s Club reuniting 27 years later to once again face-off with a returned Pennywise.
On the podcast, we discuss our love of these films, how they are a shining example of studio horror, and true fear brought on by Pennywise. We also dive into the perfect casting across the board, from the young Loser’s Club to their adult counterparts, and the sublimely terrifying performance by Bill Skarsgård as the titular IT, Pennywise.
Booger is a recently released body horror film that takes a very different approach to losing control of your life. We had the chance to sit down and chat with the star Grace Glowicki and the writer-director Mary Dauterman to chat about the film. We dived into the life and energy of felines, some costume choices, and body horror.
The film is a refreshing take on the body horror genre that focuses heavily on the main character and her transformation. There are some scenes that stick with you as Anna changes further into something more like a cat. Glowicki sells the fear of her self as she loses control as the horrors progress. I genuinely don't think I will look at my cats and hairballs ever the same again after watching the film. That is why I would give it 5 stars if I gave ratings because films that stick with you are the ones that I want to give my time to.
New Yorker Anna has just suffered the sudden and unexpected death of her best friend and roommate, Izzy. She's trying to handle this loss when Izzy's cat, Booger, runs away. Anna goes on a desperate search to find him and in the process, she is bitten on the hand by the cat. She soon begins to take on feline characteristics, and her work life and relationship with her boyfriend start to go downhill.
Featuring a widely praised performance by Grace Glowicki (TITO, STRAWBERRY MANSION), BOOGER is a one-of-a-kind film blending body horror with comedy in a story of intense female friendship and its tragic loss, all backgrounded by a tale of supernatural transformation.
The film also stars Garrick Bernard (Single Drunk Female), Marcia DeBonis (SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING, 13 GOING ON 30), David Rysdahl (OPPENHEIMER, Fargo), and indie cult icon Heather Matarazzo (WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, SCREAM 3).
BOOGER is produced by Lexi Tannenholtz (Shudder’s BAD THINGS) and executive produced by Neon Heart Productions (CORA BORA), Ley Line Entertainment (EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE), Sanctuary Content, One Two Twenty Entertainment (JOYLAND) and Lizzie Shapiro (SHIVA BABY).
After recovering from a life-threatening sickness, JH Williams III embarked on an art journey that ended up with the creation of something familiar but almost entirely new, Dracula: A Storybook Portfolio. The book is 50 individual art pieces drawn to illustrate the novel Dracula in a way that only JH could deliver. We had the chance to sit down and discuss the project at length which you can listen to here.
Dracula and vampires as a whole were never my cup of tea until the past few years when I finally committed to prying open the coffin to get into the monster that so many people adore. This version of Dracula is what I think I needed to solidify my love of the monster. JH Williams careful craftsmanship of the story with full-page art mirrored by condensed text pages deliver one of the best ways to celebrate the vampire so many adore. There are so many pages in this book that I lingered on because the scene was so captivating as the powers that vampires themselves possess.
There is a level of mastery in this book that is handcrafted by one person that is unlike anything else. Dracula: A Storybook Portfolio feels like a showcase for Williams to show off what he can do beyond just his art. The lettering in this book is done by him as well, with a few small uses of breaking the form that is so effective for a small tweak of placement. This is one book you need to pick up to have on your shelf because it uses the format of the graphic novel to experiment with more of a storybook-type retelling of the story. It's simply one of my newest favorite books. Getting to see a master at play with full-page spreads with each flip is worth every penny.
If it feels like it has only been a few weeks since we had the chance to chat with the cast and crew of Solar Opposites, it's because it has. But this time, they brought along Dan Stevens and Mary Mack for Halloween! This is the first time after many interviews with the cast where I get to chat with the entire family in one go. It makes for a very special interview.
THE SOLAR OPPOSITES ARE BACK BABY FOR THEIR DIRECT SEQUEL TO THE FIRST HALLOWEEN SPECIAL. The special "Halloween Special Part 2: The Hunt for Brown October" picks up after the first where they literally murdered the Great Pumpkin but the bad news is that Korvo is now becoming the Great Pumpkin himself. But that's not enough for a Solar Opposites special because the family is also trying to join to local country club. It's one heck of a halloween special that you do not want to miss for this years hashtag huluween.
This was another incredible special in a line of weird holiday specials for the Solars. The addition of Dan Stevens to the show has been a huge blessing to the show dynamic with his Korvo really clicking into the dynamics. There are some cameos at the country club that are just some of the funniest visual gags but one of them has a title gag we have seen in the show before with Marvel's Wolverine that is a great bit. With the show actually building upon itself year after year, we get to see different things play out this year especially with the B plot. I am being as vague as possible because I want you to watch it after listening to the cast and crew talk about halloween, candy, and costumes. But if you know how to kill a witch, the Solar family really could use that information.
It’s been a minute since we were joined by Tom King on the show. If you checked the length of this episode then you know we had a LOT to catch up on. Between the last interview and now, Tom has been pretty busy making comics. Not only has he had all of his work at DC but is back to the creator owned world as well. Plus he’s a big wig in Hollywood now too so he has been a bit busy.
On the episode, Dan and Tom King catch up on all the projects he’s had. Our main focuses of the episode are the new series Black Canary: Best of the Best and Archie. But Dan makes sure to try to pull a little bit of everything into the interview with Tom as much as he can.
With the focus of Tom King’s new Black Canary series, Dan gets to ask about wrestling. Tom drops some wrestling lingo and gets into the face and heel discussion about Canary and Lady Shiva. If you weren’t already excited for this upcoming series, then you’re going to walk away from this interview ready to pre-order it from your LCS or Tom and I’s shop, Third Eye Comics!
They also get the chance to talk about Tom’s recent one shot at Archie. Tom talks about the impact of Archie Comics on his children, him, and how one of the internets favorite members of the King family, Roxy, got a starring role. We talk about getting to work with the incredible Dan Parent in the Archie style.
And if you thought this interview would end without us talking about Trinity and those Super Sons then you’d be dead wrong. We talk a bit about legacy in the DCU universe before focusing on these three. We talk about Damian’s Taylor Swift/Black Canary crush, how the reference image for the stadium might be Lincoln Finacial Field in Philly (go birds), and the evolving nature of this new trios dynamic in the DC Universe.
Pornsak Pichetshote is one of the most creative powerhouses in comics who's work never misses. That may be a bold statement to make but Pornsak has backed it with citations galore. From his Eisner and Harvey Award-winning The Good Asian to his prolific horror debut as a writer, Pornsak's work has taken a 360 approach to the perspective on the themes his work explores. Now, along with an absolute cornucopia of talented creators, he is helping bring The Horizon Experiment to shelves. I personally am asking you to support this line of 5 one shots because each is a unique genre story from perspectives we don't see in comics.
The Horizon Experiment is just that, an experiment. 5 creative teams are putting out 5 one-shots that can continue into a series if there is demand. The challenge for each team was to create a protagonist from a marginalized background set in a popular genre where if the background of your character was changed so would the story. I have had the please of reading Pornsak and the Dodsons' The Manchurian (sexy bombastic Chinese James Bond super spy) and The Sacred Damned (a Muslim John Constantine that flips the script on what you typically see with demonology) from Sabir Pirzada and Micheal Walsh. Both stories blew me away to the point that I have already read both multiple times. Pornsak Pichetshote goes through the creative teams to explain why each was built for each book to bring authenticity unlike anything I have seen before.
Typically for interviews and podcasts, writing this portion is always the hardest part because it's hard to summarize a conversation to demonstrate how much goes on. But this one came easy because nothing excites me like going against the grain to create something unique. Pornsak Pichetshote and his whole crew are bringing five one shots that you need to pre-order so we can get more of them. These are the comics we need to see more of in the industry. They don't read like they were built to become IP, they read like they are artistic teams that want to show that there is so much more outside your own experiences in only a way comics can do it.
Pre-order these books. All of them.
I have never been shy about how much I love Solar Opposites. Season 5 is no exception to that rule. It is another installment in the Opposites families' mission to terraform Earth but more importantly to have wacky sci-fi adventures on Earth with the Pupa. I was lucky enough to chat with the cast and producers of the show about this season and what makes them laugh still after so much time in comedy.
This season of Solar Opposites continues to build on the stories and world of the Opposites after the wedding of Terry and Korvo in the Valentine's Day Special. The show has embraced their relationship a lot more in the later seasons but this one really gives a few spotlight episodes on it that really highlights why I keep coming back to my favorite family of aliens on Hulu. Dan Stevens and Thomas Middleditch play off one another very well as the two parents of the family unit. Terry also has some of the best shirts of the series in this season as well.
Solar Opposites is a show that every single television fan should watch because of how well they balance their stories while having two nearly full other shows going on inside their own. The Wall storyline has been going on for years with full eras of storytelling that we get a refresher on in this season in a very fun way. But The Wall gets a soft reboot into The Backyard this year with a fresh story with Clancy Brown at the helm. It's something you do not want to miss because it's such a great bit of storytelling that lampoons what it could have been while still being an original storyline going on alongside Opposites B plots.
But there is the Green Lanterns Silver Cops storyline going on at the same time as well which gets it's own incredible opening and theme song. There are Starship Trooper elements this season while dealing with the idea that the military may also be the baddies. It's a very funny and surprisingly action-packed storyline this season. There is also a few moments I felt myself feeling a bit sad for the characters which I was not expecting when this absolutely bonkers storyline began.
Solar Opposites cannot be contained to genre. 40 more seasons of Solar.
WELCOME BACK THE ANNUAL ANIME AUGUST! This year’s theme is Blonde Boy Summer! Listen as today Jake and Ethan take on the viking epic, Vinland Saga!
Jake gets to nerd out about the beloved seinen series and Ethan and his homeland of Wales get prominently featured in the tales of Thorfinn and Askeladd!
Join as they look at the story of Thorfinn as he begins his journey to avenge his unjustly slain father and how that leads him down a dark path of a warrior. Is it possible for Thorfinn to turn back to the kind soul he was before he watched a viking chief kill his father or will the young man be forced to live with the consequences of his actions? The answer can totally be both after his revenge is stripped from him.
Will Askeladd live up to the legends of his forefathers or will he be a casualty of the Norse and Dane political theater in the viking quest for the treasure of England? Who knows but we do that Ethan is happy to see Wales in something that isn’t just Doctor Who! Not only that to properly see King Arthur mentioned as a figure not of British legends but specifically Welsh!
Totally watch as Thorfinn begins to understand his father’s words as he tears across the English country side in Askeladd’s band of warriors. A series filled with bloodshed, tears, hope and eventually farming. The early quest to the new world is right on the horizon for young Thorfinn! All aboard with Thorfinn, Leif, and Askeladd in the most complicated coming of age story to ever be ripped from old legendary viking tales!
Huzzah have a nice Blonde Boy Summer! Ramble ramble ramble ramble. I wonder if I, the marvelous Jake, have hit enough words yet! Anime anime anime. Manga manga manga.
I have been following Matthew Erman's comic career for a while and watching it evolve over time. The themes that have been explored in each of his stories have related in one way or another in some ways but they all feel like they were leading up to Loving, Ohio. I was lucky enough to read the comic last year and have not been able to stop thinking about it since. It's a beautiful horror graphic novel dealing with family, belonging, and understanding the systems on which you can rely.
The story itself deals a lot with a cult and such which the author Matthew Erman was in for a bit of his life. We don't get into that too much into this interview because to be honest, I felt it wasn't a topic I felt relevant to our VERY open and honest discussion. We talk about so many things in this interview. Matthew talks very openly about the comics industry in ways that I had never even fathomed to think of point of view wise before. It's a very in depth conversation about shelf space, belonging, and chances. It's an interview that I am very proud of presenting to you that was inspired by a book that I have been comfortable calling the horror comic of the year since year.
I can firmly say that Loving, Ohio is still my favorite horror comic of 2024 and on my must-read list for anyone looking for a story if they've ever deal with any feelings of loneliness, depression, or not belonging. The art and letters by Sam Beck synchronize so perfectly with the themes and feelings that it seems Matthew Erman was going for to elevate it to an instant classic in my book. I do not do ratings but if I did, this would be a 5 star book. I hope you pick it up and listen to this interview.
Welcome back to Super Crash Bros! This is a podcast series dedicated to kicking open the door to your next favorite Nintendo series!
At last we reach the finale of Super Crash Bros with the ultimate crossover fighting gam franchise, Super Smash Bros!
Jon and Amanda reunite once again to discuss the madness of Masahiro “Daddy” Sakurai’s ultimate creation. They discuss the game’s wild origins, starting in 1999 on the Nintendo 64. The game first started as a prototype that Sakurai and future Nintendo president Satoru Iwata worked on. However, they decided to add Nintendo characters for funsies.
The duo then discuss the meteoric rise of the series, continuing with Super Smash Bros Melee for the GameCube, Super Smash Bros Brawl for the Wii (along with one of the best story modes for a fighting game ever, The Subspace Emissary), Super Smash Bros for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and, finally, Super Smash Bros Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch.
Finally, the duo also talk about their favorite weapons and items to use in the game, as well as their favorite characters. Kinda wild Nintendo got away with a lightsaber by calling it a Beam Sword.
Come on, come all, for the grand finale of Super Crash Bros!!
Welcome back to Super Crash Bros! This is a podcast series dedicated to kicking open the door to your next favorite Nintendo series!
In the third episode, Jon and Amanda hop on the Warp Star to talk about everyone’s favorite adorable pink puffball god killer, Kirby! Kirby began life as the creation of one Masahiro Sakurai, who would eventually go on to create the world-renowned Super Smash Bros franchise. But more on that game soon enough…
Anyways, both Jon and Amanda R discuss how the simplistic nature of the series has kept people coming back for over 30 years at this point. They also talk about how Kirby is possibly the strongest, most OP character in the Nintendo universe. The dude kills gods like he’s collecting Pokemon cards, the mad lad.
Also, the topic of Kirby being people’s instance of “My First Vore” may or may not be brought up at some point. Though, to be honest, are you really shocked?
The duo also mention Kirby’s other ventures outside of video games. This includes the Kirby anime, Kirby Right Back at Ya!, which aired on the FoxBox back in the 00s. They discuss how much it absolutely rules and how it might have been the intro for one of them to Kirby’s world.
Also, shoutout to Meta Knight. Bro absolutely RULES.
Welcome back to Super Crash Bros! This is a new season of GateCrashers dedicated to kicking open the door to your next favorite Nintendo series!
In the second episode, Jon and RJ venture to the land of Hyrule to discuss one of their favorite video games series of all time, The Legend of Zelda. They are joined, for the very first time in her podcast debut, by Jon’s girlfriend Amanda!
Amanda experienced the Zelda series for the very first time when she borrowed Jon’s copy of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to see why her boyfriend kept hyping this series up. She immediately fell for the open world of Hyrule and this game and the fact that you are able to do ANYTHING. She found the gateway to her new favorite world, and since that’s the whole essence of GateCrashers is about, she was the perfect guest for this episode.
The three adventurers also discuss how Jon and RJ got into the series, how they all played Breath of the Wild in vastly different ways (hint: Amanda really likes apples in this game), the absolutely wild and what makes this series so enjoyable nearly 40 years after the original game in the series was released for the NES.
It also wouldn’t be a GateCrashers episode without the trio bringing some kind of chaotic energy to the mix and boy howdy do they. They talk about how Link and the Zora….well, just listen to the episode to find out.
Also, be sure to peep the site to check out the Zelda music ranking list Jon created last year when the sequel to Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, was coming out! It’s a completely normal list that definitely isn’t the most insane thing he’s ever written. No sireee Bob just a regular music ranking!
Welcome to Super Crash Bros! This season takes a look at our favorite Nintendo franchises before culminating in the ultimate discussion of the ultimate fighting game, Super Smash Bros!
In this inaugural episode, Jon and Dan kick off the season by getting sucked into a parallel dimension ruled by evolved dinosaurs turned into humans….I mean get sucked into a warp pipe and discuss everyone’s favorite Italian plumber created by the Japanese, Mario! Mario is well known today since getting his big start in 1985’s Super Mario Bros, released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. But back then, he was just known as Jumpman, the biggest pain in Donkey Kong’s ass in the game Donkey Kong. The game was Nintendo’s first big hit. Honestly, Mario’s kind of a dick in this one. Just let the dude live life, you know?
Anyway, Dan and Jon discuss the character’s origins (including the wild reason behind his name), the series’ enduring legacy and why people keep coming back to it time and time again. The Super Duo also discusses the numerous spin offs Mario and friends received (shoutout to the RPG side of things), his reach beyond video games (theme parks, films, television, cereal, etc)., and what’s the perfect game to get into the series. Plus, Dan talks about why he believes in AMAB (All Marios Are Bastards) and how Mario’s a huge boot licker to royalty.
Super Mario Bros? More like Super Bowser Bros amirite!
Today is a very special episode! Dan gets the chance to interview another one of his favorite artists in comics, Sway! Joshua Swaby stops by to chat about their new art book that is currently crowd funding on Zoop. Make sure you check out the Zoop campaign here and get your copy before the campaign ends! Dan and Joshua talk about a wide arrange of things from a truly wholesome real life interaction to art. They take some time to chat about Joshua's cover art work and how the approach creating each one. We talk about the development of their most recent Wonder Woman cover to show how they are approaching posing and dynamics that go into each of their covers.
Sway and Dan also discuss the design elements that go into all of Joshua's work with every character. We talk about their approach to super suits and redesigning things for commissions. They also get into some of the sketches that are included in the book. Dan talks about his appreciation for Josh drawing different body types which they talk about for a bit as well! Joshua Sway also talks about the future and what it would take for them to do interiors for a comic!
Make sure you are supporting the Zoop campaign and buying all of Joshua's covers!
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Today we have an EXTRA special episode of the GateCrashers Podcast. Patrick and Amanda finally convince Bernadette to join the Pod to talk about all things queer media! This special episode covers a range of media types with LGBT+ characters and themes, both textual and subtextual, including Rent, Glee, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, Adventure Time, Moonlight, Steven Universe, The Owl House, Gravity Falls, The Little Mermaid, Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files, Inuyasha, Will & Grace, the slate of shows on Dropout, and more!
The hosts dive into some important moments in their own consumption of queer media, including the first shows they remember seeing growing up with explicitly LGBT+ characters. They discuss how some historically groundbreaking queer media, despite its importance at the time, aren’t necessarily perfect representations of queer folk. Amanda, Bernadette, and Patrick also have a discussion about the history of queer-coded villains (and discover that Ursula in The Little Mermaid was inspired by none other than the iconic Drag Queen Divine). They go on to talk about fanfiction/fanart and the role it shaped in both their own lives as queer folks consuming media (including today), as well as how it can help bring new life and complexity to characters from existing franchises.
Bernadette, Patrick, and Amanda also talk about the current state of media (are shows being canceled because of diverse representation or because Hollywood just sucks now?); the risks to LGBT+ content from big, soul-sucking media companies; the role that smaller, independent media plays in this new landscape; and what they think the future of queer media looks like. All-in-all just three queer folks talking about gay stuff. Patrick and Amanda even argue in this one!
So come join us and give a listen as we celebrate some of our favorite queer media this Pride Month! As always, we here at GateCrashers hope that we can kick open the door to your next favorite thing, and hopefully, this time that new thing is a little gay! Remember, never stop fighting for queer liberation and for the liberation of all of our siblings across the world.
Today's episode is a very special episode for the host Dan. Not only does he get to interview one of the artists who defines what comics look like for him but he gets to interview a close friend and a personal hero. Dave Wielgosz and Dan have been friends since college where Dave set out to become a comic book writer. Since then, Dave has worked tirelessly to fulfill that dream and ended up becoming an associate editor on Batman. He was doing this while writing all of his favorite characters. This is his first story after betting on himself and going to become a writer full time. This breaks our normal intro format but I just need to say that I could not be more proud of my friend and he inspires me every day.
In this episode we are talking about this dynamic duo's story in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Black, White, & Green #3 which will be on sale on July 31st but you FOC closes on June 24th. What that means is that if you want to make sure your store has a copy, call them today and preorder it! It helps stores know what you want and makes sure they have enough for everyone. I was lucky enough to get to read their story early and I can tell you it's worth every penny. The art is sharp and dynamic while using the limited color palette like a sharpened kitana to fight foot ninjas in the subways of NYC. I cannot say enough good things about this homage to Frank Miller's Sin City.
We also dive a bit into Dave and Riley Rossmo's previous works together which include the INCREDIBLE Martian Manhunter which you need to read. Riley talks about his approach to character design and why he makes characters look the way they do which is much more thematic then most people may think. Dan and the duo also talk about the importance of color and how Riley uses it in their short story. Riley also teaches Dan a new term that he has to write down to use at a later date so he sounds like a smarty pants art critique.
Nicole Maines made history when she joined Season 4 of The CW's Supergirl in 2018 as the first transgender superhero in live-action; Nia Nal, known as Dreamer. Maines has continued her involvement with Dreamer's story since the show ended in 2021, first with stories in the DC Pride anthologies, including penning the introduction for 2022's entry, and further appearances in books such as Superman: Son of Kal-El and Lazarus Planet.
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1 / Maines, Barrows, Ferreira, Lucas, Carey / DC Comics Now, Nicole Maines is back to write more of Dreamer's adventures. Firstly in an ongoing series, Suicide Squad: Dream Team, which sees her joining Task Force X with artist Eddy Barrows. And secondly, in Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story, an original YA graphic novel which sees Maines teaming up with artist Rye Hickman to tell Dreamer's origin story.
Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story / Maines, Hickman / DC Comics We were lucky enough to be joined on the podcast by Nicole Maines to chat all about these new books, and maybe m
Adapt Deez, a brand new season of GateCrashers, is dedicated to appreciating media adaptations in all their many forms! From the classic book-to-movie adaptations to the many iterations associated and in-between, episodes of Adapt Deez will focus on a specific property and its (officially licensed) adaptations. Not simply a recounting of the differences and similarities between each adaptation, Adapt Deez aims to highlight the ways in which each iteration shines and how its individual media-specific properties—such as film scores, casting, and packaging—elevate the material and affect the way each work is received.
In today’s episode, Amanda and Jon discuss the many iterations of The Lightning Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackon & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Originally published in 2005, The Lightning Thief has gone on to receive critical acclaim and has since spawned numerous adaptations and launched the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles, a media franchise consisting of various mediums, including three additional book series, several standalone novels, graphic novel adaptations, short story collections, films, a television series, a musical, a video game, and more.
The Lightning Thief follows 12-year-old Percy Jackson, who lives with ADHD and dyslexia. When on a school field trip, he encounters a Fury, a goddess of vengeance sent to eliminate him. Though he survives the encounter, nothing about Percy’s life will ever be the same, especially when he learns that his best friend Grover is actually a satyr assigned to protect him and his favorite teacher turns out to be a centaur named Chiron. Things continue to spiral until Percy arrives at Camp Half-Blood—a protective stronghold for demigods, or children of Greek gods—and is informed that Zeus believes Percy has stolen his master lightning bolt, sending Percy on a dangerous quest to retrieve it or risk further peril.
Focusing on the first book, Amanda and Jon dive into both the 2010 film adaptation Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief—directed by Chris Columbus and starring “white boy of the century” Logan Lerman as the titular Percy Jackson—and the recently released Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians (with a special shout out to the Off-Broadway musical of the same name).
Adapt Deez, a brand new season of GateCrashers, is dedicated to appreciating media adaptations in all their many forms! From the classic book-to-movie adaptations to the many iterations associated and in-between, episodes of Adapt Deez will focus on a specific property and its (officially licensed) adaptations. Not simply a recounting of the differences and similarities between each adaptation, Adapt Deez aims to highlight the ways in which each iteration shines and how its individual media-specific properties—such as film scores, casting, and packaging—elevate the material and affect the way each work is received.
In today’s episode, Amanda, Amir, and Jon discuss the Academy Award-winning movie The Social Network. The film—which received eight nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for leading man Jesse Eisenberg, and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing—released in 2010 from Sony Pictures, and was directed by David Fincher. The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, and was adapted from The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal, a work of narrative nonfiction by Ben Mezrich that was published in 2009 by Doubleday.
The Social Network tells the story of the founding of social media service Facebook in 2004 by Harvard college students Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Andrew McCollum. Focusing primarily on the relationship—and fall out—between Zuckerberg, played by Eisenberg, and Saverin, portrayed by Andrew Garfield in what would become his international breakthrough role, The Social Network spans several years from Facebook’s inception to the depositions between Zuckerberg and Saverin, and Zuckerberg and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer/Josh Pence), twins and fellow Harvard students.
If you think that sounds dry, just wait until you witness Amanda, Amir, and Jon’s dramatic reenactments of iconic scenes—we guarantee you’ll be just as riveted by this biographical drama as we were more than a decade ago.
Adapt Deez, a brand new season of GateCrashers, is dedicated to appreciating media adaptations in all their many forms! From the classic book-to-movie adaptations to the many iterations associated and in between, episodes of Adapt Deez will focus on a specific property and its (officially licensed) adaptations. Not simply a recounting of the differences and similarities between each adaptation, Adapt Deez aims to highlight the ways in which each iteration shines and how its individual media-specific properties—such as film scores, casting, and packaging—elevate the material and affect the way each work is received.
In the first episode of the season, Amanda, Patrick, and Jon discuss the book Holes by Louis Sachar, which was published in 1998. The Newbery Medal-winning novel follows 14-year-old Stanley Yelnats who, following a false criminal accusation, is sentenced to 18 months at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile correctional boot camp in Texas. Stanley imagines a picturesque, lakeside facility, at which he’ll participate in classic character-building activities. But when he arrives, he learns that Camp Green Lake is located in the middle of a dried-up lake bed; it hasn’t rained there in over 100 years; and instead of swimming and hiking, Stanley must dig a hole while baking away in the unforgiving desert sun.
Holes was adapted into a feature film of the same name by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003. Directed by Andrew Davis—with a script written by the author himself—the movie stars film industry greats such as Sigourney Weaver, Patricia Arquette, Jon Voight, Dulé Hill, Henry Winkler, and Tim Blake Nelson. It was also the motion picture debut of Shia LaBeouf, who played Stanley.
The novel is still taught in middle school classrooms and the movie’s end credit song—”Dig It” by the D-Tent Boys—remains just as iconic today as it was when we first heard it on the Disney Channel more than 20 years ago.
It’s the season finale of Capes ‘N Cowards, and we saved the best for last. Today we’re talking about Minor Threats, the delightfully diabolical comic from Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, and Scott Hepburn that ignited an all-new universe.
The series follows five D-list supervillains who try to stop a rampaging superhero called the Insomniac from tearing their city apart. After the Insomniac's sidekick, Kid Dusk, was killed by his nemesis, the Stickman, the Insomniac was thrust into the pursuit of vengeance, and the only way for our heroes- I mean, villains- to put an end to it is to kill the Stickman themselves. The story features an imaginative twist on the familiar archetypes and tropes of comic books, all from the perspective of the kinds of characters usually stuck at the bottom of the food chain.
Can’t get enough caped capers? Good, because this episode has an all-new audio drama from the world of Minor Threats. Hear the triumphant ascension of two misfit nobodies, B.A.C. and Parvus Canus, who use their respective masteries over whiskey (as well as other fluids) and dogs (under forty pounds) to seize a new future together. It’s truly a beautiful tale.
We are back with another adventure in our Capes 'N Cowards season! Last week we brought you the adventures of The Venture Bros. but this week we return fully to the worlds of superheroes. On today's episode, we are covering one of the weirder superhero films, we are talking about Mystery Men.
Mystery Men is a film loosely based on Bob Burden's Flaming Carrot Comics. It follows a group of misfits, weirdos, and outcasts from the superhero world of Champion City. The team is "lead" by Mr. Furious and features the Shoveler and the Blue Raja. As the world turns quickly turmoil, this group of weirdos has to find more like them to make a team to save the world. These aren't the cream of the crop but more like the heroes you call when everyone else is busy but they've got the heart to save the world.
The film has one of the most impressive cast lists including Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Greg Kinnear, Claire Forlani, Kel Mitchell, Paul Reubens, Janeane Garofalo, Wes Studi, Geoffrey Rush, Lena Olin, Suzy Izzard, and Tom Waits. The cast is stacked with absolutely incredible talent and features a handful of cameos that still blow me away. Who decided Michael Bay would play a frat boy supervillain? I just want to shake their hands.
Cid and Dan talk about the film at length. Cid gives their thoughts on what the film is trying to capture. They also get into how the film has aged but more so how it was ahead of it's time.
As the superhero film craze gets closer and closer to bursting, it's the best time to take a look back at Mystery Men which satirized these films before they even existed. If there was any film that was released before its time, it is Mystery Men. It sits in a place before the superhero craze changed film forever.
Make sure to check out our past episodes including the first episode of the season which covers The Boys which you can see a lot of inspiration from this film in.
I have been a Power Rangers fan since before I could even read. I grew up with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The first film was one of the first films I saw in theatres. I never really expected to end up interviewing one Ranger let alone many. But today's episode features our second original ranger, Amy Jo Johnson aka the original Pink Ranger Kimberly. Amy was kind enough and enjoyed our interview enough to call her co-writer Matt Hotson as soon as we wrapped our interview to make him jump on. Together they have written a new comic from BOOM! Studios called Power Rangers: The Return which you can get now anywhere you get your comics.
Power Rangers: The Return brings us back to Angel Grove years after the Power Rangers have disbanded. We see a much older version of the Rangers and friends that we knew from the show. The Rangers haven't done their teenagers with attitudes thing in years. A few members get together after a memorial for a fellow Ranger. Things from there get hectic and that quiet life that Kimberly thought she finally had will be slipping through her fingers.
Amy Jo Johnson has done much since her Power Rangers days which includes directing and becoming a singer/songwriter. We discussed creating art from all the different angles that she has a hand in. We discuss the co-writing process at length with each writer but at separate times. It's an interesting interview to listen to to see how each side of a duo works and sees the other in the process.
Amy also talks about how writing a comic has been Matt's dream for some time. We get to hear how happy she was for him on the day of release then we get to hear it straight from him. We discussed putting art out into the world but it was very exciting getting to hear on the day that someone's dream came true.
GO TEAM VENTURE! We are back for our second installment in our Capes 'N Cowards season. This season is a celebration of stories where unlikely characters have to rise to the occasion of herohood. In that vein, today we are taking a look at The Venture Bros.! We watched the first two seasons of the Adult Swim cartoon to see who may want to check this one out.
The Venture Bros. is an adult animated television co-created by Chris McCulloch aka Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer that aired on Adult Swim for 7 seasons. The duo ran the show with their unique vision and inspirations that are clear throughout the entire series. The show follows Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture, his bodyguard/father-figure/secret agent Brock Samson, and Dr. Venture's two teenage fraternal twin sons Dean and Hank Venture. Through the series they get into all sorts of satirical pulp adventures with heavy emphasis on science fiction, superheroes, and other things that influenced the show.
Jordan joins Dan once again to talk about a show he has wanted to cover forever. Jordan reveals his origins with the series which are very similar to those we have heard in the Evil Dead episode from GateSlashers 2. Dan talks about his only experience with the show before this episode and how it includes electronic cigarettes and New York City Comic Con.
GateCrashers is back with Season 6! With our return, we are switching new a new release format. From here on we will be releasing the show in seasons! Each season will have its unique theme with episodes and content reflecting that theme. Our first season is called Capes 'N Cowards. We will be taking a look at different superhero-style universes that we think are worth checking out! This season will include The Boys, Venture Brothers, Mystery Men, and Minor Threats!
We begin this new season by kicking off with The Boys with Dan and Ethan. Ethan had never watched or read any of The Boys before we began preparing for this episode. We can promise that he will never be the same after this diabolically and rather... milky show. Dan was practically raised by Garth Ennis comics so he has been very excited to finally get to a fantastic adaptation that we think is worth your time to check out.
The Boys follows a group of unlikely non-superpowered individuals as they do everything they can to get their brand of revenge against The Seven and Vought. The superheroes of this world are unlike any other because they are mostly the worst humanity has to offer with corporate backing. There is also a lot of Billy Joel so that is a huge plus for any show. The show's first 3 seasons and the spin-offs are available for streaming on Prime Video.
Join us as Dan talks about all of The Boys skins in Call of Duty and we try to stay on topic as we talk about this week's topic. Be sure to leave us a review on any platform where you listen and subscribe. Those both help us tremendously find new listeners to help them find things that could bring them joy like it brings up.
GateSlashers is back baby! This year though, we needed a new slasher. We kinda sent ours through a portal into the multiverse last year. Luckily, Dan had a box of slasher audition reels on VHS tapes in his office that Jake stumbled upon in Dan's absence. So this year, Jake and Ethan are trying to find the show's new slasher. It goes as well as you assume. But because we already broke out the VHS Player, we are also finally covering the V/H/S franchise!
Join Jon, Ethan, and Dan as they talk about one of the consistently wildest anthology horror film franchises out there. They discuss every short from the first film to the newest in the V/H/S line. There are several very big horror names who started in the series before they got a chance to tell their own stories solo.
Dan also opens the show by talking about the absence of the podcast as of late due to mental health and absolute burnout. We also announce how the show will be changing next year to combat that but to also put out better episodes on a more consistent basis! We will be movie to a season format in 2024. Each season will revolve around a theme to include different movies, games, comics, and all sorts of stuff that you may enjoy that falls under those theme umbrellas. We really hope you like the change so you can get more GateCrashers in 2024.
Don't worry though, you will still get GateCrashers 4 next October if the team survives next year. It's still up in the air especially after you hear the tapes of this year's special.
Dracula doesn’t suck. I’m sorry to start off with a pun about vampires but not really. Skybound has been killing it recently with getting huge IP comics with incredible creative teams. When they announced that they had the licenses for the Universal Monsters, I almost had to pick my jaw off the floor. But when they said James Tynion and Martin Simmonds were going to be unearthing Dracula, my jaw did hit the floor. You may know the team from their incredible series The Department of Truth where they tackle all sorts of conspiracy and cryptids. But now this dynamic duo has moved onto telling their version of the story about the biggest vampire of all time in spectacular fashion. I had the chance to chat with them about opening up the tomb of Dracula to adapt the story for comics.
Dracula is a showcase of why horror thrives in comics. Tynion’s masterful scripting is on display in this issue with some truly incredible scenes to introduce us to the characters. Some of the dialogue had me giggling, which is very important to me in a comic. I have read most horror comics that have come out in the last few years and I was shocked how much I was flipping through this issue of a story I knew very well over and over. Tynion brings a unique flair to everything he works on and this is no exception.
But as you’ll hear in this interview, Martin Simmonds design and color palette take Dracula to a higher plane. There is a masterful use of sepia tones to emulate the black and white nature of the film itself but with vibrant thematic splashes of red through the issue. The design and emotional displays from Renfield are some of the strongest artistic elements I’ve seen in a horror comic. The use of Dracula's eyes in the story drives home the power of the vampire which we get into Simmond's artistic inspirations about in this interview. We discuss both the colors and the character designs at length in this interview about their Dracula series.
Growing up, Transformers was always something I thought was cool but didn't really look into other than some figures. My closest understanding of the characters and the franchise was based on the Michael Bay films which I stopped seeing after the third installment. So I went into Skybound/Image's Energon Universe with no expectations except the ones I had for Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer. But from the first page of their debut Transformers first issue, I was hooked. It's an incredible new start for the Transformers and we got to sit down with Daniel Warren Johnson to discuss it.
Daniel Warren Johnson's storytelling is often larger than life and bombastic with Spicer's incredible coloring. But beneath the art and incredible fight scenes, there are always relatable themes that have connected with me very personally. Transformers #1 is no exception. The human characters of the story have a really gripping introduction which I can only see blooming more as the story goes on. It's an incredible reintroduction to these characters that is an accessible jumping-on-point for people unfamiliar with the franchise.
You have a comic about giant transforming robots in disguise as cars, but you have a story of loss, war, and friendship that drives the story home more than any other major IP comics out there right now. If you haven't read the first issue yet, stop reading this and go pick it up.
I was lucky enough to sit down with Daniel Warren Johnson and talk about his storytelling methods. We also got into talking about the figures of Transformers and how he poses them for his art. But Daniel is also a huge wrestling fan so we end our conversation by setting up the ultimate AEW tag teams for Optimus Prime and Starscream. Make sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you can!
When I discuss comics with people who started reading earlier I did when it comes to Marvel Comics, they normally talk about the legendary writers they grew up with like Chris Claremont, Jimmy Starlin, and other writers who defined Marvel Comics. But I started reading comics in the late 00’s so the name that always comes to mind when it comes to character-defining writing is Brian Michael Bendis. The first Spider-Man comic I read was Ultimate Spider-Man #1 so to say that Bendis holds a special spot in defining my comic experience is an understatement.
And I got to interview him.
Listen as Brian Michael Bendis and I talk about his series The Ones available now from Dark Horse Comics. The first volume dives into a group of characters who were all “the one” at some point in their lives. It’s an incredibly funny story with one of the funniest iterations of Satan I have read. If you love Bendis’ humor, this is that but off the leash of big 2 comics.
We get into a discussion about the way books he works on do their crediting pages with the artists being co-creators. Bendis talks about how he approaches working with artists to create original series such as long-time collaborator Michael Avon Oeming.
Brian talks a bit about his love of the craft while citing some things he loves to get into the nitty-gritty of. He talks about character backstories and the such that he works out off the page and just how deep he gets into those.
I also had to ask about Green Goblin in Ultimate Spider-Man. We discuss the reasoning for making him into a monster which has a very interesting idea behind it.
I also got a chance to ask a unique question about siblings! Brian's brother Jared is someone I follow on TikTok whose content about tabletop games brings me a lot of joy. I didn't realize they were brothers until recently so we chat about that as well! Follow Jared here!
In this episode, we interview a creator I’ve wanted to speak with for quite some time: Eisner-winning comics writer Kelly Thompson! You may know her from her extensive work at Marvel (including a fifty-issue Captain Marvel run and the creation of Jeff the Land Shark), her creator-owned titles Black Cloak and The Cull at Image, or her upcoming Birds of Prey run for DC. Kelly’s work covers a very wide range of tones, from goofy misadventures to dramatic explorations of trauma and grief, and as you’ll hear, she likes to mix and match a variety of influences to create some truly unique stories.
Our conversation begins with a focus on The Cull, which recently saw the release of its first issue. The series sees Kelly reunite with artist Mattia De Iulis, who she previously collaborated with on Jessica Jones: Blind Spot and Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter. Described as “Something is Killing the Children horror vibes mixed with The Goonies-style adventure”, the series follows five teenagers who go off to make a short film at a creepy rock by the ocean… only one of them isn’t being honest about why she really chose that location. It’s a spooky, character-focused drama with weird monsters, and there’s a lot of diving into the creative process in this interview.
Next, we talk all about Kelly’s breakout character at Marvel, Jeff the Land Shark, who will receive both a third batch of It’s Jeff! Infinity Comics on Marvel Unlimited, and a print version of the second wave of It’s Jeff! comics this Fall. This conversation covers everything from the drastic evolution of Jeff’s look over the past few years to common misconceptions about Jeff (he’s not a baby, just a little guy!). Kelly also talks about some of the directions that West Coast Avengers (the series Jeff originated from) could’ve gone and the untapped potential of comics for kids. It’s a fin-tastic time!
With the trade paperback of Minor Threats: A QUICK END TO A LONG BEGINNING hitting shelves today, it's a great time to listen to co-creators Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, and Scott Hepburn dig into the series. Minor Threatologists Quinn and Dan sit down with the team to really do a deep dive into the first volume of the series and the world blooming from it.
You can pick the book up now anywhere you buy your comics!
We also spend a LOT of time talking about Shit Eater. Just like a lot of time spent on one weird background character called Shit Eater. I hope you are ready for all the shit-talking you can handle.
Minor Threats is a series that focuses on crooks and criminals in a superhero world. But we aren't talking about the A-Tier villains like your Jokers and Green Goblins. We focus on those C-listers who get an issue or two before the hero foils their plot. The series focuses on those types of characters to flesh out what that world looks like. How do you function in a world where the villains above you are gods and monsters when you simply have cool toys?
Patton, Jordan, and Scott talk about the construction of their world on iconography that are familiar and distinct but with their own unique flavor brought to the page.
We talk with the team to break down some of the most iconic pages from the series and what went into their construction. Scott gets the chance to break down the flow of his art in the series. We discuss the visualization of powers.
Minor Threats often walks the line of humor and trauma in the series, a topic Patton and Jordan unpack with certain characters in the series.
Stick around to the very end for a spoiler-filled discussion about the end of the series and what it means moving forward for the Minor Threats universe.
On this week’s GateCrashers podcast, the gang is here to talk all things Indiana Jones in their usual chaotic way. So join Ethan, Jake, Jon, and RJ as they dive into the man in the hat’s adventures.
Before they move into a free-ranging discussion on all things archaeology, the gang first talks about the history of Indiana Jones, from its very first beginnings to the forthcoming release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. For instance, did you know the idea for Indy was first pitched to Steven Spielberg by George Lucas while the latter was hiding out with his friend in Hawaii to what he expected to be the catastrophic debut of his newest film Star Wars? Or how about Tom Sellick almost playing Indy before his duties on Magnum P.I. pulled him away, leaving the door open for Harrison Ford to take on his most iconic role? (That’s also why Chip & Dale from Rescue Rangers are dressed up as Magnum and Indy, fun right?)
The gang then moves on to dig into each of the films in-depth. They chat about Raiders of the Lost Ark being one of the great movies, Temple of Doom’s… um, issues, The Last Crusade’s constant rewatchability and how we all love it maybe even more than Raiders, and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’s undeserved reputation and how it’s actually a lot better than most give it credit for. They then close out with their hopes for Dial of Destiny as they get ready to say a final goodbye to one of cinema’s greatest icons.
Just in case it’s not clear what we covered, here you go:
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
And if you want more Indiana Jones goodness at GateCrashers, check out Jordan's retrospective series on the original films.
On this episode, we are joined by a very special guest. As a site that celebrates sincerity and creates things that are sometimes a bit outside the box, this interview is something special. This author creates art that is unlike anything out there with a full heart untainted by irony or anything of that matter. Today, we are speaking with the one and only Chuck Tingle. Get ready buckaroos because this is one of the best interviews we have done!
Chuck Tingle is a self-published Hugo award-nominated author whose titles include Space Raptor Butt Invasion, The Physical Manifestation Of Wurdle Pounds My Butt As A Slightly Frustrating But Ultimately Rewarding And Meditative Daily Routine, and many other titles. But Chuck has ventured into the world of publishing to get his first traditionally published work out to all of the buckaroos through bookstores and more. This is the first time you can pick up Chuck's work in a traditional bookstore so please be sure to support him and queer horror by preordering it here and calling your local library to make sure they get a copy as well!
Chuck Tingle's book is called Camp Damascus which revolves around a young girl's journey of self-discovery in Neverton, Montana. Which is a "god-fearing" community that is built around a megachurch and a conversion camp called Camp Damascus. I don't want to give too much away about the story in a quick summary here but I will say once I started reading, I couldn't put it down other than to get a few hours of sleep. But I woke up at 6:00 AM like a child rushing downstairs on Christmas morning to finish it. It treats the camp like a monster just under the surface like Jaws, which Chuck speaks about in our conversation. It is one of the best pieces of queer horror that I have ever gotten the honor to read. I truly hope you give this book a chance because it's unlike any other horror I have read.
This is the first time you can pick up Chuck's work in a traditional bookstore so please be sure to support him and queer horror by preordering it here and calling your local library to make sure they get a copy as well! Preorder link: http://bit.ly/CampDamascus
Today is a first for GateCrashers! We are sitting down with the lead designer and editor of a tabletop roleplaying game. We are discussing the newest campaign for the Fallout TTRPG from Modiphius Entertainment. Dan is joined by Donathin Frye, Lead Designer on Winter of Atom, and Jacky Leung, Designer/Developer and Editor on Winter of Atom.
This latest campaign book for Fallout: The Role Playing Game is looking to offer an experience more intense and in-depth than anything seen previously, and at the forefront of that experience are the titular Children of Atom. Main quests will keep your attention as you square off against the Last Son of Atom, a megalomaniac seeking to convert everyone to the Children of Atom, while side quests will offer up chances to explore the world and hunt down better supplies. And true to the source material, terrifying monstrosities will be waiting around every corner.
Donathin and Jacky help break down what goes into creating a book like this. They talk about things like the collaborative nature of building a campaign with a group of designers and how much work goes into each mechanic. We discuss the new winter mechanics that come to the Fallout universe.
The group also dives a bit into the story elements of the campaign and what it holds for seasoned Fallout TTRPG players and newcomers alike. We discuss the specific flavor of Fallout and what the process is like to get things approved by Bethesda to fit into the canon of the series. Dan also gets to ask about what went into adding some of the new settlements mentioned in the game book and how settlements play into the campaign as a whole. The pair also explain the best place to start with the TTRPG to get your feet wet with the specific 2d6 roleplaying system that the series uses to make the game more cinematic.
I never thought I would walk away from a book with fears that revolve around eggs and Werewolf Bar Mitzvah but CJ Leede really made it her mission to scar me forever. Maeve Fly is the first novel from Leede and she comes out of the gates with an instant classic. I took as long as I could to read the book because I didn't want it to end. It brings a feminine spin to a story with a lead inspired by American Psycho. It makes the Sunset Strip in California a character all of its own while balancing an interesting story of a girl struggling. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you're looking for a horror that blends sex, violence, and Disney princesses with a bloody harrowing finale, Maeve Fly IS the book you need.
I had the chance to chat with the author about Maeve Fly. We got the chance to talk about the inclusion of the theme park and her relationship with it. We also took some time to discuss what makes a good Halloween song which is a very important element of the book. CJ Leede actually made a playlist for the book which I suggest you give a listen to while you read.
CJ talks about sexuality in the book and how that so often crosses with the genre of horror. She discusses the importance of the strip to the story and how she experienced it all as a shell of itself during the height of the pandemic.
On todays episode Cid and Jake talk about the record Youth by the band Citizen for the records 10 year anniversary. The pair talk about the records mature take on a break up the singer had. The content of the songs often tries to find answers to the why in the singer’s heartbreak and what his ex-girlfriend felt during that time as he seemingly asks her how she feels. It dives deep into the complex emotions that an older teen and or young adult would feel in the end of a relationship. Theres angst but tempered with a maturity and quest for insight and understanding into ones own emotions as well as determining those of the partner. It tackles how as we age we begin to be able to examine relationships and while breaking up sucks, can leave emotional attachments lover who you are no attached to, a ghost that haunts you as you watch them move on with their life.
The sound of the record hits with a good blend of emo and grunge with hints of pop punk and post hardcore here and there.
Citizen, currently consisting or Mat Kerekes, the vocalist, Nick Hamm, the lead guitarist, and Eric Hamm, the bassist, was formed in 2009 in Michigan and Ohio. The band has had several members come and go such as many drummers, which Kerekes plays for the records but not live.
GateCrashers' Music May-hem special continues with this 3rd installment, where Dan, Jake, and Gabrielle get together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the The Front Bottoms' fourth album, Talon of the Hawk, released May 21st, 2013.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of heavy topics such as drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, and more.
Their second studio album with Bar/None, Talon of the Hawk speaks of friendships lost, ex-girlfriends, unexpected twists in life, depression, addictions, and coming-of-age themes that also reverberate throughout the rest of their discography as common denominators, but achieving its own specific tone to set it apart from other projects from the band.
Dan, Jake, and Gabrielle go through the 12 tracks of the The Front Bottoms album in a more relaxed and less personal manner than previously seen in the The Wonder Years episode, reflecting Talon of the Hawk's own style as a more energetic approach to the heavy subject matters it deals with.
With straightforward lyrics and a stripped-down sound, the group discusses the nature of the genre and the band, which aims to feel under-produced and naturalistic with stylistic choices such as out-of-tune vocals.
The Front Bottoms are a folk punk, midwest emo band from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich, and counting with various touring guest artists throughout their career.
Beginning in 2007, after Sella finished his first year of college, the band has now seven studio albums under their belt and has become one of the most successful bands in the midwest emo genre.
Be sure to stay tuned for more music episodes! If you like the track-by-track breakdown of iconic albums, please be sure to give us feedback! If people enjoy this, we will continue to tackle more genres and artists to have conversations about the music and lyrics.
Today's episode is caked in stale beer, sweat, and Eagles memorabilia, as Dan and Jake talk about The Wonder Years record The Greatest Generation for its 10th anniversary. We are kicking off a series of 4 episodes for something we are calling "Music May-hem" where we are doing track-by-track conversations about 4 albums. We are kicking the month off with one of the defining Philly pop-punk scene behemoths, The Wonder Years. A band that has defined the music scene for over 10 years now.
Jake and Dan go track by track to have a conversation that is longer than usual. They dive deep into their personal connections to the music and lyrics. The brothers get personal about the themes explored in the music such as stability, anxiety, and a lot more heavy topics that The Wonder Years cover with their music. It is a very raw and emotional episode so it's really worth checking the album out before listening.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of heavy topics such as drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, and more.
The Wonder Years tackle the themes of depression, anxiety, and insecurity with this record as our hosts take a track by track approach, with Dan even writing all of his notes down physically to just connect with the music and not a screen. Both hosts bring their our meaning and understanding from the work of one of the Philly scenes biggest pop punk bands.
They look at just what the lyrics allude to and how relatable it is for those with similar experiences with difficulties.
Be sure to stay tuned for more music episodes! If you like the track-by-track breakdown of iconic albums, please be sure to give us feedback! If people enjoy this, we will continue to tackle more genres and artists to have conversations about the music and lyrics.
AITA for planning and recording an episode of a podcast last minute because I loved Kids vs. Aliens so much? My brother and co-host seem to think I am.
Just kidding! But only like half kidding. On this week’s episode of the podcast Dan and Jake decided day of to talk about the film Kids VS Aliens! Kabooooooom!!! And the prototype of the film, “Slumber Party Alien Abduction” from the compilation film V/H/S 2. They agree on a few things that heroine and older sister, Sam, was the best character. That the aliens just love puking and causing a big old ruckus. And that the true enemy of the film is not those fun-loving aliens themselves but rather a shitty gaslighting asshole human!
The "Kids", in Kids vs. Aliens, Greg, Miles, and Jack gave the audience such great lines like “send them to hell and tell em Jack sent ya” amongst other absolute bangers. The film is a fun time with. a cool set design and a sword-fighting heroine but doesn’t feature the worst cinema crime of killing a dog for dramatic effect, which is how the prototype short so just be mindful of that. Feature length film = good fun film featuring no dogs. Short film= bad and heart breaking in a bad way because of the dog. (The prototype rules, Jake was just big mad about the dog.)
Dan and Jake talk about some other stuff such as Total Drama Island, Comedy Bang Bang, and more but it circled back to Resident Evil again like last time. So there will probably be an episode on that franchise eventually cause they can't shut up about it. Dan also has reviews for Dead Island 2 and the new Power Rangers Special so be on the lookout for those!
On today's episode Dan “the Manga Man” McMahon gives a manga life update as he shares his journey updates which include learning about AMVs. Jake was told chaotic and decides to go full trucker with a stache. The brothers embark on a journey to Hell’s Paradise, the hit manga series as its anime just debuted on Crunchyroll! In the episode, they talk about how ninjas are cool and so is dope imagery!
Hell’s Paradise is the story of a silly little guy, Gabimaru the Hollow, a ninja who has been sentenced to death after being tossed to the wolves by his ninja master father-in-law after Gabimaru reveals to his father-in-law that he's actually a big wife guy and wants to stop being a homicide machine. The problem is Gabimaru, despite saying he wants to die, just won’t die by execution. During his last execution, he is offered a pardon by the shogun if he joins an expedition with his executioner and other death row convicts. The expedition to heads into the depths of a tropical island in pursuit of the immortality-granting Elixir of Life. On this lush island of Paradise and/or Hell is a host of crazy monsters like butterflies with human faces that turn you into flowers. Will Gabimaru and his new friend and executioner Sagiri survive and find the elixir of life or will they succumb to the island's dangers, the hands of the other convicts, or even each other? Find out by reading Hell’s Paradise!
Dan and Jake also talk about the new Resident Evil 4 remake and how while they enjoy the franchise's lore, it is not the thing they are looking for. For example, Dan doesn't want to be afraid but rather wants to make the monsters afraid of him. While Jake just wants to use big swords in Devil May Cry. But Leon Kennedy is a pretty cool guy.
Are you ready to experience an actual play GateCrashers episode? We sure hope you are because we are finally covering Dungeons & Dragons!
In part one of our Dungeons & Dragons special, Patrick and Dan talk about Dungeons & Dragons history. They talk about the roots of the TTRPG phenomenon and its current cultural impact such as its HUGE presence in Stranger Things plus its own film out in theaters this Friday! Patrick and Dan talk about where they got into the series and what they like or don't like about Dungeons & Dragons.
Dan gives his thoughts on the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and how much you need to know about D&D to enjoy it. (Which is nothing, go see it.)
We explain what you will need to play Dungeons & Dragons but we also suggest a few other tabletop role-playing games that you may want to check out as well! D&D isn't for everyone and that is okay but there are lots of other options out there.
In Part 2 of the episode, Patrick runs a GateCrashers canon one-shot! After the events of GateSlashers 2, Dan and the Grave Robber were thrown into the multiverse. After a long time of slipping between multiverses, some of which you get glimpses of here today, Dan has finally found a way to stay in one for enough time to make a stand. In order to do that, he has summoned Amanda, Ashley, Ethan, and Jake to help him in his fight.
That's right, everyone is playing as themselves but fantasy-fied versions. Everyone is a bit different except Ethan who is still Welsh. No amount of magic and multiverse jumping could change that. But with the gang reunited, do they have enough power to stop the Grave Robber and the Necronomicon once and for all?
On this week’s podcast join Dan and Ethan as they dive deep into their love of the coolest films around, the John Wick series. If you’ve never seen a John Wick film worry not as we give a quick breakdown of everything you need to know to bring you up to speed. But if you want to jump right into our full discussion, here’s a quick back-of-the-box blurb to get you prepped:
John Wick, also known as The Baba Yaga, is a retired assassin played by Keanu Reeves, who, after his dog is killed by criminals, returns to the world of assassination to enact revenge, getting caught up in the machinations of the mysterious High Table. This has been going on for 4 films now. Once The Baba Yaga sets his mind to something, he doesn’t stop.
We talk all things Wick in this week’s podcast; our favorite kills and set pieces, ranging from a kneck-breaking book to the world’s most casual shootout (feat. Common), to a discussion on the awesomeness of character names throughout the series, and why John Wick: Chapter Three - Parabellum is the only film in the series to have an admittedly dope title. We also chat about the power of neon lighting, dive into the brilliant, over-the-top world-building of the films, including The Continental hotel, and remember the once-in-a-lifetime talent that was Lance Reddick.
And if you want to know all the non-spoilery details about this week’s John Wick: Chapter Four, first, make sure to check out Dan’s review right here on the site tomorrow, then listen in as he tries to explain the sheer coolness of this newest entry, and why not only is it his favorite film in the series, but maybe his new favorite action film. There’s all that and more on this week’s pod covering all things John Wick.
Typically, I set up interviews on my own. I either have to somehow connect with the person on social media, go through a PR company, or send a cold email to hope for the best. This interview isn't that. This is an interview with someone from my home town who knew my parents before I was even born. So this is a very different interview for me, personally. Danny Cage is someone who's The Monster Factory car I've seen at a bar down the street and have heard about for a long time. My step-mother was the one to make the connection so shout out to Megan for that. Danny is on the show today to talk about Monster Factory which is available now on Apply TV+. Check out Dan's review here!
Danny Cage is one of the most authentic people I have ever gotten the chance to speak with. He talks from his heart and leads with it in his work and his conversation. As you will see in the show, some people read his personality as someone who may be a bit too forward but to me, it's the best type of person on the planet. It's just something about people from the North East, we say what we think and we will do whatever we can to help others. We talk about our area's deep connection to the wrestling world and why it is.
We get into how the show came about and the story of everything that came to be. Danny talks about his stipulation on filming and how it snowballed into something much bigger. Danny Cage also goes out of his way to make sure he talks about the people who helped the show come to be.
There is a level of vulnerability in this conversation that I don't typically get to have in interviews for projects as big as a show. Danny Cage talks about how important crying is to being human.
On this week's episode, Jake, Ashley, and Matt are covering the emotional (and occasional tear-jerker) anime, Violet Evergarden. It was originally conceived as a Japanese light novel series by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase that ran from 2015 to 2020. Because of the novel's success and unique plot, animation company Kyoto adapted the series for television in 2013 with a 13-episode arc that subsequently went on to include a bonus episode and two films.
Violet Evergarden is a gorgeous and sentimental story following the life of a young girl who is trying to assimilate to normal life after experiencing first-hand the horrors of war. As a child, Violet Evergarden is nameless, living on the streets of an island being besieged by soldiers. After a violent altercation, this child is the last one standing, drawing the attention of naval officer Dietfried Bougainvillea. Dietfried passes on this new find to his younger brother, Major Gilbert Bougainvillea. Gilbert sees this young girl as more than just a tool for war, and takes guardianship of her. He names her Violet, and encourages her to see and experience the beauty in life, in spite of the military battles they both take part in. Gilbert is the first person to ever care for Violet, and she becomes emotionally attached, even when she doesn’t have the words for her feelings. Eventually, their luck runs out in combat, and both Gilbert and Violet find themselves grievously injured.
“I love you.” These are the last words Violet has from the only source of comfort she’s ever known in her life. Violet Evergarden the anime series charts a course through the life Violet builds after her injuries, and the people and situations she encounters while trying to discovering the meaning of Gilbert’s final words to her. Visually stunning and emotionally captivating, Violet Evergarden explores a multitude of themes and storylines to interest any viewer.
Join us this week as week take a deep dive into the world of Violet Evergarden!
With DC Comics entering a new chapter as a whole, it was about time that we were once again joined by one of the main architects of the universe, Joshua Williamson. Our first two deep dives into the DC Universe cruised through the Infinite Frontier and dived into the Dark Crisis before it started. With each interview, we had the chance to talk about what DC's universe was going to look like for the time ahead with Joshua. We talked about all the series he was working on and what some of the major characters were up to. This time is no different.
Joshua Williamson and Dan dig a bit into post Dark Crisis questions about how it feels with the series wrapped. Joshua talks about how he feels after writing a Crisis and how others who have penned them before have felt similarly. We get into the theme of legacy which was a hot topic of conversation in our last interview. Discussion of Nightwing's place in the world and the most important Robin, Damian Wayne, comes up as well.
Joshua Williamson is current at the helm of the self titled Superman which recently launched as a new number 1. The series has been a huge hit with the book returning to print at the time of our interview. Joshua answers the burning question that everyone has been DYING to know... Who is Superman's canonical favorite AEW wrestler? The depth of the answer may shock you. They also talk about the title itself and Jamal Campbell's incredible art. Joshua talks about the discussion Campbell and he had about how large Clark Kent would be outside of the costume.
We get the chance to talk about the upcoming Green Arrow series which is the heroes first title in some time. Joshua gives some of his essential runs that he loves. We also talk about some of the returning characters who have been absent from the DC Universe for some time.
As a capstone, Joshua gives a taste of whats to come in Knight Terrors which is DC's horror event coming this summer. Joshua drops some teasers of whats to come. But confirms the amount of involvement that Sandman, Wesley Dodds, has in the event.
Ethan, RJ, and Jon step into the ring to discuss the Rocky/Creed franchise. During their time spent going the distance, they discuss how this series truly is for everyone, as well as discussing Ethan’s first time viewing the series. They also give truly terrible Stallone impressions, heap praise onto the Creed films, and discuss why certain people on this website/podcast from the Philly area should definitely watch it cough Dan cough.
They also spend time revealing RJ’s family’s connection to the original Rocky, which 80s action star would be a good opponent for Stallone in the ring, and visit an alternate timeline where 7 year old Apollo Creed killed 7 year old Rocky’s dad.
So catch those chickens, get your baby oil ready, and lift your arms up in victory, it’s time for the Eye of the Tiger.
Be sure to check out our review of Creed III which is the best sports anime film of all time.
The Doom Patrol are a DC Comics team that are very near and dear to many readers. From the iconic runs with the greatest creative teams of their generations to a television show with a huge following, people cannot get enough of the Doom Patrol. But since the end of the Young Animal Doom Patrol run, the team has been pretty widely absent from their original home of comics but that is changing in March! DC Comics is bringing the Doom Patrol back with Unstoppable Doom Patrol. The series is being written by Dennis Culver, with art by Chris Burnham, colors by Brian Reber, and letters by Pat Brosseau with Ben Abernathy as editor.
The series FOC cut off is Sunday March 5th so make sure to tell your store you want to add this to your pull list. If you don't have a local store, check out Third Eye Comics who ships internationally!
On this epsiode, we got the chance to sit down with Dennis Culver to discuss the series and his approach to these characters. Dan and Dennis talk about where the Doom Patrol fits into the full spectrum of the DC Universe. Previously, the team has always been in the DC universe but has never really been involved. They aren't the Justice League or any team that you see at the forefront of every story. But now with this series, the team is going to find their footing in the foreground of the DC Universe and what their place is.
Dennis Culver and Dan also talk about the new designs for the team. Dennis explains the meaning behind them and the reason they are using an orange color rather than the classic red. It's a great bit of information that gives insight into who the team is now. One of the major themes of the series seems to be moving past a found family into building a community which is a main theme of the conversation as well.
On this episode we are joined by Alex Kugelman who is award winning writer and director who’s written jokes for the People’s Choice Awards, and The Oscars. His scripts have ranked on The Black List, his films have won awards at Indie Shorts Fest, Tuscan Film Fest and LA underground Film fest and he’s worked on productions for Netflix, Warner Brothers and Blumhouse. He joins us to discuss his currently running Kickstarter for his film Don't Trip.
Don't Trip is a horror/comedy feature film about a struggling screenwriter who falls into a dangerous relationship when he befreiends a powerful producer's eccentric son.
Alex and Dan discuss the choice of Kickstarter for Don't Trip and the freedoms it allows. They discuss how films like this may not be made when it comes to the typical Hollywood film making process. They also talk about Alex's approach to horror and what horror experiences have stuck with him the longest.
The also talk about how Steven Spielberg had no idea what E.T. was going to be until that little freak showed up on set day one. From there they let that little wrinkly freak do whatever he wanted and bam, blockbuster.
GO SUPPORT THIS MOVIE.
Return to Seoul, directed by Davy Chou, starring Park Ji-Min, tells the story of Freddie, a young adoptee woman born in South Korea and raised in France. In a moment of inertia, the free-spirited protagonist decides to travel on her own to South Korea for the first time in what will become a search for identity, where she will try to discover not only her roots but herself. Picked up by Sony Classics for distribution after critical acclaim, Return to Seoul opened its wide release on February 17th, and if you have the opportunity to see it, don't doubt for a second that it will be worth it. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with both the director and protagonist of the film in the following interview.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at GateCrashers! Join Patrick and Amanda as they talk about the queer romance anime given!
Content Warning: this episode repeatedly references homophobia, depression, and suicide.
given, released in 2019 and finally receiving an English dub in 2022, follows high schooler UENOYAMA Ritsuka, a guitar prodigy, as he meets fellow student SATŌ Mafuyu, who has a guitar but doesn’t know the first thing about playing or maintaining the instrument. Their relationship quickly develops into something more, with Mafuyu even joining Ritsuka’s band with college students NAKAYAMA Haruki, the bassist, and KAJI Akihiko, the drummer. Soon it is discovered that Mafuyu can sing, and feelings begin to develop between Mafuyu and Ritsuka.
In this episode, Patrick and Amanda talk about how wholesome this story of young, queer love is, and how happy it makes them feel despite some of the more stressful, dramatic parts of the story. They discuss the English dubbed performances from some prolific anime voice actors, which ranks among some of the best dubbed performances. They discuss the dynamics of Mafuyu and Ritsuka’s relationship, as well as the feelings developing between Haruki and Akihiko. The supporting cast is discussed including Ritsuka’s sister and his friends, as well as Mafuyu’s old friends from his previous school.
The hosts discuss the importance of queer stories like given, and with Valentine’s Day upon us, how nice it is to have stories that show the characters truly in love with each other. They also discuss how universal this story feels due to the manga and anime’s use of shōnen-style characterizations despite it technically being a BL josei.
So come join Amanda and Patrick as they jump into romance with the boys in the band!
Warning! This episode contains spoilers for the first season of given and the corresponding issues of the manga.
Slashers are my comfort horror. I love slashers and have since I was too young to see them when they played late at night on HBO. So many of them follow certain tropes that everyone knows. One of which is the sequel. The sequel always has to be bigger, better, and more violent. But with Stephen Graham Jone's sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw, all of that is true but it's so much more with Don't Fear the Reaper. Stephen Graham Jones stopped by for an interview about the trilogy, slashers, and sandwiches.
Stephen Graham Jones talks about the creation of his story and the character of Jade Daniels. Jade Daniels is someone who struggles with her own identity which we get into. She believes that she isn't final girl material which is fitting for her but something that is very sad when you remember what a final girl is.
Dan and Stephen Graham Jones get into the creation of the town itself and what inspired some of the choices that went into the town and Indian Lake itself.
Stephen Graham Jones is also a college professor which Dan asks about in relation to how it helps him with his own writing.
We also spend some time talking about horror itself. Stephen tells Dan which horror scene has stuck with him the longest which gives Dan some post interview homework to watch.
A lot of the interview revolves around slashers as Jones got to craft his own with Dark Mill South. Dan asks what got Stephen to the point of chosing the most iconic part of a slashers whole gimmick, their weapon. Plus we discuss the world's number one celibacy advocate Jason Voorhees and Jones favorite parts of the series.
The People’s Joker is a masterpiece. It’s a rude queer coming of age story unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Watching the film let me see stories that I personally couldn’t experience and see perspectives outside my own. With the film being a satire of so many characters I’ve known my whole life, it was wonderful to get to see them used as tools to tell this story. The director and co-writer Vera Drew said something during the post Q&A that has stuck with me since. She spoke about how she made this film for young her because she really needed something like this.
Something about that hit me hard because it’s a film that hasn’t been given the ability to find those people who need it. When people create art often times it what they want to see without realizing how many more people need to see it as well. No one knows how many nerdy kids are struggling with their identity out there in the world who fear what will come of becoming who they want to be. I truly hope this film finds the people who need it because as much as it is crude and funny, it’s a story of discovery and becoming your authentic self.
I didn’t review the film because I don’t think I’m equipped to do it. I don’t have the insight and a cis man going on about his thoughts on something like this isn’t something I truly want to read either so why would you?
Instead, I reached out to Vera Drew to come talk with me about the film. We talk a lot about comedy, art and their experiences. We also talk about bologna and Joel Schumacher for a long time.
What we don’t talk about is the legal circus surrounding the film so do not click play expecting that. Instead listen and support Vera so the people who could benefit from seeing a movie as deeply personal and as queer as The People’s Joker.
Vera's Patreon Vera's Twitter
In this week’s episode, Dan, Jake, and Ashley dive into the superhero world of Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's Invincible. The first story we covered for GateCrashers was another one of Kirkman's co-creations called The Walking Dead but this story is a little different. This coming-of-age superhero tale follows teenager Mark Grayson as he navigates high school, love interests, and a burgeoning set of super powers. Luckily Mark, aka Invincible, has someone he can look up to. Mark’s dad is Omni-Man, the most powerful being on the planet. Between his super hero dad and his loving mom, Mark’s life seems pretty easy. But nothing is ever that simple.
Kirkman and Walker's Invincible shines with storylines and characters hell bent on delivering the realities of a humanity infused with super-beings. It never shies away from the grotesque and gore, all while retaining humor and grounded characters. Invincible, set in the Image Comics Universe, began publication on January 22, 2003. Over 15 years, it concluded its run with 144 issues in early 2018.
In 2021, Invincible got a second life and new set of super fans when Amazon Prime adapted the comic series for its streaming service. Invincible, now an animated series, has met with critical and fan acclaim due to its stellar voice cast and improved adjustments to the source material. Starring the vocal talents of Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons to name just a few, the world of Invincible is fleshed out by some of the most recognizable voices in the business.
In this episode, the Robert Kirkman himself joins Dan for an interview to discuss his favorite sandwich and what it’s like to adapt your own work for a different medium. The gang also discusses the difference between early characterizations in both interpretations, how the show gets it right, and how Invincible’s superhero story is groundbreaking in the wider lexicon of other cape content.
Join us for our thoughts on Invincible the super hero, but stay for our off-the-rails dissection of Omni-Man. This is one you don’t want to miss!
With the premiere of the YOLO: Silver Destiny coming this Sunday to Adult Swim, the creator of the of the show Michael Cusack stops by to chat!
You may know Michael Cusack from his other shows such as Koala Man which is available to watch now on Hulu. Or his other highly popular show Smiling Friends also from Adult Swim and streaming on HBO Max.
Michael is well known for his absurdist brand of humor and Dan asks if he ever finds himself pushing into the territories of horror with his work. Michael explains a bit about his approach to humor and creating programs such as this. We also get into the shows unique Australian identity and how something like that comes baked into a program when the team mostly hail from there.
The show is a wonderful blend of comedy and absurdism as two girls just try to make their way in the world. The rest of the show is streaming on HBO Max if you need to catch up which I highly suggest you do as it can breach a bit more into serialization at points. Another topic which we do cover is writing for serialized series versus loose serialization.
On this episode, Chip Zdarsky pulls no punches. He’s dishing out tough love left and right. But actually we’re doing a deep dive on his newly release trade of Public Domain. Public Domain started on his substack but is now in print with Image comics.
In Public Domain, Syd Dallas is responsible for pop culture's greatest hero: THE DOMAIN! But his sons Miles and David have a complicated relationship with both the creation and their creator. Can they convince their dad to fight for their family's legacy?
Chip Zdarsky and Dan go through the first volume of the series to talk about it all. We spend some time talking about his substack and the community he built there. It’s the first time on the show we’ve had the chance to discuss the platform move with one of the big names who switched over. We discuss if the community is built more on past fans or if it actually attracted new ones.
Chip Zdarsky gets into the real meat of the book which heavily revolves around the comic book medium itself. The story itself deals with creator rights and royalties so we take some time to really get into that with discussions about creator owned work versus doing something for the big 2.
We talk about the development of the series and it's characters. The topics of family and the dynamics of the creators of the series share with one another.
We also get into how Chip Zdarsky did everything for this book and what it was like as a creator to do something solo. Chip talks about his collaborators of the past and talks a bit about the process of making Sex Criminals with Matt Fraction.
We also get into his Spider-Man, Batman, and Daredevil work but we try to stay to discussing Public Domain which you should pick up now from Image!
Just in time for the height of the figure skating season, Amanda and Patrick are here to talk about 2016’s Yuri!!! On Ice, the critically acclaimed sports anime about the world of professional figure skating and the blossoming of queer love! That’s right, you read that correctly: this is an anime about queer love and if you don’t agree, we would like to know what anime you are watching…
Anyway… join this week’s hosts as they discuss how this is not just one of the best sports anime ever made, but one of the best anime to ever come out of Japan. Just ask Amanda who watched it five times back-to-back! Amanda proceeds to yell about her favorite feral skate, Yuri Plisetsky, while Patrick prompts a discussion on the absolutely banger of an opening credits song. They discuss the importance of the very real romantic relationship between Yuri Katsuki and his coach and idol, Russian legend Viktor Nikiforov, and the lack of subtlety in it despite claims to the contrary.
Patrick talks about the impact this anime has had on real life Olympic-level professional figure skating, including use of the music from the anime in competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Amanda and Patrick also talk about the broader cast of characters–from Kazakhstan’s Otabek Altin to Thailand’s Phichit Chulanot–while Patrick talks about just how talented they all are in the context of how the Grand Prix of Figure Skating is conducted in the real world (with only a little bit about how Adam Rippon was robbed of an individual medal at the 2018 Olympics).
So come and join Amanda and Patrick as we talk about the highs and lows of figure skating (real and animated), queer love, and the beauty of Yuri!!! On Ice!
On the first episode of 2023, it's a brand new day with our super sized Dan Slott interview to thwip the year off right! Dan Slott was was the captain of the Amazing Spider-Man series for around 10 years at Marvel Comics which is unheard of in modern comics. With Dan deciding it was time to put the mask back on with his recent Spider-Man #1, we decided it was time to finally get him on the show!
Dan and Dan go deep into the character of Spider-Man for nearly 2 hours. Dan Slott discusses his Spider-Man origin story with a tale from his childhood. His sandwich answer is also a ton of fun and as a creator who constantly deals with controversy, he decides to bring up the "is a hot dog a sandwich" topic right at the top of the show.
Dan gets the chance to discuss social media with Dan Slott and how he handles it with his reply section essentially always being a war zone no matter the topic. Dan talks about how it effects him and what he does about it.
The two also discuss Slott's change of heart on the fat jokes that Spider-Man would use in his run with some time passed. They talk about the topic and the effect of jokes that you cannot see unless you look from another perspective.
Dan gives the origin story of Spider-Island and how the event came to be. We also talk about the burden of writing a book that comes out multiple times a month. Dan talks about the effect it had on his other series and the help of Christos Gage to always get things into the end zone.
To wrap the episode, we discuss the Spider-Man and Doctor Who crossover that almost happened with story details of what the series could've been. Dan also talks about his upcoming Doctor Who comic and how it all came to be.
The stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a special one in our house, as we make it a priority to slow things down and focus on time with our family. Aside from all the gifts to be bought, the stockings to be hung, and the lights to be wrestled with, we make it a point to sit and enjoy our favorite holiday films. This list has been truncated over the years as not everything made for the holidays requires a yearly re-visit (see the Hallmark Channel), but the ones that have stuck around deserve their place. Is our list for everyone? Probably not. Do we care? Definitely not. We just figured everyone else has words on the matter, so why not us? If it helps, we’re consistently on the big man’s nice list, so our choices are not to be taken lightly. Either way, time to light that fireplace, spike the eggnog, and embrace our own holiday classics.
Shop Around the Corner (1940)
RJ: Looking back, I cannot believe the amount of convincing my wife needed to do before I would watch this film. My hesitancy was based in the fact the film was in black and white, and also a romantic comedy. Thankfully, I found my spot on the couch and enjoyed the undeniable likeability of Jimmy Stewart, and his chemistry with co-star Margaret Sullivan. Even the story was deeper than two people looking for love, but rather a complex look at the interpersonal relationships of co-workers. This is a great film to watch with the fireplace on, a bottle of wine, and the person you love next to you.
Ashley: I find something so comforting about Jimmy Stewart's voice, so it's no wonder this is the first of two Jimmy entries on this list. Listen in to find out why I think you'll love this one as much as I do.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
RJ: This film was a wonderful surprise, as the first time we watched it was simply because we had watched everything else in our holiday rotation. I was absolutely floored by the animation style and the stellar voice-cast. The story is absolutely charming as well, plenty to keep parents and children alike entertained. The ending alone is enough bring out the kid in all of us.
Ashley: I love Arthur Christmas. From the voice cast to the heartwarming script, this holiday film about Santa's second son is a must-watch every Christmas.
The Holiday (2006)
RJ: My mother and I went to see this in late December 2006. I was home from college and she was my usual movie date as my dad typically picked films as the ideal place for a nap. Now, neither of us are fans of Cameron Diaz, nothing personal, perhaps it’s genetic, but it didn’t change are outlook on how much we enjoyed this film. Years later, and it’s now one I can share with my wife. My love for it really lies with the pairing of Kate Winslet and Jack Black, but I think Jude Law does a promising job of balancing out my outlook on Diaz. Another one to sit down, laugh, and split a bottle a wine with the one you love.
Ashley: This film was a grower for me. I don't remember loving it in 2006 or feeling compelled to watch it yearly in the early 2010's. Now, this film occupies a nostalgic piece of my heart. Either that, or I'm vicariously living through Cameron Diaz as she spends her winter holiday snowed in at a cozy English cottage. There's so much to love about this low-stakes Christmas romantic comedy, earning it a coveted spot on my yearly re-watch list.
Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
RJ: There are so many reasons I love this film, and I will overlook the biggest one, as it was the one playing the same day our son was born, but let me give you the other two. First, Michael Caine is a phenomenal scrooge, who plays the whole thing as a serious actor, even when he’s speaking to someone who can only say “Meep Meep Meep.” That is the true tale of talent. Secondly, Steve Whitmere is my Kermit and his role of Rizzo the rat is irreplaceable. I accept no substitute. This is the definitive version of The Christmas Carol.
Ashley: I'll echo RJ's earlier statements; this is the best version of The Christmas Carol. From the music to the casting of Sir Michael Caine, everything about this movie makes it feel like Christmas to me. Also, this has one of the few cinematic outings of my favorite Muppet, Bean Bunny.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
RJ: Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I am lucky to have a wife like Mary Bailey because everyone needs someone who is there to love and support you through everything life has to throw at you. George should have realized from the beginning, that the best thing to ever happen to him was finding her, but then that would be a much shorter film. Either way, this is the definitive film to watch to get into the holiday spirit.
Ashley: It's a Wonderful Life is not just my favorite Christmas movie, it's one of my favorite films ever made. I've watched this Frank Capra classic every year for as long as I can remember. It just feels entwined with the holidays for me and with the person I've become.
In 2009, James Cameron looked at his record breaking film Titanic's box office success and whispered to himself in his castle in the sky that "it's not enough". In that moment, he released Avatar which to this day is the highest grossing motion picture of all time. No amount of Avengers, Spider-Men, or Hamlet adaptations can hold a candle to the piles of money that Avatar raked in. But since, the film has fallen far from the favor of many film goers. They make cheap comparisons of this herald of technology, world-building, and mote that is Avatar.
But with Avatar: The Way of Water coming, Dan decided to seek out a co-host that was so in tune with Avatar that he speaks the language and runs the biggest fan community dedicated to the film. Seth Wright agreed to join him on his journey back to Pandora to see if this time he would enjoy the film when he was one of the staunchest hold outs there was on Earth. Now, Dan has been reborn as a big blue ball of Na'vi love.
You may know Seth and his community (Kelutral which means life tree in the tongue of the Na'vi) from their appearance on the show How To with John Wilson on HBO. Their community thrives as a place where people have found their place of belonging with other fans of the series that goes so far past just a fan group. It's why we asked him to be on the show because despite the teasing they receive, their community thrives on connection and learning.
With Seth being one of the foremost experts on the world of Pandora, he gets to answer well thought out and intergral questions about the series from Dan like "Do they have nipples?" and "how do I say fuck?". The hard hitting journalism we are known for.
Prepare yourself, we are heading back to Pandora.
If you have a pulse, you know the names Spawn and Batman. The two behemoths of the comics world are completely unavoidable. Both have spawned films, tv shows, video games, cartoons, and countless toys. Batman and Spawn are back together in Batman/Spawn #1, on sale now from DC Comics.
We are joined today by Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo to talk about the new crossover. Todd and Greg are joining forces once again to tackle the characters they have had a huge impact on the comics industry. Getting to chat with two of the biggest names in comics is an absolute honor for the show. It’s even better that they’re both extremely funny together.
Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo talk about their tenures on both characters. They chat about the evolution of the characters since they last crossed paths in the 90’s. Each brings a unique perspective to the characters with their times with them. Todd talks about getting to write Batman.
Greg Capullo talks about which version of Batman’s costume they included in the series and why. But we do get a chance to talk about the greatest bat suit of all time, his Rebirth redesign of Batman’s suit. He talks a bit about how he is sad that it went away so quickly. (We are all sad about this, it’s the best suit ever.)
With these two characters having the most iconic capes in comics, we talk about the use of capes in panels. We also talk about the size of their capes and how they both approach that. Dan also asks if Batman has a little bit of cape envy from Spawn having the best cape in comics. It’s not about the size of your cape, it’s about how you use it.
Todd McFarlane talks about the evolution of Spawn as a character and as a brand. With the recent line expansion of the Spawn Universe, we talk about the extended rosters and teams that share the universe. Todd touches a bit on if they are included in the series as well. Dan finds an excuse to talk about Haunt as usual.
Batman/Spawn #1 is on sale now at your local comic book shops and anywhere you get your comics!
Comedy as a genre relies very heavily on timing to deliver jokes at a full impact. Horror also relies very heavily on timing as well to deliver jump scares or truly unsettling scenes. So it makes sense a lot of great comedy writers and actors can make the leap from one genre to the other or straddle the line. That is exactly what College Humor heavy hitter Josh Ruben has done. He has moved over from being Precious Plum's Mama to being the king of Shudder.
On today's show, Josh Ruben chats with Dan about just that. Horror and Comedy are two huge tentpoles of this conversation. They talk about Josh's super power of timing in his acting and directing films like Scare Me and Werewolves Within.
Josh Ruben talks about a few horror scenes that have stuck with him since they first buried themselves into his mind. The range of the scenes is very interesting that leads to a brief side bar about Joe Dante and spitting puppets.
The two get the chance to talk about some of the techniques and shots from Scare Me. The use of lightning is a hot topic in the interview. Josh also talks about how he is his hardest critic. It's an interesting look at how someone who is directing themselves views their performance.
They also got to chat about his most recent performance in A Wounded Fawn. Josh talks about how his background in comedy helped him push himself into a much harder performance as the audience will see in the film now available on Shudder. The film is a deeply unsettling but incredible next step for Josh as an actor.
Josh also talks about his upcoming graphic novel DARLA coming next year with Invader Comics. The premise sounds incredible so keep your eyes open for that one coming early 2023!
Deadpool goes by many monikers such as the Merc with the Mouth, Ryan Reynolds, the best X-Men, and so many more. With the major shifts all over the Marvel universe, where does Deadpool even fit these days? Well! Good thing you’re here because we’ve got some answers on that because we’re joined by Alyssa Wong! They are the writer of Deadpool’s brand spankin' new series available now from Marvel Comics!
Alyssa and Dan start off their dive into Deadpool by talking about what really matters most to the character and the world, Carly Rae Jepsen. They speak about music and it's influences during the writing process of the series. We also semi-confirm that Deadpool probably listens to Ninja Sex Party.
Alyssa talks about Deadpool's identity as they talk about the person behind the mask. The series will be bringing a different side of the character to the forefront to explore different themes. Despite only having 1 issue on stands, Deadpool #1 gives us a look at how Wade Wilson sees himself in the scheme of things and how he views who he is currently. We also discuss his thoughts on his place in a Krakoa world.
The series brings som every big horror elements to the character in it's debut issue. Alyssa talks about their relationship with horror and introduces Dan to a new manga that you get to hear his brain try to wrap itself around. It's a look at Alyssa's relationship with body horror and gives a glimpse at what may be to come for Deadpool.
We also got a chance to chat about the new enby character Valentine Vuong and their importance of being seen on page. Alyssa and Dan discuss all of the new characters introduces in Deadpool #1 because they are something truly incredible to behold.
They also get a bit into their other series Doctor Aphra and what she's up to in the Star Wars universe!
Join us at GateCrashers as Adair and Nikki record in scenic Beach City, Delmarva and delve into the world of Rebecca Sugar’s television series Steven Universe and all the things that make this show more than just an animated series with a fantastic soundtrack. Steven Universe was divided into three distinct parts; Steven Universe the series (5 seasons), Steven Universe the Movie and a concluding limited series entitled Steven Universe Future which concluded in 2020.
5000 years after a great war of Gems, we meet Steven, a half boy half gem who lives with the "Crystal Gems" Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl who were friends of his mother Rose Quartz and fugitives from a great interstellar empire. Together the four live in (what appears to be) an abandoned temple on earth after the Gems rebelled against Homeworld alongside Rose. The story follows Steven's adventures, whether he is fighting monsters, developing friendships or learning to control his own powers.
In our conversation we discuss Rebecca Sugar’s unique take on a Cartoon Network series and their decision to include complex dynamics and obstacles as the characters grow with the series. We look at the running themes of LGBTQ inclusivity, healthy interpersonal relationships, familial identity, depiction and developing awareness of mental illness and growth beyond trauma and abuse. Not to mention looking at the beautiful world built inside the show with original songs accompanying the changing circumstances and experiences of Steven and his community of found family.
At this year's Philadelphia Film Festival, I was lucky enough to attend as press which meant I got the chance to chat with Rian Johnson. The sequel to Knives Out called Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery played at the festival. The film itself is an incredible follow up to the first film with an outstanding ensemble cast. Rian Johnson only dives further into the world of mysteries. The sequel brings the series investigator Detective Blanc, played by the incredible Daniel Craig, back for another adventure.
I got the chance to chat with Rian Johnson for a bit about Detective Blanc, Daniel Craig's role in helping further the characters development, and the framework of this film's mystery.
Today is the fourth anniversary of GateCrashers. It has been four years of incredible experiences every single day. What started as a small podcast project between Dan, Jake, and Mike with the goal of helping people get into DC Comics has blossomed into something much bigger.
GateCrashers is now a full website with multiple podcasts and a lot more coming soon. We’ve interviewed some of the biggest creatives in the comics industry and beyond to have conversations about life, love, and art. The podcast has had multiple musical numbers and a full musical. It’s been full of laughter and bits since day one.
GateCrashers is a place where so many people who have never written or had the chance to speak about things that bring them joy get the chance to do just that. Everything we do is rooted in the mission that we want everything to be approachable and accessible for everyone. We want to help you find something to fall in love with. Life can be hard and sometimes you need to escape into the worlds we talk about on the site and show. GateCrashers is so much more than it was at the start with three people sitting in their bedrooms talking about the Justice League.
Today’s episode is a special unscripted celebration of the man who got both Dan and Jake into DC Comics which started this whole thing. The late great Kevin Conroy brought Batman to generations of kids who needed a hero that could inspire them to be more and do what is right in the world.
You don’t need superpowers to make a difference. Just a big heart and the desire to create a brighter world around you any way you can.
Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for the constant support of the listeners and readers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting this thing that has brought me so much joy. Don’t ever let anyone say you aren’t capable of doing something. Even if it seems hard, just ask for a hand and we can get in those gates together.
I don’t know where we will go from here but I can promise it won’t be boring.
Thank you.
On today's episode, we are joined by writer and journalist John Harris Dunning to discuss his new graphic novel Wiper from Dark Horse Comics. This was a rare early morning interview with Dan and the energy is very different as they get into the book, John's inspirations, and many topics.
Wiper follows Lula Nomi who is a Wiper--a private detective who guarantees complete discretion. A memory wipe after every job sees to that. When she is hired by enigmatic robot Klute she thinks the case is the answer to all her problems. But there's something oddly familiar about Klute--and the more she investigates the disappearance of journalist Orson Glark, the more she suspects that he's somehow connected to her own past . . . Lula must face her greatest fears to learn what happened to Glark . . . and the truth about herself.
In our conversation, John discusses some of the major themes of the book and its exploration of identity. John and Dan get into the construction of the world of Wiper. It's a story that has an optimistic view of the future which is rare in cyberpunk type settings which makes it a truly unique science fiction story.
John discusses the making of Wiper in depth with how he and artist Ricardo Cabral worked together to construct their world. He also talks about how they collaborated with their colorist Brad Simpson so everyone was in sync on the overall vibe of the world. The end product is an incredibly dense but beautiful world that frames linger on to draw you into their world.
John gives insight into his life and influences from growing up in South Africa that can be seen in the comic itself. It's one of the most eye opening conversations we have had on the show that brings such insight into someone's craft especially on a book like Wiper.
On today's episode, we are joined by writer and journalist John Harris Dunning to discuss his new graphic novel Wiper from Dark Horse Comics. This was a rare early morning interview with Dan and the energy is very different as they get into the book, John's inspirations, and many topics.
Wiper follows Lula Nomi who is a Wiper--a private detective who guarantees complete discretion. A memory wipe after every job sees to that. When she is hired by enigmatic robot Klute she thinks the case is the answer to all her problems. But there's something oddly familiar about Klute--and the more she investigates the disappearance of journalist Orson Glark, the more she suspects that he's somehow connected to her own past . . . Lula must face her greatest fears to learn what happened to Glark . . . and the truth about herself.
In our conversation, John discusses some of the major themes of the book and its exploration of identity. John and Dan get into the construction of the world of Wiper. It's a story that has an optimistic view of the future which is rare in cyberpunk type settings which makes it a truly unique science fiction story.
John discusses the making of Wiper in depth with how he and artist Ricardo Cabral worked together to construct their world. He also talks about how they collaborated with their colorist Brad Simpson so everyone was in sync on the overall vibe of the world. The end product is an incredibly dense but beautiful world that frames linger on to draw you into their world.
John gives insight into his life and influences from growing up in South Africa that can be seen in the comic itself. It's one of the most eye opening conversations we have had on the show that brings such insight into someone's craft especially on a book like Wiper.
The Killing Joke is a comic that ended up steering the trajectory of the character of the Joker almost permanently after it came out. For better or worse, the story of the day the Joker finally went too far has stuck with audiences. In the comic the Joker says this line:
All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That's how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day.
The Joker, The Killing Joke (1988)
But what if other members of Batman’s rogues had their one bad day? With DC’s series of Batman: One Bad Day, we are now getting to see what those are from some of the biggest names in the industry.
The series kicked off with Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and Clayton Cowles telling the story of The Riddler’s one bad day. Tom King and Mitch Gerads are a Eisner Award winning duo who's previous joint work on titles like Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, and more has cemented them as giants in the industry.
Tom King and Mitch Gerads portrayal of The Riddler is a dark and calculated turn by the silly man in the green get up that pushes the character to the limit with a beautifully crafted story and artwork to match. It's a story that dives deeper into the character himself but defines his origins with more gravitas and weight than he was previously given. This story has the makings to be the definitive Riddler story for years to come.
On this episode, Tom King and Mitch Gerads come on to dive deeper into the story, the art, and the themes of the book. This episode is filled to the brim with SPOILERS so please read the issue before listening to this in depth discussion. It’s a great conversation discussing the duo and the story they got to kick off the One Bad Day series with.
The comic is available anywhere you get your comics. If you do not have a local comic shop, be sure to check out Third Eye who will hook you up.
The Killing Joke is a comic that ended up steering the trajectory of the character of the Joker almost permanently after it came out. For better or worse, the story of the day the Joker finally went too far has stuck with audiences. In the comic the Joker says this line:
All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That's how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day.
The Joker, The Killing Joke (1988)
But what if other members of Batman’s rogues had their one bad day? With DC’s series of Batman: One Bad Day, we are now getting to see what those are from some of the biggest names in the industry.
The series kicked off with Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and Clayton Cowles telling the story of The Riddler’s one bad day. Tom King and Mitch Gerads are a Eisner Award winning duo who's previous joint work on titles like Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, and more has cemented them as giants in the industry.
Tom King and Mitch Gerads portrayal of The Riddler is a dark and calculated turn by the silly man in the green get up that pushes the character to the limit with a beautifully crafted story and artwork to match. It's a story that dives deeper into the character himself but defines his origins with more gravitas and weight than he was previously given. This story has the makings to be the definitive Riddler story for years to come.
On this episode, Tom King and Mitch Gerads come on to dive deeper into the story, the art, and the themes of the book. This episode is filled to the brim with SPOILERS so please read the issue before listening to this in depth discussion. It’s a great conversation discussing the duo and the story they got to kick off the One Bad Day series with.
The comic is available anywhere you get your comics. If you do not have a local comic shop, be sure to check out Third Eye who will hook you up.
“In space, no one can hear you scream.” Those were the words emblazoned across posters in 1979 when Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror, Alien, debuted in theatres; birthing more than 40 years of terror. And that’s what we’re here to discuss on today’s podcast as Dan, Ethan, and first-time host Quinn gather together to talk all things xenomorph.
The discussion this week includes diving deep into the themes of Alien, why it is such an iconic film in both sci-fi and horror circles, the iconic production design that created such a unique environment for the Nostromo crew to be hunted through by the titular alien, and some fun bits of trivia from filming.
We also dig into James Cameron’s equally iconic Alien follow-up, Aliens. This includes regaling Dan with the legendary story of Cameron’s original pitch to 20th Century Fox and how the title became pluralized. There’s also talk of the new characters introduced in Aliens, including the deeply missed Bill Paxton’s Hudson, the corporate asshole Burke, and the beloved android Bishop.
Following on from Aliens, we look at the unfairly maligned Alien 3, why it secretly rules, and is well worth a reappraisal. There’s also discussion on the series’ first time grappling with religion and how someone can hold their faith in the face of an alien presence. Then we briefly touch on the fairly maligned Alien: Resurrection and how a film this…not great gets made (hint, it’s got something to do with the creator of Firefly).
To close off, we dive into Ridley Scott’s return to the franchise he kicked off with his one-two punch of prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. This includes talk on the relationship between creator and creation, more exploration of faith in the Alien franchise and how science and faith co-exist or more often don’t, and why Michael Fassbender’s David is not just the best character in the franchise, but maybe one of the best creations of the last decade.
So make sure to listen in as we join up with a squad of marines on a black ops operation run by the Weyland-Yutani corporation for a feature-length bug hunt.
“In space, no one can hear you scream.” Those were the words emblazoned across posters in 1979 when Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror, Alien, debuted in theatres; birthing more than 40 years of terror. And that’s what we’re here to discuss on today’s podcast as Dan, Ethan, and first-time host Quinn gather together to talk all things xenomorph.
The discussion this week includes diving deep into the themes of Alien, why it is such an iconic film in both sci-fi and horror circles, the iconic production design that created such a unique environment for the Nostromo crew to be hunted through by the titular alien, and some fun bits of trivia from filming.
We also dig into James Cameron’s equally iconic Alien follow-up, Aliens. This includes regaling Dan with the legendary story of Cameron’s original pitch to 20th Century Fox and how the title became pluralized. There’s also talk of the new characters introduced in Aliens, including the deeply missed Bill Paxton’s Hudson, the corporate asshole Burke, and the beloved android Bishop.
Following on from Aliens, we look at the unfairly maligned Alien 3, why it secretly rules, and is well worth a reappraisal. There’s also discussion on the series’ first time grappling with religion and how someone can hold their faith in the face of an alien presence. Then we briefly touch on the fairly maligned Alien: Resurrection and how a film this…not great gets made (hint, it’s got something to do with the creator of Firefly).
To close off, we dive into Ridley Scott’s return to the franchise he kicked off with his one-two punch of prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. This includes talk on the relationship between creator and creation, more exploration of faith in the Alien franchise and how science and faith co-exist or more often don’t, and why Michael Fassbender’s David is not just the best character in the franchise, but maybe one of the best creations of the last decade.
So make sure to listen in as we join up with a squad of marines on a black ops operation run by the Weyland-Yutani corporation for a feature-length bug hunt.
On a very special New York Comic Con special episode of GateCrashers, Dan got the chance to chat with the Titans. Yes, you read that right. Dan spoke with a few members of the cast of the HBO Max show Titans which is the adaptation of multiple versions of the Teen Titans. With GateCrashers starting as a DC Comics-centric brand, this was a very surreal moment for Dan. Getting to shake the hands of Nightwing, Superboy, and Beast Boy was not something he ever thought he would get to do nor do many other people get that same chance. Check out our Titans Interview episode anywhere you download podcasts as we chat about how far the actors have come and season 4 in general.
On a very special New York Comic Con special episode of GateCrashers, Dan got the chance to chat with the Titans. Yes, you read that right. Dan spoke with a few members of the cast of the HBO Max show Titans which is the adaptation of multiple versions of the Teen Titans. With GateCrashers starting as a DC Comics-centric brand, this was a very surreal moment for Dan. Getting to shake the hands of Nightwing, Superboy, and Beast Boy was not something he ever thought he would get to do nor do many other people get that same chance. Check out our Titans Interview episode anywhere you download podcasts as we chat about how far the actors have come and season 4 in general.
On today’s episode, Cidnya and Jake look at the strange world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure! The pair talk about the saga of the Joestar family as they battle the lingering evil of Dio Brando and the relics that resulted in his rise to power. Primarily dealing with the first six JoJos of the franchise and briefly touching on the seventh and eighth protagonists of the series.
Beginning in England they talk about the start of the feud as Jonathan Joestar learns of villainous intents of his foster brother Dio Brando that leads the former to the power of Hamon to battle the latter's newfound vampirism! After discussing the body-snatching shenanigans, the two talk about the pulpy adventure of wild misogynistic trickster Joseph Joestar as he takes of the beings behind vampirism, the mighty Pillar Men!
With the nazi cyborg and the power of Hamon firmly behind them, Cid and Jake kinda talk about how the most popular part, “Stardust Crusaders” is far from the best but introduces elements to set it apart as Joseph introduces his grandson Jotaro Kujo to the concept of a Stand as they fight and defeat Dio, himself, once and for all. But while our hosts did not care too much for the crusaders, they both agree that Joseph’s illegitimate son Josuke Higashikata and “Diamond is Unbreakable” as he and his friends live a semi-normal life while also investigating a serial killer and an ancient stand-giving arrow once owned by Dio! Breaking from Japan, our hosts found themselves in Italy discussing Giorno Giovanna, the son of Dio (well his head on Jonathan’s body) as he rises through the ranks of the Italian underworld learning more about the properties of the arrow! Lastly the main JoJo our episode covers is Jolyne Cujoh, daughter of Jotaro, as she battles Father Pucci, Dio’s disciple and priest at the Green Dolphin State Prison, in the final installment of the original JoJo universe! Jake briefly talks about his excitement for the reboot universe and to see Johnny Joestar collect the body parts of Jesus Christ.
Also Jake investigates what happened to his brother after the events of GateSlashers 2, in the laziest way possible.
For more of Jake talking about JoJo click here for his review of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, and for the context of the opening of GateSlashers 2 click here!
On today’s episode, Cidnya and Jake look at the strange world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure! The pair talk about the saga of the Joestar family as they battle the lingering evil of Dio Brando and the relics that resulted in his rise to power. Primarily dealing with the first six JoJos of the franchise and briefly touching on the seventh and eighth protagonists of the series.
Beginning in England they talk about the start of the feud as Jonathan Joestar learns of villainous intents of his foster brother Dio Brando that leads the former to the power of Hamon to battle the latter's newfound vampirism! After discussing the body-snatching shenanigans, the two talk about the pulpy adventure of wild misogynistic trickster Joseph Joestar as he takes of the beings behind vampirism, the mighty Pillar Men!
With the nazi cyborg and the power of Hamon firmly behind them, Cid and Jake kinda talk about how the most popular part, “Stardust Crusaders” is far from the best but introduces elements to set it apart as Joseph introduces his grandson Jotaro Kujo to the concept of a Stand as they fight and defeat Dio, himself, once and for all. But while our hosts did not care too much for the crusaders, they both agree that Joseph’s illegitimate son Josuke Higashikata and “Diamond is Unbreakable” as he and his friends live a semi-normal life while also investigating a serial killer and an ancient stand-giving arrow once owned by Dio! Breaking from Japan, our hosts found themselves in Italy discussing Giorno Giovanna, the son of Dio (well his head on Jonathan’s body) as he rises through the ranks of the Italian underworld learning more about the properties of the arrow! Lastly the main JoJo our episode covers is Jolyne Cujoh, daughter of Jotaro, as she battles Father Pucci, Dio’s disciple and priest at the Green Dolphin State Prison, in the final installment of the original JoJo universe! Jake briefly talks about his excitement for the reboot universe and to see Johnny Joestar collect the body parts of Jesus Christ.
Also Jake investigates what happened to his brother after the events of GateSlashers 2, in the laziest way possible.
For more of Jake talking about JoJo click here for his review of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, and for the context of the opening of GateSlashers 2 click here!
Another year of GateSlashers comes to an end as Dan and Jake make it back to the GateCrashers HQ to face off against the Grave Robber. Jordan joins Dan to discuss The Evil Dead franchise. Jordan does sound like a deadite after recovering from every type of illness that can make your throat hurt but he didn’t back down from grabbing his chainsaw to help to see if this series is for you.
Jordan and Dan end this year's GateSlashers with one of their favorite franchises. Jordan talks about his entrance into the franchise which shocked Dan because it is unlike any he has heard before. Dan talks about his parties where they'd watch the film and how Bruce Campbell dunked on him as a teenager.
The Evil Dead franchise is known for its blood, gore, and most of all for its humor. Jordan discusses some of the filming techniques used by Sam Raimi that were born from having nearly no budget to make their vision come true. Dan talks about their practical effects and unique monsters for the franchise. They also discuss which of the entrances into the series are for different people. Dan gushes about how much he loves the television version of Ash is his favorite.
What we covered:
The Evil Dead
Evil Dead II
Army of Darkness
The Evil Dead
Ash vs Evil Dead
Evil Dead (The Video Game)
Outside the normal episode, today is the finale of GateSlashers II: I Want to Believe. Dan and Jake call in some help from Ethan to help them translate the Necronomicon to send the Grave Robber from wherever he came from. We reveal the origin of the GateCrashers biggest foe as monsters, demons, and all sorts of evil threaten to destroy the world. Will the GateCrashers stop the ultimate threat before it's too late or will GateSlashers really be forever? Find out today!
(Make sure to stay till the end... we have taken enough pages out of the DC book. Thought we'd take one from Marvel's...)
Another year of GateSlashers comes to an end as Dan and Jake make it back to the GateCrashers HQ to face off against the Grave Robber. Jordan joins Dan to discuss The Evil Dead franchise. Jordan does sound like a deadite after recovering from every type of illness that can make your throat hurt but he didn’t back down from grabbing his chainsaw to help to see if this series is for you.
Jordan and Dan end this year's GateSlashers with one of their favorite franchises. Jordan talks about his entrance into the franchise which shocked Dan because it is unlike any he has heard before. Dan talks about his parties where they'd watch the film and how Bruce Campbell dunked on him as a teenager.
The Evil Dead franchise is known for its blood, gore, and most of all for its humor. Jordan discusses some of the filming techniques used by Sam Raimi that were born from having nearly no budget to make their vision come true. Dan talks about their practical effects and unique monsters for the franchise. They also discuss which of the entrances into the series are for different people. Dan gushes about how much he loves the television version of Ash is his favorite.
What we covered:
The Evil Dead
Evil Dead II
Army of Darkness
The Evil Dead
Ash vs Evil Dead
Evil Dead (The Video Game)
Outside the normal episode, today is the finale of GateSlashers II: I Want to Believe. Dan and Jake call in some help from Ethan to help them translate the Necronomicon to send the Grave Robber from wherever he came from. We reveal the origin of the GateCrashers biggest foe as monsters, demons, and all sorts of evil threaten to destroy the world. Will the GateCrashers stop the ultimate threat before it's too late or will GateSlashers really be forever? Find out today!
(Make sure to stay till the end... we have taken enough pages out of the DC book. Thought we'd take one from Marvel's...)
Amanda sits down with voice actor and friend of the pod Ryan Colt Levy once again, a year after his original GateCrashers debut. Together, they discuss Ryan Colt Levy’s role as the English voice actor of Denji, the eponymous protagonist of Chainsaw Man, one of the most highly anticipated anime of the fall season, if not of 2022.
Check out the video interview here!
After being in production from MAPPA since December 2020, the anime adaptation finally launched on Crunchyroll October 11, 2022 in North America. Adapted from the Japanese manga series of the same name by mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto, which began its serialization in 2018, Chainsaw Man follows 16-year-old Denji who, in order to pay off his deceased father’s debts, becomes a devil hunter. Alongside his only friend in the world, a devil pup with a chainsaw for a head named Pochita, the duo slay horrific creatures until, after a job gone wrong, Pochita and Denji fuse together to become the devil-human hybrid, Chainsaw Man. As a greater evil lurks overhead, Denji learns how to navigate the world with his newfound power, he meets friends and foes alike on his quest for belonging, human connection, and good food.
Amanda and Ryan Colt Levy, fresh off a whirlwind New York Comic Con, dive headfirst into what it’s like being cast as the lead role for such a sought after property, the intersection of comedy and horror, the importance of well-drawn characters, the history of chainsaws, and the thrill of a new project.
You can purchase physical copies of Chainsaw Man wherever you buy your manga or read the entirety of part one and catch up on the new weekly serializations of part two on the Viz Media and Shonen Jump mobile apps. The sub of Chainsaw Man is streaming on Crunchyroll now; the dub is set to begin uploading starting Tuesday, October 25.
Amanda sits down with voice actor and friend of the pod Ryan Colt Levy once again, a year after his original GateCrashers debut. Together, they discuss Ryan Colt Levy’s role as the English voice actor of Denji, the eponymous protagonist of Chainsaw Man, one of the most highly anticipated anime of the fall season, if not of 2022.
Check out the video interview here!
After being in production from MAPPA since December 2020, the anime adaptation finally launched on Crunchyroll October 11, 2022 in North America. Adapted from the Japanese manga series of the same name by mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto, which began its serialization in 2018, Chainsaw Man follows 16-year-old Denji who, in order to pay off his deceased father’s debts, becomes a devil hunter. Alongside his only friend in the world, a devil pup with a chainsaw for a head named Pochita, the duo slay horrific creatures until, after a job gone wrong, Pochita and Denji fuse together to become the devil-human hybrid, Chainsaw Man. As a greater evil lurks overhead, Denji learns how to navigate the world with his newfound power, he meets friends and foes alike on his quest for belonging, human connection, and good food.
Amanda and Ryan Colt Levy, fresh off a whirlwind New York Comic Con, dive headfirst into what it’s like being cast as the lead role for such a sought after property, the intersection of comedy and horror, the importance of well-drawn characters, the history of chainsaws, and the thrill of a new project.
You can purchase physical copies of Chainsaw Man wherever you buy your manga or read the entirety of part one and catch up on the new weekly serializations of part two on the Viz Media and Shonen Jump mobile apps. The sub of Chainsaw Man is streaming on Crunchyroll now; the dub is set to begin uploading starting Tuesday, October 25.
One day you might find yourself on a lonely stretch of road in the state of Maine, with a destination that doesn't show on any map. You do not listen to the friendly gas station attendant who tells that you'll find nothing there, but trouble. Even the waitress at the cozy diner asks why anyone would want to visit such a place. But, you've never been one to turn down an adventure, be it fool-hardy or not. However, upon arrival, you realize your grave mistake, a second too late of course. Welcome to a world created by Bangor's favorite author, for everyone knows, all roads lead to Stephen King.
In this episode, Jon and RJ will take you through the dark and twisted literary universe of Stephen King. Now, not all of his work is strictly horror as you will see in our selected picks from his 60+ novels and short stories. It's actually quite difficult to focus on our individual 'Top 5' to culminate in a selected list of 10 pieces of work that give readers new and old, something to enjoy:
Salem’s Lot [1975]
The Shining [1977]
The Stand [1978]
Dark Tower: The Gunslinger [1982]
Desperation [1996]
Under The Dome [2009]
11/22/63 [2011]
Joyland [2013]
Doctor Sleep [2013]
Revival [2014]
To round out this episode Jon and RJ took time examined the highs and lows of King's film adaptations, and there were some tremendous works of art, and absolute piles of shit to be found. Albeit, some of this can be attributed to some of King's extraneous drug and alcohol use, but neither Jon nor RJ can excuse the creation and follow through of Dreamcatcher.
Dan and Jake make it to Maine before dealing with a killer clown from outer-space in part III of GateSlashers: I Want to Believe.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to continue on our GateSlashers journey please enjoy our X-Files episode or our Devilman Crybaby episode! We hope you enjoyed this journey into the mind of Stephen King, until next time constant reader, stay scared.p
For the first of a few New York Comic Con special interview episodes, we have the entire line up of Hulu’s adult animation slate. I was lucky enough to sit down with the creators, producers, and voice actors of the best shows the world has to offer. Hulu has been offering a wide arrange of incredible animation and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon with testing out many new things like holiday specials and more.
First up is Koala Man! This show doesn’t premiere until early next year on Hulu. I was lucky enough to chat with some of the people who make it happen. I can’t say much but the first episode is an absolute riot and I cannot WAIT till you all see it. The first interview is with the creator Michael Cusack and actress Demi Lardner who discuss their Australian experience and wrestling Hugh Jackman. The second interview is with co-showrunners with recent co-host Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit who discuss superhero tropes and The Simpsons effect on animation.
The second interview is with two of the minds behind the Hulu Halloween special The Paloni Show. This hour long special is available now to stream. It’s absolutely hilarious but is one of the strangest and horrifically bold pieces of animation in a long time. It strives to push the limits of comedy and horror into the absurd. It’s a must watch. I spoke with Ben Bayouth and Zach Hadel who both worked on the show. Zach co-created the show Smiling Friends with Michael Cusack for Adult Swim as well.
Our final interview is with multiple time guest Mike McMahan and executive producer Danielle Uhlarik to talk about one of my favorite shows Solar Opposites on Hulu. We get the chance to talk about the last season, Hulu itself, and the strength of Disney’s legal teams. It's public news now but Mike revealed they have been picked up for season 5 during our interview as well!
CONTENT WARNING: Devilman Crybaby contains violence, sexual violence, sexual encounters, heavy drug use, and other adult themes watch the series and listen to the podcast with that in mind.
Welcome back to GateSlashers 2 where Dan and Jake speak philosophically about death and go to a crossroads to summon a demon only accidentally get Satan himself! What could they possibly do? Listen and find out.
Listen to the main episode as Jake and Amanda tackle Devilman Crybaby and have quite different opinions on the hit from 2018. Jake has been on the Devilman Crybaby train for years and wanted to talk about it. Amanda however was disappointed by the show as it had been on her list, but it was a bit too heavy for her liking. What do the two do to get around this conflict of opinions? They discuss what they did and didn’t like about the show, and what merits they both agreed it had. They agreed the art and animation were top-notch.
Join the pair as they talk about Akira as he goes from mediocre track runner to the mighty Devilman after he gets turned into a demon. As Devilman, Akira fights to save humanity as society begins to collapse from the rise of demons!
Devilman Crybaby is the 2018 remake of the classic series Devilman with a fresh take and new coat of paint while maintaining the series' old structure. The series is 10 episodes and is a great spooky season to watch! Available only on Netflix!
A brief explanation of our hosts' opinions on the show. Jake loved how the series is a remake and breathed new life into the classic story’s antiwar sentiment with new concepts against bigotry and accepting others. Amanda explained that the series was often just adding more heavy moments until the inevitable breaking points of the character and was often gratuitous. (This was completely valid cause I, Jake, do understand this series can be a lot)
To check out part I of GateSlashers: I Want to Believe, click here to listen to where Dan and Jake join the FBI. Dan (McMahon) and fellow Dan (Hernandez) also talk about the X-Files!
After the climatic events of last years GateSlashers, we're back with another four spine chilling episodes about 4 horror properties you may want to check out. Dan calls upon Jake to investigate a mystery that they both thought had been buried in the finale of last year's events. Some things don't stay buried and they're going to need some classified government documents and a Chevy Impala to finally hunt down their greatest foe. I hope you're ready because GateSlashers II: I Want to Believe begins here...
We're kicking this year off with one of the biggest horror television shows of all time, The X-Files. Join Dan Hernandez and Dan McMahon as they dig into the essential monster of the week show. You may know Dan as the co-writer of Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, The Addams Family 2, and the upcoming Hulu series Koala Man. But to us, he's just the newest GateCrasher in our first OnlyDans episode.
The X-Files follows agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigate the FBI's most paranormal and fringe cases known as the X-Files. The series redefined horror television as it became on of the biggest shows of all time. The show took off to become one of the 90's biggest properties with two spin-offs and two motion pictures in the span of it's 11 seasons.
Dan H. teaches Dan about the community of the The X-Files who refer to themselves as X-Philes as Dan recalls. The two dig deep into some of the series' mysteries. Dan M. talks about his love for the Smoking Man and his whole aesthetic.
Dan H. also recalls what the internet was like during the time of The X-Files television run and how the community was split about if Mulder and Scully should end up together. Dan M. feels like a baby when Dan has to explain the different forums he used in his youth to talk about the show.
Episodes we covered...
Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot
Season 7, Episode 12: X-Cops
Season 4, Episode 2:Home
Season 3, Episode 4: Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose
Season 1, Episode 13: Beyond the Sea
Star Trek: Lower Decks has returned for its third season on Paramount +. The show is still one of the best jumping on points for newcomers to the Trek universe. This season it seems like the crew will be visiting Deep Space Nine, a fan favorite location from the show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (being a name and a place makes it so much easier to keep track of).
With the return of the show we are joined once again by the mighty and strong Mike McMahan. This time we are talking about Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 3. But Mike didn’t come alone this time! He brought along the incredibly talented Tawny Newsome who plays the shows lead character Mariner.
We got to chat about the experience of doing the show far. Tawny talks about how it was like creating a show in a vacuum for some time during the quarantine.
Mike and Tawny talk about their dynamic as a writer and as an actor. They have some very wholesome vibes as they talk about the goal is to make one another laugh when they’re doing the scripts from their end.
Tawny yells at Mike about Deep Space Nine as we talk about what it’s like to work with the iconic location and visit it in the show. Mike talks about what he wanted to do with the episode and about an extra scene that was added to the episode.
We also get the chance to talk about the upcoming live-action crossover with Star Trek: Brave New World. Tawny gives the honest truth on why she thought seeing her character in live action would never happen. Mike talks about his involvement and how he worked with the team to design their characters originally.
Be sure to check out our coverage of Star Trek: Lower Decks weekly.
Your eyes do not deceive you, this week's episode is all about the sandman himself, Adam Sandler. Most people know Adam Sandler but not a lot of people have given him a lot of thought past that he is a funny guy. We're here to help you decide if Adam Sandler is the comedian for you with a deeper look into some of his biggest films with a more analytical eye.
Adam Sandler's career has never slowed down with him releasing a film a year since his first. There is no slowing down the Sandman. We talk took a sampling of his performances that range from romance, to comedy, to fatherhood, to a performance that is like the visual representation of a panic attack.
Adam Sandler Films Covered The Wedding Singer
50 First Dates
Big Daddy
Billy Maddison
Uncut Gems
This episode is the first of a series we are doing called GATE CRASHERS LIVE where we will RJ (of Sex & Whiskey fame) and Dan will be taking a deeper look at the careers that were kickstarted by being on Saturday Night Live. The series will begin with the comedians that we grew up with who we will take a deeper look at far removed from our childhood of watching their inappropriate movies. We chose Adam Sandler as our first subject as his career is often lauded as being a joke among many. We are trying to slow down and find appreciation for some of the different things that are explored especially past the sophomoric humor to see the worth of things that bring you joy despite some glaring faults.
We are looking for feedback on this series on what you'd like to see more of, less of, or places you thing we could improve upon. We want to bring something different and fun to you so please, whatever you're thinking, let us know!
We hope you're ready for the next installment...
On today’s episode, Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead franchise, Spider-Man, Burn Notice, the list goes on forever) . Yeah, right? Wow. Cannot believe this happened still but it’s an incredible interview about his upcoming DC Comics book Sargent Rock vs The Army of the Dead. This is Bruce’s first outting as a DC Comics writer.
We discuss the crossroads of horror and war stories or how they’re actually one and the same. Bruce Campbell talks about being able to muck around in history. There’s a thrill to being able to tell stories in the moments no one knows the true answers for him. Plus getting to kill Hitler in any story is a plus.
They discuss the use of humor in horror situations and other places where gallows humor fits to help boost morale. Bruce talks about his approach to humor in his story.
Bruce Campbell and Dan talk about scripting a comic versus scripting like a film or a prose novel. Bruce talks about how he approaches writing in a three act structure and how comics is a challenge since it can be broken up into many more issues than one straight shot. Coming from a film background, writing the scripts comes with much more of a visual aspect for Bruce so writing a comic isn't too far off from his other work.
With Bruce's history with horror fighting demons, possessed monsters, and all sorts of baddies, we discuss his approach to the monsters in this story. He is very clear about how they are zombie as reanimated corpses and not something possessed. He talks about the blend of things that bring someone back in this story.
Bruce Campbell talks about making characters distinct from one another and how important dialogue is for characterization. An important lesson he instills about the way a character speech is something any writer should listen and take with them from this interview.
Be sure to check out the book from DC Comics on sale September 27th!
HAPPY FREAKIN' BIRTHDAY HARLEY QUINN! This episode is dedicated to the fourth pillar of DC Comics, the Harlequin of Crime herself Harley Quinn. It has been 30 years since Harley Quinn originally appeared on Batman: The Animated Series. Since then, Harley's popularity skyrocketed to the point where she has become a household name. So to celebrate our favorite clown girl, we're bring you an extra sized episode with special guests!
Our Harley revisit from our original Harley episode would not be complete without being joined by the expert, Violet. She joins Dan to bring new history and insight to the character through her massive love for the character. They discuss the best places for you to learn more about the character with different flavors that may fit your taste where others may not. Harley has so many iterations that there is something for everyone!
Violet and Dan talk about the importance of Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Connor's run on the character for redefining who she is as a character now. The duo deserve more credit for the incredible boundary pushing dirty minded work they did with the character to reinvent her from being the Joker's sidekick into a character who now is a multi-time movie star.
With this being a very special episode about Harley, we are joined by a few guests to talk about Harley! First up, we have Patrick Schumacher back to chat about the show he co-created Harley Quinn on HBO Max. Our second chat is with Tee Franklin who has been writing the tie-in comics for the series and has a very cool upcoming Harley Quinn journal coming out next year. Our third guest is Stephanie Phillips who is the current ongoing writer of Harley Quinn. Each brings their own unique take on the character and we're so glad they could join us in our birthday special.
Nona the Ninth is the much-anticipated 3rd book in the Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir. GateCrashers is joined by TorDotCom editor extraordinaire Carl Engle-Laird to dive into Muir's newest book. This series is pitched as lesbian space necromancers. If you haven’t picked it up yet, it’s sure to be one of the most unique stories you've ever read, as well as heart-wrenching. Each book in the series follows a different main character. The first was Gideon, the second was Harrow, and now it's Nona's turn for the spotlight. Nona lives in a war-torn city with her best pals Camilla Hect, Palamedes Sextus, and Pyrrha Dve. Nona is sweet, innocent, and full of love. However, she has a huge problem; she doesn't know who she is, but she does know that she looks like someone important. On top of that, the Emperor and a terrorist organization called the Blood of Eden are also interested in who she really is. But Nona cannot be bothered and just wants to be cool like her schoolmate Hot Sauce, play with an 8-legged dog named Noodle, and go to the beach.
Cidnya sits down to talk to Carl all about Nona, both in reference to the book and the character, including discussing the sweet surprise that is this novel (instead of the previously reported Alecto the Ninth). Super fans of The Locked Tomb series will get a look into what the editing process is, what working with Tamsyn Muir is like, and the parts of Nona we are excited to talk to readers about! From body swaps to the return of a missed fan-favorite, Carl gives us rabid Locked Tomb fans every piece of insight that will make you fall even more in love with Nona the Ninth and the world this series inhabits.
If you've ever read DC Comics, there's a good chance one of the stories has been written by Mark Waid. He's written some of the best DC books of all time with huge runs on many famous characters. You may know him from his legendary run on The Flash which many readers herald as the best run of the character. He's had runs with other major characters like Superman, Daredevil, and many more. One of his essential reads is Kingdom Come, a series that examines what a darker future could look like. After almost a decade of being away from DC Comics, Mark has returned strong with World's Finest and soon Batman vs Robin.
Dan was lucky enough to chat with Mark Waid about these books and his approach to the DC Universe as it is now rather than when he left. Mark gets into his approach on stories starring the Dark Knight Batman and the big blue boy scout Superman. Mark talks about his approach to them as characters but more importantly the characters around them that he wants to explore to tell fresh stories with two of the biggest characters of all time. Dan and Mark Waid gush about Dan Mora and Jordie Bellaire's work on the look of the Doom Patrol in his book. Dan inquires about the choice to bring in the weirdest team in the DC Universe into a book that features the two heavy hitters for the company.
After Mark Waid shoots Dan's assertion that Damian Wayne is the best Robin out there, they discuss the upcoming mini-series Batman vs Robin. Mark talks about the work that went into bringing a character from fantasy stories to the pages of DC Comics while being respectful of the culture the character comes from. They discuss what the story means in the larger context of the relations
Previously on Anime August, the heroes of GateCrashers handled the Chainsaw Devil in Chainsaw Man, learned to love in Your Name, digivolved with the Digimon, and learned to cook with Food Wars. But now, three of the heroes have finally arrived on Namak to handle one of the biggest anime of all time... Dragon Ball!
Jake, Jon, and Dan fly headfirst into the series from Dragon Ball up until the end of the Frieza Saga in Dragon Ball Z. Dan watched all of it in a month which is described as an "Amanda Binge" power level. Coming from last year's Anime August, Dan has dived far too deep into the manga and anime ocean to ever return to the surface.
Jon discusses how Dragon Ball was his first anime and how it will always be his favorite. Jake read the entire manga series rather than rewatching the series for the hundredth time to bring a different perspective.
Jon and Dan go off on a tangent about the shows they watched growing up after bringing up Saban in relation to Dragon Ball. They also discover while discussing this that Jake didn't know what Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog was. Turns out some weird shows of the other toys youth missed an entire age group.
The crew also discusses their experience with seeing anime films in theatres with other fans when they chat about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and their screenings. Seeing films with fans is a whole other level of energy that you can't capture when watching them alone.
Prepare yourself for the loudest episode of GateCrashers with special attacks, yelling, and a special guest appearance by Kyle Herbert (Narrator and Gohan in Dragon Ball Z). No, that isn't a bit... Kyle Herbert is actually in this episode. Trust us, we're still in shock at how this intro came out too... it's next level. So rock the dragon and listen to this week's episode of GATECRASHERS!
Come join Amanda and Patrick as they dive into Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, the hit anime about the power of… gourmet food? That’s right! The world of Food Wars is one driven by the power wielded by the stars of the culinary world, and they’re willing to go to war over it… a Food War, that is! Following Soma Yukihira, Erina Nakiri, Takumi Aldini, Megumi Tadokoro, and their fellow classmates of the prestigious, ruthless, and cutthroat Tohtsuki Academy, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma follows these ambitious, talented teens as they polish their culinary skills, engage in Iron Chef-like culinary battles, and change the face of the world’s restaurant scene forever. But, of course, there will be plenty of rivals and pitfalls along the way! This is the 4th episode of Anime August with one more coming soon, we've covered Chainsaw Man, Your Name, Digimon, and now FOOD. The show is available on Crunchyroll.
Amanda and Patrick talk about how this show about gourmet chefs has all the hallmarks of traditional superpowered shōnen, with a healthy dose of fan service thrown in. Amanda goes on about best girl Megumi, while Patrick talks about his love for Meat-Meat. They talk character arcs and developments over the first season, including the wealth of characters introduced and how Soma power-of-friendships each one of them into being a powerful ally who is stronger than they were as his rival. Amanda tries not to cry about Joichiro and Soma’s father-son relationship, while Patrick tries his hardest not to spoil the plot of seasons 2-5. Patrick discusses some of the craziest dishes they make over the course of the seasons, while Amanda tells us about how she cannot believe how obsessed she is with a cooking anime.
So come and join us as we dive into the apparently wild world of the Japanese culinary scene as it trains the next generation of gourmet super stars in Season 1 of Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma!
Warning! Contains spoilers for Season 1 of the anime and the corresponding arcs of the manga.
Come join Amanda and Patrick as they dive into Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, the hit anime about the power of… gourmet food? That’s right! The world of Food Wars is one driven by the power wielded by the stars of the culinary world, and they’re willing to go to war over it… a Food War, that is! Following Soma Yukihira, Erina Nakiri, Takumi Aldini, Megumi Tadokoro, and their fellow classmates of the prestigious, ruthless, and cutthroat Tohtsuki Academy, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma follows these ambitious, talented teens as they polish their culinary skills, engage in Iron Chef-like culinary battles, and change the face of the world’s restaurant scene forever. But, of course, there will be plenty of rivals and pitfalls along the way! This is the 4th episode of Anime August with one more coming soon, we've covered Chainsaw Man, Your Name, Digimon, and now FOOD. The show is available on Crunchyroll.
Amanda and Patrick talk about how this show about gourmet chefs has all the hallmarks of traditional superpowered shōnen, with a healthy dose of fan service thrown in. Amanda goes on about best girl Megumi, while Patrick talks about his love for Meat-Meat. They talk character arcs and developments over the first season, including the wealth of characters introduced and how Soma power-of-friendships each one of them into being a powerful ally who is stronger than they were as his rival. Amanda tries not to cry about Joichiro and Soma’s father-son relationship, while Patrick tries his hardest not to spoil the plot of seasons 2-5. Patrick discusses some of the craziest dishes they make over the course of the seasons, while Amanda tells us about how she cannot believe how obsessed she is with a cooking anime.
So come and join us as we dive into the apparently wild world of the Japanese culinary scene as it trains the next generation of gourmet super stars in Season 1 of Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma!
Warning! Contains spoilers for Season 1 of the anime and the corresponding arcs of the manga.
We'd be lying if we didn't say that Tik Tok has been a huge source of my entertainment since the start of the pandemic. There are a ton of truly funny, weird, and inventive people using the platform to express themselves. A lot of musicians have been using the platform but none as well as sad alex. Recently, Alex has been running a campaign recently through a series of Tik Toks leading up to the release of her new single "rugburn". Each video features a portion of the song and her singing it somewhere different. Dan and Alex sat down to have a in depth conversation which you're about to hear.
Alex Saad and Dan discuss her use of Tik Tok and social media for sad alex to promote her music through the pandemic. But they also delve into the dangers of social media and get a bit into the ideas of parasocial relationships.
Alex has written music for many other artists but we chat about creating her art and the amount of authenticity that goes into creating art for the sad alex project. When you put something of yourself on the page, you have to give a level of the truth to the audience which Alex excels at. Her music is a look into who she is and that's what she wants. Her intention is to be her authentic self when creating art.
The two discuss their approach to the creation of content but also get into the idea of faking it till you make it. They talk about how trying to approach things differently is where they have found their success. Before the interview, Dan ran a question past Alex that she was shocked he knew. It was a big moment like he was Nardwaur interviewing someone.
Alex talks about blending sexuality, intimacy, and humor for her connects in her music.
Alex is also from the East Coast so she and Dan talk about the difference in sandwiches between their area versus Los Angelos.
"rugburn" is out now and be sure to stream her other music.
We'd be lying if we didn't say that Tik Tok has been a huge source of my entertainment since the start of the pandemic. There are a ton of truly funny, weird, and inventive people using the platform to express themselves. A lot of musicians have been using the platform but none as well as sad alex. Recently, Alex has been running a campaign recently through a series of Tik Toks leading up to the release of her new single "rugburn". Each video features a portion of the song and her singing it somewhere different. Dan and Alex sat down to have a in depth conversation which you're about to hear.
Alex Saad and Dan discuss her use of Tik Tok and social media for sad alex to promote her music through the pandemic. But they also delve into the dangers of social media and get a bit into the ideas of parasocial relationships.
Alex has written music for many other artists but we chat about creating her art and the amount of authenticity that goes into creating art for the sad alex project. When you put something of yourself on the page, you have to give a level of the truth to the audience which Alex excels at. Her music is a look into who she is and that's what she wants. Her intention is to be her authentic self when creating art.
The two discuss their approach to the creation of content but also get into the idea of faking it till you make it. They talk about how trying to approach things differently is where they have found their success. Before the interview, Dan ran a question past Alex that she was shocked he knew. It was a big moment like he was Nardwaur interviewing someone.
Alex talks about blending sexuality, intimacy, and humor for her connects in her music.
Alex is also from the East Coast so she and Dan talk about the difference in sandwiches between their area versus Los Angelos.
"rugburn" is out now and be sure to stream her other music.
On this episode, J.H. Williams III (Sandman Overture, Promethea, Batwoman, Batman, Desolation Jones, Blondie, The Sword) returns to the show after the release of the first volume of his series Echolands from Image Comics. Our first conversation happened after Issue 1 which only gave us a brief glimpse into the world he co-created with W. Haden Blackman (Star Wars, Elektra). The team is once again joined by the legendary Dave Stewart on colors and the GOAT Todd Klein.
In a bizarre future world that has forgotten its history, a reckless thief, Hope Redhood, holds the key to excavating its dark, strange past—if only she and her crew can escape a tyrannical wizard and his unstoppable daughter. But fate will send them all on a path leading to a war between worlds. Echolands is a landscape format, mythic-fiction epic where anything is possible—a fast-paced genre mashup adventure that combines everything from horror movie vampires to classic mobsters and cyborg elves, to Roman demigods and retro rocket ships. It's full of things you know spun in an entirely new way.
With this interview Dan and J.H. were able to really dive deeper into the world and its inspirations. The discussed quotes as a form of inspiration to them as creators. Williams got a bit in depth on each of the different parts of the world of Echolands including Horror Hill which Dan was eager to learn much more about. Dan talks about their discussion of Cor in the first episode and why the character is important for him and others. Both of their minds spent some time in the gutters... no not those gutters weirdos... the gutters of the page itself to discuss how it can effect the art and story on page physically. They also once again talk about music and specifically Lizzo.
Echolands Vol 1 is out now wherever comics are sold in a hardcover format. This is the series you want to read physically to truly absorb all of the feeling of holding the abnormal formatting. Read our review here!
On a very special interview episode, we are joined by some of the biggest anime voice actors ever. With Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero releasing today in the United States in theatres, we are releasing our round table interview with the cast of the film.
In the first roundtable, we are chatting with Zeno Robinson (Hawks in My Hero Academia and Cyborg in Young Justice) who is playing Gamma 2 in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Jason Marnocha (Megatron in Transformers: Combiner Wars and Keicho Nijimura in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) who plays Carmine, & Zach Aguilar (Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer and Byleth in Fire Emblem) who plays Dr. Hedo. We chat about what makes a good hero voice and what legacy means to Dr. Hedo.
In the second roundtable, we chat with Christopher Sabat (Piccolo/Vegeta) , Kyle Hebert (Gohan) & Sean Schemmel (Goku). The energy of these three is as big as the room itself. It's clear how long they've worked with one another by how they go off tangent with stories about one another. We do get to ask our patented sandwich question that Sean gives a VERY specific answer that lights up Dan's life.
Getting to chat with so many big name anime voice actors is a gem in our Anime August for Dan who was only recently converted into an anime fan as of last year. Check out our first three episodes of the month below!
Chainsaw Man: Dan, Amanda, Amir, and Jake dig into the hottest new horror manga out there before the Anime premieres in October. Hope you're ready for some VRRM VRRM.
Digimon: Jake and Jon digivolve into digital champions to save the digital world.
Your Name: Ashley, Scarlett, Jake, and Gunner talk about the hit film and Jake talks about a bunch of off topic stuff.
Tickets are on sale now for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero!
On the third episode of this Anime August, Scarlett, Gunner, and Ashley have a thoughtful conversation about the smash hit anime film, Your Name, as Jake twiddles his thumbs thinking up his next joke. Which is the same thing he did while writing this episode description!
Mitsuha is just a small town girl that gets on a train going anywhere. Taki is just a city boy that wakes up in Mitsuha’s body. And she wakes up in his. The pair share their bodies with one another and communicate through notes on their phones but one day that all stops. Years later Taki goes to her small town to meet her only to learn that it was struck by a meteor. Upon learning this his memory begins to unravel as he fights to remember only to recognize a place Mitsuha’s grandmother brought him to and he falls and is transported back into her body the day she died. Taki along with Mitsuha’s friends go out of their way to evacuate the town to save everyone despite the mayor, Mitsuha’s father. Right before the crash Taki returns to his body only for Mitsuha to return and the adult Taki meets the young Mitsuha at dawn between the worlds and time only to begin forgetting one another and try to remember. Back in the present an adult Taki runs into an adult Mitsuha, each asking one question of the other, whats your name?
The red string of fate leads the pair from “Small Town Girl” by Journey into a Freaky Friday situation that is only destroyed by the plot if a disaster film only to be saved with a Groundhog’s Day situation. The film relies on the fact that its two characters are partially on a delay between when the other takes over their body. Its a sweet film thats excellently written and directed.
Jake and Jon discuss the champions, Digimon. The pair try hard to stay on task discussing Digimon Tamers, a standalone season of the series. Chosen for its mature take on the franchise the delves into trauma of its characters as the children deal with hardships, such as death of a friend, depression, and other potential harm they face on Earth or the Digital world.
That said the pair discuss various things like Saban and other properties, from power rangers to things like Van-pires and the one guy from Big Bad Beetleborgs.
But join Jake and Jon as they discuss the world of Digimon digital monsters and how Tamers started as being set in the real world where Digimon is a game and show only to see that it was bleeding over into the real world something the original developers never thought possible.
But as Digimon emerge so do their human partners known as tamers. Takato, the series goggleheaded leader, and his partner Guilmon, the goodest boy digimon, go from fun loving friends to champions of justice. Rika, the tamer known as the Digimon Queen, and Renamon, the fox with the drive to be the best, go from cold hearted fighters to caring friends. Henry, son of one of the original Digimon coders, and Terriermon, the bunny with a sarcastic attitude as big as his ears, go from hiding from fights to protecting those they care about. Jeri and Leomon from shining optimism to heartbreak. Kazu and Guardromon, full of it and a copycat respectively. Kenta and Marineangemon, kind of a bitch and a cute little angel. Ryo and Cyberdramon, the best of the best. Suzie and Lopmon, a little girl and her bunny. And Impmon, who goes fromca prankster that sounds like he should be on the Sopranos to a quest from redemption. Watch Digimon tamers and give us a listen.
Releasing on December 3rd 2018, Chainsaw Man created by mangka Tatsuki Fujimoto vrmm’d onto the shounen scene and begged the question humanity was begging to know: what if a man, but with chainsaws? The answer as it turned out was clear: Yes. The series has vrrrm’d to massive popularity with widespread acclaim. With the release of Part 2 of the series on Shonen Jump as well as an anime adaptation by MAPPA – the team responsible for adapting Jujutsu Kaisen and working on the finale season of Attack on Titan – it seems the series has broken through to the majors.
We’re all the more grateful for it. Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a poverty stricken teenager who fights devils in order to live. When he loses his life and makes a deal morphing with the Chainsaw Devil, he is resurrected and thus, Chainsaw Man is born. He soon meets Makima and is employed under her command as a Public Sector Devil Hunter, working with stoic Aki Hayakawa and a fiend named Power. A wild and frenetic rampage of visceral violence and unnerving horror merged with a touching coming of age story about chosen families, Chainsaw Man is a series you don’t want to miss out on.
Get ready to commence operation super smart as Dan, Jake, Amanda and Amir rev up those chainsaws discussing their favorite elements of the series from the colorful cast of characters, the subversive takes on horror and shounen tropes, and why Beam is the best character of all time. We also get an informative lesson on the history of chainsaws, themes, and the delightful easter eggs and references we managed to pick up on.
Haven’t vrrrrr-ahem, read it yet? No worries, grab yourself a copy of Chainsaw Man or read it online through the Shonen Jump or Manga Plus app and tune in for a hilarious conversation amongst good friends, and chainsaws.
We may have also added in an ad for our own show as a bit.
Fan Fiction. It’s a hot topic genre that elicits deep emotions from both readers and detractors alike. But its roots go deep in the history of storytelling, and the GateCrashers want you to explore all the good that fanfic has to offer the world. It’s a place for readers and creators to live out fan cannon, let unfulfilled ships sail, and connect with people in the fandoms you love most. Fan Fiction certainly deserves its own page in the annals of internet history, and we’re convinced that if you give fanfic a chance, the perfect fic out there waiting for you.
This week, Dan and Ashley take a deep dive into this literary marvel known as fan fiction. Now, we can’t claim to be the authority, so buckle up, because we’ve joined forces for a special episode with podcasting fanfic phenoms, Erin and Alan from The Fic List! The Fic List reads and reviews fanfics together, recapping and discussing their weekly themed picks for their audience.
Dan and Ashley were pleased to be joined by Erin and Alan from The Fic List for a conversation regarding where to read fanfic, why it gets a bad rap, how the genre has evolved, and its importance to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Listen to The Fic List on Spotify or anywhere else podcasts are available, and visit them on Twitter, Instagram
With Harley Quinn season 3 dropping its first three episodes on HBO Max today, we had the chance to chat with co-creator, executive producer, and writer of the show Patrick Schumacker about the series. Patrick’s other work include Abbot Elementary, Powerless, Surviving Jack, and the upcoming Harley Quinn spin off Noonan's. Be sure to check out this Harley Quinn interview before watching the new season.
Harley Quinn is the first time we've gotten to see Harley and Ivy on screen as a couple which has made fans extremely happy. Patrick talks about the impact of being able to treat queer stories as they are as normal everyday things. Patrick talks about the reactions to this and the positive reactions the fans have had. But he also gets into what it was like before it was confirmed and how the fans treated the show and the team.
The Harley Quinn show has given it's unique take on many well known characters in the DC Universe. Patrick talks about the ones he is most proud of but more so the one that he wasn't expecting to have as much staying power as they did. With television being a collaborative process, Patrick talks about how the writers (and Dan) want to keep one character the way he has been in the show.
Season 3 brings in some familiar fan favorite characters from the DC Universe. The season has some more focus on the bat family with Nightwing finally making his appearance. We chat about the character and his interactions with the best Robin Damian Wayne. Patrick and Dan also talk about the vibes that the show's Swamp Thing gives off and his role in the show at large.
Be sure to check out our resident Harley Quinn experts review of t
We hope you brought your thickest black mascara, your fishnets, and your leather black trench coat because the GateCrashers are getting all kinds of Goth as we cover The Sandman! It's their first time reading it and the first time Neil Gaiman has been covered on GateCrashers!
Jake and Dan both read The Sandman from DC Comics for the first time ever. It's the first episode in nearly 2 years where neither of these hosts has had read the title before preparing for the episode. Spoiler for the episode but they both love The Sandman. Maybe not as much as Wesley Dodds but Dream is getting pretty high on the cool character scale with his goofy little guy posing in his debut series. The series helped kick off DC's iconic Vertigo imprint that features other titles like Swamp Thing and more.
With the new Netflix series on the horizon, we decided it was finally time to crash the gates of The Sandman's dream kingdom to see if the comic is one you should check out. It's a great series but you should be prepared for some unsettling topics that may not be for all readers.
As always, the first half of the episode is dedicated to telling you a little bit about the series to see if it's for you! We get into the themes explored in the first book of The Sandman. Dan goes on a rant about how good the covers of the series are and how they're iconic.
The series first 8 issues are currently available on DC Universe as well as in physical form at most comic book shops and book stores. With the upcoming release of the show, The Sandman should be easy to find where you get your comics! If you don't have a shop, check out Third Eye Comics who is always there to help you find this and many other titles.
The boys always may or may not get into a fight in today's cold open... honest mistake. Dreamy, wake up... I don't like this.
The Sandman's creative team includes iconic names like Neil Gaiman, Karen Berger, Todd Klein and more!
What's covered in the episode:
The Sandman Book One
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones iii, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Kelley Jones, Charles Vess, Colleen Doran
Colorist: Daniel Vozzo, Zylonol, Steve Oliff
Letterer: Todd Klein, John Costanza
Cover art by Bree King
We hope you brought your thickest black mascara, your fishnets, and your leather black trench coat because the GateCrashers are getting all kinds of Goth as we cover The Sandman! It's their first time reading it and the first time Neil Gaiman has been covered on GateCrashers!
Jake and Dan both read The Sandman from DC Comics for the first time ever. It's the first episode in nearly 2 years where neither of these hosts has had read the title before preparing for the episode. Spoiler for the episode but they both love The Sandman. Maybe not as much as Wesley Dodds but Dream is getting pretty high on the cool character scale with his goofy little guy posing in his debut series. The series helped kick off DC's iconic Vertigo imprint that features other titles like Swamp Thing and more.
With the new Netflix series on the horizon, we decided it was finally time to crash the gates of The Sandman's dream kingdom to see if the comic is one you should check out. It's a great series but you should be prepared for some unsettling topics that may not be for all readers.
As always, the first half of the episode is dedicated to telling you a little bit about the series to see if it's for you! We get into the themes explored in the first book of The Sandman. Dan goes on a rant about how good the covers of the series are and how they're iconic.
The series first 8 issues are currently available on DC Universe as well as in physical form at most comic book shops and book stores. With the upcoming release of the show, The Sandman should be easy to find where you get your comics! If you don't have a shop, check out Third Eye Comics who is always there to help you find this and many other titles.
The boys always may or may not get into a fight in today's cold open... honest mistake. Dreamy, wake up... I don't like this.
The Sandman's creative team includes iconic names like Neil Gaiman, Karen Berger, Todd Klein and more!
What's covered in the episode:
The Sandman Book One
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones iii, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Kelley Jones, Charles Vess, Colleen Doran
Colorist: Daniel Vozzo, Zylonol, Steve Oliff
Letterer: Todd Klein, John Costanza
Cover art by Bree King
Do you love D-list super villains and crooks who are more so looking to make ends meat rather than take over the world all the time? We've got the perfect book for you then, Minor Threats! The book is co-written by Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt, the duo who brought us MODOK on Hulu and MODOK: Head Games from Marvel Comics. They are rejoined on art by Steve Hepburn who did the art for Head Games.
The trio joins us today to talk about their fully original new Dark Horse super hero universe. We get into which d-list villains that we have always loved and what makes croooks like these more relatable characters than the big bad A-listers. Patton Oswalt gets into the idea of criminals having a code and what that means. Scott talks about the freedom of getting to design a new world that has been lived in by superheroes for so long and what makes for a good hero or villain costume.
It's hard out there for a supervillain. Not the world conquerors, chaos engines, or arch-nemeses . . . but the little guys. The ones who put on uniforms, knock over jewelry stores, and get tied to poles. And things are about to get worse. The psychotic Stickman has murdered Kid Dusk, sidekick to Twilight Citys premier crime-fighter, the Insomniac. The Insomniac's teammates are tearing Twilight apart, turning it into a police state--desperate to capture Stickman and stop the Insomniac from crossing that final line in which he may never come back from. Caught in the middle are the small-time c-list villains, finding it impossible to walk down the street without being harassed by these heroes. With a bounty on the Stickman's head, former villain Playtime decides to assemble a ragtag team of villains to take down the Stickman and kill him themselves.
After the success of Avatar: The Last Airbender, show creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko decided to tell the story of the next Avatar; headstrong 17-year-old Korra of the Southern Water Tribe. Set seventy years after the concluding events of Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra catapulted watchers into the future of The Four Nations to see the mark Team Avatar left on their world, including the creation of Republic City, Aang’s crowning achievement. Premiering April 14th, 2012 on Nickelodeon, The Legend of Korra ran for four seasons and expanded upon the world and lore of Avatar in new and exciting ways. Clearly ahead of its time, The Legend of Korra was the first show on Nickelodeon not programmed for Nick at Nite to show a same-sex relationship. From representation, to the addition of futuristic tech and Pro-Bending, Legend of Korra found a way to entice both new and old fans alike.
On today’s episode, Jon, Scarlett, and Ashley enthusiastically venture once again to the Four Nations to discuss the sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra. GC’s own Team Avatar DO THE THING and dive into topics such as the show’s surprisingly dark themes, the villains, comparisons between the two shows, how Nickelodeon really screwed over the creative team mid-way through the series’ run, and more! The trio also discuss some of The Legend of Korra comics and the recent news surrounding Avatar Studios. Coincidentally, the studio announced its formation the week after our Avatar: The Last Airbender episode dropped.
Whether you’re a huge Avatar fan, or looking to discover more about it, today’s episode is the perfect opportunity to explore this incredible world.
On this episode we cover: The Legend of KorraBook 1: Air
Book Two: Spirits
Book Three: Change
Book Four: Balance
I will take every chance I get to spread the good word of the Solar Opposites. Luckily Disney and Hulu were kind enough to set up some interviews with the cast and producers for a Solar Opposites Interview! Solar Opposites has returned for a third season on Hulu with the series only pushing the boundaries of animation further and further.
Solar Opposites is about a team of four aliens escape their exploding homeworld only to crash land on Earth. They are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Justin Roiland) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) only see the pollution, crass consumerism, and human frailty while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love humans and all their TV, junk food and fun stuff. Their mission: protect the Pupa, a living super computer that will one day evolve into its true form, consume them, and terraform the Earth.
The first half of the interview is with returning guest Mike McMahan, co-creator of Solar Opposites and creator of Star Trek Lower Decks. The last time we spoke, Mike was preparing for the Christmas special to be released. The episode was a wild ride itself but season 3 cranks the volume even louder. Josh Bycel, producer of shows like Psych and Happy Endings, joins us this time to talk about how working on the show this season has been.
The second half of the episode features the youngest Solar Opposites, Yumyulak and Jesse who are voiced by Sean Giambrone, from The Goldbergs, and Mary Mack who has my favorite voice on Earth (sorry everyone else). We talk about their sibling dynamic on and off the screen. Mary talks about how the Wall has become it's own thing and feels like it could be it's own thing soon enough.
On this episode full of winners, Dan and Jake interview the DC Mech writer, Kenny Porter, and and artist, Baldemar Rivas! They discuss the upcoming DC Mech coming July 26th, 2022. Jake gets to gush over Gundam as one of the inspirations for the series. We seriously recommend you check out this new six issue series after listening to this DC Mech interview.
Also discussed is the DC Round Robin, a tournament that sees a new mini series chosen by fan voting. This contest been going on since 2021! Baldemar was on the first winning creative team as artist for the series Robins, with Tim Seeley, Robins is available now on the DC Universe Infinite app and in printed single issues.
Kenny Porter is the winning writer for the 2022 Round Robin with his pitch for Superboy, art by Jahnoy Lindsey!. This series has not been published yet so keep your eyes on upcoming solicitations to know when its available!
After both contests concluded in victories Jake supported he proudly admits to being smug and will continue to be smug when his top pick wins next year’s Round Robin.
Other titles you can pick up from our guests:
Kenny Porter: Fearless from Scholastic, Yakuza comic from Sega, Barnstormers from Insight Kids, Dog Days of Summer, Batman Urban Legends, Comics Cursed Cavalcade, A Very Dc Halloween, New Year’s Evil, The Doomed and the Damned, Superman Man of Tomorrow all out from DC Comics.
Baldemar Rivas: Unearth out from Image comics, Robins DC Comics, and other projects visible at http://baldemarrivas.com
Oh and to end this description on an important note. Sandwiches were unique choices and our guests should feel proud of that and their stellar first issue of DC Mech so check out the episode and the issue when it drops so we can talk about it!
What do Dan McMahon and 75% of the middle aged women on Facebook have in common? They love the Minions. They think about these little yellow freaks constantly. Today, that love is being put on record as Dan and Ethan go off the rails to talk all about Despicable Me and Minions.
We dive head first into the history of the Minions with a rowdy reading of the timeline of their journey to Gru. Dan reads Minion memes he finds on Google while trying not to die from some of the things he reads. If you're looking for the most joyous celebration of the denim loving, banana worshiping, goggle wearing little angels then this is the place for you.
Listen as Dan tries to list of what other films the outrageously talented voice casts have starred in. The choices may shock you. Also Alan Arkin is alive which Dan only found out after this was recorded. With jam packed voice acting, the films also sport some of the best soundtracks in any kid's film. The newest album was produced by Jack Antonoff of Bleachers fame and producing every major pop start in the past 10 years as well.
Have you seen Dan's review of Minions: The Rise of Gru where he revealed his truest minion self for the rising of Gru? If you haven't be sure to check it out here. If you catch him at any con soon, he may also be sporting the outfit as well. Coming from a man who saw Despicable Me 2 in theatres more than 3 times, none of this should be a shock.
If you've been on the fence because of the weird mom memes, please give the Minions another chance. They've got big hearts, bright eyes, and humor that's worth it's weight in gold.
What We Covered: Despicable Me 1 & 2Minions
Spoilers for Minions 2: Rise of Gru at the end of the episode
In Our Flag Means Death, sailing the open seas meant freedom for many in the 1700s, and that could not be more true than it is for real-life pirate captain Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate! Running away from his life and family among the colonial elite of British Barbados, Stede builds a boat, hires a crew, and fails miserably as a pirate captain… that is until he meets the infamous Blackbeard!
To celebrate the last week of Pride, Amanda and Patrick find themselves sailing the high seas, where they stay mostly on topic as they discuss the breakout queer pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death from HBO Max! Join us as we delve into our favorite moments, characters, and themes of one of the best-executed queer shows on television today. Come listen as they talk about the subtle ways this show keeps important topics light and how empowering it is to see a wide variety of actual queer folk (actors and characters) represented onscreen. Patrick delves into his roots as a history major to bring you some fun facts from the history of Atlantic piracy, while Amanda screeches about kissing, Mary’s post-Stede life, and how showrunner and creator David Jenkins fights queerbaiting head-on.
With a second season recently announced, Amanda and Patrick talk about what they’re looking forward to in the new season. Their love for all things Taika Waititi is evident as they gush over the powerhouse cast that includes the likes of Rhys Darby, Vico Ortiz, Con O’Neill, Nathan Foad, Leslie Jones, and Samson Kayo. Later, Patrick declares himself firmly pro-pirate, while Amanda brings up other notable ways this show creates an inclusive space.
So join us as we set sail in search of some booty (and love) on this edition of GateCrashers!
Spoiler Warning: this episode discusses the first season of Our Flag Means Death in its entirety in the second half of the episode.
Cover art by Liana Kangas.
A dark cloud has hung over the town of Hawkins for the past few years, and things are certainly not getting any brighter. The line between our world and the upside down thins as an old, yet familiar enemy run’s out the clock on the youth of this formerly quiet town.
We settle in as our GateCrasher hosts Ethan, Jon, and RJ find themselves venturing into this Netflix behemoth, only to find themselves trapped in a realm that does not take so kindly to trespassers.
On the heels of a spell-binding first half of Season 4, and merely a week away to its culmination, it’s time to sit back and listen to our crew discuss Stranger Things and even stranger theories.
Season 4 opens on a town that is attempting to move past its tragic mall fire, and the familiar faces we have grown to love, trying to get on with their lives after the defeat of the Mind Flayer. However, some are having a harder time to acclimate than others.
Our group is dealing with some tragic losses, Max is grieving Billy, Joyce is missing Hopper, and Eleven is struggling in a life without her ‘Dad’ and her powers. In customary Stranger Things fashion, the Duffers waste no time in introducing this season’s Big Bad, the Dream-Killer himself, Vecna. Don’t worry, through the darkness comes the light, with another addition to this season’s cast, our Hellfire Club President and Guitar Hero, Eddie Munson. This season leans heavily into the realm of horror as our band of misfits face their toughest opponent yet, with everyone holding their breath until the season finale on July 1st.
It’s a credit to the cast, the writing, and the directing of Stranger Things, that even though we are now into the 4th year of this show, our group has rallied behind the idea that Season 4 may be its’ best yet. With the recent announcement of the series ending after Season 5, we all can’t help but wonder what is in store for this lovable cast of characters. Now, the discussion of these past 7 episodes may go off the rails a bit, but trust us, our love for this series is what shines through all the chaos. So, put on your favorite song, and come journey into the upside down.
A few weeks ago, Dan and Ethan made the long trek to California to celebrate all things A Galaxy Far, Far Away at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. Not only was Dan incredibly lucky to attend the convention as a member of the press, but it was also the first time Dan and Ethan got the chance to meet in the flesh-realm.
Braving a convention center packed with tens of thousands of Star Wars fans, and a days excursion to the planet Batuu in the star system known only as Disneyland, Dan got the chance to sit down at Star Wars Celebration and interview a host of people involved in the making of this iconic franchise, including:
- The architects of Star Wars: The High Republic; Charles Soule, Cavan Scott, Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, and Daniel José Older.
- Star Wars: Brotherhood author Mike Chen.
- Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith author Adam Christopher.
- Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi writer Christopher Cantwell.
- Star Wars audiobook narrator Marc Thompson.
- And a very special guest to answer our famous sandwich question...
Also in today's podcast, Dan and Ethan discuss their favorite moments from Star Wars Celebration. Why In-N-Out Burger is not all it's made out to be. All that, and a minor tangent to discuss Robocop legend Kurtwood Smith.
GateCrashers has interviewed a huge array of guests from artists to Tony winners to New York Times Best Selling authors but nothing can measure up to one of the scum dogs of the universe, GWAR. The Intergalactic conquerors/band known as GWAR have released a new album entitled “The New Dark Ages" that is available to stream now on all platforms. The physical CD will be released on July 15th along with the tie in comic GWAR: In the Duoverse of Absurdity from Z2 comics. The vinyl and cassette versions of the album release on September 16th via the band’s own Pit Records.
Dan sat down with guitarist Pustulus Maximus to have a deep conversation from a range of topics. One of the major themes of the album is the loss of truth and the belief in lies. One of the tracks "Mother Fucking Liar" lays out the bands feelings on the subject very well. They speak about the impact of the lack of trust in science and how the human race has essentially doomed itself and continues to chose to do so.
Dan checks in on the "War on Gwar" from the previous album to see how that rages on. Pustulus talks about performing for live audiences after some time away in isolation, spoilers everyone is a hell of a lot hornier.
Pustulus also dives into a bit of a conversation about what cancel culture is and a human's ability to grow as a person over time which should be nurtured rather than stomped out.
Be sure to check out Gwar's new album "The New Dark Ages" right fucking now.
We are joined by colorist Marissa Louise to chat about her work on the Nubia story "Confessions" in this year's DC Pride anthology! We chat about her approach to color, her signature color, and her recent work on the Black Manta mini series. Marissa also gives some resources for how you can help out the LGBTQIA+ community which are all linked on our website!
This week starts our first of a few DC Pride centric interviews! To kick it all off, we are joined by the absolutely charming and wonderful Ro Stein who Ted Brandt penned the DC Pride story "Think of Me". In this story, Connor foils the Music Meister's evil plan all while we read his letter coming out as asexual to his mother. Ro and Ted chat with Dan about the experience of bringing this to the page. We get the chance to chat about sandwiches, pride, and so much more! Check it out!
We get into all things X-Men 92 House of XCII and Archer & Armstrong Forever with the incredible talented Steve Foxe! Steve returns for another episode of GateCrashers to talk about all of his new projects from Marvel and Valiant comics! Steve is an incredibly talented editor and writer of other projects such as Party & Prey, Spider-Ham, and many other titles. He is also the co-creator of horror magazine Razorblades.
We get into everything about X-Men 92 House of XCII #1 and Steve's approach to the most well known iterations of everyone's favorite mutants. We dive into his approach to a story like House of X/Powers of X set in a much different time period with more distilled versions of the characters. We talk about some of the things that go on in issue #2 with teasers of what you can look forward to! Dan also does ask about the greatest X-Men character of all time, Wolverine. He also asks about the other most extreme mutant Adam X the X-Treme.
Jake and Steve talk about Archer & Armstrong's newest series Archer & Armstrong Forever. We dive into who these characters are and their dynamics as partners. This new series is the perfect jumping on point for new readers, as Dan and Jake have both never read anything about the characters before. Steve teaches them about the story behind the characters.
Dan also starts the interview off with a question he has been saving until he got Foxe on the show again: What are his thoughts on the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Let us tell you what, Steve has a lot of thoughts on requels!
Make sure you're picking up these and all titles that Steve is working on! There is much more to come for one of the biggest talents in the comics world.
Did you see Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and say to yourself “I need a little more magic in my life” or even “I need to get a little more Strange”? Well if so, we’ve got you covered this week! Today’s episode is all about Doctor Strange with our fellow GateCrasher and first time guest, Jordan!
For this episode, Dan opened up a portal all the way to New Zealand thanks to a mysterious magical tome/software called Zoom to consult with a Doctor Strange expert on the topic to see where is a good place to begin reading more about the character!
As someone who hates magic, even Dan found the spark in the comics we read but more so from hearing Jordan talk about his favorite character maybe in all of fiction. A lot of questions flew in this one about Doctor Strange’s rogue gallery to pondering on what was going through the minds of the developers on Marvel VS Capcom when they threw in Shuma Gorath as a fighter. They really took us for a ride with that one... Fun fact about that multi-dimensional tentacle haver, they’re a Conan the Barbarian character which we get into.
At the tail end of the episode, Dan and Jordan give their honest thoughts and feelings on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with FULL SPOILERS. But we give a ton of warnings, honestly Dan may have given too many. It’s a lot of warnings that the film will be spoiled if you listen to the very end. You’re warned there and here. That Jordan and Dan of the GateCrashersverse warn you and the Dan of our Earth (me) are warning you as well!
For this episode we covered:
Doctor Strange: The Oath
Writer: Brian K. Vaughn
Penciler: Marcos Martin
Inker: Alvaro Lopez
Colorist: Javier Rodriguez
Letter: Willie Schubert
Doctor Strange Vol 2 Issue 46
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: Marshall Rogers
Inker: Terry Kevin Austin
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Jim Novak
Listeners should be familiar with the Detective Comic Comics universe by now being that’s what all this was born from. Well, listeners, we’ve covered one of these before and opened with a musical number but this time, we are here with someone who is penning a...
DARK CRISIS Red skies, death, destruction, trying to make sense of the DC universe’s multiverse and how at one point all of it happened in 5 years...
Today we are once again joined by the current architect of the DC Universe; the writer of Robin, Batman, Deathstroke Inc, and now… DARK CRISIS... New York Times best-selling author Joshua Williamson joins us again to talk about the DC Universe.
It's been some time since the last major Crisis in the DC Universe but the pieces have been laid out since the very first steps into the Infinite Frontier. Joshua's work on so many of the biggest DC Comics titles have been laying the groundwork for what has come for the Dark Crisis. There are pieces that Joshua says are obvious that we have all missed so far.
We discuss the importance of Legacy in the DC Universe with much of the younger generation of heroes stepping up to fill the shoes left behind by the murdered Justice League in the pages of Justice League #75. With DC shying away from legacy until recently, we discussed the importance of people like Nightwing and Flash rising to the occasion. We spend a fair amount of time discussing the true heart of the DC Universe, Dick Grayson and why everyone turns to him in the times of crisis.
Created in 2018 by Shinichi Fukuda and adapted by CloverWorks, My Dress-Up Darling follows Wakana Gojo, a reserved first-year high schooler who dreams of becoming a craftsman of traditional Japanese ornamental dolls called hina dolls. One day, his popular, bubbly, and incredibly gorgeous classmate Marin Kitagawa recruits him to help her make her cosplaying dreams come true! Though he has no experience sewing clothing for real people—only dolls—he agrees to help Marin and the two embark on an adorably nerdy and endearing journey of friendship and potential first love.
Equal parts sweet and spicy, My Dress-Up Darling appeals to die-hard romance enthusiasts and cosplay lovers alike! From best boy Gojo to best girl Marin, My Dress-Up Darling manages to be both incredibly wholesome and deeply horny on main.
Using cosplay as a vehicle, Shinichi Fukuda puts a fresh new spin on classic themes and subverts archetypal tropes, handles both cosplaying and Gojo and Marin’s budding romance with genuine care. Join Amanda and Scarlett as they squeal over the anime and manga so far and share their respective cosplaying experiences.
Find the manga, which is still ongoing, wherever books are sold and watch the finished anime on Crunchyroll!
Are you a cosplayer? Have you watched My Dress-Up Darling? Are you as obsessed with Gojo and Marin’s romance as we are? Let us know!
Welcome back to the second episode of ‘Sex + Whiskey: An Educational Series,’ our new podcast special! Our hosts Nikki and RJ will sip on a dram of the good stuff, while discussing the more exciting stuff. They will take you on a journey, exploring whiskeys from around the world, while also educating you on the birds and the bees, especially correcting what school or your parents missed on. Their goal is to promote a safe and fun environment, that will leave you empowered and educated on your next bedroom adventure.
Our second episode covers the 'Art of Self-Love', which is a fancy way of saying masturbation. Nikki and RJ will cover the facts, the myths, and the best way to come to your own conclusion when it comes to being a sexually health adult. Some people feel ashamed of exploring their bodies, and even more people feel ashamed talking about it, when statistically speaking, EVERYONE does it! They are here to remove the shame and stigma, and even give some tips and tricks to make your body shoot off its own fireworks. So, grab a drink and keep one hand free as they lead you down a path of self-discovery.
For a quick recap on the premise of the show...
Nikki and RJ came together and asked the important question: “Why is there still a shameful and negative outlook on sex education?” Well, the answer is multi-faceted, but the way to correct it is not. They will use their educational backgrounds to cover a variety of topics, relaying their own personal anecdotes and proven science, as a form of Sex RE-Education for those who need it most. There will be moments that will have some listeners blushing or perhaps ensuring that no one else is in ear-shot, but the advice provided is essential for a safe and fun sex life.
They also wondered, “What pairs well with pillow-talk?” and the answer is undoubtedly Whiskey! As self-proclaimed connoisseurs of the brown stuff, they will introduce 3 whiskeys of their own choosing and hold a tasting. The bottles will change every episode with our hosts providing all the insight you need for your next addition to the liquor cabinet.
Cheers!
The Ghost That Ate Us questions if you remember the brutal crime of on small town...
Maybe you read about it on Twitter. Maybe a friend sent you a news clip. Maybe you saw it on an episode of Spectral Journeys that night you were flipping through channels, unable to sleep.
Maybe after reading the true story, you won’t ever sleep again.
On June 1, 2017, six people were killed at a Burger City franchise off I-80 near Jonny, Iowa. It was the bizarre and gruesome conclusion to nine months of alleged paranormal activity at the fast-food joint—events popularly known as “the Burger City Poltergeist.”
The story inspired Facebook memes, Twitter hashtags, Buzzfeed listicles, Saturday Night Live sketches, and more. But the case was never much more than a punchline…until bestselling writer Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water, The Living Dead) decided to head to Iowa to dig up what really happened.
Presented here is the definitive story of “the most exhaustively documented haunting in history,” including—for the first time ever—interviews with every living survivor of the tragedy.
The employees of Burger City were a family. They loved one another. At least, at the beginning.
But love can make you do unspeakable things.
Turns out that The Ghost That Ate Us is a fictional story written by Daniel Kraus, it just took Dan some time to catch up on that in this interview. Dan and Dan get into the details about building a fast food franchise from scratch. Daniel talks about things that have been inspiring him.
The book is out on July 12th from Raw Dog Screaming Press. Pre-order the book here to learn all about the poltergeist that changed one small town forever.
You can find Daniel on his website here.
The cover design of The Ghost That Ate Us was done by Tim Daniel of Second Rocket Comics. (Tim also designed our logo as well!)
It's no secret that Dan has gotten in deep with wrestling but for the first time ever we are joined by an AEW superstar in this week's episode with our Steve Orlando and Nyla Rose interview about their upcoming one-shot from Marvel Comics GIANT-SIZED X-MEN: THUNDERBIRD 1.
Nyla Rose teams up with comics star Steve Orlando and First Nations artist David Cutler to grapple with the ramifications of Thunderbird’s recent resurrection on Krakoa. The world John Proudstar has returned to is completely different from the one he once knew. Looking to find refuge in the familiar, Thunderbird seeks out someone from his past at an Apache reservation…and uncovers a horrifying threat to the Indigenous mutant community. Will Thunderbird be able to save his people? Or will his justified rage lead him astray?
Steve and Nyla chat about who John Proudstar is after all this time being... well not alive. We dive into the character's costume redesign with artist Dave Cutler. Nyla discusses what is was like being able to bring authentic voices to the characters when typically John has not had a native person writing or designing his character. Both writers talk about how they approached how death has changed John who was a pretty stubborn and brash person. Both Steve and Nyla school Dan on wrestling stories and history. This is one Steve Orlando and Nyla Rose interviews you don't want to miss.
Do you know who the Undertaker's manager was? You're going to learn today!
Noted Dakenologist Dan McMahon who has a PhD in Daken studies gets to chat with Steve about his approach to the character. Orlando drops some pretty big hints to the future of the character and what he has in store with him.
Nyla also chats about some of the inspirations for her in ring personality, her wrestling rituals, and we talk about what Marvel characters are wrestling fans.
All of that and more in this interview! You can find Steve on Twitter here and Nyla Rose on twitter here!
You can check out all of GateCrashers wrestling coverage for RingCrashers here!
On this episode Dan and Jake talk about spies, specifically Spy X Family! But which spy?
James Bond? No, we did that already!
Austin Powers? No, much to Dan’s disappointment.
Loid Forger aka Twilight? YES! Join the brothers as they follow a different family, the Forgers, as they action and antics play-out in Spy X Family!
In this manga turned anime series, a spy on a quest for peace must undergo his most difficult mission yet… starting a family!?! He's got a week to start a family from scratch or face complete failure. When he finally does assemble his nuclear family...things aren't as they seem.
Dad is a spy, Mom is an assassin known as Princess Thorn, and the daughter, Anya, is a telepath! Can the spy Twilight maintain peace between enemy nations and peace at home? Can the Thorn Princess keep everyone in the dark about her killer career? Will young Anya get good grades at school or the silenced pistol she has her eyes set on?
Find out by listening to GateCrashers as we cover the first volume of Spy X Family, which contains chapters one through five. The entire series is available on the Shonen Jump app which is a huge value for the low price every month. If you want to pick it up physically, make sure to check your local bookstore or call Third Eye Comics who can get you set up with the series.
Dan gives his review of the first episode now available on Crunchyroll!
This is our second recent episode with a manga/anime combo that Dan loved, really becoming a big manga guy. It's just a preview of what's to come later this summer when we have our second annual Anime August. This year is going to be bigger and better with four episodes dedicated to different anime and manga series that we think you are going to love. BELIEVE IT!
Enter the world of West of Sundown with Nikki and Dan as they sit down with the co-writers, Tim Seeley and Aaron Campbell, and artist Jim Terry, the creative team behind the new series from Vault Comics. They explore the creative process behind the blending of horror and western genres in the series. West of Sundown promises a fresh take on monster mythology, with interesting character choices and arcs, while reconceptualizing the monster world in the context of a horror western.
We talk to the crew about their love of a cultural crossroads in New Mexico and small historical details included throughout the first issue, plus hints at what is to come. We talk about how much a of a dungeon master that Aaron Campbell truly is and how Tim has to reel him in. Jim Terry is very bougie in his sandwich choices. Tim reveals which of his own characters he would fist fight and so much more on this episode!
Special shout out to Nikki on knocking her first interview out of the park!
Check out Nikki’s West of Sundown issue 1 review here.
Welcome to the premiere episode of ‘Sex + Whiskey: An Educational Series,’ our new podcast special! Our hosts Nikki and RJ will sip on a dram of the good stuff, while discussing the more exciting stuff. They will take you on a journey, exploring whiskeys from around the world, while also educating you on the birds and the bees, especially correcting what school or your parents missed on. Their goal is to promote a safe and fun environment, that will leave you empowered and educated on your next bedroom adventure.
Nikki and RJ came together and asked the important question: “Why is there still a shameful and negative outlook on sex education?” Well, the answer is multi-faceted, but the way to correct it is not. They will use their educational backgrounds to cover a variety of topics, relaying their own personal anecdotes and proven science, as a form of Sex RE-Education for those who need it most. There will be moments that will have some listeners blushing or perhaps ensuring that no one else is in ear-shot, but the advice provided is essential for a safe and fun sex life.
They also wondered, “What pairs well with pillow-talk?” and the answer is undoubtedly Whiskey! As self-proclaimed connoisseurs of the brown stuff, they will introduce 3 whiskeys of their own choosing and hold a tasting. The bottles will change every episode with our hosts providing all the insight you need for your next addition to the liquor cabinet.
Our first episode covers the 3 Cs: Communication, Consent, and Contraception. How does communication lead to safer and better sex? How do I make consent sexy? What type of contraception should you be using? All these questions and more are answered by our two health professionals. This is just a taste of things to come so, sit back, pour a drink, and get ready for ‘Sex + Whiskey’.
Join Amanda, Dan, Jake, and Scarlett as they discuss the mega-popular supernatural horror manga and anime Jujutsu Kaisen. They refuse to allow Jake to spoil anything that happens after what the anime covers, and the merits of consuming questionable objects in pursuit of ultimate power in this week’s pod!
Make sure to check out Amanda's review of the new film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 here!
What we're covering:
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1
Jujutsu Kaisen Vol 1.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a 7ft tall super-soldier with an artificial intelligence for a girlfriend while you fight to save the universe from a covenant of aliens? Well, that is exactly what the Halo franchise has delivered for the last twenty years and we’re going to be diving into this iconic game series on this episode! Hear Dan's review of the Halo show before we dive into discussing the entire game series.
On a very special episode, Dan got the chance to do the first interview with the Multiversity: Teen Justice creative team. Multiversity: Teen Justice follows Earth-11's team of teenage-adjacent heroes as they make their way into the world of heroism and their journeys to learn who they are. The team has the breakout star of last years Pride and Future State events, Kid Quick AKA Jess Chambers!
This is one of many projects coming out for this year's DC Pride. Danny and Ivan chat about Kid Quick, the importance of making comics reflect the identities of the real world, and so much more. The word redacted gets tossed around a lot but this interview gives a deeper insight into the upcoming Teen Justice's first series. Be sure to check it out and let your comic shop know to add this to your pull list.
If you want to know where to find more of Kid Quick, check out Cass's piece about their importance to them with some other stories you'll want to check out while you wait for this book to hit shelves in June.
Be sure to check out last year's DC Pride coverage as well here from our GC52 News team!
Get ready to soar through Victorian London when Ashley sits down with bestselling fantasy romance author India Holton in this week’s podcast. Relax with a nice cup of tea while listening to this episode where they discuss India’s newest release, The League of Gentlewomen Witches, as well as thieving pirates and witches, vulnerability in heroes, writing, the importance of just the right name, and more!
Grab a bowl of your favorite cereal and sit three feet from your television set because Dan and Jake are discussing some of their favorite cartoons from days gone by! Dan chose a few of the shows he watched non-stop growing up like Invader Zim, Spider-Man, and The Simpsons (Probably from way too young of an age). Jake chose to regale about Ben 10, Chowder, and finally got Dan to understand the beauty of Ed, Edd, n’ Eddy! We hope you’re ready for the chaos because it’s here!
There has long been whispers of a bat like creature that stalks the night skies of Gotham. On this episode, we discuss one of the biggest superheroes of all time… The Batman. For the first time in the show’s history, Dan and Jake revisit a topic to give updated recommendations on where to begin depending on what you may like about the character. We hope you brought your batarangs because we’re heading to Gotham City.
Grab your hunter’s cloak and threaded cane because it's time for Bloodborne! Casey stops by to help Dan make his way through the Hunter’s Dream. There's plenty of talk about monsters, weapons, and the world Bloodborne. If you've wanted to become a Great One, we give you the perfect recipe to achieve your dreams! Bloodborne is available to play on Playstation 4 & 5.
The newest and coolest superhero universe is getting a lot bigger with the Massive-verse’s first crossover event, SUPERMASSIVE. Radiant Black, Inferno Girl Red, and Rogue Sun are joining forces to take on a massive threat. We are joined by Kyle Higgins, Ryan Parrott, Mat Grom, and Michael Busuttil to chat about everything going on in their worlds. Radiant Black approaches the hero story and comics in general very differently so make sure you listen to hear about the other series coming from Black Market Narrative.
Horror isn't typically something people call a family event but the Adams family is changing the game. The trio of daughter, mother, and father have joined forces to bring you the incredible film HellBender. The film will be available for streaming on Shudder on February 24th. Dan had the chance to sit down with John Adams and Toby Poser, the loveliest of parents, to chat about the film. Toby explains how she throws together a sandwich, the gang chats about the importance of sound and music to horror, and about creating art with your family. Be sure to check out the film when it's available and find their other work at www.wonderwheelproductions.com
Are you a fan of loud guitars, big-ass drums, and some good old-fashion rock & roll? If not… would you like to be? This week, Dan and Mike interview Tyler Baker, lead guitarist of Goodbye June! With their new album See Where The Night Goes arriving on February 18th, 2022, Tyler discusses how the band captures such raw energy in the studio, where melodies come from, and how touring life keeps evolving.
Dead Silence, a novel by S.A. Barnes (Stacey Kade), dropped on February 8th to critical acclaim from readers everywhere. The novel combines the realms of science fiction and horror, as we are lead on a terrifying journey with a crew doomed from the start. The story begins with our heroine and protagonist, Claire Kovalik, being interrogated in a corporate rehab facility in Florida for space-explorers whose minds have been swallowed by the vast expanse of our universe. Her captors are pressing her for information on her missing crew and their astonishing discovery of the Aurora, a first-of-its-kind luxury star liner that has been missing for over 20 years. The story then takes turn flipping back and forth between present and past, until they converge into an epic Act 3 that will leave you guessing until the last sentence. Our interview with S.A. Barnes, dives into her passion of writing, her jump into a new genre, and how this book came together. What unfolds is a mesmerizing conversation about what it means to be an author and how to take inspiration from iconic mediums and create something of your own. Sit back, listen, and then go and get your copy of Dead Silence.
Greetings, programs! Jon and Mike have spent a few too many microcycles waiting to talk about disc wars, lightcycles, and Daft Punk! That's right, all you bits and bytes out there: this week's episode is all about Disney's most underrated franchise. TRON!
Brian Wecht has been a figure on the internet for just over ten years now, his work runs the gamut of podcasts, youtube videos, and multiple music projects (comedy bands Ninja Sex Party and the video game focused Starbomb.) Earlier this month, Brian sat down with Dan and Reagan for a chat about everything from his comedic influences to playing different versions of himself online.
Mike Chen has been putting his unique spin on speculative fiction for the past few years. He wrote about going back to the future for his debut time travel novel Here and Now and Then; which was followed by A Beginning at the End about found-family after a global pandemic published in January of 2020; and then We Could Be Heroes about, well, superheroes. Mike sits down to chat with Jimmy Gaspero about his newest novel Light Years From Home, which Mike describes as an episode of The X-Files without Mulder and Scully. Mike talks to Jimmy about the inspiration for his new book, what happens when a trusted friend likes your story but tells you to start over, how Star Trek helped his family get through the current pandemic, and a little tease about his upcoming dream project Star Wars novel Brotherhood (out May 2022) about Anakin Skywalker.
Amanda cries about good character development for the hundredth time, Jon mixes up volleyball and basketball, and Dan has a surprisingly good time as 3/4 of the Chaos Crew come together to discuss the wholesome and joy-inspiring sports anime, Haikyu!! We watched the first season of the show to discuss.
Zac Thompson nearly makes Dan's head explode in this conversation about Doctor Otto Octavius. Zac joins us to talk about his latest series Devil's Reign Superior Four which starts four Doc Ocks from across the multiverse. Dan and Zac chat about the learned emotional tools Ock found during his time as Spider-Man, how he has changed since, and all things Ock. Be sure to tune in to hear Dan sing his new hit jingle about his friend and yours, Zac "The Mushroom Man" Thompson!
We got the chance to chat with writer Tini Howard and artist Nico Leon about their first DC Comics ongoing title, Catwoman! Their run picks up at Catwoman #39 which is out in store and wherever you buy comics now. We dive into how they're approaching their slice of Gotham, what themes they're exploring with Selina, how bringing her queerness back to the forefront was top of mind, and so much more. Make sure to check it out!
Welcome to Woodsboro, home or the world-famous Ghostface Killer! Yes, today we’re discussing the SCREAM franchise ahead of the latest installments release this week. But a word of advice, if you hear a phone ringing while listening, maybe don’t answer it, you never know who’s on the other end of the line…
This episode marks the first time we have had an actual Batman on the show! Andy Biersack stops by to talk with Dan about Black Veil Brides new concept album "The Phantom Tomorrow". The discuss the themes of the album, constructing a vigilante, and Andy's love of Batman and what it was like voicing him for Death Metal. Make sure to check out the new album wherever albums are sold and be on the lookout for the companion comic from Incendium’s Opus imprint.
Star Wars: Wild Space is the re-release of a story written, performed, and produced by the GateCrashers team, originally told in four parts as introductions to prior episodes we released covering each of the Star Wars trilogies, plus Rogue One.
Take a ride with a ragtag group of smugglers and bounty hunters as they attempt to transport two passengers across the galaxy. Little do they know, the two passengers are actually a pair of Jedi on the run from a slew of Imperial baddies!
It’s Christmas time again, but this year lacks one thing: The Grinch’s reign of terror! It’s been a year since the Grinch’s change of heart and that warrants investigation. Listen as Jake travels to Whoville to interview its citizens in an attempt to find the green meanie himself. We also have a special interview with one of our correspondents interviewing Santa Claus to find out why he let this go on for so long.
Concept, questions, and Grinch scene written by Jake McMahon
Displaced Whovian scene written and performed by Jon Scott
Quincy Lou Who scene written and performed by RJ Durante
Santa Scene written/improv by Dan McMahon and Nolan Hennelly
Stephanie Williams joins GateCrashers to talk about her co-written DC Comics series Nubia & the Amazons. Steph and Dan talking about how her series is growing out the mythos and personality of the character and her impact as a character. They talk about creating worlds where people can see themselves and the importance of that. Make sure to pick up the book after you listen!
DOUBLE DAN EPISODE BAY BEE! Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts, The Walking Dead, and Balls of Fury) comes on the show to talk about "Fogler's Fictions" which are his original comics from Heavy Metal magazine. Dan and Dan talk about Fogler's horror roots, iconic horror hosts, and about the upcoming Moon Lake animated show. We get into the grit and grim on his comic universes. If you thought GateCrashers Dan had big energy...wait till you hear Fogler.
Welcome True Believers! This week on GateCrashers, we're talking about your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Ethan and Dan talk about all of the films, an iconic comic arc, a great starter comic, and so much more. Did you know Dan loves Spider-Man? Because if you didn't, hoo boy, you will after this.
Michael Conrad and Becky Cloonan are back! This time they brought a friend, Jorge Corona. We chat about their new series Batgirls. We dig into their slice of Gotham, the different aspects of each Batgirls personality, and Michael Conrad throws down the gauntlet against all time travelers. If you love Stephanie, Cass, and Babs as much as we do, you NEED to listen to this episode. Hit play NOW.
We’re here to bring you a jam packed episode as Kyle Matz joins us to interview multiple executive producers and actors from The Expanse for the premiere of it’s finale season! In this episode they spoke with executive producers Ty Franck, Daniel Abraham, and Naren Shankar, actors Cara Gee who plays Camina Drummer, Keon Alexander who plays Marco Inaros, Wes Chatham who plays Amos Burton, and Nardine Nicole who plays Clarissa Mao. Hope you enjoy!
You ready for the best interview there is, bub? Benjamin Percy and Dan got a chance to connect over their love of Wolverine. They chat about Wolverine’s identity, his feelings on Krakoa, and his favorite beers. They also got the chance to discuss Percy’s new book “The Unfamiliar Garden” and about the horrors of suburbia in Percy’s upcoming Ghost Rider series.
Cover art by: Joshua Cassara (X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #1 Variant Cover)
20 years ago this month, the first film in an epic trilogy premiered. Join us this week as Ashley, Ethan, and Scarlett celebrate ~~Bilbo’s 111th Birthday~~ Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings! In this episode we reveal embarrassing childhood obsessions, sexual awakenings, freak out about the most beautiful film score ever composed, and argue whether Dan is the best or worst person to take to Mordor. All jokes aside, give this one a listen and venture to Middle Earth with us to celebrate 20 years of love for the greatest fantasy series ever filmed.
I hope you’re ready to let the holiday spirit into your heart as Mike McMahan stops by the show to talk about Disney’s Solar Opposites Holiday Special on Hulu! Mike teaches Dan how a writers room works. We also got to chat about Star Trek: Lower Decks and how Mike gets to flesh out the Star Trek universe. Listen to the episode, please? Will you just press play already?
THREE YEARS BAYBEE! Join us for our 3-year anniversary pod where we go back to where it all started… The Justice League. Well not that one… the other one. Justice League International. Listen as Dan and Jake discuss the best Justice League book around with a cast of lovable weirdos. We also return our roots as we pick up an odd job for the team.
We talked about Justice League International Vol 1&2
Plot and Breakdowns: Keith Giffen
Script: J. M. Dematteis
Pencils: Kevin Maguire
Inkers: Terry Austin, Al Gordon
Colorists: Gene Deangelo, Daniel Vozzo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Jackson Lanzing and Dailen Ogden stop by the show to chat about their new Kickstarter, “WIFWULF” with Dan and Jake. We talk about the series’ serious themes, pancakes, and cannibalism. Oh, also, Jackson tells us about the time he became a man in the woods while he was painted blue… ya know, typical GateCrashers episode topics!
Check out their Kickstarter here.
Today, Mike and Dan chat with Grammy Award-winning songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Mark Tremonti of the bands Creed, Alter Bridge, and Tremonti. Mike digs into Tremonti's new album Marching In Time, guitar playing, and a bit of talk about fatherhood. Dan questions Mark on his interests in D&D, pinball machines, and what it's like to see himself on the pages of a comic book in the upcoming Alter Bridge: Tour of Horrors from Z2 Comics.
On this episode, we explore a universe of possibilities as we finally dive into the long-running sci-fi show Doctor Who. With discussions on everything from our favorite episodes and Doctors, to our love of Strax the potato man, this episode has everything you need to know if you’ve been wanting to find your way in to this iconic show just as the latest season premieres.
On this episode we are joined by Eisner Award-winning writer Tom King to chat about his new DC Black Label Series “The Human Target” with Greg Smallwood. Tom talks to Dan about the themes of the story as they discuss death, the fears that come with love, and what it means to live. They get deep into the minds of some of the most notable members of the Justice League International members that so many fans love. There is also the single best comparison of Booster Gold and Skeets in history.
GateSlashers must come to an end. Jake and Dan head to Maine to unearth some family secrets as they talk about The Plot from Vault Comics. They have to prepare for their final showdown with the Grave Robber in order to get their podcast back from his ghoulish grasp. The thing with horror stories… you never know just how they’re going to end.
The Plot was co-written by Tim Daniel and Michael Morecei, art by Joshua Hixson, colors by Jordan Boyd and Kurt Michael Russel, and letters by Jim Campbell.
We are once again joined by two of our favorite Steves! Steve Foxe and Steve Orlando join us to chat all about their work on the Heavy Metal Magazine Boulet Brothers Halloween Takeover and drag’s connection to horror. We also got to chat about their work on Rainbow Bridge, horror itself, and their new book Party and Prey.
Things are about to get fast and furious as Amanda, Amir, Jon, and Dan find themselves trapped at old Camp Blood with a hockey wearing maniac thanks to the Grave Robber. Join the Chaos Crew as they try to survive while also discussing Jason Voorhees and everyone’s favorite holiday..... Friday the 13th.
The GateSlashers continue their dive into all things horror as the Grave Robber gathers a fresh group of innocents to experience The Night He Came Home. Yes, we’re here today to talk about Halloween 1978, and Halloween 2018, to get you prepped on everything Michael Myers before the new film releases this week!
The GateSlashers month of programming begins in the Lone Star State! The Grave Robber gives the hosts the first ever live audience of one, his name is Bubba. Listen as Scarlett and Dan talk about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre I & II. They talk about the films' focus of themes of animal cruelty, social issues, and much more. The Grave Robber hopes you enjoy his first episode…
Marcus Parks, co-writer of DC’s new comic series Soul Plumber under their DC Horror imprint, and co-host of Last Podcast on the Left and No Dogs in Space stops by the show to chat about his work. We talked about horror, his comic roots and influences, and about how he approaches making horror something that appeals to the people who may feel like they don't have a place anywhere else.
Today’s podcast is all about the most famous British spy the world over! No, not Austin Powers, it’s James Bond! Take a listen for a discussion on Daniel Craig’s now 15 year run as the character ahead of the imminent release of his final film: No Time to Die!
We are joined by the X-Perts Connor Goldsmith (Cerebro) and Jordan Blum (Co-Creator of M.O.D.O.K. on Hulu) to help you get into the modern era of X-Men with some recs for older eras! We bring all the chaotic energy you expect from an X-Men story, now in one convenient podcast! If you’re looking to jump into the X-Men, we’ve got you covered.
Best entrance to modern X-Men covered:
House of X/Powers of X from Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz
The man who needs no introduction joins us today. Todd McFarlane himself. Creator of Spawn, one of the founders of Image comics, and so much more joins Dan for an interview. Todd talks all about Spawn Universe, Gunslinger, and so much more!
Brandon Thomas stops by to talk about Aquaman: The Becoming with Dan! The conversation takes a deeper look into Jackson Hyde as a character, learning who he is and what he can become. We got to chat about our favorite Queen, Mera. There’s also a look at the current mantle holder of the Aquaman name, Arthur Curry. This is a must-listen for any fans of Aquaman!
On this episode, we speak with a living legend of horror, the one and only Bill Moseley! Bill sat down with us to talk about his new film Prisoners of the Ghostland which is out in theatres, VOD, and digital Friday Sept 17th! We spoke with Bill about his character the Governor, how this role is different then his others, and what it’s like to work with Nicolas Cage. Be sure to check out the film when it premieres later this week!
Ringo and Eisner Award-winning writer Chuck Brown joins us for an in-depth look on the character of Black Manta. We discuss how David sees himself, the idea of legacy, who the character was and who he can be. Make sure to check out Black Manta #1 available now from DC Comics.
Meghan Fitzmartin joins us to chat about her recent Robin “Sum of Our Parts”, starring none other than Tim Drake. We dig into the recent story dealing with Tim’s journey of self discovery and his journey to figuring out who he is. Meghan also talks about pie. If the Tim Drake news didn’t get you here, the pie should have you hooked!
Please take your seats and welcome to the GateCrashers piano anime music recital, where Jon and Ashley get mad at Jake for making them watch Your Lie in April. Tears were shed by all.
Stories covered:
Your Lie in April, Episodes 1-22
Scarlett makes the case for the angry boy, Amanda sheds real tears over fallen heroes, and Dan can't remember a single character's name as the GateCrashers dive into the world of the mega-popular super-powered anime, My Hero Academia!
JH Williams joins Dan to talk about his upcoming Image series “Echolands”. Dan was a bit nervous for a bucket list interview like this one. The conversation digs into some of the thematics of the story, how it feels to put art into the world, and a lot of conversation about music. Make sure you pick up Echolands on August 25th at your LCS.
After much deliberation, Jake finally convinced Dan to watch Mobile Suit Gundam! Sit back and listen while Jake and Dan discuss newtypes, mobile suits, political drama, and the trauma of war.
Rebellions are built on hope.
Fitting that the end of our Star Wars month is about the story that sparked the fire that freed the Galaxy from the Empire. Tim Daniel joins Dan to talk about their favorite Star Wars film, Rogue One. We talk far too long about Saw Gerrera, the themes of the film, and what makes it stand out amongst giants.
HEYHEYYYY!
Today, Ashley and Ethan sit down to discuss the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. They talk about everything from their love of these films, emo bitch boy Kylo Ren to the one, the only, Babu Frik.
Make sure to listen at the beginning for the penultimate chapter in our four-part audio drama, Star Wars: Wild Space Episode III - The Return of the Imp.
This week’s intro is best enjoyed with headphones!
That's no moon... it's a gate crashing!
Today, Dan and Mike discuss the films that started it all, Star Wars: The Original Trilogy! Dan discusses his deep love of all things Jabba, and Mike shark-shames Dan while going on about the importance of John Williams for an entire 20 minutes.
Listen at the beginning of this week's episode for the next iteration of our four-part special, Star Wars: Wild Space Episode II - Dark Revelations of the Jedi.
This week's intro is best enjoyed with headphones!
This is it, our 100th episode! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for listening, whether this is your first episode or your hundredth. Episode 100 is the start of our 4 part Star Wars special, Star Wars: Wild Space. Then, Jake and Dan cover the Prequel Trilogy. They talk all about the Emperor’s screech, their favorite moments, and Dan tries to get Jake to eat cereal that is 10 years over the expiration date.
A note from Mike: this week’s episode introduction is best enjoyed with headphones!
We are joined by oracle of the burger, George Motz. George is serves as host of the YouTube show "Burger Scholar Sessions" from First We Feast. He spoke with Dan and Jake about preserving and spreading the word of the burger from regional recipes and the styles of the people making them. George also gives advice that may inspire you in all walks of life. It’s a wild one. Grab a burger and check out his show on YouTube on the First We Feast network!
In preparation for the long-awaited F9, Dan, Amanda, Jon, and Amir got together to talk about the legacy of the Fast & the Furious franchise. They discuss theories for F9 and beyond, the absolutely bonkers timeline, the importance of family and representation, and their undying love for Kurt Russell and Helen Mirren.
Dan and Ethan sit down to act like two completely ordinary humans and discuss the 2008 Marvel Comics event Secret Invasion by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. They discuss everything from how fun it is to just why Norman Osborne is the greatest character in the Marvel Universe. Check it out and make sure to pick up the trade!
Rodney was kind enough to join Dan to talk all about the first 2 arcs of Killadelphia. They spoke about some of the things that made it feel authentically Philly, horror, and discuss the future of the Killadelphia universe. Check it out and then make sure to pick up the trades!
Dan and Ethan are joined by comics writer Jed MacKay to talk about his work over at Marvel Comics on Black Cat, Taskmaster, his upcoming relaunch of Moon Knight, and working on a big event series centered around the Infinity Stones.
Black Cat #7 and the launch of Infinite Destinies in Iron Man Annual #1 are both out today, and Moon Knight #1 launches July 21, 2021.
Jon, Amanda, and Jake venture into the sewers to discuss the Heroes in a Half Shell. Chaos ensues as they begin discussing the IDW comics relaunch of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In this reimagining by Tom Waltz and co-creator Kevin Eastman, showing the turtles bond goes much deeper than we could ever imagine! We discuss the reason behind each brother’s colors and go off the rails talking about the franchise as a whole.
Story covered this episode:
TMNT Volume 1: Change is Constant
Story: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
Script: Tom Waltz
Layouts: Kevin Eastman
Art: Dan Duncan
Colors: Ronda Pattison
Letters: Robbie Robbins
Joshua Williamson spoke with Jake and Dan to dive deep into his upcoming mini series Infinite Frontier and Robin. They get deep into the characters of Chase, Bones, and Damian Wayne with conversations about who they are as people and why they do the things they do. Honestly, this was just an excuse for Dan and Jake to talk to someone writing their favorite characters.
Space… the final frontier! Jake and Dan trek into space for the first time! Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly drop so much Star Trek knowledge on them as this week's co-hosts.
Here is the list of episodes we watched:
The Original Series:
BALANCE OF TERROR
THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER
The Next Generation:
YESTERDAY’S ENTERPRISE
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Pt 1 and 2
Film:
STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT
With Vault’s FIRST costumed hero The Blue Flame on the horizon, Dan speaks with the writer, Christopher Cantwell. The conversation gets into what being a hero means today vs the golden age, who the Blue Flame is, and much more!
Video Games can lead to all sorts of inspiration. Scarlett is joined by Ben Kahn and Rachel Silverstein, authors of Renegade Rule, to dive into the world of Overwatch! We chat about Overwatch characters, gaming, their upcoming comic, and just how much a video game can inspire.
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Jon and Ashley sit down to discuss their own personal experiences as well as talking about the good and bad they’ve seen with representation of autism in the media.
Below are some resources we wanted to include with this week's episode:
Autism Self Advocacy Network
National Disability Theatre
Eagles Autism Foundation
TDF Autism Friendly Performances
Strap in, because this interview is pedal to the metal. Dan chats with the current Wonder Woman team about the character, their origins, music, and so much more.
Vishal and Dan get into the ring to chat about NXT! Vishal gives a lesson on the birth of NXT, explains the evolution, and teaches Dan about different special moves. We talked about the matches from NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver with a special focus on Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly.
Scarlett and Dan talk to BEAST BOY HIMSELF, Greg Cipes. We discuss veganism, voice acting, and meditation. Most importantly we talk about Dog and how much we can learn to be better through Dog. We are extremely lucky to have spoken with Greg and this interview is next level.
It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as we did. What is the Matrix? The answer is in this podcast, and it's looking for you. And it will find you if you want it to.
Mike and Mikey sit down to discuss an action sci-fi classic that's aging like fine wine. Join us as we discuss Lana & Lilly Wachowski's The Matrix!
Jeff Trammel joins Dan to talk about all of the wonderful things he’s doing. We discuss his work as the head writer of Craig of the Creek, his debut DC Comics story, and much more!
Today we're talking about Avatar: The Last Airbender! Join Ashley, Jon, and Scarlett as they discuss how a three-season show on Nickelodeon set a new bar in character development and plot for children's television.
We forgot what else to write in this description, but we think the next part goes something like...
SECRET TUNNEL!!!
Today we are joined by nerdcore legend MC Lars!
Amidst the detailed discussion about MC Lars' fantastic music career, we also manage to take deep dives into focaccia bread, Juggalo culture, and Super Mario metaphors. Visit mclars.com to check out his latest project, "Lars Wars"!
Phillip Kennedy Johnson joins Dan and Jake on GateCrashers to talk about the Man of Steel. We get into who Clark is, fatherhood, and what Superman means in the modern world. Be on the look out for his upcoming Superman and Action Comic runs.
Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter join Dan to discuss their Scholastic Graphix graphic novel Allergic. They speak about what the story could mean to people affected with life altering allergies, their creative project, and a lot more. The graphic novel is available now from Graphix Books and Scholastic.
Join Jake and Amanda in their quest for the Philosopher’s Stone as they discuss the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise! Jake watched the first two episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Amanda devoured the entire franchise as a whole in preparation! Amanda shows that she's a mega fan and Jake wants you to remember Shou Tucker.
We are joined by Jordan Blum, co-creator and co-showrunner of Hulu’s MODOK and co-writer on MODOK: Head Games! Jordan joined us to chat about his upcoming show, his comic, and the greatest character in all of animation, Roger Smith. MODOK: Head Games is available now from Marvel Comics! MODOK on Hulu coming soon.
New York Times best-selling author Lauren Tarshis joins us this week to discuss the graphic novel version of her book “I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944”. Scarlett and Lauren discuss the importance of comics to readers, how Lauren approaches major historical events, and how her series makes history more accessible to young readers.
Marmalade time!
It finally happened. Mike finally got Dan to watch the Paddington movies! Today we're discussing Paddington & Paddington 2, the greatest Superman films ever made. Or rather, Dan tries to get a word in edgewise while Mike rants, raves, and waxes poetic about why the Paddington movies mean so much to him. Buckle up... Mike just had his morning coffee.
Today’s special guest, Leah Williams, flipped the script and did not tell us a sandwich! Did tell us all about Mysterio and Daken! Listen to hear about Amazing Mary Jane, X-Factor, and Jake calling Dan out for bullying him for years for thinking Daken is neat!
After recently taking his first dive into Valiant Comics, Dan chats with Gregg Katzman, Valiant's Marketing and Publicity Manager! We chat about how he came up through comics journalism, what he loves about Valiant, and what makes their stories unique!
We are fighting evil by moonlight as we talk about Sailor Moon! Victoria from the Sailor Moon Fan Club podcast joins Dan to talk about Sailor Moon R: The Movie. Victoria opens the doors to all of Sailor Moon’s lore which blows Dan’s mind from start to finish. If you’re looking to get into Sailor Moon, this is the place to begin!
We are joined by the writer of pretty much all things Harley Quinn at DC Comics, Stephanie Phillips! There is plenty of Harley talk about her Future State series and what’s coming next as a person who has found themselves but still has to put all the pieces of life together. We also discussed Stephanie's other comics coming out!
Grab your gabagool from the fridge and get out your best tracksuit. Oh! We’re taking about The Sopranos with Maya who runs the gigantic @oocsopranos account on Twitter! We discuss the themes of toxic masculinity, mental illness, and a lot of other heavy themes in this one, so please listen with that in mind.
The only way to end 2020 is with a cage match! Charlie Davis from the Match Club podcast shows Dan the ropes of AEW (All Elite Wrestling). This high energy episode will give you everything you need to tag in and start watching wrassling. We discuss how characters and stories are a huge driver behind AEW’s almost overnight success. We hope you’re ready and brought your steel chair for this one.
Dan Watters joins us on the show to discuss his series Home Sick Pilots, The Picture of Everything Else, and his upcoming Superman/Wonder Woman series for DC Comics Future State! We cut through the red tape to finally ask the question, is Dan Watters a punk?
Time for a trip to the North Pole to explore the origins of Santa Claus himself in Grant Morrison and Dan Mora’s “Klaus”! Dan and Jake are back together so no one can Krampus your holiday cheer. They weight in on... the nature vs nurture debate? It’s one heck of a holiday special!
We are joined by Alex Paknadel for a very special interview. We chatted about his recent Vault comic, Giga, the incredible reception from Assassin’s Creed fans to his series, and we dig deep into his TKO Graphic Novel Redfork. We even get to talk about Juggalos, whoop whoop!
The GateCrashers are joined by the hive mind of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. There is so much we could say about this interview, but we think it's better that you simply listen and hear how much chaotic energy we can pack into one interview. It’s pure magic from start to finish.
Gotta catch em’ all, am I right? We’re talking about everyone’s favorite pocket monsters today! You may be asking yourself, who’s this new voice talking about Pokémon? That’s the newest member of the GateCrashers team, Amanda! Jake, Dan, and Amanda talk about their relationship to Pokémon. Dan sings... a lot. We also give our perfect Pokémon teams!
For this episode, we watched Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! which is perfect for newcomers to the series and for long time fans as well!
We are joined by Cavan Scott, the premiere Jaxxon writer for the Star Wars universe. Dan and Cavan chatted about his series Shadow Service over at Vault, how he got into Star Wars and how it influenced his writing, and a lot of talk about legos. A great conversation with insight into Cavan’s unique style.
It's morphin time!
Today we're talking about the Power Rangers. We watched the “Green With Evil” saga from the 1993 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series. We also read the first volume of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from BOOM!. Both are great places for you to jump into the action.
Steve Foxe and Dan got a chance to sit down and chat about all of Steve’s current projects. There is something for everyone, whether they’re into horror or looking for a something a little bit more romantic. We chatted about Steve’s horror magazine Razorblades, his graphic novel Cheat(er) Code, and so much more. There are even some pet cameos!
Today we are extremely grateful to have had the chance to speak with David Yost, who you know as Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! David discusses interacting with fans of Power Rangers all over the world, as well as his desire to instill a positive, affirming attitude in individuals.
We chatted with Isaac Goodhart about his newest book, Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story. As it turns out, getting two Mr. Freeze fans into one interview is a pretty cool experience. We broke the ice by jumping right into talking about our favorite Freeze stories.
Today, Jake and Scarlett discuss Hunter x Hunter! Created in 1998 by Togashi Yoshihero, the series sits on a list of the top 100 highest-grossing media franchises at 4.23 billion U.S. dollars, right below Fortnite. Each character in the show brings their own storyline, so there's something for everyone to love!
Today we are joined by New York Times best selling author, Daniel Kraus. We chat about Daniel’s new comic “The Autumnal” from Vault comics and his other new projects. We get into the nitty gritty of horror and teddy bears. It’s a good time for all.
Find Daniel Kraus at http://www.danielkraus.com/
Are you ready for Freddy? We’re tackling the dream crasher himself, Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street. We slash open the gates to one of horror's biggest slasher franchises. Hope you’ve got your coffee because you don’t want to fall asleep...
1, 2... Freddy’s coming for you...
In the inaugural episode of GateCrashers, Jake and Dan brave the zombie hordes to help you find your gateway into The Walking Dead. With Halloween on the horizon, we had to cover the biggest comic phenomenon of the past 10 years.
Watch out for walkers, but don’t worry. We’ve got your back.
It’s been a year since the Supersons Tailgate where Darkseid killed the trinity, abducted Mike, and took control of the Earth. Jake has been leading the resistance against Darkseid’s forces while Dan and the Doctor have been working on the last hope of humanity. This is it, the final battle, the culmination of events beginning two years ago. See you on the other side…
We are back for an interview with the author of one of the greatest concepts for a comic ever, Steve Urena. A kickstarter for his comic “Slow Pokes” is running to help fund his book about killer sloths. Our conversation ranges from the correct way to say Pork Roll (which is Pork Roll), to Steve’s writing training, and to such odd things like Killer Clowns From Outer Space.
Check out Steve's kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveurena/slow-pokes-a-sloth-horror-comedy-comic-book
On this week’s episode, we are joined by our long time comic guru, Steve Anderson! Steve is the co-owner of the best comic shop on the planet, Third Eye Comics. We discuss how the store came to be the juggernaut of positivity that it is today and the DIY punk heart of everything Steve does. Third Eye or die.
We are joined by one of the biggest personalities and thirst traps in all of comics, THE STEVE ORLANDO. We got the chance to chat with Steve with his new comic “Commanders In Crisis” and his body of work. We also talk about fitness, wrestling, and all sorts of odds and ends.
Call your LCS to add Commanders to your pull, you won’t regret it.
On this episode, we are joined by the incredible Zac Thompson! Dan and Zac discuss connection in the digital age, the idea of self, and why Lorne is simply the best Buffy character. Grab Zac’s new book “Lonely Receiver” out now from Aftershock comics!
IT’S THE #DCFANDOME TAILGATE!
Have you signed up for the Supersons beer pong tournament? Everyone who is anyone in the DC Universe is going to be there. Meet us in the parking lot for a day of fun, sunshine, and nothing bad at all!
This week on Supersons, Dan’s birthday wishes are granted because we’re talking Resurrection Man. A man without his memories, a future, or even the possibility of death. We’re diving into the New 52’s weirdest series.
We have our first two-time guest, Jordan Clark! You don’t get a cool coat like SNL, but on your tenth visit you get a free sandwich. We are discussing the character of Aqualad and Jordan’s upcoming two part story about him in Aquaman.
Things are a bit different as the brothers take a detour from DC and American pop culture to cover Dr. Stone! Dan explores his troubles with getting into anime, and Jake puts the crew in danger. This episode rocks! Pun very much intended.
Story covered: Dr. Stone, Episodes 1-6
What kind of secrets are the Secret Six holding? Well, one thing we can say for sure is that they’re weird as heck. We are discussing the New 52 run of Secret Six. Dan forgets the words to the Full House theme song and Jake breaks down costumes. Pack your bags because we’re moving to the ‘burbs!
Story covered:
Secret Six: Friends in Low Places
We are finally covering Stephanie Brown, one of Dan’s all time favorites. We’re trying out a new format this episode so let us know what you think! Bring your own waffles and syrup for extra enjoyment of this episode.
Story on this episode:
Batgirl: Point of Origin
Cover by Bhavya Kashyap
@madebybhavya on insta!
On this episode, Dan interviews Ram V, the current writer on Justice League Dark who is taking over the Catwoman ongoing at DC. Ram blows Dan’s mind multiple times with this amazing conversation.
Find Ram V on Twitter @therightram or his website www.ram-v.com
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
We are joined by writers Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski to chat about their upcoming DC graphic novel, Primer. We discuss the creation of character Ashley Rayburn and what makes her such a fun and creative addition to the world of comic books. At one point, Mike goes on about Paddington for a short bit. We promise it's not that long.
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
We’re covering Firestorm the Nuclear man! Dan talks about the FORBIDDEN POOL of his dreams. Jake yells Firestorm’s catch phrase a bunch.
We cover Justice League Action season 1, episode 6: “Nuclear Family Values”.
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
Part 1 of 2 of our back 2 back Batgirl episodes! This episode is all about Cassandra Cain. Just realizing now that we didn’t mention that she was in the BOP movie. Dan does a terrible Jerry Seinfeld impression. Jake accidentally took some nostalgia and keeps dreaming of simpler times.
Story on this episode:
Batgirl (2000) 1-6
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
We are joined by Michael Moreci to chat about his upcoming DC graphic novel, The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Story. We discuss Michael’s comic origins, how he approaches his writing, and that Star Wars series everyone loves. The Lost Carnival hits shelves May 5th, so be sure to check it out wherever you buy comics!
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
Jake and Dan got to interview Marv Wolfman. The co-creator of some of the biggest Teen Titans, the first Crisis, and so many stories and characters that everyone knows and loves. We were thankful to have such a nice conversation about the impact of his work and DC Comics in general!
We’re joined by Taylor Esposito who has lettered a number of DC comics. We chat about his teaching at The Kubert School and what lettering really is for those unfamiliar with it!
Find Taylor at @taylorespo and @GhostGlyph
Follow us on Twitter @DCSuperSons
Hey there TRUE BELIEVERS, we’re back for another web slinging adventure. We’re talking about one of Marvel’s biggest rivalries of all time, Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. Our lesson for today is to always believe in yourself! Even when times are tough, you just have to push through for a brighter tomorrow.
Excelsior!
Story Covered:
Peter Parker: Spider-Man “Death in the Family”
The brother of a large, blond-haired man is taken out of the episode due to unforeseen circumstances whilst a global crisis ensues. That's either the plot of this podcast episode, the plot of the story we're covering, or both.
Note to our listeners: Stay hygienic and practice social distancing. Don't forget to call your loved ones. If you don't have anyone, reach out to Dan (@danthemcmahon) or Mike (@GuitarMike526) on Twitter.
Story Covered: Justice League - The Enemy Below (S01E06-07)
Follow us @dcsupersons on Twitter.
If the episode title didn’t speak for itself, we’re talking about Cyborg. A member of the Teen Titans, Justice League, and an overall genuine badass. This episode is sponsored by true friendship and how Dick Grayson looks at hot dogs.
Dan says the name of this issue incorrectly... sorry 'bout it.
Story covered:
Tales of the New Teen Titans
Follow us @dcsupersons on Twitter. Tweet pictures of otters at @koltreg and support all of his shows.
It's the future he can see! It's so mysterious to meeeeee. On this episode we cover a pulp-y adventure about Liberty Belle and Hourman (Jake's favorite DC couple!). We see how far we can push our references to the Mouse before he comes after us.
Story Covered:
Hourman and Liberty Belle: Inheritance
Find us on twitter @dcsupersons
Today we are covering Gail Simone's first arc from her legendary Birds of Prey run! We go over most of the major characters that will be in the movie so you can go in with a few morsels of information if you're new to the characters. Check out Episode #32 for all the info on Harley Quinn! Dan also shares almost all of his fears in one episode...
Story Covered:
Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds
Follow Jake @jakelikesotters on twitter!
Jordan Clark joins us for a FANTASTIC interview. Jordan has a Batwoman story coming out on February 5th in "Crimes Of Passion". The topics go all over the place in a very fun interview.
The Supersons are back! The first time the brothers have recorded together in a very long time. On this episode, we talk all about Harley Quinn!!! After Dan's year of Harley, we are cover the first episode of her new show. We talk about how Harley has changed over time and developed as a character.
Find us on twitter @dcsupersons
Mike is on the first leg of his journey to reunite the Supersons. Jake was easily enticed with the chance to talk about Booster Gold. He also goes off on several tangents... welcome to Season 2!
Story covered in this issue:
Justice League Unlimited - The Greatest Story Never Told (S01E07)
Support us at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Mike reads a bedtime story to his daughter Lillian in the hopes of keeping the show going without Dan and Jake, but realizes that it's a fool's errand. Just when all hope seems lost, a light appears at the end of the tunnel...
Story covered in this issue:
Batman: Noel
Support us at www.patreon.com/Supersons
THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN! More accurately, they’re still in Arkham but the guards are letting them do their show. LIVE IN FRONT OF A MANDATORY AUDIENCE! This very special episode has it all... a musical number, questionable choices, and appearances by your favorite DC characters (Dan and Jake, they are canon). Be sure to stay tuned until the last pulse pounding moment, could this be the end of the Supersons? Find out in this episode!
Story Covered: Crisis On Infinite Earths
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Luke and Devin take over the show to discuss the 1990 pilot episode of The Flash!
Story covered: The Flash (Pilot, 1990)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Agents of Comic Book takes over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Doom Patrol!
Story covered: Doom Patrol (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. David Gallaher and Adam take over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Super Friends! (Wait... DAVID GALLAHER?!)
Story covered: Super Friends (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Matt and Amber take over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Birds of Prey!
Story covered: Birds of Prey (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Eli and Tyler Pee take over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Titans!
Story covered: Titans (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Dan and Jake are still stuck in Arkham Asylum. Mike begins to lose faith in other hosts taking over the show, so he decides to take matters into his own hands. Mike and his daughter Lillian discuss the pilot episode of Supergirl!
Story covered: Supergirl (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Jock Doc Podcast takes over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Black Lightning!
Story covered: Black Lightning (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Charlie and Vishal take over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Legends of Tomorrow!
Story covered: Legends of Tomorrow (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike continues auditioning new hosts for Supersons. Chris and Finn take over the show to discuss the 2014 pilot episode of The Flash!
Story covered: The Flash (Pilot, 2014)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
With Dan and Jake stuck in Arkham Asylum, Mike begins a desperate attempt to find new hosts to take up the mantle. Steve and Adam take over the show to discuss the pilot episode of Arrow!
Story covered: Arrow (Pilot)
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
One year baybee! We did it. We’re finally covering Super Sons. Thank you for a wonderful first year. We could not have done it without listeners like you. Listen though, we’re running late to our podiversary party that Mike set up for us. Listen till the very end of this episode because we talk about what’s coming!
Story covered:
Super Sons Vol 1: When I Grow Up
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Today we're joined by Chris Sotomayor! Chris was kind enough to spend some time talking with us at Keystone Comic Con in Philadelphia this year. We couldn't get enough of his welcoming personality and stories about the industry, so we brought him back for more. For any listeners curious about what it's like to be a colorist, Chris serves as a wealth of information!
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Find Chris at www.comicsexperience.com and on Twitter @SotoColor
We are joined by Sam Puc (EIC of Fatventure Magazine & Managing Editor of The Beat) to talk about Watchmen. Sam helps us dissect some of the tougher to handle topics that the book deals with. This is a rough one so buckle in for a bumpy ride.
CW: Discussion of sexual assault
Story covered:
Watchmen
1...2...the Supersons are coming for you...
On this very spoopy episode, we are covering our first holiday special from DC Comics. We are talking about a bunch of characters that are dealing with real monsters and some inner demons. Our gang has been brushing up on their magic for better...or for worse. It's us though so you know it's for worse. Dan also gives you his recommendations for scary movies.
Covered in this episode:
CURSED COMICS CAVALCADE #1
WE ARE FINALLY COVERING BATWOMAN! The story covered in this episode is one of Dan’s all time favorites. Dan may have also agreed to lead a cult... weird stuff happens in Gotham. At the end of the episode, Jake and Dan give their thoughts about that Joker movie.
Story covered on this episode:
Batwoman: Elegy
SO EXCITED TO FINALLY TALK ABOUT KATE KANE!
Support us at patreon.com/supersons
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
You can always escape. We are talking about Mister Miracle on this episode. This is one of the heaviest stories we have ever read. In our opinion, it’s a modern masterpiece that pushes the medium of comics. We hope you like this episode, it’s a very big one for us. Some would say it’s a miracle we even got it done. Jake’s audio set up was possessed by the Anti-life equation, which did its best to prevent us from recording.
Story covered: Mister Miracle
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerards
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Support us at patreon.com/supersons
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
Dan, Jake, and Mike go to Keystone Comic Con in Philadelphia! We had the privilege of interviewing cosplayers and comics industry professionals, and are passing the savings on to you!!
Support us at www.patreon.com/Supersons
HELLO MEGAN! We finally get to talk about Young Justice. If you haven’t watched the show, this is a great primer. Dan was a little under the weather and was untethered from the realm for most of the show. Superboy will only be referred to as Soupy from here on out. We’re working on how to structure the show better, just believe in us.
Stories covered in this issue:
TV: Young Justice Season 1, Episode 1 “Independence Day” & Episode 2 “Fireworks”
Comic: Young Justice: The Secret
Support us at patreon.com/Supersons
As the summer comes to a close, we decided to go out in style with DC's own mistress of magic Zatanna! Jake and I ran into some technical problems which were solved by the Oracle Mike. Dan takes more of a Jake style of writing in his summary this week.
Let us know if you decode the opening this week because it's worth your time to do it.
Stories covered in this issue:
Zatanna (Vol 2)
Mystik U
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons and support us at www.patreon.com/supersons
We are joined by the newest friend of the show, David Gallaher! David wrote the Green Lantern tie in for the DC comics event Convergence. He is currently writing the new Ghost Recon game as well! We get to discuss Guy Gardner at length which we should all do more. You’re going to be in awe of the length of his knowledge of all things comic book.
Support us at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Today we are joined by Jimmy Palmiotti! I cannot believe I get to write that. Jimmy has done everything from comics to video games to television and beyond. Some notable titles are his run on Harley Quinn with his wife, Jonah Hex, Marvel Knights, and my personal favorite Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters! Jimmy gives great insight into the industry, the craft, and overall one heck of a great conversation! We are thankful that Jimmy came on to chat!
Support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/Supersons
Find all of Jimmy’s work at www.paperfilms.com and find him on Twitter @jpalmiotti
Supersons, now with 100% more Reed! On this very special episode, we are joined by our friend Reed. Reed Co-co-hosts The Young Ones who all appeared in the opener! We are discussing the Doom Patrol today in comics and the original television show. If you aren’t familiar with the Doom Patrol, strap in for an exciting ride!
On today’s episode:
Doom Patrol Season 1 Episode 8 “Danny Patrol”
Doom Patrol “Crawling from the Wreckage”
Support us at www.patreon.com/supersons
Follow us @dcsupersons on Twitter
Find Reed @armustdie on Twitter and the Young Ones @youngonescast
On this latest installment of Supersons, we are very lucky to be joined by the legendary Tze Chun. Tze is the co-founder of TKO Studios who is trying to innovate on the way we read comics. Tze also served as a writer/director/producer on the hit show Gotham and Once Upon A Time!
Find TKO at www.tkopresents.com
Find Tze on twitter @thetzechun
Find us at @dcsupersons and at www.supersonspod.com
Oh SNAP! The Supersons are back with a brand new episode! Today is our first patreon supported episode where we talk about Robin. More specifically Tim Drake. Dan and Jake get another odd job that doesn't go as planned...
On today's episode:
Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying
Red Robin: The Grail
Support our patreon at www.patreon.com/supersons
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
Leave us a review and tell some friends :)
We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Tim Seeley who co-wrote Grayson and wrote a recent run on Nightwing. Topics discussed range from great discussions on the comic industry to some peaks behind the curtains of his incredible runs on comics. We'd like to thank Tim again for his time and tell you that you should go out to buy Grayson and Shatterstar ASAP!
Find us at www.supersonspod.com!
Follow our instagram @supersonspodcast
Support us on www.patreon.com/supersons for access to our book club and bonus episodes!
Wally West. A name that has been in almost every issue so far is finally our headliner! We try to break down as many Flash's as we can without losing our minds or place in the speed force.
Stories on this episode:
The Flash: Blitz
Flash: The Return of Barry Allen
Find us at Supersonspod.com!
Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/supersons to get access to bonus episodes and input on future episodes!
I hope this episode isn't met with an icy demeanor because of the subject matter... Mr. Freeze. I know we said we were doing the Flash but life happened. We needed a quick fix so we defrosted some episodes of Batman to cover one of the most interesting villains around.
Stories in this issue:
Batman The Animated Series "Heart of Ice"
Batman Beyond "Meltdown"
Check us out at supersonspod.com!
Our patreon is live here if you want to support the show and get your picks on a future episode!
This weeks special cover art thanks to our friend Reed, isn't it beautiful? You can find Reed and our other wonderful friends on The Young Ones (A podcast about teen superheroes and why they love them)
Conspiracy theories, trench coats, and aerosols are just a few of the things we discuss this week in our Question episode. We are covering another one of Jake's favorite series. Dan's cats get a spotlight for probably longer than they should of.
Stories in this Episode:
The Question: Zen and Violence
Justice League Unlimited S2E6 "Double Date"
Check us out on twitter @dcsupersons and at our website dcsupersonspod.com!
You're about to hear our electrifying first crossover episode with our friend Luke and Devin from MultiversalQ. This issue is about one of the most popular heroes of all time Captain Marvel (not that one).
Stories in this issue:
New 52 Shazam!
Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder
Sorry about any audio issues, we had issues with a mic but Mike fixed the mic as best as he could.
Find us at Supersonspod.com!
In this episode, we cover two characters that are getting the spotlight in “Justice League vs The Fatal Five”. Dan may have found his new favorite Green Lantern. Everyone also learns a few valuable lessons along the way.
Stories in this issue:
JLA/JSA: The Lightning Saga
Green Lanterns Vol 1: Rage Planet
Find us at Supersonspod.com!
In this issue, we finally cover Jake'a favorite hero Nightwing! Dan makes a teeny tiny little uh oh that sets everything in motion for the creation of a character everyone knows and loves. Jake and Dan do their first Q&A!
Stories in this issue:
Nightwing: Ties That Bind
Grayson: Vol 1
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
This issue is a celebration of all things Superman. Dan and Jake talk about how Superman has become a much more important character in their lives as they get older. Only one mega-sized issue is covered this week with some of the biggest names in comic books writing stories with the Man of Steel!
Story on this issue:
Action Comics #1000
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
On today's episode, Jake and Dan crash onto Themyscira where we cover Wonder Woman! This may be the first episode we don't mention Wally West! Both of today's stories are heavy hitters but only one comes out as the essential read!
Stories on this episode
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
Wonder Woman: Blood
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons
On today's episode, Dan and Jake discuss two Green Lantern stories. Dan talks about his love for Forager on Young Justice. It only takes Jake 5 minutes this week to mention Wally West. Dan may or may not have joined a cult. Plus lots of other banter, bickering, and pulse-pounding adventure! There were a few audio issues on our end as usual but the Oracle cleaned those right up!
Stories on today's show:
Emerald Twilight/New Dawn
Ion
CW: We do discuss the "fridging" and why it is bad.
First episode of 2019 is hot off the skillet! In this issue, Dan and Jake dive head first into the ocean to cover two Aquaman stories. Dan gets to make a joke that he never thought he'd get to make. Jake experiences what a real-life trident impaling is like. It is also the first episode they have recorded at the same table. They bros also discuss their thoughts and feelings on the cinematic masterpiece Aquaman.
Stories in this episode:
Aquaman: The Trench
Aquaman: Time and Tide
Follow us on twitter @dcsupersons on Twitter!
Hit us with requests at dcsupersons@gmail.com or on twitter!
Our last issue before the new year! If you couldn’t tell by the title of the episode, we are talking a lot about the Dark Knight. Our two stories deal with new beginnings for the cowl. Also, Dan and Jake discuss the .00000001% chance that the legendary Willem Dafoe listens to the podcast.
Stories in this episode:
Batman: Earth One
Batman: Long Shadows
Find us @dcsupersons on Twitter!
Send us your story requests at dcsupersons@gmail.com and we will put them into rotation!
P.S. Jake had an audio issue this week, sorry about the sound issues. Mike, the Oracle to this Batfamily, went above and beyond to get it as best he could.
The boys are back in town! A very special guest stops by the McMahon house with his bag of cheer. In today's issue, we cover two of DC comics animated holiday episodes.
Stories in this issue:
Justice League, Season 2 Episode 23
Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Season 1 Ep 5 "Invasion of the Secret Santas"
Find us @dcsupersons on the Twitter!
Email any requests or feedback to dcsupersons@gmail.com
Thanks to freesound.org for the sound bits in our opener!
The origin episode of Supersons, a DC Comics podcast where two brothers dive head first into the multiverse to bring you back all of that comic book goodness. Things may start off a little bumpy but who knows, maybe we will have a reboot before Issue #2! On today's episode, we review two Justice League stories in which the team gets a new beginning. Will they have as much of a rocky start as us? Find out on Supersons!