The Ink: Recent Episodes
The Ink
A podcast devoted to uncorking the comics, films, video games, and TV shows that make up all things geekdom, especially as they both reflect and represent the rich colors of people of color-centered (and occasionally POC-adjacent….) narratives.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss Crunchyroll’s first upcoming Latinx original series, Onyx Equinox; Netflix’s upcoming series Deadendia (what’s going to fill your She-ra/Kipo/Steven Universe void in your life); and how Disney is “Almost There” in retheming their Magic Kingdom/Disneyland ride, Splash Mountain. Then, they chat about the payoff of binge-watching in a time of COVID-19.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss DC’s FanDome; Marvel spotlighting and temporarily suspending the paywall of its digital service, Marvel Unlimited, for fans to read content featuring Black superheroes and content by Black creators; and EndeavorRX, the first ever video game that can be prescribed as medicine. Then, they chat about their first reactions to the PS5 Spiderman: Miles Morales video game, and what they hope is a story that fully explores Miles’ blackness and superheroness.
Links to resources discussed:
https://online.annecy.org/product/carte-blanche-women-in-animation (Women in Animation's "Reimagining the Future: Race, Solidarity and the Culture of Work” summit at Annecy International Animation Film Festival)
https://theplaguenerdalogues.com/ (Marc Bernardin's The Plague Nerdalogues)
https://www.dccomics.com/dcfandome (DC's FanDome)
https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-miles-morales-ps5-should-tackle-first-game-cop-problem/ (Samantha Puc's PS5: Spider-Man - Miles Morales Needs to Address the First Game's Cop Problem article)
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/de-colonization-miles-morales/ (Vincent Haddad's The Decolonization of Miles Morales article in LA Review of Books)
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss Disney+’s first black prince, the new Skullgirl’s update that shouts representation matters, and the upcoming game Marvel’s Avengers’s determination to increase disabled representation in their game development and narratives. Then, they unpack all the ways She-Ra’s breakout star, Bow, inspires important conversations about black queer family dynamics, expressions of black masculinity, and modes of activism - all of which give them joy and remind them of why they continue to fight for black lives.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss Netflix’s adaptation of the Image comic Old Guard (featuring Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne), Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, the unexpected sequel to Inuyasha, along with Halle Berry’s latest foray into sci-fi, Moonfall. Then, they chat about their favorite moments of Avatar the Last Airbender that they can’t wait to rewatch (once they’ve cleared their quarantine queue…) in honor of Asian and Pacific Island Heritage Month and Netflix US’s release of the series.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss some exciting pieces of post-Covid 19 content to look forward to - season 2 of Netflix’s Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts and the latest from Jordan Peele’s masterful brain, Lovecraft Country and season 2 of The Twilight Zone. Then, they discuss the tidy world of The Mandalorian Season 1 and how artists of color, onscreen and behind it, brought such an enjoyable, cohesive vision to life.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah share their thoughts on the inevitable, unfortunate cancellation of San Diego ComicCon 2020; how this lost might hurt smaller companies and indie artists in the industry but also open new avenues for pitching directly to editors, etc. via social media. Then, they discuss the upcoming Dune film, more specifically the inclusive casting, racebending, and genderbending choices made in its production - and how that might not be enough to save this story’s troubling race and gender analysis. Then later, they get into a deeper discussion about Disney’s Up, Up, and Away, its place in the legacy of black superhero canon, and how the movie explores the relationship of family and legacy.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss their excitement, surprise, and thoughts on the cultural relevance of TNT’s upcoming adaptation of the post-apocalyptic drama Snowpiercer, the recent reminder of the greatness that is Korrasami, and the trailer for Train to Busan: Peninsula. Then, they get into a deeper discussion about how the rough aesthetic of John Cornish’s Attack the Block enriches a welcomed hero’s journey focused on forced maturity, responsibility, and young people of color in the wake of an alien invasion.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss the rumors surrounding Rosario Dawson potentially playing Ahsoka Tano in season 2 of TheMandalorian, the bittersweet news that Netflix’s She-ra and the Princesses of Power will be ending after its fifth season, and Overwatch’s newest and last hero to be released, Echo (its second AI of color!). Then get into a deeper conversation on how in the age of Corona, the nerd community can help by providing wisdom and recommendations for living life on the inside.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah share with you HBO Watchmen’s lasting effect on Oklahoma’s state curriculum, give you 693 reasons why you should be streaming Studio Ghibli music right now, discuss the new Saudi-Japanese collaboration film The Journey, and talk about our hopes for new series regular Priah Ferguson in Stranger Things season 4. We also dive into the topic of death with Marvel’s new issues X-Men #7 and The End: Spider-Man Miles Morales, and end Newsreal discussing the first black Peter Pan. Then, we get into a deeper conversation on what the Coronavirus means for us in the nerd community and how it might affect taking part in one of our high, holy favorite times of the year, con season!
The one where Mike and Nehemiah discuss A24 and Dev Patel’s upcoming take on a 14th century Arthurian tale, plan a trip upstate to see what Ubisoft’s newest Prince of Persia themed VR experience is all about, gush over the first queer, POC couple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and mark their calendars for the premiere of the new SYFY series Vagrant Queen. Then, we get into a deeper conversation on why the 2019 film Sweetheart, one of the few horror survival films starring a black woman, is the movie of the moment.”
The one where Mike and Nehemiah investigate the possible future of the Disney+ show WandaVision, enjoy the nostalgia and potential of Whoopi Goldberg and the Star Trek universe, check-in to Atari’s new business venture, and sink our teeth into the announcement of Castlevania: Season 3. Then get into an important conversation on re-parenting and reconnecting with your inner child through the medium of animation.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah bring in the new decade with fresh attitudes and the same great geekery! We’ll discuss Hulu’s upcoming adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti series, Penny Dreadful’s return to the screen with a 1930’s Los Angeles inspired spin-off, the magical new store “apparating” to Manhattan this summer, and the 92nd Oscar-nominated short film Hair Love. Then get into a fun conversation about the inspiration and action behind some of our Geek Goals for the year.
The one that we finished slightly late (tech issues) - Where Mike and Nehemiah discuss Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan’s new leading role, Ryan Coogler’s upcoming jazz infused monster hunting film, the laundry list of beauties in line to portray the next Catwoman (spoiler alert – the internet was wrong), and fathom the need for Matrix 4. Then get into a deeper discussion on the present state of the comic book industry and how Hollywood affects it.
The one where Mike and Nehemiah explain their secret project and convince you to pull the lever! Join them into the worlds of comics, videogames, movies, and TV shows through Queer+POC bifocals.