Welcome to Geektown: Recent Episodes

Kurt Onstad

We answer geeky questions that non-geeks have!

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Continuing our conversation with Dana Simpson, this second part (of three) focuses primarily on “Phoebe & Her Unicorn,” and how it’s changed over the years. Then we touch on a couple of other projects as well, one finished, and one left incomplete.

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We start a new conversation this week, this time talking to Dana Simpson, creator of “Ozy and Millie” (now Ozy and Milo), and the NYT Bestselling “Phoebe & Her Unicorn.” This first part starts with her education, then her work on family-friendly “Ozy and Millie” and the political cartoon called “I Drew This.”

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We wrap up my interview with Judd Winick by starting on his decision to bring back Jason Todd (the 2nd Robin) from the dead as The Red Hood, then move on to his work during the New 52 at DC, the animated shows he worked on, and finally get to his decade-plus work writing and drawing the Hilo series of books. But first, a remembrance for another comics book professional who left us too soon.

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In this 2nd of three parts of my interview with Judd Winick, we talk about his time on The Real World, the doors that opened and how he grew as a storyteller from writing about his experiences, leading to his comic book work for DC (and a little Marvel).

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Starting at the very beginning of Judd Winick’s life, part one of this interview continues through to his college days, the value of an art education, and his early comic strip, “Nuts & Bolts.”

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In this final part of my interview with Darick Robertson, we start by discussing his work with Garth Ennis and a couple of other writers for a second stint at Marvel, then move on to Happy and The Boys, the latter of which you’ll hear how Darick has been involved in the adaptation process. Finally we look to Darick’s future work, some of which actually involves going to his distant past.

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In part two of this three-part interview, we mostly focus on The New Warriors run that was Darick’s first regular gig at Marvel, and then move into more of his creator-owned work, as well as discussing the differences between collaborating vs writing and drawing all on his own.

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In this first part of my interview with legendary artist Darick Robertson, we cover his early love of comics and drawing, how he got his first creator-owned comic book, Space Beaver, published, and how that led into his first bit of work for Marvel and DC.

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The last of the rerun episodes, as I wrap up my interview with J.M. DeMatteis. We talk Moonshadow, the Bwah-Ha-Ha era of JLI, his animation work, and other parts of his career.

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A repeat of part 1 of my interview with legendary author J.M. DeMatteis, starting at the beginning and going through to the genre-defining “Kraven’s Last Hunt."

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We wrap up the very first interview done at Welcome to Geektown, covering Evan’s work on Ultimate Alliance 2, his time as a professor, as well as listener questions.

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In Part 3 of the Evan Skolnick interview, we start on his time at Acclaim during the comic book bust, then move on to his video game career.

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Continuing the re-run of older interviews in anticipation of the new interview format of the show, here’s part two of my talk with Evan Skolnick, focusing on his time with Marvel, and especially as the writer of the New Warriors.

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After an illness-driven break, I return with a new installment in the “Lesser-Known X-Men” series. Rogue (herself a former villain) recruited two villainous ladies (plus Sabretooth) to her team in 2006: Lady Mastermind and Omega Sentinel. How did that end up working out? Take a listen and find out!

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Returning again to the “Lesser Known X-Men” feature (or “Why-Men” as I’m affectionately referring to it), we hit the mid-2000s with a pair of siblings, not to each other, but each one to a previously covered X-Man in this series. If you haven’t already done so, meet Husk and Warpath!

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Anne (who helped me discuss both seasons of Loki) fills in for Joel on this final Deep Dive on Agatha All Along. We discuss the final episode, which fills in quite a bit of the past, and discuss what it means for the future; of these characters and their place in the MCU.

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The final two episodes of Agatha All Along were released at once, but my conversation with Anne (filling in for Joel) was too long to put out in one go, so this is the penultimate discussion. Secrets galore are uncovered and we get a fight to the death…with Death.

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It’s Episode 7 of 9, but the Voyage is All Along the Witches Road! Joel and I continue our Deep Dive on the latest MCU show, with quite a bit of discussion on Tarot thanks to some extra expertise from friend of the show Johnnie Breen.

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Well, hello there, Billy! It’s (mostly) a flashback episode, where we fill in a lot of the gaps of how we got to where we are with Teen (aka William Kaplan, aka Billy Maximoff, aka Wiccan). Some questions get answered, though others are asked, as Joel and I continue our Agatha All Along Deep Dive.

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We’ve reached the halfway point of Agatha All Along, with some major reveals, and Joel and I have plenty to say about it, as well as a fairly long conversation at the end about our feelings on the MCU in general, post-Endgame. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

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We may have lost Mrs. Hart (Sharon!), but we’re continuing to talk about the rest of the coven in our Deep Dive of Agatha All Along. Hear Joel and Kurt’s theories about who Teen and Rio really are, and their relationships to the title character, plus some musical talk from a recurring contributor.

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We’re moving on down the road in Episode 3 of Agatha All Along. As the coven faces their first trial, Joel and Kurt are surprised to discover an old name get mentioned that they had relegated to the dead theory pile at the end of WandaVision.

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We begin the Agatha All Along Deep Dive with a double episode dose of witchy goodness. There are many questions raised to theorize on, and tons of new characters to discuss and compare to their Marvel Comics counterparts. Take a listen, and then let us know your thoughts!

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Since the next few weeks will be devoted to a Deep Dive of the Agatha All Along show, I thought it would be a good idea to edit together some of the thoughts Joel and I had about Agnes/Agatha as she appeared in WandaVision, along with a comparison to her comic book counterpart, edited together from the WandaVision Deep Dive.

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Continuing to work towards completing the “Lesser Known X-Men” feature, we cover four characters this time; three short-term members, and one who is possibly well-known enough to not qualify, but is important enough to merit inclusion to make sure as many learn about him as possible.

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Returning to my Lesser Known X-Men feature (affectionately dubbed the “Why-Men”), we break from chronological joining to cover twins who were recruited at different times, but are so close that they may as be one character, as well as a mutant mentioned briefly in the “New Warriors Vol 4” episode of the show.

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Thanks to some recent big news announced at San Diego Comic-Con, I was inspired to discuss the connections between Iron Man and Doctor Doom. Sure, they’re both guys in armor, but what else connects them, and how will the MCU handle this? I’ve got a theory…

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With so many super criminals in comics, it only makes sense that they’d have their own prison, and thanks to a question from listener Scott P., we’ll be discussing those, from the real life locations, to the made up super-prisons, then to the dark halls of the asylums.

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Continuing once again with the Lesser Known X-Men feature, we’ve reached the “aughts” or the first decade of the 2000s, where we find an Indian with a Native American codename, a Native American who gets tangled up with Norse Mythology, and a spy with a computer for a brain that wants to be a superhero.

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Back in Episode 89, we discussed LGBT characters in DC with JennytheGeek. Well, after three years, she’s back to discuss LGBT characters in Marvel. From Northstar’s coming out story to the recent “Pride” issues, we touch on some of the characters we feel the most strongly about, and what Marvel is getting right and wrong in their representation.

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Wrapping up the 90s era of “Lesser Known X-Men,” we have the clone, the doctor, the sentient slugs, and the bone-wielding Morlock all joining the team, though few of them stay on the team for too long. What happened to them after? I discuss that and many other details of their lives in this episode.

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The 1990s was one of the best-selling eras for the X-Men comics. But, if you didn’t read them, you might not know who Bishop, Kwannon, or Cannonball are. Take a listen here to find out what makes each of those characters unique and what they brought to the team.

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Inspired by a new listener question, Kurt goes through his definition of a “Non-Powered Superhero” (or Supervillain in one case), to see who qualifies in the Big 2 comic book universes. The answer may or may not surprise you, but you’ll have to listen to find out!

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Continuing our focus on the “Almost Famous” members of the X-Men, we wrap up the members who joined in the 80s with the Disco Queen known as Dazzler, and the Indigenous American inventor who goes by Forge. But, before that, an important announcement about the future of the show.

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For the sixth anniversary of Welcome to Geektown, Kurt continues looking at the history of the New Warriors. However, this is the only incarnation of the team that does not have his favorite superhero, Speedball, as a member. Who are these new kids, and where do they get off taking the team’s name?

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Our fourth in a recurring series on the less famous members of the X-Men roster, we reach the 80s, with a alternate future child, a mullet-wearing alien clone, and a body swapped telepathic ninja. Yes, the X-Men are weird. Take a listen to find out exactly how weird it can get!

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Inspired by the recent Sony movie (which, while not good, is fun in its own way), we go through the comic book counterparts of the four lead women to see how they are all interconnected in multiple ways throughout their respective histories.

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In light of the Big Game that aired the day of this episode’s release, I found it only right to discuss heroes who were active in the sport at one time or another in their life. From Superman to SuperPro, football has been a part of many comic characters lives. Find out which of your favorites is included!

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Finally finishing up the Green Lantern “Replacements” episodes with the New 52 recruits of Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. But, before we get to those, one last bit of business from the Loki Season 2 Deep Dive, thanks to a listener comment.

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After a bit of a hiatus, we continue the discussion of Green Lantern “Replacements,” getting into the 90s with one of the longest running replacements, Kyle Rayner. (If you haven’t listened already, I suggest checking Episode 71 for discussion of Kyle’s first girlfriend, Alex DeWitt).

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Just a small announcement regarding me taking a little time off from the show.

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Loki Season 2 comes to a climax as one of the most complex and well-performed characters gets a very fitting ending (it appears), and my guest Anne and I get into every detail along the way, as we discuss the writing, direction, costuming, and other choices made and how they impact the story as a whole.

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It’s the penultimate episode of Loki Season 2, and Anne and I have quite a bit to discuss, from the gorgeous camerawork to the rise of the God of Stories. Take a listen, and let us know what you think!

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Continuing our Deep Dive on the second season of Loki, we’ve reached Episode 4. But with that ending, is it the last episode? No, but we’ll discuss our theories on what happens this episode, see where theories went right or wrong from past episodes, and what happens next.

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The Deep Dive of Season 2 of Loki continues with Guest Anne Valliant. There is much costume discussion, as well as World’s Fair history, as we look at the episode that takes place almost entirely in the year that it’s named after…1893.

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Continuing our Deep Dive of Season 2 of Loki. Guest Anne Valliant returns from Season 1 to join me for this episode as we discuss the little easter eggs, the production design, the costumes, and of course, the plot and character development. The hair flip counter continues, and we learn…Who is The Phone Ranger?

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We’re starting a new Deep Dive, but it’s our first continuation, as we discuss Season 2 of Loki. Guest Dennis Riddle joins me for this episode as we discuss the new characters, the new situations, and of course, any comic book connections. Plus, how many hair flips does Loki do?

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Continuing the Green Lantern “Replacements” from last episode, we move on to the one that actually replaced Hal first, despite appearing after Guy Gardner. The Lantern so well loved, he was actually chosen over Hal for the Justice League cartoon in the DCAU, it’s John Stewart!

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Continuing our ongoing “Replacements” feature, this is the first part of the Green Lantern franchise. Even with only covering those that directly replaced Hal Jordan, we’re still going to need multiple shows to discuss all the successors to the mantle, and what happened to them when Hal inevitably returned. We start with the first of those, Guy Gardner, a polarizing figure to say the least.

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Thanks to listener feedback, we’re looking at another group of heroes with a specific mental disorder. This time it’s DID (or Disassociative Identity Disorder). Moon Knight, Legion, Crazy Jane, and others are members of this unique club discussed this episode.

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Based on his portrayal in the recent movie bearing his name, a listener is curious about The Flash ever having been shown on the autism spectrum before this, as well as the presence of other neurodivergent characters in the superhero realm, which is what we discuss this episode.

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The final episode of Secret Invasion takes us “Home.” Well, at least, for those that survived. To find out who those are, take a listen as Dag and I discuss the season finale, it’s ups and downs, and what it might mean for future MCU projects.

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It’s been hinted at and this week we finally know for sure what the “Harvest” is and why it’s so important. Once again, Dag joins me for this Deep Dive into Secret Invasion. Find out who our favorite new MCU character is among other things in this penultimate episode.

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From last week’s “Betrayed,” to this week’s “Beloved,” we’ve got some important conversations, and one giant action scene. Dag and I discuss all the details of this episode, including the Skrull reveal (that was really done last episode), and another fateful death.

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This week’s episode of Secret Invasion is titled “Betrayed,” and it makes sense, as there are plenty of people feeling that way. Fortunately, Dag didn’t betray me, and he showed up to bring his thoughts on the show. Together, he and I discuss the ins and outs of the plot, and where we think things will go from here.

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Secrets are starting to be revealed in this Secret Invasion, especially right at the end of this episode. Special guest Dag (aka TrekNexus) and I discuss our thoughts, theories, and general opinions on the episode titled “Promises.”

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Who Can You Trust? Find out (or at least theorize) in this first episode of our Deep Dive into the Secret Invasion show on Disney+. Is Nick Fury really as washed up as everyone says he is, or is that just another one of his spy tricks? Special guest TrekNexus from the Beyond Trek podcast joins me as we debate that and other details from the show.

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Finishing up our look at a couple of unusual vehicles driven by famous superheroes, we land over at DC Comics, where the Supermobile is under the magnifying glass. How does it do all the things it can do? Why was it brought into the comics in the first place? We talk all that and more this episode.

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For the next two episodes, we’ll look at a couple of unusual vehicles driven by famous superheroes. We skip over the Batmobile, the Invisible Jet, and other well-known vehicles and go straight to the bizarre, starting with the wall-crawler’s ill-fated car, the Spider-Mobile.

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The Last Boy on Earth! This Jack Kirby creation is probably not known to many outside hardcore comic book fans, but thanks to an animated short, one listener discovered his existence and asked Kurt to explain more about the world of Kamandi.

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In this special 150th episode, I take a couple of questions that I’ve had for a little while that I didn’t feel fit a full episode, and answer both, as well as returning to an old feature, identifying the source of a pop culture touchstone that’s been used so many times, you may not know the origin!

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The last of the remastered episodes, as after this, I bought a new, better microphone. Although the show is long gone, Cloak & Dagger was a fairly faithful adaptation while it lasted. The major similarities and difference are discussed here.

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Continuing our look at some of the less-famous X-Men roster, we’ve reached the Giant-Sized issue that reinvented the team, and the three members who never quite reached the fame of their compatriots like Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, and Wolverine.

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A Re-mastered version of Episode 8 with improved audio. This episode provides first a definition of, then a few prime examples from (mostly) comics of breaking the fourth wall. This was originally released way before the She-Hulk TV show, but she still gets some representation here!

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Celebrating five years of Welcoming people to Geektown, Kurt continues his anniversary tradition of going over the history of his favorite character Speedball and his teammates on The New Warriors, this year reaching the short-lived Volume 3, leading into the epic event, Civil War.

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A Re-mastered version of Episode 7 with improved audio. The first in a recurring series where we look at the various characters that have taken on a classic heroic identity, and what happened to them after the original inevitably returned. In this original installment, we looked at the various Captains America.

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We conclude the conversation with writer J.M. DeMatteis, starting with his fantasy graphic novel, Moonshadow, then working our way through his career, including the Justice League, some animation, music, and others all the way up to his current projects.

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A re-mastered version of Episode 6 with greatly improved audio, thanks to AI. The history of Marvel and DC’s rivalry, as well as some general differences between the companies over the years, is discussed in this classic episode.

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We welcome the talented writer of TV, novels, and of course, comic books: J.M. DeMatteis in the first part of this two-part interview. Starting from his childhood love of comics to the seminal work: Kraven's Last Hunt.

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A re-mastered version of Episode 5 with AI enhanced audio, where discuss one of my favorite types of games, Legacy games. Then we go on a brief comparison of various “crossed arm” gestures seen in recent comic book films of the time.

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Kang the Conqueror makes his first full appearance in the MCU with Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, which came out earlier this weekend. But who is Kang, and what makes him so threatening that he’ll be the next Big Bad after Thanos? Learn his comic book history, including his many aliases by listening to this episode.

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A Re-mastered version of Episode 4 with improved audio. Mutants are "hated and feared" by many humans in the Marvel Universe, but listener Aaron L. wants to know why they're treated so differently from the other super-powered beings. (Note, the contest mentioned here is long over)

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Inspired by a question from a co-worker during a regular (albeit off-topic from work) conversation, this week we’re looking at the history of the 30th/31st Century team known as The Legion of Super-Heroes! From their first appearance, to the “Reboot,” “Threeboot” and beyond, why does this team have such a hardcore fanbase?

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A re-mastered version of Episode 3, dedicated to the history of Thanos. If you're a newbie to the MCU and want to learn about the comic book history of its first big bad, this is the place.

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Watching the DC League of Super-Pets movie inspired this look at the original members of the first super-animal team, the Legion of Super-Pets. After discussing each of their origins, we see what happened with each of them after Crisis wiped them out of history, and how they were brought back.

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Remastered with improved audio! Where should one begin reading when they take their first foray into the Marvel Universe? That's the question asked today by listener Justin B., and Kurt offers a few different options with pros and cons for each.

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I’ve discussed a lot about American comics and cartoons, but what about from the other side of the world? Thanks to a question from Joel (listener and also guest on the Wandavision Deep Dives), I go into an overview of Manga, Anime, and what distinguishes them from their western counterparts.

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A remastered version of my first episode with vastly improved audio! Learn the history of the various reboots of the DC Universe, both hard and soft. From Action Comics #1 in 1938 all the way to 2016's Rebirth, find out about the big continuity shake-ups that have changed the history of some of your favorite characters.

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Having discussed Santa showing up in Marvel and DC the last couple of years around this time, we finally branch out of the Big 2 and start looking at some of Old Saint Nick’s appearances in other comic books. This year the focus falls on Savage Dragon, where Father Christmas is an important part of three issues. Warning: Not for younger listeners.

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Sure, S.W.O.R.D. and S.H.I.E.L.D. make sense together. But, where did H.A.M.M.E.R. come from? S.T.R.I.K.E.? W.A.N.D.? And what the heck does U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. stand for? This episode, we go through various groups in the Marvel Universe that use acronyms and go through some of their history.

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One of our listeners just discovered the character of John Constantine, and wants to learn more about him before diving in on his own. So, we look at a bit of the history behind this DC/Vertigo staple, and answer some important questions, like “How do you pronounce Constantine?”

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Coming back to a recurring series that hasn’t seen a new entry in over a year, Kurt looks at what happens to replacement heroes when the original (well, second or third in this case) returns. It’s a rare instance of Replacementception with this entry, none other than The Flash!

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Longtime horror fan (of both movies and comics) Michael Vee joins me in this Deep Dive of the Disney+ Special Presentation of “Werewolf By Night,” inspired by the comics and films on which my guest is quite knowledgable. Just in time for Halloween, take a listen after you’ve watched the show, because Spooky Spoilers Abound!

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Personal friend and long-time comic book retailer Carla Hoffman joined me for this episode, as I felt the need to read and respond to an email regarding words used in the final She-Hulk Deep Dive by myself and my guests. Carla helped clarify some terms and focus my thoughts on why I used the words I did, and whether or not that was the right thing to do.

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Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast and Kristin Scalisi both return to discuss the final episode of (this season of?) She-Hulk, and its themes, ideas, and of course, K.E.V.I.N. We also take tangents on “clip shows” and embarrassing bedroom posters.

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Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast and Kristin Scalisi both return to discuss the latest episode of She-Hulk. Of course we talk Daredevil, but also the history of Leapfrog, the Sokovia Accords, and secret identities in general.

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Brooke Heyn and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast both return to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk. In addition to learning a lot about Jen’s dating life, you also get to hear some of the personal history of the podcasters themselves, as various moments from the show bring up memories.

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Kristin Scalisi returns to join me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk. There’s a whole lot of wedding talk, and we learn (and reiterate) two very important lessons. Find out what they are by listening to this week’s Welcome to Geektown!

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It’s just me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast this time to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk, in which Titania finally returns, as she and Jen fight (in the legal sense) over the name “She-Hulk.” In addition, we get the MCU’s equivalent of Edna Mode, and a tease for a certain blind lawyer. We break it all down for you in this episode!

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As Brooke was unavailable this week, Kristin Scalisi joined me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk. Wong returns, along with our new favorite, Madisynn (thankfully, she spells it out for us, so I know I got that right), and their antics inspire us to discuss the copyright of magic, various premium TV shows, and yak milk.

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Brooke Heyn and Andy Wilson, both from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast return again for a look at the She-Hulk show. We’re finally past all the set up, and we have what feels like what should be a “typical episode,” if such a beast exists. We break down the show, as each of us ends up revealing our own personal trauma brought up by specific moments in this sitcom.

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Continuing the Deep Dive into the She-Hulk show, I get a much needed female perspective in the form of Brooke Heyn along with the returning Andy Wilson, both from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast. In addition to breaking down the show, we veer into other subjects both serious and frivolous, including issues of mental control and consent to comics as case law.

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As should be obvious by now, I love the character of She-Hulk, so I’m going to be diving into her “fun lawyer show” on Disney+, along with guest Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast. In this first episode, we get Jen’s super heroic origin story, and we learn more about Captain America than we may have wanted…

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In preparation for the She-Hulk show, we go back and revisit an older episode, going over She-Hulk’s origin and major events, as well as what makes her different from her cousin Bruce. Then fill in the gaps in her comic book history that happened between that episode’s release and now.

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Inspired by the animated movie, “Into the Spider-Verse,” a listener asks about the various characters in the Spider-Family that differ from the Spider-Man we all know and love. There are too many to go through in one episode, but we’ll start this series of “The Alternates” by looking at those featured in the movie that inspired the question.

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Since the advent of the Direct Market, event comics have been a staple of Marvel and DCs sales strategy. But, while some are huge successes still fondly remembered, others are mocked or completely forgotten. We go back to the start of the Event Era and look at some of the most famous and infamous to see if we can figure out what is the winning strategy.

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The saying the listener asking this week’s question references used to be: “No one stays dead but Bucky, Jason Todd and Uncle Ben,” but two of those three have also returned from the grave. So, why are so many characters brought back to life after being given a “permanent” end to their story?

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Following up on last episode, instead of the elemental planes for animals, plants, and other forms of life associated with colors, this time we go over the emotional forces associated with colors in the DC Universe, and how entire Corps of heroes and villains have been built around them.

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While many superheroes and villains have colors in their name (Green Arrow, Scarlet Witch, Blue Beetle, etc.), in the DC Universe there are two ways that colors influence some characters powers, and vice versa. This episode, we discuss the elemental forces that are associated with a few different colors in the first of this two part look.

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Although we’ve finished our blow-by-blow of the individual episodes, guest John Mulhall and I still had some thoughts on the show in general, as well as the Disney+ MCU shows overall, which I decided to include as this special “Wrap Up” episode.

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We’ve reached the finale of the show, and while John and I both have our issues with it, we still find a lot to enjoy and discuss as we talk about the characters, the story, and the connections and references to the original source material in the comics!

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Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into the penultimate episode. If you’ve seen the show, you should know there are content/trigger warnings that should go along with this episode, including parental abuse, so be advised.

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Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into Episode 4. Of course, we talk about that final shot, but we also discuss everything along the way to there, which includes some storytelling issues that John has.

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Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into Episode 3. John has a few nitpicks this episode, but overall we’re both still enjoying the show, and exploring Marc and Steven’s world (and relationship)!

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Continuing our look into the Moon Knight show with author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com), we get into Episode 2, where Marc Spector gets a little more spotlight time, as well as introducing us to an original character, Layla, who turns out to be…well, spoilers abound in the show, but not in this intro!

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Moon Knight is a mysterious enough character that I thought it deserved a Deep Dive, and I brought along a guest, author John Mulhall (johnmulhall.com) to discuss the ins and outs of the show, compare and contrast with its comic origins, and do some light theorizing as to where it’s headed.

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Continuing the anniversary tradition, Kurt moves forward in his chronological look at Speedball and the New Warriors team. Having finished up the 75 issue Volume 1 last year, we now move on to the short lived Volume 2, focusing on how they got back together and on the new members that joined, mutant teen Bolt, and the inner city youth turned mythological champion, Aegis!

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In anticipation of the upcoming Disney+ show (and the Deep Dive I’ll be doing with author John Mulhall), it’s time to take a look at the origins of Moon Knight, why some call him “Marvel’s Batman,” and most importantly what makes him completely unique.

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You may have heard of Earth 1, Earth 2, and possibly even Earth 616. But, how did all these names come to be, and who decides which is which? Wouldn’t they all want to be Earth 1? That’s what listener Joel L. asks, and Kurt answers for both the Marvel and DC Universes this episode.

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Following up on last episode’s discussion of board game mechanics, we move into some game mechanics and other terms that are specific to games with cards. We define some of the more common terms and mechanics, using examples from some of the more popular card games.

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Resource Management, Worker Placement, Area Control. You may have heard some of these terms and others as people discuss their favorite board games. But what do they mean? Using some of the most popular games around, we discuss these terms and others to help you learn more about how many board games are played.

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Continuing this recurring series on the lesser known members of the X-Men, Kurt dives into the history of the mutant team to find the lesser-known characters that deserve some additional attention. This time we focus on the retconned “second team” introduced in the “Deadly Genesis” mini-series: Vulcan, Petra, Sway, and Darwin.

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For readers of fantasy, especially those with a history of role-playing “Dragonlance” is a well-known property. But, did you know that it was also available to readers of comic books? Thanks to a listener question, we go through the various incarnations of comics tied to the World of Krynn, including both adaptations and original stories.

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Happy Holidays, everyone! Like last year’s episode, I thought it fitting (considering the timing) to go over some of Santa’s appearances in various comic books, this time focusing on Marvel Comics (other companies may be featured in future years), as he meets the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Howard the Duck (twice!), among other appearances. Warning: Ironically and unfortunately, this episode may not be suitable for kids. (Mostly due to the topic. Language-wise, it’s safe)

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Not just a list, because that would be boring. Instead, we go through the team’s history, starting with their very first appearance all the way up to the recent “Sinister War,” to find out how the various versions formed, and who was on each team. It appears we’ll be seeing them in “No Way Home” coming out soon, so this should get you caught up.

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I don’t usually go for “Who Would Win” type questions, but I think this one has a more definitive answer, so we make as many direct comparisons as possible using the given evidence to find out who truly is the speediest of the speedsters.

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With 10 different games in the series out, the Batman: Arkham video games have pulled from all over the history of the character for their villains. One player of the series was curious to find out if any of them were original to the game, or if they all come from the past comics somewhere, and why weren’t they used in the animated series. We discuss all that and more in this episode of Welcome to Geektown!

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With Halloween just days away, it seemed like the perfect time to answer a question about the history of Horror comics. From the very first, all the way up to a current favorite, we discuss the ups and downs this particular genre has experienced, especially as it was affected by the Comics Code Authority.

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A young listener caught the name of a character I mentioned briefly in Episode 85, and asked me to follow up with his history. This made me realize I had messed up in that episode, so I go over the history of the character I did name, plus dive into the backstory of the similarly named character I actually meant.

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In this milestone episode, I look back to some earlier episodes, including the very first, to see what stories need updating. In addition, I talk about questions I’ve received that, while appreciated, will not be the basis for a future episode.

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Started as their own separate story, the Eternals are now completely ingrained into the origins of the Marvel Universe. With the Chloe Zhao-directed movie on its way in less than two months, now seems like a good time to give a primer on these characters, their powers, and what their introduction means for the MCU going forward.

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Continuing our occasional look into the characters that have taken on the identity of an already established hero, this installment covers those who have become the hero that was literally the face of Marvel for many years, Spider-Man, including one of his arch-nemeses. Take a listen to get all the details.

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Also available as part of a YouTube Playlist featuring many different creators, this episode discusses the story that really brought Kurt into the DC Comics Universe, and defined Wally West’s version of The Flash for years to come. Written by Mark Waid with art by Greg LaRocque, it’s “The Return of Barry Allen.”

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If you’re a longtime fan of a book and you hear it’s being made into a movie, you may have a mix of joy and dread, as so many of the adaptations over the years have not met up to the book fans’ approvals. This episode, we look at some of the common follies that adapters will run into that cause fans to cry foul, then Kurt picks out a couple of films he think got it just right.

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Kurt and Anne wrap up their conversation on the first season of Loki (Season 2 has already been announced!), including the mysterious power behind the TVA, and how this all feeds in to what is coming up in the next year or two in the MCU.

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Continuing the discussion of "Loki" with special guest Anne V., we dive in and talk all about the show, the comics that inspired it, and the relationships and growth of all the characters involved.

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Continuing the discussion of "Loki" with special guest Anne V., we dive in and talk all about what makes this show so great, and how it connects to the comics. And yes, we definitely talk about that mid-credits scene and who all those characters are.

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Continuing the discussion of the Loki show with special guest Anne V., we dive in deep on all the details we can find, especially as they relate to “Sylvie,” including her comic book connections, and what her actions reveal about the character. And we talk about the big reveal regarding the TVA and what that means.

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Continuing the discussion of the Loki show with special guest Anne V., topics include Ren Faires, costumes, diadems (which are not helmets), and the comic book origins of the character revealed at the end of the episode. (The original link was incorrect and may (have) caused errors. Apologies for the double post.)

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Continuing the discussion of the Loki show with special guest Anne V., topics include Ren Faires, costumes, diadems (which are not helmets), and the comic book origins of the character revealed at the end of the episode.

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With the Loki show diving into one of Kurt’s favorite subjects (Time Travel), of course he’s going to dive deep into the show as well, looking at all the comic book connections, and theorizing with his guest, Anne V. This first episode we discuss the TVA, Mobius, and all the little moments that made the show so much fun.

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Celebrating Pride Month, we are looking at some of the characters in DC Comics that belong to the LGBTQ+ community. I invited JennytheGeek on to discuss the topic and get her feelings as a trans woman (and fellow superhero fan), on how these different characters were handled.

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We’ve recently gotten a teaser trailer for the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” but you may not have heard of the character before that. We give you a basic rundown on who Shang-Chi is, his infamous father, and how he fits into the Marvel Universe (and possibly the MCU as well)!

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Two questions being asked this week. One is about what causes certain heroes to be immune to each other’s powers when they are on the same family tree. The other question is about the MCU version of Bucky, and if and when he got powers.

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We’ll be seeing him join the MCU soon in Black Widow, but who is Taskmaster in Marvel Comics? That is the question being asked this week by one of the younger listeners of Welcome to Geektown, and so we explain the history and powers of the skull-masked villain, to see what makes him so special.

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For the first anniversary of the podcast’s release, Kurt’s favorite hero Speedball was introduced. In the 2nd-Anniversary episode, he introduced the rest of his teammates in the New Warriors, or at least the members of the team when it was first formed. For year 3, it’s time to look at the other heroes who joined the roster sometime after the first issue, but still in the original 75-issue run.

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Completing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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Continuing our look at the new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany on Disney+, Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides, theorize about the mysteries, and discuss the connections to the comics that inspired the series.

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The new MCU show starring Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany is out on Disney+, and is so unusual that we decided to examine the show as closely as possible, discussing the connections between it and the Marvel Comics starring these characters. Kurt is joined by personal friend and frequent question asker Joel L. (an MCU fan, but not a regular comic reader) in order to see the show from all sides.

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Not counting the ones I’ve already talked about, of the upcoming Marvel TV shows, the one I’m most excited for is Ms. Marvel. But, who is this young woman and how has she become so popular so quickly? We dive into her history as well as what makes her unique in this episode.

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Happy Holidays, everyone! As this releases on Christmas Eve, I thought it fitting to go over some of Santa’s appearances in various comic books, this time focusing on DC Comics (other companies may be featured in future years). Three team-ups with Superman and two other special Christmas stories are discussed. Warning: Ironically and unfortunately, this episode may not be good for kids.

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You see the names and titles in the opening credits of every book: Writer, Penciler, Inker, Letterer, Colorist, Editor. But, what does each of these people do specifically, and in what order? In other words, where do comics come from? Kurt goes over each role and what they contribute to this art form we all love.

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With this episode being released on Thanksgiving day (in America), I wanted to touch on the heroes that I most associate with the holiday, and that is DC’s first super team: the Justice Society of America. From the Golden Age up to today, we go over how they’ve changed over the years, while keeping true to their original vision, and touch on the two Thanksgiving stories that inspired this particular topic to come out today.

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Continuing a recurring feature, “Death Becomes You” looks at some of the more unusual deaths in comic books. This time, we look closer at the unfortunate demise of Alex DeWitt, a brief supporting cast member in the Green Lantern title in the 90s. While her death hasn’t had much in the way of repercussions in the DCU, it has led to a new term in this one, and helped bring a new professional comic book writer into the fold. How did that happen? Take a listen and find out!

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Vampire: The Masquerade is one of the most popular role-playing systems ever, outside of D&D and its clones. However, if you’re just getting into it, there’s a lot of choices you have to make and a lot of lore to sift through. Probably the most important option is your clan, and Kurt is here to sum them up for you to make deciding easier.

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Since the early 90s, video games have been fodder for movie studios, but few of those adaptations seem to be successful. Why is that? Kurt goes over some of the possible reasons for that, as well as looking the other direction, and why few video games based around movies have been well-received.

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Last time we did a “Replacements” episode, we looked at the various Robins. This time, we dive deep in on his mentor, and look at all the people who have been the official Batman in the regular DCU. There’s a little crossover between the two, so if you haven’t listened to Episode 58, I recommend doing so first.

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The Fantastic Four have been in three movies so far, but haven’t joined the MCU just yet. But, a new piece of casting news points to that happening sooner rather than later, so now is a good time to see what past movies have gotten right, and what they got wrong in adapting Marvel’s First Family to the screen.

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We dive into another aspect of Tabletop Role-Playing Games this episode, and discuss the importance of world lore. How much should a player know before they start playing in that world, and how do they go about learning those details? Take a listen and find out!

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Two questions are being answered this episode. First, is Wolverine a spreader of disease? Then, we look at various comic book Captains, Majors, Generals, and other characters named for military ranks to see who has earned those honors.

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High school student, college student, photojournalist, teacher? Peter Parker, aka the Amazing Spider-Man has actually held a number of different jobs over the years. Going in chronological order, we look at the various career paths Peter has taken, starting all the way back at his first appearance to today.

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Following up on Episode 51, where we found out how Nick Fury started looking like Samuel L. Jackson in the comics, we discuss the miniseries Original Sin, and how that led to a whole new status quo for the original Nick Fury. Warning: If you don’t like eyeballs by themselves, do not check out the show notes.

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Board games are a more popular pastime than ever, but different people have grown up with their own house rules, and may want to go back and “redo” their turn from time to time. A listener asks how important it is to follow the exact rules and stick to player decisions, and Kurt (with decades of board game playing under his belt) gives his opinion on the subject.

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This mini-sode (it was required to be 1-2 minutes) was done for a podcasting contest. Joel L. wants to know if the heroes and villains who use "Doctor" in their codename deserve that title, and we find a surprising answer.

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It has been a rough few weeks for the comic book industry, with news of abusers and other bad actors coming into (or back into) the light. I want to stand with and support those who were brave enough to come forward, and so this episode is a statement on that subject, as well as the ongoing issue of minority representation in comics, and its relation to Black Lives Matter.

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Dungeons and Dragons has been seen played in many TV shows and movies. But, what did they get right, and what was totally wrong? A curious listener wants to know specifically about the “Advanced Dungeons and Dragons” episode of Community, and Kurt obligingly breaks it down for her.

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Let’s talk D&D Conventions! Well, not Conventions, but conventions, aka the social expectations one is likely to find when they first sit down at a table to play D&D, or other role-playing games. A new listener is afraid to start playing, and Kurt is here to assuage those fears, and let her (and you) know how you should behave at your first (and subsequent) session.

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In this recurring feature, we look at the various heroes that have replaced the original, and what happens to them after their tenure is over. Maybe it’s because he’s a sidekick and not (usually) a solo hero, but Robin is one of the few cases where the original never actually came back. Instead, we’ve had a parade of Robins, which we’ll discuss in this episode.

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In the fourth and final portion of this multi-episode interview, Kurt wraps up his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick with some listener questions, mostly about the video game industry.

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In part three of this multi-episode interview, Kurt continues his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick, getting into his video game work, after briefly discussing his time at Acclaim Comics and the comic boom and bust of the 90s.

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In part two of this multi-episode interview, Kurt continues his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick, this time focusing on the comic book writing portion, with special emphasis on his two-year stint on The New Warriors, but we also talk about writing licensed books and running the company softball team..

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In the first part of this multi-episode interview, Kurt talks to comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick about the earliest part of his career, up to his editorial stint at Marvel Comics.

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For the first anniversary of the podcast’s release, Kurt’s favorite hero Speedball was introduced. On this 2nd-Anniversary episode, we introduce the rest of his teammates in the New Warriors, or at least the members of the team when it was first formed, plus a little bit about why the “Heroes for the 90s” continue to be re-read by fans 30 years later.

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No, I’m not just repeating the episode number again, but spelling it out. 52 (or Fifty-Two) was an important work in the DC Universe, so much so that the number keeps popping up in DC Lore ever since. This year-long weekly series was the first in a few that DC did, but is the only one that really left a lasting impact. Because this is Episode 52, I decided to go into more detail on this story, introducing the basic set-ups and talking about what made the story one of my personal favorites.

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Nick Fury started out as a square-jawed white Sergeant with adventures taking place in World War II. So, how did he go from that to the Samuel L. Jackson look-alike we see today, running a super-spy agency? That’s the question that gets asked and answered in this week’s episode.

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How much back reading is required to get into comic books today? Elyse (of the OHotMU or Not? podcast) wrote in to ask this question among others. We look at how comic story lengths have changed over time, and how continuity has become a more important factor in the tales of today.

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A continuation of last episode, where we discussed Marvel characters based outside the United States, this time we turn our attention to DC, and what heroes they have created who originate from a (non-fictional) foreign country. I apologize in advance if I get any of the pronunciations wrong. I did my best, but I’m not perfect!

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Although most Marvel comic book stories are based in United States (and even more specifically New York), there are heroes in many other countries in the Marvel Universe. We take a look at a few of them, trying to avoid the ones completely based around a stereotype of that country (except maybe Kangaroo). Let’s romp around the world and check out the international heroes of Marvel!

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Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions were answered last episode and now we finish them off with questions from Shotgun and Emelie!

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Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions were answered last episode and now we finish them off with questions from Shotgun and Emelie!

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Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions coming this week, and two more next episode!

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We’re comparing two giants of pop culture again, but not in the comics or sci-fi realm. This time, we’re looking at musical theater. Stephen Sondheim fans often disparage Andrew Lloyd Webber. Why the vitriol, and how different are the two composers anyways?

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Another in the recurring feature, where we look at other characters who have taken on the superheroic identity from another, both how that occurred and what happened to them after the original comes back. The Smashing character known as The Hulk is under the spotlight this time.

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Vin Diesel has a new movie coming out next February titled Bloodshot, based on the Valiant Comics character. But, what is Valiant Comics, and what makes it any different from Marvel or DC? From the early 90s up to the current stable of titles, we look at the history of Valiant Comics/Entertainment.

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After hearing a little about Batwoman from last episode, a listener has a question on the various Bat-ladies, and how to tell them apart. We dive into the history of Batgirl and Batwoman from the 1950s all the way to the present.

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In anticipation of this year’s massive Crisis on Infinite Earths TV event, we get caught up on the main characters of all of the Arrowverse shows, so that you’ll be ready even if you don’t normally watch all of them.

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We look at some of the more bizarre tussles between heroes and villains. That includes when Superman fought an ultra-powerful Joker, and Acts of Vengeance, including the “Cosmic Spider-Man” story.

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Inspired by a Twitter conversation, Kurt dives into the strange and twisted history of Donald Blake, the original secret identity of Thor. Who was he, and where did he go?

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Marvel/Disney just announced that She-Hulk will be getting her own show on Disney+. But, who is She-Hulk, and what would such a show be about? Kurt dives into the distaff counterpart of Bruce Banner, and what makes her so compelling a character in her own right.

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Green Kryptonite, Red Kryptonite, Blue, White, Jewel? How many varieties of Kryptonite are there, and how does each of them effect the Man of Steel and the other Kryptonians in the DC Universe? Kurt goes through every single published version of Kryptonite so you’ll now know.

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Superheroes have been and continue to dominate the sales charts of American comics, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is. Thanks to a question from a Reddit user, Kurt goes into non-spoiler details about some of his favorites that he recommends you try out, if you haven’t already.

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A new recurring feature begins, where we’ll look deeper into some of the more unusual deaths that have happened in comics, beginning with an out-of-continuity tale called “Spider-Man: Reign” and the untimely demise of Spider-Man’s wife, Mary Jane Watson-Parker. (Content warning: Mature themes, though handled non-explicitly.)

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If the word "Shiny" means something special to you, or you know about the "special hell" that Mal could be going to, then you're probably already a fan of Firefly. If not, take a listen to learn all about the Joss Whedon-created sci-fi/western show, and find out why its fanbase endures after all these years.

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Now that Tony’s gone from the MCU, let’s look at some of his possible replacements, specifically those who have already done so in the comics. It’s the third installment of “The Replacements,” which previously covered those who have replaced Captain America and Superman. This time, we look at the history of those who have taken up the Armored Avenger’s mantle.

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What if you want to kill some monsters, but don’t want to get bogged down in all that pesky role-playing? Well, these games, past and present, may just be what you’re looking for. Kurt covers the highlights of the history of dungeon crawler board games this episode.

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A comparison of time travel rules in a few well-known movies that feature it extensively, from Back to the Future, up to Avengers: Endgame. SPOILER WARNING: Details of Endgame will be from 11:24 to 15:43, if you want to avoid that still.

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First, a note from a listener about the Star Trek Economy. Then, from Batman: The Animated Series to Justice League Unlimited; a brief look at the history of one of the greatest TV and movie universes created.

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Kurt concludes his discussion with economy professor Matt Dobra on the supposedly money-less economy of the Federation from the world of Star Trek. Discussion includes the Universal Basic Income, interstellar trade, and the Rules of Acquisition.

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Kurt calls up economy professor Matt Dobra again, this time to discuss the economy of the Federation from the world of Star Trek. They famously say they do not use money in the future, and we dive into whether or not that would work. Learn about post-scarcity, the hedonic treadmill, and other economic terms through the lens of one of the most famous science fiction franchises of all time!

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Celebrating one full year of Welcome to Geektown, Kurt answers a question about his favorite character, diving into Robbie Baldwin’s history, and why Kurt is the World’s Biggest Speedball Fan.

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With his movie coming out next month, we look at the comic history of Billy Batson, the original Captain Marvel, aka Shazam!

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Batman has been portrayed on screen a number of times. A listener wants to know where to start with those films, and how they’ve influenced and been influenced by the comics, so we go through them all chronologically, from the 1943 serial, all the way to what’s planned for the future.

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Doctor Who? That is the question, isn’t it. Which Doctor should be your first, and in what order should you watch? Also, why do so many fans insist on choosing between Star Wars and Star Trek?

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With all of the different Star Trek shows that have aired, what’s the best order for a burgeoning Trekkie to watch them in? Kurt gives his opinion on which option is best, and why. But first, for the non-initiated, what are all those acronyms?

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I’ve been mentioning “gatekeepers” in the opening of nearly every episode, but what is a gatekeeper? This week, we define gatekeeping, explain how it harms, and try to figure out where it comes from and how to fight against it.

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This episode, Kurt is asked about why so much of fantasy takes place in a Medieval-like setting, and discusses a few of those reasons why that is the case. Plus more famous quotes are given their origins; this time all coming from the same source.

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What is Dungeons and Dragons, and how to explain its long-term popularity? Also, is it possible to try the game out without committing a lot of time and/or money? I take the time to answer these questions on this episode. If you’re at all curious what all the hype is about, take a listen!

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With nearly a dozen new comic-book movies each year, why do so few of them have women in their leading roles? That’s what listener Justin B. asked, and what I attempt to answer, as well as giving thoughts on which superheroines should get the spotlight next.

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This week’s episode, instead of answering a question, is a history of and tribute to Stan Lee, who died recently. We look at his beginnings in the industry, and some of the important contributions he made throughout the years.

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This week’s episode has a two-part question about the difference between comic books and graphic novels (if there is one), as well as wanting to know what options are out there for people who want to read about the Marvel Universe in straight prose, rather than words and art together. Finally, another famous catchphrase gets its origins explained.

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This week’s episode has a two-part question about the difference between comic books and graphic novels (if there is one), as well as wanting to know what options are out there for people who want to read about the Marvel Universe in straight prose, rather than words and art together. Finally, another famous catchphrase gets its origins explained.

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Min-Maxing and Meta-Gaming. If you're sitting at a table playing D&D, you likely do not want to be accused of either of these. But, what are they exactly, and can they ever be a force for good? Find out in this week's episode. Bonus: Where does the opening phrase of the podcast come from?

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The Eradicator. Cyborg Superman. Steel. Superboy. Each claimed to be Superman's successor, but none were the true heir. Where did they come from, and what happened to them after Superman's return?

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In anticipation of the upcoming movie, we look at the history of Carol Danvers, and touch on the other Captain Marvels in the Marvel Universe.

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In order to answer a listener's question about the economics of Wakanda, home of the Black Panther, Kurt talks to economics professor Dr. Matt Dobra about how the economics of Wakanda would (or would not) work in the real world. Learn about Dutch Disease, the Resource Curse, and more, through the lens of pop culture!

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This episode goes into speculation territory, as the listener question is about what storylines from Marvel Comics could be used to bring the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the other characters whose movie rights were owned by Fox until recently, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, now that Disney has purchased Fox.

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Starting from near the beginning of the science-fiction genre, here are just a few times that sci-fi predicted technology before its arrival in our world.

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Listener Joshua C. just watched the pilot of Cloak and Dagger, and is curious to find out how close the characters and other aspects of the show hew to their original comic book counterparts.

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We go over a few comic book stories and characters that have fourth-wall breaking as an important part of their dynamic. And if you're not familiar with what "breaking the fourth wall is," I explain that up front.

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This is the first in a recurring feature, where we look at the characters who have taken on another hero's mantle (in this case, Captain America), and find out what happens to them after the original comes back to take his rightful place.

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Kurt looks at the history of Marvel and DC's fan rivalry, and the root causes behind it.

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Two listeners get their questions answered this time. One wants to know what makes Legacy games special and if they're worth the price. The other wants to know why everyone in movies is crossing their arms.

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Mutants are "hated and feared" by many humans in the Marvel Universe, but listener Aaron L. wants to know why they're treated so differently from the other super-powered beings.  Kurt tackles this question, as well as announcing a contest!

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In anticipation of Avengers: Infinity War, listener Joel L. asks about the primary villain and what makes him so scary.

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Where should a young boy begin his journey into the Marvel Universe? At the very beginning? In one of the big crossover books? The pros and cons of some of the different options are presented.

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Host Kurt Onstad goes into the history of the various reboots of the DC Universe, both hard and soft.  From Action Comics #1 in 1938 all the way to 2016's Rebirth, learn the big continuity shake-ups that have changed the history of some of your favorite characters.

Show notes are available at http://www.welcome2geektown.com 

Questions for future episodes can be sent to welcometogeektown@gmail.com

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Welcome to Geektown is a show where I answer questions, mostly from non-geeks, about geeky subjects they think they might become interested in. I am trying to create an environment where there is no entry barrier for becoming a new geek.