Coffee With Nerds: Recent Episodes
Ryan Leknois
Co-hosts Ryan Leknois and Alex Billings discuss a variety of nerd culture topics with the focus being on themes, inner workings, and various other aspects of everything nerdy. What makes a monster iconic? Why is mythology so interesting? Where does the future of Sci-fi land? These questions, and more, will be thoroughly examined through lighthearted banter and entry level debate as they explore everything from comics, to video games, to anime.
Adapting properties from one medium to another has been a staple of the various entertainment industries for as long as they’ve been around. Whether its shifting a book into a film, or a video game into a TV series, Hollywood will never cease to take advantage of preexisting audiences in order to create a safer and, hopefully, more successful product than something completely original. And while adapting existing properties is a good thing in many ways, it does pose its own unique set of challenges that must be addressed, the biggest one being how much needs to change when pulling a property from one medium to the next? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the good and bad of adapting properties into film and television as we try and figure out exactly how much, or how little, should be changed from the original source material. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
One of the most famous tropes in television is the idea of the party of 4. The calm and collected one, the intellectual, the impulsive hot head, and the fun loving party animal. These four archetypes are easily the most used throughout all of fiction, be it TV, comics, or any other form of storytelling, the most noteworthy example being that of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. By why are these four archetype so consistently used? Where did this concept first originate from? And how has it been adopted and altered for modern day character creation? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the 4 humors and how they lead to the creation of the most famous character archetypes in fiction. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
The argument of the greatest of all time is something that echoes across every platform. Whether it’s sports, video games, or even just fast food chains, it is a debate that will always divide its respective fan bases. Still, it is something worth debating as things evolve and become more and more popular, and the world of comics books is certainly no exception to this. With 80 years of content and characters, the debate is more relevant than ever as superheroes are arguably the most popular that they’ve ever been. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss who we believe to be the greatest comic book character of all time. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Story telling, it’s something that we as humans have been doing since our species first walked the earth. From cave paintings, to stories around the fire, to written texts, to tv and movies, this tradition has evolved at the same rate that we have. However, the most modern version of story telling, video games, has yet to be fully explored and mastered as it offers different strengths and weakness compared to other mediums. With all that said, it is still important to recognize the great examples of interactive story telling in video games and how it can further push this medium into an art form on par with that of film. Grab a drink an join us as we discuss the advantages of story telling in videogames. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Back in early 2000, a concept was started of a cross over project that no one would ever think would work. A clever combination of Final Fantasy and Disney known as kingdom hearts. This property has since then found massive success spawning several sequels, side games, and memorabilia, marking it as a franchise worth keeping. However, the development of this product was less certain than you might think and in a lot of ways, fortunate to have even happened. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the interesting creation of Kingdom Hearts and why it lead to the first game being so masterful compared to the subsequent games that follow. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Video games have been around for a long time and have always strived to push the limits of what their console, pc, or arcade cabinet could do. Whether its graphical boundaries or map size or even game mechanics themselves, the industry is always aiming to improve upon their previous work and while consumers absolutely appreciate lifelike graphics and larger games, they will always have a soft spot for those games of old that they grew up with, no matter how shoddy they seem by today’s standards. Because of this nostalgia, and many other reasons as well, developers have been on a recent tear to give us those games once more, whether exactly like they were or upgraded into something new and better. While some reasons for this might seem obvious to most, there are other factors that lead developers to put so much time and effort into refurbishing these old projects, more factors than most consumers may realize. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss why remasters, remakes, and collections have become so prominent in the video game industry. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Multiverse theory has lingered around human existence for centuries, being first conceptualized by ancient Greek philosophers. Since then, the theories on the various ways these parallel universe could exist has been a fun topic of debate among astrophysicists everywhere. Now, the multiverse has become more mainstream than ever thanks to the MCU and comic books in general. Films like Into/Across the Spider-verse and multi-verse of madness, along with the CWs arrow-verse have brought these concepts to the forefront of pop-culture. However, why are these used in comics and films? Why do Marvel and DC feel the need to convoluted their stories with endless possibilities, and, most importantly, why do they need to constantly create and destroy this concept in their own work? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the creation of the Multiverses in comics and why they were made, and destroyed, in the first place. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Quantumania, the third installment in the Ant man MCU franchise. With its release only a couple of weeks away, many trailers have been released teasing us of the crazy adventure that takes place in the smallest of places. But what is the quantum realm? Who really is Kang the conqueror, and what’s with that giant floating head? Grab a drink and join us as we go over the trailers for Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania and discuss everything you’ll need to know about the characters and what significance they might hold for the future of the MCU. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Chainsaw man, the breakout anime of the year. A relatively paint by numbers concept that has taken the industry by storm with fans the world over begging for more. With that said, why was it so good if its relatively formulaic? Is it the wonderful animation? Great action? More likely it is the fresh and unique characters that we follow. But what makes them so enthralling and how do none anime fans feel about them? Grab a drink and join us as we analyse the first season of Chainsaw man and what made it so good to so many viewers. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Like all forms of writing, Manga has been broken down to a science of what works and what doesn’t. This, in turn, creates tropes and archetypes that most characters fall into or embody. With that said, why do Goku and Vegeta stand out among all of the similar pairings? What makes their dynamic so much better than that of countless other shonen manga? Why are those two the Best? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss what makes Goku and Vegeta the greatest and most successful manga duo. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Roguelikes, a videogame genre that has been around for decades, pretty much since the early invention of videogames themselves. However, despite their longevity they have always found nothing but minimal success in the market, being created for a more niche audience than some of the more action packed titles on the shelves. That is, until recent years, as this last decade has seen an unprecedented boom in this genre with a major title coming out yearly branding itself as a roguelike. From the Binding of Isaac, to Hades, to the Cult of the Lamb, these games are highly reviewed and received but what has caused this sudden boom in the genre? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the rise of roguelikes, welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Star Wars was first released in 1977 and who would have thought that this silly sci fi movie would become such a cultural phenomenon that its presence would be felt throughout the world for decades upon decades. Within those decades, however, there has been a steady divide happening between new fans and old concerning the various projects that have been released under the Star Wars name. This divide has sprouted from within the property itself as it has slowly shifted and changed from what it once was into something new and, albeit, completely different. Now, the feel and tone of each new Star Wars property seems to fall into one of two worlds: the old age, or the new. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the two separate thematic worlds of the Star Wars universe and how they are both important to the franchise. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
When it comes to Superhero comics the one thing we can always rely on is that eventually everything will return to the status quo. Characters that have died will probably come back, relationships will start, end, and restart, all that and so much more as our favorite characters continue to live on for decades on decades to come, the only changes being the origins in order to keep up with the times. So, with that in mind, why are legacy characters made? Why the need for gender swaps? Why do these big companies constantly try to reinvent the formula when it currently is working. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the controversy and importance of legacy characters and what they bring to the table. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
The first Black Panther filmed hit the theaters in 2018, and it hit them hard. A global phenomenon, the film was an instant success and was highly reviewed by both fans and critics alike. While so much went into making this film incredible, the shoulders of Chadwick Bossman certainly deserve the most praise for carrying that film, and character, to such great heights. However, with the sadness of his passing, Marvel has had to alter their plans for a sequel, adjusting whatever they had already set in place into a new, worthwhile feature, introducing new characters and worlds into the already stacked MCU. But is it too much? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and what it may have in store for us. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
When we think of Horror in mass media we tend to think of movies and Stephen King, two examples of relatively short form horror that can create dread and suspense in controlled doses in order to build fear within their audiences. However, long form horror, such as story based TV programs, have been around just as long, if not longer, but seem to work on a different set of parameters to varying degrees of success compared to their more compressed counterparts. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the struggles of long form horror and whether or not it is effective in today's various industries, welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Ever since video games first turned mainstream back in the early 80s, the horror subgenre has been prominent within the industry with classics like the Atari’s Haunted House and the pcs Nostromo. While some of the standard horror tropes used to scare the audience were still applicable to this industry, being an interactive medium, however, did mean more challenges and variables that developers needed to overcome in order to create a sense of fear and panic in their player base. Because of this, developers have found very unique, genius, and in some cases fortunate, ways to scare their players and create a truly terrifying video game experience. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the many ways in which horror video-games scare us. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
The MCU might be the fastest growing franchise to ever exist, and with that comes the burden of having to consistently release new films or TV series. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, except that actors age out, meaning that many of our favorite heroes cannot continue to be the staples of the universe. Because of this, Marvel has been scraping the bottom of the barrel in order to bring as many heroes to the big, and small screen, with the latest announcement, Werewolf by Night, being as obscure as they get. However, is this necessarily a bad thing? Grab a drink and join us as we discuss Werewolf by Night and whether or not Marvel is out of ideas. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Geniuses are everywhere and they come in every form, whether that be in the realm of science, sport, music, or art there will always be people who can create, invent, discover, and reshape their field of expertise through hard work and dedication. The realm of literature, Manga included, is no exception to this and in recent years we have seen such a genius who simply goes by the name of One. While his most popular works, One Punch Man and Mob Psycho, may seem pretty straight forward at first glance, a deeper analysis can show exactly how ingenious they are and why One has found popularity and success despite having poor art skills in an industry heavily driven by visuals. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss what makes One such an incredible writer and why their works are far deeper than they seem. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
TV ratings, once a clear indication of the quality of any given program, with lower ratings dooming whatever show to cancellation. That being said, less views does not necessarily reflect how good any show is as time slots, competing programs, and various other issues can lead to this lack of viewership. However, with the onslaught of streaming services now available with shows on demand at any time, we are seeing an increase in failed network tv finding massive success and fan base on this new platform, even to the point where canceled shows are being renewed and given new life. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss how streaming services can save struggling network TV. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Learning is the most important element in human evolution, it is directly linked to adaptation which is what has helped our species survive for thousands of years. And throughout those millenia we have studied, practiced, and polished our ability to pass down knowledge from one generation to the next, our ability to teach. With modern day technology, the options for learners seem overly abundant with one key medium growing in popularity, that medium being video games. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the many ways we can learn through video games and why it can be such an effective tool for educational growth. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
**First released in February of 1980, Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk, has been a mainstay within the marvel comic book universes throughout the years, the good and the bad. However, while many people may know of the character, few may actually know what she’s really about and why she’s so significant enough to earn herself her own Disney plus series. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the history of She-Hulk and what makes her such a cool character. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
DISCLAIMER
We had to record this before the second trailer due to work schedule conflicts, because of that we will be talking about some things that have now become pretty obvious. So, don't hate us too much for it.**
Manga, japanese picture books aimed at adults and children with the focus on creative, self-sustained stories delivered to the reader in short, easy to digest chapters. Comic books, western picture books aimed at adults and children with the focus on massive universes built on shared stories of the multiple people who inhabit them, dominated mostly by the Marvel and DC comics companies. The difference between them is subtle but enough to turn many manga readers away from their western counter part. Whether its because of the never-ending status quo of stories, or the abundance of necessary tie ins in order to read the full story, many manga readers find no interest in reading traditional western comics, viewing them as a less appealing medium. However, there is a third option, one that holds many similarities to both industries while remaining uniquely it’s own, and that option is Indie Comics. Grab and drink and join us as we discuss why everyone, especially manga fans, should try reading indie comics. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Heroes, be they of the mushroom kingdom, metropolis, or mythology, they have always shared one trait in common, they’re always there whenever they are needed most. Whether it’s with boundless strength, speed, skill, or intellect, these heroes have always represented the best of us, standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. However, for every Superman, Spider-man, Naruto and Luffy, there are countless heroes that fall into obscurity as they fail to grab the attention of their audience and achieve the goal of every great character: to become iconic. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss what makes a hero iconic and whether or not those characteristics are changing with the times. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Ever since the secrets wars was first written back in 1984, massive cross-over events spanning the entirety of the Marvel comic book universe have been a mainstay within the company. These events have often been the most influential and significant story-lines written and have been the basis for many of the events in the MCU, most notably the infinity gauntlet event which acted as the grand finale of the original cast of MCU characters. However, none of these events have had quite the same impact as the Marvel Civil War as it raised so many questions, both in and out of the comics, and effectively split the fan base in half, forcing us to choose between team Cap and team Iron Man. While this event was adapted into the films, the adaptation was very loose and pale in comparison to the wonders of the comics. Grab a drink and join us as we explain the significance of the Marvel Civil War and why it is arguably the greatest story arc ever written.
Sports, once a pure display of athletic prowess, physical coordination, strength and skill has changed over recent years. Now, in modern times, e-sports are just as prominent and, in many cases, more popular than traditional athletics as more youths are able to readily relate to and participate in this competitive field. However, with this increase in the viable competitive nature of video games, are we seeing a larger entry threshold for when it comes to simply enjoying the medium as a casual player. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the increase in e-sports and whether or not they are ruining video games for casual players. Welcome to Coffee With Nerds.
Alex and Ryan go over the Marvel Comics character Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, and what makes her such an important and prominent character both on and off of the pages.
Alex and Ryan talk about the power of nostalgia and how it affects the entertainment industry, whether or not it's a good thing, and why we all think that things from our youth (the good'ol days) are better than what it being made now.
Alex and Ryan go over why you should consider playing the fighting game genre of video game as they discuss the difficulties that many people have with the genre and the various misconceptions which turn a lot of people away from such a long lasting and fun genre of video game.
With the rise of the MCU came the inevitable mimicry of other major companies trying to capitalize on the notion of cinematic universes to hook audiences into watching multiple films. However, many of them in recent memory have fallen short, failing before they could even get going. Grab a drink and join us as we discuss the struggles of these failed cineverses.
Alex and Ryan give their thoughts on the future of the horror genre, mostly in the film industry, and what new heights and sub genres can be, or have been, created recently.
Co-hosts Alex and Ryan discuss the current numbers of Japanese manga versus western comic books and why its seems that the manga industry is dominating the market both at home and abroad.
Alex and Ryan go over the history of video game music and how it has come to be what it is this day while also discussing why it is so important to the medium as a whole.
Co-hosts Alex and Ryan discuss the appeal of mythology and its significance in modern day media.
Alex and Ryan discuss the lasting power of Magic: The Gathering and what sets it apart from the multitude of other trading card games that have come and gone during its lifespan.
Alex and Ryan discuss the current rise of R-rated comics, both in the comic form and in their TV and film adaptations, why this trend is so popular, and what does it mean for the industry as a whole.
Alex and Ryan discuss the good and bad of micro-transactions and DLC in the video game industry and why they have such a negative stigma surrounding them.
Alex and Ryan discuss the struggles of video game movies and why Hollywood is consistently unable to successfully bring these very powerful and well-known stories and characters to the big screen.
Alex and Ryan take a look at the future of the science fiction genre as a whole along with what happened to the old front runners and if there are new leaders in the industry.
How important is design, lore, and success to the lasting power of a monster? Alex and Ryan discuss what makes a monster iconic and whether or not the criteria changes between different genres and mediums.
Co-host Ryan Leknois and Alex Billings discuss the current state of X-Men comics books and how they have shifted away from the the classic formulas and themes to create something very different. These changes have come as a shock to many older fans as it appears as though their beloved characters no longer embody the same values that they once stood for.