Open World Chat

Steven Morris of Shelfdust.com polled comics creators and critiques to compile the ultimate list of the Top 50 comics events of all time, and Jim and John invite him over to nitpick the result. Is your favorite in there? Is your favorite an "event?" What the hell is an "event," anyway? Have a listen for a look back at some cool comics, some bad comics, and in general the kind o...

John and Jim finish their look back at 2022, looking at the TV that was, genr. and otherwise 

With no guests to defer to, Jim and John tell the world what was (and is) what in 2022 without a filter. Listen to it now so you can sound like the smartest geek in the room while toasting in the new year! Everything but TV in this one, but part 2 is but two weeks away...

Anti-heroes are all the rage, but does everyone who uses that term mean the same thing? John talks with novelist, biographer and University of Vermont English professor Philip Baruth about what makes an anti-hero, and then John and Jim do a deeper dive into antiheroes and comics.

No podcast purporting to cover all things geek could possibly be complete without a geek science episode! John and Jim are joined by astronomy professor/teacher Jeffrey Adkins to cover the juicy pop science that all sci fi nerds love, from gravity waves to flash mobs, Niven-style! We also save some time to discuss Jeff's non-sci-fi book, The Boy Who Skipped .

Andrew Liptak, a veteran of Gizmodo, Grist, io9, Kirkus Reviews, Pando Daily, Polygon, Slate, The Verge and many many others (seriously) joins us to discuss his book Cosplay: A History: The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life. 

No one else in the sandbox this time. Jim schools John on all the comics he's not reading, John whines about Star Trek, and all is as it should be. Actual guests will return next go-around...

Back in the day, John and former co-host Liane Allen hosted Tim Russ ostensibly to talk about diversity in Star Trek - which we did - before the conversation just kind of went off (and we learned Mr. Russ is a man of strong opinions). We talk telecom policy, the "Jackass" Party, and more... an hour and a half trimmed down to a nice bite-sized half hour.

Three comics geeks drooling over the Netflix Sandman series and comparing it to the comics. What's not to love? Ryan Higgins of the Comics Conspiracy store and podcast joins us.

John and Jim geek out over legendary comics writer John Ostrander who talks to us about his work, his writing process, the artists he gets into a groove with, the treatment of creators, and more more more! Don't miss this one!

Bleeding Cool Editor-in-Chief and lead film critic Kaitlyn Booth joins J&J to discussed the recently-passed 2022 San Diego Comic Con, Warner Brothers' new clear-cut business model (Batgirl, we hardly knew ye) , and other stuff too.

Musician and author Jim Infantino joins John and the other Jim to talk about his Wakeful Wanderer series and his life as a musician. We also get into some tales of his uncle, comics legend Carmine Infantino, before digging into Jim's song "The Ballad of Barry Allen." Fun stuff.

Joe Glass (Young Men in Love, The Pride) discusses his own work and career (so far) as a creator, as well as the state of queer representation in comics - the good, the bad, and the meh.

Jim is joined by Luke Thompson (A.V. Club, SuperHeroHype and more)  ostensibly to talk about the recently concluded Obi-Wan series, which they do - before the conversation goes full tilt into all things Star Wars. Big fun with perspectives that'll make you pump your fist, and some that'll make you leave the room (with even a little ThunderCats thrown in...).

Mark Card returns to look at the ways Captain America, Superman, and others have reflected, represented, and refined the meaning of patriotism over the generations. 

Okay Zelda fans, this is your show. Jim and John talk all things The Legend of Zelda with Matthew Byrd from Jim's online home, Den of Geek. We go from our favorite games to speculation on coming games, to convoluted timelines - and even that 80s cartoon.

Stuntwoman, musician, actor and all around polymath Elisabeth Carpenter talks with us about life and work as a Hollywood stunt performer including her work in genre projects such as Divergent, Captain Marvel and the Obi-Wan Disney+ series ..... where we try to get her to give us something insider-y, but she knew better than to incur the wrath of the House of Mouse. A great and truly unique episode...

Hugo-winning Author and writer of the new BOOM! comic "The Vampire Slayer" joins Jim and John to talk about the comic, the impact of Buffy 25 years later, their upcoming novel, almost-wardrobe-malfunctions at the Hugo Awards, and more. Big fun!

John and Jim are joined by International Conflict specialist Mark Card to poke, prod, pry, and dissect the Federations' legendary "General Order One" - Starfleet's "Prime Directive" barring interference in other cultures. Does it work as foreign policy? Is it portrayed consistently? How does it stack up to other international norms and rules?

Tackling the rich politics of the ongoing Krakoa era of the X-Men with Elana Levin (Graphic Policy). Jim, Elana, and John look at the Krakoan X-Men's relationship to capitalism, governance, and more in the world that Hickman built.

Carolyn Brennan, Co-Director of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont, Joins Jim and John for a discussion of Maus and other targets of book banning across the country, and how Librarians resist the pressure to censor (oh, and we ask her what games she's playing these days too).

Writer, editor, and general comics industry force-of-nature Nate Cosby (Cow Boy writer, editor of about a zillion things...) talks with Jim and John about his latest: the crowdfunded superhero character study Alter Ego.

Special video episode! John gets to talk with one of his heroes, the legendary Roy Thomas! We discuss his life in comics, antics at the legendary Rutland Vermont Halloween parade, singing at Carnegie Hall, his old band, Supersnipe, and what makes a hero super! How can you miss all that? Click on the episode link for the video, which includes rare photos of Roy from ages past!

Lacy Baugher Milas (Den of Geek, The Nerdist, SyFy Wire, and more), Jim, and John discuss Star Trek's "generations" and the way the series has changed over the decades -- and on the way we digress all over the place. Big fun.

John and Jim are joined by Weekly World News CEO and Editor-in-Chief Greg D'Alessandro on the rebirth of the revered publication and the many new projects in store for Bat Boy and more. We're joined in the introduction by last episode's guest, cartoonist Shannon Wheeler.