Page Chewing

In this episode of Page Burners , we tackle one of the most celebrated chapters in The Bonehunters, Chapter 7, and explore why so many readers consider it one of Steven Erikson's finest achievements. Our discussion dives into the harrowing events at Y'Ghatan, where survival depends as much on courage and compassion as it does on strength. We examine the chapter's unforgettable character moments, f...

In the second episode of Beyond the Page , Steve sits down with author Jared Maxwell to discuss his crime noir novel, Code of Vengeance , and the real-world experiences that helped shape its story. Drawing from a career in the military and law enforcement, Jared shares how those experiences influenced his writing while explaining why he believes the best stories are built on complex characters rat...

This week on Panel Chewing , Steve and Jarrod review another stack of new comics, discussing standout releases, surprising disappointments, and the books that earned a spot on this week's Pick of the Week . The conversation includes thoughts on Absolute Martian Manhunter , Absolute Superman , The Hab , Powers 25 , Odin , Ezra Cain: Mysteries of the Peril Brutal Dark , American Caper , The Punisher...

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Page , the Page Chewing interview series where we sit down with authors, creators, and storytellers to explore the ideas and passions behind their work. For our inaugural episode, Steve is joined by fantasy author T.J. Cooper , author of A Shadows Vendetta: A Bond of Silver Book One . Together they discuss: Writing classic epic fantasy in today's pub...

This week on the Page Chewing Weekly Update, I share what I've been reading, what I've been watching, and what's happening behind the scenes at the podcast. We talk about our ongoing reread of The Darkness That Comes Before , why revisiting The Second Apocalypse has been more challenging than I expected, and why I've learned to embrace reading at my own pace instead of racing through books. I also...

In this spoiler-filled reread episode, we return to the prologue of The Darkness That Comes Before and discover just how much of The Second Apocalypse is hidden in plain sight. We unpack the founding of the Dûnyain, Kellhus's first steps beyond Ishuäl, the mystery of Moënghus, the shadow of the First Apocalypse, and the early hints of the Consult, the No-God, and the Nonmen. Along the way we debat...

Apologies for the muddled audio in this episode, hardware issue. This week on Panel Chewing , Steve and Jarrod work through a mixed stack of new comics, from standout indie releases to a few disappointing superhero books. Along the way they discuss Absolute Superman , Absolute Green Arrow , Tarzan Beyond , King Spawn , Firestorm , Gru: The Prophecy , American Caper (Pick of the Week), Astral Quant...

This week on the Page Chewing Weekly Update , I share one of my biggest surprises of the year as The Bonehunters delivers what may be my favorite chapter in the series so far, without diving into spoilers. I also talk about revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before , why rereading continues to reveal new layers, and my thoughts on Lone Wolf and Cub and Carpentry in the Elven Forest . Beyond the bo...

This week on Panel Chewing's Pick of the Week , Steve and Jarrod dive into the latest comics they've been reading and tackle some of the biggest headlines in comic book news. We discuss Marvel's newly announced Midnight Universe , debate the future of the Ultimate line, question whether the world really needs more Spawn books, and share our thoughts on DC's expanding Next Level initiative. Then it...

This week on Page Chewing, I'm talking about the books currently on my nightstand and a question every reader eventually faces: why do we reread books we've already finished? I share my ongoing rereads of The Bonehunters and The Darkness That Comes Before, discuss why some stories become comfort reads while others are one-and-done experiences, and explore how our relationship with books changes as...

The march continues as Page Burners dives into Chapters 5 and 6 of The Bonehunters , and Steven Erikson wastes no time raising new questions while deepening old mysteries. This week we discuss the ever-enigmatic Adjunct Tavore and what her soldiers do—and don’t—know about her plans. We explore themes of civilization, slavery, and torture, unpack the unsettling philosophy of truth at any cost, and...

In this week's update, I talk about everything that's been occupying my reading life lately—from continuing my journey through The Bonehunters with the Page Burners group to revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before in a full-spoiler reread of The Second Apocalypse . I share some thoughts on balancing multiple projects, the surprising impact of Lone Wolf and Cub , and ideas for future reads outsid...

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week #134 , Steve and Jarrod dive into a lighter comic week packed with interesting discussions and unexpected surprises. Before getting into the week's books, they take a look at DC's Absolute Universe and discuss whether the experiment has been a success, which titles have stood out, and why Absolute Superman continues to exceed expectations. The comics dis...

After a long break, the weekly update returns. This week I talk about getting back into a regular reading and podcasting routine, catching up on projects, and what’s currently on my reading list. We discuss finishing N ight of Knives and continuing the Malazan journey with The Bonehunters , revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before for a full-spoiler reread series, and reading Lone Wolf and Cub al...

In this episode of Page Burners , the crew continues their journey through The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson, covering Chapters 3 and 4 . The discussion explores one of the biggest questions surrounding the Malazan series: what exactly makes its storytelling feel so different from other fantasy epics? The panel dives into the series’ sprawling structure, massive cast, thematic throughlines, and wh...

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week , Steve and Jarrod dive into another packed week of comics, graphic novels, and manga. They discuss the disappointing return of Capes #7 , the intriguing mystery behind The Fury of Firestorm #2 , and whether Honor and Curse Eternal #3 continues to build momentum. Jarrod shares his thoughts on Megalith: The Olympus Saga #1 and revisits Ender's Game throug...

After a short break, Panel Chewing is back—and we’ve got a stacked episode to make up for lost time. This week, we’re diving into a massive haul of comics, breaking down everything we’ve been reading lately, from standout hits to a few disappointing misses. We kick things off with Absolute Superman #19 , discussing its balance of spectacle and character development, before moving into the surreal...

In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of The Bonehunters , the sixth installment in Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Covering the prologue through Chapter 2, we unpack a dense and chaotic start that reminds us just how wild this series can get. From the eerie, spider-infested streets of Kartool to the unsettling rituals of the Nameless Ones, the episode explores the darke...

In this episode of Page Burners , we wrap up our discussion of Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont, covering Chapters 4, 5, and the epilogue—and there’s a lot to unpack. From the mysterious Stormriders to the shadowy aftermath of Kellenved and Dancer’s ascension, we dive into what wasn’t shown just as much as what was. Does the book’s decision to keep major events off-page strengthen its mythic to...

This week on Page Burners , the group continues their journey through Night of Knives with a deep dive into Chapters 3–5. The discussion explores the book’s slower, more atmospheric middle section, the confusion and chaos of Malaz Island during Shadow Moon, and the increasingly tangled loyalties surrounding Dancer, Kellanved, Surly, and the Claw. The crew debates whether Chapter 3 drags or intenti...

This week on Panel Chewing , Steve and Jarrod dive into another round of weekly comic reads—with a candid conversation to kick things off about something most podcasts don’t always say out loud: we pay for every book we review. No review copies, no publisher influence—just honest takes from readers spending their own money each week. That reality shapes what we stick with, what we drop, and why ou...

We’re back in the world of Malazan—this time stepping into new territory with Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont. In this episode, the crew begins their first-ever discussion of Esslemont’s work, breaking down the prologue and first two chapters of this gothic, atmospheric entry into the Malazan universe. While we planned to go further, there’s already plenty to unpack—from eerie tone-setting to...

This week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week , we’re back with another stacked lineup of comics—from indie standouts to big publisher swings—as we break down everything we read this week and crown our top pick. We kick things off with a preview of our upcoming group read, diving into the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub —a classic manga rooted in Edo-period Japan, blending historical drama, political i...

In this episode, we dive into The Healthy Dead , the second Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novella in the Malazan universe — and one of the most sharply satirical entries in the series. What starts as a darkly comedic side story quickly reveals itself as something more pointed: a critique of extremism disguised as virtue. We break down the novella’s central ideas, including:  The satire of “health f...

It’s a rollercoaster week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week —and not always in a good way. Steve and Jarrod break down a mixed bag of comics, featuring everything from disappointing reads (yes… multiple trombones 👀) to standout surprises that kept the stack from falling apart completely. From the eerie return of Ice Cream Man to the wild swings of Absolute Batman and Dead Teenagers , this week p...