Sidebar Forever

Frank Castle returns, wreaking havoc on those who got it comin' in this action-packed, one-shot special on Disney+. Co-written by the man behind the skull himself, Jon Bernthal, One Last Kill finds Frank trapped in a high-rise tenement, dispatching bad guys after a bounty is placed on his head by an enemy with a personal score to settle. On the pod, we discuss how this special fits into the larger...

Have you ever been exposed to radiation and walked away all the better for it? Or maybe you have a coworker who’s secretly an alien from another planet… and thankfully, one of the good ones? On this week’s episode, we examine the thin line between the iconic and the absurd as we rank the best—and worst—superhero origins. We talk about why, as kids, we were so obsessed with where these heroes came...

Back in 1966, a little science fiction show boldly went where no television series had gone before. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series, we assembled a pod dedicated to the show that changed TV with its swashbuckling adventure, big ideas, and thoughtful morality tales. We discuss the initial vision for the series and the unforgettable cast who brought it to life — i...

It was bound to happen eventually, right? As longtime cinephiles (and, sure, a little snobby about it), we finally turn our attention to the state of modern movies and TV. On this episode, we dive into what today’s film and streaming landscape gets right—and where it leaves us scratchin’ our heads. There’s a lot to love: the convenience of firing up a movie at home without tracking down a physical...

When Frank Miller wrote and drew The Dark Knight Returns in 1986, he didn’t just reimagine Batman—he detonated the character and rebuilt him inside a grim, dystopian Gotham City. This installment of our “1986: A Landmark Year in Comics” series revisits Miller’s bold reinvention of Gotham’s protector. On the pod, we recount the buzz in the mid-’80s when Miller took on one of DC Comics' flagship cha...

In this installment of our series on groundbreaking releases from 1986, we’re spotlighting Maus, Art Spiegelman’s landmark graphic novel about his father, Vladek, a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. Written and illustrated by Spiegelman, Maus moves between Vladek’s harrowing wartime experiences and the complicated relationship between father and son decades later. Through the now-famous device of...

What happens when superhero comics get weird—like, really weird? On this episode of "Unsung Ink," we explore the world of Sam Kieth, a creator who bent anatomy, tone, and storytelling into something wholly his own. We dig into Kieth’s early days in comics, from his inking work on Mage with Matt Wagner to his memorable contributions to The Sandman alongside Neil Gaiman. From there, we discuss his u...

Forty years ago, comics hit a turning point. Mainstream and indie publishers alike released a wave of bold, groundbreaking stories that reshaped the medium. This is the first installment in our series, “1986: A Landmark Year in Comics,” and we’re kicking things off with Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. On the episode, we dig into the story’s brutal premise, as the King...

For every hero soaring overhead, there’s a creator behind the scenes who deserves their shine. This Black History Month, we’re giving flowers to the Black writers and artists who helped define comics as we know it. From Matt Baker and Billy Graham, to Denys Cowan and Christopher Priest, to Stephanie Williams and Khary Randolph, we follow a creative throughline across generations. We also highlight...

Not all art is love at first sight. This week, we spotlight the hard-to-get artists — those acquired tastes who confuse you before they convert you. In the conversation, we celebrate bold originals like Richard Corben and Tony Salmons, unpacking how their styles challenged comic readers and pushed boundaries within the medium. Beyond the panel borders, we cite rule-breakers Ralph Steadman and Jean...

Since the 1980s, mainstream comics has had more than its fair share of superstar creators. But for every Chris Claremont and John Byrne, there have been hundreds of writers and artists quietly doing good work month after month. On this episode, we’re celebrating those “blue-collar” creators—the ones who may not have been treated like stars, but wrote and drew good-ass comics. We champion Silver Ag...

We're starting off the New Year racing against the clock with movies that unfold over the course of a single day—or night. From sunup-to-sundown classics like Dog Day Afternoon, to 24-hour pressure cookers such as Sinners, to noir thrillers that take place fully at night like Panic Room, we break down how filmmakers make limited time feel limitless. We also discuss comedies that utilize this forma...

The holidays are a time for looking back, so this week we’re doing exactly that. We’re talking about the ones that got away—the Sidebar guest interviews we sought out that never quite happened. We won’t spoil every name here, but let’s just say David Mazzucchelli, Jeffrey Jones, and Bill Sienkiewicz were among the many heartbreakers (kidding… mostly). We close out the conversation with a wish list...

When subjects like rape, domestic violence, and bigotry make their way into the pages of American superhero comics, they don’t just grab readers’ attention—they make headlines. Today, we revisit some of the most controversial moments in superhero comics history. From the sexual assault of Barbara Gordon at the hands of the Joker, to Yellow Jacket physically abusing the Wasp, to the Punisher’s brie...

This week, we’re talking about those moments in film, television, and comics when everything shifted. From The Matrix redefining action movies, to Netflix establishing binge culture, to Neal Adams reshaping comic book art—we break down the creative breakthroughs that changed the game forever. We also discuss game changers in modern music and art like rise of music videos in the 80s, the use of sam...

Everyone longs for the glory days—that moment in life or career when everything clicked and it felt like you couldn’t miss. On this episode, we’re talking about actors and filmmakers who decided, decades later, to try and capture that magic again. From Tom Cruise revving back up as Maverick, to Michael Keaton slipping on the wig and makeup for Beetlejuice once more, to icons like Harrison Ford, Ja...

We’re heartbroken to say goodbye to one of our artistic heroes—and a true friend of the show—Drew Struzan. Known around the world for his unforgettable movie posters, Drew’s brush brought to life the magic of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Blade Runner, Harry Potter, and so many more films that shaped generations. A legend in every sense, Drew received countless honors throughout hi...

In part two of our Halloween specials, things go bump in the night as we look at what we’re calling the Black Horror Canon—horror films that feature Black heroes and protagonists, majority Black casts, or stories rooted in the Black experience. We resurrect some true classics like Night of the Living Dead, Blacula, and Candyman, then creep our way into more modern examples such as Attack the Block...

It’s Spooky Season, and Adrian has never seen Sinners—Ryan Coogler’s fantastic vampire film set in the Jim Crow South—so here we go! Released in April 2025, Sinners became one of the year’s surprise hits, a box office success built around an original screenplay. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins who return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint—only to find thems...

Every creative person has that one work their audience considers the ultimate creation—their masterpiece. On today’s pod, we had a blast digging into some of our favorite comic creators’ defining works. We talk about legends like Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and Neal Adams, along with later giants like Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, Mike Mignola, and many more. Is a masterpiece a single...

As die-hard cinephiles, we all have those legendary films that somehow slipped under our radar. This week, we’re finally tackling some of our biggest blind spots. Join your hosts as we review a trio of iconic, must-see movies we definitely should have seen by now—but somehow hadn’t. Dwight sat down with Goodfellas (1990), Martin Scorsese’s mafia masterpiece. Swain checked out Fight Club (1999), Da...

The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally hit theaters, and you know we had to jump in with our instant reactions! The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family, and we had plenty to say about their performances, the story, and all the delicious fan service moments sprinkled throughout. (Spoiler alert: Galactus finally looks awesome!) W...

Look! Up in the sky... it’s Sidebar Forever! On this episode, we react to the latest Superman film — written and directed by James Gunn, and starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. We dive into our expectations going in, what worked (and what didn’t), the clear influence of All-Star Superman on the film, and how well support...

The Showcase of the Immortals was upon us once again as WWE’s Wrestlemania 41 was unleashed this past Easter weekend. While there was little to rival the extravaganza of last year’s Wrestlemania XL/40, Dwight and Adrian do discuss the sterling highlights as well as the match-ups that could have turned out better — or in some cases not at all! We close discussing the link between professional wrest...

Daredevil: Born Again has arrived, and we have thoughts! Join us as we break down the return of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio as Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, welcome new faces like Nikki M. James and Clark Johnson, and question some of the show’s biggest choices. Why did the series sideline Foggy, Karen, and even Bullseye so quickly? Do the exposition dumps and breakneck pacing undercut the s...