The Askari Cast

"Another one!" In my DJ Khaled voice, Rod Van Blake author of the Ancient Illumination series along with graphic artist and Illustrator Jordan Purnell Jackson back again for the Askari cast to discuss the new animated show on Amazon Prime titled Invincible. An interesting, colorful creation with a varied take on the comics genre that is definitely not for kids despite the bright color palate. In t...

The Askari cast is back! Rod Van Blake author of Ancient Illumination is joined once again by JPJacksonArt ! Jordan and I discuss our thoughts on the Snyder Cut of the Justice League further since we missed our chance to podcast about it last week. Here we give our thoughts on the overall art direction as well as some of the changes from the theatrical version. Spoiler alert for those of you who h...

Spoiler alert (sort of) This week I am without JP Jackson art , but wanted to drop my thoughts while this film was fresh in my mind. If you saw the 2017 version then not much can be spoiled however this was a more palatable experience for various reasons. Rod Van Blake, author of Ancient Illumination  takes to the Askari cast to discuss his thoughts on the newest release.

The Snyder cut releases on the 18th of this month but there is another DC show featuring the red caped last son of Krypton on the CW's streaming app that hasn't had as much fanfare. Rod Van Blake author of the Ancient Illumination book series and Illustrator of the graphic novels Jordan Purnell Jackson discuss their thoughts on this different take on the beloved character. Have a listen and let us...

This week we added an impromptu spoiler discussion following the season finale of WandaVision with Rod Van Blake author of Ancient Illumination , Jordan Purnell Jackson the talented illustrator, graphic artist and animator who are joined by James Howard author of Jericho's Bane Imperial Protocol. We give our thoughts and impressions on the show, it's slow start and progression as well as our final...

Ta-Nehisi Coates is writing for a new film project featuring black Superman with JJ Abrams attached to produce. Not much else is known. Rod Van Blake author of Ancient Illumination along with graphic artist and illustrator Jordan Purnell Jackson discuss how they feel about it and why it's getting so much hate before any glimpses or information has come out.

On todays Askari cast Rod Van Blake author of the Ancient Illumination series along with graphic artist, illustrator and animator Jordan Purnell Jackson we discuss interesting films and series coming to HBOMax, Disney Plus and Amazon prime! Take a listen and let us know what you're exited to see! Mortal Kombat gets a fresh reboot, The Snyder cut and Coming to America 2! If none of that is your sty...

Welcome to another Askari cast! Today Rod Van Blake, author of Ancient Illumination along with graphic artist and animator Jordan Purnell Jackson discuss gatekeeping in its various forms as it relates to being a writer/creator trying to get into the industry and then go on to discuss it as pertains to fans deciding who the real fans are of certain genres or fandoms in entertainment. Take a listen...

Welcome to another Askari cast! Today Jordan Purnell Jackson and Rod Van Blake discuss side characters that have a mystique about them and whether too much exposure dilutes their value to the readers/viewers. Have a listen and let us know what you think. If you like scifi and fantasy tales check out some of our work at Ancient Illumination !

Welcome to another Askari cast! Rod Van Blake author of the Ancient Illumination series along with Jordan Purnell Jackson Illustrator of the graphic novel series of the same title discuss their impressions of WandaVision, the episodic show featuring Scarlet Witch and Vision from the MCU streaming now on Disney plus. The show takes place after the events of Avengers End Game and some fans were not...

In this episode Jordan Jackson and I discuss diversity and representation. I give my thoughts on why I don't want to see Idris Elba as the new Bond or Green Lantern. I love Idris and all of his works for the most part but I think we can come up with better roles more fitting for the goal of representation. Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Welcome back to another Askari cast! Today Rod Van Blake and Jordan Purnell Jackson discuss their personal experience with the controversial game Cyberpunk 2077, and the ways CD Project Red can possibly salvage things after the lack luster launch of  the highly anticipated game.

Well we survived 2020! Rod Van Blake author of the Ancient Illumination series talks with his good friend Jordan Purnell Jackson, Illustrator of the graphic novel series about their successful Kickstarter campaign and future projects heading into the new year.

Here are my thoughts and impressions of the popular Disney plus series. It was awesome to see Luke but there was a far more interesting choice they could have made with who comes to pick the child up, and there would have been just as much fanfare. Don't get me wrong, Luke will forever be a face of the franchise but this would give them much more room with less questions on why we have never heard...

My Artist JP Jackson and I discuss the series Lovecraft Country. It's only fitting that we discuss the horror scifi fantasy series based on the novel by Matt Ruff on all hallows eve! Here we give our thoughts on the popular HBO show, it's structure, the characters and its impact on culture given the times in which it aired. Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to head over to the kickstarter for our graph...

Today I am talking with the artist Jordan P. Jackson who illustrated my graphic novel and we are discussing the relationship between writer and artist. We also let you all know about our Kickstarter for the physical version of Ancient Illumination volume 1! We get into some of our convention experiences as well as how things are going for us thus far. We have a long way to go, but things are looki...

Today I get the opportunity to speak with TJ Sterling! An inspiring artist who has worked with both Marvel and DC, but more impressively is coming off of a highly successful Kickstarter for his sci-fi Manga Sentai-esk action epic comic series Okemus! A genre I had never heard before to be sure. If you are interested in learning more about his work check out the site for RAE comics here ! There is...

Today my artist Jordan P. Jackson joins me to discuss why the trend has continues for film studios to reboot older IP's instead of going with new ideas of which we have plenty to choose from? Mulan struggled mightily and did not pave the way for successful digital only releases but I am sure others will try regardless. (Looking at you WW84) Listen to our thoughts and if compelled audio comment you...

With the holiday season for 2020 looming Sony and Microsoft have yet to announce pricing! Is that a smart move with everything going on currently? Did Nvidia steal their thunder by announcing pricing for the new 3000 series GPU lineup that compares favorably?

Today we get to hear from William Hayashi an acclaimed independent author of the Darkside trilogy who recently got a deal with Netflix for the rights to make his book series into a show for the streaming service. Come hear his advice on his writing process, getting things done, and how to write a compelling story!

In this episode I talk about the reality of people automatically trashing your ideas. It's ok it's going to happen regardless just move on and take the steps to publish anyway.

These are just my thoughts on publishing and getting your creative vision out there to the people! My name is Rod Van Blake published author of the Ancient Illumination series that has three novels and a recently released graphic novel Ancient Illumination volume 1 Remembrance and Revolt , written by me illustrated by Jordan P. Jackson! Come hang out this is the first podcast episode I will have m...