Welcome to Geektown

In this special 150th episode, I take a couple of questions that I’ve had for a little while that I didn’t feel fit a full episode, and answer both, as well as returning to an old feature, identifying the source of a pop culture touchstone that’s been used so many times, you may not know the origin!

The last of the remastered episodes, as after this, I bought a new, better microphone. Although the show is long gone, Cloak & Dagger was a fairly faithful adaptation while it lasted. The major similarities and difference are discussed here.

Continuing our look at some of the less-famous X-Men roster, we’ve reached the Giant-Sized issue that reinvented the team, and the three members who never quite reached the fame of their compatriots like Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, and Wolverine.

A Re-mastered version of Episode 8 with improved audio. This episode provides first a definition of, then a few prime examples from (mostly) comics of breaking the fourth wall. This was originally released way before the She-Hulk TV show, but she still gets some representation here!

Celebrating five years of Welcoming people to Geektown, Kurt continues his anniversary tradition of going over the history of his favorite character Speedball and his teammates on The New Warriors, this year reaching the short-lived Volume 3, leading into the epic event, Civil War.

A Re-mastered version of Episode 7 with improved audio. The first in a recurring series where we look at the various characters that have taken on a classic heroic identity, and what happened to them after the original inevitably returned. In this original installment, we looked at the various Captains America.

We conclude the conversation with writer J.M. DeMatteis, starting with his fantasy graphic novel, Moonshadow, then working our way through his career, including the Justice League, some animation, music, and others all the way up to his current projects.

A re-mastered version of Episode 6 with greatly improved audio, thanks to AI. The history of Marvel and DC’s rivalry, as well as some general differences between the companies over the years, is discussed in this classic episode.

We welcome the talented writer of TV, novels, and of course, comic books: J.M. DeMatteis in the first part of this two-part interview. Starting from his childhood love of comics to the seminal work: Kraven's Last Hunt.

A re-mastered version of Episode 5 with AI enhanced audio, where discuss one of my favorite types of games, Legacy games. Then we go on a brief comparison of various “crossed arm” gestures seen in recent comic book films of the time.

Kang the Conqueror makes his first full appearance in the MCU with Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, which came out earlier this weekend. But who is Kang, and what makes him so threatening that he’ll be the next Big Bad after Thanos? Learn his comic book history, including his many aliases by listening to this episode.

A Re-mastered version of Episode 4 with improved audio. Mutants are "hated and feared" by many humans in the Marvel Universe, but listener Aaron L. wants to know why they're treated so differently from the other super-powered beings. (Note, the contest mentioned here is long over)

Inspired by a question from a co-worker during a regular (albeit off-topic from work) conversation, this week we’re looking at the history of the 30th/31st Century team known as The Legion of Super-Heroes! From their first appearance, to the “Reboot,” “Threeboot” and beyond, why does this team have such a hardcore fanbase?

A re-mastered version of Episode 3, dedicated to the history of Thanos. If you're a newbie to the MCU and want to learn about the comic book history of its first big bad, this is the place.

Watching the DC League of Super-Pets movie inspired this look at the original members of the first super-animal team, the Legion of Super-Pets. After discussing each of their origins, we see what happened with each of them after Crisis wiped them out of history, and how they were brought back.

Remastered with improved audio! Where should one begin reading when they take their first foray into the Marvel Universe? That's the question asked today by listener Justin B., and Kurt offers a few different options with pros and cons for each.

I’ve discussed a lot about American comics and cartoons, but what about from the other side of the world? Thanks to a question from Joel (listener and also guest on the Wandavision Deep Dives), I go into an overview of Manga, Anime, and what distinguishes them from their western counterparts.

A remastered version of my first episode with vastly improved audio! Learn the history of the various reboots of the DC Universe, both hard and soft. From Action Comics #1 in 1938 all the way to 2016's Rebirth, find out about the big continuity shake-ups that have changed the history of some of your favorite characters.

Having discussed Santa showing up in Marvel and DC the last couple of years around this time, we finally branch out of the Big 2 and start looking at some of Old Saint Nick’s appearances in other comic books. This year the focus falls on Savage Dragon, where Father Christmas is an important part of three issues. Warning: Not for younger listeners.

Sure, S.W.O.R.D. and S.H.I.E.L.D. make sense together. But, where did H.A.M.M.E.R. come from? S.T.R.I.K.E.? W.A.N.D.? And what the heck does U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. stand for? This episode, we go through various groups in the Marvel Universe that use acronyms and go through some of their history.

One of our listeners just discovered the character of John Constantine, and wants to learn more about him before diving in on his own. So, we look at a bit of the history behind this DC/Vertigo staple, and answer some important questions, like “How do you pronounce Constantine?”

Coming back to a recurring series that hasn’t seen a new entry in over a year, Kurt looks at what happens to replacement heroes when the original (well, second or third in this case) returns. It’s a rare instance of Replacementception with this entry, none other than The Flash!

Longtime horror fan (of both movies and comics) Michael Vee joins me in this Deep Dive of the Disney+ Special Presentation of “Werewolf By Night,” inspired by the comics and films on which my guest is quite knowledgable. Just in time for Halloween, take a listen after you’ve watched the show, because Spooky Spoilers Abound!

Personal friend and long-time comic book retailer Carla Hoffman joined me for this episode, as I felt the need to read and respond to an email regarding words used in the final She-Hulk Deep Dive by myself and my guests. Carla helped clarify some terms and focus my thoughts on why I used the words I did, and whether or not that was the right thing to do.

Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast and Kristin Scalisi both return to discuss the final episode of (this season of?) She-Hulk, and its themes, ideas, and of course, K.E.V.I.N. We also take tangents on “clip shows” and embarrassing bedroom posters.