Xtinction Agenda

GO JOE! James and James learn the origin stories of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, two of G.I. Joe 's most interesting and mysterious characters. Larry Hama put a lot of love into this toy commercial franchise. We appreciate that. We really do. "I happen to like empty pistols. I'll buy it from you for fifty dollars."  

Chris, James, and James enjoy some fine literature and some fine animated cinema. Before the Fist of the North Star was a movie, it was a manga. Viz Media started putting out some nice hardcover collected editions of the original series so we thought we'd dip into this mega franchise, see what's up. We were not disappointed. "It's all mine. And your woman, too."

Because life sometimes gets in the way, James and James gotta take one out of the crypt this week. Listen as we trot out an old, previously unreleased examination of Tom DeFalco's earliest work on the Fantastic Four . Hard to believe that Marvel Comics would degenerate into a pile of garbage under his stewardship. "Did I only imagine that I heard my son's voice, or...?"

Chris, James, and James come in a little late this week. They had some technical difficulties and scheduling conflicts. However, this week we have a blockbuster for you. Introducing the newest member of our podcasting family: David Fincher! David sits down with us this week to discuss Se7en (1995) and Fight Club (1999), two movies you may never have heard of. Trust us though, they are definitely w...

Chris, James, and James make an concerted effort to get some sort of critical purchase on third-wave British invasion writer Mark Millar. To this end, they tackle three works from this Scottish writer's middle period: Nemesis w/Steve McNiven (2010), Superior   w/Leinil Francis Yu (2010-2012), and Starlight w/Goran Parlov (2014). What's the magic sauce that makes all this stuff work? Find out. "Are...

James and James continue to take a bite out of crime, following the adventures of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman run. This time we get ourselves a high-powered Riddler. Many discourses are discoursed. "Dunk tank for you all."

Chris and James take stock of the recent Ukrainian invasion before jumping head first into a fresh pool of David Lynch. * splish * This week we are talking Mulholland Drive . All of Hollywood is corrupt. All of Hollywood is a dream. "There's a man... in back of this place. He's the one who's doing it. I can see him through the wall."

Here's something a little different. James and James talk about a little-known role-playing game by the name of Rifts . The brain child of Kevin Siembieda (a name we fail to pronounce), Rifts was a big game for us growing up. It was a wholesome and innocent game with absolutely nothing problematic about it.

After about eight minutes of talking events North of the boarder, telling the Ottawa Occupational force to f#$* itself, James and James return to Scott Snyder's and Greg Capullo's Batman run. Did Batman need his origin story told again? Hopefully Chip Zdarsky isn't around to hear the answer...

Chris, James, and James take you on a Valentine's Day journey through the mire of bad girl comics of the 70s and 90s. Lady Death vs. Witchblade . Frank Thorne's Red Sonja vs. Warren Magazine era Vampirella . Jim Balent's incomparable Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose vs. Milo Manara's sultry X-Women . No matter who wins, one thing is certain: there won't be a dry seat in the house!  

Chris, James, and James do yet another comic book movie. But this time with a twist! It's time to discuss Takashi Miike's film adaptation of the world-renowned manga, Blade of the Immortal ! "Sometimes just remembering it gives you incredible power."

James and James enter into the GrimDark world of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman run. Flaming horses and living flesh statues abound! "Ta-daa!"

In this episode, Chris and James fold up the board and put the game back on the shelf. It's been a long ride but we've arrived at the station. The fat lady is belting it out. Thank you all to those who did this with us. You contributed nothing but gave us everything. "IS AllNOW LOVE"

Chris, James, and James check out Greg Rucka's contributions to the 1999 Batman mega-event No Man's Land . It goes pretty well over all. Not a bad time. "Congratulations. That's his highest praise. Honest."

Adam, James, and James finish with this franchise in style. Shlub Dad enters a parallel universe where up is down, left is right, the boys in blue are remarkably tenacious, and not a single person is actually taken. "Sounds like spy shit to me."

James and James kinda sell Steve Dillon short by not putting his name front and centre in the title of this episode. But sometimes that's just what life is: one bitter betrayal of memory after another. Rest in peace Steve. You did the good work. "...a Punisher was born."

Chris, James, and James return to Taskforce X. First with issues #11-16 of Ostrander's and McDonnell's acclaimed run and then, as the main event, James Gunn's cartoonish take on the Suicide Squad franchise. "This isn't going to work."

Chris and James just want to feel guilty about the murder of two women. Their ego scaffolding needs to be husked. The archon will manifest itself as the annihilation of all opposites. Join us, won't you, for the penultimate installment of our little danse macabre? "Time for the Queen Archon to make her appearance."

Adam, James, and James are left down and hanging around, watching Taken 2 (2012). "Hey Dad, please don't shoot this one - I love him!"

In this previously unreleased bonus episode, Chris, James, and James talk Walter Hill's Warriors . "Remember boppers, be lookin' good."

Hark! the herald severed feet, glory to the newborn tongueless monstrosity. It's an Xtinction Agenda Christ Mass! With special guests Junji Ito and Takashi Miike! "Don't treat me as a child. I'm not so easily deceived."

James and James commune with the Fridging Death God that is Frank Castle. 1992 was never so 1992 as this. Witness! Chuck 'Do I Need Your Permission to Work?' Dixon! As he teams up with: John 'Family Business' Romita Jr.! "Me, I like a nice car bomb."

Chris and James develop a new relationship with time, the self, and death, growing smaller and smaller, until everything they were is folded so far in on themselves that they are gone forever. Edith is unveiled. Mr. Six is a traitor. Leave this to the professionals. "Show me these bowels of yours."

Chris, James, and James chase the splatter this episode. Robert Kirkman dialed it up to eleven on the Invincible animated feature, a Siren song for our intrepid heroes. Then, having crashed against the rocks of that gruesome display, they springboard over to Mark Millar's and Frank Quitely's Jupiter's Legacy . "Now are you guys going to join my team or what?" PS: Millar is Catholic and not Episcop...

James tackles Chuck Dixon's first Punisher story - The Punisher: Kingdom Gone , illustrated by Jorge Zaffino. "No percentage in blaming myself."