Caffeinated Comics on Radio Misfits

It’s time. Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom welcome Indy super-fan and influencer Alex Arnold to discuss the latest and last Indiana Jones movie. Is it worth seeing on the big screen? Was it worth $300 million dollars? What is motivating the negativity online when most moviegoers are giving it positive reviews? Plus, Alex takes the Men through his personal Indiana Jones museum. [Ep340]

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is finally out and it seems to be paying the price for its predecessor. Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom welcome back Lucasfilm PR man John Singh to describe the feeling at Skywalker Ranch in 2008, whether the atmosphere around the premiere of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” matches its legacy and why Spielberg doesn’t think his own sequels are very good. [Ep339]

Think you know everything about “Star Wars”? Justin Berger and Jamie Benning spent years researching every day of production for their new book “Return of the Jedi: An Authorized Timeline”. Jon talks to Justin and Jamie about finding new stories in a well-researched property, how George Lucas took a step back then a step forward with production, and the depth of knowledge contained in Jamie’s “Filmumentaries” podcast. [Ep338]

A seminal Marvel artist has passed away at the age of 93. Jon and Steven discuss how Jazzy John’s Spider-Man was the only Spider-Man for an entire generation, why “Daredevil” was secretly an audition, and how his soap opera background completed Peter Parker’s world in a way even Steve Ditko didn’t. Plus, omnibus weights, the golden age of expensive collecting and how the Romitas made comics a family business that paid off for generations of fans. [Ep337]

Howie Weingarten loves a good vampire movie. That’s why he hated Nicolas Cage playing Dracula. Jon and Howie discuss what makes a great vampire, why we still talk about Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee and why budget doesn’t matter. Plus, sneaking magazines in class, big hair porn and reviewing movies alone. [EP336]

So many streaming shows dropped their final episodes this week. Jon and Elliott discuss whether a good ending is worth fewer episodes. Was “Barry” the greatest finale since “Breaking Bad”? Was “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” this decade’s “Mad Men”? And can any ending beat “Picard”? Plus, seeing and missing multiple Marvel movies. [EP335]

It’s the third Indiana Jones movie, but is it the last Indiana Jones movie? Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom discuss whether the Indy franchise was designed as a trilogy and if ignoring “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” means ignoring “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”. Plus, Sean Connery as a character actor, Bond suits and too much funny? [EP334]

Bill Monroe was the host of “the Strokecast”, a seasoned public speaker and a frequent guest of the show. He was also Jon’s best friend. Jon tells the story of how he and Bill met in the 1980s, the adventures they had from Seattle to Las Vegas to the Dominican Republic and how Bill’s eternal optimism overshadowed his own stroke and sudden passing. Plus, a rebroadcast of their 2016 discussion about Star Trek’s 50th anniversary. [EP333]

Noted NY session guitarist, producer and lifelong friend of the podcast Ron Zabrocki passed away this week so we’re representing his 2013 appearance. Ron tells stories of coming up in the 70s, how digital changed his sound and what he really thinks about the Beatles, all in his own inimitable, and much missed, style [EP332]

Jon was on his way to see “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3” when Howie Weingarten showed up from NY on the heels of the World Health Organization ending the COVID-19 global health emergency. They discuss the early days of lockdown, the good and bad ways their lives were changed forever by lockdown and losing loved ones and how Howie and his wife survived getting the virus 3 times. [EP331]