Another San Diego Comicon is in the books and Jon and Elliott are here to unpack the announcements. How many Marvel movies are coming? Why is Star Trek having more fun than Star Wars? How good are the parties? Plus, more Slott on Spider-Man and more Hickman on, something. [EP289]

Comic sales hit 2 billion dollars in 2022. So why aren’t we hearing more about comics? Jon, Steven and Elliott discuss where kids are getting their graphic novels, how 1000 less comic books stores impact the reading community, and if rising prices are worth the boost to the bottom line. Plus, why a George Carlin quote perfectly applies to older comic fans.  [EP288]

Taika Waititi returns to the franchise he transformed, but can he pull off the same trick twice? Jon, Steven, and Elliott discuss whether the balance of comedy and tragedy pays off, how much Jason Aaron’s comic run factors into the plot and how Taika can be in everything. Plus, Bruce Campbell hosts a Doctor Strange special. [EP287]

It’s more than “Tron” vs “Batman”. Jon, Elliott, Bill Monroe and Wally Podrazik discuss the two watershed years for geek movies. Do we need Hollywood polish or the grit of guerilla filmmaking? How did the home video market change the landscape in 7 years in between? And are movie theaters that important? [EP286]

The Avengers release their middle child! Jon, Elliot, Dave, Tom and Steven discuss the battle between Joss Whedon and Marvel Studios, whether the casting of James Spader makes or hurts the character of the villainous robot, and why Quicksilver comes and goes so quickly. Plus, a lot of moods about the Supreme Court. [EP285]

The artist behind “Batman;the Long Halloween” has passed away at age 66. Jon and Elliott discuss how Tim Sale brought a sense of indy comics to mainstream comics while never losing the dynamics that makes superhero comics what they are. how his work elevated Jeph Loeb’s writing and the Superman and Spider-Man books that live under the shadow of his Batman classics. Plus, comparing Star Trek and Star Wars now that we get new shows from each franchise every week.  [EP284]

James Gunn makes the Marvel Universe his own! Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom Juettner discuss how Marvel brings outer space into the mix, who could have played Star Lord and how “Star Wars” this film really is. Plus, why “A” list actors are lining up for some very small parts. [EP283]

Jon and Steven are back for an in-person podcast! With “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, “Strange New Worlds”, “Stranger Things”, “The Boys” and more, how much streaming is too much streaming? Is one episode a week the new normal? How fast do you have to watch a series to avoid spoilers? And why is the new season of “Kids in the Hall” so worthwhile?  Plus, Jon has a big birthday in Seattle and is now old. [EP282]

This is where it all turns around. Jon, Dave and Elliott welcome Laurence Holmes to discuss how the MCU found its footing by going ground level, whether it was worth bringing Bucky back and how the twists in this film had immediate repercussions in the newborn television series “Agents of Shield”. Plus, Tom the mixologist creates a drink to make us say “Hail Hydra!”

Is it the worst MCU movie ever made? Jon, Elliott, and Dave welcome Tom the mixologist to discuss Chris Hemsworth’s second solo outing. What was Patty Jenkins original vision before she left this movie? Why did Christopher Eccleston skip the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary for this? And why is it more Star Wars than Lord of the Rings? Plus, the perfect Asgardian cocktail. [EP280]