I've always been a big fan of scoundrels. Han Solo from Star Wars. Cao Cao from Romance of the Three Kingdoms-- and Poison Ivy from DC comics.

I recently dove into the Poison Ivy backlog, with the goal of reading all of her appearances. That is still a work in progress, but I have read and reflected enough to share five things I've learned from this project.

And if you like the podcast, by all means, please check out the Medium piece I wrote about Ivy, which takes a deeper dive into her evolution as a character over the past 60 years.

The Trails series did something unique and amazing in RPGs: It created an entire world for an ongoing RPG saga, but more importantly FalCom stuck the landing on the first seven games in the series.

It was an amazing ride, but nothing lasts forever-- and the Trails series came back to Earth a bit with Cold Steel 3.

I discuss my mixed feelings on that this episode.

And I also discuss how the main character of Cold Steel is very much like the greatest hero in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

All that and more, on the latest episode of the Choice Media Podcast

Welcome to the Choice Media Podcast. A new production by Amazing Gamers Podcast host Nathan.

This podcast is dedicated to unpacking great stories, the ones that really mattered. Whether it's video games, literature, comics, movies, or legends.

Comics have kind of been my focus lately, so I talked about that a bit in this first episode.

And I also discuss meeting the creator of Shredman Comics earlier this year; some really good advice that he gave to our art students that stuck with me...inspired me a bit.

But yeah, basically this is me being an old English major talking about stories. I also reflect a little bit on one year in podcasting; why I do it and how I'm changing things up a bit in year 2.

Welcome to the podcast!

Life is like a box of chocolates when chatting with Highly Ginger, but in this case the surprises were all good ones.

Wonder Woman versus Thor, and could she lift Thor's hammer?

The best medium for DC adaptations and choosing between Batman and Superman... similarities between Wonder Woman and Captain America-- they're all this bonus time chat with our Poison Ivy cast...

The genius of DC Comics is that they’re always finding ways to re-invent the classics.

There may be no better example of this than Poison Ivy. From her Femme Fatale roots to Harley’s ride-or-die partner and the antihero of her own series, life is good for Ivy fans.

So this pod conversation kind of has a story. I don’t usually talk behind-the-scenes with the pod, but it’s so relevant on this one.

It all started when HighlyGinger from Bluesky and I were chatting, and we started talking Poison Ivy. It turned out we’re both huge fans. I mean, I’m a guy who had meeting an Ivy cosplayer on my bucket list until last summer. And Highly Ginger has not only cosplayed as Poison Ivy, but also as Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley the scientist.

This is the thing about Aly—just when I think I can’t have more respect and admiration, there it is. Good times!

Highly Ginger just started the Ivy series (I’m about 25 issues in) and we discuss how it’s pretty wonderful.

We also rank our favorite version of Ivy, which was a nice occasion to discuss how much she’s changed over the years.

One thing I wish I’d made clearer in the discussion: I mention Love Goddess Ivy several times, and I want to clarify that whole reference.

So when I say "Love Goddess" in this discussion, I’m basically saying Ivy is very much coded Aphrodite. DC’s unofficial Queen of Hearts.

But I just want to point out, Aphrodite is goddess of both LOVE and BEAUTY. And as I get older, I increasingly appreciate how much we as humans need beauty to be part of our lives; whether it be through art, music, or through each other.

Aphrodite—and by extension Ivy—are best summarized in the words of the immortal poet John Keats: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever"

It’s the opening line of the poem Endymion, and really conveys how beauty is eternal, a never-ending source of comfort and joy. To Keats (and many others, no doubt) it was that quiet bower of rest for humanity, amid everything else in life.

It's a concept Orson Wells captured perfectly with the story about a lovely red haired woman at the Ferry in Citizen Kane. And Van Morrison’s Madame George does as well (though we’re never told she’s beautiful; just fascinating and unforgettable. With energy that would stop a clock 30 years later).

But yeah. The power of beauty. It should be part of most discussions about Ivy.

It’s not just a tip of the hat to beloved Greek myths.

It’s an acknowledgment that most pantheons had a goddess of love and beauty, and why.

The fact we are made to seek out beauty and let it move through us and move us as well.

As coded Aphrodite, Ivy is often a personification of that timeless reality.

And that’s one of many reasons why she’s the queen.

Nathan returns for episode 25 with another solo flight, to discuss an idea he's been kicking around for a while: the difference between "good enough" and "just right."

I had an experience a couple of months back that crystalized the whole idea in my mind. And I also provide a few examples of the 'just right' from gaming, music and life!

If you like the pod, share your best just rights in the comments.

The world needs more just right!

Sometimes it all comes together at once.

I watched Transformers the Movie with my son last weekend, and this week the 40th anniversary apology tour for the movie took flight.

In this solo discussion I broke down:

What was great about the movie

Where it kind of fell flat and

What it makes sense to sideline Megatron and Optimus at times.

I talk about RPGs a lot on Amazing Gamers, and I recently realized I've been overlooking my beloved second genre-- turn-based strategy games.

That changes today!

The grand pubah of that genre-- in my book anyways- is Civilization 6, and I decided it's time to pay homage to its greatness. I might also have mentioned my favorite ways to play it and win, and there's definately something in there about Canada becoming the tourism capital of the world once hockey is discovered.

This game is a classic. If you like the chat, hit me up with your experiences. I need to connect with more turn-based strategy fans.

It could just be recency bias, but Nathan just had to share why Trails of Cold Steel 2 was the best RPG he'd played in a long time.

This discussion highlights how the game is similar to Final Fantasy 6, while also highlighting the Trails depth and worldbuilding that make this series so special.

Hit me up with your Trails story in the comments!

Nathan closes out 2025 with a solo story about riding it out and figuring it out during the holidays.

This is a true story: I really did lose everything the day after Christmas...but it turned out fine. Better than fine, really.

Well...except that one part where I missed out on the best beer in Vermont, and quite possibly the world. Sigh.

Thanks again to everyone who listened to the show and participated in our conversations this year.

Looking forward to more in 2026!