Comic Issues Podcast

Original broadcast date July 18, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-issues-special-edition-4-so-long-potter-and-thanks-for-all-the-chocolate-frogs/

Well Mr.Potter, it's been a few great years at Hogwarts but now your tale is coming to a close, and we would like to send you off in a very special way! That's right, it's a special edition Deathly Hallows-themed podcast. And another special treat: Cinerina makes her first podcast debut. Also joining us is resident Comic Issues writer Kristal Plein.  So put on your Potter glasses and jump on your broomstick as we take one more trip to Hogwarts.

Original broadcast date July 24, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-comic-issues-day-2/

What an amazing day it was today!  My body is already showing signs of fatigue, but that has yet to stop me from enjoying every minute of the convention.  There are good vibes in the air at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and everyone is getting them.  Everyone I've encountered, from professionals to exhibitors to fans, have helped make this perhaps my best Comic-Con ever.

On our way home, Darran and I chatted a bit over what we've enjoyed the most about the 2nd day of Comic-Con (though it's his first and my second and a half).  One thing that we both liked was the creativity in this years cosplayers, mixing genres and coming up with new costumes that we haven't seen before.  Darran enjoyed the three panels he attended, all dedicated to improving his craft as an artist.

Go ahead and listen to us go on in the short audio clip below, if you want to hear what we thought.

Attending Comic-Con as a member of Pixelated Geek opened up a whole new side of the convention to experience.  This is why Con this year is shaping up to be my best yet.  The chance to speak with creators and actors that I could only refer to in the third person is amazing.  I won't get too specific, as we'll be having articles coming up soon to cover each event in more detail, but I got to meet people who have helped define my childhood and others who have put me in awe of their talent.

My morning started out with a press panel for the upcoming Green Lantern: The Animated Series show that will be coming to Cartoon Network soon.  I got to speak with some of the producers about the show, including the legendary Bruce Timm, the man who helped bring Batman into my life with the animated series of the 90's.   and managed to get some hints about what we can expect from the show.

The show will focus on Hal Jordan, the first human Green Lantern, and explore many different alien worlds, each significantly different from the other while building a larger overall story. We can expect to see Hal battling with some other guys with... anger problems?

My day continued on after Green Lantern and I got to hang out with some friends I don't see enough of.  Unfortunately for them the one panel that they wanted to see all day, The Big Bang Theory, had a line so long that even showing up 4 1/2 hours early in line didn't help them.

Honestly this is still a disappointing aspect of Comic-Con: Hall H and now Ballroom 20 get filled with so many squatters for later panels that other people can't make it into the panels that they really want to see.  It's a problem that's existed ever since more movies and television came to Con with larger presence.  It's awesome that we get to see and interact with the people who make the shows and movies that we love, but at what cost?

The second press event I got to participate in was for the upcoming ThunderCats cartoon, also on the Cartoon Network.  Now we've already spoken a little about the show and how much we love the pilot on our previous podcast, but today I got to find out what it takes to create an epic show like that.

These interviews gave me what became the highlight of my day: an interview with Larry Kenny, voice of the original Lion-O from the series in the 80's.  Kenny was as awesome as you could ask, engaging in all of my questions and even letting me join in with him for a ThunderCats Ho!  I also got the chance to talk to one of the shows producers as well as the beautiful Emmanuelle Chriqui, voice of Cheetara.

(Continued on original post: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-comic-issues-day-2/)

Original broadcast date July 23, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-comic-issues-day-1/

The first official full day of the San Diego Comic-Con is now over, and though Wednesday was preview night, Thursday is when everything really kicks off.  For me today was about panels, Arkham City, and Darksiders 2, but I got so much more than that.  This Comic-Con marks a return after a five-year absence due to travel and the rising cost and availability of the convention itself.  It was a sort of homecoming for me as this is the convention for my home town of San Diego.  SDCC was my first convention and, though some things have changed, much has happily stayed the same.

Recapping the day, I recorded myself going over vaguely the highlights of the 1st day of the convention.  Though heartfelt and impromptu, for a more in-depth telling of my day, read on below.

This morning I packed my microphone, some snacks, a water, and a Rockstar, and began my Con day.  After a shoulder-to-shoulder trolley ride I made an indirect route (I had to roam around a little) to my first panel of the day: a DC spotlight of Grant Morrision.  I sat in on the end of a "Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way" panel, a staple at the SDCC, and listened to aspiring writers and artists ask for advice from some of Marvel's top talent and power players such as Humberto Ramos and Joe Quesada.

The next panel was on DC's Flashpoint event.  Many questions that were asked related to the ending of Flashpoint and the beginning of the New 52, so everyone on the panel (led by DC Comics Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and also including talent such as J.T. Krul and Sterling Gates) was tight lipped about anything that could be considered "spoilers."

The following panel was honestly more of a delight.  Grant Morrison's talk surprised me and changed my mind about the man's work!  His Scottish accent does wonders for his audible entertainment value, but he immediately opened the floor to questions for the fans.  Morrison was very kind to every fan who asked questions, greeting and thanking each of them.  He would answer each question thoroughly to the best of his ability and often with a frankly surprising sense of humor.  For me the highlight of the panel had to be when Morrison made a playful joke at the expense of New Jersey, only to jokingly admit that he perhaps watched "Jersey Shore" religiously.  The particular fan who provoked the joke about Jersey then challenged Grant Morrison to attempt his best "Jersey accent."  Morrison shyly denied the request only to immediately summon the most stereotypical "Jersey accent"; the only features missing were spiked hair, a gold chain, and a tank top.  The moment was priceless, and my only regret was not being ready to capture it on video (or at least on audio).  Morrison was not coy, though, when it came to some aspects of his upcoming run on Action Comics, leaving hints and clues as to what fans could expect of the younger Superman in the New 52 that launches late next month.

(Continued on original post: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-comic-issues-day-1/)

Original broadcast date July 13, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-issues-22-potter-impac-tid-us/

This week on the Comic Issues Podcast, our heroes make their way to Platform 9 3/4 as they board the train to Hogwarts. They take on all the dark wizards as they discuss the impact of the Harry Potter franchise on today's culture. Afterwards they put on the Sorting Hat to get sorted into their own houses. Finally the final showdown begins as they have a verbal wizard's duel for best character, book, and movie.

This week, the Laird of Lore makes his way back to the podcast with some amazing trivia. If that wasn't enough fun, we are also joined by special guest Kristal Plein.

However, this is just a mere piece to our full coverage on this Harry Potter week. A very special review of the latest movie will debut later this week!

Original broadcast date July 6, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/07/comic-issues-21-geek-media/

Hey gang, it's time for another exciting episode of Comic Issues. This week our heroes grab both a controller and a remote as they journey into the depths of geek media. It starts with an in-depth look at the best geek video games and then we discuss some TV, geek style :) Then it all ends with a look into the Doctor Whoniverese.

If you haven't had a chance to see last month's renderings, the crew of the new DC Universe redesigned them. If you would like to participate in any of the renders (including the previous month's), please join the Comic Issues crew via Deviant Art. There you'll be able to showcase your artwork and join all the fun.

Original broadcast date June 29, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/06/comic-issues-special-edition-green-lantern-movie/

Our heroes put on their Rings for a very special edition of Comic Issues as they do battle with the latest live action Green Lantern movie. Tonight, this Corps is joined by a very special Lantern and Writer: Kristal Plein! Check out the Fan's reactions to the flick.

Original broadcast date June 22, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/06/comic-issues-20-talking-you-off-the-ledge/

This week on Comic Issues, our heroes attempt to talk you "off the ledge" as we go through all the updates with the new DC Universe. Luckily the team is joined with Leland Pierce, our newest writer to the Comic Issues family.  He brings with him a wealth of comic knowledge. Be sure to stay tuned as the Norse of Knowledge also makes his first fabled appearance.

Original broadcast date June 16, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/06/comic-issues-special-edition-x-men-first-class/

X-Men: First Class may of been out for a couple weeks already but that couldn't stop our newest writer and I from getting together and gushing over James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender's performances as Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr.  X-Men: First Class is nearly everything you would want in a film, from an almost perfect cast to amazing story-telling and even blue and gold uniforms.

Enjoy as two long-time friends joke around and talk about their new favorite movie, X-Men: First Class.

Original broadcast date June 15, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/06/comic-issues-19-cool-as-dice/

This week on Comic Issues our heroes prepare for the Ultimate in RPG events. With Free RPG day this weekend it's time to trade stories on all our Dice throwing adventures. Stay tuned for the Laird of Knowledge dropping some Trivia worth 50points with PixelatedGeek.com

Original broadcast date June 8, 2011. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2011/06/comic-issues-18-dc-not-so-reboot/

Hey gang, it's Wednesday which means another episode of Comic Issues. This week our heroes travel to the Hall of Justice (*insert SFX here) As we breakdown the latest news from DC concerning the now so Reboot.