Moving Panels

This week on Moving Panels, Laramy Wells is joined by Nicholas Pepin to break down Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, one of Marvel’s most emotionally grounded and visually striking origin stories.

We talk about Shang-Chi’s comic book roots, the movie’s focus on family, legacy, and identity, and why Tony Leung’s Wenwu stands as one of the MCU’s best villains. The conversation also dives into the Mandarin mythology, how Shang-Chi smartly course-corrects the controversial Iron Man 3 twist, and why bringing Trevor Slattery back was the funniest and most effective way to fix it.

Plus, we discuss the evolution of the Ten Rings from the comics to the MCU, highlight standout performances and action sequences, and decide whether Shang-Chi earns a Bag it, Stack it, or Trade it.

In this special holiday Moving Panels One Shot, Laramy is joined by Gerry D from the Totally Rad Christmas podcast and a very special guest — his wife, Bethany — to recast Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol using comic book characters.
From Scrooge to Tiny Tim, we go role by role through Dickens’ timeless story, mixing cozy Christmas vibes with deep-cut comic book knowledge. It’s festive, nerdy, and full of holiday heart.

From our families to yours, Merry Christmas — and if you enjoy the show, a rating and review is the best gift you can give Moving Panels this season.

🎄🦇 Batman Returns is a Christmas movie… right?

On this holiday episode of Moving Panels, Laramy Wells is joined by Gerry D and Blake Fowler to revisit Tim Burton’s gothic sequel Batman Returns. Set against a snow-covered Gotham, the film blends holiday cheer with darkness, corruption, and some of the most unforgettable comic book villains of the ’90s.

The panel breaks down Michael Keaton’s return as Batman, Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic Catwoman, Danny DeVito’s grotesque Penguin, and Christopher Walken’s scene-stealing Max Shreck. They explore the movie’s comic book influences, Burton’s fairy-tale sensibilities, and the infamous McDonald’s controversy that changed the direction of the Batman franchise.

And of course, they tackle the big seasonal debate: what actually makes a movie a Christmas movie—and does Batman Returns belong on your holiday watch list alongside Die Hard and Gremlins?

So grab some hot cocoa, turn on the Bat-Signal, and join us for a dark, snowy trip through Gotham.🎅🦇

In this Moving Panels One Shot, Laramy and Nicholas dive into one of the most debated topics in comic book movie fandom: are some films judged harshly because they’re genuinely bad, or because a single performance throws everything off balance? From great actors trapped in messy movies to questionable choices in otherwise solid films, we explore what truly makes a performance “bad” — and whether it’s always the actor’s fault. We take an in-depth look at Brandon Routh in Superman Returns, Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad, Jamie Foxx in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Tom Hardy in Venom, and Katie Holmes in Batman Begins, and we even give some love to Nicolas Cage and his unforgettable contributions to the genre. Join us for a fun and thoughtful discussion about the strange alchemy of performances, tone, and storytelling in comic book adaptations.

In this episode, Laramy and cohost Justin Baker tackle one of the most infamous entries in the Fox X-Men franchise: Dark Phoenix. We break down the rushed character arcs, questionable story choices, and missteps that kept this adaptation from living up to its legendary source material. We compare the movie to the original Dark Phoenix Saga, explore what the film left out, examine the performances (including some actors clearly ready to move on), and discuss how this became a disappointing finale for the long-running X-Men universe. We also talk about what might have been if Jean and Scott had been given more time to develop earlier in the series, and why this story deserved something far more powerful than what ended up on screen.

For this Thanksgiving-week One Shot, Laramy is joined by cohost Blake Fowler for a heartfelt, nostalgic walk through the comic book characters that shaped their lives as fans. Laramy reflects on why Superman, Daredevil, and other characters continue to mean so much to him—whether it’s childhood memories, the first comic he ever read, or the stories he now shares with his daughters. Blake brings his own nostalgic favorites to the table with Batman, Skinner Sweet, Scooby-Doo, and Spider-Man, exploring how each character left a lasting mark on him over the years. The two also come together to revisit their shared love of Swamp Thing and how the character opened their eyes to deeper storytelling. It’s a warm, reflective holiday episode all about gratitude, fandom, and the comic book characters that helped shape who we are.

Terry Zwigoff’s Ghost World may look like a simple indie dramedy, but beneath the sarcasm, thrift-store fashion, and deadpan humor lies a thoughtful, emotionally layered adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ classic graphic novel. In this episode, Laramy is joined by his wife, Bethany Wells to dig into the film’s characters, themes, comic origins, performances, and lasting impact on pop culture. From Enid’s iconic outlook to the movie’s commentary on growing up, drifting apart, and finding identity, we break down why Ghost World remains such a distinct and quietly powerful comic-book movie.

This episode also includes an important message: If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, emotional distress, or a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 in the United States. This three-digit lifeline connects you directly with trained counselors who are available 24/7 to offer support, resources, and help during moments of crisis. You’re not alone, and reaching out is always a strong step.

Laramy and his daughter Ruby sit down for a father–daughter conversation about Smallville Season 3. From Clark’s darker turn in “Exile” to his discovery of super hearing in “Whisper,” they revisit the moments that made this season so memorable. Ruby shares which episodes stood out, why “Covenant” didn’t quite work for her, and what she thinks about the growing connection between Lex and Lana. It’s a fun and heartfelt discussion about powers, choices, and growing up—both on screen and off.

Before X-Men hit theaters, there was Generation X — a 1996 made-for-TV movie that tried to bring Marvel’s mutants to life with neon colors, mid-’90s slang, and some very questionable CGI. Laramy is joined by Gerry D from Totally Rad Christmas to talk about this early attempt at superhero television, the changes from the comics, and why the movie still has a certain nostalgic charm.

From Emma Frost’s questionable teaching methods to Russell Tresh’s over-the-top villainy, we explore what worked, what didn’t, and how Fox eventually delivered on what this film promised.

This Halloween, Moving Panels takes a darker turn. Laramy and Tim dive into the shadowy pasts of comic book characters whose origins are soaked in tragedy, vengeance, and madness. From tortured heroes to villains born of trauma, we explore how pain, loss, and redemption shape some of the most fascinating figures in comics. Along the way, we lighten things up by sharing our own trick-or-treating memories — because even the darkest stories need a little bit of candy.