This week on Friday Conversation, we sit down with legendary fantasy author Tad Williams, the mind behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Otherland, Shadowmarch, and more.

From Shakespeare to Tolkien, from tropes to subversion, this conversation dives deep into the craft of storytelling and what it means to write in a genre where readers already know the rules.

We explore:

• Tad’s relationship with Shakespeare and The Tempest
• The origin of Caliban’s Hour and re-framing classic stories
• Writing in a post-Tolkien fantasy landscape
• The challenge of tropes—and how to break them
• The difference between “architect” and “pantser” writers
• Why fantasy readers are harder to surprise than ever
• The hidden mechanics behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
• And what it really means to keep readers off balance

This is more than an interview, it’s a masterclass in storytelling from one of the most influential voices in modern fantasy.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha 

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

This week on Panel Chewing, we’re back in the saddle with a stacked lineup of comics, breaking down the best reads, biggest disappointments, and everything in between.

From indie standouts to superhero staples, we dig into what worked, what didn’t, and what’s worth adding to your pull list.

💥 This Week’s Highlights:

• American Caper #5 – Still wild, still fun… but not its strongest issue 
• Dead Teenagers #1 – A 90s-inspired time loop horror with potential 
• Deathstroke #1 – A decent entry point, but does it deliver? 
• Battle Beast #7 – A welcome breather from nonstop chaos 
•  A couple of books we’re officially dropping this week 👀 

🔥 Pick of the Week:

• Knight City #2 – A fresh take on superhero burnout and the cost of always being “on” 

📚 Group Read (Join Us!):
We continue our read-through of Batman and Son by Grant Morrison, diving into:

• The Clown at Midnight (a bold prose-style issue) 
• The Three Ghosts of Batman

If you’ve ever wanted to explore Morrison’s Batman run, now’s the perfect time—read along with us using Libby or Hoopla (free with a library card).

🎧 Tune in, join the discussion, and let us know: what was your pick of the week?

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

In this episode of Page Chewing, the crew dives into Midnight Tides Chapters 18–20, where the tension escalates and the cracks in both empires, and characters, begin to widen.

We unpack the haunting mystery of the Nerek and the strange sanctification that shields them, questioning whether divine power, belief, or something far older is at play. From there, the conversation turns toward one of the most compelling emotional cores of the book: the fractured relationship between Fear and Trull Sengar. Is Fear acting out of loyalty… or cowardice? And what does “treason” even mean in a world already unraveling?

Rhulad’s descent continues, and with it comes one of the most fascinating dynamics in the series—his uneasy, almost tragic bond with Udinaas. As madness tightens its grip, we explore the blurred line between manipulation, guidance, and survival.

Meanwhile, Seren Pedac’s arc deepens in powerful ways. Her grief, guilt, and emerging connection to something more—whether magical or psychological—add another layer to an already complex narrative. Her journey raises questions about agency, trauma, and transformation in a brutal world.

And of course, we couldn’t resist diving into the lore—death, forgotten gods, Tiste Edur mythology, and the ever-expanding puzzle that is Malazan. Erikson continues to weave a narrative where belief shapes reality, power comes at a cost, and no character is ever as simple as they seem.

This is a dense, emotional, and lore-heavy section of Midnight Tides—and we’re here to chew through every bit of it.

Next week: Chapters 21–24.

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Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

In this episode of The Friday Conversation, Steve is joined once again by Jose, and briefly by Jarrod, for an open-floor discussion that turns into something much bigger.

From rediscovering the joy of reading to the harsh realities of publishing, the conversation dives deep into what it really means to be a reader in a world flooded with books.

Jose shares exciting news about his upcoming PhD and writing journey, while the group reflects on reading habits, burnout, and the books that remind us why we fell in love with reading in the first place.

Along the way, they tackle:

• The overwhelming number of books being published (and why many never sell)
• Indie authors, expectations, and the reality of getting noticed
• Why some books feel like a chore—and others reignite your passion
• The struggle of long fantasy series and unfinished sagas
• Comics, manga, and balancing different reading formats
• Why “disposable” books still have value
• And the hard truth: you can’t read everything… so how do you choose?

This is a raw, honest, and wide-ranging conversation about reading, writing, and the ever-growing noise of the modern book world.

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Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

In this episode, we dive into one of the most controversial and disturbing comics ever published — Crossed by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows.

Originally released in 2008, Crossed presents a brutal vision of societal collapse where a mysterious contagion strips humanity of all restraint, turning the infected into sadistic killers marked by the red cross across their faces.

This episode explores the entire first volume (Issues 0–9), breaking down the story arc, the major characters, and the themes that make the series both fascinating and deeply unsettling.

We follow Stan, Cindy, and a small group of survivors as they attempt to navigate a world where civilization has collapsed almost overnight. Along the way we examine the evolution of the Crossed themselves, the psychological toll on survivors, and the moral compromises that arise when survival becomes the only priority.

We also explore how Crossed reflects real-world anxieties, including themes of societal fragility and disaster response — ideas that Garth Ennis has cited as inspiration following events like Hurricane Katrina.

Content warning: This series contains extreme violence and disturbing subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.

If you're a fan of horror comics or want to understand why Crossed remains one of the most talked-about graphic novels in modern horror, this episode provides a full breakdown of the first run of the series.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

In this episode of Page Burners, the crew continues their journey through Midnight Tides, Book Five of Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, diving deep into the chaos and revelations of the late-book chapters as the Letherii–Edur conflict erupts into full war.

The discussion explores the sudden devastation unleashed by Letherii sorcery, wiping out entire villages and throwing the Edur world into upheaval. The hosts unpack the emotional weight of Buruk’s tragic storyline and Seren Pedac’s complicated reaction to his death, debating whether Erikson’s “fog of war” storytelling heightens the tension or obscures the emotional impact.

From there, the conversation branches into some of the book’s biggest mysteries. What is the Empty Hold, and why might Seren Pedac be tied to its power? Who are the mysterious “Mistresses,” and how does the awakening of Death in Lether connect to the shifting metaphysical balance of the world?

The crew also examines the arrival of the Crimson Guard and the enigmatic Iron Bars, whose appearance raises new questions about Lether’s place in the broader Malazan world.

Meanwhile, the discussion turns toward Trull Sengar and the Edur war campaign, touching on the strange presence of the Jheck, the implications of a Tiste Edur with Andii traits, and the broader question of how disconnected the Edur may have become from their own origins.

Finally, the hosts dive into one of the novel’s most bizarre and fascinating threads: Udinaas’ journey into a strange pocket realm inhabited by ghostly T'lan Imass, the shocking revelation of his son’s existence, and the tangled manipulations of the dragon-blooded powers moving behind the scenes.

As always, theories fly, timelines get debated, and the group wrestles with the sprawling mythology that makes Malazan one of fantasy’s most ambitious series.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week, Steve and Jarrod dive into another stack of comics and break down the books that stood out from the week’s pull list.

Before jumping into the comics, the conversation kicks off with a nostalgic look at the comic-magazine era. From Wizard Magazine to Comic Shop News, the hosts reflect on the lost culture of comic journalism and how the internet—and now social media—has changed how fans interact with the hobby.

Then it’s time to talk comics.

Highlights this week include discussions on new releases like Absolute Superman #17, Astral Quantum #2, and Save Now #3, along with the finale of a recent Detective Comics arc and the latest chapter of Rick Remender’s The Sacrificers. The guys also dig into indie titles, time-travel chaos, noir mysteries, and the continuing brilliance of Conan the Barbarian.

A few books nearly steal the show, including:

• The Peril of the Brutal Dark — a noir mystery blending archaeology and pulp adventure
• Assorted Crisis Events #8 — a deeply emotional comic about fading relationships and lost connections
• Conan the Barbarian #29 — an issue so strong it works even without Conan appearing until the final page

But the biggest surprise of the week?

Steve’s Pick of the Week ends up being Batman #7, a haunting psychological story featuring a silent Joker, an uneasy conversation with Batman, and echoes of The Killing Joke.

Finally, the hosts continue their Grant Morrison Batman group read, discussing issues 657–658 from the Batman and Son storyline. Damian Wayne enters the story with a bang—and not in a good way—raising questions about Batman’s judgment and the darker implications of the character’s introduction.

If you’re reading along, the next discussion will cover issues 663–664 after a short break.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

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Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

Steve and Jose revisit Garth Ennis’ Crossed, one of the most controversial horror comics ever published. Is it a brutal survival story about the collapse of humanity, or simply shock value taken to the extreme? In this episode, they break down the original run (issues 0–9), explore the themes behind the violence, and debate whether Crossed adds anything new to the zombie apocalypse genre.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha 

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

In this episode, the hosts delve into the intricacies of 'Midnight Tides,' the fifth book in the Malazan series. They explore character dynamics, particularly focusing on Kettle and the Ratcatchers Guild, while discussing broader themes such as destiny, greed, and the nature of power. The conversation highlights Erikson's unique blend of humor and horror, as well as the philosophical underpinnings of the narrative. In this conversation, the participants delve into the intricate web of character dynamics, political intrigue, and the moral complexities of revolution and war within a fantasy narrative. They explore the motivations and backgrounds of various characters, the implications of their actions, and the overarching influence of powerful entities. The discussion highlights the interplay between personal struggles and broader societal issues, emphasizing the consequences of choices made in the pursuit of power and justice.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha 

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

This panel discussion covers the latest in comic books, industry news, and a deep dive into the Batman and Son series by Grant Morrison. The hosts share insights on recent reads, industry shifts, and their favorite issues, providing a comprehensive look at current comic trends.

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha 

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)