Podcasts Archives - Geek Hard

Originally Aired: 11/18/16

Don’t forget, it’s Patreon Month here at Geek Hard. If you want to get some exclusive content during the month of December, including a sneak peak at the upcoming podcast Don’t Make Me Watch That, as well as a special SPOILERIFIC review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, head on over to Geek Hard’s Patreon page. By pledging just a dollar a month, you’ll get access to these goodies while also helping us continue to bring you this amazing show. If you enjoy what we do, support us – patreon.com/geekhard.

We talk with Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti called in to talk about their upcoming appearance on the Fan2Sea Cruise (coming in January) as well as their amazing comic work on Harley Quinn and more. Amanda Conner began her professional art career  as an illustrator for New York City ad agencies. However, her love of comic books and cartooning soon led her to the comics world where she initially found work at companies such as Archie, Marvel, DC, and Claypool Comics. Her works include Vampirella, Painkiller Jane, Codename Knockout, Birds of Prey, Terra, Power Girl, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre, as well as creator owned projects such as Gatecrasher (with co-creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Mark Waid) and The Pro (with co-creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Garth Ennis). Jimmy Palmiotti is a multi-award winning comic book creator with a wide range of experience and background in advertising, production, editorial, film writing, production, media presentation and video game development. Just a few of his clients include Nike, Disney, Warner Brothers, Lion’s Gate, Fox, and New Line, 2KGames and THQ Nordic. He is the co-founder of such companies as Event Comics, Black Bull Media, Marvel Knights and the current PaperFilms, where he is partners with Amanda Conner, Justin Gray, Frank Tieri and Paul Mounts.

Our review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Dan Fogler. Synopsis: The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussingthe news of the week and more.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

Root Down by Coins

Blind Pig by Emmi

Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them End Titles by James Newton Howard

Painkiller Jane by Lost Dogma

Harley Quinn by Blue Velvet

No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Coins

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

Comic books have produced a wide variety of colourful characters throughout the years. Some have become iconic while others have carved out a cult following. Marvel and DC have built their companies on fans’ attraction to many interesting creations over decades like Batman, Spider-Man, Superman and The X-Men to name a few. But not all characters are hits. Some never find an audience while others have moments of greatness within a sea of mediocre stories. This brings us to the topic for this week’s Back Issue Bloodbath: Creator vs. Character! Which is more important?

In this current day and age of the direct market, the internet comics community, and social media interactions between writers and artists and their fans, it’s easy to see how comic creators have become more important. When comics first came out, there was no promotion of the folks that made them. Now a book can be sold to an audience on the creative team alone, no matter the character. At the same time, Geoff Johns’ Aquaman wasn’t as big of a hit as Scott Snyder’s Batman. If the creator was all that was needed to sell a comic, shouldn’t the two have been on par in sales? Join us as we discuss the merits of creator and character alike on an ALL NEW Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 11/11/16

Don’t forget, it’s Patreon Month here at Geek Hard. If you want to get some exclusive content during the month of December, including a sneak peak at the upcoming podcast Don’t Make Me Watch That, as well as a special SPOILERIFIC review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, head on over to Geek Hard’s Patreon page. By pledging just a dollar a month, you’ll get access to these goodies while also helping us continue to bring you this amazing show. If you enjoy what we do, support us – patreon.com/geekhard.

We discuss the news of the week. DC/WB announce that they have hired Christina Hodson to write the Harley Quinn/Birds of Prey movie. FOX studios considering rebooting the entire X-Men franchise for the next installment in the series.

Our review of Arrival starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. Synopsis: Linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind.

We also talk with in studio guest artist D.A. Bishop & on the phone writer Fred Kennedy. Fred is known to some as Fearless Fred both on the radio (102.1 The Edge) and television (Teletoon). He’s also been a long time indie comic writer with such works as Teuton and The Fourth Planet. David is also known for his indie comic contributions as a cartoonist on many works, including Of Stone and Squirrels. They’ll be on together talk about their collaboration on Crude, a new character set to debut in issue #2 of True Patriot Presents in 2017!

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing our thoughts about the affect that the recent US election may have on art.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Opening Music “Eterna Teen” by Mark Holman

My Name is Love by Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival

It Came from the Sky by Marc Night Parallel

Outer Space by Ronald Jennies

The Crude Oil Blues by Jerry Reed

Oil by Eno, Moebius & Roedelius

Your Mom Is Right by Haley Bonar

Closing Music “Kelly’s Heroes” by Black Grape

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

On this week’s Bloodbath, we take a look at a creator that has been a staple of mainstream comics for the past 30 years: Mark Waid. Known best for his nostalgic style and fleshed out characters, Waid has been producing comics at Marvel and DC for a long time and has remained an A-Lister on the scene. He’s had memorable runs on The Flash, Captain America, JLA and Daredevil. Last week, we gave our thoughts on his current work on Black Widow with Chris Samnee. This inspired us to take a closer look at the man and his body of work.

While not always consistent in his storytelling, the man exudes passion in everything he writes. Sometimes this brings us beloved comic tales like Kingdom Come, Tower of Babel and his creator owned comics Irredeemable and Incorruptible. But then other times, it’s lead to stories like The Kingdom, the failed sequel to Kingdom Come. Hypertime anyone? Through the ups and downs, one thing has remained abundantly clear: Mark Waid loves writing comics. Join us for our critical retrospective on Mark Waid and his many comic contributions, right here on an ALL NEW Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 11/04/16

We start the show off with some internal Geek Hard news. We are currently in November and we have chosen it as our concentrated month of fund raising. For as low $1 a month can help Geek Hard continue to be the show it is now but also grow and become even better with your help. If you enjoy what we do, support us – patreon.com/geekhard.

We play a track from Leslie Hudson’s upcoming album, Yeoman on the Bridge (A Star Trek concept album). For A While the latest single off the album, Yeoman on the Bridge. A love song to Jadzia (current host) from Curzon (former host) via their mutual symbiont Dax who preceded and will survive both. The complexities of joined Trill relationships: go figure. We are also joined in studio by the comics professor (and co-writer of Geek Hard’s New Comics Blog) Kris Johnson. He joins us for the whole show mostly to trade insults and maybe a few jabs with Green.

Our review of Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams. Synopsis: Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

We also take a special “behind the scenes” look at the Marvel Netflix Series with our special guest, Toni Barton. Toni has been the art director behind Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and the upcoming Iron Fist shows and she called in to chat about her experience working on these uber geeky projects. Be sure to listen as we get a to hear a unique take on these programs from someone who helped shape the look and feel of the environments they take place in. Toni Barton was born in Los Angeles & raised in Washington D.C. She earned her MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in art direction & scenic design. Toni’s design strategy is based solidly on collaboration in order to create an environment for the written word to inhabit. She recently wrapped shooting on Netflix/Marvel’s IRON FIST.  Working on LUKE CAGE, she was the art director & switched to production designer the last two episodes. Toni’s other recent credits include the first seasons of JESSICA JONES & DAREDEVIL. For more on Toni, check out her website

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing our thoughts and excitement level for the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins

Technical Production – Gary LaBarr, Recorded at the Reality Radio 101 Studio

Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Music Credits:

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

The New Era continues as Andrew and Sammy take a look at one of the best current Marvel titles, Black Widow by Chris Samnee and Mark Waid. Now with seven issues out on the stands, Black Widow delivers a thrilling adventure where the action is fast and furious. Samnee has done some of his best work to date on this title, with Waid letting the art tell most of the story. In a visual medium, it’s great to see a book that illustrates the power of the illustrations. Andrew and Sammy take a look at this art driven book and break down the current take on Natasha Romanoff that Waid and Samnee are exploring.

For the past few years, in both the comics and film properties, the Black Widow has been traveling on the path to redemption, trying to remove the “red” from her “ledger”. This book decides to step back from this concept and focus more on the “living weapon” aspect of the Widow’s makeup to show why she’s got the skills to hang with Gods and Super Soldiers and Millionaire Geniuses. The result is one of the best spy comics of the past decade. Take a listen to find out why this is one of the best books of the year on an ALL New Back Issue Bloodbath.

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 10/28/16

We play a track from Leslie Hudson’s upcoming album, Yeoman on the Bridge (A Star Trek concept album). Kirks and Khans the second single off the album, Yeoman on the Bridge. The reboots aren’t TOS so let’s debate, not hate. This is big box office fan fiction continuing the fine tradition of wearing goatees to temporal cold wars in mirror universes, that’s all.

We talk with Henry Zebrowski, a.k.a. Gary of Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. The third season of Your Pretty Face….just began airing this past weekend on Adult Swim. Henry will be on to tell us all what to expect from Season 3 as well as talk a bit about his podcast, Last Podcast on the Left, a horror/comedy show that he hosts with Ben Kissel and Marcus Parks. Henry Zebrowski is an actor best known for his roles as Quentin Frady on NBC’s Heroes Reborn and as Gary on Adult Swim’s Your Pretty Face is going to Hell. He appeared as Alden Kupferberg in the acclaimed Martin Scorsese film, The Wolf of Wall Street and has made recurring appearances in College Humor Originals, Michael and Michael Have Issues, and A to Z.

Our look back at the 11th Annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival, 9 nights of horror and genre films that just ended off last week. Which movies were winners and which were hard to sit through?  We take a look back at the films of the fest including Best Short Film, Most Surprising Film and of course Best of the Fest. With 19 feature films and 29 short films there is a lot to choose from. Another successful year for this great film festival.

We also talk with Jackie Pirico. Jackie is one of the acts featured on Geek Hard’s upcoming LIVE stage show at Comedy Bar in Toronto on Saturday, November 12th. Jackie will be on to talk about the show as well as her career in comedy. Jackie Pirico became the newest member of the prestigious stand-up comedy collective Laugh Sabbath in 2015. Exclaim! Magazine named Jackie as a quickly rising force in Toronto Comedy. She will make her feature film debut next year in the 2017 comedy Sundowners.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing what we couldn’t do during the show… the news!

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Sammy Younan as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

It’s the dawn of a new era on Back Issue Bloodbath as Andrew welcomes his new co-host, Sammy Younan to the fold. Long time listeners of Bloodbath will recognize this energetic chap as he’s been a series regular throughout the summer. Sammy is also the program director at Girth Radio, a podcast network that sports music and talk shows for all different tastes. He’s also the host of My Summer Lair, a podcast which features guests of the nerdy variety. We’re very happy to have Sammy as the new permanent co-host….especially for this week’s topic.

This week, we take a look back on the 1986 Punisher miniseries, Circle of Blood. The first solo series for everybody’s favourite vigilante, Circle of Blood would feature a number of great creators including Steven Grant, Mike Zeck and Jo Duffy, putting their stamp on the character and defining him for the 80s generation. It was the first mainstream Marvel book to bring in risque subject matter such as sex, suicide and the murder of a child. It was also the defining artwork of Zeck’s career. Join us as we travel back to the mid 80s and dissect this Punisher classic!

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 10/21/16

We discuss the news of the week. Harry Shearer suing Vivendi’s Universal Music Group and Studiocanal for $125 million for allegedly fraudulent accounting of the music revenues from Rob Reiner’s 1984 film This is Spinal Tap. FOX Studios Logan coming 2017 teases on Instagram possible villains of the film – the Reavers, from the X-Men universe and straying away from the Old Man Logan storyline.

Our review of Shin Godzilla starring Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi and Satomi Ishihara. Synopsis: It’s a peaceful day in Japan when a strange fountain of water erupts in the bay, causing panic to spread among government officials. At first, they suspect only volcanic activity, but one young executive dares to wonder if it may be something different – something alive. His worst nightmare comes to life when a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and begins tearing through the city, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. As the government scrambles to save the citizens, a rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster’s weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side – the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.

We also talk about the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek. A cultural phenomenon that hit NBC back on September 8th, 1966 created by Gene Roddenberry. Billed as “Wagon Train to the stars” we take a look at some of the moments that define the series, why it matter to fans & us as well as poke a little fun at the properties less then successful parts – we’re looking at you Star Trek: Enterprise. Basically this is our chance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a show that has meant a lot to fans around the world including us. Most of the time is spent in the Prime Universe since all but 3 movies take place in that timeline, we do touch a little on the Kelvin timeline as well.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing more about Star Trek including favourite episodes, moments and characters.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join host Andrew Young and special guests as they get down and dirty in the four-colour world of comic books, focusing on classic stories, new issues, comic creators and hot button topics.

This week, we take another trip to a Kelseys near to get our comic talk on as Andrew is joined once again by a panel of “comic experts”. Returning for another kick at the can are BIB regulars Young Boy James and Mr. Kris Johnson. The topic for this episode is one that all three have strong feelings about: The Revival of Image Comics!

Once known for 90s schlock comics full of big pecs, big tits an big guns, Image has rebuilt, redesigned and reclaimed its place at the comic book table. Beginning with the rise of Robert Kirkman and leading to the shift in publishing to make the company all about the creators and their passion projects, Image has been on a roll for the past decade at producing top quality books. Almost every major creator has had a book at Image in the last 10 years. It’s also become the proving ground some of the industry’s brightest new stars.

Take a listen as we dissect the shift in publishing that lead to this renaissance as well promote some of our favourite series. You may find out about a book you’ve never heard of but really want to check out. (Spoiler: That happens to Kris in this episode.) It’s all waiting for you on this week’s Back Issue Bloodbath!

Have an idea for a certain topic we should cover? Have an indie comic book you’d like us to review? Send us an email at [email protected] with “Back Issue Bloodbath” in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!