Podcasts Archives - Geek Hard

Originally Aired: 10/14/16

We discuss the news of the week. Neil Gaiman’s American Gods TV series is getting a comic book adaptation coming from Dark Horse Comics. New York Comic Con panel for Netflix’s Marvel series – Iron Fist and The Defenders. JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them announced to be 5 films. HBO announces they will re-airing digitally remastered episodes of Fraggle Rock.

Since Mr. Green is off enjoying himself at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Mr. Green has provided a replacement for the evening and it’s not necessarily one that Andrew’s all that excited about. Making her return to the program, multi-genre musician (and Andrew’s traditional adversary) Leslie Hudson joins for the whole hour. Leslie’s got a new Star Trek-themed album that’s just weeks away from release as well as a brand new blog, AspieSpeak (from behind the eyes of an Aspie).

Our review of The Accountant starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons . Synopsis: Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a mathematics savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Using a small-town CPA office as a cover, he makes his living as a freelance accountant for dangerous criminal organizations. With a Treasury agent (J.K. Simmons) hot on his heels, Christian takes on a state-of-the-art robotics company as a legitimate client. As Wolff gets closer to the truth about a discrepancy that involves millions of dollars, the body count starts to rise.

We also talk with concept artist and cartoonist Nicole Chartrand. She chats with us about Shattered Starlight, one of two webcomics she currently produces weekly. Shattered Starlight is the story of Farah Shaughnessy, a former magical girl who used to protect Montreal from the forces of evil. It’s been a decade since those days and she’s now just trying to make it through her twenties like so many others living a big city. But just when she thought she was out, magic pulls her back in. Nicole Chartrand is a concept artist in the game industry by day, and a comic creator by every other waking moment pretty much. She has a lot of feelings about video games, comics, manga, anime and fantasy/sci-fi novels. She lives in Montreal with her spouse, is probably drinking coffee right now and will definitely talk your ear off about Bloodborne if you give her half a chance. She also draws and writes the fantasy adventure webcomic Fey Winds, which also updates weekly! Check out Shattered Starlight today.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing Andrew’s hate of arrogant characters and personalities.

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.

Well, what do you know? Back Issue Bloodbath has made it to 50 episodes! Whoda thunk it? It may have been a bumpy ride so far, but along the way, we’ve managed to revisit some classic stories and pay tribute to some awesome creators. And we’re not stopping anytime soon. This week, Andrew is bringing you a character spotlight that seems fitting with the content on the Geek Hard website in recent weeks. We’ve talked about his Netflix Television series both on our radio show and in print. We’ve looked back at the various moments in the character’s history. It’s only right that this week, we take a look at the Hero for Hire himself, LUKE CAGE!

Joining Andrew this week is the golden ray of sunshine that is Young Boy James and the comics professor (and co-writer of Geek Hard’s New Comics Blog) Kris Johnson. Listen as these three men look back on the comic life of the former Carl Lucas, talking about some of their favourite moments while critiquing some of their least favourite. If there’s a dude that’s gone through more gimmick changes and retreads over the years, I couldn’t tell you. Luke Cage has had some pretty funny things happen to him in the comics. He’s also been involved in some of the most interesting stories in the history of the Marvel Universe. Take a listen and find out the full story of the man with unbreakable skin 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: 10/07/16

We discuss the news of the week rapid fire edition. Wolverine 3 gets the title Logan and Patrick Stewart image released. Suicide Squad gets an extended cut being released. Warren Ellis releases DC’s Wildstorm line. DC’s announces that a Batwoman ongoing returns to the shelves. Bladerunner title announced. Cineplex raises ticket prices because of minimum wage?

We talk with one of Andrew’s greatest enemies: television personality Teddy Wilson. Teddy has a new series debuting on Discovery Canada on October 16th called Mighty Trains. Part of the popular “Mighty” Series, Mighty Trains takes a look at some amazing trains from all over the world. Teddy is your guide throughout this 6 episode series as he travels on each of the trains featured and lets you the viewer in on the experience. Listen as Andrew interrogates Teddy Wilson about the show and Mr. Green is enthralled by tales of adventure on the rails.

Our review of HBO’s Westworld starring Evan Rachel Wood, Anthony Hopkins and James Marsden. Synopsis: Westworld isn’t your typical amusement park. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park — which is looked after by robotic “hosts” — allows its visitors to live out their fantasies through artificial consciousness. No matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park’s guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged. “Westworld” — which is based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name — features an all-star cast that includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris.

We also talk with Toronto After Dark Film Festival Director and Founder Adam Lopez. He joins us to tell us all about the great film lineup coming to this year’s festival (happening October 13th to 21st at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto). What amazing genre films are in store for us at the 2016 edition of After Dark? Adam gives us the inside scoop on all the goings down for the fest! For more info and tickets for After Dark, check out their website.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment a very appropriate themed discussion about horror/Halloween movies for this October.

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.

Back by popular demand, Andrew is joined by comic creator J. Torres to talk about a comic that’s near and dear to his heart. J. made an appearance on the show about a month ago and there was a large outcry from listeners to have him back to talk about the comic that affected him so much as a child that he wrote a comic story about his reaction to it: Alpha Flight. Alpha Flight is Canada’s premiere super team in the Marvel Universe. Making their first appearance in Uncanny X-Men #120, during the coveted Claremont/Byrne run on the series, Alpha Flight would eventually get their very own comic and deliver exciting adventures for over a decade. This week, we take a look at the first 12 issues of this run which came out all the way back in 1983. Written and drawn by John Byrne, Andrew and J look at the innovative story elements used in the series as wells as some of the overt political commentary of the times. There’s also some critique of comic writing from that era as well.

Join us as we get a little patriotic regarding the “True North Strong and Free!” in the lastest episode of Back Issue Bloodbath. Come for the Canadian Superheroes. Stay for the drama as these two fanboys hold nothing back.

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: 09/30/16

We discuss the news of the week. Canadian cable providers Rogers & Shaw announce they are closing the doors on the Shomi digital streaming service on November 30th. FOX has renewed their contract with IMAX to release films in IMAX and booking March 2, 2018 for an unknown Marvel based film. Disney is rumoured to be in the hunt to purchase Twitter.

Our review of Netflix’s Luke Cage starring Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Theo Rossi. Synopsis: This gritty, action-packed drama follows the evolution of Luke Cage (Mike Colter), a man with super strength and unbreakable skin caused by a sabotaged experiment. After a failed relationship with fellow superhero Jessica Jones, Cage tries to rebuild his life in Harlem, New York, but is pulled out of the shadows and forced to fight for the heart of his city. Along the way, Cage cannot avoid confronting his past, which he has worked hard to bury. “Marvel’s Luke Cage” is the third show in the Netflix-original Defenders series.

We also talk with in studio will be comic writer and long time friend of the show, J. Torres. For some reason, he believes that he’s only on because somebody cancelled on us. Contrary to that belief, we actually wanted to have him back on the show……we’re still trying to figure out why. He talks about True Patriot. The successful kickstarter graphic anthology of Canadian Superheroes is now getting it’s own bi-monthly comic through Chapterhouse and J will tell us all about the upcoming series. Also joining us via phone was cartoonist Jay Stephens as his creation, Arrowhead, will be the main feature of the comic series. True Patriot, the anthology of Canadian superheroes, returns as an ongoing, bi-monthly series! In the premiere issue, Jay Stephens (Jetcat) continues the amazing adventures of Arrowhead. Fred Kennedy (Fourth Planet) and Rob Armstrong (Redhill Billy) give us the origin of Gull Girl. Plus, J. Bone (Rocketeer) and J. Torres (The Mighty Zodiac) tag team a True Patriot team-up featuring Grey Owl and Tundra from the Family Dynamic. Pre-order True Patriot #1 at your local comic shop today!

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing the recent article about how much money celebrities are making at conventions

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join Andrew Young and friends 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 into the recent past with some comic creator interviews. First up, Andrew takes you to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival of 2015 where he got to talk with the creative team of Babs Tarr, Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher. This trio of talented folks have a new book, Motor Crush, coming this December from Image. Back then they were making some noise with their work on Batgirl. They talk about the book and the process of making it as well as chat a bit about some of Fletcher and Stewart’s other work (Black Canary & Fight Club 2 respectively). It’s a fun time and these cats are a blast.

Our second interview is a short one and takes place in a hotel bathroom. Andrew got to go to the 2nd annual ZDARSCON, an event that celebrates comics – specifically the works of Chip Zdarsky – that went down this past Fan Expo Canada Weekend. Andrew discusses Chip’s recent work involving Canadian Prime Minister Justin Tredeau and Alpha Flight and even gets him to talk a little bit about his upcoming Star Lord comic. Chip is funny but slightly distracted as he’s in the middle of running an ENTIRE CONVENTION in a bathrobe. A difficult job to say the least.

Take a listen to the latest 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: 09/21/16

We discuss the news of the week. Idris Elba sings onto the Dark Tower TV series as well as the film. August is reported by comic distribution company Diamond to be the biggest units sold in the month in 20 years. A Toronto artist is looking at potentially suing TIFF over it’s use of design (Infinite Views) that was inspired by his art work. Marvel Now’s new She-Hulk series to be launched in November will just be called Hulk, a more serious look at the character.

Our review of Netflix’s ARQ starring Robbie Amell, Rachael Taylor and Shaun Benson. Synopsis: ARQ, starring Robbie Amell (The Flash) and Rachael Taylor (Jessica Jones) is a Netflix original film set in a dystopian society, written and directed by Tony Elliott (Orphan Black). In a future where corporations battle against sovereign nations over the last of the world’s energy supplies, young engineer Renton and Hannah find themselves attempting to save an experimental energy technology that could end the wars. The catch is, the technology has created a time loop that causes them to relive a deadly home invasion over and over again. They must figure out how to stop the time loop and come out of it alive.

We also talk about all things TIFF. The Toronto International Film Festival has become a staple of the movie going world. Much like Cannes, Sundance and Telluride, TIFF is one of the biggest film fests out there, bringing in movie fans from across the globe. The festival wrapped up this past weekend and we’re going to give you a rundown of everything that went down. Joined via phone by our man at TIFF, writer and editor Will Perkins (Art of the Title, Dork Shelf), we find out which films were the best and worst of the fest.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing Award Shows, after this weeks Emmy Awards it was a hot topic around the water cooler again.

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 Gavin Stephens 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, Andrew apologizes as he wasn’t able to deliver us the return of Gavin. Who knows when (or if) he’ll be back! For now, Andrew makes up for getting your hopes up by giving you two great interviews with comic creators. First up, Andrew got the chance to chat with Comic Book Legend Klaus Janson. Listen as they talk about the what an inker brings to penciled artwork, the importance of storytelling visually, Klaus’ work on DKIII and even a short look back on his work with Frank Miller on Daredevil. A gentleman and a teacher, Klaus gives us some entertaining insight on the world of making comics.

Our second interview comes to us from the 2015 Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) as Andrew catches up with cartoonist Ed Piskor. Ed is the man responsible for Hip Hop Family Tree, a series of graphic novels (and now monthly issues) chronicling the history of Hip Hop in an art style that’s very reminiscent of 70s Marvel. This interview took place a couple months before the release of the third graphic novel and Andrew not only picks Ed’s brain about that but also his process at the drawing table. There’s also a brief discussion about a comic book recreation of the Rob Liefeld “501 Button Fly” Jeans ad from the early 90s that Ed did for Free Comic Book Day. Ed’s an interesting cat.

So take a listen to these interviews and enjoy the latest episode of 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: 09/16/16

We discuss the news of the week, rapid fire style. Star Trek Discovery has been delayed at the request of the production team. Batman’s Tactical suit revealed from the Justice League movie. Stan Lee sells personal rights to Fox. First image of Ghostrider from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. released.

Andrew talks with Lorraine Cink. Lorraine is known to many for her connection with Marvel Entertainment as the Host and Writer of THWIP! The Big Marvel Show. The former Watcher has been bringing us Comedic Videos for Marvel for years and tonight, she’ll be on to tell us all about what goes down behind the scenes. She’ll also be on to chat about the new book she co-wrote, Marvel: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know.

Our review of Nirvanna the Band the Show starring Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol and lots of real people. Synopsis: Matt Johnson (The Dirties, Operation Avalanche) and co-conspirator Jay McCarrol revive their cult-hit web series about a hapless two-piece Toronto band who will do anything to play a show at The Rivoli — apart from actually writing and rehearsing any actual songs. It’s all about one perfect gig. In lieu of actually writing music, however, the two attempt to garner attention via various other schemes, such as building a demonic float for the city’s Santa Claus Parade or shooting a renegade film project in a high school. If only they could focus long enough to work on their set list. Based on the popular web series created by and starring Jay McCarrol and Matt Johnson (who also directs), nirvanna the band the show is a celebration of popular culture, social absurdity, and friendship. Now moving to Primetime, with Vice and executive producer Spike Jonze along for the ride, the show sees its dynamic duo bumbling their way through various adventures with a naïveté that’s sometimes politically incorrect but always endearing.

We also talk with comic creator Joëlle Jones! Her latest book, Lady Killer 2, is currently being published by Dark Horse Comics (Issue 2 hits stands this week!). The sequel to the successful Lady Killer miniseries, the comic follows Josie, a housewife who also happens to be a hitman. Now living in Florida, the woman has to juggle taking care of her husband and kids with her career and getting rid of a body or two.

It was a great show!

Plus for our Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra After Credits segment discussing Joe Manganiello cast as Deathstroke in DC’s Justice League movie and the “seperation” of DC movies & TV.

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 Gavin Stephens 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, Andrew is once again joined by a panel of comic experts to talk all things of a sequential art nature. James Cooper and Yaw Attuah of The Development Slate podcast come on the show to participate in a variation on their own show. The guys each pick a comic character from the Marvel or DC comic universe, and pair them with a creative team (artist and writer) who could bring the character back to four colour glory. Andrew also gives his picks and surprisingly, nobody picks a character with superpowers. It’s Character Returns Pitch Session Madness!

The conversation also leads to talk of the recently announced Runaways Hulu series and the relevance of high-numbered comic book runs. There’s even an appearance by Filthy Stan Lee and Grant the Golden Host. It’s a great way to spend a half our if you ask me. Also, be sure to listen right to the end for a very special annoucement. It’s all coming your way on an ALL NEW Back Issue Bloodbath.

Be sure to give it a listen and check out Andrew and Mr. Green of Geek Hard’s guest spot on The Development Slate (available today on iTunes and over at Dorkshelf.com).

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!