Podcasts Archives - Geek Hard

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Petula Neale 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 on Back Issue Bloodbath, we’re going to take you to a different time. A simpler time when there wasn’t a novel virus in sight and we could congregate in convention halls. We know that you fans out there miss the comicons of yore. We miss them too. To tide you over until we can all come out of our homes, we’re here to bring you a taste of that forbidden fruit. These are the Ghosts of Conventions’ Past!

This episode features two interviews recorded at comic conventions in 2018 and 2019. First up, you’ll hear Andrew chat with editor Heather Antos at Fan Expo Canada 2019. Andrew and Heather chat about the nuts and bolts of an editor’s job, Heather’s pride for having hand in the creation of Gwenpool, her love of penguins, and MORE!

In our second interview, Andrew chats with comic writer Charles Soule. This interview was recorded at Fan Expo Canada 2018. At the time, Charles’ run on Daredevil was just about to wrap up and the Return of Wolverine miniseries was just getting started. He also had a novel published. It was a busy time for Mr. Soule and it made for a great interview. Take a listen to this Ghosts of Conventions’ Past episode and be back here next week as Andrew and Petula bring you another classic deconstruction. Enjoy!

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. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content. Support us on Patreon.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 04/17/20 – We review The Gentlemen. We talk with actor Adriyan Rae of Vagrant Queen and also with artist Megan Huang of Jia and the Nian Monster.

Show Notes:

FRIENDLY PANDEMIC REMINDER: Wash your hands (<20 seconds), cough/sneeze into your elbow, stay 6 feet apart and only go outside if it’s essential. Also, thank essential workers and DON’T HOARD!

We talk with actor Adriyan Rae! Adriyan is the star of Vagrant Queen currently airing on SYFY and CityTV. She’ll be on to talk to us about the new series and more! Triple-threat: singer, actress and model, Adriyan Rae is making her mark as one to watch, with roles in some of the most buzzed-about projects in television and film. First, Adriyan joined the Hulu and AwesomenessTV horror series, Light as a Feather for their sophomore season in 2019. She also stars as Elida, in SYFY’s live-action Vault Comics adaptation, Vagrant Queen. The series is produced by Blue Ice Pictures and will boast an all-female team of writers and directors. The 2017 Sundance Film Festival marked Rae’s debut film, Burning Sands in which she appeared alongside Trevor Jackson. In 2018 she had guest star arcs on Atlanta, Star, and the IFC comedy, Brockmire.

Our review of The Gentlemen starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam and Michelle Dockery. Mickey Pearson is an American expatriate who became rich by building a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business, it soon triggers an array of plots and schemes — including bribery and blackmail — from shady characters who want to steal his domain. Benito from Durham Escape Rooms joins us by phone to help us review the film.

We also talk with artist Megan Huang. Her graphic novel, JIA and the NIAN MONSTER, is now available. Megan talks about the book and more! Megan has worked on multiple Princeless projects in 2018, one being a HalloweenFest Special and the other an NYCC exclusive. She has worked on Double Jumpers as a colorist, for Action Lab. She has also done a few character concepts for ChapterHouse. Her graphic novel JIA AND THE NIAN MONSTER, published by Dark Horse Comics, was released in March 2020. To find you where you can order a copy of JIA and the NIAN MONSTER, go HERE!

It was a great show!

Geek Hard is brought to you by Durham Escape Rooms! If you’re looking for a fun time in the Toronto area, make a trip out to 1121 Dundas Street East, Unit 9 in Whitby. Bring your friends, family or co-workers and solve puzzles and clues in an exciting escape experience. Find out more info HERE!

Geek Hard Extra:

Plus exclusively for our $4/month+ Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra episode we discuss the career of director Jon Favreau.

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 Petula Neale 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 Back Issue Bloodbath, we bring you another creator spotlight. Back in 2018, Andrew got to chat with comic artist John McCrea. The interview is available in our archives. This episode is a companion piece to that episode. We’re talking about the many great comic works of John McCrea!

John McCrea is an artist with a distinct style and is best known for his collaborations with Garth Ennis. He’s worked on numerous titles from Action Force (the Marvel UK G.I.Joe) to The Demon, from Hitman to the Punisher. His most recent work, Dead Eyes, is one of the best series to premiere from Image Comics in 2019. John excels at presenting the grotesque in a way that’s more comical than horrific.

Join Andrew and Petula as they go through the comic book history of John McCrea. Petula shares her love for the Hitman series. Andrew talks about John’s trepidations over drawing Garth Ennis’ “Confederacy of Dunces” story in the Marvel Knights Punisher series. There is also much praise over his latest work with Gerry Duggan. It’s all coming your way on an ALL NEW, ALL DIFFERENT episode of Back Issue Bloodbath. Give it a listen and enjoy.

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. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content. Support us on Patreon.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 04/10/20 – We review Coffee & Kareem. We talk with actor Ian Verdun of Siren and also with actor Tina Jung of Queen of the Morning Calm.

Show Notes:

FRIENDLY PANDEMIC REMINDER: Wash your hands (<20 seconds), cough/sneeze into your elbow, stay 6 feet apart and only go outside if it’s essential. Also, thank essential workers and DON’T HOARD!

We talk with actor Ian Verdun. Ian talks about Siren which returned for a 3rd Season on Freeform last week. Ian Verdun is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and the British American Drama Academy. He has written and produced several plays himself and appeared on shows such as Last Resort, Hawthorne, Lucifer, and Hawaii Five-O. Before landing Siren, Ian’s first acting job was a passion project titled Life’s A Drag which he completed with money earned from sweeping and bussing in New York restaurants. Most recently he wrapped production on a feature film Death of a Telemarketer which followed a smooth-talking telemarketer who finds himself at the mercy of the man he tried to swindle.

Our review of Coffe & Kareem starring Ed Helms, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Little Gardenhigh. Twelve-year-old Kareem Manning hires a criminal to scare his mom’s new boyfriend – police officer James Coffee – but it backfires, forcing Coffee and Kareem to team up in order to save themselves from Detroit’s most ruthless drug kingpin.

We also talk with actor Tina Jung. Tina is the start of Queen of the Morning Calm, an independent film that’s coming soon. She also appears in the upcoming 3rd season of Second Jen. Tina will be on to talk about both of these projects and more! Tina Jung is an award-winning Korean-Canadian actor, writer, and producer born in South Korea to parents who were actors themselves. She can be seen starring as Debra in the new captivating feature film QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM which follows her character, a 29-year-old immigrant sex worker and her self-aware 10-year-old daughter Mona, as they embark on a journey of emancipation. Tina will also be seen recurring in the upcoming 3rd season of SECOND JEN as Vicky, a social media influencer with over 10 million followers and the successful cousin of Jen. 

It was a great show!

Geek Hard is brought to you by Durham Escape Rooms! If you’re looking for a fun time in the Toronto area, make a trip out to 1121 Dundas Street East, Unit 9 in Whitby. Bring your friends, family or co-workers and solve puzzles and clues in an exciting escape experience. Find out more info HERE!

Geek Hard Extra:

Plus exclusively for our $4/month+ Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra episode we discuss the greatest Stephen King based film ever, The Shawshank Redemption.

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 StudioHosts/Producers – Andrew Young & James Green

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Petula Neale 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.

Let me let you in on a little secret….Back Issue Bloodbath is recorded well in advance of when you get to hear it. Sometimes we record months in advance. Such is the case with the episode you’re about to hear. It was supposed to coincide with the release of a big Marvel movie which has been postponed. This week on Back Issue Bloodbath, Andrew and Petula take a look back on the 1999 Marvel Knights series, Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider!

Written by Devin Grayson with artwork by JG Jones, The Itsy Bitsy Spider is a 3 issue miniseries that stars the Black Widow and the Black Widow. Huh? I know it sounds like I’m repeating myself but I am not. This story stars the classic Widow, Natasha Romonov. It also marks the debut of Yelena Belova, Natasha’s replacement from the Red Room in Russia. The story is a game of cat and mouse between two spies on the hunt to capture a chemical agent that could prove fatal if it falls into the wrong hands.

Join Andrew and Petula as they talk about a great comic from 20 years prior in preparation of a film that will come out later rather than sooner. Find out more about the Isty Bitsy Spider on an ALL NEW (yet recorded months ago) 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. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content. Support us on Patreon.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 04/03/20 – We review Vagrant Queen. We talk with actor Ryan Belleville of Workin’ Moms and also with director Francis Luta of Alone Across the Arctic.

Show Notes:

FRIENDLY PANDEMIC REMINDER: Wash your hands (<20 seconds), cough/sneeze into your elbow, stay 6 feet apart and only go outside if it’s essential. Also, thank essential workers and DON’T HOARD!

We talk with actor Ryan Belleville. A hilarious comedian and actor, Ryan talks about the current season of Workin’ Moms and more. Ryan Belleville is a favourite at the Just for Laughs Festival as well as CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Comedy Now, and CBC’s The Debaters. As an actor, Belleville has starred in CTV’s Satisfaction, & FOX’s sitcom Life on a Stick, as well as Almost Heroes, now available on Hulu. He has also starred in the feature films National Lampoons Going the Distance, Disney’s Stuck in the Suburbs, Step Dogs and the award-winning family film Finn on the Fly. His voice has appeared in Detentionaire, Hotel Transylvania, and Winston Steinburger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong. Ryan can currently be seen as Lionel Carlson on Workin’ Moms on CBC and CBC Gem.

Our review of Vagrant Queen starring Adriyan Rae, Alex McGregor and Tim Rozon. Former child queen Elida has been on the run since her mother was shot and killed by Commander Lazaro, the man responsible for bringing down their empire. A highly skilled fighter, Elida has been living in hiding and making ends meet as a scavenger while the unhinged Lazaro obsesses over tracking her down. When Elida’s old frenemy, Isaac, shows up with news that her mother is still alive, it takes the help of the optimistic mechanic Amae, to escape Lazaro’s army and begin the rescue mission across a dangerous galaxy.

We also talk with director Francis Luta. Francis joins to talk about his latest documentary, Alone Across the Arctic. It’s the story of modern-day explorer Adam Shoalts who sets a record-breaking solo expedition in crossing the Canadian Arctic on foot and by canoe that spans four long and lonely perilous months. Francis Luta is a Canadian filmmaker, born in the Philippines, with works ranging from fiction and non-fiction. In 2012, he shifted his focus on videography. He directed the short film SEEING in 2014, produced by Oscar-winning cinema lens company Cooke Optics. In 2015 he directed a short documentary The Hammer Band: Music Child that won Best Music Video at the Toronto Short Film Festival. In 2016 he directed a short biography film on Adam Shoalts EXPLORER which premiered at the Victoria Film Festival. The same year his social commentary documentary PROJECT GELB premiered at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. His most recent projects include his feature-length documentary ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTIC. 

It was a great show!

Geek Hard is brought to you by Durham Escape Rooms! If you’re looking for a fun time in the Toronto area, make a trip out to 1121 Dundas Street East, Unit 9 in Whitby. Bring your friends, family or co-workers and solve puzzles and clues in an exciting escape experience. Find out more info HERE!

Geek Hard Extra:

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Petula Neale 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 on Bloodbath, we take look back on the 2018/19 Image Series Skyward! Written by Joe Henderson with art by Lee Garbett, Skyward takes place 20 years from now where gravity has become just a fraction of what it was. Humanity has adapted to the low gravity world and for Will Fowler, who was born just before G-Day, it’s the only world she’s every known. But life isn’t perfect, especially for her father. He warned folks about G-Day and even had a plan in case it happened. Now it’s up to Willa to put that plan into action. But is it the right plan?

Skyward takes a new turn on tales of the future. It presents a “coming of age” road story and a protagonist that you can’t help but root for. Smartly written with twists and turns that will surprise but not feel out of place, it’s an adventure comic that delivers on all of it promises.

Join Andrew and Petula as they take you on a light journey with deep characters and an uplifting tale of heroism. We break down the 15 issues tale and tell you if it’s worth picking up the trades. (Spoiler: it is! Listen to find out why!) It’s all coming your way 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. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content. Support us on Patreon.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Originally Aired: 03/20/20 – We review High Fidelity. We talk with writer, editor and publisher Renee Witterstaetter and with actor Helena Marie.

Show Notes:

FRIENDLY PANDEMIC REMINDER: Wash your hands (<20 seconds), cough/sneeze into your elbow, stay 6 feet apart and only go outside if it’s essential. Also, thank essential workers and DON’T HOARD!

We talk with writer, editor and publisher Renee Witterstaetter. Renee will be on to talk about her career in the comics industry and more. Renee Witterstaetter was editor on Thanos Quest, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hercules, and many other comics. As a film professional, she worked on Red Dragon and Rush Hour 2. Behind the scenes, she racked up credits on dozens of music videos and commercials. Her books as a writer include: Jackie Chan: Dying for Action, Nick Cardy: The Artist at War, Excess: The Art of Michael Golden, Art of the Barbarian, The Art of Mark Texeira, and her children’s book Kerry and the Scary Things. She is a producer of DVD’s on various comic book creators through her partnership with Amdale Media. She’s also spearheaded mounting art shows and retrospectives in the United States, Spain, China, Russia and other venues worldwide. 

Our review of High Fidelity starring Zoë Kravitz, Jake Lacy and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Rob, a record-store owner in the rapidly gentrified Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, revisits past relationships through music and pop culture while trying to get over her one true love.

We also talk with actor Helena Marie. Helena will be on to talk about My Perfect Landing, a new series currently airing on Family Channel. Helena Marie is an award-winning actor born in Montreal, Quebec and is currently based in Toronto, Canada. A creator as well, Helena co-wrote, produced and starred in the award-winning short film CRAZY LOVE. She portrayed spousal-abuse victim Sam, a role which garnered her much attention and an award for Best Performance at the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival. Helena has amassed a significant body of work in several film and television productions including SUITS, A WIFE’S SUSPICION, and SUPERNATURAL. Helena stars in the new series MY PERFECT LANDING about a family of gymnasts who struggle with a life-changing move. Helena plays Whitney Cortez, a former gymnast who loses her job and decides to move her two kids from Miami to Toronto to start a gymnastics club with her father. 

It was a great show!

Geek Hard is brought to you by Durham Escape Rooms! If you’re looking for a fun time in the Toronto area, make a trip out to 1121 Dundas Street East, Unit 9 in Whitby. Bring your friends, family or co-workers and solve puzzles and clues in an exciting escape experience. Find out more info HERE!

Geek Hard Extra:

Plus exclusively for our $4/month+ Patreon supporters, our latest Geek Hard Extra episode is the second part of a discussion between Petula Neale and Mr. Green to talk Star Trek: Picard.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Production Credits:

Geek Hard Logo – Candice Hibbard and Rich Robbins Technical...

Welcome friends to Back Issue Bloodbath, a comics-centric podcast presented by Geek Hard. Join hosts Andrew Young and Petula Neale 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 on Bloodbath, we dive deep into the meaning behind the identity of the superhero! In a 2017 interview with Brazil’s Folha de São Paulo, Alan Moore was asked about his thoughts on superheroes. Moore stated that he believed that they were fine for children but not for adults, for whom they serve a “different function, and are fulfilling different needs.” The Watchmen creator had much more to say on the matter.

“I would also remark that save for a smattering of non-white characters (and non-white creators) these books and these iconic characters are still very much white supremacist dreams of the master race. In fact, I think that a good argument can be made for D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation (1915) as the first American superhero movie, and the point of origin for all those capes and masks.”Alan Moore

Join Andrew and Petula as they unpack Moore’s sentiments and explore the validity to his claim. They look back on the birth of the publishing origins of Superman and Wonder Woman and explore Frank Miller’s Batman in Dark Knight Returns. They even break down the many archetypes from the cape and cowl set. Andrew and Petula attempt to discover the true identity of the superhero on 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. And be sure to join our Facebook page for exclusive content. Support us on Patreon.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!