Punisher: Body Count

Hey everyone, welcome to the first episode of the new year! We got a lot of ground to cover, so let's get started.

Introduction - Jake and I bring up a big announcement concerning the show: We've joined the Geekcast Radio Network! Being a part of this network will give Jake and I some great opportunities and resources for the show, but we're also just happy to be a part of such a good group of hosts who care as much about their subject manner as we do. What this means for you guys is that we'll have some ad placement between the segments from now on, but it's still a work in progress on where exactly they'll end up.

News - Phil Noto will be the new artist on Thunderbolts #7, and Punisher will soon be making out with Elektra. Eh, okay.

Mail Call - Jake and I answer some mail regarding our movie episode, and I try to defend the Gotham Knight DVD against Jake's onslaught of criticisim.

Bullet Points - We cover Fury #8, Punisher: Nightmare #1 and 2, Thunderbolts #2 and 3, and Punisher: War Zone #3!

Flashbacks - We cover one of our favorite stories of all time, Punisher: BORN!

Discharge Papers - Jake takes umbrage against TBS's King of the Nerds show, and this somehow leads me to that this is a sign that America is crumbling in on itself. Jake also recommends some textbooks he's using in school, and I discuss the Spider-Man controversy. I end things on a positive note by recommending everyone to go see John Dies at the End, now wherever movie downloads are sold, basically. It's Cthulhu style weirdness combined with characters you'd see from Clerks. It's delightful.

Merry Christmas, Punisher fans! For this Yuletide season, we have gifted you with an extra-large episode that deals with our deep opinions about the three official Punisher movies.

Introduction - Jake and I start with what could the worst opening ever before we catch up on our heart-warming Christmas tales. We then open our gifts we sent each other on the air!

News - There's a bunch of new Punisher fan films new and upcoming, and we want you all to check 'em out!

• First on the list is the fan-animated Do Not Fall in New York City film by Luis Junquera. I really enjoyed the style and "flow" of this one. The film has blown up on a lot of comic book news sites, and here is his response.
• Indy filmmaker Chris Notarile has created four Punisher fan films, Punisher '79-'82. Here is a Youtube playlist that has all of them, but Punisher '80 was taken down by Youtube. You can find that film (and the rest) on his superhero page.
• Actor/director Chris Warner has successfully Kickstarted a studio-quality Punisher short! We'll keep you updated as the film continues production.

Mail Call - Jesse Mack asks us what Punisher story arc we'd like to see adapted to a new Marvel movie. Jacob gives us a trilogy of MAX titles, and while I like the idea,

Dane and Jake Go to the Movies - It took 34 episodes, but we're finally doing it. We're bum-rushing the three Punisher movies that everyone clamored for but never quite got it right. And yet, they each have their charms.

Discharge Papers - Jake discusses his finishing of the Loeb's Long Halloween run, and his replay of Final Fantasy 8. I recommend the book Mastery from Robert Greene, so you can go from chump to champ at whatever you do in life. I also recommend the game Bastion, which is like Diablo if your character was in a colorful, utterly destroyed society.

If you'd like, hit us up on iTunes or RSS.

Happy Hannukkah, we're back and we're front-loaded with content!

Introduction - Jake discusses how he killed a mouse and I explain why I'm on the outs with my pregnant sister, which led to a million dollar idea!

Mail Call - Gill (we called you Bill, sorry man!) gives us a call to back me in my tipping policy, and Jake quickly ruins everything. Later on, we recount the gifts a listener sent us! Blackstone asks us if we finally watched Dredd 3-D. We also give our opinions on how we feel Untold Tales of the Punisher could have been better. Finally, talk about the Punisher's upcoming role in Iron Man: Rise of the Technomancer, and if it has a chance of spinning off into his own animated feature.

NEW CONTEST - Listener and Frank's Salad Days blog writer Arch Stanton is sponsoring a new contest for the show! The instructions are as follows:

1. Make a guess on the total on-screen kill count the Punisher had for all three movies combined.

2. Send in that number to us via email, voice mail, or simply post it under this message in the Punisher: Body Count fan page.

3. At the end of our next show, we'll announce the winner.

4. The one who comes closest will win a Marvel Legends action figure!

Jake and Dane's Christmas Gift Advice Segment - Jake and I do your Christmas shopping for you by telling you what Punisher-related gifts are hot this season!

Bullet Points - We cover Fury: My War Gone By #7, Rucka's Punisher: War Zone #2, ad Thunderbolts #1. Thunderbolts was better than expected toward Frank, but there's still something missing in it, which I bring up during our review.

Flashbacks - By listener request, we cover Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's Punisher: War Zone #12-16, which is the "Psychoville" story arc.

Discharge Papers - I recommend IDW's Rocketeer and the Cargo of Doom and the Walking Dead, and Jake goes into a rant about how much he hates movie theaters these days.

Welcome to your oasis from hurricanes and political trash talk. Enjoy your stay! Also, I have updated our FAQ page with our Google voicemail number. If you'd like to leave us a message via your phone, well now you can!

Introduction - Jake discusses how he's all Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor now, and I tell the horror story of how Hurricane Sandy inconvenienced me. Jake and I also whine about kids these days and their Halos. I also bitch about tipping take-out servers.

Mail Call - Blackstone asks us if we're going to read the new Thunderbolts series (yes) and if we've heard of some vigilante tv shows (no). Arch also calls out Jake for spoiling Walking Dead and we discuss "spoiler culture" in general. We also debate on whether the comic book fan letters page is still needed today.

Bullet Points - We cover Greg Rucka's Punisher: War Zone #1. It's the beginning of the end, people!

Flashbacks - Hey speaking about War Zone, how about some more? We cover Chuck Dixon's Punisher: War Zone #7-11. It is pure, glorious testosterone.

Discharge Papers - I get excited over Parks and Recreation's new season and I tell Jake I'm reading his favorite book, Count of Monte Cristo. Jake and I also discuss the implications of Mickey Mouse taking over the Death Star, and it eventually turns to a conversation of when we need to let go of our childhood love. Us nerds, am I right? Jake also recommends 2001 Nights, which is a sci-fi space exploration comic.

Happy Halloween, everyone! Let's get into it.

Introduction - I talk about the emotional wreck I became when I got my wisdom teeth removed and Jake explains a new dangerous hobby he's taken up. I also explain why I left a comedy club in Atlantic City.

Mail Call - Blackstone asks us if we'd ever go after some Punisher-like Marvel characters if we ever run out of present-day material, and then we go into a tangent about My Little Pony. I am so sorry.

Bullet Points - We cover Untold Tales #5 and SPACE: Punisher #4. Both are awful in their own special ways.

Flashbacks - Did you know the Punisher was an avenging angel back in the mid-nineties? For about five minutes? Come join us as we explore the comic series that killed the franchise until Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon were brought in.

Discharge Papers - I recommend two podcasts: Dan Carlin's Hardcore History and My Brother, My Brother, and Me. Also, I said, "Atilla the Hun" here, but I meant "Ghengis Khan." Jacob changes his view on the movie Akira and recommends Domu: A Child's Dream by the same creator.

Introduction - I talk about the arguments I've had with my dad over Hercules and aliens, and Jake shows how many fucks he gives about Indiana's smoking laws. Hint: They are zero. We also go into a tangent about dating strong independent women. Also, in case you were wondering, that was Jake's daughter in the beginning.

Mail Call - We bring back Rapidfire and we answer a lot of questions about Rucka closing out his run and whether an on-going Punisher run can hack it these days.

Bullet Points - We cover Fury Max #6, Punisher #16, and SPACE: Punisher #3. SPACE: Punisher actually managed to sway me back to it, much to Jake's disgust, and we also get into an argument about eugenics. I am so sorry.

Flashbacks - In honor of our 30th episode, Jake and I read What If? #58, which explores what would happen if Frank managed to kill Spider-Man in his first introduction to comics. Clearly, Frank has a good ending in this comic.

Discharge Papers - I recommend the book American Tabloid by James Elroy for those that like noirish historical fiction set in Red Scare America. Jake classes things up with him and his wife watching the Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde play and talks about why the Akira movie can't match up to the manga. I also recommend the horror film anthology V/H/S, which is available On Demand and iTunes.

Jake and I are back to discuss the future of the post-Rucka Punisher, and I later call some posters at the Global Punisher Army message board "cretins." Sorry about that. And yes, we're changing our audio system.

Introduction - I discuss my sudden turn to a straight-edge experimenting and Jake talks about his magical barber experience.

News - We discuss the Thunderbolts news and Greg Rucka's interview with Clint magazine.

Mail Call - We announce the addition of our new voicemail system! We also catch up on some questions we missed from the last 'sode.

Bullet Points - We cover Punisher #15 and Untold Tales of the Punisher #4. I get a little crazy on Untold Tales.

Flashbacks - We continue Mike Baron's original run with Punisher #13 and 14. Frank fights Charles Manson in one and becomes a subsistence high school teacher in the other. Good times!

Discharge Papers - Jake brings up new comics he's reading and his return to a modern classic anime. I talk about Snow White and the Huntsman. I am so sorry. Also, I stumble into a hilarious/tramatic part of my childhood when we discuss Indiana Jones.

It's feast or famine here at P:BC, and right now we're bursting at the seams with content. There's comedy, disagreements, and wigging out over the dumbest of things. In other words, it's Monday, people.

Introduction - Just... don't eat when you listen to this part. Jake tells a story about shitting an ingenuity, and I talk about the book I was born to edit.

Mail Call - Blackstone asks us about the true power Punisher fans wield, and Wyatt asks us a question about race that I stumble through for a few minutes. And hey! We brought back Rapidfire!

Bullet Points - We cover Punisher #14, Untold Tales of the Punisher #3, and Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe #4. It goes in order from best to worst, folks.

Flashbacks - In honor of Joe Kubert's recent passing, we cover Punisher: War Zone's "River of Blood," which showcased Kubert's humanistic artwork and Chuck Dixon's attention to world military conflicts. There's also a Russian-version of the Punisher who sings while on shooting sprees, so it's got it all.

Discharge Papers - Jake and I talk about the Expendables 2 for what seems like an eternity. Jake is pleased as punched with the movie, and me, not so much. I also talk up the PC game Spec Ops: The Line, and Jake talks about what new comics he's picked up, like the new volume of Blade of the Immortal and IDW's Ninja Turtles comics.

If you'd like, hit us up on iTunes or RSS.

Welcome back, Punisher fans! The pickings are a bit slim this time around for Punisher stories and news, but we make due with what we got.

Introduction - I briefly mention my new job(s), Jake describes how his car is sending him to the poor house, and I try a new beer, and hilarity ensues. I also bore you with a poker story. Jake and I then advise people how to one-star us on iTunes.

Contest- Today we announce the winner of our current contest! Brandontheman285, you've won some Punisher 2099 artwork! Please send us a line so you can receive your prize!

Mail Call - We got a couple of letters for the show today! Arch asks us if Punisher would kill Walter White from the tv series Breaking Bad (great show). Andrew then asks us how we feel about Ennis's side project Jennifer Blood and how Punisher would work on a team book. Black Stone asks a similar question about Punisher joining the Avengers.

Bullet Points -As mentioned before, we cover X-Force #29 and SPACE: Punisher #2. Frank is interesting, but a rather minor presence in the distopian world the story takes place. The other book goes off the rails, and not in a good way.

Flashbacks - We wrap up Welcome Back Frank with our thoughts on the Russian and which jokes we thought were the best. As we've said before it's a great "starter" book to people interested in the character. Next episode, we'll dive back into more classic Punisher.

Discharge Papers - A relatively scant segment today! I argue why Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe just doesn't work for me and Jake rolls his eyes at yet another Wolverine series, this time taking place in the MAX print.

If you'd like, hit us up on iTunes or RSS.

Rucka's Punisher isn't out this week, but we still got plenty of other Punisher/Punisher accessories to bring up! Get ready for more Fury: Cold Warrior, Untold Tales of the Punisher, and Welcome Back, Frank. I also break a new record in the amount of times I yell at Jake for his awful opinions. Oh, if it sounds like my voice is getting auto-tuned, just stick it out for a bit. There were some connection issues this episode, and we're getting it fixed for the next episode.

Introduction - Jake has some good news about his job and brings his car to a auto show. I cry over spilt meat and talk about the weird stuff my grandparents have given me to auction off as I see fit. They're still worth more than Spawn #1, I guess.

Contest- The contest is still going, but will end by the next episode. To repeat: This one will take some prep work, though. Jake is giving away oringal splash page artwork from Punisher 2099, but he's doing it through forumforgeeks.com. If you want to win, go there and register yourself there. Once you're there, find our Punisher: Body Count thread under the pimp your podcast section and comment in it. You don't need to be a kiss-ass (you can even saw we suck!), just comment and you're entered.

Mail Call - I summarize another Rucka interview to give some more info on Punisher: War Zone, and then we answer Brandon Granger's question about Frank Castle's crossover potential with sci-fi/horror properties.

Bullet Points -As mentioned before, we cover Fury: Cold Warrior #5, Untold Tales of the Punisher #2. Both are great books that seem to be getting better as time goes on. Are there any artists/writers you're looking forward to seeing in the next three issues of Untold Tales? Sound off on our facebook fan page.

Flashbacks - We finally get around to some real Ennis work, and it only took us a year to do so! Welcome Back Frank brought Frank Castle out of Marvel's gutter, and it also got Jake and I into the character. In this episode, we cover the first six issues of the series, but if you haven't read it yet, don't listen to us yammer about it, go get it!

Discharge Papers - Jake and I put on our indie glasses and discuss Tyrell Cannon's Gary and Craig Thompson's Habibi. Jake also prepares himself for Expendables 2 by re-watching Expendables 1, and I "recommend" Three Stooges. Finally, I expand my thoughts on Don Pendleton's Executioner series.