Sidebar Forever

This week, we’re talking about those moments in film, television, and comics when everything shifted. From The Matrix redefining action movies, to Netflix establishing binge culture, to Neal Adams reshaping comic book art—we break down the creative breakthroughs that changed the game forever.

We also discuss game changers in modern music and art like rise of music videos in the 80s, the use of sampling and autotune, and the impact of illustrator Frank Frazetta on generations of young painters. 

Finally, we look at so-called negative game changers: the Comic Book Speculator Boom, the slow death of physical media, and how streaming reshaped (and maybe even hurt) how we experience TV, film and music.

Everyone longs for the glory days—that moment in life or career when everything clicked and it felt like you couldn’t miss. On this episode, we’re talking about actors and filmmakers who decided, decades later, to try and capture that magic again.

From Tom Cruise revving back up as Maverick, to Michael Keaton slipping on the wig and makeup for Beetlejuice once more, to icons like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Mark Hamill stepping back into their legendary roles—we’re digging into what it means when stars revisit past hits.

We also look at directors like Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, and Roland Emmerich returning to the worlds that made them famous, and comic book legends Frank Miller, Chris Claremont, and Jim Starlin revisiting their signature creations and stories.

Oh, and we’ve got a confession about this version of Sidebar that fits right in with this theme.

Plus, we ask:

We’re heartbroken to say goodbye to one of our artistic heroes—and a true friend of the show—Drew Struzan. Known around the world for his unforgettable movie posters, Drew’s brush brought to life the magic of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Blade Runner, Harry Potter, and so many more films that shaped generations.

A legend in every sense, Drew received countless honors throughout his career, including multiple awards and his induction into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. We were lucky enough to have him as one of Sidebar’s very first big guests, and his kindness and humility stayed with us ever since. He was truly one of the greats, and we’ll miss him dearly.

Drew passed away on October 13, 2025. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Dylan, and to all of his family and friends.

In part two of our Halloween specials, things go bump in the night as we look at what we’re calling the Black Horror Canon—horror films that feature Black heroes and protagonists, majority Black casts, or stories rooted in the Black experience.

We resurrect some true classics like Night of the Living Dead, Blacula, and Candyman, then creep our way into more modern examples such as Attack the Block, Get Out, and Nope. We even touch on Black horror comedies like Tales from the Hood and The Blackening.

Along the way, we ponder why some Black characters don’t make it past the first act, Black audiences’ long and complicated relationship with horror both on screen and in real life, and what keeps all of us coming back to horror—the genre that just won’t die!

It’s Spooky Season, and Adrian has never seen Sinners—Ryan Coogler’s fantastic vampire film set in the Jim Crow South—so here we go! Released in April 2025, Sinners became one of the year’s surprise hits, a box office success built around an original screenplay. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins who return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint—only to find themselves under attack by vampires.

Swain and Adrian discuss their relationships with vampire movies, the racial themes at play in Sinners, and the deeper questions the story raises—including whether the film’s villain, Remmick, might actually have a point. They also spotlight Sinners’ terrific supporting cast—Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, and breakout star Miles Caton. Keeping it one hundred, they offer a few critiques as well, including the movie’s uneven pacing and thoughts on "that" scene.

Overall, Sinners is a blast, and we think it earns a solid spot in the horror genre and within what we’ll gladly call the Black Horror Canon.

Every creative person has that one work their audience considers the ultimate creation—their masterpiece. On today’s pod, we had a blast digging into some of our favorite comic creators’ defining works. We talk about legends like Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and Neal Adams, along with later giants like Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, Mike Mignola, and many more.

Is a masterpiece a single issue, an iconic run, a stretch of covers, or even one unforgettable cover? Is it the creation of an iconic character like Thanos or Deadpool? Or could it be something beyond the page, such as the launch of Image Comics and Milestone Media? 

The conversation runs long and goes in all kinds of directions (as you might expect), but one thing’s for sure—the opinions fly fast and furious!

As die-hard cinephiles, we all have those legendary films that somehow slipped under our radar. This week, we’re finally tackling some of our biggest blind spots. Join your hosts as we review a trio of iconic, must-see movies we definitely should have seen by now—but somehow hadn’t.

Dwight sat down with Goodfellas (1990), Martin Scorsese’s mafia masterpiece. Swain checked out Fight Club (1999), David Fincher's gritty, genre-defining thriller. And Adrian took on Magnolia (1999), Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling ensemble drama. In the conversation, we dive into each film’s standout cast (and where they went next), reflect on how these movies were received when they premiered, and ask the big question: do they actually live up to the hype? (With just a bit of healthy scrutiny, of course.)

To wrap things up, each of us recommends a must-see film we think deserves more love. Tune in for fresh insights, surprising takes, and maybe even a few overlooked classics to add to your watchlist.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally hit theaters, and you know we had to jump in with our instant reactions! The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family, and we had plenty to say about their performances, the story, and all the delicious fan service moments sprinkled throughout. (Spoiler alert: Galactus finally looks awesome!) We also take some time to compare this iteration of the FF to the two previous feature film versions—both of which earned mixed-to-poor reviews.

First Steps isn’t a perfect film, but if you’re a longtime Fantastic Four fan (like we are), it’s a fun and entertaining ride.

Look! Up in the sky... it’s Sidebar Forever!

On this episode, we react to the latest Superman film — written and directed by James Gunn, and starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. We dive into our expectations going in, what worked (and what didn’t), the clear influence of All-Star Superman on the film, and how well supporting characters like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Krypto were portrayed. We also break down how this new Man of Steel stacks up to past cinematic versions.

Plus: Does Gunn's take on Superman kick off the new DC Extended Universe with a bang… or a shrug?