Sword & Podcast

Illustrator and designer Lauren Moran joins in for the first of a three-part series on the original Star Wars trilogy. Luke is whiney without being unbearable, Han is drunk but not too drunk to drive, and Leia is the best. Just, like, the best. Droids, jawas, cantina aliens, and that feeling when all you want to do is go to Tosche Station to pick up some power converters.

Writer Jon Erik Christianson is on the show to talk about one of the most exciting superhero comics on the shelves right now, Midnighter, which is written by Steve Orlando, with art by ACO and others. Along the way, the topic often veers into the portrayal of gay and queer superheroes in general, a topic that Jon and Elle both have plenty of thoughts about. Plus Prometheus, Dick Grayson, Freedom Beast, and Elle even finds an excuse to talk about the Wrath.

Jem and the Holograms writer Kelly Thompson is here to talk about a television classic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The difficulties for watching TV in college in the 90's, Kelly defends Season 7 (sort of), and that whole Spike or Angel thing.

Musician and writer Meredith Yayanos is on the show to talk about one of her favorite movies (and one of Elle's), Ridley Scott's 1979 classic Alien. Mother Ripley versus Non-Mother Ripley, the importance of grit and grime in sci fi, the possibilities of actual alien life, and the eternal human fear of technology. The music at the end of the episode is from Meredith's project The Parlour Trick. You can buy the album on Bandcamp.

Amanda Philips Chapman is back to talk about Labyrinth. In which we remember David Bowie, admire Jennifer Connelly's eyebrows, and disagree about Hoggle. Also Amanda uses her scholarly powers to explain the historical connection between mirrors and masquerades.

Comic Book Resources Assistant Editor Brett White is here to talk about Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens. There are so many spoilers in this episode that I can't come up with anything clever to say regarding what we talked about that doesn't give stuff away. So just watch the movie and then listen.

It's been a great year! Regular episodes return next week.

It's Christmas, and we've got short segments with some of our favorite returning guests. Chris Sims describes his favorite Christmas comic. Jill Meredith Collins Sinnott talks about A Charlie Brown Christmas. And Jay Edidin explains why the Justice League episode "Comfort and Joy" is their favorite sincere Christmas special.

Devon Koren Alley is here for the Holidays, to talk about her very favorite movie, Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. Death, despair, capitalism, and Christmas. The worst thing that could happen to a lady who doesn't marry, and why Pottersville isn't really the better town.

Chris Sims makes his long-awaited return to Into It to talk about Archie Comics! The simple rules of Riverdale, the definition of emo, the dangers of punk, the push for diversity (and how far there's still to go). Also why Jughead gets to be hot now, and an explanation for those weird old Christian comics.