Taboo's Comics & Kicks

Taboo's Comics & Kicks

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Taboo's Comics & Kicks episodes

  • Jona Xiao

    Marvel’s first female Iron Fist—talks Eyes of Wakanda, Raya and the Last Dragon, and leading in women’s flag football. She shares her story of representation, empowerment, and finding belonging through sports and voice acting.


    In this episode of Taboo’s Comics and Kicks, Marvel voice actor Jona Xiao opens up about becoming the first female Iron Fist in Eyes of Wakanda, her time working on Raya and the Last Dragon, and how sports helped her find identity and purpose. She discusses women’s leadership, Diana Flores and Vanita Crouch’s impact on flag football, and representation across Marvel, Disney, and sports.

    Jona also shares candid reflections on addiction, mental health, and studying NLP to rebuild self-worth. From voice acting to athletics, her story is one of resilience, authenticity, and redefining what it means to be a hero.

    A heartfelt conversation on art, athletics, and empowerment.

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    52 min
  • How Anthony Francisco Shaped the MCU | Designing Baby Groot, Loki & Namor for Marvel

    From Baby Groot to Loki to Namor, concept artist Anthony Francisco has quietly shaped the look and feel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this episode of Taboo’s Comics & Kicks, the former Marvel designer shares how his childhood in the Philippines and early fascination with comics inspired the heart behind some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes.

    Anthony reveals how he brought emotion to Baby Groot, cultural depth to Namor in Wakanda Forever, and mythic elegance to Loki’s redesign—all while learning to protect his own creativity and IP. From Taboo’s Toy Box nostalgia to career insights on visual development, this conversation shows how one artist’s imagination helped redefine the MCU.

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    55 min
  • How Brandon Routh Became Superman | Christopher Reeve’s Legacy & The Secret Behind Superman

    Actor Brandon Routh sits down with Taboo to share his journey from a small-town kid in Iowa to becoming Superman on the big screen in Superman Returns. In this conversation, Brandon opens up about childhood nostalgia (toys, comics, 80s shows, even his Superman pajamas), his love of music and writing, and the unexpected path that brought him to Hollywood.

    Brandon reflects on his uncanny connection to Christopher Reeve, the legacy of Superman across generations, and the surreal moment of being cast as Clark Kent. He also talks about stepping into other superhero roles in the Arrowverse (Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash), working in early soap operas and music videos, and the importance of creativity, compassion, and imagination in his life.

    From stories about the Dream Team and Michael Jordan to his time on set with Christina Aguilera, this episode goes beyond the cape to show the man behind Superman — his influences, values, and the lessons he’s carried into Hollywood.

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    1 hr 3 min
  • 90's Icon Shawn Stockman Goes Deep | MJ’s Neverland, Dior 1s & Tony Stark’s Reincarnation

    Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men joins Taboo on Comics and Kicks for a crossover episode packed with nostalgia, sneakers, and Marvel deep cuts. Shawn opens up about visiting Michael Jackson’s legendary Neverland Ranch, drops sneaker grails like the Dior Jordan 1s, and dives into his lifelong Marvel fandom — from Blue Marvel to Thor, Spider-Man, and Chadwick Boseman’s unforgettable Black Panther. This one’s got music history, comic lore, and sneaker heat all in one.

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    1 hr 2 min
  • The Aliens Who Changed Culture | Jo Koy on Filipino Pride, Manny Pacquiao & Culture's Trailblazers

    Jo Koy sits down with Taboo on Comics & Kicks for a wide-ranging conversation on culture, comedy, and representation. From his journey of resilience in stand-up to his takes on Hollywood, Jo Koy shares stories that will inspire, entertain, and spark debate.

    This episode dives deep into the icons and cultural moments that shaped a generation: Manny Pacquiao’s Filipino pride, Eddie Murphy’s Raw and Delirious era, Michael Jordan’s “not human” dominance, Dante Basco’s Hook legacy as Rufio, Tia Carrere and Lou Diamond Phillips as Filipino trailblazers, and Michael Jackson’s influence on 80s culture. They also break down the rise of hip-hop and B-Boy culture, the importance of family and community support, and how multicultural voices reshaped Hollywood and comedy.
    Whether you grew up on Nickelodeon, 80s music videos, or blockbuster films like Hook, this conversation connects the dots between comedy, sports, hip-hop, and Filipino representation in ways only Jo Koy and Taboo can.

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    1 hr 13 min
  • In Living Color to Nick Stardom | Tommy Hobson Reps The Fresh Beat Band & That Girl Lay Lay

    Actor and Nickelodeon star Thomas Hobson joins Taboo to share his remarkable journey — from Yale theater stages to family TV hits like The Fresh Beat Band and That Girl Lay Lay, and from sketch comedy with legends like Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx to darker turns in Ghosts of the Ozarks. Thomas opens up about growing up in entertainment, his love for theater, the lessons he learned from mentors like Lawrence Fishburne, and his role as a cultural voice for generations of kids and families.

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    1 hr 33 min
  • Jacques Slade Reacts to Taboo’s Sneaker Grails | Unboxing Grails, Jordan Stories & Custom Kicks

    From YouTube legend Jacques Slade to hip-hop icon Taboo, this episode of Comics & Kicks is a deep dive into sneaker history. Jacques reacts to Taboo’s holy grails, including signed Tinker Hatfield customs, rare Jordans, and even the iconic kicks from Like Mike.

    They break down the stories behind some of the most legendary sneakers in history — from Jordan lore to behind-the-scenes insight into how designs are created, customized, and preserved. With Jacques’ raw reactions and Taboo’s unmatched collection, this is a true celebration of sneaker culture.
    👟 Featuring:
    Taboo’s holy grails & unboxings
    Jacques Slade’s sneaker knowledge & first-hand reactions
    Jordan history and Like Mike kicks
    Rare Tinker Hatfield customs with personal inscriptions
    If you love sneakers, hip-hop culture, or legendary kicks, this one’s for you.

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    1 hr 55 min
  • Why Multicultural Heroes Matter | Mela Lee on Apex Legends, Mortal Kombat & Representation in Games

    n this deeply personal episode of Comics & Kicks, vocal powerhouse Mela Lee—the voice behind Lifeline in Apex Legends, Jade in Mortal Kombat 11, and beloved anime characters like Rin Tohsaka, Yuki Cross, and Tikki—shares how her multicultural upbringing shaped her career.

    Mela reflects on:
    Growing up mixed-race and how that identity fueled her creative voice.
    The emotional milestones behind voicing iconic characters across games and anime.
    The impact of seeing representation at Comic-Con—and what it meant to her fans.
    Why authentic storytelling matters now more than ever in comics, games, and animation.
    This isn’t just a career spotlight—it’s a conversation about culture, identity, and how representation in media can inspire real change.

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    1 hr 5 min
  • The Sitcom Star Who Brought Hip-Hop to Hollywood | David Faustino on Ice Cube, Eazy-E & Ballistics

    David Faustino — best known as Bud Bundy from “Married with Children” — opens up about his unlikely role in bringing hip-hop culture to Hollywood.

    Faustino shares stories from the hit sitcom’s influence on pop culture, his legendary Sunset Strip club Ballistics, and the wild mix of stars who showed up: Ice Cube, Eazy-E, will.i.am, Ed O’Neill, and more.
    From sitcom fame to late-night hip-hop shows, this conversation dives into how Faustino’s love of the culture created one of LA’s most unexpected crossovers.

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    1 hr 9 min

About Taboo's Comics & Kicks

From the publisher's feed

Comics and Kicks is where pop culture meets purpose. Hosted by Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), the show dives into comic book legends, sneaker obsessions, and untold stories from the frontlines of culture. From Marvel Comics and Air Jordans to Indigenous superheroes and childhood nostalgia, every episode blends passion, history, and community in one unforgettable ride.