Talking in Circles

The hosts look back on 2014 through the lens of movies, TV, and their own podcast journey. They discuss standout entertainment like Arrow, The Flash, and Guardians of the Galaxy, alongside major disappointments including Gotham, the 300 sequel, and The Legend of Hercules. They also reflect on a year of Talking in Circles, highlighting favorite episodes and games, fan interaction, and how the podcast has evolved since its start.

The hosts debate rapid-fire geek culture topics including whether collectible figures should be kept in packaging or opened and displayed, how death should be handled in comics, the future of digital versus physical comics, and what matters most when adapting comic characters to film and TV. They also discuss which characters might be worthy of lifting Thor's hammer and explore the differences between reading comics on an iPad versus owning physical copies.

Chuck, Greg, and Dan count down their favorite antiheroes with special guest Kevin Thompson. The list ranges from Star-Lord and Han Solo to Frank Martin, Nick Naylor, Artemis Fowl, Venom, Judge Dredd, John Rain, and Cool Hand Luke. They discuss what makes these characters compelling despite their questionable methods and moral ambiguity.

Bryce Carlson, Managing Editor at Boom! Studios and writer of the crime noir series Hit, discusses the true-crime inspiration behind his debut comic, the collaborative process with artist Vanessa Del Rey, and Boom!'s evolution over the past several years. He also shares practical advice for aspiring comic writers and artists on breaking into the industry, including the importance of building a portfolio and networking within the comics community.

Dan talks with Bill Karalius about Sketches, an animated series currently seeking funding on Indiegogo. The show, created by animator Stephen Chitty, follows characters living in an artist's sketchbook with a visual style inspired by 1990s cartoons like Rocco's Modern Life and Angry Beavers. Karalius discusses his work as a voice actor and producer on the project, the campaign's funding goals and perks for backers, and shares insights into his broader voice acting career across independent projects and fan dubs.

Emily and Crystal from Wayward Studios discuss their journey creating independent comics, their partnership born from reconnecting after college, and the creative process behind their ongoing projects like Jacocha and Skyborne. They cover their involvement with Square City Comics, the 24-hour comic challenge, the balance between webcomics and print, and how they work together as writers and artists—offering feedback, overcoming creative blocks, and continuously improving their craft.

The crew brings back their signature Fact or Fiction game, where they quiz each other on statements ranging from absurd (Doritos-flavored Mountain Dew, Kim Kardashian's ass stopping a comet) to pop culture (Silver Surfer, The Walking Dead spinoffs, X-Men casting). Between rounds, they swap stories about speeding tickets, creepy Pennsylvania tunnels, graphic novels, horror films, and why Frosted Flakes with Mountain Dew is a terrible life choice.

The hosts report back on their assigned reading and viewing. Dan discusses the graphic novel Saga, which he gives an A+ and praises for its complex characters, unique world-building, and unreliable narration. Greg reviews Irredeemable, finding it simpler than expected but appreciating the WWII sequences and Hulk moments. Chuck shares his thoughts on the classic film The Day the Earth Stood Still, highlighting its restraint in relying on acting and storytelling rather than action and effects. The group also touches on The Ghost of Darkness with Val Kilmer.

Greg, Chuck, and Dan create their dream Saturday morning cartoon schedules, picking their favorite shows across four time slots from 8am to noon. They discuss the death of network Saturday morning cartoons, share their selections from decades of classic and beloved animated series, and open voting to listeners to choose the best lineup. The episode includes Halloween haunted house stories, Marvel movie news including Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, and discussion of upcoming MCU Phase 3 announcements.

The hosts design individual zombie apocalypse survival strategies, each picking a location, supplies, and personal rules. They discuss The Walking Dead's new season before diving into their own plans: choosing between staying put in apartments, heading to mountains, or setting up at retail locations; gathering essentials like water filters, antibiotics, and weapons; and establishing survival rules around trust, teamwork, and staying sharp.