Talking in Circles

The hosts return with their second annual Geek Oscars, handing out awards across multiple categories: worst performances in bad comic book movies, best cover artists in comics, best X-Men writers, best Marvel and DC TV shows, and 2015's biggest breakout stars, letdowns, and action sequences. They work through three nominees in each category, with votes determining the winners.

Greg, Chuck, and Dan play a new game ranking the rise and fall of various geek-culture properties. They debate whether DC's Rebirth initiative and new Hanna-Barbera comics are a buy or sell, discuss Star Wars Episode VII's massive success and whether Episode VIII can maintain momentum, evaluate the growing CW superhero TV universe and its crossover potential, and weigh the X-Men's prospects in both film and comics as Marvel pivots toward the Inhumans. Along the way they share thoughts on Old Man Logan #1 and Chuck reviews the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Special Edition Series Collection Blu-ray box set.

The hosts dive deep into superhero content across TV, film, and comics. They review Batman: Haunted Knight by Jeff Loeb and Tim Sale, discuss the season premiere of Agent Carter, share impressions of Legends of Tomorrow's first episode, and react to new trailers for Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman. The conversation also explores DC and Marvel's habit of rapidly reverting major character changes—killing and resurrecting heroes, swapping mantles, then reverting back within a year or two—and how that constant flux affects reader engagement and continuity.

The hosts discuss their thoughts on Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. They share predictions, debate whether this Super Bowl win would cement Peyton Manning's legacy as the best quarterback of his generation, analyze key matchups and defensive strengths, and discuss game day food and prop bets.

Chuck, Greg, and Dan countdown their top five favorite comic book writers of all time. They discuss what makes certain writers stand out, from Roger Stern and David Michelinie's Spider-Man runs to contemporary creators like Brian K. Vaughan, Jim Starlin, Matt Fraction, and more. The hosts share their selection process, favorite story arcs, and recommendations for readers looking to explore classic and modern comic writing.

The hosts look back at 2015's best and worst in comics, TV, and movies—from Jessica Jones and Daredevil to Ant-Man and Creed—before diving into what's coming in 2016. They debate whether Jessica Jones went too far with its darker themes, discuss Marvel's confusing Secret Wars event and the state of comic book adaptations, and share their most anticipated releases across all mediums.

The trio digs into their thoughts on The Force Awakens, covering everything from the new characters Rey, Finn, and Poe to how the film balances callbacks with the original trilogy. They discuss the visual design, John Williams' score, Kylo Ren's unstable lightsaber as a reflection of his fractured psyche, and the controversial reveal of his identity. They also debate Rey's rapid Force development, whether the plot mirrors A New Hope too closely, and theories about her potential connection to the Skywalker family.

The hosts conduct a draft to assemble the greatest group of Star Wars characters. Chuck selects Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto, Mace Windu, and Luke Skywalker. Greg picks Boba Fett, Mara Jade, IG-88, and Jar Jar Binks (as a villain to defeat). Dan chooses Darth Vader, Yoda, R2-D2, and Darth Revan. Each host explains why their roster of characters is the best, and listeners can vote on their favorite team.

After a hiatus, the hosts dive into the shows they've been watching: Man in the High Castle's intriguing alternate history setting, Jessica Jones and its standout villain Purple Man, Masters of None's character-driven comedy, The Flash's crossover with Legends of Tomorrow introducing Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and Arrow. They also break down the Captain America: Civil War trailer's approach to the comic storyline and debate Black Widow's allegiances, before tackling the controversial Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer—particularly its reveal of Doomsday and Jesse Eisenberg's polarizing take on Lex Luthor.

The hosts imagine themselves as rulers and create new laws to make the world a better place—focusing on everyday annoyances like not using turn signals, parking across two spots, leaving shopping carts behind, and talking in movie theaters. Each law comes with creative (and often silly) punishments, from community service to forced viewings of Pauly Shore movies. They also discuss internet trolls, spoiler etiquette, and overplayed commercials.