Comic Geek Speak Podcast - The Best Comic Book Podcast

Continuing our latest trend, Chris Eberle champions yet another Micro-Spotlight on The Amazing Spider-Man. This time, we focus on issues 121-131, an arc that changed the comic book medium forever. But such important content could not be contained within one episode alone, so we'll be needing two! In this first part, the crew are joined once again by The Amazing Spider-Talk's Dan Gvozden to cover issues 121 to 126, including such memorable moments as the final fate of Gwen Stacy, The Green Goblin's (kinda) last stand, a guest appearance by the tiara and chains wearing Luke Cage, Harry Osborn's descent into madness, John Jameson's hairy alter-ego The Man Wolf, Johnny Storm helps Peter with some car trouble, and Spider-Man faces his greatest foe...The Kangaroo. Okay, that last one might be sarcasm. (1:49:36)

In the year 1989, Bill S. Preston and Ted "Theodore" Logan were two teens just looking to pass history. Instead, they became two teens who passed THROUGH history with the help of Rufus, a phone booth time machine, and the fate of world peace on the line. Listen in as the CGS crew travel through time themselves, and present a Retro Movie Review of this Excellent Adventure. Does the film hold up thirty years later to its moniker, is it worthy of its newly minted threequel, were the television and comic book tie-ins bodacious, and what does Chris think after seeing this very 80's movie for the very first time? Tune in and find out, my excellent friends. (1:11:39)

Another month, another set of Previews! Shane, Chris, Murd and Ian go through issue 384 of the catalog, plus DC Connect #4 and the September 2020 Marvel Previews. What are we the podcasters, and you the listeners, looking forward to reading in two month's time? Listen in, one and all to find out! And flip the pages along with us if you like, it adds an extra layer of flavor. (2:06:47)

Back again for another topic spanning Comic Talk, we begin this episode with the unfortunate passing of iconic actor and on-screen originator of Marvel's live action Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman. From there conversation swerves to the future of viewing movies in the theater, thoughts on the teaser for Robert Pattinson's Batman, brief sojourns into both the World of Toys and the Time Bubble realms, Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' Pulp, Hickman's X-Men, Ian's take on two very different Superman analogs, Muddle the Murd and more! (1:44:35)

Our Shazam Spotlight odyssey brings us to the tumultuous post-Crisis years (1986-93), when the original Captain Marvel struggled to find his footing in the dark deconstructionism of the revised DC Universe. We'll bear witness as the magic lightning forks, creating no fewer than TWO distinct and competing post-Crisis characterizations of the good Captain: the golly-gee-whizzing super-naif of Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire's Justice League (as related in a sidebar by CGS staff BWAH-HA-HA-logist Shane Kelly), and the more serious take of Roy and Dann Thomas. We'll meet Copper Age incarnations of classic villains Dr. Sivana, Black Adam, and Captain Nazi. And we'll note Cap's participation in DCU crossovers such as Legends, War of the Gods, and Eclipso. (2:40:01)

There's peanut butter in my chocolate. There's chocolate in my peanut butter. And together it tastes like a podcast crossover...Comic Talk style! Chris and Ian are joined by the Comic Timing Podcast's co-host Brent Kossina, regular rotating guest Donovan Morgan Grant, and last but not least, the CGS return of the one and only artistic juggernaut, Jamal Igle! The combined crew delves deep into DC Comics recent layoffs and cancellations, its new interim Editors in Chiefs, the impending return of Milestone Comics, and thoughts on what may come next for the publisher as all of these changes begin to settle in. We also discuss the Stargirl Season One Finale (spoilers), the fate of the DC Universe app and its originals, Scott Snyder's new Kickstarter and Image Imprint, Kirkman and Samnee's Fire Power, Umbrella Academy (both the Netflix series and comic), Doom Patrol Season 2, Bendis' Superman, Nick Spencer's Amazing Spider-Man, Immortal Hulk, the end of Joshua Williamson's Flash, Birthright from Image Comics, The O

A new month, a new Previews! Join the three person crew of Murd, Shane and Ian as we go over the August 2020 edition, cataloging books set to be released in October. We also go over issue 3 of DC Connect, as part of our new normal. Expect some spooky Halloweenesque solicits and tons of good reads waiting for us...in the future!!! Sorry, all the seats on the Time Bubble are taken, you'll just have to wait for these to come out in linear fashion. (1:57:02)

It's a battle, and premise, everyone in the galaxy knows by now: Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, lightsaber in hand, bands together with his group of rebels, a duo of droids, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca to take on Darth Vader and the evil Empire. But if you think you know more than that basic descriptor, well, we've got news for you. This ain't your daddy's Star Wars. Gather round as we discuss a very different eight-issue comic book adaptation of George Lucas' original rough draft, The Star Wars. And who better to assist in dissecting this Book of the Month selection and tying it into all kinds of Star Wars lore than Ryan Drost of the Star Joes podcast? Nobody, I say! May the Force of Others be with you. (2:09:51)

Back after a few months of hiatus and just in time for the end of the month, it's Previews time! Join the gang as we go over the July 2020 catalog with a fine tooth comb. And for the very first time, a journey into new territory...DC Connect. The more things change, the more they stay the same. (1:37:08)

We begin this Comic Talk on an elegiacal note, as we reflect on the lives and work of two recently departed titans of the industry, Denny O'Neil and Joe Sinnott. Also, some further thoughts on the Stargirl TV series and the possible fate of the DC Universe streaming service; reports of our recent off-the-shelf reading; Muddle the Murd; and other moments of Midnight Madness. (1:19:12)

We the people of Comic Geek Speak, in recognition of the fantastic coincidence that Episode 1776 of our podcast is due for release in the week of July 4th, do ordain and establish this special tribute to the first appearances of three characters with ties to the American War of Independence: Will Eisner's Uncle Sam (National Comics #1, 1940), Capt. Steven Rogers of the Continental Army (Captain America #194, 1976 / Cap: Sentinel of Liberty #6-7, 1999), and the Black Coat (The Black Coat: A Call to Arms #1, 2006). Download it at your liberty; it's a yankee-doodle dandy! (1:21:18)

The time has come for some of the most salient second bananas in comics to reach the top--Top Five, that is! This episode is our strictly subjective salute to all the friends and relatives, lovers and colleagues, mentors and tormentors, and miscellaneous bit-players that make the stars of our favorite series shine their brightest. Join us in thanking them for their support! (1:56:22)

The Geeks take time to reflect and speculate on DC's withdrawal from Diamond Comic Distributors. Our podcast progenitor, Bryan Deemer, pops in to talk about what he's been reading, to stress the virtues of domestic decluttering, and to reopen the standard 'print vs. digital' debate. We take a look at this year's Eisner Awards nominees. And the beat goes on! (1:50:48)

Our old crony-in-comics Zack Kruse, fresh off the completion of a PhD. in comics and literature, stops by to talk about his soon-to-be-published book on the art and personal philosophy of Steve Ditko. Think you know all you need to know about this much-misunderstood figure in comics history? Listen to what Dr. Zack has to say, and think again! (1:02:27)

We catch a falling star and put it in our pocket in this episode, as we discuss the premiere of the stellar new CWTV series, DC's Stargirl! Plus many more multimedia maunderings. (1:28:43)

Get ready for a Retro Movie Review of Galaxy Quest, the stirringly satirical saga of a handful of has-been actors who, thanks to a race of naive aliens, get a chance to be the outer-space heroes they used to play on TV! The Geeks declare their varying degrees of devotion to this 1999 cult classic, thought by many to be the greatest (or at least the funniest) non-Star-Trek Star Trek movie ever made! By Grabthar's Hammer, you will be entertained! (1:17:09)

The CGS rolodex continues to unfold its wonders, as we welcome back cartoonist Danielle Corsetto to enthuse about Elephant Town (the open-ended online graphic novel she's been working on) and to shoot the breeze with us about the bad habits and guilty pleasures we've all embraced under quarantine! Plus, a paean to the X-Men, Claremont's and Hickman's; a bit of speculation on the possible demise of Diamond's comics distribution monopoly; several reader's reviews; and other COVIDiosyncrasies. (2:00:11)

Our second Micro-Spotlight shines straight and true from the waist of the Web-Slinger, as we discuss the 1969 classic Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #68-75, a.k.a. 'The Clay Tablet Saga'! It's Spider-Man and half the New York Underworld in a mad scramble to secure the Mighty Marvel McGuffin known as the Lifeline Tablet, in a story stuffed with suspense, slugfests, pseudo-science, social commentary, and several surprises! Featuring scintillating Spider-sayings from our expert guest-panelist, Dan Gvozden of the Amazing Spider-Talk podcast! (2:25:32)

Back by popular demand! The royal raconteur of CGSLand, Uncle Sal Abbinanti, brings his signature style of raunchy, not-safe-for-work-from-home humor back to the podcast for the first time in nearly three years! Sal riffs on the possible state of the comics industry post-COVID, why he's NOT sorry to be missing SDCC this year, being a dad at Disney World, and much, much more! Mature Listeners Only!!! (2:29:37)

Revealed at last: the winners of the CGS 'Best of 2019' Awards! Afterwards, we talk with our old friend artist/writer Steve Bryant about his latest miniseries, The Catch, the story of a bounty hunter who tracks down bail-jumping supervillains. Plus: what the Geeks have been reading/watching in quarantine, Muddle the Murd, and more! (1:48:22)