Cinematic Universe

The Podcast Defenders assemble for the first time, as Joe brings together Caroline Siede, Amon Warmann and Al Kennedy to discuss the show everybody's talking about: Riverdale! No, wait, it's Iron Fist. Can we find anything to say that the internet hasn't already done to death over the past fortnight? What do you think? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's only taken us 50 regular episodes, but we've finally found a comic book movie directed by a woman! The movie in question is, of course, Rachel Talalay's 1995 cult classic, Tank Girl. But will newcomers Seb and Joe love it as much as James has spent the last two decades doing? And if you want to skip to a specific part of the episode, here are the relevant timecodes! 00:00 - Intro / Explain a Concept 10:30 - News 48:00 - Movie Discussion 102:35 - Comics Recommendations 107:30 - The Pitch Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first of a new occasional series of bonus episodes, Seb is joined by special guest David Hartrick to discuss one of their favourite ever long-form comics stories: the early '90s Death and Return of Superman epic! Warning: there will be Super-mullets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Joe rounds up the latest comic movie and TV news - and that Jeff Goldblum picture - before giving his reaction to a cheery set of Logan-inspired comics recommendations in the shape of Old Man Logan and The Punisher: The End. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2017 releases continue apace as Joe and James are joined by returning guest Michael Leader to talk through the final chapter of Hugh Jackman's seventeen-year-long journey as Wolverine, in James Mangold's Logan. It might be emotional, folks. As ever with new releases, there's no news roundup this week, and we do a bit of spoiler-free chat before delving into specifics after the first hour. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a combination of early-records and new release episodes, we're left with an absolute wealth of news to catch up on this week - plus, we've got two eps' worth of comics recommendations to get through. So strap yourselves in as Joe brings you another MEGASODE, giving his thoughts on the Mask of the Phantasm and Lego Batman Movie inspired recs, as well as bringing you the latest on whether or not Matt Reeves is actually directing The Batman or not. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have a very special guest on this week's show, as Emmy Hunt (aged 3) gives us her opinion on The Lego Batman Movie. Hopefully it goes down better with you lot than her father's opinion on Mask of the Phantasm did. In addition to discussing (in spoilerific fashion) the first comic book movie release of 2017, meanwhile, we also take some time out of the news section to give our early thoughts on Legion - as, in an increasingly rare occurrence, we actually all watched the first episode of something in the week that it aired! We won't see the likes of these days again. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's an animated Batman movie in February 2017... but no, we're not talking about The Lego Batman Movie (that's coming next time out), but 1993's Mask of the Phantasm. Does this foray into animation come out better than Planet Hulk did? Is it, in fact, the definitive screen take on Batman? In a rare twist, Batman: TAS fan Joe is actually the expert on the source material this time around - but can he explain to Seb and James a cartoon concept that as comics fans, they just don't understand? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Joe runs through the latest comic book movie and TV news before taking a look at the Superman II-inspired recommendations from the 60s, 80s and 00s: The Death of Superman, The Price and Last Son. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another topical one, as the White House finds itself invaded by a fascistic dictator, and... oh, man, it's just not even funny any more, is it? God knows what it'll be like when we get onto V For Vendetta. Anyway, this is Superman II, the 1980 Richard Lester classic, you all know it by now - and while we've focused on the original theatrical release, we do also talk about the 2006 Richard Donner Cut, too. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Joe looks at the incredibly topical Captain America Comics #1 from 1941, as one of two recommendations based on The First Avenger. He's also got the first volume of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's 2005 run to look at, but let's face it, in January 2017 it's all about the Nazi-punching. Oh, and yes: we do know that it was Joe Simon as well as Jack Kirby who did the original Cap stuff, just in case anyone wanted to write in and complain about Joe's mistake. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's time to stick a fork in 2016, as we round off our epic-length (and mildly booze-driven) end-of-year awards ceremony! In this half, we cover such categories as Best Director, Best Villain, Best Casting, Best Bad Movie, Best Screenplay, Best Couple - and the big ones of Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Film. Plus, we have a new inductee - or is it inductees? - into the Hall of Fame, Seb and James talk about their favourite comics of 2016, Joe picks out the best thing that was recommended to him last year, and we pick some of our favourite Pitch segments. Phew. Never let it be said we don't cover these things exhaustively. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Yes, the new year may have begun, but we've still got one last lingering thread of 2016. Two threads, in fact, as our annual awards shebang is so long that we've once again had to split it into two episodes. So listen on to hear our winners in the categories of Best Supporting Actress, Best Score, Best Hero, Best New Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume, Worst Film and Best Song - and then come back in around a week's time for the rest! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Just sneaking in in time to be eligible for our 2016 awards, it's the first Peggy Carter film! Spoiler alert: we like this one quite a lot. Spoiler alert: that means the podcast is quite long. Especially since it also contains our long-awaited Spider-Man: Homecoming chat. But what better way to round off the year than Joe, Seb and James talking about a movie that we all love, and a movie that we all expect to love? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Merry Christmas! We didn't actually originally intend to be putting out an episode today, but that's how the schedules have fallen as we run through our end-of-year catching up. So in advance of our upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger and Best of 2016 Awards episodes, here's Joe with a look back at Seb's Constantine-inspired recommendations: the Garth Ennis, Will Simpson and Steve Dillon Hellblazer arcs Dangerous Habits and Fear and Loathing. There's also a run through some of the recent comic book movie news that you may have missed, but let's face it, probably didn't. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A movie in which a grumpy blond Scouser is played by Keanu Reeves in the wrong-coloured trenchcoat? Seb's surely not going to like this... or is he? He and Joe are joined by special guest Sarah Dobbs to discuss Francis Lawrence's 2005 movie Constantine, based on the comic Hellblazer. We also look back at the new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 trailer, and are unnecessarily mean about The Inhumans. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hey, remember when we all saw Doctor Strange? It was a few weeks ago now, but after a couple of bonus episodes in the meantime, Joe is finally getting around to talking about the recommended comics The Oath and Season One, plus the recent Doctor Strange series that he's actually been reading off his own back! There's also time for a long-overdue catchup on the latest comic book movie and TV news. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Between full episodes, minisodes and bonus eps, we've reached our 100th edition! To celebrate, we recorded this special bonus episode at the Thought Bubble convention in early November. Sadly, James couldn't make it to the event, so Seb and Joe are joined by Rhys Williamson as we look back at how the last two years have turned Joe into a bona fide comics reader. How has he felt about plunging into this new world, and what has he learned? In addition, we've got contributions from across the weekend by a range of friends and special guests, including Kieron Gillen, Chris Hewitt, Al Kennedy, Ryan North and Erica Henderson! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a first for Cinematic Universe, neither James nor Seb are on the pod! Instead, Joe is joined by Caroline Seide and Amon Warmann to discuss the first season of Netflix's Luke Cage in our latest TV review special. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Again, a slightly later than planned episode due to a couple of technical issues with the recording - but at least it's given more of you a chance to see the film! So join Joe, James and special guest Matt Looker as we look at the final comic book movie release of 2016: Marvel's Doctor Strange. As usual, we've done a spoiler-free reaction section at the beginning (in case any of you haven't seen it yet) before moving into more detailed, spoiler-filled thoughts later on. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/cinematicuniverse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.