Watching Comics Podcast

Which comic-book-inspired movies deserve more love?Jake + Mitch dive headfirst into the underrated waters to dish on the not-so-iconic titles that deserve a second chance. Or, at least, carry thick nostalgia that's worth re-visiting. The big takeaway remains, though Marvel and DC dominate the zeitgeist, we've plenty of "lesser known" comic movies to enjoy that still hold up.The guys dare to ask:- BATMAN FOREVER or BATMAN BEGINS: Which is better?- Is SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD a coming-of-age masterpiece?- Karl Urban vs Sly Stallone: Who wins?And much, much more. Be sure to stick around for the end; because THE TICK gets a special shout-out as well.Give a listen, and rate and review!WEB-SITE: https://www.watchingcomics.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WatchComixPod*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Contrary to popular belief, we like him when he's angry.Jake + Mitch dish on the oft forgotten MCU gem, THE INCREDIBLE HULK. More importantly, ComicsVerse's Maite Molina-Muñiz (@_maite14) joins the discussion in her lauded second pod appearance. Along the way they hit a few pressing questions:- Is Edward Norton the best Hulk?- Did this movie solve origin fatigue back in 2008?- And what's with Marvel underserving Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman & Rachel McAdams?Hot takes are shared, green dudes debated, and Captain America gets demoted. Oh, and they may have cast Daniel Day-Lewis in his first comic book flick too. A lot happens, but it comes down to this: Norton or bust.Give a listen, and rate and review on iTunes!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

The alien invasion has arrived, and we have Mr. Lowery to thank.Jake + Mitch welcome their new friend and brilliant comic book creator, Matt Mair Lowery, to dish on his visionary young adult series, LIFEFORMED. With book two dropping in September, Lowery expands on the genesis of the narrative and his working relationship with Dark Horse Comics.Along the way, they hit a few notable topics:- Terminator 2 and Alien still resonate.- Animation is still king for comics “watchability”.- Is Keaton still the iconic Batman?Of course, it takes a special kind of talent and moxie to make a mark in the comic book arena. Matt certainly fits the bill and LIFEFORMED is a worthy read.Give a listen!Find Matt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattmlpdx?lang=enBe sure to check out LIFEFORMED: http://www.lifeformedcomic.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*https://www.watchingcomics.com/

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers pretty much from the onset. Listen with care!“I love you 3,000.”AVENGERS ENDGAME has arrived, and the feels are in overdrive. Jake + Mitch chart their way thru the surprising—and not so surprising—character farewells and grade ENGAME’s attempt to close the book on MCU’s core crew. Along they way, they hit a few hot takes:-Are INFINITY WAR + ENDGAME this century’s GODFATHER I & II?-Who got the worst treatment, Hulk or Thor?-Has ANT-MAN AND THE WASP become the most important MCU flick?Don’t worry, it all makes sense in context…at least, that’s what they guys claim. Either way, AVENGERS ENDGAME is a herculean achievement to the likes pop-culture has never seen. It’s been an incredible ride, and the most anticipated comic book movie of the year did not disappoint.Please note, this episode contains SPOILERS!!!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

A lot can happen in 11 years.20 movies, sequels upon sequels, a best picture nomination and a pop-cultural phenomenon unseen since The Beatles hit the states. Or, for Jake + Mitch, they finished college, found partners, bought houses and had kids.Either way, we've seen a lot, and with AVENGERS ENDGAME dropping this weekend, a sense of finality grows stronger. Taking all the feels in stride, the guys re-visit the biggest moments for the MCU's world building:- Does the whole thing crumble without Robert Downey Jr.?- Where would we be without Kevin Feige?- Which is worse, AGE OF ULTRON or DARK WORLD?Whether Thanos survives or Captain Marvel saves us all, we can definitively say prior to 2008, for us lowly geeks, this all seemed like a far off dream. Re-live the MCU glory days and hear how Jake dominated bar trivia with a bunch of teenagers.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Like it or not, Hellboy 2.0 is here.Jake + Mitch breakdown what worked and didn't work in the over-stuffed re-boot, HELLBOY. With a deep love for the comics, Jake had high hopes. Mitch, not so much...maybe the staggeringly low Rotten Tomatoes score has something to do with it. But there's more...- In the shadow of GDT, did this movie stand a chance?- Should we appreciate the home-run swing this movie took?- Will we see David Harbour don the horns and chops again?Plus, a quick philosophical turn towards the societal affects of social media, and why Rotten Tomatoes is just plain dumb.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Say the magic word!Jake + Mitch aren’t exactly bearded wizards, but they did see the latest DCEU installment. SHAZAM! packs loads of fun and heart, but does it stand-up to the other top-tier comic flicks? While it may not be pantheon worthy, it still leaves much to cover:Did Mark Strong have enough space to show his chops?Who’s the MVP: Asher Angel or JDG?What does this mean for The Rock’s BLACK ATOM?Don’t worry, the guys re-shuffle their DCEU rankings too. And Mitch embarks on a secret vigilante mission.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Put on a happy face.Jake + Mitch re-surface to dish on the surprise teaser for Todd Phillips' new JOKER movie. And basically, they're ready to rave on the year's biggest movie no one knew they needed. The guys also hit a few pressing questions:- Is the move from Leto to Phoenix the single best character upgrade in comic flicks?- Is there such a thing as too much TAXI DRIVER influence?- Why hasn't Joaquin won an Oscar yet?From the brief two-and-a-half minute window, it seems as though Phillips and Phoenix may have cracked the code to avoiding character fatigue. And now, we wait until October.Give a listen, and rate + review on iTunes!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

James Gunn is the first director to work in both DCEU and MCU…and people have lots of feelings about it.Jake + Mitch dig deeper into the expectations surrounding SUICIDE SQUAD (2?) and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 3. Obviously, the controversy surrounding these upcoming projects won’t be bowing-out quietly anytime soon. The guys ask a few pressing questions:Do we even need a third GUARDIANS?Can we assume SQUAD 2 will be better than the first?How will these flicks be remembered?With a lot to unpack, there’s certainly no shortage on takes. Plus, Mitch’s car bites the dust and lives to share the story.Give a listen, rate, and review!*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Harder. Better. Faster.Carol Danvers has blown the doors off the joint and we’re all the better for it! Jake + Mitch welcome Maite Molina-Muniz from ComicsVerse to dish on the high-velocity amazingness of MCU’s latest installment, CAPTAIN MARVEL.In true fierce fashion, Maite sheds light on Brie Larson’s platform and her work to celebrate women and people of color in the industry. But the biggest question looms: Does CM crack the MCU Top 5?Jake, Mitch & Maite share their lists after taking a deep-dive into the MySpace hole; gushing over Annette Bening and Nirvana; dissecting origin fatigue; and declaring the best Hulk of all-time.So much awesomeness packed into one episode, so give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Say what you will, but we know perfection when we see it.After finishing Netflix’s UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Jake + Mitch ask the life-altering question:When approaching comic-inspired Movies + TV, are we better off not knowing anything about the source material?So yeah, UA is that good. And lots of stuff happened…a bunch of which didn’t happen in the comic run. But you know what? That’s okay! Ultimately, it’s all about the tone of the medium, and the granting the narrative enough space to breath. That, and, a cool Tiffany dance-break.The guys break down their favorite performances from the season; hypothesize on season two arcs; and fall down the LOST rabbit hole for a few. After all that, could UMBRELLA ACADEMY be the best comic book TV show of recent memory? It just might be.Give a listen!…And don’t forget to rate and review.*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Marvel who?!Jake + Mitch dive-in on whether or not THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY is primed to fill Netflix's comic series sized hole. If nothing else, TUA comes out the gate sprinting and is as much fun as it is visceral.After a bitter re-hashing of the Oscars, the guys identify their favorite TUA characters, best moments, and dissect the obvious Zack Snyder comparisons. Of course, only half way thru the inaugural season, a few glaring questions remain:- Will Pogo break bad?- What do we make of Grace "Mom"?- Does Vanya really have powers?So much to cover, and even more left to find out. Either way, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY is here to stay, and we are glad for it.Give a listen, rate and review on iTunes!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

The Watching Comics Podcast has officially reached trilogy status!Jake + Mitch roll out the third installment of Shut Up And Give It To Me, where they break-down the comic books they'd most like to see hit the big or small screen. Because when it comes to comic-inspired entertainment, enough is never enough.Jake shares his vision for a long overlooked Spider-Man project, and a Kevin Smith helmed Green Lantern espionage thriller. Mitch unveils his favorite read of 2018 in TKO's landmark new series, SARA, while a connection to the farting masterpiece, SWISS ARMY MAN. Don't worry, he rounds the whole thing out with a surprising take on the INCREDIBLES.Will any of the projects get green-lit?!Give a listen, and don't forget to rate and review on iTunes.https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Batffleck is out, and Gumshoe Bat is in. So how much can we speculate?Jake + Mitch venture to the Batcave to dish on the latest news surrounding Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN. With two more years till release date, a lot of questions still need to be answered:Who will don the cape?Which villain gets the nod?Should they include Deathstroke in the script?The guys share their best guesses on potential story lines (LONG HALLOWEEN); discuss the merits of remaking MASK OF THE PHANTASM; and declare the Batman origin story forever off-limits.Of course, all that comes after they stroll down memory lane and share their favorite 24 hour truck-stop stories. College was crazy.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

It's official, 2018 was the year of comic book movies!Jake + Mitch geek-out over the Oscar love for BLACK PANTHER and SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDERVERSE. After all, it's not very often the nerds get invited to step out on the red carpet. But does Wakanda have a chance to take home the top prize? And did SPIDERVERSE deserve a Top 10 nod?In addition to celebrating comics' arrival to the exclusive club, the guys briefly break-down the field of Best Picture nominees; debate SHAWSHANK vs PULP FICTION; and share the life-changing nature of organic gummi bears. So yeah, a lot happened.Break out the bubbly, and give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/Don't forget to rate and review on iTunes.*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Nearly a dozen movies deep, the time has come to decided:Which X-MEN movies are the best of the bunch?Back for an epic second appearance, friend of pod Nick Miller stops by. He + Jake dive-deep into the cinematic world of Fox's X-MEN flicks. And Mitch? He was busy saving the world...or taking a nap.Flying Mitchless, the guys break down the pressing questions:- Does DEADPOOL make the cut?- What do we make of the big blue dude?- Which flicks takes the top spot?Because, at the end of the day, these mutants have stood the test of time. Here's hoping they keep the movies comin'.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network*

Crack open a can of Surge and strap on your jet packs!Jake + Mitch harken back to sweet 90’s nostalgia of another childhood favorite, Disney’s THE ROCKETEER. Because if these guys don’t preserve the legacy of pre-renaissance Comic Flicks, who will?Struggling the break out of DICK TRACY’s shadow, THE ROCKETEER underperformed at the box office. While it’s still enjoyed a near cult-classic status, it still begs the question: Does the movie hold-up?The guys breakdown the, at the time, surprising villainous turn for James Bond; share favorite Disney Jr. shows; and grapple with two Oscar winners owning the screen in this under-seen title.
At the end of the day, the Nazis lose and the good guys win. What’s not to love?Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/Be sure to rate and review the podcast on iTunes.Follow on Twitter: @WatchComixPod* WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network *

Permission to come aboard?!After swimming in the vibrant ocean of Atlantis and Schwarzenegger-style one-liners, Jake + Mitch emerge to dish on the DECU’s latest installment, AQUAMAN. And briefly throw-down over MAN OF STEEL.They also tackle pressing questions:-- Is AQUAMAN a good movie?-- Where does it rank in the DCEU?-- Dafoe’s man-bun, good, bad, or epic?If nothing else, no doubts James Wan came to play. AQUAMAN goes hard, and provides more familiar entertainment and laughter than we saw coming. All in all, this one ranks among the more visually stunning and plain fun movie theatre experiences of recent memory. This flick deserves to be seen on the big screen.Give a listen, and be sure to rate and review on iTunes!https://www.watchingcomics.com/Co-Hosts: @MitchRoush + @Thatjakeowens*WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network.*

And just like that, everything changes.Jake + Mitch dive into the innovative and colorful world of animated awesomeness. SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDERVERSE has burst onto the scene with fresh, vibrant visuals, impeccable humor, and surprising nuance. Basically what we're saying is:This movie is really flippin' good.But...how does it stack-up against the other animated titan of the year, INCREDIBLES 2? Where does SPIDERVERSE rank in the list of Spidey Flicks? And what do we make of superhero movies going forward?They guys share their takes on mainstream animation in the comic book arena; and yes, they still find time to trash SPIDER-MAN 3.Give a listen!https://www.watchingcomics.com/Be sure to rate and review the podcast on iTunes.Follow on Twitter: @WatchComixPod* WCP is a member of the GeekDad Podcast Network *

WCP hits the big-time with writer, comic reader, and fanboy, Zack Quaintance. Jake + Mitch sit down with their new BFF, Zack, to dish on the origin story of the successful comic book opinion web-site, BATMAN'S BOOKCASE. Along the way they touch on toxic fandom, Iron Man's surprising appeal and staying power, Tobey's Spider-Man, and Zack's Top 5 Comic Book Flicks.But most of all, they settle the debate once and for all between Cake or Pie.This one proves to be a good hang; complete with love (and less than love) for LOGAN and CIVIL WAR. It'll make sense, we promise.Hit Zack up on Twitter: @BatmansBookcase And be sure to check out https://www.batmansbookcase.com/The Watching Comics Podcast is a member of the GeekDad Podcast NetworkHosts:@MitchRoush and @Thatjakeowenshttps://www.watchingcomics.com/