Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe?

Dylan and Dalton have been assigned to pick up the Dark Universe where it left off, and unfortunately that means revisiting the 2017 disaster that started (and ended) it all. Is the Tom Cruise-led, Alex Kurtzman-helmed flop as bad as it's made out to be? What elements are salvagable for our ongoing narrative, and what details are our storytellers going to have to find a way to live with? CORRECTION: Javier Bardem was cast to play Frankenstein's monster, not the Wolf Man, in a canceled Dark Universe project. Follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonDeschain Follow Dylan on Twitter @DylanRoth

It's our first movie pitch episode, and Dalton has arrived with a brooding new adaptation/sequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, starring the Dark Universe's hand-picked leading man, Javier Bardem. Can our team steer the franchise into a more interesting direction? And what will the studio have to say about it? The NEW new world of gods and monsters starts HERE! Follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonDeschain Follow Dylan on Twitter @DylanRoth

It's Dylan's first turn at pitching a movie, and he's arrived with a 41-page scriptment for a new Wolf Man starring Amber Midthunder, Mason Gooding, and Jon Bernthal! But remember how he was deriding The Mummy for not being a horror movie? Well, he's got some explaining to do. CORRECTIONS: For whatever reason, Dylan mispronounces "Prodigium" this entire episode. It should be "pro-DIJ-ee-um." Follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonDeschain Follow Dylan on Twitter @DylanRoth

The Dark Universe takes an unexpected turn, as Dalton pitches a kooky comedy take on The Invisible Man starring John C. Reilly! And, no kidding, it's a pivotal entry in the franchise. It's our wildest episode yet! CORRECTION: Tiffany Haddish is only 42 years old, which is still older than Dylan had originally thought, but still a decade younger than Regina Hall. Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a brief scene depicting an attempted suicide. Skip from timestamp 36:00 to 36:20 if this is something you'd prefer not to hear. Dylan takes a swing at writing psychological horror, modernizing Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" and setting it in our Dark Universe. What has Russell Crowe's Jekyll been up to since "The Mummy?" What is the nature of evil? What in god's name is Indrid Cold wearing? It's our last chapter before the big crossover! Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth.

SPOILER ALERT! This episode is our brainstorming session in which we break down the story and character objectives for our first major crossover. Since we're figuring out this story together instead of one of us pitching a finished idea to the other, as usual, that means we're going to be spoiling major details about the next two episodes. If you want to enjoy the creative process along with us, go ahead and listen to this episode! There will still be plenty of surprises in store in the rest of the finale. If you don't want to be spoiled, circle back to this episode later. The movie we discuss in this episode will be presented across the next two episodes, featuring a script written by both Dalton and Dylan, plus a FULL CAST of performers! We hope you enjoy it. Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth. Today's partner podcast is Comics-Coffee-Metal, a conversation with creatives about and around Comics, Coffee, and Heavy Metal music. Hosted by Don Cardenas. Check out Dalton's appearance in Episode #93, available wherever you stream Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe.

The perfect jumping on point for new listeners! It's Part One of our Phase One finale, our Dark Universe's equivalent to Marvel's The Avengers. For the first time, Dylan and Dalton have co-written a treatment, bringing the characters they've been developing all season — The Mummy, The Wolf Man & Wolf Woman, The Invisible Man, etc. — into a single climactic crossover film! We've also roped some of our friends into performing the script along with us. Join us for the first half of our wildest project yet, and stay tuned for the conclusion in just one week. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST (in order of appearance): Patrick Willems (Jonathan Harker) is a filmmaker and video essayist whose work can be found on YouTube and Nebula. He's on Twitter, Instagram, etc. @patrickhwillems. Gita Jackson (Count Dracula) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're @xoxogossipgita across social media. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer and social media editor for Observer, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast Wrestlesplania. She's on social media @rachelmillman. Julian Ames (Larry Talbot) is one third of the NY rock band No Jersey and a very prolific gamer. He's around the web @AutoAmes. Dominic Griffin (Victor Frankenstein) is a pop culture writer and film critic writing for Baltimore Beat and his YouTube channel, The Armchair Auteur. He's on social media @AllNewDom. Kate Wardell (Rita Talbot) is a musician, animator, voiceover artist, and Lego enthusiast. She's on Twitter @katewardell. Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book "The Reunion" is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter @brosandprose. Nick Miller (Chris Vale) is a NY-based singer-songwriter and weekend enjoyer. His music is probably available on whatever platform you're using to stream this show, but he'd prefer you check it out on BandCamp. He posts a lot on Twitter @NickMillerMusic. Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter @depechejoe and on Instagram @joestando. Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth. Our partner podcast for this episode is Original Podcast Do Not Steal, a show in which hosts Devin and Amber create a new original character in a different established universe every week.

It's the exciting conclusion of our giant sized season finale, The Dark Legion: House of Dracula! Can our motley crew of benevolent monsters spoil the plans of Count Dracula? Will Nick Morton rise to the challenge of leadership? Will Wolf-couple Gwen and Larry patch things up? What does the Count have in store for The Invisible Man? Whatever you do, DON'T START WITH THIS EPISODE! Go back at least to Part One of the finale, or else risk BIG spoilers! SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST (in order of appearance): Patrick Willems (Jonathan Harker) is a filmmaker and video essayist whose work can be found on YouTube and Nebula. He's on Twitter, Instagram, etc. @patrickhwillems. Gita Jackson (Count Dracula) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're @xoxogossipgita across social media. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer and social media editor for Observer, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast Wrestlesplania. She's on social media @rachelmillman. Julian Ames (Larry Talbot) is one third of the NY rock band No Jersey and a very prolific gamer. He's around the web @AutoAmes. Dominic Griffin (Victor Frankenstein) is a pop culture writer and film critic writing for Baltimore Beat and his YouTube channel, The Armchair Auteur. He's on social media @AllNewDom. Kate Wardell (Rita Talbot) is a musician, animator, voiceover artist, and Lego enthusiast. She's on Twitter @katewardell. Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book "The Reunion" is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter @brosandprose. Nick Miller (Chris Vale) is a NY-based singer-songwriter and weekend enjoyer. His music is probably available on whatever platform you're using to stream this show, but he'd prefer you check it out on BandCamp. He posts a lot on Twitter @NickMillerMusic. Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter @depechejoe and on Instagram @joestando. Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth. Our partner podcast for this episode is The Film Majors Podcast, streaming wherever you stream our show.

If AYADU had a Comic Con Hall H panel, this is what it would be like. Having completed the six-part opening salvo of movies in their imaginary Dark Universe, Dalton and Dylan revisit their creative process so far and determine whether or not they would do anything differently, if given the chance. Then, the duo announces the complete slate of fake movies planned for Phase Two, which will be premiering throughout 2023! Follow us on Twitter @DarkUniversePod, @DaltonDeschain, and @DylanRoth. Today's partner podcast is Comics-Coffee-Metal, a conversation with creatives about and around Comics, Coffee, and Heavy Metal music. Hosted by Don Cardenas. Check out Dalton's appearance in Episode #93, available wherever you stream Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe.

Dylan and Dalton open up the gates to their Dark Universe for the very first time, as Giovanni Colantonio of Digital Trends and Left Trigger Right Trigger arrives to pitch a new video game based on their canon! It's the biggest and most ambitious Dark Universe video game yet — but not actually the first! Learn about the short-lived line of The Mummy tie-in games from 2017, then let Gio walk you through his creation, The Dark Universe Omnibus! Our partner podcast this week is Giovanni's show Left Trigger Right Trigger, your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.

Our Phase Two begins at last with a sequel to the only Dark Universe film that actually exists. That's right, it's time for Dalton Deschain's THE MUMMY RETURNS! After obsessing over 2017's The Mummy, Dalton is convinced they've figured out how to turn this franchise around. Have they succeeded? Whether or not the studio is on board, Dalton's about to put Nick Morton through hell in an experimental and yet potentially very crowd-pleasing new installment in the Dark Universe canon. Our partner podcast this week is Left Trigger Right Trigger, your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.

The studio has been closely monitoring Dalton and Dylan's progress with their Dark Universe revamp, and now it's time for them to weigh in! Though the identity of their benefactor at Universal remains a mystery,* they've hired fan relations consultant Frankie Starker (they/them) to weigh in on the probable response of the so far entirely hypothetical fanbase. What will Dark Universe fan fiction look like? Who are people shipping? WHERE ARE ALL THE TWINKS? All these answers and more in this episode. * = We're legally required to clarify that this person does not exist.

It's time for Dylan's first contribution to Phase 2 and our first sequel to one of our own movies: Werewolves of London! What are our characters from The Wolf Man up to after House of Dracula? Can Dylan avoid the structural problems that have plagued his previous pitches? PLUS: Dalton issues their co-host a challenge that could change the course of the Dark Universe! Our podcast partner for this episode is The Mirror Universe Star Trek Podcast, a thoughtful program in which an Australian and a Canadian have a conversation about Star Trek: what we think it is, how it's evolved over the years, and how it reflects our culture...like a mirror. Dylan is their guest for their March 2023 episodes, so be sure to check it out!

The success of our revived Dark Universe is bound to spark competition, and that means someone's bound to reboot The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen! As a form of opposition research, the studio has assigned Calvin Kasulke, author of the novel Several People are Typing, to pitch a requel to the 2003 flop based on the Alan Moore/Kevin O'Neill comic. It's our rowdiest episode yet! Starting this week, not only can you contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Our partner podcast this week is Finding Monster Right, where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world.

Brace yourself as we dive into Dalton's bold and unexpected new take on another Universal classic, simply titled: The Black Lagoon. What are the essential ingredients to an aquatic creature feature? What's the difference between art and pop? How does one escape the shadow of The Shape of Water? Those answers and more in the latest chapter in our ongoing Dark Universe.  Plus, a major announcement: Dylan & Dalton are launching a Patreon! Please consider joining their Discord and supporting their new creative podcast, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Find more details towards the end of this episode, or at patreon.com/dylananddalton Our partner podcast for this episode is What Mad Universe?!?, a podcast about genre pulp and the origins of SF and fantasy! Every two weeks we read a book or book series, suggested by either Adam Prosser or Philip Rice, the hosts, and look at its place in pop culture history. 

Wrestling columnist Nick Bond phones into the show (against former co-worker Dylan's objections) to pitch a WWE match incorporating characters from our Dark Universe! Which WWE Superstars will be entering the AYADU canon? Which of our famous movie monsters will be taking a Canadian Destroyer off of a hotel staircase? All this plus the listener mail bag in this electrifying new episode. Today's partner podcast is Comics-Coffee-Metal, a conversation with creatives about and around Comics, Coffee, and Heavy Metal music. Hosted by Don Cardenas. Check out Dalton's appearance in Episode #93, available wherever you stream Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe. You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬!

It's Dylan's turn to pitch a movie, and he's unmasking a new take on The Phantom of the Opera! One of the most unlikely Universal Monsters is also one of the oldest, dating back to a 1925 silent film starring Lon Cheney, Sr. But can any modern retelling of the Gaston Leroux novel escape the gravity of Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical adaptation? Should it? Oh, have we got some surprises in store for you this week... Our podcast partner for this episode is The Mirror Universe Star Trek Podcast, a thoughtful program in which an Australian and a Canadian have a conversation about Star Trek: what we think it is, how it's evolved over the years, and how it reflects our culture...like a mirror. Dylan has become a regular panelist on this show, so if you're not tired of hearing this guy talk, here's where you can find some more. You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Special thanks to Ella Dawson, Izzy Hodnett, Steph Salo, and Joe Stando for their contributions to this episode.

We've worked through all of the major classic Universal Monsters, but our Dark Universe is still going strong! So, in the tradition of Marvel Studios, we're inviting some of the Internet's keenest creative minds to pitch us new takes on more obscure Universal horror properties. First up, cartoonist Mattie Lubchansky and writer Jaya Saxena attempt to charm us with a requel based on a 1973 snake-centric creature feature, "Sssssss!" (Emphasis ours; This is important.) That's not a typo in the title above — Mattie and Jaya's version is spelled with eight esses and an exclaimation point, rather than the original's seven and no exclaimation point. Find out why in this exciting episode! You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Our podcast partner for this episode is No Bad Food, a show about great food and the people who love to make & eat it. Every week, hosts Tom Zalatnal & Teffer Adjemian dig into a different dish, meal, ingredient, cuisine, or piece of food media, exploring the history & culture around it, sharing favorite recipes, and learning from their wonderful guests. The only rule? You've gotta love it. After all, there's no such thing as bad food.

We might need to subtitle Phase 2 as "The Experimental Era," because once again we've taken a well-known, well-loved Universal monster title and turned it completely on its head. It's time for Dalton's take on The Bride of Frankenstein, and it's not what any one could have possibly expected. Will this be the installment that polarizes the fanbase, The Last Jedi-style, or another entirely hypothetical smash hit? You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Start a FREE 7-day trial today and get access to our Discord server, where we host movie watch parties on weeks when there's no new AYADU episode. Contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Our partner podcast this week is Shit We've Read, a sci-fi/fantasy book podcast. Each month, Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Bella Romero (with the occasional guest host) will read a new book, then discuss it in an episode.

Writer, editor, and podcaster merritt k. visits the studio to pitch her remake of the 1934 Universal classic that's kinda-sorta-not remotely based upon an Edgar Allan Poe story: The Black Cat! It's a film that asks, "What if a house had bad vibes?" as well as a number of other interesting questions that it doesn't have time to answer in its scant 65-minutes runtime Can merritt's new take fulfill the promise of the original? You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Start a FREE 7-day trial today and get access to our Discord server, where we host movie watch parties on weeks when there's no new AYADU episode. Contact us at Twitter, Instagram, or Bluesky @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Our partner podcast this week is past guest Giovanni Colantonio's show Left Trigger Right Trigger, your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.

You've waited patiently for our Dark Universe to get its first Dracula movie. Now, in the aftermath of The Dark Legion: House of Dracula, the infamous Count has been cursed with a mortal, human life, and must survive a gauntlet of vengeful enemies. Can Dracula endure this unprecedented threat? More importantly, has Dylan FINALLY written a horror script? Find out the our penultimate main line chapter of Phase 2! Our podcast partner for this episode is the sci-fi fantasy book podcast Shit We've Read, in which hosts Laura Benson, Jason Rico, Bella Romero, and the occasional guest review books, interview authors, and occasionally dip into the steamy world of romance novels.

Hot on the heels of Dylan's Dracula Lives, our guest and fellow film critic Dominic Griffin joins us over Skype to pitch a reimagining of Dracula's Daughter, which was a direct sequel to the 1931 Dracula. What makes this lesser-known Universal monster movie a hidden gem, and how much of it do we want to retain for our Dark Universe remake? Will Dom's pitch become adopted into our canon? Our partner podcast this week is Original Podcast Do Not Steal, a weekly show in which every week Devin and Amber Autumn discuss one franchise, intellectual property, or idea, and make an original character within that framework. They recently did an episode pitching a TV spin-off from our own Dark Universe!

In preparation for the upcoming Dark Legion 2 event, hosts Dalton Deschain and Dylan Roth attempt to summarize the entire series as concisely as possible, fuelled by nothing but caffiene and corn nuts. Can the architects of the new Dark Universe retain their sanity long enough to provide an onramp for new listeners? Will any of this make sense? We sure hope so, because in two weeks, the next crossover epic begins! You can support Dylan & Dalton's creative pursuits by subscribing to their Patreon, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Start a FREE 7-day trial today and get access to our Discord server, where we host movie watch parties on weeks when there's no new AYADU episode. Contact us at Twitter or Instagram @DarkUniversePod or email us at darkuniversepod@gmail.com, you can also leave us a voicemail at US ‪(917) 819-2574‬! Our podcast partner for this episode is No Bad Food, a show about great food and the people who love to make & eat it. Every week, hosts Tom Zalatnal & Teffer Adjemian dig into a different dish, meal, ingredient, cuisine, or piece of food media, exploring the history & culture around it, sharing favorite recipes, and learning from their wonderful guests. The only rule? You've gotta love it. After all, there's no such thing as bad food.

At last, we arrive at the finale of Phase Two, the double-sized crossover DARK LEGION: THE MUMMY'S HAND! We're picking up threads left over from our past six main line entries, but have done our best to make this installment as friendly to new listeners as possible. If you want to go in a little less cold, we recommend checking out last season's big crossover, THE DARK LEGION: HOUSE OF DRACULA. We'll be back with the second half of the crossover event in just one week! Our partner podcast this week is Finding Monster Right, where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST Julian Ames (Larry Talbot) is one third of the NY rock band No Jersey and a very prolific gamer. He's around the web @AutoAmes. Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book The Reunion is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter @brosandprose. Dom Griffin (Victor Frankenstein) is a pop culture writer and film critic writing for Baltimore Beat and his YouTube channel, The Armchair Auteur. He's on social media @AllNewDom. Gita Jackson (Evelyn O'Connell) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're @xoxogossipgita across social media. merritt k. (Claudia Lawrence) is an editor, podcaster, game designer, and author. Her book LAN Party, collecting photos from the golden age of multiplayer PC gaming, is due this fall. She is on most social media @merrittk. Jo Kroger (Cassie Falk) is a New York-based singer songwriter who has toured all across the US and Western Europe. She is also one of the voices of the viral parody band The B-69s. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer, social media editor, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast Wrestlesplania. She's on social media @rachelmillman. Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter @depechejoe and on Instagram @joestando. Kendra Wells (Hunter Marin) is a writer and artist best known for their work on the graphic novels Real Hero Shit and Tell No Tales, and on the D20 liveplay podcast. They are on most social media @kendrawcandraw. and guest starring Prince Devin (Prodigium Agent), co-host of the podcast Original Podcast Do Not Steal, a weekly show in which he and Amber Autumn discuss one franchise, intellectual property, or idea, and make an original character within that framework.

It's the finale of PHASE 2 of the DARK UNIVERSE, and big changes are ahead! With Imhotep seemingly defeated, what's next for the Dark Legion? Will they be able to recover their lost friend Nick from his metaphysical tomb in the Black Lagoon? What's the next stop on Claudia Lawrence's magical murder tour? Find out in the stunning conclusion of DARK LEGION: THE MUMMY'S HAND! SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST Julian Ames (Larry Talbot) is one third of the NY rock band No Jersey and a very prolific gamer. He's around the web @AutoAmes. Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book The Reunion is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter @brosandprose. Dom Griffin (Victor Frankenstein) is a pop culture writer and film critic writing for Baltimore Beat and his YouTube channel, The Armchair Auteur. He's on social media @AllNewDom. Gita Jackson (Evelyn O'Connell) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're @xoxogossipgita across social media. merritt k. (Claudia Lawrence) is an editor, podcaster, game designer, and author. Her book LAN Party, collecting photos from the golden age of multiplayer PC gaming, is due this fall. She is on most social media @merrittk. Jo Kroger (Cassie Falk) is a New York-based singer songwriter who has toured all across the US and Western Europe. She is also one of the voices of the viral parody band The B-69s. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer, social media editor, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast Wrestlesplania. She's on social media @rachelmillman. Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter @depechejoe and on Instagram @joestando. Kendra Wells (Hunter Marin) is a writer and artist best known for their work on the graphic novels Real Hero Shit and Tell No Tales, and on the D20 liveplay podcast. They are on most social media @kendrawcandraw. Our partner podcast for this episode is The Film Majors Podcast. Popcorn is their ammunition, the couch is their foxhole, the cinema is their place of worship. Welcome to the party, pal. New episodes every Friday, streaming wherever you find podcasts.

Flashback to this past May! Before they started writing Dark Legion: The Mummy's Hand, Dalton Deschain and Dylan Roth sat down to hash out the story, determine each character's journey, and decide who wouldn't be surviving. Get a peek into the creative process behind the feature-length event, with a few teases about what's coming in Phase 3, plus a bunch of start we had to redact. We'll be back in October with the launch of our next wave of stories! Until then, stay afraid... Our podcast partner for this episode is The Mirror Universe Star Trek Podcast, a thoughtful program in which an Australian and a Canadian have a conversation about Star Trek: what we think it is, how it's evolved over the years, and how it reflects our culture...like a mirror. Dylan was their guest for their March 2023 episodes, so be sure to check it out!

Dylan & Dalton's Patreon has surpassed its initial $200/mo goal, which means they're kicking off a new show just for paid subscribers! Sign up at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for $5/mo and get access to this new monthly series as well as our lovely and lively Patreon server! Here's a little taste of what the other podcast has in store. Don't worry! Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? will return this October with an absolutely massive Phase 3!

The wait is almost over! The first episode of the new season is in the can, the first guests are booked, and the first script is in progress. Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? is back for Phase 3 on October 22nd. In the meantime, there's a new episode of our bonus podcast up on our Patreon, Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton, and we're making some guest appearances on other shows throughout October! Catch us on The Film Majors talking about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its wacky sequel, plus Dylan will be on an upcoming episode of Original Podcast Do Not Steal. We'll see you in two weeks for the return of our regular schedule!

The wait is over! Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? is back and we're going to keep cranking out movie pitches until you're sick of us. On our season premiere, hosts Dalton Deschain & Dylan Roth answer questions from the lovely Dark Universe fanbase and reveal the titles of all [REDACTED] movies in Phase 3! Plus, who will be our first guest of the season? You know things have gotten serious when we've actually updated the opening monologue. Stick with us for the next (checks notes) year and a half as we bring the Death's Door Saga to a close! Our partner podcast for this episode is The Film Majors Podcast. Popcorn is their ammunition, the couch is their foxhole, the cinema is their place of worship. Welcome to the party, pal. New episodes every Friday, streaming wherever you find podcasts. Check out Dylan & Dalton's recent guest appearance, in which they talk about Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Our first guest pitch of Phase Three is a departure from our usual creature feature; It's a bleak 1970s sci-fi thriller, but one that definitely still qualifies as a monster movie. Open your mind to the terror of Colossus: The Forbin Project, a forgotten gem about a surprisingly sassy artificial intelligence, dug up by journalist Gita Jackson. What does Gita have in store for their fresh take on Colossus, and can D&D find a way to fit it into the Dark Universe canon? Our partner podcast this week is Left Trigger Right Trigger, your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.

Phase Three is officially in full swing! For the first canon pitch of the season, Dylan takes up the reins of our Mummy franchise, creating a new adventure starring both Nick Morton and Evelyn O'Connell that will change the shape of the Dark Universe forever. What awaits on the other side of Heaven's Gate? How has the world changed since the events of The Mummy's Hand? And what the hell does any of this have to do with The Matrix? Find out in this colossal new episode. Today's partner podcast is Comics-Coffee-Metal, a conversation with creatives about and around Comics, Coffee, and Heavy Metal music. Hosted by Don Cardenas. Check out Dalton & Dylan's appearance in Episode #123, available wherever you stream Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe.

Because you demanded it: The time has come at last to introduce our Dark Universe's take on the beloved classic, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein! Fans have speculated for the past year how AYADU might incorporate this concept into our ongoing narrative. Will we cast new actors as Abbott & Costello's characters? Will we select a modern comedy duo to goof off with our monster cast? Luckily for us, we don't have to decide, and we've passed that weighty task on to comedian and illustrator Branson Reese, creator of Swan Boy and Rude Tales of Magic! Branson joins us to share his expertise on vintage comedy and his unpredictable new take on the Abbott & Costello monster movie! Our partner podcast this week is 52 Pickup! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough.  

Because we don't know how not to do shit like this: It's The Dark Universe Holiday Special, a full-script, full-cast episode featuring our entire surviving Dark Legion! What do we have in store for this short, semi-canonical installment in the Death's Door Saga? How silly will we get? Will we be parodying a beloved holiday classic? Which of our heroes will learn the true meaning of Christmas? We address the many terrific predictions from our fan community, which, thank goodness, are mostly incorrect, and take you page-by-page through our creative process for this sweet little treat of an episode. Our partner podcast this week is actually not a podcast, but a crowdfunding effort for a sci-fi short film, Anomaly! Directed by our friend Andy Webb and starring Evan Evagora (Star Trek: Picard) and Zoe Cipres (Roswell, New Mexico), Anomaly is a story about relationships and obsession, combining the look and tone of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The X-Files. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAST Ella Dawson (Jennifer Halsey) is an author and sex and culture critic. Her book The Reunion is coming soon from Dutton Books. She's on Twitter @brosandprose. Gita Jackson (Evelyn O'Connell) is a freelance journalist and critic whose work can be found at Motherboard, Kotaku, GQ, Polygon, and more. They're @xoxogossipgita across social media. Jo Kroger (Cassie Falk) is a New York-based singer songwriter who has toured all across the US and Western Europe. She is also one of the voices of the viral parody band The B-69s. Rachel Millman (Gwen Conliffe) is a writer, social media editor, and the co-host of the delightful wrestling podcast Wrestlesplania. She's on social media @rachelmillman. Steph Salo (Carol Laemmle) is an extremely chill homie and her posts are for homies only. Joe Stando (Jack Griffin) is a midwestern folk hero in New York City, a snappy dresser, and general bon vivant. He's on Twitter @depechejoe and on Instagram @joestando. Kendra Wells (Hunter Marin) is a writer and artist best known for their work on the graphic novels Real Hero Shit and Tell No Tales, and on the D20 liveplay podcast. They are on most social media @kendrawcandraw. MUSIC "New Traditions" by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show "Great Shot, Kid!" by No Jersey (previously released by The Hell Yeah Babies) The piano track for the big singalong is by Sing2Piano karaoke instrumentals Everything else is Dylan goofin' off at his keyboard as per usual.

It's the Dark Universe's first ongoing TV series pitch! Our hosts are joined by Joseph Fink, the legendary co-creator of Welcome to Night Vale, to workshop a new take on the 1985 sports comedy Teen Wolf! Note that we didn't call it a horror-comedy, and that we're sort of calling it a comedy under protest. (We don't like it very much!) How much inspiration will it take from the original Michael J. Fox vehicle? Will it have anything to do with the popular MTV show? What percentage of the episode will be spent talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? There's only one way to find out. Our podcast partner for this episode is The Mirror Universe Star Trek Podcast, a thoughtful program in which an Australian and a Canadian have a conversation about Star Trek: what we think it is, how it's evolved over the years, and how it reflects our culture...like a mirror. Dylan has basically joined the panel for this show at this point, so check it out!

At long last, it's Dalton's first solo pitch of Phase Three and the first half of our loose "House of Frankenstein" duology: A Native American Werewolf in Paris! Dalton's all about fulfilling the promise of the premise, so how will they make this story appropriately wolfy, thoroughly Parisian, and respectful towards Gwen's indiginous heritage without overstepping their bounds as a white storyteller? For one thing, Dalton has curated a playlist of songs from Native artists that would be included on the soundtrack, which you can listen to on Apple Music or Spotify. (Don't try to play it overtop of the episode, though - Dylan scored over all of those sections with music evoking the vibes of the suggested songs.) How will Gwen's story play out now that it's in the hands of a different co-host? What kind of traps or trampolines will Dalton lay out for Dylan to use when he picks up the "House of Frankenstein" story in The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Only one way to find out. Our partner podcast this week is Finding Monster Right, where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world.

Comics artist Ramon Villalobos joins our devilish hosts to discuss what might be the worst movie we've ever had to watch for this show, "The Mad Ghoul," a creature feature so forgettable that Universal didn't bother renewing the copyright. Can this rowdy trio salvage a potentially ripe concept into a movie that belongs in our Dark Universe? Can they do it without saying anything inflammatory and losing half their audience? Only one way to find out. Our partner podcast this week is Left Trigger Right Trigger, your video game book club where the hosts discuss games centering around a new theme every week.

A pitch too big for one episode! Dylan's brought in a whopping 80-page script for his half of the House of Frankenstein duology, The Hunchback of Notre Dame! How will he connect this massive Victor Hugo novel with the mythology of Frankenstein? How accurate are the fan predictions? Will the seeds planted by Dalton in A Native American Werewolf in Paris bear fruit? Find out now, and stay tuned for PART TWO in seven days! Our podcast partner this week is the sci-fi/fantasy book podcast Shit We've Read. Think of them as your friendly, neighborhood online book club. Each month, Laura Benson, Jason Rico, and Bella Romero (with the occasional guest host) will read a new book, then discuss it in an episode.

It's the stunning conclusion of our giant-sized action-horror blockbuster, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Will Victor Frankenstein be able to reconcile with his resurrected son? What will become of Esmeralda? And, crucially, WHO WAS IN THE BATHROOM? These questions will be answered, plus a lot that you probably didn't have about Dylan's chaotic writing process vs. Dalton's more orderly and functional one. PLUS: The hosts get into their most heated argument ever, which will have lasting repurcussions on the future of the Dark Universe!

You've heard us say it before and it's never been more true than it is now: This is the wildest guest pitch we've ever heard. Rax King and Amber Rollo, the hosts of Low Culture Boil, have reimagined the 2011 Edgar Wright film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as an X-rated bloodbath slasher movie starring a certain very large six-time world champion professional wrestler. How will this new interpretation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novels honor its legacy as a genre-mashing transmedia personal critique that went over the head of roughly half of its audience? Listen here to find out! Our partner podcast this week is 52 Pickup! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough.

Last season, Dylan surprised Dalton by composing four original songs for his Dark Universe take on The Phantom of the Opera. "Fuck," said Dalton, "Now I have to do a musical episode!" It's finally here, and it does not disappoint. The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies is a new Dark Universe story, a sequel to Dylan's Phantom, a riff on Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, and a fully produced musical EP! What does Dalton have in store for everyone's favorite monster hunting power couple, Carol and Jenny? One thing's for sure: This episode's gonna get people talking. Guest starring Ella Dawson as Jenny Halsey and Steph Salo as Carol Laemmle! Our partner podcast this week is Finding Monster Right, where hosts Adam and Allie answer questions you've never asked about monsters from folklore, pop culture, and our own world.

Acclaimed writer and illustrator (and voice of Hunter Marin) Kendra Wells joins your hellish hosts to resurrect an infamously bad Universal monster movie, The Thing That Couldn't Die! It's a movie so weirdly unsatisfying that the only way to enjoy it is via Mystery Science Theater 3000, but Kendra has arrived with a plan to reshape it into something worth watching. CORRECTION: Ayo Edebiri is pronounced "EYE-oh ed-DEB-ree" so we were all at least half wrong. Sorry, Ayo, we love you. PLUS: We announce our latest collaboration with Kendra, a new t-shirt featuring a certain socialist werewolf and the phrase "LITERALLY EAT THE RICH!" It can be found on our Threadless store and is available on a wide array of merchandise. PLUS PLUS: Check out Dylan's bizarre new YouTube project, Future Endeavors, in which he plays a professional wrestling fan who stumbles across a supernatural threat to our very reality.

Hello, gentle listeners, here's a little taste of what you might be missing on our Patreon at Patreon.com/dylananddalton. Once a month, we release a new episode of our bonus podcast, Are You Afraid of Dylan and Dalton?, where we talk about horror and sci-fi movies, challenge each other with stupid little trivia games, and answer non-Dark Universe-related questions from our listeners. We're going to start publishing clips from the bonus pod on the main feed every month, and this episode felt like a particularly good one to start with. The latest episode features Dalton digging into much greater detail about how they composed the story and music for their musical episode, The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies. Here's a little taste of that conversation, and if you'd like to hear the rest, and to join our wonderful and welcoming community on Discord, head on over to Patreon.com/dylananddalton and start your free one week trial, after which you get a steady stream of bonus shit from us for $5/mo.

After a months of sequels and spin-offs, it's time for a wholly new addition to our Dark Universe, and it's even more different than anyone expected. On this episode, Dylan pitches a new take on the 1942 classic Cat People, a small-scale, low-budget, Sundance-style horror dramedy with minimal connections to the Dark Legion mythology. It's a very rough draft, but the hosts are ready for workshop — and so are the characters! (Jump to 01:20:19 if you want to skip to the end of the deliberately uncomfortable sex scene.) PLUS: A peek at the most recent episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, the monthly podcast that's available exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. Start your 7-day free trial today at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton!

Writer and comedian Avery Edison has come to pitch a new take on Village of the Damned, and she has come PREPARED. It's our most in-depth guest pitch to date! This one's got it all: Creepy children, uncanny creatures, gender feelings, and ties to our Dark Legion! And, bits? Yeah, we got those, too. You don't want to miss this one. Our podcast partner this week is No Bad Food, a show about great food and the people who love to make & eat it. Every week, hosts Tom Zalatnai & Teffer Adjemian dig into a different dish, meal, ingredient, cuisine, or piece of food media, exploring the history & culture around it, sharing favorite recipes, and learning from our wonderful guests.

Dalton's informal "Carmilla Trilogy" continues with The Invisible Man's Revenge, a sequel to our breakout episode from way back in 2022! The fanbase is split as to what to expect from this one. Will this chapter be another kooky slapstick comedy, or will it be a nihilistic bloodbath the likes of which the Dark Universe has never seen? You'll get your answers, plus nearly 90 minutes of story, right here on AYADU! PLUS: A snippet from the latest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? in which the hosts each introduce the other to a corner of cinema that they've never explored. Dalton has to watch all 13 Star Trek movies, including the bad ones. Dylan has to watch Richard Linklater's "Before Trilogy," one of the most celebrated film series of all time. Sounds fair, right? Get our whole library of bonus podcasts by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/dylananddalton for $5 a month. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:14:57 - Prologue 00:18:22 - Act 1 00:48:23 - Discussion 00:56:57 - Act 2 Part 1 01:09:17 - Discussion 01:17:43 - Act 2 Part 2 01:28:02 - Discussion 01:31:40 - Act 2 Part 2 Resumed 01:39:00 - Discussion 01:44:57 - Act 3 02:01:22 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:03:34 - Post-Credits Scene 02:09:02 - Discussion

There's only one storyteller we would trust to pitch a Dark Universe reimagining of Jaws, one of the greatest films of all time: filmmaker and YouTube star Patrick Willems joins us from Cannes, France to share his vision of the most ill-advised movie remake of all time! Plus, learn about the time Patrick met Tom Cruise at the premiere of the latest Mission: Impossible movie, and learn the history of the Nick Morton Funko Pop! RELEVANT TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:20:10 - Patrick's Aborted Dark Universe Video 00:26:56 - The Nick Morton Funko Pop 00:30:04 - The Mummy 2017 Relitigated 00:41:33 - Meeting Tom Cruise 00:49:40 - Is Richard Dreyfuss Hot? (NOTE: We recorded this bit before Dreyfuss went on his crazy sexist and transphobic rant at a Jaws screening) 00:55:20 - Patrick's Jaws Pitch 01:47:31 - Plugs!

Last season, Dalton brought us a unique and ambitious reimagining of a Universal classic: THE BLACK LAGOON. It's a bleak and surreal horror story about gender, isolation, oppression, repression, and death. It's not a movie that calls for a sequel, and even less a movie that calls for a sequel from Dylan. Nevertheless, that was Dylan's assignment for this episode. Did he deliver? How does one write a follow-up to someone else's deeply personal story? Where does one find the balance between honoring someone else's voice and expressing their own? These questions answered, plus the fates of Hunter Marin and the Ferryman, in this exciting episode! This episode is brought to you by the Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? Patreon, home of the monthly AYADD bonus podcast and one of the most friendly and creative Discord communites online. Start a free 7-day trial at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:12:15 - Fan expectations 00:17:34 - Director choice 00:20:28 - Prologue 00:28:16 - Discussion 00:33:14 - Act 1 00:51:16 - Discussion 00:59:22 - Act 2 Part 1 01:16:49 - Discussion 01:31:16 - Act 2 Part 2 01:45:11 - Discussion 01:54:31 - Act 3 02:06:40 - Mic-Credits Scene 02:08:08 - Post-Credits Scene 02:12:18 - Discussion

In our latest guest pitch episode, writer and cartoonist Magnolia Porter Siddell brings us her take on the 1947 supernatural romance The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, in which a fiercely independent widow grows attached to the deceased sailor (sorry, SEAMAN, he wants to be called a seaman) who haunts her new house. Dylan & Dalton are immediately taken with the original film, but how can a story about ghosts fit into their Dark Universe, where the absence of ghosts has been an important plot point? Magnolia has some ideas, and where D&D take them might have serious implications for the upcoming Dark Legion: Death's Door! Our partner podcast this week is 52 Pickup! 52 Pickup is a podcast about the strange and wonderful DC Comics series 52. Every other week, join Gita Jackson of Aftermath and Alex Jaffe of the podcast Insert Credit as we take you on an issue-by-issue journey through a comic book series that explains everything about the DC universe, if you only look hard enough. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:03:21 - Introducing The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 00:09:55 - Plot Recap 00:46:45 - The Pitch 01:25:14 - Director Choice and Final Casting 01:29:25 - Plugs

They said it would never happen — Dalton has written script too big for one episode! Van Helsing revisits the ruthless Adelaide, last of the Van Helsing line, in a story that wraps up Dalton's Carmilla Trilogy and reassembles practically the entire Dark Legion. It's a tall order. Can this pitch live up to its lofty expectations? PLUS: A bonus clip from the patest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, available for Patrons at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 - Start 00:06:25 - Listener Expectations 00:16:40 - Director Choice 00:20:12 - Prologue 00:25:29 - Discussion 00:26:34 - Act One 00:41:01 - Discussion 00:45:55 - Act One Continued 01:04:10 - Discussion 01:12:28 - Act Two Part One 01:40:05 - Discussion

It's time for the shocking conclusion of Dalton's Van Helsing pitch, the Carmilla Trilogy, and what I suppose we can start calling the House of Frankenstein Trilogy. The Dark Legion faces their most daunting challenge to date: each other! Phase Three's threads converge here, and everything will change! PLUS: Who got married during the two-year gap? Your answers are here. Our podcast partner this week is Your Favorite Bad Movie Podcast. Join your hosts Chris, Anna, and Greg as they dare to ask the question, "If this movie is so bad, why do you like it so much?". Special guests bring us their own personal favorite bad movies and we figure out what is up with the movies we love to hate and hate to love. Dylan recently appeared on this show to rave about The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:13:03 - Dylan's Expectations 00:22:49 - Act Two Part Two 00:26:59 - Discussion 00:31:38 - Act Two Continued 00:36:07 - Discussion 00:39:12 - Act Two Continued 00:53:04 - Discussion 01:03:54 - Act Three 01:18:01 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:20:25 - Discussion 01:33:03 - Post-Credits Scene 01:39:15 - Discussion

A decade before directing the blueprint for a generation of superhero blockbusters, Sam Raimi attempted to create his own mashup between comic book hero and Universal Monster: Darkman! How the hell did it take us so long to adapt this one? Luckily, Emmy-nominated TV and comics writer Daniel Kibblesmith is here to pitch an exciting new take on the cult classic! PLUS: Some exciting updates about our Patreon! Our podcast partner for this episode is 52 Pickup, a show about the most important comic of the 21st century, and the greatest series you've never heard of. Each week Journalist Gita Jackson and DC Historian Alex Jaffe read and explore an issue of 52, a 2006 exploration of the DC universe by a legendary team of talent that shaped everything that came after it. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:23 - Introducing Daniel Kibblesmith 00:18:46 - Plot Recap 00:48:32 - Daniel's Pitch 01:02:11 - Workshopping 01:27:16 - Patreon Updates

Dark Legion: Death's Door is just a month away, which means it's time for another rapid-fire Dark Universe recap! Join us as we attempt to coherently summarize the past ten canon episodes of our show in no more than five minutes each, while also reflecting back on some of the season's twists and turns. PLUS: By your request, we've compiled all eight of this season's serialized post-credit scenes into one continuous story, which we call DRACULA IN HELL! This episode is brought to you by our Patreon, where you can find new episodes of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? every month. Start a free trial and join our community at patreon.com/dylananddalton TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:13:58 - Dark Legion: The Mummy's Hand 00:21:06 - The Mummy: Heaven's Gate 00:27:33 - The Dark Universe Holiday Special 00:31:00 - A Native American Werewolf In Paris 00:35:42 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame 00:41:25 - The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies 00:48:04 - Cat People/Kill Your Darlings 00:53:37 - The Invisible Man's Revenge 01:00:53 - Return to the Black Lagoon 01:06:18 - Van Helsing 01:16:50 - Dracula In Hell Part 1 01:20:05 - Dracula In Hell Part 2 01:22:34 - Dracula In Hell Part 3 01:26:29 - Dracula In Hell Part 4 01:29:29 - Dracula In Hell Part 5 01:34:53 - Dracula In Hell Part 6 01:40:26 - Dracula In Hell Part 7 01:44:35 - Dracula In Hell Part 8 01:50:48 - Housekeeping

Heads up: For this, our 50th episode, we have created a full VIDEO VERSION of the episode. Not just a picture of the episode cover with some graphics on it, but an honest-to-god video. Watch it here, if you'd like: https://youtu.be/XxN4CXdufAc  One of our comedic heroes, Bill Corbett of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and RiffTrax, calls in to pitch us an updated version of a film that has been tackled by BOTH of his shows - 1953's ROBOT MONSTER! How can we reimagine this cheap, crappy 3D B-movie for a new millennium, and a shared universe that's more about vampires and werewolves than robots and aliens? This episode's ad break includes Dalton's band's new music video in its entirety! Check out "Hell Breaks Loose" by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show, and find it on your favorite streaming platforms. Here's a direct link to the official YouTube posting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYa41JTMntk PLUS: If you like what we do, please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:02:18 - Introducing Bill Corbett! 00:15:13 - Robot Monster History 00:21:11 - Robot Monster Recap 00:43:23 - Hell Breaks Loose 00:47:30 - Patron Shoutouts 00:49:01 - Bill's Pitch 01:19:40 - Plugs 01:25:15 - Housekeeping

While you await DEATH'S DOOR with bated breath, here's this month's episode of the Patron-exclusive podcast Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? in its entirety absolutely free! Don't worry, we're not just being generous. We're after your money. We're starting an exciting new project on our bonus podcast ARE YOU AFRAID OF DYLAN & DALTON? called Studio Mandates, in which patrons who subscribe at the $25/mo level for at least one month get to request a loose, improvised pitch for a Dark Universe remake of the film of their choosing. First up, by request of Studio Executive Balthazar, we came up with a version of the ABBA musical MAMMA MIA! featuring man-eating sirens and a certain crusty old seaman from our established mythology. PLUS, our ongoing segments: Treks Education, in which Dylan has challenged Dalton to watch every Star Trek movie; and The Dalterion Collection, in which Dalton has selected a list of arthouse faves that Dylan has never seen. This month, it's STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER and John Cassavettes' A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE! All this and more on this episode! For past and future episodes, please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. If we get our total to $1000/mo, we'll make the bonus podcast bi-weekly instead of monthly! $5/mo gets you the audio version of the bonus pod, plus access to a warm and welcoming creative community on Discord. $8/mo includes the video version of the bonus podcast (which is a new phenomenon - this is only the second time we've done this). $15/mo gets you an on-air thank you every episode $25/mo (even just once!) entitles you to a movie pitch request on a future episode. Start a 7-day free trial today, whydoncha? TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 - Intro! 0:02:15 - Our thoughts on Mamma Mia! (2008) 0:10:51 - Dalton and Dylan's dream jukebox musical projects 0:14:06 - Bev Check! We almost forgot! 0:14:52 - A digression about the Bat Out of Hell musical 0:17:06 - Our Mamma Mia! pitch 0:37:39 - Patreon goal announcement 0:41:50 - We say we don't have time to talk about Alien: Romulus but then we do it anyway 0:52:46 - Patron acknowledgement 0:53:30 - Treks Education - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1:09:00 - Dalton's Star Trek rankings, in progress 1:13:43 - The Dalterion Collection - A Woman Under the Influence

THE END IS NEAR. The two-part finale of Phase Three begins here. Ahmanet lives. Set is loose. The Dark Legion is in great danger. What terrors await Earth's Mightiest Monsters? PLUS: A bonus clip from the patest episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton?, available for Patrons at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. GUEST CAST (watch out for spoilers!) Ella Dawson as Dr. Jennifer Halsey Gita Jackson as Countess Marya Zaleska merritt k. as Adelaide Van Helsing Rachel Millman as Gwen Conliffe Sarah Norcross as Selinsgrove Coroner, Mi Seulgi, Demi Lavelle, and additional voices Steph Salo as Carol Laemmle and additional voices Joe Stando as Dr. Jack Griffin and Selinsgrove Cop Frankie Starker as Princess Ahmanet Kendra Wells as Hunter Marin Patrick Willems as Satan and Selinsgrove Nurse TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:37 - Cold Open 00:05:01 - Discussion 00:09:40 - Fan Expectations 00:21:49 - Director Choice 00:23:31 - Act One 01:02:19 - Discussion 01:11:24 - Act Two Part One 01:44:06 - Discussion 01:49:55 - Act Two Continued 02:03:46 - Discussion

WHO WILL SURVIVE? Part One of the Phase Three finale put our heroes — and our audience — through Hell. The stakes are higher than ever. What fate awaits the Dark Legion? Our partner podcast this month isn't a podcast, but an honest to god book, by our friend and voice of Dr. Jennifer Halsey — Ella Dawson! Check out But How Are You, Really? wherever books or audiobooks are found. GUEST CAST (watch out for spoilers!) Ella Dawson as Dr. Jennifer Halsey Gita Jackson as Countess Marya Zaleska merritt k. as Adelaide Van Helsing Sarah Norcross as Demi Lavelle Frankie Starker as Princess Ahmanet Kendra Wells as Hunter Marin TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:04:45 - Act Two, Part Two 00:32:41 - Discussion 00:38:34 - Act Two Continued 00:45:42 - Discussion 00:49:11 - Act Two Continued 00:56:56 - Discussion 01:09:46 - Act Three 01:37:17 - Discussion 01:38:06 - Post-Credits Scene 01:40:14 - Discussion

Here it is at last: The complete story break conversation in which Dylan & Dalton determined when, how, and why the Dark Legion would meet their terrible fates in Dark Legion: Death's Door! How much did our storytellers know before they broke ground on their sadistic sequel? How much of their plans changed between this initial discussion and the final draft? Have they let any clues or crumbs slip through about the grand finale they've got planned in Dark Legion: Hell on Earth? Listen and find out! PLUS: A track from Bodies for the Geek Pit, Pt. 1, the new EP by Dalton Deschain & the Traveling Show! Let the soothing love song "Supernova" soothe your soul halfway through our depressing conversation. (Starts at 00:47:41)

It's the crossover nobody asked for, least of all Dylan & Dalton! And yet, in this FULL VIDEO, SEASON 4 premiere of AYADU, guest Abe Goldfarb (Beetlejuice: The Musical, First Time Caller) sells our hosts on a Suicide Squad-style romp in which Otis and Baby Firefly bring their bloodlust into the Dark Universe's new status quo! This episode is available as a video podcast on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/zE-jsrRBnH8 You can find our guest Abe Goldfarb across social media, at either abegoldfarb on Twitter and Bluesky or abrahamgoldfarb on Instagram! His film "First Time Caller" is now streaming on Tubi, Vudu, and Prime Video. Join the Dark Legion starting $5/mo at dylananddalton.patreon.com, and get access to our lovely Discord community and our monthly bonus podcast! Benefits at higher tiers include the video version of the bonus pod, shout-outs on the air, and the ability to pick the topic of a future bonus pod pitch! Comment below to let us know what you think of the new video format, why doncha? TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Opening banter! 00:03:30 - Introducing our guest, Abe Goldfarb 00:08:12 - Entering the House of 1000 Corpses 00:39:47 - Abe waxes rhapsodical about the Universal Monsters 00:49:31 - Patron acknowledgement 00:50:30 - A little sample of the latest bonus episode 00:51:42 - Abe pitches his DU/Fireflies crossover 01:27:15 - Plugs!

Dylan needed an extra week to get his Night of the Living Dead script up to code, so as a consolation we're releasing this month's bonus episode to the main feed, plus we're making the video version available to all paid subscribers. Dalton Deschain & Dylan Roth answer a challenge from Studio Executive Birras to come up with a Dark Universe version of the 1977 comedy Smokey & the Bandit! To both of their surprise, this turns out to be their favorite Studio Mandate pitch yet. PLUS: Dalton muddles through Star Trek: Generations, Dylan conjures up Memories of Murder, and they both stress over the US presidential election. Get every episode of Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? every month by joining our community at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. Thanks for your support! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro, and SURPRISE it's a bonus episode! 00:06:02 - Bev Check! and election anxiety 00:09:41 - Looking at 1977's Smokey & the Bandit 00:25:50 - Pitching our Smokey remake 00:36:50 - Casting our Smokey & the Bandit 00:44:27 - Patron acknowledgement 00:45:29 - Treks Education - Star Trek: Generations 01:07:13 - The Dalterion Collection: Memories of Murder

Dark Legion: Death's Door unleashed Hell on Earth. Now, Dylan & Dalton are exploring their universe's terrifying new status quo with a season of standalone stories packed with new (read: expendable) characters. First up, Dylan is taking a swing at a Dark Universe reimagining of one of the most important horror films of all time: Night of the Living Dead. The last version of this script was killed before it went to air. Can Dylan pull off a resurrection? Our partner podcast for this episode is Your Favorite Bad Movie Podcast, the show that dares to ask "If this movie is so bad, why do you like it so much?" Hosts Chris, Anna, and Greg confront guests about their own personal favorite bad movies, including AYADU's own Dylan Roth and his beloved The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:08:17 - Fan Expectations 00:15:37 - Director Choice 00:17:17 - Prologue 00:29:02 - Discussion 00:33:23 - Act One 00:55:10 - Discussion/Fight! 01:06:56 - Act Two, Part One 01:17:46 - Discussion 01:21:52 - Act Two, Part Two 01:33:02 - Discussion 01:53:48 - Act Three 01:59:52 - Discussion 02:02:22 - Act Three Continued 02:17:17 - Post-Credits Scene 02:18:08 - Discussion

After two years of plotting and discussing totally imaginary films and television shows, isn't it about time we got real?!?! Theme park journalist Alicia Stella of Orlando ParkStop joins us to discuss the upcoming Dark Universe land at Universal Studios: Epic Universe in Orlando Florida. Learn how she got the scoop about the Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf Man themed rides and attractions. Then, hear her, Dalton, and Dylan pitch their own ideas for Dark Universe rides that could incorporate the podcast's expansive canon. Our partner podcast for this episode springs from our very own listenership and format! Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? gives the AYADU treatment to the floundering Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Movies, pitching new installments of the film franchise that, despite being a terrible idea, apparently can't be killed. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Opening bits 00:02:17 - Introducing our guest, Alicia Stella 00:07:21 - A history of the Dark Universe park concept 00:22:22 - Alicia's Universal Monsters credentials 00:26:42 - The real rides and attractions of the Dark Universe 00:46:39 - Partner podcast ad: Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? 00:48:55 - Alicia pitches her Frankenstein Haunted Mansion ride 00:55:55 - Dylan pitches his Phantom of the Opera stunt show 01:02:03 - Dalton pitches their Beneath the Black Lagoon coaster 01:12:19 - Dylan pitches his The Mummy: Heaven's Gate coaster 01:17:28 - Dalton pitches their Invisible Chef restaurant 01:21:39 - Alicia plugs her stuff! 01:24:06 - Patron acknowledgement

It's that time of year again, the time when we take a break from punishing our beloved characters and let them enjoy a nice, low-stakes holiday adventure. What do we have in store for the Dark Legion this time? Will they face another mythical Christmas creature? Will we riff on another time-honored holiday classic? You'll never guess. Special thanks to our voice cast: Kendra Wells, Ella Dawson, Patrick Gill, Gita Jackson, Jo Kroger, Rachel Millman, Branson Reese, Steph Salo, and Joe Stando. This episode is brought to you by the new EP from Dalton's insane side-project, The B-69s, and their new EP brat but it's in the style of the B-52s so it's not, available for free on BandCamp and wherever you stream music! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:07:18 - Fan Expectations 00:18:23 - Another Dark Universe Holiday Special 01:14:45 - Discussion 01:43:52 - Fireside 01:47:16 - This Christmas Is Yours

2025 kicks off Big, Old, and Dark with Dalton's first solo pitch of the season! It's a modern twist on gothic horror, based on a 1928 novel by J.B. Priestley and a James Whale Universal horror classic that was almost lost forever. How will Dalton reimagine this spooky tale to fit into the HELL ON EARTH era of our ongoing Dark Universe? We'll be real with you - this is a heavy episode, so we've included a trigger warning section that you can skip to before proceeding to the script reading. Listeners sensitive to depictions of sexual assault or trans characters in mortal peril may want to visit the timestamp below before proceeding into the episode. 02:15:26 - Trigger Warnings (SPOILERS!) This week's episode is brought to you by our Patreon, where we've posted the uninterrupted and unabridged reading of Dalton's script, which was just too plain long to keep in this episode. Also, this month on Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? we pitched a Dark Universe take on the Disney classic The Parent Trap! Enjoy a peek during this episode's intermission and start a 7-day free trial at Patreon.com/DarkUniversePod.  TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:06:43 - Fan Expectations 00:10:05 - Dalton's Approach 00:15:54 - Trigger Warning Warning 00:17:21 - Episode Format 00:19:04 - Director Choice 00:20:55 - Act One 00:53:19 - Discussion 01:04:24 - Act Two Part One 01:28:11 - Discussion 01:38:09 - Act Two Part Two 01:52:48 - Discussion 01:57:36 - Act Three 02:15:26 - Trigger Warnings (SPOILERS!) 02:17:09 - Discussion

Author, journalist, and co-host of the wrestling podcast Tights and Fights Lindsey Kelk joins Dylan & Dalton to revisit a cringey teen-targeted dark fantasy from 2006 — The Covenant, starring current Oscar-nominee Sebastian Stan! What makes this film so memorably bad, and how will Lindsey reimagine it into something worthy of our Dark Universe? Plus: Lindsey tells us about her latest novel, The Bell Witches, a YA/crossover fantasy with some very interesting (and entirely accidental) parallels to this week's movie!  AND THAT'S NOT ALL! Before we sign off for this week, Dylan's prepared a special teaser for his next canon pitch, Mystery Men! Our podcast partner for this episode is not a podcast, but a novel, written by AYADU cast member Ella Dawson! Check out her new romance novel, But How Are You Really? available now in print, e-book, and audio formats. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro and meeting our guest, Lindsey Kelk! 00:05:42 - Breaking The Covenant (2006) 00:40:59 - Quick break for Ella Dawson to talk about But How Are You Really? 00:41:49 - Workshopping Lindsey's pitch for a prestige TV reboot of The Covenant 01:35:15 - Lindsey Kelk tells us about The Bell Witches 01:41:31 - A teaser for our next episode, Mystery Men

Hell has broken loose in the Dark Universe, and we could really use some levity — both there and in the real world! Fear not, for our heroes may be dead, but at least there's, uh, these guys. Time to meet Dark Universe MYSTERY MEN! For the first time, the Didactic Mr. Dylan has (mostly) stepped off his political soapbox to deliver a pure action-adventure romp whose primary objective is to show the fans at home a good time. Hear how Dylan took his mission to create some frivilous fan-service way too seriously and wrote a massive tome that had to be cut almost in half to make it to air. PLUS: A clip from our latest bonus episode, in which D&D workshop a Dark Universe version of Sondheim's "Into the Woods." TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:06:03 - Fan Expectations 00:14:24 - Act One 00:40:13 - Discussion 00:45:11 - Act Two Part One 01:07:54 - Discussion 01:13:41 - Act Two Part Two 01:29:37 - Discussion 01:37:07 - Act Three 02:10:56 - Mid-Credits Scene 02:12:27 - Post-Credits Scene 02:13:44 - Discussion

In 1940, Universal cashed in on the success of their Invisible Man films with a spin-off, The Invisible Woman, which was very much not a horror movie! Instead, we got an extremely slight and forgettable screwball comedy. Now, in 2025, our guest writer/video game narrative designer Stella Sacco has been tasked with creating a new darker, scarier and (if you can believe it) gayer version of The Invisible Woman for our Dark Universe! Our podcast partner for this episode is 52 Pickup, a show about the most important comic of the 21st century, and the greatest series you've never heard of. Each week Journalist Gita Jackson and DC Historian Alex Jaffe read and explore an issue of 52, a 2006 exploration of the DC universe by a legendary team of talent that shaped everything that came after it. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:01:37 - Welcome Stella Sacco! 00:13:17 - Choosing The Invisible Woman 00:23:08 - Plot Summary 00:50:30 - Stella's Abandoned First Draft 00:53:25 - Stella's Pitch 01:41:16 - Stella's Plugs

It's Dalton's final solo pitch of the Death's Door Saga, and not coincidentally the bleakest and most disturbing! In the spirit of the original Exorcist and their beloved Exorcist III, Dalton's reimagining is obscene, blasphemous, but also totally sincere and even a little bit profound. Be aware that this episode is not for the faint of heart and we've included a LONG list of content warnings that you should not take lightly. (See: 02:20:17) But, if you like shocking, transgressive horror stories, you may well get a lot out of it. Either way, our next few episodes are guaranteed to be a lot lighter in tone! This episode includes a clip from the latest bonus podcast, which you can check out by joining our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for as little as $5/month. Start your 7-day free trial today! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:03:23 - Fan Expectations 00:11:11 - Trigger Warnings 00:13:13 - Dylan's Expectations 00:14:49 - Director Choice 00:17:57 - Act One - Station 1: Jesus is Condemned to Death 00:24:46 - Discussion 00:27:28 - Station 2: Jesus Takes Up His Cross 00:38:49 - Discussion 00:42:37 - Station 3: Jesus Falls for the First Time 00:47:17 - Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother 00:48:16 - Discussion 00:52:14 - Act Two - Station 5: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross 00:58:35 - Discussion 00:59:58 - Station 6: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus 01:05:31 - Discussion 01:08:10 - Station 7: Jesus Falls for the Second Time 01:12:54 - Discussion 01:18:21 - Station 8: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 01:25:36 - Discussion 01:28:11 - Station 9: Jesus Falls for the Third Time 01:35:40 - Station 10: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments 01:37:14 - Discussion 01:39:39 - Act Three - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross, AKA the Three Hours' Agony 01:53:38 - Discussion 02:01:06 - Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross 02:04:08 - Station 13: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross 02:08:27 - Station 14: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb 02:10:59 - Station 15: The Resurrection of Jesus 02:17:14 - Discussion 02:20:17 - Trigger Warnings (SPOILERS) 02:22:27 - Discussion

Actor, writer, podcaster, and professional funny person Danielle Radford join the Dark Universe to pitch what might be our most unhinged installment yet. It's not "Waterworld," it's "Waterworld: The Stunt Show... The Movie? Learn how this beloved theme park attraction based on the maligned box office boondoggle found a special place in Danielle's heart, and how we can possible turn this into a franchise extension of our sprawling Dark Universe! Our podcast partner this episode is DC Action News, a new podcast reporting bravely and boldly every Wednesday as the news breaks from the center of the multiverse (by which we mean the DC Comics Universe). Hosted by Alex Jaffe. PLUS: Stick around to the end to hear the new single from Dylan's band No Jersey, "How to Make it In America!" Now streaming wherever you're listening to this. Plus, there's a music video on YouTube. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intros 00:03:33 - Introducing the Waterworld Stunt Spectacular 00:16:33 - Danielle talks horror 00:21:17 - I guess we'll also summarize Waterworld the Movie 00:33:25 - Stunt show plot summary 00:45:12 - Break, DC Action News promo, quick Dylan announcement 00:46:28 - Danielle's pitch 00:53:49 - D&D workshop the pitch 00:01:17 - "How to Make It In America" by No Jersey

Nearly two years ago, Dylan announced that he'd be writing a Dark Universe take on Field of Dreams. Now, for his last solo pitch of the Death's Door Saga, he finally has to pitch it, and it's not remotely the script he initially planned. So, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? What the Hell is Field of Nightmares, and how will it be recieved by Dalton, who has no fondness for the 1989 baseball film on which it's based? PLUS: A quick clip from this month's bonus episode, on which D&D pitch a chapter in the Jenny & Carol saga based on the obscure TV movie Snow White: A Tale of Terror! Dylan would also like to acknowledge the late, great film composer James Horner, whose themes from the original Field of Dreams feature heavily in his score to this episode. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:32 - Why Field of Dreams? 00:07:28 - Dalton hates Field of Dreams 00:08:57 - A brief Field of Dreams recap 00:11:44 - Fan expectations 00:15:00 - Director choice (or is it?) 00:21:02 - Prologue 00:25:31 - Discussion 00:27:00 - Act One 00:42:57 - Discussion 00:46:46 - Act Two Part One 01:11:01 - Discussion 01:21:23 - Bonus pod clip 01:22:27 - Act Two Part Two 01:31:54 - Discussion 01:38:13 - Act Three 02:03:00 - Mid-Credits scene 02:04:48 - The Post-Credits scene that WASN'T 02:06:02 -  Discussion 02:11:15 - The ACTUAL director choice! 02:12:24 - Coming up next… 02:16:02 - Patron acknowledgement

Back in 2024, we appointed Welcome to Night Vale co-creator Joseph Fink to be the Dark Universe's Head of Television. Now, he's returned to the show to pitch Dylan & Dalton FIVE new TV ideas that run the gamut from hospital drama to reality competition show! It's a jam-packed one-hour creative jam session like nothing we've done before. Check out Joseph's new podcast The Best Worst, and find out if Welcome to Night Vale's live tour is coming to a city near you this summer, fall, or winter! Our podcast partner this week is The White Meat Podcast, on which filmmaker David Dylan Thomas and a parade of filmmakers, fans, and historians discuss the inspiration and production of his upcoming zombie horror-comedy about the bodies of enslaved people rising from the grave with a powerful and very specific hunger for the flesh of white people. If you like hearing us yammer on about our imaginary movies, go follow someone who's actually making one! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Start 00:03:21 - Re-introducing Joseph Fink! 00:07:11 - Dr. Frankenstein, MD 00:22:09 - A Graveyard Smash 00:30:34 - Prodigium 00:44:47 - Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? 00:53:39 - The Invisible Family 01:05:40 - Plugs 01:07:41 - Show announcements!

As we inch ever-closer to Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, journalist, streamer, and video producer Patrick Gill joins us to pitch a fresh, modern take on the cult classic monster movie C.H.U.D.! What compelled Patrick to rent this movie from the old mail-order Netflix? What does this high-end B-movie have in common with Jaws? How will Patrick, Dylan, and Dalton reimagine it to speak to modern New York? What, if anything, will "C.H.U.D." stand for this time around?   Timestamps:   00:00:00 - Start   00:02:18 - Welcome Patrick Gill!   00:05:27 - Why C.H.U.D.?   00:09:13 - Patrick's Dark Universe credentials   00:15:02 - C.H.U.D. Recap   00:39:17 - Patrick's pitch for a better C.H.U.D.   01:14:49 - Casting   01:25:30 - Plugs   01:26:41 - Patron Thanks   01:27:55 - Prevues of Coming Attractions

IN THREE WEEKS, the Death's Door Saga comes to an end. Since you've all been so patient, we thought we'd treat you to a little sneak peek... Featuring Frankie Starker as the voice of Ahmanet. First person to detect what song Dylan has trailer-fied in the middle chunk of the trailer gets a high five. NEXT WEEK: Incubus with Mattie Lubchansky and Calvin Kasulke!