Podcast appearances and mentions of eric sipple

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it's time for another nautical That Was Then. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is none other than Steven Spielberg's Jaws, a landmark moment in American film that permanently changed the shape of the industry, for better or for worse. It can be tough to view such a classic as a piece of craft unto its own, but Paul, Arlo, and super-duper special guest Eric Sipple do their best. The gang recounts the film's storied production, examines a young Spielberg's filmmaking technique, discusses Jaws' place in the Spielberg canon (particularly in light of The Fabelmans), and much more.   NEXT: That Was Then…this is sow. Paul, Arlo, and Eric head on down to the farm for a look at Chris Noonan's 1995 Best Picture nominee Babe.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:43  -  Intro / Banter 00:19:02  -  That Was Then: 1975 00:32:00  -  Jaws 01:55:00  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Jaws (Main Title)” by John Williams, Jaws (1975) “Nightswimming” by R.E.M., Automatic For The People (1992)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Pop open a can of spinach and set sail for the far-off year of 1980, when noted auteur Robert Altman had his crew build an entire functioning town so they could shoot a Popeye movie. This unassuming comic strip adaptation represents the collision of the New Hollywood movement and the old studio system, both in their waning days; neither would survive “Stalag Altman,” as star Robin Williams coined it. Paul and Arlo are delighted by the end result, an improvisational-seeming ensemble picture in the Altman vein that also features cartoon gags, characters bursting into songs penned by Harry Nilsson, and a giant octopus. The boys discuss why the movie is so much better than its reputation suggests, Robin Williams' and Shelly Duvall's underappreciated performances, the surprisingly moving throughline of fatherhood, and so much more. Plus, a whole bunch of trailers for Marvel's Thunderbolts*, the new season of animated sci-fi anthology Love Death + Robots, the animated Predator movie Killer of Killers, and Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme; Paul stuns Arlo by singing the praises of the new Amazing Spider-Man #1; and Arlo is still reading old school Fantastic Four.   NEXT: just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it's another That Was Then, as Paul, Arlo, and Eric Sipple take a bite out of Steven Spielberg's Jaws on the eve of its 50th anniversary.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:46  -  Intro / Even MORE Banter! 00:48:43  -  Popeye 01:59:28  -  Outro / Next   LINKS Thunderbolts* Love Death + Robots, Volume 4 Predator: Killer of Killers The Phoenician Scheme Popeye Is the Best Movie Robin Williams Ever Made by Eric Spitznagel, Vanity Fair   MUSIC “I Yam What I Yam” by Robin Williams, Popeye (1980) “I'm Popeye the Sailor Man” by Robin Williams, Popeye (1980) GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Here we go, here we go, here we go again: another Spider-Man adaptation? Don't get your webs in a tizzy, True Believers, because this one is really worth it. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the new animated series created by Jeff Trammell, imagines a branch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe where Peter Parker was never supposed to be bitten by that genetically altered spider–until he was. Cue wacky high school shenanigans, as a number of key changes from the comics and other shows/movies cause that butterfly effect to start flappin' its wings. Paul, Arlo, and forever guest Eric Sipple discuss how Trammell and company capture the spirit of the early Ditko/Lee comics, praise the vibrant animation, consider whether these iterations of the Osbornes are definitive, and much more. Plus, the gang pays tribute to Val Kilmer, there are new teasers for Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld and Superman, Arlo's been reading some more of the Kirby/Lee Fantastic Four, and Jonathan Hickman's Ultimate Spider-Man is the best Spidey book on the stands.   NEXT: we yare what we yare, and what we yare is discussing Robert Altman's 1980 take on Popeye for a new That Was Then.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:35  -  Intro / WAY TOO MUCH BANTER!!! 00:50:38  -  Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 02:04:30  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Neighbor Like Me” by The Math Club “Across 110th Street” by Bobby Womack, Across 110th Street (1973)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

It's a reunion at the end of the world as Eric Sipple joins Paul and Arlo for the latest Four-Color Flashback. Paul has invited everyone to The Nice House on the Lake, James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno's 2021-22 DC Black Label series about a group of old friends who have been sequestered from the apocalypse by their alien BFF. The gang discusses the way Tynion captures the feeling of being that friend who only has one other friend in the group, how Bueno uses his naturalistic and painterly style to evoke real horror, what the book says about what it takes to keep a group of adult humans from destroying each other, and much more. Plus, a whole bunch of casting announcements for Avengers: Doomsday and a trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another.   NEXT: Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can, like starring in the new Disney Plus animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:44  -  Intro / Guest 00:26:51  -  The Nice House on the Lake 02:11:10  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Drops in the Lake” by Lord Huron, Long Lost (2021) “Friends” by Whodini, Escape (1984)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

With How to Train Your Dragon, Chris Sanders taught us about human-dragon friendship. And now, with The Wild Robot, he shows us what happens when technology becomes stranded in the wilderness: a robot named Rozz learns to have a mother's love for a gosling named Brightbill. Paul, Arlo, and forever-guest Eric Sipple discuss how the film merges its natural and sci-fi elements, Sanders' evolution as a filmmaker, the stunning voice performance of Lupita Nyong'o, and what the movie says about parenthood. Plus, Paul gets Born Again with Daredevil and all the celebrities are dying.   NEXT: three is the magic number in a Geek Challenge featuring John Landis' 1986 flop Three Amigos and Robert Altman's obscure 1977 head trip 3 Women.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:39  -  Intro / Guest 00:35:00  -  The Wild Robot 02:01:00  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Wild Wild Life” by Talking Heads, True Stories (1986) “Mr. Roboto” by Styx, Kilroy Was Here (1983)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Does a bear kill in the woods? That's the question Patrick Horvath sets out to answer in his “Richard Scarry meets Dexter” opus Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, the subject of this year's very first Four-Color Flashback. The 2024 IDW series takes place in an idyllic world of anthropomorphic animals where not all is as it seems–the local hardware store owner, Samantha Strong, has a nasty habit of heading out to the city and slaughtering random passersby. That is, until another serial killer comes to her small town of Woodbrook, threatening the life she has carefully maintained for decades. Paul, Arlo, and Special Guest™ Eric Sipple discuss Horvath's deceptively simple cartooning, his brilliant use of panel layouts, the limits of the book's suburban satire, Hassane Otsmane-Elhaou's visionary lettering, and so much more. Plus, Arlo raves about Best Picture nominee Nickel Boys.   NEXT: we'll be back, someway, somehow.   BREAKDOWN 00:00:28  -  Intro / Guest 00:02:48  -  Banter and generally wasting time 00:08:44  -  Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees 01:35:47  -  Outro / Next   LINKS “Exclusive Interview: Patrick Horvath on BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES” by Christian Angeles, The Beat   MUSIC “Teddy Bear's Picnic” by Henry Hall, The Best Children's Songs & Stories (2014) “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” by Lead Belly, The Tradition Masters (2002)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

And we're back. Just like that, in the blink of an eye–or, depending on your perspective, what felt like several eternities–six months have passed since the last episode of Gobbledygeek. What happened? Where were we? Paul, Arlo, and third Gobbler Eric Sipple attempt to answer these questions on our season 16 premiere. Along the way, we eulogize master filmmaker David Lynch, discussing what made his Midwest surrealism so unique and why the “Lynchian” descriptor so often fails to capture his genius. We also run down a list of some of our favorite pop culture from last year, including I Saw the TV Glow (there's some disagreement), The Substance (ditto), Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, and much, much more.   NEXT: a big fat TBD.     MUSIC “Mairzy Doats” by Ray Wise “Falling” by Julee Cruise, Twin Peaks (1990)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

In an age where Deadpool & Wolverine is set to smash box office records, it can be hard to remember what things were like in the first wave of superhero blockbusters. Costumes were primarily made of black leather, nu-metal montages were all the rage, and yet–there was a willingness and desire to be experimental that is often lacking today. That's the scene The Incredibles burst onto in 2004, with its dynamic color palette, its retro-futuristic atmosphere, and (shockingly) its sharply defined point of view. For the next nostalgic installment of That Was Then, Paul and Arlo are joined by The Deli Counter of Justice co-founder Eric Sipple to discuss Brad Bird's landmark entry into the superhero canon. The gang discusses how Bird and his team utilized relatively primitive CGI to striking artistic effect, how comic books were not the film's main influence, and how Hollywood learned all the wrong lessons from The Incredibles' success.   NEXT: let's head to 1994 for more That Was Then, as we gaze upon the horrors unleashed by the Oliver Stone/Quentin Tarantino collab Natural Born Killers.     LINKS The Cinematography of The Incredibles, Part 1 by Ron Doucet, Flooby Nooby Part 2 Part 3     MUSIC “The Glory Days” by Michael Giacchino, The Incredibles (Music from the Motion Picture) (2004) “The Incredits” by Michael Giacchino, The Incredibles (Music from the Motion Picture) (2004)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Hail and well met! This week, Paul and Arlo raise their overpriced goblets to Lance Oppenheim's HBO docuseries Ren Faire. The three-episode series concerns the nation's largest Renaissance faire, the Texas Renaissance Festival, and the power-hungry Oompa Loompas looking to take over the chocolate factory from their perverted Willy Wonka. The boys are in awe (derogatory) of TRF owner George Coulam, a self-professed horny old man who seems much more interested in “sugaring” young women than in running his theme park. George berates all his pitiful hangers-on, including lifer Jeffrey Baldwin, Red Bull aficionado Louie Migliaccio, and no-nonsense Darla Smith. Topics of discussion include Oppenheim's blend of documentary and narrative filmmaking techniques, whether or not anyone involved is deserving of our sympathy, and LARPing.   NEXT: hope you know where your super suit is, because The Deli Counter of Justice co-founder Eric Sipple is joining Paul and Arlo for a That Was Then look back at 2004's The Incredibles.     LINKS Important Scoop: A Job Shuffle at HBO's ‘Ren Faire' by Vince Mancini Ren Faire's Darla, Jeff, and Louie on Surviving HBO's Real-Life Succession and King George by Julie Miller, Vanity Fair What If Game of Thrones and Succession Had a Docu-Baby? by Rebecca Alter, Vulture “Harvesting Artifice”: Lance Oppenheim Heightens Reality in HBO Series ‘Ren Faire' by Dan Schindel, Documentary Magazine     MUSIC “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Enya, Shepherd Moons (1991) “Who I'd Be” by Daniel Breaker & Bryan D'Arcy James, Shrek: The Musical (2010)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/  Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Around and around we go, where we'll stop–only Arlo knows! For this month's Four-Color Flashback, Gobbledygeek's enfant terrible has chosen Junji Ito's 1998-99 horror manga Uzumaki. Will Paul ever forgive him? On hand to find out is The Deli Counter of Justice co-conspirator Eric Sipple, who will be appearing on FCF episodes for infinity. The gang discusses Ito's beautifully grotesque imagery, the book's at times confounding narrative, their (in)experience with the manga form, and snails. Plus, Arlo has been dabbling in other East Asian art with more Godzilla movies and Edward Yang's Taiwanese masterpiece Yi Yi; and Paul cannot hold back his rage when it comes to X-Men ‘97.   NEXT: where you been, Gunga Din? Hollywood's own Michael Holland joins us to discuss George Stevens' 1939 classic.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:49  -  Intro / Godzilla banter 00:14:23  -  X-Men ‘97 rage! 00:28:33  -  Uzumaki 01:49:54  -  Outro / Next   MUSIC “Spiraling Shape” by They Might Be Giants, Factory Showroom (1996) “Snails Pace” by Bob Brown, Snails Pace (2022)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Oh, what a tangled web we Weavers! For this month's Four-Color Flashback, Paul and Arlo trap Eric Sipple in their web once more, this time to discuss Simon Spurrier & Dylan Burnett's Lovecraftian mob story Weavers. Despite being big fans of Spurrier's (author of past FCF favorites Six-Gun Gorilla and The Spire), Paul and Arlo aren't quite sure what to make of this one, while Eric has some thoughts on why the book is an interesting failure. One thing they can all agree on is Burnett's vibrant, stylish art–and how it elevates everything else on the page.   NEXT: Paul and Arlo will return.     MUSIC “Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Itsy Bitsy Spider (2015) “Boris the Spider” by The Who, A Quick One (1966)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

As they say, don't drink and podcast, but here Paul and Arlo are talking about 2004's Sideways for another round of That Was Then. Alexander Payne's acclaimed dramedy follows alcoholic wine connoisseur Miles as he takes his bonehead best buddy Jack on a road trip through Santa Barbara the week before Jack's due to get hitched. It is the Fox Searchlight movie, and the boys discuss what that means, how the performances bring forth certain emotional notes in the script's body, and why somebody could come away from a first viewing not understanding 20 years' worth of hype. Plus, Arlo goes into uncomfortable detail about his middle school career.   NEXT: enough old movies, let's talk old(-ish) comics! This month's Four-Color Flashback sees Eric Sipple joining Paul and Arlo for Si Spurrier and Dylan Burnett's Weavers.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:45  -  Intro / Guest 00:29:46  -  Main Topic 01:35:36  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel, The Stranger (1977) “A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell, Blue (1971)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the Gobbledygeek season 15 premiere! Breaking from vaguely defined tradition, Paul and Arlo are kicking off the season with a Four-Color Flashback, and their pal Eric Sipple is on hand to help turn the pages. Arlo has chosen to subject Paul and Eric to the classic Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale collab Superman for All Seasons, which may prove a tough sell to a couple of Super-skeptics. The gang discusses the book's Rockwell-influenced aesthetic, the simplicity (or flatness, depending on taste) of the cast, how Sale's big dopey Superman conveys Clark Kent's decency, and the surprising love triangle at the book's core. Plus, Arlo explains the very personal reasons he chose this book to start the season. You'll believe a man can cry.   NEXT: introducing our That Was Then series, wherein Paul and Arlo will be taking a look at various movies that are celebrating anniversaries in 2024. First up is perennial Gobbledy-fave Ghostbusters, which is turning a frightful 40.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:43  -  Intro / Guest 00:13:05  -  Superman For All Seasons 02:02:28  -  Arlo kills the conversation (TW: dead dads) 02:21:30  -  Outro / Next     LINKS Making the Scene podcast     MUSIC “Time of the Season” by The Zombies, Odessey and Oracle (1968) “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds (1965)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

500 episodes! Can you believe it? What incredibly special way will we choose to commemorate this event??? By, well, just having a regular episode discussing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse with our good friend Eric Sipple. At one point this past summer, we weren't sure another episode was ever going to happen, so this seems like a fitting celebration. The boys rave about Across the Spider-Verse's layered meanings, innovative animation, strong emotion, and how much more fun and exciting the movie is than the comics are these days.   NEXT: who even knows, man.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:07:05  -  Shout out to Levi Williams! 00:13:28  -  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 02:29:18  -  Outro / Next   LINKS Superheroes, Miles Morales, and the Fallacy of Hard Choices by Eric Sipple The Life of Reilly: In-Depth Analysis of the Spider-Man Clone Saga by Andrew Goletz   MUSIC “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, Sunshine On Leith (1988) “Spiderwebs” by No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom (1995)   GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  US (877) 565-8860 Canada (877) 330-6366 National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/  

No, this isn't a dream (or even a nightmare): The Sandman, the iconic Vertigo comic book series created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, and Mike Dringenberg, has finally been adapted for television. Paul, Arlo, and The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple are all huge fans of the comics, and they use their familiarity with the Dreaming to dive deep into the first season of the Netflix TV show. The gang discusses the show's mostly spot-on casting, whether it captures Morpheus as well as Roderick Burgess did, how the filmmakers modernize some of the books' more outdated elements, and so very much more. Plus, a mini-review of Prey, the new Predator film directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Amber Midthunder.   NEXT: sing a song of oblivion with Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici's Oblivion Song on a new Four-Color Flashback.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:32  -  Intro / Guest 00:02:31  -  Prey mini-review 00:26:28  -  The Sandman, Season 1 02:35:00  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   The Sandman Four-Color Flashback Series 177, “The Sandman: Vol. I - Preludes & Nocturnes (feat. Eric Sipple)” 182, “The Sandman: Vol. II - The Doll's House (feat. Eric Sipple)” 188, “The Sandman: Vol. III - Dream Country (feat. Greg Sahadachny)” 189, “The Sandman: Vol. IV - Season of Mists (feat. K. Dale Koontz & Ensley F. Guffey)” 193, “The Sandman: Vol. V - A Game of You (feat. K. Dale Koontz & Ensley F. Guffey)” 196, “The Sandman: Vol. VI - Fables & Reflections” 201, “The Sandman: Vol. VII - Brief Lives (feat. Eric Sipple)” 202, “The Sandman: Vol. VIII - Worlds' End (feat. Ensley Guffey)” 209, “The Sandman: Vol. IX - The Kindly Ones” 211, “The Sandman: Vol. X - The Wake (feat. Eric Sipple, Greg Sahadachny, and K. Dale Koontz & Ensley F. Guffey)” 268, “The Sandman: Overture (feat. Eric Sipple)” “Vortexes, Killers and Fallen Angels: Meet The Sandman's Unusual Cast” by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, dc.com “The Sandman's ‘The Sound of Her Wings' is Why Adaptations Exist” by Michael Walsh, Nerdist “Jessamy's Failure To Help Dream Prevents A Major Sandman Change” by Matt Morrison, ScreenRant “The Sandman's Dream Doesn't Show Much Emotion — That's What His Friends Are For” by Zosha Millman, Polygon “How The Sandman's One Change to John Dee Elevates the Original Story” by Taylor Piscitello, CBR “How the conscientious casting of women in "The Sandman" defies the gender-swapping trope” by Melanie McFarland, Salon       MUSIC “In Sleep” by Lissie, When I'm Alone: The Piano Retrospective (2019) “Cotton Candy Land” by Elvis Presley, It Happened At the World's Fair (Original Soundtrack) (1963)     GOBBLEDYCARES Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  US (877) 565-8860 Canada (877) 330-6366 National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

From Tupelo to Memphis, from Hollywood to Vegas, Elvis Presley conquered America–and now, telling his story, an Australian filmmaker has conquered the biopic. The operatic, maximalist, subtlety-eschewing Baz Luhrmann returns to the screen with Elvis, delivering the glitzy, excessive tribute this mythical/kitsch-ical icon deserves. Paul and Arlo share their personal connections to Elvis, rave about Austin Butler's transformation into the King, discuss how the film's portrayal of Elvis' racial and sexual impact stack up to the real deal, and behold Tom Hanks' embodiment of Satan. Here comes Sandy Claws!    NEXT: when the last streaming podcast deletes, our job will be finished. Eric Sipple joins us to discuss Netflix's adaptation of The Sandman.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:21  -  Intro 00:03:08  -  Our histories with The King 00:29:48  -  Elvis 01:54:05  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   “Rumors of Elvis Racism in the ‘50s Still Cloud Presley's Musical Legacy” by Alan Hanson, Elvis History Blog       MUSIC “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton, Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings (1992) “Steamroller Blues” by Elvis Presley, Walk a Mile in My Shoes (1995)     GOBBLEDYCARES Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  US (877) 565-8860 Canada (877) 330-6366 National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

“If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.”   Reunited, and it feels so good. Mimesis author and Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple is back with me, this time discussing two of the very best episodes of the show, “Reprise” and “Epiphany.” We bid farewell, mostly fondly, to Virginia Bryce, Holland Manners, and Kate Lockley, welcome a contrite and humbled Angel back into the fold, and gush unapologetically about the beautiful thesis statement of the entire damned series!   Bonus: we bond over our shared love of inspirational inner arm tattoos.   NEXT: Melanie Scala joins me to talk about 217, “Disharmony,” 218, “Dead End,” and 219, “Belonging.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:03:48  -  Main Topic 01:08:38  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Mimesis by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice by Eric Sipple, Paul Smith, and Arlo Wiley     LINKS Eric's website     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb, 2 Hot (1978)

For this month's Four-Color Flashback, Paul and Arlo roll the Die to discuss Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans' dark tale of a group of one-time RPG nerds getting sucked into the world of the game. Gillen has described the book as “goth Jumanji,” and there's some truth to that–these characters feel everything, hard. Luckily, so do we, and so does special guest Eric Sipple, author of Mimesis and co-creator of The Deli Counter of Justice. The gang discusses how Die takes apart and rebuilds typical D&D classes, its commentary on the entire history of gaming, why Ash is so important to Eric, and much more.   NEXT: by the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, it's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness!     BREAKDOWN 00:00:32  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:46  -  Our histories with RPGs 00:14:56  -  Die 02:44:20  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   “Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans On Bringing Their Acclaimed Image Comics Epic ‘DIE' to an End” by Matthew Jackson, SyFy Wire “Die is the Darker Side of D&D Fans Didn't Know They Needed” by Evan Mullicane, ScreenRant “We Roll A Nat 20 For Interviewing And Talk To The Creative Team Behind DIE” by Mark Turetsky and Corey Smith, ComicsXF Kieron Gillen's DIE RPG Beta       MUSIC “Tumbling Dice” by The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main St. (1972) “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush, Hounds of Love (1985)     GOBBLEDYCARES Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  US (877) 565-8860 Canada (877) 330-6366 National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

In a multiverse without limitations…you have chosen to listen to Gobbledygeek. Let that sink in. While you do, you'll also get to hear Paul and Arlo's latest Geek Challenge! Arlo sort-of challenges Paul to The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once, the year's big breakout movie, starring Michelle Yeoh as infinite versions of herself; and Paul in turn challenges Arlo to James Wong's 2001 action flick The One, featuring Jet Li vs. Jet Li in a dystopian future. The boys discuss the Daniels' hyper-maximalist approach to filmmaking, how Everything Everywhere earns its zaniness with real emotion, the shocking amount of hair Jason Statham sports in The One, and that film's perfect time capsule of a soundtrack.   NEXT: Die! The Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans comic book, that is. Eric Sipple joins us for this month's Four-Color Flashback.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:29  -  Intro / RIP Tim Sale 00:09:55  -  Everything Everywhere All at Once 01:09:30  -  The One 01:36:49  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   “‘The One' Is the Original Multiversal Arts Movie for Fans of ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once'” by Collier Jennings, Collider “How ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once' Earns Its Kindness and Optimism” by Joe Hoeffner, Collider “How ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once' Subverts the Action Movie Climax” by Fredrick James, Collider       MUSIC “Googly Eyes” by Caspar Babypants, This is Fun! (2011) “Down With the Sickness” by Disturbed, The Sickness (2000)     GOBBLEDYCARES Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/  US (877) 565-8860 Canada (877) 330-6366 National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Panthers…IN SPAAAAACE! For their first Four-Color Flashback of 2022, Paul and Arlo look to the stars, where they find Black Panther: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. The second half of Ta-Nehisi Coates' Black Panther run, these 25 issues--with art by Daniel Acuña, Kev Walker, and Ryan Bodenheim, among others--concern T'Challa's rise from slave to legend in an alien empire that bears his kingdom's name. The boys discuss Coates' bold new direction, the question of expansion vs. imperialism at the heart of the book, Acuña's photorealistic interstellar action compared to Walker's more abstract emphasis on character, and that goddamn symbiote. Plus, an acknowledgement of how surreal it is to be reading a comic book depiction of war at this particular moment, Amazon's evisceration of comiXology, and more.   NEXT: let's party like it's 1999-2003. For the first of a two-part exploration of the Wachowskis' Matrix series, Mimesis author Eric Sipple jacks in to discuss the original trilogy. Whoa.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:23  -  Intro / Banter 00:08:21  -  Paul's Unhinged ComiXology Rant 00:34:43  -  Main Topic 01:56:36  -  Outro / Next     MUSIC “Intergalactic” by Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty (1998) “Space Jam” by Quad City DJ's, Space Jam (1996)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Gobbledyween has come to a close for another year--and we're going out with a fang! To round out our month of frightening films, we've chosen a movie most people have probably never heard of: Rockula, a vampiric musical from 1990 starring Dean Cameron as the bloodsucking Ralph, cursed to try and win back the love of his immortal life every 22 years. We have also chosen to torture none other than Mimesis author Eric Sipple, who has been forced to endure this film with Paul and Arlo. The gang discusses mirror selves, farting bats, resentful stars, and of course, Bo Diddley.   NEXT: enough inner darkness, how about some Outer Darkness? For our next Four-Color Flashback, we explore the interstellar terror of John Layman and Afu Chan's 2018-19 Image series.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:40  -  Intro / Guest 00:09:36  -  Rockula 01:29:46  -  The Box Office Game! 01:52:26  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   Rockula Online        MUSIC “Rockula” by Los Straitjackets, Damas y Caballeros (2001) “Rockula” by Jesse Cutler, Test of Time (2008)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

Have you ever heard of insect podcasts? Neither have we. Paul and Arlo continue Gobbledyween 2021 with a deep penetrating dive into the plasma pool, as Alex Jonestown Massacre guitarist Kenn Edwards teleports on over to discuss David Cronenberg's 1986 classic The Fly. The gang places the film in the context of the AIDS epidemic, marvels at just how charming it is, raves about Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis' chemistry, and declares makeup effects artist Chris Walas to be one of the unsung heroes of ‘80s cinema. Plus, Kenn gives us a breakdown of the 20 (!) live events he's been to post-vaccine.   NEXT: all things must come to an end, and so Gobbledyween returns to the grave after one final performance. Mimesis author Eric Sipple helps us lift the coffin lid on Luca Bercovici's 1990 masterpiece Rockula.     BREAKDOWN 00:00:20  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:42  -  The Fly 00:11:18  -  Oh wait, it's Ted Lasso tangents and concert reviews… 00:47:35  -  Okay, back to The Fly, for real this time 01:26:46  -  Kenn blindsides us with his House of the Devil thoughts 01:30:00  -  Aaaaaand the finale of our The Fly discussion 02:01:20  -  The Box Office Game! 02:26:28  -  Outro / Next     LINKS   The Beetle and the Fly by David Cronenberg, The Paris Review The Definitives: The Fly by Brian Eggert, Deep Focus Review Pushing the Button: a Chronologically LOST Posdcast Welcome to Paradise: A Green Day Podcast Alex Jonestown Massacre // Bandcamp // Spotify        MUSIC “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” by The Offspring, Americana (1998) “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz, 5 (1998)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

That Sipple you like is going to come back in style. It's been a long while--we're talking pre-pandemic here--but Eric Sipple is finally making their return to this humble little podcast. Author of Broken Magic and one-third of the Deli Counter of Justice braintrust, Eric tells Paul and Arlo all about their new YA fantasy novel Mimesis--including the loaded, sometimes confusing connotations inferred by the term “YA.” The gang discusses the gorgeous cover art by Demetrio Kring, what inspired Mimesis, and Eric's upcoming gig at the MileHiCon in Denver, CO. Plus, assorted and often tangential thoughts on the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer.   NEXT: TBD.     LINKS   Eric Sipple's website Kring Demetrio's website Kring Demetrio's Instagram Mimesis Pre-Order (Digital) The Deli Counter of Justice       MUSIC “What the Water Gave Me” by Florence and the Machine, Ceremonials (2011) “Cold Cold Water” by Mirah, Advisory Committee (2002)     GOBBLEDYCARES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/  Support AAPI communities and those affected by anti-Asian violence: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/ Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/  Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/ Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/

“Help me.”  ~Faith   After a good-not-great season one so far, Angel finds its feet properly, giving one of the best characters from across the Whedonverse one of the best moments of character development from across the Whedonverse. Or that's my opinion at least. Fortunately, my good friend, Broken Magic author Eric Sipple agrees with me, so I let him come back on the show. Together we discuss the blossoming of the Angel/Lindsey rivalry, the overwhelming power of THAT rain-soaked alley scene, and how it's not about you, Buffy!    NEXT: Author, scholar, and friend of the show Elizabeth Rambo makes her triumphant return, her first time joining me since we wrapped up Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to lead us through the final three episodes of Angel season one. We'll be discussing 120, “War Zone,” 121, “Blind Date,” and 122, “To Shanshu in L.A.”     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:13  -  Main Topic 01:39:35  -  Outro / Next     LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple & Arlo Wiley     LINKS Eric's Website - A Beautiful Rain of Frogs     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” by Anakelly, Timeless (Piano & Vocal) (2016)

Two episodes that likely don't feature on anyone's Top 10 lists. “The Ring” features our heroes releasing a bunch of murderous demons into the city. “Eternity” posits that anyone could have roofied Angel at any time to release Angelus. Both setups draw a fair amount of fan criticism. But Classic Hollywood connoisseur and CWDP repeat offender Michael Holland joins me to find the positives hidden deep within the two texts. For example, “The Ring” introduces the divinely sinister Lilah Morgan, who makes a very significant offer to our vampire with a soul that will prove prescient to the series as a whole. And “Eternity” raises genuinely interesting questions of the metaphysics of drug-induced happiness. And perhaps most importantly, to me at least, both episodes feature further hints of the depths of Wesley Wyndam-Pryce's seemingly still waters.   NEXT: my good friend and Deli Counter of Justice co-author Eric Sipple is back, baby! Best of all, he's back to share my love of the next two episodes of Angel, arguably among the best episodes of the series, 118, “Five by Five” and 119, “Sanctuary.” I literally cannot wait!     BREAKDOWN 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:07:25  -  Main Topic 01:35:00  -  Outro / Next     LINKS Michael's Blog - Holland Imaginarium     MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash (1963)

“Do the words ‘superiority complex’ mean anything to you?”   This week I’m joined by Broken Magic author and my very frequent collaborator Eric Sipple, here to discuss arguably the most important episode of the series (being the namesake of this clearly revolutionary podcast) episode 707, “Conversations with Dead People.” We break down the four (five?) titular conversations; wax rhapsodic about Jonathan Woodward; condemn the pointless death of Jonathan Levinson; lament the horribly wasted potential of the First Evil; and ask whether the episode is better in isolation or if the shocks and twists of this episode actually pay off in a satisfying way through the rest of the season.   Is it just a coincidence that this podcast takes its name from the only episode in the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with absolutely ZERO Xander Harris? You be the judge.    Next: Tami Anderson, fan and amateur Buffyologist, joins me to discuss episode 708, “Sleeper” and 709, “Never Leave Me.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:44 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:05:50  -  Main Topic 01:18:30  -  Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple, Arlo Wiley   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Blue” by Angie Hart, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale - Music from the TV Series (2003)

Michael Adams, author of Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, joins me as I continue my march to the end here in Season 7 with the next three episodes. “Help” introduces us, for a tragically brief time, to the delightful Azura Skye as Cassie, doomed teenage poet and seer. “Selfless” features a fun flashback and a “lost” musical number from “Once More, With Feeling.” (It is also the point at which my uncharacteristic love for Buffy Summers I’ve been feeling for the first part of this season finally wears off.) And “Him” provides a mildly troubling Buffy-channeling-Darla seduction scene, and a waka-chicka-waka-chicka Charlie’s Angels-esque split screen montage.   Next: Broken Magic author, and my co-author/co-editor on The Deli Counter of Justice, Eric Sipple joins me for what is arguably the most important episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ever (being the namesake for this very important podcast), 707, “Conversations with Dead People.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:46:35 00:00:55  -  Intro / Guest 00:04:16  -  Main Topic 01:41:00  -  Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Slayer Slang: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lexicon, by Michael Adams Buffy Goes Dark: Essays on the Final Two Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Television, edited by Lynne Y. Edwards, Elizabeth Rambo, and James B. South   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Theme from ‘A Summer Place’” by Percey Sledge and his Orchestra, A Summer Place (1959)

Guess who's back, back again…   A little flying lemur told us it was the 15th Anniversary of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and we thought, “Hey, we liked that show.” So here we are, Team TARP together again. We discuss our memories of the series, how it's influenced pop culture, and whether or not that Netflix live-action series is ever gonna happen. We also talk about all the various ways this podcast could reincarnate in the future, be it for books, comics, or other animated series.    Also, our resident boozebender Eric Sipple creates an Avater-themed cocktail. (See the recipe below.)   Next: TBD   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:40:55 00:00:45  - Intro 00:09:45  - AtLA 15th Anniversary 00:43:33  - Netflix live-action update 01:05:16  - Books & Comics 01:10:30  - Animation 01:20:06  - Speculating about new podcast projects 01:37:20  - Outro / Next THE MUSIC “Avatar: The Last Airbender (Intro)” by Jeremy Zuckerman (2005) “Airbending” by Mak11, Airbending (Single) (2019) THE LINKS Wyrd Crafts Chit-Chat Episode 2 - Jessie Flower Hoopla - Streaming Audiobooks, Music, Video & eBooks Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Rise of Kyoshi (The Kyoshi Novels Book 1) by F. C. Yee THE AVATAR STATE Recipe 1 oz London dry gin (Air) 1 oz Campari (Fire) 1 oz Punt e Mes (Earth) Fill an old fashioned glass with ice (Water). Add all ingredients to the glass and stir. Garnish with a thin slice of orange.

For my 50th birthday (ugh), my gift to you is the 50th episode (egads) of this podcast, which will focus on the 50th worst episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (I made that last part up...it’s probably higher on most “Worst Of” lists. It’s a meat process.) Joining me this time is my good friend and frequent collaborator, first-time guest Eric Sipple. Together we share the DoubleMeat Medley that is the forgettable patty of 611, “Gone” above the mid-bun, and the processed trauma of 613, “Dead Things” below the mid-bun. But it’s really that bland, stale mid-bun of 612, “Doublemeat Palace” that gives us indigestion.   Am I straining the metaphor here? Well, it IS Season Six, so when in Rome...   Next: Jessica Hautsch is back with us to take a look at 614, “Older and Far Away,” 615, “As You Were,” and 616, “Hell’s Bells.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:23:05 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:08:30  - Main Topic 01:18:48  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Broken Magic, by Eric Sipple The Deli Counter of Justice, by Paul Smith, Eric Sipple, Arlo Wiley   THE LINKS Gobbledygeek Podcast  - website - iTunes The Avatar Returns Podcast  - website - iTunes   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Out of this World” by Bush, Golden State (2001)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

James Rocha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State and co-author, along with his wife Dr. Mona Rocha, of Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, returns to help ease us into the poor decision making of the Scooby Gang, and the heavy-handed “metaphor” application of the writers headed into the darker half of the darkest season. In episode 608, “Tabula Rasa,” James does his best to get into the philosophy of it all, while I just question if Buffy has jumped the shark. In 609, “Smashed,” we talk about Willow’s reasons for finally de-ratting Amy; the debate over Spike’s reasons for trying to bite the blonde in the alley is rehashed; and Buffy (the “good” Slayer) has now slept with twice as many named characters as Faith (the “bad” Slayer). And 610, “Wrecked” reminds us how important Merrie Melodies cartoons are; the so-called subtext becomes painful, bludgeoning text hammered directly into our innocent, trusting faces; and my oft-referenced issues with one particular writer are made just a little more clear. For better or worse.   Next: co-host of The Avatar Returns podcast, co-author of The Deli Counter of Justice, my friend Eric Sipple joins the conversation for the first time to discuss episodes 611, “Gone,” 612, “Doublemeat Palace,” and 613, “Dead Things.”   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:54:55 00:00:55  - Intro / Guest 00:03:26  - Main Topic 01:51:15  - Outro / Next   THE LIBRARY Joss Whedon, Anarchist? A Unified Theory of the Films and Television Series, by James Rocha and Mona Rocha   THE MUSIC “Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017) “Goodbye to You” by Michelle Branch, The Spirit Room (2002)   THE SCHOLARS Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.  http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

The geeks speak! Gobbledygeek has been resurrected via cloning or Force magic or some shit, and to kick off season 11, Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple has lightspeed-skipped on over to discuss Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. After adoring The Last Jedi, the gang approached this supposed final film in the Skywalker Saga with heavy amounts of skepticism--well-earned, depending on who you ask. They discuss the mystical, magical malarkey behind Palpatine’s return; how director J.J. Abrams and writer Chris Terrio are uniquely suited to not deliver a satisfying conclusion; the oodles of fan service; what the film’s final scene means for the legacy of Star Wars; and more. Plus, they talk about The Baby Yoda Show AKA The Mandalorian.   Next: it is January 29, 2020. Paul and Arlo are discussing Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen for a Four-Color Flashback. I am tired of this world; these people. THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 02:35:50 00:00:00  - Intro 00:02:35  - The Mandalorian 00:28:52  - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 02:31:20  - Outro / Next THE MUSIC “Fanfare and Prologue” by John Williams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019) “Finale” by John Williams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019) THE LINKS “Why ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Pissed Off Fans” by Matt Singer, Screencrush “The Last Jedi dared to put the philosophy of Star Wars in the foreground” by Siddhant Adlahka, Polygon   “The Rise Of Skywalker, And How Star Wars Is Junk” by Chuck Wendig, Terribleminds   “Rey's revelation in 'Rise of Skywalker' changes Star Wars for the worse” by Chris Taylor, Mashable “How ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Failed Kylo Ren and What It Could Have Learned from ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’” by Hoai-Tran Bui, SlashFilm  “Rote and Cowardly, The Rise of Skywalker Sets a Dangerous Precedent” by Jeffrey Zhang, Strange Harbors “STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Has A Ben Solo Problem” by Lindsey Romain, Nerdist     “There's No Such Thing as a Great Star Wars Movie” by Edoardo Ranaboldo, CBR   “The Rise of Skywalker Makes It Clear Star Wars NEEDS Rian Johnson” by Anthony Gramuglia, CBR   “‘Star Wars’: Still With Us, but No Longer Above Us” by Owen Gleiberman, Variety “Proof That Luke Skywalker’s Story Got the Proper Ending: King Arthur” by Eric Diaz, Nerdist “Dark Star Rising: How Adam Driver’s angst and brooding intensity made the world fall in love with a ‘Star Wars’ supervillain” by Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone “The Rise of Skywalker Allowed Toxic Fandom to Win” by Sergio Pereira, CBR “Star Wars: Did The Skywalker Saga Bring Balance to the Force in the End?” by Hannah Collins, CBR     “The Greatest Trick Star Wars Ever Played Was Making Us Think It Was About Redemption” by Susana Polo, Polygon  

Our favorite thing is Gobbledyween, so to close out this year’s frightening festivities, Paul and Arlo are breaking from the norm to discuss Emil Ferris’ 2017 graphic novel My Favorite Thing Is Monsters. Joining them for this first Gobbledyween/Four-Color Flashback crossover is their The Deli Counter of Justice collaborator Eric Sipple. The gang marvels at Ferris’ stunning art (all done in ballpoint pen!), attempts to process the numerous threads in this first of two planned volumes (sexuality, duality, and reality, oh my!), draws unexpected parallels to Art Spiegelman’s Maus (a FCF entry just this past August!), and so much more (no parenthetical necessary!). We promise there are monsters.   Next: and I’m freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, free Gooooobbliiiiiiin’. THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:42:55 00:00:44  - Intro 00:03:20  - My Favorite Thing is Monsters 01:36:51  - Outro / Next THE MUSIC “Wild Thing” by The Troggs, From Nowhere (1966) “Good Monsters” by Jars of Clay, Good Monsters (2006) THE LINKS “The Holocaust, Art, Chicago & Sickness: A 3,500-Word Interview with My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Mastermind Emil Ferris” by Hillary Brown, Paste “'My Favorite Thing Is Monsters' Is A Dazzling, Graphic Novel Tour-De-Force” by John Powers, NPR “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters - Review” by Andrea Crow, Lambda Literary “Emil Ferris: ‘I didn’t want to be a woman - being a monster was the best solution’” by Sam Thielman, The Guardian “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters - Review” by Paul Tumey, The Comics Journal “When Everyone’s a Monster, No One Is: The Ugly Everyday in My Favorite Thing is Monsters” by Em Nordling, Tor.com “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is a brilliant, eye-opening graphic novel debut” by Oliver Sava, AV Club “The Bite That Changed My Life” by Elly Fishman, Chicagomag.com

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: the rich have always sucked off the poor, and podcasting icon Greg Sahadachny has always joined Gobbledyween for the most ridiculous and outrageous pick of the season. This time, Paul and Arlo have chosen to torment Greg with Brian Yuzna’s 1989 satire Society, which is a dumb teen sex comedy until--well, until it isn’t. The gang discusses the film’s subtext and/or screaming neon text; Screaming Mad George’s “surrealistic makeup effects”; how the movie surprisingly rewards repeat viewings; and the film’s unlikely parallels to Lynch, Friedkin, Polanski, and a whole buncha other pretentious arthouse weirdos.   Next: Gobbledyween comes to a close as Broken Magic author Eric Sipple joins us to discuss Emil Ferris’ graphic novel My Favorite Thing Is Monsters. THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:14:44 00:00:45  - Intro 00:03:42  - Society 01:09:00  - Outro / Next THE MUSIC “The Eton Boating Song (feat. Helen Moore)” by A.D.E.W., Mark Ryder & Phil Davies, Society (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1989) “Society Is My Friend” by Kurt Vile, Smoke Ring for My Halo (2011)

For the latest installment of this year’s spandex-free Four-Color Flashback, Paul and Arlo tackle a big one: Art Spiegelman’s Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, still the only comic book ever to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Joining them to discuss Spiegelman’s harrowing account of his father Vladek’s time in the concentration camps of Nazi-occupied Poland--and Art’s own tense relationship with Vladek--is Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple. The gang discusses Spiegelman’s provocative choice to depict Jews as mice, Nazis as cats, Poles as pigs, etc.; how Spiegelman follows in a tradition going all the way back to Mickey Mouse; and why it’s specifically disturbing to read Maus in 2019.   Next: Paul and Arlo will return.   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:32:45 00:01:52  - Intro 00:04:04  - Maus: A Survivor’s Tale 01:27:43  - Outro / Next

The Amazon is burning and all anyone cares about is Spider-Man. Yay! Welcome to another exciting episode of Gobbledygeek! After nixing a fash-bashing Geek Challenge because Paul absolutely could not sit through three hours of The Sound of Music, he and Arlo decide to freestyle it and, well, all is not well! The world’s on fire, the government is imploding, and Spider-Man might not get to be an Avenger anymore! As for that last one, the boys have deeply conflicted feelings about their love for the character and the Marvel movies with their disdain for Disney the Evil Empire. Plus, Arlo still won’t watch all the things Paul says he should watch, and Marc Maron chimes in.   Next: for even more lighthearted family fun, the boys have asked their The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple to join them for a discussion of Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, extremely depressing yet extremely essential, Maus: A Survivor’s Tale. THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:27:36 00:00:35  - Intro 00:02:30  - Us NOT talking about The Sound of Music and The Great Dictator 00:21:15  - The Spider-Man Custody Battle (aka Money Ruins Things) 00:42:55  - Arlo ignores GLOW, Dark, and Mindhunter in favor of Fast & Furious 00:58:48  - Karina Longworth’s You Must Remember This podcast goes Manson-crazy 01:03:39  - Marc Maron joins an elite group of “adults” too cool for superheroes 01:13:24  - Kevin Conroy and the Crisis on Infinite CW Shows 01:18:14  - New Caliburn Chronicles 01:24:05  - Outro / Next

All good things must come to an end. And while the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not one of those things--there’s another one of these bad boys coming out in a few months--Avengers: Endgame does represent the culmination of this first wave/cycle/saga of the MCU. Paul and Arlo are joined by their The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple to discuss just how in the hell directors Anthony and Joe Russo, screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and many many other talented filmmakers pulled off this marvelous feat. Because somehow, some way, Endgame is just about the most satisfying conclusion you could hope for.   Next: enter the void.   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 02:04:13 00:00:30  - Intro / Banter 00:05:37  - Avengers: Endgame (Non-Spoiler) 00:30:17  - Avengers: Endgame (SPOILERS) 02:02:00  - Outro / Next

Paul and Arlo return to the land of Berk one last time for a discussion of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Joining them is their fellow dragon rider (and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor) Eric Sipple. The gang discusses their journey through the years with Hiccup and Toothless, whether or not the supporting cast weighs the series down, writer-director Dean DeBlois’ original intentions for the villain, and their differing interpretations of the conclusion. Next: enter the void.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 02:28:10 00:00:37 - Intro / Disclaimer (Paul is emotional and broken and in therapy ABOUT these films!) 00:08:26 - Main Topic (Non-Spoiler) 00:42:23 - SPOILERS 02:23:17 - Outro / Next

For this month’s superheroic Four-Color Flashback installment, Paul and Arlo set out for lands unknown with the late, great Darwyn Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier. Cooke’s ambitious 2004 limited series bridges the gap between comics’ Golden Age and Silver Age, paying nostalgic tribute to the fictional heroes of that time while using the era’s form and style to comment on the day’s social and political ills. They’re joined on their voyage by The Avatar Returns co-host and The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple. The gang discusses Cooke’s artwork, striking and cinematic in ways few others comics have achieved; how Cooke wisely keeps Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman in the background to focus on new heroes like Green Lantern and the Flash; how the story of J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, compares to that of African-American freedom fighter John Henry; the pretty good animated adaptation; and more. Plus, Eric has some personal news; SDCC happened, including a slew of trailers for the likes of Shazam, Aquaman, and more; and Nathan Fillion gets his Nathan Drake on in the Uncharted fan film. Next: the end is out there. Wesley “Wezzo” Mead joins Paul and Arlo to talk The X-Files one last time, as the gang discusses the big screen continuation I Want to Believe and both revival seasons.   THE BREAKDOWN 00:00:00 - 00:48:32  - Intro / Banter 00:48:32 - 02:03:13  - Main Topic 02:03:13 - 02:06:35  - Outro / Next Week

This is not going to go the way you think. Indeed, in a rare occurrence, the stars (and their wars) have aligned to allow Paul, Arlo, and their Avatar Returns co-host Eric Sipple to agree that Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi is one of the best blockbusters in years. The gang discusses why that is, including the surprising directions in which writer-director Rian Johnson takes the story, its iconic imagery, another rousing John Williams score, how it strengthens the weaknesses of past Star Wars films, and one hell of a performance from Mark Hamill. And, yes, they tackle the fandom’s baffling response to the film. Next: Gobbledygeek returns in 2018 with a continuation of Paul and Arlo's Four-Color Flashback discussion of Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s Y: The Last Man. This time, they'll tackle the penultimate collection, Vol. 9: The Motherland. THE BREAKDOWN Intro / Banter (00:00 - 04:05) Main Topic (04:05 - 20:55) SPOILERS (20:55 - 2:34:18) Outro / Next Week (2:34:18 - 2:38:51)

A band of dirty rebels go to extreme lengths to send a transmission that will change the fate of the galaxy...yes, that's right, Paul and Arlo are risking everything to get the Gobbledygeek season 8 premiere out there. After a months-long hiatus, the boys make their triumphant return to discuss Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, joined by So Let's Get to the Point and Welcome to Paradise's Kenn Edwards and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple. Gareth Edwards' prequel (ooh, there's the p-word) could be taken as a proof of concept for Disney's slate of standalone Star Wars films. The gang debates its merits as a Star Wars movie and a movie on its own terms; wonders why the characters don't stick out more; and asks the question that will unlock Rogue One's many secrets...why is the door stuck?   Next: to the delight of almost no one, Paul and Arlo clean house following last year's abbreviated season by finishing their Four-Color Flashback analysis of Matt Wagner's Grendel with "Devil's Reign," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3.

Later this month, Paul and AJ will begin a new Four-Color Flashback series exploring Matt Wagner's Grendel. Before they do, though, they're making a return trip to the Dreaming for another look at Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, which they pored over in 2014. Their The Deli Counter of Justice collaborator Eric Sipple joins the boys to discuss The Sandman: Overture, which takes place both before and after Gaiman's original 75-issue opus. The gang raves about J.H. Williams III's mind-expanding artwork, discusses how Overture fares as a prequel, questions its additions to the mythos, and compares the Dream we met in the first chapter of The Sandman to the one we know by the final chapter of Overture.   Next: after a week off, the boys visit their neighbors down at 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Paul and AJ take one final plunge into Hitchcock Month for a look at 1945's Spellbound, in which Ingrid Bergman falls in love with Gregory Peck on the way to psychoanalyzing him; and 1958's Vertigo, wherein James Stewart becomes obsessed with Kim Novak, or at least his (and Hitchcock's) icy blonde ideal of her. Joining them on this downhill drive is Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple. The boys discuss how the films deal with love and dreams, how much Hitchcock intentionally revealed of himself in his work, Salvador Dalí's surreal contribution to Spellbound, and what Vertigo's reputation as the new greatest movie ever made means for its legacy.   Next: Eric is back for another dreamy outing, as we return to the series we covered in 2014's Four-Color Flashback for The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III.

For the penultimate installment of Hitchcock Month, Paul and AJ continue their tour of Hitch's limited-setting films with a look at 1944's Lifeboat, wherein a group including Tallulah Bankhead's socialite reporter winds up sailing under Walter Slezak's Nazi; and 1954's Dial M for Murder, in which the dashing Ray Milland conspires to murder the unfaithful Grace Kelly. Joining them is Ensley F. Guffey, one-half of Guffey und Koontz, the writing team behind Wanna Cook? The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad. Ensley is also admittedly not much of a Hitchcock fan, which makes for some interesting discussion. The boys debate the merit of these films, which by some accounts may be the least interesting selections so far; delve into the political climate that birthed Lifeboat; wonder what Dial M for Murder would have looked like in 3D; and take a guess at what drew Hitchcock to confined spaces.   Next: Hitchcock Month closes with a leap of faith from Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple, as the gang talks 1945's Spellbound and 1958's Vertigo.

For the season finale of Gobbledygeek, Paul and AJ turn to a little-seen, rarely discussed art film: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Joining them are Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point, Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple, and Star Wars superfan Andrew Allen, scum and villains all. The Force Awakens is strong with nostalgia for the original films, a fact which sits better with some of our panel than others. The gang discusses why the movie leans heavily on the past, whether or not the series is capable of looking forward, the film's place in the established Skywalker mythos, and how it has the exact opposite problem of George Lucas' efforts.   Next: we're on winter break before returning in roughly three weeks' time with a look at Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight; Eric Sipple and A/V writer-director Joseph Lewis bring us up to a Somewhat Disgruntled Four. In the meantime, thank you for a great 2015 and have yourself some happy holidays.

When the world was new, and dreams had not yet receded from the waking day...Paul and AJ had begun reading Jeff Smith's cartoonish magnum opus Bone. Well, it hasn't been quite that long, but the boys have been analyzing Bone all year long for 2015's Four-Color Flashback series, and their journey has finally come to an end. After admitting frustration with the endless infodumps and constant mythological revelations in the latter half of the series, they have a lot of hopes for Vol. IX: Crown of Horns. Does Smith deliver on these hopes? Does the series work better when viewed on a macro level? Does the ending fit with what has come before? Should you recommend Bone to friends looking to get into comics? My tinglin' scalp says the answers are all here.   Next: for our final episode this year, So Let's Get to the Point's Kenn Edwards, The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple, and Star Wars fanatic Andrew Allen join Paul and AJ for a discussion of the obscure arthouse film Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

Welcome to the pilot episode of THE AVATAR RETURNS. It seems as though a hundred years have passed since we first committed to do this, but at last…we're here to save the world! Or at least watch and discuss every chapter of the award-winning Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel The Legend of Korra. Each week (or so), your humble hosts Paul Smith and Arlo J. Wiley (of the Gobbledygeek podcast) and Eric Sipple (of the Making the Scene podcast) wax rhapsodic about 2-4 chapters, working their way from the epic's humble beginnings in the frozen southern wastes to the dramatic final battle in…well, that would be telling. This episode, we talk about “The Boy in the Iceberg,” “The Avatar Returns,” and “The Southern Air Temple.” Paul and Eric have seen both series before, but this is AJ's first visit to the world of Avatar. Join us as we bask in his coming of age.

   If you ever feel like you've got more than one voice in your head...you just might. That's what the eight leads of Netflix's new series Sense8 discover. What Paul and AJ discover, along with their The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple, is that the show, from the minds of the Wachowski siblings and J. Michael Straczynski, is a fascinating intersection of race, class, sexuality, and geography. As the characters experience the world through each others' eyes--and beyond--the show delves into a topic unfamiliar to much pop culture: empathy. The gang digs into Sense8's metaphysical kick, its brilliantly layered characters, its binge-watching model, and more. Next: Greg Sahadachny of The Debatable Podcast drops in for another Four-Color Flashback episode examining Jeff Smith's Bone. This time, we'll be reading Bone: Vol IV - The Dragonslayer.

  Don't you just hate how amusement parks jack up prices during the summer season? I mean, $12 for a Slurpee? Not to mention the lines and the waiting and the heat and the crowds don't get me started on the crowds and OH GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE! Jurassic World is the only park on Earth where you're more likely to get bitten by a pterosaur than a mosquito, so of course the thing's been up and running for 20 years with nary an incident. At least that's the premise of Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic Park sequel, which finds Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and her heels on the run from all manner of prehistoric beasts. Paul and AJ, joined by Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point, discuss the film's logic or lack thereof, how it plays into the Buzzfeed-ification of our culture, its surprising similarities to Gremlins 2, and what it has to say about big corporate sequels. Plus, AJ's not dead. Next: I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together. The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple joins the boys to talk Netflix's new series Sense8.

  Man has been exploiting nature since the first caveman picked up a rock and bludgeoned another to death with it. This doesn't sit well with some, like Hayao Miyazaki, who has made two powerful films about the environment and the ways in which human greed corrupts it: 1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which led to the creation of the revered Studio Ghibli; and 1997's Princess Mononoke, which finds Ghibli at the peak of its powers. To help Paul and AJ kick off their month-long celebration of Japanese animation master Miyazaki, another princess stops by, namely Princess Sippy Cup AKA The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple. The gang discusses the ways in which Nausicaä and Mononoke tackle the same themes from different angles, Miyazaki's shifting perspective over the years, and what both films have to say about violence and the nature of evil. Next: Black Ice author Kitty Chandler (whose work just so happens to appear in The Deli Counter of Justice) and her editrix Anna Williams join us to discuss two lighter Miyazaki films, My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service.

  Paul and AJ's Four-Color Flashback journey through Jeff Smith's Bone continues with the return appearance of The Debatable Podcast's Greg Sahadachny. This time they're taking a look at Vol. II: The Great Cow Race, which follows the first by being just as funny (maybe even funnier) while teasing a deeper, darker mythology. The gang discusses the way Smith conveys so much expression with just a few lines, his fleet-footed storytelling abilities, how he constructs his jokes, and that whole cow race thing. Plus, what does "overrated" mean and which stand-up comics fall under the definition? The boys have answers! Next: our month-long celebration of Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki kicks off as Eric Sipple stops by to discuss Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke.

  #LifeChange is in the air! That's right, this week, the boys have a lot on their minds. As Paul embarks on a new chapter of his life, AJ deals with the major hang-ups of being a homeowner by proxy. None other than frenemy of the show and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple is on hand to listen to their whinging after which, the gang gets down to some serious writing talk. The boys discuss the perils of writing flash fiction (AKA extremely short stories), what you can learn from such constrictions, and what's next for the Deli-verse, plus plenty more. Next: this year's Four-Color Flashback continues with a look at Bone: Vol. II - The Great Cow Race, potentially featuring The Debatable Podcast host Greg Sahadachny.

  To kick off Gobbledygeek season 6, we have for you what we promised at the end of last season: a (nearly) full audio recording of The Deli Counter of Justice reading at Rickert & Beagle Books in Pittsburgh, PA on December 13, 2014. Paul, AJ, and Eric Sipple round out the Deli brain trust, with contributors Thomas Dorton and Alyssa Herron also on hand to read from their stories. In addition, there a few Qs & As before the audio cuts out. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did reading. Plus, Paul and AJ tease some highlights from the forthcoming season of the show. Next: the boys discuss the odd, brilliant Cartoon Network mini-series Over the Garden Wall.

HBO's "True Detective" was a stunner for me when it originally aired. College friend, Caleb Armstrong, joined me back in March to chat about the things we loved so much, from its tone to its lead actors to its influences.Now, one year later, ERIC SIPPLE, joins me for a re-evaluation. This past week, Eric watched the show for the first time, and unfortunately, it was quite bittersweet. Having cooled on it myself during a recent rewatch, while maintaining a love for a lot of its elements, Eric and I jump into discussing the show with a more critical eye. We break down its serial killer plot shortcomings, how it compares to other shows in the genre, the flaws with its characterizations, its showrunners and its mind-numbingly stupid antagonist. We touch on Twin Peaks, Banshee, and Terrence Malick as well.Enjoy!Buy The Deli Counter of Justice here on AmazonHis book, Broken Magic, can be bought here.Eric Sipple's websiteEric Sipple on twitterMusic on this podcast:Artist: The Handsome FamilySong: Far from Any Road (True Detective Edit)Artist: David JulyanSong: Memento (Main Theme)Copyrights are owned by the artists and their labels. No money is made from this podcast.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mark the end of our year-long Four-Color Flashback discussion of Neil Gaiman's epic fantasy series The Sandman. On hand to discuss Vol. X: The Wake with Paul and AJ are all of their past Sandman guests: Broken Magic author/The Deli Counter of Justice cohort Eric Sipple; The Debatable Podcast host Greg Sahadachny; and Wanna Cook? authors K. Dale Koontz and Ensley F. Guffey. The six of them discuss Morpheus' wake, its many attendees, Daniel's ascendance as the Dream King, and the series' three epilogues. This episode? Well, it's the stuff dreams are made of. Next: for the final episode of 2014, you'll get to hear Paul, AJ, Eric, Thomas Dorton, and Alyssa Herron doing a Deli Counter of Justice reading at Rickert & Beagle Books in Pittsburgh, PA.

AJ, Paul & Eric join me on the podcast to talk about their new anthology book "The Deli Counter of Justice." We chat about its origins, their take on writing and how it feels to publish an actual, tangible product one can be proud of.Buy it here on AmazonEric Sipple on twitter.His book, Broken Magic, can be bought here.Eric Sipple's websiteAJ Wiley on twitter.Paul Smith on twitter.The Gobbledygeek Podcast is on iTunes and here.From the back of the book:For decades, Carl Cook fought crime in the city of New Caliburn as the superhero Piecemaker. With the power to disassemble most everything around him, Carl was very good at taking things apart; less so at putting them back together. One divorce and an alienated daughter later, he realized the toll heroing had taken. In an attempt to move on and take charge of his life, Carl hung up the cape and opened Cook's Deli. But things are never that simple in the superhero capital of the world. Cook's Deli has a front-row seat to the city's superpowered exploits, from the exciting to the bizarre. A former sidekick discovers just how hard life is without a hero, a psychic rat goes on the warpath for another slice of rye, a D-list villain plots his revenge...these are just some of the adventures going on right in front of the deli counter. Carl may change the world, even more than he did in costume. Only now he does it one cold cut at a time. In THE DELI COUNTER OF JUSTICE, you'll explore the world in and around Cook's Deli with nine stories and poems written by Kitty Chandler,

Eric Sipple joins me again this year to dive into the universe of THE THING. Last year, we tackled John Carpenter's 1982 film. This year, we're tackling THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951) and THE THING (2011). Influences, prequels and social agendas ahoy! We touch on FX, masculinity in the films and explore whether either of these films hold a benchmark in the Horror/Sci-Fi genres. Another great talk with Eric!Buy The Deli Counter of Justice here on AmazonHis book, Broken Magic, can be bought here.Eric Sipple's websiteEric Sipple on twitterMusic on this podcast:Artist: Ennio MorriconeSong: ContaminationSong: Humanity - Part 2Copyrights are owned by the artists and their labels. No money is made from this podcast.

The day is here! After a year-and-a-half of hard work and months of hoopla, the superhero short story anthology The Deli Counter of Justice is finally available for purchase on Amazon, Smashwords, and elsewhere. The Deli braintrust--Arlo J. Wiley, Paul Smith, and Eric Sipple--take you behind the curtain to talk a little about what led us here, what the process of putting the book together was, and what you can look forward to in the future. That's right, this isn't the end. It's just the beginning.

Friends of the show AJ Wiley, Paul Smith, and Eric Sipple (of the Gobbledygeek & Making the Scene podcasts) have a book out TODAY! It's a short story anthology called The Deli Counter of Justice! It centers on superheros in the fictional city of New Caliburn, and you can hear them talk ALL about it here! AND YOU CAN GO BUY IT! AND SHOULD! http://twitter.com/justicedeli http://gobbledygeekpodcast.com http://saalonmuyo.com

Mad scientist (and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor) Eric Sipple joins Paul and AJ for the second feature attraction of Gobbledyween 2014: Stuart Gordon's 1985 cult classic Re-Animator. The two biggest surprises about Gordon's loose Lovecraft adaptation are 1) that it's a genuinely well-made film and 2) that Jeffrey Combs' batshit crazy Dr. Herbert West isn't actually the main character. The gang discusses the movie's boring-ass protagonist, its demented sense of humor, and the arguable merits of that scene. You know the one. Plus, the boys talk Marvel's Civil War plans and AJ reads Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein.     Next: Smoke Gets in Your Ears: A Mad Men Podcast co-hosts Kenn Edwards and Joseph Lewis check in to discuss Stanley Kubrick's 1981 Stephen King adaptation The Shining.

Close the shower curtain, it's time for Gobbledyween! Our fifth annual month-long celebration of all things bump in the night gets off to a slashing start with a discussion of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic Psycho. Often imitated (once quite literally) but never duplicated, Paul and AJ dissect the film's shifting points of view, the many taboos it broke, how its lengthy silences speak volumes, and yeah, that really dumb psychoanalysis scene. Plus, AJ joins Nicolas Cage for a post-Rapture nap with Left Behind while Paul goes to Disney Infinity and beyond with the new Marvel superheroes expansion. Next: Gobbledyween 2014 comes back to life as Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice cohort Eric Sipple drops by for a look back at Re-Animator.

For their first interview with authors from The Deli Counter of Justice, Paul and AJ talk to the other man who makes up the Deli braintrust: Eric Sipple. Eric discusses his start writing SeaQuest fan fiction, his introduction to the world of superheroes via Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film, how he created Carl Cook's daughter Tabitha for his story "Pixelated" (who may wind up becoming the anthology's Wolverine), and much more. Next: Paul and AJ sit down with Rahne Ehtar, the author of "Without Masks."

For the past year-and-a-half, Paul, AJ, and third Gobbler Eric Sipple have been working on the short story anthology The Deli Counter of Justice. It's been quite a while since we've told you about it, but here's some good news: the book is out soon! November 5, to be exact. In this re-introductory podcast, the boys give you the lowdown on what the book's about (namely, a retired superhero opening a deli), tell you why they're so excited about it, and tell you about the author interviews we'll be releasing every Tuesday and Thursday in October. It's a good time to be a fan of capes, masks, ham, and rye. Next: this Thursday, October 2, we'll be talking to our very own Eric Sipple about his creation of The Pixel.

Change is important. It's also a bitch. The Endless turn and face the strain as Paul and AJ continue their Four-Color Flashback exploration of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman with Vol. VII: Brief Lives. Joining them by request (his request) is Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice cohort Eric Sipple. The gang discusses Dream and Delirium's quest to find their brother, Morpheus growing as a person (or whatever he is), the brief stories and briefer lives embedded within the volume's arc, and how nothing ever stays the same. Brief Lives is the pivotal installment of the series...everything after is fallout. Plus, Paul and Eric gush over Gwen Stacy's resurgence in Edge of Spider-Verse. Next: before Gobbledyween takes over the month of October, the boys are joined by Wanna Cook? authors K. Dale Koontz and Ensley F. Guffey to discuss the next Sandman book, Vol. VIII: Worlds' End.

Kenn is joined by a roundtable who's who of his podcast community for this one! Joseph William Lewis (Nowheresville [youtube.com/toastedschizo], @ToastedSchizo, co-host of Smoke Gets In Your Ears), AJ Wiley (co-host of Gobbledygeek & Smoke Gets In Your Ears [gobbledygeekpodcast.com], @UnpluggedCrazy), Paul Smith (co-host of Gobbledygeek, @Haunt1013), Greg Sahadachany (host of The Debatable Podcast [debatablepod.tumblr.com] & All The Pieces Matter [@Wire_Podcast], @MisterGreggles), and Eric Sipple (host of Making The Scene [OUT TODAY! saalonmuyo.com], @saalon) get together to for a friendly debate to discuss the career of Kevin Smith, complete with an in-depth analysis of his 2011 film, Red State. A follow up to this episode, complete with a review of his new film Tusk, will be out next week!

After their discussion of Alien for the epic Alien/Predator podcrawl (see information on participating podcasts in the show notes), Paul and AJ now turn to John McTiernan's 1987 sci-fi actioner Predator. Arnold Schwarzenegger stalks the jungle, joined by the likes of tough guys Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and...uh...Shane Black? Sure. They in turn are stalked by a nasty dreadlock-wearing mofo with one ugly mug. Is there anything to this movie? Not really. Does there need to be? The boys are a little divided, with Paul enjoying its macho silliness and AJ doing the opposite of that. One thing they can both agree is that there are a lot of biceps in this movie. Plus, speaking of biceps, AJ starts watching Starz's Spartacus on frenemy Eric Sipple's recommendation. Next: old friend of the show/AJ's cousin Nathan Burdette makes his triumphant return to Gobbledygeek.

A dream is a wish your heart makes, or so the song goes. What happens when that wish is fulfilled? Neil Gaiman has a few answers in The Sandman: Vol III - Dream Country, wherein a writer finds his muse, cats rule the world, Shakespeare puts on a play, and an immortal prays for death. Paul and AJ get back on track with their year-long Four Color Flashback exploration of Gaiman's masterpiece, this time joined by The Debatable Podcast host Greg Sahadachny. Plus, Joss Whedon turns 50, Tim Burton's Batman turns 25, and How to Train Your Dragon 2 has something to say about strong women. Next: doubling down on our Four-Color Flashback with another trip to The Dreaming, as Eric Sipple joins us for a discussion of The Sandman: Vol. IV - Season of Mists.

Welcome back to the land of Berk, where the dragons soar, the adults have Scottish accents, and the kids have grown up. Frenemy Eric Sipple joins Paul and AJ to discuss How to Train Your Dragon 2, which--spoiler alert--they all agree is a fine film indeed. Among the points of discussion are the more mature tone, the stunning animation (with an assist from the great Roger Deakins), and Cate Blanchett's role as Valka, Hiccup's mother. In a strong year for sequels, this is one of the strongest, and we're here to tell you why. Plus, in another dragon-related news, the gang dissects the Game of Thrones season finale. Next: getting back on our track with our monthly Four-Color Flashback series discussing Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. Greg Sahadachny of The Debatable Podcast joins us for an analysis of Vol. III - Dream Country.

With How to Train Your Dragon 2 prepared to soar into theaters next weekend, you'd better believe superfan Paul was going to find some way to celebrate it. And celebrate it he has, with frequent guests Eric Sipple and Kenn Edwards joining Paul and AJ for a commentary of the first film. The gang discusses how the film overcame their initial low expectations, why having Roger Deakins as a "visual consultant" was crucial, the way the movie expertly moves the plot forward at only 90 minutes, and which of them is a dog person (much to the shame of the other three). Watch along and enjoy.

Hello, Birmingham! Live from the Alabama Phoenix Festival, it’s Gobbledygeek! Paul and AJ returned to APF 2014 to host a series of panels about everything from summer movies to Orphan Black, and while they were there, they thought it’d be neat to record a live podcast. Joining them in the hot seat is Gobbledy-stalwart Kenn Edwards; in the audience, frequent guests/loved ones/freaks of nature Eric Sipple, Joseph Lewis, and Pam Smith. The gang talks to the crowd—including a man dressed as Casey Jones and two teenaged Bronies—about how the con’s going, why they enjoy the sense of community it provides, and that awful-looking Ninja Turtles movie. Next: Paul and AJ return to their boring, excitement-free home lives to discuss the original Japanese Godzilla. And I guess they’ll mention the new one too.

Close your eyes. Lull yourself to sleep. It's time for another trip to the Dreaming, as Paul, AJ, and special guest/third Gobbler Eric Sipple continue their Four-Color Flashback exploration of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. In Vol. II, A Doll's House, we discover humans might be playthings of the gods; that hearts are very important; that for a man named "Fun Land," he's not very fun; and which of the Endless has the most bitchin' stereo system. Plus, the gang talks about their appearance at this year's Alabama Phoenix Festival. Next: spins a web any size, catches thieves just like flies, look out! Here comes The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

He's pretty spry for an old guy: Steve Rogers charges back onto the big screen with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and we're here to tell you if it's a worthy outing for the star-spangled boy scout. Joining Paul and AJ to disuss the film is friend/lover/ultimate Brony forever Eric Sipple (he also wrote a really cool book called Broken Magic, check it out). The gang talks about Winter Soldier's brutal hand-to-hand, whether or not the movie's political commentary works, the merits of Scarlett Johansson's badassery, and that Sundance Kid. Spoiler alert: this episode might contain the most agreement of any single episode of Gobbledygeek. Next: Paul and AJ talk about stuff! They don't know what! But something!

You ever have that dream where Paul and AJ are discussing the greatest comic book of all time in ten spoiler-free monthly installments? Yeah, us too: beginning with this episode, the boys bring the Four-Color Flashback feature to the show, dissecting Neil Gaiman's The Sandman through the rest of the year. Friend of the show (at this point, he's more of a lover) Eric Sipple joins us for a discussion of The Sandman: Vol. I - Preludes & Nocturnes. The great tale of Morpheus, lord of dreams, gets its start in a fashion that's not always representative of what it would become (DC superheroes), but the gang is on hand to point out all the ways in which it is uniquely Sandman (a horror story about stories). Plus, Amazon's a little icky and Marvel has a prime opportunity for diversity with Iron Fist. Next: despite the words that come out of AJ's idiot mouth, Winter Soldier is not next week's episode. We'll force him to come up with something.

Koko the Showfucker is back and he's prepared to fuck the show right into--well, okay, a little of that happens, but for the most part, Jason Tabrys' return to Gobbledygeek is a little more focused than normal. Among the topics discussed are the Veronica Mars movie and its abundance of fan-service, the Cosmos controversy, and the fact that Captain America 3 and Batman & Superman: Friendship Is Magic opening on the same day is going to keep the idiotic flames of the Marvel/DC fan war raging long into the night. Then there's the big one: When you hate something--say, oh, The Big Bang Theory--is it fair to continue harshly criticizing it on social media even when you know someone who likes it? The (different, conflicting) answer(s) may surprise you (or not)! Next: you might remember the Four Color Flashback series AJ did on the blog about the Claremont/Byrne Uncanny X-Men, or he and Paul dissecting Preacher. Well, we're bringing that feature to the show starting next week. At the end of each month, we'll be discussing one volume of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, and spoiler alert: Paul and AJ really, really love this comic. Joining us for this introductory episode is Broken Magic author, The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor, and Brony for life Eric Sipple.

Kenn drove to Pittsburgh to talk to writer/friend Eric Sipple about the struggles of artistic pursuit, the writing process, LOST, and his YA novel, Broken Magic! 

Gobbleydgeek has regenerated for a fifth season; no new hosts, alas, but faithful companion Eric Sipple is on hand to guide Paul and AJ through a discussion of the first five seasons of Doctor Who. Yes, the boys have finally succumbed to curiosity, exploring one of their major geek blindspots, starting with the Russell T. Davies "reboot" of the age-old tale of a strange man in a box who travels through time. They discuss the surprising greatness of Christopher Eccleston's Doctor, the many highs of the David Tennant era, and the very beginning of Matt Smith's tenure, not to mention just how freaking annoying Dalek voices are. Oh, and AJ tells some wonderful jokes. Plus, the gang updates you on The Deli Counter of Justice and talks about whatever passes for New Year's resolutions. Next: lovely young Britisher Wesley "Wezzo" Mead makes his triumphant return.

Eric Sipple joins me to talk about one of our favorite filmmakers, John Carpenter, and, in our opinions, his best film: The Thing!!! "Who Goes There?" original novellaThe Original Fan: A PRODUCER'S GUIDE TO THE EVOLUTION AND PRODUCTION OF JOHN CARPENTER'S THE THINGMusic on this podcast:Song - Humanity Part IIAlbum - The Thing Original Motion Picture SoundtrackArtist - Ennio MorriconeSong - SuperstitionAlbum - Talking BookArtist - Stevie WonderCopyrights are owned by the artists and their labels. No money is made from this podcast.

After our adventures with clown dolls, Reagan-era values, and disgusting eating habits with Poltergeist, Gobbledyween continues on with ghosts of a different sort in Peter Jackson's The Frighteners. Paul and AJ are joined by frequent guest/utter masochist Eric Sipple to discuss the underrated 1996 horror-comedy, yet another cult classic which Universal botched, moving it from a perfect Halloween release to date to a summer during which it had to contend with Independence Day. The boys are happy to discover that it holds up, that its elaborate special effects are still impressive, and that it's actually pretty damn disturbing. How well Jackson balances the darker stuff with some very broad laughs is another matter, and here's another: does that opening scene need to exist? We have the answer. Plus, Paul almost died! For real! Not an imaginary story! Next: rev your chainsaws and put on your prettiest skin-mask, boys and girls, because Gobbledyween is taking a look back at the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

It's late. Your dad's asleep in his chair. The national anthem plays. Static blares from your TV set. You place your hands on the screen, lean in close, and are confronted with the most nightmarish vision possible...the new episode of Gobbledygeek! Scary, I know. Paul and AJ kick off the month of horror that is known as Gobbledyween with a look back at Tobe Hooper's 1982 classic Poltergeist, joined by long-time friend of the show Valerie Clark in her first (1st!) appearance. Does the movie hold up? Did Hooper really direct it, or was it all writer/executive producer Steven Spielberg? Is the film really one long treatise on Reagan-era values versus traditionalism? Are the characters' food habits the most disturbing thing about the movie? All these questions and more will be answered! Plus, the gang talks Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Next: Gobbledyween continues to terrify, as the putrid Eric Sipple returns to chat Peter Jackson's The Frighteners.

Author Eric Sipple and the co-hosts of the Gobbledygeek Podcast, AJ Wiley and Paul Smith, join me to talk all about comics. This episode is a primer for comic neophytes, where we discuss the basics for anyone looking to get into or return to the medium. We touch on the major publishers and brands you might be familiar with and explore the starting points for any serious reader. In the second part, the trio list their Top 5 Gateway Comics and their Top 5 Favorite Comics. We also talk about where NOT to begin. It's a gargantuan good time. Enjoy!The lists start at 01:23:50.Gobbledygeek's Four-Color Flashback on "Preacher."Gene Kannenberg's list of the 500 Essential Graphic Novels.Eric Sipple on twitter.His book, Broken Magic, can be bought here.AJ Wiley on twitter.Paul Smith on twitter.The Gobbledygeek Podcast is on iTunes and here.music on this podcast:"Comfort" by ARMSARMS is on Paper Garden Records."EP2" will drop on September 10th. Pre-Order here. 

Esteemed writer of words Mere Smith and goddess of pain Eric Sipple have returned to Gobbledygeek! They discuss pitching their wares at the forthcoming Word on the Street Festival in Toronto, the crazy logistics that go into planning an event of that magnitude, the books they'll be hawking there, and the level of collaboration made possible by the Internet. Plus, Paul and AJ have a sane and measured response to the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman, and AJ lavishes praise upon The World's End. Next: who knows!

SNIKT! Logan, the samurai with adamantium claws, returns for his first solo adventure in four years, since the unfortunate X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Good news is, The Wolverine is a better film. How much better? On that, the boys don't necessarily see eye-to-eye, but they sing the praises of Hugh Jackman and his rippling physique, the surprisingly diverse cast, and the audacity to make an X-movie without a bajillion unnecessary cameos. Plus, Paul and AJ pimp good friends Eric Sipple and Mere Smith's next venture. Next: for the first time in a long time, we've got a non-Eric or -Greg guest in the form of Magdalena Burnham. Joined by her director, the two will discuss their forthcoming pilot Allies.

Eric whined and whined and whined at us for MONTHS. Also, he really wanted us to watch Detention. So we've invited Sir Eric of Sippleonia, the goddess of pain himself, to discuss Joseph Kahn's 2011 absurdist horror comedy with us. The film is different, let's just say that. Paul and AJ aren't entirely sure the film's ADD stylings work, but Eric talks about it with such passion that it's hard not to be convinced. Plus, we mourn the cancellation of Bunheads and talk about the coolest things to come out of San Diego Comic-Con. Next: He's the best at what he does...and what he does ain't pretty. We discuss The Wolverine.

A rocket hurtles from the doomed planet Krypton, crashing to Earth and delivering the child that would one day save us all. But first, he has to break stuff. Lots of stuff. And our fearless co-hosts, and returning champion guest Eric Sipple, talk smack about him behind his back as they review the explosive Zack Snyder film Man of Steel. Also, kind words are exchanged about the new series Orphan Black, and Neil Gaiman has written another book. Is it good? If you don’t know the answer to that, you’ve probably been living in the Phantom Zone. Next: another “we don’t have a plan so we’re just going to improvise and mug for the mics” episode. Good times.

What does it mean to be a hero? Does "escapism" have to be a derogatory term? Can good guys be as compelling as their supporting casts and villains? To explore these questions, Paul and AJ are joined by friend of the show/Broken Magic author Eric Sipple and TV writer/producer (of Angel, among other things) Mere Smith. There's Angel talk, obviously, but also some Spider-Man and some Rurouni Kenshin, plus plenty of Eric-bashing. Next: Rob Hunt and Joanna Gaskell from Standard Action return to tell us all about season 2!

It may still be freezing cold in your area, but spring is on its way, believe it or not. To point you in the right cinematic direction this spring movie-going season, Paul and AJ have chosen 20 movies to look out for (and maybe one to actively avoid). They've got it all covered, from hypnotic tone poems like Upstream Color and To the Wonder; to CGI-packed epics like Oz the Great and Powerful and Oblivion. There should be at least one movie here you won't hate! Next: the boys are joined by friend of the show Eric Sipple and TV writer Mere Smith (Angel, Rome, Burn Notice) to discuss how good guys--like Angel--can still be compelling.

This week, Paul and AJ are joined by Eric Sipple, author of the new YA novel Broken Magic. Eric talks about what led him to write this story, the challenges of finishing a novel, adventures in self-publishing, and how much he loves Steven Moffat. Plus, the guys attempt to get out the vote and discuss why or why not Disney buying Lucasfilm is actually a big deal. Next: Paul will be a young Asian woman, AJ will be an Aboriginal hunter, but don't worry, it all makes sense; they'll be talking Cloud Atlas.

This week, Paul and AJ put a stake through the heart of Gobbledyween 2012 with a look at Psych's "This Episode Sucks." AJ has never seen an episode of Psych, so according to him, this is what the show is about: the Santa Barbara Police Department is attempting to investigate a murder whose perpetrator may or may not be a vampire, and while doing so, Turk and J.D. pop up for some reason and start making jokes. Also, Dr. Cox falls in love with Buffy--I'm sorry, Kristy Swanson, it pains AJ too much to call her Buffy. Plus, the guys talk about Joss Whedon's new video on Mitt Romney's zombie apocalypse, AJ gushes over Matt Kindt's Mind MGMT, and Paul loves Cloud Atlas. Next: with vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness vanquished for another year, Eric Sipple joins us to talk about his new book Broken Magic.