Episode 10: The Future is Now!

Starting from near the beginning of the science-fiction genre, here are just a few times that sci-fi predicted technology before its arrival in our world.

Verne overestimated the flight time by about a day, but they got knocked off course by an asteroid.

Verne overestimated the flight time by about a day, but they got knocked off course by an asteroid.

If you're expecting the book "I, Robot" to bear any resemblance to the Will Smith movie...don't.

If you're expecting the book "I, Robot" to bear any resemblance to the Will Smith movie...don't.

Not actually a robot, but an android (robots are purely mechanical, androids have some organic bits to them).

Not actually a robot, but an android (robots are purely mechanical, androids have some organic bits to them).

"Little known" fact. "Beam me up, Scotty" is never said in the TV show or any of the original cast movies. (Many Trekkies already know this)

"Little known" fact. "Beam me up, Scotty" is never said in the TV show or any of the original cast movies. (Many Trekkies already know this)

Star Trek PADDs: Collect the entire set!

Star Trek PADDs: Collect the entire set!

Episode 9: Cloak & Dagger and Cloak & Dagger

Listener Joshua C. just watched the pilot of Cloak and Dagger, and is curious to find out how close the characters and other aspects of the show hew to their original comic book counterparts.

If you want to support the creator of Cloak and Dagger (and Rocket Raccoon!), please visit BillMantlo.com and click on the Donate link there.

Looks like a typical teenage drama until you notice Tandy's right hand...

Looks like a typical teenage drama until you notice Tandy's right hand...

We're going to get a lot of titles that are "Noun and Other Noun," aren't we?

We're going to get a lot of titles that are "Noun and Other Noun," aren't we?

They don't show it here, but this trade's title is "Lost And Found."

They don't show it here, but this trade's title is "Lost And Found."

Shadows and Light? Oh, come on! Now you're not even trying!

Shadows and Light? Oh, come on! Now you're not even trying!

Whoops. Wrong Cloak & Dagger. But look! Music by Brian May (of Queen)!

Whoops. Wrong Cloak & Dagger. But look! Music by Brian May (of Queen)!

Episode 8: I'm talking to you Through the Fourth Wall

We go over a few comic book stories and characters that have fourth-wall breaking as an important part of their dynamic.  And if you're not familiar with what "breaking the fourth wall is," I explain that up front.

Time out! No, seriously, time out! What is this doing here?

Time out! No, seriously, time out! What is this doing here?

Deadpool does it right on the box! (That is probably the least family-friendly comment I'll make on this site or the podcast)

Deadpool does it right on the box! (That is probably the least family-friendly comment I'll make on this site or the podcast)

Classic? Thanks for making me feel old, Marvel!

Classic? Thanks for making me feel old, Marvel!

She really means it folks...

She really means it folks...

This book is as fun as the cover makes it appear to be.

This book is as fun as the cover makes it appear to be.

While this book is as weird as the cover makes it appear to be.

While this book is as weird as the cover makes it appear to be.

I don't remember if this happens in the book, but the fact that it's possible tells you a lot.

I don't remember if this happens in the book, but the fact that it's possible tells you a lot.

Episode 7: The Replacements - Captain America

Thanks to the question from listener Justin B. (No, it's not Bieber), this is the first in a recurring feature we'll come back to every now and then, each time focusing on a different heroic identity.  We'll look at the people who have taken the place of the original, and what happened to them once the primogenitor returns.

Who wants to help Cap punch ole' Hitler in the jaw?

Who wants to help Cap punch ole' Hitler in the jaw?

This is a better question than "Spider-Man: Threat or Menace?"

This is a better question than "Spider-Man: Threat or Menace?"

"No capes!" Steve should have listened to Edna, as he tripped on this cape more than once.

"No capes!" Steve should have listened to Edna, as he tripped on this cape more than once.

Steve is the one on the left, although John Walker will wear the black costume as "U.S. Agent" down the road.

Steve is the one on the left, although John Walker will wear the black costume as "U.S. Agent" down the road.

Turn around Bucky, and help Black Widow find her contact lens!

Turn around Bucky, and help Black Widow find her contact lens!

You will believe a Cap can fly!

You will believe a Cap can fly!

The infamous "Cap was Hydra all along" storyline. Sam and Bucky play important roles.

The infamous "Cap was Hydra all along" storyline. Sam and Bucky play important roles.

Isaiah Bradley, aka "The Black Captain America." Urban myth or forgotten hero? (Hint, it's the second one.)

Isaiah Bradley, aka "The Black Captain America." Urban myth or forgotten hero? (Hint, it's the second one.)

Episode 6: Marvel vs. DC - A History

The listener question this time is about the rivalry of Marvel vs. DC; the differences between the two companies, the history of their feuds and collaborations, and other causes for the rift in the fan community.  

One of these fights is fairly even. The other two, not so much...

One of these fights is fairly even. The other two, not so much...

In true 90s fashion, votes for this were either mailed in, or you could vote on an America Online page.

In true 90s fashion, votes for this were either mailed in, or you could vote on an America Online page.

Some of these mash-ups made more sense than others, but they were all fun.

Some of these mash-ups made more sense than others, but they were all fun.

That cover alone made this worth getting. Unfortunately, the trade is out of print, so good luck getting it at a reasonable price.

That cover alone made this worth getting. Unfortunately, the trade is out of print, so good luck getting it at a reasonable price.

Episode 5: Legacy Games and Crossed Arms?

Two listeners get their questions answered this time.  One wants to know what makes Legacy games special and if they're worth the price.  The other wants to know why everyone in movies is crossing their arms.

The beginning of the Legacy Legacy.

The beginning of the Legacy Legacy.

You can get the red box, or the blue box. They are identical.

You can get the red box, or the blue box. They are identical.

If you want to have a game you can keep playing after the campaign is done, this is my recommendation.

If you want to have a game you can keep playing after the campaign is done, this is my recommendation.

This is functional...

This is functional...

and this is just because Ryan Reynolds was having fun.

and this is just because Ryan Reynolds was having fun.

Warning: Don't get too attached to the noblemen.

Warning: Don't get too attached to the noblemen.

Season 2 comes in black and yellow. Collect all four to make one big image!

Season 2 comes in black and yellow. Collect all four to make one big image!

Not out yet, but available to pre-order. Looking forward to it!

Not out yet, but available to pre-order. Looking forward to it!

This is symbolic...

This is symbolic...

My vote's for T'Challa, but I wouldn't disagree with any of them to their face.

My vote's for T'Challa, but I wouldn't disagree with any of them to their face.

Episode 4: Why Are Mutants Hated?

Mutants are "hated and feared" by many humans in the Marvel Universe, but listener Aaron L. wants to know why they're treated so differently from the other super-powered beings.  Kurt tackles this question, as well as announcing a contest! (See below for more details)

How exactly does Iceman see? Perhaps that's why he missed.

How exactly does Iceman see? Perhaps that's why he missed.

No, of course I wasn't the first to make that joke.

No, of course I wasn't the first to make that joke.

16 million dead, and that's the opening chapter. The story's called "E for Extinction" for a reason.

16 million dead, and that's the opening chapter. The story's called "E for Extinction" for a reason.

What's wrong with Wanda?

What's wrong with Wanda?

I accidentally refer to this storyline as "Mutant Messiah" in the episode. I was close...

I accidentally refer to this storyline as "Mutant Messiah" in the episode. I was close...

Contest announcement!  Go to the Welcome to Geektown Facebook page, and share any post there for an entry into the contest.  Get two more entries into the contest by leaving a five-star review on iTunes (this also gets you in the Geektown City Council).  One winner, picked at random, will win their own copy of Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 Trade Paperback, where Peter Parker's origin is retold in a more modern format.  A great jumping-on point!

With great something, comes great something else...

With great something, comes great something else...

Episode 3: A Thanos Primer

In anticipation of Avengers: Infinity War, listener Joel L. asks about its villain, Thanos, and why he's so scary.

The Blood Brothers would be completely forgotten were it not for their being in this issue.

The Blood Brothers would be completely forgotten were it not for their being in this issue.

I see five characters here you'll actually see in the movie. Maybe six.

I see five characters here you'll actually see in the movie. Maybe six.

A lot of characters die in this book. Most are back now.

A lot of characters die in this book. Most are back now.

The defining Thanos story to date, and the major inspiration for the film.

The defining Thanos story to date, and the major inspiration for the film.

Infinity Crusade: Yes, religion gets brought up. No, not well.

Infinity Crusade: Yes, religion gets brought up. No, not well.

We've apparently run out of nouns to go with "Infinity."

We've apparently run out of nouns to go with "Infinity."

 

Don't forget to stay past the credits!

For the cosplayer in your life.

For the cosplayer in your life.

Episode 2 - Where to Start: The Marvel Edition

Where should one begin reading when they take their first foray into the Marvel Universe?  That's the question asked today by listener Justin B., and Kurt offers a few different options with pros and cons for each.

She's already caught. How will turning invisible help?

She's already caught. How will turning invisible help?

The DIY option for the budding young colorist.

The DIY option for the budding young colorist.

Power and Responsibility. Prepare to read those words a lot.

Power and Responsibility. Prepare to read those words a lot.

No more what now?

No more what now?

Episode I - The Starts and Restarts of the DC Universe

Learn the history of the various reboots of the DC Universe, both hard and soft.  From Action Comics #1 in 1938 all the way to 2016's Rebirth, find out about the big continuity shake-ups that have changed the history of some of your favorite characters.

Don't forget to Subscribe in iTunes!

In the beginning...

In the beginning...

The Silver Age starts in a Flash

The Silver Age starts in a Flash

Flash meets Flash

Flash meets Flash

It's called Crisis for a reason

It's called Crisis for a reason

These things never go well for The Flash

These things never go well for The Flash

A major crossover with no Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman?

A major crossover with no Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman?

High collars and low cut tops. Thanks, Jim Lee!

High collars and low cut tops. Thanks, Jim Lee!

The oddest game of tag ever.

The oddest game of tag ever.

Coming soon!

Welcome to Geektown!  This is/will be a podcast where I answer questions from geeks and non-geeks alike about all sorts of geeky subjects.  There are some people out there who feel that there should be an "entry barrier" into fandom, and you have to prove you already know everything about a subject before you can call yourself a fan.  I say "No!"  If you like something, or want to learn more about something, you should never feel ashamed.  And that's why I created this: to give people a safe space to ask the questions they might otherwise feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask.  Is there terminology you don't understand?  History you want to know more about?  Please, ask away!  Questions can be placed here, on the comments page of a specific episode that they relate to, or emailed to welcometogeektown@gmail.com.