Episode 67: Comics to Movies - Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four have been in three movies so far, but haven’t joined the MCU just yet.  But, a new piece of casting news points to that happening sooner rather than later, so now is a good time to see what past movies have gotten right, and what they got wrong in adapting Marvel’s First Family to the screen.

I was tempted to do this “Lost in Adaptation” style, like one of my favorite YouTubers, but didn’t want to be accused of stealing his format, so instead I go movie by movie, rather than “what was kept,” “what was changed,” and “what was left out entirely.”

Still not sure how turning invisible will help. You’re still stuck in his grasp, Sue.

Wait…Why’s Captain America on fire?

Way to read the room, Reed. “I’m just a misshapen Thing!” “Well, I’ll call myself Mister Fantastic!”

And now Killmonger’s aflame? What is it with Human Torches graduating to MCU roles, and what happened to poor Jay Underwood?

Smells like Teen Superheroes.

Episode 66: How Important is “Lore” in RPGs?

We dive into another aspect of Tabletop Role-Playing Games this episode, and discuss the importance of world lore.  How much should a player know before they start playing in that world, and how do they go about learning those details?  Take a listen and find out!

But first, a correction from last episode, then a memorial for a fallen actor.

How the Captain became a Commander, despite their being no such rank in his branch of the military.

Chadwick Boseman: 1976-2020. Rest in Power.

“Short and Stout?” Is this a dwarf or a teapot?

Episode 65: Comic Captains and a COVID Conundrum

Two questions are being answered this episode.  First, is Wolverine a spreader of disease?  Then, we look at various comic book Captains, Majors, Generals, and other characters named for military ranks to see who has earned those honors.

He got better! Seriously, his healing factor took him from this to perfectly fine in minutes.

#humblebrag

As someone who had to have gravel removed from a large abrasion, I can definitely say…”Ouch.”

So, is he a Captain pretending to be a Private, or is a Private who calls himself Captain? Either way, seems like some part of the Army is being lied to.

The two bars mean Captain!

Major is better than Captain, but Captain Marvel’s better than most!

You know you’re pinning a medal to his skin, right?

Episode 64: Heroes on the Clock - Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man’s Day Jobs)

High school student, college student, photojournalist, teacher? Peter Parker, aka the Amazing Spider-Man has actually held a number of different jobs over the years.  Going in chronological order, we look at the various career paths Peter has taken, starting all the way back at his first appearance to today.

He may be “hard at work,” but he’s not actually working yet.

His photography job was so iconic, they put it in the opening credits of his cartoon.

Well, that went about as well as one could expect (also “give her a whirl for her money”? Yeesh.)

This is not when scholarships are announced.

Spoilers: The answer to that question is always “Yes.”

Peter’s first real non-photography based job. Although, shining your signal on the chalkboard isn’t going to help with the “secret identity” thing.

Peter’s brief tenure with Stark Industries.

You talk about Peter Parker long enough, it’s bound to get around to this story…unfortunately.

If you’re going to add a number, always make it 42.

If only he hired someone to work for him named Magnum, so they could say “Magnum, P.I.”

I can explain…well, no I can’t explain, without telling you all I’m Spider-Man. Never mind…

Episode 63: Original Sin (What Happened to Nick Fury Sr?)

Following up on Episode 51, where we found out how Nick Fury started looking like Samuel L. Jackson in the comics, we discuss the miniseries Original Sin, and how that led to a whole new status quo for the original Nick Fury.  Warning: If you don’t like eyeballs by themselves, do not scroll down.

I shot the Watcher…But I did not shoot the Deputy.

That is not a mask. His head is actually one giant eye. How he sleeps without an eyelid is anybody’s guess.

Nick and the Decoys. Live on the Moon.

We learn later he only said three words, even though it looks like a lot more in that caption.

Episode 62: Board Game Rules - How Strict Should They Be?

Board games are a more popular pastime than ever, but different people have grown up with their own house rules, and may want to go back and “redo” their turn from time to time.  A listener asks how important it is to follow the exact rules and stick to player decisions, and Kurt (with decades of board game playing under his belt) gives his opinion on the subject.

The example game we use for much of the discussion. If you’re not familiar, you need to stay in more.

One of the most commonly ignored rules (see the second paragraph).

One of the most well-known cooperative games available. And topical!

RODE Microphones Contest Episode - Comic Book "Doctors"

For a little more “normal” content, enjoy this short mini-sode written as an entry to a contest sponsored by RODE Microphones, about comic book characters who use “Doctor” in their superhero/villain name, and whether or not they have earned that title.

Episode 61: Serious Issues in the Comic Book Industry

It has been a rough few weeks for the comic book industry, with news of abusers and other bad actors coming into (or back into) the light.  I want to stand with and support those who were brave enough to come forward, and so this episode is a statement on that subject, as well as the ongoing issue of minority representation in comics, and its relation to Black Lives Matter.

If you are a minority or female creator, or have one in mind you’d like interviewed or spotlighted, please let me know. I hope to expand my own knowledge in this area, and spread that knowledge to my other listeners as well.

Episode 60: D&D On-Screen - Community’s “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons” Episode

Dungeons and Dragons has been seen played in many TV shows and movies.  But, what did they get right, and what was totally wrong?  A curious listener wants to know specifically about the “Advanced Dungeons and Dragons” episode of Community, and Kurt obligingly breaks it down for her.

As mentioned in the episode, be sure to check Twitter for #comicwriterschallenge for a bunch of great stuff being auctioned off to support Black Lives Matter.

The Caverns of Draconis. Yes, the Dragon is named Draconis. Abed’s not the only one bad at coming up with names.

No Chang. Just…no.

This is cheating. If you are not the DM, DO NOT LOOK at the module you are currently playing in.

Episode 59: What to Expect When You’re at the D&D Table (or any other RPG game)

Let’s talk D&D Conventions!  Well, not Conventions, but conventions, aka the social expectations one is likely to find when they first sit down at a table to play D&D, or other role-playing games.  A new listener is afraid to start playing, and Kurt is here to assuage those fears, and let her (and you) know how you should behave at your first (and subsequent) session.

This is pretty close to what my first D&D table looked like (without the costume; I don’t recommend that). And honestly, other than the players being much older, that’s not too far from the current table.

And something to aspire to…when I get rich.

Yeah, but can I find anyone to play with?

One of the Virtual Tabletop options (VTTs) out there. Roll20. Not a sponsor, but I’m open to it…

Episode 58: The Replacements - Robin

In this recurring feature, we look at the various heroes that have replaced the original, and what happens to them after their tenure is over.  Maybe it’s because he’s a sidekick and not (usually) a solo hero, but Robin is one of the few cases where the original never actually came back.  Instead, we’ve had a parade of Robins, which we’ll discuss in this episode.

Some of you Dark Knight Returns fans may ask where Carrie Kelly is. However, with these “Replacements” episodes, I only stick to what is in mainstream continuity, and Carrie has never been Robin in the main DC Universe, which is why she is not included, and Stephanie gets the “first female Robin” title.

Hope it doesn’t get too cold in Gotham…

Pretty soon, Dick will have spent more publishing time in this costume than he did as Robin.

Spoilers: The answer is “No.” (But later, “Yes.”)

Jason back on team Bat…sort of.

Featuring a new innovation for Robins…pants!

Jason Todd also wore this costume verrrrry briefly, but it’s most associated with Tim in this continuity.

Stephanie is also the only Robin to have a previous vigilante codename…Spoiler.

…then became Robin…

…and then Batgirl…

…and then forgotten. (Sorry Steph, you apparently didn’t make the cut for the Robin family photo.)

The scariest of the Robins.

Episode 57: Interview with Evan Skolnick, Part 4 (Finale)

The Mona Lisa smile.

A smattering of the dialogue Evan wrote for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2…

…bringing his comic book writer past together with his game writer present.

Episode 56: Interview with Evan Skolnick, Part 3

In part three of this multi-episode interview, Kurt continues his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick, getting into his video game work, after briefly discussing his time at Acclaim Comics and the comic boom and bust of the 90s.

That faaaaaace…

Just a few of the titles Evan has worked on. Check his portfolio for a full list.

Evan spoke for many a New Warriors fan when he wrote this dialogue about the “reality show” version of the team, in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2.

Episode 55: Interview with Evan Skolnick, Part 2

In part two of this multi-episode interview, Kurt continues his talk with comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick, this time focusing on the comic book writing portion, with special emphasis on his two-year stint on The New Warriors, but we also talk about writing licensed books and running the company softball team.

The interview subject

Careful. You’ll poke his eye out!

Evan’s first issue on the series.

New Warriors joins the Spider-Man titles…I guess they had to go somewhere.

Some of the characters created by Evan added to the New Warriors include Timeslip…

Helix…

and Turbos, both Mike (R.I.P)…

and Mickey.

All Good Things…

Episode 54: Interview with Evan Skolnick, Part 1

In the first part of this multi-episode interview, Kurt talks to comic book writer/game writer and producer/college professor Evan Skolnick about the earliest part of his career, up to his editorial stint at Marvel Comics.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2! While this interview is running, Welcome to Geektown will be on a weekly release schedule instead of every other week. Enjoy the extra content, and if you have an extra $1.00 or so, why not join the Patreon for even more material!

The subject of these interviews. Check out his website for a brief rundown of some of his credits.

Evan shows his sense of humor by poking fun at some of the Marvel 1993 Annual creations, including his own contribution…Khaos!

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #60 (on right) was Marvel’s first computer-colored book. By way of comparison, a similar panel from issue #59 is on the left. Lots more gradients and colors available!

Episode 53: Who Are The New Warriors? (Volume 1)

For the first anniversary of the podcast’s release, Kurt’s favorite hero Speedball was introduced.  On this 2nd-Anniversary episode, we introduce the rest of his teammates in the New Warriors, or at least the members of the team when it was first formed, plus a little bit about why the “Heroes for the 90s” continue to be re-read by fans 30 years later.

Night Thrasher loses the “The” very quickly.

Continuing a long tradition of tearing through comic book covers.

How does Speedball speak in the title font like that?

Episode 52: Fifty-Two (The DC Mini-Series)

No, I’m not just repeating the episode number again, but spelling it out. 52 (or Fifty-Two) was an important work in the DC Universe, so much so that the number keeps popping up in DC Lore ever since.  This year-long weekly series was the first in a few that DC did, but is the only one that really left a lasting impact.  Because this is Episode 52, I decided to go into more detail on this story, introducing the basic set-ups and talking about what made the story one of my personal favorites.

The build-up (and a very soft reboot).

Steel, Ralph, The Question, Booster Gold, and Renee are all there in the background.

Everything there means something, but telling you what would be spoiler territory.

Episode 51: When Did Nick Fury Start Looking Like Samuel L. Jackson?

Nick Fury started out as a square-jawed white Sergeant with adventures taking place in World War II.  So, how did he go from that to the Samuel L. Jackson look-alike we see today, running a super-spy agency?  That’s the question that gets asked and answered in this week’s episode.

As concise an intro to the Howling Commandos as one could ask for. Thanks, Stan!

That Steranko goodness. This cover has been homaged many, many times.

This is how Nick first appeared in the Ultimate Universe, but it was quickly retconned to…

this motherf-er here.

For a while, this was the most accurate Nick Fury on film. Weep for the fandom…

Say Cheese!

Episode 50: Story Length and Continuity Conundrums

How much back reading is required to get into comic books today?  Elyse (of the OHotMU or Not? podcast) wrote in to ask this question among others.  We look at how comic story lengths have changed over time, and how continuity has become a more important factor in the tales of today.

I briefly quote Tom Brevoort in his blog post on the “Five-Year Rule.” If you’d like to read his full thoughts on this, go click that link!

The first time Batman gets a full issue story, and of course he has to share it with three other characters…

The first part of “Zatanna’s Search.” Of course, she’s not going to find much with her eyes closed.

11 pages is “Feature Length.” That’s a really short feature.

Amazing Spider-Man #31-33. One of the classic tales of all time, and the first one starring Spidey that is longer than two issues.

Avengers Forever: A great story, but not recommended unless you know your Avengers history. For instance, there are two Hank Pyms pictured above.

Episode 49: DC Around the World (DC Characters based outside the United States)

A continuation of last episode, where we discussed Marvel characters based outside the United States, this time we turn our attention to DC, and what heroes they have created who originate from a (non-fictional) foreign country.  I apologize in advance if I get any of the pronunciations wrong.  I did my best, but I’m not perfect!

I think that guy in the front was also on the cover of Action Comics #1.

Sorry Craveonline, you did not get your wish…(although 35 issues isn’t bad for a new character these days)

See how many characters you can guess the country of origin just from their costume!

Ice, Fire and Dr. Light are the three in a triangle behind the balding man (named Oberon). Rocket Red has “CCCP” on his helmet. If you want to know about any others, just ask!

That’s a lot of hope on Most Excellent Super Bat’s costume…

The original Great Ten (or, at least, their heads).

That should cover a lot of the ones I didn’t hit in the episode itself.