Episode 107: Dragonlance in Comics

For readers of fantasy, especially those with a history of role-playing “Dragonlance” is a well-known property.  But, did you know that it was also available to readers of comic books? Thanks to a listener question, we go through the various incarnations of comics tied to the World of Krynn, including both adaptations and original stories.

A very familiar site for 80s and 90s fantasy readers.

“Book Two” is actually the second half of the first book. It makes sense when you read it.

A more recent adaptation. Of course I chose the one with Raistlin on the cover…

Guess who the main character is. I’m guessing you’re wrong.

As promised, here’s me as Raistlin (with some Photoshop, but not as much as you might think).

Episode 103: Villains of the Batman Arkham Video Games

With 10 different games in the series out, the Batman: Arkham video games have pulled from all over the history of the character for their villains.  One player of the series was curious to find out if any of them were original to the game, or if they all come from the past comics somewhere, and why weren’t they used in the animated series.  We discuss all that and more in this episode, so take a listen!

Whoops! You missed this one (but it’s understandable, as the episode was fairly forgettable)

Calendar Man as he was originally portrayed…

And his current incarnation. One is just a little creepier than the other.

The video game Arkham Knight (aka Spoiler provided in the episode)

vs. the comic book version of the Arkham Knight (a later addition).

Episode 96: Book to Movie Adaptations - Why Are They So Hard?

If you’re a longtime fan of a book and you hear it’s being made into a movie, you may have a mix of joy and dread, as so many of the adaptations over the years have not met up to the book fans’ approvals.  This episode, we look at some of the common follies that adapters will run into that cause fans to cry foul, then Kurt picks out a couple of films he think got it just right.

As promised in the show, you can find the study showing movie runtimes getting longer right here.

A standard book page (about 300 words) vs…

a typical film script page (250 words on average). How do you squeeze one into the other?

Episode 69: Video Games to Movies and Vice Versa - What Goes Wrong?

Since the early 90s, video games have been fodder for movie studios, but few of those adaptations seem to be successful.  Why is that?  Kurt goes over some of the possible reasons for that, as well as looking the other direction, and why few video games based around movies have been well-received.

I usually try to keep positive on the show, but you can’t improve until you confront your mistakes, so hopefully this can steer future video game adapters away from some of the pitfalls, and help make upcoming movies better!

Well, the costumes are on point, except for those boots…

A lesson in listening to the audience.

Ryan Reynolds just doesn’t want people to see his face anymore, does he?

Help! We’re trapped in an Uwe Boll movie, and can’t get out!

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.