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Post by Bob Reyer on Mar 28, 2016 5:15:22 GMT -5
Friends,
I just want to take a moment to say "Thanks!" to everyone who took the time to send me their birthday greetings over the aether this weekend; they were greatly appreciated, and as always, it shows what a wonderful community we have here.
Further, I'd like to express my heart-felt gratitude to those "Earth-Prime" friends who went above-and-beyond, and who came out in force for a lovely afternoon spent in each other's company; so, all the best to Jacqui Turner (and her amazing son Luke who stumped me with super-hero trivia!), Jay Ormond, Brian Verderosa (and his dad Michael!), Carolyn Cocca (whose daughter Anna drew me a wonderful birthday card filled with super-heroic symbols and sayings!), Steve Seigh, and a special tip of the hat to Bobby & Karen Shortle for creating a surprise get-together that touched me deeply.
(As an aside, I'd also like to thank those who were my hosts for two lovely evenings spent at their homes, who also crafted some special memories for me; you know who you are, but you may not know how important those moments were in the scheme of things.)
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Post by Bob Reyer on Mar 30, 2016 8:04:20 GMT -5
Troops, As part of my Lightning Round on this week's show, I chat about a new children's book that I was shown, one that in a subtly lovely way spoke volumes about the inclusion and representation we often discuss, so I'd like to mention it here, too. The title is The Colors Out My Window, and it's written by Gabrielle Story with illustrations by Maria Mola. It's a great "read-to" or early-readers book, whose obvious subject is charmingly teaching the colors as various children encounter them through glimpses out their windows, but what really struck me was the diverse cast of narrators depicted, a wonderful choice by the creators that can help a child grasp quickly the full spectrum of the human condition. It's not only available on Amazon, but I've just come across Ms. Story's web-site where you can also pick it up.
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goubs
Fearless Defender
Posts: 8
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Post by goubs on Apr 6, 2016 9:48:28 GMT -5
Hi there, wasn't sure where else to put this so I though I would try here. I am recording a documentary tonight called FutureShock: the History of 2000AD. Are there any other documentaries about comics which you would recommend?
Thanks Goubs
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Post by theboogieman on Apr 26, 2016 16:35:20 GMT -5
With the recent controversy over Dr. Strange, I thought you might be interested in watching this interview with one of the writers, C. Robert Cargill, where he covers the reasoning behind the casting.
I think the part specifically about this controversy is around the 17 minute mark.
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Post by Bob Reyer on Apr 27, 2016 5:48:01 GMT -5
"B",
Thanks so much; I had seen some transcripts of this interview, but it was informative to see the real thing, and also to hear some of my own thoughts echoed by the screenwriter, although the talk about "Social Justice Warriors" left me sorta cold.
As I said on-air, I still believe that by being faithful to the source material, and provided that you craft both the character of the Ancient One and how you'd like the audience to perceive him as a force for peace and wisdom, there would have been a lot less drama.
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Post by Bob Reyer on May 4, 2016 21:13:40 GMT -5
Friends,
Pardon a slightly self-indulgent (and non-comic) moment, but for seemingly the entire civilized world, May the Fourth is "Star Wars Day", but your Cranky Old Uncle Bob will always think of it as Audrey Hepburn's birthday. Having just watched the wondrous confection that is "Funny Face", here's a sample:
And simply because:
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Post by Bob Reyer on May 10, 2016 12:26:16 GMT -5
Troops, Sorry that I whiffed on this yesterday (I was a bit under-the-weather), but May 9th was the birthday of Wonder Woman's creator, Dr. William Moulton Marston! (From l to r: Dr. Marston, artist Harry G. Peter, editor Sheldon Mayer, All-American Comics publisher Max Gaines) You've heard lots about Dr. Marston around these parts, but if you'd like to read something about him, I posted this essay some while back!
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Post by Ash Chang on May 16, 2016 1:36:52 GMT -5
Hi Bob!
Newish listener, first time caller.
So there’s no way to ask my question unless I give a slightly long winded explanation.
Been reading comics regularly for only about 5 years now. I’ve read a lot, old and new. But I’ve always had a bit of trouble with the X-Men. Which I attribute to me loving the movies so much and the comics I’ve tried being tonally different. I found a lot of the comics I read in general when I started were classic “Top 20 greatest ever” stories like Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns and of course stories like Days of Future Past and the Dark Phoenix Saga. At the time all of those mentioned went over my head. It wasn’t until the last year or so something clicked when I re-read them and suddenly I understood why everyone thinks they’re amazing: Because they are!
So I recently picked up the entire Claremont run on X-Men. Dark Phoenix, DOFP, From the Ashes, Mutant Massacre etc. And I’m loving it all so, so much. I also really love the Messiah Complex run from more recent years.
But there were just some era’s/creators in the X books or titles in general I haven’t strayed into, eg the 90’s runs like Onslaught and Age of Apocalypse or the Fraction or Bendis runs. The new movie has me super excited and I'm tempted to read Age of Apocalypse but basically my problem is everyone I speak to or ask recommends purely from nostalgia. When I ask about the 90s people are like “ITS AMAZING! I loved it so much when it was coming out” but nobody has read it recently to let me know if it holds up. There's no objective opinion of someone who has recently read it and told me "its good" or "its bad". I know, I know, I should judge it for myself. But at roughly $40+ a trade paperback its a lot of money to put on a try.
So are there any X books I’m missing out on? Especially ones with solid story wrap-ups? I’ve found with recent few years of Marvel stuff its nearly impossible to read a story arc without it turning into a long winded event that leads to zero closure.
Also side note, I appreciate the importance of the Stan Lee runs on all of his titles, but I just don’t enjoy reading comics from that time period. I appreciate the the facts what started it all but I can't see past the whacky dialogue, witty editors notes and simple storytelling.
Anyway, I appreciate your time and hope to hear back from you soon!
Thanks!
Ash
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Post by Bob Reyer on May 17, 2016 6:23:46 GMT -5
Ash,
It's hard for me to recommend any X-Men stories from the post-Claremont era as I basically checked out after Mr. Claremont did! That said, I would heartily endorse the Chris Claremont/Alan Davis Excalibur run (and Mr. Davis later issues as a writer/artist!) as well as the Peter David X-Factor.
I don't think this helps you very much in your search for actual "X-Men" stories, but you will certainly derive enjoyment from those books I mentioned!
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Post by jesskii88 on May 17, 2016 15:36:23 GMT -5
Ash, It's hard for me to recommend any X-Men stories from the post-Claremont era as I basically checked out after Mr. Claremont did! That said, I would heartily endorse the Chris Claremont/Alan Davis Excalibur run (and Mr. Davis later issues as a writer/artist!) as well as the Peter David X-Factor. I don't think this helps you very much in your search for actual "X-Men" stories, but you will certainly derive enjoyment from those books I mentioned! Ash, Bob knows more than me about everything but especially about the X-Men. I totally share his thoughts on Claremont being the most important contributor to the mutant end of the Marvel universe. That said, there are a few "recent" things that I've really loved channeled the spirit of Claremont's work. Astonishing X-Men - Joss Whedon Uncanny X-Force - Rick Remender Wolverine and the X-Men - Jason Aaron All New X-Men - Brian Michael Bendis All of these runs focus on the relational dynamic between the characters without getting to caught up in the complicated continuity of the X-Men.
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Post by wylietimes on May 19, 2016 10:00:04 GMT -5
Keiron Gillen's Uncanny X-Men run featuring the Cyclops led team post schism and pre AvX is quite good. I'm a big Cyke fan and the Simone Bianchi design is my favorite.
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Post by Ash on Jun 2, 2016 21:46:52 GMT -5
Thanks for all the suggestions. So after seeing Apocalypse I just bit the bullet and bought the Omnibus. Hell of a risk on something so expensive. But I read it in one sitting and loved the hell out of it. I've heard a lot of people say "the 90's sucked" but since reading AoA i've also now read Fatal Attractions, X-Cutioners Song and X-Tinction Agenda and loved all of them. I think the problem is people get very put off by the 90's art style. Which I understand. But there stories are there. Fatal Attractions has some of the most incredible X-Men moments as well as social commentary I've ever seen.
Which on a whole other tangent has me so bummed out how Marvel have basically cut off ties with the X-Men comics all together in order to push Inhumans because apparently movie rights are more important. The diversity message has always been the same in the X-books and today especially it seems way more relevant than ever. And the X-Men books would be the perfect way to do it. But instead its just Marvel Now! Secret Wars! Civil War II!
I hope to be able to jump onto a future X-Book once Marvel have gotten off their incredibly high horse. But at the same time there is 50 years worth of comics I can catch up on so it's not like I'm missing anything.
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Post by Bob Reyer on Jun 3, 2016 7:49:38 GMT -5
Ash,
I knew that somebody in our community of friends would jump in with something helpful, so a big "Thanks!" to Jess on this one!
As to Marvel's animus towards the X-Men (and Fantastic Four, too!), what I can say but that I find it quite sad.
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Post by Bob Reyer on Jun 3, 2016 12:43:21 GMT -5
Troops, We obviously don't have a podcast thread for next week up yet, but I just want to say that barring any last-minute complications, we will be speaking with Jen and Sylvia Soska, The Twisted Twins who directed the fun grindhouse fare "Dead Hooker in a Trunk", "See No Evil 2". and the stunning "American Mary" . Not only that, the Soska Sisters are also comics fans who wrote one of my favorite one-shots of last year, the "Night Nurse" story in Secret Wars Journal:
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Post by Bob Reyer on Jun 10, 2016 10:17:32 GMT -5
Troops, We obviously don't have a podcast thread for next week up yet, but I just want to say that barring any last-minute complications, we will be speaking with Jen and Sylvia Soska, The Twisted Twins who directed the fun grindhouse fare "Dead Hooker in a Trunk", "See No Evil 2". and the stunning "American Mary" . Not only that, the Soska Sisters are also comics fans who wrote one of my favorite one-shots of last year, the "Night Nurse" story in Secret Wars Journal: Due to an unforeseen scheduling hiccup, we will be talking to the "Twisted Twins", Jen & Sylvia Soska on this week's show!
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