Ep. 094 “The Big Shorty”

Big things come in short packages. It may be a #shortshow, but there’s comics action around every turn. Sparks fly as all three wheels of the train Near Mint try desperately to stay on the rails… which they succeed at until about the 58 minute mark. 

In this episode, we kick off convention season with a strictly-second-hand report from C2E2. Snyder and Capullo drop the mic on their Batman run but DC isn’t dropping any clues about Rebirth. Excitement for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is building to a gentle simmer. Not to be outdone in the ‘heroes-senselessly-feuding-with-one-another’ department, Marvel is all in on Civil War on screen and in print. We even have time to talk about a movie without superheroes – can you believe they still make those?!

The #shortshow hoagie is stuffed between a Top o’ the Pile and a Can o’ Beans, piled high with extra helpings of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Darwyn Cooke and Ramón Pérez, Batman Europa, Daredevil on Netflix – and so much more! 

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Music in this episode by: 50 Cent, Grateful Dead

Ep. 093 “Blackened With Science”

Once again bending the laws of space and time, Ben and Dan come together to complete an episode over 3 weeks in the making. This pseudo book club episode is dedicated to the consumption of a long-overdue Can o’ Beans. Neither the laws of physics, nor the perils of extra-temporal audio recording can stop our heroes from diving in and discussing Black Science.

Black Science, is a trans-dimensional sci-fi epic from Image comics, featuring the artistic talents of Mateo Scalera and Dean White, written by Mint Award winner, Rick Remender. It’s colorful ensemble cast, rich world-building and frenetic pace have garnered a rabid fan base since the series kicked off in 2013. And while it’s been mentioned on the show before, we’ve never given it the full Near Mint treatment… until now!

Along with a lengthy discussion about Black Science, we crack open a new Can o’ Beans, tease the Boston Comic Con guests and the rising star artist, Elsa Charretier.

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Music in this episode by: Thomas Dolby, Willie Nelson

Ep. 092 “Rated R for Reboot”

It’s old school Near Mint action as Ben and Josh bring you a potpourri of hollywood talk including DC Rebirth, Deadpool, Daredevil, Batman v. Superman and more.

DC Comics is throwing out the bathwater once again with their recently announced Rebirth storyline. We talk about our excitement level, the endless reboot cycle and DCs desperate ploys to satisfy new and old readers alike.

Meanwhile, Deadpool is breaking the fourth wall and shattering box office expectations. What made this movie such a hit given its R rating and the somewhat polarizing nature of it’s machine-gun-toting, mouth-running lead character.

With Daredevil poised for season 2 and the Walking Dead, toying with fans at every turn, comics are dominating the small screen as well – and we’re here to talk about it.

And while Deadpool represents yet another hit in the successful run of Marvel films, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice hopes to push the DC cinematic universe out of the starting gate and silence the many critics created with its aura of darkness and despair.

All this, plus a Top o’ the Pile, a Can o’ Beans, a rub and a tug, and a good time had by all. It’s the knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred episode that nobody was asking for. Don’t get left in the popcorn line!

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Music in this episode by: DMX, Nice Peter