Comic Book Outsiders Episode 62

In this episode Scott and Steve start off with some TV talk – some good, some worrying and some very exciting. There is also some great news about a new comics news we’ve previously discussed. After that we get onto our main feature where we talk about comics and movies, and more specifically, what is the recipe for a good comic movie? We look at the elements we think will guarantee success, we look at previous winners and losers, and why some of the best comics have not been succesful on the big screen. Steve also pitches some comic properties to Scott for the small screen.

This subject is a massive one, so let us know your thoughts and why you think some comic films have been popular with the mainstream audience and why others have failed. And if you have any ideas of your own as to what would be good on the big screen, and what would work better on the small screen, get in touch and let us know.

Don’t forget, episode 66 will be our book club episode, and it will be this side of Christmas, so get a hold of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and join in the discussion.

 

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 62 – Direct Download

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 61

In this episode Scott and Steve start off with some 100% positive news and reviews before revamping slightly the classic Challenge Scott/Steve format with them each pitching a comic and another piece of media to the other.

Discussed in this episode:

North 40

Ramayan Gone

Baby Gone

Earth: Final Conflict

Remember that our current book club offering for episode 66 is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

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Comic Book Outsiders Episode 60

Welcome to our post British International Comics Show (BICS) episode where we start off with a review of the show, what we enjoyed and some of the familiar and new faces we met. We then get into some news and reviews about the latest comics, movie news, new TV projects from JJ Abrams and the future of Dollhouse.

After that we discuss our book club selection and the current work of fiction is Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. We discuss what we thought of the book and we also have comments from listeners who sent us their feedback on the book. We announce the next book club selection which we will discussing in Episode 66 in a couple of months time.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 60 – Direct Download

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 59

In this episode, after some brief (not to mention bleak) news and reviews we’re joined for an extended chat by Cy Dethan, writer of (amongst other things) Cancertown and Starship Troopers. We cover Cy’s journey into comics writing, some of the ideas behind Cancertown and the critical reaction since it’s release.

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Comic Book Outsiders Episode 58

It’s only two weeks now until the British International Comic Show at Birmingham and Scott and Steve will both be attending the event. After discussing our plans, we get into some news, with another major change at one of the biggest comic companies in the business. We also get into a discussion about motion comics and the how power and wealth can change a silly idea into something dangerous!

As promised – a link to the Dr Horrible Emmy interruption from YouTube

In our next section we discuss the works of Clint Eastwood. Inspired by The Changeling, Scott and Steve pick out some of their favourites from his extremely long career and we discuss their influence on pop culture, cinema, and our own lives.

Don’t forget about the bookclub and in episode 60 we will have a discussion about Slaughterhouse 5 and announce our next selection.

We’ll be back next week and hopefully see some of you at the Birmingham show in two weeks.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 58 – Direct Download

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 57

In this episode Scott is back in the UK and we kick off with some news and reviews, and then look at the biggest announcement in comics, Disney purchasing Marvel for the princely sum of $4 billion dollars. Looking at Disney as a whole we look at the realistic repercussions on Marvel, make a few predictions and mention a few things we would like to see develop in the future.

After that we have a Hidden Gem and this episode we talk about the great heist show from the US, Leverage. With a great cast and a solid future, this show is continuing to go from strength to strength and we discuss it in depth without many spoilers. Episode 60 is around the corner so send us your comments on the book club selection and send in your ideas for future books.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 57 – Direct Download

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 55

Scott is still overseas in Canada (slowly inching his way onto the set of Caprica, so watch for him in the background when it airs!) whilst Steve is back home protecting old Blighty from pirates.

In this episode there is the return of a couple of old favourites, but before that we kick off with some News and Reviews.

One of those mentioned by Steve is The Anchor by Phil Hester from Boom! Studios. Below is a link to a preview with more information about the comic.

The Anchor from Boom!

Afterwards we get back to basics with Challenge Scott, where Steve pitches three new comics to Scott and tries to get him interested in at least one of them to go and pick it up.

One of the three comics mentioned by Steve is Rapture, a new mini series from Dark Horse. As promised, the entire first issue is available to read online for for FREE.

Click here to read Rapture Issue 1 for free

After that it’s the return of a Guilty Pleasure, where once again one of us steps into the confessional and asks the listeners and their co-host for understanding and forgiveness. This time it’s Scott’s turn to try and convince Steve about a film that he likes but perhaps, shouldn’t. We’ll be discussing Slaughterhouse 5 in Episode 60, so if you’ve read it already, send us your comments via email, or post them on the forum and we’ll try to include them in the show.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 55 – Direct Link

Denisof in Dollhouse

One of the many stories that caught my eye coming out of the San Diego Comic Con was that long time Buffy and Angel actor and Whedonverse favourite, Alexis Denisof, will be appearing in the next season of Dollhouse.

The show was given a reprieve and picked up for a second season despite poor ratings but the buzz around it seems to me, to be turning more positive. Before the show even aired on Fox, fans had started a “Save Dollhouse” campaign online and for a time it looked as if they would be very busy. As someone who came late to the show, I was obviously influenced by all of the negative press, and after watching five episodes I could understand the viewpoint of those who scorned it. The show just didn’t grab me, and as a Joss Whedon product, I was disappointed. However, I made a promise to keep watching it for the entire run and finally, in the last three or four episodes, I was glad I persisted. But it was a long time coming. If it had been any other show by any other creator, and if not for my promise, I would have stopped watching by the fourth or fifth episode.

The show meandered at the start and nowadays with shows being cut down very early, sometimes before all filmed episodes are even aired, that just won’t wash. But, it’s been given a second chance, and to be fair, not all of the problems have been the fault of the showrunners and writers. The network didn’t help by not airing the original pilot and refusing to show the last episode of the first season, Epitaph One, featuring Felicia Day. She broke the news via Twitter when she was told it would not be shown, and there was much gnashing of teeth by the fans and Joss Whedon alike I’d imagine. The good news is the Season 1 DVD includes the final unaired episode and that it was shown on the Sci-Fi Channel in the UK this week.

So, with the appearance of Alan Tudyk at the end of season 1, the regular appearance of the lovely Amy Acker throughout, and now the recurring appearance of Alexis Denisof in Season 2, is Dollhouse back on track with so many of the Whedonverse alumni? Let’s hope so. Without spoiling the show for those who haven’t seen it, it manages to come a long way in season 1 considering how it began with Alias-lite type episodes that quite often felt like one note musicals. The original setup has been radically altered and it can’t be undone, which means the story arc episodes will continue and I hope there will be less standalone ‘Echo on a field trip’ type episodes in the future. All we know about Denisof’s character is that he is a senator who will be a thorn in the side of the Dollhouse and that it is a recurring role. I can’t wait to see him back in action as he has been sorely missed from TV.

Considering my opinion of the show when it began, I never thought I’d be saying this but, I’m looking forward to watching season 2 of Dollhouse.

A forthcoming Graphic Novel from….Steve

The Empyre, a graphic novel written by me and drawn by an artist yet to be picked, will be published by Insomnia Publications.

To read more about it and for updates you can visit Insomnia’s weekly blog – The Red Eye

Or if you want to keep track of The Empyre you can follow its progress on the Empyre Blog

So what is it all about…..well…….

On his first day in office, the Prime Minister meets a member of his Cabinet he didn’t elect – Alistair Donovan, the Secretary of State for Nocturnal Affairs.

Donovan runs a secret government department that has existed for over a hundred years. In extreme circumstances, when a swift resolution is needed, the Prime Minister calls on Donovan and his team of hand-picked specialists.

The Empyre mixes fast-paced action with politics and drama, charting how the UK starts to become a world leader in a secret technology, and the effects it has on international politics.

If you watch 24 and The West Wing on TV and enjoy comics such as Ex-Machina and Queen and Country then keep your eye out for more news on this one in future.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 53

In the second of our special episodes, Scott is still off globetrotting so I’m joined by Dr Karl, the host of the Science Friction podcast. We start with some News and Reviews and then for the main part of the show I talk comics in general with Karl and find out what he is reading and enjoying at the moment, we talk about comics on the fringe of Marvel, some of our favourite writers, a one in a million real life mutant and big comic companies visiting the UK.

Next week we’ll be back and with some luck, Scott will be back for our Book Club episode where we will be discussing American Gods by Neil Gaiman. So please send us in your comments and thoughts on the book and we’ll try to mention them in the show. We will also be announcing the next book and if you have any suggestions for the book club you can email us or post them on the forum.

Comic Book Outsiders Episode 53 – Direct Download