In this episode we have a few news snippets, including a discussion of Virtuality, Ronald D. Moore’s unsuccessful pilot for a new FOX sci-fi show. Following this Steve and Scott chat about some comics they’ve recently got hold of including some picks from Bristol and finally they’re joined by Marcus Almand, creator of Razor Kid to talk about his work as a creator and Razor Kid itself.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 50
June 23, 2009Welcome to the first inaugral Comic Book Outsiders awards ceremony! To commemorate reaching 50 episodes Steve and Scott look back at some of the very best examples of comics excellence that they have covered over the last two years. Categories include: Best Writer Best Artist Best Miniseries Best Ongoing Series Best Graphic Novel and the Lifetime Achievement Award Thanks to all our listeners new and old for listening to these first 50 episodes.
As always you can download from iTunes, Podcast Alley and most of the popular podcast indexing sites, or you can download direct here:
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 49
June 17, 2009Bringing you the very best hidden gems from the worlds of independent comics, movies and TV. In this episode we start off with some news and reviews and then our main feature is an interview with Robert Venditti, the creator and writer of The Surrogates. We talk about the original 5 issue mini series and the collected first trade, the upcoming movie starring Bruce Willis and the forthcoming prequel graphic novel, Flesh and Bone, which is due out in July.
There is also still plenty of time to pick up American Gods by Neil Gaiman for our Book Club. Send us your comments, opinions and thoughts on the book and post your suggestions for future book club selections on the CBO forum.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 48
June 17, 2009Welcome to Episode 48. In this episode we discuss some of the latest news in the genre world before settling down to a discussion about the Buffy Season 8 Trade Paperbacks. After that we discuss our hidden gem for the episode, Constantine. Based (loosely) on John Constantine from the Hellblazer comics and in the movie played by Keanu Reeves. A reminder to everyone that you’ve still got plenty of time to pick up American Gods by Neil Gaiman for the CBO book club.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 47
May 27, 2009This episode we start with an extended news and reviews where we look at all the TV that’s come to an end, what’s been renewed for another season, and what new TV shows interest us. There is a lot of new cop, medical and legal dramas starting up, none of which we talk about as they don’t interest us! We focus on the interesting genre stuff and sift the wheat from the chaff.
After that it’s our second book club selection and this episode we’re talking about Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a significant sci-fi book published in the 1950s. We talk about its relevance today, how eerily accurate it is, and why we think it is such an important book. We also have feedback and input from listeners and then we announce what the next Book Club selection will be.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 46 – Bristol Special
May 14, 2009Bringing you some of the very best hidden gems from the worlds of independent comics movies and TV.
Welcome to the Bristol convention special! After some news and reviews we get down to the main business of the show which is talking about one of the big events in the UK comics calendar, the Bristol International Comic Expo, which this year joined forces with the Small Press Expo in a nearby hotel.
After the chat is a great roundtable discussion featuring Orangutan Comics, Monkeys with Machine Guns , Geek Syndicate and 1/2 of Comic Book Outsiders.
This is a long one folks, so make yourself a cup of tea! However if you’re not interested in convention talk then rest assured we’ll be back to normal next episode. You’ve got a couple of weeks left to read Fahrenheit 451 for the book club and we’ll look forward to receiving your feedback.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 45
May 7, 2009In this episode we start with some news and reviews and there is time even time for the regular Fringe whinge, only this episode we’re staying upbeat and Steve thinks he’s worked something out.
The first part of our show is a discussion about the the newly reimagined BattleStar Galactica in broad terms of the themes, history and its place in science fiction. We look at what came before, the journey of the characters and what we expect to come after in the guise of Caprica but also TV in general.
This episode Scott interviewed Matt Maxwell, the creator and writer of Strangeways and they discuss Murder Moon the first graphic novel in the series and the new graphic novel, Strangeways: The Thirsty.
Comic Book Outsiders Episode 44
April 24, 2009After the usual news and reviews we introduce two more comics publishers and then get to our main discussion of the Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel, Maus by Art Spiegelman.
Then, on a lighter note, we discuss the show Red Dwarf, a British comedy classic which enjoyed a recent resurrection.
Remember to get reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury for our book club in episode 47!
‘Classic Video Covers’
April 20, 2009One of my big pleasures as a teenager was to go to my local video store and just browse the wall of videos there – movies that were never heard of again, with often suspect cover art. Well thanks to this website:
I’m able to relive some of those glory days, though sadly I don’t think I’m going to be able to watch any of them in the near future. C’mon internet, start streaming these things! I don’t know whether it’s the design of the covers, or just nostalgia, but so many of these movies look awesome to me!
-Scott.
Being Human – now on DVD
April 20, 2009Being Human, the BBC 3 drama about a vampire, werewolf and ghost, living together in a flat in Bristol is now available on DVD from April 20th 2009. Last year the BBC commissioned a number of TV pilots from different creative teams, and the most popular would be considered for something more. Being Human was highly successful, and an online campaign helped attract a lot of attention and a few months later it was commissioned for a 6 episode series which aired in early 2009.
The show is a mix of drama, horror and comedy, and the closest touchstones are things like Buffy and Angel. It is incredibly dark in some places, very funny in others, and it carries a 15 certificate, so is not suitable for younger viewers due to the subject matter and other adult content.
The series was an absolute delight. Clever and very well written with snappy dialogue, it explored some dark places in the lives of the three main characters, with each of them trying to come to terms with what they are and, at the same time, maintain a normal life and just fit in with their neighbours on a normal street in Bristol. They manage to pack a lot into the six episodes and the plot keeps moving briskly with each, even when some episodes focus on one character and we get a more in depth exploration of their situation and daily life.
All three actors, Russell Tovey, Lenora Critchlow and Aidan Turner are fantastic who you might have seen here and there in other shows like Doctor Who, The History Boys and The Tudors. In Being Human they are able to truly shine and prove themselves to be among some of the best of young British talent. The outstanding performance probably goes to Russell Tovey who displays remarkable range and can slip from almost Lee Evans comedic timing and physicality to utterly soul-drained emotional torment the next. Never again will you think it might be cool to be a werewolf after you witness what he goes through physically and emotionally each month which is utterly horrific.
This is British TV and the BBC at its best and I’m very happy to say Being Human did so well it has been picked up for a second season, which will be eight episodes long. To fill the gap between now and then, check out the DVD which includes a bunch of extras and the six episodes to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
