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Super Suits on Screen

We are currently living in the Golden Age of Superhero movies. It’s hard to remember the fact that superhero movies were far less prevalent than they are today; and back then when one was made, usually there were all kinds of changes where the finished product didn’t always resemble the comics we read. One aspect that has changed drastically in the years since is the look of superhero movies. There is a much bigger emphasis now on making the aesthetics more closely match the comics, and a big part of that is the costumes. No longer are we getting only the leather jumpsuits that were a favorite design choice in the 90s. The costumes now are showcased with all the bright colors and other aspects drawn straight from the pages of the comics. Today, the panel discusses what happens, good and bad, when superhero costumes get adapted to live action.

Definitive Five: Part II (More of Our Favorite Character Versions)

The Definitive Five returns!  There are occasions where you might find a single character appear in films, tv, comics, animation, and video games, and you might also find that there are often significant differences between the different versions.  Sometimes the changes are welcome and well-regarded while other times not as much. Frank has assembled another list of characters that have appeared across multiple forms of media, and the panel will decide which of the five formats is home to the definitive take of that character. 

Spotlight: The Venture Bros.

Adult Swim has produced many cult-favorite animated shows, and high among them is The Venture Bros.  An action-comedy about a failed scientist, his two dim-witted boys, their bodyguard and the globe-trotting adventures they go on. What once started as a fun, spoof of Jonny Quest, has grown into a beloved animated series that really has left a unique print on the world of cartoons with it's lush world building and hilarious pop-culture references. Today the panel Spotlights, a beloved favorite of theirs, The Venture Bros. “Go Team Venture!!!”

Remember When

Chances are, somewhere, in your media viewing past, you have encountered a flashback. Be it in a comic book, tv show or movie; what was once a tool in the storytellers toolbox, flashbacks have now become so incredibly common place in media. Sometimes this trope can be gimmicky and overused, but sometimes they can illuminate crucial points in a characters past. Hop in the way-back machine and buckle in as the panel takes a deep look at Flashbacks.

Who Would Win ... ? (And Other Questions)

If you have ever stepped foot into a comic book shop, chances are you were lucky enough have overheard or partook in some colorful comic shop conversation. Banter that typically centers on dream battles that pit characters of similar power sets against each other, exercises in logic, or even philosophical debate. In some cases these conversations can venture into the downright absurd, but they are always lively and they are always a blast. For today the panel partakes in some popular stereotypical banter overheard in comic shops.

Episodes in a Bottle

"Bottle Episode" is a loose term that describes a notable style of episode in Television. Stories that are set in one location or the famed “clip show” are two examples of the kinds of bottle episodes fans will see. But, bottle stories don't exist solely in Television; comics and animation have had fun trying to recreate the feel of a bottle episode in their mediums, and as audiences have become more aware of the concept, there is a lot of fun to be had when creators start to get, well, creative with the idea and find new ways to play with the trope. Pull up a chair and enjoy as the panel discusses the concept of Bottle episodes.

When Fictional Universes Collide!

Every franchise out there is looking for a way to bring more eyeballs to their product and maybe the easiest way to create interest by fans is to bring two franchises together for a crossover that combines the best of multiple worlds. Franchise crossovers, despite seemingly being done more and more, still have the aura of something rare. That this event is something fleeting. You’re seeing these two characters together for this story, and that's it. After this, fans won’t see it again. The panel is taking a look at some of their favorite franchise mash-ups and intercompany crossovers from movies, TV, video games, and comics books.

Why Didn't This Get Made?! – Animation Edition

For every one of the numerous animated classics that have been released over the years, there are countless animated ideas that never come into fruition. It's amazing to think of how many would-be-classics might have happened if development had continued on so many projects. In a follow up to last week’s How Did This Get Made?! – Animation Edition, the panel is discussing some fascinating animated projects that never quite came to be.

How Did This Get Made?! - Animation Edition

Generally speaking, in animation, if you can dream it and draw it, you can make it. Cartoons have so many examples of unexpected, daring creative ideas that become classics. Sometimes, however, an occasional cartoon comes along that can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Maybe it is based on something that doesn’t have a clear cut story, or it is adapted from a property that in hindsight might not be the most kid-friendly. The panel has assembled a list of cartoons, that might make one wonder, “how did that ever get made in the first place?”

Best Movie Year: '84, '89, or '99?

Each year, literally hundreds of movies are released in the United States, and any one of them has the potential to become a favorite for movie lovers, and perhaps even one day come to be considered a bona fide classic. With so many movies being produced each year, every so often you just get a particularly good year of movies.  And some years the slate of movies lines up in a way that an abundance of great films emerge from their release year to join the timeless ranks of classic films. So which year had the most? The panel selected three movie years with personal and pop cultural significance: 1984, 1989, and 1999. And they will discuss which of those they believe was the best movie year.