Caffeinated Comics On Radio Misfits

Jon had COVID all last week so we're celebrating Batman Day today! Jon and Elliott discuss why the strikes have slowed down momentum for the world's most popular comic book character, how current loyalty can turn into nostalgia and when we can expect the next Bat renaissance. Plus, a new Doctor Who trailer, non-sexual man crushes, and why no one will remember Larry, Daryll and Daryll. [Ep350]

Hasbro's Marvel Legends has returned with another large figure! Steven tells Jon why the classic Avenger is already on his wish list, how Hasbro recovered from the failure of last year's Engine of Destruction and whether a Quinjet is in the line's future. Plus, McFarlane goes his own way, the endless choices of character selections through multiple eras and why Gen Xers and Millennials need playsets. [Ep349]

The final Indiana Jones movie is available on digital and Jon and Elliott are kicking off Labor Day weekend watching it. Listen to this podcast along with the movie as the two super fans discuss behind the scenes stories, production secrets and recollections of the entire franchise in real time. [Ep348]

"Spider-Man: Lotus" cost $125,000. "The Flash" cost $200,000,000. And Jon and Elliott hate them both equally. How can a movie made out of love show no joy? How does the multiverse become formulaic? And what do both films miss about their core character? Plus, remembering the origin Harley Quinn, Arleen Sorkin. [Ep347]

How does Star Trek stay current while honoring its past? Jon welcomes Mr. Waynes Pop Culture Collectibles founder Mike Caplan to discuss all the series on Paramount Plus. How did "Picard" season 1 and 2 pave the way for the events of season 3? How does "Lower Decks" both parody and celebrate the franchise? Why is the viewscreen on "Strange New Worlds" so big? Plus, why aren't toy companies taking advantage of Trek's resurgence? [Ep346]

Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom return to the MCU just as Peter Parker leaves for Europe. The crew discusses the epilogue of Phase 3, why rights issues keep Marvel's flagship character from becoming the center of the cinematic universe and how live action can compete with "Into the Spider Verse". Plus, writer and actor strikes, authentic teenagers, and the road not taken for Jake Gyllenhall. [Ep345]

David Tennant and Michael Sheen are friends and Jon and Elliott like to talk about them. They discuss how the real life friendship of the stars informed the new story and how "Staged" changed the backdrop of Neil Gaiman's fantasy. Plus, Barbie makes Lego Movie moves, Star Trek sings, and comedy murder mysteries become a genre. [Ep344]

Pluto TV has launched a 24 hour Godzilla channel, and Howie Weingarten is here for it. Jon and Howie discuss the highs and lows of the franchise and what uncovered gems there may be in the rubber suit genre. Plus, Howie hates "The Flash", Barbie sells out, and remembering Paul Reubens [Ep343]

Hollywood skipped Comicon this year. Was there finally room for comics? Jon and Elliott take a look at all the announcements and how they harken back to the 90s. Plus, the constant rebooting of Daredevil, the silence of "Secret Invasion",and were the aughts so bad it can't sustain nostalgia? [Ep342]

"Indiana Jones" continues to struggle, "The Flash" has slowed to a crawl and not even Tom Cruise can make a summer blockbuster possible. Jon and Elliott discuss what is keeping people out of the theaters, the ballooning budgets that don't show up on screen,and why fans root for a franchise they love to fail. Plus, is it really a "Secret Invasion" if no one cares? [Ep340]

It's time. Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom welcome Indy super-fan and influencer Alex Arnold to discuss the latest and last Indiana Jones movie. Is it worth seeing on the big screen? Was it worth $300 million dollars? What is motivating the negativity online when most moviegoers are giving it positive reviews? Plus, Alex takes the Men through his personal Indiana Jones museum. [Ep340]

"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" is finally out and it seems to be paying the price for its predecessor. Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom welcome back Lucasfilm PR man John Singh to describe the feeling at Skywalker Ranch in 2008, whether the atmosphere around the premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" matches its legacy and why Spielberg doesn't think his own sequels are very good. [Ep339]

Think you know everything about "Star Wars"? Justin Berger and Jamie Benning spent years researching every day of production for their new book "Return of the Jedi: An Authorized Timeline". Jon talks to Justin and Jamie about finding new stories in a well-researched property, how George Lucas took a step back then a step forward with production, and the depth of knowledge contained in Jamie's "Filmumentaries" podcast. [Ep338]

A seminal Marvel artist has passed away at the age of 93. Jon and Steven discuss how Jazzy John's Spider-Man was the only Spider-Man for an entire generation, why "Daredevil" was secretly an audition, and how his soap opera background completed Peter Parker's world in a way even Steve Ditko didn't. Plus, omnibus weights, the golden age of expensive collecting and how the Romitas made comics a family business that paid off for generations of fans. [Ep337]

Howie Weingarten loves a good vampire movie. That's why he hated Nicolas Cage playing Dracula. Jon and Howie discuss what makes a great vampire, why we still talk about Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee and why budget doesn't matter. Plus, sneaking magazines in class, big hair porn and reviewing movies alone. [EP336]

So many streaming shows dropped their final episodes this week. Jon and Elliott discuss whether a good ending is worth fewer episodes. Was "Barry" the greatest finale since "Breaking Bad"? Was "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" this decade's "Mad Men"? And can any ending beat "Picard"? Plus, seeing and missing multiple Marvel movies. [EP335]

It's the third Indiana Jones movie, but is it the last Indiana Jones movie? Jon, Elliott, Dave and Tom discuss whether the Indy franchise was designed as a trilogy and if ignoring "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" means ignoring "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny". Plus, Sean Connery as a character actor, Bond suits and too much funny? [EP334]

Bill Monroe was the host of "the Strokecast", a seasoned public speaker and a frequent guest of the show. He was also Jon's best friend. Jon tells the story of how he and Bill met in the 1980s, the adventures they had from Seattle to Las Vegas to the Dominican Republic and how Bill's eternal optimism overshadowed his own stroke and sudden passing. Plus, a rebroadcast of their 2016 discussion about Star Trek's 50th anniversary. [EP333]

Noted NY session guitarist, producer and lifelong friend of the podcast Ron Zabrocki passed away this week so we're representing his 2013 appearance. Ron tells stories of coming up in the 70s, how digital changed his sound and what he really thinks about the Beatles, all in his own inimitable, and much missed, style [EP332]

Jon was on his way to see "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3" when Howie Weingarten showed up from NY on the heels of the World Health Organization ending the COVID-19 global health emergency. They discuss the early days of lockdown, the good and bad ways their lives were changed forever by lockdown and losing loved ones and how Howie and his wife survived getting the virus 3 times. [EP331]