Gobbledygeek

For the next installment of this year’s superhero-free Four-Color Flashback, Paul and Arlo leave the realm of autobiography, semi- or otherwise, for some thrilling adventures in fictional China. Faith Erin Hicks’ The Nameless City trilogy has everything: young men and women coming of age in trying times, political intrigue, backstabbing, betrayal, and some pretty cool martial arts fights. The boys discuss Hicks’ deceptively simple artwork, how she incorporates sound effects into her storytelling, Jordie Bellaire’s stunning color, and why The Nameless City is a love story but not a romance.   Next: freegobble!   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:47:52 00:00:40  - Intro / Fatty Liver and the Teething Puppies 00:18:00  - Main Topic 01:43:13  - Outro / Next

For the next installment of this year’s non-superheroic Four-Color Flashback, Paul and Arlo are joined by their pal Johny Ho to discuss Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese. While they’ve previously discussed Yang’s work on the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics, Paul and Arlo discover a whole new side of Yang in this semi-autobiographical novel; while Johny finds pieces of his experience reflected in the story of Jin Wang, an Asian kid enrolled in a Western school. The gang discusses Yang’s simple yet exciting artwork; Lark Pien’s vibrant colors; the horrifying stereotypes Yang spotlights; the meaning of the Monkey King’s journey; and more.   Next: game over. Sarah Kosheff rides in on her dragon to talk Game of Thrones’ final season.   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:19:45 00:00:25  - Intro / Guest 00:03:00   - Main Topic 01:15:45  - Outro / Next

How does one go from lamenting the untimely demise of Tom King’s Batman to discussing the power structures that dictate what one finds culturally acceptable in any given generation? There’s only one way to find out: by listening to this week’s Gobbledygeek! Paul and Arlo blather about superheroic drama, including Superman: The Animated Series; opinions that have evolved with time, whether they’re on The Downward Spiral or She-Ra: Princess of Power; and why the hell Pete Venkman was carrying 300ccs of Thorazine.   Next: Johny Ho joins Paul and Arlo to discuss Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese in the latest Four-Color Flashback.   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:10:56 00:00:25  - Intro / the boys are pissed off 00:02:39  - Tom King kicked out of the Bat-cave. 00:12:22  - Hickman murders the X-Men. 00:16:27  - Rest in peace, Whiskey Cavalier. 00:24:04  - What the hell has Arlo been doing in the shadows? 00:26:50  - Oh, he’s been watching Superman cartoons. 00:41:22  - Our changing perspective on beloved ar

To paraphrase Olivia Newton-John, “Let’s get political--political!” Paul and Arlo discuss politics only occasionally, but this week, they unload. With anti-abortion bills being signed into law in both of their home states, Alabama and Ohio, the boys have a thing or two to say. (Spoiler: they are loudly and clearly pro-choice.) Where do you go after that? Well, Paul saves a restaurant bird, Arlo goes down a murderous Reddit rabbit hole, and Paul cannot get the fuck to sleep. Sweet dreams, kids.   Next: who knows!   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:02:35 00:00:46  - Intro / Terrible No Good Very Very Bad Politics 00:33:49  - Paul saved a restaurant bird 00:39:11  - Arlo hates gore, loves murder sub-reddits 00:49:24  - The paranoia is coming from inside the house 00:53:36  - Backdoor neighbors 00:59:00  - Outro / Next

Welcome to another Freestyle episode of Gobbledygeek, wherein you can either choose to hear Paul yell at clouds or Arlo have an existential crisis about adulthood. Just remember: whatever you choose, it’s gonna taste like watered-down Dr. Pepper. Paul and Arlo discuss Arlo’s new house; their digitally-assisted strolls down memory lane; how nostalgia can lead to arrested development (neither the show nor the hip-hop group); and how “take” culture has sucked a lot of the joy (and nuance) out of pop culture discussion.   Next: oh god, it might be another one of these?   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 01:11:46 00:00:30  - Intro / Banter 01:04:42  - Outro / Next

All good things must come to an end. And while the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not one of those things--there’s another one of these bad boys coming out in a few months--Avengers: Endgame does represent the culmination of this first wave/cycle/saga of the MCU. Paul and Arlo are joined by their The Deli Counter of Justice co-creator Eric Sipple to discuss just how in the hell directors Anthony and Joe Russo, screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and many many other talented filmmakers pulled off this marvelous feat. Because somehow, some way, Endgame is just about the most satisfying conclusion you could hope for.   Next: enter the void.   THE BREAKDOWN Total Run Time: 02:04:13 00:00:30  - Intro / Banter 00:05:37  - Avengers: Endgame (Non-Spoiler) 00:30:17  - Avengers: Endgame (SPOILERS) 02:02:00  - Outro / Next

For the next black-and-white non-fiction graphic novel of Four-Color Flashback 2k19, Paul and Arlo head East to discuss Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Published between 2000-04, Persepolis tells Satrapi’s autobiographical story of growing up during the Iranian Revolution and coming of age in a totalitarian society. The boys discuss Satrapi’s simplistic, cartoony artwork and its heavy use of black ink; why comics is the perfect medium to make this story a universal one; how Satrapi challenges our Western notions of Iranian culture; and why Paul had a tough time connecting to the book. Next: whatever it takes. Avengers: Endgame.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:21:47 00:00:30 - Intro / Banter 00:01:33 - Persepolis 01:17:20 - Outro / Next

It’s 11:11, better grab your gardening shears and press play on this week’s Gobbledygeek, a discussion of writer-director Jordan Peele’s Us. This is a tricky one; it’s got more layers than a cake. Paul and Arlo discuss Peele’s extensive use of duality and mirroring, the awards categories they’re going to have to invent to honor Lupita Nyong’o’s tremendous performance, the film’s transitions between humor and horror, and what it all means. Next: back to the void.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:59:37 00:00:30 - Intro / Banter 00:02:45 - Us (Non-Spoiler) 00:37:40 - Us (SPOILERS) 01:58:06 - Outro / Next

Marks on paper, sheets of snow, first loves crowned with halos. These are some of the images that make up Craig Thompson’s 2003 illustrated novel Blankets, a modern classic if ever there was one. Paul and Arlo continue this year’s “nondenominational” Four-Color Flashback with a discussion of Thompson’s masterpiece, an autobiographical story of childhood, sexuality, first love, and the author’s struggle with faith. The boys discuss Thompson’s brave and uncomfortable truth, their experiences (or lack thereof) with organized religion, Craig’s idolatry of his beloved Raina, and Thompson’s stunning artwork. Plus, scraps of Marvel news that have no business being in this episode but which broke after we recorded the Captain Marvel one. Sorry. We’re professionals. Next: after a week off, the boys are back and who knows what they’ll be talking about?   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 02:06:55 00:00:30 - Intro / Banter 00:17:41 - Blankets 02:01:23 - Outro / Next

It only took ‘em 21 movies, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally debuted a solo female superhero with Captain Marvel. Acclaimed indie filmmakers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take to the stars for the story of Carol Danvers, ace pilot turned intergalactic warrior. Drenched in ‘90s nostalgia, the film finds buddy comedy with the spirited Brie Larson/Samuel L. Jackson dynamic; it finds Memento-lite storytelling gymnastics with Carol's fractured memories. Paul and Arlo debate this approach's effectiveness; think back to whether or not they loved the ‘90s; consider what the film's cosmic shenanigans mean for the future of the MCU; and attempt (with varying degrees of success) to check their privilege while analyzing a tale of female empowerment. Next: the boys crash land back on Earth for another Four-Color Flashback installment, this one discussing Craig Thompson's modern classic Blankets.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:51:55 00:00:30 - Intro / Yet another “we recognize our privilege” CYA disclaimer 00:02:38

In which our daring duo defies devilish dentists. In all sincerity, here’s a big fat content warning: if, like Paul and Arlo, you are one of the 5-15% of adults with dentophobia, we talk about the dentist. A whole bunch. From childhood orthodontic nightmares to phantasmagoric periodontics of the present day, the boys discuss in (perhaps excruciating) detail their toothy troubles. Plus, if that doesn’t turn you off of the whole damn enterprise, there’s also talk of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in IMAX, Netflix’s take on The Umbrella Academy, and a belated discussion of seasons 2 and 3 of AMC’s Preacher adaptation. Next: Higher. Further. Faster. Captain Marvel.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:22:12 00:02:23 - More HTTYD (on IMAX this time) 00:10:00 - Dentophobia (CONTENT WARNING!) 00:45:24 - Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy 00:56:00 - Arlo finally watched AMC’s Preacher 01:15:36 - Outro / Next

Paul and Arlo return to the land of Berk one last time for a discussion of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Joining them is their fellow dragon rider (and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor) Eric Sipple. The gang discusses their journey through the years with Hiccup and Toothless, whether or not the supporting cast weighs the series down, writer-director Dean DeBlois’ original intentions for the villain, and their differing interpretations of the conclusion. Next: enter the void.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 02:28:10 00:00:37 - Intro / Disclaimer (Paul is emotional and broken and in therapy ABOUT these films!) 00:08:26 - Main Topic (Non-Spoiler) 00:42:23 - SPOILERS 02:23:17 - Outro / Next

In honor of Black History Month, Paul and Arlo are discussing John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell’s March for their second Four-Color Flashback of 2019. This three-volume set, published from 2013-16, follows Rep. Lewis from his days raising (and baptizing) chickens in Pike County, Alabama, to standing side-by-side with leading figures of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. The boys discuss how their whiteness both helps and hinders the discussion, their admiration for Lewis’ adherence to the tenets of nonviolent resistance, why comics are uniquely suited to convey a story of such historical import, and Nate Powell’s genius use of lettering. Next: who knows! Join us for the ride. If you dare.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:43:01 00:00:34 - Intro / Disclaimer (We’re white.) 00:06:45 - Main Topic 01:38:37 - Outro / Next

This week finds Paul and Arlo being a coupla ding-dong daddies as another musical Geek Challenge is summoned from a mail-order spellbook. First, Paul challenges Arlo to Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Robert Stevenson’s 1971 follow-up to Mary Poppins. Then, Arlo forces Paul to endure Rob Marshall’s 2002 Best Picture winner Chicago. Witchcraft and murder...this one’s got it all. The boys discuss Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ unlikely connection to The Island of Dr. Moreau, whether or not Chicago deserves its reputation as one of the weakest Best Picture champs, and why Paul refuses to pay Rent. Next: after a week off, we’re back for our second Four-Color Flashback of 2019, discussing March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:40:46 00:01:56 - Banter (But we swore we wouldn’t do this anymore!) 00:11:51 - Bedknobs and Broomsticks 00:51:55 - Chicago 01:36:10 - Outro / Next

For Four-Color Flashback 2019, Paul and Arlo are venturing beyond the realm of superheroes and into the wide world of comics many Americans never visit. To first appreciate comics, though, it’s important to understand their capabilities. There’s nowhere better to turn than Scott McCloud’s seminal 1993 tome Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. It’s an academic, analytical study of the comics form--but it’s also a friendly, entertaining, flat-out fun read. Paul and Arlo discuss why everyone should read Understanding Comics, how it influenced the way they read comics, the concept of closure, and the digital revolution. Next: witchcraft, murder, and all that jazz in a musical Geek Challenge. Arlo must watch Disney’s 1971 Angela Lansbury vehicle Bedknobs and Broomsticks, while Paul is tasked with 2002’s Renee Zellweger showcase Chicago.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:18:46 00:00:46 - The history (and future) of FCF 00:05:20 - Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art 01:14:51 - Outro / Next

We’re back, babies! Gobbledygeek returns for its 10th season--though not its 10th anniversary, get your math right--with our hosts doing the bare minimum to keep this thing afloat. The centerpiece is an anxiety-fueled story about chicken wings, for gods’ sakes. Meanwhile, Paul went to Disney World again and lived to tell the tale. Arlo has thoughts on Jason Reitman directing the next Ghostbusters film. Beards are soothed. Y’know, the usual. Plus, Paul has seen Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse once for each season of the show! Next: Four-Color Flashback 2019 gets off to an early start, as our year of non-superhero fare kicks off with Scott McCloud’s non-fiction classic Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art.   THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:12:26 00:01:55 - New year, new show 00:04:30 - Paul’s Walt Disney World trip 00:19:18 - Anxiety 00:39:00 - Beard Spa / Scalp Camp 00:44:17 - Jason Reitman’s Ghostbusters 00:57:15 - More about Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 01:02:56 - New Deliverse project? 01:09:08 - Outro

Paul and Arlo swing into the Gobbledygeek season 9 finale with a discussion of the latest (and possibly greatest?) Spider-Man movie, Into the Spider-Verse. Popping in from an alternate dimension where “Curtis” has two s's is their pal Nate Curtiss. The gang discusses how the movie nails the characterizations of Miles Morales and Peter Parker, its dazzling visuals, the film's message of inclusion, and moviegoers’ animation biases. Plus, Paul and Arlo both make important announcements, and we discuss Miles in both the Spider-Man PS4 game and his own new comic book. Next: if we're legally allowed to say this, That's all, folks! Happy holidays and we'll see you next year for season 10! THE BREAKDOWN Run Time: 01:59:00 00:03:05 - Banter 00:22:19 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 01:01:50 - SPOILERS! 01:55:28 - Outro / Next

This year's superheroic Four-Color Flashback comes to a close as the Visions of Virginia move into their house at 616 Hickory Branch Lane, Arlington, VA, 21301. In Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta's The Vision, the synthezoid Avenger creates his own family in an effort to achieve normalcy--and watches as his efforts fail, early and often. Joining Paul and Arlo to discuss one of the decade's best comics is FreakSugar contributing editor Jed Waters Keith. The gang discusses the foreboding on every page; King's watchmaker precision; Walta's subtle emotional modulations; and how by denying his emotions and refusing to learn from his mistakes, the Vision is as human as any of us. Plus, Arlo still hasn't gone on a poop cruise; and Paul wants to Die while reading Winter Soldier. Next month: this bizarre roller coaster ride of a season ends with a discussion of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.   THE BREAKDOWN 00:00:00 - 00:48:21  - Intro / Banter 00:48:21 - 02:14:34  - Main Topic 02:14:34  - 02:20:56  - Outro /

Ollie, draw back your bow and let your arrow go straight to that killer’s heart. For the penultimate Four-Color Flashback of the year, and the final DC installment of our Age of Heroes project, Paul and Arlo head to the asphalt jungle of Seattle as Oliver Queen stalks his street punk prey in Mike Grell’s 1987 miniseries Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters. As was common practice in the ‘80s, Grell reimagined the character of Green Arrow as grimmer, grittier, and existing in a real world full of boobs and blood. The boys discuss why Grell, by and large, does not really pull this off; the two really interesting moments of subversion he does manage; his stellar, sketchy, detailed artwork; and Dinah Lance’s near-fridging. Plus, the boys honor Stan Lee; Arlo cooks up some groovy spaghetti with the new White Album set; Paul needs a Bodyguard; and things get horrifying with The Immortal Hulk and Outer Darkness. Next: happy Thanksgiving! Paul and Arlo return next month to close out the Age of Heroes with Tom King and Ga

Jazz hands, everyone! It's time for a new episode of the new era of Gobbledygeek, which is either painfully self-indulgent or--well, there is no other option, BUT. Paul and Arlo freestyle about why they're freestyling, discuss how perspectives on art change, extoll the complicated virtues of Miles Davis and Queen, and become flummoxed at the hyper-realistic minutiae of Red Dead Redemption 2. Next: back to your regularly scheduled podcast with a Four-Color Flashback discussion of Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters.