Everyone's favorite sub-series is back! And this time we're outside the box. Jake + Mitch strap on their fan-casting capes for another round of, "wouldn't it be cool if this project were green-lit?" Shut-Up and Give it to Me, Vol. VI hits a few wild stops along the way but promises to bring all the randomness home to some legit goodness. Here's a snapshot of what the guys consider their next round of "passion projects": - 'The Wrong Earth': What if Jon Hamm was Dragonfly Man? - Does Ben Platt ha...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Welp, it finally happened — Patton Oswalt became a Supervillain. Jake + Mitch dive deep into the bonkers, stop-motion world of Hulu's, 'M.O.D.O.K.'. Because outside of Oswalt's awesomeness, the show is certainly a force to be reckoned with both good and bad. Along the way the guys ask: - At what point does the derivative schtick get old? - Supervillain vs Suburbia: Can we pick a lane? - Is Jon Hamm's Iron Man perfect? All criticism aside, 'M.O.D.O.K.' is incredibly watchable and delivers some of...
Jun 18, 2021•49 min
As far as this podcast is concerned, Keanu Reeves is an icon. Jake + Mitch bust out another hidden gem from the vault and re-visit 2005's dark installment, 'Constantine'. Because, if we're being honest, this film deserves better and it's time we gave it some appreciation. Along the way they ask: - Is this the most overqualified cast for a comic flick? - What happened to single-installment comic titles? - What do we make of Keanu's legacy? Dripping with style and wildly entertaining, 'Constantine...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 6 min
The MCU is getting the Oscar treatment. Jake + Mitch share their excitement for Marvel's Phase Four installment, 'Eternals'. Judging from the teaser trailer, we're clearly headed for something that looks and feels different for all the right reasons. Along the way the guys hit a few topics: - Academy Award Winner Chloe Zhao has a distinct style — how will that blend with the Marvel-ness of it all? - Is the world ready for Kumail Nanjiani to go full Superhero mode? - Has Kevin Feige turns us all ...
Jun 04, 2021•58 min
We have a new Captain and a new era. Jake + Mitch finish-up the final three episodes of the MCU Disney+ show, 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'. Interestingly enough, FATWS seems to have found that balance of missing opportunities while packing entertainment at the same time. Taking the whole season into scope, the guys ask: - Again ... Why is Zemo there? - Does this show suffer from overstuffed syndrome? - How stoked are we for Captain America 4? After all is said and done a lot happened, but...
May 27, 2021•53 min
"Go, Ninja! Go, Ninja! Go, Ninja! Go!" Jake + Mitch welcome special guests Andrew & Brandon from the Namely 90s Podcast to dish on everyone's favorite mutant sequel, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'. Because only one movie could give us Vanilla Ice, Super Shredder, and the Traditional Pre-Fight Donut. Along the way they tackle the tough topics: - What happened to Bebop and Rocksteady? - Worst Movie Trope: Baguettes in Grocery Bags or Empty Coffee Cups? - What's the s...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 19 min
Boy, they weren't kidding ... carnage is happening. Jake + Mitch dish on the new, messy trailer for VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE. More importantly, they unpack why Sony is set on complicating what seemed like a slam dunk. Along the way they embrace randomness and posit: - Is VENOM the La Croix of comic book movies? - What if Seth Rogen was Eddie Brock? - Can Woody Harrelson save this thing? Through it all, one thing is certain: Whether uniquely great or fantastically bad, VENOM 2 is going to make...
May 13, 2021•43 min
The Watching Comics Pod is back with another installment of... IMPOSSIBLE QUESTIONS Attempting to answer daunting questions; or at least re-visiting something we may have underestimated. Quick takes, sharp focus, and endless Twitter-blasting potential. Co-Host Jake shares some game-changing thoughts on his favorite comic book character of all-time: Is the Play Station 4's 'Spider-Man' game the definitive take on the character? In a few quick minutes, Jakes dives into Doc Ock, Peter's classic str...
May 06, 2021•16 min
"Walk down the right back alley in Sin City... and you could find anything." Jake + Mitch re-visit a longtime gritty favorite, 'Sin City'. More importantly, the guys litigate whether the film remains special 16 years later or if it has lost its luster. Along the way they hit a few stops: - Did Christopher Nolan hijack the way we view comic book flicks? - Is the noir of it all homage or campy trope? - Why isn't Carla Gugino a household name? Visceral violence, bold visuals, and perhaps the best c...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 9 min
They don't make 'em like they used to. Jake + Mitch welcome special guest Mike G. from Masters of the Nerdiverse Podcast to dish on a true cult classic, WILLOW. Because legacy matters and it's high-time the guys lay down their definitive takes on George Lucas' random epic about wizards and witches. Along the way they tackle the tough topics: - Is WILLOW just a poor man's LORD OF THE RINGS? - Mullet Wars: Val Kilmer vs Billy Ray Cyrus - Remember when good practical effects were a thing? From rich...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 13 min
How do you create and launch your own comic anthology? Jake + Mitch welcome back friend of the pod, Matt Mair Lowery, to dive deep into his latest creative project, 'ThoughtScape' A sci-fi anthology comic book series in the tradition of 2000 AD, Black Mirror, and The Twilight Zone. Because when an idea for more high-quality "sad boy sci-fi" hits, you run with it. The guys unpack the the process behind crafting the comic anthology approach, getting the gang of creatives together, launching thru K...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr
How do we move on after Captain America? Jake + Mitch dive into the first three episodes of the latest MCU television installment, 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'. Charged with laying railway for the next Avengers saga, the show carries potential. But, at least at this point, it seems to be going off the rails a bit. The guys tackle a few pressing questions: - Why is Zemo there? - When are they going to give Anthony Mackie room to operate? - Will we end the show with Sam owning the Shield? H...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min
DC said, "Let's try that one again", and we couldn't be more excited. Jake + Mitch break down the newly launched trailer for James Gunn's latest project, 'The Suicide Squad'. Because if nothing else, it's got to be better than the first one, right? Along the way the guys ask: - Are we too adjacent to 'Guardians of the Galaxy'? - Does DC have what it takes to give their bench of characters a good turn? - Is Starro the answer? They also share tackle Prince William and his recent "bald" status. Don...
Apr 02, 2021•31 min
At long last, Mr. Snyder's vision has arrived. Jake + Mitch emerge from the four-hour behemoth to deep-dive into the pop cultural phenomenon of, 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'. From the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, to the missteps of Wh*don's edition, to Batman, Superman, and the gang, to finally seeing the full epic come to life -- there's a lot to unpack. Along the way the guys hit a few notable stops: - Did we get the closure for Batfflelck and Supes that we needed? - Why couldn't they do m...
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 33 min
The MCU has gone all-in on TV and we have thoughts. Jake + Mitch break down the limited series, 'WandaVision' and dish on the good and the frustrating from the landmark title. As an exploration of grief the show certainly chose to go deep in between moments of expected energy. But did it stick the landing? Also, the guys hit a few key topics along the way: - Wait, Marvel gave us therapeutic television AND character nuance? - How do we handle Wanda's lack of consequences? - Will we credit 'WandaV...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Watching Comics is back with another installment of... IMPOSSIBLE QUESTIONS Attempting to answer daunting questions; or at least re-visiting something we may have underestimated. Quick takes, sharp focus, and endless Twitter-blasting potential. Co-Host Mitch shares his thoughts on a commonly overlooked 90s classic and how it stacks-up against other comic titles: Is ‘Dick Tracy’ the greatest comic book movie of all-time? In a few quick minutes, Mitch shares five reasons why this 1990 gem might be...
Mar 12, 2021•22 min
At long last a Superman reboot is coming. Jake + Mitch dish on the newly announced Supes flick. With Ta-Nehisi Coats tied to write the screenplay and J.J. Abrams slotted to produce, it's hard not to get excited. Even if the project is barely off the ground, the guys do their best to fan cast the hero himself and the film's director. Along the way they ask: - Who's your Superman: Michael B. Jordan or Trevante Rhodes? - Does Miles Teller deserve another shot at being a Superhero? - Pick a director...
Mar 05, 2021•46 min
Good, bad, or simply mediocre? X-Men Month continues with Jake + Mitch pitting two titles against each other. Because, at long last, the world deserves to know, which is better?: 'Days of Future Past' or 'Apocalypse' Between sloppy dialogue, fantastic moments, and a lot of uncertainty, the guys attempt to break down the age old struggle of expectation against reality. Also, along the way, they ask a few questions: - Is 'Days of Future Past' a "Big Mac" movie? - Why didn't get Kitty Pride a bette...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Wolverine got the Western treatment and we felt things ... well, maybe. X-Men Month continues with Jake + Mitch breaking down Wolverine's dramatic final chapter, 'Logan'. Between our favorite mutants going Western, to the inevitable tragic coda -- the film certainly wants to be taken seriously. Almost to a point where it must be asked: Yes, 'Logan' is good ... but is it great? Also, along the way, the guys hit a few other stops: - Does the movie earn its Oscar moment? - Is James Mangold the Tom ...
Feb 23, 2021•53 min
Is it possible to love and movie and still want it to be better? X-Men Month continues with Jake + Mitch diving into the new-but-old line of mutant flicks, 'X-Men: First Class'. Between the bold recasting and the familiar tension of Xavier + Magneto, this film found a way to both entertain and while leaving us wanting just a little bit more. The guys ask the important questions as they unpack the flick: - Is Fassbender a modern-day Brando? - Why can't the X-Men movies do right by their leading l...
Feb 12, 2021•55 min
Once upon a time, the X-Men movies were the cream of the crop. Jake + Mitch launch X-Men Month by taking a deep-dive into one of their favorite titles, ‘X2: X-Men United’. Because, if for no other reason, a little bit of history needs to be re-written as this flick clearly deserves better. Along the way they tackle key questions: Are the X-Men better off without Cyclops? How much Wolverine is too much? Is ‘X2’ a top 10 comic book movie of all-time? The mutants on both page and screen have stood ...
Feb 02, 2021•1 hr 6 min
How do you expand something that was already perfect? Damon Lindelof knows how. Jake + Mitch take a deep dive (finally) into perhaps the best comic inspired TV installment of recent memory, HBO’s ‘Watchmen’. More importantly, they try to figure out an original sequel to a masterpiece graphic novel could wind up being this good. Along the way they tackle a few questions: - Is ‘Watchmen’ an era defining show? - What do we make of the ‘Dr. Manhattan does love’ angle? - Is this what perfect casting ...
Jan 22, 2021•1 hr 1 min
The MCU has returned, but this time on the small screen. Jake + Mitch fire-up Disney+ and dive into the first two episodes of 'WandaVision'. Because homage is a wonderful thing and this show is taking it to a whole new level. Plus, the guys hit a few notable fan theories along the way: - What do we make of Wanda's delusion? - Will Kathryn Hahn be the low-key MVP? - Could this be the gateway for Mutants to the MCU? Delightful in every way and also not at all what it seems on the surface, it seems...
Jan 18, 2021•43 min
Once upon a time, a couple of friends thought it'd be fun to go on a summer trip ... and they nearly ended-up causing an international incident. True Story. To celebrate eclipsing 500 Twitter followers, Jake + Mitch share a special story from their college days. Back in the summer of 2008 the guys travelled to China. As wide-eyed, naive twenty-somethings they thought it'd be the time of their lives. And, well, it was but for all the wrong reasons. Upon arrival, one of them made it through custom...
Jan 15, 2021•36 min
Well, we traveled back to the 80s and a lot happened. Jake + Mitch dish on the latest DCEU film, 'Wonder Woman 1984'. Despite the whirlwind of Twitter noise surrounding the flick, the guys seek to answer one looming question: Is 'WW84' a good movie or a problematic one? Because with the first installment setting the tone, expectations this time around were sky high. Along the way they also hit a few key topics: - Have Pedro Pascal + Kristen Wiig elevated comic book camp into an art form? - Just ...
Jan 06, 2021•57 min
Because it's time to re-shuffle the list. Co-Host Mitch dives into the trend of updated rankings for the DC Extended Universe. Now that 'Wonder Woman 1984' is officially in our lives, for better or worse, some things had to change. Mitch makes the case for a three-tiered system and why the top two titles are unassailable. Of course, 'Suicide Squad' sets at the bottom, but where does the rest of the field end up? That's what makes it interesting. Be sure to give a listen, rate, and review! https:...
Dec 31, 2020•28 min
It's judgement time. Jake + Mitch dive into the realm Judge Dredd and all of his pulp action awesomeness. Because someone's got to hold the great debate, right? With Stallone's JUDGE DREDD and Urban's DREDD serving as a perfect double-feature, the guys hit ask a few notable questions: - Remember the Rob Schneider renaissance? - How did makes Stallone's flick achieve pulp perfection? - Does Karl Urban capture the character best? - What if Zack Snyder directed DREDD? In true Watching Comics fashio...
Dec 23, 2020•59 min
More and more and more projects are coming! Jake + Mitch try to make sense of all the announcements from Disney Investor Day. More specifically, they dish on the new projects they're looking forward to most. Along the way they issue a few important questions: - Can Jon Watts resurrect the Fantastic Four? - Is the world ready for the Willow Extended Universe? - Christian Bale to 'Thor 4' = Perfect casting? - Could Teyonah Parris be the MVP of 'Captain Marvel II'? In grand IP fashion, there's no s...
Dec 18, 2020•40 min
Wonder Woman 1984 is hitting HBO Max and Christmas 2020 has been saved ... or has it? Jake + Mitch dive-into the loaded conversation surrounding the innovative release model for the latest DC movie property. Their excitement for the movie aside, it's impossible to look at the landscape and not ask the daunting question: What will this mean for the future of post-pandemic movie-going? The guys share takes on the importance of cinema as an art form and a worthy industry to support. Along the way t...
Dec 03, 2020•54 min
A true legend has left us. Jake + Mitch discuss the near mythological career of the late Sir Sean Connery. Whether it be the definitive 007, a late career action star, a nuanced leading man, an Oscar winner, or a pop-culture icon -- the man accomplished what few ever could ... he accomplished it all. Along the way they also re-visit a not-so-bright-spot on Mr. Connery's career as they break down, 'The League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen'. More specifically they ask: - Why didn't Justice League fo...
Nov 25, 2020•56 min
