Episode 174: Why-Men (Lesser Known X-Men; Rachel Summers, Longshot, Psylocke)

Our fourth in a recurring series on the less famous members of the X-Men roster, we reach the 80s, with a alternate future child, a mullet-wearing alien clone, and a body swapped telepathic ninja.  Yes, the X-Men are weird.  Take a listen to find out exactly how weird it can get!

Rachel’s had a few different looks over the years, as she went from Hound to just Rachel, to Phoenix, to Marvel Girl, to Prestige to Askani. See if you can guess which costumes apply to which code name.

Business in the front, party in the back, pouches on the belt (a trendsetter both in hair and superhero costumes).

Betsy’s also gone through many looks. I’m grateful for the cover that shows them all in one image.

Episode 173: Who Are Madame Web and the Spider-Women?

Inspired by the recent Sony movie (which, while not good, is fun in its own way), we go through the comic book counterparts of the four lead women to see how they are all interconnected in multiple ways throughout their respective histories.

I never understand why blind people would wear blindfolds.

Despite them being psionic in nature, the webs still come from Julia’s hands, not her head.

Julia as Madame Web #2. You can understand how this costume, and…

…this costume made me think Dakota was playing Julia at first.

One of Mattie’s many costumes (the changing outfits became a running joke in her ongoing book)

Anya as Araña.

And in her current Spider-Girl (aka Julia’s old Spider-Woman) costume.

Episode 172: Football-playing Superheroes

In light of the Big Game that aired the day of this episode’s release, I found it only right to discuss heroes who were active in the sport at one time or another in their life.  From Superman to SuperPro, football has been a part of many comic characters lives. Find out which of your favorites is included!

Just don’t use your heat vision on them…

As long as the force doesn’t deflate the ball. Or is that okay?

In the future, helmets will have completely black faceplates. Also, the goalpost will be much shorter, apparently.

In the New Universe, all football players get a nickname.

It’s great when your voice can actually make a logo.

Episode 171: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 4; Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz)

Finally finishing up the Green Lantern “Replacements” episodes with the New 52 recruits of Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz.  But, before we get to those, one last bit of business from the Loki Season 2 Deep Dive, thanks to a listener comment.

“Hi, Loki!”

The gun was an identifying feature for a little while.

Hey, look ma! Character growth!

Jessica in her “Power Ring” costume.

And in her (much happier) Green Lantern outfit. She kept the eye tattoo, however.

Episode 170: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 3; Kyle Rayner and Jade)

After a bit of a hiatus, we continue the discussion of Green Lantern “Replacements,” getting into the 90s with one of the longest running replacements, Kyle Rayner, as well as the woman who briefly took his place, daughter of original Green Lantern Alan Scott, Jade.  (If you haven’t listened already, I suggest checking Episode 71 for discussion of Kyle’s first girlfriend, Alex DeWitt).

Ladies and gentlemen…Crab-Faced Guy!

One of Kyle’s different looks as “Ion.”

Don’t make her angry. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry. Wait a second…

Better than your boyfriend…at least in my opinion.

Quick Announcement

In case you don’t want to listen, here is the full announcement:
Hello everyone, and welcome to a non-episode of Welcome to Geektown.

I’ve decided to take a brief break from the show, and I wanted to let you know that quickly.  I will be taking December off, and return in January with brand new episodes.  Patreon members will not be charged for the month of December, since I am not putting out any new content.  Speaking of Patreon, I would like to take the opportunity to thank them for this month.  Mike Sterling, Justin Bailey, Lily Breen, Jesse Clark, Riki Garvin, Rob Garrison, Erynn Woodward, Aaron Borst, Carla Hoffman, Julio Herrera, and Matthew Saint.  Thank you again for your support.

In the meantime, I’d love to have a collection of questions to come back to when I return, so please email any and all suggestions to welcometogeektown@gmail.com or visit the website and click the “Submit a Question” link for the option to remain anonymous.  Also, subscribing and giving a five-star review on Apple Podcasts is the best way to help new people find the show, so we can all tell them, “Welcome to Geektown.  Population: Us.”

Episode 169: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 6)

Loki Season 2 comes to a climax as one of the most complex and well-performed characters gets a very fitting ending (it appears), and my guest Anne and I get into every detail along the way, as we discuss the writing, direction, costuming, and other choices made and how they impact the story as a whole.

The branches get much more literal.

Episode 168: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 5)

It’s the penultimate episode of Loki Season 2, and Anne and I have quite a bit to discuss, from the gorgeous camerawork to the rise of the God of Stories.  Take a listen, and let us know what you think!

I have a feeling we’ll be hearing this line from Tom Hiddleston’s mouth soon.

Episode 167: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 4)

Continuing our Deep Dive on the second season of Loki, we’ve reached Episode 4. But with that ending, is it the last episode?  No, but we’ll discuss our theories on what happens this episode, see where theories went right or wrong from past episodes, and what happens next.

In the episode, we discuss some Soviet-era mosaics and specifically mention a website to view some of them. Said website can be found here.

One particularly appropriate example, in case you don’t have time to click the link above…

Episode 166: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 3)

The Deep Dive of Season 2 of Loki continues with Guest Anne Valliant.  There is much costume discussion, as well as World’s Fair history, as we look at the episode that takes place almost entirely in the year that it’s named after…1893.

The production team did a great job recreating the Ferris Wheel (actual photo seen here)

Did we get an appearance from Turner D. Century? (Maybe, but probably not…)

Episode 165: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 2)

Continuing our Deep Dive of Season 2 of Loki.  Guest Anne Valliant returns from Season 1 to join me for this episode as we discuss the little easter eggs, the production design, the costumes, and of course, the plot and character development. The hair flip counter continues, and we learn…Who is The Phone Ranger?

Anne’s reaction is…well, pretty much what you’d expect.

The “Zaniac” as seen in the Marvel Comic Books…

and the movie poster seen early in the episode. Pretty spot on…

Yes kids, McDonald’s used to actually look like that.

Episode 164: Loki - A Deep Dive (Season 2, Episode 1)

We’re starting a new Deep Dive, but it’s our first continuation, as we discuss Season 2 of Loki.  Guest Dennis Riddle joins me for this episode as we discuss the new characters, the new situations, and of course, any comic book connections.  Plus, how many hair flips does Loki do?

Let’s go!

Episode 162: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 2; John Stewart)

Continuing the Green Lantern “Replacements” from last episode, we move on to the one that actually replaced Hal first, despite appearing after Guy Gardner.  The Lantern so well loved, he was actually chosen over Hal for the Justice League cartoon in the DCAU, it’s John Stewart!

This is one of many cases where the cover image does not at all happen in the story.

Believe it or not…it gets worse.

Can you tell this costume was created in the 1990s?

After the show aired, the comics adapted John to fit this version even more.

Yes we can.

Episode 162: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 1; Guy Gardner)

Continuing our ongoing “Replacements” feature, this is the first part of the Green Lantern franchise.  Even with only covering those that directly replaced Hal Jordan, we’re still going to need multiple shows to discuss all the successors to the mantle, and what happened to them when Hal inevitably returned.  We start with the first of those, Guy Gardner, a polarizing figure to say the least.

Ironically, he’s actually very nice in his first appearance, despite this cover.

Any man who dares walk the streets with that haircut has to be tough…

One of (a few) stints as a Red Lantern…

…or, in one case, a hybrid Green/Red (wouldn’t that be brown?).

My personal favorite Guy Gardner moment.

Episode 161: Comic Book Characters with Disassociative Identity Disorder

Thanks to listener feedback, we’re looking at another group of heroes with a specific mental disorder. This time it’s DID (or Disassociative Identity Disorder).  Moon Knight, Legion, Crazy Jane, and others are members of this unique club discussed this episode.
Thank you to DisassociDID for her videos discussing her experiences with DID. Anything I got right about can be credited to her. Anything I got wrong is totally me.

R.I.P. Arleen Sorkin, the original Harley Quinn.

The Void, Robert Reynolds, and The Sentry.

You will believe a Hulk (or two) can cry.

That’s less than 64, so they’re not all there yet…

I don’t actually think that’s the scientific term…but glad to hear you’re feeling good.

Episode 160: Neurodivergent Superheroes

Based on his portrayal in the recent movie bearing his name, a listener is curious about The Flash ever having been shown on the autism spectrum before this, as well as the presence of other neurodivergent characters in the superhero realm, which is what we discuss this episode.

Link to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network for more information on autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

Yeah, I can see it…

Oh, Reed, no…

Yes, we’ve had white suit…but what about second white suit? And third…and fourth…

He is the one that delivers…

Sniff any hair lately, Ed? (Listen to Gothamites, you’ll get it…)

Episode 159: Secret Invasion Deep Dive (Episode 6)

The final episode of Secret Invasion takes us “Home.”  Well, at least, for those that survived.  To find out who those are, take a listen as Dag and I discuss the season finale, it’s ups and downs, and what it might mean for future MCU projects.

It’s time to play…Spot the Powers!

Episode 158: Secret Invasion Deep Dive (Episode 5)

It’s been hinted at and this week we finally know for sure what the “Harvest” is and why it’s so important.  Once again, Dag joins me for this Deep Dive into Secret Invasion. Find out who our favorite new MCU character is among other things in this penultimate episode.

Fine, I’ll just tell you…It’s her. She’s our favorite new MCU character.

Episode 157: Secret Invasion Deep Dive (Episode 4)

From last week’s “Betrayed,” to this week’s “Beloved,” we’ve got some important conversations, and one giant action scene.  Dag and I discuss all the details of this episode, including the Skrull reveal (that was really done last episode), and another fateful death.

Yes, but for how long?

Episode 156: Secret Invasion Deep Dive (Episode 3)

This week’s episode of Secret Invasion is titled “Betrayed,” and it makes sense, as there are plenty of people feeling that way.  Fortunately, Dag didn’t betray me, and he showed up to bring his thoughts on the show.  Together, he and I discuss the ins and outs of the plot, and where we think things will go from here.

The comic book version of Varra has made only a couple of appearances. This is the one you can see her best in.